This is an enjoyable time travel romantic suspense novel, which moves quickly from modern-day London to a manor house outside early 17th century London. Isla finds her transported back to 1605 with no idea how or why, and has to work with newfound friends to figure out what it all means. Events soon come to revolve around Isla’s memory from classes of Guy Fawkes and plot to blow up parliament. Some chapters are then told from Fawkes’s point of view. I’ve read several books by this author before, and here as in her other work she has a deft hand at sketches past without making it overwhelm the plot and characters. I felt that a few elements in the plot were glossed over too quickly, and the chapters narrated by Fawkes held my interest les than Isla’s narration. Overall , though, it’s a an enjoyable read and a nice way to dovetail with real events. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. All views are entirely my own and offered voluntarily.

Generally for me a 5 star story is one that draws me in completely and that I couldn't put down and this one fits the bill. I love a great Time Traveler story especially if it teaches me something about history that I never realized. Again, this one fit the bill. It's just an ordinary day for Isla. Working in Parliament and hoping to make a difference to the world (or her country), she really doesn't want to have to find a costume for a work related party but alas, she must. This is no ordinary costume shop which Isla will soon discover. She finds herself in a world she doesn't recognize and no way back. She meets Simon quite randomly and learns who she is really about, what she has to offer the world. I learned a lot about the "Gunpowder plot" and since British history is definitely not my forte, I loved how the author drew us into the story of that time.

I thoroughly enjoyed this timeslip novel by Ms. Bessey. The initial mode of travel between time periods was a little unbelievable...as is every single one I read. But it sure captured my imagination, allowing me a moment to wish that time travel was possible.

Ms. Bessey's historical research was skillfully woven through a brilliant story set against the atmospheric backdrop of 1605, a time of great political turmoil in England. As Isla confronts the reality of her travel through time, she finds that she needs to adjust everything from her attire to her vocabulary. As she makes the acquaintance of Simon Bancroft and his family, she quickly realizes she has arrived right before a momentous historical event will take place. As she warns her host family, they realize they will need to take steps to protect the King and House of Lords. I really loved the way the reader experiences the story through both Isla and Simon's POV and well as Guy Fawkes.

This story is the perfect blend of fantasy with a riveting plot filled with intrigue and danger, engaging characters and a swoony romance. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was a first for me from Sian Ann Bessey and she told a fabulous story of time travel and the Guy Fawkes plot to overthrow the British government and King James. Isla Crawford needs some blue pyjamas for a parliamentary Autumn ball; her work colleague advises her to visit McQuivey’s Costume Shop as she has seen the costume there. Isla goes off to do so and while there, the proprietress recommends she try a gown from the Elizabethan / early Jacobean era first.

When she has done so, imagine her surprise to step out of the changing room into 1605 and straight into heavy rain and fierce winds. She sees a home in the distance and proceeds to make her way there only to be nearly run over by Simon Hartworth, Lord Bancroft, who is visiting his sister and her husband, Lord and Lady Maidstone and trying to get out of the rain as quickly as possible himself.

He invites the shivering Isla into his sister’s home and things take off from there. Initially, everyone thinks that Isla is insane or delusional and are keeping a cautious eye on her. As things progress and she can give them pertinent historical details related to their time, they each try to help her figure out why she has been transported to this period.

The book really takes off when she realises that they are a few days away from the Guy Fawkes plot and she proceeds to identify the key players and the critical information that is necessary to stop it. The story is told not only from Isla’s perspective but also from Guy Fawkes and several events that happen around that time, including the bubonic plague that was affecting London itself.

A wonderful story that I read in a couple of days as I could not put it down. I cannot say enough good things about it, and I am so glad I read it and would recommend it without reservation! I cannot wait for the rest of the time travel series to be released!

I received an ARC from the publishers and NetGalley and submit my honest review voluntarily.

This story was a true gem! From the start, I was curious about how time travel would work, and I was thrilled by how seamlessly it all came together. The author made jumping between different time periods feel magical, and I was hooked from the very first page.

The way the story took me back to a real historical event and showed love blossoming through time was incredible. Lord Bancroft, a noble from 1605, and Isla, a woman from 2025, seemed like they'd never fit together. Yet, their differences only made their connection stronger. Watching Isla navigate her new world and seeing the friendship and love grow between her and Bancroft was heartwarming. Their relationship developed so naturally, and it was a joy to watch.

This book had it all: rich history, family bonds, and a thrilling race against time. Every page felt like a gift, filled with excitement, romance, and adventure. I enjoyed this story from beginning to end, and I can’t wait to dive into the next book in McQuivey’s Costume Shop series!

Here’s what you can expect from this magical journey:
-> Time Travel that pulls you right in
-> A Rescue Romance that tugs at your heart
-> A Fish-Out-Of-Water story full of wonder
-> A Race Against Time that keeps you on edge
-> A Fake Betrothal that adds the perfect spark
-> Real, relatable Family Dynamics
-> The fascinating Jacobean Era (1600s)
-> Historical Events that bring the past to life
-> A delightful mix of Fantasy, Romance, and Adventure!

This was such a fantastic read, and I can’t wait to see what happens next in this amazing series!

I received a complimentary copy of this story. This review reflects my honest opinion.

Absolutely loved this time travel romance!

In search of a Wendy costume to match her work theme of Peter Pan, Isla goes to a costume shop. However, the person working at the costume shop has a different costume in mind for her. This costume just happens to be the perfect outfit for traveling back in time to 1605.

I loved Isla discovering how to live and speak during a time so different than 2025. Luckily, the people she came across gave her the benefit of the doubt and didn’t think she was crazy when she told them she came from the future.

Thank you to Shadow Mountain Pub and Proper Romance for the ARC of A Time Traveler’s Masquerade by Sian Ann Bessey. All opinions are my own.

I don’t have much experience reading time traveling books, but this book sounded like it would be a lot of fun, and it explored a time period that I knew very little about before reading it.

I really enjoyed the characters in this book. Isla, the main female character, was so interesting, and I loved how quickly she adapted to her life in 1605. It had to be quite a big shock for her to time travel so far into the past where she had to adjust to life without modern inventions.

Simon was such a sweet male main character. I appreciated his willingness to change his opinions of Isla after getting to know her. I also really liked his sister, brother-in-law, and nephews. They were all so welcoming to Isla.

Before reading this book, I had heard of but didn’t know anything about the Guy Fawkes’s Gunpowder Plot. I appreciated the research the author did regarding this time period and historical event. I learned so much.

Besides Isla and Simon’s points of view, the author also decided to include the POV for Guy Fawkes. I honestly didn’t really like his chapters as much as theirs. They weren’t terrible, but I just wasn’t that interested in his point of view.

The ending also seemed too quick for me. I felt like the ending was rushed and not discussed enough especially considering what happens to the characters.

Overall, I thought this book was cute, and I had an enjoyable time reading it.

I'll say up front I don't get really excited about time travel as a trope or sub genre or whatever it should be called. But I got into this one from chapter one and loved the whole thing. My husband spent some of his growing up years in England so he talks about Guy Fawkes every year and has memories of the fireworks etc. in celebration of the day. I didn't know anything about his story before that. In fact I always thought my husband was saying Guy Fox instead of Fawkes. So when I started this book I had a vague notion of who he was but not a lot of details about the historic event. It was interesting to get all those details and to get some of Fawkes' POV as well.

I enjoyed the romance thread of the book. I liked Isla and Simon and I liked Simon's sister and nephews. As a matter of fact, I was a little sad that Simon never got to go back and say good-bye to his sister and nephews. It really wouldn't have worked in the story but I still wanted it to. I would not have felt sad about leaving out the plague in the story but that was part of the history and the reason Simon was there for Isla, thus an important part of the story even if we don't see a lot about it on the page.

I can tell you I would not have been able to come up with all the historical details with names etc for pretty much any historical event so I was impressed with Isla for being able to do so. I guess that is why she was the chosen one.

I enjoyed the story and rejoiced that whether it was Isla or some other person, they were able to help thwart the gun powder plot in 1605.

