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
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This book was a page-turner both because of the suspense I felt about the mystery and the suspense I felt over about what would happen to the characters. I enjoyed spending time with the characters and watching them grow and handle their challenges. The mentions of faith were gentle and encouraging. Romances aren’t my favorite genre, but I liked this one. The characters were realistic, and their relationships grew in the context of the challenges they were facing in life. I’ll look for more books from this author.
Unexpected twist at the end. Good plot.
Sweet romance.
Cordelia became a governess for a new life after her husband died. When her employer dies, she goes with her charges back to the Cornish coast. Will her past destroy her present, or will love overcome all?
I loved the details of this novel! not only about the smuggling at the time but also that concerning orchards. Both made the story more interesting and I felt like I had learned something about the Cornish area.
Cordelia was a relatable character. She kept her secret and it was revealed slowly, keeping me guessing. Her fear was understandable, but I did expect more suspense given the plot threads.
Opposite her was Jac (and I have no idea how to pronounce his last name). His interactions with his nieces and nephews were sweet, and I really enjoyed how he wasn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. Without question, he was my favorite.
The plot was steady and well-developed. Jac’s nieces and nephews were adorable. I look forward to what else this author has for this series.
I would recommend this to any reader of Regency novels. I received a free copy through NetGalley for reviewing purposes.
A governess, orphans and a clean story. What’s not to like about this easy to read historical with a bit of Gothic suspense. Sarah Ladd always writes a good book.
The governess of Penwythe Hall
Cordelia Greythorne was the daughter of a vicar. When he died her brother took over.
She wanted to marry Robert Greythorne, her brother gave his permission but failed to tell her what he did for a living. She had two tragedies in her life. One where her husband died and the other when her daughter died.
Jac Twethewey was the brother of Randall and uncle to the five children. He had been made guardian to them. He was given Penwythe Hall when his uncle died. The brothers had a falling out about it so Jac had not seen his brother for a while.
I loved this story it is evenly paced and the characters are well rounded and believable. There are some interesting developments during the tale. Jac is not informed that his brother has died and he gets the children, that was a surprise. Along with the children came the governess and the tutor. He is struggling with Penwythe Hall to make it profitable but does not intend to send the children away. I highly recommend this intriguing book, anyone can read it.
Cornwall, land of smugglers & romance…
It’s been a long time since I last read a Sarah E. Ladd book. A foolishly long time. With The Governess Of Penwythe Hall I was reminded of all that I had enjoyed so much with her books. The stereotypical Regency romance, which often feels simply saccharine, is tempered and made much more fascinating by liberal dashes of mystery and Gothic style danger and intrigue.
Once again I found myself enjoying the story, from the pretty cover to the last line. I’ve read a lot of historical fiction over the years and I think this may be either The first or one of the first times that the book’s setting has been in Cornwall, a rather wild landscape that truly lends itself to Gothic inspired fiction.
With characters that will engage each of your emotions, from the adorable to the despicable, The Governess Of Penwythe Hall is an entertaining story with a message of hope, family, and faith. It was fun to read and I really enjoyed my adventure in Sarah E. Ladd’s fascinating Regency Cornwall. I really can’t wait for the next book in the series…
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
“Cornwall. It was in her blood, and she feared she’d never escape its hold.”
Never escape? . . . . when her mother-in-law’s last hateful words upon her departure were, “A curse on you, Cordelia Greythorne”. Adjusting to life as a young widow, Delia has found pleasure serving the Twethewey family as a governess at their Easton Park estate in Yorkshire; but when tragedy strikes once again, she and her young tutees head back in the direction of Delia’s worst nightmares.
Jac Twethewey is shocked beyond words to find nieces and nephews lined up on his front doorstep; their lovely governess demanding entrance and introductions. Jac had become so absorbed in revitalizing Penwythe Hall and its once grand orchards, that it never occurred to him that his estranged brother could have died in a tragic accident, naming him as the guardian of his five children. As his priorities shift, and Delia’s past begins to threaten the safety and security of his new family, Jac is forced to make some very difficult decisions; the question is, will Delia understand and accept his motives? . . .and what exactly are his motives?
What a captivating story! Readers will love, laugh, and linger between its pages.
Books that are set in the Regency period are some of my favorites, and this is no exception. From the very beginning, The Governess of Penwythe Hall draws you in. You wonder what has happened that Cordelia is leaving her mother-in-law’s home, and why her mother-in-law is so angry. And, you don’t find out until much later in the book what happened!
A few years pass, and the book picks up with Cordelia having been a governess, during those years, to 5 children she loves as much as she’d love her own. Sadly the children lost their mother years ago, and then they lose their father to a tragic accident. At the very last moment, their father changes his will and names his brother as the children’s guardian, rather than his wife’s sister. This comes as a complete shock to his brother, Jac, since they hadn’t been on speaking terms for years. It’s also a shock when the children, along with their governess and tutor, show up since the letter “warning him” never arrived.
I loved the development of the characters through the story, especially that of the eldest child. The romance that develops in the book is very believable and not rushed like some love at first sight books are. Sarah E. Ladd uses such descriptive language, that you almost feel as if you are in Cornwall in the 1800s.
Side note: I’ve wanted to live in Cornwall since I first became addicted to the British television show Doc Martin. This book has convinced me that I definitely should move there. Now, if I could only find the money…
Once the story takes us back to this area, we start finding out more about Cordelia’s past and why she left her mother-in-law’s house. I absolutely love the how everything plays out in The Governess of Penwythe Hall. If you are a fan of inspirational historical fiction, you will too!
Sarah E Ladd has done it again! The governess of Penwythe Hall is a great read. Delia has had a tragic past, but has pulled herself up and is moving forward. Jac is a good man, but seems a bit lost. (All though he doesn’t know it). After the death of Delia’s employer, Jac is named guardian, which brings them together. From there on their story grows, many trials and surprising twists, keep you glued to your chair! I hope there is more coming of this family!
This has made me supremely happy and was just what I needed. Also, that Pride and Prejudice-esque ending had me smiling muchly.
This is the first book I have read by Sarah E. Ladd, so I had no idea what to expect. I was blown away! First I fell in love with Ladd’s effortless writing style. While not being overly wordy, it was poetically beautiful and fit the time period perfectly. Same with the dialogue. So often the dialogue in historical books can sound too modern, but this author does a beautiful job making the characters actually sound like they’re living in the time period the book is set in.
Secondly, the characters. I fell in love with them too! Delia is such a tenderhearted and selfless character, yet she still wrestles with her own demons from the past. I found myself relating to her a lot. Jac is an equally fabulous character and the perfect counterpart to Delia. I feel like sometimes the depth of the male love interest’s character can get lost, but not so in this one. Jac was his own man and I loved both characters separately and together. The children were also adorable, particularly Sophy. I did feel like their story got a little lost at the end, and I would have liked to see a little more wrapped up with them, but it was only a minor issue.
The story is not very fast paced, but I quickly became so invested in the characters that it wasn’t a problem. The mystery and intrigue that gets introduced about halfway through the book piqued my interest even further, and the end climax is intense and gripping. The faith themes, while very much in the background, were extremely well done. I might have preferred them to be slightly more prominent, but this was far better than the “preachiness” some books can take on.
From the cover to the last page, The Governess of Penwythe Hall is a beautiful and intriguing story that I highly recommend to lovers of historical fiction! This one is going on my favorites shelf. Well done, Ms. Ladd!
This is the type of book I truely enjoy. From the beginning I was immersed in the period and concerned with the plight of the characters. Some aspects of the plot were unexpected, which is an accomplishment in a regency novel. Sarah Ladd is a talented author. I recommend any of her books, and this one was particularly satisfying.
I liked this book ,it got my attention because of the era of time in England,but it kept me because I related to the heroine in a couple ways ,It was believable and interesting. It kept my attention all through
” All will work together for good.”
Those who know me know how passionate I am of Historical Romances and when I saw that It was a Christian book, I was curious to read it. What a satisfying surprise!
The book tells the story of Delia and Jac, two strong and loyal people who known each other thanks to five siblings who become orphans and are under the care of Delia and the guardianship of Jac, their uncle.
Jac is bravely trying to make his orchids and apple plantations successful and is experiencing some financial hardship to find that he will need to take care of his nephews and nieces, but he is not intimidated by the challenge of approaching five bereaved children whom he does not know well. This coexistence ends up creating bonds between these suffered characters.
The plot revolves around the trust that everyone will need to have in each other to form a united family and still has the mystery that revolves around Delia’s past.
I liked the author’s writing very much and I became a fan, she can hold the reader from beginning to end and knows how to create moments of tension, sweetness and romance plus a good mystery.
I loved Sophy so much and her sweetness, all the posture and characterization of the characters and I found the end so so so beautiful.
5/5 stars
Lovely, lovely book! Mystery and romance and a bit of cloak and dagger—I thought the plot was intriguing and yet beautiful as I witnessed each character emerge from both emotional and physical challenges. This book is a keeper for your library.
I always enjoy a good regency era book and this one most definitely fit the spot. It captivated me from start to finish. The book cover promised an interesting read and it didn’t not disappoint.
This is a book where once you start it you best have time to finish it within the allotted time or else, you will be spending the rest of the time wanting to finish it.
The story is about Cordelia Greythorne who fled her home of three years to start new. Blamed for knowledge of her husband’s death she never intended on returning home to the Cornwall coast. But three years later, her employer’s death has sent her charges to live with his brother—on the Cornwall coast. Here she must face her demons of old.
The brother, Jan Trethewey, is in the midst of trying to bring Penwythe Hall back to life with it orchards. While he is struggling with this, he discovers that he is the guardian of his brother’s five children, along with, their governess and tutor. Through out all this he tries to manage it all.
This is an excellent book and well worth setting aside some time to read it.
The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book or advanced reading copy through the reading program, Book Look Bloggers.
“Death is sad, but for those who remain behind, there is life yet to be lived.”
-Mrs. Angrove
A lovely young widow, five orphaned children, and a struggling estate owner come together in this latest tale from Sarah Ladd to give us a heartwarming story of love, loss, family, and forgiveness. Set in 1811 in Cornwall, England, the story gives us a glimpse in to the life of the people of Cornwall. Filled with everything from apples to adventures with pirates, this book will definitely get your attention and keep it right to the end.
As life changes drastically for Delia Greythorne and her five charges, she must find a way to help the children adjust to a new reality and a return to a place that for her is unsettling. The story explores the meaning of family, the value of loyalty, and the ability to forgive and move on with life. The characters in the novel are so distinctly real. The children behave like children given their circumstance and the adults are people with values and hearts.
An absolutely delightful read! I would highly recommend this book for anyone with an interest in Christian fiction, historical fiction, Regency fiction, or romance.
This ARC copy was received from Thomas Nelson and Netgalley.com. The above thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.
#TheGovernessOfPenwytheHall #NetGalley
“Never are we promised an easy life, but we are promised that when we rely on Him for strength, we will have what we need to face our challenges.”
The Governess of Penwythe Hall is a stirring, emotional tale set in 1811 Cornwall, England. It is a wonderfully entertaining novel, pleasantly reminding me of gothics by authors like Victoria Holt that I have enjoyed through the years. There’s the brooding hero, Jac Trethewey, and the heroine with a troubled past who comes into his life, Cordelia (Delia) Greythorne. From the coastline to the foggy moors, the magic of Cornwall is so vividly conveyed that you can easily sense its rugged, awesome beauty. And then there’s ghosts … ghosts of the past, that is.
Delia, a sympathetic character who has endured painful losses. While she might seem a little weak at first, it’s not long before we see her strength and courage when it comes to those she cares about. And Jac … what a wonderful hero! I immediately connected with his love for the land, desire to rebuild his estate, and vision for an apple orchard. I loved the sweetly growing relationship between Jac and Delia, but best of all is the almost immediate rapport and love he has for his brother’s children in Delia’s charge.
Ladd’s writing easily flows across the page in this absorbing novel. Family secrets and the evil of greed come into play. Some villains are obvious, others a surprise. Spiritual themes are gently woven into the story, such as fear being seen for what it really is, a “bitter, vile enemy.” We are reminded that God always has a plan and provides all that we need when we look to Him for strength and guidance.
I have loved all that Sarah E. Ladd has written, but The Governess of Penwythe Hall just might be my favorite so far. I certainly look forward to all that’s to come in this series.
Recommended.
I received a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and Thomas Nelson. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
The Governess of Penwythe Hall was such a beautifully written novel! I was captivated right away with the plight of the orphaned children and the way they were received by their uncle at Penwythe Hall.
This story contained a fascinating mix of secrets, past hurts, romance, family bonding, and a wonderful setting. All of these details were woven together in such a way that I didn’t want to set down this book!
I longed for things to work out for all of the characters, from the children to the governess, to Uncle Jac. There were many things from the past that could work against them all and wreck the possibility of a better future.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
The Governess of Penwythe Hall
Cordelia gets a job as a Governess after becoming a widow. Unfortunately her employer dies and her and the children are send to his brothers to live. The children range from young to teen years. Having children in a book always makes it so special.
Jac had a big surprise coming since he didn’t get notified they were coming. He hadn’t seen or heard from his brother for several years.
Cordelia was originally from the area and was not sure about being back there. Her husband was involved in something before he passed away and her brother in law is still in the area. I loved the mystery involving that part of the book.
This book was a fast read. The flow of the story kept me interested throughout the book. I had looked forward to reading this book and I was not disappointed.
I received a advanced copy of the book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write an positive review.