I could relate so much to Isadora story. It kept me riveted throughout the whole book. Very excited for readers to check this out. A page turner for sure

I absolutely loved this book. I couldn’t put it down and finished it in one evening, it completely pulled me in. By the end, I was honestly at a loss for words (my fiancé can confirm I’m still not over it).
This gothic romance captured my heart, with strong Pride and Prejudice and Bridgerton inspired vibes. We follow an orphaned FMC who is both beautiful and complex, navigating her own internal struggles after being sent to live with her aunt and cousin and entering the marriage scene.
She meets the “perfect” golden MMC, but finds herself drawn to a darker, brooding MMC, along with a mysterious estate and artist that add to the intrigue.
This story leans into darker themes, blending suspense with emotional depth and strong chemistry. You’ll get love, heartbreak, and tension throughout.
Please check the trigger warnings before reading. There is some spice, but it’s not the main focus.
I highly recommend this for fans of gothic romance with emotional intensity.

You know how sometimes you’re in the mood for a classic but you just don’t have the brainpower to decode all the olde English and dense writing? If you agree then this is exactly what you pick up instead. It has all the charm and atmosphere of a classic.
It really captures that timeless, almost nostalgic feel without making you work for every sentence. The writing flows beautifully, the story pulls you in, and it just feels effortless in a way that a lot of classics don’t.
Truly so beautiful. This is just another testament to Julia’s talent and range as an author. I’m genuinely blown away by this one, and I think it’s the kind of book that could appeal to a lot of readers. Definitely worth picking up.

<b> 12th book of 2026 </b>

This is probably the first time a book turned me around so extremely, in a good way. (Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!)

To be honest, I was about to DNF this book - I was genuinely debating it (and I RARELY DNF a book). The first few chapters were so hard to get into, especially with the writing style, which, especially at the beginning, was particularly choppy and didn't flow so well. Characters also feel a bit superficial, though they're surprisingly memorable overall.

BUT about 1/3 into the book, I couldn't stop. I finished the book within a single sitting and found myself easily invested in the characters. Although maybe it's not the most unique story, the plot twists are so chilling and engaging. I loved the ending too; it was the PERFECT ending, balancing our main character Isadora's growth with realistic responses from supporting characters.

DIALOGUE GETS BETTER. THE WRITING GETS BETTER.

I didn't expect the story to take such a paranormal turn, but it was done so well. Even if some reveals are predictable, <i>The Broken and the Beautiful</i> does manage to be a fresh and memorable tale. The stakes are high, because the characters care! The whole novel is so BOLD and it's this character-driven boldness that makes the story so engaging.

This would have been a 5-star read, but I just couldn't get over the writing style at some points. I also felt like some matters were handled a bit too carelessly. The novel explores some dark themes and, again, there's just something incomplete about the way these themes are portrayed. However, the ending message is beautiful: Letting go of the ones you love. Another aspect of the novel that really took me out of it, though, was the pacing of the main romantic relationship, which verges slightly on insta-love (personally), but I also understand how the characters' backstories shape their approaches to love throughout the novel (and this was something I really liked!)

With that said, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel (especially the last two-thirds; I COULD NOT STOP READING). As one of the few indie novels I've ever read, this definitely exceeded my expectations. Such a solid read, I would 100% recommend it to fans of the blurb :))

such a FUN book!!

<b> started & finished may 2nd </b>

Love triangle, Bridgerton vibes but darker

This is hands down my favourite book I’ve read this year so far, and definitely my favourite from this author.

What I loved:

• The writing style was beautiful without feeling overdone. Sometimes descriptive writing can get so heavy that it drags the story, but this didnt happen here at all. It almost had this poetic feel to it, and the way scenes were described made everything feel vivid and slightly haunting through the FMCs perspective, while still keeping the story moving.

• The pacing was really good. I never hit that point where I felt myself wanting to skim, and I genuinely kept wanting to know what was going to happen next.

• The storyline surprised me. I get really bored with books where you can basically map out the entire plot after the first few chapters, and this one wasnt like that at all - it kept me guessing!

• The love triangle was actually painful in the best way because I genuinely did not know who I wanted her with. Usually with love triangles theres always one obvious choice, but this one had me constantly changing sides.

• The Victorian setting felt convincing and immersive. The dialogue, the atmosphere, the social details, all of it felt authentic enough that it really pulled me in. Some gothic historical novels lack the authenticity and fall a bit flat, but this one truly had me transported.

What I didnt love:

• Honestly just that it seems to be a standalone because I would absolutely read a second book. It wraps up enough that I dont think one is coming, and I already miss it!

