He woos her with chocolate, flowers, and novels. She can’t say no to him, but can’t say yes to love.Lydia Taylor’s roof is leaking, her chickens are out of control, and she can’t afford the rent. When her daughter falls ill, the last person she wants knocking at her door is gorgeous school teacher Alfred Lowe. His scowl makes her feel like he can see through her façade of a respectable widow and … respectable widow and judge all her secrets.
To achieve his dream of his own school, Alfred Lowe needs to marry a wealthy lady. But from the moment Lydia Taylor fell at his feet, he’s been awkwardly attracted to her. What begins as duty to support one of his pupil’s mother soon becomes much more complicated. Maybe even… love?
But amongst kisses, tears, and savory pies, the past creeps into the present, casting a long shadow. If they risk love, they could lose everything they’ve ever wanted.
* Characters: hot teacher hero; heroine with a secret; * Tropes: secret relationship; friends to lovers; slow burn;
* Setting: mid-Victorian England
* Feel: soft; low angst; family drama; homely and domestic; countryside; romantic; bucolic; all-the-feels;
* Content Notes can be found at the front of the book
* Length: 45,000 words (long novella/short novel)
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Falling and having to pull herself out of the mud made Lydia Taylor’s first introduction to Alfred Lowe humiliating, but it doesn’t matter, Lydia’s experience with men has not been the best and handsome men such as Alfred are bound to give her nothing but heartache. Bad choices and reckless behavior in her youth, left Lydia ruined and forced to live a lie. But enduring all the pain and heartbreak was worth it because it gave her daughter Annie. She will ignore the handsome teacher and just concentrate on making Annie’s life as good as possible, which means keeping her secrets.
Alfred Lowe has admired Lydia for years, but he has kept his distance, Lydia is lovely and Alfred is nervous around her. But when Annie misses school he feels it is his duty to check on her. He goes to their cottage and finds a very upset Lydia. It is clear she needs a doctor for Annie but can’t afford one, so Alfred intervenes with the local Squire and has a doctor sent. The news is not good, Annie has polio and her prognosis is uncertain. Alfred becomes a pillar of strength for Lydia and soon she is wishing that things could be different.
Alfred has long dreamed of opening a school of his own, but without a rich wife to help him achieve it, a dream is all it will ever be, because he is sure Lydia is the woman he wants to spend his life with and it is painfully clear that she has no money. As he spends more time with Lydia, she slowly begins to trust him and feelings deepen, but she refuses to consider marriage and it isn’t until she shares her darkest secret that he understands why – but there must be a way!
I loved this story, it was a well written, emotional tale that sucked me in from the first page and kept me flipping pages until the last word was read. I loved Alfred, he might be a beta hero, but OMG he is just perfect. Lydia is also wonderful and with everything she has endured, my heart just broke for her. The story has a lot going on, but the focus stays on the budding relationship between Lydia and Alfred, the story is filled with so much emotion, both happy and sad, chickens, a shady land agent, stolen kisses, secrets and finally a very satisfying HEA. If you read “Falling for a Rake” you already met Lydia, Alfred and Annie and if you didn’t you are going to want to read it after you finish this book – the two books are connected, but they can definitely be read as stand-alone titles.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me.*
I’m just going to lead with this part, because I don’t think it’s a spoiler: the hero of this gorgeous historical romance is a school teacher, and he’s a virgin. A very virile, capable virgin, and it’s DELIGHTFUL. The heroine is a single mother, living as a widow, but she was really never married, and so she cannot fall in love with her daughter’s teacher, because she can’t marry again when she wasn’t really married the first time…
I read both this book and the one before (Falling for a Rake) this week, and they are both standalone, but they intersect, and the protagonists in each book are a source of conflict in the other book. This is a complicated, wonderful set up that really digs into what second chances mean, and the risks we need to take inside ourselves to be vulnerable and open to love.
I devoured both books, and highly recommend them. This book is perfect for fans of Sherry Thomas, Scarlett Peckham, and Kelly Bowen. It’s a great example of historical romance tangling with the consequences of past choices, and finding HEA in a realistic and emotional way for everyone involved.
A tearful book of the child of a widowed mother in a small town who becomes deathly ill. The local teacher, Alfred Lowe, visits the grieving Lydia day after day bringing gifts and comfort. His compassion becomes love for Lydia and her child. He proposes and proposes, but she keeps saying no. Alfred’s determined to change her mind. Amidst tears, kisses and gifts, Lydia realizes she loves him, too. She doesn’t feel worthy and carries a heartbreaking secret. You can’t help but hope for Alfred to overcome obstacles to change her mind and fulfill his dream. The angst in this book is really strong and tough to read.
The storyline was well written and the characters were so well created that I remained totally captivated throughout the entire book!
