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The House at Ladywell
When Freya Gibson inherits an old, run-down property she has no idea she is the last in a long line of redoubtable women, including the Tudor nun who built the house. Unknown to Freya, these women, over centuries, fought with whatever weapons came to hand – deception, endurance, even murder – to preserve their home and family.
Freya falls in love with the house, but her inheritance includes an enigmatic letter telling her to ‘restore the balance’ of the Lady’s Well. Besides this, the house seems to be haunted by the scent of flowers.
In the past, the Lady’s Well was a place of healing, and Freya soon feels safe and at home, but she has demons of her own to conquer before she can accept the happiness that beckons.
Freya falls in love with the house, but her inheritance includes an enigmatic letter telling her to ‘restore the balance’ of the Lady’s Well. Besides this, the house seems to be haunted by the scent of flowers.
In the past, the Lady’s Well was a place of healing, and Freya soon feels safe and at home, but she has demons of her own to conquer before she can accept the happiness that beckons.
- GenresMysteryContemporary
248 pages, Paperback
Published September 8, 2017
38 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 4, 2019
Favorite Quotes:
Did you ever see the film, The Great Escape, ladies? We’re Steve McQueen and we’ve just jumped over the wire!
Ladywell, it was said, was a place of women; that no man prospered there and that the house itself was hostile to the menfolk, so it became a settled fact in the minds of the townspeople that only an exceptional man would marry happily into the house at Ladywell. That it took an exceptional woman to seize disaster and wallop it into success by sheer force of will was overlooked...
My Review:
Compelling characters and complicated storylines were ingeniously crafted and intricately plotted for a riveting and intriguing read. I was so caught up in the tale I didn't dare put my Kindle down for fear something would happen while I was otherwise occupied. This brilliant, puzzling, and mysterious tale involved an unexpected present-day inheritance of house that seemed alive, paternity issues, questionable bloodlines, phantom flowers, immortal hares, healing waters, a well-plotted elder escape, and possible reincarnation of Mrs. Wallis Simpson as a cat. The story was exceptionally well woven and occurred over multiple timelines following the ancestral generations from 4th century AD to the present day; each one well researched and laced together with the complications and proclivities of the issues facing those in their time. I was enthralled, devastated, engrossed, confounded, infested with curiosity, mesmerized, fully engaged, and delightfully entertained by the cleverness of the tale as well as the welcome nips of levity deftly tucked in throughout.
Did you ever see the film, The Great Escape, ladies? We’re Steve McQueen and we’ve just jumped over the wire!
Ladywell, it was said, was a place of women; that no man prospered there and that the house itself was hostile to the menfolk, so it became a settled fact in the minds of the townspeople that only an exceptional man would marry happily into the house at Ladywell. That it took an exceptional woman to seize disaster and wallop it into success by sheer force of will was overlooked...
My Review:
Compelling characters and complicated storylines were ingeniously crafted and intricately plotted for a riveting and intriguing read. I was so caught up in the tale I didn't dare put my Kindle down for fear something would happen while I was otherwise occupied. This brilliant, puzzling, and mysterious tale involved an unexpected present-day inheritance of house that seemed alive, paternity issues, questionable bloodlines, phantom flowers, immortal hares, healing waters, a well-plotted elder escape, and possible reincarnation of Mrs. Wallis Simpson as a cat. The story was exceptionally well woven and occurred over multiple timelines following the ancestral generations from 4th century AD to the present day; each one well researched and laced together with the complications and proclivities of the issues facing those in their time. I was enthralled, devastated, engrossed, confounded, infested with curiosity, mesmerized, fully engaged, and delightfully entertained by the cleverness of the tale as well as the welcome nips of levity deftly tucked in throughout.
October 31, 2017
A real feel-good romantic story about a house and its history. Nicola Slade writes characters you instantly warm to and her love of old houses is evident. I liked the use of elements of local history to provide background to the story of the house, lending it a real sense of place and solidity: it feels as though one could go and look for an actual house - the influence of Elizabeth Goudge can be felt strongly in Slade's writing about both house and nature.
