Lady for a Season (Regency Outsiders #1) by Melissa Addey

ABOUT THE BOOK

A young duke declared mad. His nurse masquerading as a lady. One social season in which to marry him off. What could possibly go wrong?

When foundling Maggie takes a job caring for Edward, she knows him only as a young man declared mad and kept privately under the care of a physician to avoid any scandal for his family.

But Edward is the heir to the Duke of Buckingham and when his father dies his family determine to marry him off to secure the title and the estate. Edward insists that Maggie stay by his side, so she must be passed off as a lady for one social season, during which time a marriage can be arranged.

When a midnight carriage comes for Maggie, is she ready for the makeover of a lifetime? Can she remember all the rules, keep the secrets of Atherton Park… and above all, avoid falling in love?

A delightful Regency romance, full of historical detail and emotional choices, as two downtrodden characters come to know their true worth and what they mean to each other. The Season has begun, the ton is gathered… and the clock is ticking for Maggie and Edward.

MY REVIEW

I adored this original story between a broken man feared to be a lunatic and a lonely woman determined to help him become the man he is intended to be.

Maggie is Edward’s savior. She is the only person who ever treated him like a human and cared for him without wanting anything in return. Her unwavering dedication to Edward not only depicts her kindness but also reflects her remarkable bravery and intelligence. What she sacrifices to keep the nasty Dr. Morrison away from Edward is brilliant and extremely selfless. Her ability to extend an olive branch to Edward’s mother reflects her emotional maturity and wisdom beyond her years.

Oh, Edward. Poor Edward. The inhuman “treatments” he endured challenged his sanity, yet his unwavering inner strength and the compassion of Maggie became his guiding lights. The ordeal he faced was difficult to stomach, invoking my empathy and admiration for his bravery. The torture could have shattered a weaker man’s spirit, yet he prevailed. Witnessing Edward’s triumph over his fears and oppressors is deeply satisfying and it was gratifying to see him finally admit his feelings to Maggie despite everything he had to lose.

Kudos to Ms. Addey’s beautiful story with compelling characters and a captivating plot. Her work evokes raw and powerful emotions delving into the human experience, and exploring themes of mental illness, love, and the resilience of the human spirit.

If you seek a rare gem that has the power to touch your heart and leave a lasting impression, pick up this inspiring read.

Thank you to Ms. Addey for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

Regency Outsiders Series

1 Lady for a Season (2024)
2 The Viscount’s Pearl (2025) – My review

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Melissa grew up and was home educated on an Italian hill farm. She now lives in London with her husband, two children and a black and white cat called Holly who enjoys the editing process as there is so much scrap paper involved.

She mainly writes historical fiction, inspired by what she calls ‘the footnotes of history’: forgotten stories or part-legends about interesting people and places. She has a PhD in Creative Writing, and enjoys moving from one historical era to another, finding stories to share, like a travelling minstrel. So far she’s been to Ancient Rome, medieval Morocco and 18th century China. Lady for a Seasonis her first Regency romance, although her books have always had a romantic streak to them. Join her on her travels: browse her books.

Follow Melissa on her website and Facebook.