He's the son of a duke. She's the daughter of a vicar. Will the power of song bring them together?
Hannah Bell is overwhelmed. Her mother passed away two years ago and her father is constantly busy with his duties as a vicar, leaving her to manage the household and her five younger siblings. Playing the violin is one of her few sources of solace. When two unexpected visitors arrive in the forest, Hannah's life begins to change. Will her music lead her to a brighter future? Will she have the strength to grasp it?
Rupert de Lacy is the only son of the Duke of Arlington and he knows he must never forget it. His father expects him to be the perfect model of stiff, stern propriety, but Rupert's heart is set on fairy tales and long walks in the woods. When he stumbles upon a new friend at the edge of the forest, he feels safe to be himself for the very first time. But will he have the courage to move forward, even against his father's wishes?
Hannah and the Nightingale is a sweet, clean Regency romance inspired by the fairy tale The Nightingale. It is the fourth book in the Regency fairy tale retellings series Once in a Wood. Each book in the series is a stand alone work, and the stories can be enjoyed in any order.
Once in a Wood series--Where fairy tale forests meet Regency romance
Pearl and the Baker - inspired by Hansel & Gretel
Rosalyn and the Wolf - inspired by Little Red Riding Hood
Guinevere and the Three Brothers - inspired by Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Hannah and the Nightingale - inspired by The Nightingale
Ah, just when I so needed a clean, cute little story. My thanks and applause 👏 , goes to Sienna for delivering that yet again! All the little illusions to the fairytale weaved in were perfect as well!
Dear, sweet Hannah and her sweet little family. I felt so for her. I'm glad she realized that sharing burdens lightens them. I also want to listen to all her songs. I was sorely tempted to do so while reading the book 🎶.
Then, I laughed so hard when the little girls dressed up the poor cat 🤣. And Lucy offering to teach Rupert the shaky was adorable. And them all eavesdropping 🤣👏🫶!
Darling, shy, Rupert endeared himself to me. And he's a writer 😍🫠!
And just let me state, I did NOT like Horatia.
Another aspect I really enjoyed was that the focus more dwelt on them being just friends instead of lovers. It made the end so much sweeter.
CW (younger readers only): Akward falling on someone, impulse to kiss, nuzzling a cheek
My Rating/Age Recommendation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 out of 5 stars/ 18+
This was literally the cutest young, first-love romance ever, but it's also so sad 🥲 that this marks the end of this wonderful series. I'm look forward to whatever Sienna decides to write next.
I received a complimentary ARC, but all opinions expressed are my own.
Ahhh! Put this on your list! It’s no surprise that this is adorable—the whole series is full of magic and meaning and characters that are just easy to love. I love Sienna Peake for how effortlessly (it seems) she builds out a character, especially in so short a novella like this. 100 pages and I just love Hannah and Rupert. Such a sweet personality combination and also loved the individually growth they both found as well. So good!
I love the combination of Regency era romance and fairytales.
Hannah is the eldest of the vicar's six children. The vicarage borders the Duke of Arlington's grand estate.
While performing a family concert in the forest near their homes, she meets the Duke's son. Rupert is a reserved young man who prefers reading and writing to socializing.
A friendship turns to deeper feelings between two kindred spirits in this clean retelling.
I enjoyed their growing bond which only strengthened while the young couple had to be apart.
Their declarations towards the end made me smile and the epilogue assured the couple's happiness in years to come.
I received an ARC and share my honest review of this delightful story which has been added to my Keeper shelf.
This was such a sweet retelling of the nightingale and I absolutely loved it. I loved the characters and the plot of the story it was absolutely beautiful and I can’t wait to see what else you have in store for more stories.
I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book, which in no way impacted my review.
This story gave me major Sound of Music/families with ten kids auditioning for America's Got Talent vibes with Hannah's family gathering to create music together. This story is so sweet and might be my favorite of Sienna's so far! I love the gentle friendship between the two main characters that gradually grows into something more. And for once, an author remembers how children speak and isn't putting monologues into the mouths of toddlers. Two year old Lucy may have my favorite line from the book, "You fall down. Ouch!"
An absolutely delightful story about the daughter of a Vicar and the son of a Duke. Hannah finds her greatest happiness playing her violin in the gardens between her home and the Duke's. The Duke's son, Rupert, seeks out the beautiful music he hears coming from the gardens. That's how it all begins.
A young love grows quickly between Hannah and Rupert. Each of them wanting a future that includes the other, but Rupert's father has other plans for him. As he struggles with time away from Hannah and the happiness he feels with her, he realizes what he must do.
There are two elements of this story that I loved.
First, the whimsical feel of Hannah in the gardens playing her violin and the interaction she has with the nightingales. When she plays, they sing their bird tunes right along with her. It almost reminds me of Snow White in a way where she seems to attract the love of nature right to her. Hannah's musical skill is also highly admired by anyone that hears her play.
