Member Reviews
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Regency romance aficionados have got an excellent treat in store for them thanks to the latest novel by Jane Dunn: A Scandalous Match.
Angelica Leigh is a sensation on the London stage. Every night she performs at the Covent Garden Theatre and is feted and celebrated by dukes and earls and even the Prince Regent himself. Angelica has men throwing themselves at her feet wherever she goes, however, she is well aware of the fact that although every single man in the aristocracy wants to seduce her, they would never consider herself as a suitable bride – until Lord Charles Latimer – one of the most eligible bachelors in the Ton – sets his sights on her!
The Honourable Ivor Asprey enjoys the respect and esteem of everyone in society. The lawmaker might also be considered to be marriage material, however, the widowed single father has put paid to any thoughts of romance as it is his eleven year old daughter Elinor’s well-being that is uppermost in his mind. When Lord Latimer’s mother, the Duchess of Arlington, hears of her son’s determination to wed an actress, she asks for Ivor’s help. Well aware of young men’s frequent infatuations with actresses, Ivor assures her that Charles will soon lose interest in Angelica. However, when Ivor finds himself in the company of the renowned Miss Leigh, he is surprised when he realises that even he isn’t immune to her charms…
A man as steadfast, honourable and upstanding as The Honourable Ivor Asprey couldn’t possibly fall for an actress…could he?
With A Scandalous Match, Jane Dunn continues to cement her position as one of the most gifted and talented writers of Regency romances writing today. As always, Jane Dunn’s attention to detail, her impeccable grasp of the mores of the 19th century and gift for characterization are second to none. Readers will be completely enchanted by A Scandalous Match and by Angelica and Ivor’s love story that sparkles with wit, flair, humour and charm.
A splendidly romantic Regency tale from Jane Dunn’s superb pen, A Scandalous Match is pure magic from start to finish.
A new author for me, A Scandalous Match by Jane Dunn was an interesting read. It depicts Angelica an actress who is much in demand and sought after by every rich man to be his mistress. Angelica is not keen to go down the usual route of many an actress at the time. Her mother and she led an exceedingly difficult life with she was young, until a kindly protector took her mother under his wing and purchased a home for them in Mayfair and set them up.
Angelica is an educated young woman, despite her humble beginnings and is determined to ignore her mother's advice to find a rich husband and instead wants to dedicate herself to her craft as an actress. Her acting is so good that young Lord Charles Latimer is determined to marry her as he fancies himself in love with her. His mother, the duchess of Arlington is scandalised and determined to pay the woman off and get her out of her son's life. She persuades her brother, Ivor Asprey, a highly respected, law maker to intervene and do the right thing by the family. However, when Ivor meets Angelica and tries to pay her off, she is offended and tells him directly that she has no intention of marrying Charles.
After their initial meeting, Angelica calls upon Ivor quite a few times to assist with various issues that do not affect her directly. Ivor is a widower with a young daughter, Elinor and following his introduction of his daughter to Angelica, they form a bond.
As the relationship develops, Ivor and Angelica grow closer, which scandalises proper society given Angelica's background.
A lovely read that I enjoyed. I received an ARC from #NetGalley and #BoldwoodBooks and submit my honest review.
It’s March 1814. In London, we meet Ivor Asprey, a 34-year-old Whig party MP for Abingdon. He is highly respected and wealthy. Following the death of his wife, he is a single father to daughter Elinor (11), who is looked after by her straight-forward, no nonsense governess Miss Stafford.
Ivor’s sister – Edwina, Duchess of Arlington – comes to him with a concern. Her son and heir – Lord Charles Latimer – is in love with Angelica Leigh, an actress, currently playing Ophelia in Hamlet at the Covent Garden Theatre. The Duchess is appalled that her son should want to be with an actress and urges Ivor to intervene and stop the relationship.
Meanwhile, we meet Angelica. Her and her mother Amabel come from poverty, but thanks to a benefactor, they now live well. Angelica has a maid called Mary and they are both strong and resourceful young women. Just as well, as with Angelica being so beautiful, she constantly has to rebuke the affections of various men.
A Scandalous Match tells the story of these characters and I loved them all (well, except for the bad guys!), including Angelica’s friend Isobel Fitzjames. I had a particular soft spot for young Elinor, who is as bright as a button and desperate for attention from her busy father. There are some fantastic minor characters too. I especially loved Charles’s poet friend Dante Locke and Angelica’s butler Martin, the retired actor.
Despite being a wonderful story, the novel is full of themes of class, status and wealth. There is such a depth to it. Jane Dunn’s historical knowledge shines through and her words are very evocative, with brilliant descriptions of London at that time. I was shocked at the behaviour of the theatregoers then. If I’d have been an actress on the stage, I’d have been telling the audience to shut up and listen to the play!
