What do you think?
Rate this book
The Fallen Woman
Botanical artist Jane Saville is devastated when her manipulative mother banishes her to the countryside to protect someone else’s honour. Isolated far from home, she is forced to live an impoverished, secretive life to save the family from public shame.
Guy Attwood is heir to a fortune, but prefers his quiet passion for rare-apple hunting on behalf of Royal Kew Gardens to building the family’s business empire. He sets out to find a critically endangered apple species that he dreams of gifting and re-naming for his friend, the soon-to-be coronated George V.
When the paths of these people from two very different worlds collide, Jane begins to hope for a different future, but their new friendship is shattered by jealousy, misunderstanding, duty and treachery. A young boy will inspire Jane to defy the powers working against her and prove she is no woman to be outcast.
Set in the picturesque English countryside, in a forgotten orchard and beneath the ancient spire of Salisbury Cathedral, this is a heart-wrenching story about a woman who finds that in her darkest hour she can harness her greatest strength.
Guy Attwood is heir to a fortune, but prefers his quiet passion for rare-apple hunting on behalf of Royal Kew Gardens to building the family’s business empire. He sets out to find a critically endangered apple species that he dreams of gifting and re-naming for his friend, the soon-to-be coronated George V.
When the paths of these people from two very different worlds collide, Jane begins to hope for a different future, but their new friendship is shattered by jealousy, misunderstanding, duty and treachery. A young boy will inspire Jane to defy the powers working against her and prove she is no woman to be outcast.
Set in the picturesque English countryside, in a forgotten orchard and beneath the ancient spire of Salisbury Cathedral, this is a heart-wrenching story about a woman who finds that in her darkest hour she can harness her greatest strength.
442 pages, Paperback
Published March 12, 2025
276 people are currently reading
777 people want to read
About the author
Fiona McIntosh
70 books1,989 followersFiona writes best selling historical adventure-romance alongside the heroic-romantic, often brutal, fantasy she built her career upon. She lives in Australia but frequently roams the world meticulously researching the locations and gathering material for her historical novels that have international settings. Her books are published worldwide and in various languages.
Her most recent historical fiction has gathered such a following that she is now hosting a tour in 2014 to Paris and Provence so eager readers can walk in the footsteps of her characters.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Her most recent historical fiction has gathered such a following that she is now hosting a tour in 2014 to Paris and Provence so eager readers can walk in the footsteps of her characters.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews
September 15, 2024
Jane Saville is a watercolour botanical artist, she has an older sister Charlotte who's her mother’s favourite and she will do anything to protect her and she decides to send Jane to Wiltshire to ensure her sister makes a good match and get her out of their way. Jane works as a housekeeper for a kindly older gentleman at Cathedral Close, but other than her employer she doesn’t have any friends and people openly talk about her in public.
Despite being the heir to one of the richest families in England, Guy Attwood is a pomologist or a scientist at the Royal Kew Gardens who specializes in the study of plants and the cultivation of fruit trees. Guy is the champion of the humble apple, and he’s hunting for a rare one. Guy's a close friend of King George V, and want's the apple to be a gift to him and rename it after the new sovereign at his upcoming coronation.
Guy and Jane meet, two people who understand each other and could talk for hours and not get bored. Guy is being pressured to get married and produce offspring and Jane has her responsibilities and job, and she questions why he would be interested in a plain Jane like her. Their budding new friendship and possible romance is rocked by jealousy and greed, misunderstandings and others selfishness, duty and family, treachery and secrets and lies.
I received a copy of The Fallen Woman from Penguin Random House Australia and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I've been a big fan of Fiona McIntosh’s historical fiction since I read the Nightingale ten years ago and she has the gift of writing stories that make me feel a connection to the characters and the fascinating subjects she uses as a bases for her novels and their locations.
Set in the London, the Cathedral City of Salisbury and the English countryside, Ms. McIntosh takes you on a heart-warming literary journey and she's visited these places herself and it shows. You will cheer on and want the best outcome for Guy, Jane, young Harry and William’s characters and dislike a couple of others and how they treat Jane.
A homage to England and all things British, friendship and found families, righting wrongs and most of all finding love and an elusive apple and five big stars from me and I highly recommend.
Despite being the heir to one of the richest families in England, Guy Attwood is a pomologist or a scientist at the Royal Kew Gardens who specializes in the study of plants and the cultivation of fruit trees. Guy is the champion of the humble apple, and he’s hunting for a rare one. Guy's a close friend of King George V, and want's the apple to be a gift to him and rename it after the new sovereign at his upcoming coronation.
Guy and Jane meet, two people who understand each other and could talk for hours and not get bored. Guy is being pressured to get married and produce offspring and Jane has her responsibilities and job, and she questions why he would be interested in a plain Jane like her. Their budding new friendship and possible romance is rocked by jealousy and greed, misunderstandings and others selfishness, duty and family, treachery and secrets and lies.
I received a copy of The Fallen Woman from Penguin Random House Australia and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I've been a big fan of Fiona McIntosh’s historical fiction since I read the Nightingale ten years ago and she has the gift of writing stories that make me feel a connection to the characters and the fascinating subjects she uses as a bases for her novels and their locations.
Set in the London, the Cathedral City of Salisbury and the English countryside, Ms. McIntosh takes you on a heart-warming literary journey and she's visited these places herself and it shows. You will cheer on and want the best outcome for Guy, Jane, young Harry and William’s characters and dislike a couple of others and how they treat Jane.
A homage to England and all things British, friendship and found families, righting wrongs and most of all finding love and an elusive apple and five big stars from me and I highly recommend.
