A Well-Matched Pair

by Sheila Bishop

A Well-Matched Pair by Sheila Bishop - A Regency Romance

Genres: Historical Romance, Regency, Romance

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 13, 1987

Reviews

[Lyuda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Once upon a time I really enjoyed Sheila Bishop's regencies. Her work is much meatier than you would expect from traditional regencies sub-genre. It is much more unconventional. Bishop's intelligent observation of people and relationships brings realism to her stories. That said, her writing style is not for everyone. The style is more that of an "omniscient narrator" who sees everything. The reader doesn’t get to know what is in the characters’ heads, their feelings or their motivations.

I know I read this story in the past and probably liked it as I kept a paperback copy in my regency collection. But, honestly, I don’t know what I thought then because this time around I found the “hero” just awful. No, he wasn’t physically abusive or alpha-stalker kind with anger management issues (thank goodness for small miracles) but he was emotionally manipulative, narcissistic s.o.b. And the heroine who the author painstakingly tried to present as a naive miss in the web of deceit was no better as she knowingly turned herself into the role of the “other woman”. Theirs was emotional cheating rather than the physical one. At the end, I had hard time envisioning their long-term HEA.

Definitely not the book of the author I would recommend.

[Elsir Prix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheila Bishop’s “A Well-Matched Pair” introduces us to two individuals who, on the surface, seem entirely unsuited, yet find their way toward a quiet, profound connection. This is a story for readers who appreciate romance built on genuine understanding and personal evolution, rather than dramatic declarations. You’ll follow characters as they navigate their own complexities and societal expectations, discovering that love can bloom in the most unexpected partnerships. The reading experience is wonderfully heartwarming and charmingly realistic, offering a hopeful look at second chances and the subtle joys of finding someone who truly sees you. It’s a book that settles into your heart with a gentle, satisfying pace, perfect for an evening when you crave a thoughtful, character-driven roman.
Yes, all characters have their flaws - for me that makes more realistic.

[HistoricalHussy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

Flawed messy people living flawed messy lives.

Not for weenies who insist on reading stories that involve infidelity despite hating them and then absolutely must whine about said stories.