Thank you to the author and Netgalley for an Advance Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book is written with great sensitivity given its content - our heroine is a survivor of an attack that resulted in her giving birth to an illegitimate child. She battles her own demons while trying to understand how to be a mother in a time when the woman is almost always blamed. It's a love story but it's also a story of healing and forgiveness.

Regency with Lower Class Hero and Heroine

We meet Amy Miller in her early days of being a new mother. She had been working as a lady's maid when she was attacked by one of the men who lived in the household, resulting in the pregnancy. She and her son has become the wards of Fortescue's. Amy is having a hard time adjusting to her new life, her past, and her roles in the world. Henry Russell is a neighbor she has known since she was a girl. He has always held a secret torch for her. He is still interested in her now even with the scandal of her being an unwed mother.

This is an unusual Regency romance in that the hero and heroine both are definitely from the lower echelons of society. Henry is the son of a tenant farmer who hopes to take up the tenancy when his father passes, and he currently helps his father run the farm. Amy is the daughter of tenant farmers who became a lady’s maid but is now supposed to be the genteel ward of a well-off family. Henry is a fantastic hero. He has loved Amy for a long time, and that didn't change because of her illegitimate child. He wants to protect both her and her son, if only she would let him. Because of what happened to Amy at the hand of her child's father, she cannot imagine trusting another man or accepting a man's touch. Amy, especially early in the book, is having a hard time acting as Mrs. Fortescue wants her to regarding mothering her child. Amy wants the freedom to mother him as she wants, not by Mrs. Fortescue’s or society's dictates. In the first part of the book, Amy comes across as a little unbalanced and ungrateful. If she hadn't been taken in by the Fortescues while she was pregnant, it's hard to know how her life would have ended up, but it would have gone badly. Therefore, I can't quite understand the rage that she feels towards Mrs. Fortescue nor can I understand the way she often either lashes out or just says things to appease her, even if they don't make any sense to the reality that has been shown to the reader. For instance, after a walk that Amy took with her son without telling anybody she was going anywhere—therefore causing them to worry—she's at first meek, saying things to appease that she doesn't really mean, but then she quickly flies off the handle in anger and then becomes emotional. Because of this, I could never quite relate to Amy as a character, which made me not nearly as emotionally invested I think I could have been had she been a more understandable character.

Some language in this book didn't sit right with me. At times, it was semi-formal like Austen, but other times, it was almost modern or expressed ideas in a way that didn't seem congruent with the time frame of the book. For a Regency that is clean in terms of sex, it was surprising that there was profanity in the book, which was jarring when it showed up because it didn't seem to fit the characters or the circumstances.

I tried, but I could not get into this book.... I finished it and I would just say... It was not for me. I am sorry....

Review excerpted from my blog post over at FanSciHist (https://fanscihist.wordpress.com/2019/05/21/gloved-heart-by-charlotte-brentwood/)

My Rating: 3.5 stars

Library recommendation: Recommended for public library historical romance collections.

Warning: Hereafter, you chance spoilers. I will try never to reveal major plot points, but to review any book, you must reveal some parts of the story. 


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Number of titles I have read by this author: 1

Love story speed: Friendship in progress; Insta-besottedness (H); Slow burn (h)

Relationship dynamics: The Fallen Woman (h) / The Chivalrous Tenant Farmer (H)

Sexual content: None. Some kissing only.

Triggers: Rape (of h, not by H, prior to beginning of book, but vaguely described); Rape Trauma syndrome (h); child death

Grammar/Editing: This ARC contains a few typos, but nothing that hinders understanding.

Review: This novel is a very quick read and fast-paced. While most Regency novels focus on the aristocracy and elevation of rank, this book refreshingly focuses on working class characters who are content to be so. The historical context seems accurate after some cursory research, although I cannot pretend to be an expert in early 19th century farming practices.

Amy is an industrious new mother who suffers from what we now refer to as rape trauma syndrome (RTS). Henry is a steadfast, patient, and understanding farmer who has loved Amy since they were children. Their relationship begins as a friendship and develops very slowly due to the severity of Amy's RTS. This progression would be out of place in other novels, but makes sense for these characters in this situation. The writing is understandably emotionally wrought, but I also found the tone to be melodramatic in places. The supporting characters are interesting and well-developed; the vast majority of them seem to have been introduced in the first book of the series, and some have been given their own subplots in this novel. I may have considered reading the next book in the series, but from the afterword and the author's website, it seems that the hero in the next book is the rapist from this book, and while I can appreciate that some readers would be curious enough to follow his story, I must admit that I am not particularly interested in doing so.

PSA version: While I normally do a fun, quirky version of my review in this section, in this case I'm going to provide some helpful information. If you, or someone you know, has been impacted by sexual violence and you need to talk to someone, please consider contacting the Rape Trauma Services 24 Hour Crisis Line (US), one of the centres listed at the Canadian Women's Health Network (Canada), or a crisis line in your area (Google "crisis line" and the name of the area you live in). 



Full disclosure: I received a free advance review copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I found this to be a great improvement upon the first book in the series. The writing still feels immature, but not nearly as much as before. There is some uncomfortable subject matter (including a death I felt unnecessary), but it’s handled with care. As with the previous book, I like the story but felt the execution of the writing was lacking.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to the publisher for an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

This is a new author, and I was very impressed with the skill level of her writing. The character development is excellent, and the pacing is also excellent, much better in fact than other authors who have been published for years. Charlotte Brentwood definitely has a bright future as an author.

I have always loved Regency romance stories, but this book was quite different. I wasn't sure what to make of it when I read that the heroine is a farmer’s daughter. The book also opens with a terrifying nightmare, a radical departure from standard Regency formula. At one point, I wondered if it was not all just a little too much. Would there really be so many secrets, so much drama, in a small village? Then I thought about the small towns I know, and smiled as I thought: Oh yes, that’s possible.

Not being a typical Regency romance is actually a good thing in an already over-saturated genre. You will remember these characters, because they seem so real, some more than others, of course. What stays in your mind is not what they wear or how they look, but what they DO. The actions a person takes, and the consequences of those actions are what determine a person’s true character. Take that a step farther to determine if someone really loves you. Acts of selflessness say much more than mere words or superficial charm could ever do.

A good story is a microcosm of society. But here, there are no characters who are permanently, irretrievably, evil. You may think that’s simply not possible here. A person may do something extremely wicked, and it may take time for healing. But if that person expresses true remorse, proves it by their actions, then redemption is possible.

The “gloved heart” mentioned in the title is a symbol of Amy’s heart. Hers contains great love yet great hate as well, which is only natural after what happened. But if she wants to get past her fear of intimacy, she needs to take the “glove” off. Her friend Cici tells her that if she wants to know real love, she will have to expose her feelings, give her whole heart. Amy needs her heart to be at peace in order to heal. How to first overcone her fear? Is it really something she can do alone?

Healing peace in one’s heart demands forgiveness. This is never spoken outloud, it’s simply demonstrated by the characters. That’s the extraordinary lesson here: Even the basest sinner can be redeemed. If a person admits wrongdoing, asks forgiveness, and, if necessary, makes restitution, there can be healing. As in the real world, not everyone here is ready or willing to forgive, but those who are, and do, show character and a capacity for real, unconditional love, with their whole heart.

I feel that I have not done a very good job here. Reading my review could never supplant reading the book itself. So do read it, and you’ll see what I’ve been trying so unsuccessfully to say. This is a book about love, and a little baby who changes a great many hearts.

Set in the Regency era, Gloved Heart tells the story of Amy, a former lady's maid who fell prey to the wrong kind of man and ended up unexpectedly pregnant. Faced with prospect of going to a workhouse, she agrees to enter the protection of an affluent family in the area. This family is generous in providing for her, but Amy quickly feels the weight of their expectations and doubts that she can truly be a part of their family. She also struggles with moving past the traumatic experience that left her pregnant. If the memories continue to overwhelm her, will she ever be able to love again?

As a lover of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer, I was excited to read a novel set in the Regency era, but I ended up really struggling with this book. I mostly enjoyed Amy and Henry. There were times that I was frustrated with both characters, but overall, I was cheering them on throughout the book. I also appreciated that it's a clean novel. It was nice to read a sweet love story!

