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The Ladies of Carson Street #2
Trouble for the Leading Lady
Bath, 1852.
As a girl, Nancy Bloom would go to Bath's Theatre Royal, sit on the hard wooden benches and stare in awe at the actresses playing men as much as the women dressed in finery. She longed to be a part of it all and when a man promised her parents he could find a role for Nancy in the theatre, they believed him.
His lie and betrayal led to her ruin.
Francis Carlyle is a theatre manager, an ambitious man always looking for the next big thing to take the country by storm. A self-made man, Francis has finally shed the skin of his painful past and is now rich, successful and in need of a new female star. Never in a million years did he think he'd find her standing on a table in one of Bath's bawdiest pubs.
Nancy vowed never to trust a man again. Francis will do anything to make her his star. As they engage in a battle of wits and wills, can either survive with their hearts intact?
The second in Rachel Brimble's thrilling new Victorian saga series, Trouble for the Leading Lady will whisk you away to the riotous, thriving underbelly of Victorian Bath.
As a girl, Nancy Bloom would go to Bath's Theatre Royal, sit on the hard wooden benches and stare in awe at the actresses playing men as much as the women dressed in finery. She longed to be a part of it all and when a man promised her parents he could find a role for Nancy in the theatre, they believed him.
His lie and betrayal led to her ruin.
Francis Carlyle is a theatre manager, an ambitious man always looking for the next big thing to take the country by storm. A self-made man, Francis has finally shed the skin of his painful past and is now rich, successful and in need of a new female star. Never in a million years did he think he'd find her standing on a table in one of Bath's bawdiest pubs.
Nancy vowed never to trust a man again. Francis will do anything to make her his star. As they engage in a battle of wits and wills, can either survive with their hearts intact?
The second in Rachel Brimble's thrilling new Victorian saga series, Trouble for the Leading Lady will whisk you away to the riotous, thriving underbelly of Victorian Bath.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 4, 2021
About the author
Rachel Brimble
57 books1,002 followersRachel Brimble is the author of multiple Amazon bestselling books, including The Home Front Nurses set in Bath during WWII. Book 4 of the series released Feb 2026.
Her next book is the first in a brand new WWII series - A Safe Haven for the War Orphans releases 18th September 2026.
When she's not writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family. And in the evening, a period or crime drama on the TV while she completes her latest 1500 piece jigsaw puzzle!
Rachel is a member of the Female Entrepeneur Association and has an Etsy shop, The Writer Printable Co, providing resources she has created to help new authors achieve their writing dreams.
Her next book is the first in a brand new WWII series - A Safe Haven for the War Orphans releases 18th September 2026.
When she's not writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family. And in the evening, a period or crime drama on the TV while she completes her latest 1500 piece jigsaw puzzle!
Rachel is a member of the Female Entrepeneur Association and has an Etsy shop, The Writer Printable Co, providing resources she has created to help new authors achieve their writing dreams.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 13, 2021
5☆ Enthralling, Captivating, Historical Romance.
Trouble For The Leading Lady is a Poignant and Compelling Historical Romance. It's the second book in the series but can be read as a standalone with no problems.
This time round it's the turn of Nancy Bloom to reveal her story.
Nancy is a working girl in a well established Brothel on Carson Street.
She works alongside her two best friends Louisa and Octavia. Each of them have a troubled and tortured past but they vowed to stick together and never let a man hurt them again. Which isn't going to be a problem with Jacob as their doorman!
Nancy is a tortured soul. She has a deep rooted passion and love for all things theatre, but her horrific past holds her back.
But one thing's for certain Nancy is a force to be reckoned with. Her singing voice is completely enchanting, some might say it's intoxicating and her beauty mesmerising.
So when Francis walks into the white Hart Pub that day and hears Nancy sing, he is certain that there paths are destined to cross that day!
You see Francis might appear to be from a wealthy upbringing, but he too carries a tortured past and with many emotional scars still bearing on his soul, the only way he believes he can heal is to produce a theatrical play of his life and he wants Nancy as his leading lady!
But Nancy has many reservations as well as trust issues and never wants to set foot on a stage ever!
However Francis is quiet the Charmer and he will stop at nothing to get what he wants!
But the pair never expected to catch feelings...and Nancy NEVER mixes business with pleasure!
I couldn't wait to read Nancy's story.
She certainly is an Endearing and Charismatic character. It's no wonder Francis is so taken with her.
I loved how both were so broken yet they just felt right together and I was willing Nancy to let her guard down and equally shouting for Francis to reassure her of his feelings.
I was swept away with the will they won't they.
One thing I did enjoy was that all wasn't revealed straight away, Brimble teased the reader with lil bits of their past and kept the reader guessing.
I loved that all of the characters were still very much part of the story and their bonds were still very strong.
The theatre setting added another layer and dynamic to the story and I loved all the little details.
Brimble is one of my favourite Authors, her books are always Engrossing, Authentic, Gripping, Richly Atmospheric and I find myself being swept up into the heart of her stories.
Overall Trouble For The Leading Lady is an Enthralling, Gripping and Captivating Historical Saga, and if you love Historical Romances then I highly recommend you pick up a copy.
I'm now eagerly awaiting Octavia's story, which will hopefully be the next installment!
Thank you to Rachel Random Resources and Aria Fiction for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
You can Find this Review and all my Other Reviews on My Blog :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2021/0...
Trouble For The Leading Lady is a Poignant and Compelling Historical Romance. It's the second book in the series but can be read as a standalone with no problems.
This time round it's the turn of Nancy Bloom to reveal her story.
Nancy is a working girl in a well established Brothel on Carson Street.
She works alongside her two best friends Louisa and Octavia. Each of them have a troubled and tortured past but they vowed to stick together and never let a man hurt them again. Which isn't going to be a problem with Jacob as their doorman!
Nancy is a tortured soul. She has a deep rooted passion and love for all things theatre, but her horrific past holds her back.
But one thing's for certain Nancy is a force to be reckoned with. Her singing voice is completely enchanting, some might say it's intoxicating and her beauty mesmerising.
So when Francis walks into the white Hart Pub that day and hears Nancy sing, he is certain that there paths are destined to cross that day!
You see Francis might appear to be from a wealthy upbringing, but he too carries a tortured past and with many emotional scars still bearing on his soul, the only way he believes he can heal is to produce a theatrical play of his life and he wants Nancy as his leading lady!
But Nancy has many reservations as well as trust issues and never wants to set foot on a stage ever!
However Francis is quiet the Charmer and he will stop at nothing to get what he wants!
But the pair never expected to catch feelings...and Nancy NEVER mixes business with pleasure!
I couldn't wait to read Nancy's story.
She certainly is an Endearing and Charismatic character. It's no wonder Francis is so taken with her.
I loved how both were so broken yet they just felt right together and I was willing Nancy to let her guard down and equally shouting for Francis to reassure her of his feelings.
I was swept away with the will they won't they.
One thing I did enjoy was that all wasn't revealed straight away, Brimble teased the reader with lil bits of their past and kept the reader guessing.
I loved that all of the characters were still very much part of the story and their bonds were still very strong.
The theatre setting added another layer and dynamic to the story and I loved all the little details.
Brimble is one of my favourite Authors, her books are always Engrossing, Authentic, Gripping, Richly Atmospheric and I find myself being swept up into the heart of her stories.
Overall Trouble For The Leading Lady is an Enthralling, Gripping and Captivating Historical Saga, and if you love Historical Romances then I highly recommend you pick up a copy.
I'm now eagerly awaiting Octavia's story, which will hopefully be the next installment!
Thank you to Rachel Random Resources and Aria Fiction for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
You can Find this Review and all my Other Reviews on My Blog :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2021/0...
May 8, 2024
3.5⭐️= Quite Good.
Audio.
This was the second book in the series, and whilst it was a reasonable read, I did find the first much more engaging. The language is of its time but that didn’t stop me from shrinking in my seat a little every time the words ‘whore house’ were spoken!😃
This might be for you if you like an easy to read with a reasonably gentle storyline.
Audio.
This was the second book in the series, and whilst it was a reasonable read, I did find the first much more engaging. The language is of its time but that didn’t stop me from shrinking in my seat a little every time the words ‘whore house’ were spoken!😃
This might be for you if you like an easy to read with a reasonably gentle storyline.
March 7, 2021
I have been a fan of Rachel’s work for a little while now. I haven’t caught up with everything that she has written but I am getting here. ‘Trouble For The Leading Lady’ is the second book in the Victorian series, which is set in a brothel. It’s another corker of a read from Rachel Brimble, which I thoroughly enjoyed but more about that in a bit.
I must admit that it took me a little while to get into this story as it was a little slow at the beginning. However, once I got into the story that was it and I was away. I had to read the story in bursts rather than in one continued reading binge. If I had to put the book down for any reason, then I would immediately look forward to being able to pick up the book again. This was definitely a book that was constantly on my mind. I think part of the reason for that was the fact that I had taken to the lead character of Nancy Bloom and I was desperate for her to get the ‘happy ever after’ ending that she so deserved. The pages turned over increasingly quickly as I worked my way through the story. Then all too quickly I reached the end of the story and I had to say farewell to Nancy and the rest of the characters. What happens in the story? Well for the answers to that question and so much more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
‘Trouble For The Leading Lady’ is very well written. But then I have thought that to be true of Rachel’s other books too. She has a way of grabbing the reader’s attention from early on and enticing them into what proves to be a compelling read. Rachel seems to bring the Victorian era to life and reading one of her books is as near as I am going to get to being able to travel back to that era. I felt as though I was part of the story and that is all thanks to Rachel’s very vivid and realistic storytelling. I found ‘Trouble For The Leading Lady’ to be an interesting read, which kept my attention throughout.
In short I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Trouble For The Leading Lady’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Rachel’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 4* out of 5*.
