The Maid of Fairbourne Hall

Author: Julie Klassen
Publication date: January 1, 2012
Series: N/A
Pages: 416
Genre: Historical, Romance, Christian
Synopsis: To escape a scheme to marry her off to a dishonorable man, Margaret Macy flees London disguised as a housemaid. If she can remain unwed until her next birthday, she will receive an inheritance, and with it, sweet independence. But she never planned on actually working as a servant. And certainly not in the home of Nathaniel and Lewis Upchurch–both former suitors.

As she fumbles through the first real work of her life, Margaret struggles to keep her identity secret when suspicions arise and prying eyes visit Fairbourne Hall. Can she avoid a trap meant to force her from hiding?

Brimming with romance and danger, The Maid of Fairbourne Hall takes readers inside the fascinating belowstairs world of a 19th-century English manor, where appearances can be deceiving.

Love Factor (How much I loved it):
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My Opinion

I am relatively new to Julie Klassen an lets just say I have found another author whom not only writes extremely well regency’s, but ones that I love. What I like about her writing style is, she not only includes historical settings and romance, but she also includes a little bit of mystery in her stories as well, which I think makes her stories flow exceptionally well.

With The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, which I enjoyed quite enough. I loved Margaret’s and Nathaniel’s characters. Even though she has rejected him a few years ago in hopes of gaining his older, more charming (shall I say skirt chaser??) brother, Lewis. Although he is hurt from the rejection, he still longs for her and will always have a soft spot for her in his heart. After over hearing her step father & his nephew’s wicked plans for her, she flees the scene and hides under the disguise as ‘Nora’, a house maid whom is hired onto Fairbourne Hall – Nathaniel’s family home.Margaret ‘Nora’ soon has to learn all the tricks and trades of what it takes to be a proper and rightful maid so her rouse won’t be blown. After working as a maid for a couple mouths, Margaret realize’s that while secretly in Nathaniel’s company, that she made a mistake of rejecting him and that he is the better brother. Soon Nathaniel discovers that the new maid hired is the woman whom spurned him years ago but yet his heart still urns for her and wants to help her situation. After leaving Fairbourne Hall, Margaret stiffens her spine and returns to her home after she collects her aunt’s inheritance. In the end Nathaniel once again asks Margaret if she will accept his hand, and finally she gives him the answer that he has longed to hear.

All in all, it was pretty enjoyable and my first read penned by Julie Klassen. One of my favorite moments is at the end when Nathaniel presents her with two gifts while asking her for her heart. I thought that was sweet of him an I kinda had a hunch about one of the gifts that he gave her ahead of time. My only nit pick is that, I wished there was a bit more romance early on between Margaret and Nathaniel instead of saving it for near the end, but yet again that is just my opinion which don’t let it sway you away from this book as that is just a personal preference of mine. Not only is a great story, I thought the cover artwork was wonderfully designed.