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The Debutante Dilemma
Lady Emily Calloway has everything a debutante could want, including a fairy tale engagement to a fabulously wealthy lord. Her wedding should be the highlight of the Season—until her fiancé’s older brother announces his own upcoming nuptials. Society is riveted to learn that the heir to a dukedom will marry an unknown American.
Seething with envy, Emily is burdened with the task of introducing her rival to London Society…and is shocked to discover her own attraction to the beautiful heiress.
Miss Rebecca Tremblay might have left a trail of broken hearts behind her in New York, but she is determined to make a fresh start in London. Marrying a marquess will settle her restless ways, if only she can deny her forbidden desires for sophisticated and elegant Emily.
If Emily and Rebecca yield to their passion for each other, they must make a choice that will change their futures forever. Will ambition prevail—or their hearts?
Seething with envy, Emily is burdened with the task of introducing her rival to London Society…and is shocked to discover her own attraction to the beautiful heiress.
Miss Rebecca Tremblay might have left a trail of broken hearts behind her in New York, but she is determined to make a fresh start in London. Marrying a marquess will settle her restless ways, if only she can deny her forbidden desires for sophisticated and elegant Emily.
If Emily and Rebecca yield to their passion for each other, they must make a choice that will change their futures forever. Will ambition prevail—or their hearts?
- GenresHistorical Romance
Kindle Edition
Published January 13, 2026
1 person is currently reading
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About the author
Jane Walsh
8 books63 followersJane Walsh is a queer historical romance novelist published by Bold Strokes Books who loves everything Regency. She is delighted to have the opportunity to put her studies in history and costume design to good use by writing love stories. Jane’s happily ever after is centered on her wife and their cat and their cozy home together in Canada. You can find her at www.janewalshwrites.com and discover all her latest releases at www.boldstrokesbooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you are looking for a regency novel that is different from traditional ones then this is one book you should definitely check out. It is a very fast moving story and the page lengh is fairly reasonable. I for one enjoy reading a historical fiction LGBTQ romance once in a while. I will say I was very impressed with the outcome and the fact that these two ladies were willing to sacrifice everything to be together.
We are introduced to Emily who has everything going well for her as she is going to be married to the second son of a wealthy lord. But a bombshell is dropped when it is announced that her fiance's brother is also engaged to a wealthy American Heiress. Enter the lovely Rebecca.
However, Rebecca has a few secrets of her own. She had to leave America due to an indiscretion with another woman. Soon after her engagement and arrival her fiance is accused of a murder plot. She ends up seeking friendship with Emily which soon turns into much more. Emily soon finds herself falling for this wealthy American Heiress. Will these two give up the comforts of secure marriage to wealthy men in order to be happy?
We are introduced to Emily who has everything going well for her as she is going to be married to the second son of a wealthy lord. But a bombshell is dropped when it is announced that her fiance's brother is also engaged to a wealthy American Heiress. Enter the lovely Rebecca.
However, Rebecca has a few secrets of her own. She had to leave America due to an indiscretion with another woman. Soon after her engagement and arrival her fiance is accused of a murder plot. She ends up seeking friendship with Emily which soon turns into much more. Emily soon finds herself falling for this wealthy American Heiress. Will these two give up the comforts of secure marriage to wealthy men in order to be happy?
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
(4.5 Stars) I really enjoy historical romances and Walsh has the ability to write f/f romances while sticking to the rules of Regency society. Her books aren’t reimagining the rules like the TV version of Bridgerton. Lady Emily Calloway is enjoying her first season in society and has caught the attention of a wealthy second son of a Duke. She isn’t expecting a love match but she likes his attention and is sure feelings will grow between them. At her engagement party the announcement is upstage by the return of the heir who has been abroad for several years. He announces his engagement to Miss Rebecca Tremblay, an American heiress. Her family hopes to benefit from his connections for trade.
