Cover Image: Educating Elizabeth

Educating Elizabeth

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Member Reviews

Elizabeth Miller has a large heart for England's underprivileged girls and has poured herself into running a school to help them. Her funds are running low so she makes a deal with a man she despises, and is surprised to find that the image he projects to the world is not who he really is.

An engaging read, with likable characters, and a moving premise. I loved seeing Charles away from the city, connecting with others over shared passions, and his attention to detail. He has a big heart, and it was fun to see Elizabeth get to know him and Alice. Elizabeth is a good teacher, and does a great job with Alice.

Overall, an enjoyable read with heart, romance, and humor. Engaging story with great characters.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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3.5 Stars

Elizabeth Miller has finally fulfilled her long-held dream of opening a school for underprivileged girls. Despite all her careful planning, she finds that the cost of running the place is slowly drowning her, and she might lose everything almost before she has a chance to truly begin. Desperate to not let that happen, she turns to the one person Elizabeth would rather never encounter again, Lord Charles Chatsworth. He agrees to help on the condition that Elizabeth tutors his relative. She quickly becomes drawn toward her new pupil, and against her better judgment, toward Charles himself. But sabotage could destroy not only the fledgling school but the romance as well.

Jennifer Moore’s Educating Elizabeth provides a sweet read for Victorian fans. I especially enjoyed the scenes where events were set up at the school. The protagonists are likeable for the most part. In a few instances, Elizabeth becomes convinced of certain things, and while she ends up being right, the reader isn’t provided with good reasons for her initial suspicions other than a dislike of the person. It made her come across as someone petty with a vendetta. Stronger motives would have deepened the story and helped me root for the heroine in those moments.

Although it is the fourth installment in the Blue Orchid Society, I had no trouble following the plot even without reading its predecessors. I am completely intrigued by Dahlia (Elizabeth’s cousin) and Reuben’s thread. So much so, I want to go back and read the first three books to see what I missed. Is Reuben a true jerk or a redeemable jerk? Honestly, right now I don’t see how Moore could turn him around and make him likeable, but I’m not going to lie, I kind of hope she does.

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I have to admit that reading about Elizabeth’s character in the first three books of this series had me wondering if I would like this book. Jennifer Moore definitely surprised me in the best way: Elizabeth has so much depth of character, with such a fascinating back story. She was even better than I expected with so much compassion and determination. Charles, as her eventual love interest, was absolutely wonderful. I love that he is just putting on a facade as a ridiculous flirt for the rest of the world, while in reality he is such a genuine, kind, and gentle person. Their interactions were witty and fun, as well as very romantic as the novel continued. I ended up not being able to put this book down because I became so invested in their happily ever after.

I received a copy from the publish via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

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This was a sweet story. I always enjoy the stories that have young children who are helped out in some way by the main characters. Alice, Elizabeth, and Charles were the perfect trio. Each of them had some demons to conquer, but nothing too crazy or over-the-top. I also appreciated the twist with Charles' other sister, Kathryn, one that is rarely seen in this genre.
I have enjoyed each of the stories in this series, and while this one was not my very favorite, it was still an enjoyable read, and one that I would recommend to others.

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I love this series and these women. Their stories are unique and empowering.

I loved how Elizabeth being caught in between worlds not only made her stronger, but made her individually suited to teach and guide others.

I would have loved a little bit more information in her background, but I loved the emotion that was evidently written into her life experiences.

The West Sussex Order of the Friends of Fowl and Feather was a distinctive way to show character complexity. I loved that it showed us people have interests that vary regardless of their station in life.

Jenny did an amazing job of conveying how our pride and our prejudices color our view of others and hence our interactions with them. It gave richness and depth to the plot.

The slow way she brought us into the minds and hearts of her characters was fabulously done. Making for a believable and gorgeous romance.

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Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel. This was by a fantastic author that I love but didn't find myself loving this one so much. It is part of a series but can be read stand alone. Elizabeth and Charles are the main characters and are drawn to each other. There are elements of the story that made me think of My Fair Lady. The romance was clean but felt like it didn't come back full circle at the end. A good read just not my favorite.

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I knew I would like this book from the very first scene.

Elizabeth is smart and determined. She has worked hard to overcome her own past and she’s willing to do anything to keep her school for girls with similar backgrounds above water.

I love a misunderstood hero, and Charles plays his part in society so well. As Elizabeth gets to know him better, she realizes there’s so much more to him than the flirt he portrays. The bird watching scenes were my favorite!

Overall, this was a very enjoyable book. The romance was so sweet. Both Charles and Elizabeth had great chemistry. I also loved the friendship between the female characters and how they banded together when needed.

This is part of a series, but can be read as a stand alone. I have not read any of the previous books and had no issues. I definitely plan of reading the entire series though!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

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Due to my busy schedule, I forgot to post my review. I truly enjoyed this book, making it my favorite in the series. The two main characters were intriguing, and the plot was quite appealing.

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I loved the story!!! The author did a fabulous job of developing the plot and the characters. I have not read any of the other books in the story but Moore did a great job of sharing background information on the characters and I didn't feel lost in the story. The book also did a great job of sharing the horrible conditions for women and children that existed in England during the time period. I was also excited to read about Elizabeth and how her past helped shape the person she became. Her past also allowed her to have the courage to become an advocate for the female children that she encountered. I also liked Lord Chatworth and the way his character developed after learning about a family member that he didn't know existed. He helped show the wide disparity between the nobility and the everyday citizen. This was an amazing story and I highly recommend it!!!

Thanks to Net Galley and Covenant Communications for the reader's galley in return for an honest review of this book.

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I love these beautiful and wise young women. I love the Blue Orchid Society and how the women are heroes in their own stories. Elizabeth and Charles are fantastic and their enemies to lovers trope is darling. Without jumping straight into friendship Jennifer explores the gray area between loathe and love. Fantastic read!

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I enjoyed this book by Jennifer Moore. I liked getting to know another member of the Blue Orchid Society. I loved how much Elizabeth cared about giving women an education and how committed she was to the cause. I also loved how as she got to know Lord Chatsworth, she realized that appearances aren’t always what they seem. I liked how neither Charles or Elizabeth meant to fall in love but as they spent time together and got to know each other they realized that they were a good match. I thought the characters were fun and enjoyed the story.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

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Another amazingly written installment of the Blue Orchid Society! I loved learning more about Elizabeth’s background and why she fights so hard for the underprivileged. We also learn more about Lord Chatsworth and why he plays a part in society. I loved learning about his particular hobby!

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I absolutely adore this series that is based during the Victorian Era. All of the books have shown beautiful, intelligent, and independent women. Educating Elizabeth though has a special place in my heart because she was a teacher. Elizabeth's love for her students and their education spoke to me as I feel the same way about my students.

Elizabeth has started a school for poor working-class girls who would otherwise never have a chance at an education. She needs the help of many benefactors. Along the way, she becomes entangled with the pompous Lord Chatsworth. Charles honestly stole my heart from the beginning. There are so many funny moments between Elizabeth and Charles that will keep you laughing. There is a lesson for both characters though, things aren't always what they seem like on the outside.

I loved how The Blue Orchid Society of friends rallied around Elizabeth and helped her in their own unique ways. Even with all of the lighthearted moments, there are also many moments that touch your heart. Some of my favorite characters were Charles's grandmother and little Alice. The bird-watching group was also a hoot! No pun intended! :)

This is one series that readers need to pick up especially if they love strong, intelligent, and loyal women. Education Elizabeth definitely found a place in my heart and I look forward to reading this book again.

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People are not always what they show to the public. Charles "Charming" Chatsworth is one of those people. The persona he portrays of a careless flirt with a rakish reputation is far from the caring man he truly is but Elizabeth Miller, owner and headmistress of a school for underprivileged girls doesn't know that. Elizabeth needs funds to keep her school open past the current school year and her last resort is to ask Lord Chatsworth, a man she does not care for in the least!

Elizabeth has always dreamed of running a school for underprivileged girls because she knows education is the key to a better life for them. She's worked hard to fund her school and it was disheartening to see that some in positions of power didn't see the value in it. I loved Elizabeth's banter with Charles--she thought she had him pegged and I enjoyed watching her realize there was much more to the man than what he showed to Society.

I love a good enemies to love story and this one had all my attention wondering how the main characters, who are complete opposites would work things out. Our first glimpse of Charming Chatsworth had me thinking the same things about him Elizabeth does, but as the layers are peeled away we get to know Charles as a caring brother, especially to his young half-sister, avid bird watcher and more.

I love the Blue Orchid Society ladies. I love their friendship how they support each other's dreams. Too often women are portrayed as rivals and it's refreshing to have a group of women who are truly friends. I loved the dual POV, I always want to know what the man is thinking, and the bird society was a super fun element.

This is a series but each book can be read as a standalone, however, I think once you read one you'll want to read them all. I received a complimentary e-copy from the publisher via NetGalley. I also bought a physical copy for my personal library. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.

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I cannot *I repeat, CANNOT* get enough of this series.

I'm always generous in my reviews of books, but so far the blue orchid society series has blown my mind.

My favorite part of the series is that Jennifer Moore created the women in the series to model the women she relies on in real like. There's more details in her author notes, but I feel like she's done a great job at showing that women don't just exist to talk about men. Shocking, right?

Instead, the women in this series are friends, confidants, supporters, and encouragers in all phases of life. Like the other books in the series, in "Educating Elizabeth," we see all the women from the blue orchid society supporting and helping each other (and not just talking about men).

Elizabeth was a heroine I was excited to read about. I love an independent female main character, and Elizabeth is exactly that. I also love how she and Charles had to find an accord with one another despite their differences. Enemies to lovers is always fun, and this couple is a great example.

I cannot recommend this book or this series enough. Everything from the plots to the characters to the romances have been swoon-worthy perfection and I can't wait to read more.

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A fulfilling and charming story about misjudgments and working together. Elizabeth is smart and a hard worker. She has pulled herself up from her bootstraps and clawed her way out of poverty and a hard past. She then encounters the dubious Lord Chatsworth.

Elizabeth has her school for girls that she has always dreamed of starting. But there are some bad men out to close them down. Using high taxes and other unfair circumstances, they are on the verge of winning. Elizabeth needs a lot of money in a short amount of time. Charles Chatsworth gives her a perfect opportunity by asking her to tutor Alice. Alice is the mysterious girl that no one knows quite where she came from.

As Elizabeth takes on tutoring her to become a proper young lady, truths start to come out and hearts become softened. Feelings start to become more than friendly and big decisions need to be made! I loved this whole story! Surface level, Charles is vain and pompous. What lies beneath is a caring man who will do what he needs to protect his family! Elizabeth is a woman who has overcome extremely hard circumstances to help better the lives of other girls who need to escape similar lives. The blending of these two people was magic and so sweet!

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Jennifer Moore had been a long time favorite author. And Educating Elizabeth just adds to those feelings. I loved it! Elizabeth Miller’s determination to help these girls and give them a chance at a a better life is admirable. She is strong and courageous and will stop at nothing to make sure her school succeeds. I highly recommend this book!

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"Education opens doors that would otherwise be closed."

Educating Elizabeth, the fourth book in The Blue Orchid Society series, continues to showcase the friendships of the central group of ladies beautifully. Moore has stated that the theme of this series is sisterhood, and it is so clearly shown here. I love how Elizabeth and her friends come together to fight for the next generation of women as they work to support Elizabeth's school for girls. I loved that in addition to her Blue Orchid Society friends, we also see how much older generations of women have influenced Elizabeth and her girls school.

I loved that Moore combined the romance in Educating Elizabeth with a great deal of focus on education, specifically what was available to most girls in the Victorian period. I'd not realized how different the laws were regarding school attendance for girls and boys, or reflected on how much of a difference a very minimal amount of education could make for a child in this era. The information Moore included in this novel was enlightening, and it made me want to learn more about education in the Victorian era.

Just as Moore mentions in her end notes, this reflects reality as I've experienced it -- women, by and large, are so supportive of one another and this book is a beautiful tribute to that reality. I've loved this series and look forward to more to come from Jennifer Moore!

I received an eARC of this book courtesy of Netgalley, Covenant Communications, and Jennifer Moore. All opinions are my own.

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Fun similarities to My Fair Lady. Elizabeth Miller grew up in a poor area of London, but her mom had her take elocution lessons so she would blend in with high society and have a better future. She uses her skills to open and run the Spitalfields School for disadvantaged young girls so they will be qualified for better jobs. She’s not easily intimidated, even by powerful men with high political standing, and publicly stands up for what she thinks is right. Elizabeth dislikes frivolous society and feels like a charity case, a poor orphan in the care of wealthy relatives, though they treat her like she belongs. She’s especially close to her cousin Dahlia Lancaster and the other members of the Blue Orchid Society.

My favorite scene of the book is when Elizabeth first runs into Lord Chatsworth, also known as Charming Chatsworth, who she greatly dislikes. He is a huge tease and thought to be a cad, but he’s actually a good person. He just doesn’t know how to act around her because she’s different from all the other young women he knows. He also loves bird watching which plays a large role in the book.

Expect fun banter between opposites attracted to each other, a strong young woman, and a clean romance. This is book 4 in the Blue Orchid Society series but can be read alone.

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If you enjoy stories about strong women, Jennifer Moore’s Blue Orchid Society series is perfect for you. I really enjoyed Educating Elizabeth and getting to know these characters better. I would have liked maybe one more chapter to help the story wrap up, but it doesn’t feel incomplete. I also appreciated that several types of love are represented: romantic love, familial love, and friendship. Definitely add Educating Elizabeth to your TBR! 4/5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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