Loyalty, love and family are at the heart of this dramatic tale, set in 1812 Yorkshire. The backdrop of a growing feud between the industrial mill owners and the traditional weavers, sets the stage for a complicated romance. The author does a good job creating tension between the two factions, throwing in an unsolved murder and adding divided loyalties in the main character's family too.

The dilemma of choosing to do what is right vs staying loyal to her prideful, stubborn father puts Kate right in the middle of the conflict. Her gentle, brave soul is torn and it was interesting to see which direction she would choose. I cheered her on as she stood up to the bullies in her world, courageously putting her self on the line to help others. Henry's character grew on me as he changed through events, overcoming his own prejudice and wounds from battles abroad and at home. The writing flows well, and the pace is steady, building in tension as the conflict comes to a head, with a few plot twists to make it extra interesting at the end.

Recommend to readers who enjoy Regency era tales with drama and clean romance. 4.5 stars

Sarah E. Ladd is one of my favorite authors. I love her style and the way she builds the characters relationships on a realistic foundation—through time, circumstance, and storyline; with believability. “The Weaver’s Daughter” is a story a little more fast-paced than I am used to from this author, but this also prevented any chance for lulls in my reading of it!

“We cannot control what others do. We can only control how we react to it. Being angry will only hurt you, not them.”

A long-standing hatred between Kate’s family and Henry’s places them at odds with each other from childhood and continues into adulthood, when Henry returns from war. Though never really acquainted before, a chance encounter starts off the stirrings of romantic pull between them both. But the ever-increasing tension and hatred between weavers and the mill owners forces a chasm between them they dare not cross, as the rise of machine-industry threatens the long-standing livelihoods of the townspeople.

The war has changed Henry Stockton, and he sees his life and the mill with new eyes. But can he succeed amidst his enemies who will do anything to make sure he fails? Falling in love with the daughter of his greatest enemy can only complicate matters further.

“As much as she hated it, the man she was supposed to despise intrigued her in an inexplicable way.”

Kate is a whirlwind of a character, and I found myself at times likening her to the fiery Anne of Green Gables. She lets her emotions rule her, sometimes too much, and is divided by attraction to Henry and loyalty to her father. Sometimes she frustrated me, with her often confusing ability to both want a relationship with Henry and push him away at the same time. I felt sorry for Henry, who was caught in the middle.

As a whole, this story seems to be a re-imagination of Elizabeth Gaskell’s classic story “North and South” (my absolute favorite classic!) with slight differences in setting, storyline, and characters. Some moments, mostly small ones—a sentence here and there—seemed to have been pulled straight from that story. However, one scene in particular only needed Richard Armitage’s Thornton—fashionable, dark-haired, and totally misunderstood—as Henry Stockton, to make me feel just like I was watching a scene from the movie of Gaskell’s classic. I felt a little disappointed at how very closely they mirrored each other in that instance.

I was conflicted over rating this novel. While the first 75% seemed a solid 5-stars, my frustration with Kate’s behavior and even her father’s (whose arguments fell flat and sometimes ridiculous, and attitude seemed to shift into a sudden extreme from how he seemed at the beginning) brought the last part of the book falling to 4-stars. And since the conclusion is just as important, if not more so, than the start, I have to stick with 4-stars as a whole.

Also, for a Christian-faith book, besides going to church and a brief mention at the very end, there was absolutely nothing indicating the faith of the characters. I found this surprising. Not once throughout the danger and upheaval and challenges did any one of these characters turn to God for wisdom and guidance?

This was still a very enjoyable read despite its shortcomings, and I would gladly add it to my bookshelf alongside the other books I have by this author.

I received an advance reader copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

When Henry Stockton returns from the battlefield, his return is not viewed happily by many who was away at war, his ambition to modernise the family woollen mill is perceived angrily by many locals. Kate Dearborne, the daughter of one of the local weavers, finds herself torn between family and her growing attraction to Henry.

What made this novel interesting was the integration of the challenges faced by many during the Industrial Revolution. Both Kate and Henry are presented as two sides of the growing issue with Kate, realising how manufacturing would replace local craftsmen whilst Henry, was trying to keep his workers employed, whilst caring for his family. This was a sweet romance novel that went beyond the normal, by integrating a very valid issue for the times.
I received an advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.

It was a classic book by author Sarah Ladd. The characters were likable yet flawed enough to still relate to. The storyline was interesting and created the need to keep reading! The historical aspect was provided in such a way that I was left interested in the topic and needing to read the true history behind the story of weavers versus the mill workers. Definitely will add to my read often books.

No one thought Henry Stockton would return from the war alive, and when the young heir to Stockton's cloth mill comes back to the village, not everyone is happy about it. Things have changed in the three years he's been away. There's a growing feud between the mill owners and the weavers--who are convinced that the new machines are ungodly means of depriving them of their livelihood. 

Kate Dearborne is in a difficult position. Her father is leader of the weavers, but her brother has defected to go work at the mill. Everyone knew that old Stockton didn't care a whit for the weavers' families, but the new heir Henry seems different. Kate befriends Henry's sister and feels increasingly attracted to Henry's care and kindness. But he's still a Stockton, and she's a Dearborne--if the weavers' agitation turns to violence, which side will she take?

This Regency romance features on far more than balls and parties, showing the sea change that the Industrial Revolution created in small villages in England as artisans were replaced by manufacturers. Kate and Henry are both sympathetic characters, not afraid to stand up for what they believe in. Henry, in particular, is a rock for his sister to lean on and a fearless leader when protecting his own mill workers. He must learn to re-acclimate to civilian life after the horrors of war and discover just how important his grandfather's work actually was for the village. Kate, on the other hand, must overcome her frustration at being overlooked by her father because of her sex and learn the virtue of forgiveness in a time where everyone is eager to take offense. This book was a quick and satisfying read, one of the most enjoyable Regency romances I've read in a long time.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.