I loved All the Painted Stars, it is a breathtaking romance, and the letters between Lily and Jo are wonderful and are woven in seamlessly throughout the plot. I am a huge fan of One Night in Hartswood, so i was thrilled to read this. It has everything, forbidden romance, turmoil, bravery, and stunning LGBTQIA+ leads. I couldn’t ask for more, except, maybe a sequel in the future... ;)

My heart was so, so warm while reading this book. The love between Lily and Johanna was palatable with every page that I read. There was solemn and silly moments that equalized themes of the book which I loved.

All the Painted Stars follows Jo and Lily, Jo's hand is being given to a worthy knight in a tournament, and Lily competes undercover in this tournament, because she thinks Jo needs saving from marriage. Along the way, the two reconcile and begin to develop feelings for one another.

This is a very sweet historical romance, that would be perfect for fans of Emma R. Alban's "Don't Want You Like a Best Friend" or anyone who's life was changed by Chappell Roan's VMA's Joan of Arc performance. I really enjoyed how Denny depicted the medieval setting, as this was my first sapphic romance from that time period. I read this without reading "One Night in Hartswood" and while I think this can still be read as a standalone, you'd learn more about Jo and Lily's early years by reading both.

4.25 stars

Jo, sister to a young Earl, is about to be married off, but not if Lily has anything to say about it. Lily dresses up as a knight and enters into the tournament to try to give Jo her freedom.

I feel like I would have liked this book better had I read the first before it as it's built on the friendship that began in book one. And it kept referencing things that happened in the first book without actually revealing much of anything, so I guess it could be read out of order. Even so, this is a fun Sapphic lady/knight, slow burn, friends to lovers romance. While it was a bit predictable, it was also pretty cozy, and I definitely cheered at a certain character revelation. I've heard it gives A Knight's Tale vibes, and that's pretty accurate for the first half, but I actually enjoyed the second half more.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

I was absolutely thrilled to get my hands on an advance copy of this book--I adored One Night in Hartswood and couldn't wait for more in Emma Denny's world, and this did not disappoint! Jo and Lily are both delightful in their own ways, and the burn between them is so slow I was practically screaming at the page for them to figure themselves out. Like the first in the series, All the Painted Stars has a delightful blend of angsty yearning, genuine danger and adventure, and a glimpse of 14th century life with details that feel real and goes in surprising directions (I was expecting more of the book to take place at the tourney rather than a brewery, but the change in setting was quite nice and provided a fascinating look at ale brewing that I absolutely drank up). I hope there are more in this series, and either way I'll be eagerly anticipating whatever Emma Denny writes next!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc! Opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved One Night in Hartswood so I jumped at the chance to read this one. IT BLEW ME AWAY. I need a thousand more sapphic historical romance BECAUSE WHAT HAVE I BEEN MISSING MY ENTIRE LIFE

This book was a great balance between thrilling adventure and cozy sweetness, with humor thrown in. There was a reveal late in the book that I only partly guessed in advance, but I was delighted to find out the rest (I'm pretty sure I cackled).

What I liked the most about this book was how vivid the descriptions were, so that I felt like I could see the embroidered dresses, taste the sweet blackberries, feel the cool lake water. Like this opening line to Chapter 1:
"Long strands of vibrant red hair caught on the brambles of the blackberry bush, snagging in the thorns and twisting in vivid dashes across the plump berries."
If you're the kind of person who can see in your mind the things you read, you should enjoy the imagery here.

Overall, this book was fun and charming, with a very sweet romance.

This is a romance specifically for the girls who loved Chappell Roan's VMA performance. I don't read a lot of romances with knights and ladies, but this was so cute.

Lily and Johanna met in the previous book (which I have not read) when Lily was betrothed to Johanna's brother but then he ran off (to be with Lily's brother) and besmirched her reputation. So like any other Renaissance girls, Lily is destined for the convent and Johanna is expected to be married off to some guy. When Lily finds out that her best friend is going to get married off to a knight in a tournament, she gets the bright idea to cut off her braids and dress up in her brother's armor to rescue Jo from ever having to marry a man she doesn't want. Bless. So there's "William," a chivalrous but poor knight fighting in a tournament while Johanna deals with the guy her stepmother really wants her to marry. When stuff happens and the besties have to run away together, well, a little more time away from the annoying nobles won't hurt, right?

Just by the characters' ages, this feels more like New Adult Romance, since I feel like I remember Lily saying she's 23 in one of the scenes. Definitely feel like Lily's impulsiveness feels very young-20s! The Best Friends to Lovers romance was so cute that I was anxious in the middle that things would go wrong, but this remained fun and cozy! I have a feeling that the first book is cute too.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper for this cute romance.

This was a fun sequel to One Night in Hartswood; it can be read without the first book. It follows sisters of each of the main characters from the first book as they deal with arranged marriage, a jousting tournament, and fleeing from the keep.

This was told from the perspectives of Jo and Lily. Jo is the sister to the Earl and is about to be married off while Lily is trying to secure Jo’s freedom by posing as a knight. We see how they help each other and watch their relationship blossom.

Overall I enjoyed the story as it was well paced and had some plot twists.

I was given a copy by the publisher via NetGalley (thank you!) and all opinions are my own.

Emma Denny's "All the Painted Stars" serves as a sequel to the novel "One Night in Hartswood." This cozy story revolves around a friends-to-lovers narrative, where the damsels take charge of their own destinies and rescue themselves.

The plot unfolds as Penn's sister Jo prepares to wed the victor of a jousting tournament, leading to her friend Raff's sister, Cecilia/Lily, disguising herself as a knight to compete for Jo's hand.

The ensuing chaos, adventure, and the characters' pursuit of independence make for a compelling read. I recommend this novel, especially to fans of Natasha Siegel and Lex Croucher. Thanks to NetGalley and Harper 360 for providing the ARC.

We love a lady knight. When Cecily "Lily" Barden hears that her best friend Lady Johanna is hosting a tournament for her hand in marriage, she knows that she needs to enter. Even though Lily knows she won't win, it's a chance to see Jo before she's wed. Jo's hand as the prize is a bit of a farce though, because Lord Adam has already offered, and his status and wealth are worth more to Jo's family than an errant knight. When Lily is injured and her life threatened, she and Jo make their escape to the countryside. And for the first time, they can be themselves, and share feelings that Jo didn't know could exist and that Lily is too afraid to share.

