Susanne Dunlap

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 show more 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.

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THE COURTESAN’S DAUGHTER is historical fiction set in New York City during the early years of the motion picture industry, involving two women - a mother and daughter. It's sort of a coming-of-age novel about both of them. Awarded three stars on Goodreads.

For 15 years, Justine (the mom) and Sylvie (the kid) have only had each other. Justine, a French immigrant, ekes out a meager living, applying her formidable sewing skills to piecemeal work supplied by a kind neighbor. In an effort to show more protect her child from scandal and "the law", Justine keeps Sylvie sheltered, making sure they both shun the company of others. Justine’s ambitions are all focused on Sylvie’s future, convinced her child’s best chance of rising out of poverty is a degree from the local teacher’s college. But Sylvie, though a dutiful child, harbors ambitions of her own. She dreams of becoming a famous actress.

That, in essence, is author Susanne Dunlap’s set up. Then, an unexpected event and a couple of impulsive decisions lead both women to diverge onto new paths. Justine has secrets that must slowly be revealed (no big surprise really given the book’s title) and the sheltered Sylvie finds a not-so-glamorous side to movie-making. As each woman explores the world beyond their home — they must form new relationships, take new risks, witness how women are too often abused, and learn about the fragile nature of trust.

Sounds pretty good so far, right?. Unfortunately, I found the novel’s pace slow and plodding, with some plot twists tending toward the unbelievable. Lots and lots of words spent reviewing the internal thoughts of characters, worrying obsessively over the same few concerns. The pace picks up about two-thirds of the way in. But even then I mostly just wanted to see how the plot resolved. I didn’t find I was emotionally invested in any of the main characters. It was all just story.

So, if you have an interest in the early days of movie-making or in life in early 20th century NYC — you might enjoy this one. Otherwise, if you want to read something by this author, I personally think you might be more engaged by The Portraitist. show less

Please NOTE: I received early access to this manuscript in exchange for working an impartial review. Thank you NetGalley and She Writes Press. Publication: August 30, 2022.

THE PORTRAITIST: A NOVEL OF ADELAIDE LABILLE-GUIARD is an historical novel recounting the life of a little-known but talented French artist who, because she is a woman, struggles all her life to gain the kind of opportunities and recognition male artists at the time received. As the author explains in the Afterword, not show more much has been written about this woman which allowed Susanne Dunlap some leeway, for example, to add more substance to a supposed rivalry between Adélaïde and another more famous woman painter of the time, Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun (1755-1842).

Though we so often think of French society as one that has always honored arts of all kinds, the truth is that they, like most others, have only done so through the lens of patriarchy. Chauvinism played a major role in the challenges of her personal life as well, but it was learning about the life of a female artist at this time that was fascinating to me.

Adélaïde, though artistically gifted from childhood, is unable to access the kind of training readily available to men. Nor, as she ages, is she able to recruit the same calibre of students who study with men. She isn't paid as much as a male teachers. Her commissioned art don’t command as high a price as her male contemporaries. Nor is she eligible for the kind of government subsidies available to artists like Jacques-Louis David (1748-1825).

Instead Adélaïde must rely on her own formidable determination to secure an important mentor in the artist François-André Vincent (1746-1816) and to attract the notice of prominent patrons. Enough so that eventually she is one of the few women admitted to the elite Académie Royale.

Adélaïde (1749-1803) also lived through interesting times and her story cannot be separated from the unfolding of the French Revolution, and it’s life-changing effects on all levels of French society, including the art world. Historical events force artists relying on patronage for their survival to shift allegiances first from powerful nobles in the court of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, then to the men who rule during the Reign of Terror, and then again after these leaders too are executed.

It’s Adélaïde's success, DESPITE all the obstacles, that held my interest. That, and my own admiration for her art. There are a few places where I thought the pace of the novel slowed and a few significant jumps in time toward the end that felt jarring, like I'd missed something. But overall, highly recommended! show less

The Courtesan’s Daughter is the story of the bond between a mother and her child most of all. It’s a very compelling tale with two strong female protagonists; one looking forwards in hope and one looking backwards in fear.

New York City in 1910 is not exactly hospitable for two poor females but Sylvie and Justine are making it work. Justine does piece work as a seamstress and works hard to allow Sylvie to go to school and get an education so she can advance out of this life. In her spare show more time Sylvie helps her mother but she longs to be an actress on the screen, not the teacher her mother wants her to be.

With the help of a young man she barely knows Sylvie gets her wish but it doesn’t fulfill her dreams, only brings her pain. As women have known for time immemorial, men hold the power and they will use it. Sylvie is now also keeping secrets from her mother.

Will she find that it is all worth it or is the world she was so desperate to enter not quite the storybook land she thought it would be? Do dreams come true? Especially for girls like Sylvie.

This was a very compelling read and one that kept me turning the pages from the beginning. I didn’t want to put it down and the only thing that made me was having to go to sleep. The book was finished over the course of two days and I wanted to find out how these two women fared.

It was certainly not an easy time in history and things were going to get worse before they got better. Sylvie’s story shows the strength of dreams and the force of a desire to do what one wants in the face of familial opposition. A story for any and all generations for sure. It made for a tale full of ups, downs, love, sorrow and ultimately triumph. I am happy I had the chance to read it.

I received a free copy in exhange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. show less