A Noble Masquerade

Lady Miranda Hawthorne has spent years writing letters to her imaginary friend, the Duke of Marshington, as a way to express her true thoughts despite the constraints of proper society. When a mysterious new valet arrives at their estate, Miranda finds herself drawn into correspondence with him, not realizing his true identity. Set in Regency-era England, the story follows Miranda as she balances her duties as a lady, her role helping her younger sister prepare for her debut season, and her growing connection with the estate's new servant. Her carefully ordered world becomes increasingly complicated as she navigates matters of the heart while maintaining her noble facade. Hidden identities, secret correspondences, and questions of propriety drive this historical romance. The novel explores themes of authenticity versus social expectations, and how people choose to present themselves to the world.

Readers consistently describe this as a light, humorous Christian Regency romance that balances faith elements with romantic tension. Readers highlight: - The witty banter between leads - Miranda's secret letters and double life - Integration of faith without being preachy - Historical accuracy in manners and society - Character development, especially Miranda's growth Common criticisms: - Plot becomes predictable in later chapters - Some find the pacing slow in the middle - A few readers wanted more chemistry between leads - Some felt certain plot points were too convenient Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (850+ ratings) BookBub: 4.5/5 (300+ ratings) One frequent comment from reviewers: "The perfect balance of faith, romance and humor without being overly dramatic or unrealistic" (Goodreads reviewer Sarah M.) Several readers mentioned rereading it multiple times, with one Amazon reviewer noting "This is my comfort read when I need something uplifting."

The Secret of Pembrooke Park by Julie Klassen A young woman uncovers romance and mystery when she moves into an abandoned manor house in Regency England.

The Tutor's Daughter by Julie Klassen The daughter of a gentleman's tutor finds intrigue and love when she accompanies her father to a remote Cornwall estate to teach two young men.

A Lady of a Thousand Treasures by Sandra Byrd A Victorian-era curator must determine which artifacts in a collection are genuine while navigating her feelings for a nobleman suspected of theft.

The Lost Letter by Mimi Matthews A woman's discovery of an old love letter leads to romance with a withdrawn veteran in Victorian England.

The Convenient Marriage by Georgette Heyer A young noblewoman enters into a marriage of convenience with an earl, leading to misunderstandings and unexpected romance in Regency society.

🎭 While the book is set in Regency England (1811-1820), author Kristi Ann Hunter didn't start studying this historical period until after college, when she became fascinated with Jane Austen's works. 👗 The story's focus on proper etiquette and social rules reflects real historical practices - young ladies of the ton were expected to maintain strict decorum and often attended finishing schools to perfect their manners. 📝 This book is the first full-length novel in Hunter's Hawthorne House series, though it was preceded by a novella titled "A Lady of Esteem." 🎨 The cover art features a woman in a deep blue dress, which connects to the protagonist Lady Miranda's preference for wearing blue throughout the story. 🏰 Many scenes take place in London's Mayfair district, which remains one of the most expensive and prestigious areas of London today, just as it was during the Regency period.