3 Stars
* * *
This had an interesting take on the times and how the main character acted and spoke. It impacted how I felt about the book. I will say the cover was so beautiful, it made me want to click on it. Kudos to the artist.

Soon after hearing the tragic news that her parents have died; Anabelle is sent to live with her aunt and uncle on the estate of Bellingham. She finds herself warmly welcomed by Lord and Lady Bellingham and their four sons. However, her interactions with Lord Peter Alexander soon find her contemplating her future.
This was a sweet, clean romance between two quite likeable characters. Peter whilst reserved, is charming and his attraction to Anabelle, very believable. Their interactions were the highlight of the book, and I did enjoy her relationship with Lady Bellingham and the youngest child, Andrew. I must admit that a few aspects of the story did appear at odds from the time period, including Anabelle’s period of mourning and her clothing. However, this was an enjoyable read and I wonder if there will be more about this family in coming books.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Ms Stone has a winner. This story is so warm and heartfelt, with just enough conflict to allow our hero to sweep Anabelle off her feet. I enjoyed getting to know our leading characters. They are two really good people. The developing relationships with the Alexander siblings was well done, and I hope we get to visit with more of the family in the future.

One thing I really loved about this story is the author took the time to let Anabelle and Peter really get to know each other. They didn't jump into bed right after they met! It was just a lovely, realistic falling in love (with a few bumps) story. I look forward to reading Ms. Stone's next story!

The premise is relatable, and the plot is a good one. Anabelle Milton suddenly finds herself an orphan. With her home taken over by a distant relative, she is forced to move in with the aunt and uncle she hasn't seen since childhood. As she settles into her new life, Anabelle is quickly befriended by the wife and sons of her uncle's employer. This story is one of awakening and discovery for Anabelle, as she realises that the mother she spent years trying (and often failing) to please wasn't always right.

That said, I found it difficult to believe that Anabelle was the only one who could see what a creep Nathan was. His behavior was so obviously out of line and she was so clearly uncomfortable around him, that to think NO ONE else would notice requires heavy suspension of disbelief, which I couldn't quite manage.

While I liked several of the characters, it did seem that some of them had not been fully fleshed out in the author's mind, as though they were more 2D caricatures than fully developed characters. I thought the vicar that we meet only briefly had more substance as a character than some who appear throughout the book.

At times the story jumps abruptly into the next scene and it takes a moment for the reader to catch up. More signaling would have been useful at these moments.

I found that there were a few too many nods to Pride and Prejudice. While I love Pride and Prejudice, it felt like some of these moments were forced rather than a natural evolution of the story.

Overall I found this an enjoyable but not completely satisfying read.

First off, the cover of this novel is gorgeous. It drew me in right away. As for the story itself, this was a sweet, quick read. If you’re in the mood for something light and romantic I suggest you give it a go. I gave this book 3.5 stars. Many of the characters are endearing and the setting is beautiful. The plot is fairly simple and the book is on the short side. Also, some of the dialogue was quite modern for the time period. Overall, I’m glad I read this book. Pick it up if you’re in the mood for something light.

This book was raw. So much emotion that you couldn't help identify with the main character and feel what she was feeling. Expertly written to invoke the emotions of the reader. I truly had fun reading this book! Thank you to NetGalley and Covenant Communications for an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. The opinions expressed are my own.

A sweet debut from Katie Stewart Stone, Coming Home To Bellingham touches on themes of family, love, and hope.

In general, I am not partial to first person point of view because it often feels like I only read the ramblings of the character, and I felt that often with this story. I had a hard time connecting with Anabelle, and I wish there were at least a few chapters from Peter’s point of view to help break up some of the monotony of Anabelle’s thoughts. There were many moments of tension, which I do like and Stone wrote them well, but there was no relief from the tension except disappointment that nothing had happened.

Stone did develop the characters of three of the Alexander brothers well, but I wish we learned a bit more about Nathan and his issues. Overall, Stone told a sweet and inspirational story, one that is easy to read and will brighten an afternoon. 2.5/5 stars.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

3.5 ⭐️ I overall enjoyed the story. It was a sweet and clean regency romance. I have to say that Robert was my favorite character. He was delightful! I loved any scene he was a part of. Annabelle made for a great heroine and I love how she had no filter.
I was so happy with who Annabelle ended up with but I do wish there had been more romantic moments between her and her love interest. I felt there was so much more that could have been developed there.
The story felt rushed and ended a little too abruptly. I also wish the epilogue had been a tad bit longer.
There was such a great family dynamic with the Alexander’s and I would love to see more stories about the other family members.
Thanks to Netgalley and Covenant Communications for sending me a copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Covenant Communications for giving me the opportunity to read Coming Home to Bellingham! Overall I enjoyed the story and characters, especially Robert and Andrew and their relationships with Anabelle. I liked the Austen-esque tone of the book and how it reminded me of some of my favorite Austen stories, but felt that some of the attitudes and behaviors of characters, especially Anabelle (and the Robert/Lucy situation) were too modern for the setting, and somewhat unrealistic for the time. I was interested in the storyline and how the romance would resolve, but felt that the resolution itself was rushed and left a lot of loose ends that were never addressed. It was a good story but not one of my favorites.

Katie Stewart Stone's debut novel showcases her potential as an author.  Her characters were distinctive and consistent - this was one of her strongest features along with a well-conceived plotline.  I wanted to keep reading to see how the story would unfold!  While the book did not have the polish of a seasoned author, I enjoyed it and am looking forward to more engrossing stories to come!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Robert was quite possibly my favorite character in this book and I love the friendship the author created between Anabelle and Robert. The love between Anabelle and Peter was beautifully developed as well; even still Anabelle and Robert's interactions were my favorite. There were some other relationships in the book however that just left me perplexed. They seemed to only be there to move the plot forward with little depth and a lot of confusing interactions. The plot was unique to the regency genre, but that did nothing to take away from it's predictability, there wasn't much in the story line that surprised or delighted me. I didn't connect with Anabelle as much as I would have liked, however I did really appreciate her character growth at the end of the book. This book wasn't exactly the historically accurate awesomeness I'm used to associating with this publisher, but it is a debut novel, so I'm hoping for only good things to come from this author.

This debut novel by Kate Stewart Stone did not disappoint! The story begins and we meet Annabelle Milton whose holiday in Brighton come to devastating end when she receives tragic news. Now an orphan and turned out from the only home she’s known, she makes her way to Bellingham Cottage receiving an unexpectedly warm welcome from her Aunt, Uncle, cousin Andrew (one of my favourites!) and Lord and Lady Bellingham.

In the mist of processing the grief of losing her parents, over time, Annabelle realizes that the Bellingham estate and her family and friends there feel more like home than the place she grew up. As she navigates the unwanted attentions of one suitor while desiring the affections of another, we journey with Annabelle as she discovers her true self, what it means to falls in love and how to let go of the past and embrace the hope, joy and love the awaits her.

A big thank you to Covenant Communications for providing a digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #ComingHometoBellingham #Goodreads

What begins as a pleasant holiday with a new friend in Brighton quickly turns to devastation for Anabelle Milton when she receives the tragic news: her parents are dead. Turned out of the only home she’s ever known, Anabelle is sent to live with an aunt and uncle who are strangers to her. Heartbroken, she arrives at Bellingham Cottage, a cozy home on the sprawling grounds of the Bellingham estate, to find an unexpectedly warm welcome—not only from her own family but also from the family of their aristocratic neighbors, Lord and Lady Bellingham.

Anabelle soon attracts the attention of the heirs of Bellingham—brothers who, though connected by blood, could not be more different. As she slowly begins to distance herself from the polite and obedient young woman her mother trained her to be, Anabelle is free for the first time to choose her own path. She knows she must be true to herself, even if it means risking unrequited love—but can she trust that the gentleman who has stolen her heart will not break it?

A cute and uncomplicated story, "Coming Home to Bellingham" is Katie Stewart Stone's debut novel. The heroine, Anabelle Milton, is saved from an unwelcome proposal thanks to her parents' deaths, which I found to be an odd contradiction.

Arriving to live with the aunt she barely knows, Anabelle quickly settles in and poof! she's the darling of the Bellingham family. Her grief appears non-existent; for that reason I found her somewhat shallow. However, she blurts out whatever she's thinking, and it's quite amusing at times. On the other hand, I thought the hero Lord Peter Alexander to be likeable and charming, despite his reserved nature. Thankfully, there's no insta-love here, which is something I excessively dislike.

This novel did not ring true to the time period for me. Anabelle's lack of outward grieving is one thing; wearing a RED dress to a ball and DANCING, no less, a mere four months after one's parents' deaths is quite outside the bounds of propriety in the Regency era. Plus, I thought maids lived in the house in which they were employed.

While this novel is fairly well-edited, there are a few jarring instances of modern terminology. "Who outed me?" was certainly not said in Regency England. I've read a plethora of Regency romances and not once have I come across the word "datebook" until now. As a general rule I find first person narration distracting and ineffective, hence my 2-star rating.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel.

I loved the quick wit of this book. Ms Stone is on point with her humor and timing. She made me pull for Annabelle to find the love she wanted! I loved her sense of playfulness and fact she could laugh at herself. The timing of the story was well throughout and I can tell she researched the period of her novel. I loved the characters and even felt a bit sorry for the villain. I look forward to reading more of her novels!

I loved this debut novel from Katie Stewart Stone. The characters were so well written. I loved how Annabelle wasn't the typical, go with what society expects ,woman. She was outspoken and lovely. The Alexander family is amazing. So many wonderful characters. I am hoping to hear more about them in future novels. Possibly a redemption novel about a certain brother. I was highly entertained while reading this book. I would definitely recommend to all who love clean regency romance.

When faced with the loss of both parents and home, not allowed to even return for a funeral, how do you cope? When your financial means and security are also stripped and you aren’t even allowed to go retrieve your belongings where do you turn? These are the circumstances Anabelle finds herself in while staying at an acquaintances home. Suddenly receiving notification that both of her parents have died, she can’t return to her home now and perhaps ever and a distant cousin has inherited the entire estate. Left with no alternative she appeals to an aunt she little acquaintance with for a home. Thus, she trades an estate for a cottage and being an only child for living in a house with an eight-year old boy carrying only a few minimal possessions and a continuing echo of her mother’s reprimands. Arriving at the estate the cottage sits on she is greeted by acceptance and warmth but still is unsure of her place especially around Lord Alexander. Can this become a loving home for her? I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

#netgalley #cominghometobellingham

This is a cute book. The characters are quaint and the plot is engaging with lots of twists and turns thrown in the way. I recommend this lovely read and I look forward to reading more from this author.

Anabelle Milton is away on holiday when she gets the tragic news, her parents are dead. She is not allowed to return to her home which has gone to the nearest male relative as is the custom of Victorian England. She is sent to live in a cottage with her Aunt Rachel on the Bellingham Estate where her husband has a position. Lord and Lady Bellingham are kind and caring people who welcome Anabelle making her feel most welcome. She quickly catches the eye of the three Bellinhgam sons who cannot be more different.

I was transfixed with the story and the characters from the start. It is a wonderful romance, full of tragedy, heartbreak, friendship and love. I was totally surprised this is the debut book for Katie Stewart Stone. It is rare a first time author pens such a lovely book. I look forward to her future writings.

I highly recommend Coming Home to Bellingham. *****

COMING HOME TO BELLINGHAM is KATIE STEWART STONE's debut novel. It is a delightful read, taking place in Victorian England and with unforgettable characters. There is a strong hint of Jane Austen in the story, with romance, unwanted advances, jealousy and misunderstandings and more, in this fast paced novel.
I love the way the Alexanders of Bellingham take Anabelle Milton into their hearts. Having been orphaned and chased out of the only home she has ever known, she is taken in by her aunt and uncle who live on the Bellingham estate. I like the easy repartee between the characters and the way Anabelle is so very outspoken, although she tries hard to control herself and behave like a lady.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Covenant Communications. The opinions in this review are completely my own,