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เรจินัลด์ เมสันเป็นชายหนุ่มผู้ร่ำรวยและมีกิริยามารยาทสมเป็นสุภาพบุรุษชั้นสูงทุกกระเบียดนิ้ว ทว่าเขามิใช่ชนชั้นสูงโดยกำเนิด บิดาของเขาเป็นเพียงพ่อค้าที่สร้างเนื้อสร้างตัวจนมีฐานะ และใฝ่ฝันเรื่อยมาที่จะหาหนทางขึ้นสู่ชนชั้นศักดินาให้จงได้ เรจินัลด์คือความหวังอันยิ่งใหญ่ที่จะทำให้ฝันนั้นสัมฤทธิ์ผล
เลดี้แอนนาเบลล์ แอชตันเป็นบุตรสาวของท่านเอิร์ลแห่งฮาเวอร์ครอฟท์... เพื่อนบ้านและศัตรูคู่แค้นของครอบครัวเมสัน หล่อนกำลังตกอยู่ในภาวะเสื่อมเสียจากข่าวอื้อฉาว ท่านเอิร์ลท่วมท้นไปด้วยความอัปยศอดสู และพร้อมเหลือเกินที่จะยกแอนนาเบลล์ให้กับใครก็ได้ที่ยินดีจะแต่งงานด้วย
ประกอบกับที่เรจินัลด์กำลังทำตัวเสเพลสุรุ่ยสุร่ายไร้แก่นสาร บิดาของเขาจึงยื่นคำขาดให้เขาแต่งงานกับแอนนาเบลล์หากไม่อยากถูกตัดออกจากกองมรดก เมื่อปราศจากทางเลือก เรจินัลด์จึงยอมเข้าสู่การหมั้นหมาย ซึ่งว่าที่เจ้าบ่าวและเจ้าสาวเป็นปรปักษ์ใส่กันอย่างเปิดเผย แล้วเรื่องราวชวนติดตามที่แฝงไปด้วยความลับ เล่ห์เหลี่ยม และข้อทดสอบแห่งรักก็ได้เริ่มต้นขึ้น...
เลดี้แอนนาเบลล์ แอชตันเป็นบุตรสาวของท่านเอิร์ลแห่งฮาเวอร์ครอฟท์... เพื่อนบ้านและศัตรูคู่แค้นของครอบครัวเมสัน หล่อนกำลังตกอยู่ในภาวะเสื่อมเสียจากข่าวอื้อฉาว ท่านเอิร์ลท่วมท้นไปด้วยความอัปยศอดสู และพร้อมเหลือเกินที่จะยกแอนนาเบลล์ให้กับใครก็ได้ที่ยินดีจะแต่งงานด้วย
ประกอบกับที่เรจินัลด์กำลังทำตัวเสเพลสุรุ่ยสุร่ายไร้แก่นสาร บิดาของเขาจึงยื่นคำขาดให้เขาแต่งงานกับแอนนาเบลล์หากไม่อยากถูกตัดออกจากกองมรดก เมื่อปราศจากทางเลือก เรจินัลด์จึงยอมเข้าสู่การหมั้นหมาย ซึ่งว่าที่เจ้าบ่าวและเจ้าสาวเป็นปรปักษ์ใส่กันอย่างเปิดเผย แล้วเรื่องราวชวนติดตามที่แฝงไปด้วยความลับ เล่ห์เหลี่ยม และข้อทดสอบแห่งรักก็ได้เริ่มต้นขึ้น...
138 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2009
526 people are currently reading
3472 people want to read
About the author
Mary Balogh
196 books6,276 followersMary Jenkins was born in 1944 in Swansea, Wales, UK. After graduating from university, moved to Saskatchewan, Canada, to teach high school English, on a two-year teaching contract in 1967. She married her Canadian husband, Robert Balogh, and had three children, Jacqueline, Christopher and Sian. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, music and knitting. She also enjoys watching tennis and curling.
Mary Balogh started writing in the evenings as a hobby. Her first book, a Regency love story, was published in 1985 as A Masked Deception under her married name. In 1988, she retired from teaching after 20 years to pursue her dream to write full-time. She has written more than seventy novels and almost thirty novellas since then, including the New York Times bestselling 'Slightly' sextet and 'Simply' quartet. She has won numerous awards, including Bestselling Historical of the Year from the Borders Group, and her novel Simply Magic was a finalist in the Quill Awards. She has won seven Waldenbooks Awards and two B. Dalton Awards for her bestselling novels, as well as a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award.
