A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I really wanted to love this one, but I just couldn’t connect with the characters. The story moved slowly, and all the details about apple varieties and orchard life just didn’t hold my interest. The writing is solid and the setting is lovely, but overall it didn’t quite work for me. 3 stars.

First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and author, Fiona McIntosh for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Fiona McIntosh is an internationally and million-copy bestselling author of novels for adults and children across several genres. Alongside her highly successful historical fiction titles, for which she has been nominated at the Australian Book Industry Awards for commercial fiction book of the year, her popular Detective Jack Hawksworth series will soon be released across the UK. Several of her historical titles as well as the 'world of Hawksworth' crime novels have been optioned for the screen.

Last month, I read Mary-Lou Stephens' The Jam Maker – which, by the way, if you haven't read, I can highly recommend – where, as part of that narrative, Stephens details the history of jam making in Tasmania during the late 1800's through to the early 1920s where apples are featured as a main ingredient. Imagine my surprise, as I started to read The Fallen Woman and realised that the humble apple also features heavily in this story. Call it - Luck? Fate? Or, happy co-incidence?

I don't mind either way, because I enjoyed this historical fiction tale by Fiona McIntosh immensely.

In an ancient orchard, a fallen woman rises to claim her destiny

Botanical artist, Jane Saville, is devastated when her manipulative mother banishes her to the countryside to protect someone else's honour. Isolated far from home, she is forced to live an impoverished, secretive life to save the family from public shame.

Guy Attwood, only son and heir to one of the richest families in England. He's the modern day 'Bachelor' with every mother in England vying for their unwed daughter to become Mrs Guy Attwood. The pursuit for his hand in marriage is punishingly relentless and Guy knows his single life must soon come to and end – his parents want him to marry. But Guy prefers his quiet passion for rare-apple hunting on behalf of Royal Kew Gardens to building the family's business empire; and sets out to find a critically endangered apple species that he dreams of gifting and re-naming for his friend, the soon-to-be coronated [King] George V.

Set in the early 1900s both characters are victims of societal expectation and are chained down by a sense of duty to their (respective) family. Both come from families with royal connections and are well regarded; however where one family is now impoverished, the other is abundantly wealthy.

Even though the plot was, at times, completely predictable, you couldn't help but be swept away by the unique historical setting and relatable characters. This reader is not a huge fan of romance novels, but even she was drawn in by the author's extraordinary storytelling, which is rich in Victorian era elegance and charm.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Storm Publishing for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Fiona McIntosh although born in the UK, now lives in Australia. She is a prolific author but this is the first time I have read any of her work.

'The Fallen Woman' of the novel's title is Jane Saville and it is thanks to her mother that she has gained this undeserving title. Jane is a talented botanical artist whose chance meeting with Guy Attwood a young man seeking an extinct apple, leads to love. Jane and Guy have a lot of problems to overcome before they find an amicable resolution.

A very enjoyable and easy read that kept me entertained on a recent flight. The style reminded me of the novels of Georgette Heyer whose stories I used to read and enjoy many years ago. With thanks to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and the author for the opportunity to read and review this obviously well researched novel.

Thank you for allowing me to review this book. Set shortly after the Victorian era, women are still expected to be their husbands chattels, marry well and keep quiet. Jane Saville, is a young women who is forced by her mother and elder sister to hide away with her sister whilst she gives birth to an unwanted, illegitimate son. Jane, then takes on the role of mother and lives independently of her family. The story is well written and clearly demonstrates that anyone can be a good, loving mother without giving birth. Jane is an independent women who makes a good life for them both. Unexpectedly , Guy, a wealthy young man comes into her life as he searches for an 'apple'.
I enjoyed this added dimension of the story of our apples, the descriptions of her botanical art work. Although, dome parts of the story feel a little bit unreasonable, I was captivated from the beginning.

Set just after the death of Queen Victoria the story combines two threads, firstly, that of Jane Seville bludgeoned by mother to take on her sister's new born so that sister can remain 'unsullied' and marry well. Jane and baby Harry come to Southampton where she obtains the post of housekeeper to an elderly gentleman. Southampton Society needless to say, casts her as a fallen woman. She spends her free time doing exquisite botanical drawings. Secondly that of Guy Atwood, a rich man masquerading under a false name (and already I can't remember which the Attwood is!!), passionate about apple varieties and desperate to find one apparently extinct one, before he is forced to marry, settle down and run the rather large family estate. Jane and Guy meet and the story proceeds along a rather Georgette Heyer path. Love is flourishing, Harry is getting very fond of Guy, sister and mother re-appear to claim Harry for financial reasons, misunderstandings, Jane runs away, Guy sorts out sister and so on. Happy ending anyway, so all it well. (Guy found his apple and provided a suitable wedding present to the new King). Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

I really enjoyed this story, a little far fetched in places but allowable as the era had different attitudes to young women then and maybe the family dynamic would have been more believable. A lovely story of the real bond of a mother's love, even if she hasn't given birth to the child bonding and nurturing as her own, along side a lovely story of a long forgotten English apple and the hunt of one man to save it and present it to the King on his coronation. Weaving into the storylines characters such as George V and Winston Churchill was a charming touch, we all know of Churchill the politician and war hero but here we can imagine him growing up as a young boy at Blenheim too, although this is not his story of course. A good paced story with a satisfactory ending, I look forward to more from this author and would recommend her.

Jane is caught up in the ways of the victorian era. She is forced by her family to hid e a deep secret. She is hidden away in a distant Abby/. Along comes Guy who is looking for an apple to present to the King. Does he help Jane get out of her family secrets. Great intriguing story.

I have to say straight away that I was not able to engage with the characters in this book - the good ones because they were weak and constantly saying one thing and doing the opposite, and the bad ones because they were overwritten. It was obvious from the beginning what was going to happen and indeed it did.

Having said that I did like the setting, the writing style and all the information about apples! I read every word about apples and skimmed every chapter that included that appalling sister. So just three stars from me for the good bits and I know I must give this author another chance! I will.

3⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advanced copy of The Fallen Woman.

Jane is a young woman who is forced to atone for her sister Jane’s sins. She is branded a fallen woman and is ostracized by society. She finds a man named Guy who has promised her the world. But when her sister returns years later wanting to take away the person she loves most in the world she is determined to stop her.

This was just an okay read for me. Some parts were very slow for me and I was not a fan of all of the miscommunication.

Really loved this book from Fiona McIntosh, the story of Jane and the love for her father and the times they had exploring until his sad death. Jane’s mother and sister Charlotte, who both demanded of Jane something she would have no chance of saying no to however times she tries. The consequences in time bring Jane such joy and love until the day it all comes tumbling down.
My thanks as always to NetGalley and to Publisher Storm Publishing for the read.

The Fallen Woman is the second book by Fiona McIntosh that I have read. I must say it is very different from the Orphans which was the first. Still the writing is lovely, painting pictures with her words just as botanical artist Jane Saville does with her paintbrush. Then there is dear little Harry, an unexpected joy in Jane’s life. There are also people who are anything but a joy when around in the story. However, it is an unusual story .

Jan and Guy deserve happiness but there are those who will do anything to stop that from happening. A twisty story where the outcome is unpredictable. I love that an apple takes center stage in this story.

When I plan to read a Fiona McIntosh novel, I need to set aside many hours as I won’t be glued to it when I start. And The Fallen Woman captivated me to such an extent I literally could not put the book down and read it in a day! This beautifully romantic tale is powerfully delivered and swept me off my feet. I was drawn immediately into its mesmerising plot where the characters became like friends. Fiona presents them with such clarity and feeling, I felt I truly knew them by the end of the novel. So yes, they are well developed and divinely real. As for their trials and triumphs, they were believable. The pacing moved with grace and perfection. I was hooked and wanted to know how things worked out. And my heart and imagination took quite an exciting and unforgettable journey!

Jane and Guy are heart-warming leads who get to tell their stories. They are both victims of society’s expectations and are pinned by duty to their families. Jane is graceful, has a pure heart and a huge capacity for loving. She is very talented as a botanical artist but her family members have treated her unfairly—except her late father who understood and supported her. I cringed at her mother’s and sister’s treatment of her. Such abuse and disregard of her life made me shudder. She is forced to make a sacrifice for her family, particularly for her sister, who has wronged her on so many levels.

