Giveaway and Review: "Wentworth Hall" and YA Historical Prize Pack

To celebrate the release of "Wentworth Hall" by Abby Grahame, I have my review of the book, an excerpt, and an awesome contest for 3 YA historical books!

"Wentworth Hall"
by Abby Grahame

Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Release Date: May 1, 2012

Source: sent by publisher/publicist

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
 

Summary from goodreads.com:
Eighteen-year-old Maggie Darlington has turned into an entirely different person. The once spirited teen is now passive and reserved. A change Lord and Lady Darlington can’t help but be grateful for.

It’s 1912, and the Darlingtons of Wentworth Hall have more than just the extensive grounds to maintain. As one of Britain’s most elite families, they need to keep up appearances that things are as they have always been… even as their carefully constructed façade rapidly comes undone.

Maggie has a secret. And she’s not the only one… the handsome groom Michael, the beautiful new French nanny Therese, the Darlingtons’ teenage houseguests Teddy and Jessica, and even Maggie’s younger sister Lila are all hiding something. Passion, betrayal, heartache, and whispered declarations of love take place under the Darlingtons’ massive roof. And one of these secrets has the power to ruin the Darlingtons forever.

When scandalous satires start appearing in the newspaper with details that closely mirror the lives of the Darlingtons, everyone is looking over their shoulder, worrying their scandal will be next. Because at Wentworth Hall, nothing stays secret for long.

My Review:

Are you suffering from a serious case of Downton Abbey fever? Then "Wentworth Hall" is just what the doctor ordered! Its no question that this time period and setting is hot right now and there really aren't that many books that fit the bill. At first, I thought that the book was going to be a nice read, and a great way to revisit the Edwardian manor home era, but then the story really took off and secrets started spilling, and I was on the edge of my seat, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.

The author did a great job of really describing the setting, as well as the clothing. I love historical costuming, so I really liked reading about the clothing the girls wore. And it never came across as frivolous, I think it really added to the atmosphere and setting.

I really liked Lila's character, the younger Darlington sister, she was much more relatable than the other characters. I did enjoy Nora, the maid, as well, she was such a gossip, but never in a mean-spirited way. At first, I couldn't believe how unlikable Maggie was, especially since it seemed like she was the most central character. But once the secrets came out, I really understood why she acted the way she did and also felt so bad for her.

I really enjoyed the satires of the family that someone from Wentworth Hall sent to a tabloid newspaper. The style was so funny, and seemed very typical of the time. Yes, it wasn't that nice, but at first it really was fluffy enough to be a great guilty pleasure. I also appreciated that they were full chapters of the satire instead of just snippets. This aspect really reminded me of the Gossip Girl books, but with a historical flavor.


Main Characters: 5/5
Supporting Characters: 5/5
Setting: 5/5

Romance: 4/5

Uniqueness: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Writing: 4/5



Bottom Line:  With this enjoyable read, we won't have to wait until next season to revisit an Edwardian manor house's secrets and mysteries.


Excerpt:

As part of the blog tour, I have a link to a 51 page excerpt of Wentworth Hall! 

http://www.scribd.com/doc/88290355/Wentworth-Hall-Excerpt


Giveaway:

I am so jealous of the winner of this contest! The winner will receive a Simon and Schuster YA Historical Prize Pack of THREE books!


"Wentworth Hall" by Abby Grahame
 "This Dark Endeavor" by Ken Oppel
"Changeling" by Philippa Gregory



GIVEAWAY RULES:

 
The publisher and publicist have generously provided a Simon & Schuster Historical Fiction Prize Pack to one lucky reader of my blog! The prize pack includes finished copies of "Wentworth Hall" by Abby Grahame, "This Dark Endeavor" by Ken Oppel, and "Changeling" by Philippa Gregory.

All you have to do is follow my blog publicly and leave a comment on this review with your email address! Please follow publicly or I can't tell that you are following :) Also, if you aren't comfortable leaving your email here, go ahead and leave a comment and then send me an email with your email addy
Extra Entries:
+1 Tweet this contest (leave link in comment)
+1 Post link in sidebar of your blog (leave link in comment)

Rules:

  • US only
  • Must be a follower to enter
  • Extra entries are optional and can all be left in the same comment
  • Leave a comment with your email address
  • Books will be mailed out by the publicist, it is the publicist's responsibility to mail out the prizes. Please allow up to 8 weeks for delivery.
  • Must be 18 or over 
  • Ends Mon May 14
Thanks to everyone for entering! Good luck!  




53 comments

  1. I'm ridiculously excited about Wentworth Hall, and I'm sooo glad that you seem to have enjoyed it!

    Rubysreads@gmail.com
    Rubita
    https://twitter.com/#!/Rubysreads/status/197334733426929666

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've never actually heard of this before but it sounds great!! Since you enjoyed it too, I"m definitely adding it to my tbr list. Thanks so much for the giveaway!!

    peacelovebooks5[at]aol[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  3. oh my gosh how have i not heard of this yet? sounds amazing!

    catiesmoviesinmyhead[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I follow your blog publicly. Please include me in the giveaway.
    Kathy
    MyHandbagHabit@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I would love to have these books.
    I am a gfc follower
    debbie
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks so much for the chance!!! I've been looking forward to Wentworth Hall!!! :-)

    valialind(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  7. This book sounds great! I'm a follower. ebriggs23 at gmail.com

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  8. I should not have read this, it made me miss Downton Abbey ;)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sounds amazing! Thanks for the giveaway!

    Nicole.Zoltack@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I have been so excited for this book since you featured it as a "Waiting for Wednesday." And I didn't know Phillip Gregory had written a YA. I follow you via Google. Thanks for hosting such a cool contest.

    kathryn.clewell[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Great review, Carrie! I think this book sounds fantastic, especially as a fan of Downton!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks for the review and giveaway! I love historical fiction books. :)

    susanna DOT pyatt AT student DOT rcsnc DOT org

    ReplyDelete
  13. Awesome giveaway. Thanks!

    jenalang(at)live(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  14. This book sounds awesome, though I admit I haven't gotten around watching DA - I've only seen the first episode - so... yeah, I need to get to that.

    This book sounds great!

    And I love the giveaway

    Animegirrl(at)gmail.com

    Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/DarthClavie/status/197472779518480387

    ReplyDelete
  15. I really want to read all three of those books. I haven't been hearing anything about Wentworth Hall and I was upset about it because I love YA historical books. I'm so glad you really enjoyed the book and that it was more than you were expecting!

    Thanks for the great review and giveaway!
    apk1princess(at)live(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wow! I'm seriously glad you liked this book! It sounds fabulous and I love the cover.

    Sophia
    mashimaro401[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I really enjoy reading YA historical books. There is little to no sex. :) Thanks for the giveaway!
    lvsgund at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. These sound great - I love historical fiction!

    I follow publicly, and my email is varunner7 at aol dot com.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I've never heard of it would like to read it. thanks nancysoffice at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Great post...and that's saying something because historical fiction is not generally my genre. May have to check two of these out, the third (THIS DARK ENDEAVOR) was already on my radar. ^_^ Thanks for sharing...happy reading! (Oh, and thanks for the chance to win too!)

    Tweet tweet! - https://twitter.com/#!/GRgenius/status/197716374573940736

    grgenius(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Haven't heard of this title before, so I'm really excited for another Downton Abbey- ish read!
    Bookaddictkatie AT gmail Dot com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I love historical fiction! gfc follower

    felecia@twinoaksfl.org

    ReplyDelete
  23. Awesome! Yay! I'm so happy this book is good. Yes, I'm suffering from Downtown Abbey withdrawal. Great review! Nice giveaway (not an entry)

    ReplyDelete
  24. I'm kind of historical challenged lol I don't like too many (& haven't seen Downton Abbey) but I have enjoyed quite a few that you have recommended to me.
    I'll have to look into this one a little more.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I've been looking forward to reading Wentworth Hall and I'm glad you think that it is worth picking up! I really like the fact that the author takes the time to describe the setting. That is a major plus for me when it comes to historical fiction! Thanks for the review. :D

    books[a]muggle-born.net

    ReplyDelete
  26. This sounds really good. Thanks for the giveaway!
    tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/Erinberry12/status/197821417314717696

    GFC name: Erinberry
    erinberry12 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  27. This sounds fabulous! I love it when authors describe historical clothing--half the fun of the time is the fashion!

    whatinabox at gmail dot com

    +1 Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/bookishinabox/status/197826342962728960
    +1 Sidebar: http://bookishinabox.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. GFC Emily @ Falling for YA
    Emisbookblog(at)AOL(dot)com

    Thanks for the giveaway and for the wonderful review. I am so excited for this one!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Great review! This book sounds so great! I love historical YA and some of it is like a historical Gossip Girl - count me in :) Thanks for the giveaway!

    GFC - Krista R
    kmritchie02 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  30. great giveaway
    follow via gfc
    drakebdog@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I'm super curious about Wentworth Hall, I'm down for a historical Gossip Girl! Thanks for the chance!

    thebooklife(at)yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. I love historical fiction and these all sound fabulous! I've been meaning to check out Downton Abbey but haven't got around to it yet. So many people are addicted to it!
    lexie.bookbug at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  33. thank you for such a fantastic giveaway!!! please enter me!!!!

    cyn209 at juno dot com

    ReplyDelete
  34. Thanks for the giveaway!
    I really want to read Changeling!

    Following you GFC Silverlight -Lisa C

    +1 Tweet-https://twitter.com/#!/silverlight00/status/198432446889476096

    E-Mail Pnrurbfantasyreview(@)hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. What a great review of Wentworth Hall! Sounds like a great Historical Romance!

    I am a GFC follower Buried in Books
    I tweeted https://twitter.com/#!/Imburiedinbooks/status/198798151153491970

    Heather
    hrose2931 (@) gmail (.) com

    ReplyDelete
  36. What a fantastic giveaway, thank you! I'd love to read all three of these :)

    Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/enterthedrew/status/199325253720211456

    GFC follower Tiffany Drew
    jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  37. I cannot wait to read this book! Thanks for the giveaway!!

    catiesmoviesinmyhead@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  38. GFC Follower: Gretchen

    ghohmeyer(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  39. Wow--this giveaway is amazing!!! Thanks for doing this!! My email is: swordgirlforchrist@yahoo.com and I am a follower! :)

    ReplyDelete
  40. First of all, thank you for hosting a giveaway for this book. I've heard and read SO much about this book, and I'm SO excited to read it. Not only that, your blog is hosting a PRIZE PACK Giveaway - which is BEYOND awesome. So thank you.

    That being said, I loved your review - and it makes me want to read Wentworth Hall that much more! :D

    GFC Follower: ~Enamored Soul~

    +1 Tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/inluvwithbookz/status/200390261900185600

    +1 Posted on Blog (Your button underneath the ~Awesome Giveaway Opportunities~ section leads to THIS Giveaway post): http://ibetuthinkthisblogisaboutyou.blogspot.com/

    Name: Hira Hasnain
    Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  41. These books look great!!!

    GFC: Bridget Howard
    email: bridget.howard@hotmail.com
    tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/BridgetHoward3/status/200414447557292033


    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  42. Thank you for the excerpt link! public GFC follower- kylie c. kcarlson1152[at]hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  43. Thank you for the great giveaway.
    Public GFC follower- Georgette C
    email gigicoan(at)yahoo(dot)com.

    ReplyDelete
  44. I follow on gfc-magic5905
    Thanks for the great giveaway.
    magic5905 at embarqmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  45. GFC- Lisa Richards
    +1 https://twitter.com/#!/alterlisa/status/200743612651278337

    +1 right hand side of
    http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/
    (\___/)
    (='.'=)
    (")_(")

    alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com

    http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  46. Thanks so much for the giveaway!
    GFC: Lacey Thach
    laceyblossom@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  47. All of those books look amazing! Would love to get my hands on them. Thank you for the giveaway!

    GFC: Kimberleigh
    kim3317@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  48. This sounds like such an interesting book! Thanks for the giveaway

    GFC: Throuthehaze
    throuthehaze at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  49. This is one of the most glowing reviews I have seen of this book. It look so good, and just the right thing to read while waiting for the next season of Downton Abbey.

    GFC: LisaILJ
    leyser73 at gmail dot com
    Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/LisaLLibrarian/status/201003754860982273

    ReplyDelete
  50. Ooo! I have been craving some great Historical YA and your review of Wentworth Hall made it worse LOL! Thanks for the giveaway!

    laughs4life14(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  51. This book sounds really great I would love to win it!
    GFC- Danasquare

    danasquare3@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  52. Thanks for the fab giveaway! I have been looking forward to reading all three of these books!

    Emisbookblog(at)AOL(dot)com

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for your lovely comments!