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True Companions: Residents of Ashwick Hall Book 2
After fleeing her home, Lucy has spent the last two years at Ashwick Hall under Lady Westcliffe’s protection. Now that her godmother, Lady Frampton, has returned from abroad to take charge of her, the time has come for her to be reunited with her twin sister. Abby betrayed her, however, and she is unsure if she can forgive her. Lucy knows nothing of the world, and when she steps into it, she discovers far more than she ever imagined, not least that things are rarely quite as they seem.
Mr Frederick Ashton is considered a buffoon by much of the ton. They are unaware that his inattention and habit of falling asleep at the drop of a hat are caused by the sleeplessness and nightmares he has suffered since he was a child. As his dream begins to change, he believes it is telling him to return to the childhood home where his parents were murdered. Hoping to remember them and believing that the dream will cease to plague him if he obeys it, he decides to go to Ashton Manor.
Lucy, Abby, and Lady Frampton are invited to accompany Mr Ashton and his family, but even as Lucy’s and Freddie’s friendship deepens, the past comes back to haunt them.
Mr Frederick Ashton is considered a buffoon by much of the ton. They are unaware that his inattention and habit of falling asleep at the drop of a hat are caused by the sleeplessness and nightmares he has suffered since he was a child. As his dream begins to change, he believes it is telling him to return to the childhood home where his parents were murdered. Hoping to remember them and believing that the dream will cease to plague him if he obeys it, he decides to go to Ashton Manor.
Lucy, Abby, and Lady Frampton are invited to accompany Mr Ashton and his family, but even as Lucy’s and Freddie’s friendship deepens, the past comes back to haunt them.
299 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 30, 2024
167 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Hambly
34 books90 followersI love history and the Regency period in particular. I grew up on a diet of Jane Austen, Charlotte and Emile Bronte, and Georgette Heyer.
I now write traditional Regency romance novels. I like to think my characters, though flawed, are likeable, strong, and true to the period. Rosalind is the first in my Bachelor Brides series. Sophie and Katherine complete the series. The books are linked by characters introduced in each. They can be read as stand-alone novels, but are best read in order.
I live by the sea in Plymouth, England with my partner, Dave. I like reading, sailing, wine, getting up early to watch the sunrise in summer, and long quiet evenings by the wood burner in our cabin on the cliffs in Cornwall in winter.
Find out more about me, join my mailing list, or just see what I am up to, at www.jennyhambly.com
I now write traditional Regency romance novels. I like to think my characters, though flawed, are likeable, strong, and true to the period. Rosalind is the first in my Bachelor Brides series. Sophie and Katherine complete the series. The books are linked by characters introduced in each. They can be read as stand-alone novels, but are best read in order.
I live by the sea in Plymouth, England with my partner, Dave. I like reading, sailing, wine, getting up early to watch the sunrise in summer, and long quiet evenings by the wood burner in our cabin on the cliffs in Cornwall in winter.
Find out more about me, join my mailing list, or just see what I am up to, at www.jennyhambly.com
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 9, 2024
Lucy has secretly spent two years in a home for girls without recourse, as well as for some, like herself, who are in need of protection. She has a twin, Abby, who she thinks betrayed her. Now her godmother has returned from France and takes her to London, where she reunites with her sister and her brother. Suffice it to say that their father was a monster.
Mr. Ashton is an unusual man who is thought by most to be addlepated. In reality, he has just found the best way to deal with bullies. His parents were murdered when he was five, and since then he's had nightmares and problems sleeping at night. When convinced that he should return to his childhood home to decide whether or not to sell it, his sleeping problem is alleviated.
This was mostly enjoyable, and better-edited than previous books by the author. The main characters are likable, and the story is not cliche-ridden. The plot moved along well until they made the trip to Ashton Manor, where Freddie Ashton must confront childhood demons that haunt his dreams. Here the story gets bogged down with endless descriptions of the manor house's corridors, fireplaces, arches, secret staircases, a priest's hole, servants' staircases, locked doors, attic rooms, and on and on. There is an exciting and satisfying ending.
Mr. Ashton is an unusual man who is thought by most to be addlepated. In reality, he has just found the best way to deal with bullies. His parents were murdered when he was five, and since then he's had nightmares and problems sleeping at night. When convinced that he should return to his childhood home to decide whether or not to sell it, his sleeping problem is alleviated.
This was mostly enjoyable, and better-edited than previous books by the author. The main characters are likable, and the story is not cliche-ridden. The plot moved along well until they made the trip to Ashton Manor, where Freddie Ashton must confront childhood demons that haunt his dreams. Here the story gets bogged down with endless descriptions of the manor house's corridors, fireplaces, arches, secret staircases, a priest's hole, servants' staircases, locked doors, attic rooms, and on and on. There is an exciting and satisfying ending.
July 9, 2024
I loved the characters but Freddy really stole the show. He's wonderful and why I'm giving the book 4 stars. I found some of the subject matter uncomfortable though, and while I don't recommend a trigger warning I probably wouldn't have bought a story that dealt with some of these themes. Not because they're not real, but I prefer my Regencies with a little more escapism and a little less agony. Author is certainly talented.
July 17, 2024
Another gentle read from Jenny Hambly, with a delightful mix of characters, not one but two sweet romances and another of her wonderfully atmospheric houses. Oh yes, and a snappy dog and a foul-mouthed parrot. I wonder why it is that Regency parrots are always so rude? There must be one or two that could be trained to recite Shakespeare’s sonnets, or quotes from the Bible. But I digress.
Here’s the premise: Lucy Talbot has been a resident of Ashwick Hall, a refuge for women fleeing from trouble, for two years, hiding away from her family and society while she recovers from a breach with her twin sister. Now her godmother has returned from abroad and wishes to reclaim Lucy and reintroduce her to society - and her own family, not just her estranged sister, but her brother, too, who was raised largely apart from his sisters. Mr Frederick Ashton (Freddie) is regarded as a buffoon because of his cherubic appearance and seeming lack of intelligence, as well as his habit of falling asleep anywhere - even at a ball! But his sleep problems result from the nightmares he’s suffered from for years. To try to cure them, he determines to return to his childhood home for the first time since his parents were murdered there.
So there we have the two main characters and their backstories, and as is usual with a Hambly book, there’s a lot of backstory laid out upfront at the start of the book, which does tend to slow things down a bit. There’s also a problem in that the two main characters are not connected and there’s not the usual meet-at-a-ball setup to get things rolling. So they meet accidentally in the park on account of Jacko the monkey, which is quite cute (ha! A meet-cute, right?) but it feels just a shade coincidental.
This early part of the book feels quite slow. There is all that backstory to be unfurled in the early chapters. Then there’s the slow and rather forced development of the friendship between Lucy and Freddie in London. Lucy’s brother makes a brief appearance and then vanishes. I wasn’t sure what purpose he served in the story, but perhaps he is being prepared for a larger role in a later book. Come to that, I didn’t quite see the point of Lord and Lady Kirkby, either. I wondered whether I should have recognised them from an earlier book, but even if so, I didn’t think they added materially to the story. Nor did the little side story of the maid add much, except to show Lucy’s compassion, although that was already clear enough, I should have thought.
So this early part of the book was quite lumpy and disjointed, not uninteresting but without the usual smooth flow of Hambly’s writing. But then we arrive at Ashton Manor, and the author’s great strength comes to the fore - her wonderful way of describing places. The house (based on a real house, Haddon Hall, apparently) is a fascinating medieval building with all sorts of quirky passages and oddly placed stairs. I’d have loved to have a proper floor plan to follow along as the characters moved about the house, but perhaps that would have spoilt the surprises. One of Hambly’s earlier books, Carteret, also features a house that’s so brilliantly described it’s almost like another character, as it is here.
Meanwhile Lucy and Freddie are inching towards something more than friendship. I liked both characters. Lucy is beautifully drawn, a complex character who appears timid on the surface but has a steel backbone when required, and Freddie is just a sweetheart. Who could not love him? He’s another of Hambly’s unusual heroes, reminding me a little of the delightful Derry, star of Derriford, who was a perfect gentleman of surprising talents who became utterly tongue-tied in the presence of ladies.
Abby I liked a lot less. I found her rather a nasty, vindictive creature at times, and although some of her mischief arose from the best of motives, it didn’t always look that way. If I’d been Lucy, I’m not sure I’d have forgiven her for some of her transgressions. There was a villain, of course, who was flagged up almost from the start, but his villainy was thwarted, naturally. This was really the only action in the whole book.
The romance… well, the outcome was inevitable, but I wasn’t at all sure of Freddie’s dramatic proposal. It seemed to come too quickly and to be too overwrought for a man of such gentlemanly manners, but that’s just me. I far prefer a gentler finale, personally. And a couple of side characters reach their own finale in a somewhat awkwardly written manner. While I’m grumbling, can I just mention how confusing it is to have two characters called Lucinda and Lucy (who was also Drusilla)? And then there were all the ladies - Lady Westcliffe, Lady Wirksworth, Lady Frampton, Lady Kirkby. Each time I came across one of those, there was a momentary adjustment to make: now, which one is this? And one final grumble. I was very surprised to see some Americanisms creeping into a book by a British author - drapes instead of curtains, for instance, and ‘quite the adventure’ where I would say ‘quite AN adventure’. Trivial stuff, but it tripped me up.
Does this sound very critical? Perhaps it’s just the result of coming to this straight after a whole series of very different Regencies, and this suffered by contrast. It is, as always with this author, beautifully written, some of my grumbles (like putting a lot of backstory in the early chapters) are just the way this author writes, and as usual she nails the characters perfectly. This is a perfect read for anyone looking for an authentic Regency in a gentle, low-action story. Freddie is an absolute darling, and I loved the evocative descriptions of Ashton Manor, so I’m going to settle for four stars.
Here’s the premise: Lucy Talbot has been a resident of Ashwick Hall, a refuge for women fleeing from trouble, for two years, hiding away from her family and society while she recovers from a breach with her twin sister. Now her godmother has returned from abroad and wishes to reclaim Lucy and reintroduce her to society - and her own family, not just her estranged sister, but her brother, too, who was raised largely apart from his sisters. Mr Frederick Ashton (Freddie) is regarded as a buffoon because of his cherubic appearance and seeming lack of intelligence, as well as his habit of falling asleep anywhere - even at a ball! But his sleep problems result from the nightmares he’s suffered from for years. To try to cure them, he determines to return to his childhood home for the first time since his parents were murdered there.
So there we have the two main characters and their backstories, and as is usual with a Hambly book, there’s a lot of backstory laid out upfront at the start of the book, which does tend to slow things down a bit. There’s also a problem in that the two main characters are not connected and there’s not the usual meet-at-a-ball setup to get things rolling. So they meet accidentally in the park on account of Jacko the monkey, which is quite cute (ha! A meet-cute, right?) but it feels just a shade coincidental.
This early part of the book feels quite slow. There is all that backstory to be unfurled in the early chapters. Then there’s the slow and rather forced development of the friendship between Lucy and Freddie in London. Lucy’s brother makes a brief appearance and then vanishes. I wasn’t sure what purpose he served in the story, but perhaps he is being prepared for a larger role in a later book. Come to that, I didn’t quite see the point of Lord and Lady Kirkby, either. I wondered whether I should have recognised them from an earlier book, but even if so, I didn’t think they added materially to the story. Nor did the little side story of the maid add much, except to show Lucy’s compassion, although that was already clear enough, I should have thought.
So this early part of the book was quite lumpy and disjointed, not uninteresting but without the usual smooth flow of Hambly’s writing. But then we arrive at Ashton Manor, and the author’s great strength comes to the fore - her wonderful way of describing places. The house (based on a real house, Haddon Hall, apparently) is a fascinating medieval building with all sorts of quirky passages and oddly placed stairs. I’d have loved to have a proper floor plan to follow along as the characters moved about the house, but perhaps that would have spoilt the surprises. One of Hambly’s earlier books, Carteret, also features a house that’s so brilliantly described it’s almost like another character, as it is here.
Meanwhile Lucy and Freddie are inching towards something more than friendship. I liked both characters. Lucy is beautifully drawn, a complex character who appears timid on the surface but has a steel backbone when required, and Freddie is just a sweetheart. Who could not love him? He’s another of Hambly’s unusual heroes, reminding me a little of the delightful Derry, star of Derriford, who was a perfect gentleman of surprising talents who became utterly tongue-tied in the presence of ladies.
Abby I liked a lot less. I found her rather a nasty, vindictive creature at times, and although some of her mischief arose from the best of motives, it didn’t always look that way. If I’d been Lucy, I’m not sure I’d have forgiven her for some of her transgressions. There was a villain, of course, who was flagged up almost from the start, but his villainy was thwarted, naturally. This was really the only action in the whole book.
The romance… well, the outcome was inevitable, but I wasn’t at all sure of Freddie’s dramatic proposal. It seemed to come too quickly and to be too overwrought for a man of such gentlemanly manners, but that’s just me. I far prefer a gentler finale, personally. And a couple of side characters reach their own finale in a somewhat awkwardly written manner. While I’m grumbling, can I just mention how confusing it is to have two characters called Lucinda and Lucy (who was also Drusilla)? And then there were all the ladies - Lady Westcliffe, Lady Wirksworth, Lady Frampton, Lady Kirkby. Each time I came across one of those, there was a momentary adjustment to make: now, which one is this? And one final grumble. I was very surprised to see some Americanisms creeping into a book by a British author - drapes instead of curtains, for instance, and ‘quite the adventure’ where I would say ‘quite AN adventure’. Trivial stuff, but it tripped me up.
Does this sound very critical? Perhaps it’s just the result of coming to this straight after a whole series of very different Regencies, and this suffered by contrast. It is, as always with this author, beautifully written, some of my grumbles (like putting a lot of backstory in the early chapters) are just the way this author writes, and as usual she nails the characters perfectly. This is a perfect read for anyone looking for an authentic Regency in a gentle, low-action story. Freddie is an absolute darling, and I loved the evocative descriptions of Ashton Manor, so I’m going to settle for four stars.
June 13, 2024
An enjoyable read
Freddy is an absolute delight and is joined by a host of rich characters, making this book a pleasure to read!
Freddy is an absolute delight and is joined by a host of rich characters, making this book a pleasure to read!
July 6, 2024
Fantastic on all counts
A romance, a mystery, an abduction and a monkey! What more could a reader ask for? That it be well written? Tick. That the dialogue be witty, tender, provoking etc as required? Tick. That characters be more than one dimensional? Tick. That the drama be leavened with humour? Tick. There was the odd proofreading error, but I didn’t deduct any stars as the novel is so very, very good.
A romance, a mystery, an abduction and a monkey! What more could a reader ask for? That it be well written? Tick. That the dialogue be witty, tender, provoking etc as required? Tick. That characters be more than one dimensional? Tick. That the drama be leavened with humour? Tick. There was the odd proofreading error, but I didn’t deduct any stars as the novel is so very, very good.
August 17, 2024
Second and I hope not the last book in the Residents is Ashwick Ball series.
After being humiliated by her father Drucilla /Lucy ran from home and ended up at Ashwick Ball where she recovered from the humiliation. She's always led a sheltered life with her twin far from her father, who is obsessed with bloodlines and betrothed both daughters when very young. On joining her godmother in London, Lucy meets Freddie Ashton and family, and is drawn to his cheerful character.
Freddie is good natured and perceived to lack intelligence, but ignores that opinion to the point she almost plays up to it. But Freddie has lived through trauma as a child and still has nightmares.
I loved both lead characters, well drawn and Freddie is a real hero. The book goes to some shadowed places but covers them well, so we know the gist of it but not the detail. The only negative is how quickly Lucy's sisters situation is covered, very rushed unlike the rest of the book. Almost a throwaway comment to give her an ending. Good read.
I hope there are more in this series.
After being humiliated by her father Drucilla /Lucy ran from home and ended up at Ashwick Ball where she recovered from the humiliation. She's always led a sheltered life with her twin far from her father, who is obsessed with bloodlines and betrothed both daughters when very young. On joining her godmother in London, Lucy meets Freddie Ashton and family, and is drawn to his cheerful character.
Freddie is good natured and perceived to lack intelligence, but ignores that opinion to the point she almost plays up to it. But Freddie has lived through trauma as a child and still has nightmares.
I loved both lead characters, well drawn and Freddie is a real hero. The book goes to some shadowed places but covers them well, so we know the gist of it but not the detail. The only negative is how quickly Lucy's sisters situation is covered, very rushed unlike the rest of the book. Almost a throwaway comment to give her an ending. Good read.
I hope there are more in this series.
June 19, 2024
Does father know best?
Twin sisters Drucilla and Abigail were physically identical. Their personalities were very different. Abigail was bold. Lucy was very shy. Both were a disappointment to their father, after all they were female. He sent them to Wales and hired a overbearing nanny after their mother died. When they reached their majority, he sent for them and told them they were to be married. They had been betrothed since birth to sons of his friends and it would be advantageous. The girls balked and were drugged and examined for purity. The girls were separated. Father suffered a stroke and lost his memory and ability to speak.
Twin sisters Drucilla and Abigail were physically identical. Their personalities were very different. Abigail was bold. Lucy was very shy. Both were a disappointment to their father, after all they were female. He sent them to Wales and hired a overbearing nanny after their mother died. When they reached their majority, he sent for them and told them they were to be married. They had been betrothed since birth to sons of his friends and it would be advantageous. The girls balked and were drugged and examined for purity. The girls were separated. Father suffered a stroke and lost his memory and ability to speak.
June 2, 2025
this is one of the few regencies that I have found triggering. The pelvic exams and deflowerings came too quick and weren't really compensated for by the two romances, one rather quickly pulled together. and there seemed to be generations of would-be rapists. If this doesn't put you off, you will find it well written, rather gothic. I don't trigger easily, like sweet and spicy, gay and straight. I am 73, and have experienced marriage, two children, divorce rape and incest. I read these things to escape
August 3, 2024
Tru companions
I really like this book. Lots of interesting events and likeable main characters and side characters. Jenny's stories always have a bit more depth and substance. I did feel that the story for the main couple was a tad rushed at the end with the addition of the twin sister's romance. But overall a great story that I enjoyed and quickly finished.
I really like this book. Lots of interesting events and likeable main characters and side characters. Jenny's stories always have a bit more depth and substance. I did feel that the story for the main couple was a tad rushed at the end with the addition of the twin sister's romance. But overall a great story that I enjoyed and quickly finished.
November 3, 2024
Good story couples coming together after much adversity
I would recommend this book to any of my friends who liked romances with two such fiesty women. Will read others of the authors books.
I would recommend this book to any of my friends who liked romances with two such fiesty women. Will read others of the authors books.
January 13, 2025
Fun and Satisfying
Jenny Hambly doesn’t disappoint and her storyline is never stagnant. The characters in this book are thoroughly likable. The ending seemed a bit rushed, but was still satisfying.
Jenny Hambly doesn’t disappoint and her storyline is never stagnant. The characters in this book are thoroughly likable. The ending seemed a bit rushed, but was still satisfying.
March 21, 2025
Could not put it down!
So far in this Series it was the best. The Awkward ones find love, and the suspense of Freddie's nightmares...well done, and I want to visit the manor with the secret stairs and hiding places!
So far in this Series it was the best. The Awkward ones find love, and the suspense of Freddie's nightmares...well done, and I want to visit the manor with the secret stairs and hiding places!
June 10, 2024
So good
If yoh have the blues, this ones for you . not only well crafted and written, but interesting,clean, and parts will.make you laugh out loud!!
If yoh have the blues, this ones for you . not only well crafted and written, but interesting,clean, and parts will.make you laugh out loud!!
June 26, 2024
Twins with a tragic past come tog again and eventually fight their demons of the past and find their hea
July 29, 2024
If you love Georgette Heyer this is the book for you.
Ā great plot and a nod to Georgette Heyer.
Really gripping story with a lot of interesting characters.
Highly recommend.
Ā great plot and a nod to Georgette Heyer.
Really gripping story with a lot of interesting characters.
Highly recommend.
September 27, 2024
I love this series - pure escapism.
October 9, 2024
Lovely tale . Adored Freddie and Drucilla
November 12, 2024
A nice take on the twin trope
March 22, 2025
He's not quite GH's Freddie, in fact he may be better.
April 23, 2025
Lovely, gentle story, well written
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews