I have a new review today, this time for a historical fiction mystery set in 1906 in the Isles of Scilly off the coast of Cornwall!
Title: The Nature of a Lady
Author: Roseanna M. White
- Date read: May 27, 2021
- Rating: 4 stars
- Genre: Historical Fiction / Christian Fiction
- Age: Adult, clean
- Year pub: 2021
- Pages: 374 (paperback)
- Series: The Secrets of the Isles, #1
- Fave character: Oliver Tremayne and Mabena Moon
- Source: Bethany House reviewer program
- Notes: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest review and all opinions are my own.
- Links: Goodreads • Barnes & Noble • Amazon • ChristianBook.com • Author’s Website • Publisher
Set in the Isles of Scilly off the coast of Cornwall, this book was a gorgeous treat to read!
The 1906 setting was interesting, and the islands themselves were drop-dead stunning and made me want to visit them! They sprang to life so well, considering I’d never read about this particular setting before, and were probably my favorite thing about the book! So unique and delightful, and I do love a good “island story.” I loved how it also felt somewhat Cornish but with its own twist, and the villagers, cottages, boats, flowers, sea, rocks, etc. were all wonderful!
I loved the writing! The story itself was super engaging and kept me intrigued throughout, and I loved seeing the intertwining threads of characters’ lives and secrets unfold, along with an exciting mystery/treasure hunt with lots of clues, and some super-cute romances thrown in there. Some of the twists surprised me in a good way (particularly a certain rivalry).
The characters all came to life and many of them were fabulous. I particularly loved mysterious lady’s-maid-turned-untameable-island-girl Mabenna Moon — she was marvelous! — and of course Oliver Tremayne, vicar and overall amazing fellow. And Mamm-wynn! Delightful mysterious, pixie-ish grandmother.
There were a couple things that weren’t my favorite: I sometimes felt the heroine had a sort of scientific arrogance; a few things rubbed me the wrong way; and I wished for more time for a certain side romance, so it would seem less sudden. But these are personal preferences!
On the whole, I very much enjoyed reading it and being swept off to these enchanting islands on an adventure. There are a couple of unresolved threads and I hope to return to the Isles of Scilly with these lovely characters for more tales in future books! Do check this one out!
I received a free ARC of this book from the publisher. This is my honest review and all opinions are my own.
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