A well crafted split-time story. Although there is romance, it's a story of faith, trust, and forgiveness and how it heals one's soul. Two women dealing with mistakes of others and/or their own, have to learn to trust God in everything and forgiveness isn't just for others, but that it is necessary for healing for one's self. There's of course a touch of romance.
I received an ARC copy of this book through NetGalley and from Bethany House Publishing. All opinions are my own.

This book is emotional, gripping, moving, intriguing, and so much more! Whenever I picked up "The Legacy of Longdale Manor", I was whisked away on a moving story with this dual-timeline novel.

Carrie Turansky's writing is so full of heart, and I truly was drawn in from the first page of this book to the last.

The two storylines, surrounding Charlotte in the early-1900s timeline and Gwen in the early 2000's storyline, are both very powerful. As the secrets of the novel begin to unfold, the similarities between the two stories become more and more apparent. The weaving and interconnection between the two plot-lines develops, and the themes prevalent in both are very poignant.. I do not want to say too much due to spoilers, but, I will say, this book has so much in it; mystery, romance, family secrets, and so much more.

If you enjoy dual-timeline novels, I recommend this book! I look forward to reading what Ms. Turansky writes next.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Austenprose PR, and Bethany House Publishers for the ARC of this book, and to Austenprose PR and Bethany House Publishers for the beautiful finished copy and for having me on the Book Tour for this novel as well! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Before this, the only books I’d read by Carrie Turansky were No Ocean Too Wide and No Journey Too Far. The Legacy of Longdale Manor wasn’t as gripping to me as those two books, but I still enjoyed reading it. The parallel lives of two women separated by 100 years is intriguing, and well-written. I loved the setting of the Lake District of England, and the characters are well developed. Turansky has good insights into forgiveness, fatherhood, and faith.

“I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own." #TheLegacyofLongdaleManor #NetGalley

This is a wonderful dual-timeline story where we go between 1912 and 2012 and we see art historian Gwen Morris travel to the Lakes District of England to appraise some artwork at Longdale Manor. While doing her job Gwen stumbles upon a one-hundred-year-old journal and a shepherd's staff that she has seen before in a family photo.

Then we go back in time to 1912 where Charlotte Harper uncovers family secrets after her father dies and she writes this all down in her journal. So we see her life unfold in the Lakes District and at Longdale Manor.

The setting and the characters are great and the story is well written making it easy to read. I love the concept and the two women's stories and how they eventually intertwined. But at times I did find it a bit slow moving but then it would pick up and move on so all in all it was paced fairly well.

A great read, full of emotion, secrets a bit of romance, family secrets and even forgiveness. I really enjoyed it and would recommend.

Thank you Net Galley and Bethany House Publishers for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

This book was wonderful! I loved sinking my teeth into the dual-time read set in England's Lake District; it felt very Jane Austen-y at times, making my Austen-fangirl heart quite happy.

I've read most of Turansky's other books, so was very excited to read this, and it absolutely met my expectations. It's steeped in history, and I learned about several new-to-me topics--always a good thing!

My only wish would be for a bit more variety in sentence structure at times; I felt a lot of emotions _happened_ to people, with the people as objects versus subjects experiencing said emotion. (Many a "wave of XYZ emotion cascaded over them," versus "they felt relieved" or "anger crossed her face" when something happened.) BUT, that aside, Turansky continues to produce original, thoughtful reads that prompt me to consider my own faith and how I apply it in everyday life.

And, art history and restoration will always make me think of _White Collar_, intended or no. :D I won't turn that down!

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

3.5 stars

The latest book by Carrie Turansky is a dual time story set in the Lake District of England, 1912 and 2012.

The setting is a beautiful location and the author does a fabulous job immersing the reader in this particular area of England. An old manor house and a diary connect the past and the present.

Charlotte’s story is one focused on forgiveness. At one time she adored her father, but after his sudden death she discovers a secret that destroys her confidence in any man. Even the godliest of men.

