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diaryofthebookdragon's review against another edition
3.0
Summary of this books sounds great. Although I did not watch 'Downton Abbey' I still expected to like this book and hoped to see some interesting insights into customs of Edwardian English society. But 'Summerset Abbey' surprised me because instead of three independent, strong women that should think ahead of their age, I got three pampered young girls, that were sheltered from society by their father/guardian Sir Philip.
When Sir Philip dies, his daughters Rowena & Victoria and their childhood companion Prudence (daughter of their governess who grew up with them) will get a sobering reality check. Moving to Summerset Abbey to live with their uncle will find them struggling to fit in. This book was not easy to read - it was depressing and feeling of powerlessness was overwhelming.
My rating: 2.5 stars (too depressing for my taste, but writing was very good)
Will I be reading next book in series? Not sure, I am contemplating to read the next book [b:A Bloom in Winter|15803193|Summerset Abbey A Bloom in Winter (Summerset Abbey, #2)|T.J. Brown|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1356512964s/15803193.jpg|21526127] just so I could see something nice happening to main characters in the future.
Disclaimer: I was given a free eBook by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for a honest review.
When Sir Philip dies, his daughters Rowena & Victoria and their childhood companion Prudence (daughter of their governess who grew up with them) will get a sobering reality check. Moving to Summerset Abbey to live with their uncle will find them struggling to fit in. This book was not easy to read - it was depressing and feeling of powerlessness was overwhelming.
My rating: 2.5 stars (too depressing for my taste, but writing was very good)
Will I be reading next book in series? Not sure, I am contemplating to read the next book [b:A Bloom in Winter|15803193|Summerset Abbey A Bloom in Winter (Summerset Abbey, #2)|T.J. Brown|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1356512964s/15803193.jpg|21526127] just so I could see something nice happening to main characters in the future.
Disclaimer: I was given a free eBook by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for a honest review.
caslater83's review against another edition
3.0
First of all, I wanted to read this because I heard that this was so much like Downton Abbey. Maybe the upstairs/downstairs situation makes you think of DA, but it is NOT DA. I feel that the book was hit-and-miss. Some pages I was intrigued and other pages, I was less than interested. I struggled to finish this book. The primary reason why I finished was that I wanted to know how it would end! Of course, since this is the first book of a trilogy, there are some loose ties that will be carried over into the next two books.
The synopsis is great. The dialogue could be better and I think T.J Brown's development of Summerset Abbey and its cast could use some work.
If you are a fan of Downton Abbey, I would like to discourage you from getting your hopes up. It's still a good read, but it's not as enthralling as Downton Abbey.
Not sure if I will go on to book two.
The synopsis is great. The dialogue could be better and I think T.J Brown's development of Summerset Abbey and its cast could use some work.
If you are a fan of Downton Abbey, I would like to discourage you from getting your hopes up. It's still a good read, but it's not as enthralling as Downton Abbey.
Not sure if I will go on to book two.
joanav's review against another edition
2.0
Sinceramente foi uma desilusão. A história avança muito pouco e muito lentamente e o final não corresponde aquilo que faria mais sentido tendo em conta as histórias de cada personagem. Aliás, há várias personagens que simplesmente não são comentadas no fim, não se sabe o que lhes acontece, foi um fim que não correspondeu em nada às expectativas (já poucas diga-se) que o livro dava ao início. E só leva 2 estrelas porque não o odiei completamente, "apenas" fiquei desiludida.
leslie_books_and_socks_rock's review against another edition
4.0
I saw this on the library shelf as I was looking for another book. It sounded like I would like it and you know what, I did. It kind of reminded me of Downton Abbey, partially because it takes places in 1913 in England and there is the social classes, but I liked that it was different and felt original. Maybe I haven't read many of this kind of historical fiction but half way in, I couldn't put it down. I had to find out about Prudence. The book follows 3 girls, Rowena, Victoria and Prudence. They abruptly leave their London home and go to the country to live with their Uncle, an Earl. This is the first book of a trilogy.
shai3d's review against another edition
3.0
While I do tend to read the paranormal or young adult genres there are times when I get the urge for a good historical. SUMMERSET ABBEY appeared to the perfect book to scratch that itch. Not a romance though there are romantic elements to the story as there must be when the tale is centered about three young women. Not a mystery though there is definitely elements to the story that take a while to bubble to the surface.
