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A review by bellesmoma2021
The Cloverton Charade by Sarah E. Ladd
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I love when I finish a series. I feel so accomplished. And when I complete a delightfully engaging, sweetly romantic, and highly mysterious series I’m even more satisfied as a reader. The Cloverton Charade by Sarah E. Ladd is the final installment in her Houses of Yorkshire series, and I loved every minute. I genuinely enjoyed each story, and I’m so sad my time with all of Ladd’s unique characters in this series is over.
The Cloverton Charade follows Olivia Brannon and Lucas Avery, both antiquities dealers, who are, unknowingly, on similar cases at Cloverton Hall. Olivia is working for the late owner’s wife, Mrs. Milton, and Lucas is working for the new owner, Mr. Milton’s nephew, George Wainbridge. While working their separate cases, it becomes clear that something is rotten in Cloverton Hall. This is the mystery aspect of the story, and I loved every minute trying to guess at whodunit. I will tell you, I was shocked by the reveal. Totally didn’t see it coming. As with the first and second book in this series, the mystery in The Cloverton Charade is my favorite aspect to this excellent story. I was hooked trying to figure out who the bad guy was, and that kept me furiously turning pages well into the night!
In addition to the mystery, I also really loved the many thematic discussions. I was really drawn to the discussion on grief — how cruel it can be and how it changes people. This is illustrated through Mrs. Milton, and the memories Olivia has of her late father after her beloved mother passed. Both characters changed — physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually — after the death of their spouses. Grief and loss are awful and cruel, and they really do have the power to change people. I think it is ultimately because death is so unnatural. I know we’ve been taught that death is a natural process to life, but if you believe in God and know your Bible, then you know that death was never part of the original plan. Death, therefore, is unnatural. You can feel it when you lose someone. Yes, we who believe know we will see our loved ones again, but that doesn’t change the fact that you can feel the loss deeply every single day and it feels wrong. Loss and grief gut you, but you’re just supposed to move on like nothing has happened. People expect, no demand, you move on before you are ever ready. It’s awful. I really appreciate Ladd’s conversation on this topic, and felt it added such depth and complexity to this story.
The Cloverton Charade is a wonderful story. I’m so glad I spent time in this world with these characters. Journeying with Olivia and Lucas through mystery, intrigue, grief, and romance was quite fun and enjoyable. If you’re a fan of excellently crafted Regency Romances then you will not want to miss out on this story when it releases in September. Purchase yourself a copy today. You won’t be sorry you did!
I received a copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, Thomas Nelson Fiction, via NetGalley, in order to review. I am under no obligation to leave a positive review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The Cloverton Charade follows Olivia Brannon and Lucas Avery, both antiquities dealers, who are, unknowingly, on similar cases at Cloverton Hall. Olivia is working for the late owner’s wife, Mrs. Milton, and Lucas is working for the new owner, Mr. Milton’s nephew, George Wainbridge. While working their separate cases, it becomes clear that something is rotten in Cloverton Hall. This is the mystery aspect of the story, and I loved every minute trying to guess at whodunit. I will tell you, I was shocked by the reveal. Totally didn’t see it coming. As with the first and second book in this series, the mystery in The Cloverton Charade is my favorite aspect to this excellent story. I was hooked trying to figure out who the bad guy was, and that kept me furiously turning pages well into the night!
In addition to the mystery, I also really loved the many thematic discussions. I was really drawn to the discussion on grief — how cruel it can be and how it changes people. This is illustrated through Mrs. Milton, and the memories Olivia has of her late father after her beloved mother passed. Both characters changed — physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually — after the death of their spouses. Grief and loss are awful and cruel, and they really do have the power to change people. I think it is ultimately because death is so unnatural. I know we’ve been taught that death is a natural process to life, but if you believe in God and know your Bible, then you know that death was never part of the original plan. Death, therefore, is unnatural. You can feel it when you lose someone. Yes, we who believe know we will see our loved ones again, but that doesn’t change the fact that you can feel the loss deeply every single day and it feels wrong. Loss and grief gut you, but you’re just supposed to move on like nothing has happened. People expect, no demand, you move on before you are ever ready. It’s awful. I really appreciate Ladd’s conversation on this topic, and felt it added such depth and complexity to this story.
The Cloverton Charade is a wonderful story. I’m so glad I spent time in this world with these characters. Journeying with Olivia and Lucas through mystery, intrigue, grief, and romance was quite fun and enjoyable. If you’re a fan of excellently crafted Regency Romances then you will not want to miss out on this story when it releases in September. Purchase yourself a copy today. You won’t be sorry you did!
I received a copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, Thomas Nelson Fiction, via NetGalley, in order to review. I am under no obligation to leave a positive review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.