Books › A Matter of Class
A Matter of Class
191 pages
A delightfully clever Regency confection where a seemingly bitter marriage of convenience hides a deeply romantic secret.
What it feels like
Reading this novella feels like watching a masterfully executed sleight of hand. It begins with the familiar, slightly cynical texture of a forced marriage between bitter enemies, steeped in the rigid class prejudices of the Regency era. Yet, as the brisk narrative unfolds, the atmosphere shifts from hostile to secretly tender, revealing a playful and deeply romantic core. The prose is elegant and knowing, laced with a wry irony that makes the characters' interactions crackle with unspoken meaning. It is a deeply satisfying, cozy experience designed for readers who love a clever twist on classic tropes. Ultimately, it delivers a triumphant emotional payoff that will leave you smiling long after the final page is turned.
- Mood
- playful
- secretly tender
- satisfying
- Tone
- wry
- clever
- romantic
- knowing
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- class divides · hidden depths · clever deception · triumph over social strictures
- The writing
- Elegant and precise, laced with a subtle irony that rewards a second reading.
- The arc
- Transitions from a facade of bitter resentment to a triumphant, heartwarming revelation of deep devotion.
- Who it's for
- Romance readers who delight in clever structural twists and protagonists who outsmart their rigid social worlds.
Content notes
- classism
- parental manipulation
About the book
Just in time for Valentine's Day, from author Mary Balogh comes yet another classic historical tale that sizzles with romance and unforgettable drama. Reginald Mason is wealthy, refined, and, by all accounts, a gentleman. However, he is not a gentleman by title, a factor that pains him and his father within the Regency society that upholds station over all else. That is, until an opportunity for social advancement arises, namely, Lady Annabelle Ashton. Daughter of the Earl of Havercroft, a neighbor and enemy of the Mason family, Annabelle finds herself disgraced by a scandal, one that has left her branded as damaged goods. Besmirched by shame, the earl is only too happy to marry Annabelle off to anyone willing to have her. Though Reginald Mason, Senior, wishes to use Annabelle to propel his family up the social ladder, his son does not wish to marry her, preferring instead to live the wild, single life he is accustomed to. With this, Reginald Senior serves his son an ultimatum: marry Annabelle, or make do without family funds. Having no choice, Reginald consents, and enters into a hostile engagement in which the prospective bride and groom are openly antagonistic, each one resenting the other for their current state of affairs while their respective fathers revel in their suffering. So begins an intoxicating tale rife with dark secrets, deception, and the trials of love-a story in which very little is as it seems.
Description from Open Library.
Books like A Matter of Class
See why they match
Simply PerfectMary BaloghA quietly captivating Regency romance that explores the tender collision between a fiercely independent headmistress and a duty-bound aristocrat.
At Last Comes LoveMary BaloghA tender, character-driven Regency romance where a pragmatic marriage of convenience slowly blossoms into a deeply felt, redemptive love story.
The Counterfeit BetrothalApril KihlstromA tender, character-driven Regency romp where a playful charade slowly unravels into profound emotional vulnerability.
By love undoneSuzanne EnochA swoony, tension-filled historical romance where a ruined reputation collides with an irresistible, heart-risking attraction.
Always A ScoundrelSuzanne EnochA sparkling dance of wits where a notorious rogue and a desperate lady gamble with their hearts.
My Wicked MarquessGaelen FoleyA swoony historical romance where scandalous reputations mask noble hearts and undeniable attraction defies high-society gossip.