Gwen’s story is about facing our mistakes and healing from the past. Making a colossal error in appraising a rare art piece, Gwen is sent to the Lake District to help an elderly lady catalogue her art collection.

Both women have father issues to deal with, and are satisfactorily resolved by the end of the story. And both women get to have a slow-burn relationship as the story progresses.

The story moves slowly and doesn’t have the typical elements of mystery that many dual time stories have. It’s a sweet story of family and falling in love. Uncovering secrets and learning how to deal with them.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

I absolutely loved this story! Dual timeline novels tend to make me nervous because sometimes they are too difficult to follow. Carrie Turansky did such an excellent job weaving both stories of Gwen (a present day art historian) and Charlotte (the daughter of a deceased preacher in 1912). Gwen is able to connect with Charlotte through a journal that she discovers at Longdale Manor. The themes of family secrets and forgiving the actions of family members was beautifully woven throughout the story. I also loved the theme of family history and understanding your family roots. Overall, it was a 5 star and heartwarming read for me.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy of this book. A positive review was not required.

This was not my favorite Turansky book. It's a dual timeline book taking place in 1912 and 2012. The stories are loosely connected but didn't have a real emotional connection for me. They could have been two different books and I think that would have taken care of the issues I had with the book. I felt the two main relationships didn't have time to build to be believable and deep. They felt rushed to me. They needed more conversations and interactions to show them falling for each other rather than just being told they had feelings for each other. That's hard to do in a dual timeline book.

I appreciated the focus on forgiveness. There's a great quote about what forgiveness really does for us. I liked Donovan and how he listened and offered real wisdom in a grace-filled way.

Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

“She took Charlotte’s journal from the nightstand and gently ran her hand over the cover. When she had first started reading the journal entries, it had simply been a way to pass the time when she couldn’t fall asleep. But as she read on, Charlotte‘s words had struck a deeper cord. She almost felt as if Charlotte was stepping back across time to share wisdom and insight from all that she was experiencing.”

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Beautifully written historical fiction, with a heartwarming and inspiring storyline.

I loved the dual timeline, and the themes of fatherhood, forgiveness, and hanging onto your faith during painful times. The parallel between restoring a home and restoring trust and broken hearts was very powerful and thought provoking for me.

The setting of the Lake District in England was beautifully descriptive and really made me want to visit there.

This is my first book by this author, and I look forward to reading more of her works.

Many thanks to Carrie Turansky, Bethany House Fiction, and Austenprose PR for a gifted copy, and to NetGalley for a digital review copy!

All opinions expressed are completely my own.

How do y'all feel about dual timeline stories? I haven't read very many of them, but the few I have read I have enjoyed.

The Legacy of Longdale Manor is a great dual timeline story! From themes of hope, forgiveness, and faith to lovable characters to a beautiful setting, what is there not to love here??

Gwen and Charlotte were such awesome characters. I loved watching their individual growth throughout this story as they both had to learn to forgive and let go of past hurts. They both also had the cutest love stories. Charlotte and Gwen were both able to find kind, loving, supportive men who helped them be better. Their romances definitely deserve all the heart eyes.

Moral of the story here is that if you like dual timeline stories filled with inspirational themes and the cutest love stories, this book deserves a place on your TBR list. I have spoken.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and @austenprose for the early copy; all thoughts are my own.

What is the weather like by you? I live in Northeast Wisconsin along Lake Michigan and should be enjoying cool fall weather, but instead we had an eighty-degree day today. It’s hard to believe it’s October. Living by Lake Michigan, I always wonder about the Lake District in England, which is the setting of The Legacy of Longdale Manor.

In 2012, Gwen Morris is a young art historian working for her Grandfather. She has made a major mistake in an evaluation of a piece of art. Her grandfather sends her away to the estate of a family friend, Longdale Manor, to appraise the pieces there. The owner, Lilly Benderly hopes that the sale of household treasures will garner enough money to fix up the estate into a luxury hotel run by her grandson, David. As she is assessing the household items, Gwen finds a 100-year-old journal and a carved shepherd’s staff that looks like one in a picture with her parents. She knows nothing about her father and works to find answers.

