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The Temptation of Charlotte North
When a sinister spirit invades an isolated community, three lives will be forever altered, in this dark gothic fantasy from “one of the most consistent and insightful authors of psychological thrillers writing today” (CrimeReads).
“Richly atmospheric and peopled with exquisitely delineated characters . . . the novel builds to a genuine shocker of an ending. Readers will be hooked.”—Publishers Weekly
A rebellious young woman desperate to escape her predetermined life.
The handsome but married priest who has caught her eye.
And the resolute schoolteacher who values science above all.
In 1910, on a small, remote island that boasts more sheep than people, the fates of Charlotte North, Jasper Hill, and Ruth Russel are perched on the edge of a cliff, and a strange wind is blowing. . . .
When an ancient tower—rumored to have once imprisoned a witch—crumbles, it releases something a restless spirit that knocks inside the walls and sends household objects flying. A spirit that seems to be drawn to Charlotte, who sees in it a potential for power and change.
But first she must overcome Jasper’s piety and Ruth’s fierce determination to banish the terrifying entity. Only then will she gain the power to claim the life that she desires.
“Richly atmospheric and peopled with exquisitely delineated characters . . . the novel builds to a genuine shocker of an ending. Readers will be hooked.”—Publishers Weekly
A rebellious young woman desperate to escape her predetermined life.
The handsome but married priest who has caught her eye.
And the resolute schoolteacher who values science above all.
In 1910, on a small, remote island that boasts more sheep than people, the fates of Charlotte North, Jasper Hill, and Ruth Russel are perched on the edge of a cliff, and a strange wind is blowing. . . .
When an ancient tower—rumored to have once imprisoned a witch—crumbles, it releases something a restless spirit that knocks inside the walls and sends household objects flying. A spirit that seems to be drawn to Charlotte, who sees in it a potential for power and change.
But first she must overcome Jasper’s piety and Ruth’s fierce determination to banish the terrifying entity. Only then will she gain the power to claim the life that she desires.
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First published May 19, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
June 3, 2026
2026 RE-READ: sooooo gooood! 🖤🥀
•••••••••••
Thanks so much to Del Rey and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy of The Temptation of Charlotte North by Camilla Bruce, to be published on May 19th, 2026. What a ride! OMG! This story is astounding. It is a paranormal horror book where you get absorbed by the captivating atmosphere from page one. The setting is gloomy and eerie, in a small coastal town with its myths and history. The author does an incredible job submerging the reader in the setting and also in the plot. It's such an extraordinary book. There's so much mystery and intrigue surrounding the characters that you get bewitched by the narrative with its gothic vibes and demonic lure. I would love to read a sequel! Just amazing!
•••••••••••
Thanks so much to Del Rey and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy of The Temptation of Charlotte North by Camilla Bruce, to be published on May 19th, 2026. What a ride! OMG! This story is astounding. It is a paranormal horror book where you get absorbed by the captivating atmosphere from page one. The setting is gloomy and eerie, in a small coastal town with its myths and history. The author does an incredible job submerging the reader in the setting and also in the plot. It's such an extraordinary book. There's so much mystery and intrigue surrounding the characters that you get bewitched by the narrative with its gothic vibes and demonic lure. I would love to read a sequel! Just amazing!
November 24, 2025
Thanks so much to Del Rey and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy of The Temptation of Charlotte North by Camilla Bruce, to be published on May 19th, 2026. What a ride! OMG! This story is astounding. It is a paranormal horror book where you get absorbed by the captivating atmosphere from page one. The setting is gloomy and eerie, in a small coastal town with its myths and history. The author does an incredible job submerging the reader in the setting and also in the plot. It's such an extraordinary book. There's so much mystery and intrigue surrounding the characters that you get bewitched by the narrative with its gothic vibes and demonic lure. I would love to read a sequel! Just amazing! 🤩👻💀
November 4, 2025
The Temptation of Charlotte North started out strong.
Margaret’s Keep, a small fishing island with superstitious residents and an old tower rumored to have held a mysterious woman captive, is the perfect setting to the story. Coupled with Charlotte’s forbidden and sinful infatuation with the local priest, and her abusive mother, you have a recipe for a fantastic, gothic horror book.
Unfortunately I didn’t feel that enough was accomplished in the book to live up the expectations its premise set. There were three POV’s and a lot of dialogue speculating about what was happening, but very little was actually happening until we reached the last 30%. The consistent, speculative dialogue became a bit tedious and took away from the suspense of the plot.
I believe in supporting women’s wrongs, and I was all for Charlotte and her lustful aspirations, but she did become a fairly unlikable character towards the end of the book and it was hard to root for her.
The setting really carried this book for me, as well as the lore of Margaret’s Tower. The ending was left open-ended and ambiguous, leading me to believe there may be another book. If there is, I’m undecided on whether or not I’ll pick it up.
Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
Margaret’s Keep, a small fishing island with superstitious residents and an old tower rumored to have held a mysterious woman captive, is the perfect setting to the story. Coupled with Charlotte’s forbidden and sinful infatuation with the local priest, and her abusive mother, you have a recipe for a fantastic, gothic horror book.
Unfortunately I didn’t feel that enough was accomplished in the book to live up the expectations its premise set. There were three POV’s and a lot of dialogue speculating about what was happening, but very little was actually happening until we reached the last 30%. The consistent, speculative dialogue became a bit tedious and took away from the suspense of the plot.
I believe in supporting women’s wrongs, and I was all for Charlotte and her lustful aspirations, but she did become a fairly unlikable character towards the end of the book and it was hard to root for her.
The setting really carried this book for me, as well as the lore of Margaret’s Tower. The ending was left open-ended and ambiguous, leading me to believe there may be another book. If there is, I’m undecided on whether or not I’ll pick it up.
Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
September 22, 2025
Thank you so much, NetGalley, for the copy of this book. Unfortunately, I was only able to get 50 pages in before DNF'ing.
Here are my thoughts:
- Very choppy writing (do they have a publisher??)
- It seemed to be unnecessarily descriptive writing, but also jumped all over the place. You went from Charlotte in her cage to drinking tea with a married man that she wanted to get with
- Many sentences started with "but" that could have just been a continuation of the sentence before
- There were SO MANY italicized words. like one in a paragraph. I'm generally not that nitpicky about grammar and writing, but it was so distracting, I couldn't continue. Also a lot of - in the writing as well
- Weird phrases that also caught my attention were when she called herself a "smaller being" and comparing potatoes in her soup to "pale, naked newborns"
After going through and reading the synopsis, I was disappointed that I couldn't get through this book because I loved that idea, but I couldn't get over all of the other things to even see if the premise was creepy or not.
Here are my thoughts:
- Very choppy writing (do they have a publisher??)
- It seemed to be unnecessarily descriptive writing, but also jumped all over the place. You went from Charlotte in her cage to drinking tea with a married man that she wanted to get with
- Many sentences started with "but" that could have just been a continuation of the sentence before
- There were SO MANY italicized words. like one in a paragraph. I'm generally not that nitpicky about grammar and writing, but it was so distracting, I couldn't continue. Also a lot of - in the writing as well
- Weird phrases that also caught my attention were when she called herself a "smaller being" and comparing potatoes in her soup to "pale, naked newborns"
After going through and reading the synopsis, I was disappointed that I couldn't get through this book because I loved that idea, but I couldn't get over all of the other things to even see if the premise was creepy or not.
March 4, 2026
This was a book of horrors in Camilla Bruce's name. Charlotte North was invincible at giving people what they deserved in her mind. Ruth is drawn in to the triangle of the Hills and Charlotte. Charlotte is a 18 year old person in love with the Reverend Hill. She is kept away from Hill when her mother locks the door to the shed with Charlotte inside. What happens is that a tower on the island vanishes in an instant when there's a huge round of earth quakes and Charlotte escapes from the shed to look at the building of the tower that is left. What happens is that a knocker develops and Charlotte gets what she wants. Mr. West comes to look for defects in the soil and gets attacked by the knocker. Several other things happen and then Mr. West moves in with Ruth who is the teacher. They then make a couple to find out that the knocker is a bad killing machine and ends up killing Mrs. Hill. You can guess what happens from there but you may be surprised. Its a very good read.
I read it a second time and I was ensnared in it as I was the first time.
I read it a second time and I was ensnared in it as I was the first time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2025
Thank you to Net Galley, Del Rey, Random House Worlds and Inklore for this ARC of The Temptation of Charlotte North. A haunting tale of a woman’s desire for more.
I thoroughly enjoyed this gothic story and its lush descriptions. Camilla Bruce did a fantastic job of transporting me to the wind swept island and setting me front and center for this spooky tale. This book will have you second guessing any bumps in the night!
I thoroughly enjoyed this gothic story and its lush descriptions. Camilla Bruce did a fantastic job of transporting me to the wind swept island and setting me front and center for this spooky tale. This book will have you second guessing any bumps in the night!
May 30, 2026
Reading this book was like watching an indie horror movie where nothing scary really happens for most of its runtime, no jump scares even for the thrill of it and everybody in it just having monologue or talking with each other under deceitful calm and sinister atmosphere. Yes it reminded me a little of Mike Flanagan's Midnight Mass particularly because of the isolated island setting and its little peaceful community with their superstitious inclination especially about a certain abandoned old tower. One day due to an earthquake that tower collapses and as a consequence an entity get loose among them and latch itself to a rebellious 17 year old Charlotte. It's not long until they struck an alliance because of their mutual need of each other and wreak havoc on the island.
Pros : i loved the (very) moody and atmospheric gloomy setting, and the multiple POVs get the benefit of its 450 pages for their characters development.
Cons : i can't see the gothic angle though unless it is only to interpret traditional gothic themes through a feminist lens about female entrapment? Or the possibility of . Must every historical horror novels published these days be labeled as gothic though? *smh
Pros : i loved the (very) moody and atmospheric gloomy setting, and the multiple POVs get the benefit of its 450 pages for their characters development.
Cons : i can't see the gothic angle though unless it is only to interpret traditional gothic themes through a feminist lens about female entrapment? Or the possibility of . Must every historical horror novels published these days be labeled as gothic though? *smh
November 4, 2025
2 🌟
First off, thank you, Netgalley and Del Rey, for publishing for the ARC!
Secondly, I'm so sorry for the rating! I wanted to like this book so badly. But overall, it left me pretty disappointed.
The writing was okay, but a bit choppy. I couldn't relate to the characters at all and felt like they were flat overall. I didn't understand why there needed to be multiple POV's. This story could have been a lot stronger with just Charlotte's POV, to be honest.
I liked the horror theme and the elements that were present. That was the only thing that kept me going. I wanted to see if the plot was going to be interesting. It was not, to be honest. I just didn't understand the point of the story...
I was seriously considering to dnf my first book ever.
First off, thank you, Netgalley and Del Rey, for publishing for the ARC!
Secondly, I'm so sorry for the rating! I wanted to like this book so badly. But overall, it left me pretty disappointed.
The writing was okay, but a bit choppy. I couldn't relate to the characters at all and felt like they were flat overall. I didn't understand why there needed to be multiple POV's. This story could have been a lot stronger with just Charlotte's POV, to be honest.
I liked the horror theme and the elements that were present. That was the only thing that kept me going. I wanted to see if the plot was going to be interesting. It was not, to be honest. I just didn't understand the point of the story...
I was seriously considering to dnf my first book ever.
Want to Read
October 13, 2025Sinister spirit, rebellious young woman, a priest and a witch—this gothic fantasy sounds like a good cocktail.
Thanks to NetGalley, Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore and the author, Camilla Bruce for sending me this eARC!
Publication date: May 19, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley, Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore and the author, Camilla Bruce for sending me this eARC!
Publication date: May 19, 2026
November 13, 2025
A huge thanks to NetGalley and author Camilla Bruce for providing me with an advance copy of The Temptation of Charlotte North.
This novel is a haunting and intricately layered tale that masterfully blends gothic atmosphere with elements of the paranormal and psychological horror. The writing is deeply immersive, drawing the reader into a world that feels both eerie and mesmerizing. The setting — a gloomy, desolate island — is described so vividly that it almost becomes a character of its own.
With three pov's, the story unfolds with striking emotional depth. I particularly appreciated how each point of view revealed a different angle of the mystery, adding nuance and weight to the overall narrative. Charlotte’s forbidden infatuation with the island’s priest, Ruth’s story and determination to resolve the mistery, and Jasper’s internal conflict all intertwine to create a dark, thought-provoking exploration of desire, guilt, and repression.
While the story occasionally lingers too long on dialogue and introspection — at times slowing the pace — it never loses its tension or emotional gravity. The prose remains elegant and evocative, and the atmosphere alone is enough to keep readers enthralled until the final page.
A truly captivating read for anyone drawn to gothic fiction layered with moral ambiguity and haunting beauty.
This novel is a haunting and intricately layered tale that masterfully blends gothic atmosphere with elements of the paranormal and psychological horror. The writing is deeply immersive, drawing the reader into a world that feels both eerie and mesmerizing. The setting — a gloomy, desolate island — is described so vividly that it almost becomes a character of its own.
With three pov's, the story unfolds with striking emotional depth. I particularly appreciated how each point of view revealed a different angle of the mystery, adding nuance and weight to the overall narrative. Charlotte’s forbidden infatuation with the island’s priest, Ruth’s story and determination to resolve the mistery, and Jasper’s internal conflict all intertwine to create a dark, thought-provoking exploration of desire, guilt, and repression.
While the story occasionally lingers too long on dialogue and introspection — at times slowing the pace — it never loses its tension or emotional gravity. The prose remains elegant and evocative, and the atmosphere alone is enough to keep readers enthralled until the final page.
A truly captivating read for anyone drawn to gothic fiction layered with moral ambiguity and haunting beauty.
May 26, 2026
1910, a small island community Charlotte North lives with her family. An ancient tower which is rumoured to have housed a witch collapses as a result of an earthquake. Then strange things start to happen all centred around Charlotte.
Camillia Bruce is a hit or miss author for me. I either love her books such as All The Blood we Share or don't enjoy them at all such as this one.
This book should have had everything I normally enjoy. A small community, superstitions, folklore and a haunting. For the most part i did enjoy a big chunk of the book but found myself after that getting very bored. The plot is slow with not a lot happening then it picks up and then goes back to being slow.
The story is told from three povs, Charlotte, Jasper the reverend and Ruth the schoolteacher. I think out the three Ruth was my favourite as she seemed more fleshed out than the others.
This book could have been so much more but I think the slow plot let it down. I will always read books by the author in the future.
Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for a copy of the book to review.
Camillia Bruce is a hit or miss author for me. I either love her books such as All The Blood we Share or don't enjoy them at all such as this one.
This book should have had everything I normally enjoy. A small community, superstitions, folklore and a haunting. For the most part i did enjoy a big chunk of the book but found myself after that getting very bored. The plot is slow with not a lot happening then it picks up and then goes back to being slow.
The story is told from three povs, Charlotte, Jasper the reverend and Ruth the schoolteacher. I think out the three Ruth was my favourite as she seemed more fleshed out than the others.
This book could have been so much more but I think the slow plot let it down. I will always read books by the author in the future.
Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for a copy of the book to review.
Want to Read
September 22, 2025Should I read it ?Is it worth or the cover is just niccceee !!!
April 3, 2026
➸ 3.75★
Huge thanks go out to NetGalley and Camilla Bruce for letting me read this wonderful eARC!
The Temptation of Charlotte North is a gothic historical horror novel, following our titular MC Charlotte. Living on a small, remote island with her three sisters, her strict father and abusive mother, life doesn't seem all too promising for our rebellious protagonist. The residents of Margaret's Keep are inherently superstitious and pious people. Subsequently, her mother often locks Charlotte into the shed as a form of disciplinary punishment. At the start of the story, Charlotte is sent to said shed because of her obvious infatuation with the married Reverend Hill. One day, while again confined in the small shack, an earthquake destroys the ancient tower, and Charlotte escapes her enclosure to explore the remains of Margaret's Keep. That's pretty much all you need to know before you start this excellent novel.
The story is told in three perspectives: 1. Charlotte, 2. Ruth Russel, the unmarried and science-driven schoolteacher and 3. Jasper Hill, the reverend. My personal favourite POV was Miss Russel's, because of her rationality and just overall likability. But let's not be hasty, I will do what I so often do and split, up my review into parts.
Let us begin with the prose + setting. I generally enjoyed Bruce's writing style. I particularly enjoyed her descriptions of the island, as well as the gothic elements she embedded into her prose and overall story. The vibes are bleak, cold and entirely eerie with a splash of icy sea water. Sometimes I did feel like the writing got slightly choppy and/or repetitive, but it didn't diminish my enjoyment because of the ever-present feeling of suspense that kept me wanting to go on reading. All in all, very well done in my opinion.
Let's move on to the characters. I am not sure if we were supposed to root for Charlotte until the very end, but I choose to believe that her development is not meant to make us like her. I didn't love her at the start of the novel, and all the empathy I had for her left me after about 60% of the book. I'm unsure if that was the point, but I liked it in a way since I don't share the opinion that a character should always be likeable. I don't want to spoil anything, but the blurb already mentions Charlotte's infatuation with Reverend Hill so I will slightly elaborate my thoughts on them. The way their relationship evolved was believable and incredibly well-written in my opinion, but it made me hate Charlotte at times (as well as the Reverend tbh). I enjoyed his POV more than Charlotte's sometimes, I just love reading about a man of the cloth struggling with his faith and self-discipline. The romance side-plot was sweet, didn't really make me feel a lot because we don't spend that much time with the two characters falling in love with each other. Again, didn't bother me since it's not a main point of the story (I will not reveal who I'm talking about bc spoilers). Anyway, well-written characters, believable dynamics, big yes from me.
And finally, the plot itself. Such a compelling story, I didn't feel bored once. It was so entertaining to read about the entity that escapes the tower and goes on to build a bond with Charlotte, while making life hell for everyone else. That whole storyline was crafted marvellously, and some of the reveals were quite satisfying to read, even though I could predict a few of the twists. The ending left me wanting for more, but not necessarily in a good way. We're introduced to a new character, just for them to be killed off a few pages later, and while that might have been a way to escalate the story, I did not enjoy it. Then everything happens so fast and we don't get a real conclusion to what's happening (I like open endings, but this felt more like the author is leaving space to write a sequel, idk I might be hallucinating, it's late).
Overall, I would've given The Temptation of Charlotte North 4★, but since I didn't love the ending I lowered it a bit (I mean Goodreads only has full stars so I technically gave it 4★ here, but just know that the story graph rating will be 3.75★).
Nevertheless, if you like dark and alluring, macabre and tense stories with ominous vibes and intriguing characters, who face evils beyond human comprehension, I would strongly recommend The Temptation of Charlotte North!
Huge thanks go out to NetGalley and Camilla Bruce for letting me read this wonderful eARC!
The Temptation of Charlotte North is a gothic historical horror novel, following our titular MC Charlotte. Living on a small, remote island with her three sisters, her strict father and abusive mother, life doesn't seem all too promising for our rebellious protagonist. The residents of Margaret's Keep are inherently superstitious and pious people. Subsequently, her mother often locks Charlotte into the shed as a form of disciplinary punishment. At the start of the story, Charlotte is sent to said shed because of her obvious infatuation with the married Reverend Hill. One day, while again confined in the small shack, an earthquake destroys the ancient tower, and Charlotte escapes her enclosure to explore the remains of Margaret's Keep. That's pretty much all you need to know before you start this excellent novel.
The story is told in three perspectives: 1. Charlotte, 2. Ruth Russel, the unmarried and science-driven schoolteacher and 3. Jasper Hill, the reverend. My personal favourite POV was Miss Russel's, because of her rationality and just overall likability. But let's not be hasty, I will do what I so often do and split, up my review into parts.
Let us begin with the prose + setting. I generally enjoyed Bruce's writing style. I particularly enjoyed her descriptions of the island, as well as the gothic elements she embedded into her prose and overall story. The vibes are bleak, cold and entirely eerie with a splash of icy sea water. Sometimes I did feel like the writing got slightly choppy and/or repetitive, but it didn't diminish my enjoyment because of the ever-present feeling of suspense that kept me wanting to go on reading. All in all, very well done in my opinion.