I enjoyed this sequel to One Night in Hartswood! Jo and Lily have a relationship built on friendship, and while it takes 2/3 of the book for Jo to realize what this means, the mutual pining is palpable. I thought the book got a little weighted down by plot, especially at the brewery, but overall loved the medieval sapphic tale.

All the Painted Stars is a wonderful followup to One Night in Hartswood. Following the sisters from the first book, we follow Jo as she's dealing with the fallout from her brother's departure from the keep, and Lily who is desperate to return to her. Jo's family is hosting a tournament and whoever wins also wins Jo's hand in marriage. Learning this from a letter, Lily decides to enter as a man to save Jo from her fate. The two women keep finding each other and find their own way to fight fate together. I loved all the different turns this story took, and all the side characters we meet add heart and depth to the story. I can't wait to see what Denny writes next.
Thanks to Harper 360 and NetGalley for the ARC in trade for an honest review.

I requested and received an eARC of All the Painted Stars by Emma Denny. I really enjoyed this other’s previous work in this series, One Night in Hartswood, because I need all of the fourteenth century queer romance in a bad way. Luckily, Denny has done it again, this time with a Sapphic spin. In All the Painted Starts, we follow Raff’s sister Lily Barden who has just discovered that her best friend, Johanna, is to given away in marriage to the winner of a tournament. Lily, determined to stop this, dresses herself as a knight and enters the contest herself. Unfortunately, this decision is not received well all-around, and Lily is forced to escape with Johanna to avoid danger.

I really enjoyed the blossoming romance between Lily and Jo, the sort of cluelessness about what their feelings really mean before it dawns on them. In the beginning of the novel, I really got a kick out of the tournament and Lily’s successes. I was always amused when Ellis appeared on the page! Who doesn’t love a young earl? I sympathized with Jo’s plight, but I was very drawn to Lily’s character. Her boldness and sense of adventure both make for an excellent protagonist to root and swoon for. As Lily prepared to enter the tournament, under the name William, I wanted nothing more for than her to sweep the competition and dash away with Jo’s heart.

All the Painted Stars is a charming and very sweet read. There are moments of action and suspense and these both helped to capture my attention in this story. Denny also offers a lovable (and detestable!) cast of supporting characters that make this story feel well-rounded and worthwhile. I found the romance to be handled especially well and crafted with so many moments of tenderness and longing that I quickly became a JoLily (LilyJo? Are we over couple names?) fan. I don’t always love the “hidden progressives” in historical queer romance, and while I understand they are often necessary to help facilitate the story or create a sense of found family, it always takes me out of the story a little bit. My attention did wane during the middle portion of the story, but overall I really enjoyed this book. The strong beginning and the rewarding ending, combined with Jo and Lily’s outstanding chemistry, made it a success for me.

I'm not into medieval English history BUT I have always wanted a romance between a lady and a female knight-errant for obvious reasons. And that's what we have here! It's also a sweet friends-to-lovers relationship. The plot is pretty much broken up into three arcs:

Part One: Tournament
Part Two: Brewery
Part Three: Arranged Marriage/Say No to the Patriarchy

Part One was my favorite. Lily's master plan was just peak sapphic fantasy: disguise yourself as a man, enter the knights tournament, win and therefore win the hand of your bff, live happily lesbianly after. I feel like an amazing book could be written based on that premise alone. Part Two was slower plotwise but focused on Lily and Jo's romance. Part Three moved much faster. It introduced/brought back some queer antagonists (sort of? as antagonisty as this book gets) to hinder the ladies' HEA and had THE BEST "I object" wedding scene ever.

This had a lot of queer rep for a novel based on this time period in Christian European history, but it seemed pretty realistic and as positive as I imagine most people could've been back then. I don't believe you need to read the previous book One Night in Hartswood to enjoy this.

Sweet and cozy read, perfect for fans of medieval romance, lady knights, A Knight's Tale and Chappel Roan's VMA performance.

Lily is determined to save her friend Jo from a marriage she doesn't want. The solution she comes up with? Chop off her hair, steal her brother's clothes and some armor, and fight for her friend in a jousting tournament. While obviously impractical, Denny does a great job of giving us realistic action around an obviously unqualified knight. Lily is stubborn, brave and impulsive, while Jo is practical, dutiful and perhaps overthinks things too much. I love the interactions between Lily and Jo, as well as the secondary characters like Mabel and Ellis. The friends-to-lovers romance is sweet and slow, with a luscious amount of tension (made better by getting both POVs and feeling that "just kiss each other already!" feeling). There is a prequel book that involves some of these same characters, but enough to discussed/revealed in this story that you don't feel like you need it, and LIly and Jo are the stars.

If you are looking for cozy sapphic romance, fight the patriarchy in a fun way vibes and found family - highly recommend.

This books was the perfect blend of a romance and and fantasy all in one! It had adventures and drama with unexpected twists that drew me in. Excellent book!

I loved the idea of someone fighting for their love, it was wonderfully done and was enjoying the use of 1362. The characters felt like they belonged in this world and still felt like they belonged. I enjoyed the romance going on and was engaged with how everything worked. Emma Denny has a great way of keeping the reader and I was glad I read this.

Sapphic lady knight romance? Yes. Please.
This story was adorable and I loved every second of it. A noble lady who never wishes to marry as she is attracted to women accidentally falls for a noble lady who has no idea who she’s attracted to, her life has been nothing but surviving this cruel man’s world to even consider anyone.
Lily finds out that Jo is to be married off for the wellbeing of her family and does not want to be. So lily does what she does best, rides off in her brothers old clothes and armor to pretend to be a man in the tournament that Jo’s family is hosting as a way to find a favorable match for her. Lily doesn’t really have a plan, but to compete as best she can and hopefully win the favor of Jo so she can save her from an unwanted marriage to a man she doesn’t know.
What could possibly go wrong?
Well, a lot of things.
The story starts where Lily looks to be doing well and there’s so much hope, but then things start to devolve from there, one thing going wrong after another. But are they really going wrong if they end up in the right place?
Full of sweet first love and quiet yearning and blooming from a friendship to something much greater. I loved Lilys fiery spirit and Jo’s gentle but determined nature.

