I was just expecting a late Victorian/Edwardian romance, but I got much more; a really strong, rather gothic storyline, a wonderful, smart, wounded heroine and a lovely inventor/science geek hero. First of all, the setting was somewhat unusual for a gothic. Rather than being set in England or Europe, it was set in the Hudson River Valley of New York. That's where our intrepid heroine, Alva, an infamous widow thanks to the lies her late, unlamented husband spread about her, buys an old estate with the hopes of renovating it so that she can write a design book aimed at making interior design accessible to the middle classes. Unfortunately, her new house comes complete with rampant ghost stories and hauntings.

It's this reputation that attracts Sam, an absent-minded but brilliant inventor who comes from a brilliant, eccentric family made wealthy and famous by dint of the various inventions and patents. Sam is a bit obsessed with investigating ghosts in hopes of quantifying them and proving that they actually do exist. As soon as he hears the rumors, he introduces himself to Alva and requests permission to investigate her ghosts. He's also absolutely thunderstruck by a strong attraction to Alva. Unfortunately for him, she does not want to get involved with him, refuses his requests to come and investigate her house, and doesn't believe in ghosts. However, she arrives in upstate NY to find that her workmen have all run off and if she's to have any hope of getting them back, she will need Sam's help to try to get to the bottom of it all.

Alva had a horrible childhood, and was married off at 16 to a monster. Now that she's finally free, she has plenty of trauma to deal with and just wants to get on with her life. Sam meanwhile is everything sweet, light and easy to Alva's darkness and the two of them together were just magical. Their romance was swoony, there were plenty of sparks, and Sam was so considerate and so in love with Alva, although admittedly, he was sometimes a bit dense when he got caught up in one of his inventions. There were just enough spooky moments for me without overshadowing the romance, and I felt the ghost elements were very well done. I absolutely loved this book and am having a hard time believing that this is the author's debut.

When I first read the synopsis of The Widow of Rose House, I was halfway in love already. Even two weeks after finishing this new release, I still can't stop thinking about it. This Gothic Romance is EVERYTHING I want and love in historical romance. It is the perfect October read. The supernatural elements blended so beautifully with a captivating story of identity, love, and hope. The vulnerability of the characters was a refreshing change of pace that surprised me at every turn.

The moment I finished The Widow of Rose House, I immediately went to buy everything Diana Biller had ever written. Imagine my surprise when I found out this was her debut. I was rocked. With this as the first in her resume, you can rest assured that many more amazing books are sure to follow! This one stands out among the genre in a refreshing way and is not to be missed. It’s available now, so run to your favorite retailer and one click! You can thank me later!

At first glance there is nothing about this cover that would make me this book is for me. I don’t read horror and I hardly read historical. But a few weeks back I saw someone on the Twitter talking about this book. The blurb refers to it as a “Gilded Age romantic comedy.” I knew I needed to step out of my normal reading bubble and give this a try. It was worth it.

CW: References to domestic abuse, ghosts/supernatural forces, shitty parents.

The heroine Alva is a widow who has returned to New York after living in Europe for ten years with her husband who has passed away. She has been the subject of ugly rumors about her. She purchases an old house in the country and it going to rehab it and write a book about it. (Gilded Age fixer-up)

The hero, Sam is a swoon worthy scientist. When he learns that Alva’s home is rumored to have ghosts, he wants to study the house. For science. But Alva is having no parts of it.

Alva married young. Her parents were terrible. Her husband was terrible and did not value Alva as a person. No one has ever loved her or taught her that she is worthy and deserves love.

Sam comes from a tight knit, if a little over the top and eccentric family. Sam and his whole family see women as equals, which this is not common for the time period, 1875. Sam is incredibly kind but persistent with his affections for Alva. Sam continues to show up for Alva and earns her trust and her love. I really loved this pairing. Sam nevers gives up on Alva, even when it seemed like Alva gave up on them. I really recommend this book. I know it has a high price point, especially for a debut, but I think it is worth it. Here are some quotes to help you make the decision.

Sam to Alva while talking about his family.

