Such a great book. Loved that Laura saved Alex from a shipwreck! I do feel there was a little inconsistency in the time period — such as it not seeming to be a big deal until later that Laura and Alex were together alone. But overall it was a good read!

A Castaway in Cornwall was published in December but I just got around to reading it a few days ago. I was met, as expected, with a work of fiction that hit all the right notes for me at the right time. It’s an atmospheric telling, obviously about a castaway in Cornwall – a shipwreck survivor – and the woman who nurses him to health, a castaway in her own right. That’s an overly simplistic capture of the plot, but I don’t want to spoil the story – I want to encourage you to read it for yourself. Inside you’ll find a lot of coastal or sea-worthy jargon with an emphasis on flotsam and jetsam (do you know the difference?) and a reflection of the Cornish history of smuggling and wreckers woven into the period piece.

The lead characters in this novel have some depths to them – secrets, pasts, scars – but they’re steadfast – which is not to be confused with boring. The book as a whole is not fast-paced, and it’s not a romp – it takes its time to get from cover to cover, but it’s an enjoyable journey nonetheless. I would classify it as historical inspirational fiction with intrigue and an innocent, slow-burn romance. Bonus points for the cover art – I just absolutely love the colour palette and soft design. This title felt quite a bit like a novel written just for me.

My thanks to the publisher for the complimentary copy of this title via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Great book! Totally swept along with the journey. Julie Klassen is fast bring a firm favourite of mine.

This was okay, but I had some issues. The scenes seemed too short to me, as if they could have had more depth. I can’t quite put my finger on what my issue is, though. The lines are there, the descriptions are there, but it feels like something is missing. That's how I feel about the book overall. Based on the premise, it could have been very intriguing, but the pacing was off. The romance also fell flat for me, enough so that I often forgot it was supposed to be a romance. It might sound silly considering there's an entire shipwreck, but I wanted more danger and near-death experiences in this book. It also felt too long in the end; I just wanted to be finished with it.

I'll definitely read more from Klassen, but this one unfortunately fell a little short for me.

A touching romantic story about lost love and found hopes in a time of war and disdain. A story that will leave you speechless with its emotional reality that mixes sadness and happiness, pain and love, betrayal, and forgiveness.
An unforgettable story that takes us deep into the world of young Laura Callaway. A girl left alone in this world, living with a family that doesn't share her blood. A castaway nor fully accepted, nor rejected by the inhabitants of the small town. Her peace and pleasure are walking along the coast collecting small treasures that the sea throws away after shipwrecks. But one day, the sea will throw out such a treasure that will bring the greatest happiness but also danger in her peaceful life. Will she find the strength to defend and protect the priceless treasure?
The book seems like a love novel, but I would give a lot more weight to this reading. With an extraordinary narrative gift, the author skillfully leads us on this journey to Cornwall. A complex account of the life that took place there in the 1800s. A distant time for us, and yet so similar. The difficulties of being an orphan, money as the biggest motivator and destruction, clandestine activities as a way to make quick money ... these are some truths that have not changed to this day... But also we can see all the difficulties and hardships that people faced at that time. So many layers, so many threads masterfully woven into a story that will capture your attention from beginning to end. And so many topics to think about. And will we pay attention to the lack of medical care, or the difficulties of not having enough financial means, maybe to the cruelty that war brings, turning brother against brother, father against son ..... Every thread of the story is so skillfully intertwined that as you even read, it seems that you are there and you can see all the situations, feel all the emotions, perceive all the details ... And the details, believe me, are flawlessly fitted, from small superstitions, maidens’ silliness to general beliefs, to detailed descriptions, to historical data and notes that you do not have the impression that they burden you. The whole story is just captivating, with its wonderful premise, well-developed characters, and fascinating truths.
The main character Laura warmed my heart. An ambitious young lady who has many dreams in her life and a very noble purpose. Small for the world, but something greatest for her. At times you think that you are Laura because of the amazing storytelling that seems so real as if there is not much imagination. And you read about her cruel fate. And you see the beauty of her soul. Fighting for people who do not have the strength to fight for themselves, bringing peace and closure for families, you realize that she is a character who simply fascinates you. And Alexander, with his pride and strength, is a man who is simply perfect for her. A man who went through hell to be able to help his family and friend. A man who isn’t afraid to accept help and to show emotions. A man who knows how to appreciate the beauty and sacrifice of this exceptional girl.
Definitely. A book that amazed me with its well-conceived plot and fascinating layering. A book that pulls you in like a whirlwind and doesn't leave you until you read the last page.

“Flotsam or jetsam?” This is the opening line of Julie Klassen’s latest, A Castaway in Cornwall. Such a great opening line when you realize exactly what it means in the context of the story. Not having seen Poldark (I know, I know) I have heard that the opening scenes are Poldarkish, but I can’t deny nor confirm, since I have not watched that series. However, we start with Laura Callaway walking along the shore looking for objects washed up on the shore. Of course, there is a shipwreck and that’s where our hero of the story comes in. I loved every second of this book, intrigue, secrets, a search for belonging, and struggles to do what is right in a world turned upsidedown by the war between England and France. Escape into history and a love story with this beautiful book by Klassen. I found myself reluctant to come up for air. Enjoy!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Another new to me author. This book gripped me from the beginning. I have visited Cornwall & France many times and know some of the locations in the story. Jersey is on my list to visit. I was also familiar with Normans Cross Prisoner of War camp, having viewed an exhibition of the history for the site. All of these things added to my interest as the story developed. The story is set during the 19th Century Napoleonic Wars.
Laura was orphaned whilst a school girl and went to live with her uncle in Cornwall, here she was at odds with the Cornish ways and did not feel that she belonged there. Whilst out on her regular beach walks she rescued Alexander from a shipwreck, and helped him recover his health. During this time she came to like him and wanted to help him return to his home, although he was a very mysterious man who hid his identity and secrets for many months. Laura was also, perhaps, more adventurous than many women of her time and liked to be more independent, particularly as she felt an outsider both at home and in the community. All the characters in the story had back stories which added to the intrigue and also worries for them. I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to those who like mystery and intrigue, but not thrillers.

I chose this as a change from my usual psychological thriller/crime preferences. I do enjoy historical romance and the fact this story is set in North Cornwall influenced my choice.

After the tragic death of her parents, Laura now lives with her Uncle Matthew and his wife and daughter Eseld. Although Laura is loved by her uncle and cousin, her aunt is a difficult woman, often making her feel she is a charity case. Ship wrecks are common along the coast and Laura spends her time scouring the beaches and collecting items. She stores them in the ice house in the family's garden and if she can, returns them to the families of those who have lost their lives. When a merchant ship from Yarmouth is wrecked in a nearby cove, she rescues a drowning man - Alexander Lucas and nurses him back to health. This is the beginning of a gentle romance wrapped around a world of smuggling, spies and deception.
It's a lovely easy read, rich in detail - the author certainly has done a lot of research. If you love historical fiction, especially set around the Napoleonic Wars - then you will enjoy this.

One of the best things about Ms. Klassen's works is the way they transport me to another time and place. This book was no exception. The story is rich in language, customs and details unique to the location (Cornwall) and time (early 1800s). The snippets from supporting works at the beginning of each chapter were a great touch and so interesting!

Reading from the point of view of a Captain fighting for Napoleon was a unique experience; as most of the books I read have the benefit of knowing how history played out, they typically align their characters with the winning side. I appreciated the different perspective.

On a side note, as usual I am one of the few that *doesn't* appreciate the nods, or rather direct quotes from Pride and Prejudice/Jane Austen worked into the story.

Would definitely recommend!

A Castaway in Cornwall is an English historical novel written by Julie Klassen.

Summary: Laura Callaway feels she has no real place in the world. After the tragic deaths of her parents, she is forced to rely on her uncle and his family. It’s not always pleasant, and she grieves the life she once had.

In an effort to find a purpose to her life, she searches shipwrecks to help identify those that have lost their lives. She writes to grieving families in hopes of helping them to receive closure in their loved ones’ deaths.

But everything changes when Laura discovers a wounded man washed up on the beach. As she nurses him back to health, she discovers he is not all he seems. Has Laura brought danger to herself and those around her, or will she finally find the true home she has been longing for all along?

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this book. It has a different feel to it than most of the books I read, and it was a refreshing change. To me, it felt like there was a wistfulness behind the entire plot line. Almost as if the characters were just holding on to the idea that things could change for their futures. I liked it.

I enjoyed the history in this book as well-the war with the French, as well as how shipwrecks were handled in Cornwall.

Overall, this is a wonderful book and I would recommend it. There is an interesting plot, I liked the characters, and there is a nice and light romance as well.

I would like to thank Bethany House Publishers for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you!

From the desk of Katie Patchell:

In this holiday season, acclaimed novelist, Julie Klassen, returns to the Regency world with her latest historical romance, A Castaway in Cornwall. Featuring dangerous wreckers, shifty smugglers, and mysterious strangers, readers may well detect a similar refrain to the haunting melody that is Daphne du Maurier’s classic, Jamaica Inn. Readers brace yourselves: prepare to be transported outside of the lights and glare of the 21st century to an old-world bathed in mists and deafened by the roaring of the sea. Prepare to meet a heroine who, against all odds, bravely fights to reclaim what the ocean has stolen.

“Sometimes I wonder how I ended up here in Cornwall, so far from my childhood home. I feel like a castaway, set adrift on the tide…”

Laura Callaway has lived along Cornwall’s unpredictably beautiful shores since the reported death of her parents while en route to the Isle of Jersey years ago. With no closure from her own loss, Laura combs the shores for items to save from greedy locals in order to return them to the families of loved ones who have perished in shipwrecks. When a man washes up on the shore one fateful night, half-alive, by instinct Laura spares him from a wrecker’s death blow. Little does she know that this man isn’t the only survivor of the wreck, and this final survivor will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

“In a haze of confusion, Alex had seen the blurred image of a red-haired woman bending over him, her windblown hair falling around her lovely face, her eyes as dark as the depths. He’d thought the legend of the mermaid had invaded his dreams. Now he knew the woman was real…”


On waking in a strange bed on foreign shores, Alexander knows instinctively that he must keep his surname and mission a secret. If someone were to find out who or what he was, the consequences could cost his family their lives. When an enemy from his past hunts him down, Alex has no choice but to trust the woman who has saved his life so recently: the brave Miss Callaway. Thrown together by the sea yet bound together through layers of an unsolved mystery, Laura and Alex must work together to find out the truth–whatever the cost–before it’s too late.

“All around me is the sound of the sea. Not a roar but a rhythm–a watery hum, strumming like a vibrating chord, a quickened heartbeat.”

I had the amazing fortune to road-trip around the United Kingdom twice. Each country–with its people and places, mountains, and moors–was an unforgettable experience. Yet, for me, Cornwall will always stand out in memory as a bright blue gem does against a black velvet stand. Close your eyes for a moment and remember with me the winding cliff paths around Lizard Point. Listen to the sound of the waves far below and the long grass rustling against ancient stone boulders. On gray days it was as if Daphne du Maurier’s broodingly atmospheric novel, Jamaica Inn, had come to life around me. By sunlight, the ghosts of wreckers and smugglers vanished, and all was aquamarine waters and the golden sun glinting off seaside quays. A Castaway in Cornwall’s setting was a breath of fresh, salty air. It effortlessly transports readers to a unique place and will likely put Cornwall on many post-COVID travel lists.

I found the romance to be a blend of Daphne du Maurier and Anne Bronte; there is passion mixed with restraint, and life-threatening secrets bound up with a grey-shaded world where nothing is exactly black or white. The thrilling premise of a woman, lost even to herself, making the choice to save and return what was lost, was one that held strong from the first page to last. Never once did I grow tired of Laura or Alex, especially when his backstory became as important to the main plot as hers.

My only mixed response to A Castaway in Cornwall was that I wanted more. I enjoyed the tantalizing glimpse of the war between England and France and of what their proximity did to the citizens living on the coastlines nearest, but I was still left with many questions. For example, why was Alex so accepted to the people in England, even after finding out his French nationality and wartime past? Sometimes the best course really is a massive tome to while away the chill Winter evenings, and ‘more pages’ is what I would have wished for this novel.

With its captivating romance, hauntingly beautiful setting, and heart-pounding adventure, A Castaway in Cornwall is sure to appeal to fans of Regency and Gothic reads. Yet there is something else that causes it to shine even brighter; its compelling narrative of love, loss, and love again will remain in readers’ hearts long after the final page closes.

A story of shipwrecks, mysterious strangers, spies—and so much more!

Cast adrift to live with her uncle and less-than-welcoming aunt on the shores of Cornwall, Laura Calloway often scours the beaches, searching for treasures washed ashore by the stormy tides and feeling little more than flotsam and jetsam herself. So when a shipwreck tosses a mysterious stranger upon those same shores, Laura wonders if she might have found her greatest treasure yet.

