In the Shelter of Hollythorne House by Sarah E. Ladd

In the Shelter of Hollythorne House
by Sarah E. Ladd

ISBN-13: 9780785246817
Paperback: 354 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Released: July 1, 2023

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
England, 1817—Charlotte Grey thought she had seen the last of Anthony Welbourne. Knowing her father would never consent to his only daughter marrying a man he deemed beneath their family’s station, Charlotte bid her final farewell to Anthony and vowed to never turn back. Instead, she honored her father’s wishes by marrying the wealthy Roland Prior.

Anthony followed his father's example and become an officer, fighting a war overseas, then working as a member of William Walstead’s watchmen, a rugged band of men hired to deal with perilous situations. When Charlotte’s abusive husband dies unexpectedly, she wants to take her infant son, Henry, away from the influence of her powerful brother-in-law who claims Henry as his heir. She and the baby flee to Hollythorne House, her childhood home. But Anthony has been sent as one of the hired watchman to protect her and Henry until the details of her late husband’s estate are settled.

Anthony’s presence brings back feelings she never expected to feel again, and she struggles to trust Anthony’s intentions. Are Walstead’s Watchmen really looking after Charlotte as they claim or working on her brother-in-law's behalf? When new threats emerge, both must decide what they are willing to risk for the chance to right past wrongs and carve out a new future together.


My Review:
In the Shelter of Hollythorne House is a romance set in 1817 in England. In this very slow-paced story, the two main characters spent a lot of time thinking about the current situation and how they got to this point. I've rarely read a book were so little actually happens. Potential points of suspense turned out to hold little conflict: her husband died of natural causes, Silas gave in every time Charlotte defied him, etc. The most suspenseful part was between 75% and 88%, and the main question was if Anthony could prevent a panicked Charlotte from doing something foolish.

While both characters said they'd changed from when they'd been in love, Anthony was immediately interested in her again. He knew she was stubborn, impulsive, and had a temper (often misdirected at him) but loved her anyway. Charlotte could never trust a man again after the way her charming suitor became abusive after marriage. When she first saw Anthony again, rather than count him as a potential ally, she considered him a jailor meant to prevent her freedom. But then she's suddenly confiding in him. But then she doesn't trust him. But, well, she has no one else to trust. Then they were always meant to be together. Anthony kindly described her as "emotional."

Charlotte's also very proud and not particularly clever or practical. Her only way of handling Silas was to defy him, even when he gave reasonable advice. There were enough historical errors that the story didn't feel very realistic. For example, the characters acted like Anthony made no money while being an officer fighting in a war. The clothing seemed to be the most historically researched part. Having just read a different story about a widow of an abusive husband overcoming that influence and finding love, this just felt so jerky and shallow in comparison. There was no sex or bad language.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.