Review: Dressing the Countess by Rachel Brimble

Today, I'm delighted to welcome back my dear author friend, Rachel Brimble. I'm sharing my review of her fabulous new release, Dressing the Countess – a delightful Victorian romance. Have a look!

Dressing the Countess is currently on blog tour with Rachel's Random Resources. Look out for other fabulous posts on tour!

 

Dressing the Countess

Rachel Brimble

One crucial assignment changes the life of young seamstress Rose Watson dramatically. The lady who ordered an exquisite gown, but left much to Rose's vivid imagination, is thrilled with the result. But Rose works in her parent's shop, and feels they stifle her creativity. She wants change; they want solid continuity. 

So when Mrs Haywood – the woman who ordered the beautiful gown – reveals herself as dresser to the Countess of Bath, telling her the lady is delighted with Rose's creation, Rose is full of hope. But her parents, particularly her mother, dash her hopes. She should much rather stay away from the upper classes.

When she is invited to tea with the countess, and receives a job offer too good to miss, a row with her parents ensues, which reveals a secret they kept from her about her dead brother. Still undeterred, Rose insists, and her parents give in.

Henry Ward, the young saddler employed by the Earl of Bath, who brought her the letter from Mrs Haywood, intrigues her. Handsome, with a confidence reminiscent of her brother, they become friends. Ignoring the flutter in her heart, she is gutted when his behaviour gets out of control. Just like her brother...

Rose's job involves creating gowns for the countess, and assisting Mrs Haywood with the daily chores. But it doesn't stop her from checking on Henry. 

Henry himself dreams of leaving London to train horses in America. But that costs money, so he goes about the gambling halls at night to try raise the amount needed for a ticket to cross the Atlantic, and for accommodation. But like all gamblers, he wins some and loses some. Over time, his desperation grows, and his behaviour not only threatens his own current job, but he also pulls Rose down with him.

Can Rose save Henry from himself – and her dream job at the same time? Find out in the book!

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Dressing the Countess is a delightful Victorian romance with slightly darker undercurrents. 

Rose is a wonderful character – determined, creative, but also sweet and a little naïve. When her incredible talent is recognised by nobility, her confidence grows, but her soft spot for Henry is a threat to her big dream.

As for Henry, like his Uncle Charles, I just wanted to shake him at times. He is stubborn to the point of dangerous, refusing to realise that his behaviour every night not only puts him into danger, but also threatens his way of raising money through his work as a saddler for the earl. His lofty dreams dangle in front of his nose like a carrot, and he keeps pushing deeper and deeper into trouble, as he doesn't manage to earn enough to make his dream a reality.

Rose and Henry make for an intriguing couple. Both have ambitions beyond their station, which, in Victorian England, were not easy to achieve. And whilst Rose's star is rising, Henry's troubles grow. 

Henry's learning curve is definitely the steeper one, but Rose also has issues that she deals with remarkably well.

The Victorian setting is exquisite, and Ms Brimble's extensive knowledge of the era ensures that we catch a real glimpse at life in those times. From imposing manor houses to the dirty back alleys with raucous pubs and gambling dens, we gain a real sense of location. We also learn that inside the glamorous world of smiling nobility, there may lie personal unhappiness and deceit. Adultery was rife, and quite accepted – on the male side, of course. The author shows us those attitudes as they existed, which adds a gritty sense of fatalism.

Dressing the Countess is not only a fabulous historical romance – it is also a tale of talent and ambition, of wanting more of your life and taking chances when they offer themselves, but also of reality and adjustment where required. 

Ms Brimble's wonderful novels are never dull, as she infuses them with intriguing themes with a darker edge. So, not surprisingly, this story is a delight to read.

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Blurb:

Fans of Kristy Cambron, Stephanie Dray, and Julia Quinn will adore this Victorian romance from historical fiction dynamo, Rachel Brimble.

 

Seamstress Rose Watson cannot believe her good fortune when she’s plucked from obscurity to work for Lady Christina, the Countess of Bath. Despite her parents’ distrust that the position will come with conditions, Rose accepts the unexpected offer.

 

When she arrives at the royal residence of Henlow House, a strange sense of destiny whispers through her, and Rose cannot wait for this new adventure to begin. Although, she has Henry Ward to deal with, the handsome, risk-taking and—though she is loath to admit it—exciting royal saddler and horse trainer, who both fascinates and frustrates her in equal measure.

 

They could not be more different…with the exception of their hunger for more.

 

But as they begin to trust one another, and their bond flourishes, Rose’s connection with Henry could cause her to lose her position at Henlow House, which would destroy her. Will she be forced to choose between love and ambition? Either choice will change her life irrevocably.

 

A captivating escape that will touch your heart and keep you turning pages with impatient hope for Rose… 

 

Buy Links:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dressing-Countess-Sweeping-Captivating-Victorian-ebook/dp/B0CW1HFHB2

https://www.amazon.com/Dressing-Countess-Sweeping-Captivating-Victorian-ebook/dp/B0CW1HFHB2

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About the Author:

Rachel Brimble

Rachel lives with her husband, two adult daughters and beloved Labrador in a small town near Bath, England. She is the author of 30 novels and has been published by Harlequin Mills & Boon, Kensington Books and others. Her latest series includes the Ladies of Carson Street trilogy and the Shop Girl series, both published with Aria Fiction. She also has several single titles with The Wild Rose Press. Her debut novel with Harpeth Road Press, Dressing The Countess, was released  in May 2024.

 

 

Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and the Female Entrepreneur Association and has thousands of social media followers all over the world. She is also studying for a history degree with the Open University in her spare time…

 

Connect with Rachel:

Website: https://bit.ly/3wH7HQs

Twitter: https://bit.ly/3AQvK0A

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3i49GZ3

Instagram: https://bit.ly/3lTQZbF