Review: The Wrong Lady Meets Lord Right by Suzanne Allain

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

About the Book

When a young woman trades places with her noble cousin, their innocent ruse leads to true love in this new Regency-era romantic comedy of manners from the author of Mr. Malcolm’s List. 

 

When Arabella Grant’s wicked aunt dies suddenly, both Arabella and her cousin Lady Isabelle cannot help but feel relieved. She’d made their lives miserable, and now Lady Issie is free to read to her heart’s content, and Bella is free from taunts about her ignoble birth.  

 

Their newfound freedom is threatened, however, when Issie’s great-aunt commands her to travel to London for a come-out Issie has never wanted. Issie, who is in poor health, is convinced she’ll drop dead like her mother did if she drops into a curtsy before the queen. So when her great-aunt turns out to be nearsighted and can’t tell the noble Lady Isabelle from her commoner cousin Arabella, Issie convinces Bella to take her place. Bella can attend all the exclusive entertainments that her lower birth would typically exclude her from, and Issie can stay in bed, her nose in a book. 

 

Bella agrees to the scheme for her dear cousin’s sake, but matters turn complicated when she meets the irresistible Lord Brooke. He begins courting her while under the impression she’s the rich and aristocratic Lady Isabelle, who, unlike Bella, is a suitable bride for an eligible young earl. And Bella, who is convinced that she has met “Lord Right,” worries what will happen when she reveals that he’s actually fallen for…the wrong lady.

My Review

This is a highly entertaining book! We are quick to know best friends and cousins Bella and Issie, although the difference in their stations has Bella as more of a companion who waits and dotes on Issie, while both bear the brunt of Issie's verbally and emotionally abusive mother. I was glad that the book began with her demise so we didn't have to read those difficult scenes, but we could understand the fallout and influence on the two young women. Bella has a vivid personality- loyal, adventurous, and with a wonderful sense of humor. Her banter with Lord Brooke was fantastic, and I loved how their chemistry grew quickly from friendship to attraction to romance. Issie's health, her young doctor, the meddling aunt, and complicated family dynamics brought layers to the story and I was captivated until the very end!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

About the Author

photo: Jonathon Allain 2019

 

 Suzanne Allain is a screenwriter who lived in New York and Beijing before returning to her hometown of Tallahassee, Florida, where she lives with her husband.

Review: The Ladies Rewrite the Rules Suzanne Allain

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

From the author of Mr. Malcolm's List comes a delightful romantic comedy set in Regency England about a widow who takes high society by storm.

Diana Boyle, a wealthy young widow, has no desire to ever marry again. Particularly not to someone who merely wants her for her fortune. 

So when she discovers that she’s listed in a directory of rich, single women she is furious, and rightly so. She confronts Maxwell Dean, the man who published the Bachelor’s Directory, and is horrified to find he is far more attractive than his actions have led her to expect. However, Diana is unmoved by Max’s explanation that he authored the list to assist younger sons like himself who cannot afford to marry unless it’s to a woman of means. 

She gathers the ladies in the directory together to inform them of its existence, so they may circumvent fortune hunters’ efforts to trick them into marriage. Though outraged, the women decide to embrace their unique position of power and reverse the usual gender roles by making the men dance to their tune. And together… the ladies rewrite the rules.

My Review

The title of this book filled me with anticipation, and the story did not disappoint! It was delightfully humorous, with vibrant characters and depth of emotion. I enjoyed the journey of Diana, Maxwell, and their friends as they navigate the rules of Society and how they redefined their roles and themselves.

 

According to society at the time, younger sons had few options for their future without lowering their societal class. One of those options was to marry a woman with a large dowry or independently wealthy, such as the widow of a rich man. Those who pursued this course were labelled "fortune hunters" and looked upon with suspicion. How was a woman to know that she was valued for more than her financial assets? That she would be treated as well after the marriage as during the courtship? Maxwell proved sincere in his desire to assist both the men and women in these circumstances, although some misused his directory, bringing the criticism, wrath, and retaliation of many of the women listed. I loved that these women met and bonded, even though there was an array of perspectives and opinions on courtship, marriage, and men. The women's actions to take control and turn the tables were fodder for the gossips, and they had a fine line to walk without falling over into disfavor or ruin. 

 

The story follows multiple characters who eventually pair off, but not before we see the layers peeled back and learn the motivations, nuances, and desires of those making up the ensemble cast. While there are a good number of ladies and gentlemen, a few are brought to the forefront as the focus, and the romance between each couple is sweet and genuine, filled with banter, misunderstandings, and reconciliations. Highly entertaining!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

 

 

About the Author

Suzanne Allain is a screenwriter who lived in New York and Beijing before returning to her hometown of Tallahassee, Florida, where she lives with her husband. Suzanne adapted her novel Mr. Malcolm’s List into a screenplay and it was made into a movie starring Freida Pinto, Theo James, Ṣọpẹ Dìrísù, and Zawe Ashton.

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PRAISE FOR THE LADIES REWRITE THE RULES

“Innovative…The novel’s true strength lies in the friendship between the bold heroines”— Publisher’s Weekly

“A fun, light-hearted Regency romp about changing society from the inside.”— Kirkus Reviews 

 

“Joyful, warm and witty, this is a delight of a book.”— All About Romance