The Dressmaker’s Secret Earl (Double-Dilemma #1) by Susanne Dunlap

ABOUT THE BOOK

A marriage of convenience to a scoundrel? Not if Augusta can help it.

The impoverished daughter of a baronet, Augusta has no intention of being bartered away like a prize horse. Instead, she flees to London, determined to forge her own path as a modiste.

But fate has other plans. On her very first day in the city, she crosses paths with a brooding earl—one burdened with a clubfoot and a reputation nearly as scandalous as the proposal she ran from. His captivating sister, Mariana, is not only Augusta’s employer’s best client but harbors a secret ambition of her own: to marry the one man society deems wholly unsuitable.

Drawn into Mariana’s reckless schemes of masquerades, cross-dressing, and Whig intrigue, Augusta soon finds herself entangled in more than just scandal—she’s losing her heart to a man who embodies everything she swore to escape.

But the earl has secrets of his own. Is he truly the rogue society believes him to be?

And when Augusta’s past comes calling, will her newfound independence—and her heart—survive?

A charming, fast-paced Regency romance perfect for fans of Bridgerton and the sweetly adventurous love stories of Maggie Dallen and Jenny Hambly.

MY REVIEW

Sometimes a book comes along that surprises you, and this delightful historical romance does just that with two budding romances. I found myself engrossed in the lives of the penniless yet independent baronet’s daughter and the brooding, disabled Earl of Bridlington, as well as the spirited Lady Lanyon and her dashing private secretary to the Prime Minister. Let the games begin!

George Lanyon, the Earl of Bridlington, and his equally captivating sister, Lady Mariana Lanyon are not like any other family in the ton. From the get-go, it’s clear that marrying below one’s station isn’t a concern for George and Mariana. Their parents may have settled for a respectable but entirely loveless marriage, but these two are not about to follow in their footsteps. Instead, they navigate the treacherous waters of society, romance, and personal insecurities in their own unique ways.

George is an intriguing character grappling with self-image issues and discreetly assisting poor unfortunates, making him relatable and endearing. He’s not your typical brooding aristocrat. There’s depth to his character as he learns to embrace both his disabilities and his desires. George’s love interest, the prim and proper Miss Augusta Hastings, has secrets of her own as she works as a seamstress despite being a gentlewoman which she fails to disguise from no one. Running from a marriage she does not want, she arrives in London alone like a fish out of water. Her first encounter in London but not the last, is with the Earl of Bridlington who seems oddly friendly, but discourteous. Their serendipitous meet-cutes build to a mutual attraction, an unwanted visitor, and a happily ever after.

The beautiful Lady Mariana is reckless and carefree and has her sights set on political aspirations, showing her determination and independence in a time when women were often expected to conform. It’s the playful Mr. Jeremy Thorne in the thick of the civic interests she aims for who catches her eye and her heart when every nobleman in the ton has tried and failed.

The chemistry between the characters crackles off the page. Watching their relationships unfold is exhilarating, especially as the mischievous plots and playful banter lead them down unexpected paths.

Prepare to fall head over heels for the compelling characters and their intertwining stories. The combination of romance, friendship, and a dash of shenanigans makes this historical romance an intriguing read.

Thank you to Ms. Dunlap for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

Double-Dilemma Series

1 The Dressmaker’s Secret Earl (2025)
2 The Soprano’s Daring Duke (2025)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susanne Dunlap is the award-winning author of over a dozen historical novels, as well as an Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach in fiction, nonfiction, and memoir. Her love of history began in academia with a PhD in music history from Yale. Her novel THE PORTRAITIST won first prize in its category in the 2022 Eric Hoffer Book Awards, and was a finalist in the CIBA Goethe Awards and the Foreword Indies Awards. THE ADORED ONE: A NOVEL OF LILLIAN LORRAINE AND FLORENZ ZIEGFELD, won first place in its category in the 2023 CIBA Goethe Awards for Late Historical Fiction. Today, she lives, coaches, and writes in beautiful Biddeford, Maine.