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    A Lady at Willowgrove Hall
    A Lady at Willowgrove Hall
    A Lady at Willowgrove Hall
    Audiobook9 hours

    A Lady at Willowgrove Hall

    Written by Sarah E. Ladd

    Narrated by Carmel O'Donovan

    4.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    Her secret cloaks her in isolation. His secret traps him in a life that is not his own. They will have to learn to trust one another in order to find freedom in this Regency romance.

    England, 1819—Cecily Faire carries the shame of her past wherever she treads, knowing one slip of the tongue could expose her disgrace. But soon after becoming a lady’s companion at Willowgrove Hall, Cecily finds herself face-to-face with a man well-acquainted with the past she’s desperately hidden for years.

    Nathaniel Stanton has a secret of his own—one that has haunted him for years and tied him to his father’s position as steward of Willowgrove Hall. To protect his family, Nathaniel dares not breathe a word of the truth. But as long as the shadow looms over him, he’ll never be free to find his own way in the world. He’ll never be free to fall in love.

    When the secrets swirling within Willowgrove Hall come to light, Cecily and Nathaniel must confront a painful choice: Will they continue running from the past . . . or will they stand together and fight for a future without the suffocating weight of secrets long kept?

    Praise for Sarah Ladd:

    “Fans of Regency romance will be instantly drawn in and happily lost within the pages.” —Kristy Cambron, bestselling author, regarding The Thief of Lanwyn Manor

    “Not only does Ladd prove again how effortlessly her pen can wield an authentic Regency portrait, she shines a spotlight on the limitations of women in an era where they were deprived of agency and instead were commodities in transactions of business and land.  The thinking woman’s romance, The Thief of Lanwyn Manor is an unputdownable escape.” —Rachel McMillan

    “This blend of Jane Eyre, Jane Austen, and Jamaica Inn has it all. Intrigue. Danger. Poignant moments. And best of all a sweet, sweet love story.” —Michelle Griep, award-winning author, regarding The Governess of Penwythe Hall

    • The third book in the Whispers on the Moor series but can be read in any order:
      • Book one: The Heiress of Winterwood
      • Book two: The Headmistress of Rosemere
    • A sweet Regency romance
    • Full-length novel at approximately 90,000 words
    • Includes discussion questions for book clubs
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherThomas Nelson
    Release dateOct 14, 2014
    ISBN9780718034474
    A Lady at Willowgrove Hall
    Author

    Sarah E. Ladd

    Sarah E. Ladd is an award-winning, bestselling author who has always loved the Regency period--the clothes, the music, the literature, and the art. A college trip to England and Scotland confirmed her interest in the time period, and she began seriously writing in 2010. Since then, she has released several novels set during the Regency era. Sarah is a graduate of Ball State University and holds degrees in public relations and marketing. She lives in Indiana with her family. Visit Sarah online at SarahLadd.com; Instagram: @sarahladdauthor; Facebook: @SarahLaddAuthor; Twitter: @SarahLaddAuthor; Pinterest: @SarahLaddAuthor.  

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    Reviews for A Lady at Willowgrove Hall

    4.5/5

    56 ratings10 reviews

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    • 3/5
      Completely disconnected from her family, friends and impulsive youth, Cecily Faire takes a respectable position as a lady's maid at Willowgrove Hall and is suddenly thrust back into contact with the man who knows the secrets and shame of her youth. Desperate to avoid the truth and retain her position, she closes herself off from relationships with those around her – including Nathaniel Stanton, the handsome and capable steward of Willowgrove Hall, who bears his own set of secrets. While she struggles to maintain outward control, fighting to contain her heart is even more difficult. Will Cecily and Nathaniel be able to trust each other with the secrets of their past and, more importantly, will they trust the God who can bring them together? Read more in A Lady at Willowgrove Hall by Sarah E. Ladd.A Lady at Willowgrove Hall is the third book in Sarah E. Ladd's Whispers on the Moors series. I've not read the other two and this one was fine as a stand-alone book. I appreciated the theme of how speaking the truth opens up possibilities for healing and relationship. The plot was solid and well-paced. Writing style was adequate, neither amazing nor disappointing. However, while the novel was entertaining for a few days, I don't see myself revisiting it again in the future as there was really nothing to elevate it above any other book of its style. While A Lady at Willowgrove Hall by Sarah E. Ladd is not my favorite book, many readers will like it. I think it is best suited for readers who enjoy clean, nineteenth-century romances that are entertaining, but not amazing.Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook free from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
    • 5/5
      Read all in one day. Couldn't put it down. I got hooked from the first page.
    • 5/5
      Read all in one day. Couldn't put it down. I got hooked from the first page.
    • 4/5
      A Lady at Willowgrove Hall concludes new author Sarah Ladd’s Whispers on the Moors series, Regency Romances set in a fictional county in the North of England. The last two I heard as audiobooks, so this was my first proper read. There is little real connection with the characters or events with the first two books in the series, which might seem daring for the last novel in a trilogy, or for fans wishing to ‘hear more’ of the characters from the last books, but it seemed to work well enough.

