Love, secrets and danger abound in the new historical novel from bestselling author Diney Costeloe, set in 19th-century France.
As the St Clair family prepare for the grand wedding of their daughter, Clarice, trouble is brewing. An old friendship, a new love and a dangerous secret threaten to destroy the life the St Clairs have built.
Their younger daughter, Hélène, became friends with … daughter, Hélène, became friends with orphaned Annette during the terrible events of the 1871 siege of Paris. Now they are reunited, with Annette working below stairs for Hélène’s parents. But she is hiding a dangerous secret, which Hélène has promised to keep at all costs.
Meanwhile, Hélène has begun to fall in love with a young nobleman from England, whose family has plans which do not include their son choosing a French wife.
‘Truly captivating’ Woman & Home
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I am a fan of Diney Costeloe books and this book did not disappoint —from start to finish it kept my interest
I usually have a hard time listening to books. This was a fun easy listen.
Paris 1876
Rupert Chalfort is the younger son of Sir Philip Chalfort, a Baronet. Rupert’s brother, Justin, is his twin and older by two hours. Rupert is spending some time in Paris to attend the marriage of his friend, Lucas St. Claire. When he meets Lucas’s younger sister, Helene, he is smitten. As she is just 17, her parents feel she is too young to be married. But Rupert is allowed to pay his addresses to her. They are in love and want to marry when she is just a bit older. But Rupert receives word that Justin has drowned and he must return to England. Now he is the heir. He and Helene write back and forth to one another, but evil is at work and they do not receive one another’s letters. Now, they believe the other has forsaken them leaving them brokenhearted.
As part of the story, we see young Annette who grew up in a workhouse and then went to work for a priest who turned out to be the devil himself bringing shame on her. She is rescued by her friend Agathe Sauze whom she has known from earlier days when they went through a siege together. They both end up working in the St. Claire home.
As we follow these characters, we experience their trials, pain, and joy in life. There is a lot of intrigue and heartbreak, which seems to predominate most of the story. Had I read the previous novel, I may not have been as confused as I was with the story of Annette, Agathe, Helene and Pierre. However, as I read more of the book I gained enough information to get gist of their background. This is certainly a compelling book and the characters are real. I’m sure readers will enjoy being transported to Paris and England in this historic novel.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
The French Wife by Diney Costeloe is a historical romance-taking place in England and France in 1876. Rupert Chalfont arrives in France to attend his friend’s wedding. Well, in reality it was expedient to get out of England for a while. There was the matter of a young woman in the family way. His friend, Lucas, had invited him unbeknownst to his family and Lucas’ mother was not happy about it, but she had little choice. She was primarily concerned for her daughter, Lucie, who was just now out of the schoolroom and ripe for being preyed upon by young men. Rupert had no eyes for anyone but the bride’s sister, Helene, with whom he fell in love almost immediately.
There is a lot going on in the book: multiple story lines, which work together nicely. Plenty of romance, but plenty of abuse, lust, subterfuge, and lies. There has always been prejudice and it is rampant in this story. Most of it gets worked out. There is much manipulation, some of which threatens to destroy people, as manipulation often does. Rupert is a rake, until he meets Helene. He has never been in love before; never anticipated being in love; wasn’t sure love existed. Helene is very young pure of heart. She doesn’t discern the difference in classes very well but she is a good judge of character. She comes to love Rupert with all of her heart. It is really quite a lovely story. I recommend it.
I received a free ARC of The French Wife from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #thefrenchwife
Beautifully written. An emotional and accurate portrait of French and English societies in the late 1800s.
Diney Costeloe is a new-to-me author, and I was very impressed by the quality of her writing. The narrative is beautiful and flows effortlessly.
I love that she tells the story without taking shortcuts. She takes her time describing the characters’ experiences and, as a result, the reader feels a deep sense of connection.
How easily I got immersed in these characters’ world.
The story happens in the late 1800s and starts by introducing Agathe and Annette, two women working for a clergyman. The hardship women had (and still have) to endure was heartbreaking, but their strength in fighting back very uplifting.
There is a strong element of kindness and friendship throughout the story.
As the narrative progresses, a romance starts to flourish between a roguish English second son and a seventeen-year-old French girl.
The romance is sweet, but the real gem in the book is its accurate portrait of the society of that time. From family relations to land interests, also stopping “downstairs” to describe the servants’ quarters, their lives and dreams.
Overall, a great choice for anyone interested in reading fiction set in France and England during this period.
Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Warning: Sexual Violence
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The French Wife by Diney Costeloe has Madame Agathe Sauze and Annette relocating in 1876 to Belair, the St. Clair country home. Annette finds herself pregnant courtesy of a violent priest. Agathe and Annette helped Helene St. Clair when she was eleven during the Communard siege. Agathe got Rosalie St. Clair to give them positions and respectability for Annette. Clarice St. Clair is marrying Lucas Barrineau with an elaborate ceremony, reception and ball. Lucas invited Rupert Chalfont, the youngest son of a titled gentleman, who happens to need to leave England for a time. Rupert is immediately taken with Helene and sets out to woo her along with her family. When Rupert must return to England, he promises to return for Helene in the spring. People and circumstances are not in their favor. The French Wife is a dramatic historical novel. It is the sequel to Children of the Siege, but it can be read on its own. I thought The French Wife was well-written and it moved along at a gentle pace. The characters are complex and suit the time period. The villains were well-crafted and easy for a reader to dislike (they deserve it). Annette and Agathe are working class women or servants. Their clothing and behavior suited this era. The other characters like Helene were from a higher-class bracket which was reflected in their language, clothing and attitude. The authors word imagery helps to bring the story alive for readers. I did feel the book was a little long and the pacing could have been livelier. I also would have liked something unexpected to happen in the story instead of playing out in an expected manner. I do want readers to know that there is violence against women in the story that is graphic and difficult to read. I could tell the author did her research for this book. I like a story that has people you will cheer for and villains you boo. I liked that some of the good characters from Children of the Siege were in this story and were available at pivotal points. The French Wife is a dramatic saga with a Casanova charmer, sordid secrets, a pathetic priest, a wooed woman, a kindhearted coachman, and a vile villain.
I enjoy Diney Costelone books very much. Interesting and eventful!
This is a wonderful book, with likeable characters and a great plot. It makes tou feel you’ re there.
I enjoyed the book; it kept my interest until the end.
It wasn’t typical, taking place partly in France.
Very interesting. Romantic and tragic. Great characters
Well-written, engaging tale. Very tragic in places, but strongly loving characters brought forth a satisfying HEA.
Story didn’t live up to the hype. Disappointed.
Interesting characters, relationships and plot lines.