Wentworth Hall by Abby Grahame
Published by Simon and Schuster
Eighteen-year-old Maggie Darlington has turned into an entirely different person. The once spirited teen is now passive and reserved. A change Lord and Lady Darlington can’t help but be grateful for.
It’s 1912, and the Darlingtons of Wentworth Hall have more than just the extensive grounds to maintain. As one of Britain’s most elite families, they need to keep up appearances that things are as they have always been… even as their carefully constructed façade rapidly comes undone.
Maggie has a secret. And she’s not the only one… the handsome groom Michael, the beautiful new French nanny Therese, the Darlingtons’ teenage houseguests Teddy and Jessica, and even Maggie’s younger sister Lila are all hiding something. Passion, betrayal, heartache, and whispered declarations of love take place under the Darlingtons’ massive roof. And one of these secrets has the power to ruin the Darlingtons forever.
When scandalous satires start appearing in the newspaper with details that closely mirror the lives of the Darlingtons, everyone is looking over their shoulder, worrying their scandal will be next. Because at Wentworth Hall, nothing stays secret for long.
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I really enjoyed Wentworth Hall. If you loved Downton Abbey or The Luxe series you will love it too!
The thing that drew me in about this book was the whole host of characters all of whom had their own quirks and things that made want to know more about them. I particularly loved Maggie, the elder daughter and seeing her story as her father tried to marry her of the the richest local landowner. I loved the younger daughter Lila and seeing her alternate view to a world were she felt second best for being younger. I found her voice to be a really realistic portrayal of what it like to be that younger sibling and having to live in the shadow of elder siblings whilst trying to prove that you are as capable and grown up in your own right. I also loved the servants Nora and Michael and seeing their views of the household in contrast to those of the family.
I loved the historical setting and the feel the story gave you for the time in which is was written. I love historical fiction like that because sometimes books can get so bogged down in telling the history that they get boring (and this is coming from a history teacher) whereas books like this give you all that insight without being dull.
I love the intrigue and the gossip that run throughout this book. The twists that are thrown in were brilliant and I certainly didn't see them coming. I loved how the gossip was so scandalous for the time period even though we wouldn't blink an eye at it today.
I loved the ending and was so pleased how it ended. I can't tell you anymore than that about it other than to say how I really did love it.
All in all a book I definitely recommend.
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