The novel is two from two different POVs across two different timelines; in September, 1939, we meet Ellie Fairfax, dealing with her fiancé leaving to join the fight against the Nazis, and her father withdrawing into his secretive work. In 2019, we meet Megan, who takes a job at Foxfield, now a hotel, to restore their maze. But these two collide pretty quickly, when Megan is drawn to the centre of the maze by strange lights, and is transported back to 1939. Both women witness The Green Lady, Foxfield’s resident ghost, and Megan realises she might just have the chance to change history and prevent Ellie from going missing at the upcoming Harvest Festival.

Initially, I quite liked these two characters, both dealing with absences in their lives and grappling with mysteries beyond their comprehension. The cast is soon fleshed out in both timelines, with the arrival of Ellie’s father’s secretary, and a possible romance blooming between Megan and one of the hotel’s trustees. But there is a lot beneath the surface, as they’ll soon discover.

I do think the book dragged on a bit too long. It was slow in some parts, which was fine, but there was also a lot of repetition, with the book treading the same ground over and over. Multiple characters have multiple names, which, again, not always a problem, but when almost all of those names are used for the same three characters in the space of a few pages it got a little distracting. There are parts of this that felt a bit contrived in the worldbuilding aspect, too.

The time travel was interesting, but ended up feeling a little wishy washy. Foxfield Hall is supposed to be a hotel, but as mentioned above the setting – the huge house pictured on the cover, that serves as both a home and hotel in the novel – felt very underused. There’s quite a bit that felt almost shoehorned in at points.

I don’t think this is a bad book. The relationship between Megan and Ellie was handled well, and I like how the two clicked, but the romantic relationships – between Ellie and David, Megan and Nora – felt underdeveloped. I mentioned above that this could have easily been classed as horror, and I think if it had leaned more towards the Gothic it could have worked a lot better.

It’s an interesting premise, but could have done with either cutting down a lot of the repetition and streamlining some parts of the book, or really using Foxfield Hall as an additional character alongside the way the maze is used. Like I said, not a bad book, but could have done with more work.

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

This novel tells the story of two women from separate timelines. I wanted to like this book. However, I did not care for the modern storyline and preferred the historical part. Nevertheless, it had romance and magic in these stories! I recommend this fans of Lucinda Riley, Melanie Dobson, and Kate Morton!

Really enjoyed this book and was gripped all the way through. I'm new to the author but will definitely look out for more.

What an amazing haunting story where magic interweaves with historical events. The Lost Girls of Foxfield Hall is one of the books that you want to read forever. You don't want it to end.
The story of the lost Lady of Foxfield Hall connects to the story of modern-day gardener Megan. And horrors of WWII tightly connect to the magic and heartbreak of the ancient curse.
It is all about everyday events: fixing mazes and gardens for the newly opened hotel, surviving war in the English country, keeping and uncovering secrets... But in essence, the story is the story of love that conquers and rules us all.
Jessica Thorne has done an amazing job of weaving a story so captivating, one can't believe in all the magical parts, all the ancient spells and creatures of the maze, of love that changes destinies and history. The language, the setting, the characters... as I said, you don't want the story to end. However, when it does end, you are happy for all concerned.

Great story of Megan and Ellie two women living decades apart but inexorably linked. Perfect mix of historical fiction, romance and fantasy meant that I couldn't put this book down

Two very different women separated by sixty years of history – garden designer Megan in 2019 and heiress Ellie in 1939 – meet in a moonlit hedge maze. After the usual suspicions are allayed, they discover how much they have in common. The legendary Green Lady, who may or may not be Arthur’s Guinevere. Two stern women with the surname Seaborne, one an archaeologist in Megan’s time, the other a wartime secret service agent in the employ of Ellie’s father – or is it the same person? When Megan starts researching Ellie’s home, Foxfield Hall, she discovers that Ellie disappeared without a trace. Then it’s a race against the countdown to the date of that disappearance, for both women to discover the link between the supernatural feminine figures called Vala, the tunnel through time, and the fate not only of Ellie but of Megan herself.

A highly readable time-travel supernatural mystery thriller, The Lost Girls of Foxfield Hall hits all the notes perfectly with smooth prose, evocative details, compelling characters, and a superbly revealed mystery.

The Lost Girls of Foxfield Hall by Jessica Thorne is a book I thoroughly enjoyed from beginning to end. With strong female characters and a hauntingly beautiful story that stole my heart, this is a book that had everything for me. Secrets, romance, possible time travel and a chilling supernatural undertone. What can I say? I absolutely adored it!

I read this book earlier in the year just as I was struck down by Covid so huge apologies for the lateness of this review. A full and expanded review of this wonderful book will be up on my blog shortly.

This is the story of two strong women from different times and how their lives magically intersected.

