I liked this
book. I didn’t love it but I did like it.
I think what the author is trying to say with the book is that being
yourself is better than pretending to be something you’re not. While the façade may provide temporary
“blessings” , in the end being yourself is the best way. With God’s help, the
main character in this story comes to that conclusion. At first I had a hard
time justifying in my mind all the lies and deceit that Raina, the main
character, is involved in while still expecting God to bless her. As I read more and thought about it, I was
reminded of God’s mercy and grace. Raina
is a recipient of that.
At the
beginning of this story we find Raina, the rag lady, being tempted by a promise
of a better life if she pretends to be someone she’s not, namely, Lady Enderly. At times she regrets the deceit but
circumstances work against her and she feels obligated to continue.
The majority
of the action takes place in a run down, dilapidated old mansion. I won’t give the whole story away but it
involves secrets and lies, love and desperation.
The author
does a great job of pulling you into the story through her intricate
descriptions of the setting. You can
almost see yourself in the lavishly restored rooms and the derelict ruined
rooms in the mansion.
The mystery
of the story is who is Lady Enderly and where is she? Who knows where she is? Why is she missing? The truth comes out in the end.
There are only
a handful of characters to keep track of.
Even so, you never really know their true intentions until the end.
This is from
the publisher’s website:
“Raina's dreams are all about to come true.
But some dreams turn out to be nightmares.
Raina Bretton is a rag woman in London's East End when a handsome stranger appears in a dank alley, offering her a glittering smile and a chance for adventure. Rothburne Abbey has a unique position for her, one that will take her away from her hardscrabble life and give her a chance to be a lady.
Though Raina has traded squalor for silk and satin, something about the abbey is deeply unsettling. As she wrestles with her true identity, the ruin, decay, and secrets she finds at the heart of the old mansion tear at her confidence and threaten to reveal her for who she really is. Only one man stands between her and the danger that lurks within--and only if he decides to keep her biggest secret hidden.”
Learn more about the author, Joanna Davidson Politano HERE
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and Baker
Publishing Group through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
