It’s no secret that I LOVED this one! Clocking in around 500 pages, House of Shadows is on the longer side, but once I started I flew through the pages, jumping between Elizabeth and Craven’s developing romance, Lavinia’s memoirs, and Holly’s search for Ben. I’m pleased to say there wasn’t a story that I didn’t care for; each time period, each character had me invested and wanting more – in a good way!

For the full review and more, head over to The Pretty Good Gatsby!

I enjoyed the three timeline aspect of this story. I found Elizabeth Stuart to be an intriguing character, and one that I have not researched. However, most of the story itself was not all that riveting and plot devices were obvious and fell flat.

Have you been to a museum and wondered about the all the beautiful artifacts, about the stories that each item would say, if at all they had a voice? I have visited the Mysuru Palace (https://www.mysorepalace.gov.in/) in India umpteen number of times and each time the display has managed to bewitch me. The magnificent aura that those old palaces exude is frankly, beyond words.

House Of Shadows by Nicola Cornick is a book written with love for all fans of historical fiction. The story is so beautifully immersive and utterly compelling that Ashdown House burns bright for a reader. There are 3 parts in the book with actual historical facts interwoven so brilliantly that it feels like walking alongside each character in the story.

It was fascinating to read about the winter queen and her devoted cavalier and truthfully, the historical facts that make the story is even more spectacular and stranger that the story itself. Nicola Cornick has explained her passion for Ashdown House after having worked there and it is easy to see the allure that the rich history of the house holds for the author. To weave 3 strands of story with suspense and mystery adding to the intrigue, House of Shadows succeeds in keeping the reader mesmerised and entranced.

Each segment of the story, with Elizabeth in 1662, Lavinia in 1801 and Holly in the present is captivating as the Sistrin Pearl and the jewelled mirror binds these women across centuries with its cursed prophecies. The mystery of Holly’s missing brother and the ensuing drama which is the main point around which the story begins, in fact begs for attention as the story of Lavinia and the winter queen takes precedence. I loved the romance between Holly and Mark even though all that insta-love and bound for centuries connection had me rolling my eyes.

Absolutely enthralled with the flawless story-telling by Nicola Cornick!

This review is published in my blog https://rainnbooks.com/, Goodreads, Amazon India and Twitter.

House of Shadows by Nicola Cornick is a story of three women in three different time periods: 1600’s, 1800’s and present day whom are all connected by a crystal mirror and a pearl. The story kicks off with mystery and intrigue as we are introduced to Holly (present day) and her missing brother Ben. In Holly’s search for Ben, you are immersed the intrigue of why the mirror and the pearl are important and how each of these women are connected not only by location, possession of these items but their lineage.

I found myself just as invested as Holly was in Lavinia’s story. As small as her part was throughout, whenever I got to the diary entries I found myself excited. I wanted to know as much as I could about Lavinia and her life.

The amount of detail written put you in each of the time periods. Cornick made you want to know more and to keep reading. Cornick made these three women relatable. They all found themselves at odds with the rules placed on them by society and by their own personal tragedies but they kept going.

I did feel as though there were parts missing. I felt like there could have been a little more explanation to the mirror and the pearl. Ben was talked about so much but nothing really came of him in a way that felt meaningful. You only get a glimpse in the single moment and you haven’t much background to understand why Holly does what she does. And Lavinia’s story cut off so abruptly I was disappointed with how everything ended.

Would I recommend this to friends? Eh, Maybe.

I may have forced myself to finish this and ended up liking it more than I thought but it still wasn’t 4-5 star worthy.

A fun fluffy read covering three time periods, a gorgeous English home, a Queen not well know outside the history books, and lots of flirtation. Perfect escapism.

The basic premise reminded me of a book I read a long time ago and loved (I was a very impressionable naive college student at the time), "I Remember Love" by Mollie Hardwick. Several similarities but does not take away from either being a satisfying read.

I wanted to enjoy this book more than I did. For me not as good as her other historical novels that I have read

I almost did not finish this - but I am so glad I did. The start was slow and there are 3 timelines to keep track of. What a fabulous book! All I wanted to do was read this book - it really started interfering with my ability to be on time!

Started an ARC of The Phantom Tree and it is even better!

This book suffers horribly from tell-itis, which happens when a writer forgets that trusty adage: show, don't tell. As a consequence, the whole story falls flat. Which is a shame cause it sounded like an interesting story, but the telling is truly torturous.

I was sent this book free by Harlequin via Goodreads.

ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

My main problem with this book was disinterest in the time period. This is no fault of the book and a situation where it was me and not the book.