Carola Dunn: Miss Hartwell’s Dilemma

Amaryllis Hartwell’s Academy for Young Ladies has been a life saver. After her father caused a scandal, and left her without funds, she made the Academy her refuge and her cause—employing her dear aunt and devoted governess and creating a worthy establishment. But the new school year brings Lord Pomeroy, her old suitor, and Lord Daniel Winterborne, a student’s disreputable father, as well as a sinister Spaniard who seems to be spying on all of them. Miss Hartwell becomes the student—who must learn to trust her own heart.

Amaryllis had the opportunity to marry when she had her Season, but her father’s scandalous runaway match with a Spanish ambassador’s daughter instead made her retire quietly from Society. Left with nary a penny, she uses the charity of a relative to start a young lady’s academy with her widowed Aunt and former governess.

Its an industrious life, and the mature Amaryllis seems content. However, this is a year of change for Amaryllis.

As heroine’s go, Amaryllis is the typical older Regency spinster with a good head on her shoulders, a bit of a temper, and the type of beauty that is masked by drab gowns and mob caps. The contenders for her heart are a handsome, wealth, and very good old suitor, Lord Pomeroy, and a crabby, dark and brooding Lord Winterborne. Lord Winterborne takes the part of Hartwell’s Darcy, sparring with her frequently, although showing a kindness in unguarded moments.

There is also a secondary love story, a bit of a villainous subplot, and lots of silly scrapes from some of the students.

Overall, this was an enjoyable clean (kisses only) Regency read, with a provincial setting and a large cast of characters to keep the story moving along. The main conflict for Amaryllis is how to deal with the immense variety of opportunities presented to her, and whether she wants to change at all. I liked that she had agency yet it was still era appropriate. I also liked the female relationships and that all the spider women occurred outside of the action, rather than being used as a plot device or foil for the heroine.

Dunn gets most of the historical details right and has a Heyer-eque way about her, although not quite as charming or clever (or funny). This one is probably closest to Venetia in tone and setting.

I would definitely recommend to readers looking for a slower paced, traditional Regency read.

5 Stars 4.5 out of 6 Traditional Regency with provincial setting and two suitors