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lifeand100books's review
5.0
Brown’s story follows Emma Carrington, who as a baby was left on the doorstep of a man known as Squire Carrington. The Squire takes the baby in to care for it as his own, and upon the death of his wife he gives the child up to the Countess of Holmeshire as a servant. Distraught over the death of her own husband, the Countess sends Emma to London to learn the ways of society from her old governess. Once properly instructed and groomed, Emma returns to the home of the Countess to act as her companion. She is met with a dilemma, however. Ever since her time as a child at the Holmeshire estate, she has been watching the young Earl of Holmeshire from a distance, admiring him but unable to act due to her status. Now, as she returns as a different woman in both status and manners, can she catch the Earl’s eye? What will he make of her transition? There is also the mystery of the gold ring that was left with her when she was a baby. What does it mean? Who did it belong to, and what can it unlock from her past?
Debra Brown has really knocked the ball out of the park with The Companion of Lady Holmeshire. For a debut novel I was absolutely floored about how historically detailed the novel was. The end of the novel was one huge surprise, that felt never-ending. Just when you thought you found out all the secrets of Emma’s past, BAM! you’re hit with more. It’s these twists and turns of the plot that keep the story moving at an excellent pace and create a story with tons of character development. The story itself is told from several character’s perspectives and it amazed me that Brown was able to weave the stories together and pace them as beautifully as she did. Each character as well was a joy to follow, and with Brown’s characterizations you were either cheering or jeering them.
One aspect of the novel that really intrigued me, was the social narrative on the problems that England was facing with the gap between the poor and the rich. The Earl of Holmeshire, Wills, brings the plight of the poor into the dinners and parties of the rich, forcing the wealthy to take a stand and do something about it. It’s an issue that hits close to home in the economic situation of the world today and makes me think and want to do more for the underprivileged. I thank Brown for making it a poignant part of the story, and for rewarding the characters that stood with Wills.
All in all, Brown has crafted an amazing foray into the world of the Victorian era. Not content with writing a story that relies on character development to drive the plot, she weaves the social and economic problems of the era into the fabric of the story. It adds a depth and complexion to the story that makes it even better. It was a pleasure to read and I wholeheartedly look forward to Brown’s followup works!
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
http://wp.me/p18lIL-Bo
Debra Brown has really knocked the ball out of the park with The Companion of Lady Holmeshire. For a debut novel I was absolutely floored about how historically detailed the novel was. The end of the novel was one huge surprise, that felt never-ending. Just when you thought you found out all the secrets of Emma’s past, BAM! you’re hit with more. It’s these twists and turns of the plot that keep the story moving at an excellent pace and create a story with tons of character development. The story itself is told from several character’s perspectives and it amazed me that Brown was able to weave the stories together and pace them as beautifully as she did. Each character as well was a joy to follow, and with Brown’s characterizations you were either cheering or jeering them.
One aspect of the novel that really intrigued me, was the social narrative on the problems that England was facing with the gap between the poor and the rich. The Earl of Holmeshire, Wills, brings the plight of the poor into the dinners and parties of the rich, forcing the wealthy to take a stand and do something about it. It’s an issue that hits close to home in the economic situation of the world today and makes me think and want to do more for the underprivileged. I thank Brown for making it a poignant part of the story, and for rewarding the characters that stood with Wills.
All in all, Brown has crafted an amazing foray into the world of the Victorian era. Not content with writing a story that relies on character development to drive the plot, she weaves the social and economic problems of the era into the fabric of the story. It adds a depth and complexion to the story that makes it even better. It was a pleasure to read and I wholeheartedly look forward to Brown’s followup works!
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
http://wp.me/p18lIL-Bo
kinx128's review
4.0
The Companion of Lady Holmeshire is a lovely piece of historical fiction filled with rich descriptions of Victorian Society. Debra Brown has given us a delightful tale about Emma Carrington and her adventures into London society. And I have to say that I DID NOT predict the twist at the end; and what a twist it was.
Debra Brown provided the reader with such rich detail of Victorian London. I was able to picture it in my mind so easily. The lovely gowns, the stately homes and, also, the utter desolation of the poor. At the heart of this book is the underlying descrimination of the lower and working classes of England. Ms. Brown captured, beautifully, the extreme cattiness of the London Ton. To all appearances Emma is a lowly servant in the eyes of many that has intruded on their way of life. She is not welcomed in their presence. The nobility treat her as an unwanted outcast. However, she lifts her chin proudly to earn her place.
Ms. Brown really captured the awful living conditions of the the extreme poor of London. I don't know how accurate it is of high-born nobility to take on such philanthropic work; but it described how some of the most destitute lived in London. In particular, Lady Genevieve's transformation from a spoiled, high-born aristocrat to a charitable Lady really emphasized the extreme poverty that existed in London. Genevieve witnessed a young mother with her new-born son freezing on the streets of London and that experience changed her life. I loved the idea of such transformation but I'm not sure if that truly existed among the nobility. However, Ms. Brown gives me hope.
I really enjoyed this book; however, I will say that the ending was a little too perfect. A little too happily ever after. Please don't get me wrong - I love a happy ending! But this one was a little too perfect. After reading The Companion of Lady Holmeshire, I'm a new fan of Debra Brown. I look forward to her new works.
Debra Brown provided the reader with such rich detail of Victorian London. I was able to picture it in my mind so easily. The lovely gowns, the stately homes and, also, the utter desolation of the poor. At the heart of this book is the underlying descrimination of the lower and working classes of England. Ms. Brown captured, beautifully, the extreme cattiness of the London Ton. To all appearances Emma is a lowly servant in the eyes of many that has intruded on their way of life. She is not welcomed in their presence. The nobility treat her as an unwanted outcast. However, she lifts her chin proudly to earn her place.
Ms. Brown really captured the awful living conditions of the the extreme poor of London. I don't know how accurate it is of high-born nobility to take on such philanthropic work; but it described how some of the most destitute lived in London. In particular, Lady Genevieve's transformation from a spoiled, high-born aristocrat to a charitable Lady really emphasized the extreme poverty that existed in London. Genevieve witnessed a young mother with her new-born son freezing on the streets of London and that experience changed her life. I loved the idea of such transformation but I'm not sure if that truly existed among the nobility. However, Ms. Brown gives me hope.
I really enjoyed this book; however, I will say that the ending was a little too perfect. A little too happily ever after. Please don't get me wrong - I love a happy ending! But this one was a little too perfect. After reading The Companion of Lady Holmeshire, I'm a new fan of Debra Brown. I look forward to her new works.
sabregirl's review
3.0
I always feel bad about not liking a book and I feel bad about not liking this one. It had potential to be liked but in the end eh. The plot was good. Lots of twists and turns. But there was so many changes in who point of view going from this person to the next person that it was hard to keep track. Plus everyone had nicknames and it was hard to keep track of who was who in the beginning because of that. The names keep changing in the book as well, that the last couple dozen pages or show brings up a new nickname. The big twist in the book was that Emma was this princess which was a nice one, I didn't see that coming and I kinda wish the big surprises were left at that. The others ones that were being revealed felt a little cheap after that. Like Nicholas being Emma's son? Nothing like that was even hinted at so that felt really out of place. The only thing that I saw through out the book that continued was Wilfred's love for Emma and her love for him. But that was often pushed back that it didn't seem relevant anymore until after she was declared a Princess.
tucker4's review
2.0
2.5 stars
I think this book may be misclassified as romance - I would say its more historical fiction/mystery with a dash of romance. I also think there was more time spent on the romance between Anne and Simon than on Emma and Wills. Personally, I enjoy the romance part of a book so I was little disappointed that there wasn't a bit more here (especially given that the book is classified as such). And when the hero and heroine finally confess their feelings at the end, the conversation felt a little forced and too formal so I didn't get the closure I was hoping for.
The ending storyline with Nicky caused the book to jump the shark a little bit for me and knocked off a star. I was very engaged throughout the book, but that part kind of left a weird taste in my mouth - and since that's the ending, that's the taste I'm left with unfortunately.
Overall though I think it was well written and entertaining. Impressive first novel.
I think this book may be misclassified as romance - I would say its more historical fiction/mystery with a dash of romance. I also think there was more time spent on the romance between Anne and Simon than on Emma and Wills. Personally, I enjoy the romance part of a book so I was little disappointed that there wasn't a bit more here (especially given that the book is classified as such). And when the hero and heroine finally confess their feelings at the end, the conversation felt a little forced and too formal so I didn't get the closure I was hoping for.
The ending storyline with Nicky caused the book to jump the shark a little bit for me and knocked off a star. I was very engaged throughout the book, but that part kind of left a weird taste in my mouth - and since that's the ending, that's the taste I'm left with unfortunately.
Overall though I think it was well written and entertaining. Impressive first novel.
larisa2021's review
2.0
2.5 stars
If classified as a teen or young adult HRF book this would be a 3-3.5 star rating. The difference is more about where I am in life than the author's skill...how far fiction can stretch within a genre and still remain plausible. This is a very traditional style book with no sex and most of the proprieties observed until the very end.
All but one of the multiple tropes used work well, with a kind and engaging heroine; a solid supporting cast, including just enough details of the clothing, homes and coaches. The combination sets solid scene without dragging the flow in miscellany.
The ending disclosure about Nicky where the book jumped the shark for me. It is one too many twists and greatly detracts from the main trope. Deleting his entire subplot from the book would tighten the focus and impact of the ending. Creating a solid 4 star piece.
Given that one issue I look forward to reading Ms. Brown's next book, to see how she evolves as a story teller.
If classified as a teen or young adult HRF book this would be a 3-3.5 star rating. The difference is more about where I am in life than the author's skill...how far fiction can stretch within a genre and still remain plausible. This is a very traditional style book with no sex and most of the proprieties observed until the very end.
All but one of the multiple tropes used work well, with a kind and engaging heroine; a solid supporting cast, including just enough details of the clothing, homes and coaches. The combination sets solid scene without dragging the flow in miscellany.
The ending disclosure about Nicky where the book jumped the shark for me. It is one too many twists and greatly detracts from the main trope. Deleting his entire subplot from the book would tighten the focus and impact of the ending. Creating a solid 4 star piece.
Given that one issue I look forward to reading Ms. Brown's next book, to see how she evolves as a story teller.
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