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The Dressmaker's Secret by Susanne Dunlap #Review

We are diving into the past to the nineteenth century with the Regency romance, The Dressmaker's Secret Earl by Susan Dunlap . It was published by Comfortable Prose Publishing on 25 Mar. 2025 .   A marriage of convenience to a scoundrel? Not if Augusta can help it. The impoverished daughter of a baronet, Augusta has no intention of being bartered away like a prize horse. Instead, she flees to London, determined to forge her own path as a modiste. But fate has other plans. On her very first day in the city, she crosses paths with a brooding earl—one burdened with a clubfoot and a reputation nearly as scandalous as the proposal she ran from. His captivating sister, Mariana, is not only Augusta’s employer’s best client but harbors a secret ambition of her own: to marry the one man society deems wholly unsuitable. Drawn into Mariana’s reckless schemes of masquerades, cross-dressing, and Whig intrigue, Augusta soon finds herself entangled in more than just scandal—she’s lo...
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Winter Wishes at Roseford Reloved by Fay Keenan #Review

 

Today we return to the series by Fay Keenan set in the Somerset village of Roseford. Winter Wishes at Roseford Reloved was published by Boldwood Books on 24th October. 

 
When the ceiling of preloved clothing shop Roseford Reloved falls in at the height of Christmas season, owner Polly Parrott is in despair. She can see her fortunes draining away as quickly as the water is pouring through her roof. What makes it worse is that standing right underneath the deluge is Will Sutherland, sporting hero and new owner of Parson’s Grange, the new modern mansion in Roseford.

Polly and Will’s first meeting is about as far from a success as it can be, but over a festive season of Christmas markets, a Yuletide Ball and inconvenient snowfalls, can they forge a friendship or even more, despite their unpromising beginning? Or will the complications in both of their lives end their romance before it even begins?


 My Thoughts

If you have read earlier books in the series, you will recognise several characters and welcome being able to follow how their stories continue. Added to this, Poppy takes centre stage. She is a determined young woman who has returned to the village and set up a dress shop of pre-loved clothes. You realise from this that she is keen to merge sustainable issues with her life as a business woman. At first, business is struggling but somehow she keeps going, supported by her grandfather. 

    In contrast to Poppy’s more solitary life, Will proves to have a complicated home life. Family dynamics are complex and he has his work cut out trying to cope with his two teenage daughters. You sense that they have consumed his life since the breakup of his marriage and that he is struggling to find room for himself. Will has issues from his marriage, as well as from his working life as a well known footballer and manager, to come to terms with. Poppy has to work out whether she wants to be involved in his difficult life and whether heart or head will win.  The community of Roseford emerges to help Poppy when disaster strikes and friendships are a great source of support. This makes for a feel good, escapist romantic read which fits perfectly into the series. 

In short:follow your heart


About the Author

Fay Keenan is the author of the bestselling Little Willowbury series of novels. She has led writing workshops with Bristol University and has been a visiting speaker in schools. She is a full-time teacher and lives in Somerset.

 

You can follow Fay here:  Twitter    | Facebook   |  Instagram   |  YouTube  |  Pinterest  |  Bookbub   |  Blog  |  Newsletter sign up

Book link:  Amazon UK


Thanks to Fay Keenan, Boldwood Books and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.

 

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