Publishers Weekly
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Love blooms amid deception in this delightful Regency rom-com from Allain (Mr. Malcolm’s List). After the death of Lady Strickland, mother to Lady Isabelle “Issie” Strickland and aunt to Arabella “Bella” Grant, the cousins enjoy a peaceful life at Fenborough Hall, free from the difficult woman’s rules. But their idyll comes to an end when Issie’s great aunt, the very nearsighted Lady Dutton, demands that the pair come to London for the social season. Bookworm Issie is terrified of being presented to the queen, so she asks Bella to pretend to be her. Bella reluctantly agrees, and literally bumps into the very eligible Lord Brooke right before her presentation, igniting their mutual attraction—though Brooke believes Bella is Issie. Meanwhile, the cousins arrange for Issie to see a doctor about her heart palpitations—and Issie’s shocked to find young Dr. Jordan so deeply attractive. Both women embark on new romances, but as their time in London comes to an end, their futures are complicated by arrangements Lady Dutton has made for them without their consent. Allain keeps things G-rated, but still manages to generate some fun romantic tension, and the plot moves at a steady clip while taking the time to fully develop its multifaceted heroines. Regency fans will be riveted. (Dec.)

Library Journal
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

When Arabella Grant was very young, she went to live with her cousin Lady Isabelle, whom Arabella loves dearly. However, Arabella's severe aunt always treated both girls dreadfully, so upon the aunt's passing, the girls were relieved to finally have some freedom. Unfortunately, Issie has a great-aunt who is forcing her to have a season in London, which requires Arabella to accompany her. Issie is sickly and in no shape to handle the rigors of a London season, so she convinces Arabella to take her place once she realizes her aunt cannot tell them apart. Arabella is uncertain at first but quickly begins to enjoy attending the high-society dances and outings, where she catches the attention of the striking Lord Brooke. Arabella suddenly finds herself trying to protect her heart while wrapped up in her cousin's scheme. Allain (The Ladies Rewrite the Rules) does a wonderful job of crafting characters with heart and strength of character, and the strong sisterly love between the cousins resonates throughout the story. VERDICT Highly recommended for fans of historical romances, this is a quick, fun read, featuring clever characters.—Bridgette Whitt

Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

Lady Strickland’s unexpected death has left her daughter, Lady Isabelle, and niece, Arabella Grant, on their own. Summoned to London after a year in mourning, Issie needs to be formally presented to the Queen for her debut season, but her shy nature and weak constitution leave her feeling panicked and unable to participate. Fearing for her cousin’s health, Bella agrees to pretend she’s Lady Isabelle, just this once—that is, until everything changes after meeting Issie’s intended, Lord Brooke. When Bella impulsively agrees to masquerade as her cousin a second time, the serious ramifications for securing husbands and procuring their placement in society make any solutions difficult to imagine. Allain (Miss Lattimore’s Letter, 2021) references places popular for social strolls, creating an entertaining period travelogue. Readers looking for a story filled with fully realized, charming and lovable characters and quality escape time folded into a cozy historical romance—one that allows deserving characters their happily-ever-after—as well as fans of Georgette Heyer and Marion Chesney, will readily line up for Allain’s latest.

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

A young woman makes the mistake of falling in love with a charming earl while posing as her noble cousin. When Lady Strickland dies unexpectedly, few people are more relieved than the awful woman’s daughter, Lady Isabelle, and niece-by-marriage, Arabella. Free from her taunts and abuse, both women are ready to take control of their lives. Isabelle wants to spend her days reading, but her great-aunt insists she continue with her coming-out as soon as her year of mourning is over, and Bella talks her into heading for London. Isabelle worries that with her poor health, there’s no way she’ll survive the season, and when she realizes that great-aunt Lucretia is severely nearsighted, she comes up with a plan to have Bella take her place for the season. Bella reluctantly agrees, not having the heart to throw her cousin into another overwhelming situation after her mother’s death. Bella has a sense of wonder and excitement as she makes her debut in society, knowing that her lack of standing would otherwise have prevented her from having these experiences. She barrels headlong into the London ton with unabashed curiosity, often landing in wild, quirky scenarios. The charming Lord Brooke, an eligible earl, is interested in courting Bella, thinking she’s her wealthier and more appropriate cousin. Bella’s struggle with her secret as she falls in love with a man above her station provides the bulk of the tension in the book, which is sweet without being twee. Once the story moves past the initial whiplash of the opening, in which Lady Strickland dies within two sentences and readers have to untangle who’s related to whom, it blossoms into a lively romance featuring charming banter, a heartwarming bond between the two young women, and various Regency shenanigans. Isabelle and Arabella’s neglectful and abusive upbringing is mentioned, as is Isabelle’s panic disorder, but these are touched upon rather lightly, and the tone very much stays centered in the realm of bubbly and airy. A flirty and cozy romance that’s heavy on laughs and light on angst. Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.