Wentworth Hall

by Abby Grahame

The prettiest people often have the ugliest secrets…

Eighteen-year-old Maggie Darlington has turned into an entirely different person. The once spirited teen is now passive and reserved. A change Lord and Lady Darlington can’t help but be grateful for.

It’s 1912, and the Darlingtons of Wentworth Hall have more than just the extensive grounds to maintain. As one of Britain’s most elite families, they need to keep up appearances that things are as they have always been… even as their carefully constructed façade rapidly comes undone.

Maggie has a secret. And she’s not the only one… the handsome groom Michael, the beautiful new French nanny Therese, the Darlingtons’ teenage houseguests Teddy and Jessica, and even Maggie’s younger sister Lila are all hiding something. Passion, betrayal, heartache, and whispered declarations of love take place under the Darlingtons’ massive roof. And one of these secrets has the power to ruin the Darlingtons forever.

When scandalous satires start appearing in the newspaper with details that closely mirror the lives of the Darlingtons, everyone is looking over their shoulder, worrying their scandal will be next. Because at Wentworth Hall, nothing stays secret for long.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Historical, Romance, Fiction, British Literature, Teen

276 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2012

Reviews

[Wigs · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this. I really did. I love Downton Abbey and I was hoping that this might be guilty pleasure reading.

But halfway through, this really was me:



The characters are simply remixed versions of what you already see in Downton Abbey. Maggie is the Mary character. Michael is the Branson character. Lila is Sybil and Edith blended into one. The parents are the same. And while there's a new story layered over it, it has no depth and uses some of the elements the show already had. Just worse.

It started out okay, it had potential, I was actually enjoying it for a bit. And then it got super boring, as I realized there really wasn't that much to it. Then it got a little better because I wasn't expecting the twist until it got hinted at, but then it just ended with this lackluster happy lameness and I was just like wait what happened to the Fitzhugh characters. What happened to Teddy's revenge? What?

There were also a lot of typos and errors as in missing articles and such. My favorite typo was "plumpling" which sounds like an interesting woodland creature. The writing was fanfiction at best, and let's be real, I'm sure there's much better Downton Abbey fanfiction for getting the same fix. Oh also, considering the giant text, giant spacing, and giant margins, this can't be longer than novella length. And paying $17 full price for a hardcover? C'mon now. I know it has a sexy cover but no.

Just save yourself some time and money and watch the show again if you want to immerse yourself in high society. Cuz this book?

[Kate · Rating 1 out of 5]

This came very close to ending up on the abandoned shelf, and the only reason I pushed through was because I'd spent the money and it was the only thing on my phone to read in court this morning. This book was not written so much as it was manufactured. My problems with it were many.

1) Editing - Had I submitted this to an agent, it would have been rejected on sheer number of typos and tense changes alone. Not to mention the continuity errors, some of which occurred in the first five pages. The number of basic proof-reading mistakes was pretty appalling considering I spent ten bucks of my actual money for this book. It's ridiculous to think something that is given the editing thoroughness of a high school sophomore at 6am after pulling an all-nighter to write a term paper from scratch was sent out by a publisher.

2) Research - Had any one of the ghost writers of this book actually watched an episode of Downton Abbey, they could have corrected many of these details. First, the titles. Robert Crawley is not Lord Crawley. He is the Earl of Grantham, so he is The Right Honourable Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham, or Lord Grantham. If a family has the surname of Darlington, it is not Lord Darlington. We're never given a rank for Douchebag Darlington, but assume he's an Earl (which would make sense as this is a ripoff of Downton). It would then be The Right Honourable Douchebag Darlington, Earl of title. But we're never told that title. Then there's the actual setup of the house. There is one butler, so never a head butler. They kept referring to him as Percival (or once as Perceval), which I suppose could be a last name but seems much more like a first name to me. At any rate, it should be Mr. Percival, especially amongst the staff.

3) The plot - And by the plot, I mean the fifteen random things going on all at once. How many secrets does one 155 page book need!? Not to mention that they were so blatantly obvious that you were basically slapped in the face with them. Combined with its tell don't show philosophy, this book read like the above mentioned sophomore's term paper. Everything was all over the place with nothing to tie it together. Too many points of view meant that none of the characters got their due. Eliminate the plots of the newly arrived orphan heirs and give more time to the characters the reader is supposed to care about. Or, better yet, eliminate the damn gossip pages. They were neither funny nor relevant, making them time wasters I wanted to skim. They slowed the pace down and diluted things beyond an already ridiculous level. I could really give the pacing it's own subpart but saying that it's terrible and all over the place will suffice, I think.

4) Because I'm thinking of it now, originality. This book is not only a clear attempt to capitalize on Downton Abbey's success, it is also a retread of both the Luxe books and the Flappers series. It brought nothing new whatsoever.

5) Characters - There were, point blank, too many with too much going on in their lives. Had this been Lila's book or Maggie's or Nora's, or maybe one sister and one servant, this could have been a different book because I'd know something more about them than what's on the very surface. I didn't get to know any of the characters, I was just told about them.

Really, I feel like an idiot. I picked this book up and knew it would probably have some of these faults, but not to the degree that it had. It almost insults your intelligence, how badly written and atrociously edited it was. Ultimately, I just feel like a dupe for even buying it in the first place.

[Elle! · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't judge a book by it's beautifully photographed cover....And definitely don't judge a book by the man on the cover... I know that now. -_-

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Just look at the guy, isn't he gorgeous?!!!! Enough drooling. To my review! I despised this book , it was so boring! But to be fair, I'll post a summary and try not to be bias if I can stay up that long to write one because this was like Ambien. But the cover...That delicious cover....*steam rises from the mans face*

First Sentence: Maggie Darlington rolled over in bed and squinted into the sunlight pouring through the lace curtain of her bedroom window.

Narrative: Boring with stilted English.

Dialogue: Strangely modern for the time period.

