What do you think?
Rate this book
Born To Blush
A childhood friendship years later turns to love. The time in between has created an obstacle that, if discovered, threatens to tear them apart. A child in a Victorian Workhouse befriends a boy when she's detailed to work in his wealthy family's garden. She's sent far away to work in service at the age of twelve to stop her reporting the Master for pocketing the money received from hiring out the inmates for work. Years later, working as a lady's maid, she's falsely accused of stealing a pair of diamond earrings when her employer dies and she refuses the amorous advances of the widower on the night of the funeral. Sentenced to seven years transportation to Australia, she escapes in the harbour before the ship sets sail. Under a false name she manages to gain employment in service. The boy who befriended her is now an officer in the British Army and due to inherit the family fortune. They meet again by accident. Love replaces friendship. All will be lost if he and she can't keep her identity secret; she will be sent to Australia in chains. This is a story of the kindness of strangers and the evil of some of those in authority as our heroine struggles through Victorian hypocrisy.
169 pages, Paperback
Published May 2, 2020
About the author
Fran Connor
29 books212 followersI live in SW France for the lifestyle after a career in
the UK. I have seven published novels.
the UK. I have seven published novels.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 20, 2020
Strange, Cliched Story
This is just an odd story. It felt too cliched; everything bad that you could imagine happening to this little girl at a Victorian workhouse and then a young woman in service happened. But the way the author wrote it was almost detached, with no sort of emotion at all, more like he was telling it, rather than showing it. Going through the motions of the story without telling us the story. The dialogue, too, did not feel realistic whatsoever. People rarely talk in platitudes or generalities, but this story was plagued by them. I wonder, too, at orphaned children being in a workhouse. My understanding of workhouses is that children would be there with their parent(s), but with neither parent in the picture (one dead and one with no interest in them), wouldn't they have been sent to an orphanage? They are eight and ten when the book starts, our heroine and her brother. This book did have problems with grammar, punctuation, and usage; I checked to see that these were still in the published edition, and they were. The book is truly strange, at least to me, and therefore I do not feel like I can recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
This is just an odd story. It felt too cliched; everything bad that you could imagine happening to this little girl at a Victorian workhouse and then a young woman in service happened. But the way the author wrote it was almost detached, with no sort of emotion at all, more like he was telling it, rather than showing it. Going through the motions of the story without telling us the story. The dialogue, too, did not feel realistic whatsoever. People rarely talk in platitudes or generalities, but this story was plagued by them. I wonder, too, at orphaned children being in a workhouse. My understanding of workhouses is that children would be there with their parent(s), but with neither parent in the picture (one dead and one with no interest in them), wouldn't they have been sent to an orphanage? They are eight and ten when the book starts, our heroine and her brother. This book did have problems with grammar, punctuation, and usage; I checked to see that these were still in the published edition, and they were. The book is truly strange, at least to me, and therefore I do not feel like I can recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
July 21, 2020
This sweet, clean historical fiction novel is perfect for ages teen to older readers.
Born to Blush covers the Victorian era, where children were considered commodities. Orphans were sent to workhouses, where they were nearly starved, often beaten, given no consideration for their health or age. This was the cause of many unfortunate deaths during this time. It was a rarity for a child to escape with their life.
This is the story of Mary, who did just that. Many good Samaritans befriend her along the way that saves her from the typical adversities a pretty young maid encounters. It’s the story of friendship, yearning, and lost love reunited.
If happily-ever-after and fates aligning to advance the story make you cringe, then seriously, why are you reading a historical romance novel? This story takes full advantage of the lovely genre of victorian-age romance novels. I’m sure that’s why you picked this book up, and you won’t be disappointed. Born to Blush is a quick read that will leave you smiling at the end. Honor and goodness always win over evil in a story like this. Sometimes that is just what you need for a break from everyday life.
Overall, this is an excellent book that I recommend to lovers of historical fiction, romance, and happily ever after stories.
Born to Blush covers the Victorian era, where children were considered commodities. Orphans were sent to workhouses, where they were nearly starved, often beaten, given no consideration for their health or age. This was the cause of many unfortunate deaths during this time. It was a rarity for a child to escape with their life.
This is the story of Mary, who did just that. Many good Samaritans befriend her along the way that saves her from the typical adversities a pretty young maid encounters. It’s the story of friendship, yearning, and lost love reunited.
If happily-ever-after and fates aligning to advance the story make you cringe, then seriously, why are you reading a historical romance novel? This story takes full advantage of the lovely genre of victorian-age romance novels. I’m sure that’s why you picked this book up, and you won’t be disappointed. Born to Blush is a quick read that will leave you smiling at the end. Honor and goodness always win over evil in a story like this. Sometimes that is just what you need for a break from everyday life.
Overall, this is an excellent book that I recommend to lovers of historical fiction, romance, and happily ever after stories.
May 28, 2020
From a workhouse to a loving home?
George and Mary’s life had never been easy living in a workhouse that is not really better than a prison. George stilled believed that his father would come back for them but Mary knew better. During this time Mary meets Johnny and the poor girl and the rich lad become friends. It is one thing after another for Mary something good happens then something bad. The book follows Mary’s life and it is a powerful tale. The author has done an excellent job showing what life was like for a poor workhouse child. The book was excellent with interesting characters some you will love and others you will hate. This first-class tale really is a must-read I highly recommend it.
George and Mary’s life had never been easy living in a workhouse that is not really better than a prison. George stilled believed that his father would come back for them but Mary knew better. During this time Mary meets Johnny and the poor girl and the rich lad become friends. It is one thing after another for Mary something good happens then something bad. The book follows Mary’s life and it is a powerful tale. The author has done an excellent job showing what life was like for a poor workhouse child. The book was excellent with interesting characters some you will love and others you will hate. This first-class tale really is a must-read I highly recommend it.
November 6, 2021
Pleasant read!
Enjoyed this book and the story was quite unusual. Very easy and interesting to read would definitely recommend as story!
Enjoyed this book and the story was quite unusual. Very easy and interesting to read would definitely recommend as story!
April 24, 2026
The best read ever.
What an amazing story I just couldn’t put it down, I can’t praise it enough, I hope there will be more stories like this in the future.
What an amazing story I just couldn’t put it down, I can’t praise it enough, I hope there will be more stories like this in the future.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews