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Rebecca's Choice
‘Can Rebecca find the love and passion she craves within a Victorian world that seems to be conspiring against her?’
It is 1887 and Queen Victoria is on the throne. Businessman and meteorologist Geoffrey de Roussier is passionate about his weather station and railways, yet little of his passion seems to filter through to his shy, naïve young wife, Rebecca.
Following his tragic demise, Rebecca discovers that Geoffrey’s railroad investments have failed, leaving her penniless. As the past threatens to engulf her, Rebecca realises she has to make a choice. Gwilym Llewellyn, Geoffrey’s trusted friend and advisor, has an emotional debt to repay to Geoffrey and meets Rebecca to offer her a solution. Meanwhile Rebecca has found passion in another direction …
One man will save her from destitution, the other will offer her the love and excitement that she aches for. Whom will she choose?
The book has a wonderful setting in Cardiff, South Wales. If you like a good mix of a charming, evocative depiction of the Victorian era and a modern-thinking heroine then Rebecca’s Choice is the novel for you.
This is Heidi Gallacher’s debut novel, a historical Victorian romance of 62,000 words. Pick up ‘Rebecca’s Choice’ today to lose yourself in this wonderful story!
It is 1887 and Queen Victoria is on the throne. Businessman and meteorologist Geoffrey de Roussier is passionate about his weather station and railways, yet little of his passion seems to filter through to his shy, naïve young wife, Rebecca.
Following his tragic demise, Rebecca discovers that Geoffrey’s railroad investments have failed, leaving her penniless. As the past threatens to engulf her, Rebecca realises she has to make a choice. Gwilym Llewellyn, Geoffrey’s trusted friend and advisor, has an emotional debt to repay to Geoffrey and meets Rebecca to offer her a solution. Meanwhile Rebecca has found passion in another direction …
One man will save her from destitution, the other will offer her the love and excitement that she aches for. Whom will she choose?
The book has a wonderful setting in Cardiff, South Wales. If you like a good mix of a charming, evocative depiction of the Victorian era and a modern-thinking heroine then Rebecca’s Choice is the novel for you.
This is Heidi Gallacher’s debut novel, a historical Victorian romance of 62,000 words. Pick up ‘Rebecca’s Choice’ today to lose yourself in this wonderful story!
211 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 30, 2019
16 people are currently reading
542 people want to read
About the author
Heidi Gallacher
2 books131 followersHeidi Gallacher is the author of the Victorian romantic novel 'Rebecca's Choice' (2019) and of ‘A Theory in Vienna’, to be published in 2025.
Heidi was born in London, UK in the Sixties. She grew up in South Wales and Leeds. She jumped at the chance to move to Paris in her twenties to learn a new language and culture.
Following the arrival of her first son she moved to Switzerland where she has lived ever since.
In the past she's been a bookseller, a programmer and has taught English to adults. Heidi completed her Masters in Creative Writing in 2018 and her first short story Changing Places was published in Prima magazine in September of that year.
Rebecca’s Choice is her first novel, published in November 2019. The inspiration for the novel came when she researched the history of her old family home in Rumney, Cardiff.
Her second novel, A Theory in Vienna, is the story of the unsung medical hero, Ignaz Semmelweis. He uncovers the reason why thousands of mothers are dying after childbirth, yet he faces the battle of his life to be believed …
When not writing, Heidi loves singing, swimming and travelling.
Heidi was born in London, UK in the Sixties. She grew up in South Wales and Leeds. She jumped at the chance to move to Paris in her twenties to learn a new language and culture.
Following the arrival of her first son she moved to Switzerland where she has lived ever since.
In the past she's been a bookseller, a programmer and has taught English to adults. Heidi completed her Masters in Creative Writing in 2018 and her first short story Changing Places was published in Prima magazine in September of that year.
Rebecca’s Choice is her first novel, published in November 2019. The inspiration for the novel came when she researched the history of her old family home in Rumney, Cardiff.
Her second novel, A Theory in Vienna, is the story of the unsung medical hero, Ignaz Semmelweis. He uncovers the reason why thousands of mothers are dying after childbirth, yet he faces the battle of his life to be believed …
When not writing, Heidi loves singing, swimming and travelling.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
January 29, 2021
Okay, I admit that cover really grabbed my attention and when I read the blurb, I was convinced that this was a novel that I had to read, and I am so glad I did! Let’s start this review with some top tips to get the most out of this novel:
• A couple of hours of uninterrupted reading.
(If you are like me and find it hard to read in the day because of little ones demanding your attention, I suggest your forego sleep to read this book - that’s what I did, well, sort of. I got up half an hour earlier than normal).
• Tea, copious amounts of tea.
• A cosy blanket.
But back to the review…
Rebecca is a rather, dare I say it, ordinary woman, there is nothing extraordinary about her, which I think is why I found her so appealing. She agrees to marry Geoffrey so that she can be financially secure, which is a theme that runs throughout the length of this novel. However, she soon realises that for a marriage to be truly successful, then one really needs to love the person you are married to. Unfortunately, Geoffrey will give Rebecca everything and anything, apart from his love, and Rebecca is resigned to the fact that she has made her bed, so she must lie in it. Rebecca is determined to make the best out of the situation, and she does live in a very beautiful house, which is enough for her until she discovers the infamous turret-room. Previous to this discovery, Rebecca thinks that her husband is incapable of love, which is not the case at all. Her husband chooses not to love because he never wants to put himself in any sort of emotional situation where he is vulnerable to hurt. I really felt for Rebecca when she discovered her husband’s secret past, but she hides her disappointment behind a calm facade.
The historical backdrop of this novel is wonderfully depicted. I was shocked to learn that it was more dangerous to give birth in a hospital back then, than it was to stay at home. You would think that doctors would know to wash their hands between patients, what were they thinking? Therefore there are some really distressing scenes in this book, but I think the author has really captured the very essences of this era.
A great deal happens within this novel, and I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but it suffices for me to say that this novel was unputdownable and is simply brilliant from beginning to end. Therefore, I am really looking forward to reading more books from this very talented author in the future.
*I received a copy of this book from The Coffee Pot Book Club for review consideration.
https://ohlookanotherbook.blogspot.co...
• A couple of hours of uninterrupted reading.
(If you are like me and find it hard to read in the day because of little ones demanding your attention, I suggest your forego sleep to read this book - that’s what I did, well, sort of. I got up half an hour earlier than normal).
• Tea, copious amounts of tea.
• A cosy blanket.
But back to the review…
Rebecca is a rather, dare I say it, ordinary woman, there is nothing extraordinary about her, which I think is why I found her so appealing. She agrees to marry Geoffrey so that she can be financially secure, which is a theme that runs throughout the length of this novel. However, she soon realises that for a marriage to be truly successful, then one really needs to love the person you are married to. Unfortunately, Geoffrey will give Rebecca everything and anything, apart from his love, and Rebecca is resigned to the fact that she has made her bed, so she must lie in it. Rebecca is determined to make the best out of the situation, and she does live in a very beautiful house, which is enough for her until she discovers the infamous turret-room. Previous to this discovery, Rebecca thinks that her husband is incapable of love, which is not the case at all. Her husband chooses not to love because he never wants to put himself in any sort of emotional situation where he is vulnerable to hurt. I really felt for Rebecca when she discovered her husband’s secret past, but she hides her disappointment behind a calm facade.
The historical backdrop of this novel is wonderfully depicted. I was shocked to learn that it was more dangerous to give birth in a hospital back then, than it was to stay at home. You would think that doctors would know to wash their hands between patients, what were they thinking? Therefore there are some really distressing scenes in this book, but I think the author has really captured the very essences of this era.
A great deal happens within this novel, and I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but it suffices for me to say that this novel was unputdownable and is simply brilliant from beginning to end. Therefore, I am really looking forward to reading more books from this very talented author in the future.
*I received a copy of this book from The Coffee Pot Book Club for review consideration.
https://ohlookanotherbook.blogspot.co...
dnf
December 12, 2021This book is a Historical Fiction book that takes place in the 1880's and 1890's. I have to say that this book was sadly not for me. I just did not like the writing style. I also did not love the characters in this book. I think the cover of this book is so pretty. I ended up DNFing this book at 32%. I won a kindle copy of this book from Goodreads giveaway, but this review is my own opinion about what I think about the book.
January 31, 2020
What a fascinating read. I love period pieces, and this offered plenty.
I found this story to be more about Rebecca herself and her life in general than truly what the title name suggests. I mean, of course, that plays a huge part of it, but I feel like the hugest chunk of the book belonged to a time period before the choice ever came into question. And you know what? I really LOVED that part! It was fascinating - the culture, the people, running the household, childbirth ... all of it. Rebecca was a wonderful character with whom I could both sympathize and empathize.
Something to note: this is written in the present tense. I've read that very rarely, and it threw me for a loop for a moment, but soon I didn't even notice that. A well written, interesting story.
My only complaint? It ended too soon! I was like - what? Epilogue next? It felt a little sudden and I'd have wanted to see a bit more ... but don't get me wrong. The story wasn't unfinished - I'd just have wanted to spend more time with Rebecca!
A pleasant read. I enjoyed it very well!
I found this story to be more about Rebecca herself and her life in general than truly what the title name suggests. I mean, of course, that plays a huge part of it, but I feel like the hugest chunk of the book belonged to a time period before the choice ever came into question. And you know what? I really LOVED that part! It was fascinating - the culture, the people, running the household, childbirth ... all of it. Rebecca was a wonderful character with whom I could both sympathize and empathize.
Something to note: this is written in the present tense. I've read that very rarely, and it threw me for a loop for a moment, but soon I didn't even notice that. A well written, interesting story.
My only complaint? It ended too soon! I was like - what? Epilogue next? It felt a little sudden and I'd have wanted to see a bit more ... but don't get me wrong. The story wasn't unfinished - I'd just have wanted to spend more time with Rebecca!
A pleasant read. I enjoyed it very well!
July 30, 2020
I couldn't put this excellent book down. It’s a gentle romance, about a young woman, who’s in a marriage where there’s a form of love and contentment, but no true passion, and it kept me turning the pages. I followed with real enjoyment the lives of Rebecca and Geoffrey, in a marriage which owed much to the conventions of Victorian England, but in which the only deep passion was that of Geoffrey for railways, which were still in their infancy, and into which he was to invest their savings. It was a comfortable marriage, however.
The author has researched her period with meticulous care, and the historical details are so skilfully and unobtrusively woven into the text that it gives rise to a strong sense of place, and the reader steps with ease into the late nineteenth century, whether it’s walking with Rebecca through the rooms of Tredelerch, or sitting with her on a steam-driven train, absorbing the details of railway history.
But this is a novel, too, about the awakening of true love, and about learning what it’s like to feel for another person an intensity of passion, even if you shouldn’t.
This is an extremely well written historical novel, both in terms of its content and in the fluent style, and I recommend it very highly.
The author has researched her period with meticulous care, and the historical details are so skilfully and unobtrusively woven into the text that it gives rise to a strong sense of place, and the reader steps with ease into the late nineteenth century, whether it’s walking with Rebecca through the rooms of Tredelerch, or sitting with her on a steam-driven train, absorbing the details of railway history.
But this is a novel, too, about the awakening of true love, and about learning what it’s like to feel for another person an intensity of passion, even if you shouldn’t.
This is an extremely well written historical novel, both in terms of its content and in the fluent style, and I recommend it very highly.
November 5, 2019
Rebecca's Choice was a wonderful read. The depiction of life in a Victorian household was truly compelling and the characters, particularly Rebecca, really draw you in. As her life plays out you are captured by the decisions facing her, that will define the future of her and her family and you can't help taking sides in this battle between the head and the heart.
A real page turner and I can't wait for the next installment (while having to admit to not being 100% objective in the matter :-) ). Loved it !!
A real page turner and I can't wait for the next installment (while having to admit to not being 100% objective in the matter :-) ). Loved it !!
January 13, 2022
“Can Rebecca find the love and passion she craves within a Victorian world that seems to be conspiring against her?”
What a lovely debut novel and a wonderfully enjoyable few hours of immersive escapism, into a sweet, yet heart-wrenching and rather melancholic story, narrated totally in the first person by Rebecca herself, beautifully simply and poignantly told.
Period historical romance isn’t a genre I could read too often, but every once in a while, a book such as this one will come along, which just grabs my attention and then I’m hooked. Beginning of course with that haunting and wistful cover art, which almost sets the scene alone, without the need for words.
Of course for me, accurate research is a must when I am reading about a specific period in history and my first thoughts were that Rebecca and her friends might have appeared a little too progressive for the Victorian setting of the storyline. However, my own research soon shot that mistaken theory down in flames and sent me back to school, as by the latter part of the nineteenth century, it transpires that change and increased personal freedom for women was just over the horizon, with the era of strict gentility already beginning to merge into the transformational modernity of the twentieth century, which made everything completely in keeping and authentic! I was still rather shocked to learn that it was more dangerous to give birth in a ‘modern’ infirmary back then, than it was to suffer the potential complications of a home birth though, although it became clear that hygiene standards possibly hadn’t quite kept up with the progressive pace of innovation in childbirth, and that cholera caused by filthy drinking water, was still killing tens of thousands of people all around the world!
Compromise in order to secure a stable future for herself, was the primary driver for Rebecca, when she decides to marry Geoffrey, an entrepreneur several years her senior, who already has his own home and staff. Whilst Rebecca is not deep down happy, she is grateful and content enough with her life, especially with the arrival of her son and daughter. However she is a little jealous when she sees that her two most dear friends, have married for love rather than convenience, and what a much more fulfilled and joyful experience life is for them. Ever the pragmatist, she resolves to make Geoffrey as happy as she can and she actually surprises herself when she begins to discover quite a lot of common ground, as she indulges him in his passion for the advancement of the railways and the increasing number of visitors it will draw to the area. Also, his new found obsession with the latest technological advancements in weather forecasting are made even more interesting when some of his students visit the new weather station Geoffrey has had installed in the garden of the house (hence the unusual chapter headings, which are directly relevant to the storyline!)
Her latent discontent is only heightened though, when she discovers that Geoffrey has a secret which is not only tearing him apart inside, but which has the power to rip the very heart out of Rebecca, especially when it seems that she is totally unable to reach out to him, with any hope of a mutual path to reconciliation or forgiveness. When an inconceivable tragedy strikes, Rebecca is faced with a very uncertain future for herself and the children and she finds herself with yet another life-changing choice to make, once again requiring her to choose between head and heart; responsibility and sound reason for her family, over passion and romance for herself – but which path will she choose to follow this time and what will be the price she ultimately has to pay!
It is also very heart-warming to read a story where the writing is so descriptive and visually evocative, and the locations are genuine and well-researched, so that knowing the area reasonably well as I do, I was able to imagine myself there in person, walking the coastal paths, taking the train and strolling in the park. Even the house and its gardens add to the overall snapshot, into the cultural and societal influences of the period, on the area, making this the perfect book for any ‘armchair travellers’ who would like to visit, or even re-visit, the Cardiff area of Wales.
The storyline isn’t complicated, but it is well structured, slowly evolving, totally immersive, rich in atmosphere and beautifully textured. The writing is fluent and lyrical, often desperately intense and emotionally draining, sometimes claustrophobic, but always compelling, profoundly touching and straight from the heart.
Author Heidi Gallacher has created a cast of well defined, yet complex characters, who were often difficult to relate to or empathise with, as there was often very little synergy between them. They were raw and passionate, vulnerable and emotionally starved, however I always felt that they were authentic and genuine, true to the time and their position in life. Even when Rebecca was thinking with her head rather than her heart, she was never really duplicitous or scheming in her actions and I believe that both Geoffrey and Gwilym knew deep down, that to a certain extent they were being used as a convenient crutch, by a vulnerable and fearful young woman, although she would never have intentionally brought harm to either of them.
My only thought might be, that whilst this story was so totally immersive in its sense of time and place, maybe next time, Heidi might take the opportunity to indulge in a few more extra pages, to allow her to more fully flesh out some of the characters. That however, is purely a personal observation and in no way detracted from my enjoyment of the book.
Would I read more books by this new to fiction author – definitely.
To meet the author and check out some of my own personal favourite extracts from the book, visit...
https://www.fiction-books.biz/new-aut...
What a lovely debut novel and a wonderfully enjoyable few hours of immersive escapism, into a sweet, yet heart-wrenching and rather melancholic story, narrated totally in the first person by Rebecca herself, beautifully simply and poignantly told.
Period historical romance isn’t a genre I could read too often, but every once in a while, a book such as this one will come along, which just grabs my attention and then I’m hooked. Beginning of course with that haunting and wistful cover art, which almost sets the scene alone, without the need for words.
Of course for me, accurate research is a must when I am reading about a specific period in history and my first thoughts were that Rebecca and her friends might have appeared a little too progressive for the Victorian setting of the storyline. However, my own research soon shot that mistaken theory down in flames and sent me back to school, as by the latter part of the nineteenth century, it transpires that change and increased personal freedom for women was just over the horizon, with the era of strict gentility already beginning to merge into the transformational modernity of the twentieth century, which made everything completely in keeping and authentic! I was still rather shocked to learn that it was more dangerous to give birth in a ‘modern’ infirmary back then, than it was to suffer the potential complications of a home birth though, although it became clear that hygiene standards possibly hadn’t quite kept up with the progressive pace of innovation in childbirth, and that cholera caused by filthy drinking water, was still killing tens of thousands of people all around the world!
Compromise in order to secure a stable future for herself, was the primary driver for Rebecca, when she decides to marry Geoffrey, an entrepreneur several years her senior, who already has his own home and staff. Whilst Rebecca is not deep down happy, she is grateful and content enough with her life, especially with the arrival of her son and daughter. However she is a little jealous when she sees that her two most dear friends, have married for love rather than convenience, and what a much more fulfilled and joyful experience life is for them. Ever the pragmatist, she resolves to make Geoffrey as happy as she can and she actually surprises herself when she begins to discover quite a lot of common ground, as she indulges him in his passion for the advancement of the railways and the increasing number of visitors it will draw to the area. Also, his new found obsession with the latest technological advancements in weather forecasting are made even more interesting when some of his students visit the new weather station Geoffrey has had installed in the garden of the house (hence the unusual chapter headings, which are directly relevant to the storyline!)
Her latent discontent is only heightened though, when she discovers that Geoffrey has a secret which is not only tearing him apart inside, but which has the power to rip the very heart out of Rebecca, especially when it seems that she is totally unable to reach out to him, with any hope of a mutual path to reconciliation or forgiveness. When an inconceivable tragedy strikes, Rebecca is faced with a very uncertain future for herself and the children and she finds herself with yet another life-changing choice to make, once again requiring her to choose between head and heart; responsibility and sound reason for her family, over passion and romance for herself – but which path will she choose to follow this time and what will be the price she ultimately has to pay!
It is also very heart-warming to read a story where the writing is so descriptive and visually evocative, and the locations are genuine and well-researched, so that knowing the area reasonably well as I do, I was able to imagine myself there in person, walking the coastal paths, taking the train and strolling in the park. Even the house and its gardens add to the overall snapshot, into the cultural and societal influences of the period, on the area, making this the perfect book for any ‘armchair travellers’ who would like to visit, or even re-visit, the Cardiff area of Wales.
The storyline isn’t complicated, but it is well structured, slowly evolving, totally immersive, rich in atmosphere and beautifully textured. The writing is fluent and lyrical, often desperately intense and emotionally draining, sometimes claustrophobic, but always compelling, profoundly touching and straight from the heart.
Author Heidi Gallacher has created a cast of well defined, yet complex characters, who were often difficult to relate to or empathise with, as there was often very little synergy between them. They were raw and passionate, vulnerable and emotionally starved, however I always felt that they were authentic and genuine, true to the time and their position in life. Even when Rebecca was thinking with her head rather than her heart, she was never really duplicitous or scheming in her actions and I believe that both Geoffrey and Gwilym knew deep down, that to a certain extent they were being used as a convenient crutch, by a vulnerable and fearful young woman, although she would never have intentionally brought harm to either of them.
My only thought might be, that whilst this story was so totally immersive in its sense of time and place, maybe next time, Heidi might take the opportunity to indulge in a few more extra pages, to allow her to more fully flesh out some of the characters. That however, is purely a personal observation and in no way detracted from my enjoyment of the book.
Would I read more books by this new to fiction author – definitely.
To meet the author and check out some of my own personal favourite extracts from the book, visit...
https://www.fiction-books.biz/new-aut...
November 18, 2020
Rebecca’s Choice by Heidi Gallacher
Love matches were not expected long ago but they were often wished for anyway. Rebecca was realistic in her expectations hoping that Geoffrey, her older husband, would provide more than just a comfortable marriage. They did rub along together fairly well and had a decent life, but the sizzle seemed to be missing. After Rebecca’s husband dies, she has more than one man interested in marrying her, but the question is which man she will choose, and will she opt for the sizzle or will security trump sizzle?
What I liked:
* The writing felt of the era – although told in first person and that might not have been common of writing in that time period, Rebecca’s voice felt real.
* The insights into life just before the 20th century
* Rebecca’s strength and ability to still dream of and hope for more
* The three friends pregnant together and the glimpse into what childbirth might have been like back then.
* The way I cared about Rebecca and hoped she and her family would come out alright
* Thinking about what it would have been like to be in the shoes of any of the characters in the book…some shoes I would have wanted to have avoided, if at all possible!
* That hard times were not glossed over
* The way the story concluded on an upbeat note
What I didn’t like:
* Being reminded of how little women were given power over their own lives long ago
* Thinking about how many women did not have control and were dependent on men for everything
* The times I wanted to reach out and smack someone or give another a wakeup call.
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this debut author? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4 Stars
Love matches were not expected long ago but they were often wished for anyway. Rebecca was realistic in her expectations hoping that Geoffrey, her older husband, would provide more than just a comfortable marriage. They did rub along together fairly well and had a decent life, but the sizzle seemed to be missing. After Rebecca’s husband dies, she has more than one man interested in marrying her, but the question is which man she will choose, and will she opt for the sizzle or will security trump sizzle?
What I liked:
* The writing felt of the era – although told in first person and that might not have been common of writing in that time period, Rebecca’s voice felt real.
* The insights into life just before the 20th century
* Rebecca’s strength and ability to still dream of and hope for more
* The three friends pregnant together and the glimpse into what childbirth might have been like back then.
* The way I cared about Rebecca and hoped she and her family would come out alright
* Thinking about what it would have been like to be in the shoes of any of the characters in the book…some shoes I would have wanted to have avoided, if at all possible!
* That hard times were not glossed over
* The way the story concluded on an upbeat note
What I didn’t like:
* Being reminded of how little women were given power over their own lives long ago
* Thinking about how many women did not have control and were dependent on men for everything
* The times I wanted to reach out and smack someone or give another a wakeup call.
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this debut author? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4 Stars
March 3, 2020
Rebecca's Choice is a story in the historical fiction genre that takes place in Wales in the late 19th century. I enjoyed reading this book because the strong female heroine reminded me of the strong Welsh women in my family who emigrated to the USA in the early 20th century and provided the women in my family with a tradition of strength and resilience. Rebecca married a man she did not love but built a family with him. When tragedy strikes, she must make sacrifices for her children that she never imagined. The character is written in a dignified but very human manner, and the reader roots for her and her ability to overcome what life has dealt to her and find happiness in simplicity and love. I think that is a very Welsh story: happiness comes to us in our families and in the joys of a simple life well-lived. I also enjoyed the setting and learning about the growth of the railways in Wales. I've heard about the Mumbles railway and was enticed by the book to learn more about it. I could picture the rail terminal in Cardiff and the sweeping views of Swansea and Port Talbot (where my family came from). Well-done Heidi Gallacher. I look forward to reading more of your work.
December 1, 2020
Rebecca's Choice by Heidi Gallacher is a look into Victorian life. Rebecca is a young, somewhat naive woman that marries an older man. It's a successful man she has known for sometime and they are companionable, so not an unwanted match. However, there is no passion between them. Geoffrey, her husband dies suddenly and she finds that his investments have failed and she has nothing to live on.
The book is simply written and it reads quickly. That isn't meant as a deterrent, there are often times when we want something that can pull us in and let us just escape. The plot is the strength of the book and it is well done and enjoyable. Thank you #NetGalley for allowing me to give my honest review on #Rebecca'sChoice.
The book is simply written and it reads quickly. That isn't meant as a deterrent, there are often times when we want something that can pull us in and let us just escape. The plot is the strength of the book and it is well done and enjoyable. Thank you #NetGalley for allowing me to give my honest review on #Rebecca'sChoice.
November 19, 2019
I absolutely love this book. I am a great fan of period dramas and Victorian era literature and this beautiful tale of Rebecca's trials and tribulations had me not wanting to put the book down. It's a wonderful love story set in the late Victorian era. This book has been written so well and I was completely drawn in.
An absolutely fantastic first novel from Heidi Gallacher.
An absolutely fantastic first novel from Heidi Gallacher.
November 26, 2020
Rebecca’s Choice is a very enjoyable read. I particularly liked the historical setting at the end of the 19th century. I admire the thorough research that the author did. I got to know quite a bit about life in Wales and the railways in those days. The heroine is just my type! I can really recommend this book.
July 6, 2020
A historical romance. It delivered a powerful narrative with intriguing and believable characters. A story that captures your imagination and delivers in an honest and endearing style. I would definitely recommend.
November 6, 2019
A heartwarming tale of love in Victorian Wales. Vivid settings, strong characters, conflict before resolution - it’s all there! A great read.
October 7, 2020
"I believe that I am happy…"
Rebecca may not have the passion that her dear friend, Bessie, has with her husband, and lovemaking may be something of a chore, but there is the promise of children, and of course, there is Tredelerch – the most beautiful house in Wales.
She is lucky, for Geoffrey has always treated her with respect and kindness. She is content. Rebecca would have remained content probably for the rest of her life, never knowing anything about the secrets that shone from Bessie's eyes. Her future would have been predictable but comfortable.
However, when Geoffrey dies in a tragic accident, Rebecca is given the opportunity to experience true love for the first time in her life. Unfortunately, Geoffrey's investment ventures will come back to haunt her and threaten not only her future happiness but the fate of her beloved Tredelerch as well…
Told in the first person, Rebecca's Choice by Heidi Gallacher is the enthralling and unforgettable story of Rebecca de Roussier. This novel was almost effortless in the reading. The melodic rhythm to the narrative and the crystalline prose meant that the words swept over me like a gentle wave as it crashes upon the shore. This is a story that is utterly beguiling from the opening sentence to the very last full stop. It is also the kind of book that one could read over and over again and never tire of.
Oh, Rebecca — how I adored her, and what heartrending choices she had to make during this novel. Rebecca stole my heart because she is just so unfailingly honest with herself at all times. She is, in all ways, exceedingly likeable. There is no malice in her. She is not prone to fits of temper – she accepts everything that befalls her with a quiet dignity that fails to convey the very depths of the emotional distress that she is experiencing. Gallacher has presented a very touching portrait of a young woman who is endeavouring to discover who she really is.
Like the bridge in Swansea that would end up leading to nowhere, Gallacher has depicted a marriage that starts with hope but ends in indifference. And yet, there is no bitterness, no hatred and, surprisingly, no regret. Rebecca's relationship with her husband is one of security but also one of duty. It is a very Victorian marriage, and when it so tragically ends, it does so without any hysteria. There is sadness, but no sense of wretchedness, which I think says it all. It is, therefore, a complete contrast to Rebecca's parents' marriage, for they loved each other dearly, and when her father died, her mother was at a total loss. It isn't until Rebecca meets a former student of her husband's that she realises what she had been missing. Like a bird let out of a cage, Rebecca dares to spread her wings. But financial constraints and emotional obligations mean that she can never soar to the heights that she would like to. I thought Gallacher’s depiction of the marriage between Rebecca and Geoffrey was desperately tragic, not because it was abusive in any way, but because it did a grave disservice to both of them – they both deserved better.
The are several key turning moments in this novel, but one of the pivotal discoveries is that of the turret-room at, Tredelerch. The turret-room is something of an awakening for Rebecca. Rebecca knows from the very beginning that her marriage is missing the spark that she sees in her friend's eyes. Her marriage to Geoffrey is more of a duty on both sides. Geoffrey wants a wife and family, but he has no intention of falling in love with Rebecca – which in itself is a tragedy for Rebecca has love to spare. Rebecca convinces herself that she is content. But the turret-room allows Rebecca to glimpse into her husband's past, and she realises that he does indeed know what passion is, and he could show her what she craves. The discovery of the turret-room is a turning point in their relationship – and it comes to symbolise everything that is wrong in their marriage. She is married to a man who will never give her what her heart craves and yet, she hides her disappointment and her frustration behind a gracefully heroic façade.
Through Rebecca's exclusion of both personal finances relating to the home and the broader financial implications of her husband's business ventures, Gallacher explores the late Victorian society structure and in particular the role of women. Rebecca is, as society dictated, subservient to her husband in all things. She does not have a voice, and nor is she included in any of her husband's affairs, which leads to some very difficult and heart-breaking decisions later on in this novel. Rebecca is constrained by the time she lives in – her future can only be secured through wealth, and this dictates every decision that Rebecca makes. I thought Gallacher explored the role of women in the Victorian era with a sensitivity and an understanding of what it must have been like to live during this time. I thought Gallacher’s depiction of the moment Rebecca discovered the truth was written with an emphatic understanding of her protagonist's plight.
Throughout this novel, Rebecca is subconsciously searching for something in her life that she doesn't understand. As a Victorian woman, Rebecca wants stability, security and a home. Tredelerch defines the very idea of what ‘home’ is for her. It takes the entire length of this novel for Rebecca to realise that home is not necessarily made of bricks and mortar, and that it can be found in a loving glance, a gentle touch of hands.
The historical detailing of this book is staggering. Gallacher has a keen sense of time and place. The hours that have gone into researching this book must have been extensive, but the sacrifice has undoubtedly paid off. When Historical Fiction is written in such a way, there is no such thing as too much!
If you are looking for a tender page-turning story set in Wales in the late 19th Century, then look no further. Rebecca's Choice by Heidi Gallacher is a real treat for any reader who enjoys quality Historical Fiction.
I Highly Recommend.
Review by Mary Anne Yarde.
The Coffee Pot Book Club.
June 10, 2022
Beautiful story
This story is beautifully written. We get to see how Rebecca’s life unfolds from the time that she is married. We get to journey back in time and experience how different life was. Rebecca had some ups and downs that she had to navigate in a time that wasn’t always easy for women.
This story is beautifully written. We get to see how Rebecca’s life unfolds from the time that she is married. We get to journey back in time and experience how different life was. Rebecca had some ups and downs that she had to navigate in a time that wasn’t always easy for women.
December 6, 2020
Let me begin by thanking the good Lord baby Jesus that I am a woman of the 21st century and not the 19th, because He knew what He was doing with that decision.
This is a quaint, simple telling of what it was like to be a woman in the Victorian era. My actual rating is 3.5 stars but rounded up because it's a beautiful crisp day and those are my favorite.
What I liked:
- It wasn't completely depressing. Don't get me wrong - it wasn't all a warm peach pie and melty vanilla ice cream, but we do get some happiness for our main girl Rebecca.
- You feel for this woman ... I cringed with dread as she naively, hopefully, planned a romantic evening, and heart sunk as it played out exactly as I'd anticipated. She has a lot of love to give and instead of meeting rejection of the worst kind and allowing it to make her cold toward love altogether, she gives it wherever she can to whomever she can (without being a ho).
- even though Rebecca was excluded from literally all aspects of life that directly and profoundly affected her apart from motherhood, she didn't let that stop her from getting information. A lot of authors will write their characters to be wilfully blind, completely fine with being in the dark about everything. Not Rebecca - and I admire that.
- we get some really romantic lines - my favorite was "I want to touch the delicate creases of his smile with my lips; I feel as if I have lived there before."
What I didn't like:
- it was exactly 80% into the Kindle version of the book before you find out what her choice is. EIGHTY. PERCENT.
- I was bored out of my mind during the first 40% of the book. I pushed through because it is a short read and because I hate not finishing a book. It was just ... Boring. Her boring life in a dull marriage, which I suppose was the point - boredom WAS her existence.
- I felt robbed that we were cheated of the developing romance between her and Reece. We went from her avoiding him to her professing her ardent desire for him - like ... Give us some tension! Give us some scenes at the fireplace with him looking deep into her eyes, all the unsaid things brewing in his eyes, etc. If it happened in this book it was so brief that I've already forgotten it. It was just a weird speed, like we went from point A to point J in 0.125 seconds.
- did I mention we had to read 80% of the book to even find out what her choice was?
Despite the fact that my dislikes outweighed my likes, overall I don't regret reading this. It was a wonderful (albeit depressing) insight into what Victorian life was like for a woman. Thank you to NetGalley and Heidi Gallacher for giving me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is a quaint, simple telling of what it was like to be a woman in the Victorian era. My actual rating is 3.5 stars but rounded up because it's a beautiful crisp day and those are my favorite.
What I liked:
- It wasn't completely depressing. Don't get me wrong - it wasn't all a warm peach pie and melty vanilla ice cream, but we do get some happiness for our main girl Rebecca.
- You feel for this woman ... I cringed with dread as she naively, hopefully, planned a romantic evening, and heart sunk as it played out exactly as I'd anticipated. She has a lot of love to give and instead of meeting rejection of the worst kind and allowing it to make her cold toward love altogether, she gives it wherever she can to whomever she can (without being a ho).
- even though Rebecca was excluded from literally all aspects of life that directly and profoundly affected her apart from motherhood, she didn't let that stop her from getting information. A lot of authors will write their characters to be wilfully blind, completely fine with being in the dark about everything. Not Rebecca - and I admire that.
- we get some really romantic lines - my favorite was "I want to touch the delicate creases of his smile with my lips; I feel as if I have lived there before."
What I didn't like:
- it was exactly 80% into the Kindle version of the book before you find out what her choice is. EIGHTY. PERCENT.
- I was bored out of my mind during the first 40% of the book. I pushed through because it is a short read and because I hate not finishing a book. It was just ... Boring. Her boring life in a dull marriage, which I suppose was the point - boredom WAS her existence.
- I felt robbed that we were cheated of the developing romance between her and Reece. We went from her avoiding him to her professing her ardent desire for him - like ... Give us some tension! Give us some scenes at the fireplace with him looking deep into her eyes, all the unsaid things brewing in his eyes, etc. If it happened in this book it was so brief that I've already forgotten it. It was just a weird speed, like we went from point A to point J in 0.125 seconds.
- did I mention we had to read 80% of the book to even find out what her choice was?
Despite the fact that my dislikes outweighed my likes, overall I don't regret reading this. It was a wonderful (albeit depressing) insight into what Victorian life was like for a woman. Thank you to NetGalley and Heidi Gallacher for giving me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2021
The story follows Rebecca throughout her marriage to Geoffrey. Not many people married for love in past times. A woman was seen as a means to continuing the family line, and if there was some affection towards one another, they were quite fortunate.
Rebecca and Geoffreys marriage could be called affectionate but certainly not one of love. Rebecca does her duty of giving him a son and daughter, which he sees as giving her a purpose in her life. I wasn’t a huge fan of Geoffrey. He wasn’t exactly a bad husband, but you could tell he didn’t love Rebecca, he could be condescending at times and I just wanted better for her. Which I believe was the point.
The first part of the book shows is her life with Geoffrey. It spans ten years. The timeline jumps around a bit, and I had to go back a bit every time a new chapter started to see how much time had passed. But I did like how years of their life were covered, it gave a very clear sense of how their marriage changed over the years. Then tragedy strikes and Geoffrey dies. Which was a bit sudden, although expected because of the book synopsis.
Part 2 is where Rebecca’s choice comes into play. Hence the book title. I was very curious who the two men were that she would need to choose between. There are quite a few friends and colleagues of Geoffreys we meet in Part 1, and all of them seemed like possible suitors to me. And I was pleasantly surprised by who they turn out to be! Their romance is everything I wanted for a Rebecca, and while in the end she needs to choose between the man she loves and the man who can give her and her children a large home, I am happy with her decisions for herself and her children.
Rebeccas Choice is a real story, not as in it actually happened, but real as in it could have happened. It is true of the times, and it was an extremely enjoyable read. It may be short, but the story itself covers 11 years, and I am amazed at how the author fit it all in there! I am so glad I picked this book up, it was so unique!
Thank you Heidi Gallacher and NetGalley for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rebecca and Geoffreys marriage could be called affectionate but certainly not one of love. Rebecca does her duty of giving him a son and daughter, which he sees as giving her a purpose in her life. I wasn’t a huge fan of Geoffrey. He wasn’t exactly a bad husband, but you could tell he didn’t love Rebecca, he could be condescending at times and I just wanted better for her. Which I believe was the point.
The first part of the book shows is her life with Geoffrey. It spans ten years. The timeline jumps around a bit, and I had to go back a bit every time a new chapter started to see how much time had passed. But I did like how years of their life were covered, it gave a very clear sense of how their marriage changed over the years. Then tragedy strikes and Geoffrey dies. Which was a bit sudden, although expected because of the book synopsis.
Part 2 is where Rebecca’s choice comes into play. Hence the book title. I was very curious who the two men were that she would need to choose between. There are quite a few friends and colleagues of Geoffreys we meet in Part 1, and all of them seemed like possible suitors to me. And I was pleasantly surprised by who they turn out to be! Their romance is everything I wanted for a Rebecca, and while in the end she needs to choose between the man she loves and the man who can give her and her children a large home, I am happy with her decisions for herself and her children.
Rebeccas Choice is a real story, not as in it actually happened, but real as in it could have happened. It is true of the times, and it was an extremely enjoyable read. It may be short, but the story itself covers 11 years, and I am amazed at how the author fit it all in there! I am so glad I picked this book up, it was so unique!
Thank you Heidi Gallacher and NetGalley for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2020
If you like Victorian love stories, you'll adore this book. Well researched and beautifully written, the story follow the life of Rebecca who marries her first husband and realises they are not well matched. After his untimely death, she received two marriage offers - but which one will she accept - will head or heart prevail? An enjoyable read.
December 12, 2019
Goodreads Kindle Copy Win
A life of a woman in Victorian times and her limited choices she can take. It is her journey as she is left penniless when her husband dies. She is force to choose love or stability as she meets two men, what will she choose? An interesting read.
A life of a woman in Victorian times and her limited choices she can take. It is her journey as she is left penniless when her husband dies. She is force to choose love or stability as she meets two men, what will she choose? An interesting read.
Read
February 28, 2020Lovely story with nice attention to period detail. I particularly likes the references to my home town of Swansea.
November 26, 2020
Heidi Gallacher's debut novel, Rebecca's Choice is very well written. The language and the depictions of Cardiff and the surrounding area made it come alive and the characters were realistic.
My heart ached for Rebecca as more details came out about her lonely marriage. While Gregory was smart and kind, he was aloof and selfish. And then, when she was faced with being a widow with failed investments and a choice between caring for her family or finally experiencing love - I was torn along with her!
Many historical tidbits were integrated into the story in a very natural manner. It was interesting to learn about the Mumbles Railway & Pier Company. And about the competition between the steam engines and those pulled by horses. Who would have thought!!
Some everyday life were mentioned as well, ones of a more personal nature. If you have ever wondered about childbirth in the Victorian age, you can read little bits about it here.
Another fascinating albeit tragic episode was the Morgan, the doctor who treated cholera around the world. The impact the death and dying had on him was profound.
The prevailing mood of Rebecca's Choice is melancholy - Rebecca was so resigned to each new challenge in her life. The narrative dragged in the first part while the scene was set for the events that followed. This did pick up in the second half.
I do prefer my stories to be a bit more upbeat with a little faster pace and with more glimmers of hope and yet readers who enjoy stories with a more pensive bent will love this one!
My heart ached for Rebecca as more details came out about her lonely marriage. While Gregory was smart and kind, he was aloof and selfish. And then, when she was faced with being a widow with failed investments and a choice between caring for her family or finally experiencing love - I was torn along with her!
Many historical tidbits were integrated into the story in a very natural manner. It was interesting to learn about the Mumbles Railway & Pier Company. And about the competition between the steam engines and those pulled by horses. Who would have thought!!
Some everyday life were mentioned as well, ones of a more personal nature. If you have ever wondered about childbirth in the Victorian age, you can read little bits about it here.
Another fascinating albeit tragic episode was the Morgan, the doctor who treated cholera around the world. The impact the death and dying had on him was profound.
The prevailing mood of Rebecca's Choice is melancholy - Rebecca was so resigned to each new challenge in her life. The narrative dragged in the first part while the scene was set for the events that followed. This did pick up in the second half.
I do prefer my stories to be a bit more upbeat with a little faster pace and with more glimmers of hope and yet readers who enjoy stories with a more pensive bent will love this one!
November 26, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this beautifully crafted story - a deliciously gentle romance! This is one of those rare beasts - a historical romance, that feels utterly true to its time. Rebecca's world is drawn with such care and attention to detail, that even those who feel pretty comfortable with the late Victorian middle class world, will find new aspects to discover - the investment in steam railways, the weather stations, the subtle class structures, the world of medicine. I particularly enjoyed the depiction of Rebecca and her friends' experiences of childbirth - in that time when the culture was shifting towards increasing medicalisation and male control.
Heidi Gallacher creates characters who, while they are clearly well-grounded in their Victorian world, are still completely recognisable today. I was totally drawn in to Rebecca's relationships with both men in her life, and can't wait to see if the story will continue!
Heidi Gallacher creates characters who, while they are clearly well-grounded in their Victorian world, are still completely recognisable today. I was totally drawn in to Rebecca's relationships with both men in her life, and can't wait to see if the story will continue!
November 1, 2020
‘Rebecca’s Choice’ begins with the young Rebecca recently married to Geoffrey de Roussier, a businessman and meteorologist, during the time of Queen Victoria. Their marriage begins with possibility, but soon Rebecca feels that her husband’s distance, and upon his death, she finds herself penniless. Her only hope is to marry to secure her young family’s future yet all she wishes to do is throw caution to the wind and follow her heart.
An enjoyable read made more so with the character of Rebecca, giving a detailed perspective of the Welsh countryside and the Victorian culture. The relationship between Rebecca and Geoffrey at first appears quite caring, yet the fragility of the relationship is tested with time. Rebecca’s initial vulnerability and her developing maturity were part of what made this book enjoyable. The male characters were all quite diverse, and Rebecca’s dealing with them and her relationship with her mother, were well detailed.
An interesting and well written story.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
An enjoyable read made more so with the character of Rebecca, giving a detailed perspective of the Welsh countryside and the Victorian culture. The relationship between Rebecca and Geoffrey at first appears quite caring, yet the fragility of the relationship is tested with time. Rebecca’s initial vulnerability and her developing maturity were part of what made this book enjoyable. The male characters were all quite diverse, and Rebecca’s dealing with them and her relationship with her mother, were well detailed.
An interesting and well written story.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
November 12, 2020
An exquisite book detailing life in Cardiff in the late nineteenth century. The life that Rebecca lives is a changing one, with new inventions, attitudes, and general happenings that occur all around her. There are echoes of how we live our lives today - do we trust the latest changes? What would we do in that situation?
The book is well written and describes the surroundings beautifully. Heidi Gallacher has researched the history of the area thoroughly and it shows throughout the book. It really is a gem and I would love to read more from this author. 4.5 out of 5
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The book is well written and describes the surroundings beautifully. Heidi Gallacher has researched the history of the area thoroughly and it shows throughout the book. It really is a gem and I would love to read more from this author. 4.5 out of 5
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 1, 2020
Rebecca's Choice by Heidi Gallacher is a look into Victorian life. Rebecca is a young, somewhat naive woman that marries an older man. It's a successful man she has known for sometime and they are companionable, so not an unwanted match. However, there is no passion between them. Geoffrey, her husband dies suddenly and she finds that his investments have failed and she has nothing to live on.
The book is simply written and it reads quickly. That isn't meant as a deterrent, there are often times when we want something that can pull us in and let us just escape. The plot is the strength of the book and it is well done and enjoyable. Thank you #NetGalley for allowing me to give my honest review on #Rebecca'sChoice.
The book is simply written and it reads quickly. That isn't meant as a deterrent, there are often times when we want something that can pull us in and let us just escape. The plot is the strength of the book and it is well done and enjoyable. Thank you #NetGalley for allowing me to give my honest review on #Rebecca'sChoice.
August 20, 2020
Breezy read for the weekend
'Rebecca's Choice', a historical fiction novel set in the late 19th century is written effortlessly and that's one of the strongest points of the book. The words flow fluidly, so they keep the reader hooked to the pages, even if some of the events unfolding might not be very exciting.
Rebecca is married to Geoffrey, a wealthy businessman who is more passionate about his weather station than his young beautiful wife. The first half of the novel is spent in the domestic life of the leading lady that is disrupted by a few tragedies involving her friends. I really enjoyed reading the brief sub-plot of a doctor suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder due to his handling of the Cholera epidemic. I wish that sub-plot would have been explored a little more by the author.
The heroine is confronted with the 'choice' referred to in the title only in the second half of the book. I had hoped for more conflict in the earlier parts, but there wasn't much going on, at least not in the protagonist's own personal life. The second-half is more fun and things pick up steam. Debut author Heidi Gallacher does a great job with bringing the scenes to life with her words, be it a charity ball on the grounds of Tredelerch, the fascinating rail rides or the little picnics by the countryside.
I wouldn't want to give any spoilers, but towards the climax, Rebecca has to make some tough decisions to secure her future. My only grouse with the climax is that it was too rushed. While my usual complain with novels is that they could have been better off without a few dozen pages, with 'Rebecca's Choice', I feel Gallacher could have added at-least a few more pages to smoothen the ending.
'Rebecca's Choice', a historical fiction novel set in the late 19th century is written effortlessly and that's one of the strongest points of the book. The words flow fluidly, so they keep the reader hooked to the pages, even if some of the events unfolding might not be very exciting.
Rebecca is married to Geoffrey, a wealthy businessman who is more passionate about his weather station than his young beautiful wife. The first half of the novel is spent in the domestic life of the leading lady that is disrupted by a few tragedies involving her friends. I really enjoyed reading the brief sub-plot of a doctor suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder due to his handling of the Cholera epidemic. I wish that sub-plot would have been explored a little more by the author.
The heroine is confronted with the 'choice' referred to in the title only in the second half of the book. I had hoped for more conflict in the earlier parts, but there wasn't much going on, at least not in the protagonist's own personal life. The second-half is more fun and things pick up steam. Debut author Heidi Gallacher does a great job with bringing the scenes to life with her words, be it a charity ball on the grounds of Tredelerch, the fascinating rail rides or the little picnics by the countryside.
I wouldn't want to give any spoilers, but towards the climax, Rebecca has to make some tough decisions to secure her future. My only grouse with the climax is that it was too rushed. While my usual complain with novels is that they could have been better off without a few dozen pages, with 'Rebecca's Choice', I feel Gallacher could have added at-least a few more pages to smoothen the ending.
December 27, 2020
When you open this book you step into the Victorian era and a lovely, romantic book. As a debut novel, I couldn't ask for anything better., especially a historical romance. This is one book I would highly recommend. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 30, 2020
Charming
Rebecca's Choice is an intriguing tale. The story is set in the Victorian era from the protagonist's point of view. The tense puts the reader right there when everything is happening, which adds to one's ability to empathize with Rebecca throughout. The writing is clear, and at times poetic. A great, relaxing read!
Rebecca's Choice is an intriguing tale. The story is set in the Victorian era from the protagonist's point of view. The tense puts the reader right there when everything is happening, which adds to one's ability to empathize with Rebecca throughout. The writing is clear, and at times poetic. A great, relaxing read!
December 18, 2019
I won this download in a Goodread's giveaway.
August 24, 2020
What a great book. This took me no time at all to read. It was an interesting book, and worth the read all the way. I am not a fan of romance novels. But this is such a historical romance that made it very interesting for me. Such an addicting book that it took me no time at all to read. I highly recommend this book for sure.
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