Summary: It's 1912 Maggie Darlington turned lackluster and duller than a broken pencil to please her mother Lady Darlington (teehee their last names are so cute!!! I love that!). This story is based in Britain and travels around the most elite rich families who love false pretenses. Oh lies and deception (sizzle!)...Isn't that neat and new fangled?! I've never read a story like Wentworth Hall before!Maggie has got some secrets! What isn't fun about that?
No? What isn't fun about that?

Apparently this is a yank off inspired by Downton Abbey; a British Drama that airs on PBS in the States.

So does everyone else…the handsome groom Michael, the beautiful new French nanny Therese, the Darlingtons’ teenage houseguests Teddy and Jessica, and even Maggie’s younger sister Lila are all hiding something. Passion, betrayal, heartache, and whispered declarations of love take place under the Darlingtons’ massive roof...

Yes I did copy and paste that from the official review if you're wondering. And pretty soon their scandalous pretty world will blow up and unravel for all of Britain to see. Oh no! Britain is holding its breath....Ain't that dear? If you love books where rich people sip tea in puffy dresses and lie to each other while complimenting each other pearls. This is your book.

Ages: 13- 150 (I'm sure there's some out there.)

Gosh! Because as they say even the prettiest people often have the ugliest secrets!!! ...Oh isn't that phrase gosh darn so clever! (A 100% non bias sarcastic review).

Disclaimer: I loved the Luxe Series by the way. I own the box set on my shelf.

[Sarah Mac · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring. Dull. Snoozer. Yawn. Bland. Flatline. Blah. Drab. Soporific. Lackluster. Zzzzz.

All of the above applies to Wentworth Hall -- in fact, I'm having trouble summoning enough interest to write this review. That speaks volumes, yes? I nearly set it aside as a DNF, but then I looked at the clock & realized I'd only spent 1 hour reading & was 2/3rds finished, so I may as well continue scanning to see if anything happened. It didn't. Well, I suppose something did, since two people ended up on another continent...but I didn't give a crap either way. Everyone could have been hit by a homicidal double-decker bus on pg 218 & I wouldn't have blinked. There wasn't a plot so much as talking heads wandering around aimlessly & having meaningless conversations of half-truths, then shuffling the deck & having other meaningless conversations of half-truths with other talking heads.


There. All my problems went away.


Seriously, guys. This book makes Vixen look like a masterpiece. I don't ask for much in soapy YA crackfests...except, y'know, the soapy bits. If I'm going to feel nothing for anyone & lack even the urge to wish the cast squashed beneath a double-decker bus, what's the point?

The best thing about this book was the tea I drank whilst reading it. (Davidson's "Herbal Seasons" blend. Yum.)

[Michelle]

This is how I expected to react to Wentworth Hall.

This is how I feel:



I was sad to put this back on the shelf as I don't like giving up on books, but I was reading it during a busy time and just decided that I didn't want to force myself to finish a book that I wasn't loving.

[The Lit Bitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

All secrets have a way of coming out in the end.

Every family has their own secrets that they would rather not become public knowledge...but when your family is rich….the gossip columns love nothing better than a juicy family secret.

At Wentworth Hall, while family fortune might be in short supply...juicy secrets are not.

This was a quick fun read! The alluring plot, period, setting, and characters work well together in this novel...and the newspaper satire added humor and pace to the novel. The audience is clearly more YA but adults will find it entertaining too. Enthusiasts of the era and fans of Downton Abbey will not want to miss this book!

See my full review here

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wentworth Hall is set in 1912 England at the estate of the Darlington family. The estate has been in the family for almost three hundred years. The Darlingtons were once very wealthy, but most of the money is gone now, and the world is changing. Eighteen-year-old Maggie Darlington has recently returned from a year away, and to everyone who knew her, she seems quite changed. Maggie's younger sister, sixteen-year-old Lila, misses her old relationship with her sister and wishes her parents would see that she is growing up. Also living at Wentworth Hall are the two teenage servants, Michael and Nora, that the Darlington sisters grew up with, and used to play with as children, and Therese, the new nanny who returned with Maggie and her mother from France to care for the new baby, James. Shortly after the start of the novel, two wealthy teenage orphans, Teddy and Jessica Fitzhugh, come to stay with the Darlingtons until they turn eighteen and can claim their inheritance.

The story is mostly about how all of these characters have secrets that could cause a great deal of trouble if revealed. Some of these secrets I guessed in advance, but others surprised me. There's also a plotline involving someone in the household writing unkind satires about the family, which are published in the local newspaper. The satires, about the "Worthless Family," are included to read and are quite amusing, since all the details are so exaggerated - the grand house, which they can't afford to repair, is literally collapsing on the poor Worthless family!

Although Wentworth Hall is set in 1912 and there's very obvious class differences between the characters, other than that this book was rather light on the history, similar to the Luxe series by Anna Godbersen. This book was a quick and fun read and had a satisfying ending. I'm tired of everything being a series so I liked that this book appears to be a standalone novel. I think a lot of different readers would enjoy this book - fans of Downton Abbey (since it's set in the same time period), readers who love historical fiction, and even those readers who don't usually read historical fiction but love stories with lots of gossip and secrets and scandals.

Disclosure: Review copy provided by publisher.

[Christina (Reading Extensively) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wentworth Hall is very similar in tone to The Luxe series by Anna Godbersen. It is light historical fiction that features family drama, gossip, and romance. Wentworth Hall also taps into the popularity of the Downton Abbey craze with its early 20th Century setting and focus on the upstairs/downstairs relationship between the aristocracy and their servants. The story is told through the point of view of multiple characters including Maggie Darlington, her sister Lila, the maid Nora, new nanny Therese, and the groom Michael. I much preferred the chapters from Maggie's POV. I liked Maggie and even her sister Lila though she annoyed me at first. I also liked opinionated Nora and it was nice getting the perspective of those below stairs.

Having multiple narrators should have given us greater insight into the characters but it didn't quite work that way. Though I liked them, characters are not well developed with perhaps the exception of Maggie. The other characters are either likable or horrid but I didn't get the sense that I really got to know them. I think if the story were told from the perspective of only a few characters, it would have been stronger and if more space had been given to the characters rather than other things like the parody, the novel would have been much better. I also didn't like that the "secrets" were so easy to figure out, the gimmick of including the newspaper parodies of the Worthless family became incredibly annoying (they should have been shorter and fewer in number), certain of the characters just seemed to disappear from the narrative, and the threads of the story did not wrap up very plausibly. In fact it ended so abruptly that it took me by surprise. The ending was very rushed with an epilogue of sorts tacked on. I am under the impression that this is not a series but perhaps I am wrong.

Still for all its flaws, I found this to be an entertaining book. It didn't completely live up to its potential for me but if there is a sequel, I'd likely pick it up (from the library) just to see what happens next. For readers looking for a YA book with a little more substance to fill that Downton Abbey fix, try the Luxe novels by Anna Godbersen instead.

[Miss Amelia]

I originally wasn't planning on reading this book because I assumed it would be like a turn-of-the-century version of "Gossip Girl." Or, you know, another one of those attempt-to-rewrite-history-by-modernizing-every-character books that authors like Anna Godberson are so fond of writing...

And you know, Wentworth Hall may be all those things, but after becoming completely OBSESSED with the awesomeness that is "Downton Abbey," I gotta at least give it a try!

So when I saw Wentworth Hall again, this is what came to mind:

+ young people (because no offense, but Mary and Edith are gettin' on up there)

[Lyd's Archive (7/'15 to 6/'18) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm surprised this book has such a low rating. I read some of the hater reviews but I did indeed enjoy it, probably because I know next to nothing of this period in time. A lot of people complained it was boring, but I actually liked the story most of the time despite underdeveloped characters, its being a rehash of the Luxe (but minus the society element and suggestive references) and not the best writing.

Nora glared at Grace for the implication. Grace loved to act like a know-it-all, which was rich, given the fact that she really knew nothing!

The other element I didn't like was Michael and Maggie's romance. It was basically a carbon copy of Elizabeth and Will in The Luxe aside from the fact that Michael and Maggie had a child, but they both end up in America to be together in the end, accompanied by Sekret-esque 'America is where all your dreams come true' crap.

In America, no one cared if she was a Darlington. It would be neither an honor or a disgrace. She would simply be Maggie, her own self

Um, no she won't. Once they figure out who she was, I mean. It's not like Americans are obsessed with foreign nobility and royalty to the point they have dozens of TV shows about them..... Not only that, but her parents want her to marry one of two rich bachelors.
First there's Teddy.

Michael schooled his features to reveal no emotion, but inwardly glowered at Teddy. He was so sure of himself, so confident that he was the one who would capture Maggie's heart, so certain his wealth and shallow charm would make him the winner in the end.

And meanwhile, the cliched older suitor as well.

The heavyset duke's small, dark, bright eyes bore into her. Bowing at the waist, the duke reached for her hand. Willing herself not to flinch, Maggie extended her hand to be kissed. Although she did know the duke to be an avid hunter, his hands were disconcertingly soft, almost feminine, a thing Maggie found repugnant in a man. His kiss left a wet, dark mark on her hand, which she forced herself not to wipe away as she withdrew it.

And of course, he also goes on a long tangent about classical music. Fortunately, he did not spoil my enjoyment of the book for too long.

I also found some weird dialogue words. I get you don't want to say 'said' every single time, but...

"She may have her reasons," Nora allowed.

"Sounds more like a bribe to me," Nora pointed out candidly.

"I just couldn't sleep after the excitement of the ball," Nora told a half-truth.

Returning to Maggie and Michael for a moment, the dialogue between them is so freaking overdramatic.

"I only said I didn't love you because I thought it was impossible between us. I didn't want to hurt you; I actually thought I was helping you by setting you free from a love that could never be. But since you've been gone, I've realized it was pride and false nobility on my part. I've grown too. I know now that we belong together. Whatever it takes."

"Tell me why!" Michael implored.
"It just is," Maggie insisted. "Things have changed! Changed forever!"
"But what has changed?" He begged to know.
"Life!" Maggie cried, throwing her arms wide.

Why hadn't he taken her in his arms and said they should run away together? She would have gone - in a heartbeat! Why did people have to be divided by something so arbitrary as their station in life?

The other characters, though underdeveloped, were likable for the most part, especially Ian and Lila (OTP!) but the satires made me like the parents less. The father came off as arrogant, and the mother came off as both arrogant and greedy. No wonder Therese wrote all those satires about them. Speaking of that, Therese was also a terrible character in the very end and you know how I hate the illegitimate-child plot twist as a way to get around all sorts of things.

What luck for the Darlingtons this never got published! Therese must have been so furious with her father for the way he denied her that she lashed out at the family any way she could.

But, as you know, I do like mostly clean chick-lit with lots of dress descriptions, so I did mostly enjoy this book aside from the bad characterizations, but I will neither recommend this book nor pry it from your hands.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

What a fun read! Wentworth Hall by Abby Grahame was almost like a historical Gossip Girl. This book was just a darling to read, and I really enjoyed it. For fans of historical fiction, this is a must read. Even people who haven't given historical fiction a try before should read Wenthworth Hall, as I found it read very easily and almost read more along the lines of a contemporary with the secrets, betrayal, and gossip. And it was just so fun!

There wasn't a lot of depth to the plot, as it was more based around the gossip and secrets everyone had. The book is written in two parts almost - there is the normal storyline, but there is also a newsprint going around the satirizes the lif of the Darlingtons that is interspersed between the chapters.

I really liked most of the characters. Therese was a bit bland, but Maggie, Lila, Michael, and everyone else was quite lovely. This was one of those character driven books, which are always a ton of fun to read when the characters were as awesome as they were in this one.

The one thing I would have liked more is if the ending was extended out a bit. I would have loved to know what happened to the Twins or maybe some of the reactions to what other characters did. It was a drastic ending, so I feel like those reactions would have been quite fun to read.

Wentworth Hall was such a treat, and I highly recommend it. It's a fast read and an enjoyable one at that. A wonderful debut - I cannot wait to see what is next for Abby Grahame.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy Persuasion, Downton Abbey, or even Gossip Girl, you’re going to want to pay attention to this review. Abby Grahame’s debut novel, Wentworth Hall, is a combination of all of the above and more. Filled with themes and story lines that involve the mixing of social classes, lies, deceit, unrequited/lost loves, gossip and more, this book is jam packed from start to finish.

The Darlington family is one of the most powerful families in all of England in the beginning of the twentieth-century. Under their massive estate, Wentworth Hall, all the intricate daily goings-on of all the family members coincide with each other and secret and scandal run amok. Maggie Darlington, the elder sister, has always been known to be more raucous and carefree, yet she is now much more reserved and secretive since returning from her year away. Although her secret is not revealed until the end of the novel, its effects on all the other members of the household are immediate, as the Darlington family fights to save its polished image as it begins to crack amongst whispers in the local media. A series of newspaper articles that are supposedly satirical on the surface seem to be all too similar to the actual lives of the Darlingtons, and soon everyone begins to speculate as to the fate of this famed family. Will they be able to uphold the noble status of their estate? What is Maggie’s secret?

Wentworth Hall can be summed up in one word – glamorous. While the hall itself isn’t, Grahame’s rich writing and fascinating storylines can 100% be described in this way. (For a perfect example of her glamorous writing style, check out the guest post she posted last week here on Austenprose) I’m still surprised that this is Grahame’s debut novel. Her understanding of the culture, most specifically the social aspects, is captivating. Similar to Persuasion and even Downton Abbey, Grahame explores the mixing of social classes using a love story as her plot device. Using the Edwardian Era as the backdrop for her sweeping drama allows her to use the upstairs/downstairs and master/servant mentality to clearly demonstrate her narrative style.

I really enjoyed all of characters different secrets and how they were revealed and unraveled, merging together in the end. It wasn’t difficult for me to figure out what each person was hiding, but I think it’ll be less obvious for the younger crowds that pick this up to read.

My major disappointment was the vagueness of the ending. This young adult novel builds and builds and does resolve itself, but with few details. It’s like going from point A to Z with nothing in the middle. It left me wondering if this was going to be part of a series. If it is in fact scheduled to be part of a series, then the vagueness sets up the plot for future books nicely. Despite this, the splendor of Grahame’s writing combined with the excitement of the plot made me into a big fan of Wentworth Hall. I humbly suggest that it becomes the next addition to your “to read” pile.

Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
http://wp.me/p18lIL-11R

[Christina (Confessions of a Book Addict) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Darlington family, one of Britain's most wealthy families, has many secrets. Maggie, the eldest daughter, spent some time abroad and has since come home a different girl. She used to be spunky, lively and adventurous, but now she's barely recognizable to many people at Wentworth Hall. Her younger sister, Lila, often feels overlooked and is looking to gain some attention this year. To make matters more complicated, family friends, Teddy and Jessica, move to Wentworth Hall since the are newly orphaned. They are rich, haughty and many people at Wentworth Hall feel they harbor their own dark secrets. The servants play a huge role in the story and of course, the gossip is only intensified through their eyes. Wentworth Hall by Abby Grahame is an engaging historical debut that fans of Downton Abbey will love.


It comes as no surprise that I love Downton Abbey and have proclaimed my love many times. When I was asked to review Wentworth Hall, I immediately said yes as the comparisons to Downton Abbey were strong. Plus, I needed my fix since the season ended weeks ago. I am glad I did read Wentworth Hall, because it definitely filled that void and the whole upstairs/downstairs piece of the story is just as thrilling as I expected.


Although I found the character of Maggie to not be as likable as I had hoped for, her storyline was interesting. I could predict many of the plot twists, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment. Her relationship with the groom, Michael, is a delicious tale of forbidden love that ended up being one of my favorite parts. Another character that I really liked was Therese, the French nanny, whose secrets are just as dark as the wealthy elite. Lastly, I really liked Maggie's younger sister, Lila, who easily became one of my favorite characters. I always find myself rooting for the underdog or the family member that is often overlooked and is trying to find his/her way. Maybe she will be the focus in book two? *Fingers crossed*


Wentworth Hall was reminiscent of the Luxe series, which, if you know me, is a high compliment. Granted it isn't as scandalous as the Luxe series, but I hope Grahame plans on writing book two as I think she is onto something, especially since Downton Abbey has become so popular. If you are looking for a captivating historical read this summer with the right mix of romance, scandal and gossip, check out Wentworth Hall and don't forget to enter my giveaway for a chance to win this book and other great historical reads just in time for your summer vacation.

[Samantha Trillium (Just Reading in the Rain)☂ · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a really poorly executed book, which resulted in only two stars. That being said, I didn't hate the book entirely, but there were definitely a lot of things wrong with it.

First off, the dialogue is too modern. This novel takes place in the early 1900's and they are using slang terms we hear today? I don't think so.

Next, the story itself is really badly written. This author has no idea how to write mystery. If there was ever any point in the book that would suggest everything is not what it seems, but the very next page, there was an extremely obvious remark that made it so. Not only that, but this author used every cliche for this time period in the book. I'm amazed no one died in the conservatory with the wrench. From page one everything was totally spelled out for the reader. Nothing was left to the imagination, and when we get to the "twist" you're left shrugging your shoulders and saying, "duhhhhh". (And trust me, I do not use that word if I can help it... no other word seems to fit atm!)

The ending was a complete cop-out by the author. I cannot believe her editor let her get away with that. Towards the final scene, despite all the problems before hand, promised to be some kind of intense confrontation, and at that point in reading, I am just thinking, "fine, I'll take it." But nope. One minute everyone is real tense and not sure things are going to work out. Next thing you know its ten years later and we find out everything went OK. This book was so short, that it really could have done with an action scene. Unbelievable.

All I can say, at least it only took me a day to read, so I didn't waste too much of my time. I think the biggest problem with this book is that it is marketed incorrectly. I think that if they had targeted the middle schoolers then maybe this book wouldn't have been so bad. It wouldn't have mattered if the author pretty much showed all her cards, and the ending was a very cliched, "And they lived happily ever after." Not too mention, even the layout of the book was bad. Large print and double spaced... is this a high school essay??? So as long as the book appeared, was not even how long the book really was. I bet in normal font this book didn't even break 100 pages.

All in all, a massive disappointment. I admit, I fell victim to the old, judge a book by its cover - which is another thing that is bugging me. There are four people on the cover, but there are six main characters that this story revolves around. At the very least!! Argh!

[Ely · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally posted at http://abooksofathomless.blogspot.com...

I have a sort of rule with myself that I will not take reviews from Goodreads to mind before and during a book because some of my absolute favourite books have received books terrible reviews that they completely do not deserve (see Atonement, Shatter Me etc.) Therefore before reading this book, I tried to keep an open mind despite the low average rating of 2.83 and pages upon pages of reviews with one star saying that they ‘could barely finish’ the book and whatnot.

I soon learnt, much like many of the other reviewers, that this was not a book to judge of the beauty of the cover (I’m a sucker for covers with girls in proper dress for the era) or the comparison to Downton Abbey in the blurb. I was expecting a book filled with mystery and romance with the obvious historical element to it, and of course, I was hoping for a little bit of a Downton Abbey feel to it. Immediately, I was hoping that Maggie would become a sort of Lady Mary-like character- a cold exterior at the beginning that would eventually make way for a good heart. For a few chapters, I held onto this hope but it was soon forgotten- Maggie became a sort of secondary character who was only really bought up when she was needed, I felt like she didn’t get the chance to really develop as a character at all. Furthermore, I feel like there wasn’t really any character that got the chance to develop, sure we learnt about their dreams and their pasts and whatnot but they never really grew into anything. I don’t think there is a single character that I could genuinely say that I liked or even felt sorry for at all, except maybe the baby because the poor thing would have to grow up in that.

The ‘secrets’ of the Darlingtons and the other characters weren’t really secrets, if you paid enough attention to things then you could easily see them coming. I had been expecting some real mystery surrounding the secrets but there wasn’t any- I felt quite let down by this. I think probably one of the only things I enjoyed were the satires that were included. They were meant to be absolutely ridiculous but they were actually much more enjoyable than most of the book, which is a shame really as I had been so excited to read this book before it was released.

Though I didn’t overwhelming enjoy this book, it was a very quick read which was nice and it didn’t really require much of my attention, other than an eye roll now and again.

[Angelc · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Are you suffering from a serious case of Downton Abbey fever? Then "Wentworth Hall" is just what the doctor ordered! Its no question that this time period and setting is hot right now and there really aren't that many books that fit the bill. At first, I thought that the book was going to be a nice read, and a great way to revisit the Edwardian manor home era, but then the story really took off and secrets started spilling, and I was on the edge of my seat, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.

The author did a great job of really describing the setting, as well as the clothing. I love historical costuming, so I really liked reading about the clothing the girls wore. And it never came across as frivolous, I think it really added to the atmosphere and setting.

I really liked Lila's character, the younger Darlington sister, she was much more relatable than the other characters. I did enjoy Nora, the maid, as well, she was such a gossip, but never in a mean-spirited way. At first, I couldn't believe how unlikable Maggie was, especially since it seemed like she was the most central character. But once the secrets came out, I really understood why she acted the way she did and also felt so bad for her.

I really enjoyed the satires of the family that someone from Wentworth Hall sent to a tabloid newspaper. The style was so funny, and seemed very typical of the time. Yes, it wasn't that nice, but at first it really was fluffy enough to be a great guilty pleasure. I also appreciated that they were full chapters of the satire instead of just snippets. This aspect really reminded me of the Gossip Girl books, but with a historical flavor.

With this enjoyable read, we won't have to wait until next season to revisit an Edwardian manor house's secrets and mysteries.


book sent by publicist and publisher in exchange for honest review

reviewed for http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com

[Pamela Foster · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun read for young adults who are looking for the same type of upstairs downstairs drama that Downtown Abbey provides. The book follows the coming of age stories of sisters Maggie and Lila Darlington at Wentworth Hall in 1912. We also get a taste of the below stairs lives of the young servants who grew up together in the house and played together with the Darlingtons as children.

The Edwardian period marks the peak of a thousand years of wealth through land, and as we see at Wentworth Abbey, times were beginning to change with land loosing value and self made men with new money appearing on the horizon.

Since entertaining played a large part of the lifestyle of the Edwardians I was disappointed that there weren't more dining scenes, and I am not sure if the family would have kept bagels in the freezer for a teething baby unless they were Jewish. But minor picky points from a foodie historian.

The most enjoyable part of the book was the satirical "Gossip Girl" satirical accounts written about the Worthless Family which mysteriously appeared in the local paper. So may questions in this book, who wrote the scandalous accounts, who is keeping secrets, and what will become of them all?

A good first effort for Abby Grahame and hope that she will be encouraged to produce more great Edwardian fiction to help younger generations understand what it was like to live in that period.

[Gerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wentworth Hall is a minor Downton Abbey (the current rave programme on British television), even the strap line on the front of the paperback edition of 'Wentworth Hall' states, 'And you thought there were secrets at the Abbey'. I imagine they mean Downton for there is no Abbey in the novel!

Above and below stairs there are strained relationships, unsettling rumours and petty jealousy between both servants and the people of the house. Maggie Darlington, Lila Darlington and later Wesley Darlington, who returns from a sojourn in America, all have their secrets and they often clash with groom Michael, baby minder Therese, who is a French girl and housemaid Nora while Mrs Howard, in charge of below stairs, tries desperately to keep everything in order.

