Another thrilling gothic romance from Hannah Linder! I absolutely love her books & end up devouring them. The Girl From the Hidden Forest is no exception. This suspenseful mystery & swoon worthy romance pulled me in & didn’t let go.

Eliza Ellis has been living like a Sleeping Beauty princess in the Balfour forest with her dog Merrylad & beloved father Captain Jasper Ellis. For years, she’s lived a solitary existence with only his fairytales to capture her imagination. But, Eliza has nightmares she can’t explain & when she reaches the age of 19 she suddenly finds herself kidnapped by a handsome stranger & taken back to the place of her nightmares to a different father she vaguely remembers.

Felton Northword has lived the past 14 years under a cloud ever since his father was accused of murdering Lady Gillingham. When he discovers that the only possible eye witness to her mother’s death is still alive hiding in the forest, he determines to find her & clear his father’s name.

This story had me on pins & needles! Eliza has repressed memories of that fateful night that someone doesn’t want her to remember. There are several attempts on her life & it seems everyone is a suspect including her own father. As she tries to piece together her memory, she finds herself falling for Felton, but Felton doesn’t want anything to do with the backward heiress. He wants a woman like the squire’s daughter who will elevate his social standing. I loved watching this reluctant to fall hero, fall in love with Eliza. She’s such an honest, refreshingly open, beautiful young woman he can’t resist.

I loved the gorgeous descriptions of the forest, seashore, & Monbury manor. The side characters were also intriguing & added to the frightening world Eliza’s thrust back into. The mystery was full of twists & turns & I loved discovering each piece of the puzzle. Just when you think Eliza’s safe, there’s another attempt on her life. It all leads up to a heart palpitating, thrilling conclusion.

This is definitely one Regency gothic romance you don’t want to miss! Highest of recommendations. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author and publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided. ( )

I've read several of this author's books and this book confirms what I've already learned. Hannah Linder is an amazing wordsmith! I relished the beauty and seclusion of Balfour Forest, the home of Eliza Ellis, her father, and her beloved dog, Merrylad, but Eliza's life wasn't as idyllic as she believed. The Girl from the Hidden Forest is a captivating Regency story, part fairytale, and part Gothic mystery, that kept me turning the pages to learn the secrets of Eliza's past. Secrets that would forever change her future. Eliza was sweet and innocent, content to live in her magical forest until she was abruptly taken away. What would she discover as she navigated a life much different than the one that she'd always known?

Linder kept me fully invested in this tale that's filled with mystery, suspense, and Gothic vibes, but the emotions were what kept me turning the pages! I experienced surprise, sorrow, and even fear, but there was also immense joy in witnessing the relationship that evolved between Eliza and Felton Norwood. He seemed determined to keep her safe but could Eliza be sure of his true motives? Was he worthy of her love and trust?

This fantastic book fed my love of mystery, Gothic fiction, and Regency romance, but it's also a delight for all who appreciate exceptional writing. I recommend The Girl from the Hidden Forest to all who enjoy historical Christian fiction.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. ( )

The Girl from the Hidden Forest is a cleverly plotted, brilliantly written, captivating story. It kept me turning pages to see what happened next, and what happened was usually not what I expected! Beautifully crafted characters drive the story. I love Eliza and Felton. Felton’s impetuous, determined nature with underlying gentleness made him a very realistic character. Eliza is delightful and engaging. I enjoyed how she grew as she learned to navigate the real world after having been secluded in the forest most of her life. Their unique relationship is an intriguing twist on the enemies-to-lovers trope. An authentic Regency setting and suspenseful mystery along with the wonderful characters and sweet romance combine to make a touching, entertaining read.
I received a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ( )

This was a fun historical and mysterious read! Eliza has been raised in the forest by Captain, she has learned to live and rely on him and the land. She knows there is danger out there and that day has finally come. The danger has come for her and everything she remembers and has known is now called into question. Eliza is taken and returned to her real father, but this isn't her life, this isn't her. She just wants to go back to her forest, back to Captain where things are safe and they were living their lives quietly. Eliza does all that she can to try and escape but until she remembers what happened the night her mother was murdered, she is bound to this forsaken place. She is the only one who holds the key to that night, and has the truth of who murdered her mother. Felton knows that Eliza is the only one who can free his father, the one who was accused of the murder. He knows his father is innocent and wants that truth out before it's too late. But it appears that someone doesn't want the truth to come out and now Eliza's life is at risk and she is questioning her nightmares and the bits and pieces that are coming back to her from that night. Can she remember what happened that night, and will Felton's father finally be freed of this accusation? This was such a good read. I loved the mystery, the history and the twisted storylines that all come together in the end. Thank you to Barbour Publishing for the complementary novel. This review is of my own opinion and accord. ( )

One of my favorite tropes is a hero rescuing a damsel in distress. This one has a little twist because Felton first kidnapped Eliza to take her back to her father. Eliza has been hidden away in a remote forest for fourteen years. She knows little of the outside world except what she reads in books that Captain, her guardian, has supplied her with. She uses books to imagine what the world could be like. “She was the princess, the mermaid, the fairy- and he was the noble rescuer who had entered the forest and changed her life.”
Full of secrets, danger, suspense, a fight of good versus evil, and a nightmare that would not yield answers, this book was a feast of words. Eliza was a naive and innocent girl who cried out to God in prayer. Felton was noble, loyal and fought to right the wrongs done to his family and Eliza.
Another superb Gothic, Regency tale from Hannah Linder to savor for its complexity and foreboding plot.
*I read an ecopy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone.* ( )