When Arabella Grant’s wicked aunt dies suddenly, both Arabella and her cousin Lady Isabelle cannot help but feel relieved. She’d made their lives miserable, and now Lady Issie is free to read to her heart’s content, and Bella is free from taunts about her ignoble birth.
Their newfound freedom is threatened, however, when Issie’s great-aunt commands her to travel to London for a come-out Issie has never wanted. Issie, who is in poor health, is convinced she’ll drop dead like her mother did if she drops into a curtsy before the queen. So when her great-aunt turns out to be nearsighted and can’t tell the noble Lady Isabelle from her commoner cousin Arabella, Issie convinces Bella to take her place. Bella can attend all the exclusive entertainments that her lower birth would typically exclude her from, and Issie can stay in bed, her nose in a book.
Bella agrees to the scheme for her dear cousin’s sake, but matters turn complicated when she meets the irresistible Lord Brooke. He begins courting her while under the impression she’s the rich and aristocratic Lady Isabelle, who, unlike Bella, is a suitable bride for an eligible young earl. And Bella, who is convinced that she has met “Lord Right,” worries what will happen when she reveals that he’s actually fallen for …the wrong lady.
In our modern world, the search for significance and the assurance of self-worth are common concerns for many. It has been said that matters surrounding identity are some of the most pivotal issues of the present day. However, the task of answering the questions, “Who am I?” and “What is my worth?” is not a new endeavor. These points of introspection are often intrinsic to the human condition. They inform our daily decisions, the manner in which we interact with others, and how we feel about ourselves. These issues are deftly addressed by author Suzanne Allain in her sparkling new novel, The Wrong Lady Meets Lord Right. The significant notions of personal identity and inherent worth frame her characters, yet she also delivers her signature lighthearted storytelling.
Set in early 19th century England, The Wrong Lady Meets Lord Right echoes themes from The Prince and the Pauper, as a member of the nobility secretly swaps societal positions with a commoner. In this case, the two individuals are beloved cousins who share similar names and physical traits. Issie and Bella are both young, attractive ladies, and are sometimes mistaken for each other within family circles. During one significant London season, they decide to exchange their roles, but just for a few months. The extroverted Bella is happy to enjoy interacting with high society, and introverted Issie is content to remain at home, reading books and resting in bed. At the outset, the ladies view this plan as straightforward and harmless enough. However, events transpire which complicate matters indeed.
As the weeks of the season progress, each young lady finds herself falling in love with a gentleman who does not know her true identity. The ways in which the cousins must navigate these romantic minefields are often comical, but their journeys are at times heartrending as well. For multiple reasons, Issie and Bella both struggle with self-acceptance. This directly affects the relationships they are fostering with the men who have caught their attention. As they inhabit false identities during the London season, they must wrestle with the truths they are concealing. Their personal insecurities combined with the secrets they must keep create multiple dilemmas. Each girl questions her worth, wondering if their love interest would truly care for them, should that gentleman find out the truth. Can the duplicitous schemes be forgiven? And even so, if their accurate personas and societal stations are revealed, will they be accepted as they are?
Suzanne Allain’s writing in The Wrong Lady Meets Lord Right was thoroughly enjoyable. The narrative could be categorized as a rom-com, but there are touching elements as well. The romantic moments are sweet, capturing a delicious tension without trending into the salacious. The story was devoid of any violence that I can recall, nor salty language. The characters were well drawn and the protagonists were appealing. Near the conclusion of the story a few plot twists were offered. While these turns did not take me by surprise, I relished their arrival and Allain’s amusing delivery of them. Every chapter was perfectly paced, yet never rushed. Allain’s ability to capture all of these positive methods of storytelling is quite remarkable. As a new reader of her work, I am thoroughly pleased to have found another talented and entertaining author. The Wrong Lady Meets Lord Right is the perfect read for anyone who appreciates well-written Regency romances, and is deserving of the accolades it will most certainly receive.
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| Photo Credit: Jonathon Allain, 2019 |
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