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Keeping Up with the Penryns #4
The Last Casterglass
He dreams of saving his ancestral home. She longs to escape hers.
Persephone is the youngest Penryn, and she’s always felt like an afterthought. As her siblings ventured out one by one, she was left behind, learning to rely on herself. Now that they’ve all returned and are on a mission to save their home, she’s reluctantly falling in with their plans and keeping her distance, especially when an Oxford-educated intern arrives wanting to learn how to save one’s ancestral home.
Oliver Belhaven has come to Casterglass to prove to his uncle that he can make Pembury a financial success, so the only home Oliver has ever had isn’t sold. He is intrigued by the beautiful and mercurial Seph and senses a kindred spirit—alone even around family.
Oliver may be charming, but under her surly facade Seph is afraid to get close to anyone. Yet the longer Oliver works at Casterglass, the more invested he becomes—in Seph and in saving his home. But will achieving one dream mean that he has to let go of another? And can Seph finally learn to let go—and love?
Persephone is the youngest Penryn, and she’s always felt like an afterthought. As her siblings ventured out one by one, she was left behind, learning to rely on herself. Now that they’ve all returned and are on a mission to save their home, she’s reluctantly falling in with their plans and keeping her distance, especially when an Oxford-educated intern arrives wanting to learn how to save one’s ancestral home.
Oliver Belhaven has come to Casterglass to prove to his uncle that he can make Pembury a financial success, so the only home Oliver has ever had isn’t sold. He is intrigued by the beautiful and mercurial Seph and senses a kindred spirit—alone even around family.
Oliver may be charming, but under her surly facade Seph is afraid to get close to anyone. Yet the longer Oliver works at Casterglass, the more invested he becomes—in Seph and in saving his home. But will achieving one dream mean that he has to let go of another? And can Seph finally learn to let go—and love?
284 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 18, 2022
43 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
Kate Hewitt
893 books1,725 followersKate is the USA Today-bsetselling author of many books of both historical and contemporary fiction. Under the name Katharine Swartz, she is the author of the Tales from Goswell books, a series of time-slip novels set in the village of Goswell.
She likes to read women's fiction, mystery and thrillers, as well as historical novels. She particularly enjoys reading about well-drawn characters and avoids high-concept plots.
Having lived in both New York City and a tiny village on the windswept northwest coast of England, she now resides in a market town in Wales with her husband, five children, and two Golden Retrievers.
She likes to read women's fiction, mystery and thrillers, as well as historical novels. She particularly enjoys reading about well-drawn characters and avoids high-concept plots.
Having lived in both New York City and a tiny village on the windswept northwest coast of England, she now resides in a market town in Wales with her husband, five children, and two Golden Retrievers.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 26, 2022
Kate Hewitt’s books are always emotionally engaging and The Last Casterglass is no exception. It’s the final book in the Keeping Up With The Penryns series, which is set mostly in the beautiful English Lakes District. Seph/Persephone Penryn was a surprise baby for her parents and is significantly younger than her three siblings. She’s grown up with parents who have always been engrossed in their own interests and to a large extent, she’s educated herself, fed herself and raised herself. Against this background, it’s no wonder that Seph resents her siblings, all of whom left Casterglass Castle, their family home, for secondary school and then to pursue their own interests.
I felt for Seph when I first met her in the first book of this series and have always had a soft spot for her. She’s like a wounded animal, with plenty of growl and snarl to keep people away. I loved watching her come into her own in this book as she got to know Oliver Belhaven, the intern who has come to spend time at the castle and learn how the family has turned around its fortunes.
Oliver is just lovely. He’s pretty much the opposite of Seph, having become a people pleaser early in life after his mother more or less dumped him on his aunt and uncle so she could swan off to Australia.
Both Oliver and Seph are protecting their hearts, each in a different way. I loved watching them grow closer and slowly learn to trust each other.
This story is beautifully written and an absolutely gorgeous book.
I felt for Seph when I first met her in the first book of this series and have always had a soft spot for her. She’s like a wounded animal, with plenty of growl and snarl to keep people away. I loved watching her come into her own in this book as she got to know Oliver Belhaven, the intern who has come to spend time at the castle and learn how the family has turned around its fortunes.
Oliver is just lovely. He’s pretty much the opposite of Seph, having become a people pleaser early in life after his mother more or less dumped him on his aunt and uncle so she could swan off to Australia.
Both Oliver and Seph are protecting their hearts, each in a different way. I loved watching them grow closer and slowly learn to trust each other.
This story is beautifully written and an absolutely gorgeous book.
October 23, 2022
I liked Seph through all the books, Im glad to finally read Seph and Olivers story.
August 18, 2022
And so we come to Seph (short for Persephone), the youngest Penryn, aka the forgotten sibling. Seph has a huge chip on her shoulder because all of her siblings left home and completely forgot about her (not altogether surprising given the big age gap), visiting rarely and always seeming just a little bit surprised to see her. Her parents, never the most on-the-ball people in the world, had totally abdicated parental duties by the time Seph came along which is why she never did the usual things like go to school or get childhood vaccinations. When she did try to go to the local senior school (not boarding school like her siblings) she was mercilessly bullied and soon dropped out, feeling more overlooked and odd than ever. Now her siblings have returned home determined to make the castle a going concern Seph feels more alone than ever, being pushed from pillar to post and told what to do all the time, so she reacts by being surly and hides away from everyone else.
The Penryns have taken on an intern, Oliver, who is keen to learn how to make an old building pay. His family home (or at least that of his uncle) may only be a farm, rather than a castle, but he loves it dearly and is desperate to prove to his uncle that he can run the farm - otherwise his uncle will sell it and give the proceeds to Oliver's cousin. Oliver hasn't had the easiest of lives: he never knew his father; his mother left him with his uncle and aunt when he was a toddler; and his aunt left his uncle when he was a young teenager. His only stability is the farm and its the only home he's ever known. His history of abandonment has made Oliver a people-pleaser, no matter how nasty people are, he will turn the other cheek and put on a brave smile.
Seph is determined to hate Oliver, especially since he's an Oxbridge graduate with an upper-class accent, just like her siblings, while she is stuck with the local Cumbrian burr. But when the people-pleaser meets the isolationist they find more in common than they think.
I really liked the first one of these books featuring the oldest sibling Althea but I fear each subsequent sibling has become sadder and drippier than the last. I know it's the style of book that Kate Hewitt writes but these virgin/practically virgin couples bore me to tears, especially when they start doing internal monologues about how they default to people pleasing/antagonism when they are hurt (yawn). I really wanted Seph to turn out to be a brilliant artist who could save the castle single-handedly from her copious savings. Or maybe for her to meet a jaded artist/critic/dealer who falls madly in love with this prickly artist - I think all these romances are a bit small for me.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher Tule in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release and to correct some truly shocking typos - upper-class accident anyone?
The Penryns have taken on an intern, Oliver, who is keen to learn how to make an old building pay. His family home (or at least that of his uncle) may only be a farm, rather than a castle, but he loves it dearly and is desperate to prove to his uncle that he can run the farm - otherwise his uncle will sell it and give the proceeds to Oliver's cousin. Oliver hasn't had the easiest of lives: he never knew his father; his mother left him with his uncle and aunt when he was a toddler; and his aunt left his uncle when he was a young teenager. His only stability is the farm and its the only home he's ever known. His history of abandonment has made Oliver a people-pleaser, no matter how nasty people are, he will turn the other cheek and put on a brave smile.
Seph is determined to hate Oliver, especially since he's an Oxbridge graduate with an upper-class accent, just like her siblings, while she is stuck with the local Cumbrian burr. But when the people-pleaser meets the isolationist they find more in common than they think.
I really liked the first one of these books featuring the oldest sibling Althea but I fear each subsequent sibling has become sadder and drippier than the last. I know it's the style of book that Kate Hewitt writes but these virgin/practically virgin couples bore me to tears, especially when they start doing internal monologues about how they default to people pleasing/antagonism when they are hurt (yawn). I really wanted Seph to turn out to be a brilliant artist who could save the castle single-handedly from her copious savings. Or maybe for her to meet a jaded artist/critic/dealer who falls madly in love with this prickly artist - I think all these romances are a bit small for me.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher Tule in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release and to correct some truly shocking typos - upper-class accident anyone?
August 1, 2025
Truly Lovely
A slow burn,truly lovely story of two very closed and lonely people who find each other and learn how to open themselves, not only to one another, but also to the family around them who have been rather closed, too.
Although miscommunication plays a huge part in the conflicts, both romantic and family, it stems from the inability to open and be frank with others. The way the author wrote and developed this made perfect sense so I don’t have the problem with it being the conflict since it completely fits the characters.
Also, there’s the very real need of Oliver being grounded to his beloved farm and Seph wanting to actually be somewhere, anywhere other than the family home. That seemed like a deal breaker for this couple, since someone would have to give up the dream…but the resolution fits, is perfect, and truly lovely.
A wonderful wrap up of a sweet, lovely series.
The epilogue at the end was also perfect, giving the glimpse we readers crave after the happy ending. But…wouldn’t A’s brood be 5, not 4, since she had 3 children, John had 1, and it seems they had 1 together? Just a thought.
Read this story before the fire on an autumn night, wrapped in a cozy throw, pot of tea beside you, and dog and cat curled at your feet.
A slow burn,truly lovely story of two very closed and lonely people who find each other and learn how to open themselves, not only to one another, but also to the family around them who have been rather closed, too.
Although miscommunication plays a huge part in the conflicts, both romantic and family, it stems from the inability to open and be frank with others. The way the author wrote and developed this made perfect sense so I don’t have the problem with it being the conflict since it completely fits the characters.
Also, there’s the very real need of Oliver being grounded to his beloved farm and Seph wanting to actually be somewhere, anywhere other than the family home. That seemed like a deal breaker for this couple, since someone would have to give up the dream…but the resolution fits, is perfect, and truly lovely.
A wonderful wrap up of a sweet, lovely series.
The epilogue at the end was also perfect, giving the glimpse we readers crave after the happy ending. But…wouldn’t A’s brood be 5, not 4, since she had 3 children, John had 1, and it seems they had 1 together? Just a thought.
Read this story before the fire on an autumn night, wrapped in a cozy throw, pot of tea beside you, and dog and cat curled at your feet.
August 15, 2022
Keeping Up with the Penryns ends with The Last Casterglass by Kate Hewitt. Prickly Persephone (Seph) is the youngest and feels like the forgotten Penryn. Not much different from her is people-pleaser Oliver Belhaven, the volunteer intern to Casterglass. What is different is how each has reacted to their lives of loneliness and feelings of being an outsider.
It is a richly emotional story of family members perception showing how it affects not just the view of the characters, others, and the events too. There is a lot of learning that takes place in this story before healing and true change is able to take place. While each story in the series stands own its own there is a building up to this point that comes to a final healing in Seph’s story. I loved Seph and Oliver the most out of all the characters in this series.
Part romance and part woman’s fiction but altogether one awesome book.
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
It is a richly emotional story of family members perception showing how it affects not just the view of the characters, others, and the events too. There is a lot of learning that takes place in this story before healing and true change is able to take place. While each story in the series stands own its own there is a building up to this point that comes to a final healing in Seph’s story. I loved Seph and Oliver the most out of all the characters in this series.
Part romance and part woman’s fiction but altogether one awesome book.
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 23, 2022
This is book 4 in the Keeping up with the Penryns and ties up the family and their estate. You catch up with the family from the previous books. A satisfying conclusion to the series.
Persephone is the youngest Penryn, and she’s always felt like an afterthought. As her siblings ventured out one by one, she was left behind, learning to rely on herself. Now that they’ve all returned and are on a mission to save their home, she’s reluctantly falling in with their plans and keeping her distance, especially when an Oxford-educated intern arrives wanting to learn how to save one’s ancestral home.
Oliver Belhaven has come to Casterglass to prove to his uncle that he can make Pembury a financial success, so the only home Oliver has ever had isn’t sold. He is intrigued by the beautiful and mercurial Seph and senses a kindred spirit—alone even around family.
Persephone is the youngest Penryn, and she’s always felt like an afterthought. As her siblings ventured out one by one, she was left behind, learning to rely on herself. Now that they’ve all returned and are on a mission to save their home, she’s reluctantly falling in with their plans and keeping her distance, especially when an Oxford-educated intern arrives wanting to learn how to save one’s ancestral home.
Oliver Belhaven has come to Casterglass to prove to his uncle that he can make Pembury a financial success, so the only home Oliver has ever had isn’t sold. He is intrigued by the beautiful and mercurial Seph and senses a kindred spirit—alone even around family.
August 10, 2022
A very engaging novel of two people who find love with someone who truly understands them even though no one else does.
Seph Penryn grew up in a lonely house where her absent minded parents rarely acknowledged her. Her brother and sisters are all older than she and have long been gone from the castle. She has built up a contrary shell of protection. Oliver Belhaven comes to intern at Casterglass Castle and sees Seph for the lovely person she is inside. Of course there are many misunderstandings between them and insecurities.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Seph Penryn grew up in a lonely house where her absent minded parents rarely acknowledged her. Her brother and sisters are all older than she and have long been gone from the castle. She has built up a contrary shell of protection. Oliver Belhaven comes to intern at Casterglass Castle and sees Seph for the lovely person she is inside. Of course there are many misunderstandings between them and insecurities.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 16, 2024
I like Kate Hewitt books but there is one thing about them that drives me insane.
