Like I said, I'm a fan of historical fiction, even though it's not the most popular among teens these days. But whether you read Pride and Prejudice of your own volition, or because your 10th grade English lit teacher forced you to, you'll have a good laugh over The Rules of Gentility by Janet Mullany.
In this slapstick blend of regency romance (think early 19th century: the era of Pride and Prejudice and Napoleon) and modern chick lit, Philomena Wellesley-Clegg is a wealthy young lady in high society, with a passion for hats and a slew of suitors - some more suitable than others. And while she knows what's expected, she has no interest in being married as of yet.
Enter Inigo Linsley, bad boy extraordinaire - I mean rake - this is Regency after all. He's got an out-of-wedlock son from a relationship with a popular actress, and no more interest in settling down than Philomena. So when they meet, and like what they see, it makes sense for them to set up a sham betrothal. This way, they can each continue doing what they do best for a little while longer. Obviously, hilarity ensues.
What's great about this book is that it takes an era and a social class that can be hard to get and shows you just how funny and real it can be. Philomena isn't some deep, brooding orphan facing all of society's evils; she's a hat-obsessed teenager, with knack for getting into ridiculous situations. She's a girl like all of us, facing loads of peer pressure, looking for love and a good time; she's just doing it about 190 years ago.
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