The Governess of Penwythe Hall

This was a wonderful book that I thoroughly enjoyed. I like I book that gets your attention quickly and keeps it. The Governess of Penwythe Hall does that as Cordelia Greythorne flees Cornwal after being blamed for the death of her husband. This is a superb Regency romance that is sure to delight.

The Governess of Penwythe Hall is a beautifully written book about starting over. It focuses on a governess, Cordelia "Delia" Greythorne, who is governess to children that she has come to love. When the children's father dies, he makes her promise to go with the children as they go to live with his brother and be their governess there. Delia moves with the children to Penwythe Hall to live with an uncle that they barely know.

Jac Trethewey is surprised when he learns the brother that he quarreled with has died and that he has left his children to his care. Jac is busy trying to get the orchard to make a profit at Penwythe Hall. He relies on Delia to help him get to know the children and to be the guardian that they need. But while getting to know the children, he also gets to know the beautiful Delia. He sees so much in her that he likes and he begins to have feelings for her. But Delia is running from her in laws and the unlawful lifestyle that they lived. Her in laws are after her because he late husband told her a secret that they are desperate to uncover. Jac realizes Delia is in danger and promises to protect her. When Delia is called home to be at the bedside of her ailing sister, Jac is not there to shield her and protect her.

Both Jac and Delia have to decide what they want for their future and how they can live with the feelings they have for one another.

The Governess of Penwythe Hall is so well written and is filled with romance, suspense and action all set in a beautiful seaside community. I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley and this is my honest feedback.

Family regrets, hold both Jac Tretheway and Cordelia Greythorne’s lives hostage. While Jac tries to make amends with the past by rebuilding the estate he inherited, Cordelia attempts to be content in a life of service. A surprising turn leads to Jac and Cordelia together. Can they see beyond their past to make a future together?
I think that one of the main themes I connected with was that of living with fear. I don’t think I could say it better then the author did in these two quotes:
“Fear knew no bounds and came in so many forms: Fear of what the future held. Fear of more loss. Fear of opening her heart and finding pain. Fear that if she did pray, her words would not be heard.”
“Never are we promised an easy life, but we are promised that when we rely on Him for strength, we will have what we need to face our challenges. Fear is a bitter, vile enemy- it will rob you of today's joys and steal your strength to fight for your purpose. Faith is why I don’t fear tomorrow or the next day.”
I always enjoy reading a book for pleasure that also encourages me to be greater. I don’t have to live in fear and neither do you. Let God be your peace, calm and strength.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion which I share here.

I loved this book, it was a great read. I love a good, clean romance and this one fit the bill! The storyline is filled with intrigue and mystery. I loved every page.

Sarah E. Ladd does it again. With her newest tale, The Governess of Penwythe Hall, Ladd created a story filled with intrigue, mystery, and Regency charm. Right from the beginning, I was wrapped up in Cordelia's world and wanted to know more. The romance took a while to develop, which is completely realistic to me, and I loved that aspect. I enjoyed the plot. I kept wanting to know more about the heroine's past, even though Ladd wouldn't come right out and tell us. Don't worry. Ladd does explain everything before the ending. The novel moved at a good pace and kept me engrossed in the plot. Overall, The Governess of Penwythe Hall by Sarah E. Ladd is a delightful Regency novel with a hint of a mystery twisted around the characters. I enjoyed spending time with the characters and want more from Ladd.

I received a complimentary copy of Sarah E. Ladd's The Governess of Penwythe Hall from Thomas Nelson Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

I absolutely love Sarah Ladd's book and this was lovely as well. I'll leave the summaries to others who are better at writing them but I will say that I loved the characters (the characters I was supposed to like). Lovely development between Delia and Jac's relationships and I loved Delia's relationships with the children. I was rooting for Delia against the antagonists from page one. As always with her books, a lovely message as the story went on. Great historical setting and lovely atmospheric details about Cornwall. A must read.

Sarah Ladd has done it again! I loved The Governess of Penwythe Hall! I finished it in two days to see how it ended. It has all the elements of a great story; a pretty widow, an estate master, fun kids, mystery, heartbreak, and villains. I loved the characters, setting, and plot line.

The story centers on Delia, a widow who has charge of five children. With their mother dead, and their father's fatal accident the children are passed to their uncle, Jac. She promises to stay with the the children and continue to care for them during this difficult transition. Delia is carrying a heavy burden from being cast out of her husband's family after his death. Delia has secrets she must never reveal or they could endanger Jac and the children she loves very much.

I love it, love it! And I recommend anyone who loves Regency fiction and light romance to read it.

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

A stirring tale set in the Regency era, along the coast of Cornwall. Uprooted from Yorkshire following their father's accidental death, five young siblings and their governess find themselves at the mercy of an estranged relative. Mystery and adventure follow them, and a brooding uncle just may be their only hope.

"Fear is a bitter, vile enemy— it will rob you of today’s joys and steal your strength to fight for your purpose."

This was an absorbing tale that grew in depth the further it went, with characters struggling to make sense of the changes thrown at them. Grief and loss, relying on faith, and facing fears are important themes; faith is shown as the way to overcome fear, something I have latched onto as truth in my own life. The different ways people grieve is sensitively handled, especially in the children's case, and for Delia, who has endured many losses. The main characters rise to the difficult circumstances, and the scenes along the Cornwall coast bring some action and suspense to make the ending quite exciting. It reminded me a little of Jamaica Inn and Poldark,with the dark side of society adding a sharp contrast to the lovely country estate with the apple orchards and peaceful scenery. The romance is understated, but tender and worth the wait.

"Never are we promised an easy life, but we are promised that when we rely on Him for strength, we will have what we need to face our challenges."
Highly recommend for readers who enjoy clean Regency fiction with some mystery and a bit of romance.