In 1912, Charlotte Harper’s father has suddenly died. Unfortunately, the family discovers at his death that they have no money and Charlotte discovers a secret about her father that she keeps to herself in order to not hurt her family. The family is forced to sell their heavily mortgaged home and move to the sheep farm of Charlotte’s mother’s friend in hopes of being able to mend the relationship with Charlotte’s grandfather who owns the nearby Longdale Manor. Will Charlotte find love with shepherd Ian Storey?

I love dual timelines and I enjoyed both of these stories equally. I like how the stories were interconnected and brought together at the end. I also enjoyed the love stories of both couples.

This was a great inspirational book. It was a unique and enjoyable book that discussed the faith journey of the main characters. Both women were looking for God’s guidance in their lives as they looked to forgive past wrongs perpetrated by their fathers and move forward with their lives. It was a story that included forgiveness, redemption, and second chances. Those are all themes that I enjoy reading about. It was also a clean read.

I enjoyed the author’s note at the end of the novel which explained some of the background historical events (the Keswick Convention) as well as the beauty of the England’s Lake District. I really would love to visit the Lake District one day.

Overall, The Legacy of Longdale Manor is a gentle, faith-filled story that is a must-read novel.

Book Source: Review copy from Bethany House as a part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. Thank-you! Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The synopsis of this book sounded so intriguing, but sadly this book just wasn’t for me. It wasn’t anything that I was expecting as I didn’t realize that this was a Historical Christian Fiction novel when I picked it up. With this particular book, I found it slow and repetitive with nothing really happening. Additionally, I was unable to form a connection to any of the characters and the lack of communication between all characters in both timelines was frustrating.

I appreciate the opportunity to read a book I wouldn’t normally pick up, but I personally cannot recommend this one.

3 stars

You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.

This is a sweet Historical Romance, Inspirational Fiction told in dual timelines. In 2012, art historian Gwen Morris travels to England's Lake District to appraise the paintings and antiques of an old family friend, hoping to prove herself to her prestigious grandfather. She meets the owner’s grandson David and initially is concerned that the plans he has for his grandmother’s house serves his needs more than his grandmother’s, but eventually those concerns dissipate. She has personal reasons for wanting to explore the area – her parent were married here and she’s desperate to find the father she’s never known.

In 1912, after her father's death, Charlotte Harper uncovers a painful family secret she can only confess to her journal. She and her family travel to the Lake District to stay on a sheep farm, hoping eventually to find a home with Charlotte's grandfather at Longdale Manor, but old wounds and bitter regrets make it a difficult challenge. Gwen discovers Charlotte’s journal and reading Charlotte’s struggle helps Gwen deal with her own.

This is a gentle book that deals with heavy issues, including unfaithfulness and feelings of abandonment. Using the strength of their faith, both women come to terms with events in their life and find a way forward to accepting love in their life.

I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from Austen Prose and Bethany House Publications. All opinions are my own.

This dual timeline novel follows the budding romance between Gwen Morris, junior specialist for art history and antiques, and David Bradford whose business converts historic estates into hotels, spas, and multi-unit apartments in 2012, and between Charlotte Harper and Ian Storey in 1912. Both Gwen and Charlotte have been betrayed in a way that impacts their ability to trust their hearts to others, and both are fortunate enough to have spiritual mentors that gently teach them how to forgive. This story unfolds in a beautiful way, as Gwen gets to know Charlotte from a journal Charlotte's family has saved and cherished. These women's stories exemplify how faith can be nurtured through adversity. This story is set in England's Lake District, and the author masterfully portrays its beauty without lengthy descriptive paragraphs that slow stories down. Rather as her characters interact in this environment she lets the readers live the sites, sounds, smells, and tastes of the villages and countrysides.

I recommend The Legacy of Longdale Manor to fans of historical and dual timeline stories, to those who love stories of faith, and to those who are struggling with forgiveness. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley. All opinions expressed here are my own.

About this book:

“In 2012, art historian Gwen Monroe travels to England's Lake District to appraise the paintings and antiques of an old family friend, hoping to prove herself to her prestigious grandfather. While at Longdale Manor, she becomes acquainted with David Bradley--the owner's handsome grandson--who is desperate to save the crumbling estate by turning it into a bed-and-breakfast. When Gwen stumbles upon a one-hundred-year-old journal and an intricately carved shepherd's staff similar to one in a photo of her parents, she uncovers a connection to the father she never knew.
In 1912, after her father's death, Charlotte Harper uncovers a painful family secret she can only confess to her journal. She and her family travel to the Lake District to stay on a sheep farm, hoping eventually to find a home with Charlotte's grandfather at Longdale Manor, but old wounds and bitter regrets make it a difficult challenge. As Charlotte grows closer to shepherd Ian Storey and rebuilds her shattered faith, she must decide whether she will ever trust in love again.”


Series: As of now, no. A stand-alone novel.


Spiritual Content- Ezekiel 34:11-12 and 16a at the beginning; Scriptures are referenced, mentioned, & quoted in sermons; Many Prayers & Blessings over food; Church going, church events, & sermons; Many talks about God, Jesus, Him being our Father, forgiveness, trusting God, & sin; 'H's are capital when referring to God; Charlotte struggles with her faith after a tragic event & understanding God’s love because she refuses to release the bitterness and hurt *Spoiler* About a third of the way in, she releases those feelings *End of Spoiler*; Gwen has drifted away from her faith after her mother’s passing, but is encouraged and learns from David and his grandmother; Lilly (David’s grandmother) prays and believes she hears from God on what Gwen should do about something; Many mentions of God, forgiveness, & trusting Him; Many mentions of prayers, praying, answered prayers, & blessings over food; Many mentions of churches (including different denominations), pastors/speakers, services, sermons, events, & hymns; Mentions of Bibles, Bible reading, books of the Bible, & those in the Bible (including some questioning their existence and others trying to prove that they were real); Mentions of faiths & godly people; Mentions of a Christian convention, missionaries, & Christian books (theological books, devotionals, & missionaries); Mentions of Heaven; Mentions of blessings & being Blessed; Mentions of sins, sinners, temptation, & repenting;
*Note: Mentions of May Day and it’s tie to pagan origins (Charlotte’s father wouldn’t let them participate because of that and that the “Maypole dance was like idol worship”; Another says that “it is a very old holiday, so there may have been some connection to pagan rituals in the past, I don’t believe that’s true anymore. [The Reverend] always takes part. He even offers a prayer to open the festival, thanking the Lord for bringing us through the winter and asking Him to bless our crips and herds in the coming season.”); A mention of something being a sign to move forward in a plan.


Negative Content- Some eye rolling; Seeing a loved one ill (stroke) & grief over a death (up to semi-detailed); David eavesdrops on a conversation of his grandmother & Gwen; Many mentions of deaths & grief (including for husbands, fathers, a wife, a mother, & a grandfather); Mentions of a car accident & death (Gwen’s mother); Mentions of strokes and cancer (some make it and others pass away); Mentions of injuries & pain; Mentions of divorces/separations & someone leaving their spouse because of their bad choices (Gwen’s parents); Mentions of drinking, alcohol, alcoholic who would “[say] and did hurtful things”, & getting sober; Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; A few mentions of wars; A few mentions of gossip; A couple mentions of accidents; A couple mentions of hatred;
*Note: David’s father was critical and harsh towards him which caused David to try to gain his approval before leaving home at age eighteen with plans to reconcile later (which was unable to happen); Towards the end of the book, Gwen goes to talk to her mother’s grave (she knows she isn’t there, but wishes that somehow her words would reach her mother in Heaven); Mentions of authors, artists, & paintings; Mentions of iPads; Mentions of a stillborn lamb & skinning it so the ewe thinks another lamb is her own (barely-above-not-detailed); A couple mentions of Google.


Sexual Content- A bit of staring at another’s lips; Two head/forehead kisses, a cheek kiss, a barely-above-not-detailed kiss, two almost (semi-detailed) kisses, and three semi-detailed kisses; Remembering kisses & almost kisses (up to semi-detailed); Touches, Embraces, Hand holding, Warmth, Nearness, & Smelling (x2, up to semi-detailed); Blushes; Noticing (barely-above-not-detailed); Gwen has never known her biological father (her mother wouldn’t tell her much and made her promise to not search for him on her own but does so in this book; *Spoiler* He had an alcohol problem and she left him without telling him she was pregnant *End of Spoiler*); Gwen wonders if not having a father in her life impacted her choices of men and dating relationships; After both couples have their first kiss, they wonder if it was too soon and/or if they are committed/promised to the other and going to work towards having a future together; *Spoiler* After they’ve shared a kiss, Charlotte is heartbroken and upset when she thinks that Ian has another sweetheart and thinks he’s been unfaithful and betrayed her; She thinks at one point that “Love didn’t always last. Sometimes it led to betrayal and heartache”; A reverend talks with Ian about viewing things from Charlotte’s perspective and proving himself to be trustworthy and faithful *End of Spoiler*; Many mentions of an affair, a mistress, betrayal/unfaithfulness, & temptations (*Spoiler* Gwen discovers her father had been having an affair for the last couple of years and doesn’t want to tell her mother because of her grief, so she keeps the burden to herself and it greatly affects her view on trusting men and relationships; *Big Spoiler* The mistress comes to ask her mother for forgiveness towards the end of the book and Gwen’s father had already confessed to her mother about it on his deathbed *End of Spoilers*; All that’s said about their relationship is that they were “involved”, did not sound like spent nights together, & is called the “passing pleasures of sin” by one person); Mentions of kisses, kissing, & being serious about the one they kissed; Mentions of reputations & chaperones, & a man acting unbecomingly towards a young woman; Mentions of dates, dating, boyfriends, & break-ups; A few mentions of an elopement & secret affair; A few mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of blushes; Love, falling in love, & the emotions (x2);
*Note: A mention of a married couple unable to have biological children.

-Gwen Monroe
-David Bradford
-Charlotte Harper
-Ian Storey, age 21
P.O.V. switches between them
Dual-Time Period (set in both 1912 and 2012)
351 pages

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Three Stars
Early High School Teens- Four Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars

I’ve been a fan of this author since I first read “The Governess of Highland Hall” back when this blog first started ten years ago and have eagerly awaited every book she’s written since then. I may have been a little less excited about this book because of it being a Dual-Time Period novel and not typically enjoying those tremendously, but I knew I still had to read this one. I love how Carrie Turansky writes such wholesome romances with fantastic faith content and that’s definitely showcased in this book as well.

Besides the mentions and hints of an affair, I think this would be a fine read for teen girls. Especially ones branching off into the romance category and wanting to keep a good, wholesome, faith-filled, and God-honoring romance story. The characters pray often, they pray for their loved ones, and they also pray for having a relationship with someone that interest them. Their romance is also not physical attraction based either—which is pretty common in the Christian Fiction romance genre to be. What was neat in this book that I really liked was the emphasis on having a commitment or a promise to someone you kissed, not just kissing some boy willy-nilly, but having a commitment to the other in terms of having a future together because it’s such a big emotional turning point.

Being not a big fan of Dual-Time Period novels because I usually prefer one time period over the other (typically historical), I was about 5% hesitant about this book, but I’m glad I read it anyway because it was a really sweet read. Both of the voices of Gwen and Charlotte felt very similar to me, so I did have a bit of a time trying to keep track of who was who and their details and lives, but was able to keep everyone straight by the end.

Both of the couples in this book make mistakes and hurt the other (and I’ll admit I may have wanted to smack most of them at times), but it’s how they respond and realize about the other person’s outlook and that they sincerely pray about their relationships that I really liked seeing, because it was such a good and healthy reaction or response to have in those situations.

The faith content—like any of this author's books—was knocked out of the park, and my favorite part of the book by far. This book was especially neat because in both relationships, we see it being pointed back to having a relationship with the Lord and to look to Him to lead and guide them for a life that will honor Him. I love that message; it’s truly keeping the Lord at the center of their relationship and such a good reminder for teen girls especially.




*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Author for this honest review.

In 2012, Gwen is sent to Longdale Manor in England by her grandfather, who is also her boss, after she makes a mistake at work. Her job at Longdale is to help the owner and her grandson evaluate valuable antiques for sale. If she fails, she may lose her job, grandfather or not. While at Longdale, she is determined to try and find her father, whom she has never met. Then she finds a journal at Longdale that was written by a young woman in 1912.

In 1912, Charlotte Harper is already deep in grief after her father's death. But then she is sent further reeling when she discovers that he has betrayed them all, as well as leaving them in dire financial straits.. Her family temporarily relocates to a sheep farm after having to sell their house., As Charlotte struggles to protect them from her father's mistakes, her anger against him grows. At the same time, a certain shepherd begins to steal her heart.

This Christian novel does a fantastic job of tackling the topic of forgiveness. Both Charlotte and Gwen are dealing with forgiveness in different ways, and their revelations on the topic will be very helpful to the reader. For example, Charlotte says in her journal: "I've learned forgiveness is just as much for my benefit as it is for the other person. It's like giving up my right to hurt someone back and letting God handle the justice of the situation as He sees fit." For anyone struggling with forgiveness, this and other guidance will be a light in the tunnel. It also shows the importance of writing down the things you have learned. As with Charlotte and Gwen, the wisdom you have gained may help someone a hundred years in the future.

The characters are immediately relatable and likable. The different struggles of Gwen and Charlotte make for compelling reading. The romances are sweet and do not take over the story. This is enjoyable, helpful Christian fiction that I recommend to all.

I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House via Austenprose Book Tours. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

Gwen Morris took the Lake Country assignment in hopes of restoring her difficult-to-please grandfather’s trust in her work. One hundred years earlier, Charlotte Hayes grapples with a family secret that could destroy her father’s and her family’s reputation. Two women—a century apart—linked by Longdale Manor and the long-ago words written in Charlotte’s journal.

The Legacy of Longdale Manor is a beautifully written story of the strength to forgive, the courage to love, and the daring to hope for a future not dictated by the shadows of the past. Highly recommend!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Fantastic dual timeline novel by Carrie Turansky! Two women 100 years apart experience love, betrayal, heartache, forgiveness, and reconciliation in this powerful story that explores the impact of father/daughter relationships. Set in England’s gorgeous Lake District, this slow build romantic mystery kept me turning the pages as it switched from Charlotte and Ian in 1912 to Gwen and David in 2012.

1912- After Charlotte Harper’s father dies, she learns the man she looked up to and turned to for spiritual advice had a terrible secret. His betrayal affects not only their finances, but Charlotte’s trust in men. Hoping to find help from her estranged grandfather, her mother and family visit Longdale Manor only to be turned away. Charlotte pours out her feelings in her diary which is later discovered in modern times.

Now living on a sheep farm while her mother prays for reconciliation with her father, Charlotte meets Ian who’s on leave from university. His dream to be an archeologist and travel to Egypt is temporarily postponed to help his family. Charlotte learns valuable lessons on the farm and falls in love with Ian. But, her father’s betrayal shakes her faith and prevents her from giving Ian the benefit of the doubt when problems arise. Will she be able to forgive the past so she can move forward?

2012- Gwen Monroe is sent to Longdale Manor by her grandfather to appraise works of art for auction. The owner is trying to raise funds to save the manor and make needed repairs. David Bradley the owner’s handsome but grumpy grandson plans to turn the manor into a bed and breakfast. As Gwen searches the manor’s contents, she finds a 100 year old diary and a key to her past that may lead to finding her long lost father.

I loved how the two stories were linked. Both women had complicated relationships with their fathers and needed to find forgiveness and reconciliation. Charlotte’s character growth was remarkable as she learns a new way of life and experiences first love. I loved her excitement and desire to help when the lambs were born. I was frustrated at times with her stubbornness, but could understand why she was afraid to trust. I loved Gwen & David’s grumpy/sunshine relationship and seeing it progress to more.

The messages of faith, forgiveness, and reconciliation were touching and heartfelt. I loved Gwen’s decision to choose forgiveness. I also loved Ian’s sacrifice to help his family. The two timelines were equally interesting to me. Usually I prefer one to the other, but in this story I enjoyed both. Each romance was a slow build, believable relationship built on foundations of friendship. While I figured out some of the mystery, everything played out in an enjoyable way.

Highly recommend to historical romance, and fiction fans. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided. 4 1/2 raised to 5!

I'm a fan of this author's historical romance novels but this newest book gave me an added treat. The Legacy of Longdale Manor has two stories that are set in London, but one takes place in 1912 and the other in 2022. Two couples, 100 years apart, experience life in a beautiful English manor, and I loved how their stories became intertwined. There are secrets to uncover, a 100-year-old journal that may offer answers, and an inspirational theme of trust and forgiveness.

Relatable characters, a beautiful setting, and a surprising connection between the two heroines made this a book to enjoy and savor! Turansky's first venture into writing a dual-timeline novel is a great read and I recommend it to all who enjoy Christian fiction!

I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. There was no obligation for a favorable review. These are my own thoughts.

I love the double time period point of view in books! It’s so fun to read about the differences between the ages. What are the people doing in the different years? What has changed in the landscape, technology, culture? The Legacy of Longdale Manor splits the time periods so well! The transitions flow seamlessly, and I love how they connect (sorry, no spoilers here).

The characters make this book, for sure! The 1912 characters of Charlotte Harper with her family and Ian Storey with his family bring the era to life. Charlotte is such a relatable character. She can be stubborn and quick to jump to conclusions, but she has a good heart and wants what is best for her family and friends. I loved watching her journey and growth in this book. Ian is a complex character. He is also relatable. I loved learning about his faith and devotion to his family.

The 2012 characters of Gwen Morris and David Bradford are just as relatable and did a great job of bringing the story into more current times. Gwen has suffered great loss in her life and is trying to find herself. She, like Charlotte, also likes to jump to early conclusions, which sometimes causes her more heartache. David seems like a great, down-to-earth guy who is just trying to figure things out and do what is best. I love the devotion he has to his grandmother. He falters at times but learns from his mistakes and tries to do better the next time.

One of my favorite parts of reading is going on adventures to different places. The Legacy of Longdale Manor takes place in London and Manchester, England. I need to go see this Lake District they keep raving about! Ms. Turansky does a great job of describing the town, the lake, the mountains (or fells), and the feelings around keeping it beautiful and pristine.

I liked the story lines in each of the time periods and felt like Ms. Turansky did a good job of bringing them together. At the end of the book, I was left with a few questions, and one of the questions was quite important to the story. However, I did receive an ARC (Advanced Reader’s Copy) of the book, and it may have been fixed in the final draft.

Christianity and faith are not brought up a lot in a lot of books today, and I appreciated learning about each of the character’s faith journeys. There is everyone from a traveling preacher to a recent college graduate who questions her faith. They pray over their meals, go to church, and discuss their faith. I loved the honesty in it as some questioned their faith and grappled with themselves or others not living up to the standards they thought they should. Faith is a journey, and each of us is at our own place on that journey. It’s helpful to remember that, and to give each other grace and love.

If you’re looking for a beautiful story set in a beautiful place, The Legacy of Longdale Manor is for you! You won’t be disappointed! It’s heartfelt and deals with tradition, loyalty, love, fatherhood, faith, forgiveness, and hope.

Content Rating: PG-13
• Profanity: None
• Intimacy: None (Some romantic kissing.)
• Violence: None
Age Recommendation: YA+