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The Leighs #3
His Mystery Lady
She thought it was love. He thought she was someone else.
Between keeping his father from bankrupting their mill and managing his mother’s and sisters’ fretting, David Archer has enough on his plate, thank you very much. Love and marriage never crossed his mind. But when a chance encounter at a masquerade throws the perfect lady in his path, David knows he’s found the woman of his dreams. No other will do.
If only he knew her name.
Surely, someone must know her identity, and David won’t stop searching until he finds her again.
Overlooked by her family and ignored by society, Katherine Leigh knows better than to dream of marriage and love—no gentleman wants a spinster. But her silly heart can’t help but hope for one man in particular to see her as more than a plain wallflower.
David started as her brother’s best friend and became hers as well. Now, Katherine can’t help but hope for something more—especially when he steals a kiss during the masquerade. But when their masks are gone, and their relationship remains unchanged, Katherine realizes an awful truth: he didn’t know it was her in the costume.
Nursing her wounded pride and broken heart, Katherine is left with a difficult decision. Tell him and risk their friendship in the wild hope that he will love her despite previous disinterest? Or stay quiet and settle for the safety of what always has been?
Can he love the real woman beneath the mask or does his heart belong only to his mystery lady?
Between keeping his father from bankrupting their mill and managing his mother’s and sisters’ fretting, David Archer has enough on his plate, thank you very much. Love and marriage never crossed his mind. But when a chance encounter at a masquerade throws the perfect lady in his path, David knows he’s found the woman of his dreams. No other will do.
If only he knew her name.
Surely, someone must know her identity, and David won’t stop searching until he finds her again.
Overlooked by her family and ignored by society, Katherine Leigh knows better than to dream of marriage and love—no gentleman wants a spinster. But her silly heart can’t help but hope for one man in particular to see her as more than a plain wallflower.
David started as her brother’s best friend and became hers as well. Now, Katherine can’t help but hope for something more—especially when he steals a kiss during the masquerade. But when their masks are gone, and their relationship remains unchanged, Katherine realizes an awful truth: he didn’t know it was her in the costume.
Nursing her wounded pride and broken heart, Katherine is left with a difficult decision. Tell him and risk their friendship in the wild hope that he will love her despite previous disinterest? Or stay quiet and settle for the safety of what always has been?
Can he love the real woman beneath the mask or does his heart belong only to his mystery lady?
340 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 26, 2023
241 people are currently reading
111 people want to read
About the author
M.A. Nichols
37 books476 followersBorn and raised in Anchorage, M.A. Nichols is a lifelong Alaskan, though she briefly ventured south to get a fancy bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University and a master’s degree from Utah State University—neither of which had anything to do with why she became an author, but they kept her alive while launching her publishing career.
As a child she despised reading, but thanks to her mother’s love and persistence, she saw the error of her ways and developed a deep and abiding obsession with books. Currently, she writes sweet historical romance and fantasy, but as a lover of many genres, she plans to explore more in the future.
As a child she despised reading, but thanks to her mother’s love and persistence, she saw the error of her ways and developed a deep and abiding obsession with books. Currently, she writes sweet historical romance and fantasy, but as a lover of many genres, she plans to explore more in the future.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 29, 2023
Don't get me wrong, I love all my books, but some of them hit closer to home than others. I loved writing this story, and I've been looking forward to telling Katherine's story for some time. I hope you enjoy it, too!
July 2, 2025
That is how you end it? You end it like that after making us curious through the whole book? Gah. I guess that leaves it open to our imagination.
When I read the first two Leigh books, all I wanted was Katherine's book. I felt like we had a connection. The sister that just couldn't be as expected if she tried. I would love to say I'm Prudence, but I'm really Katherine. I also fought with my mom just about as much.
Katherine is in love with her brother's friend David Archer. He is too busy running his entire family because his father can't be bothered. He hasnt even thought of marriage.
Here is a bit of backstory. Katherine wears glasses, doesn't wear the latest fashion, drives her family, and greater Edgerton crazy with her piano, has a dry wit, and doesn't suffer fools.
At a masquerade ball, when her idiotic family keeps bringing nastier and nastier men to her, her best friend finds a way to disguise her. she takes away her glasses( which everyone knows Katherine would never do) , puts a mask on her, and covers her with her shawl.
With that bit of anonymity, Katherine feels free. She ends up with David and they talk endlessly, they kiss , and she says " see you tomorrow"
The thing is, Katherine thinks David knew it was her. Only David had no idea and begins his own Cinderella hunt through the unmarried ladies of Greater Edgerton.
Katherine's heart is wilted. She watches David weed through all these girls, and when her brother suggests her, David says something dumb that hurts her feelings.
Katherine is too afraid to tell David the truth because she thinks he will " pity court" her. So she hopes and prays her will open his eyes.
Those eyes are spray painted black sister. He couldn't figure out a finished rubix cube.
As David is figuring out nothing, Katherine is giving up and getting ready to leave and start another life. Coincidentally, that is when her siblings wake up and realize what has been there all along. Her brother Benjamin had always loved her, but he was distracted by his role of the heir. He quickly brings Roseanna and Prudence around to seeing Katherine for who she really was.
Unfortunately, Benjamin could not help with the mystery lady. Well, he does a little. He asks David what the mystery lady has that his own sister does not. That starts David down the curvy, rugged road to arriving at being in love with Katherine.
She or the course is not on board with this right away. What's that Jane Austen quote? Next to being married, a girl likes to be crossed in love a little now and then? Katherine does not make it easy on David. She makes him prove it.
That brings us back to that ending. Grrrr.
When I read the first two Leigh books, all I wanted was Katherine's book. I felt like we had a connection. The sister that just couldn't be as expected if she tried. I would love to say I'm Prudence, but I'm really Katherine. I also fought with my mom just about as much.
Katherine is in love with her brother's friend David Archer. He is too busy running his entire family because his father can't be bothered. He hasnt even thought of marriage.
Here is a bit of backstory. Katherine wears glasses, doesn't wear the latest fashion, drives her family, and greater Edgerton crazy with her piano, has a dry wit, and doesn't suffer fools.
At a masquerade ball, when her idiotic family keeps bringing nastier and nastier men to her, her best friend finds a way to disguise her. she takes away her glasses( which everyone knows Katherine would never do) , puts a mask on her, and covers her with her shawl.
With that bit of anonymity, Katherine feels free. She ends up with David and they talk endlessly, they kiss , and she says " see you tomorrow"
The thing is, Katherine thinks David knew it was her. Only David had no idea and begins his own Cinderella hunt through the unmarried ladies of Greater Edgerton.
Katherine's heart is wilted. She watches David weed through all these girls, and when her brother suggests her, David says something dumb that hurts her feelings.
Katherine is too afraid to tell David the truth because she thinks he will " pity court" her. So she hopes and prays her will open his eyes.
Those eyes are spray painted black sister. He couldn't figure out a finished rubix cube.
As David is figuring out nothing, Katherine is giving up and getting ready to leave and start another life. Coincidentally, that is when her siblings wake up and realize what has been there all along. Her brother Benjamin had always loved her, but he was distracted by his role of the heir. He quickly brings Roseanna and Prudence around to seeing Katherine for who she really was.
Unfortunately, Benjamin could not help with the mystery lady. Well, he does a little. He asks David what the mystery lady has that his own sister does not. That starts David down the curvy, rugged road to arriving at being in love with Katherine.
She or the course is not on board with this right away. What's that Jane Austen quote? Next to being married, a girl likes to be crossed in love a little now and then? Katherine does not make it easy on David. She makes him prove it.
That brings us back to that ending. Grrrr.
October 9, 2023
well written but…
I love this author but I had a few complaints about this book. The entire premise was hard to swallow. (not that other author’s haven’t used similar devices): not recognizing someone you have known for two years because they put on a mask and cover their hair, even after you talk and laugh with them for several hours and then see them the very next day…a bit much and yet, it was well done. Katherine was a hard character to like. One of the more complicated and unique (even odd) of this author. I knew her from the other stories. She finally showed some kindness and I forgave her. The hero was a slow wit (except when he wasn’t) but very loyal and determined.
Overall, I enjoyed it.
I love this author but I had a few complaints about this book. The entire premise was hard to swallow. (not that other author’s haven’t used similar devices): not recognizing someone you have known for two years because they put on a mask and cover their hair, even after you talk and laugh with them for several hours and then see them the very next day…a bit much and yet, it was well done. Katherine was a hard character to like. One of the more complicated and unique (even odd) of this author. I knew her from the other stories. She finally showed some kindness and I forgave her. The hero was a slow wit (except when he wasn’t) but very loyal and determined.
Overall, I enjoyed it.
July 24, 2024
A perfect Plain Jane story!
I say perfect because the author kept her a plain jane. It wasn't a, she takes her glasses off and boom! She's beautiful. Books about true wallflowers, spinsters, plain woman are so hard to find.
I gave jt a 3 star because it became too wordy. The thought life too long and repetitive. More dialogue could have been added. Some areas so much detail was added and others not enough. I did like the characters and how honest with her feelings the heroine was. The author left out a reckoning with the parents that belonged to Katherine, so that was a let down. It is worth a read.
I say perfect because the author kept her a plain jane. It wasn't a, she takes her glasses off and boom! She's beautiful. Books about true wallflowers, spinsters, plain woman are so hard to find.
I gave jt a 3 star because it became too wordy. The thought life too long and repetitive. More dialogue could have been added. Some areas so much detail was added and others not enough. I did like the characters and how honest with her feelings the heroine was. The author left out a reckoning with the parents that belonged to Katherine, so that was a let down. It is worth a read.
February 14, 2025
How friends realize they are meant for each other
This is my favorite of the author's fine books in my opinion, the portraile of the doubts and insecurities of an unappreciated spinster was so spot on...and I loved David for his faith in his Katherine's worth and awesome support. We all need a David.
This is my favorite of the author's fine books in my opinion, the portraile of the doubts and insecurities of an unappreciated spinster was so spot on...and I loved David for his faith in his Katherine's worth and awesome support. We all need a David.
September 27, 2023
I picked this book up as soon as it appeared on Kindle Unlimited (living in New Zealand meant that happened before literally any other country in the world - totally makes me feel like I live in the future lol) and finished it within 24 hours. All this to say that I've been waiting for Katherine's story ever since we were introduced to the family and His Mystery Lady did not disappoint.
Katherine might appear to be a sharp-tongued harpy that makes everyone else uncomfortable, but we get to see why they have it all wrong.. And although you're not likely to find a more clueless guy than Mr Archer, you still can't help liking him and rooting for him to FIGURE IT OUT ALREADY! I think it takes a truly talented author to get the reader to not only understand but truly care about characters that are nowhere near perfect, and after reading so many of M.A. Nichols' books, I must say she has managed to turn this skill into an art form.
Also, I really love how she manages to weave some pretty deep insights into her stories that I often find myself thinking about long after I'm done with the book. Here are just a few examples:
"if the road to hell was paved with good intentions, the mortar binding the pavers together was desperation."
"Why did people seem determined to fear the very worst from every upset? It was as though each generation expected theirs would be the last to walk the planet, and each calamity heralded the end. Yet their unfounded fears were forgotten the moment the storm passed, and they remained blind to their folly and began wringing their hands once more when the gales inevitably returned."
"Speaking kindly to kind people wasn’t the mark of a good person. Treating another as they have treated you was not difficult, and living tit for tat was no true test of character. Facing down cruelty and meeting venom with goodwill took far more strength. How could one claim to be good when that goodness was contingent on others’ behavior?"
So yeah, I'm back to waiting for her next book to come out.
Katherine might appear to be a sharp-tongued harpy that makes everyone else uncomfortable, but we get to see why they have it all wrong.. And although you're not likely to find a more clueless guy than Mr Archer, you still can't help liking him and rooting for him to FIGURE IT OUT ALREADY! I think it takes a truly talented author to get the reader to not only understand but truly care about characters that are nowhere near perfect, and after reading so many of M.A. Nichols' books, I must say she has managed to turn this skill into an art form.
Also, I really love how she manages to weave some pretty deep insights into her stories that I often find myself thinking about long after I'm done with the book. Here are just a few examples:
"if the road to hell was paved with good intentions, the mortar binding the pavers together was desperation."
"Why did people seem determined to fear the very worst from every upset? It was as though each generation expected theirs would be the last to walk the planet, and each calamity heralded the end. Yet their unfounded fears were forgotten the moment the storm passed, and they remained blind to their folly and began wringing their hands once more when the gales inevitably returned."
"Speaking kindly to kind people wasn’t the mark of a good person. Treating another as they have treated you was not difficult, and living tit for tat was no true test of character. Facing down cruelty and meeting venom with goodwill took far more strength. How could one claim to be good when that goodness was contingent on others’ behavior?"
So yeah, I'm back to waiting for her next book to come out.
January 15, 2025
A historical romance set in the 1830s, the third of the Leigh family series.
Given the first half of the book, I'd have rated this as a 3-star read, but overall I'd say it's 3,5... So I've rounded it up.
I confess I almost lost patience with the protagonist couple: she was too bitter (to the point that I couldn't help thinking that some of her situation was of her own doing) and he, although extremely sweet and patient, was a bit thick not seeing what was in front of his nose. In general, the tone of the story is quite sombre and a bit maudlin. But, the author has a way with words and she manages to convey every feeling of loneliness, heartbreak, hope... beautifully, so despite the above, it still was an engaging read.
Given the first half of the book, I'd have rated this as a 3-star read, but overall I'd say it's 3,5... So I've rounded it up.
