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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
dearest_marianne's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
verosnotebook's review against another edition
4.0
3.5*
Unusual mix of romance and gothic supernatural, featuring a haunted house, and dealing with marital and parental abuse. Rather heavy subjects but thankfully there are lighter notes that offer some kind of balance. I did like the main characters although the male one seem a tad too good to be true. Still, very enjoyable :O)
Unusual mix of romance and gothic supernatural, featuring a haunted house, and dealing with marital and parental abuse. Rather heavy subjects but thankfully there are lighter notes that offer some kind of balance. I did like the main characters although the male one seem a tad too good to be true. Still, very enjoyable :O)
jeanninedc's review against another edition
4.0
The Widow of Rose House is excellent historical fiction with a dose of romance seasoned with a surprisingly plausible touch of the paranormal. Set in 1875, Alva Webster has returned to the United States in search of a fresh start after the horror and scandal of her marriage and divorce in Europe. But her efforts at rebuilding her life by restoring Liefdehuis mansion are stymied when the scandal follows her, and only the new on again, off again, friendship with inventor Sam Moore, who seems totally unaffected by her reputation, keeps her from being completely ostracized. At the same time, odd things begin to happen at Liefdehuis and Alva has difficulty keeping workers, and even she begins to have strange experiences. It is with Sam's assistance that the two finally discover the truth about the former inhabitants of the house, as well as themselves in the riveting conclusion.
Really excellent historical fiction with a fairly non-intrusive romance - it plays an important role, but doesn't take over the entire plot. There is already a good amount of tension from the incredible cold-shouldering Alva receives from society and her family, but the paranormal elements really ratchet it up. This is most definitely not a happy spirit (giving nothing away here). The limited role women were allowed to play is its usual frustrating reality, and how remarkably easy it was to shatter Alva's reputation. It was quite interesting to see the very beginnings of "Interior Decoration," in action and as a new concept, and Sam and his family of inventors are a pure delight. Recommended.
My copy was an ARC from NetGalley.
Really excellent historical fiction with a fairly non-intrusive romance - it plays an important role, but doesn't take over the entire plot. There is already a good amount of tension from the incredible cold-shouldering Alva receives from society and her family, but the paranormal elements really ratchet it up. This is most definitely not a happy spirit (giving nothing away here). The limited role women were allowed to play is its usual frustrating reality, and how remarkably easy it was to shatter Alva's reputation. It was quite interesting to see the very beginnings of "Interior Decoration," in action and as a new concept, and Sam and his family of inventors are a pure delight. Recommended.
My copy was an ARC from NetGalley.
kblincoln's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars actually.
The media copy calls this tale of a haunted house, an abused woman, and a handsome inventor "effervescent", and it truly is. Not just because of the gilded age, and the carriages, houses, and dresses.
At one point deep within the story, Sam Moore (aforementioned famous inventor who is apparently a Viking masquerading as an absent-minded professor, ink stains, muscles and all) reflects that his warm family, intelligence, and upper middle class life has instilled within him a sense that everything will work out in the end. That's the feeling that permeates this story, despite the gothic house full of rumors and squirrel nests, and the haunted background of heroine Alva herself.
Alva has just returned home to New York from France after the death of her husband left her with freedom and money for the first time. Followed by vicious rumors of scandalous behavior, Alva is fiercely determined to make something of herself despite everyone. She buys Liefdehuis, an abandoned mansion, with the intent of remaking it as part of a book publishing project about interior design.
Only one problem. The entire work crew quits in the first week citing multiple "hauntings." Just Alva's luck that she bumps into Sam Moore, famous inventor and scientist, who desperately wants to study Liefdehuis as he does any scientific problem.
Will Alva's husband haunt her from beyond the grave? Can Sam convince Alva of her own worth? This is a lovely, escapist read with a bit of steam once Sam wears Alva down with his humor and adorable absent-minded professorness. Mostly its a tale of toing-and-froing across New York in carriages and listening to servants babble and the Moore family be ridiculously affectionate in the midst of experiments blowing up, and Sam and Alva learning to love each other. Without the bit of gloomy ghost parts, its almost...homely and pleasant in the mundane portrayal of affectionate life in the upper/middle class, like sitting beside a roaring fire with a steaming cup of tea and a cookie.
The media copy calls this tale of a haunted house, an abused woman, and a handsome inventor "effervescent", and it truly is. Not just because of the gilded age, and the carriages, houses, and dresses.
At one point deep within the story, Sam Moore (aforementioned famous inventor who is apparently a Viking masquerading as an absent-minded professor, ink stains, muscles and all) reflects that his warm family, intelligence, and upper middle class life has instilled within him a sense that everything will work out in the end. That's the feeling that permeates this story, despite the gothic house full of rumors and squirrel nests, and the haunted background of heroine Alva herself.
Alva has just returned home to New York from France after the death of her husband left her with freedom and money for the first time. Followed by vicious rumors of scandalous behavior, Alva is fiercely determined to make something of herself despite everyone. She buys Liefdehuis, an abandoned mansion, with the intent of remaking it as part of a book publishing project about interior design.
Only one problem. The entire work crew quits in the first week citing multiple "hauntings." Just Alva's luck that she bumps into Sam Moore, famous inventor and scientist, who desperately wants to study Liefdehuis as he does any scientific problem.
Will Alva's husband haunt her from beyond the grave? Can Sam convince Alva of her own worth? This is a lovely, escapist read with a bit of steam once Sam wears Alva down with his humor and adorable absent-minded professorness. Mostly its a tale of toing-and-froing across New York in carriages and listening to servants babble and the Moore family be ridiculously affectionate in the midst of experiments blowing up, and Sam and Alva learning to love each other. Without the bit of gloomy ghost parts, its almost...homely and pleasant in the mundane portrayal of affectionate life in the upper/middle class, like sitting beside a roaring fire with a steaming cup of tea and a cookie.
syza17's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
mistywhyte's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
opheliasviolence's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
5.0
(4.8)
I first heard of this book, if I'm not mistaken, on the She Wore Black podcast. The host, Agatha, recommended it for those that love gothic stories.
This is a cozy gothic romance with a dash of mystery. It's perfect for reading with a nice cup of tea during winter. It's the kind of book you want to savor.
I really enjoyed my time reading this book. The only reason it got 4.8 instead of 5 stats was because I wish it had a tiny bit more of the mystery/ supernatural elements.
Overall, a great read. I'd recommend to those who like historical romance, gothic novels, or cozy mysteries.
I first heard of this book, if I'm not mistaken, on the She Wore Black podcast. The host, Agatha, recommended it for those that love gothic stories.
This is a cozy gothic romance with a dash of mystery. It's perfect for reading with a nice cup of tea during winter. It's the kind of book you want to savor.
I really enjoyed my time reading this book. The only reason it got 4.8 instead of 5 stats was because I wish it had a tiny bit more of the mystery/ supernatural elements.
Overall, a great read. I'd recommend to those who like historical romance, gothic novels, or cozy mysteries.
joromney's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
bitterlina's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5