A time-travel novel set in 17th-century England – I can't resist that :-) Especially since I really like the author; I've already read one or two of her books and like her style and her preference for strong female heroines. Ms. Bassey writes historical novels, often with a touch of magic and fantasy, and plenty of action, adventure, and romance, and the historical settings are always very well researched.

This is also the case here; we are in Jacobean England, in 1605, the year of the "Gunpowder Plot" by the gang around Guy Fawkes. If you've ever wanted to know more about this infamous conspiracy in which the Houses of Parliament were almost blown up and the political order was at stake, this novel is a great choice, as it provides the historical backdrop against which the plot unfolds.

First, however, we're in contemporary London, where 24-year-old Isla Crawford visits a costume rental shop one evening. She needs a costume for an office party and arrives at McQuivey's Costume Shop more or less at the last minute. The owner pushes a woman's dress from the early 17th century on her, and when Isla steps out of the dressing room, she's suddenly no longer in the shop, but in a stable in rural England. After some irritation and a brief emotional breakdown, she realizes that she's not being fooled, but has actually undergone an involuntary journey 400 years back in time, and is happy and grateful that she's been given shelter at the country estate of Lord and Lady Bancroft....
There doesn't seem to be a way back home at first, and so Isla decides to do something that's not usually the case in time travel novels (and that's why I really liked it – it was something new): she confides in her hosts. Together with Simon, his sister Martha (Lady Bancroft), and Lord Bancroft, Isla ponders why she might have ended up here – is there perhaps an important event in which she could play a role? And hey, yes – November 5, 1605, is coming up, and someone has to save England, right? :-)
So, not to give too much away: it's going to be exciting. As readers, we alternate between Isla and her adventure, and also Guy Fawkes and his men, and slowly the conspiracy intensifies on the one hand, and on the other, plans are being hatched to prevent it...and of course, it gets very romantic again, because sparks are flying between Isla and Simon :-)

Let me just say: it was a pleasure to read! A fast-paced adventure in Jacobean England, a historical conspiracy, strong emotions, and of course, the journey through time, which had an unexpected plot twist at the end. I found the characters believable and rooted for Isla, Marta, and Simon, and devoured the novel in a very short time. I repeat, it was fun :-).

And at the end, a preview of Ms. Bassey's next book – apparently, even more candidates will enter Miss McQuivey's mysterious costume shop and emerge somewhere completely different – ​​so I'm excited for the next volumes!

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the review copy!

I love historical fiction. I think how authors take history and sub in fictional characters to flesh out narratives is fascinating. I especially love when they use fictional characters to solve historical mysteries. It's just so perfect and I want to shake their hand, applaud them and tip my hat to them (I don't ever actually wear hats but if I did, tipping would happen) This book checks all the boxes of an absolutely delightful historical fiction. It has history, it has romance, it has intrigue, it has unknown, it has everything I want! And right now, in this moment, it has reignited my love of historical fiction. So thank you, sincerely, Ms Bessey.

I absolutely adored A Time Traveler's Masquerade! Sian Ann Bessey writes engaging characters and inserts fun historical facts. I also really enjoyed the premise of a costume shop time slip. Isla is one of my favorite FMC. I love also that while she wasn't a historian, she knew enough to respect the norms of the 17th century. Simon was also a fun MMC. I really do love Bessey's writing! Looking forward to where McQuivey's costume shop sends the next person!

Romantic, full of history, full of twists and turns, engaging, and intriguing, this book is a stunningly written historical romance time-slip novel set in the present time and the Jacobean Era! I simply did not want to put this incredible book down!

This book is the first in a new series, the "A McQuivey's Costume Shop Romance" series, and, oh my goodness, I hope there will be many more! Sian Ann Bessey's writing is incredibly rich in historical detail, and I was completely immersed in the worlds of the story from the first page to the last. Her research, storytelling, characters, world-building, and each and every element of the plot jump off of the page in a breathtaking way, and I was hooked from the very first page.

(Possible Spoilers!):
Isla, being from the present time, accidentally time-travels back in time to the time of the Gunpowder Plot, and understandably feels confused and unsure. In the past, she meets Simon, a man from that historical era, and as the truth begins to be revealed, their relationship deepens and changes. These two truly do bring out the best in one another. Both are such kind, intelligent, brave, thoughtful individuals who are truly driven by the want to do right. I do not want to say too much about the plot specifically due to spoilers, but, I will say, this novel has so much in it and kept me turning the pages into the early hours of the morning to see what was going to happen next. What happens when someone from the future who knows what is going to happen travels back in time? Is it possible that Isla and Simon, from two different time periods, can be together? And, if so, how? Will what has happened in history still happen? You will just have to read to find out! With suspenseful moments, a deep dive into this time period in history, a sweet romance, intrigue, and so much more, this book is incredibly special. I so look forward to doing more research on this time period on my own time as well.

