Review: & Giveaway: A Girl Called Foote by A.E. Walnofer

A Girl Called Foote by A.E. Walnofer

Publication Date: May 13, 2015

eBook & Paperback; 390 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction

Young Jonathan Clyde causes mischief for everyone at Whitehall, the stately home of his privileged ancestors. As he matures, however, he comes to despise the vanity and conceit surrounding him.

Misfortune requires Lydia Smythe, an exceptionally clever farmer’s daughter, to seek employment at Whitehall. As a parlor maid, she feels stifled and harried by those over her. Still, she refuses to relinquish her independent mind and spirit.

From the moment Jonathan catches Lydia reading the books she is supposed to be dusting, he is intrigued by this unusual servant. Thus begins a clandestine relationship that is simultaneously amusing, confusing and enlightening. Just as it is evolving into something neither of them expected, an unforeseen truth comes to light, and the two wonder if their unconventional bond will be forever lost.

Set in England in the mid-eighteen hundreds, A Girl Called Foote is the coming-of-age story of two similarly impressive people leading very different lives.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Wow, I was not expecting this book to blow me away like it did! I love it when that happens.

I was immediately drawn to the simple yet alluring cover and the unique title. I thought to myself, why in the world would a girl be called Foote? Ha! You'll be tickled when you figure out why she was called that though. If I wasn't already intrigued by the title and cover then I was definitely hooked once I read the opening scene. It was hilarious!

The book starts off with Jonathan living in Whitehall. At a young age, he becomes heir to the estate after his Father and older brother die tragically. He is sent to school abroad but returns home when he becomes of age.

Lydia Smythe is a clever young girl living with her family on their farm. When her father passes her mother suggests she moves away from the farm and her alcoholic, abusive brother, to work in service. She gets her first job at Whitehall and moves there. She is a lover of books and could read at a young age. When Jonathan finds her reading books in their library he is intrigued by her.

I could not love the two main protagonists more and watching them become close and fall in love was really well written. I loved the notes and repertoire they had together. Lydia is kind and smart and not afraid to speak her mind, and while Jonathan is of a higher station in life he's not pretentious or rude.

In addition to Lydia and Jonathan, there are many secondary characters that will charm you - Ploughman, Wells, Sophie, Mr, Farington and especially Elliott! I really enjoyed the upstairs/downstairs aspect in the book - reminded me a bit of Downton Abbey where we get a peek of the lives of the servants.

I also loved that the book was told by multiple POVs - it felt like I got to know the players better and provided more of a rounded picture. It's obvious that the author has a fantastic sense of humor because there is a lot of witty dialogue in the book, and some laugh out loud moments. I loved everything about this book! You definitely should pick this up and escape into a good book this weekend!

About the Author

A.E. Walnofer spends weekdays mobilizing the soft tissue and synovial joints of patients, and weekends typing out stories that are incessantly brewing inside her head. There are lots of these tales and she hopes to share many more of them with you in the future.

Website | Goodreads

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, May 4
Review at YA, It's Lit
Review at Probably at the Library

Tuesday, May 5
Review at Gwendalyn's Books

Wednesday, May 6
Review at Nursebookie
Feature at What Is That Book About

Thursday, May 7
Feature at Books In Their Natural Habitat

Friday, May 8
Review at Momfluenster
Review at Passages to the Past

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour, we are giving away two eBooks of A Girl Called Foote! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on May 8th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Paperback giveaway is open to the US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.

A Girl Called Foote