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Great War #3
Her Lady's Honor
The war might be over, but the battle for love has just begun.
When Lady Eleanor "Nell" St. George arrives in Wales after serving as a veterinarian in the Great War, she doesn't come alone. With her is her former captain's beloved warhorse, which she promised to return to him--and a series of recurring nightmares that torment both her heart and her soul. She wants only to complete her task, then find refuge with her family, but when Nell meets the captain's eldest daughter, all that changes.
Beatrice Hughes is resigned to life as the dutiful daughter. Her mother grieves for the sons she lost to war; the care of the household and remaining siblings falls to Beatrice, and she manages it with a practical efficiency. But when a beautiful stranger shows up with her father's horse, practicality is the last thing on her mind.
Despite the differences in their social standing, Beatrice and Nell give in to their unlikely attraction, finding love where they least expect it. But not everything in the captain's house is as it seems. When Beatrice's mother disappears under mysterious circumstances, Nell must overcome her preconceptions to help Beatrice, however she's able. Together they must find out what really happened that stormy night in the village, before everything Beatrice loves is lost--including Nell.
This book is approximately 82,000 words
One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise : all the romance you're looking for with an HEA/HFN. It's a promise!
When Lady Eleanor "Nell" St. George arrives in Wales after serving as a veterinarian in the Great War, she doesn't come alone. With her is her former captain's beloved warhorse, which she promised to return to him--and a series of recurring nightmares that torment both her heart and her soul. She wants only to complete her task, then find refuge with her family, but when Nell meets the captain's eldest daughter, all that changes.
Beatrice Hughes is resigned to life as the dutiful daughter. Her mother grieves for the sons she lost to war; the care of the household and remaining siblings falls to Beatrice, and she manages it with a practical efficiency. But when a beautiful stranger shows up with her father's horse, practicality is the last thing on her mind.
Despite the differences in their social standing, Beatrice and Nell give in to their unlikely attraction, finding love where they least expect it. But not everything in the captain's house is as it seems. When Beatrice's mother disappears under mysterious circumstances, Nell must overcome her preconceptions to help Beatrice, however she's able. Together they must find out what really happened that stormy night in the village, before everything Beatrice loves is lost--including Nell.
This book is approximately 82,000 words
One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise : all the romance you're looking for with an HEA/HFN. It's a promise!
253 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 22, 2020
12 people are currently reading
274 people want to read
About the author
Renée Dahlia
75 books75 followersRenée Dahlia is an unabashed romance reader who loves feisty women and strong, clever men. Her books reflect this, with a side-note of awkward humour. Renée has a science degree in physics. When not distracted by the characters fighting for attention in her brain, she works in the horse racing industry doing data analysis. When she isn’t reading or writing, Renée spends time with her partner, four children, and volunteers on the local cricket club committee.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
June 22, 2020
2.75 Stars. I have been on such a good streak of books lately that I can’t be too disappointed that this book didn’t work for me. In my bid to read more lesfic historical-fiction, I had some high hopes for this one. This takes place right after World War 1 ended and I was excited to read about this time period. I think Dahlia had some good ideas but it just didn’t all come together.
The story focuses on two women. Nell who was a veterinarian caring for warhorses on the front lines and Beatrice, the daughter of Nell’s captain from the war. Nell’s privilege and education has left her with control over her life while Beatrice works almost as a servant, to keep her family safe from her abusive father’s wrath. Can two women from such different circumstances find comfort and love in each other?
As I mentioned before I liked the time period a lot. I don’t know if I have read another lesfic book that took place right after the first war ended. Plus I really liked that Nell was part of the European forces as a vet. Not only did the time, setting, and character occupations all appeal to me, but this even had a little mystery going on (I’m not going to go into this but unfortunately this was left only half resolved. The police part was missing from the end.) I also have to give props because the pace of the book was well done and it didn’t drag for me. The book had a lot of promise but it just had some big issues that I could not overlook.
The first thing I realized was how unlikable the character of Beatrice was. Nell could not say two words without it being the end of the world to Beatrice. I found her to have no compassion and to be suspicious and ugly on the inside. Her constantly snapping at Nell was doing my head in. Nell is not perfect but she is dealing with PTSD, and at least should have had respect and compassion for what she went through. Instead Beatrice terrorizes her and somehow Nell falls in love with her? That just doesn’t compute. And because of this, the whole romance did not work for me. I could not find one reason why Nell would be or could be in love with Beatrice. The heart of this book is the romance and if the romance does not work for me, then the book doesn’t work for me. It’s a bummer because this could have been a very interesting story.
This is my third historical-fiction book this week and probably the last for a little while. While this particular book didn’t work for me, I have realized I need to read more of this genre since it is pretty entertaining.
A copy was given to me for a honest review.
The story focuses on two women. Nell who was a veterinarian caring for warhorses on the front lines and Beatrice, the daughter of Nell’s captain from the war. Nell’s privilege and education has left her with control over her life while Beatrice works almost as a servant, to keep her family safe from her abusive father’s wrath. Can two women from such different circumstances find comfort and love in each other?
As I mentioned before I liked the time period a lot. I don’t know if I have read another lesfic book that took place right after the first war ended. Plus I really liked that Nell was part of the European forces as a vet. Not only did the time, setting, and character occupations all appeal to me, but this even had a little mystery going on (I’m not going to go into this but unfortunately this was left only half resolved. The police part was missing from the end.) I also have to give props because the pace of the book was well done and it didn’t drag for me. The book had a lot of promise but it just had some big issues that I could not overlook.
The first thing I realized was how unlikable the character of Beatrice was. Nell could not say two words without it being the end of the world to Beatrice. I found her to have no compassion and to be suspicious and ugly on the inside. Her constantly snapping at Nell was doing my head in. Nell is not perfect but she is dealing with PTSD, and at least should have had respect and compassion for what she went through. Instead Beatrice terrorizes her and somehow Nell falls in love with her? That just doesn’t compute. And because of this, the whole romance did not work for me. I could not find one reason why Nell would be or could be in love with Beatrice. The heart of this book is the romance and if the romance does not work for me, then the book doesn’t work for me. It’s a bummer because this could have been a very interesting story.
This is my third historical-fiction book this week and probably the last for a little while. While this particular book didn’t work for me, I have realized I need to read more of this genre since it is pretty entertaining.
A copy was given to me for a honest review.
June 7, 2020
While part of me enjoyed Her Lady's Honor by Renée Dahlia, a bigger part of me found Beatrice to be truly exhausting. She just isn't worth it, Nell.
I read a number of lesbian romances, but not many historical ones, and since I have a deep, deep love for HR, I was pumped to give this book a go. Also, I haven't read any historicals that take place in the time period of setting of Her Lady's Honor so that was interesting for me.
I appreciate that the author addressed class disparity in her book, and I think it was important for Beatrice to speak up when Nell was being blind to her privilege, but Nell couldn't say anything without Beatrice taking offence. It was insane. I started bookmarking each page where Beatrice criticized and made Nell feel in the wrong because it was so frequent. I get that Nell made some blunders, but she was a good person who didn't deserve the treatment that she got from Beatrice.
I actually enjoyed the storyline, and I found the plot pretty engaging. I only put down the book twice while reading, and I think the author had very good pacing. However, the actual romance and dialogue was lacking. Both felt stiff and forced, without any joy or energy.
Though Renée Dahlia does a number of things right with Her Lady's Honor, I just couldn't get behind these two as a couple.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
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I read a number of lesbian romances, but not many historical ones, and since I have a deep, deep love for HR, I was pumped to give this book a go. Also, I haven't read any historicals that take place in the time period of setting of Her Lady's Honor so that was interesting for me.
I appreciate that the author addressed class disparity in her book, and I think it was important for Beatrice to speak up when Nell was being blind to her privilege, but Nell couldn't say anything without Beatrice taking offence. It was insane. I started bookmarking each page where Beatrice criticized and made Nell feel in the wrong because it was so frequent. I get that Nell made some blunders, but she was a good person who didn't deserve the treatment that she got from Beatrice.
I actually enjoyed the storyline, and I found the plot pretty engaging. I only put down the book twice while reading, and I think the author had very good pacing. However, the actual romance and dialogue was lacking. Both felt stiff and forced, without any joy or energy.
Though Renée Dahlia does a number of things right with Her Lady's Honor, I just couldn't get behind these two as a couple.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
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June 20, 2023
Nell has fought bravely in the Great War as a veterinarian. Constantly healing horses and other animals only to send them back out into the fray has made her a changed woman. She's no longer the lady she was when she left. She brings her captains warhorse back to him, taking months to travel by foot. When she arrives, she is drawn in to a number of family problems and her interest captured by the captain's daughter, Beatrice.