Mary Balogh started writing in the evenings as a hobby. Her first book, a Regency love story, was published in 1985 as A Masked Deception under her married name. In 1988, she retired from teaching after 20 years to pursue her dream to write full-time. She has written more than seventy novels and almost thirty novellas since then, including the New York Times bestselling 'Slightly' sextet and 'Simply' quartet. She has won numerous awards, including Bestselling Historical of the Year from the Borders Group, and her novel Simply Magic was a finalist in the Quill Awards. She has won seven Waldenbooks Awards and two B. Dalton Awards for her bestselling novels, as well as a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,383 reviews
October 13, 2024
I adored this beautiful love story between two wonderful characters. What an absolutely perfect twist.
Ainhoa, thank you for encouraging me to read this. You were right!
Ainhoa, thank you for encouraging me to read this. You were right!
January 4, 2019
Ohhhh.... what a wonderfully wicked (in a good way!!!) story!!!
I cannot say anything about the story because I'll ruin it completly, but if you love romance you just MUST READ IT!!!!
It's so unexpected and so, so sweet!!!!
I cannot say anything about the story because I'll ruin it completly, but if you love romance you just MUST READ IT!!!!
It's so unexpected and so, so sweet!!!!
July 9, 2024
Back in print today after a ten years. Happy relaunch day!
This was so clever and sweet.
It’s a short read but has such cozy vibes and Balogh always brings the feels. Unfortunately some of her feels involve painful sex, which I would love if she’d stop doing. Who told her that sex needed to hurt? Foreplay is your friend Mary, either close the door on the sex scenes or teach your heroes about cunnilingus. This is actually one author I would encourage to try some plagiarism and steal the smut from someone else. I’m giving this 4.5 stars because I deduct a half star for the following quote: But it was pain that was also pleasure. And desire.
Anyhoo, this book was originally published in 2009 and I believe she is rereleasing it as I got it from NetGalley as an arc.
Skip the sex scene and it’s a nice, cute read.
Thanks to NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.
This was so clever and sweet.
It’s a short read but has such cozy vibes and Balogh always brings the feels. Unfortunately some of her feels involve painful sex, which I would love if she’d stop doing. Who told her that sex needed to hurt? Foreplay is your friend Mary, either close the door on the sex scenes or teach your heroes about cunnilingus. This is actually one author I would encourage to try some plagiarism and steal the smut from someone else. I’m giving this 4.5 stars because I deduct a half star for the following quote: But it was pain that was also pleasure. And desire.
Anyhoo, this book was originally published in 2009 and I believe she is rereleasing it as I got it from NetGalley as an arc.
Skip the sex scene and it’s a nice, cute read.
Thanks to NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.
July 22, 2015
What a charming and lovely story!!!!
This book was very small and i'm pretty sure that if it was a longlength novel it would be a great one...
But i like it as it is!!!!
I can not say much about it!!! Only that we have a forced marriage between two enemies...
How that had happened????
Well, Reggie was having some gamble problems and the last year was owing too many depts... His father had enough with this attitude and he wants to settle him down with the hope that he will have a more appropriate behaviour...
Annabelle from the other side provoke a scandal when she run away with a man beneath her aristocratic class and she caught up... Now, she is marked and no man wants her to be his wife...
When Reggie's father finds out about the scandal with the Earl's daughter who is his mortal enemie, he decides to take the chance to make her Reggie's bride... Earl had no other choice since the scandal than to accept this deal... So Reggie and Annabelle are forced to accepted also...
Is it so difficult as it seems or it's the best thing ever????
Well, i really enjoyed this novel...
The half of it was like an illusion and the other half was tender and sweet...
The two main characters was so loveable and so.... smart!!!
It was a very clever book, that's for sure!!!
This book was very small and i'm pretty sure that if it was a longlength novel it would be a great one...
But i like it as it is!!!!
I can not say much about it!!! Only that we have a forced marriage between two enemies...
How that had happened????
Well, Reggie was having some gamble problems and the last year was owing too many depts... His father had enough with this attitude and he wants to settle him down with the hope that he will have a more appropriate behaviour...
Annabelle from the other side provoke a scandal when she run away with a man beneath her aristocratic class and she caught up... Now, she is marked and no man wants her to be his wife...
