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Along Came a Soldier
When murder stalks St. Merryn, no secrets are safe…
A forbidden romance…
Set in 1820 Cornwall, Charity Perrow lives a sheltered life in the village of St. Merryn. When she meets and falls for Jethro Ennor, they soon learn their families are bitter enemies, and Charity finds herself torn between remaining loyal to her family and giving into her growing desire for a man they hate.
A village with hidden secrets…
A battle-scarred redcoat is lurking In Greenoak Woods. Struggling to keep his grip on sanity, he’s come home to settle the score with those responsible for the heavy burden he’s been carrying all these years.
An innocent man accused…
When a villager is murdered, the suspicion falls on Jethro. Now Charity must risk everything, including being disowned by her family, to prove his innocence and save him from the gallows.
But as Charity hunts for the truth, she begins to uncover secrets over a decade old—secrets that will change everything.
A forbidden romance…
Set in 1820 Cornwall, Charity Perrow lives a sheltered life in the village of St. Merryn. When she meets and falls for Jethro Ennor, they soon learn their families are bitter enemies, and Charity finds herself torn between remaining loyal to her family and giving into her growing desire for a man they hate.
A village with hidden secrets…
A battle-scarred redcoat is lurking In Greenoak Woods. Struggling to keep his grip on sanity, he’s come home to settle the score with those responsible for the heavy burden he’s been carrying all these years.
An innocent man accused…
When a villager is murdered, the suspicion falls on Jethro. Now Charity must risk everything, including being disowned by her family, to prove his innocence and save him from the gallows.
But as Charity hunts for the truth, she begins to uncover secrets over a decade old—secrets that will change everything.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 14, 2020
1 person is currently reading
19 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 31, 2020
Forbidden love. A Romeo and Juliet set of circumstances. Can these star-crossed lovers ever find happiness? Charity’s mother was murdered in their village, the killer never caught. Jethro’s father is a terrible drunk and was accused of the murder. Charity and Jethro wind up falling for one another. (LOL that first kiss.) As this novel set in early 1800s Cornwall opens, we’re introduced to the hardships of life. Infected wounds. Shunnings by the village for crimes your family members may or may not have committed. 19th century understanding of differences (I had to feel for Charity’s younger brother and the scene with the rabbits—I would not have done well in that time period), attitudes towards things like women working outside the home, and having agency. Fun times!
One thing I like that the book examines is the way that people in this time period were often trapped by their circumstances—by lack of funds to pay rent, by being female, by a drunk, violent parent, by the condemnation of the villagers for something you may not have done, by the trauma of war. Of course, these issues are still present today, and in the 1800s, with fewer support systems in place they probably felt even more bleak.
This is my second book by Brenda Davies, and just like the first, what I adored about it most of all were the vivid descriptions. We had various medical treatments—some performed skillfully by Grace the Bonesetter (still my favorite—she comes off the page with such clarity you expect her to walk right through your door) like a dislocated shoulder set back into place and others… well, I’ll let you use your imagination. Let’s just say this was not a good time for hygiene and maggots. Oy! Breathtaking descriptions of flowers, bluebells and mushrooms. I loved the early 1800s Cornwall setting and the cast of characters that stayed with you long after you reached the last page. Charity and Jethro. Thomas and Joe. Henry. Grace the Bonesetter. Each one is fleshed out vividly and has their own interesting backstory. This had quite a few surprises in store, some steamy scenes as the slow-burn romance picked up speed, and a killer lurking in Greenoak Woods. Another delightful tale!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author.
Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.
One thing I like that the book examines is the way that people in this time period were often trapped by their circumstances—by lack of funds to pay rent, by being female, by a drunk, violent parent, by the condemnation of the villagers for something you may not have done, by the trauma of war. Of course, these issues are still present today, and in the 1800s, with fewer support systems in place they probably felt even more bleak.
This is my second book by Brenda Davies, and just like the first, what I adored about it most of all were the vivid descriptions. We had various medical treatments—some performed skillfully by Grace the Bonesetter (still my favorite—she comes off the page with such clarity you expect her to walk right through your door) like a dislocated shoulder set back into place and others… well, I’ll let you use your imagination. Let’s just say this was not a good time for hygiene and maggots. Oy! Breathtaking descriptions of flowers, bluebells and mushrooms. I loved the early 1800s Cornwall setting and the cast of characters that stayed with you long after you reached the last page. Charity and Jethro. Thomas and Joe. Henry. Grace the Bonesetter. Each one is fleshed out vividly and has their own interesting backstory. This had quite a few surprises in store, some steamy scenes as the slow-burn romance picked up speed, and a killer lurking in Greenoak Woods. Another delightful tale!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author.
Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.
April 19, 2020
I received this book from LibraryThing in exchange for a review here and on my blog Samwise Reviews. This was not my cup of tea. It had a lot of potential and I liked the idea, but I did not like the story. I found everything really harsh, from the graphic scenes to the characters themselves. I found some of them a bit unecessary and the plot didn't always make sense to me. I don't regret giving it a chance, it just didn't end up being my thing. This did fit the "Title Beginning With A" part of my 2020 reading challenge though.
May 16, 2020
I’m a little bit lost as to what genre, exactly, this book is supposed to fit in. While there’s a central thread of a romance between Charity and Jethro, the book is way too gory to appeal to readers of historical romance. The absolutely horrific, and far too graphically described, death of a child frankly puts it squarely into horror, for me. In fact, considering the number of murders committed by a single perpetrator, I reckon it’s actually historical serial killer fiction, but with regular folks figuring out the mystery rather than agents or the police.
Set in Cornwall a few years after the Battle of Waterloo, most of the characters we meet are residents of two villages, St. Merryn and Penrose. Young farrier Jethro and maid Charity are caught up in a violent web of lies when returning soldier Harry begins a violent campaign against those who wronged him before he went away to war.
There are quite a few deaths in this book, and every one of them is nothing less than horrible. There’s also plenty of violence - Jethro’s father is a brute - a sexual predator who targets Charity, and a lot of gore. I was put in mind of the Thomas Hobbes quote about the life of man being ‘nasty, brutish and short’. If you’ve got a strong stomach (Gangrene! Maggots! Bleurgh!) then you might enjoy this as the rare historical fiction which features entirely the lives of the ‘common man’ rather than the aristocracy, but for me, it was just way too gory. Three stars.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this title via NetGalley and Rachel’s Random Resources.
Set in Cornwall a few years after the Battle of Waterloo, most of the characters we meet are residents of two villages, St. Merryn and Penrose. Young farrier Jethro and maid Charity are caught up in a violent web of lies when returning soldier Harry begins a violent campaign against those who wronged him before he went away to war.
