Lady of Milkweed Manor – Julie Klassen + GIVEAWAY!!!

July 20, 2022 • Reviews • 47 Comments

The Sacrifices and Difficult Choices of Unwed Mothers

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Source: Purchased

TYPE OF NOVEL: Regency Romance, Christian Historical Fiction

THE PREMISE: Charlotte Lamb is being disowned from her family and forced to leave home. Her new place of residence is the Manor Home for Unwed Mothers. And it is there Charlotte faces a new chapter of her life – one where she is a servant and not a gentlewoman, one where she encounters and works for a past suitor, one where she makes enormous sacrifices. After being ostracized and cast out for a past mistake, can Charlotte ever feel worthy of love in happiness again?

MY THOUGHTS: For twelve years now I’ve claimed to be a devoted Julie Klassen fan, yet before this week, I had not read her debut novel! To quote Lizzo, “it’s about damn time,” right? I’ve been eager to read this one since it depicts the life of a Regency “fallen woman.” And it tells the tale of hardships and challenges these women faced. It is a story about women like Eliza Williams and Lydia Bennet (if Mr. Darcy didn’t redeem her), who often exist in the periphery, but not center stage.

In Lady of Milkweed Manor Julie Klassen’s exquisite story-telling skills present a heroine that is endearing and sensible, and a story that is engrossing and poignant. I found Charlotte to be admirable, genuine, and strong. Her predicament and her own fault it in are so easy to understand and forgive. And I found her resilience during all the cruelty and sadness she faced to be incredibly moving. In addition, I loved how – in classic Julie Klassen style – the reader doesn’t learn much about what happened in Charlotte’s past until later on in the tale. The suspense and the wait to discover the why and how when all we have are slight hints and suppositions to go on is a special kind of torture I love to suffer through.

I greatly appreciate that Julie Klassen tells stories about women from all walks of life. Not just genteel maidens of the gentry who live in the country. For readers who have enjoyed other works by this author, by comparison, this tale is a little more somber and grim. Readers witness the primitive care provided at lying-in hospitals, the heartbreaking realities of foundling wards, and the day-to-day activities of a wet-nurse. There was so much that was eye-opening and interesting, even to a reader that is becoming more and more familiar with medical practices and life conditions during the Regency Period. Even though there were some aspects that were heart-wrenching to observe, I loved how Julie Klassen strived to present an authentic representation of this world.

Another element I enjoyed about this novel was Charlotte’s relationships and interactions with the people around her. With the doctor she admires, with her friend who works as a wet-nurse, with the man she fell in love with, and with the child in her care. All these characters were well-drawn, sympathetic, and distinct. I especially enjoyed the Jane Eyre undertones I felt with some characters in particular.

Similar to another early work by Julie Klassen, this novel includes a few more mentions of faith and relationships with God and a romance that leaves readers in suspense for 90% of the tale. Charlotte has a few admirers in this story. And while one stands out a bit more than the others, her own feelings were so private and calm throughout that it did take away some of the satisfaction of witnessing them finally coming together. But maybe a subtle and gentle romance is what the author was going for.

While Lady of Milkweed Manor might not be on the short list for Favorite Julie Klassen novels, it is a stirring and memorable tale that held me enthrall. In general, I recommend Julie Klassen’s novels to any Austenesque fan that loves stories set during the Regency Period.But specifically, I recommend Lady of Milkweed Manor to those readers that are interested in learning about the hardships of women (specifically unwed and new mothers) during the Regency Period.

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~ GIVEAWAY TIME ~

Guess what?! This is the 800th REVIEW I’ve published on Austenesque Reviews!! What in the world!? 🤯

We should celebrate with a giveaway, don’t you think? I appreciate all the readers who take time to read my reviews (even if you don’t leave a comment). I’m grateful for your interest and support! 🤗

To celebrate, I am offering  2️⃣  winners their choice of a book I’ve reviewed on Austenesque Review in any format they desire (international friends, you may need to help me figure things out if you pick an ebook)

That means you have 800 books to choose between, I hope that gives you enough options! 😊
To enter, just leave a comment on this review.
  • This giveaway is open worldwide.
  • This giveaway will end July 27th.

~~~

Disclaimer: The Amazon links used in this post are affiliate links. 

47 comments

  1. 800 books?! My goodness, but that’s so many. A hard choice, but I can do it if need be.

    Please keep reviewing and doing all that you do – you’re much appreciated.

    Reply

  4. Wow Meredith – 800 reviews!! That is quite an accomplishment. I’m so grateful for your reviews and I’ve been following you almost from the beginning. I trust your recommendations and always look forward to your latest reviews. Congratulations on 800!!! –Leslie

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  8. Congratulations on 800 posts! That is amazing! We so appreciate your blog! Thank you also for the giveaway opportunity!

    Reply

  9. CONGRATULATIONS on 800 reviews!!!! I have so enjoyed reading the reviews that you post as it truly helps me to sort & pick the next ones to read. Thank you for the time & effort you do!

    Reply

  10. Congratulations Meredith on this milestone. 800 reviews is amazing. You have been a dedicated blogger, and I have enjoyed you blog for many years. You have always been kind and generous to all. Kudos!

    Reply

  11. Wow, 800 reviews? That’s incredible. Congrats on the achievement. I enjoy reading your reviews, and I have purchased books as a result. Thank you for the giveaway.

    Reply

  12. 800 reviews!!!! It’s really been that long. I believe I’ve been here pretty much since the beginning. I also use your reviews to pick what I’ll read next. I love Julie Klassen novels also. My first was “the silent governess”. I enjoyed it more than the “lady of milkweed manor”. Great review. Thank you Meredith for all you do.

    Reply

  13. Oh dear 800 books, really Meredith, so many ? I feel a teeny tiny bit envious that you’ve read them all 😉 I so enjoy your reviews & my wishlist is ever growing because of them 😀 Like your giveaways too, I don’t have an ereader, so winning an actual book would be lovely ! Thanks for a chance to win ! For the 2 lucky ladies it will be a difficult treat deciding what story to pick.

    Reply

  15. Congratulations on reaching such an impressive milestone. I have found that your reviews are well written and usually give me another book to put on my wish list. Thank you for your diligence in providing your readers with solid information.

    Reply

  16. Hi Meredith!
    Thanks for your insightful review of Julie Klassen, I appreciate a lot your reviews 😉
    Congrats on your 800 reviews! WOW, it´s amazing and overwhealming! You provide all of us with so many delightful reading hours!
    Thanks for the giveaway, I wonder which I would pick if I were one of the lucky winners LOL, there´s so much scope for imagination!

    Reply

  18. Thanks for your honest and insightful reviews. I have read many of these, and look forward to future offerings.

    Reply

  19. What a fabulous milestone!! Oh my goodness, Meredith, that’s amazing! Huge congrats, here’s to the next 800 and thanks ever so much for everything you do!

    Reply

  21. I have been following your blog for about 10 years. It was actually because of your reviews that I even gave JAFF a chance, I was such a snob and always thought that fan fiction could never be any good. I found your site by a happy accident and I am so so so glad that I did. My book shelves not so much….lol In those 10 years I have discovered (and bought or won) almost 300 JAFF books. I think it is safe to say that my snobbery has completely disappeared. 🙂

    Please keep the reviews coming!!!

    Reply

    1. Wow, Danielle! I’m so honored that you have followed this blog for that long! And that my reviews helped you give JAFF a chance. Such a happy accident! I love your collection!! Lol! No snobbery at all now!

      Reply

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