Jane Dunn has become one of my go-to authors.
Loved this book, really enjoyed it.

Great characters, engaging storytelling and an ability to spin a tale that you just can’t put down.

Regency romances are such a comfort read for me.

Despite the predictability, I love the journey to the happy ending – the brooding rakes, the surprisingly feisty heroines and the drama along the way.

Leonora is set to move out of her home as her father’s heir is ready to claim the manor. At 27, she is happily on the shelf and has accepted her quiet country life. Her best friend, Charlotte Blythe,is young and beautiful with a mysterious past. As the adopted daughter of the local vicar, no one knows who her real parents are.

Leonora and Charlotte enjoy quiet days reading and swimming in the lake at nearby Rokeby Abbey. Long left empty, it’s the talk of the neighbourhood when the mysterious Earl of Rokeby turns up.

Of course he is dark and brooding, gorgeous but troubled. He soon turns both Leonora and Charlotte’s life upside down.

This is a fun and romantic read. Leonora is a great leading lady and there’s a fabulous dog who stealS every scene he is in which is always a winner for me.

I have really enjoyed all Jane Dunn’s Regency romances so far and will definitely read any future books she writes.

Thank you to NetGalley for my gifted digital copy of A Lady’s Fortune.

This is historical romance. Everything seems to be changing for our female main character, she's preparing to leave her family home which is being Inherited by a distant cousin, and there's a new Earl moving in next door which means she can no longer wander as freely.

She's resigned herself to being a spinster but with a number of men apparently interested is there another future for her.

This is one of those romances where the 2 main characters don't actually get to spend an awful lot of time together before declaring their love, which is not what I prefer. I wasn't entirely sure who the love interest was until quite far in.

It also does a kind of drifting point of view, as we float between different people between paragraphs as it sets up potential romances for everyone.

3.5 stars rounded up.

Whilst this was slow to start I enjoyed the romances of Lenora and Charlotte. It felt more unique than many regency novels as it touched on topics that aren’t normally included.

A perfectly serviceable, proper historical romance story, from what I read. My tastes just fall more on the grittier side and I felt bored. I do see why others enjoyed it and I would still recommend to the proper audience!

A truly delightful regency romance that keeps you hooked from start to finish.

The pacing is just right, with a good mix of slow-building tension and exciting twists and turns. The story follows Leonora Appleby, a strong and relatable heroine, as she navigates love and societal expectations. Her character development is impressive, as she grows from a resigned country Miss (who was kind of somewhat forgotten or overlooked really) to a determined woman ready to take control of her destiny. I enjoyed seeing her character evolve and come into her own.

The overall mood of the book is charming with a rich historical setting that brings the regency period to life. Lately, I have been all about the regency/historical period, and I have to say that the writing was refreshing and comforting in a familiar sort of way.

The interactions between Leonora and the brooding (Sir Grumps a lot) war hero, Earl Rokeby, are filled with chemistry and snarky banter, adding a spark to the story.

I love me some Jane Dunn, her books are a place to get lost in, and imagine yourself in a different time and place. a 5 Star Read.

"A Lady's Fortune" is another fabulous Regency romance from author Jane Dunn! The historical setting is described with clarity, detail, and a vividness that brings the characters, locations, clothing, and events of the story to life. The characters feel three-dimensional, real, and are so very lovable! I had so much fun meeting and getting to know them. It was beautiful to see both Leonora and Lord Rokeby slowly realize how much they care for each other and understand the depth of their feelings. This is a beautiful book about family, friendship, love, healing, and the beauty in living. The suspenseful elements of the story were also carried out very well! I could not stop reading. This is a book that will keep you reading on late into the night! The speed of the plot is perfect, the writing style is smooth and dazzling, the characters are lovable, the romance is sweet, swoony, and full of emotion, the character development is great, and the story is captivating and oh so beautiful! I cannot recommend this book and author highly enough. I have loved all of this author's books! Read them! You will be so glad you did. 5 stars! Beautiful, charming, and an absolute delight! Wonderful gothic vibes as well. I love this book and will be revisiting these characters and their story again soon!

Thank you very much to author Jane Dunn, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for the wonderful opportunity of reading and reviewing this book honestly.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. I love historical romance and this was a great one!

Star Rating: 3/5
Spice: 1/5

The premise of this book really caught my attention. I am a fan of historical romance, but this is my first book by Jane Dunn. I tried to finish this book, but ultimately I had to wave the flag and just give it up. I wanted to like it so much and I attempted to power through until I started questioning myself as to why I was struggling through a book that held little interest to me.

This book follows Leonora Appleby and Charlotte Blythe, with it's main focus on Leonora. Leonora is delightfully independent and at 27 and unmarried, is considered an old maid. Ownership of the home that she has always known is soon taken by its new heir, George Lockwood, after the death of her father. At the same time, her neighbor Alistar, a war veteran who was scared at war returns. He's a bit abrasive, but Leonora is instantly attracted to him while Charlotte is attracted to George.

All of the characters are very likable and nice, but don't seem to have any depth. The slow burn between Leonora and Alistar is so slow that it's virtually invisible. There was just nothing there to compel me to continue reading. I was confident that they would all have very nice happy endings with small, but tolerable bumps in the road.

This story was okay. I enjoyed the storyline and the characters. My challenge with the book was the style of writing. The author sometimes uses unnecessarily complex terms. For example, a character “quaffed the champagne” and there were “meretricious diversions.” When these phrases came up, it interrupted the flow of the story for me. There were other things like this, but if you can look past these annoyances then give the book a try.

