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Hazelby Priors
She didn’t want a governess at all. Now she’s forced to hire TWO, just because they both expect it?
With her husband leaving for a transatlantic voyage, Helen knows she isn’t “qualified” to teach six high-energy students in his place. That doesn’t vanquish her urge to try. After all, who could love her children more—or grasp Frank’s vision better—than Helen herself?
A pair of prestigious teachers with diametrically-opposed philosophies are about to threaten her rosy ideal. Neither of them seems to grasp the one educational principle Helen and Frank actually care about. But neither has anywhere else to go if Helen turns them down.
Will rival governesses tear her schoolroom to pieces? Does Helen have the courage to reach out with compassion—and still hold onto Frank’s original dream? And when an unforeseen disaster puts their anchor to the test, will a motto about God’s glory be enough to steer her children through the storm?
Combining the classic vibes of an authentic 19th century novel with a squeaky-clean content rating and a loveable cast of characters, Hazelby Priors is the story of a Victorian family dedicated to Christian home education, over a century before the modern homeschooling movement began.
With her husband leaving for a transatlantic voyage, Helen knows she isn’t “qualified” to teach six high-energy students in his place. That doesn’t vanquish her urge to try. After all, who could love her children more—or grasp Frank’s vision better—than Helen herself?
A pair of prestigious teachers with diametrically-opposed philosophies are about to threaten her rosy ideal. Neither of them seems to grasp the one educational principle Helen and Frank actually care about. But neither has anywhere else to go if Helen turns them down.
Will rival governesses tear her schoolroom to pieces? Does Helen have the courage to reach out with compassion—and still hold onto Frank’s original dream? And when an unforeseen disaster puts their anchor to the test, will a motto about God’s glory be enough to steer her children through the storm?
Combining the classic vibes of an authentic 19th century novel with a squeaky-clean content rating and a loveable cast of characters, Hazelby Priors is the story of a Victorian family dedicated to Christian home education, over a century before the modern homeschooling movement began.
165 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2024
39 people want to read
About the author
Courtenay Burden
24 books26 followersCourtenay Burden is a Victorian fanatic and author of historical fiction. She loves working with yarn, playing the occasional game of chess, devouring history, and discovering new ways to cook the humble potato. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her sketching, reading anything published more than a century ago, or attempting to sing alto with growing confidence. You can connect with her at www.sawpublishing.com or on Instagram @courtenayburden.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 14, 2025
5+ stars (7/10 hearts). I'm familiar with, and love, Courtenay Burden's style, but she blew me away with this book. It's so delightfully Victorian!! I could swear it was written in 1864. It was so funny and sweet and realistic and vintage... I swooned over the writing alone.
And then there were the characters. Did I mention the book was realistic? As a homeschool graduate and the eldest of nine children, I can vouch for how very, very real the children and the schooldays were. Emily, Walter, Arthur, Janet, Bertie, Clarence... they were all so darling and so funny in their own ways! Mrs. Hazelby was so very sweet and such an inspiration, and Mr. Hazelby was a wonderful, wonderful man. As for Miss Webster & Pauline... they ended up very loveable after all.
It's a quick, simple story, taking place over a short period, and very much slice-of-life... schoolday adventures, countryside rambling, excitement and worry such as crops up every so often... I loved the plot. And the message! "Do all to the glory of God" was explored so throughly and so well, and connected specifically to education so splendidly! It gave me so much to think about, it brought a few tears to my eyes, and it made my heart very happy. <3
In short, this is another stunning novel by one of my very favourite authors, and I think all homeschooling parents and families should read this...
A Favourite Quote: “Mamma does say we need not be afraid of the dark. And you know why she says that, Bertie, don’t you?”
“Because God is there, just the same as the day,” whispered Janet.
A Favourite Humorous Quote: Emily wanted to commence with the whole name, Royal Society for the Self-Im- provement of Hazelby Priors, in gothic letters across the top. Walter was not certain that you could put in the word “Royal” without permission from the Queen. The Queen was sure to give it to such a worthy object, but it would be rather a bother to wait until the letter came. Arthur was vociferous in his recommendation of red ink, as being ever so much more exciting than ordinary black and white. Janet, who had once seen Papa looking at the text of the East India Company Charter, was very sure that it would not be proper unless there was a great deal of printing, all done on a real press, like a newspaper—an opinion that was not popular, since its attainment was practically impossible. Bertie begged very hard to stick the whole document shut with sealing wax, and could not understand how this might be an inconvenience in the future; while Clarence, who had a general notion that a Charter was probably something good to eat, ventured his personal opinion that it would be even better with plum buns.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
And then there were the characters. Did I mention the book was realistic? As a homeschool graduate and the eldest of nine children, I can vouch for how very, very real the children and the schooldays were. Emily, Walter, Arthur, Janet, Bertie, Clarence... they were all so darling and so funny in their own ways! Mrs. Hazelby was so very sweet and such an inspiration, and Mr. Hazelby was a wonderful, wonderful man. As for Miss Webster & Pauline... they ended up very loveable after all.
It's a quick, simple story, taking place over a short period, and very much slice-of-life... schoolday adventures, countryside rambling, excitement and worry such as crops up every so often... I loved the plot. And the message! "Do all to the glory of God" was explored so throughly and so well, and connected specifically to education so splendidly! It gave me so much to think about, it brought a few tears to my eyes, and it made my heart very happy. <3
In short, this is another stunning novel by one of my very favourite authors, and I think all homeschooling parents and families should read this...
A Favourite Quote: “Mamma does say we need not be afraid of the dark. And you know why she says that, Bertie, don’t you?”
“Because God is there, just the same as the day,” whispered Janet.
A Favourite Humorous Quote: Emily wanted to commence with the whole name, Royal Society for the Self-Im- provement of Hazelby Priors, in gothic letters across the top. Walter was not certain that you could put in the word “Royal” without permission from the Queen. The Queen was sure to give it to such a worthy object, but it would be rather a bother to wait until the letter came. Arthur was vociferous in his recommendation of red ink, as being ever so much more exciting than ordinary black and white. Janet, who had once seen Papa looking at the text of the East India Company Charter, was very sure that it would not be proper unless there was a great deal of printing, all done on a real press, like a newspaper—an opinion that was not popular, since its attainment was practically impossible. Bertie begged very hard to stick the whole document shut with sealing wax, and could not understand how this might be an inconvenience in the future; while Clarence, who had a general notion that a Charter was probably something good to eat, ventured his personal opinion that it would be even better with plum buns.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
January 16, 2024
As a teacher, I found this book quite interesting. I repeatedly found myself comparing the different teaching styles with what I learned in college.
The lesson of doing all to the glory of God was conveyed well, and I loved seeing how the children took this lesson to heart and the different ways they applied it, down to Bertie and Clarence closing the door.
I loved each of the little Hazelbys and their "Self Approvement Society" and their crazes. Miss Webster and Pauline were both nice characters and I enjoyed seeing their character arcs as the story progressed.
There were a few times where I found the story a bit tedious, but that could have just been me. Overall it was an enjoyable read!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review of the book.
The lesson of doing all to the glory of God was conveyed well, and I loved seeing how the children took this lesson to heart and the different ways they applied it, down to Bertie and Clarence closing the door.
I loved each of the little Hazelbys and their "Self Approvement Society" and their crazes. Miss Webster and Pauline were both nice characters and I enjoyed seeing their character arcs as the story progressed.
There were a few times where I found the story a bit tedious, but that could have just been me. Overall it was an enjoyable read!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review of the book.
January 19, 2024
Loved the style! Loved the lessons! Loved the characters! The children especially...they were absolutely adorable! <3<3<3
The story didn't take many of the turns I expected, and some of the characters really surprised me--Miss Webster and Pauline more than anyone! I loved how they could have been cookie-cutter characters but weren't, and I was thrown for a real loop trying to figure out what they were going to think or do. The focus was also a little different than I expected--the relative values of the different educational systems ended up taking a bit of a back seat to a more foundational idea. None of which was bad at all--it just made for a much different story than I was expecting and left me not able to anticipate what was coming next. (Although I did call one twist at the end, and I loved it!!!) But I adored the children, and I loved Mrs. Hazelby (and the bit of Mr. Hazelby that I saw), and I came to really like Miss Webster and Pauline, despite first impressions. ;)
Overall, a lovely story!
The story didn't take many of the turns I expected, and some of the characters really surprised me--Miss Webster and Pauline more than anyone! I loved how they could have been cookie-cutter characters but weren't, and I was thrown for a real loop trying to figure out what they were going to think or do. The focus was also a little different than I expected--the relative values of the different educational systems ended up taking a bit of a back seat to a more foundational idea. None of which was bad at all--it just made for a much different story than I was expecting and left me not able to anticipate what was coming next. (Although I did call one twist at the end, and I loved it!!!) But I adored the children, and I loved Mrs. Hazelby (and the bit of Mr. Hazelby that I saw), and I came to really like Miss Webster and Pauline, despite first impressions. ;)
Overall, a lovely story!
January 15, 2024
Love the cover of this book! The style of it fits the vintage style of writing that is uniquely Courtenay Burden’s.
While I liked the writing style and story idea, the first half of the book felt almost like–and I’m going to give my own subtitle to this book that fits the era when they had really long titles or subtitles–
“A Dissertation on the Philosophy of Childhood Education in Victorian England Written in Story Form for the Enjoyment and Instruction of Others.”
Perhaps it was me at the time of reading, but I found myself not that interested in what happened in the first part of the book. I didn’t understand some of what was being said or thought about unless I stopped reading and processed things. Maybe some of that was the language and the way the sentences were structured (if you love old books and writing styles, you might like and understand it better than I did). But the next day when I picked up the book and read the 2nd half, I enjoyed it quite a bit. Was it because there was more family and living and not as much “dissertation”? Perhaps. Was it because it was a different day and a different time? Perhaps. I don’t know. Perhaps it was just the topic that made me not as interested at the beginning.
I liked the many different characters. The children were all so fun even though I felt like I didn’t really get to know most of them until the second half of the book.
I have read an loved other stories by this author, but this one wasn’t my favorite.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
While I liked the writing style and story idea, the first half of the book felt almost like–and I’m going to give my own subtitle to this book that fits the era when they had really long titles or subtitles–
“A Dissertation on the Philosophy of Childhood Education in Victorian England Written in Story Form for the Enjoyment and Instruction of Others.”
Perhaps it was me at the time of reading, but I found myself not that interested in what happened in the first part of the book. I didn’t understand some of what was being said or thought about unless I stopped reading and processed things. Maybe some of that was the language and the way the sentences were structured (if you love old books and writing styles, you might like and understand it better than I did). But the next day when I picked up the book and read the 2nd half, I enjoyed it quite a bit. Was it because there was more family and living and not as much “dissertation”? Perhaps. Was it because it was a different day and a different time? Perhaps. I don’t know. Perhaps it was just the topic that made me not as interested at the beginning.
I liked the many different characters. The children were all so fun even though I felt like I didn’t really get to know most of them until the second half of the book.
I have read an loved other stories by this author, but this one wasn’t my favorite.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 27, 2024
This delightful vintagey book seems to belong to an era long gone. It reads like a real Victorian story, and feels so refreshing to read a modern book that doesn't feel a bit like a modern book. More people need to write like this and bring this style back.
Also, I so appreciate how this is practically a homeschooling historical fiction... Something else we need more of. It can be harder to make it a theme in a historical book, but Courtenay Burden nailed it. I loved the two teachers and I loved the contrast in their teaching philosophies, and especially the contrast of both to the Hazelbys'. The message of the whole book was an excellent one, and it was so well showed throughout the story in different little ways.
I hadn't expected to like either teacher, but they both ended up so likeable and I loved their ARCs. Just like for the children, neither were like I'd expected them to be and their characters were so much fun to read. I appreciate how there were things in both of them that Mrs Hazelby could learn from too, and how she wasn't afraid to admit it. I liked the balance, no one character being perfect and another character perfectly wrong in everything.
As for Mrs Hazelby, she was a wonderful mother and role model and I loved her SO much. I loved how she was an example even to Miss Webster and Pauline. So nice to read about a female character who could have stepped straight out a Victorian contemporary and who is a true woman and mother with none of the annoying modern tropes usually applied to women. Honestly, it's hard to remember you are reading a modern indie book as you read this. It could just as well be Pansy or some similar author from England, with characters from Frances Hodgson Burnett. I mean, just take a look at that cover, and even the title. This book belongs in a better time.
The children were so much fun... I really appreciated that they all acted their approximate age for their time. So many historical fictions featuring children match them to modern children and the way they would behave now at that age, and it drives me crazy. But this was perfect. I didn't know the ages of all the children, but I could get a general idea from how well they fit the mould for that time.
The characters all sounded so perfectly English... so perfectly Victorian English. Not once was there a piece of dialogue that pulled me out of the era or made me remember it was only a modern historical fiction. They all just sounded exactly right. And the same with the setting and description of things... And even the behaviour and actions of the characters. Everything was obviously well researched and accurate in the smallest degrees.
The story was a nice length, too... Not too long to lose interest, and not too short to feel incomplete. It wrapped everything up well, and I enjoyed the surprise near the end.
Is this a suspenseful or even exciting book? No. If you don't like vintage styles (I mean true vintage, as they were written a hundred years ago) that don't follow most of the modern writing style"rules" (and don't need to), and you don't like slow paced, theme-driven books, glimpses into the daily life of ordinary families, and homeschooling, this is not for you. But personally, it's a type of book I love, and if you think the above description sounds as appealing as I think it does, you will love Hazelby Priors.
Also, I so appreciate how this is practically a homeschooling historical fiction... Something else we need more of. It can be harder to make it a theme in a historical book, but Courtenay Burden nailed it. I loved the two teachers and I loved the contrast in their teaching philosophies, and especially the contrast of both to the Hazelbys'. The message of the whole book was an excellent one, and it was so well showed throughout the story in different little ways.
I hadn't expected to like either teacher, but they both ended up so likeable and I loved their ARCs. Just like for the children, neither were like I'd expected them to be and their characters were so much fun to read. I appreciate how there were things in both of them that Mrs Hazelby could learn from too, and how she wasn't afraid to admit it. I liked the balance, no one character being perfect and another character perfectly wrong in everything.
As for Mrs Hazelby, she was a wonderful mother and role model and I loved her SO much. I loved how she was an example even to Miss Webster and Pauline. So nice to read about a female character who could have stepped straight out a Victorian contemporary and who is a true woman and mother with none of the annoying modern tropes usually applied to women. Honestly, it's hard to remember you are reading a modern indie book as you read this. It could just as well be Pansy or some similar author from England, with characters from Frances Hodgson Burnett. I mean, just take a look at that cover, and even the title. This book belongs in a better time.
The children were so much fun... I really appreciated that they all acted their approximate age for their time. So many historical fictions featuring children match them to modern children and the way they would behave now at that age, and it drives me crazy. But this was perfect. I didn't know the ages of all the children, but I could get a general idea from how well they fit the mould for that time.
The characters all sounded so perfectly English... so perfectly Victorian English. Not once was there a piece of dialogue that pulled me out of the era or made me remember it was only a modern historical fiction. They all just sounded exactly right. And the same with the setting and description of things... And even the behaviour and actions of the characters. Everything was obviously well researched and accurate in the smallest degrees.
The story was a nice length, too... Not too long to lose interest, and not too short to feel incomplete. It wrapped everything up well, and I enjoyed the surprise near the end.
Is this a suspenseful or even exciting book? No. If you don't like vintage styles (I mean true vintage, as they were written a hundred years ago) that don't follow most of the modern writing style"rules" (and don't need to), and you don't like slow paced, theme-driven books, glimpses into the daily life of ordinary families, and homeschooling, this is not for you. But personally, it's a type of book I love, and if you think the above description sounds as appealing as I think it does, you will love Hazelby Priors.
February 8, 2024
An excellent read for all ages. The delightful old fashioned style and tone is spot on and so are the lively characters and the life lessons woven sweetly through this story.
February 4, 2024
I absolutely loved this story! I enjoy Victorian style and being a homeschooled kid myself it was very refreshing. I found humor in it and great morals and Biblical principles. Very good family story for all ages!!
Courtenay Burden has great talent writing her story in Victorian style but it was easy to understand. I’ve read actual books from people in the Victorian era and found it hard to understand sometimes, but this book is really just amazing.
Thank you so much, Miss Burden!!!!
Courtenay Burden has great talent writing her story in Victorian style but it was easy to understand. I’ve read actual books from people in the Victorian era and found it hard to understand sometimes, but this book is really just amazing.
Thank you so much, Miss Burden!!!!
February 5, 2025
My favorite thing about this book was that the author voice was so utterly engaging. I’ll definitely be trying more of this author’s books—just not likely any more Victorian ones.
Other than that, I really am unsure what I think of it. But I shall try to arrange my jumbled thoughts into some semblance of order.
I am unaccustomed to vintage Victorian style of storytelling, so I never really got used to the abrupt, jarring author asides or the sudden mention of “modern conveniences” of future generations (all of which tugged or yanked me from feeling somewhat immersed in the story).
The father of the family was way too chaotic and extreme ADHD (yet could hold on to a singular thought, which contradicts every case of ADHD or ADD I have ever come across) for my taste; he actually gave me headaches and vertigo in each of his scenes. How he taught his children while doing eight other things was beyond my comprehension. To me, that would have been distracting as a student and, as a teacher, not conducive to paying enough attention to my students’ needs. (I’ve been a tutor for more than twenty years and cannot imagine teaching my students in such a chaotic, disruptive fashion.)
It took half the book or more to feel like I was beginning to see individual personalities in the “half-dozen” children. I would have loved to see their personalities pop much earlier instead of their saying the same exact thing at the same exact time, which made them feel like a collective rather than individuals for a while. Once they developed individuality, the children were delightful to get to know. I liked that they each had their inquiries unique to them as well as a deep-rooted desire to please their parents as well as their Lord. This was truly a highlight of the story for me.
I didn’t really connect well with any of the adult females. Mrs. Hazelby was flighty (similar to Mrs. Bennet in P&P but with a more optimistic bent). Miss Webster was stuffy, though she did warm up toward the end. And Pauline was extremely quiet, so quiet that I wasn’t even sure she had a personality until she was left in charge for a time. I liked Pauline’s growth as a teacher and as a person.
The faith thread was strong and superb. It felt like a group lesson rather than each character having their own personal faith journey, though. It was a bit unrealistic that all six children and three adults would be learning the same lesson at the same time, as faith journeys with Jesus are unique to each person, typically. However, the lesson that was focused on in this story was beautifully expressed.
I absolutely adored the plot twists and problems that cropped up along the way! These were grand surprises that kept me guessing what could possibly happen next.
The cover was completely charming. I needed a book with a shawl on the cover for a challenge, and this one perfectly fit the bill. I loved the throwback feel of the cover’s design.
Overall, this was an engaging story with meaningful themes. The style simply wasn’t a good fit for me, but I’m sure readers with a broader vintage-books experience than I have will enjoy it immensely.
Other than that, I really am unsure what I think of it. But I shall try to arrange my jumbled thoughts into some semblance of order.
I am unaccustomed to vintage Victorian style of storytelling, so I never really got used to the abrupt, jarring author asides or the sudden mention of “modern conveniences” of future generations (all of which tugged or yanked me from feeling somewhat immersed in the story).
The father of the family was way too chaotic and extreme ADHD (yet could hold on to a singular thought, which contradicts every case of ADHD or ADD I have ever come across) for my taste; he actually gave me headaches and vertigo in each of his scenes. How he taught his children while doing eight other things was beyond my comprehension. To me, that would have been distracting as a student and, as a teacher, not conducive to paying enough attention to my students’ needs. (I’ve been a tutor for more than twenty years and cannot imagine teaching my students in such a chaotic, disruptive fashion.)
It took half the book or more to feel like I was beginning to see individual personalities in the “half-dozen” children. I would have loved to see their personalities pop much earlier instead of their saying the same exact thing at the same exact time, which made them feel like a collective rather than individuals for a while. Once they developed individuality, the children were delightful to get to know. I liked that they each had their inquiries unique to them as well as a deep-rooted desire to please their parents as well as their Lord. This was truly a highlight of the story for me.
I didn’t really connect well with any of the adult females. Mrs. Hazelby was flighty (similar to Mrs. Bennet in P&P but with a more optimistic bent). Miss Webster was stuffy, though she did warm up toward the end. And Pauline was extremely quiet, so quiet that I wasn’t even sure she had a personality until she was left in charge for a time. I liked Pauline’s growth as a teacher and as a person.
The faith thread was strong and superb. It felt like a group lesson rather than each character having their own personal faith journey, though. It was a bit unrealistic that all six children and three adults would be learning the same lesson at the same time, as faith journeys with Jesus are unique to each person, typically. However, the lesson that was focused on in this story was beautifully expressed.
I absolutely adored the plot twists and problems that cropped up along the way! These were grand surprises that kept me guessing what could possibly happen next.
The cover was completely charming. I needed a book with a shawl on the cover for a challenge, and this one perfectly fit the bill. I loved the throwback feel of the cover’s design.
Overall, this was an engaging story with meaningful themes. The style simply wasn’t a good fit for me, but I’m sure readers with a broader vintage-books experience than I have will enjoy it immensely.
February 20, 2024
This was such a charming and wholesome story! I adore anything pertaining to the Victorian era.
The Hazelby family is faced with a dilemma when Mr. Hazelby has to leave the family for business and two women request to be governess for the children. Mrs. Hazelby doesn’t want to be rude so she invites them both to come and the three of them can hopefully educate the children together.
Both of the governesses had different approaches to education, and the little Hazelbys were nervous and unsure how they could all function together. Overall this was a sweet and happy little story.
As a previous homeschool mama I really resonated with it! I love how the Hazelby motto is to do everything to the glory of God. Even the little things!
Thank you to the author for my copy.
The Hazelby family is faced with a dilemma when Mr. Hazelby has to leave the family for business and two women request to be governess for the children. Mrs. Hazelby doesn’t want to be rude so she invites them both to come and the three of them can hopefully educate the children together.
Both of the governesses had different approaches to education, and the little Hazelbys were nervous and unsure how they could all function together. Overall this was a sweet and happy little story.
As a previous homeschool mama I really resonated with it! I love how the Hazelby motto is to do everything to the glory of God. Even the little things!
Thank you to the author for my copy.
January 3, 2025
Lovely, old-fashioned story about a vibrant family of young children and how they fare when their parents have other obligations and must rely on two kind lady tutors for their learning. Will their previous upbringing stand the test?
I loved the classic style and the sweet view of vintage English family life.
I loved the classic style and the sweet view of vintage English family life.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews