Audiobook Review: The Widow’s Redeemer

Author: Philippa Jane Keyworth

Narrators: Alex Lee

Length: 9 hours 35 minutes

Publisher: Madison Street Publishing

Released: April 19, 2018

Genre: Historical Romance

A penniless young widow with an indomitable spirit. A wealthy viscount with an unsavory reputation. London, 1815: After her husband’s untimely death, Letty Burton comes up from the country with her domineering mother-in-law. Hiding a past she wishes to forget and facing an uncertain future, all she wants is to navigate London Society as a silent companion. A chance meeting with London’s most eligible bachelor sets in motion a series of events that will bring her quiet life under the unfriendly scrutiny of the ton. With the net of scandal, debts, and rivals closing in, will she let her dark past dictate her life forever? Will she learn to trust again? And most importantly, will she allow herself to love? The Widow’s Redeemer was a finalist in the 2012 RONE Awards (Reward of Novel Excellence) hosted by InD’Tale Magazine.

Philippa Jane Keyworth, known to her friends as Pip, has been writing since she was twelve in every notebook she could find.

Originally trained as a horse-riding instructor, Philippa went on to become a copywriter before beginning a degree in History and graduating with First Class Honours. She now works in Digital Marketing and part-time as an author.

Philippa has always written stories and believes that, since it is one of her loves and passions, she always will. She has dabbled in a variety of genres, and has settled for the time being in both fantasy and historical romance. An interesting combination of research and imagination Philippa believes it is important to escape into a world you want to be in. This is why she writes stories that will draw you into the characters’ joys and heartaches in a world apart from our own. Philippa has three historical romance novels out, each a standalone with indomitable heroines and lovable heroes.

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Alex Lee has been singing, acting and dancing since the age of two and whilst growing up on outskirts of London indulged her love of acting and performing in several ballet productions and plays at school, where she added to her skills by having her speaking and singing voice trained thereafter in productions of The Secretary Bird, Oh What a lovely War, The Norman Conquests, Ten Times Table, Chicago (playing Velma), playing Dick in Dick Whittington, and many others.

Narrating audiobooks is a relatively new venture for Alex and she has narrated 10 books in the last year in genres covering Regency romance, historical fiction, comedy adventure, romantic thriller, children’s fiction, biography and murder mystery.

Alex lives in a cottage in the beautiful village of East Coker in Somerset, where she lives with her husband Mark who is a skilful editor.

“I was thrilled to audition and be given the opportunity to narrate The Widow’s Redeemer and also Fool me Twice both written by Philippa Jane Keyworth for Madison Street Publishing. I loved the Georgette Heyer Regency romances which I read when younger and love the genre. Pip’s books transport you back to that wonderful era and I have loved narrating these stories.”

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This was such a wonderful audiobook! I loved the narration so much! It made me feel as if I were right there in that time with the characters, it made me imagine exactly their reaction and the tone used to express the sarcasm, the enthusiasm or sadness was perfect!

Since we got this out in the open, let’s get into the actual story. Letty Burton has had a short, but difficult, marriage. Her husband died and left her with a huge amount of debt and scares that are both visible, but also only marks on her heart. Violence and offence predominated in her years as a wife. Now a poor widow back in London, she tries to find peace and friendship with the help of her mother in law. She meets the good Major Deveril and his old-time friend Viscount Beauford, as well as young Sophie. But the Viscount is the one that intrigues her the most. He provokes her, he makes her feel uncomfortable and safe at the same time. On the other hand, the Viscount is surprised by the quick mind and modesty of our widow. His heart is as broken as hers and the last thing on his mind is to get close to another woman.

Town gossip, reputation, proper behavior and importance of social status and social appearances are very important. The author did a very good job in describing the customs and the talks of the time. I liked as well the letters between Letty and her friends all throughout the book and at the end.

All in all, this was a lovely book with an exceptional narration. I would have given it 5 stars if it were not for the rushed ending. I would have wanted more from our couple and I would have wanted to see their feelings bloom more.

I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Madison Street Publishing. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.