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Secrets of the Cornish House
The brand new WWII historical novel from Clare Willis that will stay with you long after you have turned the final page.
Readers love Clare
'Wow what a blockbuster of a narrative, I was hooked from the first page and until the end... Full of intrigue and secrets... Be prepared to be swept away' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Heartwarming and inspirational story about hope, forgiveness, bravery, promises made and secrets kept, that will stay with you long after you have read the last page' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Absolutely fantastic read, found myself not being able to put it down, what a compelling, interesting and superb book' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Gripping and beautifully written read that blends intrigue, culture, and emotion with ease... Draws you in from the very first page, offering vivid insights into Singapore' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Readers love Clare
'Wow what a blockbuster of a narrative, I was hooked from the first page and until the end... Full of intrigue and secrets... Be prepared to be swept away' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Heartwarming and inspirational story about hope, forgiveness, bravery, promises made and secrets kept, that will stay with you long after you have read the last page' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Absolutely fantastic read, found myself not being able to put it down, what a compelling, interesting and superb book' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Gripping and beautifully written read that blends intrigue, culture, and emotion with ease... Draws you in from the very first page, offering vivid insights into Singapore' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- GenresHistorical Fiction
402 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 22, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 1, 2026
Cornwall, 1944. The Trewallis family own a grand house on the edge of the Bodmin Moor, the heir Edward is off fighting and his sister Mary wants to help but her father’s controlling and strict. With a shortage of men, her dad is pushing her to marry the stuffy George Pengelly from the nearby Manor and she can’t think of anything worse.
Their house has been turned into a small hospital and Mary helps in the wards, reading to patients and writing letters. When given the chance to collect some medical supplies from a military base, Mary is off and riding and this is how she meets an Australian pilot.
Land girl and friend Nancy Baker helps Mary hide her activities, but she's taking a big risk and if her father finds out all hell will break loose. Mary is madly in love and hopes when the war ends her and Ned can be together?
The easy to follow narrative has a dual timeline and is set in 1944 and 2023 and told from the main female characters points of view.
Sydney, 2023. Lucy Kennedy is a jilted bride to be, she moves back home with her mum Amelia and brother Stephen and they do their best to cheer her up. When her mother receives an unexpected letter from a law firm in England informing her she’s inherited a house in Cornwall and Lucy decides to visit, sort it out and it will take her mind off her problems.
A jet lagged Lucy arrives in Cornwall, she can’t believe how beautiful it is, she discovers her mum has been left a huge and rundown property and once it was a grand and she has no idea why? Lucy becomes friends with her B& B host Rosie, Georgia a secretary, Drew from the café and Matt a surveyor. Lucy soon understands that everyone in the area is either related or knows each other, some were children during the war and have very good memories.
I received a copy of Secrets of the Cornish House by Clare Willis from NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton in exchange for an unbiased review. I’m a huge fan of dual timeline fiction, full of mystery, secrets, twists and turns, shocks, featuring old houses and this one ticked all my boxes.
I was totally engrossed in this novel, I liked the characters, plot and details about the area and Cornish countryside. I really felt like I was taking it all in, exploring and walking alongside Lucy, five stars from me, I highly recommend and Ms Willis’s previous book The Singapore Secret.
Their house has been turned into a small hospital and Mary helps in the wards, reading to patients and writing letters. When given the chance to collect some medical supplies from a military base, Mary is off and riding and this is how she meets an Australian pilot.
Land girl and friend Nancy Baker helps Mary hide her activities, but she's taking a big risk and if her father finds out all hell will break loose. Mary is madly in love and hopes when the war ends her and Ned can be together?
The easy to follow narrative has a dual timeline and is set in 1944 and 2023 and told from the main female characters points of view.
Sydney, 2023. Lucy Kennedy is a jilted bride to be, she moves back home with her mum Amelia and brother Stephen and they do their best to cheer her up. When her mother receives an unexpected letter from a law firm in England informing her she’s inherited a house in Cornwall and Lucy decides to visit, sort it out and it will take her mind off her problems.
