This book was not for me. I loved the writing style, and the characters but I think the slower style of story isn't for me. This book had a lovely premise, I just didn't get the same enjoyment that another reader would probably get.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for this e-arc.

After the murder of her brother in the infamous Hellfire Caves, Dora, partnered with an ex-army officer named Dr. Jacob Sandy’s, must follow clues to decipher who murdered her brother.

Rating: 3.75 stars out of 5 (rounded up to four on NetGalley and Good Reads) ⭐️

This was a fun story to read. The murder mystery element was written nicely as everything was connected and explained well!

I liked both Dora and Jacob, however, there romance felt rushed in my opinion. One minute they don’t exactly have much of a connection and then the next they are kissing.

Some points of the story felt slow and others felt fast so for me the pacing was a bit off. A lot happened and then nothing happened at the same time.

The voice was written well and definitely sounded like the era it was trying to be!

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

In The Persephone Code by Julia Golding Dora is an actress in the 1800s when she is told by Dr. Jacob Sandy’s an ex military man and opium addict that her brother has died this will begin an adventure as they are continuously set a upon by men who seemingly want them dead. At first they have no clue as to who would want their end but when they finally arrive up north and Dora reads the letter left for her by her brother Anthony she knows his death must have something to do with it. First however she’ll have decipher the riddle he left in his letter with the assistance of Mr. Layton the local priest her and Jacob do their best to investigate and soon they learned her brother‘s death is just the latest in a series of unexplained murders. They also learn whoever is out to kill them has arrived up north and tries to stop them at every turn. Jacob has done very well staying away from opium but it seems there are those who are more than happy to help him partake in this addiction right when they learn what they’re up against. They also learn that Dora is their necks intended victim. This conspiracy is way bigger than Dora and Jake up could’ve imagined and despite their attraction to each other it seems they’re too busy trying to stay alive to cultivate the romance. Will they live long enough to explore those feelings or will this be their first and last adventure? This was an awesome book I wish I could read this book or a book just like it 10 more times Dora is so cunning and intelligent she is definitely my favorite character in a very long time I absolutely love her so much and Jacob made for a great companion if you love historical fiction with a dash of romance, secret societies and situations you think they’ll never get out of you’ll definitely love The Persephone Code with the great plot in a writing style that compells you to continue reading you can’t go wrong this is a great book in a book I absolutely am gaga over. I want to thank Harper Collins UK, the author Julia Golding and Net Galley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

SO good. Lived up to - and exceeded - my memories of loving Golding’s Cat Royal books when I was a teenager. From the ending I assume there will be a sequel and I cannot wait. Kept me guessing all the way up until the end and the romance was believable and hot.

Thanks to NetGalley, Julia Golding, and HarperCollins UK, and One More Chapter for allowing me to read an advanced copy of The Persephone Code.

I was initially excited by the description thinking it was a cross between Bridgerton and The Da Vinci Code. That, however, was a way far off comparison. There wasn't anything that really stood out as being exciting. It was overall kind of dull. I did not find the characters interesting either.

As some other people have mentioned, I was drawn in by the Bridgerton comp, but it seemed to be a far cry from that. It was hard to be invested when the stakes for the MC are “I have to go because friendship.” And the whole delivering the message scene was so off-putting, I couldn’t continue.

This book is probably fine for its target audience. But the comparison to Bridgerton is inaccurate and attracts the wrong readers. I think I might have enjoyed the story if I’d finished the book, but the tone and the writing style didn’t appeal to me. Fans of Bridgerton and other historical romance are looking for a high level of emotion, and that’s missing here.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC

I wanted to love this book, it just wasn't for me. I think the description is a bit off. I wouldn't compair this to Bridgerton.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for an arc. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Julia Golding for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Persephone Code coming out April 5, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I really love regency era books so I was excited to receive this one. I really loved the mystery and conspiracy behind secret societies. I think Dora was a strong character who wanted to find out who murdered her brother. There were a couple times I didn’t understand her decisions. She was a little hot-headed and rushed into things and then needed saving. The relationship was definitely a little sudden. I thought the ending was a little crazy when it came to Jacob and opium. I didn’t quite understand his decisions at that point. At times, the subject matter felt a little too modern. But overall, I really enjoyed the story. If there’s another book in the series, I’d definitely check it out.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys regency era mysteries!

Did not finish. Includes gay side character

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to preview this book.

Entertaining read. Not having read the DaVinci Code (I know!) or watched Bridgerton (I know!), I came to this without expectations and enjoyed it The 1810 atmospherics are good, the characters well designed, and the mystery just twisty enough. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

I'm afraid this one just wasn't for me. Like so many others, I was lured in by the comparison to Bridgerton and The DaVinci Code but other than the era the story is set in and the fact that there is a mystery, that makes very little sense. A satanic mystery, a dash of romance, sure. But with underdeveloped characters that weren't able to hold my attention at all. I feel as if the target audience might have been a lot younger than this particular reader.

1812: Deep below the hills of the Buckingham countryside, the infamous Hellfire Caves house a pleasure palace for the rich - a secret society steeped in satanism, opium, and debauchery of the highest order. When the club's warden. Anthony Pennington, is brutally murdered, his bastard sister, Dora, must follow the clues to decode who the killer is, aided by an unexpected ally - ex-Army officer, former opium addict, and son of a Viscount, Dr. Jacob Sandys. As a shadow dogs their every footstep, Dora and Jacob find themselves in the midst of a shocking conspiracy, the legendary Illuminati and the Hellfire Club. With time running out, they must fight against both the most influential gentlemen of the ton - and the undeniable attraction they feel towards each other.

Dora is the illegitimate daughter of a wealthy merchant, and when her brother is found dead in the caves that were used by the Hellfire Club, Dr. Jacob Sandys' is sent to intercept Dora's theatre group to notify her of her brother's death. But when he arrives, masked assailants are attacking Dora. They both escape and go on the run and try and solve her brother's murder.

It did take me a few chapters to get into this book. I loved the main characters. This book wasn't quite what I expected it to be, but I still enjoyed it.

3.5 stars

I was excited to get this ARC because "Bridgerton meets Da Vinci Code" but I do not really agree with that. It is the same time period as Bridgerton but that is it. As far as Da Vinci Code, there is a mystery and Dora's brother leaves clues for her to find and figure out. Dora's brother is killed at the beginning and men are sent to see what she knows. She has been estranged from her brother and father so she definitely does not know much. Jacob is sent to find Dora and tell her about her brother but then he gets wrapped up into the chaos with her. They decide they need to find out what is going on. There is a Hellfire Club and the Illuminati involvement. The book had me at the beginning and end but the middle was really slow for me. I did enjoy Dora and Jacob though.

-"Something's been bothering me about him."
"Something more than his penchant for trying to kill us?"

-"Agreeing to do something isn't the same as wanting it."

-Then again, sitting on a high horse only made you a target for unseating.

Enjoyed!! Interesting and engaging. Would recommend to those who enjoy fast paced and twists and turns!

It took me a while to get into this book. Though I enjoy historical fiction, I don’t like to go back too far in time so this isn’t my usual time period. However I saw this book’s description at the time I was reading another book which also had a Hellfire club forming the basis of its story and I was intrigued. Up to these two books I’d never heard of these clandestine groups which seemed to appeal to the upper classes of the time.

As I reached just under the half way point of the book I was considering whether to call it a day and not finish as I was finding the pace a little slow, but more so, I felt the author perhaps assumes the reader’s historical knowledge and as I don’t have any I had to google certain things for a better understanding. However it was the style of writing that wouldn’t allow me to give up just yet. Though set in 1812, it had an almost modern, relatable style to the narrative, both with regard to some of the humour but also how you could see some of the present day attitudes of the rich and powerful, who still seem to firmly believe they’re a cut above the law.

I’m so glad I carried on because I became ever more absorbed as the mystery surrounding murder and skulduggery increased. The two main characters, Dora and Dr Jacob Sandys were very likeable and whilst this is not strictly a romance novel, there is a growing mutual attraction between the two simmering below the surface. For me there were some real surprises as I read towards the end, as the tension mounts and you wonder how it will all end. A fab read in the end which goes to show perseverance pays off. I am so glad I didn’t give up.

The Persephone Code by Julia Golding is described as a mix of Bridgerton and The Da Vinci Code. I warn that if you are looking for a spicy, fast-paced puzzle-filled mystery, this is going to disappoint you. I liked the story well enough overall. The opening scene was fantastic and gripping; the language demonstrates a wonderful range of vocabulary. There are secret societies and lots of perilous situations, but I had trouble following the logic of the puzzles left behind for our main character, Dora, to figure out by her late only brother. Dora was extremely likeable and down-to-earth, but I didn’t buy the slow-burn blossoming relationship between her and Dr. Sandys. This book suffers mainly in its extremely slow pacing, which caused me to lose interest multiple times throughout reading.
In addition, I had a significant issue with an opioid relapse. The struggle with addiction was present, but the relapse and the subsequent morning after felt frivolous, almost comical, and I thought it unrealistic to the true panic and despair one feels when a loved one or self experiences a life-threatening relapse. Perhaps this is the result of a rushed ending after a rather meandering plot, but I was disappointed in the lack of real feelings surrounding this very serious situation.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for this ARC for review!

i have heard of the Hellfire Club and have seen videos online of paranormal investigators investigating the very caves where the secret society conducted their dark practices. so this definitely piqued my interest upon reading the synopsis.

this was an interesting read. a murder-mystery whodunit with two characters who are seemingly so different with opposing backgrounds and lifestyles. but the way this book immediately starts with a murder already let me know i was in for a ride. there's suspense, twists, turns, uncertainties, and danger.

although i feel like there was something lacking, it was still a decent read. the world building was good, and the language used is very fitting of the time. i'd definitely recommend this to anyone looking for an intense historical fiction. if you know of the Hellfire Club and the things they were known to be capable of, then you'll no doubt enjoy this.

the ending implies that there will be more. hopefully there will be. i wouldn't mind reading more following this story.

thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, and One More Chapter for allowing me the opportunity to read this book. i received this as an ARC and leave this review voluntarily.

"The Persephone Code" promises an intriguing blend of "Bridgerton" charm with the mystery of "The Da Vinci Code," set against the backdrop of 1812's Buckinghamshire's secret societies. With a premise steeped in satanism, opium, and high society's debaucheries, Julia Golding sets the stage for a thrilling historical mystery romance.

The story kicks off with the murder of Antony Pennington, leading his sister, Dora, and Dr. Jacob Sandys, an ex-Army officer with a troubled past, on a quest to unravel the killer's identity. Their investigation pits them against the Hell Fire Club's sinister activities and a looming conspiracy involving the Illuminati.

Initially, the novel captivates with its rich setting and the promise of a layered plot. However, as the narrative unfolds, it struggles to fully deliver on its initial promise. The inclusion of the Illuminati feels superficial, adding little to the plot's progression. The story's pace wavers, hitting a lull in the middle and remains that way throughout.

While the book boasts potential with its intriguing premise and historical depth, it falls short of exploring these elements to their fullest. The romance subplot, intended to add depth, instead feels like an unwelcome distraction, failing to significantly contribute to the story's development.

The major plot reveal, which should have been a pivotal "aha" moment, becomes predictable, diminishing the suspense. Despite these criticisms, "The Persephone Code" remains a page-turner in parts, offering moments of genuine engagement and a vivid portrayal of its historical setting.

In conclusion, "The Persephone Code" is a mixed bag. For readers drawn to historical mysteries with a touch of romance, it might offer an enjoyable, albeit uneven, experience. However, those seeking the depth and intricacy promised by its comparison to "Bridgerton" and "The Da Vinci Code" might find it lacking.

Unfortunately just wasn't my cup of tea. There's nothing specific I didn't like, I just got bored and for some reason never felt connected to the story/characters.

What I did find interesting, however, was the fact that the book is set in my home county of Buckinghamshire - as well as some of my other favourite parts of the world, The Lake District and London!

If you're a fan of historical crime/mystery novels - then this is for you!