A Novel with Thoughts and Ponderings

THE SECRET MISTRESS

Author: Mary Balogh ISBN: 9780385343312 8/2011 HISTORICAL Publisher: DELACORTE PRESS
Time Period: Regency

The Secret Mistress by Mary Balogh
Lady Angeline Dudley is nineteen years old and wildly excited to be making her come-out at last. She is eager to find a husband, but she does not want a rake like her brothers or her father, much as she adores them. She wants someone far more steady. And she thinks she has found him when she is caught alone in an inn taproom on her way to London (very scandalously) and one man accosts her while another defends her and insists that the first apologize. She promptly falls in love with her rescuer, Edward Ailsbury, Earl of Heyward, without even knowing who he is, and decides that she will marry him even without knowing that she will see him ever again. That is the kind of woman she is!

Edward meanwhile is appalled by the indiscreet behavior of the woman he is forced to defend in the taproom, as well as by the shocking pink of her dress. He hopes fervently that he will never set eyes upon her again. He too is on his way to London for the Season. It is time to choose a bride, and he had his mind set upon an old friend, the very staid and sensible Eunice Goddard. Little does he know that his female relatives are lining up a bride for him—Lady Angeline Dudley, in fact, sister of the Duke of Tresham. Even less does he realize that Lady Angeline and the pink lady at the inn are one and the same.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS: Top Pick

THE SECRET MISTRESS is actually a prequel to the Mistress (or Dudley) series and Angeline’s story. I honestly think that this series would have never been quite complete without this tale.

In previous two books, MORE THAN A MISTRESS (Duke of Tresham’s story) and NO MAN’S MISTRESS (Ferdi’s story),  we were allowed only a glimpse of Angeline as she comes in and out of their brothers’ lives. We see her as someone who’s a bit eccentric, but nevertheless a lovable and very much loved sister. By going back in time, Ms. Balogh has given us a gift of pure unadulterated joy.

From the first page...no, let me rephrase that....from the first paragraph, we know that we’re in for a sweet and humor-filled ride.

Reading the book blurb above, you’ll get the gist of the story, but reading the book, you’ll be touched by Edward’s and Angie’s great chemistry. Ms. Balogh is one of those authors with the rare ability to create a relationship that I can actually feel developing as the story develops.

Angeline was such a refreshing heroine. In spite of her insecurities, I thought her a strong and genuine real person, full of innocence, with enthusiasm and energy to burn. We finally get to know the reasons behind all those bonnets she wears, and we get to care for this quirky, yet sharp heroine.

Edward was her polar opposite, yet such a perfect match for her. He was ice to her fire, ying to her yang. Ms. Balogh took this character and made him so real, a so ‘regular’ kind of a guy who personifies the word Gentleman. He takes himself and his duties very seriously and honor is sacred to him. I never took him for a ‘dried stick’, as her brothers refer to him, but more as a somber kind of fellow; yet, every time I was inside his head, I saw a man who had so much passion and humor that I was brought to tears by laughing. The tension between the two was very realistic; their relationship felt believable and added to the excitement of the story, which was fast-paced.

Ms. Balogh gives the story just the right mix of humor (in this case, bordering on silliness), wit, and playfulness, that a person would have to be made of stone not to break down and laugh-out-loud every ten pages or so!

I loved the supporting characters, Lord Windrow and Eunice Goddard, just as much as our hero and heroine, and I found myself rooting for their happiness as well.

THE SECRET MISTRESS is a fun, exciting, and sweet love story with plenty of passion. If I had this much fun reading this book, I can only imagine the fun Ms. Balogh had in writing it. Can you tell how much I loved this story? This is a laugh out loud, hold your sides, and roll on the floor read.  I had to stop at times, just to make sure that this is Mary Balogh’s book. This is so unlike anything else I’ve ever read from her, and I’ve read plenty.

BTW: Just prior to sending this review in, I checked Ms. Balogh’s website and guess what? She’s written a short story that sort of wraps up all three books with some scenes that are NOT to be missed, in eBook format (Kindle only) called NOW A BRIDE. It is a must buy for all fans of this series!

Melanie Friedman

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