MY REVIEW:
A Lady in Attendance was a story that held me enthralled from nearly its beginning. Featuring a young woman recently released after five years in a reformatory, the tale follows her experiences on her new job as a dental assistant and with the new friends she gains during that time.
Hazel is a young woman from a privileged background whose thoughtless actions resulted in false accusations and sent her to a reformatory. Once released, her family wanted nothing to do with her so Hazel was forced to support herself with employment as a lady in attendance to Dr. Gilbert Watts, a local dentist.
Although the plot begins a bit slowly it picks up its pace as Hazel, Gilbert, his brother Eddie, and two other friends work together to clear Hazel’s name. Plenty of mystery and unexpected twists provided an intriguing tale and a romance or two added even more interest.
All in all, A Lady in Attendance was a very satisfying read and I look forward to more books by this talented author.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Five years in a New York state reformatory have left a blemish on Hazel’s real name. So when she takes a job as Doctor Gilbert Watts’s lady in attendance in 1898, she does so under an alias. In the presence of her quiet and pious employer, Hazel finds more than an income. She finds a friend and a hope that if she can set her tarnished past in order, she might have a future after all.
As Gilbert becomes accustomed to the pleasant chatter of his new dental assistant, he can’t help but sense something secretive about her. Perhaps there is more to this woman than meets the eye. Can the questions that loom between them ever be answered? Or will the deeds of days gone by forever rob the future of its possibilities?
Rachel Fordham pens a tender tale of a soft-spoken man and a hardened woman, as well the friends who stand by them, as they work toward a common purpose–to expunge the record of someone society deemed beyond saving–and perhaps find love along the way.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Rachel Fordham is the author of The Hope of Azure Springs, Yours Truly, Thomas, and A Life Once Dreamed. Fans expect stories with heart and she delivers, diving deep into the human experience and tugging at reader emotions. She loves connecting with people, traveling to new places, and daydreaming about future projects that will have sigh-worthy endings and memorable characters. She is a busy mom, raising both biological and foster children (a cause she feels passionate about). She lives with her husband and children on an island in the state of Washington.
