Review of 'The Fallen Woman' by Fiona McIntosh
Release date: April 1st, 2025
Publisher: Storm Publisher
REVIEW
When I plan to read a Fiona McIntosh novel, I need to set aside many hours as I will be glued to it once I start. And The Fallen Woman captivated me to such an extent I literally could not put the book down and read it in a day! This beautifully romantic tale is powerfully delivered and swept me off my feet. I was drawn immediately into its mesmerising plot where the characters became like friends. Fiona presents them with such clarity and feeling, I felt I truly knew them by the end of the novel. So yes, they are well developed and divinely real. As for their trials and triumphs, they were believable. The pacing moved with grace and perfection. I was hooked and wanted to know how things worked out. And my heart and imagination took quite an exciting and unforgettable journey!
Jane and Guy are heart-warming leads who get to tell their stories. They are both victims of society’s expectations and are pinned by duty to their families. Jane is graceful, has a pure heart and a huge capacity for loving. She is very talented as a botanical artist but her family members have treated her unfairly—except her late father who understood and supported her. I cringed at her mother’s and sister’s treatment of her. Such abuse and disregard of her life made me shudder. She is forced to make a sacrifice for her family, particularly for her sister, who has wronged her on so many levels.
Initially the bind Jane’s family put her in, causes her to abandon any hopes for her own future romantic happiness. Although, I must add, she is fiercely independent and does not need a man to flourish. But the removal of choice diminishes her dreams not only for a personal relationship but also dampens her pursuit of becoming a professional artist. Ironically, though, the things that are meant to destroy her, end up becoming positive forces in her life. When her mother and sister cast her off, force her to take on their responsibility and maintain a secret they manipulate, her life takes a strange turn. Shunned by the local ladies of her village, she makes friends with an old man when she becomes his care taker. William is ill but her gentle attention gives him an extended burst on life. And he becomes like a surrogate father to her. His kindness, advice and support are touching and add light and joy to a rather sad situation. Sweet old William is a character I adored!
Guy Attwood comes from a very distinguished family with royal connections and other important persons in society. But he has no care of title and position and little interest in the business world his father has built that he will inherit. His dream is finding a rare-apple on behalf of Royal Kew Gardens. He seeks an endangered species that he wants to rename and give as a gift to his royal friend, George V, soon to be coronated. This search takes him to an unexpected encounter with Jane that leads to an outcome he never would have imagined. Through it all we get to see this wonderful man with a heart of gold, who is filled with compassion, integrity and charm. The perfect woman for him is just around the corner but it is not the one two families previously chose. And the lady who wants to be his wife, has difficulty accepting the truth. Jane and Guy, though, share various interests but they are from two different worlds. Yet love knows no boundaries—even the ones that society sets up. And even though the road is filled with many bumps of misunderstanding, jealousy, treachery and duty, this couple find their way through the twisting maze of mystery and mayhem. In this beautiful English setting, a forgotten orchard shines with promise where many valuable lessons are learned.
I particularly adored Jane, Guy, William, Harry and Guy’s mother. They left quite an impression on my heart and I was moved to tears at their predicaments and victories! The villains, I will leave unnamed but they were well conceived and stirred up lots of negative emotions in me (which is what they are supposed to do)! But I am glad the novel has a happy ending (although there are some sad moments along the way). I also enjoyed the author’s acknowledgements. There are fascinating bits of info on the journeys and people the author meets that helped with her research. And we learn of where the seeds of inspiration started.
The Fallen Woman is priceless, revealing, fulfilling, inspiring and uplifting. I cannot rave enough about it and highly recommend this Historical fiction gem set in the early 1900s, England. It is a real literary treasure, full of charm, wisdom, elegance, truth and English history. It is easy to see why Fiona McIntosh is hailed as an extraordinary storyteller. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for my review copy.
