Member Review
Review by
Sara B, Reviewer
One Night in Hartswood by Emma Denny
Thank you Netgallery and Mills & Boon for an ARC for an unbiased review.
Confession time. Never, ever, in a million years did I think I would be reading a Mills & Boon book (Harlequin for those of you across the pond). Yet here I am. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a book snob, and just because I've never read one (until now) it doesn't mean I look down at those who do. I even knew someone who was published by them. It is just usually not my genre at all.
But this one? This one is unapologetically LGBTQIA! And I'm a bit of a sucker for historical fiction. How could I not read it?
Did it hold up? Within the genre it definitely has. In fact, this could easily be touted by other publishing houses out there as a Romance/Historical fiction book and it comfortably fits.
So yes, we see a happily ever after. Yes we are slightly more romance perhaps than historical fiction, but it generally worked for me. I would have liked a little more on the historical side, but considering the fact it's a M&B it was actually more than I expected. If romance is more your genre, and LGBTQIA rep is important to you, then this definitely hits those notes.
Raff and Penn, the main characters were engaging and so too were the side characters. Lily especially intrigued me. I'd love to see another book going forward with her story, as hints in regards her sexuality were there. I've no idea if that is planned or not, but I feel it could certainly work within this setting.
This wasn't quite a full stars book for me, but I always need to sit back and think: wow - after reading for that to apply on my reviews. So don't take it as a slight I'm putting this down at 4/5 stars. It was good! Great in many spots. Just a little too predictable at times, hence my knocking a star off. Some readers will consider it good enough for full ratings though of that I've no doubt.
If this is the direction Mills & Boon continue to take, I guess I will be reading more content from them. Huh. Who would've thought that? Not me, that's for sure.
4/5 stars 🌟
Thank you Netgallery and Mills & Boon for an ARC for an unbiased review.
Confession time. Never, ever, in a million years did I think I would be reading a Mills & Boon book (Harlequin for those of you across the pond). Yet here I am. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a book snob, and just because I've never read one (until now) it doesn't mean I look down at those who do. I even knew someone who was published by them. It is just usually not my genre at all.
But this one? This one is unapologetically LGBTQIA! And I'm a bit of a sucker for historical fiction. How could I not read it?
Did it hold up? Within the genre it definitely has. In fact, this could easily be touted by other publishing houses out there as a Romance/Historical fiction book and it comfortably fits.
So yes, we see a happily ever after. Yes we are slightly more romance perhaps than historical fiction, but it generally worked for me. I would have liked a little more on the historical side, but considering the fact it's a M&B it was actually more than I expected. If romance is more your genre, and LGBTQIA rep is important to you, then this definitely hits those notes.
Raff and Penn, the main characters were engaging and so too were the side characters. Lily especially intrigued me. I'd love to see another book going forward with her story, as hints in regards her sexuality were there. I've no idea if that is planned or not, but I feel it could certainly work within this setting.
This wasn't quite a full stars book for me, but I always need to sit back and think: wow - after reading for that to apply on my reviews. So don't take it as a slight I'm putting this down at 4/5 stars. It was good! Great in many spots. Just a little too predictable at times, hence my knocking a star off. Some readers will consider it good enough for full ratings though of that I've no doubt.
If this is the direction Mills & Boon continue to take, I guess I will be reading more content from them. Huh. Who would've thought that? Not me, that's for sure.
4/5 stars 🌟
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