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Dressing the Countess
Seamstress Rose Watson cannot believe her good fortune when she’s plucked from obscurity to work for Lady Christina, the Countess of Bath.
When she arrives at the royal residence of Henlow House, a sense of destiny whispers through her. But once she meets saddler Henry Ward, her dreams are met with challenge of every kind. Rose’s new connection to Henry could cause her to lose her position at Henlow House, which would destroy her.
Will she be forced to choose between love and ambition? Either choice would change her life irrevocably.
Fans of Kristy Cambron and Mimi Matthews will adore this dazzling Victorian romance from historical fiction dynamo, Rachel Brimble. An enchanting escape that will touch your heart and keep you turning pages with impatient hope for Rose.
When she arrives at the royal residence of Henlow House, a sense of destiny whispers through her. But once she meets saddler Henry Ward, her dreams are met with challenge of every kind. Rose’s new connection to Henry could cause her to lose her position at Henlow House, which would destroy her.
Will she be forced to choose between love and ambition? Either choice would change her life irrevocably.
Fans of Kristy Cambron and Mimi Matthews will adore this dazzling Victorian romance from historical fiction dynamo, Rachel Brimble. An enchanting escape that will touch your heart and keep you turning pages with impatient hope for Rose.
268 pages, Paperback
Published May 3, 2024
9 people are currently reading
3204 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Brimble
59 books998 followersRachel Brimble writes historical fiction set in Bath or London. Numerous books have hit the Amazon bestseller lists including the first two books in her WWII series The Home Front Nurses. Book 3 in the series, Winter Wishes for the Home Front Nurses released in August 2025.
When she's not writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family. And in the evening, a period or crime drama on the TV while she completes her latest 1500 piece jigsaw puzzle!
Rachel is a member of the Female Entrepeneur Association and has an Etsy shop called The Writer Printable Co where she sells the printable workbooks, templates and checklists she creates to help new and aspiring authors achieve their writing dreams.
When she's not writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family. And in the evening, a period or crime drama on the TV while she completes her latest 1500 piece jigsaw puzzle!
Rachel is a member of the Female Entrepeneur Association and has an Etsy shop called The Writer Printable Co where she sells the printable workbooks, templates and checklists she creates to help new and aspiring authors achieve their writing dreams.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 6, 2024
That stunning cover drew me, and the compelling romantic tale of Victorian seamstress Rose Watson and saddler Henry Ward made me swoon. Histrom fans who adore gorgeous descriptions of historical gowns will be swept up too. Highly recommended!
May 28, 2024
Set during the reign of Queen Victoria, just after the death of her beloved Albert, Dressing the Countess is a delightful story of how love can overcome the greatest of obstacles. Rose and Henry are well matched for ambition, but their lifestyles are poles apart and his actions could prove to be the undoing of them both.
When we first meet Rose, she is living at home with her parents. They own a modest clothing shop where Rose’s fabulous creations are showcased alongside her father’s more conservative offerings. Rose dreams of success on a much larger scale but does not want to do anything to upset her parents. Since the death of Rose’s brother, she has been kept close to home under her parent’s watchful eyes. When she is offered a position as dressmaker to the Countess of Bath, Rose is torn between her own ambition and duty to her parents.
Henry is another kettle of fish. He has his sights on a job overseas training horses. He knows that he needs money to make that leap, but he foolishly believes that he can accrue the required fortune via a gaming table. Currently working alongside his uncle as a saddler, he trains horses occasionally under the employ of the Earl of Bath.
Of the many things that I love about historical fiction, my favourite is probably the return to a stricter time and the adoption of good manners. Don’t get me wrong, I love the relaxed way in which we communicate today and would never dream of losing all that the female revolution has achieved, but there is something rather comforting about a visit to the days of chivalry. This book is a stark reminder that not everything about the good old days was necessarily completely good.
As the bonds between Rose and Henry become tighter, it’s easy to see that they must find a way to find happiness together if they are to have a future. A future that may be impossible if his attraction to gambling isn’t severed.
I don’t include spoilers in my reviews and believe that saying that the book ends happily is not a spoiler. If you want to know how then I’m afraid you’ll need to acquire a copy and read it yourself.
When we first meet Rose, she is living at home with her parents. They own a modest clothing shop where Rose’s fabulous creations are showcased alongside her father’s more conservative offerings. Rose dreams of success on a much larger scale but does not want to do anything to upset her parents. Since the death of Rose’s brother, she has been kept close to home under her parent’s watchful eyes. When she is offered a position as dressmaker to the Countess of Bath, Rose is torn between her own ambition and duty to her parents.
Henry is another kettle of fish. He has his sights on a job overseas training horses. He knows that he needs money to make that leap, but he foolishly believes that he can accrue the required fortune via a gaming table. Currently working alongside his uncle as a saddler, he trains horses occasionally under the employ of the Earl of Bath.
Of the many things that I love about historical fiction, my favourite is probably the return to a stricter time and the adoption of good manners. Don’t get me wrong, I love the relaxed way in which we communicate today and would never dream of losing all that the female revolution has achieved, but there is something rather comforting about a visit to the days of chivalry. This book is a stark reminder that not everything about the good old days was necessarily completely good.
As the bonds between Rose and Henry become tighter, it’s easy to see that they must find a way to find happiness together if they are to have a future. A future that may be impossible if his attraction to gambling isn’t severed.
I don’t include spoilers in my reviews and believe that saying that the book ends happily is not a spoiler. If you want to know how then I’m afraid you’ll need to acquire a copy and read it yourself.
May 30, 2024
I enjoyed reading "Dressing the Countess". The main characters, Rose & Henry were both engaging, and I found myself pulling for them both. There were a few parts where I felt the author was a bit heavy handed with the parents and parental figures, but it was not enough to distract from the story.
I was sad when the story ended because I wanted to learn more about the romance between Rose & Henry and I was interested in their individual stories as well. The author has left room for there to be a sequel. I am not usually a series lover, but I would welcome a follow-up book to Dressing the Countess.
I was sad when the story ended because I wanted to learn more about the romance between Rose & Henry and I was interested in their individual stories as well. The author has left room for there to be a sequel. I am not usually a series lover, but I would welcome a follow-up book to Dressing the Countess.
May 12, 2024
Dressing the Countess by Rachel Brimble
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review thanks to Harpeth Road Press.
Blurb
Rose tightened her hold on her sketchbook and walked in a slow circle around the mannequin in front of her, her head tilted and eyes narrowed...The dress was a triumph. Her best yet.
Seamstress Rose Watson cannot believe her good fortune when she’s plucked from obscurity to work for Lady Christina, the Countess of Bath.
When she arrives at the royal residence of Henlow House, a sense of destiny whispers through her. But once she meets saddler Henry Ward, her dreams are met with challenge of every kind. Rose’s new connection to Henry could cause her to lose her position at Henlow House, which would destroy her.
Will she be forced to choose between love and ambition? Either choice would change her life irrevocably.
My Opinion
I am trying to read more historical fiction so when I saw that Harpeth Road had a new book coming out I jumped at the opportunity. This was a beautifully written tale. Rachel Brimble was a new author going into book but this book had me hooked from the beginning. I even started reading this on my phone when my kindle wasn't available as I just wanted to read on. This was a relatively quick book to read and it will appeal to many.
Rating 4/5
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review thanks to Harpeth Road Press.
Blurb
Rose tightened her hold on her sketchbook and walked in a slow circle around the mannequin in front of her, her head tilted and eyes narrowed...The dress was a triumph. Her best yet.
Seamstress Rose Watson cannot believe her good fortune when she’s plucked from obscurity to work for Lady Christina, the Countess of Bath.
When she arrives at the royal residence of Henlow House, a sense of destiny whispers through her. But once she meets saddler Henry Ward, her dreams are met with challenge of every kind. Rose’s new connection to Henry could cause her to lose her position at Henlow House, which would destroy her.
Will she be forced to choose between love and ambition? Either choice would change her life irrevocably.
My Opinion
I am trying to read more historical fiction so when I saw that Harpeth Road had a new book coming out I jumped at the opportunity. This was a beautifully written tale. Rachel Brimble was a new author going into book but this book had me hooked from the beginning. I even started reading this on my phone when my kindle wasn't available as I just wanted to read on. This was a relatively quick book to read and it will appeal to many.
Rating 4/5
May 9, 2024
Rose loves spending her days with a pencil in her hand sketching beautiful gowns. She often wonders if they will ever see the light of day. Working in her family’s shop is not her life’s dream. But her fairytale wish comes true when she is hired to work for Lady Christina, the Countess of Bath. Shortly after arriving at Henlow House, the royal lifestyle far exceeds her expectations. When she meets Henry Ward, the saddler, her new job could be short lived. She doesn’t want to lose her job or her new status, but if the connection between Henry and Rose comes to light it could change everything.
Dressing the Countess written by Rachel Brimble is a wonderful, fast-paced novel of chasing your dreams. Rose never gave up on what she wanted in life. I thoroughly enjoyed this story from cover to cover. This is the first book I have read written by this author and I will definitely read more of her work. I loved the detailed description of not just the beautiful gowns but the rooms and hallways of Henlow House sounded enchanting. I also really enjoyed the way Brimble described the characters and their relationships with one another making them sound like people in my life. The relationship between Rose and her parents was very relatable. This story played out like a movie in my mind’s eye. The Victorian Era is one of my favorite time periods, so I knew from the very first page I would love this book and I was not disappointed. This captivating story with unforgettable characters is definitely a book I highly recommend.
Dressing the Countess written by Rachel Brimble is a wonderful, fast-paced novel of chasing your dreams. Rose never gave up on what she wanted in life. I thoroughly enjoyed this story from cover to cover. This is the first book I have read written by this author and I will definitely read more of her work. I loved the detailed description of not just the beautiful gowns but the rooms and hallways of Henlow House sounded enchanting. I also really enjoyed the way Brimble described the characters and their relationships with one another making them sound like people in my life. The relationship between Rose and her parents was very relatable. This story played out like a movie in my mind’s eye. The Victorian Era is one of my favorite time periods, so I knew from the very first page I would love this book and I was not disappointed. This captivating story with unforgettable characters is definitely a book I highly recommend.
May 13, 2024
Thank you to @harpethroad and author @rachelbrimbleauthor for the #gifted e-book!
This heartwarming Victorian romance will sweep you right off of your feet!
Rose and Henry's story spotlights the delicate crossroads we all come to in life …. discovering who you are & who you were meant to be, all while balancing the expectations of those around you!
The writing is descriptive and beautiful and has you walking the halls of Henlow House in your swishy skirts and glittering jewels. The characters are real and genuine and their relationships were easy to relate to … I really wanted to see everyone’s happily ever after become a reality!
This was a light and beautiful read about chasing your dreams and then finding out they weren’t that far from you all along.
And ya’ll … can we just show some cover love for this one!? GORGEOUS!
This heartwarming Victorian romance will sweep you right off of your feet!
Rose and Henry's story spotlights the delicate crossroads we all come to in life …. discovering who you are & who you were meant to be, all while balancing the expectations of those around you!
The writing is descriptive and beautiful and has you walking the halls of Henlow House in your swishy skirts and glittering jewels. The characters are real and genuine and their relationships were easy to relate to … I really wanted to see everyone’s happily ever after become a reality!
This was a light and beautiful read about chasing your dreams and then finding out they weren’t that far from you all along.
And ya’ll … can we just show some cover love for this one!? GORGEOUS!
May 9, 2024
Dressing the Countess is an enthralling Victorian Romance.
This was a beautiful and heartwarming story. I loved every single word of it.
The bond between the characters was well written and authentic, giving readers a strong sense of each character.
I loved the way that Rachel Brimble wrote her characters in this novel as they were truly memorable and enchanting. They made me relate to the characters on a whole new level.
Rich with evocative descriptions Dressing the Countess sucked me in, and the intensity of the writing, which was wonderful, lays the groundwork for making what history becomes real again in this reader’s mind.
Brimble’s lush writing and addictive narrative had me glued to my Kindle in a way that was mesmerizing.
I swooned my way through it, and if I wasn’t swooning, I was smiling.
Thanks to Harpeth Road Press for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review and blog tour spot!
This was a beautiful and heartwarming story. I loved every single word of it.
The bond between the characters was well written and authentic, giving readers a strong sense of each character.
I loved the way that Rachel Brimble wrote her characters in this novel as they were truly memorable and enchanting. They made me relate to the characters on a whole new level.
Rich with evocative descriptions Dressing the Countess sucked me in, and the intensity of the writing, which was wonderful, lays the groundwork for making what history becomes real again in this reader’s mind.
Brimble’s lush writing and addictive narrative had me glued to my Kindle in a way that was mesmerizing.
I swooned my way through it, and if I wasn’t swooning, I was smiling.
Thanks to Harpeth Road Press for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review and blog tour spot!
May 23, 2024
This delightful Victorian novel highlights the differences between the lowly workforce and aristocracy. Rose dreams of becoming a dress designer. Her skills are clear, but her parents are fearful of change. When Rose is presented with an opportunity of a lifetime, against her parents’ wishes she takes a chance.
Henry’s Uncle has taught him well. His skills as a Sadler are exemplary, but he aspires to become a horse trainer abroad. Henry is his own worst enemy. When Henry meets Rose, his life is tipped upside down. Will Henry achieve his goal. Will Rose regain the trust of her parents and succeed. Beautifully drawn. A must read.
Henry’s Uncle has taught him well. His skills as a Sadler are exemplary, but he aspires to become a horse trainer abroad. Henry is his own worst enemy. When Henry meets Rose, his life is tipped upside down. Will Henry achieve his goal. Will Rose regain the trust of her parents and succeed. Beautifully drawn. A must read.
August 6, 2024
One crucial assignment changes the life of young seamstress Rose Watson dramatically. The lady who ordered an exquisite gown, but left much to Rose's vivid imagination, is thrilled with the result. But Rose works in her parent's shop, and feels they stifle her creativity. She wants change; they want solid continuity.
So when Mrs Haywood – the woman who ordered the beautiful gown – reveals herself as dresser to the Countess of Bath, telling her the lady is delighted with Rose's creation, Rose is full of hope. But her parents, particularly her mother, dash her hopes. She should much rather stay away from the upper classes.
When she is invited to tea with the countess, and receives a job offer too good to miss, a row with her parents ensues, which reveals a secret they kept from her about her dead brother. Still undeterred, Rose insists, and her parents give in.
Henry Ward, the young saddler employed by the Earl of Bath, who brought her the letter from Mrs Haywood, intrigues her. Handsome, with a confidence reminiscent of her brother, they become friends. Ignoring the flutter in her heart, she is gutted when his behaviour gets out of control. Just like her brother...
Rose's job involves creating gowns for the countess, and assisting Mrs Haywood with the daily chores. But it doesn't stop her from checking on Henry.
Henry himself dreams of leaving London to train horses in America. But that costs money, so he goes about the gambling halls at night to try raise the amount needed for a ticket to cross the Atlantic, and for accommodation. But like all gamblers, he wins some and loses some. Over time, his desperation grows, and his behaviour not only threatens his own current job, but he also pulls Rose down with him.
Can Rose save Henry from himself – and her dream job at the same time? Find out in the book!
Dressing the Countess is a delightful Victorian romance with slightly darker undercurrents.
Rose is a wonderful character – determined, creative, but also sweet and a little naïve. When her incredible talent is recognised by nobility, her confidence grows, but her soft spot for Henry is a threat to her big dream.
As for Henry, like his Uncle Charles, I just wanted to shake him at times. He is stubborn to the point of dangerous, refusing to realise that his behaviour every night not only puts him into danger, but also threatens his way of raising money through his work as a saddler for the earl. His lofty dreams dangle in front of his nose like a carrot, and he keeps pushing deeper and deeper into trouble, as he doesn't manage to earn enough to make his dream a reality.
Rose and Henry make for an intriguing couple. Both have ambitions beyond their station, which, in Victorian England, were not easy to achieve. And whilst Rose's star is rising, Henry's troubles grow.
Henry's learning curve is definitely the steeper one, but Rose also has issues that she deals with remarkably well.
The Victorian setting is exquisite, and Ms Brimble's extensive knowledge of the era ensures that we catch a real glimpse at life in those times. From imposing manor houses to the dirty back alleys with raucous pubs and gambling dens, we gain a real sense of location. We also learn that inside the glamorous world of smiling nobility, there may lie personal unhappiness and deceit. Adultery was rife, and quite accepted – on the male side, of course. The author shows us those attitudes as they existed, which adds a gritty sense of fatalism.
Dressing the Countess is not only a fabulous historical romance – it is also a tale of talent and ambition, of wanting more of your life and taking chances when they offer themselves, but also of reality and adjustment where required.
Ms Brimble's wonderful novels are never dull, as she infuses them with intriguing themes with a darker edge. So, not surprisingly, this story is a delight to read.
So when Mrs Haywood – the woman who ordered the beautiful gown – reveals herself as dresser to the Countess of Bath, telling her the lady is delighted with Rose's creation, Rose is full of hope. But her parents, particularly her mother, dash her hopes. She should much rather stay away from the upper classes.
When she is invited to tea with the countess, and receives a job offer too good to miss, a row with her parents ensues, which reveals a secret they kept from her about her dead brother. Still undeterred, Rose insists, and her parents give in.
Henry Ward, the young saddler employed by the Earl of Bath, who brought her the letter from Mrs Haywood, intrigues her. Handsome, with a confidence reminiscent of her brother, they become friends. Ignoring the flutter in her heart, she is gutted when his behaviour gets out of control. Just like her brother...
Rose's job involves creating gowns for the countess, and assisting Mrs Haywood with the daily chores. But it doesn't stop her from checking on Henry.
Henry himself dreams of leaving London to train horses in America. But that costs money, so he goes about the gambling halls at night to try raise the amount needed for a ticket to cross the Atlantic, and for accommodation. But like all gamblers, he wins some and loses some. Over time, his desperation grows, and his behaviour not only threatens his own current job, but he also pulls Rose down with him.
Can Rose save Henry from himself – and her dream job at the same time? Find out in the book!
Dressing the Countess is a delightful Victorian romance with slightly darker undercurrents.
Rose is a wonderful character – determined, creative, but also sweet and a little naïve. When her incredible talent is recognised by nobility, her confidence grows, but her soft spot for Henry is a threat to her big dream.
As for Henry, like his Uncle Charles, I just wanted to shake him at times. He is stubborn to the point of dangerous, refusing to realise that his behaviour every night not only puts him into danger, but also threatens his way of raising money through his work as a saddler for the earl. His lofty dreams dangle in front of his nose like a carrot, and he keeps pushing deeper and deeper into trouble, as he doesn't manage to earn enough to make his dream a reality.
Rose and Henry make for an intriguing couple. Both have ambitions beyond their station, which, in Victorian England, were not easy to achieve. And whilst Rose's star is rising, Henry's troubles grow.
Henry's learning curve is definitely the steeper one, but Rose also has issues that she deals with remarkably well.
The Victorian setting is exquisite, and Ms Brimble's extensive knowledge of the era ensures that we catch a real glimpse at life in those times. From imposing manor houses to the dirty back alleys with raucous pubs and gambling dens, we gain a real sense of location. We also learn that inside the glamorous world of smiling nobility, there may lie personal unhappiness and deceit. Adultery was rife, and quite accepted – on the male side, of course. The author shows us those attitudes as they existed, which adds a gritty sense of fatalism.
Dressing the Countess is not only a fabulous historical romance – it is also a tale of talent and ambition, of wanting more of your life and taking chances when they offer themselves, but also of reality and adjustment where required.
Ms Brimble's wonderful novels are never dull, as she infuses them with intriguing themes with a darker edge. So, not surprisingly, this story is a delight to read.
August 4, 2024
Rachel Brimble’s Dressing the Countess is an enchanting, engrossing and emotional historical romance that effortlessly sweeps readers back in time to the Victorian age.
Nobody is more shocked than seamstress Rose Watson when she is plucked from obscurity and employed by Lady Christina, Countess of Bath. Rose cannot believe that one of her most cherished ambitions is about to come true and despite of her parents’ misgivings, she accepts the position. Moving to Henlow House, Rose cannot wait for her new adventure to begin. However, she hadn’t counted on handsome and infuriating saddler and horse-trainer Henry Ward, who intrigues and aggravates her in equal measure!
Rose and Henry are like chalk and cheese. They couldn’t be more different yet there is something that draws the two of them together like a moth to a flame. When their tentative friendship leads to something deeper neither one of them was expecting, Rose finds herself forced to choose between the job she adores and the man she has grown to love. With her position at Henlow House in jeopardy, will Rose have to sacrifice her dreams for the sake of love? Or can she and Henry find a way to be together for the rest of their lives?
Whether she’s writing contemporary or historical romance, Rachel Brimble always delivers a spellbinding read that is absolutely impossible to put down and she has written another winner with Dressing the Countess. Rachel Brimble brilliantly captures the nuances, manners and hidden passions of the Victorian age and in Henry and Rose has created two complex, layered and believable characters readers will fall in love with.
A superb historical romance from a writer who never disappoints, Dressing the Countess by Rachel Brimble is sure to delight fans of the genre everywhere.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Nobody is more shocked than seamstress Rose Watson when she is plucked from obscurity and employed by Lady Christina, Countess of Bath. Rose cannot believe that one of her most cherished ambitions is about to come true and despite of her parents’ misgivings, she accepts the position. Moving to Henlow House, Rose cannot wait for her new adventure to begin. However, she hadn’t counted on handsome and infuriating saddler and horse-trainer Henry Ward, who intrigues and aggravates her in equal measure!
Rose and Henry are like chalk and cheese. They couldn’t be more different yet there is something that draws the two of them together like a moth to a flame. When their tentative friendship leads to something deeper neither one of them was expecting, Rose finds herself forced to choose between the job she adores and the man she has grown to love. With her position at Henlow House in jeopardy, will Rose have to sacrifice her dreams for the sake of love? Or can she and Henry find a way to be together for the rest of their lives?
Whether she’s writing contemporary or historical romance, Rachel Brimble always delivers a spellbinding read that is absolutely impossible to put down and she has written another winner with Dressing the Countess. Rachel Brimble brilliantly captures the nuances, manners and hidden passions of the Victorian age and in Henry and Rose has created two complex, layered and believable characters readers will fall in love with.
A superb historical romance from a writer who never disappoints, Dressing the Countess by Rachel Brimble is sure to delight fans of the genre everywhere.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 23, 2024
I received an advance review copy of this book, to review as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.
This is a Victorian romance. The Victorian era is one of my favourite periods for historical novels in any genre so I was looking forward to this.
From the start, I really enjoyed the style of writing, as I found it quite elegant and tasteful. The protagonist, Rose, was a seamstress, and I found myself forming images in my mind of the garments she designed, as the author so beautifully described them.
I thought Rose was a lovely character, though at first she seemed perhaps a little reserved and unsure of herself, so I hoped to see her grow in confidence as the story progressed. I also really liked Henry as a character; he seemed very charismatic and I sort of got some bad boy vibes from him, so I was keen to get to know him better as a character.
I didn't feel the romance dominated the story too much, and I found that I was more focused on following Rose's personal journey as a seamstress, but I felt the romance complemented the rest of the story in a pleasing way, so that made me smile. This book was a light, pleasant read and I enjoyed it.
Thank you to Rachel's Random Resources, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.
This is a Victorian romance. The Victorian era is one of my favourite periods for historical novels in any genre so I was looking forward to this.
From the start, I really enjoyed the style of writing, as I found it quite elegant and tasteful. The protagonist, Rose, was a seamstress, and I found myself forming images in my mind of the garments she designed, as the author so beautifully described them.
I thought Rose was a lovely character, though at first she seemed perhaps a little reserved and unsure of herself, so I hoped to see her grow in confidence as the story progressed. I also really liked Henry as a character; he seemed very charismatic and I sort of got some bad boy vibes from him, so I was keen to get to know him better as a character.
I didn't feel the romance dominated the story too much, and I found that I was more focused on following Rose's personal journey as a seamstress, but I felt the romance complemented the rest of the story in a pleasing way, so that made me smile. This book was a light, pleasant read and I enjoyed it.
Thank you to Rachel's Random Resources, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.
April 17, 2024
I really enjoyed this novel! It reads very smoothly, and I can identify with the characters. Rose Watson, a seamstress, wishes to pursue her own dreams and design more than just the everyday clothes in her family's shop. That chance comes when the Countess of Bath wishes to sponser her. Her parents, however, aren't so sure it's a good idea. The other main character, Henry Ward, has a similar dilemma--he wants to move out of the field he's currently working in and do greater things. Rose has a good relationship with her parents, but it becomes strained when she wishes to leave to work for the countess.
I identify with Rose a lot in her relationship to her parents; she wants to please them but also wants to live her own life even if it's not the one they envisioned...but it's so much nicer to do so with their blessing. The relationship between mother and daughter was so realistically described that at times I felt like it was the one I had lived. I like the main character's gumption to set out on her own path no matter what.
The storyline is set in Victorian times, but the feelings could have come straight from today; after all, familial strife is universal.
I identify with Rose a lot in her relationship to her parents; she wants to please them but also wants to live her own life even if it's not the one they envisioned...but it's so much nicer to do so with their blessing. The relationship between mother and daughter was so realistically described that at times I felt like it was the one I had lived. I like the main character's gumption to set out on her own path no matter what.
The storyline is set in Victorian times, but the feelings could have come straight from today; after all, familial strife is universal.
May 28, 2024
Rose, a dressmaker, aspires to become a dress designer for the aristocracy. When a lady shows interest in her designs and commissions a dress for her benefactor, Rose hopes this will begin a new and exciting career. Her family are not supportive. She faces giving up her dream or going against her parents' wishes. Henry works as a saddlemaker and horse trainer for an Earl. He has dreams of travelling and training horses, but his family fears that his methods of achieving this will lead to ruin. The story conveys Victorian society's expectations and strict conventions through Rose and Henry's experiences. Rose is an independent character whose emotional strength allows her to achieve her destiny without threatening the bond she shares with her parents. Henry, brought up by his aunt and uncle, has divided loyalties and believes the end is paramount, even if the means to achieve it are risky and may damage his relations with his family. I like how Rose is mature enough to help Henry to find the right path for him and his family. I like the conflicted and gentle romance between Rose and Henry. It's an enjoyable historical romance.
I received a copy of this book from the author.
I received a copy of this book from the author.
May 11, 2024
Seamstress Rose Watson yearns to push her creative boundaries outside the constraints placed by her parents.
She gets that opportunity thanks to the Countess of Bath. This serves as the basis for a lovely Victorian romance in Dressing the Countess by Rachel Brimble.
It’s interesting to experience Rose’s excitement as she explores life outside of the family shop at Henlow House. While she revels in the new opportunities, young Henry Ward wants nothing more than to escape his life of service and travel.
Sparks fly between the two, but with Henry’s penchant for gambling and plans to leave, it seems they are destined for unhappiness. However, love always finds a way to bring people together.
Dressing the Countess focuses on the importance of chasing dreams and making them a reality. ~ Amy for Novels Alive
She gets that opportunity thanks to the Countess of Bath. This serves as the basis for a lovely Victorian romance in Dressing the Countess by Rachel Brimble.
It’s interesting to experience Rose’s excitement as she explores life outside of the family shop at Henlow House. While she revels in the new opportunities, young Henry Ward wants nothing more than to escape his life of service and travel.
Sparks fly between the two, but with Henry’s penchant for gambling and plans to leave, it seems they are destined for unhappiness. However, love always finds a way to bring people together.
Dressing the Countess focuses on the importance of chasing dreams and making them a reality. ~ Amy for Novels Alive
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews