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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Wonderful. I love all the characters. I love the adults and the children. All of these people learn to live together after a lot of adversity. Each character must learn to find happiness in their own way. I look forward to many more books in this series. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
Timing is everything. Sarah E. Ladd’s Governess of Penwythe Hall has an orchard-setting cover, filled with soft spring colors. This beautiful book with nature’s long-awaited colors of olive, grass green, lilac, rose, and pink releases during blossom time here where fruit trees are abundant. Score for Thomas Nelson publishing.
This was the first novel I had read by Sarah Ladd. Ladd is quite the anglophile and quickly makes the reader want to visit the moors and marshes, or at least the craggy seacoast. I do wish mightily for a map, which may be included in the final copy.
This story had all the ingredients I needed for a very enjoyable tale. A young, attractive governess; a passel of children who depend on her and whom she loves; a rather unwilling, handsome guardian; and enough secondary characters to help steer the tale into interesting and dangerous waters.
Besides Delia and Jac, Jac’s aunt is my favorite character. She is very insightful. She seems to understand Delia’s struggles, she loves the Lord, and she understands the importance of relationships over things or business.
In short, The Governess of Penwythe Hall is a great choice if you are looking for a Regency novel of faith, fear, learning to open one’s heart to others, and facing down the giants from the past that would threaten the future. Delia especially has to figure out which relationships to build and which to cut off and how.
Notable quotables:
“Time reveals all, heals all. Don’t lose heart. God’s ways are not our ways.”
“Sometimes, whether we like it or not, things do not happen the way we think they should.” How true. We must then rise to the occasion in maturity.
“…walls alone do not make children feel safe. People do.”
“People,ah,people. That’s where the real success lies.”
“Fear knew no bounds and came in so many forms…”
“Fear is a bitter, vile enemy. It will rob you of today’s joys and steal your strength to fight for your own purpose.”
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher through Celebrate Lit. This in no way affects my opinions, for which I am solely responsible.
Sarah E. Ladd’s books are a favorite of mine; her ability to draw realistic and likeable characters, strong plots, and suspenseful atmosphere combine for a virtual guarantee of a good read. This book begins a new series and takes the reader to Cornwall, where the heroine lives in the shadow of the past that threatens her present.
As with Ladd’s earlier works, this novel immediately drops us in the middle of the action, here, unsettling and repeated bereavements in a short time span. Just as the main character wonders what’s ahead, the reader is left uncomfortable and even worried at the future, right along with Delia.
Relationships are key in this novel, especially those of family. Parenthood, siblings, marriage, and how each of these are impacted and intertwine in invisible ways is beautifully depicted. Their importance and fragility is also highlighted, as is remembering both qualities and caring for our relationships accordingly.
The romance develops slowly but the connection between the hero and heroine is strong from early chapters. I enjoyed the build-up and it felt believable despite the difference in station. It helps that Jac is not a typical landowner, and his character is refreshing in a genre that can quickly become formulaic.
A powerful spiritual thread running throughout the novel is that fear and uncertainty does not have to rule our lives, not when we trust the One who holds the future in His hands. The same One who cares for and causes beautiful flowers to grow is more than able to care for us, as complex as our lives can be.
I highly recommend this novel for fans of the Regency period, and those who enjoy a suspenseful story with a gothic feel will find an exceptional story here. Many elements combine for a satisfying ending that is a strong introduction to The Cornwall Novels—I am looking forward to the next book!
I received a review copy of this book from the author and publisher but was under no obligation to post a positive review. The opinions expressed are both honest and my own.
Excellent writing! I loved the flow of the story. The character development was wonderful. The amount of mystery, intrigue, and romance were balanced just right. Ms Ladd is an author that I will always read. Her stories are some of my favorites! I can’t wait for the rest of this series!
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.
This book was one I found very intriguing from the beautiful landscapes to the danger and greed that brought a family pain and sorrow. It is not everyday that you meet a person who is as elegant and compassionate as Cordelia . She leaves her home after a tragic loss and amid rumors and finds a place that she will fit into. I loved how the children took to her and how at peace she seemed once she was at Penwythe Hall. The children are captivating and long for someone to want them. We can’t overlook the heartbreak they have gone through. I think the connection Cordelia had with the children was one of longing to be accepted and loved. Her love for the children is evident as she protects them and surrounds them with love.
Jac has taken on a big responsibility when he finds himself the caretaker of his brother’s children and along with them their governess. I could just imagine the look on his face as they marched into his rather quiet place. He is already concerned about his apple orchard and now he has little children running around and a woman he knows very little about. It was interesting to see him gradually start to become attached to the children, because he didn’t seem like the type who wanted children around. He is a bit unsure of Cordelia and wonders if she can be trusted.
The story is surrounded by rumors of Cordelia’s past and how worried she is if Jac believes them. I loved the secrets, danger and how hard it was to know who to trust. There are several surprises in the story that give it a twist. The author does a great job of keeping the suspense at a nice level and how easy it is to fall prey to well meaning people. The ending is action packed and well worth waiting for. The book is a great start to a new series and I look forward to the next installment in an enchanting series that grabs your attention right away.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
I’m going to confess that I judged a book by the cover and fell in love! I have heard wonderful reviews for Sarah E Ladd’s other books, and while I own a few of them myself I hadn’t read any yet. The cover art caught my attention at first, but then the description led to even more excitement over the read.
This story was written with stunning imagery to heighten your senses and make you feel as if you are standing in the midst of the setting. It melded perfectly so that it flowed with the story without overpowering it or eliminating room for imagination. The quality of the writing was simply flawless and effortlessly held my attention captive.
One thing that I found unique about the story was the perception on the relationship between brothers Randall and Jac. During the time period of the book inheritances and family structures were far different from how they are today. Without giving too much detail into their background, Jac had received the inheritance that was expected to have belonged to his brother Randall. The brothers had a falling-out and so it comes to a surprise that Jac is awarded guardianship of his nieces and nephews upon Randall’s unexpected death. What I found intriguing about this relationship was that despite the tension between the brothers, neither is considered the villian. (Don’t worry though, there’s still a clear antagonist). As the story progresses you realize that what was differences in goals and personality tore the brothers apart and prevented them from having a relationship with one another. Jac experiences regret that their differences couldn’t be settled sooner. Not every argument holds a “good guy” and “bad guy.” I personally felt that their conflict along Jac’s wrestling over the past was impeccably written.
I really enjoyed this story and sincerely hope to read more from this author in the future. It was beautifully written and was highly captivating. I highly recommend it to historical romance fans!
*I received a copy of this book through CelebrateLit. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.
A governess with a mysterious past, orphaned children, a guardian uncle they don’t know well, the threat of danger, growing attraction, and betrayal are the elements of this historical romance. I enjoyed it very much.
I received a complimentary copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
Just when you think this author can’t get any better, she does it. This was hands down my favourite so far, and, I said that about the last book! Starting off a new series set in what is the most beautiful of English Counties, Cornwall. Any fans of Poldark will be familiar with the gorgeous rocky coastline, beautiful secluded beaches, cliffs, storms and of course the history of smuggling. Jamaica Inn was one of my favourite reads in my late teens, and I visited the Inn itself. The moors are stunning, and vast and certainly not a place you would want to find yourself wandering at night. Especially not in the time period this book is set in. This is the perfect setting for this story. The heroine has lots of secrets the reader does not know about, and the hero is just perfect in every single way.
The added dimension of the orphaned children, and her current position as their governess added such a richness to this story – and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This is not to be missed. There are so many great author’s in this genre and I would say Sarah Ladd is right at the top. Beautiful cover, even more amazing story within. I was enjoying this so much, I didn’t want to put it down, nor did I want it to end.
I received a eARC from Netgalley. This is my honest review.
In this beautiful story, Mrs. Cordelia Greythorne has found herself a widow after her husband dies in a “free-trading” incident. Her in-laws, a very dangerous family, have banned her from the area, so she takes a position as a governess for the Widower Trethewey’s five children. When he is killed in a tragic accident, she and the children go to live at Penwythe Hall with their new guardian and uncle, Jac Trethewey. There are some major obstacles that each of these characters have been through and many that they will have to endure. I enjoyed the progression of the story and the enduring love that leads them to protect the children above all. I would say the story had a little of everything…a little romance, a little mystery, a little spirituality. I enjoyed the storyline from beginning to end and am looking forward to the next book in the Cornwall Series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Sarah E. Ladd takes readers to the Cornish Coast in the first book of a brand-new series, and what a great start it is.
Cordelia “Delia” Greythorne has endured loss in her life so she empathizes with the five children under her care upon the death of their father. Change is in store for all of them when they are directed to the children’s uncle and Penwythe Hall.
Jac Tretheway is an innovative man who cares about the land he’s inherited. An apple orchard may be a risk, but Jac sees what a successful one would mean for Penwythe. But when a governess, a tutor, and five children arrive in his home, he’s overwhelmed.
Ladd weaves a tale of suspicion (and smugglers!), grief, family, home, and romance that kept me involved and engaged in the story from the first page to the last. The descriptions of the area are vibrant and detailed from the gardens of Penwythe to the Cornish Cliffs, and I’m thankful Ladd will be returning to this area in this new series.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books 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.
Excellent, compelling, inspiring story with beautifully developed characters. This has many profound insights applicable to life today; pg 107,
third paragraph, “This is it?” “Ah, it’s what this will become” Jac smiled….. So true! Accepting the “this is it” junctures in our life so we can experience and see “what this will become” if I’ll stick with it to see the results. While I loved the story, highly recommend and read in 2 days, I love that Sarah Ladd has such extraordinary insight and delivers such gems that are applicable to life today. Now, to eagerly wait for her next gem.
Sarah E. Ladd does it again. With her newest tale, The Governess of Penwythe Hall, Ladd created a story filled with intrigue, mystery, and Regency charm. Right from the beginning, I was wrapped up in Cordelia’s world and wanted to know more. The romance took a while to develop, which is completely realistic to me, and I loved that aspect. I enjoyed the plot. I kept wanting to know more about the heroine’s past, even though Ladd wouldn’t come right out and tell us. Don’t worry. Ladd does explain everything before the ending. The novel moved at a good pace and kept me engrossed in the plot. Overall, The Governess of Penwythe Hall by Sarah E. Ladd is a delightful Regency novel with a hint of a mystery twisted around the characters. I enjoyed spending time with the characters and want more from Ladd.
I received a complimentary copy of Sarah E. Ladd’s The Governess of Penwythe Hall from Thomas Nelson Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own
I absolutely loved this book! Sarah Ladd has such a wonderful way of writing these stories that capture a reader and holds them until the end! I loved all of the characters! Delia and Jac were excellent! I can’t wait for more books from Sarah Ladd!
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
The Governess of Penwythe Hall is Sarah E. Ladd’s most recent offering for fans of her Regency era novels. Its steady pace with touches of danger and suspense as well as the expected romance offered a pleasant reading experience for me during yet another round of seasonal allergies.
As always, Ladd’s settings are exquisitely vivid and her characters well-rounded and mostly likeable. I enjoyed her portrayal of Delia and the children under her supervision. I also liked Jac and appreciated his change of attitude as he grew to love his brother’s children who suddenly became his responsibility. Family secrets and other surprises kept things interesting with a few plot twists along the way.
A lovely story about overcoming and standing firm in the face of tragedy, The Governess of Penwythe Hall kept me happily reading until its end. I look forward to the upcoming books in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
Cornwall England 1811
Cordelia Greythorne’s life had taken many painful and heartbreaking roads. Her situation grabbed at my heart right from the start. There were secrets alluded to also that had me curious and reading as fast as I could. Sometimes I wondered who really were the “good” guys and who were the “bad” guys.
Finding work as a governess to five children after her husband passed away gave her a purpose and an income. She came to love them all and felt responsible for their care, safety and emotions. When their only parent unexpectedly died, she found herself sent to the uncle of the children in another location. Life seemed to change so quickly. The uncle was stunned at first but settled into a different routine with the governess, tutor and the children.
But soon family secrets long hidden began to slowly surface and brought with them danger for Cordelia and those closest to her.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit but was not required to write a review positive or otherwise.
This story that starts out with a family tragedy. I really enjoyed this story, I like it when there are children as a focal point and a touching ending! Delia, a governess to five recently orphaned children travels to their new home and finds the children’s Uncle someone that will need a lot of help getting the children to accept him as their new guardian. I found danger, suspense, family secrets and a little romance made for a very interesting story.
I was gifted a copy, no review was required. My review is voluntary.
Cordelia Greythorne left Cornwall when she was blamed for the death of her husband. She takes a job as a governess for five children, but when their father dies, she follows her late employers final wishes that she stay with them after they are in the care of their new guardian who resides in Cornwall.
Jac Trethewey is determined to revive his inherited estate, returning it to its former glory, by growing the apple orchards and finding ways to make it profitable. He is surprised when he finds himself the guardian of his estranged brother’s five children, and struggles to balance his multitude of responsibilities.
Old secrets rear their ugly heads, will they threaten Delia’s chance at happiness?
