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Sweet Home Alabarden Park
Fiona Turner wonders which challenge will be the death of the renovation of a massive, crumbling, centuries-old English castle to make it fit for the King and Queen of England, or turning an American into a proper English duchess.
As Princess Beryl's lady-in-waiting, Fiona's duties are usually limited to the tedium and tradition of royal functions. However, in preparation to host the king and queen's anniversary party, Princess Beryl has tasked Fiona to spearhead the renovation of a neglected but beautiful estate called Alabarden Park. The castle's latest young duchess, Alice Stewart, has agreed to the renovation and hosting the party, on the condition Fiona also help her manage the estate while she gets her bearings with a new peerage and sprawling inheritance. There is only one problem.
The new duchess is American. A reckless, cheerful, ebullient American.
Fiona's introversion and devotion to tradition has met its match against Alice's relentless effervescence and unorthodox ideas—but the constant friction creates an undeniable heat between them. When tragedy strikes, Fiona must choose between the royal duties close to her heart, or the duty she has to follow her heart.
As Princess Beryl's lady-in-waiting, Fiona's duties are usually limited to the tedium and tradition of royal functions. However, in preparation to host the king and queen's anniversary party, Princess Beryl has tasked Fiona to spearhead the renovation of a neglected but beautiful estate called Alabarden Park. The castle's latest young duchess, Alice Stewart, has agreed to the renovation and hosting the party, on the condition Fiona also help her manage the estate while she gets her bearings with a new peerage and sprawling inheritance. There is only one problem.
The new duchess is American. A reckless, cheerful, ebullient American.
Fiona's introversion and devotion to tradition has met its match against Alice's relentless effervescence and unorthodox ideas—but the constant friction creates an undeniable heat between them. When tragedy strikes, Fiona must choose between the royal duties close to her heart, or the duty she has to follow her heart.
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Published June 3, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
June 20, 2025
4.5⭐️
This one was so sweet, the banter, the chemistry—all in delightful English slang that made me use my Kindle dictionary a lot. I found a lot of myself in Fiona; the total lack of self-confidence and the anxiety representation were well-written. Many of her spiraling thoughts were thoughts I could have had myself. The fact that she married someone who made all the choices to avoid anxiety, but ended up ten years with someone toxic, felt real. Alice was just perfect: optimistic, generous, thoughtful, patient, and romantic. I know anxiety is something you have to live with daily, but Fiona fighting her feelings for Alice felt both delicious and dragged on a bit too long for my taste. Maybe the long chapter format gave me that impression. But I do understand the road she had to take was long.Overall, this book felt so warm, whether it was because of Alice's personality, her family, or the employees of Alabarden Park. The spice was surprisingly intense, with steamy scenes that left my throat dry.
This was a very complete and balanced book: banter, chemistry, grief. It was heavy at times, light at others. In the end, it felt hopeful.
This one was so sweet, the banter, the chemistry—all in delightful English slang that made me use my Kindle dictionary a lot. I found a lot of myself in Fiona; the total lack of self-confidence and the anxiety representation were well-written. Many of her spiraling thoughts were thoughts I could have had myself. The fact that she married someone who made all the choices to avoid anxiety, but ended up ten years with someone toxic, felt real. Alice was just perfect: optimistic, generous, thoughtful, patient, and romantic. I know anxiety is something you have to live with daily, but Fiona fighting her feelings for Alice felt both delicious and dragged on a bit too long for my taste. Maybe the long chapter format gave me that impression. But I do understand the road she had to take was long.Overall, this book felt so warm, whether it was because of Alice's personality, her family, or the employees of Alabarden Park. The spice was surprisingly intense, with steamy scenes that left my throat dry.
This was a very complete and balanced book: banter, chemistry, grief. It was heavy at times, light at others. In the end, it felt hopeful.
March 13, 2025
American woman from the Deep South meets British woman that works for the royals. Could not get enough. Alice, our southerner, was as charming and likable as they come. Fiona, all prim and proper English woman, learns about the Alice Effect and the rest you’ll have to read to find out. Their banter alone had me spending all weekend reading, add in the chemistry, side characters, and the cutest cat, and I ate this book up. Going to go ahead and make a bold statement, this is going to be one of my favorite books this year. Oh and y’all (some southern lingo for this review), be ready for some serious spice.
Thank you to the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
March 21, 2025
I let my imagination take over and suspend the probability of an American young woman from Alabama inheriting a British title. Alice grows up on a farm in rural Alabama as an adopted child. Alice learns that her biological parents were aristocrats and that their family estate has been passed on to her. Fiona is a lady in waiting to Beryl, princess and soon to be the Queen of England.
Fiona and Alice meet in a pub the day that Fiona receives her divorce papers from her ex. They have instant attraction, but go their own way the next day. Neither knows anything about each other’s real life.
I loved the first 75% of the book. Tons of flirting and affection. Alice was an awesome and very charming character with a great personality and love of life. Fiona was an introvert and work alcoholic. Fiona was hard to like for me. Too uptight maybe. Then at the 80% mark everything changed and Fiona grew as a person. This book also has tons of sizzling scenes!
The book was long but it made the story complete with all the details that needed to be worked out. It gave us a proper ending.
Thanks to Bella Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
Fiona and Alice meet in a pub the day that Fiona receives her divorce papers from her ex. They have instant attraction, but go their own way the next day. Neither knows anything about each other’s real life.
I loved the first 75% of the book. Tons of flirting and affection. Alice was an awesome and very charming character with a great personality and love of life. Fiona was an introvert and work alcoholic. Fiona was hard to like for me. Too uptight maybe. Then at the 80% mark everything changed and Fiona grew as a person. This book also has tons of sizzling scenes!
The book was long but it made the story complete with all the details that needed to be worked out. It gave us a proper ending.
Thanks to Bella Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
July 4, 2025
This was a fun, quick read — a mix of *Pygmalion* and *The Princess Diaries*, and refreshingly free of drama. It tells the story of a woman from rural North America who discovers she was adopted and has inherited an estate in England, along with all its accompanying obligations and compensations.
She is to be educated by another woman, not royalty herself, but close to the new Queen of England. This woman must prepare her for a royal event to be held at her newly inherited home. The two women will have to live together, with all that entails, compounded by the attraction they feel for each other.
Alice, full of humility and goodwill, initially annoys Fiona. However, Fiona later realizes that Alice's generosity and naivety are more a benefit than a detriment to the closed world of the aristocracy. It's a bit of an ideal fairy tale, but it turns out to be entertaining and very pleasant to read.
She is to be educated by another woman, not royalty herself, but close to the new Queen of England. This woman must prepare her for a royal event to be held at her newly inherited home. The two women will have to live together, with all that entails, compounded by the attraction they feel for each other.
Alice, full of humility and goodwill, initially annoys Fiona. However, Fiona later realizes that Alice's generosity and naivety are more a benefit than a detriment to the closed world of the aristocracy. It's a bit of an ideal fairy tale, but it turns out to be entertaining and very pleasant to read.
March 19, 2025
A farm girl from Alabama finds out she's the sole heir to a duchy in England and her estate is chosen to host the queen for her pre-coronation bash. The queen asks her best friend and most loyal employee to help the hopeless American duchess bring the estate back from disrepair in time for the party and teach the American how to be duchess. The only problem is they've actually already met and there's a little drama involved.
Overall, this is cute, entertaining, romantic, and spicy(*fans self*). I really enjoyed most everything about this novel and romance. But I thought it was just a tad too long. I felt the book really lost steam in the last few chapters, and I get why TJ O'Shea felt the need to include what she did--to give Fiona the chance to make the big gesture/sacrifice, but it really changed the tenor of the story for me.
I also found Alice's rural southern accent and phrases got a little tiring after a while. She definitely sounded like an uneducated hillbilly. And while I think in Alabama she could pull that off easily and it would be fine, I think O'Shea took it too far. Most people know how to code switch--they can turn some of that off in certain circumstances. And I don't mean the accent, really, but the double negatives and other things that made Alice just seem like a caricature rather than a real person. If I was from the South, this portrayal would offend me. And my nephews are Alabama boys, so I know what I'm talking about. I speak to people from Alabama all the time and they don't sound like Alice. I just think O'Shea didn't know how to portray Alice's differences from the posh English people she interacted with and the story suffered for it.
3.5 stars
Overall, this is cute, entertaining, romantic, and spicy(*fans self*). I really enjoyed most everything about this novel and romance. But I thought it was just a tad too long. I felt the book really lost steam in the last few chapters, and I get why TJ O'Shea felt the need to include what she did--to give Fiona the chance to make the big gesture/sacrifice, but it really changed the tenor of the story for me.
I also found Alice's rural southern accent and phrases got a little tiring after a while. She definitely sounded like an uneducated hillbilly. And while I think in Alabama she could pull that off easily and it would be fine, I think O'Shea took it too far. Most people know how to code switch--they can turn some of that off in certain circumstances. And I don't mean the accent, really, but the double negatives and other things that made Alice just seem like a caricature rather than a real person. If I was from the South, this portrayal would offend me. And my nephews are Alabama boys, so I know what I'm talking about. I speak to people from Alabama all the time and they don't sound like Alice. I just think O'Shea didn't know how to portray Alice's differences from the posh English people she interacted with and the story suffered for it.
3.5 stars
Want to read
May 27, 2024FUCK YES I KNOW THIS IS GOING TO BE GOOD. Keep ‘em coming TJ please please please yes yes
June 14, 2025
3.25 stars for me. I know, I know. I’m gonna be an outlier here and I have some issues with the characterizations in this book. I am all for suspending reality and I love low angst reading. I live for low angst. TJ O’Shea definitely accomplished no angst. The writing is good and TJ O’Shea is a great writer. None of her books are the same and that takes massive talent. I have nothing but respect for her. It’s good summertime fun in that respect.
The problem, for me, is Alice how she’s portrayed. It’s like the only research that was done on anyone from the American south was done by watching Andy Griffith and Beverly Hillbillies. It’s like Alice was the love child Ernest T. Bass and Ellie May Clampett and Joey from Bloomtown. There’s a ton of other inspirations that could have influenced the creation and execution of Alice. Steel Magnolias, anyone? Designing Women? Yes, please. I could totally see Julia Sugarbaker whipping out the strap and going to work on Fiona.
I am from Georgia and North Carolina. I KNOW country people. I come from country people and even my grandmother (my Mamaw) spoke more coherently than the dialogue that Alice was given. My Mamaw chewed tobacco and threw her leftovers out in the yard for the “dawgs” and she spoke more coherently than Alice. That made it really hard to connect with Alice and the level of emotional and sexual sophistication that was on the page. The spice was spicing, but it was just took too much work for me to buy into the dynamic between Alice and Fiona.
The problem, for me, is Alice how she’s portrayed. It’s like the only research that was done on anyone from the American south was done by watching Andy Griffith and Beverly Hillbillies. It’s like Alice was the love child Ernest T. Bass and Ellie May Clampett and Joey from Bloomtown. There’s a ton of other inspirations that could have influenced the creation and execution of Alice. Steel Magnolias, anyone? Designing Women? Yes, please. I could totally see Julia Sugarbaker whipping out the strap and going to work on Fiona.
I am from Georgia and North Carolina. I KNOW country people. I come from country people and even my grandmother (my Mamaw) spoke more coherently than the dialogue that Alice was given. My Mamaw chewed tobacco and threw her leftovers out in the yard for the “dawgs” and she spoke more coherently than Alice. That made it really hard to connect with Alice and the level of emotional and sexual sophistication that was on the page. The spice was spicing, but it was just took too much work for me to buy into the dynamic between Alice and Fiona.
March 30, 2025
T.J. O’Shea’s Sweet Home Alabarden Park is a delightful romance that blends humor, heart, and a touch of aristocratic charm. Filled with heartwarming moments that bring a smile to readers’ faces, the narrative explores themes of love, personal growth, and the charming cultural nuances that distinguish proper British customs from Southern Alabama traditions. At its core, the story follows Fiona Turner, a reserved royal staff member, and Alice Stewart, a spirited American-turned-duchess, as they work to restore a crumbling estate—and, in the process, find an unexpected connection. O’Shea masterfully balances lighthearted fun with genuine emotional depth, making this book an irresistibly engaging read.
The novel shines with its rich array of humorous and heartwarming moments. Alice’s playful mischief and Fiona’s attempts to maintain order create a dynamic that is both charming and comical. This play on “opposites attract” makes for many fun scenes. A particularly unforgettable instance involving a suit of armor is sure to leave readers laughing. While some elements of British aristocracy may not be entirely realistic, these exaggerated quirks enhance the humor and contribute to the novel’s whimsical charm.
Beyond the humor, Sweet Home Alabarden Park shines with its portrayal of complex, relatable characters. Fiona’s authentic struggles with anxiety and her journey towards healing after divorce resonate deeply with readers. Alice, with her unwavering confidence and infectious warmth, serves as the perfect complement, fostering a relationship grounded in patience, support, and genuine affection. This honest depiction of Fiona’s challenges is refreshingly candid, and O’Shea explores the realities of mental and self-care with compassion, using Alice’s support to soften the narrative. Ultimately, these well-crafted characters evoke an emotional resonance that feels both insightful and meaningful.
Adding to the novel’s charm is its playful blending of cultures. Alice’s Alabama roots contrast hilariously with the formalities of British aristocracy, creating a lively linguistic interplay between Southern expressions and British etiquette. While Alice’s exaggerated Southern charm might seem over the top at times, it ultimately adds to the story’s warmth and distinctiveness, making for a uniquely entertaining read.
At its core, Sweet Home Alabarden Park is a poignant tale of love, healing, and self-discovery. Fiona’s journey to rebuild her confidence after a painful divorce intertwines beautifully with Alice’s steadfast patience and unconditional acceptance, encouraging Fiona to embrace vulnerability. Their evolving relationship highlights emotional growth and mutual understanding, offering readers a romance that is both tender and deeply fulfilling. TJ O’Shea further enriches the narrative by celebrating diverse beauty, showcasing varied body shapes and physical attributes, which resonate with the novel’s themes of self-acceptance and love.
Final remarks…
Sweet Home Alabarden Park is a delightful must-read for fans of lighthearted, good-natured romance. T.J. O’Shea skillfully weaves together humor, heart, and diverse cultural traditions, creating a feel-good story that captivates readers with its endearing characters and laugh-out-loud moments. The novel’s poignant emotional depth ensures it lingers long after the final page, making it a perfect escape for those who enjoy stories filled with love, laughter, and unexpected adventure.
Strengths…
Engaging Romance with Humor and Heart
Rich Character Development
Engaging Opposites-Attract Dynamic
Well-developed, Relatable Themes
Immersive Story World
The novel shines with its rich array of humorous and heartwarming moments. Alice’s playful mischief and Fiona’s attempts to maintain order create a dynamic that is both charming and comical. This play on “opposites attract” makes for many fun scenes. A particularly unforgettable instance involving a suit of armor is sure to leave readers laughing. While some elements of British aristocracy may not be entirely realistic, these exaggerated quirks enhance the humor and contribute to the novel’s whimsical charm.
Beyond the humor, Sweet Home Alabarden Park shines with its portrayal of complex, relatable characters. Fiona’s authentic struggles with anxiety and her journey towards healing after divorce resonate deeply with readers. Alice, with her unwavering confidence and infectious warmth, serves as the perfect complement, fostering a relationship grounded in patience, support, and genuine affection. This honest depiction of Fiona’s challenges is refreshingly candid, and O’Shea explores the realities of mental and self-care with compassion, using Alice’s support to soften the narrative. Ultimately, these well-crafted characters evoke an emotional resonance that feels both insightful and meaningful.
Adding to the novel’s charm is its playful blending of cultures. Alice’s Alabama roots contrast hilariously with the formalities of British aristocracy, creating a lively linguistic interplay between Southern expressions and British etiquette. While Alice’s exaggerated Southern charm might seem over the top at times, it ultimately adds to the story’s warmth and distinctiveness, making for a uniquely entertaining read.
At its core, Sweet Home Alabarden Park is a poignant tale of love, healing, and self-discovery. Fiona’s journey to rebuild her confidence after a painful divorce intertwines beautifully with Alice’s steadfast patience and unconditional acceptance, encouraging Fiona to embrace vulnerability. Their evolving relationship highlights emotional growth and mutual understanding, offering readers a romance that is both tender and deeply fulfilling. TJ O’Shea further enriches the narrative by celebrating diverse beauty, showcasing varied body shapes and physical attributes, which resonate with the novel’s themes of self-acceptance and love.
Final remarks…
Sweet Home Alabarden Park is a delightful must-read for fans of lighthearted, good-natured romance. T.J. O’Shea skillfully weaves together humor, heart, and diverse cultural traditions, creating a feel-good story that captivates readers with its endearing characters and laugh-out-loud moments. The novel’s poignant emotional depth ensures it lingers long after the final page, making it a perfect escape for those who enjoy stories filled with love, laughter, and unexpected adventure.
Strengths…
Engaging Romance with Humor and Heart
Rich Character Development
Engaging Opposites-Attract Dynamic
Well-developed, Relatable Themes
Immersive Story World
March 22, 2025
TJ O’Shea instantly became one of my favorite romance writers with To Be With You. I was really excited to learn she had a new book coming out, and I can say it delivers. She sticks the landing with the humor, the romance was really cute, and it had more strap action than anything else I’ve come across (and it’s not close). That said, I ran into some pacing issues and felt it slowed to a crawl in the first act. Definitely worth the read, even if it doesn’t hit the same (wonderfully angsty) highs of To Be With You.
December 3, 2025
I purchased this book from Kobo as soon as it came out. Then I saw not fantastic reviews and kept passing it by. Now, I've mostly loved O'Shea's other novels and have reread/relistened to them several times already - except The Order which I just read once but do have the audiobook. (Libro.fm has them all. And they're not Amazon. And you OWN and can easily DOWNLOAD your audiobooks. If you use the code "Switch" when you sign up, you'll get two free books instead of one. I'll never go back to Audible. Here's my referral code if you wanna help a sister out: Libro.fm) As a matter of fact, I just dropped the audiobook for Sweet Home Alabarden Park into my cart and am tempted to listen now...
This is a beautiful, very slow burn romance. It's technically a "fish out of water" trope but Alice is so charming and curious and awesome - maybe a little too perfect but I didn't think so until I started typing that sentence - that she never seemed out of place. Yes, her accent and colloquialisms could be a lot, but I didn't mind at all. I loved the way Alice handled her new life as a duchess and how she brought the manor house and the staff together. I laughed so hard over Fiona's first exposure to "family breakfast."
There were just so many great scenes in this book. And loads of wonderful characters. I'm pretty sure this is my new favorite of the author's books. Sorry To Be With You. I'll always love you, but Alice and Fiona have stolen my heart.
We stay with Fiona's POV for the entire book and, while I sometimes wished we'd gotten a bit more inside Alice's head, O'Shea did a great job making sure we knew where Alice was mentally through Fiona's observations. Fiona's growth was a huge theme in the book and the length of the book allowed us to really watch her learn about herself and to trust herself and to feel what she needs to feel.
There's a lot more I could say but those things are mostly spoilers, and I don't want to ruin even a tiny bit of this lovely romance.
This is a beautiful, very slow burn romance. It's technically a "fish out of water" trope but Alice is so charming and curious and awesome - maybe a little too perfect but I didn't think so until I started typing that sentence - that she never seemed out of place. Yes, her accent and colloquialisms could be a lot, but I didn't mind at all. I loved the way Alice handled her new life as a duchess and how she brought the manor house and the staff together. I laughed so hard over Fiona's first exposure to "family breakfast."
There were just so many great scenes in this book. And loads of wonderful characters. I'm pretty sure this is my new favorite of the author's books. Sorry To Be With You. I'll always love you, but Alice and Fiona have stolen my heart.
We stay with Fiona's POV for the entire book and, while I sometimes wished we'd gotten a bit more inside Alice's head, O'Shea did a great job making sure we knew where Alice was mentally through Fiona's observations. Fiona's growth was a huge theme in the book and the length of the book allowed us to really watch her learn about herself and to trust herself and to feel what she needs to feel.
There's a lot more I could say but those things are mostly spoilers, and I don't want to ruin even a tiny bit of this lovely romance.
April 22, 2025
Sweet Home Alabarden Park is a charming, steamy, and often funny low-angst romance that pairs a no-nonsense British royal assistant with an Alabama farm girl who suddenly finds herself the Duchess of a crumbling English estate. The premise alone is delightfully absurd in the best rom-com way, but I’ll admit—it took me a while to get into the story. Whether it was the slower first act or the effort required to suspend disbelief and wrap my head around noble titles and British lineages, I wasn’t immediately hooked.
That said, once the romance between Alice and Fiona kicks in, the story finds its stride. Their chemistry is palpable, and T.J. O’Shea doesn’t hold back on the spice (seriously, this might be the most strap-forward book I’ve read). The emotional beats are there too, with both leads navigating grief, trust, and the vulnerability that comes with falling for someone unexpectedly. The lack of third-act miscommunication or breakup is a refreshing choice, keeping the story grounded in a mature and genuine connection.
Sweet Home Alabarden Park is cozy, queer, and full of heart—with a healthy dose of royal absurdity. While it didn’t quite reach the emotional highs of To Be With You, it’s a fun and feel-good romance that’s definitely worth the read for fans of O’Shea’s wit and warmth.
Many thanks to Bella Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
That said, once the romance between Alice and Fiona kicks in, the story finds its stride. Their chemistry is palpable, and T.J. O’Shea doesn’t hold back on the spice (seriously, this might be the most strap-forward book I’ve read). The emotional beats are there too, with both leads navigating grief, trust, and the vulnerability that comes with falling for someone unexpectedly. The lack of third-act miscommunication or breakup is a refreshing choice, keeping the story grounded in a mature and genuine connection.
Sweet Home Alabarden Park is cozy, queer, and full of heart—with a healthy dose of royal absurdity. While it didn’t quite reach the emotional highs of To Be With You, it’s a fun and feel-good romance that’s definitely worth the read for fans of O’Shea’s wit and warmth.
