The Cruel Dark
A debut novel with flashes of brilliance, and a deliciously Gothic vibe, The Cruel Night drew me in at once and I devoured the book in a single sitting. It's a short read at just over 200 pages, but long enough to deliver a compelling story that packs an unexpected emotional punch.
Her Own Revolution
No one ever accused the social justice warriors of the French Revolution of moderation. In her Château de Verzat series, author Debra Borchert personalizes the chaos, carnage, and brutality of the period through the stories of memorable heroines.
Remember Me
A romance is in deep trouble when the only interesting chemistry is between the hero's grandparents. Back in the day, when I opened a Mary Balogh novel, I could almost hear my own sigh of relief. Immediate immersion. Smooth, accessible style. Vivid storytelling. Passionate, loving romance.
The Gilded Cage
Penned by an author unknown to me, The Gilded Cage, came as a satisfying surprise after reading rather too many undercooked letdowns. Set against an Edwardian backdrop,
The Best New Family Sagas in Historical Fiction
Bridgerton propelled a new swathe of readers into the Regency romance genre, which only a few years earlier seemed to have faded from favor.
An American Beauty: a Novel of the Gilded Age
A rags-to-riches story complete with a Gilded Age setting, what's not to love? Shana Abé penned a winner with An American Beauty. In this fictionalized account of Arabella Duval Huntington's fascinating and controversial life,
All The Pretty Places
Catnip for fans of Gilded Age settings, this novel offers pleasant escapism for readers who enjoyed the author's previous books. Since the Netflix drama, this historical period has become very crowded in historical fiction.
The Social Tutor
This is a heartwarming very clean romance, charmingly told, with some fresh elements that set it apart from other similar stories. It's not the author's best work, which has earned higher scores from us, but it's an enjoyable series debut from a prolific writer.
A Summer Game
It's splitting hairs to choose which of Mary Kingswood's books best reflect the attributes of a Georgette Heyer-style traditional Regency romance. Most are serious contenders, and A Summer Game is no exception.
Miss Newbury’s List
Light romance doesn't have to be plausible to be entertaining. Titled in the style of Regency hit Mr. Malcolm's List ( 2020), author Megan Walker's latest novel is another on-brand addition to Shadow Mountain's Proper Romance line-up.
