This is my first book by author Jen Geigel Johnson but it won’t be my last. Good historical fiction, with characters that drew me in immediately. I really didn’t know much about the suffrage movement in early 1800’s England and found it very interesting. It is truly heartbreaking to think of the real children who were exposed to brutal child labor and so interesting to get a peak into the heart of those who gave up much to save them. I very much enjoyed this well-written engaging story.

I learned more about women's suffrage, the plight of child workers, the fate of destitute women, and those who took advantage of the most disadvantaged than I ever have with any other book I've read. This story made me feel like I had stepped back in time and was a part of it from the inside instead of merely reading about it in a book. Jen Geigle Johnson brought this all to life for me with her evocative words, her passion for accurately researching and portraying historical details, and her way of painting pictures in my head.

This was a time of much turmoil for women especially because they wanted rights like men and be treated fairly. They wanted their voices to be heard and found worthy. They wanted to have a say in voting for leaders in their communities and country. Some did it diplomatically with public rallies and suffrage meeting in homes, while others were bolder and took more drastic measures in their own hands. Molly was one such character who had a passion that spilled over in her actions. They were not always the wisest choices as you will read about. She was, at times, in much danger and acted irrationally. But I admired her! Her passion also fueled her desire to recruit more women into the cause, thus adding to the ranks of women taking action to be heard. I have to say, I'm not sure I would be as brash or bold if I were in her shoes! She also had a passion for children as evidenced in her work for the orphanage. I can understand her wanting to do more to help alleviate their suffering and station in life.

This was a story that I could get behind because centuries later, I as a woman, have the right to vote & my voice is heard. Many before me laid the foundation and their sacrifice wasn't in vain. I can also appreciate that the child labor law was created, voted on, passed and now I have no fear of future generations of children being forced to work. This touches on so many aspects of life, the grittier,darker side of human nature as well as the good. It's hard to imagine what people went through because our lives today are richer & better. It broke my heart to read stories of how women & children were treated, how some were forced into things no decent human being had the right to force on another. But it also shed light on others who did what they could to help where they were able, especially those wealthy enough to help in financial ways. It opened my eyes! I know that somewhere, somehow I can help someone less fortunate than me in many small ways too.

Finally, the romance! I loved the spark between Thomas & Molly and a secondary between Chloe & Annesley. Reading the journey throughout the book towards their happily-ever-after riddled with twists and turns kept this reader invested, happy, and content when all was said and done.

There wasn't a thing I didn't love about A Lady's Maid! It felt like so much more than a story, but rather, watching history unfold before my eyes. I especially loved reading the Author's Notes in the back where she gives insight to her research and how this came about in her mind. Don't skip over that part; I think you'll enjoy it as much as I did! I personally recommend this to history buffs, romantics at heart, and those who appreciate a story that completely envelopes you within its pages.

* I received a complimentary copy from Covenant Communications and was under no obligation to leave a favorable review. *

Historical Accuracy
Go on, say that phrase to a group of historical romance lovers and watch what happens next. Probably bloodshed.

In short: there were a lot less hot, rich, young dukes than romance novels suggest. Very few of them married impoverished ladies or governesses and they all probably had really bad teeth.
There's still a lot of novels about hot dukes with lots of money and great teeth marrying a governess. And there's nothing wrong with that. If that's your jam, have fun. (Nb: another part of that discussion is people complaining that it's "not historically accurate for LGBT people or POCs to get a happy end" and often that argument comes from people who read/write a lot about hot dukes with great teeth but that's not what I want to talk about right now).

But some people also object to romances between hot dukes and governesses because it's essentially a relationship between employer and employee and they are uncomfortable with the power imbalance in that kind of relationship and they can't just ignore that. Does that make them better people than those who can ignore it? No. It just means that some people can ignore those things and enjoy something and others can't. Just like some people can ignore it when the descriptions in a book show that the author never set foot in the place they're describing, or that they haven't grasped the finer points of a certain law or that they have a character use a word that only came in use 25 years after the book takes place and others can't ignore these things.

Which finally brings me to this book. You were probably already wondering if I would ever get to the point.
I cannot ignore that every single of the 'nice' nobles in this book is totally cool with voting rights for women and the working classes, that they not only have absolutely no issues with it but are actively working for it. That they are basically BFFs with their servants. And that this way the only conflict comes from cartoonishly evil moustache-twirling villains who blackmail and kidnap and laugh evilly. And in between all this, our nice nobles insult the non-nice nobles because that's not going to have any consequences.

Would it have been nice to have so many people with so modern attitudes in the past? Of course, but there weren't. And I can't just ignore it. Especially not when there are books that deal with Regency politics in a much better way (Rose Lerner's St. Lemeston books, especially True Pretenses or KJ Charles' Society of Gentlemen). That feature friends who disagree on things, sometimes quite severely. Where not everything is fluffy all the time, because politics can't be completely fluffy-fied.

Ten years after the events of "The Nobleman's Daughter," Molly O'Malley is still grieving the loss of the man she loves in the Peterloo Massacre. Desperate to keep his work alive, Molly works with Lady Amanda, and her husband Lord Halloway to improve women's rights.

Set in the rich background of the 1830's sufferage movement, Jen Geigle Johnson, tells the story of love, friendship, and determination. The characters are warm and real, filled with faults and trials that everyone can identify with. Rooting for these characters as they come to know and love each other was a delight and I can only say I wish the story was longer.

