Ashes on the Moor by Sarah M. Eden HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY

Ashes on the Moor is the inspiring love story of one Victorian woman's courage to fight against all odds, and the man whose quiet strength gives her the confidence to keep trying.


 Opening line:
"Through a thick fog of grief, Evangeline Blake suffered the blow of each clang of the distant funeral bells."

Another lovely romance from Sarah M. Eden.
Evangeline Blake lost almost everyone in her family, except her younger sister, whom she promised would always be with her. Her mean, bullying aunt has different ideas, however.
Dermot McCormick is an Irish man in England and feels very excluded in the little village where he and his son are now living. He keeps to himself and works hard to prove himself. And he's just fine staying away from everyone--until he meets Evangeline.
This is an interesting story about change; not only in circumstances and of the heart, but change that makes us a better human. Evangeline came from wealth and privilege and is thrust into poverty and hard work. She's stubborn enough and determined enough to make her way that she changes and her heart is opened to the village and their children. The same can be said of Dermot and of the village. They all find they can be strong and change (except maybe on person who I wanted to kick really hard).
I really enjoyed learning the history of the era and the dialect and hardships these people faced. And I REALLY loved what Evangeline did to help the children.

Thank you for the early read netgalley and Shadow Mountain!