VALE

Vale travels back to Victorian England, she is from modern California so it is quite an adjustment. The author describes her feelings well and also everything else is well described and well written. A very good novel. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for giving me a copy of the book.

Book Review 📚
Vale by Tess Bentley - 4/5 ⭐

Firstly, what a great layout of being a modern aged woman compared to being a Victorian age woman! There was so many differences yet resemblances and I really enjoyed the outlook from it all.

Our MC, Vale, was such a wholesome character that has been through some absolute crap in her life. She hasn't had it easy and nothing ever seemed to work in her favour. Until a mysterious man pulls her back in the past to the Victorian era. Now that, that was a nice little twist. Not something I expected to happen but I really love the way it took the story.

Bentley has this absolutely beautiful piece of work that includes some fantastic writing. There's character development and her descriptions throughout the book really bring it to life. She really brought the Victorian era to life with some great scene settings along with description.

Thank you to NetGalley and Leifman books for allowing me to read this ARC - this is an HONEST review from my own personal opinion.

I would defintely recommend this book
to others! I loved the historical references and the main character was so relatable at some points, I felt so much empathy for her, and I loved the ending of this book!! Thank you netgalley and the publishers for letting me read this gem!

I loved this book. When I read the synopsis I thought "sounds similar to Outlander, I'll give it a shot since I'ma fan of that book and it sounded interesting." I began reading the first few chapters and almost got a little bummed thinking it was going to be a rip off of that story. I was pleasantly surprised that it was completely different. I enjoyed the characters and how descriptive the author was with the details of everything. It really let me visualize the world and made it even more enjoyable. It made me feel like I was in the room with characters with how descriptive everything was. I was going to give 4.5 stars because I felt the ending was a bit lacking and felt unfinished (if you read it you'll know what i mean by the last 2 pages) and I figured out who the "real badguy" was pretty quickly, but I kept wanting to reach for the book to find out more and what was going to happen next with the romance of the 2 main characters. I loved the friendship that blossomed between Anne and Vale, and how I felt I was in the story with them with how the author described everything. I felt it deserved 5 stars for those reason. I was highly impressed since it looks to be a debut novel from the author. I am looking forward to when it is released so I can purchase it to have on my shelf for a reread in the future.

This was a delightful time travel Romance.
Victorian Era,

I absolutely loved Vale and her emotions just felt so raw and real throughout the whole book. It was easy to feel connected to her.

The story line was beautifully written going through her grief, learning this old world and watching her heart open up again.

The author really did a beautiful job bringing the Victorian world to life and she created some really great characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Leifman books for allowing me to read this ARC

Lots of things in this book were extremely relatable for my situation right now. It was 2am and I was crying over this book. This book has done more for me than it ever could. I feel less alone. I highly recommend this book. If you want to feel some emotions, go read it.

When I first read the summary of this book, I thought it would be a crossover between Outlander and Bridgerton. However, upon completion, I found that it's not fair to compare it to either of the two because this is its own beautiful and unique story.

Vale is titled after the MC who is a 36-year-old woman from modern-day California. After meeting a strange man in a graveyard, she is suddenly transported far away from her children to Victorian-era England. There, she finds out that she is the solution to a multi-generational family curse and the hope for multiple people involved.

This book highlighted a lot of important issues such as grief, friendship, family, and abusive relationships. My one complaint is that I felt like Vale lost so much, but a lot of the issues were quickly glossed over so that characters could "move on."

Overall, this was a beautiful, slow-burn love story with multi-dimensional characters and I rated it 3.5 ⭐.

If you are looking for a sweet romance with a unique twist this is the book for you! This book reminds me of Outlander in the best possible way. A woman named Vale stuck in a bad marriage, is suddenly whisked away to the 19th century for mysterious reasons. This book was slower paced which i’m not used to reading so it was an adjustment on my part but I actually really enjoyed the story. The romance was tender and very sweet. I enjoyed the mystery part of the story as well and really liked that it was low stakes. There were parts that were a bit drawn out that maybe didn’t need to be but other than that this book was very fun! I would definitely call this a cozy read! it was a nice reprieve from the normally high stakes, super intense fantasy books that I normally read. I wish there were more books like this being written!

I ATE this book up. I loved the authors writing style. Definitely my favorite part. Story was captivating and very relatable. My first womens fiction book and now because of this story , and being so relatable i will be looking into more of this genre . I will most definitely be purchasing a physical copy of this . LOVE THE COVER ! Perfect for the story!

this was STUNNING. such a deeply rich and immersive story about escaping an abusive relationship and finding the freedom and happiness that comes along with it set in the 19th century

definitely a slower paced, descriptive and as fully encompassing novel as can be. i highly recommend people check out this cozy and tender story! can’t wait to read more from this author as well

First of all.. the cover is EVERYTHING to me. If anyone knows me they know I appreciate me some stunning covers. Now that aside, Vale is about a woman who is in a marriage that takes a toll on her mentally and emotionally. She never felt quite in place and was considered as a old soul. However she endures it for her two children. One day, she meets a man named John Emberly who takes her back in the 1800s through magic. Vale feels lonelier than ever and misses her children terribly. She is 18 again and adjusting to her new life with siblings Edward and Anne. She finds herself considering them more than friends and some slow burn. They are her support through her depression and terrible grief. This novel had quite a few twists and turns and can I just say… WE STAND GILDI! That woman has my heart and dear anne, dont get me started! This historical dark academia book was not a short read and Vale’s vocabulary is superb that I was jealous and admittedly had to look up a few words… but I still enjoyed this unique story so so much. Author, I wouldnt mind reading about Anne’s story at all!

