Title: The Wrong Lady Meets Lord RightAuthor: Suzanne Allain
Pages: 262
Publication Date: Dec. 1, 2024
Publisher: Berkley
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Historical
Synopsis:
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 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.
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The Wrong Lady Meets Lord Right is such a charming Regency romance, full of heart and humor. The story follows Arabella and her identical cousin Isabelle, who switch places so that Bella will take part in the London season instead of her shy, sickly, and much wealthier cousin. It’s a great setup for a fun story about family, love, and figuring out where you truly belong.
One of my favorite parts of the book was the bond between Bella and Issie. Their relationship was so full of love and understanding, and it was clear they were each other’s biggest cheerleaders. Issie’s shy, bookish personality contrasted well with Bella’s vivaciousness, and the deep understanding and connection between the two women showed that they would do anything to help each other. Bella stepping into Issie’s place so she can avoid the pressures of society sheds light on the stressful expectations of young women of a certain class, while also exposing some of the more judgmental sides of their world. The cousin’s switch is filled with the risk of exposure and some fun shenanigans, as well as some messy complications.
Speaking of complications—Lord Brooke! I was completely smitten with him, and I loved the chemistry between him and Bella. Their banter and sweet moments together were everything! Their chemistry is fantastic, and the way Bella struggled to keep the truth from him made me feel better about the lies and secrets. Issie has an equally sweet romance that I adored, and the way they complement each other is so lovely. I think both romances were made all the more sweeter because these women have had such lonely and difficult times. It’s hard not to root for their happiness.
I enjoyed this read. It’s lighthearted and clever, and it has plenty of sweet, romantic moments that had me swooning. The supporting characters added a lot of personality to the story too—some were hilarious, others were infuriating, and a few, like Issie’s aunt, were downright awful. Thanks to NetGalley, Suzanne Allain, and Berkley for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
- he falls first
- cinnamon roll hero
- found family
Suzanne Allain is a novelist and screenwriter who lived in New York before returning to her hometown of Tallahassee, Florida, where she lives with her husband. Suzanne adapted her novel Mr. Malcolm’s List into a screenplay and it was made into a movie starring Freida Pinto, Theo James, Ṣọpẹ Dìrísù, and Zawe Ashton.
Great review! This sounds super fun 🙂 I love a book with strong female characters that have great relationships!