This novel was released one week ago and I am so glad that it is out in the world. I think that many readers will love this haunted house story as I did. It left me with a bit of a book hangover! When I shut my garage door today, I turned to go into the house and the garage door jumped back upward as I turned. I whipped around and, no exaggeration, my first thought was GHOST! That is why I don’t read ghost stories very often!

The novel is a gothic historical romance mystery that is loosely based on Jane Eyre and Portrait of A Lady, although I was getting major Rebecca vibes. It contains elements of horror as it is gothic. The author’s writing style is lush with detail, resulting in a highly atmospheric read. I learned so much about the time period- from class status to clothing to architecture. I listened to portions on audiobook and the narrator also contributes to the atmosphere with her masterful performance.

The mystery has two major twists with one a little easier to see coming than the second. The author has stated that this was intentional and I think the two reveals fit together like matryoshka with one shielding the other.

Book: Parting the Veil by Paulette Kennedy
Published: November 1, 2021 - AVAILABLE NOW
Rating: 4.5 stars!

OKAY. This book. It is the PERFECT combo of Bridgerton and Paranormal Activity and I am HERE 👏🏻 FOR 👏🏻 IT 👏🏻

Synopsis ⤵️

Some houses hold secrets that are meant to be kept forever…

When Eliza Sullivan inherits an estate from a recently deceased aunt, she leaves behind a grievous and guilt-ridden past in New Orleans for rural England and a fresh start. Eliza arrives at her new home and finds herself falling for the mysterious lord of Havenwood, Malcolm Winfield. Despite the sinister rumours that surround him, Eliza is drawn to his melancholy charm and his crumbling, once-beautiful mansion. With enough love, she thinks, both man and manor could be repaired.

Not long into their marriage, Eliza fears that she should have listened to the locals. There’s something terribly wrong at Havenwood Manor: Forbidden rooms. Ghostly whispers in the shadows. Strangely guarded servants. And Malcolm’s threatening moods, as changeable as night and day.

As Eliza delves deeper into Malcolm’s troubling history, the dark secrets she unearths gain a frightening power. Has she married a man or a monster? For Eliza, uncovering the truth will either save her or destroy her.

My thoughts:
I really, really enjoyed reading this one! There are SO many different elements to this book that I wasn’t quite sure would work together, but boy oh boy, do they ever! The beginning was a tad on the slower side—there is a lot of much needed background and story build-up—but once I was past the first third of the book, I was completely invested. I loved Eliza and her free-spirited, strong, and independent nature. I loved getting to know alllll of the sides of Malcolm Winfield. I loved the creepiness and the mysteriousness of the Havenwood manor. This book has murder, mystery, horror and gothic elements, and the ending is filled with a ton of twisty surprises—some I guessed, but others completely shocked me! This book was such a pleasant surprise and I loved it!

Thank you to Paulette Kennedy, Amazon Publishing, and Let's Talk Books Promo for the complimentary NetGalley of Parting the Veil and for letting me take part in the book tour.

Paulette Kennedy’s debut, Parting the Veil, is a veritable Gothic feast. Romantic suspense is a genre the author clearly loves, and the novel’s stuffed full of its hallmarks and tropes: a single woman, a mysterious inheritance, a crumbling mansion reputed to be haunted, its broodingly handsome owner, a shocking Tarot card reading… and that’s just to start.

The fun is in recognizing which of these elements will play out as expected, and which will be given an unexpected twist.

In 1899, Eliza Sullivan and her younger, mixed-race half-sister Lydia, natives of New Orleans, arrive in the Hampshire village of Chesterbridge to take up residence at Sherbourne House, which had been left to Eliza by a great-aunt she barely knew. The terms of Tante Theo’s bequest, though, disconcert the independent-minded heiress. Eliza learns that to take possession of her fortune, she must get married within three months.

Malcolm, Viscount Havenwood, is the sole surviving member of his family after a fire three years earlier damaged his home’s south wing. An immediate physical attraction springs up between Eliza and Malcolm. She throws caution to the wind and – against the practical Lydia’s advice – weds him.

But married life perplexes Eliza. While ardent in the bedroom at night, Malcolm is cold and proper, even condescending, during the day. His behavior will have readers wondering whether Malcolm deserves a happily-ever-after with our heroine.

A profusion of mysteries drives the story along. What (or who) causes the rhythmic tapping Eliza hears at night? What happened to Malcolm’s Scottish mother, who was rumored to be mad? Why does he behave so weirdly? Why is Eliza haunted by painful childhood memories?

The atmosphere is a piquant blend of Southern Gothic meets Jane Eyre. As Americans, Eliza and Lydia’s entrance into Hampshire society meets with curiosity; contrary to stereotype, though, they aren't treated like unwelcome outsiders. They form friendships with local women, including newlywed Sarah Nelson, whose candor is a breath of fresh air. There are hints of same-sex relationships in some women’s pasts, which add layers of intrigue. (One minor complaint: the pet name “darling” is overused.)

For readers on the fence about romantic suspense, the ambience may be overwhelming. But for those who adore it, settle into this compulsive read and soak it all in.

(Reviewed for Reading the Past)

'Parting the Veil' by Paulette Kennedy is a gothic romance thriller set in the late 19th century full of twists and turns, decaying stately homes, and forbidden romances. Sisters Eliza and Lydia are two headstrong New Orleans southern belles who inherit a large crumbling estate in England where their futures await. The story centres around Eliza’s controversial romance with the mysterious Malcolm who harbours many dark secrets as does his incinerated home. A surreptitious past and perturbed present collide in dark and dangerous ways for Eliza in the ominous home of Malcolm where the fight for truth and freedom play a shocking game of cat and mouse.

A feeling of dread cloaks this haunting story that is layered with suspense, mystery, romance, and the supernatural. Classic gothic elements combined with an intriguing storyline offers an emotional aesthetic of guilt and gloom whilst also providing a psychological exploration of entrapment by way of the deteriorating Havenwood Manor. The female gothic narrative through Eliza created an anxious atmosphere that helped to propel the story’s suspicious, seductive, and spectral elements. The story is dual in nature juxtaposing spookiness and social messages that are intricately woven into the plot foreshadowing a tragic warning about duplicity.

With that being said, I do have a couple of critiques. There were many descriptive love scenes that were some-what important for the plot, but I prefer when contemporary authors of gothic fiction respect the modesty of the era’s literature. As well, I feel the supernatural elements (ghosts) could have been incorporated into a big twist at the end.

Overall, 'Parting the Veil' is a cleverly crafted gothic romance full of smoke and mirrors, murky pasts, and clandestine affairs.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a free ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review and honest opinions that are my own.

Honored to receive an autographed copy of this debut novel by Paulette Kennedy for this feature!

Parting the Veil is a gothic mystery set in grand, illustrious homes outside of London during the late 1800’s. These estates are shrouded with rich histories with stories to tell - if only the walls could talk. And, be careful of things that tap, tap, tap in the night, you never know what lurks on the other side of the wall.

This story beautifully weaves super natural elements into its historical setting, creating an eerie realistic landscape where goose bumps prickle your skin. And lets not forget, your heart will swoon with the man on the horseback lurking outside your window late at night.

READ NOW - Don’t let these beautiful facades fool you, spookiness lurks behind the door!

Thank you to the author, Amazon Publishing and Lets Talk Books Promo for the complimentary copy.

A Gothic romance from a current day debut author? Yes, please, I’ll give it a read.

I’m glad I did; I love when a debut writer’s book is a terrific one. Ms. Kennedy has crafted a well told story; that is at once engaging, a little supernaturally creepy, and keeps you turning the pages.

I enjoyed this title a lot, and I’m looking forward to reading more of the author’s future works.


Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for an eARC of this title. Opinions shared are influenced by nothing other than my reading experience.

The blurb sounded interesting and I wanted to love this story.
Unfortunately I found it a bit confusing, some parts were really creepy others were something out a gothic novel written a long time ago.
The language used by the characters seemed a bit weird.
Not my cup of tea.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Eliza Sullivan hopes to make a fresh start in the English countryside with the house she’s inherited from her aunt. Once there she finds herself falling under the spell of Malcolm Winfield, Lord of Havenwood. Swept off her feet. she finds herself married almost before she know it, choosing not to believe the ugly stories that surround her new husband. But Malcolm proves a difficult man to love, with mercurial moods and secrets he will not share with his new wife. Kennedy has written an old fashioned gothic romance that will have readers conjuring images of women in flowing nightdresses running from crumbling castles in the middle of the night

The handsome Malcom Havenwood is a dark gothic figure with a frightful past. He is a child to Ada and sibling to Gabriele who are discovered dead when they and their family domain capitulates to a staggering fire. Nonetheless, the tormented and ruined Malcon meets and weds Eliza with a guarantee of more promising times. For this contact and the states of will are helpfully adjusted when Eliza satisfies one of the provisos in her auntie’s will by getting married within 90 days of the supporter being made mindful of its substance. Not long into their marriage, Eliza is confronted with the acknowledgment that the relationship by all accounts is disentangling nearly as fast as it had started. Regardless of how frantically she got a handle on the strings of their warmth, her weaving was ending up activity in dissatisfaction. For each exhibition of friendship, he showed upon her, there before long followed a coldblooded word, each thoughtful gesture was followed with noxiousness and for every night spent in enthusiasm, there was a day spent in uncomfortable quiet.

Chelten bridge was overflowing with tattle and admonitions among local people, of the Havenwood family however the truth was a lot more terrible for Eliza. The noxious murmurs, regardless of whether genuine or envisioned, followed her in grounds and down the corridors of Havenwood Manor, constantly. She regularly remained alert until morning excessively terrified of the spirits to rest once the lights had been turned down. The spot she had looked for bliss taken steps to desolate her into ruin, for it held a pitiful, horrifying, and spooky power that should have been uncovered most startingly.

Divulge the deception in the book to uncover the plot.

“Parting The Veil” was so enrapturing, I was unable to quit reading. The completion is so amazingly tense and overflowing with incredible turns, I felt glued to the pages. This mix of gothic romance mixed with a thrill ride, with paranormal components, was impeccably composed. The readers get the mystery, the sentiment of enthusiasm and obscurity, the apparitions, and the eerie special kinds of thrills. The author’s grip on exposition, characters, and environment was what made this book amazing for me. The author has a skill for picking action words that convey both the environment of the scene, while additionally furnishing the readers with an unobstructed comprehension of her characters without pushing it in our face. The author makes the readers focus on the subtleties and look out for them to be clarified.

Concerning the mystery of the book, I was constantly left with enough signs that kept me speculating. Yet the turns were very much created to the point that I would never entirely pinpoint the how and the why. Keeping in mind that the romance isn’t generally at the focal point of the plot, it stays the passionate spine of the story overall. Then, there’s the exploration. Such a lot of exploration has gone into this book. It adds sufficient believability to the setting that I felt shipped to the world instantaneously. The equivalent goes for the women’s activist and LGBTQIA components. So, if you are looking for a beautiful gothic read, then definitely go for this book.

I was really excited to get an early copy of this book! It does have a few trigger warnings that I want to mention first: grief, abuse & mental illness. I was pleasantly surprised with this book as it was a fantastic read!

This book takes place in 1899 as we follow two sisters, Eliza and Lydia, as they travel from New Orleans to England. An Aunt of the sisters has recently passed away, and in her will she gifted Eliza her estate. However, there is a clause stating that in order for Eliza to keep the estate that she must get married.

Nextdoor to their Aunt’s estate is Havebwood Manor. This manor is dark and somewhat creepy looking. It does not take long for Eliza to come face to face with the Lord of Havenwood Manor, Malcom. Eliza soon begins to fall for Malcom, the two soon get married, and Eliza gets to venture inside Havenwood Manor.

It is there that Eliza begins to experience some eerily creepy occurances, such as the feeling of someone watching her, but no one is there. Eliza cannot shake the feeling of something, or someone there. The whispers follow her throughout the Manor halls, but what exactly is it?!

Soon after Eliza moves into the Havenwood Manor the dark and twisted secrets surrounding it begin to be revealed. Is Malcom really who he says he is?! What secrets are being hidden deep within Havenwood?

This is a really great gothic romance sprinkled with some thriller and paranormal elements. The writing is very imaginative and descriptive in a way that I could picture myself in the setting of the story. The author paints a beautifully descriptive and vivid picture of the characters and Havenwood.
I also really enjoyed the romantic elements throughout the book, although this is not the main focus of the book, it definitely had my attention!

The lush writing will keep you engaged from the first to the last page of this book. All the world building, twist and turns had me breatheless. This book has all type of plot that makes you want to reread it over and over again.
Would definitely recommend this book.

An Enjoyable page turning suspense/romance novel with an intriguing plot The characters are very interesting, so much so, I’d like to know more about Lydia and Sarah, as well as a few others. The plot was also a little implausible, without giving too much away, once Malcolm and Eliza were married why wouldn’t he fill her in as to what was going on? But then I guess we wouldn’t have a suspense novel would we. All in all a quick, enjoyable read.

I loved it! When I saw this was a historical fiction horror, I knew I had to read it, and I am so glad that I did. The creepiness of the Havenwood Manor had me sucked in that I finished this book in less than 24 hours. There are twists and turns at the end that I would have never guessed. While some parts I thought were longer than they needed to be, I would still highly recommend this book to my thriller/horror loving friends!

“Parting the Veil” is a debut novel by author Paulette Kennedy. This is definitely a gothic mystery romance - reminding me of a combination of classic gothic novels.

The basic storyline follows our hero, Eliza Sullivan, who has just inherited an estate from an aunt in England. Eliza and her sister leave New Orleans to live in England. Eliza discovers that part of the inheritance includes the fact that she must marry within a certain amount of time or she forfeits the house. She ends up falling for (and marrying) the mysterious Malcom, who resides at a neighboring estate. There’s romance, there’s jealousy, there’s backstabbing, there’s rumor, there’s some interesting supporting characters, there is a supernatural aspect, there’s untruths, there’s mystery, and there’s a twist (or two or three) … basically a lot is packed into this book.

I loved Eliza’s spunk - she wanted to be independent, she knows horses and wants to raise them (and isn’t timid about telling people this fact). Her sister, Lydia, is differently independent - she works to become a nurse and isn’t one who seems to “just” want to sit around presiding over teas. The two are devoted (and want to protect) each other. I liked how both women retained their upbringing in NOLA, such as including Tarot, speaking about spirits, and a rather creepy seance scene. I could tell that the author did a bit of research through this book, which I appreciated.

My one minor complaint would be about the pacing - in the beginning while there was a lot of information given, it seemed to just move rather slowly - though, granted, we’re experiencing all the newness through Eliza’s eyes, and England is very different from NOLA. Around the 70% mark, the speed picked up - where pieces started fitting together and being exposed - and the final scenes where things moved really quickly. I kept thinking “this might make a good movie” because it is that interesting, but it just needed a steadier pace throughout the book.

If gothic romance books are something you enjoy, do check out this book. Also, I really appreciated the author pointing out the trigger warnings in her Author’s note. There’s a number of them - including self-harm, assault, pregnancy loss - but most are references to and brief. For me, this book was a solid 4.25 stars and I'd read another book by this author.

This gothic romance was entertaining with a bit of creepiness and a touch of supernatural events (but thankfully not so bad to give nightmares). I especially loved the setting of the once remarkable now derelict mansion and how Eliza’s regard for the house evolves as she uncovers the secrets it holds. There is a major plot twist, but if you pay attention the clues are there!

This certainly was a page turner, especially towards the end. I had kinda guessed what was going on but it was still a surprise. The story does have a nice gothic romantic mystery feel to it. It was an enjoyable book
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

This is a gorgeous, beautifully written book. I love the setting and historical details that Paulette Kennedy has included as the suspense keeps building on every page. Grab a copy of PARTING THE VEIL!

"Some houses hold secrets that are meant to be kept forever...

When Eliza Sullivan inherits an estate from a recently deceased aunt, she leaves behind a grievous and guilt-ridden past in New Orleans for rural England and a fresh start. Eliza arrives at her new home and finds herself falling for the mysterious lord of Havenwood, Malcolm Winfield. Despite the sinister rumors that surround him, Eliza is drawn to his melancholy charm and his crumbling, once-beautiful mansion. With enough love, she thinks, both man and manor could be repaired.

Not long into their marriage, Eliza fears that she should have listened to the locals. There's something terribly wrong at Havenwood Manor: Forbidden rooms. Ghostly whispers in the shadows. Strangely guarded servants. And Malcolm's threatening moods, as changeable as night and day.

As Eliza delves deeper into Malcolm's troubling history, the dark secrets she unearths gain a frightening power. Has she married a man or a monster? For Eliza, uncovering the truth will either save her or destroy her."

Has a very Rebecca vibe!

This was a spooky historical fiction novel. It was beautifully written. I did feel like it was pretty predictable but I still enjoyed the reading experience! It definitely scared me at times throughout!

“Some houses hold secrets that are meant to be kept forever…”
This book was a dark and gothic masterpiece. It’s been a while since a book has had me this thrilled, I read the whole thing in a day because I was so hooked by Eliza and Malcolm.