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kwebster's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Very sweet, gentle, and easy to read. I enjoyed tearing through it!
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse
clairew97's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Abandonment, Sexual content, Alcohol, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Grief, Homophobia, Medical content, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Vomit, Blood, Body horror, Physical abuse, Child death, Classism, Death, Death of parent, and Panic attacks/disorders
wilybooklover's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
4.0
Most of this, I adored. How tender and caring the romance was; how charming the two leads and their siblings were. The characters were well fleshed out with distinct personalities and I loved the delicious pining in the first half of the book. I thought the author dealt with the topic of abuse thoughtfully, especially in regards to the intimate scenes. Raff's family dynamics were great; I'd love to read more about Ash or Cecily in a sequel or two.
However, the pacing felt a bit off. There was virtually no plot for the first three quarters of the book (which I actually loved, as a big fan of 'no plot just vibes' books) and then a lot of action and drama crammed into a final act that was drawn out far too long. At times the dialogue felt a bit clunky and there were some jarring POV switches, which I'm attributing to this being a debut.
I also wish the early mediaeval setting had been explored a little more in depth. It was really just scenery for the most part and could have been set at any time pre-18th century given how little detail there is. There wasn't even a mention of the plague!
However, the pacing felt a bit off. There was virtually no plot for the first three quarters of the book (which I actually loved, as a big fan of 'no plot just vibes' books) and then a lot of action and drama crammed into a final act that was drawn out far too long. At times the dialogue felt a bit clunky and there were some jarring POV switches, which I'm attributing to this being a debut.
I also wish the early mediaeval setting had been explored a little more in depth. It was really just scenery for the most part and could have been set at any time pre-18th century given how little detail there is. There wasn't even a mention of the plague!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Violence, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, and Animal death
Minor: Xenophobia, Death of parent, Homophobia, and Animal cruelty
anathema99's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I'm crying. I think this is the first time I've finished a full book since I forgot how to read in 2020.
As much as I enjoyed the whole time Raff and Pen traveled together, this book shines in the later chapters when it all starts to seem hopeless. The way Penn's political savvy led to the resolution, how he faced his father, Johanna's actions, Raff'a survival—I read it in a day. He would've been good at ruling if he didn't give it up but I'm glad he did for how soft and hopeful the ending was.
Ash was my favorite the whole time. I thought he'd be some bully brother but he turned out to be much more. I wish we got more details on what happened to Leo and some more depth into Johanna and Lily. Maybe it could be a sequel.
10 fucking stars out of 5.
As much as I enjoyed the whole time Raff and Pen traveled together, this book shines in the later chapters when it all starts to seem hopeless. The way Penn's political savvy led to the resolution, how he faced his father, Johanna's actions, Raff'a survival—I read it in a day. He would've been good at ruling if he didn't give it up but I'm glad he did for how soft and hopeful the ending was.
Ash was my favorite the whole time. I thought he'd be some bully brother but he turned out to be much more. I wish we got more details on what happened to Leo and some more depth into Johanna and Lily. Maybe it could be a sequel.
10 fucking stars out of 5.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Violence, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Xenophobia and Vomit
sefkhet's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A bit of a slow start, and deeply unrealistic, but incredibly compelling!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Sexual content
llyfrauginger's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I devoured this book. Beautifully written and so easy to get lost in. The romance is well paced and the characters are loveable; you can tell the author herself really loves the characters, which gives everything such warmth.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Animal death, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Death of parent, Grief, Homophobia, Terminal illness, War, Chronic illness, and Confinement
bbbeth's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.75
Thank you to NetGalley and Mills & Boon for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.75⭐️
One Night in Hartswood is a really charming, quiet, heartwarming debut. I was drawn in by the little snatches of hints about the characters' backstories, and quickly grew to love them - Raff's quiet calmness with a racing mind, and Penn's gentle, ever so broken and yet still so charming spirit.
The romance was well written, starting off as strangers who share a kiss, to a gentle friendship with wild sexual tension - I was rooting for them.
While the characters did have reasons to lie to each other about their identities, I did find myself getting a little frustrated with how long it went on for, and then the inevitable fallout it caused - but I am not a fan of the miscommunication trope in general. Their reconciliation was really sweet. And I have to say, I was really gobsmacked for a moment when we were made to believe that Raff had been killed off. My heart was in my THROAT for those pages, waiting for the shoe to drop. Thankfully it did and all was well...
I did find that the middle of the book edged towards too slow pacing, and I found some of those parts tricky to drag myself through.
But on a whole, I really enjoyed this book. What a lovely read.
3.75⭐️
One Night in Hartswood is a really charming, quiet, heartwarming debut. I was drawn in by the little snatches of hints about the characters' backstories, and quickly grew to love them - Raff's quiet calmness with a racing mind, and Penn's gentle, ever so broken and yet still so charming spirit.
The romance was well written, starting off as strangers who share a kiss, to a gentle friendship with wild sexual tension - I was rooting for them.
While the characters did have reasons to lie to each other about their identities, I did find myself getting a little frustrated with how long it went on for, and then the inevitable fallout it caused - but I am not a fan of the miscommunication trope in general. Their reconciliation was really sweet. And I have to say, I was really gobsmacked for a moment when
I did find that the middle of the book edged towards too slow pacing, and I found some of those parts tricky to drag myself through.
But on a whole, I really enjoyed this book. What a lovely read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Homophobia and Animal cruelty
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