Member Reviews
A sweet and fun regency romance. I loved Arabella, the FMC in this one. For once, she wasn’t super intellectual or “not like other girls.” She was a sweet, normal woman, who just had the misfortune of not having a fortune and having a mother from the lower classes. She got along with everyone and helped everyone, especially her cousin Isabelle, who struggled with mental health. When Isabelle asked Arabella to switch places Prince-and-the-Pauper style and enjoy all the social affairs of a London season which Arabella enjoyed and Isabelle didn’t, Arabella only agreed because she wanted to help out her cousin. But they both proceeded to fall in love with men from the wrong class!
The plot was straightforward but still engaging. And of course it all worked out in the end. If you like sweet, fade-to-black romance, this book is for you.
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Romance for the chance to review this ARC.
The Wrong Lady Meets Lord Right is such a charming Regency romance, full of heart and humor. The story follows Arabella and her identical cousin Isabelle, who switch places so that Bella will take part in the London season instead of her shy, sickly, and much wealthier cousin. It's a great setup for a fun story about family, love, and figuring out where you truly belong.
One of my favorite parts of the book was the bond between Bella and Issie. Their relationship was so full of love and understanding, and it was clear they were each other's biggest cheerleaders. Issie’s shy, bookish personality contrasted well with Bella’s vivaciousness, and the deep understanding and connection between the two women showed that they would do anything to help each other. Bella stepping into Issie's place so she can avoid the pressures of society sheds light on the stressful expectations of young women of a certain class, while also exposing some of the more judgmental sides of their world. The cousin's switch is filled with the risk of exposure and some fun shenanigans, as well as some messy complications.
Speaking of complications—Lord Brooke! I was completely smitten with him, and I loved the chemistry between him and Bella. Their banter and sweet moments together were everything! Their chemistry is fantastic, and the way Bella struggled to keep the truth from him made me feel better about the lies and secrets. Issie has an equally sweet romance that I adored, and the way they complement each other is so lovely. I think both romances were made all the more sweet because these women have had such lonely and difficult times. It's hard not to root for their happiness.
I enjoyed this read. It's lighthearted and clever, and it has plenty of sweet, romantic moments that had me swooning. The supporting characters added a lot of personality to the story too—some were hilarious, others were infuriating, and a few, like Issie’s aunt, were downright awful. Thanks to NetGalley, Suzanne Allain, and Berkley for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
Whew I had to start and stop this one to finally get into it! We have Arabella Grant the poor but not so poor relation!
We have the uncatchable catch Lord William Brooke who was previously unattainable? One look at Bella and he just knew! They both did but what a rollercoaster afterwards!
Lady Isabella Grant aka Issie is shy weak and retiring at times! But she wants her way she is a force to be reckoned with!
She coerces Bella to take her place for the season with Lady Dutton as a chaperone! Lady Dutton is not a nice person but you almost at least have a twinge of sympathy for her later on!
There are twists, turns and several misunderstandings before 2 not one couple find their way to a HEA! William is a true gentleman and not swayed by any heart but his own!
Bella has to take care of Issie her whole life and has difficulty standing up to her and saying No! When they both realize their hearts are on the line Issie makes a bold move quite unlike her and Bella not knowing the truth resolved to make her life with family! It is quite surprising who that family is! Love the twist at the end! Bravo for a happy ending with this previously unknown author!
Well, this was just adorable! I found it was so easy to get into and I enjoyed the writing. I liked it more than the first one. I will say mistaken identities can be a bit hit or miss with me. I was pretty into this until the end then I started to fade a little because I wish it had been less deceptive and been more open. The big drama at the end felt a little unnecessary and over the top. But it was still fun to read and I enjoyed it! The romance with the main character was just super cute! I just wish it had taken a different route with mistaken identity part. But it reminded me of a BBC movie or something.
The Wrong Lady Meets Lord Right by Suzanne Allain is delightful stand-alone Regency novel. Arabella has been living with her unkind aunt who suddenly dies. She and her cousin Lady Isabella have been living secretly and comfortably for a year when they are summoned to a London Season by Lady Isabella's great aunt. They both decide to switch places and that is when things get interesting.
This was a sweet, funny and engaging read. I loved getting to know Arabella and Isabella and found myself rooting for the best for them. The characters were so interesting and I enjoyed peeling back the layers in the story. Visiting the Regency time period in London was fantastic while visiting the various sites about London. The story brought me joy with
I enjoyed this intriguing story with great banter, fabulous characters, and the delightful setting. Truly a highlight for 2024 for me. I highly recommend The Wrong Lady Meets Lord Right by Suzanne Allain.