Initially the bind Jane’s family put her in, causes her to abandon any hopes for her own future romantic happiness. Although, I must add, she is fiercely independent and does not need a man to flourish. But the removal of choice diminishes her dreams not only for a personal relationship but also dampens her pursuit of becoming a professional artist. Ironically, though, the things that are meant to destroy her, end up becoming positive forces in her life. When her mother and sister cast her off, force her to take on their responsibility and maintain a secret they manipulate, her life takes a strange turn. Shunned by the local ladies of her village, she makes friends with an old man when she becomes his care taker. William is ill but her gentle attention gives him an extended burst on life. And he becomes like a surrogate father to her. His kindness, advice and support are touching and add light and joy to a rather sad situation. Sweet old William is a character I adored!

Guy Attwood comes from a very distinguished family with royal connections and other important persons in society. But he has no care of title and position and little interest in the business world his father has built that he will inherit. His dream is finding a rare-apple on behalf of Royal Kew Gardens. He seeks an endangered species that he wants to rename and give as a gift to his royal friend, George V, soon to be coronated. This search takes him to an unexpected encounter with Jane that leads to an outcome he never would have imagined. Through it all we get to see this wonderful man with a heart of gold, who is filled with compassion, integrity and charm. The perfect woman for him is just around the corner but it is not the one two families previously chose. And the lady who wants to be his wife, has difficulty accepting the truth. Jane and Guy, though, share various interests but they are from two different worlds. Yet love knows no boundaries—even the ones that society sets up. And even though the road is filled with many bumps of misunderstanding, jealousy, treachery and duty, this couple find their way through the twisting maze of mystery and mayhem. In this beautiful English setting, a forgotten orchard shines with promise where many valuable lessons are learned.

I particularly adored Jane, Guy, William, Harry and Guy’s mother. They left quite an impression on my heart and I was moved to tears at their predicaments and victories! The villains, I will leave unnamed but they were well conceived and stirred up lots of negative emotions in me (which is what they are supposed to do)! But I am glad the novel has a happy ending (although there are some sad moments along the way). I also enjoyed the author’s acknowledgements. There are fascinating bits of info on the journeys and people the author meets that helped with her research. And we learn of where the seeds of inspiration started.

The Fallen Woman is priceless, revealing, fulfilling, inspiring and uplifting. I cannot rave enough about it and highly recommend this Historical fiction gem set in the early 1900s, England. It is a real literary treasure, full of charm, wisdom, elegance, truth and English history. It is easy to see why Fiona McIntosh is hailed as an extraordinary storyteller. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for my review copy.

This was a story about Jane Saville, a woman forced to raise a child that was not hers biologically, but she was the only Mother he had ever known. She had lived in poverty, without family. Her life became intwined with Guy Attwood when he was searching for an apple. Will he find his apple?
Will Jane be able to keep her son in her life?

I enjoyed this novel. Jane was treated unfairly by family, judged by others. All was not lost.
I hope to read more from this author.

I felt like this was a bit hard to read. I enjoyed the story, though it was a little predictable. I found the main character to be a little bit weaker than my liking.

My goodness what a journey for Jane. I thought for a short time it would be a bit cliched with the missing letter trope but the author negotiated past that to create an interesting and engaging tale.I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Imagine being banished to the countryside to hide an indiscretion that would set the tongues of the ton wagging. Imagine that you aren't the person who was indescrete but that you must pay the price to keep the family afloat financially. To keep the family's name from being tarnished. After years of banishment and loving the child who was the result of the other woman's wanton ways.

Now the world as Jane knows it is at risk of being torn apart but as fate would have it she meets Guy who has been searching for an apple that is on the brink of extinction and has all this time been growing, thriving right in Jane's back yard.

These two are a very unlikely pair but sometimes opposites attract and the heart wants what it wants.

This was such a great tale to get taken away in. To live the lives where status meant more than love and connections are what they strive for.

**Received ARC through NetGalley. Voluntarily reviewed**

When Jane Saville's sister Charlotte falls pregnant to her rich fiance, their mother hatches a plan to protect Charlotte's reputation. It's the early 1900s and society has no place for a woman pregnant outside of marriage. Jane is to take Charlotte far from home to have the baby and she is to claim the baby as her own so that Charlotte can return to society. After all, Jane has no real prospects for marriage. Despite her anger towards her family, Jane raises Harry as her own and is banished to a reclusive life by many as a fallen woman. When Charlotte's husband dies a few years later, she returns to claim her son in the hope that her husband's family will provide for her in the lifestyle she has become accustomed to.

Jane and Harry have built a happy life together and she is the only mother he has ever known, housekeeping for a lovely elderly man named William who has become like a father to Jane and a grandfather to Harry. Jane has even met a wonderful man named Guy who has promised her a future together. However, he now seems to have disappeared without word and Jane doesn't know what to do as she has no legal rights to Harry if Charlotte can provide she gave birth to him. With no one to help her, Jane is frightened that she may lose her son forever.

Set in London and Salisbury, this historical fiction takes you to these beautiful places with her enchanting descriptions and makes you feel as though you're right there. It's obvious that she has been there and the details of the settings seem very well researched. Jane is a wonderful, resilient heroine who falls into a difficult life through no fault if her own. You can't help but hope for the best for her and want her to get everything she deserves and more. There are also some terrible characters you hope get what they deserve. A wonderful story written by Australian author Fiona McIntosh about the trials and betrayals within a family and the journey for love and acceptance. A wonderful story for lovers of historical fiction that is easy to read.

Thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Although I am an avid reader it is a very long time since I read a historical novel and I must admit that I really enjoyed this one.
It is a bit difficult writing a review for this story without giving the complex plot away.
Jane Saville is the youngest of two daughters born into a titled family, a titled family with no money. To elevate the family fortune and save it from shame, Jane is shipped away to Salisbury to live as an outcast. Jane and young Harry are taken in by kindly William Angus, William was elderly and in need of a housekeeper and gentle, modest, Jane fit the bill perfectly. William was like a father to her and like a grandfather to young Harry, his town house was in a beautiful spot in Salisbury, nestling in the shadow of the cathedral, Jane was happy keeping house and painting her flowers and Harry's beautiful voice could be heard in the cathedral choir.
Eligible bachelor, Guy Attwood came from a wealthy family and he was in the sights of all the society mothers and their daughters, Guy knew that he would need to marry soon to carry on the family name and take over the family business but Guy wanted a marriage with love, just like his parents.
Guy's passion was pursuing rare apples that were nearly extinct for Kew Gardens to nurture, one particular apple that he was seeking he had traced to Salisbury, he desperately wanted to find it and present it to his friend George V on his coronation........it was whilst in Salisbury that Guy met and fell in love with Jane, what could a wealthy, eligible man see in a plain, fallen woman like Jane? Both of them had secrets, some more life shattering than others, this story follows Jane and Guy as they set off on their bumpy journey, the hurdles they have to climb, the lies, deceit and gossip they had to overcome to reach their HEA.
The author has obviously researched this period, there is a timeline running through of people and events of the day that was very informative. I look forward to reading more books by the author.
Thank you Storm Publishing and Net Gallery for this ARC, my review is voluntary.

I'll admit I was a bit apprehensive at the title, but reading the summary and then diving into the book, I found myself captivated by Jane's story. Moved me to laughter and tears many times over, I thoroughly enjoyed the layering of The Fallen Woman. Jane's sweetness and dedication has a distinct foil in her sister Charolette who only seems to be able to think of herself.

Guy. What to do about him? Misunderstood, purposeful, kind, determined, vulnerable, quirky, lovable for who he is, not just his title. I really liked Guy and would like to meet someone like him who has the power to enact real change without flaunting that power over others.

One of the standouts for me is the joy in simple things: art, family, friendship, relationship, nature, a quiet refuge from the chaos of life. All are found in The Fallen Woman along with the trials that life brings.

I received an ARC; this is my honest review.