Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
You can definitely enjoy this one without reading the other books in the series, but I think I would have enjoyed it more if I would have read those. This was a unique and interesting plot and I enjoyed the characters. It has a slow start, but once it picked up, I was intrigued.

This story follows Eliza Gray, a spirited circus performer with a mysterious past, whose life changes when she crosses paths with Raven, Earl Purfoy—a brooding nobleman with his own demons. Their initial collision sets off a chain of events that propels Eliza into London’s high society, where she must navigate glittering balls, scandalous gossip, and the attentions of an ambitious American suitor while searching for her true family.

I loved Eliza’s courage, independence, and deep connection with horses. Raven, despite the silly name, is a broody, Byronic hero who is just perfectly suited here. The supporting cast, particularly the warmhearted Wolfe family, adds depth and charm, while the American heir Zadoc Flynn also has some depth beyond just being the third leg of the love triangle.

I will be looking for the rest of this series!

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

Eliza got lost when seven years old and was taken in by the owner of a circus. Later in life, Eliza decides to run away from the circus, in which she was raised, to find her family and life a more quiet life. During the night she ran away and was knocked down by Raven Purfoy’s curricle. From there, we follow her as she meets Raven’s friends, one of them being Zadoc Flynn, an American heir and cousin to one of Raven’s friends, and accidentally enters London society. We learn more about her, her relationships and her family.

The start of the book was interesting, after that the first half of the book was somewhat slow-paced. Around about 50% the pace picked up and the story got more interesting. I do think the premise was interesting, but something in the writing was not catching my attention. The book is a part of a larger series but is described to be a standalone. I have not read the other books in the series, and I did not have any trouble keeping up with this one, so it most definitely can be read by itself. I do think some topics could have been discussed more such as the incident between lord Davenport and Eliza or what happened to Eliza when she was seven years old.

Eliza Gray works at the Prebbles Flying Circus. She is a goddess on horseback, and her performance is the best attraction. She has been at the circus since Mrs.Prebbles found her wandering in Bath at a young age. Eliza doesn't know who her family is or if Eliza is even her name. She decides to finally leave the circus and her best friend, Rose, behind and begin her search for her parents and any family she may find.

Things don't go as Eliza planned, but I believe things went even better for her. She was lucky to stumble upon Earl Raven Purfoy, and he then took her to the Wolfe's, who showed her nothing but kindness and a feeling of being home and among family. Eliza will find heartaches in her search for her family but will gain very important people in her life.

Loved this story, Eliza is such a beautiful character, and her love for horses shows her true kindness and empathy. Corinna Wolfe is the nicest of all the characters and one of my favorites in this historical romance.

Thank you, Netgalley and Boldwood Books, for this ARC. All opinions are entirely my own.

Eliza Gray is a circus performer with stunning acrobatic skills and a deep affinity for horses. The circus took her in as a small child, and she can barely recall her former life. Still, she wants a family and has made up her mind to leave and find her true roots. A near tragedy puts her in the path of an Earl and his friends, and it's a life-changing experience. This romantic story has a pleasing uniqueness and a believable Regency setting. There is a mix of new characters and some from previous books, as well as an engaging romance between Eliza and Rav. Eliza is courageous and willing to defy convention despite her upbringing; she has a naivety that makes her emotional journey turbulent. The romance is lyrical and gentle but engaging to read. It's a lovely story with complex characters and a vibrant historical setting.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Eliza is running away from the circus, where she’s lived since she was seven years old, desperately wanting to find her family and to find her home. Buffeted by the stormy wind she falls into the path of a speeding curricle driven by the drunken Lord Purfoy and is injured, losing her memory as a result. Lord Purfoy is horrified, as it brings back memories from his past, and he quickly takes Eliza to his friends’ house and asks them to care for her until her memory returns. Eliza is welcomed by the Wolfe family and when they learn why she fled the circus they promise to do all they can to help her find her family. In the meantime, they introduce her into society.

