FASHION'S LADY

Author: Sandra Wilson ISBN: 9780709083122 9/2007 HISTORICAL Publisher: ROBERT HALE LTD.
Time Period: Regency

Impoverished Susannah Garland is in love with her dashing cousin, Miles Devereux. Fearing for her life at the hands of her ruthless uncle, she flees when Miles is forced to marry into money. Her skill as a dressmaker is all she has, and she is employed by London's foremost house of fashion, where her brilliant designs are soon noticed. Then chance flings her into Miles' arms again, and this time he wants to set her up... as his mistress. But she also encounters dangerously attractive Sir Jeffrey Stratton, who despises the Devereux family. Susannah's heart quickens when he too proposes to set her up... but he doesn't offer the love she yearns for. Instead he will finance Miss Garland's New House of Fashion...

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

This was quite an interesting read for me. Sandra Wilson has produced a historical fiction novel that could almost be classified as Literary fiction.

Susannah Garland is poor and, to make matters worse, she is in love with her cousin, Miles. Miles is forced to marry into a family with money. So, Susannah, fearing for her life, flees the area. Susannah has only one skill—the ability to produce beautiful dresses. She finds employment at London's most premiere dressmaking shop and, even more amazing, Susannah's designs are gaining in popularity.

Chance throws Susannah back into Miles' arms again and he wants to set her up... as his mistress. Then Susannah stumbles upon Sir Jeffrey Stratton who hates everything the Devereaux family stands for. However, Jeffrey also has a proposal for her, just not the one she was hoping for. He will set her up in "Miss Garland's New House of Fashion". Will Susannah ever find the love and belonging she has been looking for?

I felt like I was reading a story fresh out of one of my college's British Literature books. The story was good—not outstanding, but easy to follow and somewhat predictable. It's easy to feel sorry for Susannah as the underdog, but amazing to watch as she grows a backbone in the story. Overall this was just an average read, as nothing in the story or characters stood out and said REMEMBER ME! FASHION'S LADY something I would recommend for a British Literature Reading Class, but not something I would enjoy in my own spare time.

Kym Oetting