The Making of Lady Catherine de Bourgh by Paige Badgett ★★★★★

I never expected an origin story for Lady Catherine de Bourgh to be a tearjerker, but this really is.

There are four children born to Earl Barringer. The heir, Viscount Ashby, stolid and dull; Lady Eloise the vibrant, beautiful, perfect lady; the youngest, Lady Anne is headstrong with little care for the rules of propriety. 

In the middle is Lady Catherine. Her mother's least favourite child. 

She was raised to meet the exacting standards of her mother, Countess Barringer and suppressed her own feelings and opinions to achieve it. 

Lady Eloise had a cradle betrothal with the wealthy, handsome George Darcy. When Eloise dies, the Countess expects Lady Catherine to step into her sister's place. 

No matter that nobody asked George what he wants. Catherine is dreadfully aware that she is inferior to Eloise in every way, but still she is blamed when George finds someone more to his liking.

The author portrays so well, Lady Catherine's confusion and frustration when doing exactly as she is told, leads to failure.

To avoid the attention of the Ton, Catherine goes to stay with family in Kent and discovers a whole new world. 

Friendships, suitors and one very aggravating landowner, Sir Lewis de Bourgh!

I loved this book and I encourage you to read it.

I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review. All views expressed are my own.

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