Review & Giveaway - - All the Painted Stars

All the Painted Stars

by Emma Denny

The Barden Series - Book 2

Publisher: HQ

Release Date: November 5, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

 

To win her heart, she'll have to fight…

Oxfordshire 1362

When Lily Barden discovers her best friend Johanna’s hand in marriage is being awarded as the main prize at a tournament, she is determined to stop it. Disguised as a knight, she infiltrates the contest, preparing to fight for Jo’s hand. But her conduct ruffles feathers, and when a dangerous incident escalates out of Lily’s control, Jo must help her escape.

Finding safety with a local brewster, Lily and Jo soon settle into their new freedom, and amongst blackberry bushes and lakeside walks an unexpected relationship blossoms. But when Jo’s past catches up with her and Lily’s reckless behaviour threatens their newfound happiness, both women realise that choices must always come at a cost. The question they need to ask is if the cost is worth the price of love…

PJ's Thoughts:

Emma Denny has done it again; she's created a heart-tugging novel that immersed me fully into the time, place, and lives of her characters with a story that I didn't want to put down. 

This is a tender, slow-burn, at times heart-aching, but ultimately joyful romance between two women in Medieval times. One, Lily, knows who she is and what she wants, both in love and life. The other, Johanna, has known only duty and suppression under her tyrant of a father. She knows not what she wants but only what she doesn't. However, breaking free of what is planned for her will not be easy.

I really love the journey Lily and Jo embark upon, both individually and as a couple. Their story begins with friendship (a solid foundation of any relationship) and slowly, organically, believably, transitions into a deep and abiding love. Denny handles their relationship with care, respect, tenderness, and realistic obstacles. I had no idea how she was going to pull off a happy ending for these two and have it be believable but she does. 

The sense of time and place created in the book by Denny is also well done. There was never a moment of language, action, or reaction when I did not feel like I was in Medieval times. I enjoy an author who can immerse me in an era other than my own and keep me there.

There are some unexpected twists in the book that keep things interesting and a visit from book one characters that adds another layer to the story that is fun for fans of One Night in Hartswood (click to read my review) but shouldn't be confusing for readers new to the series. All the Painted Stars can absolutely be enjoyed on its own. 

Have you read Emma Denny yet?

Do you enjoy Medieval romance?

Lily dreams of being a chivalrous knight. What did you dream of being? Have you fulfilled those dreams?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, November 13 will receive a print copy of All the Painted Stars. 

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Review - - One Night in Hartswood

One Night in Hartswood

by Emma Denny

Publisher: Mills & Boon

Release Date: November 7, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

 

Oxford 1360

When his sister’s betrothed vanishes the night before her politically arranged marriage, Raff Barden must track and return the elusive groom to restore his family’s honour.

William de Foucart — known to his friends as Penn — had no choice but to abandon his fiancé, and with it his own earldom, when he fled the night before his enforced marriage. But ill-equipped to survive on the run he must trust the kindness of a stranger, Raff, to help him escape.

Unaware their fates are already entwined, their unexpected bond deepens into a far more precious relationship, one that will test all that they hold dear. And when secrets are finally revealed, both men must decide what they will risk for the one they love…

PJ's Thoughts:

Oh my gosh, the feelings in this story. So. Many. Feelings. I was invested almost from the first page, immersed into the medieval lives of these characters. And once Raff and Penn set off on their journey? Well, there was no putting the book down until I had reached the end and knew, finally, how their tale would play out. I was well and truly hooked. 

Medieval romance is one of my favorite eras, especially in the hands of an author who brings it to life on the page, as does Denny. Not once did I feel as if I was reading a "modern" romance dropped into the 1300's. Everything about this story felt authentic and true to the times, further enhancing my enjoyment. The danger, adventure, hardships, parental cruelty, and lack of control over one's own life had me feeling as if I was right there with these characters. 

And speaking of characters, what a wonderful cast Denny has created. There are more than the lead couple to whom I've become emotionally attached. I have my fingers crossed for more stories from this debut author. There are three secondary characters begging for a story of their own and I would love to read them. 

While Raff's and Penn's siblings contributed to my overall enjoyment of the book, as well as to Raff's and Penn's relationship, there is no doubting that the lead couple are the heart and soul of the story. They captured my emotions with their endearing, achingly romantic, soul-deep love and the lengths to which each of them would go to protect the other. They have continued to live in my mind and my heart since finishing their story. I have no doubt I'll be revisiting them again in the future, whenever I need a dose of romantic, endearing, enduring love. This one's a keeper.