Rich characterizations, realistic emotions, and a lovely story make for a can't-put-it-down emotional read. Oh my GOSH!!!!!! I loved this emotionally charged, compelling book which I read in one sitting.

A stunning and multifaceted debut that made me so, so happy as a fan of historical fiction.

I love my Downton Abbey, I love my Gilded Age, I love my Upstairs-Downstairs. But the truth is, the Victorian era was awful for the vast majority of people. It wasn't all lace dresses and tea cakes. Workhouses abused the poor, child labor was rampant and dangerous, and even if one managed to get a "good" position as staff, well, the rich folk weren't always as kind as Lord and Lady Grantham.

ON GOOD AUTHORITY is well-aware of this and wrings every drop out of the power dynamics of the time. Its heroine is a child of tenant farmers who were thrown into a workhouse after a poor harvest. The odds are stacked against Marian, but she still manages to carve out an identity and even love for herself under the dehumanizing workhouse conditions. The attention to detail and unflinching depiction of this reality set this apart.

This isn't a bleak story of poverty, though. It's a romance and a Gothic that doesn't skimp over the blemishes of the time period and it is so, so much richer for it.

When Marian is sent to the ominous Valor Rise as a lady's maid, all of that will and spine is put to the test. The twists and turns and dark hallways kept me reading for hours. And then the romance. THE ROMANCE. The relationship between Marian and her childhood friend-turned-protector/lover felt so real and inspiring. The BDSM elements are hot, but they are also thoughtful in their reflection and critique of the power structure. It shouldn't be possible for a book this gripping to also be so thoughtful and historically astute, but here we are. The twist at the end left me absolutely breathless, and despite all the suffering Marian endures, the overall tone was hopeful and inspiring. I wanted to read it again as soon as I was done.

Historical fans should not miss this one!

The themes of power, fantasy, dominance, and vulnerability are explored so expertly and beautifully in ON GOOD AUTHORITY. It is truly a masterfully-written, gorgeous book. It’s clear from the start that this story was written lovingly--tender in its ecstasy, and striking in its agony.

So many of these stunning lines will stay with me, and I’m a better writer for it. Also ... the scenes between Valentine and Marian, our love interests, are so freshly written ... and yes also very hot. One in particular...

Fast-paced, suspenseful, aching, and gentle. This is an emotionally-charged story by a debut author to watch.

There's also a line in there about roses, and about leading and following, that I'll probably never forget.

Gift yourself a copy, because you'll probably read the whole thing in one sitting.