Cornwall 1796: Educated, beautiful and the daughter of a prosperous merchant, Angelica Lilly has been invited to spend the summer in high society. Her father's wealth is opening doors, and attracting marriage proposals, but Angelica still feels like an imposter among the aristocrats of Cornwall. When her brother returns home, ill and under the influence of a dangerous man, Angelica's loyalties are tested to the limit. Her one hope lies with coachman Henry Trevelyan, a softly spoken, educated man with kind eyes. But when Henry seemingly betrays Angelica, she has no one to turn to. Who is Henry, and what does he want? And can Angelica save her brother from a terrible plot that threatens to ruin her entire family?
Nicola Pryce is published by Atlantic Books and represented by Teresa Chris. She loves both literature and history, and has an Open University degree in Humanities. She is a qualified adult literacy support volunteer and lives with her husband in the Blackdown Hills in Somerset, UK. She and her husband love sailing and together they sail the south coast of Cornwall in search of adventure.
Pengelly's Daughter is her first novel, then The Captain's Girl, The Cornish Dressmaker, The Cornish Lady, A Cornish Betrothal, The Cornish Captive and The Cornish Rebel.
Nicola is a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and The Historical Writers Association.
This is the fourth book in the series, but I had no problem reading as a standalone. I haven't read the previous books.
The Cornish Lady is a beautifully written historical saga, I really enjoy reading historical books as i love getting swept away within different eras.
Angelica is a Strong, Sassy, Knows what she Wants, Independent Women. Determined to find herself a suitable husband that respects her opinions and views, but also has a good social stature is equally important to her.
The thing I love most about historical books is learning all about the social, political aspects and historical events and what it was like for people particularly women back in those days. What always surfaces is how women have no place in management or in a man's world. Also to marry out of social class is frowned upon. We learn Angelica is more than capable of running her father's business and she keeps her brother in check too as he is far from an angel, leading to his arrest.
This is very much a character driven story. The pace is a little slower but I liked that as it took it's time with revealing characters and storylines, so you can really get to grips with who is who.
The Cornish Lady is an Enthralling, Intriguing Historical Saga, that has romance, eclectic characters, danger, illict encounters and secrets. You can tell Nicola has done alot of research into her characters and plot as all the little details and historical reference was brilliantly written.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Cornish Lady, I'm excited to discover more from Nicola Pryce.
Thank you to Rachel Random Resources for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
The size of this book had made me a bit nervous since the author was not familiar. But I was not prepared for such elegant diction which flows through the pages and 464 pages were gone in a breeze. Fourth in the 'Cornish Saga' series, this book is a charming historical tale with a mystery and romance at its heart. All four books are standalone, so there is no need to be acquainted with the other three. But I will suggest you check them (as I am planning to do now) as all of them sound rather thrilling.
Set in 1796 Cornwall, the novel traces Angelica Lilly's attempts to save his brother from jail which also brings in an unlikely companion. Though there are many vague ends to the plot (I would have loved to know more about Angelica's childhood and also the conflict with the French), the picture of Carew household where she finds love and support is perfectly drawn. I loved all unique women in the family and was very happy to see the mystery unravelled within this family estate itself.
What is remarkable about the book is the way it has tried to include all the sections of the society as the strong-willed heroine doesn't follow the established class consciousness. It is her unique and fearless nature that makes this novel remarkable and hugely enjoyable.
Angelica Lilly is an independent-minded, strong-willed young woman with the prospect of an advantageous marriage to a wealthy aristocrat but who nevertheless finds herself longing for the freedom to make use of the commercial instincts gained from exposure to her father’s business in the same way a son would. Instead she finds herself in the position of being expected to marry for the approval of society and to fulfil the wishes and ambitions of others. It’s not that there aren’t a range of potential suitors including the wealthy aristocrat previous mentioned, a childhood companion and a more unexpected candidate.
However, as Jane Austen taught us in Pride and Prejudice, first impressions can be deceptive and Angelica’s childhood experiences have left her mistrustful of others’ motives – especially men – even when it transpires they don’t deserve that mistrust. Having said that, Angelica’s not averse to using a little artifice herself when the occasions demands, utilising the skills inherited from her actress mother.
Structured like a three act play, Angelica’s mission to find someone with whom she can be ‘her true self’ runs alongside storylines involving political events of the day: riots caused by grain shortages due to naval blockades, fears of invasion and the treatment of French prisoners of war confined within the walls of Pendennis Castle. The last act brings everything together in a satisfactory way with villainy revealed and the reputations of others vindicated.
I particularly loved the setting of the book, around Truro and Falmouth, an area I know well from holidays spent there. So I got an extra thrill from mentions of places I’ve visited like Pendennis Castle, Custom House Quay and The Quayside Inn in Falmouth, Flushing and Malpas (the location of The Heron Inn – a great deal more respectable these days than in the book!).
A relaxing read set in grand houses and glorious gardens, this is a historical novel of some delicacy with a driving narrative. As Angelica Lilly moves through society and some less than fashionable haunts, the author carefully brings in details of social history, herbal remedies and other aspects of life in the late eighteenth century. This is more than a romantic novel with a historical setting; the main character is a woman who is desperate to make a difference in her world, suspicious of her father, concerned about her brother, imaginative and resourceful. As befits such a novel, she is attractive to many men, wealthy and working alike. Clothes, letters, naval matters and other Austen- era themes make this a readable, always interesting and significant book. I was pleased to be sent a copy to read and review. In the opening of this book we quickly learn many things about Angelica. She is a wealthy and self willed young woman, who organises an illicit trip to the theatre unknown to her father who is departing with a lady who seems determined to marry him. She is unusually close to the servants in her father’s household which she has run for a number of years, after the death of her beloved mother who started out as a poor actress. Her brother Edgar unexpectedly turns up at the house in the company of the untrustworthy Jacob Boswell, and she wonders if his influence explains why her brother seems so different. As she visits the theatre in disguise she becomes more involved, and is mistaken for an actress with unfortunate results. She cleverly escapes, and encounters the attractive Henry Trevelyan, who proves to be not what he seems. As she visits her friend Amelia ( an unfortunate choice of initial given the main character’s name) she encounters a rich titled man who shows great interest in her, and against a background of various families, social life and civil unrest she makes discoveries which make her rethink many of her assumptions, and begins to realise what she wants from life. With some nods to the subject matter of some Austen novels and the social themes of Graham’s Poldark, this is a book which could have slipped into a standard romantic historical regency novel. This is a more complex and mature work however, as the concentration is definitely on the female protagonist, who refuses to be swept up easily by the wealthy and eligible suitor without more consideration. I am a fan of the straightforward romance, so was appreciative of the greater scope of this book which features a woman who is resourceful in every sense, rushes to assumptions, and has a character with real depth. There is a lot of research and crucially atmosphere of the time in this book, and it offers a complex read without needing to resort to alternative time periods and other themes. The character of Angelica is well developed, as are several of the other female characters, and the novel offers many interesting perspectives and references to the period. I recommend it as a good read, cleverly constructed and with more substance than would first appear.
The Cornish Lady is book four in the Cornish saga series by Nicola Pryce. Each book in the series can be read as a standalone and I have proved this notion as The Cornish Lady is my first introduction to the work of Nicola Pryce. Each story is set along the rugged coastline of Cornwall and we travel back in time to the late 1700's. Nicola Pryce creates strong female leads in each novel and The Cornish Lady is no exception with Miss Angelica Lilly taking centre stage. Angelica Lilly is the daughter of a wealthy merchant and is keen to fulfil her late mother's wishes to marry a Lord. But one hot summer whilst visiting family friends her life is about to take a dramatic and enlightening journey. When Angelica's brother, Edgar, turns up looking dishevelled, distracted and acting rather bizarrely Angelica is starting to fear for his health and his new friendship with Lord Jacob Boswell. Does Jacob Boswell have an unhealthy control over her brother? A race to help her brother brings forth danger and drama, unearthing secrets involving embezzlement and exploitation. I have to admit it did take me a little while to get into the story and characters but my goodness once the author changed gear in the storyline I felt myself engulfed by the drama and felt invested in the characters lives and was eager to learn what happened next. The Cornish Lady was filled with drama, intrigue, mystery with a charming romance at the heart of the story. I'm now keen to learn more about the other books in the Cornish Saga series.
I absolutely loved this book! I couldn't put it down! When I first looked at it I judged it by its cover and thought it wouldn't be any good. It was a clean read. With a mystery that I couldn't work out before reading it! Its set on the Cornwall coast in the 1700, what's not to love! Will definitely be reading more of Nicola's work!
This was a lovely book to get engrossed in on an evening, from the rich details, the brilliant scenarios and well rounded Characters, there was always something to keep you glued to the pages.
I adore Historical Romance, as I often find that the descriptions of times passed make me happy, I don’t exactly know why, apart from perhaps that I am envious of the dresses back then 😂🤷♀️ This was my first venture into this Authors writing but it certainly won’t be the last.
One thing ai enjoy about Historical Romance, if done well, is the recreations of what life could really be like at the time, the attitudes, tensions and expectations that went with being female at the time. I often feel a bit let down that some issues seem under considered, but in this case I felt like the Author captured the personalities and decisions perfectly. The reasoning of the Characters was logical and at times amusing for their old world tones, and the way our Main Character Angelica considered family standing of such importance was perfectly done.
I loved how the Character was developed, how she dealt with her changing situations, and her mistrust of men in the social climate and her own situation was logical, believable and interesting, yet not overdone. It didn’t feel like the Character was obsessing over an issue, more that she used her experiences to consider her families, and therefore her own, social standing.
The idea of finding a marriage that not only allows her to be herself but is also socially advantageous for her made the romantic element interesting, but what made it highly engrossing was the fact that Angelica was far from perfect because of her misgivings. She perhaps made choices that were a bit overly cautious, or overly hasty based on her prior experience and therefore lowered expectations of the men around her.
The tone and style made me think of Pride and Prejudice, but less heavy going to read! I adore Pride and Prejudice, but often find it hard work because of the language differences now. This Author has much of the talent for creating a fun and interesting story, whilst holding a more relaxing sort of flow.
Overall, this was a really good read! It was well paced, fun and relaxing with some memorable characters. This is certainly an Author I would be happy to return to!
This is an absorbing family saga set in late 19th century Cornwall at the height of the Napoleonic Wars. It features a huge cast of fascinating characters, some charming, some delightful, some downright wicked. I warmed to the heroine Angelica Lilly straight away. The novel is written in the first person from Angelica’s point of view and she soon became my best friend.
Angelica is the daughter of an Irish actress who stormed the London stage and enchanted Angelica’s father, a wealthy industrialist who has made his own way in the world. Silas Lilly wants his children Angelica and Edgar to make good marriages, maybe even into the aristocracy. Angelica has caught the attention of Lord Entworth, a widower, whom everyone she knows thinks might make a very good husband. Angelica isn’t so sure.
The mysterious coachman Henry Trevelyan is much more interesting and Angelica finds she is drawn to him, especially when she realises he is very well-educated for a coachman and also learns he is fond of John Donne’s erotic poetry. What game is Henry playing, and is he good or bad?
There is much to love about this novel. As an enthusiastic gardener myself, I enjoyed all the horticultural details. I would have loved to be a plant hunter like Daniel Maddox. I was engaged by all the little impressionist touches which brought the setting to life for me. The author took me to Cornwall and let me feel the salt wind in my own face.
When Angelica meets Mr and Mrs Fox, who are Quakers running their own businesses, she realises marrying Lord Entworth would probably mean she’d lead a life of busy uselessness, arranging balls and ordering new gowns, but this isn’t what she wants at all. She’s not allowed anywhere near her father’s foundry, but she would have loved to be involved in his work. She’d have also loved to follow in her dead mother’s footsteps and go on the stage, but this is strictly forbidden too.
So Angelica has lots of hard choices to make, but at the end of the novel she finds happiness with the right man. She’ll be all set the lead the kind of life the reader knows will make her feel that this life is worth living. But which man is this? He’s one who plays a good game of cricket, and you’ll need to read the novel to find out his identity!
This is set in the Truro and Falmouth area of Cornwall in the mid 1790’s. The main character is Angelica Lilly. The background of her, her brother and other members of her family and their friends are gradually revealed over the course of the story.
Angelica interacts with various people along the way, from all walks of life and with the same ease, though she thinks she is an impostor in the more aristocratic of houses. Despite her lack of confidence she is well thought of and often invited to visit the lavish estates of her friends who hold her as an equal.
Now you may think that Angelica will be very lady like, well that’s not always the case. She is not adverse to a spot of tree scaling or climbing out of a window, or in for that matter. She is a bit of a tomboy at heart and has an awareness of things of importance going on not only in the are but also around the world. She understands and holds intelligent, well supported conversations of the topics concerning others at the time.
Various characters are introduced during the story and I found them very memorable for various reasons, some good some bad and I’ll let you decide for yourself. Lords, ladies, gardeners, actors, guards, apothecaries, and old friends are all mix together in the book.
The plot revolves around a few things, some of the main ones for me were discovering exactly who Henry Trevelyan is. What Angelica’s brother had got himself caught up in. There are many other things going on and they flowed seamlessly into one another making for a hugely enjoyable read. Add into this prisoners and a bid for freedom, love and confusion, some devious plots and you have grounds for a really good story.
I really enjoyed the historical aspect of this story, various items of the time have been woven in and the pace really does suit. I really enjoy the inclusions of those all important sights, sounds and smells, though maybe not all the smells… added to that the mannerisms, costumes, foods and leisure activities and just about everything was just spot on for me. It was very easy to visualise the settings.
This is another compelling read and one that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is a historical fiction / romance that has so many interesting sides to it and it is one I would highly recommend.
I love historical fiction as despite it being just that “Fiction” there is always an element of the past in there that gives you an insight into the hardships and highs that people from that era went through giving the reader a slight glimpse into a different time. Angelica Lilly, although she comes from a well to do family, still can’t really escape her mother’s past, nor does she necessarily want to. It is this fact that starts off a chain of events that follow her when she goes to stay with family friends and puts her in the path of Henry Trevelyan. A coachman who is not all he seems to be, Henry appears in Angelicas life periodically and usually at the time that she most needs him. Angelica is quite a feisty character and although on the surface she appears to be following her father’s wishes by agreeing to a marriage with an older but titled man, she really wants to be able to determine her own life whilst also taking care that her brother does not ruin the family and their reputation. She is far more aware of the family business than her father realises and often deals with things on his behalf and you get the feeling she would love to be a real part of it all but knows that due to society rules, it will be her brother, no matter how undeserving who will inherit it. Henry Trevelyan is the perfect sparring partner for Angelica. Despite his apparent station in life being below her, he challenges her beliefs and trust issues proving to her that not everyone does things expecting reward. Later when he is instrumental in her brother’s arrest, she again is challenged wanting to hate him but knowing that he may also be the only person that can help her. A nice touch was at the beginning of the book the author had laid out a type of family tree of the main characters in the story and how they were linked to each other. The start of the book does then take a little time so that the reader can get to know them but once you get into the story it really picks up the pace. The Cornish Lady has a little bit of everything in it, romance, highwaymen, theatre and prison breaks so will appeal to a variety of readers.
Set during the late eighteen century, with a stunning Cornish backdrop, The Cornish Saga continues with a spotlight on Angelica Lilly.
Educated and strong-willed, Angelica has the pick of the available suitors. After all, she is a merchant's daughter and from a wealthy family. However, she's not comfortable socialising with people of high society and feels suffocated by the expectations put on her shoulders. Will she have to accept her lot or will fate step in to change the course of her life?
I instantly liked Henry Trevelyan with his kind, unassuming demeanour. He's intelligent and courteous and worked as a coach driver. However, all is not as it seems and I enjoyed how he played his role in uncovering the truth surrounding the framing of Angelica's brother.
