Samantha Hastings' "Secrets of the Sonnets" is a captivating historical novel that intertwines mystery, romance, and literary intrigue.
Set in the vibrant world of Elizabethan England, the story follows Miranda who is seeking the lost manuscripts of William Shakespeare that could change the course of history. As she delves deeper into the mystery, she finds herself entangled in a web of secrets. The prose and meticulous research bring the Elizabethan era to life and "Secrets of the Sonnets" is a compelling read that will keep you turning pages until the very end.

(I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review)

This was a darling book. I loved the witty characters and all the swapping back and forth of Shakespeare quotes. It had all the elements I adore in a regency but it was unique in the right ways too. It was the perfect kind of lightheaded historical romance I was looking for. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me a copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Each single character in this book was astounding! I rapidly fell in adore with both the courageous woman and the saint, Miranda and Robert. Miranda was shrewd, bookish, witty, and certain. For this time period, most ladies wouldn't have been depicted this way. I too cherished Miranda's relationship with her guardians since it was a great one. All of the history and back data around the Bard's works was exceptionally curiously and made a incredible storyline as Miranda and Robert set off on their small journey to find more approximately the Bard's pieces.

I have to admit, I wanted to read this book based on the cover alone. The book exceeded my expectations and lived up to the beautiful cover. The intricacies of Shakespeare’s works and the search for his missing sonnets was woven throughout the story. I loved Miranda and her intelligence and sense of adventure. Her quick wit made for enjoyable reading. Robert was duty-bound, a gentlemen, and ever willing to lend a hand. I enjoyed watching them fall for each other all while wondering if a happily ever after was even possible for them. The action in the book along with the mysteries and surprises made for a well rounded story. I am not a big Shakespeare person but this story made me appreciate his works even more. Fans of regency and historical fiction will enjoy Secret of the Sonnets. I received a copy of this book for free; all thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was my first book of Samantha Hastings, and it won’t be my last. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I signed up for this ARC, and I am not a huge fan of Shakespeare. But this story was so darn cute! Miranda is as smart of a whip and loves researching manuscripts of Shakespeare and her father is also a scholar and researches right along with her. She isn’t really intent on finding a husband, as the findings of writings are more important to her, so she fully expects to live her life as a spinster. Robert is just one of those guys that you are gunning for the entire time! He is down on his luck, and trying as hard as he can to right the wrongs of those before him. When these two are drawn together by fate, to try and find some missing manuscripts (her so that they are found and him so that he can obtain some money to fix his financial problems) you find that they uncover some secrets. What secrets? You will have to read the book to find out.

*I received aa copy of this book as an ARC reviewer, but a positive review wasn’t required. All thoughts are solely what I personally thought of this beautiful book.

This was a sweet historical romance! I love the characters. They were very witty and relatable. I also loved the references to Shakespeare! Thus, I recommend this for fans of Regency Romances who like a Little Shakespeare in their reading!

So Beautifully written. The Characters are so connectable. The Sonnets so lovely. All around great read.

Shakespeare scholars try to solve mysteries of sonnets and the quest for Shakespeare's signatures in this historical novel. Throw in a wealthy family heading for poverty because of mounting bills and profligate spending, and a romantic match, and you have a feast of reading for those who love Shakespeare. It is also good to see strong, intelligent women featured in romance novels. Each chapter starts with a sonnet, and discussion questions can be found at the end.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

This was an amazing book. I really like the chemistry between the characters. I also enjoyed the sonnets.

Read for:
Sweet romance
Regency setting
Shakespeare quotes
A dab of mystery

I think my favorite parts of the book were the Shakespearean quotes thrown about, especially between Miranda and her father. I didn't feel like the main characters changed much through the story, but there was enough action happening to them and around them to keep things interesting.

I loved reading the notes from the author at the end and thought she put her doctoral studies in Shakespeare to good use in this book.

Oh, and the sneak peak at the next book has me excited!

Contains: some violence

I enjoy Shakespeare’s comedies, but the only time I’ve read sonnets is for English class. Miranda and her father were Shakespearean scholars. I loved the way they could quote him back and forth in conversation. I felt more like Robert, an uneducated heathen.

Robert comes into the picture when Miranda is searching for lost Shakespearean manuscripts and comes across his ancestor’s name as a close friend of Shakespeare. She asks him to look through family records and an adventure begins!
I loved the suspense and mystery to this book, and the poetic license. The author plays around with history a bit, but in a way that seems plausible.

I came out of this book entertained with the mystery and romance, and perhaps having thought deeper enlightened thoughts. My former English teachers will rejoice!

I love Samantha Hastings books. She writes great characters and fun mysteries, and Secret of the Sonnets was both. I loved Miranda and Robert's relationship and how sweet and fun it was. I also really enjoyed the mystery regarding the sonnets. This was a fun, light read. Greatly enjoyed it.

Will this investigation lead them to the right answers…

What a witty humorous tale this book is.
Between the Hatches and their happy bantering, Alice, their little maid of all work, one of the many delight of this story and the bickering between Robert and his relatives.

It was an enjoyable full of surprises wild journey as we follow Miranda and Robert in their quest.
Miranda while having lived a very sheltered life, learned to her own expense to not take everything at face value after a betrayal left her wary of strangers to her little world.
Robert had the image of his late father tarnished by the way he left the family’s coffers indebted to so many people, he feels he is drowning under bills and creditors demands.
This is how he came to entertain an unusual demand for ancient documents that might provide him new funds and the scholar a rare find.

What chance the seeker of artefact is the young woman who caught his eyes and wishes him to hell a few days ago. And who would have known Miranda could get answers from the very man she wanted to dislike but could not forget.

I loved how while following conventions and society’s rules they were able to investigate and research, how their differences were not so enormous to build a bridge between, as they see the other for who they are instead of what they are in the ton’s eyes.
The author grants us a charming clever lively romance doubled with a mystery with a fascinating twist about a scholar who wants to leave its mark and the peer who longs to erase the bad one’s left by his predecessor.
5 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 kisses

I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

This was such a fun read! I loved the banter and humor in this story first and foremost. The mystery element was also something I really enjoyed. Miranda was an awesome character and Robert was pretty great too. Basically there wasn't anything about this book I didn't like, and it will be going straight to my keeper shelf.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley but purchased my own copy as well. I was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

This book was such a delightful surprise! I’m not sure what I expected, but it wasn’t such witty dialogue from the very first page. Miranda knows how to use her words and makes for such an entertaining story. She is a scholar looking to find Shakespear’s lost works. What she finds is an adventure that will change her life. Robert has an unexpected encounter with Miranda and their story begins.

Through the pages of sonnets and Shakespeare quotes unfolds a beautiful regency tale about searching for love. It’s also just so fun. Miranda has the best kind of relationship with her parents and their interactions made me smile every time. Robert’s family is.. well.. different. His mom in a sound…ugh. I loved the dialogue (especially with the unscholarly ) and Robert is swoony, a bit of intrigue, supporting characters who contribute wonderfully to the story, and the female character is perfectly balanced

This was a new to me author and I’m grateful for the ARC through Netgalley and @samanthahastingsauthor This review is voluntarily left because I am a new fan! And can we get a sigh for the beautiful cover? There is a teaser for her next book and I’m on a bit of a cliffhanger with excitement for it.

A beautiful unlikely love story. The plot is interesting from start to finish, the characters quirky and fun, and the mystery intriguing. A very enjoyable read I would recommend!

As per anything written by Samantha, this was adorable and very easy to read. If I had to say one negative thing, it was the usage of Shakespeare's sonnets throughout the story (at the beginning of each chapter as well as the female main character quotes the Bard in all her conversations) and this is just a personal thing, no error on the author's part I am just not a huge Shakespeare fan. But that being said, it did not hinder my love of this book or the author's writing.

This was a cute, very proper historical romance with two likeable characters that just could not help to love each other against all the odds. There was a mystery running in the background that kept the plot moving forward and the pacing was perfect. I highly recommend this for anyone who likes clean romances that have capable and charming main characters. I will gladly read anything by this author in the future, be it her adult or YA historical novels (and keep in mind I am not a historical fiction fan in general). 
I will say I would never thought to call someone an insufferable mushroom, but now it just might be my go-to insult.

If I could give this book more than five stars I would. I am nowhere near a Shakespeare expert, all my friends in school loved his works, I did not. But Samantha Hastings has a way with putting classic writings of the past, research and storytelling together in a way that pulled me in, and I suddenly cared and wanted to understand the language better.

Hastings did an exceptional job on this story. Not only is the weaving in of quotes from different writings seamless and cleaver, but the research also to pull that off it-impeccable. Hastings knows her stuff, she did the work, and pulled it off beautifully.

What really rounds it all out is her storytelling. I instantly fell in love with scholarly Miranda's character. Everything about this character was inspiring, charming and entertaining. Hastings had me laughing multiple times over character interactions-the words that are shared. And Robert, you slowly fall for him and his courage to stand up for not only Miranda, but also himself. His personal growth in this story is so satisfying. Add to that their journey to falling in love with all the twists, turns, villains-such an enjoyable read that has you hooked from the start and begging for all your responsibilities to disappear so you can finish the book. Fantastic release to start off the year, everyone go grab a copy and get reading this witty, delightful, charming and inspiring read.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publishers, publicists, and/or authors. A review was not required, and all opinions are my own.

If you haven’t picked up this book, at least mark it on your #goodreads as a Want to Read because you don’t want to miss the first 5 ⭐️ read or 2023!

I’d love to chat more about it, but I’ve got to get back to Robert and Miranda’s story to find out what’s around the corner… literally!

I’d you like:
🖋️regency
🖋️romance
🖋️differences in class
🖋️mystery
🖋️Shakespeare
🖋️witticisms

Then this is your next read!

Thank you Samantha for allowing me to be on your ARC/Street Team. I’ve been so blessed by this book, your amazing swag (only some is pictured here) and you! Review coming as soon as I finish!

The premise of this book drew me to it. I love the Regency era and will look for any excuse to immerse myself in that period. And the idea of two people searching Shakespeare’s sonnets for secrets was intriguing. Miranda was a lovely heroine. She was smart and curious and just the sort of heroine I love to read about. There were times when I felt that the book lagged a bit, but the plot was so endearing, and the surprises made it fun.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Covenant Communications through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.