Once a Fallen Lady tells the story of a Lydia who’s struggling to make ends meet while taking care of her daughter, Annie. She’ll do anything for her little girl. Things got worse when Annie got sick with symptoms of polio. Mr. Alfred Lowe, Annie’s teacher wants to know why she’s absent. After knowing their situation, he helps them in any possible way. Not denying from Lydia that he’s attracted to her. Will Lydia reciprocate Alfred’s feelings towards her?
Eve Pendle creates her characters and unexpected plot twist so well that you are transported into their world. A well-crafted story, attractive characters and I wasn’t disappointed. A thoroughly enjoyable read for anyone who likes a good historical romance.
An Uncommonly Common Love
This is an unusual Victorian romance because the hero and heroine are such common people. He is a country schoolteacher, and she is the fallen lady of the title, having once been a member of high society but having to flee from all she knew after her ruination and subsequent birth of a daughter. His salary grants him genteel poverty, but her situation is far more dire, made even more so by an unscrupulous land agent who raises the rents on unprotected females. When her daughter becomes gravely ill, the handsome schoolteacher comes to check on them and offers aid. Lydia, the mother, is very proud and doesn’t take to charity easily. Alfred, our hero, continues to come by to keep an eye on both, bearing gifts of food, chocolates, and novels. Over the course of the illness, they come to know each other better, though she is hard to trust in any man after what happened to her and he has greater ambitions to start his own school and needs a wealthy wife to do so.
This is a sweet, slow-burn romance, so slow in fact that I almost felt jarred when things turned more romantic between them. Alfred is such a decent, caring, and loyal person; he’s the perfect gentle yet swoon-worthy hero. And you can’t help but feel for Lydia as she has suffered much in her 10 years as a single mother, the punishment far outweighing the crime. I thought it was an interesting study, too, in how we can devalue ourselves because of circumstances and the judgment of others. The author probably didn’t mean it that way, but it was so hard to see Lydia continue to beat herself up over something that happened when she was a relatively young woman and incredibly naïve. You want nothing more for these two to ultimately choose each other rather than their pride, fears, or ambitions. Certainly, too, you want the bad guys to get their comeuppance. This is a romance, so we do get our HEA, and as it was so hard earned by two good people, it was a sweet one indeed.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
Once upon a time, Lydia Taylor was a respectable young woman who aspired to marry an earl. That was a long time ago, though, and the balls, parties and pretty gowns belonged to another life… one where she wasn’t a single mother desperate to conceal the fact that she’s not really a widow, for her daughter’s sake. Living in poverty and gouged by an unscrupulous rent collector, when Annie falls ill she’s at her wits’ end until Annie’s schoolteacher appears on her doorstep with an entirely unlooked-for offer of help.
Eve Pendle writes her characters so well, such that Lydia’s fear makes absolute logical sense. There are no contrived leaps of logic here for the sake of the plot; Lydia’s fears are very real and the risks she must take have to be carefully weighed, every decision taken with the full awareness that she might be jeopardising everything she holds dear. Alfred isn’t operating with all the relevant operation for most of the book, but he immediately grasps the magnitude of the problem once Lydia tells him the truth.
Alfred’s a decent man, but also somewhat of an ambitious one. He had a dream of opening a school, but it’s an entirely unattainable dream unless he can marry a woman with money. A penniless widow with a child of her own definitely doesn’t fit the bill… and yet he can’t walk away, because there’s something about Lydia which calls him. Her pride, her quiet desperation, her determination; she’s very compelling.
I won’t spoil how it all resolves for the pair, but be assured that this is a romance and there is a happy ending. One of the villains of the book turns out not so villainous in the end, though I admit the grovel wasn’t quite as abject as I would have liked. Something I did very much enjoy was that not all the characters were lily-white; Sir Thomas, the major landowner of the area, is a Black man who made a fortune importing guano from the Caribbean, and his daughter makes an appearance late in the book – for just long enough for me to hope she gets her own story soon!
Five stars for an excellent Victorian romance about two ‘average’ people – a pleasant change from infinite dukes and earls.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this title via NetGalley.
Once a Fallen Lady
Eve Pendle
https://www.facebook.com/EvePendleAuthor/
Release date 01/29/2020
Blurb :
He woos her with chocolate, flowers, and novels. She can’t say no to him, but can’t say yes to love.
Lydia Taylor’s roof is leaking, her chickens are out of control, and she can’t afford the rent. When her daughter falls ill, the last person she wants knocking at her door is gorgeous school teacher Alfred Lowe. His scowl makes her feel like he can see through her façade of a respectable widow and judge all her secrets.
To achieve his dream of his own school, Alfred Lowe needs to marry a wealthy lady. But from the moment Lydia Taylor fell at his feet, he’s been awkwardly attracted to her. What begins as duty to support one of his pupil’s mother soon becomes much more complicated. Maybe even… love?
But amongst kisses, tears, and savory pies, the past creeps into the present, casting a long shadow. If they risk love, they could lose everything they’ve ever wanted.
My review :
With secrets looming between them, does their growing attraction stand a chance ….
This book is such a lovely tale of acceptance and letting the past go.
Lydia has lived a makeshift life for now ten years, one forged under duress and deceit with no other choice than living a make-believe new life far away from her previous one. Society was so unforgiving for those who have fallen to hold to the appearance of perfection.
She has been a spoiled girl, but she was just that a girl when her life was turned upside down. Since she had to come of age much faster than she should have.
Despite her shame, she is still a prideful woman, she learned from her mistakes, flawed she is but willing to do her best for her daughter.
Alfred is a dream comes alive, a really to good and caring to be true man. Honorable, nonjudgmental, steadfast and loyal. Still he will need all his determination and perseverance to break through Lydia’s walls.
He has his own dreams but because of his own rightness and honesty, it costed him to have to put them aside.
I rooted for him, hurting with him when he felt rejected, cheering when he sees hope in his wooing, happy when she opens her heart to him.
I loved how despite his shyness, he slowly entering Lydia’s home, to become a pillar on whom she can rely, the one person she can trust with her secrets and who will stand for her.
5 stars for this awesome tale of one’s worth is in the eyes of those who love you.
I received an advance copy and ordered my own. Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272830/posts/561307534458422/?d=n
Prince Charming can come in unexpected forms.
Lydia is a fallen woman in 1875. She has a child to prove it.
Alfred is a truly good man with honest intentions. He’s a school teacher.
Lydia always believed she would marry an earl.
What I liked?
A good man like Alfred. He was sweet and decent and a total dream. Will Lydia allow herself to see his many wonderful qualities?
voluntarily reviewed
A well written story with a very good storyline, by an Author I have not read before. Lydia Taylor has been keeping her daughter Annie’s parentage a secret, Lydia says she is a widow. Lydia’s family disowned her ten years ago. School teacher Alfred Lowe comes to the cottage Lydia lives in when Annie gets sick, and they get along well. The past is not through with Lydia though. I enjoyed reading this story. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
From lost to finding a wonderful new life.
Lydia Taylor’s life is not easy plus she is a single mother with an ill child. Alfred Lowe finds he is attracted to Lydia. This is a sweet story and Miss Streeting was such a likable character. If you want to read a book with a true hero this is the one to read you will love Alfred. This is a fairly quick read and such a nice one for a winter afternoon. I highly recommend it. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
4.25 Stars
Lydia Taylor’s roof is leaking and she can’t afford the rent. When her daughter falls ill, the last person she wants knocking at her door is gorgeous school teacher Alfred Lowe. His scowl makes her feel like he can see through her façade of a respectable widow and judge all her secrets.
To achieve his dream of his own school, Alfred needs to marry a wealthy lady. But from the moment Lydia Taylor literally fell at his feet, he’s been awkwardly attracted to her. What begins as duty to support one of his pupil’s mother soon becomes much more complicated.
Lydia was thrown out by her parents when she discovered she was pregnant by the Earl who she thought would marry her. She & her sister invented an army captain, so Lydia became a widow who has built a new life for herself. I thoroughly admired Lydia who had paid multiple times for one mistake, she was caring, a devoted mother & independent. I loved Alfred who fell hard & fast for Lydia & stuck by her no matter what secrets she told him. I read this utterly charming long novella in an afternoon, it was well written, flowed effortlessly & captivated me. My heart bled for all Lydia had suffered but rejoiced when things worked out for her
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Once a Fallen Lady is the second book in author Eve Pendle’s Fallen Series. This story features two characters that we caught a glimpse of in the previous book in this series, Falling for a Rake. I really enjoyed the previous story and have been waiting for Lydia and Alfred’s story!
Lydia Taylor has secrets that weigh heavily on her. Everyone thinks she is a respectable widow, when in fact she’s a fallen woman raising her illegitimate child. Alfred Lowe is a school teacher at the school Lydia’s daughter goes to in Sussex. After their first meeting, Alfred has kept a professional distance even though he finds her beautiful.
Oh my, how I fell in love with this couple! My heart went out to Lydia. She was a young girl when she became pregnant with her daughter, Annie. Lydia is doing her best to raise her daughter by herself and barely making ends meet. Her family abandoned her along with the father of her child and it hasn’t been an easy life for her. When Annie is diagnosed with Polio, Lydia’s world comes crashing down and she sees it as punishment for her sins. In comes our hero, Alfred! What a fabulous hero he was, I do believe I fell in love with him myself! He was the perfect man and I was so happy to see him come into Lydia and Annie’s life. As he visits Annie and Lydia with his small gifts of books, chocolate, flowers and food the two form a friendship and a desire for something more. But Lydia’s secret and Alfred’s ambitions to open his own school stands between them. They were such a wonderful couple and I couldn’t help but root for them to find a way to be together!
Ms. Pendle did a fantastic job on Lydia and Alfred’s story! I have to admit, once I picked up this book I didn’t want to put it down! An extremely well-written book with a fabulous couple, wonderful secondary characters, a storyline that captivates and pulls you in and an absolutely perfect ending! I loved this book and highly recommend it!