A jet lagged Lucy arrives in Cornwall, she can’t believe how beautiful it is, she discovers her mum has been left a huge and rundown property and once it was a grand and she has no idea why? Lucy becomes friends with her B& B host Rosie, Georgia a secretary, Drew from the café and Matt a surveyor. Lucy soon understands that everyone in the area is either related or knows each other, some were children during the war and have very good memories.
I received a copy of Secrets of the Cornish House by Clare Willis from NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton in exchange for an unbiased review. I’m a huge fan of dual timeline fiction, full of mystery, secrets, twists and turns, shocks, featuring old houses and this one ticked all my boxes.
I was totally engrossed in this novel, I liked the characters, plot and details about the area and Cornish countryside. I really felt like I was taking it all in, exploring and walking alongside Lucy, five stars from me, I highly recommend and Ms Willis’s previous book The Singapore Secret.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A beautiful story, dual timeline. Set in Cornwall during the second world war and present day. I enjoyed this story immensely. It was sad at times but, it had a happy ending. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Secrets of the Cornish House is a fascinating, dual timeline World War Two historical fiction. The story is filled with mystery that begins with Amelia receiving a letter from an attorney in England. Her daughter, Lucy, flies from Australia to Cornwall in search of anwers. Why did her mom inherit a Manor Estate in Cornwall area? How are they related to the Trewallis family?
The author takes the reader on a journey of discovery to explore Cornwall during the war. Trewallis House had been turned into a convalescent home for military. A military base had popped up nearby. Mary Trewallis's father tried to keep her away from all it. In his opinion it was below them.
Mary saw it differently. She became friends with Nancy, a land girl. She did what she could to help the war effort. She would ride her horse the the base to pick up supplies, all in secrecy. She didn't expect to fall in love with an Australian pilot. She didn't expect one night to change everything.
Get lost in the Secrets of the Cornish House as the story unfolds. Enjoy glimpses into the past and learn how life was for the upper class compared to those that worked for them. Follow along with Lucy as she learn the secrets of her mom's birth and the story of the Trewallis family. Get excited as Lucy finds a place to belong, a new beginning and true love.
The author takes the reader on a journey of discovery to explore Cornwall during the war. Trewallis House had been turned into a convalescent home for military. A military base had popped up nearby. Mary Trewallis's father tried to keep her away from all it. In his opinion it was below them.
Mary saw it differently. She became friends with Nancy, a land girl. She did what she could to help the war effort. She would ride her horse the the base to pick up supplies, all in secrecy. She didn't expect to fall in love with an Australian pilot. She didn't expect one night to change everything.
Get lost in the Secrets of the Cornish House as the story unfolds. Enjoy glimpses into the past and learn how life was for the upper class compared to those that worked for them. Follow along with Lucy as she learn the secrets of her mom's birth and the story of the Trewallis family. Get excited as Lucy finds a place to belong, a new beginning and true love.
October 24, 2026
This dual-timeline novel moves between 1944 and the present day, connected by an old manor house on the edge of Bodmin Moor and the secrets it has kept for decades.
The Cornish setting was the highlight for me. The moorland, the grand old house and the wartime atmosphere all felt vivid, and the 1940s chapters capture the period beautifully, especially life on the home front while the war goes on overseas.
The romance is sweet and wholesome, just what you'd hope for from this genre. It adds warmth to the story without ever overshadowing it.
If you enjoy WWII historical fiction, atmospheric Cornish settings and a gentle mystery unfolding across two timelines, this is well worth picking up.
The Cornish setting was the highlight for me. The moorland, the grand old house and the wartime atmosphere all felt vivid, and the 1940s chapters capture the period beautifully, especially life on the home front while the war goes on overseas.
The romance is sweet and wholesome, just what you'd hope for from this genre. It adds warmth to the story without ever overshadowing it.
If you enjoy WWII historical fiction, atmospheric Cornish settings and a gentle mystery unfolding across two timelines, this is well worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Lucy is jilted by her bridegroom on the day of their planned wedding in Sydney. Almost immediately after, her mother finds to her surprise she has inherited a large house in Cornwall following the death of Lucy's grandmother. Lucy flies to England to check the house out and see what she can find out about the family connection which led to her mother inheriting the house.
This is a two-time period novel. Part is set in the present as we see Lucy find friendship and emotional healing and purpose, and uncover the past. Part is set in the mid-1940s, telling the sad story of Mary Trewallis, daughter of the house's then owner, and the secrets of Lucy's grandmother's origins. As is common in novels set in two time periods, the story alternates between them.
The main strengths of the novel lie in the sense of period and the intriguing storyline surrounding Mary. The quality of the characterisation is variable. Mary herself is well portrayed, Lucy is shown as having grit, and a surveyor who helps Lucy is shown in a fully-rounded way. Other characters in the contemporary sections of the book are heart-warmingly sweet in the way they support and assist Lucy, perhaps a bit too much so. The same goes for Mary's best friend. Mary's father, who plays a key and nasty role in the plot, is rather two-dimensional, and his prejudiced, inflexible behaviour was to me a bit too extreme, even allowing for the different attitudes of the 1940s: he came across to me as a caricature of a villain rather than a convincingly-depicted person.
The book would have benefited from a bit of editing. In particular, there are times when the reader is unnecessarily spoonfed, with the very obvious being spelt out rather than the reader being trusted to appreciate it.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me have a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is a two-time period novel. Part is set in the present as we see Lucy find friendship and emotional healing and purpose, and uncover the past. Part is set in the mid-1940s, telling the sad story of Mary Trewallis, daughter of the house's then owner, and the secrets of Lucy's grandmother's origins. As is common in novels set in two time periods, the story alternates between them.
The main strengths of the novel lie in the sense of period and the intriguing storyline surrounding Mary. The quality of the characterisation is variable. Mary herself is well portrayed, Lucy is shown as having grit, and a surveyor who helps Lucy is shown in a fully-rounded way. Other characters in the contemporary sections of the book are heart-warmingly sweet in the way they support and assist Lucy, perhaps a bit too much so. The same goes for Mary's best friend. Mary's father, who plays a key and nasty role in the plot, is rather two-dimensional, and his prejudiced, inflexible behaviour was to me a bit too extreme, even allowing for the different attitudes of the 1940s: he came across to me as a caricature of a villain rather than a convincingly-depicted person.
The book would have benefited from a bit of editing. In particular, there are times when the reader is unnecessarily spoonfed, with the very obvious being spelt out rather than the reader being trusted to appreciate it.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me have a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was the first book I have read by Clare Willis
It was an enjoyable read -if not a bit predictable. I’d worked out the Mary/Nancy/Amelia storyline way way before it was written about in the book.
This is a dual timeline story of Lucy in 2023 - an Australian in her 30s - jilted on her wedding day and Mary and her friend Nancy in 1944. Mary Trewallis was the daughter not Trewallis House - requisitioned in WW2 as a convalescent home luckily for the Airfield nearby that had Australian Air Force Officers..
Mary was ruled by her bombastic snob of a father and an ineffectual mother, Nancy was a Landgirl from Bristol and an unlikely friendship.
Ned Sullivan - in the Australian Airforce was the love interest. Inevitably Mary found herself pregnant and alone, ostracised by her family. But that’s how it would have been in wartime. She gives birth to her daughter Amelia - then tragedy strikes.
In the meantime Lucy’s mother, Amelia, finds she has inherited a property in Cornwall and her mother’s belongings. Lucy flies over with her broken heart to find out why and what’s what.
As I said all very predictable- but written in such a heartwarming way that the few bits that were too saccharinely sweet actually fitted the narrative.
So even though I could’ve told you the outcome in the first couple of chapters this was a lovely read. It’s obvious that Clare Willis had done her research.
It was an enjoyable read -if not a bit predictable. I’d worked out the Mary/Nancy/Amelia storyline way way before it was written about in the book.
This is a dual timeline story of Lucy in 2023 - an Australian in her 30s - jilted on her wedding day and Mary and her friend Nancy in 1944. Mary Trewallis was the daughter not Trewallis House - requisitioned in WW2 as a convalescent home luckily for the Airfield nearby that had Australian Air Force Officers..
Mary was ruled by her bombastic snob of a father and an ineffectual mother, Nancy was a Landgirl from Bristol and an unlikely friendship.
Ned Sullivan - in the Australian Airforce was the love interest. Inevitably Mary found herself pregnant and alone, ostracised by her family. But that’s how it would have been in wartime. She gives birth to her daughter Amelia - then tragedy strikes.
In the meantime Lucy’s mother, Amelia, finds she has inherited a property in Cornwall and her mother’s belongings. Lucy flies over with her broken heart to find out why and what’s what.
As I said all very predictable- but written in such a heartwarming way that the few bits that were too saccharinely sweet actually fitted the narrative.
So even though I could’ve told you the outcome in the first couple of chapters this was a lovely read. It’s obvious that Clare Willis had done her research.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really loved this WWII dual timeline novel. It follows the story of Mary Trewallis in the 1940’s Cornwall and her granddaughter Lucy set in modern day Australia. Mary is forced out of her well to do home by her parents after finding out she had been seeing an Australian RAAF pilot. I enjoyed the dual timeline aspect it was interesting following Lucy trying to unravel the set of lies that her family had been fed and believed over the years. Mary’s story is heartbreaking, it clearly shows how the gentry felt about and treated the commoners, so Mary’s story made sense in that she hid her relationship with Ned from her family as they wanted to force her to marry a local landowners son. This story captivated me, I really had a hard time putting it down, I felt like I had to keep reading because I was so invested in Mary’s story and Lucy’s efforts to find out the truth. Great read, highly recommend. This is my first read by Clare Willis and I’m very much looking forward to reading more.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. publication date 22 October 2026.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. publication date 22 October 2026.
September 9, 2026
The story is told in a dual timeline, moving between 2023 and 1944. I particularly liked the main protagonist, who is in her early 30s. She felt compassionate, grounded, and easy to connect with. Most of the characters were likeable, and the central secret kept me curious enough to keep reading. The writing is simple and easy to follow, and it portrays the themes of grief, identity, and family well.
There were a few parts that felt unnecessary to me, as though the story could have moved forward without some of the extra information. A couple of coincidences also made me roll my eyes a little.
Overall, I liked the story and was emotionally invested throughout.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy.
There were a few parts that felt unnecessary to me, as though the story could have moved forward without some of the extra information. A couple of coincidences also made me roll my eyes a little.
Overall, I liked the story and was emotionally invested throughout.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy.
October 20, 2026
This is a dual time story based in Cornwall in 1944 and Australia in 2023.Lucy who lives in Australia is jilted on her wedding day and Lucy’s mother Amelia finds out she has inherited a property Trewallis House in Cornwall. Lucy makes her mind up to go to England to see if she can find any thing out about Mary her grandmother..Mary Trewallis lives in Trewallis House in Cornwall in WW2 when it has been requisitioned as a convalescence home.Mary helps out with the patient’s.Mary starts a relationship with Ned an Australian airman which her father has forbidden but she is helped by her friend Nancy a Land girl on the estate. Lucy makes friends when she arrives in Cornwall who help her to try and find out the about Mary Trewallis her grandmother..I loved reading this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A wonderful story of discovery, of family and friendship, of love and heartbreak, of happiness and hardship. Told from two perspectives, well balanced between one in the past and one in the present, and evenly paced throughout, the writing style made for pleasant reading. This provoked several feelings for me on the journey with the characters, but I particularly felt for Mary. Relatively predictable, quite cliched in places where things were just too coincidental and perfect, and the odd extremity, however none of which ruined my enjoyment or the story overall. I really did enjoy this from start to finish, and an ending that felt well delivered in a slow pace to cocoon everything together.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I thoroughly enjoyed Secrets of a Cornish House. Clare Willis did a fantastic job with the dual timelines, seamlessly balancing the atmospheric present-day mystery with the high-stakes emotion of wartime 1944. I found myself completely swept away by both eras, and I was equally invested in Lucy’s journey of self-discovery and Mary's poignant wartime romance.The transition between the two narratives was smooth and kept the pacing perfectly taut. With a wonderfully vivid Cornwall setting, rich character development, and a beautiful handling of family secrets, this was a captivating read from start to finish. Highly recommended!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews