I fell in love with the sweet simplicity of this book. The goodness of the two main characters was reassuring. It’s so hard to like a book when you’re wishing the main character had some more…well, character. Both Eleanora and Ridley do. Thank goodness.

I appreciated the growth of Eleanora’s son. The maturity for his age did feel hard to believe. (Thank heaven it happened though because whoo-boy was he a brat!)

This is a gentle enough romance to recommend to a favorite teenager or my mom. Books with that range are few and I am grateful to find one.

Thank you Shadow Mountain Publishing for the eARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own!


This story takes place in the London Countryside in 1820 where Eleanora Coventry comes from a life ease, title and privilege. However, even with all that it cannot prevent her from being wed at sixteen to a controlling and dismissive husband. So when she finds herself a widow at only twenty-seven, the idea of choosing her own path forward both thrills and terrifies her. She knows how to be a daughter and a wife and mother, but she has no idea how to be Eleanora. She moves her children to her late husband's country estate, where she meets Ridley, the young stable master. He is ruggedly handsome and kind. Eleanora finds herself drawn to him. There is only one problem Ridley is not titled.
Ridley Ellis has a way with horses. Even the most spirited stallions trust his soft voice and gentle touch. He has the same effect on people, and when he first lays eyes on Eleanora, he is smitten by her beauty. But he quickly discovers it will take more than soft words to gain her trust—Lord Coventry had been cruel to people and animals alike. But the closer he gets to Eleanora, the more he is willing to share his heart, and more importantly, his secret. In a world where title and privilege mean everything, will Eleanora and Ridley risk it all to find happiness? Or will the shadows of their pasts destroy everything they hope to build together?

I love a forbidden love meets finding ones self for the first time. This story shows just how much Eleanora comes into her own. I enjoyed that very much. There were just a few parts that were a bit slow. However, the character development and romance where lovely!

Read if you enjoy:
Romance
Forbidden love
Finding One's Self
Horses

A book from the Proper Romance read is always in order. They are always all things proper, swoony and oh so enjoyable. Windsong Manor is another great addition to the series and a wonderful story by the fantastic Julie Wright.

This is such a heartfelt, beautiful story of a struggling young, widowed mother who deserves all the love in the world and who needs to discover her place in the world. Nora is such a real character to be as a reader, the emotional turmoil she goes through, the uphill battles she has to climb in her own life. They are believable experiences, even reading in modern day. Ridley and her children are just the people she needs to help her find her footing and love. Her journey is beautiful, emotional and touching.

Plus, she gets to fall in love with Ridley and that is all things romantic and perfection. They way these two come together, the circumstances that present themselves and the way they are able to work through them all makes for such a good story. And the children the perfect touch to this mother's journey to happiness and self-discovery.

Wright did a beautiful job with this regency romance, as she does with all her stories, and I loved every minute of the reading experience.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher/author and all opinions are my own.

Widowed at a young age after a loveless marriage, Eleanora knows about motherhood, but she doesn’t know about love. Until the stable master pays her a bit more attention than she’s used to. But will she buck all of society standards and fall for a stable master?

There was a lot I appreciated about Windsong Manor. From the beginning I was intrigued and wanted to see how the journey turned out for both Ridley and Lady Coventry. I expected some of the twists but not how they came about. All in all, I was entertained until the very end.
*I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publishers via NetGalley. My review was not required nor influenced.

I truly enjoyed Nora and Ridley's story. Both characters struggle with the expectations of society and strike out on their own path. I enjoyed watching Nora's relationship with her children develop and I appreciated the way Ridley was able to step in and help her even though he was the stablemaster at the manor. While certain elements of the story felt unrealistic, I still enjoyed the relationships that developed. I saw imperfections in the characters and yet the ability to love and forgive in spite of that. I was cheering the characters on as they overcame the obstacles placed before them. I would love to get a peek into their lives again in the future.

I really adore slightly older and jaded-by-life MCs in books. In this book, neither Eleanora nor Ridley are very old, but they have definitely had life experiences that have matured them beyond their years. They have wisdom you don’t see in really young MCs, and it’s just a refreshing difference to read about once in a while. The addition of children always adds a complication to a story that I love watching authors weave about. And I thought Kilpack did a great job with that in this one.

