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emmalb1984's review against another edition
5.0
New beginnings, romance, redemption and mystery in St Petersburg.
Herbalist Allison Galbraith is hiding away in London after a scandal tarnished her professional reputation. One day she is visited by a mysterious woman known only as ‘The Procurer’ and offered the opportunity to travel to St Petersburg and get her life back on track.
Enter the dashing Alexei, officer of the Russian army and ‘His Illustrious Highness’ Count Derevenko who has employed Allison, publicly to be governess to his late brother Michael’s children, but privately to investigate his suspicions that Michael’s death was not as natural as it appears.
As we see St Petersburg through Allison’s eyes, the reader is transported to Russia through vivid, sumptuous descriptions of buildings, palaces, gardens, ducal barges and sleighs and a ‘guided tour’ up the river in a rowing boat (one of the most romantic scenes in the whole book). Indeed, so richly detailed are the locations that I was surprised to read that Marguerite Kaye has actually never visited Russia, but has clearly done a great deal of research and created a wonderful landscape in which to set her story of the mis-matched, but perfect for each other herbalist and Count.
Allison is well created and believable as a woman wanting to be respected in a male dominated profession; the scandal that ruins her reputation is not particularly her fault, but, naturally, society would take the side of the (male) physician. Her reaction to Russian society is a delight as she is put in situations she would never expect to find herself in (“standing in the foyer of the Winter Palace…on the arm of a disturbingly attractive man she had met for the first time today. And she was wearing a dead woman’s ball gown” is a wonderful quote that sums up Allison’s change in circumstances quite perfectly in one paragraph)
Similarly, Alexei, the brooding hero, suddenly finding himself without a battle to fight in the army and the reluctant guardian of his orphaned nieces and nephew, is richly crafted, and, together, the pair really do come to life as the story progresses.
The murder mystery element adds an extra layer to the story (and some interesting points about poisonous plants!), but what I loved about this book was it’s glorious Russian setting and watching Allison and Alexei fall in love with each other, neither expecting a happy ever after. There are some poignant quotes about falling in love and realising what life would be like for Allison and Alexei without each other, but it would spoil the wonder of the story if I quoted them in this review.
As always, the author writes with rich historical detail which makes the book a joy to read (and could encourage further reading about St Petersburg at the time the book is set), and, adding in a likeable hero and heroine who you believe in and want a happy ending for gives the story a heartwarming and enjoyable quality.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and look forward to the next story in the series.
Thanks to M&B for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Herbalist Allison Galbraith is hiding away in London after a scandal tarnished her professional reputation. One day she is visited by a mysterious woman known only as ‘The Procurer’ and offered the opportunity to travel to St Petersburg and get her life back on track.
Enter the dashing Alexei, officer of the Russian army and ‘His Illustrious Highness’ Count Derevenko who has employed Allison, publicly to be governess to his late brother Michael’s children, but privately to investigate his suspicions that Michael’s death was not as natural as it appears.
As we see St Petersburg through Allison’s eyes, the reader is transported to Russia through vivid, sumptuous descriptions of buildings, palaces, gardens, ducal barges and sleighs and a ‘guided tour’ up the river in a rowing boat (one of the most romantic scenes in the whole book). Indeed, so richly detailed are the locations that I was surprised to read that Marguerite Kaye has actually never visited Russia, but has clearly done a great deal of research and created a wonderful landscape in which to set her story of the mis-matched, but perfect for each other herbalist and Count.
Allison is well created and believable as a woman wanting to be respected in a male dominated profession; the scandal that ruins her reputation is not particularly her fault, but, naturally, society would take the side of the (male) physician. Her reaction to Russian society is a delight as she is put in situations she would never expect to find herself in (“standing in the foyer of the Winter Palace…on the arm of a disturbingly attractive man she had met for the first time today. And she was wearing a dead woman’s ball gown” is a wonderful quote that sums up Allison’s change in circumstances quite perfectly in one paragraph)
Similarly, Alexei, the brooding hero, suddenly finding himself without a battle to fight in the army and the reluctant guardian of his orphaned nieces and nephew, is richly crafted, and, together, the pair really do come to life as the story progresses.
The murder mystery element adds an extra layer to the story (and some interesting points about poisonous plants!), but what I loved about this book was it’s glorious Russian setting and watching Allison and Alexei fall in love with each other, neither expecting a happy ever after. There are some poignant quotes about falling in love and realising what life would be like for Allison and Alexei without each other, but it would spoil the wonder of the story if I quoted them in this review.
As always, the author writes with rich historical detail which makes the book a joy to read (and could encourage further reading about St Petersburg at the time the book is set), and, adding in a likeable hero and heroine who you believe in and want a happy ending for gives the story a heartwarming and enjoyable quality.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and look forward to the next story in the series.
Thanks to M&B for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
saarahn's review
3.0
Looking for a romance read?
If you're a fan of a simple love story, without the arrogant male lead (a cliché that can become dull) and without a spineless female character.... You just might enjoy this read.
Allison is a selfless herbalist, but the physicians in England have stifled her efforts. Her false reputation precedes her. But when a Count in St Petersburg offers her a position as governess to his wards, she is hopeful of a second chance.
This is a love story combined with a simple murder mystery. I liked the book, it was a simple distraction. Though for someone who appreciates history in historical fiction novels, the history wasn't much of a character in the tale told. There were customs, traditions, but it wasn't substantial. Nonetheless, a suitable holiday read I'm sure.
I received this book through NetGalley.
If you're a fan of a simple love story, without the arrogant male lead (a cliché that can become dull) and without a spineless female character.... You just might enjoy this read.
Allison is a selfless herbalist, but the physicians in England have stifled her efforts. Her false reputation precedes her. But when a Count in St Petersburg offers her a position as governess to his wards, she is hopeful of a second chance.
This is a love story combined with a simple murder mystery. I liked the book, it was a simple distraction. Though for someone who appreciates history in historical fiction novels, the history wasn't much of a character in the tale told. There were customs, traditions, but it wasn't substantial. Nonetheless, a suitable holiday read I'm sure.
I received this book through NetGalley.
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