I was gifted a copy by the publisher and all opinions are my own.
3.6 rounded to 4
Last week's national trash fire prompted me to seek out fluff reading in order to conquer stress, and ths Regency romance, due out next month, fits the bill very nicely.
Like many these days, it's set in a Heyerian spin-off world, decidedly more silver fork (that is, peopled with plenty of handsome and titled men, balls, carriage rides, and pretty clothes) than comedy-of-manners, as Issie and Bella, our young heroines, are poised between an attempt at period attitudes and very modern thoughts as well as speech.
The thing about comedies of manners is, unless the author has read a lot of period literature, though she might have done her due diligence (as did Suzanne Allain here) on the history of stethascopes, London's bridges, famous period bookstores, and a handful of authors, they often aren't aware of vital things that actual people of the period grew up knowing. Such as, at the very beginning, NO family, no matter how negligent, would have left two underage young women alone once they were orphaned. Especially a daughter of a noble and heiress to a fortune.
That and a lot of other small matters of usage and language can be blinked past in order to enjoy an otherwise lively, quick-paced story full of false identities, female friendships, handsome young men, and of course deserved happy endings all around. Occasional flashes of wit kept me reading, and hoping to see more by this author.
In this historical romance, we follow two cousins, Arabella Grant and her noble relative Isabelle. With Isabelle’s dreadful mother now deceased, both girls find themselves in a difficult predicament—Arabella is nearly broke, and Isabelle, despite her frail health, isn’t ready to make her debut in society. Since they bear a slight resemblance to each other, they decide to switch places, deceiving the ton and at least Isabelle’s great-aunt. Neither of them foresaw the consequences of their decisions or how they could find joy in the most surprising places.A charming and entertaining Regency-era romance that is truly delightful. The writing beautifully reflects the elegance of the period while providing a fun and engaging narrative. The characters are lovable, and their clever exchanges add a wonderful element to the story. The bond between Bella and Issie is especially well portrayed. It's refreshing to see two close female relatives who aren’t competing against each other and genuinely care for one another. I also liked Dr. Jordan and Lord Brooke, the girls' love interests. Overall, it's an enjoyable read from beginning to end.
Bella and Issie assume each others identities but things get complicated when each falls in love with a man who they are technically deceiving. Bella falls in love with the handsome Lord, and Issie falls for the caring doctor who is trying to help her get back to her best health. This was one of my favorite regency romances/rom-coms I have read! I was kept entertained easily and Suzanne knows how to write a HEA! Issie's aunt was honestly the only dislikable character in this book. The banter was so fun and made the romances more swoon-worthy. The side characters were fun and I would love to see them in a future book! I did find myself slightly more engrossed with Issie and the doctors romance than I did with Bella but I was rooting for both! Really enjoyed the little plot twists. Thank you to Berkley for the e-ARC!
I will be posting on my Instagram on release day @thatbookishteach
Email for any followup: cbsmith6317@gmail.com
This was a quick and delightful read/listen. It’s sweet, funny, lighthearted, yet with tender moments mixed it. We get 2 romances too! It’s refreshingly low stakes for a switched identity premise. I loved both Bella and Issie’s romances. Lord Brooke and Dr Jordan are each swoon worthy.
The ending had flavors of The Importance of Being Earnest, so I had a big grin on my face as all the identities were sorted out and everyone got the ending they wanted.
Just the perfect little slice of happiness, and I’d highly recommend.
Many thanks to NetGalley and PRHAudio for the preview. All opinions are my own.
"When a young woman trades places with her noble cousin, their innocent ruse leads to true love in this sparkling 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 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."
All the Regency romance swoon you could hope for!
I've enjoyed Suzanne Allain's previous books, so I was excited to get this ARC. I don't think I liked it as much as some of her previous books, but she will still be an author that I'll still pick up without even looking at the book description.
This was a lighthearted, sweet historical romance. It was a little over 250 pages so perfect for a relaxing Saturday afternoon. Arabella and Isabella and the choices they made were intriguing. I especially enjoyed Arabella's storyline.
Thanks to the publisher for sharing a copy with me. All opinions are my own.
I was so glad that I didn't have to work today because that meant I could read this book in one sitting. It's the worst when you start a great book and then have to go to work or some other obligation.
I can't even imagine posing as someone else. The whole mistaken identity and lying about your identity trope has always confused me. I understand it starts out for innocent reasons, but in real life, would the relationship really work? After so many lies? I guess it's why we shouldn't think too hard these scenarios being applied to real life.
Tons of historical romances or just romances in general have the worse love interests. The men are toxic, selfish, arrogant, and even sometimes abusive. Not in this book. All the male love interests are amazing. They are respectful, sweet, caring, and attentive. They talk with the women about their interests, never belittling them for having opinions or even the surprise the women are interested in more than needlepoint and babies.
Loved this so much!!!
Thanks to NetGalley for the free kindle book. My review is left voluntarily.
I'm a fan of this author anyway and Allain has done it again! The characters are bursting with heart and there is a wonderful thread of cheeky comedy throughout. Your classic historical romance is given a new breath of wit and depth, here. Particularly, the dialogue is believable and sparkling – highly recommend.
Start to finish, I adored this book and could not put it down. Shh, don't tell, but I stayed up WAY past my bedtime last night to finish it. Absolutely delightful Regency romance, about two cousins who assume each other's identities, and the deception goes too far when they each fall in love. Of course it all works out, but the journey was hilarious, charming, suspenseful, and satisfying.
Suzanne Allain has a gift with words, and I forget that I'm reading. I become completely absorbed in the world and can visualize what's happening. I definitely recommend this to any fans of historical romance. Thanks to Berkley publishing for the free ebook!
AHHH! LOVED IT SO MUCH!!
As a favor to her cousin, Bella agrees to take her place for the London season. Issie is much to ill to take part and would much rather stay at home with a book anyway, and this way Bella gets to experience things that her humble background would never allow. But their scheme becomes complicated when Bella meets the handsome Lord Brooke...
What you'll love:
Regency era
romcom vibe
dual pov
identity swap
witty humor
flirty, cinnamon roll hero
he falls first
the button
London season
found family
strong friendships
plot twists
swoony kisses!!
This book is lighthearted, clever, and oh, so much fun! I was smiling from first page until last...except for all the parts where I was swooning instead. (And trust me, there were so many of those!)
If you take a flirty, cinnamon roll gentleman like Lord Brooke and make him fall first, you can imagine all the adorably swoony scenes that take place as he tries to win over the woman he has fallen for! Add on all the witty banter between them and you can see why I have already re-read lots of my favorite scenes.
I love the mistaken/hidden identity trope because it is a treasure trove of possibilities for plot twists and misunderstandings and this book was no exception. Loved the characters, the fun historical atmosphere, the strong friendships, and even the bonus romance.
This fun and flirty romance was the perfect escape and an absolute joy to read!
I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.
Arabella Grant is the product of what nineteenth-century high society referred to as a mésalliance. Her father, the younger son of an earl, ran off with and married the daughter of an apothecary, a folly (in the eyes of the time, not mine) only compounded when both parents passed away before their daughter’s fourth birthday. Reluctantly adopted by her father’s cantankerous sister-in-law, Lady Strickland, Arabella has formed a close bond with her cousin, Lady Isabella, known as Issie. The girls suffer together under the lash of Lady Strickland’s tongue until her sudden death frees them to visit London.
But Issie has no desire to assume her place in London society. She would much rather nurture her frail health and hide in her room reading books. When the aunt who is sponsoring the girls can’t tell them apart, Issie begs Arabella to impersonate her. It’s only for three months, after all.
If life were that easy, of course, there would be no novel—and no romance. While Arabella meets the lord of her dreams but can’t tell him who she really is, Issie falls in love with the handsome doctor summoned to cure her of her low spirits and weakened body. All of a sudden, three months seems long enough to get both cousins into trouble. Such a light-hearted romp is perfect for the winter holidays, and I’m pleased to have a chance to chat with the author on the New Books Network (link below) in December.
They're cousins ... identicial cousins. If you're singing that, you're old, ha. Two young woman, cousins, one upper crust, and one a "grace and favor" orphan of no particular breeding are sent to London for A Season. Well, just a season for Lady Isabelle. Poor Relation Arabella is just along to be upaid help. But Lady Isabelle has never socialized, and is not eager to meet people. She convinces Arabella to take her place "just this once" at her first social outing. But she refuses to go out, so Arabella - eager to go to parties and dance and meet people, men! - agrees to continue the ruse.
Predictable results, but getting to two HEAs was quite a bit of fun.
This was a first time read for my from Suzanne Allain. It was fantastic. the plot was well written with unexpected turns just around the corners. the hero and heroine as well as the supporting character where very lovable and touched on a subject that a lot of adults and children suffer.
Free ARC from NetGalley for honest review.
Im in a Bridgerton era right now and this book filled all the check marks I needed ! Loved how it was well written. Would definitely recommend to anyone who loves historical fiction