it sounded so good, but was so boring? i had a hard time following it and found myself bored, close to yawning and skimming bored.

I very much enjoyed this book. It has a good story and excellent main characters. I would definately recommend this book.

This was more a story of a woman coming into her own than a romance. Just okay.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Very good book to read. Strong female character. Good plot and some twists made me enjoy this book that much more. Highly recommenced read.

The story is set at the time of the Napoleonic war & the French Revolution. Nan is the main character and she gets the chance to make a good marriage which then gives her the start of a whole new life. We follow her journey to becoming a successful independent woman but she has to overcome many adversaries to try to make a good life for her family. I enjoyed this book and eagerly await the next book to follow the story further.

After being rescued from a drunken group of sailors by Mr Easter, ladies maid Nan Smithen comes to HIS rescue when he faints after taking him home in his carriage. Nan has worked her way up from scullery maid to her more prestigious position in the home of her wealthy employers.

Mr Easter is a hypochondriac with 3 specialists Drs looking after his health. He is impressed with Nan's bravery at hitting out at her attackers. He is respectuful of her and shows her a kindness she has never know, with her spirit and his timidness they make an odd couple. They go on to have children.

A trip to Paris leaves her a widow there is no money and with 3 children to support and bring up on her own life becomes stressful for Nan. But her strength comes to the fore and before she knows it she is successful.

I love following the story of Nan and her children going from strength to strength and accomplishing what she sets out to do.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity xx

Another terrific book by this author.Strong intelligent lead female character drew me right into the story .I really enjoyed the story the people highly recommend for everyone who enjoys historical fiction.#netgalley#agorabooks

Held my interest and showed how powerful women can succeed. Quick changing ideas keep the reader wanting to know what will happen next.

Nan Smithen went into service as a child, and determined to make more of her life than just that. Working from scullery maid up to a ladies maid, an attack led to fortuitous events, for her. Rescued from a mob by Mr. Easter, he’s captivated by her spirit and determination, and sets out a course that will change both their lives. For Mr. Easter is a kindly, if somewhat timid man, easily distracted and wholly hypochondriac. Nan’s influence to his life: bringing him joy in showing her new things, her determination to succeed and find business for them both is a tonic – and there is true love there, perhaps at first more on his side, but the respect and joy in Nan and their children is evident. But an ill-fated treat and trip to Paris sends everything into a tailspin, as they arrived to see the trial of the King and his execution, and while Nan was caught up in the moment and the excitement, Mr. Easter was set upon and killed – leaving her a widow with little income, three children and no support from the Easter family at all.

With a bit of determination and some serious hard work, Nan soon turns a small newspaper route into a near-total takeover of all the paper routes in London, reading rooms, home delivery, stationary shops and exclusive deals with the owner / printer of the Times – a new paper that is cheap, full of news, and quite popular above and below stairs. Follow her as she builds her empire, falls for a Calvary Guard in Calverly Leigh, sees her daughter married, her sons coming into the business, and discovering the power of family, friends and hard work: all from a simple kitchen maid with a plan to be more.

Originally published in 1988, it doesn’t show signs, possibly because the story takes us through the Mad King George and his profligate son’s reign, and the merchant class, being a thing “not done’ by the ton allows Nan the freedom to be who she is – determined, bold and sharply protective of her business, with ideas that flow freely, catching the ‘next wave’ of the new thing, perhaps even shaping the ‘need’ for news among the people of London. A lovely story that brings emotion, hope, history and a ton of admiration for Nan to the forefront.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-aCU/” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

I remember reading this book when it first came out so refreshed my memory on this a bit. The writing is amazing, and it is always enjoyable to read about a heroine who lives by her intelligence and general knowledge about the world. I am always 'wooed' by the hero who rescues a woman and, then, after a fashion, when the two finally marry. I think that the author is quite adept at interweaving fact with fiction.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. It has been ages since I read anything from this author which is a shame. I actually really enjoyed reading something different from chicklit and thrillers. Good read