PERFIDY AND PERFECTION

Author: Kate Allan ISBN: 0709080166 4/2006 HISTORICAL Publisher: ROBERT HALE BOOKS
Time Period: Regency

At the time of Jane Austen, in the middle of England, in Middleton village, the rector's daughter keeps a shameful secret – she's a novelist. Sophy Grantchester needs inspiration for her next book. It arrives in the form of her rakish cousin, Lord Hart. She writes him into her story – and unwittingly, her heart. He's surprised to fall for his poor and proper cousin but she can't be a wife – no man would tolerate her novel writing, especially not one who scorns the idea that a woman could write a book worth reading! But he's determined to win her – and resorts to devious means. She could have told him that trickery is no recipe for success in love…

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

If you're a fan of the works of Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer, and other female writers of that era, then you're sure to enjoy PERFIDY AND PERFECTION, a Regency era romance whose heroine, Sophy, writes secretly under a man's pseudonym. Well written, with likeable characters and a plot that works surprisingly well, PERFIDY AND PERFECTION is entertaining and enjoyable, though a little slow to go.

Both Lord Hart and Sophy are interesting characters—he's the epitome of a rakish, bad boy aristocrat, and Sophy is the determined daughter of a rector. It's fun watching as it dawns upon Lord Hart that Sophy's his perfect match, but even more so watching his attempts to convince her that he's the man she should marry. Sophy, for her part, is more inclined to become a spinster. She loves her writing for more than just the money it brings, and let's face it—what early 19th century husband would allow his wife to continue on in such a scandalous and no-females-allowed profession? Add in a misunderstanding that occurs over a supposed past indiscretion of Lord Hart's, and all bets are off if these two will ever find their way to the alter.

Kate Allan has done a very good job in her salute to the likes of Austen with PERFIDY AND PERFECTION, with the only drawback for me being the slower pacing of the story. Aficionados of both English writers and Regency romances will find this book very much to their liking and a welcome addition to anyone's Regency romance collection.

Nancy Davis