There are quite a few deaths in this book, and every one of them is nothing less than horrible. There’s also plenty of violence - Jethro’s father is a brute - a sexual predator who targets Charity, and a lot of gore. I was put in mind of the Thomas Hobbes quote about the life of man being ‘nasty, brutish and short’. If you’ve got a strong stomach (Gangrene! Maggots! Bleurgh!) then you might enjoy this as the rare historical fiction which features entirely the lives of the ‘common man’ rather than the aristocracy, but for me, it was just way too gory. Three stars.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this title via NetGalley and Rachel’s Random Resources.
May 20, 2020
I read this book for a blog tour, so thank you to the blog tour organiser and the author for inviting me to take part in this tour and for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I really love historical fiction, and I was very eager to pick this book up once I read the synopsis. I've never read a book that goes back so far in time and I have to say that this was my favourite part of the story. The 1820s setting in Cornwall was really intriguing and overall very well executed even though I thought that descriptions of the villages of Penrose and St Merryn were a bit lacking compared to the profuse description of the woods between the towns.
The main characters were well fleshed out, as was Grace, but I would have liked a bit more detail and information about Joe and William because they were both very important to the whole plot and I thought that their diversity and the rep surrounding them was very well done. I loved Charity and Jethro's relationship, I was rooting for them the whole way. I did find Henry to be a very vague character, but this ended up being to the advantage of the story and I liked how he was portrayed. I did struggle to connect to the characters at time but I think that was due to the third-person narrative that I'm generally not a fan of.
The plot was so interesting though and I really loved the romance and mystery elements that were linked with the daily lives of the characters. The writing style was really fluid and managed to captivate me throughout and I ended up really enjoying this book. I would definitely recommend to any historical fiction fans, I loved the ending and it all seemed very well executed and plausible.
I really love historical fiction, and I was very eager to pick this book up once I read the synopsis. I've never read a book that goes back so far in time and I have to say that this was my favourite part of the story. The 1820s setting in Cornwall was really intriguing and overall very well executed even though I thought that descriptions of the villages of Penrose and St Merryn were a bit lacking compared to the profuse description of the woods between the towns.
The main characters were well fleshed out, as was Grace, but I would have liked a bit more detail and information about Joe and William because they were both very important to the whole plot and I thought that their diversity and the rep surrounding them was very well done. I loved Charity and Jethro's relationship, I was rooting for them the whole way. I did find Henry to be a very vague character, but this ended up being to the advantage of the story and I liked how he was portrayed. I did struggle to connect to the characters at time but I think that was due to the third-person narrative that I'm generally not a fan of.
The plot was so interesting though and I really loved the romance and mystery elements that were linked with the daily lives of the characters. The writing style was really fluid and managed to captivate me throughout and I ended up really enjoying this book. I would definitely recommend to any historical fiction fans, I loved the ending and it all seemed very well executed and plausible.
June 7, 2020
Well, well, well, if it isn’t a gem in a sea of pebbles.
What a great read!
First, the writing. Brenda Davies is a wordsmith. She writes in a fast-paced fresh style. Short sentences. No boring descriptions that put you to sleep. Entertaining. The body language of people, the nature, the objects, the colors—you feel, taste, and smell things when you read the book. What a breath of fresh air!
The brutal, bloody, sometimes horrific scenes definitely give the book an edge. Though, sometimes hard to read, they make the story come alive in an interesting way. What imagination! What a brilliant mind!
And the fight scenes—what a crafty way to write descriptions. Usually not my cup of tea, I did enjoy them in the book. The ‘maypole’ scene reminded me of “Peaky Blinders.” And the fight scene with the father—well, brutality does make this book very memorable.
The love story… Soft. Sensitive. Right from the start, the characters are quite brave in confessing their feelings and deep thoughts. Their reactions—not forced, not delayed, though at times maybe a bit naive and too easy.
I liked the twist in the end, though I would really like to know the grandmother’s secret)) Great book, vivid characters. But out of all of them, I think I’ve become a fan of the bonesetter, “nothing wrong with a bit of fat” Grace. Loved her. Loved the book.
What a great read!
First, the writing. Brenda Davies is a wordsmith. She writes in a fast-paced fresh style. Short sentences. No boring descriptions that put you to sleep. Entertaining. The body language of people, the nature, the objects, the colors—you feel, taste, and smell things when you read the book. What a breath of fresh air!
The brutal, bloody, sometimes horrific scenes definitely give the book an edge. Though, sometimes hard to read, they make the story come alive in an interesting way. What imagination! What a brilliant mind!
And the fight scenes—what a crafty way to write descriptions. Usually not my cup of tea, I did enjoy them in the book. The ‘maypole’ scene reminded me of “Peaky Blinders.” And the fight scene with the father—well, brutality does make this book very memorable.
The love story… Soft. Sensitive. Right from the start, the characters are quite brave in confessing their feelings and deep thoughts. Their reactions—not forced, not delayed, though at times maybe a bit naive and too easy.
I liked the twist in the end, though I would really like to know the grandmother’s secret)) Great book, vivid characters. But out of all of them, I think I’ve become a fan of the bonesetter, “nothing wrong with a bit of fat” Grace. Loved her. Loved the book.
April 27, 2020
This is a dark book set in 1820 Cornwell. At it's center are Charity a young women whose mother has mysteriously died, Henry a solider who has come back for revenge, and Jethro who Charity falls in love, but who, for some reason her family despises. Along Came a Soldier is a fast-passed thriller in a unique time period. I did want to know more about Henry's background. At first I felt his revenge was just about boyhood pranks, but the secret was that it was something much deeper- I appreciated the unexpected twist. A piece that left me confused was Charity's brother, Joe. It appeared he had some form of autism, but for me that did not add anything to the story. The relationship between Jethro could have used some further development as well. The ending was well written and suspenseful. If you enjoy murder mysteries, historical fiction, and a good love story I would recommend this book.
June 26, 2020
A murder rocks colonial England in Brenda Davies’ Along Came a Soldier! After a mysterious death, Charity Perrow must search for answers in order to save the life of a man who has been falsely accused. Davies masterfully mixes in suspense, intrigue, and romance into this atmospheric period piece! The characters are addicting as they’re very alive and palpable, and the mystery offers some genuine surprises! If you love early 1800s England or mysteries with vibrant characters, definitely check this one out!
May 16, 2020
Along Came a Soldier is the historical fiction novel, set in 1820 Cornwall, and tells the story of Charity – who after her mother dies, becomes the homemaker for her family. Her father is unwell, and her brother is the only one bringing in an income. Life is hard, and there’s not enough to go around. They have to decide between paying for their dad’s medication and the rent… and if they make the wrong choice, someone will suffer. Even though this is set in the past, there are timeless issues, making this very relatable. Add in a forbidden romance, forced to be kept a secret due to family feuds, and we have a lot of tension right from the beginning.
Written in 3rd person, with multiple narrators, this book is a bit of a slow burn in that its pacing is carefully calculated, but everything given turns the temperature up, until it starts to boil over. We see this especially in Henry, the soldier’s story. He returns to his childhood home fifteen years after joining the army and has severe PTSD. He’s hallucinating, and in his first chapter we watch him cut his own finger off. He’s suffering, but due to fear of being frog marched back to the military, remains just outside the town. It’s heartbreaking, but immediately creates a level of horror that shows how fearless the author is. We also see this in Jethro’s arc. The first time we meet him, his drunk father strangles him until he blacks out, to assert dominance, and then when he wakes up, Jethro goes to terrorize Charity’s town. He attacks someone and funnels his anger into those who have actively done nothing to him, but now despise him. Everything against him is due to his father, but through actions, others believe the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Again, heartbreaking. Throughout this novel we see spirals, and people who feel helpless through situation, but slowly try to better themselves, despite the world they live in. If this is the story of the dark side of life, its also a tale of hope, and of love, making it uplifting just as much as it’s dismal. I adored this juxtaposition, and it made me fall for the story very quickly. In her first chapter, I felt for Charity, and was reminded of another novel I’ve read recently where the MC felt stuck due to needing to support his family. He wanted his own life, but also didn’t want to let anyone down… I feel Charity is in this same difficult spot. In her second chapter, where she’s speaking to her 18-year-old brother who is presented as being young for his age, I felt even worse for her. He begs her to promise that if she ever leaves, she’ll take him with her, concreting her position. In Jethro’s first chapter, as I said, he’s assaulted, and then attacks someone else. Before all of that, he was thinking about having to wait three years until he can escape with his brother. He doesn’t think he’ll make it that long but must. Again, feelings of being trapped, alone, and responsible. Henry, on the other hand, isn’t necessarily trapped by society. He is, in that he’s bound to the army, but his prison is his own head. He’s a very sick man, who runs to the last place he felt safe, but life moved on without him. In a parallel to something people even experience today when they’ve gone through something soul destroying and life changing, the world doesn’t know how to empathize with them, and they don’t know how to slot back in. It’s tough, as often they’re victims, but in 1820, mental illness wasn’t understood, so no help was available. Today, he’d get the care he needs, but those social issues would still be there. Again, feelings of helplessness, isolation, and no foreseeable change. It’s hard, uncomfortable, and forces the reader to look at the underbelly of life, before glimmers of good can shine in. By also creating relatability, the reader can immediately have character investment begin to grow. I’ve only mentioned four chapters, and it was from then I truly needed every single person to succeed. To create those feelings so rapidly shows skill, and to continue the arcs in appealing, satisfying ways highlights the careful, well crafted planning that’s gone into this novel. The trifecta is the background. The historical aspects are wonderfully researched, presented, and allow the reader to become fully engrossed. I loved the storytelling, and the more I read, the more I adore stunning historical fictions. This is one of them. Add mental health, one of my top subjects, and you have something I feel is magical.
Of course, this is also a love story, and one of family dynamics, and being more than our lots in life. It’s full of hope, even in despair, and as I said, is exquisitely satisfying in its delivery. If you enjoy a story that’ll break your heart, and then piece it back together, then this is a book for you. Equally, if you love forbidden romances, this is a fantastic example of it done right, and not relying on unhealthy relationships to get the story across. Thirdly, fans of great historical novels, totally in their setting, and presented beautifully, will totally fall for this.
I read this novel pretty slowly for me, relishing in its delivery. I think I took a few days, starting and stopping, really taking my time. It’s an emotionally intense novel, showing all these versions of loneliness, but it’s also light, and I felt good after my time with it. It’s not a heavy novel per say, but not afraid to be ugly when necessary. It’s a wonderful mix, and truthfully, I’d happily reread this. If that’s not a reason to check this out, I don’t know what is.
All in all, Along Came A Soldier is the story of becoming more than what life has given you and working to change opinions. It’s about life, about existing, and shows that no matter when something is set, the human mind and all we go through, is beyond time. A great novel, and one I highly recommend you add to your TBR.
Written in 3rd person, with multiple narrators, this book is a bit of a slow burn in that its pacing is carefully calculated, but everything given turns the temperature up, until it starts to boil over. We see this especially in Henry, the soldier’s story. He returns to his childhood home fifteen years after joining the army and has severe PTSD. He’s hallucinating, and in his first chapter we watch him cut his own finger off. He’s suffering, but due to fear of being frog marched back to the military, remains just outside the town. It’s heartbreaking, but immediately creates a level of horror that shows how fearless the author is. We also see this in Jethro’s arc. The first time we meet him, his drunk father strangles him until he blacks out, to assert dominance, and then when he wakes up, Jethro goes to terrorize Charity’s town. He attacks someone and funnels his anger into those who have actively done nothing to him, but now despise him. Everything against him is due to his father, but through actions, others believe the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Again, heartbreaking. Throughout this novel we see spirals, and people who feel helpless through situation, but slowly try to better themselves, despite the world they live in. If this is the story of the dark side of life, its also a tale of hope, and of love, making it uplifting just as much as it’s dismal. I adored this juxtaposition, and it made me fall for the story very quickly. In her first chapter, I felt for Charity, and was reminded of another novel I’ve read recently where the MC felt stuck due to needing to support his family. He wanted his own life, but also didn’t want to let anyone down… I feel Charity is in this same difficult spot. In her second chapter, where she’s speaking to her 18-year-old brother who is presented as being young for his age, I felt even worse for her. He begs her to promise that if she ever leaves, she’ll take him with her, concreting her position. In Jethro’s first chapter, as I said, he’s assaulted, and then attacks someone else. Before all of that, he was thinking about having to wait three years until he can escape with his brother. He doesn’t think he’ll make it that long but must. Again, feelings of being trapped, alone, and responsible. Henry, on the other hand, isn’t necessarily trapped by society. He is, in that he’s bound to the army, but his prison is his own head. He’s a very sick man, who runs to the last place he felt safe, but life moved on without him. In a parallel to something people even experience today when they’ve gone through something soul destroying and life changing, the world doesn’t know how to empathize with them, and they don’t know how to slot back in. It’s tough, as often they’re victims, but in 1820, mental illness wasn’t understood, so no help was available. Today, he’d get the care he needs, but those social issues would still be there. Again, feelings of helplessness, isolation, and no foreseeable change. It’s hard, uncomfortable, and forces the reader to look at the underbelly of life, before glimmers of good can shine in. By also creating relatability, the reader can immediately have character investment begin to grow. I’ve only mentioned four chapters, and it was from then I truly needed every single person to succeed. To create those feelings so rapidly shows skill, and to continue the arcs in appealing, satisfying ways highlights the careful, well crafted planning that’s gone into this novel. The trifecta is the background. The historical aspects are wonderfully researched, presented, and allow the reader to become fully engrossed. I loved the storytelling, and the more I read, the more I adore stunning historical fictions. This is one of them. Add mental health, one of my top subjects, and you have something I feel is magical.
Of course, this is also a love story, and one of family dynamics, and being more than our lots in life. It’s full of hope, even in despair, and as I said, is exquisitely satisfying in its delivery. If you enjoy a story that’ll break your heart, and then piece it back together, then this is a book for you. Equally, if you love forbidden romances, this is a fantastic example of it done right, and not relying on unhealthy relationships to get the story across. Thirdly, fans of great historical novels, totally in their setting, and presented beautifully, will totally fall for this.
I read this novel pretty slowly for me, relishing in its delivery. I think I took a few days, starting and stopping, really taking my time. It’s an emotionally intense novel, showing all these versions of loneliness, but it’s also light, and I felt good after my time with it. It’s not a heavy novel per say, but not afraid to be ugly when necessary. It’s a wonderful mix, and truthfully, I’d happily reread this. If that’s not a reason to check this out, I don’t know what is.
All in all, Along Came A Soldier is the story of becoming more than what life has given you and working to change opinions. It’s about life, about existing, and shows that no matter when something is set, the human mind and all we go through, is beyond time. A great novel, and one I highly recommend you add to your TBR.
June 19, 2020
My knowledge around books set in Cornwall comes with some pretty basic prejudices, unfortunately. This (I think) is caused by family holidays as a child, where I would often see people reading generic romance stories with covers that depicted bright blue skies and cartoonish yellow sands. As such, I probably would have overlooked this book because of where it is set, but I am so glad that I didn’t - Along Came a Soldier by Brenda Davies is a spectacular read.
This book is a grim depiction of rural England in the nineteenth century. It is not sugar-coated in any way, but is instead filled with the troubles that faced people of this era. The two villages in which the book is set are rife with small-minded social injustice, as well as poverty, addiction, disease, and conflict. These dilemmas drive the narrative at a very good pace, and the characters that we encounter seem to genuinely react to the complexities and situations they find themselves in. Everybody here feels like they are in the right place - Jethro, Grace, Charity, Henry, Joe - they are all diverse and complex, and they breath such life into this work.
On opening the book, I was struck by how Davies structured the upcoming conflict. We see Charity first, happily engaging in her simple life, seemingly care-free, and then immediately after we see Henry, struggling with his mental state, self-harming in the woods. The contrast here was spectacular as I could feel that when these two seemingly incompatible worlds collided there was going to be something dramatic. From then on, Davies explores both sides, starting with Charity’s growing relationship with Jethro (from bitter enemies to lovers), to how Henry moves around the village, getting his revenge on those who had betrayed him prior to the war. The tension is maintained until half-way through the book, and when these worlds do collide it is fantastic to read. I must say I am a sucker for a courtroom drama and I loved Jethro’s trial and subsequent imprisonment.
This here was the moment when the novel shone for me: I was filled with so much dread for Jethro. Jethro starts out as a rough-and-ready but kind-hearted and misunderstood character, and he develops so much from Charity’s influence that I was worried about his fate. This alone drove me to read until the very end, however, combined with the sub-plot around Joe’s autism and the struggles of people to accept him, there were so many other strands of this tale that I cared about them all deeply. The storytelling is captivating and I feel that Davies has to be credited for her writing talents and plot structure.
Any flaws I could find are minor. Sometimes, maybe, there were too many unneeded character actions (i.e. leaning in, taking a breath etc.) but this is a trivial complaint that didn’t affect my enjoyment of this book. In the end, I got the closure I wanted from this book, and I am delighted with that fact.
Along Came a Soldier is something I would recommend to anyone who enjoys gritty historical fiction (my preferred genre). I cannot praise it highly enough.
This book is a grim depiction of rural England in the nineteenth century. It is not sugar-coated in any way, but is instead filled with the troubles that faced people of this era. The two villages in which the book is set are rife with small-minded social injustice, as well as poverty, addiction, disease, and conflict. These dilemmas drive the narrative at a very good pace, and the characters that we encounter seem to genuinely react to the complexities and situations they find themselves in. Everybody here feels like they are in the right place - Jethro, Grace, Charity, Henry, Joe - they are all diverse and complex, and they breath such life into this work.
On opening the book, I was struck by how Davies structured the upcoming conflict. We see Charity first, happily engaging in her simple life, seemingly care-free, and then immediately after we see Henry, struggling with his mental state, self-harming in the woods. The contrast here was spectacular as I could feel that when these two seemingly incompatible worlds collided there was going to be something dramatic. From then on, Davies explores both sides, starting with Charity’s growing relationship with Jethro (from bitter enemies to lovers), to how Henry moves around the village, getting his revenge on those who had betrayed him prior to the war. The tension is maintained until half-way through the book, and when these worlds do collide it is fantastic to read. I must say I am a sucker for a courtroom drama and I loved Jethro’s trial and subsequent imprisonment.
This here was the moment when the novel shone for me: I was filled with so much dread for Jethro. Jethro starts out as a rough-and-ready but kind-hearted and misunderstood character, and he develops so much from Charity’s influence that I was worried about his fate. This alone drove me to read until the very end, however, combined with the sub-plot around Joe’s autism and the struggles of people to accept him, there were so many other strands of this tale that I cared about them all deeply. The storytelling is captivating and I feel that Davies has to be credited for her writing talents and plot structure.
Any flaws I could find are minor. Sometimes, maybe, there were too many unneeded character actions (i.e. leaning in, taking a breath etc.) but this is a trivial complaint that didn’t affect my enjoyment of this book. In the end, I got the closure I wanted from this book, and I am delighted with that fact.
Along Came a Soldier is something I would recommend to anyone who enjoys gritty historical fiction (my preferred genre). I cannot praise it highly enough.
July 29, 2020
I received “Along Came a Solider” by Brenda Davis from LibraryThing’s Early Reviewers program. This review does contain some spoilers.
The book is set in 1820s St. Merryn and the Village of Penrose in Cornwall, England, with a few flashbacks approximately 12 years prior. We primarily follow a series of characters:
-Grace, a bonesetter and go to medical specialists;
-Charity, a young woman overwhelmed with her current existence as being the sole caretaker of her brothers and father;
-Jethro Ennor, a rebellious young man from Penrose who suffered from continuous physical abuse from his father; and
-finally, Henry, a rogue solider with mental instability and near death, but determined on getting revenge for past misdeeds.
When I first started reading the novel, the actual plot was not clear. You were mostly just following the separate lives of these characters until they start to interweave together. As romance blossoms, murders occur, and an investigation begins the plot becomes clearer. I would categorize this novel as a historical fiction/general fiction, even though it has mystery components. I would not categorize it as a mystery, simply because the reader is already aware of who the murderer is, taking away that suspense. I would like to see if the author continues the story, even if just a sequel as there were too many loose ends. For example, what happens to Grace’s assumed secret love interest William, who was classified as a changeling to avoid execution.
I did enjoy the author’s psychological observations of the characters and their physical and social environments. The locations can be considered low class and closed off from others, so the reader gets insights on the social environment, education, and thought processes of the time. While I found this book interesting and frustrating due to lack of closure, it was very slow moving and detailed in character thought processes. This book may not be for those who want an exciting historical fiction.
The book is set in 1820s St. Merryn and the Village of Penrose in Cornwall, England, with a few flashbacks approximately 12 years prior. We primarily follow a series of characters:
-Grace, a bonesetter and go to medical specialists;
-Charity, a young woman overwhelmed with her current existence as being the sole caretaker of her brothers and father;
-Jethro Ennor, a rebellious young man from Penrose who suffered from continuous physical abuse from his father; and
-finally, Henry, a rogue solider with mental instability and near death, but determined on getting revenge for past misdeeds.
When I first started reading the novel, the actual plot was not clear. You were mostly just following the separate lives of these characters until they start to interweave together. As romance blossoms, murders occur, and an investigation begins the plot becomes clearer. I would categorize this novel as a historical fiction/general fiction, even though it has mystery components. I would not categorize it as a mystery, simply because the reader is already aware of who the murderer is, taking away that suspense. I would like to see if the author continues the story, even if just a sequel as there were too many loose ends. For example, what happens to Grace’s assumed secret love interest William, who was classified as a changeling to avoid execution.
I did enjoy the author’s psychological observations of the characters and their physical and social environments. The locations can be considered low class and closed off from others, so the reader gets insights on the social environment, education, and thought processes of the time. While I found this book interesting and frustrating due to lack of closure, it was very slow moving and detailed in character thought processes. This book may not be for those who want an exciting historical fiction.
August 14, 2020
Along Came a Soldier is a work of historical fiction, set in Cornwall in the early 1800s, and the story offers a bit of everything. There’s forbidden romance and town rivalries. The thrill of adolescence and learning about oneself. There’s also addiction, abuse, gruesome murders, and self-mutilation. Some scenes were hard to stomach, but I admire the author’s guts in not shying away from the ugly.
In contrast to the sometimes disturbing storyline, the scene setting is enchanting and the story opens beautifully. “From the open doorway of her father’s cottage, Charity Perrow could see the whole of the village square. A few old men slumped in rickety chairs outside whitewashed cottages. A group of women gossiped in a huddle by the water pump, one eye on their barefoot babies playing in the dirt.” Not only an engaging start to the book, but the vivid prose continues throughout the story.
I found the romance between the angelic Charity and bad boy Jethro (the oldest son of her family’s enemies) a bit too stereotypical. And you know from the moment there’s a murder, he will be the one that gets blamed. Still, a very enjoyable read.
I would have liked further explanation about Joe and Henry because at times their behavior felt a bit forced or flat. Perhaps a conversation between others that gives a bit more info about Henry’s backstory. Or a conversation between Joe and Henry in the woods would have been fantastic. Grace (the bonesetter and a no nonsense woman) is by far my favorite character. As is the batty grandmother, though I would love to have heard more about her secrets as well.
IMO, the story was strong, a definite 5 stars up until Jethro was arrested. But I felt that once we hit this point, there were too many excess details and characters and entire scenes in the story that weren’t needed. For me, all these details just crushed the momentum.
The twist at the end was completely unpredictably, but after finishing the book I could see how the author set up clues for the reader. All in, a great read.
In contrast to the sometimes disturbing storyline, the scene setting is enchanting and the story opens beautifully. “From the open doorway of her father’s cottage, Charity Perrow could see the whole of the village square. A few old men slumped in rickety chairs outside whitewashed cottages. A group of women gossiped in a huddle by the water pump, one eye on their barefoot babies playing in the dirt.” Not only an engaging start to the book, but the vivid prose continues throughout the story.
I found the romance between the angelic Charity and bad boy Jethro (the oldest son of her family’s enemies) a bit too stereotypical. And you know from the moment there’s a murder, he will be the one that gets blamed. Still, a very enjoyable read.
I would have liked further explanation about Joe and Henry because at times their behavior felt a bit forced or flat. Perhaps a conversation between others that gives a bit more info about Henry’s backstory. Or a conversation between Joe and Henry in the woods would have been fantastic. Grace (the bonesetter and a no nonsense woman) is by far my favorite character. As is the batty grandmother, though I would love to have heard more about her secrets as well.
IMO, the story was strong, a definite 5 stars up until Jethro was arrested. But I felt that once we hit this point, there were too many excess details and characters and entire scenes in the story that weren’t needed. For me, all these details just crushed the momentum.
The twist at the end was completely unpredictably, but after finishing the book I could see how the author set up clues for the reader. All in, a great read.
May 20, 2020
Along Came a Soldier, set in Cornwall in 1820, is about Charity Perrow, a young lady who takes care of her ailing father and her two brothers, and Jethro Ennor, a young man who is reckless and wild and misunderstood. The Perrow family and the Ennor family hate each other, as the Perrow family blames the death of Mrs. Perrow on Mr. Ennor. But Charity and Jethro meet accidentally in the woods one day, neither knowing who the other is, and they form a bond. As their feelings for one another grow, they soon realize who the other actually is, at first believing that they cannot be together because of their families’ hatred, but then deciding that they must be together regardless of what their families think. As their love story is unfolding, also lurking in the woods is a soldier, Henry Blight, who is mentally unstable due to what he’s experienced in war. He has returned from war to avenge a crime that happened 15 years ago. But when one of Henry’s acts of vengeance gets pinned on Jethro, Charity must find out the truth to save Jethro from execution.
Overall, I enjoyed Along Came a Soldier. I thought the story line was intriguing, not predictable. I liked the way Charity understood Jethro, seeing that his recklessness stemmed from the abuse he suffered at his father’s hands and that he really just needed someone to show him some love. And I liked the mystery that was interwoven throughout the story. There were a few things I could have done without in this book. The sexuality was a little much for me, and although there aren’t a ton of bad words in the book, there are several uses of very strong language. Some of the descriptions were also quite gory and graphic. If you don’t mind those things, I think you’ll really enjoy this book. If you prefer more of a clean romance, this might not be for you.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Overall, I enjoyed Along Came a Soldier. I thought the story line was intriguing, not predictable. I liked the way Charity understood Jethro, seeing that his recklessness stemmed from the abuse he suffered at his father’s hands and that he really just needed someone to show him some love. And I liked the mystery that was interwoven throughout the story. There were a few things I could have done without in this book. The sexuality was a little much for me, and although there aren’t a ton of bad words in the book, there are several uses of very strong language. Some of the descriptions were also quite gory and graphic. If you don’t mind those things, I think you’ll really enjoy this book. If you prefer more of a clean romance, this might not be for you.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
June 18, 2020
I thought there was some good writing here, but it was struggling to salvage a second-rate book. The plot is a problem. I normally don’t care about plots, but this one was far too elaborated. The author tried to come up with a surprise ending but it was just a big muddle. Most of the characters are familiar types. Charity and Jethro are typical amiable and intelligent young lovers, except Jethro’s character is uneasily grafted onto that of a brutal fighter who’s quick with his fists. This type of character can work, but in this case I wasn’t convinced. A couple of the minor characters were interesting. One was the autistic boy Joe, and the other the albino William. Both of these showed some individuality and were well handled.
The author would have done better to omit the chapters from Henry Blight’s point of view. This character’s psychology was exactly the same as every other damaged person sinking into crazed delirium. It has been done better many times. Also, omitting these chapters would have made the deaths as they are discovered more mysterious and more menacing, and the ultimate revelation of his existence would have had more impact.
However, I do give the author credit for writing which effectively tells a story without drawing attention to itself; though she does have one annoying habit of ending her chapters with a sentence meant to remind the reader of what he has just read. Also, the editing was very clean. The problems that nagged at me would probably be invisible to most readers, who would likely find this a pleasant enough read. I would like to encourage the author to step outside of commercial conventions and try creating characters that are real people. Just because you’re writing a commonplace thriller doesn’t mean you can’t tell a true story.
The author would have done better to omit the chapters from Henry Blight’s point of view. This character’s psychology was exactly the same as every other damaged person sinking into crazed delirium. It has been done better many times. Also, omitting these chapters would have made the deaths as they are discovered more mysterious and more menacing, and the ultimate revelation of his existence would have had more impact.
However, I do give the author credit for writing which effectively tells a story without drawing attention to itself; though she does have one annoying habit of ending her chapters with a sentence meant to remind the reader of what he has just read. Also, the editing was very clean. The problems that nagged at me would probably be invisible to most readers, who would likely find this a pleasant enough read. I would like to encourage the author to step outside of commercial conventions and try creating characters that are real people. Just because you’re writing a commonplace thriller doesn’t mean you can’t tell a true story.
May 19, 2020
Along Came a Soldier by Brenda Davies has all the ingredients that make a book one of my favorites...romance, history, and mystery!!! I was completely enthralled from the very beginning!
Charity and Jethro meet by chance, not knowing their families have been enemies. However, when the heart is involved, things like old grudges don’t matter too much. Charity is a woman caught in a time where women’s opinions didn’t matter, and she was to obey her family. So, she is torn, but when Jethro is accused of murder, the decision is made for her. There is no way she can let him go to prison for a murder he didn’t commit.
Charity’s brother, Joe, the town bonesetter, Grace, and her friend, William, join together to prove his innocence. They will discover that their small village is full of deadly secrets. This crew of sleuths could have their very own series!!!
I know when I have discovered a talented writer when she makes me actually have some pity for the person who is supposed to be the evil one. I would never condone what he did, but I could understand what put him in that state of mind.
The forbidden romance was a part of the novel, but not the entirety of it. However, it is a romance that is both sweet and swoonworthy. Charity shows Jethro that she loves him for the person he is on the inside, not the perception of others. He shows her how to begin living her own life just for her which was not the norm in the 1820s.
If you are looking for a book that crosses several genres with elements of suspense, mystery, and some paranormal aspects, you can’t go wrong with this book. Brenda Davies blends all of them perfectly to make a fantastic read!!!!!
Charity and Jethro meet by chance, not knowing their families have been enemies. However, when the heart is involved, things like old grudges don’t matter too much. Charity is a woman caught in a time where women’s opinions didn’t matter, and she was to obey her family. So, she is torn, but when Jethro is accused of murder, the decision is made for her. There is no way she can let him go to prison for a murder he didn’t commit.
Charity’s brother, Joe, the town bonesetter, Grace, and her friend, William, join together to prove his innocence. They will discover that their small village is full of deadly secrets. This crew of sleuths could have their very own series!!!
I know when I have discovered a talented writer when she makes me actually have some pity for the person who is supposed to be the evil one. I would never condone what he did, but I could understand what put him in that state of mind.
The forbidden romance was a part of the novel, but not the entirety of it. However, it is a romance that is both sweet and swoonworthy. Charity shows Jethro that she loves him for the person he is on the inside, not the perception of others. He shows her how to begin living her own life just for her which was not the norm in the 1820s.
If you are looking for a book that crosses several genres with elements of suspense, mystery, and some paranormal aspects, you can’t go wrong with this book. Brenda Davies blends all of them perfectly to make a fantastic read!!!!!
June 1, 2020
Two small villages in Cornwall, 1820 have been feuding for years after the murder of Charity Perrow's mother. Jethro Ennor's father was accused but acquitted of the crime. Now, Charity takes care of her father and brothers, but feels trapped in her home. Jethro is a farrier who desperately wants to leave his violent and drunk father, but needs to wait until his little brother is of age. While roaming the woods collecting mushroom for the town bonesetter, Charity and Jethro meet without knowing who the other is. Even after they find out, Charity and Jethro can't stay away from one another. However, another danger lurks in the woods. Henry Blight, a returned soldier from Waterloo has come back to seek revenge against those who made him commit an unspeakable act years ago.
Along Came A Soldier is a complex and intriguing historical murder mystery paired with romantic suspense. The characters were interesting and caught my attention early along with the tensions between the two towns. Charity is caring and adventurous. Jethro is impulsive and rough around the edges. Together, Charity and Jethro make a perfect pair. Henry is haunted, showing signs of what we would call PTSD, but still wanted to right his wrong from the past making him a sympathetic villain. I also loved Grace's knowledgeable, meddling and well-meaning character, although I don't know why her boobs had to be described every time she moved. The mystery also pulled me along, though I had the gist of it pretty early, element were added to the very end for an unexpected and satisfying ending.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
Along Came A Soldier is a complex and intriguing historical murder mystery paired with romantic suspense. The characters were interesting and caught my attention early along with the tensions between the two towns. Charity is caring and adventurous. Jethro is impulsive and rough around the edges. Together, Charity and Jethro make a perfect pair. Henry is haunted, showing signs of what we would call PTSD, but still wanted to right his wrong from the past making him a sympathetic villain. I also loved Grace's knowledgeable, meddling and well-meaning character, although I don't know why her boobs had to be described every time she moved. The mystery also pulled me along, though I had the gist of it pretty early, element were added to the very end for an unexpected and satisfying ending.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
April 2, 2020
Along Came a Soldier by Brenda Davies
2.5/5 rating
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From the description:
A forbidden romance..
A village with hidden secrets..
An innocent man accused.. Set in 1820 Cornwall
Charity and Jethro fall in love, but their families are bitter enemies.
A redcoat comes back to town for revenge on the people responsible for the heavy burden he has been carrying around.
When a villager is murdered, Jethro is arrested. Charity must prove his innocence and save him from the gallows.
I thought this had everything I would want in a novel. Mystery, romance, and suspense. However, this fell flat for me. I felt like there was no character developement and the story was very rough. The romance wasn't that believable, within a few pages it went from the girl not wanting anything to do with the boy, to her not able to live without him. I know there are quick romances out there but the way this was done didn't work, in my opinion. The only thing that pushed me through was the bad guy and wanting to find out what was going to happen to him. Which ended up being very anticlimactic. This was just not for me. I hope someone does enjoy it.
Warning this story can be gory and also contains abuse.
I would like to thank Netgalley and BHC press for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
2.5/5 rating
〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️
From the description:
A forbidden romance..
A village with hidden secrets..
An innocent man accused.. Set in 1820 Cornwall
Charity and Jethro fall in love, but their families are bitter enemies.
A redcoat comes back to town for revenge on the people responsible for the heavy burden he has been carrying around.
When a villager is murdered, Jethro is arrested. Charity must prove his innocence and save him from the gallows.
I thought this had everything I would want in a novel. Mystery, romance, and suspense. However, this fell flat for me. I felt like there was no character developement and the story was very rough. The romance wasn't that believable, within a few pages it went from the girl not wanting anything to do with the boy, to her not able to live without him. I know there are quick romances out there but the way this was done didn't work, in my opinion. The only thing that pushed me through was the bad guy and wanting to find out what was going to happen to him. Which ended up being very anticlimactic. This was just not for me. I hope someone does enjoy it.
Warning this story can be gory and also contains abuse.
I would like to thank Netgalley and BHC press for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
June 28, 2020
“When murder stalks St. Merryn, no secrets are safe”
This story of murder, family and village secrets and a forbidden romance is set in Cornwall in 1820. Charity Perrow has lived a sheltered life in the village of St. Merryn but having met and fallen in love with Jethro Ennor, her life becomes more complicated as the couple discover that their families are bitter enemies. This causes Charity to be torn between remaining loyal to her family or giving into her feelings for Jethro and choosing him. Meanwhile in Greenoak Woods a battle-scarred redcoat is lurking and struggling to keep his grip on his sanity. The man has returned home hoping to settle the score with those responsible for the heavy burden he’s been keeping secret all these years. Then a villager is murdered and the villagers suspicions falls on Jethro. Charity risks everything, knowing that he is innocent and risks being disowned by her family to save him from the gallows. However, as Charity hunts for the truth, she begins to discover decade old secrets that will change everything.
This was a historical romance with added murder mystery and a touch of horror. The storyline had me gripped from page one and I felt immersed in 1820’s Cornwall due to the authors vivid descriptions of St. Merryn. An atmospheric read, it kept me turning the pages and I recommend this book to historical fiction/romance readers.
This story of murder, family and village secrets and a forbidden romance is set in Cornwall in 1820. Charity Perrow has lived a sheltered life in the village of St. Merryn but having met and fallen in love with Jethro Ennor, her life becomes more complicated as the couple discover that their families are bitter enemies. This causes Charity to be torn between remaining loyal to her family or giving into her feelings for Jethro and choosing him. Meanwhile in Greenoak Woods a battle-scarred redcoat is lurking and struggling to keep his grip on his sanity. The man has returned home hoping to settle the score with those responsible for the heavy burden he’s been keeping secret all these years. Then a villager is murdered and the villagers suspicions falls on Jethro. Charity risks everything, knowing that he is innocent and risks being disowned by her family to save him from the gallows. However, as Charity hunts for the truth, she begins to discover decade old secrets that will change everything.
This was a historical romance with added murder mystery and a touch of horror. The storyline had me gripped from page one and I felt immersed in 1820’s Cornwall due to the authors vivid descriptions of St. Merryn. An atmospheric read, it kept me turning the pages and I recommend this book to historical fiction/romance readers.
May 20, 2020
The author has written a fast paced book with a great twist at the end that I did not expect. Set in Cornwall in the 1920's, this book has families at war, love and romance, drama and murder all rolled up into one historical thriller.
I loved the characters, particularly Charity's brother, who is obviously suffering from autism or some such mental illness and it made me wonder just how difficult life would be for these people back then. Grace, the bonesetter, is another great character and brings the story together as she goes from village to village and house to house and knows and cares for the villagers there.
There were certainly some deaths in the book, however, it is clear the author has done her homework on this, as if you want to, you can find out that they are all things that happened back then. As the story of the soldier becomes clearer I found it hard not to sympathise with him and it was not the story I was expecting.
I particularly enjoyed the descriptive writing... we know Charity is clearly a beauty and Grace is easy to imagine.... but it was also the descriptive writing throughout the book I enjoyed, of the woods, the villages, the beach etc.
Excellent ending and well worth a read.