Vale
By Tess Bentley
October 16, 2023

Vale, a 36 year old woman is not happy in her marriage, she is depressed and desperately wants a better life for her kids and herself. That is until she meets John who claims to be one of her relatives from the past and Vale is magically sent to the Victorian era. She soon befriends Edward Emberley, master of Avenhurst Manor. She gets accustomed to living in the English countryside but she misses her children. She recognizes that her feelings towards Edward might be more than just friendly. With a curse and family ties, Vale must choose between living in the past or facing her fears head on and confronting her issues from the present.

I really liked this book, it was original. I liked the twist at the end.

Thank you to Leifman Books and NetGalley for this early copy in exchange for an honest review.

If you're in the mood for a heartwarming romance with a unique twist, then Vale by Tess Bentley is a book you won't want to miss. This story offers a delightful blend of love, time travel, and mystery, reminiscent of the beloved Outlander series.

The narrative follows Vale, a woman trapped in a troubled marriage, who is unexpectedly transported to the 19th century under mysterious circumstances. While the pacing of the book might be slower than what some readers are accustomed to, it provides the perfect backdrop for a sweet and tender romance to blossom.

What sets Vale apart is its charming and low-stakes mystery element. It keeps you engaged without overwhelming you with high-intensity drama. While there are moments where the story feels a bit drawn out, the overall experience is enjoyable and cozy—a refreshing departure from the typical high-stakes fantasy novels.

In essence, Vale offers a soothing escape from the fast-paced and intense books often found in the fantasy genre. It's a perfect choice for those seeking a heartwarming, easygoing read. Bentley's unique blend of romance and mystery in a historical setting is a breath of fresh air, leaving you wishing for more books like this in the literary world.

"VALE" by Tess Bentley promises an intriguing blend of time travel, romance, and personal transformation, all set against the backdrop of Victorian England. This novel appears to explore the theme of escape from an emotionally abusive marriage and the quest for a happier life.

The protagonist, Vale, is a modern woman trapped in a difficult situation, longing for a brighter future for herself and her children. When she encounters John Emberley and is transported to Victorian England through magic, the story takes a fascinating turn. The concept of Vale being thrust back in time to her youth provides an intriguing premise, and her journey of adjustment to this new life is likely to captivate readers.

The description hints at a blossoming romance with Edward Emberley, as well as the potential for Vale to recover her children. The book seems to offer a blend of personal growth, emotional healing, and the exploration of love across time periods.

The setting of Victorian England, with its charm and hidden secrets, adds depth to the story and creates a vivid backdrop for the unfolding drama. The mention of dark forces and old curses suggests that there will be challenges and obstacles to overcome, adding an element of mystery and suspense to the narrative.

Overall, "VALE" appears to be a captivating novel that combines elements of romance, time travel, and personal rediscovery. It promises an engaging journey for readers as Vale confronts her past and navigates the complexities of love and destiny.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
The story was really catching. The heroine is not a teenager (thanks) and the story runs around a second chance in life. Though she felt the loss of her children deeply, she managed to find hope in an unexpected change of scenery (to quote jane austen).
The writing was really good. Made me feel within the story, which makes any story much better. No info dumps no avoiding obvious communicatiob just for the sake of stretching the story. Thank you!

Firstly, Thank you to NetGallery, the author and the publisher, for providing me with the ARC of VALE in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4 stars

“I know we are supposed to prefer the bright, cheerful, sunny days, but I am guilty of preferring a mighty thunderstorm.”

This book was out of my usual genre. Vale was a beautiful historical, Victorian-era romance. This book brought raw emotion with every flip of its page; the main character was beautifully written and captured grief and acceptance perfectly. I must admit I cried with this character. She was completely relatable.

Vale follows the story of our modern American female main character, who is thirty-six years old and stuck in a horrible marriage. One day, after a strange encounter in a graveyard, she is mysteriously taken from her children to Victorian-era England. I felt this story would be another Outlander retelling, but it was far from it. Vale was its own unique and comfy read that left me feeling complete. Although I loved this read, I thought that we were cut short of exploring deeper into the main issues of grief and abusive relationships.

Vale is a beautifully written original tale of love, grief and acceptance. This sweet romance and slow burn left me craving for more.

Such a delight of a read! The story is heartwarming and relatable in a captivating way, the character's are loveable and the writing style is very unique! Definitely a much slower-paced read but still good nonetheless! It won't disappoint.

Thank you to the author and the publisher for this arc through netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Vale is a gothic romance to its core, dealing with sensitive issues such as abuse and depression.

Honestly I was so intrigued by the premise of this book and the actual content definitely did not disappoint. The setting of the world felt so well build and easy to slip into, it's clear that the author did her research on the Victorian era. Further more the romance between the two mcs was so ...... Tender? So well done? So deeply human and real. The relationship of Vale with her children was also flawlessly executed and so complex.

I really really loved this book. The characters will draw you in and make you feel for them through all of the twists and turns. The writing really lets you sympathize with the protagonist and stay completely engaged in the story line. Also, people say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but this cover is just as beautiful and the quality of storytelling in this book. If you couldn't tell already, I think you should read it, especially if you are a fan of historical romance or time travel.

Such delightful a time-travel historical romance! I love this book, it's been a while since I've enjoyed a historical romance this much and I love how relatable the MC is. Thank you Netgalley, author and publisher for this e-ARC

Firstly- the cover is absolutely beautiful. Dark and mysterious.
I enjoyed this easy read, it was touching and cute and had an unexpected twist! What more could you want?!