The blurb mentions the classic movie Gaslight. Even if you've never seen it, the word alone clues you into the plot of this book. Millie's husband, Charles, continually gaslights her in an attempt to get rid of her one way or another.

The book is pretty repetitive- of course, given that it is full of gaslighting, I suppose that is a given. Still, it got tiresome. And honestly, women's lack of rights back then just angered me to the point that I could barely enjoy the book. I should probably avoid books like this, as they are not relaxing. It is the one type of book that probably raises my blood pressure, lol.

Sofia Willingham narrates the audiobook. She was the wrong choice. She has a very upbeat and breathy voice. It doesn't match the content at all.

Basically, not a bad book- especially if you can get past the misogyny of the time and the gaslighting. I found there to be too much for it to be enjoyable.

I received an advance audio book in exchange for an honest review.

The synopsis of this gothic, Gilded Age tale of a turn-of-the-century Long Island couple whose marriage seems doomed from the start captured my attention right away. Millie is gaslighted and set up by many characters, actually, throughout this dark tale of societal upsets, love affairs, murder and revenge. If that is your style, you will not be disappointed.
The narrator had an almost old-Hollywood style of breathy, too-formal reading style that seemed to go with the story at first, but soon grew tiresome to me. I am not sure it lent itself to the buildup of the book.
Thanks to NetGalley and HighBridge Audio for this ARC. Opinions are solely mine.

Very interesting take on Historical Fiction which includes: gaslighting, a cheating husband, views on women that (Thank God) no longer exist, and some crazy twists along the way!

Millie is a young, wealthy woman who’s from a wealthy, high-society family. When she meets her husband, also from a wealthy family, the stars seem to align, and they get engaged and married pretty quickly.

As Millie grew up in a home/mansion where her mother often entertained, she decides to have a big gathering to introduce everyone she knows and loves to her new home, and husband. (Which, btw, is on the North Shore of Long Island (where I live), by Oyster Bay!!

But, something strange happens. On the night of Millie’s party, something goes terribly wrong.
And when she awakes, on what she believes is the next day, she finds the house very quiet…which is very unusual.

This is when the story really begins to unravel. Told from Millie’s POV, the journey is sweet, sad, annoying, and truly harrowing at times!

Taking place in the very early 1900’s , it’s very interesting how we see their ‘take” on women and their duties, and their place in the household…

And, the scene with her and her parents? Just heart-breaking…
Another with the judge? Wow! Just so hard to believe…but this is what happened, back in the day. 😮

And women seemed to have NO rights, and no say in anything.

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!

Thanks to #NetGalley and #HighBridgeAudio for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review. It is due for release in JUST A FEW DAYS, on 6/25/24.

#TheSecretsOfRoseBriarHall by #KelseyJames and narrated nicely by #SofiaWillingham.

Also, if you follow along with me, you’ll recall me saying a day or two ago that I often have things repeat themselves in my books? So, a couple of books ago I read about a ‘Turner’…and today, Millie become Mrs. ‘Turner’. !?!? Is it just me??? 😉🤣

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Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends!! 📚⭐️

Historical gothic mystery thriller and domestic drama.

All things Gilded Age are popular now, and this book seems like it could fit alongside some of the current offerings on television and in novels. In this book, a young, married woman confronts her terrible marriage and the betrayals of her husband in a most desperate way.

Millie Turner is wealthy and was given Rose Briar Hall, a white marble mansion on the North Shore of Long Island, by her father. Married to Charles, a stockbroker, she's giving the party of the season when a scandal changes everything. Now shunned and in isolation, Millie navigates her memories through a haze that makes her husband question her sanity.

Are you like me? I just go nuts when I read stories of women threatened to be institutionalized for "hysteria" and because their husbands want rid of them? I spent much of the book railing against the injustices perpetrated on women of that age at the hands of the men whom they trusted and loved. Millie was stronger than most, but she did have the emotional support of a better man. Many reminders in this novel of how far women have come since 1900 but still so far to go. Some sex scenes I could have lived without, but overall, a nice period piece.

I listened to the audiobook while following along in the e-book ARC (both provided by the publisher) and enjoyed the experience. I did like the narrator, Sofia Willingham, well enough though as is typical, the voices tend to all sound alike though she made some effort to change it up a bit. It would be so much better if the audio featured both male and female vocals.

I looooved this book. June is a great book month for me.
Ok so I got this as an ARC through NetGalley and I’m so happy I did. I had never heard of this book before seeing it there but it looked interesting.
The main character is a wealthy woman who is having a party at her home with her husband. She ends up blacking out and wakes up some time later to find that days have passed and she can’t remember anything. Neither her husband nor any of the staff, her friends, or her family will tell her what happened that night.
She was told she was hysterical. That she was “unwell”.
Throughout the story you uncover what happened and the many secrets of one of the other characters.
Because is historical fiction, you are brought through the horrible trials and tribulations that a woman of that time had to endure. The idea that her husband “knows what’s best” for her. That any bit of defiance is seen as “hysteria”.
The last act of the book had my mouth drop so many times. But overall, the whole story was worth the read. I think if it ended any differently, the amount of stars I gave it would be less.
Also, keep in mind the way of speaking and the words used are period based.
Overall, well worth the read. I very much enjoyed it.

Secrets of Rose Briar Hall is an atmospheric historical mystery set in New York's gilded age by Kelsey James. Due out 25th June 2024 from Kensington, it's 304 pages and will be available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.

Although generally well written and a good homage to Gaslight, it's not completely problem free. It's written in first person PoV and many of the passages are somewhat overwrought and more like a laundry list of clothing, decorating, and things MC Millie has bought and worn. It's well written but definitely noticeable after a while.

There's a creepy gothic vibe in the setting descriptions, and the plot turns on Millie's fears and doubts about her own sanity, reinforced by her caring and loving husband and their household staff. It's a standalone novel and the denouement and resolution are satisfying and self contained in this book (no cliffhangers).

The unabridged audiobook version has a run time of 9 hours 47 minutes and is read by Sofia Willingham. She has an odd, breathy voice in the reading with a possibly historically accurate, but definitely peculiar accent. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read.

Four stars overall for the story and homage/pastiche, three for the audiobook version because the narration was a definite hindrance to concentrating on the story and never faded into neutrality.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

3.5 stars. A gothic Gaslight, set in the Gilded age. Millie Turner is new money and wife of a stockbroker. She will do anything to prove herself to society and what better way than to throw a party? However, Millie wakes up after the party w/ no memory, a party guest dead and 2 weeks worth of lost time. Her husband and maid insist it was a bout of hysteria that went terribly wrong. However, Millie knows herself and there's no way that's true. She intends to find out what really happened and why her husband, Charles, is so determined to confine her to an asylum. But her friends won't see her and her parents won't harbor her for long. Millie intends to prove her innocence.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and HighBridge Audio for this audio e-arc.*

This is my first interaction with a book I’d categorize as a cozy thriller and I really enjoyed the vibes from this book. Also liked the setting and time period of the book. It was interesting to see how women were treated during that time and how much it hinders the main character, being a woman, throughout the book. It was also frustrating because even though times have changed, it was still relatable that being a woman is sometimes a disadvantage. That sometimes being a woman makes you unbelieved. I think that’s what made me like it so much, the parallels that could be drawn even though it’s a different era. Also, the theme of feeling stuck was one that was relatable as well, since most people at any point in time have felt stuck in some way or another. I enjoyed how the story progressed and was satisfied with the ending. I enjoyed the narrators light, delicate voice and felt like it fit the character so well. Overall the book was refreshing and original and a great read that I’d recommend.

Married to a powerful stockbroker, young socialite Millie throws a lavish party at their grand Long Island estate. But after a terrifying incident, Millie wakes up with no memory of the evening. As she tries to piece together what happened, she discovers that her friends have abandoned her and her reputation is in ruins. Trapped in a house that once promised happiness, Millie must uncover the truth before her marriage and her life are irrevocably shattered.

This tense and fast-paced thriller kept me guessing until the end. Millie is a strong and determined heroine who never gives up fighting, no matter how many catastrophes and reversals she suffers. I enjoyed the audiobook narration.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

"Secrets of Rose Briar Hall" is a riveting tale that unravels the seemingly perfect life of Millie Turner. Millie has it all - wealth, status, and a husband coveted by every woman in the town. She soon finds her life spiraling out of control after she falls ill at her own party and wakes up weeks later with no memory of a death that occurred that night. The narrative takes an intense turn as Millie is suspected of being the killer. Gradually isolated from her social circles, Millie embarks on a quest to recollect the events of the fateful night, leading to startling revelations about those around her. As she fights for her life, readers are taken on a suspense-filled journey of discovery and intrigue. The plot is well-paced, and the tension builds making it “unputdownable”. The exploration of Millie's transformation from a coveted socialite to a woman fighting for survival is both compelling and thought-provoking. Recommended for readers who enjoy suspenseful narratives with well-developed characters and unpredictable twists.

