It’s part regency novel, part gothic thriller, part ghost story.

I did think, given its premise, that it would be frightening, but it’s not particularly - the ghosts appear as a sort of comfort, a friend rather than foe.

It’s easy to read. If you’re like me, you’ll be so lost in it that you’ll find yourself at the end before you know it. But what a satisfying conclusion it is.

I really enjoyed all the different characters. That’s not to say they’re all pleasant characters, in fact, a number of them are quite vile indeed, but they’re excellently written. If you’re going to write a nasty character, then in my opinion, you go hard or go home. I’ve got no time for wishy washy baddies. The main protagonist of Lizzie is a fabulous character from beginning to start. A woman in the 1800s was expected to stay silent and follow a man with no questions asked. But she is not that kind of woman, and that’s refreshing.

Given it’s quite serious plot, it was surprisingly funny and lighthearted, with real moments of love and trust and friendship.

I admit that some bits were perhaps slightly unbelievable but I think it works in this situation. I think I would have preferred a bit of resistance to Lizzie’s paranormal confessions, but I can overlook that because I feel it’s really well written.

It’s such a brilliant, absorbing novel with great storytelling, and I would happily recommend it to anyone, particularly for a cold, foggy, autumn evening.

This book did keep me guessing and overall was very pleasantly entertaining, I did think at times it was a bit drawn out and some situations a bit over the top (Lizzie’s knife attacks). But enjoyable with nice ending with no loose ends. Thank you netgalley and publisher for this arc in exchange of an honest review.
.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC for an exchange for an honest review.

Very interesting book, kept me guessing.

I loved this book! Through investigating and supernatural communications, Lizzie is able to unravel the truths of each of the first four wives of Lord Blountford.

Lizzie is a dynamic and powerful character who is so beautifully writing her own story while she helps other women tell theirs.

I can't wait to read more from Rebecca Hardy!

Oh my gosh this was incredible. Honestly, I went into it expecting a basic gothic thriller but it was so much more. The plot reminded me of one of my favourite gothic thriller films, Crimson Peak, but the writing elevated it into more than that. There were elements of humour in the writing, albeit a wry humour at times, and there were elements of the story that made it quite uplifting (I'm reluctant to say more due to fear of spoilers!). But honestly this is such a good book, I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone. Definitely one of my favourite books this year, and an author I can't wait to read more from.

This is everything I love about historical ficton and it had magical realism so I was extra happy. It was a light read that I couldn't put down.

I did enjoy this book, it entertained me for a few hours.
Elizabeth was a likeable spirited character.
Some of the transactions with the ghosts were a bit comical I thought, and there was a fair bit of finding things by chance that kept the plot going.
So, I didn't take it hugely seriously.
For a light entertaining read, it did just fine.

This was another book that I absolutely adored reading! It had a bit of magical realism thrown in and it was in a historical background. Fascinating storyline with a wonderful protagonist who is setting out to not only solve several mysteries, but she wants to make things right. I don't want to give away too much because it'll give away the storyline, but it was wonderful and I read it in the space of just a little over a day. I let my Kindle read it to me while I crossed it and I enjoyed it oh so much with several cups of tea, some biscuits and some cross stitch. Well done to the author I will definitely be looking for more books written by her.

The House of Lost Wives by Rebecca Hardy is my first ever read by this author and honestly I can't wait to read more.

This was a unique, entertaining and quiet enjoyable.
From start to finish I was sucked into the pages.
The timeline was amazing and I truly enjoyed being stuck in 1813.
Our characters are engaging and very well developed.
Hardy's writing was phenomenal. She sucked me in immediately and once I started I couldn't stop.

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

Headline Accent,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!
I will post my review to my blog, platforms, BookBub, B&N, Kobo and Waterstone closer to pub date.

For the first few chapters, you might get the impression you're reading a "Bluebeard" type of story, but with ghosts. But, for a story that has the trappings of Gothic romances, it's surprisingly lacking in suspense and atmosphere. There are ghosts, whom the heroine can see, but where's the spookiness? They're all as amiable as Casper. Even that one ghost that was described as frightening isn't really so because it hardly does anything that would be scary or creepy.

There's a country manor, the "house of lost wives" in the title, but it doesn't get much onpage time. The village and the activities outside get more time, so there's simply no sense of place coming from a description that'd throw me inside the house and make me "live" it.

