The Light at Wyndcliff- Book Review

The Light at Wyndcliff by Sarah E. Ladd

Cornwall Series #3 (Standalone)
Genre: Historical Fiction, European Lit, Clean Romance

3.9 stars

The story is set in Cornwall in the 1820s, with its rugged coastline and open moorlands. The book starts with a focus on Evelyn Bray’s life and how it changes with the entry of Liam Twethewey, the new owner of the Wyndcliff Hall.

The duo has to struggle through the shipwrecks that seem to have a sinister cause than the raging waves of the sea. Evelyn’s grandfather, Rupert Bray, the steward of Wyndcliff, appears to be one man to his granddaughter and another to others, especially Liam.

When shipwreck survivors (a child and her mother) are housed in the estate, Evelyn naturally takes the responsibility of caring for them.

Evelyn is uncovering, rather, overhearing conversations that make her doubt many things. She is troubled and pained by her mother’s attitude. Her attraction for Liam is another burden on her fragile shoulders.

Liam realizes the sad state of the estate and knows he needs to get started on the clay pits to start earning. He doesn’t know whom to trust, except Evelyn. His feelings for her grow stronger, but many things come in the way.

The book goes at a steady pace. It is neither too mysterious nor exactly romantic. Both genres have been touched with a light hand. The mystery part is more, but it’s easy to guess what’s going on and what will happen.

For his age, he is quite matured and capable. Evelyn is sensible and yet vulnerable. The other characters were interesting. But I wish some of them had more meat. Even Rupert Bray needed more scenes to do justice to the intricacies of his characters. Probably because the book had to fit into the clean historical genre, the author didn’t explore the flaws and gray shades in depth.

Overall, it is an engaging book with a mild mystery and a teeny bit of romance with a happy-ever-after at the end. It’s not too deep or complicated. You can just go with the flow.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Thomas Nelson. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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