I must admit that it took me a little while to get into this story as it was a little slow at the beginning. However, once I got into the story that was it and I was away. I had to read the story in bursts rather than in one continued reading binge. If I had to put the book down for any reason, then I would immediately look forward to being able to pick up the book again. This was definitely a book that was constantly on my mind. I think part of the reason for that was the fact that I had taken to the lead character of Nancy Bloom and I was desperate for her to get the ‘happy ever after’ ending that she so deserved. The pages turned over increasingly quickly as I worked my way through the story. Then all too quickly I reached the end of the story and I had to say farewell to Nancy and the rest of the characters. What happens in the story? Well for the answers to that question and so much more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
‘Trouble For The Leading Lady’ is very well written. But then I have thought that to be true of Rachel’s other books too. She has a way of grabbing the reader’s attention from early on and enticing them into what proves to be a compelling read. Rachel seems to bring the Victorian era to life and reading one of her books is as near as I am going to get to being able to travel back to that era. I felt as though I was part of the story and that is all thanks to Rachel’s very vivid and realistic storytelling. I found ‘Trouble For The Leading Lady’ to be an interesting read, which kept my attention throughout.
In short I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Trouble For The Leading Lady’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Rachel’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 4* out of 5*.
March 2, 2021
As a girl, Nancy Bloom would go to Bath's Theatre Royal, sit on the hard wooden benches and stare in awe at the actresses playing men as much as the women dressed in finery. She longed to be a part of it all and when a man promised her parents he could find a role for Nancy in the theatre, they believed him. His lie and betrayal led to her ruin. Francis Carlyle is a theatre manager, an ambitious self-made man, who has finally shed the skin of his painful past and is now rich, successful and in need of a new female star. Never in a million years did he think he'd find her standing on a table in one of Bath's bawdiest pubs. Nancy vowed never to trust a man again. Francis will do anything to make her his star. As they engage in a battle of wits and wills, can either survive with their hearts intact?
This is the second book in the series & is quite a dark, heavier read although it does have lighter moments, it could easily be read on its own but to fully appreciate it I'd recommend reading Louisa's story. Well portrayed characters with depth who are very likeable & a very well written story that flowed well. I really liked Nancy who was ashamed of her work but who struggled to trust, which wasn’t surprising considering her teenage years. I also liked Frances who liked to keep his past to himself. I thoroughly enjoyed how their relationship developed & how they both learned to trust & share their secrets. I look forward to Octavia’s story
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
This is the second book in the series & is quite a dark, heavier read although it does have lighter moments, it could easily be read on its own but to fully appreciate it I'd recommend reading Louisa's story. Well portrayed characters with depth who are very likeable & a very well written story that flowed well. I really liked Nancy who was ashamed of her work but who struggled to trust, which wasn’t surprising considering her teenage years. I also liked Frances who liked to keep his past to himself. I thoroughly enjoyed how their relationship developed & how they both learned to trust & share their secrets. I look forward to Octavia’s story
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
March 14, 2021
My review of Trouble for the Leading Lady is on my blog
https://quirkybookreads.wordpress.com...
https://quirkybookreads.wordpress.com...
March 4, 2021
Once a girl with stars in her eyes, Nancy Bloom is now a successful prostitute. The exclusive and expensive brothel where she works and lives is also home to her surrogate family who support each other through thick and thin. Francis Carlyle has divorced himself from his past at the workhouse but it continues to gnaw at him though he is now a successful theatre manager. Francis hopes that Nancy can bring his past to life on the stage, but she's not looking for past dreams to upset her present contentment. Nor are either of them looking for love, but that's waiting in the wings as well.
There's a certain amount of suspension of disbelief that goes into many novels, particularly historicals, and I found my stretched by the economics of Nancy's life, not to mention her being in the bloom of health. However, once that is put aside, the characterisations are spot on. Both Francis and Nancy are haunted and shaped by their pasts in an utterly believable way. Francis is ambitious and pushy, afraid to look back, whereas Nancy puts up a facade that is aggressively cheerful - or sometimes just aggressive. It was great to see them call each other out on these traits and make small steps towards a better version of themselves. I also loved the cast of supporting characters, many of whom deserve awards for patience, if not their own book! Mrs Gaynor was a lovely sweetheart and the friendship between Louisa and Nancy spoke of deep trust and friendship.
There is also a theme of social justice as Francis and Nancy look to make a difference though Francis' play. I can't help but feel that this story is not yet ended - while there is a happy ending for our leads, between the workhouse, Francis' friend Edmund, and the play itself, there are plot threads that are yet to be tied up.
This is a good romance between two very prickly leads, if you don't mind a few loose ends.
Three and a half stars
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Rachel's Random Resources; all opinions are my own
There's a certain amount of suspension of disbelief that goes into many novels, particularly historicals, and I found my stretched by the economics of Nancy's life, not to mention her being in the bloom of health. However, once that is put aside, the characterisations are spot on. Both Francis and Nancy are haunted and shaped by their pasts in an utterly believable way. Francis is ambitious and pushy, afraid to look back, whereas Nancy puts up a facade that is aggressively cheerful - or sometimes just aggressive. It was great to see them call each other out on these traits and make small steps towards a better version of themselves. I also loved the cast of supporting characters, many of whom deserve awards for patience, if not their own book! Mrs Gaynor was a lovely sweetheart and the friendship between Louisa and Nancy spoke of deep trust and friendship.
There is also a theme of social justice as Francis and Nancy look to make a difference though Francis' play. I can't help but feel that this story is not yet ended - while there is a happy ending for our leads, between the workhouse, Francis' friend Edmund, and the play itself, there are plot threads that are yet to be tied up.
This is a good romance between two very prickly leads, if you don't mind a few loose ends.
Three and a half stars
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Rachel's Random Resources; all opinions are my own
March 22, 2021
If you look centre stage, you will see a woman full of strength, determination and self preservation. A fighter determined not to let life break her again.
The book follows two main characters: Nancy and Francis Carlyle, who first meet through a song sung by a lady just looking for some fun. Francis, a well known theatreand wealthy bachelor of the City is looking for the perfect actress to play his lead in his new play. But what he didn’t expect was finding the perfect candidate for the role in an alehouse by chance. He also didn’t expect his leading lady to be a woman with many skills and a worker in a pleasure house down the road.
Nancy, a woman who is good at what she does and has convinced herself that her life will be nothing more, is dubious of her new attention. Especially when the line ‘you would be perfect for the role’ has got her into unforgettable trouble in the past, trouble that she barely recovered from and refuses to let happen again. How a man’s promise for fame became her downfall and led to trust being a fickle thing.
But what happens when you let you guard slip and open up to someone you have been trying to villianise? What happens when a girl removes her armour and tries to trust once again?
The story of Trouble for the Leading Lady was beautifully written, it felt like a step into the past, a time when being a woman was harse and dangerous, when innocence was preyed upon and no one batted an eye. I found the plot intriguing, interesting and above all, it felt real. A history lesson that was more that pure facts. I was hooked from the first chapter.
As for the characters, I loved Nancy. I loved her spunk, the vibrance and fire of her character, as well as her determination to not let the horrors of her past prey upon her future. For me she is such a strong character, a force to be reckoned with. She is an phoenix waiting to be released, for her spotlight to hit its mark.
As for Francis, I respected him. I found him likable and not predatorial. That he was the spark of hope she needed to restart her dream. He was such an interesting character, with a back story you couldn’t help but want to give him a cuddle when he talked about it. I was rooting for him from quite early on, hoping he had found his leading lady.
So if you are looking for a romance that has something a little different or a historical read that plays with your emotions, Trouble for the Leading Lady is perfect for you. It is a dramatic story about two hearts with two very different lifestyles. It is a novel that feels well researched and keeps the reader applauding for more. It left me wanting an encore, what will it do for you?
The book follows two main characters: Nancy and Francis Carlyle, who first meet through a song sung by a lady just looking for some fun. Francis, a well known theatreand wealthy bachelor of the City is looking for the perfect actress to play his lead in his new play. But what he didn’t expect was finding the perfect candidate for the role in an alehouse by chance. He also didn’t expect his leading lady to be a woman with many skills and a worker in a pleasure house down the road.
Nancy, a woman who is good at what she does and has convinced herself that her life will be nothing more, is dubious of her new attention. Especially when the line ‘you would be perfect for the role’ has got her into unforgettable trouble in the past, trouble that she barely recovered from and refuses to let happen again. How a man’s promise for fame became her downfall and led to trust being a fickle thing.
But what happens when you let you guard slip and open up to someone you have been trying to villianise? What happens when a girl removes her armour and tries to trust once again?
The story of Trouble for the Leading Lady was beautifully written, it felt like a step into the past, a time when being a woman was harse and dangerous, when innocence was preyed upon and no one batted an eye. I found the plot intriguing, interesting and above all, it felt real. A history lesson that was more that pure facts. I was hooked from the first chapter.
As for the characters, I loved Nancy. I loved her spunk, the vibrance and fire of her character, as well as her determination to not let the horrors of her past prey upon her future. For me she is such a strong character, a force to be reckoned with. She is an phoenix waiting to be released, for her spotlight to hit its mark.
As for Francis, I respected him. I found him likable and not predatorial. That he was the spark of hope she needed to restart her dream. He was such an interesting character, with a back story you couldn’t help but want to give him a cuddle when he talked about it. I was rooting for him from quite early on, hoping he had found his leading lady.
So if you are looking for a romance that has something a little different or a historical read that plays with your emotions, Trouble for the Leading Lady is perfect for you. It is a dramatic story about two hearts with two very different lifestyles. It is a novel that feels well researched and keeps the reader applauding for more. It left me wanting an encore, what will it do for you?
March 5, 2021
This isn’t my first Rachel Brimble’s novel. I have been reading Rachel Brimble's books since I went in a Historical Romance reading journey. I even recently recommended her books to a friend.
This book is set in Bath, in 1852, and follows Nancy Bloom - a woman with dreams and betrayed by a man that promise to help her, only to ruin her - and Francis Carlyle - a theater manager with ambitions and a goal in mind. Two characters that may have difference, but that also have somethings in common, especially in terms of having a tragic background.
Usually we read about royalty in some category, so it's very refreshing to follow the lives of the common people, rich or not. And combined with theater and all the drama that the show business brings, it's so exciting. Plus, there is this theme related to social injustice, that made me think and that I now want to read more about it, in a historical perspective.
We have likeable characters that we can connect with, people this dark and painful pasts, people with dreams and ambitions, people that just want to be happy. I liked both Nancy and Francis for different reasons, and the more I learned about them, the more I read about their interactions and the development of their relationship, the more I liked them.
Life isn't always pretty, and it doesn't matter if we are talking about our current world or many years ago. This book reminded me of that. It also reminded me that it's never too late. And to be resilient.
Overall, I enjoyed it. And although it can be read as a standalone, I do recommend you read the first one so that you get a bigger picture of the time and scenery this series focus on.
[I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, Rachel Brimble and Aria Fiction for the eCopy of this book, via NetGalley. Thank you for allowing me to join in the fun and being a part of the blog tour with my honest review of the book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.]
This book is set in Bath, in 1852, and follows Nancy Bloom - a woman with dreams and betrayed by a man that promise to help her, only to ruin her - and Francis Carlyle - a theater manager with ambitions and a goal in mind. Two characters that may have difference, but that also have somethings in common, especially in terms of having a tragic background.
Usually we read about royalty in some category, so it's very refreshing to follow the lives of the common people, rich or not. And combined with theater and all the drama that the show business brings, it's so exciting. Plus, there is this theme related to social injustice, that made me think and that I now want to read more about it, in a historical perspective.
We have likeable characters that we can connect with, people this dark and painful pasts, people with dreams and ambitions, people that just want to be happy. I liked both Nancy and Francis for different reasons, and the more I learned about them, the more I read about their interactions and the development of their relationship, the more I liked them.
Life isn't always pretty, and it doesn't matter if we are talking about our current world or many years ago. This book reminded me of that. It also reminded me that it's never too late. And to be resilient.
Overall, I enjoyed it. And although it can be read as a standalone, I do recommend you read the first one so that you get a bigger picture of the time and scenery this series focus on.
[I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, Rachel Brimble and Aria Fiction for the eCopy of this book, via NetGalley. Thank you for allowing me to join in the fun and being a part of the blog tour with my honest review of the book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.]
March 10, 2021
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from Netgalley.
A compelling historical romance with depth and substance, TROUBLE FOR THE LEADING LADY by Rachel Brimble, is a story that will effortlessly work its way into your heart.
Nancy Bloom always wanted to be a part of the exciting theatre world and when she thought she had gotten the perfect opportunity, she had thrown herself eagerly into the hands of a man who could not be trusted. Now a ruined woman, Nancy does what she must in order to survive, but she has never lost her spark for becoming a star.
Francis Carlyle is looking for the next big thing to win over the elite, but he did not expect Nancy Bloom. But can two wounded people who have learned the hard way that you cannot trust anyone, find a way to believe in each other? And will they be able to let down their guards long enough to let love take a hold of their hearts?
As always with Rachel Brimble's stories, the setting and historical detail in this novel is fantastic, and the time period really comes alive on the page. This is the second book in this series and I thoroughly enjoyed being immersed in the lives of the ordinary man and woman in Victorian times, while also recognising the harshness of the period which is elegantly woven throughout the character's lives. Nancy is a wonderful character whose grit and spirit shine through at every turn and Francis grew on me as I learned more about him as the pages continued.
TROUBLE WITH THE LEADING LADY by Rachel Brimble is a wonderful historical romance and I look forward to more from this author.
A compelling historical romance with depth and substance, TROUBLE FOR THE LEADING LADY by Rachel Brimble, is a story that will effortlessly work its way into your heart.
Nancy Bloom always wanted to be a part of the exciting theatre world and when she thought she had gotten the perfect opportunity, she had thrown herself eagerly into the hands of a man who could not be trusted. Now a ruined woman, Nancy does what she must in order to survive, but she has never lost her spark for becoming a star.
Francis Carlyle is looking for the next big thing to win over the elite, but he did not expect Nancy Bloom. But can two wounded people who have learned the hard way that you cannot trust anyone, find a way to believe in each other? And will they be able to let down their guards long enough to let love take a hold of their hearts?
As always with Rachel Brimble's stories, the setting and historical detail in this novel is fantastic, and the time period really comes alive on the page. This is the second book in this series and I thoroughly enjoyed being immersed in the lives of the ordinary man and woman in Victorian times, while also recognising the harshness of the period which is elegantly woven throughout the character's lives. Nancy is a wonderful character whose grit and spirit shine through at every turn and Francis grew on me as I learned more about him as the pages continued.
TROUBLE WITH THE LEADING LADY by Rachel Brimble is a wonderful historical romance and I look forward to more from this author.
March 6, 2021
Although I am sure that this can be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading its predecessor, to really get a handle on the relationship between Nancy, Louisa and Octavia and how they have come to be running a high-class brothel in Bath. Having said this, I did thoroughly enjoy visiting them again and finding out more about Nancy's past. Nancy and Francis are the focus of this book and both have vulnerabilities caused through their traumatic childhoods. They have tried to cover over the scars of what happened to them, but at different points in the story, they have to face up to how they feel. The face they present to the world is a cover for how they feel inside.