If you like darker romance, proper love triangles, historical settings, paranormal touches that are interesting without becoming too fantasy-heavy, and a plot that keeps shifting under you, I’d definitely recommend this.

Also the spice was done really well. There was enough of it, but it never felt thrown in for the sake of it. It actually matched the emotional build and the storyline, which made it work perfectly.

And if you are a little burnt out on romantasy books where everything revolves around war, battles, training scenes and endless combat, this was such a refreshing change. The tension here comes much more from the relationships, secrets, and emotional messiness, which for me made it way more addictive!

Five stars for sure!

You should have seen my face when I heard this author was doing a gothic romance that was Phantom of the Opera meets Pride and Prejudice! Eeeek!!! I loved the setting - the atmospheric regency setting, but also the spooky house that felt like a character in its own right. 

The angst! drama! The tragic backstories! I loved the FMC, and the prose was gorgeous as always, and really shone with this historical lens. The stifling, sexist culture of the time was spot-on, and I was really made to feel how restricting it was for the FMC and everyone around her. I would love it if this author wrote more books with historical settings, but I'll read whatever she writes. I also really enjoyed the characters, who were campy while still being realistic and easy to root for. 

A few things that surprised me, MAINLY because I was expecting a different sort of book:

I think some plot choices might be polarizing, and while they mainly worked for me, I think some readers might feel a bit betrayed, especially by the ending. But maybe that was because I went into this book assuming it was a Romance, rather than a character-focused exploration into trauma and healing. It was a GREAT exploration of trauma and healing! But I think if readers go into it expecting a typical Romance, they might be conflicted. Although I'm now realizing that it's not advertised as a Romance, it's advertised as a Love Story, which are different things. So that might be on me for assuming! Maybe if it had a warning for a 'bittersweet ending' in the blurb, I might have been prepared - this was the kind of book that I would have appreciated spoilers for, I'm a weirdo who likes spoilers sometimes.

Also I did feel like it was more Crimson Peak meets Pride and Prejudice than Phantom, and it will be interesting to see how readers react if the paranormal aspects of this book aren't highlighted in the marketing. I had no idea this book had ghosts until I was a good portion into it. I loooove ghosts and I loved the spooky twist, but I think it might put some readers off if they don't know about it beforehand.

Anyway! Overall, I really liked it, and I zoomed through it super fast. A very binge-able read.

I can't wait for Strelou's next book! This one, like all her books, is perfect for fans of Keri Lake.

I loved this book, it intrigued me from the moment our FMC felt the pull from the gothic manor. Its a beautiful story of love and heartbreak and pain and loss. We had our puppy dog MMC and our dark brooding MMC and I really wasn't sure how it was going to go at times. The reveal wasn't a surprise but that's ok and there was so much more to the story than that. Even knowing logically the choices our FMC needed to make, the story is written so beautifully you find yourself hoping for things to work out differently.

“For I burn for you, Miss Blackwood, with a fire that would surely consume us both.”

I need to take a breath. I’ve spent the last 30% of this book completely broken. I didn’t expect it to move me the way it has. My dog has been watching me genuinely concerned the entire time.

It’s honestly taken a piece of my heart.

We’re in a period setting, following our FMC Isadora and her cousin as they attend their first social season in search of suitors. It’s been described as Bridgerton vibes, but it leans far more towards Wuthering Heights for me with its darker themes and those unrelenting gothic moors. As one of my favourite books, no complaints from me.

With a troubled past, Isadora is drawn to the shadows of Harrowmoor Hall and to two very different men.

Both MMCs are exceptional. The wilder, intense Mr Winter, all darkness over light, had my heart completely. Then there’s Theodore, our patient, supportive sunlight ☀️

If you tend to be drawn to the dark, the intense, and the slightly unhealthy in love, this one will hit you in places that take a while to recover from.

The pacing and the writing are stunning. I haven’t had such a strong emotional reaction to a book in a long time. It’s a tragedy, with a bittersweet ending I won't forget. There's not a moment I could put it down. The twists, the pain and heartache, just absolute perfection.

I’m not sure I’d have made the same choice as our FMC. Ugh. Just read it. With tissues and a rom com lined up for afterwards.

'Do not give your heart to a painter; they are restless souls, always seeking what cannot be reached, and they will depart as easily as the wind changes.'

The discovery of the painting origin at the end. Absolutely killed me. 💔

5 stars, without question.
I’m broken, still crying, and I suspect I’ll be unwell over this for days.

Thank you to the Author for writing such a beautiful book and Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Like the others, I was sucked in and read it over an evening straight. Had to sit on it a day before the review so digest it all, the prose is heartbreakingly beautiful and the story engulfs you with curiosity in the best way.

Yays 👍
- the gothic, dark aura is so well done you can feel the bleariness of it all
- the author really understands trauma and how it manifests both as madness, stillness and lifelessness. They have conveyed this insight across the book
- the part about letting go and still having a full life was wonderful because so often stories of love don't talk about what happens when we move on and have lives that are beautiful despite our wounds
- the intrigue is real and unexpected, at least I wasn't expecting it
- the writing is beautifully delivered, I saw the author is a poet and it shows
- the main characters are given enough breathing space to develop and become who they are over time

Nays 👎
This is the unpopular opinion part and to be honest there was lot that left me asking for more. If it wasn't for the writing this would be a 3.5 for me. Also spoiler so stop reading now if you're not into that
- Theo felt like a backup and Issy's lack of effort towards them left me wanting because he is such a heartwarming human who gives so much to everyone. Even till the end Issy's life and rituals are around Archie. Theo it seems always get's second billing and it genuinely feels unfair
- The situations and trauma inflicted on the characters of this story are era appropriate and real, but also feel like shock value at certain times. A sudden and horrific death of secondary character, a child no less, to illustrate something about the FMCs felt overdone in a book that already deals with a LOT of dark shit
- The book could have done with fewer distractions i.e. the part about Archie's dad felt forced and unreasonably forgiving towards someone cruel, and callous to the extend of actively causing harm. I saw no difference between him and Edward as people, which made the asymmetry even more stark
- Lastly, there is a level of implausibility in there with how accepting Issy's adopted family are of her erratic behaviour

Verdict 🪒
This is a good book, it's not great but the author has everything needed to create something great and you can see it. I recommend it because it introduces you to an amazing author who I think will only get better over time.

Bridgerton meets dark gothy romance? Sign everyone up for this immediately!

I smashed this book so fast. Very easy to read. Beautiful prose and the plot line was intriguing.

"Miss Blackwood, what have I done?" 😩 How dare you give us a fabulous kiss and then rip it way almost immediately 😂





3.75 stars

⋆.𐙚 5/5 (five stars cannot describe how good this was)

I appreciate honesty, so I will be completely honest with you:
WHAT A MASTERPIECE. A true piece of art. It touched my heart, completely destroyed me and somehow fixed me back together and in the end let me spill out all of my feelings.

It has been a long time since I have read a book filled with so much emotion and such an interesting plot. I couldn’t stop reading, and I also never knew what was going to happen on the next page.

The use of words felt like art. I especially loved the use of metaphors and stylistic devices used throughout the story to convey so many emotions so wonderfully.
This book was neither too short nor too long, the pacing felt just right. It gave enough time to let me get a feeling for the characters and connect with them. Really well done.

› ”You are the sun and yet also the moon. My day starts and ends with your reminder.” ‹

I feel genuinely blessed to have found this book (or better this book found me) and I insist that this is a must-read!

Thank you so much!

This was a really good story, I couldn’t put it down! I finished this book in a day and stayed up way too late to get to the ending.

There is a love triangle, but there is really no competition (one MMC completely had my heart)!

I still think this book leans heavily into the romance category, but the way the author showed Isadora's grief after losing her parents, and how she gradually allows light to return to her life, was beautifully done.

I'll admit that the paranormal aspect of the story caught me off guard. The reveal comes later in the book, and although I had some suspicions on where the story was going, it took me a little while to fully adjust while I was reading.

This is not exactly a HEA, the book has a bittersweet ending that will leave you thinking about it for days, but it felt like the perfect conclusion to the story.

Absolutely loved The Broken and Beautiful! I devoured it in one day and was still reading into the early hours because I couldn’t put it down and who needs sleep when you need to know how it ends and are completely hooked! It had me at Bridgerton meets Phantom of the Opera!

I related to Isadora so much, and her journey felt so raw, emotional and beautifully written. The love triangle had me completely invested and I adored the paranormal elements woven through the story. It was the perfect mix of heartbreak, mystery, romance and magic. Such a beautiful read that I am still thinking about and will definately reread and get a physical trophy when out.

Tropes/For those who love:

Paranormal romance
love triangles
emotionally damaged / complex characters
“broken girl” healing journeys
mystery and supernatural secrets
dark academia / gothic vibes
found family and deep emotional bonds
slow-burn tension
haunting small-town atmosphere
emotional angst with romance woven through it

It’s perfect for readers who love emotional paranormal romance with a strong female lead they can deeply relate to. If you enjoy stories with messy feelings, yearning, supernatural twists, and a touch of darkness and beauty intertwined, this book really hits. It especially suits readers who love books that feel immersive and addictive enough to stay up way too late finishing “just one more chapter.” Thanks so much for the e-arc and for the author for writing it!

Thankyou so much NetGalley and J. Střelou, for the opportunity to read this ARC 🫶🏼

I am completely at loss of words as I sit here, having just finished one of the most hauntingly beautiful stories I have ever read. I will do my best to convey my thoughts.

The Broken and The Beautiful is a wonderful story about a young woman sent to live with her relatives after the tragic loss of her parents. What ensues is a love story for the ages.
Torn between a handsome, bright and kind eligible batchelor and a dark, alluring and troubled mystery man. Issy is forced to make hard decisions, follow her heart and learn healing.

What I loved:
• The FMC! Issy reminded me so much of myself is places, having gone through such heartbreak and trauma that left her feeling broken. Yet through it all continuing to keep her heart full of love, empathy and kindness.
• Both of our MMCs. These men were written so well. Even I was torn who I wanted to be with. Both men were so layered and beautiful in different ways.
• The atmosphere! I loved the gothic bridgerton vibes. The way the author described each scene really immersed me into this world, I got so lost in the lushness of it all.
• The ending 🥹 When I say I wept! I did not see the very end of this story coming together the way it did, and the little twists too. It was so wonderfully bittersweet and perfect.

What I didn’t like:
• Only that I wished I could have more. I need more stories by this author immediately!
• It irked me a little that people’s full names were used over and over, even when nicknames had been established. But that’s just me.

Honestly I am giving this book 4.5 stars but the rating system only allowed 4 or 5. I will definitely be adding a review on my Instagram as well.

Julia has done it again! This was poetically beautiful. It was haunting in atmosphere and emotions, I was in tears throughout the story. The strength of both Issy and Arabella, despite their trauma, was stunning. Their trauma didn’t define them but their strength and determination did. This was a story of love and loss, of heartbreak and new beginnings. The words flowed like a poem and the setting was gothic and beautiful and I was drawn in completely. Thank you Julia for allowing me to once again be a part of your ARC team.

This was an interesting book! I felt the pacing was a tad slow for my particular taste but I still enjoyed it. The ending was devastating but heartwarming at the same time.

The Broken and the Beautiful is not an easy read, and perhaps it is not meant for everyone. It starts slowly, relying not on constant action or dramatic twists, but on emotions, inner struggles, and the darkest corners of the human soul. This book does not rush — it allows you to sit with the protagonist’s feelings and slowly draws you into her world.

I would especially recommend it to those who have experienced loss, difficult periods in life, or moments when they questioned whether they deserved happiness, whether they could ever fall in love again, or even allow themselves to be loved. The story explores deeply emotional questions: are the expectations of family and society more important than our own feelings? How long should we keep trying to meet everyone else’s expectations before we finally begin living for ourselves?

The story begins during the darkest chapter of the protagonist’s life. She suffers a loss so profound that she even questions why she survived at all. The novel unfolds entirely through her perspective, slowly and delicately, yet every emotion feels incredibly vivid. Not in a loud or overly dramatic way, but in a quiet, painfully honest one.

For me, one of the most important questions this book asks is this: when someone is at their absolute lowest, are they still capable of loving? Can they believe that they themselves are worthy of love? And are they even allowed to hope for happiness again? The story searches for those answers while showing that no matter how different we are, no matter how much pain or brokenness we carry within us, we are still worthy of being loved.

This is not a story about a consuming, destructive passion. It is about a slow-building love that offers warmth, safety, and protection. The kind of love that may not burn everything in its path, yet stays beside you for a lifetime.

I want to thank the author for writing this story, because I found this book during one of my own hardest seasons in life. To me, this novel felt like a remedy for the soul — a reminder that even after our darkest hours, the beauty of the world is still there around us. We simply have to learn how to notice it again, seek it out, and allow ourselves to embrace it.

This book was absolutely beautiful and brilliant! I wish I could give it 6 stars.

This book spoke to my soul! Truly. I felt seen in a way I can’t begin to put into words. I loved the characters. I want to do a re read of it asap! The love story was delicious and the spice was perfect. I really adored everything about it!

I thought the atmosphere the author created was so stunning. The moors, the mist, the dark tortured artist. I felt absolutely addicted to the whole experience of reading it - in the best way! It’s a wonderfully written story. Heartfelt, moody and emotional. I think that honestly it’s one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. I can’t wait to own a copy for my book shelf! Thank you allowing me to read it early.

While this was a enjoyable and easy read that I finished rather fast ,the book also crossed all boundaries of infuriating me .Yes ,it's well written .Yes ,it has a good pacing .Yes ,it had a nice twist .But the main character and her decisions just get on my nerves .Initially ,it was the constant mention of her 'darkness' ,then came the time when her cousin was so right ,calling her selfish for not seeing the efforts of Mr Theodore .The overall yearning part seemed to be a bit dramatic ,and the end felt like Mr Theodore had no self respect .And the ending where the main character is celebrating the first snow ,again ,a bit too dramatic .But the reason I give it three stars is because it was overall entertaining ,and I know it's just that such romance isn't really my kind of thing

Wow.

Okay, so this was stunning from first page to last. I read the description and jumped at 'imagine Bridgerton, but everyone's navigating dark trauma in a gothic setting'. When I read that, I knew I wanted to request the ARC. I finished this book in under a day.

The Broken and the Beautiful is well written. The writer easily transports you into a dark, unsettling Bridgerton-esque world (as promised). Many twists and turns had me clutching my pearls in time with the characters, the plot had me excitedly turning the next page to find out what happened next. The characters endeared themselves to me in many ways that I found surprising.

However. Miss Isadora had me shadowboxing open air sometimes. Without going too into detail, PICK A DAMN SIDE. Her connections with some of the characters were really grinding my gears by the end of it.

Other than my one-sided beef with a fictional woman, I loved this book. Heavily recommend.

I was so lucky to receive an advanced digital copy of The Broken and the Beautiful by J. Strelou via NetGalley and upon receiving I also found out that my name is in the acknowledgements of this book which had me bawling. Thank you so much Julia!

Think Bridgerton, but darker, gothic, love triangle, yearning fmc vibes. Think Phantom of the Opera meets Pride and Prejudice. I absolutely flew through this book. It’s one of those stories where you keep telling yourself “just one more chapter” and suddenly it’s 1am.

I adored the writing in this book! It was so beautiful and poetic, with some incredibly heart-wrenching quotes, and I think it’s a huge testament to Julia and how much she has grown as a writer. All of the characters had such incredible depth that I became attached to them almost immediately and found myself thinking about them even when I wasn’t reading. The love triangle was devastatingly beautiful and genuinely emotional, and there were multiple moments that had me crying.

This story does deal with some darker themes, but I thought they were handled really well. It never felt overly graphic just for shock value, and underneath all the gothic romance there’s actually quite a beautiful healing journey woven through the story. The entire book is filled with longing, grief, obsession, and that horrible yet beautiful ache of wanting something that always feels just out of reach (oh hey there are the tears again).

Overall, this was moody, emotional, romantic, and the only love triangle I will accept! Definitely recommend it if you want a gothic romance that’s immersive without feeling overwhelming (and if you like crying).

I really liked this book and I devoured it. When I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it, and that's immediately such a great sign. Plus, it was the perfect length and the characters manage to get the reader's affection quite quickly. The beginning is a little harder to get into and the writing and plot devices don't appear as thought out as they do going forward, but, once you get past the first chapters, it pulls you in completely and it becomes a VERY immersive read, that delivers everything it promised.
I have only one big criticism: it could have used a little more editing. The main issues, in my opinion, are two: it wasn't great on the "show, don't tell" aspect, as it is usually *told* how the reader should feel toward an event or a character, instead of such feelings being built and created through the writing—through showing us. The other issue is punctuation. The commas—mainly, but not only—are placed quite randomly at times and, more often, forgotten where they're very much needed. In some passages, it is quite difficult to ignore, and sometimes leads to misunderstandings upon first reading them.
However, I am aware that this was written by an indie author, and that it was her sister who edited this novel. Despite the issues I've mentioned, it is an incredibly impressive accomplishment, that obviously presents way more difficulties than having the book edited by an editor, so I can see why the full attention wasn't on the more grammatical, orthographic aspects.
As for the writing itself, I really loved it. I think the author has definitely found her voice, and it's a very interesting, haunting, poetic one; she just needs to perfect it over time and practice. But even now, it is incredibly intriguing, it always paints a full clear picture, it pulls you in and it flows. My attention span is very short, yet with this book, once I started reading I could never put it down.
I definitely recommend it to anyone who is interested in a gothic, Pride and Prejudice-influenced version of Bridgerton!

First half of the book i was thinking ‘oh this will be a 3 star ⭐️ read’ BOY WAS I WRONG! The second half of this book chef’s kiss, when I say I couldn’t put this book down i mean i couldn’t it’s 4am right now… This book put me through a rollercoaster of emotions from giggling and kicking my feet to crying and throwing my kindle. This book showed me that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that you shouldn’t give up or push people away when life gets hard.

