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A Lady to Treasure
They can save their families. But will it cost them their hearts?
Louisa Silverton is the daughter of a wealthy American businessman, brought up to believe a healthy profit is the only route to happiness. With the family company over-leveraged and in need of a capital injection, she travels to England to find a rich husband.
The Honourable Miss Sarah Davenport has no time for romance. The family estate of Kenilborough is mired in debt and only she can save it. Unconventional and outspoken, Sarah is dismayed that somebody as intelligent and attractive as Louisa is willing to sacrifice herself for financial gain.
As Louisa pursues her campaign, Sarah realises her objections to the project run deeper than mere principles. At the same time, Louisa finds herself captivated by Sarah's independent spirit. Yet to indulge their unexpected passion would surely mean the ruin of both their families. Bound by duty, will they ever be free to follow their hearts?
Louisa Silverton is the daughter of a wealthy American businessman, brought up to believe a healthy profit is the only route to happiness. With the family company over-leveraged and in need of a capital injection, she travels to England to find a rich husband.
The Honourable Miss Sarah Davenport has no time for romance. The family estate of Kenilborough is mired in debt and only she can save it. Unconventional and outspoken, Sarah is dismayed that somebody as intelligent and attractive as Louisa is willing to sacrifice herself for financial gain.
As Louisa pursues her campaign, Sarah realises her objections to the project run deeper than mere principles. At the same time, Louisa finds herself captivated by Sarah's independent spirit. Yet to indulge their unexpected passion would surely mean the ruin of both their families. Bound by duty, will they ever be free to follow their hearts?
300 pages, Paperback
Published October 15, 2023
About the author
Marianne Ratcliffe
7 books36 followersI grew up in Lincolnshire and have a degree and PhD in Biochemistry. Writing fiction in my spare time, I have had short stories published in literary magazines and was runner up in the Guildford Book Festival short story competition in 2010. I have also self-published Tales of Golmeira, a YA fantasy series with a lesbian protagonist, receiving two Red Ribbons from the Wishing Shelf Awards. In 2017, redundancy spurred me to focus on creative writing, resulting in The Secret of Matterdale Hall, a sapphic romance/mystery set in the Victorian era, published by Bellows Press.
I live in Cheshire, UK, with my wife and two dogs.
I live in Cheshire, UK, with my wife and two dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
October 9, 2023
In a Nutshell: A historical drama centred on two young ladies who allow their duty to overshadow their preferences. The romance is minimal, despite what the blurb suggests. A good read with some serious topics.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Story Synopsis:
Bookish Yays:
😍 I liked the two main characters; it is a treat to read about characters who are so practical in their outlook. Though they did have communication gaps, their dedication to their families and their loyalty towards what they considered their “duty” was admirable. Louisa is quite judgemental at the start, and views everything in terms of profit. Sarah’s bluntness and singlemindedness often hurts others. Both young women grow during the course of the story, which is good for the characters and for the readers.
😍 Louisa and Sarah are atypical for 19th century historical fiction protagonists. Louisa’s aptitude for accounts and business dealings, and Sarah’s expertise with her estate and everything connected to keeping it running, proves them both intelligent women who weren’t afraid to venture into what was considered men’s territory. The plot uses their talent well, rather than just mentioning their talent and brushing it aside.
😍 The author captures the era well. You have the typical historical fiction jazz – the dresses, the balls, the elaborate lunches, the grand houses with servants, the social rules about the title hierarchy, the upper hand men get simply because of their gender, and so on. Rather than stopping only at this depiction, she also incorporates the unseen side, with the endless farming tasks on the estate, the impact of the wars on the trade between the UK and USA, and life for those who were not titled.
😍 Louisa’s cousin Eleanor has a mild disability (a curvature of the spine), and through her character, we get a glimpse of how tough it was (and sadly, still is) for anyone not conforming to societal standards of physical beauty to be accepted without judgement.
😍 The book is fast-paced from start to end. Despite the serious content and multiple characters, it never slackens the tempo.
😍 The ending in such stories is always predictable and neat, but I like how the author built up the finale; it was nice and sweet, and sprung naturally from the flow of the overall story.
😍 One uncommon thing about the world Louisa and Sarah inhabited was that there seemed to be no questions or judgement from anyone about their feelings for each other, which is so unlike typical historical same-sex love stories. Neither of them had any thought about a potential scandal resulting from their love, nor was there any hesitation or doubt about how they could have such “unnatural” feelings for another woman, nor did any of their family members scorn them for their affection. It seemed like a world where such relationships were accepted. Totally fictional, no doubt, but I still relished the thought of this alternate world where people were free to love regardless of gender.
😍 I liked the apt use of the word ‘treasure’ in the title. Two women who are so pragmatic and single-minded about monetary security come to realise that there are other, better treasures in life. From their quest for financial treasure to their coming to treasure each other, the story represents not one but two ‘ladies to treasure.’
Bookish Mixed Bags:
😐 The title and cover indicate that this is a Sapphic romance. However, I think the word ‘romance’ is applicable to this story in the loosest possible manner. A major chunk of the book is about Louisa’s and Sarah’s personal learnings and growth than about their romantic feelings. The romantic track exists, of course, but is not dominant. Except of a couple of mild kisses and fade-to-black scenes, there’s nothing to make it feel like a romance. Those looking for a typical lesbian romance story might not enjoy this as much. It works much better as women’s fiction or a historical family drama.
😐 The first half of the book, though nice, isn’t outstanding. I cannot pinpoint any flaw in it, nor can I highlight anything that makes it memorable. It stuck to the formula in almost every way. The second half is much better, as both the lead characters come into their own, and the story shows their true grit in the face of tough times. So even if you find the initial half somewhat repetitive and typical, stick with it because the latter half is worth it.
Bookish Nays:
😟 The “romance” between the two doesn’t develop organically, but I can’t even call it insta-love as there are no initial thoughts about physical attractiveness. Their romantic thoughts seem to spring up out of nowhere, and for most of the book, those thoughts remain just thoughts. I’d have loved to see the actual progress of their romance.
😟 The blow-hot-blow-cold connection between Sarah and Louisa frustrated me. Every relationship-based book has conflict scenes, but in this book, the conflicts were hardly ever on the page. In one chapter, they would be pally with each other; in the next, one of them suddenly wouldn’t want to talk and the other would feel let down, and again after a couple of chapters, they would be on chatty terms. The repetitive on-and-off mode between the two was primarily due to communication gaps, which is never fun to read. This issue also affected the continuity of their portrayal because I could never predict what the next chapter would have in store.
All in all, this indie #OwnVoices work is a good enough read, though it didn’t blow my mind away. Luckily for the book, I am not much of a romance fan, so the lack of it didn’t bother me that much.
I had picked this up as I had enjoyed another book by the same author: The Secret of Matterdale Hall, which, being a Gothic historical fiction, was more suited to my palate. I had loved the way it had been inclusive in terms of LGBTQ+ rep and disability rep while staying true to the era. This factor is applicable to the current book as well.
Definitely recommended to those looking for a historical drama with strong women characters. Not for those wanting a light romcom; this isn’t light in any way.
3.5 stars. (3.25 stars for the first 50%, 3.75 stars for the rest. Averaging and rounding up.)
My thanks to author Marianne Ratcliffe for providing me with a complimentary copy of “A Lady To Treasure”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This was a buddy read with Srivalli. Do check out her review to see if our opinions matched. 😉
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Story Synopsis:
1812. Louisa has always been trained to think in terms of profit and investments. As the daughter of a wealthy NY businessman, she is aware of the current financial problems faced by the family company. To help it with a capital investment, she travels to London with a singular objective – finding a wealthy husband.
Sarah Davenport might be the daughter of a viscount, but with an ailing father, a distant stepmother, a spendthrift stepbrother, and a debt-ridden estate, she is focussed on saving her beloved home from ruin. She cannot accept that someone as intelligent as Louisa is looking at marriage solely through a financial angle. Then again, with her own independent streak creating more problems every day, who is she to advise Louisa about following her heart?
The story comes to us in the third person perspectives of Louisa and Sarah.
Bookish Yays:
😍 I liked the two main characters; it is a treat to read about characters who are so practical in their outlook. Though they did have communication gaps, their dedication to their families and their loyalty towards what they considered their “duty” was admirable. Louisa is quite judgemental at the start, and views everything in terms of profit. Sarah’s bluntness and singlemindedness often hurts others. Both young women grow during the course of the story, which is good for the characters and for the readers.
😍 Louisa and Sarah are atypical for 19th century historical fiction protagonists. Louisa’s aptitude for accounts and business dealings, and Sarah’s expertise with her estate and everything connected to keeping it running, proves them both intelligent women who weren’t afraid to venture into what was considered men’s territory. The plot uses their talent well, rather than just mentioning their talent and brushing it aside.
😍 The author captures the era well. You have the typical historical fiction jazz – the dresses, the balls, the elaborate lunches, the grand houses with servants, the social rules about the title hierarchy, the upper hand men get simply because of their gender, and so on. Rather than stopping only at this depiction, she also incorporates the unseen side, with the endless farming tasks on the estate, the impact of the wars on the trade between the UK and USA, and life for those who were not titled.
😍 Louisa’s cousin Eleanor has a mild disability (a curvature of the spine), and through her character, we get a glimpse of how tough it was (and sadly, still is) for anyone not conforming to societal standards of physical beauty to be accepted without judgement.
😍 The book is fast-paced from start to end. Despite the serious content and multiple characters, it never slackens the tempo.
😍 The ending in such stories is always predictable and neat, but I like how the author built up the finale; it was nice and sweet, and sprung naturally from the flow of the overall story.
😍 One uncommon thing about the world Louisa and Sarah inhabited was that there seemed to be no questions or judgement from anyone about their feelings for each other, which is so unlike typical historical same-sex love stories. Neither of them had any thought about a potential scandal resulting from their love, nor was there any hesitation or doubt about how they could have such “unnatural” feelings for another woman, nor did any of their family members scorn them for their affection. It seemed like a world where such relationships were accepted. Totally fictional, no doubt, but I still relished the thought of this alternate world where people were free to love regardless of gender.
😍 I liked the apt use of the word ‘treasure’ in the title. Two women who are so pragmatic and single-minded about monetary security come to realise that there are other, better treasures in life. From their quest for financial treasure to their coming to treasure each other, the story represents not one but two ‘ladies to treasure.’
