melissasbookshelf's review
4.0
We’ve all heard about the suffragette movement of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, but did you know that the women’s suffrage movement goes back to the 1830’s in England? More and more this author is becoming a favorite because although this is historical fiction, Jen Geigle Johnson takes great care in making sure the historical aspects of the time are accurately portrayed including actual dialogue taken from the situations at the time.
My only regret is that I read this book out of order. It is actual a sequel to The Nobleman’s Daughter. The main character Lady Amanda appears in this book. While this can definitely be read as a stand alone, I think I would have enjoyed it even more if I had read about Lady Amanda before reading this book.
Molly is the maid to the progressive Lady Amanda who treats her as more of a friend than a lady’s maid. They were both involved in the Peterloo massacre and are determined to fight for not only universal male suffrage, but female suffrage as well. When Molly is kidnapped in one of the city’s worst slums, she sees the horrible conditions and the way it particularly affects women and children. She is determined to find out who is behind the horrific conditions and bring them to light. Thomas has loved Molly for along time and is determined to protect her. He has patiently waited as Molly has grieved her love who was lost in the Peterloo massacre. However, as he fights alongside Molly’s causes, he hopes that she will be able to heal once and for all and except a life with him.
Also included in this story is Lady Chloe and Lord Annesley. Lady Chloe is somewhat shy and reserved, however as she begins to support Lady Amanda in the women’s suffrage movement and encouraged by Lord Annesley, she begins to find her voice. Unfortunately, Lord Annesley has been acting strangely and seems to be discouraging the very thing that he once supported her in. Lord Annesley is being blackmailed and is walking a tightrope to fight for those he loves and the things he actually believes in and satisfying the blackmailer’s demand.
This book has something for everyone! It has an extremely compelling story of the plights of children forced into labor, women, and the suffrage movement. It also has two enjoyable romances from both “upstairs” and “below stairs.” There is plenty of action and suspense with a dastardly villain. And, for those who love history, it has actual quotes from historical figures. All in all a fantastic read! Now I have to check out The Nobleman’s Daughter to read Lady Amanda’s story!
My only regret is that I read this book out of order. It is actual a sequel to The Nobleman’s Daughter. The main character Lady Amanda appears in this book. While this can definitely be read as a stand alone, I think I would have enjoyed it even more if I had read about Lady Amanda before reading this book.
Molly is the maid to the progressive Lady Amanda who treats her as more of a friend than a lady’s maid. They were both involved in the Peterloo massacre and are determined to fight for not only universal male suffrage, but female suffrage as well. When Molly is kidnapped in one of the city’s worst slums, she sees the horrible conditions and the way it particularly affects women and children. She is determined to find out who is behind the horrific conditions and bring them to light. Thomas has loved Molly for along time and is determined to protect her. He has patiently waited as Molly has grieved her love who was lost in the Peterloo massacre. However, as he fights alongside Molly’s causes, he hopes that she will be able to heal once and for all and except a life with him.
Also included in this story is Lady Chloe and Lord Annesley. Lady Chloe is somewhat shy and reserved, however as she begins to support Lady Amanda in the women’s suffrage movement and encouraged by Lord Annesley, she begins to find her voice. Unfortunately, Lord Annesley has been acting strangely and seems to be discouraging the very thing that he once supported her in. Lord Annesley is being blackmailed and is walking a tightrope to fight for those he loves and the things he actually believes in and satisfying the blackmailer’s demand.
This book has something for everyone! It has an extremely compelling story of the plights of children forced into labor, women, and the suffrage movement. It also has two enjoyable romances from both “upstairs” and “below stairs.” There is plenty of action and suspense with a dastardly villain. And, for those who love history, it has actual quotes from historical figures. All in all a fantastic read! Now I have to check out The Nobleman’s Daughter to read Lady Amanda’s story!
mapleleaf_emily's review
2.0
I honestly don't know why I picked this book. I didn't like [b: A Nobleman's Daughter|10105184|The Life and Adventures of the Lady Lucy The Daughter of an Irish Lord Who Marry'd a German Officer, and Was by Him Carry'd Into Flanders, Where He Became Jealous of Her and a Young Nobleman His Kinsman, Whom He Kill'd, and Afterwards Left Her Wounded a|Penelope Aubin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347732456l/10105184._SX50_.jpg|15002415] or [a: Jen Geigle Johnson|17273762|Jen Geigle Johnson|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1514860991p2/17273762.jpg]'s writing style.
But I did read this book.
There were two couples falling in love simultaneously: Molly (Lady Amanda's maid) and Thomas (Lady Amanda's footman), as well as Lady Chloe (Amanda's friend) and Lord Annesley.
There wasn't any development of each romance. Molly started out liking Thomas, but not wanting to disrespect Charlie's memory. Then nothing more of their romance is mentioned for ages, but when it is brought up again, suddenly they both readily admit they are in love. A similar thing happens with Chloe and Annesley; they certainly are attracted to each other, then they suddenly love each other, with no development or even much interaction between the two.
I get that some may say that this happened because the romances were secondary to the plot. Even so, the romances should be properly developed.
As for the main plot of fighting for suffrage and improving the lives of those in the slums, it was an amazing idea. However, I got bored with Johnson's over-descriptions. Also, none of the interchanges between characters felt natural. The sole purpose of each conversation was to drive the point of suffrage, or otherwise give some profound life-advice. That style of writing is grating because feels so forced.
But I did read this book.
There were two couples falling in love simultaneously: Molly (Lady Amanda's maid) and Thomas (Lady Amanda's footman), as well as Lady Chloe (Amanda's friend) and Lord Annesley.
There wasn't any development of each romance. Molly started out liking Thomas, but not wanting to disrespect Charlie's memory. Then nothing more of their romance is mentioned for ages, but when it is brought up again, suddenly they both readily admit they are in love. A similar thing happens with Chloe and Annesley; they certainly are attracted to each other, then they suddenly love each other, with no development or even much interaction between the two.
I get that some may say that this happened because the romances were secondary to the plot. Even so, the romances should be properly developed.
As for the main plot of fighting for suffrage and improving the lives of those in the slums, it was an amazing idea. However, I got bored with Johnson's over-descriptions. Also, none of the interchanges between characters felt natural. The sole purpose of each conversation was to drive the point of suffrage, or otherwise give some profound life-advice. That style of writing is grating because feels so forced.
Spoiler
Thomas and Molly are kidnapped in the ending and taken to a mill owned by Lord Oswald (the crime boss Theo). They are eventually rescued by the magistrate and rescue all the children that were working underage, many of which were in Lady Amanda's orphanage. However, I didn't understand how Sally and Jonathan, two orphans from the orphanage, had ended up in the factory. Had no one noticed they were missing? Why wasn't Molly/Amanda notified? Also, I was under the impression that Oswald had multiple factories in Angel Meadow. It seems highly unlikely that Annesley managed to unknowingly send the magistrate to the right one.lawnchairbookworm's review
4.0
A beautiful story set in the early movements of woman’s suffrage. Jen Geigle Johnson really immerses you into this time in history by giving you the perspective of multiple characters of both the working class and nobility. You get a real feel for what rights these women were fighting for. They wanted a voice of their own and the author did a wonderful job of conveying that. Plenty of suspenseful moments with a bit of romance too. Overall a very enjoyable story. Thanks to Netgalley and Covenant Communications for giving me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
ghumpherys's review
5.0
I didn't realize at first that this book was connected to "The Nobleman's Daughter" but I enjoyed seeing some of the characters from that story again. It is full of rich historical details, especially surrounding the women's suffrage movement in England, and was well written with lots of great characters.
More...