Of Jasmine and Roses by Jill E. Warner

Of Jasmine and Roses
by Jill E. Warner

ISBN-13: 9781524421588
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Released: November 14, 2023

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Orphaned as a child, Anna Beasley was raised alongside her titled cousin in the high Society of the ton. But part-Indian Anna knows better than anyone that appearances trump social grace, even to those who raised her. After the loss of her inheritance, she runs away to work as a governess. Then she meets a man who makes her feel seen and accepted for the first time. Aspiring politician William Thaxton had no intention of falling in love with a governess. But as William gets to know Anna better, he can’t help falling in love with her despite her uncertain social status, dark skin, and mixed heritage. They must navigate intolerance, cruelty, and William’s own ambitions.


My Review:
Of Jasmine and Roses is a romance set in 1837 in England. I liked the first part, where Anna and Will spent time together and became close friends. Yet even there, it seemed like Will didn't consider that his spending time alone with her (as an 11-year-old doesn't really count as a chaperon) could be used against Anna when everyone was looking for reasons to hate her. And I do mean hate: a neighbor hates her because she looks Indian, the vicar called her a viper, the servants were outright mean, and even her family largely wished she didn't exist.

I'd understand people of that time thinking Anna inferior due to her darker skin and the fact she's a female, but almost everyone was openly rude and cruel to her. I was also surprised that 'polite society' was outright rude to their hostess at the house party and even the servants didn't follow their mistress's orders when it came to her daughters.

Anna felt she must deserved the cruelty since so many people acted that way, so Will's kindness strongly drew her. An accident happened that made no sense (Why not fix the badly wobbly stool as no one can afford to have an accident? Why keep a horse known to be uncontrolable and violent in the main stables, especially with guests around? Why would a stablehand not make doubly sure that the horse was secure in that stall? And so on.). Anna was in no way responsible as she was one of the few people doing exactly what she was ordered to do, but everyone viciously blamed her. Will betrayed her to save his own feelings.

Anna's told that other's will never accept her if she won't accept herself, yet that issue was never resolved. Will was forgiven his betrayal the moment he said "I love you." They don't address how Anna feels like she doesn't belonged anywhere or how they'll deal with racism in the future. The author made such a big deal about these issues that I wanted them dealt with, not just dropped. There was no sex or bad language.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.