Many thanks to Bella Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
March 9, 2025
would like to thank the publisher for letting me read this outstanding book
ohhh man the inuendoes the one liners and the spicy scenes all make for a very interesting read...
when alice met fiona in a london pub she was smitten... fiona had just come from a meeting with her soon to be ex wife and was feeling vulnerable but before long she was dragging alice back to her brothers pad only to say no .... they left it with alice putting her number into fiona phone hoping she would hear from her
fiona worked for the soon to be queen of england but beryl needed a favour so sent fiona to organise alabarden park and help the new duchess find her feet....
and what a surprise was waiting for fiona when she arrived...
ohh man this storyline had me gripped.... i laughed out loud i even cried... but the one liners always got me.... everyone needs an alice in their lives we just need to keep looking
this is my first book by this author and it wont be the last... i thoroughly enjoyed everything about this book...
ohhh man the inuendoes the one liners and the spicy scenes all make for a very interesting read...
when alice met fiona in a london pub she was smitten... fiona had just come from a meeting with her soon to be ex wife and was feeling vulnerable but before long she was dragging alice back to her brothers pad only to say no .... they left it with alice putting her number into fiona phone hoping she would hear from her
fiona worked for the soon to be queen of england but beryl needed a favour so sent fiona to organise alabarden park and help the new duchess find her feet....
and what a surprise was waiting for fiona when she arrived...
ohh man this storyline had me gripped.... i laughed out loud i even cried... but the one liners always got me.... everyone needs an alice in their lives we just need to keep looking
this is my first book by this author and it wont be the last... i thoroughly enjoyed everything about this book...
March 26, 2025
(rounded down from 4.25)
This was fun and heartwarming. A low angst romance between a slightly uptight divorced assistant to the Queen and an Alabama girl who has inherited the title of Duchess and a large estate. I enjoyed how wholesome and uncomplicated the romance is, and there is no miscommunication or third-act break-up to add drama. It's just my personal preference, but there was more spice than I normally enjoy (pages and pages and pages after the halfway mark), which may be a selling point for others. Overall, a lovely story about healing from past trauma and finding your person.
This was fun and heartwarming. A low angst romance between a slightly uptight divorced assistant to the Queen and an Alabama girl who has inherited the title of Duchess and a large estate. I enjoyed how wholesome and uncomplicated the romance is, and there is no miscommunication or third-act break-up to add drama. It's just my personal preference, but there was more spice than I normally enjoy (pages and pages and pages after the halfway mark), which may be a selling point for others. Overall, a lovely story about healing from past trauma and finding your person.
July 16, 2025
5 stars
Enjoyed this book enormously. Great writing, lovely characters and beautiful story. There was no angst and good communication. I am going to put this on my list of favourite books and will certainly read it again sometime.
Enjoyed this book enormously. Great writing, lovely characters and beautiful story. There was no angst and good communication. I am going to put this on my list of favourite books and will certainly read it again sometime.
October 17, 2025
As a Downton Abbey fan, this modern aristocratic setup had me instantly hooked — queens, duchesses, an English estate, and all that British countryside charm? Yes, please!!
I adored Alice from the start. She’s so warm and open-hearted, maybe too perfect at times, but I couldn’t help loving her. Fiona, with her uptight British energy, balanced her out perfectly (and was way more relatable, tbh). The humor in this story is a fun mix of British and American, and the side characters such as Queen Beryl and Fiona’s brother Jack made the story even livelier.
Some dialogues, though, leaned a bit sappy for me, and the pacing dragged in parts — but when the emotional moments hit, oh god did they hit! And as someone who lost a parent young, those scenes near the end had me sobbing…
Overall, this story is a warm, fun, and very romantic read that feels like being wrapped in my favorite blanket. Of course, the spice didn’t hurt either. And in the end, it made me want to move to Alabarden Park myself! 🥹🍂
I adored Alice from the start. She’s so warm and open-hearted, maybe too perfect at times, but I couldn’t help loving her. Fiona, with her uptight British energy, balanced her out perfectly (and was way more relatable, tbh). The humor in this story is a fun mix of British and American, and the side characters such as Queen Beryl and Fiona’s brother Jack made the story even livelier.
Some dialogues, though, leaned a bit sappy for me, and the pacing dragged in parts — but when the emotional moments hit, oh god did they hit! And as someone who lost a parent young, those scenes near the end had me sobbing…
Overall, this story is a warm, fun, and very romantic read that feels like being wrapped in my favorite blanket. Of course, the spice didn’t hurt either. And in the end, it made me want to move to Alabarden Park myself! 🥹🍂
November 16, 2025
this book was absolutely wonderful in every way. i don’t think ive ever read a character that was so genuinely sweet and selfless and thoughtful and mature, alice is THE book girlfriend in every aspect. there were so many things alice would say that were so poetic and beautiful and down to earth, she was just an absolutely amazing character.
i loved fiona and her sarcasm, and how deeply she cared about her job and her friends/family. i loved watching her grow and experiencing this whole book through her, it felt very real and she was a very relatable character with problems to overcome.
i normally am not big into the royalty scene but i really like it in this, even tho there were some moments i had no idea what they were saying lmfao. i enjoyed the plot a lot, it was very unique and fun. alice having to learn and unlearn so many things, and the insane things she would do and see no issue and fiona just going insane was so entertaining 😂 the fixing up of the house was fun as well, i love a good renovation book.
the banter was so good, i was laughing out loud so often. and then immediately after was melting and crying over the pure love and adoration they had for each other. their relationship was BEAUTIFUL and so tender, i hope to someday have a relationship like theirs.
the side character were great, i loved the staff and how much more they added to the book, it wouldn’t have been what it was without them. and then each of their respective families and friends, i just loved the sense of found family and community we get with the side characters.
pa dying absolutely broke my heart, alice sobbing into fiona’s arms, and the funeral, and technical celebration of life, all of it was so touching but so sad. i’m so glad that fiona went to her and chose her, and then ended up choosing not to take the job for her future, the whole last 20% of the book was filled with so much love and care.
i absolutely adored this book and i HIGHLY recommend it.
also the SPICE?? chefs kiss
i loved fiona and her sarcasm, and how deeply she cared about her job and her friends/family. i loved watching her grow and experiencing this whole book through her, it felt very real and she was a very relatable character with problems to overcome.
i normally am not big into the royalty scene but i really like it in this, even tho there were some moments i had no idea what they were saying lmfao. i enjoyed the plot a lot, it was very unique and fun. alice having to learn and unlearn so many things, and the insane things she would do and see no issue and fiona just going insane was so entertaining 😂 the fixing up of the house was fun as well, i love a good renovation book.
the banter was so good, i was laughing out loud so often. and then immediately after was melting and crying over the pure love and adoration they had for each other. their relationship was BEAUTIFUL and so tender, i hope to someday have a relationship like theirs.
the side character were great, i loved the staff and how much more they added to the book, it wouldn’t have been what it was without them. and then each of their respective families and friends, i just loved the sense of found family and community we get with the side characters.
pa dying absolutely broke my heart, alice sobbing into fiona’s arms, and the funeral, and technical celebration of life, all of it was so touching but so sad. i’m so glad that fiona went to her and chose her, and then ended up choosing not to take the job for her future, the whole last 20% of the book was filled with so much love and care.
i absolutely adored this book and i HIGHLY recommend it.
also the SPICE?? chefs kiss
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2025
Sweet Home Alabarden Park had such a sense of nostalgia- full of British slang and nuances. It's a cute romance when Alice from Alabama inherits an English estate. There she runs into Fiona, a royal staff member with a penchant for order and discipline.
Alice fell into a lot of southern American stereotypes but so did Fiona on the British side and I think that if you're able to overlook that, you can enjoy this.
Alice fell into a lot of southern American stereotypes but so did Fiona on the British side and I think that if you're able to overlook that, you can enjoy this.
November 30, 2025
“Alice, you're so deeply embedded in my heart that if I tried to carve you out, I would be left with nothing in my chest."
What a masterpiece of a romance, truly! This was such a joy to read, full of steam, yearning, banter, and chemistry that leapt off the pages. Seriously, read this book!
The smut is so well written too y’all 🙂↕️
Alice did a little cross over her chest as a silent prayer to God. “The sins you could convince me to commit, Fiona Turner, looking like you do."
What a masterpiece of a romance, truly! This was such a joy to read, full of steam, yearning, banter, and chemistry that leapt off the pages. Seriously, read this book!
The smut is so well written too y’all 🙂↕️
Alice did a little cross over her chest as a silent prayer to God. “The sins you could convince me to commit, Fiona Turner, looking like you do."
August 11, 2025
A truly magnificent, lovely and well written book. My favourite of all the books I have read this year. I didn’t want it to end. The characters were so lovable and relatable. It was perfect. Definitely recommend.
October 23, 2025
Very cute and sweet! I loved their chemistry and character growth. As a southerner, I found Alice’s way of speaking to be a bit over the top. It didn’t feel like a modern southern lesbian’s way of speaking, it felt more like someone’s grandfather. However, I really enjoyed the book overall!
November 14, 2025
3.5 stars. It was a little too long and I didn’t like that she gave up all of her career dreams even if it was for true love. Also the audio book narrator gave me a bit of ick with her accents. But overall, a really good one :)
March 29, 2025
4.25 stars
April 9, 2025
Sweet and very spicy. Once again, O’Shea writes the characters in her stories so well. I love a great slow burn. This also has probably one of my fave strap scenes I’ve ever read. 🥵
March 27, 2025
It’s always so much fun when an author brings characters to life so well that they not only feel real, but I can see parts of myself and people I love in them. I love the title of this book. It’s creative, funny, and perfectly encapsulates the story.
Fiona’s struggle to trust herself after her marriage ended is crushing. Alice’s absolute confidence in what she wants and willingness to invest the time into someone she loves is moving. The absolute hilarity of the premise lets the reader catch a glimpse of wildly different kinds of lives and how this unlikely pairing works so well. It’s opposites attract, but in the I will be a safe place to heal kind of way.
The anxiety representation was fantastic! Reading the patience, understanding, and support Alice provided, entirely judgement free, was healing. To watch Alice accept Fiona exactly as she was and love her so completely that Fiona felt she could let go and be exactly who she is was worth every single of the 362 pages. Unapologetically medicated, Fiona doesn’t just magically not have anxiety symptoms. She’s still a megaton overthinker–relatable! Alice loved it about her and I melted a little bit every time she said, “a million fascinating thoughts.”
Even though a disproportionate number of characters seem to have green eyes, the brown eyes are finally getting some love! “Not ‘just brown.’ Brown like a magnolia tree in winter—strong, bare, and beautiful—waiting to bloom.” Magnolia trees are magnificent, but have you ever gotten lost in a pair of brown eyes? Mesmerizing. Glad they are finally getting the love they deserve.
The mixing of British English and Southern US English was top tier. I felt like I was down home in that Kentucky holler will all my kin. A+ use of phrases. Alice’s southerness is a bit much, affectionately, where archetype meets caricature. I loved the overall effect though, and watching as they learn about and accommodate each other’s needs was something so tender to behold.
This book is 🔥so grab a cold drink and buckle up. It’s a helluva ride 😏
TJ O’Shea just went on my instant pre-order list. Don’t miss this one!
Fiona’s struggle to trust herself after her marriage ended is crushing. Alice’s absolute confidence in what she wants and willingness to invest the time into someone she loves is moving. The absolute hilarity of the premise lets the reader catch a glimpse of wildly different kinds of lives and how this unlikely pairing works so well. It’s opposites attract, but in the I will be a safe place to heal kind of way.
The anxiety representation was fantastic! Reading the patience, understanding, and support Alice provided, entirely judgement free, was healing. To watch Alice accept Fiona exactly as she was and love her so completely that Fiona felt she could let go and be exactly who she is was worth every single of the 362 pages. Unapologetically medicated, Fiona doesn’t just magically not have anxiety symptoms. She’s still a megaton overthinker–relatable! Alice loved it about her and I melted a little bit every time she said, “a million fascinating thoughts.”
Even though a disproportionate number of characters seem to have green eyes, the brown eyes are finally getting some love! “Not ‘just brown.’ Brown like a magnolia tree in winter—strong, bare, and beautiful—waiting to bloom.” Magnolia trees are magnificent, but have you ever gotten lost in a pair of brown eyes? Mesmerizing. Glad they are finally getting the love they deserve.
The mixing of British English and Southern US English was top tier. I felt like I was down home in that Kentucky holler will all my kin. A+ use of phrases. Alice’s southerness is a bit much, affectionately, where archetype meets caricature. I loved the overall effect though, and watching as they learn about and accommodate each other’s needs was something so tender to behold.
This book is 🔥so grab a cold drink and buckle up. It’s a helluva ride 😏
TJ O’Shea just went on my instant pre-order list. Don’t miss this one!
March 12, 2025
Sweet Home Alabarden Park is, hands down, one of the funniest books I think I’ve ever read……and that’s saying something given I read approximately 600 books per year. In this sweet story we see the classic clash between cultures: American South vs British Aristocracy.
On one hand we have Alice Stewart who was born in the UK but grew up in the United States, adopted by a couple in Alabama when she was an infant following the death of her parents. She has grown up as part of a large boisterous farming family unaware that she is actually descended from British aristocracy. Now she finds herself the sole heir to the estate and attempting to find her way through the maze of the aristocracy while ensuring the restoration of the estate house in time to host the pre-coronation reception for the new Queen. To her rescue comes Fiona Turner, a royal staff member and close friend of the Queen who is assigned to assist with coordinating the estate restoration process as well as turn the all-American famer into a proper English duchess. The end result is a hysterical romp as the two MCs spend increasing amounts of time together with Alice getting into all sorts of mischief while Fiona tries to rein in her behaviour……all while Fiona attempts to fight their very magnetic attraction.
There were so many ROTFLMAO moments in this book and you really need to give it a go……even if it’s just for the bonkers suit of armour scene which literally had me in tears from laughing so hard. British fans may need to switch of their ‘accuracy radar’ for some elements of the plot and characterisation but in my opinion these departures from the real monarchy in no way detracted from this humorous story.
I am incredibly grateful to TJ O’Shea and Bella Books for providing me with an ARC copy of Sweet Home Alabarden Park and am leaving this review voluntarily.
On one hand we have Alice Stewart who was born in the UK but grew up in the United States, adopted by a couple in Alabama when she was an infant following the death of her parents. She has grown up as part of a large boisterous farming family unaware that she is actually descended from British aristocracy. Now she finds herself the sole heir to the estate and attempting to find her way through the maze of the aristocracy while ensuring the restoration of the estate house in time to host the pre-coronation reception for the new Queen. To her rescue comes Fiona Turner, a royal staff member and close friend of the Queen who is assigned to assist with coordinating the estate restoration process as well as turn the all-American famer into a proper English duchess. The end result is a hysterical romp as the two MCs spend increasing amounts of time together with Alice getting into all sorts of mischief while Fiona tries to rein in her behaviour……all while Fiona attempts to fight their very magnetic attraction.
There were so many ROTFLMAO moments in this book and you really need to give it a go……even if it’s just for the bonkers suit of armour scene which literally had me in tears from laughing so hard. British fans may need to switch of their ‘accuracy radar’ for some elements of the plot and characterisation but in my opinion these departures from the real monarchy in no way detracted from this humorous story.
I am incredibly grateful to TJ O’Shea and Bella Books for providing me with an ARC copy of Sweet Home Alabarden Park and am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 5, 2025
Right, this was sweet.
I'm a big fan of chilled-out books that run on vibes only, and Sweet Home Alabarden Park was exactly that.
Low stakes but full of heart, the book tells the story of Fiona, who divorced her cheating wife and was sent by her best friend (who happens to be the Queen of England) to refurbish an estate newly inherited by a new dutchess. Alice was born in the UK but brought up in Alabama in the USA and after an encounter by chance with Fiona, the two embark on a sweet love story.
There was little to no conflict in this book, which if done well, can be delightful. The characters were well developed and the plot flowed without a hitch.
The massive cultural clash between a British aristocrat and a rowdy American farmer was played adorably and every single interaction just made you endear yourself to the characters more and more.
Themes like parental loss, anxiety and found family were explored in a light and sensible way and the comic scenes were great. I particularly loved the exchange between Alice and Fiona about an ancient handgun, Alice says "I'm American, I've been handling guns since I was a toddler." to which Fiona responds "Every syllable in this sentence is a tragedy." That made me giggle.
The only thing I feel that could make this book even better is that I somewhat think that it could have been a bit shorter. Due to the lack of conflict, which wasn't a bad thing, it did feel towards the end that it was dragging a bit. Also, what the hell happened to Anne????
In any case, Sweet Home Alabarden Park was a lovely read.
I'm a big fan of chilled-out books that run on vibes only, and Sweet Home Alabarden Park was exactly that.
Low stakes but full of heart, the book tells the story of Fiona, who divorced her cheating wife and was sent by her best friend (who happens to be the Queen of England) to refurbish an estate newly inherited by a new dutchess. Alice was born in the UK but brought up in Alabama in the USA and after an encounter by chance with Fiona, the two embark on a sweet love story.
There was little to no conflict in this book, which if done well, can be delightful. The characters were well developed and the plot flowed without a hitch.
The massive cultural clash between a British aristocrat and a rowdy American farmer was played adorably and every single interaction just made you endear yourself to the characters more and more.
Themes like parental loss, anxiety and found family were explored in a light and sensible way and the comic scenes were great. I particularly loved the exchange between Alice and Fiona about an ancient handgun, Alice says "I'm American, I've been handling guns since I was a toddler." to which Fiona responds "Every syllable in this sentence is a tragedy." That made me giggle.
The only thing I feel that could make this book even better is that I somewhat think that it could have been a bit shorter. Due to the lack of conflict, which wasn't a bad thing, it did feel towards the end that it was dragging a bit. Also, what the hell happened to Anne????
In any case, Sweet Home Alabarden Park was a lovely read.
August 12, 2025
To start with I listened to the audiobook. I want to just say now that the premise of this story is what got my attention however, it took about 2seconds after the accents started and I was already on the struggle bus.
The Bad:
As someone who has spent a fair bit of time in the south, especially in states like Alabama, West Virginia, Kentucky…. I think I can say that the southern accents of all the American characters were HORRIBLE AND CRINGE!!!!! The character of Alice herself was like taking of of the stereotypical traits from the south (minus the inbreeding) and put it into one character. I’ve never heard someone sound so ignorant before!! Gee golly what a struggle!! Also Fiona, although not as bad as Dick van Dyke, wasn’t great either if you catch my drift. At least she read a more mature and intelligent!
The Good:
The longing and pining. Also the smut wasn’t horrible but the voice of Alice made it more off putting than anything. It was a long audiobook and I like that if I’m spending money or credits on it.
I know I’ve made this sound like it’s a horrible book. It’s not it really isn’t. The problem is the accents and I listen to it and like the authors interpretation of Alice, being from Alabama is very offputting and way too stereotypical. I honestly think if she had made Alice more mature and when I say mature, I understand she was a character in her late 20s , but that doesn’t mean that she can’t have a more mature, sounding tone when you read her.
Anyways, sorry for ranting.
The Bad:
As someone who has spent a fair bit of time in the south, especially in states like Alabama, West Virginia, Kentucky…. I think I can say that the southern accents of all the American characters were HORRIBLE AND CRINGE!!!!! The character of Alice herself was like taking of of the stereotypical traits from the south (minus the inbreeding) and put it into one character. I’ve never heard someone sound so ignorant before!! Gee golly what a struggle!! Also Fiona, although not as bad as Dick van Dyke, wasn’t great either if you catch my drift. At least she read a more mature and intelligent!
The Good:
The longing and pining. Also the smut wasn’t horrible but the voice of Alice made it more off putting than anything. It was a long audiobook and I like that if I’m spending money or credits on it.
I know I’ve made this sound like it’s a horrible book. It’s not it really isn’t. The problem is the accents and I listen to it and like the authors interpretation of Alice, being from Alabama is very offputting and way too stereotypical. I honestly think if she had made Alice more mature and when I say mature, I understand she was a character in her late 20s , but that doesn’t mean that she can’t have a more mature, sounding tone when you read her.
Anyways, sorry for ranting.
April 29, 2025
Put your brain in park and sit back and enjoy this sweet romance. Alice Stewart was raised in Alabama after being orphaned. She is shocked to learn that she was British born and is the new Duchess. She is now worth millions and has inherited a large country house called Alabarden Park. Fiona Stuart is fresh off a divorce from an unhappy ten year marriage. As a personal favor to her best friend and soon to be crowned Queen of England, Fiona becomes steward of Alabarden Park. Her job is to help Alice restore the home to grandeur and catalog the art and historical collections in the house. The house will be part of the coronation festivities.
At first I was put off a little as Alice is played off as being a big hick. She is sunshine to Fiona’s grumpy traditional ways. But Alice is southern warmth with folksy sayings and charming ways. The book takes its time with over 360 pages. There is time to learn about one another, letting Fiona heal and Alice to settle into her own ways of doing things. The story will jump ahead weeks and months which makes sense for the amount of work that has to be accomplished. And when things heat up it gets nice and spicy.
The story could have been trimmed cutting out a visit to America and a few other scenes but I liked getting the extra time with the characters. I have enjoyed every book I have read by the author. Thank you to Bella Books and the author for an ARC and I am leaving an honest review.
At first I was put off a little as Alice is played off as being a big hick. She is sunshine to Fiona’s grumpy traditional ways. But Alice is southern warmth with folksy sayings and charming ways. The book takes its time with over 360 pages. There is time to learn about one another, letting Fiona heal and Alice to settle into her own ways of doing things. The story will jump ahead weeks and months which makes sense for the amount of work that has to be accomplished. And when things heat up it gets nice and spicy.
The story could have been trimmed cutting out a visit to America and a few other scenes but I liked getting the extra time with the characters. I have enjoyed every book I have read by the author. Thank you to Bella Books and the author for an ARC and I am leaving an honest review.
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