"No Stone Unturned" by Jenelle Hovde is a wonderful Regency romance with Gothic vibes and great faith content! I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet and beautifully written story. Fans of Mimi Matthews, Julie Klassen, and “Jane Eyre” will especially love this book. I loved the descriptions of the untamed, isolated Abbey, the ancestral home of our hero, Captain Rafe Hawthorn. Miss Bridget Littleton, our loveable heroine, is delightful and I love that she is a bluestocking interested in artifacts. The romance was wonderful, and the book was well researched and rich with historical detail. I appreciated the faith content and the message that God is in control, even when we doubt and it is only by His strength that we can do anything. There are also themes of forgiveness, friendship, and loyalty. I think lovers of Regency romance with Gothic vibes will love this book! I cannot wait to see what this author writes next!

Content: I give this a PG rating. Some examples of the content: mention of gambling, a gaming hell, alcohol and laudanum; mention of a demon and a ghost; brief mention of past animal abuse and animal harm; mention of affairs, a mistress, and a couple sleeps together out of wedlock; someone curses, but the words aren’t actually written; a person born out of wedlock is called a “bastard” and someone is pregnant out of wedlock.
TW: Domestic violence in the past; mention of possible madness, PTSD; mental illness; alcoholic in the past.

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

I am a fan of Jenelle! She has written several contemporary cozies for Guideposts which have been lovely so when I heard she was writing a regency story I was definitely intrigued. This story was simply wonderful. The premise was so fun and I loved Rafe and Bridget. Jenelle also does an excellent job with the time period and setting. Hope she writes more in this genre/era!

I received a copy of this book and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

Overall, it was an interesting premise, and I really enjoyed the setting. There are some sensitive topics, but they are handled in a delicate manner. There is an underlying faith theme, but it is not overpowering. Sadly. the characters weren't as developed as I had expected, and there were some parts where the storyline dragged a bit. If you are interested in archaeology, there is information here that you will find interesting. I really enjoyed the quotes at the beginning of each chapter. However, I struggled with the writing style. There were also phrases that didn't seem accurate for the time period and location. There is a nice blend of history, mystery, and family drama. And if you enjoy slow burn, Regency romances, this may be one to check out.

This beautifully written Regency romance blends swoony enemies-to-lovers tension with faith, hope, and a dash of mystery.

It’s a battle of wills when two strong, determined characters with rival goals are forced to work together amid archaeological discoveries and mysterious happenings. The slow-burn romance that unfolds is both heartwarming and full of delightful tension. Add in themes of redemption, forgiveness, and spiritual growth, and you’ve got a story that truly uplifts.

Perfect for cozy reading nights and lovers of sweet, clean historical romance with substance.

No Stone Unturned by Jenelle Hovde
5 Stars

This was SO good y'all! A beautiful layered regency romance!

Read if you like:
✨Regency Romance
✨Christian Historical Romance
✨English Countryside Settings
✨Slow-burn Romance
✨Restoration of Artifacts/Antiquities
✨Archeology
✨Unexpected Discoveries
✨Books with a Jane Austen Feel
✨Stories that take time to Unfold
✨Strong Heroine
✨Wounded Hero with Growth
✨Heartfelt Journeys

We follow Miss Bridget Littleton who is NOT your typical society lady. She is very passionate about preservation of history, antiquities and artifacts. She finds herself at odds with the new Lord of Hawthorn Abbey over an ancient Roman mosaic. It leaves quite the enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn romance that I really enjoyed!

Captain Rafe Hawthorn is a hero marked by hardship and duty to restore both his family's legacy and his own worth. After his uncle passed away, he is the new lord of the estate and is trying to fix all the things that are broken. He is not too thrilled about Bridget and her quest to dig on the property...the conflict creates real high stakes and yet, they find themselves in a reluctant partnership where their chemistry grows. It's a story that takes time to unfold, which I loved.

I think if you like stories by Julie Klassen, Jane Austen or Abigail Wilson, you will love this book. Like Julie, we see the story take some time to unfold which I love. Like Jane's Northanger Abbey, we have an Abbey that appears to have a mystery behind it, some mentions of Bridget reading Udolpho - I loved the ties to that. And like Abigail, we have a regency romance with some mysterious happenings going on.... Others have compared this to Poldark atmospherically and I can see that too.

I loved the added faith element. We saw so much doubt from Bridget and she really felt realistic as she worked through those issues and the thread of "can a man really change?".... Yes, if God plays a role in it.

I'm really looking forward to more by Jenelle. Very impressed! Highly recommend!

Thank you to Austen Prose, Tyndale House Publishers and Jenelle Hovde for a complimentary copy of this book to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I want to express my gratitude to @jenellehovdeauthor @tyndalehouse and @austenprose for the #gifted book.

This novel is an absolute triumph, seamlessly blending historical artifacts, biblical truths, suspense, mystery, and a touch of romance!

At the heart of the story is Bridget, a passionate history enthusiast who dreams of restoring Roman ruins after a local farmer uncovers a stunning mosaic. However, her aspirations clash with Captain Rafe Hawthorn, the newly appointed lord determined to build a road through the site to enhance his ancestral estate. As they navigate their conflicting goals, a series of suspicious accidents threatens to undermine both of their projects, compelling them to join forces to uncover who is behind the sabotage.

The chemistry between Bridget and Rafe is palpable, and their witty banter draws you in from the very first page. The tight-knit community backdrop enhances the narrative, making the characters feel even more vibrant and relatable. Bridget's strength and passion for history are truly inspiring, and the unfolding mystery surrounding the mosaic adds an intriguing layer to the story. The romance between Rafe and Bridget develops beautifully, filled with depth and emotional resonance.

Additionally, the theme of faith weaves gracefully through the narrative, serving as a poignant reminder that the most significant restoration often occurs within ourselves.

If you adore captivating tales set in Regency England that intertwine mystery, romance, and hope, this book is a must-read and is available now. Don't miss out on this remarkable journey!

4.5 Stars

In No Stone Unturned, antiquities are discovered, drama and suspense ensue, and a slow-burn romance brews.

Bridget has a passion for history and antiquities. When a mosaic is discovered buried in a field, Bridget suspects that Roman ruins have been discovered and dreams of cataloging the artifacts and restoring the ruins. Her neighbor, Captain Rafe Hawthorn, has recently inherited Hawthorn Abbey and dreams of restoring it, which requires building a road through the field, destroying the artifacts and her aspirations. Can they work together to save the antiquities and do what’s best for his project and for the community?

The discovery of antiquities is a unique and interesting premise. Wouldn’t you love to walk through a field and discover Roman ruins?!

Rafe is building for the future, and Bridget’s uncovering the past. A brooding, handsome ex-soldier who is overcoming injuries and a feisty, determined, driven, and hopelessly enthusiastic archeologist experience a dramatic meet-cute, and sparks fly.

A mashup of genres often leads to a page-turning reading experience. No Stone Unturned is a mashup of history, mystery, intrigue, family drama, inspiration, and (slow-burn) romance with an enemies-to-lovers trope. The romance is refreshing because instead of relying on miscommunication for the tension, the main characters are each fighting for something they believe in, and eventually join forces to face an outside threat. The conflict is layered, and the situation is complicated. Even though we have a meet-cute and a HEA, the author treats us to a refreshingly unique and well-earned romance.

Fans of inspirational and page-turning historical fiction and strong character development will appreciate No Stone Unturned. This is the first book I’ve read by this author, and I’m eager to read more.

Thanks #NetGalley @TyndaleHouse @AustenProse for a complimentary eARC of #NoStoneUnturned upon my request. All opinions are my own.

Jenelle had me at archeology and kept me with an intriguing romance between a determined bluestocking and a grumpy viscount. While Bridget investigates Roman ruins on the estate, Rafe just wants to make his estate profitable again. No Stone Unturned is so much more than a romance. It's got history and mystery, great banter, and believable villains. It's a slow burn as Bridget and Rafe come to realize they are better together than apart. Their relationship progressed in a satisfying arc - no insta love.
One thing that sets a great book apart from a good book is the bad guy. He was well developed with a believable motive. I thoroughly enjoyed the way the mystery unfolded.
Thanks to Netgalley and Tyndale House for an ARC of this book.

I have found a new favorite author of Regency romance. Ms. Hovde delivered an engaging story with a grumpy hero and a determined heroine with a captivating mystery added. Captain Rafe Hawthorne is the new Viscount of Hawthorne Manor, an estate that is steeped in mystery and scandal. Bridget Littleton is a vicar’s daughter and quite the bluestocking with her fondness for the antiquities she found on a neighbors farm.
With flawed characters who grow in their faith, the plot thickened as Bridget sought recognition from two competing antiquities societies. And more complications arise as Rafe tries to improve his holdings and serve his tenants.
I was excited to read of the discovery of a Roman villa in the British countryside. This tale has a mix of historical significance, and the villainous quest to greedily obtain the artifacts. Vicar Littleton provides a voice of reason and spiritual guidance and he and other supporting characters add color to the story.
I enjoyed this story immensely and look forward to reading more from this author.
* A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Tyndale via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*

I was pleasantly surprised by this book! While this book falls firmly in the regency romance genre, it is so much more than that! There is mystery, archeology, Greek and Roman history, adventure, romance, friendship and plot twists! I loved the epigraph’s for each chapter as well, they added so much depth. And shoutout to the book cover—it’s stunning! 🤩

Dual POV, slightly Byronic hero, traditional gothic vibes, enemies-to-lovers, redemption, Biblical themes woven seamlessly throughout. Overall Vibe = Jane Eyre + What the River Knows.

Age rating: mature teen/adult. No language. No sexual content. No gore. Some kissing. Mild themes of illness, death, violence, betrayal, murder, arson, abandonment.

As soon as I saw the cover and read the blurb for No Stone Unturned I knew this book was for me. I am a history lover, especially ancient history. And I also am fascinated with archaeology and the discovery of artifacts. So this book was a great read for me.

Not only was this a history geeks dream, but it had enemies to lovers, danger, intrigue, betrayal, a grumpy MMC, and an intellectual and brave FMC. Then to top it off it had was filled with great Christian content. Definitely a winning combination!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy, all opinions are my own.

No Stone Unturned is the first book I have read written by Jenelle Hovde and I look forward to reading some more. This Regency time period romance had the perfect pairing of history, slow burn romance, an archeology dig, faith, and forgiveness.

The character development is great. Bridget is trying to run the household after her mother’s passing, searching for her wayward brother while uncovering the antiquities. She has a feisty personality which made for some great banter—watching her learn to forgive and learning to trust God again. Rafe finds himself back in the place he escaped as a young boy. Trying to save the family estate, while also dealing with the rumors behind the family’s past. Rafe finds his uncle’s journal and is processing the change in his uncle. Rafe is a broody character. I loved seeing him change throughout the book as he falls in love and finds forgiveness.

The setting was perfect. I loved the Hawthorn Abbey estate and Perry’s farm; it brought the Regency time period to life. The storyline was fun. We have regency dances, antiquities, suspense, mystery of who is doing all these things-missing letters, torn out pages, thorns in saddle- it kept me engaged and I could not put the book down.

The romance was a sweet, slow-burning, enemies-to-lovers, kisses-only romance.

Jenelle Hovde did a great job of intertwining faith throughout the book. Seeing the work of God in the characters, and the reminder that God cares for us.

*I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.

“You are quite the romantic, Miss Littleton. No wonder you wander the countryside like a woodland sprite in search of her fairy glen. How fortunate I am to have found you on such a dismal evening before your gossamer wings took ruin.”

This story is packed with mystery, artifacts, growing faith, a little danger, and a sweet romance. Oh, and a few unexpected twists too!

Bridget is intelligent and determined. I enjoyed her journey of uncovering the artifacts. Her return to her childhood faith and her raw conversation with her father were even better. And boy do Bridget and Rafe butt heads at first! Their romance was definitely a slow-burn, but oh so sweet! Rafe is wounded emotionally and physically. His discovery of some truths about his family were so good for him. I loved his determination to bring his estate back to prosperity. His gentleness toward his tenants was a pleasant surprise. The thing I loved the most is his realization that people can change and his own surrender to God.

A few more quotes:
“There is nothing so reliable as the blackness of souls.” “And nothing so reliable as God’s grace to redeem us from that darkness.”

Faith is a living and unshakable confidence. A belief in God so assured that a man would die a thousand deaths for its sake.

“Woodland sprite. You’ve utterly bewitched me and stolen my entire heart. Will you promise never to leave my side?” “I will never abandon you. Never.”

This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review, rating and opinions are my own.

No Stone Unturned is the perfect title for this book! Set in England during the Regency Era, the heroine is a bit of a bluestocking and an amateur archaeologist. She is the daughter of a clergyman and feels neglected by him. The hero is a broody former soldier who was injured in war. There is mystery, suspense, twists and turns, and a lovely romance. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

Bravo! Fans of Julie Klassen's books now have another regency author to add to the top their TBR.

"Leave no stone unturned...How can we learn to grow if we do not understand the past? How can we heal if we do not fully examine what happened to us?"

No Stone Unturned is an ideal blend of history and suspense, romance and faith. Set against the vivid setting of the English countryside, a vicar's daughter is encouraged to advance her interest in antiquities when a neighboring farmer inadvertently uncovers some relics from the past. She finds herself at odds with the new neighboring lord of the manor as they try to extend the dig for scholarly purposes. This is well-written friends-to-enemies story that is a slow burn romance, skillfully keeping readers invested by an expertly penned plot.

With the future of the estate on the line, odd circumstances hinder the development of the estate as well as the dig. Like a tangle of threads on the back of a tapestry, the seemingly unrelated events are woven together into a brilliant story. As they join forces, both Bridget and Rafe must face buried secrets and emotions from the past. A compelling faith thread of understanding that God is at work, even in the darkest moments, leading our paths, bringing strength, hope and wisdom is subtly woven throughout.

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.

Fans of Inspirational Regency Romance with a strong female protagonist, this is for you! I flew through No Stone Unturned because I just didn’t want to put it down. I had to know that things would work out (of course I knew they would but…) and how they’d work out. The author weaves together a beautiful story

I loved Bridget. She’s smart, kind, inquisitive, and stubborn! Although she is a vicar’s daughter, Bridget struggles very much with her faith. This felt very authentic given what we learn about her life throughout the novel. She loves history and antiquities, so when her friend’s father finds mosaics in his field, Bridget begs him to allow her to excavate what she believes is ancient Roman ruins. I’m a fan of fiction books that are set during this era that include some type of archaeology or excavation, so all of the things they unearthed made for fascinating reading.

Rafe made a perfect love interest for Bridget in this enemies-to-lovers slow burn clean romance. He had so many layers to his personality, and I loved how he opened up to Bridget (and how she did the same). The wide variety of side characters added a lot to the novel and never felt like unnecessary fillers. I’m not sure if the author plans a sequel to this, but I’d love to see Bridget’s brother Daniel get a story of his own.

I highly recommend No Stone Unturned for its well-written characters, descriptive settings, slow burn romance, and faith-filled themes. I loved it and give it 5 huge stars!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Just ok. This author is new to me. I had trouble connecting with the characters and the story dragged on a bit for me.  The archeological parts were interesting at times, but it just wasn't to my taste. 
I received an eVersion from NetGalley and the Publisher. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation.

I really enjoyed this clean romance. The lead female is an intelligent, well read vicar's daughter. The love interest is a down on his luck lord of the manor, come to claim the family home after his estranged uncle passed away. Having read every Amelia Peabody mystery, I cringed at some of her archeological techniques, but the books takes place in 1811, and so I'll forgive her. :) I was glad that the characters acted in a civilized manor throughout, not following the "I misunderstood your actions and therefore will never speak to you again" trope. Instead, they learn about each other gradually, and come to trust and care for each other. Neat tie up with realistic consequences at the end. (no spoilers) I would really like to see a sequel where they learn about a new archeological discovery and learn more about their families' pasts while they're at it! (hint hint)

No Stone Unturned is a charming, faith-tinged historical romance with a surprising mystery element that kept me hooked throughout the book, wondering what twist would happen next.

Bridget Littleton, an archaeology-loving heroine cut from a different cloth, is determined to prove herself in a world that rarely takes women (or their intellect and passions) seriously. She’s headstrong, bookish, and refreshingly uninterested in social climbing. Her desire to publish academic findings and search for her missing brother adds real depth to what could’ve been a more standard romantic arc.

Enter Captain Rafe Hawthorn: wounded war hero, reluctant viscount, and emotionally tangled man of the land. His backstory, complete with an abusive father, a protective mother, and an estranged uncle who might not be the villain he thought, gives him real weight. And yes, he falls first. He’s grumpy, impressed, and eventually smitten by Bridget’s stubborn brilliance. Delightful!

While the book is set in the Regency period, it doesn’t lean into the glittering ballrooms or London season tropes. Honestly, the “Regency” vibes are more background than foreground, but that’s okay—because the archaeological dig, A Roman mosaic discovered basically in Bridget's back yard (a little too convenient? maybe, but I rolled with it), and escalating estate sabotage kept things interesting.

The spiritual thread reminded me of Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers—faith is present, but not super preachy. Both Bridget and Rafe wrestle with belief in a way that feels authentic, not sanitized. That tension makes their connection richer.

As the story unfolds, hints of sabotage, secrets, and betrayal creep in. The final stretch takes a sharp turn: fire, murder, attempted murder... and a bit of narrative whiplash. I didn’t mind the intensity, though I do wish we got more resolution about Bridget’s brother Daniel.

Also worth noting: the book touches on the death of a child (found at the dig site, but still heartbreaking), and uses the myth of Medusa to explore how women are often seen as monstrous when they claim agency. It’s an unexpected but welcome theme.

Overall, No Stone Unturned is an engaging mix of romance, history, and mild mystery. Not quite what I expected, but genuinely satisfying—with characters who feel grounded, even when the plot spins big.

Thank you to Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley for the advanced copy. My opinions are my own.

I enjoyed reading No Stone Unturned, a delightful regency romance set in 1811 in West Sussex. Bridget is a strong and independent woman who’s an academic at heart. She loves history and has uncovered Roman era antiquities in the ground on her friend’s farm. Bridget’s station in life as the vicar’s daughter, and the need to support her father in his parish pastoral work after her mother passed away, means she has no marriage prospects. Her wayward younger brother is missing from the Royal Navy. Bridget feels guilty that she has broken her promise to her dying mother to care for her brother.

Rafe is a captain who injured his leg and has been discharged from the military. He’s the new viscount where Bridget lives and has inherited the title from his scandal-plagued uncle. Rafe was only six when his mother escaped the abbey and her terrible marriage to Rafe’s father. Rafe didn’t have a privileged upbringing and, when he arrives at the abbey in West Sussex, he discovers he has inherited a financial mess. The Crown are threatening to reclaim his land and title if he can’t pay the back taxes and get the estate in order.

Rafe and Bridget’s first meeting is memorable for all the wrong reasons. Their relationship as they move from enemies to friends to potentially more, and navigate the social class differences that make their match an unlikely pairing, is fun and sweet. The mystery in the story puts both Rafe and Bridget in danger and challenges them to consider faith matters and work out what’s important in life.

Bridget and Rafe are lovable and relatable characters, and I appreciated how their adorable romance played out on the page. I loved the quirky side characters and the archeology elements in the story. I recommend No Stone Unturned to regency romance readers who like enemies to love romances set in rural England that include Roman era antiquities, a mystery subplot, and strong faith elements in the story.

Many thanks to Tyndale and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.