A Refuge at Highland Hall

After reading and reviewing The Governess and The Daughter of Highland Hall, I was very excited to have the opportunity to read A Refuge at Highland Hall. You will notice there is a slight change to the title of this third book. The titles of the first two books focus on a person or main character where the title of this book places the emphasis on Highland Hall as a place.

For those who have read the previous titles, A Refuge at Highland Hall picks up with the younger daughter, Penny. While definitely desirous of a proper society husband, Penny's outlook on life differs from her older sister primarily due to her older sister's marriage and subsequent choices. Another important change is that England and London are in the midst of World War I. This important factor causes the entire London household which now includes numerous orphans to pack up to find A Refuge at Highland Hall. As the story unfolds, the family and the orphans are not the only ones who find a refuge at their home. Love, forgiveness, and personal growth all occur in this place.

While the story mostly revolves around Penny, there are several sub-plots that emerge as well. The distinction between the upper-class and the serving class begins to diminish in many ways, but the stark contrast and disdain the two classes have for each other is also portrayed. Germans who were living in England at the time and are now at a prison camp and the feelings toward Germans and Germany at the time are also highlighted. These sub-plots add to the excitement and drama of the story but also make it even more important that readers be familiar with the previous volumes in this series although Turansky continues to provide enough backstory to inform the reader.

At the end of A Refuge at Highland Hall, most of story is tied up in a bow as one would expect. However, there are just enough loose ends and maturing characters to make the reader hope that there will be more adventures at Highland Hall.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NetGalley and Blogging for Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”