3.5 STARS

This wasn’t a bad read. I just don’t think I was in the proper mood to enjoy it to the fullest. After reading a historical, I always ask myself why don’t I read them more often. I really do usually enjoy them.

I voluntarily read an early copy.

Jacques Laurent finds himself embroiled in the life of a young woman, called Diana who waves a gun at him on his travels to London. He decides to assist her and, in their time, together, he finds himself drawn to her, in ways he can’t explain. He decides to help Diana and takes her to the Everton Domestic Society, where he knows that there will be some occupation for her. Events soon transpire to put Jacques and Diana together, yet Diana believes that she cannot form a relationship with Jacques as she can only bring danger to his life. Having been abducted by the French, with her father and mother, she was held captive for three years. She only escaped when her parents were killed but has found herself on the run ever since.
This is such an entertaining read, with action and romance aplenty. Jacques is such a noble and dashing figure, who cares deeply for Diana, to the point where he will sacrifice his own freedom for her. Many great secondary characters are involved in this book, many of which are Jacques’ friends.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

A story about a young English woman who is kidnapped (along with her parents) by French spies and tortured for 2 years in an effort to force her scientist father to build weapons for Napoleon. She escapes and makes her way to England, only to be pursued there by her vicious kidnappers. She is taken in by a recent French emigre and his friends and learns to hope and trust again.

This was fine, but I’ve read better. As an analogy, this would be more of a “B” movie, but as this is #4 in a series, I might have gotten a bit more out of it by starting at the beginning.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for providing the ARC. The opinions are strictly my own.

Book 4 in the Everton Domestic Society series is of quite a different nature than the others in this wonderful series. Spies, intrigue, danger, and the Napoleonic wars are front and center here. An emotionally damaged émigré and a damsel in true distress are the romantic focus of this book. They are characters we have met before in the previous books, and characters who were front and center before now take supporting roles, thus encouraging, though not requiring, that the series be read in order. The writing continues to be strong, the plot interesting and exciting, and the difficulties in the developing romance are realistically portrayed.

Jacques is driving back to London when he finds a young woman along side the road. Her only possession is a shotgun. She also carries a heavy emotional burden of some sort. Jacques is a sucker for a damsel in distress.

Diana tells Jacques she will accept a ride and he can drop her in some public place in London when they arrive in town.

He is a gentleman. It would be against his character to simply abandon her when it is evident she is running from something or someone. He suggests the Everton Domestic Society as a place she could be safe.

It is the perfect place for her. And the society is the place to find a perfect place for her to hide in plain sight. She becomes an assistant to a scientist.

Both Diana and Jacques have losses in their past. Most importantly, both of them have escaped being killed in France. Diana lost her parents there. Jacques nearly lost his life there.

There is danger from one particular Frenchman who takes pleasure in torture and murder. He is familiar to both Diana and Jacques. He is determined to make the Emperor take notice of him. Bringing both of them or one of them back to France would make his reputation.

This story has mystery and adventure as well as romance. Although it is part of a series, I had no problem understanding and enjoying the book. Characters are introduced and identified in the scheme of things. The plot moves along at a good pace and it is easy to follow.

I enjoyed the book.

I particularly liked Jacques. He is a hero in the truest sense of the word. He finds it difficult to believe that he is actually attracted to Diana. But, at no time does he ever consider not helping her in any way he can. He introduces her to people who are in positions of power. He provides a way for her to find all the protection and help she could need.

Diana was more difficult for me to like. She just seemed cold and distant to Jacques as well as everyone else who went out of their way to help her. I wanted to feel more emotion from her. She had been in terrible situations. She had seen terrible things. I wanted her to have passion.

I also got very distressed when in nearly every situation, she giggled. For some reason, that display of amusement seemed very out of place for her.

Ms Fenichel is a talented author. She has created complete characters. The secondary characters are fully described and become fully human.
Lady Honoria stole my heart. She has courage, a sense of humor as well as knowledge of the way the world works. She is the guardian angel every young lady on the run needs in her life.

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are completely may own.

A Lady's Past (Everton Domestic Society, #4) by A.S. Fenichel ....This is a wonderful series ..but each book can be read as a stand alone. Thanks to A.S. Fenichel, the publisher and #Netgalley for letting me preview this book. Jacques Laurent (betrayed by his fiancee and almost beheaded he had to escape France and also save his parents..he vows never to love again) Diana (kidnapped with her parents by the French ..escaped and rescued by Jacques on the road) This story has old and new friends, kidnapping, terror, murder, spies, intrigue, angst, tears, wit and steam all getting us to a very HEA and desire for more Everton Domestic Society.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Great world building Page-turner Entertaining Scary Funny Steamy Action-packed Wonderful characters Romantic Easy-to-read Tragic Happily Ever After Witty Tear-jerker

Will a woman on the run be able to trust enough to let a man see past the mask she wears ...

This is my first read by Mrs A.S. Fenichel, and she has a very personal writing style. She brought to life her characters by given them depth and layers. Both protagonists are quite ambivalent, they refuse love or the idea of getting attached but at the same time, they long for closeness.
Diana, after what she endured under some madmen thumb, has every rights to be wary of men.
Still I think her good nature served her right, as she encountered many peoples ready to fight her battle by her side.
Up to her to accept their support as at each turn, she fears for their security more than hers.
She is yet a very innocent person, as she trusts those helping her, she is more circumspect about certain men as while she sees herself as broken, beyond repair.
Jacques has found shelter in England after risking to have his body shortened from a head. Why he is able to recognize a doe on edge, ready to bolt.
And bolt she does, at every turn but Jacques without being able to sort his own feelings out, knows fundamentally she is the one woman of his life.
He will pass by every stade of a relationship moving to something more, with its doubts and struggles when Diana fears the hurt she might be the origin if she stays around.
At first, they react like magnets as opposites attract or push back.
Why their story has only one hope to move forward, to lay all their secrets and fears on the table.

It was a sweet second chance for two persons who should have become jaded but let a sparkle of hope ignite their past dreams.
4.5 stars

I was granted an advance copy by the author and the publisher, I had previously preordered my own.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.

“A Lady's Past “ by A.S. Fenichel
I received an ARC of this story via NetGalley from the author for the price of an honest opinion/review. So, I must honestly say, I loved this story. The description only hints at the trials, tribulations, the fears, and the friendships that will abound within this story. So many things I would like to share, but I fear I might spoil the adventure of this story for you. I rather wish I was a member of a book club and we could talk for hours about this story. Happy Reading !!

On the run, Diana is back in England, but still doesn't feel safe. It's taken her months to get back after being kidnapped with her family. Held as prisoners in a dungeon in France for two years, her father was forced to develop the formula to create larger rockets for Napoleon's army. But his delays and failures only bring more torture and then his death and her mother's. Diana's escape puts anyone around her in danger, especially Jacque Laurent, who rescued Diana on the side of the road on his way to London. Now it will take several powerful and courageous men and woman to keep her safe. If they will only trust her and she trusts them. A book about sacrifice, trust and the power of friendship and love.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

A Lady’s Past (Everton Domestic Society #4)
This was a great book and had it all; mystery, romance, abduction, dungeons, explosions, and humor. Diana and her parents were abducted and taken to a prison in France and kept there for 3 years. The French tried to force her father to improve their rockets so they could use them in the war against England. Diana was finally able to escape but has been on the run because the French want her to finish her father’s work. Jacques Laurent found Diana along the road to London and couldn’t leave her there alone. He takes her to the Everton house where he knows the women will take care of Diana. When he finds her with his friend who is a chemist, he becomes more curious about her. Will Jacques be able to keep her safe and can Diana trust him with her secrets?

This tale was darker than previous Everton stories but that did not make any difference in my enjoyment. Jacques and Diana have both endured heartbreak at the hands of French agents. Now in England Jacques risks his safety to help Diana gain her own. I enjoyed the twists and turns of this romance/suspense story and truly admired the main characters.

This is the latest book in the Everton Domestic Society and I must say not my favourite .

Our heroine , Diana St Cloud , has fled France and returned to England one step ahead of those who killed her parents
Found at the side of the road by Jacques Laurent , his chivalry will not allow him to leave her there and insists on helping her to a destination of her choosing , but realizes the best place for heart this time is the Everton Domestic Society.
When their paths cross again Jacques realises that she has not left his thoughts , becoming more intriguing each day . But Diana fears her past , fears being arrested as a spy and traitor ……….. for her background in science can be used to turn the pace of the war . Jacques however , despite his previous fiancés' betrayal , finds that he is drawn to Diana more and more and is determined to protect her and keep her safe at all costs .

Whilst the book has its moments of suspense and romance I found the characters difficult to relate to - I cannot give a reason why but for me this made the book less enjoyable than the previous ones in the series .
I was given an ARC of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

A Lady's Past (Everton Domestic Society Book 4) by A.S. Fenichel
A Big 5 Stars! Wow! What a beautifully written and touching story! Jacques and Diana both have dark and painful past associated with France and Diana’s has caught up to her in England where she hoped to be safe. Now she will have to trust Jacques and his powerful friends to save her, or will they find she’s a spy and arrest her for treason? This is my favorite story of the series! The storyline is creatively original and has a little bit of everything needed to keep it exciting and keep me wanting more. There’s danger, espionage, murder, adventure, and a sweet slow burn romance that will make you blush at 80% in! This story kept me riveted from page one to “The End”! I highly recommend! Happy Reading♥️

Espionage, adventure, and romance all come together in this exciting book. Diana is a young lady of strength, but she is in survival mode and having done everything with the few resources she had to secure her escape from the French, she is left with feelings of disgust in herself and her self-image is in tatters. Jacques, a man who epitomises romance, has also had his share of escaping the Great Terror. His heart has been broken by his previous fiancé, but discovering Diana on the side of the road, his innate chivalry comes to the fore and he takes responsibility for her, with or without her agreement! In Jacques, Diana finally finds a safe refuge for her heart, but because of the danger she is in, she knows that anyone who gets in the way of England's enemies, will hurt those she cares about. This novel is well written, fast-paced and kept my attention rivetted from the opening lines. Characters from previous books in the series appear in this one too, none of which would be complete without the delightful and resourceful Lady Honoria Chervil. The story is a standalone and comes to an exciting and successful end. I received a copy of this highly enjoyable book as a gift and it is a pleasure to give my honest and voluntary review.

I received this ARC from Netgalley. A Lady's Past by A.S. Fenichel is a love story about endurance and fortitude. Both the hero, Jacques and Diane, the heroine, endure more than most people would in normal life. It is the strength that they have that helps them endure all the egregious tortures committed to them and their loved ones. A good read!

What can I say? I’m a sucker for a good historical romance and this had the perfect menu for it. Enjoyed it as a quick read and I would love to read about the rest of the Everton ladies.

This book has a little bit of everything, mystery, intrigue, spies, danger and of course romance. The female characters are interesting, some a little quirky, which adds quite a bit to the story. As it is part of a series, readers can get caught up quickly, but the role of the Horsemen seems diminished in this installment as they were ineffective in protecting Diana. Jacques is a romantic figure and I loved this character and sympathized with him as Diana pushed and pulled on his feelings. Some questions are left unanswered, like how did she get to be on the road to London with nothing but a shotgun, but all in all this was a captivating read.

Diana and her parents were kidnapped, imprisoned in France and then her parents were killed. When Diana escapes she meets Jacques on a road in England. Neither one excepted to have feelings for the other. And what a hero Jacques as he protects Diana not caring for his own life.

This book is loaded with drama, humor, spice and suspense.

I received an advance reader copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

A Lady's Past by A.S. Fenichel is a fabulous historical romance. Ms. Fenichel has provided readers with a well-written book. The characters are phenomenal and my favorite part of the book. Diana and her parents were kidnapped, imprisoned in France, tortured and her parents killed. She escaped and made her way back to England where she's wanted as a traitor. Jacques comes across Diana along the road and leaves her at the Everton Domestic Society to keep her safe. Jacques and Diana's story is loaded with drama, humor, spice, action and suspense. I enjoyed every page of this book and look forward to reading more from A.S. Fenichel in the future. A Lady's Past is book 4 of the Everton Domestic Society Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This novel continues with another lady who joins the Everton Domestic Society. Diana St. Cloud has escaped from France and has a hard journey in trying to return to English soil. Held against her will and the loss of her family has made her distrustful and wary of others. When Jacques Laurent finds her on a road, his chivalry will not allow him to leave her on the road and insists on helping her to a destination of her choosing but realizes the best place for her is the Everton Domestic Society. He cannot stop thinking about Diana and when they cross paths again, he becomes more intrigued by her. Diana is intelligent but as a woman cannot pursue the sciences as men do. However, her knowledge could shift the tides in the war. Diana fears she could be labeled as a traitor and with several people on her trail, she needs Jacques more than she realizes. Neither of them expected feelings to enter into the equation, nor the lengths the French will go to retrieve Diana. Jacques will protect Diana from all, even at the expense of his own life.