Unfamiliar with the author's writing style, I struggled, in the beginning, to get to grips with the narrative. I always find it difficult to cope with keeping focus when dealt with an overload of names to remember. Sometimes it felt overwhelming until some of the details finally sunk in and I could concentrate more on the plot. This is book four of Ms Pryce's Cornish Saga and clearly, I should have read the earlier books in the series to familiarise myself with the characters before embarking on this novel. For those who have previously read and enjoyed other books in the series, they'll appreciate the fun entertaining way this novel has been written.
Despite my reading troubles, I adored the Cornish setting and historical details. The author also includes a couple of family trees to help readers to familiarise family connections. As I read this novel on my Kindle, it wasn't easy to keep referencing who's who by flicking back and forth, however, for those reading a print version, this will be a welcome addition.
To sum up, The Cornish Lady and the other Cornish Saga novels will appeal to fans of Poldark. Unlike myself, I suggest starting with the first book to gain the most from the author's enticing writing.
***arc generously received courtesy of the publisher Corvus***
Angelica Lilly is a beautiful and compassionate young woman whose entry into Cornish society would be guaranteed by an advantageous marriage because even though her father is a prosperous merchant, Angelica's deceased mother's background as an actress can sometimes be a hindrance. When Angelica's younger brother arrives home in poor health and with a friend in tow who is less than supportive, Angelica gets drawn into a very dangerous world which tests both her loyalty and her resilience to the absolute limit.
The Cornish Lady takes us back to an eighteenth century world of social prejudices and to a time when the country was largely unsettled when, due to the high price of food, poorer people were going hungry. To a large extent, Angelica, is sheltered from the worst of life but when the story moves to Falmouth and Truro, Angelica soon finds herself involved in some very dangerous events. Angelica is a feisty heroine, who is filled with a real sense of purpose and right from the start I felt really comfortable in her company and loved seeing how she grew in confidence as her story progressed.
There's a wonderful authenticity to this Cornish saga as each story explores a different aspect of eighteenth century life. What I love the most is the way that the author brings her characters to life so beautifully and allows them the time to tell their story whilst keeping the historical accuracy so firmly in place. Familiar characters are allowed to pop up from time to time, so that we can catch up with what's been happening to them, but without them ever dominating the way the new story is evolving.
There is no doubt that this author has made the world of eighteenth century Cornwall completely her own. Each successive story goes from strength to strength and there is so much scope for this series to continue that I really can't wait to see where this talented writer takes us to next.
I have to say, I love Nicola Pryce. What an amazing author she is, and what a brilliant niche she's carving for herself within a relatively short amount of time. I won her first book on a Good Reads give away (when they used to allow UK residents to enter), and I've been a devotee ever since.
This book, like the others, is well written. There is the perfect blend of realistic conversation without sounding modern; and the heroine is not a modern girl put in a swishy dress and plonked in the late 1700s. Yes, she's got a mind of her own and up for adventure, but she doesn't have that horrible edgy personality (read- rude, self-centred, selfish, mean etc) that many authors give their historical heroines in the hope of capturing the modern audience sympthy.
All of Nicola's books has a mystery running as the back bone of the plot, this was no different. The only thing his time which I thought didn't work, was that there were too many characters which meant that at the end when there was the unfurling of whodunnit, I wasn't connecting the dots from the novel and see where I had missed the clues.
In saying that, I'm looking forward to the next novel which comes out at the end of this year. I'm thinking that maybe her novels should be taken on by the BBC and made into a series.
The Cornish Lady is the fourth in a series set in eighteenth century Cornwall. It is full of period detail and aware of the social and political issues of the time. The fear of invasion, how to deal with French prisoners of war and the opening up of trade routes around the world all feature. Angelica is a well- rounded character who has an independent spirit and sharp intelligence. She has taken the initiative with her father's commercial affairs and shown that she is fully aware of how to manage financial matters. She puts her acting skills to good use and through them we learn about her mother and her parents' marriage. There are elements of some of the issues covered in Jane Austen's novels- ie the different models of marriage which can be found in society, the place of women in society and the vulnerability which uneven partnerships open them up to.
This is a well paced novel which keeps some secrets back until later in the story and which keeps the reader guessing about certain characters. Cornwall is a stunning setting for the story and calls to mind the Poldark stories.
In short: Regency Cornwall lit up by a bright, intelligent heroine.
The Cornish Lady was an enjoyable historical fiction/romance with hints of mystery and intrigue!
Angelica is preparing to spend her summer in high society and a possible marriage to a lord, but sometimes she doesn’t feel like she really fits in. She is independent and educated. Needless to say, she is a woman way ahead of her time.
Her brother unexpectedly arrives home, and she is shocked at his appearance. She knows something sinister is going on, especially when she sees the man who is with him. This is where the mystery begins. She meets Henry Trevelyan, who comes to her rescue when she finds herself in a very dangerous situation. As the two grow closer, she begins developing strong feelings for him. Yet, he may be the biggest mystery of all. The two of them are great together and are evenly matched. He respects her and not many men at the time would.
The book is well-written. The cast of characters is quite lengthy, but a guide is at the front of the book to help you. The settings were gorgeous, and the author described them so well that I could picture myself there with the characters. If you like historical fiction/romance, give this one a try!
The book bio for this drew me in from the start. The fact that it was set in the beautiful area of Cornwall was invitation enough for me to start reading it, but I also loved the sound of the story. I love a story that is full of history and intrigue and this little beauty didn't disappoint. I adored the aristocratic air that this story had about it and I welcomed the intricately built love story that is hidden within. Angelica was a very likeable character from the start and I sympathised with the worry she had over her brother, who has fallen under the influence of Jacob, a man who is dark and dangerous. My favourite character in the book was the mysterious, kind hearted Henry Trevelyan. The interaction between him and Angelica were very enjoyable to read and I loved how their stories intertwined. This story was brilliant from start to finish and I was not disappointed with how it concluded. I loved the setting, I loved the era that it was set and I loved the characters. A perfect lazy afternoon read.
The Cornish Lady By Nicola Pryce 4 stars Reviewed on behalf of 3 Degrees of Fiction Book Blog
The Cornish Lady was a well written story that took place in a beautiful setting. Through the authors wonderful descriptive writing I could really imagine the beautiful countryside where these characters were living. Historical fiction is one of my favourite genre’s to read so I was really looking forward to reading this book after reading the synopsis for it. I think it was a little slow at times but I really adored the characters and enjoyed reading their story. Angelica was a likeable character that I really connected with. I did feel sorry for her at times and could feel just how worried she was for her brother and the turn his life was taking. Henry was such a lovely character, really kind hearted and genuine. I loved the interaction between the two. Although this is the fourth book in the Cornish Saga series I read it perfectly as a standalone however I would definitely like to read the first three at some point.
I was waiting for this book to come out as I have enjoyed the previous three stand alone (but intertwined) books by this author. Reviewers writing below have captured the intrigue of this well paced plot and the well drawn characters. Again, like previous novels, the female protagonist Angelica is someone the reader gets fully behind and engaged with and Henry Trevelyan would be lovely to meet!! The descriptions of place, clothes, societal mores are detailed and evocative and really get you transported back to those times. And of course it is romantic. 💕❤️
What I also really liked about this book was that it stimulated me to find out more about historical details mentioned. Our heroine is named after Angelica Kaufman. I didn’t know of Angelica Kauffman and her art -and found out she was one of two female founding members of the Royal Academy in 1768. I like it when a book triggers me to find out more about what went on. So this is one I would highly recommend.
I've docked a star simply because something in the end was slightly anticlimactic. There was tension and build up then suddenly everything's just resolved? I probably missed something. Then there's the fact it's slightly repetitive of the other books. Always the one the woman loves but shouldn't or whatever. Also, though I liked the brief appearance of the Polcarrows and the bits with Charity, it felt like there were numerous questions left unanswered in the last book and this one had nothing whatsoever to do with them. Plus points. Set in Cornwall, love it and the familiar names etc. I liked Angellica and the general story. And while I'm disappointed in the lack of answers to questions in the last book, the new locations were refreshing.
A good yarn. Interesting characters. A great reminder that enterprise is not evil, money itself does not corrupt unless the recipient is predisposed to darker things, and kindness, charity, and family can anchor goodness in most.