The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly

Age Level: Adult
Format: Book

Fiona Finnegan, an eighteen year old living in East London in 1888, dreams of one day having her own shop with the love of her life and best friend, Joe Bristow. She has a loving family, who work hard to get a meal on the table. When tragedy strikes and shatters her world, Fiona flees to New York to begin a new life. Spanning ten years, this first book of a trilogy follows Fiona's climb on the social ladder to one of the most respected people in the tea trade. However, she does not forget her roots in East London and the circumstances that led her to New York. She learns she must confront her past in order to move on with her future.

I had wanted to read this series for awhile...I had read Donnelly's A Northern Light, one of her young adult novels, several years ago and absolutely loved it. I was not disappointed with this novel either. The back cover of the novel compares this to epics such as A Woman of Substance and The Thornbirds. Those who enjoy the epic historical fiction and romances of John Jakes and Ken Follett will also enjoy this series. The 700+ pages may seem a bit daunting, but I simply lost track of time while reading and devoured the pages. Fiona's passions and desires make her come alive. The fictional characters' interactions with real historical figures and events help to cement the novel in the past. Donnelly sets the book in an exciting and dangerous time - 1888 East London saw the Jack the Ripper slayings, and Donnelly also takes readers to New York City and into the heart of big business and revolutionary changes, like a subterranean railway system. The Tea Rose is a truly entertaining novel.

I am anxious to pick up the next in the series, The Winter Rose.

Reviewed by Jessica