Book 61 and my first ever #blogtour! Full review is on the blog but the #minibookreview is below 🍂
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The book explores the era just before the second world war, particularly its politics. Hester moves to become a lady's maid, falls in love with the lady in question, and is dragged into a dark, fascist, political world. She watches as her mistress becomes involved with the blackshirt fascist movement alongside other English aristocrats in the 1930s.

The book is impeccably researched and its best feature is that the reader gets the opportunity to explore a different era through the eyes of the character. The political intrigue takes centre stage and the atmosphere of the era is captured perfectly. There's plenty of action but it doesn't feel like the pace is forced and the characters have depth and realism. I particularly enjoyed the addition of a historical note at the end as it pulled together all the different themes well.

A great read for fans of political intrigue, especially those who enjoy a historical setting.

I was sent this title via NetGalley to review and this has not affected my opinion in any way- of course!

A Pearl for my Mistress is a sensual and tense historical novel set in England in 1934. Old ways and ideas are changing rapidly as the world itself begins to turn on it’s head.

I thoroughly enjoyed this lovely piece of LGBTQ historical fiction and felt a slight homage to Sarah Waters, although the writing is completely different. The settings and description of the era and liquid and dreamy and I really felt as if I was there with Hester, a young maid girl, and Lucy, a daughter in an aristocratic family, fighting the social ideals of relationships, money and power.

Hester comes down from a small northern town with high hopes of exciting times in the big smoke of London. Finding a job with the Fitzmartin family she is drawn to the unmarried daughter who is reckless and wild, compared to her rigid family. As they grow closer and closer, both of them realise that there is no going back to the way they used to be before they met.

Tackling issues such as class, same-sex relationships and social ideals, this didn’t feel like your classic historical novel. I was swept up in the romance and the story and while I didn’t feel it was life-changing, it was a very pleasant way to escape for a few hours.

Would definitely recommend for reading groups and friends who like historical fiction.

England, 1933. Hester Blake, a young woman from a Northern town, hopes her new job as a lady's maid will open up new worlds for her; what she certainly never expects is to fall in love with her mistress, young Lady Lucy Fitzmartin.... and for that love to be reciprocated. Things start to turn sour, however, as Lucy finds herself drawn to a dangerous political ideology which begins to lead her down some dark paths.

This was less of a love story than I'd anticipated. I had perhaps expected more of a focus on "forbidden love" and the barriers encountered by a lesbian relationship - and one with a large class divide, too - in that era. In fact there is little of this, though Hester and Lucy's relationship is necessarily kept a secret - only one other person knows of it. While the initial romance between the two women is sweetly developed, Lucy's growing involvement in alarming political machinations and intrigue forms a large part of the story. I did not anticipate this aspect but very much enjoyed reading it.

Annabel Fielding has clearly done her research into the period, and I liked the fact that on several occasions I found myself heading off to Google to find out more about the likes of Lady Malcolm's Servants' Ball, or Valerie Arkell-Smith. There is a wealth of fascinating detail which generates a clear picture of the era, from the Northumberland home of the Fitzmartin family to London clubs and parties... and certain social and political attitudes which still carry an alarming ring of familiarity.

Lucy becomes increasingly corrupted and unlikeable as the story progresses, and it begins to seem that despite some doubts and fears, ultimately she will stop at nothing. Lucy seemed to me primarily to be striving for agency, to never again feel the helplessness she once did, and to prove herself. I really did wonder where it was all going to end for her, and the less educated but far more clear-sighted Hester. Is there any redemption for Lucy?

Recommended - historical fiction is not a genre I read a lot of, but I enjoyed this very much.

THOUGHTS

Both Hester and Lucy are inherently likeable characters, any flaws or failures being a byproduct of their respective upbringings or situations.

The author’s choice of lengthy descriptive prose is evocative of the era, indeed there is one particular part early on in the book when the two young women are discussing Lucy’s writing which to my mind sums it up rather nicely;

“My sentences used to take at least five lines each. Otherwise I felt I didn’t do justice to the heroine’s complexion or the fragrance of the garden”.
I feel that the physical attraction between the two was somewhat inevitable, given the somewhat forced closeness between them during their time in the isolated Hebden Hall; Lady Lucy’s foreboding ancestral home; and the romanticed notions they each have of the others life.

At times, I found myself getting somewhat frustrated by the unthinking ways and poor choices that led Hester (and at times Lucy) into difficult situations.

As always I am ever-mindful of not giving away too much of the story in my review, so rather than tell you my take on this wonderfully poignant tale, I’d rather concentrate on the vividly described world that Hester finds herself plunged in. At a time when the upper classes were still trying to cling to all their traditions and rules of proprietary as the world marched on to more modern ways of thinking, Hester could still experience what she saw as the wonder of a different way of life; although ultimately realizes that for all the luxuries afforded to the upper-class they are as much trapped by their situation as those of the working class.

Through her detailed and well-researched writing, Annabel Fielding immerses the reader in the world of 1930s society through her wonderfully evocative descriptions. Sometimes, this level of description and background information does cause the pace of the story to slow; but this makes for a languorous unfolding of the story which somehow feels in-keeping with the era.

RATING & RECOMMENDATIONS

As a lover of historical fiction, I enjoyed this richly woven tale. Whilst the story was somewhat of a slow burner, I felt this added to it’s charm.

I rate this evocative and eminently readable tale of 1930s society 4 out of 5 stars.

I recommend A Pearl for my Mistress to anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a touch of romance, and fans of Downtown Abbey or similar.

DISCLOSURE

I received a copy of this book from the author, via NetGalley & free of charge, in order to read, review and join in with this blog tour. All thoughts are my honest opinions.
I would also like to thank the lovely Annabel for inviting me to read her book, and participate in the blog tour.

4.5* review
I found this book very interesting on many levels. It begins as Hester Blake makes her way to Hebden Hall to work as a lady’s maid to Lady Lucy Fitzmartin, the daughter of the estate owners. This is set in the era of The Wall Street Crash, it’s affects are felt globally and because of this, many large estates have reduced staff and sell off outlying estate lands. The employment of Hester therefore is unusual, but it is a way of Lucy’s parents to trying to keep her on track. Lucy supplements her allowance by writing for periodicals of the time and has a slightly different outlook on life compared to her parents. Hester has a love of books, so there is a natural starting point for a friendship between Hester and Lucy. As their friendship grows so then do their feelings for each other.

Set in the 1930’s in Hebden Hall, London and then Melton Mowbray. An era of The British Union of Fascists, or Blackshirts, with their leader Oswald Mosley and his marches and rallies are in the news. There are divided opinions for his movement and there are often public clashes, during this time the difference of viewpoint is shared between the Lucy and Hester. The story also encompasses several other elements, apart from the political aspects and the romantic side. The difference between class and social structure is addressed, a comparison is drawn via the two women, Lucy and Hester, the differences between upstairs and downstairs, as well as Lucy’s opinion of Hester .

I thought the story was enjoyable, but for me it was the historical side I enjoyed more than the romantic side, the romance was good and well written. I thought the characters of Hester and Lucy were very well-developed, the author managed to portray the condescending attitude that Lucy has towards Hester extremely well, it was a good way of showing the differences between class at the time. Other characters were memorable and had a good range of traits to make them distinctive and identifiable.

This is a book I would recommend to readers of Historical Fiction and Romantic Fiction genres. It was a very enjoyable, well researched and well written read.

I would like to thank HQ Digital UK and NetGalley for my copy of this book and also to Annabel Fielding for bringing it to my attention. My opinion given here is my own, it is honest and unbiased.

I found A Pearl for my Mistress to be one of the most surprising books that I have read this year. I think that this was because of the background to the story and the issues which were involved. Set in the 1930's in England, it centres on an aristocratic family, primarily on the adult daughter, Lucy. It calls into play the theme of class and how interdependent and rigid the whole class structure was at that time. Each person had to play their allotted role. As the employer, the upper class provided a structure, home and job for their servants who were dependent on them, to avoid the poverty of unemployment which many were facing. At the same time, they were needed by their employers who at times could appear almost childlike. They all existed alongside each other. How complicated life could get when the differences between the classes became blurred.

Through this story, the author explores some of the attitudes which were simmering in Britain between the two World Wars. The readers knows what is coming in 1939, but many at that time were desperate to avoid conflict. This book takes you right into these times, contrasting anti-german feeling versus nazi sympathy and examines people's motives. How far will ruthless people go to infiltrate society? It even causes you to consider what exactly patriotism is. The fascism which has taken hold on the continent is bubbling beneath the surface. I found it to be a fascinating time to consider, especially with the references to actual people, such as Edward, Prince of Wales and Unity Mitford.

In addition, you are led into a consideration of the place of women in society in the 1930's. How were aristocratic young ladies expected to behave? How were they controlled and how did they gain independence? How did they address their sexuality? The excesses of the jazz scene, spilling over from the 1920's flappers, racial prejudice and clandestine meetings are all there. I think the most striking thing to me was how nothing was as it appeared on the surface. Respectability and scandal were there as bedfellows. You can just feel the changing times as War looms.

In short: an historical romance with a difference.

So well researched and written, this exciting time in Britain (pre WWII) is brought life in this lively novel. Historically accurate with well-developed characters, with the setting so well described that you feel you are there, among the intrigue and fashionable characters. Recommended reading.

Wow. I just love this period and this book is so well written and time right. The author has done the research very well and written a story that suit the details. The language and characters presents 1930's so well. I like that very much.
I has an amazing story line and plot. They story has some surprises and the twists and turns makes it a unique read. There are danger, different affairs, suspence, intrigues, passion, hot chemistry and lots of emotional ups and downs. It takes part in London and has the historical issue with espionage in it. The details about the society in the 1930's are such a great read and all the everyday things are well described.
I can only recommend this book if you are into historical romances.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

This was an enjoyable romance. I was able to read it in one day. The characters were so engaging & I found myself getting caught up in their stories.

A story of love and deception set in the 1930s prior to the Second World War.
Hester a young and impressionable young northern girl takes up the post of ladies maid to Lady Lucy Fitzmartin.
Both girls are besotted with each other and against all social rules the Lady and her maid become lovers.
Lucy has secrets though Because she has political tendencies that veer towards Facism and the new government of Germany.
Set against the backdrop of the London season a story develops which involves love deception and espionage.
A fantastic read which keeps one riveted right until the end

While I am sure many people would enjoy it, I figured out that romances, even if they are historical, are not my thing.

I wanted to like this book... after all, it was compared to Downton Abbey. I love reading about what goes on behind the scenes with the men and women in service. Unfortunately, this book was just not for me. I understand it's an ARC so the commas and missing spaces are understandable but there were so many (misused) commas, it was hard to understand a sentence. Plus there was a real lack of plot or maybe I just couldn't follow it - lots of idle dialogue that felt like a waste of space. And the characters... they were missing a certain something and I just couldn't connect with me. I'm sad because I really wanted to like this book but it was too much for me. Or maybe, not enough.