HIS LADY IN HIDING by Jen Geigle Johnson

HIS LADY IN HIDING by Jen Geigle Johnson. What a fascinating read. It is set in the time after the Civil War and very clearly showed the struggle not only for freed slaves but for the Americans with the title English migrating to the United States. It was fascinating to me to see those differences and remember that racial and class struggles have been around for a really long time. I loved Lady Elizabeth and how she grew as a person and how Lord Barton complimented that growth in every way. I love seeing characters grow for the better and overcome obstacles. And, of course, the romantic aspect fit very nicely into the story. I would highly recommend it to any and everyone.

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Lady Elizabeth Davenport is desperate. Her hand in marriage has been offered to the highest bidder, a distressing proposition in and of itself but made all the more repulsive when she meets her father's first choice for her hand: Lord Pinweather. When her parents refuse to hear her pleas Liz is forced to take drastic measures—she will impersonate her maid and begin anew in America on her own terms.

Once Liz is on board the ship to America, another passenger, Lord Barton, almost immediately discovers her true status as a noble. After listening to Liz's highly modified version of her life and her plans to begin again, Barton has compassion on her and teaches her how to abandon her noble mannerisms. Upon Disembarking, however, Barton's generous spirit quickly dampens when he discovers Liz has indeed found work—as his own head housekeeper. Suddenly, the tender feelings they hid from each other on the ship are inescapable, but their difference in station makes romance impossible. As misunderstandings abound and a shocking character from Liz's past looms, she knows she can't hide her true identity forever. But as her deception begins to unravel, will her charade cost her the man she loves?