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Mary Balogh
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A Masked Deception Mass Market Paperback – February 5, 1985

by Mary Balogh (Author)
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 1,319 ratings
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Shy, demure Margaret Wells claimed the hand of dashing Richard Adair while a masked Jezebel claimed his heart. How could either of the two admit they were the same person in love with one man? A Regency romance.
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  1. Print length
    224 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Signet
  4. Publication date
    February 5, 1985
  5. Dimensions
    7 x 1 x 5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0451160622
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0451160621
  8. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Signet; First Edition (February 5, 1985)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0451160622
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0451160621
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7 x 1 x 5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 1,319 ratings

About the author

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Mary Balogh

Mary Balogh

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Mary Balogh is a New York Times bestselling author. A former teacher, she grew up in Wales and now lives in Canada. Visit her website at www.marybalogh.com

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
1,319 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy the book and find it an engaging read with a good storyline. They appreciate the interesting concept and consider it an introduction to the romance genre. Opinions differ on the character development - some find them well-developed and marvelous, while others find them unlikable or silly. There are mixed views on the humor - some find it funny and fun, while others find it silly or overwrought. There are also mixed reviews on the writing quality - some find it good, while others mention editing errors and typos.

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ReadabilityStory lengthConceptCharacter developmentHumorWriting quality
31 customers mention "Readability"25 positive6 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find the story engaging and mention it's a pleasant read. Readers also appreciate the author's work and find it fun and enjoyable.

"...Its a quick read for a rainy day" Read more

"...I loved Charles. His character was sweet and fun and he was a great all around guy...." Read more

"...It is not all that pleasant a story but it was very good. It's a sign of things to come...." Read more

"...Not perfect, but immensely engaging and worth spending time with...." Read more

20 customers mention "Story length"15 positive5 negative

Customers enjoy the story's length. They find the plot engaging with lots of intrigue and believable miscommunication. The story is not too long, and it ends at 93%. Readers appreciate the historical romance with suspense and a sweet love story.

"This is just a sweet love story. Not much of a plot or character development but I enjoyed the story. Its a quick read for a rainy day" Read more

"...the type of characters that provide the balance and rounding out to any good storyline. I loved Charles...." Read more

"...It is not all that pleasant a story but it was very good. It's a sign of things to come...." Read more

"...I enjoy the mysteries of each book, exploring different t countrysides and all from a carriage rather than a car." Read more

8 customers mention "Concept"6 positive2 negative

Customers find the concept interesting. They describe it as an introduction to the romance genre with true Regency sensibilities. The book is praised for its wit and intelligence, making it a go-to read for readers looking for a happy read.

"...people plunked down in the regency period, but were possessed of true regency sensibilities...." Read more

"...I bought this book late at night when I thought the concept sounded good...." Read more

"...It was so disorganised I was very confused. I thought the confusing part was that they never recognized each other ...." Read more

"My first romance book and quite an introduction to the genre and to someone who has become one of my favorite authors...." Read more

15 customers mention "Character development"8 positive7 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the character development in the book. Some find the characters wonderful and marvelous, while others find the hero unlikable and the female protagonist pitiful. There are differing views on the plot and character development, but most readers enjoyed the secondary cast of characters.

"...I loved Charles. His character was sweet and fun and he was a great all around guy...." Read more

"This is just a sweet love story. Not much of a plot or character development but I enjoyed the story. Its a quick read for a rainy day" Read more

"I have really enjoyed this storyline and series of books. The characters are strong, you get to live vicariously in another age, and there is no..." Read more

"...reason I didn't give this book one star was because of the secondary cast of characters, most of whom I liked but especially Richard's friend and..." Read more

8 customers mention "Humor"4 positive4 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the humor in the book. Some find it funny and engaging, while others find it silly, overdone, and unfunny.

"...should be more "ending" But this has more of the chaos and humor than the later ones...." Read more

"...once I started to read it in the light of day it proved to be very overwrought. I finished it out of pure curiosity, but was horrified by the ending...." Read more

"A funny quick read, while at the same time addressing the inequality between men and women in marriage and the notion of what makes a good marriage." Read more

"...Writing: Very awkward, particularly the dialogue Premise: Ridiculous!..." Read more

6 customers mention "Writing quality"4 positive2 negative

Customers have mixed reviews about the writing quality. Some praise the unique plot and good writing, while others mention editing errors and typos throughout the ebook edition.

