What do you think?
Rate this book
King of the Castle
You're no match for Max, they warned her.
But Lee couldn't quite believe all they said about Max von Reistoven. Then she discovered he'd stop at nothing to restore her inherited chalet to his own castle estate.
She wanted simple justice from this aristocrat who seemed to want the world. And she was prepared to put up the fiercest battle of her life against him.
And yet, the longer she stayed in Austria, the more attractive she found him. Surely she couldn't be falling in love?
-from the back cover
But Lee couldn't quite believe all they said about Max von Reistoven. Then she discovered he'd stop at nothing to restore her inherited chalet to his own castle estate.
She wanted simple justice from this aristocrat who seemed to want the world. And she was prepared to put up the fiercest battle of her life against him.
And yet, the longer she stayed in Austria, the more attractive she found him. Surely she couldn't be falling in love?
-from the back cover
192 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1978
1 person is currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Sally Wentworth
106 books93 followersDoreen was born on 1936 or 1937 in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, UK. She married Donald Alfred Hornsblow, with whom she has a son Keith, in 1968. The family lived in Braughing, England.
Doreen began her publishing career at a Fleet Street newspaper in London, where she thrived in the hectic atmosphere. She started writing after attending an evening class and sold her first novel to Mills & Boon in 1977, she published her novels under the pseudonym Sally Wentworth. Her novels were principally set in Great Britain or in exotic places like Canary Islands or Greece. Her first works are stand-alone novels, but in 1990s, she decided to create her first series. In 1991, she wrote a book in two parts about the Barclay twins and their great love, and in 1995, she wrote the Ties of Passion Trilogy about the Brodey family, that have money, looks, style, everything... except love.
Doreen was an accounts clerk at Associated Newspapers Ltd. in London, England, and accounts clerk at Consumers' Association in Hertford, England. In 1985, she was the founding chair of the Hertford Association of National Trust Members, and named its life president. She also collected knife rests and she was member of The Knife Rest Collectors Club.
Doreen Hornsblow died from cancer on 30 August 2001, at 64 years of age.
Doreen began her publishing career at a Fleet Street newspaper in London, where she thrived in the hectic atmosphere. She started writing after attending an evening class and sold her first novel to Mills & Boon in 1977, she published her novels under the pseudonym Sally Wentworth. Her novels were principally set in Great Britain or in exotic places like Canary Islands or Greece. Her first works are stand-alone novels, but in 1990s, she decided to create her first series. In 1991, she wrote a book in two parts about the Barclay twins and their great love, and in 1995, she wrote the Ties of Passion Trilogy about the Brodey family, that have money, looks, style, everything... except love.
Doreen was an accounts clerk at Associated Newspapers Ltd. in London, England, and accounts clerk at Consumers' Association in Hertford, England. In 1985, she was the founding chair of the Hertford Association of National Trust Members, and named its life president. She also collected knife rests and she was member of The Knife Rest Collectors Club.
Doreen Hornsblow died from cancer on 30 August 2001, at 64 years of age.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 5, 2017
Weird. Victoria Holt had two books with the same title as Sally Wentworth's books.
It just so happens that as with Victoria's book, the heroine here is bequeathed a manor in Austria and journeys there to meet Max von Reistoven, the aristocrat whose family once owned the manor and consequently all the land that surrounds the manor.
Sally Wentworth excels in recreating the atmosphere of Austria and the local customs as she takes Lee, our impetuous but intrepid heroine through Europe and on a trip to Italy. There's a good relationship between Lee and Max, a lot of chemistry, and there's the requisite misunderstanding and distrust (Lee suspects Max just wants the manor back; he certainly has good reasons for wanting it back) while still maintaining his integrity as a gentlemanly hero.
One of her better ones.
It just so happens that as with Victoria's book, the heroine here is bequeathed a manor in Austria and journeys there to meet Max von Reistoven, the aristocrat whose family once owned the manor and consequently all the land that surrounds the manor.
Sally Wentworth excels in recreating the atmosphere of Austria and the local customs as she takes Lee, our impetuous but intrepid heroine through Europe and on a trip to Italy. There's a good relationship between Lee and Max, a lot of chemistry, and there's the requisite misunderstanding and distrust (Lee suspects Max just wants the manor back; he certainly has good reasons for wanting it back) while still maintaining his integrity as a gentlemanly hero.
