What begins as a pleasant holiday with a new friend in Brighton quickly turns to devastation for Anabelle Milton when she receives the tragic news: her parents are dead. Turned out of the only home she’s ever known, Anabelle is sent to live with an aunt and uncle who are strangers to her. Heartbroken, she arrives at Bellingham Cottage, a cozy home on the sprawling grounds of the Bellingham … estate, to find an unexpectedly warm welcome—not only from her own family but also from the family of their aristocratic neighbors, Lord and Lady Bellingham.
Anabelle soon attracts the attention of the heirs of Bellingham—brothers who, though connected by blood, could not be more different. As she slowly begins to distance herself from the polite and obedient young woman her mother trained her to be, Anabelle is free for the first time to choose her own path. She knows she must be true to herself, even if it means risking unrequited love—but can she trust that the gentleman who has stolen her heart will not break it?
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Coming home to Bellingham is a sweet clean regency romance. I believe this is Katie Stuart Stones’ first novel and I thought she did a good job. The story moved along at a good pace. I did think there could have been more depth and twists in the story. The characters were well developed. I did have some confusing thoughts about Robert and Anabelle. Their relationship was fun but, I felt like they were close in age and yet acting like Robert was a young boy. I look forward to more stories and growth from this author.
When faced with the loss of both parents and home, not allowed to even return for a funeral, how do you cope? When your financial means and security are also stripped and you aren’t even allowed to go retrieve your belongings where do you turn? These are the circumstances Anabelle finds herself in while staying at an acquaintances home. Suddenly receiving notification that both of her parents have died, she can’t return to her home now and perhaps ever and a distant cousin has inherited the entire estate. Left with no alternative she appeals to an aunt she little acquaintance with for a home. Thus, she trades an estate for a cottage and being an only child for living in a house with an eight-year old boy carrying only a few minimal possessions and a continuing echo of her mother’s reprimands. Arriving at the estate the cottage sits on she is greeted by acceptance and warmth but still is unsure of her place especially around Lord Alexander. Can this become a loving home for her? I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this debut novel: Coming Home to Bellingham by Katie Stewart Stone. The main character is young and spoiled when we first meet her. Tragedy soon comes into her life when both her parents pass on from an illness. Poor Anabelle is on her own until she is invited to come and live with her aunt and uncle at Bellingham cottage on the Bellingham Estate. Along with the land, there are four brothers that Anabelle gets to know, and her life changes quickly.
I loved Anabelle and how she could be outspoken and a little sarcastic at times. It really reminded me of myself at times. She often spoke out loud what she was thinking but there were many humorous moments from her many social gaffes and some very awkward encounters. Some of my favorite characters were Anabelle’s Aunt, her little cousin Andrew, and Robert the youngest Alexander brother. He was fun-loving and they all made Anabelle feel right at home.
It was pretty obvious who the love interest was going to be but there was still a lot of angst and troubles among the Alexander brothers: Peter, Nathan, Hollis, and Robert. Lord and Lady Bellingham were also very kind and supportive. With such great characters, the story flowed easy, and I stayed up very late to finish the book. This Regency Romance is clean, with a budding romance, and a story of learning to love and grow and blossom in new surroundings. I’m excited to see what will come next from this new author.
This was an intriguing debut novel by Mrs. Stone. The story line was captivating, and I really enjoyed Anabelle’s relationship with Robert and Andrew. I feel like the characters could have used more development though – by the end of the book, they still seemed like strangers to me.
This was a quick, clean read and I look forward to reading more from this author.
This is a sweet debut book by Katie Stewart Stone. I was very impressed with her first book. She did a good job and it felt as if it may have been written by a more seasoned author.
Annabelle’s parents are suddenly taken from her. Her healthy parents were taken with a deadly illness. It was a shock. She was visiting a friend and didn’t get the chance to say goodbye. To make it worse, the heir to her home packed up her belongings and sent them to an aunt and uncle she wasn’t familiar with. She didn’t receive the closer that she needed emotionally.
The bright spot is that her aunt and uncle have a young son who brightens her day. He is the sibling that she did not have. I was impressed with her patience and her willingness to spend time exploring with him. Her aunt and uncle live in a cottage on a great estate. The Lawrence family immediately welcomed her and tried to help fill in a void left with the death of her parents. They have sons that evoke different responses: Peter, the eldest, is brooding and carries a great weight on his shoulders. Nathan is the new vicar but he is worldly and reckless. Robert is the youngest and immediately bonds with Annabelle. They become great friends.
The pacing of the book was fast and slow. There were moments that didn’t feel like they were fully explained or explored while others were a little repetitive. Those moments didn’t last long and I did not lose interest in the story.
This is the story of a young woman who finds herself and the things missing in her life. While she is undergoing the process she helps those around her.
This is a job well done by a new author. I look forward to seeing what she has “up her sleeve” in the future.
Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
I’m always happy to read a great Regency romance and this is one of those! I loved this debut author’s first book. It’s got great characters, and a great plot. It left me wanting more.
This one features Annabelle. It’s really unique, because her parents die in the first chapter when she’s away from home. This leaves her floundering. She eventually is able to go live with her aunt and uncle, who she doesn’t remember at Bellingham.
I enjoyed Annabelle’s character. She has a hard time not committing social faux pas. And these left me laughing, at least a little. It was kind of obvious that she was a little embarrassed by her mistakes. But we all make them.
The heirs of Bellingham were interesting. Peter is the first one we meet. He’s very serious and Annabelle is not always sure what to think of him. Then there’s Nathan. He’s one of those men that all women try to stay away from. Unfortunately, he made sure Annabelle couldn’t. She was his favorite target. Lastly is Robert. I loved the easy friendship that Annabelle and Robert shared.
The plot of this one is interesting. The author did a great job weaving her story. I didn’t want to put this one down!
I was sent an e-copy of Coming Home to Bellingham as a gift from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
I adored this lovely Regency romance by new author Katie Stewart Stone! Coming Home to Bellingham explores the true meaning of home in a deep and beautiful way. I loved how different the Alexander brothers were and the very different relationships Anabelle had with each of them. I also really enjoyed the way the villain of the story affected the dynamics of the whole group. The love story was sweet and clean, and the ending was perfect. I highly recommend this great new author and her debut book!
I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions are my own and are expressed voluntarily.
This is a very sweet debut novel from author Katie Stewart Stone and I really love the cover.
Anabelle has a really rough patch and I couldn’t help but feel for her situation of abandonment and displacement but I love as she comes into a place of love and acceptance, she also discovers herself. Her wings are finally allowed to stretch and she feels a sense of freedom. That was very satisfying as a reader.
The whole book has a very young feel to it and it read more like a YA regency. I had a hard time connecting with Anabelle but loved her relationship with her young cousin. He was a bright spot in the book. I think this author excelled at the younger and less mature characters and the more playful moments but struggled to bridge the gap of maturity to make the other relationships more believable.
I thought the setting was beautiful. I could easily visualize the places Anabelle explored and visited and I thought it was the perfect place for her to regain her footing and spread those wings.
Content: death, some male aggressive behavior toward female, kissing
– I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
This debut novel by Kate Stewart Stone did not disappoint! The story begins and we meet Annabelle Milton whose holiday in Brighton come to devastating end when she receives tragic news. Now an orphan and turned out from the only home she’s known, she makes her way to Bellingham Cottage receiving an unexpectedly warm welcome from her Aunt, Uncle, cousin Andrew (one of my favourites!) and Lord and Lady Bellingham.
In the mist of processing the grief of losing her parents, over time, Annabelle realizes that the Bellingham estate and her family and friends there feel more like home than the place she grew up. As she navigates the unwanted attentions of one suitor while desiring the affections of another, we journey with Annabelle as she discovers her true self, what it means to falls in love and how to let go of the past and embrace the hope, joy and love the awaits her.
