This was a beautiful story! It was different than many regency romance novels I’ve read. I especially loved Ridley’s talk with Edward about becoming a respectable man. That monologue needs to be shared with boys everywhere! Nora and Ridley’s relationship was sweet and I enjoyed both of their identity journeys. There was mild suspense that kept me even more engaged but not enough to be too stressful. Another successful romance novel for Julie Wright!

A flawed mom who does her best. Eleanora/Nora is a good mother who loves her kids even when they behave poorly. She doesn’t let her lack of skill stop her from trying to help them have a good relationship with each other and learn to be a positive member of society.

Nora is only a young woman, but she has experienced a lot of heartache and loneliness. She was required to marry a much older man who treated her poorly and gives her responsibility for his previously unknown illegitimate daughter Amelia/Lia on his deathbed. He manages to control Nora legally even after he is gone, and she is constantly threatened to lose her young son Edward if she can’t prove she is teaching him well. She moves the family to their country estate which lessens the negative influences of society and introduces them to Ridley, a good man who works in their stables. He teaches the children directly and indirectly how to be kind and Edward to be an effective leader.

You can expect a clean romance, strong characters with secrets, and a happy ending.
Thanks to Shadow Mountain Publishing for an ARC to use for my review.

Thank you, Netgalley , Julie Wright and Shadow Mountain, for the ARC

Windsong Manor, at its core, is about a woman trying to define herself while raising two children on her own. This book is labeled a romance, but the romantic connection feels more similar to a friendly relationship. This connection was further weakened by the constant shift of attention towards the children. At 10 and 7 ( maybe? ) years of age, they have a more expansive vocabulary than I do, which was jarring to read.

All together, I was sucked in with the engaging premise and unique character, but the romance fell flat, and I was left wondering what I was supposed to take away from this story.

This is such a sweet regency romance! I really loved how Nora gets her own second chance after the death of her elderly husband. It was really wonderful to see her seize the opportunity to finally become herself and the woman she wants to be. This is a story full of growth and change in the best way.

*Kisses only
*Mentions of previous abuse

Thank you to Shadow Mountain for my complimentary copy of this book. All opinions here are my own.

Such a great story! It has depth and honesty. I loved that it dealt with hard issues. The characters weren’t just perfectly done. They had flaws. They didn’t live perfect lives. They had hardships and difficulties. Ridley needed to escape a life and Nora was trying to hold her life together. I loved their chemistry and plot! Just overall such a great romance!

Updated after listening to the audiobook. Wow, I didn't think I could love this book more, but Marian Hussey is an amazing narrator. I really enjoyed listening to this book and having these beloved characters come to life. I highly suggest listening to the audiobooks for this series.

I love this series! I can't wait for Hope's story and now want to read Silas and Esther's story again.

I am so glad Grace and Jacob received their HEA. I loved getting to know the two of them better and seeing how perfect they are for each other. This story was wonderful and I don't want to give anything away.

I didn’t finish the book. It had nothing to do with the author. The book was well written and researched. It just wasn’t something I was able to get fully into.

I really liked the idea for this book. And I thought that it was cute, but the execution just wasn't great for me. It jumped around in an odd fashion, but that also just be a me problem. I think people who want a cute read would enjoy this book!

Another enjoyable addition to the Proper Romance series! This story offers a unique take on Regency romance and I found myself thoroughly enthralled once I got into the story. It’s a forbidden love, second chance, sweet romance with a touch mystery and intrigue.

Nora’s at sixes and sevens when her husband reveals on his deathbed that he has an illegitimate daughter. His dying wish is that Nora raise her as her own. Her marriage to the much older, stifling Lord Coventry was anything but happy & after she produced the required heir, she was treated like a burden to bear. Her own son was taught to treat her with disdain. Wanting a fresh start, once her husband is buried, she whisks the children away to Windsong Manor.

Life isn’t easy especially as she tries to renew her relationship with her young son and forge a new one with his half sister Lia. Her handsome, much too attractive new stable master lends a helping hand and has a calming influence over everyone. His patient stability and gentleness make him irresistible, but can Nora risk a relationship with a servant & risk her guardianship of her son?

Ridley Ellis is in love with the new mistress of Windsong Manor, but, she’s as skittish as one of his colts. He must tread carefully to win her trust. He also enjoys teaching the children and helping guide the young troubled master. But, he’s hiding a secret which could threaten his relationship with them & growing romance with Nora.

I loved the character growth throughout the story, especially Nora. She’s faced with some daunting situations, yet she handles them with grace. The children at first would try the patience of a saint. As they flourish under Nora’s and Ridley’s influence, they become more endearing and sympathetic. Ridley not only has a way with the children, but he helps Nora recognize her worth. Their slow build, second chance romance was so well done.

If you’re a stickler when it comes to Regency romance, this might not be your cup of tea. But, if you enjoy a moving, heartfelt, love story with a dash of mystery, and don’t mind a more modern feel, you’ll love this. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own & voluntarily provided.

Lady Nora Coventry is a widow at age 26. After years of mistreatment from her husband, she just wants to take her children to the country and hope that she can undo the damage that has been done to their son. He’s rude, and downright mean. With a spiteful solicitor watching over her shoulder for her to make a mistake she’s in a constant state of stress until she finds friendship with the stable hand, Ridley Ellis.
I think I read too many regency novels. Even with hints about Ridley’s origins my brain was still screaming “He’s a stable hand! She can’t!” I had trouble shutting off the part of my brain that knew discovery would ruin them both. I did love Ridley’s gentle ways with Nora and the children.
I think my favorite part was seeing Edward change unto Ridley and Nora’s care. I loved Nora’s relationship with him and Lia. She would go to any length for them.
This was a great story with depth, suspense, and a cute romance.

When lady Eleanor Coventry became a widow she thought she would be free from the restraints of her husbands evil ways unfortunately he left Mr. ashby in control of what happened to Young Edward and he even hoisted a new girl a daughter he had with his mistress a little girl named Lia. Nora took it all in her sweet stride getting her little family together and moving to their estate in Kindle she was forced to marry Lord Coventry when she was only 16 and now that he was gone she just wanted peace but her son Edward was angry and tortured and tease young Lia who cried during most of her waking hours. Little did Lady Coventry know but they would find a savior and hero in the stable assistant who they thought was named Mr. Ellis Who have secrets he doesn’t want anyone to know. Thanks to him Edward and Lia find a friend and a confidant in him. they still had the suffer through the visits from Mr. Ashby Who would come threatening that he will need to take Young Edward if Nora didn’t raise him write something he eventually deemed to be the case soon after Nora finds out the truth about Mr. Alice and is left devastated with just her and little Lia left to pick up the pieces. Will Nora ever get young Edward back and we she ever see Mr. Ellis who is she now knows is Lord richly again I love historical fiction and thought this was a pretty good one I love a story but you know the ending but the writers talent really keeps you reading despite that and I find that to be the case with this author I don’t believe I have ever read her books before but after having read this one I will definitely be looking for them in the future. I want to thank shadow Mountain publishing and net galley for my free art copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

There is something so cozy and lovely about regency novels. I love the sweet and innocent romance. I love the rules. I love the formality. I love the tension. Its just so good.

If you enjoy disguise trope, forbidden romance, horses, single parent, sweet romances and regency romances, Windsong Manor is so sweet and will definitely fit the bill.

Reading Windsong Manor by Julie Wright was a wonderful escape!

Wright nicely balances writing a romance that feels light yet has depth. Nora (Lady Eleanora Coventry) is written to feel just like a late twenties woman forced to mature before her childhood is fully over. She is a capable mother and baroness, but riddled with all the doubt you'd expect for one pushed out of childhood prematurely. Ridley is written in a way that balances his desires for openness and honesty with his necessity for hiding his past; right from the beginning, there's just enough given to tease the idea that something is not as it seems.

The plot is paced well -- it never felt rushed, yet it was such a hard book to put down because I just needed to know what came next. Everything built well -- the plot all made sense while still having some surprises mixed in!

Thank you to Netgalley, Shadow Mountain, and Julie Wright for an eARC copy of Windsong Manor. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this unique romance! The story follows Nora, a widowed baroness who is tasked with raising the illegitamate child of her husband as her own. Emotions are high, and to make matters worse, her own son is follwing in the footstepts of her mean-spirited husband. She becomes friends with the stable master, Ridley, and he helps her in training her son to be a man. Life gets better and they fall in love. What ensues is a story of making a relationship despite supposed class differences.

Overall, it was a great read. Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

This is a very clean, regency romance. it is a sweet love story that has a different feel than a lot of other proper regency books.

Beautifully written story about learning who you are and to trust yourself and others. I was hooked from the first chapter and loved watching the development of all the characters’ relationships with each other.

After a life of privilege and a stifling marriage, Eleanora Coventry becomes a widow at twenty-seven, and must face the daunting task of defining herself. She relocates with her children to her late husband's estate, where she encounters Ridley, the charming stable master who captivates her despite their class differences. Eleanora and Ridley must confront their painful pasts and decide whether they're willing to risk everything for a chance at happiness together.

Oh, this one left me conflicted. Parts of the story had me glued to the page. I was sympathetic to Eleanora’s situation, how she married young and struggled to understand who she was as a young widow with children. I was also intrigued by Ridley, the wise and kind stable hand (who was absolutely more than that from the start).

However, the story failed for me in the little details. A baron’s daughter is NOT a baroness, nor is she called “Lady Amelia.” She would have been the Honorable Miss Amelia “last name.” An illegitimate child would have been ward of the family once they were acknowledged, and for Eleanora’s husband to insist that she be known as Eleanora’s child was confusing.

Am I sorry I read this? No. As I said, parts of it were enjoyable. However, I found myself wincing, especially when it came to titles. At times, the story felt disjointed. Things happened quickly, or were left so vague I was confused. I didn’t realize Eleanora’s son was only ten until halfway through the book. His behavior and manner of talking made me think he was a teenager.

I enjoyed this one! Unique story, but very cute!!

I loved the characters and the unique situation and how it all came together!

While I really enjoyed the premise of this book, I felt the execution was lacking. This is a book I really wanted to love, but it just didn’t happen for me.

The son and daughter of the FMC were my main issue with the book. I questioned their ages throughout the book. Sometimes they spoke like toddlers and other times they acted and spoke like adults. We do eventually learn that the son is 10 years old but I’m still unsure about the daughter’s age. Maybe it was briefly mentioned and I missed it. There’s also the issue with the titles. I don’t consider myself a historian, but don’t think the daughter would not have been a Baroness while the brother or even the mother were still alive. This added with some modern language really removed me from the story.

Overall, I feel very conflicted with this book. I did enjoy the romance between Ridley and Nora. I also loved how Ridley was such a positive influence with the children. However, the choppy writing and historical inaccuracies were issues I couldn’t get passed while reading.

Thank you for the eARC of this book.

What a lovely, sweet story. I was drawn into this story immediately. Nora was bound in her loveless marriage to a man, much older than herself, and very controlling. Even in his death, he manipulated everything that involved her and her son. I enjoyed watching Nora, grow from an insecure and battered young woman to a strong, independent woman. She also grew to be a confident mother. “I am a baroness, I am a mother, I am a woman” Ridley was charming, and considerate, but you always feel as though he’s hiding something. I really enjoyed how the story played out I felt like every page had some type of event be it good or bad. I also loved the country setting with the magnificent horses and the care and love that was shown by Ridley. One of the things that drew me to this book is the beautiful cover. I have read a few books by this author, and been very happy with each one. This was a Regency Romance, clean, swoony, leaving me happy and content. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.