October 3, 2024
Botanical artist, Jane Saville, had spent the past seven years isolated from her family; from the mother and sister who'd not cared for her feelings and basically ordered her to do as they said. Now, Jane was happy in Salisbury with her small adopted family, never dreaming of the trauma that lay ahead.
Guy Attwood was aware he had little time left to pursue his dreams, as he was set to take over the reins of the family business in a month's time. His parents had given him much leeway but time was running out. Guy was searching for a long lost apple which he then planned to rename and give to his good friend, the soon to be coronated George V. When Guy met Jane, unexpectedly and fortuitously, lives changed and futures were rearranged. Jane would need every ounce of strength she'd ever possessed, and then some, as she channelled her beloved father and the memories that evoked...
The Fallen Woman is yet again another brilliant historical novel by prolific Australian author Fiona McIntosh, which I enjoyed very much. Some wonderful characters - William, Harry, and more - and some nasty pieces of work(!) filled the pages. And while this one feels a lot different to the author's usual fare, it also is exceptional in the way it's written, with the vivid descriptions allowing me to visualize Jane's artistry, the countryside and the characters' activities. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley & Penguin Random House AU for my digital ARC to read and review.
Guy Attwood was aware he had little time left to pursue his dreams, as he was set to take over the reins of the family business in a month's time. His parents had given him much leeway but time was running out. Guy was searching for a long lost apple which he then planned to rename and give to his good friend, the soon to be coronated George V. When Guy met Jane, unexpectedly and fortuitously, lives changed and futures were rearranged. Jane would need every ounce of strength she'd ever possessed, and then some, as she channelled her beloved father and the memories that evoked...
The Fallen Woman is yet again another brilliant historical novel by prolific Australian author Fiona McIntosh, which I enjoyed very much. Some wonderful characters - William, Harry, and more - and some nasty pieces of work(!) filled the pages. And while this one feels a lot different to the author's usual fare, it also is exceptional in the way it's written, with the vivid descriptions allowing me to visualize Jane's artistry, the countryside and the characters' activities. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley & Penguin Random House AU for my digital ARC to read and review.
April 3, 2025
I have to say straight away that I was not able to engage with the characters in this book - the good ones because they were weak and constantly saying one thing and doing the opposite, and the bad ones because they were overwritten. It was obvious from the beginning what was going to happen and indeed it did.
Having said that I did like the setting, the writing style and all the information about apples! I read every word about apples and skimmed every chapter that included that appalling sister. So just three stars from me for the good bits and I know I must give this author another chance! I will.
Having said that I did like the setting, the writing style and all the information about apples! I read every word about apples and skimmed every chapter that included that appalling sister. So just three stars from me for the good bits and I know I must give this author another chance! I will.
April 28, 2025
The Fallen Woman by Fiona McIntosh
Synopsis /
In the shadows of Edwardian society, talented botanical artist Jane Saville faces an impossible choice when her ruthless mother exiles her to the English countryside to protect another’s reputation. Forced to live in poverty and secrecy to shield her family from scandal, Jane’s world seems destined for darkness until she meets Guy Attwood.
Heir to an industrial fortune, Guy defies his family's ambitions, choosing instead to pursue his hunting England’s rarest apples for the Royal Kew Gardens. His quest to find an endangered species worthy of naming for the soon-to-be King George V leads him to a hidden orchard—and to Jane.
As their worlds intertwine beneath the ancient spires of Salisbury Cathedral, Jane dares to dream of a different future. But in a society ruled by duty and appearances, their blossoming friendship awakens dangerous jealousies. When treachery and misunderstanding threaten to tear them apart, it will take the innocent wisdom of a child to show Jane that her greatest strength lies not in conforming to society’s rules, but in daring to defy them.
My Thoughts /
First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and author, Fiona McIntosh for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Fiona McIntosh is an internationally and million-copy bestselling author of novels for adults and children across several genres. Alongside her highly successful historical fiction titles, for which she has been nominated at the Australian Book Industry Awards for commercial fiction book of the year, her popular Detective Jack Hawksworth series will soon be released across the UK. Several of her historical titles as well as the 'world of Hawksworth' crime novels have been optioned for the screen.
Last month, I read Mary-Lou Stephens' The Jam Maker – which, by the way, if you haven't read, I can highly recommend – where, as part of that narrative, Stephens details the history of jam making in Tasmania during the late 1800's through to the early 1920s where apples are featured as a main ingredient. Imagine my surprise, as I started to read The Fallen Woman and realised that the humble apple also features heavily in this story. Call it - Luck? Fate? Or, happy co-incidence?
I don't mind either way, because I enjoyed this historical fiction tale by Fiona McIntosh immensely.
In an ancient orchard, a fallen woman rises to claim her destiny
Botanical artist, Jane Saville, is devastated when her manipulative mother banishes her to the countryside to protect someone else's honour. Isolated far from home, she is forced to live an impoverished, secretive life to save the family from public shame.
Guy Attwood, only son and heir to one of the richest families in England. He's the modern day 'Bachelor' with every mother in England vying for their unwed daughter to become Mrs Guy Attwood. The pursuit for his hand in marriage is punishingly relentless and Guy knows his single life must soon come to and end – his parents want him to marry. But Guy prefers his quiet passion for rare-apple hunting on behalf of Royal Kew Gardens to building the family's business empire; and sets out to find a critically endangered apple species that he dreams of gifting and re-naming for his friend, the soon-to-be coronated [King] George V.
Set in the early 1900s both characters are victims of societal expectation and are chained down by a sense of duty to their (respective) family. Both come from families with royal connections and are well regarded; however where one family is now impoverished, the other is abundantly wealthy.
