"The Governess of Penwythe Hall" is such a great start to this brand-new series by Sarah Ladd. Right from the very beginning I was drawn into the story, partly because my heart went out to Cordelia, but also because of the descriptive writing. It truly is easy to become lost in the story and feel the scenes come to life as they are described so vividly. Cordelia has had to deal with so much, death of her husband, the hatred spewing from her mother-in-law, and the hurt and love she feels for her charges and having to return to Cornwall where she hoped to never return. Jac is another strong, determined character who is also dealing with much in his life and I admired him as well. This is a beautifully written story and historical romance fans will not want to miss out on it!

If you loved Poldark then you will love THE GOVERNESS OF PENWYTHE HALL. That's not to say that it is the same as the much loved saga, though one could be forgiven for feeling a sense of familiarity as we revisit the beauty of Cornwall. The gorgeous rugged coast, secluded beaches, unpredictable weather, the vast and rocky moors, grand estates and of course the smuggling. Any historic novel set in Cornwall would not be complete without free trading which was rife in these times. With all this as a backdrop, how could one not fall in love with this story.

It begins with Cordelia Greythorne, recently widowed, leaving Cornwall in a mist of melodrama and tragedy. Relations with her in-laws are invariably strained as she goes head to head with the matriarch of the Greythorne family before taking her leave. Dark secrets and threats are hinted at should she ever return.

Determined to put the past behind her, Delia takes a post as a governess to five children in Yorkshire after the recent death of their mother where she thrives in her new position. The children love her and she cannot imagine her life without them. But all too soon, tragedy strikes and the children are left orphaned. In his will, their father their care assigned his younger brother, Jac Trethewey, whose home is Penwythe Hall in Cornwall. At this news, Delia is somewhat apprehensive with returning but as their governess her concern is for the children.

The three day journey from Yorkshire is long and tiresome, with the children asking countless questions and wondering if their uncle will like them? However, upon arrival, Penwythe Hall is seemingly quiet with no one on hand to greet them.

Jac Tretheway is surprised to find five children, a governess, a tutor and his brother's shifty solicitor on his doorstep. He is even more surprised to learn that his brother, with whom he had been estranged, has left his children in his care. In the midst of apple trees, orchards and cider barns, Jac is busy trying to make Penwythe Hall profitable again. So he comes to rely on Delia to help him get to know the children but in doing so he also gets to know her. Captivated by her countenance he becomes intrigued with the beautiful governess and why her name seems so familiar.

Delia finds herself attracted to Jac but accepts her position as it is - that they could never be more than master and governess. But when Delia spots a face from her past in the guests at a ball Penwythe Hall is hosting, old fears begin to resurface. The Greythornes had found her; there would be no escaping now.

Watching her from across the room, Jac could clearly see something wasn't right and fearing retribution, Delia confides in him the secrets of her past. Would he feel differently now that he knows of her connection to the nefarious Greythornes? Realising she is in danger, Jac promises to protect her and the children. But why are they threatening her now? Is there something she isn't telling him?

Then Delia is called home to help with her dying sister and to say her goodbyes. In her absence, their mother's sister arrives and demands that the children should be in her care with all that is available to them in London. The oldest girl overhears the exchange between their uncle Jac and his overseer regarding their aunt's demands, and soon the children fear they will be heaved from their new home. Where is Mrs Greythorne? She will know what to do. So the oldest boy Liam decides he must go to their governess over twenty miles away and beg for her return.

But Delia's brother Horace has other ideas. He does not want her to return to Penwythe Hall. Why look after someone else's children when she can help look after his own children, her blood relations? Her place is with them now, not Penwythe Hall. Besides, people will talk.

However, Delia is not the same person she was when he married her off to the Greythornes, knowing full well of their criminalities. Stronger now, she knows her own mind and what she wants, and she will not let her brother beat her down.

But when tragedy strikes and the Greythornes demand Delia reveal the secret she has been keeping from them Jac, Delia and Horace work together to bring down the most nefarious family in the area.

THE GOVERNESS OF PENWYTHE HALL is so wonderfully written, an absorbing tale filled with grief, loss, romance, faith, mystery and intrigue - a little bit of everything. And the setting is simply beautiful. The characters are well developed - either we love them or hate them - as they face difficult circumstances in the early 19th century. I do like the fact that the romance is modest and tender as that can become a little trite if overstated.

My only complaint would be that aunt Charlotte didn't feature quite as much as I would have liked, however that is but a small blemish to what is otherwise a beautiful and tender tale. There is simply nothing to dislike about THE GOVERNESS OF PENWYTHE HALL (except for maybe the odd character) and it was a delight to read. I enjoyed it so much I didn't want it to end. I wanted to remain immersed there forever.

I would like to thank #SarahELadd, #NetGalley and #ThomasNelson for this ARC of #TheGovernessOfPenwytheHall in exchange for an honest review.

Sarah Ladd is a captivating writer who excels at telling stories of intrigue and romance. I enjoyed the setting of Cornwall and another look at free-trading apart from what I’d seen on Poldark. I found the book entertaining and engaging. The only other thing I’d mention is that Sarah Ladd writes clean stories with a pinch of faith, rather than stories where the characters exhibit a vibrant relationship with Jesus. So if you are looking for a well written tale, this is your book. If you are looking for a story that is particularly Kingdom oriented this one won’t fit the bill.

#TheGovernessOfPenwytheHall #NetGalley

A novel that will capture you from page one to the end. Cordelia Greythorne is a strong character, she learned to have a backbone, living in harsh conditions. Now a governess to five children, she is detrmined to be there for them , at the death of their father, staying with them as they move to their uncle's estate. Delia is slow to trust, she has always had to rely on her own merits. She has lived in fear, loking over her shoulder and in the shadows. She wants to learn to not fear, but can't get past what will happn to her if she does. A book that is gripping, I loved it! I can't wait for the next book.

Sarah Ladd wrote great book. Cordelia and Jac were interesting, well developed characters. The plot kept me interesting. I did wish there was a little more romance between them .

Thank you Netgalley and publishers for allowing me to read this.

I have enjoyed every book I’ve read by Sarah E. Ladd and this was no exception. While I felt this story had a little less romance than others, I truly enjoyed the interaction between Jac and his nieces and nephews. Overall, I would definitely recommend this book!

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

What a lovely introduction to the new Cornwall series. Cordelia Greythorne is a young widow who has also buried her only child. Leaving Cornwall and all those memories behind, she takes on the position of governess in Yorkshire. What follows is a story of guardianship, embezzlement, mystery, kidnapping and even smuggling. Where there should be loyalty, questionable actions occur. Her sister says 'Faith is how you get past it'. Is it even possible to find love and forgiveness in all of this?
An ARC of this wonderful book was shared with me by CelebrateLit and NetGalley. All impressions and opinions are my own.

What a beautiful regency book written about Cornwall, England in the early 1800's. Sarah Ladd000000 takes us on an adventure from the first few pages of her book. She does not let you go until you are reading the last page and closing the book. Her story has love, family, action, suspense and there is always a thread of faith woven throughout her novels. Delia, our heroine, is just trying to start a new life and get as far from Cornwall as she can. By accepting a governess job, things seem to be looking up for her. She loves the children she is taking care of and they all seem to love her as well. Who would have thought, just a few years later, first the mother would die and the children would lose their dad in a riding accident a short time later. She never expected his last request would be for her to watch over his children. She finds herself back on the Cornwall coast moving in with the children's uncle.
Jac Twetheway, the children's uncle is in for a big surprise and change to his bachelor lifestyle, when they all arrive unannounced. Jac is grieving the lost of his only brother and dealing with the regrets of the past. Can he get through all these changes and still run his orchard business? Fans of Christian, regency romance will not be disappointed with Sarah's new book. I received a copy from Thomas Nelson Publishers through NetGalley. The opinions in this review are my own.

The Governess of Penwythe Hall is an enjoyable regency fiction read. Those who enjoy tales of intrigue and smuggling will enjoy the undertones that weave through this story. Based primarily in Cornwall England, Delia is the governess to five newly orphaned children who are now in the custody of their Uncle Jac, who they hardly know. Delia must help them adjust to their new life as she herself is dealing with the haunted memories of her life before becoming a governess. The longer she stays in Cornwall the more she realizes her past will come back to haunt her and possibly hurt her and her charges.

I kept reading to see how the story would turn out. I liked the characters of Delia and Jac. The romantic relationship between them was not fully developed (in my opinion) although it seems in keeping with other similar titles in this genre.

This book remains true to Sarah Ladd’s style. If you enjoy her previous books, or those of Julie Klassen or Michelle Griep, you will enjoy this book.

