Unmasked by the Marquess

Between four and five stars.

I enjoyed this book very much, but it was slightly too angsty for me. I don't think this is a fair complaint, though, because it reminded me strongly of The Duchess War by Courtney Milan; I liked that book too, but I had the same problem with it. So, I'm probably objecting to genre conventions.

Nobody dies on-page or anything. But both characters were so miserable when they were forced to part that I honestly thought they were contemplating suicide, even though neither of them says that outright. This was too much sadness for me personally.

I am a cis reviewer but I thought the nonbinary rep was done well. Robin (Charity), who is AFAB, has lived almost full-time as a man for several years before the story begins. (She uses “she/her” pronouns throughout the book, and in her own mind.) She started doing this for reasons unrelated to gender, but it has become more comfortable to her than living as a woman. I got the impression that being fully seen as a man in everyday life wasn't really necessary for her; instead, she wanted to wear men's clothes. I don't know how she would define herself in modern terms.

Alistair accepts her gender and gender expression at every moment, which makes sense, because he is bisexual. He doesn't have a moment of thinking “thank God I'm not actually gay!” or anything like that. Despite the book's title, she tells him what's going on with her, after he has already developed feelings for her as a man. He reacts badly, but it's because she lied to him about many things, not especially because of her assigned gender. Still, I know that the framing of gender as a deception can be a sensitive topic for trans people. I advise people to seek out reviews from trans readers.

I loved both main characters so much. Robin really enjoys life, and it's easy to see why Alistair, who has been living an emotionally empty life, feels compelled to seek out her company. He's exceptionally steadfast; once he falls in love with her, which happens fairly early in the book, that's it for hin. He never doubts it and does everything possible to be with her. It's a really good romance.

I'll continue with this series, but only when I feel like I can handle a higher angst level again. But it's an excellent book and I recommend it! It's always exciting to me when one of my favorite authors does something new for them.

This is a looser interpretation of “eloping” than I'd like, but here we are - there is an elopement but it's not the MCs, so it does fit, at least. Anyway. I enjoyed this and I found the historical note at the end really interesting.

(2019 summer romance bingo: “eloping,” loosely but that's what I've got; would also fit “roadtrip,” possibly.)

Reread January 2021
Original Review to Follow

Reread rating more like three stars.



The melodrama is strong with this one.

I'll take the first 42-44 percent and the last 10 percent and you can have all that in the middle that's melodrama and people not discussing things like adults and not listening to each other and just...If anyone had behaved in a reasonable manner, this book would have been half the length.

But, no. Let's have them make poor, senseless decisions because otherwise... sigh Otherwise I might have thought this book was as amazing as I did the first time, instead of an exercise in frustration, wanting to slam the leads heads together in hopes of having them behave like people with a lick of sense between them.

I am not fond of romances that hinge on misunderstandings - but this one hinges on lack of communication and simply not wanting to make the decision sooner. Because the resolution? It was suggested in full long before the end of the book - but, oh no, it wouldn't do to have leads in a romance behave in a normal, sensible manner instead of lovelorn fools.

(I am bitter and upset. I still love Sebastian's work - but if this is a hint of what I can expect from her F/M pairings... I don't know how this is going to work.)

(Side note: Robin is genderqueer but likes the she/her pronouns and Alistair is bisexual.)


Original Review


If Sebastian wasn't already a favorite of mine, this book would have launched her there. I love and adore Charity/Robert/Robin. She is wonderful and delightful and just...I adore her. Alistair was...odd. I liked him for the first half of the book and the last quarter or so, but there was some time in between where he just aggravated me. If I had to make one complaint, it would be that, once again, the couple was having sex by the 50% mark. I mean, in this book it sorta worked, though it could have been pushed back a little, because it influenced the way Alistair especially behaved. I'm just so feed up with what seems to be the rule that the couple has to have sex by the 50% mark. It annoys me.

Anyway, this story is wonderful and Robin is wonderful and I just love her. (And the story and Alistair to a lesser extent.)

not my fave Cat Sebastian book. 
i saw lots of rec's for this book having a Non-Binary MC and was so excited about that but was a little disappointed at the execution. the characters just felt very surface level and there's not really a conversation or internal monologue that delves into Robin's thoughts or feelings when it comes to her gender and as most of her gender expression comes form the way she dresses it just felt as though it could have been handled with a bit more care when it comes to the representation. 

i have read reviews since finishing the book and there is apparently an authors note that gives some answers about Robin's gender identity. as i read the audiobook, this was not provided and doesn't really feel sufficient to me. i shouldn't have to read notes to understand the characters IMO