I finished this book wiggling and giggling. I really, really loved One Night in Hartswood. A perfect romance novel with lyrical prose and sparkling characters, this evocative book almost had it all. The historical setting was a little light but honestly it didn’t need to be more in depth as the spotlight was very much on the perfectly angsty, deliciously sweet romance. There was cuddling for warmth, tension charged sparring, miscommunication, protecting each other and more. While One Night in Hartswood is a debut, and does occasionally read that way, this book is a true gem that I cannot wait to share with my romance reading patrons.

This book!!!

Sweet and romantic, tempered by achingly painful moments and excruciating longing. I laughed, I cried, I held my breath through moments of disaster…a fun and wild ride that pays off beautifully.

I loved almost all the characters, not just the main two…and those I didn’t love I loved to hate. I love a book that has real feeling characters, that feel like whole complete people on their own.

The romance was so top tier it made me cry a little. I am going to make so many friends read this with me.

I absolutely adored this story and my heart is so full! Neither Penn nor Raff are living the lives that they dream of which is incredibly relatable. Watching their love blossom throughout the story was truly amazing, even though their meet cute was a tad traumatic. It has been a long time since I’ve read a historical fiction and this is my first queer historical fiction however, after this story, I’ll be adding this niche genre to my top three. Honestly I couldn’t say enough good things about this book. The only thing that was a bit hard was in the copy I read there is nothing to warn you that you are switching points of view. Even a little * between paragraphs to let the reader know it’s switching from Raff to Penn would be great to include! This story made me laugh and cry and filled my heart with love! I cannot wait to read more from this author.

Well, then, This was a lovely historical romance set in the 14th century. Penn meets Raff once he decides to skip out on his arranged marriage and get out from under the thumb of his abusive father. Little does he know that the helpful Scottish tracker he’s befriended is the brother of his jilted bride to be. With both main characters concealing their true identifies, the two grow closer as they travel through the forest and country together.

This book drew me in immediately and I loved the unique historical take on a traditional road trip story. There is, however, always a bit of tension in queer historical romance where you’re never quite sure what the HEA will look like and how they will find their way there. This is especially the case here as you’re waiting for the truth of their identities to be revealed. Towards the end, the plot got a bit muddled for me, as the politics of the day come into play but I still enjoyed the ultimate resolution.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper360 for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. I was honestly surprised that this was a debut and I look forward to what Emma Denny writes next.

Set in 1300s England, this is the story of Raff and Penn, both of whom are lying about who they are. Raff is tracking the nobleman who jilted his sister, and Penn is the very nobleman, escaping his cruel father. They journey together until the truth is revealed when Penn's father comes after him.

I always enjoy a medieval setting, and Penn and Raff are tremendously enjoyable characters. Well realized, though Penn a bit more than Raff, but the disparity doesn't show too much. A very fun cast of side characters in the families, and I would love to see more of their siblings in future books. I'll definitely be interested in more from Emma Denny!

Oh so good. Raff and Penn are such great characters and their budding romance so satisfying. Ash and the other siblings add to the great story. I didn't want it to end!

One Night in Hartswood is a delightful romantic novel starring two men, Raff and Penn, who both pretend that they are not who they say they are. As they discover each other, the reader is taken on a hike of sorts through a forest, wondering how this will turn out, until circumstances collide and the truth is revealed.
Thanks Net galley for this ARC.

This was a lot better than I thought it would be. Swoony and so romantic, the sparks were flying immediately. I loved our love interest and I loved their storyline.

I was going between 3.5 and 4 stars on this one because there was a good chunk of the story that seemed to really drag and the mistaken identity trope got really stressful after a while. But I loved both Penn and Raff so much and I really loved their relationship and how naturally they fell in love. I also adored Ash, Lily, and Jo so much and would love more stories in this universe from their perspective! I also really loved the ending and how everything was wrapped up! One thing I wish was explored more was Penn’s trauma and how low his self esteem was. It didn’t need to be in a graphic or super detailed way but I feel like how his trauma effected him was just kind of pushed to the back burner once they got their happy ending. But besides that and the pacing, I got a lot of joy from this story and I would definitely recommend it!! 🥰

What a delightful read! Fans of K. J. Charles and Freya Marske should definitely put this book on their TBR list! The story was fast-paced without being slammed with "action" and the romance was tender and endearing. I'm already hoping this is part of a trilogy for the Barden siblings!

