Official Review: An Affair of Honour by Melanie Page

ananya92 · Post by **ananya92** » 15 Mar 2015, 11:56

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "An Affair of Honour" by Melanie Page.]

3 out of 4 stars

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An Affair of Honour by Melanie Page is a novel in the Regency romance/historical romance genre. The novel follows the story of Lady Kellam and Lord Orbury, on their journey to love.

Sophie, Lady Kellam, has borne the weight of the accusation, of being the reason for her husband’s untimely demise for five long years. Disowned by her family and friendless, she lives away from London and away from the scandal that forced her to exit the city in disgrace. Jerome Haasgarde, Lord Orbury approached her to make a business proposition but his plans change when he is impressed with the lady’s compassion. Now to aid her, they must go to London, and face the Ton. Will the old scandal and dangers skirting Sophie, separate them or will they defeat these barriers to unite in a happily ever after?

The elements that make up the storyline of this novel are quite common in historical romances. A heroine with a past, a dashing hero, the heroine’s compassion, the hero’s sense of honour, etc, is typical of the ingredients that make up Regency romances. However, the author has tried to give a typical story her own twist. The author’s treatment of issues like domestic violence, sexual abuse, gender inequality, etc in the nineteenth century is quite impressive. The female protagonist of this novel is a complicated character. Sophie is not someone who would see injustices being done and do nothing. Sophie would do all that she can, to help young girls overcome the tragedies of living in a very male dominated society, even if that would extend to breaking the law. The author has sketched an interesting character here. Sophie’s inability to fight injustices against herself, translated into an urge to help others who are victim of injustices of a patriarchal society. Sophie’s spirit and self-esteem is diminished to such an extent that she cannot defend herself, and the author has captured this emotion very tactfully.

There are other portions of the book which are quite likeable. The conversations flowing between Jerome and Sophie are quite witty. The side characters in the novel are also quite well sketched. The malice expressed by some of the characters towards Sophie, the twisted notion of family honour and the intention to punish Sophie for his brother’s death expressed by Hugh Kellam, is well captured by the author.

I am not huge fan of love-at-first sight romances, and hence I felt that Jerome’s perspective is not very well explained in the novel. Sophie’s side of the story, her emotions and her reasons for loving Jerome are well explained by the author, but Jerome is not provided with an equally sound perspective, which would explain his love for Sophie. Beyond admiration for Sophie, the author does not explain Jerome’s side of the story quite well.

I rate the novel 3 out of 4 for its chaste, sentimental and at places, heartwarming romance.

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An Affair of Honour
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