Even though the plot was, at times, completely predictable, you couldn't help but be swept away by the unique historical setting and relatable characters. This reader is not a huge fan of romance novels, but even she was drawn in by the author's extraordinary storytelling, which is rich in Victorian era elegance and charm.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Storm Publishing for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Synopsis /
In the shadows of Edwardian society, talented botanical artist Jane Saville faces an impossible choice when her ruthless mother exiles her to the English countryside to protect another’s reputation. Forced to live in poverty and secrecy to shield her family from scandal, Jane’s world seems destined for darkness until she meets Guy Attwood.
Heir to an industrial fortune, Guy defies his family's ambitions, choosing instead to pursue his hunting England’s rarest apples for the Royal Kew Gardens. His quest to find an endangered species worthy of naming for the soon-to-be King George V leads him to a hidden orchard—and to Jane.
As their worlds intertwine beneath the ancient spires of Salisbury Cathedral, Jane dares to dream of a different future. But in a society ruled by duty and appearances, their blossoming friendship awakens dangerous jealousies. When treachery and misunderstanding threaten to tear them apart, it will take the innocent wisdom of a child to show Jane that her greatest strength lies not in conforming to society’s rules, but in daring to defy them.
My Thoughts /
First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and author, Fiona McIntosh for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Fiona McIntosh is an internationally and million-copy bestselling author of novels for adults and children across several genres. Alongside her highly successful historical fiction titles, for which she has been nominated at the Australian Book Industry Awards for commercial fiction book of the year, her popular Detective Jack Hawksworth series will soon be released across the UK. Several of her historical titles as well as the 'world of Hawksworth' crime novels have been optioned for the screen.
Last month, I read Mary-Lou Stephens' The Jam Maker – which, by the way, if you haven't read, I can highly recommend – where, as part of that narrative, Stephens details the history of jam making in Tasmania during the late 1800's through to the early 1920s where apples are featured as a main ingredient. Imagine my surprise, as I started to read The Fallen Woman and realised that the humble apple also features heavily in this story. Call it - Luck? Fate? Or, happy co-incidence?
I don't mind either way, because I enjoyed this historical fiction tale by Fiona McIntosh immensely.
In an ancient orchard, a fallen woman rises to claim her destiny
Botanical artist, Jane Saville, is devastated when her manipulative mother banishes her to the countryside to protect someone else's honour. Isolated far from home, she is forced to live an impoverished, secretive life to save the family from public shame.
Guy Attwood, only son and heir to one of the richest families in England. He's the modern day 'Bachelor' with every mother in England vying for their unwed daughter to become Mrs Guy Attwood. The pursuit for his hand in marriage is punishingly relentless and Guy knows his single life must soon come to and end – his parents want him to marry. But Guy prefers his quiet passion for rare-apple hunting on behalf of Royal Kew Gardens to building the family's business empire; and sets out to find a critically endangered apple species that he dreams of gifting and re-naming for his friend, the soon-to-be coronated [King] George V.
Set in the early 1900s both characters are victims of societal expectation and are chained down by a sense of duty to their (respective) family. Both come from families with royal connections and are well regarded; however where one family is now impoverished, the other is abundantly wealthy.
Even though the plot was, at times, completely predictable, you couldn't help but be swept away by the unique historical setting and relatable characters. This reader is not a huge fan of romance novels, but even she was drawn in by the author's extraordinary storytelling, which is rich in Victorian era elegance and charm.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Storm Publishing for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
October 29, 2024
This is another awesome story from fabulous story teller Fiona McIntosh, a story of love and romance but with heartache entwined throughout, come along and meet the wonderful characters and feel their emotions, this one is set in the early 1900’s and is a brilliant read.
Jane Saville is a botanical artist who was very close to her father, but he has passed now and when her scheming mother and sister come up with a plan to save her older sister, Charlotte and the family name from ruin, Jane is sent to the country here, soon she is happy with her adoptive family in Salisbury although life is not always easy with her unwarranted reputation.
Guy Attwood, comes from a wealthy family but his true love is apples. Yes he searches for rare apples and works with Kew Gardens, at the moment he is searching for a very rare apple that he hopes to find and present to the new King George V on his coronation.
When Jane and Guy meet unexpectedly with the help of a little boy Harry, their lives will change, Jane has never felt this way before but soon Jane’s family returns to cause lots of problems, jealousy and nastiness pull them apart, but Jane is determined that she will stand up to whatever is thrown her way and put her life back in order.
I loved this one from start to finish, I loved Guy and Jane they both showed strength and character when their worlds are torn apart but neither gave up and Harry oh what a fabulous character, this one is set in the most beautiful of settings, it is heart-wrenching and heart-warming at the same time and I do highly recommend, I am a big fan of MS McIntosh’s stories she never disappoints.
My thanks to Penguin Random House and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.
Jane Saville is a botanical artist who was very close to her father, but he has passed now and when her scheming mother and sister come up with a plan to save her older sister, Charlotte and the family name from ruin, Jane is sent to the country here, soon she is happy with her adoptive family in Salisbury although life is not always easy with her unwarranted reputation.
Guy Attwood, comes from a wealthy family but his true love is apples. Yes he searches for rare apples and works with Kew Gardens, at the moment he is searching for a very rare apple that he hopes to find and present to the new King George V on his coronation.
When Jane and Guy meet unexpectedly with the help of a little boy Harry, their lives will change, Jane has never felt this way before but soon Jane’s family returns to cause lots of problems, jealousy and nastiness pull them apart, but Jane is determined that she will stand up to whatever is thrown her way and put her life back in order.
I loved this one from start to finish, I loved Guy and Jane they both showed strength and character when their worlds are torn apart but neither gave up and Harry oh what a fabulous character, this one is set in the most beautiful of settings, it is heart-wrenching and heart-warming at the same time and I do highly recommend, I am a big fan of MS McIntosh’s stories she never disappoints.
My thanks to Penguin Random House and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.
March 17, 2025
The Fallen Woman tells the story of Jane Seville, a young woman forced into scandal by arrogant family members to protect the family name and seek higher status. Jane lives her days with her son and friend painting. One day, Guy Attwood, a wealthy and eligible bachelor, is brought into their lives, and soon Jane must take control of the future she wants.
Along the way, there is a lot of talk and history about apples—like, a lot! If I didn't know better, I would think the apple industry was paying the author. But that aside, and Guy's casual name-dropping, it was impossible not to root for Guy and Jane and cheer the downfall of her family members.
Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the early reading copy of the e-book. All opinions are my own!
Along the way, there is a lot of talk and history about apples—like, a lot! If I didn't know better, I would think the apple industry was paying the author. But that aside, and Guy's casual name-dropping, it was impossible not to root for Guy and Jane and cheer the downfall of her family members.
Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the early reading copy of the e-book. All opinions are my own!
August 25, 2025
A beautifully crafted historical fiction tale, where our protagonist is forced to navigate societal constraints, while living a secretive and impoverished life.
Set between a forgotten orchard in the picturesque English countryside and beneath the ancient spire of the Salisbury Cathedral.
Set between a forgotten orchard in the picturesque English countryside and beneath the ancient spire of the Salisbury Cathedral.
December 8, 2024
⭐️4 Stars⭐️
The Fallen Woman by Fiona McIntosh is a sweeping and heart wrenching historical fiction romance set in England in 1902.
Jane Saville is a botanical artist who paints with water colours, she’s been cruelly manipulated by her mother and sister and banished to live an impoverished existence to save her family from shame.
Wealthy heir and pomologist Guy Attwood is on an obsessive quest, to find a rare and ancient species of apple and gift it to his friend, England’s new King.
I loved how Jane and Guy are brought together but first they must navigate hidden secrets, lies, family pressures, jealously and obligations.
My favourite characters were William and young Harry. Harry was adorable and at the other end of the scale I loathed Charlotte, Jane’s sister. The author certainly knows how to bring her characters to life.
I enjoyed learning about the humble apple and the serious decline/extinction of heritage varieties.
The research for this book is impeccable as always and I loved the historical charm of the city of Salisbury and its cathedral.
Publication Date 01 October 2024
Publisher Penguin Random House
A huge thank you to the wonderful team at Penguin Books Australia for a copy of the book.
The Fallen Woman by Fiona McIntosh is a sweeping and heart wrenching historical fiction romance set in England in 1902.
Jane Saville is a botanical artist who paints with water colours, she’s been cruelly manipulated by her mother and sister and banished to live an impoverished existence to save her family from shame.
Wealthy heir and pomologist Guy Attwood is on an obsessive quest, to find a rare and ancient species of apple and gift it to his friend, England’s new King.
I loved how Jane and Guy are brought together but first they must navigate hidden secrets, lies, family pressures, jealously and obligations.
My favourite characters were William and young Harry. Harry was adorable and at the other end of the scale I loathed Charlotte, Jane’s sister. The author certainly knows how to bring her characters to life.
I enjoyed learning about the humble apple and the serious decline/extinction of heritage varieties.
The research for this book is impeccable as always and I loved the historical charm of the city of Salisbury and its cathedral.
Publication Date 01 October 2024
Publisher Penguin Random House
A huge thank you to the wonderful team at Penguin Books Australia for a copy of the book.
October 18, 2024
Very predictable you could see the ending from the start.i just feel the last 2 books she has written have been churned out no where near as good as her earlier novels.
October 3, 2024
Big thanks to Penguin for sending us a copy to read and review.
Fiona McIntosh’s lush epic historical fiction sagas are always a glamorous and addictive read.
The Fallen Woman is a classic, sweeping and unique tale set in England in the early 1900s.
Artist Jane Saville is banished to live a secretive life.
Her sister has got herself into trouble and to save face her manipulative mother has demanded Jane bear the responsibility.
Guy Attwood is wealthy, distinguished and not yet ready to take over the family fortune.
His desire for finding a certain apple variety and gifting it to royalty is the top of his list.
A chance encounter brings him to Jane and the two have an attraction.
But life gets in the way as does resentment, anger and misunderstanding.
What happens next will change everything………
I always welcome a Fiona story.
As I know I’ll get transported back in time, swept away and rewarded with a beautifully written and visually vivid narrative.
Hearing Fiona talk about her latest creation, her research is impeccable and lengths she goes to for creativity comes out in her words.
A memorable voyage of love, adventure, family secrets, friendship, jealousy, hope and apples and painting.
Indulge in this magnificent gem and be reading fulfilled.
Fiona McIntosh’s lush epic historical fiction sagas are always a glamorous and addictive read.
The Fallen Woman is a classic, sweeping and unique tale set in England in the early 1900s.
Artist Jane Saville is banished to live a secretive life.
Her sister has got herself into trouble and to save face her manipulative mother has demanded Jane bear the responsibility.
Guy Attwood is wealthy, distinguished and not yet ready to take over the family fortune.
His desire for finding a certain apple variety and gifting it to royalty is the top of his list.
A chance encounter brings him to Jane and the two have an attraction.
But life gets in the way as does resentment, anger and misunderstanding.
What happens next will change everything………
I always welcome a Fiona story.
As I know I’ll get transported back in time, swept away and rewarded with a beautifully written and visually vivid narrative.
Hearing Fiona talk about her latest creation, her research is impeccable and lengths she goes to for creativity comes out in her words.
A memorable voyage of love, adventure, family secrets, friendship, jealousy, hope and apples and painting.
Indulge in this magnificent gem and be reading fulfilled.
January 16, 2025
2.5 rounded up.
A manipulative mother and sister, a cowering botanical artist, a rich aristocrat, a young child, and an almost extinct apple variety all come together in Salisbury on the eve of the coronation of King George V in 1911.
I have a very mixed feelings about McIntosh's books, of which I have read a handful. While I have enjoyed one or two (The Pearl Thief) I have not enjoyed others (The Orphans). I absolutely admire her ability as a researcher, her ability to find a good story and put it to words interspersed with historical fact. However, I struggle with the somewhat formulaic approach her books take - that very traditional story arc whereby the plot progresses from introduction, to rising action, a climax, and a (happy) resolution. That said the author has thousands of fans, is a multi million copy best seller and this obviously works. For me this creates a degree of predictability that means I know exactly what is going to happen and how from the start, and when the book is 400 plus pages, as this one was, I do start to read and mutter - just get on with it.
A manipulative mother and sister, a cowering botanical artist, a rich aristocrat, a young child, and an almost extinct apple variety all come together in Salisbury on the eve of the coronation of King George V in 1911.
I have a very mixed feelings about McIntosh's books, of which I have read a handful. While I have enjoyed one or two (The Pearl Thief) I have not enjoyed others (The Orphans). I absolutely admire her ability as a researcher, her ability to find a good story and put it to words interspersed with historical fact. However, I struggle with the somewhat formulaic approach her books take - that very traditional story arc whereby the plot progresses from introduction, to rising action, a climax, and a (happy) resolution. That said the author has thousands of fans, is a multi million copy best seller and this obviously works. For me this creates a degree of predictability that means I know exactly what is going to happen and how from the start, and when the book is 400 plus pages, as this one was, I do start to read and mutter - just get on with it.
April 23, 2025
Fiona McIntosh although born in the UK, now lives in Australia. She is a prolific author but this is the first time I have read any of her work.
'The Fallen Woman' of the novel's title is Jane Saville and it is thanks to her mother that she has gained this undeserving title. Jane is a talented botanical artist whose chance meeting with Guy Attwood a young man seeking an extinct apple, leads to love. Jane and Guy have a lot of problems to overcome before they find an amicable resolution.
A very enjoyable and easy read that kept me entertained on a recent flight. The style reminded me of the novels of Georgette Heyer whose stories I used to read and enjoy many years ago. With thanks to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and the author for the opportunity to read and review this obviously well researched novel.
https://lindyloumacbookreviews.blogsp...
'The Fallen Woman' of the novel's title is Jane Saville and it is thanks to her mother that she has gained this undeserving title. Jane is a talented botanical artist whose chance meeting with Guy Attwood a young man seeking an extinct apple, leads to love. Jane and Guy have a lot of problems to overcome before they find an amicable resolution.
A very enjoyable and easy read that kept me entertained on a recent flight. The style reminded me of the novels of Georgette Heyer whose stories I used to read and enjoy many years ago. With thanks to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and the author for the opportunity to read and review this obviously well researched novel.
https://lindyloumacbookreviews.blogsp...
October 8, 2024
This is a big saga of a book; betrayal, love and morality are here..so is an apple hunt and steam trains and found families. I loved every page. It reads like a love letter to Britain, to tea and colour..I adored Jane, Guy, Harry and William..it’s a engrossing and engaging read that I did get to start early thanks to my ARC from Penguin (so lucky!)
October 21, 2024
The Fallen Woman by Fiona McIntosh is set in Salisbury, England around the Cathedral.
Jane Seville a botanical artist with eyes of vermeer blue is banished to the countryside to save her family from public shame.
Guy Attwood is heir to a fortune but, prefers his quiet passion for hunting rare apples and is known as a pomologist ~ apple hunter.
His search is for a rare apple, a gift to the new king.
Charlotte is the sister to Jane and they both play a huge role in this story.
Little Henry is also a predominant character who plays with toy soldiers and trains.
This story will stay with me for a long time in my memory and heart.
The colours on the palette and scenery will enrapture you.
I absolutely adored this story, The Fallen Woman by Fiona McIntosh.
Jane Seville a botanical artist with eyes of vermeer blue is banished to the countryside to save her family from public shame.
Guy Attwood is heir to a fortune but, prefers his quiet passion for hunting rare apples and is known as a pomologist ~ apple hunter.
His search is for a rare apple, a gift to the new king.
Charlotte is the sister to Jane and they both play a huge role in this story.
Little Henry is also a predominant character who plays with toy soldiers and trains.
This story will stay with me for a long time in my memory and heart.
The colours on the palette and scenery will enrapture you.
I absolutely adored this story, The Fallen Woman by Fiona McIntosh.
July 30, 2025
Jane Saville is a young artist living with her family in London when her older sister, Charlotte, becomes pregnant out of wedlock. The problem? Charlotte is engaged to a wealthy man who will help save the family from financial ruin, so she cannot keep the child. The solution? Jane is basically forced to claim the baby as her own and become a “fallen woman” to save her selfish and horrible sister’s reputation.
The rest of this book follows Jane’s life as she is raising her nephew as a young child in the countryside of England. We end up with a story filled with rich descriptions of art, color, family, love, and loss.
I really enjoyed Jane’s story and appreciated all the little historical facts thrown throughout. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves historical fiction. The love story also helped keep my interest, even though it was a little cheesy at times.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
The rest of this book follows Jane’s life as she is raising her nephew as a young child in the countryside of England. We end up with a story filled with rich descriptions of art, color, family, love, and loss.
I really enjoyed Jane’s story and appreciated all the little historical facts thrown throughout. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves historical fiction. The love story also helped keep my interest, even though it was a little cheesy at times.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
July 18, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyable, I really like the writing style of Fiona Macintosh. The progression of details about each character added into the storyline over time is done so carefully that it really pulls you along throughout the story, feeling like you’re getting to know them as friends and learning about their personalities through conversation. Although the story is somewhat told from multiple perspectives, it really feels like you’re standing right in the middle watching it all unfold.
Plenty of mystery, suspense, heartbreak and joy woven in. I really liked this one. The time taken to read this one is not reflective of the quality- I would have read it in one sitting if I had the time!
Plenty of mystery, suspense, heartbreak and joy woven in. I really liked this one. The time taken to read this one is not reflective of the quality- I would have read it in one sitting if I had the time!
January 8, 2025
4.5 Stars
January 25, 2025
I realised today I’ve read over a dozen of her books! She’s one of a few authors I will always read. When you read Fiona McIntosh you know exactly what you’re going to get. This one doesn’t disappoint.
January 27, 2025
Definitely up there as one of my favourites. Such a beautiful story of love in different types of relationships. Both its beauty and its strength. ❤️
February 2, 2025
Absolutely loved it. It was a good interesting book the kept me turning the pages. A beautiful story.
May 4, 2025
One of her best.
June 12, 2025
This was a page-turner and I finished this book in 2 days. Poor Jane was used as a pawn in her mother's plan to get Jane's sister married into a moneyed family. After many years, Jane came out the victor in her family's plot.
August 21, 2025
There were a couple of things that I felt let down what was otherwise an interesting story. Having a seven year old who walks, talks and thinks like an adult was not at all believable for me, and I felt that the tension points in the story were only created by one character not letting the other speak and thus creating a misunderstanding. Again, for characters that were portrayed as being more emotionally mature, this communication style didn't ring true and let the story down.
Read
February 23, 2025Another enjoyable read from Fiona. I really enjoyed it.
March 5, 2025
This was a solid 2.5 🌟.
What I liked
✔️Jane's love for Harry.
✔️Williams love and care for Jane and Harry.
✔️The villians Charlotte and her mom, well written villians.
✔️Some of Jane's characterization, her protectiveness, her sacrifice
✔️Guy finally developing a backbone with Eleanor
What I disliked
✔️the fact that it was insta love
✔️Eleanors come back, did not add to the plotline
✔️Jane's annoying habit of not listening for a moment
✔️And Guy allowing himself to be bulldozed
Overall, this was an okay read. It needs a nice edit. There were grammatical errors and hard to read sentences throughout.
#netgalley #TheFallenWoman
What I liked
✔️Jane's love for Harry.
✔️Williams love and care for Jane and Harry.
✔️The villians Charlotte and her mom, well written villians.
✔️Some of Jane's characterization, her protectiveness, her sacrifice
✔️Guy finally developing a backbone with Eleanor
What I disliked
✔️the fact that it was insta love
✔️Eleanors come back, did not add to the plotline
✔️Jane's annoying habit of not listening for a moment
✔️And Guy allowing himself to be bulldozed
Overall, this was an okay read. It needs a nice edit. There were grammatical errors and hard to read sentences throughout.
#netgalley #TheFallenWoman
May 7, 2025
This is one of the best books I've ever listened to. All my emotions were touched in this book. Highly recommend!!!
January 5, 2025
A well researched interesting story set in a great location.
November 7, 2025
Fiona McIntosh is one of those reliably prolific storytellers who can whisk a reader into another era with the assurance of someone who knows exactly where the cobblestones are laid. The Fallen Woman—set in the English countryside beneath the shadow of Salisbury Cathedral—does precisely that. It offers the familiar pleasures of her historical fiction: elegant settings, brisk pacing, a moral centre that never wavers too far from decency, and an ending designed to restore faith in human resilience. Yet for all its beauty and craftsmanship, it never quite escapes the gravitational pull of predictability.
At the heart of the story is Jane Saville, a talented botanical artist whose life collapses when her manipulative mother and sister orchestrate a future for her to secure their family’s financial future, necessitating her exclusion from polite society. The “fall” in question is not Jane’s own moral failing but the social punishment meted out to women who become convenient scapegoats for others’ sins. Exiled to forge a life as a housekeeper in Salisbury, Jane is forced to build a new life from the ruins of disgrace. It’s here she meets Guy Attwood, the heir to a fortune who would rather hunt for rare apple species than sit in boardrooms. Guy’s search for a mythical apple—destined as a coronation gift for King George V—brings him to Jane’s hidden world, and their meeting inevitably alters the course of both their lives.
McIntosh writes with her usual painterly detail. The orchard, the cathedral spire, and the English countryside are rendered with an almost cinematic sensibility. You can smell the damp earth, see the dust motes drifting through the morning light. Her historical settings are always solidly built, and here she uses them to reflect Jane’s inner landscape: barren at first, then blooming with quiet defiance. The novel’s central motif—the preservation of rare apples and Jane’s resilience, becomes an elegant metaphor for rebirth and the fragile art of starting again.
Thematically, the book touches on territory that will be familiar to long-time readers of McIntosh: honour, exile, love, duty, and the moral weight borne by women in patriarchal societies. Jane’s banishment for another’s transgression is particularly telling. It recalls the 19th-century notion of the “fallen woman”—a label that erased women’s complexity and turned them into moral warnings. McIntosh clearly intends to critique that injustice. Jane’s journey is one of reclamation: she refuses to be defined by shame, and in doing so, becomes the architect of her own redemption.
Yet for all its noble intentions, The Fallen Woman occasionally feels overly safe. The narrative unfolds in expected rhythms, with every emotional peak neatly foreshadowed. The villains—particularly Jane’s calculating sister —border on caricature, and the moments of peril are often softened by the certainty that McIntosh’s world will set itself right again. Readers seeking ambiguity or moral complexity may find themselves wishing for sharper edges.
Jane herself is a sympathetic heroine but not always a surprising one. Her strength feels innate rather than hard-won; she is good, wronged, stoic, and ultimately vindicated. While there’s satisfaction in watching her rebuild her life, the character lacks the moral contradictions that make a protagonist linger in the mind. Guy Attwood, meanwhile, is almost too noble—a man of means who prefers soil beneath his fingernails to wealth in his ledgers. His fascination with rare apples is charming but sometimes feels like an allegorical device rather than an organic passion. Their romance is gentle, even chaste, and while it provides emotional warmth, it doesn’t ignite.
Where McIntosh excels, as always, is in world-building and pacing. She understands the architecture of a page-turner: short chapters, dual perspectives, and a clear emotional throughline. There are moments of genuine poignancy—particularly in the bond Jane forms with her son, who endures paralleled taunts and admonishments from adults and peers alike. He becomes both her moral compass and her reason to remain stoic and independent. Through him, McIntosh reminds us that redemption often arrives through compassion rather than grand gestures.
The novel’s language is accessible and melodic, never striving for literary innovation but always ensuring emotional clarity. McIntosh’s prose is like well-worn silk—comfortable, familiar, and easy to slip into. That readability is her trademark, and it’s why she continues to dominate Australian bestseller lists. She knows her audience: readers who want to be moved without being unsettled, who crave stories that reaffirm rather than dismantle.
Still, one can’t help feeling that The Fallen Woman could have been more daring. The premise—an unjustly banished woman reclaiming her life—offers opportunities for sharper social critique. The early 20th-century backdrop, on the cusp of suffragette reform, could have allowed McIntosh to explore shifting gender politics or the intersection of art and independence. Instead, the novel stays within the genteel confines of romance and redemption. That choice doesn’t make it lesser, but it does make it safe.
In many ways, the book is a comfort read, and there’s nothing wrong with that. McIntosh’s historical fiction thrives on its emotional sincerity. She has a gift for showing women who endure, adapt, and ultimately prevail. Jane’s quiet resilience will resonate with readers who have faced social judgment or familial betrayal. The orchard’s seasonal cycle—decay, dormancy, bloom—offers a satisfying symbolic arc. Yet when the final pages arrive, everything feels neatly tied, and perhaps too quickly forgiven. The sense of risk that should accompany a “fall” never fully materialises.
What lingers most is not the romance but the imagery of nature reclaiming ruin. The forgotten orchard becomes a sanctuary where shame is composted into growth. That metaphor—of a woman finding grace in isolation—might be the novel’s true triumph. It speaks to the broader appeal of McIntosh’s fiction: the belief that loss can be transfigured into beauty, and that exile can be the beginning of belonging.
For readers already devoted to McIntosh, this is another satisfying entry in her long line of lush historical tales. For newcomers, it’s an accessible gateway, though not necessarily her most ambitious work. The craft is impeccable; the emotional range, somewhat restrained.
In the end, The Fallen Woman is graceful but conventional—a novel that charms more than it challenges. It offers solace rather than surprise, reassurance rather than revelation. Three solid stars for its atmosphere, heart, and polish; one withheld for the lack of daring that might have elevated it from pleasant to profound.
Verdict: A beautifully rendered but predictable tale of redemption and resilience. Perfect for readers who love historical romance grounded in moral clarity and English countryside charm, but those craving complexity or surprise may find themselves wanting more.
At the heart of the story is Jane Saville, a talented botanical artist whose life collapses when her manipulative mother and sister orchestrate a future for her to secure their family’s financial future, necessitating her exclusion from polite society. The “fall” in question is not Jane’s own moral failing but the social punishment meted out to women who become convenient scapegoats for others’ sins. Exiled to forge a life as a housekeeper in Salisbury, Jane is forced to build a new life from the ruins of disgrace. It’s here she meets Guy Attwood, the heir to a fortune who would rather hunt for rare apple species than sit in boardrooms. Guy’s search for a mythical apple—destined as a coronation gift for King George V—brings him to Jane’s hidden world, and their meeting inevitably alters the course of both their lives.
McIntosh writes with her usual painterly detail. The orchard, the cathedral spire, and the English countryside are rendered with an almost cinematic sensibility. You can smell the damp earth, see the dust motes drifting through the morning light. Her historical settings are always solidly built, and here she uses them to reflect Jane’s inner landscape: barren at first, then blooming with quiet defiance. The novel’s central motif—the preservation of rare apples and Jane’s resilience, becomes an elegant metaphor for rebirth and the fragile art of starting again.
Thematically, the book touches on territory that will be familiar to long-time readers of McIntosh: honour, exile, love, duty, and the moral weight borne by women in patriarchal societies. Jane’s banishment for another’s transgression is particularly telling. It recalls the 19th-century notion of the “fallen woman”—a label that erased women’s complexity and turned them into moral warnings. McIntosh clearly intends to critique that injustice. Jane’s journey is one of reclamation: she refuses to be defined by shame, and in doing so, becomes the architect of her own redemption.
Yet for all its noble intentions, The Fallen Woman occasionally feels overly safe. The narrative unfolds in expected rhythms, with every emotional peak neatly foreshadowed. The villains—particularly Jane’s calculating sister —border on caricature, and the moments of peril are often softened by the certainty that McIntosh’s world will set itself right again. Readers seeking ambiguity or moral complexity may find themselves wishing for sharper edges.
Jane herself is a sympathetic heroine but not always a surprising one. Her strength feels innate rather than hard-won; she is good, wronged, stoic, and ultimately vindicated. While there’s satisfaction in watching her rebuild her life, the character lacks the moral contradictions that make a protagonist linger in the mind. Guy Attwood, meanwhile, is almost too noble—a man of means who prefers soil beneath his fingernails to wealth in his ledgers. His fascination with rare apples is charming but sometimes feels like an allegorical device rather than an organic passion. Their romance is gentle, even chaste, and while it provides emotional warmth, it doesn’t ignite.
Where McIntosh excels, as always, is in world-building and pacing. She understands the architecture of a page-turner: short chapters, dual perspectives, and a clear emotional throughline. There are moments of genuine poignancy—particularly in the bond Jane forms with her son, who endures paralleled taunts and admonishments from adults and peers alike. He becomes both her moral compass and her reason to remain stoic and independent. Through him, McIntosh reminds us that redemption often arrives through compassion rather than grand gestures.
The novel’s language is accessible and melodic, never striving for literary innovation but always ensuring emotional clarity. McIntosh’s prose is like well-worn silk—comfortable, familiar, and easy to slip into. That readability is her trademark, and it’s why she continues to dominate Australian bestseller lists. She knows her audience: readers who want to be moved without being unsettled, who crave stories that reaffirm rather than dismantle.
Still, one can’t help feeling that The Fallen Woman could have been more daring. The premise—an unjustly banished woman reclaiming her life—offers opportunities for sharper social critique. The early 20th-century backdrop, on the cusp of suffragette reform, could have allowed McIntosh to explore shifting gender politics or the intersection of art and independence. Instead, the novel stays within the genteel confines of romance and redemption. That choice doesn’t make it lesser, but it does make it safe.
In many ways, the book is a comfort read, and there’s nothing wrong with that. McIntosh’s historical fiction thrives on its emotional sincerity. She has a gift for showing women who endure, adapt, and ultimately prevail. Jane’s quiet resilience will resonate with readers who have faced social judgment or familial betrayal. The orchard’s seasonal cycle—decay, dormancy, bloom—offers a satisfying symbolic arc. Yet when the final pages arrive, everything feels neatly tied, and perhaps too quickly forgiven. The sense of risk that should accompany a “fall” never fully materialises.
What lingers most is not the romance but the imagery of nature reclaiming ruin. The forgotten orchard becomes a sanctuary where shame is composted into growth. That metaphor—of a woman finding grace in isolation—might be the novel’s true triumph. It speaks to the broader appeal of McIntosh’s fiction: the belief that loss can be transfigured into beauty, and that exile can be the beginning of belonging.
For readers already devoted to McIntosh, this is another satisfying entry in her long line of lush historical tales. For newcomers, it’s an accessible gateway, though not necessarily her most ambitious work. The craft is impeccable; the emotional range, somewhat restrained.
In the end, The Fallen Woman is graceful but conventional—a novel that charms more than it challenges. It offers solace rather than surprise, reassurance rather than revelation. Three solid stars for its atmosphere, heart, and polish; one withheld for the lack of daring that might have elevated it from pleasant to profound.
Verdict: A beautifully rendered but predictable tale of redemption and resilience. Perfect for readers who love historical romance grounded in moral clarity and English countryside charm, but those craving complexity or surprise may find themselves wanting more.
October 22, 2024
Jane Saville is a botanical artist and finds simple joy in her drawings and memories of plant hunts with her father. When, on her manipulative mother's command Jane is banished to the countryside to protect someone else's honour, she is devastated and forced to live a secret life to save the family from public shame. Jane finds peace and harmony as housekeeper to William Angus in the shadow of Salisbury Cathedral. William regards Jane as the daughter he never had and his kind and gentle nature gives her a home like she hadn't experienced in some time and the encouragement she needs to continue her beloved art.
Guy Attwood is heir to a vast fortune but prefers to follow his love of apple-hunting on behalf of Royal Kew Gardens. He cares nothing for the usual habits of the 'idle rich', has no interest in fame and fortune that is his by right; his only aim to discover a long forgotten and maybe extinct apple to present to his friend King George V on his coronation. When his father dies, Guy must take control of the family business and the time has come for him to choose a wife. Though there are a number of contenders, Guy is determined to find the one he is destined to love.
When the paths of Jane and Guy cross as he searches for his apple tree, Jane begins to hope for a different future but the lives of both of them are marred by treachery and jealousy until a young boy inspires Jane to defy the powers working against her and show that she is not a woman to be outcast.
I loved this story by Fiona McIntosh. The colours of the story seem to appear on each page, at least as regularly as the apple does.
Guy Attwood is heir to a vast fortune but prefers to follow his love of apple-hunting on behalf of Royal Kew Gardens. He cares nothing for the usual habits of the 'idle rich', has no interest in fame and fortune that is his by right; his only aim to discover a long forgotten and maybe extinct apple to present to his friend King George V on his coronation. When his father dies, Guy must take control of the family business and the time has come for him to choose a wife. Though there are a number of contenders, Guy is determined to find the one he is destined to love.
When the paths of Jane and Guy cross as he searches for his apple tree, Jane begins to hope for a different future but the lives of both of them are marred by treachery and jealousy until a young boy inspires Jane to defy the powers working against her and show that she is not a woman to be outcast.
I loved this story by Fiona McIntosh. The colours of the story seem to appear on each page, at least as regularly as the apple does.
October 20, 2024
Jane Saville is sent away to live in the countryside by her mother to protect the family’s reputation. Living in poverty, she meets Guy Attwood, a rich man who loves finding rare apples. Their friendship gives Jane hope, but jealousy and confusion make things difficult. With the help of a young boy, Jane finds the courage to stand up for herself.
Set in the beautiful English countryside, this story shows how Jane overcomes hard times and proves she’s stronger than those who try to control her.
Set in the beautiful English countryside, this story shows how Jane overcomes hard times and proves she’s stronger than those who try to control her.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews