The Wrong Lady Meets Lord Right is another of Suzanne Allain’s quick-to-read sweet Regencies, with a charming center of fluff and gossip and plenty of tart social commentary to be had. This isn’t my favorite among her works, but if you know what Allain does, then you know what you’re looking for – and should be happy to add it to your library.

Arabella Grant and her cousin, Lady Isabelle have been unburdened of the presence of Arabella’s wicked great-aunt, Isabelle’s mother, Lady Strickland. She has never allowed Arabella to forget that she is not nobility – her father eschewed an arranged union to marry an apothecary’s daughter, and Arabella has lived unhappily her aunt after her parents died when she was just three-years-old. Lady Strickland was no kinder to her own daughter and was forever denigrating the bookish, delicate Isabelle for her love of solitude. The old lady held both girls to extremely high social standards, who secretly impoverished Bella by witholding her inheritance, and her harsh treatment bonded them as tightly together as any two sisters. Now free, both women look forward to the joys of spinsterhood.

Unfortunately, another – kinder – great aunt wants Issie to make her delayed come out into London society. Issie fears her poor health will make this impossible, so the cousins decide to switch identities for the Season. Bella soon finds possible romance with Lord Brooke, while Issie begins to feel more than simple fondness for Dr. Jordan, who attends her. Will things change when each man learns who he’s really been courting?

This is classic Allain, right down to the dual romance and the sticky social morass our heroines find themselves in. It’s also just as witty and bright as the rest of her work, so fans will be likely be delighted to spend another afternoon with this latest novel. Ballrooms and quiet country lanes play equal part in the story, and the research always feels well-rounded.

The romance is sweet, but the relationship between the cousins even sweeter. The sisterhood here on display is quite powerful, and I really wanted Bella and Issie to find real love. But there are some some pacing issues here and there, and it doesn’t have the spark of Mr. Malcolm’s List. But The Wrong Lady for Lord Right will likely enchant any fan of historical romance who approaches it with an open heart.