This is an intriguing historical story that had me captivated from the start. Victoria is a strong independent woman who knows what she wants out of life and she is determine to get it. Victoria's journey is full of ups and downs, mystery, suspense and romance. I was given a copy of this book from NetGalley and I am leaving a voluntary review.

Victoria grew up in a very bad orphanage. She just managed to escape before she was been sold to be sent to Australia or worse by the manager of the childrens home. The story tells how resiliant she is and fights hard to get her life back. When she saves Queens Victoria's life her life changes dramatically. Now with her new life she finds family, friends and love. Her enemies are not too far behind not letting her forget past events and seeking revenge. I was hooked from start to finish and would highly recommend reading.

A great historical romance with drama, suspense twists, angst and romance. Characters of Victoria and Richard were well rounded. I didn't want to put the book down. There were areas where it felt rushed in sections and slow in others. I would have enjoyed a slower pace with more detail. Still a good historical read!



I received this book from Net Galley for a honest review and no compensation otherwise.

I like the twists and turns in this story. Yet, I found the writing a little erratic at times. There were a few cases where I had to go back and read a couple of sentences as I lost the train of what was being talked about. Also, it felt rush in sections and slow in others. Still a good historical read!

Victoria is an amazing character. She goes from an abused orphan to becoming a lady to becoming a convict. What a story! It was a good story with interesting characters.

Quite an interesting tale. Victoria is a strong hero. Richard is a very good man. The plot is excellent and moves along quite well.

Towards the end, though, it seems rushed. It's the culmination of everything and I would have enjoyed a slower pace with more detail.

Victoria grows up in an orphanage but meets Richard and they fall in love. Can they ever be together? Richard is married and his father does everything he can to take Richard's wealth from him. Richard also has other enemies who would like to see his downfall, and Victoria makes enemies too.

This had a very good storyline.

A great historical romance with drama suspense twists,angst and romance.
Really like Victoria she is so strong. Richard is also a good characters just trying to do the right thing
Really enjoyed the story great interest a must read.
Voluntarily reviewed.

Victoria escapes the orphanage where she was raised to become a companion to Elizabeth, who lives in the house with Richard and Peggy, his wife. Richard's and Peggy's marriage is of convenience as she loves another. Victoria and Richard fall in love but he is not divorced. The best way to get divorced is for one of the married couple to commit adultery. If it is Peggy, then it will ruin her so Richard agrees to be the adulterer. Will Victoria 's love remain after Richard cheats with another woman that's not Victoria? You have to read the book to find out. I received this book from Net Galley and BooksGoSocial for a honest review and no compensation otherwise. Loved this book with a sweet story and heart.

Honourable Lies,  Fran Connor

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre:, Romance

So, sometimes I just want to dip back into history, with a simple romance. Sadly though this was too sweet and simple for me. Victoria is a historical Pollyanna.... whatever happens to her she's something good around every corner. Ditto for anyone that crosses her path.
She gets thrown out of the orphanage at 16, gets attacked while out and her little money stolen, but she's well read and educated, and gets a job living in, with no references, no belongings, and probably looking pretty grubby, as companion/tutor to a 14 yr old. That quickly falls through but no worries, she just happens to meet and do Queen Victoria a favour....and the whole book feels like that, any mishap brings good things Every Time. She really is a charmed girl and everyone in her orbit benefits, everyone loves her. Its little things that were so unreal for me, she starts growing carrots, cabbages and potatoes with no knowledge of how, and within a couple of years has graduated to a huge flock of sheep, employing people to help her.

Then of course there's Richard and his wife – who's name I can't recall. She loves another and so – hey, they get divorced. Now even I with my scant historical knowledge know it wasn't that easy, so had a quick look on google “A couple could only be divorced by the passage of a private act through Parliament–remedy available only to the very wealthy.  According to Feminism, Marriage and the Law in Victorian England, 1850-1895, about ten private acts for divorce were passed in Parliament each year.” It certainly wasn't the easy option.
So, I know I'm reading fiction, I'm happy for authors to bend the facts and use them to their advantage but this was just too unreal for me. Life doesn't work like that, I can accept one good thing happening, people do get lucky breaks, but for Victoria every cloud had a silver lining. There's no way she'd have been taken on in her first job, no way she'd have met the queen, got that position, grown enough veg to buy sheep in such a short space of time...it was all too slick for me. I have to say here that from about 40 to 80 % I just skim read, bored with the story but wanting to see the end.
If you can suspend any semblance of reality and like a sweet and cute read you'll love this, but sadly I want more real life, more angst, more blocks to happiness, though I need a HEA and was glad that came through.

Stars:Two, too far from reality for me :-(

ARC supplied by Netgalley and publisher