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Cover of To Dream of Love

To Dream of Love

First published 1986 · 264 pages

A frothy, traditional Regency romp where a pragmatic heroine's quest for financial security accidentally leads to a sparkling romance.

What it feels like

Reading this book feels like stepping into a perfectly preserved, sunlit drawing room where the tea is hot and the gossip is delightfully sharp. It is a brisk, breezy traditional Regency romance that thrives on a lighthearted comedy of manners and the sheer charm of its spunky, pragmatic heroine. The narrative moves with a playful energy, trading heavy angst for dry British wit and cozy, low-stakes social maneuvering. The prose is crisp and unpretentious, focusing on snappy dialogue and the amusing clash of societal expectations. It is an incredibly comforting read, designed for those afternoons when you want to be swept away by a cheerful, rags-to-riches romance that guarantees a smile and a deeply satisfying, happily-ever-after resolution.

Mood
  • cozy
  • cheerful
  • romantic
  • sparkling
Tone
  • wry
  • lighthearted
  • playful
  • breezy
Pace
brisk
Themes
triumph of the underdog · comedy of manners · unexpected romance · family obligations · social maneuvering
The writing
Crisp and straightforward, driven by snappy dialogue and a dry, affectionate wit.
The arc
The protagonist moves from pragmatic frustration with her impoverished circumstances to the joyful surprise of genuine affection and security.
Who it's for
Readers who crave traditional, low-angst Regency romances filled with spunky heroines and lighthearted social comedy.
Content notes
  • familial neglect
  • classism

About the book

Harriet and her aunt live in poverty in a small village while her venal sister, who married a wealthy man, ignores them in London. She decides to force her sister to provide for them and travels to London, where she once again meets the handsome marquess who had met her by chance while she was doing chores in her garden.

Description from Open Library.

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