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.