Delia loves her young charges dearly, and even though she is loathe to return to Cornwall, she honors her employer’s wishes. Delia struggles with fear, though on the outside she appears calm and composed. I love that she is close to her family, especially her sister who gives her wise counsel.
Jac inherited an estate, but not much money to go with it. He works hard with his bare hands to make his estate a success. He is an honorable man of integrity, and faith, once he gets over his surprise at their arrive he appreciates how the children have enriched his life. He has big dreams, and is incredibly driven to make his own way in Cornwall. He admires how Delia is able to be assertive and take control of situations that arise with the children.
Overall, a fantastic read, compelling and full of heart, perfect for fans of Poldark. I liked how Delia and Jac worked together and got to know each other through raising the children. There was good tension with the secrets, and the children were all well developed and wonderful characters. I loved the theme of faith over fear. A wonderful read from beginning to end, hard to put down, and with well developed characters and lush scenery.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising.”
I enjoyed this read, but we are dealing life’s hardest facts, the loss of loved ones.
Surprises happen here that I really didn’t see coming, and our Governess is a strong character who has suffered a lot of hard knocks in her life.
The owner of the manor is about to receive one of the biggest surprises of his life, when his brother’s children arrive to live with him. Considering the hard feelings between the men, he is now a parent to five children.
Through the author I could smell the salt air around me, and picture the sea side cliffs, that I soon felt myself stumbling over.
From beginning to end this one is a page turner, you have to know how things turn out!
I received this book through Celebrate Lit, and was not required to give a positive review.
A slowly unfolding Regency tale of loyalty, love, and ghosts of the past, “The Governess of Penwythe Hall” contains a smattering of elements to satisfy a variety of readers. From the shadowy prologue, Sarah Ladd creates a story that is starkly somber and yet infused with surprisingly delightful moments and emotions. Echoes of “Jane Eyre” resonate throughout, highlighting the subdued tone. All things considered, I think that the cover should reflect this a bit more rather than being so bright and vibrant, but that is it is just my personal opinion, and as it is, the book jacket is nonetheless beautiful.
“The Governess of Penwythe Hall” is a book that does not over-romanticize life in early nineteenth century England. Tragedies abound and affect all of the characters, from the wealthy to the working class. Death is a frequent, albeit unwelcome, visitor, leaving upheaval in its wake. To the characters’ credit, they adapt to change admirably despite the normal setbacks that occur along the way. As Charlotte Angrove, former mistress of Penwythe Hall, sagely notes, “Time reveals all, heals all. Don’t lose heart. God’s ways are not ours.” Bearing that in mind, the five children were a high point of the story for me. Ladd did well in handling their grief and the subsequent concerns and insecurities that they feel, especially as they apply to the oldest child, Liam. The uncle under whose care they find themselves, Jac Twethewey, is a landowner who works alongside his employees on the grounds, a man thrust into guardianship just as he tries to bring his plans for financially stabilizing his estate to fruition. Meanwhile, governess Cordelia (Delia) Greythorne’s mysterious past unravels one thread at a time, ultimately leading to the story’s climax.
While this book is not necessarily a suspenseful page turner, it demonstrates its strength in other ways. Although the setting is a little over 200 years ago, the issues remain germane to contemporary society. Grief, loss, shifting and uncertain living arrangements, and custody disputes all continue to affect families today, and readers can learn a bit about how to minister to the children involved through Delia’s example in this story. The inescapable consequences of the past also figure prominently in the narrative, as does that common, unsettling emotion, anxiety: “Fear seemed to be the dictating force in her life, especially since the loss of her family.” After a cloudy, stormy forecast, “The Governess of Penwythe Hall” concludes as the sun finally breaks through thanks to something that Delia has learned, that we need to put our faith not in other people or in ourselves, but in God, who works all things together for good.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through CelebrateLit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
This is book 1 of the brand new “Cornwall series” set in Cornwell England in the early 1800s. This is a longer book (over 350 pages) so it took a couple of days to get thru. I enjoyed the steady pace of daily English living, along with some romance and drama.
Delia was a wonderful character-not afraid to take care of the 5 children she was governess of-even when times got tough! Readers get a glimpse into her tragic past before she became a governess and how she works hard to overcome it and be content with what life throws her way. I loved Jac’s aunt and her role with the children, and getting to know Jac through out the book despite the childrens opinion of him.
I enjoyed reading this historical, clean fiction and can’t wait to read more in this series!
I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.