Loading
Book Information
A Matter of Class
Written by Mary Balogh
Narrated by Anne Flosnik
Book Actions
Start ListeningDescription
Reginald Mason is wealthy, refined, and, by all accounts, a gentleman. However, he is not a gentleman by birth, a factor that pains him and his father, Bernard Mason, 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 Bernard 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, Bernard 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.
Though Bernard 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, Bernard 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.
Book Actions
Start ListeningBook Information
A Matter of Class
Written by Mary Balogh
Narrated by Anne Flosnik
Description
Reginald Mason is wealthy, refined, and, by all accounts, a gentleman. However, he is not a gentleman by birth, a factor that pains him and his father, Bernard Mason, 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 Bernard 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, Bernard 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.
Though Bernard 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, Bernard 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.
About the author
Reviews
My first Balogh, and it won't be my last. A sweet story with a twist, and good character development for a novella.
Rating: 5Light. The plot twist was entertaining and fairly well executed, but was revealed too late, and I really felt the story needed to be padded out. There just wasn't much *plot*.
Rating: 2Description from dust flap
From New York Times bestselling author Mary Balogh comes a classical historical tale that sizzles with romance and unforgettable drama. Reginald Mason is wealthy, reined, and by all accounts, a gentleman. However, he is not a gentleman by birth, a factor that pains him and his father, Bernard Mason, 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 Bernard wishes to use Annabell 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, Bernard 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.
My Comments
This book was really cute! It was very short, so we didn't get the character development we usually do in Mary Balogh's books, but nonetheless, I really enjoyed it - especially the twist we discover at the end. I'm not sure I've ever read a romance novel with a twist at the end before. Very fun read.
Rating: 4From New York Times bestselling author Mary Balogh comes a classical historical tale that sizzles with romance and unforgettable drama. Reginald Mason is wealthy, reined, and by all accounts, a gentleman. However, he is not a gentleman by birth, a factor that pains him and his father, Bernard Mason, 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 Bernard wishes to use Annabell 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, Bernard 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.
My Comments
This book was really cute! It was very short, so we didn't get the character development we usually do in Mary Balogh's books, but nonetheless, I really enjoyed it - especially the twist we discover at the end. I'm not sure I've ever read a romance novel with a twist at the end before. Very fun read.
This was an easy and fast-paced reading. The story is set in the wonderful world of Regency England. It's a love story which explains that there are no barrier when true love has to succeed. What I liked most was the fact that the woman was so inventive.
Rating: 4This is an enchanting little novella about a young couple forced into marriage by their parents. Or are they? It rather reminds me of an O. Henry story.
Rating: 4What a clever story! I loved the originality of the plot and the cleverness of the main characters. I love how this story jumps between the present time and the past. I can't say too much without giving something away, but this book was an absolute delight and one that as soon as I finished it, I wanted to jump back to the beginning and begin again! This is a shorter book, but has excellently developed characters and a story line that will leave the reader reflecting back on it for a long time. This was an absolutely delightful read and I highly highly recommend this book!
Rating: 5Nice sweet story but the narrator spoiled it for me. She sounded constipated. I don't think I will listen to other books she narrates, I found it too painful.
Rating: 3A very classic romance. A great rainy day love story to read by the fire.
Rating: 3A charming, quick romance that spans decades and holds more than a few secrets. Read it, if you're a fan of Balogh's style - or just well-written and endearing historical romance novels. You won't regret it!
Rating: 5Slight, but utterly, utterly charming.
Rating: 4A charming trifle of a book, that reminds me why she was one of my auto-buys prior to some of her recent clunkers.
Rating: 5This is a delightful, summer afternoon love story to read. They secretly become friends as children while their father's hate each other. It appears they they are destined to forever be apart or does it?Lovely, fun book :)
Rating: 3I always love Mary Balogh. I feel like some readers are a little hard on her. Of course the twist at the end was no huge surprise. It's a romance novel. They all are based on cliches. Thats why we read them. I thought the book was delightful and that is not a word I use ever. It did what all well written romance novels do. When I closed it I said awww and sighed like a little girl. I really enjoyed it and can not wait for her next book to come out.
Rating: 5Nice twist but predictable halfway through the book.
