Eighteen-year-old Stella Sedgwick is a lost cause. While 1860s England offers little opportunity beyond marriage for a sharp-tongued, dark-skinned housekeepers daughter, Stella dreams of a writing career and independence.
When her late mothers former employerthe wealthy Thomas Fitzroysummons Stella to London, he bequeaths her one of the familys great estates on his deathbed. But such an inheritance will precipitate a legal battle, one that would be much easier if Stella were married. Suddenly thrust into lily-white London society with the goal of finding a husband, Stella also reunites with the Fitzroy heir Nathaniel, her childhood best friend, now somewhat of a stranger.
But even though she doesnt want a husband, London presents other opportunities, like picking up her mothers old advice column, where Fiona Flippant anonymously guided readers through upper-class perils. It turns out the dresses and balls arent so bad, though the stares and insults sometimes feel impossible to navigate. Things only grow more complicated with the attention of handsome suitors and Stellas increasingly tempestuous relationship with Nathaniel. As new opportunities arise and old secrets are uncovered, Stella must decide when to play by the rules, when to break them, and when to let herself follow her heart.
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
When her late mothers former employerthe wealthy Thomas Fitzroysummons Stella to London, he bequeaths her one of the familys great estates on his deathbed. But such an inheritance will precipitate a legal battle, one that would be much easier if Stella were married. Suddenly thrust into lily-white London society with the goal of finding a husband, Stella also reunites with the Fitzroy heir Nathaniel, her childhood best friend, now somewhat of a stranger.
But even though she doesnt want a husband, London presents other opportunities, like picking up her mothers old advice column, where Fiona Flippant anonymously guided readers through upper-class perils. It turns out the dresses and balls arent so bad, though the stares and insults sometimes feel impossible to navigate. Things only grow more complicated with the attention of handsome suitors and Stellas increasingly tempestuous relationship with Nathaniel. As new opportunities arise and old secrets are uncovered, Stella must decide when to play by the rules, when to break them, and when to let herself follow her heart.
Genre: Young Adult Fiction