Nikki’s review of The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller
Historical Romance published by St. Martin’s Griffin 8 Oct 19
First let me mention a gripe that is not the author’s fault—the marketing on this book is a disaster. Starting with the title, and then the subtitle “a novel,” which implies that this is not genre fiction. And then there’s the price, which reflects the fact that someone at the publishing house didn’t think this was genre romance.
Booklist says “great for readers of gothic romance.” And you can understand why someone who knows nothing about the actual genre of “gothic romance” would say that. After all, there’s an old house and a ghost. And the cover is clearly aiming at that audience. But if you’re looking for that deliciously creepy, ever-building terror of a real Gothic, you won’t find it here.
There are a few nods to the Gothic tradition—lookalike brothers, the aforementioned haunted house, and a woman who is on her own—but they don’t deliver the Gothic punch. Part of that is the fact that the reader knows everything. There’s a reason Gothic romances were traditionally told in first person—uncertainty and terror build when truths are hidden. But the villain of this piece is shown to the reader, and every time Biller attempts to build fear, she diffuses it almost immediately. And the rest of the novel is too light, too happy, too filled with quips and comebacks to support much buildup of tension.
Now, with that out of the way, if you’re looking for a fun historical romance with quirky secondary characters, this is probably right up your alley. There’s not a lot of internal conflict here—hero loves heroine, heroine would love hero but is afraid to—so the plot movement is based on external conflicts. Because of the lack of internal conflict, there’s not a lot of character arc either. It’s okay, because the characters are both well-developed and they’re enjoyable to spend time with, but it’s a bit of a cocktail party of a book, not a meal.
With the world as it is, escaping into this fantasy of 19th century NYC, where people are clever and funny and dark clouds never hang around too long, might be just what you need, but don’t go in expecting depth.
It’s 1875, and Alva Webster is ready for a fresh start. After three years of being pilloried in the presses for fleeing her abusive husband, his sudden death allows her to return to New York where she is determined to restore a dilapidated Hyde Park mansion and, hopefully, her reputation at the same time. She is decidedly not supposed to fall in love.
But when a haunting at her new home threatens her careful plans, she must seek help from the eccentric and brilliant and – much to her dismay – very handsome Professor Samuel Moore. Alva doesn’t need more complications in her life, especially not a convention-flouting, scandal-raising one like Sam. Unfortunately, Sam is the only one who can help. Together, the two delve into the tragic secrets wreathing Alva’s new home while Sam attempts to unlock Alva’s history―and her heart.
Grade: B-
Summary:
It’s 1875, and Alva Webster is ready for a fresh start. After three years of being pilloried in the presses for fleeing her abusive husband, his sudden death allows her to return to New York where she is determined to restore a dilapidated Hyde Park mansion, and hopefully her reputation at the same time. She is decidedly not supposed to fall in love.
But when a haunting at her new home threatens her careful plans, she must seek help from the eccentric and brilliant and – much to her dismay – very handsome Professor Samuel Moore. Alva doesn’t need more complications in her life, especially not a convention-flouting, scandal-raising one like Sam. Unfortunately, Sam is the only one who can help. Together, the two delve into the tragic secrets wreathing Alva’s new home while Sam attempts to unlock Alva’s history—and her heart.
Set during the Gilded Age in New York City, The Widow of Rose House is a gorgeously romantic debut by Diana Biller, with an intrepid and resilient American heroine guaranteed to delight readers as she starts over and finds true love.
No excerpt available.
