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The Confessions of Henrietta Lightfoot #2
The French Lesson
1789: Henrietta Lightfoot, a young Englishwoman, trips on her silk gown as she runs for her life along the bloodstained streets of revolutionary Paris. She finds refuge in the opulent home of Grace Dalyrmple Elliott, the city’s most celebrated courtesan. But heads are rolling, neighbours fear neighbours, and masters whisper before servants. As the sound of the guillotine echoes outside, within the gilded salons of high society Henrietta becomes a pawn in a vicious game of female power. How will she survive in a world where no one can be trusted?
366 pages, Hardcover
First published April 21, 2016
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1081 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
April 3, 2016
This novel follows, “The Confessions of Henrietta Lightfoot,” and re-counts our heroines time in Paris during the revolution. Like the first novel, it takes the form of a written account – this time to the Right Honourable Marguerite, Countess of Blessington, who suggests she writes down how she first met Grace Dalrymple Elliot in return for an annuity. Henrietta puts ink to paper in 1837, looking back on her youth and all the romance and danger she experienced at that time.
Like the first book, this is a fun, historical romp – full of excitement and tragedy. When we met Henrietta at the end of the first novel, she had met up with her lover, George William Allenham, 4th Baron of Herberton. Reunited, she is at first happy living as his mistress. Aware that he cannot afford to marry her, she is content to be considered Lady Allenham by him; if not by society. However, when he is called to Paris, he urges her to go to London. Paris has exploded in violence, the Royal Family are imprisoned and Henrietta is concerned. Never one to do what she is told, she heads off in pursuit of Allenham and into danger.
On the way, Henrietta meets Andrew Savill, who does not turn out to be the rescuer she first imagines. Before long, she finds herself indebted to Mrs Elliot, a woman of the demi-monde and a former intimate of her mother, Kitty Kennedy. Although not keen to be involved in that type of life again, Henrietta must again rely on her charms to survive, while she searches for Allenham. A really enjoyable historical novel, but, if you have not yet read, “The Confessions of Henrietta Lightfoot,” I suggest you begin with that before reading this book, as they should really be read in order. Lastly, I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.
Like the first book, this is a fun, historical romp – full of excitement and tragedy. When we met Henrietta at the end of the first novel, she had met up with her lover, George William Allenham, 4th Baron of Herberton. Reunited, she is at first happy living as his mistress. Aware that he cannot afford to marry her, she is content to be considered Lady Allenham by him; if not by society. However, when he is called to Paris, he urges her to go to London. Paris has exploded in violence, the Royal Family are imprisoned and Henrietta is concerned. Never one to do what she is told, she heads off in pursuit of Allenham and into danger.
On the way, Henrietta meets Andrew Savill, who does not turn out to be the rescuer she first imagines. Before long, she finds herself indebted to Mrs Elliot, a woman of the demi-monde and a former intimate of her mother, Kitty Kennedy. Although not keen to be involved in that type of life again, Henrietta must again rely on her charms to survive, while she searches for Allenham. A really enjoyable historical novel, but, if you have not yet read, “The Confessions of Henrietta Lightfoot,” I suggest you begin with that before reading this book, as they should really be read in order. Lastly, I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.
May 26, 2016
Hallie Rubenhold’s The French Lesson is book two in The Confessions of Henrietta Lightfoot. I’d intended to start here, but there seemed to be a conspiracy by the universe to make me read book one too. I really loved Mistress of My Fate and was happy that I could immediately dive into the next book. The French Lesson picks up where Mistress of My Fate ended, with Henrietta searching for Allenham, this time following him to Paris.
The French Lesson is set during the fever pitch of the French Revolution. It starts in 1792 and ends in 1793. Henrietta is witness to the September Massacres and the executions of much of the French aristocracy up to and including its king and queen. I found it fascinating to learn more of about this period as my knowledge of it was fairly superficial. I knew about Quatorze Julliet, the storming of the Bastille, Robespierre and the Reign of Terror, the guillotining of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette. But I was more familiar with what came after: the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. Mostly because I was fascinated with his wife Joséphine’s story when I was a teen, but also due to the fact that The Netherlands where occupied by the French during Napoleon’s reign. As such learning a bit more about the Reign of Terror was very interesting.
Henrietta’s second volume is a grander story in comparison to Mistress of My Fate, which was very much Henrietta’s origin tale. The French Lesson is still centred on Henrietta and her adventures, but she is caught up in far more sweeping events that affect more than just her direct surroundings. This does cause the novel to lose the aspect that so charmed me in the first one, where it felt far more like a contemporary story instead of a historical novel. The inclusion of more well-known historical events and characters also creates an expectation of what is to come and leaves less leeway for the author to surprise the reader.
Despite the grand personages Henrietta finds herself amongst, as characters in the narrative they remain human and we see their intimate side. I love Hetty’s attachment to Grace Elliot and her coming to see her as a surrogate mother. Similarly the friendship she forms with La Buffon is a positive echo of her relationship with her half-sister Catherine. They are surrogates for all that she has lost and longed for all her life. The way she ends up in-between these two women and torn between her loyalty for both was well-portrayed and heart-breaking. I also liked the way Rubenhold portrayed the Duc d’Orléans. He’s such a larger-than-life character, who never intended to become political, but is forced into it and has to support people and decisions he can’t stomach, but can’t afford to not back. But he is also a man who wants to do right by those he cares for and he genuinely loved his La Buffon.
Rubenhold pulls Hetty’s search for love, family, and affection from the first book into the second and uses her feelings of loneliness and isolation in combination with her naivety to make her too trusting of others’ good intent. Her character sees tremendous growth though, because the Henrietta we bid goodbye at the end of the novel is a far cry from the Hetty we reunite with at the start. Despite becoming a “fallen woman” in Mistress of My Fate, Henrietta only loses her innocence on the bloody streets of Paris amidst revolution, conspiracy and betrayal. The French lesson Hetty learns is a harsh one indeed. There are also tantalising hints as to some more darker deeds on her part in the future, which make me intensely curious to read the final part of this trilogy.
The French Lesson can be read on its own and deliver a satisfying narrative, though I’m glad that the universe conspired to have me read Mistress of My Fate too. However, its ending is somewhere between a full stop and a comma; it is an ending, but feels as if it is far from the ending of Henrietta’s story. Rubenhold delivers a tale of politics, terror, love, and above all of a young woman trying to survive in a world that isn’t predisposed to treat her kindly. I was hooked from Henrietta’s foreword and dedication until her afterword and I can’t wait to read the rest of her Confessions.
This book was provided for review by the publisher.
The French Lesson is set during the fever pitch of the French Revolution. It starts in 1792 and ends in 1793. Henrietta is witness to the September Massacres and the executions of much of the French aristocracy up to and including its king and queen. I found it fascinating to learn more of about this period as my knowledge of it was fairly superficial. I knew about Quatorze Julliet, the storming of the Bastille, Robespierre and the Reign of Terror, the guillotining of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette. But I was more familiar with what came after: the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. Mostly because I was fascinated with his wife Joséphine’s story when I was a teen, but also due to the fact that The Netherlands where occupied by the French during Napoleon’s reign. As such learning a bit more about the Reign of Terror was very interesting.
Henrietta’s second volume is a grander story in comparison to Mistress of My Fate, which was very much Henrietta’s origin tale. The French Lesson is still centred on Henrietta and her adventures, but she is caught up in far more sweeping events that affect more than just her direct surroundings. This does cause the novel to lose the aspect that so charmed me in the first one, where it felt far more like a contemporary story instead of a historical novel. The inclusion of more well-known historical events and characters also creates an expectation of what is to come and leaves less leeway for the author to surprise the reader.
Despite the grand personages Henrietta finds herself amongst, as characters in the narrative they remain human and we see their intimate side. I love Hetty’s attachment to Grace Elliot and her coming to see her as a surrogate mother. Similarly the friendship she forms with La Buffon is a positive echo of her relationship with her half-sister Catherine. They are surrogates for all that she has lost and longed for all her life. The way she ends up in-between these two women and torn between her loyalty for both was well-portrayed and heart-breaking. I also liked the way Rubenhold portrayed the Duc d’Orléans. He’s such a larger-than-life character, who never intended to become political, but is forced into it and has to support people and decisions he can’t stomach, but can’t afford to not back. But he is also a man who wants to do right by those he cares for and he genuinely loved his La Buffon.
Rubenhold pulls Hetty’s search for love, family, and affection from the first book into the second and uses her feelings of loneliness and isolation in combination with her naivety to make her too trusting of others’ good intent. Her character sees tremendous growth though, because the Henrietta we bid goodbye at the end of the novel is a far cry from the Hetty we reunite with at the start. Despite becoming a “fallen woman” in Mistress of My Fate, Henrietta only loses her innocence on the bloody streets of Paris amidst revolution, conspiracy and betrayal. The French lesson Hetty learns is a harsh one indeed. There are also tantalising hints as to some more darker deeds on her part in the future, which make me intensely curious to read the final part of this trilogy.
The French Lesson can be read on its own and deliver a satisfying narrative, though I’m glad that the universe conspired to have me read Mistress of My Fate too. However, its ending is somewhere between a full stop and a comma; it is an ending, but feels as if it is far from the ending of Henrietta’s story. Rubenhold delivers a tale of politics, terror, love, and above all of a young woman trying to survive in a world that isn’t predisposed to treat her kindly. I was hooked from Henrietta’s foreword and dedication until her afterword and I can’t wait to read the rest of her Confessions.
This book was provided for review by the publisher.
May 29, 2017
It took me forever to read this book, mostly because there were other (better) books distracting me from it...but also, because it just wasn't for me! I thought I would really enjoy this book, the premise was SO good, but it did not live up to my expectations at all, even though the history and the period it's set in is really exciting...
First of all, I sort of liked the heroine of this book. She was nice, if a bit bland. My problem with her was, that nothing really happened in her world and there was almost no character development. I could not relate to her as a character, which made it hard for me to read this book. All the other characters in this book were just as nice and boring. And there, my friends, lies the crux: This book was boring... The characters were bland, the story was far-fetched (not that a lot actually happened) and the writing was mostly void of any real emotions. Also, what was supposed to be horrible blood-shed in a city torn apart by revolution and politics, wasn't actually that horrible. Henrietta was far too sheltered...
The one star I gave this book goes to the author, because I can see and appreciate what she tried to do here. She let Henrietta address the reader on multiple occasions and this is something I usually enjoy quite a lot. In this case however, it was (in my opinion) either not executed very well or it wasn't done daring/often enough. It did not make Henrietta more accessible to the reader - quite the contrary: I felt even more distanced from what was happening to her, felt even less emotionally attached to her. This wasn't bad writing, it was just too superficial. Perhaps I would have felt differently if the author had a bit more courage to dive into Henrietta's emotions, made her and what was happening to her more real and relatable.
(For example: For someone who had to sleep with quite a few men, and who even gave birth to a child and had to leave it with someone, who was actually NOT the father of that child, Henrietta is the most naive person to ever set foot in revolutionary France! And also, if you're leaving your relatively safe home to follow your spy-boyfriend to a Paris on the brink of war, maybe you should actually mention said boyfriend from time to time, or at least think about/worry about him and not just become preoccupied by a different affair. Also, why did that boyfriend have to end up being this James Bond-like spy? So he could save her last minute and therefore get away with being an asshole who ignored and forgot about her for almost the entire book?!)
First of all, I sort of liked the heroine of this book. She was nice, if a bit bland. My problem with her was, that nothing really happened in her world and there was almost no character development. I could not relate to her as a character, which made it hard for me to read this book. All the other characters in this book were just as nice and boring. And there, my friends, lies the crux: This book was boring... The characters were bland, the story was far-fetched (not that a lot actually happened) and the writing was mostly void of any real emotions. Also, what was supposed to be horrible blood-shed in a city torn apart by revolution and politics, wasn't actually that horrible. Henrietta was far too sheltered...
The one star I gave this book goes to the author, because I can see and appreciate what she tried to do here. She let Henrietta address the reader on multiple occasions and this is something I usually enjoy quite a lot. In this case however, it was (in my opinion) either not executed very well or it wasn't done daring/often enough. It did not make Henrietta more accessible to the reader - quite the contrary: I felt even more distanced from what was happening to her, felt even less emotionally attached to her. This wasn't bad writing, it was just too superficial. Perhaps I would have felt differently if the author had a bit more courage to dive into Henrietta's emotions, made her and what was happening to her more real and relatable.
(For example: For someone who had to sleep with quite a few men, and who even gave birth to a child and had to leave it with someone, who was actually NOT the father of that child, Henrietta is the most naive person to ever set foot in revolutionary France! And also, if you're leaving your relatively safe home to follow your spy-boyfriend to a Paris on the brink of war, maybe you should actually mention said boyfriend from time to time, or at least think about/worry about him and not just become preoccupied by a different affair. Also, why did that boyfriend have to end up being this James Bond-like spy? So he could save her last minute and therefore get away with being an asshole who ignored and forgot about her for almost the entire book?!)
June 4, 2017
3.5 Stars
I didn't realise this was the second in a trilogy, but it doesn't matter, I don't think, not having read the first. Henrietta is a mistress in search of her lover who ends up embroiled in the Terror, aftermath of the French Revolution. Befriended first by another famous courtesan, Grace Dalrymple, she ends up as one of the mistresses of the Duc of Orleans and befriended by his lover, another courtesan known as La Buffon, and in the middle of a whole load of intrigue and spying.
With the exception of Henrietta, almost every character is real, and this is what I liked most about the book, because from what I have read (quite a lot) about the French Revolution, it seemed to me that Hallie Rubenhold had got the atmosphere, the intrigue and the very real terror spot on. I have to say though, that I took to Henrietta much less, she seemed a bit of a cipher to me - and yes, she was also clearly a bit of a false narrator, but that felt more like a plot device than it should have. As an ingénue (and as a courtesan, I'm not sure how much I bought the ingénue) she rattled through the story with pretty much the sole purpose of bringing the real characters on stage. I didn't really care if she ever found her precious Mr Allenham again, to be honest, and I found the mawkish denouement very much out of character of the rest of the story.
