Never underestimate the determination of a woman, even in Regency…

Synopsis

‘Do you realise, Corinna, just how hard it is for a young woman of irregular birth, without family, fortune or friends in the world? Marriage is the only way to get any chance of a life.’

Following the death of her mother, Corinna Ormesby has lived a quiet life in the countryside with her cantankerous Cousin Agnes. Her father’s identity has been a tantalising mystery, but now at nineteen Corinna knows that finding him may be her only way to avoid marriage to the odious Mr Beech.

Deciding to head to London, Corinna dons a male disguise. Travelling alone as a young woman risks scandal and danger, but when, masquerading as a youth, she is befriended by three dashing blades, handsome and capable Alick Wolfe, dandy Ferdinand Shilton and the incorrigible Lord Purfoy, Corinna now has access to the male-only world of Regency England. And when she meets Alick’s turbulent brother Darius, a betrayal of trust leads to deadly combat which only one of the brothers may survive.

From gambling in gentleman’s clubs to meeting the courtesans of Covent Garden, Corinna’s country naivety soon falls away. But when she finds her father at last, learns the truth about her parentage and discovers her fortunes transformed, she must quickly decide how to reveal her true identity, while hoping that one young man in particular can see her for the beauty and Lady she really is.

My review

Corinna Ormesby has been living with her Cousin Agnes since the death of her own mother. However, at the age of nineteen, Corinna wants to discover who her real father is, whose identity is a mystery. Especially if that can avoid her marrying Mr. Beech.
With the help of her friend, she disguises herself as a young man and sets of to London, as travelling as a woman would cause too great of a scandal.
As Cory, she befriends three men, Alick Wolfe, Ferdinand Shilton and Lord Purofy. Without them knowing that their friend Cory is actual Corinna, they show her the perks of being a man in London.
But once she found her father, and discovering her true inheritance, her identity is quickly revealed, with consequences nobody could foresee, which involve Corinna, Alick, but also his brother Darius… 

I am always intrigued by stories where the main character is in search of her parentage. Add it with the charm of Regency and even a ploy, and I am even more eager to read it! 

Even if Corinna is ‘only’ nineteen, I liked her determination to find out who her father is. If I were in her shoes, I wouldn’t even know where to start, and I for sure wouldn’t take off on my own to London.
And her ability to have her best friend on her side, even reluctantly agreeing to help her out, only shows us how far she would go in search for her own happiness. 

Yet her just taking off, also shows a bit her ingenuity, especially when she quickly finds herself in the midst of a dispute and cannot defend herself, or at least how a young lad is expected to defend himself. 

But her innocence, if we can call it like that, also allows her to make very loyal friends, who take her under their wings, showing her, as Cory, what living in London entails. And they are ready to help her with her search for her father, even with their unawareness of her true identity of being a woman. 

I found it rather funny to see how Corinna is trying to keep pretending to be a man, but also starts to see how being a man can give her certain advantages that she wouldn’t have if she would be wandering around as a woman. 

And I found it great to see how there was such a comradery between all the men, even if Corinna is a rather new addition to the group.
All three new friends accept Cory in their midst, offering their help. But it also works the other way around, as Corinna turns out to be also an asset to their group. 

I have to be honest, while I immediately liked Alic, Ferdinand and even Lord Purofy, I never really warmed towards Alick’s brother Darius.
Not only his behaviour towards Alick himself, or even towards his own mistress, but his behaviour in general made me dislike him from the start of his appearance. A feeling that only increased the more I got into the story, as his actions become more and more selfish and unlikeable. 

Of course Corinna succeeds in her mission of finding her father, and the reunion truly warmed my heart, only to break it again way too quickly for my liking.
But that only added more fuel to the plot that keeps on thickening. 

The author managed perfectly to describe the scenery and made it very easy for me and the reader to see in our imagination what was going on, where it was taking place etc.
And I enjoyed reading this story about a young woman taking her destiny and future back in her own hand, by doing something unexpected but showing us that determination can take you far and make you find not only what you were looking for, but even more.