What do you think?
Rate this book
The Broken and the Beautiful
Not yet published
Expected 31 Oct 26Imagine Bridgerton, but everyone’s navigating dark trauma in a gothic setting . . .
Orphaned and stripped of her inheritance, Isadora is sent to live with an aunt whose single ambition is to see her married.
With no say in the matter, Isadora is swept into a season of balls, soirées, and relentless introductions.
But Isadora's dark past leaves her feeling out of place and lonely in this glittering society, unworthy of attention from the gentlemanly Mr. Theodore Westridge.
Instead, she finds herself drawn to the eerie Harrowmoor Hall, a house that seems to hold pain akin to her own, and a mysterious painter who once lived there.
When yearning outweighs logic, everything will fall apart.
Pride and Prejudice meets The Phantom of the Opera; The Broken and the Beautiful is a binge-worthy, beautifully tragic love story.
TROPES:
Slow Burn Gothic Romance 🌶️
Whimsical FMC ✨
Healing Trauma REP ❤️
Beautiful people making questionable choices 🌹
Dark and Brooding MMC VS Golden Retriever MMC 🖤
Hot Priest 🕯️
Eerie and Suspense-filled 😱
Orphaned and stripped of her inheritance, Isadora is sent to live with an aunt whose single ambition is to see her married.
With no say in the matter, Isadora is swept into a season of balls, soirées, and relentless introductions.
But Isadora's dark past leaves her feeling out of place and lonely in this glittering society, unworthy of attention from the gentlemanly Mr. Theodore Westridge.
Instead, she finds herself drawn to the eerie Harrowmoor Hall, a house that seems to hold pain akin to her own, and a mysterious painter who once lived there.
When yearning outweighs logic, everything will fall apart.
Pride and Prejudice meets The Phantom of the Opera; The Broken and the Beautiful is a binge-worthy, beautifully tragic love story.
TROPES:
Slow Burn Gothic Romance 🌶️
Whimsical FMC ✨
Healing Trauma REP ❤️
Beautiful people making questionable choices 🌹
Dark and Brooding MMC VS Golden Retriever MMC 🖤
Hot Priest 🕯️
Eerie and Suspense-filled 😱
331 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 31, 2026
About the author
J. Střelou
4 books128 followersJulia Střelou (J. Střelou) is an indie fantasy romance author and poet.
She was born in Glasgow and raised in Australia on a hippie commune without electricity, where she spent her time lost in books. She now lives in beautiful Middle-earth, AKA. New Zealand.
She is a hopeless romantic and loves weaving intricate tales of tortured hearts in magical worlds.
Millions worldwide have shared her short poems about love, heartbreak, and healing. Sea of Evil and Desire is her debut novel.
She was born in Glasgow and raised in Australia on a hippie commune without electricity, where she spent her time lost in books. She now lives in beautiful Middle-earth, AKA. New Zealand.
She is a hopeless romantic and loves weaving intricate tales of tortured hearts in magical worlds.
Millions worldwide have shared her short poems about love, heartbreak, and healing. Sea of Evil and Desire is her debut novel.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Broken and the Beautiful is an emotional, character-driven story that kept me guessing throughout. While I found the first half of the book slower to get through, the second half completely captured my attention and became increasingly difficult to put down.
One of the strongest aspects of this novel is its character development. The author takes the time to build the relationships and motivations of the characters, allowing readers to become invested in their journeys. The slow-burn romance was particularly well done, developing naturally over the course of the story rather than feeling rushed.
The writing itself flows easily, with scenes described in enough detail to immerse the reader without becoming overwhelming. I found myself getting lost in both the story and the characters, and I appreciated how the author portrayed the contrast between the male characters. Their differences were vividly drawn while still leaving room for the reader's own interpretation.
My feelings toward the main female character were mixed. She was certainly interesting and complex, but at times her indecisiveness frustrated me. There were moments when she came across as selfish or dismissive of how her actions might affect those around her, which occasionally made it difficult for me to connect with her. However, these flaws also made her feel realistic rather than perfect.
What stood out most was the way the story continually surprised me. Every chapter seemed to reveal something new, keeping me engaged and eager to discover what would happen next. The ending, in particular, was beautifully executed. The final twist left me feeling both happiness and heartbreak at the same time—a rare achievement that stayed with me long after I finished the book.
Overall, The Broken and the Beautiful is a compelling read featuring strong character development, an engaging slow-burn romance, and an emotionally impactful conclusion. Readers who enjoy character-focused stories with emotional depth and unexpected turns will likely find plenty to love here.
The Broken and the Beautiful is an emotional, character-driven story that kept me guessing throughout. While I found the first half of the book slower to get through, the second half completely captured my attention and became increasingly difficult to put down.
One of the strongest aspects of this novel is its character development. The author takes the time to build the relationships and motivations of the characters, allowing readers to become invested in their journeys. The slow-burn romance was particularly well done, developing naturally over the course of the story rather than feeling rushed.
The writing itself flows easily, with scenes described in enough detail to immerse the reader without becoming overwhelming. I found myself getting lost in both the story and the characters, and I appreciated how the author portrayed the contrast between the male characters. Their differences were vividly drawn while still leaving room for the reader's own interpretation.
My feelings toward the main female character were mixed. She was certainly interesting and complex, but at times her indecisiveness frustrated me. There were moments when she came across as selfish or dismissive of how her actions might affect those around her, which occasionally made it difficult for me to connect with her. However, these flaws also made her feel realistic rather than perfect.
What stood out most was the way the story continually surprised me. Every chapter seemed to reveal something new, keeping me engaged and eager to discover what would happen next. The ending, in particular, was beautifully executed. The final twist left me feeling both happiness and heartbreak at the same time—a rare achievement that stayed with me long after I finished the book.
Overall, The Broken and the Beautiful is a compelling read featuring strong character development, an engaging slow-burn romance, and an emotionally impactful conclusion. Readers who enjoy character-focused stories with emotional depth and unexpected turns will likely find plenty to love here.
