A historical novel set in Salisbury in the early 1900's, with female characters taking a prominent position as well as a hunt for an ancient apple. The story follows Jane Saville with her son Harry, and the appearance of Guy Attwood an heir and scientist with Kew Gardens. A very well written story, with lovely descriptions of the time period, art and apples.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC

Another unputdownable book from Fiona McIntosh. I have read a few of her books, and I look forward to each new release. I love Fiona's writing style and I'm always drawn in from the first page. A great lineup of well-developed characters, most of whom are likeable and relatable. There are a mixture of emotions throughout the story and I felt each one keenly... despair, hope, love, compassion, strength, and resilience. Set in the early 1900s, the author paints a picture of the societal expectations and the hardships faced by both men and women of the era. This is the kind of story that leaves me feeling so thankful that I can make my own decisions and choices! A very insightful and thought-provoking novel that's well worth a read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and the author for a complimentary copy for review. All thoughts are my own and my review is voluntary.

The Fallen Woman is an interesting novel set in Salisbury in the early 1900's where Jane Saville lives with her young son Harry. Ostracised by society and her family she meets Guy Attwood who is looking for a rare apple to gift to the King on his coronation.

This is a well researched, well written novel and although it is pretty predictable it is an enjoyable read that will appeal to anyone who enjoys historical fiction set in England.

I think the title should be “I can’t make you love me, if you don’t!”
This book is intentional yet slow burn with all the misunderstandings! But when you have been bruise and battered by “family” and I use that term loosely!
Miss Jane Seville is not plain Jane but has been made to feel like it her whole life until Guy Attwood reluctant hero came into her life!
Guy needed a swift kick in the rear and I like that Jane gave it to him right off the bat! She held a mirror to his face and it was an ambiguous indecisive somewhat of a Cad!
He should have put his foot down and at least wrote a letter telling Eleanor that his family favored the match not him! Yet she allowed him to give her hope and strung her along for almost 2 more years! We Also always think we have more time with a loved one and then we don’t!
At times I was afraid that promises would be extracted in grief and neither Guy or Jane would get a HEA!
Jane has a mother bear protective instinct that is very real at times to protect Harry her “son”! She put protective guards around herself like a fortress and did not allow but a sliver of light in Guy!
Yes love can happen fast but neither reached out to the other and several secrets and misunderstandings could have been avoided!
There are several chapters devoted to the history of apples even a gift to a King!
It became Guys obsession but it lead him to a love he could only have dreamed about!
Bravo well done! Fight got what you want! Stand up for yourself and your future!

This novel is yet another proof of Fiona McIntosh's exceptional talent for storytelling. "The Fallen Woman" is a heartfelt story of love, self-sacrifice, and the struggle to overcome social expectations, set against the beautiful countryside of early 20th century Britain. Once again, the author masterfully combines romance with deeper, more poignant emotional layers.

The lead character, Jane Saville, is a botanical artist who lives the life forced upon her with exceptional inner strength. Her sister, Charlotte, is their mother's favourite, and when she becomes pregnant out of wedlock, the mother decides that Jane must raise the child in Salisbury, far from London, so that Charlotte can have a good marriage and the boy can 'get out of the way'. Jane thus raises Harry alone, as her own, while working as a housekeeper for a kind, elderly gentleman near the cathedral. People despise her and gossip about her and her son – for nobody suspects that Harry is not really her child.

Meanwhile, Guy Attwood, heir to a wealthy family and a scientist at Royal Kew Gardens, is hunting for rare apple species. His passion for nature and his commitment to science lead him on a final journey before he takes over the family business and fulfils his ambition to get married and start a family. His goal is to find a particular apple to give to his friend, King George V, for his crowning. This journey takes him to Salisbury, to the garden of Jane's employer William – where his path crosses Jane's.

The relationship between Jane and Guy unfolds naturally, with deep understanding. They could talk for hours and connect in a way neither of them had experienced before. Yet their relationship is complicated by many obstacles: jealousy, greed, family pressures, misunderstandings, and unspoken truths. Both are prisoners of the social rules of their own world – Guy from a wealthy, influential family, Jane from a noble but impoverished one. What they both have in common is that neither is willing to give up their happiness for the sake of money or status. They want a real, honest human relationship.

One of the story's greatest strengths is its cast. Not only Jane and Guy, but also the supporting characters are vivid, relatable characters. Some of them I grew to love dearly, others were hard to bear, but they all contributed to making the novel a rich, emotionally complex whole.

This is only the second novel I've read by Fiona McIntosh, but I'm already sure it won't be the last. Her historical romances hold a special place in my heart. It is rare to find a writer who can so authentically recreate the atmosphere of the era while telling deeply human stories. Her thorough background research, careful attention to every detail of the settings, characters, and history is evident in each of her books.

The Fallen Woman by Fiona McIntosh was a beautifully written book from the beginning till the very end and it just took my breath away. I love the way Fiona writes, she will have you turning the pages to find out what happens next, especially as it was the first book I have read by this author and will not be my last.
All the characters were great, especially as it was set in the Victorian era,which I so enjoy reading about. This is era where women are expected to be their husbands chattels, marry well, have children and to keep quiet all the time. Imagine if that was the same way today! lol. I wouldn't even like to think if it was like that now adays!

I really enjoyed The Fallen Woman and I highly recommend it.

Big Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my ARC.

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.