by T.J. Brown
Published January 15th 2013
by Gallery Books
ARC from Netgalley
Summary from Goodreads:
1913: In a sprawling manor on the outskirts of London, three young women seek to fulfill their destinies and desires amidst the unspoken rules of society and the distant rumblings of war. . . .
Rowena Buxton
Sir Philip Buxton raised three girls into beautiful and capable young women in a bohemian household that defied Edwardian tradition. Eldest sister Rowena was taught to value people, not wealth or status. But everything she believes will be tested when Sir Philip dies, and the girls must live under their uncle’s guardianship at the vast family estate, Summerset Abbey. Standing up for a beloved family member sequestered to the “underclass” in this privileged new world, and drawn into the Cunning Coterie, an exclusive social circle of aristocratic “rebels,” Rowena must decide where her true passions—and loyalties—lie.
Victoria Buxton
Frail in body but filled with an audacious spirit, Victoria secretly dreams of attending university to become a botanist like her father. But this most unladylike wish is not her only secret—Victoria has stumbled upon a family scandal that, if revealed, has the potential to change lives forever. . . .
Prudence Tate
Prudence was lovingly brought up alongside Victoria and Rowena, and their bond is as strong as blood. But by birth she is a governess’s daughter, and to the lord of Summerset Abbey, that makes her a commoner who must take her true place in society—as lady’s maid to her beloved “sisters.” But Pru doesn’t belong in the downstairs world of the household staff any more than she belongs upstairs with the Buxton girls. And when a young lord catches her eye, she begins to wonder if she’ll ever truly carve out a place for herself at Summerset Abbey.
Rowena Buxton
Sir Philip Buxton raised three girls into beautiful and capable young women in a bohemian household that defied Edwardian tradition. Eldest sister Rowena was taught to value people, not wealth or status. But everything she believes will be tested when Sir Philip dies, and the girls must live under their uncle’s guardianship at the vast family estate, Summerset Abbey. Standing up for a beloved family member sequestered to the “underclass” in this privileged new world, and drawn into the Cunning Coterie, an exclusive social circle of aristocratic “rebels,” Rowena must decide where her true passions—and loyalties—lie.
Victoria Buxton
Frail in body but filled with an audacious spirit, Victoria secretly dreams of attending university to become a botanist like her father. But this most unladylike wish is not her only secret—Victoria has stumbled upon a family scandal that, if revealed, has the potential to change lives forever. . . .
Prudence Tate
Prudence was lovingly brought up alongside Victoria and Rowena, and their bond is as strong as blood. But by birth she is a governess’s daughter, and to the lord of Summerset Abbey, that makes her a commoner who must take her true place in society—as lady’s maid to her beloved “sisters.” But Pru doesn’t belong in the downstairs world of the household staff any more than she belongs upstairs with the Buxton girls. And when a young lord catches her eye, she begins to wonder if she’ll ever truly carve out a place for herself at Summerset Abbey.
Thoughts:
Have you ever been in a situation where you were so engrossed in a game of football (or soccer, or baseball..or whatever) and just as your team was about to score when suddenly the t.v goes blank?
Yes, my sentiments exactly! This book has the worst (or simply the best) cliffhanger ending I've ever encountered. Just when the story was about the get really juicy and good, it ends!
I did however enjoyed the story since being a big Downtown Abbey fan this book is tailor made for me. But the pace took a while to pick up and the girls were being fairly useless (in my opinion) in the beginning.
The clues to Prudence mysterious past is too obvious and is the one thing that keep me flipping the pages in a flurry. Rowena as the eldest and most attractive sibling reminds me too much of Lady Mary from Downtown Abbey except that she lacks the confidence and determination that Mary has. And Victoria the fragile and flighty younger sister has feminist aspirations of her own that seemed unbefitting of her weak physical condition.
I'm sorry to say that the girls became a lot more interesting in the company of several young men. Prudence attracted a young lord's attention from the very beginning. While Rowena rescued a next door neighbour whose family is in a bitter feud with the Buxtons. Victoria also managed to befriend one of her cousin's friend who came visiting although I found their relationship somewhat puzzling.
It just so sad that the author had to end the story so abruptly in order to force readers to read the next book in the series. It could have easily be an excellent stand alone with the girls finding their own happy endings and Prudence finally discovering the identity of her real father.
Verdict: 3 stars.
Available on: Amazon
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