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In My Tudor Era
Love can make you lose your head…Lily thought she was just sightseeing at Hampton Court, until a bump on the head lands her in the body of Catherine Howard. Yep, the Tudor queen who gets beheaded. Lily thought she was just sightseeing at Hampton Court, until a bump on the head lands her in the body of Catherine Howard. Yep, the Tudor queen who gets beheaded. Lily's PhD is in psychology, not history, but even she knows that being married to Henry VIII does not bode well for her life expectancy. But it’s not just Henry who complicates Simon Gainsford, the king’s golden-boy jouster with a heart of gold, smouldering courtier Francis Dereham, and the sinfully handsome groom, Thomas Culpeper.
Every dark corridor brings intrigue, scandal, and white-hot temptation. Can Lily rewrite history, survive Henry’s court, and keep her head?
Every dark corridor brings intrigue, scandal, and white-hot temptation. Can Lily rewrite history, survive Henry’s court, and keep her head?
307 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 28, 2025
28 people are currently reading
9052 people want to read
About the author
Kate Bromley
4 books828 followersKate Bromley lives on the East Coast with her husband, sons, and her somewhat excessive collection of romance novels. (It’s not hoarding if it’s books, right?) She was a preschool teacher for seven years and is now focusing full-time on combining her two great passions -– writing swoon-worthy love stories and making people laugh.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
October 5, 2025
This was funny, cute and steamy.
The plot is original and kept my interest all along, and the characters are well fleshed out.
I especially loved the fact that there is a great dynamic and a lot of support between the female characters. It doesn't happen often enough.
It's a good take on time travel romance and I really enjoyed it.
Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC!
The plot is original and kept my interest all along, and the characters are well fleshed out.
I especially loved the fact that there is a great dynamic and a lot of support between the female characters. It doesn't happen often enough.
It's a good take on time travel romance and I really enjoyed it.
Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC!
November 23, 2025
4.5 / 5 Stars
You know what, hell yeah. This book was exactly what I want from a rom-com: super funny with poignant moments, spicy and sweet, and silly, good time. Lily’s trip to London was meant to be a fun time with her best friend after a long year in her psychology PhD program. But while visiting Hampton Court Palace (home of Henry VIII), Lily magically time travels back to Tudor Era England (just go with it) and finds herself stuck in Catherine Howard’s body. You know, the same Catherine Howard who was Henry’s 5th wife and one of the “beheaded” (“divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived" is catchy and also horrible). Lily is determined to make it out alive and make it back to the 21st century but she can’t help herself when it comes to Simon Gainsford, the king's champion jouster. He’s hot, emotionally intelligent, and kind (because you can only find the good ones when you time travel 😂) but an affair is dangerous for them both. Can Lily survive with her head and her heart?
You will probably like this book if you like:
👑 Time traveling rom-com
👑 Set in Tudor Era England
👑 Royal drama
👑 Lots of love interests but there’s one special one
👑 Strong female friendships
👑 Mental health rep and discussion of therapy
I thought this book was hilarious. Kate Bromley is great with one-liners which made Lily’s sense of humor the perfect blend of sarcastic, a little dry, and observational. I was highlighting so much in the book because it was delightful. And I think because it was established that the book was meant to be funny, I loved that 1) Lily said, “I need to blend in” and then blended in for literally 30 seconds and 2) Lily stuck to her 21st century ways. If the book took itself too seriously, those two things would have made no sense but here, they worked for me. And it was hilarious that Lily came to court and said, “let me teach you the most important from modern times”: how to create better living conditions for servants, the need for therapy, and how to play flip cup (the trifecta).
The romance in this rom-com was also pretty great. I think Simon is an A+ flirt so the banter was swoony and fun. There’s some great spice too. The other suitors were historically accurate and added a fun layer to the story without taking away from Simon and Lily’s story.
Also I loved that Lily formed a girl gang within the palace. When you let ladies organize, we are a force to be reckoned with. Her friendships created a lot of funny moments but also some really poignant moments too. Lily’s therapy degree also added a lot of sincere and insightful moments to the book (we love a woman who can diagnose a narcissist and see right through them).
I loved 99% of the book and had some questions about the end. You need some suspension of disbelief for a time traveling book but the end pushed it a bit for me and I had a ton of logistics-related questions about how things ended. I also would have LOVED an epilogue which I think might have answered some of those questions and wrapped things up a bit.
Overall though, I wanted a light romp and this was a light romp and more. Highly recommend this if you want the feel of a classic rom-com with a time traveling twist.
________________
Pre-Read Thoughts: Attempt #2 at something light-hearted and silly. Just give me a fun romp, I beg of you, universe.
You know what, hell yeah. This book was exactly what I want from a rom-com: super funny with poignant moments, spicy and sweet, and silly, good time. Lily’s trip to London was meant to be a fun time with her best friend after a long year in her psychology PhD program. But while visiting Hampton Court Palace (home of Henry VIII), Lily magically time travels back to Tudor Era England (just go with it) and finds herself stuck in Catherine Howard’s body. You know, the same Catherine Howard who was Henry’s 5th wife and one of the “beheaded” (“divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived" is catchy and also horrible). Lily is determined to make it out alive and make it back to the 21st century but she can’t help herself when it comes to Simon Gainsford, the king's champion jouster. He’s hot, emotionally intelligent, and kind (because you can only find the good ones when you time travel 😂) but an affair is dangerous for them both. Can Lily survive with her head and her heart?
You will probably like this book if you like:
👑 Time traveling rom-com
👑 Set in Tudor Era England
👑 Royal drama
👑 Lots of love interests but there’s one special one
👑 Strong female friendships
👑 Mental health rep and discussion of therapy
I thought this book was hilarious. Kate Bromley is great with one-liners which made Lily’s sense of humor the perfect blend of sarcastic, a little dry, and observational. I was highlighting so much in the book because it was delightful. And I think because it was established that the book was meant to be funny, I loved that 1) Lily said, “I need to blend in” and then blended in for literally 30 seconds and 2) Lily stuck to her 21st century ways. If the book took itself too seriously, those two things would have made no sense but here, they worked for me. And it was hilarious that Lily came to court and said, “let me teach you the most important from modern times”: how to create better living conditions for servants, the need for therapy, and how to play flip cup (the trifecta).
The romance in this rom-com was also pretty great. I think Simon is an A+ flirt so the banter was swoony and fun. There’s some great spice too. The other suitors were historically accurate and added a fun layer to the story without taking away from Simon and Lily’s story.
Also I loved that Lily formed a girl gang within the palace. When you let ladies organize, we are a force to be reckoned with. Her friendships created a lot of funny moments but also some really poignant moments too. Lily’s therapy degree also added a lot of sincere and insightful moments to the book (we love a woman who can diagnose a narcissist and see right through them).
I loved 99% of the book and had some questions about the end. You need some suspension of disbelief for a time traveling book but the end pushed it a bit for me and I had a ton of logistics-related questions about how things ended. I also would have LOVED an epilogue which I think might have answered some of those questions and wrapped things up a bit.
Overall though, I wanted a light romp and this was a light romp and more. Highly recommend this if you want the feel of a classic rom-com with a time traveling twist.
________________
Pre-Read Thoughts: Attempt #2 at something light-hearted and silly. Just give me a fun romp, I beg of you, universe.
October 3, 2025
Hilariously witty, brilliant time traveling plot and instantly addicting... that is how I would describe In my Tudor Era by Kate Bromley!
Lily is an instantly likeable main character full of clever humor, perfectly executed one liners and an empathy for her friends and surroundings, despite being thrown into a historic disaster where she could lose her heart, and her life.
If you love laugh out dialouge, characters that win your over with their charming and quirky personalities, and a plot that keep you guessing, this book is for you!
5 ⭐️s!
Thank you Net Galley for this ARC!
Lily is an instantly likeable main character full of clever humor, perfectly executed one liners and an empathy for her friends and surroundings, despite being thrown into a historic disaster where she could lose her heart, and her life.
If you love laugh out dialouge, characters that win your over with their charming and quirky personalities, and a plot that keep you guessing, this book is for you!
5 ⭐️s!
Thank you Net Galley for this ARC!
November 5, 2025
Absolutely adored this book!
If you love historical fiction, all things Tudor, and maybe a splash of Outlander vibes- then this is the book for you!
When a trip to London takes a time altering turn, Lily (or Catherine Howard?) finds herself responsible for changing the course of history. So does she find love along the way or get beheaded? Because those are pretty much your only options in Tudor England.
Thank you Kate Bromley for the advanced readers copy💗
If you love historical fiction, all things Tudor, and maybe a splash of Outlander vibes- then this is the book for you!
When a trip to London takes a time altering turn, Lily (or Catherine Howard?) finds herself responsible for changing the course of history. So does she find love along the way or get beheaded? Because those are pretty much your only options in Tudor England.
Thank you Kate Bromley for the advanced readers copy💗
November 9, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC (Available March 31, 2026)!
I really enjoyed this book! Lily is visiting Hampton Court Palace when she mysteriously finds herself transported back in time to the 16th century, and in the body of Catherine Howard, wife of Henry VIII, no less! Will she be able to survive this time traveling adventure, or will she find herself losing her head?
Lily was such a fun character. As someone who majored in psychology in college, I loved that she was psychoanalyzing everyone she met. She’s a very no nonsense kind of girl, and stands up for herself and the friends she makes along the way.
And where do I even start with Simon?! He’s officially one of my new favorite book boyfriends! He’s such a sweet person and I really enjoyed the chemistry he and Lily had. They also had some of my favorite spicy scenes ever written together.
I love historical romances, so I wasn’t sure about the modern dialogue in a historical setting at first, but I came to enjoy it. I think it helps remind you that this is a 21st century woman stuck in the 16th century. It also added a really funny dynamic to the story! In some ways it reminded me of the Kdrama, Mr. Queen, which is one of my favorite shows! I really would love it if a sequel came out because I just love Lily and Simon so much!
I really enjoyed this book! Lily is visiting Hampton Court Palace when she mysteriously finds herself transported back in time to the 16th century, and in the body of Catherine Howard, wife of Henry VIII, no less! Will she be able to survive this time traveling adventure, or will she find herself losing her head?
Lily was such a fun character. As someone who majored in psychology in college, I loved that she was psychoanalyzing everyone she met. She’s a very no nonsense kind of girl, and stands up for herself and the friends she makes along the way.
And where do I even start with Simon?! He’s officially one of my new favorite book boyfriends! He’s such a sweet person and I really enjoyed the chemistry he and Lily had. They also had some of my favorite spicy scenes ever written together.
I love historical romances, so I wasn’t sure about the modern dialogue in a historical setting at first, but I came to enjoy it. I think it helps remind you that this is a 21st century woman stuck in the 16th century. It also added a really funny dynamic to the story! In some ways it reminded me of the Kdrama, Mr. Queen, which is one of my favorite shows! I really would love it if a sequel came out because I just love Lily and Simon so much!
November 5, 2025
What’s it like to be caught in the sights of one of history’s worst husbands? Unfortunately for Lily, she’s about to find out. Magically transported into the body of Catherine Howard with no return ticket in sight, Lily must figure out how to survive Tudor England without messing up the timeline—or getting herself (or anyone else) killed. No easy task.
I absolutely loved the female-empowered relationships Lily built at court. As a psychology major, I couldn’t help but chuckle at her attempts to psychoanalyze the Tudor court. Kate Bromley’s writing beautifully humanized several historical figures who’ve long been maligned, putting their choices—or more often, their lack of choice—into clearer perspective.
Well, except Henry. While he may have been mentally unwell, he still made conscious choices… and murdered a lot of people. Sorry dude, no pass for you.
The witty banter and vibrant side characters made this such a delight—I stayed up all night reading. There are also some steamy moments, and the chemistry between Lily and Simon? Chef’s kiss.
In short: if Kate Bromley writes it, I’m reading it.
Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
I absolutely loved the female-empowered relationships Lily built at court. As a psychology major, I couldn’t help but chuckle at her attempts to psychoanalyze the Tudor court. Kate Bromley’s writing beautifully humanized several historical figures who’ve long been maligned, putting their choices—or more often, their lack of choice—into clearer perspective.
Well, except Henry. While he may have been mentally unwell, he still made conscious choices… and murdered a lot of people. Sorry dude, no pass for you.
The witty banter and vibrant side characters made this such a delight—I stayed up all night reading. There are also some steamy moments, and the chemistry between Lily and Simon? Chef’s kiss.
In short: if Kate Bromley writes it, I’m reading it.
Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
October 23, 2025
If you are a vibes reader who loved Six the musical, this could be perfect for you.
It’s fun, a little ridiculous, and completely over the top. When Lily wakes up as Lady Catherine, she has to navigate King Henry VIII’s court, try to not be beheaded, and ideally find her way back to present day. I enjoy Lily using her psychology degree to offer therapy sessions to courtiers. And once I realized I needed to embrace the chaos, I was able to laugh along as the plot unfolded.
I do wish there was more…logic? I found it hating how things weren’t explained and the reader was just supposed to go along with them (e.g., how she goes back in time, how Lily spoke like someone from the 21st century and no one questioned, general historical inaccuracies, etc). I think maybe I’m just a little too literal and left-brained for this one.
Thanks to Kate Bromley, Avon, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
It’s fun, a little ridiculous, and completely over the top. When Lily wakes up as Lady Catherine, she has to navigate King Henry VIII’s court, try to not be beheaded, and ideally find her way back to present day. I enjoy Lily using her psychology degree to offer therapy sessions to courtiers. And once I realized I needed to embrace the chaos, I was able to laugh along as the plot unfolded.
I do wish there was more…logic? I found it hating how things weren’t explained and the reader was just supposed to go along with them (e.g., how she goes back in time, how Lily spoke like someone from the 21st century and no one questioned, general historical inaccuracies, etc). I think maybe I’m just a little too literal and left-brained for this one.
Thanks to Kate Bromley, Avon, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 1, 2026
The Other Boleyn Girl, but less tragedy and more girl power. Lily falls back in time into Catherine Howard’s body, but keeps her wits, standards, and education so she is able to psychoanalyze the narcissist that is Henry VIII and his court in order to survive and get herself back home.
The way the problems and people of Hampton Court in the 1540’s are described with a 2020’s vernacular is hilarious. The writing is lighthearted and sharp. I never felt like I was reading someone's attempts at being funny, just actual funny writing. The concept of this book is unique, and I frankly had no idea how we were going to get out of the mess Lily found herself in, but it was sexy and fun and intelligent.
The way the problems and people of Hampton Court in the 1540’s are described with a 2020’s vernacular is hilarious. The writing is lighthearted and sharp. I never felt like I was reading someone's attempts at being funny, just actual funny writing. The concept of this book is unique, and I frankly had no idea how we were going to get out of the mess Lily found herself in, but it was sexy and fun and intelligent.
November 8, 2025
In My Tudor Era was a fun little romp through English history.
Lily is on a girl's trip visiting London when she somehow slips into the past. Finding herself inhabiting Catherine Howard's body, she tries to girlboss her way to a better ending.
While parts of this are pretty silly, if you like Six The Musical and The Lady Janies books, this just might be your jam!
I've always found Henry VIII and his wives to be interesting, so I enjoyed this historical fantasy.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an early copy for review.
Lily is on a girl's trip visiting London when she somehow slips into the past. Finding herself inhabiting Catherine Howard's body, she tries to girlboss her way to a better ending.
While parts of this are pretty silly, if you like Six The Musical and The Lady Janies books, this just might be your jam!
I've always found Henry VIII and his wives to be interesting, so I enjoyed this historical fantasy.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an early copy for review.
November 9, 2025
I’ve always loved anything related to the Tudor period and will happily read just about any book featuring one of Henry VIII’s six wives. Since so little is known about Catherine Howard, it was fascinating to imagine what she might have been like. While this book leans heavily on the fiction side of historical fiction, it was well written and thoroughly enjoyable. I’d definitely recommend it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 8, 2025
4.5 stars easy- This book was so fun!
I am a sucker for the history of Tudor England & this book was the freshest retelling I’ve read in a long while. Time traveling done correctly! Easy to follow, no confusing time jumps, & the perfect history rewrite. FMC/MMC chemistry is perfection. This book will be loved by historical fiction & romantic readers!
Thank you NetGalley & the publisher for the eARC!
I am a sucker for the history of Tudor England & this book was the freshest retelling I’ve read in a long while. Time traveling done correctly! Easy to follow, no confusing time jumps, & the perfect history rewrite. FMC/MMC chemistry is perfection. This book will be loved by historical fiction & romantic readers!
Thank you NetGalley & the publisher for the eARC!
December 26, 2025
3.5! Not the best book I’ve ever read, but a super cute and clever idea nonetheless. I really enjoyed the characters and storyline, especially knowing the history of Henry VIII and his wives. And also, Simon 🥹
October 6, 2025
A fun time-travel romantic romp through Tudor England. Enjoyed it immensely. Reminded me in parts of Jude Deveraux's "A Knight in Shinning Armor" that I adored when it was published.
January 13, 2026
Funny, witty time-travel rom com that sends psychology student Lily back to the time of Henry VII. She’s not only back in time, but is now none other than Catherine Howard, 5th wife of the king, and as Lily knows, will be beheaded.
Can Lily change the course of history? Can she use her knowledge of history to re-write the story?
This is such a creative concept. I loved the relationships Lily formed with her ladies in waiting and how she used her psychology background to analyze and provide therapy for everyone!
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy. Publication date March 2026.
Can Lily change the course of history? Can she use her knowledge of history to re-write the story?
This is such a creative concept. I loved the relationships Lily formed with her ladies in waiting and how she used her psychology background to analyze and provide therapy for everyone!
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy. Publication date March 2026.
December 28, 2025
This is absolutely the most fun I’ve had reading a book all year! The humor had me actually laughing out loud, the romance was swoon-worthy, and the steam was HOT. Also, mental health advocation, improved servant conditions, pre-gaming, after parties, and girl gangs - all together, a helluva ride! Thanks to Avon for the ARC.
September 29, 2025
Hilarious, history rewriting fun! Thank you Harper Collins for an advance copy of this fast-paced and romantic read!
November 5, 2025
I absolutely devoured this book. As a history lover and anglophile, I had a blast reading this! It was such a unique premise, and Bromley is such a great writer. I think romcom and historical lovers alike will love this one!
*Thank you Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
*Thank you Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 22, 2025
Lily is visiting London when she finds herself in the Haunted Gallery, and suddenly tumbles headfirst into Henry VIII’s England. She realizes she’s inhabiting Catherine Howard’s body and must face the terrifying knowledge that she’s destined to meet the same fate as Anne Boleyn. As Lily struggles to find a way to change her future and return to her own time, she meets Simon, the King’s best man - and everything becomes even more complicated.
I absolutely loved this book! Give me time travel, courtly intrigue, and romance any day of the week. The writing is smooth, the pacing sharp, and I loved how it kept me on my toes from start to finish. The story’s structure and humor reminded me of the My Lady Jane series - a perfect blend of history and modern wit. You can’t help but root for Lily, enjoy the lively ensemble of ladies around her, and even (somehow!) feel a bit sorry for Henry, awful as he was.
I highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys time slips, royal court drama, historical fiction, and a dash of steamy romance.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
I absolutely loved this book! Give me time travel, courtly intrigue, and romance any day of the week. The writing is smooth, the pacing sharp, and I loved how it kept me on my toes from start to finish. The story’s structure and humor reminded me of the My Lady Jane series - a perfect blend of history and modern wit. You can’t help but root for Lily, enjoy the lively ensemble of ladies around her, and even (somehow!) feel a bit sorry for Henry, awful as he was.
I highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys time slips, royal court drama, historical fiction, and a dash of steamy romance.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
November 14, 2025
This book was amazing I don’t wanna give spoilers but it’s a must read and steamy!!!
November 5, 2025
Oh my goodness, I loved "In My Tudor Era!" Modern-day PhD candidate Lily takes a trip to England with her best friend to recharge after a stressful year. Then, while visiting Hampton Court Palace, Lily inadvertently time-travels back to the 1500s, where she's trapped in the body of King Henry VIII's doomed fifth wife, Catherine Howard. Somehow, Lily must find a way to get back to the 21st century — without losing her head.
In My Tudor Era was sweet, spicy and a lot of fun. Highly recommended for those who enjoy romantic comedies with a strong female lead and historical fiction on the lighter side.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
In My Tudor Era was sweet, spicy and a lot of fun. Highly recommended for those who enjoy romantic comedies with a strong female lead and historical fiction on the lighter side.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
November 19, 2025
The book starts out strong, and you keep wondering how our main girl Lily will be able to return back to her time & avoid the fate of the historical Tudor queen whose body she now inhabits. The time travel is not taken too seriously here, and instead Lily's journey is more about building alliances and friendships.
The steamy romance aspect fell short for me, it was purely instalove and I just didn't buy Lily's attraction to Simon (also, she knows she has to leave this time period & yet keeps sabotaging her chances of escape at EVERY possible opportunity). If the author focused more on the comedy aspects & developing the side characters more (like the astrologer Matthias, the troupe of musicians, the maids, etc.), it would make "In My Tudor Era" so much better.
The steamy romance aspect fell short for me, it was purely instalove and I just didn't buy Lily's attraction to Simon (also, she knows she has to leave this time period & yet keeps sabotaging her chances of escape at EVERY possible opportunity). If the author focused more on the comedy aspects & developing the side characters more (like the astrologer Matthias, the troupe of musicians, the maids, etc.), it would make "In My Tudor Era" so much better.
October 14, 2025
Review: 4.5 Stars
What’s it like to be caught in the sights of one of history’s worst husbands? Unfortunately for Lily, she’s about to find out. Magically transported into the body of Catherine Howard with no return ticket in sight, Lily must figure out how to survive Tudor England without messing up the timeline—or getting herself (or anyone else) killed. No easy task.
I absolutely loved the female-empowered relationships Lily built at court. As a psychology major, I couldn’t help but chuckle at her attempts to psychoanalyze the Tudor court. Kate Bromley’s writing beautifully humanized several historical figures who’ve long been maligned, putting their choices—or more often, their lack of choice—into clearer perspective.
Well, except Henry. While he may have been mentally unwell, he still made conscious choices… and murdered a lot of people. Sorry dude, no pass for you.
The witty banter and vibrant side characters made this such a delight—I stayed up all night reading. There are also some steamy moments, and the chemistry between Lily and Simon? Chef’s kiss.
In short: if Kate Bromley writes it, I’m reading it.
Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
What’s it like to be caught in the sights of one of history’s worst husbands? Unfortunately for Lily, she’s about to find out. Magically transported into the body of Catherine Howard with no return ticket in sight, Lily must figure out how to survive Tudor England without messing up the timeline—or getting herself (or anyone else) killed. No easy task.
I absolutely loved the female-empowered relationships Lily built at court. As a psychology major, I couldn’t help but chuckle at her attempts to psychoanalyze the Tudor court. Kate Bromley’s writing beautifully humanized several historical figures who’ve long been maligned, putting their choices—or more often, their lack of choice—into clearer perspective.
