MASQUERADE AT MIDDLECREST ABBEY, by Abigail Wilson, Thomas Nelson, May 26, 2020, Paperback, $15.99 (Young Adult/ New Adult/ Adult)
From time to time, I review books that are intended for adults but might appeal to younger readers. Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey, by Abigail Wilson, is one such book.
Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey is a Regency romance that follows a young unwed mother as she finds herself forced to marry a spy.
When the widowed Lord Torrington agreed to spy for the crown, he never planned to impersonate a highwayman, let alone rob the wrong carriage. Stranded on the road with an unconscious young woman, he is forced to propose marriage to protect his identity and her reputation, as well as his dangerous mission.
Trapped not only by her duty to her country but also by her limited options as an unwed mother, Miss Elizabeth Cantrell and her infant son are whisked away to Middlecrest Abbey by none other than the elder brother of her son’s absent father. There she is met by Torrington’s beautiful grown daughters, a vicious murder, and an urgent hunt for the missing intelligence that could turn the war with France. Meanwhile she must convince everyone that her marriage is a genuine love match if her new husband has any hope of uncovering the enemy.
Determined to keep her son’s true identity a secret, Elizabeth will need to remain one step ahead of her fragile heart, her uncertain future, and the relentless fiend bent on her new family’s ruin. —Synopsis provided by Thomas Nelson
I’ve read a number of Regency romances that sort of build on what we all love about Jane Austen. In the case of Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey the sentiment is there, but it’s missing some of the magic.
The book is similar to those in Shadow Mountain Publishing’s Proper Romance series. It’s what’s considered “clean romance,” i.e. rated PG. The ending is somewhat predictable, but the ride there entertaining nonetheless.
The Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey is a nice escape — easy to read and not requiring much on the reader’s end. Its pacing is strong and characters likeable. I’d have no problem reading more from this author.