May 19, 2026
First half of the book i was thinking ‘oh this will be a 3 star ⭐️ read’ BOY WAS I WRONG! The second half of this book chef’s kiss, when I say I couldn’t put this book down i mean i couldn’t it’s 4am right now… This book put me through a rollercoaster of emotions from giggling and kicking my feet to crying and throwing my kindle. This book showed me that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that you shouldn’t give up or push people away when life gets hard.
May 6, 2026
“I had touched darkness. It had marked me. Now I found myself calling for it and rejecting the light.”
First of all, I would like to thank J. Strelou for sending me an ARC of The Broken & The Beautiful.
I finished this book in three days, it was an addictive read that had me hooked on finding out what happens next. Overall, I think this book was a brilliant introduction to gothic romance, as it was quite digestible for someone who hasn't read a whole lot in that genre.
Isadora:
She was a character who I felt was very different to Strelou's past FMC's and her quiet longing and darkness was certainly felt through the pages. Her dilemma of whether to follow her heart and her brain had me routing for both at different times. She frustrated me at times, but more because of the era it was set in! I wanted her to have her love without worrying about a dowry and her extended family be affected by her choices!
Mr. Winters:
He was certainly the bad boy with a tortured past vibes. His mystery and avoidance of answering Isadora's questions both frustrated and intrigued me at the same time. What do you mean you won't dance with her?! But of course, it's all explained later in the book.
Mr. Westridge:
Golden retriever vibes through and through. He was such a good egg and I honestly just loved his character. I felt for him when Isadora was unable to decide whether to pursue her head or her heart and I was on his team the whole way through. He is such a gentleman.
This book does have some dark themes to it, and the I felt like it was touched on quite well without being too graphic and a well written healing story. The only thing I would say as constructive criticism was that the novel felt a little rushed. I really wanted to dive into the story and characters with a lot more depth and spend more time within the world.
Overall, I would recommend this book as the perfect entrance into gothic romance. It was moody and beautiful, and of course, some of the quotes are incredibly moving!
First of all, I would like to thank J. Strelou for sending me an ARC of The Broken & The Beautiful.
I finished this book in three days, it was an addictive read that had me hooked on finding out what happens next. Overall, I think this book was a brilliant introduction to gothic romance, as it was quite digestible for someone who hasn't read a whole lot in that genre.
Isadora:
She was a character who I felt was very different to Strelou's past FMC's and her quiet longing and darkness was certainly felt through the pages. Her dilemma of whether to follow her heart and her brain had me routing for both at different times. She frustrated me at times, but more because of the era it was set in! I wanted her to have her love without worrying about a dowry and her extended family be affected by her choices!
Mr. Winters:
He was certainly the bad boy with a tortured past vibes. His mystery and avoidance of answering Isadora's questions both frustrated and intrigued me at the same time. What do you mean you won't dance with her?! But of course, it's all explained later in the book.
Mr. Westridge:
Golden retriever vibes through and through. He was such a good egg and I honestly just loved his character. I felt for him when Isadora was unable to decide whether to pursue her head or her heart and I was on his team the whole way through. He is such a gentleman.
This book does have some dark themes to it, and the I felt like it was touched on quite well without being too graphic and a well written healing story. The only thing I would say as constructive criticism was that the novel felt a little rushed. I really wanted to dive into the story and characters with a lot more depth and spend more time within the world.
Overall, I would recommend this book as the perfect entrance into gothic romance. It was moody and beautiful, and of course, some of the quotes are incredibly moving!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy!
Overall Rating: 2.5 out of 5
Spice Rating: 2 out of 5
Pros:
- The plot is interesting. I enjoyed the twist, though I had guessed it quite early on.
- I do feel like the trauma some of the characters endured were honored in their continuous healing journey.
Cons:
- Theodore is the most patient man in the universe. For me this was the most unrealistic part of the story, because even as a reader I was fed up with Isadora. I mean really what she does to him after having all the time in the world to do "what she must do" was upsetting.
- The characters felt inconsistent in their journeys. A few steps forward and then a whole leap back.
- The pacing felt inconsistent to me. We started out fast and quick to the points if the story. Then slowed wayyy down, just to whip our heads toward fast again.
Overall Rating: 2.5 out of 5
Spice Rating: 2 out of 5
Pros:
- The plot is interesting. I enjoyed the twist, though I had guessed it quite early on.
- I do feel like the trauma some of the characters endured were honored in their continuous healing journey.
Cons:
- Theodore is the most patient man in the universe. For me this was the most unrealistic part of the story, because even as a reader I was fed up with Isadora. I mean really what she does to him after having all the time in the world to do "what she must do" was upsetting.
- The characters felt inconsistent in their journeys. A few steps forward and then a whole leap back.
- The pacing felt inconsistent to me. We started out fast and quick to the points if the story. Then slowed wayyy down, just to whip our heads toward fast again.
June 30, 2026
4.5 rounded to 5 ⭐️
“Miss Blackwood, please believe me when I say I would endure this pain a thousand times over if it meant I could meet you once more.”
The Broken and the Beautiful by J. Střelou felt like stepping into another century. I felt like I was in 1600–1700s, the writing beautifully wrapped itself around my imagination and painted a vivid movie in my mind. Every scene felt atmospheric and immersive, making it easy to lose myself in the world.
This story is beautifully haunting—a tale of broken people, broken hearts, and the slow, tender process of rebuilding. There was a melancholy woven through the pages that lingered long after I finished, balanced by moments of hope and healing.
It’s romantic, aching, and unforgettable—much like the book itself.
If you enjoy historical settings, emotional journeys, and stories that explore what it means to be broken and made whole again, this one is worth picking.
Thank you J. Střelou and NetGalley for this opportunity. These words are my own and I will be getting a copy of this book when it releases 10/31/2026- the most perfect season for this book.
“Miss Blackwood, please believe me when I say I would endure this pain a thousand times over if it meant I could meet you once more.”