I really enjoyed this book; it has all the ingredients for an absorbing regency romance. A handsome, brooding hero; a feisty heroine; a dastardly villain; a rich, respectable but bluff suitor and a surprising new female friend. The characters interacted well with each other and the friendship displayed between the main characters was heart-warming. It was good to catch up with Alick, Rav, Ferdy and Corinna following their exploits in An Unsuitable Heiress, but this book can be read as a standalone. Maybe we’ll find out what happens to Ferdy in the future?

An enjoyable story! There was so much depth of feeling in this story. Eliza's character is so hopeful, and she's willing to take take steps to make her dreams come true. Raven seemed stuck. He refuses to change and would rather be miserable. The entire cast of characters was fun which made for an enjoyable story.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Boldwood Books for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the uniqueness of the fmc being a circus performer who runs away from the circus to find out who she is. I also love that the mmc is a horse boy and the found family of the characters.

Trigger warning for sexual assault

It builds up it’s reminds bridgeston

A daring young lady, a dashing English Earl and a bluff American millionaire in search of a bride. Who will win the hand of the mysterious Eliza Gray? 💍

At Prebbles Flying Circus. the daring Eliza Gray captivates audiences with her breathtaking feats on horseback. Yet beyond the applause, she harbours a longing to find the family she lost as a child and discover who she truly is.

Fate, however, takes an unexpected turn when Eliza is unceremoniously knocked down by a curricle driven recklessly by Raven, Earl Purfoy. Dazed but intrigued, she cannot help but notice Purfoy’s commanding presence.

For his part, the dashing lord, is mortified at his carelessness and resolves to assist the spirited yet intriguing young woman. He deposits her in the care of his dearest friends, Corinna and Alick Wolfe, who encourage Miss Gray in her search for her family and sponsor her entry into London society. The glittering balls and scurrilous gossip of the ton are a far cry from the circus ring and Eliza finds herself the subject of intense speculation and unwelcome advances.

As a most accidental debutante, Eliza has to navigate the complexities of high society and her new friendships. Her quest for family and belonging becomes perilously entwined with Zadoc Flynn, an American heir of a New York plutocrat, who intends to take home with him the finest racing horse money can buy...and an English bride.

Can Eliza uncover the truth of her past and the family she longs for? And will it be Mr Flynn or Lord Purfoy, or indeed her new female friends, who help her find her place in the world?

In a tale of courage, passion, and self-discovery, this lost orphan must decide where she truly belongs.

I did not love this book. When I started it I really wanted to and I must say that I did enjoy Eliza Gray as a character as well as Corinna, Alick, and all the other secondary characters. The premise was not bad between Eliza searching for her family, building new friendships and the chemistry between her and Raven was decent. Where I struggled a lot was with Raven and how he treats the relationship between Eliza and himself, especially towards the end after the races etc. as far as grand gestures went he did and ok job of making up for it but his mindset when it came to relationships and his with Eliza just turned me right off unfortunately and the way he treated her without even talking it through properly or trying to see her side. This one was really not for me.

The Accidental Debutante was a fun regency romance to read. I enjoyed getting to see some of the characters from a previous book. As well as getting to know Raven Purfey better and meeting Eliza.
After a very unexpected meeting, Eliza and Raven end up seeing each other more and more.
Though the story seemed to drag on a bit, it still kept me engaged in reading on to the end.
I did enjoy how the author shares how things were in the Regency England era.
All in all, The Accidental Debutante was a fun regency story to read.
Thank you NetGalley, Boldwood Books and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This latest novel by Jane Dunn is a perfect read for fans of Jane Austen or Julia Quinn - Pride and Prejudice meets Bridgerton! Filled with lively and entertaining characters, it tracks the quest of circus runaway Eliza Gray to find her birth family.
Although humourous and mostly light hearted, the book does reflect the plight of young regency era ladies who are without society family or fortune, reliant on the generosity of others to survive and move forward in life.
This book works well as a standalone and is very enjoyable.