Rating: 4Description from dust flap
From New York Times bestselling author Mary Balogh comes a classical historical tale that sizzles with romance and unforgettable drama. Reginald Mason is wealthy, reined, and by all accounts, a gentleman. However, he is not a gentleman by birth, a factor that pains him and his father, Bernard Mason, 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 Bernard wishes to use Annabell 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, Bernard 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.
My Comments
This book was really cute! It was very short, so we didn't get the character development we usually do in Mary Balogh's books, but nonetheless, I really enjoyed it - especially the twist we discover at the end. I'm not sure I've ever read a romance novel with a twist at the end before. Very fun read.
Rating: 4From New York Times bestselling author Mary Balogh comes a classical historical tale that sizzles with romance and unforgettable drama. Reginald Mason is wealthy, reined, and by all accounts, a gentleman. However, he is not a gentleman by birth, a factor that pains him and his father, Bernard Mason, 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 Bernard wishes to use Annabell 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, Bernard 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.
My Comments
This book was really cute! It was very short, so we didn't get the character development we usually do in Mary Balogh's books, but nonetheless, I really enjoyed it - especially the twist we discover at the end. I'm not sure I've ever read a romance novel with a twist at the end before. Very fun read.
A light, fun Regency romance with a clever twist at the end.
Rating: 4I really enjoyed this story. The best part of course is the twist to it, but it is filled with likeable characters. Our heroine is indeed full of pluck. Our hero is smart and handsome. And, as it should, love prevails. I especially liked the mothers-in-law who truly loved their children and wanted the best for them. (The basic story is recounted elsewhere, but in short, she elopes with the coachman but is found quickly. He has been overspending. His father says our hero must marry the fallen peeress or be cut off without a groat. Her father says she must marry the rich man's son or work as a chambermaid. They agree to marry.) Mary Balogh is one of the best regency writers and I liked this offering a lot. This is a fairly short book, but printed in hardback (I assume so the publishers could charge more money). It is more short story in feel than full novel, but well worth the read. The only other disappointing thing for me is that the characters aren't as fleshed out as I would like (again, making it feel more short story). I guess the problem is expectations of a book, but delivery of a novella/short story, mitigated by the strength of the story. Bottom line: Read this book.
Rating: 5A delightful romance. A super fast read (polished it off in just a few hours). An ending with a twist you can see coming a mile off but are not disappointed when it arrives. I don't know what it was that made me love this book so much. The author's tone? The cadence of the story? Whatever the case, love it I did. Fun. Light. Wistful. Delightful.
Rating: 5Really disappointing. Not romantic, no suspence, no charm. Didn't work at all for me. Plot twist was obvious, the children of 2 feuding neighbours are forced to marry after she has oddly ruined herself and his father threatens to disinherit him unless he marries up. Didn't like either of them or their families and found both father's coming aroudn at the end totally unbelievable, just completing my dissatisfaction with the book. Mary Balogh can do much, much better.
Rating: 2It's an oddly disappointing book. As some other reveiwers have said a light, quick read, less than an hour, The idea, the plot , the twist in the tale could have been written so much better, it had possibilities. It should have been a short story, just leave out the flashbacks or a more complex work. Reggie as point of view charactor was good and different from most romances, a good deal could have been done with his knowledge that Annabelle was the one taking most of the risks.
Rating: 3I found this book well written and entertaining.I did not find the ending to be a big suprise though. Overall a nice light read.
Rating: 3Mary Balogh is a master of the genre! Every word of this novella is sweet and entertaining!
Rating: 5
Totally unexpected. The perfect ruse. A lovely and sweet end ?
Rating: 4Fast read that was fun and light after the last book I trudged through.
There is a twist that is easy to figure out, but the banter between the two main characters is fun and makes it worthwhile. I could have done without the porn. A skilled author can insinuate what transpired without the smutty details.
Rating: 3There is a twist that is easy to figure out, but the banter between the two main characters is fun and makes it worthwhile. I could have done without the porn. A skilled author can insinuate what transpired without the smutty details.
Mostly I liked it. It was sort of too fast of a read not to. Literally, I spent 2 hours and 10 minutes from start to finish on this puppy last night. And it kept me wanting to turn the pages. It’s not complex or sophisticated, but it was charming. Although I’m a little surprised to discover that Mary Balogh is a historical romance writer–I’m uncertain if she’s in the bodice ripper category–although there were a few things just in this book that made me think her other books might not be so tame. ;)
Set in regency England, A Matter of Class follows a gentleman’s daughter with a failed elopment, and resulting in scandal upon her already cash-stretched daddy, the Earl. So it’s no surprise the balding rich marquess with halitosis spurns the beauty as damaged goods. The neighboring estate has a layabout son who is trying mightily to spend the family fortune on gambling and other vices. What are two sets of disappointed parents to do? Why get them married off to each other, of course.
The story has some lovely flashbacks, and actually has enough oomph to it to give you a decent picture of the characters themselves. Generally, you like everyone you are supposed to like, sympathize with everyone whose gone and done silly things, and dislike the few you are supposed to dislike. I can’t tell you more, or I’d ruin a couple of the delightful twists.
This would be great plane-ride reading or beachfront fare for the summer. Enjoy.
Rating: 4Set in regency England, A Matter of Class follows a gentleman’s daughter with a failed elopment, and resulting in scandal upon her already cash-stretched daddy, the Earl. So it’s no surprise the balding rich marquess with halitosis spurns the beauty as damaged goods. The neighboring estate has a layabout son who is trying mightily to spend the family fortune on gambling and other vices. What are two sets of disappointed parents to do? Why get them married off to each other, of course.
The story has some lovely flashbacks, and actually has enough oomph to it to give you a decent picture of the characters themselves. Generally, you like everyone you are supposed to like, sympathize with everyone whose gone and done silly things, and dislike the few you are supposed to dislike. I can’t tell you more, or I’d ruin a couple of the delightful twists.
This would be great plane-ride reading or beachfront fare for the summer. Enjoy.
My go-to movie when I’m in need of a little romance in my life is Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, the one with Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen (although I’m also partial to the A&E mini-series with Colin Firth). I love the music; the repeating ‘pianoforte’ tune played by different persons with varying levels of skill. I love the scenery; vast pre-Victorian brick homes surrounded by thriving gardens and farmland. And I love the characters; the perfect Knightley (except, bless her, for the endearing crookedness of her teeth) and the sexy Madfadyen, whose expressive eyes soon won me over, even though I’d rebelled at thinking of him as Darcy after so many viewings of Firth in the part.Other than my sporadic intimacy with Jane Austen’s work (I’ve read the novel and seen and liked a few Emma’s, etc.), I’m not terribly knowledgeable about Historical Romance as a genre.I don’t know why I picked up ‘A Matter of Class.’ Maybe I felt a sudden need for my go-to movie while browsing at the bookstore and gravitated to the romance section. I had never read author Mary Balogh before—never even heard of her—but the cover of the book has a single lady standing in one of those feminine Regency high-waisted dresses, wearing white gloves and holding a lace umbrella, and I immediately thought of Pride and Prejudice. Plus, the slim volume looked like a quick read (quick enough to maybe mitigate the guilt of avoiding the pile of books I’m supposed to be reading), so I brought it home.The story starts out with our hero Reginald putting on a petulant show for his father in a discussion that sets the plot firmly in stone. Reginald is to marry the daughter of his father’s sworn enemy, a young woman who has disgraced herself by attempting to run off with the groomsman. This marriage is being forced upon the foppish Reginald to curb his spending, gambling, womanizing ways.Lady Annabelle, the disgraced, newly affianced woman in question, is unhappy but resigned to the match. Her cold father, the Earl of Havercroft, can think of no other way to redeem her reputation but to marry her off, even to the son of new, and therefore distastefully crass, money.Interspersed between Reginald and Annabelle’s points of view of the impending wedding are flashbacks to their childhood friendship. They meet at different stages of childhood along the river that acts as a boundary between the two families’ property. The reader sees that a romantic attachment has formed, so the “twist” at the end isn’t so much a surprise as a happy, “I knew it!”The story is lighter than P&P, and not in a comedic sort of way. I’m used to Austen’s portrayal of characters whose depth is emphasized through clever insights into the quirks of their personalities. The people who populate Balogh’s Class are exactly what I’d expect to find in a book set in a different era, and a different class, than my own—people whose motivations escape me. Austen wrote her novel prior to 1813 and barring a few phrases that could only be found in the Urban Dictionary of the time, I felt like every word resonated. I wasn’t surprised to find, according to Balogh’s back cover flap, that she’s written, “more than seventy novels and almost thirty novellas” since 1985. Seventy! Balogh must be cranking these babies out in her sleep (which is what it takes to make a decent living as a mid-list author these days, I hear).I must say, she’s clearly in her groove when writing in this genre. With all her experience, the clothing, architecture, politics, and