I received a complementary copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

The Governess Of Penwythe Hall is a beautiful story of sorrow and love. I was drawn in immediately to this story by Delia and the secret she was running from. Sorrow and misery seem to constantly follow the Twetheweys family. There is much to see and think about in this story. The author does a excellent job of growing the readers emotions to each of the characters in the story. I enjoyed the twist to the plot that kept me on my feet and kept me guessing to what was coming next. I was not ready for the story to end but was left with a feeling of contentment. Sarah Ladd has a talent of masterpiece story telling!

Was given a complimentary ebook from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

What a perfect example of a Regency novel! Characters are genuine and engaging. Author Ladd shows her remarkable writing skill as she introduces Cordelia Greythorne, the Twethewey children, and their uncle, now guardian, Jac Twethewey, all with their own motivation and fears. Even minor characters are carefully crafted. The storyline is full of secrets, mystery, romance, and an element of very real fear and danger. Themes explored are loss and grief, betrayal, fear, injustice, and Christian faith. The Cornwall area of England and its unusual geography and its people with their mysterious and insular Celtic roots are beautifully described and incorporated within the story. I'm delighted to give this book five solid stars.

Thank you to Net Galley and Thomas Nelson-FICTION for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review. This is a brand new series by Sarah E. Ladd, and I really enjoyed this book. I plan to read the next book in this series as soon as it is published. This book grabbed me right from the beginning-one of the best book by this author! This book includes a little of everything-great characters, beautiful setting, danger, mystery as well as a very compelling love story! Highly recommend!

This new book by Sarah Ladd is a captivating Regency suspense story of loss, love, and second chances. Cordelia has experienced sorrow and unfairness in her life and was creating a new life for herself as a governess. When her employer unexpectedly dies, she finds that, because of her love for the children in her care, she must return to the Cornish coast and face her greatest fear.

I always love stories that have a strong, independent woman as a main character, and we see this story mainly from Cordelia’s viewpoint. Sarah Ladd does a wonderful job of describing Penwythe Hall and the Cornish coast as seen through Cordelia’s eyes. I almost felt as if I’d actually been there and walked through the gardens. Jac’s character is also interesting, and I liked him from the very beginning. The children in Cordelia’s care add much to this story and stirred my sympathy for them. The story itself is full of suspense and romance, and Cordelia has to try to determine who to trust. The pacing of the story is perfect and left me feeling that the story was complete. I’ll be reading this book again.

This is a clean Regency story and there’s no foul language. It’s the first book in a new series and I’ll look forward to visiting this setting again.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this book. I think I have read most of Sarah Ladd's books and this one does not disappoint. Not only was it a clean historical romance, but it was also quite the mystery. That is an especially appealing aspect of this book. The mystery theme was not one where you can easily deduce the outcome, and this kept me reading until I finished the book. I did my usual with a good book, and I dawdled my way through the last chapter because I hated for the adventure to end.

Cordelia Greythorne has a secret, and she doesn't want to admit it. But this secret will come back to haunt her as she tries her best to be a governess to the Twethewey Children. Cordelia is a widow and was pushed away from the family estate that she had married into. She was no longer welcome and had to find a living.

She became the governess to the Twethewey children after their mother had died and their father needed some assistance. He is a successful businessman whose fortunes are growing on a daily basis. The children have everything they need and Cordelia finds a true vocation for herself.

Then the father dies in a tragic accident. Now what will happen. The children, their governess and their male tutor are sent to live with the brother of their deceased father, Jac Twethewey. No one seems happy to have this happen.

But Jac turns out to be a blessing in disguise to the children. And the children turn out to be a blessing to Jac. Both will find love, care and family with each other.

Cordelia will find turmoil though. She is now living back close to the Greythorne family and her secrets will come back to haunt her.

Sarah Ladd gives an artful piece of writing as she captures the fears, anxiety and emotions of both a governess, the children and their uncle. Weaving into that the history of the 1800's and you find a delightful read for your springtime pleasure.

Enjoy!

Loved loved loved this book. The story was paced well, not too fast and not too slow. The connection between Delia and Jac was a slow burn and the kind I love to read. I am never disappointed in a Sarah Ladd book. Read this one, you won’t regret it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Author Sarah Ladd once again pens a beautifully written novel as she launches a new series. The Governess of Penwythe Hall is the first book in her Cornwall series. I LOVE Ms. Ladd's way with words. The verbal imagery brings to life the beauty of Cornwall to the extent that the reader can see, hear and feel the wild beauty as if the setting is a character in its own right.
Delia, Cordelia Greythorne, arrives unexpectedly at Penwythe Hall with the five children placed in her charge after the death of their father. Their father's will had named his estranged brother, Jac Trethewy, as guardian. While I realize this is Delia's story, Jac was my favorite character. Delia at first appears a little too meek and mild for my personal taste, but I loved the fact that she developed some backbone and displayed grit and courage as she faced the secrets of her past that threatened the ones she loved. Jac unexpectedly found a place in my heart right away. His love for the land and growing feelings for Delia were predictable, but it was immediate love for the children that grabbed my heart.
Fans of regency fiction will love this story filled with great attention to detail. It is a sweet romance filled with secrets and danger. But most of all it is a story of overcoming grief, facing past regrets and new beginnings.

One of my favorite quotes:
"Fear is a bitter, vile enemy-it will rob you of today's joys and steal your strength to fight for your purpose."

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

"Cornwall was in her blood, and Delia feared she’d never escape its hold.

Cornwall, England, 1811.

Blamed for her husband’s death, Cordelia Greythorne fled Cornwall and accepted a governess position to begin a new life. Years later her employer’s unexpected death and his last request for her to watch over his five children force her to reevaluate. She can’t abandon the children now that they’ve lost both parents, but their new guardian lives at the timeworn Penwythe Hall...back on the Cornish coast she’s tried desperately to forget.

Jac Twethewey is determined to revive Penwythe Hall’s once-flourishing apple orchards, and he’ll stop at nothing to see his struggling estate profitable again. He hasn’t heard from his brother in years, so when his nieces, nephews, and their governess arrive unannounced, he battles both grief at his brother’s death and bewilderment over this sudden responsibility. Jac’s priorities shift as the children take up residence in the ancient halls, but their secretive governess - and the mystery shrouding her past - proves to be a disruption to his carefully laid plans.

Rich with family secrets, lingering danger, and the captivating allure of new love, this first book in the Cornwall series introduces us to the Twethewey family and their search for peace, justice, and love on the Cornish coast."

Because Poldark will soon be over and you NEED as much Cornwall as you can get!

I am so incredibly pleased with this latest novel! I love Ladd's vivid descriptions and beautiful settings in her stories.

Delia and Jac are complex and intricate characters, who meet while on very different paths in life, and their relationship comes slowly and believably into focus. The children are each unique and believable as well, as the wards of their Uncle Jac and whom Delia has served and cared for with all her heart. Delia is dedicated to them, and watching Jac, the responsibility thrust on him unexpectedly, take on the task as their guardian with gentle strength is sweet to witness.

The danger and intrigue in regards to the Graythorne name (Delia's deceased husband) and how that follows her in fear and trepidation was a perfect add to make this story gripping and intense, as this past tangles with the present and all Delia's hopes for safety and to forget.

This was a story that delves into the complication of relationships and family, and the consequences that come. From brothers estranged after a falling out, to the secrets of a husband and a controlling, dangerous family. How do you repair bridges, and how do you escape the ties that could destroy you? To me, this was a strong theme, and I found it meaningful and realistic, and not a topic often explored in its lasting affects (or at least so well woven throughout).

Looking forward to adding this novel to my Ladd collection!

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

Delia is a governess with a sad past, a tearful present and an unknown future. Her former mother-in-law believes that she holds a family secret, her present employer is near certain death, and Delia and the boys’ tutor, Mr. Simon, will be responsible for her present employer’s 5 children’s education as they will be in the care of his brother, Mr. Jac Trethewy, a confirmed bachelor who is trying to save his estate.
The children, Liam 14, Julia 12, John 9, Hannah 7 and Sophy 6, had lost their mother years earlier, so they were very apprehensive about leaving their home and going to live with an uncle they had not seen in 5 years who had been estranged from his brother, their father.
Delia, Mr. Simon, and the children reach Jac’s estate in a storm, and he did not know they were coming because he had not received a letter. Jac has to learn how to be a stand-in-parent for his nieces and nephews, save his farm from ruin, and fight his attraction for Delia.
Enjoy reading this suspenseful yet heartwarming novel!
 I received a complimentary copy of The Governess of Penwythe Hall from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.