Bookish Mixed Bags:
😐 The title and cover indicate that this is a Sapphic romance. However, I think the word ‘romance’ is applicable to this story in the loosest possible manner. A major chunk of the book is about Louisa’s and Sarah’s personal learnings and growth than about their romantic feelings. The romantic track exists, of course, but is not dominant. Except of a couple of mild kisses and fade-to-black scenes, there’s nothing to make it feel like a romance. Those looking for a typical lesbian romance story might not enjoy this as much. It works much better as women’s fiction or a historical family drama.
😐 The first half of the book, though nice, isn’t outstanding. I cannot pinpoint any flaw in it, nor can I highlight anything that makes it memorable. It stuck to the formula in almost every way. The second half is much better, as both the lead characters come into their own, and the story shows their true grit in the face of tough times. So even if you find the initial half somewhat repetitive and typical, stick with it because the latter half is worth it.
Bookish Nays:
😟 The “romance” between the two doesn’t develop organically, but I can’t even call it insta-love as there are no initial thoughts about physical attractiveness. Their romantic thoughts seem to spring up out of nowhere, and for most of the book, those thoughts remain just thoughts. I’d have loved to see the actual progress of their romance.
😟 The blow-hot-blow-cold connection between Sarah and Louisa frustrated me. Every relationship-based book has conflict scenes, but in this book, the conflicts were hardly ever on the page. In one chapter, they would be pally with each other; in the next, one of them suddenly wouldn’t want to talk and the other would feel let down, and again after a couple of chapters, they would be on chatty terms. The repetitive on-and-off mode between the two was primarily due to communication gaps, which is never fun to read. This issue also affected the continuity of their portrayal because I could never predict what the next chapter would have in store.
All in all, this indie #OwnVoices work is a good enough read, though it didn’t blow my mind away. Luckily for the book, I am not much of a romance fan, so the lack of it didn’t bother me that much.
I had picked this up as I had enjoyed another book by the same author: The Secret of Matterdale Hall, which, being a Gothic historical fiction, was more suited to my palate. I had loved the way it had been inclusive in terms of LGBTQ+ rep and disability rep while staying true to the era. This factor is applicable to the current book as well.
Definitely recommended to those looking for a historical drama with strong women characters. Not for those wanting a light romcom; this isn’t light in any way.
3.5 stars. (3.25 stars for the first 50%, 3.75 stars for the rest. Averaging and rounding up.)
My thanks to author Marianne Ratcliffe for providing me with a complimentary copy of “A Lady To Treasure”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This was a buddy read with Srivalli. Do check out her review to see if our opinions matched. 😉
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
October 10, 2023
Publication Date: 15th Oct 2023
3.7 Stars
One Liner: A nice read but more drama than romance
1812-1813
Louisa Silverton is the daughter of an American businessman whose idea of happiness is through profit and money. Her business expertise and love for numbers keep her going. When Louisa’s father takes too many risks with his ventures, he ships her to England to find a wealthy husband.
Sarah Davenport is single-handedly running her family estate in Kenilborough. Her father is weak. Her stepmother and her son love money, and they are in debt. Sarah is shocked to see that talented Louisa is more than willing to settle for money. Louisa is intrigued by Sarah’s complexity, grit, and strength of character.
The duo realizes their feelings for each other are more intense than expected. But with neither of them in a position to do what their hearts want, can Sarah and Louisa find their HEA, or will they sacrifice themselves for their families?
The story comes in the third-person POV of Louisa and Sarah.
My Thoughts:
I quite enjoyed The Secret of Matterdale Hall by the author and was looking forward to this latest book. As an #ownvoices author, she effortlessly presents Sapphic romance and interesting main leads.
Louisa and Sarah are different yet similar. They both bear the burden of family responsibilities and finances, even if they choose different methods to handle these. I like how the characters feel real and vulnerable and make some annoying decisions.
The interactions between Louisa and Sarah kind of give P&P vibes (but without the delightful banter). Even the writing style is formal and suits the period. In fact, it fits so well that the already slow-burn romance feels even slower and distant than I prefer. There’s some progress in the last quarter, which I do appreciate. I had to wait too long already!
While the book is supposed to be a historical Sapphic romance, it reads more like a family drama. This makes sense as the core plot revolves around families. However, there’s a lot of drama. I was reminded of daily soaps on the telly more than once. The content becomes quite heavy with almost no humor or lighthearted scenes. The saving grace is the moderate-to-fast pacing.
Of course, the social customs, attitudes, and general conditions of the period come across clearly. These have a dominant role in the plot, making the book seem more believable. Be it the ‘responsibility of a daughter to find a rich husband to save the family business or a weak (and rather spineless) father ignoring realities and being unconcerned for his daughters, every aspect aligns with the setting.
However, this eats into the time required by the main couple to establish a stronger relationship. I wanted them to spend more time together when they aren’t snapping or pushing each other away, et al.
The side characters, Ann and Eleanor, are nice and sweet. I like that the book also has a disability rep. Furthermore, the second half of the book is stronger and more interesting. We have HEA and an epilogue, too.
To summarize, A Lady to Treasure is an engaging historical drama with a super slow-burn Sapphic romance. The writing is classy and nice to read.
My thanks to the author for the electronic ARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
***
TW: Attempted sexual assault (not graphic), implied physical assault, mention of suicide (off-page)
***
This was a buddy read with Rosh as we both enjoyed the author’s previous book (she recommended it to me). Check out her review to know what she has to say!
3.7 Stars
One Liner: A nice read but more drama than romance
1812-1813
Louisa Silverton is the daughter of an American businessman whose idea of happiness is through profit and money. Her business expertise and love for numbers keep her going. When Louisa’s father takes too many risks with his ventures, he ships her to England to find a wealthy husband.
Sarah Davenport is single-handedly running her family estate in Kenilborough. Her father is weak. Her stepmother and her son love money, and they are in debt. Sarah is shocked to see that talented Louisa is more than willing to settle for money. Louisa is intrigued by Sarah’s complexity, grit, and strength of character.
The duo realizes their feelings for each other are more intense than expected. But with neither of them in a position to do what their hearts want, can Sarah and Louisa find their HEA, or will they sacrifice themselves for their families?
The story comes in the third-person POV of Louisa and Sarah.
My Thoughts:
I quite enjoyed The Secret of Matterdale Hall by the author and was looking forward to this latest book. As an #ownvoices author, she effortlessly presents Sapphic romance and interesting main leads.
Louisa and Sarah are different yet similar. They both bear the burden of family responsibilities and finances, even if they choose different methods to handle these. I like how the characters feel real and vulnerable and make some annoying decisions.
The interactions between Louisa and Sarah kind of give P&P vibes (but without the delightful banter). Even the writing style is formal and suits the period. In fact, it fits so well that the already slow-burn romance feels even slower and distant than I prefer. There’s some progress in the last quarter, which I do appreciate. I had to wait too long already!
While the book is supposed to be a historical Sapphic romance, it reads more like a family drama. This makes sense as the core plot revolves around families. However, there’s a lot of drama. I was reminded of daily soaps on the telly more than once. The content becomes quite heavy with almost no humor or lighthearted scenes. The saving grace is the moderate-to-fast pacing.
Of course, the social customs, attitudes, and general conditions of the period come across clearly. These have a dominant role in the plot, making the book seem more believable. Be it the ‘responsibility of a daughter to find a rich husband to save the family business or a weak (and rather spineless) father ignoring realities and being unconcerned for his daughters, every aspect aligns with the setting.
However, this eats into the time required by the main couple to establish a stronger relationship. I wanted them to spend more time together when they aren’t snapping or pushing each other away, et al.
The side characters, Ann and Eleanor, are nice and sweet. I like that the book also has a disability rep. Furthermore, the second half of the book is stronger and more interesting. We have HEA and an epilogue, too.
To summarize, A Lady to Treasure is an engaging historical drama with a super slow-burn Sapphic romance. The writing is classy and nice to read.
My thanks to the author for the electronic ARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
***
TW: Attempted sexual assault (not graphic), implied physical assault, mention of suicide (off-page)
***
This was a buddy read with Rosh as we both enjoyed the author’s previous book (she recommended it to me). Check out her review to know what she has to say!
August 2, 2023
A Lady to Treasure was an interesting read for me, even if it took me a long time to finish. I waffled about in my rating a bit, but the last 10% or so really annoyed me and lowered my rating.
I read a lot of queer historical romances, so this was right up my alley. However, it felt more like historical fiction with a touch of romance than a true genre romance. There was a LOT of detail and background information happening, and paired with a stiffer, more formal writing style made the story feel not very romantic. I also wish the plotline was tightened up a bit, and that we had more page time with the two MCs as a couple. We really only see the build-up to their relationship and nearly none of them actually together.
I'll hide some of the next thoughts in spoiler tags as not to ruin anything, though I won't write any major spoilers.
I enjoyed how different this story was and the interesting twists and turns that these two women's lives took, but, ultimately, this fade-to-black romance just didn't feel like a believable love story to me. The chemistry and page-time just wasn't there, but I appreciated the author's efforts and unique writing style.
*Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
goodreads|instagram|twitter
I read a lot of queer historical romances, so this was right up my alley. However, it felt more like historical fiction with a touch of romance than a true genre romance. There was a LOT of detail and background information happening, and paired with a stiffer, more formal writing style made the story feel not very romantic. I also wish the plotline was tightened up a bit, and that we had more page time with the two MCs as a couple. We really only see the build-up to their relationship and nearly none of them actually together.
I'll hide some of the next thoughts in spoiler tags as not to ruin anything, though I won't write any major spoilers.
I enjoyed how different this story was and the interesting twists and turns that these two women's lives took, but, ultimately, this fade-to-black romance just didn't feel like a believable love story to me. The chemistry and page-time just wasn't there, but I appreciated the author's efforts and unique writing style.
*Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
goodreads|instagram|twitter
October 11, 2023
Lovely!
When Louisa is sent to find a rich husband to inject much needed capital into her family’s business, she meets Sarah. Sarah isn’t like other women, and instantly becomes quite opinionated about Louisa’s reasons for seeking a husband, captivating Louisa in the process.
A fantastic regency feel romance with strong, independent women taking decisions into their own hands and unwilling to back down, even when times get rough. I loved the connection that Sarah and Louisa shared from their first meeting. They were both fiery and determined, which would usually cause a clash but it only strengthened a bond between them that would cement them on a path with no way back. Times were hard for Louisa and on more than one occasion it was Sarah coming to her rescue, but fate played a hand in making sure such admirable acts were repaid.
With this type of story there is always some plotting and scheming, other characters playing a big part in the plot, and Marianne delivered everything I expected. There was that respect to be dutiful, but also that desire to follow passions and take risks, which kept everything exciting. It was easy to get swept away in the romance of it all, just as Louisa did with falling for Sarah, because Sarah had all those admirable qualities, even when she too fell into difficulties or had to deal with more unpleasant characters because of her status.
A great and enjoyable, historic romance, with twists and turns throughout that remind you that all isn’t always as it seems.
When Louisa is sent to find a rich husband to inject much needed capital into her family’s business, she meets Sarah. Sarah isn’t like other women, and instantly becomes quite opinionated about Louisa’s reasons for seeking a husband, captivating Louisa in the process.
A fantastic regency feel romance with strong, independent women taking decisions into their own hands and unwilling to back down, even when times get rough. I loved the connection that Sarah and Louisa shared from their first meeting. They were both fiery and determined, which would usually cause a clash but it only strengthened a bond between them that would cement them on a path with no way back. Times were hard for Louisa and on more than one occasion it was Sarah coming to her rescue, but fate played a hand in making sure such admirable acts were repaid.
With this type of story there is always some plotting and scheming, other characters playing a big part in the plot, and Marianne delivered everything I expected. There was that respect to be dutiful, but also that desire to follow passions and take risks, which kept everything exciting. It was easy to get swept away in the romance of it all, just as Louisa did with falling for Sarah, because Sarah had all those admirable qualities, even when she too fell into difficulties or had to deal with more unpleasant characters because of her status.
A great and enjoyable, historic romance, with twists and turns throughout that remind you that all isn’t always as it seems.
July 24, 2023
A sapphic regency romance, A Lady to Treasure follows Louisa, an American sent to England by her father to find a wealthy husband, and Sarah, an outspoken neighbor of Louisa’s family. I really enjoyed the story. Louisa and Sarah are dynamic and compelling characters, and their slow-building romance is wonderful.
The story takes place in the early 1800s, and I liked how the dialogue, historical references, and imagery enhanced the setting. Characters like Sarah and Louisa, who often ignore societal norms and expectations, further highlight the time period and the many inequities women faced.
Louisa and Sarah are very different from each other, and their personalities definitely clash at times. Both women are layered and interesting characters, and I enjoyed their arcs, individually and as a couple. Louisa grew up without love and is very business-minded, and she’s willing to do anything to help solve her father’s financial woes, even if it means entering into a marriage with a wealthy man she barely knows. Sarah is a proud and unconventional woman who doesn’t shy away from voicing her opinions. Though she has the best intentions, she sometimes seems harsh, and she is well-respected and liked by those who know her. She’s a hard worker who takes on an immense amount of responsibility to get her family’s estate out of debt, but she struggles to let others help her. Both characters grow and change over the course of the novel as they face some difficult situations and have to make hard choices.
As Louisa and Sarah gain a deeper understanding of each other, they start to see that they actually complement each other well, and they have more in common than they originally thought. Both put their wants aside to help their families, both are strong and resourceful, and both are quite intelligent. It was wonderful to see both characters slowly become more open with each other as they grow closer. Plus, they have great chemistry! Whether they are arguing, flirting, or doing anything in between, the chemistry between them is fantastic.
The secondary characters are great too, especially Ann and Eleanor, as is the plot. It took several unexpected turns, and I was surprised at how some things played out. I also love the messages about women’s rights, being true to oneself, and fighting for the people and things you believe in.
Special thanks to Marianne Ratcliffe for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
The story takes place in the early 1800s, and I liked how the dialogue, historical references, and imagery enhanced the setting. Characters like Sarah and Louisa, who often ignore societal norms and expectations, further highlight the time period and the many inequities women faced.
Louisa and Sarah are very different from each other, and their personalities definitely clash at times. Both women are layered and interesting characters, and I enjoyed their arcs, individually and as a couple. Louisa grew up without love and is very business-minded, and she’s willing to do anything to help solve her father’s financial woes, even if it means entering into a marriage with a wealthy man she barely knows. Sarah is a proud and unconventional woman who doesn’t shy away from voicing her opinions. Though she has the best intentions, she sometimes seems harsh, and she is well-respected and liked by those who know her. She’s a hard worker who takes on an immense amount of responsibility to get her family’s estate out of debt, but she struggles to let others help her. Both characters grow and change over the course of the novel as they face some difficult situations and have to make hard choices.
As Louisa and Sarah gain a deeper understanding of each other, they start to see that they actually complement each other well, and they have more in common than they originally thought. Both put their wants aside to help their families, both are strong and resourceful, and both are quite intelligent. It was wonderful to see both characters slowly become more open with each other as they grow closer. Plus, they have great chemistry! Whether they are arguing, flirting, or doing anything in between, the chemistry between them is fantastic.
The secondary characters are great too, especially Ann and Eleanor, as is the plot. It took several unexpected turns, and I was surprised at how some things played out. I also love the messages about women’s rights, being true to oneself, and fighting for the people and things you believe in.
Special thanks to Marianne Ratcliffe for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
October 15, 2023
This story has a lot going for it: victorian setting, typical male treatment of women, finding a suitable partner to save a family fortune, and so much more. Many of the things that you would expect to find in a story set in this timeframe. You will also discover that there is compassion and acceptance.
I really liked Sarah's character. She is a no-nonsense woman and, at 16, has the weight of the family estate on her shoulders. Her father is no help, and her step-brother is squandering any income they derive from the estate. He is sleazy and not to be trusted. His mother, Sarah's stepmother, is not a lot better. She tends to spend money like it is going out of style.
Louisa arrives to find a husband to help bail out her father, but she discovers a friendship and love that transcends family responsibility. I enjoyed the friendships she developed, her smarts in helping Sarah manage her estate, and realizing that life is too short to end up in a dead-end relationship.
While this may be a romance, this didn't happen until near the end of the book. Yes, we see Sarah's interest in Louisa about midway through the book, but there is no action on her part to capture Louisa's heart. I thought this was more of a drama that reflects the times and women's values, or lack thereof, based on the men's thought processes of the time. The book does hold true to the time period, which I appreciated.
I did enjoy the book and the HEA ending. We give it 4 paws up.
I really liked Sarah's character. She is a no-nonsense woman and, at 16, has the weight of the family estate on her shoulders. Her father is no help, and her step-brother is squandering any income they derive from the estate. He is sleazy and not to be trusted. His mother, Sarah's stepmother, is not a lot better. She tends to spend money like it is going out of style.
Louisa arrives to find a husband to help bail out her father, but she discovers a friendship and love that transcends family responsibility. I enjoyed the friendships she developed, her smarts in helping Sarah manage her estate, and realizing that life is too short to end up in a dead-end relationship.
While this may be a romance, this didn't happen until near the end of the book. Yes, we see Sarah's interest in Louisa about midway through the book, but there is no action on her part to capture Louisa's heart. I thought this was more of a drama that reflects the times and women's values, or lack thereof, based on the men's thought processes of the time. The book does hold true to the time period, which I appreciated.
I did enjoy the book and the HEA ending. We give it 4 paws up.
September 21, 2023
A Lady to Treasure is a historical romance that’s set during England’s Regency era, a time in which King George III’s son served as a Regent. George IV’s reign as ruler is marked by significant political changes. It’s also known for its lasting impact on British society and the arts. Writers love the Regency era; it’s been greatly romanticized in poems, books, plays and movies. It’s a category of fiction that likes to put emphasis on dialogue, social conventions and manners. Readers of this genre can be sticklers though when it comes to its nuances. Marianne Ratcliffe, however, can stand tall because she has shown a discerning eye for weaving the elements of Regency romance into her narrative with aptitude and grace. She handily pens love, desire and same-sex relationships into this tale, making it engaging as well as compelling. Furthermore, she challenges gender roles and puts them to work. This is respectable story crafting. Fans of this particular brand of fiction should take note.
Readers will find this novel different but satisfying. Ratcliffe takes a trope that’s popular among sapphic readers and keeps it fresh, tying it together with a unique perspective on the Regency era. It is well scripted and presents readers with an intriguing window to female responsibilities and friendships during the early 1800’s. Furthermore, the attention to detail allows for a deeper understanding of the role and influence women had during this time period. It’s evident that Ratcliffe has done her research, as historical context and impacting events are accurately reflected on the page. Her ability to explore the social norms, customs and challenges faced by these women is alluring and seductive, as is the story world they reside. Readers will easily fall into the pages of A Lady to Treasure.
Since this is a Regency romance, Ratcliffe is guided by its traditional precepts. Therefore, this is a slow-build romance. Furthermore, the steamy moments are implied, not displayed. Ratcliffe employs a “fade to black” technique when things heat up between Sarah and Louisa, taking care to use decorum in the bedroom, so to speak. Make no mistake though, the chemistry between these two women is there. It’s well developed, relatable and engaging. Ratcliffe, by the nature of the genre, appropriately places more emphasis on their emotional connection and courtship, leaving the details of their explicit physical encounters to the imagination. She artfully conveys sexual tension, passion and desire through the use of well-placed literary devices such as description, metaphor and allegory. By implying sex through these techniques, the characters—as well as the readers—are left with a deeper connection to the romance.
Final remarks…
Without a doubt, A Lady to Treasure offers an easy escape into a much romanticized era. The witty banter, stolen glances and forbidden love effectively work to provide a captivating and compelling story. This is a solid piece of fiction. Sapphic Regency era romance lovers will surely delight in it.
Strengths…
Well-written
Engaging storyline
Well-drawn characters
Immersive story world
Attention to historical details
Readers will find this novel different but satisfying. Ratcliffe takes a trope that’s popular among sapphic readers and keeps it fresh, tying it together with a unique perspective on the Regency era. It is well scripted and presents readers with an intriguing window to female responsibilities and friendships during the early 1800’s. Furthermore, the attention to detail allows for a deeper understanding of the role and influence women had during this time period. It’s evident that Ratcliffe has done her research, as historical context and impacting events are accurately reflected on the page. Her ability to explore the social norms, customs and challenges faced by these women is alluring and seductive, as is the story world they reside. Readers will easily fall into the pages of A Lady to Treasure.
Since this is a Regency romance, Ratcliffe is guided by its traditional precepts. Therefore, this is a slow-build romance. Furthermore, the steamy moments are implied, not displayed. Ratcliffe employs a “fade to black” technique when things heat up between Sarah and Louisa, taking care to use decorum in the bedroom, so to speak. Make no mistake though, the chemistry between these two women is there. It’s well developed, relatable and engaging. Ratcliffe, by the nature of the genre, appropriately places more emphasis on their emotional connection and courtship, leaving the details of their explicit physical encounters to the imagination. She artfully conveys sexual tension, passion and desire through the use of well-placed literary devices such as description, metaphor and allegory. By implying sex through these techniques, the characters—as well as the readers—are left with a deeper connection to the romance.
Final remarks…
Without a doubt, A Lady to Treasure offers an easy escape into a much romanticized era. The witty banter, stolen glances and forbidden love effectively work to provide a captivating and compelling story. This is a solid piece of fiction. Sapphic Regency era romance lovers will surely delight in it.
Strengths…
Well-written
Engaging storyline
Well-drawn characters
Immersive story world
Attention to historical details
August 27, 2023
Sapphic Regency romance is fast becoming a favorite genre of mine. There’s something about the setting, the costumes, the mannerisms, the social expectations, and the simplicity of life that I find comforting, and I’ve always been fascinated by history, so I love it when authors use the romance to more deeply explore a particular aspect.
In A Lady to Treasure, Marianne Ratcliffe delves into the worlds of business and finance, exploring how family obligations can place such weight on both personal freedom and professional responsibility. In an era where women were largely prized as marriageable commodities, Louisa and Sarah are both young women reaching far above what politely society feels should be their station. Louisa has been sent off by her father to find an eligible suitor, one with money and connections to rescue the family business, with no consideration given to the fact that she’s better suited to manage than her father. Sarah, meanwhile, is doing her best to avoid the question of marriage as she single-handedly cares for an entire family estate, trying to preserve it against the spending of her stepmother and gambling debts of her stepbrother.
Both young women are headstrong, independent, and determined, and that creates friction between them from the start. They chafe at one another, rub each other the wrong way, but there’s a deep personal respect there – albeit one mixed with professional disapproval. The romance here is slow-burn in every sense, a relationship that must first develop into an awkward friendship before being challenged and thwarted time and time again by . . . well, the ugliness of men. Theirs is neither an easy life nor an easy journey, and you’ll need to be patient to see the romance we sense eventually realized.
Along the way, though, there is a wonderful intersection of family drama and gender roles, one you’ll find yourself emotionally involved in very quickly. There’s a lot of anger and frustration to the story, an underlying sense of unfairness that left me feeling very protective of Louisa and Sarah, but there are some lovely secondary characters in their families who do provide ample moments of warmth and love.
A Lady to Treasure was more slowly paced (and a tad longer) than I expected, and the emphasis feels more like a work of historical fiction featuring a queer romance than a story that is a predominantly historical romance, but it’s captivating, well-written, and emotionally engaging. Worth the read.
https://sallybend.wordpress.com/2023/...
In A Lady to Treasure, Marianne Ratcliffe delves into the worlds of business and finance, exploring how family obligations can place such weight on both personal freedom and professional responsibility. In an era where women were largely prized as marriageable commodities, Louisa and Sarah are both young women reaching far above what politely society feels should be their station. Louisa has been sent off by her father to find an eligible suitor, one with money and connections to rescue the family business, with no consideration given to the fact that she’s better suited to manage than her father. Sarah, meanwhile, is doing her best to avoid the question of marriage as she single-handedly cares for an entire family estate, trying to preserve it against the spending of her stepmother and gambling debts of her stepbrother.
Both young women are headstrong, independent, and determined, and that creates friction between them from the start. They chafe at one another, rub each other the wrong way, but there’s a deep personal respect there – albeit one mixed with professional disapproval. The romance here is slow-burn in every sense, a relationship that must first develop into an awkward friendship before being challenged and thwarted time and time again by . . . well, the ugliness of men. Theirs is neither an easy life nor an easy journey, and you’ll need to be patient to see the romance we sense eventually realized.
Along the way, though, there is a wonderful intersection of family drama and gender roles, one you’ll find yourself emotionally involved in very quickly. There’s a lot of anger and frustration to the story, an underlying sense of unfairness that left me feeling very protective of Louisa and Sarah, but there are some lovely secondary characters in their families who do provide ample moments of warmth and love.
A Lady to Treasure was more slowly paced (and a tad longer) than I expected, and the emphasis feels more like a work of historical fiction featuring a queer romance than a story that is a predominantly historical romance, but it’s captivating, well-written, and emotionally engaging. Worth the read.
https://sallybend.wordpress.com/2023/...
August 5, 2023
TLDR;
- Historical fiction with a slow-burn romance
- If you liked Gentleman Jack, you'll see a lot of influence in this book
- If you like strong, determined, loving, frustrating, gender-non-conforming women, take a read
- I really enjoyable read, the most I've enjoyed a book so far this year! I loved it and already recommending it. ❤️
- - - -
I was really excited when I heard about this book, not least because it was billed to me as having a character influenced by Anne Lister. (And I was not disappointed.)
A Lady to Treasure is set in 1812, amidst the tumult of the War of 1812 and the Napoleonic wars. This is what prompts Louisa's father to send her from New York to England in search of a wealthy husband. They need the cash injection to bolster their own business and investments, before debtors come to collect from Louisa's father.
Louisa herself has a strong head for business, and a cold appreciation of money and profit above everything. Love is an irrational distraction, and causes bad blood. (You can see where this is going.) She goes to live with her cousin Eleanor.
Whilst staying here, she meets Eleanor's lifelong friend, Sarah. The daughter of a viscount and apparent heir to the Kenilborough estate, which she is working tirelessly to restore from debts and driven by a sense of duty.
Sarah and Louisa are both single-minded at the beginning, to the point I would grow irritated at both of them. But not in a way that made them dislikeable or the book unenjoyable. It's a testament to the author to create characters that can be frustrating and human. Especially when you remember these are two teenage women, not conforming to the standards of their gender, and striving to succeed in a man's world. You also must start with the pair of them being so driven and unshakeable to have a journey for them to go on emotionally, it allows peaks and troughs throughout the book. Right up until the last 50 pages!
Ultimately, this does mean that while the characters feeling are clear by the halfway point of the book, you are left with little on-page time with them as a couple. Personally, I didn't have a problem with this. The relationships and their developments felt organic, and I enjoyed the slow-burn style compared to most books I have read recently where the relationships practically start on page 1, leaving you with little context or development. I loved that you could see each of the main characters overcome their single-mindedness, unpick the complexity of their feelings, and weigh it up against other factors like their sense of duty. It also meant when they finally got together, I could have cheered. But it I would agree it's historical fiction foremost, rather than primarily a romance.
I didn't find the writing style particularly stiff, but it is definitely trying to find a voice that's between contemporary fiction and modern historical romance. If you are a fan of Gentleman Jack, you might find the dialogue very similar to the style of the show. Sarah especially, it's evident that Anne Lister has influenced the characterisation and circumstance.
Now, the secondary characters in Ann and Eleanor. Both serve as devices to show the unseen soft side to Sarah in the early chapters, that she too is bound by duty but from love, not just financial. Again for Gentleman Jack fans, Ann feels like Marian Lister, chipping in with pithy remarks or calming storms of her sister's brewing. It felt like her involvement was enough, and nice for her to have a happy ending. Meanwhile, I wish we had more on-page time with Eleanor. She was infinitely likeable and sweet. And like Sarah, she too found romance but we see a lot less than any of the others.
Meanwhile, the Mulcaster boys, particularly sneering Vere. Despite his self-conceit, and limited page time, he is ultimately a foil for Sarah and Louisa. Through Vere and his cold assessment of marriage as a business deal, we as readers - and Louisa and Sarah themselves - get to see the fault in her motivation, and asses how far they are duty-bound.
Meanwhile, Pickering. I understand why we need him, particularly as Sarah's main antagonist. However, I wonder if the depths of his depravity are vital. There are many trials and obstacles throughout this book, from the Debt collector's reoccurrences, to the Mulcasters, Lady Kenilbrough, Pickering... In hindsight it feels a little like throwing everything at them, and can feel break-neck. It means the stakes were continually raised and lowered, and the pacing throughout the book adjusted, but towards the end it began to feel like a mad dash. But, it meant I was gripped to the end!
*I was given an advanced reader copy of the book for an honest review.*
- Historical fiction with a slow-burn romance
- If you liked Gentleman Jack, you'll see a lot of influence in this book
- If you like strong, determined, loving, frustrating, gender-non-conforming women, take a read
- I really enjoyable read, the most I've enjoyed a book so far this year! I loved it and already recommending it. ❤️
- - - -
I was really excited when I heard about this book, not least because it was billed to me as having a character influenced by Anne Lister. (And I was not disappointed.)
A Lady to Treasure is set in 1812, amidst the tumult of the War of 1812 and the Napoleonic wars. This is what prompts Louisa's father to send her from New York to England in search of a wealthy husband. They need the cash injection to bolster their own business and investments, before debtors come to collect from Louisa's father.
Louisa herself has a strong head for business, and a cold appreciation of money and profit above everything. Love is an irrational distraction, and causes bad blood. (You can see where this is going.) She goes to live with her cousin Eleanor.
Whilst staying here, she meets Eleanor's lifelong friend, Sarah. The daughter of a viscount and apparent heir to the Kenilborough estate, which she is working tirelessly to restore from debts and driven by a sense of duty.
Sarah and Louisa are both single-minded at the beginning, to the point I would grow irritated at both of them. But not in a way that made them dislikeable or the book unenjoyable. It's a testament to the author to create characters that can be frustrating and human. Especially when you remember these are two teenage women, not conforming to the standards of their gender, and striving to succeed in a man's world. You also must start with the pair of them being so driven and unshakeable to have a journey for them to go on emotionally, it allows peaks and troughs throughout the book. Right up until the last 50 pages!
Ultimately, this does mean that while the characters feeling are clear by the halfway point of the book, you are left with little on-page time with them as a couple. Personally, I didn't have a problem with this. The relationships and their developments felt organic, and I enjoyed the slow-burn style compared to most books I have read recently where the relationships practically start on page 1, leaving you with little context or development. I loved that you could see each of the main characters overcome their single-mindedness, unpick the complexity of their feelings, and weigh it up against other factors like their sense of duty. It also meant when they finally got together, I could have cheered. But it I would agree it's historical fiction foremost, rather than primarily a romance.
I didn't find the writing style particularly stiff, but it is definitely trying to find a voice that's between contemporary fiction and modern historical romance. If you are a fan of Gentleman Jack, you might find the dialogue very similar to the style of the show. Sarah especially, it's evident that Anne Lister has influenced the characterisation and circumstance.
Now, the secondary characters in Ann and Eleanor. Both serve as devices to show the unseen soft side to Sarah in the early chapters, that she too is bound by duty but from love, not just financial. Again for Gentleman Jack fans, Ann feels like Marian Lister, chipping in with pithy remarks or calming storms of her sister's brewing. It felt like her involvement was enough, and nice for her to have a happy ending. Meanwhile, I wish we had more on-page time with Eleanor. She was infinitely likeable and sweet. And like Sarah, she too found romance but we see a lot less than any of the others.
Meanwhile, the Mulcaster boys, particularly sneering Vere. Despite his self-conceit, and limited page time, he is ultimately a foil for Sarah and Louisa. Through Vere and his cold assessment of marriage as a business deal, we as readers - and Louisa and Sarah themselves - get to see the fault in her motivation, and asses how far they are duty-bound.
Meanwhile, Pickering. I understand why we need him, particularly as Sarah's main antagonist. However, I wonder if the depths of his depravity are vital. There are many trials and obstacles throughout this book, from the Debt collector's reoccurrences, to the Mulcasters, Lady Kenilbrough, Pickering... In hindsight it feels a little like throwing everything at them, and can feel break-neck. It means the stakes were continually raised and lowered, and the pacing throughout the book adjusted, but towards the end it began to feel like a mad dash. But, it meant I was gripped to the end!
*I was given an advanced reader copy of the book for an honest review.*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2023
What I appreciated most about A Lady to Treasure was that we have two intelligent, accomplished, career-driven heroines (or rather, Regency era girlbosses) for the time period. Louisa is an American heiress tasked to find a noble English husband, but she isn't some idealistic romantic; she knows marriage is a contract and she wants someone as shrewd of a businesswoman as her. Then we have Sarah, a stoic tomboy who wears men's trousers and riding breeches. Despite being the daughter, she's basically the one managing their estate because the men in her family are all useless. They are both very direct, very unlike the usual heroines of the time period. It was very refreshing.
This was an ultimate slowburn. Louise and Sarah don't even like each other at the beginning. It's not hate to love per se, more of bad first impressions a la Pride and Prejudice.
I wish I could have loved this but the very distant writing style made it hard for me to get into the heroines' heads. I wish we knew more about their thoughts and feelings along the way. It's well-written; the prose is like a true Classic novel but personally I prefer close POVs. The fact that the pacing was suuper slow didn't help...
Nevertheless, if you're looking for sapphic historical romances then I think you should give this a shot. They are so hard to find.
Thank you to the author Marianne Ratcliffe for approaching me and providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was an ultimate slowburn. Louise and Sarah don't even like each other at the beginning. It's not hate to love per se, more of bad first impressions a la Pride and Prejudice.
I wish I could have loved this but the very distant writing style made it hard for me to get into the heroines' heads. I wish we knew more about their thoughts and feelings along the way. It's well-written; the prose is like a true Classic novel but personally I prefer close POVs. The fact that the pacing was suuper slow didn't help...
Nevertheless, if you're looking for sapphic historical romances then I think you should give this a shot. They are so hard to find.
Thank you to the author Marianne Ratcliffe for approaching me and providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 22, 2023
American heiress seeks merger with ranking British husband no mutual affection required. Louisa Silverton was brought up in the cold world of account books and high finance. Her mind is all facts and figures just like her father who proposes she strengthen the family business holdings by venturing from New York to England to catch a like-minded husband to merge his wealth to theirs and grow it. It is not long before Louisa’s mathematical mind meets the indomitable spirit of Sarah Davenport who is fighting tooth and nail to keep the family estate afloat against the extravagances of her stepmother and stepbrother.
Set during the War of 1812 when a blockade and prowling ships from both British and American navies cause hardships for traders and businesses, this slow-burn tender romance is fraught with external conflicts let alone the personal struggles that make both women go through the push-pull of what is building between them.
I enjoyed Louisa right from the get-go. She is brought up sans any tender emotions or parental caregiving. Her only significance to her father is when her sharp, natural business savvy and head for figures does him well. After being abandoned by her mother who she barely remembers, Louisa is prepared to take a no-nonsense approach to husband hunting like her father requested. Sarah is a shock to her system and because they think so vastly different, misunderstanding plagues their efforts first at friendship and then the consideration of more.
Sarah, too, was a bright and shining character. Due to her father’s vague weakness of character and her self-centered step mom with cunning, malicious stepbrother, Sarah was forced to set aside any possibility for genteel Viscount’s daughter and take the reins of the estate from the corrupt steward and costly drain of her own family. She hardens herself to any softness, puts on breeches to work the estate and ride her horse, take on direct, pointed speech, ignores what people are saying about her, and has no time for the niceties. Pride and stubbornness is all she has when she encounters Louisa who unwittingly gets her back up with her trained, observant businesslike mind for turning a profit.
The romance is there and a strong central element driving the story, but both these women, particularly Sarah, face struggles of various sorts and there is a well-developed surrounding story and cast of family and neighbors that add layers and depth to the book. Marianne Ratliffe showed their flaws as well as their strengths so that I was agonizing whether Louisa and Sarah would ever get things sorted out and stop hurting each other.
The historical setting is well-painted and I enjoyed seeing how the War of 1812 factored into A Lady to Treasure with Louisa being American and the economic situation at the time.
After taking a chance on a new to me author in Marianne Ratliffe, I can happily recommend A Lady to Treasure to others who love slow burn, gently paced sweeter historical romances with an opposites attract Sapphic pairing.
I rec'd an eARC from the author to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at Books of the Heart on Oct 11th.
Set during the War of 1812 when a blockade and prowling ships from both British and American navies cause hardships for traders and businesses, this slow-burn tender romance is fraught with external conflicts let alone the personal struggles that make both women go through the push-pull of what is building between them.
I enjoyed Louisa right from the get-go. She is brought up sans any tender emotions or parental caregiving. Her only significance to her father is when her sharp, natural business savvy and head for figures does him well. After being abandoned by her mother who she barely remembers, Louisa is prepared to take a no-nonsense approach to husband hunting like her father requested. Sarah is a shock to her system and because they think so vastly different, misunderstanding plagues their efforts first at friendship and then the consideration of more.
Sarah, too, was a bright and shining character. Due to her father’s vague weakness of character and her self-centered step mom with cunning, malicious stepbrother, Sarah was forced to set aside any possibility for genteel Viscount’s daughter and take the reins of the estate from the corrupt steward and costly drain of her own family. She hardens herself to any softness, puts on breeches to work the estate and ride her horse, take on direct, pointed speech, ignores what people are saying about her, and has no time for the niceties. Pride and stubbornness is all she has when she encounters Louisa who unwittingly gets her back up with her trained, observant businesslike mind for turning a profit.
The romance is there and a strong central element driving the story, but both these women, particularly Sarah, face struggles of various sorts and there is a well-developed surrounding story and cast of family and neighbors that add layers and depth to the book. Marianne Ratliffe showed their flaws as well as their strengths so that I was agonizing whether Louisa and Sarah would ever get things sorted out and stop hurting each other.
The historical setting is well-painted and I enjoyed seeing how the War of 1812 factored into A Lady to Treasure with Louisa being American and the economic situation at the time.
After taking a chance on a new to me author in Marianne Ratliffe, I can happily recommend A Lady to Treasure to others who love slow burn, gently paced sweeter historical romances with an opposites attract Sapphic pairing.
I rec'd an eARC from the author to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at Books of the Heart on Oct 11th.
July 13, 2023
5⭐️ enjoyment rating
4.5⭐️ overall rating (rounded up because I loved the language)
📖 #CW//attempted rape
A Lady to Treasure by Marianne Ratcliffe
Great historical fiction, accurate and written with language appropriate to the time depicted, and with complex and interesting main characters who change as a result of the slices of their lives we are privileged to observe!
I've been jonesing to read some historical fiction with great female characters. This book really hit the mark for me.
Set primarily in England during the war of 1812 and the Napoleonic wars, it centers around a group of four young women. Louisa is an American who travels to England to find a rich husband in order to inject cash into her father's business ventures to save him from debtor's prison. She has an amazing head for business but is often not paid attention to because she is female. Eleanor is her British cousin whose family hosts Louisa. She is an incredible woman with an irrepressible and generous spirit. Sarah is Eleanor's best friend and apparent heir to her family estate, Kenilborough. The estate is mortgaged and Sarah works tirelessly to repay the debts and restore it. She is constantly driven by duty. Ann is Sarah's beautiful younger sister.
The book follows these four women through several years time. Louisa and Sarah are the main characters we come to know most clearly, but Eleanor and Ann are wonderful side characters who add depth to the way the main characters grow and change.
I loved that the author saw potential in both these main characters, who, because of family circumstances, were rather single minded at the beginning. But through events and self reflection and their interactions with each other, we get to accompany them on their growth journeys. And those journeys are very realistic with each character moving forward and then backtracking or causing angst or failing to express themselves in a way that does not cause hurt.
I loved the use of historical references in this book. Things are described using words of the time. And I loved that the language of the book (at least for me) mirrored the language of books of the time period. I immediately thought of Jane Eyre when I started the book!
I don't want to give away any of the story; suffice it to say both our main characters have much to endure before the book ends. But they are strong women and up to the tasks set before them even as they fail and learn and change. Louisa has been raised without love and needs to learn that loving is a strength. Sarah is far too proud and needs to learn how to rely on others and ask for and accept help.
I really enjoyed this and I hope, if you love historical fiction about kick a$$ women who are stubborn and loving and smart and just won't quit or submit as society demands, you'll give it a read.
I was given an advanced reader copy of the book for an honest review.
4.5⭐️ overall rating (rounded up because I loved the language)
📖 #CW//attempted rape
A Lady to Treasure by Marianne Ratcliffe
Great historical fiction, accurate and written with language appropriate to the time depicted, and with complex and interesting main characters who change as a result of the slices of their lives we are privileged to observe!
I've been jonesing to read some historical fiction with great female characters. This book really hit the mark for me.
Set primarily in England during the war of 1812 and the Napoleonic wars, it centers around a group of four young women. Louisa is an American who travels to England to find a rich husband in order to inject cash into her father's business ventures to save him from debtor's prison. She has an amazing head for business but is often not paid attention to because she is female. Eleanor is her British cousin whose family hosts Louisa. She is an incredible woman with an irrepressible and generous spirit. Sarah is Eleanor's best friend and apparent heir to her family estate, Kenilborough. The estate is mortgaged and Sarah works tirelessly to repay the debts and restore it. She is constantly driven by duty. Ann is Sarah's beautiful younger sister.
The book follows these four women through several years time. Louisa and Sarah are the main characters we come to know most clearly, but Eleanor and Ann are wonderful side characters who add depth to the way the main characters grow and change.
I loved that the author saw potential in both these main characters, who, because of family circumstances, were rather single minded at the beginning. But through events and self reflection and their interactions with each other, we get to accompany them on their growth journeys. And those journeys are very realistic with each character moving forward and then backtracking or causing angst or failing to express themselves in a way that does not cause hurt.
I loved the use of historical references in this book. Things are described using words of the time. And I loved that the language of the book (at least for me) mirrored the language of books of the time period. I immediately thought of Jane Eyre when I started the book!
I don't want to give away any of the story; suffice it to say both our main characters have much to endure before the book ends. But they are strong women and up to the tasks set before them even as they fail and learn and change. Louisa has been raised without love and needs to learn that loving is a strength. Sarah is far too proud and needs to learn how to rely on others and ask for and accept help.
I really enjoyed this and I hope, if you love historical fiction about kick a$$ women who are stubborn and loving and smart and just won't quit or submit as society demands, you'll give it a read.
I was given an advanced reader copy of the book for an honest review.
July 21, 2023
I love both sapphic books and regency romances, so when the author offered me a review copy of this one, I was thrilled to accept!
My biggest concern going into the book was how it was going to handle the relationship in a historic time period. And it does a pretty decent job of splitting the difference. There are vague allusions to "women who live together" throughout the story implying it is known to the characters. And while both women keep their feelings a secret, it's more out of obligation to other responsibilities (i.e. having to marry for money) than fear of harm.
The plot was much more melodramatic than I was anticipating, in a good way. A lot of regency romances tend to slide off my brain for how same-y they can get. And to be sure, there are a lot of standard regency tropes in the book. But there were also a lot of dramatic twists that felt almost more Victorian than Regency. But it made for some nice left turns.
The relationship between the leads was tumultuous and at times I was left wanting to beat some sense into the both of them. But as that was the point, I couldn't fault the writing style for it. I did like how much it sets up not only that they have feelings for each other, but they work together in a very practical way. I also love how Sarah clearly takes on more masc roles, but still comes across as someone raised in the era, rather than an errant time traveler.
The only reason I had to take off a star was for the distant writing style. While the plot had a lot of great twists, a lot of it was told through an bird's-eye lens. Big things would happen off-page and a character would just talk about it later. There are a several moments I would have liked to see play out on the page, rather than being only spoken about after the fact.
All in all, it's a great pick for sapphic romance and regency romance fans alike!
My biggest concern going into the book was how it was going to handle the relationship in a historic time period. And it does a pretty decent job of splitting the difference. There are vague allusions to "women who live together" throughout the story implying it is known to the characters. And while both women keep their feelings a secret, it's more out of obligation to other responsibilities (i.e. having to marry for money) than fear of harm.
The plot was much more melodramatic than I was anticipating, in a good way. A lot of regency romances tend to slide off my brain for how same-y they can get. And to be sure, there are a lot of standard regency tropes in the book. But there were also a lot of dramatic twists that felt almost more Victorian than Regency. But it made for some nice left turns.
The relationship between the leads was tumultuous and at times I was left wanting to beat some sense into the both of them. But as that was the point, I couldn't fault the writing style for it. I did like how much it sets up not only that they have feelings for each other, but they work together in a very practical way. I also love how Sarah clearly takes on more masc roles, but still comes across as someone raised in the era, rather than an errant time traveler.
The only reason I had to take off a star was for the distant writing style. While the plot had a lot of great twists, a lot of it was told through an bird's-eye lens. Big things would happen off-page and a character would just talk about it later. There are a several moments I would have liked to see play out on the page, rather than being only spoken about after the fact.
All in all, it's a great pick for sapphic romance and regency romance fans alike!
October 19, 2023
"As a child, she'd been nurtured not by love, but by numbers."
Louisa's viewpoint of the world has been one of practicality and reason. Growing up with an abacus as a "child's toy" really helped to cement her outlook, not to mention the way her father approached things as well. Only trouble strikes her father's business and Louisa has to secure a rich husband and fast!
But when our no-nonsense girl goes to England, she runs into a very independent and headstrong woman that chips away at her ideals. Maybe she was a little narrowminded and there's more to life than just numbers and profits? But this is the nineteenth century and being gay is highly frowned upon or worse! That's not how this attraction would be classified, right?
"I trust that you will not let foolish notions of romance interfere with making a profitable transaction?"
Louisa believes she has everything figured out and if she sticks to her plan, it will all go smoothly. But even well thought out plans can go astray. I enjoyed watching Louisa's arc play out as she discovered the world away from her home and father. Trying to honor her duty to her father but also stepping out of her comfort zones.
Sarah's different from other women around the town. Having to grow up fast she has no time for romance or marriage as she tries to save her family from debt. Sarah's stepfamily not doing anything to help alleviate the burden of it all! The young woman had to take on a lot of responsibilities, even if she didn't want to. Upon meeting Louisa, Sarah finds herself slowly being pulled into the beautiful woman's orbit.
"Rationality and love are poor bedfellows." - Anne
I loved the banter between the two women and how they didn't always get along. Misunderstandings galore and lack of communication! Slow burn fools to lovers for sure that will have you shaking your head. Not to mention this book being set back in the days when being gay was unheard of, really places obstacles up for the two women.
I adored the historical accuracy of it all but also felt outrage on behalf of the FMCs. We have so much freedom now compared to the times when you had to hide your affections. Walking on eggshells even around those in your home for fear that you would be turned in! But thank goodness for roommates and no one seeming to find that odd enough to go digging into. I felt sad for the women in a couple of scenes as well, but I promise this book has a very HEA!
The characters in this read were amazing and I was so happy how things ended. We also have a disability rep with one of the side characters and unfortunately how society looks down on them. Writing them off and not declaring them worthy enough to marry off for riches and titles. But the character is an amazing one and focused on the positive side of being able to have the freedom to marry for love! There's a side character who is injured and becomes disabled, giving us insight into the stigma surrounding people with disabilities even more.
This book doesn't contain any language and is a closed-door romance. The most we see on page is kissing and implications that more took place. There is some violence and brief bloodshed, but nothing detailed out. I was happy to have dual POVs (both are third person), so we get to see how each woman's story progressed since both are struggling with their own situations.
A character is physically abused by someone, and we get an understanding of what happened but no up-close play by play of what goes down. And unfortunately, much like current affairs, coming right out and stating someone is abusing you is difficult or ignored. There is also a brief attempt of SA but was swiftly stopped. Mention of suicide and deaths along with grieving and depression.
For me I felt like leading up to the conclusion of the main storylines was a little slow. This is just my personal opinion; you may find absolutely nothing wrong with it! But I wanted a little less detail and more chase to the end and seeing if everyone gets a HEA or if I'd be sobbing because some of my favorite characters didn't.
Nevertheless, this was a great historical romance that had me captivated by the writing, the dialogue, and the times. Nothing threw me out of the narrative, and I got "Bridgerton" vibes and a little bit of "Pride and Prejudice". Both women being headstrong and stubborn as can be! Not wanting to ask for help or rely on others, but sometimes you need that.
Enjoy this lovely read and don't forget to give the author some stars!
shutupandbookup.com
Louisa's viewpoint of the world has been one of practicality and reason. Growing up with an abacus as a "child's toy" really helped to cement her outlook, not to mention the way her father approached things as well. Only trouble strikes her father's business and Louisa has to secure a rich husband and fast!
But when our no-nonsense girl goes to England, she runs into a very independent and headstrong woman that chips away at her ideals. Maybe she was a little narrowminded and there's more to life than just numbers and profits? But this is the nineteenth century and being gay is highly frowned upon or worse! That's not how this attraction would be classified, right?
"I trust that you will not let foolish notions of romance interfere with making a profitable transaction?"
Louisa believes she has everything figured out and if she sticks to her plan, it will all go smoothly. But even well thought out plans can go astray. I enjoyed watching Louisa's arc play out as she discovered the world away from her home and father. Trying to honor her duty to her father but also stepping out of her comfort zones.
Sarah's different from other women around the town. Having to grow up fast she has no time for romance or marriage as she tries to save her family from debt. Sarah's stepfamily not doing anything to help alleviate the burden of it all! The young woman had to take on a lot of responsibilities, even if she didn't want to. Upon meeting Louisa, Sarah finds herself slowly being pulled into the beautiful woman's orbit.
"Rationality and love are poor bedfellows." - Anne
I loved the banter between the two women and how they didn't always get along. Misunderstandings galore and lack of communication! Slow burn fools to lovers for sure that will have you shaking your head. Not to mention this book being set back in the days when being gay was unheard of, really places obstacles up for the two women.
I adored the historical accuracy of it all but also felt outrage on behalf of the FMCs. We have so much freedom now compared to the times when you had to hide your affections. Walking on eggshells even around those in your home for fear that you would be turned in! But thank goodness for roommates and no one seeming to find that odd enough to go digging into. I felt sad for the women in a couple of scenes as well, but I promise this book has a very HEA!
The characters in this read were amazing and I was so happy how things ended. We also have a disability rep with one of the side characters and unfortunately how society looks down on them. Writing them off and not declaring them worthy enough to marry off for riches and titles. But the character is an amazing one and focused on the positive side of being able to have the freedom to marry for love! There's a side character who is injured and becomes disabled, giving us insight into the stigma surrounding people with disabilities even more.
This book doesn't contain any language and is a closed-door romance. The most we see on page is kissing and implications that more took place. There is some violence and brief bloodshed, but nothing detailed out. I was happy to have dual POVs (both are third person), so we get to see how each woman's story progressed since both are struggling with their own situations.
A character is physically abused by someone, and we get an understanding of what happened but no up-close play by play of what goes down. And unfortunately, much like current affairs, coming right out and stating someone is abusing you is difficult or ignored. There is also a brief attempt of SA but was swiftly stopped. Mention of suicide and deaths along with grieving and depression.
For me I felt like leading up to the conclusion of the main storylines was a little slow. This is just my personal opinion; you may find absolutely nothing wrong with it! But I wanted a little less detail and more chase to the end and seeing if everyone gets a HEA or if I'd be sobbing because some of my favorite characters didn't.
Nevertheless, this was a great historical romance that had me captivated by the writing, the dialogue, and the times. Nothing threw me out of the narrative, and I got "Bridgerton" vibes and a little bit of "Pride and Prejudice". Both women being headstrong and stubborn as can be! Not wanting to ask for help or rely on others, but sometimes you need that.
Enjoy this lovely read and don't forget to give the author some stars!
shutupandbookup.com
August 28, 2023
Thanks to Marianne for sending me an advanced copy of her new book in return for an honest review.
Marianne kindly gifted me her first book, The Secret of Matterdale Hall, and I really enjoyed that one, so was thrilled when she sent me a copy of her new book.
Once again, Marianne has created a story full of strong-willed women living in a time when they would have been encouraged to lie low and be subservient. I love that the main protagonists are all women. From different backgrounds, with different ailments, different finances, different likes and dislikes and wants and dreams. But the thing they all have in common is that they all love each other, and that is stronger than anything that could push them apart. They stand up for themselves and they help each other. They don't bow down to female and societal pressures of the time which is refreshing to read.
This is set roughly 200 years ago, and it's fascinating to read about how they lived. I know it's fiction and shouldn't be taken as factual, but it reads so real, you can really read Marianne's passion for the time, and there are times I wonder what it would have been like to be a woman in those times.
Marianne has given us a plethora of very interesting characters, some nice, some not. She's given enough time to everyone, regardless of their billing, with the same thought gone into the main protagonist as to the background characters, they all have a part to play.
I love Marianne's exploration into sexuality, love and marriage. At a time where relationships were often carried out due to expectation, duty or money - which we do see in this book - she also explores the wants and desires that the heart have, at a time where many women were meant to marry someone who would prosper their financial or social situation.
It isn't a book heavy on plot. There is plot, obviously, but it's a genteel plot. More emphasis is given on the characters and their development throughout the book, which I for one am glad of. I love really juicy characters, and can often do away with a complex plot.
Obviously, whether self-published, indie published, or traditionally published, doesn't count for your talent as an author. She may not be published by one of the big mainstream publishers, but in my opinion, Marianne writes and creates characters as well as some of the more well-known authors, and I feel her books should be put as equal to other famous historical dramas, as they are equally as scrumptious.
Her stories are interesting, endearing, entertaining, humorous, shocking, and fascinating. The pacing is perfect, never feeling too slow or too rushed. I don't know how people spoke in those days but the dialogue feels natural and not stilted. The research she must have done to authentically describe the clothing and furnishings etc at that time is impressive.
I'm so glad that Marianne sought me out and trusted me with her book. They have really been quite fabulous and I sure hope there is more to come.
Marianne kindly gifted me her first book, The Secret of Matterdale Hall, and I really enjoyed that one, so was thrilled when she sent me a copy of her new book.
Once again, Marianne has created a story full of strong-willed women living in a time when they would have been encouraged to lie low and be subservient. I love that the main protagonists are all women. From different backgrounds, with different ailments, different finances, different likes and dislikes and wants and dreams. But the thing they all have in common is that they all love each other, and that is stronger than anything that could push them apart. They stand up for themselves and they help each other. They don't bow down to female and societal pressures of the time which is refreshing to read.
This is set roughly 200 years ago, and it's fascinating to read about how they lived. I know it's fiction and shouldn't be taken as factual, but it reads so real, you can really read Marianne's passion for the time, and there are times I wonder what it would have been like to be a woman in those times.
Marianne has given us a plethora of very interesting characters, some nice, some not. She's given enough time to everyone, regardless of their billing, with the same thought gone into the main protagonist as to the background characters, they all have a part to play.
I love Marianne's exploration into sexuality, love and marriage. At a time where relationships were often carried out due to expectation, duty or money - which we do see in this book - she also explores the wants and desires that the heart have, at a time where many women were meant to marry someone who would prosper their financial or social situation.
It isn't a book heavy on plot. There is plot, obviously, but it's a genteel plot. More emphasis is given on the characters and their development throughout the book, which I for one am glad of. I love really juicy characters, and can often do away with a complex plot.
Obviously, whether self-published, indie published, or traditionally published, doesn't count for your talent as an author. She may not be published by one of the big mainstream publishers, but in my opinion, Marianne writes and creates characters as well as some of the more well-known authors, and I feel her books should be put as equal to other famous historical dramas, as they are equally as scrumptious.
Her stories are interesting, endearing, entertaining, humorous, shocking, and fascinating. The pacing is perfect, never feeling too slow or too rushed. I don't know how people spoke in those days but the dialogue feels natural and not stilted. The research she must have done to authentically describe the clothing and furnishings etc at that time is impressive.
I'm so glad that Marianne sought me out and trusted me with her book. They have really been quite fabulous and I sure hope there is more to come.
October 2, 2023
I seldom read historical romances, but I find myself beginning to make an exception for the stories that Marianne Ratcliffe writes.
A Lady to Treasure is an old-school romance set in the 1800s; the author does an excellent job of both keeping the story within its period and creating an engaging, enjoyable and in some respects modern read.
I liked that in the main characters, Louisa Silverton and Sarah Davenport we find two strong but different women both ahead of their time. Louisa is skilled in financial matters and apt at turning a profit, but every which way she turns her gender proves a stumbling block in her attempts to be heard. Sarah on the other hand, despite valiantly struggling to keep the family estate of Kenilborough afloat is drowning in debt in no small part to her spineless male familial counterparts. But she'd rather sell her soul than do wrong to those who depend upon her just to achieve financial prosperity.
Louisa journeys to England in search of a suitable investor aka a husband to help solve her family's growing troubles. Little does she realise what awaits her in the form of the stubborn yet spirited tomboy-esque Sarah Davenport. Nor can she possibly envisage the difficult decisions that both must make between duty and love.
I found the writing style of the author lends itself to keeping the tone of this story in the 1800s, it's slightly more formal but it works. There's an argument to say that the story falls more towards historical, than romance in overall content. Readers are treated to more of the build-up of Louisa and Sarah's relationship than of their being together. But it is worth bearing in mind that this in part could be perceived as reflective of the period i.e. how uncommon a same-sex relationship would be, the tradition of 'courting' someone, rather than jumping into bed for example.
Whilst A Lady to Treasure might be a little light on the romance for some, I found myself enjoying the story overall. It's an excellent example of the inequality that strong, intelligent women such as Louisa and Sarah would have come across, and I found the glimpse into aristocracy to be fascinating on so many levels. The story really gives you a feel for how out on a limb the likes of Louisa and Sarah would have felt by trying to stay true to themselves and bucking the trends of expected societal behaviours. Especially at a time when they would have both been expected to marry for money and family obligations rather than 'true love'.
This is an extremely slow-burn read on the romance side, but one which is well written and does justice to its respective period. Ultimately a story that I imagine most readers will find interesting and engaging for a variety of reasons.
I received an arc of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
A Lady to Treasure is an old-school romance set in the 1800s; the author does an excellent job of both keeping the story within its period and creating an engaging, enjoyable and in some respects modern read.
I liked that in the main characters, Louisa Silverton and Sarah Davenport we find two strong but different women both ahead of their time. Louisa is skilled in financial matters and apt at turning a profit, but every which way she turns her gender proves a stumbling block in her attempts to be heard. Sarah on the other hand, despite valiantly struggling to keep the family estate of Kenilborough afloat is drowning in debt in no small part to her spineless male familial counterparts. But she'd rather sell her soul than do wrong to those who depend upon her just to achieve financial prosperity.
Louisa journeys to England in search of a suitable investor aka a husband to help solve her family's growing troubles. Little does she realise what awaits her in the form of the stubborn yet spirited tomboy-esque Sarah Davenport. Nor can she possibly envisage the difficult decisions that both must make between duty and love.
I found the writing style of the author lends itself to keeping the tone of this story in the 1800s, it's slightly more formal but it works. There's an argument to say that the story falls more towards historical, than romance in overall content. Readers are treated to more of the build-up of Louisa and Sarah's relationship than of their being together. But it is worth bearing in mind that this in part could be perceived as reflective of the period i.e. how uncommon a same-sex relationship would be, the tradition of 'courting' someone, rather than jumping into bed for example.
Whilst A Lady to Treasure might be a little light on the romance for some, I found myself enjoying the story overall. It's an excellent example of the inequality that strong, intelligent women such as Louisa and Sarah would have come across, and I found the glimpse into aristocracy to be fascinating on so many levels. The story really gives you a feel for how out on a limb the likes of Louisa and Sarah would have felt by trying to stay true to themselves and bucking the trends of expected societal behaviours. Especially at a time when they would have both been expected to marry for money and family obligations rather than 'true love'.
This is an extremely slow-burn read on the romance side, but one which is well written and does justice to its respective period. Ultimately a story that I imagine most readers will find interesting and engaging for a variety of reasons.
I received an arc of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
October 17, 2023
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is, I think, the first I've read of this author, and I really enjoyed it.
I'm not afraid to say I like my books on the steamier and smexier side, you know I'm not but what I liked the most about this was the fact that there is NO smexy stuff!
Oh, don't get me wrong, there is love and passion and emotions all over the place but it's very much a fade to black book, and I liked that it was.
Louisa is in a tricky spot, having been sent by her father to secure a husband in England with enough money to save his business. Sarah is just trying to keep a head above herself; her sister; her father and stepmother and the waste of space that is her stepbrother.
Several marriage offers later, and a terrible attack on Louisa and the ladies realise that they need each other. But Sarah has been alone for so long and accepting the help and love that Louisa offers is hard and she pushes her away, often. Tragedy strikes and Sarah knows to where he must go for help.
I think the thing I struggled the most with, was how long this book is. There is a huge amount of back story, that seemed to drag on. Back stories are great, but I found myself skipping huge chunks. I didn't feel I missed anything by doing so, so maybe they didn't need to be there.
I loved the supporting cast. Eleanor especially, was a joy, even if she was shunned by most of "polite society" in those days.
I didn't feel anything from either woman about what might happen if they let themselves love on each other, you know? Neither were bothered by their feelings and what might happen. Found that a bit odd, given the time they lived in. The romance element sort of popped up too, there didn't seem to be any build up!
But all in all, a nice read, with some drama and some passion; some love and some danger.
4 stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is, I think, the first I've read of this author, and I really enjoyed it.
I'm not afraid to say I like my books on the steamier and smexier side, you know I'm not but what I liked the most about this was the fact that there is NO smexy stuff!
Oh, don't get me wrong, there is love and passion and emotions all over the place but it's very much a fade to black book, and I liked that it was.
Louisa is in a tricky spot, having been sent by her father to secure a husband in England with enough money to save his business. Sarah is just trying to keep a head above herself; her sister; her father and stepmother and the waste of space that is her stepbrother.
Several marriage offers later, and a terrible attack on Louisa and the ladies realise that they need each other. But Sarah has been alone for so long and accepting the help and love that Louisa offers is hard and she pushes her away, often. Tragedy strikes and Sarah knows to where he must go for help.
I think the thing I struggled the most with, was how long this book is. There is a huge amount of back story, that seemed to drag on. Back stories are great, but I found myself skipping huge chunks. I didn't feel I missed anything by doing so, so maybe they didn't need to be there.
I loved the supporting cast. Eleanor especially, was a joy, even if she was shunned by most of "polite society" in those days.
I didn't feel anything from either woman about what might happen if they let themselves love on each other, you know? Neither were bothered by their feelings and what might happen. Found that a bit odd, given the time they lived in. The romance element sort of popped up too, there didn't seem to be any build up!
But all in all, a nice read, with some drama and some passion; some love and some danger.
4 stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
October 15, 2023
"A Lady to Treasure" is a historical drama set in the Regency era. As family fortunes dwindle, it is up to the women to secure rich husbands and save them from bankruptcy. Louisa and Sarah must marry or find alternative means to pay their debts and secure their family estates and assets. Their budding friendship leads to a slow-burn romance as they manage their way through society and suitors while dealing with money lenders and scheming men.
There are plenty of side characters and drama to keep the story flowing and entertaining. Sarah has a lot to handle within her own family, and she doesn't have it easy.
I like how Louisa and Sarah are both so independent and determined. Louisa has a good business head, and I particularly like the scene where she gets the upper hand in helping Sarah negotiate better terms for a business venture on her land.
The women don't always see eye to eye, and both end up trying to solve their problems on their own and far away from each other. Louisa has her father in America to help, and Sarah has a family estate to save. She also has a scheming stepbrother who is despicable enough to manipulate her father and take everything away from her. I love how her loyal staff and tenants rally around her.
When Sarah and Louisa reconnect, the story concludes in a lovely and sweet way.
There are plenty of side characters and drama to keep the story flowing and entertaining. Sarah has a lot to handle within her own family, and she doesn't have it easy.
I like how Louisa and Sarah are both so independent and determined. Louisa has a good business head, and I particularly like the scene where she gets the upper hand in helping Sarah negotiate better terms for a business venture on her land.
The women don't always see eye to eye, and both end up trying to solve their problems on their own and far away from each other. Louisa has her father in America to help, and Sarah has a family estate to save. She also has a scheming stepbrother who is despicable enough to manipulate her father and take everything away from her. I love how her loyal staff and tenants rally around her.
When Sarah and Louisa reconnect, the story concludes in a lovely and sweet way.
October 15, 2023
I was sent this book in exchange for a honest review, thank you Marianne for sending me your lovely book. I liked this book the time period is my favourite and it is very similar to Pride and Prejudice (minus the banter and the growing romance).
One thing I loved the most about this book was the representation, our FMC Louisa and Sarah have growing affections for each other which continue to bloom very slowly through the book. Both families of our leading ladies accept them for who they are (as we all should). We also have disabled representation with Louisa's cousin Eleanor, who has a mild disability with her spine curvature.
The world building is lovely, character growth for me could have been a bit quicker as well as the romance that increases between Louisa and Sarah. There are some maturer content later on in the book but Marianne has us all covered with a warning before we even begin the story which I always find really helpful. The second half for me was a lot more interesting than the first but I did find that it picked up the pace which made this book an excellent read.
Thank you again Marianne for sending me a copy of your book.
One thing I loved the most about this book was the representation, our FMC Louisa and Sarah have growing affections for each other which continue to bloom very slowly through the book. Both families of our leading ladies accept them for who they are (as we all should). We also have disabled representation with Louisa's cousin Eleanor, who has a mild disability with her spine curvature.
The world building is lovely, character growth for me could have been a bit quicker as well as the romance that increases between Louisa and Sarah. There are some maturer content later on in the book but Marianne has us all covered with a warning before we even begin the story which I always find really helpful. The second half for me was a lot more interesting than the first but I did find that it picked up the pace which made this book an excellent read.
Thank you again Marianne for sending me a copy of your book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2024
This is a delightful Regency-style romance in which sapphic love suffers its trials and tribulations but eventually triumphs. The writing is spot on in capturing the style of writers such as Jane Austen. It doesn’t have Austen’s biting wit, but being compared at all to very possibly England’s greatest writer is a huge compliment.
It was only after I read this that I discovered one of the MC’s was inspired by Anne Lister. The author obviously did a good job as I kept picturing Sarah striding across her stately manor in her greatcoat as exactly like Suranne Jones in ‘Gentleman Jack’! American Louisa however is a much stronger character than Miss Lister’s real life partner, Ann Walker is depicted. The two MC’s absolutely complement each other and become a formidable pair. No explicit sex but that suited the style. And in a similar style I conclude that the whole affair was very pleasing!
It was only after I read this that I discovered one of the MC’s was inspired by Anne Lister. The author obviously did a good job as I kept picturing Sarah striding across her stately manor in her greatcoat as exactly like Suranne Jones in ‘Gentleman Jack’! American Louisa however is a much stronger character than Miss Lister’s real life partner, Ann Walker is depicted. The two MC’s absolutely complement each other and become a formidable pair. No explicit sex but that suited the style. And in a similar style I conclude that the whole affair was very pleasing!
July 9, 2023
In 1812, Louisa's father sends her to England from their home in NYC to seek out a wealthy man for marriage so that his fortune can save Louisa's father's business. Living in the English countryside with her aunt, uncle and cousin, Louisa meets Sarah, the daughter of a neighboring family that has fallen on hard times. Initially put off by Sarah's direct manner, Louisa and Sarah become friends with a push-pull aspect to their relationship, especially as Sarah realizes her true feelings.
Lots of back and forth in the plot, but overall well done. The book kept my interest though I wasn't as highly engaged as I would be with a 5 star book. So I'm going with a 4.
Lots of back and forth in the plot, but overall well done. The book kept my interest though I wasn't as highly engaged as I would be with a 5 star book. So I'm going with a 4.
October 9, 2023
If you love Austen novels but wish that they were a little more sapphic, well here is your perfect book.
Great regency setting and it hits on all of those goodies you love from the genre, the balls, the invites, the dresses, the carriages.
With the main characters, Sarah and Louisa, we have two strong, well rounded and confident characters, and how refreshing they both are. It’s such a great thing to see both women have agency of their own and use it to create the lives they want.
I also really enjoyed the side characters too, they were all well rounded and had a lot of things going on, but they never felt as if they detracted from the two central characters, they more enhanced the central characters.
The romance is a very slow burn, much in the tradition of the classic Regency’s and it’s a tender and gentle relationship which grows as the book progresses.
It’s clear that Marianne not only loves but also respects Regency romances and her book is a beautiful and welcome addition to the genre.
September 30, 2023
A good read, and one in which I really enjoyed with the choice of historical time period which is not widely used in fiction.
More character focussed than plot, and I liked the direction this took. A strong female lead core which was appreciated and felt like a strong feminist edge.
The historical detail in this makes it a fully immersive read too.
Good all round read.
More character focussed than plot, and I liked the direction this took. A strong female lead core which was appreciated and felt like a strong feminist edge.
The historical detail in this makes it a fully immersive read too.
Good all round read.
February 23, 2024
A Period Romance
Louisa arrived in London in search of a rich husband to merge her father’s business to his fortune. When she and Sarah meet they are each feeling emotions not openly express able. Sarah is dedicated to her father and their estate and often offends without meaning to. Durning the Napoleonic Wars they must fight for their homes and hearts. A great story.
Louisa arrived in London in search of a rich husband to merge her father’s business to his fortune. When she and Sarah meet they are each feeling emotions not openly express able. Sarah is dedicated to her father and their estate and often offends without meaning to. Durning the Napoleonic Wars they must fight for their homes and hearts. A great story.
November 10, 2023
The book was presented to me as historical fiction so wasn't looking for all of the romance tropes. I found it to be a very enjoyable story with compelling characters. I would read more from this author.
December 13, 2023
A shear delight. Some faint echoes of Pride and Prejudice but not a straight rehashing of the same story line. Some truly villainous villains, delectable fully formed heroines, and a satisfying happy ending.
February 14, 2024
I loved this delightfully quirky sapphic Regency romance, A Lady to Treasure by Marianne Ratcliffe. It’s fun, fast-paced and irresistibly romantic. Fans of Lex Croucher or Cat Sebastian will adore it.
November 21, 2023
If you love pigheaded, independent, capable ladies trying to run estates, get out of debt, and secure funding for business ventures, you'll enjoy this.
April 10, 2024
A lovely slow-burn romance with characters you want to shake so they can see they're being stubborn and hug because they're being so damn vulnerable.
December 22, 2025
beautifully written
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