3.5 stars, rounded up 
 I enjoyed this slice of Victorian life but unlike other reviewers, I didn't absolutely love it. The setting was beautifully described, and there was a marvellous cast of interesting characters. I thought it was a bit of a shame that (view spoiler)[ what looked like being a wonderful platonic friendship between an intelligent woman and a married man then turned into something sexual, though I did like that the ending resolved in an unexpected way, with Cora remaining happily and independently single (hide spoiler)]. 
 I listened to the audiobook, which was wonderfully narrated by Juanita McMahon. She is fast becoming one of my favourite narrators.