"That being said, my advice to you, my dear Mrs. Prior, is to leave Leeds. Take Henry. Go to Hollythorne House and establish your household immediately, before Mr. Prior can interfere."

In the Shelter of Hollythorne House (2023, Thomas Nelson) is second in The Houses of Yorkshire series by Sarah E. Ladd. It's a historical Christian romance with light suspense, set in 1817 England.

Rating: 5 stars

Is it clean/chaste? Yes!

Other content issues:Previous domestic abuse mentioned, but not elaborated on, *****spoiler****** as well as a kidnapping *****spoiler*****.

Christian elements:Christian publishing company, but it's not preachy

The heroine:At eighteen Charlotte Grey fell in love with Anthony Wellbourne. Three months after they met, he left for war. "Given the nature of the strained relationship between their families, any true union would be impossible. Her father and his uncle were bitter enemies."

Now, four years later, Charlotte is a widow after three years of a loveless marriage to the physically and emotionally abusive Roland Prior. Charlotte Prior's fears are now directed towards her brother-in-law Silas Prior, who she believes, will not permit her any involvement in raising her son. She flees to her childhood home, Hollythorne House, with her seven-month-old son Henry in tow. Silas hires watchmen to guard Charlotte and Henry until the inquest of Roland.

"He was a hired watchman, but her heart was determined to remember him quite differently." "...two people did not share a romance like theirs and forget a single detail of it, despite what they had moved on to be."

The hero:Two-and-a-half years ago, Anthony Wellbourne returned from the war in the United States, severely injured with significant scarring.

"He'd spent years forcing thoughts of Charlotte Grey to the back of his mind. Leaving her had been the biggest regret of his life. And now he was going to see her? Speak with her? Protect her and her son?"

"He was not quite the same person he had been, but he had not died. He was still alive. And just as he fought to keep air in his lungs during the war, he would fight for Charlotte."

What I liked:

*The main characters - I'm always happiest when I respect the hero and the heroine right from the start.

*Hollythorne House. I would've liked to have learned more about it and the work to restore it. "It was hundreds of years old, constructed of gray gristone that had blackened over time."

What I didn’t like:

*It felt like the book started with two short prologues, which outlined two major events in the heroine's life, and jumped right into the main story. I wanted more backstory.

Book recommendation:<i> The Headmistress of Rosemere, a lovely book by the same author

The bottom line: This was a great second chance historical romance with a bit of suspense. I definitely look forward to reading more by Sarah E. Ladd.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Regency setting, little mystery, and a second-chance romance that reunites Charlotte and Alexander years after Alexander left their area to serve in the military. When they are thrown back together, Charlotte is newly widowed and wants to escape her cruel, late husband's home. I like how well the writing flows and the character grows. This is a very slow-paced story, the character spent a lot of time thinking about the current situation, and so little actually happens. Sweet romance. bit predictable, but easy read with a satisfying ending.

In the Shelter of Hollythorne House starts off as a star-crossed lovers trope story. I thought it might be another Romeo and Juliet re-telling but it was more than it. Sarah once again transported me to Yorkshire through her atmospheric setting and marvelous word pictures. I appreciated the patience and space that Anthony gives Charlotte after they reconnect and that he puts her needs above his own. I really enjoyed the flashbacks to the past, I felt they added a nice dimension to the story. There were plot points that had the potential to be drawn out, creating more suspense, but I thought they were resolved too quickly. For me, more suspense would have likely changed this book from a nice read to a favorite read. I have to admit, by the end of the book I was sort of checked out. After the resolution of the conflict I found I wasn't overly interested anymore

I would classify this story as historical fiction with a touch of romance. There was not a faith thread, which is becoming a disappointing trend in books that I've read lately from Thomas Nelson Fiction.


Read this if you like:

Mystery
Scandal
Rekindled Romance
Dual POV
Clean, Regency setting

In the Shelter of Hollythorne House will be available for purchase from your local or online book retailer July 1, 2023

Thank you Sarah E Ladd, Thomas Nelson and Net Galley for the complementary copy of In the Shelter of Hollythorne House. The opinions expressed here are my own.

The author gives us a young woman who has lost the love of her life, not to death, but to military, and married a man whom her father chose. As the story opens Charlotte has just become a widow, and we become privy to how her life has been since she married and had her baby!

When danger rears, security is hired to protect, and a thief/taker is hired, whom happens to be Charlotte's old love Anthony. As the facts on fold, you will wonder why the danger seems to get worse, and soon you won't know whom to trust.

This is quite a journey to answers and peace of mind, and the author does a wonderful job of bringing this story alive and to a great conclusion!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review.

I have enjoyed all of Sarah E. Ladd's books so far, and this was no exception. I was excited to receive an ARC from Netgalley.

The introduction shares the back story of Charlotte and Anthony parting as teens. I did feel that several aspects of the relationship were too vague. Throughout the book, there were quite a few wishy-washy lines about unspoken feelings and regrets. I would rather have just had it said plainly.

I appreciate it when difficult topics are addressed. The domestic abuse that was so often pushed under the rug during this time period is heartbreaking. Charlotte is depicted as finding this strength suddenly when she is free from her abusive husband. I would have liked to see that drawn out a little more. The character growth seemed jumpy to me. Along with that, the whole dynamic between Charlotte, Silas, and the Watchmen didn't seem natural to me. The responses and actions seemed out of character.

Overall, there was enough to keep me interested. When done well, the mystery, romance, and historical fiction combo does not disappoint.

This is a review of Sarah Ladd's upcoming book, In The Shelter of Hollythorne House, book 2 of the Houses of Yorkshire series, that will be released on July 11, 2023. I am reviewing this book for NetGalley, and also received a copy from the author in return for my honest review.  I am a huge fan of Sarah Ladd, and own all her books, and I have been across anxiously waiting for this book to be released ever since I read book 1 The Letter from Briarton Park last year, and I was so glad to get an advanced copy, because I absolutely loved the book as Sarah Ladd has again written an amazing story!  I didn't feel like I needed to read book 1 to follow this, even though I did, but you can follow it without reading book 1, but I highly recommend both books!  Sarah wrote a book that was well written, with an exciting plot from the beginning, characters that drew me in from the beginning, and kept me reading till the end because I just had to find out what happened!  The characters felt like old friends by the end of the book, but I totally was turning pages because I couldn't even begin to guess what was going to happen, and was so excited to finish it, but a little sad because I didn't want the story to end!

Our story begins Charlotte Grey, in 1814, who grew up at Hollythorne House located in Yorkshire, England with a loving family, fell in love with Anthony Welbourne, a man who went off to war in America without knowing how deeply she loved him, and so to please her dying father, she agreed to marry another. 

in 1817, Charlotte found herself in a love less and very strict marriage to Roland Prior, a wealthy man, but was not a gentleman by any means because of his cruel treatment of Charlotte by controlling every part of her life, even to the extent of limiting her comings and goings, what she wore, who she interacted with, and even the time she was allowed to spend with her own child!  She agreed to marry Roland to please her father, but years before her heart had belonged to another, but that seemed like a lifetime ago to Charlotte who had buried those memories deep, and just tried to survive daily life with Roland. 

A few months after their son is born,  Charlotte finds Roland dead in his study, but she feels no love loss because of it.  Not soon after, her husband's death, his brother, Silas Prior, comes to Leeds because he wants to take control all of Roland's affairs which include his estate in Leeds, and the future of the heir to that estate, the son of Roland and Charlotte.  Silas is no better than Roland, and Charlotte finds her voice, and refuses to allow Silas to control her or her son in any way.  She refuses his offer to financially take care of her, and she finds out there was one thing Roland didn't steal from her, her childhood home in the Yorkshire Dales, Hollythorne House, where Charlotte grew up in a happy home, with parents who loved her!  She decides to leave Leeds for good, and return herself, her son, and her lady's maid and dear friend Sutcliffe, to Hollythorne House, and try to build a life for themselves, free from the grasp of Silas Prior, but that might not be as easy as she thought! She didn't realize that danger would follow her and her son, and that help would come from someone she had once loved, but never thought she would see ever again, Anthony Welbourne.

Anthony Welbourne, who grew up in the Yorkshire Dales with his uncle who had a mill in the area, but left his home, and the woman he loved to become a soldier, who came back from the war in America to join up as a thief-taker, one of Walstead's Watchmen, cleaning up the criminals off the streets of Leeds. He works close with his close friend Timmons, who he owed his life to because he nursed Anthony back to health on the ship back to England after the war.  He and Timmons are both theif-takers on Mr. Walstead's payroll, and find themselves given an assignment to guard a woman and her son who find themselves in great danger, and who are unaware of that danger, and it is up to Anthony and Timmons to keep them alive.  Anthony is very surprised to find that the woman in danger was the very one who had stolen his heart just a few years ago, Charlotte Grey, now known as the widow Mrs. Roland Prior, and her son.  But you must read the book to find out what happens!

I loved this book! I was hooked from the beginning! The story was real, exciting, unpredictable and just really good!  I give it 5 out of 5 stars, and highly recommend it!!!

This book began in the past with a love that could not be . Fast forward and the characters return in the same place , different time , different scenario , different place in life , same connection with each other or is it the same ?
Within hours of becoming a widow Charlotte must make a decision to stay in her late husbands home or move to her childhood home to protect her son Henry from his overbearing and harsh uncle .
As she prepares to depart she is assigned two guards (from her brother in law ) and one is her old love , Anthony.
She seemed upset with him which I didn’t quite understand because they left on a high note with both agreeing to the split .
But I’m sure having a husband die can cause a lot of angst.
Charlotte soon learns her late husband was involved in treachery , theft , and trickery with many believing she was a part of the deception. Her life quickly changes from the mundane to trying to save her infant sons life . Bring into this a maid turned best friend turned into someone who might be involved with the enemy? A staff she can’t fully trust and an old suitor who may or may not have changed from her loyal love and you have an intriguing romance. Throw in some stolen emeralds and you have danger . I love her books and this is no different .
One critique is that the end of the story seemed to wrap up too quick .
Thank you to Netgalley for a free digital download in exchange for an unbiased review.

Charlotte and Anthony are in love, but he has to go to the Americas to fight. Also, their families have an ongoing feud. But they are destined to meet again when Charlotte’s cruel husband dies unexpectedly and his brother threatens to take their young son to raise. Charlotte takes her son, Henry, and In The Shelter of Hawthorn House tries to start a new life. Anthony is one of the guards hired to protect she and her son, but not all is at it seems.

Sarah Ladd was written a regency romance full of twists and turns, deception, and greed. Anthony and Charlotte renew the love they had for one another as they try to protect Henry and discover who is behind the threats. Sarah Ladd pens another wonderful tale. I was able to read an ARC on #NetGalley.

Unrequited love, lost emeralds, and star-crossed lovers unite in this Jane Austen-esque historical romance in the moors of England. Charlotte is newly widowed from her abusive husband and the mother of a child she would do anything to protect, fighting for freedom from her husband's family. Anthony is the man she used to love who left her for the army and has now been hired to protect her. When the two see each other again while Charlotte is trying to keep her and her son safe from those who wish to do them harm because of her husband, their old relationship immediately rekindles. But Charlotte is trying to make a life for her and Henry, and Anthony is supposed to be protecting her, not falling for her again. At the same time, malicious forces are at play, and Charlotte is in more danger than she realizes.

This book boasts some beautiful regency scenes and flowery writing that I could really sink into. I also loved the setting of the Yorkshire moors--I want to go live in an abandoned house in the moors ASAP. Anthony and Charlotte's unrequired love story reminds me of Persuasion, which I adore. I did struggle with the lack of depth on some of the heavier topics in this book. The author treats some difficult topics very lightly, and they seem like plot devices, which I personally do not care for. However, if you're looking for a light, clean Regency romance, this might be for you!

Anthony and Charlotte love each other, but her father would never agree a match. Anthony leaves for the War of 1812 in America and Charlotte marries the cruel Roland. He doles out an hour a day for her to see their infant son. When Roland dies, his brother Silas expects to control her and baby Henry. Now a Watchman catching criminals, Anthony is assigned to protect Charlotte. But who, exactly, hired the watchmen and what do they want? Anthony hopes for another chance with Charlotte, but who can she trust?

A young widow left with a baby son and now an uncertain future. The sudden death of her
husband was a relief for Charlotte - Roland was a bully with a string of mistresses but
his death revealed further unsavory news. He was in debt had made a string of enemies, who
wanted their monies paid.

Charlotte only wants to keep Henry safe, not just outsiders but Roland's brother too
whom she does not trust at all. Fleeing to her older home Holythorne Hall with two men
for security she tries to create a safe haven. She did not take into account that Anthony
one of tge men guarding her, was her first love from whom she had parted years ago.

Set in the Yorkshire Moors in the 1800s the surroundings seem bleak, forbidding except
maybe for those born and bred to this environment.

The story was an easy read, very pleasant as well.

This is the second book of the series, and I thoroughly enjoyed the first one This is another excellent book by Sarah Ladd. Early on in this one, I was a little confused because there wasn’t a lot of clarity in the parting of Charlotte and Anthony, or communication between them as to a potential future. Yet they obviously had been romantically involved. Fortunately, the story is told in two separate voices, so we get to hear from both Anthony and Charlotte, which allows us to understand the history of each of them in the years since they have been apart.

It is always been hard for me to understand how mothers were often kept apart from their children (and sometimes it seems they preferred that). However, as the story begins with Charlotte, finding her rather abusive husband suddenly dead, she is determined to make a path of her own with her infant son, Henry. Her equally unpleasant brother-in-law is opposed to this, but she makes the determination to leave with her son and her maid and head back to her childhood home. In response, her brother-in-law hires several guards to go with her. Charlotte is immediately shocked to discover that Anthony is the main person hired to “protect” her.

After finishing his time in the military, Anthony had taken a position as a thief taker, and has excelled at it for the last several years. He did not expect this assignment to be with Charlotte. Charlotte initially has some resentment toward him, because she has learned not to trust men, and also does not understand how he came to be in this position over her.

There are some very shady characters, as well as a rather intriguing mystery but ultimately Charlotte and Anthony do get their happily ever after…along with baby Henry.

I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley, but the opinion above is entirely my own. As always, I highly recommend this and all books written by Sarah E Ladd.

#IntheShelterofHollythorneHouse #NetGalley

There is a layer of intrigue, suspense, and romance are found in this novel by Sarah Ladd. A romance set aside because of family dispute and war, leaves Charlotte Grey in a desperate situation. With her father in poor health she marries the handsome Roland Prior, but soon realizes that he put on quite an act.
Anthony Welbourne is good at what he does, tracking and capturing the bad guys. When he is assigned to be head of the security team for the widow of Roland Prior he doesn't expect to see the girl he loved before he went off to war, now a widow with an infant son. What other secrets will he find lurking in the midst of it all?

Read it for the:
- Second Chance Romance
- Mystery elements
- Well-written leads
- Character development

Content: past domestic abuse, kidnapping
Romance: Sweet, Kissing only
Final rating: 4/5

An entertaining tale of second chances set in the wild Moors of England, Sarah E. Ladd creates a sweet romance with a dash of mystery and suspense In the Shelter of Hollythrone House.

What I enjoyed the most in this story had to be the character growth Charlotte experienced. Becoming a mother and being free of her abusive husband after his death, allowed her to rediscover her voice and strength in her childhood home of Holythrone House. I found her journey moving, as the damage of three hard years of marriage and the looming threats of her husband's past seemed to hover over her despite her best efforts. Charlotte connecting with her infant son Henry was especially emotional, and her determination to keep him safe spearheaded her growth.

The second chance romance was sweet but had depth. I felt the connection between them. The support and space Anthony gave to Charlotte were appreciated. I do wish they were together more often but understood the circumstances that prevented it. I liked that while the romance between Charlotte and Anthony linked and strengthened them, their personal growth was detailed separately, giving each character the chance to heal from their past and hope for a brighter future together.

The mystery and suspense elements were well done and kept the pace moving in the plot. I will say it was not the main focus, however. I was entertained by this plot but found the pace of it to slow down towards the middle. I wished to be a bit more surprised when the villain was revealed, as many hints were given throughout the story leading up to the climax. It was entertaining, only slightly predictable in my experience.

Overall, I enjoyed this story! I am excited to see what will come next.

In the Shelter of Hollythorne House is book 2 in The Houses of Yorkshire series by Sarah E. Ladd. It was ripe with suspense from the first lines, full of mystery and intrigue and fraught with danger throughout. The main characters pull at your heartstrings as they work through past trials and hardships to the love growing between them. It’s a wonderful story that I highly recommend!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher. The opinions expressed are my own.

This was a lovely “second chance” romance. How nice that family prejudices and the scars acquired in the years apart did not extinguish the love Anthony and Charlotte shared for each other. And now the stakes are higher - Charlotte’s young son, Henry, must be considered as they tentatively examine their feelings and future. They soon learn they can depend only on each other as they seek Henry’s welfare. I was interested to learn about the history of the “thief takers,” an early example of personal security. I wonder if Anthony ever got that last paycheck! I was delighted to receive an early complimentary peek at this gem by NetGalley. Like all of Ladd’s books, it’s an enthralling five stars.

Everything I’ve come to love and expect from Sarah Ladd: an atmospheric location, a compelling mystery, and a beautiful slow-burn romance.

I received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson-Fiction through NetGalley.

This tale of lost love found again was full of adventure, suspense and drama. Forbidden love leads to separation, one to war and the life of a soldier, the other to an unhappy marriage, only to be thrown together again back where they began by another change in circumstances. I enjoyed getting to know them both better as they learned to forgive and trust each other again and navigate their way back to love. The feeling evoked of protection, both from Anthony to Charlotte and from Charlotte to her son, resonated with me, and I found myself routing for them and their second chance at love and family together. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I enjoyed this latest release by Sarah Ladd. In the Shelter of Hollythorne House is a regency second chance at love novel. It focuses on two characters who share a past and are trying to work through all that has happened in their lives to see if there can be a future for them, while dealing with a nefarious plot involving Charlotte's late husband. I enjoyed the character development of both Charlotte and Anthony, the two main characters. I empathized with Anthony's feelings for Charlotte and Charlotte's desire to keep the past in the past. I won't spoil it, but I did like the plot twist featured in the climax of the book - very well done and non-predictable.

The second installment from Sarah E Ladd's The Houses of Yorkshire series, In the Shelter of Hollythorne House, is a wonderful and beautiful clean historical romance. I loved it and am giving five stars.