Michelle Griep can always be counted on for an engaging read with a nod to a work of classic literature. This book pays homage to Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. In fact Mary Shelley is one of the secondary characters which is a fun twist.

The story just gripped my heart. There's just something about the bond that siblings share that we can all relate to. Of course there is a romantic interest but my favorite part was that of the brother/sister relationship.

I found this to be a rather fast read. I wanted to keep reading even when I knew I needed to put it down for a bit. If you enjoy a good Regency-Era Gothic Romance you need to give this book a look. I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Every now and then I enjoy a Gothic romance and since I've loved a few of Michelle Griep's books I decided to try Lost in Darkness. This is an engaging story about Amelia, a travel writer, her brother Colin and Graham, the surgeon who falls for Amelia. If you're in the mood for something different, definitely give Lost in Darkness a whirl!

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

Publication date: 1 November 2021

Lost in Darkness is a spectacular addition to the Gothic novels genre. While it will particularly appeal to readers of Jaime Jo Wright's works, even those new to the genre will find lots to love with this hauntingly suspenseful tale. Michelle Griep has penned complex characters, an engrossing tale, and a rich setting that's a character all on its own. I loved this book and can't wait to read more by this author!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Barbour Publishing, and the author for a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I really liked this one! It was a compelling read and I didn't feel pulled out of the story. I wanted to keep reading.

Michelle Griep's books are always interesting with lots of genres mixed together! This time it is a regency book with gothic/Frankenstein vibes mixed with romance, while also being Christian Fiction. This was on my Netgalley backlog and I'm finally getting around to it, even though it was published in November 2021-eek.

Amelia is sent home after her father has died to take over the estate and care for her disfigured brother. Before his passing, her dad had scheduled a surgery for her brother. Graham is a doctor who has just joined the practice with Mr. Peckford, the surgeon hired for Amelia's brother's surgery. Amelia and Graham's meet cute started us off on a good pace. I enjoyed the first half of this book, but when it came time for the brother/surgery/Mr. Peckford's plot, I didn't really care for the bad doctor/Frankenstein type vibes, although it was interesting. Overall, this was a 3.5 rounded up for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy. Opinions are my own.

Wow. Michelle Griep’s Lost in Darkness was both beautifully written and riveting. Inspired by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, this gothic regency story was overflowing with emotional struggles, suspense, faith, God’s love and romance (though not the main plot of this tale). I was drawn in by the characters…they are so well written that you will feel as though you know them. You will feel such compassion for the siblings and hero, and such anger towards the villain. This book is filled with such wonderful historical details and descriptions that you may find yourself forgetting that it is a book you are reading, as it leaves you feeling as though you are there. Please be aware that the heart wrenching struggles that you will find within this story will leave a long lasting impression.
I highly recommend this book.
I was given and advanced copy of this book by NetGalley. This review is my honest opinion.

Due to content in Lost in Darkness by Michelle Griep I will not be finishing it. You can check out Books for Christian Girls review of Lost in Darkness to see the content I do not want to read.

This was such an intriguing read! A regency romance with a gothic vibe but nothing so creepy that kept me up at night.

Michelle's prose and imagery in this book is just breathtaking and I was completely swept up into the story of a tortured soul seeking relief. The characters are endearing and the romance between Amelia and Graham is very sweet!

Despite it's connection to the story of Frankenstein, this is not a dark story but rather an uplifting one. There are Christian themes woven into the story but nothing overbearing or preachy.

Highly recommend this unique and satisfying 5 star read. Michelle Griep is an auto-buy author for me and this book is the perfect example of why!

I received a complimentary copy of this book but a positive review was not required.

A tale heavily inspired by Frankenstein, but based in more reality, with real diseases and common practices of the Regency Era.

I enjoyed Grahams and Amelia’s romance. Passionate, realistic pacing, and a sweetness between them both. Written very well with very few “modernisms”. I really enjoyed the “intentions “ scene between Graham and Amelia.

Details of peckwoods works in the asylum was never elaborated on, for which I’m both sad and grateful. I would’ve enjoyed learning about regency medicine more, but knowing the malpractice of healing for mental illnesses at the time, it’s best we not go into it.

Overall, a good book. Had a hard time getting into it, —because of the gothic horror themes —but very apropos for Halloween.

Lost in Darkness is a very compelling romance. The story is about getting rids of the darkness within and to let live within your heart. This is a novel of trauma, healing, recovering, and love. The romance is very natural and well-developed. The story is well-written and atmospheric! This novel is sure to please fans of gothic romances!

I have tried for about 6 months now to read this book. Finally, it came up as a group read and I was bound and determined to read it.

The story of travel writer, Amelia Balfour, summoned home after her father passes to undertake the surgery of her deformed brother, Colin. After being discharged, probably not so honorably, Graham Lambert seeks the employment under Dr. Peckwood, the doctor undertaking the brain surgery of Colin Balfour. After seeing the ways Dr. Peckwood operates, his practices, and ultimate surgery of Colin, Amelia and Graham have grown closer and are more then determined to put those practices to an end. As with happiness and gratefulness, comes tragedy.

After seeing her friendly neighbor Mrs. O, Amelia is invited to dinner and meets Mary Shelley an author of dark stories. With Mary's mother a famous travel writer in her time, Mary and Amelia had much in common.

Definitely a book I should have picked up earlier, but glad I waited as I enjoyed it very much.

Thank you to Netgalley and Barbour Fiction for this advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

4.5 stars rounded up.

Lost in Darkness by Michelle Griep is Regency Romance inspired by Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.

This was a deep, intriguing, and dark book. Fittingly so. It’s one I definitely recommend, but it is also difficult to find the words to explain why. It’s not a lighthearted read, so you must be in the mood for it. Darkness, death, and overcoming the past are big themes. That said, what I loved was how the thread of hope and light filtered through the story. This is the type of book that will pull you in so that you experience the heart-wrenching struggles right along with the characters, leaving a lasting impression.

I love that Mary Shelly receives a cameo appearance since her story was the inspiration. If you like Frankenstein, then try Lost in Darkness. Though there is a romance, that is not at the heart of the tale. It’s a thought-provoking story with a … heart-breaking, yet satisfying ending.

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC guidelines.

I love that this story was inspired by “Frankenstein”! The gothic setting was enjoyable, and Amelia and Graham were great characters. I enjoyed it!

I'll say this: Michelle Griep has an incredible talent to write. She can write for such a varied audience with characters that draw you in. I'll admit--I'm a Hallmark kind of girl. I like my cozy, happy ending stories. Lost in Darkness isn't one of those. I love redemption stories and this is quite that either. But is it well written? You can bet on it.

I love how Griep weaves the characters together with things outside of this book--things that the reader will be familiar with.

I did not find the "waiting" by our lead man at the end of the story to be realistic and I think that frustrated me. It didn't fit with who I'd grown to believe him to be.

Would I recommend this book to others? Yes, if they like this type of book. I rate this one a 3.8 star.
I wouldn't hesitate to pick up another Griep book to see if I liked it; Thief of Blackfriars Lane is still my favorite of hers.

This book was an emotional rollercoaster! The characters were so well-drawn and fleshed out. And the romance was a sensational slow-burn. The reader was really able to connect to the characters and fall in love with them. The ending had me in tears but I would definitely recommend this book to lovers of clean romances and even gothic romance. I look forward to reading more from this author.

What a gripping story. I read it while I was sick, and it was a great way to pass the time. Though my brain wasn't working at top speed, I was still able to enjoy this book. The author did a great job at making me angry with the villain and in love with the hero and heroine, and the victim. Poor Colin. The ending was rather a relief. I was leery, for a long time, about reading this book, thinking it might be more of a horror story than I can get along with, but it didn't turn out as bad as I was afraid it might. I enjoyed seeing Amelia's spiritual growth through the course of the story, as well as Graham's. This author has not disappointed me yet!
I received a review copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.

Lost in Darkness is my favorite book of the year, so far! Wonderfully written characters, great pacing, and the nods to Mary Shelley's Frankenstein all combined for a moving, romantic, tragic, Gothic -is that enough adjectives? - a darn good book! Michelle Griep is at the top of her game here.

The heroine Amelia Balfour's brother, Colin, is a noble, tragic "monster," who becomes a willing victim of the true monster of the tale, a misguided surgeon. Luckily, Graham Lambert, an honorable, kindhearted, and generous surgeon is on hand. And everyone learns a lesson about reliance on God.

I enjoyed this book, it wasn't my absolute favorite book- but I enjoyed it. The author did a good job weaving the story, encouraging you to see people's hearts, instead of their outward appearance, and once again reminding us that we are all made by God for a reason. I love how she wove Mary Shelley into the story as well.

What a page turning novel! It is a Gothic, regency era novel and had my attention from the first page. The characters were well developed. And the story moved at a decent pace. At times it was quite intense. I found myself wishing I could jump into the pages of the book to give the characters advice.
Collin was born with deformities which made him very scary to those who didn’t know him. So he spent his life in hiding. Now he had a doctor providing him hope that with surgery he could leave a normal life. But could he trust the surgeon to do a surgery that no other doctor would deem as possible.
Amelia was his sister who had run away from a cruel dad. Now she had a chance to help her brother who she had left behind. But she had her own dreams. If he had the surgery, could she spare the time to take care of him even if it meant giving an opportunity to travel to a place she had only dreamed of?
Lost in Darkness wasn’t my favorite genre. In fact, I rarely read gothic novels. But it gave me plenty to think about and kept me reading. It reminded me how often we judge by appearance. And the one thing we all have in common is hope. I received a copy of Lost in Darkness from NetGalley with no obligations.

This book is a gothic read that takes place in the England era of the 1800's. Amelia has taken the responsibility of helping her malformed brother through a revolutionary surgery that turns into a drama situation. When she finds herself in the middle of a nightmare to deal with she only has fear that the worse will happen.

I was not a fan of this type of book and had a hard time reading it. If you like gothic and dark reads then this is your type of book. It wasn't a bad read, just not enjoyable for my interest. I would suggest that everyone that likes this type of book to check it out and make your own decisions. If you like happy and light romance this book is not for you.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, "Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.