Tag: Historical Romance

Categories
Audio Books Beat the Backlist book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BOOK REVIEW: The Art of a Lie by Laura Shepherd-Robinson

Published July 10th, 2025 by Mantle
Historical Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Historical Mystery, Suspense, Historical Romance

*I listened to this on Bookbeat. Click here to listen free for 45 days*

********

ABOUT THE BOOK:

THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

One of The Telegraph‘s greatest books of 2025

London, 1749

Hannah Cole’s world shatters following her husband’s brutal murder. Her confectionary shop, the Punchbowl and Pineapple, teeters on the brink of ruin. Just as she uncovers a hidden fortune―money her husband secretly possessed―a new nightmare begins.

Magistrate Henry Fielding, the renowned author, suspects illicit gains. To save her inheritance, her shop, and her very reputation, Hannah must delve into her late husband’s secret life. But as she unearths a labyrinth of lies and deceit, she finds herself entangled in a battle of wits far more dangerous than she could ever have imagined.

From Sunday Times bestselling author Laura Shepherd-Robinson comes a twisty, immersive thriller where the truth is a luxury Hannah Cole can’t afford, and every secret is a step closer to her own undoing.

BUY HERE

********

MY REVIEW:

London, 1749. Following her husband’s brutal murder, Hannah Cole is left to run their confectionery  shop, the Punchbowl and Pineapple, alone but she is teetering on the brink of ruin. Then she discovers her husband, Jonas, had a secret hidden fortune and she thinks that finally her problems could be over. But they are in fact just beginning. Magistrate Henry Fielding has questions about how Jonas died and suspects the fortune was gained by illicit means forcing Hannah to delve into her husband’s secret life and step into a dangerous world in order to save her shop, her inheritance and her reputation. 

Darkly atmospheric, mysterious, seductive, tense and addictive, The Art of a Lie is a mesmerising tale you’ll not be able to put down. Set to a backdrop of the blazing summer sun, this labyrinthine tale of skullduggery, deception, lies and murder will have you glued to the pages. Exquisitely written, cleverly choreographed and full of shocking twists, it showcases why Laura Shepherd-Robinson is one of my auto-buy authors. She gets better with each book and this one is without a doubt her best yet. Laura’s meticulous research is evident on every page, taking me back to her event about the book last year when she talked about all the research she’d done for the book, including the Georgian art of ice-cream making as Hannah introduces the British public to this tasty dessert. Just be prepared to crave some yourself when reading. 

And though this is a Georgian murder-mystery, it is also much more nuanced and complex. We learn the truth about Jonas’ murder early on and you will find yourself rooting for the crime not to be solved. It has some elements of an unhealthy love story but most of all this is a story about the art of telling lies; lies for survival, lies for profit and lies for love. The characters are flawed but likeable and compelling, and you will root for them despite all their schemes and deception. I didn’t want them to be brought to justice and behind them every step of the way.

A must-read for anyone who loves historical mysteries. Just make sure you’ve got some ice-cream in the freezer!

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

Thanks to Bookbeat and Mantle for sending me a proof copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

********

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Laura Shepherd-Robinson is the award-winning, Sunday Times and USA Today bestselling author of four historical novels. Her books have been featured on BBC 2’s Between the Covers and Radio 4’s Front Row and Open Book. Her fourth novel, The Art of a Lie, will be published in Summer 2025.

Laura was born in Bristol in 1976. She has a BSc in Politics from the University of Bristol and an MSc in Political Theory from the London School of Economics. She worked in politics for nearly twenty years before re-entering normal life to complete an MA in Creative Writing at City University. She lives in London with her husband, Adrian.

********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

*This post contains afiliate links

Categories
Audio Books book reviews

BOOK REVIEW: The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry

Published May 27th, 2016 by Serpent’s Tail
Historical Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Historical Romance

********

ABOUT THE BOOK:

THE SUNDAY TIMES NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER

Overall Book of the Year and Fiction Book of the Year at the British Book Awards 2017 (Nibbies)

Longlisted for the 2017 Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction

The Waterstones Book of the Year 2016

Shortlisted for the 2016 Costa Novel Award

‘One of the most memorable historical novels of the past decade’ Sunday Times

London 1893. When Cora Seaborne’s husband dies, she steps into her new life as a widow with as much relief as sadness: her marriage was not a happy one, and she never suited the role of society wife. Accompanied by her son Francis – a curious, obsessive boy – she leaves town for Essex, where she hopes fresh air and open space will provide the refuge they need.

When they take lodgings in Colchester, rumours reach them from further up the estuary that the mythical Essex Serpent, once said to roam the marshes claiming human lives, has returned to the coastal parish of Aldwinter. Cora, a keen amateur naturalist with no patience for religion or superstition, is immediately enthralled, convinced that what the local people think is a magical beast may be a previously undiscovered species. As she sets out on its trail, she is introduced to William Ransome, Aldwinter’s vicar.

Like Cora, Will is deeply suspicious of the rumours, but he thinks they are founded on moral panic, a flight from real faith. As he tries to calm his parishioners, he and Cora strike up an intense relationship, and although they agree on absolutely nothing, they find themselves inexorably drawn together and torn apart, eventually changing each other’s lives in ways entirely unexpected.

Told with exquisite grace and intelligence, this novel is most of all a celebration of love, and the many different guises it can take.

BUY HERE

********

MY REVIEW:

1893. Amateur naturalist Cora Seaborne moves to the small coastal parish of Aldwinter, Essex, with her son, Francis, following the death of her husband. For years, Cora has heard tell of the mythical Essex Serpent that haunts the parish and is determined to find proof of its existence. As she sets out on its trail, she meets William Ranscome, Aldwinter’s vicar, who is suspicious of the rumours and believes they are a distraction from faith. As he tries to calm his parishioner’s fears, Will and Cora forge an intense and unexpected bond. They agree on nothing – she is a woman of science and he a man of faith – but they find themselves drawn to one another and begin to work together to try to solve the mystery.

Dark, haunting and atmospheric, this is a sumptuous piece of gothic Victoriana. One of my bookish goals this year is to read more of the books languishing on my shelves, which is why I finally picked up this book. It was my introduction to Sarah Perry’s writing and I am an instant fan. Perry knows how to captivate her audience, blending luscious prose, evocative imagery, a menacing atmosphere, historical detail and richly drawn characters to create a story  that that unfurls slowly, giving us just the right amount of information we need to feel satisfied while keeping us guessing about the full picture.

Rich in gothic vibes, this is a story soaked in old magic with a whisper of the supernatural. It taps into the strangeness that can exist in our world, bringing to mind legends like that of the Loch Ness Monster. The Essex Serpent snakes through the story, causing an almost constant unbearable sense of dread as its menacing presence stalks this small coastal village. Tragedy sweeps through the village and people blame the serpent. But is the legend real? Perry explores both sides of this and the science vs religion debate through her main characters. Cora believes the legend is real and wants to prove it, while Will doesn’t believe and thinks the legend is damaging people’s faith. Perry allows the reader to make up their own mind about where they land rather than taking one side over the other. 

The characters in this story are compelling, flawed and deeply human. Cora is an unusual Victorian woman, but that is precisely why I loved her so much. Plucky, bold and courageous, she is finally spreading her wings after her abusive and controlling marriage. I loved her close relationship with her son and her passion for science and was Team Cora every step on the way. Meanwhile, Will was someone it took me a little more time to warm up to. I found him standoffish and couldn’t get my head around a vicar who was okay with his attraction to another woman outside his marriage, whatever the status of that marriage may be. However, I did enjoy the complex relationship the two shared and loved how they would banter and debate, their steadfast but opposing beliefs making it all the more entertaining to read. There was also a cast of great background characters who were just as compelling and entertaining as the main characters. I particularly enjoyed reading Francis, Cora’s son, and Martha, her servant and confidant.

An imaginative and eerie gothic tale that will stay with you long after reading, this is a must-read for anyone who loves historical fiction. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

********

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sarah Perry is the internationally best selling author of the novels Melmoth, The Essex Serpent, and After Me Comes the Flood, and the non-fiction Essex Girls. She is a winner of the Waterstone’s Book of the Year Awards and the British Book Awards, and has been nominated for major literary prizes including the Women’s Prize for Fiction, the Dylan Thomas Prize, the Folio Prize and the Costa Novel Award. Her essays have been widely published, and she has contributed to the Guardian, the New York Times, the Observer, and the London Review of Books. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and has a PhD in Creative Writing, and has been a UNESCO City of Literature Writer in Residence in Prague, and a Writer in Residence at Gladstone’s Library and the Savoy Hotel in London. Her second novel, the No 1 bestseller The Essex Serpent, is currently being adapted for television, starring Claire Danes in the lead role.

********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

*This post contains affiliate links

Categories
Audio Books Beat the Backlist book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2025

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: The Lamplighters Bookshop by Sophie Austin

Published March 13th, 2025 by Harper Fiction
Historical Fiction, Romance Novel, Historical Romance, Gaslamp Fantasy

*I listened to this book on Bookbeat. Click here for 60 days free listening with my affiliate code*

********

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The Netgalley Historical Fiction Book of the Year 2025!!

Every book tells a story. Every heart hides a secret.

‘What’s not to love?! Nineteenth century York, bookshops and brilliant characters!‘ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

In the shadowy aisles of the Lamplighter’s Bookshop, secrets lie as thick as the dust…

When Evelyn Seaton answers an advertisement for an assistant at a forgotten bookshop in York, she is not the only one with something to hide.

There she meets the enigmatic and prickly William Morton, an aspiring writer keeping secrets of his own. But when the walls that Evelyn has built around herself start to crumble, there is only one person she can turn to.

As the layers are brushed away, can Evelyn and William find the courage to write the next chapter of their story?

BUY hERE

********

MY REVIEW:

Atmospheric, delightful, romantic and compelling, The Lamplighter’s Bookshop is a truly gorgeous debut. And that ending! My heart has still not recovered. I can see why this was voted as historical fiction book of the year on Netgalley last year.

