I really enjoyed this imagining of the life and desperation that led to some great literature. I forgot how young they all were and what a loss it was.

I wanted to love this. I should have loved this. But, every time I read this I dozed off and fell asleep while reading. So despite my best efforts, over days, I could not finish this book.

Wow, what a great book. It took a little bit of time to really get going but once it did, I was hooked. The title and description really don't do it justice. Only a very small part of the book is really about the man in the stone cottage and Charlotte's search for him. I was under the impression that Emily would die fairly early in the novel and a huge percentage of the book would be Charlotte tracing Emily's steps, trying to figure out if this man actually existed or was one of the Gothic figures that make all Brontë books so creepy. However, Emily is one of the main characters and doesn't die until about 3/4 of the way through the book. Even Branwell has a much bigger part than the man in the stone cottage.

More than anything, this book explores the lives of the Brontës, but it thankfully omits their childhoods and starts when they're all in their mid or late twenties. The characters all were beautifully drawn and felt incredibly real to me. Charlotte was a bit of a sourpuss, too serious for her own good at times. And Emily was strange and wild and lovable and infuriating. Anne was sweet and down-to-earth and reliable. Branwell was a bit of a nutter who squandered every opportunity to fall into the ditch right in front of him that he somehow couldn't see. Even their father, Papa Brontë, felt completely realized and behaved in ways that always felt accurately to me.

Anyone with any interest in the Brontës will find something to love about this book. You don't have to have read every book by them to enjoy it (I have only read some of their novels) but having a broad knowledge of their books will come in handy. Knowing at least a bit about how Heathcliff is portrayed and the main plot of Jane Eyre will likely make this book more enjoyable.

I really was quite surprised by how much I enjoyed this book, and the main reason was because of the characters. It's been a long time since I read a book with such believable, unique characters, when I could tell who was narrating even if it didn't say since their voices were so different. I think I'm going to go check out other books by this author. If they're anywhere near as good as this book, I'm sure I'll be a fan.

The titles and cover caught my attention; Stephanie Cowell's writing had me hooked!
The Bronte sisters wrote in different styles, but each captured the imagination of their readers. This work of fiction puts the reader in their lives as they could have lived. By using the known facts about the sisters and the times in which the lived this book wraps in wind of the moor, drafts of the parsonage and heartbreak of love lost.
Do yourself a favor and get lost in the pages of "The Man in the Stone Cottage".

The Man in the Stone Cottage, by Stephanie Cowell, is a glimpse into the lives of the Brontë sisters.  The book is historical fiction, and Cowell did a good job weaving history and fiction to make the book both informative and enjoyable. The insight into their too-short lives will leave you a bit sad. I appreciate NetGalley and the publisher for providing the ARC ebook that I read and reviewed. All opinions are my own.

A very, very odd book. Kind of depressing, but that's what I expected going into it. The Brontë sisters lived hard lives and died too young.

The book is very slow paced. It follows Charlotte and Emily (obviously we see Anne, as they interact with her, as well as the useless drunken brother Branwell) as they write poetry and novels and try to find some financial security. The premise of this book is Emily falls in love with a shepherd on the moors. As far as we know, this was an invention of the author, though it would be nice for Emily if it were true!

Overall, it's historically accurate, so the ending is quite sad. If you're an ardent Brontë fan, I'd recommend it, but it you don't love their work, it might be a tough read.

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Regal House Publishing, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles. All opinions are my own, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Historical Fiction, Book Club Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Family Drama, Books About Books, Books About Authors, Women's Fiction, Literary Fiction
Spice Level: An affair is mentioned along with longing for men
Language: I just finished the novel, and I don't remember one swear word

THE MAN IN THE STONE COTTAGE, a stunning novel that kept me mesmerized and questioning what was real and what was delusion.

This is seriously one of my favorite books of the year. It's a slim novel but so dense with rich content. The writing is very approachable and it's easy to read. But the themes! The questions it made me ask! And of course, the Brontës and their desolate lives are the key to all of the other questions I asked of myself.

Emily—taciturn and isolates herself
Anne—quiet and attached to Emily
Charlotte—yearns for more
Bramwell—troubled and depressed
Patrick (the father)—stubborn and grieving

Do I need to know the Brontës' novels before reading this book? No, but it will enrich your experience, especially with the gothic elements

Is this novel historically accurate? The author did extensive research and includes real people and overall, real situations, but the author had to take artistic liberty. I felt like it was accurate enough that I was absorbed in the world.

Is the man in the stone cottage real or imaginary? I could make an argument either way. At one point I was convinced he was a delusion, but at another, I was sure he was real. This is one of those novels with an ambiguous ending and up for personal interpretation. I finished it today, and I am not sure which way I would vote.

- For anyone who love any of the Brontës' books, this is a must read.

- If you enjoy historical novels, especially set during the Victorian era, run out and buy this book.

- For book clubs, this book will give you an opportunity for debating and sharing your questions—it's the perfect book club fiction.

