I took a step back in time with this fabulous read. A Lady in Attendance by Rachel Fordham is quickly becoming a favorite author for me. I really enjoy her writing style and the flow of her stories never disappoint. I definitely recommend this book.

Hazel was wrongly jailed, framed for a crime she didn't commit. She and her family had a high position in society, but when this happened, they left her on her own. After serving her time she found a job with a quiet young dentist, a confirmed bachelor. She was a perfect fit though, and they each grew through their insecurities. In this growth and stepping out in faith with her new friends, she told them about her past and they helped her to clear her name, uncovering the true person who committed the crime and murdered her husband. Putting them all in danger. But this time with God and friends on her side, all fell into place. Well told, keeping you turning those pages. Very good read. Lovable characters.

I received this book free from the author, publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#ALadyInAttendance #NetGalley #Revell #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #ChristianHistoricalFiction #FiveStarBooks #RachelFordham #BakerPublishingGroup

I loved this story and the message it conveyed. Well-written with dynamic characters, it had me turning pages and kept me hooked. It was my first time reading Rachel Fordham, but definitely not the last.

A Lady in Attendance is a beautifully written historical novel. With themes of redemption and love, readers are sure to enjoy Fordham’s work.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Lady in Attendance
by Rachel Fordham
Pub Date 01 Jun 2021
Revell
Christian


Revell and Netgalley provided me with a copy of A Lady in Attendance in exchange for my review:


Hazel's real name bears a blemish from five years in a New York state reformatory. In 1898, she takes a job as Doctor Gilbert Watts's lady in attendance under an alias. Hazel finds more than an income working for her pious employer. As she sets her tarnished past in order, she finds a friend and hope for the future.


Gilbert can't help but sense something secretive about his new dental assistant's pleasant chatter. There may be more to this woman than meets the eye. Is it possible to answer the questions between them? Will the past forever rob the future of its potential?



Rachel Fordham weaves a heartwarming tale of a soft-spoken man, a hardened woman, and the friends who stand by them as they work towards a common goal--to expunge the record of someone society deems unsalvageable.


I give A Lady in Attendance five out of five stars!

A gentle, beautifully researched tale filled with longing and my catnip of a hero.

Fordham is a wonderful storyteller.

This was such a fascinating historical fiction book set in the late 1890s. I have read other historical fiction books by this author and continue to be impressed with her characters and storylines.

As I got to know the main character Hazel throughout, I was intrigued by her story, how and why she became incarcerated, and her big transformation. Unfortunately there are people from her past who keep appearing in this story who don’t believe she’s changed after 5 years.

It was heartbreaking to read about her and her family’s trials and how one persons mistakes and having bad friends can change the future. Fortunately Hazel decided to turn her life around and I liked how she sought to make amends and to become independent with working and being an upstanding citizen. I liked reading about her interactions with the doctor and their patients. Dr. Gilbert was a great character and I loved how kind, non judgmental and forgiving he was.

I really enjoyed this story and can’t wait to read future books by this author. I don’t read alot of historical fiction because sometimes they can be a little boring, but NOT this one! I read it cover to cover within a day.

I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. A good historical fiction Christian Novel. Highly recommend.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record (or worse, an ungrateful reader), I must say that I wish I would have fallen in love with this book. But, alas!

Rachel Fordham’s latest novel, A Lady In Attendance, holds a story that is both appealing and different. Appealing because of its theme of redemption and second chances. And different because of its rare storyline. But in complete honesty, as much as I appreciated those things about this novel, the #1 thing that led me to read A Lady In Attendance was its heroine, Hazel. The way her character was described in the synopsis instantly grabbed my attention. As before stated, it was too appealing to pass on.

As I read and really got into the feel of A Lady In Attendance, I found out that some parts of the story were good, even exciting. The mystery. The humor. The ending. But then there were parts that I could not connect with. Such as the romantic side of the story. Not saying it was terrible, just…it wasn’t for me.

In summary, A Lady In Attendance was a nice read. Wasn’t quite what I expected, but it was nice nevertheless.

THANKS TO REVELL AND THE AUTHOR FOR PROVIDING A FREE COPY FOR MY HONEST REVIEW. ALL THOUGHTS EXPRESSED ARE MY OWN.

I did not know anything about the history of women's reformatories in the US. Why women were sent there, what it did to their names and future, and what options existed afterward were all a mystery. Rachel Fordham wrote of this so well that over a year later I still reflect on this story.

Hazel was flighty and an entitled snob before her life took an unexpected turn. Well, more than one. After years in a women's reformatory she changes her name to obtain a job away from her hometown, all to keep her beloved family free from being tainted socially by association. Except she has no idea what she's doing and learns as she goes thanks to a quiet and patient employer.

Attraction begins to simmer between the two of them, but Hazel's past is not an easy one to overcome or ignore. Especially as divulging the truth of it may get her fired and shunned. Again. There are serious issues and people at work to keep her far away from ever having a second or third chance at a good life.

I loved the theme of this story- that your past doesn’t define you, but only makes you stronger. Hazel and Gilbert’s story was so much more than just romance. It has friendship, faith, and healing. A very uplifting read.

A truly beautiful story, with characters so genuine you will fall in love with them almost instantly.

I loved everything about this book, and especially the development of the friendship-to-love arc between Gil and Hazel. It felt easy and natural.

As things progress, and the plot turns a little more intense, I felt satisfaction for Hazel as she got the justice she deserves. Highly recommend this book!

I received a complimentary copy from Revell. This is my honest review.

This book was just so lovely! I've had it sitting in my TBR and finally pulled it out. Not for lack of wanting but due to life having lots happening. It's one that as I was reading it, I kept saying "why did I wait so long!!!"

But I've remedied it and have to say that I just really enjoyed it. Hazel's story pulled me in from the beginning. Her story is so intriguing. The questions of if she is innocent and what happened and how can she clear her name.

The story is gentle and sweet even though there is an underlying tension with Hazel's search for redemption. Gilbert is a fabulous character and brought so much joy to this book. He had me laughing and smiling over his comments. He's just a gentle, kind, compassionate and good man. Hazel helps bring more light into his life and helps him bloom as well. I loved how these two were just so perfectly written.

If you haven't read any of this author's books, I can't encourage you enough to read this one. It is wonderful and probably my favorite of her books so far. And that's saying something as I truly enjoyed the other books of hers that I've read.

Content: Clean. Some mild moments of peril in regards to a bad guy and the mystery behind Hazel's past. But very well written and definitely a clean read. A Beautiful story of Redemption and love.

I received a copy from the publisher, Revell, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

The characters in this book are wonderful, and the storyline is interesting. It’s a lovely story enhanced by historical details that make the story believable. The author has a beautiful writing style and I always love reading her books.

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

4.5 stars

While I’ve followed Rachel Fordham’s books since her debut novel, sadly I have not read one until A Lady in Attendance – and what a great one to start with! I was captured from the beginning and couldn’t put it down until the end. It’s sweet and charming and brought a smile to my face, despite the fact that it does deal with some heavier topics. The author’s ability to weave joy and tenderness throughout even the tough stuff was heartwarming and uplifting – and don’t we all need to remember that joy can exist even in the yuck of life lately?

Ever since reading Anne of Green Gables, I’ve had a certain affinity for heroes named Gilbert. And, while Gilbert Watts and Gilbert Blythe are quite different from one another, they do both have a great sense of humor, a selfless heart and a thing for redheads. So, needless to say, it didn’t take much for me to fall for Fordham’s shy Gilbert, and his interactions with Hazel are responsible for most of the smiles on my face while reading this book. He’s just a good guy – all the way through – and his respect and affection for Hazel are completely swoonworthy.

Hazel is a heroine who has already gone through a lot of character growth, a lot of growing up, by the time we meet her, even in the prologue. Events out of her control have caused her to mature even more in the years between the prologue and the first chapter and, even though she desperately hopes to find justice & reclaim her name, she carries herself with grace and compassion. Gilbert is exactly the kind of guy she needs to meet, and it was such a pleasure to watch her blossom from the tenderness of his friendship. Her lively spirit and easy banter is good for him, too, and I just can’t say enough how sweetly their relationship warmed my heart. I don’t often swoon or get teary-eyed over a kiss on the cheek but I absolutely did more than once in A Lady in Attendance.

Bottom Line: A dentist’s office might not seem like the most romantic place to fall in love, but maybe it’s just because you haven’t met Gilbert & Hazel yet. I can’t imagine this story in any other setting, and I’m still smiling at how sweet their romance is. The mutual respect and affection, the championing of each other, and the friendship that under-girds it is so tender, even though it’s happening against the backdrop of some difficult obstacles. I haven’t even gotten into the fabulous side characters yet or how, through them, Fordham gently reminds us not to write anyone off as a lost cause. A Lady in Attendance is a definite must-read!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

I do enjoy reading books where I learn of history, & the recent number which shed light on earlier occupations for women are always of interest. (I must admit, I had no idea what the phrase ‘a lady in attendance’ denoted.) The storyline opened my eyes to what life could have been like for some women - not by choice for many of them - but did stretch credulity somewhat with the timings in places. It held my attention enough to read it in one sitting, & although I do not consider it as good as earlier publications by this author I can still recommend it : they did set a very high bar! 3 1/2 stars.

Not surprising, but I loved this book! It was a bit of a treat getting to read a book that took place close to where I'm from. I liked that the hero was unique--probably the only time you've seen a dentist be the hero haha. One thing I've noticed in reading Rachel Fordham's books is this underlying theme of being SEEN. The characters come from different walks in life and have their own unique stories to tell, but as a reader you're challenged to not judge the characters by initial appearances. There's more to them than their physical appearance, past mistakes, or assumed flaws. I love this author's writing and can't wait to read more in the future!

This was my first introduction to Rachel Fordham and I was blown away! The idea of a "Lady in Attendance" was so foreign to me, but having dental assisant friends myself I was hooked! The love story of Gilbert and Hazel was so sweet. I also enjoyed all the little bits of mystery and suspense woven in this book! All in all- a 5 star read!

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for my copy of this book. All reviews expressed are my own, and I have not been obligated to leave a positive review.

A Lady In Attendance is a lovely story full of romance and suspense in late 1800s New York. I loved the witty dialogue and intriguing plot. Rachel Fordham is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. She tells delightful Faith-filled stories that draw you in, causing you to forget ordinary things like cooking supper or washing dishes. Unfortunately, since I have finished her book I will have to return to those mundane duties...My family will be pleased! So when you have a block of time available, brew a pot of tea, grab a cozy blanket and curl up for a wonderful tale.

I was given a copy of this book with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

#BookReview: A LADY IN ATTENDANCE by Rachel Fordham

So many great reviews for this book and I am glad I finally read it. It was worth the wait. I loved the author’s writing style in A Life Once Dreamed and this one didn’t let me down. The occupation of the main characters was new and interesting, a dentist and a lady in attendance. I’ve never read one like it before.

I like that the female lead was flawed who found the Lord in the reformatory. Hazel’s positive approach in life is worth emulating. She got married out of her will, but she tried to make it work. She was wrongly convicted of theft, but she used her time in the reformatory to change for the better. She chose to forgive and to let go of all the hurt. She tried and she still tries to move forward with everything that has happened.

Gilbert and Hazel’s banter was so enjoyable to read. I look forward to their conversations. I loved how Gilbert found his voice with Hazel. It was a big deal for him to believe Hazel’s story. And the fact that he was willing to help her, he was truly amazing. Gilbert calling Hazel, Red, was so endearing.

I highly recommend this book. A sweet story of redemption, hope, friendship and romance. Unravelling the mystery around Hazel’s life added spice to the story. It’s really good. So many quotable lines too! I look forward to more books by this author. 4.5 stars

Thank you #netgalley and #Revell for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.