Secrets of rose briar hall by Kelsey James is a historical romance gem. I really enjoyed the storyline, the MFC is in love with her husband and during a dinner party something goes wrong and everything changes. A unique tale about how women were at the mercy of their husband. Our MFC is made to believe she’s going insane but she knows something is amiss she is not crazy. A good cozy mystery.

I would like to thank NetGalley and HighBridge audio for the opportunity of listening to the audiobook before its debut on 6/25/2024 #secretsofrosebriarhall

Promoted as a both a mystery and a gothic novel, <I>Secrets of Rose Briar Hall</I> is unfortunately not enough of either to warrant that description. Millie Turner is a vapid stereotype of the Victorian woman that James does not allow to have any power of agency over herself in order to force the gaslighting plot points along. I get WHY Millie is the way she is but it honestly does a disservice to the actual women of the time period.

The "mystery" isn't all that hard to figure out - even the outcome and the obvious red herring death announcement. Sure, Charles Turner is an absolute cad, but there really wasn't anyone worth cheering for in this novel so there was no incentive to care about the outcome on any of their lives.

Your mileage may vary with this one, but as someone that reads a lot of gothic inspired novels and mysteries, this one was a huge miss for me. I may have liked it a little more if I hadn't suffered through the audiobook.

I don't know who to blame (the producer or the talent), but Sofia Willingham's performance on this audiobook is one of the worst listening experiences I have had. The entire book is delivered both in monotone and in a breathless whisper. 0/10 do NOT recommend.

Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley and HighBridge Audio in exchange for an honest review.

Secrets of Rose Briar Hall by Kelsey James is about a young wife as she tries to figure out what really happened at her dinner party in late October. Millie Turner has just moved into Rose Briar Hall and is hosting a dinner party for all of her society friends. She wakes up three weeks later with no recolection of what happen during the party. She soon discovers that a friend was poisoned by the very tea that Millie had sereved. Now Millie is trying to find out who really killed Gerturde and why. With each clue she finds only add more questions to why and who was behind this. This book was a good historical fiction/mystery novel that anyone would enjoy to pick up and read. Millie was a strong character that finally let her guard down and was not going to let the killer get away with murder after she was accused. In the end Millie knew who exactly her true friends were and which ones weren't.

I really appreciate the opportunity to have access to audiobook prior to the release date. Unfortunately I can't get past the narrator. The way she is reading the book takes my focus away from story and my only thought is why is she reading like that. I can't actually focus on the storyline. I can't wait to snag this on June 25th on my Kindle and hopefully have a much better review. I hope I can get away without giving a staring rating but if not my review is purely based on the chosen narrator and not the actual content of the book.

Millie Turner, a young bride in 1908 Long Island, wakes with a foggy memory and discovers she has been unconscious for weeks. As her friends shun her and her home becomes a prison, she must uncover what truly happened to protect more than just her reputation. Millie’s quest for the truth threatens to unravel her marriage and shake her life to its core.

The story is told through Millie’s eyes, so it starts off with the reader not knowing if Millie is a reliable narrator. What really happened the night she last remembers? I enjoyed the atmosphere of suspense and confusion the author created.

However, I was then taken out of the story by a random sex scene that made no sense. It wasn’t overly detailed, but it was enough that listening to the audio version made me very uncomfortable. And later in the book, there are two more sex scenes that were more explicit.

I managed to get to the end of the book. The further into the book I got, the more I didn’t like Millie. Maybe it was just the narrator’s breathy voice? In any event, I wasn’t surprised by the ending at all.

Overall, despite the strong start, I didn’t enjoy the book. Perhaps readers who don’t mind sex scenes will find it more romantic than I did.

This audiobook was made available for me to listen to and review by Kelsey James, HighBridge Audio, and NetGalley.

The narrator of this audiobook is Sofia Willingham. Ms. Willingham's used a soft, slightly breathy/whispery tone with this narration. I found it charming in the first chapter but grating by the third. I did not enjoy the narrator's style in this novel.

This is a steamy historical cozy mystery with a bit of romance very loosely retelling the classic tale of gaslighting in the movie with Ingrid Bergman. This is set in Gilded age New York society set partially in a remote house in an isolated location. This has many standard aspects of cozy mystery series which surprised me. I was expecting this to be more of a horror/thriller. Really the only gothic aspect of this story is the setting.

Millie is from a new money New York family which gained their wealth during her lifetime. So she's somewhat on the edge of the high society social scene. All of that is poised to change now that Millie has married the wealthy and connected Charles Turner. They had a bit of a whirlwind courtship and are planning a large high society party to introduce themselves as a couple. Millie prepares for the party and the next thing she remembers is waking up weeks later. Charles tells her something happened to an attendant at the party. He believes that Millie is mentally ill and responsible for this incident.

Millie set about investigating the incident to prove her innocence to Charles and her society friends. Helping her is David, a reporter that she grew up with before her father became wealthy. They make a great investigative team. This has a nice set up and I feel confident Millie & David will return for other sexy cozy mystery adventures.

Thank you to Kelsey James, HighBridge Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.

I enjoyed this one. I thought it was a good Victorian/gothic mystery story. It made me paranoid and nervous for the characters and I think that was the point! There was a little more detail and bedroom scenes for my liking. I would have been fine without any of those moments. I don’t think they added much to the plot of the story. I give this one a solid three stars. It was just my preference that there not bed as much open door scenes and I wasn’t expecting them. I thought the audio was well read and interesting!

It's very rare that I stumble upon an audiobook where the narrator adversely affects my opinion of the story. Unfortunately I did not connect with narrator Sofia Willingham and found the breathy whisper voice given to Millie difficult to listen to. I did finish it, though I admit that I skipped around a lot especially towards the end of the story. I thought the beginning of the novel had a lot of promise, but then it jumped into trying to be too many things and the ending was just too convenient. It lacked character development and depth, while the narrator lacked emotion and tone.

Thank you HighBridge Audio for the gifted ALC to review.

Staged in Gilded Age New York (1908), this twisty gothic/mystery/phycological thriller will have you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.

Millie Turner, a socialite and the young wife of a charming and successful New York Stock Broker, has painstakingly prepared for the couples very first soirée at their new mansion Rose Briar Hall. A lavish gathering meant to solidify their social status and show off their wealth. But all goes awry when Millie wakes up three weeks later with no recollection of the party or the disturbing events that took place that night and has everyone in their circle suspecting Millie and shunning her from society. A race against time begins as Millie struggles to regain her memories of that night and piece together the clues that will not only regain her status in society, but may quite possibly save her own life.

I got to listen to the audio copy instead of read this book, and my opinions for the audio and book itself are very different. In my humble opinion, the Narrator Sofia Willingham, was not the best fit for this book. She spoke in a very soft manner almost a whisper, and the lilt in her reading seemed better suited for an infomercial or advertisement. The speed at which she read was also painfully slow and I found myself having to speed up the audio quite a bit in order for it to sound normal. However, though the narration of the book may not have been the greatest, the story was phenomenal, and I would definitely not discourage anyone from picking it up. The story is captivating enough to let one overlook the narration.

The mystery at the beginning is pretty predictable, but the psychological thriller aspect of the book is what really propels the story forward and keeps you on edge the entire time. There are plenty of unexpected twists and turns and even a bit of romance that will keep you glued to the book until the very end.
Touching on the romance aspect, I was very pleasantly surprised that there was a bit of spice in the book (~2 chili peppers). It was completely unexpected and in my opinion a very nice touch. It was lightly sprinkled in the book and did not take away from the main story at all. Instead, it helped bring a better understanding of the societal expectations for women during that era. Very artfully done.
Overall, I highly recommend this book for anyone who likes gothic, suspenseful, thrillers, with a touch of romance.

Secrets of Rose Briar Hall will be available June 25, 2024.

A special thanks to @NetGally and @HighBridgeAudio for the complementary ALC of this wonderful book. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

Went into this excited because the reviews called it moody and atmospheric…. But it was just a woman being ignored, manipulated, and controlled by the men in her life. I’m still not sure what the secret of Rose Briar was. The pacing was pretty slow and nothing really felt that high stakes or climactic.

The narrator was ok, no complaints there.