Margaret's Rematch

by Farida Mestek

After the loss of her sister, Margaret Fairfax settles at Northbrook Hall – the country estate of her brother-in-law, Mr. Westfield, whose dislike of her is legendary – where she faces a major challenge of reconciling their many differences and proving to him that despite the rumours of schemes and scandals that followed her all the way from London she is worthy of his regard and affection. With time and many an exertion on her part and that of her new family, Margaret succeeds in altering Mr. Westfield’s opinion of her and attaching his heart, but fears the worst when her deceitful friend arrives.

Genres: Romance

167 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 27, 2010

About the author

Farida Mestek spends most of her time travelling between Regency England, magic forests, and different fantasy worlds that she discovers along the way, using the best means of transportation known to man: imagination. During her travels she meets a lot of interesting characters, whose stories she then narrates (with their permission) on the pages of her books. Her favourite companions are talking animals. Currently she is learning the language of the trees.

Reviews

[Jaimey · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.2 of 5 stars

Margaret's Rematch is a delightful Regency romp that reminds me greatly of Jane Austen's style of writing. I was amused throughout and at times, laughed outright at a description or two that were just too perfect in their delivery. Farida Mastek definitely has a knack for an Austenesque way of telling a story.

This is a totally CLEAN romance. I would definitely recommend this to any and all who enjoy Jane Austen.

**Disclaimer: I received this eBook from the author for the purpose of providing a review. I was not paid in any way and the opinions expressed here are my own.

[Lady Wesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This charming little story is amazingly well-done -- somewhat in an Austenesque style -- especially considering that the author is Ukrainian. I hope she tries more Regencies.

[Erin (Historical Fiction Reader)]

Want to go behind the scenes of Margaret's Rematch? Check out this interview with author Farida Mestek: https://historicalfictionreader.blogs...

[Fanny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is supposed to look like an Austen book... and it does. It is a bit too "simple", not enough sarcastic and a touch too modern, but that's really not many defaults compared to its quality. It was really an enjoyable read and I will certainly read it again later.

[Laura McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely little Austen-inspired book. It's short and sweet and just what I needed to remedy my reading fatigue after David Copperfield!

[Ed Crocker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a remarkable book, partly so for how much it surprised me. I'm not a regular reader of modern takes on regency romance, or in fact romance at all. Don't get me wrong, I've read all the 19th century classics, Austen et al, which this genre tries to mimic, but this was my first foray into a modern author's recreation of the spirit and wit of these works. And given that this was an indie author who I stumbled across on Twitter - I really had no idea to expect.

Well, dear reader, let me tell you I was blown away by this novel. I won't belabour the plot as it's explained well enough above and it is better you come to it fresh, but this essentially centres around the classic plot device of this genre - a slightly grumpy, possibly damaged male love interest who slowly succumbs to the vivacious, life-affirming wit and vivacity of the female love interest. And, let me tell, you, the writing of this is superb. I speak in particular of the long exchanges of dialogue between the two protagonists, full of wit and playfulness and gorgeous syntax and written so well that if you'd told me beforehand I was reading random exchanges of Austen, I honestly would have believed you.

The curious thing about this novel is that there is very little scene-setting or description in between these long, stage-like dialogue dumps. This isn't to say that you don't feel immersed in the time - what little there is is quite sufficient to give you an evocative idea of the country house in which most of the novel takes place - but that it almost feels like a screenplay, where the emphasis is purely on the dialogue. This sounds like a criticism, and in other contexts it might well be, but when the dialogue and playful exchanges are so good - I mean astonishingly, delightfully, gasp-inducingly good - it really doesn't matter. I could happily have read a further five novels of Margaret and her erstwhile Mr Darcy sparring with each other, or, almost as good, the villainous Catherine trying to manipulate her.

There are those who might criticise the slightly meandering plot, which occasionally soft sells what should be a dramatic twist, but, as you might have already guessed, I don't mind and don't care - I bathed in the sophistication and art of the dialogue; I wallowed in it.

Oh, and the villain, as I alluded to earlier, is gloriously entertaining too, in a wonderfully over the top manner.

So yes, what a surprise this was, and honestly what a stunning treat. With writing this good, it would be a crime if Mestek and her jewel of a novel doesn't reach a wide and appreciative audience.

[Bree (AnotherLookBook) · Rating 2 out of 5]

An attempt at Austen-like style and plotting. The language was close enough--although repetitive, more convoluted than necessary, and sorely in need of proof reading--but to me it fell short of an even bigger mark. A novel of manners needs humor or at the very least wit, or else it approaches tedium rather than entertainment. For instance, my mind wandered so much during the novel's "climax," I realized I missed the much-anticipated proposal. Oops.

Still, it's achieved the mark of being published, so, for that, kudos to the author.

Reviews of life-changing vintage fiction you've never even heard of: www.Anotherlookbook.com