Very predictable and long winded family story with a tepid romance. By the middle of the book you are wondering why Belinda hasn't been smothered with a pillow by her own family. Heroine, Rebecca, is immensely naïve (leaves with a man, not once but three times, after an aborted rape attempt is made), and at one point the book "jumps the shark" where her lack of common sense provides some drama near the end.

I bought this one on sale, but won't bother to pick up the series. I can already see that the heroines are a dimwitted lot.

The only reason for 3 stars instead of 2 is that Carr is an excellent writer.  If you have a LOT of time on your hands and like historical stories about British noble families, this could be for you.

Very  well writen and located in the time the story is developed!

excellent read

Philippa Carr does it again!  This novel takes place in the era of Queen Victoria.  If you want a book that will take you away to a historic, and wonderful time, then reading The Changeling is a must!  The author does another fantastic job of teaching you history within the midst of a fascinating story. I am still reading the novel; and I can not wait until I start reading another one of Philippa's books.

The best characteristic of this book is the constant change in where you think the plot is going. The title says it all, although the last chapter is a major twist. The history is not dealt with as well as in previous books. The Victorian period was a time of tremendous change and scientific discoveries, but very little of that is felt in the story, other than the use of trains, which made travel so much faster and easier. It's still a fun read, but slightly disappointing.

All I can say is that these books "The daughters of England" by Philippa Carr I can recommend stronly to those readers who like suspense, drama, love and mystery. I started with book one and has read almost all of them now and every book I find interesting and difficult to put down. Its not just a novel the history of England are worked through from one to the other and how the Britians and their kings and Queens follow. I absolutely love every book by Philippa Carr. Never a dull moment!

History and romance.  Great.

Veery discoloured copy

This book actually surprised me.  so many of these were predictable.  But this one was much better.  Belinda was  a changling.