A big thank you to Covenant Communications for providing a digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #ComingHometoBellingham #Goodreads
** This review can be found on NetGalley, Goodreads and Amazon
Squeee! This debut novel from Katie Stewart Stone was total swoon-worthy. I had a hard time putting down this book. The characters were developed well and the story excellent. Not to mention that Lord Peter Alexander makes an ideal book crush. I highly recommend this book to all romance lovers.
3.5 stars for this is a sweet regency by a new author. Anabelle Milton is visiting a friend during holiday when she receives news that both of her parents have died in an accident. A distant cousin and his wife are inheriting her home and she’s to live with an aunt and uncle she hasn’t seen in a very long time at Bellingham Cottage.
Poor Anabelle didn’t even get to return home to pack up her belongings before going to live with an aunt and uncle she hardly knew. Distant relatives that suddenly inherit can be so possessive and rude. I loved that her aunt and uncle (Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence) were so welcoming at Bellingham Cottage. I liked that she and her much younger cousin Andrew got along so well, and think it probably helped her adjust to her surroundings.
Anabelle seemed to be at odds with herself quite often. Every time she spoke her mind or the free spirit within her made an appearance she’d hear her mother’s voice telling her what a lady should and should not do. I got a little tired of Anabelle’s boasting to herself of her ability to play the pianoforte, and it seemed as if that was her only talent. I liked her friendship with Robert, the youngest of the brothers at Bellingham. It seems she was more herself when she was with him.
Sometimes this felt like a YA book, and maybe that was because Anabelle often came across as very young, although she was too old to be a love interest for Robert. Maybe that was because of how she was raised or because she was finally getting a chance to discover her true self, and find what she really wanted in her life.
I wish we’d had more than a glimpse into the life of Peter, the oldest of the Bellingham sons. We don’t get to see him very much or get his point of view on anything. We also don’t see much of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence (the aunt and uncle), I wish Anabelle had spent more time with her aunt and we could’ve heard stories from her.
I enjoyed this story and would read another book from this author.
I really enjoyed this novel! The heroine receives some incredibly sad news at the beginning and realizes she is not wanted anywhere. She is welcomed at her aunt and uncle’s home-whom she doesn’t really know but the love and welcome she receives was so genuine. It actually made me reflect how I welcome and receive others into my own home. The friendship created amongst the characters and the love that develops between the hero and heroine are written so well. You can feel the special bond.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
I really enjoyed this book- once I started reading I couldn’t stop. I loved that Anabelle spoke her mind- most books have the women thinking things, but never do they speak them out loud- It was refreshing. I loved the whole Alexander family. They were so kind and loving to each other and to everyone they had dealings with. I thought the relationship and outcome with the maid Lucy may not have been entirely realistic, but honestly I could care less. I wanted to read a clean romance with a happy ever after and I totally got it with this book! I hope this author will be writing more books soon!
A clean, regency debut romance novel. I liked the characters in this story, excepting those we were not supposed to like of course. Peter was long holding on to his grief while Anabelle was dealing with fresh grief and they were able to work through the grief with the help of their love for each other. There were strong emotions in the supporting characters as well. Robert was wonderfully fun, sweet, made a perfect best friend and was head over heels in love, Nathan was full of anger which spewed forth as hatred. Peter and Anabelle’s romance was a bit of a slow burn since neither were willing to express their feelings for the length of the book. Peter’s parents were surprisingly open to unconventional situations and romances. So many regency stories would have given Robert and Lucy a very difficult time and would more than likely have spent a while turned against Anabelle in misunderstanding. But not in this book. And we got multiple romances in the story. I liked that even Mr. Timmons ends up with hope for a love match. And I loved that everyone treated Anabelle’s little cousin so nicely.
I did end up with some unanswered questions though none of them are too important in the main story line. How did the sister feel about Peter’s engagement since she had been pushing her friend as a match? And I’m even more curious as to what was Nathan’s punishment? Surely he can’t stay in his role in the church. He would be horrible to his congregation! So what happens to him? We just know that it would be a just consequence but we are left to guess what it is. Gah!
Sex: some kisses, leering, assault
Language: no
Violence: Brief sexual assault and a well deserved knock out punch
*I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley and voluntarily chose to review it
Coming Home to Bellingham was just easy to read, it was like breathing for me. It is what every reader wants, a book that feels like your favorite pair of jeans. Anabelle was a character that I personally felt like I could relate to, she was so real and raw. What woman cannot relate to their emotions changing and saying whatever you think and then regretting it? Wishing you could go back and change something you did or not understanding why your emotions are all over the place. Anabelle was my spirit animal! Stone perfectly portrayed a woman’s mind amidst grief and change. A woman trying to figure out who she is and what she wants.
I loved watching the dynamic unfold between her and the Alexander brothers and it was wonderful being able to see her interact and have relationships with each one. Robert was the little brother I think we all want and their friendship just brought a smile to my face. Every single character in this book is memorable to me and I could write a novella on how much I loved this book. Hopefully Stone writes a story for each of the other Alexander brothers, I can hope! Go and read it, run and get it now! You will be “overjoyed” reading it! It is my new favorite pair of jeans! I received a copy of this book for free, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Wow. I stayed up much much too late reading this one. It was definitely a one sitting. I knew I should go to bed but could not seem to put it down.
Annabelle is narrating her own story. The first person point of view left me guessing since, like many historical romances that I read, the point of view shifts between the him and the her. There are several hims in the story and I knew who I was cheering for, but the way it was written didn’t give away the answer completely as if it had shifted points of view.
What this story is really about is finding home when you think home is lost. I was definitely captivated by this book and like I said, I couldn’t put it down. You would hardly know this was a first offering from the Author.
I will definitely welcome a physical copy to my shelves once this book is released. If you are looking for a new author, give this one a try.
I was able to access an early copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
Wonderful first book by Katie Stewart Stone. I really liked this book. I thought the author did a great job for her first book. I loved how Anabelle had to find herself after her parents died. I loved how she had to figure out what she wanted instead of what her parents wanted for her. I loved how she learned that home is more about the people than a place. I also loved how the romance between Peter and her developed. I like how Peter had to learn to not be taken advantage of by his brother and to see things as they really are. I loved seeing the character growth in both of these characters and I thought she gave us a great antagonist to dislike. I look forward to reading more from her.
I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.
I really enjoyed this book! I loved the tension and build up between Anabelle and Peter, and the rest of the Alexander family (particularly Robert) was just delightful. Except for Nathan, of course. I would definitely recommend this book!
This is the story of Anabelle Milton who is away from home visiting a friend when she hears of her parents unexpected deaths. She is whisked away to Bellingham Cottage to live with an aunt and uncle she has rarely seen. Her uncle is manager of the Bellingham Estate which houses an unconventional titled family with four sons.
This is a cute novel. I thought it well written. It’s a predictable story line that flows quickly and has a modern feel. I had to laugh when our heroine asks, “Who has outed me?” in regard to someone being told of her musical talent. That struck me as very modern phrasing. The characters are fun. It’s a little saccharine in places, and the conflict is easily resolved, though satisfying in a simplistic way. This is a novel I could very easily recommend to anyone wanting a fun, sweet romance.
From the very first pages I found myself annoyed with the main character. Anabelle Milton seems superficial and judgy and the way she led Mr Timmons on only to trash him was so wrong.
Robert and Lucy are so adorable together. Robert was probably my favorite side character. Though at times he seemed older and other times he seemed very young, I loved his fun and blunt personality.
Having a large set of brothers in a story is always interesting and I love how their personalities played off of each other.
In the fashion of many Jane Austen stories, we also had a creepy clergyman.
Annabelle seemed to grow somewhat and be a little more accepting of people, but she continued to make fun of others and think too highly of herself. It seemed like everyone loved her and wanted to be with her all the time. I think it was a lot more noticeable since this story was written in first person so Anabelle was the one praising herself.
I liked the plot of this story and many of the characters. I just think that I would have liked it more if Annabelle hadn’t been so full of herself.
I also wish the epilogue wasn’t included. It just left me sad.
There’s just something about reading an author’s debut novel, and Katie Stewart Stone is an interesting voice I would like to hear more from.