Imagine being carried away into a world where regency romance meets a stunning fairy tale and you’ll have some idea of what reading this story is like.

Eliza has lived the majority of her life tucked away in a forest with a man who goes by the name of ‘Captain’ and her small beagle. She knows nothing of the world outside of this existence, but she’s plagued by terrifying nightmares. Until one day a young man captures her from her sanctuary and brings her back to the manor and surround village that was once her home.

Felton meant no harm by bringing her back, other than to try and clear his only family name from crimes they’ve been accused of. Eliza seems to be the key to unlocking the events that unfolded 14 years ago, but remembering that night puts everyone at risk. Those that tries to kill her as a child are looking for her again.

The mystery, the intrigue, the depth of romance between Felton and Eliza – this book was enthralling to say the least! I read it nearly in one day because I didn’t want to leave Eliza on her own, much like Felton didn’t, and I was determined to find out what was going to happen to everyone involved.

Eliza’s character creates a fairy tale feel to everything because of her experience growing up in the forest and her honest way of interacting with people. She cares deeply for those around her and wants to help, even when she knows others don’t want her to. I especially loved her camaraderie with the maid name Minney. Minney was considered special needs and Eliza took to her like a mother hen, wanting to look out for her and care for her when the rest of the household said terrible things about her.

Then you have the romance between Felton and Eliza that slowly blossoms through the entire story. They are deeply attached to one another because of the similar ways they see the world and Felton really struggles with his attraction to her. As he’s trying to regain his family honor, he fears that by allowing himself to love Eliza, would ruin everything he’s worked so hard for. This is a struggle for both of them throughout the entirety of the book.

Not to mention the evil men lurking in the background trying to capture and kill Eliza again. These are the men that haunt her nightmares from childhood and they are ruthless and dangerous. As the mystery element unfolded and the characters were exposed, I was actually taken by surprise with how that all went about. Did not see some of those pieces coming at all!

A beautifully written love story about searching for oneself and facing the demons that hold us back from the light.

Another thrilling gothic romance from Hannah Linder! I absolutely love her books & end up devouring them. The Girl From the Hidden Forest is no exception. This suspenseful mystery & swoon worthy romance pulled me in & didn’t let go.

Eliza Ellis has been living like a Sleeping Beauty princess in the Balfour forest with her dog Merrylad & beloved father Captain Jasper Ellis. For years, she’s lived a solitary existence with only his fairytales to capture her imagination. But, Eliza has nightmares she can’t explain & when she reaches the age of 19 she suddenly finds herself kidnapped by a handsome stranger & taken back to the place of her nightmares to a different father she vaguely remembers.

Felton Northword has lived the past 14 years under a cloud ever since his father was accused of murdering Lady Gillingham. When he discovers that the only possible eye witness to her mother’s death is still alive hiding in the forest, he determines to find her & clear his father’s name.

This story had me on pins & needles! Eliza has repressed memories of that fateful night that someone doesn’t want her to remember. There are several attempts on her life & it seems everyone is a suspect including her own father. As she tries to piece together her memory, she finds herself falling for Felton, but Felton doesn’t want anything to do with the backward heiress. He wants a woman like the squire’s daughter who will elevate his social standing. I loved watching this reluctant to fall hero, fall in love with Eliza. She’s such an honest, refreshingly open, beautiful young woman he can’t resist.

I loved the gorgeous descriptions of the forest, seashore, & Monbury manor. The side characters were also intriguing & added to the frightening world Eliza’s thrust back into. The mystery was full of twists & turns & I loved discovering each piece of the puzzle. Just when you think Eliza’s safe, there’s another attempt on her life. It all leads up to a heart palpitating, thrilling conclusion.

This is definitely one Regency gothic romance you don’t want to miss! Highest of recommendations. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author and publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.

“Heaven knew that she had been given the choice of air or his lips, she would have suffocated in such a kiss. She would have lived and died in that moment and regretted nothing.”

My first gothic-style Regency and my first book by Hannah Linder will be memorable!

I picked it up while I was waiting on the deck after dinner for the northern lights to appear last night and, apart from putting it down to try and capture the magical sky around 11pm, I binge-read it in one sitting! I’m still living and breathing this captivating tale the next morning…

Interested readers deserve to go into this one blind, so I’ll try to keep as general as I can while still trying to convince them to read this amazing tale.

Linder’s setting of the Balfour Forest in Northumberland isn’t just a backdrop; it’s as if it’s a character. It evokes feelings of isolation, mystery, and foreboding. The shadowy, hidden forest may have once been a place of solitude for Eliza Ellis, but it doesn’t take Linder long to weave a fantastic sense of foreboding and I was soon aware of Eliza’s intuitive sense that something wasn’t quite right. At this point, the mystery took the reins and I knew I was in for the long haul.

Linder crafted complex characters with complex backstories full of mystery. Her story is driven by dark secrets, haunting memories, and internal struggles. Fear and suspense are center stage and showcase the themes of isolation and loneliness until the key driving theme of redemption steals the show. Linder has embraced melancholy and tragedy and woven it together with a mysterious antagonist and a haunted protagonist…and a courageous beagle named Merrylad.

The faith and romance elements were light and sweet and blended well with the mystery. I think it was (1) the unique retelling of a familiar plot that captured my attention (a lonely girl who meets a stranger who upends everything she believed to be true about her past and present) and (2) the message that experiences are the best teachers. Eliza thought she was lonely in her beautiful forest, but realized that she didn’t really understand that she could be lonely surrounded by people.

I was gifted this copy by Barbour Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

I was captivated by this haunting and atmospheric story from beginning to end! The author does an excellent job of weaving together romance, suspense, danger, and mystery. Her writing is beautifully lyrical and engaging, vividly descriptive, and with a Gothic feel to it that I really loved.

This is my first book by Hannah Linder, and I enjoyed it immensely. I’m looking forward to reading more by this talented author!

Thanks to the author, Barbour Books, and Austenprose for a digital review copy received via NetGalley, All opinions expressed are completely my own.

What a lovely book!

This gothic novel has it all... romance, mystery, adventure, danger... and just when you think you have figured it out... surprise!

Eliza Gillingham has grown up in the woods, haunted by nightmares and cared for by Captain and her sweet companion, a puppy named Merrylad. When Felton Northwood comes across Eliza one day and "rescues" her from the woods, she finds out that her life has not been what it seemed. She isn't an orphan, but she has no trust in her father, whom she is reunited with. Staying with the Northwoods for her safety, Eliza attempts to puzzle out the mystery of her mother's murder and who seems to be after her to keep her quiet.

This tracks well as a novel for young or mature adults who enjoy some sweet romance. Eliza is young and sheltered, and her friendship with Felton gives her some long neglected experiences. Her naivety is what makes her endearing, but she also has an opportunity to show her mettle. Where so many would break, she is incredibly strong.

There is a lot of heartbreak of various kinds in this novel, making it a heavy read, but the characters are written with enough lightness to balance the heavy situations and themes in the book.

Thank you to the author for including me on her launch team and for a copy of her book in exchange for my honest review.

This was such an enchanting peculiar historical fiction read. I didn’t really know what to expect. Though I will admit, the jumping around at the beginning made things hard to follow at first, as we bounced between the characters. I struggled slightly to understand what was happening. But within a few short pages, I was entranced needing to know what was happening and how things would play out. And this gave me so many fairytale vibes!

The premise of a girl hidden away in a cottage deep within a forest, who didn’t even realize she had been fed lies her entire life, stolen away when she was young. The man she always believed to be her father thought she was protecting her. But a handsome man finds her and steals her away from her forest and all she’s ever known, and now she’s thrust into a world of nobility, the daughter of a lord. And now her life is in danger because of a memory she can’t even truly remember.

Just from a quick snapshot of this story, I get vibes of Rapunzel and Sleeping Beauty. Mostly from the idea of our main character living in a forest the majority of their lives not knowing who they truly were. But as we see the story continue, I get vibes of several other fairytales as well. Our main character, Eliza has a very imaginative mind, she spent her whole life creating these stories within her mind to make her feel less lonely and when we follow her perspective we get to see these details come out which just adds to the fairytale feels we see throughout. I loved following Eliza, she was so adorable how innocent she was.

And the handsome stranger we met was just as charming! Definitely giving off those Flynn Rider vibes, “Here comes the smolder.” We follow a slow-burn romance between Felton and Eliza and it couldn’t be cuter! I loved how tender Felton was with Eliza, wanted to protect her. A truly magical romance.

