Book review - The Cornish Rebel

Thank you to Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me on another book tour, and thank you to Nicola Pryce and Corvus Books for sending me a copy of The Cornish Rebel in exchange for an honest review.

The Cornish Rebel by Nicola Pryce

The standalone seventh novel in the Cornish Saga Series

In the wake of her mother's death, Pandora Woodville is desperate to escape her domineering father and finally return to Cornwall. Posing as a widow, she safely makes it across the Atlantic, bright with the dream of working at her Aunt Harriet's school for young women. But as Pandora is soon to learn, the school is facing imminent closure after a series of sinister events threatened its reputation.

Acclaimed chemist Benedict Aubyn has also recently returned to Cornwall, to take up a new role as Turnpike Trust Surveyor. Pandora's arrival has been a strange one, so she is grateful when he shows her kindness. As news of the school's ruin spreads around town, everyone seems to be after her aunt's estate. Now, Pandora and Aunt Harriet must do everything in their power to save the school, or risk losing everything.

However, Pandora has another problem. She's falling for Benedict. But can she trust him, or is he simply looking after his own interests?

My thoughts

Nicola Pryce is one of my favourite historical fiction authors. I have previously reviewed The Cornish Captive, which I also loved reading. Her books are set in the Georgian era, against the beautiful backdrop of Cornwall. Characters and families from previous books in the series make appearances, but each book is very much a standalone novel.

In the wake of her mother’s death, Pandora Woodville escapes her domineering father and returns home, to Falmouth, focused on following her mother’s instructions of becoming a teacher at her aunt’s school for girls. But when she gets there, she gets a cold welcome from her aunt and finds that the once highly successful St Feoca School no longer has any students, due to dark rumours and superstition.

The school faces imminent closure, and several people want the estate for themselves. With several sinister break-ins happening can Pandora and her aunt trust anyone? Especially Pandora’s love interest, Benedict, who is surveying the school's land for a new Turnpike.

Pandora is a strong lead, and I loved her back-story and the passion she has to keep her aunt’s school open. I like how the love story aspect of the book doesn’t overshadow Pandora’s story, but instead the two interweave perfectly. There is a strong focus on family, belonging, family secrets and girls' education in The Cornish Rebel. I enjoyed Benedict’s research in minerology and Pandora’s portrait painting, two things I am very interested in. There was clearly a lot of historic research which went into writing this book, which I always appreciate!

Pryce delivers several exciting twists. One I eventually saw coming and the other I didn’t! The Cornish Rebel has a gorgeous ending, which made me smile! I am crossing my fingers and very much hoping there will be more books in this fantastic series!!

Links to buy your own copy Amazon UK Amazon US

Author Bio

Nicola Pryce trained as a nurse at St Bartholomew's Hospital in London. She has always loved literature and completed an Open University degree in Humanities. She is a qualified adult literacy support volunteer and lives with her husband in the Blackdown Hills in Somerset. Together they sail the south coast of Cornwall in search of adventure.

Social Media Links – Twitter Facebook

 Giveaway to Win a The Cornish Rebel Tote Bag and Paperback (Open to UK Only)

*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize. Link

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