      The story is based around Cecily Faire, a hurting young lady harbouring a secret that she fears could ruin her, securing a position as a companion to the elderly owner of Willowgrove Hall. When she arrives she discovers a face from her past, and Nathanial Stanton, the steward who harbours a secret of his own. The setting is common for Regency Era stories, and though the secrets of the main characters are known to the audience from the outset, their impact on the character’s lives and those around them works well as the central part of the plot.
      Although ostensibly ‘Christian’ fiction, there is little real religious content, or at least less that the first book. However, there are important messages about forgiveness, honesty, and the destructive influence of bitterness and resentment on people’s lives. So it could be classified as clean romance with the Christian flavour, perhaps.

      My only complaints were that the story did seem rather slow and lagging in places, and some inconsistency in the use of language. In some places, for instance, the characters used Americanisms that seemed rather out of place in an early nineteenth century British setting- but in other places the correct British idioms or terms were used. The Romance was sweet, though some passages were a little clichéd, but generally it’s a good, light read if you want a cosy, easy to follow, edifying story.

      I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for review, I was not required to write a positive one and all opinions expressed are my own.
    • 4/5
      A Lady at Willowgrove Hall What a lovely story this. Sarah E. Ladd out did herself with this book. There are two other books to this series. I have not read them but I may find them to read. This story is sweet and loving but also a bit harsh.

      We see the changes in both Cecily and Nathaniel. There are secret in both their past. Will this break or make their love stronger. Nathaniel has a secret past and deals with Willowgrove hall. Cecily has a secret past that deals with a man at Willowgrove hall and her family.

      Will their be a romance formed? What could their secret be? Cecily arrives at Willowgrove hall to do her job as a lady companion. Nathaniel is a steward at Willowgrove and feels trap in a life that his not his. What could be Nathaniel secret. Mrs. Trent seem to know more or has the truth about Andrew Morton and Nathaniel Stanton past.
    • 4/5
      The Lady at Willowgrove Hall by Sarah E. Ladd is the third book in Whispers on the Moors series. It is 1814 At Aradelle Park in Detham, England. Cecily Faire is seventeen years old at the beginning of the book. She is in love with Andrew Moreton, heir to Aradelle Park. Cecily and her twin sister, Leah live with their father (the blacksmith) on the grounds of Aradelle Park. Cecily is going to run away with Andrew and get married. Before Cecily and Andrew can get away, they are caught by her father, Joseph Faire. Joseph takes Cecily away to the Rosemere School for Girls. Five years pass (now 1819) and Cecily is now a teacher at the school. She has not heard from her father, sister, or Andrew since arriving at the school. Cecily is offered a position as a lady’s companion to Mrs. Harriet Tryst at Willowgrove Hall in Wiltonshire, England. Cecily arrives at her destination and is dropped off in the rain outside the gates. Luckily, she comes across Nathaniel Stanton, the steward for Willowgrove Hall. Cecily is welcomed into the Laurel Cottage, the home of Nathaniel, his mother, and three sisters.The next day Cecily meets Mrs. Tryst. Unfortunately, Mrs. Tryst’s heir has also arrived at the hall. Her heir is Andrew Moreton. He is now engaged to someone else. Cecily does not want anyone to know her secret and hopes Andrew will keep quiet. Cecily is not the only one keeping secrets. Mrs. Tryst and Nathaniel also have a secret.Cecily and Nathaniel start to spend more time together. Nathaniel is helping Cecily find her twin sister, Leah. Will Cecily ever fully trust someone (hopefully Nathaniel) and reveal her past? What is Nathaniel and Mrs. Tryst secret? Why is Mrs. Tryst so hateful towards Nathaniel and his family? Will Cecily realize that God is there for her despite her past?Read The Lady of Willowgrove Hall to find out the answers to the above questions. I give The Lady of Willowgrove Hall 4 out of 5 stars. It is a lovely Christian romance. The Christian aspect never comes across as preachy nor is there too much of it. The Lady of Willowgrove Hall is a sweet and romantic story.I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley (and the publisher) in exchange for an honest review.
    • 3/5
      Completely disconnected from her family, friends and impulsive youth, Cecily Faire takes a respectable position as a lady's maid at Willowgrove Hall and is suddenly thrust back into contact with the man who knows the secrets and shame of her youth. Desperate to avoid the truth and retain her position, she closes herself off from relationships with those around her – including Nathaniel Stanton, the handsome and capable steward of Willowgrove Hall, who bears his own set of secrets. While she struggles to maintain outward control, fighting to contain her heart is even more difficult. Will Cecily and Nathaniel be able to trust each other with the secrets of their past and, more importantly, will they trust the God who can bring them together? Read more in A Lady at Willowgrove Hall by Sarah E. Ladd.A Lady at Willowgrove Hall is the third book in Sarah E. Ladd's Whispers on the Moors series. I've not read the other two and this one was fine as a stand-alone book. I appreciated the theme of how speaking the truth opens up possibilities for healing and relationship. The plot was solid and well-paced. Writing style was adequate, neither amazing nor disappointing. However, while the novel was entertaining for a few days, I don't see myself revisiting it again in the future as there was really nothing to elevate it above any other book of its style. While A Lady at Willowgrove Hall by Sarah E. Ladd is not my favorite book, many readers will like it. I think it is best suited for readers who enjoy clean, nineteenth-century romances that are entertaining, but not amazing.Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook free from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
    • 5/5
      This book was pretty good and while I must admit that I haven't read the first two books in this series, I would recommend A Lady at Willowgrove Hall to anyone who loves historical fiction. The book is easily read as a standalone, but I would like to read books one and two because this particular story was so well done. In the beginning, Cecily Faire was trying to run away from her cruel father to marry a man she loved. Although, that didn’t happen. Instead she was sent away to a girl’s school with a secret that would plague her, her hope for security, and most importantly her happiness. Later on, she gets the opportunity to become a lady’s companion. That was the opening of a door into a new path of life for Cecily. And it was one she wasn’t expecting. But it was one she rightfully deserved. I really liked Cecily. She had made mistakes in her life and suffered for them, but she didn’t let the shame or despair take total control of her life. It was still there, but yet she did not become an angry, unforgiving, bitter person like her father had been. Even after taking on her new position, she still held out hope for finding her twin sister she was separated from. Nathanial Stanton had a secret that he could also not forget. He was attracted to Cecily during their very first encounter. He was kind and helpful, even when Cecily was trying to find her sister. All in all, he was a perfect match for Cecily. I adored their relationship.
    • 4/5
      Sarah Ladd has done it again with A Lady of Willowgrove Hall. She has written an historical romance that brings to mind the classic stories of Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters. This well-written Regency novel is a recommended read for fans of the genre.Cecily Faire and Nathaniel Stanton are people with shameful pasts. Mistakes and indiscretions keep them from living the lives they want. Too many people are determined to chart their courses and leave them yearning for true love. Forgiveness is hard to come by and even harder to bestow, but it is the one thing that will set them free.A well-researched setting and time period combine with strong characterization to produce a thoroughly enjoyable read. Ladd brings to life the manners and customs of the Regency period and includes details that bring about a wonderful sense of authenticity. Her characters are believable in their motivations and actions. Both major and minor characters are well-developed, not something you always find in a romance novel. The theme of forgiveness, both the need to give and receive it, is naturally woven through the story. And while modern readers may be surprised at the shame that followed Cecily and Nathaniel, I found it extremely relevant even today.So if you are looking for an historical romance that is more than fluff — a book with both heart and soul — then check out A Lady of Willowgrove Hall. Recommended.Audience: Adults.(Thanks to Thomas Nelson and LitFuse for a review copy of the book. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
    • 5/5
      A Lady at Willowgrove HallSarah LaddBook Summary: Her secret cloaks her in isolation and loneliness. His secret traps him in a life that is not his own. Cecily Faire carries the shame of her past wherever she treads, knowing one slip of the tongue could expose her disgrace. But soon after becoming a lady's companion at Willowgrove Hall, Cecily finds herself face-to-face with a man well-acquainted with the past she's desperately hidden for years. Nathaniel Stanton has a secret of his own—one that has haunted him for years and tied him to his father's position as steward of Willowgrove Hall. To protect his family, Nathaniel dares not breath a word of the truth. But as long as the shadow looms over him, he'll never be free to find his own way in the world. He'll never be free to fall in love. When the secrets swirling within Willowgrove Hall come to light, Cecily and Nathaniel must confront a painful choice: Will they continue running from the past . . . or will they stand together and fight for a future without the suffocating weight of secrets long suffered?Review: I love the overtones of Pride and Prejudice that was sprinkled throughout the book. The storyline was fresh and appropriately historic throughout. Cecily was not so enjoyable at the beginning and her character evolved so well. It was great to read who Cecily became. Nathaniel was so much fun and such a remarkable character. While he seemed so perfect he was not perfect. He was frustrated and painted into a corner while living a gracious person was so well written it made this story so authentic as if it was written in the the 1700 or 1800’s. The secrets while during the setting were tremendous for all involved given choices that were made. Andrew was a surprise in some respects. It is always great when people are written as frail people like myself instead of wooden and unrealistic. I am adding Sarah Ladd to my must read list. I would like to thank Net Galley and Thomas Nelson Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone.