***Blog Tour & Review** The House in Quill Court by Charlotte Betts

**Blog Tour Stop**

The House in Quill Court by Charlotte Betts

I'm really thrilled to be part of this blog tour for this brilliant book.  It was a real pleasure to read.  For my stop of the tour I have a review.

Released: 25th August 2016

Publisher: Piatkus

Format: Digital ARC

Source: From Netgalley

Find at: Goodreads | Amazon UK | Waterstones

 
Many thanks to the Publisher & Netgalley for my copy, this is in exchange for an honest review

Synopsis:

 From the multi-award-winning author of The Apothecary's Daughter, The House in Quill Court is a gorgeously evocative Regency novel bursting with historical flavour and characters you won't forget. If you love Philippa Gregory and Joanne Harris, you will adore Charlotte Betts.

1813. Venetia Lovell lives by the sea in Kent with her pretty, frivolous mother and idle younger brother. Venetia's father, Theo, is an interior decorator to the rich and frequently travels away from home, leaving his sensible and artistic daughter to look after the family. Venetia designs paper hangings and she and her father often daydream about having an imaginary shop where they would display the highest quality furniture, fabrics and art to his clients.

When a handsome but antagonistic stranger, Jack Chamberlaine, arrives at the Lovell's cottage just before Christmas bringing terrible news, Venetia's world is turned upside-down and the family have no option but to move to London, to the House in Quill Court and begin a new life. Here, Venetia's courage and creativity are tested to breaking point, and she discovers a love far greater than she could have ever imagined . . .

My Review:

This book started off so well, it had me gripped from the word go.  The colourful scenery and the contrast in the characters was just breathtaking.

 I know very little about the regency era, but there is certainly a contrast between the classes.  The story follows several characters.  The two main ones were Venetia, who is a strong female lead.  Her life is tough, even in the decadent and rich surrounds.  I had a lot of respect for how this character when faced with enormous challenges, held her own.  It is very difficult for women of this age to stand up and be counted.  Venetia was a true, courageous and strong lady.

Then the other character which was featured heavily in this book was Kitty.  Kitty is a servant who is thrust out of the sleepy Kent village into the hustle and bustle of London.  With Kitty we get to experience the more darker and squalid side to London.  Showing that dangerous and murky side that the privileged Venetia doesn't get to experience.

I'm not hugely into interior design and could have possibly seen this as a hindrance to me enjoying the book, but the way the rich detail and decadence is woven into the story is really interesting.  I could almost see and touch the fabrics.

My only little criticism is that there was one plot twist which I had already guessed.  There was no oh my moment, which I really enjoy in a book.

I enjoyed the story and characters, the ending was a fast and exciting ride.

Yes I can whole heartily recommend this book and will definitely be looking out for more books by this author.  I do enjoy a good romantic, historical book. 

 Overall: Romance and history entwined in a fantastic book.

 My Thoughts on the Cover:  It's so lovely, the detail and that dress!  Just beautiful, I would be drawn to this cover.