Rich with family secrets, lingering danger, and the captivating allure of new love, this Regency romance introduces us to the Twethewey family and their search for peace, justice, and love on the Cornish coast.Cornwall, England, 1811—Blamed for her husband’s death, Cordelia Greythorne fled Cornwall and accepted a governess position to begin a new life. Years later her employer’s unexpected death … governess position to begin a new life. Years later her employer’s unexpected death and his last request for her to watch over his five children force her to reevaluate. She can’t abandon the children now that they’ve lost both parents, but their new guardian lives at the timeworn Penwythe Hall . . . back on the Cornish coast she’s tried desperately to forget.
Jac Twethewey is determined to revive Penwythe Hall’s once-flourishing apple orchards, and he’ll stop at nothing to see his struggling estate profitable again. He hasn’t heard from his brother in years, so when his nieces, nephews, and their governess arrive unannounced, he battles both grief at his brother’s death and bewilderment over this sudden responsibility. Jac’s priorities shift as the children take up residence in the ancient halls, but their secretive governess—and the mystery shrouding her past—proves to be a disruption to his carefully laid plans.
Praise for The Governess of Penwythe Hall:
“Absolutely captivating! Once I started reading, I couldn’t put down The Governess of Penwythe Hall. This blend of Jane Eyre, Jane Austen, and Jamaica Inn has it all. Intrigue. Danger. Poignant moments. And best of all a sweet, sweet love story. This is by far my favorite Sarah Ladd book. Don’t hesitate to snatch up this title!” —Michelle Griep, Christy Award–winning author of the Once Upon a Dickens Christmas series
“Brimming with dangerous secrets, rich characters, and the hauntingly beautiful descriptions Sarah Ladd handles so well, 1800s Cornwall is brought vividly to life in this well-crafted tale that kept me glued to the pages. What a brilliant start to a new series!” —Abigail Wilson, author of In the Shadow of Croft Towers
“The Governess of Penwythe Hall is a delightful and emotionally gripping tale that will tick all the boxes for any Regency lover: romance, history, and enough unpredictable intrigue to keep you up past your bedtime.” —Kristi Ann Hunter, author of A Defense of Honor
“Lovers of sweet and Christian romance alike will fall in love with Delia’s strength amid the haunting backdrop of her tragic past and the Cornish coast. Throw in a handsome leading man willing to turn his life upside down for the children in Delia’s charge, and you have a story you can’t put down.” —Josi S. Kilpack, Whitney Award–winning author of the Mayfield Family series
- First book in the Cornwall novels (The Governess of Penwythe Hall, The Thief of Lanwyn Manor, and The Light at Wyndcliff)
- Sweet, full-length Regency romance at 90,000 words
more
What a lovely introduction to the new Cornwall series. Cordelia Greythorne is a young widow who has also buried her only child. Leaving Cornwall and all those memories behind, she takes on the position of governess in Yorkshire. What follows is a story of guardianship, embezzlement, mystery, kidnapping and even smuggling. Where there should be loyalty, questionable actions occur. Her sister says ‘Faith is how you get past it’. Is it even possible to find love and forgiveness in all of this?
An ARC of this wonderful book was shared with me by CelebrateLit and NetGalley. All impressions and opinions are my own.
Loved loved loved this book. The story was paced well, not too fast and not too slow. The connection between Delia and Jac was a slow burn and the kind I love to read. I am never disappointed in a Sarah Ladd book. Read this one, you won’t regret it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Author Sarah Ladd once again pens a beautifully written novel as she launches a new series. The Governess of Penwythe Hall is the first book in her Cornwall series. I LOVE Ms. Ladd’s way with words. The verbal imagery brings to life the beauty of Cornwall to the extent that the reader can see, hear and feel the wild beauty as if the setting is a character in its own right.
Delia, Cordelia Greythorne, arrives unexpectedly at Penwythe Hall with the five children placed in her charge after the death of their father. Their father’s will had named his estranged brother, Jac Trethewy, as guardian. While I realize this is Delia’s story, Jac was my favorite character. Delia at first appears a little too meek and mild for my personal taste, but I loved the fact that she developed some backbone and displayed grit and courage as she faced the secrets of her past that threatened the ones she loved. Jac unexpectedly found a place in my heart right away. His love for the land and growing feelings for Delia were predictable, but it was immediate love for the children that grabbed my heart.
Fans of regency fiction will love this story filled with great attention to detail. It is a sweet romance filled with secrets and danger. But most of all it is a story of overcoming grief, facing past regrets and new beginnings.
One of my favorite quotes:
“Fear is a bitter, vile enemy-it will rob you of today’s joys and steal your strength to fight for your purpose.”
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
I was swept up in this beautiful story with strong characters. Sarah Ladd invited me to the shores of Cornwall by creating a setting that I could not resist. Her tale kept me reading as her characters faced losses and adversity yet were changed during the process. These characters are easy to relate to as they learn to face fear and the struggle to give up control. In addition, I soon found myself rooting for the children. This well crafted romantic historical fiction had just the right amount of suspense and once again reminded just how much I adore Ladd’s writing. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions are mine.
Sarah E. Ladd is an author I can always depend on to provide me with excellent stories full of interesting plots and beloved characters. She has a strong voice in the Regency book world and Jane Austen fans will be drawn to her.
The Governess of Penwythe Hall brings us the story of Cordelia Greythorne and Jac Trethewey. They both carry secrets of the past that guard their hearts, but will opening up help them to heal?
Delia is governess to five children who have recently lost their father. Attached to these children, Delia follows them to their new guardian’s house in Cornwall. Cornwall holds the secrets of her past, and she has sworn to never return. Jac Trethewey is now in charge of his nieces and nephews. He has spent their lifetimes being estranged from their father.
Delia does not like to let many people in. She thinks that she has to rely on herself in order to hide from her past. Jac lost a lot from his fight with his brother and now he is trying to regain some of the missing years with his nieces and nephews.
I loved all the children. They all had such great personalities and you hurt for all of them while they grieved their loss. Jac was wonderful with the children. I like how he wanted them to not only have their formal education but he taught the boys estate business; even tasks that would normally be for the workers. Jac was often told he was spontaneous yet he wanted to get involved in all the tasks that the estate depended on in order to make it successful for many years to come. While he was spontaneous in some things, there was actually a lot of thoughts behind his plans.
While this book was full of tender relationships, it was also full of intrigue. There were a lot of unanswered questions throughout the book, and I wanted to keep reading and not put the book down.
Ladd really has a way of describing things. There is the perfect amount of detail to picture things and feel fully immersed, yet you never feel like there is too much information. Her descriptions involve all the senses. Here is an example of her incredible writing skills that will not give away any spoilers:
“She retreated down the cliff, back the way she came. The winds that had come so strongly off the sea weakened as moorland gave way once again to orchards and then to the verdant lawn. The sea air’s salty tang was soon masked by the scent of apple trees and freshly cut grass, but the dormant memories had been revived by the familiar scene, and she doubted they would leave her in peace.”
While Regency fans will especially love The Governess of Penwythe Hall, fans of all eras will be able to appreciate this wonderful story on healing and what it means to be a family.
I loved it! It’s my new favourite from Sarah E Ladd. I loved all the characters including the malicious Greythornes. I loved the adventure and faith it contained. It was an awesome read! I received an advanced copy and this review is my opinion.
The Governess of Penwythe Hall begins Sarah E Ladd’s new series, Cornwall. Readers are taken back in time to 1811 Cornwall, England and introduced to the widow, Cordelia Greysthorne. She finds herself being accused of her husband’s death and has to escape the town. She ends up at Penwythe Hall. She becomes a governess for nieces and nephews of the hall’s owner, Jac Trethewey. Can Delia find peace and forget the past in her new life?
I enjoyed The Governess of Penwythe Hall. It involves so much that I enjoy in a book: adventure, action, danger, mystery, suspense, history, and romance. Once I began reading, I had a hard time putting it down. I just had to know what would happen to Jac and Delia next.
I am giving The Governess of Penwythe Hall four stars. I look forward to the next installment from the Cornwall series. I recommend this one for readers who enjoy clean, historical fiction.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
‘Fear is a bitter, vile enemy—it will rob you of today’s joys and steal your strength to fight for your purpose.’
Sarah E. Ladd brings us a very good start to a new series set in Cornwall. I have loved her books since her very first and look forward to what she has next for her readers.
Cornwall, England, 1811. Cordelia Greythorne has escaped Cornwall after being blamed for her husband’s death and taken a position as a governess. Three years later, the unexpected death of the children’s father and mother leave her without a job, but the late father has asked her to remain with his children as a last request. He has left guardianship of his five children to his estranged brother, Jac Trethewey, who lives in Cornwall at Penwythe Hall, the home many felt should have been his older brother’s.
Cordelia fears her late husband’s family, who also live in Cornwall, but she is determined to provide a safe environment for the children. Jac Trethewey wants to restore Penwythe’s apple orchards into a flourishing business, but is concerned about the new venture he plans to try. He is completely shocked when he finds out that he has the care of his five nieces and nephews.
There are many secrets here and danger abounding. Ladd once again takes her readers on a fascinating journey into the coast and moors of Cornwall. She brings the landscape and characters alive with her rich prose and descriptions, all the while giving us a rich spiritual theme. Highly recommended.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers via Net Galley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Sarah E. Ladd is surely one of the most solid voices in the Regency world.
Her respect for the era and it’s traditions is amazing as she pens maybe not your so common Regency plot.
She is one of the authors I most look forward to read.
In “The Governess of Penwythe Hall”, it might seem at first that the gorgeous cover is trying to deceive from a story thick in grief and regrets as the first pages of this book suggests. But it truly is a story of blossoming.
In first instance it is a floursihing to your full potential, but it’s much more – it’s about learning steadfastness despite circumstances, learning to love so deeply it covers multitude of mistakes, and becoming a refuge to those who most need it.
This was a sweet story featuring a woman who faces disillusionment, tragic losses and dangers from her past but through faith perseveres, overcomes and triumphs to find new love and a brighter future. Well-written if a bit predictable.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #ThomasNelson for the ARC. The opinions are strictly my own.
Out 4/16