When Reggie's father finds out about the scandal with the Earl's daughter who is his mortal enemie, he decides to take the chance to make her Reggie's bride... Earl had no other choice since the scandal than to accept this deal... So Reggie and Annabelle are forced to accepted also...
Is it so difficult as it seems or it's the best thing ever????
Well, i really enjoyed this novel...
The half of it was like an illusion and the other half was tender and sweet...
The two main characters was so loveable and so.... smart!!!
It was a very clever book, that's for sure!!!
April 6, 2022
This is a reread for me and it still makes my heart sigh. The sweetness and kindness and the wonderfully deceptiveness. I wanted to read a true historical romance that seems appropriate of the time that it takes place.
PS under most circumstances I hate rereads they don't hold up well. This is every bit as good the second time.
PS under most circumstances I hate rereads they don't hold up well. This is every bit as good the second time.
March 17, 2022
I'm an erstwhile fan of Mary Balogh's work, but there are a few of her stories, novellas and books that remain very much appreciated by me. For example, Slightly Dangerous is my favorite novel of hers and I can read it again and again as long as I leave enough time between reads. There are also several short stories of hers, especially Christmas-themed ones, that warm my heart. And there's this novella, from 2009, that is one of the best pieces she ever wrote, IMO.
Balogh's writing style, especially in full-length novels, nowadays annoys me. She goes over and over each detail, first from one character's perspective and then from another's. She has angsty, endless, internal ruminations by characters that drive me up the wall. There is so much misunderstanding and failure to communicate that I often want to scream.
But this novella is almost perfect. It's relatively short and there's no time for me to become bored or exasperated. Balogh keeps the story moving along beautifully, interweaving the present and past in alternating chapters, and she doesn't do that endless repetition of plot points or internal thoughts so often found in her work.
The plot is simple. The title refers to socioeconomic class matters. The Masons and the Ashtons have been neighbors for year but do not speak or interact in any way. See, the Masons are working class nouveau riche and the Ashtons are of the aristocracy, the father being the Earl of Havercroft. When Lord Havercroft finds himself in financial difficulties he decides to marry off his daughter to a rich and unappealing peer to offset his debts, but said daughter has the gall to instead elope with a lowly but handsome groom working for their family.
She is brought home in disgrace and now, finally, the patriarch of the Mason family sees the way to humiliate his nemesis and gain entry into the aristocracy at the same time. How? By offering his somewhat wastrel son Reginald in marriage to disgraced and ruined Lady Annabelle. Lord Havercroft is desperate. How can he refuse?
Okay. That's all I will say. It's a cleverly developed story, leading you from the present to several points in the past and back to the present. You may guess what's going on in the relationship of the two young people being forced into this marriage of convenience, or maybe not. But it's fun and shows some of the cleverest and finest writing from Balogh I've read.
Balogh's writing style, especially in full-length novels, nowadays annoys me. She goes over and over each detail, first from one character's perspective and then from another's. She has angsty, endless, internal ruminations by characters that drive me up the wall. There is so much misunderstanding and failure to communicate that I often want to scream.
But this novella is almost perfect. It's relatively short and there's no time for me to become bored or exasperated. Balogh keeps the story moving along beautifully, interweaving the present and past in alternating chapters, and she doesn't do that endless repetition of plot points or internal thoughts so often found in her work.
The plot is simple. The title refers to socioeconomic class matters. The Masons and the Ashtons have been neighbors for year but do not speak or interact in any way. See, the Masons are working class nouveau riche and the Ashtons are of the aristocracy, the father being the Earl of Havercroft. When Lord Havercroft finds himself in financial difficulties he decides to marry off his daughter to a rich and unappealing peer to offset his debts, but said daughter has the gall to instead elope with a lowly but handsome groom working for their family.
She is brought home in disgrace and now, finally, the patriarch of the Mason family sees the way to humiliate his nemesis and gain entry into the aristocracy at the same time. How? By offering his somewhat wastrel son Reginald in marriage to disgraced and ruined Lady Annabelle. Lord Havercroft is desperate. How can he refuse?
Okay. That's all I will say. It's a cleverly developed story, leading you from the present to several points in the past and back to the present. You may guess what's going on in the relationship of the two young people being forced into this marriage of convenience, or maybe not. But it's fun and shows some of the cleverest and finest writing from Balogh I've read.
