Book Review: The Legacy of Longdale Manor by Carrie Turansky

About the Book:

In 2012, art historian Gwen Monroe travels to England’s Lake District to appraise the paintings and antiques of an old family friend, hoping to prove herself to her prestigious grandfather. While at Longdale Manor, she becomes acquainted with David Bradley–the owner’s handsome grandson–who is desperate to save the crumbling estate by turning it into a bed-and-breakfast. When Gwen stumbles upon a one-hundred-year-old journal and an intricately carved shepherd’s staff similar to one in a photo of her parents, she uncovers a connection to the father she never knew.

In 1912, after her father’s death, Charlotte Harper uncovers a painful family secret she can only confess to her journal. She and her family travel to the Lake District to stay on a sheep farm, hoping eventually to find a home with Charlotte’s grandfather at Longdale Manor, but old wounds and bitter regrets make it a difficult challenge. As Charlotte grows closer to shepherd Ian Storey and rebuilds her shattered faith, she must decide whether she will ever trust in love again.

Two women a century apart are taken on a journey to healing, faith, and forgiveness in this heartfelt dual-time Edwardian romance from bestselling author Carrie Turansky.

Purchase Link: Amazon

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My Thoughts:

The Legacy of Longdale Manor by Carrie Turansky features two perfectly paced timelines of women (Charlotte in 1912 & Gwen in 2012) finding their places in life. Both characters search for healing from father wounds, struggle with uncertainties about the future, and experience a slow-burn romance. I liked both narratives equally but never encountered a moment when my attention was “hooked”. I could set the book aside for days without any compulsion to return to it.

The Legacy of Longdale Manor reminded me of earlier style Christian fiction in which conflicts resolve easily, trust is given instead of earned, and characters know just what to say. Some readers may enjoy this, but I wanted a bit more grit to the story. Both Gwen and Charlotte have issues and obstacles that add depth to the tale, but other than Charlotte’s extended struggle with her late father’s hypocrisy, situations tend to iron out with ease.

Happily, I enjoyed other aspects of the story: learning about sheep with Charlotte, descriptions of the English Lake District, Charlotte’s journal entries, and Gwen’s work as an art historian (though I wished for more details in that area).

In the end, I didn’t love or hate The Legacy of Longdale Manor by Carrie Turansky. It was okay to read once, but I will not reread it. This novel may appeal to other Christian Fiction readers who enjoy dual timeline romances set in the idyllic English countryside. Three stars.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

First Line Fridays: No Ocean Too Wide by Carrie Turansky

Happy Friday!

First Line Fridays is hosted by Hoarding Books and participants share the first line from a nearby book.

Today I'm sharing the first lines from No Ocean Too Wide by Carrie Turansky:

"Katie McAlister's heart pounded out a frantic beat as she gripped the rickety railing and rushed down the back stairs."

Have you read this book? If not, visit the publisher's website to read an excerpt.

What are you reading this weekend?

Have a great weekend! Happy reading!


About the Book:

Between the years of 1869 to 1939 more than 100,000 poor British children were sent across the ocean to Canada with the promise of a better life. Those who took them in to work as farm laborers or household servants were told they were orphans--but was that the truth?

After the tragic loss of their father, the McAlister family is living at the edge of the poorhouse in London in 1908, leaving their mother to scrape by for her three younger children, while oldest daughter, Laura, works on a large estate more than an hour away. When Edna McAlister falls gravely ill and is hospitalized, twins Katie and Garth and eight-year-old Grace are forced into an orphans' home before Laura is notified about her family's unfortunate turn of events in London. With hundreds of British children sent on ships to Canada, whether truly orphans or not, Laura knows she must act quickly. But finding her siblings and taking care of her family may cost her everything.

Andrew Fraser, a wealthy young British lawyer and heir to the estate where Laura is in service, discovers that this common practice of finding new homes for penniless children might not be all that it seems. Together Laura and Andrew form an unlikely partnership. Will they arrive in time? Will their friendship blossom into something more?

Inspired by true events, this moving novel follows Laura as she seeks to reunite her family and her siblings who, in their darkest hours, must cling to the words from Isaiah: "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God".