Laura Callaway is an orphan that was sent to live in Cornwall. Here she finds the culture and people different from what she was used to and she struggles to fit in and feel accepted.

She makes a hobby of looking for flotsam and jetsam along the shores where shipwrecks are quite common. I found the definitions of flotsam and jetsam interesting. Flotsam is goods floating on the sea where a ship sunk and jetsam is anything that was purposely cast out of the ship in hopes of saving the ship. She tried to find the owners of the things she found if it was at all possible.

And one night she rescues a man who struggled to shore after a ship wrecked on rocks. But who is this man and is he really who he says is and can he be trusted? For the answers to that, you will have to read the book.

This book, while classified as historical fiction, is mostly fictional, but yet loosely based on things that could have happened in that era of time. Tom Parsons, a wrecker, was a real person though not much is known about him. There also was a church who was buried in sand and shipwrecks were common along the coastline and because not many people could swim back then, many people would die as a result of these shipwrecks.

I also enjoy Julie Klassen's writings and try to read all her new books as they come out. Someday I am hoping to read all her backlist as well. They are well-written and often pretty thick and there is something satisfying about that combination.

I received this book from Bethany House via NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

🐚 When I saw the only @julie.k.klassen book on @netgalley was a book set in Cornwall...I did not hesitate to request it!!! Oohhh it was so good to be back on the coast and it gave me major Poldark vibes!!!
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🐚 This is the second novel I've read by Julie Klassen and I'm a fan. This is Christian fiction that reads like contemporary historical fiction, but with bits of Truth weaved throughout. I love her writing, it's hard to find in this genre.
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🐚 For some reason, this book took me almost a month to read!! February kicked my butt and apparently I've only had time for my audiobooks! It definitely is not a reflection on the actual book because I absolutely loved it!!!!
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🐚 I could smell the sea, see the waves, feel the sand, and taste the salt in the air. The atmosphere was painted beautifully, as was the story!!! I loved how she included so many Cornish words and phrases, as well as historically accurate terms that actually made me grab my dictionary!
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🐚 The love story was slow and organic and precious and....sigh....did I say I loved this book???
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🐚 If you enjoy historical fiction, or for SURE if you like Poldark, you should pick this up!! How do I move on to reading anything not set on a coastline??!?!?
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🐚 No content warnings!!! 🙌🙌

Rich in historical detail and populated with colorful, interesting characters, Julie Klassen’s book, A Castaway in Cornwall, whisked me away to the wild Cornwall shores and kept me captivated to the end. I enjoyed learning more about the history and customs of Cornwall, and I could tell that Klassen had done her research on the area. Set in the early 1800s, this tale featured Laura Callaway and a shipwreck survivor named Alexander. I enjoyed the interaction between the two.

With plenty of intrigue, suspense, adventure, and a dash or two of romance, this novel has something for everyone. Themes of family and home, belonging, and forgiveness add to the satisfaction of the story.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

There was a lot to keep me turning the pages on this one. It has a great setting (the rocky shores of Cornwall--reminded me of Poldark), deep and complicated characters, plot twists, and a satisfying ending.

This would be a great book to read for any Poldark fan!

Another great book by this author. A beautiful tale that takes place during the regency period in England. This story has it all - mystery, shipwrecks, rescues, escapes, soldiers and war, spies, romance, and smuggling. This is a charming romance with a lot of mystery and intrigue thrown in. You cannot go wrong with this book.

A Castaway in Cornwall was enjoyable as all of Julie Klassen's novels are, and was actually deeper and more complex in terms of the storyline than it appeared. For the first time, we have a French hero during an important period in the Napoleonic Wars. This adds the extra layer of political intrigue among a divided family. He's from Brittany and has an English mother, but we're not sure exactly where his loyalties lie.
Laura was also a very compelling and quite unconventional heroine. Unconventional in a good way, not an implausible or cliched one. Her quirks made her interesting, not annoying.

The romance was good, but as stated the book went beyond that. There a few gushy romance clichés at the beginning but towards the middle the story got darker and more complex with a couple of scenes almost reminiscent of The Thirty-Nine Steps.

As usual Mrs Klassen worked some fascinating historical and geographical details into the story. This usually works very well, since she actually visits many of the areas she writes about. Who knew about the ancient connection between Brittany and Cornwall (puts hand up)?

Overall, this was a great standalone novel from Julie Klassen who is continuing her legacy of well-researched and exciting Regency novels which go somewhat against the grain.

Thanks to Bethany House for allowing me to read this title via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.

I loved the plot Julie Klassen had in this book! With windswept coastlines, shipwreck survivors, and a little bit of lost treasure, what is not to love? The characters and settings were nicely done, and the story kept me coming back for more. I also loved getting a peek into the time period this book was set in. There was some very interesting historical bits that I loved learning about. I am already looking forward to the next book from Julie Klassen, and can not wait for it to come out!





