The House of Stone and Ivy by Anita Stansfield

Several years ago, before marriage and kids, when I had a lot more time to read I read most of the books Anita Stansfield had published at the time. After reading so many of her books in a short time I needed a break and a different type of book tp read.

When I had the chance to read her newest book, The House of Stone and Ivy a Regency Romance, I decided it was time to give these books another chance.

The House of Stone and Ivy

The Story

Orphaned as children, Hennie and Lottie share an unbreakable friendship. Together, they suffered the horrors of orphanages and the workhouse, and now grown, they continue to rely on each another. When Lottie approaches Hennie about a possible position at a manor house, Hennie is eager to work alongside her dear friend. However, to secure the positions as stable hands, they will have to undergo a bold act of deception: the women must disguise themselves as men.

Upon arriving at the manor, Hennie is stunned. Her new position is at Ivy Manor—the beautiful estate where her mother was employed long ago and where Hennie was raised until her mother’s death. Hennie has wonderful memories of her friendship with the son of the house, Jack, and is shocked and dismayed to learn he has vanished. Living in disguise at the manor allows her to gradually uncover the truth of Jack’s disappearance and eventually find him. Both Hennie and Jack are thrilled to be reunited, and their friendship is renewed. Soon, their relationship blossoms . . . and threatens their determination to remain concealed. With so much at stake, will they be prepared to risk everything for love?

Review

It has been several years since I have read any Anita Stansfield books and I was pleasantly surprised by the story of this book. It is very different from the other books I have read written by this author.

The story gets you hooked from the very start with the friendship and hardships of Hennie and Lottie. The story continues to capture your attention as the adventure continues and Jack is discovered. Discovering why he went into hiding and the challenges he faces to get back home bring an exciting twist to the story.

This book has all that you could ever want when reading a Regency Romance. A good plot with a few surprises, a clean and adorable romance, and a happy ending.

Purchase The House of Stone and Ivy

This review is part of a blog tour for Anita Stansfield’s new book The House of Stone and Ivy. Be sure to enter to win your own copy of this book and stop by the other reviews on the tour.

About Anita Stansfield

Anita Stansfield has been the queen of romantic fiction for more than a decade. She has the amazing ability to combine great storytelling with intense psychological depth as she focuses on the emotional struggles of the human experience. Her novels cover time periods spanning from the eighteenth century to present. Anita also writes mainstream historical fiction under the name Elizabeth D. Michaels.