In My Tudor Era

by Kate Bromley

Lily’s life is turned upside down when she suddenly finds herself trapped in the body of Catherine Howard, King Henry VIII's doomed fifth wife. Can she make it out of Tudor England with her head and her heart intact? Slip into this raunchy, irreverent time travel romance!

Lily's trip to England with her best friend was meant to be a reset after a stressful year of grad school and disastrous dates. But when a visit to Hampton Court Palace ends with the full Tudor experience, Lily needs a plan to make it back to the 21st century stat.

Everyone is calling her Catherine, and to her dismay, Lily learns that she's caught the eye of the King—none other than Henry VIII. Lily's PhD is in psychology, not history, but even she knows that being married to Henry does not bode well for her life expectancy.

As she navigates her precarious position, Lily can't seem to stay away from Simon Gainsford, the king's champion jouster. A jock with a heart of gold, Simon understands Lily better than any guy she's met, and every dark corridor presents a new opportunity to continue their dangerous, white-hot affair.

Meanwhile, smoldering courtier Francis Dereham (who seems to think they are secretly married?!) won't stay away, and the king's sinfully handsome groom, Thomas Culpeper, is also quite...persistent.

In the Tudor era, rumors can get you killed. Lily is determined to change her fate, but everyone knows how this story ends…right?

Genres: Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical, Time Travel, Historical Romance, Contemporary Romance, Adult Fiction

320 pages, Paperback

Expected publication March 31, 2026

About the author

Kate Bromley lives on the East Coast with her husband, sons, and her somewhat excessive collection of romance novels. (It’s not hoarding if it’s books, right?) She was a preschool teacher for seven years and is now focusing full-time on combining her two great passions -– writing swoon-worthy love stories and making people laugh.

Reviews

[MagretFume · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was funny, cute and steamy. 

The plot is original and kept my interest all along, and the characters are well fleshed out. 

I especially loved the fact that there is a great dynamic and a lot of support between the female characters. It doesn't happen often enough. 

It's a good take on time travel romance and I really enjoyed it. 

Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC!

[Lina · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 / 5 Stars
You know what, hell yeah. This book was exactly what I want from a rom-com: super funny with poignant moments, spicy and sweet, and silly, good time. Lily’s trip to London was meant to be a fun time with her best friend after a long year in her psychology PhD program. But while visiting Hampton Court Palace (home of Henry VIII), Lily magically time travels back to Tudor Era England (just go with it) and finds herself stuck in Catherine Howard’s body. You know, the same Catherine Howard who was Henry’s 5th wife and one of the “beheaded” (“divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived" is catchy and also horrible). Lily is determined to make it out alive and make it back to the 21st century but she can’t help herself when it comes to Simon Gainsford, the king's champion jouster. He’s hot, emotionally intelligent, and kind (because you can only find the good ones when you time travel 😂) but an affair is dangerous for them both. Can Lily survive with her head and her heart?

You will probably like this book if you like:
👑 Time traveling rom-com
👑 Set in Tudor Era England
👑 Royal drama
👑 Lots of love interests but there’s one special one
👑 Strong female friendships
👑 Mental health rep and discussion of therapy

I thought this book was hilarious. Kate Bromley is great with one-liners which made Lily’s sense of humor the perfect blend of sarcastic, a little dry, and observational. I was highlighting so much in the book because it was delightful. And I think because it was established that the book was meant to be funny, I loved that 1) Lily said, “I need to blend in” and then blended in for literally 30 seconds and 2) Lily stuck to her 21st century ways. If the book took itself too seriously, those two things would have made no sense but here, they worked for me. And it was hilarious that Lily came to court and said, “let me teach you the most important from modern times”: how to create better living conditions for servants, the need for therapy, and how to play flip cup (the trifecta).

The romance in this rom-com was also pretty great. I think Simon is an A+ flirt so the banter was swoony and fun. There’s some great spice too. The other suitors were historically accurate and added a fun layer to the story without taking away from Simon and Lily’s story.

Also I loved that Lily formed a girl gang within the palace. When you let ladies organize, we are a force to be reckoned with. Her friendships created a lot of funny moments but also some really poignant moments too. Lily’s therapy degree also added a lot of sincere and insightful moments to the book (we love a woman who can diagnose a narcissist and see right through them).

I loved 99% of the book and had some questions about the end. You need some suspension of disbelief for a time traveling book but the end pushed it a bit for me and I had a ton of logistics-related questions about how things ended. I also would have LOVED an epilogue which I think might have answered some of those questions and wrapped things up a bit.

Overall though, I wanted a light romp and this was a light romp and more. Highly recommend this if you want the feel of a classic rom-com with a time traveling twist.
________________
Pre-Read Thoughts: Attempt #2 at something light-hearted and silly. Just give me a fun romp, I beg of you, universe.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously, if you found yourself if the body of any of Henry VIII's wives, especially the ones you know gets beheaded, would you be flirting? Because, personally, I would make sure I never left Henry's side and didn't talk to any other men. Ever. Unless I was able to board a ship to another continent. Maybe get ahold of some arsenic. Forget the Butterfly effect. I'd rather keep my head.

I absolutely loved that book, even with the rant. Sometimes that happens with a good book, though. You don't have to understand the actions of the MC to love the book (really, wtf?).

Definitely would recommend this book!

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilariously witty, brilliant time traveling plot and instantly addicting... that is how I would describe In my Tudor Era by Kate Bromley!

Lily is an instantly likeable main character full of clever humor, perfectly executed one liners and an empathy for her friends and surroundings, despite being thrown into a historic disaster where she could lose her heart, and her life.

If you love laugh out dialouge, characters that win your over with their charming and quirky personalities, and a plot that keep you guessing, this book is for you!

5 ⭐️s!

Thank you Net Galley for this ARC!

[carolyn.reads.books · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️
2🔥

This was a fun, fairly low angst read. A magical realism romance where the heroine travels back through time & ends up in the 1540's, stuck inside the body of Catherine Howard - King Henry VIII's 5th wife. She ends up in a forbidden romance with one of the king's men & attempts to circumvent the historical events to come leading to Catherine's death.

[Anna (Literaria Luminaria) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted so, so badly to like this. Historical fiction, romance, and time travel are all things I absolutely love, and the concept of a psychology student randomly being sucked back in time to Henry VIII's reign was interesting (because which of us HAVEN'T wondered what went on in that man's mind, or those of the people around him?).

Unfortunately, while I can generally suspend my disbelief (to a certain extent) for the sake of a fun story, I just couldn't get over the modern terminology used not only by the FMC, but even those around her (in the 1500s, mind you). I also think I just didn't like the FMC—as much as I wanted to. As the story progressed, it's like she'd switch from being a psychologist to a try-hard to a horny teenager. There were too many plot holes, too many things that just did not make sense, too many storylines left unfinished, underdeveloped, or forgotten, and I didn't buy the "love" between the main characters (it was more a case of unexplained insta-lust, and their whole relationship seemed to revolve around sex). Idk.

That said, I DID like the premise of the story, some of the side characters (Lady Rochford, Thomas Culpepper, Bessie, the musicians, etc.), and the world-building.

Again, I wish I liked this far more than I did, but I'm grateful to Avon and NetGalley for the review copy.

Website | Bookstagram | BookTok

[Jaclyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately not for me. Lily was very frustrating and made no attempts to blend in. The use of modern language also threw me off.
Thank you NetGalley for the arc

[Sydni McStravick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely adored this book!

If you love historical fiction, all things Tudor, and maybe a splash of Outlander vibes- then this is the book for you!
When a trip to London takes a time altering turn, Lily (or Catherine Howard?) finds herself responsible for changing the course of history. So does she find love along the way or get beheaded? Because those are pretty much your only options in Tudor England.

Thank you Kate Bromley for the advanced readers copy💗

[Sarah | Kerosene.Lit · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was not for me. It was just too unrealistic how Lily composed herself in Tudor England after getting magically transported into the body of Catherine Howard, the future beheaded wife of Henry VIII. I partly loved that Lily refused to play by the rules, trying to improve the lives of the people around her, but hardly anyone questions her. At one point, she even teaches the ladies how to play Flip Cup.

I tend to love magical realism, but I could not suspend my disbelief here. I’m sure the ridiculousness was intentional and meant to feel campy, and maybe I’m just not fun enough to enjoy this type of story. Ha! But the dialogue made it worse. The modern language was constant. Everyone, not just Lily, had a very contemporary presence. Aside from the historical names and major events, nothing about this felt like 1540. And the romance was painfully insta-love.

I probably should have DNF'd, but I honestly kept reading out of pure curiosity. I wanted to know if Lily would get home. Would she change history? Would she save Catherine? And the romance! Coming from different time periods, how would the HEA work? I won’t spoil anything, but I definitely felt like there were some pretty major, unaddressed questions in the end.

(spice level: 4 open-door scenes, explicit details)

[Emily]

Rating: DNF @ 20%

My Thoughts:

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Unfortunately, I ended up DNFing this book. I was genuinely interested in the premise, especially since I’m a big fan of Tudor history, and I thought the idea of Lily being thrown into a world she knew nothing about had a lot of potential. However, I struggled quite a bit with the execution.

I found Lily herself difficult to connect with, and many of her early actions and reactions felt so out of place that it pulled me out of the story. Based on how she behaved in just the first portion of the book, it seemed unlikely that people in the 1500s wouldn’t question her more seriously. The lack of stronger reactions from those around her made the situation feel less believable.

I didn’t expect Lily to speak in historically accurate language, since that would probably be difficult for most people, but I did expect more distinction in how the characters from the 1500s spoke. Instead, much of the dialogue sounded very modern across the board, which weakened the historical atmosphere.

The last issue for me was the heavy use of modern references and trendy pop-culture jokes. Rather than feeling clever, they felt distracting, and they repeatedly broke my immersion in the setting.

Overall, while the concept was appealing, the characters, dialogue, and modern references made it hard for me to stay engaged, and I ultimately decided not to continue. February is just not turning out to be my month.

[stevieeenyxreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC (Available March 31, 2026)!

I really enjoyed this book! Lily is visiting Hampton Court Palace when she mysteriously finds herself transported back in time to the 16th century, and in the body of Catherine Howard, wife of Henry VIII, no less! Will she be able to survive this time traveling adventure, or will she find herself losing her head?

Lily was such a fun character. As someone who majored in psychology in college, I loved that she was psychoanalyzing everyone she met. She’s a very no nonsense kind of girl, and stands up for herself and the friends she makes along the way.

And where do I even start with Simon?! He’s officially one of my new favorite book boyfriends! He’s such a sweet person and I really enjoyed the chemistry he and Lily had. They also had some of my favorite spicy scenes ever written together.

I love historical romances, so I wasn’t sure about the modern dialogue in a historical setting at first, but I came to enjoy it. I think it helps remind you that this is a 21st century woman stuck in the 16th century. It also added a really funny dynamic to the story! In some ways it reminded me of the Kdrama, Mr. Queen, which is one of my favorite shows! I really would love it if a sequel came out because I just love Lily and Simon so much!

[Emmy Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

What’s it like to be caught in the sights of one of history’s worst husbands? Unfortunately for Lily, she’s about to find out. Magically transported into the body of Catherine Howard with no return ticket in sight, Lily must figure out how to survive Tudor England without messing up the timeline—or getting herself (or anyone else) killed. No easy task.
I absolutely loved the female-empowered relationships Lily built at court. As a psychology major, I couldn’t help but chuckle at her attempts to psychoanalyze the Tudor court. Kate Bromley’s writing beautifully humanized several historical figures who’ve long been maligned, putting their choices—or more often, their lack of choice—into clearer perspective.
Well, except Henry. While he may have been mentally unwell, he still made conscious choices… and murdered a lot of people. Sorry dude, no pass for you.
The witty banter and vibrant side characters made this such a delight—I stayed up all night reading. There are also some steamy moments, and the chemistry between Lily and Simon? Chef’s kiss.
In short: if Kate Bromley writes it, I’m reading it.
Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

[Katie Lavoie · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are a vibes reader who loved Six the musical, this could be perfect for you.

It’s fun, a little ridiculous, and completely over the top. When Lily wakes up as Lady Catherine, she has to navigate King Henry VIII’s court, try to not be beheaded, and ideally find her way back to present day. I enjoy Lily using her psychology degree to offer therapy sessions to courtiers. And once I realized I needed to embrace the chaos, I was able to laugh along as the plot unfolded.

I do wish there was more…logic? I found it hating how things weren’t explained and the reader was just supposed to go along with them (e.g., how she goes back in time, how Lily spoke like someone from the 21st century and no one questioned, general historical inaccuracies, etc). I think maybe I’m just a little too literal and left-brained for this one.

Thanks to Kate Bromley, Avon, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[L.H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Other Boleyn Girl, but less tragedy and more girl power. Lily falls back in time into Catherine Howard’s body, but keeps her wits, standards, and education so she is able to psychoanalyze the narcissist that is Henry VIII and his court in order to survive and get herself back home.

The way the problems and people of Hampton Court in the 1540’s are described with a 2020’s vernacular is hilarious. The writing is lighthearted and sharp. I never felt like I was reading someone's attempts at being funny, just actual funny writing. The concept of this book is unique, and I frankly had no idea how we were going to get out of the mess Lily found herself in, but it was sexy and fun and intelligent.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an absolute TRIP! I absolutely loved the comedic and irreverent spin on Tudor history, and the story’s rewriting of the timeline into a fate more deserved than history was kind enough to offer the first time around. It’s insta-love, it’s forbidden romance, it’s trying to avoid execution, it’s psychoanalyzing the narcissistic tendencies of King Henry VIII, it’s female friendships, it’s teaching 15th century ladies in waiting how to play flip cup. The laughs keep on coming, the pace is fast, and the silliness of the premise makes it so much FUN. If you’re someone who reads for vibes, this one will hit the mark. I stayed up until midnight almost finishing the whole book in one sitting! I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be looking forward to reading more from this author!

4.5 Stars ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Erin Mendoza · Rating 4 out of 5]

In My Tudor Era was a fun little romp through English history.
Lily is on a girl's trip visiting London when she somehow slips into the past. Finding herself inhabiting Catherine Howard's body, she tries to girlboss her way to a better ending.

While parts of this are pretty silly, if you like Six The Musical and The Lady Janies books, this just might be your jam!

I've always found Henry VIII and his wives to be interesting, so I enjoyed this historical fantasy.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an early copy for review.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve always loved anything related to the Tudor period and will happily read just about any book featuring one of Henry VIII’s six wives. Since so little is known about Catherine Howard, it was fascinating to imagine what she might have been like. While this book leans heavily on the fiction side of historical fiction, it was well written and thoroughly enjoyable. I’d definitely recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Blair Eacret · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars easy- This book was so fun!

I am a sucker for the history of Tudor England & this book was the freshest retelling I’ve read in a long while. Time traveling done correctly! Easy to follow, no confusing time jumps, & the perfect history rewrite. FMC/MMC chemistry is perfection. This book will be loved by historical fiction & romantic readers!

Thank you NetGalley & the publisher for the eARC!

[Lindsay Billings · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5! Not the best book I’ve ever read, but a super cute and clever idea nonetheless. I really enjoyed the characters and storyline, especially knowing the history of Henry VIII and his wives. And also, Simon 🥹

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun time-travel romantic romp through Tudor England. Enjoyed it immensely. Reminded me in parts of Jude Deveraux's "A Knight in Shinning Armor" that I adored when it was published.

[Megmills43 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, witty time-travel rom com that sends psychology student Lily back to the time of Henry VII. She’s not only back in time, but is now none other than Catherine Howard, 5th wife of the king, and as Lily knows, will be beheaded.
Can Lily change the course of history? Can she use her knowledge of history to re-write the story?
This is such a creative concept. I loved the relationships Lily formed with her ladies in waiting and how she used her psychology background to analyze and provide therapy for everyone!
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy. Publication date March 2026.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is absolutely the most fun I’ve had reading a book all year! The humor had me actually laughing out loud, the romance was swoon-worthy, and the steam was HOT. Also, mental health advocation, improved servant conditions, pre-gaming, after parties, and girl gangs - all together, a helluva ride! Thanks to Avon for the ARC.

[Katherine Gypson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious, history rewriting fun! Thank you Harper Collins for an advance copy of this fast-paced and romantic read!

[Mallory Bates · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely devoured this book. As a history lover and anglophile, I had a blast reading this! It was such a unique premise, and Bromley is such a great writer. I think romcom and historical lovers alike will love this one!

*Thank you Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lily is visiting London when she finds herself in the Haunted Gallery, and suddenly tumbles headfirst into Henry VIII’s England. She realizes she’s inhabiting Catherine Howard’s body and must face the terrifying knowledge that she’s destined to meet the same fate as Anne Boleyn. As Lily struggles to find a way to change her future and return to her own time, she meets Simon, the King’s best man - and everything becomes even more complicated.

I absolutely loved this book! Give me time travel, courtly intrigue, and romance any day of the week. The writing is smooth, the pacing sharp, and I loved how it kept me on my toes from start to finish. The story’s structure and humor reminded me of the My Lady Jane series - a perfect blend of history and modern wit. You can’t help but root for Lily, enjoy the lively ensemble of ladies around her, and even (somehow!) feel a bit sorry for Henry, awful as he was.

I highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys time slips, royal court drama, historical fiction, and a dash of steamy romance.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

[Keisha Persaud · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing I don’t wanna give spoilers but it’s a must read and steamy!!!

[Brittney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, I loved "In My Tudor Era!" Modern-day PhD candidate Lily takes a trip to England with her best friend to recharge after a stressful year. Then, while visiting Hampton Court Palace, Lily inadvertently time-travels back to the 1500s, where she's trapped in the body of King Henry VIII's doomed fifth wife, Catherine Howard. Somehow, Lily must find a way to get back to the 21st century — without losing her head.

In My Tudor Era was sweet, spicy and a lot of fun. Highly recommended for those who enjoy romantic comedies with a strong female lead and historical fiction on the lighter side.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

[Horror Nerd · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book starts out strong, and you keep wondering how our main girl Lily will be able to return back to her time & avoid the fate of the historical Tudor queen whose body she now inhabits. The time travel is not taken too seriously here, and instead Lily's journey is more about building alliances and friendships.
The steamy romance aspect fell short for me, it was purely instalove and I just didn't buy Lily's attraction to Simon (also, she knows she has to leave this time period & yet keeps sabotaging her chances of escape at EVERY possible opportunity). If the author focused more on the comedy aspects & developing the side characters more (like the astrologer Matthias, the troupe of musicians, the maids, etc.), it would make "In My Tudor Era" so much better.

[Emmy Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review: 4.5 Stars
What’s it like to be caught in the sights of one of history’s worst husbands? Unfortunately for Lily, she’s about to find out. Magically transported into the body of Catherine Howard with no return ticket in sight, Lily must figure out how to survive Tudor England without messing up the timeline—or getting herself (or anyone else) killed. No easy task.
I absolutely loved the female-empowered relationships Lily built at court. As a psychology major, I couldn’t help but chuckle at her attempts to psychoanalyze the Tudor court. Kate Bromley’s writing beautifully humanized several historical figures who’ve long been maligned, putting their choices—or more often, their lack of choice—into clearer perspective.
Well, except Henry. While he may have been mentally unwell, he still made conscious choices… and murdered a lot of people. Sorry dude, no pass for you.
The witty banter and vibrant side characters made this such a delight—I stayed up all night reading. There are also some steamy moments, and the chemistry between Lily and Simon? Chef’s kiss.
In short: if Kate Bromley writes it, I’m reading it.
Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

[erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you’ve wished Outlander was set in Tudor England and had the energy of a contemporary rom-com, then wow, do I have the book for you. In My Tudor Era follows Lily, a PhD candidate in psychology who accidentally transports herself back to Hampton Court in the 1540s, except not as herself—as Catherine Howard, Henry VIII’s fifth wife.

This premise doesn't really make sense, but it also doesn’t try to. The dialogue is full of 2020s-specific slang (I don’t think someone from 1541 would say “I can fix him”) but once I accepted the novel is more of a Ren Faire-type fantasy, it’s easier to digest. Though I’m probably a harsher critic than most, as someone with a background in history (specifically around this time period), and I found myself wanting a bit more historical accuracy/details.

I enjoyed the side characters at court and how Lily uses her psychological training to build trust with them. I wanted a bit more from the male love interest (obviously it’s not Henry Tudor), as their relationship felt a bit insta-lovey to me, and I was more interested in the bond between Lily-as-Catherine and her ladies & maids.

2.5/5: A romance that was made in a lab for super fans of the musical Six. Even though I personally struggled a bit with the execution, I am glad this novel exists. We need more unique passion projects, and “what if you were suddenly Catherine Howard and needed to avoid getting executed so you started hosting therapy sessions at court” is hysterical and somewhat genius.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.