There's a "creepy lord," he's more of a mean petty criminal than a proper Bluebeard. Him and the villagers are the highlights of the story, because Lizzie and Charles are rather bland to me. Their romance is predictable because they make it predictable from the get-go, without much to keep us guessing. Also, the "mystery" of the killed wives is resolved too quickly. The pacing in general is quick, and that doesn't allow you to connect with the characters.

Overall, not the best mystery I've read. I got more out of imagining this as a Bluebeard retelling than as the Gothic mystery it intended to be.

The House of Lost Wives is a novel set in 18th century England that promises a thrilling mystery but fails to deliver it.

Important events unfold in the space of days resulting in a rushed and unbelievable storyline.
Even though I was reading about a manor full of ghosts and secrets there was no tension or atmosphere to the story.
The side characters had more substance to them than the main ones. The romance leans very heavily on the "damsel in distress" trope and it happened way too fast for my liking.
Unfortunately this book was not for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The House of Lost Wives by Rebecca Hardy

1813. Lizzie's beloved older sister Esme is sold in marriage to the aging Lord Blountford to settle their father's debts.
One year later, Esme is dead, and Lizzie is sent to take her place as Lord Blountford's next wife.
A brilliant read , full of creepy atmosphere and creeping dread .
Very well written and pulls you in from the very first chapter.
You very much feel for the female characters in this story and hope that Lizzie does not fall victim to the same fate as her sister and the other women.
Loved it.

A really enjoyable read, Bridgerton meets Rentaghost (without the dodgy sex scenes….Bridgerton, not Rentaghost, Mr Timothy would never behave badly!)

1813. Lizzie's beloved older sister Esme is sold in marriage to the aging Lord Blountford to settle their father's debts.

One year later, Esme is dead, and Lizzie is sent to take her place as Lord Blountford's next wife.

Arriving at Ambletye Manor, Lizzie uncovers a twisted web of secrets, not least that she is to be the fifth mistress of this house.

Marisa. Anne. Pansy. Esme.

What happened to the four wives who came before her?

In possession of a unique gift, only Lizzie can hear their stories, and try to find a way to save herself from sharing the same fate.
Wow totally gripping really enjoyable read totally recommend
Thank You NetGalley and Headline
I just reviewed The House of Lost Wives by Rebecca Hardy. #TheHouseofLostWives #NetGalley

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for randomly selecting me to receive an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own. 18th century in London, Lizzie and her sister Esme are trying to survive with their parents. Their father is a gambler and their mother a drunk. The sisters had each other but not much else after the creditors were paid. Esme is to marry Lord Blountford and live in the country. Lizzie eagerly awaits an invitation to stay but when news does come, it is of her sister's death. Lizzie isn't given long to mourn before being informed that she is now to take her sister's place as Lord Blountford's wife. Repulsed by the idea but knowing it was the only way to save her parents from living on the streets, she goes.

The estate is huge and the grounds surrounding it. Lord Blountford is three times her age and aloof. Left to her own devices until the wedding, she sets out to discover the surrounding grounds. She stumbles upon five graves and a sense of foreboding and mystery. Not long after she makes the acquaintance of a ghost. Lizzie has the gift of seeing and communicating with ghosts that haven't moved on. The ghost introduces herself as Pansy, Lord Blountford's third wife. Shocked, Lizzie tries to find out more but the ghost doesn't divulge much.

Lizzie is dogged in her pursuit of finding out what happened to the wives, including her sister. During her investigation, she makes friends with several people from the village. The stable boy that teaches her horse riding becomes a good friend. Lord Blountford's nephew, Captain Charlie, has become a quiet and welcome friend. But things become more sinister as things come to light. Lizzie has more interactions with ghosts and the more she finds out about her soon to be husband, the more she fears for her future. The ending is exciting and satisfying. I loved the atmosphere of the book, the setting and storyline. A gothic paranormal-ish mystery romance that was well done.

A bit of a slow start but excellent once it does get going.
Set in 18th Century England, Lizzie is a willful young woman with a loving sister and flawed parents. Her sister gets married to an elderly Lord and moves to the countryside with Lizzie moving there some time later.
There are some paranormal elements but done gently and in a really lovely way with the ghosts being characters rather than ghouls or beings to terrify.