Reviews * Giveaway
The Truth about Miss Ashbourne by Joanna Barker
Book Description:
Governess Juliana Ashbourne has dreams reaching far beyond the confines of her current position, hoping to someday establish her own school for girls. When she inherits a fortune from her late grandfather, she is shocked to learn that “someday” may soon be within reach. However, there is one condition: she must spend a month at the estate of Havenfield—with the very family who disowned her mother. Intent on securing the money she needs to start her school, Juliana accepts the invitation, vowing to guard her heart against those who shunned her all her life. But Havenfield is far from what she expects. She discovers a grandmother seeking forgiveness, a cold and disapproving aunt, and a painfully shy cousin. And then there is Mr. William Rowley. Though the heir to the estate is a merciless tease, Juliana finds in him a friend and confidant—and perhaps something more. As she struggles to make sense of her new place in the world, her stubborn independence clashes with a yearning to belong and the even more confusing desires of her heart.
Andrea's Review:
Joanna Barker's debut novel, The Truth about Miss Ashbourne, is engaging and well-written. I avoided many things this past weekend as I spent time learning about Juliana's past, present and future.
I love characters that don't fit the mold, and Juliana definitely fell into this category. She was a feminist for her time-so unlike the debutantes surrounding her. She valued education and had a passion for teaching. Her dream was to start a school for girls to give them the opportunity to learn so much more than needlepoint and how to catch a husband. She was working under less than favorable conditions as a governess to save money for this endeavor when she learned of an inheritance from her mother's estranged family. Although the strings attached weren't to her liking, the notice came at just the right time.
I can't imagine visiting relatives I'd never met and having to stay for a month! Juliana's grandmother, aunt and cousin lived as many of the upper class did at that time, and no one worked. A few weeks of relaxation sound lovely, but doing so among strangers (even if they were related) would be quite uncomfortable.
The interactions between Juliana and William were entertaining. Quite a few misunderstandings, lots of teasing, and some tender, heartfelt moments made for a sweet romance.
Some of the truth being revealed throughout the book was predictable, but despite that I enjoyed how it was presented. The variety of emotions really made for an enjoyable read.
I'm looking forward to reading more from Joanna Barker.
I love characters that don't fit the mold, and Juliana definitely fell into this category. She was a feminist for her time-so unlike the debutantes surrounding her. She valued education and had a passion for teaching. Her dream was to start a school for girls to give them the opportunity to learn so much more than needlepoint and how to catch a husband. She was working under less than favorable conditions as a governess to save money for this endeavor when she learned of an inheritance from her mother's estranged family. Although the strings attached weren't to her liking, the notice came at just the right time.
I can't imagine visiting relatives I'd never met and having to stay for a month! Juliana's grandmother, aunt and cousin lived as many of the upper class did at that time, and no one worked. A few weeks of relaxation sound lovely, but doing so among strangers (even if they were related) would be quite uncomfortable.
The interactions between Juliana and William were entertaining. Quite a few misunderstandings, lots of teasing, and some tender, heartfelt moments made for a sweet romance.
Some of the truth being revealed throughout the book was predictable, but despite that I enjoyed how it was presented. The variety of emotions really made for an enjoyable read.
I'm looking forward to reading more from Joanna Barker.
Rorie's Review:
This is such a sweet story that I enjoyed getting lost in. I'm a sucker for stories like this where the main character starts out in pretty humble circumstances and then finds herself in a new foreign-to-her lifestyle.
Juliana's distrust of her new-found family is completely understandable. She only knew one side of the story growing up, and even then, didn't know a whole lot of it. Her grandmother was such a sweet character and the reader grows to love her as we get to know her better.
The relationship between Juliana and William was entertaining, especially when she first arrived at Havenfield. That part made me giggle. I was a bit disappointed when the conflict near the end was resolved so quickly - I thought, "That's it? I was hoping for more." But not to worry, that was only the teaser conflict. The real challenge was only getting started and it was a doozy.
This is a book that I plan on reading again, and I am really looking forward to reading more from this author.
Juliana's distrust of her new-found family is completely understandable. She only knew one side of the story growing up, and even then, didn't know a whole lot of it. Her grandmother was such a sweet character and the reader grows to love her as we get to know her better.
The relationship between Juliana and William was entertaining, especially when she first arrived at Havenfield. That part made me giggle. I was a bit disappointed when the conflict near the end was resolved so quickly - I thought, "That's it? I was hoping for more." But not to worry, that was only the teaser conflict. The real challenge was only getting started and it was a doozy.
This is a book that I plan on reading again, and I am really looking forward to reading more from this author.
Tarah's Review:
This debut author certainly has my vote for an excellent written novel. Not only because of the story line, sweet romance, and characters, but because it didn't feel at all like a first novel. But let's focus a minute on my favorite part, the sweet romance. I love a romance where you feel butterflies in your stomach and all that's happening is a look. I think it's really well written when you can feel the romance. And super huge bonus points it's all totally clean (but swoon worthy still the same). There are maybe three kisses in the entire book, and not until the last1/3. I also appreciated that that was no angst about does he like me? Self-doubt, yes, but no doubt about feelings and that was refreshing.
William is such a great leading character. Funny, helpful, loving, but not over-bearing at all. I know it wouldn't have fit with the flow of the story, but I would have loved to have read a scene where both William and Juliana were on a ship.
I'm really hoping that Barker decides to write Rebecca's story. Or really anything else. She is definitely an author I will be excited to see more coming from in the future.
About the Author:
Joanna Barker was born and raised in northern California. She discovered her love for historical fiction after visiting England as an eleven-year-old, and subsequently read every Jane Austen book she could get her hands on. After graduating Brigham Young University with a degree in English, she worked as an acquisitions editor before devoting herself full-time to writing. She enjoys music, chocolate, and reading everything from romance to science fiction. She lives in Utah and is just a little crazy about her husband and two wild-but-loveable boys.
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Author: Joanna Barker
Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.
Published: November 2018
ISBN: 1524406643
Source: We received copies from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Purchase: Amazon | Deseret Book
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