Well, except Henry. While he may have been mentally unwell, he still made conscious choices… and murdered a lot of people. Sorry dude, no pass for you.
The witty banter and vibrant side characters made this such a delight—I stayed up all night reading. There are also some steamy moments, and the chemistry between Lily and Simon? Chef’s kiss.
In short: if Kate Bromley writes it, I’m reading it.
Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
November 16, 2025
Unfortunately not for me. Lily was very frustrating and made no attempts to blend in. The use of modern language also threw me off.
Thank you NetGalley for the arc
Thank you NetGalley for the arc
January 8, 2026
I wanted so, so badly to like this. Historical fiction, romance, and time travel are all things I absolutely love, and the concept of a psychology student randomly being sucked back in time to Henry VIII's reign was interesting (because which of us HAVEN'T wondered what went on in that man's mind, or those of the people around him?).
Unfortunately, while I can generally suspend my disbelief (to a certain extent) for the sake of a fun story, I just couldn't get over the modern terminology used not only by the FMC, but even those around her (in the 1500s, mind you). I also think I just didn't like the FMC—as much as I wanted to. As the story progressed, it's like she'd switch from being a psychologist to a try-hard to a horny teenager. There were too many plot holes, too many things that just did not make sense, too many storylines left unfinished, underdeveloped, or forgotten, and I didn't buy the "love" between the main characters (it was more a case of unexplained insta-lust, and their whole relationship seemed to revolve around sex). Idk.
That said, I DID like the premise of the story, some of the side characters (Lady Rochford, Thomas Culpepper, Bessie, the musicians, etc.), and the world-building.
Again, I wish I liked this far more than I did, but I'm grateful to Avon and NetGalley for the review copy.
Website | Bookstagram | BookTok
Unfortunately, while I can generally suspend my disbelief (to a certain extent) for the sake of a fun story, I just couldn't get over the modern terminology used not only by the FMC, but even those around her (in the 1500s, mind you). I also think I just didn't like the FMC—as much as I wanted to. As the story progressed, it's like she'd switch from being a psychologist to a try-hard to a horny teenager. There were too many plot holes, too many things that just did not make sense, too many storylines left unfinished, underdeveloped, or forgotten, and I didn't buy the "love" between the main characters (it was more a case of unexplained insta-lust, and their whole relationship seemed to revolve around sex). Idk.
That said, I DID like the premise of the story, some of the side characters (Lady Rochford, Thomas Culpepper, Bessie, the musicians, etc.), and the world-building.
Again, I wish I liked this far more than I did, but I'm grateful to Avon and NetGalley for the review copy.
Website | Bookstagram | BookTok
October 8, 2025
I love the history of the Tudors and Victorian times so this was right up my alley. Lilly, who is from the 21st century, somehow time travels and becomes Catherine Howard. Knowing her fate, Lilly tries to prevent that but she falls in love with the court groom. This was a really good book. I loved the twist on history and thrown in modern times. Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read and share my thoughts.
December 5, 2025
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyage!)
TROPES
🩷Time Travel Romance
🩷Sunshine x Sunshine
🩷She Falls First, He Falls Harder
🩷Secret Relationship
🩷Female Relationships
🩷Tudor Romance
--💟💟--
IN MY TUDOR ERA is a time-travel romance following a plucky, aspiring psychologist named Lily who gets tossed into the Tudor Era, becoming Catherine Howard as she tries to survive in the old world while fostering friendships and a new love. If you love:
👑History/Time-Travel
👑Modern References
👑Strong FMC
👑Love Triangle-(ish)
👑Smitten MMC
👑Strong Female Friendships
Then this book is for you!
I have mixed reviews about this book, but overall, I enjoyed it!
What I loved the most was our FMC, Lily/Catherine. She was unapologetically herself, but she understood that she had to attempt to fit into the times. I loved the girl group that she formed with Bessie, Cecily, Lady Rochford, and more. Their solidarity was beautiful and I loved reading every second of it, especially, the masque scene! Bessie and Lily's relationship and Lily and Lady Rochford's relationship were my favorite, and what I loved even more about Lily is that she was truly a girl's girl. Even to women who didn't deserve her kindness, she offered them grace and kindness. I also loved that Lily apologized whenever she thought she was being too harsh, because even though she was right many of the times, I loved that she had that humility to her. It made her more likeable and grounded! I wish we'd gotten to see Lily use more of her psychology know-how, as I felt like that was undermined in the story.
I also loved the history that Bromley gives us about the Tudor era, but it does feel like info-dumping rather than being woven through the text. Similarly, I struggled to connect with the male characters. Simon and Lily's chemistry felt lacking even if I was rooting for them, and I didn't understand what the point of Mattias and Frances Dereham, William Culpepper, etc. They had their brief moments, but they didn't add much to the story. Even Henry's character felt lacking.
What gutted me the most was the lack of chemistry between Simon and Lily. It reminded me of like when you go to Medieval Times or one of those history events and the actor will toss you a rose. It was just that brief moment, but that's it, and nothing goes beyond that. Simon and Lily don't interact a lot; I think she has more pages with her ladies than with Simon, and I think their chemistry was supposed to hinge on our willow-tree moment, but it just never stuck with me. It felt more like a vacation fling than anything.
I enjoyed the story, but I felt like the chapters either moved too slow or too fast. There wasn't much going on, especially after Henry leaves after he and Lily marry, so I wasn't sure what exactly I was waiting for while reading. We know that Lily has to return to her era, but the whole plot about how she got there, the 'mist', and the letters felt like they were an afterthought. I also wondered how people so easily accepted that she was from a different era. I was stunned! In terms of actual plot, it didn't quite feel 'cozy', more so waiting for a ball that didn't drop with as much strength as you'd expect.
Also, WHAT ABOUT THE DAUGHTERS?? I kept waiting for Mary and Elizabeth to be brought up, but we never learned of their plight or how Lily/Catherine would have interacted with them! They also suffered, and I would have liked to see Lily encourage them as young girls.
