Thank you Netgalley for an EARC of this book in exchange for my honest review

3.5 stars

Was so excited for a LBGTQ+ medieval romance! It was very cute but also kind of boring. It was very predictable and I wish the characters had more depth. It was still a fun book and I enjoyed reading it. Impressive for a debut novel!

One Night in Hartswood presents a refreshing historical LGBTQ romance, boasting strong and authentic queer representation. The characters are intriguing, and the narrative exudes a comforting warmth. I found it thoroughly enjoyable.

Raff Barden has arrived at the de Foucart keep for his sisters strategically arranged marriage to de Foucart's son William. Raff would rather be out hunting, walking, travelling, annoyed to be hoisted with first son duties because his brother has not been right since returning from war. William "Penn" de Foucart is betrothed to Lily Barden, but he wants to escape his oppressive life and his abusive father. While spending his pre-wedding night in the forest surrounding his father's keep, he meets Raff and pretends to be a servant. It is this night of freedom with Raff and a charged kiss that makes up his mind to run away. When Raff learns about William leaving, he promises to track him, but finds Penn instead and they travel north together. Without knowing each others true identities, the two develop a deep and romantic bond. But what will happen when the truth comes out?

I loved Raff and Penn with all of my heart and wished them every kind of happiness. However, the first half of this book was much too slow and winding. The wording was beautiful and poetic, I was sucked into the world they lived in, but very little happened as our two heroes travelled endlessly together. I had to switch to audio or I would not have been able to finish the novel.

Once they finally arrive at Dunlyn Castle, about 3/4 of the way into the book, the plot finally begins to progress. As well, we are back with Raff's family, who I am obsessed with. Lily is heroic in her own right and deserves to be regarded as more than the box her world wants her to fit inside. Plus, I hear the next book is about her and a certain Lady, and that it will be like A Knight's Tale (dare I saw, swoon). And don't get me started on haunted and moody Ash. His story is sure to have me in a choke hold, because I can already tell it is going to ache.

My favourite bits of this story were when Penn was finally able to confront his father and use his wits and sharp tongue to turn his father's friends to his favour. He is smart and determined to do all he can for Raff, no matter the cost to himself. I felt that Penn was the most well developed character and showed the most growth throughout the book. Raff was a good character, but I would have liked more depth. I found his gruffness and standoffishness endearing, and he very clearly cared for Penn, but I always love a good grump opening up to his sunshine.

This is a cozy story, so more for people who enjoy meandering, slow paced books. Not quite my style, but I am excited to read about the next two Barden children. This whole family is a delight. They are unconventional for their time and I want to see them flourish in a world that destroys anything "other."

I was finally able to read this book, it took me awhile to get to.

I felt like this book was at the same time slow and fast. I was shocked it was only 300ish pages, when it felt like a much longer book, maybe due to the audiobook.

I did like the story a lot, even though I felt like the end was just lagging, I wanted it to get to the point.

Still a fun read!

One Night in Hartswood is a new, fresh historical LGBTQ romance! It has solid queer rep, and the characters themselves are interesting. It feels cozy in the best way, but it still feels like a mini-adventure. I really did enjoy it.

I REALLY liked this book. It was a refreshing take on a historical LGBTQ romance. The characters were relatable and enjoyable, and the plot was dynamic and interesting. This is a great book for anyone who loves historical LGBTQ fiction but wants a fresh perspective and narrative!

To say I was captivated by One Night in Hartswood is an understatement. From the writing to the characters to the plot I was enthralled and all I wanted to do was champion Raff and Penn's love. Their journey throughout the novel was not just a physical one but an emotional one. To discover who they truly were beyond the titled identities they kept hidden from one another, and an attraction that at the time needed to be kept secret. I also appreciated how important the role of family was to either character. How Raff's siblings encouraged and supported who Raff wanted to be with and how Penn's sister was integral to their safety later on in the story. This role of support juxtaposed against the feeling of isolation the two characters felt based on who they loved, and how everyone did what they did because they knew Penn and Raff loved one another because to them that was all that mattered. Oh and I cannot forget how giddy I got with the not so accidental hand grazes to the need to cuddle for warmth to the steamy kisses and more. As the story progressed and those intimate moments between them grew, I felt all the butterflies and it made my heart so happy.

This book had what I read it for: a solid queer romance in medieval England, prose suited for historical fiction that wasn't too distracting but I got annoyed with the lying and more than that the book did not move me which is a shame for a romance (it feel a bit bland)

I did like that both Penn and Raff had different conflicts established early that were believable for the time period but besides their initial characterisation i struggled to connect with the characters. Penn is clearly more developped than Raff with an actual storyline connecyed to his father.

This very quickly became one of my favourite books of the year!
It felt cozy and nostalgic in the best way, while still being it's own fresh new thing! The walking and sleeping in the forest reminded me of all my favourite fantasy stories from growing up -but gayer! In short, it was everything I was hoping for ... but cozier and cuter and better all around!

One Night in Hartswood is a cozy queer historical romance set in the mid-fourteenth century. I thought Raff and Penn had great chemistry from the start with lots of sweet moments between them. And there were also many emotional moments surrounding topics of abuse and family obligations.

This was my first time reading a historical romance set in this time period, and I think the author did a good job with the world-building and introducing the reader to the language and traditions of the time. The language particularly took a bit to get used to, but I think it was well-done and the writing overall was lovely.

That being said, I didn't find myself wanting to pick up and keep reading to find out what happens next. I enjoyed myself while reading, but I didn't really think about the book when I wasn't. This might be a nice read for audiobook when you can have it on in the background.

The story could be slow-paced at times, especially during the first half, but I found the ending to be a very satisfying wrap-up to the story. I could see myself picking up more books about these characters or from this author!