This book is like a gothic romance to me with some spooky vibes. I liked where Rebecca went with this one. I wasn’t expecting it. One I never read the synopsis I just love her books in the past. But this one surprised me and for the good!

To me it was beauty and the beast meets Jane erye and I lived all those vibes. I love the history that was woven in the story too!

A storm on the moors, a dark foreboding manor, howling wind, weird sounds….and a ghost! A good Gothic novel without being dark and gloomy. The mystery and romance are well mixed. The main characters are likable, especially Hyacinth! I love that she isn’t just a belle at a ball. I didn’t want to put the book down until Hyacinth was able to solve the mystery.

uhhhh... unfortunately, this wasn't for me. I didn't like "The Art of Love and Lies" either, but I thought, perhaps, that was just a fluke and I'd give the author another go. I will say this one improved over that one in the enjoyment department, but that's a low bar, so... yeah.

Hyacinth just kinda baffled me, I guess? Like, girly doesn't even hesitate to pick locks and go where she's been expressly told not to go, even though she's an employee of this estate and does not actually live here. (She's like "why would Mrs. Carter hide things from me??" and I'm like "bestie, perhaps she locked doors because she doesn't want your grubby hands all in her business??") The romance also gave me the ick several times (not waving red flags, though, I'll give them that)

The actual mystery/plot? That I was into. I really liked [character who's name I'll redact for spoiler reasons], they almost saved the book for me. And I will say, I don't know when (if ever) I've read a book with a botanist at the forefront. So that's cool. (not that she spent a ton of time with the flowers... she was more interested in making doe-eyes at Lucas)

So yeah, this was a bummer. But that's okay! I can see how it would work for other people, it just didn't work for me. 2.5 stars.

First off, the cover of this book is simply gorgeous, and it does such a good job of capturing the spooky quality of this gothic-esque novel. Though it took me a long time to get into, I found that the last third of the book was worth the slow start. This book even had me googling to find out more about certain historical events and circumstances, and to me that's a mark of good historical fiction.

The main character of this novel drove me nuts. She was a little too happy-go-lucky and not scared enough, in my opinion. And the male main character wasn't my favorite either. I did enjoy the secondary characters and found them more compelling, which kept me reading. The "Lament" portions were my favorite parts.

3.5 stars, rounded up. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a complimentary copy to review. I was not required to post a positive review and all opinions are my own.

This was such a fun story of mystery!!
I felt like I was on the edge of my seat the whole time!

Great characters, with secrets! But don't worry, you learn them!

I have loved anything and everything that I've read by Rebecca Anderson, and The Orchids of Ashthorne Hall was no different.

Lucious, gothic-style romantic mystery that has you absolutely enthralled from the beginning.

Anderson's descriptions are haunting and beautiful and so intricately woven that you feel as though you are there on the moors of Cornwall.

I cannot wait for the next book from Rebecca Anderson

General Notes:
Author: Rebecca Anderson
Format: Kindle
Genre: Historical Romance with a bit of mystery
Language: None
Romance: Kisses
Violence: Mild
Trigger/content warnings: None

This book was great! I loved the mystery and I loved the connection between Hyacinth and Lucas. Anderson's writing style is getting better and better. She really knocked this one out of the park!

This book is so good! I have always really enjoyed Rebecca Anderson's novels and this is no exception! So lucky to have been able to read an ARC of this book! Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity!

The Orchids of Ashthorne Hall by Rebecca Anderson is a Victorian gothic mystery romance. Hyacinth Bell is an expert on orchids and she’s been asked to come to Ashthorne Hall to care for a rare collection. But the nearly empty manor is said to have ghosts roaming the halls and Hyacinth is sure she sees one. As Hyacinth begins to investigate, she meets the manor’s caretaker, Lucas Harding. She has an instant connection to him, but soon realizes he’s keeping secrets from her. The closer Hyacinth gets to the truth, the more danger she finds herself in. Can she trust Lucas to help her figure out once and for all who is haunting the halls of Ashthorne?