One of her better ones.
February 6, 2017
Very silly heroine. She resents the H for treating her like a child but she acts like a child.
The heroine inherits a chalet in Austria, and goes there to settle her affairs. Since the property adjoins the one of the H he offers to buy it from her, takes her out to lunch, shows her around and is very charming and solicitous. She has a meeting with her lawyer and an old coot, who was the good friend of her late uncle and between them they convince her to suspect the motives of the Hero. They go so far as to convince her to spend her own money, to renovate the dilapidated chalet so she can sell it to someone else. She believes them and follows their suggestions blindly even if she doesn't have sufficient funds. What an idiot. There is a storm and the H shows up to help her and convinces her to move into his schloss. He is nothing but nice and helpful towards her. His mother likes her so convinces her to stay on and they take her to the Vienna opera etc and show her a good time. She thinks H is engaged but this is soon cleared up. They invite her to a festival and the H even buys her a traditional dress. During the festival, she gets herself involved in a wild goose chase that ends with her trapped in a Forest fire. H comes to the rescue and they confess their love to each other.
Usually the book ends here but this one does a bit better and it earned an extra star for sheer idiocy and amusement value. After confessing their love they return to the schloss to clean up and rest. The next morning the maid tells her that he H wants her land to build a highway and hotel. The h feels betrayed. By coincidence, her ex-fiancé arrives. She convinces him to take her away. She sneaks off like a thief in the night leaving a letter for the H. They don't quite get away when there is a mad car chase along a mountain road. How totally irresponsible!! The H is chasing them. Anyway he drives them off the road into a meadow, they all get down their cars for the confrontation. The ex lands a punch and H goes down flat. She is immediately concerned with welfare of the H, (The ex, who is not an idiot, can see the direction the wind is blowing by this time)The H is startled that he fell with a single blow, and she answers that she is not surprised as her ex was a boxing and judo champion! OMG this is where I died laughing and I'm sure just as SW intended. H explains that the highway and hotel are being built on a totally different valley and he would have cleared this up if she had only asked him, instead of believing the gossip of the maid! Truly an idiot heroine. She believed the ideas of every last person she ever spoke to. The poor H will hve his work cut out!
The heroine inherits a chalet in Austria, and goes there to settle her affairs. Since the property adjoins the one of the H he offers to buy it from her, takes her out to lunch, shows her around and is very charming and solicitous. She has a meeting with her lawyer and an old coot, who was the good friend of her late uncle and between them they convince her to suspect the motives of the Hero. They go so far as to convince her to spend her own money, to renovate the dilapidated chalet so she can sell it to someone else. She believes them and follows their suggestions blindly even if she doesn't have sufficient funds. What an idiot. There is a storm and the H shows up to help her and convinces her to move into his schloss. He is nothing but nice and helpful towards her. His mother likes her so convinces her to stay on and they take her to the Vienna opera etc and show her a good time. She thinks H is engaged but this is soon cleared up. They invite her to a festival and the H even buys her a traditional dress. During the festival, she gets herself involved in a wild goose chase that ends with her trapped in a Forest fire. H comes to the rescue and they confess their love to each other.
Usually the book ends here but this one does a bit better and it earned an extra star for sheer idiocy and amusement value. After confessing their love they return to the schloss to clean up and rest. The next morning the maid tells her that he H wants her land to build a highway and hotel. The h feels betrayed. By coincidence, her ex-fiancé arrives. She convinces him to take her away. She sneaks off like a thief in the night leaving a letter for the H. They don't quite get away when there is a mad car chase along a mountain road. How totally irresponsible!! The H is chasing them. Anyway he drives them off the road into a meadow, they all get down their cars for the confrontation. The ex lands a punch and H goes down flat. She is immediately concerned with welfare of the H, (The ex, who is not an idiot, can see the direction the wind is blowing by this time)The H is startled that he fell with a single blow, and she answers that she is not surprised as her ex was a boxing and judo champion! OMG this is where I died laughing and I'm sure just as SW intended. H explains that the highway and hotel are being built on a totally different valley and he would have cleared this up if she had only asked him, instead of believing the gossip of the maid! Truly an idiot heroine. She believed the ideas of every last person she ever spoke to. The poor H will hve his work cut out!
January 9, 2023
You're no match for Max, they warned her.
But Lee couldn't quite believe all they said about Max von Reistoven. Then she discovered he'd stop at nothing to restore her inherited chalet to his own castle estate.
She wanted simple justice from this aristocrat who seemed to want the world. And she was prepared to put up the fiercest battle of her life against him.
And yet, the longer she stayed in Austria, the more attractive she found him. Surely she couldn't be falling in love?
But Lee couldn't quite believe all they said about Max von Reistoven. Then she discovered he'd stop at nothing to restore her inherited chalet to his own castle estate.
She wanted simple justice from this aristocrat who seemed to want the world. And she was prepared to put up the fiercest battle of her life against him.
And yet, the longer she stayed in Austria, the more attractive she found him. Surely she couldn't be falling in love?
April 12, 2021
(read in french, under the title « Étrange héritage »)
Do you know which books are my favorite ? Those which makes you travel without leaving your blankets. After all, as an author, when you choose a particular setting, you should better well use it : why sending your characters at the other side of the world if you show nothing of what surround them ? Obviously, in Harlequin books, the challenge is harder : fitting landscapes, characters AND a story in 154 pages requires a strong storytelling skill and not all authors nail it. Sally Wentworth perfectly nailed it and « King of the Castle » is one of those rare books which can be proud to make their readers travel through their pages.
So let's go to Tyrol, with mountains, flower fields, cows, traditional chalets, fairytale castle... as well a little trip to Vienna and Lake Constance ! If Laurie (yup, in the french edition Lee's name has been changed, for absolutely no reason) isn't really in vacation, almost from the start of the story Max decides to show her, and so us too, everything around and far away. Even when they are at home, the bucolic – but never too long – descriptions of the surrounding wild landscapes take us there next to them.
Said like that, you may think the protagonists don't have much to do... and, well, you're right : the repairs at Laurie's chalet are subject to external factors like bad weather and overbooked workmen, so she gets many opportunities to discover the country.
Speaking of the characters, Sally Wentworth focuses on their personality and acts rather than their past, making them really alive and well-developed without neglecting her main plot. It feels like when you make new friends in real life : you wander with them and discover sometimes pieces of their personal history, without reading a whole biography at once. So it's perfectly logical that Max's friends seem a bit flat, as Laurie don't spends much time with them and doesn't speaks german, finding herself excluded of most conversations. At the contrary, impossible to not feel sympathy for Rudi, Max's little nephew, who follows Laurie everywhere along with his dog Prinz ; or Max 's mother, Anna, often keeping company to her guest.
The story is pretty simple and straight, but well written. Laurie doesn't knows what to do with her chalet, hesitates to trust Max without resisting to befriending him... not forgetting to humoristically argue with him, giving us some sharp dialogs sometimes. Apart that ? Tourism, tourism, and tourism again. But why looking for something else when you got a so nice read ? Especially since there are a good amount of plot twists, even if not all of them are convincing. Globally, the book is predictable most of the time, but it's easily forgiven.
However, it's not perfect either : Max has a very unpleasant paternalist side. He tends to treat Laurie as if she was a child, even calling her « little girl » all the time. It's very awkward and gets totally creepy with a scene about a dress revealing too much cleavage followed by... butt-spanking. YIKES.
Uncomfortable too is the fact of Laurie being bethroted to another man. If, at the beginning of the story, we presume he'll betray Laurie one way or another while she's gone, he doesn't : Richard is a perfectly honorable guy, whose storyline is wonderfully well-closed. The one who betrays the other really is Laurie and even if she frankly breaks up with him... still, it's not fair for him and gives to the novel a bitter touch which really wasn't necessary and would have stayed much more light without it.
Do you know which books are my favorite ? Those which makes you travel without leaving your blankets. After all, as an author, when you choose a particular setting, you should better well use it : why sending your characters at the other side of the world if you show nothing of what surround them ? Obviously, in Harlequin books, the challenge is harder : fitting landscapes, characters AND a story in 154 pages requires a strong storytelling skill and not all authors nail it. Sally Wentworth perfectly nailed it and « King of the Castle » is one of those rare books which can be proud to make their readers travel through their pages.
So let's go to Tyrol, with mountains, flower fields, cows, traditional chalets, fairytale castle... as well a little trip to Vienna and Lake Constance ! If Laurie (yup, in the french edition Lee's name has been changed, for absolutely no reason) isn't really in vacation, almost from the start of the story Max decides to show her, and so us too, everything around and far away. Even when they are at home, the bucolic – but never too long – descriptions of the surrounding wild landscapes take us there next to them.
Said like that, you may think the protagonists don't have much to do... and, well, you're right : the repairs at Laurie's chalet are subject to external factors like bad weather and overbooked workmen, so she gets many opportunities to discover the country.
Speaking of the characters, Sally Wentworth focuses on their personality and acts rather than their past, making them really alive and well-developed without neglecting her main plot. It feels like when you make new friends in real life : you wander with them and discover sometimes pieces of their personal history, without reading a whole biography at once. So it's perfectly logical that Max's friends seem a bit flat, as Laurie don't spends much time with them and doesn't speaks german, finding herself excluded of most conversations. At the contrary, impossible to not feel sympathy for Rudi, Max's little nephew, who follows Laurie everywhere along with his dog Prinz ; or Max 's mother, Anna, often keeping company to her guest.
The story is pretty simple and straight, but well written. Laurie doesn't knows what to do with her chalet, hesitates to trust Max without resisting to befriending him... not forgetting to humoristically argue with him, giving us some sharp dialogs sometimes. Apart that ? Tourism, tourism, and tourism again. But why looking for something else when you got a so nice read ? Especially since there are a good amount of plot twists, even if not all of them are convincing. Globally, the book is predictable most of the time, but it's easily forgiven.
However, it's not perfect either : Max has a very unpleasant paternalist side. He tends to treat Laurie as if she was a child, even calling her « little girl » all the time. It's very awkward and gets totally creepy with a scene about a dress revealing too much cleavage followed by... butt-spanking. YIKES.
Uncomfortable too is the fact of Laurie being bethroted to another man. If, at the beginning of the story, we presume he'll betray Laurie one way or another while she's gone, he doesn't : Richard is a perfectly honorable guy, whose storyline is wonderfully well-closed. The one who betrays the other really is Laurie and even if she frankly breaks up with him... still, it's not fair for him and gives to the novel a bitter touch which really wasn't necessary and would have stayed much more light without it.
October 24, 2025
2.75 stars ——— okay so first of all… i started this during midterms (bad idea) and immediately fell into a reading slump 💀 like my brain was fried but i had to know how this mess ended.
he’s nice sometimes but also kinda… physically abusive?? like was that normal back then or are we just supposed to ignore it 😭 because it had me side-eyeing so hard.
also idc how annoying and unbearable richard is but i swear lee is cheating on him with max right?? RIGHT?? the tension was insane.
and don’t even get me started on the miscommunication trope. i think this book made me realize i actually hate it. like please, just talk to each other for five minutes.
then i finally finished it and just sat there like: what the fuck.
overall 2.75⭐️ for emotional chaos and confusion.
he’s nice sometimes but also kinda… physically abusive?? like was that normal back then or are we just supposed to ignore it 😭 because it had me side-eyeing so hard.
also idc how annoying and unbearable richard is but i swear lee is cheating on him with max right?? RIGHT?? the tension was insane.
and don’t even get me started on the miscommunication trope. i think this book made me realize i actually hate it. like please, just talk to each other for five minutes.
then i finally finished it and just sat there like: what the fuck.
overall 2.75⭐️ for emotional chaos and confusion.
January 10, 2017
Heroine is a bit of a hot head. Jumps to conclusions on hearsay with no evidence. For much of the book she is hostile towards the hero all the while she is physically attracted to him. The author shows clearly the hero's interest in the heroine from the beginning. There is a little confusion when he flirts and shows attention to OW.
March 12, 2024
2 1/2 stars really. The heroine is silly, but the hero just doesn't seem that into her - I did not feel a connection. He's not a great character, but nothing awful. It's hard to review this as it really is just vapid.
January 22, 2025
البطلة هبلة عاطية أذنها للكل وتصدقه
August 7, 2025
annoying heroine
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews