I appreciated the historical details, especially those that highlighted the differences between the socioeconomic classes in both British and American societies. Though the first third of the book extensively focused on the trade that Lottie and Dora would eventually make, the book did pick up some speed later on. The cross-cultural interactions were interesting to read about, and if readers want to know more about clothing, there is quite a bit of information included. Lottie is admittedly not the most likeable character when we first meet her, but the spiritual changes she undergoes make her journey more worthwhile to read. The deception between the young women eventually takes a toll and the book is clear about how the truth will set people free. Ultimately, the happily-ever-afters show how the plans of the Lord will always prevail over our own plans and schemes. ( )

Poolside read

A very light read. Lottie is so spoiled and privileged that I couldn't sympathise with her. Her experiences in NY were definitely the making of her. I appreciated the quiet references to the Christian faith and prayer.

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed reading this novel by the end of it. The beginning is a bit slow and dry, as Moser sets up the background information and almost struggles to get the reader to "side" with the main character Charlotte Gleason by using her maid's voice to excuse Charlotte's "spoiled rich girl" behavior. I really have a hard time buying the lines that Charlotte really is a good person even though she chooses to be naive about the world she lives in because she feels helpless to enact change. But what happens to her family to force her to travel to America is just the thing to wake her up to the real world and her own responsibilities in it.
I feel much more sympathetic to Dora Conners' plight, as she has little to no say in her life and what Charlotte forces on her, even if it does seem to benefit Dora in theory. To be forced into a position in which she has to lie about who she is and where she is from by her "boss" is atrocious, no matter how much a "friendship" has been built between them. In addition, the endgame is that she is expected to give of her own body to a man in marriage who does not even know who she really is - it's completely shameful.
The parallel way that the story is told once the girls get to America is quite interesting, especially how their paths intersect in seemingly coincidental ways, such as the sweat shop where Charlotte works temporarily manufacturing the clothes that Dora orders from the Tremaine's department store. The more that Charlotte suffers and the guiltier she feels for the lies she has told and has also forced on Dora makes me like her more for the maturation in character she experiences.
In contrast, I have a hard time blaming Dora for the choices she has to make while living in the Tremaine household given her circumstances. She was made to come to this place and perform to certain expectations, and she has no backup plan should she decide to do otherwise. The guilt she feels despite her lack of personal choice in the matter only make her more likeable to the reader. Given where she is from and what is being handed to her, there are not many who would fault her for going along with the "masquerade."
In the end, the goal of both girls is true love over financial stability, and since I am a romantic at heart, I can't help but approve of the ending. ( )

When family financial difficulties and scandal threaten to decimate Charlotte Gleason’s current and future social standing and security in England, her family sends her to America with her personal maid to secure the hand of the wealthy Tremaine heir. On the voyage over, she concocts a plan to trade places with her maid – trying her hand at living an independent life in New York while her maid – Dora – assumes her identity and travels to the Tremaine’s to see if their son Conrad is the man for her. Needless to say, this quickly becomes a sticky wicket as both young women are trapped in the deception and surprised by the new lives they find.

I like Nancy Moser. I like historical fiction set in the Gilded Age. I have truly enjoyed several of her novels and they have found permanent spaces in my bookshelf. I’m afraid that Masquerade hasn’t. Moser seems to have focused more upon historical detail and fashion (both fun in their own right) than she has upon character development. Charlotte makes very choppy, and somewhat unrealistic changes – mainly during her voyage to America. Dora is believable, as is Conrad and the Italian family Charlotte (Lottie) finds refuge with, but the others are sorely underdeveloped.

This in turn leads to unbelievable and hastily assembled romantic developments and more of a ‘fairy-tale’ story feel than one of a rich, fully developed novel. The budding feelings between two of the characters that do NOT end up together is more realistic than any of the characters that DO end up together. I don’t want to include a spoiler here, but after reading the author’s note at the end of the novel I can see why that is – the final pairing was an unexpected development that occurred to her only once a good portion of the novel had been written. I’m afraid it shows in the writing.

That being said, this is still a nice story, and a sweet tale. The spirit of the American immigrants included within its pages is inspiring, but I’m afraid that despite the delectable cover (I was so looking forward to this one) Masquerade reads as though it was more hastily written than other works of Moser’s that I have enjoyed.

Reviewed at quiverfullfamily.com ( )

NCLA Review - A rich English society girl sets off for America for an arranged marriage. On the way, she and her companion maid decide to switch places. History comes alive as one experiences the great wealth of the Gilded Age and the fantastic fashion of the day, while the other experiences extreme poverty as an immigrant. God works in the lives of these two young women as they eventually find love and purpose in life and learn to be true to themselves. Discussion questions at the end help readers focus on main points in the book. Rating: 4 —BE ( )