So you telling me she read the story and cant recognize the man she’s talking to

Because he's clearly in disguise. Besides, the story was focused more on the third-rate love story than anything else. Considering that it's a novel/book, she doesn't have a clear picture of his appearance. Specially now that he's in disguise.

He’s in disguise, though even when he gets rid of it she doesn’t know. I’m guessing the novel was super descriptive of the appearance of the good guys but kinda dismissive of the bad guys’.