And not only does this story feel magical, but we also get a cozy mystery to follow. The mystery around the murder of Eliza’s mother, and the memory that Eliza can’t seem to remember. The mixture of the fairytale vibes with the mystery made this such a fascinating read. One I didn’t want to put down. I really didn’t know what to expect with the mystery aspect, I kind of just went with the flow and loved every minute of it! It definitely kept me on edge.

If you love regency historical fiction with fairytale vibes you might love this one too! This is a magical read with a captivating mystery alongside it. One that will surely keep you on your toes!

With a heart-stopping opening scene, this story kept me in its grip until the final page. Do not start reading this book at night if you want to get a good night’s rest. I wasn’t able to put it down once I started it.

With rumors of murder attached to his family’s name, Felton Northwood will do whatever it takes to clear his name. As Eliza Gillingham enters his life, he hopes nothing will be the same. The build up of the relationship between Eliza and Felton was orchestrated so well and the pacing for their romance was just right. It wasn’t too fast to make it unbelievable, but not too slow either.

I could write much more about this book. But, I will give some highlights instead. :)

Things to love:
Suspense and mystery
Complex characters
Merrylad the protector
Dance lessons
Enemies to more
Plot twists, spins, and dives
Vile villain
God’s grace

I highly recommend this story if you enjoy well developed characters and romantic suspense. I would love to see this story made into a movie. I can’t wait to read the next book that Hannah Linder writes.

I received an advanced complimentary copy. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.

The reader is in for an adventure in the latest Gothic Regency story by Hannah Linder. Eliza has lived all her life hidden deep in the Balfour Forest with Captain. During the day she spends her time dancing in the woods and streams with her dog Merrylad. However, when the sun goes down, she is haunted by dreams of the Monster. One day while Eliza is playing in the forest Felton Northwood kidnaps her. Felton has lived a different nightmare. His father was accused of murdering their neighbor’s wife fourteen years ago and their lives have never been the same. Felton is convinced that Eliza can set them all free by remembering who the true killer was. Eliza had witnessed the crime as an incredibly young girl. Unfortunately, the killer is still in their midst and watching Eliza’s every move now that she has been returned to her real father.

When I’m in the mood for a thrilling mystery with all the Gothic Regency vibes and a hefty dose of sweet romance, Hannah Linder is always my first choice!

I read through Eliza & Felton’s story in a day because I. could. not. put. it. down. It was intense and riveting and had me on the edge of my seat needing answers!

Hannah always gets points for gorgeous covers that draw you in and a plot that continues that journey. The twists and thrills are what I expect from her, but blew me away at the same time.

The main characters (who were lovely) and the immersive plot aside, my favourite parts were dear little Merrylad the Beagle and the friendship between Lord Gillingham & Felton. Both of these warmed my heart so much!

All around, a chilling delight that will leave you breathless with a smile on your face!


*Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

I truly enjoy Hannah Linder’s writing style. The descriptions, the mystery, and the twist are all well thought out.

And yes, there is some sharp twists and turns. I don’t want to say too much and ruin anything.
Felt and Eliza were fun characters, but I wished they would have thought out their choices more. Eliza should stay safe and Felton should be less combative.

An enjoyable gothic regency with some unusual characters and reveals.

This book was so much different than I expected in all the best ways. When I thought I had a handle on the mystery presented, I was thrown a curveball and made to guess again. The storyline, writing, and character development all draw you in quickly and keep your attention in a way that keeps you turning the page late into the night. Highly recommend!

Hannah is a new Author to me and I will definitely try some of her other books. I was intrigued from the very beginning. Elise has lived in the hidden forest for most of her life. She rarely sees any other human besides the Captain (Her father). Until one night when she is kidnapped and has no idea why. The story has adventure, suspense, mystery and sweet romance. I thought the storyline was very well defined and moved at a good pace. It kept me on my toes, trying to figure out what really happened. There is some dealings of smuggling, opioid, with the talk of murder and some fighting. All is done with a essence of decorum. It is touted as a Christian story but other than an occasional calling out for God‘s help, I really didn’t feel it was overly religious. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Hannah Linder’s newest release, The Girl from the Hidden Forest, is a great addition to her list of gothic regency romances. The way she crafts stories with mystery and romance that draw her readers in is amazing. I always find myself on the edge of my seat as the story builds and eventually wraps up. The Girl from the Hidden Forest was exactly that.

