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The Girl at the Gate
Vivian Peyton and Theodore Weatherby could not be more different: she is a penniless orphan, raised in humble circumstances by her grandfather, and he is the cold-hearted nephew of a wealthy widow. One common thread connects these strangers—: the same shipwreck took their parents’ lives. But the commonality has left Theo with a simmering hatred for the Peyton family. Or what’s left of it.
As Vivian’s grandfather’s health begins to decline, he takes to telling her stories of his life. So when Vivian learns of her grandfather’s first love, she vows to find the woman and reunite the star-crossed couple. There is, however, a complication: the woman is none other than the aunt of Theo Weatherby, whose disdain for Vivian is palpable. Even as their elderly relatives rekindle the ill-fated romance of their youth, Theo and Vivian are thrown into a complicated association as hostilities battle with a growing attraction that catches them both off guard. But not all is as it seems, and just as the tentative new couple begins to accept their feelings for each other, an unexpected arrival threatens to tear them apart.
As Vivian’s grandfather’s health begins to decline, he takes to telling her stories of his life. So when Vivian learns of her grandfather’s first love, she vows to find the woman and reunite the star-crossed couple. There is, however, a complication: the woman is none other than the aunt of Theo Weatherby, whose disdain for Vivian is palpable. Even as their elderly relatives rekindle the ill-fated romance of their youth, Theo and Vivian are thrown into a complicated association as hostilities battle with a growing attraction that catches them both off guard. But not all is as it seems, and just as the tentative new couple begins to accept their feelings for each other, an unexpected arrival threatens to tear them apart.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 3, 2022
13 people are currently reading
182 people want to read
About the author
Anita Stansfield
133 books471 followersAnita Stansfield, the LDS market's #1 best-selling romance novelist, is an imaginative and prolific writer whose romantic stories have captivated her readers.
"With sales approaching a half million, Anita Stansfield has clearly found a niche in this market," said Nicole Martin, Publicist for Covenant Communications. "Her popularity stems from her ability to empathize with and write about the issues that LDS women deal with on a daily basis."
"I always write for women like me. It's through my interaction with other women that I've found there are some personal and emotional struggles that are typical," said Anita Stansfield. "I hope my writing makes women feel better about themselves and shows them these real problems can be solved through gospel principles."
"With sales approaching a half million, Anita Stansfield has clearly found a niche in this market," said Nicole Martin, Publicist for Covenant Communications. "Her popularity stems from her ability to empathize with and write about the issues that LDS women deal with on a daily basis."
"I always write for women like me. It's through my interaction with other women that I've found there are some personal and emotional struggles that are typical," said Anita Stansfield. "I hope my writing makes women feel better about themselves and shows them these real problems can be solved through gospel principles."
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 3, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up.
This is kind of an enemies to love story although the main characters do not know each other when the story starts. Theodore Weatherby's has grown up hating the man he blames for the death of his father and the decline of his mother's health. Vivian Peyton lost both of her parents in a shipwreck and has been raised by her grandfather, whose health as started to decline. One night while conversing after dinner, Vivian discovers her grandfather had been in love before he'd met Vivian's grandmother. Vivian decides to find this woman and it's none other than Theodore Weatherby's aunt, his father's sister!! Despite Theo's automatic dislike of Vivian, his aunt rekindles her relationship with Vivan's grandfather and Vivan is hired as a maid in the Weatherby household.
Unfortunately, I wasn't as drawn in by Vivian and Theo's journey from enemies to love, as I was by the second chance at love story of Vivian's grandfather and Theo's aunt, who'd been pulled apart so many years ago because of their different social classes. I'm a sucker for second chance at love stories so I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the elderly couple finding each other and falling in love again. I liked Vivian's attitude towards work and enjoyed reading about her activities when she moved into the boarding house. I really liked her positive attitude and how much she cared for her grandfather.
I found it hard to like Theo until he stopped blaming Vivian and her grandfather for the mistakes her father had made. Neither of them had anything to do with those decisions and all those years blaming and hating the man did not bring back his father. I also didn't understand why Vivian had internalized an unfortunate incident of a friend of hers so fully that it stopped her from even considering quiting her job as a maid and becoming a part of the Weatherby's household once her father and Theo's aunt were married. It took far too long for her to realize those working in that household weren't like those who had injured her friend all those years ago.
This is definitely a gentle love story for both of the couples--Vivian and Theo and her grandfather and Theo's aunt. This story also contains lessons of forgiveness and shows what it can do to someone when forgiveness is withheld for years. I did enjoy seeing the growth of Theo as he learned that lesson.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Covenant Communications, for review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This is kind of an enemies to love story although the main characters do not know each other when the story starts. Theodore Weatherby's has grown up hating the man he blames for the death of his father and the decline of his mother's health. Vivian Peyton lost both of her parents in a shipwreck and has been raised by her grandfather, whose health as started to decline. One night while conversing after dinner, Vivian discovers her grandfather had been in love before he'd met Vivian's grandmother. Vivian decides to find this woman and it's none other than Theodore Weatherby's aunt, his father's sister!! Despite Theo's automatic dislike of Vivian, his aunt rekindles her relationship with Vivan's grandfather and Vivan is hired as a maid in the Weatherby household.
Unfortunately, I wasn't as drawn in by Vivian and Theo's journey from enemies to love, as I was by the second chance at love story of Vivian's grandfather and Theo's aunt, who'd been pulled apart so many years ago because of their different social classes. I'm a sucker for second chance at love stories so I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the elderly couple finding each other and falling in love again. I liked Vivian's attitude towards work and enjoyed reading about her activities when she moved into the boarding house. I really liked her positive attitude and how much she cared for her grandfather.
I found it hard to like Theo until he stopped blaming Vivian and her grandfather for the mistakes her father had made. Neither of them had anything to do with those decisions and all those years blaming and hating the man did not bring back his father. I also didn't understand why Vivian had internalized an unfortunate incident of a friend of hers so fully that it stopped her from even considering quiting her job as a maid and becoming a part of the Weatherby's household once her father and Theo's aunt were married. It took far too long for her to realize those working in that household weren't like those who had injured her friend all those years ago.
This is definitely a gentle love story for both of the couples--Vivian and Theo and her grandfather and Theo's aunt. This story also contains lessons of forgiveness and shows what it can do to someone when forgiveness is withheld for years. I did enjoy seeing the growth of Theo as he learned that lesson.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Covenant Communications, for review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
January 20, 2022
great
This story was very interesting and it tied into the last one which I did not expect. I love happy endings as well. Thank you once again for a wonderful book to read. So enjoy all of Anita’s books. Please keep them coming.
This story was very interesting and it tied into the last one which I did not expect. I love happy endings as well. Thank you once again for a wonderful book to read. So enjoy all of Anita’s books. Please keep them coming.
February 8, 2022
Super! I really love how Ms Stansfield builds her characters-I feel like I’m part of the story and cheering them on early in the story and sticking through the thick and thin of it all. Absolutely wonderful.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.
January 31, 2022
I was disappointed after reading this. The back of the cover made the book seem so interesting and different. I had a hard time with Vivian and Theo's love story, and it felt a bit forced. There was a LOT of back and forth in the book, as well as repeating thoughts, telling how Vivian felt about her decisions, and trying to rationalise it all. Those parts were long, and actually seemed to take up a large majority of the story. Estelle as a character was lovely, and she saved a lot of what occurred. The ending romance between Theo and Vivian was again, forced and rushed. The final epilogue did resolve a lot, but was not satisfying.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2022
Decent book, but it could have been a ton shorter. I found myself skipping the second half or more of a lot of the paragraphs to get to the action/plot. I don’t feel like there was a lot of British authenticity, either. I’m going to avoid this author for regency romance in the future as this is the second book of hers I’ve been disappointed in.
July 3, 2022
Repetitive boring
I slightly enjoyed the beginning and ending when it got a tad bit exciting but it quickly fizzled out. I loved Stansfield early work. This was nothing of the sort. It was hard to keep going but I truly waited for it to get better, sadly it did not. It was repetitive with no depth.
I slightly enjoyed the beginning and ending when it got a tad bit exciting but it quickly fizzled out. I loved Stansfield early work. This was nothing of the sort. It was hard to keep going but I truly waited for it to get better, sadly it did not. It was repetitive with no depth.
