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63rd out of 193 books
—
72 voters
Mistress of My Fate (The Confessions of Henrietta Lightfoot #1)
Set during a period of revolution and turmoil, Mistress of My Fate is the first book in a trilogy about Henrietta Lightfoot, a young woman who was abandoned as a baby and raised alongside her cousins, noble children of a lord and lady. At just sixteen years old, circumstance and a passionate love affair tear Henrietta away from everything she knows, leading to a new life f...more
Hardcover, 464 pages
Published
January 8th 2013
by Grand Central Publishing
(first published June 2011)
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The month of December has been crazier than most for me. A project that I've been working on for three years will end on the 31st and I have logged in many more hours than I typically do preparing for the deadline. At the same time my husband and I are having an addition put on our house and I have been distracted by all of the choices and decisions that go into figuring out what we want and how we want it in our new space. Sometimes when there's a lot going on like this I have a difficult time...more
This is a wonderful 'romp' with a strong female character who takes the reader on a whirlwind ride of love, betrayal and loss - and all set against the rich tapestry of Georgian London and its demimonde. Hallie Rubenhold is the most assured writer and she really knows her historical facts - but this is worn lightly and elegantly as she draws the reader into the world of Henrietta Lightfoot. If you liked Fanny Hill, you'll love this.
The writer of historical fiction faces two tasks (at least): the main characters must be fully rounded and compelling, and the historical setting must be reasonably accurate. Both of these must then be blended into the "fictional dream." Rubenhold does this successfully.
The author, through her main character, Henrietta Lightfoot, depicts the plight of single women in 18th century England. If born into wealth and privilege, they lived quite well. If born into the lower classes things were much l...more
The author, through her main character, Henrietta Lightfoot, depicts the plight of single women in 18th century England. If born into wealth and privilege, they lived quite well. If born into the lower classes things were much l...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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I am a sucker for historical fiction and period pieces so this was right up my alley. Set in late 18th century this tells the the story of Henrietta. Abandoned as a child, she lands at her uncle's house and is raised along with cousins and given all the opportunities of a lady of that age. Of course she is the "poor relation' so expects nothing but to be a companion for her cousin.
What could possibly go wrong from there? Well if you are a fan of these books you know what happens. Henrietta is mo...more
What could possibly go wrong from there? Well if you are a fan of these books you know what happens. Henrietta is mo...more
Not your typical Georgette Heyer Regency romance, the author painstakingly writes historically accurate eighteenth century English life for a woman. A woman who had virtually no rights, no wealth, not even rights to her children. And so we meet Henrietta Ingerton,as she tells us in her memoirs,an impoverised relation to Lord Stavourley, raised along with his children, revealed to be his illegitimate daughter when Hetty is to be married off to a dull/smelly country pastor of a nearby parish.
Hence...more
Hence...more
I was in the mood for a Downton Abbey-esque read, and while this is set over 100 years before Downton it did the trick.
It tells the tale of Henrietta Ingerton, who becomes a fallen woman in order to pursue the man she loves. It had enough doings of the rich and wanton to keep me entertained, and I read it in less than 2 days, so it certainly was a page-turner.
What surprises me is how much debauchery pervaded the upper classes over 200 years ago. However, despite the unreliability of the narrator...more
It tells the tale of Henrietta Ingerton, who becomes a fallen woman in order to pursue the man she loves. It had enough doings of the rich and wanton to keep me entertained, and I read it in less than 2 days, so it certainly was a page-turner.
What surprises me is how much debauchery pervaded the upper classes over 200 years ago. However, despite the unreliability of the narrator...more
Hallie Rubenhold's foray into the world of historical fiction brings us to Henrietta Lightfoot and the first volume of her memoirs. I confess that I didn't realise that this was the first book in a planned series and felt a bit frustrated at the end of the book as there were many unresolved questions I was dying to know the answer to!
Books written in the first person can sometimes feel a bit contrived, but that wasn't a problem here at all. An older Henrietta relates the 'true' story of her life...more
Books written in the first person can sometimes feel a bit contrived, but that wasn't a problem here at all. An older Henrietta relates the 'true' story of her life...more
Every so often, it's absolutely necessary to put down that hefty book of fine literature and pick up something fun. For me, that's anything in the vicinity of the Victorian with a strong female lead character, some adventure, some romance and some trials and tribulations. Courtesans never hurt either as they are such an interesting foil to the buttoned up life of the well-to-do. Hettie does not disappoint as a fallen woman chasing her one true love, while he's off not really caring a wit about w...more
This was so much fun to read, I was forlorn when I finished. I wanted to get back into Henrietta's remembrances. I wanted to see her frothy, ruffled dresses and flirt with her fans. I wanted to dance a cotillion and ride a curricle. I wanted to meet Prinny and Letty Lade and all those other famous, frivolous, debauched members of the demimonde. Being a naughty girl sounds like a lot of adventure and Henrietta certainly had her share.
This book is so well written that you just flow through Henriet...more
This book is so well written that you just flow through Henriet...more
Mistress of My Fate is written as a confessional memoir by Miss Henrietta (Ingerton) Lightfoot as she tries to set straight the rumors swirling about her and her actions. The book is written in the first person so you almost feel as if you are sitting with Ms. Lightfoot, sipping a cup of tea and listening to her tell you her sometimes sordid story. But what was a young girl to do? It was a time period when women had no rights, they had no way of making a place in the world without the protection...more
Mistress of My Fate is an enjoyable romp through the tawdriness of eighteenth century London. The book is written as a confession or memoir of an upstanding young lady that strays onto the wrong path in her search for love. The endearing way the book is written instantly draws you in as the author address's you as "My dear reader," and continues to address you directly throughout the book. This sets a very intimate tone to the book, as if you are being confiding in with the most personal and del...more
I picked this book up on the suggested reads shelf. It is extremely intriguing from the beginning, but it is long and kind of drawn out in the middle. There is a lot of detail in the writing, which is nice to set the tone and introduce the characters. It is romantic and reminds me of Austen, but it is definitely a contemporary author because there are some risque scenes. I wouldn't call them offensive, but not what a believable character from this time period would actually write when telling he...more
This book totally captured my attention as I was thrown back into the time of Victorian wealth. As a reader who becomes totally enthralled in period pieces, the author paints a wonderful picture as the main character finds herself in more predicaments than one could imagine in the short time that this covers her life.
The story centers around a young woman born into a family of money, that is abandoned as a baby and luckily (or unluckily), her uncle takes her into their home and she was raised a...more
The story centers around a young woman born into a family of money, that is abandoned as a baby and luckily (or unluckily), her uncle takes her into their home and she was raised a...more
Oh Please.. all that is missing is a ripped bodice on the cover.Now I love historical fiction and thought (operable word here is THOUGHT) this would be a good book..
NOPE.. this is just so unbelievable..So saccharine.The ONLY reason I gave it two stars is for the research; that appears to be well done.
As for the story.Unbelievable at best.reading after the first few pages is like slogging thru mud.Without ruining the plot line for those who might want to read this romance novel; it is tiresome an...more
NOPE.. this is just so unbelievable..So saccharine.The ONLY reason I gave it two stars is for the research; that appears to be well done.
As for the story.Unbelievable at best.reading after the first few pages is like slogging thru mud.Without ruining the plot line for those who might want to read this romance novel; it is tiresome an...more
Lordy I'm glad that's over.
I know lots of other readers out there loved it - or at least felt it deserved higher ratings than what I gave it. I felt that 2 stars was even pushing it. It's books like this one that make me wish Goodreads had half star rating options too .... it wasn't a complete troll but there were times that is was certainly less than ok .... 1.5 stars would have fit the bill perfectly!
Anyways, enough whining on the rating system! Lets move onto whining about the book!!!!!! I'l...more
I know lots of other readers out there loved it - or at least felt it deserved higher ratings than what I gave it. I felt that 2 stars was even pushing it. It's books like this one that make me wish Goodreads had half star rating options too .... it wasn't a complete troll but there were times that is was certainly less than ok .... 1.5 stars would have fit the bill perfectly!
Anyways, enough whining on the rating system! Lets move onto whining about the book!!!!!! I'l...more
FULL DISCLOSURE UP FRONT: I won this book through FirstReads.
Overall, this novel was successful. The lead character is Henrietta Ingerton, who changes her name to Lightfoot through the course of the things that happen to her in 18th century England. She is relatable and likeable in a lot of ways and can be annoying in a lot of ways. (She cries over every little setback. A LOT.) The plotting itself is in many ways typical of an historical novel--woman is forced by circumstances to become what soc...more
Overall, this novel was successful. The lead character is Henrietta Ingerton, who changes her name to Lightfoot through the course of the things that happen to her in 18th century England. She is relatable and likeable in a lot of ways and can be annoying in a lot of ways. (She cries over every little setback. A LOT.) The plotting itself is in many ways typical of an historical novel--woman is forced by circumstances to become what soc...more
A romance novel with some smarts. Hetty and her true love Allenham bond over their love of reading, especially Goethe. When Allenham suddenly and mysteriously disappears, Hetty survives in the demi-monde world of Georgian London. The book starts off a bit slow--country manors and society events in Bath--but by the end we've had carriage races, Vauxhall drunkenness, and hints that the French Revolution will be a big part of book two in the series.
This is historical fiction on the lighter side, b...more
This is historical fiction on the lighter side, b...more
The story of a Victorian-era young woman and her downfall (and, potentially her resurgence by book 3) is written as a hot melodrama in the first person, following Henrietta as she gets herself wronged time and again and then woe-is-me's for pages at a time.
It is not, for those who read romance, steamy. It is instead lovelorn and euphemistic and often silly, sometimes fun. The author's tongue-in-cheek use of Henrietta as a "cautionary tale" and "heroine for the ages" works pretty well. I like th...more
It is not, for those who read romance, steamy. It is instead lovelorn and euphemistic and often silly, sometimes fun. The author's tongue-in-cheek use of Henrietta as a "cautionary tale" and "heroine for the ages" works pretty well. I like th...more
Mistress of My Fate is the first book in a series of memoirs, narrated by Henrietta Lightfoot, and set in Georgian England, 1789. When her mother abandons her, Henrietta was raised by her uncle and aunt, Lord and Lady Stavourley along with her cousins, Lady Catherine, Lord Dennington, and Master Edwin. At the age of sixteen, Henrietta falls in love with the dashing Lord Allenham, who is, however, betrothed to Lady Catherine. One week before her wedding, Lady Catherine becomes ill and dies. Every...more
I wanted to LOVE this book, but I just didn't. Honestly I couldn't really get into the main character. She felt more like a child, whining about how she didn't really choose her fate, was so innocent, and just fell into this life, all the while the title is "mistress of my fate." No one, not even a 17 year old girl is as innocent as this girl tries to paint herself throughout the book. The way she beseeches the reader to understand, and "see it through my eyes," just gets plain annoying. And the...more
Henrietta Lightfoot only wants one thing. She wants the respect of her aunt and uncle and to be treated fairly among her cousins. The novel begins with the escape/runaway of our heroine, Miss Lightfoot. Readers are drawn in with a certain sense of suspense, anxiousness, and maybe even fear at what is to come after the escape of our narrator. It is not readily apparent why she is running and so many questions began to build in my mind. I will tell potential readers that this book is the first in...more
This is a good read about the life of Henrietta Lightfoot. She starts out as a beautiful, sweet, innocent girl, who just wants to be accepted by her aunt and uncle and to be best friends with her cousin. However, she gets into trouble by falling in love with the wrong man and is forced to flee her home. With little knowledge of the world she soon finds herself being taken advantage of by those around her and has to make some difficult decisions in order to survive. Throughout it all she tries to...more
This is a story of illicit love, and the emergence of a heroine, Henrietta, who is by her own admission, neither eloquent, nor desirous enough to attract the attention of her heart’s desire. Yet her very gaucheness catches the attention of an ill advised suitor, and a situation appears which utterly bewilders Henrietta. Described with vivacity and wit, Henrietta’s story emerges in a first person narrative, which captures the reader from the opening line. At times reminiscent of a risqué Jane Aus...more
Henrietta Lightfoot is that annoying person who starts telling you her sob story, and then goes on...and on...and on. After a while, you realize she's pretty much responsible for her own misery and you doubt that anything she's told you is actually true. She plays the victim card but is truly a manipulator. And she never learns, listens, nor behaves admirably.
But even an unlikable character can be intriguing if well written and with consistent motivation. Not so here. The writing of this book i...more
But even an unlikable character can be intriguing if well written and with consistent motivation. Not so here. The writing of this book i...more
I could not put this book down. I'm a huge fan of historical fiction and this one did not disappoint. The author is very knowledgeable with regard to this period in history and it was interesting to learn about medicines and "cures" I had not been aware of until now. The "letter to the reader" format was enjoyable and made me feel as though she really was telling me her secrets. :) I found myself anxiously racing to reach the end to find how our heroine fares only to be saddened that I had finis...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Excited to win book. Will post review after finished reading.
***************************************************************
I won this book through Goodreads First Reads giveaways.
This was a delightful novel, the first I have ever read by Hallie Rubenhold. The first in a trilogy.
This story introduces us to our main character Henrietta Ingerton. Henrietta, has led a privileged life with her aunt, uncle and cousins. She is a 'poor' relation and thus, although living in luxury she is not, conside...more
***************************************************************
I won this book through Goodreads First Reads giveaways.
This was a delightful novel, the first I have ever read by Hallie Rubenhold. The first in a trilogy.
This story introduces us to our main character Henrietta Ingerton. Henrietta, has led a privileged life with her aunt, uncle and cousins. She is a 'poor' relation and thus, although living in luxury she is not, conside...more
The book was written from the persepctive of a young lady going by the alias of Henrietta Lightfoot. Henrietta, a respectable young lady who has been thrown into some difficult circumstances, although she has tried to make some choices to control her own fate. Written in almost a diary format, Hetty has a strong voice although maybe not as innocent has she lets on.
SPOILER ALERT!!!
Henrietta is being raised by her uncle (later revealed as her father). She has the misfortune of falling in love wit...more
SPOILER ALERT!!!
Henrietta is being raised by her uncle (later revealed as her father). She has the misfortune of falling in love wit...more
Mar 09, 2013
Joy
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-fiction,
women-s-fiction
Miss Henrietta Ingerton has grown up in a life of privilege in 1780s London, but forever shadowed by her proud, selfish cousin, Lady Catherine. In a Mansfield Park-esque manner, Henrietta is timid, always bowing to the needs of her cousin, whom she desperately wants attention from, until the dashing Lord Allenham pays tribute to both girls. Henrietta and Lady Catherine both fall for him, but it comes out that Lord Allenham loves Henrietta, but cannot marry her, as she has no fortune. This comes...more
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| Received | 1 | 6 | 22. Januar, 10:11 Uhr |
24. Dezember, 07:48 Uhr
It really sucked me in and kept me turning the pages.
I hate that I have to wait for the next installment.
I'm going to have to look for Hallie R...more
24. Dezember, 11:47 Uhr
29. Dezember, 08:56 Uhr