A Change of Fortune by Sandra Wilson
| A Change of Fortune by Sandra Wilson | |
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| Category: Women's Fiction | |
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Reviewer: Sue Magee
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| Summary: An easy reading romance set in the early nineteenth century. Recommended as an undemanding read. | |
| Buy? Maybe | Borrow? Maybe |
| Pages: 224 | Date: April 2010 |
| Publisher: Robert Hale Ltd | |
| ISBN: 978-0709089995 | |
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Leonie Conyngham seemed to have everything going for her. She was beautiful and set to be the belle of the forthcoming season, but a family disaster stripped her of her position as the most important pupil in her school and placed her there as the lowliest teacher, there to do the bidding of those above her. Her possessions stolen and in debt she had little choice in the matter. Her physical attractions have not left her though, but now the young rakes of London are not looking at her as a possible wife, but to see who can be the first to deprive her of her virtue.
The notorious Duke of Thornbury and his friend Edward Longhurst vie with each other, but it's Edward's sister, Imogen, who is to cause the most trouble for Leonie. Imogen is to marry Sir Guy de Lacy, but she'd like to be rid of his young niece who lives with him. Stella is sent to the school where Leonie teaches and Imogen resents the benefit this has been to Stella. This was not Imogen's intention at all. More troubling than that is the fact that she's worried that Guy might be distracted by the beautiful Miss Conyngham.
It's a good story set in the early nineteenth century and for me the star of the book was the picture of London at that time. There's the up-market Park Lane area, but it's cheek by jowl with some very poor areas where it's not safe to venture of a night. When the Thames freezes over there's a frost fair out on the ice and I really felt for Leonie when she tried to find her young charge at the fair.
The characters are a little less rounded. Leonie is just a little too perfect. Imogen is just so evil that you wonder quite what the gallant Sir Guy de Lacy could possibly see in her. He's elegant and gentlemanly except when he loses his temper and needs to be put in his place by Miss Conyngham. But you don't read a book like this for the subtlety of the characterisation or for the plot, because you can probably guess exactly what is going to happen by the time that you've read a few chapters. You read it for an interesting story which makes for a relaxing read.
I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag.
If this book appeals then you will love My Lady Domino by Jeannie Machin.
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