A Lady's Maid Author: Jen Geigle Johnson
Genres: Historical Romance
Format: Audio, eBook, Print
Pages: 350
Date: August 1, 2019
Publisher: Covenant
Molly O’Malley, lady’s maid to the progressive Lady Amanda Halloway, is determined to continue the life’s work of her lost love, killed in the Peterloo Massacre. But when her efforts and a trip to Lady Halloway’s charitable orphanage culminate in her own abduction, Molly’s eyes are opened to the horrifying crimes transpiring in the city’s slums. Despite the risks, she broadens her mission and is drawn ever closer to the peril all around them.
Thomas Flaherty, a footman in the Halloway household, has been with Molly from the beginning, but he fears she will never trust him with her heart. Even though her cause and happiness are of foremost importance to him, his loyal patience is tested by the fears that keep her at a distance. But with their safety on the line, Thomas is resolved to sacrifice everything for the woman he loves.
Risking their lives and their love, Molly and Thomas and a team of nobles on their side will stop at nothing to empower the powerless, no matter the personal cost.
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About Jen Geigle Johnson
Jen Geigle Johnson is an award winning author, including the GOLD in Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards. She discovered her passion for England while kayaking on the Thames near London as a young teenager. Now, she loves to share bits of history that might otherwise be forgotten. Whether in Regency England, the French Revolution, or Colonial America, her romance novels are much like life is supposed to be: full of adventure.
I enjoyed this historical fiction about events I know only a little about. The story deals with British suffrage for women and the working class, and also child labor laws and the politics that go on around all of it.
As far a romance goes this book is a two for one as it features two couples. But while the romance is nice the story deals with so much more than that. The characters grow and become better people as they gain confidence in themselves. The title would lead the reader to believe that the book’s main focus is on Molly the Lady’s maid and she is a focus but others have a focus too and are just as important to the story.
This cast of people in nobility and working class roles all work together in fighting for rights of women and protecting children. And what we see they are up against is pretty disheartening. And some of it is down right horrifying. Part of the time my stomach was in knots and I wanted to bite my nails as I worried about the characters. A couple times I wanted to scream at Molly because I knew she was making a mistake.
There is a happily ever after ending for the love interests but the story doesn’t end with everything tied up neatly. Molly and her cohorts do not get everything they are fighting for. Their work is just a step in the path toward their goals.
I haven’t read the first book yet but I think this one was stand alone enough that I didn’t really miss important elements. I’ll be picking up the first one soon.
I liked the authors notes that explained what was fact and fiction. And I feel like I learned something about British history.
Sex: no, some innuendo and an understanding of what is goingk on in a brothel. Some crude comments and leering.
Language: no
Violence: yes but not horribly graphic, threatening situations, defending self by fighting, threat by knife, intention to sexually attack unwilling woman in brothel.
* I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley and voluntarily choose to review it.