The story follows Evelyn Seaton, who is at home with her mother, Cecilia, when the police arrive one evening and tell them that they must leave their home. Her father has gambled away everything they have and they are there to seize it all. So they go to York to stay with the only family member they have, Cecelia’s Aunt Clara. With nothing to their name, Evelyn decides she must go against her mother’s wishes and get a job, answering an advertisement for an assistant at a forgotten bookshop. It is in this shadowy bookshop that she meets William Morton, a mysterious and prickly aspiring writer who, like Evelyn, is keeping secrets to protect himself. The pair try to deny their attraction, but when Evelyn’s life begins to fall apart all over again, William is the only one she can turn to. Can they find the courage to give into their true feelings?

Sophie Austin reveals herself as a writer to watch with this magnificent debut. Her storytelling and imagery is so evocative, bringing the world and characters she’s created to life so vividly that it felt like I was walking the cobbled streets of nineteenth century York, wandering the shadowy aisles of the bookshop, and living every moment alongside the characters, who are ebullient and memorable. A story about love, secrets and betrayal, Ms. Austin keeps her reader guessing what secrets most of the characters are hiding. I was on tenterhooks trying to guess what they were hiding and wondered what would happen when they were finally truthful with each other and their secrets were revealed. 

Evelyn is a fantastic protagonist. Not only is she likeable and easy to root for, she’s feisty, intelligent, resourceful, determined and fiercely independent. I was rooting for her from the start as she tried to navigate this scary new reality she’d been thrust into whilst also trying to deal with the heartache of her father’s betrayal. Evelyn also comes up against societal expectations from her mother and others that get in her way, but she finds ways to overcome them at every step, intent on making life better for herself and her mother.  Another character I really enjoyed was Aunt Clara. She was snarky, sharp and witty, lighting up the pages in every scene while also offering sage advice to Evelyn and Cecilia. 

As this is a romance, I obviously need to talk about our potential lovebirds. I’m a sucker for an enemies to lovers trope, which was masterfully executed by Ms. Austin. There’s an immediate spark between Evelyn and William but they try to deny it and spend their time disagreeing instead. I loved this quarrelsome pair and their verbal sparring. Their will they/won’t they aspect of their relationship created tension and gave me something to root for. Plus, I knew the pay off would be amazing if they did finally give into their feelings. Something I also liked was what a great character William was in himself. He’s enigmatic, complicated and flawed, and I was as desperate to work him out as Evelyn, keeping me rooted to my chair and turning the pages.

A heartwarming and wonderful debut, I can’t wait to see what’s next from Ms. Austin.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

Thank you Harper Collins for sending me a proof copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

********

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Originally from London, Sophie Austin is a historical fiction novelist who now lives in Sweden. Her debut novel, THE LAMPLIGHTER’S BOOKSHOP (coming March 2025) is a turn of the century tale of rivalry, redemption, and love set under the darkening skies of York in 1899. Sophie loves spending time in Victorian England, both in her writing and in her reading, and you can step back in time with her via her website or her Instagram page. When Sophie isn’t writing historical fiction she works as a Senior Creative Writer for a blocky video game writing articles, scripts and more about mining, crafting and surviving

********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

*This post contains affiliate links

Categories
Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BLOG TOUR: Never Tear Us Apart by Rowan Coleman

Published July 3rd, 2025 by Hodder Books
Historical Fiction, Romance Novel, Historical Romance, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Fantasy, War Story, Time Travel Fiction, Contemporary Fantasy, Historical Fantasy

Welcome to my review of this mesmerising story. Thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for the invitation to take part, and to Hodder Books for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

********

ABOUT THE BOOK:

A spellbinding tale of love, strength and sacrifice from the Sunday Times bestselling author. Based on the gorgeous island of Malta in WWII, this is a story about the power of fate, and how sometimes, in order to find yourself – and to find love – you must first lose everything else. . .

Fate has brought them together. Will time tear them apart?

✨✨✨

2025

Named after a star, war correspondent Maia knows how to find the brightest stories – the tales of survival and strength – hidden amongst the dark realities of combat.

Now, travelling to Malta to visit her estranged father, with one more chance to build a relationship with her last remaining relative, she’s here to find her own story: never having found somewhere – or someone – she can call home, she’s desperate for answers that might show her where she truly belongs.

But when she arrives on the beautiful mediterranean island, she realises her long-lost family is full of more secrets than she could possibly have imagined. . .

✨✨✨

1942

Maia wakes up to find herself on an island under siege, a city in ruins – and knows she must have been sent here for a reason.

Who has she been sent to save? Or is it Maia herself that needs saving? And just when she’s finally found what she’s been seeking . . . will time separate them forever?


Perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley, Santa Montefiore and Dinah Jefferies.

********

MY REVIEW:

Breathtaking, moving and unforgettable, Never Tear Us Apart is a truly special book that has stolen a piece of my heart forever.  A dual timeslip novel, it follows war correspondent Maia Borg, who we first meet in 2025 when she is visiting Malta, the place her estranged father, David, was born. It is her first time here but Maia soon finds that she feels like she’s coming home. But one day while visiting a temple, Maia faints and wakes in an unfamiliar place. This place is dark, noisy and airless. And she quickly realises she is in a shelter while bombs fall around them. It is 1942 and Malta is under siege from the Nazis and their allies. At first she thinks it’s a dream or that her PTSD is giving her hallucinations. But over time, as she takes multiple trips between timelines, Maia starts to believe that her presence in both places is real. But why? What has she been sent back for? As she makes friends and begins to fall in love, Maia realises she has finally found a place she truly belongs. But just as that happens, something threatens to take it all away…

Rowan Coleman is an author whose books are on my autoread list and I’ve always had a soft spot for her historical fiction stories most of all. So I couldn’t wait to read this book. I had high hopes but was unprepared for the beauty of this book and the emotional rollercoaster I was about to embark on. This book really should come with a warning! Exquisitely written, cleverly choreographed and filled with vivacious characters, you can feel how much of Rowan’s heart and soul has been poured into this story. She made Malta come alive on these pages, transporting me to a place that has been on my bucket list for decades. I felt like I was taking every step and feeling every emotion alongside Maia. As a fan of history and historical fiction, I appreciated Rowan’s meticulous research and loved all of the history in this story. It was fascinating and I love how she allowed us to learn alongside Maia and experience her joy at understanding more about this country and her heritage. It has definitely made me even more eager to pay a visit and see these places for myself.

This book has a bit of everything: history, romance, drama, mystery and sci-fi, all merged together in perfect harmony to create a story I never wanted to end. I also didn’t want to leave these wonderful characters behind. I was so invested in their lives and was rooting for Maia at every step. I was on the edge of my seat, especially as we got to the final third of the book and the stakes got even higher. The sense of apprehension, urgency, tension and foreboding was palpable, leaping from the pages and setting my nerves on edge. I couldn’t have put this book down even if my house had been on fire. 

A mesmerising story that demands to be read, I highly recommend this book.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

********

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rowan Coleman is the internationally bestselling and award winning author and screenwriter of sixteen novels including THE MEMORY BOOK, THE SUMMER OF IMPOSSIBLE THINGS and THE GIRL AT THE WINDOW.

A life long Bronte fan, under the Bronte inspired pen name Bella Ellis, Rowan also writes the Bronte Mysteries – a carefully researched series of novels that imagine that before they were were famous the Bronte Sisters were amateur detectives. THE VANISHED BRIDE and THE DIABOLICAL BONES and The RED MONARCH are out now.

********

BUY THE BOOK:

Waterstones* | Bookshop.org* | Amazon*
*These are affiliate links

********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

Please check out the reviews from the other bloggers taking part in the blog tour.

Categories
book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Squadpod Featured Books

SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOKS: The Nightingale Dilemma by Katy Moran

Published July 3rd, 2025 by Aria
Historical Romance

Welcome to my review for this bingeable historical romance. Thank you to Aria for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

********

ABOUT THE BOOK:

1812

Following the drum in Spain, rebellious aristocrat Cressida Nightingale has put her tumultuous past far behind her, and with it her short-lived marriage to Lord Greville.

Having escaped the constraints of her previous life and now scorned by society, Cressida has spent years surviving as a spy for her government. Whilst this is a hard life, it’s hers and she will fight to keep it. Then her world comes crashing down when she is caught behind enemy lines by none other than her estranged husband.

Betrayed by those who have willingly taken the information she offered, Cressida is offered a deal. Entrap her childhood friend, Lord Byron, now the most famous man in England and one who is suspected of treason, or pay the ultimate price for her own treasonous acts.

Can this nightingale escape the shackles of her past, and what price will she pay for it is she can’t?

********

MY REVIEW:

Cressida, a rebellious and disgraced aristocrat turned spy is forced back to the high society world she thought she’d left behind when she’s arrested by her estranged husband on suspicion of treason. There is only one way for her to regain her freedom: betray her friend, Lord Byron. But despite their acrimonious divorce, the old lovers soon discover that their spark still burns bright. Is it too late for them to reunite?

Sexy, smart and suspenseful, this book was regency heaven. But there’s something for every reader in this crazy and chaotic rollercoaster ride of mystery, intrigue, deception, lust, lies, secrets, history, scandal and romance. It’s action-packed and compelling, Katy Moran’s evocative storytelling, meticulous research and captivating characters transporting me to the world of politics and society she’d created. It was so vivid that I felt like I’d been picked up and placed in the halls of regency aristocracy with all the gossip, games and calculated manoeuvring. This was a treacherous place where every word and move must be carefully calculated and you’re never sure who might be secretly scheming to betray you. Convoluted and intricate, everyone has their hand in multiple pies and people you’d never suspect are caught up in plots to betray those close to them. The stakes are sky-high and you feel that radiating from the pages and keeping you on the edge of your seat. 

In a regency romance you obviously need great chemistry, and you can feel the desire between Cressida and Greville sizzling from the pages. You can feel their regret over giving up on their marriage and how they both still want each other. I couldn’t help but root for them despite all the odds that were stacked against them. I also really liked Cressida. She was a compelling character that was easy to root for and I loved that she was so feisty, determined and different to what was the norm for women in her era. 

Atmospheric, clever, witty and tense, The Nightingale Dilemma is a bingeable historical romance with a sassy heroine you’ll love rooting for. 

Rating: ✭✭✭✭✰

********

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Katy Moran writes romantic historical fiction filled with adventure, passion and political intrigue. Her books are set in an alternate history just a step away from our own. She lives in the Welsh borders with her family and four miniature sheep.

********

BUY THE BOOK:

Waterstones* | Booskhop.org* | Amazon*
*These are affiliate links

********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxx

Categories
book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Squadpod Squadpod Featured Books

SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOKS: The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

Published May 22nd, 2025 by Pan Macmillan
Historical Fiction, Domestic Fiction, Historical Romance, Literary Fiction

Welcome to my review for this magnificent story. Thank you to Pan Macmillan for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

********

ABOUT THE BOOK:

‘I have loved Kate Morton’s spellbinding novels since I was a teenager’ – Emilia Hart, bestselling author of Weyward

Rediscover The Forgotten Garden, the breathtaking intergenerational mystery from the multimillion-copy bestseller, Kate Morton.

Three women. Three generations. One spellbinding mystery . . .

Once upon a time, a little girl was found abandoned after a gruelling sea voyage from England to Australia. She carried nothing with her but a small suitcase of clothes, an exquisite volume of fairy tales and the memory of a mysterious woman called the Authoress, who promised to look after her but then vanished.

Years later, Nell returns to England to uncover the truth about her identity. Her quest leads her to the strange and beautiful Blackhurst Manor on the Cornish coast, but its long-forgotten gardens hide secrets of their own.

Now, upon Nell’s death, her granddaughter, Cassandra, comes into a surprise inheritance: an old book of dark fairy tales and a ramshackle cottage in Cornwall. It is here that she must finally solve the puzzle that has haunted her family for a century, embarking on a journey that blends past and present, myth and mystery, fact and fable . . .

********

MY REVIEW:

A nameless little girl is found alone after the long sea voyage from England to Australia. The port master finds her, he and his wife take her in and raise her as their own. Years later, that little girl is now grown and wants to know the truth about her identity, so she travels to England. Her only clues are a volume of fairy tales she carried in her suitcase all those years ago and her memories of a woman she knows only as the Authoress. They lead her to Blackhurst Manor on the Cornish coast, a ramshackle cottage, and a forgotten garden full of secrets. But she never finds answers. And when her granddaughter learns of her surprise inheritance after her grandmother’s death, she embarks on a journey to England, determined to solve the puzzle that has haunted her family for all these years. 

Kate Morton is an author whose books have been languishing on my shelves for far too many years. So when the SquadPod were offered the chance to read the beautiful reissued edition of The Forgotten Garden it was the perfect excuse to finally pick up one of her books and discover an author I was sure I’d love. And I did. Beautifully written, intricately interwoven, gorgeously evocative and with a strong sense of place, Morton brings the world she has created to life in exquisite detail. She knows exactly how to pique the interest of her readers, using little details to keep us reading such as the slightly sinister elements, subtle nods to Gothic and Victoriana, and ending each chapter with a revelation and then switching to another timeline. But my favourite detail was how Morton wove dark fairytales written by the Authoress into the narrative. Not only were they brilliantly written, they also served as clues and foreshadowing for the secrets hidden for a century that were being slowly unveiled.

The story is told by a cast of compelling and richly drawn narrators, but it is Nell who is at the centre of this entire story. She narrates at different stages of her life: a child, a young woman, and elderly lady. I enjoyed seeing how she’d changed and how she’d remained the same at all these points in her life, and admit to having a real soft spot for little Nell. The other narrators – Authoress Eliza and her cousin Rose, and Cassandra, Nell’s granddaughter – are all equally as fascinating to read, pulling me into their lives, immersing me in their stories and making me feel invested in the outcome. Moving seamlessly between timelines and continents, Morton took me along for the ride as these women embarked on journeys of self discovery and tried to unravel the mystery that surrounds them.

Hypnotic, immersive and enthralling, don’t miss this magnificent book.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

********

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

KATE MORTON is an award-winning, Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author. Her novels – The House at Riverton, The Forgotten Garden, The Distant Hours, The Secret Keeper, The Lake House, The Clockmaker’s Daughter and Homecoming – are published in over 45 countries, in 38 languages, and have all been number one bestsellers around the world.

Kate Morton grew up in the mountains of southeast Queensland and now lives with her family in London and Australia. She has degrees in dramatic art and English literature, and harboured dreams of joining the Royal Shakespeare Company until she realised that it was words she loved more than performing. Kate still feels a pang of longing each time she goes to the theatre and the house lights dim.

“I fell deeply in love with books as a child and believe that reading is freedom; that to read is to live a thousand lives in one; that fiction is a magical conversation between two people – you and me – in which our minds meet across time and space. I love books that conjure a world around me, bringing their characters and settings to life, so that the real world disappears and all that matters, from beginning to end, is turning one more page.”

********

BUY THE BOOK:

Bookshop.org* | Waterstones* | Amazon*
*These are affiliate links

********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxx

Categories
Audio Books Beat the Backlist book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BOOK REVIEW: The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue

Published July 23rd, 2020 by Picador
Historical Fiction, Medical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Historical Romance, Lesbian Literature

Welcome to my review for this powerful and unforgettable story. Thanks to Picador for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

********

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Three days in a maternity ward at the height of the Great Flu. The Pull of the Stars is the Sunday Times Bestseller from the acclaimed author of The Wonder and Room.

‘An immersive, unforgettable fever-dream of a novel’ – The Times

The old world dying on its feet, a new one struggling to be born . . .

Dublin, 1918. In a country doubly ravaged by war and disease, Nurse Julia Power works at an understaffed hospital in the city centre, where expectant mothers who have come down with an unfamiliar flu are quarantined together. Into Julia’s regimented world step two outsiders: Doctor Kathleen Lynn, on the run from the police, and a young volunteer helper, Bridie Sweeney.

In the darkness and intensity of this tiny ward, over the course of three days, these women change each other’s lives in unexpected ways. They lose patients to this baffling pandemic, but they also shepherd new life into a fearful world. With tireless tenderness and humanity, carers and mothers alike somehow do their impossible work.

In The Pull of the Stars, Emma Donoghue tells an unforgettable and deeply moving story of love and loss.

********

MY REVIEW:

Dublin, 1918. Ireland is a country ravaged by war and in the grip of a pandemic. At an understaffed hospital in the city centre, we follow Nurse Julia Power as she cares for expectant mothers who have contracted the flu. She is helped by Birdie Sweeney, an inexperienced volunteer helper, and Doctor Kathleen Lynn, an Irish Nationalist on the run from the police. Over the course of three days, we see them battle to give patients the best care, bring new life into the world, and tragically lose lives to this mysterious disease. 

Beautiful, moving, harrowing and immersive, The Pull of the Stars is an unforgettable piece of historical fiction. Exquisitely written and meticulously researched, Emma Donoghue had me hooked from the first pages, transporting me into Julia’s world and making me feel like I was in the room with her. Likeable and easy to root for, Julia was a great protagonist. I loved the care she had for all of her patients, her passion for nursing and that she was refusing to conform to society by staying unmarried as she turned 30. The other characters are equally as compelling. Birdie was naive  but enthusiastic and willing to learn. And my heart broke as we learned more about what she’d been through growing up in religious institutions. Dr Kathleen Lynn, who is based on a real person, was modern, visionary and unafraid to do whatever it takes to further her cause. Each of the women are strong in their own ways and I loved seeing the effect they had on Julia’s life in just three short days.

1918 was a dangerous time to be a woman, especially in a country like Ireland where religious beliefs meant there was an expectation to marry young, an aversion to contraception and a societal expectation to churn out babies back to back regardless of whether or not you wanted to or could afford them. Donoghue explores these issues along with others such as the horrific realities of the Magdalene laundries and religious institutions, and the terrible infant mortality rate, especially amongst poorer families. The characters represent different social groups and offer us an example of many different lives. There are victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence, impoverished and malnourished women struggling to give birth for a twelfth time and terrified teenage first-time mothers. Each of these women are fighting to survive at a time when the mortality rate was 15% and we see successful births and tragic losses of both mothers and babies.

One of the things I love about historical fiction is getting a glimpse of life at the time the book is set and as someone who has always been fascinated by medical history, I enjoyed learning about how different treatments and knowledge were at the start of the twentieth century, while also seeing how knowledge about hygiene and medicine were growing at the time and helped to save lives. I appreciated that Donoghue didn’t shy away from the more shocking and gruesome aspects of nursing and the complications that can arise in obstetrics, although it may be too intense for some readers. 

Highly recommended. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

********

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Born in Dublin in 1969, Emma Donoghue is a writer of contemporary and historical fiction whose novels include the international bestseller “Room” (her screen adaptation was nominated for four Oscars), “Frog Music”, “Slammerkin,” “The Sealed Letter,” “Landing,” “Life Mask,” “Hood,” and “Stirfry.” Her story collections are “Astray”, “The Woman Who Gave Birth to Rabbits,” “Kissing the Witch,” and “Touchy Subjects.” She also writes literary history, and plays for stage and radio. She lives in London, Ontario, with her partner and their two children.

********

BUY THE BOOK:

Bookshop.org* | Waterstones* | Amazon*
*These are affiliate links

*********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

Categories
Audio Books Beat the Backlist book reviews

BOOK REVIEW: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Published January 29th, 2015 by Pan Macmillan
Historical Fiction, Romance Novel, War Story, Historical Romance

Today I’m sharing my thoughts on this masterpiece. Thank you to BookBreakk and Pan Macmillan for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

********

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The Bestselling Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Soon to be a major motion picture, Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale has captured the hearts of millions of readers becoming a number one bestseller across the world. It is a heart-breakingly beautiful novel that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the endurance of women.

This story is about what it was like to be a woman during World War II, when women’s stories were all too often forgotten or overlooked . . . Vianne and Isabelle Mauriac are two sisters, separated by years and experience, by ideals and passion and circumstance, each embarking on her own dangerous path towards survival, love and freedom in war-torn France.

It is a novel for everyone, a novel for a lifetime.

‘A rich, compelling novel of love, sacrifice and survival’ – Kate Morton, author of Homecoming

‘Movingly written and plotted with the heartless skill of a Greek tragedy, you’ll keep turning the pages until the last racking sob’ – Daily Mail

‘I loved The Nightingale . . . great characters, great plots, great emotions, who could ask for more in a novel?’ – Isabel Allende, bestselling author of The House of the Spirits

‘A griping tale of family, love, grief and forgiveness’ – Sunday Express

********

MY REVIEW:

Astonishing, breathtaking, phenomenal, heart-rending, courageous and powerful, The Nightingale, is an unforgettable masterpiece. Like most of Kristin Hannah’s novels, this book had been languishing on my shelf for far too long when I finally decided to pick it up on a whim this month. Why did I wait so long? 

The story explores what it means to be a woman during war, telling the story through the eyes of sisters Vivianne and Isabelle as they live through World War Two. The pair are separated and have very different experiences but each possess strength, an unbreakable determination to survive, and a strong moral compass that sees them taking huge risks in order to help others. 

A tearjerker that is filled with kindness, joy, connection and bravery, I was an empty shell when I finished this book. Masterfully told, hauntingly evocative and devastatingly real, it is easy to see why this story is considered a modern classic and so highly recommended. Rating this is one of the easiest five stars I’ve ever given. It left me with the biggest book hangover and even now, over a week after finishing it, the characters and story are still with me and I think about it daily. It has taken a place in my heart and on my list of favourite books of all time. And that final line! Oh, my heart 💔😭

When the year started I had a number of Kristin Hanah’s books on my TBR but hadn’t read any of them. Now, as it ends, I’ve read two of them, they are both in my list of favourite books this year. Ms. Hannah is undoubtedly now one of my favourite authors and I will be prioritising her backlist in 2025. 

I can’t recommend this magnificent story enough. If you haven’t read it, please do ASAP. Just clear your schedule first because once you start you’ll not be doing anything else.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

*I listened to this on Bookbeat. You can listen for 60 days free by clicking my affiliate link here*

********

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

From Kristin’s Website: Kristin Hannah is the award-winning and bestselling author of more than 20 novels including the international blockbuster, The Nightingale, which was named Goodreads Best Historical fiction novel for 2015 and won the coveted People’s Choice award for best fiction in the same year.  Additionally, it was a selection of the Reese Witherspoon Book Club in 2023. It was named a Best Book of the Year by Amazon, iTunes, Buzzfeed, the Wall Street Journal, Paste, and The Week.  In 2018, The Great Alone became an instant New York Times #1 bestseller and was named the Best Historical Novel of the Year by Goodreads.

The Four Winds was published in February of 2021 and immediately hit #1 on the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Indie bookstores’ bestseller lists.  Additionally, it was selected as a book club pick by the both Today Show and the Book Of the Month club, which named it the best book of 2021.  

The Nightingale is currently in production at Tri Star, with Dakota and Elle Fanning set to star.  Tri Star has also optioned The Great Alone and it is in development.  Firefly Lane, her beloved novel about two best friends, was the #1 Netflix series around the world, in the week it came out.  The popular tv show stars Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke and Season Two is currently set to conclude the series on April 27, 2023.  

A former attorney, Kristin lives in the Pacific Northwest.

********

BUY THE BOOK:

Bookshop.org* | Waterstones* | Amazon*
*These are affiliate links

********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

Categories
book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BOOK REVIEW: My Lady’s Secrets by Katy Moran

Published July 4th, 2024 by Aria
Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Regency Romance

Welcome to my review for this bingeable regency romance. Thank you to Aria for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

********

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Regency England

When rebellious aristocrat Cressida and Lord Greville parted ways, they swore never to meet again. Their short marriage had already descended into bitter estrangement, destroyed by scandal and betrayal.

Years later, Greville is a soldier in the Peninsular War and Cressida is following the drum as another man’s lover. Scorned by society, she has learned to survive as a spy – until the day she is caught behind enemy lines, by none other than Greville himself.

Threatened with paying the ultimate price, Cressida is offered a deal: she must entrap and betray the most famous man in England. And Greville, unforgiving, angry and still shockingly attractive, must ensure she complies.

Catapulted to the heights of fame, Lord Byron is just as chaotic, charming and ruthless as he was when he, Greville and Cressida were teenagers. As the three old friends gather for a summer house party in the Scottish Highlands, Cressida is forced to confront her past and ask herself a terrifying question: is it too late for she and Greville to fight for one another at last?

********

MY REVIEW:

Cressida, a rebellious and disgraced aristocrat turned spy is forced back to the high society world she thought she’d left behind when she’s arrested by her estranged husband on suspicion of treason. There is only one way for her to regain her freedom: betray her friend, Lord Byron. But despite their acrimonious divorce, the old lovers soon discover that their spark still burns bright. Is it too late for them to reunite?

Sexy, smart and suspenseful, this book was regency heaven. But there’s something for every reader in this crazy and chaotic rollercoaster ride of mystery, intrigue, deception, lust, lies, secrets, history, scandal and romance. It’s action-packed and compelling, Katy Moran’s evocative storytelling, meticulous research and captivating characters transporting me to the world of politics and society she’d created. It was so vivid that I felt like I’d been picked up and placed in the halls of regency aristocracy with all the gossip, games and calculated manoeuvring. This was a treacherous place where every word and move must be carefully calculated and you’re never sure who might be secretly scheming to betray you. Convoluted and intricate, everyone has their hand in multiple pies and people you’d never suspect are caught up in plots to betray those close to them. The stakes are sky-high and you feel that radiating from the pages and keeping you on the edge of your seat. 

In a regency romance you obviously need great chemistry, and you can feel the desire between Cressida and Greville sizzling from the pages. You can feel their regret over giving up on their marriage and how they both still want each other. I couldn’t help but root for them despite all the odds that were stacked against them. I also really liked Cressida. She was a compelling character that was easy to root for and I loved that she was so feisty, determined and different to what was the norm for women in her era. 

Atmospheric, clever, witty and tense, My Lady’s Secret is a bingeable historical romance with a sassy heroine you’ll love rooting for. 

Rating: ✭✭✭✭✰

********

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Katy Moran writes romantic historical fiction filled with adventure, passion and political intrigue. Her books are set in an alternate history just a step away from our own. She lives in the Welsh borders with her family and four miniature sheep.

********

BUY THE BOOK:

Bookshop.org* | Waterstones* | Amazon*
*These links are affiliate links

********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

Categories
book reviews

BOOK REVIEW: The Wayward Duke (Private Arrangements) by Katrina Kendrick

Published October 10th, 2024 by Aria
Historical Romance, Regency Romance, New Adult Fiction

Welcome to my thoughts on this sexy and suspenseful historical romance. Thank you to Aria for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

********

ABOUT THE BOOK:
‘Perfectly balancing romance and intrigue, this is a true page-turner’ Publishers Weekly

HE IS THE ICE-COLD DUKE

Julian, the Duke of Hastings, is known for being aloof and utterly in control. For nine years, he’s kept his distance from the only woman who ever cracked his icy exterior, burying himself in work as a top-secret government code-breaker. But when his latest assignment ensnares him in a lethal aristocratic plot, Julian has no choice but to enlist the help of his estranged wife.

SHE IS THE PRIM DUCHESS

To all of society, Caroline Hastings is the perfect duchess. For years she’s masked her pain over her husband’s abandonment behind a poised facade. But when Julian unexpectedly returns and sweeps them into a dangerous, covert mission, Caroline discovers her frozen duke isn’t quite so indifferent in the bedroom after all.

Now, locked in a dangerous chase through London’s glittering ballrooms and dark back alleys, Julian and Caroline must catch a killer-before he catches them first.

********

MY REVIEW:

Steamy, tense, twisty and engaging, The Wayward Duke is a gripping amalgamation of romance, sex, danger, angst and intrigue. 

London, Julian, Duke of Hastings, and his wife, Caroline, have been estranged for eight years when he surprisingly returns, sparking a flame of desire in them that they thought long-dead. Society is ablaze with talk of their reunion, but can they overcome the hurt they’ve caused each other to really reunite? Meanwhile, Julian’s work for the home office embroils them in a dangerous hunt for a terrorist. Can they learn to work together to catch them before he kills them first?

Though this book is the fifth in the series, it was actually my introduction to both the series and author. Despite this, I never felt confused about what was happening and think this was easy to read as a standalone. I was very much in the mood to read a romance when I started this book, but I was unprepared for the turns it would take and was surprised by how steamy it was from the start. The sexual tension is evident and I was relieved not to be reading this in public. But this is more than just a spicy book. Katrina Kendrick expertly moved between the shifts in tone of this book, making me blush with the sex scenes, almost cry with the emotional ones, and keeping me on the edge of my seat as they are caught up in espionage. We don’t initially know why they have been estranged, but their heartbreak and grief is palpable, and you can feel their fear of again trusting the person who broke them to pieces from the inside. As we learned more about the reasons their relationship broke down, Kendrick’s writing flourished, expertly conveying their loss, devastation, and Caroline’s mental health struggles in a real and relatable way. 

I liked that this couple weren’t your average Duke and Duchess and that there was more to them than meets the eye. Caroline is a linguist and Julian a code-breaker, the latter working with the home office to secretly decipher codes and hunt terrorists. I loved this aspect of the book. The danger escalated, adding an extra layer of tension to the story that had me on the edge of my seat. I have to admit that although I enjoyed both characters, I did favour Caroline a little. I felt like I really understood her and loved that she was someone who didn’t need a man to rescue her. And very different from what you’d expect of a woman in her position in society at that time.

So if you’re looking for a historical romance that will make your heart race, your cheeks blush, and keep you guessing, then this steamy and suspenseful book is the one for you. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

********

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Katrina Kendrick is the pseudonym for Sunday Times bestselling science fiction and fantasy author Elizabeth May. She is Californian by birth and Scottish by choice, and holds a Ph.D. from the University of St Andrews. She currently resides on an 18th-century farm in the Scottish countryside with her husband, three cats, and a lively hive of honeybees that live in the wall of her old farmhouse.

********

BUY THE BOOOK:

Bookshop.org* | Waterstones* | Amazon*
*these are affiliate links

********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx