♥ A GRITTY TALE OF ADVERSITY AND THE SHEER POWER OF LOVE ♥Bruised but not broken, she stood in the mud of the street, wearing nothing but a tattered shift the day Jonathan first saw her. He had watched in mesmerized fascination as the girl swiped a filthy arm across her split lip, squared her shoulders, and raised her chin in defiance of her assailants. But when, by random happenstance she turned … random happenstance she turned her head and her piercing, blue eyes met his regard, Jonathan knew his entire world had tipped on end.
Charlotte had known nothing but adversity and hardship the entirety of her life. Orphaned at a young age and condemned to fend for herself, she learned to trust no one and rely solely upon her own strength. Yet, when she’s cut down in the street for a crime she didn’t commit and Jonathan comes to her rescue, Charlotte is begrudgingly compelled to the realization that perhaps hope and love do exist in this miserable world.
England, at the end of the 18th century, is a land exemplified by firm divisions between the social classes. What is a life of ease and prosperity for some, is an arduous existence for others. Nevertheless, ’tis true that love can bloom in the unlikeliest of places. But when a grievously injured Charlotte is falsely accused of a crime and sent to one of the most infamous prisons in the land, the tender bud of Jonathan and Charlotte’s love is threatened. Jonathan is forced to defy family in a desperate bid to save her from the hangman, whilst conspiracies and betrayal are afoot in a cruel effort to keep them apart.
“Better far thou art, a piece
Of God’s own heaven-born beauty,
Smiling in this wintry time.
Doubtless ’tis thy duty,
Us to teach that love and grace
In darkest days may blossom,
And that a tender bloom of hope
May shine in sorrow’s bosom.”
-J.J. Britton
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I enjoyed this story. There was a lot of grittiness and violence. Charlotte and Jonathan were from different social strata, but their hearts did not care. I loved Charlotte’s strength and determination as she survived her worst ordeals. Jonathan was so innocent of the ways of the lower classes but his heart saw beyond those lines.
I received a copy of this story through Candid Book Reviews, and this is my unsolicited review.
An interesting story of the legal system in the 18th century England. It’s a well written book with strong characters in Charlotte and Jonathan. The author does a great job describing both her characters and scenes in vivid detail , bringing the story to life and making you feel the emotions coming through the pages. I enjoyed reading their story and would recommend this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
Morality play in a historical setting
Whether you like In Darkest Days May Blossom will depend a great deal on your taste for melodrama. Leila Snow’s well-written and historically spot-on love story has a cast of characters that read direct from the morality plays of olden times: a powerful wealthy father whose overbearing pride and misuse of power make him The Villain; his youngest son Jonathan whose highly developed ethics and compassion set him, as The Hero, against his father; and poor, wronged, and ferociously virtuous Charlotte, who attracts the Villain’s homicidal ire and the Hero’s undying desperate love. The supporting characters line up with the Villain for the most part, or sit securely on the fence until their consciences goad them into doing the Right Thing. Support for the Hero is rare, hard-won, and nearly too little, too late. The evils that befall Charlotte are historically documented as plausible events – but so many of them trample her into near-death and defeat that I began to feel the unease of a sports fan watching a brutally uneven game – ashamed of the winner’s viciousness, appalled at the loser’s continued participation in their own humiliation, and desperate for the officials to intervene. As befits the romance genre, HEA is an ironclad expectation, so Ms. Snow finally allows her Hero and heroine respite from their unremitting suffering and a promise of happiness. Some ,but not all, of the various characters receive their just desserts, good and bad. The villain is thwarted, but left to create more havoc in a future sequel, and i was left exhausted and relieved to be done with the over-the-top agony and angst. Fans of the melodramatic, Good-vs-Evil plots, and the triumph of true love over mayhem and martyrdom will no doubt enjoy this book. I thought it well done, but I have to give the author a minus 2 stars for piling on.
– ARC review –
This is the first book by this Author that I have read and I know I want to read the next part of this story. The storyline is well written and kept me turning pages. Why is Alex talking to that woman? I will just have to wait until the next book is out. I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily reviewing.
This is my first time reading a book by Ms. Snow. It will absolutely not be my last. The vivid descriptions of the main characters surroundings. The build-up of the depth of the characters, the plot. All of these elements drew me in, and kept me thoroughly engaged. The inequities of late 1700 England. Charlotte is the po0r waif, beaten in the street, accused of being a thief. Jonathan, third son of the rich magistrate, witnesses and stops the beating. In time? He’s appalled; but what can he possibly do? What happens to Charlotte, to Jonathan? This reader could not, not find out. Cannot wait to read more by this new to me author!
It is obvious that the author did the research, this story is very detailed. It is also sad, the brutality of the life of Charlotte is heart-wrenching. Charlotte is a great character, a fighter, very brave and does the best she can with the life she was born into. Jonathon is a great character as well, she is his soul mate and their bond drives his determination to find her regardless of her station. The ending of their story left me with some doubt to their happily ever after though which was disappointing because they went through so much and this is a very long story, lol. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation from the author.
Love at first sight and being from two different classes means a long road of difficulty for Jonathan and Charlotte. Every time I thought they caught a break something else was thrown at them. It’s quite clear from the start who is going to be the problem, but I was shocked by how far he would go to keep them apart. I was holding my breath the whole time she was in London hoping he would find her before it was too late. When they finally found each other again there was still a threat that I didn’t see coming.
The added story of her friend was heartbreaking because the hateful way she acted was her way of coping. I was so glad that his brother came to his senses and in the end, he helped so much. The ending left me wanting for and I hope there is more to come.
Charlotte never gave up hope that he would find her and she never stopped fighting. I loved her from the start with how she wouldn’t go down without a fight. She also never gave up on her friend and was willing to do anything to help her.
Jonathan knew he lost his heart the moment he saw her and he didn’t care what anyone thought. He never gave up and wasn’t going to stop until he found her. I loved that he never hid his feelings.
Copy provided for an honest and voluntary review
England 1796 If ever there were a book that grabbed my heart this is the one.Johnathan came upon a constable beating a young girl in the streets and ran to stop the brutality. “Cease! Immediately!” he barked as the girl curled into a filthy ball at his feet. “Do not lay so much as another finger upon her!.” She was beaten so badly, he got a doctor to tend to her as she lay in the gaol cell, but before she passed out she told him, he was just putting off the hangman’s noose for her. She had been caught theiving and that is why she was being beaten.
Thus Johnathan met Charlotte and could not stay away for some reason.
This is a story of hope and crossing the lines of class to that of human kindness. Leila Snow has written a story that drew me into the harsh life of during these times and with her descriptions and prose, brought the characters to life where I could feel the emotions of the characters. Charlotte suffered so much, yet she has an indomidable spirit to push forward and Johathan coming from a wealthy family that stood up for the inustice.
Be transported back in time and experience the trials and triumphs that happened in this story and you will be held enthralled until the very end. Love can prevail even in the most unexpected instances. This author has won a fan in myself and I look forward to reading more from her!
This is the first book by Leila Snow that I have read it’s a beautiful twist to how a woman in a time has to fend for herself, make a living and still hope that there must be a better life for her. And then you have a man that has grown up with everything that he needs to make it in the world and isn’t happy to follow his parents path for him.
In this book the heroine is falsely accused of stealing and is set upon and beaten until the hero comes and stops it.
An unlikely love is born between the two and they are put through many challenges to finally be together.
Looking forward to many more of Leila Snow’s books.
Everything was great about this book: the storyline, the writing, the characters, etc. Even the ending was terrific for a semi-cliffhanger. Can’t wait to read more about Charlotte, Jonathan, Daniel, and the rest of the family, all the while my fingers are crossed that justice will be served soon.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a wonderful book. I love the story so much! The entire book was full of excitement and intrigue. I love the characters. I love the love story that is throughout the book and how it blossoms. There is danger at all times. I will be following this author for more. I need to find out what happens!! The author is wonderful in how she writes the plot!!
I knew from the moment I opened this book and read the dedication, that this story was going to wreck havoc on my emotions. You can tell Lelia Snow puts her heart and soul into everything she writes. Everything is described so beautifully and is filled with such emotion that it resonates with the reader. The story was interesting and had my attention from the very beginning. The characters all stood out and were fascinating. I honestly couldn’t get enough and binge read the whole thing. An amazing story from front to back. 5 stars!