Windsong Manor
Meaningful
Profound
Pure

Windsong Manor

Julie Wright2023
The London Countryside, 1820 Eleanora Coventry comes from a life of title and privilege, but even that isn't enough to prevent her from being wed at sixteen to a controlling and dismissive husband. So when she finds herself a widow at only twenty-six, the idea of choosing her own path forward both thrills and terrifies her. She knows how to be a daughter and a wife, but she has no idea how to be Eleanora. She moves her son and daughter to her late husband's country estate, where she meets Ridley Devon, the young stable master, and a favorite among the staff at Windsong Manor. He is ruggedly handsome, but also kind, and Eleanora finds herself drawn to him. There is only one problem: Eleanora has a title, and Ridley does not. Ridley Devon has a way with horses. Even the most spirited stallions trust his soft voice and gentle touch. He has the same effect on people, and when he first lays eyes on Eleanora, he is smitten by her beauty. But he quickly discovers it will take more than soft words to gain her trust--Lord Coventry had been cruel to people and animals alike. But the closer he gets to Eleanora, the more he is willing to share his heart, and more importantly, his secret. In a world where title and privilege mean everything, will Eleanora and Ridley risk it all to find happiness? Or will the shadows of their pasts destroy everything they hope to build together?
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Reviews

Photo of Bethany
Bethany@bethibley
4 stars
Mar 16, 2025

This book was surprisingly deep—the trope of high-born lady falls for underling was done unusually well here. I loved the unique chemistry of the four main characters because two of them were Nora’s children, who were pivotal within the storyline and not just mannequins. Nora herself is striving to not just be a baroness and a mother but her own woman as well, and that multifaceted-ness is unusual to find in period romance. Our hero, Ridley, is perhaps the most principled man you could find (so hot), and not just “good with kids” but actually treats the children with a respect most only give adults, guiding them towards their own best selves. Perhaps all this contributes to the story seeming MORE than just a period romance, because only half of it was even about romance. It would actually make a fantastic stage play; though the writing was generally too dry (a lot of “she did this then he did that” and spelling things out rather than trusting the reader to comprehend a bit of creative subtlety), the dialogue was superb. I’d love to see it adapted for the stage.

+4