First book I read by this author and really enjoyed reading it.
This book gives a good feeling for the time period of the story.
On one side the noble houses (involving the politics of those days) on the other side the working class and poor.
The struggle for survival of the poor been used by unscrupulous wealthy people and sometimes been driven to extreme measures. The use of children in textile factories to keep cost to a minimum.
Today as a woman we take our rights for granted and its hard to believe that it wasn't that long ago that the woman could not vote. The author has taken some liberties with the dates of some of the events described in order to make a better story. Read her notes at the end to get some clarifications.

I don't know why really but I just couldn't get lose myself in this book. It was well-written, the story a mixture of late 19th century suffrage, child labour, poverty and despicable working conditions in Manchester cotton mills and romance both above and below stairs. The characters were good (or nastily bad) and the descriptions of conditions realistic even if horrific. Much was based upon real events although somewhat changed in times. There's little doubt that it is a good book so perhaps I just didn't feel in the mood or the weather was wrong or something. Thanks to NetGalley and Covenant Communications for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book is SO FASCINATING! As you read you will find yourself in the ton with the noblest of the nobility. Then you will stumble into the darkest abyss of the place called Angel Meadow. You will read of the children and women who must suffer like none other and the people who are trying to help them gain freedom and personal rights. Molly and Thomas will quickly become your heroes and you will anxiously read to the very last page wanting to know more. It is SO GOOD! I highly recommend this book!

The author did a good job with her research on the women's suffrage movement that this story revolves around. Overall it was a good book, though it is not my usual type of book to read. For anyone interested in regency romance revolving around a woman trying to make a difference, I would still highly recommend this book to you.

I received an ARC copy and this is my honest opinion.

Holy moley! What a story!! I read my first book by Jen Geigle Johnson 13 short months ago and she's quickly becoming one of my favorite new authors. I wouldn't classify this strictly as a romance--there are elements of romance in it but I feel they're secondary to the main theme which is women's suffrage. If anyone would've told me I'd love a book about women's suffrage and child labor in England in the 1830's I wouldn't have believed them.

This book takes place about 10 years after the events in The Nobleman's Daughter, where Molly O'Malley loses the man she loves in the Peterloo Massacre. Lady Amanda and her husband Lord Halloway are still working for women to be given the right to vote and Molly, Lady Amanda's maid, and Thomas Flaherty, a footman in the Halloway household, work with them on this important issue.

I learned so much about women's suffrage while reading this book. I had no idea it was an issue in the 1830's. As I read what Molly and the other women went through I felt as if I was there watching it happen. I loved how Thomas was there for Molly, and how patient he'd been for so many years while she healed from losing Charlie, not knowing if she'd ever see him as more than a good friend. I really liked how Lady Amanda, Lord Halloway cared for those that worked for them, and helped so many children by building orphanages.

I loved the example of Lady Amanda and her husband. They used their position in Society to help others, not use them for their own benefit. One of my favorite parts was when shy Lady Chloe finds her voice and joins the cause. One of the Lords pointed out that "each household gets a vote already. Why clog the voting process by adding additional voices?" Chloe responds "Because my voice is my own."

This book is about serious subjects--child labor, hunger forcing women to do horrible things to provide for their children, and most in the upper classes turning a blind eye to it (at the least), and some who made the situation even worse, but it's also about love, caring for others who are less fortunate, and striving to make a difference for those who come after us.

Thanks to NetGalley and Covenant Communications for my copy to read and review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

What did I think? I thought "A Lady's Maid" is a very good, very educational, and very moving story. Jen Geigle Johnson is a new to me author. After reading this story, I'm looking forward to delving into her other books. I really like the history learned throughout Molly's compelling story.
Women's rights, children's rights, children's working conditions, and political corruption are a big part of the main focus of this book. However, there is a sweet romance building between Molly and Thomas that I loved. He is so patient with her. He is a true hero. Coming to her aid in times of trouble and rescuing her from a very dangerous man. I loved how he loved her even when she was afraid to love again after a devastating loss.
I also loved how the noblemen and women helped Molly grow into the strong woman she is.
While this book deals with heavy subjects, it didn't feel too heavy or overdone. I liked the suspense and drama.
Molly's letter at the end is priceless.

#ALady'sMaid #NetGalley

A story of courage, to stand up for a cause that you believe in. The story takes place in Egland, during women's suffarage. Sometimes you only see the little bit around you, but looking beyond that, is what faith is all about. I loved the writing style, the research and detailed descriptions of the time period.A fast paced read, that I enoyed.

This is a very well written book that holds your attention from beginning to end. Once you start reading it you can't stop, you have to know what happens next. This is a new-to-me author and I wasn't sure what to expect, all I can say is WOW! You won't regret getting this book. Thank you Covenant Communications via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

I am completely impressed with this book! I received an advance review copy from the publisher and it was worth every moment spent reading it!
If you love novels that have great elements of historical facts, great characters, as well as wonderful sweet romance - then this book is a must read!
This author did extensive research on suffrage, child labor, and difficult women's issues, AND has a talent for weaving an interesting story to portray some of the situations that occurred about those subjects. Through her descriptive writing, I was transported to the early 1800's and imagined some of the horrible conditions that women and children experienced.
Added to the historical element, is not one, but two blooming love stories with sweet romantic tensions and chemistry. Excellent in every way.
This is a book full of love, suspense, bravery, interesting characters, and so much more!
I highly recommend this book as well as others by this author!