This hit all my sweet spots- most of all 18th century Cornwall, which was not, btw, an easy place to live. Lots of drama and good characters made for an engaging read.

I enjoyed every moment of reading this book. The storyline and the perfectly drawn characters were lovable and realistic. I really likedJenna, she was a strong woman and a well rounded individual and a great romance to round things off. The story was full of pace with good twists and turns. I'd definitely recommend this author.

Really enjoyed this book. The characters were well written and the story kept me interested.

Jack Penhale is waiting to watch a hanging for poaching. Although hard to watch, many use it as a form of entertainment to take their minds off their poverty and miserable lives. In addition, two more men are to hang for smuggling which is common in the area. Just as the poacher begins to swing from the noose, a young boy jumps on him to quickly break his neck so he does not suffer. Running away afterward, Jack sees the boy and helps him over a wall to escape. But it is not a boy. It is a young woman. It is Jenna.

Debtors are taken by thief takers to a place called The Hole in the Wall. It is a prison where people are kept until someone in their family can pay their debts. Jenna’s brother, Silas, is there and she has promised to get a job at the upcoming Mop Fayre and to save her money to help her family get out of prison.

At the Fayre, Jenna is hired by Jack for a period of one year. She is to cook and keep his house for him. But when she overhears him talking to men about smuggling, she can’t help but try to eavesdrop. She learns that Jack is a thief taker which is the group responsible for taking her family members. Her suspicions lead her to learn more about the smugglers and ends up getting involved with Jack and his work.

This story is quite in-depth and holds the reader’s attention as we follow the hard life of the people of Cornwall and the desperate measures they take to provide for their families. The suspense and intrigue will have you turning those pages.

Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

There's something about a story set in eighteenth-century Cornwall that continues to appeal to me. I think it harks back to the days, when as a teenager, I devoured the Cornish family sagas by Susan Howatch and of course, the Poldark novels by Winston Graham. So, to have the opportunity to support a debut author, with a similar story set in Cornwall appealed to me right from the start.

Multi layered and exciting The Thief's Daughter is one of those sweeping Cornish sagas that immediately whisks you back in time to a bygone age when deadly feuds existed and where danger lurked on every corner. Smugglers, thieves and vagabonds conceal their secrets in hidden coves and the wild and rugged scenery combine to bring alive the jagged Cornish landscape of two hundred years ago.

The author has done a great job of telling creative historical fiction. I really enjoyed getting to know Jenna, the eponymous thief’s daughter, and also watching how her relationship with the charismatic, Jack Penhale, played out in the wider scheme of the story. The history feels authentic and there is a good sense of atmosphere which conjures the wild beauty of Cornwall, so that it becomes easy to place yourself there in the eighteenth century. The characterisation is strong and nicely developed, and the plot ,at the centre of the story, is both exciting and believable.

All in all, a good debut from a talented new writer.

This book was ideal for me to read! I am originally from Plymouth and have a real interest in Cornwall and its history therefore olde time smuggling is an interest of mine.
This book tells the story of Jenna from when she was 4 and hiding from the thief-taker when she was found and warned not to follow in the family trade to the time when she falls in love with a man, only to learn he is a thief-taker, has put her brother in debtor's prison and may have killed him!
Who should she trust?
I gave the book 4*s as there were a couple of places where the action could have been a bit faster.
I was given this book by Netgalley and ChocLit. This is my voluntary review.

We're travelling back to the eighteenth century in this book, a lawless time of smugglers and robbers. Victoria Cornwall introduces us to thief taker Jack Penhale and thief's daughter Jenna, who is on the wrong side of the law. Whilst essentially a romance, the historical aspects are well researched and add another dimension to the story. With Jenna's brother Silas making demands on her to join the smugglers, there is a dilemma. Who can she trust?

Eloquently written in a very easy to read style, The Thief's Daughter was a joy to read. I was instantly taken back a few hundred years to when smuggling was rife and life was hard. No more so for Jenna, who's a strong but very easy to like heroine. This book isn't just about smuggling, it's about family ties, about betrayal and about love, the relationship between Jenna and Jack beautifully woven throughout. And to top it all, it has a gorgeous hero in the swoon worthy Jack. Loved it!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

If, like me, you are having Poldark withdrawals, then look no futher. The Thief's Daughter is a gorgeous tale of love and betrayal that will have you reading up until the wee hours of the morning as you follow Jenna and Jack on their journey to find their place in the world.

Victoria Cornwall's debut novel is set on the gorgeous coast of Cornwall, and the descriptions will whisk you away to another time and place where you will feel the wind in your hair, and taste the sea air on your lips. I loved Jenna and warmed to her from the get-go. Strong, fierce and loyal, she was the perfect lass to keep our hero Jack on his toes, whilst also being a definite heroine in her own right. Their romance was paced perfectly, and I could feel the tension building, as well as understanding her insecurity following her abusive past marriage. Her strong morals, and dedication to the family that didn't deserve it, made for some fantastic scenes, especially when her decisions caused her to be at loggerheads with Jack.

And Jack, what can I say? Now that is my kind of hero!

A beautifully written historical romance, that delves into the dangerous world of smuggling and questions how far you can and should go, even for those you love. I cannot wait to read more from Victoria Cornwall!

5 Stars!

Hide from the thief-taker, for if he finds you, he will take you away…

Jenna always felt like the odd one out growing up in a family of thieves. Her father wanted her to learn how to pick pockets, just like her brothers, but Jenna always refused. Living in a family that has no respect for the law had its price and Jenna ended up alone with only her brother Silas to look out for her. She learned early on that her last name prevented her from getting a job. Because of this she married an abusive man at a too young age. When her husband is sentenced to death, by hanging, Jenna makes sure she is finally free of this horrible man.

Jack swore revenge when he watched his father die in his arms. He's in Cornwall now to try and bring down a smuggling gang. Jack is looking from the sidelines when Jenna's husband is being hanged. He thinks that a courageous boy helps the criminal to die faster, but when he assists him in his escape, Jack finds out that this boy is instead a beautiful woman. He can't forget Jenna's eyes and her sweet smile. Jack spots her again at a hiring fayre and eventually employs her himself. Will they be able to be truthful towards each other or will Jenna's family name mess things up for her again?

Jenna has survived so much already in her young life. She is no stranger to being broke and being hungry. She is incredibly loyal towards her brother Silas. Silas asks her to help him pay off his creditors, so he can leave prison. Jenna has never disobeyed the law, but she'll do anything to get her brother out of this rotten place. Jenna is courageous but naïve as well. She tries to see the good in people and this often comes back to haunt her. She is also really strong, honest and has a sharp tongue. I liked Jenna a lot and was hoping for her to find love and happiness as she definitely deserves this.

Jack had to learn how to be an adult at an early age. He's done well for himself, but he hasn't forgotten how it feels to be hungry all the time. He wants to find justice for the murder of his father. The murderers are untouchable, because nobody is brave enough to testify against them. This means he has to find another way to take these men down. Jack has trusting issues, he doesn't let people in easily. When he meets and hires Jenna he knows he won't be able to resist her, but that doesn't mean he trusts her. Jack is an honorable man with respect for other people. He is kind and shares his food with people who need it.

The Thief's Daughter is an amazing story about two people who have lost much, but are willing to do anything to keep others safe, even when these people don't deserve this kind of protection. I loved to read about Jenna and Jack's journey together, it made them stronger and able to open up to each other. They have great chemistry and it was heartwarming to see how they slowly grow closer together. Victoria Cornwall was born and raised in Cornwall and she perfectly describes this stunning place and the surroundings she writes about. I have been to Cornwall myself and while reading her book I thought about my time there with great fondness. I'll be watching Victoria Cornwall and can't wait to read more of her stories.