I feel that this is a novel which grew quite naturally from an earlier one, A Crowded Coffin - that was one of the Harriet Quigley murder mysteries, and a fun read, but the main characters, Harriet and Sam, were positively upstaged by the house which featured so strongly - the author was obviously itching to write a novel in which the house is the star, and she's done it beautifully, with a gentle romance which leaves the reader with a warm glow.
I feel that this is a novel which grew quite naturally from an earlier one, A Crowded Coffin - that was one of the Harriet Quigley murder mysteries, and a fun read, but the main characters, Harriet and Sam, were positively upstaged by the house which featured so strongly - the author was obviously itching to write a novel in which the house is the star, and she's done it beautifully, with a gentle romance which leaves the reader with a warm glow.
January 8, 2018
I love stories where a house or place is one of the main characters. I also have a great fondness for hares, which are closely associated with the setting. The House at Ladywell is an enjoyable and fluently-written tale of a young woman who unexpectedly inherits an old house with plenty of history behind it. The author cleverly weaves a series of stories about previous occupants of the place from Roman times onwards with the present-day story. Freya, the main character, unravels a mystery about her own birth along with that of the house itself, which casts a spell over everyone who enters it. Believable characters and well-constructed dialogue make this a very readable and satisfying novel.
January 2, 2018
This was a thoroughly enjoyable book that I wished I could read in one sitting since I was engrossed. As it happened I read it over one day and one night! The tale of the house at Ladywell slowly unfolds with historical glimpses of the surroundings and the inhabitants over the centuries from the earliest Roman times to the present day. Those snatches of previous residents are skilfully interwoven for the reader as the new owner delves back to uncover details about the previous occupants of the house bequeathed to her. The perpetuity of descendants of one family being in situ over 1500 years and more has, I think, got to be a rare occurrence anywhere but it rings true for The House at Ladywell. The characters are beautifully drawn and the writing and editing superb. The background of Freya Gibson is eventually revealed but the revelations, I think, further enhance her strong character. I’d love to meet Patrick- that successful author and the man in Freya’s life! The supporting characters are also well rounded, especially Nathan the man who can get Freya anything decoratively speaking and the tiny Mary Draper who is like a little whirlwind.
The supernatural aspects of the house work immediately: the ‘house’ now winding a positive spell of its own! (hopefully all previous negatives having been set in 'balance').
To be recommended for those who love a good mystery; a satisfying romance; and those who enjoy a little dash of the supernatural added in for good measure.
The supernatural aspects of the house work immediately: the ‘house’ now winding a positive spell of its own! (hopefully all previous negatives having been set in 'balance').
To be recommended for those who love a good mystery; a satisfying romance; and those who enjoy a little dash of the supernatural added in for good measure.
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April 14, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/14/2019)! 🎁
December 22, 2017
The minute I see a book with a house at its core almost as one of the main characters, I just jump at the chance to read it. The house lives and breathes life into the story and the characters and its almost as though it senses when Freya needs help and guidance. This book did not disappoint and exceeded my expectations. When author P.A Freya Gibson inherits a house from a relative she has never heard of, she just knows this is the chance to start afresh. Despite initial reservations, Freya is drawn to the house immediately and the history behind it left through some incomplete notes and articles. The reader learns of the rich and varied history of the house through a series of historical flashbacks and we discover that the House at Ladywell has an amazing and intriguing story behind it.
During the first half of the book we also get hints at Freya's own past and her need to forge ahead with a new life despite her fears that her boss Patrick may not be happy with the move. His behaviour towards her has changed and Freya is unsure of how to handle this. There seems to be so much going on for Freya. Not only is she learning about the history of the house but she is also learning some secrets about her own past. Can the healing powers of the house and the well heal Freya's past?
Nicola Slade has managed to create a wealth of interesting characters both from the past and present. The house itself seems to cast a spell over not only Freya but over the reader too. I became just as interested in the history of the house as Freya and loved all the mystery and magic that surrounded it. I loved the historical flashbacks and the richness of the language used. These scenes instantly transported me to another time and place and I found myself lost there. The dialogue flows easily and book is perfectly paced. This is a wonderful story about new beginnings and how the influences from the past can shape our future. Its got mystery, suspense, magic and love. Up there on my list of recommended reads.
