She thought the mask would protect her identity, but she underestimated his determination to discover who she was.Peter Blythe, Earl of Rockwell fled England when he was thrown over in favor of his father. Now after nearly ten years, he has returned to England to assume his family title. When he asks a young woman to dance at a masquerade ball, he is intrigued by her wit and charm. The only … charm. The only problem is she refuses to give him her name.
When Lady Caroline unexpectedly meets the man she has always loved at a masquerade ball and he does not recognize her, she is determined to keep her name a secret. What starts out as a game soon becomes much more when she realizes she still loves him, all the while knowing if he knew her true identity, he would never feel the same for her.
When they both return home to their neighboring estates for the holidays, acquaintances from years past threaten to sever more than just their childhood friendship.
Unmasking Lady Caroline is the first book in the Belles of Christmas series and is a standalone Regency holiday romance. The series can be enjoyed in any order:
Unmasking Lady Caroline by Mindy Burbridge Strunk, Book 1
Goodwill for the Gentleman by Martha Keyes, Book 2
The Earl’s Mistletoe Match by Ashtyn Newbold, Book 3
Nine Ladies Dancing by Deborah M. Hathaway, Book 4
A Duke for Lady Eve by Kasey Stockton, Book 5
more
For the most part, I enjoyed the book but the H was a little dense when it came to figuring out the identity of his masked lady.
I love this author’s writing style and this story holds true!
There is humor and romance that banters between characters.
The plot is well developed and is enjoyable. The locations are so well written that I could feel the cold and hear the sleigh in the snow.
I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Have you attended a masquerade ball?
I have never attended a masquerade ball but the first one in this story had me wishing I did. Peter did not recognize Lady Caroline when he asked her to dance and she did not tell him her true name. I’m sure if he recognized her or if she told him who she really was, this story would not have been all that interesting. Of course Ms Mindy Strunk is more clever than to reveal all the cards in the first hand. This plot had me intrigued to the point that I could not stop reading. Peter’s and Caroline’s romance was thwarted at almost every turn. Poor Peter tried so hard to tell Caroline how he was feeling but of course it didn’t happen the way he planned it. Strunk managed to fill these pages with wit and light comedy and yet I felt almost as frustrated as Peter and Caroline. When I feel the feelings in a book I know it was written well, and I definitely felt them. I was very entertained as I knew I would be as I was in many of Strunk’s other books I have read. I can easily recommend this book especially during this holiday season.
This story didn’t always hold my interest. There were several cute scenes. Sometimes the kissing got a little much for me. Overall it was clean, so I’ll try some others by this author.
I enjoyed reading this book. My only wish is that in the end, her mother could’ve acknowledged that she made a good match, or at least been told off for how mean she’d been all that time.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Entertaining with romance, intrigue for an easy summer read. Characters were well developed in the story and there was enough intrigue to keep one’s interest.
Excellent story and the characters were very likeable. Happy ending.
A sweet Romance
Unmasking Lady Caroline (Belles of Christmas #1) by Mindy Burbidge Strunk is a Regency romance. A masquerade ball, a handsome nobleman, a childhood friend now grown, a protective brother, a hateful mother, and Christmas traditions make a deliciously sweet read.
A fun holiday read, quick and of quality. Entertaining.
TITLE: An exciting journey discovering the Lady behind the mask!
l loved the set-up for the story:
Lady Caroline Trowbridge, a 23 year old lady, has declined 3 proposals, as they ‘did not suit’. When her childhood sweetheart returns after a 10 year absence, dare she hope he will now see her as more than the little tag-along she had been when they were growing up? A masked ball where he does not recognized “Little Lady Caroline” but is attracted to this mysterious lady behind a mask, is the setting for their meeting. Complications ensue: a teenage French Ward for Peter, a step-mother that wants to become Peter’s wife, and a brother that doesn’t quite trust Peter with his sister’s heart—all these make the path to a HEA quite interesting reading.
The main characters were well drawn and easily “relatable”. An enjoyable, clean read, that readers of all ages will enjoy.
Heartwarming story! My first read by this author and can’t wait to read more!
An addictive read I didn’t want to put down. If you like regency romance then you’ll love this one!
Lady Caroline is at a masquerade ball when she meets an old friend and neighbor, except he doesn’t recognize her, in a spot of fun she doesn’t tell him her name instead saying to call her ‘Miss Tree’. Peter has come back to England after years away and goes to one ball on the way home, he is intrigued by the girl he meets, if only he knew her name. As they both head home for Christmas will they meet again and will Peter work out who his mystery lady is?
I definitely recommend this read!
“Unmasking Lady Caroline” by Mindy Burbidge Strunk
So glad I downloaded this KU story. It was a delightfully sweet, clean, Regency romance read with the usual amount of twists and turns… Not too long and not too short a read and well worth the read ! !
This is a clean romance with some fun back and forth banter between the main characters, Lady Caroline and Lord Rockwell (Peter).
Lady Caroline had a childhood crush on Peter who was her older brother’s best friend. When he left ten years earlier, she was heartbroken. Now she was practically “on the shelf” in her early 20s and had not met another man who stirred those same feelings. At a masquerade ball in London, she met Peter again. She knew it was him but he didn’t recognize her so she created “Miss Tree” or mystery. Peter was determined to find out who she was because she so intrigued him.
There is so much more to the story and while it is somewhat predictable in its conclusion, it is a wonderful feel good romance for the holidays.
I checked this book out from the Kindle Lender’s Library and I look forward to reading to other titles in this series.
I loved the characters in this book! They were delightful. This book was well-written, clean, had a sweet love story, and a wonderful happy ending. I definitely recommend it! A perfect Christmas, or anytime, read.
I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions are my own and are expressed voluntarily.
Mindy Burbidge Strunk always does a good job of keeping her characters just inside the constrains of the society rules of the time. I enjoy how they just skirt around the edge of impropriety. Her stories contain the right amount of humor, romance and tension. It is amazing how sweet and caring Caroline is considering her mother. All stories need a villain and this one contains two, Lady Killingworth and Lady Rockwell. I enjoyed this book.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were great and so was the storyline.
Peter has been away for 10 years. He has come home to assume the role of the Earl in his father’s place.
He had been in love with another who threw him over for his father. She was the reason he left home and the reason he had not returned until now. He goes to London and attends a masquerade party where he meets a lady. He is intrigued by her. She will not tell him who she is. She tells him her name is Miss Tree as in mys–tery.
Caroline has loved Peter since they were kids. She finds she still loves him but doesn’t think he could love her in return.
I recommend this book to all who like good clean reading with a happy ever after.