The Scandalous Match by Jane Dunn #Review

 

Jane Dunn's A Scandalous Match was published on January 17th by Boldwood Books. 

‘Angelica had always known her lack of high birth, fortune or influence debarred her from being presented as an eligible young woman worthy of marriage. To cap it all, being an actress assured she was utterly beyond the pale of respectability.'

 

Nightly at the Covent Garden Theatre in London, an enchanting actress is wowing the crowds with her affecting portrayal of Ophelia. Preyed on by rakes and opportunistic young bucks, feted by dukes and earls, even the Prince Regent himself, Angelica Leigh is a sensation.

But in Regency England, beauty and talent are not enough to be considered marriage material, so when the eminently eligible Lord Charles Latimer sets his heart on Angelica, his uncle is sent to intervene.

As a highly respected, hard-working and wealthy lawmaker, The Honourable Ivor Asprey, is himself seen as desirable husband material, but widowed with an eleven-year-old daughter Elinor, he has forsaken all thoughts of romance. Lord Latimer’s mother, the Duchess of Arlington, despairs of her son, despite being reassured by Ivor that his infatuation with the actress will pass. But there is something about Angelica Leigh that demands attention, and even the austere and upstanding Mr Asprey isn’t immune to her charms.

Sunday Times bestselling author Jane Dunn brings the Regency period irresistibly to life. Perfect for fans of Jane Austen. Janice Hadlow, Gill Hornby, and anyone with a Bridgerton-shaped hole in their lives.

 My Thoughts

This is an entertaining read which takes you back to Regency England and the social pressures on everyone, no matter what their standing in life. I enjoyed meeting Angelica and found her to be quite a complex character. Her background and profession as an actress exclude her in many people's eyes from marrying into the higher levels of society. Yet she is also able to socialise and attend functions with the aristocrats.

    Jane Dunn's knowledge of the period shines through. I found many of the supporting characters added to the humour and humanity of the story. Ivor Asprey's Parliamentary work gives you an insight into the social conditions in England. This gives his character some interesting layers and shows that he has a compassionate side despite his raucous youth. You also see how difficult getting reforms through Parliament was. 

In short: Regency England brought to life

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.

You can follow Jane here: Twitter  |  Instagram   |  Newsletter Sign Up  |  Bookbub profile 

 Purchase links

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

Check out the rest of the tour!