The Broken and the Beautiful by J. Střelou felt like stepping into another century. I felt like I was in 1600–1700s, the writing beautifully wrapped itself around my imagination and painted a vivid movie in my mind. Every scene felt atmospheric and immersive, making it easy to lose myself in the world.
This story is beautifully haunting—a tale of broken people, broken hearts, and the slow, tender process of rebuilding. There was a melancholy woven through the pages that lingered long after I finished, balanced by moments of hope and healing.
It’s romantic, aching, and unforgettable—much like the book itself.
If you enjoy historical settings, emotional journeys, and stories that explore what it means to be broken and made whole again, this one is worth picking.
Thank you J. Střelou and NetGalley for this opportunity. These words are my own and I will be getting a copy of this book when it releases 10/31/2026- the most perfect season for this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Netgally review. Like the others, I was sucked in and read it over an evening straight. Had to sit on it a day before the review so digest it all, the prose is heartbreakingly beautiful and the story engulfs you with curiosity in the best way.
Yays 👍
- the gothic, dark aura is so well done you can feel the bleariness of it all
- the author really understands trauma and how it manifests both as madness, stillness and lifelessness. They have conveyed this insight across the book
- the part about letting go and still having a full life was wonderful because so often stories of love don't talk about what happens when we move on and have lives that are beautiful despite our wounds
- the intrigue is real and unexpected, at least I wasn't expecting it
- the writing is beautifully delivered, I saw the author is a poet and it shows
- the main characters are given enough breathing space to develop and become who they are over time
Nays 👎
This is the unpopular opinion part and to be honest there was lot that left me asking for more. If it wasn't for the writing this would be a 3.5 for me. Also spoilers ahead so stop reading now if you're not into that
Yays 👍
- the gothic, dark aura is so well done you can feel the bleariness of it all
- the author really understands trauma and how it manifests both as madness, stillness and lifelessness. They have conveyed this insight across the book
- the part about letting go and still having a full life was wonderful because so often stories of love don't talk about what happens when we move on and have lives that are beautiful despite our wounds
- the intrigue is real and unexpected, at least I wasn't expecting it
- the writing is beautifully delivered, I saw the author is a poet and it shows
- the main characters are given enough breathing space to develop and become who they are over time
Nays 👎
This is the unpopular opinion part and to be honest there was lot that left me asking for more. If it wasn't for the writing this would be a 3.5 for me. Also spoilers ahead so stop reading now if you're not into that
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Love triangle, Bridgerton vibes but darker
This is hands down my favourite book I’ve read this year so far, and definitely my favourite from this author.
What I loved:
• The writing style was beautiful without feeling overdone. Sometimes descriptive writing can get so heavy that it drags the story, but this didnt happen here at all. It almost had this poetic feel to it, and the way scenes were described made everything feel vivid and slightly haunting through the FMCs perspective, while still keeping the story moving.
• The pacing was really good. I never hit that point where I felt myself wanting to skim, and I genuinely kept wanting to know what was going to happen next.
• The storyline surprised me. I get really bored with books where you can basically map out the entire plot after the first few chapters, and this one wasnt like that at all - it kept me guessing!
• The love triangle was actually painful in the best way because I genuinely did not know who I wanted her with. Usually with love triangles theres always one obvious choice, but this one had me constantly changing sides.
• The Victorian setting felt convincing and immersive. The dialogue, the atmosphere, the social details, all of it felt authentic enough that it really pulled me in. Some gothic historical novels lack the authenticity and fall a bit flat, but this one truly had me transported.
What I didnt love:
• Honestly just that it seems to be a standalone because I would absolutely read a second book. It wraps up enough that I dont think one is coming, and I already miss it!
If you like darker romance, proper love triangles, historical settings, paranormal touches that are interesting without becoming too fantasy-heavy, and a plot that keeps shifting under you, I’d definitely recommend this.
Also the spice was done really well. There was enough of it, but it never felt thrown in for the sake of it. It actually matched the emotional build and the storyline, which made it work perfectly.
And if you are a little burnt out on romantasy books where everything revolves around war, battles, training scenes and endless combat, this was such a refreshing change. The tension here comes much more from the relationships, secrets, and emotional messiness, which for me made it way more addictive!
Five stars for sure!
This is hands down my favourite book I’ve read this year so far, and definitely my favourite from this author.
What I loved:
• The writing style was beautiful without feeling overdone. Sometimes descriptive writing can get so heavy that it drags the story, but this didnt happen here at all. It almost had this poetic feel to it, and the way scenes were described made everything feel vivid and slightly haunting through the FMCs perspective, while still keeping the story moving.
• The pacing was really good. I never hit that point where I felt myself wanting to skim, and I genuinely kept wanting to know what was going to happen next.
• The storyline surprised me. I get really bored with books where you can basically map out the entire plot after the first few chapters, and this one wasnt like that at all - it kept me guessing!
• The love triangle was actually painful in the best way because I genuinely did not know who I wanted her with. Usually with love triangles theres always one obvious choice, but this one had me constantly changing sides.
• The Victorian setting felt convincing and immersive. The dialogue, the atmosphere, the social details, all of it felt authentic enough that it really pulled me in. Some gothic historical novels lack the authenticity and fall a bit flat, but this one truly had me transported.
What I didnt love:
• Honestly just that it seems to be a standalone because I would absolutely read a second book. It wraps up enough that I dont think one is coming, and I already miss it!
If you like darker romance, proper love triangles, historical settings, paranormal touches that are interesting without becoming too fantasy-heavy, and a plot that keeps shifting under you, I’d definitely recommend this.
Also the spice was done really well. There was enough of it, but it never felt thrown in for the sake of it. It actually matched the emotional build and the storyline, which made it work perfectly.
And if you are a little burnt out on romantasy books where everything revolves around war, battles, training scenes and endless combat, this was such a refreshing change. The tension here comes much more from the relationships, secrets, and emotional messiness, which for me made it way more addictive!
