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Ridiculous! by D.L. Carter
5.0

I adored this - silly Regency romance with a Heyer-esque screwball premise. Except then it's also an examination of Regency gender roles and expressions, societal hierarchies and aversion thereof, the power of rumor, and the benign self-absorption of the freakishly rich - as well as a mental and logistical puzzle from about midway onward. There's a great deal about the transfer of assets and power upon death in titled versus entailed families and a LOT about social mobility.

Add to that some lovely characters, hilarious dialogue, a modern sensibility applies to Regency society, and a bunch of happy endings - ah, glory. Also, second-string heroines with guns.

Detractors: the second sex scene is truly awful, the love interest's internal monologues about possession of lovers is EUCGHCK, and not enough clothing descriptions. In my humble opinion.