Thank you to NetGalley for an audiobook version of this book for an honest review.

This is a beautiful Historical romance. For me the audiobook added os much more flavor than just reading a book. With the Scottish accents this completely transported me into the story and time period immediately. The Narration was very good i felt the distinct characters taking shape by the intonation and passing of the narration.

the story is about the kings messenger, a task he is send to do the challenges he faces during this journey and his history in the kings service. The book is very karakter driven and during the story we peal back the onion of who these people are and the periode they live in.

Sometimes funny, sometimes hard breaking but a very lovely ending to the story. Also i did appreciate al the historical information the author shred at the end of the book. I would defiantly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys historical romance.

It was another book club weekend for @bookfriendsbookclub and we had the privilege to once again meet with Susanna Kearsley. She writes such richly historical, deeply researched, romantic stories! The King’s Messenger was no different.

Our first question we always to ask our authors is, where the idea for the book came from. So, where did the idea percolate for The King’s Messenger? Every bookworm is going to love this answer! It was one of those cozy used bookstores beckoning you downstairs where more books are, and finding one in particular—The History of King’s Messengers by V. Wheeler-Holohan—published in 1935. Next came research of King’s Messengers, Pell Records, Scrivners, Second Sight, traveling and so many more rabbit holes. It’s clear Susanna enjoys the research that she does just as much as the writing!

With a multi POV story, I was so glad to have access to this via audio. Thank you @recordedbooks via @netgalley for the #gifted audiobook which is narrated by Angus King and Beth Eyre to perfection!

Part adventure. Part romance. Rich history. Impossible choices. Duty and court alliances.

What stuck out most to me in this story is the good vs. evil element. One’s duty and a treacherous king.

1613—King James, sixth of Scotland, first of England, son of Mary, Queen of Scots—has unified both countries under the crown. But, when his eldest son, Henry, dies it sends a nation in mourning and rumors of a poisoning.

Andrew Logan, The King’s Messenger, is tasked with with arrest of Sir David Moray, who is accused of the poisoning. He must find him and bring him from Edinburgh. Coming with him on the journey is to record all the events in an official scrivener, Laurence, and his daughter Phoebe to help her aging father.

Phoebe and Andrew are enemies, but with a journey this long they start to soften for each other. Along the way, they also pick up a stable boy, Hector, who helps them with their horses, errands and keeping an eye on things. I adored Hector!

Susanna Kearsley just doesn’t miss and I highly recommend this story! 4.5

I really enjoyed this historical fiction story. The focus on the King's Messenger position offered a different perspective on the court maneuverings of King James I in the early 17th century. I found the character of Andrew Logan fascinating to follow. Phoebe took a little while to connect with, but her relationship with her father and other side characters gave her more depth throughout the story. I found the plot surprisingly engaging; it is a fairly straightforward journey story, however Susanna Kearsley kept things suspenseful and interesting. I also found the romance to be very endearing and sweet to read. The different narrators do a great job of giving each character a distinct perspective in the audiobook.

Thank you to NetGalley and RBMedia for providing an eALC in return for my honest thoughts.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me an E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

I really enjoed reading this historical fiction. It was a combination of love, magic and history all good mixed in together.
Will recommend
4 stars

You have a quest, a love story (enemies to lovers, no less!), a murder mystery, and wraiths! All in a historical setting. I'm obsessed.

In this book set in 1613's England, a young woman, her father, and a king's messenger (nudge nudge) go on a quest to help bring to justice the man the King believes murders his son. Susanna Kearsley's prose and ability to weave in deep emotion as well as moments of light and levity was stunning. Listening to the audiobook was delightful, with both narrators doing an excellent job with their accents, different voices for each character, and ability to convey such emotion and enjoyment.

Thank you to NetGalley and Recorded Books for the advanced copy of this audiobook <3

I was able to pair an ARC with the audio (my favorite) thanks to @recordedbooks & @netgalley which added so much with accents from dual narrators, Beth Eyre & Angus King. They transported me deep into 17th century England & Scotland!

I honestly don't know if I have ever read a book set in the days and places of King James I. It was messier and more fraught than I had thought, though I don't know why. Upon reflection and reading this gorgeous historical fiction, it seems only normal for a monarch to be so corrupt and paranoid. They were often right in their paranoia.

This story had all the marks of a suspenseful tale with plans to frame an innocent man for a prince's murder! Add in a man with a special sight, a bit of romance (I know, I know!), and a chase that threatens more than one life.

