The Widow's Last Secret by Lora Davies

Books

*AD-gifted: I received a copy of The Widow’s Last Secret in exchange for this post. Affiliate links are marked with a*

I’m back with another book tour today. This time it’s a page-turning novel about secrets, mistaken trust, and the impossibility of hiding from your past. The Widow’s Last Secret is a compelling read you will get absorbed into!

Book Description

Victorian England, 1846: A gripping and powerful story about one woman’s incredible courage in the face of heartbreak, and a secret that – if revealed – could destroy everything.

Six years ago, Bella Farrow lost everything. Desperate and starving, she made a terrible mistake that forced her to abandon her home, her livelihood and her family. And when the only person she trusted – her beloved, steadfast husband – was killed in a tragic accident, Bella was left alone. She had to make her own way, while keeping her past hidden upon risk of imprisonment, or worse…

Now Bella is living a quiet life under a secret identity and making a good, honest living. But then a young, handsome man named James Earlham comes to town, and everything changes. Their instant connection disturbs her heart, her peace and her safety. Because Bella knows that for their love to flourish, she will have to reveal the secret that has remained hidden all these years – and put her trust in James.

Bella’s heart tells her to confess everything. But can she be sure James is really who he says he is? Can Bella truly be herself with him? Or is she putting her life in the hands of the one person who could betray her?

What I Thought

I love a good historical drama book, and this one certainly gives that!

Anna/Bella is a strong character, but cannot forgive herself for stealing. She is frightened of the repercussions of what may occur so both she and her husband Jake run off. They live a life on the run, working on the road. Jake gets a job as a navvie on the railroad construction, but one day a tragic accident occurs and he is killed. Once again Anna runs, lonely and starving she is found by a farmer, James who is a widower, and then reinvents herself as Bella.

James and Bella’s relationship blossoms and they get married. In the hope, Bella will have a son who can inherit James’ land and money. This isn’t to be. James passes away and Bella inherits everything much to the suspicious villagers. But as the building of the railroad comes towards Bella’s land, her past comes back to haunt her.

You really are in for a treat with The Widow’s Last Secret, I highly recommend!

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for my copy.

Author Bio

For as long as I can remember, I have been happiest with a book in my hands. From hiding under the covers with a torch as a small child so that I could stay up reading, to studying English at university so that I could get my hands on even more books – I guess it was only a matter of time before I went from reading books to writing them. It wasn’t a straightforward path; my passion for gripping plots and rounded characters led me first to work as an actor and theatre director, but after a Creative Writing course at my local bookshop, I was hooked. After completing a Masters at Royal Holloway, University of London, I finished my first novel, Daughter of the Shipwreck. I live in Brighton where I get inspiration from the incredibly rich history of the city and the inspiring and beautiful natural environment.