A Lady at Willowgrove Hall by Sarah E. Ladd
Thomas Nelson
ISBN: 978-1401688370
Published: Oct 7, 2014
Trade Paperback, 352 pages

This book was a real pleasure to read. Two strong and independent characters with painful past secrets that, if revealed, could destroy their reputation, and a cast of good secondary characters propel this story forward in a 19th century English setting.

I love clean romance books that build the romance between the two main characters as did Ladd with her third novel and the third book in the Whispers on the Moors series. I haven't read her first two, The Heiress of Winterwood and The Headmistress of Rosemere, but now have them on my list of books I'd like to read. All books are stand-alone.

Both Cecily and Nathaniel struggle with their feelings about their past and how it affects their present lives. But no matter how they wished things were different and how much they want to make things right, they learn that hiding from the past only makes the future that much harder. Painful as it might be, they both need to confront that dark past to be able to move on both as individuals and as a couple. The characters are likable and well-developed but my favorite was the formidable and haughty Mrs. Trent. I like characters that add tension and confrontation to a story.

Well-written and deeply immersed into the 19 century, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It's a feel good book, with moral dilemmas that can be applied to any person who has made a past mistake and has to learn to move on. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Note: This book is rated C = clean read.

Reviewed by Laura


Disclosure: Thanks to the publisher and Litfuse for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.