The greatest risk—for the sweetest reward… Domestic Society for safekeeping, he can’t get her out of his thoughts. And when he next encounters her, working as assistant to a renowned scientist, he becomes even more intrigued…
The Society’s kindness is especially welcome after everything Diana endured in a French prison, but she fears for the safety of those who get close to her. French spies are on her trail, convinced that her scientific knowledge can help them win the war. As peril draws them irrevocably together, Diana and Jacques succumb to mutual desire. But love may be the most dangerous pursuit of all, when a lady guards her heart even more carefully than she guards her life . . .
more
Diana cries so much – at the drop of a hat it seems – when nothing in her past suggests this is her normal behavior. All those tears put a damper on the simmering passion from Jacques – he doesn’t carry enough handkerchiefs for this.
Nice light reading. If you like Victorian era romance stories for a good escape, this is an original story. I liked it.
the story mad me cringe at how unfair , not nice society was to women a few decades back.
A Lady’s Past (Everton Domestic Society Book 4) by A.S. Fenichel is an intriguing and captivating story
While, book 4, it can be read as a stand alone.
Follow, Jacques Laurent and Diana on their journey to find their HEA. Filled with adventure, mystery,
suspense, betrayal and spies. A riveting and captivating story from the first page to the last. The characters will definitely capture your heart. The storyline flows seamlessly and effortlessly into a heartwarming and compelling story of romance, trust, honesty and love. Strongly recommended!
#NetGalley, ALadysPast,#ASFencichel
“I voluntarily received a complimentary copy, however, these are my honest opinions. I was in no way required nor compensated to write a review.”
Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewer: AprilR
Danger, intrigue, kidnapping, and spies are only a small part of what makes this book a very good read. Add in an intelligent, strong woman, and a hero any woman would want and you have a read that is difficult to put down. This number four in the Everton Domestic Society series and my very favorite of the bunch. Jacques Laurent and Diana MacLeod meet by accident when he saves her in a snow storm. Although she refuses help, more because of the fear of bringing her danger to others. At Jacques insistence, Diana takes a job with the Everton Domestic Society. Under their care and Jacques’ she is finally able to unburden herself with a lot of reluctance. What happens when the French spies who are after Diana catch up to her? Will she be able to keep her new friends and herself safe? I do believe this is Ms. Fenichel’s best offering to date. I received this eBook from NetGalley for an honest review.
Everton Domestic Society #4, I have enjoyed the entire series so far, they can be read as standalones. The Everton Domestic Society prides itself on finding the right woman for the job needed. Jacques Laurent has seen the proof of the good the employment agency for Ladies does so when he sees a Lady stranded on the side of the road obviously running from something he recommends her going to Everton. Reluctantly Diana goes but only after confiding in Lady Jane the nature of her past that she felt safe enough in staying. Lady Jane even set up a job in Diana’s prefered subject, chemistry; with a footman/guard and no one else knowing Diana’s true past she started to feel a little safe.
Jacques was deceived once before by his fiancee and it has jaded him, he finds it hard to trust again but in the three weeks since he met Diana she was never far from his thoughts. Imagine his surprise when he goes to his friend/investment, inventor Francis Edgebrook, and finds he has hired an Everton Lady as his assistant, Diana to be exact. There is something about Diana that calls to him, he knows she’s in danger but he would rather remove the obstacle than risk never seeing her again. It’s a good thing he’s got friends in high places. He works hard to earn Diana’s trust and her love.
Overall, it was a great read. I love all the characters. You have no idea how long I have waited for a story where the characters are called Jack and Diane, this is the closest I’ve gotten yet. It’s a beautifully written romance with enough intrigue to keep it interesting and humor and angst in all the right places.
I really enjoyed this story. The characters are unusual. When Jacques encounters Diana on the road to London, he is intrigued. He doesn’t want to just leave her at the side of the road. He helps her get to the Everton Domestic Society and doesn’t expect to see her again. He was really happy when he sees her again and decides that he will help her with her problems, no matter what. Diana is in extreme danger and doesn’t want to involve anyone else in her problems, especially Jacques. Will Jacques be able to protect her and can he convince her that she should stay with him?
“Like a knight in shining armor, you continue to rescue me.”
A Lady’s Past, the fourth book in A.S. Fenichel’s Everton Domestic Society series, is a well-written, romantic regency historical filled with spies, intrigue, and a swoony hero. From the gorgeous cover, you are drawn into the story of Jacques Laurent and Diana MacLeod.
Diana’s been on the run after escaping from the French, who had taken her family hostage to coerce her scientist father to give up secrets for the war effort. Her parents were killed while defending her, and she engineers her own escape. Jacques is on his way to London and comes upon Diana and, knowing she needs help, takes her to safety at the Everton Domestic Society.
When Jacques learns that French spies are tracking Diana, he is determined to keep her safe, even as Diana is trying to keep everyone around her safe. Jacques is a wonderful hero who will never give up on his love.
“I could never and will never leave you, Diana. You are a part of my soul now, a deep imprint that can never be washed away.”
SIGH!!!!!!! Fenichel’s writing is wonderful and heartfelt. While she brings us up-to-date on characters from previous books in the series, which are all great, this installment can be enjoyed on its own. You will really enjoy the sassy and formidable character that is Lady Honoria Chervil!
I received a copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, and I heartily recommend it!
A Lady’s Past by A.S. Fenichel is book 4 in the Everton Domestic Society Series. This is the story of Jacques and Diana. I have read the previous book and feel you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so. Diana is on the run from a mad person who has held her against her will. Diana is left not trusting and worried that she will be found or placed in a bad position again. Jacques was betrayed by his fiancée so he doesn’t trust easily if at all. But when he finds Diana walking alone he has to help her which he takes her to the Everton Domestic Society for help. But Jacques can’t forget her and they meet again. Enjoyed this intriguing story.
One of the most exciting books I have read all year. A Lady’s Past by A.S. Fenichel is book 4 in the Everton Domestic Society series and I am so enjoying this series. A.S. Fenichel never disappoints in her writing or her characters. This regency story is so very original and a tad intense though very east to read. This story has imprisonment, hiding, not able to trust, a domestic society, a scientist, spies, a lasting impression, trust, fear and love. I highly recommend you read this book and the others in this series… you won’t be disappointed.
***This book was gifted to me and I am voluntarily reviewing.
He hadn’t been able to get her out of his mind. “Who are you?” he asked to see if she would tell him who she truly was and her background. The lamplight from the laboratory shone on one side of her face as she turned. “I am a dead woman and no one to concern yourself with.”
Diana was a woman running for her life and had to keep out of sight. Jacques Laurent gave the frightened lady a ride to London and took her to the Everton Domestic Society to see if they could help her. He could not get her out of his mind and when he finds they have given her an assignment with a famous scientist, he really wants to know her.
Diana’s father had been a scientist and she had worked right along side of him. But one of his inventions had gotten him murdered and the fiends were after her for her knowledge.
A whirlwind journey that I loved every step and every word. I have enjoyed this series tremendously and was so intrigued with the scientific thread and inventions. My heart ached for Diana, as she felt there was no hope and she would only bring trouble to others. Jacques was just so kind and sigh worthy. Everything I look forward to in a story was here… Adventure, secrets, attraction that cannot be denied and two wounded souls who need each other! Perfect!
Wow! This has to be my favorite of the Everton Domestic Society series. Both Jacques and Diana have painful pasts involving the French. There are spies, murder, extreme mistrust on both H/h part, danger, mystery, and love. Jacques and Diana were perfect together. There was a lot of romance. It was an absolute joy being along for the ride with this couple. The characters were well developed and perfectly written. All the books in this series have been awesome. I highly recommend this book and any by this author. I was gifted this book and am voluntarily reviewing. My opinions are my own.
The Everton Domestic Society has been a truly enjoyable series, with A Lady’s Past another pleasing read. These books show how at least some women, in a time when there were few choices for ladies, found a way to make their way in the world without a man. And A.S. Fenichel makes the path believable. In the fourth in the series, Jacques Laurent helps a woman who is alone on the side of the road, eventually delivering her to the Everton Domestic Society. Both have been through trauma — he was betrayed by a woman in the most damaging way possible and she just escaped from a French prison, where her family had been held captive so her scientist father’s genius could be used to help the French win the war. He barely escaped the guillotine. They both have suffered, but Diana is determined to make sure no one else she loves suffers. Thus, she does not respond easily when Jacques falls in love with her. His determination to woo his “goddess” affirms the power of love, and the adventure that accompanies their love story makes this a ripping good read. I received an ARC from NetGalley; opinions mine.
When Jacques comes across a woman in a snow storm, he has no idea of the danger and intrigue he has stumbled in to. Diana is running from the French spies who have held her captive, and one of them will go to any lengths to recapture her. I have enjoyed all of the Everton series, but this may be my favorite. I received an ARC of this book.
This was an adventurous, exciting addition to the Everton Domestic Society series. It also has the most wonderful, romantic, dedicated, honest, steadfast and loyal hero I’ve read in a long time. We should all have a Jacques in our lives – I mean, he always calls Diana his Goddess! I liked Diana too – she was smart (very smart), beautiful and running for her life. She’s about as resilient as one lady can be, so you can’t help but admire her. I think this is my favorite book in the series.
We meet a new group in this book, and they really impressed me. I’d love to see a series featuring them and some of their exploits. The group is the Buckrose Horsemen – sort of a takeoff on the apocalyptic Horsemen. They all attended the Buckrose School for Boys and were recruited by the Crown to form a group that would work on behalf of England. This group rescued Jacques from France just before he’d been scheduled for the guillotine.
We get a lovely visit with Millie (A Lady’s Escape) and her hero Preston – along with her eccentric uncle Francis who we all learned to love in Millie’s book. I really liked Preston in this book – he was a wonderfully loyal friend to Jacques.
Jacques, who has just managed to rescue his parents from France, is traveling to London for a meeting when he comes across a woman traveling on foot in the dead of winter – during a storm. At first, he isn’t sure if she is a highwaywoman out to rob him or just a frightened woman. Whatever the case, he knows he cannot leave her on the road to die. As they travel – and have to stop at an inn to get out of the worsening storm – he tries to get to know her better. What he does (and doesn’t) learn intrigues him.
Diana is running for her life. Two governments are after her – one thinks she is a traitor and the other wants to imprison her and force her to work for them. Everybody she loves has been tortured and killed and she cannot afford to get close to anyone – ever again. She can’t live with more people who care about her dying. So, when she feels drawn to the kind and caring man who has offered her sanctuary on a cold and lonely road into London, she knows she must stay away from him. She asks him to drop her off at some very public places, but his conscience won’t let him do that. He persuades her to let him take her to the Everton Domestic Society where she can seek employment or just rest up while she decides where to go and what to do.
We all know that Diana and Jacques meet again – and things blossom – even though neither of them is prepared for a relationship. Things get really exciting and tense when the bad guys start closing in. Diana and Jacques are thrown together more and more often and, of course, love blossoms in a very difficult situation. I love how they came together.
This could have been a 5-star read for me had the author not mentioned whiskey so many times. Whiskey wasn’t readily available in England in that period. If they had it, it was illegally made in Scotland (spelled Whisky) or Ireland (spelled Whiskey). As punishment for the Irish and Scot rebellion against the Crown, extreme, exorbitant taxes were imposed on the production of whiskey and on the distilling equipment to make it. Since the upper classes tended to view the Scots and Irish as barbaric, few would have made any effort or paid the price to have it. Whiskey didn’t become a staple in England until the Victorian period.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was an entertaining, well-written book. Jacques finds Diana alone on the road to London and despite being wary of trusting anyone again, he can’t leave her alone in a snowstorm. Diana is on the run and fears for the safety of anyone who helps her. They both have guards up, but still find themselves falling for each other. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.
4.25 Stars
His fiancée’s betrayal nearly cost Jacques Laurent everything. Despite his resolve not to trust anyone again, he can’t abandon the young woman he finds alone on the road to London especially as the weather is dire. In the brief hours they spend together, the enigmatic Diana touches his heart in a way he can’t explain. Even after bringing her to the Everton Domestic Society for safekeeping, he can’t get her out of his thoughts. And when he next encounters her, working as assistant to a renowned scientist, he becomes even more intrigued. The Society’s kindness is especially welcome after everything Diana endured in a French prison, but she fears for the safety of those who get close to her. French spies are on her trail, convinced that her scientific knowledge can help them win the war.
This is the fourth book in the series & it could easily be read on its own. I did love that characters from earlier books made appearances so it was very good to see where their lives were. I like Diana but absolutely adored Jacques, their attraction was immediate but they also came to know each other & they both fell in love, they also liked each other. Diana is a highly intelligent woman coming to terms with all that life has thrown at her & it’s thrown a lot. Jacques is utterly, utterly gorgeous, so steadfast & loyal, he fell heavily for Diana & never ever wavered in his devotion. A page turning book which at times I found hard to put down. The road to their HEA is strewn with obstacles & the journey was highly entertaining
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
A story about a young English woman who is kidnapped (along with her parents) by French spies and tortured for 2 years in an effort to force her scientist father to build weapons for Napoleon. She escapes and makes her way to England, only to be pursued there by her vicious kidnappers. She is taken in by a recent French emigre and his friends and learns to hope and trust again.
This was fine, but I’ve read better. As an analogy, this would be more of a “B” movie, but as this is #4 in a series, I might have gotten a bit more out of it by starting at the beginning.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for providing the ARC. The opinions are strictly my own.
A Lady’s Past (Everton Domestic Society, #4) by A.S. Fenichel ….This is a wonderful series ..but each book can be read as a stand alone. Thanks to A.S. Fenichel, the publisher and #Netgalley for letting me preview this book. Jacques Laurent (betrayed by his fiancee and almost beheaded he had to escape France and also save his parents..he vows never to love again) Diana (kidnapped with her parents by the French ..escaped and rescued by Jacques on the road) This story has old and new friends, kidnapping, terror, murder, spies, intrigue, angst, tears, wit and steam all getting us to a very HEA and desire for more Everton Domestic Society.
A Lady’s Past
Everton Domestic Society Series #4
A.S. Fenichel
https://www.facebook.com/A.S.Fenichel/
Release date 11/19/2019
Publisher Kensington Lyrical
Blurb :
His fiancée’s betrayal nearly cost Jacques Laurent everything. Despite his resolve not to trust anyone again, he can’t abandon the young woman he finds alone on the road to London. In the brief hours they spend together, the enigmatic Diana touches his heart in a way he can’t explain. Even after bringing her to the Everton Domestic Society for safekeeping, he can’t get her out of his thoughts. And when he next encounters her, working as assistant to a renowned scientist, he becomes even more intrigued…
The Society’s kindness is especially welcome after everything Diana endured in a French prison, but she fears for the safety of those who get close to her. French spies are on her trail, convinced that her scientific knowledge can help them win the war. As peril draws them irrevocably together, Diana and Jacques succumb to mutual desire. But love may be the most dangerous pursuit of all, when a lady guards her heart even more carefully than she guards her life . . .
My review :
Will a woman on the run be able to trust enough to let a man see past the mask she wears …
This is my first read by Mrs A.S. Fenichel, and she has a very personal writing style. She brought to life her characters by given them depth and layers. Both protagonists are quite ambivalent, they refuse love or the idea of getting attached but at the same time, they long for closeness.
Diana, after what she endured under some madmen thumb, has every rights to be wary of men.
Still I think her good nature served her right, as she encountered many peoples ready to fight her battle by her side.
Up to her to accept their support as at each turn, she fears for their security more than hers.
She is yet a very innocent person, as she trusts those helping her, she is more circumspect about certain men as while she sees herself as broken, beyond repair.
Jacques has found shelter in England after risking to have his body shortened from a head. Why he is able to recognize a doe on edge, ready to bolt.
And bolt she does, at every turn but Jacques without being able to sort his own feelings out, knows fundamentally she is the one woman of his life.
He will pass by every stade of a relationship moving to something more, with its doubts and struggles when Diana fears the hurt she might be the origin if she stays around.
At first, they react like magnets as opposites attract or push back.
Why their story has only one hope to move forward, to lay all their secrets and fears on the table.
It was a sweet second chance for two persons who should have become jaded but let a sparkle of hope ignite their past dreams.
4.5 stars
I was granted an advance copy by the author and the publisher, I had previously preordered my own.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272830/posts/490273761561800?sfns=mo
“A Lady’s Past “ by A.S. Fenichel
I received an ARC of this story via NetGalley from the author for the price of an honest opinion/review. So, I must honestly say, I loved this story. The description only hints at the trials, tribulations, the fears, and the friendships that will abound within this story. So many things I would like to share, but I fear I might spoil the adventure of this story for you. I rather wish I was a member of a book club and we could talk for hours about this story. Happy Reading !!