Fighting for your own freedom. 

Synopsis

Regency England. A land of oppression and social discontent.

Arthur Thistlewood is fighting for a revolution. Susan Thistlewood is fighting for freedom. From Arthur.

Battered and bruised by her violent husband, Susan finds comfort in food and books. As Arthur’s legal property, leaving the marriage seems an impossible dream — until a chance encounter with a charismatic Bow Street Runner. In the sanctuary of an inconspicuous London bookshop, the Runner’s easy manner and unexpected generosity compel Susan to pursue a life without her husband.

But will the Bow Street officer provide a key to Susan’s freedom? Or will he place her in the greatest danger of all?

Inspired by true events from the Cato Street Conspiracy of 1820, this is a tale of courage, determination, and love.

My review

Susan Thistlewood is in an unhappy marriage. And being in an unhappy marriage in Regency England isn’t as easy as in the present. You cannot just divorce from your husband when he is making you unhappy. There are strict conditions when a woman can apply for divorce. 

So while her husband Artur is fighting for a revolution, Susan has to find a way to escape and chase her own happiness.
When in a London bookshop, she meets a charismatic Bow Street Runner, is he going to help her for her freedom? Or is he putting her in a greater danger? 

From the very start, I pitied Susan… she dreams of a happy marriage, while she is stuck with Arthur. He has been married before, but his wife died earlier. The way he treats Susan and his son (from his first wife), I found it despicable.
Also the violent streaks he has, both towards Susan, his son, but also the plans he is plotting to start a revolution, made me dislike him immediately. 

So I understood Susan’s desire to find a way out. But it’s not an easy task…
I admired Susan for not just giving up, trying to find a way to be set free of an awful husband. Despite the hard times she has to endure, she finds joy in places she would least expect it.
Also she finds friends who truly care about her, and those feelings are reciprocated.  

When she meets that Bow Street Runner, she finds herself in a position to achieve her dream, and even if that means to put herself in danger, she is tired of living in fear of what her husband will do next to her. 

Through the whole story, Susan’s courage is visible. She is not one to just sit down and wait for luck to pass by. She wants to grab her own luck, and will not be condemned in a life of unhappiness.
Even if sometimes Susan may seem a bit naïve, especially in the beginning, her character evolves to a strong woman. She puts her priorities right and is not afraid to speak up.

This story shows that strong women are always fighting for their happiness, in the past and even in the present.
Susan is a beautiful example of it, as she does not just give up. 

This story is about a courageous woman in difficult times, with a streak of historical facts.  I found it hard to put it away as I wanted to see what more twists were awaiting. And I wanted to know how and if Susan would manage to achieve her one true desire, find happiness.