A slow started gave way to an intriguing novel of two sides of a war.

I nearly gave up on "A Castaway in Cornwall" due to the likeness of another book that is about some of the same subjects, and up until the 25% mark I nearly gave up on finishing the book, but that wouldn't do since this is a Julie Klassen book!

I am so glad I stuck with it since the book picked up soon enough with more than enough mystery, action, romance, and adventure to make this a book I love, not quite as much as Klassen's "The Painter's Daughter" but I still very much enjoyed it at the last.

I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary e/copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. ( )

(4.5 / 5)

Laura Callaway feels like a castaway as she searches flotsam and jetsam from nearby shipwrecks on the coast in Cornwall for anything that might be of value, either monetarily or sentimentally. She's not completely alone, but she does feel abandoned by her parents. Then she discovers a real castaway on the beach--Alexander Lucas, who managed to survive a shipwreck. As Laura helps nurse him back to health, clues begin to surface about his identity, and before she knows it, Laura is caught up in a game of spies, smugglers, and prisoners.

This book had my attention from chapter one and kept it all the way through. I was surprised to realize how many pages it had once I was done, and the only reason it even took me more than two days to read is because I was too busy to get back to it like I wanted to. Laura and Alexander were both really interesting characters, and the description of shipwrecks, smugglers, and treasure kept me firmly in early 1800s England.

Even side characters and small side plots were interesting, and what I really liked about the story is that the romance wasn't so in-your-face, as if it was the only thing that mattered in the book. The half-point detraction was for a few minor quibbles that mostly came about near the end of the book. Some things were resolved a bit too easily, in my opinion, including a relationship that ended up feeling like it was only strained to give the MC a stronger reason to feel "castaway." Also the villain's arc ended with a trope that I find tired.

Overall, though, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am already looking for more from this author. I highly recommend it to fans of Christian books in the historical and/or romantic genres.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bethany House for providing me a copy of this book to review. ( )

The best part about this book is the cover: major kudos to the artists and/or designers who had a hand in it. ( )

Rich in historical detail and populated with colorful, interesting characters, Julie Klassen’s book, A Castaway in Cornwall, whisked me away to the wild Cornwall shores and kept me captivated to the end. I enjoyed learning more about the history and customs of Cornwall, and I could tell that Klassen had done her research on the area. Set in the early 1800s, this tale featured Laura Callaway and a shipwreck survivor named Alexander. I enjoyed the interaction between the two.

With plenty of intrigue, suspense, adventure, and a dash or two of romance, this novel has something for everyone. Themes of family and home, belonging, and forgiveness add to the satisfaction of the story.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from NetGalley. All opinions are my own. ( )

A Castaway in Cornwall is Regency fiction at its finest. There is intrigue associated with war and smuggling and questions about Alexander Lucas's true identity. Klassen teases us with Laura's interest in this unknown survivor and I kept hoping that Laura's gentle and trusting nature wasn't being taken advantage of. Laura is an outcast needing to experience the joy of belonging and I love when she finally understands that all of us are valuable in God's eyes.

This is a wonderful story of love and forgiveness and I recommend A Castaway in Cornwall to all who enjoy inspirational historical romance.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. There was no obligation for a favorable review. These are my own thoughts. ( )