Not as interesting as some books in this vein, but still a solid read. I loved how that iconic crimson cloak just seems to embody Kate’s character. I enjoyed Kate’s relationship with her big brother Charles, and the slow-growing romance between Kate and Henry was sweet. Definitely some Darcy/Elizabeth Bennett moments, especially that scene the night Pennington was *spoiler.* (BTW, I totally saw that revelation coming.)

I did enjoy how Kate clung to her convictions rather than simply to ‘weaver’ or ‘miller’ stances. She chose to do what was right and kind, even when it hurt. And Ladd’s books are always well-researched, with the historical details woven in seamlessly. Pun semi-intended.

3.8 stars

4.5*

Today was a fabulous day! I was able to dive into this book and become immersed in the lives and culture of the weavers and millworkers of Amberdale, Yorkshire, England. The tension was palpable, the strife was straining at the seams, ready to burst and be set aflame with only the slightest spark of anger.

With progress comes change. Often, that change means loss of livelihoods for skilled, hard workers. That is exactly what is happening, and has been happening for many years in this little mill town. When the demands for product increase and the ability to meet those demands comes at the price of new equipment, less men to work the equipment and less pay going out, it is hard to ignore progress. Yet how can you ignore the people who have become like family, whom you work with day in and day out for years on end?

I loved the prologue. It was a great way to set up a glimpse 10 years prior to the main story, and the frustrations starting, by showing an incident that truly fueled hurt and anger. Yet, I loved having that glimpse of a certain character and then watching that character throughout the whole novel. The choices made and the growth brought on by the goodness and mercy of this character. I should probably include loving heart as well as goodness and mercy when describing said character. I could also tell you who the character is. You've probably already guessed that it is one of the main characters and you'd be correct. Kate. From the beginning setup of the story and her plight, the reader is connected emotionally to her through her hurt, her loss, her ache, her anger. Then throughout the book we watch as she evolves and grows. Becoming better than she began. While all around her is churning turmoil and anger being stirred up and fueled by greed.

How long can anger and feuds, past hurts and wrongs last? Especially without it eating away at you? Changing you. Affecting all those around you. What would you do to protect the ones you love? How long can going to any length to protect everything around you not completely change and make you unrecognizable to loved ones. Everyone is affected, especially in a small village where everyone relies on each other. When lines are drawn, which side do you stand on? When loved ones are on either side, what then? Do you try to cover up past mistakes or do you be truthful and honest even with the repercussions that are sure to come? Will peace, redemption and love ever be attainable again?

Just a handful of questions for you to think about and all questions that pertain to so many characters throughout this book. It was very well written. I loved the themes of redemption and change and also of not forgiving. Sarah E. Ladd is very skilled in writing flawed characters who endear themselves to the reader, leaving us wishing, hoping and even silently cheering them on in their progression. We're hoping for good to prevail and for love to conquer all. The suspense and sorrow build with a sweet resolution and peace. Yes, if you can't tell, this is a Christian Fiction novel. It wasn't preachy but woven gently throughout the story of everyday characters living their lives and interacting with other as flawed characters.

Henry Stockton. He returns to the mill of his childhood. The mill where he left many lingering questions behind, only to return with haunting memories of war. What he returns to isn't peaceful. It's struggle and loss and sorrow. He must learn to navigate it all, keep the peace if possible and try to find peace in his own personal demons. There isn't a lot of emphasis on any particular demon he's dealing with from being at war. [I thought there would be some big hidden thing he was trying to cover up, but it was just all the destruction, sorrow and death that he saw. There is some buildup at the beginning that there is something bigger, but he is just trying to cope with the memories and tragedies, and adjusting to "normal" life again. (hide spoiler)]

Kate is torn. She's loyal to her family. But what happens when that family is on both sides of the struggle? She must choose between family, and decide where to place her loyalty. Or does she sidestep it all, abandoning everything? Or does she choose to do what's right? With the pressure from all sides, friends, family, her heart and sorrows from the past, Kate finds herself torn as to what to do. Yet she could be the means of peace and good if only her family will listen. The weavers and millers must find a way to stop this feud before more heartache and loss ensue.

I really enjoyed this story. Anytime Sarah E. Ladd has a new book coming out, I jump for joy. I love her writing style and her stories. If you're looking for a great read I highly recommend this one, or any of her novels. I took off half a star because there were some aspects that were built up throughout the story that didn't resolve, or really just petered out. Aspects that I felt could have been explored a little bit more and develop a little more tension to the story. Don't get me wrong. There was tension, but I would have liked to have these aspects add a little more dimension to the tension. Overall, I enjoyed my time immensely while reading about these characters. The love story is sweet and builds gently throughout the book. Henry's just swell! I am looking forward to seeing if she gives a couple other characters in this book their own story and continues on with this series.

Content: Clean. Some remembrances from war, some fighting and gunshots. A murder. No sexual content. This is a Christian Fiction read as I mentioned above in my review but very well written and appropriate for this time period.

I received a copy from the publisher, Thomas Nelson, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

What do you do when the small town that you love is divided down the middle and that division makes its way into your home? What if you were that sister that loves her brother but is also fiercely loyal to her father? This is the situation Kate Dearborne finds herself in. She is The Weaver's Daughter.

It is 1812 in Amberdale, England and there are two prominent families with successful textile businesses that keep the little town afloat, the Dearborne's and the Stockton's. There has been bad blood between the families for as long as anyone can remember but now the division is spreading to others in their small-knit community. It is the weavers against the millers. The Dearborne mill wants textile production to continue the way it always has but the Stockton mill wants to be progressive and use a new type of machine that will increase production substantially but will also take away jobs away from men in the community. To add to the drama, the Dearborne estate and the Stockton estate are right next to each other.

Kate is a Dearborne who feels suffocated and unheard by her stubborn, weaver father. She is not content to be like all the other women in their community, staying home and sewing, being a wife and mother but that's exactly what her father wants her to be and he refuses to allow her to be anything else. Wanting to please her father Kate fights the restlessness she feels inside and tries her best to be obedient. The only thing that she refuses to yield to is not having a relationship with her brother. He is one of her only friends.

Henry is a Stockton, a miller who had been agreeable to the direction of the mill, and his life, until he went off to war for three years and comes home a changed man. The Stockton's are a prominent family and act as such and though Henry previously enjoyed those spoils it now all seems frivolous and pointless. It is the things that money cannot buy that now matter.

The Weaver's Daughter is multi-faceted which makes this Regency unlike many others in the genre. Yes, there is a love that grows throughout the story but you also feel the angst and strife this feud has on the community and includes characters that you yourself fall in love with and stubborn characters that you feel yourself growing frustrated with.

The author has a wonderful writing style that draws the reader in with wonderful character depth and vivid imagery. Highly recommend!

I loved this compelling new novel by Ms. Ladd! The book tells the story of the gritty realities and conflict between weavers and wool mill workers in 1800’s, England.
Kate is a wonderful protagonist that I loved from the very beginning. As the weaver’s daughter, it is clear where her loyalty lies. Henry is of a different mind-set altogether, which I really liked. When the two of them crossing paths, much more than either would like, I just read as fast as I could because I was very intrigued by both characters.
This Regency,is one of my favorites in this genre by any author. It held my attention throughout. I love that it isn’t a typical romance where the characters are pining away for each other. It’s about progress and how some embrace it while others are less willing to do so.
The descriptive storytelling and wonderful characters made this one a pure joy to read.
I received a copy from the publisher and was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.

The Weaver’s Daughter is about loyalties and traditions. What will happen when a daughter keeps her loyalties with her father and want to be loyal to her brother as well. Well, things get a bit dicey when Henry Stockton returns.

Kate struggles with wanting to keep her loyalties to her past or they at least bind her to the past. Her father is a weaver and Kate try and prove to her father and the others that she wants to help with wool. Her brother Charles has chosen to work at Stockton Mill.

We are shown what it like for the time period and the history during Weavers vs Mill owners are tested. Weavers are trying to save their job and livelihoods and mill owners are trying to provide and work with the progress of the coming future.

Henry seems drawn to Miss Dearborne. Will Miss Dearborne come around or will she fight for what in the past. She is seemed like torn between loyalties to her father and brother. She will have to make a choice.

There are tensions with Miss Dearborne father and Henry Stockton? Old man Stockton has tensions with Weavers or at least with the Dearbornes. When someone kills Henry grandfather, who did it and why.

Mr. Dearbone seem to think that Old man Stockton's grandson will be the same as his grandfather? Mr. Dearborne tells his daughter to stay away from Stockton Mill and the Stocktons. Kate seems to keep entering Stockton property and is found out. Find out why and you will need to read it and find out the ending.

The Dearbornes are weavers; the Stocktons are mill owners. Competing in the textile industry, differing philosophies and strong feelings have left the families enemies. When Henry Stockon returns from war, he finds himself different; he still wants to run his family's business to the best of his capabilities, but he also finds himself at odds with some of his grandfather's sentiments Kate Dearborne has worked her whole life to learn about weaving, trying to please her father, and her loyalty lies with him. But as Henry shows himself to be different than her grandfather, and her father shows himself to be more prideful and stubborn than she realized, Kate starts to question where her loyalty truly lies.

This book started a little slowly for me, likely because I know nothing about the textile business and the competition between weavers and mill owners, but it quickly picked up. Kate's struggle to be loyal to a father who never quite manages to see her value while at the same time being drawn to Henry and his willingness to listen to her views was such a compelling plot line and made her such a great character. Henry, hurting from the war and his actions in it, is in a position to open to learning more about others, a position perhaps he wouldn't have been in without the war, which was a beautifully subtle message about how God can make horrible things work for our good. The historical setting was so interesting--the textile aspect that at first seemed a little dull to me became really fascinating as Henry and Kate shared their views and showed how there weren't any easy answers to figure out what would most benefit their village. There were intriguing supporting characters as well; I really liked Kate's brother Charles especially. Well written and really appealing.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Romance and Murder in Regency England

In the early 1800s, the town of Amberdale is torn by strife between the weavers and the mill owners. Kate Dearborne, ten-years-old, and her best friend Frederica Pennington, come apart. Frederica’s father, a mill owner, tells Frederica that she can no longer be friends with a weaver’s daughter and besides, she’s slated to marry Henry Stockton, grandson of Stockton Mills owner.

The break between the girls illustrates the strained relationships in the town. Both sides are angry, and it inevitably leads to violence. Henry’s grandfather is murdered. Now Henry, newly returned from the Peninsular army, must discover who killed the man. In the process he comes to respect Kate’s opinions, but who will he choose to marry?

The author does a good job presenting a community in transition. The weavers and other skilled workers tied to the production of fine woolens see their livelihood disappearing as their skills are no longer needed in the automated factories. The story is about people learning to accept each other and beginning to work together.

Kate and Henry are strong characters. Both want to do the right thing and must come to realize that there is truth on both sides of the dispute between the families. The plot is intricate with plenty of twists, and the historical background is accurate.

I recommend the book if you enjoy a well written historical romance.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

Sarah will take you on an unforgettable journey. The Weavers Daughter is a well written story set in England during the 1800s. It was a historical romance with lot's of adventure. Kate, our main character is extremely loyal to her family and small village of Amberdale. She loves the family weaving business and plans to one day take over. Now that her brother has abandoned ship and switched sides working for the enemy, the mill owner. Kate has worked next to her father now for years and has learned all she needs to know to run the business. There is one problem she is a daughter, not a son. War is coming between the weavers and the mill owners. Will anyone win this war? The mill owners are fighting for progress and wanting to bring in modern machinery. The weavers feel threatened for their livelihood. They want things to stay the way they are with everything being done by hand. Henry Stockton, the heir to Stockton Mill and fortune, is just home after being away three years to war. Determined to bury the past and escape from his haunting memories he takes hold of his grandfather's goal of modernizing the mill. After being gone three years Henry returns to find his grandfather changed and not for the better. There has never been two people more different than Kate and Henry. Both have been advised to stay away from the other family. Due to chance meetings that keep throwing them together, their lines and opinions are wavering. Sarah gives us beautiful storytelling in The Weavers Daughter. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishing through NetGalley, Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Amberdale, West Riding Yorkshire England - 1801

Kate Dearborne, age 10, is hurrying to meet her friend, Frederica Pennington. It appears that Henry Stockton, grandson of the owner of Stockton Mill, is in town and Frederica is enchanted with him, declaring that she wants to marry him one day. Kate is amused because her own father and Mr. Stockton are bitter business rivals. She then learns that Mr. Pennington who is Mr. Dearborne’s partner, is going to work with Mr. Stockton. Frederica says her father has told her she and Kate can no longer be friends and he also says that Mr. Dearborne’s methods are wrong. Now, Kate is hurt and angry.

Amberdale - 1812

Henry Stockton has spent three years fighting on the Iberian peninsula and now he is happy to be returning to Amberdale. On his way home, he meets Kate on the road and helps her put a bundle of wool in her cart. She is surprised to see Henry because it had been said that he died in the war. Kate now learns that the weavers who make their living by wool are being run out of business by the Stockton and other mills and are also producing low quality cloth.

When Henry see his grandfather again, the man is shocked but happy that he is alive. But Henry soon learns that his sister, Mollie, is with child and unwed. His grandfather has sent her to live with an aunt in London.

Kate is unhappy to learn that her father does not want her to be involved in the family weaving business and now that she is 21, he wants her to be a lady. This frustrates her because she is as talented a weaver as the men and she loves the craft.

Henry is taken aback when his grandfather demands that he do as he says not realizing that Henry is a man. But when his grandfather is murdered, Henry must step up and run the company. It is unknown who killed his grandfather. But as there are a lot of disgruntled people in the town unhappy about the lack of jobs available work at the mills, it could be anyone. Kate sees Henry one day and tells him that he must listen to the opposition and consider both sides so that the jobs and pay are fair to everyone. She explains to him how over the years, the Stockton Mill has taken over the town and the workers have been squeezed and unable to make a living wage for themselves, leaving them scared, hungry, and angry. But the people in the town must do their part too, so both must meet in the middle.

Henry is attracted to Kate and likes how she understands the weaving business and the needs of the people of the town. Frederica, however, is a flighty society gal who has her eyes set on Henry and wants to marry him. Will the people of the town be able to come together for the good of all? If Henry does marry, whom will he choose?

Quite frankly, this is not a favorite book by a favorite author. I found there to be so much fighting, hatred, and unhappiness and the story came across as a “social issue statement." This a story about the individual weavers vs. the mill owners. I think I would have enjoyed the story more if there had been more explanation about the process of weaving the wool into cloth. I have always enjoyed Sarah E. Ladd’s books and eagerly await them. I hope her next one is better.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I am not normally a fan of Regency romances but I enjoyed The Weaver’s Daughter. The book is well written with a good plot and believable characters. The author is new to me and I certainly liked her writing. If be looking for more of her books.

Reading a novel by Sarah E Ladd is a gift that you give yourself....Enjoy and savor every page. She is a gifted author and storyteller. Treat yourself!

Pulled in two directions… Kate had always thought of the Stockton family as the enemy. Kate is very loyal to her father, a weaver and has worked in his dye shop for years. Kate has always been in the middle between her father and her beloved brother Charles, who works for the Stockton Mill. When Harry Stockton returns from war, she slowly realizes that Harry is different from his grandfather. Harry is drawn to Kate's natural beauty as well as her kindness and strength. This book is set when the mills are taking the business from the weavers. There is rising tension and suspense in the book. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I love this book. Kate is a strong woman who feels pulled between the weavers and the mill workers. In town the lines are clearly being drawn and it's very difficult for Kate to stay in the middle.

I read a lot of historical fiction, but I cannot remember reading anything prior to The Weaver’s Daughter about the conflict of weavers and mill owners during the Industrial Revolution. While Ladd does not refer to the group of weavers in this book as Luddites, they use similar tactics, destroying textile machinery in an effort to protect their craft and their livelihood. Change is difficult, especially when change threatens one’s way of life. Not everyone views progress in the same way. Ladd does a very good job of placing readers in the emotionally charged conflict that divided communities and families. While one will likely not condone the weavers’ methods, it is still possible to understand why they felt driven to such lengths. With our acceptance of the constantly changing technology of the 21st century, Ladd reminds us of the birth pains of what are now eagerly anticipated improvements in technology and manufacturing.
Kate Dearborne is the daughter of one of the leading men of Amberdale’s cloth industry. While her brother has chosen to go to work for a local mill owner, Kate remains loyal to her father and his peers. That is, until she meets Henry Stockton, grandson of the Stockton Mill, and until the weavers cross a line into violent protests. Then Kate is forced into making very difficult decisions about loyalty and right and wrong. Henry too must make difficult choices between preserving his grandfather’s legacy and the right treatment of those working under his authority. He also must choose between his childhood sweetheart and the bold Miss Dearborne. The Weaver’s Daughter helps the reader to explore moral dilemmas, something we are often called to do in today’s landscape.
I highly recommend The Weaver’s Daughter as an entertaining and thought provoking read. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I've been reading both historical fiction as well as Christian fiction more frequently. Sometimes this is tricky for me because I don't enjoy all time periods and I don't enjoy all Christian stories. I do typically enjoy the regency time period and Sarah E Ladd had high ratings on all of her previously published books. I can now see why.

Henry was easy to like as I often find so for main male characters. His PTSD from the war was used in just the right way to make it believable but yet not end up being a story about war PTSD. I liked that he was honest about trying to do the best he could for the entire village while not sacrificing progress. His genuine appreciation for the character of Kate was my favorite part of their romance.

Kate was at a disadvantage. Because her brother already chose a path different from the one their father had mapped out for him, Kate was able to see how her father responded and regarded her brother. Not wanting to damage her own relationship with her father, Kate endures quite a lot of verbal scolding. I appreciated Kate's struggle to be considered valuable in the weaving profession yet not being considered beause she was a woman.

The romance was enjoyable, but it was a slow building romance for sure. As a matter of fact I really feel like the story about the weaver's conflict with the mills was more of the driving component of the story and the romance took a backseat to this. Normally I might find this annoying, but I enjoyed the conflict over the fight against progress enough for it not to matter.

While The Weaver's Daughter is classified as Christian fiction and published by a Christian publisher, I really wouldn't have known this was the case based upon the story alone. There were no "preaching" moments. And as a matter of fact, the characters rarely mentioned their faith...even in passing. Principles of Christianity--namely forgiveness and the downfall of pride--were present throughout. I think this is a good example of showing and not telling. I do see a place for stories that have a more direct approach where faith and principles are concerned, but I enjoyed this one nonetheless. It was really just a nice clean story with a great moral. So if you're hesitant to read Christian fiction because you don't want to be preached to yet you like historical fiction, I really like you'll enjoy this one.

Favorite quotes:
-"We cannot control what others do. We can only control how we react to it. Being angry will only hurt you, not them."

-At one time nothing mattered more than having a beautiful wife, amassing possessions, and claiming power. Now, his heart--his soul--longed for things not so tangible: Safety. Security. Happiness. Justice. Hope. Forgiveness.

The Weaver's Daughter was a quick read for me given my limited time to read this year. I know I would have finished it much sooner had I had the amount of time that I used to. I enjoyed the history involved just as much if not more than the romance which is rare. I didn't feel like I was having a history lesson or a sermon considering this book is labeled as Christian fiction. The Weaver's Daughter gets 4 Stars. Have you read The Weaver's Daughter? What did you think? Let me know!

This book is filled with vivid imagery. I felt as though I was transported to another time and another place. I loved Kate and empathized with her struggles. She loves her father and her brother even though they are on opposite sides of the mill problems. She tries her best to maintain a relationship with both.

This book made me stop and think about making the right decisions, the hard decisions, in the face of adversity. Even when others turned their back on her and considered her the enemy, Kate held true to her beliefs. A very courageous young woman.

I loved this book!

I enjoy historical dramas, but generally prefer American stories to European. The Weaver's Daughter, however, caught my attention and drew me in. I was riveted and had a hard time putting it down at the end of the day. I especially loved the way the romance was women into the world of the wool mills and weavers. What distinguished The Weaver's Daughter and gave it considerable depth was the way author Sarah E. Ladd allowed us to see the story from the various viewpoints. Rather than black and white heroes and villains, we were able to see the struggles faced by individuals each believing themselves to be doing the right thing.

Very enjoyable story taken place during the 1800's in England. It was interesting to read about the struggles and confrontations between the weavers and the up and coming mills. I found both Kate and Henry very likable, sincere and compassionate characters. Tensions were high in both of their families but both Kate and Henry rose above. Highly recommended!

The Weaver's Daughter is a good historical book. In my opinion I believe men and women both would like this book. There is a love story but it is not the major part of this story. The story is about power and control. I liked the characters especially Henry. There are a lot of twists and turns in this book and some surprises as well. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical books.

I grew up in a mill town and the history of its heyday has always interested me. Sarah E. Ladd brings this time period to life with not only the history, but realistic characters and an interesting plot.

Henry Stockton and Kate Dearborne are caught in a Romeo and Juliet family war while an actual battle between the weavers and the millers is happening all around them.

While respecting their families, they must also decide if they should follow what their parents and grandparents believe, or if they should follow their hearts.

The characters are strong and I felt a connection to them. I could also tell that Ladd put a lot of research into this book which I appreciated.

I really enjoyed this book. However, there was one negative for me. I liked that Henry’s sister wasn’t shunned. After all, a sin is a sin. However, I fell that Henry glossed off his sister’s sin and treated it as only an “indiscretion”. If his sister had only repented, we would have been left with the positive message of forgiveness of all sins.

I would still recommend this book and look forward to more from Ladd.

Honor. Justice. Family. Loyalty. These are all words I would use when describing this story. Interesting setting and beautiful, gripping writing.