The Secrets of Colchester Hall

Though tormented by the death of his first wife, Viscount Sterling needs an heir. He invites six eligible young ladies to a house party, planning to choose a bride from among them.

Lady Angelica isn't romantic. She has no desire to marry. But since the death of her father, she and her mother are falling into straitened circumstances. A good match will save Angelica's family home.

From the time she arrives at the house party at Colchester Hall, Angelica feels a strange presence around her. Despite the attraction between her and Sterling, can she be happy living in this eerie place? And was there more to the death of the late viscountess than Sterling has revealed?

This light Gothic romance novella has well-developed characters and an intriguing plot. The brisk pacing keeps the story moving. Despite the short timeline, the romance develops gradually, driven by mutual understanding more than sensuality.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received.

After the death of his first wife, Randolph invites a group of ladies to his estate with the intention of choosing one as his bride. As soon as Angelica arrives, she sees shadows and feels chills in the air. If Randolph chooses her, she is not sure she will be happy in this creepy house.
Opinion
This was an interesting, quick read. Though I guessed the ending, I was still enthralled with the story. I’ve recently started reading historical novels but this is the first ghost story I have encountered. This was a fun read.
Many thanks to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

If a book has Sophie Barnes name on it, I am automatically going to purchase it. This author has a way of inviting the reader into her stories and you cannot put the book down until you have turned the very last page. Angelica and Randolph are no different. I love the truly Gothic feel to this book. Readers will really enjoy.

Creepy, twists and turns, but the intrigue will keep you turning the pages! Lady Angelica and five other debutantes are brought together in a gothic style home to be promenaded for a bride position. Viscount Sterling has decided he needs a heir, so he has gathered the women like livestock to choose one for his lucky bride.

Angelica feels an evil presence or something lurking around her, but she doesn’t know how to explain what the feeling of disquieting that is surrounding.

The author takes a short story and turns it into a polished storyline with characters that you can like, the intrigue is interesting and the conclusion is not what you think!

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley and these are my willingly given thoughts and opinions.

This was an enjoyable gothic romantic mystery - sensual and spooky and very easy to read. I absolutely loved the main characters and would even like to see some of the secondary characters with stories of their own. (Perhaps they already exist and I haven't discovered them yet!) Quick read - I got through it in one pre-bed sitting as it's novella-length.

This was an exciting book to read. There was mystery, suspense and love . The plot was quite complicated but kept me wanting to know what was going to happen. I do recommend that you read this book.

I seriously enjoyed this book. It’s a novella with a mystery, a group of young women not high on the marriage Mart, and a widowed Viscount searching for a bride.

Angelica is bookish, out spoken and honest. When the castles ghost decides to seek her out for help, she will be lead on quite a journey.

Randolph needs a wife and an heir. What was he thinking inviting young women for a week? Meeting Angelica isn’t what he expected but hes attracted to her and wants to know her better. Will history repeat itself?

A good read and I seriously enjoyed it a lot.

Will the shadows of his past doom their future ...

How fun this read is, the tension slowly but decidedly increases, like a gothic tale to read snuggled under a thick blanket with warm tea and a cat at close reach when it reaches its peak.
I loved how Mrs Barnes created the perfect atmosphere, I felt the chill like Angelica, my guys in knots not knowing what will happen but expecting something.
I do not know why but from the first lines, I thought of Rebecca.
For Angelica and Randolph It is not love at first sight but there is an instant connection between them, something that reaches them deep, drawing them to one another but something else lurks in the shadows and make them reconsider a relationship.
I loved Angelica’s bluntness, she is quite abrupt but she is true to herself, honest and never lie. Even more when she realizes why she was among the potential brides selection. Not enough attractive to turn other men’s head.
Randolph is leaking his wounds, thus his solution for the requisite heir, six lingering on the edges of the marriage market forgotten debutantes. Yet, unexpectedly he is attracted to one of his prospective choice, her liveness and frankness so refreshing. And despite his doubts, he listens to her, and sees her beyond her appearance.
5 stars for this to shriver tale.

I read this previously published novella in the Wicked Liaison novellas bundle.

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen detailed lovemaking scene.

A quick mysterious romance with a little side of the spooky!