Beatrice has basically lived the life of a servant for her family. Her father, who she cannot even call that name as he demands he call her Captain, is overbearing, selfish, and cruel. And war has made him that much worse. Beatrice takes care of everything and everyone in the house. When she sees Nell, she begins to dream of everything she's been missing in this life.
I think you should give this book a try if you are looking for
-a FF story – neither woman is a virgin, but neither is extremely experienced
-a post WWI time frame – It seems so hard to find romance that takes place in this time, so kudos for adding another
-class differences – Nell is a lady and comes from money while Beatrice has lived her life with much less
-a diverse character map that includes people of color, discussions on slavery, problems with class distinction, and the unbalanced world between the sexes.
Kudos for this author for being one wanting to tackle all of this. There's a lot of heavy themes being addressed in this book and I respect that. I really hope this hits all the spots for some readers.
But, as a romance reader, I was not a fan of this book. I was so excited to try my first FF relationship, and especially excited about the time frame of the book. I found myself liking Nell as the book started but as it went on, I couldn't find anything I liked. I found Nell's behavior a bit disappointing on a number of occasions and also slightly out of character for what I had seen from her thus far in the book. But nothing compared to Beatrice. I found her utterly unlikable. She seemed like a miserable, jealous lump that couldn't wait to lash out at an available victim. This story I found so depressing. I had to force myself to read it. I felt morose reading it. I felt like I needed to put on a large black billowing dress, climb the tallest gothic tower I could find, and stare out in to the mist while I finished the book. There was a lot of mopping up water. I still don't understand how it could rain that much. It was overwhelming and constant themes of how unfair life was to women, to other races. There seemed to be no relief, I was just continually beat over the head with it until the book ended. I also read the words “Oh, crap.” and wasn't a fan of that. I guess for that time period it might be appropriate. For me, it felt out of place. It feels almost like Beatrice just uses Nell for sex because of her looks. Because she surely doesn't seem to like her. She repeatedly makes nasty comments about Nell's aristocratic family and background and it's like she wants to punish her for that. She reprimands Nell for her coping strategies from the war and calls them dirty little habits. She's just...ugh. I felt like Nell walked into a house of horrors when she brought back the horse. She should have run away. But she stayed to be abused. I did have issue with some of the things Nell said too. But not to the level of Beatrice. Beatrice demands things of Nell then cruelly pushes her away because she's not family. She's downright mean. Sadly, I didn't like anything about this book.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC, all opinions on the novel are my own.
Beatrice has basically lived the life of a servant for her family. Her father, who she cannot even call that name as he demands he call her Captain, is overbearing, selfish, and cruel. And war has made him that much worse. Beatrice takes care of everything and everyone in the house. When she sees Nell, she begins to dream of everything she's been missing in this life.
I think you should give this book a try if you are looking for
-a FF story – neither woman is a virgin, but neither is extremely experienced
-a post WWI time frame – It seems so hard to find romance that takes place in this time, so kudos for adding another
-class differences – Nell is a lady and comes from money while Beatrice has lived her life with much less
-a diverse character map that includes people of color, discussions on slavery, problems with class distinction, and the unbalanced world between the sexes.
Kudos for this author for being one wanting to tackle all of this. There's a lot of heavy themes being addressed in this book and I respect that. I really hope this hits all the spots for some readers.
But, as a romance reader, I was not a fan of this book. I was so excited to try my first FF relationship, and especially excited about the time frame of the book. I found myself liking Nell as the book started but as it went on, I couldn't find anything I liked. I found Nell's behavior a bit disappointing on a number of occasions and also slightly out of character for what I had seen from her thus far in the book. But nothing compared to Beatrice. I found her utterly unlikable. She seemed like a miserable, jealous lump that couldn't wait to lash out at an available victim. This story I found so depressing. I had to force myself to read it. I felt morose reading it. I felt like I needed to put on a large black billowing dress, climb the tallest gothic tower I could find, and stare out in to the mist while I finished the book. There was a lot of mopping up water. I still don't understand how it could rain that much. It was overwhelming and constant themes of how unfair life was to women, to other races. There seemed to be no relief, I was just continually beat over the head with it until the book ended. I also read the words “Oh, crap.” and wasn't a fan of that. I guess for that time period it might be appropriate. For me, it felt out of place. It feels almost like Beatrice just uses Nell for sex because of her looks. Because she surely doesn't seem to like her. She repeatedly makes nasty comments about Nell's aristocratic family and background and it's like she wants to punish her for that. She reprimands Nell for her coping strategies from the war and calls them dirty little habits. She's just...ugh. I felt like Nell walked into a house of horrors when she brought back the horse. She should have run away. But she stayed to be abused. I did have issue with some of the things Nell said too. But not to the level of Beatrice. Beatrice demands things of Nell then cruelly pushes her away because she's not family. She's downright mean. Sadly, I didn't like anything about this book.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC, all opinions on the novel are my own.
June 15, 2020
Thank you Netgalley and Carina Press for the ARC.
Her Lady's Honor made me feel very mixed things. If from a side I loved the chemistry and the development between the girls, from the other I was so frustrated with Beatrice that I was more annoyed at their relationship than anything else.
I appreciated the themes: privilege is a very important topic at the moment - and always - so it touched very points that I agreed with. But it's not possible to have a character thinking something and then acting the entire opposite.
And it was really annoying how everything Nell did was not accepted and highly fought againsy by Beatrice. I do agree that some actions Nell did went from privilege and should've been called out but when everything she does even if it's done for a good cause drags and it's only fighting, it get's tiring.
The only thing that stand out was definitely the writing. Renée Dahlia can totally write scenaries and scenes really well. So I'm going to keep an eye out for this author, but this unfortunaely was more a miss than a win for me.
Her Lady's Honor made me feel very mixed things. If from a side I loved the chemistry and the development between the girls, from the other I was so frustrated with Beatrice that I was more annoyed at their relationship than anything else.
I appreciated the themes: privilege is a very important topic at the moment - and always - so it touched very points that I agreed with. But it's not possible to have a character thinking something and then acting the entire opposite.
And it was really annoying how everything Nell did was not accepted and highly fought againsy by Beatrice. I do agree that some actions Nell did went from privilege and should've been called out but when everything she does even if it's done for a good cause drags and it's only fighting, it get's tiring.
The only thing that stand out was definitely the writing. Renée Dahlia can totally write scenaries and scenes really well. So I'm going to keep an eye out for this author, but this unfortunaely was more a miss than a win for me.
June 23, 2020
I love historical lesbian romance and was delighted to spot Her Lady’s Honor. With Renée Dahlia being a new author to me I didn’t know what to expect. The time period (right after WWI) works for me, the location (Wales) was interesting as well. Sadly, the book didn’t deliver.
The story begins as Lady Eleanor "Nell" St. George arrives in Wales to make good on a promise. She has served as a veterinarian on the battlefield in France under Captain Hughes and is now bringing his war horse Tommy back home. She is suffering from ‘shell shock’ (PTSD) and is reluctant to return home to her parents because she feels greatly changed and has doubts she can fit in. I liked Nell. Even when she put her privileged foot in it a few times, she had her heart in the right place.
Beatrice Hughes, however, is a different story. The captain’s eldest daughter had a serious chip on her shoulder. Yes, she was overlooked by her asshole father all her life (more about him later) and was destined to serve as a spinster maid looking after her surviving siblings and working the farm for free. She missed the support of her mother, who – after the death of three sons on the battlefield – had retreated into herself to a mere husk of a woman.
When Nell and Beatrice meet it is lust at first sight. Both know they are lesbians so there was at least no coming out angst to deal with. The sexy times part was done well in fact, but oh how I wanted to throttle Beatrice. Every time Nell opened her mouth, Beatrice jumped on her throat. There was so much distrust from her side, it was ridiculous. Seeing Nell bending backwards to accommodate her was exhausting to witness and I think she could have done so much better. Ugh!
The captain was just a ghastly figure. It takes Nell some time to see the man she admired back in France is nothing more than an abusive, miserly, misogynistic drunkard. He is truly a moustache twirling villain with no redeeming qualities.
The storyline was not bad, it had good pacing. But the romance tanked because of Beatrice. Other than sex they had nothing going for them romantically. This book did not spark any joy.
f/f explicit
Themes: The Great War, PTSD, veterinarian, war horse, class difference, a tragic accident, or is it murder, Nell honey, this woman is not worth all the trouble.