Then when a rich orphaned brother and sister, twins Jessica and Teddy Fitzhugh, arrive at Wentworth, the tension builds even more. Lord and Lady Darlington are accused of only taking them in because Wentworth is in decline and an influx of money is needed to keep it going and they feel that it could come from the twins' inheritance once they attain the age of 18.

In a dramatic climax, things become clearer and there is a sensational ending to the whole tale, which, despite being a little slow at times, keeps the reader interested all through.

[Christiana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why was this book so boring? And why was the plot so simplistic? Why was I am able to check my email while reading this? Why was Lady Maggie in love with the stable boy as if it was a New Idea? Why did I keep reading it? And how do I get my life back?

[Amanda The Book Slayer]

‪*Downton Abby feel‬
‪*Maggie, main character, just returned back home after a trip to Paris and such. ‬
‪*So far, meh, I’m going to have to pass on this one. Just not enough to grab me. ‬

‪❌ Lost Interest (CNF)‬

[Celine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review originally posted in: http://forget8me8not.blogspot.com.au/...

Cover:
Really reflects the book! I'm pretty sure the girls on the cover represent Maggie, Therese and Lila while the guy might be Michael! Either way, I like the historical feeling of the cover!

Story:

Meet scandal, your new best friend...

What's life without any scandals? Especially when you're the Darlingtons? Well, let me introduce you to the Darlingtons. We have Maggie, the oldest daughter and Lila, the younger sister. Might I remind you that I'm not writing a satire. We also have James, a newborn baby who Maggie seems highly attached to. Oh, and not to forget Therese, a French nanny, Michael, a handsome groom and scandals! Welcome to the life of the Darlingtons.

When I read about Wentworth Hall for the first time, I really wanted to read it. It's pitched as Downton Abbey meets Gossip Girl so I was intrigued. I love Gossip Girl although I haven't watched Downton Abbey. I do agree that there are some aspects of Gossip Girl in the book, particularly since it revolves around 'rich' people and scandals surrounding their lives. But, the scandal itself is not very shocking or surprising. The scandals are exposed when an anonymous author starts writing satires of the Darlingtons by using different names, calling them the 'Worthless'. Since the author must be living with the Darlingtons, I knew who it was immediately. The scandal itself wasn't very new. It's quite obvious and common. However, I do like reading the satires inserted in the book. It's quite funny actually, since the characters' names are hilarious! I did enjoy the book overall and Abby's writing.

Characters:
The Darlingtons are quite interesting to read about although I ended up becoming more interested in Michael and Therese, the groom and the nanny rather than Maggie and Lila themselves. After Maggie's return from France, she changed. But of course, there is a reason behind the change and when I discovered it, I felt sad for Maggie. Meanwhile, Lila's behaviour is quite typical for a younger sister. She feels overshadowed by Maggie, her beauty and how many suitors tend to fall head over heels for her. However, towards the end of the book, Lila did something brilliant and I must applaud her for doing that and fixing her relationship with Maggie. Lord Darlington is an annoying man who is in a hurry to marry her daughter with a rich lord to save the Darlington's wealth and fortune. But overall, the characters are actually enjoyable to read about since they have different stories and characteristics!

Overall:
So, you like your new best friend; scandal? Wentworth Hall is an enjoyable historical fiction revolving the lives of the Darlingtons. Discover Maggie, Lila, Michael and Therese's secrets while enjoying a great setting, topped with satires of the 'Worthless'! If you enjoy Gossip Girl, definitely give this book a try since it's quite similar to the show but set in the 1910s!

Thank you Simon & Schuster Australia for the review copy!

[Anastasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

* Hardcover: 288 pages
* Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers (May 1, 2012)
* ISBN-10: 1442451963
* Author: Abby Grahame
* Cover art: One of the best of the year.
* Overall rating: ****1/2 stars out of 5
* Obtained: My personal book shelf.

Wentworth Hall by Abby Grahame

Reviewed by Moirae the fates book reviews.



The prettiest people often have the ugliest secrets…


Eighteen-year-old Maggie Darlington has turned into an entirely different person. The once spirited teen is now passive and reserved. A change Lord and Lady Darlington can’t help but be grateful for.

It’s 1912, and the Darlingtons of Wentworth Hall have more than just the extensive grounds to maintain. As one of Britain’s most elite families, they need to keep up appearances that things are as they have always been… even as their carefully constructed façade rapidly comes undone.

Maggie has a secret. And she’s not the only one… the handsome groom Michael, the beautiful new French nanny Therese, the Darlingtons’ teenage houseguests Teddy and Jessica, and even Maggie’s younger sister Lila are all hiding something. Passion, betrayal, heartache, and whispered declarations of love take place under the Darlingtons’ massive roof. And one of these secrets has the power to ruin the Darlingtons forever.

When scandalous satires start appearing in the newspaper with details that closely mirror the lives of the Darlingtons, everyone is looking over their shoulder, worrying their scandal will be next. Because at Wentworth Hall, nothing stays secret for long.(Synopsis provided by goodreads)


I really enjoyed myself while I was reading this book. I've always been fascinated by Edwardian England. The only thing bumping this down from 5 stars to 4 and a half was the fact that the "secrets" that were held in Wentworth Hall I found way too predictable. However, it didn't diminish my like of the story too much. Just a pinch. I figured out what Therese was hiding very early on and I figured out what Maggie was hiding fairly quickly as well.

I really liked Nora's character she was such a gossip and such fun too! Teddy and Jessica didn't have as much page time as I would have expected but they were good fun as well.

I really liked Wesley and his friend Ian when they arrive in the story. Lord and Lady Darlington were less likable, but I don't think we are meant to like them.

I'm not sure if this is a series or a stand alone. I hope it's a series, I really enjoyed it and the way ended left me wanting to know what happened to Wesley, Nora, Therese, Lila and the others. The epilogue only tells us what happened to Maggie in any detail. We get a clip of Lila, Ian and Wesley but nothing of the others.

If you like books about the upper-crust then this is a must read for you. I would highly recommend this book to fans of Edwardian era books as well.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whoever thought that the semi-soap opera-like lives of a family of Edwardian period British nobles would be so darn addicting? No one could have predicted the somewhat strange public obsession with the British TV show Downton Abbey, and it didn't take long for publishers and others to pick up on that obsession and start pumping out similar works to ride the latest trend. I've seen almost half a dozen other similar-themed books on tap for the next few years -and Wentworth Hall was the first one.

In this Edward period drama, young Maggie Darlington has just returned from abroad as a grown woman -and ripe for marriage to a reputable man of good fortune. She returns to her family's ancestral home, Wentworth Hall, only to find the family's wealth dwindling and a wealthy heir living at the house -ready for the marrying. Yet, Maggie harbors a secret for the handsome groom named Michael, and the family's new French nanny Therese hides secrets of her own. And secrets never stay hidden for long.

This book isn't very good. Let's just get that out of the way first. Wentworth Hall just isn't very good. It's poorly written, badly edited, is filled with holes, lacks historical detail and, especially closer to the end, kind of ridiculous. To me, it seemed like this book may have had some good ideas at its core, but was very rushed through the entire writing and editing process (especially the editing part) in order to get it out quickly, thus little attention was paid to things like setting, historical details and writing quality.

Basically, this book steals many elements from Downton Abbey: Maggie is essentially an amalgamation of Mary and Sibel, the younger sister is much like Eleanor, the servants' politics and drama strangely echoes that of Downton. But, there were at least a few other elements added in that kept this book from becoming too much like Downton, like the wild family twists, the harsh and somewhat brutish Lord Darlington and the wildly entertaining passages from a mysterious satire of the family.

Somewhere, in this strange combination of low writing quality, soap-opera-like ridiculous plot lines and the assumption that the reader can fill in all of the "blanks" because he/she has seen Downton Abbey, there was a strangely entertaining and addictive book. Yes, you heard me: Despite all of the issues, I read this very short book from cover-to-cover and still found a few things that made it worthwhile. The secrets, though way too out there, are still incredibly compelling and fun, though of course frothy and absurd.

This may be worth a quick summer vacation read if you enjoy Downton Abbey, are suffering from withdrawal, and just want something that's easy. Just be warned -don't expect incredibly quality.

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical Fiction is by far one of my favorite genres, especially within YA. That love for Historical Fiction has been reinforced by Wentworth Hall. The early 1900's is such a great time period, and Abby really did a beautiful job making everything about Wentworth Hall feel like it was actually part of that time period. And the fact that it takes place in Britain makes it even better.

The story is actually pretty simple, but I didn't feel like that was a negative thing. The heart of this book, in my opinion is it's richness. It was such a great reading experience, simply because Abby put so much detail into it and made it to where it felt like you were stepping into this early 1900 estate and experiencing everything that goes on. The reason I say the story is simple, is because a lot of it becomes really predictable early on. The mystery surrounding who is writing the satires, the story behind Baby James those are two very important parts of the story which I was able to figure out very easily with just a few small hints. It in no way ruins the book though. It's still a beautifully written story.

Just like with all setting and time period of Wentworth Hall, the characters are absolutely amazing. Maggie and Michael are great, their story is really complicated but it is really interesting to see how things actually play out between the characters, and to learn about their past. Especially with Teddy having a thing for Maggie. My favorite characters are so easy to chose in this case, Lila and Nora were honestly two of the greatest characters in this book. I am not positive what exactly it is about them that I like so much, I just loved every scene in which they were in. There is a lot of drama between the family, maids, Michael (Stable Hand) and the other characters in this book. But I really felt like it was done really well.

The ending brings back the statement I made about things feeling a little predictable. While not a bad thing, I knew what was coming. I wasn't disappointed with it though. I thought it was a beautiful ending to the book. It was very solid, and made everything end with a good vibe in my opinion. Abby just did an amazing job writing this book, and I was really impressed. And with Wentworth Hall being her first novel, I am even more impressed. It's a really fantastic book, and I hope everyone will check it out if it seems like something you would be interested in. It's a really rich book as far as the Historical aspect goes, but it also feels somewhat light if that makes sense.. I think it would make a great book for someone wanting to try Historical Fiction for the first time.

[Katie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is my second try at hoping to find a book similar to "Downton Abbey" (the first being Summerset Abbey by T.J. Brown). And while it doesn't have the same magic as the show, it's still a solid debut.

I'm a huge historical fiction fan. I especially love anything set around 1900, so I was really excited to get my hands on a copy of this book. There are definitely parts of it that have been done before, but I think it was fresh enough to feel different.

First, we're thrown into the classic predicament where the gentry are low in funds. In hopes of fixing this problem, the eldest daughter is shoved into the arms of any single man who has some money. There's also the semi-cliche plot with a rich girl being in love with a poor servant. However, as I'm fond of both plotlines, I didn't really have a problem with them.

What I haven't seen before, and something this book does, is add in the mystery of who could be writing the newspaper articles that mock the Darlington family. That actually reminded me somewhat of Anna Godbersen's Luxe series (as well as Jillian Larkin's Flappers series), where you have the scandalous articles about the lives of rich people, as written by someone who's "in the know." Most of the plot revolves around this part of the story.

I also liked that the book was told from so many perspectives. That gives the reader more information and a more thorough picture of these people's lives. Also, I always appreciate a YA that's told in third person, as it seems like so many of them are in first.

Another part of the novel that I appreciated was its focus more on plot and less on characters. I've actually said this about Lesley Livingston's books too, but I sometimes like for a book to be less bogged down by character development and just clip along focusing on the plot and conflict. I think Abby Grahame did a good job of telling a story and keeping us focused more so on the mystery and the family as a whole, as opposed to individual characters.

I'm pretty positive this is a standalone novel, and I think it's a good start for Abby Grahame! I'll be interested to see where she goes from here.

[AtenRa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Um…you guys! Where is the rest of the book?? You know, the one with all the character development and the not ridiculous plot line? Because I can't seem to find it anywhere and what I read just didn't cut it.

Wentworth Hall is a YA historical fiction, so it was only natural that as soon as I got my hands on it I would read it immediately, no question. I have read so few YA historical, that I immediately jump at the chance when one comes out and I really thought Wentworth Hall would be the one. It wasn't, though. It didn't even come close.

Grahame did an OK job as far as the writing goes (just OK though), but unfortunately failed at everything else. The characters were not likable at all, not even one, and in 276 pages they had no time to change being busy doing whatever mundane stuff they were doing throughout the whole book. I found it impossible to relate to any of the characters and I didn't believe their relationships for a second. For example, the great romance between the stable boy and the Lord's daughter was laughable, at best. There was no background story to back it up, nor could the reader detect the character's feelings at all. It was like they were actors pushed into a role they hated and they played it badly. Also, why have Maggie's mother help with the baby situation only to have Maggie describe her as a cold and detached parent later? It doesn't make any sense!

As for the plot, it had enormous gaps. What happened with Therese and Wes? What happened to the twins? What went on with Ian and Lila? And most importantly what happened to Wentworth Hall?? I kept thinking there has got to be a book 2 but it turns out there isn't and I don't think there will be one in the future (shocking!).

Granted, Wentworth Hall is readable and a really quick read, if you're interested in something like that. Even if you only want to pass the time though, I suggest you look elsewhere. This is only gonna bring you pain, suffering and frustration!

[Erikka · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ok, now that I've stopped laughing: what the hell was this supposed to be? Please tell me it was intended to be a satire, or a cheesy comedy of some sort, because if it was intended to be serious historical fiction? Oh dear lord.

The issues:

The characters: I thought I was watching a soap opera, seriously. They are way melodramatic, about as interesting as cardboard cutouts, and I was honestly more interested in their clothing than in them.

The weird "Sussex Courier" bits: What the heck were those supposed to be? They were stupid! It sounded like something you'd see in a children's TV show, or a clown act for a circus. They added nothing to the plot and they were just...ungodly stupid.

The "love stories": I'll give you a taste, in paraphrased form--"Oh, Michael, I love you, but now I hate you, but it can't be like it was before (random event that I'll continue to allude to but never actually fully detail), but I wish it could be like it was before, when I could love you, but I hate you now, but I want to love you again."

Jessica: "Oh, I'm a rude nasty witch, now I'm your friend, now I hate you again, look at me writing in my journal because I'm sneaky, I'll be your friend, Lila, but now I'm making fun of you, but now we're friends, but now I'm making fun of you again."

Lila: Can someone take this girl out of her fancy early 20th century clothes and put her in some goth gear? She's seriously emo--"no one gets me, I'm so lonely, I'm wallpaper, I'm so ignored." Dear god, enough already!

If this was supposed to be like Downton Abbey? FAIL. If this was supposed to be like the Luxe series? FAIL. If this was supposed to be a crappy soap-opera like book with no plot, characters, or interesting thing to speak of? Friggin nailed it.

[sassafrass · Rating 1 out of 5]

It is incredibly clear the author of this novel enjoyed one too many episodes of Downton Abbey. The characters were flimsy at best and cardboard at worst, Maggie's narrative was interesting but having an unwanted cross-class pregnancy on the eve of world war 1 (and don't even get me started on how the political turmoil of Europe is barely mentioned) squeezed into less than a hundred pages is hysterical. Her opposite is Jessica, who is set up as such an obvious red-herring during the ~mystery~ that she gets development only 20 pages from the end quickly shoved in to reveal why she was so bitter, and even that is completely unsatisfactory.

The simple fact of the matter is the cast of this novel was far too large and each individual character was given barely enough page devotion. The mysteries were also laughably obvious, to the point I was trying to work myself into circles thinking PERHAPS the author was doing it all on purpose and would in fact fool me with how obvious the entire thing was.

The only thing that kept me reading was the hope that Wes and Ian were actually gay for each other and that was their ~big secret~ but NOPE. More heterosexual safely liberal period drama that takes no risks and does absolutely nothing new, ALWAYS DELIGHTFUL.

[Elizabeth ♛Smart Girls Love Trashy Books♛ · Rating 2 out of 5]

-POTENTIAL SPOILERS-

*MY FIFTH WORST BOOK OF 2017.*

Ewwwwww. Just....ewwww.

For starters, no I have never seen Downtown Abbey, and no I don't have any interest in ever watching it for my own personal reasons. My dislike of this book is not because it ripped off that show like the other reviewers' dislike for it.

The title inaccuracies and various historical inaccuracies didn't bother me either, since I don't know very much about Edwardian England. Victorian England is my forte, okay? Not Edwardian.

The reason why I didn't like this book is because it was poorly-written, too fast-paced, and relied way too much on telling, not showing me. At first I was pleased it was such a quick read, but once I started reading it, I then realized WHY it was such a quick read.

There are no characters here, just caricatures. And most of their arcs are hastily wrapped up at the end. Really the only thing I liked were the newspaper mockeries of the family, since they were at least accurate to the time period.

Seriously, just....ewwwww.

[Alexa (Alexa Loves Books) · Rating 2 out of 5]

(Review originally posted on Alexa Loves Books)

A story that hints at scandal in a prominent family set in 1912? Sign me up! I was certainly looking forward to reading Wentworth Hall. It combines the always intriguing element of good gossip, is presented in a style that sort of gives a nod to Gossip Girl, and is set in a the early 1900s.

Sad to say, despite the fact I did manage to finish it, I didn’t like the book all that much. I just couldn’t find anything particularly relatable about the characters. I also predicted the plot twist was early on. It also felt like there were moments when things the characters did or said felt a little too… inauthentic.

Wentworth Hall was a quick read. I may not have enjoyed it as much as I wanted to, but nonetheless, it’s still worth a try if you love gossip and can suspend your disbelief a bit.