I absolutely ADORED this book.

It is no secret that I am not a fan of romance novels. Mostly because authors tend to think that a romance novel needs horrible misunderstandings or detailed sexual encounters. Sian Ann Bessey however, redefines those notions and had this reader hooked from the very first page. This book is full of delicious history, all that is beautiful about the medieval world, from lords to ladies, heroes to maidens. 'For Castle and Crown' was impossible to put down, and a book that has stayed with me long after I turned the last page.

For Castle and Crown
Genre: Medieval Historical Romance
Tropes: Emotional/Physical Scars, Friends to lovers, Nobility, Return home, Peril to hero/heroine
Spiciness: Very Mild.

This is the story of Lord Edmund, as he returns home from the crusades after travelling with, and witnessing the capture of, King Richard. He left as a second son, and returns as Duke after the death of his brother. Lady Phillipa, his childhood friend, was injured in the suspicious fire that killed Edmund’s brother, and is hiding and healing at the nearby convent. While Edmund adjusts to the role of leadership and protects his castle from ambitious neighbors, and Phillipa heals her mind and body, their friendship grows into something more.

The pacing is slow and steady, sometimes sluggish, but never completely stalls. Edmund was at times uncertain, and poor, sweet Phillipa was at times straggling on the edge of TSTL.The point of view alternated between Edmund and Phillipa, although their inner voices are a bit indistinct. Their personalities seemed very similar; they seemed compatible.

I liked that the steady development from friends to lovers. There are some sad parts and mild amounts of angst. There is some fighting and moderate violence.

At times the writing was a bit stiff, and the mysterious happenings were all too clearly non-accidental and malicious very early on, lessening the suspense. Also, the story meandered ponderously into an overly sweet HEA. And everyone seemed way too clean for medieval times. Some modern phrasing felt slightly off, the quadrille was mentioned about 600 years earlier than actually practiced, wound care seemed way too advanced for the time. The small issues stood out more because I did not find the story enthralling.

Lord Edmund of Hawksford returns home to find things much changed. With Edmund's brother, the duke, and his new bride having recently died in a fire, Edmund has inherited everything. Edmund is even more devastated when he learns his childhood friend, Pippa, almost perished in that same fire. Although Pippa has removed herself to a nearby nunnery, Edmund cannot resist reaching out to her.

Edmund plans to make a new life at Hawksford, but he wants his good friend Pippa by his side. He doesn't see scars when he looks at Pippa, only beauty, and Edmund is determined to make her realize she has not lost her worth. Together they come to the realization that the fire was not accidental. When danger threatens Pippa, Edmund must go to battle for everything he loves or risk losing it all.

FOR CASTLE AND CROWN is enthralling. It grips you from page one and just doesn't let up. Pippa and Edmund both lose things very dear to them in their lives, but they always have each other. I was so moved by Edmund's ability to see the woman Pippa is and was deep inside. Her scars were never even brought into consideration. Pippa is just as steadfast as Edmund. She overcomes her fears and doubts to be with Edmund, the friend she has come to love. Together these too can and do move mountains. FOR CASTLE AND CROWN is not to be missed! I cannot wait to read more by author Sian Ann Bessey.

Lord Edmund returns from several long, hard years fighting with and for King Richard to find his home a shadow of what it had once been. Lady Philippa, scarred from a tragedy, helps the new Duke find the truth.

These two characters lept from the page for me. Edmund was an honorable hero and it wasn't hard to be on his side right from the start. Philippa was the same. She was kind and gentle and had an independent spirit appropriate for the time period.

The mystery did keep me guessing right up until the villain was revealed. The plot moved at a steady pace and was not hard to follow. It put me in mind of Robin Hood, without the outlaw part, if that makes any sense.

This is a medieval romance I would recommend to any fans of the era.

Review Sweet romance with some action. Very fast and light right, but I enjoyed it and did entertain me. I enjoyed this glimpse into medieval day-to-day life. Thank you publisher and netgalley for this arc in exchange

What a great book, set in the early centuries. Loved the friends and family themes all through the book as well as the royalty back then

I wanted to like this book and if had been a simple love story between Pipa and Edmund, I would have liked it. But with all the other drama going on, it just felt forced.

This book contained may of the elements that enjoy: action, romance, political intrigue, and a fascinating time period. It is a clean read, with a bit of violence and Christian themes.

There is not much to the storyline. It is over-buried with descriptions. Some descriptions, for example of events, are very dry, like reading an encyclopedia.

I love the balance of action, suspense and romance in the story. I didn't want to put the story down until I found out how it ended. There was enough uncertainty that a happily ever after wasn't a guarantee!

Great read! Love the story of Pippa and Edmund! Not your typical historical romance as this takes place in the 12th century, which is refreshing.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋
What an awesome book , loved the story, the relationships between the two main characters was wonderful, known too each other from childhood, each struggling with there own problems, but not too proud to help and be helped by others .
This is a great , clean , action packed romance . I can’t wait to read more from this author x

I received an Arc copy of this book from Netgalley, and chose to submit a review .

Lord Edmund of Hawksford wounded while on the Crusades is finally returning to his ancestral home. He’s been fighting for King Richard and ready to return home to a joyful reunion to only be met with devastation to learn his brother the William the Duke and his wife both died in a fire at the Hawksford Castle and he’s now the new Duke. Lady Phillipa, his childhood friend survived the fire, but was severely burned in an attempt to save William and his wife has secluded herself away with the nuns. Edmund returns home to find his brother gone, his Mother in morning and his cousin up to no good. Pippa and Edmund become reacquainted, they find themselves falling for each other. But first they stop whatever force seems to be trying to stop Edmund and everything he loves. A captivating story of two wounded people who were childhood friends who reconnect after a few years apart.
This is my honest opinions after I voluntarily read a copy of this book that was provided to me with no requirements for a review.

This has the perfect mixture of romance and adventure, with a strong heroine who was able to stand up for herself. It was also interesting learning about the politics of Wales and England at the time.