
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.
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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)
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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