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A Matter of Class

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A Matter of Class by Mary Balogh is a Regency romance novel that revolves around the forced arranged marriage between Reginald Mason and Lady Annabelle Ashton, the children of two feuding families. The story is set in Regency England and showcases the struggles and dynamics of the two families as they navigate societal expectations and personal desires. The plot includes a twist that adds depth to the storyline and keeps readers engaged, while the writing style is described as charming, light, and delightful by readers.

Characters:

The characters include a wealthy but spoiled hero and a determined heroine, both of whom grow throughout the narrative, with likable supporting characters enhancing the story.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by light-hearted charm, clever dialogue, and effective use of timelines to create a humorous and engaging narrative.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers around a forced marriage between two characters from feuding families, showcasing their transition from childhood friends to romantic partners while incorporating surprising twists.

Setting:

Set in Regency England, the story explores class differences and societal expectations that influence the characters' lives.

Pacing:

The pacing is brisk, allowing readers to finish the novella quickly while maintaining a steady flow between past and present events.
Reginald Mason crossed one elegantly clad leg over the other and contemplated the gold tassel swinging from one of his white-topped Hessian boots. The boots had been just one of many recent extravagan...

Notes:

A Matter of Class is a novella by Mary Balogh, known for her historical romance novels.
The story centers around two characters, Reginald Mason and Lady Annabelle Ashton, who come from rival families.
Reginald, the wealthy son of a coal merchant, must marry Annabelle, a disgraced earl's daughter, under family pressure.
The book features flashbacks that explore the childhood friendship between Reginald and Annabelle.
Readers highlight a clever plot twist at the end that adds charm to the storyline.
The writing style is characterized as light and witty, reminiscent of Jane Austen's work.
Mary Balogh has written over seventy novels and is noted for her expertise in the Regency romance genre.
The book is described as a quick read, making it suitable for a short escape into romance.
Readers appreciate that the story is sweet with minimal explicit content, appealing to those who prefer less steamy romance.

Has Romance?

The romance in A Matter of Class is central to the story and develops significantly throughout the narrative.

From The Publisher:

Reginald Mason is wealthy, refined, and, by all accounts, a gentleman. However, he is not a gentleman by birth, a factor that pains him and his father, Bernard Mason, within the Regency society that upholds station over all else. That is, until an opportunity for social advancement arises, namely, Lady Annabelle Ashton. Daughter of the Earl of Havercroft, a neighbor and enemy of the Mason family, Annabelle finds herself disgraced by a scandal, one that has left her branded as damaged goods. Besmirched by shame, the earl is only too happy to marry Annabelle off to anyone willing to have her. Though Bernard wishes to use Annabelle to propel his family up the social ladder, his son does not wish to marry her, preferring instead to live the wild, single life he is accustomed to. With this, Bernard serves his son an ultimatum: marry Annabelle, or make do without family funds. Having no choice, Reginald consents, and enters into a hostile engagement in which the prospective bride and groom are openly antagonistic, each one resenting the other for their current state of affairs while their respective fathers revel in their suffering. So begins an intoxicating tale rife with dark secrets, deception, and the trials of love-a story in which very little is as it seems.

Ratings (5)

Incredible (1)
Liked It (1)
It Was OK (2)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (12):

Read It (5)
Want To Read (5)
Not Interested (2)

1 comment(s)

It Was OK
3 weeks

ARC given by Edelweiss+ for Honest Review

This book was ok, and was actually much shorter than I thought it would be. At first I was really annoyed with the chapters that were set in the past since I just wanted to continue on with what was currently happening, but then I figured out where that was leading in the story and then everything made sense. I wish the story had been longer and their had been more character development because I feel like there wasn't enough dynamic between the two main characters. Not bad, but not something I would read again.

 

About the Author:

Mary Balogh has written more than one hundred historical novels and novellas, of which almost forty have been New York Times bestsellers. They include the Bedwyn saga, the Simply quartet, the Huxtable quintet, and the seven-part Survivors' Club series. A former teacher, she lives in Canada with her husband.

Anne Flosnik is an accomplished actress with lead credits in stage, TV, commercials and voice overs. As a seasoned audiobook narrator, Anne has over 250 titles to her credit. She is a two-time Audie Award finalist, as well as receiving several other awards and distinctions, including an American Library Association Special Services to Children Award, AudioFile Earphones, Sukey Howard Favorite Selection, and USA Today "Recommended Listen.

 
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