Book Review–The Heiress of Winterwood

The Heiress of Winterwood is a novel that takes place in 1814 and centers around a young heiress’ struggle to keep a promise made to a dying friend – that she would raise her baby as her own. While this doesn’t seem quite so shocking to a contemporary mind, in the time period of the book it was unheard of and Amelia’s determination to raise baby Lucy causes all sorts of problems.

Amelia’s fiancée wants nothing to do with the baby and insists that the baby be out of the house before their impending marriage takes place. Undeterred, Amelia comes up with a bold and daring plan to keep Lucy – she proposes marriage to the baby’s sea captain father. Once again, this creates all sorts of problems.

Compounding everything, Amelia is set to inherit her family’s estate and a vast fortune…but only if she is married by a certain age. Conveniently, this age happens to be only a short time after the book’s events take place.

The main character was more progressive and outspoken than I think most women of her time would have been, but overall the story seemed to fit in the time period it was placed. I found it interesting to read about all the social mores and constraints women faced at the time that made it very difficult for Amelia to aid in the search for Lucy when the baby is kidnapped.

This is the first book I have read by Sarah Ladd and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and this particular book came complete with adventure, mystery and intrigue.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from BookSneeze in exchange for an honest review.