April 25, 2018
Don't read the blurb. Don't read reviews. Have faith that you WILL fall in love with this hero and heroine, even if you really question it a couple of times. Just know that this is one of my favorite Balogh books, and it will be yours too. It's a fact. I put the book down with a huge whopping grin on my face and romance in my heart.
June 25, 2024
I’m so in love with them I’m crawling out of my skin
January 9, 2010
Don't ever let it be said that all authors who have written many novels run out of new ideas. While it may be true of some, A Matter of Class proves it isn't true about Mary Balogh.
What can I say about this short story other than it was a delight, especially as an audio book. There are certain writer/narrator teams that bring out the best in each other and a Balogh novel narrated by Anne Flosnik is just about as good as it gets. From the very beginning I was captivated by this story as it was immediately made known that the premise would be a cross between a "marriage of convenience" and a "forced marriage"...both favorite themes of mine. The heroine has been caught in flight en route to Gretna Green to elope with her father's footman and is irrevocably ruined. The hero is on a downward spiral to becoming a dissolute and a disgrace to his family...a coal baron's son bred to be a gentleman but one who seems to be joining the majority of the ton's young males as he succumbs to the consequences of having too much money. The two families have been neighbors for 20 years yet detest each other immensely. However, an aristocratic title for the hero and a husband worth a fortune for a ruined miss (with a father in debt) soon brings the decades-old feud to a temporary truce as the two fathers force their children into becoming betrothed.
Ahh...but this story has a secret. As events unfolded and I finally caught on, I could've kissed MB for being so witty. And of course, as with all of her books, the HEA was sweet and sigh-worthy.
I can't imagine any Mary Balogh lovers (especially you, Bill, wherever you are) reading this book and not loving it. If you have never read a book by her, this would be a good one to start with, as it is a total "stand alone". Regardless, fan or newbie, every one of you will be hard-pressed not to do the happy dance at the end!
What can I say about this short story other than it was a delight, especially as an audio book. There are certain writer/narrator teams that bring out the best in each other and a Balogh novel narrated by Anne Flosnik is just about as good as it gets. From the very beginning I was captivated by this story as it was immediately made known that the premise would be a cross between a "marriage of convenience" and a "forced marriage"...both favorite themes of mine. The heroine has been caught in flight en route to Gretna Green to elope with her father's footman and is irrevocably ruined. The hero is on a downward spiral to becoming a dissolute and a disgrace to his family...a coal baron's son bred to be a gentleman but one who seems to be joining the majority of the ton's young males as he succumbs to the consequences of having too much money. The two families have been neighbors for 20 years yet detest each other immensely. However, an aristocratic title for the hero and a husband worth a fortune for a ruined miss (with a father in debt) soon brings the decades-old feud to a temporary truce as the two fathers force their children into becoming betrothed.
Ahh...but this story has a secret. As events unfolded and I finally caught on, I could've kissed MB for being so witty. And of course, as with all of her books, the HEA was sweet and sigh-worthy.
I can't imagine any Mary Balogh lovers (especially you, Bill, wherever you are) reading this book and not loving it. If you have never read a book by her, this would be a good one to start with, as it is a total "stand alone". Regardless, fan or newbie, every one of you will be hard-pressed not to do the happy dance at the end!
November 10, 2018
This is a short stand-alone romance and what a delight it was!!! I absolutely adored the main couple and their encounters were so fun to read. I was mildly annoyed the first time we cut to a past scene, but I came to appreciate those almost as much as the main story. I'm not going to go any further because if you read the blurb, you pretty much know all the relevant things. I'll just say that this is beyond charming and do yourself a favor and take an hour or two and just revel in it.
A note about Steamy: There's a single explicit sex scene which, in a story this short, approaches the middle of my steam tolerance. Frankly, it was a bit gratuitous, I think, but I don't care because I loved them both so much!
A note about Steamy: There's a single explicit sex scene which, in a story this short, approaches the middle of my steam tolerance. Frankly, it was a bit gratuitous, I think, but I don't care because I loved them both so much!
April 6, 2021
Reread: 4.5 stars. Just so sweet that I couldn’t help but smile the entire way through. One of my all time favorite novellas. 💕💕💕
Original review: 4 stars. Wow! This was so much better than I expected. This should have been a full length novel - or slightly more flushed out - and it would have been an easy 5 stars. I felt like parts of this novella were rushed, which really bummed me out because so much of it was FANTASTIC. Don’t read spoilers, this is so much better when going in blind.
Safe 👍🏻
Original review: 4 stars. Wow! This was so much better than I expected. This should have been a full length novel - or slightly more flushed out - and it would have been an easy 5 stars. I felt like parts of this novella were rushed, which really bummed me out because so much of it was FANTASTIC. Don’t read spoilers, this is so much better when going in blind.
Safe 👍🏻
February 10, 2022
5 stars ✰
❛He was where he belonged. So was she. They were where they belonged. Together. In each other’s arms. At last.❜
a matter of class is like drinking hot chocolate on a cold winter night while wearing warm fluffy socks. 🧸🤍
❛He was where he belonged. So was she. They were where they belonged. Together. In each other’s arms. At last.❜
a matter of class is like drinking hot chocolate on a cold winter night while wearing warm fluffy socks. 🧸🤍
May 31, 2025
Ah big happy sigh.
I haven’t read Mary Balogh in a little while so I was so happy to be enfolded in her skilled beautiful storytelling.
The book opens with a hero looking at his boots and contemplating latest fashion. Yet, immediately you also know he is pretending to be a fop but we don’t know why.
We also learn that Annabelle who used to be darling of the season is now ruined. And that’s how we get enticed into a little mystery that is Reggie and Annabelle.
I read this novella in one night and enjoyed it thoroughly. It left me feeling happy and warm all over and when I woke up in the morning I went back and reread my favorite parts.
The less you know about the the plot the better.
So if you are looking for something short, sweet, light and tremendously enjoyable give this one a try.
I haven’t read Mary Balogh in a little while so I was so happy to be enfolded in her skilled beautiful storytelling.
The book opens with a hero looking at his boots and contemplating latest fashion. Yet, immediately you also know he is pretending to be a fop but we don’t know why.
We also learn that Annabelle who used to be darling of the season is now ruined. And that’s how we get enticed into a little mystery that is Reggie and Annabelle.
I read this novella in one night and enjoyed it thoroughly. It left me feeling happy and warm all over and when I woke up in the morning I went back and reread my favorite parts.
The less you know about the the plot the better.
So if you are looking for something short, sweet, light and tremendously enjoyable give this one a try.
January 14, 2018
Oh what fun!
Completely adorable!
All of Ms. Balogh’s fans who haven’t read this book are surely missing something singular. She’s usually known for her composed prosaic tenor, so I was hugely surprised by this book. She sure has a wide repertoire.
A rom-com of the finest order, with a playful twist.
Don’t read any reviews (or shelves) before reading the book. Just get down to it!
(Wish the cover was more romantic though.)
Completely adorable!
All of Ms. Balogh’s fans who haven’t read this book are surely missing something singular. She’s usually known for her composed prosaic tenor, so I was hugely surprised by this book. She sure has a wide repertoire.
A rom-com of the finest order, with a playful twist.
Don’t read any reviews (or shelves) before reading the book. Just get down to it!
(Wish the cover was more romantic though.)
May 11, 2024
Reading this so soon after Longing made me realize that Mary Balogh has RANGE. This was witty and funny and sexy and so clever.
I am apparently a big dummy who didn’t realize the twist until 82%, and I am so glad I heeded the advice of everyone who told me not to read ANYTHING about it before starting. If I had, I might have seen the quote on the cover that referenced a twist, and I wouldn’t have had so much fun on the journey.
Think this is one I’ll need to own a hard copy of. It’s a perfect novella—a masterclass for how to tell a complete and complex story in 200 pages.
I am apparently a big dummy who didn’t realize the twist until 82%, and I am so glad I heeded the advice of everyone who told me not to read ANYTHING about it before starting. If I had, I might have seen the quote on the cover that referenced a twist, and I wouldn’t have had so much fun on the journey.
Think this is one I’ll need to own a hard copy of. It’s a perfect novella—a masterclass for how to tell a complete and complex story in 200 pages.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2023
Nothing short of brilliant.
Best novella I've ever read.
One of the best HR's I've ever read.
Delightful, unputdownable, intriguing, heartsoaringly awesome with a twist so satisfying you'll be thinking about it for days!! Forget about those books that got turned into a tv series😉...THIS is the book to recommend to get readers hooked on the genre😁
Balogh is the 👸 of HR IMO😍
...Relax and enjoy this 📚 perfection💗
Best novella I've ever read.
