The Incomparable Cassandra is the kind of good, character-driven Regency that I really enjoy. The hero and heroine are opposites who can’t help being attracted to each other, and both are flawed people who grow and change over the course of the book. It’s a very worthwhile read.

Lady Cassandra Blythe is apprehensive about the arrival of her sister-in-law’s twin brother. Cassandra’s brother Richard eloped with Lord Benjamin’s Rowland’s sister Elinor ten years ago, bringing scandal upon both their families. Though Ben and Elinor have corresponded during the intervening ten years, they’ve not seen each other since Elinor ran off with Richard. Now Ben is coming to London for a visit, for the express purpose of finding a nice quiet wife who will settle down with him in Dorsetshire. Cassandra dislikes Ben on principle before she even lays eyes on him. This is the man who tried to ruin her brother’s life, and he’s obviously a stick in the mud who wouldn’t know a good time if it bit him.

When Cassandra actually meets Ben, she’s still unimpressed. She struggles to overcome her dislike; rude words exchanged during a waltz almost cause a huge scene, and Cassandra ends up being embarrassed about her behavior. She vows to help Ben find the quiet, retiring wife he is looking for. Ben tries to fulfill his half of the bargain by getting to know some of the quieter young ladies, but there’s one problem: he’s not attracted to them. He likes vivacious women (like Cassandra) but a past humiliation has convinced him that spirited women are a disaster waiting to happen.

Naturally, Cassandra and Ben fall for each other. But what is nice about it is that nothing feels forced; they fall in love gradually as they spend time together. Each manages to surprise the other (and themselves) as they change and grow. Cassandra realizes that as she has embraced the ton and its culture of wit and scandal, she is wont to make amusing but unkind remarks about others. She works on reversing this tendency in herself and her associates. Ben, on the other hand, lightens up a little and begins to enjoy society. He realizes that along with balls and parties, London also has scientific societies. He adjusts some of his more conservative attitudes, broadens his mind, and even cracks a joke or two.

Unfortunately, just when Cassandra and Ben are beginning to appreciate each other’s best qualities, disaster strikes, and it seems as if they may never be able to be together. But this is romance; what seems like an insurmountable obstacle actually becomes Cassandra’s finest hour, and naturally it leads to their happily ever after.

I found almost all of this book enjoyable. I loved both Cassandra and Ben, who are both well-drawn Regency characters. Their basic types may be common, but Paquet gives them unique personalities and insights, as well as little details of characterization that make them unique. Cassandra is a playwright, and Ben loves to insects (ants are his favorite). As the characters grow, they also come to appreciate each other’s hobbies. Their romance is believable and touching; the reader can see how they are good for each other.

The secondary characters are also interesting. I particularly liked Elinor and Richard. Elinor is convinced that Ben and Cassandra are perfect for each other from the beginning, but she’s the only one who sees it. Richard, still somewhat biased because of Ben’s treatment of him ten years ago, just doesn’t see how the match can work. He manages to reach an understanding with Ben anyway as he comes to understand Ben’s motives for dismissing his suit. There are also several characters in their social circle who have roles to play in the romance. The quiet Miss Lewis (one of Ben’s disastrously wrong potential mates) and Cassandra’s urbane friend Perry are both standouts.

So what keeps this book from being a true keeper? Two things, really. The first is that it’s more of a quiet read. It’s engrossing and enjoyable, but it wasn’t the type of book to really keep me up at night frantically turning pages. The other issue is the problem that arises at the end. That particular subplot felt a little forced and somewhat out of place compared to the rest of the book.

Those niggles aside, the book is solidly enjoyable, and well worth the time of any Regency fan. In a sub-genre prone to stereotyping and stock characters, The Incomparable Cassandra stands out.