3.85 AVERAGE

dark mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
mysterious tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: N/A
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A
dark mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

the broad strokes of the plot are great, but i feel like could have been more deftly handled. i thought the scene where ruby and the family doctor clashed was very well done. i personally think was the best illustration in this book of the ways women were dismissed and belittled in edwardian england.

Ruby May is a Norland Nurse and has asked for a new assignment due to the family she is working for moving abroad. She wishes to stay in the UK due ot family circumstances.
She is placed with the England family in Yorkshire. There are 4 children and she enjoys being with them and gettign the nursery back into shape. She is a forward thinking young lady who believes in the education of girls.

I liked Ruby as a character, she was not afraid to speak up and to take charge of situations. I found Mr England to be a strange man, whom I didn't like very much. His wife was a quiet woman but there were reasons for that.
I liked the time period of this book and the setting, although this was a slow read and most of the action happened in the last 100 pages.
dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Reminded me of Downton Abbey and Jane Eyre in many ways
emotional tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
dark emotional mysterious relaxing sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

A bit slow and formulaic compared to other books by this author that I've read and enjoyed.

Fair is foul and foul is fair is the main theme of this undemanding historical fiction/gothic tale. The story arc featuring secrets was rather predictable; instead of picking the novel apart and looking for ragged seams, I simply let myself enjoy the excellent depictions of daily life and attitudes in turn-of-the-century industrial England, marked by class distinctions. Those were the book's strengths.