"Garden of the Midnights" by Hannah Linder weaves a mesmerizing tale of mystery, betrayal, and the enduring power of love set against the backdrop of Victorian England. At its core, this novel is a gripping narrative that skillfully combines elements of suspense, romance, and social drama to create an unforgettable story.

The protagonist, William Kensley, finds himself entangled in a web of secrets and danger at Rosenleigh Manor, where accidents turn out to be deliberate acts. As William grapples with unraveling the truth about his past, he faces heart-wrenching betrayals and unexpected losses, leaving him destitute and alone. Amidst the chaos, his solace comes in the form of his unwavering bond with Isabella Gresham, a relationship filled with laughter, camaraderie, and profound affection.

However, fate deals a cruel hand as hidden enemies emerge from their social circle, putting Isabella's life at risk. In a courageous attempt to save her, William embarks on a perilous journey, confronting not only external threats but also the rigid social prejudices of their time. The story delves deep into the complexities of societal norms, shedding light on the sacrifices people make for love and the agonizing choices forced upon them.

Linder's storytelling is exquisite, capturing the essence of Victorian society with its meticulous attention to detail and vivid descriptions. The characters are richly developed, each with their own flaws, virtues, and intricate motivations, making them incredibly relatable and engaging. The emotional depth of the narrative is palpable, eliciting empathy and genuine connection from the readers.

What sets "Garden of the Midnights" apart is its exploration of sacrifice and the profound impact of societal expectations on individual lives. The novel masterfully navigates themes of love, loyalty, and resilience, painting a poignant picture of characters who must navigate treacherous waters to secure their happiness.

In the haunting garden where lovers met at midnights, where darkness and secrets intertwine, Hannah Linder crafts a tale that lingers in the reader's mind long after the final page. My only niggles were that like Linder's other two books, the plot is very complex and multi-layered, which at times made it hard to keep up with that was going on. There is such a thing as too many twists and turns!

Thanks to Barbour for approving my request for this title on Netgalley, This did not influence my opinions and nor was I required to write a review, positive or otherwise.

This book started out just too slow for me and I could not finish.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I read through this in about four hours, I just couldn't put it down! Garden of the Midnights is probably my favorite yet of Hannah Linder's book!

An engaging Christian, historical novel. The characters in this book were well crafted, evoking empathy and endearing themselves to the reader. The pace of the story was good, effortlessly carrying us through each chapter with a sense of anticipation and excitement. It was impossible to resist the urge to keep reading, as the author skillfully weaved suspense into every twist and turn. The ending had a satisfying conclusion.

This book is quite the page turner. There are ballrooms and beaches, gothic and Regency vibes, dastardly villains, action and sweet romance, soul searching and forgiveness. I couldn’t put it down.

I received an ebook copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed the mystery and suspense in the story and was definitely surprised at the outcome. At one point in the story, I was hoping that the story would start to move a little faster. William had been through a lot but I enjoyed that he still found joy and sought to make good choices. Isabella, despite being wealthy, also tried to make wise choices.



Thanks so much to netgalley and Barbour Publishing for the arc. The opinions are my own.

4.5 stars

Everything changes when you think you have Garden of the Midnights figured out.

William Kensley is a man of honor. His world is pulled out from underneath him when he realizes everything he believes is a lie. When the story begins he is a gentleman. He undergoes several transformations as he is forced to do manual labor to survive. His one bright spot is Isabella Gresham. Their relationship also goes through transformations.

This novel is not your typical Regency romance. It's not a light read, it has substance in the story. It is beautifully written. It pulled me into the characters and their circumstances. It shows that just because you are considered a gentleman, it doesn't mean that you are a good person.

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

In my opinion the back description of this book doesn’t do the story justice. It’s a complex story that isn’t easy to summarize. William Kensley is a young gentleman in Regency England. A threat to his life sends him on a journey to London to find his father who he never knew. While there he meets Isabella Gresham, a young lady of wealth and status. They are drawn to each other and develop a unique friendship. Circumstances and people come between the two of them throughout the story, but they are brought back together in many ways and their friendship deepens. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but I will say that there is a big revelation for William that changes his life from one of privilege to poverty. Despite the change in his status, Isabella remains his friend (of which he has few) and his source of comfort. Their friendship and their individual growth is well-developed. Isabella must learn to look past the prejudices she’s been raised with and learn to embrace love. William learns how to forgive those who have wronged him and learns how to see the good in the negative circumstances that he’s forced to endure. There is also a surprise villain who endangers Isabella’s life. She is forced to endure a brutal kidnapping as William races to find her and there’s even a sword fight. There’s a lot of sadness and angst in this story, which usually depresses me. The author does such a good job twisting up my emotions and creating such an unpredictable story that I have to give it 5 stars. The ending makes it all worth it.

This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to give a favorable review.

Edward does what's expected of him, to marry for inheritance. He discovers on his wedding day the woman he truly loved died in childbirth leaving him a son. Through William, he discovers the truth of that mystery, but is dismayed with his relationship with his daughter Isabella. The two of them form a friendship that becomes extremely complicated with fate & circumstances pulling them in different directions. When Lord Livingston makes an appearance all you can say is Oh My! The intrigue, drama & plot twists were very unique and real page turners. The characters were fun & quirky in spite of everything. I loved the reminders of forgiveness. This was a new author for me, I felt like I really had an adventure. I look forward to more of her books. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing & was under no obligation to post a review.

This book is mysterious, gripping, romantic, heartbreaking, suspenseful, heartwarming, full of twists and turns, and so much more. Whenever I picked up "Garden of the Midnights", I was whisked back in time, and went on such an emotional journey with this story.

Firstly, this cover is absolutely STUNNING!

Hannah Linder is a phenomenal writer! This is the first book I have read written by her, and it certainly will not be my last. The world of her story, her characters, and the story she is telling all jump off of the page, and I felt so engrossed in this book from the first page to the last.

(Possible Spoilers!)
Oh my goodness! This book kept me guessing and guessing at the truth of various secrets. Many moments had me on the edge of my seat holding my breath to see what was going to happen next, and so hoping everything would work out okay.

William and Isabella are such a beautiful couple. They care about one another so deeply, and they bring out the best in each other.. And oh my gosh...THE EPILOGUE!

If you enjoy Gothic Historical Romance, I highly recommend this book!

Thank you so much to Austenprose PR, NetGalley, and Barbour Publishing, Barbour Fiction for the e-ARC of this novel, and to Austenprose PR and Barbour Publishing, Barbour Fiction for beautiful finished copy. as well. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Garden of the Midnights by Hannah Linder is out in the world. Firstly, can we talk about this cover? It is beautiful! And absolutely captures the themes of the book. I could look at it all day!

Isabella and William are the perfect couple. It is dark and moody, but brings hope and love into it. Hannah Linder did an excellent job bringing different themes of dark regency but lovely love stories into one beautiful book

Shrouded in mystery and intrigue! William was raised in an unloving house, with the belief that both of his parents had died. Things start to take a dark turn when the only person he can trust winds up murdered!

After tracking down his father, being hunted, and finally returning to Rosenleigh, William is thrust into poverty and a world he doesn’t know how to navigate with only pleasant memories spent with Isabella to keep him going.

It starts as friends. It is slow burn but it is just how this book feels. I’m not always a fan of slow burns but this was done amazingly. The book spans many years. It covers a lot of time and relationships.

William is just lovely. He wants to be loved. He yearns for it. And at first he is willing to love Isabella as a friend/sister. When things change, he can’t. He and Isabella form this beautiful bond that makes you cheer for them every step of the way!

I thought this story was very well written. I loved the characters and I loved the storyline. I thought this story had some unexpected twist and turns and had a great suspense element to it. I loved how William had to come to terms with his past and discover who he really was. I also liked how he had to discover what he was willing to risk to be with the person he loved. I love how the romance developed between William and Isabella and all they were willing to do to be together.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

I have been on a big historical romance kick lately! There is just something about a good historical romance that I just cannot pass up! Although sometimes the plot is lacking in sustenance and heavy on feelings but I am ok with that—I love getting a guaranteed happily ever after! I have read Hannah Linder before and thought she wrote some solid historical romances that ran more on the clean/sweet type and I was ready to make the switch from historical bodice ripper to historical romance with substance.

Not to mention it’s a GOTHIC ROMANCE! If there is ever a way to get my attention it’s this! I love Gothic romances and the second I saw this book I was all about it. Linder is such a seasoned writer and I have yet to be disappointed in a book from her so I felt even more excited to check this book out this fall. Fall is the perfect time to read a Gothic romance and I couldn’t wait to start this book the second it arrived!

Hannah Linder is pretty well known especially in the Christian romance world. I know that Christian romances aren’t for everyone but for me they read more like clean romances rather than Christian romances to me. There is usually a religious component (a vicar etc) and occasionally prayer referenced etc but overall I feel like they read more like sweet romances. This book I actually enjoyed quite a bite more than some of the others I have read by her—keep reading to find out why!

Summary

The accidents are not a matter of chance. They are deliberate. As English gentleman William Kensley becomes aware of the danger at Rosenleigh Manor, he pleads for the truth of his past from the only man he can trust—until that man is murdered.

As the secrets unfold into scandal, William’s world is tipped into destitution, leaving him penniless and alone. His only comfort is in the constant friendship and love of Isabella Gresham. If he does not have their nonsense at the seashore, their laughter, their reckless adventures, has he anything at all?

He should have known that would be ripped from him too. When a hidden foe arises from their acquaintances and imperils Isabella’s life, William may be the only one willing to risk his life to rescue her. But even if he frees Isabella from her captors, will he still have to forsake her heart?

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. (Summary from Goodreads)

Review

There was one reason this book stood out a little more than some of Linder’s other books for me—it was bolder when it came to content. This book has a darker tone than some of her other books and while it was surprising, I think it worked really well and set itself apart from some of her other books. That’s the goal right—be distinct and memorable—and I think Linder accomplished that in this book. Linder is known for more ‘safe’ content and romances specifically. This book read more like a suspense novel than romance and that was totally ok with me! Yes there was romance but not in the same way that her other books are known for. For me that wasn’t a deal breaker—in fact I was intrigued by this book more than some of her others because it was a surprising direction for her. It was definitely more ‘moody’ the her other books but I liked it. It was by no means a ‘fluffy’ book—I came away feeling like this book was more than I expected in a good way!

I thought the characters had a lot to offer readers and they felt developed and researched not to mention very angsty which always works well in a Gothic romance. As I mentioned this book was more suspense for me which was fine, but I wouldn’t have minded a bit more romance. I thought Isabella and William had chemistry and a connection that I would have liked to explore a little more in the romance department but overall it was fine even if the suspense of the plot was more front and center than the romance. The atmosphere of the book really brought to life the Gothic feel that I love so much in books like this. I really loved the setting of the book and thought the tone and characters matched the Gothic genre well. It ticked all the boxes for me!

If you are along time Linder fan, you will certainly see this book reads a little different than some of her others but I think that’s totally ok and a welcome change! Sometimes authors get stuck in a particular genre and become ‘known’ for something and I know that can be upsetting to fans when they try a new approach but for me, Linder is a strong seasoned writer and while this might have had a little bit of a different ton than she is known for, I enjoyed the book and found a lot to love in it! This was a very anticipated read for me this fall and I absolutely feel like it lived up to the hype!

PRAISE FOR GARDEN OF THE MIDNIGHTS

“Hannah Linder’s engrossing new novel is taut with life-and-death danger, twisty turns, and sweet, forbidden romance. Garden of the Midnights is sure to keep you up late turning pages!”— Julie Klassen, bestselling author of The Sisters of Sea View
“A uniquely atmospheric novel, Garden of the Midnights intrigues from page one and never lets up. Readers will be swept away in the mystery and romance, and find themselves cheering for William and Isabella as they fight for their happily ever after. Hannah Linder’s newest is beautifully written and a wonderful fresh take on the genre. One not to be missed!”— Joanna Barker, author of A Heart Worth Stealing, A Game of Hearts, and Otherwise Engaged
“Unexpected twists and turns abound in this sweeping Regency suspense! Hannah Linder’s writing is reminiscent of Austen, with fresh storytelling that will keep you on the edge of your seat.”— Kasey Stockton, author of I’m Not Charlotte Lucas and the Bradwell Brothers series
PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | PUBLISHER | BOOKSHOP | GOODREADS

AUTHOR BIO


Hannah Linder resides in the beautiful mountains of central West Virginia. Represented by Books & Such, she writes Regency romantic suspense novels filled with passion, secrets, and danger. She is a four-time Selah Award winner, a 2023 Carol Award semi-finalist, and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW).

Also, Hannah is an international and multi-award-winning graphic designer who specializes in professional book cover design. She designs for both traditional publishing houses and individual authors, including New York Times, USA Today, and international bestsellers. She is also a self-portrait photographer of historical fashion.

When Hannah is not writing, she enjoys playing her instruments―piano, guitar, ukulele, and banjolele―songwriting, painting still life, walking in the rain, and sitting on the front porch of her 1800s farmhouse. Her next novel, The Girl from the Hidden Forest, is releasing on May 1, 2024.

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS

Hannah Linder’s writing is so captivating. I’ve read all of her books and they just keep getting better and better. I really enjoyed the duel POV. I always love know what the MMC is thinking/feeling as well. The plot flowed beautifully. I did not see the plot twist coming! I knew the villain was bad, I just wasn’t expecting what was revealed.

I love, but also hate, the angst that comes with a forbidden love romance. I was rooting for William and Isabella to find their way to one another, but Linder kept the angst alive for a long time. I knew a happily ever after was coming, but I was almost convinced that it wasn’t. The epilogue was perfect and gives the reader a glimpse of the HEA that we all love.

Rising star Hannah Linder’s Garden of the Midnights is an enthralling Gothic tale full of danger, tension, emotion and drama that will captivate romantics everywhere.

William Kensley is having a rotten run of bad luck. Wherever he turns, accidents seem to be taking place leaving him wondering whether somebody might have it in for him – and what lengths they will go to to exact their revenge. As secrets and scandals threaten to overwhelm him, William is left penniless and alone and with nobody to turn to – except for Isabella Gresham. Their friendship seems to be the only thing that gives William clarity and hope, however, could his presence in Isabella’s life end up putting his most cherished friend in jeopardy?

When a dangerous enemy threatens Isabella, William vows to move mountains to keep her safe – even if it means putting himself in the line of fire. Yet, he knows that he simply cannot leave Isabella to suffer and he will risk his life to keep her free from harm. Yet, will rescuing Isabella from her captors be enough for the two of them to even dare contemplate a future together? Or are there simply too many obstacles standing in the way of their happiness?

Having spent hours in my teens engrossed in the Gothic romances of Victoria Holt and Mary Stewart, I had very high expectations for Hannah Linder’s Garden of the Midnights and I was not disappointed. Atmospheric, entertaining and full of intrigue, suspense and heart, Garden of the Midnights is a spellbinding historical romance that touches the heart and keeps readers engaged from beginning to end.

Hannah Linder’s Garden of the Midnight was the first book of hers I’ve read – but it certainly will not be my last.

Do you like to pick apples yourself or do you like to buy them from the store? Do you have any favorite fall activities that you enjoy doing? My family has liked to pick apples together since my son Kile was one-year old. He is now seventeen and we enjoyed one last apple picking together this weekend. He’ll be off to college next fall.

William Kensley has recently inherited Rosenleigh Manor, but accidents seem to keep occurring that threaten his life. He searches deep into his past to discover the truth of his birth and the secrets that endanger his life. Isabella Gresham is a young debutante who is trying to determine if love can truly exist after witnessing her parents’ loveless marriage. As William and Isabelle’s friendship builds, will they be able to rescue themselves and each other from peril?

I loved the characters of William and Isabella as well as all the side characters in this book. I thought the story was very engaging and I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next to these two. I loved the twists and turns as William learned of his true identity and place in the world. I enjoyed that Isabella had a sixth sense about a seemingly perfect suitor, but unfortunately no one would listen to her.

I appreciated the theme of forgiveness: “After all they had suffered. All they had lost. All the hurt that had been done to them by a husband who could have stayed and met their needs. Why should she murmur of forgiveness at a time like this?” William ponders forgiveness throughout the novel.

I adore romantic suspense with a Gothic vibe, especially in the fall. It feels like perfect reading for this time of year. I also loved the Regency setting. This reminded me of a Jane Austen story blended with a Bronte novel.

Garden of Midnights is a clean read.

I have enjoyed Hannah Linder’s previous novels and will definitely be reading more of her work!

Book Source: Review copy from Barbour Publishing as a part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. Thank-you! Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Someone is trying to kill William Kensley, and the reason is buried deep in a tangle of lies, treachery, and family secrets.
Isabella Gresham’s father just wants her to marry a gentleman of rank and fortune. But his choices aren’t hers—and they lead to the unthinkable.
Brilliantly plotted, refreshingly original, and beautifully written, Linder’s latest is a must-read! But brew the coffee because you’ll be up all night reading to the I-didn’t-see-that-coming-end!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Another stunning read by Hannah Linder! First off, Isabella and William were so cutesy together. The mystery just made the book ever better. I love how they each took care of each other in different ways. Also, shoutout for my favorite side character, Bridget! She was such an amazing friend and deserves all the love.

About this book:

“The accidents are not a matter of chance. They are deliberate. As English gentleman William Kensley becomes aware of the danger at Rosenleigh Manor, he pleads for the truth of his past from the only man he can trust—until that man is murdered.
As the secrets unfold into scandal, William’s world is tipped into destitution, leaving him penniless and alone. His only comfort is in the constant friendship and love of Isabella Gresham. If he does not have their nonsense at the seashore, their laughter, their reckless adventures, has he anything at all?
He should have known that would be ripped from him too. When a hidden foe arises from their acquaintances and imperils Isabella’s life, William may be the only one willing to risk his life to rescue her. But even if he frees Isabella from her captors, will he still have to forsake her heart?
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.”


Series: No, a stand-alone novel.


Spiritual Content- Prayers; 'H's are capital when referring to God; Towards the end, William wonders if God is laughing at him and does not care about him *Spoiler* because of all of the things that have been taken away from him and feels very bitter; He tells God that he forgives Him towards the very end *End of Spoiler*; Mentions of God, Christ, & forgiveness; Mentions of churches & clergymen; A few mentions of praying & prayers; A few mentions of a man’s “saintly wife” & her making him confess and repent to a clergyman; A few mentions of sins; A couple mentions of a Bible (including swearing on one); A couple mentions of Godspeed; A mention of someone looking like an angel; A mention of an Anglican liturgy at a funeral;
*Note: When discussing the poor and rich and how they are viewed, William says that “there are too many people who would offer the honorary seat to the rich and the stool in the corner to the poor.” and Isabella responds “I have heard the vicar at church read as much.”; William’s aunt tells him that he was a “sinful child” and was “wicked”also; A man says that “we are here and there, caught in a realm between heaven and hell. I sometimes wonder if we are in the latter already”; The phrases “for mercy’s sake”, “mercy”, “by all that was holy”, “would/wish to heaven”, “good heavens”, and “what in the name of heaven?” are said and exclaimed up to multiple times each; A few mentions of some men and women being called devils; A couple mentions of a terrible event being the work of demons and devilish; A couple mentions of ghosts & haunting a place; A mention of a place being as “black as sin”.


Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘blasted’, a ‘dumb’, a ‘give a devil’, a ‘stupid’, a ‘thunder and turf’, a ‘what the devil’, three ‘bloody-well’s, three ‘the devil’s (replacing ‘heck’ or stronger), four forms of ‘dash/dashed’, and six ‘bloody’s; Mentions of curses (said, not written); Wishing to die (when things look deadly or hopeless, both William and Isabella have these thoughts up to a few times total); A Swordfights/Duel, Fighting/Punching, Being slapped and hit, Being strangled, Being kidnapped, Being shot, Being shot at, Being held at gunpoint/knifepoint, Being robbed, Pain, Injuries, Blood/Bleeding, Passing out, Nightmares, & Thinking they are dying/will die (up to semi-detailed to detailed); Seeing deaths, seeing someone shot and killed, injuries, & blood/bleeding (semi-detailed); Someone has ordered for William to be killed & we see attempts (semi-detailed); Marauders attack, shoot at others, and try to set a young woman on fire (someone believes another is dead after their attack, up to semi-detailed); *Spoiler* William kills a man in a duel by stabbing him multiple times (up to semi-detailed) *End of Spoiler*; William goes to drink and wants to lose himself in the alcohol to forget someone (but doesn’t drink more than the foam); William recalls his aunts verbal and physical abuse & her locking him in dark rooms as a child (up to semi-detailed, including comments of it being good that his mother died because she wouldn’t have loved a “sinful child” like him and he believes her, having bitterness in his heart towards his mother and father; She claims his parents are to blame for him being wicked and therefore deserving of her punishments); Isabella eavesdrops on conversations; Mentions of a murder, murder attempts, deaths, bodies, injuries, pain, & blood/bleeding (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of raiders/marauders, fires, stealing, & thieves (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of a husband who abandoned his family & his family ill and dying after he left (including his starving children, up to semi-detailed); Mentions of murder attempts disguised as accidents; Mentions of verbal and physical abuse by an adult figure to a child (William’s aunt towards him growing up); Mentions of grief (for a lover, a wife, mothers, sibling, up to semi-detailed); Mentions of blackmail & threats; Mentions of nightmares (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of hatred; Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of alcohol, drinking, social drinking at parties, & drunks; Mentions of smoking, tobacco, cigars, & pipes; Mentions of having to shoot an injured horse & bury it (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of manure & human waste; Mentions of a butcher shop, the smells, throwing up, & blood (border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed); A few mentions of hangings (including a man saying that if something was revealed to others, he would hang himself); A few mentions of workhouses & children dying there; A few mentions of torture; A few mentions of vomiting; A few mentions of hunting; A couple mentions of a man beating his son to where he couldn’t walk (barely-above-not-detailed); A couple mentions of a baby being bruised & mistreated; A couple mentions of jealousy; A couple mentions of eavesdropping; A mention of gambling;
*Note: William’s aunt and cousin have been mean to him for years, but he always hoped that they would love him; William’s cousin always craved his mother’s attention, but never received it (because of this he is jealous of William being punished by her because that means he at least got her attention); William feels upset at his aunt for her cruelness and wishes for her to die, but stops that train of thought; *Spoiler* William finds out his parents are not his biological parents and feels hollow at not knowing who he is; His nanny who was involved in his upbringing thought it was the better choice for him than to grow up in the workhouse and he agrees that he could have died there if not taken *End of Spoiler*; Mentions of prejudices towards the poor; A few mentions of a man loving one child but treating his other child terribly; A couple mentions of a book (‘The Sorrows of Young Werther’); A mention of a man calling other cowardly men women (“men who are not women, too afraid to fight”).


Sexual Content- Staring at another’s lips, finger kisses, a forehead kiss, two cheek kisses (one being semi-detailed), a barely-above-not-detailed kiss, six semi-detailed kisses (two unwanted/forced), and a detailed kiss; Remembering kisses (up to semi-detailed); Touches, Hand holding, Electricity, Warmth, Nearness, & Smelling (up to semi-detailed, some are unwanted/forced); Remembering touches, embraces, & warmth (up to semi-detailed); Wanting to touch & embrace (including imagining undoing a girl’s hair pins, up to semi-detailed); Noticing (including muscles, up to semi-detailed); Blushes; *Spoiler* At the beginning, William is told that he is an illegitimate child; Later it’s revealed that his biological parents and their marital status is unknown *End of Spoiler*; Isabella doesn’t believe in love *Spoiler* after hearing her parents talk about not loving the other when she was young and her realizes that they acted like they cared for the other only in front of her *End of Spoiler*; Isabella is intrigued and scared by a mysterious man (not William); There is a man somewhat obsessed with Isabella & touches and kisses her without her permission *Spoiler* He kidnaps her towards the end of the book, tears her clothes to show her undergarments, kisses her only, and William says he will kill the man if he had “robbed her innocence” *End of Spoiler*; Isabella wishes to runaway with William *Spoiler* and though he is tempted, he will not do that to her because he cannot provide for her *End of Spoiler*; Mentions of illegitimate children, men doing their duty when a woman is pregnant, affairs, secret love trysts; Mentions of women running away with servants; Mentions of reputations, scandals, & young women being compromised; Mentions of kisses & kissing; Mentions of blushes & flirting; A few mentions of a man being a rogue & stealing kisses (barely-above-not-detailed); A few mentions of trollops; A couple mentions of jealousy; A mention of a man losing control of himself and loving a woman in “every forbidden way” (and thus her becoming pregnant); A mention of a man’s “uncontrollable passions”; A mention of a man’s sensual lust after Isabella; A mention of a man running off with a married woman; A mention of prostitutes; Love, falling in love, & the emotions;
*Note: William thinks that being near Isabella is healing him and his wounds; Mentions of mothers and a baby who died in childbirth; A few mentions of scantily clad trollops & a woman’s dress not fully covering her bosom; A couple mentions of a young woman who only finds gentlemen and wine delightful; A mention of a man saying obscenities towards fair-faced maids; A mention of a man saying that he’s yoked to a plain woman, but knows he could never be happy without her; A mention of a shirtless man.

-Isabella Gresham, age 20
-William Kensley, age 21
P.O.V. switches between them
Set in 1809-1810 (Prologue in 1787 & Epilogue in 1814)
322 pages

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Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
Let’s first admire that gorgeous cover, yes? It’s beautiful.


I was very hesitant about reading this book, because the author’s first book wasn’t my favorite writing style with it being very poetic and flowy, but I found this one more enjoyable and easy to read. Like the prior book I read by this author, this one was also very dramatic most of the time, though some of the beginning parts were entertaining. I don’t read many books with the Forbidden Lovers trope and this book reminded me why—the angst nearly does me in! And that was especially the case with this book and all the dramatic parts and scenes. I’ll admit that I wasn’t a fan of the last part nor thrilled with the ending angst. (The epilogue was good though and was a nice calm after the crazy storms these characters went through.)

I really enjoyed the first third of this book because of the cute sibling moments. I love the sibling content. I’m disappointed that ended up being a romance book, even though I knew it was going to be, hahaha! They quickly went to possibly-siblings to not to forbidden lovers a bit too fast in my opinion, but it was over the course of sometime in the actual book, which I tried to keep in mind. That said, they were really cute together with both angles.

The villain of the story was…well, a villain and I hated him, quite honestly. His parts and events towards the end made me drop the ratings for this book personally and for BFCG’s age groups.

I think it’s important to note two things: 1.) There’s a few times the main characters wish to die or to end it all when things look terribly hopeless that could be hard for some readers. 2.) There’s a lot about forgiveness but it doesn’t come across as the Christian thing to do or what God requires of us until the very end when a character chooses to forgive God because of different past events and feeling bitter towards Him. Most of the faith content prior was begging prayers or asking God why something happened.

It was an interesting read to be sure, but one that I liked some parts and disliked others.





*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Barbour) for this honest review.

Garden of the Midnights was a captivating tale! And very unique, with its gothic undertones. William Kenley had so many unfortunate situations to struggle through in this novel and I wondered how the author would ever make things right!

William and Isabella seemed doomed to remain apart, even as feelings grew between them. The strict rules of society in their time, along with Isabella’s father’s determination to wed her to another man, made for quite a bit of tension.

The author set up many obstacles to be overcome in this novel and created quite a few thrilling twists and turns, keeping me guessing about certain truths throughout a good bit of the story. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel from start to finish and loved the epilogue!

(4.5 stars)

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.