But I have to say, that willow tree scene had me 😍It wasn't described in detail, but Bromley gave us just enough so that I could feel myself in Lily's shoes!
I still have no idea how Lily got into the past, though, or what Catherine was doing the whole time. Her introduction felt random and honestly I wish there were more chapters, because there are so many ideas that I thought could have been fleshed out more. How did ANYONE believe she was Catherine Howard?? She tried to fit in for maybe five seconds and then transferred to modern slang/ways and everyone just accepted it? Even though I loved the female empowerment moments, I felt like they needed more of a REASON to happen. These women have been taught from birth to be obedient, and all of a sudden they're outspoken and independent? Don't get me wrong, I loved it, but I felt like i needed more scenes of Lily helping to empower these women!
Will I buy this book though? I think I will! It's the kind of book I can see myself taking up when I want something completely relaxing, where the plot moves smoothly with minimal drama. While I do wish we HAD more drama (like Lily's backstory with her mom - I have no idea what happened there, or with Francis or the other women - even Catherine Parr!) I enjoyed it and look forward to more of Bromley's work!
TROPES
🩷Time Travel Romance
🩷Sunshine x Sunshine
🩷She Falls First, He Falls Harder
🩷Secret Relationship
🩷Female Relationships
🩷Tudor Romance
--💟💟--
IN MY TUDOR ERA is a time-travel romance following a plucky, aspiring psychologist named Lily who gets tossed into the Tudor Era, becoming Catherine Howard as she tries to survive in the old world while fostering friendships and a new love. If you love:
👑History/Time-Travel
👑Modern References
👑Strong FMC
👑Love Triangle-(ish)
👑Smitten MMC
👑Strong Female Friendships
Then this book is for you!
I have mixed reviews about this book, but overall, I enjoyed it!
What I loved the most was our FMC, Lily/Catherine. She was unapologetically herself, but she understood that she had to attempt to fit into the times. I loved the girl group that she formed with Bessie, Cecily, Lady Rochford, and more. Their solidarity was beautiful and I loved reading every second of it, especially, the masque scene! Bessie and Lily's relationship and Lily and Lady Rochford's relationship were my favorite, and what I loved even more about Lily is that she was truly a girl's girl. Even to women who didn't deserve her kindness, she offered them grace and kindness. I also loved that Lily apologized whenever she thought she was being too harsh, because even though she was right many of the times, I loved that she had that humility to her. It made her more likeable and grounded! I wish we'd gotten to see Lily use more of her psychology know-how, as I felt like that was undermined in the story.
I also loved the history that Bromley gives us about the Tudor era, but it does feel like info-dumping rather than being woven through the text. Similarly, I struggled to connect with the male characters. Simon and Lily's chemistry felt lacking even if I was rooting for them, and I didn't understand what the point of Mattias and Frances Dereham, William Culpepper, etc. They had their brief moments, but they didn't add much to the story. Even Henry's character felt lacking.
What gutted me the most was the lack of chemistry between Simon and Lily. It reminded me of like when you go to Medieval Times or one of those history events and the actor will toss you a rose. It was just that brief moment, but that's it, and nothing goes beyond that. Simon and Lily don't interact a lot; I think she has more pages with her ladies than with Simon, and I think their chemistry was supposed to hinge on our willow-tree moment, but it just never stuck with me. It felt more like a vacation fling than anything.
I enjoyed the story, but I felt like the chapters either moved too slow or too fast. There wasn't much going on, especially after Henry leaves after he and Lily marry, so I wasn't sure what exactly I was waiting for while reading. We know that Lily has to return to her era, but the whole plot about how she got there, the 'mist', and the letters felt like they were an afterthought. I also wondered how people so easily accepted that she was from a different era. I was stunned! In terms of actual plot, it didn't quite feel 'cozy', more so waiting for a ball that didn't drop with as much strength as you'd expect.
Also, WHAT ABOUT THE DAUGHTERS?? I kept waiting for Mary and Elizabeth to be brought up, but we never learned of their plight or how Lily/Catherine would have interacted with them! They also suffered, and I would have liked to see Lily encourage them as young girls.
But I have to say, that willow tree scene had me 😍It wasn't described in detail, but Bromley gave us just enough so that I could feel myself in Lily's shoes!
I still have no idea how Lily got into the past, though, or what Catherine was doing the whole time. Her introduction felt random and honestly I wish there were more chapters, because there are so many ideas that I thought could have been fleshed out more. How did ANYONE believe she was Catherine Howard?? She tried to fit in for maybe five seconds and then transferred to modern slang/ways and everyone just accepted it? Even though I loved the female empowerment moments, I felt like they needed more of a REASON to happen. These women have been taught from birth to be obedient, and all of a sudden they're outspoken and independent? Don't get me wrong, I loved it, but I felt like i needed more scenes of Lily helping to empower these women!
Will I buy this book though? I think I will! It's the kind of book I can see myself taking up when I want something completely relaxing, where the plot moves smoothly with minimal drama. While I do wish we HAD more drama (like Lily's backstory with her mom - I have no idea what happened there, or with Francis or the other women - even Catherine Parr!) I enjoyed it and look forward to more of Bromley's work!
November 4, 2025
Lily Whitaker is a PHD student from California on vacation with her best friend Zoe in England. While visiting Hampton Court Palace, she learns that the castle is supposedly haunted by the ghost of Catherine Howard, the fifth wife of King Henry VIII whom he beheaded for suspicion of adultery along with two of her accused lovers, Thomas Culpepper and Francis Dereham. Lily hears some mysterious music and suddenly faints, waking up in Tudor England in the body of Catherine Howard! Lily needs to learn how to navigate the politics of Tudor England, avoid Catherine’s ex-boyfriends, not fall in love with the charming and handsome courtier Simon Gainsford, and somehow make it back to the modern day without losing her head.
This is a really fun and cute book. I’m not going to say it’s the most historically accurate romance novel since it involves time travel and Lily spends a fair amount of the time doing therapy sessions with her ladies in waiting and pushing for more equitable treatment of the servants, but it does not take itself too seriously and it makes for an enjoyable read. Lily is very capable and levelheaded, using her psychology training to both assist the friends she makes at court and also control the mercurial whims of her husband, Henry VIII. I really liked her sense of humor because she references pop culture such as Mean Girls (which could definitely be used to describe some of the women at court) or A Knight’s Tale, and is constantly trying to expand her world and the roles assigned to her beyond the confines of the court by sneaking out to visit a Revel, or throwing a co-ed bachelor/bachelorette party for her friend. Simon, her love interest, is the first Tudor person she meets and he is handsome, witty, charming, and very much a traditional chivalrous knight. He did not seem as well fleshed out as Lily did but he was swoon-worthy enough where you understand why Lily is attracted enough to him to risk the king’s wrath.
Favorite part of the book: Case studies and therapy sessions including one where the woman says, “I have trouble sleeping at night for fear of being killed by an angry mob.”...”Thank you for sharing that, Margaret,” I tell her. “May I ask why you have that fear?”
“On account that I watched as my entire family was killed by an angry mob.” (ok sorry, I have a dark sense of humor but I thought it was funny.)
Second favorite parts: the friendships Lily makes with her ladies in waiting and maids of honor including Lady Rochford, Catherine Howard’s cousin and cousin to Anne Boleyn and former wife of George Boleyn who is a boss bitch. Lady Wessex who has the darkest and saltiest sense of humor, Bessie, who is the super sweet castle herbalist , Cecily her lady’s maid who gives her all the tea, and Bartholomew and William, castle musicians and Lily’s gay BFFs.
I was very curious how the book was going to end, because I knew that Catherine Howard’s story did not end well but this is a rom-com/romance novel and it needs a happily ever after and I was pleased with how it ended up. I’m not going to spoil it but I was surprised.
I recommend this book for readers who enjoy a unique take on historical romance novels and want something lighthearted with a twisted sense of humor.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC
This is a really fun and cute book. I’m not going to say it’s the most historically accurate romance novel since it involves time travel and Lily spends a fair amount of the time doing therapy sessions with her ladies in waiting and pushing for more equitable treatment of the servants, but it does not take itself too seriously and it makes for an enjoyable read. Lily is very capable and levelheaded, using her psychology training to both assist the friends she makes at court and also control the mercurial whims of her husband, Henry VIII. I really liked her sense of humor because she references pop culture such as Mean Girls (which could definitely be used to describe some of the women at court) or A Knight’s Tale, and is constantly trying to expand her world and the roles assigned to her beyond the confines of the court by sneaking out to visit a Revel, or throwing a co-ed bachelor/bachelorette party for her friend. Simon, her love interest, is the first Tudor person she meets and he is handsome, witty, charming, and very much a traditional chivalrous knight. He did not seem as well fleshed out as Lily did but he was swoon-worthy enough where you understand why Lily is attracted enough to him to risk the king’s wrath.
Favorite part of the book: Case studies and therapy sessions including one where the woman says, “I have trouble sleeping at night for fear of being killed by an angry mob.”...”Thank you for sharing that, Margaret,” I tell her. “May I ask why you have that fear?”
“On account that I watched as my entire family was killed by an angry mob.” (ok sorry, I have a dark sense of humor but I thought it was funny.)
Second favorite parts: the friendships Lily makes with her ladies in waiting and maids of honor including Lady Rochford, Catherine Howard’s cousin and cousin to Anne Boleyn and former wife of George Boleyn who is a boss bitch. Lady Wessex who has the darkest and saltiest sense of humor, Bessie, who is the super sweet castle herbalist , Cecily her lady’s maid who gives her all the tea, and Bartholomew and William, castle musicians and Lily’s gay BFFs.
I was very curious how the book was going to end, because I knew that Catherine Howard’s story did not end well but this is a rom-com/romance novel and it needs a happily ever after and I was pleased with how it ended up. I’m not going to spoil it but I was surprised.
I recommend this book for readers who enjoy a unique take on historical romance novels and want something lighthearted with a twisted sense of humor.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC
November 10, 2025
This book was fun, but in a “you can’t think too hard about this or you’ll start to ask too many questions” way. And by that I mean that there are so many different plot holes in this book that I had a hard time getting close to the characters.
Lily, our protagonist, is on vacation at Hampton Court Palace. In a very Goosebumps-esque twist of fate (no seriously, there’s a whole Goossbumps tv show episode where this exact thing happens) she *somehow* (it’s never quite explained) gets sent back to Tudor era England where she wakes up as the doomed Catherine Howard.
Very quickly Lily realizes that she is well and truly screwed, as Catherine Howard was one of Henry VIII’s wives (you know, divorced beheaded died, all of that).
One of the many things that didn’t sit with me properly was the use of 21st century terminology in this. I’m sure that if I were to end up back in time I’d do the exact same thing, but having to read about our FMC teaching Tudor Era England drinking games and teaching them the art of “pregaming” just sent me into orbit.
Also, Lily as a whole is very frustrating. At points she’s like “Okay, I need to do x,y,z to keep my head down and make it through this” and then she actively gives the women in Hampton Court birth control.
I was way too invested in Lily getting home that the romance just didn’t do it for me. It was insta-lust, and the two love interests had absolutely no chemistry. None whatsoever. Simon was as flat as they come, and Lily was just horny for 90% of the book.
I did like the setting and how the book was written. If you like Historical Fiction, this perhaps isn’t the book for you because you need to be able to suspend ALL of your prior beliefs and knowledge of the time period. If you like a good time and an easy read, this is for you. It was fun, it was silly, and it’s perfect as a vacation read or something to get you out of a reading slump.
Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC!
Lily, our protagonist, is on vacation at Hampton Court Palace. In a very Goosebumps-esque twist of fate (no seriously, there’s a whole Goossbumps tv show episode where this exact thing happens) she *somehow* (it’s never quite explained) gets sent back to Tudor era England where she wakes up as the doomed Catherine Howard.
Very quickly Lily realizes that she is well and truly screwed, as Catherine Howard was one of Henry VIII’s wives (you know, divorced beheaded died, all of that).
One of the many things that didn’t sit with me properly was the use of 21st century terminology in this. I’m sure that if I were to end up back in time I’d do the exact same thing, but having to read about our FMC teaching Tudor Era England drinking games and teaching them the art of “pregaming” just sent me into orbit.
Also, Lily as a whole is very frustrating. At points she’s like “Okay, I need to do x,y,z to keep my head down and make it through this” and then she actively gives the women in Hampton Court birth control.
I was way too invested in Lily getting home that the romance just didn’t do it for me. It was insta-lust, and the two love interests had absolutely no chemistry. None whatsoever. Simon was as flat as they come, and Lily was just horny for 90% of the book.
I did like the setting and how the book was written. If you like Historical Fiction, this perhaps isn’t the book for you because you need to be able to suspend ALL of your prior beliefs and knowledge of the time period. If you like a good time and an easy read, this is for you. It was fun, it was silly, and it’s perfect as a vacation read or something to get you out of a reading slump.
Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2025
If you’ve wished Outlander was set in Tudor England and had the energy of a contemporary rom-com, then wow, do I have the book for you. In My Tudor Era follows Lily, a PhD candidate in psychology who accidentally transports herself back to Hampton Court in the 1540s, except not as herself—as Catherine Howard, Henry VIII’s fifth wife.
This premise doesn't really make sense, but it also doesn’t try to. The dialogue is full of 2020s-specific slang (I don’t think someone from 1541 would say “I can fix him”) but once I accepted the novel is more of a Ren Faire-type fantasy, it’s easier to digest. Though I’m probably a harsher critic than most, as someone with a background in history (specifically around this time period), and I found myself wanting a bit more historical accuracy/details.
I enjoyed the side characters at court and how Lily uses her psychological training to build trust with them. I wanted a bit more from the male love interest (obviously it’s not Henry Tudor), as their relationship felt a bit insta-lovey to me, and I was more interested in the bond between Lily-as-Catherine and her ladies & maids.
2.5/5: A romance that was made in a lab for super fans of the musical Six. Even though I personally struggled a bit with the execution, I am glad this novel exists. We need more unique passion projects, and “what if you were suddenly Catherine Howard and needed to avoid getting executed so you started hosting therapy sessions at court” is hysterical and somewhat genius.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This premise doesn't really make sense, but it also doesn’t try to. The dialogue is full of 2020s-specific slang (I don’t think someone from 1541 would say “I can fix him”) but once I accepted the novel is more of a Ren Faire-type fantasy, it’s easier to digest. Though I’m probably a harsher critic than most, as someone with a background in history (specifically around this time period), and I found myself wanting a bit more historical accuracy/details.
I enjoyed the side characters at court and how Lily uses her psychological training to build trust with them. I wanted a bit more from the male love interest (obviously it’s not Henry Tudor), as their relationship felt a bit insta-lovey to me, and I was more interested in the bond between Lily-as-Catherine and her ladies & maids.
2.5/5: A romance that was made in a lab for super fans of the musical Six. Even though I personally struggled a bit with the execution, I am glad this novel exists. We need more unique passion projects, and “what if you were suddenly Catherine Howard and needed to avoid getting executed so you started hosting therapy sessions at court” is hysterical and somewhat genius.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC!
When Lily unexpectedly finds herself thrown back in time to the 16th century, she lands in the body of Queen Catherine Howard, the infamous fifth of Henry VIII. How will she manage to balance medieval society, court intrigue, and an unexpected romance all the while trying to change the reality of Catherine’s inevitable demise?
I never knew how much I needed a Tudor girl squad!
An absolute romp through Hampton Court palace was not on my bingo card, but it was totally needed. I’d like to think Lily is all of us should we wind up in the past. Her tidbits of modernity thrown into Medieval customs were great, and yes, so many problems might’ve been fixed had therapy been a thing 500 years ago.
Lily and Simon’s sweet romance undercut the terror of her marriage to Henry. He is a Tudor golden retriever that only ever cares about Lily, a refreshing change from the usual figures of the era. He gives a touch of Prince Philip level himbo vibes—a book boyfriend dream.
I wish we saw a bit more of Lily acquainting herself with the more mundane customs of the 1500s. How does one go from indoor plumbing to chamber pots and privies? At least one scene would’ve been great and (probably) highly entertaining.
This is definitely a fun, raunchy time travel romance. I’d highly recommend for fans of Six the Musical and Reign—a touch of modern set in the past!
When Lily unexpectedly finds herself thrown back in time to the 16th century, she lands in the body of Queen Catherine Howard, the infamous fifth of Henry VIII. How will she manage to balance medieval society, court intrigue, and an unexpected romance all the while trying to change the reality of Catherine’s inevitable demise?
I never knew how much I needed a Tudor girl squad!
An absolute romp through Hampton Court palace was not on my bingo card, but it was totally needed. I’d like to think Lily is all of us should we wind up in the past. Her tidbits of modernity thrown into Medieval customs were great, and yes, so many problems might’ve been fixed had therapy been a thing 500 years ago.
Lily and Simon’s sweet romance undercut the terror of her marriage to Henry. He is a Tudor golden retriever that only ever cares about Lily, a refreshing change from the usual figures of the era. He gives a touch of Prince Philip level himbo vibes—a book boyfriend dream.
I wish we saw a bit more of Lily acquainting herself with the more mundane customs of the 1500s. How does one go from indoor plumbing to chamber pots and privies? At least one scene would’ve been great and (probably) highly entertaining.
This is definitely a fun, raunchy time travel romance. I’d highly recommend for fans of Six the Musical and Reign—a touch of modern set in the past!
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