Book Review: Awake at Widmore Manor by Jessilyn Stewart Peaslee

Awake at Widmore Manor by Jessilyn Stewart Peaslee

Book Description:

A violent storm. A sleepless night. A test.

Emma Widmore has longed to return to her childhood home since the day she was forced to leave it after her father’s death. Widmore Manor represents every hope Emma has ever had and every person she has ever loved. When she feels drawn back to Widmore Manor on a stormy night, she is granted refuge by the one person she is sure would still know her after all these years. But when James Atwood—heir of Widmore Manor and Emma’s childhood friend—shows nothing but suspicion, Emma’s hope falters. After hearing rumors of a test—a standard—that other young women have failed, Emma worries that she, too, will fail. As Emma seeks to understand this test, she must be reconciled with her past and learn what being home truly means.

Readers have fallen in love with this unique and moving regency retelling of The Princess and the Pea.

Tarah's Review:

How fun is this cute little novella? It isn't very often that you get a retelling of the Princess and the Pea, and Peaslee does an excellent job at keeping the main components of the fairy-tale and fiddling with the rest to give us an entertaining sweet romance.

It's a super quick read, but it's one that will keep you engaged throughout the whole story. I will admit that the romance at the end was a little sudden for my liking, but it was set up that it wasn't unrealistic.

The story had a great flow, great characters, and if you are looking for something uplifting to read while you are out and about and waiting, definitely give this book a try.

Rorie's Review:

My favorite book from this author is Ella, so I was excited to have a chance to read this new book from her. 

I was drawn in to the story right away, and was excited to read about the development of James and Emma's relationship, but sadly, there really wasn't one. After Emma went to James' house, it seemed like the story just... got lost. She was there with him, they were starting to get to know each other again and then all of a sudden she has to leave and then the book ends only a few chapters later. I mean, it did have a happy ending, but it just seemed really rushed. I enjoyed most of the story, I just wish there had been a lot more between Emma and James.

While this wasn't my favorite book from this author, I still think she's a great writer and plan on reading more of what she writes.

Andrea's Review:

I was quite excited to read the latest novel from author Jessilyn Stewart Peaslee. Sadly I didn't get to give it my full attention as I've been swamped since it arrived (seriously, I had to have my phone read it to me while I was working on other things and Siri isn't the ideal reader). That said, what I was able to focus on was enjoyable.

This is definitely a unique version of The Princess and the Pea, and by unique I mean totally different. ;) I was a little thrown at first waiting to see how the pea and the mattress would come into play, but there were peas of a sort in the story.

It didn't have as much detail as I would have liked, but it was sweet and clean. I hope to have a chance to read it again with full focus later.

Title: Awake at Widmore Manor

Author: Jessilyn Stewart Peaslee

Published: June 2019 ASIN: B07SGC3KZ8 Source: We received e-copies from the author in exchange for an honest review. Purchase: Amazon