jbronderbookreviews

The Companion of Lady Holmeshire by Debra Brown

4 stars

(Excerpt from Goodreads) A baby girl was found in a basket on Squire Carrington’s doorstep. She was raised and sent to work as a servant girl for The Countess of Holmeshire. The widowed and unconventional Countess chose Miss Emma Carrington as a companion and sent her off for finishing with the goal of dragging her along into genteel Victorian society. What sort of reception would she have at tea and dinners? The young Earl of Holmeshire was engaged by arrangement to a lovely London lady, but their relationship was difficult. Could they work it out? Even the tribulations and banned romances of the servants downstairs play into the story as we follow Emma from a stone fortress to a Victorian village and then into fabulous London mansions. Great surprises unfold at a Midsummer Night’s Dream Ball which help to solve mysteries that have gradually developed. You are invited to predict the great revelation of the last few pages!

Lady Holmeshire has chosen a common girl to be groomed for Victorian society. She has chosen Emma as her companion. Emma was found abandoned and was raised by a squire until he couldn’t take care of her along with the rest of his own family. So the Countess decides that she will take care of Emma as a servant then decides to educate her as a Victorian Lady.

We start with Emma coming home from finishing. She feels out of place in the house where so recently she was a servant. Emma is also very nervous about being introduced into society. In the mean time, Wilfred, Coutness’s son, has returned home and is planning on taking his mother and Emma to London while he works in Parliament.

While in London, Emma is to be introduced to polite society and draws a rather negative air. Several people are not impressed that a former maid should even grace societies halls and they plan on how they can get her thrown out. At the same time, Wilford is trying to get the lords and lady’s to realize that there is a problem with the poor and that they need help. This topic is frowned upon so Wilford is having trouble getting support in Parliament.

I liked the idea behind this story. The end was surprising and there was a great twist when you thought the story was over. I really liked how everything was rapped up at the end.

Sadly, I have to say that I have learned that I don’t enjoy Victorian based stories. Having said that, I felt that the story wandered around and branched off before coming to the end. Some of the story felt like filler and could have been taken out.

Beyond that, I do feel if you like Victorian stories, you will like this one. It is a quick read, about 133 pages on my Nook and 269 pages in print, but well worth it.

I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.