The book captivated yoi from the start. An immersive journey into ancient Pompeii, following Amara's quest for freedom after escaping a life of servitude. The novel delves into her complex relationships, particularly with her patron Rufus, highlighting the precarious balance between power and vulnerability.

Harper's vivid descriptions brought Pompeii to life, from its bustling streets to its intricate social dynamics. The narrative's depth and authenticity made me reflect on the challenges faced by women in historical contexts, drawing parallels to modern struggles.

While the pacing was deliberate, allowing for character development and atmospheric detail, there were moments where I felt the story's progression slowed. Nonetheless, the rich historical backdrop and Amara's compelling journey kept me engaged.

Overall, The House with the Golden Door is a captivating read that offers a nuanced portrayal of ambition, survival, and identity in ancient Rome.
Many thanks to the oublishers and netgalley for the approved copy.

Interesting follow up to The Wolf Den. I didn’t love it quite as much but enjoyed following Amara’s story and will be interested to see where it goes from here!

Elodie Harper’s The House with the Golden Door is a compelling sequel to The Wolf Den, continuing the journey of Amara, a former slave navigating the complexities of freedom in ancient Pompeii. Now a courtesan under the patronage of a wealthy lover, Amara finds that liberation comes with new challenges—betrayal, societal constraints, and the struggle to protect those she left behind.

Harper’s creates a richly detailed and vibrant world that is very easy to imagine and immerse yourself in.

This feels like the best kind of historical fiction.

Elodie Harper is flawless. The second book in this trilogy had me just as hooked and I loved the development of the protagonist. I cannot wait for the final book!

What a great sequel! I love Elodie Harper's writing and her ability to draw you into the story. I'm excited but also terrified to read the final instalment because I know it's going to break me.

I loved the Wolf Den and was very excited about this book too! It did not disappoint and is easily becoming one of my favourite series.

An astounding and page-turning continuation of a breath-taking series, THE HOUSE WITH THE GOLDEN DOOR is a triumph. The best historical fiction I’ve read in years.

Gets better with each installment, I cannot wait for book 3!
Well fleshed out characters, compelling plot & magnificent writing.

This is book 2 in a series. It is full of adventure and action. The storyline was compelling and strong. Can’t wait for the last instalment

A brilliantly executed sequel to The Wolf Den, picking up soon after the events of Amara achieving the status of a freed woman in ancient Pompeii. This is a detailed and moving account of the women in ancient Rome, who were glossed over in the history books. Amara finds herself in a precarious situation, enjoying the freedom of being a lady, served upon by maids, but relying on maintaining the affections of the man who keeps her. Her nights are plagued by the memories and visions of the people and events of The Wolf Den. Her heart yearns for love, but pursuing true love is a dangerous game for a woman in a land ruled by ruthless men. A brilliant read. #thehousewiththegoldendoor #elodieharper #netgalley

Headlines:
Free but still owned
Amara takes all the risks
Tragedy lurks

The House with the Golden Door ramped up the tension when it felt it couldn't get higher than Wolf Den. While this sequel had less trauma and violence on page, it lurked in the background and I was constantly waiting for the shoe to drop.

If I expected life to be more even for Amara as a freed woman, I was wrong. Amara made lots of decisions that were hard to witness, yet quite understandable. On the one hand it was good to see some personal satisfaction for Amara while watching through my fingers.

The Wolf Den friends were a big part of this story and I admired Amara's actions with regards to them. I hated where some of this ended up. Felix remained vile, Rufus was as uninspiring as I expected and other men in her life showed some spark of integrity.

The plot in the sequel was strong, clever and nuanced. I enjoyed this read immensely and I'm avidly looking forward to the final installment. I dare to hope for Amara's future...

Thank you to Head of Zeus for the review copy.

I devoured this one shortly after reading The Wolf Den and it was just as great. I tore through it really quickly

The House with The Golden Door 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I am not a visual thinker. Nothing fills me with more dread than when someone says, “picture this…”. But something about Elodie Harpers writing lights up my brain. Never has it been so easy for me to vividly create scenes in my mind’s eye and if these books were over 1000 pages long, it still would not be long enough for me to enjoy this type of reading experience.

The House with The Golden Door picks up where The Wolf Den leaves off, in a state of chaos and upset. Amara is now free from her life as a prostitute in Pompeii’s most infamous brothel, but her freedom depends on the generosity of her Patron for as long as she can keep his affections. Amara grapples with her new status as freedwoman, self-conscious of her vulgar past, never truly feeling safe or confident for her future, haunted by the women she left behind in The Wolf Den.

While The Wolf Den doesn’t hold back on its unflinching depiction of life as a slave in Pompeii, The House with The Golden Door is a slower exploration of character, a drawing out of an anxiety inducing plot and a painful realisation that your heart rarely listens to reason, you will risk everything for those you love.

Pure mastery, whether you know lots or nothing at all about the period. If you enjoy vivid writing, thrilling storylines and never to be forgotten characters I give this soon to be trilogy all the stars. ✨

Having read the first book I was so
Interested to see where the story will go.

Again I loved the characters and through they were strongly described. Pompeii is again very well described and it was easy to imagine what it must have been like.

Im so looking forward to book three but I’m scared I’ll be upset and emotional as im so invested in the characters and I hope there are no major disasters but I really feel there may be.

After having loved the Wolf Den I was worried that this wouldn't live up to my expection in the continuation of this trilogy. I needn't have worried as this novel picks up and carries the story in the same engaging way, with the same, lovable characters. Elodie writes in such an atmospheric way; I've never been to Pompeii but I absolutely felt like I was immersed in those story and was in Pompeii and in the wolf den with the wolves! I can't wait for the next in the trilogy!

I absolutely loved this one! I love how this series is progressing so far and the author has such a captivating way of writing!

I published my review of this on release day and I am still recommending this book to my friends!

Can't wait for the third and final instalment!!

This is the second in Harper's series and I have to be honest, something about the first book put me off from reading this one for a while but it really should not have done. I much preferred this book and I think that is because there is more of a story. We already know Amara and the supporting characters and we follow them on the next steps of their journey through life. I thought a lot more happened during this book and there was a lot more danger and excitement, plus the third book is set up very well.
Once again, Harper really evokes the time period and atmosphere and I could really envisage the surroundings and people I was reading about. I adore this time period and it is always such an enjoyable experience to read and immerse myself in.
This is a strong sequel and I cannot wait for the next book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for an advance copy.

I loved The Wolf Den, and this follow up title did not disappoint. Amara is now ‘free’ but subject to the whims of her patron, Rufus. The characters are are rich and wonderful as the first book. Amara’s big heart means that she puts herself in grave danger - by borrowing money from Felix. They have a complicated relationship which is not helped by Amara’s compulsion to free Britannica and Victoria. Treachery is afoot and Amara should have taken her lover’s advice but her headstrong nature exposes her tenuous situation.

The novel is a wonderful history lesson, shocking, revealing and brutality are all strong themes which are addressed. The book relies heavily on events from the first novel, though they are well explained so this can be read as a standalone title - though why miss out and read them both!

The novel ends as a new chapter in Amara’s life unfolds. Freed from her obligations to Rufus, mother to Philos’ child - what dies the future holds for them? I can’t wait to find out!

Just as stunning as book one of the series. Elodie Harper just has such a way with words that keeps me wanting more. Cannot wait for anything else that they bring out.

I absolutely adore this series. The first book in the series was amazing and I loved following Amara's story as she explores life after the Wolf Den. This is rich in historical detail and compelling characters. Very excited for book three!