The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen

My mother-in-law has been telling me for a couple of years now that I need to read Julie Klassen's books. I haven't had the chance to until now and now that I have, I wish I'd read sooner! The Maid of Fairbourne Hall was my introduction to this author of historical fiction and what a delightful adventure it was. The first couple of chapters went a little slower than I'm used to when reading, but soon I was able to simmer down and relax with this glimpse of 19th Century England.

Margaret Macy lives with her mother, siblings and step-father in his home in London. She's got her eyes on one of the Upchurch brothers but her step-father has other plans, he wishes to marry her off to his letch of a nephew, Margaret would rather disappear. Which she does. She sees an opportunity to escape and she takes it, and through a bizarre set of circumstances ends up employed as a maid in the Upchurch home. Carefully disguised she manages to avoid being recognized as she tends to household duties that were always done for her. As the date of her 25th birthday approaches, her step-father is desperate to find her and wed her to his nephew so they can all share her inheritance.

You'll want to get a copy of this and step back in time. It was a truly enjoyable trip. And I feel the urge to speak in a British accent.

This book was provided for review by Bethany House Publishers and can be purchased here.