Books › The Marriage Masquerade
The Marriage Masquerade
First published 2001 · 214 pages
A charming, low-angst Regency romp where a royal decree forces two reluctant acquaintances to navigate the awkward, tender path from obligation to true love.
What it feels like
A cozy, traditional Regency romance that wraps the reader in a comforting embrace of familiar tropes done well. The narrative moves at a steady, engaging pace, focusing on the delicious tension of a marriage of convenience born from royal meddling. The mood is light and heartwarming, laced with the gentle friction of past misunderstandings and the slow-burn realization of mutual affection. The prose is accessible yet appropriately period-flavored, capturing the polite society banter that masks deeper vulnerabilities. It is a delightfully low-angst read, perfect for readers who crave the sweet satisfaction of watching two defensive people slowly drop their guards and discover that the partner they were forced to accept is exactly the one they always needed.
- Mood
- cozy
- heartwarming
- gently tense
- hopeful
- Tone
- witty
- earnest
- lighthearted
- romantic
- Pace
- steady
- Themes
- marriage of convenience · overcoming past misunderstandings · forced proximity · vulnerability and trust
- The writing
- Accessible and gently period-flavored, relying on polite society banter to mask deeper emotional vulnerabilities.
- The arc
- Moves from defensive resentment and awkward obligation to tender understanding and genuine affection.
- Who it's for
- Fans of classic, sweet Regency romances who love the marriage of convenience trope and low-angst, character-driven love stories.
Content notes
- mild social humiliation
About the book
After a heated public debate ends her engagement, Lady Lucianne Gordon has to endure the humiliation of a fourth season. To save herself from her encroaching reputation as a spinster, Lucy must obey her godmother--who just happens to be Queen Charlotte--and be paired off with an eligible bachelor at Her Majesty's masquerade ball.
Lord Oxenby has always prided himself on being a friend of the Queen, but is perplexed when she first orders him to join Lady Lucianne as "Lord and Lady of the Masquerade," and then later as her husband. Oxenby and Lucy have never been friends--not since a miscommunication between them years ago--and to be forced into marriage is difficult for both of them. But living together as man and wife just may be what the couple needs to fall in love...
Description from Open Library.
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