3 Stars
The story begins as Lady Eleanor "Nell" St. George arrives in Wales to make good on a promise. She has served as a veterinarian on the battlefield in France under Captain Hughes and is now bringing his war horse Tommy back home. She is suffering from ‘shell shock’ (PTSD) and is reluctant to return home to her parents because she feels greatly changed and has doubts she can fit in. I liked Nell. Even when she put her privileged foot in it a few times, she had her heart in the right place.
Beatrice Hughes, however, is a different story. The captain’s eldest daughter had a serious chip on her shoulder. Yes, she was overlooked by her asshole father all her life (more about him later) and was destined to serve as a spinster maid looking after her surviving siblings and working the farm for free. She missed the support of her mother, who – after the death of three sons on the battlefield – had retreated into herself to a mere husk of a woman.
When Nell and Beatrice meet it is lust at first sight. Both know they are lesbians so there was at least no coming out angst to deal with. The sexy times part was done well in fact, but oh how I wanted to throttle Beatrice. Every time Nell opened her mouth, Beatrice jumped on her throat. There was so much distrust from her side, it was ridiculous. Seeing Nell bending backwards to accommodate her was exhausting to witness and I think she could have done so much better. Ugh!
The captain was just a ghastly figure. It takes Nell some time to see the man she admired back in France is nothing more than an abusive, miserly, misogynistic drunkard. He is truly a moustache twirling villain with no redeeming qualities.
The storyline was not bad, it had good pacing. But the romance tanked because of Beatrice. Other than sex they had nothing going for them romantically. This book did not spark any joy.
f/f explicit
Themes: The Great War, PTSD, veterinarian, war horse, class difference, a tragic accident, or is it murder, Nell honey, this woman is not worth all the trouble.
3 Stars
November 11, 2020
Sadly, this failed to deliver what I was hoping for, a heart-warming or exciting f/f romance story. Like other reviews mention, my main issue was one of the main characters Beatrice acted and spoke. She was very annoying and frustrating to read about. Therefore, I couldn't really fall for this love story... At every opportunity, she took what the other woman said the wrong way. It felt like Nell was constantly apologizing to her and that got old pretty fast.
I didn't particularly enjoy the plot about Beatrice's father and her mother's accident/murder... It was all very predictable and the ending didn't feel very satisfying since Beatrice and her siblings didn't get official justice because of those stupid policemen who couldn't be bothered to believe women...
Anywayyyy, I wish I had loved this book as I adore historical lesbian romances. This one is a miss for me even though it was a quick read but I'm hoping to find a new one where I'll be able to gush and ship a cute couple.
(Thank you for letting me read and review an ARC via Netgalley)
I didn't particularly enjoy the plot about Beatrice's father and her mother's accident/murder... It was all very predictable and the ending didn't feel very satisfying since Beatrice and her siblings didn't get official justice because of those stupid policemen who couldn't be bothered to believe women...
Anywayyyy, I wish I had loved this book as I adore historical lesbian romances. This one is a miss for me even though it was a quick read but I'm hoping to find a new one where I'll be able to gush and ship a cute couple.
(Thank you for letting me read and review an ARC via Netgalley)
May 1, 2020
I had such high hopes. Lesbian historical romances are so tough to find, and this had such a great premise and a great beginning, I was very excited. Nell the Veterinarian just back from the Somme meets Beatrice, the long-suffering eldest daughter of a Welsh farm family. There is much family trouble, and Nell and Beatrice fall in love as they save the farm and make life better for all the children. Hooray!! Except...
I can see what the author was trying to do. To make her characters more class-aware, to point out the inherent imbalance in a relationship where one person is wealthy and titled and the other is not. It's an admirable sentiment to weave into an historical piece, and a worthy subject for the characters' reflection. But in this book, what could have been a thoughtful meditation on privilege and balance , was instead a study in manipulative abuse. Nell, Lady Eleanor, does indeed come from wealth and nobility. Her family are progressive, her mom a medical doctor and her father conscious of the power of his money and working to do something and be better with it. They are kind and giving and generous, and Nell again and again acts out of kindness and charity with the resources and experience at her disposal. She makes normal blunders and mis-speaks from time to time as we all do. Beatrice, who cannot stop referring to herself as 'a poor country girl' , is high -handed and unforgiving. Every kind thing Nell does is wrong, a flaunting of her privilege and a mocking of all working people. A teasing joke at an intimate moment is twisted into a mortal insult; a dry bed and hot meal at a hotel is a humiliation forced on Beatrice's family by a smug aristocrat who has no idea how real people live. Again, I can see what Ms Dahlia was going for, but it's poorly executed. Not only are Beatrice's reactions absurd, the way she treats Nell is unforgivable. Belittling, dismissive, manipulating Nell's actions and emotions via guilt and gaslighting. The fact that we're supposed to be rooting for Beatrice and thrilled that she's finally educating this snooty aristo to her wretched ways is just insulting. Again and again I found myself yelling at the page "Nell, get away from her!!! You're not bad like she keeps saying!" But by the end, Beatrice has browbeaten her into submission, and Nell 'understands' what a bad person she is by virtue of her birth. And they all live 'happily' ever after. And by 'they' I mean Beatrice, the abuser.
Also, this is a ridiculous title.
I can see what the author was trying to do. To make her characters more class-aware, to point out the inherent imbalance in a relationship where one person is wealthy and titled and the other is not. It's an admirable sentiment to weave into an historical piece, and a worthy subject for the characters' reflection. But in this book, what could have been a thoughtful meditation on privilege and balance , was instead a study in manipulative abuse. Nell, Lady Eleanor, does indeed come from wealth and nobility. Her family are progressive, her mom a medical doctor and her father conscious of the power of his money and working to do something and be better with it. They are kind and giving and generous, and Nell again and again acts out of kindness and charity with the resources and experience at her disposal. She makes normal blunders and mis-speaks from time to time as we all do. Beatrice, who cannot stop referring to herself as 'a poor country girl' , is high -handed and unforgiving. Every kind thing Nell does is wrong, a flaunting of her privilege and a mocking of all working people. A teasing joke at an intimate moment is twisted into a mortal insult; a dry bed and hot meal at a hotel is a humiliation forced on Beatrice's family by a smug aristocrat who has no idea how real people live. Again, I can see what Ms Dahlia was going for, but it's poorly executed. Not only are Beatrice's reactions absurd, the way she treats Nell is unforgivable. Belittling, dismissive, manipulating Nell's actions and emotions via guilt and gaslighting. The fact that we're supposed to be rooting for Beatrice and thrilled that she's finally educating this snooty aristo to her wretched ways is just insulting. Again and again I found myself yelling at the page "Nell, get away from her!!! You're not bad like she keeps saying!" But by the end, Beatrice has browbeaten her into submission, and Nell 'understands' what a bad person she is by virtue of her birth. And they all live 'happily' ever after. And by 'they' I mean Beatrice, the abuser.
Also, this is a ridiculous title.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2020
Confident women didn't exist in Aberystwyth; they only existed in books or in Beatrice's dreams.
It pains me to rate this so low, especially after how excited I was to read it. It's a good book with a great premise and really interesting characters that I could have loved, but all of that was unfortunately stymied by the fact that it wasn't very well-written at all. Her Lady's Honour follows a female vet (both veteran and veterinarian) who comes home from WWI, escorts her former Captain's horse back to his home, where she meets and becomes involved with his eldest daughter.
The good:
- Examines inter-class relations in a way that historical romances seldom do, which always sort of frustrates me. I appreciated that the class differences between Nell and Beatrice were examined and talked about, and Nell was forced to take stock of her privilege and place in the world, and change some of her attitudes.
- Highlights the contributions that women made in WWI, and also looks at the involvement of people of colour.
- I liked the atmosphere and setting, especially as described in the first chapter of the book. There's something about historicals that's always so appealing, and this nailed it.
- Had some good stuff to say about the treatment of women in society.
- Some parts were super swoony and really sexy.
- Butch/femme! <3
The bad:
- Not very well written at all. I appreciate when books talk about important issues, but it was all very bland and stark, all tell and no show. I don't think writing needs to be wreathed in metaphors and subtlety to make a good point, not at all, but... I don't know, this wasn't very enjoyable to read.
- The structure was kind of weird; chapters started and ended in unlikely places, and contributed to an uneven pacing/flow that stuck throughout the entire book.
- The major plot point of the book was a really important issue that just... didn't seem to be taken very seriously? In the way that it was written about, or the way that the characters reacted to it? Relatedly, characterisation was all over the place; characters would say things completely unsuited to the situation and what we knew of them, and while some of it was explained by the plot happenings, it often felt tonally weird.
- This isn't insta-love (which I seldom like) but I didn't particularly like the fast pacing and how the relationship moved.
- Could use a closer edit; I noticed some word choice issues and errors.
