Stephanie's Rating: 3 out of 5 bookmarks
Finding Lady Enderly was a story with which I found it hard to connect. It started out well enough, but I was unable to follow the vein all the way through to the disappointing epilogue.
Book Synopsis:
Raina Bretton is a rag woman in London's east end when a handsome stranger appears in a dank alley and offers her a glittering smile and a chance for adventure. Rothburne Abbey has a unique position for her, one that will take her away from her hardscrabble life and give her a chance to be a lady. Things she could only dream of might be coming true. But some dreams turn out to be nightmares.
Though Raina has traded squalor for silk and satin, something about the abbey is deeply unsettling. As she wrestles with her true identity, the ruin, decay, and secrets she finds at the heart of the old mansion tear at her confidence and threaten to reveal her for who she really is. Only one man stands between her and the danger that lurks within--and only if he decides to keep her biggest secret hidden.
I think maybe I found it hard to believe this fantastical rags-to-riches story. The heroine, Raina, is pulled from the streets and asked to play the part of an absent Countess. Neither she, nor the reader, finds out why, or how, the Countess is missing until the very end. This created some confusion for me while trying to make sense out of different events.
The hero, Sully, seems too good to be true! He always responds with perfect strength of character and doesn't seem to have any faults or flaws. He is continually pulling for the underdog and likes to be the rescuer.
I believe the author was trying to explore being content with who God has made us, but that theme almost seemed to clash with the story, and vice versa. Neither the story, nor the exploration of the heart and mind of the main characters, was strong enough to pull through clearly. The ending, though it could be considered satisfactory, was a bit dull and unimaginative.
There was quite a bit of suspense in the story and it kept you reading to try to find the light at the end of the tunnel, but when the light came, it felt like a weak candle and not a resounding flare!
All in all, I give this book 3 out of 5 bookmarks. Of course, as opinions go, someone else might think it a wonderful book, it just didn't work for me. I believe the content to be clean enough to be enjoyed by readers aged 12 and above.
Stephanie Garrett is a busy homeschooling mom of three who somehow always finds time to read. She has been a voracious reader since childhood and even won a bicycle in elementary school for having read the most books! She enjoys learning and growing and never turns down an opportunity to try something new. Her first love is the Lord and service to Him, second is family, and third...is reading. She believes that anyone who learns to read with comprehension can go anywhere and do anything! She also enjoys music, theatre, sewing, and mathematics.
Disclosure: The publisher provided us with a free copy of this book for promotional purposes. A favorable review was not required. This post contains affiliate links.