One of the best HR's I've ever read.
Delightful, unputdownable, intriguing, heartsoaringly awesome with a twist so satisfying you'll be thinking about it for days!! Forget about those books that got turned into a tv series😉...THIS is the book to recommend to get readers hooked on the genre😁
Balogh is the 👸 of HR IMO😍
...Relax and enjoy this 📚 perfection💗
August 6, 2021
I came in reading this book with high expectations and was a little disappointed through most of the book. It was okay and unoriginal. Then came the ending. Wow!! Well done MB!! A mediocre beginning to a delightful finish.
BRAVO!!
BRAVO!!
August 21, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up
Oh, this book. This book puts the romance in historical romance… sigh. What a treasure!
I neeed more books like this. The first night, I stayed up past my bedtime, reading. The next few nights, I stopped reading before I wanted to just to draw out the pleasure and s a v o r. Not fair that we have to sometimes skim through 400-page books, wishing for a tighter plot and better editing, only to find a 185-page gem and wish for another 200 pages 😩
Highly recommended to all historical romance fans, and anyone who appreciates an author who can craft wonderful characters, a plot that weaves its way into your heart like the threads of a tapestry, and simultaneously makes you yearn, pine, smile, and believe in true, meant-to-be love.
4.5 stars instead of 5 because there was no epilogue and I would have loved a glimpse into their future.
(Read for free on KU and went online to purchase a print copy. Found a brand new, affordable hardcover version for my library – score!)
Perhaps his mind was not working properly either, though he had made a valiant effort to be rational. He stopped her whisperings with his mouth, urgent now and abandoned to passion. And then somehow they were on the grass together, just out of range of the tree roots, ravaging each other’s mouth while their hands roamed and explored with fevered intensity. He pulled up her skirts, and she could feel him fumbling with the buttons at the waist of his pantaloons. And then, as he moved over her, he looked into her eyes, and they both paused. Not to stop entirely. They were too deep into passion for that. But to still the worst of the frenzy, to know what it was they were about to do, to know each other. She smiled at him, and he smiled back, a moment of peace at the heart of the storm. His dark eyes had depths she had never seen in them before. His hair was ruffled. “Anna, my love,” he said. She lifted her hand and cupped it about one of his cheeks. “Reggie,” she murmured back to him.
Oh, this book. This book puts the romance in historical romance… sigh. What a treasure!
I neeed more books like this. The first night, I stayed up past my bedtime, reading. The next few nights, I stopped reading before I wanted to just to draw out the pleasure and s a v o r. Not fair that we have to sometimes skim through 400-page books, wishing for a tighter plot and better editing, only to find a 185-page gem and wish for another 200 pages 😩
Highly recommended to all historical romance fans, and anyone who appreciates an author who can craft wonderful characters, a plot that weaves its way into your heart like the threads of a tapestry, and simultaneously makes you yearn, pine, smile, and believe in true, meant-to-be love.
4.5 stars instead of 5 because there was no epilogue and I would have loved a glimpse into their future.
(Read for free on KU and went online to purchase a print copy. Found a brand new, affordable hardcover version for my library – score!)
Perhaps his mind was not working properly either, though he had made a valiant effort to be rational. He stopped her whisperings with his mouth, urgent now and abandoned to passion. And then somehow they were on the grass together, just out of range of the tree roots, ravaging each other’s mouth while their hands roamed and explored with fevered intensity. He pulled up her skirts, and she could feel him fumbling with the buttons at the waist of his pantaloons. And then, as he moved over her, he looked into her eyes, and they both paused. Not to stop entirely. They were too deep into passion for that. But to still the worst of the frenzy, to know what it was they were about to do, to know each other. She smiled at him, and he smiled back, a moment of peace at the heart of the storm. His dark eyes had depths she had never seen in them before. His hair was ruffled. “Anna, my love,” he said. She lifted her hand and cupped it about one of his cheeks. “Reggie,” she murmured back to him.
December 20, 2021
What a perfectly delightful read! I didn't know what to expect going in, but my considerably high expectations (this is a Balogh book after all) were totally blown out of water. The story unfolded layer by layer and I had no idea where it was heading. It is a typical romance at first glance (but with a twist) but it was very romantic and sweet. That's the thing with Ms. Balogh - she can do angst really well, but she can also do sweet - that's a testament to her prowess as an author. The two main characters, Anna and Reggie were such lovable characters. Look out for the twist at the end - totally unexpected. A must read for Ms. Balogh fans, heck, it's a must read for all historical romance fans. 'Nuff said.
March 13, 2021
I'M GOING TO BE SO INTERESTED TO TALK ABOUT NARRATION ON THIS WEEK'S FATED MATES.
December 10, 2021
This novella should be named 'A perfect Historical romance novella'...I know at this point whatever I say about Mary Balogh books will feel like a fangirl gushing over one of her fav authors but mind you in her case my love is genuine because it was developed slowly over a long period.
But, this novella shocked me, I had expected awesome Characters and relationship development by MB. And, some great banter too. But, the twist in the tale...uuuhhh😍😍😍😍
I also liked Anna Flosnik as narrator for this one, which is a novelty since I hated her narration of Alice Coldbreathbook so much(I tried only one on reread, my mistake) that I have never given her another chance. But, I am going to do so in the future.
But, this novella shocked me, I had expected awesome Characters and relationship development by MB. And, some great banter too. But, the twist in the tale...uuuhhh😍😍😍😍
I also liked Anna Flosnik as narrator for this one, which is a novelty since I hated her narration of Alice Coldbreathbook so much(I tried only one on reread, my mistake) that I have never given her another chance. But, I am going to do so in the future.
August 27, 2025
3.5 stars
One of those books where you don't want to give anything away, so not going to summarize the plot. I liked this short novel, I've never read Mary Balogh and she did a great job with the plot and the characters. I just wasn't ever 100% sold on the romance of it all, hence liked and did not love. But still very much enjoyed! And I'd like to read more by Balogh in the future.
One of those books where you don't want to give anything away, so not going to summarize the plot. I liked this short novel, I've never read Mary Balogh and she did a great job with the plot and the characters. I just wasn't ever 100% sold on the romance of it all, hence liked and did not love. But still very much enjoyed! And I'd like to read more by Balogh in the future.
September 15, 2024
3.25⭐️ Was I not supposed to know what was going on from the hints dropped in the first two chapters?
I had anticipated the ending would compensate with a clever summation and romantic goodness, but alas, it did not.
I had anticipated the ending would compensate with a clever summation and romantic goodness, but alas, it did not.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2023
A Matter of Class flew by for me, I was so entertained by Reggie (H) and Annabelle (h) and their romance. It has some twists to it that made it esp fun for me. Reggie is a young man whose father's fortune came from coal so they've never been completely accepted by the upper class. Lately, Reggie's been gambling and being disreputable so his father takes him to task, where Reggie mentions the scandal involving the neighbor of their country estate's daughter. Annabelle recently ran off with a servant but is ruined despite being caught and brought home, an esp devastating blow because her father is low on funds and Annabelle was being courted by a wealthy man. This gives Reggie's father the idea that Reggie can marry into nobility (Annabelle's father is an earl) and they get to humble their neighbor (the earl always looked down on them and refused to have anything to do with them). That's the premise and the story centers on Reggie and Annabelle with the arranged betrothal, the society functions leading up to the wedding, and the interactions not just between these two young people, but also their families. Some flashbacks of young Annabelle and young Reggie also add depth. Written in third person, dual POV. No ow/om drama, no sexual history given for H, and h was a virgin.
I don't want to give away any spoilers, even though I guessed fairly early what the twist was. Reggie and Annabelle are slightly contentious towards each other in front of their families and this does soften leading up to the nuptials. I liked both of them so much and I esp loved how each felt guilty over how their recent actions hurt their parents. They're good people who recently made very questionable choices and their marriage is viewed as sort of a justice type situation. The flashbacks though truly elevated the story for me. There is one steamy scene and as one of my friends pointed out in her review, I didn't love the timing of it. They're unmarried at that point and it seemed so risky! I also would have liked to have seen a bit more of them on page being in love after their realizations, despite the well-done build up.
Even though there was no epilogue, I felt like this was a complete story given the full picture. I wouldn't have been disappointed with a short epilogue though or another spicy scene. But I genuinely believed they'd be happy forever and in love, with the support of their families at the end making this a surprisingly sweet read. I'd definitely recommend!
