The Lovers: An emotional and gripping historical page-turner

by Irina Shapiro

Their love was forbidden. But some passions echo through eternity.

London, 1664. Seventeen-year-old Elise de Lesseps wakes on the morning of her wedding, knowing her life is over. Sold into marriage to settle her father’s gaming debts, she’s bound to Lord Edward Asher—a man old enough to be her father and who harbors a twisted secret that will shatter her innocence forever. But when Elise meets James, Edward’s illegitimate son, her life is transformed by something neither of them a love so powerful, it will cost them everything…

Present day. Archaeologist Quinn Allenby has a the ability to see into the past through touch. When she places her hands on a sapphire brooch found within an eerie 17th-century chest, she’s plunged into a world of forbidden passion and deadly betrayal. But as Quinn delves deeper into the visions, her own life spirals into chaos as she realizes she’s not just witnessing a love story, but a terrible crime she cannot let rest.

Separated by centuries, the two women are bound together by a haunting secret and an incredible gift. While Elise faces impossible choices between duty and desire, Quinn risks everything to uncover a truth that someone tried to bury forever…

A breathtaking story of family secrets, sacrifice and shocking betrayals, perfect for fans of Diana Gabaldon, Susanna Kearsley and Barbara Erskine.

“Hooked me from the prologue. I seriously couldn’t stop reading. I stayed up through the night and into the next morning to find out what happened… Can’t wait to read the whole series!” Reader review, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Captivating… unputdownable… I completed it in one day. If you enjoy romantic suspense and historical genre, this combo is definitely for you!” Reader review, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Gut-wrenching and spellbinding simultaneously. I enjoyed the seamless storylines with the modern-day events and 17th century love story. I literally could not put this one down!” Reader review, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“From the very first page, I was drawn in and could not put this one down.
Would I spend my hard-earned cash on this book? Yes.
Would I recommend to friends & family? Yes!
Will I search out the next one? You bet, I’m addicted now.
Is this a Kindle Keeper (delete on pain of death)? Definitely.” Reader review, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“I loved this book so much that it was hard for me to put down and go to bed some nights. The characters came alive and jumped off the pages. I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next.” Reader review, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“A captivating story… The characters felt real, and you were wanting the best for them… a book that will keep you up at night, reasoning ‘just one more chapter’… My only complaint is that the book had to end.

456 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 8, 2025

About the author

To write a novel was a dream of mine since I was a child. Life, my practical nature, and self-doubt got in the way, so it was decades later that an opportunity to write finally presented itself. I honestly didn't think I had what it takes to write a full-length novel, but once I faced the blank screen and my fingers touched the keyboard, everything disappeared except my characters and their surroundings, and suddenly I knew that this was what I was born to do.

Since then, I've written many books and have enjoyed some positive reviews, but sometimes, when I stop to reflect, I'm still amazed that I'm living my dream.

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https://www.bookbub.com/authors/irina...

Reviews

[Elizabeth Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. For a novel with such a title and such a romantic cover, there is very little romance here. The 1600s lovers seem to fall in love off the page and we're just told it's happened when there was so much opportunity for drama. In the 21st century, our supposed hero acts entitled to the heroine's love and doubts her mother's account of a group date rape. Intriguing opening mystery and I liked the happy twist at the end but ultimately not to my taste.

[Miss S · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mixed Feelings

I feel confused about this book, as usually I like this Author’s work, but this was too frustrating for me.
As is usually the case with dual timelines, the story from the past was far more engaging than the modern-day one. I HATED the modern story. Quinn was pretty unlikeable and treated her adopted mother appallingly, despite the trauma she’d been through when Quinn was conceived. Gabe and Rhys were awful.
I don’t know what the author was thinking, but this book appears to make excuses for date-rape, and at one point I had to put it down out of pure anger. I won’t be continuing with the series, simply because I cannot bear Quinn’s apathy towards the disgusting men in her life.

If this book had focused more on the past, I may have given an extra star. But it’s hard to care and root for characters when the synopsis effectively contains a spoiler. It just left me feel bleak.

[Evelea J. Heer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

Characters are well developed, story is plausible. Writing easyto follow. I read another series by author and will continue to read whatever she has written.

[Christina m hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Really enjoyed this book. I love 2 stories going on at the same time. I give it 5 stars but my tablet won't take them. Enjoy!!!