I loved Eliza and Felton. Their lives are connected in a hard and tragic way. They both have things to overcome and eventually must learn to trust the other. Their relationship develops as they learn to trust and overcome tragedy. Their relationship and this entire book is heartbreaking, beautiful, and inspiring all at the same time.

Hannah Linder weaved an incredible story of forgiveness, love, suspense, and faith with this one. The Girl from the Hidden Forest is the perfect read for anyone who loves gothic regency romances with suspense and Christian themes.

I
📚•Book Blurb: Eliza Ellis has stayed hidden in Balfour Forest for as long as she can remember. Perhaps her only friends are the trees, or her little dog, or her storytelling father called Captain. But at least she is safe from the cruel world outside, a world Captain has warned her against and protected her from. That is, until a handsome stranger named Felton Northwood invades her quiet forest and steals her away. Danger increases and lethal attempts are made on her life, Eliza and Felton must work together to uncover the identity of a killer who has stayed silent for fourteen years…

📚•What to look forward to:
-the beautiful cover
-great suspense
-a great mystery to be solved
-some swoony moments
-many plot twists and turns
-vivid details and imagery

“Heaven knew that had she been given the choice of air or his lips, she would have suffocated in such a kiss. She would have lived and died in that moment and
regretted nothing.”

Dear @hannahlinderbooks you have weaved such a hauntingly, suspenseful, and romantic gothic story, that has my heart still racing! This actually was my first book to read of yours and I don’t think it will be my last. If you like gothic + suspense+ mystery, and trying to figure out, “who did it?,” this book is just right for you! This book is very descriptive and there is much packed within this story! I would suggest reading this story in the the daytime!

“I shall never leave you, and I shall never stop loving you.”

•Content: religious exclamations, violence (mentions of murder, beatings, suicides), opium use, lots of instances where things are not what they seem, kidnapping, anger, loss of loved ones and romance-kisses only.

"What God has given you less of in one place, He has given you more of in others."

#thegirlfromthehiddenforrest
#hannahlinder
#agothicsuspencemystery
#myheartisstillracing

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Eliza Ellis has only brief but frightening images of her time before she lived in Balfour Forest. Her only friends there have been her dog and her story-telling father called Captain. The forest has been her world until the handsome stranger named Felton Northwood steals her away from the Captain and returns her to the man he insists is her father, Lord Gillingham. Felton insists that she is Miss Eliza Gillingham, daughter of a viscount, who disappeared fourteen years ago after the murder of her own mother. Whilst Felton insists that if she can remember the events of the murder that took place in Monbury Manor, this will help his family redeem their name. However, her return seems to bring more danger to their doorstep and soon Eliza and Felton must work together to uncover the identity of a killer who has stayed silent for fourteen years.
This was a captivating read, written so eloquently. The mystery behind the murder kept me enthralled from the very first page and I was completely unprepared for the true identity of the murderer. The characters of Eliza and Felton were so wonderfully crafted, and the progression of their romance was beautifully told. This would have to be my favourite Hannah Linder book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Eliza has lived in the forest for fourteen years with Captain, who has told her the world beyond the forest is not safe. Fenton Northwood comes to the forest and takes Eliza from the forest against her will to a man that Fenton says is her real father. Her heart yearns for the forest and Captain, whom she had thought was her father. Will she be safe? Will she learn what her nightmares mean? Will she find happiness in this new world.

I enjoyed the story. It was one of the best stories I have read this year. I look forward to reading more from this author. I received and advanced copy of this story via Netgalley.

This is my first book by Hannah Linder and I was captivated by the intense gothic regency vibe.

Eliza has happily lived in the forest for as long as she can remember and it’s all she knows, until handsome Felton finds her and “rescues” her from it. A world of danger, intrigue, “who dun it” mysteries and attempts on Eliza’s life result from this deliverance, and a beautiful, dramatic, and heart-aching story unfolds.

I was amazed at the vivid descriptions and while this story felt a little darker, I was completely fascinated and intrigued from start to finish with all the twists and turns. I appreciated the Christian elements and felt they really solidified the nature of these dimensional characters.

There is a lot of drama and trauma, and these times are confusing to Eliza, but Linder does a wonderful job of expressing the villainous aspects, as well as the heroic ones, in ways that felt real and raw.

Content: kidnapping, opium use, mistreating family, Christian elements (prayers/thoughts), mild romance, murder/death/suicide/abuse

Eliza Ellis has lived and dreamed with her father, the Captain, and her beagle, in a tiny cabin far in the woods all of her life. Her imagined fairytale adventures become reality when a genteel farmer, Felton Northwood, invades her quiet forest insisting she is the long-lost daughter of a viscount, who disappeared fourteen years ago after the murder of her mother.

I really enjoyed Hannah Linder’s prior novel, Garden of the Midnights, so I requested this ARC as soon as it became available. This one didn’t thrill me as I’d hoped, but it is well-written. My disappointment largely stems from the way that this book is being marketed as a “Gothic Style Regency” (the subtitle is even “A Regency Novel”) when it’s just not that.

Other than the timestamp of taking place in the years 1812-13, there aren’t any aspects to this story that are specific to the Regency period, and it doesn’t utilize any of the tropes from what is generally understood as Regency genre fiction.

This is a Gothic murder mystery and even rises to the level of a thriller at various points. I believe that this book’s targeted audience is going to be taken aback that the plot is really about the hunt for a serial killer who tortures his victims with knives. The level of violence, gory descriptions, and dark themes are not at all what I was expecting.

Quite frankly, I didn’t like any of the characters in this book. Poor Eliza. Everyone in her life except her dog and a disabled housemaid is completely selfish. She gets kidnapped originally and kept by Captain due to selfish motivations, she gets kidnapped again and dragged back home by Felton due to his selfishness and narcissism, and multiple people try to kill her due to selfish reasons. Even her own father won’t man up and do right by her when he sees that her return to his manor is making her nothing short of miserable, and that her life is in constant danger. And why is the housekeeper such a witch to just everyone in general?

Because it was Felton who couldn’t let his grudges go after 14 years, Eliza’s life was uprooted entirely and she was almost killed. Because of his decision to bring Eliza back to her original home and to expose her identify, many other people actually did get killed, As a result, I had a really hard time rooting for his and Eliza’s romance. I would have kicked that guy to the curb.

I believe that this novel should include trigger warnings/content warnings. This is 2023, and this novel is considered Christian fiction where readers are more likely to be sensitive to disturbing and dark content.

TW/CW include animal abuse, animal injury, blood, child death, death, death of parent, fire, gaslighting, gore, grief, injury, kidnapping, murder, physical abuse, suicide, torture, toxic relationship, violence

Thank you Netgalley and Barbour Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this novel. All opinions are my own.

"The Girl from the Hidden Forest" is another 5 star read from author Hannah Linder! It is beautifully-written, original, and is captivating from cover to cover. This author always does such wonderful work creating three-dimensional characters with unique personalities and stories of their own and places them into historical settings that feel real and complete with details that show clearly how well-researched her work is. The Regency-era setting was so much fun to read about! There was never a dull moment in this story. This is a book that I could not stop reading! You will find yourself turning those pages! The mystery, suspense, and romance elements of this story are all carried out so well! The romance is sweet, swoony, and emotionally deep. The author has done great work showing the reader the reasons behind both the male main character and female main character's respective behavior and intentions. The speed of the plot is perfect, the author's writing style is smooth and sparkling with beauty, emotion, and wit, the story is original and enthralling, and the author uses such beautiful and expressive language. I love Merrylad! He is the sweetest. I cannot recommend this book highly enough! This story has it all: mystery, suspense, romance, and the perfect amount of angst! 5 very well deserved stars!

Thank you very much to author Hannah Linder, Austenprose PR, Barbour Publishing, and NetGalley for the wonderful opportunity of being a part of the author's Launch Team and the Book Tour hosted by Austenprose PR and for providing me with both physical and digital copies to read and review honestly.

Eliza lived with whom she thought was her father. She lived a life of deception. She was unaware of how she came to the Hidden Forest. She fought to stay there. It was all she knew and loved. Until one day she was snatched away.

Danger was beyond the forest. She was taught that. It became a reality. Whom could she trust? Where was she safe?

Felton found her and wanted to protect her. But the truth had to be revealed. Even if the truth was unfavable.

I enjoyed the story. It was a page turner. The mystery unfolds and the answers were uncovered. I was surprised by the ending.

I received this book from the author, Hannah Linder.