I have just finished this arc, pride and prejudice was the first book I fell in love with and I’m grateful to have got to read this book. It has pride and prejudice feelings with a hint of wuthering heights. The love story is beautiful. There is a few trigger warnings in it so make sure to check before you read it but I feel like it is handled well. Overall if you are looking for a beautiful dark, gothic romance and like bridgerton this book is for you! Archibald will forever stay with me

Please check the trigger warnings before reading. Unfortunately too dark for me and I didn’t finish the whole book.

I absolutely adored this book! It delivered every vibe I was hoping for and completely pulled me in from the very beginning. The story was incredibly addictive, blending dark supernatural elements with a writing style that never felt too heavy or overwhelming. Instead, it balanced the eerie atmosphere with a beautifully emotional love story that kept me fully invested.

One of my favourite parts was the love triangle and the emotional conflict Isadora experienced as she found herself torn between a human and a ghost. The guilt, longing, and confusion she carried throughout the story felt hauntingly beautiful and added so much depth to the romance. It made the relationships feel emotional, layered, and genuinely heartbreaking.

Theo was also such a standout character. His maturity, patience, and unwavering support for Isadora made him impossible not to love. He stayed by her side through everything, and I really appreciated how grounded and caring he was throughout the story.

Overall, this was such an atmospheric, captivating read with the perfect mix of gothic vibes, supernatural mystery, and emotional romance. I couldn’t put it down and will definitely be recommending it.

Where do I even begin with this one? The premise had me immediately clutching my pearls... gothic manor, weird paintings, brooding noblemen, candlelit corridors, and enough Bridgerton-esque yearning to fog up an entire ballroom. Yaaaas. There was a LOT of dramatic glove-sliding onto elbows, an alarming amount of cheek-chewing, and enough storming dramatically out of rooms to qualify as cardio.

The story follows Isadora as she’s pulled into this dark gothic mystery surrounding hauntingly beautiful paintings, the enigmatic Lord D’Alps, and the whole “is this romance or supernatural manipulation?” situation. Add lavish balls, ghostly whispers, tragic backstories and a love triangle with one man very much alive and another… decidedly less so… and honestly I didn't hate the vibes, im here for it.

But then… there was Isadora.

Reader, this woman tested me!!!

Sweet merciful spirits above, I have never wanted to shake a fictional woman so badly in my life. What an absolute menace. Girl spent approximately three encounters with Lord D’Alps, most of which involved her dramatically flouncing away from him and suddenly she’s willing to ruin her entire life over this man and his haunted Etsy portrait collection.

I have never seen someone make so many catastrophic emotional decisions with such confidence.

Meanwhile Theodore, the literal town hottie is RIGHT THERE. Beautiful. Loyal. Patient. Breathing. The poor man spends the whole book essentially going: “Perhaps you could acknowledge my existence?” And Isadora’s just: “Sorry I’m busy cheating on you with Casper Regency Edition.”


The progression of my thoughts when reading this book which made a change from the eye rolls was: “Oh?” “…OH.” “No because surely not.” “REAAAAALLY?” “… oh wow we are actually doing this"

Honestly I didn’t hate this book at all. I actually had fun reading it. The gothic vibes absolutely delivered, the haunted romance was entertainingly chaotic, and parts genuinely sucked me in. But it also felt like the book had consumed three different Pinterest boards at once: Gothic Horror, Bridgerton Ballroom Aesthetic, and Sad Ghost Men Who Need Hugs.

A messy haunted fever dream. Respectfully.

I loved this book! Even if it was an historical romance the autor made sure that it wasn't boring since some can be that way because of the repetition happening. More than that, I like how the author writes the female lead as someone who truly feels and doesn't ignore everything that happened in her past. It was such a fun book to read, and the whole plot was so unique and well written that i only hope that others will enjoy it just as i did!

The Broken and the Beautiful by J. Strelou is a very good book that looks closely at deep feelings like pain, love, and healing. The author writes in a way that feels very personal and easy to understand. It feels like the book is talking directly to anyone who has ever gone through a hard time. The writing is comforting and helps you think about your own life, making it a great book to read slowly.

This book gets a four-star rating because it is honest, helpful, and gives readers a strong feeling of hope. A few of the ideas in the book are a bit predictable, but the honest way it is written makes it feel fresh anyway. The story moves gently from sad moments to happier ones, leaving you feeling good by the end. It is a wonderful choice for anyone looking for an easy but meaningful book about fixing a broken heart.

Thanks for the arc, was a nice read!