The Viscount Stirling has decided tat after 2 years of widowhood, he is ready to find a new wife. He has assembled six leftover eligible women form the latest London season to his home to select one to be his bride.

Lady Angelica has gone through few seasons and does not want to marry… she especially doesn’t want to become mistress of a home that literally gives her the chills and where she feels like she is constantly under watch… At first she chocks up her creepy intuition to her love of gothic novels, but as her relationship with he Viscount advances she becomes determined to get to the bottom of the spooky goings on at heal before she will consent to marry the Viscount.

This was a good gothic tale that had me interested in the characters and the mystery from the beginning. Sometimes a story with a gothic element can wan on my patience, but I found the gothic elements and their progression well done, especially in this shorter novella timeframe.

This was a fun, quick read and I highly recommend this book to fans of historical and gothic romance.

An Unexpected Temptation by Sophie Barnes is scheduled to release January 12th, 2021.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from author Sophie Barnes through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#TheSecretsofColchesterHall #SophieBarnes #Netgalley #pinkcowlandreads

A gothic story of a woman, Angelica, who travels to Viscount Sterling’s home to be among five other candidates to be chosen to be his bride. While Angelica and Sterling do feel an attraction, there are darker forces trying to keep them apart. I received an ARC from Net Galley and the publisher for my honest review.

Angelica and Randolph's story is a spooky one. Filled with mystery and ghost it is on the paranormal side.
I have read Sophia Barnes books before just not the paranormal ones.
It is a good book nevertheless.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and am leaving this review voluntarily.

After the untimely death of his first wife, Viscount Sterling needs to remarry and produce an heir. He invites a number of young ladies for a house party at Colchester Hall hoping to find his next wife. None of the young ladies spark any interest until he meets Lady Angelica, a young woman who is quite outspoken in her honesty. Lady Angelica has no desire to marry the viscount especially after she feels a ghostly presence in the hall. Can she reconcile what this unusual presence wants with the lord of the manor she begins to feel an attraction to?

I enjoyed this story and the paranormal aspect of the mystery of what happened to the first wife was a good twist. The story is short, but moves along at a good pace to keep the reader engaged until the last page. Ms. Barnes teases out the clues and though I had figured out who the villain was, the way events happened in the past was engaging.

An interesting Bachelor/Gothic novella. Sophie Barnes is a great writer. Her characters are interesting and the plot is always intriguing. She kept the suspense up throughout this book and the romance was developed nicely. A great read!

I received an advanced reader's copy of this novella via Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 / 5 stars -> rounded up because I know this genre is not typically my cup of tea and I probably have some bias.

The Secrets of Colchester Hall is a short, light novella encompassing the Regency-era romance of Lady Angelica and Viscount Sterling. The Viscount's home, Colchester Hall, is haunted by the spirit of his late wife who died under "mysterious" circumstances. Needless to say, the haunting places some strain on the courtship process.

This novel is well-paced and Angelica is overall very likable. Personally, I could take or leave Sterling. The romance is somewhat whirlwind, but this doesn't tend to peeve me as much in historical fiction compared to modern romance. Considering the circumstances, the protagonists share a fair amount of chemistry.

Unfortunately, the "twist" in this novella -- that Mrs. Essex, the jealous housekeeper, murdered the late Lady Sterling -- is rather obvious from about the halfway point. A touch more subtlety or complexity to the antagonist's character could go a long way. I was also oddly thrilled when Angelica was thought to be "dead" in the final chapter. I found the prospect of her haunting Colchester Hall for the rest of eternity to be a sad, but romantic idea, perhaps somewhat in line with the gothic novels she loves so much. I felt like a bit of a sadist when I was disappointed she lived.

Generally well paced, the length of this novella is perfect to convey the story. Some of the narration in the first chapter is awkward, but could be easily mended with some light edits. Unfortunately, I also really dislike the cover art. It comes across as cheesy and Angelica's dress is not period-appropriate.

Overall, The Secrets of Colchester Hall is a decent novella, but does not particularly stand out among the crowd, especially in a literary field dominated by writers such as KJ Charles whose stories have a bit more "bite" to them. If this is a genre you regularly enjoy, you may wish to pick it up as a comfy afternoon read.

The Secrets of Colchester Hall, makes me think of one of the Gothic novels that ladies read during the Regency period. When I first began it I thought it was going to read like The Bachelorette series. It did kind of start out that way though but not in the end.

Is there a ghost at Colchester Hall and what are its secrets? I don’t read a lot of gothic romances and this was a nice change of pace from my other reading. The clues as to the mystery are revealed seamlessly and even though you can figure out the real villain you still need to know the whys and hows. I loved Angelica’s sense of humor, frankness and overall loveliness. Randolph could not have picked a more perfect bride to complement him. This is a great short story to while away a Sunday afternoon.

I LOVED THIS! So much gothic goodness that I was actually feeling all of the shivering from the Colchester’s frosty halls.

Our dashing Viscount Sterling has been widowed for two years and is ready to dip into the debutante market. Randolph has invited six ladies to his home, but only picks the “castoffs” of the season hoping to stave off potential infidelity on his new bride’s part. We come to find out many revelations about his past bride – some tragic and some woefully wrong.

Lady Angelica is attending this event only for her mother’s wish to find a suitable husband. She is much more interested in her books and her independence. Once they meet, there is an instant curiosity for her to explore further. Not a love at first sight, but definitely a peaked awareness as they converse. She catches his mind with her wit and straightforwardness and the fact that she is not tripping over herself to woo him. But she is really getting the “cold shoulder” so to speak from the haunted house and all its secrets.

For such a short story, all the characters are well written. The romance is somewhat of a slow burn, not an instant attraction, which was good. You can see their mutual fondness move to much more in only a week. And what an eventful week that was to be.

One of the cutest sidekicks is Angelica’s newfound friend Lucy. While they are competing for the hand of the Viscount, they are both not really into the whole thing. The other candidates are mildly a part of the story, but the main nemesis is the beautiful Mrs. Essex. She is constantly about and poking in at just the wrong times. Oh, and so much more in this tasty little novella. Pick it up and cozy down for an afternoon in Regency London.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An interesting novella with a great storyline!
******
Rating: 4 Stars
Steam: 1 flame
Genre: Gothic Paranormal Regency Romance
******
This short gothic regency romance novella was quite entertaining. I haven't read very many of these so I was interested in trying a new genre and a new author (to me).

Viscount Sterling (Randolph), a widower, is looking for a new wife. He has invited 6 eligible ladies to his home in order to see if any capture his attention. All the women are quite different, and one does capture his attention. Lady Angelica.

Lady Angelica is bold, outspoken, and just a tad bit sassy. The banter between her and Randolph is entertaining. But there is something more going on in Colchester Hall. and could Angelica be lost in her active imagination? Or is there something more sinister afoot? Will history repeat itself?

This book had some interesting twists and turns. It was like an onion with many layers. It was an engaging Saturday afternoon read that kept me reading until all the clues were revealed. I enjoyed this book and look forward to more reads by Ms. Barnes.

This Angelica and Sterling’s story. She is invited to his house party as a possible bride. She feels like she’s being watched. He decides he wants. I found the story eerie and exciting.

Viscount Sterling has invited six women to his home with the intention of choosing one to be his wife at the conclusion of their stay. Angelica is less than thrilled with participating in this function but finds she has a good banter with the Viscount. What’s not so great are the voices she keeps hearing and the spookiness of the home. Will she get to the bottom of what is haunting the house? Will the Viscount find his match?

I was expecting a more straightforward romance when I went in, what I typically find with historical romances in fact. This novella was a nice surprise as it melded together some romance, regency and a good old-fashioned ghost mystery. The storyline kept me guessing, intrigued and waiting for the truth to come out!

Character-wise, the author was successful in getting me to feel some type of alway toward each person. I could feel the care and tenderness of Angelica’s mother, one of the other women I was hoping would get slapped, the Viscount I just wanted to shake at times. All of this helped get me invested in their futures.

Overall, I rated four stars as I enjoyed the story, characters and it was something different!

Thank you to the author and @netgalley for this opportunity. I have voluntarily read the novella and this review expresses my own personal opinion.

Series: Standalone
Publication: 1/12/21
Number of Pages: 114

Chills, shivers, and shakes will pass down your spine as you travel the dark hallways and rooms of gloomy Colchester Hall. Something sinister is there – something that is just – wrong. When you have a brooding Viscount along with six debutantes and their chaperones all contained within those halls there is a mighty chance of a haunting.

Randolph Benedict Scott Trevarian, Viscount Sterling, has been a widower for two years and has decided it is time to remarry and begat an heir. In this marriage, he’ll have a wife he can be sure of – one who won’t test his heart. He sent out six very blunt invitations to a ‘house party’ that included things like … “I am in need of a wife and your daughter could be a suitable candidate for the position.” From those six young ladies, he’d choose the most compatible for a wife. He certainly didn’t foresee the bluntly-spoken, very honest young woman who captured his attention from the first day.

Angelica Florence Northbridge is far from enthused about traveling to Colchester Hall in response to the invitation. In Angelica’s opinion, the blunt invitation wasn’t deserving of a response much less an actual visit. However, her mother, Rose, insisted they go. Angelica felt two things almost as soon as she entered Colchester Hall – she felt an immediate attraction to Viscount Sterling and she felt sinister fingers of coldness at her neck, back, and ankles. Was the Hall really that drafty?

As Angelica and Randolph are more and more drawn to each other, the forbidding coldness always seems to be at her back – it is everywhere she goes – and she has begun to have strange, eerie dreams. Unexplainable dreams – as if she is someone else in the dream. As she realizes what those dreams mean, it will turn her world upside down – along with the relationship she’s begun to forge with the Viscount.

I thoroughly enjoyed this well-plotted, well-written, well-paced, and well-delivered tale. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Angelica and Randolph because they were truly lovely people and their romance was totally believable. They were perfect for each other. This book isn’t listed as part of a series, but I truly like to see Miss Lucinda Harlow (Lucy) featured in a book. I really liked her and would love to see her find her HEA with her Mr. Elliott Thompson.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It was short but it was very good. Angelica Florence Northbridge did not have a successful season. Two years ago Randolf Benedict Scott Trevarian's wife had died. He had spent two years mourning and thought he might be over her by now. Angelica was one of six women and all of them had failed seasons for one reason or another. He needed an heir so look he must. Angelica had a straightforward, honest way of speaking. Most men hated how she told them the truth of the matter. Most men did not like this. The mystery was good and kind of shocking.
The characters were great and their spending time with each other was so romantic. Her mom was a sweet woman that a daughter could love so much. It had a fast but even pace and made the tale so easy to read. It was delightful and entertaining. I recommend this sweet little mystery.
I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it. Thank you.

Lady Angelina Northbridge and her mother have been invited to meet Randolph, Viscount Sterling, at his home, Colchester Hall. His blunt invitation stated he's in need of a wife. Two years ago his wife died under tragic circumstances. Angelina makes six debutants competing to be his wife. The first time Angelina walks into her room, she senses and then dreams of Randolph's dead wife. A fast paced, short Gothic romance, for a Viscount to find a wife and a spirit to reveal a murderer. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

At only 113 pages, I breezed right through this short novella, folks. If you pay close enough attention you will likely pick up on subtle clues that reveal the actual facts behind a certain someone’s previous death before all is confirmed. I must admit I did. The paranormal element did add an intriguing touch, btw, especially when Randolph experienced a slight dose of it himself.

Inviting a pack of passed over ladies from the Ton’s marriage mart to select a bride was Randolph’s ruse of trying to play it safe. However, you could also look at it from a positive perspective that at least this guy isn’t so shallow he’s completely hung up on looks alone. I got to say at least in my mind I chose to envision Angelica, the heroine, as a lovely, breathtaking vision, at all times and not as Randolph more than once described her and the others as being not particularly pretty. At least her outspoken personality won him over first, foremost, and pretty much from the get go. His angry demeanor and lashing out when something was said or done that he didn’t like had me raising my eyebrows in concern a time or two regarding his attractiveness. Naturally, of course, he is quite the handsome, wealthy catch.

Angelica seemed to roll with the punches and everything else thrown her way. Too forgiving and quick to let Randolph off the hook even comes to mind. With how short this novella is, the author was wise not to overly complicate the plot. Claims of feelings when they really had not spent that much time together yet wasn’t overly surprising either since the clock and page count were ticking away.

It’s weird to feel the dead wife is the one who really, and I mean REALLY, got the short end of the stick here. Knowing Randolph did love her and then circumstances took the turn they did was like a tough, dry piece of cracker I had no choice but to swallow without a drop of water to help it go down. Without a doubt, he’d still been with his first wife if she’d not died. Supposedly, he did develop strong feelings for Angelica and emphatically embraced those and the notion he now loved her, even found her to be exquisite by the end. I certainly hope so, folks, was my final thought.They certainly seem happy to now be together.

All in all, I enjoy this author and look forward to future releases.

Title: The Secrets of Colchester Hall, Author: Sophie Barnes, Pages: 113, pub date: 1/12/21, short novella, stand-alone, paranormal element, widow hero looking for a bride, impulsive, outspoken, speaks her mind heroine, big reveal, OW never much of a competition, only one steamy scene. Rating: 3 - 3.5 stars

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review. There is no affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author, publisher, NetGalley, or PR firm.)

This novella packed quite the punch. It had a great deal of information tucked into fewer pages than a normal book. However, I didn't feel as if I missed out on anything in the storyline. It felt fleshed out and complete in its story telling. I suppose that it's possible there could have been a bit more character development. Yet I didn't feel as if it took away from the story any.

Angelica is one of several eligible young ladies invited to Viscount Sterling's estate for a "bridal competition" of sorts. The viscount wants to marry again and brings these ladies there to meet and hopefully find a candidate to wed. He is instantly taken with Angelica. She quickly notices a feeling of unease at the estate and soon suspects it may be haunted. Unfortunately for her, she also finds herself attracted to Randolph (aka Viscount Sterling) which means she may have to overlook the haunted estate or find out who or what is haunting it.

Several mysteries are uncovered over the course of this short novella. It was an quick and enjoyable read. Ms. Barnes is most certainly a talented writer of historical romance. This book blended the period writing well with a touch of paranormal and it was a great combination.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I chose to voluntarily review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

Lady Angelica Northbridge has been invited along with her mother, Rose, to the home of Randolph Trevarian, Viscount Sterling. He has also invited several other young ladies and their mothers for him to meet and from which to choose a bride. His first wife, Katrina, passed away some years ago. Upon arrival, each lady is shown to her room by Mrs. Essex, a lovely woman who is the housekeeper. Angelica immediately thinks something is strange about her.

Most of the young ladies act properly, but one, Lady Seraphina, is quite forceful and thinks that she already will be the one he chooses.

Randolph meets with each young lady alone to chat. He is amused to find that Angelica is quite frank when talking to him, even saying she did not care for the dinner that had been served and suggested other dishes instead.

Angelica who has always been a gothic novel enthusiast which may be why she seems to feel someone looking at her and other creepy feelings. As she gets to know Randolph better, she also learns from the housekeeper that his wife had died in a very horrific way. She can’t help but feel evil surrounding her and is sure something menacing is after her as well.

I believe this is the author’s first gothic type book I have read and it certainly sent chills down my spine. It doesn’t help that it’s also a chilly day here in Florida! As always, Sophie Barnes has written yet another delightful novel. She is definitely a favorite of mine and I hope she’s a favorite of yours as well.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

3.5 stars

I received an ARC from the author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I did not intend to read another Sophie Barnes book again any time soon, given my issues with her last several releases and my promise to stop faithfully reading authors in hopes they’ll be good and letting myself suffer. But The Secrets of Colchester Hall is one of those rare examples of her stepping outside her wheelhouse, and I just had to check out her take on Gothic romance, despite my own complicated feelings about the genre.

And while I’m not in love with it, as it’s still too short to be substantial and has some of the same pitfalls of other SB shorts or not having enough room to fully flesh out her high concept ideas, it’s definitely better and more interesting. While the genre is new to her, Barnes captures the Gothic atmosphere well, with a mysterious undertone that kept me on the edge of my seat.

While I didn’t find myself overly invested in the characters, I enjoyed them for what they were, finding myself in their relationship in the midst of the odd things going on around them.

This is a nice short Gothic read, capturing the best of the genre, that will appeal to ardent fans. And even if you’re not, it will scratch the itch for an atmospheric historical romance novel.

The Secrets of Colchester Hall by Sophie Barnes is the story of Angelica Florence Northbridge and Randolph Benedict Scott Trevarian the Viscount Sterling. Randolph is a widower who has decided to move forward with finding another wife. Randolph thought to throw a house party giving him the chance to get to know the women he has narrowed it down to. When Randolph and Angelica meets sparks fly between the two. Angelica has an attraction to Randolph but something inside the Colchester Hall is causing her unease. I have always enjoyed Ms. Barnes's writing and so happy that this was another great read!

The Secrets of Colchester Hall, by Sophie Barnes. This was a good romantic suspense book. The book kept be intrigued from beginning to end. I loved the entertainment and the happily ever after moment. I was pleased about the romance between Randolph and Angelica. I found the romance to be light, not to much drama and very endearing. The writing focused on the mystery of the story, but at the same time she focused more on the romance that was growing between Angelica and Randolph. I enjoyed all the aspects of this book. I received a free copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Take a stroll on the dark side of a captivating yet complicated love story. Barnes lures hearts inside of a fairytale that's as intriguing as it is heartaching. The Secrets of Colchester Hall is a mind game that is always one step ahead. Caught in a spiraling maze of twists and turns, emotions run deep and danger runs wild. Randolph and Angelica send chills down the spine as they cast a haunting spell that refuses to be broken.

I received an advanced reader copy (ARC) from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review of the novel.

"The Secrets of Colchester Hall" is the perfect size for a short story or novella. I enjoyed the plot, including the supernatural elements, which is not typically found in this type of historical romance. The novel was aptly-paced and the characters well-developed. While I did see the climax coming and the reveal of what happened to Lord Sterling’s wife, there were enough twists to keep me guessing. The plot reminded me of Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier. The description and imagery drew me in and I enjoyed both Angelica’s and Lucy’s dialogues.

Overall impression: I would definitely recommend this novella!

Rating: 4.5 stars

Oh how did I enjoy this novella! It was mysterious, classic, romantic and some adventure.

If you want to escape the real world for some hours and meet Viscount Stirling and his Angelica, please go grab this book - it's worth it.

From page 1 I wanted to know why Angelica got an invitation from Viscount Stirling that promises marriage at the end of two weeks. And, as Angelica is a very strong and independent woman, of course she did not want to go excpet for her mother's wishes.
We accompany Angelica on her way to Colchester Hall and get to meet five other lovely (more or less) ladies as well as the Viscount himself and his staff. And from the moment you meet Viscount, you will be drawn to him, to his world, but also to danger as there is a ghost floating around in those old walls.

It was very well written and I could not put the book down. I did enjoy it very much and can only recommend it!

***
Oh, wie hab ich das Buch genossen! Es war mysteriös, klassisch, romantisch und ein Hauch von Abenteuer.

Wenn du mal gern für ein paar Stunden der Realität entfliehen möchtest, dann schnapp dir das Buch, treffe auf Lord Stirling und seine Angelica und mach dich auf die Reise!

Bereits von Seite 1 war ich gefesselt von dem Buch und konnte es nicht mehr aus der Hand legen. Ich wollte unbedingt erfahren, was es mit der Einladung, mit dem mysteriösen Herrn Stilring auf sich hat und was den Mrs. Essex eigentlich so treibt. Wir begleiten Angelica auf ihren Weg und erfahren, Seite um Seite, Satz um Satz, mehr, was eigentlich so passiert ist in den alten Gemäuern. Die Autorin hat es geschafft, dass sie mich in meinen Bann zieht und ich unbedingt herausfinden wollte, was in den alten Gemäuern denn so passiert ist.

Der Schreibstil war sehr fein und flüssig und auch das Englisch war angenehm und gut zu lesen. Auf jeden Fall eine Empfehlung wert.

Wonderful fast read! I enjoyed reading the story of Lord Randolph search for a new bride. His first wife passed away two years ago in a tragic death and now haunts the halls of Colchester Hall. No one seems to know of her existence.
Randolph has carefully selected six women in contention to be his new wife and has invited them, along with their chaperones to a house party.
Angelica has caught his eye as a contender, and she is looking at it as a competition, even if she is not interested in marriage. But something is strange going on. She seems to be the only person that gets chills, sees something that isn’t there. The mystery of Randolph deceased wife has many questions to be answered and is her ghost helping Angelica or jealous of Angelica?  I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story.

Widowed for two years, Randolph Benedict Scott Trevarian, Viscount Sterling, is hosting a house party to find a new bride. He has invited six young women, including Angelica Florence Northbridge, and their chaperones to this party. As soon as Randolph decides he will choose Angelica, strange things begin to happen. In a perfect Gothic setting, cold spots and vaporous visitors makes Angelica sure that someone does not want her to wed Randolph. Is it the ghost of his first wife or someone among the living who’s causing trouble and trying to prevent a happily ever after? A quick entertaining read with interesting characters, including a ghost. I enjoyed and recommend it.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

A Gothic Regency Romance story that kept me turning pages. Lady Angelica and Viscount Randolph Sterling's story of suspense, drama, danger, evil closer than he realizes, murder, and romance. A story that was well worth reading. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Widowed Viscount Sterling, still needs an heir so after an appropriate amount of mourning he invites six women of good standing to his home for a house party, with the intent of picking one of them as his next bride. Among them is Lady Angelica. She feels something eery in the house as soon as she arrives and can't get over the feeling that she is being watched. Sterling is attracted to Angelica, and she is attracted to him. but she can't get past the weird feeling she has. Then she encounters the ghost of his previous wife who is trying to tell her the truth of her passing. Was it an accident, as everyone claims or was she murdered. Angelica knows she will never find peace with sterling until they unravel the mystery. and is willing to risk her own life to do it.

I received this book from Netgalley. Randolph Benedict Scott Trevarian, Viscount Sterling, a widower, decides that inviting 6 wallflower debutantes, and choosing one from among them is the best way to choose his new wife. He is immediately attracted to Angelica Florence Northbridge. Unfortunately,  she has no desire to wed him as she feels super uncomfortable at the castle due to  a cold air, possibly a ghost that is constantly around her. Sophie Barnes has done a commendable job in writing her first supernatural story.

I’ve so enjoyed Sophie Barnes books and while this one is a bit different it was a pleasure to read. If you love gothic stories this is the one for you. While it’s short, it’s fulfilling and grabs your attention from the start.

Randolph Trevarian, Viscount Sterling Has invited six passed over ladies to his home in search of a bride to begat an heir. Angelica Florence Northbridge Was reluctant to go but her mother insisted. Right from the start Angelica felt something cold and sinister was there but she was drawn to the handsome Viscount. He in turn found her blunt and outspokenness refreshing.

This is a great story that makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Randolph and Angelica were well suited to one another but he was somewhat of an angry man who felt guilt that could stand in the way of his happiness.

Sophies imagery was captivating and as well written story. The dialogue was befitting the characters and her character development was just wonderful. I was happy to see Randolph and Angelica find their way to one another. This was a great story to read and you can feel Angelica’s trepidation throughout, a credit to the author.

Thank you so much Sophie for such an entertaining tale and romance.

Loved the suspense! Great characters, Angelica is so strong! Randolph is interesting, and seems like a good man. I won't tell you the plot, but it's good! Really liked Lucy and hope things work out for her. The story reminded me a wee bit of Rebecca...

It’s not illogical that the result of a man discovering that his late wife was unfaithful would be for him to ensure that his next wife wouldn’t be tempted. Or in the case of Viscount Randolph Sterling’s search for a new bride, wouldn’t be tempting to others.

The problem is that his next viscountess really does need to be tempting to him.

It’s a conundrum that he intends to solve by inviting six women who are “on the shelf” to his home, with their chaperones, in the hopes that one will strike his fancy – even if it seems that the entire ton has labelled them as unmarriageable for one reason or another.

Three are shy to the point of paralysis, which explains their lack of previous offers. One is a bit shy, but is mostly disqualified because she’s already in love with someone else, who of course doesn’t seem to notice that she exists. (I really liked Lucy and wouldn’t mind seeing her story!)

One of the eligible ladies has the personality of a narcissistic velociraptor. And I might have just insulted velociraptors. It’s clear upon first meeting that the reason no one has offered marriage to Lady Seraphina is because she’s a vicious bitch. And again, that’s an insult to both vicious people and bitches. She’s a piece of work.

That leaves our heroine, Lady Angelica. She’s not shy. In fact, many might say that her lack of shyness, certainly her lack of what was considered decorum and proper behavior for ladies, was the reason that no one – at least so far – had wanted to marry her. Angelica speaks her mind, to the point where she is considered to be blunt to a fault.

Angelica is exactly what Randolph Sterling has been looking for. Over the course of a week where he “interviews” all of his prospective brides, he already knows that he has made his choice.

If Angelica will agree. And if the malign spirit that seems to haunt Colchester Hall will let her live long enough to reach the altar.

Escape Rating B+: For a surprisingly short book, The Secrets of Colchester Hall manages to encompass some seriously creepy Gothic chills while solving the mystery of those titular secrets and leading to a satisfactory – and heated – romantic happy ever after.

Of course, the protagonists need the heat of that HEA to get over the chills induced by those terrible secrets.

The Secrets of Colchester Hall is billed as a gothic romance, and was originally published as part of an anthology of gothics. Gothic romances are a subgenre that isn’t as popular as it was once upon a time, so it was fascinating to read one that invoked some of the classics of the genre.

There are hints of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey, to the point where that story is deliberately lampshaded in the bookstore when the hero recommends the book to the heroine. A heroine who is a fan of such gothic romances, as is the heroine of Northanger Abbey herself.

But it feels like the real inspiration for this foray into those secrets at Colchester Hall is Dame Daphne du Maurier’s classic creeper Rebecca. The story has several similar elements, enough to let a reader predict at least some of the outcome. But it stands more than well enough on its own to keep the reader shivering and turning pages to the very last.

What makes this one stand out is the character of Angelica. Her bluntness and plain-speaking make her easy for contemporary readers to identify with, and her willingness to say what she really thinks, no matter the social cost, provides the story with many of its best and most lighthearted moments – as well as providing Sterling with all the reasons he could ever want to ask Angelica for her hand.

Like most gothic romances, there is more than a bit of willing suspension of disbelief involved. The actual villain of the piece is flesh-and-blood and certainly among the living, and that person’s machinations are plausible. Sinister, murderous, manipulative, but still plausible. But there’s an element of paranormal woo-woo involved in most gothics and this one was no exception. Angelica is receiving messages from the beyond and those messages are getting her attention – as well as the attention of the villain. That the story requires her to believe those messages and for the hero to believe her and not have her committed, is a bit of a stretch.

A stretch that works, and chills the reader right to the bone.

I really enjoyed this quick read. I was pleasantly surprised by the fully developed and complex story told in such a short book.I really enjoyed the hero and heroine and their path to finding love and solving this mystery. I think you will like this book? Give it a try.

Awesome book!! I enjoyed the plot and characters. I thought the pacing was good. Sophie Barnes writes a great book.

A very entertaining historical romance novella - well written. Angelica and her mother have gone to a creepy, gothic style manor house to participate in a week long house party. Turns out there are 6 young ladies and their chaperones invited, a la Bachelorette. Viscount (Randolf) is searching for a new bride after his previous wife died two years ago. Are there ghosts? Is Angelica imagining the cold, strange breeze swirling about her and the glimpses of shadowy figures. What about the attractive, yet mysterious housekeeper. Who will win the hand of our handsome hero? A fun read with a slow burn romance - or as slow burn as a novella can be. My thanks go to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in return for my opinion.

A Recluse. A Lady. A Mystery.

The Secrets of Colchester Hall is a novella by Sophie Barnes. Viscount Sterling is a man who knows his duty is to marry and pass along his title. His first wife died under mysterious circumstances and he has finally decided that it is time to marry again. He invites six young ladies to his house to be considered for his wife.

One of these young ladies is Lady Angelica. Lady Angelica is the last unmarried female in her family. If she doesn’t marry Viscount Sterling, her mother will lose her home. As Lady Angelica gets to know Sterling, strange things began to happen.

Viscount Sterling and Lady Angelica are drawn to each other through spending time together. They know that they are attracted to each other, and yet strange occurrences cause them to question each other.

Secrets have a way of being found out and truths will be revealed. Will the truth that haunts Colchester Hall be exposed before tragedy once again strikes?

This story had me guessing who or what was behind the strange happenings at Colchester Hall. It was a good paranormal novella with a satisfying end.