I have read books by the author in the past and enjoyed them. This one has a bit of heavier subject matters. A disappearance talks of ghosts and unsettling family relationships. There was the start of a new happy relationship. The book overall was a good and enjoyable read.

Pub Date: 22 Jun 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. A cute novel and enjoyed it a lot. The cover is very pretty also.
A light hearted story and a perfect weekend read. I would read from this author again.

In a Nutshell: A novel with a confused self-identity, focussing on a character with a poor self-identity. Has some good moments but far and few between. Needs a lot of fine-tuning in terms of plot as well as character development.

Story Synopsis:
When the police knock on Alice’s door at 4am, she is stunned to hear that her husband Grant has been killed in an explosion in Fortune House – an old, supposedly haunted house on the moor. The surprise isn’t just because of his sudden death. What creates the befuddlement is that Grant was not into exploratory hikes at all, Alice has never heard of Fortune House or Grant’s connection to it, and most of all, Alice and Grant have been estranged since six years and she hasn’t heard from him since he left her.
Alice decides to dig into the matter, and soon finds herself working with Grant’s current girlfriend Jenna and her brother Max, with the common goal of discovering why Grant was in that lonely house all alone in the middle of the night.
The story comes to us in the first person perspective of Alice.

Bookish Yays:
✔ There are some letters in the book, supposedly written by the public to share their ‘haunting’ experiences at or near Fortune House. These were creepily entertaining.
✔ Jenna rides a motorcycle! I loved seeing a female character have the motorbike as her vehicle of choice.
✔ The pretty cover, though it doesn’t suit the book.

Bookish Nays:
❌ The cover and title are quite misleading. The house has a relatively minor role to play in the plot, about half of which focusses on the characters and their interpersonal relationships. Also, it is not exactly ‘forgotten’, considering the number of people who keep visiting its grounds.
❌ I have no idea what genre this book is attempting to be. Officially, it is women’s fiction, but it includes elements from Gothic, horror, cosy murder mystery, romance, and drama. It even adds in some humour. The result is a hodgepodge that dissatisfies. The worst is the attempt at humour, which simply doesn’t fit into such a serious story.
❌ I was intrigued by the promise of ghost hunts and hauntings, but the promise stays a promise rather than becoming part of the premise.
❌ It was very tough for me to like any of the characters, but the worst was the narrator, Alice. She seems unduly obsessed with looks, both of hers and of others. After every few paras, we get a soliloquy on her being unattractive/overweight—she is just a UK size 16, for crying out loud!—and on how gorgeous Max is and how it is impossible that he will choose her. Max has only three main things to do: talk about himself, talk about his work, and tell Alice how great she is. Jenna’s character had potential, but she is left unidimensional, being portrayed as focussed on (or rather, obsessed with) Grant. Don’t make me open my mouth about Grant. I will run beyond the character limit here.
❌ There are plenty of inner monologues coming from Alice’s narration, most of which add nothing to the plot and are even quite repetitive. If all the fluff and inner monologues were cut out, the story could have been completed in about a hundred pages or so.
❌ If you ask people to think of a book that has a clever yet aggravating ending, many might suggest Colleen Hoover’s Verity as the top contender. I present to you this book as an alternative. The ending had an unexpected, last-minute, smart twist, but it creates so many questions and nullifies so many things established earlier in the plot that my rating slid by an entire half-point.
📌 GIGANTIC SPOILER COMING UP. READ ONLY IF YOU DON’T WANT TO READ THE BOOK OR IF YOU’VE ALREADY READ IT. BUT I HAD TO RANT ABOUT THIS!
❌ It was ridiculous to see Grant only pretending to be dead in order to escape marriage with Jenna. But even more infuriating was to see how Alice and even Max (Jenna’s own brother!!!) had no qualms about letting the idiot back in Jenna’s life with that flimsy excuse of amnesia, and allowing her to continue with their relationship, and even proceed towards marriage. What kind of a brother lets his sister marry a selfish, lying, unreliable coward?


All in all, this might work if you are looking for a light read that you want to go through without taxing your brains. But if you are hoping for the book to make sense, I think you might end up in the same boat as I did, sailing dejectedly to Outlier Island yet again. Then again, do check out the many other positive reviews before you make up your mind.

2 stars.

My thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Forgotten House on the Moor”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

This was great fun to read and I was hooked from the first page.

I loved the writing style and the way that the mystery of Grant's disappearance made the novel an unconventional and exciting romance.

Though it deals with some deep topics, Jane writes sensitively and creates a book that is full of love and heart.

I'm eagerly anticipating Jane's next novel.

Jane Lovering’s, The Forgotten House on the Moor is a unique and wonderful contemporary romance. 

I just love Jane’s books; they are just so different and full of so much heart. The Forgotten House on the Moor is this beautiful blend of mystery, history, drama, and sweet romance. The story hooked me from the first chapter when Alice is woken up in the middle of the night to find out that her ex-husband is dead. I just loved the ghost story element to this book; it’s not something you often get to read in romance books. But it just works so darn well with this story. Jane did a great job blending the ghost elements with the bigger story. It was super fascinating watching Alice and Max research The Fortune House. This history geek just soaked up all the research bits in this book. The story is more lighthearted and fun compared to Jane’s previous book, A Cottage Full of Secrets, which dealt with many serious issues. I found myself chuckling a lot more while reading this book, especially when Alice had to deal with her ex-husband Grant (who definitely would be a very trying man to deal with at times). I loved the setting so much!! I could just visualize Hatherleigh Hall in my mind and felt like I was exploring this vast house with Alice. Who wouldn’t want to live in a house like the one we see on Downton Abbey.

Alice is sweet, funny, and smart; I adored her. Her character is real and raw, and I felt like I could just connect with her on an emotional level. She has major insecurities about her looks and weight, which becomes an issue when Max tries to pursue a relationship with her. It was wonderful watching Alice’s character grow and learn to take risks regarding her employment and her heart. I wasn’t sure if I would like Max at first. I thought his character would end up being the stereotypical English Aristocracy male. But Jane did a good job giving him his unique personality and voice. Max is really this sweet, nerdy guy who has his own insecurities and is just trying to keep everything together. 

 This is a slow-burn charming romance. At first, I was a little nervous that the chemistry between Max and Alice wouldn’t click with me. The first few times they met, it was awkward, and their conservations were slightly rigid. But there was a moment in the book when Max stumbles upon Alice, sitting in the dark at Fortune House, that really seemed to change the flow between these two characters. They found their stride, and things really took off between these two after that. I loved the body positivity message in this book. As I mentioned, Alice has some major hang-ups about her weight and doesn’t think a guy like Max would ever fall in love with someone like her. I loved how Max addressed Alice’s insecurities; he went above and beyond to make her realize that he truly is attracted to her. Their relationship is just so sweet in the end. 

The Forgotten House on the Moor is a fun English romance with a mystery twist to it.

Really good book. The plot was well-written and engrossing. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
I thought this book would be a light, chick lit romance from the blurb, but it exceeded my expectations. The dialogue was so witty, it was brilliantly funny. I adored the characters: plain Alice, gorgeous Max, waif-like Jenna and self-absorbed Grant, I'd love to read more about them. The ghostly hints were just scary enough and I didn't see the final twist coming.
Just brilliant, I'm now following this author!

When the police knock on Alice's door early in the morning, she knows instantly that something is wrong. There has been an accident involving her ex-husband and they need her help.

When Alice goes looking for him up on the North York moors she meets his new girlfriend and her brother. They show her where the accident happened, the Fortune House, a spooky house up on the moors.

With the mystery of her missing ex-husband and the spooky stories that the locals tell will Alice discover the truth?

A novel full of romance and mystery

Award-winning author Jane Lovering delights yet again with her superb new novel, The Forgotten House on the Moor.

When the police knock at her door at 4 am, Alice Donaldson knows that they are not about to impart glad tidings. Her former husband Grant has gone missing and the police need her help to track him down. Alice is shocked and surprised as before she and Grant had parted ways, the most exercise he got was from the sofa to the fridge – so what’s he doing going hiking in the middle of the night on the North York moors?

Alice wants to help find Grant, so she finds herself joining forces with his girlfriend, Jenna and her handsome brother, Max. What misfortune has befallen Grant? What was he doing up on the moors at night? And what really happened at The Fortune House? The spooky house on the moors is haunted according to the locals, but Alice refuses to pay them any heed – not least because she has enough on her plate trying to locate her ex-husband whilst simultaneously hoping not to fall in love with Max, who also happens to be the owner of local stately home, Hatherleigh Hall.

With a mystery to solve and an attraction to keep under control, will Alice and Max manage to find Grant? Will Alice end up as chatelaine of Hatherleigh Hall? Or is a relationship with Grant simply out of the question?

Jane Lovering writes with a lightness of touch and with such compassion, warmth and sensitivity that her books never fail to tickle the funny bone as well as tug at the heartstrings. The Forgotten House on the Moor is a modern-day Gothic romance that will have you laughing out loud on one page and reaching for the tissues on another.

Full of intrigue, mystery, tension, ghosts and heart-melting romance, The Forgotten House on the Moor is another triumph for Jane Lovering.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, another great story by Jane Lovering, who writes in such an easy-reading style yet still infuses her books with humour and emotion.

There were some twists to this book that I didn’t see coming and the stories within the story were great and really brought the characters to life and gave them dimensions that help support the main plot. As always, Lovering writes with a likeable and relatable protagonist and I particularly enjoyed the setting of this book which added some mystery and grandeur.

Highly recommended read for fans of this genre and fans of Lovering.

The Forgotten House on the Moor by Jane Lovering

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books and I am leaving this review voluntarily

When police knock on Alice Donaldson’s door at 4am, she knows the news won’t be good. There’s been an accident involving her ex-husband Grant, and as his existing next of kin, they need her help.

Grant is missing up on the North York moors, but the Grant Alice knew could barely be persuaded out on a walk around the block. What on earth possessed him to go on a hike in the middle of the night?

Alice soon finds herself working with Grant’s girlfriend Jenna and Jenna’s gorgeous ‘Lord of the family Manor’ brother Max, to find out what has happened, and what caused Grant’s accident at The Fortune House – the spooky house out on the moors.

I have read a few books by Jane Lovering now and I have enjoyed her previous books. Unfortunately I didn't enjoy this one as much as I expected to. For the most part this is a light-hearted and enjoyable read but with slow pacing. I was put off by the fact that Alice seems to have an obsession with her weight.

Rating 3/5

Lovely feel good book to read. It was a joy to read. Lovely characters. Great plot. The book was charming. Very well written. The location was slightly different for a feel good book. But it added another dimension to the book. I’d definitely recommend this book

Gorgeous book…. Well it takes an extremely surprising event - the death of the husband that should have divorced her years ago - to set her on a path to realisation: she's not stuck in the same rut for the rest of her life, and she doesn't have to be the stereotype she thinks she is. At the same time, she gets a bit of a lesson in not foisting stereotypes on other people. Chuck in a stately home, an very-much-not stately farmhouse up on the moors, an ongoing mystery or two and a delightful romance, and this is a joy to read!

This story was at times mysterious and confounding. There were definitely some funny moments, as well. I found the way Alice thought about herself both deeply horrifying and humorous.

The romance involved was just enough to keep me invested, but not enough to take away too much from the central story.

Don't be deceived by the gorgeous front cover of this book. It looks like a really lovely romantic book. But this book has soooo much more to it then just that. It has a mystery running all the way throughout. Which makes it really good as sometimes pure romances can just be very light and fluffy and I liked that this book had more to it than that.

Meet the leading lady Alice. Who is awoken in the middle of the night by banging on the door. When she gets up she realises that it's the police. When the police comes to your house in the middle of the night you know they aren't there to share good news. The news that they share is that Alice's exhusband grant has been involved In an accident and they need her help to find him.

Alice finds herself trying to solve the mystery of why Grant was on the Moors and where he is now. With the help of grants new girlfriend and her brother max.

There's part ghost story to this too and strange things start happening. It's a good book with depth and I enjoyed it.

At first I couldn't get into the story but that's because I had convinced myself that it was a mystery about ghosts etc which isn't exactly my cup of tea.
I'm happy to say I was wrong and ended up thoroughly engrossed and really enjoying it

Another corker!
Alice is woken up by the police coming to tell her that her ex husband, Grant, has died in an explosion. When she goes up to the site where it happened, she meets his current girlfriend, Jenna and her brother Max. She ends up seeing more of them because Jenna needs someone to talk to about Grant, Alice is curious as to why Grant was out there in a deserted house in the first place and well, seeing Max again wouldn't be all that terrible either.

It's nice to see a heroine who is 'big and plain and sensible' be loved for who she is. The book is broody an atmospheric in places, as befits a book about the existence (or not) of ghosts.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for the review copy.

Alice is not the typical main female character. She has very low self-esteem, referring to herself as big and plain on a regular basis. It took me a while to figure out how old she was as based on her lifestyle I would have believed it if you had said she was close to retirement age, just sitting out her days at a job she didn't particular enjoy, just because it was what she had gotten used to.
I thought the writing was brilliant, but the characters and plot were not entirely cup of tea, so therefore I was perhaps not as moved or emotionally touched by this story as some other readers were.
If you are a fan of Jane Lovering's books or books of this genre you definitely shouldn't miss out on this one.

You can't go wrong with any novel written by Jane Lovering and this will stand the test of time. There is romance mystery and everything else within these covers. Please read it and enjoy it as I have done. Well worth 5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

5 Word Review: Family, ghosts, history, secrets, mystery, love.

BRB planning a holiday on the North York Moors.

Like all of Jane Lovering's previous books, this is a love letter to the North. The setting is beautiful, and beautifully described.

Alice is such a lovely person, even when it comes to the husband who left her seemingly without a thought. Alice is a bit of a disaster though - when she first makes her way to Fortune House she err... Doesn't do so well. I could feel myself cringe when she said she hadn't brought food or water, and I got a headache alongside her. I loved how welcoming and nice she was to Jenna, and honestly I want both of them as my friends.

Grant is er... Grant. And I can't say much more without revealing spoilers.

I loved the hint of the supernatural, Max's investigations and musings. Max himself is very driven, and very different from Alice. Together they were so sweet at times, and went together so well. And then every so often there'd be a conflict, a challenge, that highlighted the differences between them. But they worked through them in the sweetest ways.

I liked how ghosts as a concept were explored - the types that go wooo, the memories of the past that rear up, the imprints of past relationships. I thought it was very cleverly written.

As always, I also bought the audiobook. Rose Robinson narrates the audiobook and yet again does a wonderful job bringing the characters to life.

The ending was perfect, and this book left my soul feeling full. Jane Lovering has done it again, another perfect book.

I think that the blurb sums this book up perfectly: Mystery, mayhem, a manor house and a generous serving of romance... This book was the perfect read for anytime.