"5 Stars"

I really enjoyed The Truth About Miss Ashbourne by Joanna Barker. The cover is fitting, it was an easy read and in my opinion, a pretty impressive debut novel. The story weaved together beautifully.

This novel is about family ties, falling in love, pride, forgiveness, second chances and Juliana's dreams becoming a reality.

I recommend this novel to readers who enjoy historical fiction and historical romance novels. This novel was also a clean read,

Thank You to Covenant Communications and NetGalley for my very first free copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book was a complete delight to read! The characters are wonderful, endearing and believable. The romance is sweet and sincere. The author has a true grasp on the warmth, joy and humor love comes with. I enjoyed every page!

This book made me so. ridiculously. happy. I'm constantly on the lookout for a regency romance reminiscent of Julianne Donaldson. And this book was just that! It was sweet and charming and the banter between Juliana and William was perfection. Their obstacles were believable...their romance was perfectly paced and adorable...and I loved the voice of the book. Juliana isn't a perfect heroine...which just made her all the more likable to me. I'm so excited to have found a new regency author to follow!

#The TruthAboutMissAshbourne #NetGalley

Set everything aside, once you start this book you won't be able to put it down. I loved this book.
This book gripped me from the first page. I loved Julianna, a governess, who is scrimping and saving to get by, when she receives a letter, telling her that she is an heiress. If she wants to claim, what is hers, she must stay a month on her families estate, a family she has never met. Julianna is bound and determined, to keep herself from getting to know her family, and keep from getting hurt. A tale, full of banter, lots of laughter, a book that will capture your heart. I will be reading this novel, over and over again.

As the orphan daughter of a lowly sea captain and a disinherited noblewoman, Juliana Ashbourne is forced to make her way in the world as a governess. When a solicitor informs her that her mother’s father has recently passed on, leaving Juliana a sizable inheritance in his will, Juliana is shocked to learn that she must fraternize with the people who disowned her mother. Uninterested in reconciliation, she determines to pay her visit to Havenfield, meet her grandmother, collect her fortune, and disappear back to London to start a girls’ school.

But with all these plans, Juliana does not reckon with either William Rowley or with the realities of forgiveness. During her month-long stay at Havenfield, Juliana develops an affection for her rueful grandmother, her shy cousin Eliza, and the manor itself. William, a distant relative to whom the estate was entailed, breaks down her defenses with his teasing banter and frank questions. Is there finally someone to fill Juliana’s heart so that she will no longer be alone?

This Regency has an unusal style from your run-of-the-mill historical romances. Written in first person, it allows the reader to experience each of Juliana’s emotions firsthand–embarassment, anxiety, heartbreak, joy, and delight. William Rowley is the quintessential Regency hero–rich, well-dressed, virile, a caring landowner, a skilled dancer, an expert horseman, and a consummate conversationalist. It is really quite easy to see what Juliana sees in him and why she falls for him so quickly.

Speaking of falls…the book is full of common Regency tropes–a tumble from a horse leading to a sprained ankle, an accidental midnight tryst in the portrait gallery, blackmail from a jealous rival–but the story is so well told, it does not matter how many times those elements have been seen before. This book was a delightful romance that shows the importance of belonging. Recommended.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The Truth About Miss Ashbourne by Joanna Barker. Covenant Communications, 2018.

After the death of her estranged grandfather, governess Juliana Ashbourne, accustomed to counting her pennies, is unexpectedly called to his lawyer’s office where she is presented with a difficult choice.
Every so often fiction readers come upon a book that makes them feel good about the world and themselves, and this is such a book. I loved it!

Although the plot shares familiar elements with other historical romances, this lovely book is a such delightful read that I hardly know where to start in reviewing its individual features.

I warmly recommend The Truth About Miss Ashbourne.


Disclosure: I received a review copy of The Truth About Miss Ashbourne free via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I completely adored this book! The story line is so well told it will keep you engaged and begging for more. I listened to the audiobook and was thrilled when the reader actually sang the song that Miss Ashbourne performed-- that was a wonderful addition!

Thank you net galley for the advance read copy of this novel. I enjoyed this regency era romance and appreciate that is was clean without any sexual references. I enjoyed the banter of Juliana and William and their gradual change from friends to sweethearts. I hope the author has plans to continue the story as I want to see who Rebecca is matched with, what happens with the school, and if we ever r see the seymors again. Great debut and will look for more by this author.

The Truth About Miss Ashbourne is unusual in being narrated wholly from the point of view of the heroine, as opposed to switching back and forth between her and her love interest. I’ve not seen any other historical romances in the first person, and I was really apprehensive at the start of it, but I was surprised at how much I loved it. The first person voice really allowed Juliana’s personality to shine through, and she was easy to love since you got that insight into her thoughts and feelings. She’s a smart, kind woman who’s working as a governess, and has been deeply hurt by her grandfather’s rejection of her mother, so when she discovers she’s been left a huge fortune in that very grandfather’s will, she’s wary – especially since to gain the inheritance, she’ll have to spend a month with the family she’s never met, at their ancestral home. Of course, once she gets there, the story unfolds, and this becomes a real rags-to-riches tale.

I thought that this was also unusual in being a very quiet, low-stakes kind of romance. There were no dramatic sequences or angst-ridden denials of love – it’s just Juliana slowly coming alive under the attention of the family she’d been denied, and falling in love. It’s really lovely and comforting to read. I really liked William, the love interest, and his gentle teasing and prodding that gets Juliana to warm up to her new life when her instincts are to reject it. I wasn’t a huge fan of the lampshading of ‘banter’ as flirtation – the word ‘banter’ is used a lot by both parties to describe their conversations as they’re having them, which felt pretty unnatural to me. But I did think that they were very cute together, and I liked how safe and supported William made Juliana feel.

Of course, there are no surprises in terms of plot, but that’s not what I read these books for. I read them for a sense of comfort and happiness, and this book has that in charming bucketloads. I’d highly recommend it to those looking for a cozy Sunday afternoon read! I’d initially rated this one four, but the more I think about it, the more I think it deserves five out of five stars!

A lovely little Regency story, if a bit predictable. My only issue was with the heroine: I love a strong, forward-thinking lady but here it was almost a charicature. Her outburst at her employer toward the beginning of the book took quite a suspension of disbelief. All that said, I still really enjoyed the story.

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

This book ultimately won me over, though I had reservations about the heroine at the start. She seemed to be one of those girls who is overly ready to take offense at non-offensive things, just to create a bit of tension between her and the hero. That plot device always makes me wonder exactly what it is that the gentleman sees in the lady! She got over this tendency before it became too grating. As for the rest of the novel, it's a pretty typical Regency drama of a penniless girl who discovers family, wealth, and love, with a one-dimensional rival that never really presents that credible of a threat to her. Enjoyable when you're in the mood for a bit of gentle romance.

I'm still relatively new to the historical fiction genre. I've read the occasional book throughout my life but it was never a genre I read frequently until the last year or so. I'm still finding authors that I'm enjoying in the genre, but I'm always wary of getting into books that might have too much "romance" if you know what I mean. The Truth About Miss Ashbourne was utterly clean and I'm so glad.

William was such a fun character. He teases and banters with Juliana from the very beginning of their acquaintance. He's strong, wise, kind, and everything you might look for in a leading male character. Juliana was so endearing. She meets William under the most unusual circumstances and she's constantly embarrassing herself. I think many people would be able to relate to her. The other characters of The Truth About Miss Ashbourne was all enjoyable too. Lady Rowley, Eliza, Rebecca, and Mrs. Rowley were all lovely characters--especially Eliza and Rebecca. Both of which I'd love to read more about.

Of course, there were plenty of unlikable characters which make the story well rounded and realistic.

I was plugging along and enjoying every single bit. I never wanted to put The Truth About Miss Ashbourne down. I was able to read it over the course of about two days. But then one of my biggest pet peeve when it comes to conflict occurred. I ended up being satisfied with the ending and how the resolution happened.

The Truth About Miss Ashbourne was really enjoyable. I read it very quickly and didn't want to put it down. I was excited about the possibility of William and Juliana from the very moment they first met without even knowing who the other was. I loved their back and forth bantering. The Truth About Miss Ashbourne gets 4 Stars. Have you read The Truth About Miss Ashbourne? What did you think? Let me know!

I loved the story. While several aspects were predictable, it was told in such a sweet way, I didn't mind. I really enjoyed learning more of the characters and watching their hearts open and become more accepting. I also loved that her characters strong points and views, held throughout the story. Great writing.

I absolutely adored this novel! The author is brilliant at setting a scene, and masterful at creating a plot that sets the imagination on fire. I so loved the characters, who are human, raw, flawed and wonderful. I was absolutely heart-invested in their lives as I devoured each chapter. Just ridiculously good. A definite recommend.

Dear Joanna Barker,

I need everything you've ever written!

Love,

Stacie

Daughter of a lady who was disowned for having married beneath her, Miss Ashbourne is a governess who stays in a position where her employers treat her badly because she has grown to love the children she teaches - and because she loves teaching and is saving up to start her own school. Her plans for the future meet a sudden check when she is informed that the grandfather she never knew has left her 10,000 pounds, on the condition that she visits the family estate, Havensfield, for a month. Though initially uncertain, she decides to make the visit on being summarily dismissed from her post as governess - but will she be able to accept the family she never knew, and forgive them for their treatment of her well-beloved parents? More importantly, when William Rowley's teasing (sorry, bantering!) ceases to be annoying and becomes a necessary part of life, will the two be able to overcome the various obstacles that keep them apart?

I really enjoyed this. It was nothing too deep, but had a pleasant amount of 'body' to it. The content was clean and the writing good. The growing relationship between Julianna and William was well done, as was her increasing closeness to the various other family members. The ending was thoroughly satisfying, and all in all, I actually can't think of anything that I disliked about the book or thought could do with improvement. I hope to read lots more by the author.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

The Truth About Miss Ashbourne follows Juliana Ashbourne, working as a governess. Whilst she loves the children she cares for, she struggles when dealing with the parents. However, when she discovers that she is an heiress, Juliana must make many challenging decisions, one that includes Mr William Rowley.
William and Juliana’s romance was delightful to be a part of. Whilst sweet, it is still believable and not without several memorable moments, particularly highlighted by their interesting banter. All the characters within the book are well developed and integral to the story. I particularly enjoyed Juliana’s fresh outlook on the ton, William’s strength and character (swoon worthy) and Juliana’s grandmother.
This is one story that will have you thinking about it long after you put it down. I received an advanced review copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This book had a similar style to some of my favorite authors. It was beautifully written with lush detail of the countryside around Havenfield in the English countryside and the character detail. It is a clean romance with no foul language and sex scenes so you can focus on the story and the characters.

Juliana Ashbourne was a governess working in the home of the Seymour family. She loved her wards, Charlotte and Daniel but there mother was unbearable and the father was lecherous. Finally the drama in the house came to a head and Juliana was dismissed from her position. She had just learned of a great inheritance left to her by her estranged grandfather, Sir Charles Rowley with one condition. The condition was that she would visit her family estate, Havenfield for 30 days before she would receive her inheritance. She was resistant but in need of the funds so she could start her own school for girls. She assumed the visit would be torcherous but tolerable for 30 days and then she would leave and never return. What she hadn't expected was that she would fall in love with her grandmother, her cousin, Eliza and the others who were at Havenfield.

Havenfield was an entailed property that went to the closest mail relative upon her grandfather's passing. William Rowley was a handsome man who loved to "banter" with Juliana. Even though she was determined to remain distant, she couldn't resist the pull towards William and his handsome face with the teasing smile. When she was about to receive all the wonderful things she had only ever dreamed of, she was presented with an impossible decision; leave her family and love behind and never return in order to protect herself and them from possible ruin. Would she be able to turn her back on such a wonderful dream or would she fight for what she wanted regardless of the consequences?

