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annarella's review
5.0
An engrossing and entertaining historical romantic fiction that kept me hooked and root for the characters.
I loved the well researched historical background, the well written cast of characters (Evelyne above all) and the plot.
It's the first book I read by this author and won't surely be the last.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I loved the well researched historical background, the well written cast of characters (Evelyne above all) and the plot.
It's the first book I read by this author and won't surely be the last.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
bringmybooks's review
4.0
Oh my goodness, what a breath of fresh air! I requested this book from NetGalley on a whim and it really surpassed my expectations in almost every way.
It seems like a fairly straightforward story of a young girl, Eveline, who in 1862 is nearing spinsterhood (at the tender age of 19, my God) - but it was so much more than that. In subtle and simple prose, it tells the story of a girl that absolutely refuses to be held to other's standards of what is right, or proper, or expected, and is bound and determined to live her own life.
I loved how (...mostly) realistic the book seemed and how accurate it felt for the time it was written in; there were a few instances where Eveline did things that we would now know to be completely untoward, but this was acknowledged (as were the potential consequences of her actions). Her fierce and independent spirit was so easy to root for, and the more the story progressed the more I found myself waiting to see what she would make of her life.
The absolute only thing that kept me from rating this 5 stars was the ending, as it was quite abrupt and felt wildly out of pace with the rest of the story. (Pace is not to meant to be "place," no typo here.) The story progressed at a slow and leisurely pace, with all things happening in due time, and then BAM conclusion. I would have loved to see that part of the book expanded on a bit, but the general idea of all of it was just so great I can only fault it but so much.
Also, if you're coming in to this one looking for romance, it's here - but sparingly. Evie's journey is really what this book is about, and the romance plays second fiddle throughout (even though her mother and sisters mention her inability to find a suitable husband at least once a chapter, it's not at the forefront of Evie's story).
I would recommend this to reader's that enjoy a good period drama (speaking of which, would love to see this in mini series form!!), and I think I would say that the best way to simply describe it is as a mash up of Jane Austen and Elizabeth Gaskell, but for modern readers. Definitely recommended!
It seems like a fairly straightforward story of a young girl, Eveline, who in 1862 is nearing spinsterhood (at the tender age of 19, my God) - but it was so much more than that. In subtle and simple prose, it tells the story of a girl that absolutely refuses to be held to other's standards of what is right, or proper, or expected, and is bound and determined to live her own life.
I loved how (...mostly) realistic the book seemed and how accurate it felt for the time it was written in; there were a few instances where Eveline did things that we would now know to be completely untoward, but this was acknowledged (as were the potential consequences of her actions). Her fierce and independent spirit was so easy to root for, and the more the story progressed the more I found myself waiting to see what she would make of her life.
The absolute only thing that kept me from rating this 5 stars was the ending, as it was quite abrupt and felt wildly out of pace with the rest of the story. (Pace is not to meant to be "place," no typo here.) The story progressed at a slow and leisurely pace, with all things happening in due time, and then BAM conclusion. I would have loved to see that part of the book expanded on a bit, but the general idea of all of it was just so great I can only fault it but so much.
Also, if you're coming in to this one looking for romance, it's here - but sparingly. Evie's journey is really what this book is about, and the romance plays second fiddle throughout (even though her mother and sisters mention her inability to find a suitable husband at least once a chapter, it's not at the forefront of Evie's story).
I would recommend this to reader's that enjoy a good period drama (speaking of which, would love to see this in mini series form!!), and I think I would say that the best way to simply describe it is as a mash up of Jane Austen and Elizabeth Gaskell, but for modern readers. Definitely recommended!
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