Historical Romance Book Club discussion
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A Matter of Class
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BOTM 3 - August 2021 - A Matter of Class
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Love this book by MB. Will be a good re-read.
Debby*BabyDee wrote: "Love this book by MB. Will be a good re-read."That's good to hear. This wasn't hers on my list so I may read through some reviews.
Joanna, that's a weird policy.
Well this was fun! I really enjoyed it. I thought I knew where this was going until (view spoiler) when I suddenly had to question my assumptions. And while I really liked the story I had been mapping out in my head - thinking I knew where I was going - when I learned that I had been oh so confidently trotting down the wrong path, I did feel a kind of delight. Also, I found myself smiling w/ almost every chapter throughout the book, so quite apart from the destination, the journey itself was very enjoyable.
That's an interesting tidbit, Darbella; my book copy didn't have the Q&A section, so hadn't heard that. That surprises me, too, b/c seems like it's a fairly intricate story that would have taken a while to work through - but then again maybe one reason Balogh is so prolific is b/c ideas come quickly to her.
Just finished and to be honest that ending saved the book. Very good!
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I don’t think it’s an actual policy, but it does seem to happen frequently. I think it’s just a result of this being a site that isn’t able to manage the traffic it gets very well.
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joanna, I read this one on openlibary.
Just finished reading this, my first book by MB. Oh and how I loved it. I was smiling throughout the book. Refreshing change of pace when the hero is not aristocratic. The story was cute though not like ‘it hurts my teeth with sweetness’. Loved the fact that I couldn’t predict quickly where the plot was going. Super clean book, I personally enjoy a bit of steam but I am not complaining. A good change of pace from what I have been reading. Witty, charming and sneaky!
I nominated this novella, so it's a reread for me. The first time I read it, I was pleasantly surprised. I had a feeling most of you will end up enjoying it as well.@Nilambari, in my opinion, Mary Balogh is pretty tamed with her bedroom scenes when compared to Lisa Kleypas and Elizabeth Hoyt.
I just started reading this book as everyone here said it made them smile and that is my favorite type of book. Loving it so far. I hope to finish it this weekend.
I am listening to this one. The narrator isn't bad, but she is slow. She makes the novella feel like a full length story. I am not sure how much more I have. This mp3 on CD is difficult to navigate.Anyway, I'm enjoying thus far. I like Reggie and Annabelle (her more). It seems they both have fathers who can be a bit of a jerk but kind mothers. In other ways, they seem opposite.
Annabelle had a lonely childhood with a more distant and obligatory relationship with her parents. She was of the nobility but raised without receiving much other than rules and duties. In spite of that, she made the best of what she had and tried to find joy and happiness by breaking the rules without her parents finding out. Unfortunately, she finally got caught in her biggest rule break yet - eloping with the coachman.
Reggie was raised with lots of love from his ma and plenty of attention from his da. He got to travel, go to school, make friends, spend money, and have freedom and independence. In spite of his support, he rebelled and became a rake, a dandy, and a gambling wastrel. However, he loves and respects his ma; and his parents obviously have a loving and respectful relationship. I am hopeful he can learn to imitate their example.
I finished and really enjoyed it. Although I figured out the twist before the end, I had no inkling early on. Now I want to reread but in print rather than listen this time.Like Cath, I was smiling!
I listened to the novella and quite enjoyed it, its a sweet story. I must admit, I was happily listening and didn't think about there being a twist until I read some of the comments, then I spent time trying to guess the twist which I did about 60% through, which is quite obvious :).
Glad you also enjoyed Sue!
I just finished it, it was a really enjoyable read, the characters were so well drawn and the parents displayed all the elements of their class in that time period. So good to see that Reggie and Annabelle were above all that. Lovely story with a perfect twist.
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Happy Reading!
A Matter of Class by Mary Balogh
Just in time for Valentine's Day, from New York Times bestselling author Mary Balogh comes yet another classic historical tale that sizzles with romance and unforgettable drama.
Reginald Mason is wealthy, refined, and, by all accounts, a gentleman. However, he is not a gentleman by title, a factor that pains him and his father 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 Reginald Mason, Senior, 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, Reginald Senior 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.