Masquerade

Masquerade
By Nancy Moser
Bethany House, 2010. 400 pgs. Fiction

Financial problems and personal scandal have left Charlotte Gleason's family on the outskirts of polite society in England, and Charlotte's parents feel that the only thing they can do to help their daughter now is to arrange a marriage for her with a wealthy American who doesn't know of their family's predicament. Charlotte, reluctant to marry for any reason other than love, is sent across the Atlantic, along with her maid, Dora, who she persuades to switch place with her upon arrival in the States. So Dora assumes Charlotte's place, being courted by wealthy Conrad, while missing a man she met on their voyage from England, and Charlotte becomes Lottie Hathaway and finds herself quickly becoming acquainted with the real world, beyond the pampering she's become accustomed to.

I found Charlotte to be a somewhat grating character, as it took her most of the book to become less selfish and think about someone besides herself, so it was good that half of the story was told through Dora, since she was a much more likable character, and I could step away from Charlotte to look at Dora's situation instead. The story is slightly predictable, but at the same time, it will still satisfy fans of historical romance who enjoy watching characters learn to follow God's plan for their lives, instead of following their own headstrong plans.

AE