Five stars for sure!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Where do I even begin with this one? The premise had me immediately clutching my pearls... gothic manor, weird paintings, brooding noblemen, candlelit corridors, and enough Bridgerton-esque yearning to fog up an entire ballroom. Yaaaas. There was a LOT of dramatic glove-sliding onto elbows, an alarming amount of cheek-chewing, and enough storming dramatically out of rooms to qualify as cardio.
The story follows Isadora as she’s pulled into this dark gothic mystery surrounding hauntingly beautiful paintings, the enigmatic Lord D’Alps, and the whole “is this romance or supernatural manipulation?” situation. Add lavish balls, ghostly whispers, tragic backstories and a love triangle with one man very much alive and another… decidedly less so… and honestly I didn't hate the vibes, im here for it.
But then… there was Isadora.
Reader, this woman tested me!!!
Sweet merciful spirits above, I have never wanted to shake a fictional woman so badly in my life. What an absolute menace. Girl spent approximately three encounters with Lord D’Alps, most of which involved her dramatically flouncing away from him and suddenly she’s willing to ruin her entire life over this man and his haunted Etsy portrait collection.
I have never seen someone make so many catastrophic emotional decisions with such confidence.
Meanwhile Theodore, the literal town hottie is RIGHT THERE. Beautiful. Loyal. Patient. Breathing. The poor man spends the whole book essentially going: “Perhaps you could acknowledge my existence?” And Isadora’s just: “Sorry I’m busy cheating on you with Casper Regency Edition.”
The progression of my thoughts when reading this book which made a change from the eye rolls was: “Oh?” “…OH.” “No because surely not.” “REAAAAALLY?” “… oh wow we are actually doing this"
Honestly I didn’t hate this book at all. I actually had fun reading it. The gothic vibes absolutely delivered, the haunted romance was entertainingly chaotic, and parts genuinely sucked me in. But it also felt like the book had consumed three different Pinterest boards at once: Gothic Horror, Bridgerton Ballroom Aesthetic, and Sad Ghost Men Who Need Hugs.
A messy haunted fever dream. Respectfully.
Thanks to the Author and Netgalley for the ARC copy
The story follows Isadora as she’s pulled into this dark gothic mystery surrounding hauntingly beautiful paintings, the enigmatic Lord D’Alps, and the whole “is this romance or supernatural manipulation?” situation. Add lavish balls, ghostly whispers, tragic backstories and a love triangle with one man very much alive and another… decidedly less so… and honestly I didn't hate the vibes, im here for it.
But then… there was Isadora.
Reader, this woman tested me!!!
Sweet merciful spirits above, I have never wanted to shake a fictional woman so badly in my life. What an absolute menace. Girl spent approximately three encounters with Lord D’Alps, most of which involved her dramatically flouncing away from him and suddenly she’s willing to ruin her entire life over this man and his haunted Etsy portrait collection.
I have never seen someone make so many catastrophic emotional decisions with such confidence.
Meanwhile Theodore, the literal town hottie is RIGHT THERE. Beautiful. Loyal. Patient. Breathing. The poor man spends the whole book essentially going: “Perhaps you could acknowledge my existence?” And Isadora’s just: “Sorry I’m busy cheating on you with Casper Regency Edition.”
The progression of my thoughts when reading this book which made a change from the eye rolls was: “Oh?” “…OH.” “No because surely not.” “REAAAAALLY?” “… oh wow we are actually doing this"
Honestly I didn’t hate this book at all. I actually had fun reading it. The gothic vibes absolutely delivered, the haunted romance was entertainingly chaotic, and parts genuinely sucked me in. But it also felt like the book had consumed three different Pinterest boards at once: Gothic Horror, Bridgerton Ballroom Aesthetic, and Sad Ghost Men Who Need Hugs.
A messy haunted fever dream. Respectfully.
Thanks to the Author and Netgalley for the ARC copy
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Broken and the Beautiful completely consumed me. This book felt like stepping into a haunting gothic dream filled with grief, longing, beautiful decay, and the desperate search for healing.
If you love dark atmospheric stories with crumbling estates, whispered secrets, emotional trauma, and characters who feel deeply human and broken, this book absolutely delivers. The gothic setting was stunning and immersive, giving me major Bridgerton meets Phantom of the Opera vibes with a paranormal edge woven through the story.
Isadora was such a beautifully written character. She carries so much pain and loneliness, yet there is still this quiet hope inside her that clings to even the smallest glimpse of light. Watching her navigate her trauma and slowly begin to rediscover beauty, connection, and healing was heartbreaking and incredibly moving. I loved the message threaded throughout the story that while trauma shapes us, we cannot live trapped inside it forever. Healing is messy and painful, but there are still beautiful things worth reaching for.
And Theodore Westridge? A literal knight in shining armour. Theo was hands down my favourite character. Gentle, patient, caring, and somehow a light amongst so much darkness. I adored him.
Archie’s story absolutely broke my heart. There were so many moments in this book that carried such heavy emotion beneath the surface, and his story was one of the ones that stayed with me most.
I was able to guess a lot of the storyline fairly early on, but honestly, that did not take away from the beauty of this story at all. Sometimes you can see the heartbreak coming and it still destroys you anyway.
The atmosphere in this book was EVERYTHING. Harrowmoor Hall felt alive in the most eerie and tragic way, and the romance was slow burning, emotional, and filled with aching tension.
And Isadora continuing to dance in the snowflakes? That scene genuinely made me emotional 😢
This book is 100% my vibe. Dark, haunting, emotional, romantic, and beautifully tragic.
If you are looking for a standalone gothic paranormal romance with emotional depth, suspense, and gorgeous writing, absolutely pick this up.
The Broken and the Beautiful completely consumed me. This book felt like stepping into a haunting gothic dream filled with grief, longing, beautiful decay, and the desperate search for healing.
