The Governess of Penwythe Hall
Sarah Ladd
Publisher description:
“Launching a brand-new series, beloved Regency author Sarah E. Ladd shares the tale of a governess who would risk anything to protect five recently orphaned children—even if it means returning to Cornwall.”
“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”
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 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.
Rich with family secrets, lingering danger, and the captivating allure of new love, this first book in the Cornwall series introduces us to the Twethewey family and their search for peace, justice, and love on the Cornish coast.”
My Review:
This new book by Sarah Ladd is a captivating Regency suspense story of loss, love, and second chances. Cordelia has experienced sorrow and unfairness in her life and was creating a new life for herself as a governess. When her employer unexpectedly dies, she finds that, because of her love for the children in her care, she must return to the Cornish coast and face her greatest fear.
I always love stories that have a strong, independent woman as a main character, and we see this story mainly from Cordelia’s viewpoint. Sarah Ladd does a wonderful job of describing Penwythe Hall and the Cornish coast as seen through Cordelia’s eyes. I almost felt as if I’d actually been there and walked through the gardens. Jac’s character is also interesting, and I liked him from the very beginning. The children in Cordelia’s care add much to this story and stirred my sympathy for them. The story itself is full of suspense and romance, and Cordelia has to try to determine who to trust. The pacing of the story is perfect and left me feeling that the story was complete. I’ll be reading this book again.
This is a clean Regency story and there’s no foul language. It’s the first book in a new series and I’ll look forward to visiting this setting again.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Sounds good!