I found SUMMERSET ABBEY to be an interesting book. It is centered around the three 'sisters' and what happens to their lives after their beloved father dies. All of the sisters do get equal time and I will admit that I definitely had my favorites among them though I found them all interesting in different ways.
In reading about their lives and their interactions with the secondary characters I was given a clearer picture about how society constrained women in earlier times and just how much importance was placed upon just who one's parents are. I found this engrossing. I can better appreciate just how much difference the Sufferage Movement has made in the lives of women today. How one isn't expected to move from your family home into your husbands and how one can now marry for love regardless of one's class.
The only thing that I didn't care for in SUMMERSET ABBEY was the ending. I realize that it is only the first book in the series yet it felt rushed to me. Because of this I am not able to rate this book as high as I might have otherwise. I rate this book a 3.5 and do recommend it to readers who enjoy historical fiction.
*** I received this book at no charge from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed within are my own.
pagesplotsandpints's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
This book was provided to me through Netgalley courtesy of the publisher/author
I'm not usually one for historical fiction, but the premise of Summerset Abbey really intrigued me.
I had started the novel and was a bit confused at first with all of the different point of views we get all at once. It doesn't jump around too much, but we get a third person narration that switches from Rowena to Prudence to Victoria, and a dash of a couple minor characters (actually, I think only Lady Summerset from time to time). The switching around wasn't really a big deal once I realized how the book was written but with three different female point of views in the beginning, I was having a difficult time figuring out which was which.
I really liked the character development and how different each of the three girls were. I felt like I got a very specific feel from each one and that they had very distinct personalities so I was really glad that I didn't feel lost there! I think out of all of them, I connected with Prudence the most except towards the end when I felt like her character changed just a little bit and some of her reactions didn't feel genuine.
I loved the feel of the abbey and the historical setting so that was something I wasn't expecting. I'm not a Downtown Abbey person (or at least not yet, my friends tell me) so I had no pre-conceived notions of how it should have felt.
The plot was definitely interesting, weaving in little twists and mysteries that I could guess at parts but anxiously awaited answers towards the end. I guess the thing I was a little disappointed in was the ending itself. We finally get some answers and then POOF! The book is over!! Wait, the book is over? The ending just happened so quickly and even though I know it's left open for a sequel, there still could have been a cliffhanger without cutting it off so quickly. I also was not a fan of Prudence's choices at the end and didn't even see that coming.
It was a very interesting read, great history behind it, and really nice character development. Will I read the second book? I'm not quite sure.
This book was provided to me through Netgalley courtesy of the publisher/author
I'm not usually one for historical fiction, but the premise of Summerset Abbey really intrigued me.
I had started the novel and was a bit confused at first with all of the different point of views we get all at once. It doesn't jump around too much, but we get a third person narration that switches from Rowena to Prudence to Victoria, and a dash of a couple minor characters (actually, I think only Lady Summerset from time to time). The switching around wasn't really a big deal once I realized how the book was written but with three different female point of views in the beginning, I was having a difficult time figuring out which was which.
I really liked the character development and how different each of the three girls were. I felt like I got a very specific feel from each one and that they had very distinct personalities so I was really glad that I didn't feel lost there! I think out of all of them, I connected with Prudence the most except towards the end when I felt like her character changed just a little bit and some of her reactions didn't feel genuine.
I loved the feel of the abbey and the historical setting so that was something I wasn't expecting. I'm not a Downtown Abbey person (or at least not yet, my friends tell me) so I had no pre-conceived notions of how it should have felt.
The plot was definitely interesting, weaving in little twists and mysteries that I could guess at parts but anxiously awaited answers towards the end. I guess the thing I was a little disappointed in was the ending itself. We finally get some answers and then POOF! The book is over!! Wait, the book is over? The ending just happened so quickly and even though I know it's left open for a sequel, there still could have been a cliffhanger without cutting it off so quickly. I also was not a fan of Prudence's choices at the end and didn't even see that coming.
It was a very interesting read, great history behind it, and really nice character development. Will I read the second book? I'm not quite sure.
girlinacardigan's review against another edition
3.0
http://jennsbookblog.blogspot.com/2013/11/summerset-abbey-by-tj-brown.html
vixenchick's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first historical romance I've read in years. I wasn't sure I was going to like it in the beginning but, I trudged through and wound up really liking it. The author was very descriptive and I found it easy to picture the characters and setting. This book was an easy read and look forward to picking up the other books in the series.
nomadreader's review against another edition
4.0
(originally published at http://nomadreader.blogspot.com)
The backstory: Summerset Abbey is the first in a new young adult Edwardian trilogy.
The basics: When their father dies, Rowena and Victoria Buxton are forced to leave their home and go live with their aunt and uncle. It's a house the girls know well, as they've visited each year. In order to bring Prudence, the daughter of their now deceased governess, whom they think of as a sister, the girls have no choice but to have Prudence come as their lady's maid.
My thoughts: Summerset Abbey ties in so well with the Downton Abbey craze (how long until season four makes its way to the U.S.?) It's story isn't as complex, but it is wonderfully entertaining. I like to think of the Edwardian era as a kind of coming of age for England (and much of the world.) To see these young women entering adulthood at such a time of changing priorities is quite fascinating. By going from a more liberal worldview of their father, who treated Prudence as a daughter and encourage all three girls to rally for women's vote, to the more traditional and conservative world of their uncle is a challenge for all three girls.
While all three girls share narration, I was most drawn to Prudence's story (I imagine Rowena and Victoria will each take a turn with more of a starring role in the trilogy's remaining tow books.) All three girls are caught between two worlds, but Prudence doesn't have a true role in either the upstairs or downstairs life. Further complicating the matter is her quest to learn more about her mother and thus herself.
Favorite passage: "Most people don't want to be alone with their thoughts," he finally said. "Maybe they have boring thoughts."
The verdict: Summerset Abbey is an entertaining glimpse into Edwardian England and a delightful tale of friendship in a changing time. Brown strikes just the right note of tying up some storylines while leaving others open for the next two installments of this trilogy. What keeps this book from feeling too much of a Downton clone are the characters. Summerset Abbey doesn't necessarily break the mold, but well-developed characters set against a fascinating cultural and historical backdrop make this novel delightfully engaging and entertaining. I'm eagerly awaiting the second book in the series, which is due in March.
The backstory: Summerset Abbey is the first in a new young adult Edwardian trilogy.
The basics: When their father dies, Rowena and Victoria Buxton are forced to leave their home and go live with their aunt and uncle. It's a house the girls know well, as they've visited each year. In order to bring Prudence, the daughter of their now deceased governess, whom they think of as a sister, the girls have no choice but to have Prudence come as their lady's maid.
My thoughts: Summerset Abbey ties in so well with the Downton Abbey craze (how long until season four makes its way to the U.S.?) It's story isn't as complex, but it is wonderfully entertaining. I like to think of the Edwardian era as a kind of coming of age for England (and much of the world.) To see these young women entering adulthood at such a time of changing priorities is quite fascinating. By going from a more liberal worldview of their father, who treated Prudence as a daughter and encourage all three girls to rally for women's vote, to the more traditional and conservative world of their uncle is a challenge for all three girls.
While all three girls share narration, I was most drawn to Prudence's story (I imagine Rowena and Victoria will each take a turn with more of a starring role in the trilogy's remaining tow books.) All three girls are caught between two worlds, but Prudence doesn't have a true role in either the upstairs or downstairs life. Further complicating the matter is her quest to learn more about her mother and thus herself.
Favorite passage: "Most people don't want to be alone with their thoughts," he finally said. "Maybe they have boring thoughts."
The verdict: Summerset Abbey is an entertaining glimpse into Edwardian England and a delightful tale of friendship in a changing time. Brown strikes just the right note of tying up some storylines while leaving others open for the next two installments of this trilogy. What keeps this book from feeling too much of a Downton clone are the characters. Summerset Abbey doesn't necessarily break the mold, but well-developed characters set against a fascinating cultural and historical backdrop make this novel delightfully engaging and entertaining. I'm eagerly awaiting the second book in the series, which is due in March.