Love beyond Sight!

Miss Hannah Hadley is used to being unseen, by her mother, society, and even her siblings. When unexpectedly asked to dance by a new acquaintance, she knows she must decline. It is difficult to dance when one can not see. And even more difficult to discern a new neighbor's character.

Jonathan Carter is a hero who feels misunderstood. Fresh from the West Indies the London scene is far from his comfort zone. When he feels slighted, by Miss Hannah Hadley he easily gives it in return, until he learns the reason behind her actions. Seeking forgiveness he searches out his new neighbor and is finding far more to her than just her lack of eyesight. Indeed, she may just be a woman worthy of his heart if only he can convince her of such.

Love Unseen is a wonderful read, showing the importance of looking beyond the physical to see the heart. Both characters felt very real and personal. I really enjoyed Hannah's optimism despite her difficulties. And Jonathan's goodness and devotion. I enjoyed journeying with these two as they overcame to find their happy ending.

How does it feel to finish a book and stare at a wall completely at loss of words? Well... now I know.
Love Unseen was the first book with the main character having this sort of disability. And, to be honest, I am amazed by how well the author expressed Hannah's point of view. It gave me a whole new perspective about the way we see the world. Books like this often make me see how blessed we are without even realising.

The book has Cinderella vibes, which I adore. Jonathan and Hannah have a cute first meet, and since then I knew I was going to love their relationship.
As a romanian author once said, this book is a beautiful 'harmony of contrasts'.

I can't wait for another Rachel Kelley Stones masterpiece because this is what Love Unseen is.

* I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley, and this is my honest opinion.*

What's not to love about this quick-read romance set during the early 1800's. Class distinction was alive and rigidly well defined, which made for some interesting scenarios in this narrative. Splurges of humor, antagonisms, agonizing suspense-filled moments, issues of disablity and values of forgiviness and overcoming anger were touched upon.

Hannah sure took Jonathan for a spin! Most people love a wholesome story so I feel confident most readers will enthuse over this one. Very enjoyable and satisfying read.

~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~

June 2023

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimetnary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

**Review will be published on release day on my site and socials!**

I enjoyed this one a lot! Hannah was such a wonderful FMC and her resilient strength shown throughout the whole book. She doesn’t let her disability define her and I loved seeing her define her self-worth and place in society.

There was even DUAL POV with Jonathan too. I adored him as well. I liked seeing his self reflection and growth as he acknowledged mistakes, made apologies and pursued Hannah. They were a sweet pairing and I liked all of their interactions.

A charming story that gets some intense scenes towards the end. I liked the pick-up in action and the rush I felt flying through pages wondering if Jonathan and Hannah were going to make it back to each other. Filled with redemptive characters (and some villains that in no way deserve redemption), a nice level of drama and a satisfying romance, I thought this was a great debut and I look forward to more books by this author.

Overall audience notes:

Historical Romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Violence: low
Trigger/Content Warnings: ableism, loss of sight, loss of a father (recounted), brief assault, physical injuries

This was such a good debut novel! It’s an intriguing story and well written. It was a unique story having one of the characters be blind.
I enjoyed the characters. Hannah and Jonathan were great. I also enjoyed the side characters and definitely wanted to read Jane and Markham’s story because their relationship seemed so sweet.

What a beautiful novel! I seriously can't believe it's a debut. The story is infinitely charming and a bit heart-rending at times, too. From the characters to the setting to the plot, everything was magnificent.

I've read quite a lot of regency books, and so I'm a bit hesitant since a lot of them end up being a "been there, read that" experience for me. Despite that, I tried to go into this novel without expectations. I came away utterly thrilled with a new regency novel that held my interest the entire time. I couldn't put it down!

Giving Hannah such a conspicuous disability during the regency era immediately makes this story unique. That time was based entirely on appearances, and doing so was almost like setting up Hannah for immediate failure (for that time period). But that is exactly what makes this story so compelling.

I adored Hannah and her resiliency. My heart was touched by the message of love and support given to her from those who became her friends. It makes me want to be someone who supports others in their challenges. We all need less judgment and more support, and this book's perfectly showcases that.

On that note, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Jonathan. He's definitely a gentleman in every sense of the word. I loved how he and Hannah grew from a bumpy start to friends to more in such a sweet way. Having the story written with both their perspectives added so much dimension to their relationship.

I'm highly impressed at the depth in this debut novel. It's a lovely read with some endearing moments. I do think that there was a lot going on at the end and it felt a bit rushed at times, so the only thing I'd change is to simplify the ending and allow the focus to not be so divided among many things happening in a short span of time. Other than that, this novel is a work of art, and I'd gladly pay to add it to my personal collection. I plan on doing so when the book is published.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC and for the opportunity to review this book.

What an absolutely beautiful story. It is not often that you see a heroine in a Regency that has a disability and our hero saw her blindness as anything but, Initially, Jonathan could not even tell that she is blind and feels rejected when Hannah turns down his offer to dance.

Rather than skirting around issues, the couple's communication is inspiring. Hannah's mother is probably the absolute worst and I hated her, with the vitriol directed to Hannah "ruining her life" Her brother was a bit oblivious, but redeemed himself.

