This is a rags to riches story with a twist. Lady Enderly starts out as a rag women, but the twist is she is not Lady Enderly. A bit of a mystery with surprising turns. Just when it seems it's solved, it's not. I received an ARC through NetGalley and my opinion is my honest review. I liked this book so much that I'm reading more of her books.

Finding Lady Enderly by Joanna Davidson Politano is the story of Raina Britton, whose life is turned upside when a strange man offers an escape from squalor to pass herself off as Lady Enderly. The problem is her devoted friend, Sully, follows her, and could expose her rouse to the rest of the house who thinks she is Lady Enderly. Reminiscent of a Jane Eyre or another Gothic novel, Politano draws your in her writing to create a foreboding atmosphere filled with secrets. This was my third book written by Politano, but the mystery lacked complexity and depth in comparison to other two books.

What I Loved: Politano has a knack for crafting something original and inspiring. Finding Lady Enderly had a slight gothic feel to it with this overarching mystery and the setting of a crumbling abbey. But things are more than they appear. The novel was entertaining, romantic, and the way she weaved in classic novel quotes was delightful. But better than all of that was the deeper message within about our identity being found in Christ and how the outer will eventually reflect what was always on the inside. If you haven't read a Politano novel yet, you're truly missing out.

Rating and Recommendation: I give Finding Lady Enderly 5 stars and recommend it to those who enjoy Christian Historical Fiction, especially those who enjoy Brittish settings.

~ I received a copy from Revell. I was not compensated for this review or required to give a favorable one. All thoughts are my own.

Raina Bretton is a rag woman on the streets of London, things begin to seemingly look up when a stranger offers her a position working at Rothburne Abbey. But the glamour of her new position is not what it seems, and the mansion holds secrets that threaten her future.



The dangerous gleam of deception is spinning a deadly web, will Raina be able to escape before it's too late?



A suspenseful gothic adventure, that builds in tension as the story's yarns become more and more complex. Raina is a competent young woman, struggling to survive on the streets of London, the only person she an count on is her sailor friend, Sully who is dodging unfair legal charges.



Raina walks a fine line in a world of glitz and deception, playing a role while looking for answers in order to protect the one whom she holds dear. The story keeps you guessing right along with the characters, as the stakes raise and the suspense tightens. Sully is a Godsend, yet he puts Raina in even more danger with his legal complications and her position at Rotherburne.



Overall, a highly enjoyable gothic novel, perfect for fans of Jane Eyre or Jessica Dotta. Spellbindingly suspenseful, with compelling characters that keep you guessing, at the edge of your seat. Engaging with simmering suspense, I didn't know who to trust, or what would happen next. High quality read, definitely recommend!



I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Raina was just a rag girl but was she more than that? Interesting story...as the mystery unfolds the real meaning of this book resonated to me.

I thought of Shakespeare 's quote:

This above all: to thine own self be true
And it must follow, as the night the day
Thou canst not then be false to any man/Farewell, my blessing season this in thee!”

While trying to find Lady Enderly, Raina found herself. She was more than just a rag girl. She discovered who she was and what she meant to others. She realized the impact she can make rich or poor.

Great story! A mystery, a love story and a classic to treasure as you turn each page. I read this in one day. I couldn't put it down.

I received this free from Revell Reads to review.

Having been blown away by this authors’ other two novels A Rumored Fortune and Lady Jayne Disappears I was thrilled when I saw a new novel out by this author. I couldn’t wait to read it. Here’s the first line, “I do not truly wish for all my dreams to come true. After all, nightmares are one type of dream.”

This line grabbed me. My interest was piqued. I didn’t know where things would go but it felt a little slow as the author set up this captivating fun tale. It felt kind of like a Cinderella story as Raina Bretton (a rag lady peddling on the streets of London, 1871) meets Victor Prendergast who has an opportunity, a wild escapade, he wants her to be part of. As he lays out his plan for her to play the part of Lady Enderly. She’s curious. She’s told the countess isn’t well and needs a rest from her duties to heal up. Raina thinks this is odd, but she had nothing holding her to the place she’s been living. Her guardian encourages her to go. The man she loved was dead. So, she signs up for this crazy ride. Victor tells her that if she doesn’t want to continue the part, she was to play he’d give her a one-way ticket home. It’s a win, win situation in her mind. She could trust this well-dressed man, right?

She knew nothing about being a countess. Nothing about living in a fortress. Nothing about Victor. She was crazy to think she could pull this off until she sees a painting on the wall that stops her in her tracks. “There on the wall hung a portrait of someone so startlingly familiar I felt as though I was staring at my own face.” Let the games begin. That’s the end of chapter 2. Hang in there it does get quite fascinating.

Intertwined throughout the story is the theme about one’s identity. What’s in a name? Does a name reflect who we are inside? We are more than the job we do. That job doesn’t define us. Uncle Wells tries to tell this to Raina, “Never judge a man’s identity by the outside. That can all be changed in an instant.” She knows that all too well. Just because she’s all dressed up to be Lady Enderly that doesn’t mean that’s who she was.

Pastor Bradford had told her something that pricked her heart and mind. “…we are created beings how bore traces of their creator, each with a different piece of his nature augmented in order to show the world who he was. You have something powerful in you, Raina…Pastor Bradford continues, “God takes the identity the world has tarnished, polishes it up, and hands back the name he gave us in the beginning.”

I loved how this author gets Raina and the reader to think about this theme throughout the novel. I thought this would be a typical Cinderella story oh, boy was I wrong. This author pulls out all the stops in this adventure. Loved it. This would make a great book club pick. There is so much to talk about. The author includes 11 discussion questions to help at your book club meeting.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Catalogue front page www.bookfun.org

Joanna Davidson Politano fills my heart with warmth with another beautiful novel. The great mystery of Finding Lady Enderly twisted with tender romance had me hooked to the end.
I love that identity is addressed in this book. It's easy to feel lost in this world, especially when the unexpected happens. More than once, I've wondered about my value or self-identity. And it's lovely to watch Raina evolve into her strongest self-version as she finds her identity in God.

She faces consequences for poor choices made during her quest to find herself.  But like a true repented soul, she takes her punishment with stride and allows God to make use of the circumstances she's in.

Finding Lady Enderly
by Joanna Davidson Politano

Revell

Christian

Pub Date 20 Aug 2019

I am reviewing a copy of Finding Lady Enderly through Revell and Netgalley:

Raina Breton finds her a chance of escape as a rag woman in London’s east end when when a handsome stranger appears in a dank alley and offers her a glittering smile and a chance for adventure. Rothbuene Abbey has a unique position for her, a position that will take her away from her hard scrabble life. She will be given the chance to become a lady. Dreams may be coming true, things that she could only dream of could become a reality but sometimes dreams can turn into nightmares!

Despite the fact that Raina has traded Squalor for Silk and Satin she finds something very unsettling with the Abbey. Raina finds herself wrestling with her true identity the ruin, decay, and secrets she finds at the heart of the old mansion tear at her confidence and threaten to reveal her for who she really is. There is only one man who stands between her and the danger that lurks within and that is only if he decides he will keep her deepest secret hidden.

I give Finding Lady Enderly five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

"Finding Lady Enderly” by award-winning author, Joanna Davidson Politano is
a splendid, endearing tale of whimsy, intrigue, danger and love, that cleverly captures the colorful, exquisite details in ordinary, humdrum, day-to-day lives, highlighting random acts of kindness, compassion and care.

The beautiful heroine, Raina, is a true vision of loveliness, with a vein of gold coursing through her veins, born with a lively, spirited imagination, noble and respectable in character though in dire financial straits. Raina wrestles with two identities – Lady Enderly’s and her own. It leads us all to ponder our own identities and who we really are at heart.

This is a classic novel of the romantic mystery of a misplaced heroine, on a compelling, spellbound journey into the world of ancestral inheritance. It explores the innocent, heartfelt loyalty of love. In a deeply-moving, dramatic story-within-a-story, full of puzzling Victorian intrigue, Joanna Davidson Politano skillfully combines the elements of romance and mystery to create a melodramatic plot twist to keep you captivated and spellbound until the loose ends of the mystery are all wrapped up. I highly recommend this awesome book by an extremely gifted and talented author.

Finding Lady Enderly by Joanna Davidson Politano is a great Christian fiction historical mystery. Like Cinderella, Raina rises from rags to riches. Rothbourne Abbey would be a reporter’s paradise, as the questions «Why? Who? Where? When? » and « How? » would, when answered, bring either a great treasure or a terrible calamity.
Once the action started, I was swept away to another time and another land. Were events glorious or were they tragic? Through it all, Raina ponders who she was, who she is, and who she will be in the future.
I found it interesting and true to life that Raina couldn’t read her Bible and pray while involved in deception.
Great twists and turns throughout until the climax is reached. Also, some great Biblical answers for Raina (which makes the book so much richer). Unfortunately, once the denouement is reached, the wrap-up seems a little weak compared to the incredible action that precedes it.
Great secondary characters. If this were a movie, some would have won an Oscar for best supporting character.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

A rag girl posing as Cinderella, or rather a Countess. What a deep and interesting story. It started out as a quick opportunity for the girl, then she was forced to continue in the ruse. Raina was used to taking rags and restoring them, delighting in the finer things that she encountered along the way. When she was down, she decided to do the same thing for the surroundings she was in. There are twists and turns, danger and a deep love story, with roots in the classics. If you're a deeply romantic story lover, this is for you! Lessons of faith are threaded throughout. Excellent read.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
#FindingLadyEnderly #NetGalley #JoannaDavidsonPolitano #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

Wow! I have started and edited this review several times since finishing the book because I do not think that words can adequately express how much I loved this book! Joanna Davidson Politano has a rare talent and a true gift for writing. She crafts plots that contain unexpected twists and turns, creating a complex storyline that draws you, as the reader, into its mystery and will not let you go (even when are reading well into the wee hours of the morning and are terribly tired the next day!). She also incorporates such intricately deep themes that resonate with you and cause you to reflect and apply them to your own life (how does she do that??). I particularly loved the theme of identity in this book and finding the core of who God made you to be. This story has additional themes of mercy and grace and renewing what was once broken into something beautiful. I loved the characters and Joanna’s ability to develop them so deeply in just a few hundred pages. I found myself crying with Raina more than once. I was completely absorbed in the book from the beginning to the end, oblivious to the laundry and chores awaiting me at home. I adored the romance in the book and it made my romantic heart go pitter-patter with their aching affection and absolutely adorable way of communicating their love through classic book quotes. The scenes are vividly painted with rich descriptions that make it easy to visualize the scenes. The ending wraps up beautifully without every detail working out perfectly, which makes it believable. (Is it possible to actually miss the characters when you finish a book? Because I did). If I could describe this book in one word, it would be… captivating! I could go on and on about how much I loved this book, but I instead of wasting your time by rambling, instead I encourage you to just go and buy a copy of this book! I know you will fall in love with it, like I did! There are not enough stars to rate this book, in my opinion. It is one of my favorite reads of all time and I cannot wait to see what Joanna writes next!

Mystery clouds this gothic tale. It started off so mysterious and intriguing. The opening chapter quotes were so amazing thought-provoking, I love when books have something like that! It did get a bit slow for a while but picked up the pace again about half way through. There were a lot of characters but I was able to keep them straight in my mind, for the most part. But the real beauty with the character was the vast array of such interesting characters that touched my heart. I found this book to be one that I needed to really reflect on and digest slowly, it was not a quick read for me, but it was wonderful with all the things it made me think about. The part if loved the absolute best though is they Raina and Sully found to communicate their love for each other! I won’t give it away though, you need to read it to find out!

I received a copy of this book, this is my honest review.

Have you ever discovered an author that you love so much that you gush over their books again and again? Well, I placed Joanna Davidson Politano in that I-will-fangirl-over-anything-she-writes group after reading her first two novels. I eagerly awaited my copy of her latest release Finding Lady Enderly and devoured—yet savored it—like a sliver of dark chocolate on a hectic Monday. And just like chocolate, it left me satisfied and in a much better mood to take on life.

From page one, this story captured my attention and held it mesmerized until I reached The End. I can’t gush enough about the author’s vivid prose. I felt like I stepped inside the shaky life of Raina Bretton and experienced the grandeur and intrigue of Rothburne Abbey. The mystery kept me guessing while the romance prompted happy sighs.

