Cover Image: The Marriage Season

The Marriage Season

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Lookin for a suitable marriage may prove harder than it seems, is one Season enough to make a wise choice and choose the best suitor? This book pulls us in the period of time where woman's worth is judged by her marital status and not her own worth. It fittingly describes the feelings of women that have to find an appropriate husband. It is witty and interesting with likeable characters, definitely should read it if you like regency romances.

Was this review helpful?

A beautiful read for my weekend. I love the sisterly love in this book. When I first take a look at the cover, I imagine it exactly like Brigerton. It helps me to imagine the characters better.

At first the book is a little dry but it is understandable as it is to make the reader familiar with the characters. When the romance hit in, then it is the oh my god moment!

I love Freddie's cheekiness. Just can't get over it!

Thank you for the review copy!

Was this review helpful?

This felt like a slightly more modern Georgette Heyer. I usually get annoyed when there is more than one main couple, but this was done so well—it was so balanced, both MCs getting their fair share of the story.

I picked my pairs early in the book but I still enjoyed watching how it played out. I

A fun read! I’d definitely read more regency romance by this author :)

Was this review helpful?

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

This was a pleasant read, and the two heroines, Lucie and Sybella were likeable. Sybella had the world's most articulate three year old, James, who shared the obsession most of the characters had with horses. If they weren't riding them driving them, racing them, or grooming them, then they were being knocked down by them. Not much really happened, apart from a few parties, the aforementioned interactions with horses and the rather startling episode which led to Lucie claiming to be engaged to one of her friends to help him out of a criminal charge. I found Mr B's continuing to socialize with his mistresses during the novel a bit off-putting personally, but he did have a pair of very nice grey horses...

Was this review helpful?

'The Marriage Season' is everything you'd expect from a Regency Romance: a quaint, light-hearted story. However, it also comes with a splash of satirical wit, commenting on the fracas of social jockeying through marriage. 'You're entering a world of artifice and it doesn't do to be too honest about your modest situation'.

Sybella, a young widow, and her sister, Lucie are orphaned daughters of gentry but not of aristocracy. Sybella is keen to ensure Lucie marries well to secure her future so enlists the help of Lucie's godmother to sponsor a season in London. 'You must know that young women with breeding and great good looks have a certain currency.' Once in London, Lucie quickly finds herself in a love triangle quandary and Sybella begins to realise that spending the rest of her own life without love isn't what she wants.

Jane Dunn clearly knows a lot about the Regency era; its history, cultural norms, and language. You certainly extend your vocabulary! I also enjoyed the witty comments on the somewhat farcical nature of the marriage market, 'But happen I marry someone who only knows the carefully confected exterior?' To that end, I did feel that at times the actual storyline got lost amongst all the era referencing. Still, a good, light-hearted Regency read which definitely puts the reader in the time and place of, 'The rules on how to conduct ourselves for fear of disapproval and scandal.'

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to Jane and NetGalley for allowing me to read The Marriage Season before publication date.

It is an easy read which I found to be reminiscent of the works of the author, Georgette Heyer, albeit that the Casey sisters are a smidgen less demure and in Bella’s case, a bit more worldly wise and showing her ability to manage an estate.

Jane has an ability to describe scenes which instantly draw the reader in. Nor does it stop there as we are treated to details of the attire of many of the characters.

I did have to check the meaning of some of the words which have gone out of every day use or changed their meaning since the Regency era in which the story takes place and the current day.
The insight into Lady Godley's marriage and her quiet astuteness was superb and I loved the description of her view of people being pieces on life's chessboard.

Was this review helpful?

A great regency period romance novel. Wonderful characters within a great storyline. A real page turner from start to finish.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review. It was an absolute pleasure.

Was this review helpful?

Thoroughly enjoyed this escape to regency high society with captivating characters, scandal, drama and all the glamorous parties from the season.

Was this review helpful?

This is a pretty enjoyable Regency romance. It's almost in the same vein as a Georgette Heyer, but not quite. Sybella and Anthony's romance is the star storyline; unfortunately, they have to share the spotlight with Lucie and her beaus, all of whom were nowhere near as compelling. I think Anthony's character arc suffered and felt rushed due to that split attention.

I would recommend to readers who like slow-paced and clean historical romances.

Was this review helpful?

I need to admit that while I do like romance novels, Regency romances lack the depth and character development that make a romance successful for me. Having said that, I expect that for readers who love Regency romances, The Marriage Season by Jane Dunn, will be an enjoyable read. Dunn's novel includes the expected plot line and character tropes. Dunn includes the sweet and lovely women characters whom readers would expect to find. The character tropes are also defined with strong handsome wealthy men, the usual rake, and the young man wasting his wealth, at least two of whom with be saved by the aforementioned sweet beautiful women. As readers will expect, those same women will successful reform the men, who desperately need reform.

I did not dislike The Marriage Season, but at about the one-third mark, I found my attention flagging. The ending was rather contrived, but since that is often the case with a Regency romance, the ending was exactly what I expected. I know there is a reading audience for Regency romances, and for those readers, I am happy to recommend The Marriage Season.

Thank you to the author and publisher for recommending this novel and to NetGalley who brought it to my attention.

Was this review helpful?

The Marriage season by Jane Dunn.
In Regency England, marriage is everything. For young widow Sybella Lovatt, the time has come to find a suitable husband for her sister and ward Lucie. Male suitors are scarce near their Wiltshire estate, so the sisters resolve to head to London in time for The Season to begin.
A good read. I did like sybella and Lucie. 4*.

Was this review helpful?

I have to admit I absoutely love historical fiction especially those set around the time frame of Bridgerton. The Marriage Season by Jane Dunn is set in that regency England time.

Meet Sybella Lovatt and her sister, Lucie. The two girls are all alone in the world having lost both their parents, Sybella her husband, a captain who died in a war. This is a beautiful story that tells their tale as they leave their manor home for the London. As guests of Lucie's godmother, Lady Godley, they are only their to search for a husband for Lucie.

But as you can guess nothing ever goes right as two bachlors Lord Freddie Lynwood, who we meet first when he falls out of tree. The second being the handsome Valentine Ravenell, Set against the glamorous London season this story has it all romance, single mother, glamour but can Lucie and her sister, who she calls Bella, ever find their happily ever after?

By the end you'll be wanting these two charastimic and strong women to have their happy ever after. This is a beautiful well written book by Jane Dunn, published by Boldwood Books who somehow always find stories that you want to drive straight into. Thank you to them and to Netgallery for giving me an early preview in exchange for a honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This is a great book, set in the regency period and definitely a page turner, I loved it. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for giving me a copy of the book.

Was this review helpful?