The Broken and the Beautiful feels like stepping into a candlelit ballroom where every polished surface hides a bruise, every whispered introduction carries a shadow, and every heartbeat seems to echo with something unsaid. It’s lush, gothic, and quietly devastating—the kind of historical romance that wears its elegance like silk but lets the darkness pool underneath.

Isadora is a beautifully drawn heroine, all soft strength and buried hurt. Orphaned, disinherited, and pushed into society’s glittering parade of soirées and suitors, she moves through the season like someone watching life from behind glass. That sense of displacement—of being present but not truly seen—gives the novel its emotional pulse. And while Mr. Theodore Westridge offers the sort of gentle steadiness she’s been denied, it’s the pull of Harrowmoor Hall that truly captivates.

The house is a character in its own right: eerie, aching, and steeped in a sorrow that mirrors Isadora’s own. Her fascination with the mysterious painter who once lived there feels like a thread tugging her toward something inevitable and ruinous. There’s a delicious gothic yearning woven through these pages—the kind that feels both romantic and dangerous, where desire becomes a doorway to unraveling.

The novel balances its influences beautifully: the social sparkle of Bridgerton, the emotional ache of Wuthering Heights, the theatrical melancholy of The Phantom of the Opera. Yet it never feels derivative. Instead, it becomes a tragic love story that leans into the beauty of broken things, the way trauma shapes longing, and the cost of choosing passion over safety.

It’s atmospheric, haunting, and gorgeously tragic—a story that lingers like perfume on silk, equal parts tenderness and ruin.

With thanks to J Strelou, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

I really liked the book! It's an easy read and the action develops smoothly, with a few unexpected twists. In my opinion, the book is something between Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and the story of Dracula(not the part with vampires).

I like the interweaving of historical traditions of the period with their concerns, mixed with supernatural experiences and hope for love! The experience of past traumas, the support between loved ones and at the same time personal fight inside everyone of us!
The book is worth reading! It is suitable for fans of historical novels, supernatural and mythology, as well as readers who approach reading with an open mind.

I was in tears when MFC understand how all is connected!
Beautiful book, definitely not regretting I read it! The fight with prejudice about womens life by that era, love, desire and the right thing to do! I loved it! Thank you for making me part of your ARC readers! I wish you good luck!

A dark romance that blends the drama of Bridgerton, the tension of Pride and Prejudice and the gothic atmosphere of Wuthering Heights, you say? Sold!

Orphaned and stripped of her inheritance Isadora is thrust into society and pressured toward marriage but finds herself drawn instead to the haunting mystery of Harrowmoor Hall.

With its poetic writing, cinematic ballroom scenes and vivid descriptions of wild and untamed landscapes this book felt like work of art!

I loved how the author really explored the rules, roles and restrictions of the time. Whilst our FMC is constantly surrounded by society, suitors and family expectations you could really feel her loneliness beneath it all. For fear of being ruined secrets must be kept, emotions buried and true desires hidden. I wanted to reach through the pages and give her the freedom she so desperately wanted!

Readers can also expect twists and turns that made me gasp out loud,unforgettable quotes, yearning and heart wrenching declarations of love that had me swooning and kicking my feet!! And the love triangle? I was constantly flip-flopping between the MMCs and who I wanted the FMC to end up with for basically the entire book!! 😰

I have been lucky enough to receive this ARC.

I read this book within 24 hours, I couldn’t put it down. This is the first book I have read from this author and can’t wait to read more. I will be buying the physical book for my book shelf when it is released.

This story at times made by heart ache, not only for torn love but for the peril the young women had to go through to survive.

The characters and world building beautify descriptive.

I personally felt the pull to the dark side over the happy ever after, and would have been happy with a dark ending.

I won’t ever look a paint brush in the same way!

The setup had a lot going for it that I like reading: gothic house, dark family history, balls and society pressure, a brooding mystery, and a heroine who’s clearly carrying a lot. The atmosphere had the right eerie pull, and I liked the idea of Isadora being drawn toward a place that seemed to understand her pain better than the people around her did.

The romance side was more uneven. I liked Theodore, he brought a much-needed steadiness to the story. The love triangle had some good tension, but Isadora’s choices frustrated me since trauma was driving a lot of her behavior and some of her decisions seemed rushed or hard to believe, especially when the emotional stakes were supposed to be high.

The pacing pulled me in some sections while others dragged or leaned too hard on mood over movement. The book had a lot of dramatic ingredients, but they didn’t always come together. At times, the gothic romance feeling fit but other times the story seemed like it was trying to balance too many issues at once.

This book is heart-achingly beautiful! I felt every bit of what the FMC was going through in my soul and the ending was perfect.

The broken and the beautiful is an emotional roller coaster. It makes you feel things that were buried deep down and also makes you feel sparks of joy and love. For me this book is really inspiring. It’s also really interesting, I’ve not once been bored and always on the lookout with my theories. It gave me the chills when I was reading it at 2 am but I couldn’t stop reading. I love that the world is a combination of pride and prejudice and the phantom of the opera, along with others, but those too I grew up with so it made me feel nostalgic too. I loved this book, all of it. The story, the characters, the places, all of them deserve 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Phantom of the Opera meets Bridgerton with a touch of Wuthering Heights atmosphere and setting.

“I, on the other hand, had touched that darkness. It had marked me. Now I found myself calling for it and rejecting the light.”

This story is about pain, love, grief, heartbreak, and acceptance.

The story follows Isadora after her parents pass away from illness, forcing her to move in with her aunt, uncle, and cousin. Their deaths leave her deeply melancholy, and without her parents or a dowry, she knows she cannot continue relying on her relatives’ generosity forever. Determined to secure a future, she begins attending balls and social visits in hopes of finding a husband.

Along the way, she meets two very different men: Mr. Theodore Westridge—kind, wealthy, and very much golden retriever energy—and Mr. Winters, who is mysterious, reserved, and has black cat energy. While drawn to both men, Isadora becomes increasingly distracted after stumbling upon the eerie Harrowmoor Hall and the haunting paintings within it that seem to speak to her on a soul-deep level. Her growing obsession with uncovering the mystery surrounding the painter, Lord Archibald D’Ville, is what truly drives the story forward.

The mystery element was incredibly compelling and constantly made me want to keep reading to uncover all the secrets.

“If you love something, you must set it free.”

The setting was captivating and atmospheric, very reminiscent of Wuthering Heights. I absolutely flew through the first 50% because I was so invested in the mystery and gothic atmosphere. The second half felt a bit rushed in comparison, but I still really enjoyed it overall.

Also, the cover makes absolute sense after finishing the book and it’s gorgeous.

Do check the content warnings before reading, as the book contains themes such as sexual abuse and mental illness that may be disturbing for some readers.

I would definitely recommend this if you’re looking for a gothic romance filled with mystery, obsession, and haunting atmosphere.

Wow, what a tragically beautiful story, definitely different to my normal reads, I loved all the vibes and the settings and emotional healing journey the MC went through and I love the message this beautiful work of art conveys.

Finding the beauty in everyday even though we can be shaped by tragedy.

I appreciate this piece of work and how the author’s previous life experiences helped shape the story.

It’s an emotionally focused read which showcases being broken but also finding beauty.

I highly enjoyed this book and implore everyone to read it with an open mind. It’s a beautifully crafted story.

Fan of Bridgerton? Also like Crimson Peak?
This book definitely was a mix of the two - okay maybe like Crimson Peak lite.

Took a little bit to get the ball rolling but I enjoyed the second half of the book a lot.

J. Strelou has crafted a beautiful, atmospheric and haunting romance that tackles grief, loss, love and healing so well. This book is inspired by classics like Pride and Prejudice and The Phantom of the Opera and the writing was eloquent and atmospheric truly transporting the reader to the windswept moors and elegant manors of the period. Initially I felt like the book was a little slow, which befits the genre, but by the halfway mark I was hooked and kept turning the pages wanting to see how this love affair played out. If you want to try a haunted, gothic romance that feels like you are reading a classic but with a little extra spice give this a go.

The Broken and the Beautiful is a lush, atmospheric gothic romance that blends social glitter with emotional darkness. The story follows Isadora, an orphan navigating a restrictive society that expects her to marry well while she quietly carries the weight of a painful past.

The strongest aspect of the novel is its mood. The contrast between the sparkling world of balls and society events and the creeping unease of Harrowmoor Hall creates a compelling push-and-pull. The house itself feels almost like a character — eerie, haunting, and deeply tied to the emotional tone of the story. The romance elements are classic gothic fare, with a slow-burn tension that builds through longing, restraint, and emotional damage rather than instant chemistry.

Character dynamics are also a highlight, especially the tension between different romantic interests and the pull between safety, desire, and self-destruction. Isadora’s internal struggle with worthiness and healing gives the story emotional grounding, even when her choices become frustrating.

That said, the pacing can feel uneven, especially when shifting between society drama and darker, more introspective moments. Some plot threads are more compelling than others, and a few developments feel predictable given the genre influences.

Overall, The Broken and the Beautiful delivers exactly what it promises: a gothic, emotionally charged romance full of longing, beauty, and ruin. It’s best suited for readers who enjoy atmospheric storytelling, messy emotions, and love stories that hurt in all the right ways.