- If you dream of the moors, this book is for you.

It is truly fascinating, and I think everyone should read it.

Yes, I highly recommend this book if you hadn't caught on to how I feel about it! It would get more than 5 stars if that was an option.

Happy reading!

Stephanie Cowell's novel, The Man in the Stone Cottage, is a captivating historical account of the 19th-century Brontë family. Cowell masterfully crafts a narrative that transports readers into the lives of this remarkable family, offering a glimpse into their daily struggles and literary beginnings. With meticulous attention to detail, Cowell skillfully develops each character, allowing readers to form vivid mental images of the Brontë siblings. The novel focuses on the complex relationships between Charlotte, Emily, Anne, and their brother Branwell, who reside with their father, a local pastor, following their mother's untimely passing. As the story unfolds, Anne and Branwell depart for a nearby town to assume positions as live-in tutors for a wealthy family, leaving Charlotte to bear the responsibility of managing the household. This weighty obligation significantly influences Charlotte's life and writing. Meanwhile, Emily's more carefree nature affords her greater freedom during this period. Cowell's engaging narrative is both well-crafted and concise, rendering the book an effortless and enjoyable read. However, readers may find themselves reluctant to bid farewell to the characters they have grown to cherish. This book undoubtedly merits a 5-star rating.

It’s 1846 in Yorkshire, England, and the only members that are left of the Brontë family are Charlotte, Anne, Emily and their father and brother. Their mom and two sisters are already in the tomb. The little family is close as always, especially the sisters, who share everything. The girls try to get published in order to support their family, while their brother just adds to his bar tab and their aging father is going blind. As they struggle and face rejections, Charlotte is suffering from being spurned by the man she loves, while Emily wanders off. Is it to see a lover? No one has ever seen him, and Emily is given to fancy. Years later, after Emily has died, Charlotte wonders if the mystery man was real or a figment of her sister’s imagination.

This is an enjoyable attempt by the author to imagine the secret lives of the Brontë sisters. It was fun to learn possible motivations behind the writing of "Jane Eyre” and “Wuthering Heights”. The scenic descriptions are vivid and the character development is great! Told from varying viewpoints, we learn about the characters' motivations and feelings.

The Man in the Stone Cottage is a quietly compelling read with a fresh and original premise. The pacing is steady and assured, gradually drawing the reader into a world shaped by long-held secrets and shifting loyalties. As a long-time fan of the Brontë canon, I particularly enjoyed the reimagining of the Brontë family dynamic — it added a thoughtful, emotionally layered dimension that felt both familiar and newly imagined.

While the writing felt a little uneven in places, the strength of the concept and the clarity of the narrative drive kept me engaged. It’s a novel that leans more on atmosphere and character than high drama, and its quiet momentum builds toward a satisfying close.

A reflective, slightly offbeat take on literary legacy and family tensions, ideal for readers who enjoy a twist of history with their suspense!

This is a story that revolves around the lives of the Brontë sisters, a fictionalized version of the lives of the family, with the majority of the story focuses on Charlotte, Anne, and Emily, but there is more to the stories of their family and the differences in their lives, as well. There is a son who seems to have chosen a different kind of life, a somewhat darker and disturbing life, which often affects their family, as well..

This is occasionally somewhat focused on the differences that seem to seep into their lives, especially the strange tendency to be somewhat reclusive, as well as wanting to be known.

Overall, an interesting glimpse into the lives of the Brontë sisters.


Pub Date: 16 Sep 2025

Many thanks for the opportunity to read Stephanie Cowell's fictional story of the Brontë sisters lives

With historical facts and a magical imagination, Stephanie Cowell has recreated the adult lives of the Brontë sisters. Having been to Haworth and the Brontë parsonage, I was enthralled by Cowell’s descriptions. The majesty and moodiness of the moor comes alive in both a vivid reality and a mysterious otherworldly character. The spirit of place is truly alive and well in this novel. Cowell’s depiction of each sister, Charlotte, Anne, and Emily, impresses upon the reader the nuances of their different personalities and shared interests in writing. Branwell’s character also shows the love between family and his tragic fate.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and found the voices of the characters compelling. Thanks to NetGalley and Regal House for an advanced copy.

This was such an emotional read it made me cry on some of the chapters, I thought the story was moving and beautiful. I read the other stories by this author and I think this one was really good as well.

The Bronte sister’s life is known to us yet still mysterious and their stories are timeless and evoke human emotions so raw and brilliantly expressed that it leaves the reader powerful and lasting impressions.

Despite their early education and talent, they were dealt hardships in their short lives. As children they were left much on their own because of their mother’s death in 1821 and the death of their elder sister’s Mary and Elizabeth. These sad circumstances left them to take care of each other.
As they grew older, their father Patrick Brontë eyes were failing him and with the potential threat of his income as a minster and rectory being taken from him and their brother Branwells inability to establish employment for various reasons, they faced homelessness or the workhouse.

Charlotte, the driving force to publish their writings, begins to seek a publisher for her work and encourages her sisters to do so as well.
Stephanie Cowell has masterfully written a story about the cherished Brontë’s adult life in Yorkshire and brilliantly weaves in a story of Emily meeting a mysterious man on one of her walks on the moors.

Cowell’s ability to take readers to time and place is truly wonderful and adsorbing. I couldn’t put this story down. I will certainly purchase a physical copy of this book when it comes out.

Stephanie Cowell is such an amazing writer. I adore all her novels. I am grateful to be able to read an early online digital copy of The Man in the Stone Cottage. My favorite chapters were the ones concentrating on what I like to call a' Wuthering Heights' influenced love story between Emily Bronte and Johnathan the shepherd. Chapters also focus on Charlotte and Emily while concentrating on highlights of both siblings personal and professional lives.

I cried through the chapters that mentioned sisters Charlotte and Emily's remembrances of their departed mother, Maria Bronte. I swear Stephanie Cowell has a way of writing sibling familial love, tragedy, and trauma so beautifully.

The Man in the Stone Cottage by Stephanie Cowell is a warm and wonderful book about a family we think we know so well but perhaps a writers imagination can show you another beautiful perspective of a family's life.

I really enjoyed The Man in the Stone Cottage by Stephanie Cowell. It’s a fictional but believable look at Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Brontë, based on what we know about their lives. Cowell does a great job bringing their struggles, talents, and relationships to life in a way that feels real. The book shows the challenges they faced both personally and as writers, giving fans a fresh perspective on these famous sisters. Definitely a great read if you like historical fiction and the Brontës!

When writing about classic authors it’s essential to get your facts straight, and other than the imaginary ‘Man in the Stone Cottage’ the writer has certainly done her homework. Having lived near Haworth, and knowing it and the Parsonage well as a native, I can say I recognise what is described. The Bronte’s also seem to reflect the real family as they are usually thought of. There’s a real challenge in adding a fictional figure to a real life story, and I felt that in this instance, though he took the title of the book, he, and his relationship with Emily, didn’t feature anywhere near enough. It felt largely incidental, that he would crop up from time to time but really didn’t take a title role, and that was a shame. The Brontës are very much woven through English culture, so if you’re going to weave fact and fiction together it needs to be compelling and convincing and I felt it fell a little short. But it was an enjoyable read, nonetheless.

This novel, based upon the literary Bronte family of the 1800s England, does not stray too far from what are well-known facts with the exception of a speculative love interest for Emily Bronte. The three sisters, Anne, Emily, and Charlotte, daughters of a clergyman, well-educated but raised in genteel poverty, became authors under male pseudonyms out of financial necessity. The story is told with just the right amount of detail. Bronte fanciers will love this, but most readers of historical fiction would like it for its word picture of life in the time and place of 1800s Yorkshire, England,

"The world cannot know what to do with a brilliant woman. A brilliant, penniless one is worse."

This book transported me to the brooding Yorkshire moors just as Wuthering Heights did almost 60 years ago. The Man in the Stone Cottage is beautifully written, giving more life to the Brontë sisters than historians recorded for us. Charlotte's longing for passion and a soul mate gave us Jane Eyre, who reflected the only respectable career for a highly educated woman, a teacher or a governess. The three Bronte sisters chafed at the restrictions society imposed on them, pouring their souls into their poetry and novels. Stephanie Cowell has put a spotlight on their brilliance in a time when women's value came solely from their bodies and housekeeping. Life was difficult for the Bronte sisters, but their books are timeless. Ms. Cowell's The Man in the Stone Cottage made me appreciate them in new ways, and I am grateful.
I look forward to rereading it once it's published.

This book tells the sweeping love stories of the Brontë sisters. From Emily’s secret love for a man who lives in an isolated cottage on the Moor to Charlotte’s infatuation and unexpected love. Stephanie’s story is well researched and has the right amount of imagination for a fictional novel based on historical figures.

Stephanie’s writing perfectly captures the sister’s grief, loss, freedom, captivity, ambitions and responsibilities. I made so many highlights while reading. I loved the connections it made to each of their novels. However, you do not need all the scholarly context to enjoy this book, it stands well as a story of its own. I have read a few fictionalised adaptations of the Brontës and find it interesting what authors choose to omit, include or add and how the characters can be portrayed so differently. If you are a fan of Karen Powell’s ‘Fifteen Wild Decembers’ then it is definitely giving this a read.

My one small gripe with the novel was ‘Where was Anne?!’ As all too common among stories of the Brontës Anne is reduced to a mere side character, even though she was a compelling author in her own right. Even Branwell had more pages dedicated to him than she did! The story changes perspective between Emily and Charlotte which makes the lack of Anne even more glaringly obvious. Perhaps this only bothers me as I am a die hard Anne apologist. However, it did not take away my enjoyment of this book overall. I would love to read Stephanie’s other historical novels but they seem difficult to find! I give this book 5 stars.

Thank you Regal House Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.