Very dry and textbook/reference book. Good if you're looking for a long list of who/what/where/when but not that engaging to the casual reader.

This is a meticulously researched scholarly look at Masquerage balls and fancy dress balls in the long regency period of England, with some comparisons to the Georgian and Victorian balls that flanked the time period. Author Anne Glover uses extensive first-hand documentation to describe the venues where public masquerades were held over the decades, the newspaper descriptions given of decorations, food, and costumes worn by guests (both public and private). She also goes into some analysis of how the masquerades (especially the costumes) were used or could be seen to reflect part of Britain's national identity, empire building, class structure, racism, and patriarchy.

Some of this book I found more interesting from a non-scholarly reader point of view than others. I enjoyed learning about the trends in decorating, especially the floor chalking decorations- which may have started from practical considerations and become a sign of wealth as time went on. I'd heard of it before but only in passing, so I wasn't entirely sure it was a real thing until I read this. It was also interesting to learn about the lengths both public and private venues went to ensure the sites were extremely well lit. Being as bright as daylight was one of the signs of a good ball, even the public ones.

The analysis of national identity, what costumes said about the people who chose them and why, class, racism, and the patriarchy were all thought provoking and interesting, but a little overly scholarly in places and sometimes made for slow reading.

The book also suffered from a lot of repetition. Whether this was a problem of the subject or editing I'm not sure (maybe a bit of both), but it could have been greatly improved by cutting some of the vast numbers of times we were told that upper class ladies rented boxes to watch but not participate in the masquerades. There were several chapters describing the different venues that all sounded so much the same they seemed to be repeating themselves a lot. Some restructuring to present the new information in a way that would stand out while the rest blended together would have helped.

Overall a little more of a scholarly read than I had expected, but interesting and very informative. I'd love to see some historical fiction romances start to take more of the realities presented here as challenges for how to create intrigue- like mystery where the venue is completely lit up and there are no dark corners!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

What a lot of balls! (In a good way)
I am in awe of the author’s , Anne Glover, depth of research and knowledge. The catalogue of individual masquerade balls, their hosts, guest lists, decorations, food, and entertainment, both in London and throughout Great Britain, is simply amazing. This book has to be the most comprehensive work written to date on the subject of Regency masquerade balls.
Interesting as this aspect was (and it is interesting) for me the book came alive in the second half, when the author shifts into sharing with the reader the vital elements of what makes a masquerade ball, such as theme, costume, lighting, entertainments, and food.
Ms Glover explains how the masquerade ball was tantamount to Regency cosplay, and provided a chance to buttoned-up people to adopt another, less inhibited persona. That might have been through the anonymity of the domino (mask and hooded cape) or through fancy dress, suc a lady becoming a milkmaid or a lord a pirate. But as Ms Glover explains in the chapter on balls and national identity, this was a trend imported from Italy, with all the frivolity, acting, and liberal behaviour being a decidedly un-British thing.
There were some fascinating glimpses into the world of the masquerade, such as the artists employed to draw fantastic chalk pictures on the dance floor. The chalk was to stop the dancers slipping, but was also a conscious display of opulence – since the host had to be wealthy to afford such temporary artworks. Then there was the fashion for bright illuminations – in contrast to the idea of a masked ball being a place of dark doings. The bright lighting was desirable as the partying carrying on through the night into the next morning and the illumination help keep people awake!
Recommended as a veritable feast for the detail focussed reader!

When I saw that Anne Glover from Regency Reader wrote this, I knew it’d be good. This has wonderful detail and is meticulously researched, and best read by someone who has at least a superficial knowledge of regency London upper class life.

This goes beyond describing costumes or risqué settings and delves into the power differences, problematic depictions, national identity, and the contradictions inherent in this trendy entertainment of the long Regency. Masquerades as we see them as plot devices in regency romance were much more than places for clandestine activities in a mask.

I’m also buying this in hardcover to have as a reference on my shelf. If you’re a Georgian history fan or you write regency romance, you should too.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5 stars)

What an absolute gem of a read — Masquerade Balls in Regency Britain is both academically rigorous and deeply engaging, offering a richly textured glimpse into one of the most fascinating and overlooked aspects of Regency-era culture.

Anne Glover has done an extraordinary job uncovering the world behind the masks. This book goes far beyond the spectacle and flirtation often associated with masquerade balls. Using primary sources with impressive detail, Glover reconstructs not only the lavish settings — from balloon displays to elaborate fancy dress — but also the deeper cultural and political implications of these events. Her exploration of national identity, gender roles, and the complicated legacy of cultural appropriation during the long Regency is especially insightful.

What I appreciated most was the balance: it’s scholarly without ever being dry, and the attention to nuance made this feel like both a history book and a journey. As someone who reads widely in Regency nonfiction, I found so much here that felt fresh and essential. It’s clear that Glover’s research is meticulous and her passion for the subject shines through on every page.

This will be an instant recommendation for anyone interested in Regency history, fashion, or cultural studies — and an automatic buy for my permanent library.

Huge thanks to Pen & Sword for the ARC. Your titles consistently bring the past to life in thoughtful, beautifully presented ways, and I’m always so excited to read what’s next.

Masquerade Balls in Regency Britain offered a detailed snapshot of entertainment in the long Regency period. The book covered venues, performances, food and drink, costumes, and attitudes, making it an informative and interesting read. The inclusion of images added an extra layer and helped to illustrate the text, and there were certainly a lot of fascinating facts presented, making this a book that will appeal to both history buffs and writers of Regency fiction looking to ensure historical accuracy in their tales. I am giving it four stars.

3.5/5 Stars

Masquerade Balls in Regency Britain was a fascinating read and it really opened the doors to see what masquerades were really like in the era of Bridgerton and other of my favorite period dramas.

This was a fascinating and thoroughly enjoyable read that offered fresh insight into the world of masquerade balls during the Regency period. While many of us are familiar with the glamour of these events through period dramas, particularly with the recent popularity of Bridgerton, this book goes beyond the fiction to reveal the historical realities behind the masks.

Glover engages thoughtfully with the work of other historians and makes excellent use of primary sources, demonstrating the depth her research. The result is a well-rounded and compelling account that brings to life both the opulence of the elite and the individuals involved in creating these spectacular entertainments.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the social history of the Regency period, especially those curious about the cultural and performative aspects of elite society. It's a valuable resource for researchers looking to explore more niche elements of the era.

This fascinating work of scholarship is a feast for the imagination. The level of detail is incredible; the author definitely did her research! Even though the book perhaps could have used tighter organization in places, it is a must-read for anyone who enjoys reading or writing about the Regency era in England. It makes me want to write a novel or watch a movie that includes a scene at one of these sumptuous parties!

I so enjoyed this book. Thank you to NetGalley and Pen & Sword for the free eARC. I post this review with my honest opinions. This review is cross-posted to Goodreads, and will be posted to Amazon and Instagram within one week of publication.