Born of Persuasion by Jessica Dotta

Book blurb:

The year is 1838, and seventeen-year-old Julia Elliston’s position has never been more fragile. Orphaned and unmarried in a time when women are legal property of their fathers, husbands, and guardians, she finds herself at the mercy of an anonymous guardian who plans to establish her as a servant in far-off Scotland.

With two months to devise a better plan, Julia’s first choice to marry her childhood sweetheart is denied. But when a titled dowager offers to introduce Julia into society, a realm of possibilities opens. However, treachery and deception are as much a part of Victorian society as titles and decorum, and Julia quickly discovers her present is deeply entangled with her mother’s mysterious past. Before she knows what’s happening, Julia finds herself a pawn in a deadly game between two of the country’s most powerful men. With no laws to protect her, she must unravel the secrets on her own. But sometimes truth is elusive and knowledge is deadly.

I liked this book, I really did, but the problem with series is that they sometimes end at awful times, such as this book. But that is the end and I'll start at the beginning.

The book is set in 1838, where women in society were considered property. Finding herself in a desperate situation at 17, Julia is easily manipulated. The mystery that surrounds Mr. Macy, a man who ends up her husband, was fun to read, and I wish I had all the books to finish the story at one sitting. People in Victorian society were easily judged, and I found reading this book (and others in this time period) not so forgiving of others.

Julia never speaks up or voices her opinion. She practically goes along with whatever she is told. It may sound frustrating now, but in the early 1800s, what was a girl to do in her situation: not much else. The story is a Gothic romance, and Dotta's writing style flows easily from scene to scene. Her descriptions of what life was like back then was great. I enjoyed the many layers that she writes about, and I will look for the other books as they come out.

Book Information:

• Born of Persuasion (Price of Privilege) by Jessica Dotta
• Tyndale; 2013
• ISBN13: 9781414375557
• Paperback; 435 pages.

Disclosure: This book was provided by the publisher and any opinions are my own.