After reading three of Suzanne Allain's books, I’m happy to say that her newest release is my favorite so far. The Wrong Lady Meets Lord Right is out today, and it’s the perfect balance of whimsical and scintillating.

Since being orphaned at only three years old, Arabella Grant has lived with her sweet cousin Isabelle and her wicked, domineering aunt. But when that aunt dies, leaving Isabelle also parentless just when her first season was to begin, the two teens suddenly are left to their own devices. A year later, they visit Isabelle’s great-aunt, Lady Dutton, so she can have her overdue season. But Isabelle is shy and sickly, so she begs Arabella to pose as her for the few months they’re in London. Lady Dutton can’t tell them apart, so what’s the harm? But when Bella, posing as Lady Isabelle, falls in love with a man far above her own social class, the two girls’ convoluted scheme is sure to have some significant repercussions!

Tropes & Narrative Devices:
• Secret identity
• Multiple romances
• Third-person POV

What I Liked:

• Trading identities. It’s always fun to see two characters—especially from different social classes—stepping into each other’s shoes. Here, Lady Isabelle is due for her first season, but she has social anxiety and isn’t well enough to meet people, mingle, and find an aristocratic husband. So she asks her poor cousin, Arabella, to go in her place. Bella is a bit out of her depths, but she’s charming and likable, so it works out well at first. But when she falls for a man that Issie once met five years earlier, things start to get complicated. And when Issie runs into her own unexpected love story, it becomes even more diverting. I loved reading about these two young women posing as each other, falling for the wrong men, and waiting for the truth to finally catch up with them.

• Multiple secrets. Bella and Issie’s true identities aren’t the only secrets being kept around here!

• Extra love stories. Bella and Lord Brooke are the main couple, if they can survive her concealed identity, but there are other romances to enjoy, too. I really liked Issie’s romance with Dr. Jordan, as well as Bella’s friends’ connections.

• Discussions of class and wealth. Naturally, with Bella and Issie (and their love interests) coming from different socioeconomic backgrounds, there are some thoughtful conversations about worth, who one can love, if marriages outside of class can work, and so on. It may be 1818, but these characters are thinking beyond class restrictions, which I love.

• Sense of humor. There is a certain lightness and humor throughout this book, from Lady Strickland’s death to Lady Dutton’s lack of awareness about things. Suzanne Allain’s writing style does tend towards the silly and droll in a way that I quite enjoy.

Final Thoughts
The Wrong Lady Meets Lord Right is an entertaining and quick read that’s witty and humorous in equal measure. This may be Suzanne Allain’s best book so far!

I plan to finally read her novel, Miss Lattimore’s Letter, as well as any other book she puts out in the future.

I just finished The Wrong Lady Meets Lord Right by Suzanne Allain, and I have to say, it’s such a charming and funny romance! The mix of wit and warmth throughout the story kept me hooked from beginning to end. It’s one of those feel-good books that leaves you grinning and wishing there was more. Highly recommend if you’re looking for something light and delightful!

Between the cover and the premise, I expected this novel to be mostly a frothy romantic comedy, and while there is a mischievous undertone to the writing that I found delightful, I appreciated even more the care with which the serious topics brought up are treated.

Because, while the setup and some of the plot shenanigans are pure comedy of errors, the reality of being a poor woman without family, education or a wealthy sponsor in the early 1800s was no laughing matter.

But I get ahead of myself, beware: social anxiety leading to panic attacks; fatphobia; emotional abuse of children; death of parents as backstory.

When I first read the blurb for this book, it didn't quite register at first who the author is, and so I had no set expectations for the writing; it was soon evident that she had done quite a bit of research on the period, from architecture to fashion, and I positively cackled when she has the protagonists attend a performance of She Stoops to Conquer, an actual play of the time with a plot reminiscent of that of the novel.

However, even though the author touches on the issue of slavery and colonization as the main source of wealth for the aristocracy, as well as those of class and wealth, the whiteness of the world in the novel is pretty blinding.

The story is narrated in third person, past tense, from the alternating points of view of Bella and Lord Brooke, though the narrative is weighted towards the former; and while nothing much happens until the second chapter, the writing is very engaging from the very beginning.

For example, after Bella agrees to take Issie's place during the presentation to Queen Charlotte, we get this passage:

"King Henry VIII had built the palace for Anne Bolyen...Thinking of the former queen's disastrous end made Bella wonder if the universe was trying to warn her about what happens to scheming young women who bring themselves to the attention of royalty" (Chapter 2)

Later, when Bella insists that a doctor should come see Issie, as she's grown weaker by the day since their arrival in London, this is her reaction to the young and very attractive Doctor Jordan showing up, and then proceeding to examine Issie, from listening to her heart to making sure there's no edema in her legs:

"This doctor was much more thorough than Lady Strickland's physician had ever been. Perhaps that was why Lady Strickland was dead." (Bella chapter 3)

Most of the humor in the book is very gentle, with one exception: Mr. Peckham, a secondary character, is both fat and not exactly sharp, and the narrative makes him the literal butt of several cruel jokes. Though it can be argued that this is done to reflect society accurately, as well as to further a couple of plot threads, I would have preferred it if the author had found some other device to accomplish those goals.

Speaking of Mr Peckham, the author surrounded the main characters with well drawn people with distinct personalities and varied backgrounds, from the lofty and cold Lady Dutton, and her much more agreeable husband, to the young and brash Miss Addams; even Nancy, the young maid who becomes an unwilling accomplice in the cousins' subterfuge, is given the dignity of motivation and individuality.

The lion's share of characterization goes to Bella, however; we spend the most time with her, as she processes the trauma of her childhood as the unwanted poor relation even as she continues to protect Issie from Lady Dutton, who is very much an older version of the late Lady Strickland.

And while there is a bit of "not like other girls" to Bella, including her clear eyed assessment of her position in the ton as Lady Isabelle, it makes sense that nurture and nature combine to make her who she is: not quite too good to be real, but more sympathetic to both Miss Addams and Mr Peckham than most everyone else in society would have been in her place.

"While she had become used to admiring remarks on her appearance since coming to town--and was inclined to dismiss most of them, for what rich, eligible young lady wasn't considered beautiful?--she had received scant praise in the twenty years before her London debut. Lord Brooke was the only person she could recall, other than a favorite governess whom Lady Strickland had dismissed, who had complimented her on her character." (Bella, chapter 4)

The one thing that rings false in the novel is how Bella tries to lift Issie's spirits repeatedly by bringing up the delights of the season, as if truly expecting the latter to be cheered at the prospect; one cannot live with someone as shy and generally timid and unwordly as Issie for sixteen years, and believe the idea of crowds of strangers would bring on anything but panic.

On balance, the tenor of the book is lighthearted, but the trauma of the cousins' childhood isn't dismissed or turned into a joke; both Issie's social anxiety and Bella's insecurities about her worth as a potential spouse, as well as her anxiety over her future, are taken seriously by the narrative.

And the resolution to the main conflict is very satisfying as well as pretty funny.

The Wrong Lady Meets Lord Right gets an 8.75 out of 10, and I will certainly read more of Ms Allain's work

Fans of Regency romps and romances rejoice! The author of Mr. Malcolm’s List, both book and film adaptation, has a new tale that will delight fans of both Jane Austen and Bridgerton. Suzanne Allain’s The Wrong Lady Meets Lord Right is set in England in the early 1800s. Suzanne’s storytelling reminded me of Georgette Heyer, known for her equally wonderful historical romances and mysteries.

When I read the synopsis, I knew I had to request this book through Netgalley.com. Two cousins swap places, reminding me of The Patty Duke Show and The Parent Trap movies. The novella begins with the death of the very proper, very controlling Lady Strickland. Freedom awaits it seems for daughter Lady Isabella and Cousin Arabella Grant, whose father had been the late Lord Strickland’s younger brother.

Bella and Issie are on their own to live as they like for a year. But try as she might Bella cannot persuade her cousin Lady Issie to go for rides and walks. Her bookworm cousin reads so much she is almost an invalid. Issie loves her new normal. She thinks she has avoided the much-lamented London season her mother planned for her. As wicked as Lady Strickland was, she made sure Issie had a brand-new wardrobe for the season with the main purpose of finding a husband.

Issie receives a letter from Lady Lucretia Dutton, and she seriously wants to burn it. Lady Dutton thinks she is doing a great service by fulfilling Issie’s mother’s schemes by inviting the cousins to London for the season. Bella warns Issie though that Lady Dutton may travel to them. She will see they have no chaperone and insist they cannot continue as they have been. They must go at once.

When the ladies arrive in London, Lady Dutton cannot tell the cousins apart. The vain lady refuses to wear spectacles. Seeing healthy, hearty Bella, she thinks this is Lady Isabelle. Before Bella corrects her aunt, she hears Issie accept the role of “Arabella Grant.” A plan is unfolding in Issie’s mind. She sees a way to read in bed and secure her peace of mind all at once.

Issie first asks Bella to take her place as “Lady Isabelle Grant” when she is presented before Queen Charlotte. The problem is that Issie is thin and has a flat chest, but Bella is curvy with an ample bosom. The lady’s maid must shove lace down the front of the gown as a result. Bella arrives in court dress and realizes she needed to practice in the hopelessly odd-looking gown. Young ladies would curtsey and then back away from her royal highness. It would not do to turn one’s back on the queen. Bella imagines falling backward because of the bell-shaped hoop under the empire-waist gown. As she turns a corner though, she instead falls forward into the arms of a handsome tanned-skinned, dark-haired gent named Lord Brooke. Taken with the buxom brunette, Lord Brooke sticks around to hear her name announced and is shocked to learn she is Lady Isabelle.

Lord Brooke met the real Lady Isabelle five years ago when she was fourteen. That young lady pales in comparison quite literally He remembers a ghostly, shy and unfortunate girl ruled by an iron-fisted mother. Now, Lady Isabelle appears “vibrant” and “animated.” He wonders if she blossomed after her mother’s death, or if she blossomed in spite her mother’s cruelty. Regardless, Lady Isabelle is free from her tyranny he thinks and much for the better. What the faux Lady Isabelle doesn’t know is that Lord Brooke is definitely interested in her. He is a highly eligible gent, and all the young ladies and their mamas vie for his attention.

Lady Issie sees Bella’s success at court and wants her to continue posing as “Lady Isabelle.” Bella shares her concerns about what could happen if she continues the ruse. The London season after all leads to engagements and marriages. That was the whole point of launching daughters into society back then. What if a gentleman wants to marry Bella as “Lady Isabelle” based on the knowledge of her vast fortune? Bella has some money from her father, but more like the amount Lady Strickland spent on candles in a year.

The idea of a gent marrying the wrong lady reminds Issie of the biblical story of Jacob and Rachel, or “how a man blinded by love can be duped into marrying two sisters.” It’s a humorous scene with Issie asking Bella a question most Bible readers want to know: how did Jacob not realize he was with Leah and not Rachel on the wedding night? Bella reminds Issie of how Jacob reacted, but Issie still believes Bella can avoid proposals for three months. Bella agrees to continue if Issie agrees to a visit from the doctor and an agreement is made.

Bella does find she enjoys some parts of the London season as “Lady Isabelle Grant.” Bella enjoys operas, concerts, balls, and riding with Lord Brooke in Hyde park. She hobnobs with the haut ton in fashionable gowns and sleeps in an amazing four-poster bed with rose velvet draperies. Sounds so lovely. She does have to makeover Issie’s gowns to suit her figure, but she otherwise plays the part well. She is seen as a benevolent heiress who forgives the foibles of new acquaintances. She finds herself the butt of a joke at one point and takes it in stride. (That’s all I’ll say so I don’t spoil the joy of discovery.) Bella retains her sense of humor and kind and trusting heart. She draws people’s notice, but do the men love Bella for her inheritance, her beauty, or is there something more?

Meanwhile, Issie’s physical state begins to affect her mind. She thinks she will die of an apoplexy like her mother. Attractive and intelligent Dr. Jordan makes a house call. Doctors didn’t have all the instruments they do today, so Dr. Jordan must press his head to Issie’s chest and stomach to diagnose her malady. The proximity of his person adds to Issie’s heart palpitations. Love at first attraction leads to something deeper for Issie. The doctor is as enthusiastic about reading as she is…just not all day and night to the exclusion of food, drink, exercise, and rest. Issie sets her sights on the good doctor, and Bella helps their courtship along. Issie thinks he’ll react well when he learns her true identity, so she doesn’t have the same fears as Bella. Issie is after all an heiress.

The cousins think their secret has stayed between them, but Lord Dutton doesn’t need glasses. He knows the cousins are duping Lady Dutton and all of London high society. A mystery involving his connection to the cousins is revealed later, that’s all I’ll say. He tells Bella he is aware of the ruse and will keep their secret. He reminded me of the twins’ grandfather in (1961) The Parent Trap, starring Hayley Mills. He is in on their schemes and sometimes helps behind the scenes.

Suzanne’s Research & My Review

I started into this advance review copy of The Wrong Lady Meets Lord Right when I finished another Regency-period romance. (I’ll review the 6th installment in Sarah M. Eden’s The Jonquil Brothers series The Heart of a Vicar in my next post.) I read this absorbing novel while sitting in the passenger seat to and from my parents’ house to spend time with family during Thanksgiving break. At first, I thought the names “Arabella” and “Isabelle” were too close and became confused. I thought, “Wait. Which one is Bella?” And then I realized why they are so close. Suzanne dupes the reader as the characters dupe Lady Dutton and the haut ton.

I really loved Bella’s joie de vivre and compassion toward others in the story. I kept of Elizabeth Poldark Warleggan, played by Heida Reed. (I loved Poldark, except for what happened to that character.) Bella is 20 though, so Adelaide Kane from Once Upon A Time and Reign came to mind. I feel I have more in common with Issie whose idea of bliss is having a reading marathon in bed. It’s my dream birthday. For context, my birthday is in January and I live in Ohio. I pictured Ellise Chappell as Morwenna, again, from Poldark. She could be Adelaide Kane’s sibling.

Suzanne cut out all the extras and kept to the plot. I found very few tributaries, as Judge Judy calls them. (Judge Judy hated it when litigants would add embellishments when giving her a summary of what happened that brought them to court.) She kept me engaged and entertained with each new potential catastrophe or kerfuffle she planned for her characters. I loved the sisterly bond between the cousins, and though I did shed some tears at times, I laughed far more. I truly hope Suzanne brings these wonderful characters back in a later novel.

I think the only question I have is about the significance of a sapphire ring Issie gives Bella to sell. Bella sells two diamonds, but not the sapphire. Maybe the final version will add some details, or maybe it’s not significant other than providing money. I plan to reread this novel; it’s just that delightful. I also plan on reading more from this author.

Suzanne talked about her research endeavors in preparation for this novel. Bella asks Lady Issie if she needs her vinaigrette when she looks like she may be ill after reading Lady Dutton’s letter of offer for the cousins to join her in London. Vinaigrettes were small containers with aromatics, like vinegar, to revive a lady. The most common in the Regency period was made of sterling silver. Suzanne also studied proper court attire for Lady Isabelle’s court presentation at St. James Palace as explained on the site Jane Austen’s World. Women had to wear hooped skirts as Queen Charlotte once wore in her youth but modified the dress to the current fashion with the high waist and ballooning bottom as well as a headdress to offset the large, hooped skirt.

Suzanne also gives a brief history of French doctor René Laennec’s invention that led to the stethoscope. He had been hesitant to place his ear to the chest of ladies, so he “rolled sheets of paper into a kind of cylinder and applied one end of it to the region of the heart and the other to [his] ear, and was not a little surprised and pleased to find that [he] could thereby perceive the action of the heart in a manner much more clear and distinct than [he] had ever been able to do by the immediate application of the ear.”

Suzanne Allain is likely of the best historical romance authors I’ve encountered! The humor and dialogue ticked all of my boxes. This particular story got a little boring for me at times, and the amount of miscommunication made me impatient. It was well done but not exactly my preference. I’ll read more by this author.

From the publisher: When a young woman trades places with her noble cousin, their innocent ruse leads to true love.

Another delightful Regency romance from Suzanne Allain (author of Mr. Malcolm’s List). Isabelle and Arabella are cousins. Isabelle is a Lady; Arabella is not. Their fathers were brothers, but Arabella’s father turned his back on an arranged marriage to Quality and ran off with the apothecary’s daughter. When she was only three, Arabella’s parents died, and she grew up with Isabelle. Isabelle and Arabella are as close as sisters, but Isabelle’s horrible mother regretted having to take Arabella in, took her small allowance, and treated her like a servant.

But Isabelle’s domineering mother was also horrible to her own daughter, criticizing her and arranging her life to the mother’s satisfaction. Isabelle is frail and pale and prefers to stay in bed all day reading. Bella has spunk and energy and uses it to take care of her cousin after her mother dies. Suddenly a distant relation arrives to take Isabelle off to London for a Season. Issie has no interest in a Season and manages to persuade Bella to trade places with her in London. And thus the shenanigans begin.

When Bella meets the perfect Lord while masquerading as Lady Isabelle and Issie meets a handsome doctor while masquerading as plain old poor relation Arabella Grant, hearts are broken and mended, and after a Season of confusion, all ends well.

The Wrong Lady Meets Lord Right is a clean but lively romance with fun characters and secrets to be revealed. It seems very well researched and I enjoyed it a lot. I read an advance reader copy from Netgalley. It will be available for checkout at the Galesburg Public Library.

Thank you Netgalley and Berkley for this arc.

There are good, solid reasons for why cousins Bella and Issie fall into and then decide to continue being each other during a London Season. Issie hates the idea of being on display and Bella is the “poor relation” who thinks it will be lovely to experience a Season that she would never have any other way and if she meets a man, on the fringe of Society, who doesn’t sneer at her birth but sees the person she is, so much the better.

So of course things go differently. Issie is reduced to a quivering mess at the thought of a Court presentation, Bella steps in and then literally runs into a handsome young man who is astonished when he discovers the her name. Now trapped in the switch, Bella decides to enjoy “her” Season while Issie perks up due to the handsome Doctor who is called to treat her palpitations. True love ensues but true love never runs smoothly.

Yes there are miscommunications and misunderstandings but with the cousins hiding their real identities for, as I said, solid reasons, and the young men having their own ideas about the women they do and don’t want to marry, things get complicated.

I was amused that there is actually a Gretna Green marriage of two people who do not have carriages and curricles full of the ton madly racing after them. There are two clues about Something that is revealed later that gives one cousin a bigger place in Society so this isn’t totally out of the blue. I thought it unrealistic that two young women would be left alone during Issie’s mourning year after her mother’s death with no chaperon or allowed to travel without one to London but that was the gimme for the novel.

The last section of the story dragged just a bit for me. Props for having Lord Brooke make up his mind before the Something I alluded to above, becomes known to him. There is a third couple, who make a match, whom I liked. And Bella’s grandfather is a delight whom I wish we’d seen more of. Readers looking for a more old fashioned Regency might want to check this one out. B

I was really excited for this one, but unfortunately I gave up about a third of the way in. There wasn't necessarily anything wrong with it, it just turned out not to be for me. I think the combination of telling and not showing, along with the simplicity of the writing and the borderline insta-love just made it too much for me. Or not enough? As it stands this has a fairly decent rating, so I appear to be in the minority. I'm certainly not going to steer people away from it, but I can't see myself recommending it to anyone either.

Thank you, @berkleyromance and @prhaudio, for the #gifted advanced digital and audio copies of this utterly delightful regency rom-com! #berkleypartner #prhaudioinfluencer

Arabella and Lady Isabelle are more like sisters than cousins. Raised together under the harsh and demeaning rule of Lady Strickland, they’ve endured years of societal expectations and constant judgment. But when Lady Strickland dies unexpectedly, the cousins are, for the first time, free to embrace their own desires during their year of mourning.

For Arabella, this newfound freedom means escaping the constant ridicule of her ignoble birth. For Isabelle, it’s a chance to indulge in her love of reading without the pressure to marry. But their peace is short-lived when Isabelle’s great-aunt insists they come to London for Isabelle’s debut season. Isabelle, in poor health and dreading the marriage market, devises a clever scheme: Arabella, who loves society and dancing, will take her place.

What follows is a whirlwind London season filled with mistaken identities, witty banter, and unexpected romance. As Arabella and Isabelle navigate their switched roles, they each discover new strengths, confront their fears, and find love in the most surprising places.

This book is so joyful! The banter and lighthearted comedic action are perfectly balanced, making it an utterly charming and engaging read. The friendship between Arabella and Isabelle is the heart of the story, and their love interests are just as endearing and well-matched. Suzanne Allain has crafted a regency romp that’s as smart as it is sweet.

The audiobook, narrated by Elizabeth Knowelden, is an absolute delight at just under seven hours. Knowelden’s sharp comedic timing and lively narration bring the characters and humor to life, making it a highly entertaining listen.

I received this book for free from Netgalley. That did not influence this review.

The Wrong Lady Meets Lord Right by Suzanne Allain is a Regency Romance take on The Prince and the Pauper.

The orphaned Arabelle (Bella) and her heiress cousin Lady Isabelle (Issie) have been raised together since toddlerhood by Issie’s demanding, overbearing mother, Lady Strickland, who makes it clear that her daughter is a disappointment and Bella is an unwanted burden. So it is somewhat of a relief to both young ladies when Lady Strickland suffers a stroke and dies.

After a year of mourning, during which they stayed hidden in the countryside, the two emerge to go to London for Issie’s planned season. Issie, who is painfully shy, doesn’t want to go, but Bella is more eager. Unfortunately, when they get to London, they are to stay with Issie’s great-aunt, Lady Dutton, who is every bit as bad as Lady Strickland.

However, Lady Dutton has poor eyesight and it isn’t long before Issie launches a scheme: taking to her bed, she claims she is too ill and frail to be presented to the Queen. And since Lady Dutton has been mixing them up anyway, why can’t Bella pretend to be her?

Good-natured and manipulable, Bella agrees, even though she can foresee all the potential consequences. The one she doesn’t foresee is falling for a handsome, kindly lord who courts her, thinking he is courting Lady Isabelle.

This sweet mistaken-identity romance is a delight to read (even if the reader will figure out what is going on with the hero long before Bella does.)

Oh, my cuteness! This book was so much fun and the perfect read for anyone who wants a nice dose of happiness and romance.
I have really enjoyed Suzanne Allain's other books and was thrilled when I received an advance reader copy of this novel. The cover is so fun, but the story is even more delightful. I didn't stop reading until I finished this in one sitting because I didn't want to put it down. The plot, the characters, the writing, the romance, the banter- all of it was top notch for me. I was thoroughly entertained and swooning all along. I loved the mistaken/hidden identity and comedic aspects, but it also had a lot of heart and I just fell for Bella and Lord Brooke so hard. Everything about this book made me smile and I can’t stop thinking about it.
This book is a clean romance which I appreciated so much. There are some seriously swoony moments, while also staying appropriate for teens and adults alike. I reread some of the kisses and flirty moments because they were just so good. I loved this book and highly recommend it.
I received an advance reader copy of this novel from Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Wrong Lady Meets Lord Right is perfect for fans of Sense and Sensibility with a Prince and the Pauper/Cinderella twist! I adored the banter within this story between all characters. Not to mention, the bond between Bella and Issi as sisters who chose one another truly made this story shine. I really hope this gets turned into a movie!
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for an ARC of this wonderful book. Opinions are my own. Pub Date: December 3, 2024

Suzanne Allain’s The Wrong Lady Meets Lord Right is an absolute delight! With its sparkling wit, engaging plot, and unforgettable characters, this Regency-era romantic comedy had me laughing and swooning from start to finish.

The character development is phenomenal, particularly with Arabella, who transforms from a selfless cousin to a confident woman grappling with her worth and desires. Her chemistry with Lord Brooke is both heartwarming and electric, making their love story all the more satisfying. Allain’s knack for infusing humor into social commentary and romantic escapades keeps the story lively and utterly charming.

This book is a must-read for fans of romance, humor, and a good dose of feel-good moments. It left me with a smile on my face and a longing for more of Allain’s clever storytelling!

A sweet, charming, pocket-size Regency romance that reminded me so much of Georgette Heyer's style and sensibilities! This is my first read by this author, so I didn't have any expectations going in, and I really was delighted by this quick read. It is quite short, I would even say it's skirting novella-length, so it's a perfect choice for a relaxed Saturday afternoon with a warm cup of tea.

I love a good hidden/secret identity trope in historical romance, but it's rarely done well without gigantic plot holes. I think the author pulled this off very well. It's an unbelievably believable take on the identical twin swap idea, and it works! I loved Issie and Bella, with Bella being the better developed and well-rounded character. I loved Dr. Jordan. I also loved Lord Brooke, and the fact that the reader is not given his Christian name is truly such a clever play to the main plotline.

The only criticism I really have is that there were too many characters given the brevity of the narrative, and I think that I would have enjoyed a more in-depth character exploration of Issie and her backstory, in exchange for the time spent on Miss Adams, Sir Roger, Lady Dutton, and Bella's two suitors in her grandfather's village. Mr. Peckham was fabulous, as was Lord Dutton, I also loved Lady de Ros and Grandpa Perry. The latter four characters really channeled those classic Heyer comedic vibes.

My hot take on this novel is that it really should be marketed as YA! The plot and coming-of-age love stories are surface-level, and I would be more likely to recommend it to my YA readers who aren't ready for the mature sexual content of Bridgerton, but are looking for modern Jane Austen-esque novels.

Thank you Berkley and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this novel. All opinions are my own.

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.