So, while there were parts of the novel that I enjoyed, I also felt that at times it was way too slow. Which complicates things for me.
Now, the main characters are well thought and there is good chemistry, there is growth but there is also maturity which I appreciated.
There were moments when I would forget the novel was set in the 1600s but it didn't become an issue for me, I enjoyed reading it. ( )

Secrets of Castle Rowley: it is the 1600s, and bookish Annabel makes what she thinks is a wonderful match, and moves to the Castle Rowley estate to marry a farmer who really seems to value her. But the moment the vows are said, she realizes she has made a grave mistake. Luckily, she meets and befriends Charlie and Lise, who take Annabel under their wing as she tries to find her way in her new home. She also discovers that there is a lot more going on at Castle Rowley than she could have imagined, and with the help of her friends she works to find a potentially life changing treasure.
I stayed up until three in the morning finishing this book. I did not want to put it down. I read so hard my eyes hurt. I really don’t want to give too much away, plot wise, because there are a number of very satisfying twists and turns that I would hate to ruin. But man oh man did I love this book!
Annabel is such a wonderful character. She is really smart and independent, never expecting anyone to take care of her. I loved the genuine affection between her and her mother. Yes, her mother is a bit Mrs. Bennett, but oh well. Actually the relationships between all the women in SOCR are wonderful. Like, the sisterhood is real. Annabel meets the mistress of her new husband and is so kind and chill! She isn’t mad at the woman at all! It is great.
Now, the romance. I can’t say who the love interest is, but I can say that the first time Annabel and [redacted] get together it is exceedingly hot. As I was reading I said “oh snap!” out loud to my Kindle. Just, top notch. Aside from the hot sex, the relationship between Annabel and [redacted] is one of the healthier ones I’ve seen. Annabel finds out a secret from the MMC’s past and then immediately confronts him, which exactly what I want to see. No stewing and wondering, just laying it all out there. They have a conversation and move on with zero angst.
There is a lot more I could say but I will refrain. Except to add that the author has sketches of the characters on her insta and they are a delight.
Thank you Matilda Lockwood and LibraryThing for the ARC!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

Annabel Barlow’s world is turned upside down with her marriage and her move to Castle Rowley. Dark secrets are lurking in the castle’s past and she is determined to unravel this.

I stopped reading this one halfway through. The reason? Sex scenes. If I had known this was that kind of book, I wouldn’t have begun reading. It is not my cup of tea, though others may enjoy it.

What I did read left me confused. Though supposedly set in the late 1600s, there was nothing in the story that showed that (besides someone saying the year). The dialogue felt very modern. Although the sense of the gothic flickered in the beginning, the myriad of side plots soon killed the suspense for me.

I recieved a free copy from the author and publisher, and all opinions expressed are my own. ( )

Overall, it was a historical romance fiction that is filled with many secrets and adventures. With a mix of exuberant and melancholy feels, the storyline is not the usual girl meets boy type and it did get complicated in between. Also, the many characters involved and the many things going on truly had me thinking of a Diva Channel series LOL! If not for the romance trope, I would have thought it's a Young Adult novel. I did wish for a faster pace though as it was kinda dry and slow in the middle. As expected of the ending, I did like how it had ended and was also a little surprised with the little LGBT thrown in. Thankfully it was tastefully and well written. ( )

Unfortunately Secrets of Castle Rowley did not do it for me. I felt like there was not a lot of cohesion in the novel and there many different subplots that did not serve to help understand the characters and purely move the plot from one place to another. I feel like the book needs a heavy does of editing and some tightening of the characters and timeframe to better make a cohesive story. ( )