I wish I could have loved this book more than I in fact did.
I mean, it has everything I desire from a Gothic Novel: a cold and distant partner, a huge house on the country side and a protagonist searching for the truth.

My problem was that this book wanted too much and delivered not enough. Yes, it is a statement for women's rights and therefor goes into the territory of infidelity but it wants to convince me that if the husband cheats it's bad as he is a man but if the woman cheats is its ok because her husband did not do well in the bedroom? Sorry but...both are infidelity.

I unfortunately saw all of the twists coming and I hated the weird sex-focused romance. Therefore this book first looked like a hit but turned out to be a personal miss for me.

Secrets of Rose Briar Hall
by Kelsey James

Historical Fiction ~ 1908 ~ New York ~ Mystery Thriller ~ Social Elite ~ Gaslighting ~ Mansions ~ Family ~ Romance ~ Gothic Vibes ~ Audiobook ~ Recommended

Many thanks to NetGalley, HighBridge Audio and Kelsey James for the complementary audio copy, in exchange for my honest review.

I began this book and thought it was interesting to start. Unfortunately, I found myself not engaged enough. I did not find the story to be fast enough paced for my interests and the characters were not flushed out enough for me to feel invested.

I enjoyed this book! The characters were lovely and so was the narrator. I was engaged and the writing was interesting!
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for a copy!
This book was also a little spooky and I enjoyed it

This book hooked me from the beginning. I will admit that the narrator's voice was not my favorite, but the story was really good and I was rooting for Millie the entire time.

“Secrets Rose Briar Hall” by Kelsey James, as narrated by Sofia Willingham, is a captivating historical fiction that transports readers to the opulent world of 1908 Long Island. The story unfolds within the walls of Rose Briar Hall, a symbol of wealth and status for Millie Turner, the young wife of a prominent New York stockbroker. This white marble mansion is more than just a residence; it’s a testament to her husband Charles Turner’s success and Millie’s own sophistication.

The novel begins with Millie’s ambitious endeavor to cement her place in high society through an extravagant party for New York’s elite. However, what should have been a night of triumph turns into a nightmare when Millie wakes up weeks later, with no memory of the event and her social circle turning their backs on her. The house that once promised joy and security now feels like a gilded cage, and Millie must unravel the truth of that fateful night or risk losing everything.

Kelsey James masterfully explores the societal constraints placed upon women during this era. Through Millie’s journey, we witness the evolution of a character who, despite the limitations of her time, finds her inner strength and defies the expectations set upon her. The development of Millie’s character is both compelling and satisfying as she transitions from a trophy wife to a woman in control of her own destiny.

The portrayal of Millie’s husband is equally impactful. He embodies the repugnant aspects of male entitlement and control prevalent in the early 20th century, making him a character readers love to despise. In stark contrast, the introduction of a new love interest adds a layer of hope and redemption to Millie’s story, offering a glimpse of what life could be outside the confines of her marriage.

James’ narrative is rich with suspense, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they eagerly anticipate the resolution of Millie’s predicament. The author’s ability to maintain tension throughout the novel is commendable, ensuring that the audience is as invested in the outcome as the protagonist herself.

In conclusion, “Secrets Rose Briar Hall” is not merely a period piece; it is a profound examination of the struggles faced by women in a time where their worth was often overshadowed by their husbands’ successes. It is a tale of empowerment, mystery, and the relentless pursuit of truth. For those who appreciate historical fiction with a strong female lead and a plot that provides both thrills and thought-provoking themes, this book is a must-read. Kelsey James, with the help of Sofia Willingham’s engaging narration, has delivered a story that resonates with the power of self-discovery and the enduring spirit of defiance against societal norms.

Being held a prisoner in her own home after a party that leaves her nemesis dead, Millie doesn't know who to trust or remember what happened. Sometimes those who seem the most perfect are the ones with the most to hide. Good narration.

I am willing to overlook a lot of mistakes a gothic novel makes for the sake of my undying love of the genre, but this just wasn’t worth reading past the 20% mark. Even a gothic heroine couldn’t realistically tolerate the nonsensical gaps in logic and weird behaviour of these characters. Don’t force the mystery.

I just finished reading a captivating novel set in New York City in 1908. It follows Millie, a socialite, and her controlling husband, Charles. The plot unfolds into a dark and perilous situation, as Millie navigates a loveless marriage and the threat of murder. Without parental support, Millie pursues a divorce, shedding light on the unconventional path of characters during a time when divorce was uncommon among the wealthy elite.

I found myself deeply empathizing with Millie as the novel skillfully brought her heartbreak and despair to life. The well-crafted narrative, richly developed characters, and unexpected plot twists made for a truly enthralling read. I am immensely grateful to NetGalley for allowing me to delve into this captivating story through a complimentary advanced copy of the novel.

I picked this book up because it sounded intriguing. The context of gaslighting in the early 20th century as a form to suppress women is horrifying, to say the least. I don't think this particular story lived up to its summary and was not deep enough to be compelling.

The problems for me started right from the beginning. I felt the ick of the situation and was missing the nuance required to round out the story. While there were some awful male assumptions made about the "womanly hysteria," I was having trouble connecting. I didn't always understand the actions of the main character. There were times it only made sense if it was there to move the plot along to the next thing.

This was a shallow look into the complex issues of the time and glossed over the details it needed. I'm not even going to get to the ending to avoid spoilers. It was far-fetched, yet entirely predictable at the same time. By the end, I was glad it was over.

This audiobook is not what I thought it was. What starts off as a gothic novel turns into a legal drama and murder mystery. This is a good story but was not what the book description led me to so I was a little disappointed. I was proud of the main character and how she goes after what she wants and to prove she is not insane.
The narrator wasn't great for the main character's voice. It was too soft for this fiery woman. The narrator did a good job of giving the other characters their own voices, and I liked that.

I have to give this audiobook a mixed review. This gothic mystery is isn't bad and someone new to the genre would certainly enjoy it. While the story itself isn't bad, the narration is awful. The narrator chose to speak in a breathy voice throughout the entirety of the book. While this would be warranted during spooky or mysterious scenes, it is drastically out of place when describing clothing, what's for dinner, or everyday conversations. It was distracting and annoying, and ultimately kept me from fully enjoying the novel. I would give the story three stars and the narration one, so I'm averaging them to two stars.

THE SECRETS OF ROSEBRIAR HALL is by Kelsey James and narrated by Sofia Willingham, published June 25th.

A Gothic mystery finds Millie Turner with a complete loss of memory after a party her powerful husband throws one night in 1908. She realizes she has been out of consciousness for weeks and the murder at the party points to her. She can't possibly have done it...can she?

This story was full of atmosphere and mystery, but proved a bit too familiar for me. I had it mostly pegged from the beginning. I would say that it was nice journey to take, but will likely be forgettable for me. The audio was done well and I am glad I listened.

I received an advanced audio copy of this book and the narration was difficult to take in.
I enjoyed the story but felt I couldn’t connect via the audio as it was really distracting from the plot. The story I would give 4/5 stars but the audio as a whole 3/5.

I am thankful to NetGalley for the opportunity to listen.

This book is written from the perspective of Millie, a young newlywed and just moved into her new lavish home Rose Briar. She's quite an unreliable narrator after the traumatic events of a dinner party left her without any memories of what happened and why she's awoken to a cold house, an even colder husband, and no one that will tell her the truth. As her memories start to return and she starts to question everything, the truth is even more chilling than she could have expected. The whole story has a creepy gothic feel with so many unexpected twists and turns. I really enjoyed the audiobook narration that pulled me into the story.
I voluntarily listened and reviewed an advance copy of this audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really liked the setting of this book. Unfortunately, I couldn't get into it. Probably because of the gaslight element, but I think it was well written and interesting.

As Goodreads describes, this is an homage to Gaslight and from very early on the story has a characters that you kind of pull for but also kind of just want to shake some sense into.

I enjoyed the book. It flowed through me quickly and easily. The narrator did a brilliant work. The author did a brilliant work and the outcome is remarkable.
The book is fast paced, interesting. It kept me reading all along.
The plot is not unique, as the blurb itself clarifies, but it is anyway enjoyable.
SPOILER
At places I had question marks - how Millie recovered so quickly from bein just threated to be killed by her maid and after several hours she was already dancing and smiling with David. But even those moments, making you smile, remind that nothing is perfect.
SPOILER
Enjoy!

I listened to the audiobook of Secrets of Rose Briar Hall, which is set in the early 1900s New York. The main character is Millie who appears to be a popular socialite of “new money” riding on the coattails of her father and now her handsome husband. After she throws her first elite party as a newly married woman, she passes out and is suddenly shunned by her supposed friends. The rest of the story is Millie trying to regain her memory and figure out why her husband believes she should be sent to an asylum.

I chose to listen to this book because I love old fashioned Gothic historical novels. Although Secrets of Rose Briar Hall appears to be one, I never felt that there were any supernatural elements haunting the grand estate. Instead, we have an over-ambitious and ethically challenged husband who will not think twice of murdering people to get his way.

A chilling mystery that had captivated from the start! I felt deeply for the main character and injustices that she faced. I loved the historical setting, and I found the world building to be very immersive and believable. The only part that was a bit disappointing was the switch resolution at the end of the novel. After hearing the protagonist struggle for about 8 hours, having only 5 minutes of happiness at the end was a little sad. The romance was captivating and well done. Overall, it was a wonderful, drammatic mystery that I would recommend to any of my friends.