Hello everyone, I hope the weather is treating you all kindly. March means autumn for us here in New Zealand as our days become cooler. Changing seasons is a great time to witness the power of the natural world. In staying with the inspiration of the seasonal changes, I’m giving you an historical teen review with a bit of everything…
Title: A Countess Below Stairs
Author: Eva Ibbotson
Genre: Fiction – historical
Publication details: Penguin Books; London, 2010 (First published in 1981)
ISBN: 9781616843120 (Paperback)
What this book is about: After the Russian Revolution turns her world topsy-turvy, Anna, a young Russian countess, has no choice but to flee to England. With little to her name, Anna hides her aristocratic background and takes a job as a servant in the household of the esteemed Westerholme family, armed with only an outdated housekeeping manual and sheer determination. As she struggles in keeping her past a secret, Anna is nearly overwhelmed by her new duties – not to mention her instant attraction to Rupert, the handsome Earl of Westerholme. To make matters worse, Rupert appears to be falling for her as well. As their attraction grows stronger, Anna finds it even more difficult to keep her most dearly held secrets from unravelling.
My review: Oh, I loved this story so much!! Anna’s story pulls the reader into her world and leaves you breathless with anticipation and wanting more. Filled with descriptions of a Europe recovering from the aftermath of the Great War, we’re given a gorgeous historical story line and a cast of characters that will remain stamped in our memories! Ibbotson’s signature style of humour layered with a romance intended for lovers of art and music gave this a special, almost poetical quality for me. Captivating, engaging and just lovely in equal degrees, you won’t be disheartened as you cheer Anna towards the end. And what an ending!! I’m sorry, but I just can’t spoil this for you!! A perfect historical story for teens!
My rating: 5 ⭐
Miss Mahee's Library of Reads 