If you love dark atmospheric stories with crumbling estates, whispered secrets, emotional trauma, and characters who feel deeply human and broken, this book absolutely delivers. The gothic setting was stunning and immersive, giving me major Bridgerton meets Phantom of the Opera vibes with a paranormal edge woven through the story.
Isadora was such a beautifully written character. She carries so much pain and loneliness, yet there is still this quiet hope inside her that clings to even the smallest glimpse of light. Watching her navigate her trauma and slowly begin to rediscover beauty, connection, and healing was heartbreaking and incredibly moving. I loved the message threaded throughout the story that while trauma shapes us, we cannot live trapped inside it forever. Healing is messy and painful, but there are still beautiful things worth reaching for.
And Theodore Westridge? A literal knight in shining armour. Theo was hands down my favourite character. Gentle, patient, caring, and somehow a light amongst so much darkness. I adored him.
Archie’s story absolutely broke my heart. There were so many moments in this book that carried such heavy emotion beneath the surface, and his story was one of the ones that stayed with me most.
I was able to guess a lot of the storyline fairly early on, but honestly, that did not take away from the beauty of this story at all. Sometimes you can see the heartbreak coming and it still destroys you anyway.
The atmosphere in this book was EVERYTHING. Harrowmoor Hall felt alive in the most eerie and tragic way, and the romance was slow burning, emotional, and filled with aching tension.
And Isadora continuing to dance in the snowflakes? That scene genuinely made me emotional 😢
This book is 100% my vibe. Dark, haunting, emotional, romantic, and beautifully tragic.
If you are looking for a standalone gothic paranormal romance with emotional depth, suspense, and gorgeous writing, absolutely pick this up.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
While I love the gothic atmosphere for its windswept, desolate nature, ruined castles, and brooding antiheroes, I loath anachronistic shows like the Bridgertone. But that is not why I am giving this 2 stars. I found the writing clunky, and uneven. The language swung between archaic and modern americanisms like "okay", "fuck", "what the hell." The use of First POV was clunky with little syntax variation, and the constant use of "I" topped with incessant lip chewing.
Despite being in the FMC's head, her key memory (and she remembered every detail as was later revealed) was omitted for several chapters for no good reason. Whenever the FMC is thinking to herself: "I would not let what happened to me control my life,” and calls herself spoiled goods, and refuses to consider marriage for fear of becoming a man's property, I had no clue what she was talking about. The only tragedy the author showed her experiencing was the death of her parents. After that her uncle and his wife kicked her out of her house (which also made no sense because historically a man like her father would have a will and a lawyer who would assure that Issy was taken care of) But like Bridgerton this wasn't really set in any real historical place or time.
Anyway, much later Issy tells her cousin in most nonchalant way that she was sexually abused by her uncle. It also didn't explain her fear of becoming a man's property when the only married couples she knew were happily married, and she wasn't her uncle's property either because he let her go on his wife's request haha.
Her crazy obsession with the Alps (lol I couldn't take any of these names seriously) wasn't intriguing. It was unhinged, bordering on rude, just like her bouts of impulsive, manic behavior. I prefer flawed heroines but I think the author meant for the readers to still like and root for her. Well I couldn't. For me to enjoy this, the writing would need to go through multiple edits to smooth out the clunk, kill off many in the army of I's, the characters would have to be fleshed out more so they can do more than chew on their lips, and I would prefer this to be rooted in historical time and not so much in Bridgerton.
Despite being in the FMC's head, her key memory (and she remembered every detail as was later revealed) was omitted for several chapters for no good reason. Whenever the FMC is thinking to herself: "I would not let what happened to me control my life,” and calls herself spoiled goods, and refuses to consider marriage for fear of becoming a man's property, I had no clue what she was talking about. The only tragedy the author showed her experiencing was the death of her parents. After that her uncle and his wife kicked her out of her house (which also made no sense because historically a man like her father would have a will and a lawyer who would assure that Issy was taken care of) But like Bridgerton this wasn't really set in any real historical place or time.
Anyway, much later Issy tells her cousin in most nonchalant way that she was sexually abused by her uncle. It also didn't explain her fear of becoming a man's property when the only married couples she knew were happily married, and she wasn't her uncle's property either because he let her go on his wife's request haha.
Her crazy obsession with the Alps (lol I couldn't take any of these names seriously) wasn't intriguing. It was unhinged, bordering on rude, just like her bouts of impulsive, manic behavior. I prefer flawed heroines but I think the author meant for the readers to still like and root for her. Well I couldn't. For me to enjoy this, the writing would need to go through multiple edits to smooth out the clunk, kill off many in the army of I's, the characters would have to be fleshed out more so they can do more than chew on their lips, and I would prefer this to be rooted in historical time and not so much in Bridgerton.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
“For I burn for you, Miss Blackwood, with a fire that would surely consume us both.”
I need to take a breath. I’ve spent the last 30% of this book completely broken. I didn’t expect it to move me the way it has. My dog has been watching me genuinely concerned the entire time.
It’s honestly taken a piece of my heart.
We’re in a period setting, following our FMC Isadora and her cousin as they attend their first social season in search of suitors. It’s been described as Bridgerton vibes, but it leans far more towards Wuthering Heights for me with its darker themes and those unrelenting gothic moors. As one of my favourite books, no complaints from me.
With a troubled past, Isadora is drawn to the shadows of Harrowmoor Hall and to two very different men.
Both MMCs are exceptional. The wilder, intense Mr Winter, all darkness over light, had my heart completely. Then there’s Theodore, our patient, supportive sunlight ☀️
If you tend to be drawn to the dark, the intense, and the slightly unhealthy in love, this one will hit you in places that take a while to recover from.
The pacing and the writing are stunning. I haven’t had such a strong emotional reaction to a book in a long time. It’s a tragedy, with a bittersweet ending I won't forget. There's not a moment I could put it down. The twists, the pain and heartache, just absolute perfection.
I’m not sure I’d have made the same choice as our FMC. Ugh. Just read it. With tissues and a rom com lined up for afterwards.
'Do not give your heart to a painter; they are restless souls, always seeking what cannot be reached, and they will depart as easily as the wind changes.'
The discovery of the painting origin at the end. Absolutely killed me. 💔
5 stars, without question.
I’m broken, still crying, and I suspect I’ll be unwell over this for days.
Thank you to the Author for writing such a beautiful book and Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
I need to take a breath. I’ve spent the last 30% of this book completely broken. I didn’t expect it to move me the way it has. My dog has been watching me genuinely concerned the entire time.
It’s honestly taken a piece of my heart.
We’re in a period setting, following our FMC Isadora and her cousin as they attend their first social season in search of suitors. It’s been described as Bridgerton vibes, but it leans far more towards Wuthering Heights for me with its darker themes and those unrelenting gothic moors. As one of my favourite books, no complaints from me.
With a troubled past, Isadora is drawn to the shadows of Harrowmoor Hall and to two very different men.
Both MMCs are exceptional. The wilder, intense Mr Winter, all darkness over light, had my heart completely. Then there’s Theodore, our patient, supportive sunlight ☀️
If you tend to be drawn to the dark, the intense, and the slightly unhealthy in love, this one will hit you in places that take a while to recover from.
The pacing and the writing are stunning. I haven’t had such a strong emotional reaction to a book in a long time. It’s a tragedy, with a bittersweet ending I won't forget. There's not a moment I could put it down. The twists, the pain and heartache, just absolute perfection.
I’m not sure I’d have made the same choice as our FMC. Ugh. Just read it. With tissues and a rom com lined up for afterwards.
'Do not give your heart to a painter; they are restless souls, always seeking what cannot be reached, and they will depart as easily as the wind changes.'
The discovery of the painting origin at the end. Absolutely killed me. 💔
5 stars, without question.
I’m broken, still crying, and I suspect I’ll be unwell over this for days.
Thank you to the Author for writing such a beautiful book and Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Broken and the Beautiful feels like stepping into a candlelit ballroom where every polished surface hides a bruise, every whispered introduction carries a shadow, and every heartbeat seems to echo with something unsaid. It’s lush, gothic, and quietly devastating—the kind of historical romance that wears its elegance like silk but lets the darkness pool underneath.
Isadora is a beautifully drawn heroine, all soft strength and buried hurt. Orphaned, disinherited, and pushed into society’s glittering parade of soirées and suitors, she moves through the season like someone watching life from behind glass. That sense of displacement—of being present but not truly seen—gives the novel its emotional pulse. And while Mr. Theodore Westridge offers the sort of gentle steadiness she’s been denied, it’s the pull of Harrowmoor Hall that truly captivates.
The house is a character in its own right: eerie, aching, and steeped in a sorrow that mirrors Isadora’s own. Her fascination with the mysterious painter who once lived there feels like a thread tugging her toward something inevitable and ruinous. There’s a delicious gothic yearning woven through these pages—the kind that feels both romantic and dangerous, where desire becomes a doorway to unraveling.
The novel balances its influences beautifully: the social sparkle of Bridgerton, the emotional ache of Wuthering Heights, the theatrical melancholy of The Phantom of the Opera. Yet it never feels derivative. Instead, it becomes a tragic love story that leans into the beauty of broken things, the way trauma shapes longing, and the cost of choosing passion over safety.
It’s atmospheric, haunting, and gorgeously tragic—a story that lingers like perfume on silk, equal parts tenderness and ruin.
With thanks to J Strelou, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Isadora is a beautifully drawn heroine, all soft strength and buried hurt. Orphaned, disinherited, and pushed into society’s glittering parade of soirées and suitors, she moves through the season like someone watching life from behind glass. That sense of displacement—of being present but not truly seen—gives the novel its emotional pulse. And while Mr. Theodore Westridge offers the sort of gentle steadiness she’s been denied, it’s the pull of Harrowmoor Hall that truly captivates.
The house is a character in its own right: eerie, aching, and steeped in a sorrow that mirrors Isadora’s own. Her fascination with the mysterious painter who once lived there feels like a thread tugging her toward something inevitable and ruinous. There’s a delicious gothic yearning woven through these pages—the kind that feels both romantic and dangerous, where desire becomes a doorway to unraveling.
The novel balances its influences beautifully: the social sparkle of Bridgerton, the emotional ache of Wuthering Heights, the theatrical melancholy of The Phantom of the Opera. Yet it never feels derivative. Instead, it becomes a tragic love story that leans into the beauty of broken things, the way trauma shapes longing, and the cost of choosing passion over safety.
It’s atmospheric, haunting, and gorgeously tragic—a story that lingers like perfume on silk, equal parts tenderness and ruin.
With thanks to J Strelou, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing this advance reader copy.
I had fairly mixed feelings about this book; I would rate it 2.5/5 because I felt very 50/50 about it. I actually enjoyed the first half much more than the second half; I really liked the Regency-era setting, the gothic atmosphere and the relationship between Isadora and Arabella. The mystery surrounding Mr Winters was intriguing at first, and I enjoyed trying to piece together who he really was.
However, after more revelations came to light and the progression of the main romance, the story lost me a little. I could appreciate the emotional connection between the characters at first, especially the way they helped each other through loneliness and emotional hardship. However, as the main relationship deepened, I found aspects of it a little problematic and unsettling, and I think readers who enjoy darker gothic romance and supernatural elements will probably connect with this more than I did.
I was also far more invested in Theodore than I expected to be. It felt like the story wanted me to root for Mr Winters, but I was rooting for Theodore instead, which made some of Isadora’s choices frustrating. Although I was happy with Isadora’s ending, I couldn’t help but feel that Theodore deserved better.
I think this book has a very specific audience, and I can see fans of gothic romances enjoying it more than I did. For me, it ended up being an interesting concept that didn’t fully work for me personally, despite a strong start and an atmosphere I really enjoyed. Overall, I’d describe it as Bridgerton meets Wuthering Heights with a touch of The Phantom of the Opera.
