BOOK INFORMATION
- An Unsuitable Heiress, by Jane Dunn
- Boldwood Books (May 22, 2023)
- Trade paperback, eBook, & audiobook (350) pages
- ISBN: 978-1804835364
- Genre: Historical Romance, Regency Romance
BOOK DESCRIPTION
Following the death of her mother, Corinna Ormesby has lived a quiet life in the countryside with her cantankerous Cousin Agnes. Her father’s identity has been a tantalising mystery, but now at nineteen Corinna knows that finding him may be her only way to avoid marriage to the odious Mr Beech. Deciding to head to London, Corinna dons a male disguise. Travelling alone as a young woman risks scandal and danger, but when, masquerading as a youth, she is befriended by three dashing blades, handsome and capable Alick Wolfe, dandy Ferdinand Shilton and the incorrigible Lord Purfoy, Corinna now has access to the male-only world of Regency England.
And when she meets Alick’s turbulent brother Darius, a betrayal of trust leads to deadly combat which only one of the brothers may survive. From gambling in gentleman’s clubs to meeting the courtesans of Covent Garden, Corinna’s country naivety soon falls away.
But when she finds her father at last, learns the truth about her parentage and discovers her fortunes transformed, she must quickly decide how to reveal her true identity, while hoping that one young man in particular can see her for the beauty and Lady she really is.
Sunday Times-bestselling author Jane Dunn brings the Regency period irresistibly to life in a page-turning novel packed with romance, scandal, friendship and colour. Perfect for fans of Jane Austen. Janice Hadlow, Gill Hornby, and anyone with a Bridgerton-shaped hole in their lives.
MY THOUGHTS
This was a delightfully refreshing read set in the time of the Regency. What we have is a young lady in a Cinderella type situation with her aunt who is forced to leave or be married off to an inappropriate suitor. She and her best friend hatch a plot that has her leaving in the middle of the night dressed as a young man.
She is dutiful to this costume and runs into a group of four friends at a coaching inn. They adopt her into their group as the young man of her disguise. This leads to hijinks and eventually finding her grandfather and learning the truth. I enjoyed this group of friends.
The language in this book reflected accents (to an American) more so than many Regencies I have read. The proprieties were not as strict as well (this poor girl would have been ruined many times). It was pragmatic, practical, and had great emotion. The characters were nuanced and rather than dwelling on problems, they solved them. They saved each other.
Each relationship she had with the young gentlemen was different and individual based on the personalities. When trouble arose, she was not a shrinking violet and was able to keep her head. These things all combined to make this a wonderful story. It was a different twist on something that has become somewhat formulaic. I look forward to more from this author as this is the first that I have read from them. I received an early copy through the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest review.
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