During the first half of the book we also get hints at Freya's own past and her need to forge ahead with a new life despite her fears that her boss Patrick may not be happy with the move. His behaviour towards her has changed and Freya is unsure of how to handle this. There seems to be so much going on for Freya. Not only is she learning about the history of the house but she is also learning some secrets about her own past. Can the healing powers of the house and the well heal Freya's past?
Nicola Slade has managed to create a wealth of interesting characters both from the past and present. The house itself seems to cast a spell over not only Freya but over the reader too. I became just as interested in the history of the house as Freya and loved all the mystery and magic that surrounded it. I loved the historical flashbacks and the richness of the language used. These scenes instantly transported me to another time and place and I found myself lost there. The dialogue flows easily and book is perfectly paced. This is a wonderful story about new beginnings and how the influences from the past can shape our future. Its got mystery, suspense, magic and love. Up there on my list of recommended reads.
November 24, 2017
What a delightful and fulfilling read. On the surface this may seem like a light read, but it has so many layers that go deep. Freya Gibson inherits an old house to which she immediately feels a connection. As she meets fellow villagers, it is obvious there is much more to this house than she first thought. Ms Slade cleverly intersperses the history of the building, going back to Roman times and gradually working towards the recent past. These historical scenes in no way affect the flow of the story, indeed they add to it and they let the reader understand more about the mystery of the house than Freya does.
Nicola Slade is a talented author who has created characters so real, I felt I knew them, and the Hampshire countryside and village setting is beautifully described.
The mix of present day and history blend well and are essential to the reading, as are the fantastical hares and health-giving water in the well. There is much to enjoy in this romance, historical and mystery novel.
June 2, 2019
The fact that I read the second half in one day says a lot for this novel. It has just the right blend of history, romance and mystery. The history was fascinating and I enjoyed knowing more than Freya, although, over time, she might be able to piece some of it together. The romance was satisfying. The mystery filled me with excitement.
November 17, 2017
Excellent read, and something a little different - review to follow...
August 16, 2018
This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review:
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
" kept me reading avidly until I turned the last page."
Shortlisted for Book of the Month
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
" kept me reading avidly until I turned the last page."
Shortlisted for Book of the Month
August 8, 2020
A delightfully British satisfying book that was the perfect mix of sweet romance, historical fiction, deeper literary fiction and even a subtle feminist treatise.
Highly recommend.
Highly recommend.
November 20, 2017
Books where a house is a major part of the plot seem to have an invisible rope attaching them to me. They pull me in immediately and I'm rarely disappointed. So you can imagine that The House at Ladywell was a great draw for me. And I'm pleased to say that it didn't disappoint, in fact I loved it.
Freya Gibson is a woman who has been through a lot and had a really difficult time of it. She then finds herself working for bestselling author, Patrick Underwood. All is going well and then one day she hears that she has inherited a house from a relative she didn't even know she had. And this is no ordinary house. The scent of flowers seems to linger there, despite there being no flowers in the house. There's a feeling of belonging for Freya and she straightaway feels a connection and a desire to be there. Right at the beginning she is told she must make a wreath from the rowan tree in the garden and then say an incantation to 'restore the balance'.
The house is a major character in this novel. We hear of its past through the tales of Freya's long-gone ancestors. These sections are scattered throughout Freya's narrative and I did wonder if it would have helped to have the relevant dates and a family tree, but in fact I could fairly easily work out an idea of the timeline and at the end there is some information about the characters and the years their stories are from. I think the dates weren't provided so that the story could flow and the historical elements could intermingle with the present day ones and that certainly did work well.
The parts from the past were fascinating, so interesting, and they provided a background to the house but I did enjoy Freya's story most of all as she was the one discovering things about the past, the house and her own life.
There is quite a bit of folklore in this story. Hares play a big part and are revered in fact. I love hares so I liked that they were so important. There's also a well with water that heals and a real sense that the house and the land are important.
I liked Freya and Patrick as the main characters, but I thought the supporting characters were fabulous too. Mary Draper was just brilliant, and all the other people that Freya meets when she moves to Ladywell add something to the story, however large or small.
This really is such an appealing book. It has modern elements mixed with historical, a love story, and mysteries galore. It's fabulous!
Freya Gibson is a woman who has been through a lot and had a really difficult time of it. She then finds herself working for bestselling author, Patrick Underwood. All is going well and then one day she hears that she has inherited a house from a relative she didn't even know she had. And this is no ordinary house. The scent of flowers seems to linger there, despite there being no flowers in the house. There's a feeling of belonging for Freya and she straightaway feels a connection and a desire to be there. Right at the beginning she is told she must make a wreath from the rowan tree in the garden and then say an incantation to 'restore the balance'.
The house is a major character in this novel. We hear of its past through the tales of Freya's long-gone ancestors. These sections are scattered throughout Freya's narrative and I did wonder if it would have helped to have the relevant dates and a family tree, but in fact I could fairly easily work out an idea of the timeline and at the end there is some information about the characters and the years their stories are from. I think the dates weren't provided so that the story could flow and the historical elements could intermingle with the present day ones and that certainly did work well.
The parts from the past were fascinating, so interesting, and they provided a background to the house but I did enjoy Freya's story most of all as she was the one discovering things about the past, the house and her own life.
There is quite a bit of folklore in this story. Hares play a big part and are revered in fact. I love hares so I liked that they were so important. There's also a well with water that heals and a real sense that the house and the land are important.
I liked Freya and Patrick as the main characters, but I thought the supporting characters were fabulous too. Mary Draper was just brilliant, and all the other people that Freya meets when she moves to Ladywell add something to the story, however large or small.
This really is such an appealing book. It has modern elements mixed with historical, a love story, and mysteries galore. It's fabulous!
August 22, 2018
(Paperback)Do you remember the old tv show where the tag line was: the car’s the star? Well, with this book it is the HOUSE which is the star. This is a story which moves through time so seamlessly that the reader is totally betwitched and buys into all the elements in the story: the hares, the well, and the house. The story is set in a part of England I am not overly familiar with but seems to have just the right setting to allow slightly paranormal happenings to be accepted by the reader. (Never easy). Miss Slade is an adept storyteller. If you like your romance laced with mystery and suspense with a good dollop of history, give the House at Ladywell a chance. You’ll be glad that you did.
April 23, 2018
Engaging and enchanting
I thoroughly enjoyed The House at Ladywell. It takes a lot of talent to write as Nicola Slade does, intertwining timelines; bringing historical characters and periods to life... not to mention the vast amount of research that must have gone into this novel! All of this while creating a story of beauty, emotion, folklore and mystery. I look forward to reading more from this author and her unique voice.
I thoroughly enjoyed The House at Ladywell. It takes a lot of talent to write as Nicola Slade does, intertwining timelines; bringing historical characters and periods to life... not to mention the vast amount of research that must have gone into this novel! All of this while creating a story of beauty, emotion, folklore and mystery. I look forward to reading more from this author and her unique voice.
January 2, 2018
Nice multi-layered book. On one level, this is a gentle contemporary love story with enough of a mystery to keep the interest piqued, but Nicola Slade deftly intersperses the narrative with the timeline of the house, telling us about the Ladywell inhabitants and fortunes all the way back to the Roman era.
April 28, 2018
This lovely book gave me a problem because I couldn't stop reading it and yet I didn't want it to end. I loved the way the history of the house was woven into the contemporary story, each era having its own distinct voice so I was never confused by the various time slips. I also fell completely in love with the house. A very skilfully woven tale which I enjoyed very much indeed.
November 19, 2017
This book was a real page turner for me. I loved the way the past and present was interlinked. It held my interest from page one and I really couldn’t put it down. It had everything I enjoyed about a good book. Can’t wait to read the next book by this brilliant author.
June 26, 2019
When I started my nurse training in the early 90s, it was at Ladywell hospital in Salford. The building is not there any more wards have been moved and shops have been built. The point I want to make here is the name Ladywell attracted me to read this novel, something I am glad of. There is a certain amount of nostalgia involved in reading this book, it is full of nostalgia, dreams and romance. Set in Winchester which sounds like a lovely place, everything you could wish for in an English village, Freya inherits a house from a distant cousin, Violet. Mystery and intrigue are present in this house, it smells of flowers, there is a poem about 'redressing the balance' and Freya falls in love (with the house, and eventually a man). Freya is a great character, she is a PA to a famous author Patrick, (I can say no more here but it's a good storyline), and she has an unresolved mystery about her parents. The plot unfolds and the mystery is solved beautifully via the weaving in of chapters from the past about who had lived at Ladywell over the centuries.
