Regency & Regicide

by J.J. Fischer

*2025 Realm Award Finalist for Fantasy*

Regicide at Four. Supper Strictly at Eight.

When aspiring young novelist Miss Diana Crewe falls asleep on her manuscript in early nineteenth century England, the last thing she expects is to wake in the middle of the world she’s created…a world in which, she’s horrified to discover, she’s both venerated as a goddess and decried as a villain. Pulled into the story alongside her is her closest childhood friend and rival author, Ignatius (Nash) Sinclair, who has spent the last year keeping Diana at a distance, seeming to prefer the company of his abolitionist friends.

But when the dream doesn’t end as expected and the tumultuous world around Diana and Nash proves to be all too real, the friends must put aside their differences to find a way home…even as Diana’s budding attachment to the dashing outlaw Locke Moray rapidly erodes her desire to leave. But not all heroes are as they seem, and when the characters of Diana’s imagination overstep their bounds and threaten her very life, Diana is forced to realize that the resolution she so deeply desires might have been right in front of her this whole time…

Regency & Regicide is a standalone romantic historical fantasy adventure in which Jane Austen's Emma meets Sir Walter Scott's Ivanhoe. J. J. Fischer is the award-winning author of Calor, which won the 2023 Realm Award Book of the Year and the Realm Award for Best Fantasy.

Genres: Fantasy, Christian Fiction, Romance, Christian, Regency, Young Adult, Christian Fantasy

318 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2024

About the author

Jasmine’s writing dream began with the anthology of zoo animals she painstakingly wrote and illustrated at age five, to rather limited acclaim. Thankfully, her writing (but not her drawing) has improved since then. She is a clinically-trained psychologist but no, she cannot read your mind. When she isn’t killing defenseless house plants, Jasmine enjoys devouring books, dabbling in floristry, playing the piano, eating peanut butter out of the jar, and wishing it rained more often. Jasmine is married to David, and together they make their home a couple of hours’ north of Sydney, Australia, where they live to satisfy the every whim of their ginger overlord cat, Simba.

Reviews

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars ✨

Clean YA Portal Fantasy

“Love doesn’t depend on the worthiness of the object, but on the integrity of the person doing the loving.”

This was so unique. Imagine writing your own story and you fall asleep and you’re transported into it. You think you know how it will all go and also how it ends but your characters are not as they appear. Your story says so much more about who you are than the characters being portrayed . I loved the purpose behind the plot line, the writing style and everything in between. Mrs Fischer knows how to teach a lesson with her books. Definitely recommend this one it’s inspiring and delightful!

[Tales and Treats with Tay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great idea, just wasn't executed as well as I would have liked.

The FMC had shrines to her as a goddess in the book; throughout the entire novel she never outright denies she's a goddess, says she's "not the kind of goddess they're thinking she is" with the excuse that she's the author of this world, which is something the inhabitants of said world wouldn't understand. Just felt weird to me when God is brought up in this book too (both FMC and MMC are Christian but he's definitely the stronger of the too in faith.)

Also has a love triangle, which I rarely like. This one had a guy with obvious red flags and the other guy she was totally blind to his love.

The world building was interesting, had a medieval feel. The jousting tournament scene was pretty cool to read!


Content: emotional abuse from a sibling

Christian faith rating: 0/3 clean with no language

[Sharon Loves to Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

Great, imaginative story, but I felt like everything that the characters learned along the way could have been developed more throughout the story rather than summed up at the end. I wasn’t sure where the theme of the story was going for most of the book. Fischer’s deep-dives into characterization is always a pleasure, though, and I was rooting somewhat for Diana but, especially for Nash from start to finish.

Diana won’t be my favorite heroine of all time. The blurb compares her to Austen’s Emma, and though she, thankfully, wasn’t so self-centered and ridiculous, she made several errors in judgment that were hard to overlook. Everything gets explained at the end, but for the rest of the story Diana was not compelling. Nash was compelling from start to finish.🫠

[Jane Maree · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun, adventurous story! I loved seeing the author's comedic side come out in this (seriously still chuckling over some of those lines), but it was also so expertly balanced against some really deep heart-hitting truths.

As a writer myself, I obviously love the concept of this story. Plus, having the characters from a regency time period made the time/world travel extra fun!

Speaking of characters, they were superb. I loved the emotions, the dynamics of different relationships, and all the many layers of everyone's personality. Not all heroes look like heroes!

This book totally got its talons into me and I may have stayed up too late to finish it because I needed to know what was going to happen. However, it is a standalone, so no cliffhanger endings!!

All in all, a very enjoyable read, and I definitely recommend it.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and was not required to write a positive review.

[Elaine Talbott · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

[Miriam Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Regency & Regicide is a simply marvelous tale; unlike any I have ever read. It’s a beautiful story of courage, sacrifice, and forgiveness. As a storywriter myself, this book affected me more than I thought it would. J.J. Fischer explores (on a whole different level) the experience of characters developing minds and wills of their own, and when side characters, unprompted, suddenly become main characters.
Diana's growth as a frightened damsel in distress to a strong woman of noble character was very well done. At first I disliked Nash, but as the story developed and motives became apparent, he became one of my favorites.

On a side note: the only love triangles I like are written by J.J. Fischer. <3

[Ashton Dorow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am always down for a portal fantasy or time travel-type story, so when I saw J. J. Fischer was releasing a book about a regency-era aspiring author who somehow ends up in the world of her manuscript alongside her handsome childhood best friend… I was SO HERE FOR IT!! 😆👏🏻 This story is just as fun and delightful as that premise sounds. I loved the author’s voice and style and she had me laughing to myself on several occasions. My favorite thing about this book was how it so well illustrated how the stories and characters we authors write take on a life of their own, and even our own characters may end up behaving differently than we planned. If you’re not an author and want a peek at what it feels like to be one, read this book LOL! ❤️

I bookmarked several quotes that were so good, most of which were about writing and fiction, and I just have to share my favorite one. Again, it perfectly describes what it is to be an author!

“He would not understand what an author was, or comprehend the wellspring of creativity that drove every writer to dream of publication, even if it were synonymous with poverty.“ 😂❤️

The story takes some pretty wild twists 😯😱, but if you’re looking for a unique, fun, medieval-esque fantasy read with some nods to Jane Austen’s Emma (I loved seeing how this was woven in!), then this is the perfect choice! Regency & Regicide was my first book by Fischer and it won’t be my last. ❤️

**I received a copy of this book from the author for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book for free when it was listed in a deal from the author, whose works I haven't checked out before, and I decided to jump on it while I could. So I began reading it and took a break because I wasn't in the mood to read before coming back in the new year to finish it up. Here's the basics -

POV: Third person limited
POV Characters: Diana Crew, Nash Sinclair
Verb Tense: Past
Triggers: Discussions of death, battle scenes, bloody injuries
Spice Level: Low (kisses only)

This no-spice romantic portal fantasy was just such fun to read. I read it because it was a free deal, but I also read it because I love a good portal fantasy story and was intrigued by the blurb. Plus, it's not just any portal fantasy but one where the author enters the world of her novel, which is a near and dear concept for me.

In this story, Miss Diana Crewe, the younger daughter of the Crewe siblings, spends her days longing for something she can't have: the freedom to go as she pleases and not be shackled to her country estate while her older brother Ambrose and her adopted brother Ignatius (Nash) Sinclair are free to go to Town and indulge in whatever pleasures men of means enjoy when they're out and about. She feels trapped in her estate and unloved, especially given her brother's absence and cruel demeanor when he is home. She's been longing for a friend to spend time with but only has the company of her maid and butler and the occasional visit from Nash, who has unfortunately grown quite distant this past year and has been addressing her more formally.

In her free time, which is to say all her time, she works on a book she's been writing. She's always been fascinated by fantasy and takes inspiration from the world of Ivanhoe to write her novel. But when she falls asleep while working on her story, she finds herself transported into the world of the Greywood, the setting for her novel. And to her great dismay, she's not just been transported into the world but has arrived in the guise of their beloved goddess, the Lady of the Greywood, Diana! When she's captured by slavers, she realizes this idealistic view of the world she's created might not be as beatific as she thought.

After being taken to the slavers' camp to be sold to the Prince Jehan, as a good luck offering, Diana stumbles over Nash, who has wound up in the story as well. The two are rescued by the very bandits Diana has envisioned as her main characters and heroic leads, and she begins to learn that perhaps her world isn't so bad after all. She becomes enamored of her male lead, Locke Moray, an outlaw bandit intent on dethroning the mysterious King Callahan, and as her attention shifts to Locke and his cause, Nash becomes intent on finding a way for them to escape this hellscape of a world she's inadvertently taken them to.

Without giving spoilers, I'll say that this world is a fun one to experience. Diana is a great lead, and she's stubbornly trying to escape the drudgery of her everyday life by diving headlong into her novel world. Nash, grounded as he is in the world of logic and reason, wants to convince her of the futility of living in a fictional world, but he has to temper his own feelings for her in order to do so.

I liked the main characters, and they showed a lot of growth and change as they move from these bickering would-be siblings into people able to finally communicate with one another in a more adult manner. Nash's problems stem from his desire to eventually declare himself to Diana, while Diana feels their loss of connection from his year-long distance as the breaking down of a cherished relationship.

The story was somewhat predictable, especially as we got to know Locke Moray and his merry band of outlaws. It certainly had some Robin Hood vibes, despite knowing that Locke was not who he seemed even if he was intended to be Diana's hero in her book. I appreciated King Callahan's appearance as the benevolent king who had gone in search of the Potentate's blessing on his reign, and his wisdom was a great addition to the story.

This book does have Christian themes, which did not bother me one bit but might other readers. I liked the lessons learned, and I enjoyed the romance that bloomed between Diana and Nash as they endured hardships and tried to survive the nightmarish creatures Diana unleashed on her world through her dreams.

Overall, I really enjoyed the story, and I love that it's a complete book. There's no sequel to look out for, no extended plot lines to clear up, and nothing else to go with it. I think it's hard to come by one-off stories, especially in fantasy, these days, so this was a nice breath of fresh air with a satisfying conclusion that, while perhaps just a smidge fast with the Ambrose plot, was a good ending to the story.

It's definitely worth a read if you want something that's a single self-contained story to cleanse your palate without requiring you to buy two more books for a full story line!

[Melissa J. Troutman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Regency and Regicide by J. J. Fischer is the book of every writer’s soul. I may not be Miss Diana Crewe, aspiring authoress from Regency England writing a novel inspired by Sir Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe, and I may not have a dashing family friend named Ignatius Sinclair, but as a writer, I also understand 142% what it's like to create characters and worlds and be surprised by them.

If you’re not a writer, never fear—there’s still plenty of adventure and romance and laugh-out-loud humor to make Regency and Regicide a five-star read for you.

In my opinion, Regency and Regicide is way too genius, profound, and adventurous for a mere rom-com. While it is an absolute romp in the best of ways—witty conversations, hilarious ironies, and a narrative voice of dry humor from start to fin—it also continues Fischer’s characteristic depth of character and theme. “What is a hero?” this story asks, and answers. “What is a writer? What is story?” And, of course, “What is love?” Plus, the plot is just as strong as those of Fischer’s high fantasy novels, expertly crafted in the way it builds—with a few surprises—all the way up to the happiest of endings.

I’m not really a romance-only reader, much less a fan of the cheap story and plastic characters often found in rom-coms. Yay for me, nothing about Regency and Regicide was shallow or eye-roll inducing. Instead, the warm humor and real relationships invited me into the story from the very first chapter, and I wished I could stay well after the last page left me back in my own world (not Regency England, sadly).

Regency and Regicide is also one of the most quotable books I’ve read. Clever, comical, convicting—you name it, there’s a quote for it somewhere in this story. I want quotes on my writing desk and quotes at my wedding, and probably a quote in my funeral too. I’ve already used one of its delectable insults (“glaringly unfinished") that I’d tucked in my pocket, and I look forward to using it and other (less offending) quotes in both daily life and special occasions.

As a writer of medieval fantasy myself, I’d be remiss not to give a nod to Fischer’s stellar portrayal of castles, knights, jousting tournaments, and all the other elements of Diana’s story world. She has my envy for making the height of early medieval fashion look flattering. Of course, her details of the Regency era that bookends the medieval adventure—and bleeds into the story throughout—carry just as much authenticity. I felt comfortably grounded in both worlds and honestly would have been happy to live in either one.

My very favorite part of Regency and Regicide, however, is, as its premise suggests, its
magnificent insight into authorship, writing, and the process of imagination. Fischer captures the writer’s dreams, struggles, and quirks perfectly, wrapping in lighthearted prose and rousing adventure a deep reflection on the heart of story and—true to her style—the heart of the best story.

Like I said, you don’t have to be a writer to appreciate this book, but if you are a writer, you’ll only enjoy it that much more.

So I raise my glass to Regency and Regicide: a delightful adventure, a sweet romance, and a literary tribute to the thrills and throes of writing. This book is a true credit to the rom-com genre. Long live the writer.

[M.C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

FTC Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for a review. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

How could I say no to a portal fantasy where a Regency-era author wakes up in the world of her medieval-inspired manuscript? Throw in the tidbit that it’s loosely inspired by Jane Austen’s Emma, and well, it sounded just about perfect.

I wasn’t disappointed! This book made me laugh, made me gasp, and in a few places made me want to throw my Kindle across the room.

In other words, it was indeed just about perfect.

Characters: Diana is a delightful heroine, annoying at times but lovable all the same. Her complete lack of understanding about the inner workings of her own world was quite relatable. She goes through some great character growth, which was fun to read.
Nash is a great hero, a character in his own right and not just the love interest thrown in for a subplot. He’s a sweetheart, but not so much so that he doesn’t feel real. We need more male characters like him!
The supporting cast is a lively bunch of characters. I’d honestly love to read Diana’s novel to see what happens to them.

Content: The romantic subplot is a large one, with a sweet, slow-burn approach to the friends-to-more trope. A character falls for a charming fellow who kisses her frequently, sometimes without her approval. Other characters share kisses, as well. Men make crude comments about women.
A man and a woman have to share a tent for a night, and then a bed for another night. (Nothing happens, though; they’re both highly concerned about each other’s reputations.) Diana can’t help but notice when the men around her are shirtless.
There’s a good deal of fantasy violence, the most gruesome injuries arising from an attack by shadow-birds. Nothing’s described in overwhelming detail, but it’s clear the characters are suffering.
Characters are said to swear. There are a few instances of “Gads.”

Writing: The writing is excellent, with the plot progressing at a perfect pace and the twists keeping me invested to the final page. I stayed up late a couple of nights so I could get to a less suspenseful section. Everything is resolved well and smoothly, with a satisfying ending.

Summary: I had fairly high expectations for this book, and it managed to exceed them all. It’s a fun, sweet story about learning to let go, about surrendering everything to one who knows better. I highly recommend for readers aged 16+.

[Lydia Mae · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite read in 2024 so far!

I could talk about the wonderful characters, the fantastic plot and pacing, the complex and well thought-out worldbuilding, as incredible as they were, but that's not the reason I fell in love with this story.

I could talk about how it combines two of my favorite subgenres, regency romance and medieval fantasy, magically bringing them together through the medium of BOOK JUMPING (another newly favorite niche genre of mine 😍), but that is not the main reason I loved this story.

We could even talk about how it explores the journey an author might take diving into the world of their own making, a truly mind-blowing premise, but even THAT is not the main reason I fell so in love.

I'm sure all these things combined helped to accomplish what this story did for me. But here's what made it such a phenomenal read. This book pulled me in, like *I* was the one who magically fell into the story. As I read the words, I was running through the Graywood for my life, meeting these fascinating characters, and experiencing everything along with them. The final message of this story stirred my heart, and I was crying my eyes out before the end.

This book inspired me. It is stories like this one that remind me why I wanted to be an author. Because they remind me of the beauty and power of story, and make me hope that I can write stories that stir people's hearts the same way this book stirred mine!

I'm so grateful to have received an ARC for this beautiful book! All opinions in this review are my own.

[Nicole · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought the concept was interesting at first, but I grew to hate it the more I read. I hate the main character, Diana . She felt very naive, self-absorbed, and childish.
The whole concept of her waking up in her own story fell apart about a quarter way in . The number of times her story or characters didn't come out as she wrote them drove me mad. At times, I thought, What did you write then?"
Another problem was the fact that there is little to no discussion on going back to real life. Neither of them treat this world as a fake world. I found myself yelling in my head these characters are not real , this is all made up , Diana . Also the most cringey thing about this book was Diana was a goddess in her story, there was even a statue of her . All male characters called her pretty, and at the end of the tournament, the winner crowned a girl most like the Goddess and her beauty. Before you can ask, no she didn't write herself into her story as a Goddess. It just happened. At the end , this story she wrote , was described as her and the love interest story. So are we just supposed to guess he sees her as a goddess, if so I feel bad for Nash. All I can say, Nash there is no need to marry a girl that is so shallow and naive . Do better Nash , you shouldn't have to teach her about the real world. In fact, it's like being her father, not her future spouse.

[A. M. Daylin · Rating 5 out of 5]

EVERY writer needs to read this beautiful book.

Regency & Regicide is utterly charming from the first page, following young writer, Diana Crewe as she is sucked into her own story world—only to discover it’s not how she imagined it. Oh, and her childhood best friend ends up there too who is secretly in love with her *melts*

This book is such a profound exploration of the creative process involved in finding what story is trying to unfold beneath your pen (or fingertips haha) and serving it well. But more than that, it’s a story of love in its purest forms with rich yet subtly woven Christian themes.

This story captivated me from the beginning, even though regency novels are out of my usual reading genre. The two lead characters seemed to have real, living heartbeats and the story world they were swept into was fascinating and riddled with surprises.

I smiled, laughed, flailed like maniac, cried, and internally screamed my way through this book (in the best way). It’s brilliant and heartwarming, and filled to the brim with lines that give pause for reflection.

I genuinely mean it when I say every writer should read it. It will resonate so much and might even help you find a way to tell your own stories. ❤️

[D.M. Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say that I was first intrigued by the plot synopsis of Regency and Regicide by JJ Fischer. Who wouldn’t be interested in a story about an author who unknowingly plunges herself into the world she created? This book did not disappoint. Its innovative storyline and wonderful characters pulled me in from the opening. Fischer creates a superb underlying romantic tension that vibrates throughout the plot, adding page-turning pulses while not distracting from the overall Robin Hood-type adventure. I enjoyed the subtle author humor sprinkled in the text as the main character navigates her inner secrets while delving deeper into the world she created. My heart went out to Diana as she faced her insecurities unique to an author sharing their work. This book was well-written, captivating, and perfectly paced. I found the characters Diana and Nash to be extremely relatable and also frustratingly stubborn. They engaged in spirited discussions, dissecting the qualities of a good protagonist, their opinions clashing as they argued about the story's true hero. With toe-curling plot twists, this is a hard-to-put-down book. I am so glad to have read this story. Looking forward to more by JJ Fischer.

[Megan Schaulis · Rating 5 out of 5]

J.J. Fischer has become a go-to author for me. I adore her imaginative settings, heart-pulling romances, and inspiring allegories. While Regency & Regicide is more lighthearted than her other books, it’s every bit as lovely.

Any writer who’s ever complained that her characters took over her story and ran off in directions she hadn’t planned needs to read this book! Aspiring author Diana Crewe falls into her own story world only to find nothing is as she planned or penned. While characters on a page may be simple and predictable, flesh and blood people are much more complicated.

I love that this time slip story started in the Regency period instead of modern times. It gave an authentic sense of chivalry and manners to Diana and Nash, and gave them a logical reason to have skills such as horse riding. Throw in a few unexplainable occurrences and a dash of monsters, and you have a very special story.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the author. I was not required to leave a positive review, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jillian Sevilla-Sales · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫: 19/24
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Fantasy
𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: Miss Diana Crewe had always had a bad habit of falling asleep at the wrong times and in the wrong places, but she had never expected that, in the end, it would almost cost her life.
𝐅𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞: Death, is the end of all good stories. But 'tis also the beginning of all the best ones... the ones where life waits beyond.


If only you could see how many revisions I had for this review. I don't want to review this not because I didn't loved it, but because I want you to experience what I have read.
This book is a combination of Inkheart, Jane Austen, and Ivanhoe.
It is somewhat like an Isekai too. 😍

I loved how christian values are woven into the story, the frustrations of a writer, the characters that has come to life (literally), and so much more! I'm not kidding, you have to read this book and enjoy the story firsthand.

I hereby declare J.J. Fischer as an autobuy author ❤️
(I have to slowly buy them all now 🙈💸💸💸)



𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒐𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌.

[Suzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Death,” said the king, “is the end of all good stories. But ’tis also the beginning of all the best ones…the ones where life waits beyond.”

Time and again I am amazed by Fischer's ability to weave an enchanting story with characters that draw you in, then gut punches you with emotions and truth, leaving a lasting legacy long after you've read the final word.

From the start, I was drawn to both Diana and Nash and their obvious care and concern for each other, despite their doubts about their relationship and wounds from their past. Their growth as they come face-to-face with their owns flaws and fears is both inspiring and challenging.

Set in a fascinating medieval world, with hints of the Regency one they come from, the story explores themes of heroes and villains, the deception of appearances, and love and sacrifice. Regency and Regicide is a story I'll return to again and again, to be entertained, encouraged, challenged, and pointed once more to the truth of the greatest story.

[Julia Marcum · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨“The best love comes gently,” he said, with equal gentleness. “Although it can burn inside of you, it does not consume everyone around you like a blaze that devours all available fuel, then searches greedily for more. True love is a flame that never goes out—not even if someone tries to extinguish it—and will endure forever, if you nurture it and keep prevailing winds from snuffing it out.”✨❤️⚔️📖✍️

I started Regency & Regicide early last month, and I’m so glad I was finally able to finish it! I got derailed trying to somewhat keep up with ARCs 🤣

Diana Crewe is an aspiring novelist from the early 19th century, but after falling asleep on her manuscript, she wakes in the middle of the Medieval world of her creation. With her is her closest childhood friend, Nash Sinclair. Nash had been putting distance between he and Diana for the last year, adding to Diana’s loneliness and frustration.

In this unknown world that is proves to be all too real, the estranged friends put their differences aside to survive and find a way home. Diana, however becomes emotionally entangled with her created hero, Locke Moray, making her reluctant to leave. But she quickly learns that heroes are not all as they seem, and allies—and love—can come from unexpected places.

This was such a beautiful story!! I’d been looking out for a Robin Hood retelling, and this one definitely fit the bill, along with nods to Jane Austen novels, Ivanhoe, and even a bit of A Knight’s Tale. This was the epitome of slowburn romance, but let me tell you that it was SO WORTH IT. 😍😍

This book also has a lot to say about the pursuit of authors: to write and to UNDERSTAND the characters they create. Diana is constantly surprised by the people she meets in the world of her creation, for better or for worse. Heroes, villains, and even side-characters are not always what they seem on the surface.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#ya #books #romancebooks #ivanhoe #robinhood #friendstolovers #adventure #fantasy #fantasybooks #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #rediscoverreading

[Beilby_Book_Nook Bekki Beilby · Rating 5 out of 5]

High society? Check! Kings and castles? Check! Outlaws looking to right wrongs? Check! This book, loosely inspired by Jane Austen’s Emma and Sir. Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe, takes you on a journey of bravery, courage, fighting for what is right, sacrifice and love. The heroes in this story aren’t always who you think they might be.

Diana and Nash wake up in the fantasy world of Diana’s manuscript. They join a group of outlaws that Diana created, and she is convinced that they are the heroes in the story. The outlaws are set to kill the King so that the Prince can take his place and rule justly. As Diana and Nash travel with them and get to know the characters, it becomes more obvious that they are not who they seem. It’s by becoming a part of this fictional world that both Diana and Nash discover who they are, and who they want to be.

I loved this story and would recommend it to those who enjoy portal fantasy and clean romance. I want to thank J. J. Fischer for the complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an interesting read. Waking up in the partial world she's written about, Diana finds herself battling her own fictional creations. Shockingly, and thankfully, she's not alone. Nash has ended up in her world with her! Nash, her friend since childhood who has basically ignored her the past year.

You hear from authors how characters take on a life of their own sometimes or behave in ways the author isn't expecting. You see that come to life in this story. As she and Nash try to figure out who they can trust and what's going on in this fictional "real" world, they also need to find a way home.

There are a lot of interpersonal dynamics dealt with throughout the story. Do we want Diana to stay in this imaginary world? There are some dashing men around. Going home means dealing with her not-so-kind brother. Unfortunately, neither she nor Nash are prepared for a possible battle with the king.

This story definitely gives you the "what if" idea.

[Samantha Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I begin?

This was such a delightful and enjoyable read! Knights in shining armor, sword fights, damsels in distress, dashing heroes, and monsters in the forest!

I have loved every book I’ve read by this talented author and this book is no different!

There were funny moments, sad moments, and moments I wanted to bonk Diana on the head lol. But beyond that there were nuggets of truth laid out in such a beautiful way that flowed. My favorite nugget was this: “‘Mankind cannot be trusted with his own liberty. If given the opportunity to choose, to be behold to no one, he will always choose himself … and in that way, he will always choose wrong. I’m desiring to be the master, he will forever be a slave.’”

Diana and Nash were both well rounded characters, and I loved seeing the character development. They were both obvious at times - but isn’t that often how it is?

This was a wonderful read where heroes and villains aren’t always as they seem.

[Ursi Engebretsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diana Crewe, falling asleep on the manuscript she's been writing, finds herself in her own story, with none other than her childhood friend Nash Sinclair. But the story isn't playing out the way she wrote it, with hero Locke Moray acting suspiciously unheroic, the villain king acting suspiciously kind, and shadowy monsters threatening the lives of all the people.

I absolutely loved this story!!! The plot kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved seeing Diana and Nash interacting with each other, learning more about each other and trying to figure out the strange world they'd fallen into. The side characters were fantastic, and the descriptions were vivid. I also appreciated the 1800s parts of the story. The ending was so incredibly good! Highly recommend!

[Carlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was better than I expected. From the start, I wanted to see Diana and Nash grow, fall in love, and learn throughout the story. The premise was different than I expected based on the blurb (that may be what had put me off?) and I quickly was absorbed into the world. The Robin Hood-esque fantasy with its own twists was unique and fun. Though the magic didn't always make sense, and by the end I wasn't sure I fully understood it, I did enjoy myself. The writing itself was good and never pulled me out of the story and I think Diana and Nash both learned some valuable lessons. The way things ended was sweet and I'm glad I read it

[Pamela Sloan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another phenomenal book by J.J. Fischer! Her books are clean and friendly to all ages. You are captivated by her talent for writing with excellent detail.
Regency & Regicide is a fascinating story, not rushed, but allows you to feel and savor every page! The characters are relatable with flaws and qualities alike! A very unique storyline, with twists and turns that won’t allow you to put the book down until you are absolutely breathless! I highly recommend this book!

[Sienna the Bookmaiden · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful tale! Regency & Regicide is a unique and riveting story...I adored every moment of it. I was captivated from the moment that the heroine was swept into her own story, all the way to the satisfying resolution at the ending. It's one of those books that I closed with a smile upon my face!

The witty phrases, characters, sweet romance, and themes of true love, forgiveness, and sacrifice were well-written. I will definitely re-read it!

[Jenelle Hovde · Rating 5 out of 5]

J.J. Fischer masterfully blends Regency elegance with medieval intrigue in ‘Regency & Regicide.’ With a plot as unpredictable as the dreamlike world Miss Diana Crewe finds herself in, Fischer delivers a spellbinding adventure full of romance, danger, and surprising twists. Diana’s journey from novelist to reluctant heroine, alongside the captivating Nash Sinclair and the enigmatic Locke Moray, is an absolute delight. A must-read for lovers of historical fantasy!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the premise of this book was very clever. The author falls into a story that she is writing and becomes a part of the story itself. Her characters don't always act as she wrote them or as she expects, so there are some interesting surprises.
I enjoyed the setting of medieval England. And I enjoyed the clean romance that is threaded through the story, although it did get a bit much by the end. Still interesting story that caught my attention.

[Erin Dydek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book! A sweet and adventurous story with thought-provoking themes. The ending is so precious and made me feel so wonderfully happy!

There’s a bit of suspense and some endearing author humor—both or which I loved! This book is one I definitely want to read again or listen to on audiobook.

[Hannah Gaudette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely delightful story! Beautiful themes balanced with some of the best comedic lines I've ever read (as an author myself, I'm probably biased, because the FMC is a writer). But jokes aside, this is a fun and beautiful story! Well-deserving of five stars. Absolutely not to be missed, especially if you are a fan of the classic romance stories (looking at you, Emma. Seriously - the vibes!).

[Ashlee Ballard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything Fischer writes is gold — this particular novel, set in a Jane Austen meets Robin Hood kind of world, has lightness and humor while still giving a depth and beauty of spirit to the greater story being told. It was a world I didn't want to leave and characters I was not ready to say goodbye to. A fantastic standalone novel. Cannot recommend enough.