Secondly, is the confidence and nature of Rupert. While he's the son of a Duke, he has his own whimsical nature. He writes stories, similar to fairytales, that entertain and bewilder Hannah's younger siblings. It's also the way in which he shows his affections for Hannah.
This short novella was endearing and a lovely reminder that happiness is found in simplicity and when we find those small comforts, we should hold them dearly and never let go.
A charming tale! After Hannahs mother died while her father was serving in the military, the responsibility of raising her younger siblings has been a challenge. After the Duke her father served under invites him to be the local vicar they relocate to a new home beside the woods. Seeking a respite to play her violin in a secluded area of the woods a creature flits onto her arm with musical talents of its own. Rupert's stern father, the duke, demands excellence from him with a coldness leaving a suspicion that his father faults him for the childbearing death of his mother. While time together is rare, the current break from school and the dukes return from the military has him trying to avoid his father and his upper-class guests. After discovering a songbird and young musicians performing among the woods, he befriends the family and is taken with the eldest of them. He begins to warm and confide in her sharing his story writing. Though taken with her, the Duke forbids him from visiting and insists he sets his sites elsewhere. Rupert struggles with honoring his father's command and the pull to be with Hannah.
Hannah and the Nightingale Once in a Wood #4 By Sienna Peake
This was a delightful nod to Hans Christian Anderson's The Nightingale. In this Regency retelling we meet Hannah Bell the eldest daughter of the vicar who has a special talent with a violin. Her musical gift charms the Duke of Arlington and his son Rupert. In keeping with the original tale, Hannah is replaced in the Duke's estimation by a young lady of the peerage.
I loved how various aspects from the original were reworked into a new enchanting tale. Hannah is kind and giving often to her own detriment. I loved how Rupert saw Hannah and her true worth even when expectations were on him making a better "social" match.
This is the fourth release in the Once in a Wood series but is able to be read and enjoyed without reading the previous stories as this a standalone story complete in this one volume. This is a feel-good story that, while short, will leave you with a smile and a lighter heart.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations, but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expresses are my own.
It was a first-love kind of story for both Hannah and Rupert, set back in 1811. Of course, first love back then wasn’t the same as how we would imagine it now. Their worlds were completely different, yet they found a way to connect. I liked how their relationship works through letters and small gestures which for me is sweet, clean, and modest.
There’s something charming about Rupert writing little stories just for Hannah, and her reading them aloud to her younger siblings. It gave their bond a sense of innocence and sincerity that fit the time period well.
Because it’s only a short novella of about 100 pages, I felt there could have been more depth added to the plot. The story has a good flow, but I wished for a little more punch—something that would make their journey more impactful and memorable after finishing.
It’s still a nice and heartwarming read which you can finish in a couple of hours.
Thanks to Sienna for the ARC! This review is voluntary and reflects my own thoughts.
I want to start by saying I received an ARC of this book. This is a sweet regency romance book and part of the series Once in a Wood. The main characters are Rupert and Hannah. Hannah is having to take care of her five siblings and the only thing to give her peace is playing the violin. Rupert is expected to be a stern guy but he doesn’t want to be that person. When Hannah is in the forest Rupert comes across Hannah playing. Will this be the start of a great friendship? When they spend more time together and get to know each other better will they become more than friends? Will they get the future they want? I loved Rupert and Hannah. They were so great together. They were so sweet and made the perfect couple. My heart broke for both of them. They were both put into positions they didn’t want. I loved watching them get closer. The side characters were great. I loved the epilogue. I have read all of the books in this series and they did not disappoint. Overall, I really enjoyed this book.
Hannah and the Nightingale is a delightful short sweet read. The book really transports you into whimsical woods in a Regency setting. Hannah herself was just such a caring humble soul. I loved that she was from a large family and the interactions between her and her siblings was really sweet. The way she struggles to quietly do and be everything for everyone is relatable, even while it makes you root for her when the chance for her to find someone to love and be there for her comes along. Rupert was so different than he was expected to be. He was so torn between duty and what truly felt like home and family and with all that pressure I thought it was fun that he had his secret hobby of storytelling. Rupert and Hannah both see the parts of each other so many others miss and I think that’s what made me love their romance so much.
I really enjoyed this regency retelling. I liked the combination of a writer and a musician. The characters in this story were likable and the plot was sweet and romantic.
It was sad that Hannah lost her mom. She has several young siblings that she is helping care for and she is often overwhelmed with all of the duties, but she doesn't want to complain. She is a very generous character with a big heart.I love her interactions with her father and her siblings.
The MMC (Rupert) is also very sweet. He is more reserved and creative. He feels like his father doesn't appreciate this and they don't always see eye to eye. There are so many sweet interactions with Rupert and Hannah, as well as her siblings. He also writes them stories, how adorable is there?
This novella is great for a short, quick comfort read. It would be a good palette cleanser between heavier/longer books or a great read when waiting for an appointment!
I look forward to reading more stories from this author.
I received an ARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Always a pleasure ARC reading for the talented Sienna Peake! She once again managed to capture so much beauty and emotion in such a cute cozy read! I enjoyed all the details and “Easter eggs” in this book! -Fav character: Rupert -Fav quotes: -“You do so much, and you do so well, but—but, I hope you know it is alright to rest. It is alright to need a bit of help.” -“You can do this. Our music will be better with you.“ -“Then again, I never noticed anything unusual until you arrived. Perhaps is you who brought the magic here.“-“I think we made this magic together” -Fav scenes: Music for the nightingale. Epilogue. IYKYK
This was a very sweet and quick read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This is a delightful, sweet, cosy romance set in Regency era England. A loose retelling of the fairy tale 'The Nightingale', it subtly weaves elements from the original story into the narrative while retaining its own charming voice. The romance is gentle, sweet and clean making the book suitable for readers of all ages. Although only a short novella, it manages to capture the feel of the era and give a good portrayal of the characters while keeping the plot moving at a good pace. Overall, a great comforting read for when you only have 1-2 hours if reading time to fill.
I received an ARC and voluntarily leave an honest review.
Hannah and the Nightingale is a clean regency romance based on the fairytale The Nightingale. I was not familiar with The Nightingale, so I enjoyed getting to know about the fairytale through this book. I liked how the fairytale didn’t have romance, so this book took a fun twist with turning the tale into a romance. The two main characters felt flushed out leading to the romance feeling real. The children in this book act like children, which I loved the most about this book. I hate when writers write children as if they are adults. This is a short book, but it is filled with plenty of romance that you won’t think this book is short.
Sienna Peake has done it again! I am consistently impressed by her ability to craft such captivating stories, particularly her Victorian-era clean romance novels and her imaginative fairy tale retellings, which are executed with such skill and charm. The way she weaves together the interactions between the characters and builds the overall narrative is truly remarkable. I found myself completely immersed in the world she created, and the characters felt so authentic and relatable, drawing me in with their compelling personalities and genuine emotions. I am already eagerly anticipating her next release and the opportunity to lose myself in her enchanting storytelling once more.
This novella is a clean romance between Hannah and Rupert, both from two very different social classes. I enjoyed Hannah’s musical family and the love they had for each other. Rupert was a dear young man who knew Hannah was his perfect match. I’m glad he had the fortitude to stand up to his father and fight for her.
I’m not sure if I needed to be familiar with the fairytale that this is based upon, but I didn’t really feel a connection with this story. 3.5/5 stars
I received a gifted copy of the book with no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Sweet fairytale retelling with Regency charm and wonderful characters
Young Rupert and Hannah with their first love are sure to delight you as you dive into the novella. Although the fourth book in the series it can be read as a stand alone. The familiar fairytale will have its appearance but the sweet, clean romance and Regency atmosphere will also have its mark. The plot is simple but well-developed, and an engaging style makes it easy to read.
I had a privilege to read an advanced copy and absolutely loved it! All opinions expressed are my own.
This is a sweet regency romance retelling of the fairytale The Nightingale.
Although I am not familiar with the original tale, this was an enjoyable retelling with likable characters, sweet family relationships, a love of music, and a joyful bird!
Definitely check this story out if you enjoy fairytale retellings!
Thank you to Sienna Peake for including me on her ARC team! I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
This was such a sweet story!! I loved the Nightingale in this story! They aren't in it much, but the way they represent is such a beautiful thing! This story is about Rupert and Hannah and they love story. It was sad and tragic at times, because of their backstory, but the rest was such a great tell. It is a short read, so I was able to read it fast but still loved it all the same!!! I loved this series so much!
Is a sweet short story, the two protagonists have such a charming way to bond with each other, Hannah with her music and Rupert with his writting, that makes them have a friendship that slowly evolves into something else.
Is really refreshing to read a history that doesn't need to be complicated or tragic to be captivating and charming
As a plus all the kids in the history aslo have such a sweet and joyfull personality, specially Lucy 💖
HANNAH AND THE NIGHTINGALE is a charming retelling of The Nightingale by Hans Christian Anderson.
Hannah is hyper-responsible, musically gifted, and the daughter of a vicar. Rupert is the heir of a noble father, has been away at school, and hasn't faced responsibility.
I loved seeing how these two changed and their relationship developed. It was also fantastic to see how the father opposed their romance.
Readers of historical and fairy tale retellings will love this romance!
Sienna once again knocks it out of the park with the sweet story of Hannah and Rupert. I adore this series, and this particular installment with all of the musical references is sure to be a favorite for any family with budding musicians.
Such a sweet story! Young main couple adds extra cuteness and hope to the romance, very happy with all the characters and how true to family challenges the book is! A sweet novella rich in music and relationships and love :)