A Lady in Attendance by Rachel Fordham - Book Review

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, a hardened woman, and the friends that 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.

MY BOOK REVIEW

I get all happy when I get to review historical fiction books especially the ones that take place in the 1800s or older. "A Lady in Attendance" takes in 1898  

The story started out pretty slow. I was constantly waiting for the story to pick up and it eventually did. It just took some time.  It picked up the pace when we learned who framed Hazel for burglary. The characters were easy to picture. There weren't tons of characters to keep things straight. 

Hazel McDowell is 25 years old.  She made a lot of bad choices. She lost her family and ended up in a reformatory. After getting out of her confinement she moved to Amhurst NY. She takes Gilbert's job as his dental assistant which was awesome because it wasn't typical of having a dental assistant at that time being a woman. She is kind, smart, confident, and had a strong personality. Rachel Fordham did a great job unfolding Hazel's past throughout the story instead of all at the beginning. 

Gilbert Watts is 30 years old. He is an awkward and quiet dentist. He is definitely an introvert. He was so loyal to Hazel. Even Hazel was making fun of him about how quiet of a dentist he was. 

There is romance, gossiping, crime, talking about losing someone they loved.

There are two secondary characters I ended up liking.  

We see how big Hazel's heart is when she helped her friend Ina out. Ina had a rare birthmark that placed an unfair stigma on her and Duncan was a single father. 

The theme of "A Lady in Attendance" is redemption and forgiveness.  At times I was disappointed in this story and other times I loved it. At times I had a hard time picturing the world in which Hazel lives. Rachel Fordham did a great job with the mystery surrounding Hazel's charges. There is some faith throughout the story but isn't overpowering. The faith was simple and profound.  I loved how Fordham threw in some humor throughout the story. It was a slow start but a nice ending. This would make a wonderful Hallmark movie.  "A Lady in Attendance" is a mystery, romance, thriller, historical, and faith story. This was truly a sweet book and I look forward to reading more of Rachel Fordham's books. 

*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Revell) for this honest review.*

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dear Reader,

I’m so incredibly pleased that you stopped by. Writing is often a solitary pursuit and just knowing you clicked your way here makes it seem a little more social. Don’t get me wrong. My life is not quiet. I have a houseful of children that are always competing to see who can make the most noise. Normally it’s impossible to decide on a winner because the ruckus just collides together and fills the house with an indiscernible din. (Thankfully, they are the cutest kids around).

Enough about them.

I grew up in a big family in Washington State and was a tom boy, an athlete and a voracious reader. I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t nose deep in a book or making up stories in my mind. I never thought I’d be a writer though- that was something other people did (people that understood grammar better than me). I went off to college and earned a bachelors in sociology with plans to be a social worker (this never happened but we did become foster parents). I met my husband, Tyler, while in college and being a wife and a year and a half later a mother. I’m a family first kind of girl so spending my days with my husband and kids keeps my heart happy.

Years later after cross country moves and more children we settled once again in Washington State. This time I am on a beautiful island with my favorite people all around me. I couldn’t ask for a finer setting to ignite my imagination, add to that the fact that my husband has unwavering faith in my abilities. When he made the off-hand comment, “you read so much you should write a book,” I took it as a challenge. And I haven’t stopped since.

And so here I am writing in between diaper changes and packing lunches. It’s not uncommon for my kids or Tyler to ask me why I’m laughing or crying as I type away. It’s become a bit of a family affair this whole writing thing! I love books with satisfying romances, I love all things historical and I consider it a huge success if I can make a reader laugh and cry in the same story.

And connecting with readers is another one of my joys! Thank you for visiting me. Be sure to connect with me on social media I’ll do my best to keep you up to date on all things writing (and probably a few other random “life” things).

Happy Reading,

Rachel Fordham