Monday, July 24, 2023

Sarah E. Ladd: In the Shelter of Hollythorne House

 By Kelly Bridgewater

Young widow Charlotte Grey faces an uncertain future . . . until a chance encounter with her first love gives her heart a second chance in this Regency romance set on the Yorkshire Moors.

England, 1817—Charlotte Grey thought she had seen the last of Anthony Welbourne. Knowing her father would never consent to his only daughter marrying a man he deemed beneath their family’s station, Charlotte bid her final farewell to Anthony and vowed to never turn back. Instead, she honored her father’s wishes by marrying the wealthy Roland Prior.

Determined to put his love for Charlotte in the past, Anthony Welbourne chose to follow his goals and immerse himself in a life full of meaning—first as a soldier fighting a war overseas, then as a member of William Walstead’s watchmen, a rugged band of men dispatched to deal with perilous situations. Fearless and persistent, he makes it his life’s focus to fight for those who can’t fight for themselves.

When Charlotte’s husband dies unexpectedly, she quickly realizes how blind she’d been to his nefarious ambitions and how many people he’d angered on his relentless quest for wealth. To protect her infant son, Henry, from those who wish them harm, she and the baby flee to Hollythorne House, her childhood home. There Charlotte comes face to face with her former love, who has been sent as one of the hired watchman to protect her and Henry until the details of her late husband’s estate are settled.

Anthony’s presence brings back feelings she never expected to feel again, and she struggles to trust Anthony’s intentions. Are Walstead’s Watchmen really looking after Charlotte as they claim—or are they looking to make trouble for Roland’s estate and heir? Despite the constant reminders of their past, Anthony must remain focused on the task he was hired to do. But when new threats emerge, danger arises, and the past collides with the present, both must decide what they are willing to risk for the chance to right past wrongs and carve out a new future . . . together.


 

My Thoughts:

In the Shelter of Hollythorne House by Sarah E. Ladd captures the essence of a world where woman are used as commodities. I really enjoyed how strong Charlotte Grey is even though she was forced into a situation that could have crumbled her. She took control and thought of the best thing for her son, Henry. Whereas, in similiar fashion, Anthony, had to come to grips what happened in the past to his uncle's mill and learn the meaning of home. The conflict with the Prior's crafted a masterpiece of a Regency mystery. Plenty of moments of wondering what was really going to occur to what actually occurred. Ladd did a wonderful job at creating little trail of secrets that led to the falling down of the villains. The descriptions, Ladd handles nicely. I had no problem exploring the abandoned Hollythorne Home when Charlotte and Anthony returned. The run down and misuse with years of dirt and grime mirrored the long forgotten emotions between Charlotte and Anthony. Overall, In the Shelter of Hollythorne House by Sarah E. Ladd is a wonderful story that I enjoyed reading. I recommend this story for fans of Erica Vetsch and Julie Klassen.

I received a complimentary copy of In the Shelter of Hollythorne House by Sarah E. Ladd from Thomas Nelson Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Purchase In the Shelter of Hollythorne House

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