With rich history, amazing characters, and a marvelous story-telling gift, Sarah Ladd takes you on an adventure that all starts with a letter and a deathbed confession. Get ready for a late night because this book sucks the reader in and you don't want to put it down until all the questions are answered and lies are uncovered. Vivid descriptions put the reader in the drafty boarding house and walking down the gravel road with the sun setting and your steps quickening to make the house before dark and danger set in. Cassandra Hale has always known her parentage is a mystery, but with a full life there is not reason to wonder or worry about it. Suddenly everything is thrown into chaos with the deathbed confession of the headmistress and a 2 year old letter. The new information sends Cassandra on a chase for answers to who she is and where she belongs. The letter came from Briarton Park so she starts her search there. But on arrival she finds the writer has passed and a new master resides at Briarton Park. James Warrington has only been in the area for 1 year and can't answer any of Cassandra's many questions. She decides to stay in the area and search for answers, with the help of the local vicar and his housekeeper. James has moved his family after the death of his wife, buying a mill and estate that he hopes will give them a place to call home. Cassandra's visit sets in motion a chain of events that James finds himself in the middle of, and with her assisting his family in a tough situation, he feels indebted to help her. But as they search for more answers and people who knew the former master of Briarton Park, James and Cassandra find the danger increasing. There are people who do not want the truth to come out and will stop at nothing, not even murder, in order to keep the truth buried. Cassandra must decide who she can trust as the final answers are uncovered and the chance of a place to call home is closer than she knows.
Sarah E. Ladd has written a story that pulls the reader into another time and place. With a marvelous combination of intrigue, romance, and human connection this book will not fail to entertain and delight readers. I look forward to her next book, it is sure to be another attention grabbing masterpiece. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Absolutely a beautiful story! This one ranks in my top five for 2022! Beautifully written! I love everything about this book!

What a wonderful surprise package The Letter from Briarton Park turned out to be! I loved it! I found myself quickly engrossed in the suspense and mystery with all the gothic feels of a Brontë book. Yes indeed, whether it be the boarding school beginnings or the journey to a manor home to be a governess with a seemingly aloof owner, this book captured all the feels of a great historical romance mystery.

‘The school was the only family I ever knew, first as a student and then as a teacher.’

I was onboard with the lead character Cassandra’s efforts to learn more of her personal history and family. Traveling to a small English village with all the expected gossip, speculation over an inheritance and then mysterious murder made this pure classicism in its approach and execution. James provided the brooding and conflicted romantic interest and with a range of highly engaging secondary characters made this read complete.

‘The simple words threatened to undo her. How she had yearned for someone to come alongside her. Support her. See her.’

To top it off of course, was it set in Yorkshire with the requisite large manor home - secret passageways and all! Sarah provides her readers with a mystery that is both well plotted and presented. With classic themes of death and inheritances, families and greed, forbidden romances, murder and mystery, it felt like returning home to a comfort read yet there being enough twists and turns with surprises to keep the reader turning pages until the satisfying conclusion.

‘The puzzle was not complete, but the pieces were there. They just had to solve it.’

If regency reads appeal to you, then I highly recommend The Letter from Briarton Park as I found it to be totally engaging with all the ingredients present for an atmospheric and engaging historical fiction read.





This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

The Letter from Briarton Park is a great story! Cassandra has never known who her parents or family were and was raised in a girls' school. Upon the death of the headmistress, she finds a letter from her father and learns that he wants to see her. She arrives at Briarton Park only to learn that her father is dead and the estate has been purchased by Mr. Warrington. Unrest is breaking out around the mills and her father's solicitor is killed. The young vicar begins pursuing Cassandra! All Cassandra wants is to meet her family and learn about them! If you enjoy mystery and the regency era, you will love The Letter from Briarton Park. I read this book by Sarah Ladd through NetGalley and recommend it to others. This is my honest opinion.

Delightful romance of rags to riches. Cassandra thought she was an orphan but with one letter she sets out to find family.

The Letter from Briarton Park by Sarah E. Ladd is the latest Regency romance in her Houses of Yorkshire series, and it is wonderful! I've loved inspirational Regency romance books for years. And when I discovered Sarah Ladd's books, I immediately fell in love with them. The books in the series are stand-alone books, so don't let the fact that it's a series stop you from reading!

I'm a lover of all things England. The Yorkshire setting makes me long to walk through village streets in a Regency dress with my basket of gifts for the less fortunate....basically if time travel were a thing, I'd be there.

The characters have a lot of depth and are very realistic. They've gone through real pain and loss. They have regrets. These things bond the main characters together. I absolutely adore Cassandra, and James will make you swoon. In my head, I pictured him as a younger Simon Baker from The Mentalist. Yes, I was crushing on James, and you probably will too.

Romance, mystery, suspense....The Letter from Briarton Park has all of this wrapped up in a brilliant story that you will adore. I highly recommend it!

What a Crazy Web of Deceit…

This book had so many secrets! It was fascinating when they were revealed. It is a book you will want to race to the end. You will love some of the characters and not like others but might change your mind about a few. I look forward to reading more and hope the next book is about Rachel or Cassandra’s brother!

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

Set in early 1800s England, during a period of unrest among the nation's wool mill workers, The Letter From Briarton Park tells the story of Miss Cassandra Hale, a young teacher who taught in the same boarding school as she had grown up in never knowing her own family. After the passing of her mentor and surrogate mother, Cassandra sets out to learn about her roots following some surprising deathbed confessions. Ladd has crafted an interesting story filled with deception, suspicion, and intrigue while including a healthy portion of compassion, forgiveness, and love which made for several hours of reading pleasure.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

When a story begins with a deathbed revelation, secrets, a betrayal and then moves to a stately country home in Regency England, only for the heroine to discover she has been named in a will, you know you are in for a diverting and engaging read. And in the case of Sarah E. Ladd's The Letter from Briarton Park, you have a delightful start to a new series.

As Cassandra Hale arrives in the small village of Anston to pursue the knowledge of her family promised in the letter, she becomes entangled with the handsome village vicar, as well as the mill owner residing at Briarton with his family. Set against a backdrop of a contentious time when friction between industrial progress and mill workers easily erupted into violence - though this is featured more in The Weaver’s Daughter - the story unfolds and the plot thickens with danger and romantic possibilities.

The Letter from Briarton Park, with Sarah E. Ladd's signature style and flair for gothic-tinged Regency, is a new favorite and I cannot wait to see what comes next in her Houses of Yorkshire series. This is one for the reread shelf, and while there is enough tension and peril to keep it exciting, I can see this being a future comfort read. Highly recommended.

This review refers to a temporary digital galley I voluntarily received and read via NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. A positive review was not required and these are simply my own honest opinions.

The Letter from Briarton Park is a historical fiction novel written by Sarah E. Ladd.

Summary: Cassandra Hale knows next to nothing about her real family-having been raised at a school her entire life.

So it comes at a complete shock when she discovers a letter that has been hidden from her for two years-one that could finally provide her with the answers she has always wanted to know. Who was her family? Why was she given away to raise?

But the letter is two years old. Is it too late to get the answers she seeks or will she finally find a place she can belong?

My Thoughts: This book is really good. It is the perfect blend of a little damsel in distress that needs rescuing, but combined with a determined and strong young woman that won’t let the world stand in her way. It makes room for a good romance, but not the completely helpless female-type romance. I really liked it.

There was also actually a surprising and interesting mystery as a subplot as well. Yes, the book covers a lot about Cassandra looking for her family history, but there is also unexpected sabotage and danger around the corner.

I would definitely recommend this book. It is well-written, kept my attention, and had a plenty of good twists and turns and some sinister bad guys too. It’s worth the read.

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

I was raised on mysteries and love it when I think I have things figured out and the author surprises me. I guessed parts of the story, but there were twists I wasn't expecting. I really enjoyed this story, the mystery and romance. I felt for Cassandra as she struggled to uncover her past and figure out her future. James was a good guy who had a lot on his plate. I loved his devotion to family, but that he also refused to lose himself. He and Cassandra were so good together. I hope this is a new series and we get to read Rachel's story at some point.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Netgalley and this is my honest review.

** “If we, myself included, wait for complete satisfaction, we’ll always be disappointed. There will always be unanswered questions and things we wish were different. If we dwell on those, though, we risk missing the good that is before us.” **

Sarah E. Ladd delivers a delightful Austenian read with her latest novel, “The Letter from Briarton Park.”

When teacher Casandra Hale receives a mysterious letter from the owner of Briarton Park — delayed by two years — she believes she will soon learn the truth about her past, including the identities of her parents.

But when she arrives at Briarton Park, all hope seems to be lost when Cassandra learns some devastating news. As she sets out to continue the search for her family, several mysteries surround her, all while receiving the help from the dashing owner of Briarton and an overly eager town vicar.

“The Letter from Briarton Park” is a great story written today but in the vein of authors like Jane Austen. Ladd does a great job of developing characters that readers will both adore and loathe. She also fills the book with several good themes, like transitions take time; finding hope; learning discernment and trust; feeling a connection to something or someone; and finding happiness from within and not from others (“What is important is that you find that your strength is in your character, not to whom you are married. Find happiness and contentment from within, not in your circumstances.”)

Fans of classic authors like Austen and present-day authors like Abigail Wilson, as well as romantic stories with a little bit of suspense, will enjoy this novel.

Five stars out of five.

Thomas Nelson provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

Cassandra never knew her parents, and she believed that her mentor, Mrs Denton, didn't either. When a deathbed confession shows her the fallacy of this, she's left feeling betrayed, and with her only clue as to her parentage being a letter from Mr Clark, at Briarton Park. But when she goes to visit, she finds that Mr Clark is long dead and the trail cold. When James bought Briarton Park, he never expected an intriguing young woman to show up looking for the previous owner. Nor did he expect the need he felt to help her in any way he could. As Cassandra begins to learn more of her history and background, the mystery intensifies. Will she ever discover her heritage? And who is her friend and who her foe? Will she find out the truth before it's too late?

While I enjoyed this story, it didn't grab me the way that some books do. It was interesting watching the mystery unravel and the truth appear, but I never felt fully immersed in the story. However, it was still a good read, and others will probably love it. I particularly appreciated Betsy's friendship with Cassandra when everything else seemed up in the air. All in all, the writing was good, the content clean, the characters interesting and the mystery managed well, complete with red herrings.

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

Very well written but it lacked chemistry between the MCs. I actually felt more chemistry in the friendships between Cassandra and Betsy and Cassandra and Rachel. There was a lot of heart in this story and I felt Cassandra’s emotional journey deeply. I just didn’t connect with Cassandra and James as a couple. So while the romance was lacking for me, I love that Cassandra finally found her place in the world and her forever family.

The Letter from Briarton Park is another smashing example of Sarah E. Ladd's excellent ability to weave a tale that will draw you into Regency England and leave you satisfied. These characters have a depth and realism that most will be able to relate to. The heroine, Cassandra, is looking to discover her parentage and is searching for family and a position to keep her clothed and fed. The hero, James is delightfully worthy of a sigh or two. He's a widower and father who desires to help Cassandra while keeping her safe from harm. The setting is descriptive and beautiful. And there's just enough mystery to keep you turning pages. All in all, a completely enjoyable read!

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Cassandra Hale thinks she's alone in the world, having lived her entire life as first a student, then a teacher at a boarding school. She is astonished at the deathbed revelation of her beloved schoolmistress that she may not be alone after all-and is the recipient of a letter from someone she's never met, from somewhere she's never been. With the school closing and her options dwindling, Cassandra sets off for Briarton Park to try and uncover the mystery of her connection there. A solid offering in the usual vein from Sarah E Ladd, with an interesting puzzle, a moral quandary, and some light romance. I felt the book dragged a bit through the middle, but ended with a satisfying conclusion.

I have been a long time fan of Sarah Ladd and her books. I enjoyed the heroine in this story and loved how she was strong, capable, and politely opinionated. James the hero was likable enough, but I didn’t necessarily gravitate towards him. This book was a bit slow moving for my tastes. There is a lot of description and it seemed to take a long time for the two main chatting to share the same page with any significance. I felt like I was reading two separate stories that intersected slightly. All in all I would have loved a bit more of a swifter pace to the romance and mystery of this book.

The Letter from Briarton Park is the newest book by author Sarah E. Ladd. Having read and enjoyed previous books by this author and being intrigued by the description, I dug right into this volume. This book, set in Regency England, has a fairly typical plotline but has enough mystery to add in twists and turns that keep the story interesting. Several items set this book apart. To begin with, main character Cassandra Hale, although an orphan seeking information about her family and a governess, is a strong female protagonist. She has a firm sense of right and wrong and follows through with what she thinks is the right thing to do even when it isn't the socially proper thing to do. Several other characters prove to not have the same moral fortitude and provide some of the mystery elements. Hale also finds that individuals in her life have not always been honest with her and at times her life is in danger.

As indicated there are numerous twists and turns in The Letter from Briarton Park to keep the reader guessing. However, as a Regency romance, the end is fairly predictable. Ladd provides some excellent character development among both the main characters and several supporting figures as well. In addition, her descriptions draw the reader into the story. All in all, The Letter from Briarton Park is an enjoyable and entertaining book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received The Letter from Briarton Park from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

As a fan of the genre of Regency romance as well as historical fiction, this book was a delightful read for me. This is the first book of the author's that I have read, and knowing this book is the first book of the series The Houses of Yorkshire, I know I will be reading more! Cassandra Hale has been raised in a school for young ladies, never knowing her parents. At the deathbed of her dear friend and mistress of the school, Mrs. Denton, she learns that a secret has been kept from her regarding her family and is given a letter and money that will take her on a journey to find the family she has been yearning for all her life. Arriving at Briarton Park, she finds that the writer of the letter, Mr. Clark, is deceased, and her stay in the village of Anston has caused quite a stir as gossip abounds surrounding her arrival. As a young woman alone, she battles with her mind over who she can trust to help her: the village vicar, Mr. North; Briarton Park's new owner, James Warrington, or Mr. Clark's solicitor, Mr. Longham. Romance, intrigue and newly formed friendships surround Ms. Hale as she struggles with the discovery of truths about her family, and the deceitful actions of others who don't want her to find out. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #NetGalley #TheLetterFromBriartonPark

Sarah Ladd is definitely a favorite author! I love the way she weaves romance, mystery, and suspense into her stories. This book had a Jane Eyre feel to it which I loved. It begins at a boarding school where Cassandra Hale’s beloved mentor Mrs. Denton lays dying. Her last words to Cassandra are of a letter she kept secret for two years. Always believing she was an orphan, Cassandra feels shocked and betrayed to know Mrs. Denton kept this hidden from her. Mr. Clark promises in his letter to share details about her past and family, so Cassandra journeys to the small village of Anston to seek out the mysterious owner of Briarton Park.

James Warrington, a young widower with two small daughters, just purchased Briarton Park. He lives there with his children, mother-in-law, and sister and longs for a fresh start after losing his wife. When a young woman arrives with a letter from the previous owner, he’s immediately intrigued by her. After she rescues his sister, he feels a strong desire to help her find the answers she seeks.

This story really drew me in. Cassandra is extremely sympathetic and I loved seeing her find the sense of belonging and family she always wanted. She has to navigate a world of mystery and intrigue where not everyone is as they seem. There are those who genuinely want to help her and those threatened by her past. I loved James as well. He’s a caring father who wants to open his heart again, but fights his feelings for a myriad of reasons. The more time he spends with Cassandra, the harder it is to resist her.

I loved the Yorkshire setting and the dynamics of the small village. The side characters enriched and added depth to the story. The author introduces the historical antagonism between mill owners with new technology and the workers. While barely touched on, it will be interesting to see how this history may appear in future stories.

The mystery and suspense definitely kept me turning the pages. Briarton Park is full of secret passageways and hidden rooms. There’s a murder with several suspects. There’s also some great themes of family, greed, and forgiveness. I enjoyed how Ms. Ladd tied up the loose ends yet left a few threads to build more stories on. She created a memorable novel I would definitely read again.

Highly recommend this book, especially to those who enjoy clean historical romance. Looking forward to the next book in the series. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed are completely my own and left voluntarily. 4 1/2 stars