Rate: ©©©©©

ISBN: 0-7394-1555-7

I’ve admired Lawana Blackwell’s writing since picking up her first book. Not being able to put it down was a sure sign I’d be reading more by her. Lawana Blackwell knows how to keep a reader’s attention. Not only does she have real and believable characters, she places them in well-researched settings – so much so, I feel as though I’ve been there.

Sarah Matthews has been at St. Matthew Methodist Foundling Home for Girls since she was very young. Having no hope of being adopted because of her deformed left hand, Sarah is quite happy and grateful to have a home where she is loved.

All that changed the day Mr. Swan, a solicitor for Mrs. Blake, a well to do widow from Mayfair, came to St. Matthews. His search for his employer’s long-lost granddaughter ended the day he walked through their doors. He was delighted when Mrs. Forsyth, the headmistress, assured him Mrs. Blake’s granddaughter was indeed a resident of St. Matthews, or was she?

What follows is a fascinating tale of lives intertwined by chance and circumstance. After a rocky start to her new life, Sarah discovers the love of a grandmother, who didn’t know she had any love left. After getting to know her, Sarah couldn’t think of living anywhere else. They, along with the servants of the house become a family, with everyone knowing their proper place of course.

When the secret of Sarah’s true past is threaten, will the widow come clean? Will Sarah ever get to know her real father?

Over the years, Sarah falls in love with their cooks nephew, William, and he with her. When a new curate arrives on the scene, will he steal her affections? Or will he be found out as a fraud? This story has enough twists and turns to keep you wanting more, much more!

You’ll not want to put this book down until the end. I’m pleased there is more in this series. This book is well worth your time!