As for what I didn't enjoy, the dialogue felt stiff and unnatural at times. Some of the conversations were overly Austenian in terms of word choice. The plot wasn't bad, but there's an important plot point that is revealed early on that could have been used in a more exciting way. It didn't really add anything to the story for me. I also felt like it was assumed that I already knew certain things about Amy's background, like the fact that she was orphaned. I haven't read the first book in the series, so maybe it would have made more sense if I had read that book first. I also wanted more descriptions of the town and surrounding area, but again, that might be something that is found in the first book.

Overall, there are parts that are charming and heart-warming, but it left a lot to be desired for me. It wasn't my cup of tea, but still might be worth a read if you enjoy Regency novels and are looking for something on the lighter side.

Thank you to Charlotte Brentwood and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book!

I was delighted to have the chance to review this regency romance. So thank you Charlotte for emailing me and asking me to review.
Gloved Heart is not a difficult book to get into, it had me hooked by the first few pages needing to find out where the story was going. Amy has had a troubled start to motherhood but it is lovely to see her blossom as she discovers motherhood despite all of the set ways of the times trying to stop her. There is something truly lovely about a regency romance and Henry Russell loves Amy with all his heart and we see that by Charlotte Brentwood giving us his view point in her writing as this story is written from both Amy's and Henry's viewpoints. While reading you can often see moments when they should have had the courage to say things to each other but the politeness of the times gets in the way, but it makes for a brilliant love story.
This lovely romance set in regency times is perfect for fans of this genre. I adored this story.

I requested this as I am a fan of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer. It is a Regency Romance in that the heroine has to come to terms with events in her past and then their consequences. There the comparison with Jane Austen stops although that with Georgette Heyer continues - Amy, the heroine, was taken advantage of, as they say, by the younger son of her employers, left pregnant and abandoned but then taken in by a fairly stern household for no clear reason (we are told). She has her child and tries hard to fit in with the requirements of the family to make her a young lady whilst still yearning for her farming background. Enter hero Henry, farmer's son in a difficult family who have rejected Amy. The rest is mainly will they/won't they get together with Henry's long time love for Amy and her present hate and distrust of all men. There are a few twists and turns, all predictable and there is also the return of the younger son added to the mix. It's rather a lightly written story with a certain amount of repetition particularly in respect of Henry's feelings - we really do 'get' that he loves her irrespective of her past, which was no real fault of her own. It certainly does not have the depth of an Austen novel and is rather more descriptive than Heyer when it comes to childbirth. Not really my cup of tea after all. Thanks to NetGalley and the author for an advance copy in return for my honest review.

Amy is pregnant as a result of her rape by a man she had loved and trusted, when she is taken in by a local couple in the gentry. Though herself the adopted child of a labouring family, she is being trained to be a lady, including (once he is born) limited contact with her beloved child, Benjamin. When one day it all gets too much and she escapes the house with Benjamin, she meets again Henry, a man whom she had known for years and who loves her - and would have asked for her hand in marriage after the attack had not his parents threatened to disinherit him, which would have left the pair penniless and alone. The encounter bolsters her courage and she returns to her new home, but arranges to help out with the haying in between her more ladylike pursuits. As she spends more time with Henry, though, her heart begins to be in danger. But at the same time, she cannot stand the idea of being touched by a man, and requires gloves on before she is willing to even hold his hand. And when she seems to be overcoming that, another secret from her past comes to light - will she ever be able to trust again?

After an off-putting start (jumping straight into memories of a rape is generally not my idea of a good introduction). the book is clean and reasonably well written, though her objection to physical contact didn't seem particularly realistic or necessarily consistent. Though not a bad book, I did find it a bit of a slog to get through, and I probably won't be looking for more by the author. Some further editing would have helped (semi-occasional wrong word usage), but mostly I just didn't felt that I could connect with any of the characters - and the 'secret' was obvious from very early on (and the chances that Henry and Henry alone of the whole village would just happen to guess it?). All in all, an okay book but not really my style.

Content warning: though clean, the first page in particular is a bit graphic. Readers are advised to have a look before buying, but bear in mind that the first page is the worst - nothing else is particularly descriptive.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

I wrote a much longer review and somehow erased it. Ugh! Book provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This wasn’t my favorite book. I feel there were many parts that could have been cut completely without altering the story. Some plot points were beaten to death and made me wonder if the author felt we couldn’t be trusted to know how we were supposed to feel towards the characters. This is insulting. Also, there were “twists” that seemed to obvious, but the characters were oblivious.

2 stars