word usage that set the story in its time-frame must be ingrained in her brain. Some of my favorites are words and phrases that wouldn’t be caught dead in a modern book (but showed up here again and again and again) (and again, I kid you not): various forms of “plucky,” “haughty,” “chit,” “dash it” or “dash it all,” and my personal favorite “vulgar.” The characters purse their lips more than the fish on Finding Nemo. Reggie shudders elegantly, Annabelle gazes disdainfully, and everyone’s eyebrows are in a constant state of raisedness. Oh, and I would be remiss in describing this novel’s true charm if I left out the following, a new take on an old cliché that had me laughing out loud:“Indignation did marvels for the bosom of a lady wearing stays and a flimsy gown. Hers heaved and looked for a moment as if it might pop free of her bodice. Alas, it did not happen. But it drew Reggie’s eyes, and it heated his blood.”Please don’t get me wrong. I actually enjoyed this story. It was exactly the quick read I was looking for, and I suspect the author doesn’t take herself too seriously when producing (or mass-producing?) these books, assuming her other works of fiction are in a similar vein. If you read Regency Romance, you might like the light-hearted ‘A Matter of Class.” I don’t, and I did.(Review originally appeared on Booksquawk)
Rating: 4It’s a short and sweet novel that took me just one evening to read. For the short length that it was, I thought it was entertaining and a special twist was added in the book to add more to the story. I thought the twist was well thought of and to be frank, I didn’t even expect something like that to happen. It was definitely a refreshing surprise and I was glad to see that this sets the book apart from the typical romances you see on the shelf.When it comes to these kinds of books, I expect the main couple in question to have the chemistry required to make the plot flow and to make the reading interesting. Annabelle and Reginald felt well together. Both were headstrong and stubborn, and both had a fiery streak. When they both argued, you couldn’t help but chuckle to yourself while reading. They were entertaining and had that perfect chemistry to make them a good couple. They were also both very likable characters, Reginald did start off as a spoiled brat at first but as the story progressed, he was not who I thought he was. As for the ‘romantic’ parts, I’m not a fan of explicit scenes, but this novel passed. It wasn’t pages long with unnecessary descriptions, and can be skimmed through for those that are just not into that sort of reading (like I am!). This book is a nice light quick read that can be finished in less than a day. The twist in the novel brings more flavor to the storyline and sets itself apart from the typical romances you see on the shelves. This has been a most enjoyable read - even for a non romance fan like myself.
Rating: 4Reginald Mason is, by all accounts, a gentleman - he is well-educated, courteous, handsome and very wealthy. However, the ton doesn’t see it that way, much to his and his father’s dismay. For Reginald Senior was not born a gentleman. He worked hard for this station even if it is said that their money is tarnished by coal. When the opportunity for social advancement arises, namely, Lady Annabelle Ashton, daughter of the Earl of Havercroft, a neighbor and enemy of the Mason family, he finds the opportunity too hard to resist.Lady Annabelle is in quite the predicament. She tried to elope with her father's footman and now finds herself disgraced by scandal, even thought of as damaged goods. Her father, the Earl, is none too happy with her and will gladly marry her off to anyone willing to have her.Reginald Senior sees this as the moment he's been waiting for to move his family up the social ladder. But young Reggie does not see it as ideal, for he enjoys single life too much. When his father gives him an ultimatum: marry Annabelle or be cut-off from the family funds - he has no choice but to consent to the marriage. But no one said either one of them had to be happy about their new predicament.This was such a sweet story. It was rather short, but nonetheless, it was delightful. I am a fan of Regency England, but even more than that, the way the story is written was brilliant. For starters it is very tame. There aren't any blush worthy moments - which gave it a timeless feel. The romance was light but as the relationship between Annabelle and Reggie grew, it steadily became more and more... sigh worthy.I really must give kudos to Ms. Balogh for keeping me in the dark for most of the story as to the "twist" (everyone keeps mentioning). I didn't peak and I tried not to think too much of it and I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome. It was very witty of her and by far what made this short story so pleasurable. I highly recommend to anyone looking for a feel-good love story.
Rating: 5