emmalb1984's review
5.0
Joanna Johnson’s third historical book once again demonstrates her talent as a writer and storyteller as she weaves a simple but intricate story of two lost souls from different ends of the social spectrum, who, thrown together by chance, discover that overcoming the scars of the past is no barrier to future happiness with the right person by your side.
Blacksmith Fell Barden has always lived on the fringes of his village, barely accepted by the locals largely due to his backstory involving his young, unmarried Roma mother and unknown father. In contrast, Sophia Somerlock has been brought up in higher social circles, but is far from happy with her lot; wrongly blamed by her mother for the death of her father, and forced into a betrothal with a wholly unsuitable man. Fleeing Fenwick Manor disguised as a maid, Sophia hopes to escape her circumstances and build a new life for herself, but finds herself recognised by a fellow passenger, and, escaping on foot through the woods, falls and injures her ankle where she is rescued by Fell. Recovering at Fell’s cottage, Sophia strikes a bargain with the blacksmith; she will marry him and provide him with the secure family unit he has always wanted in exchange for protecting her from returning home and having to marry the odious sounding Septimus.
For the reader, Fell and Sophia vividly spring to life from the pages as the story gathers pace and we find the couple falling for each other, but, fearful of their past history, keeping quiet about their feelings. One of the biggest compliments I can give the author is her ability to create characters who you can become invested in right from the outset, and the emotional stories of just how much Fell and Sophia have endured before the point at which we meet them only enhances the reader’s connection to the story as you root for them to trust that they have found their other half, and that they are allowed to be happy. Indeed as we watch Sophia adapt to a whole new lifestyle, the barriers she has put up, not to mention the emotional damage that her mother has caused, come crashing down as she accepts that Fell is someone she can confide in, and, despite her belief to the contrary, he allows her to see that what she has always believed isn’t necessarily something she should accept as true.
Of course, the road to a happy ending is never smooth, and the threat that Sophia will be discovered lurks unseen in the background as she embraces her new life as Mrs. Barden. Indeed, Lady Thruxton may be a strong candidate for villain of the year even though her appearances in the story are limited, and the other secondary characters who seem to do her bidding add to the enjoyment of the story.
Ultimately, this is a story largely made by the two main characters, and the investment of the reader in what becomes of Fell and Sophia is made from their first meeting; you want them to be happy because of their differences, and not have to change to fit some social ideal. As seen in the writer’s previous works, this is a talent of hers whereby she takes people out of their normality and allows them to find the ‘real’ person beneath the presentation they give to society, and the Sophia we see as Mrs. Barden is the Sophia you fall in love with, not the damaged lady that her mother has helped created.
As the story runs towards it’s conclusion, Sophia and Fell’s every happiness is threatened by the reappearance of her past, and you cannot help but root for Fell as he fights to reclaim his future happiness in the face of Lady Thruxton’s ire (and you really will cheer as Sophia decides enough is enough when faced with her mother again), taking on the very people who will never seemingly accept someone of his background.
All in all, this is an excellent, emotional and beautifully written love story of two people who need each other to find their place in the world, and who, together can move mountains in their quest to find their deserved happy ending. I look forward to Joanna Johnson’s next book.
Blacksmith Fell Barden has always lived on the fringes of his village, barely accepted by the locals largely due to his backstory involving his young, unmarried Roma mother and unknown father. In contrast, Sophia Somerlock has been brought up in higher social circles, but is far from happy with her lot; wrongly blamed by her mother for the death of her father, and forced into a betrothal with a wholly unsuitable man. Fleeing Fenwick Manor disguised as a maid, Sophia hopes to escape her circumstances and build a new life for herself, but finds herself recognised by a fellow passenger, and, escaping on foot through the woods, falls and injures her ankle where she is rescued by Fell. Recovering at Fell’s cottage, Sophia strikes a bargain with the blacksmith; she will marry him and provide him with the secure family unit he has always wanted in exchange for protecting her from returning home and having to marry the odious sounding Septimus.
For the reader, Fell and Sophia vividly spring to life from the pages as the story gathers pace and we find the couple falling for each other, but, fearful of their past history, keeping quiet about their feelings. One of the biggest compliments I can give the author is her ability to create characters who you can become invested in right from the outset, and the emotional stories of just how much Fell and Sophia have endured before the point at which we meet them only enhances the reader’s connection to the story as you root for them to trust that they have found their other half, and that they are allowed to be happy. Indeed as we watch Sophia adapt to a whole new lifestyle, the barriers she has put up, not to mention the emotional damage that her mother has caused, come crashing down as she accepts that Fell is someone she can confide in, and, despite her belief to the contrary, he allows her to see that what she has always believed isn’t necessarily something she should accept as true.
Of course, the road to a happy ending is never smooth, and the threat that Sophia will be discovered lurks unseen in the background as she embraces her new life as Mrs. Barden. Indeed, Lady Thruxton may be a strong candidate for villain of the year even though her appearances in the story are limited, and the other secondary characters who seem to do her bidding add to the enjoyment of the story.
Ultimately, this is a story largely made by the two main characters, and the investment of the reader in what becomes of Fell and Sophia is made from their first meeting; you want them to be happy because of their differences, and not have to change to fit some social ideal. As seen in the writer’s previous works, this is a talent of hers whereby she takes people out of their normality and allows them to find the ‘real’ person beneath the presentation they give to society, and the Sophia we see as Mrs. Barden is the Sophia you fall in love with, not the damaged lady that her mother has helped created.
As the story runs towards it’s conclusion, Sophia and Fell’s every happiness is threatened by the reappearance of her past, and you cannot help but root for Fell as he fights to reclaim his future happiness in the face of Lady Thruxton’s ire (and you really will cheer as Sophia decides enough is enough when faced with her mother again), taking on the very people who will never seemingly accept someone of his background.
All in all, this is an excellent, emotional and beautifully written love story of two people who need each other to find their place in the world, and who, together can move mountains in their quest to find their deserved happy ending. I look forward to Joanna Johnson’s next book.
keribopps's review
5.0
This is the first book I have read of joanna Johnson and I wasn't disappointed.
This book we read about Sophia somelock and fell bardens story, who have both had a very hard life, which means they see themselfs as unworthy. However together they both start to believe that this is not the case as they both bring out the better in each other.
Sophia is due to marry an abusive man who put his previous wife into an insane asylum. She refuses to marry him and sees her only option is to Runaway. Unfortunately for her during her escape she ends up getting injured, which then lead fell to come to her rescue.
Fell lives in the forest alone, he prefers a simple life. When he sees the injured Sophia passed out he comes to her rescue and when she awakes offers to take her in and give her shelter.
Can he save her from her upcoming arranged marriage though by marrying her instead. All he has ever wanted is someone to love him, a family of his own.
Just a beautiful heart warming story that is so well writting. I loved it and will definitely be reading more of joanna Johnson books and recommending her.
This book we read about Sophia somelock and fell bardens story, who have both had a very hard life, which means they see themselfs as unworthy. However together they both start to believe that this is not the case as they both bring out the better in each other.
Sophia is due to marry an abusive man who put his previous wife into an insane asylum. She refuses to marry him and sees her only option is to Runaway. Unfortunately for her during her escape she ends up getting injured, which then lead fell to come to her rescue.
Fell lives in the forest alone, he prefers a simple life. When he sees the injured Sophia passed out he comes to her rescue and when she awakes offers to take her in and give her shelter.
Can he save her from her upcoming arranged marriage though by marrying her instead. All he has ever wanted is someone to love him, a family of his own.
Just a beautiful heart warming story that is so well writting. I loved it and will definitely be reading more of joanna Johnson books and recommending her.
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