I highly recommend this book, and can't wait to read what the author writes next!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the e-ARC of this novel, and to Shadow Mountain Publishing for sending me a physical ARC as well, it is incredible! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Thank you Netgalley and Shadow Mountain for the chance to read A time traveler's masquerade by Sian Ann Bessey. It is the first in a new series called “A McQuivey’s Costume Shop Romance” and is set in the Jacobean era in England, during the Guy Fawkes and the Gun Powder Plot of 1605. The author obviously did her research and it showed in her attention to historical detail. I love romantic time-slip stories, and while I had some problems with the story and characters, I still enjoyed it. The story has no explicit content, and is suitable for general audiences, especially young readers.

Just wow! I love how this story came together. The author did an amazing job of weaving a modern character, Isla, into a mysterious plot more than 400 years prior to Isla's life. I have not read other stories that take place in the Jacobean period. I learned so much about the time. So fun to see Isla try to find her footing in a world so different than her own. Guy Fawkes's Gunpowder Plot was all new to me. Clearly I didn't grow up in England where Guy Fawkes Night is celebrated each year. I was drawn into the story and found myself looking up the story of the gunpowder plot online to learn more. Simon is the perfect counterpart to Isla. I loved watching their relationship develop. His sister, Martha, is wonderful too. So many characters to love in this book!

I love this author's books, but I was hesitant to read this one. Time travel is not a genre that I've been interested in, because I struggle to see how it can have a happy ending. I wasn't disappointed, though, I think the author did a great job of giving the reader an ending that made sense and was...I almost wanted to say "realistic" but time travel is anything but, ha! Anyway, the story was enjoyable and the ending made me happy, so all in all, I recommend this book.

What a beautiful book. I was smiling, I was worried, I was so totally rooting for Simon and Isla. As with all Sians, book this was beautifully written, enthralling, and worth reading time and again.

#netgalley #ATimeTravelersMasquerade

This book took a little while for me to get into the story but once I did I was hooked. I loved how the story unfolded. I loved the characters. The romance was beautifully developed between Isla and Simon. Overall a great book.

I loved this book! This book was a great intro to the time slip genre newly introduced by Shadow Mountain. It kept me guessing and swooning at the right moments.

What an amazing book! Sian creates such immersive historical romances, I am in awe of her talent. This story was masterfully crafted, the setting and historical details were stunning to read about. Isla was such a great character, her experiences were so relatable. Simon was so very dashing, and I will think of the word “okay” the same again. The portrayal of Guy Fawkes and his conspirators was artfully done as well. This was such a great addition to the Proper Romance collection. I cannot wait for the next time slip romance!

Thank you NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the Advanced Copy of this book!

What would you do if you were trying on a Jacobean costume for a ball in a modern-day costume shop, and when you step out of the dressing room, you find yourself in 1605 London, a few weeks before the infamous Gunpowder Plot? That's the position Isla Crawford finds herself dealing with in this time-slip book by Sian Ann Bessey. Luckily for Isla, Simon Hartworth is visiting his sister, and she and her husband take Isla in.

Isla's fish-out-of-water experience is written with both humor and vulnerability. Her modern thoughts and ways clashed endearingly with the customs of the Jacobean era, resulting in amusing misunderstandings. However, Isla is no damsel in distress. With her 21st-century knowledge, she possesses the power to prevent a catastrophic moment in history but wrestles with the dilemma of altering history.

Simon Hartworth, Lord Bancroft, is everything you want in a historical hero: intelligent, honorable, and despite Isla’s odd behavior, he's willing to risk everything for her. The chemistry between Isla and Simon is sweet, and their romance is tender and slow-burning, with just the right amount of tension created by the looming question: how can a love survive four centuries of separation?

I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars! I haven't read a time travel book in quite a while and was very excited when I heard one of my favorite authors was starting a time-slip series. I loved how Simon, his sister, and her husband took Isla in and not only listened but believed her when she told them where she was from and what was going to happen in a few weeks.

I love it when I learn things in historical romances—when the author builds the story around an actual event in history. I don't think I knew anything about Guy Fawkes until I read this book, and the author was able to seamlessly weave her research into the story. The stakes felt real as Isla and Simon raced against time to prevent disaster. This book has it all: history, suspense, romance, swoon, and more. I'm ready to go back to McQuivey's Costume Shop and get lost in another great adventure in time.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley. I also bought an ebook for my digital library. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

I loved every page of this book! It was engaging and so intriguing. I loved that the time travel was to a time that isn't usually done in these types of books. This was so well done!

A time travel romance story that is truly delightful!
I am 100% convinced that Sian Ann Bessey could write a paper on some scientific mathematical theory (which are my two least favorite subjects) and I would gladly read it, most likely in one sitting.
It is a race against time, history, and a treasonous plot.
What happens when you combine a 21st century woman, a magical costume shop, a chivalrous 16th century gentleman, and the infamous gunpowder plot of 1605? You get an unforgettable story that is both informative, mysterious, and contains a pretty good swoony love story.
I absolutely loved both Isla and Simon and how they both handled the situations they found themselves in. Both have remarkable strength and resilience in the face of uncertainty, plus they are both brilliant and figure out how to make sure history actually happens. One of my favorite things is when Isla explains modern amenities to Simon, and how Simon comes to support Isla in her purpose. I won’t give any spoilers but these two work so well together and I loved how they got to work and simply tried their best.
And don’t even get me started on the historical people and events that actually existed/happened. The careful and authentic writing of these people and events gave the story so much depth and a whole new fascinating aspect. History comes alive in such an engaging way in this story that it holds you spellbound from the moment you’re thrown back in time with Isla. And as an American who only knew a little about this historical, and pivotal, moment in history it was fascinating to read more about it. So while this is a work of fiction, it includes so many factual people and events that it felt like a captivating history lesson.
In case it wasn’t obvious, I really loved this book. The world needs more clean and wholesome romance, and adding time travel to that is the cherry on top! Make sure you add this to your reading lists and library!

This is a dual timeline historical romance. Isla Crawford lives in London in 2025 and works as an assistant to a politician. She finds herself suddenly stuck and confused in the year 1605 when she tries on a dress in a costume shop from that time period. Simon Hartworth/Lord Bancroft helps her and his sister’s family takes Isla in.
Most historical fiction I have read takes place in the 1800s so I enjoyed reading about a unique time period. I loved the main characters, their developing relationship, and the ending was perfect. I think this is the beginning of a series and hope the next book is about Isla’s coworker Chloe. Thanks to Shadow Mountain publishing and NetGalley for an eARC.

I’ve always heard such great things about Sian Ann Bessey’s book, so I had high expectations for this one. And y’all! It did not disappoint! I loved the characters and the story was so intriguing. I love learning about history, and this followed the timeline of Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot. I knew of it but didn’t know much of the details, so this book definitely made me want to look more into it! The banter between Isla and Simon was so cute and I absolutely loved their relationship. I also liked Simon’s sister and her family. You should most definitely add this book to your tbr! I’m so excited for book two of the McQuivey’s Costume Shop Romance coming later this year!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

"A Time Traveler's Masquerade" by Sian Ann Bessey is a new favorite time travel story. It is the first in a new series called “A McQuivey’s Costume Shop Romance” and is part of the award-winning “Proper Romance” collection. It is set in the Jacobean era (early 1600s) in England. I learned so much about Guy Fawkes and the Gun Powder Plot of 1605 while reading this engaging story. I love this period of history and Ms. Bessey really brought it alive with her attention to historical detail and extensive research. She makes history accessible and explains things well in case one is not familiar with this era. It is a time of religious upheaval and division between Protestants and Catholics. I appreciate that this is a clean read, which is not common for stories set in this time period. There is no explicit content, and it is suitable for general audiences, especially young readers.

The story mixes a little fantasy with history, sweet romance, adventure, amazing characters, and a swoony romance. There’s time-travel, rescue romance, plenty of fish-out-of-water moments, and a race against time. Our heroine, Isla Crawford, loves reading and the past. She is from the present day but travels back to the Jacobean era through a costume shop. I appreciate how Isla struggles to fit in during the past and even things like certain words, how she speaks and writes make her stand out. The obstacles she faces are very realistic. Simon Hartworth, the hero, is one many readers will fall for! I love the banter between Simon and Isla and their horse riding. There’s danger and suspense and I was on the edge of my seat wondering how it would all play out and if Isla has a part to play. Will Isla and Simon also catch feelings in the meantime as they try to help stop the treasonous plot? Another thing that really made this story unique is getting a point of view from Guy Fawkes. This is my first book by this author, but it certainly will not be my last. I cannot wait for book two in the series!

Content: I give this a G rating. Some examples of the content are: someone is an orphan; someone curses, but the words are not written; men drink alcohol; a brief mention of past assault.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

A Time Traveler's Masquerade is a beautifully written book. I loved the transition between current and past time frames and the use of Isla's memories from history to try and solve the gun powder plot. I felt joy, sorrow, love and even frustration at times which is the perfect makings of a good book!

I loved this book! I loved how the author transported us back in time with Isla and put us right in the middle of the Gunpowder plot. I have heard about this event in history so I loved a story that put a modern person in the position to help stop Guy Fawkes. I also loved the romance between Isla and Simon. I thought the story was engaging and was one that I wanted to keep reading. I can’t wait to read more books like this by this author.

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.

Isla enters a costume shop, intent on renting a simple nightgown for her work party. While trying on another gown, she finds herself transported to early 1600's during the reign of King James and the religious turmoil in flux between the Catholics and the Church of England. Finding herself in front of an old mansion in the middle of a downpour, Isla is disoriented, cold and confused.

Simon has come to visit his sister at her husbands mansion outside of the terror of the plague's in London. Last thing he expected to find was a drenched, young women on the porch. Isla tells him a fantastical story of coming from the future and he finds himself drawn to her curious speech and different ways.

I love time travel novels and this is another great read! I learned a lot about Guy Fawkes and his daring plot against the Kind of England. A little more political then I usually like my romances, the politics did play a part in the story and it was fun reading history about another country. This book seems to be the first in a series and I am super excited to see more of Mrs. McQuivey's Costume Shop. My only complaint is that we didn't get to find out a lot about the mysterious Mrs. McQuivey! I hope future novels give us some of her story!