Helen Grey. Everyone thinks she is mad but even having spent such a long time in an asylum she still clings to sanity. So will she be able to prove she is not mad when the new doctor arrives? This darkly historical tale of the times, when women were committed by someone close to them on a whim.

This is a gripping tale of trying to prove her sanity, of a good doctor who does want to help and what they go through which is grim at times. This is certainly a romance of sorts but not in the typical fashion which makes it that much more intriguing. The writing is fluent, the story is interesting and the pace is perfect. I really enjoyed this one as it is a bit different to most historical fiction books I have read.

Thank you NetGalley and Julia Bennet for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is a dark historical romance with themes of mental and some physical abuse. Our MCs are not the typical handsome duke and debutante. No, this is a house of madness and explores the dark times when a woman could be committed for little to no reason at the whims of the men who were their appointed guardians. Helen does not present with “Madness”, something William Carter figures out quickly during their interactions. She does suffer much abuse at the hands of her supposed caregivers, which William finds himself often in need of intervening. Yet, despite his findings, it seems that someone outside of the hospital is taking great pains to see she does not emerge from this dark place. As Helen and William try to figure out a way to get her out, feelings begin to develop between them that may set their lives on fire.

Part mystery thriller, part forbidden romance, with the slightest sprinkling of horror. I really liked this dark historical romance. ❤️

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the free copy in exchange for an honest review!

Well, this was surprisingly dark for a Victorian romance, even a Gothic one!

Set in a private insane asylum, we aren’t spared any of the possible horrors – from careless neglect to deliberate torture, to just the sheer helplessness of being constantly under the control of others and disbelieved so consistently that you start to doubt yourself. I felt agonies of frustration for Helen Gray and was totally sympathetic towards anything she had to do or say to effect her escape from that place.

Luckily, the chemistry between the two main characters was very believable and would have had me rooting for them even if she hadn’t been in such dire straits!

I did think the frater-ex-machina towards the end of the book was a bit of a weak spot in a plot that, until that point had had Helen and Will solving their own problems, but I liked the new character so much that I was willing to wink at it and give them a pass.

This makes for some very grim reading at some points and readers not looking for their romance in dark places might not appreciate this story setting much, but I really enjoyed the story, the characters and the romance and would definitely be tempted to read on to the next in this series and find out whether the aforementioned sibling lives up to his promise in the role of a main character!

A historical fiction following a woman who was sent to an asylum at the age of 16 after the death of her mother. When the new doctor arrives and meets Miss Grey he starts realizing that not everything is as it seems and that the treatment given to asylum patients is not appropriate.

Loved it very much, especially how fast paced it was. On to the sequel!

Thoroughly enjoyed this read, although the themes are pretty dark. Helen is falsely imprisoned by her image-conscious father, and Will is the doctor who falls in love with her and strives to save her. Helen is a morally grey heroine - manipulative as heck but you kind of understand why she is the way she is. Will is the best beta hero, and totally devoted to his heroine. He's also unattractive, a departure from suave, handsome heroes, but his goodness is his heart and that shows. I'm down for the gothic vibes as well, the setting of the book is very immersive.

Apologies for the late review, but life and health got in the way.

This is the first of The Harcastle Inheritance series, and what an enchanting start! If you are a lover of gothic novels, then this is one you should definitely try. Helen has wrongly been imprisoned in an asylum for a decade, and is desperate to get out. She is not beneath seducing the very handsome new doctor, William Carter, to achieve her goal. William knows he's being manipulated, but that doesn't stop him from being fascinated by Helen. As he learns more about her and her unjust imprisonment, he decides to help her and find out who is behind her captivity.
The plot is fast-paced and filled with twists that kept me hooked as secrets were revealed. The chemistry between the two crackles from their first encounter, with witty banter and moments of vulnerability that draw them closer despite their forbidden attraction.
This novel does an excellent job at combining a swoon-worthy romance with a gripping mystery. Fans of gothic romances with strong heroines, honorable heroes, and plenty of suspense will be thoroughly enchanted. It’s a page-turner that delivers both heart and thrills, making it a standout in the genre.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher!
This story, of a woman falsely imprisoned in an asylum, just because her father is an upper crust hoity toity, who could not have the whiff of scandal anywhere near him was fine. But as a woman living in a world where the Handmaids Tale is coming closer and closer to reality, maybe I’m looking for escapism in the wrong fiction section.

Dual POV, Spicy, Asylum Setting, Doctor x Patient, Care Taking, Mental Health

Helena Grey has been falsely contained within the asylum's for ten years due to her father's insistence. Helena knows if she cannot find means to escape she will die as no one believes she is not mentally ill. Until Dr. William Carter arrives and slowly gets to know Helena and realizes she's not mentally insane at all and falsely imprisoned there. I enjoyed the way Will slowly gets to know Helena and how he can't help but be near her despite knowing he should stay away and remain professional. This is a historical gothic romance and a perfect read for spooky season.

A gothic romance set in an insane asylum for women.
Helen Grey has been locked away in the asylum for ten years. But if she’s not insane, then why is she here? One day a new doctor, Doctor Carter shows up and things are never the same. Told in dual POV, this story is a true historical gothic romance that I absolutely adored.

I enjoyed this story. I did struggle with the relationship dynamic and the ethical issues around it. I thought it was well done though and found the rest of the story very enjoyable. I thought the characters were well done and it was a great example of historical romance. I would be interested in seeing what this author does next!

Weirdly reads like a fanfic? Not a critique but it doesn’t have the traditionally published polish to it. I was meh on it.

Wow!!! I loved this book so much. What a great romance. Absolutely original concept that I've never seen before. Wished a little bit more for the development of how the romance came about, but in general, it was absolutely swoon-worthy! The story between Helen and Will was so pure and I really loved how they both looked out for each other. I was definitely a fan of the fact that they both had their own believable backstories (we love a developed character!), and worked through their doubts and hurt to come together and protect and love each other despite it all.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this re-release! All opinions are my own. Original review can also be found on my StoryGraph

Julia Bennet’s "The Madness of Miss Grey" is a captivating historical romance that skillfully blends drama, mystery, and passion against the backdrop of Regency-era England. The novel centers around Miss Elizabeth Grey, a woman haunted by secrets and scandal, who finds herself entangled in a web of intrigue when she meets the enigmatic Lord Hugo Walkden.

Bennet’s prose is elegant and evocative, transporting readers to a time of ballrooms, whispered gossip, and hidden desires. The author deftly captures the societal constraints and expectations of the period while weaving a tale of forbidden love and redemption.

At the heart of the novel is Elizabeth Grey—a complex and resilient heroine whose journey from vulnerability to strength is compellingly portrayed. As Elizabeth and Lord Walkden navigate their undeniable attraction and the obstacles that threaten to keep them apart, Bennet explores themes of trust, forgiveness, and the transformative power of love.

The chemistry between Elizabeth and Lord Walkden crackles with intensity, adding a layer of tension and emotional depth to the story. Their relationship evolves from wary acquaintances to passionate allies, each grappling with their own past traumas and insecurities.

"The Madness of Miss Grey" is not merely a romance but also a mystery, as secrets from Elizabeth’s past slowly unravel, revealing shocking truths and unexpected twists. Bennet skillfully builds suspense throughout the narrative, keeping readers guessing and engaged until the satisfying conclusion.

Throughout the novel, Bennet’s attention to historical detail and vivid characterization breathe life into the Regency setting, creating a rich tapestry of emotions and intrigue. Secondary characters, from society matrons to loyal friends, add depth and texture to the story, enhancing its authenticity and charm.

In conclusion, "The Madness of Miss Grey" is a spellbinding tale of love, redemption, and resilience in the face of adversity. Julia Bennet’s impeccable storytelling and nuanced character development make this novel a standout in the genre—a must-read for fans of historical romance with a touch of mystery.

I went into The Madness of Miss Grey expecting a gothic romance romp with plenty of twists and turns along the way and a strong couple to hold the novel up and I am glad to say that is exactly what I got.

This novel has gothic feel, being set on the moors of York in an asylum, but a dashing enough hero and a strong but also feminine feeling lead. Helen Grey is a curvy, woman of 26 who after 10 years trapped in an insane asylum while being perfectly sane, sees a new chance to try and find freedom when the rough but kind Dr. Will Carter starts on.

From the moment the novel opens the stakes are high and you as the reader are places in the POV of both our leads, seeing the emotional turmoil they both face as they fight through the odds.

I would pick this novel up if you enjoy:
- Gothic Vibes
- Forbidden Relationships
- Curvy FMC
- Soft/Kind MMC
- Spicy Romances
- Period Piece Romances

Read the trigger warnings as this novel does include some content akin to torture and medical abuse.

I received an advance review copy of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily and all thoughts and opinions are wholly my own and unbiased.

I love a Victorian Gothic novel, but you toss in some romance and I'm a goner. This is going to be on my re-read list for many moons to come!

This on was a bit harder for me to get into, but Julia Bennet remains a must check out author for me. I look forward to exploring her next book.

She always steps outside the box with her characters and her plots... and I love her for that. I would still recommend checking this one out to see if it's for you!

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for an arc. All opinions expressed are my own.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book!

I honestly wasn’t expecting to like this but I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to my friends. I liked that Dr. Carter—the love interest—was not your typical super-hot guy. He was described as unattractive even! And I love that Helen grew into her love for him, even though he’s not conventionally attractive.

The smut scene was actually a lot different than the usual stuff, and I feel as though it was potentially more period accurate.

I research this time period and I’m no expert but I didn’t see any glaringly obvious misrepresentations, which I really appreciated. Taking the time to research the period you are writing in, while seemingly obvious, is something a lot of authors don’t do.

Helen’s trauma could have been discussed in a bit more detail at the end, with maybe a bit more development. I think the ending was quite rushed and there were a lot of open ends. But overall I really enjoyed my time reading this!

I’d heard great things about Julia Bennet, and this book, specifically, so when I saw it was being
re released with a new cover, I finally took a chance and requested an arc!

Helen is sent off to an asylum at a young age and has been stuck there for a decade. When the new doctor, Will, arrives, he quickly realizes that Helen isn’t as mad as the staff have made her out to be. Torn between duty to the Hippocratic Oath and his growing admiration and attraction for Helen, Will must find a way forward that doesn’t take advantage of his patient or his own status.

I’m always hesitant to read any book where there is a tab00 power dynamic of doctor/therapist/patient. I’ll read pretty much any other tab00 pairing but this one gives me the ick so I stay away. However, I took a chance due to some friends loving this book, and I’m glad I did!

Bennet does an amazing job of exploring the power dynamics at play and keeping a balance between Will and Helen. At no point did I feel Will was taking advantage of Helen. If anything, she was taking advantage of him, and good for her, doing her best in a terrible situation. Both characters were well-rounded and fleshed out. The romance was believable with Will falling first and Helen being a bit more hesitant when I came to matters of the heart. My only wish is that we’d gotten a longer ending! It felt a bit abrupt. I’d have enjoyed an epilogue showing Will and Helen’s life after the events of the end to fully appreciate their story.

There are some darker themes in terms of “treatment” used on the patients at the asylum, but overall I didn’t ever feel uncomfortable or that it was too dark. Do check TW for yourself though!

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the complimentary arc. All opinions are my own.

I love historical romance- but I REALLY love a unique historical romance and author Julia Bennet delivers on that score!

The Madness of Miss Grey is a historical romance that takes place between a doctor and his patient at an asylum. Miss Helen Grey has been locked up for years by her mysterious and influential father due to her hysteria among other suspected ailments, in an old manse turned private asylum…

Dr William Carter is tge prodigal son and former child of the housekeeper when the manse was owned by an Earl. Arriving to practice under a renowned psychologist, he is shocked to see the barbaric old style treatments the residents are subjected to- he came to advance his career and finds himself risking it all for the beautiful and manipulative Miss Grey and the other residents…

I was worried about the power dynamic in this dr/patient or jailer/jailed pairing, especially when our MFC has been secluded from care and connection for over a third of her lifetime, but Bennet slowly creates an authentic connection and relationship between these two, while William works on understanding her mental state….

Is this romance perfect- no, but it’s real and authentic in the situation that they find themselves in. William has a heart of gold and only wants to improve the lives of his patients and Helen is savvy and willing to do anything to escape her confinement- even fall in love!

I find that Julia Bennet is one of those authors who I can count upon for gritty, real characters with unique stories. She is definitely on my auto-read list! If you also enjoy the same, I highly recommend this book or The Worst Woman in London!

** spoiler alert ** I struggled with this at first because of my own professional background in Mental Health and got annoyed so quickly at the antiquated mental health treatment even if I knew it was historically accurate. I also was annoyed at the instant lust from MMC and the focus of the FMC being an overly sexual being. Helen was a fascinating character who didn't need to be there but has been imprisoned just because she the illegitimate child of a Duke who wanted her existence erased from his untarnished reputation. Will was a champion of reform, but I wish he would have stood up more fiercely against the Head Doctor and did more for Helen's advocacy. I guess I wish he was more brutish than bookish. When her brother showed up (he didn't know she existed), the book finally took off in plot because now there was additional character recognizing the insane treatment towards Helen and his father's cruelty.

Overall, it was a fun read, and I would continue the series because the brother seemed fascinating.