A classic that has been on my TBR for way too long …

A classic Gothic mystery that everyone should be reading. 

This book is extra interesting because of when it was written. And doing a little bit of research on the author‘s life, you can see how this book came about. 

A few people have mentioned being tricked into reading because it’s labeled a romance. The afterward in the version I read was very well done (although it goes over the entire book again, which I found that very repetitive and annoying) and gives you a backstory of the author competing with Brontë, which is why her book, “had” to be labeled a romance. So it really shouldn’t be a romance and we should correct that now. (wink, wink, publishers)

Now, stepping off my soapbox.

There isn’t much to add that hasn’t already been said. I fall in the middle of most reviews. I don’t think this is the greatest book ever written. I don’t think this is the worst book I’ve ever written. I’m not offended by the lack of confidence of the main character. I’m not upset that the romance portion wasn’t more romantic. (I enjoyed that it was a bit edgy.) I did find the ending slightly poetic and wish she would’ve actually written more. It’s very abrupt.

No, my really only complaint was the inner dialogue of the lack of confidence sometimes droned on more than I would’ve liked. Her daydreaming annoyed me more than I found it interesting. The descriptions are made for a different breed of reader.

Overall, though, great book. I would recommend this to my reader friends. I’m sure you already have it on your TBR and just haven’t gotten to it yet. This is your moment to pick it up!  

Stats: 449 pages – First published August 1, 1938