Official Review: The Mask, A Regency Novella

Lovely_Ink · Post by **Lovely_Ink** » 29 May 2014, 21:10

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Mask, A Regency Novella" by Elizabeth A. Lance.]

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The Mask, A Regency Novella is a historical romance that explores the lives and relationships of a well to do class of individuals in the early 1800s. At the center of the story, a young woman is challenged with exploring her true personality while navigating the complexities of love and the expectations of her family and peers.

What is one to do when the love of youth no longer meshes with the realities of young adulthood. This is the dilemma that Henrietta Poole faces after being reunited with the childhood love that she has not seen in ten years. The older, more mature Henrietta is of age and must begin considering a mate before her mother’s interference forces her to choose convention over love.

As Henrietta deals with the social intricacies of courting and interacting with society’s elite, she is faced with the awkwardness she feels in interacting with the opposite sex. It is not until her chamber maid brings her a beautiful gift that she is transformed into a woman of that easily gains the attention of the eligible male suitors. It is behind the mask that Henrietta is transformed into a confident woman who interacts flirtatiously and easily with all that she comes in contact with. With so many new suitors and a new found sense of self, Henrietta must make a choice between what she always thought that she wanted and the new possibilities being presented to her.

Elizabeth A. Lance presents a charming love story between a man and woman who find one another when they were both looking for something else. Although the story is told during a different era and the characters are bound by the traditions and restrictions of the times, the dilemma that Henrietta faces in choosing between the love of her past and the potential of her future is something that every young single woman can relate to.

Lance’s novel is short in length but the reader is not left feeling as though the story was incomplete. The author uses the abbreviated format to introduce us to characters that are both clever and distinct in their individual personalities. I especially liked that the author kept to the language and expressions that are fitting with the time period and that the characters were able to express their feelings with modesty while still conveying passion. This was a well-written story and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a quick romantic read. I would rate this book 4 out of 4 stars.

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