An Unsuitable Heiress by Jane Dunn

• Title: An Unsuitable Heiress

• Author: Jane Dunn

• Genre: Historical Romance, Regency Romance

• Publisher: ‎ Boldwood Books (May 22, 2023)

• Length: (350) pages

• Format: Trade Paperback, eBook, & Audiobook 

ISBN: ‎978-1804835364

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: I was intrigued when I read the book description. I like Regency stories where the heroine takes drastic steps to change her future. This book fits in that category 100%.

Corinna meets her new friends when she is about to be beaten and Alick steps in and saves her, I mean him. They take the weak, but amiable, young man under their wings and Corinna is introduced into the world of men of leisure. For a naive young lady, it is eye-opening. Particularly when they take her to a brothel. Oh, my stars! Don't worry, there is nothing graphic happening to her. A nice game of cards is in order.

The book explores Corinna's journey. The author pays attention to detail and takes the reader on a process. Corinna's desire to find her father to his death. She finds her place in the world with the encouragement of good friends.

Romance is not at the forefront of the story. It happens toward the end, but there are sparks between the two from the time they find out she is really a girl.

All in all, I would say that the book is entertaining. I am glad that I picked it up and started reading. It is a little different than your typical Regency romance. You might find yourself falling a little in love with Alick too.

Source: Recieved to Review

Rating: 4 of 5 stars.

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About the Author: 

Jane Dunn is an historian and biographer and the author of seven acclaimed biographies, including Daphne du Maurier and her Sisters, and the Sunday Times and NYT bestseller, Elizabeth & Mary: Cousins, Rivals, Queens. She comes to Boldwood with her first fiction outing – a trilogy of novels set in the Regency period, the first of which, The Marriage Season, is to be published in January 2023. She lives in Berkshire with her husband, the linguist Nicholas Ostler.

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PRAISE FOR AN UNSUITABLE HEIRESS

• 5 STARS “…a compelling and enthralling story of a determined young woman’s journey to find her father and her own place in the world.”— Jo Shaw, BookMadJo.com 

• 5 STARS “…you should allow yourself to be carried away by it as if by a tall dark stranger in a carriage and four. I enjoyed it even more than The Marriage Season, and that's quite a lot.”— Paul Feldwick, Goodreads 

• 5 STARS “…a fun-filled romp through Regency England, with a smattering of romance, a sense of adventure and a wonderful heroine at its core. What's not to like?!”— Jo, Jaffa Reads Too