I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my enthusiastic positive review. I would highly recommend this book for anyone who likes the works of Jane Austen, Sarah Eden, Heather Moore and others. I look forward to reading other books by this wonderful author.

Is it possible that this is a first book for this author? I think it was well done and I'm surprised this is a first. I had a lot of fun reading it.

I love a strong female lead who doesn't follow the norms of society so there is that but I think it is William that made this book for me. What a delightful person. He isn't dark and brooding (though dark and brooding men have their place in books, ahem, Mr. Darcy) or full of himself for being handsome and wealthy. That made him enjoyable to me. He is an all around good guy accepting people into his family as if they were immediate family members instead of distant family. And I loved his teasing, I mean banter, with Juliana and it became even more fun when she learned to dish it out as well as take it in stride.

Elements of the story were predictable but it didn't deter from my enjoyment. I just looked forward to seeing how it would all come about. And there were things that I didn't see coming and some things I thought might happen that didn't. Good choice on those. Despite being somewhat predictable the story felt fresh to me.

It might seem odd that a governess with a dream of opening her own school wouldn't immediately jump at the chance to get a large inheritance that would enable her dream but I can see how that might be the case. Juliana grew up believing a certain way about her grandfather so there would be an automatic negative response to his demands for that reason alone. And Juliana has only known one way of life and is now all alone in the world. Stepping into the unknown is difficult for some personalities and to do so with people she feels negatively about would be a even harder. In some ways I wish she had made the decision to go on her own without being pushed into it but the catalyst situation did play into the plot later on so I guess that works out okay too.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book and it made me hope that there might be a series coming. Perhaps William's sister could have her own story?

My one wish for this book is that there had been pictures of the people. I really want to see an actual picture of the awful Mr. Fitzroy. :)

Sex: some leering. a few kisses.
Language: it just says she cursed. Doesn't say the actual words.
Violence: attempted sexual assault that is interrupted. Not graphic.

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

Miss Juliana Ashbourne, age 19, is governess to Charlotte and Daniel Seymour in London. Mrs. Seymour is berating Juliana for taking the children to the park for a fun, but educational, day. Irritated at the woman’s scolding, Juliana wishes she had enough money saved to open her own school which is her dream.

Juliana receives a letter from a solicitor requesting her to visit him regarding a sensitive matter. She learns that her maternal grandfather, Sir Charles Rowley, has recently passed away and she was left 10,000 pounds. With no male issue, the estate itself passed to a cousin, William Rowley. He is a wealthy man in his own right as he also owns a shipping business. However, Juliana’s inheritance comes with a condition: she must spend one month at the family estate of Havenfield. Her grandmother and aunt live there. When Juliana’s mother, Katherine, married her father did not like her choice of husband so he disowned her. But her parents had a wonderful married life and were content and now they have passed away. The solicitor gives Juliana a letter from her grandmother begging her to go to Havenfield and she agrees.

The place is lovely and grandmother is so happy to see her. William Rowley is welcoming as well. He is attracted to Juliana and is amused by her tendency to say what she thinks. He enjoys teasing her because he recognizes her stubbornness and hurt from her mother’s family that abandoned their own daughter. She wants to forgive and is trying to do so.

As she is introduced to the neighbors, she finds some people welcoming and others who look down on her because she was a governess. Juliana is proud and stands up for herself. The attraction between Juliana and William continues to grow and blossom. At the end of her month at Havenfield, will she decide to perhaps stay or leave and return to London?

This is a clever and clean rags to riches love story complete with the perfect hero. Totally swoon-worthy romance. I really liked the hero but got a bit frustrated at times with the heroine’s stubborn ways. But in the end, this is a good one.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I really enjoyed this! Lots of warm fuzzie feels and I look forward to reading more of the authors books 😊