I received this book free through NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers for my honest review. The opinions are my own.

Picking up a book by Julie Klassen you are always sure of a well researched historical novel and this one doesn’t fail to grab your attention. A mysterious man swept up on the Cornish coast, smugglers, a heroine longing to find what happened to her parents. All the ingredients for the sort of book you can’t put down. Thank you Julie

Klassen's historical mystery/romance is well-researched as always. The setting and story arc involve shipwrecks along the coast of Cornwall and the salvaging of goods by local "wreckers" and officials. The heroine, cast upon the mercy of unwelcoming extended family, saves a mysterious man washed ashore from one of the shipwrecks and changes her life.

A Castaway in Cornwall is another great tale from Julie Klassen. Following the deaths of her parents, Laura Callaway is living with her guardian in Cornwall, England. In an effort to find her place in this new world, Laura starts collecting relics lost in the shipwrecks that occur along the shoreline. Her latest relic is a mysterious man, the sole survivor of the most recent wreck!

As Laura and an elderly neighbor, who was formerly a mid-wife, work hard to save this man's life, she tries to discover clues as to who he is and where he is from. Once he recovers and begins to speak, Laura notices a slight French accent. As a friendship begins to form between Laura and her patient, she knows he is still keeping secrets from her!

This story holds a bit of mystery and a lot of unknown. The telling gets very interesting as Laura and this man take an adventure together to try to find answers to questions in both of their past lives!

Back at it again with another instant favorite, Julie Klassen’s latest release will leave you hungry to the very end.

Food for Thought: The most page-turning books not only have one overarching point of tension but also include a bunch of minor struggles and triumphs. I have been thinking about this while debating why one book is more engaging than another. This book is one such book. The overarching tension being the war and Laura’s desire for closer, with a multitude of obstacles to overcome. Originally read at the end of December, I had forgotten how many shifts to the story there were. The summary only touches the surface of the beginning of the story.

Lonely and abandoned, Laura is a character that many readers will bond and empathize with. After the death of her parents, she is given into the care of an uncle through marriage whose second wife dislikes and disapproves of the girl. Just like the items she finds washed ashore, she too longs to feel as if she belongs and matters to someone. Despite the hardships in her life, Laura is caring, compassionate, and strong. Given the opportunity to trade places, I am not sure if I would be able to handle her life with such grace and fortitude.

Heart wrenching and tragic, Alexander’s past both saddened me and endeared him as a character worth empathizing with. I don’t want to say too much in order to keep the mystery alive, but if you are so blessed as to read this new release, you will discover a character full of strength, devotion, and determination despite life’s unfair way of unfolding.

If you don’t know this yet, then you should know… I love history. Whether it be ancient, medieval, or World War I, I love learning about other cultures, contrasting views of famous historical events, or even about a time in our history that I know little to nothing about. Despite having read many books set during the regency era, I do not know much about the Napoleonic War. Having studied it in school, I know the basic gist, but beyond that, I am at a loss. A Castaway in Cornwall not only provides insights into this time in history but tells the story from a unique angle. You’ll just have to read the story to figure out what angle to which I am referring ;)

Furthermore, I do not know much about Cornwall so it was a nice addition to have the language and customs incorporated into the story.

I was given a free copy of the book, but the opinions in this review are completely my own.

The Red Review: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
***4 Stars: Compelling Characters, Well-Written, Interesting Storyline, Unable to Stop

It was an okay read. But i couldn`t connect with the main character, Laura at all.
I found the story to be slow and at times just boring. It happend things, without actually happening much. I had a hard time with Laura and Alexander`s chemistry, i could not see it.

After the death of her parents Laura now lives with her aunt and uncle in Cornwall, unfortunately she feels lost and doesn’t feel like she belongs anywhere, she rescues Alexander from a shipwreck and brings him home, whilst nursing him back to health love blossoms, but who is he really? This story is full of suspense, mystery and romance.and I would recommend it to those who enjoyed the Poldark books.

Set in the early 1800's in Cornwall England, Laura Callaway rescues a man that has been washed up on the shore.
As she get's to know him, she finds that she is attracted to him even though he is keeping his past a secret. When men show up looking for the this mysterious man, can she trust him with her life as well as her heart?

Julie Klassen is one of my favorite authors. She always provides a gripping story, with well written characters . This book is a wonderful read for anyone who loves the historical fiction and theVictoria England era.

A Castaway in Cornwall
by Julie Klassen
Bethany House
Bethany House Publishers
Christian | Historical Fiction | Romance
Pub Date 01 Dec 2020


I am reviewing a copy of A Castaway in Cornwall through Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley:



Laura Callaway has been set adrift by the tides of fate by the deaths of her parents and she is now wanting answers. She lives with her Uncle and his wife, a disapproving woman who makes it clear how she feels. Laura has always felt like a Castaway, an outsider who has no place to belong.




Laura searches for clues to the lives lost so she can write letters to next of kin and return keepsakes to rightful owners, while the wreckers search for valuables along the windswept Cornwall coast known for its many shipwrecks but survivors were very few. After a man is washed ashore Laura quickly acts to protect him from a local smuggler who has become determined to destroy him.



As Laura as well as a neighbor take care of the survivor they discover he has curious wounds and, although he speaks in careful, educated English, his accent seems odd. As other clues wash ashore Laura realizes he is not who he seems to be. Despite all the evidence against him, the mysterious man might provide her only chance to discover the truth about her parents' fate. As danger pursues them on every side and as an unexpected attraction grows between them, will Laura ever find the answers she seeks?



I give A Castaway In Cornwall five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

An enjoyable story. I liked the shipwreck background. I liked the research that went into this story. I'm sure it was accurate historic research. I have liked others I read by this author, but this seemed like the hero in the story was not fleshed out enough. I liked the heroine, and there was some good dialog.. I liked the history about the church buried in sand and the fact the vicar held annual services. I liked the fact that Laura collected bits of flotsam from the wrecks.
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book to read. #Netgalley

A Castaway in Cornwall is an intriguing story for the glimpse it gives us into another way of life in Cornwall. The taking of plunder was so common, the residents of that coastline never considered the loss shipwrecked items were to the rightful owners. A lost bible, a crate of rum, all for the taking and who would be the wiser. It appeared to be a sport that gathered many to the shoreline in the hopes of finding something worthwhile.

For Laura, it was an altogether different thing. She searched for life, and would be a healer for anyone who needed care. I admired her spirit. Wise beyond her years, she had an innate ability to see what others could not see. She did discover treasures on the shore, but her treasure trove was stored until such time she could restore those treasured items to those rightful owners. The arrival of the stranger, handsome and mysterious set the stage for a poignant love story that sets Laura onto a path that she was destined to take.

The setting of this story is colorful and well described. I would love to visit this area and the vast cliffs and stormy seas. One could almost feel the storms and see the raging sea. This is a book for those who enjoy historical fiction and a bit of adventure!

I requested an eARC of this book from NetGalley based solely off the cover and description. I have not read anything previously by this author. The synopsis sounded like I would like it, but unfortunately for me, it didn't deliver. The synopsis of pretty much told the whole of the story and there was very little left to be discovered about it. The last third of the book was highly predictable. I haven't read historical romance in a long while and this book felt to stereotypical for me on that front. The characters were likeable for the most part, but I felt no real draw to them. What I did enjoy about this book was learning about the shipwrecks. I had no prior knowledge of them, so it was interesting to read about them.

Laura Callaway feels like an outsider in the coastal Cornwall village where she resides with her uncle, and his wife. Laura wanders the beaches after the wrecks, gathering things of value in hopes of returning them to their rightful owners, but when a mysterious man washes up on the beaches she feels compelled to help him, but feels that there is more to his story than he has revealed.

Laura finds herself unsure of where to turn and risking it all for a man rescued from the wreckage. Julie Klassen brings the salty coastal air of Cornwall to life in this mysterious tale of sacrifice, risk, and identity. I loved how Laura had many close supportive friends, who helped her over the course of the book, Wenna, and even her stepsister, Eseld.

Engaging from the start, I loved the beautiful coastal setting of Cornwall, though I felt like the pace slowed in the mid-section and I questioned some of the character's choices. This was a pleasant read, with themes of faith and friendship, trust, and belonging, as well as intriguing characters.

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

This book takes you through a rather long journey. It almost could have been a two book series. The first half was almost a different story and feel than the second half but I still enjoyed it.
Laura lives in Cornwall with her Uncle and his wife and her daughter. Laura isn’t related by blood to any of them, and has always felt as an outsider since moving there. The beach closest to where she lives is known for frequent shipwrecks and she enjoys finding hidden treasures. However, one night she finds a lone survivor from a shipwreck and she saves him and nurses him back to health. There is some mystery revolving around him but it doesn’t stop her growing admiration for him...or his for her. We get both Laura’s and Alexander’s points of views in this book which is nice.
I don’t feel like I can say too much about the remainder of the book without giving away the storyline. However, I guess I can say that the beginning feels like a regency type story, and then you go on a journey, and then there is some resolution, and then some waiting, and then happiness and then finally a happily ever after. ;-)
All in all, it was well written and a good story.