Romance, clean, period:
Lady Amanda and Lord Nathaniel's story was so well done! The historical backdrop to this period romance made it all the more real and intriguing. JGJ did such a wonderful job putting a face on the upheaval and societal change happening at this time. Lady Amanda who tried in so many various ways to help those she saw who were struggling after 'awakening' to their plight was foiled so well by Lord Nathaniel. I loved all the interactions with their servants (and friends), and the settings at the rallies and her parent's backstory that helped lay the foundation for some of the action in this novel.
Amanda and Nathaniel's budding attraction as she tries to keep her actions secret and away from the eyes of the ton throw them together after she unwittingly puts Lord Nathaniel into society's glare after a conversation in a shop with some other women. As they swirl around each other, and both see each other in various places, their attraction and admiration grows. Societal commentary and history, and a sweet romance that pulls together this story so realistically, made for a fun read.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review, my opinions are my own.

I couldn't finish this story. After reaching the halfway point, I could go no further. The background information was my favorite part and what helped me get as far as I did. The author appeared to know her history and presented stories of those who struggled well. The main characters were the biggest problem. The heroine made too many unnecessary choices that were simply there to create drama and suspense.

3.5 stars. This book started a little slow, but really picked up. I love that the main characters were fighting for something bigger than themselves. After the story ends, there is a historic outline that tells how much of the story is true.

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Amy Parker's review Jan 16, 2018 · edit
really liked it

I bought this book for myself for Christmas based solely on the upbeat buzz about it at Deseret Book. Yesterday I picked it up, ready to read and I've squeezed reading into every nook and cranny of my day that I could. I did not want to put this down! I'll agree with other readers who note that on occasion the pace slows considerably. Yes there are frustrations with Amanda's hot headedness and rash decision making. Huge irritation with the lack of accurate use of titles throughout this book. Last names & titles would always be used, especially in public and always with those you were not acquainted with. Many times the gentry would be addressed with their title, even by family. There was a missed opportunity in which propriety would have allowed them to use first names. Glaringly absent from the story. Sometimes the use of names it's done correctly, but mostly Lord or Lady is used and then the first name. Ugh, I can't abide it in a historical when something that big is missed.

All that aside, this proved to be an engaging story based around the true events of 'The Peterloo Massacre'. I am grateful the author states in her notes that Manchester is nowhere near London, in which they seemingly can get to in minutes, yet driving it today is at least a 3/4 hour drive. License is taken in other areas too, but those are also explained. I generally just don't enjoy when real life events are the sole focus of a fiction story. I much prefer it to be all fictional. The author is not tied then to keep up with facts and there is no way to predict the endings. I would hedge a bet though that most readers who pick up this book will not be familiar with its topic and events that surround it.

I enjoyed Nathaniel & Amanda's characters. Their playful behaviour was enough to distract from the true nature of their work, and getting a glimpse of their real personalities was fun to read. As the story progresses the romance does take a back seat to the serious issues being portrayed here. There are parts that are not for the faint hearted. Revolution? Count me in!

Charlie & Molly are essential supporting characters, with many others added along the way. Even the moody and angry Jack Bender adds to the broad spectrum of perspective we are given by the author.

I actually like the cover. It's in keeping with the literature of this day, and has a classical feel to it. My favourite part, aesthetically speaking, is the gorgeous artwork of the sparrows inside preceding each new chapter. Ebook readers get to enjoy a large somewhat harsh graphic ;) The paperback version, just beautiful.

*I also received a complimentary eARC copy of the book from Netgalley. This is my honest review.

Unfortunately, this book was not a good fit for me. I read to 20% and could not finish.

The writing is stilted, there are *way* too many character's thoughts in italics, which is very distracting. It pulls the reader away from the narrative. If the author learned how to write in deep POV this would be easily avoided and would also prevent other mistakes. The POV character, in her own chapter, should not be thinking of herself as Lady Amanda.
I'm not posting a star review since I didn't finish, and for the same reason didn't post on GR.

Lady Amanda's father instructs her to choose between two men during her Season, men he is certain will protect her from the past that continually creeps into their lives. However, Lady Amanda has other ideas.

The Novelman's Daughter was, in my opinion, an annoying and boring character. She was hailed as being clever but acted without thinking on almost every occasion. Lord Nathaniel, the man she is attracted to but says she wants nothing to do with, is forgettable. He, like Amanda, plays the flirt, but when there is a satirical caricature done of him, he is appalled anyone would think such a thing of him.

I've seen these story cliches before, and I've seen them done a hundred times better than they were in this book. The historical details, especially the notes added by the author at the end, was one of the few things I enjoyed. Showing the volatile atmosphere was interesting. The fight for equal rights was interesting.

The characters were not. The romance was not.

Overall, if you're not looking for anything substantial or believable, you'll probably enjoy this. As for me, I am in no hurry to read anything by this author again.

This book was about the clash of class in England during recency era times. I like this time period but this novel was not a favorite. The character of lady Amanda seemed young and it seemed like Insta love with Lord Nathaniel. I would try reading something else from this author but this book just wasn't one that wowed me.

As a daughter of a duke, Lady Amanda enjoys all the comforts and privileges of being a gentleman's daughter. However, as she becomes aware of the struggles of the lower class--of their desires for better options for there lives, including education and a voice in the political system--she is sympathetic to their cause and determined to find a way that she can help. As a cover for her activities, she acts like an empty-headed flirt at society events. Nathaniel, the son of a duke, is all too happy to flirt with her--and she's drawn to him while simultaneously worried that he's nothing more than the rake he pretends to be, one who will never understand her desire to help the common people.
Nathaniel has Amanda's father's permission to court her, and he is fascinated by the glimpses he gets of her real self, as he is deeply involved in the fight for freedom. However, he doesn't think he can show Amanda his true loyalties--but if he doesn't, she might never accept him as a suitor.

I don't particularly like this cover, and the I don't like the title. Why do so many books refer to women in relation to some man? That's annoying in general but particularly in this case where Amanda longs for freedom and she's very much her own person and doesn't need to be referred to by her relationship to her father. Other than those two things, though, I really enjoyed the book. I thought the plot was so interesting and fresh--while I enjoy traditional Regency stories, I really liked the look at the class structure, the desire for freedom, and the Peterloo massacre (which I'd never even heard of before). I love it when a historical romance introduces me to a new aspect of history, and this one definitely delivered on that.

I received a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I received an ARC copy from netgalley for my honest review,  so thank you netgalley and publishers for offering me this book! ♡
This story is a about Amanda who finds herself the interest of several different men. A couple of them are from different stations in life and not all are deemed worthy of her.
So when she is put in danger, her father decides she must choose between two men to court her and eventually marry.
This was my first book by this author, I did enjoy it, It was fast paced for the most part but at times it felt slow and just alltogether an easy read. ♡ I give this book a 3.5 star rating!

Move over Scarlet Pimpernel...hello English Red Eagle (ok that's not his exact name but my own mashing of names for him) and hello Sparrow.

From the opening chapter to the final page, this was a novel that had me hooked. Lady Amanda is instantly found in a situation that places her in danger and that really sets the stage for her for the rest of the book. But I loved that she had someone who was always there to protect her. Reformation is the call for many of the characters in this book and Lady Amanda is not one to shy away from what is right. Even if she has to do so secretly to protect the ones she loves, she will not be told to step aside and ignore all those around her who are in need of voices to sound for their rights as well.

Lady Amanda finds herself the interest of several different men. A couple of them are from different stations in life and not all are deemed "worthy" of her due to her station. She doesn't find that acceptable but is trying to be a good daughter and make her parents proud. Besides, is it so bad that she wants to find a love like her parents? She doesn't want to settle for just anyone. So when she is put in danger a time too many, her father decides she must choose between two men to court her and eventually marry. The problem? She finds them both handsome, but one goes against everything she believes in. The other doesn't seem to quite agree or disagree with her beliefs. One of those two causes sparks and flutters to consume her when there is a touch of the hand or even a significant meeting of their eyes. The other of the two does nothing for her physically. Can she trust the man her heart wants to love, when every other sentence from him seems fake? If she trusts the wrong man, her life could be in grave danger. How is a girl to know?

The bad guy in this, wowsers! Well written and definitely one that causes many, many problems. But Lady Amanda keeps plowing forward trying to protect those she loves (yes many of those not of her station).

The romance was sweet and slow and perfectly wonderful. If you love peril, freedom, love, friendship, and an awesome story with great characters...I highly recommend this book. The title was great, it alludes to several possible different meanings. I'll let you read and see what you think.

Content: Some moments of peril, some battles and fighting, some attacks, nothing overly graphic but there is blood and death. Romance is clean and sweet. There is a scene where a couple women are attacked and suggested that the men might rape them but they are saved before anything happens.

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

Happy Reading!!!

What grabbed my attention with this book was the revolt of impoverished citizens of London fighting for their freedom and dignity against established aristocracy. The story starts interesting with Lady Amanda one night receiving a message attached to a rock and smashed against her bedroom window. “Freedom for all or none.” This gave a strong beginning to the story. However, soon after the story is filled with long descriptions of romantic scenes, resulting in my loss of interest in this story.

This book was very well done. I enjoyed the writing style as well as the character development.
The fact that the romance took a back burner to the facts of the time was also a positive for me. Never once did I feel like the author lost track of the period or it’s hardships.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and the author for an ARC copy to read in exchange for my honest review.

What sets a novel apart is when an author can make you feel that you know the characters quite early on in the story. The character development of both Nathaniel and Amanda are well established from the first few chapters. I particularly felt that Nathaniel and Amanda’s childhood friend Charlie, were depicted as noble men, fighting for the cause of equality for all classes in England but from opposing classes. The story is played out with events such as the Peterloo Massacre well explained. The determination of Nathaniel and Amanda to bring about the reform of parliament and to bring about equality, is cleverly interwoven as are many other historical events. I thought this story well told with the romance between the two, happening secondary to the story.
I received an advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.