Wow! What a great 17th century historical romance! This is my first book I've read set in this time period and let me tell you, Sian does it justice. I loved Simon Bancroft. He's a sweet and understanding MMC. There are no swears, some alcohol, and level 1 non-descriptive kissing only. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

4.5 stars. This was such a fun time slip story! I didn’t want it to end!

I love the way Isla’s accidental time travel was handled. It was a unique and refreshing take.

Simon!!! 🫠🫠🫠
And Martha!! ❤️❤️❤️
What an absolutely lovely cast of characters.

The way this story wove together with Guy Fawkes was so interesting and kept me glued to the page. I don’t want to say more because I don’t want to spoil anything.

Thank you to netgalley & Shadow Mountain for the chance to enjoy an advance copy.

A very interesting book with its history woven into the story and real life historical characters. Also, interesting with the authors take on time travel. A few points that were a little bit different than what. I wouldn't say in a bad way though. I enjoyed the twists in the story. Even though this story revolves around a known part of history the story had you thinking how'd the story would evolve, and end. This one can definitely hold your interest. Time travel isn't my favorite genre but I can appreciate it when wrtitten well. I'm just always sad for the other person and the people they leave behind. The characters were so great & the scenes were written so natural I was sad for them when the person left their time as if the were real. This wasn't instalove but a quick turn around. That might be the only thing for me. However, this is only a preference and the writing is still good and I still appreciate this author and would for sure read another title she wrote.
good for:
time travel, history lovers, clean, only kisses, no language

This was delightful and the start of a new time slip series! I loved the fantasy with history, romance, and adventure! This book is set in the Jacobian era, which is something I’ve never read before and It was fun to learn about.
This is a clean, no spice romance.

“It was harder to identify but incredibly powerful. A sense of connection as rare as it was wondrous.”

Thoughts/Tropes:
Time travel
Fish out of water
I love her adaptability to 1605 from 2025
Simon the Sweetie
Martha and Hugh
The Twins
Multiple POV
Plot Twists
Race Against time
Simon and Isla teaching each other
Mrs. McQuivey
All the horse riding

Sweet Simon, who is nursing a broken heart and Isla who is thrust into the past. It was fun and interesting to read the conversations Simon and Isla had about the time periods and how she had to learn to live in the Jacobian time.

“And no matter how ludicrous your tale, I am not so inconsiderate that I would walk away from you with the cloak.”

The gunpowder plot with Guy Fawkes was fascinating and something I didn’t know about. I love Mrs. McQuivey, even though she’s a side character, she’s important to the story and so mischievous.

“Affluence is certainly not the greatest blessing to be offered a bride. I believe the honor is held by unconditional love, which includes faithfulness, decency, and sacrifice.”

I need an epilogue about the Maidstones, stat! 🤣 I can't wait for the next book with a Robin Hood twist.

Thank you for the beautiful book! All opinions are my own!

Heading into this book, I knew next to nothing about Guy Fawkes (I had heard of Guy Fawkes Day and knew that Fawkes was a villain, not a hero), but I also knew that Sian Ann Bessey's books are awesome (I've read several and they've all been four or five star books), so I was quick to snap up the chance to read this one. I enjoyed learning more about Fawkes and his plot as well as the Jacobean Era in general. Isla and Simon were fantastic leading characters. I found myself really appreciating that they quickly came to trust each other and that Simon's family was accepting of Isla, too; while some skepticism certainly wouldn't have been unreasonable, it was kind of a relief to have them quickly accept Isla and all work together, with the conflict in the book not stemming from internal issues but rather from external. The romance was sweet and the plot was engrossing.
4.5 stars--and I'm so eager for the next book in this series to come out!
Than
I read a DRC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The latest release from the Proper Romance line is another timeslip novel. Author, Sian Ann Bessey, mixes present day with the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 Jacobean England. Isla Crawford is working as a press secretary to a member of the British Parliament. Her search for an appropriate gala costume takes her to Mrs. McQuivey’s Costume Shop. Instead of finding the perfect costume, she finds herself transported to 1605 where she must contend with her knowledge of the past and determination to not alter her present. But perhaps her knowledge of the past is exactly what is needed to prevent a government collapse.

I adored this gentle time-travel romance. My favorite thing is how seamless the historic detail is woven into the plot. The development of the narrative fit so perfectly into what is known about this historic event. It was lovely to just get straight to the story. There’s no time spent trying to explain the time travel system or make it believable. I loved the idea of trying on a historic costume and being transported to that time and liked that the story could just let that stand.

This story is just delightful! The characters, the setting, the multiple points of view. All combine to make this a rich, detailed experience. I enjoyed every minute and look forward to more fun with Mrs. McQuivey and her costume shop.