Drawing upon the spy-ridden culture of the Napoleonic Wars and rich with period detail, Klassen gives us a fascinating peek back into time. With characters who step off the page and into the imagination, she crafts a tale of intrigue and betrayal that will leave readers turning page after page in hopeful anticipation of a happily ever after.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I truly enjoyed reading A Castaway in Corwall on this first day of 2021. It was just what I needed as I sat in my cozy reading chair on a rainy day. To me it had a bit of a Poldark feel to it and I could picture the scenery as I read.

I enjoyed the mystery that surrounded Alex, the man Laura saved after the ship he was on wrecked near her home in Cornwall. There was sweet romance, some adventure and themes of forgiveness and reconciliation throughout this book. I have to say I think this is my new favorite by Julie Klassen.

If you're in the mood for a great Regency romance, give this one a try, It truly does not disappoint!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

My first Klassen book and it won't be my last! Excellent writing, engaging setting. It was so refreshing reading a clean book. Thank you for allowing me to review this book!

This was an OK story for me. I enjoyed the storyline, but it was one that I could walk away from for awhile. I’ve read several stories lately that focus on smuggling, so maybe that was why. Laura’s story was one of yearning to belong somewhere, and she learned some very valuable lessons while finding her place. I struggled feeling much emotion towards her relationship with Alexander. I liked getting to know both of them, but for some reason, their relationship just fell flat for me.

I did find the description of the coast and St. Enodoc fascinating though, especially after finding out that the church is real and was really partially buried by the sand.

Again, I enjoyed the story, and maybe would have liked it quite a bit more if I had been in the right mood to read it.

I really love the way Julie Klassen writes. She is so vivid in her descriptions. I could see the people of Cornwall, the beaches and the village. In this book, you will find a heroine you can relate to, a far away place we would all love to visit and a budding romance. This is historical fiction in a way that I learned about France and England but it was woven in the book seamlessly and easy to follow. I will definitely continue to read Ms Klassen’s books.

A great historical fiction romance about two castaways trying to get back home to family. The characters are full of mystery and spunk. It was a little slow at the beginning but started to speed up when Francois comes into the picture. I really enjoyed the plot, the relationship between Laura and Alex, and the answer to the question, "Who is the real castaway in this book? Alex or Laura?" I would highly recommend this book to readers who love a good romance or historical fiction read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bethany House for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

4.5 stars
Cornwall provides a unique backdrop for this novel with its steep cliffs, rocky shores and colorful residents. As ships often find themselves adrift and cast headlong into danger, the same is true for Laura Callaway. Without close family to call her own, she often feels a bit lost. As she searches the shores for treasures, she witnesses a shipwreck and plays a part in rescuing one of its few surviving inhabitants. She finds a new purpose in taking care of him, which leads to a shift in life as she knew it.

This novel was a very enjoyable read, including interesting characters in a variety of settings, romantic tension, and light suspense. There was a clear villain, who was especially nasty to the hero, and it was contrasted with moments of redemption in the story for several of the main characters. Julie Klassen always does an especially great job in creating romantic tension, which I love. I felt like the romantic tension was high in the beginning of the book when the mysterious castaway was found and they were in Cornwall, then dipped some as the plot shifted. At that time, the romantic tension dropped some as the suspense increased. I found it to be a shift that helped build up to more romantic tension in the future. Nicely done! This book really does have a little bit of everything. I will say, though, if you're a fan of Poldark, the beginning of the book reminded me SO MUCH of some of those characters and plot. Even so, there were enough differences that it kept me engaged 'til the end.



*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in order to share my honest opinions, which I did.**

A Castaway in Cornwall by Julia Klassen was atypical as I found it hard to get into the plot. Laura Calloway feels adrift as her parents died years ago and now lives with her uncle's family. She spent her time combing the beaches for treasures from the cargo brought ashore after multiple shipwrecks along the Cornwell coast. After a disastrous shipwreck, Laura finds herself caring for Alexander Lucas a shipwrecked victim who has many secrets of his own. Will those secrets ruin Laura's precarious situation, or will those secrets lead to a better life?

This was a very enjoyable story based in the times of the Napoleonic Wars. Involving escaped French sailors, Cornish smugglers and ladies looking for husbands. Lots of action, great descriptions and a satisfying conclusion.