"Mary Balogh continues to be a good writer. This book was okay, but not in my favorite list." Read more

"...It could also use a little editing as I noticed numerous typos throughout the ebook edition. Ages: Margaret (25) Richard (33)..." Read more

"...Her later works are insightful and beautifully written, my go-to books for wit, Intelligence and feeling happy with the world...." Read more

"Unique plot; good writing but appalling hero...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Callie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Liked the book
    Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Margaret Wells six years ago met Richard the Earl of Brampton at a masquerade and fell in love. She did not let him see her face or tell him her name. She was still in love with him at 25. Richard's mother wanted him to marry to produce a heir, so he picks Margaret a woman undesirable to him never knowing she was the one six years ago. He had a mistress and he sees her constantly up to the wedding planning on keeping her . He is not even sure if he can bed Margaret he can but treats her as an object. He does go back to his mistress one more time faithful, this man isn't . I did not like it but book was written with it was common to do so.
    Charlotte Margaret's sister talks Meg into posing as Marie Antoinette again and to meet Richard . She goes to Vauxhall Gardens where she knows he is. They meet and he is in love as much as her. She wears a mask he never expects that she is is his wife, he commits adultery with his own wife. She finally tells him after several trysts she can't see him again. Charles his brother is back from the war so he, Charlotte and. Dev cause some mix ups in the story. I wish the ending was longer Richard has found out that Meg is his angel he thinks she is a slut now. He is being unfaithful to his wife she at least knows it is him.she finally lets him have it for the way he has being treating her.The conflict and infedelity only had pages at the end to resolve. I thought she should have written more so you knew he was sorry. I still liked the book not his cheating.u
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Sweet
    Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This is just a sweet love story. Not much of a plot or character development but I enjoyed the story. Its a quick read for a rainy day
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  • Judge Tabor
    3.0 out of 5 stars Deceitful Husband and Wimpy Wife - Delightful Secondary Characters Can't Salvage This Book
    Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I read somewhere this book was Balogh's first published book. If that's the case, then I'm willing to give her a break as I write this review. After buying this book and reading it yesterday, I was ready to give it two stars primarily because the hero, Richard, is a big jerk and the heroine, Margaret, is a wimp, pure and simple. Supposedly, the book was first published in 1985 - more than 30 years ago. Once I began reading, although I didn't like how things were going, I had to finish to see how Balogh would work it all out.

    ***Spoilers*** I strongly dislike books where the main guy doesn't give up his mistress once he's married. Yes, Richard did eventually give her up, but he had to have one last go at her - in fact, three times in one visit. However, most of the book was taken up with his fascination with a woman he had met years previously at a Masquerade Ball but had never seen again although he searched throughout London to try and find her. It was of course, Margaret. After Richard and Margaret are married, Margaret decides she will attempt to captivate her husband by masquerading again as the lady who had the "one moment in time" with Richard years previously. Richard falls hard in love with that woman when he comes across her at Vauxhall, not realizing it's his wife. Yes, they meet and do stuff, but he doesn't realize he's having sex with his own wife. So, basically, he was an adulterer in his heart.

    However, the secondary players in the book, in particular, Devin, Richard's close friend and his brother, Charles, were awesome and exactly the type of characters that provide the balance and rounding out to any good storyline. I loved Charles. His character was sweet and fun and he was a great all around guy. Devin was more serious and couldn't understand the game Richard was playing. Well, neither could I. And then, toward the end, Richard tries to put the blame on Margaret for being a slutty wife??? Finally, she manages to come up with some gumption and gives Richard what for, so that was pleasant, albeit a bit too late for my enjoyment.
    14 people found this helpful
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  • Margot B.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good Storyline
    Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I have really enjoyed this storyline and series of books. The characters are strong, you get to live vicariously in another age, and there is no Covid. I enjoy the mysteries of each book, exploring different t countrysides and all from a carriage rather than a car.
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  • cd
    4.0 out of 5 stars Debut book
    Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This book is a hard look at a marriage of convenience with a somewhat rushed happy ever after.

    If you are not familiar with this author, I would recommend you treat yourself to her newer works before reading this.

    If you are familiar with the author, I highly recommend this book. This is one of her earliest if not the earliest published story.

    It is not all that pleasant a story but it was very good. It's a sign of things to come.

    I am a big fan of the author so I will not hesitate to recommend this book.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • ajm72meme
    5.0 out of 5 stars Real people
    Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    What I enjoy the most about Balogh's books-and this is no exception-is that she devlops each character-major or minor-as real people. Not perfect, but immensely engaging and worth spending time with. I have read this tale at least 3 times, and each time I find myself wishing I could meet these characters. Immensely satisfying and strongly recommended.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Cheryl
    5.0 out of 5 stars An early Balogh favorite
    Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I read this a long time ago, and it had a storyline that stayed with me over the years, but I couldn't remember the name of the book or author.

    I liked that the characters were not modern people plunked down in the regency period, but were possessed of true regency sensibilities. Balogh's characters demonstrated personal growth, and it is no surprise that she developed into one of the best writers of the genre.

    I gave five stars based on when she wrote this novel and because I always remembered it. (If she wrote it today, I would expect a more mature read.)
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars New or early Balogh never gets old.
    Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Love reading reissues of these early works. Seeing set change a little is fun. Msg and Richard show more of the newer books and series. It's just seems a bit short and there should be more "ending" But this has more of the chaos and humor than the later ones. Later more character development but ALL hard to put down once you start and always a great re-read.
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars it is not a love match but she is a lady and needs marriage ...
    Reviewed in Canada on August 25, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    a wife is married to bring heirs to the family dynasty. it is not a love match but she is a lady and needs marriage to give her a home. her husband is sure that that marriage bed is distasteful to her [after all she's a lady]. so he performs his duty with no love or warmth. somehow she feels something is missing.
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  • Linda Gilmore
    5.0 out of 5 stars HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 26, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Another hit by Mary BALOGH. This was a lovely story with lots of twists to it and it nearly ended in tragedy for the two main characters. Well worth a read. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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  • Bücherliebe
    4.0 out of 5 stars Betrug und Täuschung unter Blaublütern
    Reviewed in Germany on November 6, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Immer wenn ich mal wieder eine richtig gute Regency-Romance lesen möchte, kehre ich gerne zu M.B. zurück. Wie man aus amerikanischen Rezis entnehmen kann, war dies ihr erstes veröffentlichtes Buch. Auch hier wurde kräftig an den Gefühlsstrippen des Lesers gezogen, aber romantisch fand ich diese Geschichte nur bedingt. Die meiste Zeit haben sich mir durch die Aktionen der Beteiligten die Nackenhaare aufgestellt. Ich würde das Buch fast ins Genre „Dark Romance“ einordnen, denn es war stellenweise echt deprimierend zu lesen.
    Im Mittelpunkt steht Lord Brampton, dessen Familie ihn als Oberhaupt der Sippe mit seinen 33 Jahren endlich zu einer Heirat und Kindern drängt, um den Fortbestand der Linie zu sichern. Lord Brampton war schon immer ein echter Schwerenöter und blieb mir die meiste Zeit über regelrecht unsympatisch. Vor sechs Jahren hatte er sich Hals über Kopf in eine unbekannte maskierte Dame verliebt, deren Identität er jedoch nie ausfindig machen konnte.
    Jetzt heiratet er Lady Margaret nur, um seiner Pflicht nachzukommen, das Kinderzimmer mit Erben zu füllen. Lady Margret ist mit ihren 25 Jahren eine nicht mehr ganz so junge Adelige, sittsam und unterwürfig erzogen. Er liebt sie nicht, findet sie anfangs gar nicht anziehend und wenig ansprechend, da sie sich recht spießig kleidet und sich standesgemäß sehr zurückhaltend verhält. Aber Lady Margaret ist die maskierte Unbekannte von vor sechs Jahren, nur erkennt Brampton sie nicht wieder.
    Die regelmäßigen, kurzen und leidenschaftslosen Begegnungen im Ehebett läßt Margaret dann auch mehr als unerfüllt zurück, da ihr Mann bemüht ist, sie so wenig wie möglich anzufassen, um ihr unnötige Scham zu ersparen. Um das zu verstehen, muss man sich in die Geflogenheiten dieser Zeitepoche hineindenken. Es geziemte sich für Ladies nicht, dass sie sexuelle Lust zeigten. Diese zartbesaiteten Ehefrauen mussten in der Hinsicht geschont werden. Es war gesellschaftlich heimlich akzeptiert, dass bedeutende Männer sich Mätressen hielten, um sich abzureagieren. Auch hatten ihre Gemahlinnen über Seitensprünge hinwegzusehen und nach aussen hin den Schein zu wahren.
    Doch in Margret schlummert Leidenschaft und eine tiefe Sehnsucht, geliebt zu werden und Zuneigung zu verspüren. Da sie ihren Mann liebt, schmiedet sie einen Verführungsplan. Sie verkleidet sich wieder als die unbekannte maskierte Dame und trifft sich mit ihrem Mann, der aber denkt, es handelt sich um eine Fremde. Warum Margaret sich nicht entliebt hat, blieb mir ein Rätsel...
    Es ist also kein gewöhnlicher Plot. Es geht um Betrug, Fremdgehen und Täuschung. Darum habe ich anfangs gedacht, mehr als zwei Sterne könnten es nicht werden. Doch ich war so in das Geschehen hineingezogen, dass ich immer weiter lesen musste. Auch wenn ich die meisten Handlungen der Personen befremdlich fand, so war es doch kurzweilig und unterhaltsam. Für volle Punktzahl hätte es einfach mehr FeelGood sein müssen.
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  • lisa
    4.0 out of 5 stars Dowdy heroine with a hot hubby
    Reviewed in Australia on October 14, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    The first scene in this book has Robert, Earl of Brampton proposing to dowdy Margaret Wells out of a sense of duty. He is depressed at the thought of marrying Margaret and can't wait to get back to his hot mistress. Margaret on the other hand has been secretly in love with Robert ever since they smooched at a masquerade ball six years ago.

    With such a beginning it is hard to see how the lead characters can ever have a good relationship, and it's this thrilling tension the author does so well. Overall this is a very enjoyable book and I would recommend it.

    However there are annoying aspects. Margaret is a sensible heroine yet she makes really dumb mistakes, choosing the hard path when an easier one is at hand, presumably to keep the plot going. She also enjoys her husbands mechanical 30 second bonking which I just didn't believe.
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  • mj
    5.0 out of 5 stars Perfecto
    Reviewed in Spain on August 10, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Perfecto. Es uno de los primeros libros de la autora y los han vuelto a publicar, me ha parecido una historia genial muy buena del género de Regencia que es mi preferido. Me gustaría que lo publicasen en español pero mientras tanto lo he podido leer y comprender bien.
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