A Modest Independence

I listened to the first book of this series, "The Matrimonial Advertisement", narrated by Justine Eyre, and enjoyed it so much that I started the second book, A Modest Independence, right away. Unfortunately, the narrator had changed and the second book was narrated by Alex Wyndham. Although I tried, I couldn't warm up to his narration. His reading is so monotonous and he makes the characters sound as if they were fearful and anxious all the time. This angered me because from the first book I knew that they were not like that at all, so the narration characterized them in a different way than the actual words present them. The whole story seemed depressing now. Because of that, I switched to the ebook after listening for about two hours show more in total. I was much happier with that, although I must add that it was harder for me to tolerate the cheesier bits of the story when reading the written word. I was also more critical of the language, probably because I was actually concentrating on it now as opposed to just listening while doing housework.

I like the concept of this series, which is one of the reasons that made me want to continue. The orphans are four men who grew up in an orphanage in Devon as a tight knit group of friends. Each book of the series concentrates on a different man, while the others make appearances as well and there is a storyline running through all of the books (as far as I can judge after finishing half of the series).
The main characters of "A Modest Independence" are Tom Finchley, a London solicitor, and Jenny Holloway. Jenny appears in the first book because she was Lady Helena's companion. After Lady Helena married Justin Thornhill, she bequeathed a considerable sum to Jenny so that she does not have to work as a companion anymore. Although she is not terribly rich, she can afford to lead a better and independent life now. She decides to travel to India, both to have an adventure and find her own footing, and also to search for Lady Helena's brother who was pronounced dead after a gruesome battle. Because Tom was appointed to manage Jenny's financial affairs, she has to seek his council first.
I did enjoy this story because I loved the characters and Jenny is a character I can really identify with in her fight for emotional and financial independence. Like the first book of the series, this one was painstakingly researched. You can notice it throughout the book and there is an appendix vouching for it as well. I think the author succeeded in finding a balance between portraying colonial India without surrendering to racist terms and inappropriate imagery on the one hand and drawing a world that is too modern and too unrealistic on the other hand.
Unfortunately, the back and forth between Tom and Jenny became a bit too prolonged and was a little boring after some time. The story rambled on a bit because of that. I think the search for Helena's brother could have been developed in a more interesting way, too. The language appeared too modern in some instances, especially when it came to the dialogues.
Nevertheless, I still enjoyed it and look forward to continuing with the series and reading other works of this author, too. show less

I listened to the first book of this series, "The Matrimonial Advertisement", narrated by Justine Eyre, and enjoyed it so much that I started the second book, A Modest Independence, right away. Unfortunately, the narrator had changed and the second book was narrated by Alex Wyndham. Although I tried, I couldn't warm up to his narration. His reading is so monotonous and he makes the characters sound as if they were fearful and anxious all the time. This angered me because from the first book I knew that they were not like that at all, so the narration characterized them in a different way than the actual words present them. The whole story seemed depressing now. Because of that, I switched to the ebook after listening for about two hours show more in total. I was much happier with that, although I must add that it was harder for me to tolerate the cheesier bits of the story when reading the written word. I was also more critical of the language, probably because I was actually concentrating on it now as opposed to just listening while doing housework.

I like the concept of this series, which is one of the reasons that made me want to continue. The orphans are four men who grew up in an orphanage in Devon as a tight knit group of friends. Each book of the series concentrates on a different man, while the others make appearances as well and there is a storyline running through all of the books (as far as I can judge after finishing half of the series).
The main characters of "A Modest Independence" are Tom Finchley, a London solicitor, and Jenny Holloway. Jenny appears in the first book because she was Lady Helena's companion. After Lady Helena married Justin Thornhill, she bequeathed a considerable sum to Jenny so that she does not have to work as a companion anymore. Although she is not terribly rich, she can afford to lead a better and independent life now. She decides to travel to India, both to have an adventure and find her own footing, and also to search for Lady Helena's brother who was pronounced dead after a gruesome battle. Because Tom was appointed to manage Jenny's financial affairs, she has to seek his council first.
I did enjoy this story because I loved the characters and Jenny is a character I can really identify with in her fight for emotional and financial independence. Like the first book of the series, this one was painstakingly researched. You can notice it throughout the book and there is an appendix vouching for it as well. I think the author succeeded in finding a balance between portraying colonial India without surrendering to racist terms and inappropriate imagery on the one hand and drawing a world that is too modern and too unrealistic on the other hand.
Unfortunately, the back and forth between Tom and Jenny became a bit too prolonged and was a little boring after some time. The story rambled on a bit because of that. I think the search for Helena's brother could have been developed in a more interesting way, too. The language appeared too modern in some instances, especially when it came to the dialogues.
Nevertheless, I still enjoyed it and look forward to continuing with the series and reading other works of this author, too. show less

If Jenny and Tom lived in the 21st century they’d set their Facebook relationship status to ‘it’s complicated’. Somewhere around the first chapter.

For Jenny her newly acquired freedom and independence mean everything and she is not ready to give it all up for a man. She is craving adventure and wants to travel the world. Tom likes stability and his job in London. He doesn’t wish to marry either, but…

This was sizzling! Packed with mutual pining, stolen kisses and the general air of “we shouldn’t”. I liked it but it got repetitive at some point and the romance started dragging. Luckily there was an element of adventure and sort of a mystery so it was still enjoyable.

I’m impressed by the epilogue! It wasn’t explicit, show more but enough for your granny to clutch her pearls. show less

Formerly a lady's companion, Jenny Holloway has had some money settled upon her, and she wants to indulge her desire for travel and independence. Her plan is to go to India and find out what really happened to the Sixth Earl of Castleton. Her solicitor and former friend (there was a quarrel) Tom Finchley is determined not to let her go alone, but traveling together can draw people close -- or drive them apart.

I feel like this book is perhaps closer to the author's heart than some of her others. Jenny and Tom are frequently recurring figures in her other books. I enjoyed this book more than the first book in its series, though the characters' behavior at some points stretches historical credulity. Still, I'd recommend this series as well show more as the Belles of London to readers who enjoy historical romance that's not all ballrooms and carriage rides. show less

Such a passionate love story. From England to India, Tom Finchley is such a dear. Protective, capable and loyal, yes, but also amorous, doting, and sweetly soft-hearted.

This is the story of two people set on very different futures, developed by the experiences of their past. They suffer the overwhelming “pangs of longing” for one another in an emotional story so well written the reader feels their anguish. Grasping for any private time together (yes, some propriety goes out the window), there are some rather spicy kissing scenes. However, Tom is a gentleman and doesn’t cross the line, thus, this novel maintains the chaste but passionate Mimi Matthews writing style that I have come to trust. And I thank her for that.

This book can show more be read as a standalone, but you really don’t want to miss what happened in book 1!

The audiobook by Alex Wyndham is exceptional. He is one male narrator that performs believable female voices. show less

A Modest Independence- Matthews
4 stars

This is the second book in Matthews’ Parish Orphans series. The first book ends with Justin Thornhill (orphan #1) happily settled in marriage to the aristocratic Helen Reynolds. This book is devoted to the adventures of Helen’s former companion, Jenny Holloway, and Tom Finchley (orphan # 2). A previously poor, spinster, Jenny has been given a ‘modest independence’ by the grateful Helen. She looks forward to financial and personal freedom for the first time in her life. The only obstacle; she must apply to her solicitor, Tom Finchley, to release the funds.

This is a book for anyone interested in the Victorian British Empire. Jenny combines a mission to find the missing Earl of Castleton show more (Helena’s brother) with her own desire to see the world. She takes her Bradshaw and heads off to India… with Tom Finchley as her uninvited, but stalwart, protector. The result is a great deal of sexual frustration for two people struggling with personal demons and societal restrictions.

It is a chick lit romance, and I enjoyed the predictable outcome for the happy couple. I also enjoyed the historical details. Jenny has a very real dilemma. A married Victorian woman had no legal freedoms. She was effectively the property of her husband. An unmarried woman of good character cannot engage in a sexual liaison. Her difficulties are not oversimplified. In fact, it takes her a tediously long time, and thousands of miles, to make up her mind. Along the way there are great details about 19th century travel arrangements, life with the British Raj, and in a small side plot, a bit of a spin on Dickens’ Jarndyce and Jarndyce. show less

A Modest Independence by Mimi Matthews
Parish Orphans of Devon #2

Okay...okay...not sure what to say...yes...that is what I am thinking as I write this review. I was eager to read this book because the first book in the series really made an impact...there was a woman in need and a man who had need(s) and they figured out how to meet those needs...and the story is so much more than that and left me eager to read this book because...I wanted to know…what a woman would do when given money that would change her life, give her independence and allow her to purchase more than she had ever thought possible. I liked the male and female leads in this book and REALLY wanted to see how they would find their HEA. They were both older and she was a show more spinster at 28 to his 33. And yet, many times they seemed so much younger than their true years...And… I kept wanting to be there and tell them that propriety and rigidity might better be left behind.

In reading this book I also learned that:
* What one lives and learns while growing up will impact your life
* Sometimes it is easier to believe what you think is true rather than following what you believe/know is true
* Sometimes...well...sometimes...the stuffy historical rigid confines of the past really screw up the characters I am reading about now.
* Women were really without much say over their lives when this book took place and because of this they needed to be wise to the ways of men and laws and such BUT they also had to be wise enough to see that not all men are going to take advantage of the women in their lives.
* Sometimes what one foresees as the best way to live may need some tweaking or be reevaluated.
* A leap of faith and really listening to what your gut is telling you SHOULD be listened to.

And after all of that…this is a book that left me believing it was more of a travelogue with a nuance of romance than a typical romance. It has a historical setting, a male and female lead, a journey, a quest and an eventual happy ending BUT...it could have been more. For me it was a journey more romance...a historical journey that focused on the author’s interest in the time period and locations rather than… a ROMANCE.

That said...I DEFINITELY want to find out what happened to Archer (where is he) AND hope that the man, once a boy, who FELL and suffered head trauma will also find a HEA. I mean...four young boys left in a horrific situation now able to help one another ALL deserve a HEA of their own.

Thank you to NetGally and Perfectly Proper Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars show less