Let's move on to the characters. I am not sure if we were supposed to root for Charlotte until the very end, but I choose to believe that her development is not meant to make us like her. I didn't love her at the start of the novel, and all the empathy I had for her left me after about 60% of the book. I'm unsure if that was the point, but I liked it in a way since I don't share the opinion that a character should always be likeable. I don't want to spoil anything, but the blurb already mentions Charlotte's infatuation with Reverend Hill so I will slightly elaborate my thoughts on them. The way their relationship evolved was believable and incredibly well-written in my opinion, but it made me hate Charlotte at times (as well as the Reverend tbh). I enjoyed his POV more than Charlotte's sometimes, I just love reading about a man of the cloth struggling with his faith and self-discipline. The romance side-plot was sweet, didn't really make me feel a lot because we don't spend that much time with the two characters falling in love with each other. Again, didn't bother me since it's not a main point of the story (I will not reveal who I'm talking about bc spoilers). Anyway, well-written characters, believable dynamics, big yes from me.
And finally, the plot itself. Such a compelling story, I didn't feel bored once. It was so entertaining to read about the entity that escapes the tower and goes on to build a bond with Charlotte, while making life hell for everyone else. That whole storyline was crafted marvellously, and some of the reveals were quite satisfying to read, even though I could predict a few of the twists. The ending left me wanting for more, but not necessarily in a good way. We're introduced to a new character, just for them to be killed off a few pages later, and while that might have been a way to escalate the story, I did not enjoy it. Then everything happens so fast and we don't get a real conclusion to what's happening (I like open endings, but this felt more like the author is leaving space to write a sequel, idk I might be hallucinating, it's late).
Overall, I would've given The Temptation of Charlotte North 4★, but since I didn't love the ending I lowered it a bit (I mean Goodreads only has full stars so I technically gave it 4★ here, but just know that the story graph rating will be 3.75★).
Nevertheless, if you like dark and alluring, macabre and tense stories with ominous vibes and intriguing characters, who face evils beyond human comprehension, I would strongly recommend The Temptation of Charlotte North!
February 18, 2026
I want to thank both Del Rey and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy of The Temptation of Charlotte North – this is my honest review.
There’s plenty of promising material here: the concept of the knocker, the legend surrounding Margaret's Keep’s tower, and the island setting itself have strong potential for eerie, compelling storytelling. When described well, the island and keep create a vivid backdrop, and the core ideas behind the narrative are genuinely captivating.
That said, the execution has its shortcomings. While the setting’s potential is clear, the atmosphere never quite delivers the intended creepiness. Character development is uneven: Ruth the spinster schoolteacher stands out as the most interesting and well-rounded narrator, growing from an observant bystander to a determined participant with a satisfying arc. In contrast, Charlotte starts strong but feels inconsistent – her fixation on a married reverend clashes with the blurb’s emphasis on her desire to avoid marriage as her only path, and her eventual shift in priorities is hard to believe. Jasper, the reverend, is difficult to connect with; though his grief over losing a pregnancy and hope for his wife’s recovery are understandable, his comfort in being admired by a teen in his flock and resulting conflict with his bitter spouse left me feeling more sympathy for his wife than for him. His arc concludes with him weakened by the devil possessing Charlotte, his wife gone and him reduced to something of a puppet. Overall, I found it hard to feel invested in most of the characters or their fates.
Pacing is another issue: roughly 20% to 60% of the story drags unnecessarily, though strange and intriguing elements scattered throughout help maintain some engagement. The ending, by contrast, feels rushed, and hints at a potential continuation – while I’m unsure if I’d follow the story further, there’s clear potential that could be realized in future installments.
3.75/5 stars
There’s plenty of promising material here: the concept of the knocker, the legend surrounding Margaret's Keep’s tower, and the island setting itself have strong potential for eerie, compelling storytelling. When described well, the island and keep create a vivid backdrop, and the core ideas behind the narrative are genuinely captivating.
That said, the execution has its shortcomings. While the setting’s potential is clear, the atmosphere never quite delivers the intended creepiness. Character development is uneven: Ruth the spinster schoolteacher stands out as the most interesting and well-rounded narrator, growing from an observant bystander to a determined participant with a satisfying arc. In contrast, Charlotte starts strong but feels inconsistent – her fixation on a married reverend clashes with the blurb’s emphasis on her desire to avoid marriage as her only path, and her eventual shift in priorities is hard to believe. Jasper, the reverend, is difficult to connect with; though his grief over losing a pregnancy and hope for his wife’s recovery are understandable, his comfort in being admired by a teen in his flock and resulting conflict with his bitter spouse left me feeling more sympathy for his wife than for him. His arc concludes with him weakened by the devil possessing Charlotte, his wife gone and him reduced to something of a puppet. Overall, I found it hard to feel invested in most of the characters or their fates.
Pacing is another issue: roughly 20% to 60% of the story drags unnecessarily, though strange and intriguing elements scattered throughout help maintain some engagement. The ending, by contrast, feels rushed, and hints at a potential continuation – while I’m unsure if I’d follow the story further, there’s clear potential that could be realized in future installments.
3.75/5 stars
January 15, 2026
I had such high hopes for this book but sadly, it did not deliver for me. This is the second Gothic horror novel that has not impressed me, so perhaps this genre is just not for me. It started off strong enough, but somehow it just got incredibly boring. I think this was because I did not find myself rooting for any of the characters; pretty much all of the characters fell flat and didn't have much range. Charlotte North was bland and generic and didn't arouse much sympathy from me, not even in the beginning. But I thought I'd stick around for the atmosphere. Turns out, that's all this novel really offered me: atmosphere. It suffers from too many points of view, and the writing was not that great. It was slow-paced and took forever to get off the ground. I really think it would have much more impact had it been 50 pages shorter. But boy did it have atmosphere! The gritty descriptions of the setting were by far the strongest element of the novel, but I still skimmed over the last 25% of the novel. I wanted so much to love this one, and I thought the premise had potential. In the end it was just eh for me. Thanks to NetGalley for generously providing a digital copy. Publishes in May.
May 19, 2026
Charlotte North always wanted more. Her small coastal town is surrounded by myths, a rich history and an eerie feeling that never goes away. She becomes obsessed and infatuated with Reverend Hill, which her mother uses as an excuse to punish her by locking her away. An earthquake destroys the tower and releases something that becomes attached to Charlotte.
I was easily transported to this small cold gloomy town. I can feel all the elements on my skin and the energy that lurks around. The multiple POVs added intensity and mystery to the story. I mostly enjoyed Ruth's character. She was adamant on finding out the truth. The residents superstitious beliefs added more to the ambiance of the story. Charlotte wasn't always a likeable character and I enjoyed that a lot. This deeply intense gothic horror story has all the elements of a great read.
Thank you Netgalley and Del Rey/Random House Worlds/ Inklore for this eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.
I was easily transported to this small cold gloomy town. I can feel all the elements on my skin and the energy that lurks around. The multiple POVs added intensity and mystery to the story. I mostly enjoyed Ruth's character. She was adamant on finding out the truth. The residents superstitious beliefs added more to the ambiance of the story. Charlotte wasn't always a likeable character and I enjoyed that a lot. This deeply intense gothic horror story has all the elements of a great read.
Thank you Netgalley and Del Rey/Random House Worlds/ Inklore for this eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.
December 28, 2025
ARC Review
I really enjoyed The Temptation of Charlotte North. The author does a great job at building the environment around Margaret's Keep. You can really imagine the bareness of the small island and transport yourself there while reading. The writing style and the use of Old English also helps take the reader back in time, making this book even more enjoyable.
I enjoyed how the story was laid out and it included a lot of creepy and escalating events to keep the reader engaged. However, I did find it a little slow in the middle and found myself wanting to move forward with the mystery of the Knocker a little faster.
The characters were quite well developed as well and you could really feel the shifts in each of the individuals as different events occurred. Ruth was my absolute favourite; it was nice to have a relatable female main character.
As I finished the book, I found myself wanting more. I can't believe that all of our MC's stories just end where they left off. I would love to see a part 2 to really help wrap this story up more.
I really enjoyed The Temptation of Charlotte North. The author does a great job at building the environment around Margaret's Keep. You can really imagine the bareness of the small island and transport yourself there while reading. The writing style and the use of Old English also helps take the reader back in time, making this book even more enjoyable.
I enjoyed how the story was laid out and it included a lot of creepy and escalating events to keep the reader engaged. However, I did find it a little slow in the middle and found myself wanting to move forward with the mystery of the Knocker a little faster.
The characters were quite well developed as well and you could really feel the shifts in each of the individuals as different events occurred. Ruth was my absolute favourite; it was nice to have a relatable female main character.
As I finished the book, I found myself wanting more. I can't believe that all of our MC's stories just end where they left off. I would love to see a part 2 to really help wrap this story up more.
June 6, 2026
I’m all for supporting women’s wrongs, but Charlotte took things way too far.
I really enjoyed the atmosphere and gothic coastal town vibes of this book, along with most of the characters and their interactions/relationships. I also really enjoyed the multi-pov storylines. I feel like the plot started out really strong, and I was loving the horror elements and imagery. However, the story quickly stalled for me and started spinning around in the same circle until the very end, which was left wide open.
The potential was there, and while I didn’t hate this book by any means, I didn’t fall in love with it either.
Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All reviews will be posted to my socials (Fable, IG, NetGalley, Goodreads).
I really enjoyed the atmosphere and gothic coastal town vibes of this book, along with most of the characters and their interactions/relationships. I also really enjoyed the multi-pov storylines. I feel like the plot started out really strong, and I was loving the horror elements and imagery. However, the story quickly stalled for me and started spinning around in the same circle until the very end, which was left wide open.
The potential was there, and while I didn’t hate this book by any means, I didn’t fall in love with it either.
Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All reviews will be posted to my socials (Fable, IG, NetGalley, Goodreads).
May 19, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
I received an eARC from Del Rey via NetGalley. These are my honest thoughts.
The Temptation of Charlotte North is like no other book I've read. It's reminiscent of classic gothic novels with a touch more horror mixed in. This is a story of possession, desire, and struggle. Charlotte is no hero, but neither is she a villain. No character in this book is left untouched by the events that take place. The writing was moody and atmospheric. The pacing was slow. While that helped create the haunting atmosphere, it did feel like the story was dragging in some places. I wish that the story had delved more deeply into the character development. Many of the characters felt two dimensional and their thoughts and motivations were straightforward. The knocker is the only character that felt truly mysterious. If you like slowly haunting, atmospheric, gothic style novels, then you should definitely read this.
I received an eARC from Del Rey via NetGalley. These are my honest thoughts.
The Temptation of Charlotte North is like no other book I've read. It's reminiscent of classic gothic novels with a touch more horror mixed in. This is a story of possession, desire, and struggle. Charlotte is no hero, but neither is she a villain. No character in this book is left untouched by the events that take place. The writing was moody and atmospheric. The pacing was slow. While that helped create the haunting atmosphere, it did feel like the story was dragging in some places. I wish that the story had delved more deeply into the character development. Many of the characters felt two dimensional and their thoughts and motivations were straightforward. The knocker is the only character that felt truly mysterious. If you like slowly haunting, atmospheric, gothic style novels, then you should definitely read this.
September 27, 2025
First ARC!!
Yes definitely my style of book! Loved the gothic theme the darkness and the characters!!
Enjoyed the horror aspect and I do love a dark themed book.
Very much enjoyed this book happily read it over 2 days ! Good amount of dept of Charlotte really got to know her and her story .
It was creepy and at times had my heart thumping.
The scenic views of imagination of the book was also great I got a good internal view of the island.
Very good read !
Happily recommend !!
Yes definitely my style of book! Loved the gothic theme the darkness and the characters!!
Enjoyed the horror aspect and I do love a dark themed book.
Very much enjoyed this book happily read it over 2 days ! Good amount of dept of Charlotte really got to know her and her story .
It was creepy and at times had my heart thumping.
The scenic views of imagination of the book was also great I got a good internal view of the island.
Very good read !
Happily recommend !!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2026
This could have been so much worse it the best of ways 🥲 I really wanted this to be a "good for her" story in all its problematic glory, but now I'm afraid it will turn into an Edwardian-Pop Demon Hunters series 😭
Currently Reading
October 1, 2025Charlotte isn't the only one tempted. I am too for this book.
(Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-arc)
(Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-arc)
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December 12, 2025we have ed and lorraine warren at home
May 31, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book.
ale rozczarowanie
w 50% miałam ochotę rzucić ja w cholerę i niestety końcówka nie uratowała
ale rozczarowanie
w 50% miałam ochotę rzucić ja w cholerę i niestety końcówka nie uratowała
September 26, 2025
The book starts out solid, peaking intrigue, but then becomes creepy in a perverted way. My final review is at the ending past these detailed spoilers.
In all this is a weird book. Similar to haunting movies where nothing happens the whole movie and suddenly in the last ten minutes everything just becomes violent and hectic. I didn't hate it, but definitely didn't love it. I felt there was a lot of wasted narrative that could be cut down. I truthfully felt like I could have just skipped to chapter 34 and finished from there. It pretty much explains everything that occurred supernaturally and the plot starts to pick up. I'm definitely frustrated it didn't have a conclusive ending and it wasn't really enthralling enough for me to be eager for a second book.
In all this is a weird book. Similar to haunting movies where nothing happens the whole movie and suddenly in the last ten minutes everything just becomes violent and hectic. I didn't hate it, but definitely didn't love it. I felt there was a lot of wasted narrative that could be cut down. I truthfully felt like I could have just skipped to chapter 34 and finished from there. It pretty much explains everything that occurred supernaturally and the plot starts to pick up. I'm definitely frustrated it didn't have a conclusive ending and it wasn't really enthralling enough for me to be eager for a second book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
On a remote island that boasts more sheep than people, spirited young Charlotte North has few prospects beyond that of marriage– an institution she is not keen on, given her own parents' unhappy union. When she becomes infatuated with an attractive young reverend who is trapped in his own unhappy marriage, Charlotte draws the ire of her mother and others in the community. When a sudden earthquake collapses an old tower everyone believes to be haunted, something within the tower is released, and that something is drawn to Charlotte. It begins by knocking on the walls of her family's house and offering frightening gifts. Once Charlotte conquers her fear of the knocker she grows obsessed with it, for the knocker seems to offer everything she could want: power, love, and a way out of the constrained life on the island– as long as she is willing to pay the price.
Gothic tales have seen a resurgence in popularity over the past few years, though the label is thrown around too liberally. An old house and some rain do not a Gothic novel make, so it's such a treat to find an author who understands the Gothic register. In The Temptation of Charlotte North, our setting is a small island of Margaret's Keep in, perhaps, the North Sea. Though the world beyond is rapidly modernising, the people of Margaret's Keep have not kept up with such things as motorcars and telephones. They hold onto old beliefs like the idea of the old tower being a haunted place. Newcomers like the new priest and teacher scoff at the notion, but their ideas about the world are put to the test when they begin to see and hear things beyond their experience. Meanwhile, Charlotte, constrained and punished by her abusive mother, finds herself drawn more and more toward the spirit that has taken up residence in her home.
There is more to The Temptation of Charlotte North than a simple ghost story atmospherically told. The North family is the wealthiest on Margaret's Keep, and Mrs. North is determined to maintain the appearance of the perfect family regardless of the cost to her daughters. She views Charlotte as willfully disobedient and spiteful, especially when Charlotte begins to spend more time with Reverend Hill. For her supposed lack of obedience, Mrs. North verbally abuses Charlotte and locks her in a shed, and has done so since Charlotte was a child. When the knocker comes to the house and causes a string of uncanny happenings, Mrs. North refuses to believe the evidence of her own eyes and blames Charlotte for everything. In a way, she is right. The knocker is drawn to Charlotte and commits these ghostly acts for Charlotte's sake, but the chain of events is exacerbated by Mrs. North's insistence that everything is entirely Charlotte's fault. Would Charlotte have been drawn to the darkness if her mother had been less domineering and her father been more involved with his children? Or are certain people simply drawn to the darker parts of themselves regardless of their family circumstances? These are questions the story asks, but does not definitively answer. It is left to the reader to make up their own mind.
The Temptation of Charlotte North unwinds slowly. Almost too slowly at times, as the middle chapters drag on a little while events at the end feel a little rushed. On the whole, though, the book is elegantly written and wonderfully atmospheric, with richly drawn and believable characters struggling to be true to themselves while facing dark forces they never imagined existing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for the advance copy for review.
Gothic tales have seen a resurgence in popularity over the past few years, though the label is thrown around too liberally. An old house and some rain do not a Gothic novel make, so it's such a treat to find an author who understands the Gothic register. In The Temptation of Charlotte North, our setting is a small island of Margaret's Keep in, perhaps, the North Sea. Though the world beyond is rapidly modernising, the people of Margaret's Keep have not kept up with such things as motorcars and telephones. They hold onto old beliefs like the idea of the old tower being a haunted place. Newcomers like the new priest and teacher scoff at the notion, but their ideas about the world are put to the test when they begin to see and hear things beyond their experience. Meanwhile, Charlotte, constrained and punished by her abusive mother, finds herself drawn more and more toward the spirit that has taken up residence in her home.
There is more to The Temptation of Charlotte North than a simple ghost story atmospherically told. The North family is the wealthiest on Margaret's Keep, and Mrs. North is determined to maintain the appearance of the perfect family regardless of the cost to her daughters. She views Charlotte as willfully disobedient and spiteful, especially when Charlotte begins to spend more time with Reverend Hill. For her supposed lack of obedience, Mrs. North verbally abuses Charlotte and locks her in a shed, and has done so since Charlotte was a child. When the knocker comes to the house and causes a string of uncanny happenings, Mrs. North refuses to believe the evidence of her own eyes and blames Charlotte for everything. In a way, she is right. The knocker is drawn to Charlotte and commits these ghostly acts for Charlotte's sake, but the chain of events is exacerbated by Mrs. North's insistence that everything is entirely Charlotte's fault. Would Charlotte have been drawn to the darkness if her mother had been less domineering and her father been more involved with his children? Or are certain people simply drawn to the darker parts of themselves regardless of their family circumstances? These are questions the story asks, but does not definitively answer. It is left to the reader to make up their own mind.
The Temptation of Charlotte North unwinds slowly. Almost too slowly at times, as the middle chapters drag on a little while events at the end feel a little rushed. On the whole, though, the book is elegantly written and wonderfully atmospheric, with richly drawn and believable characters struggling to be true to themselves while facing dark forces they never imagined existing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for the advance copy for review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Temptation of Charlotte North is an homage to women from an earlier time that didn't have a choice in what their lives were going to look like. A time when women were told that they would be getting married to a rich man, and raising a gaggle of children, when a woman who doesn’t want those things, who wants more for herself and is very stubborn is looked upon as hysterical. psychotic or being possessed.
On Margaret's Keep The North family is revered above all others, mainly because Mr. North owns just about everything on the island and therefore most of the people there owe their livelihoods to them. It also means that the North family is watched closely which is a problem for Charlotte North. She is a beautiful young woman who unfortunately has set her sights on the new reverend that has come to the island who also happens to be married. To make matters worse he seems to be looking back.
One blustery day Charlotte finds herself the target of her mothers ire once again and is locked away in the shed. Being locked in the shed is nothing new for her, once it used to be someplace she feared but she has spent so much time locked there that now it feels like a safe space. At least until the earth shakes underneath her and she realizes that an earthquake is taking place. She is certain that her family, her sisters at least will come to check on her but no one does. They are all distracted by the fact that the infamous Margaret's tower has crumbled and with that the towns peoples suspicions that the spirit of the witch that was trapped there is now free to roam the island.
After the earthquake things begin to change for Charlotte. She begins hearing knocking in the walls and has horrible dreams that keep her frozen but awake during the night. Then the needles come after accidentally stabbing herself with one. Needles begin to appear in her clothing, bedding, drinks and food. Charlotte’s mother is certain that it is Charlotte herself that is doing these things but no one else in the family believes it can be true. Charlotte decides to bargain with the knocker in the wall to get it to stop showering her with needles. After this bargain is made Charlotte realizes that she now has a tool at her disposal whatever this thing this knocker is it seems to do her bidding.
For a girl who has had no control over her life having something that can turn the tides can be very seductive. Will Charlotte make a play for the Reverend that she pines after and escape her mother or will things turn sour quickly for her?
#TheTemptationofCharlotteNorh is a beautifully told story about a young woman who wants something for her life that is not hers to have, who will go to any lengths to feel some sort of control over herself.
Thank you to #Netgalley for the chance to read #TheTemptationofCharlotteNorth by #CamillaBruce in return for a fair and honest review.
On Margaret's Keep The North family is revered above all others, mainly because Mr. North owns just about everything on the island and therefore most of the people there owe their livelihoods to them. It also means that the North family is watched closely which is a problem for Charlotte North. She is a beautiful young woman who unfortunately has set her sights on the new reverend that has come to the island who also happens to be married. To make matters worse he seems to be looking back.
One blustery day Charlotte finds herself the target of her mothers ire once again and is locked away in the shed. Being locked in the shed is nothing new for her, once it used to be someplace she feared but she has spent so much time locked there that now it feels like a safe space. At least until the earth shakes underneath her and she realizes that an earthquake is taking place. She is certain that her family, her sisters at least will come to check on her but no one does. They are all distracted by the fact that the infamous Margaret's tower has crumbled and with that the towns peoples suspicions that the spirit of the witch that was trapped there is now free to roam the island.
After the earthquake things begin to change for Charlotte. She begins hearing knocking in the walls and has horrible dreams that keep her frozen but awake during the night. Then the needles come after accidentally stabbing herself with one. Needles begin to appear in her clothing, bedding, drinks and food. Charlotte’s mother is certain that it is Charlotte herself that is doing these things but no one else in the family believes it can be true. Charlotte decides to bargain with the knocker in the wall to get it to stop showering her with needles. After this bargain is made Charlotte realizes that she now has a tool at her disposal whatever this thing this knocker is it seems to do her bidding.
For a girl who has had no control over her life having something that can turn the tides can be very seductive. Will Charlotte make a play for the Reverend that she pines after and escape her mother or will things turn sour quickly for her?
#TheTemptationofCharlotteNorh is a beautifully told story about a young woman who wants something for her life that is not hers to have, who will go to any lengths to feel some sort of control over herself.
Thank you to #Netgalley for the chance to read #TheTemptationofCharlotteNorth by #CamillaBruce in return for a fair and honest review.
May 21, 2026
I received an ARC of this book from Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore, and NetGalley. Thank you!
The Temptation of Charlotte North will grab your attention from the beginning and refuse to let go. From Charlotte, with her hunger for a larger life, to the malicious (or is it?) “knocker” spirit whose actions leave you questioning its intentions for much of the story, this book is filled with characters trying to find their places in the world. Set in the early 1900’s, it explores the blurry lines between modern, scientific thinking and the unexplainable; between adhering to what is socially acceptable and daring to pursue what you want.
Charlotte, rebellious daughter of a wealthy family who own much of the island on which the story takes place, is bullied by her mother and frequently locked in a shed on their property. As Charlotte nears her 18th birthday, her family becomes increasingly concerned about how Mrs. North treats her daughter and what would happen to the family reputation if it was discovered. Charlotte chafes under the family’s expectations and longs for a future with more than marriage to an approved husband.
A windy, sheep-covered and seagull-rife island, the setting is very much alive in Charlotte’s story. In particular, the 400-year-old structure known as “Margaret’s Tower” looms larger than life in the minds of the islanders. Purportedly the former prison of either a witch or an unfaithful wife, stories of evil spirits within its walls have been shared for generations. When an earthquake reduces the tower to rubble, the island’s teacher, Miss Russell (a determined realist who rejects the old stories) takes her charges to visit the ruins and sets off waves of disapproval among the island’s families. Charlotte, both drawn to and repelled by the tower and its representation of men’s cruelty and control over women, visits as well, and is followed home by something terrifying.
In the midst of these happenings, and in spite of the island’s cautionary narrative of the unfaithful wife/witch, Charlotte has set her sights on the town’s married priest. And though he fights it, the priest wants her as well. This exploration of power dynamics between Charlotte and Jasper is one of the most fascinating parts of the novel, and is made all the more complex by the power Charlotte accesses through the “knocker” who seems to do her bidding.
As the story progresses, Charlotte’s relationship with the “knocker” becomes more and more intense. Watching the changes in her personality over the course of her friendship with the “knocker” is terrifying because it’s nearly impossible to determine whether the “knocker” is making her into something she wasn’t before or merely enhancing what was already there.. What Charlotte desires and what the “knocker” wants appear to be the same. But as with all tales, the question Charlotte must face is: at what cost?
The Temptation of Charlotte North will grab your attention from the beginning and refuse to let go. From Charlotte, with her hunger for a larger life, to the malicious (or is it?) “knocker” spirit whose actions leave you questioning its intentions for much of the story, this book is filled with characters trying to find their places in the world. Set in the early 1900’s, it explores the blurry lines between modern, scientific thinking and the unexplainable; between adhering to what is socially acceptable and daring to pursue what you want.
Charlotte, rebellious daughter of a wealthy family who own much of the island on which the story takes place, is bullied by her mother and frequently locked in a shed on their property. As Charlotte nears her 18th birthday, her family becomes increasingly concerned about how Mrs. North treats her daughter and what would happen to the family reputation if it was discovered. Charlotte chafes under the family’s expectations and longs for a future with more than marriage to an approved husband.
A windy, sheep-covered and seagull-rife island, the setting is very much alive in Charlotte’s story. In particular, the 400-year-old structure known as “Margaret’s Tower” looms larger than life in the minds of the islanders. Purportedly the former prison of either a witch or an unfaithful wife, stories of evil spirits within its walls have been shared for generations. When an earthquake reduces the tower to rubble, the island’s teacher, Miss Russell (a determined realist who rejects the old stories) takes her charges to visit the ruins and sets off waves of disapproval among the island’s families. Charlotte, both drawn to and repelled by the tower and its representation of men’s cruelty and control over women, visits as well, and is followed home by something terrifying.
In the midst of these happenings, and in spite of the island’s cautionary narrative of the unfaithful wife/witch, Charlotte has set her sights on the town’s married priest. And though he fights it, the priest wants her as well. This exploration of power dynamics between Charlotte and Jasper is one of the most fascinating parts of the novel, and is made all the more complex by the power Charlotte accesses through the “knocker” who seems to do her bidding.
As the story progresses, Charlotte’s relationship with the “knocker” becomes more and more intense. Watching the changes in her personality over the course of her friendship with the “knocker” is terrifying because it’s nearly impossible to determine whether the “knocker” is making her into something she wasn’t before or merely enhancing what was already there.. What Charlotte desires and what the “knocker” wants appear to be the same. But as with all tales, the question Charlotte must face is: at what cost?
May 31, 2026
3.5* it was fine. The 3 narrators were the Reverend, the eponymous 17 year old, and the local school teacher. Charlotte was well written but seemed a little less mature than 17 (even taking into account the martial self-centeredness we all experience in our teenage years) and the one in liked the least. Not necessarily auspicious for a protagonist! But her relationship with her mother was certainly not unfamiliar, and I had sympathy for her initially.
The Reverend, too, had my sympathy at first, though less than Charlotte got; he tried not to suck, and initially it seemed that it was just a lack of emotional comprehension, but he got more and more insufferable as the story went on and he continued to try to gaslight his wife into believing she was crazy to be jealous of young Charlotte (who was obsessed with him and he was not entirely indifferent). They had a raw deal, but he made it so much worse by just being an asshole.
The school teacher was the heroine, if not the actual protagonist. She was a little timid at first but found a spine over the course of the book. Also a boyfriend, despite being a spinster of 30!
I am not always opposed to ambiguous endings, but this one felt like it was in thr wrong place. It should have been a chapter or so before, or several chapters later. I'm pretty sure this is my first Camille Bruce, and while I didn't hate it, and it definitely gave me something to talk about in therapy, lol, I'm not sure I liked anyone enough to really want to keep reading. I got through most of it because I was listening while working on the yard, and then I only had a quarter or so left and continued simply to finish it.
It was not as good as the last read, though it had a decent grasp of the genre and solid structure. The Vile Lady Villains had much more personality than most of the characters here. Part of that may be because they're adults and Charlotte and even the Rev are very adolescent in their behavior (and actual age, for Charlotte). But these two also felt more one dimensional.
I think the relationship between Charlotte and her mother was the most interesting; it was adversarial and self-powering-- Mother punished Charlotte for everything no matter whether it was her fault or not, and that led to Charlotte acting out more, but you learn why mother is so hard on Charlotte and it's like "okay, I get it now. Like, you still suck, but I see why you do this and what makes you think it will help." Unfortunately, Charlotte's entirely family drops almost entirely out of the narrative for the last quarter of the story, so we're left with the demon? Poltergeist? Spirit? and Charlotte against the rev's wife, as Charlotte becomes more and more ruthless, seeing enemies everywhere unless she gets her way (and once she does, she finds it unsatisfying of course).
The Reverend, too, had my sympathy at first, though less than Charlotte got; he tried not to suck, and initially it seemed that it was just a lack of emotional comprehension, but he got more and more insufferable as the story went on and he continued to try to gaslight his wife into believing she was crazy to be jealous of young Charlotte (who was obsessed with him and he was not entirely indifferent). They had a raw deal, but he made it so much worse by just being an asshole.
The school teacher was the heroine, if not the actual protagonist. She was a little timid at first but found a spine over the course of the book. Also a boyfriend, despite being a spinster of 30!
I am not always opposed to ambiguous endings, but this one felt like it was in thr wrong place. It should have been a chapter or so before, or several chapters later. I'm pretty sure this is my first Camille Bruce, and while I didn't hate it, and it definitely gave me something to talk about in therapy, lol, I'm not sure I liked anyone enough to really want to keep reading. I got through most of it because I was listening while working on the yard, and then I only had a quarter or so left and continued simply to finish it.
It was not as good as the last read, though it had a decent grasp of the genre and solid structure. The Vile Lady Villains had much more personality than most of the characters here. Part of that may be because they're adults and Charlotte and even the Rev are very adolescent in their behavior (and actual age, for Charlotte). But these two also felt more one dimensional.
I think the relationship between Charlotte and her mother was the most interesting; it was adversarial and self-powering-- Mother punished Charlotte for everything no matter whether it was her fault or not, and that led to Charlotte acting out more, but you learn why mother is so hard on Charlotte and it's like "okay, I get it now. Like, you still suck, but I see why you do this and what makes you think it will help." Unfortunately, Charlotte's entirely family drops almost entirely out of the narrative for the last quarter of the story, so we're left with the demon? Poltergeist? Spirit? and Charlotte against the rev's wife, as Charlotte becomes more and more ruthless, seeing enemies everywhere unless she gets her way (and once she does, she finds it unsatisfying of course).
November 21, 2025
Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for the DRC of The Temptation of Charlotte North that enabled me to write this review.
The blurb for this book was so interesting, but the novel itself fails to fully live up to the potential I saw there. Camilla Bruce's prose is certainly good enough to deliver on that potential had the book been as tightly focussed as the advertising copy makes it out to be - when it works, it REALLY works, but a litany of spelling and grammar issues brought me out of the world at an unreasonable frequency, and made me wonder if the book even had an editor. Knowing that the author is Norwegian does make these mistakes understandable but they really should've been caught in the first round of editing. Beyond what was described in the blurb, there were two other points of view, one more strongly connected to the titular Charlotte North than the other. I won't go as far as to say that the latter's plotlines were always irrelevant and uninteresting, but the book I picked up is not what was indicated by the description of it.
The messaging was both confused and confusing. I think Bruce wanted the novel to be a "good for her"/"supporting women's wrongs" pseudo-feminist text, but it ended up becoming somewhat anti-feminist in the process? There were two characters who were dead set on not getting married, and both ended up engaged by the end of the book. I found one example to be particularly egregious, it came across as her j"ust not having found the right man yet", but at least the romance between those two characters was believable; Charlotte and Reverend Hill's relationship, on the other hand, was a bit more difficult to swallow. While there were a lot of well described and generally well realised women and girls in the story, (and are in fact the majority of the characters) Mrs North comes across as entirely unreasonable, and Mrs Hill's stillbirth and infertility making her "crazy" and "difficult" left a bad taste in my mouth.
The Gothic horror overall was pretty solid, but I can't quite decide whether or not Charlotte's lack of reaction to some of the more shocking actions the knocker takes is strange or indicative of how far she's fallen to its seduction.
Overall I found the experience to be decent, not great. There were some pretty high highs, but not enough to overcome some of the lows. Some of these are things that can be fixed before publication however, and I hope that the final version provides a better experience than I had. I'm glad that I ended up finishing the book, I did enjoy much of it and the sequel hook at the end for Miss Russell and Mr West was intriguing, but I think Charlotte deserved better than this book gave her.
The blurb for this book was so interesting, but the novel itself fails to fully live up to the potential I saw there. Camilla Bruce's prose is certainly good enough to deliver on that potential had the book been as tightly focussed as the advertising copy makes it out to be - when it works, it REALLY works, but a litany of spelling and grammar issues brought me out of the world at an unreasonable frequency, and made me wonder if the book even had an editor. Knowing that the author is Norwegian does make these mistakes understandable but they really should've been caught in the first round of editing. Beyond what was described in the blurb, there were two other points of view, one more strongly connected to the titular Charlotte North than the other. I won't go as far as to say that the latter's plotlines were always irrelevant and uninteresting, but the book I picked up is not what was indicated by the description of it.
The messaging was both confused and confusing. I think Bruce wanted the novel to be a "good for her"/"supporting women's wrongs" pseudo-feminist text, but it ended up becoming somewhat anti-feminist in the process? There were two characters who were dead set on not getting married, and both ended up engaged by the end of the book. I found one example to be particularly egregious, it came across as her j"ust not having found the right man yet", but at least the romance between those two characters was believable; Charlotte and Reverend Hill's relationship, on the other hand, was a bit more difficult to swallow. While there were a lot of well described and generally well realised women and girls in the story, (and are in fact the majority of the characters) Mrs North comes across as entirely unreasonable, and Mrs Hill's stillbirth and infertility making her "crazy" and "difficult" left a bad taste in my mouth.
The Gothic horror overall was pretty solid, but I can't quite decide whether or not Charlotte's lack of reaction to some of the more shocking actions the knocker takes is strange or indicative of how far she's fallen to its seduction.
Overall I found the experience to be decent, not great. There were some pretty high highs, but not enough to overcome some of the lows. Some of these are things that can be fixed before publication however, and I hope that the final version provides a better experience than I had. I'm glad that I ended up finishing the book, I did enjoy much of it and the sequel hook at the end for Miss Russell and Mr West was intriguing, but I think Charlotte deserved better than this book gave her.
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