Rich with carefully drawn characters who really come to life in the hands of this skilled writer. Truly could not put this down. Such a brilliant opening chapter and then just needed to keep on reading.

Thank you to netgalley for allowing me access to these books, thank you to the publisher and the author for giving me access to this eARC.

Apologies for the late review life has been crazy.

This was a beautiful historical romance but unfortunately, this book just didn't mesh well with me. Although the writing style was nice I just couldn't get into the book enough to feel any emotion towards any of the characters which is a shame but this may be because historical romance isn't my genre but I always like to try out as you never know if one book will break that cycle.

Great historic book. Set in the 19th century. In idyllic countryside.

Loved the characters, loved the story.

Lord Farringdon, his wife Charlotte, his 3 grown daughters from his first marriage, and 2 little girls from his second. all live in a beautiful manor. Charlotte is a very selfish woman who only cares about herself. She also thinks she is above the rest of the community.

At the other end, we have the womenfolk who are struggling to make ends meet whilst their husbands work daily at the Farringdon pit. Lord Farringdon is a kind thoughtful man who cares about everybody's feelings and welfare. The Farringdon manor has a gypsy curse. Whenever lavender is smelt within the manor it means death will occur.

Also in the story is Madam Rosetta and her assistant Jane Haydon a prestigious cosetiere. They are summoned to the manor by Lady Farringdon.
A well-written story and very descriptive. it has twists and turns as well as love and hardships.
Well worth a read.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and Linda Finlay for the chance to read this book in return for an honest review.

I have read all Linda Finlay's books - in fact I look out for her new ones. Each has been well researched and features a different craft or method of production relevant to the times the book is set in.

This one centred on a corsetiere - who had been at first a maid, then an apprentice and finally the owner of the business after the sad demise of the original one. To be honest this part of the storyline was obvious as somehow one of the main characters had to be central to the plot.

Then there are her customers - 5 daughters of whom 2 are a little young for 'underpinnings' but the rest need the garments and their self-centred step-Mama who thinks she can use her feminine guile to get whatever she wants and requires. She also gets her comeuppance. I am sure she is meant to be unlikable and she fills the role admirably.

I enjoy reading Linda Finlay's books - they are all different in their ways whilst being predictable - though I did not see what came in the last few chapters at all .

I shall leave my review there for fear of bringing 'spoilers' into the equation - but it you want an enjoyable read that isn't too taxing then give Ms Finlay and go.

Farringdon’s Fate is an effortless read, the writing flows and encapsulates you in the world and era.

I found myself warming to each character (other than Lady Farringdon as she is shallow and highly irritating). They have their own stories to tell and intertwine to bring the story to life.

I was most drawn to Jane, she is easy to empathise with and I was keen to see where things went for her as the book went on.

This is the first book I have read that doesn’t seem to feature a main character, which was interesting. From the cover and the blurb I had thought that either Jane or one of the Farringdon daughters was the main focus but each person seemed to have their own sub-plots which tie in and converge together.

Whilst I enjoyed the book and the plot as a whole, I have to admit to being quite confused initially as to whose story I was reading about, as I mentioned each character has their own storyline which was unexpected. Once I got used to this I really liked and enjoyed seeing each character’s journey and how they interacted and affected each other. There is ongoing torment in both Jane and Lord Farringdon’s lives, with romances and social issues, plus some drama and a sad twist towards the end which I didn’t see coming.

This is a lovely story that comes together to be very interesting and captivating. I would gladly read Linda Finley’s other books and would recommend this one to fans of this type of Historical Fiction.

Packed with the unexpected twists and turns of fate, this is a gripping story of multiple lives on one lavish country estate.

The book features multiple narratives, blended together to create a rich picture of life at Farringdon. From Lord Farringdon and his wife, Charlotte, to their daughters and the workers on the estate, there are glimpses into each aspect of Farringdon. The story also closely follows Miss Jane Haydon, assistant corsetiere to the prestigious Madame Rosetta, and how her life intersects with those at Farringdon.

The result is a vivid tapestry of life, both above and below-stairs. The plot covers struggles and hardships, yet also hope, charity, and kindness. It's like two sides of a coin - and it's all too easy to imagine how hard life must have been for the poorest, most vulnerable members of communities at that time in history.

As the title suggests, fate is a strong theme recurring throughout the book. Strange omens and talk of the infamous Farringdon curse are intriguing and help to add an extra dimension to the storyline. There's something unexpected around every corner!

Although not overly descriptive, the settings and sense of place are highly evocative. This novel is deeply rooted in its rural location and this adds colour and sparkle to the story. It's delightfully written and sure to leave you dreaming of the picturesque English countryside.

Spend an evening at Farringdon this winter and delve into the lives of these wonderful characters!

Full of historical details, vivid descriptions and vibrant characters, this story is a must for fans of romantic sagas. Set in the late nineteenth century, it encompasses all the societal expectations. The story has drama, friendship, romance and tragedy. The Farringdon's are under a curse, and it seems that it may well come true,

The story is very detailed and includes the craft of a corsetière, in keeping with this author's style. Believable characters lyrical story writing make this an engaging read.

I received a copy of this book from HQ via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I love Linda Finlay and have read all her books. I loved the storyline of this book from the 1st page and was drawn into the lives of the Farringdon family. Will Louisa see Henry again and will Jane recover from losing brave Sam ? So many unanswered questions, I really hope there will be a second book in the series
As always my thanks to NetGalley and HQ for the early read

Set in East Devon in 1854, this was a real page turner with an array of interesting characters and storylines. There is great tragedy as well as triumph for all of our characters. If you're a fan of family sagas then this is one to add to your list.

My favourite thing about this book was the family dynamic between the sisters - Louisa, Victoria and Bea. They all have very unique personalities and are at different stages of their lives but when they unite, they are a force to be reckoned with. I loved their strong bond and strength not only as a family unit but as individuals. Bea is an absolute firecracker and by far my favourite. She is so bold and really doesn't hold back. She is feisty and full of sass and she gave every scene she was in a real spark.

I felt like there were a couple of questions left unanswered and there were many avenues that could have been explored further, leaving the door open for a sequel (or two) which is good because I'd love to know how life goes for the sisters - particularly Louisa and her betrothed, Henry!

Firstly thank you Netgalley for this ARC. What a glorious book , page turner. If you love Family Saga this book is right up your street