“Garden of the Midnights” is an emotionally charged story that transported me to the enchanting world of Regency England.

The story centers around William Kensley and Isabella Gresham. William is a young gentleman whose life takes an unexpected turn when circumstances lead him to London. It’s there that he crosses paths with Isabella, a young lady of status and wealth. Their initial meeting sparks a unique and compelling friendship, but they face challenges when people come between them, making this a captivating tale.

I connected easily with these characters, (especially William.) Isabella confronts prejudices from her upbringing, William grapples with forgiveness, and they both must learn to love.

This story put me through a host of emotions, with its twists, turns, danger, and suspense, and I was given a satisfying end. If you enjoy fulfilling Regency romances with a touch of Gothic flair, this one is worth investing your time and heart in!

First Line (Prologue): The time had come.
Genre: Christian Mystery & Suspense
Author: Hannah Linder
Page Count: 320

#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are 100% mine.

I wasn’t sure if I’d enjoy Gothic fiction. But then I started reading this author and oh wow I love it! Her books are highly engaging. They read super fast. The characters are so well fleshed out that they feel like they’re real as well. I can’t say enough good things about them! You’re going to want to binge-read multiple books by this author once you start just one of them!

I loved the bits and pieces of history thrown into the book. History is something that I definitely love and it’s always enjoyable to get more knowledge when reading a fiction novel. I would say the most of the history in this novel was about classes and stations within society.

You’re going to enjoy reading about the two main characters and how they work together to overcome danger and also losing ones fortune, etc. Plus they have to come to terms with things in their lives that aren’t as they seemed.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

While it did take me several chapters to get into this book, I find that it does have a gripping story. The main characters are likeable and atypical. While regency is not my favorite of my commonly read genres, I do enjoy a well-written foray into the genre, and that was what this was. Gripping and heartbreaking, while also humorous and warming. I will point out that for the second time in a row, this author went with the thought of her as a sister but then she's not trope and it is mildly concerning, but overall, a nice read.

I did receive a copy of this book to review, but all opinions are honestly my own.

A Christian fiction romance set in regency era , I love everything about this book from the main characters and the forbidden love ! To the mysterious suspenseful crime he’s being framed for! Everything you love about a romance mixed with some really intriguing timelines . I highly recommend of u are looking for a quick read that’s different from many other of its kind .

Step back to early nineteenth-century England and intrigue and drama among British society. This compelling book contains numerous surprising twists and a strong undercurrent of suspense. The stories of the two main characters stand strongly on their own, but their lives collide, and this leads to drama and forbidden love. The Gothic tale weaves its way into your heart and mind. It also brings to the surface the arrogancy of many wealthy then and the ways they navigate the world. This stands in great contrast to the lower class, whom they often treat poorly. And how does a man deal with losing the riches and life he thought he was born to and being thrust into poverty and becoming a lowly servant? You can’t help but root for things to work out for our protagonists, but so much threatens that outcome. I also appreciate the spiritual element included, subtle yet significant. This novel would make a great read for a book club to discuss. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. #GardenoftheMidnights #NetGalley

Hannah Linder is a master of regency era stories. With Garden of the Midnights readers are drawn back to Regency England. They become swept away with a story that is packed full of drama and romance. The two main characters come from different worlds - but when their worlds collide we see a forbidden romance start to blossom.

William is a young gentleman. When his life is threatened and he is framed for a crime he did not commit, he goes on a quest to find the father he never knew. He then meets Isabella. She has wealth and status. Their friendship is innocent at first - then the chance meetings it grows and blossoms. However both of their families had other plans for them.

There is danger and suspense right around the corner. As Isabella and William try to unravel the puzzle they come across secrets and lies that extend to all classes of people.

One of the best things about this author is her ability to write realistic, flawed and relatable characters. Her descriptions of scenes has you feeling like you are standing there watching it unfold.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own.

Wonderful characters that become real after a few chapters. Isabelle was sheltered and grew up with no siblings. Her closest friend was her maid, Bridget.

William grew up in a household of lies. He never experienced kindness except from the staff.

Everything changed when William went to seek the truth.

A very emotional read. I loved the book and was moved by William and Isabelle's story.

Hannah Linder is a very talented author. I have read two books by her and both were excellent.

I’m not sure what to say about this book. I know what to expect from Hannah Linder. 17/1800s England Gothic vibes, romance, mystery… This book was a little less Gothic and more sunny, which I liked. It even had Jane Austen feels for me sometimes.

I liked William & Isabella. I liked them best when they thought they were siblings, to be honest, but their romance was cute. The dark lord whose name escapes me was intriguing—till he was revolting—and I felt sorry for H. Isabella’s father was a complicated fellow as well… I didn’t like him, but I couldn’t help but understand his situation a little… Also, the Earl was splendid.

The plot fell a bit flat for me. It felt somewhat like a mashup of Beneath His Silence & When Tomorrow Came , what with the formerly-believed-brother+sister-romance and the dark lord love triangle, and the kidnapping, and a couple other bits. But it reminded me of several of my favourite Brontë novels (specifically, Wuthering Heights and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall … go figure) and I really liked the aesthetic and the messages, even if they aren’t too deep. While I wish that the theme of forgiving God had been deepened to a realization that He doesn’t NEED to be forgiven, I liked the thought of letting go of bitterness against Him and understanding He does everything well. And the message about forgiving people in general and about social classes was well done.

However, while the author’s first two books also included almost-r*pe scenes, this one was a lot more intense and triggering. I enjoy everything else about the books but the s*xual scenes are getting to be troubling for me. A girl is kidnapped and under hourly danger of being assaulted. (A side character was kidnapped and used by the same man—off-screen). Nothing happens to the first girl but there’s some intense scenes, especially one where she’s stripped to her underclothes before a group of robbers, which was perturbing and removed a star for me. I don’t object to necessary discussion of sin but this felt a lot more sensational than anything else. I liked the whole rest of the book—but that part just really had me uncomfortable and disappointed.

I’d like to read more by Hannah Linder, because like I said I enjoy everything else about the books, but… well, we’ll see. Maybe I’ll skip those parts and just enjoy the rest. Anyways, for this one personally, I’d give it 4 stars for everything else I liked but I have to remove a star for the s*xual content. I’d reread it, but I’ll definitely skip those parts. But I do reiterate the rest of the book I did like. ;P




Content: several uses of “bl**dy.” A MC is believed to be illegitimate and a SC is considered to be the father. Probably a semi-detailed kiss or two. Better content list found in Lindsey’s review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5887680261



A Favourite Quote: How long did William think he could go on like this, tangled in his own bitterness, suffocating in pity as if he were the only person in the world to suffer injustice?
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “I think I speak in truth when I say you were the best hostess I ever had.” The only one too, but he would spare her that detail.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*

“Just have to forgive dem. Even if you got to do it over and over again … just got to forgive dem.”

Secrets, injustice, bitterness, and greed are all nearly living creatures that twist truth and reality every which way in Garden of the Midnights. Hannah Linder reminds me just why I love historical fiction so much, and she pens such a poignant, suspenseful Gothic novel of a forbidden love.

Who will not feel for William Kensley, who so desperately desires a father’s love and approval? Or for Isabella Gresham, whose past has taught her there is no such thing as true love. Perhaps that is why she is on her third London season and still not affianced.

As a reader, It is hard not to fall for William Kensley. He can be so thoughtful, so carefree, so funny, and so fun to be around. Who wouldn’t want to be with another who encouraged you to “do sunshine… and “to feel the seashore”?

I loved that Linder shows the tension between high society and “the less desirable,” based on income. William wants to help a few of the local people who are poor off, while it is hard for Isabella to realize those people are her equals. Linder makes her case that the more fortunate have a responsibility to help those less fortunate, (which applies to today’s world, too.) “You talk as if it were our responsibility to aid them.” “Ours and anyone else who stumbles upon their plight.” “You forget there are many such dreadful cases tucked away in London flats or begging on the streets. One cannot help them all.” “One can help some.”

There are some great twists that really send the novel down different paths than I expected. Yay! Get your copy of Garden of the Midnights and read this amazing novel of true love and class distinctions in Regency England.

I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit through NetGalley. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“it is not what a man possesses but who he is.”

“She was better for having known him. She was destroyed for having loved him.”

Oh I loved this story! This is my favorite novel so far by Author Hannah Linder, and I've really enjoyed them all. Garden of Midnights is so captivating, it kept me turning pages until I finished. I couldn't put it down. I love this description of the book: " Some sacrifice everything for love. Others sacrifice love for everything else. In this haunting tale of rigid social prejudices and heart-aching regrets, the greatest decision of their life will be determined in the garden of the midnights." I highly recommend this gripping tale that will keep you reading late into the evening. Lovers of Regency and Gothic tales will want to read this!

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.

Garden of the Midnights is a great book written by the talented author, Hannah Linder. I have read her previous novels and this one is by far my favorite I have read to date. I adored this suspense filled regency era story. I loved the hero William and was routing for him all throughout. I loved his chemistry with Isabella. I thought this was an action packed, adventurous and suspenseful tale that had me intrigued from start to finish.

I believe Garden of the Midnights deserves five stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading clean historical suspense. After reading this one, I will be on the look out for more releases from her.

I received a paperback copy of Hannah Linder’s Garden of the Midnights from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

Hannah Linder has quickly become a favorite author. Her talent at bringing the past to the present is amazing! With vivid detail and rich description a detailed picture is painted for the reader to lose themselves in. The Regency era comes to life under this masterful pen. Danger enters the story from the beginning and is a companion throughout the entire book, keeping the reader guessing as the story unfolds. Just when the reader thinks the adrenaline can stop and you can start to relax, the next twist is thrown in and gets the adrenaline pumping all over again. The characters are well written and simply wonderful. Hannah Linder adds details to each character to give them depth, relatability, and makes the reader either love them (or hate the villain!) or at least try to understand the complex things that they are dealing with. The romance between the 2 main characters is moving, with a level of connection and devotion that brings another level to the story. They help each other see through society's mask and make each other better because of it. As the last of the secrets are revealed, what will everyone be asked to sacrifice. And who might they lose? For a Regency romance with lots of mystery and character growth, everyone should grab a copy of this marvelous new book! I am already looking forward to Hannah Linder's next book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I enjoyed Garden of the Midnights and loved the story of William Kensley and Isabella Gresham. I could not put it down as I believed they were indeed brother and sister with a fun relationship. However, her father definitely was against William from the first time he walked through their door saying he was his son.

In that time period those of lower caste definitely could not marry those of high society, nor have much to do with them. William was in danger and we did not find out from whom until very late in the story, keeping the reader guessing along the way.

The many happenings in this story kept my interest from beginning to the end. Hannah Linder has written another great story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a review.

This is my first time reading a book by this author and I have to say it was a hard book to put down! Something that I really loved about this book was that the characters were real and imperfect but throughout the story you get to see if they grow through their circumstance or if their circumstances take them down. Overall a very suspenseful book and definitely captured my attention to the very last page. I will definitely be reading more books by this author!

I grateful that I had the chance to read this book and write a review!

This is the second book I’ve read from Hannah Linder and I enjoyed it just as much as the first. Her writing just gets better and better.
Wow, what a beginning! The start of this book held an intriguing story and I was turning pages quickly to see what would come next. I enjoyed how the author plants those all important seeds throughout the story. William is running for his life and he needs answers. He finds Isabella while looking for someone who can possibly help him.
I enjoyed the gothic feel of this book. The mysterious setting was enough to pull me right in. Life for William and Isabella change dramatically when secrets open up and spill out.
There’s so many twists to the story, I enjoyed that immensely.
Thank you to the publisher for Netgalley approval for tour purposes. All views and opinions expressed are mine.

Hannah Linder is quickly earning a spot on my automatic TBR list. Garden of the Midnights is a brilliant story of how one can rise from the seemingly bottom, picking up the broken pieces of one's life and learning the redemptive power of forgiveness.

After various attempts on his life, William leaves the only home he has ever known, searching for answers. His search leads him to Isabella and the two are drawn together, each having lived a fairly lonely childhood. William and Isabella seem to bring out the best in each other. But they quickly find that danger continues to cross their path, as the secrets of the past and present collide.

Just as I thought I had the storyline pegged, the author skillfully throws in a plot twist that changes the whole direction of the story. And just when I thought I recovered from the first plot twist, another one appears.

One of the things I have grown to like in Ms. Linder's writing style is the inner monologue of the main characters, switching frequently between both points of view. While it tends to slow the storyline down at points where I just wanted to see what would happen, it illustrated the character growth and grew my empathy for their decisions and actions.

Poor William suffers from one misfortune after another, and one can't blame him for thinking that God has abandoned him. The theme of forgiveness and its importance to the one who gives forgiveness as well as receives, is woven skillfully through the story. Readers of gothic romance will find this a must read!


I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher thorough Netgalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

It is not what a man possesses but who he is.

This Regency novel will keep you guessing right up to the satisfying end. There are plenty of twists and turns, intrigue and even suspense as you travel through what life was like in the early 1800’s. William Kensley has experienced the loss of his mother at birth and has no father of record. Abused by those who are supposed to love and care for him, it seems someone is now out to murder him. Leaving all he has ever known, he heads into an unknown future.

Finding friends along the way, WIlliam learns that forgiveness is of utmost importance. This forgiveness must include God as well as those who wronged him. Will he survive long enough to do so?

An early copy was received through Barbour Publishing and NetGalley. These thoughts are my own and were in no way solicited.

This book started off well and I quite enjoyed the “sibling” relationship between William and Isabella. There were a lot of special moments. And as brother and sister, they were adorable.

The story moves quickly in the first half and then it slows right down as William discovers the truth about his past, which totally changes everything about his present and future. The dark moments of this story are really dark - deception, attempted murder, baby out of wedlock, assumed identities, secrets. This story has it all. And there’s a lot of pride going around, dished out between main and secondary characters.

I quite enjoyed the first half.

The second half of the story is when things turn bleak and dark. Secondary characters exposed for who they really are. And some really strange twists take place. And William and Isabella’s relationship takes an abrupt turn. I preferred their relationship at the start of the book, though they both got the happy ending they were looking for.

The narrative moves along, immersing the reader into the setting. It isn’t difficult to picture any of the manor houses, London or the dwellings of poorer characters.

I received an ecopy of the book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Garden of the Midnights by Hannah Linder broke my heart several times before it knit me back together, but I couldn’t put it down. Even as I ached for William, whose story had shades of the Biblical book of Job. Even as I ached for Isabella, who found herself in more than one untenable situation. Even as their star-crossed friendship seemed destined to stay just that. Don’t get me wrong – it’s not all heartbreak and hopelessness. There’s a good deal of delightful wit and warmth, too, as well as a timeless (and swoony!) story of true love. But I would be remiss if I did not dwell for at least this paragraph on the tender way in which Linder weaves a beautiful tapestry from the torn fabric of their lives.

William Kensley is running for his life, chased by questions for which he hopes to find answers, secrets which he hopes to uncover once and for all. It takes nearly dying to bring him to life, only for death to pale in comparison to his new reality. Isabella Gresham may be part of the secrets he’s trying to piece together, but she also quickly becomes a dear friend. I really loved their camaraderie, watching them laugh together and lighten each other’s hearts, getting a front row seat to their ever-increasing affection and trust for one another. I also found myself becoming quite protective of Isabella and wanting to purse whomp her frustrating father, though he does eventually end up assuaging some of my wrath. (I’d still side eye him like nobody’s business, though, if we ever met in person haha!) And while Isabella’s father is not in fact the villain of this story, there are some truly despicable ones who would be difficult to forgive.

Forgiveness is one of the gentle themes of this story, however, and the author deftly avoids being either preachy or trite while pointing William, Isabella, and readers to its importance. From a human perspective, these characters would be well within their rights to never forgive those who hurt them – so grievous were their wounds. But the redemptive truth in this story flips the script and turns the heart inward to heal our own souls when we dare to embrace this paradox of forgiveness.

Bottom Line: William and Isabella took me on a roller coaster of emotions as their story crashed against the rocks of their beloved seashore more than once in Garden of the Midnights by Hannah Linder. I rooted for them from the beginning, before I knew for a certainty who they were – who they would become – to each other. And while the author puts these characters through the wringer, she also tenderly provides restoration and redemption, leaving readers uplifted for the time spent on these pages. I felt their hopelessness, yes, but I also swooned and laughed and smiled. This Regency gothic romance thoroughly entertained me from beginning to end, and Hannah Linder is quickly earning a spot on my list of must-read authors!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

This was just an ok read for me. I didn't love the change of POV.

I'm always looking for a new gothic romance. This was wasn't bad, but it also wasn't very memorable. I had to reread the blurb to even remember what the story was about.

It was an enjoyable read, but not one that I would rush to recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read an arc of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.