The Marriage Season

by Jane Dunn

In Regency England, marriage is everything. For young widow Sybella Lovatt, the time has come to find a suitable husband for her sister and ward Lucie. Male suitors are scarce near their Wiltshire estate, so the sisters resolve to head to London in time for the Season to begin. Once ensconced at the Mayfair home of Lady Godley, Lucie’s godmother, the whirl of balls, parties and promenades can begin. But the job of finding a husband is fraught with rules and tradition. Jostling for attention are the two lords – the charming and irresistible Freddie Lynwood and the preternaturally handsome Valentine Ravenell, their enigmatic neighbour from Shotten Hall, Mr Brabazon, and the dangerous libertine Lord Rockliffe, with whom the brooding Brabazon is locked in deadly rivalry. Against the backdrop of glamorous Regency England, Sybella must settle Lucie’s future, protect her own reputation, and resist the disreputable rakes determined to seduce the beautiful widow. As the Season ends, will the sisters have found the rarest of things – a suitable marriage with a love story to match?

Sunday Times bestselling author Jane Dunn brings the Regency period irresistibly to life in a page-turning novel packed with surprising revelations, which all comes wittily, gloriously, good in the end. Perfect for fans of Gill Hornby, Janice Hadlow, Jane Austen, and anyone with a Bridgerton-shaped hole in their lives. Praise for Jane ‘Outstanding, perceptive and delightfully readable.’ Sunday Times Books of the Year ‘Jane Dunn has written a splendid piece of popular history with the ready-pen of a highly skilled writer, endowed with remarkable insight.’ Roy Strong, Daily Mail ‘Jane Dunn is one of our best biographers.’ Miranda Seymour, Sunday Times What readers say about Jane ‘Absolutely brilliant book. Easy, interesting and certainly a page-turner. Enjoyed reading this book so much.’ ‘I loved this book, Jane Dunn writes with an insight into Elizabeths and Marys psyches that is mesmerising. I couldn’t put it down and was gutted when I finally finished it, at a loss of what to read next.’ ‘One of the best books I have ever read. I have always been interested in this period of history and felt that this book and the way Dunn writes helps to bring history alive. Once I started reading I could not stop.’

Genres: Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Historical, Regency, Audiobook, Fiction

ebook

First published January 26, 2023

About the author

Jane Dunn is a leading biographer, the author of Moon in Eclipse: A Life of Mary Shelley, A Very Close Conspiracy: Vanessa Bell and Virginia Wolf, and Antonia White: A Life. Elizabeth and Mary: Cousins, Rivals, Queens was published in the spring of 2003 and spent seven weeks in the top ten of the Sunday Times bestseller list. A fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, Dunn lives near Bath with her husband, the linguist and writer Nicholas Ostler. Her most recent book is Read My Heart.

Reviews

[ꕥ Ange_Lives_To_Read ꕥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A widow with a toddler son takes her younger sister for a season in London, hoping to see her happily settled with an eligible husband. Will she unexpectedly find love again as well? (Hint: Yes)

Obviously well researched, this above-average Regency Romance was enjoyable but lacked a certain sparkle and wit that would have overcome the meandering plot. There were some very likeable characters, nice descriptions of clothing and parties, but it never really took off for me. Spoiler: Seriously, TWO accidents in a row, with horses, that turned out to be not that serious but caused major characters to realize their true feelings? Lame.

[Inna · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Not much of a romance… there are two couples here and from what I could tell, neither of the heroes remained celibate after meeting the heroines. I’m pretty disappointed. One of them definitely didn’t since he had to dismiss his TWO mistresses - but only after he realized he was in love with the heroine. How romantic. 🙄


Unsafe
No sex scenes at all but plenty of talk about their sex lives
Heroes are/were both rakes
OW drama from two lovers of one of the heroes
This hero also goes and finds a different lover during their last minute separation… disgusting.
OW drama from other hero being pressured to marry someone else
OM drama
Heroes are not celibate after meeting the heroines.
One heroine is a widow with a young son
Other heroine is a virgin.

[ReadAlongWithSue ★⋆. ࿐࿔catching up · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would come under Regency Fiction if I were to pigeonhole it.
A bit like some I’ve read many years ago but with a good modern (I know this historical) spin on it for younger aged (younger than me!) to relate to, in my opinion.

It was good. Very very well written and easy to follow.

I feel it’s a bit like Upstairs and Downstairs…..with a twist.

[Christy fictional_traits · Rating 4 out of 5]

'The Marriage Season' is everything you'd expect from a Regency Romance: a quaint, light-hearted story. However, it also comes with a splash of satirical wit, commenting on the fracas of social jockeying through marriage. 'You're entering a world of artifice and it doesn't do to be too honest about your modest situation'.

Sybella, a young widow, and her sister, Lucie are orphaned daughters of gentry but not of aristocracy. Sybella is keen to ensure Lucie marries well to secure her future so enlists the help of Lucie's godmother to sponsor a season in London. 'You must know that young women with breeding and great good looks have a certain currency.' Once in London, Lucie quickly finds herself in a love triangle quandary and Sybella begins to realise that spending the rest of her own life without love isn't what she wants.

Jane Dunn clearly knows a lot about the Regency era; its history, cultural norms, and language. You certainly extend your vocabulary! I also enjoyed the witty comments on the somewhat farcical nature of the marriage market, 'But happen I marry someone who only knows the carefully confected exterior?' To that end, I did feel that at times the actual storyline got lost amongst all the era referencing. Still, a good, light-hearted Regency read which definitely puts the reader in the time and place of, 'The rules on how to conduct ourselves for fear of disapproval and scandal.'

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up

In Regency England, marriage is everything. For young widow Sybella Lovatt, the time has come to find a suitable husband for her sister and ward Lucia. Male suitors are scarce near their Wiltshire estate, so the sisters resolve to head to London in time for The Season to begin. Once ensconced at the Mayfair home of Lady Godley, Lucie's grandmother, the whirl of balls, parties and performances can begin. But the job of finding a husband is fraught with rules and tradition. Jostling for attention are the two Lords - the charming and irresistible Freddie Lynwood and the preternaturally handsome Valentine Ravenell, their enigmatic neighbour from Shotten Hall, Mr Brabazon and the dangerous libertine Lord Rockcliffe, with whom the brooding Brabazon is locked in deadly rivalry.

Filled with scandal, drama and captivating characters, this is a decent regency period drama. I guessed correctly who the couples would be as they were quite predictable. The story is descriptively written. The story ended just as I expected it to. I did enjoy the story, but I also felt there was something lacking at the same time.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #JaneDunn for my ARC of #TheMarriageSeason in exchange for an honest review.

[AnnMarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Marriage Season is a stand-alone book by Jane Dunn. This is the first book I have read by this author and I can assure you that it won't be the last. I will admit that it took me until about a third of the way into the book before I was drawn into the storyline, but once I was, I couldn't read quickly enough to find out what would happen next.
It is very obvious that the author researched the time period and her use of language from the regency era was a joy to read. I particularly loved the way that Sybella's young son James spoke. His grand love of horses was wonderful too. I loved how excited he was when he was close to beautiful horses and how he constantly wanted to ride them. He was adorable.
Sybella and her sister Lucie are as different as chalk and cheese yet they have a very close relationship. The men introduced to them throughout the story were all fascinating characters, especially of course the ones that were to perhaps end up romantically involved with the women.
I thoroughly enjoyed their story and was fascinated by the new things I learned about the era. This was a sweet romance and was a pleasure to read. I thoroughly recommend it.

[Steph Elias · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Marriage Season is a fantastic regency romance with a little bit for everyone. There are great characters that will make you laugh out loud (especially young James) and an interesting plot that takes us from the country to the "ton" to see what lies in store for Lucie. I really enjoyed not only Lucie, Val, and Freddie's storylines but equally enjoyed the Bella and Mr. B storyline. While the romances were kind of predictable, I really liked the trip getting there. I have to say I was glad I read this on my Kindle because I had to look up a ton of words. I am not normally a regency romance reader, but this one was just my style. I loved it and really hope the author revisits these characters in future books.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful regency love story!! The characters jumped off the page for me and I felt immersed in their world. A wonderful use of language and the author has obviously done lots of research about life at that time. It felt so authentic of the time. A lovely, enjoyable and uplifting read - just what we need in gloomy January!!

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read many regency romances but I was astounded Etta Jame Done’s grasp on everything that is the regency era. From the music to the fashion to what is and what isn’t socially acceptable at that time. That truly made the marriage season more than just your average regency romance. Bella is a widow with a young son named James and she is also the ward for her sister Lucy in this season Bella will be trying to find her sister a suitable match and since her and her sister are untitled this could prove to be difficult. Thanks to Lucy‘s upper vescent personality and Bella‘s natural grace and refinement they were a hit with the title lords and ladies in London. Bella is worried though after the first party which was a renowned in success Lucy has become close to two Lourdes one who she could be his twin sister and the other who seems to be a wild but outgoing and gregarious person. Before melanosis Lucius calling them Freddy in Val and there are two constant companion this only worries Bella because how is she going to find a suitable match when she’s hanging around with two lords who she clearly just sees as friends or does she? While she is fretting over her sisters situation before she knows it she is caught the fancy of her own Lord but does Bella feel the same for this taciturn non-emotional man or is there more to him then she initially thinks? This book was so good and although it is a novella not a novel I will definitely be reading more by Jané Done in the future I have already downloaded to books from her off of Amazon. I thoroughly enjoyed this for anyone who loves regency romance adults best will definitely not only love bug come to appreciate the great research and knowledge that Jane done obviously possesses it made the book so much better. I love this book and highly recommend it. I received it from NetGalley and BoldwoodBooks but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. It took me right back to my late teens when I was reading Georgette Heyer, Jean Plaidy, Mary Stewart and other authors of this ilk. 40 years later I’m more likely to be reading books that are a lot more gruesome and twisted. Why? This was a delightful read, full of the language of the time which wasn’t always easy to understand, but I genuinely enjoyed every word and read it in an evening. Set in Regency England in Wiltshire and London it follows the fortunes of widow Sybella (Bella) Lovatt and her sister Lucie who is coming of age.

Briefly, leaving their small estate in the hands of their servants, Bella and Lucie travel to London to stay with wealthy Lady Godley, Lucie’s godmother, who is going to arrange Lucie’s coming out. She soon attracts the eye of two young men about town and two of the most eligible bachelors of the season, Freddie Lynwood and Valentine Ravenell. However, she isn’t the only one attracting the attention of the opposite sex, Mr Brabazon and Lord Rockliffe, are both setting their caps at Bella. Will either woman fall for the charms of one of their suitors?

Ok so you know from the start who will end up with who but it’s how they get there that is all the fun. Beautifully written I found this an easy read, I enjoyed the gentle nature of the times, despite all the ruffians and libertines, and the build up of the romance. Great fun, I thoroughly enjoyed it and 5⭐️ for making me relive my youth.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

A glorious, historically informed and very well-researched romp! I loved the authentic turns of phrase from the regency setting, and I loved the horses. Anyone who has enjoyed Georgette Heyer will adore this book. The plot was heart-warmingly uncomplicated to anyone who has read a Jane Austen novel, and the emotions felt entirely sincere. Shake off your cynicism and gallop through a great read. More, please, Jane Dunn!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful historical romance. The characters in The Marriage Season lived on in my imagination after I’d finished the book and to me that is the sign of a really good book. Who wouldn’t want to have Sybella and Lucie as sisters, or Lady Godley as godmother? The men who circle them are wide ranging, from witty young men to disreputable rakes - there’s someone for every taste. A twist in the plot took me unawares - and revealed the life-and-death perils of the time. For me this added to the depth and effectiveness of the story.

What sets The Marriage Season apart is that the author really understands Regency London and the mores and manners of the age, the colourful language too. The reader can escape into this sparkling, dangerous and witty age of parties, friendships, etiquette and romance. For anyone who loves Georgette Heyer and Jane Austen this is for you - with historical authenticity and memorable characters who grow in understanding and sympathy through the story. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

[Hannah Greer · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book. Since the author is, first and foremost, a biographer, I felt certain her foray into historical fiction would be worth reading. I was mistaken.

I stuck with the book through the end, but stopped enjoying it around the halfway mark. The author seemed to think that overuse of archaic vocabulary would lend her writing a certain air of sophistication and accuracy, which it did not. On the contrary, the verbosity only served to clutter the story and made reading it a chore.

Her characters had promise, and started out with interesting quirks and qualities that fell flat as the story wore on. I would love to have seen Sybella and Lucie, the female MCs, fully fleshed out and developed beyond the somewhat one-dimensional beings they turned out to be. Both main and supporting characters started one way and, by the end of the novel, had metamorphosed into characters so unlike the originals that they seemed to be completely opposite people with different personalities, different quirks, different modes of speech, opposing motives and more.

Another criticism I have is with the inaccurate and inconsistent morality for the time period. At one point in the story, a character is exposed as homosexual and, while all characters involved are sticklers for gender roles when it comes to females and their Regency-era societal limitations, none of them seemed to mind when their good friend turned out to be gay (which would have been a death sentence, literally, in those times and, if one escaped the law regarding homosexuality, one would have surely been ostracized from polite society).

I could probably have overlooked most of the above criticisms if it weren’t for her extreme overuse of a few words, one being the word Corinthian/Corinthians. At one point in the book, Corinthian was on every other page for what felt like an eternity. Another word/phrase that was abused over and over for the entire duration of the novel was “harum-scarum.”

The thing with these Regency romance/historical fiction novels is that their authors try to emulate the great Regency authors of the time: Jane Austen, Anne Radcliffe, Mary Shelley, etc., but they never seem to quite get it right. Austen, who is the most popular and famous of the female Regency-era authors, wrote in such a way that her novels remain timeless and relatable. Jane Austen NEVER used the word “ton” or the phrase “haut ton” in her novels. Not once. It’s the simplicity and clarity of Austen that modern Regency authors lack.

Final thoughts: while the book did have a satisfying ending and promising beginning, there were too many inconsistencies in character behavior, inaccuracies for the time period, and far too many repetitive words for this to be a truly enjoyable read.

[Izzie (on pause) McFussy · Rating 2 out of 5]

With POV shifts as unpredictable as a bonus round of pinball, I should have DNF’d early on and never looked back. Hopefully the next book I pick up will purge memories of equine references (ie bays, greys, blacks, stallions, and rum prancers) from my head along with an irritating, horse mad little boy who stopped the momentum in every scene he was in.

Srsly, the only reason I completed the The Marriage Season was a masochistic curiosity to find out when Dunn planned on introducing romance into the story. Not. For. A. Very. Long. Time.

[Ellery Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

A charming, if somewhat predictable, Regency romance featuring two beautiful sisters who enter London society for the season after being "hidden away" in the countryside. There are definite Bridgerton vibes here, minus the spice. I liked the addition of a widow as the heroine (though her cherubic child had too many lines for my taste as his interactions pulled me out of the narrative) and the use of war-related PTSD. Thank you @librofm for the gifted audiobook. The narrator did a terrific job.

[mikaela (spinebreaker)]

We have spent more time on horses than on any of the characters, and I think the 3 year old has had more dialogue than anyone else- always about horses. Promising start but paler and paler the deeper we get. Rakes don't appear to be very rakish and poetic souls are just full of nonsense.

full review on spinebreaker

But that cover. Oh, that COVER. Itches a good spot in my brain.

[JeniReadsTooMuch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This felt like a slightly more modern Georgette Heyer. I usually get annoyed when there is more than one main couple, but this was done so well—it was so balanced, both MCs getting their fair share of the story.

I picked my pairs early in the book but I still enjoyed watching how it played out. I

A fun read! I’d definitely read more regency romance by this author :)

[Bonnie DeMoss · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this visit to Regency England during marriage season. The book, however, started out in the British countryside and we met our main characters in that setting. Once we get into the marriage market in London, however, the story gets more interesting. We are transported to that era with its proprieties, rules, lavish balls, and yes, hypocrisy. I liked the fact that the two main characters were strong women. The romances are easy to see coming, but that did not deter from my enjoyment of the story. Some slight criticisms: I felt the portrayal of the child was a little overdone, and I didn’t find his dialogue believable. I also felt parts of the book moved a bit slowly.

Overall, though, this is an enjoyable romance that looks at the Regency Era marriage market with a bit of sarcasm and irony. My rating is 3.6 stars, rounded up to 4 on sites with no partial star option.

I received a free copy of this book via Rachel’s Random Resources. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

[Hedi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you Netgelly and the publisher for giving me an early copy for a honest review.

This was sadly not for me. I love historical romances, period dramas ect.. unfortunately this for nothing i thought it would be. There was some much talk about horses I couldn’t take it anymore. When they weren’t riding them, they were talking about them, they were watching them, grooming them and on we go.

I also didn’t really liked the love interest, he was just cocky and didn’t have a lot of substance. The likability the characters need to have in a period romance is so high, so when they aren’t that likeable.. it takes the fun out of the story.

Sadly this wasn’t what i wanted it to be

[Sue Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Marriage season by Jane Dunn.
In Regency England, marriage is everything. For young widow Sybella Lovatt, the time has come to find a suitable husband for her sister and ward Lucie. Male suitors are scarce near their Wiltshire estate, so the sisters resolve to head to London in time for The Season to begin.
A good read. I did like sybella and Lucie. 4*.

[Linda (NOT RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot had good bones. I enjoyed the sisters treating each other with respect and they truly cared for each other. It was refreshing. Also, the period details were on point.

Now on to the downside: the romance or I should say romances. I thought Freddie was slow on the uptake. The handsome Valentine Ravenell? I never in a million years would have thought that Sybella would consider allowing Lucie to make a permanent match with him. It made no sense. And the libertine, Lord Rockliffe? I wanted to pinch him.

The buildup to the romances was slow as molasses. A good editor should have cut about 50 pages from the storyline. And the epilogue? It was probably the longest one I have ever read.

I am giving The Marriage Season 3 stars because I liked some of the story and I did manage to finish it.

[Sherri · Rating 5 out of 5]

***I received an ARC from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review

In Regency England, finding a husband is the most important thing for every young woman. For young widow Sybella Lovatt, the time has come to find a suitable husband for her sister and ward, Lucie. Because they live out in the countryside, they must venture into London in time for the Season to begin. They go to stay at the Mayfair home of Lady Godley, Lucie’s godmother, to prepare for the whirl of balls, parties and promenades to begin. But the job of finding a husband is fraught with rules and tradition, all of which vex Lucie. Jostling for attention are two lords – the charming and irresistible Freddie Lynwood and the preternaturally handsome Valentine Ravenell, , Mr Brabazon, and the dangerous libertine Lord Rockliffe, with whom the brooding Brabazon is locked in deadly rivalry, are both vying for Sybella's attention. Sybella must settle Lucie’s future, protect her own reputation, and resist the disreputable rakes determined to seduce the beautiful widow. As the Season ends, will the sisters have found the rarest of things – a suitable marriage with a love story to match?

Calling all Bridgerton fans!!! If you are like me and feel like it has been WAY too long since the last season has aired, then you need this book. Grab a big bowl of popcorn and settle in, because you will not want to leave your comfy seat for a long time. This felt just like I was back in the scenes at Bridgerton. I couldn;t put it down. The author did such an excellent job with her descriptions of everything, that I felt like I was really there, watching everything play out first hand. This book was so good, and I have my fingers crossed that there may be a second one in the works. This would make an excellent series. I can not recommend this one enough.

[Bibliophileverse · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Marriage Season by Jane Dunn takes you back to Bridgerton Era with its story. There is everything in the plot, Love, Rivalry and Emotions. For me the book was a very different experience as I normally don't read romance. Especially, I loved the characters. The female characters are strong and they know their life is not easy. Also, they are not taking things for granted. I really enjoyed the book.

Definitely 4 stars for the book. Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for providing me an opportunity to read and review the book.

Read more on https://bibliophileverse.blogspot.com...

[Mierfie Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are two love story here. Two sisters meet new love. Sybella Carey aka Mrs. Lovatt is a widow with one little boy meet Anthony Brabazon, guardian and cousin of Freddie. He think as a widow Sybella must be older. Anthony is uptight like to be in control surprise by his reaction to Sybella.

Miss Lucie Carey and Lord Freddie Lynwood the young earl. Lucie Carey carefree young woman live in country life who ready to debut in London meet Freddie. She help him when injury since then He call her Guardian angel.

This is lovely book i love how author describe England in that era. Daily live in manor country side, Season in London, London scenery in that time. The word little bit stiff but i still enjoy the storyline.

Thank you to NetGalley for provide this book, it is pleasure to review this book.

#TheMarriageSeason #JaneDunn #BoldwoodBooks #NetGalley #ARC

[Janette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun regency romance containing all the elements that you would expect. A young widow takes her beautiful sister to London to find a husband. Whilst there, they attend balls at Almacks, go riding in Hyde Park and of course, meet eligible young men.

I liked the characters of Sybella and Lucie and their relationship as sisters was one of my favourite parts of the book. I felt that the men were less well written and seemed far more like stock characters including the impetuous young man running through his inheritance and the jaded older man who has given up on love. The romances were a little predictable but it was still fun seeing how the relationships played out although I’m fairly sure that Lucie would not have been able to spend all the time that she did with her two courtiers in real life.

I felt that the book owed a good deal to Georgette Heyer especially the character of Sybella’s young son. For me, the parts with the horses and child did get a bit wearing as we seemed to be reading the same things over again.

However, this was an enjoyable read especially for a debut novel and I would certainly read another book by this author.
Thank you to Net Galley and Boldwood Books for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Bargain Sleuth Book Reviews · Rating 2 out of 5]

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Why did I request The Marriage Season from NetGalley? Probably because I was looking for something different. I have only read the first Bridgerton book in terms of Regency Romance, but I do love historical fiction, so I took a chance. I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy of the book from NetGalley and Boldwood Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

It was clear from the beginning of the book that I would be struggling, and I found that to be true. Whilst accurately portraying life in Regency England, there were so many unfamiliar words I had to look them up. If you read these sorts of books, you might be well-versed with many of the words, so YMMV when reading this book. But because I constantly felt like I was looking up word definitions, it broke up the flow of the story.

The other problem I had was one character in particular, the young son of one of the main characters. He’s probably the most precocious 2-year old since I read the Amelia Peabody mystery series by Elizabeth Peters. His actions and words defy anything I’ve ever experienced with a toddler, either my own or friends and family. He was just not believable.

And what’s up with the obsession with horses in this book? I love horses as much as the next gal, but all this horse talk, and descriptions of horses got old pretty quickly. It really dragged the book down for me, as I found myself skimming through the book because of this. If you love conversations about horses ad nauseam, this might be the book for you.

Lastly, the slow burn to be found in a Regency romance did nothing for me. I didn’t particularly care for either romance presented. They bored me. Maybe it’s because I don’t normally read this type of romance, I don’t know, but I didn’t get the warm fuzzies while reading this book. I was bored with the romance.

Bottom line, if you like Regency Romance books and don’t mind an annoying toddler and endless talk about horses, this might be the book for you. But it wasn’t for me.

[Lorraine Joad · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great regency period romance novel. Wonderful characters within a great storyline. A real page turner from start to finish.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review. It was an absolute pleasure.

[Gem ~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this escape to regency high society with captivating characters, scandal, drama and all the glamorous parties from the season.

[histeriker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like historical novels a lot, but I am not really a romantic type, so I was not that sure about this book. I didn‘t need to worry, the book was not too soppy and I liked it a lot. The story fits the genre, of course, but it is not that predicable that I couldn‘t enjoy it. The characters develop nicely and are not only black and white. Mostly the character of little James was very enjoyable. The language was a bit old-fashioned, but it fitted the story well and didn‘t disturb me while reading.
I will certainly follow the author and hope she will write more enjoyable books.

[Stephanie Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jane Dunn’s intoxication with Regency period is infectious. Saturnine rakes, delicious feminine heroines, love triangles and the difficulties of mastering the intricacies of the marriage market make this book a thoroughly enjoyable read.