Like in Love with You
A Novel
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4.0 • 1 Rating
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
Mean Girls meets Northanger Abbey in this sharp and sexy Regency Romance that begs the question: what if Cady and Regina just… kissed?
When Catherine Pine relocates to Bath in 1817, she comes face-to-face with her mother’s arch nemesis and her daughter—the wildly popular Lady Rosalie. Twenty-five years after a horrible betrayal, Catherine’s mother sees the perfect opportunity for revenge: Catherine must win the favor of Lady Rosalie’s suitor and unofficial betrothed, the most eligible Mr. Dean.
Only Catherine soon discovers that Lady Rosalie is by far the wittiest, cleverest, most intriguing young woman Catherine’s ever met, and she’s instantly smitten. Which is a problem.
Meanwhile, Lady Rosalie feels trapped in her relationship with Mr. Dean and in her role as Bath’s resident mean girl. But when she notices newcomer Catherine gunning for her spot as queen bee, Rosalie finally feels a spark again–something she absolutely doesn’t want to extinguish.
As Rosalie and Catherine circle Mr. Dean, and their mothers force them into increasingly absurd contests of wit and feminine charms, the two women somehow find themselves falling for each other, scheme, by barb, by catty jab…
Is it possible that their sizzling rivalry can become a match to last?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Alban (You're the Problem, It's You) continues to playfully evoke modern themes through a queer historical lens in this sapphic Regency romance. Bookish and talented Catherine Pine moves with her family to Bath and is thrust into the same social season as wealthy, beautiful Lady Rosalie Tisend, the daughter of the woman her mother has despised since she "ruined entire life" 25 years earlier. Rosalie's mother pushes her toward the dull and taciturn Mr. Dean, who is "by far the best prize in Bath." Meanwhile, Catherine's mother encourages her to try to steal Rosalie's suitor as revenge. But over the course of musical salons, outings, and shopping expeditions, the girls discover a mutual disdain for men and a growing fondness for each other. Feelings unearthed, the story pivots to their outrageous schemes to dissuade Mr. Dean from interest in either of them, with plenty of secret trysts along the way. Alban makes good use of the classic Regency setup of the hyper-competitive marriage mart while establishing her heroines' chemistry from the start. The equal parts dreamy and well-earned happy ending includes a reconciliation for the older generation and the couple's quiet acceptance by their families and friends. It's delicious.