But what I loved most about this story is Rothburne Abbey. It almost takes on the role of a main character, stealing the show with its layers of wonder. From the magnificence of the outer rooms to the decay of the inner courts, this estate breathed its personality into every scene. I was entranced by the way the author connected the condition of the abbey to that of the human soul. It was both thought-provoking and heart-strengthening.

I completely recommend this five-star story to anyone who loves being swept away to another time and place.

*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

Finding Lady Enderly is the second book I’ve read by this author, and I really like her writing style. I have favorite genres I like to read, but every now and then I find one (like this one) that is difficult to categorize – and that’s not a bad thing. The story is multi-layered and unique.

Raina is an interesting main character. I enjoyed watching her growth. She is solid and strongminded woman, and her story is one of rags to riches (sort of) mystery and romance, and a strong thread of spirituality woven throughout.

Now I do want to mention that, although I enjoyed the story, characters, and setting, it took me a little bit to get into the story. I found it a bit confusing at first, and liking Raina was a struggle at times (in the beginning.) Sully, on the other hand, I had no trouble liking.

Ultimately, the secrets and twists and turns kept the pages turning and the characters kept me caring. This story is well written and has a lot of depth.

Quote from the book:
“Never be ashamed of who you are, your ladyship, for you have something powerful in you.”

Source: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and was under no obligation to post a positive review.

#FindingLadyEnderly

Richly layered book with a spiritual thread on identity that was thoughtful and deep. The story has layers and shadows and ends with a twist on the happily ever after that will satisfy realists and romantics.

Haunting . . . lyrical . . . un-put-down-able. When rag lady Raina “Ragna” Bretton is hired to impersonate Lady Enderly, she stumbles upon a mystery that endangers not only her own life, but that of the man she loves. As Raina struggles to untangle the truth of what has happened to the missing lady, she finds that her true quest is to discover who she herself really is. Politano’s plot is filled with masterful twists and turns that will keep you guessing right up until the deliciously just—and surprising—end.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I have read all of Joanna Davidson Politano’s books and Finding Lady Enderly is by far my favorite by her to date. I was captivated with Raina right from the start. I loved the inspiration and faith with the story. There was some mystery and suspense that kept me intrigued and not to put the book down.

Finding Lady Enderly is getting a well deserved five plus stars from me. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy clean historical fiction.

I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

Finding Lady Enderly has all the essential elements required for the perfect gothic novel. Its naive heroine finds herself recipient of everything she ever dreamed only to realize she is caught up in a plot she doesn’t understand that has turned her dream into a nightmare. At least one truly diabolical character threatens both Raina and the man she loves if she refuses to cooperate with his scheme. Various twists and turns take the reader on a breath holding trip into the mysterious Rothburne Abbey which holds its share of secrets.

I can now understand why other readers have raved about this book. Its dark and brooding atmosphere is the perfect backdrop for the story that shines a revealing light on what makes us who we are. Scattered throughout the story are numerous quotations that build layer upon layer an emphasis on the difference between outward appearance and inner strength. Chapter headings are thoughts from the heroine’s journal. I also loved how Raina and Sully communicated secretly with passages from favorite books.

Beautifully written, Finding Lady Enderly is filled with surprises around every corner and a deep spiritual message that each of us can take to heart. I highly recommend this book.

Joanna Davidson Politano was a new author to me only a year ago. I stepped into her books with a bit of reserve, wondering if she would live up to my expectations. But I was immediately enthralled with her storytelling. And now, with this 3rd book, Finding Lady Enderly, I continue to be entranced by Politano’s outstanding piece of historical fiction.

Politano truly packs it all into this book – a crumbling abbey reminiscent of the Jane Austen era, a mystery that truly captivates until the end, characters that give rise to the strongest of emotions, love that endures the most difficult of circumstances, and a message of our true identity and value as human beings. Each chapter dug itself deeper into my soul as the theme of our personal value resounded. This is not a shallow story, but rather one that takes hold and thoroughly entertains while it changes your perception of our true worth. This is a message not to be forgotten, but to be allowed to transform our lives as it did Politano’s heroine, shaping us with a purpose and hope.

If Politano is a new author for you, do not hesitate. Her books are well worth it!

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.