“You are wild and free and utterly mad: this is why I love you as I do.”


Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins / Harper 360 for the e-ARC of All The Painted Stars!

All The Painted Stars is an immensely enjoyable historical sapphic friends-to-lovers romance centered around Johanna, a Lady whose hand is being offered in marriage as a tournament prize, and her adoring friend Lily, who enters the tournament as a knight in disguise in order to fight for Johanna's freedom and right to choose. I normally am not a fan of historical settings but was swayed by the lovely cover and the concept of a queer lady knight, and I'm glad I gave the novel a chance. I read the first 40% in one sitting despite starting it after midnight and dove eagerly back into it the next day as soon as I could. The characters are both very likable despite holding very different values, and the care and concern they show for each other is clear and consistent throughout the book. The writing is comfortable and easy to sink into, and both Jo (Johanna) and Lily (Cecily) deserve all the happiness in the world.

Note: sex depictions and mentions in and after chapter 20

*Alexa, play Good Luck Babe by Chappell Roan*

No, because that VMA preformance was what went through my head when reading this! I hadn’t read the first book and found myself turning my head at points. So… I did read through 50% of my ARC and making the choice to go back and read the first one.

I think I’d be fine to keep going BUT since I’m enjoying all of this, I thought I’d go back and do it right!

I’m loving this whole ‘fight for your loooove’ scenario. It makes me feel giddy as a Sappho!!!

I first want to thank HarperCollins and NetGalley for allowing me to read All the Painted Stars by Emma Denny. This review is solely my personal opinion. I was excited to read this book when given the chance. It is a sequel, I wouldn't say this is a stand alone story, but I didn't read the first book and eventually felt like I got enough information throughout this story to understand information I missed by not reading it. That being said, I still thoroughly enjoyed this story. Here, we are following Jo and Lily, sisters, to each of the main characters in book one. Jo and Lily became friends due to Penn and Raff's relationship. Lily receives word that Jo's family is holding a tournament, and Jo's hand in marriage will be offered. Lily feels as though she can't standby, and she enters the tournament to try to "save" Jo. There were a lot of twists and turns in this story that kept me on my toes. Also, there is a strong female empowerment within the story, I learned a little history while reading. I give this story a solid 4 stars. I definitely recommend this book. I would suggest reading Penn and Raff's story first.

A medieval sapphic romance. Absolutely stunning! I loved the first one and was so excited to read the sequel. It has a sapphic knight fighting for her lady. Do I need to say anymore than that? Read it!!

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
All the Painted Stars is the second book in Emma Denny’s 14th Century Oxfordshire series. The leads of this book played supporting roles in the prior book, but my memory of that book is rather fuzzy beyond that I enjoyed it fairly well, and I can say that it works well as a standalone. And while this story, like its predecessor, leans on the anachronistic side of historical romance, it’s absolute fun and the perfect slice of queer joy in a time period where they’re not represented enough (but absolutely existed).
The leads are charming, and I really liked them. Lily in particular has a lot of spunk, with her determination to save her best friend Jo from an arranged marriage, going to the lengths of disguising herself as a boy to fight and win her hand in the jousting tournament. While the ‘girl disguised as a man” trope is rather tired and has historically been rather queerphobic, it’s always great to see it written in a queer context, as it is here. And I do like that she’s not some magically qualified warrior, and it does get out of hand. Jo is a great contrast for the more brash Lily in that she’s more dutiful and aware of what’s expected of her, even if she chafes against it.
Their romance is a super-sweet slow-burn, with them largely falling in love while on the run and in hiding in a local brewery. While the middle did drag a little, as it got a little mundane in places, I liked that they got time away from all the pressures of their “real” life to reckon with their feelings, and this is an absolute masterclass in sapphic yearning.
And while the romance remains the focus, I liked the prominence of the ensemble cast. While I can’t say I remember too much about Lily and Jo in the first book, being reminded of Raff and Penn in this book and how they’re connected was great, as well as meeting some other supporting characters, like Mabel the brewery owner, who I’d love to see more of in future books.
This was such a fun read, and I’d recommend it to readers in search of queer historical romance.

What a lovely continuation of Hartswood!

I recall finishing the first book and thinking “man a book about Jo and Lily would hit” and I was right. This was so cute and well paced and charming.

My one complaint, and I had similar feelings about Hartswood, is that it’s somewhat forgettable. I don’t know how much re-readability there is here. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it a lot.

TY NETGALLEY FOR THE ARC

An excellent sequel! I really enjoyed the characters and the plot was fun- I love women and swords, especially lesbians! I totally saw a few of the plot twists coming, but it was still a fun read. I loved the side characters as well- Ellis is honestly my fav. Overall, this is a medieval lesbians with swords and beer, so what could possibly go wrong?

this was a really fun, wildly historically inaccurate romp through medieval england. totally fun. Emma Denny's #1 strength is creating fun, loveable characters, and they absolutely delivered here. I really hope this series continues and I look forward to reading more.

*Received as a free ARC*
I'm going to be honest, I spent most of this book on tenterhooks that something very bad was going to happen to someone. But it didn't! It was much more cozy than I was expecting, given that Raf and Penn spent most of the first book as icicles. Felt true to history and enjoyable.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

All the Painted Stars by Emma Denny is a third person dual-POV Sapphic historical romance using the knight x lady trope. Lily steals her brother’s armor and heads to a tournament held by the family of Lady Johanna, her best friend, to save Jo from an arranged marriage to the winner of the tournament. Unknown to both of them, Jo is already arranged to marry Lord Adam, who needs Jo as his wife for more than one reason.

While Lily herself isn’t strongly portrayed as questioning her gender, there is acknowledgement of trans individuals in the text and there is a discussion regarding Lily pretending to be a man within that context. I’m always down for a conversation around the strict confines of gender and how those outside the binary have always existed. While it would have been ideal for Lily herself to have some questions around her gender, this was the next best thing and I appreciated how it was handled, including respect for chosen names.

The narrative is on the cozier, slower-paced side and lingers on the small moments between Jo and Lily. Picking blackberries, staying at the brewery, and even on the couple’s dance before they finally reveal their feelings, it all serves as build-up that will satisfy anyone who likes the quieter bits in romances. The more I think about it, the more I think that this is more of a quiet romance and anyone who doesn’t want a lot of drama and constant twists would probably be delighted.

The slower-pacing also allows for a lot of subtle worldbuilding of the Medieval time period. I did feel fairly immersed in the time period and everything felt consistent and logical while also recognizing prejudices at the time and how many do not have those same prejudices. We don’t spend a ton of time at the tournament and we instead spend more time dealing with the lives of everyday people and court politics and how it relates to Queerness and marriage.

I would recommend this to fans of historical romances that explore different facets of the time period and readers looking for a Sapphic romance that uses the knight x lady trope

A very sweet and romantic tale about a knight fighting for her princess, truly a heartwarming tale that you won't want to put down.

I’m so excited to read All the Painted Stars! I enjoyed One Night in Heartswood immensely, I had difficulty putting it down.

Full review:

Without giving away spoilers, I was excited but unsure what to expect from this second novel, and was pleasantly reassured just a few pages in—the story is so dynamic, it grabs you immediately and doesn’t let you go. All the Painted Stars opens 2 years after the earlier novel in the series One Night in Hartswood, (which I read directly before this) and unlike ONIH’s winter backdrop, All the Painted Stars’ summer setting brings fresh liveliness that’s felt throughout the novel. While some of the heaviness of ONIH lingers, overall the stakes are high but not quite as traumatic or life-threatening. There’s a healthy mix of unexpected turns/situations that aren’t exactly as they seem, and foreshadowing/hints so the plot flows smoothly. Problems are solved creatively and satisfyingly, and there’s some happy reappearances from ONIH. I was pleased by the (historically accurate) queerness, the found/chosen family themes, and I do hope there’s a third book—a certain squire and Jo’s family members all make for interesting characters, and I would love focus on Lily’s brother Ash. I enjoyed author Emma Denny’s writing—some of the imagery she evokes is so vibrant it stayed with me: the deep orange linen of a dress, crystalline lakes nestled in a woodland, a “whorl of intricate stars” on a startlingly blue gambeson. For me, her second novel is absolutely as enjoyable as the first.

All the Painted Stars an adventurous, lively, hopeful, very queer historical romance (set in 14th century England), and it was as fun to read as I’d been hoping. I’d give 4.5 stars if I could, and I’ll cross my fingers that there will be at least one more book in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I love this cover! I also love a good historical romance and friends to lovers. Always chef’s kiss. Like the last book in this series, I very much enjoyed it. I’m also always here for sword/knight lesbians. Lily made me laugh and smile. I’m also here for any happy ending in queer romance. Looking forward to more from this author and series!!

What a joy to return to the Hartswood world, this time following the reckless Lily as she rushes off to save her friend from marriage. By entering a tournament to win her favor. Disguised. Pretending to be a man. As one does when they are in love and willing to do anything to help the one other woman who has stolen her heart, even if she doesn't know it yet.

We saw glimpses of Lily and Johanna in Penn and Raff's story, but here they get to shine all on their own. They shine in their friendship and unfolding love for one another. When Lily's actions wind up putting her and Jo into a sticky spot, they flee to regroup and recover with the help of brew mistress Mabel and a chance to see who they are to one another without the oppressive eyes of everyone else in the castles and keeps they would normally be held to.

I loved the quiet moments between Lily and Jo. The moments where they both realized exactly how they felt (and how they had been suppressing so much of their feelings due to society, propriety, and trying to fit in in a world that didn't quite fit their own dreams). The intimate moments between them were written beautifully, and you could feel their ache, pining, confusion, and the utter care they had for one another.

Emma Denny writes queer historical romance in a way that feels fresh, with characters that are more than their world would paint them to be, and who manage to carve out a slice of that world for themselves to be able to live with those that they love. And as much as I loved Raff and Penn, Lily and Jo have stolen my heart.

✨ Review ✨ All the Painted Stars by Emma Denny

Thanks to Harper 360 | HQ, TLC Book Tours and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!

I love that Denny's brought queer romance to medieval times yet again with this follow up to One Night in Hartswood. Lily hurries from home to compete in a tournament, fighting and jousting, hoping to save Jo from her impending marriage. Largely the tournament results do little to sway the marriage possibilities, and Jo quickly realizes that William is Lily.

very small spoilers ahead:

Things I loved:
1. William/Lily fighting for Jo
2. Eventually they end fleeing and living a live with a nearby brewster, and the book brings all the cozy vibes.
3. medieval queer romance

Things I didn't love:
1. cozy vibes = slow pace
2. slow pace = not a lot of things happening at times

It was all redeemed by the end of the book for me, but I think I would have loved it even more with some more aggressive cutting and editing. If you love cozy books though, this will be a fun one for you!

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5 stars)
Genre: f/f historical romance
Setting: Oxfordshire in medieval times
Reminds me of: Denny's first book
Pub Date: November 5, 2024

Read this if you like:
⭕️ cozy historical books
⭕️ queer romances
⭕️ medieval tournaments
⭕️ gender bending

I love historical romances, but they predominately feature heterosexual couples. It was a great change of pace to have a F/F couple as the main romantic couple, and so insanely sweet! I think if you like historical romances and are queer yourself, there is no way you won't like this romance! It moves me so much as a fellow queer person to see these kinds of books being published!

A great sequel to one night in hartswood! If you loved the first book, you’ll enjoy this one too!

All the painted stars showcases a sapphic story of knights and jousting and winning the lady of your dreams.

Lily disguises herself as a knight in order to enter a tournament and win the hand of her best friend Johanna in marriage. Lily is seriously wounded during a joust and following an accident, she and Johanna are taken in by a local brewer to recover. While spending time away from society's expectations, a relationship begins to develop between the two women. Will they be able to get their happy ending once Johanna is forcefully engaged to a Lord?

Denny has such a compulsively easy to read writing style that makes her books such a joy to consume. I loved the previous book in this series, and I loved this one as well. Lily and Jo are such great romantic leads with a sweet and unproblematic love story. I appreciate that any drama in their relationship came from the social situation of the medieval period rather than some manufactured drama (For the most part). The scene where Lily essentially proposes to Jo by asking to be her champion had me squealing and swooning. They are so cute! And make each other better versions of themselves, it's the best.

My only minor complaint involves the third act conflict which was a little contrived. Without spoiling what happens, I just feel our friendly neighborhood brewer was made to be purposely ignorant of the identity of a customer so that the conflict could happen. Like don't tell me that someone making beer in that area of England for however many years wouldn't know the names of all the local lords and their keeps, just saying.

Other than that, Emma Denny is quickly becoming an autobuy author for me.

Reviews going live on Goodreads, Storygraph and Fable on 11/1 and Tik Tok on 11/2.

The cozy fairytale for grownups I didn't know I needed
ALL THE PAINTED STARS is the perfect book to read on a chill night by the fire with plenty of blankets and hot coco. The lush setting and characters had me whisked away with all the nostalgia I had for reading the King Arthur legends as a kid for the first time...except this time gay :)
The perfect comforting read, I highly recommend!

4.25 stars

I really enjoyed this book. It was a nice mix of cozy, sweet romance with a little bit of drama and some stakes. Jo and Lily were both strong independent characters living in a time when that wasn't what was expected of women. I loved how they were both on a journey to find what they wanted in life and how to escape what was expected of both of them.
Mixed in with the drama of Jo running away from the man she was supposed to marry, Jo and Lily trying to figure out their feelings for each other, and the general stress of being queer in the 14th century, you get lots of fun moments, like Lily pretending to be a knight to fight for Jo's honor, running a brewery, and a cameo from Penn and Raff.
This was all around a fun book with a really sweet romance and I definitely recommend it if you're looking for a historical romance to check out.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for the ARC!

This is a beautiful story about one girl dresses up as a knight to attempt to get her friend who's about to be in an arranged marriage - out of that terrible situation.

The relationship between Jo and Lily was gorgeous and tender. Slow burn, but hot. When I read historical queer books sometimes I wonder how the author is going to get them to a HEA. Readers, never fear, Emma Denny delivers on the hea.
Thank you to netgalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

Thank you Harper 360 and Netgalley for providing an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. I’m a sucker for a female knight in all honesty, and Lily just suits the role so well. Lily as William was such a joy to read about.

I LOVED Mabel and the brewery. So, so much. It was the perfect setting for Jo to realise not only what she wanted, but that she was ALLOWED to want. Jo’s journey through the middle part of this book made me so happy.

My favourite part of the whole book was when Mabel’s husband came home, not gonna lie. I won’t spoil, but I was hella emotional about all that.

Jo and Lily’s romance was slow and uncertain and tender and sweet and I loved every moment of it.

Johanna’s father is finally dead, leaving her seven-year-old brother as Earl de Foucart. As clever as he is, a child cannot rule, so the collection of advisors overseeing his territories for him have decided to throw a tournament meant to mend some of the bridges burned by Johanna’s father and her older brothers. It is also meant to be the site of Johanna’s wedding, as it has been decided that one powerful and landed knight will be rewarded with Johanna’s hand.

Lily, Johanna’s best friend, is furious on her behalf. Jo isn’t meant to be handed off like a prize, isn’t meant to see her happiness taken from her, her every choice, her freedom. So, of course, Lily, comes up with a brilliant idea. She will cut off her hair, don her brother’s cast-off armor, and enter the joust! One, it’ll be fun. Two, if Jo doesn’t like someone, Lily can defeat them for her, making it hard for a braggart or a bully to stand a chance of marrying Jo. And you never know. Maybe Lily will find a way to win and claim Jo’s hand for her own.

All the Painted Stars is the second book in the Barden series, with the first book, One Night in Hartswood, following the adventures of both Jo and Lily’s older brothers. Fortunately, you don’t need to have read that book to enjoy this one, but I will say, having finished this one, I am now off to get the first book in the series because I enjoyed everything about this one. The writing, the characters, the setting, the research, the .. well, the all of it!

One thing I love about a good historical fiction and/or fantasy is how the characters react to and move within the constraints of their society, of the limitations and expectations placed on them by their family, their friends, by their duties and gender, and this book has all of that. Jo is the sister of an Earl, destined to marry for politics and wealth, to help her family recover from past scandals. She has to be the good child, the dutiful daughter, the obedient bride; she cannot do what her heart would have her do and flirt with Lily. She cannot be honest with her love, open with her true emotions, and the pining … oh the pining as she struggles to come to terms with her own sexuality, which she is just discovering, her deep and abiding friendship with Lily, and her growing love for the friend who came to her — to save her, to help her, to give her a choice, a chance, when her family took that all from her. And yet Jo never blames her family, or even the men vying for her hand. This is her world, this is the path many women within her world have taken. She may not want it, but she’s not angry at the people around her doing their best to make good decisions on her behalf.

Lily has always known she loves women, knows she loves her best friend, and delights in the game of dressing like a boy to enter the tournament. She knows she can’t win, even if she might wistfully dream that she might. Lily is skilled, yes, talented, certainly, but she lacks experience, she lacks the physical strength of a young man, let alone a grown and trained knight with years of practice coming from many tournaments, joust after joust, battle after battle. But that won’t stop her. As a man, she’s able to swagger, to boast, to be free of the restrictions of her femininity — while never not being a girl; Lily isn’t uncomfortable as a woman. But she’s having so much more fun as a man — and able to openly pine over Jo.

And yet, even here, society traps Lily in the customs of its time. Lily, entering as a landless man with no title, with no spurs or friends to speak for her, has no right to ask for Jo’s favor, no right — in their eyes — to have a crush, let alone to honestly wish for and hope for some return of affection. They make that clear to her again and again, causing the mixture of feelings and fears, wants and desires, and even the loneliness of the position she has ended up into rising into her thoughts.

When Jo and Lily have moments together, they both flourish like flowers in the sun. Jo becomes less reserved and shows her temper and her sense of humor; Lily becomes less guarded and is boastful, romantic, full of dreams. They are close friends who understand one another at a deep level. It isn’t, for them, simple lust. It’s trust, it’s understanding, it’s knowing that there is someone in the world who will stand in their corner, whichever corner that is — be it laughing at a joke, disliking a food, or wanting to save the world. It’s such a sweet romance, and every obstacle in their way only serves to make them stronger.

This book feels lived in. The way camps are set up, the way people act and react, the scenes of brewing and buying and selling ale, all of it just feels real and it adds a wonderful flavor to the romance because Lily and Jo are living in this world, a product of it, and it’s just all so very good. The writing is strong and the pace is good, though there are some moments where things fell into a drowsy holding pattern and the confrontation at the end fell a little flat for me. However, I had so much fun with the characters and the world that I am able to overlook the pacing issues.

This is definitely recommended for people who want pining, romance, two women who are truly each other’s person, and historical fiction. This is just a good book and worth the read.

What a cozy read!

Lily and Jo are great characters going through a journey of discovery, both with each other and themselves. Their friendship shines alongside the romance.

This was an enjoyable historical romance. I didn’t realize this book was a sequel which was my mistake. As a result, I was missing some of the world and character building that was likely covered earlier in the series.

If I had any feedback, it would be that the “event” involving Lord Adam and Lanval in the last quarter of the book seemed somewhat unrealistic. But it added a lightness to the whole plot which wasn’t unwelcome.

Thank you to Harper and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

What a blast! Got the same feeling as when I watched Heath Ledger in the 2000s jousting around for the first time. Definitely anachronistic in the best way. Emma Denny has outdone herself. Highly enjoyed.

Thank you to Harper 360 | HQ and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

I loved the characters and the explorations of their sexuality/gender/gender expression. This was a really well written book, with great representation!

Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for an e-arc of this book.

While I haven't yet read the first one in this series, this one turned out to be wonderful, even without the information from the first one, and it just made me want to read it more!

Jo and Lily, our MCs in this book, are heartwarming, fun, and complicated characters that we get to know beautifully throughout the story. They have been exchanging letters before the story begins, and as they reunite early on in the book, the tension between them is obvious.

While this story has a bit of a slow burn, once our characters choose each other, they are firmly together, and there is no third-act breakup. The romance is SO sweet, and as they continuously have to make difficult choices, it's clear how much they care for each other and how it's disrupting their boring noblewoman lives. Lily's complicated feelings on gender are approached in a time-appropriate way as we see her wrestle with clothing, hair choices, and expected gender roles.

I loved the family drama we saw, hinting at what happened in the first book and revealed in this book. We really saw the chosen family and complicated family dynamics at play.

Plotwise, there are many plots here, the tournament and running away together, that are both dropped midway through, but in a way that works well, for an incredibly compelling look at the women's brewing business of the 14th century, and, of course, our love story. The author details this topic in her note, which is fascinating. It was great to learn that what happened in the story was reminiscent of a lost truth about women's agency in this period.

Altogether, it was a really interesting read!

When I realized this book would be about Penn and Raff's sisters, I was so thrilled. We don't see them together in One Night in Hartswood but their chemistry was clear from the get-go and I wanted more from them. Thankfully, this book didn't disappoint and I enjoyed every second.

It was so satisfying to see Lily and Johanna not only grow closer but grow as people because of each other. Lily goes from someone who acts first and thinks second to someone who realizes the dangers of recklessness. Johanna goes from someone committed to duty to someone who finally allows herself to choose for herself.

I also enjoyed the fighting and seeing Lily put all those powerful men to shame. There are not many romance books, even sapphic ones where I see women being unapologetically strong and I loved that this was the exception.

I recommend this book to people who enjoy stories about running away, powerful women and falling in love with your best friend.

Fantastic medieval sapphic romance with so much heart! I really loved All the Painted Stars. The writing is fantastic, and I fell for both main characters immediately. I love the idea of women becoming knights so I'm always a sucker for that trope, and this one was written so well! As a bonus, you learn about medieval breweries!

Thanks to NetGalley, Emma Denny, and Harper360 for the chance to read and review. My opinions are my own!

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc. I rate this 5 stars and 2.5 chili peppers for spice. OMG I literally loved this book! I’m a regular queer romance reader but usually stick to m/m. Which is how I ended up reading the first book One Night in Hartswood and I loved that story so I figured I’d give this sapphic one a try. And wow, I literally fell in love with Lily and Jo. The vibe of this story is very A Knight’s Tale and Mulan but set in the Middle Ages. The slow burn totally worked for Jo’s queer awakening. I also love that we got a sibling reunion at the end. I also feel like we got some sneaky peeks at characters that will show up in the third book. Literally loved this book and can’t wait for the next one!

One of my favorite books of 2024—I couldn’t put it down! This reminded me of Tamora Pierce’s Alanna in the best possible way, only queer(er) and for adults. A delight from start to finish, this was one of the most delicious slow burns I’ve ever read. Rest assured the spice is well worth the wait. Lily, a sapphic cross-dressing knight willing to risk everything to save the woman she loves from an unwanted marriage, was so swoony that she instantly became my newest book girlfriend. I was smitten from the moment she cut her hair. Her lady love, Jo, was also immediately lovable, and I enjoyed her blend of innocence and strength. While the book took an unexpected turn by leaving the tournament behind, I loved the coziness of the new life they found together at the brewery.

A must-read for anyone who loves sword sapphics, I can already tell that this’ll be a frequent reread for me.

I received an advanced copy from the publisher and am voluntarily leaving this review.

All the Painted Stars is a captivating historical romance that delves into friendship and loyalty. When Lily sets off to support her friend Jo, an unexpected twist forces them to flee the keep together. Their journey reveals new layers of each other’s personalities, deepening their bond as they assist a family striving to make a living. The slow-burn romance is especially engaging, offering a satisfying progression as Lily and Jo gradually come to terms with their feelings, making the relationship feel organic and deeply meaningful. Overall this is a lovely historical romance with royalty, knights, tournaments, and a love that lasts a lifetime!

I love me some ✨gay medieval kissing✨

I was a huuuge fan of One Night in Hartswood, so I knew I had to see how Lily and Jo’s story ended. The sexual tension between them was palpable in One Night 👀

This was such a fun, sweet read about Jo being married off and hosting a tournament for eligible bachelors, and Lily disguising herself as a knight to come and rescue her. Never been one for the ‘knight in shining armor’ schtick, but this one worked for me cuz it, y’know, didn’t involve a man

Watching Jo find her voice throughout the story was cathartic, and seeing Jo and Lily’s love and friendship evolve in the safety of the brewery had me in shambles. Don’t even get me started about that plot twist 😭😭😭

Thank you, Emma, for another wonderfully queer medieval adventure!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this arc!

This is a truly adorable story. The tension and romantic build up between the two leading characters should be applauded!
And Mabel’s character won my heart, when she talked about the midwife she had grown up knowing.
The only complaint I had about this book was the never-ending info dumping at the beginning. It was hard to get through the family trees being mapped out and hearing the tales of every family member all at once.

I loved One Night in Hartswood, the first in Emma Denny's Barden Series, and was excited to read its sequel, All the Painted Stars. This time, the sisters get a chance at love.

Jo de Foucart is due to marry, and a tournament to celebrate her young brother’s rise to earldom is also a chance for a lucky man to win her heart. Never mind that a husband has already been chosen for her. But Jo is hesitant about marriage, despite accepting that it’s her duty, and says as much to her friend, Lily, in a letter. Lily Barden recently escaped her own unwanted marriage, and she wants to give Jo that same freedom. So Lily disguises herself as a man and enters the tournament as the Knight of Stars. Things go south, leading Jo and Lily to escape. But can they find freedom—and even love—together?

Tropes & Narrative Devices:
- Friends to lovers
- Secret identity
- Winning her love
- Marriage of convenience?
- Kissing lessons
- Gay awakening
- Dual third-person POV (Lily and Jo)

What I Liked:
- Another fake William. In the last book, Penn’s given name was William, though he never identified with it. Here, Lily dresses up like a knight and uses William as her fake name. What a funny coincidence that, once again, William isn’t the true name of a character! But really, I love a good secret identity, and this one has slight Mulan vibes to me.
- Escape! Another recurring theme is our main characters going on the run. This time, Lily and Jo are facing some violence, so they flee to avoid danger. Along the way, they find a nice place to hide, which leads me to my next point…
- Found family. This is a popular trope among LGBTQ romances, and for good reason. Here, Lily and Jo find a safe haven, a feeling of acceptance, and a found family they can rely on. I loved how this all unfolded! Some things were delightfully shocking!
- Discovering her romantic identity. While Lily is already aware of her own interest in women, Jo has never had much opportunity to consider what her romantic inclinations are. She’s always assumed she’d marry a man, as she’s been raised to do, but was unsure how that would go in terms of physical intimacy. Jo considers Lily a very close friend… but has she realized they could be more to each other?

What Didn’t Work for Me:
- Nothing, this was great!

Final Thoughts
All the Painted Stars has a lot in common with the previous book in the series, One Night in Hartswood: secret identities, an escape, and more. However, instead of feeling repetitive, it feels like a knowing nod to that with intentional changes to make this one stand on its own. Indeed, this book has its own spark and is a luminous sequel. I loved it as much as the first book, and I can’t wait to for the next one. Ash Barden is due for his own romance, and I look forward to reading it as soon as it’s available.

A cute romance about a woman going in disguise as a knight for the woman she loves. If you like historical romance novels and do not mind the modern twist of the two leading ladies then this all around is a cute little story.

Cute medieval romance with great queer representation. The character development was fun to follow along with!

I fell in love with Lily in One Night in Hartswood and was so excited to be gifted an e-arc by NetGalley of Lily and Jo’s story.

While I already adored Lily going into my read I was delighted to fall in love with Jo and her journey of finding herself. I absolutely adored how cozy and beautiful All The Painted Stars was.
It’s packed full of self discovery, character growth, and queerness and what else do you really need.

I hadn’t realized that this was the second in a series until I started reading. While I think it definitely works on its own, I do wish I had read the first one so I could come to the story already having that history and vibe between Lily and Jo. As a historical romance, I loved the way that queerness was centered in the story, and sapphic love was not only present but celebrated. I also really loved how the letters between Jo and Lily were woven into the story — they added a fun, romantic depth to the larger story.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

All the Painted Stars by Emma Denny is a knight x lady historical romance with a Sapphic twist. Jo is the older sister of the new earl following the death of her abusive father in whose memory a tournament is being held, with Jo's hand being the ultimate prize. Unbeknownst to her, however, her friend and penpal from up north, Lily, has stolen her brothers' armor and has disguised herself as one of the knights seeking to free Jo from any unwanted matches. During the events of the tournament the two women grow closer and run away, slowly falling more and more in love.

The story is a lot slower and cozier than I had originally expected, especially after they run away from the tournament and find a new home hiding in a brewery and befriending the kind woman who runs it, but I certainly wouldn't complain. This is because Denny makes a masterful use of these slow moments to show a growth in quiet intimacy, love, and support that wouldn't have worked with a faster and more action-packed story or too much drama.

Likewise, as someone who has always been a fan of history, especially of the Medieval period, I felt this book did a very good job of portraying daily life at the time and really immersing the reader in the world at that time.

Content warning for mentions of child abuse

I would recommend this to fans of Sapphic relationships playing with the classic Medieval knight x lady trope, fans of historical romance, and anyone looking for a cozy and comforting romance to read.

Johanna and Lily often send each other letters and have become good friends. Through a letter, Johanna informs Lily that she is supposed to get married, and that a tournament will be held to determine who she will marry. Lily Barden is intent on disrupting the tournament, because Johanna is reluctant to get married.

This book was wonderful. It was interesting, had a good romance, and was a "page-turner." Emma Denny did a great job having the connection between the characters and keeping the reader interested in other plot lines including the romance.

Review

This book was very well written, I loved how some of the things introduced in the first part of the book paid off at the end. The author really made you care about our two main characters Lily and Jo. They are three dimensional characters and all of the side characters are well developed as well. Almost all of the side characters serve a purpose in the narrative which is something I appreciate.

The author admits this book is full of tropes they enjoy and I have to say I’m a fan of most of them as well. From a woman in armor, who doesn’t love that after seeing Chappell Roan. It is also full of romantic tropes like only one bed. However far from being a trite repetition of such concepts this book plays with and turns these tropes on their heads in new and interesting ways.

For the spice level I’d say about a one or a two, there are open door scenes but they are narratively appropriate and very much add to the plot and the characters romantic relationships, but are most definitely not the focus of the book. I found the ending to be wonderful, however the book does follow one trope I like which is the third act 'breakup'. I understand why it has to be there. Genre demands it if nothing else. But that is still my only criticism.

I’d have to give this book five stars. It is definitely rivaling Godkiller for my favorite book of 2024!

I really wanted to love All the Painted Stars, and there’s definitely a lot to enjoy here! The setup is amazing—Lily sneaking into a tournament disguised as a knight to save her best friend Jo from a forced marriage? Sign me up! And the romance that blooms between them is super sweet and tender.

The countryside setting is lovely, and I could totally picture the blackberry bushes and peaceful lakeside walks. It’s the kind of cozy, escapist read that makes you want to curl up with a cup of tea.

That said, the pacing felt pretty slow to me. There were parts where I just wanted things to move along faster, especially with all the drama going on around Lily and Jo.

My favorite part? Mabel the Brewster and her family—what a badass! She’s tough, clever, and honestly kind of steals the show. I loved every scene she was in.

If you’re into soft, historical romances with a lot of heart, you’ll probably enjoy this one. It wasn’t a perfect fit for me, but I still had a good time with it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book!

4.5 stars. I want to go back in time and give this book to my sixteen-year-old baby lesbian self because she would lose her mind. I loved this book so much. Jo and Lily were incredibly charming, and I was in deep. I've discovered I have a particular fondness for knights and ladies (still trying to unpack what that means for me on a personal level) and this one was a wonderful addition to the collection. The writing here was really good, and the audiobook narrators rocked it.

Thanks to Harper and Netgalley for this copy in exchange for my review.

I loved the story of two childhood best friends there for one another, Jo going so far to disguise herself and enter a tournament to save her best friend from a marriage she doesn't even want. The relationship is a slow and sweet build and the story was a lot more cozy and low stakes then I expected then I first expected. This isn't a knock against it, though there were a few parts that I kinda felt like I was slogging through, but I don't regret hanging in there. These two were extremely adorable.

I picked this up because I am a huge sucker for lady/knight romances, especially when they're lesbians. This is apparently linked to another book that Denny has written, but if you come in blind like I did, you'll still find a fantastic romance between a lady, the woman who loves her (who's also maybe a knight in disguise at the tournament where her hand is supposedly being offered), and the two of them escaping briefly to get a taste at being together before they make their choice. Great sex scenes, fun read, and there were only a few anachronisms (there were not t-shirts in the 1390s) that drew me out of the story.

after reading this i need more medieval sapphic books asap!!! the pacing was kinda slow at times but overall a good read!

thank you netgalley for the arc!

My opinion of Hartswood went up as I read from a slightly slow start, and this book kept it through the whole way. That could possibly just be because I am biased toward sapphic romances that I'm a little more patient with the set up, but I think it also was Denny finding their stride with this follow up. I adored watching different pieces fall together and being like !!!! I knew it!!! I think this book is not only an incredible expansion of the families and world of Hartswood but just a wonderful work from Denny, and has made me into a loyal reader, excited for whatever comes next.

This was a fun sapphic romance placed in one of my favorite settings: Medieval England. There's knights and lords and ladies and a tournament, as well as a small town family running a brewery. It has found family and real family good vibes.

I didn't read the first book and didn't really feel like I needed to to enjoy the story.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loved Tamora Pierce books as a kid and grew up to be queer.

This was a sweet story. I loved the set up and the historical location/time period and how the author made the realities of being a woman in the Middle Ages so clear. I was rooting for both women from the very beginning and loved how they evolved.

I made sure to read the first in the series before starting this one, and I’m impressed by how well All the Painted Stars managed to avoid the second-book slump of so many series.

Lily and Jo sparkled from the first page, just like the stars on Lily’s battered old shield. I enjoyed the slow build to the romance that gave both characters room to figure out not just who they wanted to love, but also who they wanted to be themselves. I’m also a sucker for a good tournament story with an underdog, so this story felt like a sapphic version of A Knight’s Tale with a beautiful found family reunion in the end. A solid 4.5 stars (all painted, of course)!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

First off, All the Painted Stars is the kind of book that feels like being wrapped in a warm blanket on a chilly day—cozy, heartfelt, and a touch bittersweet. Emma Denny writes her characters with so much tenderness and care that it’s impossible not to root for them from the very first page. Lily and Jo? Absolute gems. Their connection radiates off the page, and their love feels as natural as breathing.

The premise immediately hooked me: a medieval tournament, a daring disguise, and a woman risking it all to save her best friend? Yes, please! Lily’s transformation into a would-be knight was not only entertaining but also deeply endearing. Her fierce determination to protect Jo showed how far love—and maybe a bit of stubbornness—can take you. And Jo? She’s the grounding force in the whirlwind of Lily’s antics, her strength and kindness balancing out Lily’s reckless energy. Together, they’re pure magic.

Favorite moments? Oh, let’s dish! The whole tournament scene had me absolutely hooked. Watching Lily fumble (but fiercely!) as a knight was equal parts hilarious and nerve-wracking. And when things went sideways and Jo had to step in? Chef’s kiss. The vulnerability in their lakeside conversations later—hidden away from the world—was swoon-worthy. It’s those quiet, stolen moments that make their love story so believable.

The themes of choice and sacrifice really stood out. Both women are faced with impossible decisions—Lily with her impulsivity and Jo with the weight of her past. Their journey to figure out if love is worth the sacrifices demanded of them was emotionally satisfying, even if it tugged at my heartstrings.

I also appreciated the nuanced portrayal of 14th-century life. The setting felt rich and alive, from the oppressive atmosphere of the tournament to the peaceful simplicity of their life with the brewster. Denny weaves history into her storytelling effortlessly, without bogging down the narrative.

Final verdict? All the Painted Stars is a heartfelt, warm read perfect for anyone who loves strong female leads, slow-burn romance, and a touch of medieval adventure. I have no notes—other than to demand more from Emma Denny. If this is what she can do, I’ll gladly follow her to wherever her stories take me next.

I love the world that Emma Denny has created. Her characters, her historical accuracy, the variety of tropes and storylines. I will read anything she puts out in this series.