You’re the Samuel Moore. The Moore Conduit. The Moore Rail System. The Moore lantern.” “Actually, I only invented two of the Moore lanterns,” Sam said. “There are four. My parents have one apiece.” “And your parents! I met them! John Moore!” Sam grimaced. “Yes, it’s a shame he’s so much more famous than she is. It’s a travesty, actually— she’s every bit as important, but no one seems to care. Does this mean you’ll let me look at your house?”

Sam to Alva-

“Let me be clear,” he said. “I do want to use your house. I’m hopeful I can either convince you or irritate you or charm you into letting me do so. But whether you do so or not is entirely your decision, and I’m not going to fly off the handle if you refuse me. Even if you never let me in that house again, I’ll continue to think you’re a charming, funny, intelligent woman whom I like and respect very much.”


“This isn’t about real life. Real life is people leaning on each other when things are hard. It’s loving each other so much there’s no question about facing things together. It’s fighting for each other and with each other and being damned grateful for every morning you wake up together. I’ve seen real life, and it’s not what you’re choosing. You’re choosing fear, and control, because you don’t want to get hurt again.”

Alva to Sam-

“No one’s going to hurt you,” he heard himself say. “I’ll see to it.” She laughed, but it sounded empty and mean, as if she was mocking herself. “I’ve been rescuing myself for a while, Professor Moore. It’s just… I’d rather not add ghostly specters to my enemies.”

“What are you afraid of?” His voice was soft, warm. Confident that, whatever the problem was, he could fix it. A simple question, with a simple answer: everything. She was afraid of the whole jagged-edged world, with its trapdoors and sticky webs and predators whose claws never released their prey.

And in case you need more convincing, here is a quote that made me swoon-

There was nothing to be done— he was in love with her, he always would be, and that was that. She was his person. If she was complicated, then he loved her complications, too.

Grade: A

Told from a dual point of view in the voices of our main characters; Professor Samuel Moore and widowed Alva Webster, this story weaves the tale of a woman whose running from her many past demons. We first meet Alva when she comes back from Europe to New York where she is faced with the scorn of the upper class elite being shunned from everyone including her mother for a slanderous reputation that her dear deceased husband had spread to the masses when she had dared try to escape the abusive marriage Alva was stuck in. We learn that Alva had essentially been a child bride who’d been shunned by her parents for an indiscretion that in this day and age would have been severely condemned. This leaves Alva alone in the world with no one but a husband who loathed her very presence. When he finally dies, Alva set on moving on with her life buys an estate type home in the country, a house with its own history of demons that had left it abandoned for fear of what was behind those doors.

A very skeptical Alva comes actos Professor Samuel Moor who is immediately captured by Alva and seeks to be in her presence as much as possible. An adorably and endearing character, Professor Moore easily wins over everyone he meets (and readers every where) with his quirky personality and even quirkier family (family of scientists with a penchant for explosions) but has to work extra hard to win over the understandably weary Alva. Upon realizing that no contractor will work on her new home without the exorcising of the ghosts that go bump in the night, Alva begrudgingly accepts Sam’s help to study her home and rid it of ghosts.

What begins as a begrudging acceptance of this man in her life, quickly forms into a friendship and slowly but surely into a romance that leaves readers breathless for more. But with the ghosts of her home and her past hounding Alva, a society that torments women both dead and living, and trust issues a mile high, our main characters’ road to happily ever is not an easy one.

An easily five star read, this book keeps you glued to its pages from the beginning and while I have not heard anything about a sequel, I am seriously praying for more Alva and Professor Sam!


*E-ARC provided in exchange for honest review*

If you’re a regular visitor here on Maureen’s Books, you’d know that I’ve been on a Romance reading spree for the last couple of months. So when I saw the cover of this book and read the book description I knew I wanted a chance to read this book. And as fast as I could, I started reading.

In ‘The Widow of Rose House’ we meet widow Alva Webster in 1875, who has recently moved back to New York for a fresh start. After being married to an abusive husband Alva just wants to make it on her own. To make her fresh start she takes on the job of restoring an old mansion, which is apparently haunted. When professor Samuel Moore arrives at her doorstep with the suggestion he might be able to help her, she soon finds herself without any other options than to join forces with him.

This book started a little hard for me. I just couldn’t really get into the story to be honest. And honestly I think that has more to do with me, than with the writing itself. And fortunately I slowly began to love this book more and more.

It had been a while since I read a historical romance novel and this one is unlike any other I read. But I definitely enjoyed it, more than I thought I would. The two main characters Alva and Samuel are so different, but still so perfect for each other. I just loved reading there story and everything about them. Sure, there where some things I didn’t think where all that historical accurate, but it didn’t bother me at all.

The whole ghost thing was interesting enough, but not all that important to me. I just loved the romance and getting to know both Alva and Samuel better.

Overall this book was definitely a nice change from the many contemporary romance novels I read.

The Widow of Rose House is a standalone book by Diana Biller.

When I read the blurb of this book I was very excited about reading it. It is set in America during the Gilded Age, a favourite time of mine and the characters sounded charismatic. Add to that the paranormal aspect of the book and I thought I would really love this book. I am very glad to say that I was right and this book was even better than I hoped.

Alva Webster returned to America after spending years abroad with an abusive husband. She is a widow now and despite living with an unearned reputation of being a less than virtuous woman, she is making the most of her life. She has a deal with a book publisher to release a book about renovating a dilapidated house and decorating it etc. Her problems begin when she finds out that the house is haunted and the crew hired to do the renovations runs away when they see ghosts. Everything is on hold unless she can either prove there are no ghosts, or she can find a way to discover them and get rid of them.

Samuel Moore is an eccentric professor who is always thinking of new things to make life easier, be it a machine to tie shoelaces or finding new ways to light houses. His whole family are famous for their scientific inventions. When he hears about Alva's possibly haunted house he asks if he can look around the place. At first, she refuses, but when her workmen run from the place, she realises that Samuel might be the only one who can help her with her ghost problem.

There is a serious attraction between them, one that Alva tries to fight as much as possible. She's been hurt too much in the past and is still dealing with the fallout of her time abroad and when her husband died. Even her parents want nothing to do with her. Samuel's charm, his loyalty, and his tenaciousness start to wear down her resistance, but a secret she holds and her fear of being hurt could still stop his hope of a romance in its tracks.

Is the house really haunted, and if it is can they exorcise the ghost/s so that work can continue on the house and Alva can carry on with her book?

This book really fascinated me and I enjoyed every minute of it. Sam is such a fabulous character, I think I fell a little bit in love with him and his family. I couldn't wait for Alva to see the light, that Sam would be so good for her. When she gave in to at least their physical attraction there were fireworks, but Sam is so much more than good in bed. Waiting for her to see that made me read the book in one sitting. I had to know that they had a happy ending.

Occasionally the language of the book made me forget that the book was supposed to be set in 1875, it sounded a little modern. But it didn't take away from my enjoyment of Alva and Sam's story. I am definitely going to add the author to my list of favourites.

This book really caught me by surprise. I wasn’t sure how much I would enjoy it, but once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down! It was delightful, and intriguing.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

Alva Webster returns to New York from Paris in the midst of false scandalous rumors after fleeing her abusive husband three years before. Now that her husband is dead, Alva wants to move on with her life and purchases Liefdehuis, a neglected mansion in Hyde Park. Her plan is to restore it and write a book about the process. Stories of it being haunted circulate quickly, getting the attention of famed inventor Samuel Moore who wants to research it, scientifically of course. When he sees Alva for the first time, he’s as equally captivated by her as he is her house.

I thought I was getting a creepy, spooky story about ghosts and got a creepy, spooky story about a ghost, a house AND two utterly delightful characters in Alva and Sam. She’s darkness and resilience and he’s a magnificent bright light and energy. Together they make the most fascinating combination with some of the best, most clever and witty banter I’ve experienced in some time. I had this categorized as historical fiction and the 1875 setting makes that completely appropriate but it’s also a paranormal with its ghostly elements, a mystery as the identity of the apparition is explored and a combustible romance as Alva and Sam will rank as a favorite couple of fiction.

This turned out to be much more than I’d anticipated when I agreed to read this story. I read it in one day, not wanting to put it down. Alva’s story is tragic and Sam’s was rather glorious, coming from the most delightful family of inventors. Their presence gave me insight into this free-spirited man whose quirky nature just made him more endearing. But these two fit so perfectly because their imperfections balanced so beautifully. The ghost story is not your ordinary tale either, with an angle I hadn’t foreseen. It’s hard to believe this is a debut novel as it’s so well constructed with outstanding characterizations. It turned out to be a wonderful reading experience and my hope is we haven’t seen the last of Alva & Sam. This needs to be a series...seriously! 4.5 stars

Set in 1875 New York City and the Hudson Valley, this book is quite delightful.

Alva's life had not been easy in Europe, so when her husband passes she returns to America, her homeland. She desires to enter the world of publishing by way of home decorating designed for everyone, not just the crème of society. To this end she purchases a neglected home she remembers from her childhood and has the renovations started.

Then all work stops, the rumors of a ghost circulate rapidly and attract the attention of scientist Samuel Moore. He happens to be in the area working on street light designs, when he hears of the house and the ghost. Ghosts have been a hobby of his and he sets out to gain Alva's permission to investigated the possibilities.

This tale is suspenseful, fun, naughty and full of surprises. I do hope this becomes a series, I loved the Moore family and would like to see Samuel's brother and sister both find their soul mates.

4.5 stars

The Widow of Rose House is an exceptional debut by Diana Biller. I’m honestly surprised by how much I enjoyed this Gothic historical romance. Who knew that a mixture of ghost hunting and a little bit of house renovation would add spice to a historical romance? I think this book may be my favourite debut of 2019!

Alva Webster is a widow whose scandalous reputation follows her like a shadow. When she leaves Europe and returns home to New York, she decides to buy a house and put her house renovation and decoration skills to use. But things go south when her workers abandon their jobs after scary ghosts sightings. The only way they’ll get back to work is if someone reputable would investigate the house and declare that it is ghost-safe. Alva has no choice but to turn to quirky and dorky scientist, Professor Samuel Moore, to do some scientific ghost hunting. Sam is a scientist who’s weirdly interested in metaphysical energies and he’s extremely eager to study the house Alva bought.

Guys…the hero in this book is just UGHHHH I LOVE HIM SO MUCH!!! Sam is an adorkable scientist nerd who needs his lawyer friend around to help him socialize with investors LOL. He easily gets lost in his work and sometimes even forgets to put on proper clothes. His hair is shaggy and always messy in an adorable genius scientist way. Gahhhhh I love him so damn much.

Sam was an absolute ray of sunshine, a ray of sunshine that our troubled widow desperately needed in her life. Alva has had a difficult and lonely life that made her cynical and afraid to trust people. Sam is the personification of sunshine and rainbows who’s had an easy and privileged life with his boisterous and loving family. In a way, they both needed each other. Alva needed Sam so she could finally let go of her fears and learn to trust another person. Sam needed to also push himself out of his bubble to really recognize just how privileged of a life he leads.

Alva and Sam made a great pair together and the plot about the haunted house was beautifully and cleverly executed. The author did a fantastic job using this house as a means to further Alva’s character development. Overall, this book was really well done and I can’t wait for more books from this author!!!

P.S. Don’t let the cover deceive you! This book is steamy!

THE WIDOW OF ROSE HOUSE by Diana Biller is highly recommended to those who seek the full gamut of entertainment, from love to laughter to creepy bumps in the night, with a genius cast of endearing characters.

An eccentric inventor meets a lady of notorious reputation. Of course, they need to investigate her haunted house before she can remodel it. Sam is one of the most unusual heroes I’ve had the pleasure to read about. Alva is a great match because she accentuates his eccentricities, makes light of them, and even adores him for them.

Alva and Sam are a joy to witness on their journey to forever love. Alva never experienced any kind of love, from childhood until when this story begins. Sam is like a beacon of light to Alva – brilliantly alight with love. But as with most things in her life, Alva is convinced darkness will follow. This light and darkness parlays throughout the novel, giving this couple a different kind of cat and mouse game to play.

A ghost, and other alive characters, push along the conflict between them, keeping this couple apart no matter how much they love one another. Their fight to be together is exciting and beautiful.

I laughed out loud so many times while reading, especially in the beginning as Sam and Alva become acquainted. Sam’s family and friends are outrageous, love him, and add to the hilarity and insanity.

I wanted Alva to end up with Sam, but I wasn’t sure it could be possible because of her past. Her trauma, plus all the rumors started by others, have made her determined to seek a solitary existence. Becoming an author is her only dream, as a means to prove and support herself.

It was hard to pinpoint one specific reason this book stands out from everything else I’ve read this year. I love the volume of eccentric characters, especially Sam. I could picture his mannerisms, vividly, as I’ve known geniuses like him. His chaotic mind matches how I feel some days, flitting from one idea to another. I was thoroughly entertained, even when the funny moments were absent.

Every characterization in this book is exquisite. The haunted house was meticulously depicted. The hauntings were unexpected and suspenseful. It’s such an unusual combination to have hilarious characters mixed with unsavory villains, melded with paranormal activity in a vivid historical setting, that I felt like I was dreaming. This reader’s dream-come-true for sure!

The novel touches on all the Gothic romance aspects I love, but the humor and peculiar characters make it stand out in the sub-genre. So beautifully rendered that it’s impossible to believe this is a debut novel. That leaves me expecting great things from author Diana Biller in the future, anxiously awaiting her next endeavor.

THE WIDOW OF ROSE HOUSE by Diana Biller is the most unusual, romantic, funny, and overall entertaining romance novel I’ve read this year. I’m ready for a sequel, or a series, devoted to Sam’s idiosyncratic family and friends. Fantastically addictive debut!

Review by Dorine, courtesy of TheZestQuest.com.

4 Stars! A full review will be posted here by 10/10/2019 along with on my blog: CelticsLibrary.com I just need a moment to gather my thoughts on this spooky good book!

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Alva Webster is a well-known woman. She is a woman who has a past with being in the gossip section of the newspaper. She is a woman to be whispered about behind the back of a lady’s hand to the woman standing primly next to her. Alva Webster is not new to the disdain other women show towards her. After all, juicy gossip is much more fun than the truth. Believed to have partaken in orgies and being a loose woman, she must keep her spine straight and strong to make it through each and every day. Longing for a new beginning, she returns to New York after the death of her estranged husband and purchases an old run-down house in order to remodel and style it and write a book about the process. She hopes to target the growing middle-class women due to the larger size of potential buyers for the book, whereas the rich upper-class has fewer potential buyers for such a book. She hopes to convince a publisher to agree to print her book once finished. The publisher hopes her name will help sell the books and make them both very wealthy.

Little does Alva know, the day she meets her possible publisher in a busy restaurant is the day that will permanently impact her future. Sam is an eccentric genius. Even the smallest detail will set him off pondering ways to make it better and more useful. Hearing that she is the newest owner of Liefdehuis, Sam makes a point to greet her. His new obsession is contacting, or even proving the existence of, ghosts. Their painfully awkward, amusing, talking about two completely different things (seriously, this part is funny) meeting leads them down the road to a strange, yet charmingly twining path. Unfortunately, as if the knowledge of a ghost legend being part of the house she purchased wasn’t enough, there is someone from her past coming to make her already difficult life much more hazardous.

Out of all of the characters, I adored Sam and his sister. His whole family were amazing supporting characters and I loved the parts where I could spend time reading from Sam’s perspective. The story is charming and is mostly a slow burn romance until the 60% mark where the paranormal theme starts to make its way towards the center stage. Up until that point, the paranormal activity appears mostly in the background. Near the end, the ghost of Liefdehuis is all together a very real threat. The spirit has a dangerous ability that can seriously harm those it chooses. Can Sam and Alva solve this mystery of a ghost no one seems to have the same origin story of? What of that unwanted person from her past? Alva must tread carefully if she ever wants to find happiness in her future.

