Wanted: Brooding Man, Tragic Past

by Lidiya Foxglove

Una has one to fall in love with a tall, dark, and handsome man worthy of her favorite gothic novels. With the war over, men are in short supply, but a mysterious limp, a haunted gaze, and a tragic back story are pluses in her book, so the perfect husband must exist.

Then why does she keep thinking so much about Varrie Lumanar, once the best employee at Beldar’s Books? With his overenthusiastic smile, bright yellow scarf, and cheerful demeanor, he’s an insult to brooding manhood.

He also went off to fight—gifting her a perfect book before his departure--and never came home.

When the Keeper of the Dead comes to town, using his magic to report on the missing soldiers, Una learns that Varrie is alive. Shouldn’t someone go look for him? Must that someone be her? Apparently it must.

But the mission to save Varrie also leads her to take a hard look at herself—the writerly ambitions she abandoned, the friendships she would never sacrifice for romance, and that maybe an overenthusiastic smile is worth more than a tragic past.

This novel takes place in my Hidden Lands world, and has cozy-goth gaslamp vibes with a touch of Northanger Abbey homage. There is some battlefield injury but otherwise it’s pretty much just a cozy read all the way through with a sweet romance and friendship.

Genres: Fantasy

307 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 22, 2025

About the author

Lidiya Foxglove grew up on a steady diet of fairy tales, folklore and fantasy and also reads way too much manga. Fantasy romance is her favorite thing in the world, but she likes it steamy. She also loves cats and tea--it's cliche for a reason!

Reviews

[Lola · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy from the author and voluntarily reviewed it.

I've really enjoyed the Hidden Lands books Lidiya Foxglove has written so far and I was so excited for another one. There's just something about these books that really works for me and these are exactly the type of books I love reading. I started this one right after I received it and it was the perfect book for my reading mood and a stressful week I went through.

Wanted: Brooding Man, Tragic Past follows the point of view of Una and Varrie both of whom were introduced in Doll Girl meets Dead Guy. You can probably read this one as a standalone, but I am glad I read that first. It was fun to see Sorla and Dorr again and see how they're doing now as well as already know more about the world in general and the Ven-Diri district specifically.

Wanted: Brooding Man, Tragic Past is a cozy fantasy romance story about Una and Varrie. Una is an avid reader who is hoping for a brooding man with a tragic past to sweep her off her feet. Instead she finds herself compelled to search for Varrie who didn't get back from the war and when she finds out he's still alive she goes to look for him. I thought it was interesting how these two spend quite a big part of the start of the book apart. I liked getting to know them individually and see how they thought about the other before they meet again.

I liked these two together, it was so fun to see them figure things out and how to move forward. Varrie knows already that he likes Una, but isn't sure how to let her know. He knows he isn't the type of man she reads about in books, but now the war has changed him and he wants to let her know how she feels. While Una always dismissed Varrie as being annoying, silly and not her type, but then she realized that maybe she doesn't want a brooding man after all, but it is Varrie she wants.

I liked seeing these two figure things out. And along the way they have plenty of other things to focus on. I liked the plot line with the movie theater. I also liked seeing Una interact with her friends and how they are all there for her. I also liked Tarran and then halfway through I suddenly realized he is Mr Ker, a side character from The Potion Dealers, which is so fun as that book gives a glimpse of his past. And I liked seeing his romance play out as well. I liked how supportive everyone is and how they all band together to help with this movie theater.

I really liked reading about all these characters. I liked Una's personality, the way she always said what was on her mind and her slightly chaotic energy and how her passion for things really shone through. Then there was Varrie who is way too cheerful and silly for a typical Ven-Diri, which was so fun to read about. He's such a sweet character and I really liked reading about him and Una. I also found Tarran such an interesting character, he has done things he isn't proud of, but I liked how he changed and seeing what he did now and how he helped his friends. He acts kinda mean and grumpy at times, but it's obvious he cares. And his dynamic and friendship with Varrie was so fun to read about, these two really help each other out and are there for eahc other and I really liked reading about their friendship.

I also liked hearing about all the books that Una and Varrie read and the way those were part of the plot. It was so fun to read about all these made up books and the way those stories shaped their lives. This book also made me laugh out loud multiple times and I think it's quite humorous. I don't often find books funny, but this one I thought could be quite funny and I had so much fun reading it.

I just love this world that Lidiya Foxglove has created, I like how each book adds more to the world building. And I just love how each book expands the world. I really liked reading these books and spending time in this world and the world feels so real and alive. This is the type of world building I really love and it's rare to find a book or series that handles it so well. In this world there's more of the Ven-Diri and I especially liked learning more about the religion, as both Una and Varrie are quite religious and it was quite fun to see how their religion worked. I also liked seeing how this story fits in the larger plot arc and world and the way it ties in with other books like Doll Girl Meets Dead Guy and even The Potion Dealers.