I had fairly mixed feelings about this book; I would rate it 2.5/5 because I felt very 50/50 about it. I actually enjoyed the first half much more than the second half; I really liked the Regency-era setting, the gothic atmosphere and the relationship between Isadora and Arabella. The mystery surrounding Mr Winters was intriguing at first, and I enjoyed trying to piece together who he really was.
However, after more revelations came to light and the progression of the main romance, the story lost me a little. I could appreciate the emotional connection between the characters at first, especially the way they helped each other through loneliness and emotional hardship. However, as the main relationship deepened, I found aspects of it a little problematic and unsettling, and I think readers who enjoy darker gothic romance and supernatural elements will probably connect with this more than I did.
I was also far more invested in Theodore than I expected to be. It felt like the story wanted me to root for Mr Winters, but I was rooting for Theodore instead, which made some of Isadora’s choices frustrating. Although I was happy with Isadora’s ending, I couldn’t help but feel that Theodore deserved better.
I think this book has a very specific audience, and I can see fans of gothic romances enjoying it more than I did. For me, it ended up being an interesting concept that didn’t fully work for me personally, despite a strong start and an atmosphere I really enjoyed. Overall, I’d describe it as Bridgerton meets Wuthering Heights with a touch of The Phantom of the Opera.
June 14, 2026
I’m finding it quite difficult to put my feelings about this story into words.
Firstly, a huge thank you to J. Střelou for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book.
I was absolutely captivated within the first few chapters. The mystery surrounding many of the characters immediately drew me in, and the Regency-era setting combined with the gothic atmosphere created such an immersive reading experience. It pulled me in far more than I anticipated and, honestly, made me want to prolong finishing the book because I was enjoying it so much.
I found the chapters well-paced, easy to follow, and filled with characters that were largely very likeable. There were a few characters I struggled to form a strong connection with, and at times I couldn’t quite understand or predict some of the choices they made. However, I don’t think that took away from my enjoyment of the story or my appreciation of the author’s writing.
What stood out most to me was the overall premise. The plot was engaging, layered with intrigue, and delivered several twists that genuinely caught me by surprise. Every time I thought I had things figured out, the story managed to shift in a direction I wasn’t expecting.
I’ve settled on a 4-star rating purely because of how much I enjoyed the experience of reading it. It was one of those books that I was constantly looking forward to picking back up, and I never felt like I was forcing myself through it.
I think J. Střelou shows a lot of promise as a New Zealand indie author, and I’m genuinely excited to see where her writing journey takes her and can’t wait to read more of her work
Firstly, a huge thank you to J. Střelou for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book.
I was absolutely captivated within the first few chapters. The mystery surrounding many of the characters immediately drew me in, and the Regency-era setting combined with the gothic atmosphere created such an immersive reading experience. It pulled me in far more than I anticipated and, honestly, made me want to prolong finishing the book because I was enjoying it so much.
I found the chapters well-paced, easy to follow, and filled with characters that were largely very likeable. There were a few characters I struggled to form a strong connection with, and at times I couldn’t quite understand or predict some of the choices they made. However, I don’t think that took away from my enjoyment of the story or my appreciation of the author’s writing.
What stood out most to me was the overall premise. The plot was engaging, layered with intrigue, and delivered several twists that genuinely caught me by surprise. Every time I thought I had things figured out, the story managed to shift in a direction I wasn’t expecting.
I’ve settled on a 4-star rating purely because of how much I enjoyed the experience of reading it. It was one of those books that I was constantly looking forward to picking back up, and I never felt like I was forcing myself through it.
I think J. Střelou shows a lot of promise as a New Zealand indie author, and I’m genuinely excited to see where her writing journey takes her and can’t wait to read more of her work
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 Stars <3 (Goodreads please im begging you to do .5s)
I was so lucky to receive an advanced digital copy of The Broken and the Beautiful by J. Strelou and upon receiving I also found out that my name is in the acknowledgements of this book which had me bawling. Thank you so much Julia!
Think Bridgerton, but darker, gothic, love triangle, yearning fmc vibes. Think Phantom of the Opera meets Pride and Prejudice. I absolutely flew through this book. It’s one of those stories where you keep telling yourself “just one more chapter” and suddenly it’s 1am.
I adored the writing SO much! It was so beautiful and poetic, with some incredibly heart-wrenching quotes, and I think it’s a huge testament to Julia and how much she has grown as a writer. All of the characters had such incredible depth that I became attached to them almost immediately and found myself thinking about them even when I wasn’t reading. The love triangle was devastatingly beautiful and genuinely emotional, and there were multiple moments that had me crying.
This story does deal with some darker themes, but I thought they were handled really well. It never felt overly graphic just for shock value, and underneath all the gothic romance there’s actually quite a beautiful healing journey woven through the story. The entire book is filled with longing, grief, obsession, and that horrible yet beautiful ache of wanting something that always feels just out of reach (oh hey there are the tears again).
Overall, this was moody, emotional, romantic, and the only love triangle I will accept! Definitely recommend it if you want a gothic romance that’s immersive without feeling overwhelming.
Thank you so much again to Julia for the ARC!
I was so lucky to receive an advanced digital copy of The Broken and the Beautiful by J. Strelou and upon receiving I also found out that my name is in the acknowledgements of this book which had me bawling. Thank you so much Julia!
Think Bridgerton, but darker, gothic, love triangle, yearning fmc vibes. Think Phantom of the Opera meets Pride and Prejudice. I absolutely flew through this book. It’s one of those stories where you keep telling yourself “just one more chapter” and suddenly it’s 1am.
I adored the writing SO much! It was so beautiful and poetic, with some incredibly heart-wrenching quotes, and I think it’s a huge testament to Julia and how much she has grown as a writer. All of the characters had such incredible depth that I became attached to them almost immediately and found myself thinking about them even when I wasn’t reading. The love triangle was devastatingly beautiful and genuinely emotional, and there were multiple moments that had me crying.
