Title: Unmasked by the Marquess Series: Regency Imposters #1
Author: Cat Sebastian
Published: April 17, 2018
Genre(s): Romance: Historical
Page Count: 320
Rating:
Summary from Goodreads:Robert Selby is determined to see his sister make an advantageous match. But he has two problems: the Selbys have no connections or money and Robert is really a housemaid named Charity Church. She’s enjoyed every minute of her masquerade over the past six years, but she knows her pretense is nearing an end. Charity needs to see her beloved friend married well and then Robert Selby will disappear…forever.
Alistair, Marquess of Pembroke, has spent years repairing the estate ruined by his wastrel father, and nothing is more important than protecting his fortune and name. He shouldn’t be so beguiled by the charming young man who shows up on his doorstep asking for favors. And he certainly shouldn’t be thinking of all the disreputable things he’d like to do to the impertinent scamp.
When Charity’s true nature is revealed, Alistair knows he can’t marry a scandalous woman in breeches, and Charity isn’t about to lace herself into a corset and play a respectable miss. Can these stubborn souls learn to sacrifice what they’ve always wanted for a love that is more than they could have imagined?
Hello, good day, and welcome to a review of the most delightful romance of 2018! If you haven’t purchased Unmasked by the Marquess yet, please do so. Then read the book and come back to join me in general happy shrieking over how great this novel is.
I will wait.
Unmasked by the Marquess is a book that above all exudes hope and vitality, even in situations that seem very hopeless. Often while reading, I had to wonder how on earth everything would work out. How could Alistair, a straitlaced lord, and Robin, a nonbinary orphan, get what they deserved out of life? I had to trust that Cat Sebastian would see them through this, that she would—in all of her mysterious authorly wizardry—deliver on the promise of any romance: Happily Ever After. And I promise, while the way seems dark at times, it does all sort itself out to perfection.
This is, obviously, not your grandmother’s traditional Regency romance (no offense, Georgette). This is not a story where the dashing lord meets the shy-yet-beautiful wallflower at the ball and pursues her in spite of obstacles until they end up, in a sugary sweet epilogue, with 10 chubby children (named, in alphabetical order: Asparagus, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Dragon Fruit, and so on) running amok at their feet. Nope. While Unmasked by the Marquess is a sweet and charming book, it’s not that kind of sweet and charming.
At the beginning of the book, we meet Alistair, a very serious and rather dour marquess, who’s spent the past few years cleaning up the messes his scandalous, irresponsible father left behind. Alistair prides himself on being above reproach, on not doing anything hasty or improper. But then Robin comes galloping into his office, asking for help with her sister’s Season, and Alistair’s stodgy life gets tossed about.
Robin, meanwhile, is a merrily irreverent person with a gorgeous personality. I love her the most. When her oldest friend asked her to switch places and go to Cambridge in his stead, she jumped at the chance, and for the past five years she’s been succesfully masquerading as a man. But it’s not quite a “masquerade,” because Robin feels more at home in a masculine sphere than she ever did when her name was Charity. Throughout the book, Robin is joyful and gloriously herself, and always quick with witty comebacks. 10/10 would like her for a friend.
The contrast and (dare I say) culture shock as Alistair and Robin grow close to one another is delightful. Robin bring out not just “the best” in Alistair, but life in general, as he’s been so pinned down by always trying to do the correct thing. And I think that, in turn, Alistair makes Robin feel seen and loved a very special way—he doesn’t love her in spite of her masculine clothes and behavior, but because of them.
Ah, my heart. BRB, taking a break to snuggle both of those wonderful idiots and their wonderful kitten.
In terms of the more technical aspects of the book: not to worry! Cat Sebastian is a wonderful writer with a true talent for infusing dire situations with an upbeat, optimistic atmosphere. The internal musings of both protagonists were often hilarious, the sex scenes were phenomenally written, and the supporting cast was vivid. Everything about this was just…ah. *kisses fingers*
I know the universe has been sending me signs to read Cat Sebastian’s books for a while now, but damn. The universe really knew what she was saying. Unmasked by the Marquess is glorious, charming, sexy-af perfection.
Thank you for coming to this meeting of Fangirls Anonymous.
I have to say, I wasn’t into that cover when I first saw the book, so I didn’t even bother reading the back, but I’ve heard such good things and now after reading your review, I’m convinced I need it in my life. I love that there is so much to the book and that both characters are so well fleshed out.
I’ll be adding this to the TBR!
Great review!
Yeahhhhhh, I wasn’t going to read this either, based on the cover. It’s…not great—the female model’s wig is really wonky-looking, etc. But then somebody mentioned the protagonist was nonbinary and I knew I had to read it. And it turned out great!