I confess I almost lost patience with the protagonist couple: she was too bitter (to the point that I couldn't help thinking that some of her situation was of her own doing) and he, although extremely sweet and patient, was a bit thick not seeing what was in front of his nose. In general, the tone of the story is quite sombre and a bit maudlin. But, the author has a way with words and she manages to convey every feeling of loneliness, heartbreak, hope... beautifully, so despite the above, it still was an engaging read.
February 22, 2024
This is a fascinating novel about the Leigh family. It is the third in a series of four. The Leigh parents are appalling and are particularly vindictive against their last daughter at home, Katherine. If readers were unsure of the dysfunctionality of this family before this book, they would be transparent with this treatment of Katherine. She is a hard person to know, yet a young man finds her interesting and beguiling—an excellent read.
Leigh's
1. An Accidental Courtship (2023)
2. Love in Disguise (2023)
** 3. His Mystery Lady (2023)
4. A Debt of Honor (2024)
Leigh's
1. An Accidental Courtship (2023)
2. Love in Disguise (2023)
** 3. His Mystery Lady (2023)
4. A Debt of Honor (2024)
May 18, 2024
Katherine is now 32 and her parents still are as indifferent and nasty to her as always but she has an escape plan she plans to use. Then there is her friend David whom she hopes one day will notice her along with Pamela her married friend with a family that she values so much. But then situations occur and she decides it’s time to go. What happened that makes that decision for her? What is her escape plan? How does David become a part of her plan and joins her in a hea? En this sweet read.
August 30, 2025
While I have enjoyed the previous two books in a series, this one was the most touching to me personally. The thoughts and feelings of the main character were heartfelt. I have enjoyed each of the characters in the series as well as the narrator who does a tremendous job portraying each person in the book. I have listened to all three of these books on YouTube and purchased the fourth book tonight to complete the series. These books are clean and full of strong human personality and dynamics.
July 15, 2025
Enjoyed this for the most part though probably not my favorite. I liked David Archer though he was a little dense at times. And I liked Katherine but she was a little too stubborn and prideful at times, determined to hold on to past hurts and holding it against them for too long.
Listened to the free audio on Youtube.
Listened to the free audio on Youtube.
October 2, 2023
Kisses only. It was heart wrenching to read Katherine’s viewpoint. I’m glad she had someone in her corner. This was a nice spin on friends to lovers. I always enjoy that trope when they don’t spend their time trying to hide from or ignore their feelings.
October 12, 2023
Loved it
I actually liked this one so much. My favorite so far in the series. It was very emotional for me. The author took me along on Katherine's emotional roller coaster. I was so glad to get to the HEA.
Clean, historical romance.
I actually liked this one so much. My favorite so far in the series. It was very emotional for me. The author took me along on Katherine's emotional roller coaster. I was so glad to get to the HEA.
Clean, historical romance.
July 27, 2025
I don't really like the trope of a (stupid) man, that don't recognize their closest friend, when she wears a mask for a night. This was cute at first, but drags on for so long that it becomes annoying.
Not my favorite from the series.
Not my favorite from the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 13, 2025
Clean and pleasing historical romance. I absolutely enjoyed this novel as I enjoyed the previous books in the series. I'll definitely buy the 4th book. The stories are entertaining and the characters well described. I highly recommend.
October 1, 2023
I really enjoyed this book.
I love the two main character and am so happy that our heroine stood up for herself
I love the two main character and am so happy that our heroine stood up for herself
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2023
beautiful
A story beautifully written. The author is so amazing they way she rights her characters makes you fall in love with them. David ❤️ what a sweetheart.
A story beautifully written. The author is so amazing they way she rights her characters makes you fall in love with them. David ❤️ what a sweetheart.
November 29, 2023
So sweet, and full of clueless lovers
I loved this book from the beginning. It was fun to read the dance that two people so in love could be so clueless.
I loved this book from the beginning. It was fun to read the dance that two people so in love could be so clueless.
December 4, 2023
i cried but hated the ending. like how can you not have recognized her and like how are you so. i dunno stupid?
January 19, 2024
Heartbroken people
September 20, 2024
As usual amazing reading, i cried a lot, the author has the ability to make me sad and happy in same time
September 25, 2024
Mystery Lady, indeed
I love the Katherine and David are friends.
It made the story very fun!
Why can't parents in the story be supportive and fun?
I love the Katherine and David are friends.
It made the story very fun!
Why can't parents in the story be supportive and fun?
July 17, 2025
4.5 stars
October 7, 2025
Entertaining!!!!Full of drama and romance...even when the male lead was totally clueless.
May 31, 2024
While the premise of the ML not recognizing his best friend throughout the entire book is a bit ridiculous this was an enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews