Scan barcode
nataliesboooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
emlickliter's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
5.0
A Refuge at Highland Hall (Edwardian Brides #3) by Carrie Turansky – If you like WWI romances, this one is sweet! Happy Reading!
books_n_blossoms's review against another edition
4.0
Penny's story is not what I was expecting, especially with how book 4 left off, but I was incredibly pleased! Throughout this series the narrator kept reminding me of Julie Andrews so I loved it. There was a lot going on in the story, but I love how they all intertwined. I liked how Penny stayed the same throughout all 3 books. She was kind and considerate.
I also really enjoyed Lydia's storyline. You've gotta love it when the servants have an interest in someone as well as those "above stairs". lol That was an interesting storyline and I wasn't sure how it would turn out!
I'm sad to see this series come to an end, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I also really enjoyed Lydia's storyline. You've gotta love it when the servants have an interest in someone as well as those "above stairs". lol That was an interesting storyline and I wasn't sure how it would turn out!
I'm sad to see this series come to an end, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
booksforchristiangirls's review
5.0
About this book:
“The Great War shakes the world of a spirited young woman and the brave British pilot she loves, taking her from London to her family’s magnificent country estate, and sending him into the war-torn skies over France.
Penny Ramsey has always considered Highland Hall her home, but when Britain becomes involved in World War One she travels to London to assist her sister Kate with the eight orphan children she and her husband Jon have taken into their home. Doing her part for the war effort takes priority over Penny’s dreams of romance until she meets Alex Goodwin, a Royal Naval Air Service pilot in training.
Alex is determined to prove his worth and do his part to defend his country. Knowing he is heading off for the dangerous assignment of chasing Zeppelins across the front line in France, he feels it’s unwise to form any romantic attachments. But he can’t help admiring the pretty, warmhearted Penny and wondering what it would be like to find her waiting when he returns home from the war.
As Penny writes to Alex, their friendship blossoms, and she becomes his tie to home and normalcy as he faces the hardships war. But being an RNAS pilot means confronting the enemy, and the fallout from those experiences push Alex beyond Penny’s reach. Can God mend the brokenness left by the losses of war? Will faith and forgiveness bring them together again?”
Series: Book #3 in the “Edwardian Brides” series. Review of book #1 Here!(Old Review), Review of book #2 Here! {Recommend to read in order.}
Spiritual Content- Isaiah 40:30-31 at the beginning (and later mentioned, written, discussed & memorized in the story); Many, many, many Prayers & blessings over food; Lots & lots of strong faiths; Scriptures are read; Many, many, many Talks about God, praying, & trusting; ‘H’s are capital; A couple mentions of Jesus’ seat at the table; Mentions of Bible reading; Mentions of those in the Bible & Saints; Many mentions of missionaries; Siegfried is mad at God & Alex gets a bit mad as well.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘blast it all’, a ‘blimey’, a ‘drat’; Mentions of cures said not written; All about the war, bombing, soldiers, injuries, flying & crashing (up to semi-detailed); Pain, blood & a knife (up to semi-detailed); Many Mentions of bombs, killing & injuries (semi-detailed); Many mentions of Germans, unfairness & prisoners; Alex’s parents didn’t have a happy marriage; Mentions of cheating; Mentions of blood, fist fighting & teen boys (barely-above-not-detailed); A mention of a horse accident where a lady died; A mention of #2’s murder; A couple mentions of drunks.
Sexual Content- four cheek kisses, a forehead kiss, a barely-above-not-detailed kiss, a semi-detailed kiss; Remembering a kiss (semi-detailed); Noticing & Smelling; A few mention of #2’s affair (no details); A couple mentions of Helen’s situation (has a daughter, but no husband; Book #2); Mentions of flirting & suggestive smiles; Mentions of reputations; Mentions of miscarriages, trying again & love (no-details); Marius says he’d never take advantage of a woman; A man wants a kiss from Lydia & tightens his grip on her arm (nothing happens); Love, falling in love & the emotions (x2);
*Note: A mention of being the butt of a joke; A mention of a kick in the pants.
-Penny Ramsey, age 19
-Alex Goodwin, age 23 (?)
P.O.V. switches between them, Lydia, Julia (4x), Marius (3x), William (2x) & Jon (2x)
Set in 1915 (Epilogue in 1919)
334 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Four Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars (and a half)
My personal Rating- Five Stars
{Add ½ a star for girls who enjoyed the previous books in the series.}
I didn’t think it was possible, but author Carrie Turansky topped the previous books in this series. “A Refuge at Highland Hall” was fantastic. I adored the other books in the series due to the caring for orphans plot & all the Spiritual Content, but this third and final book did so much of those it was incredible. I completely fell in love with the main characters in “The Governess of Highland Hall” and “The Daughter of Highland Hall”, so I was fangirling seeing everyone again! And they’re major characters in this book as well, so I definitely recommend reading this series in order. The epilogue was just prefect. ;)
There was so much wonderful Spiritual Content, I can’t even began to say how many prayers & talks about God there were. Excellent, just excellent! Also, Penny & Alex were so sweet (--I can’t even--) praying over each other and writing to each other, swoon! Their relationship is cuter than this puppy. Not. Even. Kidding.
I’m still so blown away by how clean this novel was. I love how the author keeps teen girls in mind when writing her “adult” books.
Carrie Turansky just moved up in my favorite authors group. :)
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspot.com/2015/11/a-refuge-at-highland-hall-by-carrie.html
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Multnomah Books) for this honest review.
“The Great War shakes the world of a spirited young woman and the brave British pilot she loves, taking her from London to her family’s magnificent country estate, and sending him into the war-torn skies over France.
Penny Ramsey has always considered Highland Hall her home, but when Britain becomes involved in World War One she travels to London to assist her sister Kate with the eight orphan children she and her husband Jon have taken into their home. Doing her part for the war effort takes priority over Penny’s dreams of romance until she meets Alex Goodwin, a Royal Naval Air Service pilot in training.
Alex is determined to prove his worth and do his part to defend his country. Knowing he is heading off for the dangerous assignment of chasing Zeppelins across the front line in France, he feels it’s unwise to form any romantic attachments. But he can’t help admiring the pretty, warmhearted Penny and wondering what it would be like to find her waiting when he returns home from the war.
As Penny writes to Alex, their friendship blossoms, and she becomes his tie to home and normalcy as he faces the hardships war. But being an RNAS pilot means confronting the enemy, and the fallout from those experiences push Alex beyond Penny’s reach. Can God mend the brokenness left by the losses of war? Will faith and forgiveness bring them together again?”
Series: Book #3 in the “Edwardian Brides” series. Review of book #1 Here!(Old Review), Review of book #2 Here! {Recommend to read in order.}
Spiritual Content- Isaiah 40:30-31 at the beginning (and later mentioned, written, discussed & memorized in the story); Many, many, many Prayers & blessings over food; Lots & lots of strong faiths; Scriptures are read; Many, many, many Talks about God, praying, & trusting; ‘H’s are capital; A couple mentions of Jesus’ seat at the table; Mentions of Bible reading; Mentions of those in the Bible & Saints; Many mentions of missionaries; Siegfried is mad at God & Alex gets a bit mad as well.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘blast it all’, a ‘blimey’, a ‘drat’; Mentions of cures said not written; All about the war, bombing, soldiers, injuries, flying & crashing (up to semi-detailed); Pain, blood & a knife (up to semi-detailed); Many Mentions of bombs, killing & injuries (semi-detailed); Many mentions of Germans, unfairness & prisoners; Alex’s parents didn’t have a happy marriage; Mentions of cheating; Mentions of blood, fist fighting & teen boys (barely-above-not-detailed); A mention of a horse accident where a lady died; A mention of #2’s murder; A couple mentions of drunks.
Sexual Content- four cheek kisses, a forehead kiss, a barely-above-not-detailed kiss, a semi-detailed kiss; Remembering a kiss (semi-detailed); Noticing & Smelling; A few mention of #2’s affair (no details); A couple mentions of Helen’s situation (has a daughter, but no husband; Book #2); Mentions of flirting & suggestive smiles; Mentions of reputations; Mentions of miscarriages, trying again & love (no-details); Marius says he’d never take advantage of a woman; A man wants a kiss from Lydia & tightens his grip on her arm (nothing happens); Love, falling in love & the emotions (x2);
*Note: A mention of being the butt of a joke; A mention of a kick in the pants.
-Penny Ramsey, age 19
-Alex Goodwin, age 23 (?)
P.O.V. switches between them, Lydia, Julia (4x), Marius (3x), William (2x) & Jon (2x)
Set in 1915 (Epilogue in 1919)
334 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Four Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars (and a half)
My personal Rating- Five Stars
{Add ½ a star for girls who enjoyed the previous books in the series.}
I didn’t think it was possible, but author Carrie Turansky topped the previous books in this series. “A Refuge at Highland Hall” was fantastic. I adored the other books in the series due to the caring for orphans plot & all the Spiritual Content, but this third and final book did so much of those it was incredible. I completely fell in love with the main characters in “The Governess of Highland Hall” and “The Daughter of Highland Hall”, so I was fangirling seeing everyone again! And they’re major characters in this book as well, so I definitely recommend reading this series in order. The epilogue was just prefect. ;)
There was so much wonderful Spiritual Content, I can’t even began to say how many prayers & talks about God there were. Excellent, just excellent! Also, Penny & Alex were so sweet (--I can’t even--) praying over each other and writing to each other, swoon! Their relationship is cuter than this puppy. Not. Even. Kidding.
I’m still so blown away by how clean this novel was. I love how the author keeps teen girls in mind when writing her “adult” books.
Carrie Turansky just moved up in my favorite authors group. :)
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspot.com/2015/11/a-refuge-at-highland-hall-by-carrie.html
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Multnomah Books) for this honest review.
esquiredtoread's review
3.0
Ugh. Started off VERY strong. But the discipline of the children, Andrew being a terrible snotty little boy, and the very silly scene at the very end had me skimming the end of this book. I read it through audio and kindle...switched on and off.
I like Alex a lot and liked his entire arc. Everyone else kinda melded in and some parts had my eyes rolling too much.
Spoiler
kidnappingI like Alex a lot and liked his entire arc. Everyone else kinda melded in and some parts had my eyes rolling too much.
bellesmoma2021's review
4.0
Overall, this is a very enjoyable story. I enjoyed reading the entire series. The characters are well written, very likeable, and very realistic. My favorite book in the series is still the first book. I highly recommend that novel. This final installment had a bit of a boring start for me. But, by page 100 or so, book #3 really picked up the pace. Excellent action, great character interactions, and a wonderful ending. If you are looking for a clean historical romance, then I highly recommend this series.
readingqueen's review against another edition
4.0
A Refuge at Highland Hall is a strong final chapter in the Edwardian Brides series. It’s probably my favorite among the first two books. Times have become difficult now that Britain has joined in the fight during World War I. While brave men are sacrificing their lives for their country, the people at home are also feeling the effects of the war. London has been bombed and supplies for many are running low. Even suspicion of anyone of German descent is unavoidable. A Refuge at Highland Hall shows the effects of war and offers a light of hope for even such a time as that.
Penny Ramsay is both young and beautiful. She is a hopeless romantic and dreams of one day marrying for love, but finds herself disappointed when the man she had her heart set on becomes engaged to someone else. However, it’s not long until she meets the handsome pilot Alex Goodwin. Alex is soon to be off to war as a pilot for the Royal Naval Air Service, dangerous missions surely to follow him. Penny and Alex have to struggle with their own problems on the war front and at home. Alex finds himself in a precarious situation and his inward struggle is like that of many soldiers who return from war. All of the characters, from Highland Hall and beyond, were perfectly flawed and realistic. Aunt Agatha and Chef Lagarde were my favorite minor characters.
The romance in A Refuge at Highland Hall was sweet and I was rooting for them from the beginning. Marius and Lydia also had a charming relationship, but I wish there was more to their story than what was presented. I also wanted read more about Alex’s difficult relationship with his mother. Despite that, the series finished off perfectly.
Penny Ramsay is both young and beautiful. She is a hopeless romantic and dreams of one day marrying for love, but finds herself disappointed when the man she had her heart set on becomes engaged to someone else. However, it’s not long until she meets the handsome pilot Alex Goodwin. Alex is soon to be off to war as a pilot for the Royal Naval Air Service, dangerous missions surely to follow him. Penny and Alex have to struggle with their own problems on the war front and at home. Alex finds himself in a precarious situation and his inward struggle is like that of many soldiers who return from war. All of the characters, from Highland Hall and beyond, were perfectly flawed and realistic. Aunt Agatha and Chef Lagarde were my favorite minor characters.
The romance in A Refuge at Highland Hall was sweet and I was rooting for them from the beginning. Marius and Lydia also had a charming relationship, but I wish there was more to their story than what was presented. I also wanted read more about Alex’s difficult relationship with his mother. Despite that, the series finished off perfectly.
jenncherry's review against another edition
4.0
Really wonderful story - love the characters and how their lives intertwined and played out through the story! The historical details really added to the story as well!
More...