Review: Catching Lady Theo (Here Come the Grooms Book 2) by Ella Quinn

  

Print Length: 336 pages

Publisher:  Kensington Publishing, Zebra (November 25, 2025)

From Goodreads.com: Leo, Duke of Chandos, can't quite believe it. After many mistresses, and much mischief and merriment, he's fallen head-over-heels for his best friend’s sister, Lady Theo Vivers. Now that she’s come out, Leo is ready to give up his wild bachelorhood for wedded bliss. Yet despite his attentions, Theo regards him at best as a friend, —at worst, as a brother. Determined to persuade her otherwise, he perseveres through the Season’s most grueling social events . . .

Theo is quite aware that Leo is irresistibly handsome, charming . . . and decidedly unsuitable husband material. She also happens to know of his vow not to marry until he is much older. So, when a compromising folly leads him to announce they are betrothed, Theo dismisses it as the kind act of a friend—and assures him she will liberate them from the situation. Until then, she must play along—while hoping to interest two far more appropriate matches.

But between misunderstandings, romantic rivals, and a risky move that will put more than Leo’s reputation on the line, the time they spend together as an engaged couple begins showing Theo just how devoted—and tempting—this allegedly reformed rogue can be . . .

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My Rating: 1.5 stars out of 5

I have been with these characters from the very beginning (and I do mean the very beginning, as I have been a fan since Matt and Grace's book that started it all). Which is why it pains me so much to have to rate this one the way that I did, but sadly, this story just wasn't my favorite for a few different reasons. 

To start with, this is book number two in her "Here Come the Grooms" series. Which is a continuation of both her "The Worthingtons" and "The Worthington Brides" series'. As such, there are A LOT of characters from the prior books that make appearances in this one. And while it doesn't happen all of the time, it still happens enough that the characters become very easily muddled. I get it, Theo comes from a very large and very happy family that is all very much involved in each other's lives. However, I don't think that every single sister and brother-in-law needed to be mentioned. Especially since some of them were new parents, they could have been left in the country to spend time with their growing family. 

Secondly, and I know this is just me being contrary, but the fact that time and again Leo referred to her in public as 'Lady Theo' when her named was Theodora just irked me. Theo was a nickname that would have been used only by those who she gave leave to call her by, not by every person she met. There were other a few story/editing errors that I found (the most notably being that Leo sends a messenger boy to Worthington House with a note to be delivered to Theo noting that it will take the boy at least an hour. This is because he was meant to go visit his villa, except he doesn't? Instead he goes to Worthington House himself, spends time with Theo, and then an hour later, the boy returns and gives Theo a note, only its from Leo's villa staff claiming that tomorrow or any following day would be better for a visit there? It didn't make sense. 

But my biggest issue with this novel was the utter lack of ...... well anything interesting. There was absolutely nothing standing in the way of their happily ever after except Theo's own stupidity (seriously she got mad that Leo wasn't interested in meeting young ladies even though he had been spending all of his time with her), and her habit of listening to gossip and taking it as the truth (and even that second one was easily overcome once she realized it was being done on purpose). If a man became interested in her? Suddenly he was the perfect match for one of her friends. Another debutante is determined to carry out a scheme in order to marry Leo? She is thwarted. His mother wishes him to marry someone else? Who cares! Not Leo or Theo (and really were the rhyming names necessary)? Even the gossipers in the long run had no affect on them getting together, and while I'm not someone who likes a lot of drama, I do wish there had been something that stood in between them. Or had even actually caused the slightest bit of trouble for them. 

That being said, I still think this story will appeal to long-time fans of this series as well as others who enjoy historical romances that are angst free.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.