Thank you to Netgalley and Aria for this advanced reader's copy in return for my honest review. I'm a massive fan of historical fiction and I loved this romance set in the 1800s. It's my first book by this author and I hasn't realised that this was the second in this series. It goes however, read perfectly well as a stand alone. Charming story.

Unbeknown to me when I originally chose to read, this book is actually a sequel to another book The Children of the Siege, but it is so beautifully written, so flawlessly that explanations for past situations and links to the past were not made a big deal of and never felt intrusive to the flow of the overall story or that large swathes of the story didn’t make sense because of missing backstory.

The book entwines several characters together in a slow but steady climax that is a part quaint thriller and part romance. We are introduced to Agathe Sauze and Annette, poor women who are very firmly in the servant class of society and to Helene and Rupert, both members of better, wealthy classes. Set mainly in France with the occasional scene in rural England, it explores the rights of women and their lot in life as cast by society and the rules that they had to live by in 1877, looking at the power held over them by the men in their lives. Perhaps the exception to this overall plotline is the storyline of Rupert Chalfont, the second son of a wealthy landowner who is originally painted as a fairly disreputable and unlikeable character, forced to face up to the weight of expectations usually reserved for the eldest son after tragedy strikes his family, making him a character as a reader you invest time and emotion in. It also helps that he was contrasted clearly with the villain of the piece, who is all in all a nasty piece of work and thoroughly disagreeable.

Costeloe has written evocative scenes in which beautiful dresses are described, or the feel of a working kitchen in a well to do home with the accompanying hustle and bustle, or the feel for a Paris neighbourhood set in the not so elegant parts of the city complete with ruffians and troublemakers and makes them vivid. The story explores various topics such as sexual abuse, rape, death, familial expectations and mental health. It clearly delineates the lives of both the upper and lower classes and the treatment of people within these classes, although class lines are broken with a friendship between Annette and Helene that was formed in their childhood (a storyline from the first book) that carries over to the young women in this piece.

The story moves briskly and never feels as if it labours over any one scene, but the climax doesn’t come until almost the final pages of the piece. Whilst it is not searing, thought-provoking commentary on women’s rights of the time that will fire up your inner feminist, it was an enjoyable way to spend a day.

Thank you NetGalley and Aria Publishing for the opportunity to read this lovely historical romance. This book has all the wonderful qualities I expect in this genre, the beautiful young woman, the nasty pursuer and the charming outsider. I enjoyed the little quirks of each character and some of them I loved instantly, like Madame Sauze. She made me feel safe as if she would open her arms for a reassuring hug if I needed one. The story flowed smoothly from one character to another, making each character’s chapter an important part of the story. I was cheering for Helene, hoping she would find true love and this book did not disappoint. In especially enjoyed Lucas’s grandmother that brought some delightful humour to the book. I believe anybody that enjoys historical romance will be enthralled with their book.

I hadn't realised this was the second book of series. It didn't matter as the story stood alone and any references to the past were clearly explained.
I found this to be a very pleasant historical romance and very easy to read. Diney Costeloe writes in such a naturally smooth manner which made it comfortable to read. The characters were well described and the villain of the piece was easy to dislike. There were no real surprises and the ending was as expected. Anyone who enjoys authors such as Georgette Heyer will undoubtedly delight in this book.
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I have read some of the author's previous books and I find it strange that some of her books are catalogued as Saga and some as General Fiction in my local Library. It was a well written and interesting book.. However, I did find the main male lead a little strange as he seemed to completely change his character part way through the book. A good easy read book, perfect as a holiday read or a rainy afternoom.

This story is set in France in the 1800's & it starts with following the journey of Agathe Sauze, a housekeeper for a dying priest. Agathe suddenly finds herself left destitute when the new parish priest takes over, an insidious man who takes her protege, Annette on instead. Agathe takes her leave & finds herself at the door of her estranged sister in Paris while Annette faces an uncertain future with Father Thomas.

The story always follows the life of Helene, who lives in a small village, St Etienne in France. She lives a completely different life to Agathe or Annette as she lives a comfortable life in a well off family waiting for her chance to be welcomed in to high society. Helene soon finds her life becoming entwined with Agathe & Annette...

This is the first book I have read by Diney Costeloe & as someone who has a love of historical fiction, I can honestly say that I really enjoyed this story. Costeloe can really write good characters, characters that you really root for but on the other hand, she can write a very good baddie! I found myself loving characters & wanting the very best for them & also wanting to slap a few of the less pleasant ones!

I loved the descriptions of Paris & rural France, the chateauxs & the dresses... it was very romantic & dreamy however this is in juxtaposition with the drearier aspects of being poor at this time & how the less well off are treated.

There are really emotive parts of this book & it deals with difficult situations such as death, rape & mental illness. The story arc of Agathe's sister in particular (although short) made me cry. I found it very emotive.

My favourite character was Helene, she may have come from an up market family but because of her past she was irreverent, resilient & strong. She had her own mind & she wasn't a simmering wallflower. I loved her!

This is a very simply written book with a lot of romance & intrigue. I would 100% recommend it if you are looking to delve into a historical fiction novel. This will not be my last book by Diney Costeloe!

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am a historical fiction lover with a capital L. and I have Read several of Diney costeloe books and really really enjoyed them.. This is The sequel to children of The siege. and I have to confess when you have Read The first book you expect something Else from The second book. The book is beautiful written. It has all The element I expect from a historical fiction book. But I am sorry to say It was only an ok book for me. why? The book became in some parts too predictable and cliche. I got this e arc in exchange for an honest review. thank you to netgalley

An emotional and accurate portrait of French and English societies in the late 1800s.

Diney Costeloe is a new-to-me author, and I was very impressed by the quality of her writing. The narrative is beautiful and flows effortlessly.

I love that she tells the story without taking shortcuts. She takes her time describing the characters' experiences and, as a result, the reader feels a deep sense of connection.

How easily I got immersed in these characters' world.

The story happens in the late 1800s and starts by introducing Agathe and Annette, two women working for a clergyman. The hardship women had (and still have) to endure was heartbreaking, but their strength in fighting back was very uplifting.

There is a strong element of kindness and friendship throughout the story.

As the story progresses, a romance starts to flourish between a roguish English second son and a seventeen-year-old French girl. The romance is sweet, but the real gem in the book is its accurate portrait of the society of that time.

It also takes the reader "downstairs" to the servants' quarters, adding a dimension to the story.

Overall, a great choice for anyone interested in reading fiction set in France and England during this period.

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Warning: Sexual Violence

This review will be published on lureviewsbooks.weebly.com on the day of publication.

I’m a huge fan of this author and this book is not to be missed
Diney Costeloe has such a way with historical fiction. Beautiful, eloquent and pages that turn so fast you the reader are all consumed !