Review: The Governess of Penwythe Hall

The Governess of Penwythe

by Sara Ladd

About the Book

 Cornwall was in her blood, and Delia feared she’d never escape its hold.

Cornwall, England, 1811
Blamed for her husband’s death, Cordelia Greythorne fled Cornwall and accepted a governess position to begin a new life. Years later her employer’s unexpected death and his last request to watch over his five children force her to reevaluate. She can’t abandon the children now that they’ve lost both parents, but their new guardian lives at the timeworn Penwythe Hall . . . back on the Cornish coast she tries desperately to forget.

Jac Trethewey is determined to revive Penwythe Hall’s once-flourishing apple orchards, and he’ll stop at nothing to see his struggling estate profitable again. He hasn’t heard from his brother in years, so when his nieces, nephews, and their governess arrive unannounced at Penwythe Hall, he battles both grief of this brother’s death and bewilderment over this sudden responsibility. Jac’s priorities shift as the children take up residence in the ancient halls, but their secretive governess—and the mystery shrouding her past—proves to be a disruption to his carefully laid plans.

Rich with family secrets, lingering danger, and the captivating allure of new love, this first book in the Cornwall Novels series introduces us to the Twethewey family and their search for peace, justice, and love on the Cornish coast. 

My Thoughts

The perfect choice for fans of inspirational Regency romance, The Governess of Penwythe Hall is a sweet, tender read. Themes of hope in the midst of grief and regret are threaded beautifully throughout the book, making for a luminous story. Mystery and intrigue abound as we learn of Delia’s turbulent past, keeping the reader guessing until the end. The descriptions of the mysterious and dangerous region of Cornwall come to life as we read of Jac’s apple orchard and the wild sea. I found the hero and heroine endearing and loved reading about them. The Governess of Penwythe Hall has most definitely earned a spot on my list of favorite 2019 reads. Highly recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.