Genre: Historical Fiction

The Secret Lives of Murderers’ Wives by Elizabeth Arnott | ARC Review

Posted March 18, 2026 in Books, Reviews / 0 Comments

Thriller meets historical fiction in this fast-paced, high stakes read that follows the young wives of serial killers who are now behind bars, examining how they move forward and reconcile their identities in the aftermath of their husbands’ crimes. I thought the premise for this book was fascinating from the get-go. I think there’s always been a horrific curiosity around the families of serial killers…how do they move forward? Deal with guilt? Start over? How do you live with that kind of specter hanging over you for the rest of your life? That’s the premise of Bev, Margot and Elsie’s […]

The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes by Chanel Cleeton | ARC Review

Posted September 30, 2025 in ARCs, Books, Reviews / 0 Comments

I am a long time fan of Chanel Cleeton. Several years ago I read her first Cuban historical fiction novel and I was hooked! I’ve read all of her historical novels since and most land firmly in the four and five star realm for me. While The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes had many of the things I love about Cleeton’s writing – multiple POVs across women in different points in history, highlighting different parts of Cuban history, etc – I found this novel in particular struggled a bit with pacing for me personally. While overall still a worthwhile read, […]

The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis | Review

Posted August 18, 2025 in Books, Reviews / 0 Comments

I feel like a broken record because everytime I read a historical fiction novel I’m immediately like “I should read more!” and my reaction upon finishing The Stolen Queen is no exception. I think I came across this one on a 2025 releases list at the beginning of the year, and after a long library wait I am thrilled I finally came across it, as it’s my first Egyptian historical fiction, and who among us didn’t have an ancient Egypt phase (remember The Egypt Game?) Alternating between 1930s Egypt and 1970s New York, The Stolen Queen follows Egyptologist Charlotte who […]

Let’s Call Her Barbie by Reneé Rosen | ARC Review

Posted January 20, 2025 in Books, Reviews / 3 Comments

My first five star read of 2025! I’m so happy this came across my inbox to read and review because it reminded me just how much I love reading historical fiction (I feel like I say this every time I read and review a historical fiction novel, lol). I’ve always been a fan of Barbie (I had the boat, the motor-home, the airplane, etc growing up) and I loved the resurgence of Barbie-mania in 2023 with the movie (ah, the summer of Barbenheimer). I was intrigued at the idea of a historical fiction take on the creation of the iconic […]

The House on Biscayne Bay by Chanel Cleeton | ARC Review

Posted May 21, 2024 in ARCs, Books, Reviews / 0 Comments

I love love love Chanel Cleeton’s historical fiction novels about the Cuban diaspora in the US, and this one didn’t disappoint, with the added bonus of also being a mystery with a spooky slant to it. As with many of Cleeton’s novels, the story is told in two interwoven timelines. The first follows Anna, who is the wife of a wealthy American man who basically wants to be the next Gatsby and moves them from New York to Florida to build an over the top, enormous manor and estate (Marbrisa) that his wife isn’t really a big fan of. The […]

The Cuban Heiress by Chanel Cleeton | ARC Review

Posted April 10, 2023 in Books, Reviews / 1 Comment

I’ve had the privilege of receving ARCs for several Chanel Cleeton’s Cuba inspired historical fiction books, and they have never let me down. I’m pleased that The Cuban Heiress continues this tradition, as I thoroughly enjoyed this fast paced historical mystery! Set aboard the real-life cruise ship the SS Morro Castle, the novel follows two women, Elena and Catherine, who are both on the ship at the same time for its week long journey from New York to Havana and back again. Told in alternating POVs, both women’s true motives slowly unravel- and eventually intertwine- over the course of the […]

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus | Review

Posted March 6, 2023 in Books, Reviews / 0 Comments

I ADORE a good historical fiction novel, and Lessons in Chemistry did not disappoint! I honestly didn’t know much about the book other than always seeing it featured on blogs and book lists last year, and seeing even my non bookish friends reading and posting about it. I decided to request it on a whim from my library and was like 128th in the hold line (lol) when I was selected for a “lucky day” copy (basically a copy with a shorter check out date that you can’t renew). I immediately jumped on downloading it to my Kindle and went […]

An Indiscreet Prince by Georgie Blalock | Review

Posted January 16, 2023 in Books, Reviews / 1 Comment

I love a good historical fiction novel and have been on a kick with watching British Monarchy content lately (probably thanks to the latest season of The Crown on Netflix). I’ve especially started being more intrigued by the lesser known royal figures who often had fascinating stories of their own. I believe I came across An Indiscreet Princess while browning Goodreads one day, and was immediately interested in a story regarding Queen Victoria’s most rebellious daughter. I decided to give it a shot and really enjoyed this novel exploring the life of Princess Louise and her fight for freedom from […]

Our Last Days in Barcelona by Chanel Cleeton | ARC Review

Posted May 16, 2022 in ARCs, Books, Reviews / 0 Comments

When I tell you that I LOVE the epic story of the Perez family that Chanel Cleeton has created, I am not kidding! Every installment in the series is an instant “add-to-TBR” book for me, and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to review an early copy of the newest addition to the Perez family’s history, Our Last Days in Barcelona. In Cleeton’s newest novel, readers follow eldest Perez sister Isabel who’s often been in the background as the dutiful, quiet sister. After a few years from their escape from Cuba to Florida, Isabel has been married off to […]

Mini Reviews: The Silver Blonde and Killing November

Posted January 17, 2022 in Books, Reviews / 0 Comments

I’ve really been enjoying historical fiction the past few years, so when I heard about The Silver Blonde I was excited to add another title to my TBR! I was also curious as I hadn’t read anything set in post WWII Los Angeles and was intrigued to see how the entertainment industry was impacted by the war, especially in the context of a mystery. This story had a lot of interesting elements going on- a mystery, an exploration of the film industry in the aftermath of WWII, the German immigrant experience in America after the war, the journey of women […]