The Marriage Season

By Jane Dunn

What it’s about?

‘It’s not a fair world I’m afraid. Beauty or fortune carries the day. You have the beauty and I the fortune, so there’s every chance we’ll succeed’
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.

Once ensconced at the Mayfair home of Lady Godley, Lucie’s godmother, the whirl of balls, parties and promenades can begin. But the job of finding a husband is fraught with rules and tradition. Jostling for attention are the two lords – the charming and irresistible Freddie Lynwood and the preternaturally handsome Valentine Ravenell, their enigmatic neighbour from Shotten Hall, Mr Brabazon, and the dangerous libertine Lord Rockliffe, with whom the brooding Brabazon is locked in deadly rivalry.

Against the backdrop of glamorous Regency England, Sybella must settle Lucie’s future, protect her own reputation, and resist the disreputable rakes determined to seduce the beautiful widow. As the Season ends, will the sisters have found the rarest of things – a suitable marriage with a love story to match?

What I think:

If, like me, Bridgerton has awakened a love of Regency romances, then you are going to love The Marriage Season.

This is so readable, I loved the characters from the outset and was fully invested in their stories.

Sybella is a widow. Young and beautiful, mother to a young son, she has lost her husband in the war and is now focused on finding a husband for her younger sister Lucie. With no one suitable in the countryside, they of course head to London for the summer season.

Lucie quickly attracts the attention of the eligible young men and enjoys a season of parties and dinners with her new found friends, Valentine and Freddie. One of these young Lords could be a perfect match for Lucie.

Sybella finds herself drawn to Mr Brabazon, her wealthy and handsome neighbour. But having lost the love of her life, is she really ready to court another man.

This is a great read full of romance and fun. I loved Lucie and Sybella and really enjoyed their story. I will definitely read more Regency romances by Jane Dunn in the future.

Thank you to Netgalley for my gifted digital copy of The Marriage Season. I thoroughly enjoyed it.