This was a delightful story! I really enjoyed getting to know both of the main characters as the POV changed back and forth, Seeing how they were both feeling and adjusting to things really helped move the story forward. They had a lot in common but were still vastly different. I really loved them both and was rooting for them to make things work. I even enjoyed the side characters.

I did feel that their first encounter happened a bit to abruptly, which seemed even more abrupt when things practically screeched to a halt. I understand why everything were set aside for awhile, but the angsty slow burn nature of the romance got old after a while. Once Penn and Raff got past those initial issues, I felt like the story moved better. The pacing through the middle of the book was a bit slow while the beginning and end almost seemed rushed, but the story flowed well enough to keep my interest.

This is a great story for anyone who is looking and emotional romance in a historical setting without a lot of action.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley, Harper360, and Mills & Boon for the opportunity to review this amazing story.

A lovely story about two lords trying to find freedom away from their families. An amazing mix of sweet and spicy with secrets both our main characters hold until the truth comes out. Raff is from the traveling party ready to give away his sister in marriage (eagerly) but then the groom suddenly runs away. Raff and Penn both don't know who the other is or how closely their destiny is already intertwined. Raff was mistaken for a tracker and Penn is mistaken as a runaway servant trying to start anew both travel in the harsh cold to different towns trying to find Penn a new life. It is a slow burn and the spice level is low. We all need a man like Raff, he is so so so patient with Penn! We find out Penn did suffer abuse and is very embarrassed or ashamed of his scars. I literally gasped as this was revealed and wanted to know what did Penn do that was so wrong. As my first queer historical romance with a dual pov, the only thing I would ask for is a little more background of Penn’s brothers. I need to know what his brother Henry did! I also need clarification was Oliver important to Ash or Raff?! Who was he? Did he betray them? Was he with both of them? So many questions so few answers. Also Author… I wouldn't mind if Jo and Lily have their own spin-off… together… please?




“You look good. You look like - like mine.”
- Raff

Well, then.
Penn and Raff are just so soft and adorable with each other, I genuinely was kicking and screaming for 75% of this book.

This book was absolutely chock full of my favorite things including but not limited to: Mistaken identity, camping/traveling, fighting lessons laced with sexual tension, nursing the love of your life back to health, and a dramatic sibling who causes chaos and is captain of the “pls just kiss already” ship.

This story takes place in the 14th century but I really didn’t get the feeling that I was anchored in any time period - It felt almost fantasy leaning, which is probably due to the majority of the book taking place in the woods while Raff and Penn were traveling so there was minimal interaction with the world outside of their little bubble.

Mistaken identity is trope I don’t see as often and when I do it is usually resolved fairly quickly and not made into a major plot point - I really enjoyed that Denny pushed that trope out and made it such a large part of this story - It served the conflict for these characters later on well. Speaking of conflict I do wish there had been a little more focus on the external conflict here - that being Penn and his abusive father the Earl. The ending felt a trifle too easy to me but considering this is a romance first and everything else second, I didn’t mind.

Listen, this book is the crème de la crème of the hurt/comfort trope. Every single page was soft and tender. All around the true definition of a comfort read and highly recommended if you want to be wrapped in a warm blanket.

Special thanks to Netgalley and Harper 360, Mills & Boon for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is truly charming love story set in 1300s England. Penn is running from a cruel father and an arranged marriage, and Raf seeks time and space to figure himself out beyond the demands of his role as Earl's son. The two happen upon one another in the forest and band together, though each conceals their identity. Along their journey they become close, learning about one another as they learn also about themselves, but it's only a matter of time before one or both of them will be found out. Clear and quick to read, the MCs are incredibly lovable and the story engrossing. It is a bit of a slow burn, and beautiful. Will definitely be watching this author!

Penn must be protected at all costs. This was such a cute romance set between two characters who'd both gone through some rough times. The chemistry written between Raff and Penn was unmatched from moment one. And the fact that we as readers, not only got to follow along on their journey to freedom, but to watch them fall in love along the way.

The side characters - apart from Penn's father - helped make the story all the more enjoyable. Ash had to have been my favorite, and I would love a side story that gave us more insight into Oliver.

I can't wait to see what Emma comes up with next. Thank you to Netgalley and Mills & Boon for the e-arc!

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper360, and Mills & Boon for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

*Trigger warning for abuse and trauma*

I don't tend to like books with historical settings, but Denny's debut novel had an intriguing premise (and an adorable cover), so I decided to give it a try - and I'm so glad I did! The historical setting isn't as fleshed out as some might like, but it was perfect for me. Overall, this book was absolutely adorable and gave me such warm fuzzies. Denny also does an excellent job with her spice, and avoids some of the common pitfalls of cringe-worthy language that still fell many well-known and loved authors. It was a lovely read, and I am eager to read more from this author!

This, overall, was a strong debut novel by this author.

Set in 1360, <b>Penn</b> and <b>Raff</b> are two sons of Earls, one from the south and one from the north of Englan.

Raff's younger sister is betrothed to Penn - his birth name being William, he prefers to go by Penn - yet they have never met and they don't know what the other looks like.

The day before they're to be wed, Penn sneaks out into the Hartswood forest to kind of get one last night to be on his own. There he meets Raff, as Raff and his brother and the rest of their retinue, aside from his sister and father, are further back for the night near the forest. Raff needed to get away after an argument with his older brother.

Since Penn goes by Penn, and he isn't dressed in his usual clothes as he sneaked out, and Raff as well isn't dressed expensively, they assume the other is a servant, and neither clears that up.

It makes sense at first, as they're thinking to just know each other for a night and then never again, but after that, when Penn truly runs away and Raff is sent after him to find him, and they run into each other, they don't clear up the lie.

And again, it makes sense at first as they don't know each other well at all. But of course the lies become these big unspoken things between them and even after Raff's lie is found out, Penn doesn't tell the truth and at that point I was just done with the lies. When lies go on for that long in books, I really dislike it. Especially when it gets to the point where it's like...why are you even lying anymore? At this point it's lying just to lie. I wish characters would just own up to the truth at some point.

With both Raff and Penn, their lies are found out by other people recognizing them, not because they owned up to their lies and just told each other.

That was one niggle with this. Another is this really drew things out between these two, and the slow burn became almost too much. The steam was also very low in this. What we got was good, we did get two steamy scenes, one fully penetrative, but neither was as fully detailed as I would have liked and was kept to a lot of vagueness. Almost to the point of...what was the point of them at all, if you weren't really going to go into them?

I wanted more steam, less about them just walking day after day, going to inns, blah blah blah. When something was happening, it was great and interesting, but there was a lot of just these two...not talking enough, almost doing something or wanting to do something, and not doing it, and them delaying the journey North to spend more time together and just have as much freedom as they wanted.

Which, understandable, but it didn't always make for exciting, entertaining material to read. Things got interesting when Ash showed up, but then he left fairly quickly.

Things really picked up at the end, though, and I think the ending was the strongest part of this book, actually.

While the rest of the book did build these two up to being in love, the most exciting things happened at the end when they were already there and had to find some way to be together in what seemed like an impossible situation.

I also wish the epilogue had been a little longer, it was fairly short. I wanted more of them getting their HEA together, but it was more of just a snapshot of it. Very rushed.

But overall, this was enjoyable and a strong debut novel. Definite room for improvement, and I do hope this author is steamier in her future works, but this was really enjoyable, and I really loved Penn and Raff as characters and together.

Definitely worth picking up this newbie author. Don't let the overall rating fool you, this is quite enjoyable.

I will be keeping my eyes open for more from this author in the future. This one was a delight to read and our main couple was good together.

Definitely has potential to get even better with time 🥰

Well, then. What a sweet story. Historical romance isn't my go-to by any means, but this book was so charming. It was a great take on a forced-proximity roadtrip trope.

Both of the MCs, Penn and Raff, are hiding their social identities from each other while at the same time getting to know the real people beneath any titles. Having grown up with obligations to their stations in life, neither is eager to let the other know who they are because for this brief trip they are free to be themselves.

I love the instances of little glances here and small touches there - SWOON! The mutual pining is oh-so delicious. I would have loved to see what ultimately happened to the side characters, but overall, very satisfied with the ending.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this, since the blurb is pretty bare-bones, but oh my gosh I am in love with everything it delivered. I love a good road-trip trope, and this puts an excellent spin on it with both the 1300s historical setting and the mistaken identity trope that leaves both Penn and Raff thinking that the other is much plainer in identity than he is. Of course, this comes with all sorts of additional delicious tropes - huddling for warmth, pining, sparring as foreplay, to name a few - as they make their way north and both of them stray further from their original intent and further into each other's orbit.

Penn is definitely the more-developed character between the two, or at least, the one who undergoes the most growth that we get to see. We hear from Raff's family that he has changed for the better, but we don't get to see much of a change other than his falling in love with Penn, which don't get me wrong, is beautifully sweet, but he is much more of a stable, loving force for Penn. Penn, by contrast, is so adrift at the beginning that to see how far he had come in the epilogue all but brought a tear to my eye.

Overall, it's a wonderful queer historical romance that I know I'll be returning to again and again, and holding out hope that there's more from Denny in the future, especially for some of the side characters!

One Night in Hartswood is a sweeping adventure full of danger, betrayal and so much love.

William is the son of a Lord, destined for marriage to the daughter of another Lord. Raff is a man seeking some sort of adventure of his own, free from the responsibilities of his Lord father’s title… which should belong to his older brother.

When Raff happens upon Penn in the woods, he aims to help the man, not knowing Penn is actually William, the man who is to marry his sister.

What happens is a sprawling love story between two men who are both longing for more from their lives, but there are endless obstacles. How can you start a life based on lies?

This was just such a beautiful story. I fell so hard for Penn and Raff. I wish that the two had communicated better throughout the story, but their hearts were totally in the right place.

I want to start this out by saying, I don't like historical fiction. But apparently that's not true, because I LOVED this book.

One Night in Hartswood, set in 1360, is the story of two men who find themselves on a road trip together. Both are harboring secrets that threaten to tear apart their budding relationship. What will happen when those secrets are revealed?

What I liked: Everything. This book was incredible. I could not put it down, I told everyone I knew that I'm reading this great ARC....I could not stop thinking about it. Their relationship was so filled with sexual tension, with tenderness, and you root for them the whole way.

What I didn't like: I loved the slow burn, but I would have loved to see just a touch more romance/spice. If I'm going to be teased, I want a reward :)

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper360 for the ARC. I cannot wait to see what Emma Denny writes next!

Rating: 4.5

All in all, this one was sweet. Raff and his siblings roll up to the territory of an Earl their father has decided to marry their sister off to the son of. They're all bantering around about what could possibly be wrong with these people because they don't know anything about them. Raff just wants to make sure his sister is safe and then duck out into the forest to clear his head.

Penn, the groom to be, is suffocating and does not want to be married, let alone to a woman and bails. He meets up with Raff and their connection is near instant. Both of them leave some pretty big details out, like who the other one actually is, and away we go. I thought Penn's character was developed quite a bit more than Raff's but he didn't feel unfinished. I just wanted more of him.

I appreciated how much Penn stepped up to the plate when he was so terrified of his father. He's been told he's a terrible heir and would make a terrible Earl but he seems to have done alright in my opinion. His father is just a terrible abuser and I hated that he never seemed to suffer true consequences for his actions.

One of my biggest questions in this book is what exactly did Leo do to get disowned and is this a series? I kept expecting him to pop back up but I never really understood what happened with him. I would love to see him pop back up and knock surly Ash on his butt.

Thank you to Netgalley, Harper 360, and Mills & Boon for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Harper Collins for this eARC! Did you ever watch the BBC series Merlin and scream at your TV for those two smitten idiots to just kiss already? Then this is the book for you! The way that these two learn to protect themselves and each other and the way they fall gently into love is so special. It feels quiet and careful and dangerous all at once. Seeing Penn grow into himself and learn to stand on his own two feet all to protect the man he loves is just so excellent. This was a really lovely read and I'm very happy to have gotten my hands on it.

I loved this book, I'm truly having a Pride and Prejudice fuelled old England romance readathon right now thanks to a call out from the barbie movie and this book fucking hit the spot. There are some questions I wish were answered, mainly surrounding what happened to Penn's family i wish there was a little clearer detail, I kept expecting Leo to pop up and never did, but overall I adored this book, it had my eyes welling up at points and I lovea dramatic turning yourself in to save your love moment. overall fantastic, will absolutely be reading again

Thank you Netgalley, Harper360, Mills & Boon for an ARC of this book.

Like Penn and Raff, I sometimes want to escape and this book provided that.

This was a cute mistaken identity/straight up lying tale that I had a hard time putting down.

I think what really made me enjoy this book was the Barden family dynamic. The love and acceptance they had for Raff made him a more open and protective person, and just what Penn needed.

I need follow up stories on Lily, Jo, and Ash. This is going to be a series, right?

Totally loved it! Don't read much fiction and especially not books set in the 1300's.
One Night in Hartswood really sucked in though and I kept wanting to know what would happen next. I can't believe how quickly I finished it. Will probably read it again.

I found the writing exposition-heavy and wasn't personally gripped. Stopped after chapter 1 (7%). I kind of think there was no hope for me with this one, partially because I hate when characters run away from their problems, and that's .. well, the premise of the book ;-)

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for the ARC.

This was a fun read from an author who is new to me. I love a good LGBT story set in the past, and this didn’t disappoint. Raff and Penn fall in love, not realizing the other is keeping their true identity secret. Angst abounds once the secrets unravel.

Thanks as always to NetGalley for the ARC.

This book took me a little while to get into, but once I got into it I could not put it down. It was a wonderful story that I had to know the ending of as soon as possible. A great book, I definitely recommend.

When I saw that this novel was set in 1360, I immediately wanted to read it. Ultimately, I'm glad I did...despite the constant feeling I had that the setting was fairly arbitrary and it really could have been any pre-industrial time period.

On the upside, the lack of strong historical worldbuilding allowed the relationship between Penn and Raff to dominate the story. They complemented each other very well, and I certainly enjoyed their chemistry. I particularly loved how gently but adamantly Raff challenged Penn's shame, the result of so many years of physical and emotional abuse. Watching Penn realize his own worth and grow into his strength was more than satisfying. And even though I knew how the story would ultimately end up (I love a guaranteed HEA!), I still thought the way it was brought about was clever.

Even though the two MCs were traveling alone for most of the story, a few of the secondary characters were surprisingly well-drawn, most especially Raff's brother Ash who shows up in the narrative a number of times. Honestly, I would have enjoyed seeing even more of him in this book, and I would absolutely love to see him get his own novel.

Overall, One Night in Hartswood was a lighthearted read that still managed to navigate some heavy themes with skill and compassion. I will definitely be recommending it during readers' advisory discussions, and I look forward to more from this author.

This book 😍

Raff is ready to hit the open road after seeing his sister married off in a politically advantageous marriage. He isn’t sure what is next for him, but he’s feeling restless and ready for adventure.

Penn is supposed to be the husband in said politically advantageous marriage, but after putting up with decades of his father’s abuse he has finally had enough and decides to flee the keep.

Raff & Penn’s paths converge, with neither of them knowing exactly who the other is. But the longer they travel together, the harder it is to deny the feelings growing between them.

When identities are finally revealed, they will have many large obstacles in the way of their happiness — including angry parents & the threat of war.

This book was filled with action but still managed to be so tender and beautiful. The stolen moments between Raff and Penn were truly perfection (and their siblings were pretty cool too!)

Loved this from beginning to end.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC.

One Night in Hartswood is a historical romance that is beautiful and cozy. This is not an overly complicated world which is a change from some of the historical novels that I have read. It is a nice change of pace. It is a simple world that is easy to imagine. It takes place in the 1300s which is the first that I have read for a historical m/m romance.

Raff and Penn have such great chemistry from the moment that they meet. It was easy to see why they wanted to be together, and you wanted them become lovers. There are a lot of romances out there where I don't understand why the two characters ended up together but that is not the case here. They are both adorable and cute in their interactions. They are perfect for each other.

One of my favorite scenes was when Penn stood up to his father to protect Raff. I couldn't help but cheer, And when the two finally admitted that they loved each other I couldn't help but feel mushy.

This is a nice steamy romp that is addictive and charming. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a cozy romance.

It was a light read suited best for when one is in the mood to experience a historical AU mistaken identity gay romance. Please don’t come into this book expecting an immersion into history, the events firmly take place in the same Romancelandia where there is a rakish duke to reform for every sarcastic debutante, and I say that with longstanding fondness for the genre. This novel takes place in a world where everyone wears historic costumes and talks about arranged marriages and tournaments and family obligations and such. But it is a love story between two men with recognizably modern sensibilities and anxieties, adorned with some colorful historic window dressings. Is that a bad thing? Depends on what you are looking for. Personally, I don't come to historical m/m for an scientifically accurate use of cutlery and medieval hygiene. It would have been nice to have a deeper sense of place and time, but in a romance, granted, but it is faithful to the tropes promised by the package.

What I am happy about is definitely that a mainstream romance publisher is making a choice in favour of a soft gay historical to break up the line up of safer titles.

Thanks to #Netgalley and Mills & Boon for an arc of #OneNightInHartswood.

Solid debut novel set in a historic time period not often seen in Romance. Raff travels south with his family or his sister's wedding to the son of a newly powerful Lord. While there, he meets Penn -- a man he assumes to be a servant -- and shares a heated moment. When the mysterious son of the Lord goes missing, Raff is sent off to find him, happening to find Penn along the way. He offers to help him on his travels, setting off with him to the north.

The POV switches between Raf and Penn quite quickly, sometimes in separate sections and sometimes in separate sentences. This made it a little difficult to always know whose perspective I was reading. Mistaken identity is a common trope, but I still enjoyed it. The relationship between Penn and Raff is organic and sweet. Overall a solid debut, and I look forward to reading her further work.

<b>✰4.5 stars✰ rounded up</b>

<blockquote><b>“I was not rid of you . . . I have not been rid of you since that first evening in Hartswood Forest.”</b></blockquote>

<b>I absolutely adored this book every step of the way. [author:Emma Denny|22343292] is an amazing writer, not just in how she creates a story but in how to describes it and the prose she uses when writing.</b> It’s clear that she’s dedicated a lot of time to her craft.

This story is set in the 14th century as a historical romance, and while I do agree that it is certainly those things it almost feels as if it could fall into fantasy as well. Not because it’s unbelievable but because it’s beautiful and feels fantastical(good love stories always do) even without any elements of magic that you usually find in fantasy.

All of the tropes in this one seemed to flow and work really well together, there’s mistaken/hidden identity, there’s forced proximity from traveling and camping together and needing to stay warm, there’s fighting lessons that turn into sexual tension, and there’s “I want you but I don’t think I can have you”.

Character wise, Penn and Raff were perfect for each other. Even when they were hiding their titles from each other, they were being their true selves at the root of it all. Taking the titles away really stripped them down to what they are behind that and it gave them the chance to get to know one another on a deeper level.
I also loved Raff’s siblings and how supportive of Raff they were. They knew about Raff’s inclination towards men and despite it being taboo and wrong for the time, they didn’t care and only wanted what was best for him.
They were definitely on the Raff and Penn ship before Raff and Penn were even fully on it themselves. It definitely gave “okay, now kiss” vibes which I thought was incredibility endearing and sweet.

The conflict here gets resolved easier than realistically possible, so if you’re about having your historical romances be completely rooted in reality then the angst and resolution of the end of the story might not be your cup of tea.
But here’s the thing, I didn’t mind at all. I’m not picking up a M/M historical romance and expecting it to be 100% realistic because the reality of that time is far less pretty and happy for most gay men in the 14th century.
This book stays true to historical views but isn't going to overly highlight those bad things every step of the way because I think this is meant to feel warm and cozy, like the love these two men begin to realize they share feels.

<blockquote><b>“We have been apart for less than a day.”
“And I have missed you for every moment of it.”</b></blockquote>

Nothing in this book felt forced or unnatural, and I can’t emphasize enough how neatly the author writes. It’s beautiful but accessible in a way that it isn’t hard to understand. Sometimes in historical romances they are written in a way that takes you longer to figure out what’s happening just because the prose is dense and unbending. That isn’t the case here and it’s done in a way that is perfect for the story.

<b>Overall, I highly recommend this if you are looking for a warm, mood read with hurt/comfort that leaves you with a cozy feeling when you finish.</b>

"One Night in Hartswood" by Emma Denny is an enchanting historical romance that sweeps readers into the world of Oxford in 1360. With a backdrop of political intrigue and forbidden love, this novel weaves a tale of passion, sacrifice, and the enduring power of connection.

Denny's prose shines as she introduces readers to Raff Barden and William de Foucart, also known as Penn. When Penn disappears on the eve of his arranged marriage, Raff becomes entwined in a journey to bring him back and restore his family's honor. The story unfolds with vivid historical detail, immersing readers in a bygone era and skillfully creating a sense of time and place.

The heart of the novel lies in the growing bond between Raff and Penn. As they navigate challenges and rely on each other for survival, their connection deepens into a love that is both forbidden and profound. The chemistry between the characters is palpable, and their emotions are portrayed with sensitivity and depth, making their journey all the more captivating.

Beyond the romance, the novel explores themes of trust, loyalty, and the choices we make for love. The characters' journeys are filled with twists and revelations, keeping readers engaged and invested in their outcomes. As secrets come to light, Raff and Penn must grapple with their feelings and make decisions that will shape their futures.

"One Night in Hartswood" is a beautifully crafted debut that captures the essence of historical romance while offering a fresh and engaging narrative. Denny's ability to transport readers to a different time while delving into universal emotions makes this novel a standout in the genre. Fans of historical romance will be swept away by the intricate plot, well-developed characters, and the tender and enduring love story at its core.

I really enjoyed the duel POV of this book, switching between Raff and Penn. The setting with them traveling together while they get to know each other better was very romantic and helped us readers become attached to both characters.

The thing I didn't enjoy as much is that their relationship was built on lies from both sides. I also felt the slow burn was REALLY slow. But it was so worth it when they finally give in to each other.

The side characters were great and it was kind of shame only Ash seemed to get fleshed out more. Penn's father was a delightfully awful protagonist in the story and had me truly rooting against him.

It was enjoyable to read Penn coming out of shell and finding his own talents and realizing he did not deserve his father's abuse.

Overall this was a fun and engaging read. I don't care that the end was a little predicable because it's just what I wanted in this romance.

Thank you to Netgalley and Xpresso Book Tours for the ARC for an honest review.

A really lovely historical romance with unique and memorable characters! I enjoyed watching them grow so close, and loved the way they balanced each other out.

I absolutely adored this book! A runaway heir, fake identities and a slow burn romance? What’s not to love?!

Penn and Ash are thrown together in the woods one night and their stories become entangled from there as they search for freedom from their respective roles and expectations. They traverse the forest side by side as their feelings for each other secretly grow until they’re forced to reckon with the burdens they’re running from.

I fell in love with these characters! They took me on such a rollercoaster of emotions! And the LONGING in this book is tangible and almost painfully real. I couldn’t get enough of this story and tore through it! This book is perfect for fans of Cat Sebastian and/or Alexis Hall, I promise!

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper 360, Mills Boon for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Mills & Boon and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. William is expected to be married, he’s supposed to marry Raff’s sister. No one in Raff’s family have ever seen William. William desperate to escape what his father has planned runs away and straight into Raff. The two keep who they are from each other, William going by Penn. Together they travel North. Can Penn escape? What happens when the two begin to develop feelings? I really enjoyed this queer historical romance. The time spent with Raff and Penn as they travel the countryside was super sweet and charming! A slow burn with a satisfying ending, highly recommend!

This is a wonderfully tropey historical fiction with a world that feels rich and fully realized and a secret-identities twist that's both fun and impossible to look away from. It's missing the special something that would make it a favorite, but it's absolutely a read I'll recommend and one that will appeal to historical fiction lovers looking for LGBTQ stories.

When Raff finds a disheveled man in Hartswood forest, the last person he expects it to be is his sister's betrothed who is attempting to escape his father's control. Penn tells Raff that he is a servant and Raff helps him escape to the north while also concealing that he is much more than a tracker. Though both are lying to each other about their identities, they also cannot deny their pull towards each other.

This book is so so sweet, heartwarming, and really everything I want out of a queer historical romance. Raff and Penn's relationship is so loving and the scene where Penn finally allows Raff to look at his scars both broke my heart and put it back together. Their love is tender and so caring. I truly adored them together and this story. The spicy scenes also really moved their relationship forward and were truly lovely.

Though Penn in the beginning appears a bit helpless and wholly dependent on Raff but he really holds his own with his charisma and ability to spin a story, getting the pair out of trouble quite a few times!

Read this for:
- Cuddling for Warmth
- Alllll the caregiving
- Hurt/comfort
- Medeival setting
- Roadtrip
- Queer historical

Another buddy read in the books with @meggatzabookclub and I had so much fun and am SUPER impressed that this is a debut!

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper360 for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily. One Night in Hartswood publishes on November 7th in the US.

Genre: historical romance
Oxfordshire, England, 1360

Raff Barden cares deeply about his family, even as the second son of an earl, he’s taken on the mantle of responsibility when his well-meaning-but-irresponsible brother has not. The Barden family has traveled south, to the lands of the de Foucart earldom, where Raff’s sister Lily will marry the heir William de Foucart. But Penn, as WIlliam is called, isn’t interested in marriage any more than Lily is, and instead flees his father’s keep. Raff, a skilled tracker, offers to go in search of the missing fiance. Raff finds Penn, but believes him to be a servant who he had previously met in Hartswood, and they travel north together both assuming they are parts of a lord's retinue, rather than lords themselves.

One Night in Hartswood was gentle, tender, heartwarming, and desperate. I honestly haven’t read much medieval romance before, but I love the tone this set by starting in Hartswood, the King’s forest. Raff and Penn encounter one another in the middle of the night, total strangers, and take the risk to trust one another with a secret that could get them killed, even if they won’t trust themselves with their true identities.

At first, I thought Penn was going to be a bit of a pushover, but this proved untrue. He demonstrates his strength of character and of will as he becomes more sure of himself through the book. His ability to charm his way out of many situations in villages was impressive, and proves to be just as life-saving as Raff’s ability to track and live off the wilds of the forest.

I buddy read this with @stephreadsallthebooks and at one point she said “I hope we get sick/hurt comfort vibes” … and we certainly do. The way Penn and Raff care for one another in times of need was beautiful and tender, especially in the face of those who might hurt them.

Thank you to Harper360 and NetGalley for an eARC for review. One Night in Hartswood is already out in UK and comes out in the US 11/7/23.

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One Night in Hartswood by Emma Denny
adventurous emotional funny hopeful slow-paced
Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0

I loved this story. It was fun and soft most of the time. Raff and Penn are so worried about how they come across to either other in the most endearing way! If only they would talk! (They do, I promise!) This book deals with heavy topics but at the same time they are dealt with such care. Raff and his family are gems to this world and Penn is just a great addition. The ending was a little predictable if you know anything about certain court politics (*cough* thank you d20's a crown of candy *cough*) but I don't think it took away from the story. I'm excited to read more from Emma Denny.

I found this book to be really engaging and I loved the premise. I'm a sucker for queer romance so this story was right up my alley. I am looking forward to reading other books by the author.

This story and the main characters had me from the beginning. A really beautiful love-story that has a bit of everything - royal family feuds, sweet sibling relationships, slow burn with spice, and a search for freedom. For those who both love the Heartstopper series and grew up watching A Knight’s Tale, this book was made for you (do take a quick peek at the trigger warnings though)!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC for my honest review!

This was fanciful and heartwarming, I really enjoyed it. Raff is the aimless younger son of an Earl, trying to find his place in the world. While attending his sister’s betrothal celebration, he meets a mysterious man in the woods and they share a kiss. When his sister’s fiancé disappears, Raff stumbles upon the same man again and offers to help him escape, not knowing he’s aiding his sister’s runaway intended. As they travel, they fall in love but have to deal with the lies they’ve told each other as well as their respective families.

I normally don’t enjoy when characters keep secrets for too long, but this worked ok for me as they were both keeping their identities secret for part of the story. Both characters were so deep and relatable - Raff’s initial caution and respect and then his joyful love, and Penn’s fear and eventual bravery in standing up to his father.

The side characters were also great, especially Raff’s siblings. I hope we see more of Lily and Ash!

Very much enjoyed this book! First, I was very happy that this was a queer historical romance set in the Middle Ages, as this seems to be a less common setting for queer historical romance.

I really enjoyed reading about Penn and Raff fall in love. I thought it was very sweet and that they had good chemistry as characters and that their love was believable.

I really liked Penn and Raff's growth throughout the book, both individually and together. Likewise, I thought that Penn especially had an excellent arc. I would have liked a tad more about Raff, however, in general. The side characters were also very likeable.

The only reason I didn't give it a 5-star rating was because it read a bit too much like a fanfiction would in terms of writing style. Otherwise, I liked it :)

Enjoyed this historical romance. I did make the mistake of thinking I was reading a YA romance and thought it was quite spicy but then I realized it was an adult romance novel and that made more sense. But the romance was very sweet and the characters were all fully developed and interesting.

Loved Penn and Ash as individual characters and their relationship. The longing and pining between them was everything. Also appreciated how it dealt with heavy topics, but was still a soft and enjoyable read. Can’t wait to get the physical copy of this!