No sex or language
Violence: yes

What a fantastic time travel story! I loved it! The story starts off in modern day, and soon Isla is sent back in time to 1605, by means of a costume shop. When she gets there she is completely confused, she thought she was just trying on a costume and now she is back in time. She meets Lord Bancroft, Simon, and his family. After she figures out she was sent back in time, she proves to the family she is from the future. Then the question is why was she sent back? Guy Fawkes might be the reason. Like I said I loved this story! I loved Isla and Simon! I thought it fun that they had to learn each other’s ways especially their way of speaking. I also loved Simon’s family and how they were so welcoming of Isla and wanted to help her. I liked that we got a dual pov of Isla and Simon but also got Guy Fawkes’s pov! How cool! I loved the way the author incorporated Isla into what happened with Guy Fawkes’s real story. And of course the romance between Isla and Simon was great! And I loved the ending so much!! Overall a fantastic story and I definitely recommend!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

“It will go down as one of the most infamous events in British History”

A Time Traveler’s Masquerade by Sian Ann Bessey focuses on Isla Crawford, who after visiting a costume shop finds herself in the year 1605, in the weeks leading up to November 5th, and she’s the only one who knows about the gunpowder plot. Unable to find her way home, or why she was sent back in time, she works closely with Simon Hartworth, and his family to thwart the most infamous plot in history. Despite herself, she can’t help but feel drawn to Simon, but can they be together when time isn’t on their side?

I’m going to start by saying I loved this book.

As someone who is a big history fan, this kind of book is exactly the kind of book that I can’t help but enjoy. The gunpowder plot is something that I only really knew the basics about. I grew up learning the rhyme, but it isn’t something that I’ve ever really looked into further, but I’m glad that I didn’t, because finding out so much more about in this book was really enjoyable, and it made it more fascinating to me as I was eager to keep reading and find out more. There were times where it came as a bit of a detriment to me, as I couldn’t help but look up what was happening, only to find out about pages later, but that’s more my fault than anything else.

I like Isla as a character a lot. But one of the best things about this book is Simon, and the way he and Isla interact with each other. The chemistry between them is really something else, and the banter was incredible. I liked the way she was trying so hard to teach him about life in her century and him being able to make it light hearted. The entire discourse over the word ‘Okay’ was just perfect. Their romance was also such a sweet point of the book, and because of it being in a different time, I really enjoyed the way that they were together, and I was desperate to keep reading to see if they could find a way to be together.

I do wish there had been something to have tipped Isla off to the possibility of it being the gunpowder plot being the reason she was sent back in time, as I was a little bit disappointed that it was just a case of being asked what would there in London, and her immediately going to oh the gunpowder plot, but other than that I can’t fault it. I also liked that she wasn’t fighting every one for ages to get them to believe her, the way they all believed her not quite instantly but almost, just made me happy.

One of the best things about this book is you can tell the care that went into preparing for it. There was a lot that I didn’t know going into it, and I found the amount of detail made it so much more immersive. I never realised the plague was happening at the same time, or that to this day we don’t know who sent the letter. It just made the book so much more to have all of these relatively small details explained. There is so much descriptiveness in the Jacobean era, that it really felt as though you were there and seeing the world as it was at the time.

One thing I really wasn’t expecting, but thought was such a good addition was the chapters told from Guy Fawkes perspective. It made it so much more interesting and added a whole other layer to the story. You really got that sense of foreboding with them and the kind of unrest and unhappiness that could lead to the kind of rebellion that was planned. I’m not quite sure why, but part of me always felt a bit bad for Guy Fawkes, thinking that it was a wrong place wrong time situation, but this book completely flipped that notion on it’s head. The level of planning that went into the plan, and the way that Guy Fawkes conducted himself made him a much more eerie character than I first thought.

All in all I can’t express fully just how much I enjoyed this book, but it was such an easy 5* read for me.

Isla Crawford is a modern-day woman working as an assistant to a member of Parliament when she heads to McQuivey's Costume Shop to find a costume for the upcoming Fall Ball. Mrs. McQuivey decides Isla needs to try on the perfect costume for her - despite the fact that it isn't what she came in for - and when she steps out of the changing room, Isla finds herself not in the costume shop, but on an estate in 1605.

Simon Hartworth, Lord Bancroft, arrives at his sister and brother-in-law's estate just in time to run into a very confused and slightly panicked Isla. As he and Lord and Lady Maidstone try to help Isla, she eventually confesses to them that she is from the future. After she convinces them to believe her, they work together to try to determine why she was sent back, and what she is supposed to do while she is there, eventually coming to the conclusion that she may just have a hand in preventing Guy Fawkes and the traitors he works with from blowing up Parliament and King James.

This book is very well written and researched. I didn't know anything about who Guy Fawkes was, even though I knew the name and vaguely remembered that there was a holiday in the UK with his name. Part of the story is told from Fawkes' point of view, which really ups the suspense (and stress) level. There is a romance aspect to this novel, but it is secondary to the main plot, as is usual with Bessey's work.

I enjoyed this book but couldn't quite give it 4 stars. I had a hard time picturing the FMC and MMC, and I still can't remember what Isla looks like - tall, short, thin, curvy, hair color, etc. I would have liked some more descriptions of the characters, although the clothing was often described in detail. I was also disappointed in how Bessey chose to end this tale. But this is just personal preference, and I know there are plenty of other readers who will prefer the ending she chose. I can't explain without spoilers, so I will leave you to discover it on your own.

I received an advanced copy of this novel from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I loved the history in this book. I love learning about new things and time periods. This book centers around the Guy Fawkes plot in England, in 1605. The characters are interesting and complex. I loved the time travel aspect of the book as well. Going from 2025 to 1605 would be a very difficult and different world. Isla deals with it spectacularly. Simon, Martha and Lord Maidstone also deal with things very well. The twins are adorable. I really loved this book and would highly recommend it.

•𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰•

{𝑨 𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒓’𝒔 𝑴𝒂𝒔𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒆}

🕰️ Release Date: April 1, 2025 🕰️
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This book was simply marvelous! I don’t read historical fiction nearly as often as I once did, but I still recognize a well written story when I read it and this one was fantastic! I thoroughly enjoyed the blend of time travel, romance, a touch of fantasy, and historical fiction found in the pages of this McQuivey’s Costume Shop Romance. I look forward to reading more in this series!

Isla Crawford spent her days working as a government employee until, in a turn of events, she finds herself stepping through a dressing room door into seventeenth-century England. She had gone to the McQuivey’s Costume Shop in search of an outfit for the upcoming Autumn Ball and was coerced by Mrs. McQuivey to try on an a late Elizabethan/early Jacobean era costume. It was only after outfitting herself that she went to exit the dressing room and found herself in England, 1605.

Lord Bancroft stumbled upon a drenched and quivering woman on his sister’s doorstep and, without hesitation, invited her inside out of the cold and rain. Very quickly the family discovered that this woman was far from ordinary and, after hearing Isla’s far-fetched tales of a time in the distant future, they sought to discover her purpose in being sent to the past.

Watching Guy Fawkes’s infamous Gunpowder Plot unfold in this book was quite entertaining. I enjoy watching history play out in a good historical fiction book and this one brought such satisfaction and joy to my reader’s heart!

The romance found in this story was tastefully written and immensely swoon-worthy! I loved watching Simon and Isla’s relationship progress throughout the story as they traversed through life in the pastures of Surrey and on their epic quest in London.
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I received a complimentary arc from Shadow Mountain Publishing. All opinions listed are purely my own.

🍰Review: A Time Traveler's Masquerade

☕Rate: 5 Stars!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

💌Praise: Such a warm and romantic tale! Beyond thrilling! My Heart belongs to everything romance and time travel and this beautiful book that is the start of a wonder series did not disappoint! Isla and Simon are connected through time and the galaxy clocks decided to bring them together!

🍵Isla lives in 2025 London and decide to go to a costume shop to pick up a costume due to her friends costume coordination request! When she goes into a dressing room she loves the dress! It feels as if it was meant for her! Beautiful 1600s Jacobian ball gown! However when she opens the costume change your room door she's not back in the store! She is on the lawn in a Maner in 1605!

🌹Isla is rescued by Simon! He is the brother of the woman whose husband owns the manor. Both characters develop a sweet and subtle instant connection that turns into something more! I really love that Simon's family was there for her and didn't make her feel inadequate in any way. There's a lot of plot going on! The treasonous plot that took place in 1605 thanks to Guy Fawkes! (I won't go into too much detail to give away spoilers but......WOW!!!!!)

📖Characters: Isla and Simon and all the side characters whether they were from the future in the beginning or the ones in the past and the second part of the book really have my heart! I really want to go to the costume store and try on an outfit from the 1920s or 1950s! LOL maybe find a dashing man from the past of my own! 😂💗🤗

🥞Extra/Tropes: To say this book was a delicious literary dessert is an understatement! It was truly what a proper and clean and beautiful soft romance should be! It was definitely a pallet cleanser and what I needed for my mind and spirit. Bravo!!!! I can't wait for more more books from this series!

🍪Romance
🍪Time Travel
🍪 Adventure
🍪 Historical Plots
🍪Must Read!

I know this is a new subgenre for Bessey. I think she really did a great job on this one. The story was well done. The research and information was very interesting. I loved being able to see this true event through the eyes of the main characters and understand some of the motivations that were involved. I really enjoy time travel books and I loved that the main character had to figure out how to speak and live in a century totally foreign to her. If you like historical romance and time travel, you should definitely pick this one up. This is a sweet romance so there is very low spice content. It would be appropriate to give to a teen.

This was stunning! I did not want to put it down. A Time Traveler’s Masquerade is the first book in Sian Ann Bessey’s McQuivey’s Costume Shop Romance series. And oh my goodness was it such a good read!
Isla was such a fun FMC. She was spunky but kind and she really adapted to being thrust into another time period. It was fun to read about her experience in the past and see her work through the changes. Simon was a lovely character. He was charming but also weary. I loved getting to know him more and seeing him open up to Isla. They were both lovable characters and I was rooting for them as they tried to figure out why Isla was in the past.
I loved the romance between Isla and Simon. They weren’t looking for love but they connected with each other. Their interactions were sweet. I especially loved reading about their talks and their scenes with Simon’s nephews. The plot was so intriguing and there was so much going on. I loved the intrigue and hints of mystery/suspense in the book. The historical aspects of this book were interesting to me too and I loved how Bessey wove the story together.
I adored this book and would totally recommend it! It is a must read especially if you enjoy historical time travel romances. I am so excited for the next book in this series. A Time Traveler’s Masquerade is a clean time travel romance.

CW: historical violence and plague, dying mentioned

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Isla Crawford lives in modern day London. She enters a costume shop and the owner insists she tries on a historic story gown. As she leaves the dressing room she finds that she has slipped through time and has arrived in 1605. She is found by Simon Hartworth, (Lord Bandcroft) as he is arriving at his sister’s home. The family takes her in and Simon has a hard time believing her tale of coming from the future. Simon’s sister suggests that Isla is here to accomplish a task. And Isla remembers this is the time when Guy Fawke’s is about to make his attempt at his attack on the King and parliament.

I like the story. I enjoyed the weaving of Fawke’s plot into the story. I was already familiar with the plot from my travels to England and being there on Guy Fawke’s Day. But this will be new to many readers and as far as I can tell it sticks to historical accuracy unless noted by the author. Of course Bessey includes a romance. Simon is unsure of Isla and comes to believe her. Isla makes mistakes using modern idioms that are confusing in the time period. A big deal was made of her learning to ride. I personally would be struggling trying to use a chamber pot. LOL.

Bessey is a good story teller. I learned historical information while enjoying a clean romance. The time slip is not explained but is believable in the story. I find it interesting that Sarah Eden, another favorite author with the same publisher, has also recently written a time slip historical romance. The books are set in different time periods and are not related at all. But I’ve enjoyed both and look forward to the next romances in their series.

A GOOD READ.

I liked this one! It’s a quick and easy read with a lot of historical aspects. Flying back to the early 1600’s, Isla is taken in by Simon and his family. I loved the soft and supportive nature of Simon’s family and the trust they had in Isla and hopefully stopping a villainous plot.

There were some POV moments from Guy Fawkes and that did take me out of the story a bit. I didn’t think it was necessary to the plot line to get perspective so those parts stuck out to me most.

I enjoyed the soft romance between Isla and Simon. They were an easy pair to love. I adored all of the interactions they had together and watching them grow to care for one another. There’s some good suspense and I liked how the time travel aspects worked out in this book (aka it stayed mostly in one time period for the book which is my personal preference vs. going back and forth).

Overall audience notes:

Time travel romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Violence: mild
Content warnings: weapons violence

What a gem! I was in love with this book from the beginning. I loved the characters, the plot, the twists and turns. I was sad to reach the end of the book. So so good. This was my first book by this author, but I will be reading everything she has written now. Highly recommend!

I LOVED this book! Dreamy and romantic and full of interesting history, this time travel novel was just so well done! Isla time travels back to the 1600's, and discovers that she has arrived just in time to thwart the Gunpowder Plot!

Mrs. McQuivey's and her Costume Shop are rather like a time travelling fairy godmother/pumpkin carriage duo, and I cannot wait for the next book in the series!

I received an eARC via netgalley, but all enthusiastic opinions are my own,