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the review copy.

Another brilliant book from this very talented author. I loved the MC, and got totally absorbed into her story.

The Accidental Debutante by Jane Dunn is a delightful Regency romance that transports readers to a world of witty banter, social intrigue, and tender feeling. The story centers around Eliza Gray, a spirited young heroine with a dubious circus past, who finds herself catapulted into the glamorous but bewildering world of high society as an "accidental debutante."

The author deftly combines classic romance tropes with fresh, modern characters. Eliza is a refreshingly spunky, smart heroine who demands to forge her own path in life rather than passively slipping into society's expectations. Her journey of self-discovery and the slowly building love with the dashing Lord Purfoy, whose wit hides more complexity, rings true and is compelling. Their chemistry is a slow-burn delight.

The author infuses the writing with warmth and humor, and the Regency era springs to life without ever weighting the story beneath a landslide of detail. The stakes are real, the emotions are sincere, and the pacing will keep you on the edge from start to finish. The Accidental Debutante is a charming escape for everyone who hungers for a smart, swoon-worthy romance with a heroine who isn't above breaking her own rules. It's a fine read that leaves one smiling long after.

I thought that this was a really great, well-written novel. The only drawback for me was that I wasn’t very interested in the talk about horses, but as that seems to be a highlight for many other readers, I suspect that I’m in the minority on this one.


Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

Jane Dunn never fils to disappoint. A romance involving a feisty lady, a gentleman and a rich American. Lots of horse talk which is pleasing and adds to interest. This tale has a back story of a girl who was lost and joined the circus and her quest to find her family with her adventures and of course, the romance, on the way. A good read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advanced reader copy I received of this book.

Eliza Gray has spent the last 12 years of her life working as a trick rider for the circus in Regency England. She was found at the age of seven, wandering around Bath and was taken in by the circus owner. However, this was not a loving childhood or an easy life. Jane is now an adult and wants to find her family so she sneaks out of the circus one night and heads into London to find work. On her way there, she's almost killed by Raven, Earl Purfoy as he drives his carriage through the streets at night. Raven can't leave a wounded woman on the sidewalk, nor can he take her to his home, so he asks his friends and neighbors, Alick and Corinna Wolfe, to help the young woman recover. Eliza is terrified to be sent back to the circus so she tells them she has amnesia following the accident but she can't keep that up for long if she wants to find the truth of who she is and where she came from.

This was my first book by Jane Dunn and it was kind of a bizarre place to drop into her novels because this book heavily overlaps with her earlier book, An Unsuitable Heiress. While I wasn't confused at any point in the book, I did feel like I was missing some context for the relationships between Purfoy and his friends that would have been helpful in understanding why he behaves the way he does.

The Accidental Debutante reads like an old school historical romance from the late 80s to early 90s. I was not surprised when I got to the About the Author to find that she is a historian and author of nonfiction by trade and has written biographies of people like Daphne du Maurier. This novel has all the hallmarks of the older historicals with a modern sensibility. The POV is third person omniscient, which is incredibly rare in historical romance today. Jane Dunn head hops constantly, sometimes shifting mid-paragraph. The vibes of the characters and dialogue also felt very late 80s. It's hard to describe if you haven't read those books but if you are a seasoned reader of that era of historical romance, you'll recognize it as soon as the book starts.

I liked a lot of things about this book. The heroine is a horse girl. She has spend her life in the circus working with horses and is more comfortable with them than people in many cases. A lot of this book takes place while she is out riding or around the topic of horse racing and breeding. I love when a heroine has a niche interest in a book, especially if the author weaves it throughout the novel so I was charmed by Eliza's passion for horses.

The hero is an alpha asshole, which worked for me! Again, he feels of a time in a way I don't often see in new historical romances. I don't know how his asshole exterior and Never Had A Feeling nonsense would play to a new reader in the genre but as someone who grew up on Garwood and Harlequin Historical heroes, I was locked in. And his name is Raven! Raven! If you're going to put an alpha hero on page, he needs a name like that to support his bullshit behavior.

Now, you will need to just go along with a couple of Romance Law things to enjoy this book. Jane Dunn is a biographer so I know she knows the legal points were incorrect but it served the book to have the law against the heroine. Just know going in that what you know about inheritance law in Regency England will not apply.

I enjoyed The Accidental Debutante. It was very different from any other new historical romance I have read this year (and that's saying something– I read a lot of new titles) and I am intrigued to read this author's other books.

The Accidental Debutante by Jane Dunn

Jane Dunn’s The Accidental Debutante swept me away into a world of Regency charm, witty banter, and heartfelt romance. The story centers on a daring young lady who finds herself unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight—and paired with a dashing lord whose charm hides deeper layers.

What I loved most about this novel is how it balances classic romance with fresh, relatable characters. The heroine is delightfully bold and clever, refusing to simply be a pawn in society’s game. Her journey toward self-discovery and love feels genuine and earned. Meanwhile, the lord is the perfect mix of roguish appeal and quiet vulnerability, making their slow-building chemistry absolutely irresistible.

Jane Dunn’s writing sparkles with humor and warmth, and the social intricacies of the Regency era come alive in vivid detail without ever feeling overwhelming. The stakes feel real, the emotions ring true, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish.

The Accidental Debutante is a delightful escape for anyone who loves a smart, swoony romance with a heroine who knows how to make her own rules. It left me smiling long after I closed the book, and I’m already eager to see what Jane Dunn writes next.

Are you like me and a huge Bridgerton fan? Do you feel like the wait between seasons seems endless and then the season is over in a flash? Well, I have a fix for you. Jane Dunn's series of Regency Romances make you feel like you are right in the middle of a Bridgerton set. I devour these. I have yet to read one I didn't thoroughly enjoy. The Accidental Debutante is about a young lady who got separated from her family in a crowd in Bath when she was 7, and the owner of Prebbles Flying Circus discovers her and takes her in. Now, she is an adult, performing daring acts with horses for the circus, but she desperately wants to run away and try to find her parents. The problem is, she was so young when she was taken, she has no idea their names, or where they live. The night she runs away, she is knocked down by a curricle driven recklessly by Earl Raven Purfoy. She hits her head on the pavement, and she feigns memory loss in order to gain a place to stay for a night or two until she works out a plan. He deposits her in the care of his dearest friends, Corinna and Alick Wolfe, who encourage Miss Gray in her search for her family and sponsor her entry into London society. The glittering balls and scurrilous gossip of the ton are a far cry from the circus ring and Eliza finds herself the subject of intense speculation and unwelcome advances. Zadoc Flynn, an American heir of a New York plutocrat keeps proposing marriage to her, wanting to whisk her away to America, but her heart is with Raven Purfoy. There is a love triangle, a quest to find her family, balls, and friendships are forged. Sounds great, doesn;t it?

“The Accidental Debutante” is part of a series by Jane Dunn, however this book can be read as a stand-alone, which I appreciated. I’ve the feeling that if I’d read the earlier books in this series, the amount of names at the beginning would not have felt as overwhelming as it did. This book takes place during the Regency Era in England. We follow Eliza, a circus girl, who captures the heart of Lord Purfoy. At times this book flowed a bit slowly and a bit too formally for my taste. Additionally, some things came across a bit oddly - such as Lord Purfoy hinting that he knew that Eliza didn’t lose her memory and while being attracted to her, keeps her at arm’s length due to some tragedy in his past (which one is it sir?). This book missed the mark for me, but I found the idea interesting. I think if one likes Regency era books (Bridgerton!) and a slow romance, this book would be up your alley.