Leonora Appleby waits for the new heir, George Lockwood, to take over Hasterleigh Manor after the death of her father. His offer for her to live at the Lodge means she won't have to leave her dearest friends. Alister, the Earl of Rokeby, returns to Rokeby Abbey. A war hero, scared from his wounds, he isn't the easiest man to get to know. The earl arranges for his niece, Charlotte, and her best friend Leonora to travel to London for the Season. At first exciting, everything dims and they dream of returning home. The Earl Rokeby's final confession sheds new light on his character. A man to be admired and loved by Leonora. If only he could return her love? Very much reminiscent of older regency historical romance books. I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

I really enjoyed Jane Dunn’s first regency novel and looked forward to reading future ones, but on the whole have found that they didn’t match up to the first one. Sadly, for me, A Lady’s Fortune didn’t either.

The identity of the heroes and heroines were predictable, one heroine was predictably silly, the plot twists were equally obvious, especially one which was ‘flagged’ almost from the beginning of the book. It was an easy read but forgettable.

Jane Dunn’s "A Lady’s Fortune" is a compelling historical novel that immerses readers in a richly detailed world of 19th-century England. The story follows the life of the resourceful and independent Leonora Appleby, who, after a series of personal setbacks, finds herself navigating the complexities of wealth and social status. Dunn skillfully balances a vivid depiction of the era with a gripping narrative, blending romance, intrigue, and societal critique.

Dunn’s portrayal of Nora is particularly noteworthy. She emerges as a strong, relatable protagonist, whose journey from adversity to empowerment resonates deeply. The supporting characters are equally well-drawn, each contributing to a tapestry of relationships that enrich the story. The historical backdrop is meticulously researched, providing an authentic setting that enhances the plot without overwhelming it.

Overall, "A Lady’s Fortune" is a rewarding read for fans of historical fiction, offering both an engaging story and a thoughtful exploration of the era's social dynamics.

Two romances...

In one. Leonora and Charlotte must make their way in the world, or ton, and create their own fates. Leonora, a spinster for sure at 27, has to move out, as she awaits the new heir, George.
Earl Rokeby is back from war. He has news that will change things.
Lottie has to find her own way.
A new to me author. I enjoyed this book and the relationship between Leonora and Charlotte and I especially enjoyed Earl Rokeby.
Recommend.

"A Lady's Fortune" by Jane Dunn is a story about two main characters, Leonora and Charlotte, who live in Hasterleigh, England. It's a mix of Jane Austen and "Bridgerton," and it's very enjoyable.

Miss Leonora Appleby is waiting for the new heir, George Lockwood, to show up at the Manor following her father’s death. She will be moving out of the Manor, which has been her home her entire life. Earl Rokeby returned to his lands after being scarred in the Napoleonic War. What secrets will his return reveal for the members of this town?

I really enjoyed the chemistry and development of the relationship between Leonora and Alistair, as well as Charlotte, George Lockwood, and Nanny P.

English village life!

Charming story of an earl returned to his lands after being scarred in the Napoleonic war. Lady of the Manor, Leonora Appleby had been living in Hasterleigh, Berkshire all her life. Now the heir to the property George Lockwood was to visit.
Charlotte (Lottie) Blythe a foundling, is her best friend and daughter to local vicar and wife.
A village story with a suicide, a loving recluse and his dog, a host of others and a smarmy officer.
Jolly good read!

A Boldwood Books ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.
I am a fan of Jane Dunn's Regency novels, and I like that they are standalones - it's sometimes hard to find a genre book to read these days that isn't part of a series. Good writing, fun plots and lots of details that root us in the Regency period.
A Lady's Fortune is well written, and at times reminiscent of Georgette Heyer and Sense and Sensibility (particularly the relationship between the two main characters). As with most Regency books, the story deals with the quest for a husband (or two quests) but it plays out in an interesting way.
I really enjoyed watching Leonora and Charlotte's relationship develop as they grew as individuals, an as they found out things about themselves and their backgrounds. It kept the plot interesting and the dynamic was always changing.
As other readers have pointed out, the eleventh hour drama felt a bit forced and probably unnecessary - I think if it had been toned down a bit it would have fit the rest of the story better.
(Pet peeve - I wish that authors would stop dressing their heroines in white wedding dresses - not popular until after Victoria's in 1838)
Solid 4 out of 5, and a cut above a lot of books in the genre.

A Lady's Fortune will appeal to all fans of Regency and historical romance. It is reminiscent of Austen and better than Julia Quinn's charming Bridgerton series in that the characters have more depth and the story is more emotionally charged.
I found myself feeling quite sad while reading Earl Rokeby's recollections of his traumatic experiences on the battlefield and his brother's death. He describes the sights and sounds as his brother was dying and the fight continued around them. He included the war horses in his recollection making it very realistic and as if I was reading a first-hand account. He has a great affection for his animals and I loved that about his character.
There is plenty of humour, drama and romance to more than offset the heavier themes of war and grief.
Rokeby and Leonora have a meet cute along the side of the road which reminded me a little bit of Rochester and Jane in Jane Eyre. Although Rokeby is more likeable despite his gruffness, as he is much gentler around Leonora and Charlotte.
I enjoyed the fact that there were two romances woven into the main plot of this book. The story is well paced and entertaining throughout. It's a book that I looked forward to picking up again after the working day. I liked the added drama that the side characters provided. I could see elements of Pride and Prejudice. There is a Caroline Bingley type character and Captain Ormonde reminded me of Mr Wickham as soon as he was introduced. I couldn't wait to see what would transpire from that quarter.
This book is a gorgeous read with main characters I was rooting for all the way. Jane Dunn has become a firm favourite.

If you are a fan of historical fiction and romance then this novel will be a good choice for you. This is a new to me author and I really enjoyed the writing style and storytelling.
It was easy to read and enjoy.