4.5 /5 stars
I enjoyed this book so much that I had to buy the book. No more is needed to say. Just read it!

I enjoyed the overall story, but a few things fell flat for me. The beginning felt rushed in order to send Vale to the 1800s as quickly as possible, and I experienced some disconnect with what Vale left behind - she experienced grief for children we never really met or saw a connection with. More lore around the time travel would have been interesting.

I think some of the disappointment is on me for expecting more Outlander vibes. I enjoyed some of this book, but would probably not read it again.

I loved the idea for this book, and I think it's one I might come back to at some point, but I felt that the writing was a little too unpolished for me. Maybe a little too juvenile sounding for it being an adult book. I really did love the idea for it though! The story was good, I just couldn't get past the writing.

VALE was such a cool and unique book! one I would definitley recommend to other people, especially based on the relatability of the main character, interesting setting and incredible references.

The premise intrigued me, and I loved seeing the differences and parallels in the characters. My biggest complaint is there are times when the story goes into too much of a lull. Then there were times I wish things had been fleshed out a little more, but felt glossed over to keep things moving. That out of the way, the characters are believable, and Edward is absolutely swoon-worthy! Part fantasy, part romance, part family secrets and mysteries, this is a great leisurely read!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The cover and summary drew me in. Tessa Bentley is a master with historical fiction.

Bentley draws you in with the opening scene, and keeps pulling you deeper. The premise intrigued me, and I loved seeing the differences and parallels in the characters. My biggest complaint is there are times when the story goes into too much of a lull. Then there were times I wish things had been fleshed out a little more, but felt glossed over to keep things moving. That out of the way, the characters are believable, and Edward is absolutely swoon-worthy! Part fantasy, part romance, part family secrets and mysteries, this is a great leisurely read!

loved the concept of the book. first off, the cover is amazing. being removed from present day and being trapped in the 1800s is a wild experience. i appreciate the touch of similar issues from then and today.

I love historical fiction and this novel and this novel was very good. Well written and I loved that plot twist!
Many thanks to Leifman Books and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book was ok, but I think I wasn't in the right space to read it. I have to say though Tessa's instagram is very fun to follow and the hype was built for me. I will definitely go back and give this another try.

Beautifully atmospheric and brooding, Vale embodies an unassuming and searching voice from a bygone era. As a modern woman, Vale struggles with the same forces that have subdued women for centuries, her second chance at life in Victorian England offers an apt and deeply emotional reflection of female experience.

As a lover of historical fiction, this book was so interesting to me! I've rarely dove into the time-travel subgenre for fear of not liking the transition between the present and the past, but VALE eased that and managed to be an enjoyable read! I loved how very authentic Vale's experiences were, she felt like a character and not a caricature. Both her abusive marriage and her trouble adjusting to her historical experience added color to the book. The plot was strong, as was the writing, and I thoroughly enjoyed the romantic elements! Overall, I ver much enjoyed this book, and it was a great change of pace from the standard histfic romance. I can't wait to see what Bentley writes in the future! Thank you so much to the publisher for the ARC!

The book was one of the most beautiful stories in recent years. Bentley's prose is a tapestry, meticulously stitched with rich descriptions and characters that feel like whispered confidences. You'll walk cobbled streets with Eleanor, a heroine whose strength lies in her vulnerability, and find yourself entangled in the enigmatic charm of Mr. Emberley. Their dance around unspoken truths builds a tension that simmers, not explodes, leaving you yearning for the next stolen glance, the next shared secret.
It's a reminder that magic doesn't always need roaring fireballs; it can spark in stolen moments, shared laughter, and the quiet courage of everyday choices. This book leaves you with a lingering smile, a gentle warmth that lingers long after you turn the final page.

Unfortunately this book didn't land for me. The setting in 1840s England didn't quite feel realistic to me and there were changes in style and addressing the reader that threw me off.

Thanks to Netgalley, Leifman Books and Tess Bently for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed Vale, it was full of intrigue, magic, romance and mystery.

I liked the time travel element and the atmosphere was beautiful.
The characters were interesting and mysterious and the storyline was compelling.
Vale was an interesting main character. Sometimes she seemed determined and strong, then she changed to timid and weak, which I guess tied in with the transition she went through in the story, it was just a bit annoying to read at times.

Overall, I recommend Vale and look forward to reading more from Tess in the future.

4 stars from me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A massive thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!! I really enjoyed this book; definitely something I will tell my friends about!

Not a ghost story for Christmas Eve, but romance, time travel, and a touch of Gothic… book review: ‘Vale’ by @tessbentleyauthor

Vale is a Californian millennial trapped in a loveless marriage that saps her self-worth but which she endures the sake of her children. When she is transported back in time to northern England in the 1840s, she finds herself faced with an old curse, feuding families, and several broken hearts, not least her own. As she comes to terms with what she’s lost, she realises what she’s found, in spite of a few bumps in the road.

I found the portrayal of a loveless marriage and loss-of-self particularly poignant, and also loved the exploration of how life in the 19th century might feel to someone used to 21st- century comfort and convenience and I now have serious historical house envy. It’s cleverly plotted, with elements of magic and folklore to embellish the central romance and self-discovery, plus a tangible love of 19th-century atmosphere. There are also some moving, tender depictions of friendship, and some moments of delightful warmth and humour, including an 1840s take on the bachelorette party.

The author, Tess, is one of the fabulous people I met on @nataliestendallwrites’s read along of Clarissa this year. She’s always full of enthusiasm, and genuine and thoughtful in her interactions and posts, so I’ve been meaning to read Vale for a while. Happy to report the story is as thoughtful and from the heart as its author.

Lyrical fun! VALE by Tess Bentley was beautifully written and the prose was so good I found myself highliting whole paragraphs. However, the characters' actions and developments were messy and contrived to move the plot along. I will still pick up Bentley for her prose in the future in hopes of more developed characters.

"My love for my children was infinite, and to be their mother was the delight of my life, but I was emotionally exhausted, not because I was a mother, but because I was a wife."

"For the first time in my life, depression was beginning to surface. The seeds were planted on my wedding day— tiny shoots of loneliness, sadness, infidelity, dismissiveness— and all had been watered, often with my own tears, over the last decade.

"that I had swallowed all my feelings, ignored my own hurt, and given so much of myself to my husband that I had nothing left for me?"

The author did such a great job on portraying the mentality of the character. The plot was interesting and original. I really enjoyed how she portrayed the atmosphere of victorian era, she captured the scenery quite well. The book was upsetting yet also beautiful.

I wish I could give this 10 more stars. The concept is absolutely fascinating. I would love to go back to the 1800's and experience life at that time, knowing what I know now of the current times. The characters are well-developed, interesting, and likeable. The story is rich in detail of both the ways of the prior times and the intricate story. So well done. Excellent.