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scoutmomskf's review against another edition
4.0
A thoroughly enjoyable Cinderella story. Jane is the daughter of a gentleman who was disowned by his father when he married a servant. Edward became a clerk, and they lived happily until he died when Jane was eight. With his death came a loss of income, so Jane and her mother became servants. Many years later, Mrs. Bailey achieved the post of housekeeper, and Jane became a lady's maid. She is happy with her place in the world when a stranger arrives with a message summoning her to meet her estranged grandfather, Mr. Millthorpe.
Robert and his widowed mother have lived with his great-uncle-by-marriage since he was eight. He has grown rather fond of the grouchy, domineering, and sometimes manipulative old man and handles much of the estate's business for him. He's not too happy to be sent on this extended trip to retrieve an unknown woman with no explanation of why.
I liked the protectiveness that Jane's employer felt for her and her desire to get to know Robert a little before helping him. I laughed a little at everything Lady Kingswood put him through before she agreed to let Jane leave with him.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Robert and Jane. It built slowly over the length of their journey and after they arrived at Beechmount Hall. Jane intrigues and attracts Robert from the start, but he is very cognizant of the difference in their stations. I loved seeing them get to know each other. Jane's intelligence delights Robert, and they while away the hours of travel talking about everything from politics to food to what life is like as a servant. There are some sweet scenes of Robert's gentlemanly behavior and growing feelings for Jane.
Jane's life takes an unexpected turn when she reaches her grandfather's home. Thrust into a situation where she's no longer the servant, but the served, she feels more than a little bit lost and out of her element. Her grandfather makes cryptic statements that do nothing to ease her discomfort, though he eventually loosens up. The scene involving her dress and her grandmother's portrait was especially moving. Meanwhile, his wife does everything she can to make Jane feel unwelcome. Robert's mother is sweet, and Robert himself provides support and encouragement when Jane needs it. The time they spend together pulls Robert and Jane closer, but their social stations still present a considerable obstacle. Jane still plans to return to her post as a lady's maid and feels the pull of her current life at Beechmount Hall.
I ached for all of them when Mr. Millworth died, but especially for Jane and Robert. Mr. Millworth continued his manipulative ways from beyond the grave, complicating matters for both Robert and Jane. Robert, who had just realized the depth of his feelings for Jane, now fears she'll think he only wants her for her inheritance. Neither one wants the other to feel compelled to marry. Robert receives good advice from an unexpected source but fails to use the one thing that would solve his dilemma. I hurt for Jane, who gained what she wanted but without the one thing she craved the most. I loved the ending as Robert's love showed through his kindness and compassion, and Jane recognized it and dared to admit her own. The epilogue's peek into Jane, and Robert's future was a nice wrap-up to the book.
I liked the attention to detail in describing a servant's life and duties, from scullery maid to housekeeper. The differences in status between the servants and their employers were dealt with realistically. I loved the scene at the inn where a stunned Robert discovers what being a servant rates for sleeping quarters. I loved what he did about it, not just for Jane but also for the other maids. I liked how his conversations with Jane provided an eye-opening view into a world he never considered before. I also liked the scene at Beechmount Hall when Jane experienced being on the receiving end of having a lady's maid. Her observations from her place in both worlds were a fascinating peek at a group rarely featured.
Robert and his widowed mother have lived with his great-uncle-by-marriage since he was eight. He has grown rather fond of the grouchy, domineering, and sometimes manipulative old man and handles much of the estate's business for him. He's not too happy to be sent on this extended trip to retrieve an unknown woman with no explanation of why.
I liked the protectiveness that Jane's employer felt for her and her desire to get to know Robert a little before helping him. I laughed a little at everything Lady Kingswood put him through before she agreed to let Jane leave with him.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Robert and Jane. It built slowly over the length of their journey and after they arrived at Beechmount Hall. Jane intrigues and attracts Robert from the start, but he is very cognizant of the difference in their stations. I loved seeing them get to know each other. Jane's intelligence delights Robert, and they while away the hours of travel talking about everything from politics to food to what life is like as a servant. There are some sweet scenes of Robert's gentlemanly behavior and growing feelings for Jane.
Jane's life takes an unexpected turn when she reaches her grandfather's home. Thrust into a situation where she's no longer the servant, but the served, she feels more than a little bit lost and out of her element. Her grandfather makes cryptic statements that do nothing to ease her discomfort, though he eventually loosens up. The scene involving her dress and her grandmother's portrait was especially moving. Meanwhile, his wife does everything she can to make Jane feel unwelcome. Robert's mother is sweet, and Robert himself provides support and encouragement when Jane needs it. The time they spend together pulls Robert and Jane closer, but their social stations still present a considerable obstacle. Jane still plans to return to her post as a lady's maid and feels the pull of her current life at Beechmount Hall.
I ached for all of them when Mr. Millworth died, but especially for Jane and Robert. Mr. Millworth continued his manipulative ways from beyond the grave, complicating matters for both Robert and Jane. Robert, who had just realized the depth of his feelings for Jane, now fears she'll think he only wants her for her inheritance. Neither one wants the other to feel compelled to marry. Robert receives good advice from an unexpected source but fails to use the one thing that would solve his dilemma. I hurt for Jane, who gained what she wanted but without the one thing she craved the most. I loved the ending as Robert's love showed through his kindness and compassion, and Jane recognized it and dared to admit her own. The epilogue's peek into Jane, and Robert's future was a nice wrap-up to the book.
I liked the attention to detail in describing a servant's life and duties, from scullery maid to housekeeper. The differences in status between the servants and their employers were dealt with realistically. I loved the scene at the inn where a stunned Robert discovers what being a servant rates for sleeping quarters. I loved what he did about it, not just for Jane but also for the other maids. I liked how his conversations with Jane provided an eye-opening view into a world he never considered before. I also liked the scene at Beechmount Hall when Jane experienced being on the receiving end of having a lady's maid. Her observations from her place in both worlds were a fascinating peek at a group rarely featured.
jessbookishlife's review against another edition
5.0
This is not the first, neither it will be the last book I will read of Catherine Tinley. I have fell in love with Historical Romances thanks to the regency books I read, and Catherine Tinley was one of the authors I read since the beginning.
I love to sit back and relax with a good historical romance novel and I certainly was able to do that with this story. As we follow Jane and the turn of events that Robert's arrival led, and that made her life turn upside down, I found myself feeling empathy for the characters thanks to their realism and the interactions between them.
Something I love about historical romances is the fact that, although we may know how it's probably going to end, the journey is always exciting and we can definitely find different layers and topics that give an added emotional and interesting depth to the romance and the storyline.
Personally I love a good story with plot twist or unexpected moments, but the most fun I have is when a book is character based and I can focus more on the relationships and the character development, because if the storytelling is amazing and the characters shine, I can enjoy it and relate to them and feel as if I'm part of the family or group of friends.
Catherine Tinley brings us characters that we can't help but get attach to. They are well constructed and the adventure they take us on was entertaining, and the moments that despite everything just made me think "No way! It can't happen." or "This is awesome! I know it." was what really made me even more excited.
Thanks to Jane's story and how she can handle what life put on her path, as well as Robert's personality that complemented Jane's and made their moments so much fun to read... I just loved them! As well as I loved their story.
Overall, it was yet another novel that I loved and that transported me to a different time and location. Such a loving story that I enjoyed and quickly read because I couldn't stop until I knew what would happened on the next page, the next chapter...
And as a lover of the genre, I truly recommend this book, because so far Catherine Tinley hasn't disappointed me and I can't wait to read the next novel.
[I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Catherine Tinley for the eCopy of this book and for allowing me to join in the fun and being a part of the blog tour with my honest review of the book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.]
I love to sit back and relax with a good historical romance novel and I certainly was able to do that with this story. As we follow Jane and the turn of events that Robert's arrival led, and that made her life turn upside down, I found myself feeling empathy for the characters thanks to their realism and the interactions between them.
Something I love about historical romances is the fact that, although we may know how it's probably going to end, the journey is always exciting and we can definitely find different layers and topics that give an added emotional and interesting depth to the romance and the storyline.
Personally I love a good story with plot twist or unexpected moments, but the most fun I have is when a book is character based and I can focus more on the relationships and the character development, because if the storytelling is amazing and the characters shine, I can enjoy it and relate to them and feel as if I'm part of the family or group of friends.
Catherine Tinley brings us characters that we can't help but get attach to. They are well constructed and the adventure they take us on was entertaining, and the moments that despite everything just made me think "No way! It can't happen." or "This is awesome! I know it." was what really made me even more excited.
Thanks to Jane's story and how she can handle what life put on her path, as well as Robert's personality that complemented Jane's and made their moments so much fun to read... I just loved them! As well as I loved their story.
Overall, it was yet another novel that I loved and that transported me to a different time and location. Such a loving story that I enjoyed and quickly read because I couldn't stop until I knew what would happened on the next page, the next chapter...
And as a lover of the genre, I truly recommend this book, because so far Catherine Tinley hasn't disappointed me and I can't wait to read the next novel.
[I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Catherine Tinley for the eCopy of this book and for allowing me to join in the fun and being a part of the blog tour with my honest review of the book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.]
sneakyfoxeh's review against another edition
3.0
TW: sexual abuse, ptsd - more details below.
This is my first Harlequin Historical book. The author shows great attention to detail and the views to life both upstairs and downstairs are great.
I really enjoyed the book up until the section described below. I try to avoid topics such as that for personal reasons, so the book will unfortunately be placed in my DNF stack.
⚡Trigger Warning: PTSD, sexual assault flashback, and recovering from it.
The heroine has ptsd from sexual assault with a flashback. The flashback process was accurately displayed. The details of the assault/abuse are easy to skim over since they are paragraphs in italics on pages 83 and 84. After her public flashback, it's mentioned off and on.
This is my first Harlequin Historical book. The author shows great attention to detail and the views to life both upstairs and downstairs are great.
I really enjoyed the book up until the section described below. I try to avoid topics such as that for personal reasons, so the book will unfortunately be placed in my DNF stack.
⚡Trigger Warning: PTSD, sexual assault flashback, and recovering from it.
The heroine has ptsd from sexual assault with a flashback. The flashback process was accurately displayed. The details of the assault/abuse are easy to skim over since they are paragraphs in italics on pages 83 and 84. After her public flashback, it's mentioned off and on.
mousegoddess's review against another edition
2.0
1.5 stars
Another instance of a decent story that was just not to my liking. It's not even that it had tropes I hate. Maybe it was the pacing? I have no idea. I think a number of my friends would like it but me? Not so much.
Okay for aayesha
Another instance of a decent story that was just not to my liking. It's not even that it had tropes I hate. Maybe it was the pacing? I have no idea. I think a number of my friends would like it but me? Not so much.
Okay for aayesha
booksteacupnreviews's review against another edition
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
4.5
Rags-to-Riches Wife was lovely historical romance that revolved around Jane Bailey, a lady’s maid whose life changed when her estranged aristocratic grandfather called her to his estate. It was about class difference, forbidden romance, rich people’s behaviour towards servants, prejudice, judgement, and family drama.
Best part of the book was descriptions of Beechmount Hall, representation of class difference, attire and fashion, conduct, etiquettes, and mind set of people, and soirée. It truly brought me to different time and era.
Romance was slow built and delightful. I enjoyed reading Jane and Robert’s journey from Ledbury house to Beechmount, how they got to know each other more, how their feeling grew from respect to friendship.
Why 4.5 stars-
Story felt a bit longer because of Jan and Robert’s inability to talk things and solve their issue.
Overall, Rags-to-Riches Wife was delightful and absorbing, well written regency romance with likable characters and plot.
Read full review on my book blog by following the link. - https://booksteacupnreviews.com/2020/07/30/bookreview-rags-to-riches-wife-by-catherine-tinley-historicalromance/
Best part of the book was descriptions of Beechmount Hall, representation of class difference, attire and fashion, conduct, etiquettes, and mind set of people, and soirée. It truly brought me to different time and era.
Romance was slow built and delightful. I enjoyed reading Jane and Robert’s journey from Ledbury house to Beechmount, how they got to know each other more, how their feeling grew from respect to friendship.
Why 4.5 stars-
Story felt a bit longer because of Jan and Robert’s inability to talk things and solve their issue.
Overall, Rags-to-Riches Wife was delightful and absorbing, well written regency romance with likable characters and plot.
Read full review on my book blog by following the link. - https://booksteacupnreviews.com/2020/07/30/bookreview-rags-to-riches-wife-by-catherine-tinley-historicalromance/
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