Talk about a finale to an amazing series! I’ve so enjoyed the Ladies of the Manor trilogy by Roseanna White, and I’ve decided A Lady Unrivaled is my favorite. Because not only did I not guess the ending, I enjoyed the way it ended much more than what I was originally expecting to happen. Confused? Sorry, I refuse to give anything away so you must read the book (preferably, the whole series) to find out exactly what I mean.
I never organize my book reviews by character, but I find I simply must with this book:
First, Lady Ella: I’ve not connected with a character in a novel like I do with Ella since I read Karen Witemeyer’s Head in the Clouds. Ella is eternally optimistic, smile-y, kind, and yet fierce. She holds her own when necessary but maintains a sweet, sweet spirit. I couldn’t help but dub her my favorite from page one.
Lord Cayton (a.k.a. James): what a scoundrel. Okay, not really. But the way he intentionally insulted Ella sometimes so that she would no longer like him (unsuccessful endeavors, all, I might add) made me roll my eyes on more than one occasion. Still, the buffoon had good intentions—and the scenes where we see him interacting with his toddler daughter (he’s a widower) are awww-moments if ever there were ones.
Kira: poor, unfortunate soul, she’s dealt with a lot. She’s made horrendous choices in pursuit of her own dreams, but she had me rooting for her early on. She never gives up, and there’s a kindness in her that is never snuffed out by the darkness surrounding her. Though Ella is the heroine of the book, Kira is a heroine in her own right.
Catherine: the villainess I loved to hate in the first two books has suffered an unimaginable tragedy, and she had my sympathy. In the beginning, she’s withdrawn, a shadow of herself and completely uninterested in her brother’s schemes. But slowly a light flickers on and in the end, the redemption is…indescribable. I foresaw the tragedy that becomes her saving grace, and I cried. A Lady Unrivaled was perfect.
I didn’t want the Ladies of the Manor series to end, and if you love historical fiction as much as I do, you will adore yet another stellar series by Roseanna White.
About the Author
Roseanna M. White pens her novels beneath her Betsy Ross flag, with her Jane Austen action figure watching over her. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two children, editing and designing, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of nine novels, ranging from biblical fiction to American-set romances to her new British series. Roseanna lives with her family in West Virginia. She is the senior editor at WhiteFire Publishing, and a member of ACFW, HisWriters, HEWN Marketing, and Colonial Christian Fiction Writers. For more about Roseanna, please click here.
- Find Roseanna : Facebook // Twitter // Blog
- Read my review of Roseanna‘s other books: Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland // Ring of Secrets// Fairchild’s Lady // Circle of Spies // Whispers from the Shadows // The Lost Heiress // The Reluctant Duchess
It’s so much fun reading a friend’s thoughts on a book I’ve read too. I’m so glad you enjoyed Ella’s story! You mention “Head in the Clouds”. I think the cover is adorable. Maybe I should read it next! :)
Elizabeth, it’s very fun talking Roseanna White books with you across the ocean! :) And I really enjoy all of Karen Witemeyer’s titles; she’s a very funny writer. :)