I had a hard time getting into this novel. The writing was good, I just could not keep interest in it.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC, these opinions are my own.

Enjoyed the historical mystery aspect of the story. Thank you to the author and publisher for the advanced copy of the book. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Orchids of Ashthorne Hall follows the main character Hyacinth as she goes to Ashthorne Hall to take care of the orchids and mysterious things keep happening. Are there really ghosts at Ashthorne? This story has mystery and romance set in a gothic background. It was a pleasurable read. If you enjoy historical romance novels, add this to your TBR.

This was a fast read. I enjoyed the mystery more than the romance. The romance in my opinion was too sweet, with not a lot of depth.

Thank you Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I received a free copy of the ebook from NetGalley. This is my honest review.

This was a quick and lovely read with mysteries and wholesome young romance.
The gothic atmosphere is a nice touch to the story, although rather predictable.

#TheOrchidsofAshthorneHall #NetGalley

This is an extraordinary book telling of a forgotten tragedy that taught thousands of people lessons that they didn't soon forget. It is a story of love and tragedy and finding beauty among angels

I loved this little story. I like the MC when she talked to her orchid, Eleanor. The only drawback was a slightly rough read to get into because soo much of it was in Hyacinth's thoughts. The prose was beautiful though, and the outcome was beautiful. Highly recommend this charming tale.

"The Orchids of Ashthorne Hall" is a gothic-inspired book.

It takes places in 1887 on the Cornwall coast. Hyacinth Bell, a genteel young lady but first and foremost a renowned botanist specialised in orchids, is invited to take care of Ashthorne Hall's flower collection while the master of the estate is away with his family. She is eager to care for these precious orchids, and she doesn't care one bit about the rumours about the castle being haunted. On the contrary, she's quite looking forward to meeting the ghost!

I found Hyacinth a little disconcerting. She was an independant young lady, yet she was a bit childish in some aspects. She seems to have a rather good position in society, yet acts as a gardener and is not properly chaperoned. She falls head over hells in love with Lucas Harding without knowing much about him—and his strange behaviour doesn't seem to alarm her at all.

The book is gothic inspired, and it sometimes gives slightly dark and chilly vibes, but other times not at all. The cheerful and unafraid Hyancinth Bell literally "brighten" the atmosphere and makes the book seem a lot less gothic than it could be. The romance could have been an interesting element but is rather dull and lukewarm and there is no chemistry between the protagonists. The most interesting aspect of this book — and I don't want to spoil anything — but it related to the working conditions of a certain character. I didn't know much at all about that and I found it interesting to discover a bit more about it. Had it been explored in more detail, it could have added a more sinister aspect to the book.

Overall, it was ok, but not an unforgettable read. 3 stars.

*I received an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion*

The Orchids of Ashthorne Hall is a suspense filled historical fiction. I enjoyed it and recommend it for readers who enjoy this genre. Four and a half stars.

Written in a manner reminiscent of the Brontes, the author tell of a chilling manor house with few inhabitants. Hyacinth is a orchid specialist in a time when women of her social standing did not work. However her father encourages her to take a job as caretaker of a large orchid collection in the owners absence. Finding a surly housekeeper, a charming estate manager and a possible ghost she jumps to lots of assumptions before the truth surfaces.

A ghost story/mystery that highlights a danger that went ignored too long. When history is presented in a beautiful story, it is easier to remember and relate on a personal level. I liked the laments at the beginning of each chapter. They add to the mystery and the story.

#OrchidsofAshthorneHal
#Netgalley

The premise is a too familiar one..Woman moves to mysterious maybe haunted mansion in the middle of nowhere with an unfriendly housekeeper and no other staff. A warning not to go in the other wing of the house ( done as part of the plot soo many times), and someone mysteriously appearing and disappearing. An instant romance with the caretaker that grows from meeting to love within hours. Yup, all on the checklist for a predictable gothic tale. But the writing is only so so, too descriptive in some parts, and the belief the main character has enough curiosity to want to see the north wing, but not enough to demand to know who keeps going in her room. All in all very ho hum and shallow.

Set in Victorian Cornwall, "The Orchids of Ashthorne Hall" by Rebecca Anderson is an enticing blend of historical romance, suspense, mystery with Gothic vibes.
Hyacinth Bell is hired to take care for the orchid collection at the Whitbeck estate but she finds more than she bargained for : forbidden hallways with locked doors, shadowy appearances, sounds of moaning in the middle of the night, unexplained occurrences, things disappearing and re-appearing, not to mention Lucas, a very attractive caretaker with hidden secrets.
The romance is on the insta-love. The characters are well-developed, complex, and intriguing. The plot is well-paced and captivating from start to finish.

A Gothic romance, the action of "The Orchids of Ashthorne Hall" takes place in Victorian Cornwall, England. This charming location is unique all on its own, with unusual names and singular scenery. Botanist Hyacinth Bell gladly accepts the opportunity to care for a private owner's orchid collection. She not only names her plants, she talks to them, which leads her to a humorous first meeting with Lucas Harding.

Yet things are not what they seem, and what's a Gothic heroine to do when she is forbidden to enter certain rooms? She does so anyway, of course. The mystery is intriguing, and one character's backstory is gruesome and whose physical appearance proves the need for industry reform.

The romance is sweet although it develops too quickly. However, the book is short. "The Orchids of Ashthorne Hall" is much lighter in tone when compared to "Jane Eyre" or "The Mysteries of Udolpho". There's no insane wife in the attic or scheming "nobleman". The villain here does seek to coerce someone, however, for reasons that took me by surprise.

Rebecca Anderson's prose is lovely, and this novel is clean. I thoroughly enjoyed it. 4.5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for an ARC of this engaging read.

I thought this was the type of book that usually takes my fancy, and it turned out to be delightful.

Set in Victorian Cornwall, it was an enticing blend of historical mystery and romance. It had some elements that resembled a Gothic story, and I felt myself escaping into it from the beginning. There was an obvious chemistry between the two main characters, and I enjoyed the developing connection between them, as well as the eerie mystery element of the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

I really enjoyed this book but at times the pace was a bit slow and spent a lot of time describing something that could have been a bit shorter. But overall really great spooky read!

This book has mystery, romance and is very captivating!! Highly recommend this intriguing book! Well done Ms. Anderson!

Hyacinth Bell is hired to care for the orchids of the estate of a wealthy man who is out of town. When arriving, Hyacinth finds much more than she expected. Odd sounds in the middle of the night, shadowy figures in white, disappearing and then re-appearing items. Enter Lucas Harding, the estates caretaker. He is young and handsome but does not believe the weird happenings are real. While Lucas is holding unto his own secrets, Hyacinth much work to find of what is going on before it is to late.

I really enjoyed this book! I loved the mystery and suspense. They drew me right into the story. I would absolutely recommend this book to any friends and family!

This gothic regency novel is laced with haunting mystery, whispers of ghosts from the past. Things are obviously not what they seem.

Hyacinth is a botanist sent to a mansion to look after a prestigious collection of orchids. There's an immediate connection with the steward, but she quickly determines he's hiding something, and it seems the castle is as well. Danger arrives while Hyacinth is unraveling the pieces.

For me, the pace was a little slow and the love-at-first-sight was a little much. But if you enjoy a gothic romance novel, you'll probably enjoy this one.

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC and for the opportunity to post an honest review.

The premise sounded very promising. Victorian Cornwall. A dreary manor. Ghost stories. Mystery. Basically every thing I’d want in a cosy English mystery. Unfortunately, it wasn’t my cup of tea.

The pacing was very slow with long sections of description & narrative often unbroken by dialogue. I never really connected with Hyacinth as a main character, and her romance with Lucas felt shallow, focused on looks & touches & flirtations instead of character.

The mystery itself was the most interesting part, albeit grotesque, and provided an insight into the need for reforms in the working conditions of the match girls.


*Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.