To summarize: I had such a great time reading this book. I really liked reading about Una and Varrie and seeing them figure out they loved eahc other and be there for the other. I liked how supportive of each other they are and I liked how they talk about all these books they both read. I also liked all the side characters who have their own personalities and lives going on. I liked seeing this group all come together to work on the movie theater and it was fun to see that all play out. This book also was quite funny at times and made me laugh out loud a few times, it was just such a fun and cozy book to read. I really love this world and it's such a joy to read these books. I like seeing the world get expanded on with each book and I liked how this book added more about the religion of the Ven-Diri people. I also appreciated the tie ins with Doll Girl Meets Dead Guy as Sorla and Dorr make some appearances here and Mr. Ker from this book is in The Potion Dealers again, which made me excited when I figured out I already read about him there. I can't recommend these books enough and I can't wait for more books set in this world.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this story - despite my preference for books that are not fade to black! I was so caught up in this exciting, witty story that I had to force myself to put it down to get some sleep! Wanted: Brooding Man, Tragic Past is a delightful, cozy read that is sweet, tender and romantic (and full of humour!) though it also deals with some serious subjects.

Our MMC, Varrie has been quietly in love with Una forever, but as an old classmate and rival, he is invisible to her as a romantic partner. Una is clever and chaotic - and holding out for a mysterious, dashing man to fall in love with. However, when Varrie fails to make his way home after the war, she finds herself pressured into volunteering to search for him, and in the process, discovers he has come to mean so much more to her.

This was such a beautiful, thoughtful story about perseverance, acceptance and love, that I’m already planning a reread. Don’t miss this one!

I received a copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Austin Petrini · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy from the author and voluntarily reviewed it.

The Hidden Lands are back and this time we're following Una and Varrie's love story, which was fantastic!

Varrie has always been too wonderful for his parents, rejecting their pushes to go into the mining industry as well as their wealth. He's much more suited to work in a bookstore where he gets to recommend the best books to all his customers.

That is, until he's deployed into the war, gifting Una with a book he just knows she'll love as an avid reader of gothic romance.

Una doesn't like Varrie and she insists everyone should know how much of a silly puppy he is. It's a welcome break from his colorful personality when she gets to work at the bookstore in his place, the only job she's really wanted.

But the dust must settle, which happens when Una finds out how horrible Varrie's parents are. They don't care at all for his safety and have no intentions of finding his body, dead or alive.
This, along with a push from Mr. Beldar of Beldar's Books causes Una to seek out if Varrie is alive before looking for him.

Varrie is different, only reasonable considering he's now fought in a war and has been living in the swamp for months. He's more confident of himself and Una can't help but admire how much of an out doors man he's become, or even how much of a man he's become in general.

What follows is an amazing romance with one of my favorite romantic heroes I've found yet! Varrie is charming, dedicated, supportive, persistent, and he's kind.

At the beginning of this book, I found Una unlikeable and couldn't believe her distaste for Varrie, but by the end of this book, I adore her and I'm thrilled for the ending they both had.

[ScottishBookLass · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is like a chai spiced mochachino at the first turn of fall.

Following Una and Varrie as they stumble onto the fact they've been madly in love with each other despite convincing themselves of the contrary, this book is a hugely cosy fantasy filled with relatable, fun world building (but not too heavy for a light read- like the religious tradition of shrouding to be closer to the gods and the later hilarity that ensures 😂perfect.), a sprinkling of mild spice, and characters that run the full gamut of reader emotions.

I absolutely adored the relationship between Varrie and Una not only when they were together, but when they were apart. The lead up is such a treat where I was screaming GIRL, OF COURSE YOU LIKE HIM WE'RE IN A SWAMP RN C'MON, NOW

Each of the secondary characters felt very grounded and individual - Tarran was a particularly favourite. He doesn't give a fig (but he does, really...big softie) and the banter was perfectly done to give that lived in friendship feel throughout the group.

Prose wise, this author has really set a standard for me. Scenes are described beautifully, but not too much. We know exactly how each character is feeling, but we're not beaten over the head with it and so many of the moments have stayed with me after the last page. The prose is heartfelt, the pacing is excellent, the setting is lush and dimensional, and the comedy is top tier.

My only criticism is that I would have liked to have seen more of Varrie's heinous family, but hey, maybe something for a future book 😁

All in all, a perfect autumnal read. ✨🍁

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Thanks to the author for providing a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[❉spore loser❉ · Rating 4 out of 5]

✴︎ I’ve read three books set in Lidiya Foxglove’s Hidden Lands universe now (Previously Doll Girl Meets Dead Guy and The Potion Dealers) and it’s one of my favorites to spend time in, thanks to the world-building, characterizations, and humor.

The first part of the book is about the bookworm mains growing and finding themselves while they’re miles apart, and the second part is about them coming together as a couple while their friend group fulfills a community project. If you like cozy fantasy books where people follow their dreams, then this one might be for you.

[grubbz · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful read. I normally am into things that move a little faster, but this book was just charming! Lidiya does a fantastic job luring you in from an early page and you have no choice but to grab tea and sit down and curl up for something cozy -- which is exactly what I did.

The characters were sweet, ambitious, and everything was explained in a way that even as someone that doesn't know the world was able to digest it very easily. Overall it was a quick read and quite a delight!

[Julie-Ann Amos · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this and was so pleased to find it. I read "The Vampire's Doll" and other books by this author years ago and always hoped for more about the "dolls". I wasn't disappointed.

Cozy fantasy, the pacing was right for me, and I do like it when the actual spice is absent (sorry, but it's my taste) but you know it's going on.

Please write more in this world - crossing fingers there are many more too come.