You certainly get a feel for Victorian Bath and the class system which existed. Francis is a self-made man and independence is important to all the characters. Inequalities in society and above all, the terrible conditions which were present in the Workhouse are shown. Most shocking is the blind eye turned by most people to the plight of its inmates who endured shocking conditions and who seemed to lack hope. This is an enjoyable read with plenty of historical details and some intriguing characters.
In short: Well written historical fiction
Thanks to the author for a copy of the book
You certainly get a feel for Victorian Bath and the class system which existed. Francis is a self-made man and independence is important to all the characters. Inequalities in society and above all, the terrible conditions which were present in the Workhouse are shown. Most shocking is the blind eye turned by most people to the plight of its inmates who endured shocking conditions and who seemed to lack hope. This is an enjoyable read with plenty of historical details and some intriguing characters.
In short: Well written historical fiction
Thanks to the author for a copy of the book
March 13, 2021
This is the second book in the saga set in Victorian Bath. ‘A Widow’s Vow’ centred on Louisa and her life, which ended with her finding love with Jacob and running a high-class brothel in her beautiful house with prostitutes Nancy and Octavia. I loved the book so I was really looking forward to reading the second instalment.
This time the story revolves around Nancy. She has been living a relatively happy life in comfort at Louisa’s brothel and has made peace with the fact that she is a prostitute. Deep within her though she harbours dreams of becoming an actress on the stage but a life in the theatre is not possible for a girl like her, or so she believes. After a chance meeting with Francis who is manager of the Theatre Royal and who hears her singing one evening while at an inn, the opportunity to follow her dream becomes a possibility.
Francis himself is a self-made success after growing up in the workhouse. The attraction between them both is obvious but they both have to work through their demons to find happiness.
I really enjoyed this follow-up in the series. The author’s descriptions of Bath are once again vivid and detailed and there is no shying away from the hardships that came with being part of the lower classes at the time. Life was hard but I loved how Louisa, Nancy and Octavia were in control of the kind of establishment they were running. I found the descriptions of the workhouse and working conditions of the children shocking and could understand how they have had a lasting impact on Francis.
I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting their world and was swept away from the first page. The women are all really likeable and Nancy is a strong intelligent woman who deserves happiness. I’m really looking forward to reading the third book and exploring the character of Octavia.
This time the story revolves around Nancy. She has been living a relatively happy life in comfort at Louisa’s brothel and has made peace with the fact that she is a prostitute. Deep within her though she harbours dreams of becoming an actress on the stage but a life in the theatre is not possible for a girl like her, or so she believes. After a chance meeting with Francis who is manager of the Theatre Royal and who hears her singing one evening while at an inn, the opportunity to follow her dream becomes a possibility.
Francis himself is a self-made success after growing up in the workhouse. The attraction between them both is obvious but they both have to work through their demons to find happiness.
I really enjoyed this follow-up in the series. The author’s descriptions of Bath are once again vivid and detailed and there is no shying away from the hardships that came with being part of the lower classes at the time. Life was hard but I loved how Louisa, Nancy and Octavia were in control of the kind of establishment they were running. I found the descriptions of the workhouse and working conditions of the children shocking and could understand how they have had a lasting impact on Francis.
I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting their world and was swept away from the first page. The women are all really likeable and Nancy is a strong intelligent woman who deserves happiness. I’m really looking forward to reading the third book and exploring the character of Octavia.
March 3, 2021
This is the second book in the author's Victorian Saga series, set in Bath in 1852. While the history of the main characters from the first novel, 'A Widow's Vow' is useful in understanding the dynamics of their relationships with each other, this can equally be read as a standalone story.
What is particularly striking about this tale is the underlying theme of past history, buried memories and society's perceptions of the different classes within the Victorian era. All of these combine perfectly within the different characters, but none more so than Nancy and Francis who battle with their demons and past experiences throughout as they struggle to reconcile their heads with their hearts.
The backdrop to the narrative is the appalling conditions for children within the workhouse at that time and, while this is a dark theme throughout, the reader becomes compelled to empathise with Francis' struggle in his efforts to bring about significant change for their benefit. This for me, was the most interesting aspect of the story and I hope that it is revisited in the next novel.
If you are a fan of historical fiction, this is definitely worth adding to your reading list. I'm already looking forward to getting my hands on the final book of the trilogy!
With thanks to the author, Aria Fiction and @rararesources for the ARC.
What is particularly striking about this tale is the underlying theme of past history, buried memories and society's perceptions of the different classes within the Victorian era. All of these combine perfectly within the different characters, but none more so than Nancy and Francis who battle with their demons and past experiences throughout as they struggle to reconcile their heads with their hearts.
The backdrop to the narrative is the appalling conditions for children within the workhouse at that time and, while this is a dark theme throughout, the reader becomes compelled to empathise with Francis' struggle in his efforts to bring about significant change for their benefit. This for me, was the most interesting aspect of the story and I hope that it is revisited in the next novel.
If you are a fan of historical fiction, this is definitely worth adding to your reading list. I'm already looking forward to getting my hands on the final book of the trilogy!
With thanks to the author, Aria Fiction and @rararesources for the ARC.