The dowager Duchess (grandmother) of the brothers decides that Emily must help ease Rebecca’s way into society. It allows them time together. Emily is shocked at Rebecca’s easy way and lack of concern for chaperones and rules. Emily is also concerned that her friendship feelings may be more. I really enjoyed the story. The feuding twin brothers are not a major part of the story other than how their actions have ramifications for their fiancees. I love that all men aren’t villains, especially the girls' fathers. (Father’s are often pushing marriages for their own gain in historical romances.) And I like how things work out to a plausible ending.
A very enjoyable novel. Especially if you enjoy historical romances. Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the eARC and I am leaving an honest review.
The dowager Duchess (grandmother) of the brothers decides that Emily must help ease Rebecca’s way into society. It allows them time together. Emily is shocked at Rebecca’s easy way and lack of concern for chaperones and rules. Emily is also concerned that her friendship feelings may be more. I really enjoyed the story. The feuding twin brothers are not a major part of the story other than how their actions have ramifications for their fiancees. I love that all men aren’t villains, especially the girls' fathers. (Father’s are often pushing marriages for their own gain in historical romances.) And I like how things work out to a plausible ending.
A very enjoyable novel. Especially if you enjoy historical romances. Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the eARC and I am leaving an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The author did well with this historical romance, but it wasn't the best for me. It was an interesting take in Regency society and she kept to the rules and etc and not making it up as she went.
Lady Emily Calloway caught the attention of a wealthy second son of a Duke, but a wrench is thrown in. Her announcement of her engagement is upstage by the return of the heir, the brother of Emily's fiancée and he announces his engagement to Miss Rebecca Tremblay, an American heiress.
The Grandmother of the brothers decides that Emily must help Rebecca. Emily isn't sure what to think of Rebecca's easy way and lack of concern for chaperones and rules and Emily's feelings grow that are more than friendship. This wasn't a bad story, but didn't hit the mark for me.
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Lady Emily Calloway caught the attention of a wealthy second son of a Duke, but a wrench is thrown in. Her announcement of her engagement is upstage by the return of the heir, the brother of Emily's fiancée and he announces his engagement to Miss Rebecca Tremblay, an American heiress.
The Grandmother of the brothers decides that Emily must help Rebecca. Emily isn't sure what to think of Rebecca's easy way and lack of concern for chaperones and rules and Emily's feelings grow that are more than friendship. This wasn't a bad story, but didn't hit the mark for me.
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 13, 2026
Lady Emily’s dream wedding is overshadowed by her fiancé’s brother’s scandalous engagement to American heiress Rebecca. Emily is tasked with guiding her rival through London society, only to discover a surprising attraction. As societal pressures mount, Emily and Rebecca must decide if ambition or their hearts will prevail.
I love Emily and Rebecca! In many ways, this is an opposites-attract romance. Rebecca is a free spirit, while Emily observes the proprieties. Emily’s envy of Rebecca’s position as the heir’s fiancée is an interesting twist—she’s not purely a “good girl.” I wish we’d seen a little more of the rivalry between the brothers, but otherwise this is an engaging and heartwarming romance.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
I love Emily and Rebecca! In many ways, this is an opposites-attract romance. Rebecca is a free spirit, while Emily observes the proprieties. Emily’s envy of Rebecca’s position as the heir’s fiancée is an interesting twist—she’s not purely a “good girl.” I wish we’d seen a little more of the rivalry between the brothers, but otherwise this is an engaging and heartwarming romance.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
January 5, 2026
This book will be great for those who love historical romance with the added bonus of a sapphic romance.
The main characters are easy to cheer for and you want them to get their happy ever after.
There were parts of the story that dragged so I couldn’t give it 5 stars but this book will definitely have its dedicated lovers.
I received arc from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
The main characters are easy to cheer for and you want them to get their happy ever after.
There were parts of the story that dragged so I couldn’t give it 5 stars but this book will definitely have its dedicated lovers.
I received arc from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews