REVIEW: The Nobleman's Daughter by Jen Geigle Johnson

England, 1819

While British high society primps and plays, the impoverished citizens of London languish. But there are those fighting for the freedom of common citizens—including two members of the aristocracy who secretly champion revolution. In the drawing rooms of the upper class, Lady Amanda and Lord Nathaniel flirt and tease with the best of them as she pretends to win every heart in London for sport, and he, to conquer them. But in truth, their flirtation is merely a façade designed to keep their clandestine actions hidden from the ton—and from each other. When Nathaniel presents himself as a potential suitor, the attraction between the two is undeniable—but the faces they portray to the world are not enough to win each other’s hearts.
While their crusade for London’s poor unites them more deeply than they could imagine, Amanda and Nathaniel struggle to trust one another with their true ideals and identities. But when the call to action leads Amanda into the path of danger, she can only hope that Nathaniel will see through her frivolous pretense. Because now, only the aid of the suitor she loves most—but trusts least—can save her.

 This is an amazing Regency romance. It was far from what I expected. When I think of the Regency period, of course, I picture the balls, banter, and the ton gathering for the season. I do not picture the impoverished people who were dependent upon the gentry for their living.

As the daughter of a duke, Lady Amanda has been born to all the privileges of the upper class. But when she learns about the impoverished state of many of her fellow countrymen, she feels compassion for them and is moved to action. She secretly draws cartoons and publishes them under the name "The Sparrow."

As the son of a duke, Nathaniel must keep his work for the reformation a secret. He plays the part of a rake perfectly, even though his true character is the exact opposite.

We go back and forth between Amanda's point of view and Nathaniel's point of view so we know about their secret lives the entire time even though they are not aware of each other's involvement in the reformation. We also get to see inside the villain's head a few times and see how crazy he really is.

I will for sure be looking for more from this author in the future.

4 stars

Jen Geigle Johnson once greeted an ancient turtle under the water by grabbing her fin. She knows all about the sound a water-ski makes on glassy water and how to fall down steep moguls with grace. During a study break date in college, she sat on top of a jeep's roll bars up in the mountains and fell in love. She discovered her passion for England while kayaking on the Thames near London as a young teenager.

Now an award-winning author and mother of six, she loves to share bits of history that might otherwise be forgotten. Whether in Regency England, the French Revolution, or Colonial America, her romance novels are much like life is supposed to be: full of adventure. She is a member of the RWA, the SCBWI, and LDStorymakers. She is also the chair of the Lonestar.Ink writing conference.

https://www.jengeiglejohnson.com

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