The Light at Wyndcliff (2020)

About the Book

Book: The Light at Wydncliff

Series: Cornwall, #3

Author: Sarah E. Ladd

Release Date: October 13, 2020

Genre: Regency Romance

In the third book of this sweet Regency Cornwall series, one young man must search for truth among the debris of multiple shipwrecks on his newly inherited property.

When Liam Twethewey inherits the ancient Wyndcliff Hall in Pevlyn, Cornwall, he sets a goal of fulfilling his late great-uncle’s dream of opening a china clay pit on the estate’s moorland. When he arrives, however, a mysterious shipwreck on his property—along with even more mysterious survivors—puts his plans on hold.

Evelyn Bray has lived in Pevlyn her entire life. After her grandfather’s fall from fortune, he humbled himself and accepted the position of steward at Wyndcliff Hall. Evelyn’s mother, embarrassed by the reduction of wealth and status, left Pevlyn in search of a better life for them both, but in spite of her promise, never returns. Evelyn is left to navigate an uncertain path with an even more uncertain future.

When the mysteries surrounding the shipwreck survivors intensify, Liam and Evelyn are thrown together as they attempt to untangle a web of deceit and secrets. But as they separate the truths from the lies, they quickly learn that their surroundings—and the people in it—are not as they seem. Liam and Evelyn are each tested, and as a romance buds between them, they must decide if their love is strong enough to overcome their growing differences.

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My Thoughts

I have read every novel Sarah Ladd has written. I love her stories. They capture the Regency period beautifully. They include characters who are realistic and relatable. The romance is always sweet, subtle, and proper for the time period. And, Ladd’s themes are always timely. When I pick up a novel by Ladd I know I am going to get a thoroughly enjoyable story I will be able to escape into. The Light at Wyndcliff, book three in the Cornwall series, is no different. The storyline is engaging. The mystery kept me turning pages well into the night. And, the subtle and sweet romance that grew between Liam and Evelyn is perfect. It made my heart stutter a little, especially at the end. But what I love the most about this story is how much I was able to relate to the heroine, Evelyn. This book was quite cathartic for me. The Light at Wyndcliff is a novel that I really needed to read, and it is a story I highly recommend!

I have to admit that I struggled with this novel. I couldn’t figure out what I was struggling with because I loved everything about it — the plot, the action, the characters and their conflicts, the romance — it all engaged me. But I kept squirming while reading it. Then it dawned on me. I was struggling because Evelyn’s conflict is the conflict I’ve been struggling with my WHOLE life — my mother. The feelings and the actions against her mother that Evelyn deals with in this novel are insanely close to my own experiences. I wasn’t struggling to read the book because it has flaws or is boring. I struggled because I couldn’t escape my own story! But that’s OK. It’s good when fiction allows one to wrestle with past hurts and current issues. It’s basically free therapy. LOL!

Some women are NOT meant to be mothers. There, I said it. I know there is this idea that women are nurturers and, therefore, automatic mother material, but this is a stereotype. Not all women should be mothers. Women who are unable to be selfless, women who cannot put others before themselves, should not be parents. I’m not saying moms shouldn’t have peaceful, quiet, selfish moments. I think all moms need a break every now and then for sure. But when a woman is self-centered and cares only about how things will affect her, that woman isn’t capable of being a good mom. Evelyn has a very self-focused mother. Evelyn is clearly a secondary thought in her mother’s mind. During one moment in the story, a very innocent child asks Evelyn a genuine and innocent set of questions: “Why isn’t your mother her now? Doesn’t she know you were scared?” Evelyn can’t answer this question because she doesn’t want the little child to know that some mamas don’t care if their kids are scared or not, so she switches the topic of conversation to protect the little girl’s notion of motherhood. These questions and Evelyn’s reaction to them broke my heart. There are people walking this earth right now who could not answer this little girl’s questions in the positive. Some have never had a parent who ever put their needs or cares or fears first. Some have had to grow up very quickly and at an early age in order to take care of themselves. Some children grew up in abject loneliness. And, it stinks. But what I love so much is that Evelyn NEVER gives into the sadness. She never becomes a victim. Yes, she acknowledges her struggle, her sadness, her feelings of loneliness, and her disappointment, but she never lets those feelings paralyze her. She moves on and continues to take the next right step in her life despite her feelings of rejection and devastation. In this, I found Evelyn to be one of the strongest and bravest of heroines. I love her character, and to me, Evelyn is the best part of this novel. She truly is a light at Wyndcliff.

I am sad my time with The Light at Wyndcliff is over. I enjoyed the journey this story took me on very much, and I am going to miss these characters. If you are in the mood for a spectacularly written Regency Romance then The Light at Wyndcliff is the novel for you!

I received a copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, Thomas Nelson, via NetGalley, in order to review. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.