this one was tough for me. while i liked it more than the previous title, i still felt like i was missing a connection to the characters. i felt as if i was reading a story that had very little surprise or depth, which in my opinion is what truly draws a reader in. i will continue the series as theyre very low stress and enjoyable enough, but i wish it had more umph.

A well done blend of Austen and Shakespeare. This was a fun read. I recommend to anyone who loves slow burn historical romance with a enemies to lovers and grumpy MMC. This was a little too slow burn for my liking but still and enjoyable read!

It was well-written but felt too rushed and forced. Especially the romance aspect was particularly sped up for no apparent reason

this was a first read for me by Madeleine Roux. I could not get passed chapter 4. the story-line did not catch my interest. Although I did not finish this book, I would definitely try others by the author because it is a time period I enjoy reading about. Free ARC from NetGalley for honest review.

After an affair with her art instructor, Violet is left heartbroken and at a loss at how to move forward, both personally and artistically. When Alasdair returns home to fix his family estate after the tragic fire that killed his father, he finds himself between his own family drama, the lure of Violet next door, and the backstory that keeps them apart.

I have read one of Roux's books before and enjoyed it, but this one seemed off. I had a hard time keeping up with the characters, the plot was confusing, and it just seemed convoluted. I found myself losing interest. However, maybe it was just my own mood! I think the author does a good job of grounding the reader in the setting, and I like her unconventional heroines! I will definitely give another of her titles a go in the future but this one was not my favorite.

2.75 rounded up

i enjoyed reading this but it was probably just okay, i’m not the hugest fan of shakespeare stuff in my historical fiction-romance so I was skeptical from the start (and the book did do that thing where the quotes at the start of the chapter barely related to the contents of the chapter which I booed aloud once I realized) but surprisingly I got pretty invested in the characters & story!

I did wish they maybe had a bit more time to spend together throughout the story but ultimately my biggest issue was that the ending felt slightly rushed after all the set-up (and long descriptive paragraphs) we had

the one narrative hiccup i had is i dont really understand why freddie and emilia couldnt be together other than the book not being about them (and i was like a little confused about the familial relations of all that ??? like would they be related by marriage ..?) so the explanations felt a little ….contrived (along with the whole feud but that was easier to stomach imo)

also you know when you can almost tangibly feel that an author was probably a little nervous about writing a sex scene? I kept getting that feeling (even though it was mostly fine just kinda wordy and overly descriptive at times) so that took me out of the book a bit but otherwise twas a fun read

i will say this was my first time reading this author and i would check out another story from her! (especially if theres a loosely related sequel or prequel idk i got that vibe)

thank you so much to netgalley and ballantine/dell for this arc to review!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy in exchange for a honest review.


This book was an overall nice read. I’d describe it as a light romance. Alisdair and Violent had good character development overall. Plot development was nice. I felt like it was more of a historical fiction rather than romance though. The family rivalry could have been fleshed out a little more to add to the overall plot.

I normally love historical romances and the title of this one definitely caught my interest when I applied for it on NetGalley. Unfortunately, it fell a bit short for me. The romance wasn’t really developed and I felt like the Shakespeare references weren’t really fleshed out enough. The characters motivations were a bit flimsy as well and I don’t even know what the family rivalry was over.

I was also expecting some set up for a sequel but we didn’t really get one. I see which characters would be best for a sequel but don’t really know if the story has enough potential for another book.

If it did become a series, I’d read the next book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Lush, Slow-Burn Romance with Intrigue and Heart

These Violet Delights is a beautifully crafted historical romance full of tension, mystery, and emotional depth. Violet and Alasdair’s slow-burn connection crackles with chemistry as they navigate family feuds, forbidden love, and the threat of an arsonist. With a strong heroine, a brooding hero, and a richly drawn setting, this story had me hooked from the start.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

These Violet Delights is a historical romance between Alasdair Kerr and Violet Arden. Violet is an aspiring painter who falls for her French painting teacher and their affair is later revealed in London ruining her reputation. She returns home to her family and finds that her cousin's sister in law is trying to run off and marry Freddie Kerr, who is not worthy of her. Alasdair and Violet both agree that Emilia and Freddie should not be together, and work together to keep them apart.
However, while working together they find each other fighting attraction to one another.

I really enjoyed this book. It had everything you could want a brooding misunderstood MMC, suspense, a strong willed FMC trying to make her way in an art world ran by men--what more could you want? Alasdair and Violet's chemistry jumped off the page and I loved the sister relationships portrayed as well. Highly recommend if you like historical romance! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine for the ARC!

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

A blend of Pride & Prejudice and Romeo & Juliet, with just a smidgen of Bridgerton, this book was fun, joyful, and an overall lovely read. A light, romantic story that had me smiling and kicking my feet under the table. I loved the characters of Alisdair and Violet, and I loved the setting of the art world as a backdrop. I recommend to anyone who enjoys a good period romance, the slightest of spice, and a solid HEA.

This was such a fun read. I enjoyed Violet and Alasdair (her art! his glasses! the scene at the stream!) but wished there was even more character development for both of them. 3.5 stars!

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine for the advanced reader copy.

Violet is fierce, brilliant, and messy in the best way, and Alasdair’s the brooding type who makes you want to scream and swoon all at once. Their chemistry is magnetic, and the way they circle each other against the backdrop of artistic ruin, family drama, and literal fire was completely addictive. It’s the kind of slow burn that smolders through every chapter and leaves you gasping by the end. Honestly, I didn’t want to leave their world.

I really enjoyed reading this book. As a lover of art and historical fiction this was a great read. What I really enjoyed about this book were the quotes at the beginning of each chapter from different Shakespeare literature. It’s a great slow burn enemies to lovers. Something else to note is that this book seems to have been written in a little more realistic style reminiscent of the 1800s,

This is my first read by this author, so I was going into it blindly. This felt more of a historical fiction novel than a romance. Even though this had some romance, I just wanted more of it. This book is well written, had suspense to it and I found it to be thought provoking. This is an enemies to lovers, forbidden romance read. I really like how art was a part of this book! It had likable characters and the plot was clear. Overall, I rate this a 3 out of 5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley, author Madeleine Roux and Ballantine | Dell for this digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review.

I am interested in reading her other books!

This book is expected to be published on November 4, 2025!

These Violet Delights is a nice historical romance. It has a good plot with a challenging male lead and fiesty romance. If you're into romance, arts, and a cozy historical read, then this is the book for you.

Violet has an sordid affair with her art instructor. When it all comes out at her artistic debut of her paintings, and her lover abandons her, Violet is left heartbroken and devasted.

Alasdair Kerr returns home to his family’s estate after the loss of his father. He runs into Violet, who he knew in childhood, but is part of the family that his mother strongly despises. Any interaction between the two is strictly forbidden. Yet the minute they see each other again, there’s something simmering there for both of them.

*** Enemies to lovers
*** Childhood neighbors/playmates
*** Grumpy MMC
*** Mystery/supenseful plot
*** Lots of longing and stolen looks

This was my first read by Madeleine Roux. I greatly enjoyed her writing style. I liked this novel, but just wanted a lil more from the romance.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and Netgalley for the ARC of this novel; all opinions are my own.