I do think this book has good bones, and it definitely hits a spot that I wish more authors would explore: historical f/f romance. But the writing and the execution left a lot to be desired. 2.5 stars. Would be willing to try more f/f romance from this author.
☆ Review copy provided by NetGalley.
It pains me to rate this so low, especially after how excited I was to read it. It's a good book with a great premise and really interesting characters that I could have loved, but all of that was unfortunately stymied by the fact that it wasn't very well-written at all. Her Lady's Honour follows a female vet (both veteran and veterinarian) who comes home from WWI, escorts her former Captain's horse back to his home, where she meets and becomes involved with his eldest daughter.
The good:
- Examines inter-class relations in a way that historical romances seldom do, which always sort of frustrates me. I appreciated that the class differences between Nell and Beatrice were examined and talked about, and Nell was forced to take stock of her privilege and place in the world, and change some of her attitudes.
- Highlights the contributions that women made in WWI, and also looks at the involvement of people of colour.
- I liked the atmosphere and setting, especially as described in the first chapter of the book. There's something about historicals that's always so appealing, and this nailed it.
- Had some good stuff to say about the treatment of women in society.
- Some parts were super swoony and really sexy.
- Butch/femme! <3
The bad:
- Not very well written at all. I appreciate when books talk about important issues, but it was all very bland and stark, all tell and no show. I don't think writing needs to be wreathed in metaphors and subtlety to make a good point, not at all, but... I don't know, this wasn't very enjoyable to read.
- The structure was kind of weird; chapters started and ended in unlikely places, and contributed to an uneven pacing/flow that stuck throughout the entire book.
- The major plot point of the book was a really important issue that just... didn't seem to be taken very seriously? In the way that it was written about, or the way that the characters reacted to it? Relatedly, characterisation was all over the place; characters would say things completely unsuited to the situation and what we knew of them, and while some of it was explained by the plot happenings, it often felt tonally weird.
- This isn't insta-love (which I seldom like) but I didn't particularly like the fast pacing and how the relationship moved.
- Could use a closer edit; I noticed some word choice issues and errors.
I do think this book has good bones, and it definitely hits a spot that I wish more authors would explore: historical f/f romance. But the writing and the execution left a lot to be desired. 2.5 stars. Would be willing to try more f/f romance from this author.
☆ Review copy provided by NetGalley.
May 15, 2020
I rarely clarify my stars, but this one is a 2.75 stars for me. There's a lot going on here that would be amazing, but I think there's a little bit too much forced emotion. Her Lady's Honor is more of a twist, as it focuses on Lady Eleanor St. George's eventual quest to help her love interest, Beatrice Hughes find her own agency. Her quest is hindered by Beatrice's cynicism about her lot in life, which is enforced by her abusive father, who was Eleanor's boss on the front in World War I. I loved the idea of Nell using whatever power she has to help elevate Beatrice's station. When we meet Beatrice, she's essentially a servant in her own home. Her father has contempt for just about everyone, but he reserves most of his ire for Beatrice. It definitely has a little "Cinderella" in it but in this case, Beatrice isn't so eager to be saved by the means Nell thinks can be successful.
Now, that seems intriguing, and it is! Bring in the horrific affects of World War I, a little about women's suffrage, a tiny bit about the inadequate handling of minorities being ignored and treated poorly after they survived the fighting, and class divides, and you have a pretty complex book. I wished that she had also reminded us that Beatrice's family is Welsh, and her father due to his own elitist views, forced his kids to learn English. I wish there was a little more Welsh in there, because that is just as much a part of her as her being heir in name only. It focuses more on the differences in classes Nell and Beatrice are in, and not necessarily why. Also, it is a bit on the nose, and feels little out of place for 1919, but there's a ton of putting down women as being lesser in here. Like Nell gets to throw around her technical title, but the moment she talks about her participation in the war, it is questioned. Like people knew women participated as nurses on the front, so why not a veterinarian? It was off to me.
One last thing, and I think this is what made me almost not complete it, is some of the strange dialog choices that were made. There were some modern colloquialisms between Beatrice and Nell that was so distracting that I just had to put the book down for a bit. The first sex scene switched between modern sexy terms and some more dated ones, which made me more annoyed than anything. This was fixed later, and bonus points for using "quim" which, sadly is not used enough in historical romances where appropriate.
I think people will enjoy Nell and Beatrice's courtship to an extent. I think they will be less appreciative of all the stuff that's crammed in here, and some of the dialog choices that feel very much out of place in 1919 Wales. There's good stuff in here, but not enough for me to enthusiastically recommend.
I received this ARC from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
Now, that seems intriguing, and it is! Bring in the horrific affects of World War I, a little about women's suffrage, a tiny bit about the inadequate handling of minorities being ignored and treated poorly after they survived the fighting, and class divides, and you have a pretty complex book. I wished that she had also reminded us that Beatrice's family is Welsh, and her father due to his own elitist views, forced his kids to learn English. I wish there was a little more Welsh in there, because that is just as much a part of her as her being heir in name only. It focuses more on the differences in classes Nell and Beatrice are in, and not necessarily why. Also, it is a bit on the nose, and feels little out of place for 1919, but there's a ton of putting down women as being lesser in here. Like Nell gets to throw around her technical title, but the moment she talks about her participation in the war, it is questioned. Like people knew women participated as nurses on the front, so why not a veterinarian? It was off to me.
One last thing, and I think this is what made me almost not complete it, is some of the strange dialog choices that were made. There were some modern colloquialisms between Beatrice and Nell that was so distracting that I just had to put the book down for a bit. The first sex scene switched between modern sexy terms and some more dated ones, which made me more annoyed than anything. This was fixed later, and bonus points for using "quim" which, sadly is not used enough in historical romances where appropriate.
I think people will enjoy Nell and Beatrice's courtship to an extent. I think they will be less appreciative of all the stuff that's crammed in here, and some of the dialog choices that feel very much out of place in 1919 Wales. There's good stuff in here, but not enough for me to enthusiastically recommend.
I received this ARC from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
not-finished
July 10, 2020DNF @ 18%. Nothing about this is clicking, from the writing to the characters. Both Nell and Beatrice are difficult, brusque sorts of women, with significant personal and ongoing trauma, and I’m certainly intrigued by how they reach a HEA. But the strange combination of resentment, bitterness and insta-lust in their interactions doesn’t work for me. I also find the active domestic abuse of Beatrice’s mother by her father, and the emotional and psychological abuse that she and her siblings experience, quite triggering. It’s not something I can work through in a romance at the moment, especially not when the central pairing isn’t working for me.
May 26, 2020
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.25 stars
This book had some interesting moments as Nell was struggling with identity, both as a lesbian, looking to find a way to live her life on her own terms and find love with another woman, and as a soldier coming home changed by a horrific war. Unfortunately, every time Nell managed to take a step forward, growing as a person, she’d look at Beatrice again and make herself smaller and meeker in the hopes that Beatrice would want her back. I didn’t feel much chemistry in the pair, personally. I understood why they fell into bed (good old fashioned lust), but as a couple, they didn’t work for me. Nell seemed to want the image of Beatrice, while Beatrice wanted someone from a story. Unfortunately, while Nell did her best to please Beatrice, Beatrice was a bit of a bitch to Nell. She was cold, curt, manipulative, and unkind. She may have had her reasons, and I’m not denying that they were fair, but it made her very hard for me to like.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
3.25 stars
This book had some interesting moments as Nell was struggling with identity, both as a lesbian, looking to find a way to live her life on her own terms and find love with another woman, and as a soldier coming home changed by a horrific war. Unfortunately, every time Nell managed to take a step forward, growing as a person, she’d look at Beatrice again and make herself smaller and meeker in the hopes that Beatrice would want her back. I didn’t feel much chemistry in the pair, personally. I understood why they fell into bed (good old fashioned lust), but as a couple, they didn’t work for me. Nell seemed to want the image of Beatrice, while Beatrice wanted someone from a story. Unfortunately, while Nell did her best to please Beatrice, Beatrice was a bit of a bitch to Nell. She was cold, curt, manipulative, and unkind. She may have had her reasons, and I’m not denying that they were fair, but it made her very hard for me to like.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
February 1, 2021
The Great War has just ended and Lady Eleanor St. George (Nell), who served as a vet in Somme, has been tasked by her boss, Captain Hughes, to return his horse, Tommy to the Hughes homestead. When Nell arrives at the Captain’s farm in Wales, she is struck by the lady she thinks is the servant. Beatrice Hughes, eldest daughter of the captain, may be the daughter of the house and also the person who actually keeps everything running, but her life is equivalent to an indentured servant.
Read the full review @ https://bestlesficreviews.blogspot.co...
Read the full review @ https://bestlesficreviews.blogspot.co...
June 21, 2020
Good, not great. The romance is very heavy Insta-Lust and I'm not sure when or how the characters fell in love (lust, I got - the lust is very clear). Also when the author tries to introduce moments of levity, it throws the tone of the story off and it didn't really mesh well for me. But it's a historical romance where the author doesn't ignore class issues, and I liked that Nell had to struggle - reconcile that the man she served with in the war could turn out to be an abusive a-hole to his family. Beatrice is, not going to lie, insufferable most of the time, even as I sympathized with her predicament. A spinster daughter with no life, trapped by circumstances, and no resources. I wanted to love this one but still enough here for me to admire. Final grade on my personal scale = B-.
September 4, 2021
This was very dark and the romance was more than a bit frustrating.
May 13, 2020
While there's much to like in this lesbian historical romance set in Wales during the months after the end of the Great War (Lesbian historical romance! Wales, not London! The 20th century, by golly!), I didn't enjoy the experience of reading it as much as I'd hoped to. There are some compelling ideas here about class, women's rights, and relationships, but I found myself put off by how hard Beatrice was on Nell (while never admitting that she herself may have played a part in their conflicts). Beatrice is a brave woman who's held her family together through a war and unimaginable loss, but while I admired her strength, I was unable to summon much affection for her character. Meanwhile, while Nell's wartime experience and subsequent PTSD are thoughtfully rendered, she never really came alive for me either.
This was a two-star reading experience for me, but I've bumped my rating up because the setting is well-done and the research clearly extensive. I also thought the epilogue was nice. Though this one wasn't a favorite, I look forward to reading more of Dahlia's work and to recommending this to romance fans looking to read outside the Regency.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review.
This was a two-star reading experience for me, but I've bumped my rating up because the setting is well-done and the research clearly extensive. I also thought the epilogue was nice. Though this one wasn't a favorite, I look forward to reading more of Dahlia's work and to recommending this to romance fans looking to read outside the Regency.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2021
DNF around 30%....Just really did not enjoy this
June 28, 2020
Her Lady’s Honor by Renée Dahlia
Lady Eleanor “Nell” St. George is the daughter of a Duke’s second son. Both of her parents are well educated and have allowed Nell to study in the field of her own choice. With money and education behind her she headed off to war, with a letter from her titled relative to get her through the door, only to find that work was difficult, tedious and draining when caring for horses on the front lines. She believed she was honored for her skills but at times wondered if she had truly been seen as equal with the men she worked alongside of.
Beatrice Hughes, eldest daughter of Captain Hughes, the veterinarian Nell worked with on the front lines, has been relegated to female-servant status within her own home. The home is not a happy place, her father is a classist misogynist abusive sort that did not learn much good from the war.
When Nell shows up with Captain Hughes horse, Tommy, there is obvious attraction between Nell and Beatrice. The two are quite different not only in status but in outlook on life although their romantic preferences are both the same. The two have much to work through before they can achieve a HEA by the end of the book.
What I liked:
* Nell: intelligent, strong, caring and dealing with what is now known as PTSD. Being a veterinarian on the front lines was not what she had hoped it would be but she dd what needed to be done.
* Beatrice: strong, capable, able to keep the family going when left home with younger siblings, a depressed mother and not much money at hand.
* The historical references throughout the book…it made me think about what it might have been like to come home from The Great War with everything so difficult, so many men dead, few jobs at hand and the Depression and Spanish Influenza lurking in the wings
* The growth of the relationship between the two women…not an easy one and at times I became frustrated with Beatrice’s attitude toward Nell
* That hard issues were not glossed over
* Nell’s ability to “play the game” when necessary to achieve her ultimate goals for Beatrice and her family.
* Stepping into the past and thinking about what it might have been like
What I did not like:
* Being reminded that war kills and in killing leaves so many family members without loved ones and so many soldiers that survive damaged.
* Seeing the numbers of horses that died and then finding out what happened to most that survived
* Captain Hughes…despicable person though perhaps good at his job during the war
* Seeing the impact of race, class, gender on those living back then
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Carina Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
Lady Eleanor “Nell” St. George is the daughter of a Duke’s second son. Both of her parents are well educated and have allowed Nell to study in the field of her own choice. With money and education behind her she headed off to war, with a letter from her titled relative to get her through the door, only to find that work was difficult, tedious and draining when caring for horses on the front lines. She believed she was honored for her skills but at times wondered if she had truly been seen as equal with the men she worked alongside of.
Beatrice Hughes, eldest daughter of Captain Hughes, the veterinarian Nell worked with on the front lines, has been relegated to female-servant status within her own home. The home is not a happy place, her father is a classist misogynist abusive sort that did not learn much good from the war.
When Nell shows up with Captain Hughes horse, Tommy, there is obvious attraction between Nell and Beatrice. The two are quite different not only in status but in outlook on life although their romantic preferences are both the same. The two have much to work through before they can achieve a HEA by the end of the book.
What I liked:
* Nell: intelligent, strong, caring and dealing with what is now known as PTSD. Being a veterinarian on the front lines was not what she had hoped it would be but she dd what needed to be done.
* Beatrice: strong, capable, able to keep the family going when left home with younger siblings, a depressed mother and not much money at hand.
* The historical references throughout the book…it made me think about what it might have been like to come home from The Great War with everything so difficult, so many men dead, few jobs at hand and the Depression and Spanish Influenza lurking in the wings
* The growth of the relationship between the two women…not an easy one and at times I became frustrated with Beatrice’s attitude toward Nell
* That hard issues were not glossed over
* Nell’s ability to “play the game” when necessary to achieve her ultimate goals for Beatrice and her family.
* Stepping into the past and thinking about what it might have been like
What I did not like:
* Being reminded that war kills and in killing leaves so many family members without loved ones and so many soldiers that survive damaged.
* Seeing the numbers of horses that died and then finding out what happened to most that survived
* Captain Hughes…despicable person though perhaps good at his job during the war
* Seeing the impact of race, class, gender on those living back then
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Carina Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
August 7, 2021
Tengo sentimientos encontrados pero aún así creo que las 4 estrellas son merecidas y como es mas fácil empezar por lo que no me ha convencido, voy por ahí: el estilo de la autora se me hizo un poco confuso con tanta metáfora, analogía y vueltas a los sentimientos. Me gustó mucho Nell aunque apenas vemos eso que a ella tanto le marca y son sus cicatrices mentales por la guerra; y me gustó Beatrice porque comprendí sus motivos y su situación. La pareja principal funciona pero le falta chispa y no es por la premisa de la historia sino por su ejecución. Y sí, algo me faltó para sentir esas cosquillas en el estómago pero es Lesfic histórica y sentí un gran interés por la historia aunque la ejecución de la misma no fue tan buena como hubiera querido.
June 8, 2020
Nell worked at the front lines as a veterinarian during WW1. During the war she worked under The Captain and is tasked with returning his horse to his home when the war ends. When she arrives at his house she meets his daughter, and is surprised to see that how a person acted during wartime isn't always telling of how he behaves on the home front. All in all this is a well written book, with lost of tidbits which ties it very well with the period which it is written in.
Nell: Nell grep up as a baroness daughter and have studied along side one of the top scholars in veterinary medicine. Nell grew up with highly educated parents who despite their social standing have liberal thoughts.
Beatrice: Having grown up with a dominant father with anger management issues, Beatrice is used to trying to remain invisible. When he was gone for the war, the family had a reprieve from him ruling the family, and Beatrice took care of the household. When he returns from the war injured and hardened, the family has to return to follow issued orders.
Pro:
Realistic portrayal of the huge impact of the losses of war - The book directly adress the loss of all those men who left for war and how this effect the civilian life after the war. It also visit the amount of people who returned home with mental and/or physical issues.
Being a woman in a mans world - Nell got her placement in the war due to connections and letters of recommendations. As she's a woman she's unavailable to get a degree which proves her worth as a veterinarian. The book also show how vulnerable women were in society, as you discover more and more about Beatrice life.
Being a lesbian in the early 20th century
The anxiety about returning home after a life changing event - Nell is hesitant to return home, as she's unsure of how her changes will be accepted among those who ner her before hand.
Con:
Sometimes the progress plot-wise feels very slow.'
This review is based on NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.
Nell: Nell grep up as a baroness daughter and have studied along side one of the top scholars in veterinary medicine. Nell grew up with highly educated parents who despite their social standing have liberal thoughts.
Beatrice: Having grown up with a dominant father with anger management issues, Beatrice is used to trying to remain invisible. When he was gone for the war, the family had a reprieve from him ruling the family, and Beatrice took care of the household. When he returns from the war injured and hardened, the family has to return to follow issued orders.
Pro:
Realistic portrayal of the huge impact of the losses of war - The book directly adress the loss of all those men who left for war and how this effect the civilian life after the war. It also visit the amount of people who returned home with mental and/or physical issues.
Being a woman in a mans world - Nell got her placement in the war due to connections and letters of recommendations. As she's a woman she's unavailable to get a degree which proves her worth as a veterinarian. The book also show how vulnerable women were in society, as you discover more and more about Beatrice life.
Being a lesbian in the early 20th century
The anxiety about returning home after a life changing event - Nell is hesitant to return home, as she's unsure of how her changes will be accepted among those who ner her before hand.
Con:
Sometimes the progress plot-wise feels very slow.'
This review is based on NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.
June 24, 2020
Thanks to net galley.com and Harlequin- Carina Press for the advance ARC copy for my honest review.
This was my first read from author Renee Dahlia, liked the setting of Wales right after World War 1, did like the Lady Eleanor “Nell” St. George character, it's well research for the time it's set in, very detailed, repetitive and felt Beatrice Hughes the way she wrote the character keeps derails the storyline at times.
I just never really got into it fully, think with these historical novels, you need to like all the characters or it'll be a slogfest like this one got for me and was glad to finish it.
Merged review:
Thanks to net galley.com and Harlequin- Carina Press for the advance ARC copy for my honest review.
This was my first read from author Renee Dahlia, liked the setting of Wales right after World War 1, did like the Lady Eleanor “Nell” St. George character, it's well research for the time it's set in, very detailed, repetitive and felt Beatrice Hughes the way she wrote the character keeps derails the storyline at times.
I just never really got into it fully, think with these historical novels, you need to like all the characters or it'll be a slogfest like this one got for me and was glad to finish it.
This was my first read from author Renee Dahlia, liked the setting of Wales right after World War 1, did like the Lady Eleanor “Nell” St. George character, it's well research for the time it's set in, very detailed, repetitive and felt Beatrice Hughes the way she wrote the character keeps derails the storyline at times.
I just never really got into it fully, think with these historical novels, you need to like all the characters or it'll be a slogfest like this one got for me and was glad to finish it.
Merged review:
Thanks to net galley.com and Harlequin- Carina Press for the advance ARC copy for my honest review.
This was my first read from author Renee Dahlia, liked the setting of Wales right after World War 1, did like the Lady Eleanor “Nell” St. George character, it's well research for the time it's set in, very detailed, repetitive and felt Beatrice Hughes the way she wrote the character keeps derails the storyline at times.
I just never really got into it fully, think with these historical novels, you need to like all the characters or it'll be a slogfest like this one got for me and was glad to finish it.
May 1, 2020
I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.
Lady Eleanor aka Nell has survive the Great War she sign up as a veterinarian to help the horses in the war now that the war may be over she decide to deliver her Captain horse Tommy to his home in Wales. When that task is done she wants to go home and be with her family but when she meets the Captain daughter everything changes.
Beatrice takes cares of her siblings like their her own while her mother grieves the lost of her three brothers who died in the war. She knows she never married because she has no interest in men that way she resigned the fact she may never find love but when Nell comes on the scene she finally find something for herself. As She and Nell grow closer things start to take a turn for the worst when Beatrice father tells her mother is gone and she doesn’t know what to believe.
With the help of Nell and her sister Grace they stop at nothing to learn what really happened to their mother on the night she disappears.
This was a great historical romance with little intrigue.
Lady Eleanor aka Nell has survive the Great War she sign up as a veterinarian to help the horses in the war now that the war may be over she decide to deliver her Captain horse Tommy to his home in Wales. When that task is done she wants to go home and be with her family but when she meets the Captain daughter everything changes.
Beatrice takes cares of her siblings like their her own while her mother grieves the lost of her three brothers who died in the war. She knows she never married because she has no interest in men that way she resigned the fact she may never find love but when Nell comes on the scene she finally find something for herself. As She and Nell grow closer things start to take a turn for the worst when Beatrice father tells her mother is gone and she doesn’t know what to believe.
With the help of Nell and her sister Grace they stop at nothing to learn what really happened to their mother on the night she disappears.
This was a great historical romance with little intrigue.
May 10, 2020
The romance in this novel is lovely, sweet and believable. I particularly appreciated the contrast between the heroines.
Where things faltered a bit for me was in the segments about female independence and the mystery. I think this book could’ve done with one more solid editing. The dialogue between the heroines about their struggles as women dependent on men often fell flat for me. This wasn’t because it was unbelievable but instead because there was too much telling and not enough showing. The author needs to trust to reader to come to their conclusion, leading us along the way but not beating us about the head with the ideas. This isn’t the only book I’ve read recently that suffers in this way. An example of the same idea done well can be found in Scarlett Peckham’s “The Rakess”. I would love to see a f/f done in this same way!
*I was given a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
Where things faltered a bit for me was in the segments about female independence and the mystery. I think this book could’ve done with one more solid editing. The dialogue between the heroines about their struggles as women dependent on men often fell flat for me. This wasn’t because it was unbelievable but instead because there was too much telling and not enough showing. The author needs to trust to reader to come to their conclusion, leading us along the way but not beating us about the head with the ideas. This isn’t the only book I’ve read recently that suffers in this way. An example of the same idea done well can be found in Scarlett Peckham’s “The Rakess”. I would love to see a f/f done in this same way!
*I was given a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
June 8, 2020
Post WWI sapphic romance. Set in Wales.
Before returning to her upper-class home after serving as a veterinarian in WWI France, Lady Eleanor St. George (Nell) has one more task to complete, returning her Captain's horse to his farm in Wales. Upon getting to the farm, Nell is struck by two revelations: she is completely smitten with the Captain's eldest daughter Beatrice and the Captain is an abusive alcoholic who grinds his family - and particularly his wife and daughters - down.
Beatrice is also struck immediately with an attraction for Nell, but she has resigned herself to a life of near servitude in her father's house. Beatrice doesn't see why Nell could love her or how such a relationship would be possible. Nell wants to make it happen but comes up against both Beatrice's reluctance and her own wartime wounds. Both women must overcome their holdups to take a chance on a future together.
Before returning to her upper-class home after serving as a veterinarian in WWI France, Lady Eleanor St. George (Nell) has one more task to complete, returning her Captain's horse to his farm in Wales. Upon getting to the farm, Nell is struck by two revelations: she is completely smitten with the Captain's eldest daughter Beatrice and the Captain is an abusive alcoholic who grinds his family - and particularly his wife and daughters - down.
Beatrice is also struck immediately with an attraction for Nell, but she has resigned herself to a life of near servitude in her father's house. Beatrice doesn't see why Nell could love her or how such a relationship would be possible. Nell wants to make it happen but comes up against both Beatrice's reluctance and her own wartime wounds. Both women must overcome their holdups to take a chance on a future together.
July 25, 2020
More like a 2.5 with a LGBT+ rounding bonus. Nothing terrible about this book, it just didnt super engage me. There were times that the arguments between Beatrice and Nell felt a little disproportionate or out of place and section where the plot dragged. Still, I would give the author another go if I have the chance.
June 11, 2020
Even if I liked the detailed historical background the MCs grated on my nerves and the story fell flat.
Not my cup of tea.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
Not my cup of tea.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
June 23, 2020
Content warnings:
Historical lesbian romance with horses? Heck yes! Unfortunately, this didn’t quite live up to my expectations.
After the end of the first World War, Nell, who had worked as a veterinarian, is charged with returning her captain’s warhorse to his farm in Wales. Nell is suffering from shell shock and a loss of self – she’s reluctant to go home as she knows she’ll have to resume her role of “Lady Eleanor” rather than simply be Nell. Beatrice, the captain’s daughter, has her own problems. She’s lived with her father’s rages all her life, and after the death of three of her brothers in the war, her mother has completely shut down, leaving Beatrice to mother her four younger siblings and run the farm. Despite that, she still manages to be kind, something Nell struggles with. To be frank, Nell is absolutely awful to Beatrice, from initially thinking she’s the family’s maid to constant thoughtless remarks, even during pillowtalk, that hurt Beatrice deeply. To fit in with the Army Veterinary Corps, Nell had to become this angry, nearly perfect person in order to be accepted as “one of the men,” and she’s not sure how to shed that persona.
A major problem with the book for me was that it was very depressing. I thought I was prepared for it, given that I knew it would be dealing with the after effects of the war, but on top of that there was also the Captain’s horrible treatment of his family, and to compound that, an additional death (with a bit of a murder investigation subplot.) Bad things just keep happening to Beatrice – she never has more than a moment to contemplate how she feels for Nell before she has another crisis to deal with or something thoughtless pops out of Nell’s mouth. Because of all this, I had problems accepting the HEA. Nell latches onto Beatrice and quickly falls in love with her, but Beatrice is more reticent. Her father discouraged her from having friends, and her only experience with a lover was a woman who left her without a second thought. In the end, Beatrice is just so lonely and desperate for love that I wonder if Nell is just a convenient savior for her. There’s definitely a sort of Cinderella feel to the relationship.
There were some beautiful moments where I felt like Nell and Beatrice really communicated, but I felt like they came too late in the book to really establish their relationship. As for other things I liked, I also thought the exploration of class and privilege was fascinating, especially as how it affected Nell and Beatrice’s relationship. Nell is deeply aware of how prejudiced the world is against her as a woman, but she forgets that her class (and her relation to a duke) give her a leg up, as well. Watching her come to terms with that, with Beatrice’s help, was one of my favorite parts of the book.
Overall, this was probably a 2.5 star read for me, rounded up to 3. The overall depressing nature of the book, coupled with the couple’s relationship issues, didn’t work for me.
I received an advance review copy of this book from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Historical lesbian romance with horses? Heck yes! Unfortunately, this didn’t quite live up to my expectations.
“I might not have fought at the front, but the war wasn’t without some danger. There have been some…effects on me. One of which is my lack of manners. The old Lady Eleanor, before the war, was polite and restrained. Now, I find I have no patience for it.”
After the end of the first World War, Nell, who had worked as a veterinarian, is charged with returning her captain’s warhorse to his farm in Wales. Nell is suffering from shell shock and a loss of self – she’s reluctant to go home as she knows she’ll have to resume her role of “Lady Eleanor” rather than simply be Nell. Beatrice, the captain’s daughter, has her own problems. She’s lived with her father’s rages all her life, and after the death of three of her brothers in the war, her mother has completely shut down, leaving Beatrice to mother her four younger siblings and run the farm. Despite that, she still manages to be kind, something Nell struggles with. To be frank, Nell is absolutely awful to Beatrice, from initially thinking she’s the family’s maid to constant thoughtless remarks, even during pillowtalk, that hurt Beatrice deeply. To fit in with the Army Veterinary Corps, Nell had to become this angry, nearly perfect person in order to be accepted as “one of the men,” and she’s not sure how to shed that persona.
“My existence is already dictated by one person. I’m not simply going to swap my allegiances to you because of a few kisses.”
A major problem with the book for me was that it was very depressing. I thought I was prepared for it, given that I knew it would be dealing with the after effects of the war, but on top of that there was also the Captain’s horrible treatment of his family, and to compound that, an additional death (with a bit of a murder investigation subplot.) Bad things just keep happening to Beatrice – she never has more than a moment to contemplate how she feels for Nell before she has another crisis to deal with or something thoughtless pops out of Nell’s mouth. Because of all this, I had problems accepting the HEA. Nell latches onto Beatrice and quickly falls in love with her, but Beatrice is more reticent. Her father discouraged her from having friends, and her only experience with a lover was a woman who left her without a second thought. In the end, Beatrice is just so lonely and desperate for love that I wonder if Nell is just a convenient savior for her. There’s definitely a sort of Cinderella feel to the relationship.
“You know me—scars and all—and you balance out all my sharp edges.’
Beatrice’s mouth quirked up on one side. ‘Balance? No, what I want to be is your whetstone. I want to sharpen your edges even more and watch you help people like me be seen.”
There were some beautiful moments where I felt like Nell and Beatrice really communicated, but I felt like they came too late in the book to really establish their relationship. As for other things I liked, I also thought the exploration of class and privilege was fascinating, especially as how it affected Nell and Beatrice’s relationship. Nell is deeply aware of how prejudiced the world is against her as a woman, but she forgets that her class (and her relation to a duke) give her a leg up, as well. Watching her come to terms with that, with Beatrice’s help, was one of my favorite parts of the book.
Overall, this was probably a 2.5 star read for me, rounded up to 3. The overall depressing nature of the book, coupled with the couple’s relationship issues, didn’t work for me.
I received an advance review copy of this book from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
June 26, 2020
Originally posted on You Have Your Hands Full
Lady Eleanor “Nell” St. George has returned to England from France after The Great War, but before she returns home, she needs to stop in Wales to return Tommy—her captain’s horse—to his home. She does not receive the warm welcome she expected; the competent captain she worked alongside in her veterinary duties has become callous and bitter. Nell intended to drop Tommy off and return to her own home, but she feels compelled to stay.
Beatrice Hughes is the captain’s oldest daughter, and her family has experienced unspeakable tragedy—their three oldest sons died during the war, and while the family patriarch has always been harsh, he is even worse now that he has come home. Bea is drawn to the elegant Nell, and doesn’t understand why she insists on staying at the farm now that Tommy has been returned.
The romance, however, is shadowed by another tragedy: the disappearance of Bea’s mother. I thought this mystery part was very well done, and while the resolution was not unexpected, it still came as a shock when the details finally fell into place.
There’s a bit of slow burn; both Nell and Bea are hesitant to act on their feelings because neither is sure that her feelings would be reciprocated, but even when that’s cleared up, there are still obstacles in their path that prevent them from being happy together.
The class differences in this book present a unique perspective; while Nell has experienced hardship during the war, she truly realizes how privileged she is when she stays with the Hughes family and sees how the entire family is beholden to the captain, who is no longer able to provide for his family, but with three sons lost to the war, there are very few opportunities for income. Nell’s perpetual optimism frustrates Bea, who has always been fully aware of her own limitations—since she doesn’t intend to marry, she has no choice but to remain at the house and help care for her younger siblings. That’s another eye-opening moment for Nell: Mrs. Hughes has children ranging in age from almost 30 down to 6 years old, and it comes as a shock to Nell that Mrs. Hughes didn’t have much of a choice in having so many children.
I would absolutely recommend Her Lady’s Honor. Nell and Bea have amazing chemistry, but more importantly, they work so well together. The war has brought permanent changes to their world, but they are both determined to find happiness amidst so much tragedy. This was such a lovely book, and I’m looking forward to reading more from Dalia in the future.
I received a copy of this book from Carina Press/Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Lady Eleanor “Nell” St. George has returned to England from France after The Great War, but before she returns home, she needs to stop in Wales to return Tommy—her captain’s horse—to his home. She does not receive the warm welcome she expected; the competent captain she worked alongside in her veterinary duties has become callous and bitter. Nell intended to drop Tommy off and return to her own home, but she feels compelled to stay.
Beatrice Hughes is the captain’s oldest daughter, and her family has experienced unspeakable tragedy—their three oldest sons died during the war, and while the family patriarch has always been harsh, he is even worse now that he has come home. Bea is drawn to the elegant Nell, and doesn’t understand why she insists on staying at the farm now that Tommy has been returned.
The romance, however, is shadowed by another tragedy: the disappearance of Bea’s mother. I thought this mystery part was very well done, and while the resolution was not unexpected, it still came as a shock when the details finally fell into place.
There’s a bit of slow burn; both Nell and Bea are hesitant to act on their feelings because neither is sure that her feelings would be reciprocated, but even when that’s cleared up, there are still obstacles in their path that prevent them from being happy together.
The class differences in this book present a unique perspective; while Nell has experienced hardship during the war, she truly realizes how privileged she is when she stays with the Hughes family and sees how the entire family is beholden to the captain, who is no longer able to provide for his family, but with three sons lost to the war, there are very few opportunities for income. Nell’s perpetual optimism frustrates Bea, who has always been fully aware of her own limitations—since she doesn’t intend to marry, she has no choice but to remain at the house and help care for her younger siblings. That’s another eye-opening moment for Nell: Mrs. Hughes has children ranging in age from almost 30 down to 6 years old, and it comes as a shock to Nell that Mrs. Hughes didn’t have much of a choice in having so many children.
I would absolutely recommend Her Lady’s Honor. Nell and Bea have amazing chemistry, but more importantly, they work so well together. The war has brought permanent changes to their world, but they are both determined to find happiness amidst so much tragedy. This was such a lovely book, and I’m looking forward to reading more from Dalia in the future.
I received a copy of this book from Carina Press/Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 9, 2025
I skimmed the letter half of Her Lady's Honour because I was bored. There's not much mystery to speak of, and the romance never worked for me. Nell and Beatrice have a lot of potential: the former used her class status to work as a veterinarian during WWI in defiance of patriarchal institutions and the latter poured herself into family life to the exclusion of all else, including any sense of self, after her father and eldest brothers went to war. When they meet in 1919, they're both struggling to cope with trauma and find their place in a changing world. On its own, that premise piqued my interest, but the execution left me wanting. The romance drives the novel, but outside their physical attraction, I'm hard-pressed to explain Beatrice and Nell's desire to pursue a relationship with one another.
Beatrice is entirely correct that as underresourced Welsh gentry, she doesn't command the same power that Nell does and can't afford to disregard the disparities between them. It was refreshing to have two characters discuss class frankly, and I appreciated that Beatrice is openly, explicitly bitter about Nell's obliviousness, her advantages, etc. More often than not, the oppressed are expected to be calm and gentle when they point out systemic issues and to offer straightforward solutions for navigating the sticky relationship between the systemic and the interpersonal. It would be simpler if Beatrice did, but not particularly realistic or particularly fair. With that said, they had more class-related conflict than they did common interests or goals. Nell and Beatrice share comfort during periods of stress and have sex, but otherwise, Beatrice objects to Nell's sarcasm, to her blunders, to her thoughtlessness, to her fears, and to her use of her funds. Nell is quick to apologize, but as a reader, I couldn't root for them as a couple because I saw nothing to root for.
Nell needs to reflect on her position relative to Beatrice and within society more broadly, but I think for the romance to work, Beatrice has to do some work to figure out her own needs even if only for herself. I empathize with Beatrice because I can identify with some of her frustrations, and I think a lot about power, but I'm not surprised that some readers find her hard to like. The narrative can't truly resolve the friction between the two women because Beatrice wants equality in love, and Nell can't give it to her.
As a compromise, Beatrice is slow to reciprocate Nell's declaration and I think it makes her even harder for most readersto like. There's a real irony in the fact that such a class-conscious narrative made the rich, privileged war veteran more sympathetic by virtue of her mental health disability, her vulnerability, and her grand gesture, while Beatrice seems to overreact and to resist the best life has to offer her. I wonder if the story could've done more to account for its audience or if the audience should've extended its heroines more grace.
Ultimately, though, I want a romance to show me why the characters are drawn to each other, what motivates them to defy the odds, and how they're going to build a life together. I would've loved to see Nell and Beatrice work through their differences to find an answer that resonated with them both. Instead, Her Lady's Honour gets mired in the characters' baggage and even the happy ending isn't enough for it to break free.
Beatrice is entirely correct that as underresourced Welsh gentry, she doesn't command the same power that Nell does and can't afford to disregard the disparities between them. It was refreshing to have two characters discuss class frankly, and I appreciated that Beatrice is openly, explicitly bitter about Nell's obliviousness, her advantages, etc. More often than not, the oppressed are expected to be calm and gentle when they point out systemic issues and to offer straightforward solutions for navigating the sticky relationship between the systemic and the interpersonal. It would be simpler if Beatrice did, but not particularly realistic or particularly fair. With that said, they had more class-related conflict than they did common interests or goals. Nell and Beatrice share comfort during periods of stress and have sex, but otherwise, Beatrice objects to Nell's sarcasm, to her blunders, to her thoughtlessness, to her fears, and to her use of her funds. Nell is quick to apologize, but as a reader, I couldn't root for them as a couple because I saw nothing to root for.
Nell needs to reflect on her position relative to Beatrice and within society more broadly, but I think for the romance to work, Beatrice has to do some work to figure out her own needs even if only for herself. I empathize with Beatrice because I can identify with some of her frustrations, and I think a lot about power, but I'm not surprised that some readers find her hard to like. The narrative can't truly resolve the friction between the two women because Beatrice wants equality in love, and Nell can't give it to her.
As a compromise, Beatrice is slow to reciprocate Nell's declaration and I think it makes her even harder for most readersto like. There's a real irony in the fact that such a class-conscious narrative made the rich, privileged war veteran more sympathetic by virtue of her mental health disability, her vulnerability, and her grand gesture, while Beatrice seems to overreact and to resist the best life has to offer her. I wonder if the story could've done more to account for its audience or if the audience should've extended its heroines more grace.
Ultimately, though, I want a romance to show me why the characters are drawn to each other, what motivates them to defy the odds, and how they're going to build a life together. I would've loved to see Nell and Beatrice work through their differences to find an answer that resonated with them both. Instead, Her Lady's Honour gets mired in the characters' baggage and even the happy ending isn't enough for it to break free.
January 8, 2021
Thanks to NetGalley/HARLEQUIN – Carina Press for the digital ARC of this book.
The great war is over and Lady Eleanor “Nell” St. George, who served as a veterinarian for the war horses has been tasked with returning Tommy, beloved warhorse of her Colonel. It’s been a long journey, but all she has to do is drop the horse off, get him settled, then head home for her life as a Lady. All of that changes when she meets the colonel’s eldest daughter, Beatrice, and is almost immediately smitten. Though the years were tough, war was actually a relief for Beatrice, who was free of her tyrannical father and his temper. It’s gotten worse since he returned home, but when Nell shows up, Beatrice feel a little hope that there might be something outside this servant’s life. Despite their differences in social standing, the two kindle the embers of their attraction and will have to pull Beatrice’s family together when tragedy strikes.
This book was solidly okay. I didn’t love it, and I didn’t dislike it. It was melodrama at its finest, something I can definitely appreciate, but I didn’t always connect with the characters like I wanted to. Historic lesbians, you got me there. I’m a sucker for period pieces starring strong, female leads, and bonus points for queer ones. I didn’t like the colonel, which you’re not supposed to, but his temper and the events leading up to and following the pivotal point in the book didn’t flow as well for me as I would have liked.
I loved Nell and Beatrice but would have liked to see their relationship blossom a little more slowly, though tragedy does bring desperate people closer together, so it wasn’t unrealistic. Overall, I’d recommend this one for a quick, melodramatic read, and I am looking forward to more books from the Carina imprint.
The great war is over and Lady Eleanor “Nell” St. George, who served as a veterinarian for the war horses has been tasked with returning Tommy, beloved warhorse of her Colonel. It’s been a long journey, but all she has to do is drop the horse off, get him settled, then head home for her life as a Lady. All of that changes when she meets the colonel’s eldest daughter, Beatrice, and is almost immediately smitten. Though the years were tough, war was actually a relief for Beatrice, who was free of her tyrannical father and his temper. It’s gotten worse since he returned home, but when Nell shows up, Beatrice feel a little hope that there might be something outside this servant’s life. Despite their differences in social standing, the two kindle the embers of their attraction and will have to pull Beatrice’s family together when tragedy strikes.
This book was solidly okay. I didn’t love it, and I didn’t dislike it. It was melodrama at its finest, something I can definitely appreciate, but I didn’t always connect with the characters like I wanted to. Historic lesbians, you got me there. I’m a sucker for period pieces starring strong, female leads, and bonus points for queer ones. I didn’t like the colonel, which you’re not supposed to, but his temper and the events leading up to and following the pivotal point in the book didn’t flow as well for me as I would have liked.
I loved Nell and Beatrice but would have liked to see their relationship blossom a little more slowly, though tragedy does bring desperate people closer together, so it wasn’t unrealistic. Overall, I’d recommend this one for a quick, melodramatic read, and I am looking forward to more books from the Carina imprint.
dnf-either-for-now-or-for-forever
July 1, 2020I desperately wanted to like this book and actually started it weeks ago, but I just kept not wanting to actually read it and the more I forced myself, the more I didn't like it. I wasn't a huge fan of the writing style, which I could have looked past if I'd liked the characters more, but honestly, I didn't. Hopefully, if it sounds interesting to you, you will have better luck!
This is a Sapphic romance between two women who are both lesbians (I think) and takes place in the aftermath of World War I when Lady Eleanor returns Captain Hughes' horse to his home. Nell served as a veterinarian's assistant during the war and is definitely dealing with the emotional and physical scars that experience has left. Beatrice Hughes is the Captain's daughter and she suffered in a different way during the war and is again suffering from dealing with the Captain's mood swings, verbal and physical abuse. The two are immediately physically attracted to one another. Beatrice's mom goes missing and they try and solve that mystery while falling in love along the way.
This is a Sapphic romance between two women who are both lesbians (I think) and takes place in the aftermath of World War I when Lady Eleanor returns Captain Hughes' horse to his home. Nell served as a veterinarian's assistant during the war and is definitely dealing with the emotional and physical scars that experience has left. Beatrice Hughes is the Captain's daughter and she suffered in a different way during the war and is again suffering from dealing with the Captain's mood swings, verbal and physical abuse. The two are immediately physically attracted to one another. Beatrice's mom goes missing and they try and solve that mystery while falling in love along the way.
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