I don't want to give away any spoilers, even though I guessed fairly early what the twist was. Reggie and Annabelle are slightly contentious towards each other in front of their families and this does soften leading up to the nuptials. I liked both of them so much and I esp loved how each felt guilty over how their recent actions hurt their parents. They're good people who recently made very questionable choices and their marriage is viewed as sort of a justice type situation. The flashbacks though truly elevated the story for me. There is one steamy scene and as one of my friends pointed out in her review, I didn't love the timing of it. They're unmarried at that point and it seemed so risky! I also would have liked to have seen a bit more of them on page being in love after their realizations, despite the well-done build up.
Even though there was no epilogue, I felt like this was a complete story given the full picture. I wouldn't have been disappointed with a short epilogue though or another spicy scene. But I genuinely believed they'd be happy forever and in love, with the support of their families at the end making this a surprisingly sweet read. I'd definitely recommend!
August 29, 2021
Who said the perfect novela doesn't exist?
I shall break my personal ratting system and give this story 5 ☆☆☆☆☆(I unusually never rate a novela higher than 4).
This is a classical plot with a delicious twist.
You HAVE to read it. It's about 111 pages. ❤❤❤
I shall break my personal ratting system and give this story 5 ☆☆☆☆☆(I unusually never rate a novela higher than 4).
This is a classical plot with a delicious twist.
You HAVE to read it. It's about 111 pages. ❤❤❤
August 2, 2021
Annabelle and Reginald. I loved this fun, sweet story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2024
But why didn’t I read this one sooner??
I loved it
But seriously, how can Mary Balogh write with such skill and leave me flaggergasted like this?
I loved it
But seriously, how can Mary Balogh write with such skill and leave me flaggergasted like this?
August 26, 2018
3.5 stars for this short novel, or long novella. I'm not sure which. It's about two people who have known each other since childhood, as they were neighbours. But he is the only son of a wealthy but lower-class former coal merchant. And she is the only daughter of an old and aristocratic (but impoverished) family who wants nothing to do with these vulgar upstarts. So the children aren't allowed to mix or play together.
It's not really a Romeo and Juliet story. Even though the families hate each other (especially her family hating his), it's not quite the same, because the two of them end up in a forced marriage of convenience.
It's quite a nice story that unfolds gradually, even though it's fairly short. I didn't like either MC much at first, but as you get to know them you start to like them more.
Towards the end the penny drops and you realise where this is all going. Quite a nice concept for the story and I enjoyed the ending. So, nothing earth-shattering, but quite an enjoyable read.
It's not really a Romeo and Juliet story. Even though the families hate each other (especially her family hating his), it's not quite the same, because the two of them end up in a forced marriage of convenience.
It's quite a nice story that unfolds gradually, even though it's fairly short. I didn't like either MC much at first, but as you get to know them you start to like them more.
Towards the end the penny drops and you realise where this is all going. Quite a nice concept for the story and I enjoyed the ending. So, nothing earth-shattering, but quite an enjoyable read.
December 21, 2017
A cute story, decent length for a novella. Gave this story enough time to develop. Very sweet story between two charming characters. Kind of innocent, not that there weren’t any intimate scenes, it is just a harmless romance, nothing sinister going on. I would have given the story 4 stories but I can’t imagine myself rereading it so it has to be 3 stars.
Spoilers ahead
It is essentially a Romeo and Juliet kind of story. They befriended each other as kids and developed some kind of a friendship which grew into something more. But their fathers would never allow a marriage, so they came up with a plan. This wasn’t revealed to the readers until almost the end. I didn’t see it coming. The story went between now and before. So we get to see how they became friends and later fell in love. I never was a huge Balogh fan but the writing is impeccable.
Spoilers ahead
It is essentially a Romeo and Juliet kind of story. They befriended each other as kids and developed some kind of a friendship which grew into something more. But their fathers would never allow a marriage, so they came up with a plan. This wasn’t revealed to the readers until almost the end. I didn’t see it coming. The story went between now and before. So we get to see how they became friends and later fell in love. I never was a huge Balogh fan but the writing is impeccable.
July 8, 2020
I've always loved this gif and found it perfect for this book. For it was their first kiss that was the best part of this story. ❤
I enjoyed Reggie and Annabelle's story. The twist towards the end was brilliant! My only complaint was I wanted just a little more.
A lovely short and sweet story which was exactly what I needed!
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