I was quite fascinated by the players in this piece. I appreciated how the strengths of the women were presented as well as the softer sides of a couple of our main men, as realistic and somewhat hidden, not unlike today. They made this slice of history come alive and I learned a bit in the process. The author's note was fantastic on this point. A solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ historical fiction that you should check out since it is out now!

Are you hankering to read something similar to Outlander? Do you love a good historical romance? Look no further! Loaded with action, history, romance, and a dash of magic, this new release will have you feeling like you stepped right in the historic setting of this novel.

What I liked:

I enjoyed that it appeared to be accurately presented and described. It’s not always easy to pull off an historic novel and remain accurate with the details. I enjoyed the slight mystery aspect of the novel as well as the romance and magical realism sprinkles in there. The author is very talented and I would definitely read more books by her in the future.

What I disliked:

I often got sidetracked while reading this one. At times it dragged and while I appreciated the accuracy of the novel, I was the author would have livened it up a bit. When I heard it compared to Outlander, those are pretty big shoes to fill and while it certainly does give off Outlander vibes, it’s definitely not Outlander quality.

THE KING'S MESSENGER by Susanna Kearsley is a magical, fantastical historical novel that reminds me of my mom and her early 2000s outlander phase. For that reason, and that reason alone, this book felt like such a special hug.

I’ve read and listen to this story. What a great read. Very much enjoyed it and thought the narrators were fantastic. Great job all around.

The King's Messenger by Susanna Kearsley is a historical fiction novel set in 1613 during the reign of King James I of England and Scotland. The story follows Andrew Logan, one of the King's Messengers, who is tasked with a dangerous mission to arrest Sir David Moray, a trusted courtier of the late Prince Henry, amidst rumors of poisoning and court intrigue.
The novel is rich in historical detail, blending mystery, romance, and a touch of the paranormal. Andrew's "Second Sight" adds an intriguing layer to the narrative, as he navigates the perilous political landscape while concealing his gift to avoid accusations of witchcraft. The characters are well-developed, with Andrew's complex relationships, particularly with Phoebe Westaway, adding depth and emotional resonance to the story.
Kearsley's writing is praised for its eloquence and immersive quality, transporting readers to another time and place. The plot is filled with themes of duty, betrayal, love, and sacrifice, making it a captivating read for fans of historical fiction.
If you're drawn to stories of courtly intrigue and richly woven historical narratives, this book might be a perfect choice for you!

This was my first read by Susanna Kearsley and I loved her combination of historical details and rich characters. Phoebe was a fabulous lead and I loved her slow burn romance with Andrew. I had never heard of King's Messengers before this, and I liked learning something new in an accessible way.

The audio narrators were amazing. I love listening to narrators change accents and this was perfection!

I thoroughly enjoyed this ride through history: 1613 Scotland and England and all the treachery that brings, quiet heroes, strong heroines, all with just enough of a love story to keep it sweet without overpowering the interesting history. This is for any historical fiction fan who wants a perfect escape into the turbulent times of Scotland, England, and the royal power plays that continue to fascinate us centuries later.
I listened to the audiobook, and the narration is great!

Thank you to RBMedia, NetGalley, and author Susanna Kearsley for the complimentary copy. It was my pleasure to write this candid review.

The author's passion shines through in this book. I really appreciated the small nods to Pride & Prejudice. The characters were perfect enemies to lovers. However, I had a hard time connecting with the story and that is obviously on me and not the book. It has great potential to appeal to other romance readers and I encourage others to try it out! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book.

Alot of time period research was put into this, which I appreciate! It takes place in the 1600's, King Jame's son, Henry has just died. But the circumstances are suspicious? The story is full of adventure, secrets, gaining trust, change of heart and betrayal.

Andrew Logan is one of the kings messengers, tasked with finding and bringing Prince Henry's trusted courier back to London as a prisoner. While also keeping his own secret of sight that could see him hanged if found out. Will the secrets of others bring their mission to a hault?

I loved the adventure these characters ended up going on and I felt like I was appart of the group, just along for the ride.

The light romance is a sweet, slow burn, that comes on unexpectedly with progression that is believable. I enjoyed Pheobe's interactions with all of her companions, including her father, and how her story unfolds.

Overall this audio was really great! I enjoyed the growth of the characters and how their relationships evolved while in their search for truth and trust in each other.

This is a historical fiction set in the 17th hundreds. I found it a little slow at times but it built a nice story. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher.

The King’s Messenger is a historical fiction novel that takes place in the early 17th century in England and Scotland. In attempt to find out how his son died, King James send his loyal and trusted messenger Andrew Logan to Scotland to retrieve, arrest and bring back Sir David Moray, Prince Henry closest advisor. Phoebe Westaway and her father, another patriot in service to the King and neighbor accompanies Andrew. As Andrew sorts out what the King is really looking for – to falsely accuse Sir David of a crime of murder. Andrew is having none of this and is reluctant to bring in a man that is innocent. As this journey proceeds, Phoebe get to see what an decent and loyal man Andrew is and her opinion of him and opens up her heart to romantic opportunities once this mission is complete.

This audiobook was narrated by Beth Eyre and Angus King both new to me and both did an excellent narrating this book.

While I enjoy the development of Phoebe and Andrews relationship – the remainer of the story just did not pull me in.

Thank you, Suzanna Kearsley, Recorded Books and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I loved this book. Solid combination of historical fiction, romance and mystery. I really enjoyed the parts of the plot centered around Scottish history, the court of King James, and Scottish folklore. Audiobook narration only added to the reading experience- love a Scottish accent. The way she humanized historical figures while keeping the story plotty often reminded me of Joan by Katherine Chen. 4 stars!

4 stars! 🌟 Huge thanks to RBmedia | Recorded Books for the ALC via NetGalley! 💌

Historical fiction? Road trip adventure? Political intrigue? A dash of romance?? SIGN ME UP! 📜🏰✨

Okay, this was my first Susanna Kearsley book, and let me tell you—it won’t be my last! I went in expecting a standard historical fiction novel, but what I got was a journey (literally and emotionally) filled with secrets, betrayals, and an MMC that had me swooning. Andrew Logan, where have you been all my life?? 😭💖

📖 THE STORY:
It’s 1613 and King James sends his most trusted messenger, Andrew Logan, on a mission to Scotland to arrest Sir David Moray, the man accused of being involved in Prince Henry’s mysterious death. But here’s the catch—Andrew starts to realize that maybe, just maybe, Sir David isn’t guilty at all. And now he’s caught between duty, honor, and the truth. 👀

🌟 THE HIGHLIGHTS:
🔥 Enemies-to-lovers vibes – Phoebe Westaway hates Andrew at first (thanks to some nasty rumors), but let’s just say their road trip forces them to rethink a few things… 😏
🎭 Political drama & betrayal – The King’s court is a mess (as always), and Andrew is stuck right in the middle of it.
💫 A touch of magical realism – Andrew has the second sight, which just adds another layer of mystery to everything happening.
🏇 An actual historical road trip – Imagine traveling for weeks by horse and carriage with a group of people who may or may not be plotting against you. The TENSION.

📝 FINAL THOUGHTS:
Susanna's writing? Beautiful and immersive. The characters? Well-developed and layered. The romance? Slow burn but WORTH IT. If you love historical fiction with romance and a hint of the supernatural, you NEED to pick this up.

I love how Susanna Kearsley writes Scotland :)
I need to catch up on her backlist
Her characters are great
Love em all

When King James’s eldest heir, young Prince Henry dies suddenly the King is sure he knows who is to blame. The King requests one of his messengers, Andrew Logan to bring Sir David Moray, the Prince’s courtier and from Scotland to England to stand trial before the dreaded Star Chamber. Laurence Westaway is tasked as scribe to accompany the group on their journey. Laurence’s daughter, Phoebe demands to accompany her father due to his ill health.

The journey is long and arduous, with many miles to cross, many dangers for Logan to keep his entire group safe. Logan is a man who has been tasked to keep many secrets, including his own secret that he has the sight, as this was not a time in history, to be different, men and women had been burned at the stake for less. Logan is not so sure that Moray is guilty but that doesn’t change his task.

Pheobe is not a fan of Logan at first, they have a history of sorts. As Logan and his group get closer to England, Phoebe starts to see different side of Logan, she sees how honourable he is. The journey’s end was just the beginning for some and was a wonderful read.

I really enjoyed the story and the characters. This author has a way of bringing history to life. The narrator did a wonderful job with this book. I first read the book and then listened to the audio book. I enjoyed both but did find the many characters sometimes made the narration harder to determine who was who. I always look forward to this author and her books are ones that I always read.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishing house, the audio house, the narrator and the author for the opportunity to listen to a complimentary copy of this book in return for review, based upon my honest opinion.