A Proper Charade Book Review
✨ A Proper Charade Book Review – A Charming, Clean Historical Romance with Heart and Surprises!
A little romance, a little acting, and a whole lot of falling for someone who was never supposed to be “the one.” In A Proper Charade, the responsibilities of a duke’s daughter are put to the test—and what starts as a plan to prove herself quickly turns into something far more personal, complicated, and unexpectedly beautiful + very complicated.
Book Details
Title: A Proper Charade
Genre: Fiction, Historical Romance
Author: Esther Hatch
Release Date: April 30, 2020
Length: 215 pages
Ratings: Amazon – 4.6 ⭐ | Goodreads – 4.2 ⭐
My Rating: ⭐ 4.8 / 5
Where to Buy: A Proper Charade
Book Summary (But - No Spoilers of Course)
Lady Patience Kendrick—daughter of a duke and sister to the very disciplined Duke of Harrington—is determined to prove she’s more than just a carefree noblewoman.
When her brother doubts her sense of responsibility, Patience takes matters into her own hands. She disguises herself as a maid and takes a position in General Woodsworth’s household for one whole month, determined to show she can handle real work and real expectations.
But her plan quickly becomes more complicated.
While serving as a maid, Patience is pulled into yet another role—pretending to be a lady for the general’s son, Anthony. What follows is a layered charade filled with unexpected emotions, growing connection, and a romance that neither of them saw coming… or thought they wanted.
Is This Book Clean?
Yes—and it genuinely refreshing throughout each chapter. This is a cleaner, charming romance that focuses on emotional connection, growth, and meaningful relationships. There’s:
No language
No graphic content
Light, romantic affection (kissing, emotional intimacy)
It’s the kind of story that builds real feelings without relying on anything over-the-top with things that simply aren’t needed to tell a great story—and honestly, it works beautifully. You get to focus on the characters, their connections, and feel great every step of the way - great, right?!
Is It a Quick Read?
Absolutely. At just 215 pages with short, easy-to-read chapters, this is the kind of book you pick up “for a few minutes”… and suddenly you’re halfway through. It’s fast-paced without feeling rushed, and the constant twists and turns keep you curious about what happens next. You will get deeper into the story and push to the finish line quicker than you could imagine - it’s a great, short read.
What I Loved (The Ups)
This book is just fun to read—and it has more depth than you might expect. It’s super intriguing.
The double charade concept keeps things interesting and unpredictable
The pacing is quick, engaging, and never drags
Patience is a standout—bright, kind, adventurous, and genuinely herself in every setting
The romance is told from both perspectives, which makes it feel more real and balanced
Strong themes of family, responsibility, and personal growth are heavily seen here
A smaller cast of characters makes everything feel more personal and connected
There’s meaningful character development—not just for Patience, but for her brother and others too
It highlights values like hard work, integrity, and treating everyone with kindness, regardless of status or personal position
And honestly? The emotional connection between characters builds in a way that feels natural and easy to root for. It’s like "reading” a deeply developed and super interesting movie - that keeps you engaged and fascinated with each new plot twist. Let’s just say it’s a great book!
What Could Be Better (The Downs)
It’s a strong book—but there are a couple things it left you longing for:
The ending feels a bit rushed and like it went to quickly—I wanted more detail and time to fully sit in those final moments of the story
Some parts of the charade require a little suspension of disbelief (but they can be fun if you lean into it), just a little crazy
There are moments where you understand the brother’s perspective so well that it almost pulls you in another direction - he cares and you wish Patient’s would see it more
And yes… it’s short. It leaves you wanting more, which is both a good and slightly frustrating thing
⭐ Final Thoughts – Why I Gave It 4.8 Stars
This is one of my favorite historical romance reads. It’s creative, light, emotional, and full of moments that will make you smile, cringe (in a good way), and completely fall into the story. It’s the kind of book you want to curl up with and just enjoy.
The only reason it didn’t get a full 5 stars from me? I wanted a more drawn-out, detailed ending—it deserved just a little more time to fully land. Still, it’s absolutely worth reading.
If you’re looking for a cleaner romance that’s engaging, heartfelt, and just a little different from the usual storyline, this is such a great one to add to your list.
Have You Read It?
If you’ve read A Proper Charade, I’d love to hear what you thought! Did you love the charade storyline? Or did you wish the ending had more detail too? What did you think - comment below 💛
