Book Review: More Than Fair

     Bethany Publishers supplied a complimentary copy of The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen in exchange for an honest review.  Miss Margaret Macy born into privelege finds herself in circumstances that confound all of her senses at first.  She leaves home with her former maid to escape an unsavory suitor who is only after her imminent, coming-of-age inheritance, with her.  As fate would determine, Miss Macy landed herself a job as maid as a former love interest's estate.  It is at Fairbourne Hall the reader watches her become a woman of honesty and virtue.
     Set in the 1800s The Maid of Fairbourne Hall is an exemplary work of historic fiction at its best.  Ms. Klassen obviously researched and pored over many resources to have such a fine understanding and handling of the intricacies of the decorum of the age. I was fascinated almost immediately as I dove into this book. 
     It reminded me a bit of Pride and Prejudice as I read. The character development of Miss Macy enraptured my attention throughout the book.  First, you are introduced to Miss Macy as a girl who knows her place in society and intends to keep it that way.  Then you make your way through the 410 pages and find here ego meeting her match in Fiona and humbling herself before her heart's desire, Nathaniel Upchurch, as a maid.
     This book captivates the imagination with mystery, love, deceit and misconceptions. Under the guise of Nora Garrett, Miss Margaret Macy begins to see the world from the eyes of the working class.  It is when she realizes that she rarely ever paid attention to her former servants, Miss Macy begins to see the prejudice harboring in her heart.  It's in this setting the reader can pose the question to herself: What prejudices do I carry? It seems we all can relate to that.  Misperceptions and adversity plague our society.  Ms. Klassen points this out in other characters as well.
     I hope you can gather I more than appreciated The Maid of Fairbourne Hall.  Despite the gap in time and even the distance in setting, this book can speak to many women at a deeper level than one would first presume.  It is a love story.  It is a mystery.  But, most of all, it is an enlightening, engaging, inviting book that begs to make one ponder their own place and prejudice.  Best of all, it can hope one's heart to others.