February 15, 2023
The story idea was great and I usually love Stansfield but this one, she belabored the feelings of the heroine and kept going around and around them instead of building on the characters or the story. Because of this it dragged on for me.
One other thing... it wasn't a huge deal but it was annoying... The heroine, Vivian continues to judge Theodore for his behavior in the past so much so that it becomes arrogant. At first it is warranted and her responses are appropriate, but she is not perfect either and there are things she does that she needs to work on and change about her behavior and judgements, but there is hardly anything in the story emphasizing it. The focus is all on Theodore and his imperfections. I lost respect for Vivian the longer the second half of the story went on.
One other thing... it wasn't a huge deal but it was annoying... The heroine, Vivian continues to judge Theodore for his behavior in the past so much so that it becomes arrogant. At first it is warranted and her responses are appropriate, but she is not perfect either and there are things she does that she needs to work on and change about her behavior and judgements, but there is hardly anything in the story emphasizing it. The focus is all on Theodore and his imperfections. I lost respect for Vivian the longer the second half of the story went on.
March 6, 2023
Four and a half stars for a very compelling story of prejudice, class differences and healing/forgiveness.
This story was not what I had expected but was so very pleasantly surprised at how it unfolded. If had a flavoring of Cinderella but ever so slightly.
The hero starts out rather arrogant and hard to like at times…some of this was due to his past. But he soon realized he needed to change and he did for the better.
The heroine is kind and devoted but struggles with life’s challenges when presented unexpectedly. As in all life we are shaped by our experiences.
The second story within this story is just as good.
There are unexpected surprises and twists involved and it makes for a good story.
This story was not what I had expected but was so very pleasantly surprised at how it unfolded. If had a flavoring of Cinderella but ever so slightly.
The hero starts out rather arrogant and hard to like at times…some of this was due to his past. But he soon realized he needed to change and he did for the better.
The heroine is kind and devoted but struggles with life’s challenges when presented unexpectedly. As in all life we are shaped by our experiences.
The second story within this story is just as good.
There are unexpected surprises and twists involved and it makes for a good story.
February 18, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
As far as regency romances go, this one was ok. Vivian has been raised by her grandparents just outside of London and happens upon some love letters written to her grandfather. She feels drawn to seek out the woman on the other end of the letter and meets Estelle- who owns the nearby Weatherby estate.
Theo is Estelle’s nephew and Vivian meets him as she approaches the estate. He is terrible and judgmental and outspoken. You can see where this is going but I did enjoy Vivian and Theo’s characters by the end.
Spoiler: I hated that Theo’s father shows up at the end of the book. It really made no sense unless this is a series and he’s to pop up again later? I felt like there was a little too much philosophizing and skipped over a bunch of wordy pages. But it was a clean read.
As far as regency romances go, this one was ok. Vivian has been raised by her grandparents just outside of London and happens upon some love letters written to her grandfather. She feels drawn to seek out the woman on the other end of the letter and meets Estelle- who owns the nearby Weatherby estate.
Theo is Estelle’s nephew and Vivian meets him as she approaches the estate. He is terrible and judgmental and outspoken. You can see where this is going but I did enjoy Vivian and Theo’s characters by the end.
Spoiler: I hated that Theo’s father shows up at the end of the book. It really made no sense unless this is a series and he’s to pop up again later? I felt like there was a little too much philosophizing and skipped over a bunch of wordy pages. But it was a clean read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2025
I wanted to like it. I really did. I appreciate that it was clean, but other than that I felt little tying me to the book. I felt like nothing was at stake until the last chapter. I could’ve walked away at any time, but stuck it out because I hate not finishing things.
Couple complaints:
1. Lots of telling instead of showing. “She did this, then she felt that, then she thought this.” It was pretty boring tbh.
2. The main female character had trouble with trust, but it didn’t quite sit right…something didn’t quite connect there for me, and I thought it was way overdone to the point of annoyance.
3. The narrator’s voice bothers me 🫣
Couple complaints:
1. Lots of telling instead of showing. “She did this, then she felt that, then she thought this.” It was pretty boring tbh.
2. The main female character had trouble with trust, but it didn’t quite sit right…something didn’t quite connect there for me, and I thought it was way overdone to the point of annoyance.
3. The narrator’s voice bothers me 🫣
April 1, 2022
I’m not a huge Anita Stansfield fan. I keep trying to love them but they just fall a little short for me every time. This book was great to start off and then slow in the middle where I felt like the character just kept plodding along and I kept waiting for the characters to develop a relationship. Finally after about 3-4 chapters of ‘yada yada’ they started getting there. I was tempted to just skip ahead. I did enjoy the beginning and end.
January 12, 2025
The secondary story in this book is really interesting and made me much more interested in those characters than in the main storyline. The book was good to read when there was dialogue or something actively happening, but when the writing was just about the characters' thoughts it dragged a bit and was somewhat repetitive at times. Overall it was a nice enough story, but maybe not one that I would recommend to friends.
September 12, 2025
Content: Content: Quick mention of Suicide and assault
I picked this because of the cover. I'm out of good things to say. I don't know why I finished it. I wasn't enjoying it at first, but felt I hadn't given it enough of a chance because there wasn't anything necessarily wrong with it... but I just should have stopped. I normally love a grump with a redemption arc but I 0% was feeling it. And the "surprise" we get.... so unbelievable and felt so unnecessary.
I picked this because of the cover. I'm out of good things to say. I don't know why I finished it. I wasn't enjoying it at first, but felt I hadn't given it enough of a chance because there wasn't anything necessarily wrong with it... but I just should have stopped. I normally love a grump with a redemption arc but I 0% was feeling it. And the "surprise" we get.... so unbelievable and felt so unnecessary.
July 5, 2022
Usually I struggle with Anita Standfield’s books about 1/2 way through because of how much “fluff” is in there. I will get bored and have a difficult time finishing. This book has the “fluff” as well, and at first I was disappointed, but it kept my attention. There were parts that weren’t enjoyable, but for the most part it was a good story and the characters memorable.
September 21, 2022
Overall I enjoyed this story line and characters. I thought there was a ton of "extra" that wasn't necessary to the plot and there were areas that seemed to drag on a bit. But I did enjoy the premise of the story and seeing two characters (technically four) from different social and economic backgrounds find love.
May 17, 2024
The girl at the gate had a great ending. I enjoyed seeing the characters development for Vivian and Theo. Vivian did drive me a bit crazy with how she felt about her place in her grandfather’s life after he married Estella. It was difficult to read most of the middle of the book. But I’m happy to say the ending was great!
February 3, 2025
This was one of the most stupid books I’ve ever read. 10/10 don’t read. They built up events only to never fully explain them and then made them not important to the story. They centered the whole story around one dramatic event only to UNRESOLVE it at the end. It was so very stupid. I hated every second.
February 6, 2023
I normally don’t write reviews, but I have to make a note so I don’t forget and pick up this author again.
I’m surprised I didn’t abandon this book early on. The setting and the story are so poorly matched as to make the whole thing so far fetched I could gag.
I’m surprised I didn’t abandon this book early on. The setting and the story are so poorly matched as to make the whole thing so far fetched I could gag.
December 25, 2025
This book is a very clean and good regency romance. I love the romance from the older couple who were in love with each other earlier in their lives and they saw each other again after about 40 years. So good.
May 25, 2022
It was a really great book. It was slow moving at first for me but got better as the book continued. I liked the storyline.
June 8, 2022
It was a good book! I liked it
It was great but I wish that it showed more in the end. Love it! I recommend this book!
A
It was great but I wish that it showed more in the end. Love it! I recommend this book!
A
October 18, 2022
I love resolution. An epilogue would help completed the book.
October 25, 2022
This book was ok. it was clean so that was nice
May 28, 2023
This book wouldn’t end! Wish I had more positive things to say, but it was predictable, dialogue was repetitive, and simply dragged on..
May 3, 2024
This book felt slow to me. I loved the ending but it took me forcing myself to pick up the book and finish it.
January 12, 2026
Beginning and end were a good pace but the middle dragged. Characters were undeveloped and I felt like the story could've been better.
October 31, 2023
So slow and repetitive. The premise held promise, but the execution was long and torturous! Listening to Vivian overthink everything that happened and then talk about it and then overthink it again was annoying.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews