Beauty in Disguise

by Mary Moore

After her scandalous first Season, Lady Kathryn needs a new beginning. Concealing her stunning hair and sapphire eyes beneath a dowdy facade, she's grateful to earn her keep as companion Kate Montgomery. Until she comes face-to-face with her past in Lord Dalton, the only man she has ever loved.

The debutante Dalton fell in love with years ago was beautiful beyond compare. The gentle, mysterious young woman he encounters at a country house has qualities he now values more highly—until he learns of her deception. Kate has broken his heart not once, but twice. Can faith help him see that love, like true beauty, always comes to light?

Genres: Love Inspired, Romance, Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Love Inspired Historical, Christian, Regency

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

I am a writer (and reader) of Regency Historical inspirational novels. My love for the Regency period has inspired me to write for fifteen years. My husband and I now life in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains in southwestern Virginia. We have one "child" a black lab named Darcy.
When I'm not writing, I love to spend time with my husband, read, watch old movies and do weekend-get-aways. I'd love to hear from you!

Reviews

[Jasmine (Lady Bookmont Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rtc!!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlike a lot of Love Inspired books, I actually thought this book/plot/characterization would be better served by a longer book. I thought many subplots were left unexplored. Who attacked Kathryn and why? Or, have Lord Stratford (or whatever his name was) still be alive and have Charity fall for him. That would have been fun. I was also disappointed that Dalton discovered both of katheryn's secret identities at once. That's no fun. I thought it would serve the suspense and hook of the plot better if he found out Miss Kate was the same as the hooded lady and later found out they were both Lady Kathryn. I got to that point in the book and thought, what are the last 130 pages for then? However, I don't think the author could have sucessfully fit all of this without sacrificing the subplots that were present. I really liked Dalton's character but had to roll my eyes every time Kathryn was "poor me, I'm so pretty," although I think the author minimized that, otherwise I liked Kathryn's character a lot as well.

One of the more unique and better historicals I've read in a while.

[Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a mini ‘Books For Christian Girls’ review. It is not a full content review and will not receive one. These mini-reviews are years old and just for clarity on the rating the book received on Goodreads.


12/11/2015-
“I liked the beginning, but I strongly disliked the middle and Dalton's attitude. Kathryn and Dalton would keep rehashing something over and over, so it made the book feel long.”


*Main Content-
Kathryn doesn't think God has forgiven her for her mistake.
Blood, Guns/Bullets, Fighting, & a Knife (semi-detailed); Mentions of alcohol & cigars; Minor cussing (confound it, drat, stupid, what in the blazes, and wretched).
Hand kisses, a barely-above-not-detailed kiss, and a semi-detailed kiss; Remembering kisses (up to semi-detailed); Lots of Touches, Embraces, Smelling, & Noticing (semi-detailed); All about many mentions of scandals, reputations, eloping, & a woman being alone with a man; Mentions of being ogled & manhandled.

[Janis Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a mix of Cinderella and Persuasion...more so the latter: she's messed up her life, so she disguises herself as a lowly companion to a pompous heiress -in serious need of social etiquette training. She will do anything to keep her identity hidden from the man she lost her heart to years ago...but they just are as captivated by each other as ever;) Obviously, this doesn't go as planned and he finds out her true identity. This is where Cinderella ends and Persuasion takes over.

It just seems like the story could've been less complicated, to me. I really did enjoy the previous book, The Aristocrat's Lady, but I just wasn't feeling the same mastery here I felt there. I do, however, look forward to her next book though:)

[Katrina Epperson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author brings us a historical romance set in Sussex during 1814. She brings us a story of learning to forgive, letting the past stay in the past and learning to let God lead your future. We are introduced to Lady Kathryn and Lord Dalton who met years ago during Lady Kathryn's first season in London society. It is a beautiful story of a lost love, but never forgetting. I would recommend this to anyone who loves historical romance.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beauty in Disguise was such a great inspirational romance with a wonderful message. The writing was very beautiful and enchanting. I found myself getting lost in the words. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a delightful regency romance.

[MC · Rating 1 out of 5]

Needed a quick read on the go, so I checked this out via the Libby app to read on my phone (it was available for immediate checkout). I was quite disappointed. Early on, I was taught that a sign of an inexperienced author is one who uses cliches - and this author uses them in abundance. Lots of "telling" instead of "showing," which added to the amateur feel of the writing. The dialogue between the characters is also confusing; there were several instances when I couldn't follow the point these characters were trying to make when explaining their past actions to each other.

There is also a Christian religious element that didn't quite make sense/didn't work in the story. The main character talks about God abandoning her because of her questionable choice to elope as an impressionable teenager, and she feels oppressed and unforgiven. Then her former beau shows up (not the one she eloped with), and he is angry with her for disappearing; and she thinks she deserves the mistreatment from him as part of her penance. Yet the guy also has conversations with God in his mind, about how to handle the girl now that he's found her again, and he's portrayed as God-fearing because of it. I've read other romance stories with a Christian element (Amish love stories are very sweet), but this author's attempt at including religion came across as much too convoluted.

Wouldn't read again.


PLOT

Lady Kathryn is extremely beautiful, and she is enjoying her first Season in Town when a certain lord nearly twice her age showers her with attention, turning her away from the more appropriately aged (and truly respectable) Lord Dalton. The manipulative lord convinces Kate that only he loves her, and her father won't approve because she's so young, so the only way for them to be together is if they elope to Scotland. She spends several nights alone with the man, yet when they arrive at the border, he receives a letter from Kate's father explaining she will not receive any money until she is older, and the rotten lord abandons Kate, who is also disowned by her father.

Kate spends the next 9 years figuring out how to survive on her own. She tries to find work as a governess or companion, but because of her exceeding beauty, no one will hire her to work around their lusty husbands. Eventually she figures out a disguise is enough to keep unwanted attention away from her, and she is happily working in the countryside for a family with 3 children, which Lord Dalton happens to visit.

Will Dalton figure out who the mysterious older companion is? Will Kate be able to handle seeing her first true love without giving herself away?

[Celia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nine years ago 17 yr. old debutante Lady Kathryn was manipulated into eloping with a man she did not love. When he found out she would not inherit until she was 25 he abandoned her. They never married and he never even kissed her. Her father told her she needn't come home because she was no longer his daughter. Rejected and alone, Kathryn was ruined.
She found refuge at her childhood nanny's cottage. Kathryn had a rough time getting employment as a governess or companion because she was extraordinarily beautiful and had no experience. She and her nanny disguised her with glasses and an unbecoming wig which enabled her to obtain employment.
Christopher Dalton was the man she truly loved and he had no idea what had happened to her. She simply disappeared and her father would not answer his letters.
Nine years later Christopher arrives at the house where Kathryn is a companion to a spoiled, vindictive, young debutante. He does not recognize her and dislikes the daughter intensely. He came for two weeks to look over the horses the man breeds with the intent of purchasing some of them.
Christopher is inexplicably drawn to the companion which infuriates the spoiled daughter.
Within days Christopher discovers the companion is his long-lost love and he is full of bitterness when he discovers she had a failed elopement and is now ruined. He tries to pray about his feelings but can only see his hurt and pride.
Kathryn feels she deserves his anger and thinks God does not forgive her 'mistake' either.
This was an emotional story filled with misunderstandings, hurt feelings and the process of forgiveness. I loved it!

[Anna price · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed *Beauty in Disguise*. What pulled me in most was Kathryn’s journey and the way her disguise became so much more than simply hiding her appearance. Beneath the dowdy clothes and concealed beauty was a woman who had been hurt, misunderstood, and was desperately trying to find a fresh start.

I especially loved the relationship between Kathryn and Dalton. There was so much history and unresolved emotion between them, and watching those old feelings resurface made their scenes together especially compelling. Dalton’s hurt and confusion felt believable, and I appreciated that their relationship wasn’t instantly repaired just because they still loved each other.

What stayed with me most was the message about looking beyond appearances. Kathryn’s sapphire eyes and beautiful hair may have first captured Dalton’s attention, but it was her character, kindness, faith, and the person she had become that ultimately mattered. The faith element also fit naturally into the story and added another layer to the characters’ struggles and choices.

This was such a sweet, emotional historical romance with a lovely reminder that true beauty really does come from within. I found myself rooting for Kathryn and Dalton and genuinely wanted to see them find their way back to each other. A heartfelt and enjoyable read with romance, second chances, and plenty of emotion.

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Couldn't get into it. Which is sad because the description of this book sounded cute.

[Joan Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

this one is a tear jerker!

I love the way the author brings in scriptures to remind us in our own lives of God’s
love for each one of us and his forgiveness when we truly repent. We all have things we wish we could undo and it is good to be reminded that we need to forgive ourselves and move on a better person than we were before.
This is a wonderful book!

[Lis K · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was a pleasant foray into the Regency period---where appearances are everything. Lady Kathryn had to disguise herself and work as a companion after a failed elopement with a rake during her debut season. Lord Dalton fell in love with Kathryn during her season but was devastated when she disappeared without a word. Nine years later, their pasts collide when Lord Dalton visits her employer's home. I enjoyed the banter between Lord Dalton and Kathryn when he didn't realize who she was yet. Kathryn was a strong character. Even though she was ostracized by her father, she learned how to fend for herself. Yet, she had fallen away from God because she thought He could not forgive her for her indiscretion, just like she couldn't forgive herself. Lord Dalton was an admirable character for most of the story. He truly loved Kathryn and was haunted by her disappearance. However, there is one point in the story when he lets his anger and bitterness lead him to wrong the heroine; not his finest moment but he rallies back. Kathryn's spiritual epiphany seemed a little rushed at the end. However, I appreciated the strong theme of forgiveness running through this story---forgiving those who've hurt you, forgiving yourself, and accepting God's forgiveness. Overall, I enjoyed this read by a new-to-me author.

[Christine Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a delightful story that started out in one of the most gripping ways--I loved the whole masquerade idea. The reblooming romance between Lord Dalton and Lady Kathryn was very satisfying, and in a very real but tender way. There was something so plausible, yet out of the ordinary about this story. Kudos to the author, Mary Moore, for balancing on that tightrope.

It is always a joy for me to read about the Regency era in England. As a brit from birth, I love to read novels set in good old England.

I highly recommend this book to those who love a tender romance set in a wonderful era. And there's lots of excitement too.

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really did love this book, and I will not let other not so great reviews change my mind at all! :)

I had to buy it for the gorgeous cover first of all! Well done there! Then the title was fabulous as well. Also a Love Inspired Historical- well that just sealed the deal. :)

I got right into the story, and really did love the characters. I read in one review where someone said it got old that the girl had such a hard time forgiving herself. Knowing the difficulty I have to forgive myself of anything- no matter how small, made it believable enough for me! I love stories of lost love found again, to me another storyline that never gets old...

[D · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this book in the Goodreads giveaways and was excited to begin reading it as I generally like historical romances. However, I cannot give an accurate review of the book. The description does not explain that the book contains references to God on almost every page. I am borderline atheist and have no problems with anothers beliefs but this was too much to skip past.

The book did seem to be well written and I will be passing the book along to someone I know will enjoy it much more than I did.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruined reputations and lost love. For nine years Kate has been hiding from anyone who might know of her shame. For those same nine years, Lord Dalton has wondered where Lady Kathryn has disappeared to. When he meets an intriguing woman at the bridge in the moonlight he is surprised to find his heart going where it hasn't been for years.

Many painful moments are spent trying to get back to where they left off nine years earlier.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel was a wonderful read!

I really enjoyed the story, and found myself feeling the characters' emotions.

The only issue was that there were some miniplots that were either underdeveloped or unecessary, but they didn't take away from the great story!

I reccommend this to any romance (clean) fan.

[D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and enjoyed reading every minute of it. Beauty in Disguise was like reading a love poem and Kate and Dalton were engaging and charming characters. With this book you not only get to enjoy a love story, but you get to see how much God loves us and how important it is to forgive.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really good with some very interesting & complex characters. It was really entertaining to see how the relationships developed between the various characters and I like the way the author switched perspectives so you saw things from both Kathryn & Lord Daltons points of view.

[Danica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was an interesting read.

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just enough suspense mixed in with the romance that is the main plot to keep me riveted. I loved it from beginning to end.

[Katy Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written love story with forgiveness at its root. A joy to read.

[John Hanscom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhere between 3 1/2 and 4, A good, solid historical romance.

[Olivia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just did not hold my attention. I was bored the entire book. Kate's dislike of herself was just too over the top, and the same old angst over and over again was, well, boring.

[Rhonda Luker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet Christian novel. It was clean and not overly preachy. It's also a good story about repentance and forgiveness. It's pretty forgettable though...a good book, but not great.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a Christian romance it wasn't too bad (not too preachy).

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Challenge: Read a romance novel.

Seemed fitting for Valentine's Day.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it.