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A Masked Deception
THE RIVALS
The handsome, dashing, wealthy Richard Adair, the seventh Earl of Brampton, was caught in a most devilishly difficult tug-of-war. Claiming his hand was shy and demure Margaret Wells, who became his bride in an icily arranged marriage designed to produce an heir in a boringly proper alliance. Claiming his heart was a nameless charmer who concealed her face behind a mask and displayed her body in a daring gown as she made the Earl give himself over to a scandalously improper passion. Both of them desperately wanted Richard Adair - and both dreaded to think what would happen should he discover that they were one and the same two-faced lady ...
The handsome, dashing, wealthy Richard Adair, the seventh Earl of Brampton, was caught in a most devilishly difficult tug-of-war. Claiming his hand was shy and demure Margaret Wells, who became his bride in an icily arranged marriage designed to produce an heir in a boringly proper alliance. Claiming his heart was a nameless charmer who concealed her face behind a mask and displayed her body in a daring gown as she made the Earl give himself over to a scandalously improper passion. Both of them desperately wanted Richard Adair - and both dreaded to think what would happen should he discover that they were one and the same two-faced lady ...
224 pages, Hardcover
First published February 5, 1985
184 people are currently reading
550 people want to read
About the author
Mary Balogh
200 books6,343 followersMary Jenkins was born in 1944 in Swansea, Wales, UK. After graduating from university, moved to Saskatchewan, Canada, to teach high school English, on a two-year teaching contract in 1967. She married her Canadian husband, Robert Balogh, and had three children, Jacqueline, Christopher and Sian. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, music and knitting. She also enjoys watching tennis and curling.
Mary Balogh started writing in the evenings as a hobby. Her first book, a Regency love story, was published in 1985 as A Masked Deception under her married name. In 1988, she retired from teaching after 20 years to pursue her dream to write full-time. She has written more than seventy novels and almost thirty novellas since then, including the New York Times bestselling 'Slightly' sextet and 'Simply' quartet. She has won numerous awards, including Bestselling Historical of the Year from the Borders Group, and her novel Simply Magic was a finalist in the Quill Awards. She has won seven Waldenbooks Awards and two B. Dalton Awards for her bestselling novels, as well as a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award.
Mary Balogh started writing in the evenings as a hobby. Her first book, a Regency love story, was published in 1985 as A Masked Deception under her married name. In 1988, she retired from teaching after 20 years to pursue her dream to write full-time. She has written more than seventy novels and almost thirty novellas since then, including the New York Times bestselling 'Slightly' sextet and 'Simply' quartet. She has won numerous awards, including Bestselling Historical of the Year from the Borders Group, and her novel Simply Magic was a finalist in the Quill Awards. She has won seven Waldenbooks Awards and two B. Dalton Awards for her bestselling novels, as well as a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
August 29, 2020
Why, Mary, why?
This is Mrs. Balogh's first published romance from 1985. I read the original paperback: I am not sure if she made changes to the Kindle format. She possibly did since one GR friend gave it five stars and another one gave it three. I believe I am very generous with one star.
Please, please only look at my spoiler -and indeed, I rant!-if you have NO intention of reading the story.
In the first chapter it was revealed that Richard Adair, Earl of Brampton, had finally given in to his mother's constant requests to marry. Together, they settled on the quiet Miss Margaret Wells unaware that Brampton had met her years before at a masked ball. Incognito. She had used a French accent when she spoke to him. They kissed "very thoroughly" outside on the veranda, he left to get her a lemonade and upon his return, she was gone.
Six years later......
What an emotion-fest. Blech. Ptooey. Gah!!!! I. Need. Chocolate.
This is Mrs. Balogh's first published romance from 1985. I read the original paperback: I am not sure if she made changes to the Kindle format. She possibly did since one GR friend gave it five stars and another one gave it three. I believe I am very generous with one star.
Please, please only look at my spoiler -and indeed, I rant!-if you have NO intention of reading the story.
In the first chapter it was revealed that Richard Adair, Earl of Brampton, had finally given in to his mother's constant requests to marry. Together, they settled on the quiet Miss Margaret Wells unaware that Brampton had met her years before at a masked ball. Incognito. She had used a French accent when she spoke to him. They kissed "very thoroughly" outside on the veranda, he left to get her a lemonade and upon his return, she was gone.
Six years later......
What an emotion-fest. Blech. Ptooey. Gah!!!! I. Need. Chocolate.
October 23, 2016
FINAL DECISION: I really enjoyed the concept of this book and Balogh's characters are always complex and imperfect. My only complaint is that I just could not suspend disbelief that a husband would not recognize his "mystery" woman as his wife. Putting that aside, I thought this was a very intriguing book.
THE STORY: Margaret Wells has loved Richard Adair, Earl of Brampton for years, but he has paid no attention to the quiet, mousey woman. But the time has come for Richard to marry and he figures that Margaret will do well as his wife and not interfere too much with his life. As the two settle into a quiet, if dull, marriage, Margaret cannot help but wish for the passion involved in her greatest secret. Six years ago, Margaret met up with Richard at a masquerade ball. While she was unrecognizable, she flirted and Richard was attracted. The two shared a passionate kiss that hasn't appeared in their marriage. Desperate to change something, Margaret again dons her costume and ends up having an affair with her own husband.
OPINION: This is a complicated book. Richard is dismissive of Margaret in the beginning of the book and frankly acts like a jerk for a good portion. But Balogh doesn't disappoint. Richard reluctantly begins to fall in love with his gentle wife. It is difficult to like Richard because he openly commits adultery, but Balogh's characters are imperfect. I enjoyed the progression Richard makes -- although I think he should have had to confess his transgressions to his wife.
The reason Richard works for me is because Margaret is also an imperfect mistake prone individual. She won't speak up for herself and rather than speaking with her husband concocts a crazy disguise to rediscover the passion she knows is missing from her marriage.
I found this book enjoyable but I didn't like that Richard commits adultery and never has to admit to it.
WORTH MENTIONING: Content warning that this book contains adultery. This book is also a reissue of a 1980s book.
CONNECTED BOOKS: A MASKED DECEPTION is a standalone.
STAR RATING: I give this book 3.5 stars.This review was originally posted on Top10RomanceBooks.com
THE STORY: Margaret Wells has loved Richard Adair, Earl of Brampton for years, but he has paid no attention to the quiet, mousey woman. But the time has come for Richard to marry and he figures that Margaret will do well as his wife and not interfere too much with his life. As the two settle into a quiet, if dull, marriage, Margaret cannot help but wish for the passion involved in her greatest secret. Six years ago, Margaret met up with Richard at a masquerade ball. While she was unrecognizable, she flirted and Richard was attracted. The two shared a passionate kiss that hasn't appeared in their marriage. Desperate to change something, Margaret again dons her costume and ends up having an affair with her own husband.
OPINION: This is a complicated book. Richard is dismissive of Margaret in the beginning of the book and frankly acts like a jerk for a good portion. But Balogh doesn't disappoint. Richard reluctantly begins to fall in love with his gentle wife. It is difficult to like Richard because he openly commits adultery, but Balogh's characters are imperfect. I enjoyed the progression Richard makes -- although I think he should have had to confess his transgressions to his wife.
The reason Richard works for me is because Margaret is also an imperfect mistake prone individual. She won't speak up for herself and rather than speaking with her husband concocts a crazy disguise to rediscover the passion she knows is missing from her marriage.
I found this book enjoyable but I didn't like that Richard commits adultery and never has to admit to it.
WORTH MENTIONING: Content warning that this book contains adultery. This book is also a reissue of a 1980s book.
CONNECTED BOOKS: A MASKED DECEPTION is a standalone.
STAR RATING: I give this book 3.5 stars.This review was originally posted on Top10RomanceBooks.com
November 26, 2018
Not enough groveling.
June 25, 2021
Fine but nothing special.
Read this if you like the "Wait a second. The sexually attractive stranger I am enchanted by is actually my dowdy af wife?" plot.
Brampton marries a quiet, unassuming bride. It's a marriage of convenience and he hopes to make the best of it. Mary has been in love with Brampton for some time, and the only time he ever noticed her was when they were at a masquerade.
Typical of MB, the hero and heroine make an honest go of their relationship. They have perfunctory missionary sex because Mary is a "lady" (this is the one historical detail I am ok to do away with!) and learn how to live with each other. Although Brampton slowly clues in to Mary's awesome qualities, Mary despairs of having his love. Mary's sister or friend, I can't remember, encourages her to dress up in the same costume that she did during the masquerade when they are at Vauxhall Gardens. At the end of the night, she can reveal to Brampton that she is one and the same woman.
What happens is that Mary never finds a chance to reveal the truth so she and Brampton end up embarking on what Brampton thinks is an extramarital affair but is really role-playing but he doesn't know it.
I had some issues with Brampton's passion for Mary in masquerade because he imbued so much fantasy into her, although Brampton does do some soul searching in the end. He does recognize that he doesn't really know the fantasy woman while with Mary, he knows that she is a good partner for him, that he has affection for her, and he wants to work on their relationship to be more romantic.
One note - yes, Brampton does the misogynistic thing that heroes do when they find the heroine did not tell them the truth, which is to blame Mary and even suspect her of running around on him. However, I liked this part when Brampton went a little mad. I actually found the antics of Couple B disruptive, as Balogh spent time explaining their antics to everyone, and this delayed the eventual argument between Brampton and Mary, so that the emotional pay-off did lessen when we got to it.
Read this if you like the "Wait a second. The sexually attractive stranger I am enchanted by is actually my dowdy af wife?" plot.
Brampton marries a quiet, unassuming bride. It's a marriage of convenience and he hopes to make the best of it. Mary has been in love with Brampton for some time, and the only time he ever noticed her was when they were at a masquerade.
Typical of MB, the hero and heroine make an honest go of their relationship. They have perfunctory missionary sex because Mary is a "lady" (this is the one historical detail I am ok to do away with!) and learn how to live with each other. Although Brampton slowly clues in to Mary's awesome qualities, Mary despairs of having his love. Mary's sister or friend, I can't remember, encourages her to dress up in the same costume that she did during the masquerade when they are at Vauxhall Gardens. At the end of the night, she can reveal to Brampton that she is one and the same woman.
What happens is that Mary never finds a chance to reveal the truth so she and Brampton end up embarking on what Brampton thinks is an extramarital affair but is really role-playing but he doesn't know it.
I had some issues with Brampton's passion for Mary in masquerade because he imbued so much fantasy into her, although Brampton does do some soul searching in the end. He does recognize that he doesn't really know the fantasy woman while with Mary, he knows that she is a good partner for him, that he has affection for her, and he wants to work on their relationship to be more romantic.
One note - yes, Brampton does the misogynistic thing that heroes do when they find the heroine did not tell them the truth, which is to blame Mary and even suspect her of running around on him. However, I liked this part when Brampton went a little mad. I actually found the antics of Couple B disruptive, as Balogh spent time explaining their antics to everyone, and this delayed the eventual argument between Brampton and Mary, so that the emotional pay-off did lessen when we got to it.
November 27, 2022
The first book that Mary Balogh wrote and the worst I have read by her so far. The only reason I finished it is because it was short and I was able glance through the secondary plot which was actually taking a lot of page time.
Uff but the two main characters especially our hero are clueless.
On top that, the sex is horrible, he basically rapes her every night. Here I would like to pause and proclaim an important fact. Rape is not about consent. It is about enjoyment. This guy does nothing for our heroine at all. He lifts her night shift and enters every night. And she consents to it every night.
On top of that he is cheating on her not only with his old mistress but also with a masked girl who in reality is our heroine but he acts so much more loving and passionate towards her.
On top of that, the resolution and the reveal of the masked deception is left for the last 2 or 3 pages.
Brr I would not recommend this book to anyone.
The reason why I am not giving it 1 star is because I didn’t completely hate it. 1 star is reserved for those books that make my hair stand up with cold rage or complete disgust. This wasn’t so bad. You could sympathize with our MCs and the secondary story wasn’t terrible.
Uff but the two main characters especially our hero are clueless.
On top that, the sex is horrible, he basically rapes her every night. Here I would like to pause and proclaim an important fact. Rape is not about consent. It is about enjoyment. This guy does nothing for our heroine at all. He lifts her night shift and enters every night. And she consents to it every night.
On top of that he is cheating on her not only with his old mistress but also with a masked girl who in reality is our heroine but he acts so much more loving and passionate towards her.
On top of that, the resolution and the reveal of the masked deception is left for the last 2 or 3 pages.
Brr I would not recommend this book to anyone.
The reason why I am not giving it 1 star is because I didn’t completely hate it. 1 star is reserved for those books that make my hair stand up with cold rage or complete disgust. This wasn’t so bad. You could sympathize with our MCs and the secondary story wasn’t terrible.
March 14, 2019
Mary Balogh's debut novel certainly isn't up to her later standard, but it's so much better than I thought it would be. The Balogh style is still visible in several elements. I waffled between two and three stars on this one. It did keep me entertained, and there were some unique elements, but the romances didn't work for me really, so I rounded down.
In the heroine, Margaret, I see some of Balogh's uniqueness. Margaret's plain, more because she has no wish to play up her looks or perform for attention. She's quiet, retiring, and keeps herself to herself, rarely giving hint to her emotions. Just because she keeps them inside doesn't mean she doesn't have them, though. It's a little tough for me to believe that this Margaret would actually cut so loose when dressed up as Marie Antoinette but show none of the spark that she does have when dressed as herself. Though I appreciate her calm demeanor, I'd have liked to see her open up just a bit more.
The plot is not made up of my favorite tropes. Margaret and Richard have a marriage of convenience; she's in love with him but doesn't show it, and he thinks she's fine but has no feelings for her. In fact, he comes to her bedchamber, thrusts, spills his seed, and leaves. It's probably the only time I've ever read that in a romance novel? It's horrific but realistic. He has a mistress he sleeps with once after their marriage, but he feels guilty so he ends things. Then he has an affair with a woman dressed as Marie Antoinette who just happens to be his wife, but he doesn't know that. It's one of those things where it's okay because it is her, but it's also super fucked up. In the end, he's such a dick about it, but Margaret does at least tell him off. Still, it's not satisfying particularly.
There are a couple of secondary romances, one of which almost worked for me and one which did not. Margaret's younger sister has an age gap romance, which would have been fine except everyone was always emphasizing it and talking about how he would keep her better controlled and no. Also, why the hell did he talk in such a weird accent no one else had? The other one is passionate to a violent level, and it left a bad taste in my mouth, particularly because she's Spanish, and the whole fiery Spanish woman thing is such an awful romance stereotype. The book even has a couple of jokes (I'm pretty sure they weren't serious?) about beating your wife, and I don't find that remotely funny when that's a real problem then, now, and in the romance genre.
I will say though that I did like that there were male/female friendships in this book. Charlotte and Charles are besties, and Devin and Margaret have a friendship as well. There's no romantic connection in either case, though people do get jealous of them and make assumptions. It's not too common to see men and women as friends in romance, so that was nice, especially given the age on this.
For a romance novel which came out in 1985, I expected so much worse. I've read worse from other romance novelist backlists. So I guess I'm glad I read it but I would definitely be hesitant to recommend it to other readers. Unless you're obsessive about backlists like I am, this one is probably skippable.
In the heroine, Margaret, I see some of Balogh's uniqueness. Margaret's plain, more because she has no wish to play up her looks or perform for attention. She's quiet, retiring, and keeps herself to herself, rarely giving hint to her emotions. Just because she keeps them inside doesn't mean she doesn't have them, though. It's a little tough for me to believe that this Margaret would actually cut so loose when dressed up as Marie Antoinette but show none of the spark that she does have when dressed as herself. Though I appreciate her calm demeanor, I'd have liked to see her open up just a bit more.
The plot is not made up of my favorite tropes. Margaret and Richard have a marriage of convenience; she's in love with him but doesn't show it, and he thinks she's fine but has no feelings for her. In fact, he comes to her bedchamber, thrusts, spills his seed, and leaves. It's probably the only time I've ever read that in a romance novel? It's horrific but realistic. He has a mistress he sleeps with once after their marriage, but he feels guilty so he ends things. Then he has an affair with a woman dressed as Marie Antoinette who just happens to be his wife, but he doesn't know that. It's one of those things where it's okay because it is her, but it's also super fucked up. In the end, he's such a dick about it, but Margaret does at least tell him off. Still, it's not satisfying particularly.
There are a couple of secondary romances, one of which almost worked for me and one which did not. Margaret's younger sister has an age gap romance, which would have been fine except everyone was always emphasizing it and talking about how he would keep her better controlled and no. Also, why the hell did he talk in such a weird accent no one else had? The other one is passionate to a violent level, and it left a bad taste in my mouth, particularly because she's Spanish, and the whole fiery Spanish woman thing is such an awful romance stereotype. The book even has a couple of jokes (I'm pretty sure they weren't serious?) about beating your wife, and I don't find that remotely funny when that's a real problem then, now, and in the romance genre.
I will say though that I did like that there were male/female friendships in this book. Charlotte and Charles are besties, and Devin and Margaret have a friendship as well. There's no romantic connection in either case, though people do get jealous of them and make assumptions. It's not too common to see men and women as friends in romance, so that was nice, especially given the age on this.
For a romance novel which came out in 1985, I expected so much worse. I've read worse from other romance novelist backlists. So I guess I'm glad I read it but I would definitely be hesitant to recommend it to other readers. Unless you're obsessive about backlists like I am, this one is probably skippable.
September 11, 2016
For what it is (a 1990 penny Harlequin and one of Mary Balogh's first books), this was ok. But compared to modern historicals it's a total mess, and Richard is indeed a dick.
July 7, 2018
The central conceit of this story is kind of fun -- the mask, the hidden identity etc. But I really think the author misses some interesting opportunities. Like our hero doesn't really seem to examine his conflicted heart that much. He gets over his "angel" super quickly, but it could be more interestingly explored.
But much more upsetting is what a dill-weed he is. Let's review a few things. His approach to sex with his wife is rapey and inconsiderate and gross. Sure it is supposed to be a period piece, but there are plenty of anachronisms (like the explicit descriptions of sex) so she could make it less awful. It could be dispassionate without being so rapey. Next: He goes off and sleeps with his mistress. Then has an affair with "angel." It says he's tortured and guilty but that sapect isn't really explored. Meanwhile our heroine is supremely boring and self-sacrificing, and our hero loves her mostly because she orders good meals. Considering they're HIS servants it seems like he could have been doing that for years. The only remotely interesting moment is when she confronts him about his hypocrisy, which abruptly ends when he shoves his tongue down her throat.
But much more upsetting is what a dill-weed he is. Let's review a few things. His approach to sex with his wife is rapey and inconsiderate and gross. Sure it is supposed to be a period piece, but there are plenty of anachronisms (like the explicit descriptions of sex) so she could make it less awful. It could be dispassionate without being so rapey. Next: He goes off and sleeps with his mistress. Then has an affair with "angel." It says he's tortured and guilty but that sapect isn't really explored. Meanwhile our heroine is supremely boring and self-sacrificing, and our hero loves her mostly because she orders good meals. Considering they're HIS servants it seems like he could have been doing that for years. The only remotely interesting moment is when she confronts him about his hypocrisy, which abruptly ends when he shoves his tongue down her throat.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2024
One of the things I most admire about Mary Balogh is her ability to look unflinchingly at her characters and their behaviour. This is one of those cases where I rather wish she had flinched, and given the hero at least one or two redeeming features. This was her first published work, so perhaps one should make allowances, but it’s difficult. This is a fairly ranty review so it’s quite spoilerish. Don’t read unless you want to know most of the plot.
Here’s the premise: Six years ago, Richard, the Earl of Brampton, had met a passionate but regrettably anonymous stranger at a masked ball. She disappeared before the unmasking, and he was never able to find her again, although he’s never forgotten her. Now, with his mother agitating for him to marry and sire the essential heir, he settles on mousy Margaret Wells, who will give him no trouble, and can be safely left in the country raising the heir while he maintains his mistress in London. What he doesn’t know is that Margaret is the very same passionate stranger he remembers so vividly. He also doesn’t know that she fell instantly in love with him six years ago. So the scene is set for a gradual rediscovery of that passionate interlude.
Except that’s not what happens. Richard decides that he can’t inflict passion on his mousy wife, so sex is a brief, perfunctory affair, and she is too mouse-like to complain. And naturally, she can’t possibly tell him that she was the stranger from six years ago. Wait… why ever not? Well, because the plot requires her to keep quiet about it, that’s why. And so she does, but she’s a bit sad, because she enjoyed all that sexy kissing and fumbling under clothes from six years ago and she’d like a bit of that now, thank you very much. But when younger sister Charlotte arrives for her come out and asks why she’s a bit sad, Margaret tells her the whole story, and Charlotte has the brilliant idea that Meg should dress up in her mask costume again and see if she can entice Richard into a bit of that sexy stuff. And so she does, arranging to just happen to bump into him at Vauxhall’s, and would you believe it, he not only falls for his mysterious stranger all over again and gets hot and heavy with her, but he doesn’t even recognise his own wife?
Well, no, I wouldn’t believe it, actually. They even begin a torrid affair in his best mate’s bed, and even though he sees the similarities with his wife, he doesn’t once twig that it’s actually her. Yet the best mate, who doesn’t know her half as well, recognised her instantly. How ridiculous is that?
The other major stumbling block to credibility is Margaret herself. We’re supposed to believe that her public persona is very calm and reserved, almost cold in its lack of emotion. Nothing, it seems, dents her composure. But somehow, put her in a Marie Antoinette costume, a wig and a mask, and she becomes an unrestrained nymphomaniac. I would have found this more credible if we’d been shown any sign of this inner tempestuousness, but there’s nothing at all, not a flash of anger or a sharp word or the slightest hint of a flounce. She doesn’t even speak up for herself, simply accepting whatever neglect or implied insult her husband heaps on her head.
The question of Richard’s morality is more ambiguous. Nowadays, a hero who maintains his mistress after he’s married and then has an unrestrained affair with a woman whose name he doesn’t even know is a bit of a non-starter for a romantic novel, but when this book was written, almost forty years ago, heroes of this type were par for the course. And he does very gradually come to appreciate his wife. He dispenses with the mistress and he even gives up his affair with the mystery lady because he tells himself he’s in love with his wife.
Meanwhile there are a couple of side romances going on, for Charlotte and also for Richard’s brother Charles. This may be an opportune moment to point out that there a great many perfectly respectable names for Regency characters, so it would be nice if authors would refrain from using two such similar ones as Charles and Charlotte. Anyway, the side romances aren’t wonderful, but in the end they’re better than the main event, which blows up in spectacular fashion.
Richard, you see, discovers the Marie Antoinette costume in his wife’s wardrobe and the slow-top finally realises that she was the mystery lady all along. Whereupon he goes into a towering rage at being made to look a fool, because it’s all about him, you see. He was the one who chose to have a torrid affair with a woman he believed was not his wife, but it’s her fault for being a slut and enticing him (or something). She tries to explain but he doesn’t want to listen, and then he crosses an inviolable line, in my view, by using violence against the heroine, his own wife. Even when she tells him not to hurt her too badly because she’s pregnant, it doesn’t calm him down because he doesn’t believe her! Only when she finally blows her top and points out what a hypocrite he is does he realise that maybe she has a point. Then he cries, tells her he loves her and they go to bed and have passionate sex, and I can’t tell you how much I despise him at this point. I don’t have much respect for her, either, but he is far, far worse. I don’t think he even knows the meaning of the word love.
This was heading for three stars, because on the whole the thing is readable and even enjoyable for much of it, and even though I wanted to slap both hero and heroine upside the head, I make allowances for the age it was written in, and it was Balogh’s first book, after all. My own first Regency was pretty terrible, too. But that ending made me so mad, I knocked it down to two stars. So there. Recommended only for completists, and definitely not for anyone looking for a clean read - there’s an awful lot of sex in it. Or a lot of awful sex for Margaret, poor girl.
The theme of this book, the Regency marriage of convenience and what it would be like in reality without the romance author’s typical sprinkling of magical stardust, is one that interests me greatly. Balogh has tackled the idea in two other books (that I know of; there may be others). Dancing With Clara (1993) suffers a little from a depressing ending, in my opinion, but in The Obedient Bride (1989) she gets it absolutely right, and with a proper hero. I highly recommend it as an antidote to the insufferable Richard.
Here’s the premise: Six years ago, Richard, the Earl of Brampton, had met a passionate but regrettably anonymous stranger at a masked ball. She disappeared before the unmasking, and he was never able to find her again, although he’s never forgotten her. Now, with his mother agitating for him to marry and sire the essential heir, he settles on mousy Margaret Wells, who will give him no trouble, and can be safely left in the country raising the heir while he maintains his mistress in London. What he doesn’t know is that Margaret is the very same passionate stranger he remembers so vividly. He also doesn’t know that she fell instantly in love with him six years ago. So the scene is set for a gradual rediscovery of that passionate interlude.
Except that’s not what happens. Richard decides that he can’t inflict passion on his mousy wife, so sex is a brief, perfunctory affair, and she is too mouse-like to complain. And naturally, she can’t possibly tell him that she was the stranger from six years ago. Wait… why ever not? Well, because the plot requires her to keep quiet about it, that’s why. And so she does, but she’s a bit sad, because she enjoyed all that sexy kissing and fumbling under clothes from six years ago and she’d like a bit of that now, thank you very much. But when younger sister Charlotte arrives for her come out and asks why she’s a bit sad, Margaret tells her the whole story, and Charlotte has the brilliant idea that Meg should dress up in her mask costume again and see if she can entice Richard into a bit of that sexy stuff. And so she does, arranging to just happen to bump into him at Vauxhall’s, and would you believe it, he not only falls for his mysterious stranger all over again and gets hot and heavy with her, but he doesn’t even recognise his own wife?
Well, no, I wouldn’t believe it, actually. They even begin a torrid affair in his best mate’s bed, and even though he sees the similarities with his wife, he doesn’t once twig that it’s actually her. Yet the best mate, who doesn’t know her half as well, recognised her instantly. How ridiculous is that?
The other major stumbling block to credibility is Margaret herself. We’re supposed to believe that her public persona is very calm and reserved, almost cold in its lack of emotion. Nothing, it seems, dents her composure. But somehow, put her in a Marie Antoinette costume, a wig and a mask, and she becomes an unrestrained nymphomaniac. I would have found this more credible if we’d been shown any sign of this inner tempestuousness, but there’s nothing at all, not a flash of anger or a sharp word or the slightest hint of a flounce. She doesn’t even speak up for herself, simply accepting whatever neglect or implied insult her husband heaps on her head.
The question of Richard’s morality is more ambiguous. Nowadays, a hero who maintains his mistress after he’s married and then has an unrestrained affair with a woman whose name he doesn’t even know is a bit of a non-starter for a romantic novel, but when this book was written, almost forty years ago, heroes of this type were par for the course. And he does very gradually come to appreciate his wife. He dispenses with the mistress and he even gives up his affair with the mystery lady because he tells himself he’s in love with his wife.
Meanwhile there are a couple of side romances going on, for Charlotte and also for Richard’s brother Charles. This may be an opportune moment to point out that there a great many perfectly respectable names for Regency characters, so it would be nice if authors would refrain from using two such similar ones as Charles and Charlotte. Anyway, the side romances aren’t wonderful, but in the end they’re better than the main event, which blows up in spectacular fashion.
Richard, you see, discovers the Marie Antoinette costume in his wife’s wardrobe and the slow-top finally realises that she was the mystery lady all along. Whereupon he goes into a towering rage at being made to look a fool, because it’s all about him, you see. He was the one who chose to have a torrid affair with a woman he believed was not his wife, but it’s her fault for being a slut and enticing him (or something). She tries to explain but he doesn’t want to listen, and then he crosses an inviolable line, in my view, by using violence against the heroine, his own wife. Even when she tells him not to hurt her too badly because she’s pregnant, it doesn’t calm him down because he doesn’t believe her! Only when she finally blows her top and points out what a hypocrite he is does he realise that maybe she has a point. Then he cries, tells her he loves her and they go to bed and have passionate sex, and I can’t tell you how much I despise him at this point. I don’t have much respect for her, either, but he is far, far worse. I don’t think he even knows the meaning of the word love.
This was heading for three stars, because on the whole the thing is readable and even enjoyable for much of it, and even though I wanted to slap both hero and heroine upside the head, I make allowances for the age it was written in, and it was Balogh’s first book, after all. My own first Regency was pretty terrible, too. But that ending made me so mad, I knocked it down to two stars. So there. Recommended only for completists, and definitely not for anyone looking for a clean read - there’s an awful lot of sex in it. Or a lot of awful sex for Margaret, poor girl.
The theme of this book, the Regency marriage of convenience and what it would be like in reality without the romance author’s typical sprinkling of magical stardust, is one that interests me greatly. Balogh has tackled the idea in two other books (that I know of; there may be others). Dancing With Clara (1993) suffers a little from a depressing ending, in my opinion, but in The Obedient Bride (1989) she gets it absolutely right, and with a proper hero. I highly recommend it as an antidote to the insufferable Richard.
April 13, 2024
I was disappointed in this book. The couple meet at a masked ball, yet she leaves before the unmasking. He has no idea who she is. She secretly loves him but she is really more shy, and demure out of the mask. He figures he needs to marry and have an heir , but doesn’t want a wife that will expect him to be at home a lot. He picks this quiet natured young woman, since he feels he can get a couple heirs, and still do as he wants. She though decides to take on her fake persona, after awhile to add some spark to her life. He has never forgotten her, so he commits adultery, not knowing it is his wife. He does go back to his wife, because over time he has fallen for her kind, and sweet nature. She doesn’t blame him for the adultery. I didn’t like this book. I understand flawed characters, but really ? What lesson was learned? No remorse? How does she know he won’t do it again. I really like this author, but not this book. I kept waiting for the author to make it right. 2 stars.
September 15, 2020
Balogh's first novel, from (Feb 1985). Margaret, a quiet, demure young lady, has been in love for the past six years with Richard, Earl of Brampton, after they shared a passionate kiss during a masquerade ball where Margaret felt freer to show the more lively side of her character. Now that his mother insists that it is time Bram "set up his nursery," he agrees to offer for a candidate of her choice—which turns out to be Margaret. Even knowing that Richard doesn't love her, Meg agrees to marry—and is sorely disappointed when he treats her like an object when they first have sex, and is politely distant thereafter.
When younger sister Charlotte presses Meg about why she's so obviously unhappy, Meg confesses her past history with Richard. Irrepressible Charlotte persuades Meg to masquerade once again in her Marie Antoinette costume to see if she can once again attract Richard. And attract him she does—which leads to joy and torment for both: Richard, because he's beginning to love his quiet wife even while he's still physically drawn to his "French angel"; Margaret because she can only experience Richard's love and passion if she pretends to be someone else.
The sex is pretty explicit for an 1980s Signet Regency Romance, which Balogh can get away with since her characters are married.
A secondary romance between younger sister Charlotte and two potential suitors (Richard's best friend, 30 year old Devin, and his younger brother, Charles), adds variety and a bit of lightheartedness to the more poignant main romance.
A few "we'll have to beat you to keep you in line" comments from male characters about female characters date the book. But as they seem to be more throwaway lines for comic effect, rather than deeply held beliefs by the narrator/characters, it is fairly easy to ignore them (at least it was for this reader).
When younger sister Charlotte presses Meg about why she's so obviously unhappy, Meg confesses her past history with Richard. Irrepressible Charlotte persuades Meg to masquerade once again in her Marie Antoinette costume to see if she can once again attract Richard. And attract him she does—which leads to joy and torment for both: Richard, because he's beginning to love his quiet wife even while he's still physically drawn to his "French angel"; Margaret because she can only experience Richard's love and passion if she pretends to be someone else.
The sex is pretty explicit for an 1980s Signet Regency Romance, which Balogh can get away with since her characters are married.
A secondary romance between younger sister Charlotte and two potential suitors (Richard's best friend, 30 year old Devin, and his younger brother, Charles), adds variety and a bit of lightheartedness to the more poignant main romance.
A few "we'll have to beat you to keep you in line" comments from male characters about female characters date the book. But as they seem to be more throwaway lines for comic effect, rather than deeply held beliefs by the narrator/characters, it is fairly easy to ignore them (at least it was for this reader).
July 14, 2012
I think this one's hero is a jerk. I've always preferred jerks to soft-hearted weakling except in this case. I more attracted to innocent young Ralph in Gentle Conquest than I am with Richard. Hmnn.. Maybe I should change the stars? A Masked Deception just seem more active than Gentle Conquest. I enjoyed them both but decided on 3 stars here because it seem to have more happenings than the quiet but no means boring everyday life portrayal in GC. Back to Richard, I did not hate him really and am quite convinced of his romance with Meg but I find myself applauding Meg at the end for how quickly she forgave Richard. It isn't surprising really given Meg's character but I don't think I can forgive him as easily. Good for Richard that it is Meg he married and not me then, huh? *grins* Still I was happy for them afterwards. Again I just wish there was an epilogue.
*Decided on 2stars after all because I found out I have to try very hard to remember the story for this even though I've just finished reading it.
*Decided on 2stars after all because I found out I have to try very hard to remember the story for this even though I've just finished reading it.
September 26, 2016
What did I just read?
So that was not your typical romance book. I bought this book late at night when I thought the concept sounded good. However once I started to read it in the light of day it proved to be very overwrought. I finished it out of pure curiosity, but was horrified by the ending. It starts off slow and there's a lot of explanations about why the protagonists can't just talk to each other. Then at the end they blow up and everything comes out in an awful bout of make up sex.
Honestly, though I can't see why this couple loves each other. She loves him because he kissed her scandalously at a masquerade ball and he loves her because she's the perfect Victorian wife? In fact if anything she should fall out of love with him after all the bad sex. But she's such a paragon of patience she still loves him and forgives him even though none of their issues get solved.
I gave it 2 stars because at least I could finish it. Hope to forget it soon.
So that was not your typical romance book. I bought this book late at night when I thought the concept sounded good. However once I started to read it in the light of day it proved to be very overwrought. I finished it out of pure curiosity, but was horrified by the ending. It starts off slow and there's a lot of explanations about why the protagonists can't just talk to each other. Then at the end they blow up and everything comes out in an awful bout of make up sex.
Honestly, though I can't see why this couple loves each other. She loves him because he kissed her scandalously at a masquerade ball and he loves her because she's the perfect Victorian wife? In fact if anything she should fall out of love with him after all the bad sex. But she's such a paragon of patience she still loves him and forgives him even though none of their issues get solved.
I gave it 2 stars because at least I could finish it. Hope to forget it soon.
October 13, 2020
Margaret and Richard. Both of them fall in "instant" love, but in Richard's case he does not know who he has fallen in love with. Keeps his mistress for some sexy time after he marries. The mistress, of course, gets better sex from him than his wife because this pea brain of a guy is wham bam only type of sex with his wife. Because of all the horrible sex this couple had the story fell flat for me. However, was interesting how little the heroine demanded of her husband and how awful it must have been for women who had jerks of husband like Richard was who went right to it without any kissing or cuddling. Richard is so stupid, he gets mad when he discovers he has been cheating on his wife with his wife. LOL The irony is that when he cheated with his wife who he called Angel it was the only then Margaret got to experience sex that was better than his duty sex. He never does confess or grovel about the mistress he had sex with throughout the beginning months of their marriage.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2021
I am re-reading my Mary Balogh books in order of publication, and this one is the first that I have as it was published in 1985. On the second reading, I found the plot slightly contrived but still interesting, and the writing not quite as polished as I have come to expect, but still well worth the re-read. I didn't put it down until I was done, so I guess that says it all.
August 19, 2020
Absolute rubbish!
I have never been so irritated, angry and disbeleiving while reading a Mary Balogh. What utter rot and so stupid. It angers me that I wasted my time on this rubbish.
I have never been so irritated, angry and disbeleiving while reading a Mary Balogh. What utter rot and so stupid. It angers me that I wasted my time on this rubbish.
February 14, 2023
This was Mary Balogh’s first romance book she wrote! The MMC chose the FMC to be his wife through process of elimination. Little did he know she’s been pining after him for some time… I didn’t really understand why she continued to suppress her personality (and her looks!) after their marriage, this whole thing felt silly when I thought about that.
People say that it’s crazy he didn’t realize who she is but she had a French accent, dressed and acted so differently, it’s the kinda thing you would realize once it’s suggested but otherwise it might not occur to you. also, no offense to men but they can’t even tell if a girl is wearing makeup, or like if you dyed your hair, so this is not a big leap to me.
People say that it’s crazy he didn’t realize who she is but she had a French accent, dressed and acted so differently, it’s the kinda thing you would realize once it’s suggested but otherwise it might not occur to you. also, no offense to men but they can’t even tell if a girl is wearing makeup, or like if you dyed your hair, so this is not a big leap to me.
September 11, 2016
Perfecto, nueva reedición y solo en digital pero merece la pena porque es el primero que escribió o que publicó la autora y me parece genial. La historia principal y las que la acompañan son muy románticas, y muy buena narración dentro del género de Regencia, como siempre. Como siempre mi única pega es que no lo publiquen en español pero lo he podido leer perfectamente y lo he disfrutado mucho.
August 7, 2010
Balogh's very first book -- and it contains elements of all the themes she has written about over the years. Worth tracking down!
November 26, 2012
I did not like Richard or Meg. He is unfaithful and too dumb to be true and she is missing a personality.
January 9, 2018
This is so stupid.
July 23, 2017
3.75 stars!
Theme: Regency era, ugly duckling, spinster heroine, notorious rake Hero, outwardly stoic heroine (but very passionate inside lels), masquerade, Hero had sex with OW (even when he's married)
I know that many would not like romances where Heroes had sex with OW. I don't like it too but reading romances settled in pre-21st century such as Regency, I have to have a fight with objectivity and subjectivity that men in this era kept mistresses (and it was somewhat a norm). I want my H to be perfectly faithful but sometimes I have to bend my own preferences when the plot was right IMO lels.
heroine = she was the eldest child of a gentleman (neither with wealth nor title) but with impeccable lineage. She was brought up by strict and rigid parents so she was somewhat stoic (yet very passionate e.g. when she's alone she rode astride). To me she screams like "I am a proper lady!" no matter what happens.
She had 5 seasons already so she considered herself as spinster and wore a cap (to emphasize her point probably haha). She had a secret though, during her first season she met the Hero in a masquerade ball and she got to experience some hard kiss and a light foreplay. And so she knew that there was something about a passion between a man and a woman. A very different lesson she learned from what she knew since growing up.
Hero = he was an Earl and a very known playboy, jumping bed to bed preferring women with experiences (eg married). He saw the heroine dressed as Marie Antoinette at the masquerade and was drawn to her. He called her "angel" and they had a passionate encounter. But instances did not let him see her again that night even to get her name. In the years to come, they met in her "original" form in gatherings without him knowing that the heroine was his "angel".
Now, the Hero needed to get married. He was pestered by his mother and sisters. And the choice was the heroine because of her manners and impeccable lineage despite her wealth and social status (neither with wealth nor title). And so our Hero proposed to our plain heroine which she heartily accepted.
Hero + heroine = so they got married and the heroine hoped that the Hero knew about their encounter years ago lels! But nope. The wedding night was horrible! Even though the heroine was taught that coupling was for producing heirs (proper ladies must endure it when husbands visited their beds), she was so disappointed and hurt because he neither kissed nor caressed her.
And our Hero was of course being a man in his era, turned to his mistress and lustily shagged her many times (lelelels). He justified to himself that it was a common practice to show their passion and lust to their mistresses than their wives (who had delicate sensibilities).
But then he felt wrong. She was so good to him and she was a good countess as well. And it was wrong to hurt her like this - seeing/keeping his mistress. So he ended his relationship with his OW. Now, the heroine's sister knew about the masquerade thing and that the h loved the Hero. So, she came up with a plan that her big sister should go wear a mask and see what happened next if she and the Hero met again.
And so the masquerade where the Hero and his "angel" met again and again.
The Hero had a new mistress and he did not know that it was his wife. Although he noticed the similarities of body built, he was so obsessed with this angel and that his wife was a proper woman that he perhaps unconsciously disregard the same qualities of both women (smell, mannerisms, etc). One night, they both decided that their relationship had to end. She was in love with his husband and the Hero discovered & confessed that he loved his wife (despite her plainness). Their parting was sweet and heartbreaking.
Hero wanted to made love to his wife but afraid that she would despise passionate intimacies because of her upbringing (proper ladies' upbringing actually). And heroine was afraid to tell Hero that the "angel" was her.
Events happened that the Hero discovered his wife's secret (FINAAAAALLYYY!!!). They fought and was particularly surprised that his wife had a fire. She accused him of having affair with OW. And she was honest when she told him that she hated every time he visited her bed (doing his husbandly rights) and felt that he was cold and mechanical when she knew how passionate he was. And they had passionate make up sex lelelelels! The end. Bow. Lelelelelels.
What I liked about this one was the Hero came to lover the heroine in her plainness. heroine did not change her style (she lowered the bodice of her clothes, she changed her hair, etc etc etc) and yet because of her being calm and proper that the Hero loved her. It was unlike with other romance novels with ugly duckly themes where Heroes fell in loved with heroines when they became beautiful, sexy, etc etc. Plus Hero was a human being who made mistakes. Even though it was a norm to see other women discreetly, he was still conflicted about his actions.
Oh there was also a secondary or perhaps a third romance story in this book. I just didn't like that characters were thrown and their story was shown - it's kinda annoying actually. Lels. heroine's sister was alright (though sometimes irksome to me) and I really thought she deserved her own book lels!
As I say, this book isn't for anyone who liked their Heroes to be perfect and faithful to their heroines.
Theme: Regency era, ugly duckling, spinster heroine, notorious rake Hero, outwardly stoic heroine (but very passionate inside lels), masquerade, Hero had sex with OW (even when he's married)
I know that many would not like romances where Heroes had sex with OW. I don't like it too but reading romances settled in pre-21st century such as Regency, I have to have a fight with objectivity and subjectivity that men in this era kept mistresses (and it was somewhat a norm). I want my H to be perfectly faithful but sometimes I have to bend my own preferences when the plot was right IMO lels.
heroine = she was the eldest child of a gentleman (neither with wealth nor title) but with impeccable lineage. She was brought up by strict and rigid parents so she was somewhat stoic (yet very passionate e.g. when she's alone she rode astride). To me she screams like "I am a proper lady!" no matter what happens.
She had 5 seasons already so she considered herself as spinster and wore a cap (to emphasize her point probably haha). She had a secret though, during her first season she met the Hero in a masquerade ball and she got to experience some hard kiss and a light foreplay. And so she knew that there was something about a passion between a man and a woman. A very different lesson she learned from what she knew since growing up.
Hero = he was an Earl and a very known playboy, jumping bed to bed preferring women with experiences (eg married). He saw the heroine dressed as Marie Antoinette at the masquerade and was drawn to her. He called her "angel" and they had a passionate encounter. But instances did not let him see her again that night even to get her name. In the years to come, they met in her "original" form in gatherings without him knowing that the heroine was his "angel".
Now, the Hero needed to get married. He was pestered by his mother and sisters. And the choice was the heroine because of her manners and impeccable lineage despite her wealth and social status (neither with wealth nor title). And so our Hero proposed to our plain heroine which she heartily accepted.
Hero + heroine = so they got married and the heroine hoped that the Hero knew about their encounter years ago lels! But nope. The wedding night was horrible! Even though the heroine was taught that coupling was for producing heirs (proper ladies must endure it when husbands visited their beds), she was so disappointed and hurt because he neither kissed nor caressed her.
And our Hero was of course being a man in his era, turned to his mistress and lustily shagged her many times (lelelels). He justified to himself that it was a common practice to show their passion and lust to their mistresses than their wives (who had delicate sensibilities).
But then he felt wrong. She was so good to him and she was a good countess as well. And it was wrong to hurt her like this - seeing/keeping his mistress. So he ended his relationship with his OW. Now, the heroine's sister knew about the masquerade thing and that the h loved the Hero. So, she came up with a plan that her big sister should go wear a mask and see what happened next if she and the Hero met again.
And so the masquerade where the Hero and his "angel" met again and again.
The Hero had a new mistress and he did not know that it was his wife. Although he noticed the similarities of body built, he was so obsessed with this angel and that his wife was a proper woman that he perhaps unconsciously disregard the same qualities of both women (smell, mannerisms, etc). One night, they both decided that their relationship had to end. She was in love with his husband and the Hero discovered & confessed that he loved his wife (despite her plainness). Their parting was sweet and heartbreaking.
Hero wanted to made love to his wife but afraid that she would despise passionate intimacies because of her upbringing (proper ladies' upbringing actually). And heroine was afraid to tell Hero that the "angel" was her.
Events happened that the Hero discovered his wife's secret (FINAAAAALLYYY!!!). They fought and was particularly surprised that his wife had a fire. She accused him of having affair with OW. And she was honest when she told him that she hated every time he visited her bed (doing his husbandly rights) and felt that he was cold and mechanical when she knew how passionate he was. And they had passionate make up sex lelelelels! The end. Bow. Lelelelelels.
What I liked about this one was the Hero came to lover the heroine in her plainness. heroine did not change her style (she lowered the bodice of her clothes, she changed her hair, etc etc etc) and yet because of her being calm and proper that the Hero loved her. It was unlike with other romance novels with ugly duckly themes where Heroes fell in loved with heroines when they became beautiful, sexy, etc etc. Plus Hero was a human being who made mistakes. Even though it was a norm to see other women discreetly, he was still conflicted about his actions.
Oh there was also a secondary or perhaps a third romance story in this book. I just didn't like that characters were thrown and their story was shown - it's kinda annoying actually. Lels. heroine's sister was alright (though sometimes irksome to me) and I really thought she deserved her own book lels!
As I say, this book isn't for anyone who liked their Heroes to be perfect and faithful to their heroines.
October 19, 2020
The hero was pardoned easily by the heroine. Not enough groveling
August 17, 2016
O primeiro romance de Mary Balogh com todos elementos que a tornaram a grande escritora que é.
Uma história de um amor não correspondido quase fadado ao fracasso por uma série de erros.
Por obrigação familiar, Richard é obrigado a casar e escolhe por sugestão da família, a Margaret, uma jovem séria, aparentemente sem senso de humor e com um comportamento frio e impecável. Richard não vê nela nada que o atraia. E percebe que ela é bastante diferente da atual amante dele. Fica arrasado por ter que cumprir suas obrigações maritais com alguém tão apagada e simplória como ela.
Eles se casam e o relacionamento deles é bastante frio, sem o fogo da paixão. Isso por erro dos dois: ele por receio de ofender sua puritana mulher, age de maneira bastante fria e impessoal com ela; ela com receio de comportar-se como a mulher sedenta de paixão, que se escondia por baixo daquela capa de bom comportamento e da aparente apatia, não demonstrava que o amava secretamente há seis longos anos, uma paixão nascida durante a sua apresentação à sociedade, num baile de máscara, no qual Richard se sentiu profundamente atraído por ela e chegaram a trocarem carícias ardentes, mas por causa da mãe dela, ele não descobriu quem era a jovem mascarada. E nos anos subsequentes ele não via nela, nos encontros posteriores, a vívida jovem mascarada.
Mas, sua irmã mais nova ao descobrir o segredo de Margaret a induz a aparecer pra ele num baile de máscara, da mesma maneira de anos atrás. E Richard, ao vê-la como naquela noite, sente a mesma atração. E assim, seus encontros se tornam apaixonados sem ele saber que aquela fogosa mulher que ele tem encontros furtivos é sua recatada esposa. Será ele capaz de perdoar quando descobrir a verdade?
Mary Balogh nesse romance entrelaçou outras histórias de amor, mas tendo como fundo principal a de Richard e Margaret.
Uma história de um amor não correspondido quase fadado ao fracasso por uma série de erros.
Por obrigação familiar, Richard é obrigado a casar e escolhe por sugestão da família, a Margaret, uma jovem séria, aparentemente sem senso de humor e com um comportamento frio e impecável. Richard não vê nela nada que o atraia. E percebe que ela é bastante diferente da atual amante dele. Fica arrasado por ter que cumprir suas obrigações maritais com alguém tão apagada e simplória como ela.
Eles se casam e o relacionamento deles é bastante frio, sem o fogo da paixão. Isso por erro dos dois: ele por receio de ofender sua puritana mulher, age de maneira bastante fria e impessoal com ela; ela com receio de comportar-se como a mulher sedenta de paixão, que se escondia por baixo daquela capa de bom comportamento e da aparente apatia, não demonstrava que o amava secretamente há seis longos anos, uma paixão nascida durante a sua apresentação à sociedade, num baile de máscara, no qual Richard se sentiu profundamente atraído por ela e chegaram a trocarem carícias ardentes, mas por causa da mãe dela, ele não descobriu quem era a jovem mascarada. E nos anos subsequentes ele não via nela, nos encontros posteriores, a vívida jovem mascarada.
Mas, sua irmã mais nova ao descobrir o segredo de Margaret a induz a aparecer pra ele num baile de máscara, da mesma maneira de anos atrás. E Richard, ao vê-la como naquela noite, sente a mesma atração. E assim, seus encontros se tornam apaixonados sem ele saber que aquela fogosa mulher que ele tem encontros furtivos é sua recatada esposa. Será ele capaz de perdoar quando descobrir a verdade?
Mary Balogh nesse romance entrelaçou outras histórias de amor, mas tendo como fundo principal a de Richard e Margaret.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2017
This book has such a thin unbelievable story. The heroine is trained to be dosile, but in her heart of hearts she is different.....she has a sister that obviously has had no such a training as she is leading everyone by the nose. This strikes me as rather strange.
Now this marriage. The 'hero' is an ass! Has no character at all. Thinks one thing, acts something else. There is absolutely no dialoge beteen H/H, the only reason he feels different towards his wife is that she keeps his house in a way he likes without being bothered by her.
Than the adultery matter: in those days it was quite common for a man of means to go elsewhere for his needs. There were even guides on the market with reviews on the women of the streets. (She is clean or is available for this or that)
So an upper-class marriage for love was almost nonexistent; more a low class privilege.
That aside, why a man who just finds out his dream fantasy lover is actually his wife, wants to beat her..... beats me! And why she is willing to let him??! Beats all hollow.
He is an ass and she is a bore. That sums it up.
Now this marriage. The 'hero' is an ass! Has no character at all. Thinks one thing, acts something else. There is absolutely no dialoge beteen H/H, the only reason he feels different towards his wife is that she keeps his house in a way he likes without being bothered by her.
Than the adultery matter: in those days it was quite common for a man of means to go elsewhere for his needs. There were even guides on the market with reviews on the women of the streets. (She is clean or is available for this or that)
So an upper-class marriage for love was almost nonexistent; more a low class privilege.
That aside, why a man who just finds out his dream fantasy lover is actually his wife, wants to beat her..... beats me! And why she is willing to let him??! Beats all hollow.
He is an ass and she is a bore. That sums it up.
November 14, 2020
I am a huge fan of Mary Balogh - she is one of my very favorite authors. I cannot judge her too harshly for this book, as it was her first published novel. However, I would urge you to save your money - this book is truly terrible and the actions of the male characters have not aged well.
The plot is loosely borrowed from Barbara Cartland’s Desire of the Heart, but courtesan Renee - the most interesting character in THAT book - is sadly missing here. Instead, a sub-plot involving the heroine’s younger sister has been added.
The characters profess emotions that make little sense based on actions, and carry out actions that make no sense based on common sense. The dialogue is ridiculous and the plot lines laughable. The hero is unlikable, his best friend (the sister’s love interest) for reasons never explained speaks like a politically incorrect seaman, and the hero’s younger brother actually threatens to hit the woman he loves after she slaps him.
Just awful.
The plot is loosely borrowed from Barbara Cartland’s Desire of the Heart, but courtesan Renee - the most interesting character in THAT book - is sadly missing here. Instead, a sub-plot involving the heroine’s younger sister has been added.
The characters profess emotions that make little sense based on actions, and carry out actions that make no sense based on common sense. The dialogue is ridiculous and the plot lines laughable. The hero is unlikable, his best friend (the sister’s love interest) for reasons never explained speaks like a politically incorrect seaman, and the hero’s younger brother actually threatens to hit the woman he loves after she slaps him.
Just awful.
March 25, 2018
Eu fiquei horrorizada com esse suposto romance, e só terminei a leitura por 3 razões, primeiro é um livro escrito pela Mary Balogh, de quem sou fã de carteirinha e esse mês mesmo li mais um livro dela 5 estrelas que me arrebatou e entrou para minha listra de favoritos. Segundo lugar porque era pequeno e terceiro porque eu queria ver como esta porcaria iria terminar.
Que livro horrível, o mocinho é um idiota, mal resolvido, "traidor de uma figa". A mocinha uma molenga, com sangue de barata nas veias e na minha opinião sem nenhum amor próprio. Leva uma estrela exclusivamente pelo irmão do mocinho que era divertido e muito mais homem que o irmão.
*Nota, descobri lendo a resenha de uma colega leitora, que esse foi o primeiro livro da autora, e portanto a gente da um desconto e perdoar essa falha.
Que livro horrível, o mocinho é um idiota, mal resolvido, "traidor de uma figa". A mocinha uma molenga, com sangue de barata nas veias e na minha opinião sem nenhum amor próprio. Leva uma estrela exclusivamente pelo irmão do mocinho que era divertido e muito mais homem que o irmão.
*Nota, descobri lendo a resenha de uma colega leitora, que esse foi o primeiro livro da autora, e portanto a gente da um desconto e perdoar essa falha.
July 31, 2013
I know a lot of people really dislike the hero in this story, and I can understand why. He does NOT appeal to modern sensibilities, but we have to remember that Balogh is trying to be realistic to the time period. Not only was it normal for men to have extra-martial affairs, many wives expected and even demanded it. Marriages were business contracts, more often than not. A romance that leads a hero to discard his assumptions is, in my opinion, far more intense and romantic than if the hero had never had such inclinations to begin with. You will see this to a much greater degree if you read The Obedient Bride, which I highly recommend.
July 27, 2016
This book was originally published in 1985. And while I'm a huge, huge fan of Mary Balogh (I think she's an incredible writer), this was my least favorite book so far...perhaps because it was written at the beginning of her career.
I've read a LOT of her books and they always earn '5' stars. I've read several of her books twice :)
The hero was---how can I say this delicately? He was an arrogant ass.
There. I said it. I could find no redeeming qualities in him.
But you might feel very differently, so as always, take my opinion with a grain of salt :)
I've read a LOT of her books and they always earn '5' stars. I've read several of her books twice :)
The hero was---how can I say this delicately? He was an arrogant ass.
There. I said it. I could find no redeeming qualities in him.
But you might feel very differently, so as always, take my opinion with a grain of salt :)
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