Diana Biller's debut Gothic Romance, The Widow of Rose House takes the readers way back to 1875 New York. A heroine hounded by gossip who wants to rise above her traumatic past to live her life her way and an eccentric, genius scientist with a heart of gold make for a very interesting and pleasant reading in this latest Gothic Historical Romance from St. Martin's Griffin. As if this is not lure enough, there is also a ghost and a haunted mansion!



I only got attracted towards this book because of the blurb and the fact that I have just started reading gothic historical romances and come to love this genre. The title doesn't do justice to the awesome story within and the cover also pales in comparison to the splendid narrative inside.



The story starts a bit slow but I got interested in it right from the beginning. The mystery around Alva and Dr. Samuel Moore whose mind is always working on his latest inventions, the strength of this book is the romance between these two poles apart personalities. The banter between them and then the memorable dialogues that not only touched my heart but also made me fall in love with these people had me sitting glued to my seat right until the very end. I drank too many cups of tea, ate too much cake and totally lazed around oblivious to the world while I followed Alva and Sam, all the way rooting for them!



I absolutely adored Sam. He is not at all like the alpha overbearing heroes we find in almost all the books but a man comfortable in his life. He is sweet, patient and willing to let the heroine lead where she is more knowledgeable. The way he convinces Alva of their mutual love was so beautifully done.



"Love isn't naive, Alva. It's hope, and it's faith, and it can outlast buildings and wars and empires..."



I loved meeting the Moore family and I am so eager to read about their stories in the future. Diana please write about them!



I wanted to know what happened with Alva's family and if they realised their mistakes but was disappointed when we didn't get a closure.



The ghost angle took a backseat for majority of the story and then picked up at the end. I think this angle could have been handled better. However, the end wrapped it up beautifully.



This book tackles the sensitive topics of abuse, mental illness and the feminism with poise and without taking sides, the author frankly showcases the societal handling of these topics in 1875. My heart broke for the victims and I felt powerless to do something for them which made Alva's character all the more powerful because she is the woman in that time of gender inequality who wants to make a difference with no support from anyone.



The narration is fluid and the world building so realistic that I easily visualised the New York of 1875. Diana Biller has the talent for writing and I wish her the very best. I hope I get to read lots more from her in the future.



All in all, The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller is a splendid ghost hunting gothic historical romance with a story about overcoming challenges to pave the path for our dreams, of finding love, redemption and taking chances in life. Full of memorable quotes with vibrant characters that stay with us long after the end of the story and sprinkled with ghostly apparitions, this is an entertaining, evocative and at times chilling book that Njkinny recommends to everyone. 4 stars out of 5 to it from me, go grab it at a discounted rate right now!



"He was in love.

It wasn't a shocking statement; he didn't recoil in surprise. It was the answer to a question he hadn't been quite aware he was asking, and now that it was here, it was like it had always been true: a quiet, permanent underlying fact that made everything else in his life make sense. He saw it and acknowledged it, even with the whisper that told him being in love with a woman like Alva was going to complicate things. There was nothing to be done- he was in love with her, he always would be, and that was that. she was his person. If she was complicated, then he loved her complications too.

She was the other side of his story..."

Alva Webster left her abusive husband in 1872 and spent the next three years being pilloried by the press. When he died, this allowed her to return to New York and try to restore the Hyde Park mansion Liefdehuis as well as her reputation. Stories told of it being haunted, which she didn't believe, and Professor Samuel Moore offered to get to the bottom of the stories. He was wild and eccentric, just what she didn't need, but he was part of the nationally known Moore family of scientists. He was the only one to delve into the secrets locked away in Liefdehuis, as well as try to know Alva.

The Widow of Rose House is set in the Gilded Age of New York, with a Gothic Victorian aura reminiscent of the movie "Crimson Peak." There is the glitter and gold of the upper class, and it hides the darkness that can reside deep in their hearts. Alva had distinguished but distant parents more concerned with reputation and appearance, then a husband and his twin brother who thought themselves entitled to her wealth and soul. Spousal abuse is alluded to in the helpless demeanor of Mrs. Webster, bruises hidden by clothing, and Alva having to remind herself constantly that her memories are just that. There's a very poignant quote almost halfway through the book that really struck me: "She was afraid of the whole jagged-edged world, with its trapdoors and sticky webs and predators whose claws never released their prey." It perfectly encapsulates Alva and her idea of the world after her history, as well as this: "He was light, and she was bruises and sharp edges and shadows, and people like her didn't get to have people like him." It's utterly heartbreaking.

Sam is a delight. He's very much the absent-minded professor, checking out of Polite Conversation and financial discussion to think about inventing things. His mind is analytical, but with the intention to help others. He counts how long it takes to unlace boots, for example, and ponders building a machine to help others use the time for other things. He is perceptive, knowing that Alva had been hurt enough to have difficulty trusting people, and kind enough to still want to help, as well as giving her the space to make it her own choice. Never once does he discount her opinion, even if he doesn't agree, which is wonderful to see in a novel of any time period.

The mystery of the ghost as well as the past that Alva was trying to avoid makes for very compelling reading. It was a journey that I absolutely loved taking with them.

The Widow of Rose House is author Diana Biller's debut novel set in New York City during the Gilded Age. This fast-paced read will give you everything you need for a perfect October book: engaging characters, a major ghost problem, and a spooky mystery that needs to be solved.

What really got me hooked into this story was not just the mysterious ghost issue at the mansion, but also the fact that both characters are extremely capable, and this makes them beautiful complements to each other. Alva is a woman who can get things done, and she doesn't let anyone stand in her way. Her personality shines like an inspiring beacon of hope in an era that still treated women as weak. She has goals and she will do what it takes to achieve them. Sam was adorably eccentric, honest, and at times pushy. Though he's famed for his many inventions, his intelligence is best seen in how he helps Alva emerge from the hardened shell that she had erected. He's patient when she needs it and pushes at the fringes when she doesn't.

I really enjoyed the pacing of the book⁠—it was hard to put it down for sleep, and harder still to wait until after work to finish it. This story will grab you in and keep you engrossed from start to finish. Sam's family and his friend Henry are strong side characters that help to both complicate and further the story. Even the mansion itself has its own personality. The epilogue was brief, but it gave a satisfying look into Alva and Sam's happily-ever-after—something I find myself missing in many recent historical romances, so it's refreshing to see it done well here.

So after all of that praise, why the four stars? Most books have some sort of subplot, but in The Widow of Rose House, the story would have stood up fine without the additional drama. And despite my praise for Sam's character, he seemed a bit too perfect at times (though being that messy would be a deal-breaker for me!).

I have always been a fan of the Gilded age and throw in a bit of romance and the paranormal and I am intrigued. This book did not disappoint.

The book introduces widow Alva Webster a “scandalous” widow, at least according to the press. She has returned to New York from years abroad in Europe, She purchases a dilapidated house to renovate and plans to write a book documenting the renovation and decoration of the house. A kind of 19th century Martha Stewart. Enter scientist Samuel Moore who has heard rumors that the house is haunted and wants to investigate. Alva is not really interested in allowing him to investigate. Thus starts a wonderful book with lots of charm and romance. The supernatural parts were creepy but not overly so. I would recommend this book for anyone interested in the Gilded Age, Romance or the Paranormal. This was a great addition to these genres. I look forward to more books from this author.


Thanks to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I'm not usually one for scary tales, but in my opinion, this story was a romance first and a ghost story next. The story, set in 19th century New York, felt true to the time and I loved how the author referenced real-life places and people in the story. I found myself constantly Googling the places referenced in the story to see old pictures of these grand places. What I enjoyed most about the story was the characters, particularly Alva and Samuel Moore. I mean, who couldn't love Sam?! Plus, Alva is exactly the type of strong heroine you want to read about and she did feel true to the time period. Great story! Loved it!

“I heard she bought the de Boers’ old estate,” the son said, “the one up the river.”
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“Liefdehuis?”
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His son nodded. “Sounds like she means to stay in the states,” he said. “Who knows why. She can’t imagine anyone will actually acknowledge her.”
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Happy #pubday to the Widow of Rose House! Thank you to @stmartinspress and @netgalley for the review copy! This was such a fantastic, historical debut that is about second chances, redemption with some supernatural elements thrown in. - Lusty, steamy romance ✔️
- Haunted, abandoned mansion ✔️
- Secrets and blackmail ✔️
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Alva Webster has moved back to the states after her reputation was tarnished after the near divorce and death of her husband. All over the tabloids, she decides to use her infamous name to buy an old, dilapidated mansion, Liefdehuis, and publish a book about the renovation and design process. The equally famous and adored engineer Sam Moore, gets wind of the plan and begs to study Liefdehuis, as it is known to be haunted and he has a passion for the supernatural. In the process, Sam and Alva fall in love despite the ghosts, metaphorical and physical, continue to haunt her.
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Gorgeously written with characters that were vivid and extraordinary and I felt like I was reading about my two close friends. I loved the spookiness surrounding the house and the haunting experiences - and the ending was wrapped up so nicely and it just warmed my heart. Romance, angst, intrigue, blackmail and ghosts made for one of my favorite romance books of 2019. Do yourself a favor and check this one out!

A widow, Alva Webster, who fled an abusive spouse purchases an excessively haunted house to restore for her interior decorating book, meets an inventor Professor Samuel Moore—from a famous family of inventors — who is compiling information on ghosts in 1875 New York City, is the gist of The Widow of Rose House. Initially the synopsis sucked me in with the excitement of a gothic American novel set in the 1800s, however the writing style was not suited to a story set in 19th century America as it was too modern and takes you out of the time period, and the enticement that served as the whetting to my gothic appetite, i.e. the ghost story, was a blip in the book. There was so much leading on to the ghosts but no showing of the ghosts until after the 60% completed mark. I also felt like the ghost story, or lack of ghost story, did not make seamless sense in this book as there was no cohesion between why an inventor wanted insight and information on ghosts and his time spent with a notorious widow, aside from forcing a romance for the sake of the book.
And then there is the spineless Widow Alva who is being blackmailed by her former brother-in-law (because he may have evidence of her involvement in her husband’s murder). Alva seems resigned to her lot in life and has no worries about being blackmailed because she is rich. No lie, she actually says that. Additionally Alva’s romantic lead, the eccentric and often absent-minded Sam, was too much. He is hardly present in the moment because he is a ‘genius’ and because he is a much lauded ‘genius’ (in this story) that means he is forgiven for forgetting important meetings, articles of clothing on his person, etc. because most women find him ‘charming’. Spare me this idyllic rose-tinted drivel and tell me what happened to the gothic ghost story the book’s summary advertised, because this book was mostly love-at-first-sight meets all-tell-and-no-show.

Suffice to say it was a trial to get through a lot of the story because of all of the eye rolls I was giving the book, my eyes got stuck up there.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Available October 8: The Widow of Rose House. 

We're excited to participate in the Book Tour this week - and make sure you check out the EXCERPT from the book here.
***** 4 stars, Loved it: A Gilded Age novel that has a Jane Eyre Gothic feel with some humor and romance.



Recommended readers:

If you like Gilded Age novels
If you like a historical read with some comedy
If you like strong female characters
Here's my Rankings:

5/5 for characters
4/5 for plot
4.5/5 overall
REVIEW FROM BOOKS FOR HER:
In the late 1800s Alva Webster is a former socialite heiress who is recovering from the emotional damage of her famous, abusive dead husband. She's snubbed by her family - and now has purchased a dilapidated mansion in Hyde Park - whose reputation may be worse than hers. Samuel Moore is a world renowned inventor-genius - and his new interest is investigating ghosts, which Alva's new home is reputed to have. 

The Widow of Rose House is Gothic, with feels much like Jane Eyre, yet fun, as Alva fights both ghosts and her own history. It's heartwarming still, despite the ghostly vibes, and a fun, fast-reading drama romance. Diana Biller weaves a Gothic Victorian romance that was a great break from the usual WWII or more popular era romances. A must-read if you enjoy something unique in your historical romances.

Available October 8: The Widow of Rose House.