Reviewer: Amy Lignor
Title: Lady of Milkweed Manor
Author: Julie Klassen
Publisher: Bethany House
ISBN-13: 978-0-7642-0479-1
Release Date: January 2008
Genre/Sub-genre: Historical Fiction
Year/Setting: Regency England
Overall Rating: 4.0
Sexual Content Rating: Subtle
Language (Profanity/Slang) Content Rating: None/Mild
Violent Content Rating: Minimal
Julie's Website:
www.julieklassen.com
One word…beautiful.
Charlotte Lamb is the vicar’s daughter. She comes from a family that is filled with pride, morals and beliefs. Unfortunately, young Charlotte has created a situation that has brought shame upon her beloved family and is sent away to live at Milkweed Manor. Inside this desperate, somber dwelling the lives of many women are unfolding on a daily basis. Here the ‘soon to be mothers’ come to hide away, give birth, and try to ‘live a good and decent life’ from here on out.
Ah…the good old days. (Just kidding). This book will not only make you angry at the system that was once in place (and a system who some still believe should be used today), it will also make you grateful for how far we women have come. No longer must we wait for the acceptance of husband and father. We are independent creatures who can chew gum AND raise a child at the same time. 
The author walks us through Charlotte’s struggle. The heroine of this story is smart, funny, caring and kind. She makes the choices that fill us with dread, pain and anger. The characters around her are also a breath of fresh air. Each woman has her own story and her own heartache, and the friendship they give to Charlotte, sometimes unwillingly, is told in such a way that you want to pick up the phone, call your best friend and scream at her to read this book.
As the twists and turns come into this story, one right after the other, we are soon introduced to young Doctor Taylor. Charlotte knows him from her youth, but now Dr. Taylor is carrying his own secrets with him, and they are beyond interesting. He helps Charlotte get through some very trying times as he unveils the perils that he is facing in everyday life.
We follow Charlotte through Regency England and off to a lone beach shore where everything she’s known and believed will change. The characters are strong – the writing excellent – and the love that blooms for Charlotte, in many ways and with many characters, will leave you immensely and blissfully happy that good things actually do come to good people after their dues have been paid. Enjoy!!
Amy
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