This mystery has just enough toe-curling tension to keep the pages flying long into the night. Readers will love the spooky feel as Hyacinth ventures into the forbidden parts of the manor to follow a ghost and expose the secrets the manor is keeping. Her romance with Lucas may be quick, but their attachment sets in motion events that soon make it essential that they trust each other as danger closes in on every side. Hyacinth is a strong, independent character who is very relatable as she truly loves and cares for the plants, as well as the people around her. She is also brave in the face of danger, especially when those she’s come to love are threatened. Readers will enjoy her courage and tenacity throughout the story. The author has expertly woven in the history of the time period with this atmospheric, unique, and absorbing mystery that will keep readers wondering what will happen next right up until the very last page!

The Orchids of Ashthorne Hall is set in 1887 along the Cornwall Coast. This book is a surprising Proper Romance with its mysterious and haunting atmosphere. It offers a refreshing change as the main characters are not from the nobility. Hyacinth Bell and Lucas Harding both work at Ashthorne Hall, located on the estate of the Whitbeck family, who are living in India. Hyacinth, a botanist, is tasked with caring for Mr. Whitbeck's prized orchid collection, while Lucas serves as the manor's caretaker.

The mystery at Ashthorne Hall begins with peculiar events within the house and its surroundings. Hyacinth suspects the presence of ghosts haunting the hallways, adding a Gothic feeling. Her investigation of the ghost was heart-thumping at times.

As far as the romance, there was an immediate attraction that sparked between Lucas and Hyacinth, leading to a thrilling and unexpected first kiss. I wish there had been more interaction and development of their romance, especially since they had excellent chemistry.

As Hyacinth discovers surprising information about her mysterious ghost, the story becomes even more gripping.

Including discussion questions by the author truly improves the reading experience for book clubs or buddy reads.

Readers who are fans of Jane Eyre and enjoy mysteries set in eerie locations will find this clean romance with a chilling atmosphere and a hint of romance, very appealing.

I love it when a book surprises me. This one did just that. When I think of Regency or even Victorian, I think of the balls and the ladies and gentlemen of the Ton. This one hits the edge of that but it is so much more. This Victorian features a heroine who is..... shock..... working! She is also a lady and a botanist with an eccentric father who encourages her learning. In Ashthorne Hall, she finds a bit more than she expected. There is a care taker whom she befriends, a housekeeper whom she cannot understand, and tales of a ghost.

All is not what it seems which makes this story a delight and kept me turning the pages. Hyacinth, our heroine, is called in to care for the Orchids of a Lord who is in India. Lucas, his caretaker, has secrets of his own and tries to downplay the tales of a ghost. What happens in this book brings secrets to light and reveals the true character of all those in Ashthorne Hall.

This was a beautiful story was unexpected in all the good ways. The characters had beautiful chemistry and the mystery as it unfolded was one of compassion and information. I would highly recommend this one. Rebecca Anderson did a tremendous job with this story and it addressed situations that might be uncomfortable to others and they were handled beautifully.

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

Hyacinth Bell is a botanist specializing in orchids. She's beyond excited when Mr. Whitbeck invites her to Ashthorne Hall to care for his orchid collection while he and his family are in India. Hyacinth is not prepared for a storm on the last leg of her long journey, the warnings she receives about not wandering Ashthorne Hall and it being haunted by spirits, or the unwelcoming housekeeper.

Despite the eerie winds whipping off the Cornwall coast at night and being admonished to avoid locked doors and never enter the north wing of the house, Hyacinth finds a couple of bright spots while settling into her new life at the Hall: the hot house, where she cares for the orchids she loves and her developing friendship with the caretaker, Lucas Harding.

I haven't read a Gothic novel in quite awhile and this one got me in the mood right away: a storm across the moors, a night arrival to a large estate with only one window alight, long dark hallways, the howling wind, and weird sounds at night. It reminded me of Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier and the mystery had me turning pages quickly! This story is not all dark and gloomy though, I liked the lighter moments such as Hyacinth talking to the plants in the hot house and her growing relationship with Lucas.

I don't want to spoil the mystery but I really liked how the author took a real event in history and wove it into this wonderful spooky story. I found the author's notes at the end informative and there are also discussion questions if you chose this book for your book club.

I received a copy from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Dnf at 30% just wasn’t invested and didn’t find the story compelling enough to finish. Also didn’t love the characters.

While I enjoyed the entries at the beginning of each chapter I didn't really care for the rest of the story. I thought the ghost concept was odd and it just wasn't for me.

WOW! This book is INCREDIBLE! Every time I picked up "The Orchids of Ashthorne Hall", I was whisked back in time, and went on such an emotional journey with this moving, gripping, intriguing, haunting, atmospheric, and romantic story.

Firstly, this cover is so haunting and stunning!

Rebecca Anderson's writing is so visceral and detailed. The world she brings to life within her story jumps right off of the page, and each and every moment is written in such a clear way. Her storytelling had me turning the pages into the early hours of the morning (I stayed awake to finish the book until 3:30am) to see what was going to happen next, and I found myself pulling for a happily-ever-after from the first moments.

Hyacinth is an amazingly strong, brave, intelligent, determined woman, and an incredibly talented botanist who cares deeply for the plants she takes care of. Lucas is such a kind, loving, protective, hard-working man, who is the caretaker of Ashthorne Hall. Never could either Hyacinth nor Lucas have imagined how their initial meeting will change both of their lives, as well as the lives of those they care about most.

(Possible Spoilers!)
Oh my goodness! Hyacinth and Lucas truly bring out the best in one another. They bring one another so much joy, and as they begin to open up and their relationship deepens, their love story continues to blossom.

I do not want to say too much about other aspects of the plot itself due to major plot-point spoilers, but, I will say, this novel truly has so much in it: history, mystery, love in different forms, secrets, and a house and setting that becomes a character in its own right. Many moments throughout this novel had me on the edge of my seat not knowing what could come next, many absolutely broke my heart and had me in tears, and many were so incredibly full of hope and powerful themes that are so important. There is extremely important history throughout, and I learned so much and it broke my heart. I absolutely plan to do more research on my own time as well.

If you enjoy Historical Romance, I highly recommend this book! I so look forward to reading what Ms. Anderson writes next!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the ARC of this book, and to Shadow Mountain Publishing for sending me a physical ARC as well! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Hyacinth Bell comes to Ashthorne Hall to study the storied collection of rare Orchids, but she finds more than she bargained for when she meets its charming caretaker, and stumbles upon a spinetingling mystery.

An engaging historical novel that swept me away to the coast of Cornwall, as Hyacinth is drawn into the mysteries hidden within Ashthorne Hall. Hyacinth is an intelligent young woman, with a passion for botany. I loved how she and Lucas become friends while working on the estate together, and he is instantly likable despite the secrets hidden behind his eyes. They have great chemistry, and the plot was gripping and well paced.

Overall, a highly enjoyable read with excellent characters and a well executed plot that kept me guessing and rooting for the main characters to the end. A wonderfully atmospheric clean romance, great for fans of regency romance with a gothic touch.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A perfectly delicious gothic romance. With a house full of secrets containing a personality as thick as Manderley and a heroine every bit as adventurous and imaginative as Catherine Morland it made my skin crawl in the best ways.

I’m not sure what I loved more the incredible descriptions that added to the eeriness, the well placed ebb and flow of tension or the way she was able to leave me completely swoony over a simple brush of rose petals.

The character development is done subtly so even the nature of each character is a mystery to unfold.
The setting and the powerful ending left me thoroughly delighted.

A great story with Jane Eyre and Beauty and the Beast vibes. Hyacinth travels to Ashthorne Hall to care for a gentleman’s orchids while he’s away. Love and ghosts abound and she unravels a mystery surrounding the estate. It’s also a story of the stepping from the darkness and fear and standing up for those who are suffering.

Just delightfully creepy and sweet and fantastically done! It has elements of hauntings, love, mystery and intrigue! I loved every page! The FMC talks to orchids, her inner dialogue is hilarious and she is so open! I loved it so much!

“Hyacinth stilled, her breath coming in short, silent gasps. The figure turned.”

I was quickly drawn to the mysterious atmosphere of this book. The cover is absolutely perfect and so fitting. The mansion itself was a character, as well as the beloved orchids. The author does a great job of setting the tone for a spooky page turning mystery.

Hyacinth is such a strong, determined character. I loved her knowledge and expertise. Then enters Lucas and I enjoyed the way their relationship grew. There are many twists to the story that I enjoyed and how the mystery developed, I was not able to turn pages fast enough.

Thank you to the publisher for the Netgalley approval. All views and opinions expressed were my own.