January 2, 2020
Christmas at Ladywell is a lovely novella about a family that spans generations. I love the mysterious, magical, Christmas feel to the novel. It was wonderfully written and truly entertaining.
Nicola Slade’s writing is brilliant. Told in two styles, present setting and then italicized historical sections. A combination of historical fiction and mystery which creates a wonderful story.
I’m very happy to have read this novella. It’s a charming read with lots of enchanting and engaging ideas. The pace is wonderful and there are some fun surprises along the way. Definitely recommended!
*I recieved a complimentary copy of this book as part of a blog tour with Rachel's Random Resources. All opinions are my own.*
Nicola Slade’s writing is brilliant. Told in two styles, present setting and then italicized historical sections. A combination of historical fiction and mystery which creates a wonderful story.
I’m very happy to have read this novella. It’s a charming read with lots of enchanting and engaging ideas. The pace is wonderful and there are some fun surprises along the way. Definitely recommended!
*I recieved a complimentary copy of this book as part of a blog tour with Rachel's Random Resources. All opinions are my own.*
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March 27, 2025DNFed
Unfortunately, I'll be that one person who just couldn't get into it. I found the dialogues awfully artifical and infodumpy, and the flow of the story not particularly engaging. I really enjoyed the flashback to the Roman times and hoped the story there would be longer, but it just ends abruptly with no closure (though we can assume the outcome). The ones about the monk and Black Death weren't as gripping, and the modern timeline failed to grasp my interest, so I'm dnfing it here.
Unfortunately, I'll be that one person who just couldn't get into it. I found the dialogues awfully artifical and infodumpy, and the flow of the story not particularly engaging. I really enjoyed the flashback to the Roman times and hoped the story there would be longer, but it just ends abruptly with no closure (though we can assume the outcome). The ones about the monk and Black Death weren't as gripping, and the modern timeline failed to grasp my interest, so I'm dnfing it here.
October 21, 2019
3 star read
Ignore the part where it says it's a mystery romance. It's more romance with hints of paranormal or something. I enjoyed it although the historical scenes did take an adjustment for me.
Ignore the part where it says it's a mystery romance. It's more romance with hints of paranormal or something. I enjoyed it although the historical scenes did take an adjustment for me.
January 13, 2020
A quietly delightful, if a bit meandering, story about a house and a family that occupies it and the land its' on (don't forget the hares!). The juxtaposition of the interwoven times is well-done and illuminates the present day story that bookends the entire novel.
September 2, 2019
Satisfying story with mystery
Delightful story filled with believable characters. The added history of the house and well filled in Roman influence and other events in history.
Delightful story filled with believable characters. The added history of the house and well filled in Roman influence and other events in history.
July 8, 2021
The characters are well written.
November 14, 2021
An intriguing and engrossing story. It certainly entertained with great characters. Loved it.
January 3, 2022
Really enjoyed it, will definitely look for more books by same author
November 19, 2017
Absorbing read
I bought this book this morning and sat and read it right through. I literally couldn't put it down! Although the romance element was predictable, the rest of the story had enough twists and turns to keep a reader guessing until the end. It was interesting to see the historical aspects - how a house manages to stay in the same family for so long and how some traditions are so ancient that even in the remote past they are old and nobody can trace their origin. I have read Nicola Slade's 'Harriet Quigley' books and this is as well written and as enjoyable as they are.
I bought this book this morning and sat and read it right through. I literally couldn't put it down! Although the romance element was predictable, the rest of the story had enough twists and turns to keep a reader guessing until the end. It was interesting to see the historical aspects - how a house manages to stay in the same family for so long and how some traditions are so ancient that even in the remote past they are old and nobody can trace their origin. I have read Nicola Slade's 'Harriet Quigley' books and this is as well written and as enjoyable as they are.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews