Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (April 10, 2018)
Kate’s loyalties bind her to the past. Henry’s loyalties compel him to strive for a better future. In a landscape torn between tradition and vision, can two souls find the strength to overcome their preconceptions?
Loyalty has been at the heart of the Dearborne family for as long as Kate can remember, but a war is brewing in their small village, one that has the power to rip families asunder — including her own. As misguided actions are brought to light, she learns how deep her father’s pride and bitterness run, and she begins to wonder if her loyalty is well-placed.
Henry Stockton, heir to the Stockton fortune, returns home from three years at war hoping to find a refuge from his haunting memories. Determined to bury the past, he embraces his grandfather’s goals to modernize his family’s wool mill, regardless of the grumblings from the local weavers. When tragedy strikes shortly after his arrival, Henry must sort out the truth from suspicion if he is to protect his family’s livelihood and legacy.
Henry has been warned about the Dearborne family. Kate, too, has been advised to stay far away from the Stocktons, but chance meetings continue to bring her to Henry’s side, blurring the jagged lines between loyalty, justice, and truth. Kate ultimately finds herself with the powerful decision that will forever affect her village’s future. As unlikely adversaries, Henry and Kate must come together to find a way to create peace for their families, and their village, and their souls – even if it means risking their hearts in the process.
‘Ladd continues to write refreshing Regency romance with a spotlight on the working-class countryside life as opposed to the ballrooms and bustle of London. . . the Romeo-and-Juliet-esque romance between Kate and Henry is perfectly paced and dimensional. . .’ (RT Book Reviews, 4 1/2 stars, TOP PICK)
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Review: This was a wonderful Regency era novel. Kate is "The Weaver's Daughter" Henry is the grandson of the mill owner. They are a sort of Romeo and Juliet kind of couple, with both of their families feuding for many years.
Both characters are very well developed and the secondary characters are just as important to the story, from Fredrica Pellington to Henry's sister, Mollie who is having a baby out of wedlock. I love that they are bringing real life issues to a Christian romance.
Now I realize that a child out of wedlock may offend some "Christian" readers, but this is something that happens. Does it make a person bad? No, it does not. It means this character, like many people, have faults and flaws. Why shouldn't Christian fiction deal with things that happen in real life, and why shouldn't Mollie seek forgiveness, though other than the lies she told to protect herself, I didn't see her doing anything terrible.
Both Henry and Kate showed great courage, standing up to people that wanted them to do things that went against their moral code, even if it was someone they cared for, or who was a lifelong friend.
There's a dark underlying current to this story, with tensions running high between the workers and all of the mill owners.
I was really surprised that Frederica didn't cause more problems than she did.
The ending came as quite a surprise to me all the way around, from the uncovering of Henry's grandfather's killer to Kate's father.
This was an absolutely amazing book especially if you are looking for something outside of the usual balls and stories about gowns.
This is definitely a must read!
Rating: 5 flowers
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