It's 1875, and Alva Webster has perfected her stiff upper lip after three years of being pilloried in the presses of two continents over fleeing her abusive husband. Now his sudden death allows her to return to New York to make a fresh start, restoring Liefdehuis, a dilapidated Hyde Park mansion, and hopefully her reputation at the same time. However, fresh starts aren't as easy as they seem, as Alva discovers when stories of a haunting at Liefdehuis begin to reach her. But Alva doesn't believe in ghosts. So when the eccentric and brilliant professor Samuel Moore appears and informs her that he can get to the bottom of the mystery that surrounds Liefdehuis, she turns him down flat. She doesn't need any more complications in her life - especially not a handsome, convention-flouting, scandal-raising one like Sam. Unfortunately, though Alva is loath to admit it, Sam, a pioneer in electric lighting and a member of the nationally-adored Moore family of scientists, 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 gorgeous debut by Diana Biller, with a darkly Victorian Gothic flair and an intrepid and resilient American heroine guaranteed to delight readers.
The charming Professor Samuel Moore sweeps disgraced widow Alva Webster off her feet in this adult historical romance.
I decided to purchase this novel after reading several favorable reviews about it. I may be a romance junkie, but I have rarely enjoyed historical romance (the exception being Julie Garwood’s historicals and, of course, she switched to contemporary romance about 15 years ago). I was hoping, SO HOPING, this book would be the breakthrough I needed to truly enjoy a good historical romance. Alas, it, as so many others before it, failed.
Historical romance fans will probably love it. Sam is a charming and engaging lead. It would be impossible not to love him. Alva is harder to warm up to in the beginning, but I enjoyed her character arc the most at the end of the novel. The historical setting, oppressive atmosphere, and interesting ghost story are well-written. All the elements are there for a wonderful read, and I wish it had enchanted me too.
tl;dr A well-written novel with an atmospheric setting and charming characters that I just could not get into.