March 10, 2021
Nancy's story is the second book in this challenging and compelling Victorian saga. Nancy dreams of being on the stage end in ruin until Louisa ( A Widow's Vow) saves her. Nancy's life is not what she wants, but her close friendship with Louisa and Octavia keeps her positive. Limited by her gender and social class, Nancy's life choices are few. This poignant theme is explored well in this insightful story.
Francis'life in the workhouse still haunts him. He hopes to let go of the horrors through the play he is writing. There is strong attraction when Francis and Nancy meet, but can they fulfil each other's dreams?
The conflicted romance is passionate, but both driven characters are wary of being hurt. They are easy to empathise with, and you want them to find lasting happiness. The dynamic between Louisa, Nancy and Octavia is relatable and provides humour and realism, adding authenticity.
The setting and historical detail are well researched and give the story its ethos and immersive quality.
This is an engaging Victorian romantic saga with a strong theme of social injustice that resonates.
I received a copy of this book from the author and Aria Fiction via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Francis'life in the workhouse still haunts him. He hopes to let go of the horrors through the play he is writing. There is strong attraction when Francis and Nancy meet, but can they fulfil each other's dreams?
The conflicted romance is passionate, but both driven characters are wary of being hurt. They are easy to empathise with, and you want them to find lasting happiness. The dynamic between Louisa, Nancy and Octavia is relatable and provides humour and realism, adding authenticity.
The setting and historical detail are well researched and give the story its ethos and immersive quality.
This is an engaging Victorian romantic saga with a strong theme of social injustice that resonates.
I received a copy of this book from the author and Aria Fiction via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
March 13, 2021
I really enjoyed this historical romance. I love reading about how they used to live in the olden days. The writing style was good. I would definately recommend this book.
February 8, 2021
Can Nancy trust a man after being betrayed in the past?
Nancy Bloom is a strong woman, working with her friends Louisa and Octavia in a successful brother in Carson Street. Her past has marked her, making sure that she will never give up her independence or trust a man ever again. But when she meets Francis Carlyle, her whole world is turned upside down. As he is a theatre manager, he sees in Nancy the perfect woman to play the lead in a play he is writing. But can he convince Nancy to trust him and being the star, as once was her biggest wish? Yet both have their own secrets that could change how people see them…
First of all, I enjoyed being back on Carson Street. Nancy, Louisa and Octavia are running successfully their brothel and most important, they being close friends. We already got a glimpse of Nancy in a previous book, but I was very happy to see that she now has a book of her own!
It’s obvious that Nancy has had a hard past, having her trust in a man been broken in a terrible way. And she is still carrying that burden around. Rather quickly it’s clear that she has hardened over the years, but that deep down she is also a scared woman afraid of trusting the male population again. Yet her passion for the stage is something that made me smile. Even if her life took a different route, she dreams of being on a stage, so she enjoys to perform for an audience.
When Francis appears on the scene, I understood Nancy and her reluctance in just believing his words. Yet Francis is determined to prove his good intentions and is ready to make Nancy his star in a play he wants to see no matter what on the stage.
The thing is, this story does not just tell us about Nancy and Francis, but also about how hard and difficult life would be in the Victorian Time. Not only for adults, who could somehow change their fate, but the victims are truly the children. They have no opportunity to escape to a better place and just have to endure. And the author manages perfectly to put focus on that pain, but without making it a sad story. Both Nancy and Francis somehow managed to escape their past, and while together, they understand that they are the lucky ones…
Yet it’s also a story about facing your demons, daring to put faith in people again, yet not forgetting who stood by your side all the time. I loved how Nancy changed from this strong yet unavailable woman started to change into still a strong woman, but a woman with her heart at the right place, and no longer afraid to show it.
I found this a story with sad moments, yes, but also with so many beautiful moments. It shows the hardships of life but it also shows that it is possible to change your course and that fear is only holding you back. And that with the right people by your side, it is possible to reach that happiness that seemed so impossible to achieve in the past.
Nancy Bloom is a strong woman, working with her friends Louisa and Octavia in a successful brother in Carson Street. Her past has marked her, making sure that she will never give up her independence or trust a man ever again. But when she meets Francis Carlyle, her whole world is turned upside down. As he is a theatre manager, he sees in Nancy the perfect woman to play the lead in a play he is writing. But can he convince Nancy to trust him and being the star, as once was her biggest wish? Yet both have their own secrets that could change how people see them…
First of all, I enjoyed being back on Carson Street. Nancy, Louisa and Octavia are running successfully their brothel and most important, they being close friends. We already got a glimpse of Nancy in a previous book, but I was very happy to see that she now has a book of her own!
It’s obvious that Nancy has had a hard past, having her trust in a man been broken in a terrible way. And she is still carrying that burden around. Rather quickly it’s clear that she has hardened over the years, but that deep down she is also a scared woman afraid of trusting the male population again. Yet her passion for the stage is something that made me smile. Even if her life took a different route, she dreams of being on a stage, so she enjoys to perform for an audience.
When Francis appears on the scene, I understood Nancy and her reluctance in just believing his words. Yet Francis is determined to prove his good intentions and is ready to make Nancy his star in a play he wants to see no matter what on the stage.
The thing is, this story does not just tell us about Nancy and Francis, but also about how hard and difficult life would be in the Victorian Time. Not only for adults, who could somehow change their fate, but the victims are truly the children. They have no opportunity to escape to a better place and just have to endure. And the author manages perfectly to put focus on that pain, but without making it a sad story. Both Nancy and Francis somehow managed to escape their past, and while together, they understand that they are the lucky ones…
Yet it’s also a story about facing your demons, daring to put faith in people again, yet not forgetting who stood by your side all the time. I loved how Nancy changed from this strong yet unavailable woman started to change into still a strong woman, but a woman with her heart at the right place, and no longer afraid to show it.
I found this a story with sad moments, yes, but also with so many beautiful moments. It shows the hardships of life but it also shows that it is possible to change your course and that fear is only holding you back. And that with the right people by your side, it is possible to reach that happiness that seemed so impossible to achieve in the past.
July 13, 2021
Another well written story by Rachel Brimble this book being a sequel to A Widows Vow. This book carries on with the story of the ladies running a brothel in Victorian Bath. In the first book we had Louisa's story. This book is the story of Nancy Bloom another one of the inhabitants of the house, she is one feisty lady. This book held my interest all the way through. Now I look forward to the other lady in the house Octavia.
March 21, 2021
"Despite his cool tone his Edmund, unease knotted Francis's stomach. The last thing he needed was his servants discussing his associating with a prostitute. Clearly, Edmund knew the house to be a brother consider his scathing comments. Unless it was a case of Edmund protesting too much? Well, Edmund could mind his own business as much as anyone else who felt inclined to judge. After all, Francis knew better than most what they had to [do] in order to survive. Neither he nor Edmund knew Nancy, Louisa or Octavia, which meant neither of them were in a position to judge their way of living."
If you're cool with this sort of declarative, telling-not-showing writing, then maybe you'll like "Trouble for the Leading Lady." I didn't mind the coincidences, and I could have abided the two-dimensional characters, but the plodding prose was just too much for me. I love me some saucy historical fiction, but only when it's well written. ("Playing the Jack" and "The Oracle Glass" are two of my all-time favorite novels.) The barely workmanlike writing here wore me down.
Thank you, NetGalley and Aria, for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
If you're cool with this sort of declarative, telling-not-showing writing, then maybe you'll like "Trouble for the Leading Lady." I didn't mind the coincidences, and I could have abided the two-dimensional characters, but the plodding prose was just too much for me. I love me some saucy historical fiction, but only when it's well written. ("Playing the Jack" and "The Oracle Glass" are two of my all-time favorite novels.) The barely workmanlike writing here wore me down.
Thank you, NetGalley and Aria, for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 20, 2021
Book 2 of the series, this story feels much heavier than its predecessor. The characters have so much traumatic baggage that it’s difficult for me to identify with them, and that’s something I hope to do with any book I read. I liked the story, I liked seeing the characters struggle to grow and develop, but I still felt weighed down after I finished reading. I can’t even imagine what’s in store for Octavia in book 3.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
March 3, 2021
2 stars
As an lover of the theatre and of historical fiction, I figured that Trouble for the Leading Lady would be a great choice to kick off my March reading. Unfortunately, I finished this book feeling incredibly disappointed and even a little angry.
Our lead female Nancy is a sex worker who has dreams of the stage while our lead male Francis is a theatre manager and playwright who wants to turn his childhood trauma of living in a workhouse into a play. When they meet one night at a local pub, Francis sees the woman who can make his play a sensation and Nancy sees the man who can make her dreams come true. Seems simple enough, right?
Wrong. Despite this promising introduction, the story quickly devolves into 200 pages of both leads arguing over the same few issues before the conveniently wrapped up ending. The few love scenes that occur happen off the page, which leaves the development of the romance feeling very unnatural and stiff. Secondary characters behave in ways that completely go against their established traits without any motivation or explanation. For as much as the theatre is a central part of the book, there are very few scenes that actually involve it. We don't even get to see the play that the entire book hinges on! Ultimately, it just felt like this book was trying to accomplish too many things at one time to the detriment of the entire thing.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley and Aria and Aries. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
As an lover of the theatre and of historical fiction, I figured that Trouble for the Leading Lady would be a great choice to kick off my March reading. Unfortunately, I finished this book feeling incredibly disappointed and even a little angry.
Our lead female Nancy is a sex worker who has dreams of the stage while our lead male Francis is a theatre manager and playwright who wants to turn his childhood trauma of living in a workhouse into a play. When they meet one night at a local pub, Francis sees the woman who can make his play a sensation and Nancy sees the man who can make her dreams come true. Seems simple enough, right?
Wrong. Despite this promising introduction, the story quickly devolves into 200 pages of both leads arguing over the same few issues before the conveniently wrapped up ending. The few love scenes that occur happen off the page, which leaves the development of the romance feeling very unnatural and stiff. Secondary characters behave in ways that completely go against their established traits without any motivation or explanation. For as much as the theatre is a central part of the book, there are very few scenes that actually involve it. We don't even get to see the play that the entire book hinges on! Ultimately, it just felt like this book was trying to accomplish too many things at one time to the detriment of the entire thing.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley and Aria and Aries. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
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