Reviews
Intricately drawn and emotionally riveting historical romance at its best. I loved Anna and Lewis and their difficult journey to be together in a world that doesn't make anything easy. This is an intensely personal book that deals with the stark realities of a different era, and the complex and often twisted family power dynamics at a time when reputation is everything. Moving and powerful in the best way possible. If you like your period pieces with a little grit and struggle, this is the book for you. CW: domestic violence, attempted sexual assault
Jaycee Jarvis, author of historical fantasy/romance,
avid reader & reviewer, on Goodreads
Captivating Historical Romance
The time and place during England
in the Regency era are authentically captured through meticulous attention to the language, culture and customs of the time period, from the glamour of society London to the wild beauty of the Yorkshire countryside. This easy and engaging read offers a full range of wild emotion as well, from the darkest and most destructive to the deepest, most courageous and most enduring.
Amazon reviewer
Another great book by this author!
This book is fantastic. I've become so attached to Anna that I feel a second book needs to be made so I can continue reading her story. I truly enjoy how the author doesn't focus on just painting a pretty picture, instead she also reveals how hard life could be back then. ANNA'S REFUGE takes you on a journey as you follow the ups and downs of one girl's life. Every time you think you know what's going to happen, another twist in the plot comes. I will be reading everything this author writes. This is one of those books that stays with you.
*There are some "steamy" scenes, but I just scrolled past them.
Amazon reviewer
This is the first book in the Wrackwater Bridge series, a beautifully written saga filled with dramatic family conflicts that kept me riveted to the very end. Richly drawn characters, intrigue that starts early and never lets up, and magical, skillful writing! I'll enjoy following this author as the saga continues.
Highly recommend!
Sarah Andre,
author of romantic suspense,
on Goodreads
Anna’s first Season begins like a romantic fairy tale and ends in a nightmare of ruination and exile. Lewis angrily watches from the sidelines as his charismatic brother Gideon charms sweet innocent Anna and then spurns her as he moves on to his next conquest. Lewis endeavors to court Anna past her humiliation, but she disappears from town without a goodbye. A chance meeting and a slip of the tongue uncovers Anna’s devastating secret which causes Lewis to pursue an uncommon resolution. Will Anna accept the love and sanctuary gallantly offered? Will Lewis be able to overcome the lecherous natures of his father and brother? Will the two of them be able to defy the odds and create a family better than the dysfunctional ones they’ve always known?
Delving into the dark side of ruined innocence and family dysfunction, "Anna's Refuge" is not the typical historical romance. Every person comes through with a unique point of view and distinctive voice that fully portrays the virtues and flaws of well-developed characters who will carve a space in readers’ hearts and minds. The decadence of a London season, the squalor of workhouses in Leeds, and the small-town coziness of Wrackwater Bridge deliver vivid depictions of Regency England’s landscapes. Readers will find themselves feeling a righteous disgust for the arrogant depravity of Lewis’s family, a horrified outrage for the coldness of Anna’s family, and may even shed a tear for the onslaught of Jack's mental illness. Ms. Reid delivers a heartfelt tale of how a real gentleman's honor, perseverance and devotion can uplift a damsel's despair and provide a place of refuge for her heart.
Tonya Mathenia for InD’Tale Magazine (no longer available online)