Hi y’all!

I am thrilled to be sharing my review of Educating Elizabeth by Jennifer Moore. I love this series about a close group of friends all following their dreams in Victorian Era England. The characters are lovely, the romance is always fantastic, and the trailblazing ways they follow their dreams are innovative and fascinating. This novel is a lovely addition to this beautiful series.

This is a stand alone novel but I think reading the series in order gives you the best experience with the stories. See my other reviews in the series here:
Solving Sophronia
Inventing Vivian
Healing Hazel

I received a complimentary ARC from the author/publisher. All opinions are my own.
This book releases today, September 12, 2023!

Book Summary: “For years, Elizabeth Miller has dreamed of opening a school for underprivileged girls in London’s East End. But despite her best efforts, she soon discovers that the cost of running the fledgling school may spell disaster for the endeavor. In desperation she turns to the one man she’d rather not Lord Charles Chatsworth, a rich and carefree flirt whose scandalous reputation she despises. Charles is happy to donate to the school―but his offer is not without conditions. In exchange for his financial support, Elizabeth must tutor his relative in elocution. A bargain is struck, but neither anticipates the unexpected pull they feel toward each other. It is not until a journey to Charles’s country estate that Elizabeth truly begins to see the man behind the rakish reputation. Soon the couple finds themselves losing their fight against their growing attraction. But when Elizabeth discovers that her school is being sabotaged, she realizes her country romance may not withstand the scheming of the ton.”

I loved getting to know Elizabeth in this book. While we have seen her in each of the previous books, we haven’t get been able to hear her full history and reasons behind her dreams. It was a treat to get inside her head and learn about her. Elizabeth is fiery, determined, and a brilliant teacher. But she also is scared of failure, distrustful, and at times overbearing. I thought the contrasts were very well developed and gave us a compelling picture of her character. She always appears to be in control but really, she is as scared as everyone else. I appreciated that she learns from her mistakes and seeks to right wrongs like with Lord Lockhart. I appreciated her passion and dedication to her school. She is willing to work so hard to give these underprivileged girls an education. And I loved how the Blue Orchid Society was involved in the school. Best of all, when she is given opportunities to fall in love, she doesn’t just push love aside.

I really loved her slow burn romance with Charles. Theirs is such a satisfying relationship that begins almost as enemies-to-lovers and ends in beautiful romantic gestures. I enjoyed learning about his background and the burdens he carries as an earl. I loved his relationship with Alice and how much he wanted to do right by her. And I loved how Charles falls in love with Elizabeth and visa versa. They love each other for such beautiful reasons. Because she is passionate about her school. Because he takes care of his family. Because she stands up for causes she believes in. Because he does patronize her. Because they find the nest together on his country estate. Because they both care for Alice. Because she is unlike other women he knows. Because he allows her to be independent while also supporting her. I loved their first spontaneous kiss and the beautiful ways they support each other at various times of crisis. Such a lovely romance!

I enjoyed the focus on education for all classes in this novel and felt Jennifer shares the importance of education without lecturing readers. It was compelling to learn about the simple ways education can change the lives of girls from the working classes. I didn’t know that there had been laws made to allow boys to work different hours in the factories so they could go to school but not for girls initially. I loved seeing the students learn to read and how much they enjoyed the special lectures about science, birds, and medicine. It was surprising to read about a time when these types of educational experiences were new for girls. How lucky to live in a time when women can get all the education they desire! I also really enjoyed the clever ways Elizabeth works with her opposition to save the school. At first, she is angry and rude and upset. But then (with help from Charles) she is able to build a bridge and really communicate with her opponent. The solution they are able to reach is really quite lovely. A beautiful tribute to education and working together!

This is a fantastic addition to the Blue Orchid series. I loved getting to know new characters and learning more about education during this time period. As always, eager and excited to read the next (and I believe final) book.

What are your favorite historical romances?
Which are some of your favorite strong female protagonists?

Jennifer Moore is a passionate reader and writer of all things romance due to the need to balance the rest of her world that includes a perpetually traveling husband and four active sons, who create heaps of laundry that are anything but romantic. She suffers from an acute addiction to 18th and 19th century military history and literature. Jennifer has a B.A. in Linguistics from the University of Utah and is a Guitar Hero champion. She lives in northern Utah with her family, but most of the time wishes she was on board a frigate during the Age of Sail.

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