I love books like this for making fiction out of history but staying true to the history, and this book did it really well. But as for Henrietta - no, I don't think I'll be following her next adventure.
PS I should say though, that Hallie Rubenhold's non-fiction Lady Worsley's Whim, was absolutely excellent, real history that read like fiction, and if you wanted to pick one of her books, I'd start here.
I didn't realise this was the second in a trilogy, but it doesn't matter, I don't think, not having read the first. Henrietta is a mistress in search of her lover who ends up embroiled in the Terror, aftermath of the French Revolution. Befriended first by another famous courtesan, Grace Dalrymple, she ends up as one of the mistresses of the Duc of Orleans and befriended by his lover, another courtesan known as La Buffon, and in the middle of a whole load of intrigue and spying.
With the exception of Henrietta, almost every character is real, and this is what I liked most about the book, because from what I have read (quite a lot) about the French Revolution, it seemed to me that Hallie Rubenhold had got the atmosphere, the intrigue and the very real terror spot on. I have to say though, that I took to Henrietta much less, she seemed a bit of a cipher to me - and yes, she was also clearly a bit of a false narrator, but that felt more like a plot device than it should have. As an ingénue (and as a courtesan, I'm not sure how much I bought the ingénue) she rattled through the story with pretty much the sole purpose of bringing the real characters on stage. I didn't really care if she ever found her precious Mr Allenham again, to be honest, and I found the mawkish denouement very much out of character of the rest of the story.
I love books like this for making fiction out of history but staying true to the history, and this book did it really well. But as for Henrietta - no, I don't think I'll be following her next adventure.
PS I should say though, that Hallie Rubenhold's non-fiction Lady Worsley's Whim, was absolutely excellent, real history that read like fiction, and if you wanted to pick one of her books, I'd start here.
October 23, 2025
This would have been better with a whole new cast of characters, and set as a confessional. At times I was engaged but the author did lose me from time to time.
I’d recommend people just read Mistress of my Fate, not The French Lesson.
I’d recommend people just read Mistress of my Fate, not The French Lesson.
October 23, 2025
It would have been a three if it was a standalone but the fact the character seemingly forgot everything she learned in the first book frustrated me immensely.
November 1, 2020
Entertaining story but the ending felt horribly rushed and went down the predictable "happily ever after" route. I didn't find Henrietta to be at all relatable and found myself not really caring about her by the end because the character development was quite weak. It's a shame because I've really enjoyed the author's other non-fiction books but this just wasn't very good.
February 15, 2024
Really good change of pace from the 1st book, intriguing and historical facts are weaved in well
February 1, 2020
Great cover. Intriguing premise. I thought I'd love this one but somehow it never grabbed me. The narrator hasn't enough character and despite the setting I never really cared about the plot. Not for me.
February 17, 2020
had its moments of erudite fun but the ending was meh
June 29, 2024
Kinda boring for the first two thirds, picks up a lot near end. Enjoyed the history and the plot but found the writing repetitive and not too creative tbh
July 23, 2019
I would have given this 2.5 stars, but alas, to my continuing regret and sometime annoyance, only whole stars are allowed. This novel popped up when I was doing an Amazon search for Hallie Rubenhold, because I thoroughly enjoyed her historical account of the Scandalous Lady W. If you are looking for a fun summer read to keep you company in your beach chair or on your couch, or if you have finished streaming Season 2 of The Crown on Netflix and need something else to fill your time with, The French Lesson is a pretty good choice; you could definitely do worse.
Set during the French Revolution, we follow our heroine, Henrietta Lightfoot as she follows her lover to Paris in 1792, against his wishes and advice. Henrietta, I must say, is a little bit irritating in her willful obtuseness. I would not go so far as to say that she is an unreliable narrator, but she is awfully naive for a courtesan, or at least she pretends to be. I wasn’t sure the whole way through whether she didn’t realize what was going on or she was playing along for reasons of her own, but at the end that will become apparent, dear reader.
Henrietta fails to find her lover, as he is working undercover as a spy--no spoilers here, I promise this is apparent to the reader from the outset--and she takes refuge with Grace Dalrymple Elliot, notorious mistress of the Duc d”Orleans, among others, and spy for Royalists during The Terror. With Grace’s help, Henrietta enters the household of Orleans and befriends his current mistress, Madame de Buffon.
Adventures and intrigue ensue…
The French Lesson is a quick, easy, and enjoyable read for those who like historical fiction. The characters are fairly well drawn, the plot is fast moving, and in the end everything is tied up rather neatly. My only real complaint is that Henrietta is a little too good to be true, as is her paramour, but that is to be expected in romance fiction.
If your book club decides to read The French Lesson, here are a few questions for discussion:
1. Why does Henrietta decide to ignore Allenham’s instructions for her to remain in Brussels? Do you think there is more to her reason than her stated ones?
2. Why does Henrietta so easily fall prey to Savill? Shouldn’t she have been a little more streetwise, considering her time among the demimonde?
3. A historical truth is that a woman’s wealth was often in her possessions, such as jewelry, clothing, shoes, etc. Why is Henrietta so quick to abandon her only money at the hotel? Why did she bring it in the first place? Why not leave it in Brussels?
4. Do you like Henrietta? Would you be friends with her? What about Mrs. Elliot? Would you have been friends with her? Why or why not?
5. Madame de Buffon is a real historical person, as is Mrs. Elliot and the Duc d”Orleans. Do you think Rubenhold did a good job weaving her story through the real life events and people? Why or why not?
6. Did you see the ending coming? If you were writing the ending of this book, how would you have worked it out?
Set during the French Revolution, we follow our heroine, Henrietta Lightfoot as she follows her lover to Paris in 1792, against his wishes and advice. Henrietta, I must say, is a little bit irritating in her willful obtuseness. I would not go so far as to say that she is an unreliable narrator, but she is awfully naive for a courtesan, or at least she pretends to be. I wasn’t sure the whole way through whether she didn’t realize what was going on or she was playing along for reasons of her own, but at the end that will become apparent, dear reader.
Henrietta fails to find her lover, as he is working undercover as a spy--no spoilers here, I promise this is apparent to the reader from the outset--and she takes refuge with Grace Dalrymple Elliot, notorious mistress of the Duc d”Orleans, among others, and spy for Royalists during The Terror. With Grace’s help, Henrietta enters the household of Orleans and befriends his current mistress, Madame de Buffon.
Adventures and intrigue ensue…
The French Lesson is a quick, easy, and enjoyable read for those who like historical fiction. The characters are fairly well drawn, the plot is fast moving, and in the end everything is tied up rather neatly. My only real complaint is that Henrietta is a little too good to be true, as is her paramour, but that is to be expected in romance fiction.
If your book club decides to read The French Lesson, here are a few questions for discussion:
1. Why does Henrietta decide to ignore Allenham’s instructions for her to remain in Brussels? Do you think there is more to her reason than her stated ones?
2. Why does Henrietta so easily fall prey to Savill? Shouldn’t she have been a little more streetwise, considering her time among the demimonde?
3. A historical truth is that a woman’s wealth was often in her possessions, such as jewelry, clothing, shoes, etc. Why is Henrietta so quick to abandon her only money at the hotel? Why did she bring it in the first place? Why not leave it in Brussels?
4. Do you like Henrietta? Would you be friends with her? What about Mrs. Elliot? Would you have been friends with her? Why or why not?
5. Madame de Buffon is a real historical person, as is Mrs. Elliot and the Duc d”Orleans. Do you think Rubenhold did a good job weaving her story through the real life events and people? Why or why not?
6. Did you see the ending coming? If you were writing the ending of this book, how would you have worked it out?
June 27, 2024
I really wanted to like this book more than I did. It's set in a rich period of history and the author did paint a vivid picture of the terror and horror of living through the revolution that brought about the French Republic. But it simply wasn't as exciting or interesting as I hoped it would be.
Henrietta is a young Englishman, who has followed her aristocratic English lover to Brussels. When he leaves for Paris, she follows him despite his exhortations for her to return to the safety of London. But Henrietta has no plan, no contacts and no clue.
As the central character in this story, she lacks agency, which is not surprising for a woman at that time, but we meet other female characters along the way who have taken control of their lives much more effectively than Henrietta does. Yes, she's young, but she flails about, always relying on someone else to come to her aid instead of taking charge of her own destiny. She just wasn't engaging enough as a main character. She's naive, bland and somewhat stupid.
I also found the pace very slow. It just felt like nothing much happened for long stretches, with lots of exposition added in place of an actual plot. That also meant that it took me forever to read this book because it didn't pull me back to read it.
Henrietta is a young Englishman, who has followed her aristocratic English lover to Brussels. When he leaves for Paris, she follows him despite his exhortations for her to return to the safety of London. But Henrietta has no plan, no contacts and no clue.
As the central character in this story, she lacks agency, which is not surprising for a woman at that time, but we meet other female characters along the way who have taken control of their lives much more effectively than Henrietta does. Yes, she's young, but she flails about, always relying on someone else to come to her aid instead of taking charge of her own destiny. She just wasn't engaging enough as a main character. She's naive, bland and somewhat stupid.
I also found the pace very slow. It just felt like nothing much happened for long stretches, with lots of exposition added in place of an actual plot. That also meant that it took me forever to read this book because it didn't pull me back to read it.
October 27, 2022
And now we will travel to France! I think you can tell from the cover image that this is a book based on the French Revolution.
I really enjoyed this author's The Five so when this popped up from library feed, I just grabbed it, knowing nothing about it.
Although this is historical fiction, the majority of characters in the book are real. I love the depth of research the author has obviously put into this work. But it is also an engrossing read. She really brings to life the intrigue of the French aristocratic life, particularly amongst the mistresses, as they scheme to ensure they stay in favour. Add to this the scheming and twists and turns of fortune related to the Revolution, and it is fascinating reading.
Poor Henrietta really has no idea of how to conduct herself amongst these women who are experts at manipulation.
"Never place matters of the heart before the wisdom of the head. Allow yourself to be guided by reason alone. To do otherwise almost always proves ruinous."
I did not know until I had finished the book that is the second volume about Henrietta, the fictional main character. But as there is nothing in the book or on the cover that mentions this and I did not feel I was lost or missing any information, this works perfectly well as a stand alone.
I really enjoyed this author's The Five so when this popped up from library feed, I just grabbed it, knowing nothing about it.
Although this is historical fiction, the majority of characters in the book are real. I love the depth of research the author has obviously put into this work. But it is also an engrossing read. She really brings to life the intrigue of the French aristocratic life, particularly amongst the mistresses, as they scheme to ensure they stay in favour. Add to this the scheming and twists and turns of fortune related to the Revolution, and it is fascinating reading.
Poor Henrietta really has no idea of how to conduct herself amongst these women who are experts at manipulation.
"Never place matters of the heart before the wisdom of the head. Allow yourself to be guided by reason alone. To do otherwise almost always proves ruinous."
I did not know until I had finished the book that is the second volume about Henrietta, the fictional main character. But as there is nothing in the book or on the cover that mentions this and I did not feel I was lost or missing any information, this works perfectly well as a stand alone.
October 17, 2022
I listened to this audiobook to see if I could get on with the author's style, as the book I was really interested was not available at that time. About half way through, I severely lost all sympathy for the main character and mostly stuck it out to see if she came to a sticky end! I will persevere with the other book tho.
July 2, 2025
I struggled with this book. Not due to the setting of revolutionary France; but rather the lack of backbone that the lead character seemed to demonstrate. Granted the character of Hettie was trying to stay alive in a very dangerous time, however she never pushed back.
I may have understood her better if I'd read book one first.
I may have understood her better if I'd read book one first.
July 19, 2020
I found Hallie Rubenfold through my research of Jack the Ripper. I read an article she had written and instantly purchased her books.
Thus book was very well written and as inam an avid Reader it definitely kept my interest. A good action page turner.
Thus book was very well written and as inam an avid Reader it definitely kept my interest. A good action page turner.
May 22, 2017
This. Book is quick and clever z. Looking forward to the next.
July 14, 2017
Very entertaining!
September 9, 2019
Definitely a holiday read, nothing to it at all.
November 14, 2020
A really disappointing sequel to Mistress of My Fate.
October 30, 2022
Oh dear. I loved the first book but didn't even finish this one.
September 27, 2023
So good! Romance is a new genre for me but I loved the story, it was light and fun and engaging.
December 18, 2025
A very fun read with lots of well researched details.
August 10, 2017
I love reading about this period inn history, I did enjoy this book but something was missing for me.
September 2, 2018
Very good book
It was a very good book. Had a good plot towards the end. Would recommend this book to any one who likes historical fiction.
It was a very good book. Had a good plot towards the end. Would recommend this book to any one who likes historical fiction.
November 27, 2016
This is an entertaining account of Henrietta Lightfoot’s time in the Paris of 1792 during the French Revolution, a period of which my knowledge is scanty. ‘The French Lesson’ is a women’s story told with authority by social historian Hallie Rubenhold, at a time when the new order replaced the old and changed women’s lives in the process.
Years after the event, Hettie writes her account of what happened at the request of a benefactor. As the novel opens, she is living in Brussels with the love of her life, George Allenham, 4th Baron Allenham of Herberton, expecting to be married and so calling herself Mrs Allenham. But when Allenham’s mysterious work takes him to Paris, he does not return. She receives a letter from him saying Paris is dangerous and though he must stay there for his work, she must return to England for her safety. But Hettie follows her heart to Paris.
With the Revolution threatening, she is attacked, robbed, rescued and so finds herself indebted to Mrs Grace Elliot, an English woman who survives in Paris as a lover to rich important men. Hettie is drawn into this life too. ‘The French Lesson’ is an enjoyable account of a fast-paced, thrilling and bloodthirsty moment in history, combining real characters – d’Orleans, known as Philippe Égalité after the Revolution; his current mistress, Agnès de Buffon; and former mistress, Mrs Elliot – with fictional characters Hettie and Allenham.
As always in war, people are not what they seem. Hettie is driven on first by love, then by the need to survive. She is told by Mrs Elliot not ‘to trust’ and it is a hard lesson to learn.
I learned after reading ‘The French Lesson’ that it is the second of a trilogy – the first is ‘Mistress of My Fate’ - though it can be happily read as a stand-alone novel.
Read more of my book reviews at http://www.sandradanby.com/book-revie...
Years after the event, Hettie writes her account of what happened at the request of a benefactor. As the novel opens, she is living in Brussels with the love of her life, George Allenham, 4th Baron Allenham of Herberton, expecting to be married and so calling herself Mrs Allenham. But when Allenham’s mysterious work takes him to Paris, he does not return. She receives a letter from him saying Paris is dangerous and though he must stay there for his work, she must return to England for her safety. But Hettie follows her heart to Paris.
With the Revolution threatening, she is attacked, robbed, rescued and so finds herself indebted to Mrs Grace Elliot, an English woman who survives in Paris as a lover to rich important men. Hettie is drawn into this life too. ‘The French Lesson’ is an enjoyable account of a fast-paced, thrilling and bloodthirsty moment in history, combining real characters – d’Orleans, known as Philippe Égalité after the Revolution; his current mistress, Agnès de Buffon; and former mistress, Mrs Elliot – with fictional characters Hettie and Allenham.
As always in war, people are not what they seem. Hettie is driven on first by love, then by the need to survive. She is told by Mrs Elliot not ‘to trust’ and it is a hard lesson to learn.
I learned after reading ‘The French Lesson’ that it is the second of a trilogy – the first is ‘Mistress of My Fate’ - though it can be happily read as a stand-alone novel.
Read more of my book reviews at http://www.sandradanby.com/book-revie...
April 25, 2016
The new historical novel by Hallie Rubenhold called The French Lesson is the second book in a trilogy about Henrietta Lightfoot and is written looking back at her time in Paris during the bloody French Revolution.
We find Henrietta caught up in the bloodletting that has set neighbour against neighbour and friend against friend and even Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette are not immune from the Revolution and are imprisoned. Henrietta’s lover has let her go and despite the fact she could have escaped the fighting and gone back to London our heroine chooses to stay and sets off in pursuit of her one great love George William Allenham and soon there is trouble for Henrietta as well as grave danger and she needs help and support to survive.
Along comes Grace Dalrymple Elliott no ordinary woman is our Grace, she has a reputation and soon Henrietta soon falls under the protection of Grace but with this comes one very heavy price to our heroine and she comes face to face with some of the most powerful women in France and she put her own life on the line as she tries to find her lover.
The French Lesson is a fabulous gripping account at a time of war and tyranny and the smell of blood is in the air and heads are rolling literally. This is so wonderfully written with a blend of factual and real life people put together in a tale of love and lust and nothing is as it seems as the old order is put to the sword or the guillotine. This is not to be missed.
The French Lesson follows on from the first book Confessions of Henrietta Lightfoot- Mistress of Fate and the third book will follow in time but The French Lesson can be easily read as a stand-alone book.
My thanks to Patsy Irwin at Transworld Publishers for a review copy.
We find Henrietta caught up in the bloodletting that has set neighbour against neighbour and friend against friend and even Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette are not immune from the Revolution and are imprisoned. Henrietta’s lover has let her go and despite the fact she could have escaped the fighting and gone back to London our heroine chooses to stay and sets off in pursuit of her one great love George William Allenham and soon there is trouble for Henrietta as well as grave danger and she needs help and support to survive.
Along comes Grace Dalrymple Elliott no ordinary woman is our Grace, she has a reputation and soon Henrietta soon falls under the protection of Grace but with this comes one very heavy price to our heroine and she comes face to face with some of the most powerful women in France and she put her own life on the line as she tries to find her lover.
The French Lesson is a fabulous gripping account at a time of war and tyranny and the smell of blood is in the air and heads are rolling literally. This is so wonderfully written with a blend of factual and real life people put together in a tale of love and lust and nothing is as it seems as the old order is put to the sword or the guillotine. This is not to be missed.
The French Lesson follows on from the first book Confessions of Henrietta Lightfoot- Mistress of Fate and the third book will follow in time but The French Lesson can be easily read as a stand-alone book.
My thanks to Patsy Irwin at Transworld Publishers for a review copy.
May 20, 2016
This is the second book in a trilogy about Henrietta Lightfoot and is written looking back at her time in Paris during the bloody French Revolution.
We find Henrietta caught up in the bloodletting that has set France alight with political passion,suspicion,intrigue and bloodthirsty for change. King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette are not immune from the Revolution and are imprisoned. Henrietta’s lover has let her go and despite the fact she could have escaped the fighting and gone back to London,she chooses to stay and sets off in pursuit of her one great love George William Allingham,however this decision brings Henrietta into danger and she needs help and support to survive.
Along comes Grace Dalrymple Elliott ,who has a reputation and Henrietta falls under the protection of Grace but with this comes one very heavy price to our heroine and she comes face to face with some of the most powerful women in France and she put her own life on the line as she tries to find her lover.
The French Lesson is a an entertaining book as well as being a gripping account at a time of war and tyranny and the smell of blood is in the air and heads are rolling literally. It is a blend of factual and real life people put together in a tale of love and lust and nothing is as it seems as the old order is put to the sword or the guillotine.
I liked this line-"Ambition,wealth,pride : a gentleman's life is predicated upon this....this flimsy tissue which is of no worth or meaning. If we exist for that alone ,then we go to our graves without living." "All that is true in this world is love.It is the stuff of our souls ."
Enjoyable book which fires your interest in The French Revolution. I have not read book one and it did not spoil the reading of this book. as can be read on it's own.
We find Henrietta caught up in the bloodletting that has set France alight with political passion,suspicion,intrigue and bloodthirsty for change. King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette are not immune from the Revolution and are imprisoned. Henrietta’s lover has let her go and despite the fact she could have escaped the fighting and gone back to London,she chooses to stay and sets off in pursuit of her one great love George William Allingham,however this decision brings Henrietta into danger and she needs help and support to survive.
Along comes Grace Dalrymple Elliott ,who has a reputation and Henrietta falls under the protection of Grace but with this comes one very heavy price to our heroine and she comes face to face with some of the most powerful women in France and she put her own life on the line as she tries to find her lover.
The French Lesson is a an entertaining book as well as being a gripping account at a time of war and tyranny and the smell of blood is in the air and heads are rolling literally. It is a blend of factual and real life people put together in a tale of love and lust and nothing is as it seems as the old order is put to the sword or the guillotine.
I liked this line-"Ambition,wealth,pride : a gentleman's life is predicated upon this....this flimsy tissue which is of no worth or meaning. If we exist for that alone ,then we go to our graves without living." "All that is true in this world is love.It is the stuff of our souls ."
Enjoyable book which fires your interest in The French Revolution. I have not read book one and it did not spoil the reading of this book. as can be read on it's own.
June 27, 2016
*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in return for an honest review*
Not exactly what I expected but a French Lesson it is indeed. I did not read the first book of this series and I am curious if I have been missing out on a lot of information on Henrietta. I had a hard time connecting to her.
The story is a quick one. Trough the blazing uproar of the Revolution Henrietta is trying to find her lover. She is steered by a lot of influential woman into a position she does not want to be and falling from one situation where she has to save herself into another. I got tired of this at some point wishing for something good to happen and her just being normal. I had to wait till the end of the book for her life to calm down a bit.
There are a lot of characters in this book. Households with servants and groups staying together for company. As my history on this is pretty decent I did recognize a lot of the names making it easier to follow the story. Still there are a lot of details and people really get placed properly making it easier to see who is important to the story and who is not.
I did enjoy the intrigue a lot. People spying and lying to get a better life. The whole history part of the book was interesting too. The book is playing on an interesting social level in the Revolution. Not one that is often highlighted. And lets be honest that cover is pretty.
I checked a view of the other reviews after writing this and am now convinced you should start with the first book in the series to really enjoy this one.
Not exactly what I expected but a French Lesson it is indeed. I did not read the first book of this series and I am curious if I have been missing out on a lot of information on Henrietta. I had a hard time connecting to her.
The story is a quick one. Trough the blazing uproar of the Revolution Henrietta is trying to find her lover. She is steered by a lot of influential woman into a position she does not want to be and falling from one situation where she has to save herself into another. I got tired of this at some point wishing for something good to happen and her just being normal. I had to wait till the end of the book for her life to calm down a bit.
There are a lot of characters in this book. Households with servants and groups staying together for company. As my history on this is pretty decent I did recognize a lot of the names making it easier to follow the story. Still there are a lot of details and people really get placed properly making it easier to see who is important to the story and who is not.
I did enjoy the intrigue a lot. People spying and lying to get a better life. The whole history part of the book was interesting too. The book is playing on an interesting social level in the Revolution. Not one that is often highlighted. And lets be honest that cover is pretty.
I checked a view of the other reviews after writing this and am now convinced you should start with the first book in the series to really enjoy this one.
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