I loved watching Eleanora’s character arc in this one. I loved how she found strength in various titles she wore, and how she learned that ultimately her greatest strength comes from within, that she is worth fighting for because she is worthy. So good. Seeing Eleanora’s children grow and gain confidence was also so sweet. I really liked Ridley’s inherent goodness. It was pretty obvious to me at the beginning that there was more to his story than we were getting, but I still admit to being somewhat shocked by the full story once it all came to light.

And thank heaven for some really side characters who helped convince Eleanora and Ridley to do the things they needed to do. Ridley’s brothers and the steward were both top notch characters. I loved how things worked out in the end. I don’t think it could have been any more perfect.

I really enjoyed this story, and would recommend to anyone who enjoys Regency romance that is slightly different from the norm.



*CW/TW: spousal emotional abuse (previous to story); death of spouse; mention of affairs and child out of wedlock; abuse at the hand of siblings; blood mentioned



**thanks to the publisher for the copy. These are my own thoughts.

This is such a lovely story of healing and restitution as Eleanora rehabilitates her defiant and arrogant son along with her husband's recently orphaned illegitimate daughter. Windsong Manor is a refuge from the influences that have poisoned her son's mind, and while her progress is slow, she can sense what is right for him. I admired her fortitude in taking in her husband's daughter, providing her not just with shelter, but eventually with compassion and love. The stablemaster Ridley is such a strong influence for good in each of their lives. He's humble, yet confident, and has a way of putting things in perspective and providing encouragement and support in becoming their best selves. I loved the relationships he developed with Eleanora and her children, and his protective nature as they face trials. All along there is a sense that Ridley is more than what he seems, and I was gratified with how it all worked out in the end.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Married at a young age to a controlling man, Eleanora has lost who she is. When widowed at the age of twenty-seven, she has the opportunity to discover just who that is. She befriends the stablemaster- someone below her station and must come to terms with what that means, considering her rank in society. Ridley loves working with horses and has done everything he can to stay under the radar. When Eleanor moves onto the estate, everything changes and he must come to terms with his own past, or risk the chance of losing Eleanor. Loved this one. Such a sweet story and the romance was sweet and clean.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A fabulous regency romance that hits all the right notes!

I had several guess as to where the story was going and was proven correct, but I wasn't at all mad about that. I just loved this story and will definitely reread it again.

Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for an advance copy of this excellent novel!

this was engaging to read but also a little slow moving. I liked the two leads and the kids in the book.

The idea here isn't bad, but "Windsong Manor" is poorly written. The writing is elementary and passive, not at all engaging. The word choice often felt too modern for the period, and the children did not speak or act like children. Historical inaccuracies continually pulled away from the story.

Plot movement is almost non-existent, and what little action we do see is tacky and manufactured. "I love you" was a surprise later in the book, as the two main characters had hardly interacted. And a note: This is a "proper romance;" while it is not religious, it is incredibly preachy.

eARC provided by NetGalley for review.

Windsong Manor was a sweet book about a mother who would do anything for her son. Even if that means taking in a child that isn't hers, but having everyone believe they are. Even if that means going against what every person in your life deems "proper" and "right".

Eleanora has had a pitiful marriage and when her husband dies she is left with herself and two children. She knows how to be their parent, but not how to be herself. She decides to make some drastic changes and moves her family away, and out to their country estate. In hopes of helping her son and in hopes of helping herself, she moves forward, against the wishes of her late husbands terrible solicitor.

Ellis is working in the stables and over time, comes to be a major help in Eleanora's children's lives. They make a connection and she starts sharing more of her heart with him. Ellis is wanting to do the same, but his secret could break everything he has and everything he wants.

Windsong Manor is a book that I enjoyed. I always love seeing a mother take charge of her family in a regency era book. They have so much against them, historically, that it is a beautiful thing to see in books. Julie Wright wrote a sweet romance between two hurt souls that needed to heal with the help of another hurt soul.
3 Star

This is a poignant tale of second chances, love, and the pursuit of happiness in the face of societal expectations. Eleanora Coventry, emerging from a stifling marriage, navigates the challenges of newfound freedom and self-discovery as a widow with a son and daughter. The arrival of Ridley Ellis, the charismatic stable master, introduces a compelling dynamic between title and humility. As Eleanora grapples with her privileged past and Ridley harbors a secret, their burgeoning connection becomes a beacon of hope in a world defined by class divisions. The narrative beautifully explores themes of trust, redemption, and the transformative power of love, inviting readers into a captivating world where the shadows of the past may either shatter or strengthen the delicate bonds being forged at Windsong Manor.

Wright skillfully weaves together a heartwarming story that resonates with emotional depth, making it a must-read for those seeking a tale of love overcoming the barriers of social expectations.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an arc. All opinions expressed are my own.

Such an interesting and unique regency romance. Filled with intrigue it had me hooked from page one. I loved it. With its slow burn romance it was refreshing.

A beautiful story about a mother's love. Eleanora was a mother who I could relate to in so many ways. This was a wonderful story!

Nora is an intriguing character. Married off to an old baron while barely more than a child herself, she has found a surprising level of inner strength and fortitude. Ridley is a mystery; a man with a past he refuses to speak of, even to those who know him well.

Amelia is a kindhearted and sweet child, despite the upheaval she experiences. Edward's anger is understandable from a boy who has lost his father, even though that father was horrible.

While this novel touches on some heavy topics; bereavement, abuse, neglect, and so forth, it felt like it was missing some depth. Too much of the story focuses on Nora and Ridley and their reactions to each other, instead of showing the interactions between the children or Edward's character development. A lot was told instead of shown.

An enjoyable story for when you're looking for an easy read to pass the time.

In Windsong Manor, by Julie Wright, you will meet Eleanor Coventry on the opening page. Nora, who married a much older gentleman at the age of fifteen, is now twenty-seven. As her husband, Lord Coventry, is dying, Nora learns that, besides caring for her own son, she must also raise this man’s illegitimate daughter after his death. This situation is almost too much!

After her husband’s death, Nora moves her family to Windsong Manor, one of her family’s estates in the countryside. She hopes this move will have a positive effect on both of her children. When Nora and her family meet Ridley Ellis, one of the stable masters, they have no idea how their lives are about to change!

Ridley seems to have a way with both horses and with people. You’ll be surprised, when the secret Ridley has been hiding, finally comes to light!

So I started this story and was enjoying it overall. I liked the characters and general synopsis of the story. The only thing that kept annoying me was that Eleanora and Ridley were just sooooo perfect! Ridley had no faults, he was almost godlike and Eleanora's only flaw seemed to be that she thought she was flawed. So I gave up reading it to complete another review but when I came back to finish it I was so annoyed because I quick too soon, right before all the drama! The drama brought out the characters flaws and improved the story so much. The characters were still too perfect but it was a good feel-good escape read with a good amount of romance. A very satisfying ending!

Eleanora Coventry was wed at just sixteen to a much older man who merely wanted an heir. He controlled every aspect of her life, and on his deathbed, forces a promise that she will raise his illegitimate daughter as her own. Eleanora agrees, and soon after she is widowed, moves her son and new daughter to their country estate. The stablemaster there, Ridley Ellis, evokes feelings in her she’s never felt before, but she is overwhelmed with a son who is well on the path of becoming just like his late father—unfeeling and cruel, along with her new daughter who misses her old home. Ridley becomes a haven for Eleanora, but their growing feelings for each other complicate everything. Can they risk everything—including her guardianship over her son—for a chance at love?

This heartfelt romance is very relatable with interwoven themes of how family relationships can affect us throughout our lives. Eleanora had once dreamed of love and marriage, and what she endured smothered that dream—or so she thought. She wants to be a good mother, but outside influences have affected how her son sees her. Eleanora also faces the difficulty of trying to blend a family when she becomes the mother to a girl who misses her birth family. Throughout it all, Eleanora does an admirable job of handling the situations she’s been given. But her relationship with Ridley, a calming influence on everyone involved, is all the sweeter when he shares her burdens and helps her see her true worth. It’s not all smooth sailing, however, when Ridley is hiding a pretty big secret. His own background has taken him on a life path he didn’t expect and it finally catches up to him, adding a thread of suspense to the book and one more obstacle they must overcome on their journey to a hoped-for happily-ever-after. Readers will enjoy this tender, slow-burn romance that, while it has a more modern flair to it, will still immerse the reader in the world of Windsong Manor and the life Eleanora hopes to build with Ridley and her children.