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Cover of A Kiss in the Dark

A Kiss in the Dark

First published 1998 · 385 pages

A breezy seaside romp where midnight snooping leads to mistaken identities and unexpected romance.

What it feels like

This delightful traditional Regency romance reads like a brisk walk along a breezy coastline, offering a perfect blend of lighthearted mystery and playful banter. The narrative moves at a sprightly pace, driven by a spirited heroine whose restless curiosity constantly lands her in amusingly compromising situations. The prose is crisp and witty, capturing the arch tone of the era without ever feeling bogged down by historical minutiae. Readers will find themselves wrapped in a cozy, gently suspenseful atmosphere where the stakes are low but the romantic tension is delightfully palpable. It is an absolute treat for fans of classic comedies of manners, appealing to anyone who loves a spirited romp mixed with a touch of midnight mischief and mistaken identity.

Mood
  • breezy
  • cozy
  • gently mysterious
Tone
  • witty
  • playful
  • lighthearted
  • arch
Pace
brisk
Themes
mistaken identity · seaside escapes · curiosity and mischief · enemies to lovers
The writing
Crisp and dialogue-heavy, peppered with period-appropriate wit and lively banter.
The arc
Moves from restless boredom and playful annoyance to thrilling romantic discovery and affectionate surrender.
Who it's for
Fans of traditional, low-spice Regency romances who love a spirited heroine and a touch of gothic-lite mystery.

About the book

THERE WAS A GROWING AIR OF MYSTERY ABOUT THE HOUSE--AND ITS ENIGMATIC OWNER.

Cressida Charmsworth had only recently learned to savor the pleasures of the rich and unencumbered. Now, at the ripe old age of twenty-three, she was society's premier Incomparable, having inherited more money than a green country girl could ever imagine.

Desiring a respite from London's social whirlwind, she set her eye on a quaint summer cottage by the sea. But its owner, stuffy Lord,Dauntry, refused to lend it to her. Cressida was convinced he used it to entertain his chere amie.

Forced to content herself with the house next door, she remained captivated by ghostly rumors that fueled her fertile imagination. But her brazen midnight snooping proved dangerous when she was swept into the lusty embrace of an attractive stranger--and plunged into the mysteries of the heart....

Description from Open Library.

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