From the desk of Sophia Rose:
Heyeresque hijinks in a Regency romance for a bright young lady donning cravat and breeches for her quest to find her father.
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
Introductions are In Order
Jane Dunn is a new to me author, but by no means is this her debut into historical research or writing sparkling historical romance. This was plain to me from the start, and I welcomed her attention to authentic historical backdrop and dialogue even while I delighted in the madcap plot to put naïve country girl, Corina Ormesby, in men’s clothes and have her conduct her quest to find out who her father is.
A Damsel in Disguise
Motivated by a sketchy marriage prospect her older cousin insists is all she can expect to attain, naïve Corina feels her home. Dressing in men’s clothes for protection, she sets off to London on a quest to find her unnamed mysterious paternal parent. Things get complicated quickly by three new dandified friends who take her on their larks and give her a real eye-opener into the difference between the gentle and confined world of Regency ladies and the freedom that comes to a man of class and at least moderate means.
Lost Dramatic Moments
I expected the ripping off of her disguise to bring great drama and I girded up my loins for it. But it turns out that the disguise didn’t even last through half the book. Her discovery and meet up with her long, lost father was also tame, so no need to fear over the top drama. In truth, the conflict was elsewhere because finding her father might not have led to him shunning her, but her papa was only the beginning not the culminations of complications in Corina’s life including her attachment to capable and kind Alick.
Light, But Not All Frivolity
While An Unexpected Heiress had a light, not quite madcap quality with the disguise and the group of friends, it touched on social issues of the past like how precarious life could be for women forced to depend on men, the stigma of illegitimacy, and the lot of ‘second sons’ like Alick. I liked how Jane Dunn brought this out while keeping up the entertaining tone of the story and due diligence to character and relationship development. Speaking of relationships, my favorite element in the book was the friendship and scenes with Corina, Alick, Ferdy and Purfroy.
A Solid Regency Romance
An Unsuitable Heiress has lively Regency era dialogue, sparkling characters, and rompish set up resulting in a solid Regency Romance. I would not hesitate to pick up another of Jane Dunn’s Regencies and suggest other sweet historical romance fans pen An Unsuitable Heiress to their wish list.
4 out of 5 Stars
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
AMAZON | PUBLISHER | ADD TO GOODREADS
We received a review copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Cover image courtesy of Boldwood Books © 2023; text Sophia Rose © 2023, austenprose.com, an Amazon affiliate.
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Austenprose 
This sounds like a fun read, and I think I would also appreciate the friendship between Corina and the three men. I bet realizing their pal was female made them reflect more deeply on her circumstances.
Great review!
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It was a light-hearted one, Angie. Yes, once they got over their shock and other feelings about it, they had to face the vast differences in the circumstances of a man.
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