Absolutely loved this, my perfect kind of romance. Mistaken identity, micommunication, angst - all the good things. I was so sad to finish it, I still wanted to spend more time with Raff and Penn. Definitely one I'll be recommending to friends!

Thank you to NetGalley and Mills & Boon for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.75⭐️

One Night in Hartswood is a really charming, quiet, heartwarming debut. I was drawn in by the little snatches of hints about the characters' backstories, and quickly grew to love them - Raff's quiet calmness with a racing mind, and Penn's gentle, ever so broken and yet still so charming spirit.
The romance was well written, starting off as strangers who share a kiss, to a gentle friendship with wild sexual tension - I was rooting for them.

While the characters did have reasons to lie to each other about their identities, I did find myself getting a little frustrated with how long it went on for, and then the inevitable fallout it caused - but I am not a fan of the miscommunication trope in general. Their reconciliation was really sweet. And I have to say, I was really gobsmacked for a moment when <spoiler> we were made to believe that Raff had been killed off. My heart was in my THROAT for those pages, waiting for the shoe to drop. Thankfully it did and all was well...</spoiler>

I did find that the middle of the book edged towards too slow pacing, and I found some of those parts tricky to drag myself through.

But on a whole, I really enjoyed this book. What a lovely read.

I haven’t read a good historical romance in a while, so I was excited to throw myself into One Night in Hartswood.

I found this book to be a really charming dose of historical queer romance. Both Penn and Raff had distinct voices, and I enjoyed them as a couple. I had no trouble falling into the world and following the romance, which started off strong. Penn, who I feel had more depth than Raff, was an intriguing character. There was a lot of trauma that he was struggling to deal with, and I loved the moments where he opened up to Raff.

Abuse is a difficult topic to read in any book. It’s always tricky when it’s a part of a romance because it will usually take a backseat. I think the author did a decent job. I appreciated how Raff challenged Penn’s shame and insisted that the abuse was not his fault. After being treated horribly for years, it was wonderful to see Raff be so tender with Penn. My favourite moments were those shared between Penn and Raff on the road. I loved how the climate forced them together. Raff yearned for Penn. Their stolen moments in the cold wilderness were my favourite part of this novel.

Their romance is built on a lot of lies, which naturally explodes in their faces. It was hard to feel bad for either of them when they were both keeping secrets. I found their dynamic on the road interesting. The romance developed slowly because Raff was hesitant to do anything with Penn because of the power imbalance. I wish the slow burn lasted longer and that there were more obstacles.

The story felt very contained within Raff and Penn’s romance. I would have loved to see more exploration of the period.

I will say that the ending felt slightly predictable, and I wish there had been more of a conflict to achieve the HEA. It felt like Penn spent most of the book struggling with his father’s abuse, then seamlessly destroys him. He did so by being an expert at manipulating lords and ladies and navigating politics. I was confused by this as Penn sees himself as a terrible heir. Penn also didn’t have a lot of independence throughout the novel. Raff mostly took charge. I was unsure if Penn’s insecurities were only because he was queer (and if that was the main reason his father hated him). Yet, Raff’s family openly accepted and explored queerness, while the idea of them being together seemed completely impossible. Penn was not able to be queer within the walls of his father’s home, hence why he fled. There was no hint at the prospect of same sex marriage. I wasn’t sure how queer people fit into this world or if homophobia was common within this story. I did think there were some strange choices for a book set in the fourteenth century, but I overlooked them because I’m always in favour of normalising queerness. I’m no expert on the Middle Ages, and if sexuality and gender were actually more fluid back then, I’m all for seeing it in this book, I just wish there was more clarity. I’m not sure if I was just confused or if there were actually contradictions.

This book started off really strong, and I loved Raff and Penn’s meeting in Hartswood forest. Their stolen moments of tenderness were touching, but I did fall a little out of love with their romance by the end of the story. Nonetheless, there is a lot to love in this book, and I would definitely recommend it to people who enjoy queer historical fiction.

I absolutely adored this book. The premise was deliciously Shakespearean: Penn is betrothed to Raff’s sister but doesn’t want to marry her because he’s gay, so runs away to the woods. There he encounters Raff, but neither of them introduce themselves with their station so Penn assumes Raff is a hunter and Raff assumes Penn is a servant. (This, and they lies they tell to support the other’s assumptions, will come to bite them in the behind.)

Penn is guarded but sweet, carrying lots of baggage from his father’s mistreatment but still quick to put his court-learned talents for talking to use, especially in defence of Raff. Raff is a little wild at heart but constrained by duty to his family, having taken over responsibilities when his elder brother went to war that weren’t handed back when he came home. They are fiercely protective of each other and so, so in love. I loved every second of their romance. There was also a great cast of supporting characters, particularly Raff’s siblings who are aggravating and playful in equal measure.

I really enjoyed the setting - historical romance is usually so confined the the last two centuries, it was really refreshing to have it in the 1300s. Rather than dinner parties and parlour games there were long rides through forests and stays at the inn and chilly nights spent huddling by a fire for warmth. The style reminded me of Alexis Hall’s historical romances, although closer in tone to A Lady for a Duke than Something Fabulous (it’s more achingly romantic than a joyful romp.)

Emma Denny has done a fab job with this debut, and I look forward to whatever she writes next!
I received a free copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

One Night in Hartswood by Emma Denny
Earc:NetGalley
Publisher:Mills and Boon
Publication Date: 19 Jan 2023
Genre:Historical Fiction, LGBTQIA+, Romance

Penn and Raff were such a great couple. Despite some misunderstandings and deceit, I loved them together. Their relationship was passionate and tender, just a pleasure to read.

An incredible queer love story set in the 14th century! The number of sets was small this time, and it was very fresh. I would have liked a little more historical detail, but it was an excellent setting for this story. The supporting characters were great, and I wish I could have spent a little more time with some of them, especially Raf's sister Lily. I want to see her story!!

Very funny and well-written. Great setting, a bit of political intrigue, and lots of emotion!
#NetGalley #bookstagram#bookreview #goodreads #romance #historicalfiction #lgbtqi+ #historicalfiction @millsandboon @emmadeny #onenightinhartswood

I am now a Raff & Penn super fan- don’t ask me to decide those hashtags will be being generously used and I won’t be splitting them.

I love a Romance
I love Historical Fiction
I love M/M storylines

Did I expect to get it all in one book, absolutely not! To say that I loved this book was an understatement, this is sweetness personified and done so well.

So here’s what it’s about from the publisher

A love story worth fighting for…

“Oxfordshire 1360
When Penn and Raff meet in Hartswood Forest the only truth they know of each other is a brief moonlit kiss they had shared previously. But Penn is escaping an arranged marriage to a woman he has never seen. Raff is tracking the elusive missing groom of his sister to restore his family’s honour. Neither are looking for a travelling companion. Yet both men find themselves drawn to each other in ways neither imagined.
Unaware of their true identities they venture north together through Hartswood Forest. And, as their bond deepens, their fates become irrevocably entwined. But, with one escaping a life of duty and one tracking a fugitive, continued concealment threatens everything they know and trust in each other. So when secrets are finally revealed, and the consequences of their relationship become clear, both must decide what they will risk for the man they love.”


What have we got going on in this book

Slow Burn
Spice, the sex scenes are done really well!
Humour
Medieval (the history geek in me was screaming- one of my favourite periods!)
Political intrigue, not my favourite but this works and honestly you can’t have historical fiction set in this period with out the politics, can you??!!

Their POV’s were so strong and their personalities shone through .

Being truly honest I did not expect to walk away from this book feeling so much love for it, this is a Smash for me, a hard smash in fact!

A wonderful LGBTQ+ historical romance with two loveable protagonists and plenty of steamy scenes.

One Night in Hartswood starts with an arranged marriage between Lily and William, the children of two powerful Lords. William, desperate to escape the fate of a marriage with someone he could never truly be with, escapes to Hartswood forest. It's here that he meets Raff, Lily's brother. Neither men know who the other are as William uses his chosen name of Penn and Raff allows Penn to presume he's a tracker, rather than related to his betrothed. The two work together to free a cruelly trapped deer and share a passionate but hasty kiss, both then running their separate ways. The following morning, and day of the wedding, Penn/William is nowhere to be found. With Raff's clear tracking skills, he is sent to find William. And he does, but has no way of knowing this as the man he finds goes by the name Penn. Together the pair travel back to Raff's father's keep, taking their time, with the idea of finding Penn (who has let Raff assume he was a servant to William's family) some work. Many cold nights and a close encounter with some angry townspeople, push Ragg and Penn closer together and romance ensues.

I loved this historical romance, and it's the first I've read with a queer love story which was very refreshing. The two characters are well developed and whilst their love story is not easy, it's tenderhearted and sweet.

The side characters are also great, especially Ash and Lily - Raff's siblings. They are supportive and encouraging throughout and the sibling banter / rivalry is evident.

This is a fantastic debut, and I'll definitely read more by Emma Denny.

This was a beautifully written, historical queer romance. The book was a slow burn but it definitely worked for the story. I found that I couldn’t stop reading, what an incredible debut!

A historical romance that was riveting and left me wanting more. Well written, well developed and enchanting characters. I loved it.

4.5 stars
This is such a beautiful slow burn M/M historical romance that had me just adoring the main characters. It's quite light and easy going with some decent angst nearer the end. I was loving the hidden identity trope, this may be one of my new favourites.

It is so beautifully written, and has a fairly low spice level. It concentrates on building the romance between the main characters, and respecting the situation they are in as two men in a time when this wouldn't have been easy.

I was so worried throughout, as to how the author would wrap up the ending and I must say, I was truly happy, she does the characters and their story justice.

I'm really hoping some of the side characters in this book get their own story. It does hint at the possibility of this happening, so my fingers are firmly crossed.

A huge thank you to @netgalley and @millsandboonuk for the ebook arc, I really loved it.

One Night in Hartswood was the perfect heartwarming medieval queer romance I didn’t know I needed! If you enjoyed the Scottish Boy but wished it was more lighthearted and emotional, this is the book for you.

It follows the story of Penn and Raff— two men running away from their situations who find each other in the Hartwood. Penn is the son of a violent, controlling Lord, betrothed to marry a woman he’s never met. A woman who, unbeknownst to both of them, is Raff’s sister. When Penn goes missing Raff sets off to find him, leading to them both embarking on a journey to help Penn escape his situation and his father. Neither of them know who the other are, masquerading as a tracker and a servant, which lets them truly get to know each other and fall in love without expectations or existing ideas about the other person.

With the Medieval English setting and a little touch of political intrigue, the story was quick pasted and kept me guessing until the last moment. I knew it would have a happy ending being a romance, but I genuinely had no idea how it would work out! The progression of their relationship was incredibly believable and the author really did a great job on selling their romance and chemistry. Each of their POVs were distinct and containing their own brand of humour and personality and I loved seeing the other person through both of their eyes. I finished the book feeling so warm and happy and I genuinely couldn’t say enough positive things about One Night in Hartswood. Thank you so much Mills & Book for the beautiful ARC and a chance to read it early!

I have attempted to write this feedback a few times but struggle to put into words so I'll keep it short - I loved this book. Penn and Raff are both running when they bump into each other - Penn is running away from his life and an arranged marriage, and Raff is trying to restore the elusive groom to restore his family's honour. As they continue through the woods, their lives intertwine in a way that will impact them both forever.

Please read this book, and love it as much as I do!

I was granted an ARC of this book through NetGalley.

This was one of my more anticipated ARCs and I was so happy when I was granted it. It didn’t let me down.
Historical queer romance but where the character’s main problem isn’t being gay is definitely refreshing. I absolutely adore Raff and Penn and the way the relationship naturally grows between them is just the most beautiful thing.

I cannot wait for a physical copy to come out in January, I will be buying it!

The E-Book could be improved and more user-friendly, such as links to the chapters, no large gaps between words some text written has been typed in red and a cover for the book would be better. It is very document-like instead of a book therefore a star is lost for this.

This was a simple, fun, easy and quick read. The perfect type of book for your holiday, beach, pool kind of read. This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

It was an enjoyable, light read for when one is in the mood to experience a sweeping gay romance adorned with some colorful historic window dressings -- which is what this is, it's a love story between two men with distinctly modern flavors, but set in a world where everyone wears historic costumes and talks about arranged marriages and tournaments and family obligations. Is that a bad thing? Depends on what you are looking for. Personally, I don't come to historical m/m for an scientifically accurate use of cutlery and medieval hygiene. It would have been nice to have a deeper sense of place and time, but in a romance, granted, but I'll take a compelling dynamic between characters over historical accuracy any day of the week. I'm definitely pleased that a mainstream romance publisher is making a choice in favour of a soft gay historical to break up the line up of safer titles!

Thanks to #Netgalley for an arc of #OneNightInHartswood.

I received an ARC in exchange for a fair review. Luckily, I loved this! I haven't found many medieval romance novels that I've actually liked, which is a shame because I love the medieval period and I think we could have some really cool romance novels if only regency romances didn't dominate the historical subgenre. This I loved a lot.

One of my favourite tropes is secret identity, where one or both characters don't know the other's true identity and/or are hiding their own, and this one delivers on two fronts - and here the reveal wasn't swept under the rug either. Both Penn and Raff have very real and valid feelings about finding out who the other is, but they are also called out on their hypocrisy. The romance was slow and though they did get together fairly quickly, it wasn't *resolved* - the real climax of the story comes later, when all has been revealed and the stakes are heightened, and they not only choose each other but fight for it.

I also came out of this needing at least two sequels: the one in which Penn and Raff's sisters fall in love and get together and the one in which Penn's lost brother and Raff's brother's lost lover turn out to be one - gasp! - one and the same and are reunited. I mean, I can't be the only one who thinks that Leo and Oliver are the same person???? please can I have sequels.

I do have a few quibbles about the historical aspect of the novel, which I felt was very costume-y rather than truly grounded in the medieval period, a bit like a colourful backdrop. There were some notable medieval aspects missing that I would've loved to see. I know lots of people don't expect thorough historical research from 'just' a romance novel, and that's fair, I'm however of the opinion that setting influences character, and if the setting is missing crucial aspects, then so will the characters. Here they felt very much like modern people in costume, with few of the cultural mores of their society informing their characters. Which, if you're just after a lighthearted romp works well enough. and honestly I can't bring myself to care enough about it to knock off stars, I liked the rest of the book so much.

I loved One Night In Hartwood by Emma Denny!
It was so good!
It was written really well and I absolutely loved Penn and Raff so much!
They were so sweet!
I also ended up really enjoying the medieval setting.
I highly recommend this book!
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is definitely one of my newest obsessions!
I want to start by saying that I don’t usually enjoy historical novels, but I was attracted by the synopsis. Luckily this book is more of a romance which takes place in the 14th century and not really a historical novel. One Night in Hartswood was a surprising read, so incredibly well-written that it was difficult to believe this was a debut novel. I enjoyed every single moment between Penn and Raff, their romance was so sweet, and I loved how it developed, and how they get to know and trust each other. What makes this story so great is the plot, which was not over-too-complicated and at the same time truly engaging. This is one of those stories you wish never ends. The storyline is quite easy to predict, and perhaps the final outcome was expected and rushed. Still, it was such an amazing read. In spite of the easy plot, the main two characters are so well developed, and together with the world-setting, I really hope for a sequel.
There are a few things left open in the end - so I keep my fingers crossed.
Absolutely amazing!

In 3 Words: Cute, Deceiving, Exciting

Fave Quote: Come with me. As far as you need... as far as you want

I thought this book sounded super cute when I read the blurb, and I wasn't disappointed. Penn and Raff have an unexpectedly bloody meet-cute in the woods, but their attraction for one another is instant. I was caught off-guard by how early they share their first kiss, although it takes them both a while to admit their feelings. While trying to remain platonic, the light hand brushes are so hot even though literally nothing else is happening. And the way they kept finding excuses to stay together 🥺. However, they both conceal their true identities in the beginning, and I have to admit I was curious about why William introduced himself as Penn. I'm glad it was explained in the end, and I'm very pleased with how the book was concluded. Side note that Ash taunting everyone (especially Penn) was hilarious

❌SPOILER WARNING❌
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All the scenes when Raff and Penn were sharing body heat or training were perfection. I thought it was so funny that Raff and Penn both assumed the other one was a servant. But comedy aside, I do think Raff was pretty stupid for not putting Penn's identity together because there were SO MANY CLUES

5* Stars

I absolutely ADORED this book. I was hooked from the start and found it ridiculously hard to put down. If I hadn't been told it was a debut from this author, I'd never have guessed.

It's quite unique in that it's set in the 14th century. I can't think of any other M/M romance set in that period. What I loved about the author using that period is that it allowed the world to be simple and easy to fall into. It wasn't one of those overly complicated imaginary worlds that give you a headache from trying to picture everything; in fact, a lot of the book was set outdoors and it worked SO well. Every time I picked it back up, it felt cosy, like a warm hug.

The MCs in this story have so much chemistry - it's something a lot of authors don't get right, and the books end up suffering due to it. But that wasn't an issue here. The chemistry was intense and electric and so perfect. I was swooning through about 80% of the book 😍 They're both so adorable. I just loved Penn, and Raff turned my heart to mush. They're so cute together and felt so perfect for each other right from their Meet Cute. A large portion of the book was just the two MCs together, but it was never, ever boring.

I should also talk about the steamier scenes - I imagine this is the hardest part for an author to get right. In this one is was done SO RIGHT. The sex scenes were so hot and a delight to read - I can't even do justice through this review to how much I loved them - I think this was largely due to the chemistry between the pair, but the author is clearly very skilled and talented. You won't be disappointed by these parts of the book.

There are some side characters, but they only play a small role in the book. The villain is truly evil and really helped to drive the story forward.

The plot is really addictive - even though you *think* you know what might happen, there are so many twists and turns that'll leave your heart in mouth. It's an emotional rollercoaster - I found myself laughing at some points, melting at some, and bawling at others. It's been a long while since I've been this invested in a book - I'd go as far as saying it was one of my favourite books of the year.

I would recommend this to anyone who loves an M/M romance.

TL:DR - One Night In Hartswood is a perfect, addictive, steamy romp set in the 1300s. It's cosy, the characters are brilliantly crafted and the plot makes it impossible to put down. It's full of adventure and has just the right amount of angst and twists to keep you on the edge of your seat. There's nothing to fault with this story - it's an absolute must read for any M/M lover.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC. This is my honest review.