I'm not really sure how I feel about this book. At times I wasn't sure that I wanted to continue because it seemed to just be in a repetitive loop but then other times I was on the edge of my seat because of the tension created and not having any idea of where the story was going. The two many characters were strong women - Ellie from 1939 and Megan from 2019. The use of old English names in some the areas of the book caused some confused because they were somewhat similar but unusual. I'm glad I finished it but probably won't read another by this author.

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this book.

I really loved this! It was this perfect blend of historical fiction, fantasy and romance. I'm not always a fan of shifting between two main characters, but it just worked for this story. I would 100% recommend this to anyone!

This book was nothing that I was going to be but everything a good, engaging book should be. I was drawn in and held captive to the very last pages.
I’ve mentioned before how historical fiction seems to often fit into slim categories. For various reasons, this one breaks a new plane for me. I loved being caught by surprise.
If ever there was a time to NOT give away plot points, this is it. So, I’m going to try to be as cagey as the blurb and keep the important points and spoilers out of this.
I liked how the story was told in alternate timelines. It was never jarring because Megan (in the present) was working on an estate where Ellie (in the past) lived. The transitions between the two were often smooth.
I enjoyed the mystery this book centered around. Old estates are a treasure trove of possibilities, and this author uses the setting to great advantage in both timelines.
What really made this book special, however, was the attention to mysticism and folklore. It was informative, intriguing, and unique. That’s a great combination.
Side note: When I was younger, my parents and I went on trips to Ireland, Scotland, and England. I was fascinated with the folklore and still have several books of Irish faery tales and Scottish myths.
This is what absolutely made the book for me. The references were plentiful and detailed enough that I could go investigate for myself (and I just might). There were sections that were absolutely breathtaking as Megan tried to figure out what happened historically and what was occurring in the present.
I know this is a vague review, but it really is a case of “you need to read it and be surprised on your time” type of thing. That was definitely part of the allure for me at least.
If you are a fan of the mystical and like historical fiction this is definitely one for you.

Done well dual narratives on different timelines are among my most favourite bookish tropes. This did not disappoint. Part historical mystery novel, part romance, part fantasy, the book weaves a ghost story-esque spell that is utterly captivating. Loved every minute of it.

Mystical, intrigue and romance with characters you can follow and see where the storyline goes!
The author does an excellent job in keeping your attention in wanting to know more, it may go beyond the realm, but isn’t that what books are supposed to do? Take you to places and make you want to take a chance on something new! This book started slow for me, but it definitely picks up and you will want to discover what the pages are offering in the far distance!

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

If you enjoy historical fiction, The Lost Girls of Foxfield Hall needs to be your next read. The characters, emotional storyline, & amazing ending make this book worthy of being a bestseller. I finished this book just last week and have already told so many people about it!

1939. Lady Eleanor Fairfax faces the outbreak of war and her fiance's departure to join the RAF. 2019. Megan Taylor is hired by Foxfield Hall to restore the grounds. She is anxiously awaiting news of her brother who is a soldier missing in action. Both women are fascinated by the mysteries of the local area and the well on the estate. And one night they meet in the maze...
The Lost Girls Of Foxfield Hall is an intriguing tale of love, loss and magic. I'll be honest and say that I hadn't read the blurb so was not expecting the magical element to the plot. I enjoyed the way that author Jessica Thorne blends different genres together to make an enjoyable novel.
The strength of women is a recurring theme throughout the book. There are witches, sisterhood and also the power of female friendship. There is also a lesbian romantic element that forms part of the plot and breaks down stereotypes.
Both timelines are equally well imagined. I had no idea that Ellie and Megan's lives would collide so enjoyed their discoveries of each other. The paradox of time and changing the past with the ensuing effect on the present/future is explored and resolved for these characters at the end of the book.
My favourite part of the book was the history and legend focus within the plot. The story of King Arthur combined with witchcraft and pagan rituals. I liked how the tale of the three sisters had been passed down through the generations and across the planes of time.
The Lost Girls Of Foxfield Hall is an intriguing book combining historical fiction with legends as well as the present day.

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the chance to read a copy of The lost girls of Foxfield Hall by Jessica Thorne. The description and the cover was what got my attention but I was hooked almost right away to this dual timeline fantasy story that takes place both in 1939 and 2019 England. I had no idea that there would be hints of the Arthurian legends woven through this tale.
September 1939 - Eleanor learns her fiancé David is heading to fight for his country. He gives her a gift, a camera, and tells her to take a picture of the ghost that haunts the maze of Foxfield Hall, the green lady. Later Eleanor spots dancing lights and follows them into the maze.
September 2019 - Megan comes to Foxfield Hall to restore the overgrown maze and becomes intrigued by the mystery of Lady Eleanor Fairfax. The story is that she disappears and her body was never found. She also becomes intrigued by Nora Grainger whose the granddaughter of David. One evening, she is drawn to the maze and follows the dancing lights into the maze; can she solve the mystery surrounding Eleanor's disappearance or become the next victim of the maze?
This story had me hooked right from the beginnning. I had no idea where it was going, so I sat back and just let it take me for a ride! The lost girls has multiple genres: its historical fiction, romance, fantasy and LGBTQ. If you are looking for something a little different you will be quite happy. I know I was. Another author going on my TBR list. 5 STARS!!!!

Now here's a book that seems to transcend multiple genres! Historical fiction, romance, LGBTQ, sci-fi, suspense, paranormal, fantasy... This can be both great and risky. Those looking for conventional SFF will find the historical goings slow while those who don't have any genre preferences will be happy to have found so many within a single book.

The story comes to us from two characters in two distinct timelines: Megan in 2019, and Ellie in 1939. Megan is a landscape gardener, newly appointed to take charge of the gardens of Foxfield Hall. An intriguing part of these grounds is the unicursal maze with a well at its centre. This well is the source of great mystique with the legend of a green ghost attached to it. Ellie is teased by her fiancé for believing in the legend and so she sets out to capture photographic proof of the ghost. What happens when these two girls aim to find out more?

The book is strongly female-intensive. Hardly any male character (with a minor exception of David, Ellie’s fiancé) is in the lead role or memorably portrayed. But the women make the story and take it to amazing heights. Other than Megan and Ellie, the characters of Nora, Ms. Seaborne, Hattie, and Gwenhwyfar are nicely etched, with so many layers underneath layers that you keep wondering what their true selves are.
The concept of the book is extraordinary. The story is intriguing, the writing is great, and the tempo is nicely maintained throughout. Some parts of the storyline are quite complicated and farfetched, but that doesn't take away much from the book. The way Jessica Thorne blends together the varied genres almost seamlessly is awesome.

In spite of all the interesting combinations, there was still something that kept me from rushing to complete the book. For some reason, my mind kept zoning out from the proceedings. I do feel that this is more of my problem that that of the book. Maybe I was just not in the frame of mind to read this because I can't find anything boring about the story, nor am I able to pinpoint any specific flaw in the writing. So I will recommend it heartily, because I honestly believe that I picked it up at the wrong time. And such an innovative storyline needs to be read.

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the Advanced Review Copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Part historical story part mythical. Beautiful cover. A retelling of a version of the King Arthur legend. This book was way out of my comfort zone and I will be honest and say it just wasn't for me. I finished the book but skim read the last third. If you like legends, mythical creatures and make believe then this is for you.

An excellent mix of paranormal, historical fiction with a dual timeline and two interesting MCs.
The plot is fast paced and well written, an entertaining and engrossing story that kept me hooked.
Good characters and plot development, a vivid historical background and interesting paranormal side.
It's recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I'm someone who loves a good mystery. I love when a book has me thinking about how vital something said in passing in might be and try to figure it out. I especially love when a mystery totally manages to blind side me, surprise me totally and take my heart with it. That is exactly what this book is and it's absolutely fantastic.

This book has so much packed into it that I wouldn't not be able to recommend this to anyone. Do you like historical fiction? Here you are. A historical fiction with a scifi element? Here you go. A mystery with some supernatural leanings? Have it. Sapphic love story? Got it. Small locale with pagan leanings? HERE. A group of witches, ghosts and nature magic? All here. Arthurian retelling? YUP. I think this is where the authors strengths really shine through, seamlessly switching between genres without any disruption to the story. It's very impressive and really works in the books favour.

The characters are also written exceptionally well with very distinct parallels drawn between the two main characters, Ellie and Megan. There is a fantastic structure to each of their chapters, particularly early on in the book, where the tail end of a chapter from one perspective is cycled back to in the next chapter and lending further context to moments. My favourite being the first time Ellie meets Megan and she describes her as a boy, having never really seen a woman with short hair. Then when the next chapter kicks off with Megan landing at Ellie's feet, it is clarified what Ellie sees. I really enjoyed how the two women have distinct similarities but are so different. I really like as well how Ellie being from the 1930's wasn't shook to her core at discovering Megan was gay, I know it's small but she does have a point when she reminds Megan she went to an all women's college.

However what I really loved the most about the story is the folklore surrounding Foxfield Hall and how local stories link the area to King Arthur. I think it's always hard to approach a story as classic as King Arthur, particularly when it comes to trying to give the women of the tale a spotlight. The way Jessica Thorne weaves the story of the Green Lady, the ghost who is meant to be Guinivere and how her ties to Morgause and Morgana le Fey ties directly to Megan and Ellie just had me in awe. I would happily read a book about that alone or more about them.

Overall, this is a book that can very easily be read by anybody. I have this idea that it would make an excellent show or movie that you would watch on a Sunday on BBC and become totally engrossed in. Thank you to Bookouture and Noelle for sending me an advance copy of this book for review and for having me on this blog tour.