I’m not usually a fan of historical romance but this book, drew me in and I actually did end up really liking the story. I would rate it 5 out of 5 stars. The main character is relatable. She is a hardheaded confident. She knows what she wants and the romance between her and the main male lead is absolutely beautiful and shows how sometimes you can be with the right person just at the wrong time, and how you have to be supportive of your partner, regardless of what they are in their life, and I think it also shows through how women were treated in historical times and how repressed they were and how she combative, and for against that, even when she was discarded from her family. I feel like ultimately this is definitely a girl power book

My main complaint with this book is that it is far too long - it could probably have been half as long and still covered the same story. Lady Margaret's life is interesting, particularly as the story is based on a real life character, but there were a lot of times where I felt like I was being educated on the Victorian era, be it fashion, politics, morality etc. rather than being told a story. That's not necessarily a bad thing for everyone, but it wasn't really what I personally wanted. At first I sympathised with Margaret, but by the end of the book I was getting quite irritated by her, I think because she was constantly portrayed as this lady doing good in the world and bringing joy into everyone's lives while rejecting all of the social norms of the time, and it was kind of glossed over about how badly she treated the men she professed to love because of her desire to always do her precisely her own thing without compromise.

If it had been half as long I wouldn't have had so much time to get as annoyed with Margaret as I did, and I would have given it an extra star!

An enjoyable, well researched historical romance with strong, well developed characters and an engaging plot.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.

Lady Margaret Montagu Scott, second daughter of the Duke of Buccleuch, knows what is expected of her. She should marry a peer, and settle down to be the perfect wife and mother. However, she wants more in her life, and spending her time worrying about what to wear, and who to please is not the life she can envision. Fighting for what she wants, she discovers that by doing so, she risks the wrath of her friends and family, but finds herself along the way.

When I heard that the Duchess of York was writing a historical romance, based on the life of one of her ancestors, I was definitely intrigued. I liked Margaret, and she was definitely full of vim and vigour. She wanted more than her lot in life, and though she was extremely privileged - second daughter to a leading peer, best friend to a princess - she cared for those of all social classes, and hated seeing the inequality in society. Margaret spent time working in the areas of London, Dublin, and New York, where most people in society avoided. The fact that the book took Margaret across cities and continents was really enjoyable, and I liked how Margaret grew with each experience she had. One thing I will say against the book, and I very rarely say this, is that it felt too long at times. I disliked Margaret's relationship with Princess Louise, who ran all over her, and cared only for herself. There was also a little too much romance, which sounds daft, but Margaret had a suitor in basically every turn. I knew who she ended up with (and was glad for it), but there were times I felt like she strung the men along. Her Heart for a Compass was an enjoyable historical romance, with definitely potential. I do look forward to the next book though.

I enjoyed the story of this very much, it’s not my regular genre for an audiobook but I think I’ll select more in the future after this.
Loved the narration it really bought the book alive and the characters were so well developed you callus see them in your mind.

An enjoyable historical audiobook.
This is not my usual selection but I was intrigued.
The strength of a young lady refusing to marry her betrothed!
Great!
Thank you to Netgalley, HarperCollins UK Audio for the chance to listen to this in return for an honest review.

Lady Margaret must marry who her father chooses, but she is strong-willed and determined to create her own journey in the world.

This is a long narrative spanning over several years, with a lot happening. I loved how the main character was strong and independent wanting to branch out on their own and finding the courage to step away from what is suggested of them.

We meet many different characters on the journey which help shape the main character's life and encourage her independence. Ferguson shows us opposites within other characters, a great contrast to the main character.

There were several scenes I had not expected and found myself questioning if I would make the same choices; however, when we come full circle back to our love interest I found my heart fluttering and excitement dawning. Fergusson really does keep us on our toes, always curious about what our main character will do next.

A great historical romance.

Total surprise historical audiobook read!

When a friend on insta pointed out to me that the current audiobook I'd shared in my stories was a Mills and Boon publication I was surprised.

I'd selected this historical fiction book purely because I love historical fiction and it was written by Sarah Ferguson, I was intrigued, and no other audiobooks appealed on Netgalley at the time. I would not normally select a Mills and Boon book.

I really rather enjoyed it. Set in Scotland, London, Ireland and New York. It's inspired by Lady Margaret Montagu Douglas Scott, a great great aunt of the Duchess. Who she discovered whilst researching her family tree a few years ago. They both share some uncanny similarities in their lives. Which I picked up on whilst listening to the book.

Lady Margaret goes against her family's wish by refusing to marry, her chosen husband to be. This sets of a chain of events in her life. This book is not all about palaces and balls, there is some very gritty storylines about poverty in Victorian London, rural Ireland and New York. With Lady M trying her best to improve and help there situations. I particularly loved this element of the book, giving it a genuine historical feel.

Yes there is a background love story, but its not the dominant storyline at all. At the end of the book the Duchess talks about her research and her ancestor. As a family history researcher I found this fascinating. Happy to recommend this one if you love historical fiction.

I know you are all going to ask, no she does not narrate the book.

Just about edging into a surprise 4 star read ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ad pr product: Thank you to Netgalley and Mills and Book for a review copy.
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It was so easy to fall in love with Lady Margaret. She is a delightful character, forthright, determined yet ever the lady. Her development from a reluctant teenage debutant to a mature and self sufficient young woman was a joy to listen to, the narrator bringing her story to life with a delicate Scots accent and a light touch that fitted her to a tee. I so enjoyed the humour both in the characters and the story which again the narrator nailed wonderfully well. Full of expression and at times emotion the cast of colourful and contrasting characters that Lady M encounters was brought to life with aplomb. I enjoyed the letters and newspaper articles that varied the narrative style helping to move the story along at a good pace and keeping Margaret's family and friends involved in her story and she in theirs.
The historical detail and royal connections broadened my knowledge of the period and slotted into the fiction seamlessly.
I was not surprised to learn that Margaret was related to the author nor that the story was influenced by her own life as there was a charming frankness and impulsiveness to Margaret's behaviour that felt very real.
A wonderful and inspiring story, beautifully narrated.

I picked up this book because the fact that the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson was the author. I was pleasantly surprised as I read the story of Lady Margaret as she goes from young betrothed society woman in 1865 England, expected to do her duty for her family, running from that and finding her own way in the world as an independent woman, and then coming full circle back to the life she left behind, albeit in a more fulsome way. I really enjoyed this book and will be picking up Ms Ferguson's next book, A Most Intriguing Lady, next.

What a fantastic book! I was gripped since the first page and could not stop listening. The best book I've listened to in a long while, could not recommend this one highly enough.

Absolutely loved this story, well written and researched. A beautiful story of a womans fight to find herself and have a voice in this time period. I loved the narrator and enjoyed listening felt like I was walking with the character on her journey. Will definitely read more from this author and narrator highly recommend.