The Widow of Rose House

Wow, I loved this read. It's a perfect combination of romance and spooky, paranormal elements set in the gilded age.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

So, the first thing of note this is a Romance (NOT SUITABLE FOR KIDS) and that the ghost story, while the propeller for the plot, is not the main point of the book until the last half. Before that, its the romance.

Sam Moore is the best character in this. I love the description that Alva uses for him, he is a Good Man. A Good Man isn’t a Nice Guy, a Good Man is the kind of person who stands up for what is right and is honestly good. Good through his actions, and good through what he believes and how he treats everyone. Sam is the kind of person who can talk to anyone, doesn’t see the point in wasting time on things that he doesn’t care about, and is far more focused on how he can make life better/easier for everyone around him.

Alva is a strong character as well; she and Sam share the lime light fairly equally. Throughout the book, I appreciate her growth which is in large part to the steadfast and unchangeable nature that Sam has. The two of them create a wonderful foil.

If you enjoy romance or a good ghost story, or even a woman who was scared coming to her own, this is a good novel for you.


I was given a copy of this novel by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book by debut author Diana Biller. It was such a nice change from reading mysteries and thrillers although this book did have a bit of mystery. It also had a bit of paranormal, romance, suspense. I feel like this book had a little of everything. The relationship of Alva and Sam was complex and intriguing. I really can't wait till this author releases another book.

I adored this book! It was quite unlike anything I've read recently. Based on the blurb and the cover (I know, I know) I didn't think this book was for me, but I had heard a bit of buzz about it after one of the book cons so when I saw it pop up on NetGalley I figured I'd check it out. I am so glad I did! I went into this book thinking it was going to be a more prim historical fiction and instead I got a really unique, charming, and steamy historical romance! The Widow of Rose House was a delightfully Gothic tale set in Gilded Age New York featuring a handsome genius, an infamous young widow, science stuff, a very haunted house, interior design, villainous villains, and lots of adorable witty dialogue! It was spooky and swoony and just so lovely - the perfect cozy romance to read this fall. What a wonderful debut from Diana Biller - I look forward to more from the author.

I loved everything about this book. It was totally in my wheelhouse: Gilded Age, atmospheric haunted house with ghosts, romance, witty banter, a scientist hero, and a dastardly villainy brother-in-law.

Alva Webster is trying to rebuild her life, she buys a house to rehab and decorate, but it’s haunted! Cue the aforementioned scientist hero.

I gobbled this book in two days and cannot wait to read what comes next from this author.

I loved this book! I’m usually not the biggest fan of books set in the past, but this was a fun read. I would say the conversational language did not always match the time period for me, so it took me into present day a lot. Overall, I felt very connected to both Alva and Sam. It was a book I didn’t want to put down for sure.

I loved this story of the disgraced widow Alva and handsome absent minded inventor, Samuel! It reminded me of books by Amanda Quick. I liked everything about it - the well written characters, ghostly plot, and developing romance between Alva and Samuel. Once I started it I couldn't put it down. Highly recommended!

The Widow of Rose House is one of the most unique books I’ve read recently- it takes place in Gilded Age New York, and there’s house renovations, geniuses, ghosts, and romance, so it basically has all my favorite things wrapped into one book. Alva Webster, a widow notorious for her(supposed) racy behavior in the press, has returned from France to write a book on interior design and home renovation in order to live a quieter life and escape her traumatic past. The house that she’s renovating has one small issue- it’s really haunted. Professor Samuel Moore is a genius at many things, but his latest fascinations are the spirit realm, and after he meets her, Alva. Despite their increasing attraction to one another, Alva can’t trust that her past and reputation won’t take Sam down with her. And they have that whole ghost issue to deal with.
This book was so funny, and I loved the Moore family (hoping for some spinoffs!). Everything about this book was absorbing and entertaining, and there was the perfect amount of humor to balance out the heaviness and horror. This book could have gone on and on for me, and I would have loved it. This author is going on my auto-buy list!

Thank you netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an advance copy

I loved this book. I was expecting a romance novel with a ghost story/mystery and boy did it deliver all that and more.

The story starts with the arrival of Mrs Webster in NY after 12 years in France - and becoming a widow. Her reputation is scandalous and she is trying to rebuild her life. Enter Prof Sam Moore - charming, good looking, wholesome - the perfect man. Together they resolve to solve the mystery of Liefdehuile - the haunted mansion Mrs Webster has purchased. What follows is a wonderful telling of a story that has you engaged till the wee hours of the night. I loved the relationship between Them and I loved Sam. I loved how this book made me feel at the end - gratified and satisfied. You know, that feeling you get when you read a great book.

Def this book needs to be read and shared. Romance lover and historical fiction aficionados will def rejoice when reading this.

At first I thought this was a mystery like Lady Darby but it’s a straight up romance novel. I had no problems with that. I really enjoyed this book. The mystery was intriguing and spooky with ghostly encounters. The heroine was Alva Webster, who was pilloried in the press after leaving her abusive husband. It’s said she is very scandalous and engaging in affairs and orgies. The hero was absolutely wonderful. Sam is a genius inventor who comes from a genius inventor family and he is GOOD. He is sweet and scatter brained and so kind and wonderful. He is very much the light to Alva’s dark. This was a really good book. I look forward to more by this author.

I intended to read a chapter or two to see if I had any interest and didn't put it down until I had finished the entire book.

The notorious Mrs. Webster has returned to New York and nothing is going to stop her from reclaiming her life -- not even a ghost.

Alda Rensslaer was seduced at 16 by Alain Webster. As a sheltered and unloved girl, she was the perfect naive target for Alain who was 14 years older. He ruined her and arranged their marriage so that he could have her money. After ten years of physical and emotional abuse, Alda got up the courage and enough money to leave him. He wouldn't have cared but then murmurs started about Alda's constant bruises, so Alain distracted everyone by starting rumors about orgies and affairs which gossip came out in the newspapers and he once again left Alda ruined by society's standards. After her husband's death, Alda returned to New York and purchased an abandoned property known as Leifdehuis or Love House.

Alda's plan is to return the House to its former grandeur, all the while she will be documenting and photographing the work and she will then publish a book to sell to the up and coming middle classes on decorating. She is even willing to tout that the book is written by the notorious Mrs. Webster if it will help her sales.

Alda only has one major obstacle to her plan. The workmen and most of the town believe that her house is haunted and they refuse to return to work. The only way to get them back to work is to convince them, by a reliable source, that there is no ghost.

Professor Samuel Morse of the Morse Family -- the first family of American science -- has been trying to get Alda to let him study her haunted house. She agrees to let me and his equipment in in hopes that he will fail to find a ghost and then can convince her workman to return, and if he does find a ghost, can he convince it to, you know, move on and out so she can get back to work.

I sat down to peruse a few chapters to see if I was interested and I was caught up in the story of Alda, and whether or not her house was haunted. Alda's a nice person. Her parents suck. As a young girl, she fell under the pretty spell of Alain, and his hot/cold romance antics left her desperate to please him. He abused her physically and mentally and the rumors that he spread about her still ruin her life long after his death. She also has her brother-in-law coming around and blackmailing her and mentally abusing her further. The ghost investigation takes up a portion of the story, but at least half is focused on the romance between Sam and Alda.

While the story itself was interesting, I have to confess my love (just like all the women in the book) for sweet Professor Sam Moore. Sam is the epitome of the absent-minded professor. He is brilliant and his mind goes many different directions at once, mostly on inventions or on Alda. If you read J.D. Robb's In Death series, he reminds me of a young Dennis Mira, adorable and flighty. He's like an adorable little puppy. All he wants is to study the ghost and spend time with Alda and invent more things. He doesn't care about the gossip and is frustrated because Alda won't let him into her life. At first, she is afraid. Alain and Sam are polar opposites and she knows this, but she was also fooled very badly by Alain. She is afraid to be vulnerable again to another man. Once she trust that Sam won't hurt her, Alda realizes that she doesn't want to drag him down with her, even if it hurts him, and he makes sad little puppy eyes at he

I loved the entire Moore family but unfortunately, there is no indication that we will be coming back to this family for more stories. I want more time with the Moores.

This was a very enjoyable read. I really liked the dynamics between the characters and I will be looking forward to more from this author. I am hoping she writes about other members of the family.

A well done novel that combines historical fiction along with gothic themes very well. I fell in love with the characters. Sam was one of the most lovable male protagonists ever. He’s romantic, a genius, awkward, sexy, and so many things all rolled into one. His family was just as amazing, and I would love to read more about their whimsical lives. Alva was also a great point of view to read from. Her persona differs from Sam, but understandably so, because she has had a completely different and tragic life. But despite all the people who talk behind her back, she still manages to hold her head high. The two of them together were perfects. I didn’t realize there was going to be supernatural elements in this novel, so the ghosts were a surprise, but enjoyed the addition of the haunted house. It was a great combination of having a believer (Sam) and a skeptic (Alva) trying to find out what was happening in this house (all while falling in love of course). Definitely would recommend to anyone who likes a good historical romance!

The Widow of Rose House was an intriguing romance set during the Gilded Age. Alva Webster, a widow with a dark past, meets Samuel Moore, inventor extraordinaire. As the pair try to solve the mysterious haunting of Alva’s newly acquired house. As the two surmount multiple obstacles, they’re relationship grows intimate. This book is was an excellent read and is highly recommend for fans of Amanda Quick.

Just the right blend of historical fiction and gothic romance, "The Widow of Rose House" is a winner! Author Diana Biller knows how to build intrigue--not only in plot but romance. Be prepared for a slow simmer as Biller colors her characters: a young widow from one of New York’s most illustrious families, a quirky scientist from a renown family of inventors, a cast of others in this Gilded Age mystery, and a falling down house that "seems" to have not one but five ghosts. Quite the page turner that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the end.

A very engaging story! The author has created an Interesting combination of a ghost story and a love story. She conveys the time and place very well (New York in 1875), including the sad place of women and girls in society and their lack of legal status. I really enjoyed the male main character - an inventor.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy.

(Posted to Goodreads)

Considering all the heavy themes of the book (and I loved some of the ones they included, which went beyond the standard romance book tropes), this book delighted me. I went in expecting a heavier book than it was, but the banter and characters enchanted me so much that I didn't care. I literally snorted multiple times and read almost all of it in one sitting. Professor Samuel Moore makes my book character hall of fame, as does his whole family (including his bff/business partner). I really hope Biller continues writing in this universe with the Moore family, because I would read the crap out of that.

Disclaimer: received a free ARC (thanks, Netgalley!), but it didn't influence me & etc.

I loved this book. Reads like Daphne DuMaurier with great metaphysical elements! The characters were intriguing full of mystery and romance.