Netherford Hall by Natania Barron

First I would like to thank NetGalley and the author Natania Barron for the E-Arc and would like to share a few honest thoughts about "Netherford Hall".

The wonderful, idyllic setting, the different characters and the complex witch folklore promise a complex and intruging, magical, sapphic story, but for me this concept, which already sounded so exciting, unfortunately couldn't be implemented. After making 30 % reading progress , I still felt like I hadn't gotten to know the characters. The focus was too much on sharing information about the family's past and the witchy lore, which isn't bad in itself, but it really affected the pacing, so I really had a hard time focusing on reading.

I was keen to continue reading to learn more about the reserved Gentlewitch Edith and her powers. Poppy and Edith couldn't be more different and I loved Poppy from the very beginning, which made me keep reading! She is a breath of fresh wind and I loved her temperament, and her desire of independence in a male-dominated world. Characters are the heart of a book and I love the dynamics that emerged as the story progressed.

In itself "Netherford Hall" is a solid book with a magic-stystem, that can not be really grasped from the start, because there are so many details and informations and as a reader, I felt a little bit overwhelmed by it! Nevertheless, the found family trope, the lovely historical Regency atmosphere and slow burning romance sweeten this book a bit!

I was a bit disappointed in this one. It felt very slow and the magic system was somewhat confusing to me. 2.5 rounded up

I found this book to be very slow going. While, I usually am able to dive right into a fantasy with minimal confusion along the way. I found this book to be confusing with the introduction of of so many new characters early on. Ultimately, I felt that this book being a spin on Pride and Prejudice and adding in magic was one thing too many.

This sapphic, magical Pride and Prejudice retelling stole my heart (and sleep)! I felt like there was enough flexibility for the story to be fresh and queer (!) while still sharing some similarities with the original. I loved how queerness was a part of this world without rampant homophobia or struggle. The voice of the author and the writing style also made this book stronger.

There's an "are they enemies" start to this that rivals Darcy and Elizabeth. Edith and Poppy do quickly sort it out but the tension was fun.

I liked the family member's of both MCs and their love for each other *and* the found family. There's also an empowering theme of being a little odd, but realizing the power in being different and in finding yourself.

I'm excited for the next in the series!

1.5 out of five 🌶

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC.

CN: familial death, death of a parent, ableism, fire/fire injury, sex, sexual assault,

This was a DNF for me. It was just too slow to get in to and at points felt clunky and I found we were being told things rather than shown and it was just boring.
I had such high hopes for it but it just didn't work for me.

3 stars as I do think this book will have its audience, it just wasn't with me.

I will devour any Pride and Prejudice retelling you throw at me. Add witches and supernatural tomfoolery and I’m done. Netherford Hall is an adorable homage to the classic love story in Pride and Prejudice. When gentlewitch Edith inherits her family’s estate she meets challenge after challenge. Along the way she meets one of her tenants, Poppy, and they find themselves time and time again entangled in chaos and magical mayhem. With the pressure of her inheritance at risk, Edith knows she must marry but she is not ready.

This book is the perfect mix of regency romance and cozy fantasy and I loved every minute of it. Thank you to Solaris Nova and Netgalley for gifting me a copy (out now!), all opinions are my own.

For fans of:
-Witches and portal magic
-LGBTQIA representation and romance
-Jane Austen and regency historical romance

Netherford Hall had a fun concept but was let down by a somewhat flat romance and an unclear magic system/ world-building.

I would also add this is only very tangibly linked to P&P despite the book title and the comp (like the character archetypes are kinda there, but that's it) and I think the comparison is probably doing more harm than good regarding expectations of this book.

It was a bit hard to get into the book, but once I did it was an amazing read! The world it's written in was a bit complicated at first, but I love the idea of a female head of a family and influential person!!

Netherford Hall
Love in Netherford Volume 1
Natania Barron
Rebellion Publishing
Release date: 13th Aug 2024

Set during an Austen-esque Regency period filled with magic and supernatural creatures, Netherford Hall sees Liege Edith Rookwood return to her ancestral home after a fire in London destroys most of the family and their property.
Edith is now Liege of the Rookwood family, and the town of Netherford whilst true heir Henry is still a boy suffering from nightmares and her uncle Auden, close to her in age, is majordomo. It has been a year since that fire and no investigation has revealed the cause, though there are hints.
This is a world with witches, werewolves and vampires – all descendants of the Fae, now held back behind a barrier between both worlds. Hedge witches fought for the barrier between the human world and the fae, years past, yet they’re not accepted by coven witches or gentlewitches like Edith Rookwood. Like much in this world there is a hierarchy and distinct snobbery.
Poppy and Viola Brightwell, two sisters watch the gentlewoman’s return with anticipation. Initially like stereotypical Austen women, they are excited to see her, and what her return brings, but for Poppy it means something else. Poppy has been slipping in and out of Netherford Hall without the wards pushing her back since her teenage years, so of course she is anxious to meet the gentlewitch. And when she does? Whoosh! Poppy is enraptured by the woman’s bright red hair and trim, feminine figure, even if their meet-cute gives us a remarkably Darcy/Bennett style clash.
One of Poppy’s best friends is Miss Jamini Rawlings-Vijay, the modiste, who seems rather smitten with Uncle Auden when he enquires about fitting the gentlewitch or young Lord Henry.
In this society, it’s is the norm for same gender couples to marry for power or for love, and as is reflected in the fashion, especially by Edith. Women if they please can dress as men do. It’s a Nineteenth Century setting filled with magic, splendour and LGBTQIA+ plus characters as well as some POC characters, like Jamini, sort of like Bridgerton meets True Blood.
At the local pub, The Holly and Sickle, Auden meets the wardens Basil and Molly, who build the wards around Netherford Hall and work to protect the village. They play an integral part in the story arc.
But danger can come in various guises; from the Rookwood-Nourses - cousins who claim to have the deeds for Netherford Hall – to a creature Henry dreams of and the myriad of women vying for Edith’s attention. The latter is probably the biggest hurdle!
We also have the Byrne’s, vampire siblings, who make for great characters, though it isn’t clear at first what their intentions truly are.
Ophelia Byrne, the buxom vampire socialite and her sultry debonair brother – and Auden’s former flame – Laertes, appear both frivolous and devious, but inherently likeable. Laertes is the light-hearted rake we find in many of these books, but it hides a depth we soon discover.
This is part multi-player romance and comedy of manners, mixed with a commentary on social status and gender, supernatural danger, with a hint of spice and the importance of family.
It’s an absolute delight, funny, intriguing and life affirming and I can’t wait for book two.
A wonderful, sophisticated, sapphic romance.

Cute, queer normative, regency-era fantasy with some pacing issues. Giving this a 3.5 out of 5. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

While definitely inspired by "Price and Prejudice," Netherford Hall is it's own story in a world where queerness is just part of it. Witch society doesn't judge who a witch marries (though the pressure to marry anyone is still there). Unfortunately, the romance between society witch Edith and her tenant Poppy feels all lust with not a lot of love to me. Some of that might be chalked up to magic *insert spoilers here* but I wish they had gotten to know each other better to flesh out the romance. You definitely had that slow burn, stolen glances pacing that is characteristic of Regency era stories, which definitely adds to the "lesbian pulp fiction" nature of the romance.

One of the most standout aspects of the story is how Netherford Hall itself is as much a character as Edith and everyone else. To be honest, the Hall is probably my favorite character in the story other then Uncle Auden. He is the most grounded of the characters and his growing crush on a local modiste is precious. I want to read more about their story!

Unfortunately this was a DNF for me. I tried a few different times to get into it and I just couldn't - I didn't care about the characters. I think it had a lot of potential but something in it just didn't work for me I'm afraid but I'm sure that others would really like it.

Witches, vampires, and magical beings converge on Netherford offers a captivating romp through the regency period, blending intrigue with supernatural elements. The story kicks off with Poppy, the free-spirited daughter of an impoverished gentry family, discovering that the owners of Netherford Hall, where she often wandered, have returned to take up residence. Poppy is an engaging protagonist whose curiosity and spirit immediately draw readers in.

At the heart of Netherford Hall is Edith, the reluctant leader of her family’s coven. After a devastating fire in their London home leaves most of her family dead, Edith arrives at Netherford with her uncle and nephew, unprepared for the leadership role that has been thrust upon her. As distant relatives from America arrive, claiming ownership of the estate, Edith is forced to defend her position despite her lack of training or guidance. This plotline brings tension and complexity to the narrative, keeping the reader engaged.

The growing attraction between Poppy and Edith, who becomes Poppy's employer as a lady's maid, adds a tender and sweet dimension to the story. Their moments together are some of the novel’s highlights, though I found myself wishing for more of their charming interaction. Overall, this is a layered, enchanting tale that will delight fans of regency romance with a magical twist.

http://thesecretbookreview.co.uk

This is very much a gentle, cosy historical fantasy and I love the vibes. Regency era is always something I love to read about, and when you add in witches and vampires it's even better! I definitely preferred the first half of the book to the second - the pacing was a bit all over the place, and I found the second half to be quite boring. It's also much more inspired by Pride and Prejudice than it is a retelling of it, so it was not quite what I was expecting. This was fun to start, and I liked the characters, but I'm not sure I care enough to continue with the series.

Netherford Hall is a fantasy book about witches with a queer romance and a regency backdrop. If that sounds intriguing to you, you should definitely check this one out.

I actually quite enjoyed the story of Netherford Hall but unfortunately, got hung up on the choice to market this as a Pride and Prejudice retelling. Not only does that a disservice to the original - because if it is a retelling, it's a poor one - but also a disservice to Netherford Hall! It is a good story on its own so I really don't understand the need to plaster the name of another book onto the cover of this one.

If you really do want to compare it to other books, I saw a reviewer naming Howl's Moving Castle which I find much more fitting. There are also some Twilight vibes tbh :p

The romance between the two main characters was mostly just sexual attraction and it was a subplot to the main story. There's some chemistry but it's not love from my pov. At least not by the end of the book. I didn't mind that too much though because I was interested in the main story.

The side characters are a fun bunch but none of them were super interesting to me but I would not be uninterested in reading more about the Byrnes or the Hodes. I know the second book is about Viola but as someone who's not a romance reader, the last thing I will put myself through is a straight romance 💀

Overall, good story, unfortunate marketing.

Netherford Hall is a wonderfully queer, witchy, historical fantasy! Honestly this has to be my absolute favourite combination. Especially as we head into autumn; this is the perfect short book as we move into the colder months.

We follow an uncle/niece duo, Auden and Edith, the gentle witch, from London to their historical family home in Netherford. There is an undercurrent of darkness and tension with a gothic close atmosphere. Effortless and impressively smooth switching of povs throughout. With insights from the sisters Poppy and Viola, as well as the Viscount St. Albans. I loved this Jane Austen-esque novel! The characterisations, the atmosphere, the prose; all of it was chefs kiss!

Mystery and intrigue with magic, witches and vampires (and werewolves). I can’t wait to read more from the Love In Netherford series! I don’t often read author notes but Natania Barron’s was truly special and touched my little bisexual heart.

I could keep singing Netherford Hall’s praises, but think you should just do yourself a favour and read it! Highly, highly recommend.

This book has really nice cozy fantasy vibes and I enjoyed the witchy ambience. It was a slow in its pacing and I found myself getting bored through a lot of it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

A hint of Bridgerton (or as the cover reads, Pride and Prejudice), meets witchy and queer. It checks the boxes for me. I really do love how normalized writers are making lgbt romance. Sometimes the extent of the romance seems seemed out of place for the story itself. I can see how there will sequels, but I don’t think I will be reading them. Perhaps if I can be guaranteed even more witchiness.

A fantasy filled Jane Austen novel, Netherford Hall is the promising first in Barron's series. This novel is perfect for an lover of romance, regency, or raucous fun!

I was expecting this to be a retelling of Pride and Prejudice, with how it begins. I did not end up minding that it wasn't, though. It was enjoyable as its own story. The magic system was a bit vague but ultimately the story did not need many details on it. I do wish some of the characters communicated more, though, that's a romance trope I don't enjoy much. All in all, a fun time.

Nethford Hall by Natania Barron feels like stepping into an alternate version of a Regency England you think you know, only to find a world filled with witches, vampires, and more. At the heart of this novel is a story about love, not just the romantic kind but the love we feel for the places and traditions that shape us, as well as the courage to defy them when they no longer fit.

Edith Rookwood, the story's protagonist, is a complex character. She’s not just grappling with the usual expectations of a Regency-era woman—finding a suitable marriage to secure her family’s future—but also with the added burden of her magical abilities. After a fire forces her family to return to their ancestral home, Netherford Hall, Edith’s carefully ordered life begins to unravel. The Hall itself is a character in the novel, representing not just a physical space but the weight of family history, legacy, and expectations.

The novel's magic, while present, is woven subtly into the world rather than overwhelming the story. It’s not about flashy spells or dramatic displays of power but about how magic can coexist with everyday life. Edith’s abilities as a gentlewitch add layers of depth to her character, showing how she navigates her responsibilities not only as a woman but as someone who carries an ancient lineage of power. This magical undercurrent shapes her decisions and the way she interacts with others, especially with Poppy Brightwell.

Poppy’s arrival in Edith’s life turns everything upside down in the best way. From their first encounter, you can sense the tension between Edith’s rigid sense of duty and Poppy’s vibrant, free-spirited nature. Their relationship unfolds slowly, in small, tender moments that feel earned. What’s beautiful about their love story is how it’s built on mutual respect and admiration, even as they challenge each other to see the world in new ways.

This is not a fast-paced book, and that's one of its strengths. The slower pacing allows for a more intimate exploration of character and setting. You feel the weight of every decision Edith makes, every glance exchanged between her and Poppy. This slower, deliberate storytelling feels reminiscent of classic Regency novels where the stakes are as much emotional as they are material. For readers who enjoy immersion into period details, Netherford Hall delivers richly—whether it’s the description of clothing, the layout of the Hall itself, or the social etiquette of the time.

That said, the novel does take a darker, more thrilling turn as secrets are revealed, and the stakes escalate. There’s a sense that the walls are closing in on Edith—not just because of financial pressure or family obligation but because there are forces, both magical and human, that threaten her future and her happiness. The introduction of vampires and other supernatural creatures adds a gothic flair to the latter half of the story, creating a satisfying tension between the mundane and the otherworldly.

One of the things that makes Netherford Hall stand out is its approach to queerness. This is not a story where the characters’ identities are hidden or coded—they are fully themselves, unapologetically. Edith’s journey is not just about finding love with Poppy, but about confronting what it means to live authentically in a world that tries to impose limitations. This theme of self-discovery and acceptance is woven throughout the novel, making it as much a story about personal growth as it is about romance or magic.

Overall, Netherford Hall is a beautifully crafted novel that invites readers into a world of quiet power. It’s a slow burn, but one that pays off emotionally and narratively. If you’re someone who loves deep character exploration, atmospheric settings, and a touch of magic in your historical fiction, this book will be a rewarding read. Its themes of love, identity, and family legacy will resonate long after the final page is turned.