Suspenseful, clean, historical romance! Engaging characters, both strong and positive like Owen and Annabelle and weak and mean like Bartrell and Samuel. Good story and mystery 3 stars due to high ebook price.
Voluntarily read ARC thru Netgalley and publisher, for honest review.

Mrs. Ladd has done it again! ...and in the very best way possible.

Delightful. It's the word I could use over and over again to describe this book. I keep forgetting how much I enjoyed Mrs. Ladd's book A Lady at Willowgrove Hall; it reminded me so much of Jane Austen and Elizabeth Gaskell (North and South, mostly the movie). I am glad in a way I forgot though, because it made reading this book all the more delightful (I am sorry, but that word is probably going to show up again and again).

Annabelle's story was solid. The fear, the rejection, the reasons she fled, all were sound and believable. The plot was incredible in my opinion. I enjoyed every moment of this book. There were a few times I wasn't so sure about reasoning behind certain things though. For instance, the poaching. I know poaching is bad and it was made clear that people could make money by doing it, but I was confused as to why Mr. Bartrell was doing it. I thought he was pretty well off. On top of that, I wasn't convinced that poaching could bring in a sum large enough to be of significance to men of fortune. I had assumed that poaching was something that only those not used to a high income would use to gain more money. I think this could have simply been fixed by mention of what amounts of money they might have been making. Or even just mention that it was helping rid them of their debts, which would imply that they were making a considerable amount of money through poaching. Regardless, the story was still delightful though I didn't quite understand this point. Truth be told, that may be only my impression.

The characters and character development was truly grand. I loved getting to know Annabelle and Owen and Hannah. In fact, I have rarely met characters I enjoyed getting to know as I did these. I absolutely loved how Annabelle and Owen spent the majority of their time together in the novel speaking on "normal" terms. Meaning, they seemed to form a friendship and act as friends for almost the entire book, rather than form a romance and act as two people in love. This is one of those books that simply made me smile. I truly felt that Owen loved Annabelle for who she was, not for her looks, not for her money. I saw their relationship as one that would last, since it was founded on a mutual denial of self for the sake of the other. I applaud Mrs. Ladd for writing such a praiseworthy story with such role model characters!

A truly delightful story for mid-teens and up.

This book was given to me by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All comments here stated are completely my own.

Do you love a good light story with a hint of romance and intrigue? Are you a fan of regency romance or Jane Austen novels? If you haven’t already, you should pick up A Stranger at Fellsworth by Sarah E. Ladd.

Annabelle’s family has fallen on hard times. Her mother died when she was young and her father died a couple of years previous to the start of the story. Shortly before her father’s death, he lost most of his fortune in an embezzling scandal. Now Annabelle finds herself alone and unwelcome staying with her brother and his wife. Her brother tries to keep the family estate afloat with an idea to marry Annabelle off to a wealthy, but reprehensible suitor. Annabelle is wary of the blackness that seems to be overtaking her brother and home and leaves to go and stay with her estranged Uncle along with her maid. She is helped on the journey by gamekeeper Owen, who is from a nearby estate.

Her Uncle runs the Fellsworth School and lives a much simpler life than Annabelle is used to. She starts working for the first time in her life as a teacher’s assistant while her maid finds a new life in the kitchens. Annabelle finds herself attracted to tragic widower Owen, who has a young daughter, Hannah at the school. Owen finds himself involved in a mystery as he tries to track down a poaching ring on the estate he works on as well as a neighboring estate. He has a dream to purchase the property he was raised on, but he can only purchase the property with the capture of the poaching ring. Will the poachers be caught – who are they? Will Annabelle find happiness and meaning in her life? Will Annabelle’s brother find her?

I greatly enjoyed A Stranger at Fellsworth. It was an engaging story, with wonderful characters, and a great setting. I love Regency era stories. I loved the mystery, but I really loved how the characters evolved. More so then previous also great novels, The Curiosity Keeper and Dawn at Emberwilde, this story is a story of faith and how one should navigate life and their faith journey. I loved how that was woven throughout the tale. This is the third novel in the series, but it is easily a stand-alone novel, the only connection being the Fellsworth setting.

My favorite quotes:

“We are not just placed on this earth, haphazardly. Each of us has a path. Each of us has a purpose. It is part of life to find that path and follow it.”

“But most importantly, he wanted her to know that her value lay not in making a successful match as an adult, but in developing her character now”

“Peace is an interesting word. My mama always said that peace was not dependent upon your circumstances. It was dependent upon where you placed your faith.”

Overall, A Stranger at Fellsworth is a wonderful Regency Christian Romance with a great mystery storyline and fantastic characters that grow in their faith and sense of self as the novel progresses. I highly recommend it! I found it a perfect novel to help me relax at the end of a day.

Book Source: Review E-Book Copy as part of the TLC Book Tour. Thanks!

A Stranger at Fellsworth is the third book in Sarah E. Ladd's Treasures of Surrey Series. The historical setting was well described and the story itself full of action, mystery, second chances and of course, a budding romance!

This story was a fairly quick read, very and the perfect start to start my Summer romance reading. I enjoyed this wonderful book and highly recommend it for those who love faith based historical romance novels!

4 Stars!

I received this book for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own. Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishing, Ms. Ladd and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I really enjoyed reading this one. I thought the story was interesting but a bit predictable. The characters were enjoyable but I wish there could have been a little more interaction between Owen and Annabelle. I enjoyed the backstories of each but felt like they could have used a bit more time together to establish and develop the relationship fully. Much of their interactions were not described or very minimal which left me wanting more. This was a lovely read but not something I think I would pick up to read again. I didn´t become attached enough to the characters to feel compelled to revisit.

Romance, clean, period, Christian
This was more of a 3.5 for me as a reader. I enjoyed the story, how Annabelle found the courage to leave her brother, and find safety as a teacher. Owen was a great character, particularly when contrasted with the other romantic interest. The feelings and hope that develop between them, Owen's daughter that brings them together as they meet at the school made for a sweet setting. The suspicions that lead to the final climax and the 'fall' of one of the other characters (don't want to say who). This was a good read, not necessarily great, but still a nice escape. Annabelle's determination, even though she was in another somewhat precarious situation, helped her find her HEA. For many readers, and the faith elements. this would be a good read.

Sarah Ladd has done it again. Such a unique and intriguing story. I loved Owen from his entry into the story as well as his daughter Hannah. But Annabelle gradually grew on me as she slowly warmed and let her walls down. She became "human" in a way that seemed impossible in her limited and straight laced world of London. Her Uncle Edmund was a great surprise to me as he turned out to be a man of great depth and warmth.

There is a lot of intrigue and suspense threaded throughout this book as well as some pretty sordid characters.

The audiobook was also extremely well narrated. I highly recommend this one.

An enjoyable read with romance and mysteries. Annabelle was a believable heroine who had a great change in circumstances and seemed to hold up well with it all. I thought that the relationship with her former maid was a bit awkward and could have been better. Owen was a very likable character. It was a good read but not wow, wow, wonderful.

Sarah E Ladd is a wonderful author. I've read two of her Whispers on the Moors novels and fell in love with the beautiful lyrical writing, vivid and real characters, landscape and politics of England in early 1800s, and the gentle and loving pull of God in the characters' lives. Though I haven't read any books previously from the Treasures of Surrey novels, I dug into this third book from the series with high expectations. She did not disappoint.

From the Whispers on the Moors novels, I realized that her books are really stand-alones and not books in a "series" that are best read one after the other in order. I got that feeling with this book as well. I'm sure there were some cameo appearances from the first two books that were undetected by me but I didn't feel left out from the storyline because I didn't read the other books first.

I appreciated reading about the more "common" people with actual jobs and professions during this time in England's history. Reading about titled lords/ladies and titled gentlemen/gentlewomen can be fun but learning about the ins and outs of what a gamekeeper did in early 1800s was quite fascinating. Learning about a boys' and girls' boarding school for the "middle class" children back in those days was quite interesting as well.

Owen is a beautiful man with a tender heart and a faithful, loyal, thoughtful soul. Annabelle embodies gentleness, kindness, and grace expected from a lady of her breeding but also possesses a backbone, though does get tripped up in her fear at times. Their romance is slow, intentional, and ever so sweet.

Annabelle's faith journey is also slow but intentional and is spurred by her deceased mother's faith and prayer journal.

There is also a bit of mystery and suspense as Owen tries to capture the poachers plaguing the forest. What a great combination - a historical fiction with a dash of romance and a dose of suspense! Who can resist?

I received ARC of this book from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley. I was not required to give a favorable review. All thoughts and comments are solely my own.

In A Stranger at Fellsworth, Annabelle finds herself in a horrible situation of being forced to marry an evil and despicable man. She fears for her life and decides to create her own destiny. Hoping to find sanctuary, she flees to her aunt and uncle's school with the help of Owen, a gamekeeper on the estate near the school.

I ended up enjoying this sweet and clean romance. I admired Annabelle in her decision to take a chance on her own future. Despite living a sheltered and pampered life of a lady, she was willing to learn how to do without and become someone new. She didn't shy away from honest work. I also loved Owen and his devotion to his daughter, despite rumors of her paternity. His push to provide something better for her was admirable. The romance in this one is subtle, but I ended up really buying into it.

I definitely recommend this one. There is also a bit of a mystery and some tense action moments toward the end. It's the third in a series, but works completely as a stand alone. I look forward to reading more out of the series.

Disclaimer: I received this eBook from the publisher, Thomas Nelson, for free to read and review through the blogger review program at Net Galley. I was not required to give a favorable review only an honest review, nor was I compensated for my review. All thoughts and comments in this review are my own.

About the book:

Because of Annabelle Thorley’s deceased father’s financial ruin, her fiancé decides to call off the wedding. Her future prospects for a husband are not looking very good and to top it all off she is not at the mercy of her cruel brother. When she was a young girl she visited Fellsworth with her mother and her uncle told her to remember she was always welcome if she ever found herself in need. Her only hope is to go to Fellsworth to her Uncle, in hopes she can have a normal life. Although Annabelle had never had to work in her life, she begins teaching and finds it difficult to do things for herself that other people used to do for her. It is not easy but she is determined to make her own way and not return to her brother’s home.

At the school Annabelle, meets Owen Locke’s daughter and falls head over hills in love with her. Owen is a widower and is extremely protective of his young daughter. However once he meets Annabelle, his once regimented life is in turmoil. For the first time since his wife died he wonders if he can have a second chance at love, but first before he can think of developing a relationship with Annabelle, he must find out who is poaching on the land he is hired to protect.

He wonders if they be able to find a future together?

My Thoughts:

Annabelle’s story will steal your heart. At first her inability to take care of herself and make friends will make you wish you could give her a hug and tell her not to give up hope. As she becomes more confident, she finds she is able to do most anything she puts her mind too. Owen and Annabelle’s story will take you on a journey of theft, murder and mysterious strangers stealing their peace. You will also see love, forgiveness and courage at work. I love Sarah Ladd’s books. Her characters are so well developed they feel real. I highly recommend this book.

The third and final instalment in Sarah Ladd’s Treasures of Surrey series was a fun and enjoyable read. It some ways, it reminded me of some of her previous books, particularly The Headmistress of Rosemere (because it involves a girl’s boarding school) and A Lady at Willowgrove Hall (which also involved the protagonist running away).

The characters were interesting, I especially liked the hero Owen Locke, who I think cropped up in the last book somewhere. A gamekeeper and single father afraid of loving again after a tragedy, who is nonetheless a man of honour, and Annabelle’s Aunt and Uncle. The caring if slightly eccentric headmaster and his wife. The love story was well written without being too mushy, as were the faith elements. They came across as natural to the story, conveyed in the lives and experiences of the characters, and not too preachy but appropriate for the time.
The synopsis however, I think exaggerates the element of danger, mystery and intrigue. Something does happen, there is mention of a gang of poachers in the local forest, but it’s not as central to the story as Annabel and Owen’s relationship except at the end, where it serves as a foil. I think another reviewer mentioned that whilst this is a good story, it’s not especially memorable. I also agree that the antagonists weren’t as well written as other characters. They were rather predictable, and their actions rather far-fetched.

A few Americanisms in the story were also a source of some annoyance. I’m not sure school attendees were called students in 19th century Britain. Wouldn’t it have been pupils? A girl being bullied saying the other children were being ‘mean’ to her for not being ‘smart’ just doesn’t sound right. It’s not in the same league as Jane Eyre- can modern fiction ever be? This novel is however a great choice for those seeking a light, clean read that isn’t too taxing and was a good conclusion to the series.

I requested an ebook version of this title from the Publisher for review, and purchased the audiobook of my own volition. I was not required to write a positive one an all opinions expressed are my own.

This was the first book of Sarah Ladd's that I've read and I enjoyed it and may read more of hers in the future. This is the third book in the series but it can be read as a stand-alone. I don't think the characters from the other books even appear in this one. I would have liked the suspense to be more consistent throughout the book, but I still enjoyed trying to reason through who the murderer was and why it happened. The romance between Owen and Annabelle was sweet and I really liked Owen's daughter. I really enjoyed the scenes his daughter was in. They were probably my favorite.

I enjoyed the characters and the buildup. I did feel that the ending was rushed and came too quickly. I understand that some authors are trying to keep their stories shorter but I felt that this one, ending so quickly, made the book worse, no better. Loved everything else about it.

I have been wanting to read a book by Christian author Sarah E. Ladd for awhile, and I finally had the chance. This story did not disappoint. I loved the settings-a school and a country house. When Annabelle is abused by her brother, she escapes to her uncle's country house. She becomes a junior teacher and also meets Owen Locke, who becomes her romantic interest.. The plot was interesting, and kept my attention throughout-lots of adventure along the way. Highly recommend!

This Regency romance had a little of everything. I thought Annabelle a bit naïve, but likeable as a character. The transformation of her maid, Crosley, seemed a bit dramatic to me, as did the characterization of some of the other people in the story. Not a lot of balls, teas, and society life—the drama centered more on everyday life in the country. All in all, I would recommend the book to anyone wanting a clean romance with a bit of suspense.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion

This is the third book in the series but it can be read as a stand alone novel. Sarah Ladd knows how to write historical fiction that grips you until the last page. Annabelle lives with her brother and sister in law, but one night when she knows it will only get worse, she decides to leave. Being a junior teacher at her uncle's school is not how she pictured here life, but what choice does she have? When her life seems to be falling apart and she was left with only one place to go.

Sarah E. Ladd is a go to author for me. I read her first series and absolutely loved it. Now I have only read this book in this series but it does well as a stand alone. I had no problem understanding what was going on. This book captured my attention right from the start. I really had a hard time putting it down to do other things. This is not your run of the mill regency where they sit around all day and sip tea, very little of that was done. I was intrigued all the way through this book and the ending, oh my, what an awesome finale. I'd say to Anabelle, watch your back. Who you think is your friend just may not be. Not everyone is who they seem to be! I really enjoyed this and now I need to read the first two books in the series.
Pub Date 16 May 2017
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

A Stranger at Fellsworth by Sarah E. Ladd is the third book in A Treasures of Surrey series. It is 1819 at Wilhurst House in London, England. Annabelle Thorley lives with her brother, Thomas Thorley and his wife, Eleanor since the death of their parents. Annabelle was engaged to Samuel Goodacre until rumors about her father and embezzlement started circulating. Annabelle is out with her maid, Margaret Crosley when her reticule is stolen. Owen Locke, a gamekeeper visiting London from Fellsworth, quickly catches the thief and reclaims it. It turns out that Owen and his employer at staying at Wilhurst House during their stay. Annabelle is told by her brother that she is to marry Cecil Bartrell. Bartrell is offensive, and she has no intention of becoming of his wife. To avoid this loveless marriage and her brother’s wrath, Annabelle plots her escape. Annabelle enlists Owen’s help, and Owen, Annabelle and Crosley are soon on their wall to Fellsworth. Annabelle’s uncle runs the Fellsworth School and both ladies are taken in and given jobs. For the first time in her life, Annabelle must earn her own way. There has been a problem with poachers, and Owen is responsible for finding the culprits. Kirtley Meadow, the land he wishes to purchase, is on the line. Owen and Annabelle see each other on occasion and their friendship deepens into love. But Thomas Thorley is not about to let Annabelle go that easily. What will Owen do to protect Annabelle from harm? Who is behind the poachers and can Owen put a stop to their plundering? Owen and Annabelle’s future hangs in the balance. Will they get their happily ever after?

A Stranger at Fellsworth is well-written and engaging. The characters are relatable and appealing. I appreciated the author’s descriptions of the clothes (especially the gowns) worn by the characters. The setting sounded beautiful (who wouldn’t love to visit England). It was interesting to read about a boarding school for underprivileged children. I have not encountered that previously in Regency books. The mystery was pleasing (slightly complex), and I liked how all the elements came together in the end. I am glad that the author included it in the book so it was more than a romance novel. The Christian element is light and blends in beautifully with the story. The romance between Annabelle and Owen is sweet and gentle (subdued). The ending will make you smile. I give A Stranger at Fellsworth 4 out of 5 stars. While this is the third book in the series, it is a stand-alone novel. You do not need to read the previous two books, but, after reading A Stranger at Fellsworth, you will want to read them.

I love when a historical romance can also include mystery and intrigue. That’s why I started reading Sarah Ladd’s series Treasures of Surrey. She has a way of incorporating all the action and adventure and yet still leaving you feeling lighthearted but craving more. This story is no different. It’s the 3rd book in the series and yet can be read as a stand alone, just as the other two before it.

We find Annabelle in a predicament. She is a single woman who’s parents have died and because of a brother who is cruel and a control freak she has to make a distraction decision. In so doing she gets somewhat thrown together with Owen who is a gamekeeper near the Fellsworth school. When Annabelle comes to him for help he carefully decides to help her because he feels bad for her when he saw how she was being treated by her brother.

As the story unfolds you see more into Annabelle’s past and why her brother has mistreated her all this time. Be that as it may it is not an excuse to do what he had done to her and unfortunately Annabelle’s sister-in-law will have to live with the disgrace of her husband.

I love books that have happy endings and as such there is a happy ending here but there is also a struggle to overcome. I love the little twists that are thrown in. I will admit there were a couple I could see coming but, there were ones I didn’t see. I do recommend this book. It’s a great read. This will be a great book for travel, although you may not want to put it down when you start.