I loved the characters, particularly Charity's brother, who is obviously suffering from autism or some such mental illness and it made me wonder just how difficult life would be for these people back then. Grace, the bonesetter, is another great character and brings the story together as she goes from village to village and house to house and knows and cares for the villagers there.
There were certainly some deaths in the book, however, it is clear the author has done her homework on this, as if you want to, you can find out that they are all things that happened back then. As the story of the soldier becomes clearer I found it hard not to sympathise with him and it was not the story I was expecting.
I particularly enjoyed the descriptive writing... we know Charity is clearly a beauty and Grace is easy to imagine.... but it was also the descriptive writing throughout the book I enjoyed, of the woods, the villages, the beach etc.
Excellent ending and well worth a read.
March 1, 2020
Coming from cornwall, I love books about Cornwall and its rich history and this did not disappoint.
Set in 1820, when life was hard and a person could be hung just for stealing and people believed in witches and such things. Set in a small village, I could understand how rumours and beliefs start. The detail given to the settings is rich, the characters will captivate you and the plot will draw you in.
The book does cover violence and murder, but there is also love and friendship and understanding. I loved the main characters of Charity and Jethro and wanted them to succeed. And Henry was so sad, I suppose I should have disliked him, but i just couldn't do it. All the secondary characters were also brilliant, they all came alive in my imagination. I cried at the end, then I gasped, then I laughed.
If you love histrical fiction that brings the times alive and is honest and dark and tender, you'll love this.
Set in 1820, when life was hard and a person could be hung just for stealing and people believed in witches and such things. Set in a small village, I could understand how rumours and beliefs start. The detail given to the settings is rich, the characters will captivate you and the plot will draw you in.
The book does cover violence and murder, but there is also love and friendship and understanding. I loved the main characters of Charity and Jethro and wanted them to succeed. And Henry was so sad, I suppose I should have disliked him, but i just couldn't do it. All the secondary characters were also brilliant, they all came alive in my imagination. I cried at the end, then I gasped, then I laughed.
If you love histrical fiction that brings the times alive and is honest and dark and tender, you'll love this.
June 28, 2020
This is a "out of the box" historical murder mystery and love story. There are some quite graphic and gory descriptions of violence and gruesome injuries. I do not usually enjoy such graphic novels, but I stuck with it and did enjoy the general plot line. By the end I was intrigued to know what would happen. I did enjoy the setting, as I have some links to Cornwall and could imagine some of the scenes. This would be good for those who enjoy more brutal novels with all the gory details!
May 17, 2020
Although I found this book slow to start the more I read the more I started to enjoy the storyline. Indicative of the time set this has brutality and gore but also love and compassion to even the balance. A dark historical novel the author has done an excellent job of portraying the lives and times of ordinary common villagers. Thanks to TBC for giving m the opportunity to read this book.
May 30, 2020
I enjoyed this book. I really warmed to the main character Charity and wanted her to have a fair chance at happiness. The beautifully written story takes you on a journey to the past and the descriptive writing really helps you visualise the places in your mind. A perfect holiday read for anyone who likes historical fiction and romance.
June 10, 2020
I received a copy of this book from the Book Club Reviewers Group- Thank you
This book is a real mix of genres- historical, romance and a dash of horror, altogether it makes for a really compelling read.
The book was well written and engaging
Thank you
This book is a real mix of genres- historical, romance and a dash of horror, altogether it makes for a really compelling read.
The book was well written and engaging
Thank you
June 4, 2020
I really enjoyed this - the descriptions are so well written I can just imagine myself there. This is a wonderful book to escape into and it really kept me engaged - wonderful
July 11, 2020
When you’re not allowed to love the man you do…
Charity Perrow her mom was murdered years ago. And the presumed murderer got away without being sentenced. He was proclaimed innocent, and now Charity and her family despise the Ennor Family.
But when she meets Jethro Ennor, she is torn apart, as she wats to remain loyal to her family (and hating the Ennors) but her feelings for Jethro keep growing. When Jethro is accused of murder, Charity has to risk everything to prove his innocence.
A story of forbidden love has always intrigued me. so I was really curious about this book. To make things worse for this love story, was that the father of Jethro has supposedly killed Charity’s mother. What’s worse than falling in love with the son of your mother’s murderer?
The beauty of it was, that Charity and Jethro got to know each other before they knew who the other one was related to. The feelings were already there when the truth came out. And we all know that you cannot just ‘undo’ your feelings… But it’s not just a love story, as suddenly there are also some disappearances and even murder. And the world of the love birds gets shattered apart when Jethro is accused. This book shows us different point of views, allowing us to see the world through several characters’ eyes. So we know who the culprit is. But we also get to know his motives. And let’s not forget it’s not all black or white. Slowly we get to see what is really going on, and we learn to even feel a little bit of pity. Of course, murder is not to be justified, but when I got to know what all happened in the past and what is going on now, well, I felt sorry.
What I enjoyed about this book is the determination of Charity, to stand by “her” man, never giving up hope. Also how Jethro evolved from a “caveman” to a man being changed by love. Even if the love is a little bit too sudden and too big J.
There is also an air of mystery, making this story even more captivating and intriguing.
Charity Perrow her mom was murdered years ago. And the presumed murderer got away without being sentenced. He was proclaimed innocent, and now Charity and her family despise the Ennor Family.
But when she meets Jethro Ennor, she is torn apart, as she wats to remain loyal to her family (and hating the Ennors) but her feelings for Jethro keep growing. When Jethro is accused of murder, Charity has to risk everything to prove his innocence.
A story of forbidden love has always intrigued me. so I was really curious about this book. To make things worse for this love story, was that the father of Jethro has supposedly killed Charity’s mother. What’s worse than falling in love with the son of your mother’s murderer?
The beauty of it was, that Charity and Jethro got to know each other before they knew who the other one was related to. The feelings were already there when the truth came out. And we all know that you cannot just ‘undo’ your feelings… But it’s not just a love story, as suddenly there are also some disappearances and even murder. And the world of the love birds gets shattered apart when Jethro is accused. This book shows us different point of views, allowing us to see the world through several characters’ eyes. So we know who the culprit is. But we also get to know his motives. And let’s not forget it’s not all black or white. Slowly we get to see what is really going on, and we learn to even feel a little bit of pity. Of course, murder is not to be justified, but when I got to know what all happened in the past and what is going on now, well, I felt sorry.
What I enjoyed about this book is the determination of Charity, to stand by “her” man, never giving up hope. Also how Jethro evolved from a “caveman” to a man being changed by love. Even if the love is a little bit too sudden and too big J.
There is also an air of mystery, making this story even more captivating and intriguing.
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