
Flotsam or Jetsam
A Castaway in Cornwall is an emotional historical romance about feeling left behind and struggling to find a place in the world.
Our thanks to the author, Bethany House Publishers, Austenprose, and NetGalley for the advanced reader’s copy. β
Book Details
Print Length: 400 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (December 1, 2020)
Language: English
ASIN : B087RTCPVK
Book Description
Set adrift on the tides of fate by the deaths of her parents and left wanting answers, Laura Callaway now lives with her uncle and his disapproving wife in North Cornwall. There she feels like a castaway, always viewed as an outsider even as she yearns to belong.
While wreckers search for valuables along the windswept Cornwall coast–known for its many shipwrecks but few survivors–Laura searches for clues to the lives lost so she can write letters to next of kin and return keepsakes to rightful owners. When a man is washed ashore after a wreck, Laura acts quickly to protect him from a local smuggler determined to destroy him.
As Laura and a neighbor care for the survivor, they discover he has curious wounds and, although he speaks in careful, educated English, his accent seems odd. Other clues wash ashore, and Laura soon realizes he is not who he seems to be. Despite the evidence against him, the mysterious man might provide her only chance to discover the truth about her parents’ fate. With danger pursuing them from every side, and an unexpected attraction growing between them, will Laura ever find the answers she seeks?
From the Publisher’s Blurb
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Review
Laura and Alexander were both castaways. While Alexander was literally shipwrecked, Laura was an orphan living on the charity of relatives.
Their paths crossed when Laura, confronting the local smugglers, saved Alexander’s life and took him to her uncle’s home. I love how they slowly bond, the friendship that results, and the inner sense of belonging despite the secrets that threatened them both.

Laura was the sweetest of heroines. She routinely collected non-valuables washed ashore from the shipwrecks and recovered or repurposed them to donate to the poor. In a way, she did the same to Alexander.
Alexander was enigmatic and charming. He owned Laura his life and felt his heart being given in the bargain, but he had nothing to offer her but risk and heartbreak.
In addition to the romance, there is a lot to learn about how shipwrecks were a veritable business in Cornwall during the 1800s. It was exciting to read about the pirates, the tax authorities, and the smuggling locals. The connection between Cornwall in England and Cornouaille in France was another fascinating theme.
As always, the author brings lovely references to Jane Austen. They always make me smile mid-read.
A Castaway in Cornwall is another excellent Klassen’s book. It has a sweet and emotional romance, adventure, villains, community, and kindness, intertwined with fascinating history bits.
Highly Recommended!
Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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About the Author

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane–Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. She worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. Three of her novels have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. She has also won the Minnesota Book Award, the Midwest Book Award, and Christian Retailing’s BEST Award. Julie is a graduate of the University of Illinois. She and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul, Minnesota.
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This sounds great! Nice review!
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Thanks, Brooke π
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Wonderful review. Beautiful cover and even more impressive graphics. Well done you! You could give me lessons. Your graphics look SO professional.
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Thank you so much, Lynne βΊοΈπ. I love doing graphics. It’s my anti-stress therapy. You do lovely graphics too π. I’m glad you enjoyed my review. It’s a great book π₯°π
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Lovely review Lu, it sounds like one I would enjoy. I love the cover as well.
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Thanks, Carla π It’s a lovely story. Highly recommended!π
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I have added it to my TBR.
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I hope you enjoy it as much as I did π
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Loved your review, sounds interesting.
β₯ Mae
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Thanks, Mae π₯°
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Loved your review, Lu. π The blurb is fascinating, and the book sounds romantic.
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It’s a wonderful story. Thank you so much for stopping by π₯°π
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