Mara McClain is a young Irish immigrant looking to begin anew in Victorian-era San Francisco, after the California Gold Rush. She struggles for both love and independence, as a budding businesswoman in a male-dominated society. Set amid the fascinating backdrop of San Francisco’s Golden Age, Autumn Lady draws from an eclectic cast of characters, both historical and original. It’s an … It’s an idiosyncratic journey through the highs and lows, ballrooms and back rooms, alleys and the promenades, and the enchantment and viciousness, of an American city on the brink of a new era.
Autumn Lady is not just the story of Mara McClain, it is the story of both a woman and a city coming of age in one of America’s most exciting historical periods.
more
This is a feel good book. You automatically root for her from the moment this brave young lady arrives.
It’s not an easy life, but together everyone gets exactly what is coming to them. A sweet happily ever after.
This book was different from most historical romances that I have read, a book that drew me in from the first page a let go at the end. A well-written story that I enjoyed reading. A book I would recommend. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received this book from NetGallery and it seemed quite unfinished to me. I had to double check that it has indeed been published and wasn’t an unfinished advanced copy (which is how it read).
I just went on a trip this year to San Fransisco so it was fun to read about the city in the early 1870’s Gilded Age. I also like reading about different artists.
I didn’t feel like there was much depth with the characters and never felt like I knew or understood them enough. I learned more about the landlady’s personal story than I did Mara’s or Patrick’s. Where did she come from? Why was she here? What led her to want to open an art Gallery in San Fran?
There love/lust relationship went much too quickly as well… again, because I didn’t feel like they knew each other well, I also wish the sex scene (and almost sex scenes) were less graphic. This book could be a great historical fiction, but you want to keep it classy and not turn it into a steamy erotica novel. There is a fine line, and I think it was crossed in this one.
I’m giving it 1.5 stars because I think there is a lot of potential. I’d like to know more about the characters and their feelings, right now they seem very generic. I’d like to know more about the Gilded Age. I’d like to watch the romance blossom more. Mara seems like she can be such a strong woman in a male dominated world – I’d love to see more of her stamina and strength. I’d even like to know more about Mary. Both stories seemed to end abruptly. Maybe my copy was different because it only had 105 pages.
Thank you for reaching out to me and letting me read this novel.