No one actually voices all their grievances. Read through the entire series and you’ll not NOT ONE person actually gets all their feelings of hurt/mistrust or anguish out on the page.
Seph’s sister literally suggested she live in a ramshackle cottage and she just… politely left instead of telling her how hurtful, cruel and gross that was??? I am confused, how do you make peace with your outward demons when you cannot voice rage??? Ugh.
No one actually voices all their grievances. Read through the entire series and you’ll not NOT ONE person actually gets all their feelings of hurt/mistrust or anguish out on the page.
Seph’s sister literally suggested she live in a ramshackle cottage and she just… politely left instead of telling her how hurtful, cruel and gross that was??? I am confused, how do you make peace with your outward demons when you cannot voice rage??? Ugh.
September 26, 2024
An enjoyable end to this series based around a family and their efforts to save their family castle. Each book in this series follows a different member of the family. This one follows the youngest, Seph, who has always had a surly personality due to feeling like she has always just been an afterthought in her family. Her life is upended when Oliver, a young man wanting to save his much smaller family home arrives as an intern to learn what he needs. No sex or profanity.
August 18, 2022
What a beautifully written story. I loved the characters, and I loved the story line. Kate Hewitt has done an amazing job with the last book in this series. It was an incredible ending to everything! I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 18, 2022
Kate Hewitt writes the most beautiful stories. The emotion grabs at the soul while the characters speak to the heart. The Last Casterglass takes a subtle canvas and turns it into a flawless masterpiece. An engaging work of art that is not easy to ignore and hard to forget.
August 18, 2022
The perfect ending for this series.
Socially awkward and private, Persephone “Seph” Penryn, finally finds love with Oliver Belhaven, the new intern at Casterglass Castle. Oliver is trying to learn everything he can, so he can return to Pembury Farm, where he grew up, and make it as successful at Casterglass Castle. Oliver’s uncle, who raised Oliver, wants to sell their home, but Oliver wants to save it. So when he heard about Casterglass, Oliver knew it would be the perfect place to learn how to turn a home into a tourist attraction, in order to help pay for the upkeep of it.
Throughout the series, Seph has appeared to be the loner of the family. She was born after the rest of her siblings were already away from home and living their lives. She had dreams of living her own life and traveling, but hadn’t done anything yet.
Neither Seph or Oliver ever imagined they would fall in love, but they did. I was so happy to see Seph find her happily ever after. I will be sad seeing this series end, but I couldn’t ask for a better ending.
Socially awkward and private, Persephone “Seph” Penryn, finally finds love with Oliver Belhaven, the new intern at Casterglass Castle. Oliver is trying to learn everything he can, so he can return to Pembury Farm, where he grew up, and make it as successful at Casterglass Castle. Oliver’s uncle, who raised Oliver, wants to sell their home, but Oliver wants to save it. So when he heard about Casterglass, Oliver knew it would be the perfect place to learn how to turn a home into a tourist attraction, in order to help pay for the upkeep of it.
Throughout the series, Seph has appeared to be the loner of the family. She was born after the rest of her siblings were already away from home and living their lives. She had dreams of living her own life and traveling, but hadn’t done anything yet.
Neither Seph or Oliver ever imagined they would fall in love, but they did. I was so happy to see Seph find her happily ever after. I will be sad seeing this series end, but I couldn’t ask for a better ending.
August 23, 2022
This was the last (and my personal favorite) of the series.
December 5, 2023
Not onr of the best, but it was fun to listen to the story of each sister.
January 28, 2024
Sadly this series has come to an end.
January 29, 2024
A great ending to the whole series! Clean Romance. Recommend
February 12, 2024
Like the others before it, it was good and kept my interest. This series was a nice easy listen to pass the time while walking and driving.
Audio was good.
Audio was good.
March 5, 2024
Audiobook
April 14, 2024
Very enjoyable
August 1, 2024
I really enjoyed this series. This was the last book in the series so it's bitter sweet.
I will miss the Penryn's.
I will miss the Penryn's.
September 3, 2022
Finally we get the story of Persephone (Seph) Penryn the forgotten member of the family years younger than her siblings she has been ignored by them and by the time she was born her parents have checked out of parenting so she has basically brought up herself making her different and unable to fit into society Now she is having to contend with all of her siblings returning home and they are just bossing her around Switching off she connects with Oliver a man she is determined to hate as he appears so much like her siblings What she doesn't understand is he is just like her always feeling unwanted Can these two social misfits find a future together You will have to read to see
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews