Beautifully written, this is an old fashioned gothic tale in the best of ways. Atmospheric, creepy, foreboding. It ticks all the boxes if you are looking for something bit different.
The story started off very slowly with a lot of background info which I think could have been quicker but I think that's the style of this type of story.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses was an amazing read - it took me quite some time to finish it but I'm glad I stuck to the end. I found the plot twist unexpected and gave new light to details I had picked up before. The characters are likeable and well fleshed out, and the setting is described in delightful detail: the vast halls and darkened corridors of Broken Oak Manor are so well painted by the author and gave life and depth to the whole story.
I would absolutely recommend this read to all fans of gothic horror/romance - for a genre where I'm often disappointed, this book shone.

Eerie and haunting, this gothic-esque style tale was captivating from the very beginning.

A short read but a great one. And the most perfect ending. Loved it!

4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Special thanks to Netgalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is a Gothic read, with great writing, and a wonderful atmosphere. I really liked the world building and depictions of the manors and surroundings Theodora was in. I really liked putting the pieces together at the end of the story. I for sure did not see the twist at the end, but when it came, everything made sense!

Highly recommend if you like Gothic stories and eerie settings.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

It wasn’t perfect but I still gave it 5 stars because it was that good.
The Quiet Stillness of Empty House spoke to my soul, it filled it with lovely words. At first I thought it would be a sort of Jane Eyre but without the creepy love interest. It was so much better than that. This is a true Gothic romance. The gothic aspect is not just an aesthetic but the bones of the story. It’s divinely eerie. The romance made me kick my feet. And, finally, the plot twist took me by surprise, which is not something that happens a lot.
I think this book stole a part of my soul and seriously good for it because I don’t even want to ask it back.

If I still haven’t convince you to read this book maybe a little quote will: “ I cannot part with you anymore than I could part with my soul.”

I usually prefer gothic fiction on screen than in writing, but this drew me in and...albeit not for everyone, I loved the writing style and it certainly gave off the vibes I was looking for.

absolutely beautiful, haunting story. This book packs incredible world building, swoon-worthy gothic romance, chilling ghosts and intriguing mystery. somewhat predictable, but still filled with wonderful twists and turns.

On paper, this is a book with a lot going for it. The gothic plot, the eerie atmosphere, the haunting mystery, the promise of lush, dreamy writing...

So why did I not connect with one single aspect of this story? I had such a dull and tedious time with it, and I don't know if I should blame myself or the book. Ah well, not every book is meant for every person, and they can't all be winners.

This was a little different than my typical read, but the cover pulled me in. And I'm glad it did!

This is an old-fashioned romance kind of story - the story of a young girl taking the job of governess far from her family home. The mysterious and foreboding ways of the new house make for a slightly spooky read, but in the best way. The ending of the story brought an unpredictable surprise!

I greatly enjoyed this book and the departure from my usual genre. In this case, I'm glad I judged a book by its cover!

This was a quick, enjoyable read. It was very well written and I loved the mystery and atmosphere! I will definitely be reading more by this author in the future.

4.5

What a great read! I sat outside reading all day because I couldn’t put it down. Gothic horror is my current favorite and I’m so glad I read this one. I’ll be recommending it in the store regularly! There was one part in at the end where the secret was revealed and I thought that there were definitely too many pages left for what I thought the story would be. Turns out I loved what came after and should’ve just trusted the author! Loved the ending. Everyone who enjoys gothic horror should move this up on their list.

This was a quick read for me, but it packed a huge punch! With it’s gothic atmosphere and mysterious characters - what is there not to love!? The romance was predictable, but the twist? Yep didn’t see that one coming! But once it was revealed everything made sense!

This book had so much potential! The synopsis drew me in, and I was so excited for a mysterious gothic story! However, it didn’t deliver for me all the way. Overall, I enjoyed the story, but I felt like I didn’t know enough about the characters. I think this was partially intentional to create an ending that packed a punch, but I wanted to feel more for them, and I didn’t.

I felt like the beginning jumped around a lot, and I wasn’t completely following along. Eventually I started to understand where the story was going, but it took a little while to get there. There is a lot of background about Theodora’s family’s home, her deceased father, and her first governess job.

Then Theodora finally arrives at Thorne Manor as the new governess, and the story truly begins. From her first interactions after her arrival, I could feel that something eerie was going to happen. She forms a quick relationship with the daughter, Ottoline, and I really loved their dynamic. But there was something about Ottoline that was just not quite right, and I was dying to know what it was.

After some time in the house, we meet Cassias Thorne who is even more mysterious than his daughter. Wandering the halls at night and constantly asking about his wife or insisting that she’s at the seaside because she’s unwell, I started to wonder what was really going on with him and his wife. Despite his seclusion and overall creepiness, Theodora is instantly drawn to him, but the romance piece of this book was hard to buy into. Reflecting back on their relationship after reading the ending, it all starts to fall into place, but there was still something missing between the two.

Throughout the book, I was constantly wondering what secrets everyone was hiding and what was really going on in their minds. Even the housekeeper had her moments of mystery. In the end, I will admit that I was totally shocked, and I actually loved the ending! It was the best part of the whole book. I was floored and had to take a quick break to process it all. I think if I went back and reread the book, I would have a newfound appreciation of the way the story was building up to the ending.

I think a lot of people will really love this book, and while I enjoyed it, it didn’t hit all the marks for me.

Thanks to Netgalley and Quill and Crow Publishing House for the ARC.

Romance and ghosts?! What more can you ask for!

Absolutely feel in love with this book and Cassius!
The romance is predictable but the twist at the end.. I did not see that coming!
Dark and mysterious it makes for a fun, interesting, quick read.
The world building is great and more so is the character development of Thedoras' character. The end packs a punch but its a good one, suddenly everything makes sense.

Oh my god I absolutely adored this.

This book gave everything that it promised and more. Dark, gothic atmosphere with mysterious characters, a perfect spooky read.

There wasn't a boring moment with this book. The characters were wonderfully written, the plot was interesting keeping the reader on their toes and constantly invested. A perfect book for everyone in a reading slump.

Honestly I have no complaints I just loved this so much.

Theodore Corvus works as a governess, and after losing her position, finds work far from home at Broken Oak Manor. Leaving behind a sick grandmother plays on Theodore's mind as do the memories and faces that haunt her.

Caring for little Ottoline Thorne brings her much comfort, and she develops a close relationship with Ottoline's father, Cassius, despite the concerns of the gruff housekeeper.

Someone walks the corridors late at night at Broken Oak and it seems the house is not at peace with its residents. All is not what it seems and what dark secrets lurk in the attic?

4.5 stars and would love to read more by the same author!

This is a quintessential Gothic story. First, the fantastic title brings on all the feels before even starting. There is everything here including romance and ghosts. Theodora is sent to Broken Oaks to be a governess amidst whispers of a scandal at her last placing. At home, she lives in a dilapidated family mansion with her hard-nosed grandmother. However, her new placing brings her joy except for the mysterious events taking place at night.

The atmosphere just drips from the pages. Theodora is a wonderfully believable main character and the romance is not irritating or overdone. The ending was a fantastic twist and I thought it was perfect. Unfortunately, the denouement was too long. I started skipping through it until the final end which was again good in itself. The final chapters would have been better condensed into one.

This gothic, haunted-house-style story is lyrical in its descriptions and I found the writing often remimiscent of Shirley Jackson. Wonderfully eerie and equally unsettling at times, I'd kill to read this book again for the first time!
The dynamic of the households was simple, with a focus on interpersonal relationships and the old manors themselves almost making characters in their own rights.
FMC Theodora is headstrong, logical, and deeply human in her rationalisations - traits I admire especially when interacting with (sometimes overbearing and abusive) Lords. All of the characters had their quirks and with such a small cast, the personalisation was deep and easy for me to fall into. The symbolism especially I just adored throughout, the little lines that made you think on their double meanings.
If you enjoyed the Netflix show the Haunting of Bly Manor, this will absolutely hit the spot for you!

PLOT TWIST! I did not expect to like this book.... selected because of an intriguing title and cover art. Decent dialogue. Fairly short book. I actually liked the hint of mystery... then BAM! Mystery solvedn but not how you expect.

Offered a governess position at Broken Oak Manor, Theodora Corvus sets off to new beginnings, leaving her family home Woodrow behind. Finding a beauty and warmth in Broken Oak she never had in Woodrow, Theodora is instantly attracted to the house and drawn to it's occupants. She soon discovers there is a dark secret hidden in the house and that those within it are not what they seem to be...

L.V Russell sets the tone right off the hop with an overly dramatic and haunting way of describing. It's beautiful writing and quite artistic.

"Winter passed long and slow; it lingered at their hearth as an unwanted houseguest, drawing in the shadows, keeping in the cold"

The pacing is very poetic and just beats into the reader a sense of dread. As I read it I felt as if it was being told to me in whispered tones and soft light, rather than reading it myself. The little sprinkles of sudden sweet moments and dusting of warmth in the darkness is the thing that pushes the story along rather than chacter or action. Also, each chapter starts with a little quote or blurb which is a nice and always welcome in my books (pun intended)

"So, Theodora swallowed her tears, and it was as though they never quite made it to her stomach, instead solidifying around her heart. She could feel it in her chest, the soft thudding of a grief-heavy organ"

Theodora is a very likable character, if a little plain. Coming from a mid victorian (assuming) time she is seen as wild for seeking adventure and for her outspoken mannerisms. Death seems to hover over her through the old, decaying Woodrow house. With a push from her just as old and decaying Grandmother she sets off to a governess position at Broken Oak.

The story is honestly kind of predictable, but the way it's told and the little unique attributes that pop up throughout make it worth reading. I found it a bit slow in the beginning and the story doesn't really pick up until the 70-80% mark. Being only 194 pages it's a quick read that I would use to get back into reading or while in between series