I am thoroughly moved by the story. It had all the feelings and couldn’t put it down. It sounds cliche but I couldn’t. It was a beautiful story. There were moments of anxiety and I couldn’t read fast enough. I am so blessed for having read it. I was left hanging on every word, What a completely breathtaking story, run to get a hold of a copy, you won't regret it.

This is a strong debut for this author. I was thoroughly absorbed into the story and found it to be not the typical Regency and it is stronger for approaching a topic that often would be overlooked. I look forward to more from this author.

I received an early copy from the publisher through NetGalley and this is my honest review.

Oh this story took me on quite the adventure! There are many things that make it unique and it has several characters that I won't soon forget. I love Hannah's personality. I love her perspective on life and I just wanted to reach into the book and give her a hug. Her family is atrocious and I was really frustrated with them so many times. They were so awful it was almost distracting from the rest of the story line. It certainly is not a relaxing read because there are so many emotions that take over while reading. Jonathan Carter I also got frustrated with a few times. I think the fact that he isn't perfect made him a more realistic character. There are some really fun scenes and the romance is just sweet and simple. I thought it was well written and I applaud the author at writing from such a different perspective. I wish there were a few things fleshed out a bit more and perhaps less of the crazy family but I still really enjoyed this story. I recommend and I will be looking for more books by this author.

Four Stars.

"I received this book from NetGalley for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

Love Unseen is unlike any other Regency I've read! Rachel Kelley Stones has written a unique, touching story with wonderful characters, I don't want to say too much to spoil the story, but here are some things I loved...

Hannah is so strong, resilient, and caring. She rises above her circumstances and is a beautiful person, inside and out.

Jonathan is a great male lead - he learns from his mistakes and loves deeply.

I loved that Hannah finds her true friends, even when her family treats her horribly. They are a wonderful support system!

My only complaint, and it's very tiny, is that some of the wording was a bit too modern. Some of the vocabulary to describe Hannah's condition was very modern, and other phrases like "she threw out her fist to slug me" felt a bit out of place. But it definitely wasn't enough to stop me from enjoying the story!

If you love Regency novels, I definitely recommend this one!

Thank you to Covenant Communications, NetGalley, and the author for the opportunity to read a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions!

I'm unsure how to write this review without giving any spoilers away. Suffice it to say that I absolutely loved this book. From the very first chapter to the last, this book had so many twists that I didn't see coming. I read it in a single day because I couldn't put it down. I really wasn't sure what would happen next, and kept reading nonstop to find out. I admired Hannah's strength, and I especially loved Jonathan's tendency to put his foot in his mouth and his subsequent apologies.

In "Love Unseen," Hannah has accepted that she will likely remain a spinster forever; a task that is fairly daunting, since her home is not always a welcoming place. On the other hand, Jonathan has all the money in the world to set up a secure life for himself—but none of the social standing, since his fortune comes from trade. With so many members of society looking down their noses at him, Jonathan is especially irked when his new neighbor, Hannah, refuses to dance with him. But little does Jonathan know that their acquaintance will not end then. And as their feelings for each other grow, he will need to decide how he feels about Hannah soon or risk losing her forever.

Overall, this book was absolutely great. Since this book was Rachel Kelley Stones's debut novel, it was obviously the first book I read from her. However, I am officially a fan now and will read anything she chooses to publish in the future.

Alright, I see you, Rachel Stones!

You never know what to expect with a debut novel but wow, I was completely hooked on this story and could not put it down! It kept me up way past my bedtime but it was absolutely worth it!

Hannah has made peace with her disability and the fact that she is likely to remain a spinster. Jonathan has recently returned home to England only to discover that though a gentleman, his family's new money means he is not accepted easily by other members of the ton.

After a disastrous meet-cute, Hannah and Jonathan find friendship with each other which quickly leads to something more. But their feelings for each may not be enough against the cruelty from others determined to separate them.

Read if you love:

Regency romance
Dual pov
Cinderella trope
Character with disability
A villain you love to hate
Great character development
Plot twists
Intrigue and suspense
Grumpy/sunshine vibes
Family drama
Moments of redemption
Super sweet romance

I completely fell in love with Jonathan and Hannah (despite a rocky start) and was cheering them on to find their happily ever even though they had so many obstacles in their way. All the feels with this book!!

This story was charming, delightful, and a breath of fresh air in the genre. I will absolutely be reading whatever this author writes next! (Please let it be Jane's or James' story!!)

I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.

This is one GREAT novel. The main characters are such great people and the villains are so bad. Honestly, I did not expect someone so close to to Hannah to be the main 'bad guy'. I can't even explain all that went into this book, but it is wonderful and deserves to be read!!!!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

I really enjoyed this story! The main character Hannah, is blind. This is the first story I’ve read with a blind main character. She is also beautiful, kind, and strong. Her mother treats her horribly but she is a strong character. Hannah is kind of a “Cinderella” type character. I loved how she told stories to the children and is willing to do anything for them. Jonathan is new to society. Jonathan and Hannah get off to a bumpy start through misunderstanding and some rude comments but forgiveness is given and then their friendship begins. Jonathan is very considerate with Hannah’s blindness. I really liked their relationship. Very sweet! I also liked Jonathan’s relationships with his sister and mother. Overall a great story and clean! Definitely recommend!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

I cant understand why a mother will blame everything to her disabled children and being hatefull, her sister so mean too. What wrong with them? Hannah not chosee to be blind. I glad Hannah get her HEA, man who love her the way she is.

Thank you to NetGalley for provide this book, it is pleasure to review this book.

#LoveUnseen #RachelKelleyStones #CovenantCommunications #NetGalley #ARC

4.5 stars

I’m really picky and choosy when it comes to regencies. I love them, but they have to be distinct in a sea full of regency books.

The discovery in chapter one sets this book apart, and continues to do so throughout the book.

While I came to loathe certain characters, I likewise came to love the intended ones.
You can tell Hannah’s character was wonderfully and carefully crafted, and Johnathan we come to see as entirely lovable.
The side characters were entertaining too, and there are a few whose stories I’m hoping to see in the future!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I found myself desiring to skip the cooking and the cleaning, and ended up giving up sleep because I just had to finish it!

A really impressive debut novel!

Love Unseen by Rachel Kelley Stones

This story was so beautifully written and I could not put it down. There were so many twists and I loved everything about this book. I loved loved Hannah. She is so brave and I loved seeing her grow and becomes an even stronger woman.

When she first meets Mr. Jonathan Carter, she is left with a not so great impression. As she gets to know her new neighbor better, her feelings shift to something different. But could a good man ever want someone like her?

This is one of my favorite reads of 2023! I highly recommend this book.

#LoveUnseen #NetGalley

This book has my heart. I think it will be one of my top five for 2023.

Hannah is my favorite kind of heroine. She has flaws and obstacles but inspires cheering instead of pity. Jonathan is a blundering fool at first but the best kind of hero by the end. There is banter, depth, compassion, and love that goes deeper than the surface.

I would have read it in one sitting if reality allowed that. All the stars, all the applause, all the praise.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy to review. All opinions are my own.

England, 1815

Despite her beauty and kind disposition, Hannah Hadley is well on her way to becoming a spinster and, she has accepted her harsh reality: she will never marry. She is continually affected by an illness from her youth.

Hannah is blind and tries she might is not accepted readily by the ton when she first meets Jonathan Carter he is careless with his words towards her, and he apologies but when he meets with her for the second time he again oversteps his bounds with her but despite this negligence he knows he needs to apologize. Hannah is brave, intelligent, and caring despite living in the darkness, she still strives to be a productive individual even though most don’t know how to handle her. She has a few allies who support her wholeheartedly.

I enjoyed Love Unseen very much, I liked the alternating POVs of Hannah and Jonathan. I love that Jonathan fought for Hannah even though she was capable of fighting for herself. He called on her brother(and those who considered Hannah their neighbour and friend) who wasn’t being the guardian that their father would’ve expected. Love Unseen shows when love can be when it is seen. Highly recommended!

My gratitude to Netgalley and Covenant Communications. All opinions expressed are mine and honest.

NOTICE : If spoilers bother you and affect your enjoyment of a book until you get to that part, do not read the blurb. Just trust me and read the book without knowing about it.

What a way to kick off a writing career! This is a debut novel by Rachel Kelley Stones. The writing sure didn't seem like a first book!

This is a fresh romance story set during the Regency Era in England. I really enjoyed that it was a first person, dual point of view story. Although sometimes I wanted to continue with one of the character's chapter instead of switching. 😂

Hannah is a relatable character with so many challenges. One or two would be overwhelming, but she has more than I can count. And they just seem to keep coming! Sometimes I couldn't believe she could handle any more of them.

I was very impressed with the book and I really looked forward to reading it each time I sat down with some time. I look forward to more stories from the author.

If I had to pick a weakness in the story it would be the conclusion. In someways it seemed to drag and yet also was rushed. I don't know how to explain it more clearly than that without spoilers, but once you read it, perhaps you'll understand.

I thank the author, publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary eARC of the book, and I am happy to leave my honest review.

Love Unseen was a refreshing new take on a regency romance. Writing characters with disabilities has become more common in the genre, but this is the first time I have read a regency where the main character is blind. The author has done an excellent job of portraying the world and daily life of someone who has lost their sight.
Hannah, who is the character with blindness, faces many challenges in life. One of them being her own family. And with no hope of ever marrying she worries she will always be a burden to them. But new neighbors move to town and with them a young eligible bachelor, Jonathon. After a rocky start Hannah and Jonathon find a connection. Not happy with their bidding romance, Hannah’s family whisks her away. Can Hannah and Jonathon find a way to be together.
Overall I enjoyed the story . The characters are well written. The beginning of the story was quick to pull you in, but did struggle with the pacing near the end of this story. There were some areas where I thought the story could be wrapped up and finished nicely, but then it kept going. The conclusion was a little too dragged out. There is also some violence/abuse that is a little hard to stomach. Otherwise it is a book I enjoyed and would recommend.
Thank you to Covenant Communication and NetGalley for a ARC in exchange for my honest review.