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As part of the Blog Tour for the release of this book (it’s out now!), I have included a soundtrack of sorts throughout this post for your listening pleasure. The music is not related to the cultures in the book, it is rather influenced by my very American tastes. BUT the songs were carefully chosen to represent the characters and plot points. Enjoy!
Genre: Clean Historical Romance | Age: Adult (18+) | Buy: Amazon or BookShop | ⭐ See star rating
Isobel has a storyteller’s mind and can let her imagination run away from her. Alistair is on a quest to develop a relationship with his father and strike out on his own. While visiting Alistair’s father, Isobel is having a hard time distinguishing between fact and fiction!
Initial Thoughts
This series has been a complete delight to read. Even though I think the first in the series will always be my favorite, each book has such unique characters and entertaining stories. So, while Abigail (from book 1) reminded me the most of myself, Isobel (from this book) would definitely be my best friend.
What I’m trying to say is that the books are character-driven (I love that) but they still have plot and spunk and a cozy vibe all in one.
The writing is phenomenal. Ms. Golden provides cohesiveness as well as shocking moments and hilarious scenes. It is just *chef’s kiss* and if I ever get around to writing, I hope I can write like her some day.
The Setting
This book has major gothic vibes, especially in the second half. I have never read a gothic classic, but I have read a few gothic-inspired contemporary writings. The interesting thing about the “scary” parts of this book is that you can’t tell if the moments are real or if Isobel is just imagining them. I love this aspect – it reminds me of children who think they see a monster in their closet but it turns out to be their bathrobe.
The picturesque setting of the village where Isobel lives reminds me of the hobbit lands:
I love the rural village setting of Isobel’s home, and the descriptions we get of her neglected but comfortable home compared with a neighbor’s extravagant home that feels like a museum. And those are also contrasted with Alistair’s (our hero) father’s home that seems to be simply…quaint, even in it’s large size. The garden at Alistair’s father’s home holds special appeal; it is both beautiful and haunting and integral to the story.
The Characters
This is a representation of Isobel – spunky, classy, and unaware of her beauty:
Our leading lady is Isobel, a writer of gothic novels who lives with her mother in their run-down home. Although, we never actually meet her mother as she is away on a trip for the entirety of the book. This means that Isobel is alone a lot, which adds to the effect of her run-away imagination. And even though Isobel must wear hand-me-dwon dresses that are too small, she doesn’t let that stop her from being full of life and adventure. Her vibrancy flies off the page and her solutions to her various predicaments are absolutely the best – way better than the practical ideas that actually end up solving her problems.
And this is Alistair, a gentleman finding his way:
Our leading male character is Alistair, a reader of gothic novels (his late mother got him hooked) and former betrothed of Leila from book 2. Of the heroes in the books so far, Alistair has proven to be the most gentlemanly in nature. He is honorable, he works hard to put himself in a position to provide, and he has to work through a strange relationship with his father. Instead of being dry and stoic, like many tall-dark-handsome types are, he is gentle with Isobel and wildly entertained by her wool-gathering and creative solutions.
I have to add that I also really love Mr. and Mrs. Owens. They were not my favorite in book 2, but the way that they treat Isobel as a daughter and the sly ways they allow Isobel and Alistair to be alone are so precious. And when Mrs. Owen treated Isobel to some shopping, my heart about melted. That aspect was so sweet and I’m glad it was a part of the book.
The Story
Isobel is alone but enjoys her life. Alistair came to the area to marry a different woman but has fallen for Isobel. So the entire book is their story of getting to know each other and working towards their betrothal. The first part of the book involves Alistair helping out with Isobel’s run-down home. There is one particular scene where Isobel has a fright during a storm and ends up locking herself in her room. Some very funny moments follow this scene and I very much enjoyed it.
In the second half of the book, we see Alistair trying to renew a relationship with his father and working to change his circumstances so he can make the future he wants for himself and Isobel. We also follow along as Isobel encounters a ghost and has to decide if it’s all in her imagination or if there is actually a woman haunting her future father-in-law’s home. I am not a suspense-lover, so there were a couple of moments that had me a little freaked out. But, thankfully, everything had a logical explanation and Isobel’s imagination was only partly to blame.
This song is slightly edgey but so sweet, like our lovebirds:
The growing love between Isobel and Alistair was adorable. Even when they had a misunderstanding, they both tried to make up in their own ways and it was super sweet. I am so pleased with this clean series and really hope that there’s more in store for it.
Oh, and the flash fiction at the end needs mentioning! I am a huge fan of flash fiction and short stories. I think it is amazing that an author can give you an entire experience in such a short work. My favorite pieces this time were Sir Tristram Invites a Scandal and Christmas Riddles.
And, finally, what I imagine would play while the credits roll:
Happy reading!
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🤖 Always written and edited without the use of AI.
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