I’ll readily admit that a love story set in 1860s Cornwall wouldn’t be a usual choice for me – unless balanced with a modern thread, and a little bit of timeslip. But this story grabbed me from its opening pages, I read it in one sitting, and loved every moment. The two main characters are quite superbly drawn, Beth with her sad past and wonderful feistiness and bravery – how many romantic heroines clobber the hero with a frying pan in the opening pages, so badly that he loses his memory and needs nursing back to health? And then there’s the nameless one – I don’t want to spoil the story in any way, but he’s quite something too, and his back story (as it reveals itself) is so well told. The love story at the book’s heart is strong, believable and very moving, particularly with the many issues it raises around the class divide, living on the edge of poverty and the background of the legacy of the Crimean War and Cornwall’s industrial past.

The sense of place in this book is exceptional – I loved the descriptions of River Valley itself, the waterfall, the wishing tree, the caves and coastline, and the wonderful glade filled with butterflies. The writing is excellent – a strong cast of supporting characters, wonderful dialogue, and the skill of a real story-teller in the handling of the emotional content, the drama and the many twists and turns of the story. The historical content is plainly well researched, and perfectly presented as background to the story.

And this is the third book in a series? Totally standalone – but that’s two more books I really must add to my kindle. I loved this one.

5☆ Captivating Historical Read with a dash of romance

The Daughter of River Valley is an intriguing mystery that was simply captivating.

Beth lives in an home that her grandfather left her when he passed away.
So when Beth starts receiving threats she is terrified.

Even more terrifying is when a mysterious man stumbles upon her home with no memory.
Beth is terrified and hits him over the head with a pan. I don't blame her. She's all alone and she's getting threats then a stranger turns intruding into her home.

However Beth feels terrible and takes him into her home to nurse his recovery.

The chemistry between the mystery man 'Luke' and Beth is clearly obvious from the start. He intrigues Beth. But who is he and why has he came into Beth's life.

I really liked Beth she is strong, independent, a lil feisty, warm, and caring.
I really enjoyed watching Beth grow as she discovers the mystery surrounding Luke.

This is such a compelling and endearing historical romance that is shrouded in mystery and intrigue. I loved watching the friendship and romance blossom.
The pace is perfect and the lil twists are cleverly given to keep you hooked.

If you enjoy historical fiction with a dash of romance and plenty of mystery then you need to read this enchanting warm read.

Thank you to Rachel Random Resources for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Being born in Cornwall myself and loving the Poldark series I easily fell in love with this book! Beth is a strong character as the stranger who enters her remote Cornish cottage discovers when she hits him over the head with a frying pan. Dismayed when she almost kills him Beth takes care of him but his resulting memory loss is the basis of the whole story. Who is he and why was he there in the first place? As the story unfolds it’s hard to imagine a happy ending for this disparate couple and we’re kept in suspense for a while before being granted our wish! The author’s love of Cornwall and the skillful way she weaves the historical facts into the book are apparent from the first page.

This novel explores the dynamics of people from different classes. Beth Jago lives outside a mining town in an cabin in a valley. She lived with her grandfather who recently died. Since then she has been receiving eviction notices. She is dealing with this by ignoring them until the threats become physical.

Many historical romances are about the English gentry but they don’t explore the often unsavory ways these people made and maintained their fortunes. This book looks at the motivations of the men who own the mines that the area depends on to survive. Closing a mine can look good on paper when you don’t care about the welfare of a town built around it.

I appreciated the fact that this heroine is allowed to make her own choices in this novel. She is able to prove to herself and others that she is able to provide a living for herself. It was important to her to know that she was going to choose to marry because she wanted to live with that man instead of marrying because it was an economic necessity. I believe this is one of the few historical romances that include characters in such extreme poverty that going into a workhouse at several points in their life is required. I’m finding that I like historical romances that feature working class main characters or other marginalized characters that don’t often feature in traditional historical romances.

There is a storyline about an adult mentally disabled man that will be disturbing to some readers. I don’t think that it is unrealistic for the time but it will be upsetting to modern readers.

This is the third book of a series but works as a standalone novel.

Since the death of her beloved grandfather, Beth Jago has continued to live in the small cottage they shared in River Valley, believing it was now hers. Yet the tranquility of her life has been jeopardized by letters from a solicitor threatening eviction, so when a stranger enters the cottage uninvited he is met with a hefty blow from Beth’s frying pan. The stranger is knocked senseless and awakens with a concussion and no recollection of who he is or why he was there. Feelings of guilt and responsibility obliges Beth to look after him until he recovers despite warnings from her friends about the probable damage to her reputation.

Since Beth had to call the stranger something, she settled on the name Luke until he regained his memory. Wary of each other at first, the close contact eventually sparked a more comfortable relationship which led to romantic feelings. However the worryingly violent nightmares Luke suffered from caused concern for both of them.

Beth loves her cottage and the thought of having to leave fills her with dread. She decides to approach the letter writer to see if a compromise can be reached.

Although I’m not primarily a reader of romance, I did enjoy this story. It’s written well with dialogue relevant to the period and the characters, a beautifully realised setting and two well drawn and likeable protagonists with vastly differing backgrounds and social standing but who share some personality traits—stubbornness and pride among them. Their relationship is a complicated one and through its twisting course they learn more about themselves and each other, drawing on reserves of strength as they find their way.

I found the author’s end notes about the Crimean War very interesting…and sad. It’s something I didn’t know very much about previously.

The Daughter of River Valley is a true romantic historical novel. Written with descriptive prose, Victoria Cornwall imbues her characters with the language of Cornwall and the proper spoken language of that historical period. It has been awhile since I have read a true historical novel and once I got used to the flow of her words, I enjoyed the moving story of these two characters.

Beth Jago was an independent woman before independence was allowed for women. The fact that she wanted to work and survive alone without leaning on a man gave her character a modernity that enabled me to identify with her. When she finds an intruder in her home and knocks him over the head she definitely creates a rocky start to their relationship. His lost memory means that he doesn't know who he is, but his feelings for Beth grow and they soon create a partnership that goes beyond the bounds of border and caretaker. With Beth, he finally finds a happiness he hasn't felt in a long time, a happiness that he wants to continue.

This novel is not just a sweeping historical drama, there is also a bit of a mystery. It becomes apparent that someone is watching Beth's cabin and Beth isn't sure if it has to do with her secret she's been keeping or if it is someone from the village. This small bit of tension escalates and helps move the plot forward quickly reaching a satisfactory conclusion to both the mystery and their relationship.

If you enjoy true historical's then you should pick up The Daughter of River Valley. It's sweeping tale will take your imagination on an adventurous journey to the Cornwall countryside. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book for my honest review and it was honest.

Another fabulous story set in 19th century Cornwall. I really identified with Beth from the start and was rooting for her to find happiness as she had such a hard life. I didn't really take to the handsome stranger though who conveniently loses his memory so the conflict in my mind was immediate. Victoria Cornwall does a good job of keeping the reader in suspense as it slowly becomes apparent who the stranger is. Beth is such a strong character that even when she reaches rock-bottom she refuses help. At one point I despaired of her ever finding happiness. The minor characters are so well done and the ending is very poignant. If you love historical fiction or Cornwall, you won't want to put this book down.

Victoria's historical novels set in Cornwall are always entertaining and The Daughter of River Valley is no exception. Beth Jago lives alone in a small cottage. Her grandfather died recently but assured her that her life there would continue. Letters from a local solicitor, however, tell a different story. It's no wonder then when a stranger enters her house her suspicions are aroused and she does the only thing she can to defend herself. When her intruder regains consciousness he has no idea who he is. Although Beth is suspicious, she allows him to stay to recuperate hoping he will soon reveal who he is and why he tried to enter the cottage.
Great characterisation and a steady build up of the relationship between 'Luke' - as she has named him - and Beth. A feisty determined heroine and a man, who despite having no knowledge of who he is, shows through his behaviour that he's a decent and honest sort. As always there's a twist to this. I think I did see it coming but it in no way spoilt the read for me.

Captivating, mysterious, and incredibly atmospheric!

The Daughter of River Valley is a lighthearted, Victorian romance that transports you back to 1860s Cornwall where Beth, a fierce, independent, young woman is determined to live and survive on her own after losing her beloved grandfather, and a strikingly handsome, troubled stranger is struggling to remember who he is and where he came from after trespassing in the wrong cottage.

The prose is seamless and wonderfully descriptive. The characters are vulnerable, thoughtful, and intriguing. And the plot, including a series of compelling subplots, interweave and unravel to create a well-paced, engaging story about life, loss, familial love, friendship, secrets, class division, romance, as well as a touch of the importance of industrial mining, and the effects of the Crimean War on the British people.

The Daughter of River Valley is the third book in the Cornish Tales series, and even though it’s the first novel I’ve read by Victoria Cornwall, I can guarantee you it won’t be my last. It’s emotional, humorous, and exceptionally authentic, and is without a doubt a must read for historical romance lovers everywhere.

This is the first book I’m reading of Victoria’s and even though I’m starting the series by reading the 3rd book, it was okay. I could understand the book without problems. Actually, I now really want to read the other books too and get involved in the series and understand the books as a group.

The blurb and the cover were the things that captivated me and got me excited to read the story, and I was not disappointed. There is this thing about historical romances that I still don’t understand why it makes me excited to read, but I do and I can’t stay away. That’s what happened with this book.

With brilliant descriptions and a tone in the storytelling that takes you to another place in another time, I can honestly say “Well done!“ because that’s always that I love in a historical romance. When a writer, just like the amazing Victoria Cornwall, have the ability to transport us in another time and take us on a journey, especially in the historical fiction genre, then I know the book gets a 5 star in my list.

I read because I enjoy it, I have fun and I sometimes want to escape the problems of day-to-day life. Victoria’s book did that to me. Besides the amazing storytelling, the characters made everything much more special. We get to experience the plot through them, they are real and the journey they take was so vivid, I felt like I was there with them. And in the end, I felt like I could relate to them even thought the time and place is something I never experienced in real life and the struggles of the era have a different tone.

Beth was an amazing character. As we got to meet her and started to understand more and more her personality and learn about her life, the more I loved her. I felt like I was friends with her because how personal the story felt.

This book had mystery too and that just made the storyline much more intriguing. Seeing Beth go through that journey and figuring things out with the mysterious stranger… Oh well, it was fun! The consequences to their actions led to character developing and as the story kept going and things got more interesting with each page I wasn’t able to put down the book.

In the end I can only say: “Go read the damn book!” I recommend it to all Historical Romance’s fans. And to does that aren’t that big fans, just try it anyway.

After Beth Jago strikes an intruder around the head with a frying pan, both of their lives are irrevocably changed in this enthralling story of self-discovery.

Told in the shadow of the Crimean War and an ailing tin mining industry as the mines run dry, the fishing town of Port Carrek comes alive in vivid colour as Victoria Cornwell introduces its inhabitants and customs.

Perfect reading for Poldark fans everywhere

I only jumped on this blog tour at the last minute when a space suddenly became free as this is not normally a genre that I read much. However, I’m really glad I did because I absolutely adored this book to a degree that really surprised me for something outside my normal genre comfort zone.

I was in love with the heroine, Beth, from the opening scene and if you read the book you’ll understand why. Anyone who is prepared to act that way when living alone in an isolated valley and faced with an unknown male intruder is a woman worthy of finding out more about, especially given the time she was living in when women were expected to be meek and subservient, In fact, one of my favourite things about the book was the strong line of historical accuracy running through the book, one of which is the role of women in society in the mid-1800s and what happens to women who refuse to fit into the role that the times and customs dictated at that time.

Joss was another character that was easy to warm to and the developing relationship between he and Beth was one that I was rooting for from early in the book. He will have fans of Poldark swooning with his swarthy good looks and gentlemanly nature, with just the right whiff of mystery and intrigue surrounding him by virtue of his amnesia and unknown identity.

The setting of the book is really well drawn and appealing; I could very clearly envisage the beautiful River Valley and its position on the wild Cornish coast and I understood why Beth did not want to leave it. There were also lots of well drawn and intriguing characters fleshing out the book and it felt like an authentic and well-rounded community that was portrayed.

Aside from the focus on the plight of unmarried young women in this period, there is also a thread of commentary on the divide between rich and poor at this time and also the ambitions of the middle classes who are looking to better themselves by education and endeavour rather than just money but also the impossibility of this path for people who could not afford to educate their children to improve their chances. The theme of social injustice was really interesting and elevates this book beyond just a historical romance.

This book was an enchanting mix of historical commentary, interesting characters, compelling mystery and a dash of romance that held me from first page to last and I enjoyed every minute of it. The author is a very accomplished writer and I intend to hunt out more of her work.

I have to admit when I first picked this book up I never expected to be drawn into the story as much as I was, making it such a pleasant and wonderful surprise! With two engaging characters who I couldn't help but love especially as they meet in a very interesting way. I enjoyed the journey that both these characters go on as they begin to get to know each other even though one of them has no memories. I loved the mystery over the identity of this intruder into Beth's life. It was such an engrossing story as everything slowly but surely begins to fall into place.

The setting for The Daughter of River Valley is beautiful and written in such a wonderfully descriptive way that it felt as if I was right there with the characters. This story well and truly whisked me away into the past and I loved every moment.

The Daughter of River Valley has two very strong and determined personalities in Beth and the mysterious stranger. It was so easy to fall in love with their story which really helps to make this book even more engaging. Victoria Cornwall also portrays the struggles of that era so well which adds an extra depth the plot. It had an emotional edge that made me easily connect with both the story and characters. Then add in a few surprises along the way to keep things interesting I didn't want to leave this book for a moment and picked it up whenever I was able.

Mesmerising with a beautiful romance!

Five stars from me!

With thanks to Rachel at Rachel's Random Resources and Choc Lit for my copy.

Victoria Cornwall is a new author for me and I really enjoyed the easy writing style and flow of The Daughter of River Valley. The descriptions were clear and concise, you do actually feel that you are there in the remote Cornish valley.

Beth Jago is a fiesty single woman living alone and only too aware of the danger that can bring. When a strange man enters her house unannounced she is ready and waiting… with a frying pan to hand, and she is not afraid to use it!

When she realises that the man is badly injured she worries about criminal repercussions and decides to help him regain his health. At first, I wondered if Beth was too hasty to ask him back to her cottage. In fact, it perfectly illustrated, that Beth was an independent woman with a strong moral compass and a very soft heart.

The stranger suffers from memory loss after the blow to the head. Consequently, he has no idea who he is or why he is there. From the start, there is a magical chemistry between the two and you find yourself hoping for a happy ending. As well as the historical romance and breathtaking location there are plenty of mysteries, and secrets to keep the reader engaged.

A beautiful atmospheric love story, multi-layered and full of intrigue and suspense. I will be on the lookout for more of Victoria’s books from now on.

I loved this book and was engrossed in it from the start. Beautifully written with vivid descriptions which brought the book to life. A wonderful Cornish location, strong lead female character and equally strong lead male character. I loved the supporting characters too - Martha is a fascinating character. A fantastic read with many twists and turns to the story. I couldn't put it down.

Although this is part of a series you do not need to have read the other 2 books. I have read book 1 (which was fantastic) but not book 2 - although I will be reading it very soon.

I have previously read some of Victoria Cornwall's books and have loved them too - I would highly recommend them.

Thank you to NetGalley and Choc Lit for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

It has been a long time since I've read a good romance novel, and this one was great.  I love a good historical fiction romance, but I was pleasantly surprised by this book and how well developed the story and characters were.  Victoria Cornwall's writing was beautiful.  There were a bunch of layers to the plot that all worked really well together, without seeming overwhelming.  Our main characters, Beth and Joss, had a ton of chemistry, and the progression of their relationship was very endearing.  I absolutely love this time period, and seeing Beth struggle against the societal norms and class structures of the time was both fun and frustrating.  I really rooted for her and felt for her situation.  The mystery surrounding Joss' identity was compelling, and I loved the reveals that we got.  There was an additional mystery added with Tom, Beth's best friend's son.  I thought it was a very interesting and nontraditional addition, to deal with his mental illness/disability at a time when no one knew how to diagnose, or really deal with it.  The pacing of the story was really nice, and the ending was sweet and made me feel happy.  I was expecting some more explicit love scenes that are typical of some romance novels, but I was pleased with the heat that we got and enjoyed the focus on the romantic love.  Overall, I really enjoyed this book and it gave me warm and fuzzy feels.  I will definitely be checking out Cornwall's other books, whenever I am in a mood for another heart warming romance.

<b>4.5 stars>/b>

Set in nineteenth-century Cornwall, with its rugged coastline and river valleys, the author has written an intriguing novel which kept me turning the pages as fast as I could read.

I appreciate the originality of how the two protagonists meet; It's brutal, realistic and traumatic in its consequences. It's the beginning of the end of a life as Beth Jago knowns it since she turned up at her Grandfather's cottage as an eight-year-old orphan. For Joss Roscarrock, going to River Valley and visiting the cottage where Will Jago lived is a chance to not only reminisce about his idyllic childhood summers spent with the old man but to rid the property of its squatter.

The author has written two likeable and relatable protagonists. Beth is compassionate, hard-working and loyal and very stubborn. Softly spoken, she easily blends in the folk from the nearby villages. Despite her background, she's an accepted member within their community. By contrast, Joss struggles to fit within the society he lives. Deeply affected by his past he's ruthless in his ambition to build up the company he inherited but feels something missing from his life to give it a purpose. Together, each is capable of assisting the other to achieve what they need from life but is it too late for them as a potential couple once the truths are revealed, despite the sizzling chemistry between them?

Of the secondary characters, Martha Kitto is the most fascinating and I enjoyed her interactions with Beth. Her knowledge of folklore adds insightful interest to rural customs of those living during the Victorian Times; I love having to search Google after reading a stimulating fact and this narrative provided this opportunity a couple of times including the scenes during Golowan Feast, the Midsummer festival; a tradition very similar to ones still celebrated throughout Europe. Additionally, Ms Cornwall paints a lovely portrait of the beautiful Cornish countryside and how people and worked there during the reign of Queen Victoria.

Overall, an enthralling historical novel and my first by this author and definitely not the last.

***arc generously received courtesy of Choc Lit via NetGalley***

A captivating Cornish historical romance Poldark fans are simply going to love, The Daughter of River Valley is an enthralling and enchanting tale of secrets, passion and deception that will hold readers spellbound from a fast rising star: Victoria Cornwall.

All alone in the world and with nobody to rely on, Beth Jago has had to learn how to take care of herself and look after her own interests. Living in an isolated cottage in Cornwall leaves her with next to no protection, so she is wary of strangers, extra vigilant and trusts nobody save for old Martha, the wise woman in the village. Beth is determined to be the mistress of her own destiny and to live life on her own terms, but recently she has been receiving threats which have unsettled and disturbed her. Threats which could end up ruining the independence and fulfillment which have come to mean the world to her. Beth is adamant that she will not let these threats get the better of her, so when she finds a man in her own house, Beth has no option but to defend herself against the intruder. So she takes a frying pan to his head and knocks him out cold. But for Beth, her problems are only just beginning…

The man who is now lying unconscious on her kitchen floor might be the most handsome man she has ever clapped eyes on, but Beth is not about to let him penetrate the defenses which she has built around herself. Beth knows absolutely nothing about him nor does she know what his intentions were when he walked into her house. She will not trust him until he has explained himself and his reasons for making himself at home on her property. But there is a catch: the unknown stranger has lost his memory and does not know who he is. He is unable to even give Beth a name that could indicate anything about him – and as Beth had knocked him out with her frying pan, she cannot help but feel guilty and responsible. Who is this man who has turned Beth’s perfectly ordered world upside down? What does he want from her? And by allowing him to remain at her house, has Beth unwittingly invited a dangerous enemy into her home?

As Beth begins to nurse him back to health, she starts to be troubled by an inconvenient attraction to her house guest. As passion and desire ignite between the two of them, Beth cannot help but wonder whether she will ever uncover the identity of the stranger she has grown to love…and whether he has any connection to the threats which could jeopardise everything which she holds dear to her heart. Is a future for Beth and the stranger possible? Or will any chance of happiness they might have be destroyed by an enemy intent on wreaking revenge?

A wonderfully written, highly intriguing and gloriously romantic historical tale that drew me in from the very first page, The Daughter of River Valley is a dramatic, emotional and passionate read that brings the past to vivid and colourful life. Rich in period detail, intrigue, danger and desire, The Daughter of River Valley is an exquisitely set Cornish historical romance with a valiant, courageous and compassionate heroine, a brooding and mysterious hero and plenty of mystery, suspense and passion to keep readers engrossed from start to finish!

An outstanding read that I couldn’t put down, The Daughter of River Valley is an outstanding historical romance by the hugely talented Victoria Cornwall! I cannot wait for her next book!

This is a sweet romance with a strong element of mystery, as for the majority of the book, nobody knows the identity of the hero. The book opens with him entering Beth Jago's cottage unannounced, only to be knocked out (which is, quite frankly, deserved - don't burst into people's houses!) and lose all his memories. The mystery of this man's identity is compelling, and leads to some interesting moments as he and Beth start to fall for each other.

The setting is absolutely gorgeous - a wild Cornish valley complete with waterfalls, cliffs, caves, meadows, and a picture-perfect little village. I wish that there had been a bit more 'show' and less 'tell' in the description, but it's very easy to picture the beautiful scenery. The plot unfolds in a leisurely way, making this a very comforting and easy read.

One small note is that I found the depiction of one of the side characters to be a little uncomfortable. In the first half of the book, Tom, a young man with autism, is very sensitively and thoughtfully described (though this is in keeping with the period, it is lovely to see a character being accepted for who he is, with some accurate description of stimming and meltdowns). However, I thought Tom was poorly served by the plot in the second half, and found this quite difficult to swallow. Without spoilers, his 'difference' is used to cause a large amount of trouble for Beth, and I found this quite insensitive, which is a shame given the pains taken to depict him well in the earlier parts.

Overall, this is an enjoyable historical romance with a lovely setting. It's not particularly graphic, and has a lovely ending (but it's not at all straightforward to get there!). A good pick for a holiday read.

In the Daughter of River Valley we meet Beth Jago. Living alone since her grandfather’s death she is convinced that she is being watched, so when a stranger bursts into her cottage she defends herself in the only way she knows how. The only problem now is that she is faced with an unconscious man who she feels obliged to nurse back to health, hoping that he will regain his memory and move on.
Beth is quite a feisty character. I am not sure that faced with an intruder, even one I had rendered unconscious I would be quite so willing to nurse them back to health, but as she feels responsible for his predicament and a little concerned of the possible ramifications of her actions, that’s exactly what she decides to do. She is taking a big risk doing this as she is well aware of her reputation due to her start in life as an illegitimate child born in a workhouse. Despite all this she is also determined to support herself by taking in mending for the locals and one day hopes to improve her situation.
Joss, despite having no memory of who he is, or why he is in River Valley at Beth’s cottage, somehow feels that he should help Beth. He is plagued by nightmares that he doesn’t understand but as his strength returns he starts doing odd jobs around the cottage to repay her kindness. As he starts to get flashes of memory he tries to uncover who he is. He senses all is not right with Beth and when he notices someone hanging around he is quick to jump to her defence.
As the book progresses you can see the growing attraction between Beth and Joss however neither one is ready to act upon it as they believe that Joss is married and after how her mother suffered at the hands of a married man, Beth is determined not to repeat history. As the truth is slowly revealed, their past still hinders their future, and it takes a gentle shove from Joss’s sister to help them get past this to find the peace and happiness they both deserve.
I love the Cornish setting of this book as I have always loved the area. In fact I did have a slight smile to myself as I was reading about Truro just at the precise moment I was travelling through there. Victoria Cornwall describes the Cornish landscape very well and although River Valley is a fictitious place, it could be just about anywhere in Cornwall.
The Daughter of River Valley is the third book in the Cornish Tales series but it works well as a stand-alone. Having thoroughly enjoyed reading it I now feel that I need to hunt down the first two books in the series and add them to my reading list.