Theodora’s life seemed to swing from one extreme to another from her happy childhood, to an abusive marriage, then an escape to work as a cook in a large home and finally her happily ever after. Happiness, misery and pain, contentment, despair, and then happiness again –Theodora’s life came full circle by the end of the story. Johnathan seemed to be intelligent, nice, artistic, gentle, kind and loving. He wanted the type of affectionate devoted relationship his parents shared but wasn’t sure he would ever trust women again after his past experience with the woman he thought he would spend his life with. With Theodora living under an assumed name her life was not really her own – she had secrets she did not want to share and her marriage to overcome – and yet despite everything she was drawn to Johnathan. Johnathan, to me, seemed a gentle soul but also a product of his social class. Being drawn to an employee could happen but to act upon that attraction was generally frowned upon. Lucien, Theodora’s husband was an evil, conniving, mean, murderous villain that showed his true colors in more than one scene. The supporting cast of characters was believable and added to the story. I enjoyed reading about the food and how it was cooked even looking up what a Kitchener might be and learned it is something one of my friends recently told me she had in her English home when growing up just after WWII.

Thank you to NetGalley and The Wild Rose Press for the copy of this book to read and review.

The story centres around the mysterious Theodora who has escaped from her husband, Lucien and his cruelty. She finds work as the cook and gradually falls in love with Johnathan. However, her husband realises that she has not perished in the fire that destoyed their home, begins his search to make her return home. The romance between Theodora and Johnathan is delightful and i enjoyed the people in Johnathan's family. The story was well pace and there was a great depth to the story. I look forward to reading more from McGinnis in the future.

Thanks to Netgalley for free copy of this book in exchange for review.

I enjoyed this book immensely, just wish it were a little longer. During the 1800's women did not have many rights, mostly when they were married, they and all they had belonged to their husbands.
Theodora Ravensdale had married a handsome, but cruel lawyer. She was not happy, and when a fire consumes her kitchen, she makes her escape and took a position as a cook far away from her husband. She is fearful that he may one day find her, and that day does arrive.

I hope to read more from this author.

I received this ARC in return for an honest review. Wonderfully complicated and enticing story that offers redemption in such a great story. Great tale, characters and so well written.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC for a honest review. Theodora Ravensdale had a happy childhood but ended up married to abusive husband. Theodora comes to a point where she cannot take the abuse anymore and decided to do something about it. Theodora fakes her own death after a fire breaks out in her house. From there she answers an ad for a job as cook in a country home. There she meets and starts to have feelings for the owner, Jonathan Tenwick. But Theodora past does come back and she tries to flee again but this time to try to protect Jonathan and the family she has come to care about. This book is about 180 pages so it is a quick read that I think you will enjoy!