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Lady of Milkweed Manor Editorial Reviews
Source: Product Description
As Charlotte drew closer to the looming grey edifice that was to become her temporary home, she could not help but notice the secretive shuttered windows. Then she noticed the milkweeds....
Even a proper vicar's daughter can make a mistake--and now Charlotte Lamb must pay a high price for her fall. To avoid the prying eyes of all who know her, she hides herself away in London's forbidding "Milkweed Manor," a place of mystery and lore, of old secrets and new birth.
But once there, she comes face to face with a suitor from her past--a man who now hides secrets of his own. Both are determined, with God's help, to protect those they love. But neither can imagine the depth of sacrifice that will be required.
Sprinkled with fascinating details about the lives of women in Regency England, Lady of Milkweed Manor is a moving romantic drama about the redemption of past failings and the beauty of sacrificial love.
Lady of Milkweed Manor Customer Reviews:
Average Rating: 4.5 (73 reviews)
Rating: 4 (Intriguing historical with endearing characters) Was helpful to 45 from 48 votes
I didn't want to include any plot spoilers. Read on here with an open mind.
The Lady of Milkweed Manor is a sweet historical romance. For Ms. Klassen's debut work, the story is impressive. She uses a writing style that seems almost effortless. And she definitely knows how to keep you interested! In the beginning all we know is that Charlotte Lamb is leaving her home to settle somewhere new, away from her family. Her goodbye with her father is the only hint that things may be not all good for Charlotte. That she is not leaving for any happy reason, like getting married, a new position, visiting family or friends. You only have an inkling of what is going on. Her situation is not fully explained until a few chapters in.
The story seems very historically based and well-researched. The manor home is based on a real home that existed in London at that time. Each chapter begins with a quote from a historical figure or article- most being about milkweeds. Milkweeds are not the most attractive plants but we learn that they have medicinal and herbal properties that make them more useful than one would assume for a weed-looking plant. These quotes and the repeated presence of the milkweed carries out the theme that things are not always as they appear.
There are many interesting supporting characters. There is drama, intrigue, medical drama/action, history, and romance. Overall, Lady of Milkweed Manor is a great find. The plot may be a bit predictable at times but it's not overly so that it's annoying. It's a light read but with enough background and depth to make it riveting and intriguing. (The reason I hesitate to give it 5 stars is that I don't feel like it is a book so entertaining that I would be drawn to re-read.) I hope there is more to come from this very capable author! If you enjoyed this story, be sure to check out Silent Governess- I found it to be an equally riveting read- fans of Regency romances should gobble it up!!
Rating: 4 (more historical than romance) Was helpful to 2 from 3 votes
Her father may be a Vicar, but he has no soul as he throws his twenty years old daughter Charlotte Lamb out of his home when she became pregnant. She has no place to go except to Milkweed Manor, a home for unwed mothers.
Ashamed before arriving at the manor, Charlotte is further humiliated when she learns a former suitor rejected by her cold stern father as unsuitable Dr. Daniel Taylor works there. However, he proves a gentleman when upon recognizing her he promises not to reveal her identity. In turn she learns his secret and vows to keep it concealed even after he asks her to help him with a personal matter. Neither expected to fall in love especially since he is staff and she is a fallen woman.
LADY OF MILKWEED MANOR is a discerning look back to the nineteenth century in which single women were ostracized if they became pregnant while society winked at the virile men. The story line is more historical than romance even with a changing relationship between the lead couple. The insight into the era through what happens to a single pregnant female from her out of sight out of mind exile to the birthing to the goat/breastfeeding is fascinatingly profound, but also proves overloading at times and the ending seemingly impossible. Still this is a strong character driven tale that will appeal to historical readers.
Harriet Klausner
Rating: 5 (Excellent !!) Was helpful to 8 from 10 votes
This book was one of the best I have read in some time! I read mostly christian fiction and find that debut books by new authors are some of the best, this one included. The 2 previous reviews somewhat tell the story line so I won't add more. I really liked the main character Charlotte, she was real. I would highly recommend this book. It will be interesting to see if this new author keeps up the good work!
Rating: 5 (A timeless story of love, sacrifice and redemption.) Was helpful to 2 from 2 votes
Lady of Milkweed Manor, a novel by Julie Klassen was surprisingly fresh and new, although Charlotte is a little too perfect at times. But all together, Klassen weaves pictures of history into a timeless story of love, sacrifice and redemption. Being the silly romantic I am, I did love the way Klassen taps into the all too real feeling of most of us--yearning for a long lost innocent time before our mistakes changed our lives forever.
Warning: Slight spoiler. In the prologue we see a picture of the almost too perfect Charlotte Lamb. And quickly find that she is "with child" in what I assume is 19th century England, and see a slight picture of what life would be like for a single mother at that time. We are left wanting to know who the father is through the first half of the book as Charlotte is at a lying-in hospital, trying to hide her identity. We rejoice with her as her son is born and quickly morn with her as he is "lost to her." We struggle with her as she tries to "go on with her life" and wonder why she refuses a marriage proposal. Near the conclusion, Klassen masterfully leaves us wondering who Charlotte will choose. Throughout the entire book, Klassen invites us to share in Charlotte's loss and confusion, as well as her times of peace.
I agree that the ending is a little farfetched, but somehow satisfying as well. All in all, I loved this book and look forward to Julie Klassen's next venture.
Rating: 5 (Lady of Milkweed Manor ~ Reviewed) Was helpful to 7 from 8 votes
Charlotte Lamb, a fallen vicar's daughter, hopes to secret herself away in London's Milkweed Manor. But once there, she is mortified to find herself in the care of a former suitor, a physician whom her father long ago rejected as unsuitable--a man who now hides secrets of his own. Both are determined, with God's help, to protect those they love. But neither could guess the depth of sacrifice that will be required of them.
Drawn from fascinating research about the secret lives of women in the nineteenth century, Lady of Milkweed Manor is a moving romantic drama about the redemption of past failings and the beauty of sacrificial love.
It's a rare book that forces me to press the pause button on my life and simply devour the story--this is one such book. Well-written, emotionally charged, unexpected plot twists, and an amazing balance of foreshadowing with backstory all lend to a remarkable debut novel by author Julie Klassen. The tension builds throughout and keeps the reader guessing until the last page.
Klassen has captured the best of Austen and Brontė. There are complex relationships and plenty of snooty nobility. The ambiance is generally foreboding and ominous which sets quite a gothic stage. This mixture combines into a haunting quality, leaving the characters on the mind of the reader days after the story has been finished.
The only thing I thought was a bit overdone were the references to milkweeds. Interesting, yes. Educational, admitted. But I found myself skipping over the quotes at the beginning of each chapter since the story engrossed me so much more. A small quarrel to be sure, but thought it should be mentioned.
Overall this is a fantastic narrative that will draw you into the era and wreak havoc with your emotions. Kudos to Bethany House for taking on this new author. I'll be sure to look for future titles by Julie Klassen. Once you've read Lady of Milkweed Manor, I've no doubt you'll be anxious for more as well.
