A Matter of Class

By: Mary Balogh

Narrated by: Anne Flosnik

Length: 4 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

Reginald Mason is wealthy, refined, and, by all accounts, a gentleman. However, he is not a gentleman by birth, a factor that pains him and his father, Bernard Mason, within the Regency society that upholds station over all else. That is, until an opportunity for social advancement arises, namely, Lady Annabelle Ashton. Daughter of the Earl of Havercroft, a neighbor and enemy of the Mason family, Annabelle finds herself disgraced by a scandal, one that has left her branded as damaged goods. Besmirched by shame, the earl is only too happy to marry Annabelle off to anyone willing to have her.

Though Bernard wishes to use Annabelle to propel his family up the social ladder, his son does not wish to marry her, preferring instead to live the wild, single life he is accustomed to. With this, Bernard serves his son an ultimatum: marry Annabelle, or make do without family funds. Having no choice, Reginald consents, and enters into a hostile engagement in which the prospective bride and groom are openly antagonistic, each one resenting the other for their current state of affairs while their respective fathers revel in their suffering.

So begins an intoxicating tale rife with dark secrets, deception, and the trials of love - a story in which very little is as it seems.

©2009 Mary Balogh (P)2009 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Great story

Loved this book. Did not see the surprise ending coming until almost the end. with most books you have figured it out far earlier. I wish it was longer though I guess it was the perfect length given the plot. didn't realize until I had paid for it that it was so short.

disappointing

I do not like Anne Flosnik she ruins the story. I like the story when I read it years ago. but could hardly finish the audio version.

Lovely lovely book

Wonderful characters, terrific story, perfect narrator. Was just a joy to listen to! Recommended wholeheartedly

Matter of Class

I enjoyed this story, but I felt that the accent by the performer was forced.

Annaaaa

Say it like you're trying to have BM. Sums it up. I'll have to read this on my own and hopefully I can banish that voice from my head. It's a slightly clever story. I wish I had read it instead.

Another Mary Balogh masterpiece

I'm really growing to like Mary Balogh quite a bit. She writes sweet love stories that have witty characters. And, although she includes a steamy scene or two, she doesn't rely too heavily on sex to write a convincing love story. This story was really fun. The ending put a spin on how historical fiction-romance normally plays out. I only wish it was longer!

Mary did well

What did you love best about A Matter of Class?

It did not fit the normal historical story line.

Have you listened to any of Anne Flosnik’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I actually really like the way she narrates. I feel she fits the genre really well.

Any additional comments?

I just love the twist.

Cute twist on the Victorian novel.

What did you love best about A Matter of Class?

I enjoyed the characters and the storyline as well as the descriptive writing.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Annabelle because she has a lot of "pluck!

Which character – as performed by Anne Flosnik – was your favorite?

Ann Flosnik does all the characters well. She is a true professional and I adore her narrations.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

NO FILM! I like my imagination better.

Any additional comments?

This novel is short and sweet, great for a Sunday afternoon. I was quilting while listening to the book. It made for a wonderfully sweet, content day.

Every bit a delight

A novella with a swoon-worthy HEA especially the ending. Ms. Balogh surely develops characters full of life and prejudice and love in all her novels. This slightly shorter version of same brought the same generous experience as Ms. Balogh's novels.

okay

Somewhat interesting, but not a great book. It wasn't the reader's fault (the reader was good) but the fault of the author. The storyline seemed to be contrived to center around three or four graphic sex scenes, but no real substance.