Set adrift on the tides of fate by the deaths of her parents and left wanting answers, Laura Callaway now lives with her uncle and his disapproving wife in North Cornwall. There she feels like a castaway, always viewed as an outsider even as she yearns to belong.
While wreckers search for valuables along the windswept Cornwall coast–known for its many shipwrecks but few survivors–Laura … survivors–Laura searches for clues to the lives lost so she can write letters to next of kin and return keepsakes to rightful owners. When a man is washed ashore after a wreck, Laura acts quickly to protect him from a local smuggler determined to destroy him.
As Laura and a neighbor care for the survivor, they discover he has curious wounds and, although he speaks in careful, educated English, his accent seems odd. Other clues wash ashore, and Laura soon realizes he is not who he seems to be. Despite the evidence against him, the mysterious man might provide her only chance to discover the truth about her parents’ fate. With danger pursuing them from every side, and an unexpected attraction growing between them, will Laura ever find the answers she seeks?
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Sitting in my favorite reading spot, I sip my steaming cup coffee while writing this review. I just finished this lovely book by Julie Klassen. She writes a historical romance that’s fluent and captivating.
I knew nothing about shipwrecks and what became of the crew and cargo. JK did a superb job explaining it all to me. It was fascinating. How the sea is uncontrollable and learning of the fate of those who survive.
I loved the romance and JK always does a great job with mysterious twists and turns.
The ending felt a bit rushed, but that could just be me. I really loved this one! I highly recommend it if you love historical Christian romance.
Quotes from the Chapter pages….
“Bodies washed ashore were not allowed Christian burial until 1808, when a Cornishman, Davies Gilbert, succeeded in getting an Act of Parliament passed for their burial in churchyards.”
—A. K. Hamilton Jenkin, Cornish
“The news of the wreck it soon spread along shore, And women and men ran for gain; Thus numbers they harden each other the more, That love of curst money may reign.” —Religious tract by an anonymous clergyman
Thank you Bethany House Publishers via NETGALLEY for this ARC, in exchange for my honest review.
I have been a fan of Julie Klassen since her first novel, which I have read several times. My opinion has not changed. This time, Klassen takes us to the wild, windswept coast of Cornwall as we are caught up in her wonderful storytelling, an ability that has brought great enjoyment to this reader over the years. I have never missed a Klassen book and never intend to. Recommended. My thanks to Bethany House for a copy of this book via Net Galley. I received no compensation and the opinion in this review is expressly my own.
An incredibly moving, beautifully romantic Regency tale from beloved author Julie Klassen! A Castaway in Cornwall, an ambiguous title, gripped me from the first page and never let me go. The story is wonderfully full circle, beginning and ending with an analogy of flotsam and jetsam, each part touching and impactful. I only fell more deeply in love with the story as it went on, and as sad as I was to see it end, I was completely fulfilled by it.
Klassen has a wonderful talent for creating characters that make distinctly unique impressions on the reader. Her characters are not morally black and white, but are complex and intriguing, evoking reflection within the reader. Klassen’s impressive cast of characters will have the reader feeling hopeful, mournful, and renewed. Laura is an inspiring and compassionate heroine, and I adored her determination and selflessness. Alex is a different type of hero, one I’ve been waiting to read about for a long time without realizing it. He’s flawed and unafraid to express his emotions, passionate and versatile. He’s one of the most well written heroes I’ve read in a long time.
It’s been too long since I’ve read a Julie Klassen novel, and A Castaway in Cornwall has been a wonderful reintroduction to her delectable stories. Poignant and enchanting, this story is one that readers will be thinking about long after the final pages. 5/5 stars
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
On a stormy night Physician’s daughter Laura Callaway is alerted that there’s a shipwreck on the local shore with only one survivor. Alexander Lucas hides his secrets well, but danger seems to follow him to Cornwall.
A Castaway in Cornwall is written by Julie Klassen, published by Bethany House Publishers. The story is set in North Cornwall 1813 and we follow Laura Callaway as she works on her admirable project to salvage trinkets from wrecks and inform next of kin of their loved ones lost at sea. When another ship wrecks, a man is washed ashore and ends up in Laura’s care to be nursed back to life. He presents himself as Alexander Lucas, has a foreign accent and reveals very little about who he is and where he is from.
While this is the second book I have read recently with similar setting, this plot stands out in the way it describes people’s struggles to survive in rather modest circumstances. With a backdrop of the Napoleonic War, the story deals with the need to belong to a family and a community. As an orphan, Laura struggles with both.
Main character physician’s daughter Laura Callaway lost her parents and lives with non-blood relatives. For a woman who struggles so much, I quite admire how she is able to make such a difference in other people’s lives and that’s why she is my favorite of this story.
Supporting character naval sea Captain Alexander Lucas struggles with consequences of war, and goes through a process of learning how to trust again. I felt he seemed human and likable as we got to follow his thoughts and perspectives. Danger seemed to follow him ashore in Cornwall.
I loved the vivid descriptions of daily life and occasional celebrations at the Cornish coast. I could easily see how story could easily be adapted to a movie reminiscent of Poldark. I found the characters relatable and many of them sympathetic. A few really unlikable ones wired me up and added great drama. The mystery element was my favorite part, which related to Alexander Lucas previous life and family background gradually told via his perspective of the story.
The romance part of the story seemed to be on the backburner until the last part of the plot. As danger was at the forefront, that made perfect sense to me. I enjoyed the dramatic parts of the story and the slightly surprising elements at the end. I felt it was all expertly tied up into a satisfying conclusion to this standalone novel.
Anyone who enjoys a historical romance set in Cornwall will love this story. As will fans of Julie Klassen. Similar authors to explore while eagerly awaiting next release from Julie Klassen
might be Kristi Ann Hunter or Jody Hedlund Thank you to Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley for this eARC which gave me the opportunity to share my honest review. All opinions are completely my own.
Conclusion: A Castaway in Cornwall is the entertaining and enjoyable story about a woman who struggles to belong and a man marked by war who both long for a place to call home.
Rating: 4 stars / 5
Main reasons: great plot and mystery element, relatable characters, signature writing.
Klassen is one of my favorite authors and this book did not disappoint! I love how much research was done for this book. I appreciate all the history and detail. There are inserts from historical documents for each chapter which is a great bonus. Throughout the book you get to see many destinations and experience some history. Klassen keeps you guessing what each character is hiding so you want to keep reading it to get to the bottom of it all. Pieces of information is given as the book unfolds and allows you to start understanding the characters more and more. I enjoyed reading about the hardships and twist and turns. You feel you need to look out for them and help them reach the final destination. Laura and Alexander grow in depth and their relationship at a good pace. Laura is strong and determined and Alexander has a good heart under all that life has thrown his way. This book kept me engaged not being able to guess what was next.