'A Time Traveler's Masquerade' is the first book in Sian Ann Bessey's new series, 'A McQuivey's Costume Shop Romance'.

One moment, Isla Crawford is inside McQuivey’s Costume Shop trying on a Jacobean-style gown, and the next, she is standing in an unfamiliar garden, barefoot, coatless. She soon realises that she has inexplicably travelled back to 1605, mere weeks before the culmination of Guy Fawkes’s infamous Gunpowder Plot. Simon Hartworth, Lord Bancroft, finds his orderly 17th-century life disrupted when a mysterious woman appears on his sister’s doorstep. While he struggles to believe she comes from a different century, everything she tells him about her word, and her uncanny knowledge of Guy Fawkes's plot convinces him that many people are in great danger.

Interestingly, the story alternated between Isla's story and Guy Fawkes's story. The latter was a little boring to me, yet it gave a more human face to this historic character and showed how the plot was secretly being hatched. I live in Warwickshire, a place that has some links to the Gunpowder plot — a historic event I wasn't very familiar with, as I did not grow up in the UK. Reading 'A Time Traveler's Masquerade' somewhat filled this knowledge gap, so I'm grateful to have read it. It wasn't too history-heavy or political.

As is often the case with time-travelling books, I wish more of the book would have been about the heroine exploring another century, discovering new customs, struggling to adapt to other mores, etc. Isla seemed to adapt very quickly and did not seem to miss the 21st century, more medicine, or even her family and friends all that much. While I personally would *love* to time travel to previous centuries, I could never imagine anyone would be willing to forego the "comforts" of the 21st century (modern medicine, human rights, equality, knowledge, etc.) even for love. Plus, the romance between Isla and Simon was lukewarm at best. I wish the author had spent more time exploring Isla's psyche.

The resolution of the intrigue was surprising and clever, but the epilogue left me wanting more of the rest of the story. I look forward to discovering the future books in this series — I wonder which century we'll travel to this time.

*I received a free eARC in exchange for my honest opinion*

Wow! What a neat story!

I really enjoyed the history in this book, I really learned a lot, which I think is neat in a story!

The time traveling was very well done and I loved how it addressed how much one would have to learn and adjust to an entirely new time period!

The characters were so fantastic and I loved them all! 💚💚💚

Absolutely recommend!

Just so we’re clear, I have no desire to be in any other time than my own, but A Time Traveler’s Masquerade has me looking for McQuivey’s costume shop.
Isla Crawford goes the Mrs. McQuivey’s shop to find a Wendy costume, never suspecting she will instead put in a gown that gives her the right outfit for stepping through a door to 1605.
This is an amazing journey through time. Thankfully, Isla ends up with people who are just open minded enough to consider believing her tale of being from the future.
I love Simon, Martha, Maidstone and the twins William and Samuel.
The challenge they face of trying to prevent Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators from successfully attacking parliament and the king adds the best sort tension and suspense to make the story compelling.
Sian Ann Bessey is so talented that even though the reader may know how history plays out in regards to Guy Fawkes, you are still on the edge of your seat wondering if tragedy can be overcome.
The love story is beautiful.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. So good.
Thanks to Netgalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.

Beautifully Written!

🌷The use of historical facts, old English, 1600's customs paired with swoony forbidden romance was amazing! I truly felt transported, along with Isla, to 1605.

🌷The love between her and Simon is all stolen glances and soft hidden touches that are sure to make you swoon and giggle.

🌷If you love a historical romance with a hint of time travel then this is 100% for you.

🌷Spice: 0

🌷Language: 0

🌷TW: 1605 Guy Fawkes, blood, violence

A Time Traveler’s Masquerade is the first book I’ve read by Sian Ann Bessey, and it most certainly will not be the last! I was hooked by this story from the first chapter and, if I’d had a choice, wouldn’t have put it down. I’ve heard of Guy Fawkes and knew the basics of the infamous Gunpowder Plot, and of the celebrations that still occur, but it was so cool to learn more about this topic.

I don’t read a ton of time travel stories, but I always love the dichotomy of a modern person in a familiar yet unfamiliar world; we experience many of the same issues today as people did centuries ago, albeit under drastically different circumstances. I liked Isla’s perspective, and also appreciated the inclusion of Simon’s point of view as a 17th-century lord.

I will definitely be devouring Bessey’s backlist as soon as I can, and am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series. Strong 4.5/5 stars

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

I'm a big fan of books about time traveling! I love watching characters get placed in a time that pulls them from their comfort zone and has them forced to figure out how to survive as well as if choices they make will alter the course of history, or if they are meant to make those choices to make history be what it is. Such a fun conundrum of a thing! Haha!

Isla finds herself transported by to the seventeenth century and definitely is completely out of her element there! But I loved watching her acclimate and learning to trust those who found her. Especially the handsome Lord Bancroft, Simon Hartworth! And how the author was able to plot it all out and make it work was well done! I loved it so much and I'm sooooo happy that this is not the only book in the McQuivey's Costume Shop books!!! Woohooo!!! Mrs. McQuivey was a hoot! And she has perfect timing! Just saying! *winks*

You'll love the suspense, cleverness, sweet love story and how it all pans out. We get POVs from several different characters, the good, the bad and the ugly. I'm ready for more!!!

Content: Clean. Some suspense, some sweet kisses and nothing more.

I received a copy from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

4.25⭐️ This was such a sweet romance with a very interesting plot. I had heard of the history of Guy Fawkes so I was interested to see how this story would play out. I found it to be so clever and well done. I honestly had no idea how the story would unfold or how it was going to end while I was reading it. But I can now say, I was very happy with how it played out.

l loved Isla and Simon. Both individually and together. They were so sweet. This is one of those books that you just die over small touches or glances, and seriously, who knew a man saying 'okay' would be the cutest thing in the world. *Swoon* When they played that wolf game with the nephews?* Swoon * There were so many small moments between Simon and Isla that I just loved. He was such a good listener. *Swoon*

I also really loved Simon's sister Martha. She played such an integral role, and was so awesome. She was so understanding of Isla, especially when she is basically speaking gibberish. If it weren't for Martha, I think the men would have sent Isla to the loony bin lol.

The last thing I loved was the confusion of speech. When Isla said something so 2025, all of the other characters were so confused. I think that was so well written. It made me laugh a few times. Especially when Simon was confused. His reactions were so entertaining.

I will say, I was completely uninterested in Guy's perspective. I honestly skimmed over those portions. I don't think they were even necessary to the story. (If you're familiar with the history)

To end on a positive note, I really enjoyed this. Shadow Mountain has never published a book I hated. And to give you perspective, I have almost read every single book published by them. Such sweet and swoony romances.

When Chloe, Isla´s friend and coworker suggested her to go to Mc Quivey´s Costume shop in order to buy a costume for the anual year´s Fall Ball, she does not expect that after trying on a gown Jacobean style, next she would be soaking wet, shoeless and in a lawn she did not know. She is left with no other choice but to sheltered from the storm in a Tudor manor. There she discovers that the date is not 2 October 2025, but that she has traveled back to 1605, the time when Guy Fawkes was about to blow up the king and the parliament.
Simon Hartworth, Lord Bancroft is contented with his life, when one night a puzzling woman appears on his sister´s doorstep amid a fierce storm. Her speech is confusing and she is quite peculiar, but when she warns he and his family about a disastrous plot against Parliament, Simon feels like he has to take action. In the doing, Simon can not help but feels drawn to Isla. She uses her 2025´s knowledge to try to shut down Fawkes and his associates attempts to end the political system of the 1600s, but she has to do that without altering history course.
Isla and Simon must stop insurgent´s plot while they find a way for them to be together against the impossible amount of time that separates them.

I have enjoyed this story so much. Historical details are very accurate and I have found very interesting Guy´s and his accomplices talking in the book, as in "knowing" what could be going through their heads in those moments.
The characters are very well written and the scenarios and descriptions too.
Can´t wait for the next in this series, The Maid of Sherwood forest announced as a thrilling time-slip roomance where a modern-day archer finds herself caught in 12th century Nottingham face to face with Robin Hood himself!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Sian Ann Bessey for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for A Time Traveler's Masquerade coming out April 1, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I’m definitely obsessed with this author! I basically have all of her books and have read them. I love her historical romance plots. I’m obsessed with time travel stories. I loved that Isla was from the present day and went way back in history. I definitely wasn’t expecting a Guy Fawkes story, but I loved it! I think Isla and Simon were really interesting characters. I think it was perfect for me. If this is a series, I would definitely read more books!

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys time travel stories!

This is an enjoyable time travel romantic suspense novel, which moves quickly from modern-day London to a manor house outside early 17th century London. Isla finds her transported back to 1605 with no idea how or why, and has to work with newfound friends to figure out what it all means. Events soon come to revolve around Isla’s memory from classes of Guy Fawkes and plot to blow up parliament. Some chapters are then told from Fawkes’s point of view. I’ve read several books by this author before, and here as in her other work she has a deft hand at sketches past without making it overwhelm the plot and characters. I felt that a few elements in the plot were glossed over too quickly, and the chapters narrated by Fawkes held my interest les than Isla’s narration. Overall , though, it’s a an enjoyable read and a nice way to dovetail with real events. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. All views are entirely my own and offered voluntarily.

Generally for me a 5 star story is one that draws me in completely and that I couldn't put down and this one fits the bill. I love a great Time Traveler story especially if it teaches me something about history that I never realized. Again, this one fit the bill. It's just an ordinary day for Isla. Working in Parliament and hoping to make a difference to the world (or her country), she really doesn't want to have to find a costume for a work related party but alas, she must. This is no ordinary costume shop which Isla will soon discover. She finds herself in a world she doesn't recognize and no way back. She meets Simon quite randomly and learns who she is really about, what she has to offer the world. I learned a lot about the "Gunpowder plot" and since British history is definitely not my forte, I loved how the author drew us into the story of that time.

I thoroughly enjoyed this timeslip novel by Ms. Bessey. The initial mode of travel between time periods was a little unbelievable...as is every single one I read. But it sure captured my imagination, allowing me a moment to wish that time travel was possible.

Ms. Bessey's historical research was skillfully woven through a brilliant story set against the atmospheric backdrop of 1605, a time of great political turmoil in England. As Isla confronts the reality of her travel through time, she finds that she needs to adjust everything from her attire to her vocabulary. As she makes the acquaintance of Simon Bancroft and his family, she quickly realizes she has arrived right before a momentous historical event will take place. As she warns her host family, they realize they will need to take steps to protect the King and House of Lords. I really loved the way the reader experiences the story through both Isla and Simon's POV and well as Guy Fawkes.

This story is the perfect blend of fantasy with a riveting plot filled with intrigue and danger, engaging characters and a swoony romance. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

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

This was a first for me from Sian Ann Bessey and she told a fabulous story of time travel and the Guy Fawkes plot to overthrow the British government and King James. Isla Crawford needs some blue pyjamas for a parliamentary Autumn ball; her work colleague advises her to visit McQuivey’s Costume Shop as she has seen the costume there. Isla goes off to do so and while there, the proprietress recommends she try a gown from the Elizabethan / early Jacobean era first.

When she has done so, imagine her surprise to step out of the changing room into 1605 and straight into heavy rain and fierce winds. She sees a home in the distance and proceeds to make her way there only to be nearly run over by Simon Hartworth, Lord Bancroft, who is visiting his sister and her husband, Lord and Lady Maidstone and trying to get out of the rain as quickly as possible himself.

He invites the shivering Isla into his sister’s home and things take off from there. Initially, everyone thinks that Isla is insane or delusional and are keeping a cautious eye on her. As things progress and she can give them pertinent historical details related to their time, they each try to help her figure out why she has been transported to this period.

The book really takes off when she realises that they are a few days away from the Guy Fawkes plot and she proceeds to identify the key players and the critical information that is necessary to stop it. The story is told not only from Isla’s perspective but also from Guy Fawkes and several events that happen around that time, including the bubonic plague that was affecting London itself.

A wonderful story that I read in a couple of days as I could not put it down. I cannot say enough good things about it, and I am so glad I read it and would recommend it without reservation! I cannot wait for the rest of the time travel series to be released!

I received an ARC from the publishers and NetGalley and submit my honest review voluntarily.

This story was a true gem! From the start, I was curious about how time travel would work, and I was thrilled by how seamlessly it all came together. The author made jumping between different time periods feel magical, and I was hooked from the very first page.

The way the story took me back to a real historical event and showed love blossoming through time was incredible. Lord Bancroft, a noble from 1605, and Isla, a woman from 2025, seemed like they'd never fit together. Yet, their differences only made their connection stronger. Watching Isla navigate her new world and seeing the friendship and love grow between her and Bancroft was heartwarming. Their relationship developed so naturally, and it was a joy to watch.

This book had it all: rich history, family bonds, and a thrilling race against time. Every page felt like a gift, filled with excitement, romance, and adventure. I enjoyed this story from beginning to end, and I can’t wait to dive into the next book in McQuivey’s Costume Shop series!

Here’s what you can expect from this magical journey:
-> Time Travel that pulls you right in
-> A Rescue Romance that tugs at your heart
-> A Fish-Out-Of-Water story full of wonder
-> A Race Against Time that keeps you on edge
-> A Fake Betrothal that adds the perfect spark
-> Real, relatable Family Dynamics
-> The fascinating Jacobean Era (1600s)
-> Historical Events that bring the past to life
-> A delightful mix of Fantasy, Romance, and Adventure!

This was such a fantastic read, and I can’t wait to see what happens next in this amazing series!

I received a complimentary copy of this story. This review reflects my honest opinion.