Discovering Dahlia by Jennifer Moore

Discovering Dahlia
by Jennifer Moore

ISBN-13: 9781524427931
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Released: April 1, 2025

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Following a painful public rejection, Dahlia Lancaster was left heartbroken and shunned by London Society. Dahlia has turned her attentions to her unconventional inheritance—a steamship company. After a year of work, she’s preparing to launch The Aurora, a luxury ocean liner that promises to revolutionize travel. The invitation list is Dahlia’s closest friends—the Blue Orchid Society—as well as a few influential individuals from her old life, whose presence will ensure the success of her endeavor. Unfortunately, not all have the best interests of Dahlia or her shipping line at heart.

Lord Meredith has loved Dahlia since their first meeting. But after her fall from grace, she has evaded his every attempt to see her—until she extends an invitation to join her on The Aurora. Lord Meredith and Dahlia tentatively rekindle their friendship when things begin to go terribly wrong. When mischievous dealings take on an ominous tone, Lord Meredith is determined to keep Dahlia safe, hoping to win her heart as they spend time together.


My Review:
Discovering Dahlia is a romance set in 1874 in England. This was the 5th book in the series, but it can be read without first reading the previous books. This was not a mystery but a denial. Every time something happened, Dahlia dismissed it, even when--like the grease on a step--it was pretty obviously not an accident. This meant that Lord Meredith had to spend his time protecting her because she didn't believe herself to be in any danger. It's only when the detective (a friend on the cruise) was finally feeling better that her friends quickly solved the mystery and saved her ship's reputation.

The historical details were off, sometimes in important ways. Since Dahlia was going to inherit her father's successful business and a nobleman's heir proposed marriage to her, their fathers would have gotten together to work out a marriage settlement before making any public announcement. They didn't. The author referred to the English law of primogeniture, but Dahlia would have inherited her father's property under that. While it was unusual for Dahlia to run her father's business, it wasn't odd for the sole child to inherit.

Anyway. Dahlia seemed quite competent in running the company and had a useful, supportive assistant. Lord Meredith admired her and was very supportive of her. He didn't expect her to give up running the company (as he certainly didn't want to) if they married. However, it was never resolved what his father would say about his heir marrying a business woman. Lord Meredith had responsibilities, but he didn't feel up to doing them. The story kind of left things like he would travel with Dahlia and play at being a sailor while she did the real work.

He never seemed realistic. He hated being hot, yet he shoved coal into the ship's steam engines for hours, kept up with the regular workers, and only suffered a 'pleasant ache' in his muscles. He ought to have admired how hard they worked, but somehow he was instantly good at everything, including climbing ropes faster than a man could run up stairs.

I also got tired of Dahlia being unwilling to forgive Lord Meredith, her friend who tried to stay her friend, but he wouldn't drop his friendship with the man who rejected her. On the other hand, the female 'best' friend who triumphantly stole her betrothed, Dahlia forgave at once. Hmm. There was no sex or bad language.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.