I felt I learned a lot from the book (always a good thing!) including a lot of new words (Kindle is great for that!), especially for the fashions of the day (such as spencer, tippet and pelisse) and the insults and terms used to describe someone’s characteristics (including marplot, prosy, a spoony drunk and sobersides).
Overall, I would definitely recommend this book. It’s beautifully written, the characters shine out from the pages and the story is well-paced and compelling.
A Scandalous Match by Jane Dunn is an endearing tale of a young, but past the first bloom, man who falls in love with the woman with whom his nephew is in hopes to marry. She is an actress and beyond engaging as she dies as Ophelia in Hamlet. She recognizes strength in him and asks for assistance, several times. He always give it, but discreetly. He is a member of parliament and known for having outgrown his youthful ways. His wife died five years earlier and the only joy left in his life is his daughter, Elinor, who has been raised by her governess, Miss Stafford. Ivor Asprey has an older sister who is a duchess and very opinionated, and a possible fiancee, who is also very opinionated and conservative. Elinor doesn’t really care for either of them, so avoids them when she is able. Charles, the nephew, is head-over-heals for Angelica Leigh, and innocent and beautiful young whom, who sadly is an actress and so, below the notice of Charles’ mother, It is a detailed story of the trials and tribulations of these folks and more.
Ivor has lost the person who made his life bright and has taken on the mantle of a reformer in parliament. He is well-born, conservative, and well, boring. He finds himself unable to refuse any of the tasks Angelicas lays before him. Interestingly they are usually all about another, not herself. A rake and reprobate discovers some of this and threatens to ruin Ivor if Angelica refuses to become his mistress. In direct opposition to what normally happens in a book, Angelica goes to Ivor, once again. And once again he solves it by calling the man out. Angelica cannot allow Ivor to be killed and so arranges the Bow Street Runners to appear and stop the madness. This does not endear her to Ivor, who considered it dishonorable. There is this and so much more in this rather excellent book. Thanks Ms. Dunn
I was invited to read A Scandalous Match by Boldwoood Books. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BoldwoodBooks #JaneDunn #AScandalousMatch
A beautiful story, impossible to put down. A Scandalous Match blends the social and political history of Regency England with a riveting and thought-provoking romance between a member of parliament and an actress.
There are plenty of characters in this book who delight and entertain. I couldn't help but adore Lord Latimer and Mr Locke as they both appeared very genuine in their friendship and admiration for Angelica.
The theatre scenes were riotous and I could almost hear and feel the responses of the audience to Angelia's portrayal of Ophelia's death.
The slow burn enemies to friendship to lovers romance between Angelica and Ivor Asprey was fun to watch and a very charming read. Despite his protests to her suitability for his nephew he couldn't help but come to her aid whenever she was in trouble. He is kind and has a social conscience. Child labour reform is at the heart of his parliamentary endeavours and he is careful with his reputation to prevent opposition from latching on to anything scandalous that might derail his efforts. He didn't anticipate an emotional attachment to Angelica to put a spanner in the works.
There is a nice amount of humour in the story as Ivor's daughter, Elinor also develops a fondness for Angelica and is determined to play matchmaker. She is a lovely and endearing child and I couldn't help but want this trio to become a little family.
I enjoyed every minute of this book. It has depth, emotional charge, suspense and drama in addition to being a sparkling romance.
First time reader of this author. If you are a fan of Regency England then this read is for you. Ms. Dunn painted a picture with words that was easily seen!
Once again this talented author has taken me by the hand and led me into Georgian London, sharing the life of actress Angelica Leigh as she mesmerises audiences with her portrayal of Ophelia in Shakespeare's Hamlet. To be an actress during the early years of the nineteenth century was viewed as little more than prostitution, however, Angelica's sweet nature and exceptional beauty has attracted the attention of the eligible Charles Latimer, a young member of the haut ton who, much to the chagrin of his formidable mama, is hell bent on marriage with the delightful Angelica. The Honourable Ivor Asprey is persuaded by Charles's mother to try to dissuade Angelica from accepting his nephew as a suitor and in doing so widowed Asprey changes his own life forever.
A Scandalous Match is a delightful historical romance which looks at the vagaries of society in Georgian England and how a woman, so often seen merely as a decorative appendage, could be feisty, funny and determined, like Angelica, to go her own way. I loved Angelica from the start, her acting skill brings a different dynamic and I enjoyed observing the raucousness of the theatre audiences, from cat calls, to throwing bread buns around the auditorium, there was never a dull moment. The romantic element is nicely done and there's a smattering of politics concerning the reform of child labour however, what really shines through is the emotional involvement with all of the characters, which is done with such a fine eye for detail, so that it becomes an absolute pleasure to sit down and escape for a few hours into this Regency world which Jane Dunn recreates so beautifully.
A Scandalous Match returns us to Jane Dunn's wonderful reimagining of Regency England. Our heroine this time is Angelica, our hero Ivor. Both of them are very different characters. The chemistry between them takes some time to develop, but when it does, it is quite explosive.
A Scandalous Match contains all the elements of a Regency romance we would expect, including the stubborn heroine and equally stubborn hero, their failure to speak plainly, and the reach of society that endeavours to keep them apart. But, as with Jane's previous books, there is the fascinating element of 'other' in there as well. The servants aren't faceless and nameless. The conventions of the times are laid bare, and the peripheral characters also 'buck' against the trends we might expect. It all adds a delicious quantity to the books, which I adore, from the 'cant' of the servants to the slightly risqué relationship of Angelica's mother and her 'keeper.' I also adore how the obsession with horses is constantly explored, just as in today's day and age, we might brag about our high-end cars.
Another thrilling and enthralling read. Readers of Regency Romance, and romance in general, will delight in travelling to Jane's Regency England.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my review copy.
A glorious dive into the world of theatre in Regency London and what happens when the paths of performers and aristocracy meet.
Any fans of Bridgerton will remember the character of Sienna, the opera singer and paramour of Anthony whose social standing means she can only ever be his mistress and never anyone he can acknowledge in public, despite the fact he believes he loves her. Jane Dunn’s latest novel explores a similar theme with her heroine, Angelica, and actress of dubious birth who is being courted by the heir to a dukedom, much to his mother’s horror. So appalled is she at the prospect of this base thespian becoming her daughter-in-law that she asks her brother, a widowed and respectable MP to intercede and prevent the marriage. As to what happens next, well, you’ll have to read the book to find out.
Just like previous books by this author, her writing immediately transported me to London in the early 1800’s and the world of the haut ton and the trick rules and etiquette that surrounds society. Everyone has their place and woe betide anyone who tries to step outside of their preordained role, particularly women. In this case, it was particularly fascinating to explore behind the scenes at the theatre and immerse myself in that world, front and back.
I loved the character of Angelica, she was very likeable and it was easy to put myself into her shoes and imagine what life must have been like for a woman in her precarious position in society. The constant strain and worry about securing a future for herself and her family, the constant threat of people who wanted to take advantage of her vulnerability and looking for people to protect her from that. The having to face down the disdain of people whose only claim is to advantage of birth and nothing more. What a frustrating and stressful situation to live in, it makes you desperate for her to succeed.
The male characters are equally interesting, and have their own worries, stresses and pressures to deal with. Family expectation, social standing to maintain, dependents to support. It may look like the men have life much easier but, if they are good men, life isn’t that straight forward and this is reflected in the two members of the aristocracy who are the subject of this book. There are good men and bad men explored here in a true reflection of society as it is, and a stark reminder that, just because people believe themselves to be above others due to their wealth and rank, it is behaviour and the way we treat others which really makes people worthy or not.
I thoroughly enjoyed Jane’s latest Regency outing, I thought it was a fascinating story, rich with a sense of time and place and alive with the colours and sights of the period. The characters were engaging and sympathetic and the writing really carried me through the story. Highly recommended for Regency fans.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC
I was eager to read this book, as I really enjoyed The Marriage Season by the same author.
Angelica is an actress (we don't ever really find out how she got so famous so young). Her mother is the adored mistress of a rich merchant so Angelica got a good education, but she and her mother lived in poverty for quite a while. Because she's an actress she's being harassed by the rake Rackham. There's also a lordling who thinks he's in love with her, whose uncle, Ivor, is pressed to intervene and try to bribe her to stop seeing him. Ivor has a daughter whom Angelica befriends (this seems unrealistic to me). Angelica's long-lost father shows up and further complicates her life. She makes friends with a girl who's part of the ton, which also seems unrealistic to me.
I have to commend the author for coming up with a plot with so many twists and turns, and fitting all of these characters into it. I'm not looking for 100% historical accuracy when I read a 'regency', but there were just so many relationships in this book that seemed unlikely to me, and the ending seemed a bit too 'modern' after all the protestations during the course of the book.
I'm rating this 3.5; I like it well enough, but there were just too many things that seemed contrived to me.
Recommend for fans of regency romance.
I really enjoyed this story. Angelica Leigh was an actress, as beautiful a she was talented. She also had a kind and caring nature, often putting others before herself. Ivor Asprey is a well connected member of Parliament, who is keen to improve the conditions for the working children. He is a widower and has a sweet daughter, Elinor. I loved the way that his interaction with Angelica, brought out a more playful side to him, that had been long buried. There are a number of interesting secondary characters that all add to the enjoyable. There is a villain who will do anything to get what he wants, a secret and some danger. I would have liked an epilogue but inspite of that I found it to be an engaging read. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Okay this book has a lot going on there’s an actress named Angelica Lee and one of her admirers is a Lord Charles Latimer. Unlike most of her admirers from the theater he sees her as marriage material as opposed to a mistress he can set up in London for his free time. During her last performance as aphelia what she thought was an innocent cold becomes feverish and it becomes hard for Angelica to breathe this is how she eventually finds herself at Lord Aspry’s estate he is the dower widowed uncle to Charles. Angelica never knew her father but right before her illness when her mom left for France she was going through a book and found a note asking her mom to meet this person and to bring Angel and it said Love P Angelica had no idea who this was but during her illness a man arrives at Lord Asprey‘s house claiming to be her father
And then everyone thought was dead. While staying at the estate she meets Eleanor Aspry The young daughter of her host the Lord and during her stay she will form a relationship with both of them and although she is starting to have feelings for the older Lord he is engaged to another as is she to his nephew. To make matters worse her father is back and another Lord wants to blackmail her to become his mistress or he will have her father arrested there is so much to the story I haven’t even mentioned how Lord Asprey‘s sister and Charles‘s mom cannot stand Angelica and thinks she is far too low on the pecking scale to marry her son. There’s also a ball thrown in Charles the Zana to celebrate his majority where Angelica gets basically called a thief in front of a crowd of other people her feelings for Lord Ashbury only grow what even if he wasn’t engaged she is an actress and he is a Lord. There is so much more to this book and I don’t want to give everything away Jane dunn is so masterful at historical romance. Her accuracy is always on point and she definitely knows how to have you hopping from one page to the next even when it’s over you want more. I love Jane Dunn’s books as historical books are my favorite and she is truly at the top of her class when it comes to historical accuracy and transporting you from current date to the past. If you love an intricately plotted historical romance then you definitely want to read a scandalous match by Jane done any true historical romance fan will not be disappointed. I want to thank boldwoodBooks an Net Galley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
Angelica Leigh is causing quite the stir at the Covent Garden Theatre in London, where the enchanting young actress wows the crowds nightly with her captivating portrayal of Ophelia. Despite her abundance of talent and beauty, she is not considered marriage material among the more respectable set in Regency, England. Despite this, she has caught the eye of one Lord Charles Latimer, much to the dismay of his mother, and he is determined to ask for her hand in marriage. His mother, equally determined to put an end to this, dispatches her brother, The Honorable Ivor Asprey, to intervene. Mr. Asprey, a widower with an eleven-year-old daughter, may have planned to spend the rest of his life forsaking all romance, but there is something about Angelica Leigh that just gets under his skin....
This is the third Regency, England book, and I am hard pressed to pick a favorite. They are all so much fun to read. If you are a Bridgerton fan like myself, and feel that it has been entirely too long since a new season aired, then this will help to sate your need in the meantime. These are very much like a Bridgerton season (minus Lady Whistledown of course). I loved Angelica. She was an actress, not necessarily because she wanted to be but more because they needed the money and that was something she was good at. She didn't care for a lot of the Lords and Dukes, and was not a social climber like her mother was. She was kind to everyone, and took up a lot of time with Mr. Asprey's daughter. I didn't care for him at all at first, but as the story evolved, so did he. If you are a fan of Regency romances, romances in general, Bridgerton, or anything in the Regency England period then you should definitely check this out!
"A Scandalous Match" is a beautifully-written, captivating, and very fun historical romance from author Jane Dunn! The Regency-era setting was very well-researched and the author has yet again done amazing work creating three-dimensional characters who feel like real people along with personalities, thoughts, emotions, and personal and emotional difficulties of their own. Angelica and Ivor are such lovable characters! Ivor is kind, brave, and dashing. Angelica is vivacious, kind, and beautiful. And of course, Elinor! She is so sweet. I loved seeing the close friendship between her and Angelica. I also enjoyed getting to know all of the supporting characters. Another thing I love about this book are the details that help the reader to clearly envision the locations, characters, clothing, and what is happening. This helps the reader to feel as if they are really there following these characters and their story. Throughout the book I felt invested in these characters and connected to them! There was never a dull moment. And that event that took place towards the end of the book! I was in such suspense. This has everything you could possibly want in a Regency-era romance: the speed of the plot is perfect, the author's writing style is smooth and sparkling with beauty, wit, and heart, the characters are three-dimensional and lovable, the story original and fun, and the romance is sweet and swoony along with lots of emotional depth! "A Scandalous Match" is definitely a must read. I cannot recommend this book highly enough! 5 very well deserved stars. Thank you very much to the author Jane Dunn, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy to read and review honestly.
It is an engaging story with an evocative historical setting and believable characters. It shows how societal rules govern women's lives. The Duchess enlists her brother's help to ensure her son does not offer marriage to an actress. Ivor reluctantly complies with his sister's wishes but discovers that Angelica is unforgettable. I enjoyed the chemistry between Angelica and Ivor, the historical details that immersed me in Regency England and the characterisation.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
1814
Ivor Asprey, 34, is a wealthy and well-respected lawmaker. He is also a widower with a young daughter, Eliner, 11. After a busy day in Parliament, he arrives home to find his sister, Edwina, the Duchess of Arlington, at his home. She says that her son, Lord Charles Latimer, wants to marry an actress. She is Angelica Leigh, who plays the role of Ophelia at the Covent Garden Theater. Edwina wants Ivor to offer this woman money to rebuff her son.
As Ivor meets Angelica, he finds her to be a nice person who says she is not after marrying Lord Charles but that they are just friends. As we follow Angelica and her friendship with Charles, we also see others who would like to do her harm or at least bring her down in life.
I liked this book and the characters. My only complaint is the overabundance of Shakespeare references and dialogue. I have never cared for Shakespeare so this became tedious for me at times. However, I must commend the author for her obvious great knowledge of these plays. So, if you love Shakespeare, this book is for you.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Regency romance with attitude
I have enjoyed each of Jane Dunn's regency novels, this being the third. I have been reading Georgette Heyer just forever, as was my mom. A Scandalous Match, like Ms Dunn's previous regencies, reminds one of Ms Heyer -- a taboo breached, a witty writing style, some serious messages beneath the froth. Highly recommended!
Thank you to the publisher who lent me a time-constrained e-arc via Netgalley, This review is optional and my own opinion.
Jane Dunn's "A Scandalous Match" takes us on a mesmerizing journey through Regency England, where societal norms clash with the allure of the Covent Garden Theatre. With a solid 4 stars, this historical romance unfolds with elegance and unexpected affairs of the heart.
Angelica Leigh, the enchanting actress, graces the stage as Ophelia, captivating audiences and attracting the attention of rakes, dukes, and even the Prince Regent himself. However, her lack of high birth and the stigma attached to being an actress render her ineligible for marriage, creating a captivating backdrop of societal challenges.
Enter Lord Charles Latimer, an eligible suitor who sets his heart on Angelica. The Honourable Ivor Asprey, a respected lawmaker and desirable husband material, is sent to intervene. A widower with an eleven-year-old daughter, Ivor has forsaken thoughts of romance, but there's something about Angelica that even he can't resist.
Dunn beautifully weaves a tale that explores love, societal expectations, and the complexities of relationships. Angelica's character, bold and resilient, challenges the constraints of her time, making her a captivating protagonist. The dynamics between Angelica, Lord Latimer, and Mr. Asprey are laced with tension and charm.
The Covent Garden Theatre setting adds a theatrical flair to the narrative, enhancing the overall charm of the story. Dunn navigates the intricacies of love and class, providing readers with a compelling historical romance that transcends societal expectations.
"A Scandalous Match" is a spellbinding read, where the heart's desires clash with societal norms. If you crave a journey through Regency elegance, theatrical allure, and affairs of the heart, this book is a must-read!
This is a fun regency that tries to tackle some larger things. If you want light hearted and romp-y, this probably isn’t for you.
I had not read anything by Jane Dunn before and after reading this I would definitely look into her back catalog! The writing sparkles, and the characters are nuanced. However I did feel there were parts where it dragged a little. I’m excited to read more by this author!
Star Rating: 3/5
Tropes: Class difference
CW: Sexual assault, classism
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Old fashioned...
I liked this fresh take on a traditional regency read.
It is a bit old fashioned and a quick read.
Lord Ivor is a conservative, proper gentleman who is a widower and an uncle. His sister is a dichess who wants Ivor to intervene with her son, his nephew's latest crush on a trollop. The ttollop being Angelica, an outgoing actress who is both confident and insecure. Ivor is also a father to Elinor, who has been without both parents for six years. Things move along at a good clip and everything is very innocuous, even with a very untraditional paring of Ivor and Angelica.