The Light at Wyndcliff: Book Review

Title:  The Light at Wyndcliff
My Rating: 4.5     
Genre:  Historical Fiction
Author: Sarah E. Ladd
Format: Paperback
Publication Date: October 13, 2020

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The Light at Wyndcliff Book Blurb

Set in 1820s Cornwall, this Regency romance evokes the captivating worlds and delicious dramas of Jane Austen, Daphne DuMaurier, and Winston Graham.

Raised on the sprawling and rugged Wyndcliff Estate near the dangerous coast of South Cornwall, Evelyn Bray lives with her grandfather, a once-wealthy man reduced to the post of steward. Evelyn is still grieving her father’s death and her mother’s abandonment when a passing ship is dashed against the rocks. The only survivors, a little girl and her injured mother, are rescued and brought to Wyndcliff Hall.

Liam Twethewey is just twenty-two when he inherits Wyndcliff Estate from his great uncle. His optimistic plans to open a china clay pit to employ the estate’s tenants meets unexpected resistance, and the rumors of smuggling and illegal activity challenge his new-found authority. Though wise beyond his years, young Liam quickly finds himself out of his depth in this land where long-held secrets and high-stakes agendas make no room for newcomers.

Brought together by troubling questions surrounding the shipwreck, Evelyn and Liam uncover even darker mysteries shrouding the estate. But as they untangle truths from deceptions, their loyalties separate them—and their budding love might not be strong enough to overcome the distance.

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 The Light at Wyndcliff REVIEW

As a quick reminder, here is my rating structure:

• 1 star: Did not finish
• 2 Stars: Finished but I do not recommend
• 3 Stars: Liked but could use some improvements
• 4 Stars: Loved this book!
• 5 Stars: Rare. The unput-down-able, binge read obsession.

My star ratings are also based also genre based. I compare all books with books of the same genre. While I would love to believe that my love of books in general transcends all bias, there are genres I prefer over others.

I’m human.

Example: If I read a mystery novel and think it deserves a 5-star rating, then I have compared it to other mystery books, and determined it to be one of my absolute favorites. The unputdownable mystery.

This will hopefully keep me from comparing Outlander, a personal obsession of mine, with the experience of reading The Hate You Give. Both 5 star books for me, but completely and totally different. I couldn’t even try to rate them against each other, so I don’t. Makes my life easier. 

My Thoughts…

This is my first book by Sarah E. Ladd and I am kicking myself for not finding her sooner. In fact, my birthday is next month, and I putting some of her other books on my birthday wishlist. Hit me up in the comments with your favs. Right now, I know I will be putting the first two books of this series on there.

I think my favorite thing about the book was the feeling it gave me. If a book can be atmospheric, The Light at Wyndcliff was just that. It has this remarkable gothic vibe inside a regency romance. And someone tell me how you can write about a mysterious, almost eerie village so beautifully that I want to live there?

Any normal person would look at all of the shady and dangerous things happening and want no part of it, but Sarah E. Ladd made me think it would be a wonderful place to be.

The heroes of The Light at Wyndcliff are so easy to root for, so their relationship just feels good. You want them to trust each other and help each other. In the midst of a gothic setting, there’s this almost feel-good romance.

As a quick aside, I knew absolutely nothing about the china clay pits in Cornwall and learning about this industry was fascinating. One of the many reasons I love historical fiction.

*Special thanks to Sarah E. Ladd, Thomas Nelson, and TLC Book Tours for providing a copy of The Light at Wyndcliff in exchange for an honest review.