The Widow of Larkspur Inn

Written by Lawana Blackwell

Narrated by Beverley A. Crick

When Life Seemed Its Worst, Gresham Awaited

Julia Hollis’s opulent life in Victorian London crashes to pieces when her husband passes away. Worse, she is told by his bankers that he gambled away their fortune. Now the family’s hope rests on The Larkspur, an old abandoned
coaching inn in the quaint village of Gresham.

Driven by dread and her desire to provide for her children, Julia decides to turn the dilapidated inn into a lodging house. But can she—who was accustomed to servants attending to every need—do what needs to be done and cope when
boarders begin arriving? And then an eligible new vicar moves into town. …

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 2, 2021
• ISBN: 9781705031100

Reviews for The Widow of Larkspur Inn

[Nena Scroggins · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wonderful Christian Romance beautiful period and setting I loved it

[sarahgracegrzy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I initially had a really hard time getting into this, but once I got past the first 6 or 8 chapters, I really enjoyed the story! It reminded me in *some* ways of my favorite series, At Home in Mitford, because of the small town feel and the fact that it was written in numerous people's POV, which I liked.

The characters were all great; although I feel like Julia's children, particularly Aleda and Grace were underdeveloped. Phillip got so much more air time, and we were pretty frequently in his POV, yet there was almost nothing about Aleda and Grace. I loved all of the boardinghouse inmates, and their diverse personalities. My favorite was definitely the actor (I'm blanking on his name right now). He and Fiona were SO sweet and I loved how it ended!!!

One thing I particularly loved about this book was how mild and in the background the romance was. It was almost nonexistent through much of the story.

That twist at the end about Phillip finding the letter he forgot to give Fiona was SO GOOD! I DID NOT see it coming, and that's saying a lot, as I usually do. ;) I was quite literally writhing around in agonies after I found out. XD

All in all, a good read! I docked a start because there were some hard parts to get through, especially in the beginning. Recommend for ages 14 mostly because anyone younger wouldn't be interested in it. It is quite clean, with just a few thing, such as The romantic interest for one character was a philanderer, although there were almost no details given. Other than that, there was just a bit of mild romance, totally appropriate for all ages.

[caslater83 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I had the worst time trying to get into this novel. In the beginning, I thought that the problem was me. After working 40 hours this week, it was easy to assume that I was having this kind of trouble because I was exhausted and in need of a good rest. So I set the book down and slept for a good six or seven hours. Then I picked it up again and began reading. No, it's not me. The book is simply too dry and drags on endlessly.

While the book is clean and approrpriate for Christian readers, it still lacks many of the things I crave in a good book. I forced myself to finish it. The ending was nice, but it wasn't fantastic or anything. As much as I appreciate clean reads, I just don't see myself re-reading this one.

[lcarter11 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book. My favorite books have characters in them that I would like to know. These characters are so well-developed and believable that by the time I've finished reading the series I'll probably feel like I'm actually having to say goodbye to people I know.

[denisa8howe · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The book, The Widow of Larkspur was an enchanting tale with wonderful characters. The characters had unique personalities and were fully developed. I easily read this book in a couple of sittings and it did hold my interest throughout. The speed and the tone were fitting to the story concept and I felt mostly satisfied with the reading. The only complaint was the ending. It seemed as if the last happening or situation happened way too fast. This one, which was the biggest of all the happenings was introduced and completed in about three pages. It seems almost as if the author tired of the story and just wanted to end it. Over all, I am glad I read it.

[shaking-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this book. A husbands gambling debt forced his widow and children from their high society home into a fixer up'er in the country. In order to make ends meet they open their home to paying tenants. Wonderful friendships are made and relationships grow stronger as this family works together to make this place a home. This is the first book I've read by Lawana Blackwell. I look forward to reading more.

[sharon612 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent book. I love the christian attitude. I had to keep reading until I finished.

[sunnydrk · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An enchanting tale about turning your life around and proving to yourself and everyone else that there is more to you than meets the eye. Ms. Blackwell shows us through Julia that we can do anything tht we put our minds to.

[kathleen586 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I was pleasantly surprised with this book. It is much higher quality than most Christian historical fiction. There were some historical errors, but they were mostly minor ones. The one that bugged me the most was Elizabeth and later Julia wearing their hair down "in the latest American fashion" (Huh?). There were also a few historically inaccurate names (e.g. Darcy on a girl).

I thought it was very refreshing that romance was not the main plot. Julia does have a romance, but it doesn't really start until 2/3 of the way through, and it's a minor part of the book. Some plots were not resolved because the reader is being prepped for a sequel, but I didn't mind because this is a book I actually want to read the sequel to.

[grandy_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Really enjoyed this book about a young widow and how she moved on with her life with her three children and the stories of all the people that she shared her Inn with.

[rsstick · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This novel starts out slowly but steadily picks up interest and complexity as the size of the cast of likeable, well-drawn characters are woven into the tapestry of this novel.The Widow of Larkspur Inn is Julia Hollis, who within a few weeks of her husband's sudden death discovers that he had led a double life. In his secret life, he had been a compulsive gambler. Her lavish home is foreclosed, her belongings are auctioned, and all that keeps her and her children from the slums is a gift/loan and a plan which comes from an unexpected source.The bulk of the novel is the story of how she makes a life for herself and her family by restoring a former coaching inn into a profitable lodging home, and the people who come to live there. Relationships between secondary characters are so well-developed that I really became involved in their story lines and cared about the outcomes.This is a Christian-themed novel. I appreciated the honest treatment of such issues as manic-depression, the importance of friendships, what makes for a good (and bad) marriage partner, among others. I enjoyed this story a great deal and look forward to reading the next book in The Gresham Chronicles, of which this was the first volume.

[foggidawn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Julia Hollis has always been wealthy and well-cared-for, first by her parents, then by her husband, Dr. Philip Hollis. However, when Philip dies, Julia learns that he was not the good provider that she had assumed him to be. His gambling debts quickly eat up any money he left behind, and Julia and her three children are left with only an unsaleable coaching inn in the small country village of Gresham. Determined to provide for her family, Julia turns the inn into a lodging house and settles into village life, but believes that there will be no more romance in her life. When a new vicar moves to Gresham, Julia must decide if she is willing to learn to trust again.This is a restful story with touches of pathos and humor. Secondary characters are skillfully rendered, and the several subplots woven together throughout the book are as engaging as the main story line. The small-town atmosphere and underlying Christian themes will resonate with fans of Jan Karon's Mitford series, as well as readers of Christian historical fiction.