The Soprano's Daring Duke by Susanne Dunlap #Review

 

Susanne Dunlap's Regency novel, The Soprano's Daring Duke is her second double dilemma story. You can read my review of the first here: The Dressmaker's Secret Earl

A princess with a scandalous secret. A duke desperate for a wealthy bride. A debutante torn between duty and passion.

Newly widowed Princess Adelheid Kinsky thought she was free—until she learns of her abusive late husband’s final betrayal. The son she believed dead, the illegitimate child of a forbidden love, still lives. To secure his future, she must marry within a month—without revealing the truth. Her best prospect? The Duke of Hartland, a notorious rake drowning in debt.

Meanwhile, Hartland sets his sights on Olivia Fontenoy, an heiress whose fortune could solve all his problems. But innocent Olivia dreams of music, not marriage, and seizes the chance to perform in disguise at the King’s Theatre—unwittingly ensnaring everyone she knows in scandal.

As deception and desire collide, Olivia finds herself drawn to Hartland’s closest friend, the quiet yet passionate Marquess of Lewiston—a man who offers her something far more profound than mere security. And for Adelheid, an unexpected alliance may hold the key to her dreams.

With a surprising ending worthy of grand opera, The Soprano’s Daring Duke is a sweeping Regency tale of love, risk, and the courage to defy expectations.

My Thoughts

In this double dilemma romance, you follow the story of two very different women who share a surprising secret. Princess Adelheid is desperate to find a husband, to outwit the stipulations of the will left by her unpleasant husband. She also is harbouring a big secret which she believes would scandalise society if it were to be known. She has set her sights on Hartland, a rakish Duke who has to find himself a rich wife to clear his debts. Interestingly, you come to recognise some redeeming characteristics in his character.

    Olivia Fontenoy is a young ingenue, an heiress launched on the social scene. You realise early on that she does not fit the stereotype of the young woman eager for a husband. She has a rich musical talent and an overpowering love of music. This is to lead her into some very interesting situations. At first, Hartland sets his cap at her fortune but soon her eye is taken by an unassuming Viscount who shares her love of music. There are several twists and turns before the story reaches its conclusion. Characters have to decide whether to risk their reputations in order to find the happiness they desire.

In short: a tangled web of intrigue and thwarted feelings  

About the Author

Susanne Dunlap is the award-winning author of more than a dozen historical novels for adults and teens, as well as an author of Regency romance. The Dressmaker’s Secret Earl is the bestselling Book 1 in her Double-Dilemma Romance Series. Book 2, The Soprano’s Daring Duke, will be published in June. She is also an Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach.

You can follow Susan here: Instagram  |  Facebook  |  LinkedIn  |  You tube

Book links: Amazon UK |  Amazon US

 Thanks to Susan Dunlap, Comfortable Prose Publishing 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!