Governess of Penwythe Hall

by Sarah Ladd, Thomas Nelson, 351 pages

Sarah Ladd’s latest release combines all the things we love about her writing with scenes from Cornwall. Smugglers, orphans, mysteries, and well-rounded characters who come alive on the pages.

Cordelia Greythorne left her beloved Cornwall under a cloud of fear and regrets. The only thing that will convince her to return? The children she loves and cares for as their governess. When Delia goes to her employer’s deathbed, she promises to stay with his children. After all, they have already lost their mother and Delia loves them dearly.

Along with the boy’s tutor, Mr. Simon, Delia travels back to Cornwall to Penwythe Hall to meet her charges’ new guardian—Jac Twethewey—the estranged brother of the recently deceased Mr. Randall Twethewey. As she helps the children navigate life in their new home, Delia fears that her past will catch up to her and bring more heartache to the Twethewey children.

Jac Twethewey has no idea that his brother has changed his will at the last moment. When Mrs. Greythorne, Mr. Simon, and the executor of his brother’s will show up on his doorstep with five children, Jac has little time to grieve. Above all, he wants his nieces and nephews to feel welcomed at Penwythe Hall—just as his aunt and uncle welcomed him and his brother so many years ago when they lost their parents. He knows how it feels to lose everything.

As everyone settles in, Jac depends more and more on Mrs. Greythorne and her wisdom. He just wishes she didn’t have so much mystery surrounding her. He struggles to make the home farms financially viable and forge relationships with five orphans. When a notorious smuggler shows up and claims a connection to Mrs. Greythorne, his worries increase.

Cornwall and Romance go Hand in Hand

Ladd has created a gorgeous setting peopled with characters who struggle to forget the past, find love in the present, and create a strong future. Penwythe Hall isn’t a fairy-tale castle, but a place peopled with realistic characters who seek the same things we seek–Faith, security, and love.Fans of Kristi Ann Hunter will enjoy this book.

I receive free electronic advanced reader copies of these books through an arrangement between the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion on NetGalley’s website. I only review books on my blog that I really love.