Lady in Disguise by Amanda McCabe
Lady in Disguise

TEST

Unlike many traditional Regencies, Lady in Disguise is set against the background of a specific historical event – the 1814 visit of Tsar Alexander I to England. Lady Emma Weston, niece and ward of a Russian diplomat and his English wife, arrives in England for her first visit to her homeland since she left at the age of six following the death of her parents.

Emma is briefly introduced to Jack Howard, Viscount St. Albans, in a receiving line. Curious about the country of her birth and chafing beneath the restrictions placed on her because of her uncle’s position with the Tsar, she is lost in her unhappiness and doesn’t notice him. Even though Jack is instantly swept away by her beauty, he is unable to dance with or even to speak with Emma because she is tightly controlled by her family.

The Viscount’s chance, however, comes later, when Emma slips out of her lodgings disguised as a lady’s maid. Tired of the isolation that living within diplomatic circles imposes upon her, her plan is to sneak away and experience the celebratory atmosphere of the Tsar’s visit in anonymity. Jack, who is also not entirely what he seems, spots her on the streets of London and gallantly offers to be her escort.

Emma loses her heart throughout her day in disguise. She and Jack, along with one of his friends, visit the sights and take part in celebrations in honor of the tsar. At the end of the enchanted evening, after one of her first real experiences with freedom, she melts into her first kiss with Jack. From then on, it is clear she has found her true love. Aside from the fact Emma believes Jack to be unaware of her true identity, there is little conflict between these two and their story is rather tender.

McCabe’s writing style flows easily and – for the first half, anyway – the book reads delightfully. Though the story isn’t humorous as many modern Regencies are, the author has a light touch which results in a charming tale. The characters entertain and the story, at least early on, holds promise.

Which makes it all the more unfortunate when the book’s tone changes during the second half. Strong foreshadowing early on doesn’t result in questions entirely answered, and unnecessary conflicts are introduced too late in the story so that the book rushes to its conclusion. Had the second half of this book been more like the first, Lady in Disguise could well have been a keeper. I’m curious to try some of this author’s other books, but the plotting flaws in this one do make me somewhat cautious.

Buy it at Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes and Noble/Kobo

Reviewed by Lynn Spencer

Grade: B-

Book Type: Regency Romance

Sensuality: Subtle

Review Date: 12/09/03

Publication Date: 2003

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Recent Comments …

  1. excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.

I enjoy spending as much time as I can between the covers of a book, traveling through time and around the world. When I'm not having adventures with fictional characters, I'm an attorney in Virginia and I love just hanging out with my husband, little man, and the cat who rules our house.

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