This story does deal with some darker themes, but I thought they were handled really well. It never felt overly graphic just for shock value, and underneath all the gothic romance there’s actually quite a beautiful healing journey woven through the story. The entire book is filled with longing, grief, obsession, and that horrible yet beautiful ache of wanting something that always feels just out of reach (oh hey there are the tears again).
Overall, this was moody, emotional, romantic, and the only love triangle I will accept! Definitely recommend it if you want a gothic romance that’s immersive without feeling overwhelming.
Thank you so much again to Julia for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I want to thank the author who kindly send me a copy of this book, I really enjoyed my read and would highly recommand it (just check up the trigger warnings beforehands)
it's a gothic story about an orphaned young lady with hidden traumas, who became obsessed with a mansion and more specifically of its art and embarks on an adventure to discover why these paintings are hunting her, set in a victorian era
what I liked:
the setting and the atmospher: it was done well, it's perfect for fall and winter reads, the author has done a good job in her descriptions to the point where I felt transported to the moors with our characters
the characters: were done well, especially the FMC and the 2 MMC without spoilters,
it was an easy read that kept me at the edge of my seat because of the its mystery
I was a little bit on the fence in the middle about our love triangle, but the ending was satisfying
what I didn't like:
eventhought the writing was easy to follow, however, it wasn't my favorite style, I get why the author has chosen this type of writting that fits the time period but I didn't like it, but not to the point to alter my reading experience
I wish the other characters were more fleshed out as the main 3, some of them were two dimensional especially the priest, without spoiler, I wanted more from him
it's not a spicy book, but there were a couple of weird spicy scenes, that I was side eying
overall I enjoyed the book and would try other works by this author
I want to thank the author who kindly send me a copy of this book, I really enjoyed my read and would highly recommand it (just check up the trigger warnings beforehands)
it's a gothic story about an orphaned young lady with hidden traumas, who became obsessed with a mansion and more specifically of its art and embarks on an adventure to discover why these paintings are hunting her, set in a victorian era
what I liked:
the setting and the atmospher: it was done well, it's perfect for fall and winter reads, the author has done a good job in her descriptions to the point where I felt transported to the moors with our characters
the characters: were done well, especially the FMC and the 2 MMC without spoilters,
it was an easy read that kept me at the edge of my seat because of the its mystery
I was a little bit on the fence in the middle about our love triangle, but the ending was satisfying
what I didn't like:
eventhought the writing was easy to follow, however, it wasn't my favorite style, I get why the author has chosen this type of writting that fits the time period but I didn't like it, but not to the point to alter my reading experience
I wish the other characters were more fleshed out as the main 3, some of them were two dimensional especially the priest, without spoiler, I wanted more from him
it's not a spicy book, but there were a couple of weird spicy scenes, that I was side eying
overall I enjoyed the book and would try other works by this author
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Absolutely loved The Broken and Beautiful! I devoured it in one day and was still reading into the early hours because I couldn’t put it down and who needs sleep when you need to know how it ends and are completely hooked! It had me at Bridgerton meets Phantom of the Opera!
I related to Isadora so much, and her journey felt so raw, emotional and beautifully written. The love triangle had me completely invested and I adored the paranormal elements woven through the story. It was the perfect mix of heartbreak, mystery, romance and magic. Such a beautiful read that I am still thinking about and will definately reread and get a physical trophy when out.
Tropes/For those who love:
Paranormal romance
love triangles
emotionally damaged / complex characters
“broken girl” healing journeys
mystery and supernatural secrets
dark academia / gothic vibes
found family and deep emotional bonds
slow-burn tension
haunting small-town atmosphere
emotional angst with romance woven through it
It’s perfect for readers who love emotional paranormal romance with a strong female lead they can deeply relate to. If you enjoy stories with messy feelings, yearning, supernatural twists, and a touch of darkness and beauty intertwined, this book really hits. It especially suits readers who love books that feel immersive and addictive enough to stay up way too late finishing “just one more chapter.” Thanks so much for the e-arc and for the author for writing it!
I related to Isadora so much, and her journey felt so raw, emotional and beautifully written. The love triangle had me completely invested and I adored the paranormal elements woven through the story. It was the perfect mix of heartbreak, mystery, romance and magic. Such a beautiful read that I am still thinking about and will definately reread and get a physical trophy when out.
Tropes/For those who love:
Paranormal romance
love triangles
emotionally damaged / complex characters
“broken girl” healing journeys
mystery and supernatural secrets
dark academia / gothic vibes
found family and deep emotional bonds
slow-burn tension
haunting small-town atmosphere
emotional angst with romance woven through it
It’s perfect for readers who love emotional paranormal romance with a strong female lead they can deeply relate to. If you enjoy stories with messy feelings, yearning, supernatural twists, and a touch of darkness and beauty intertwined, this book really hits. It especially suits readers who love books that feel immersive and addictive enough to stay up way too late finishing “just one more chapter.” Thanks so much for the e-arc and for the author for writing it!
May 7, 2026
⋆.𐙚 5/5 (five stars cannot describe how good this was)
▹ slow burn gothic romance
▹ only love triangle I accept
▹ yearning fmc
▹ ”fuck” moment
I appreciate honesty, so I will be completely honest with you:
WHAT A MASTERPIECE. A true piece of art. It touched my heart, completely destroyed me and somehow fixed me back together and in the end let me spill out all of my feelings.
It has been a long time since I have read a book filled with so much emotion and such an interesting plot. I couldn’t stop reading, and I also never knew what was going to happen on the next page.
The use of words felt like art. I especially loved the use of metaphors and stylistic devices used throughout the story to convey so many emotions so wonderfully.
This book was neither too short nor too long, the pacing felt just right. It gave enough time to let me get a feeling for the characters and connect with them. Really well done.
› ”You are the sun and yet also the moon. My day starts and ends with your reminder.” ‹
I feel genuinely blessed to have found this book (or better this book found me) and I insist that this is a must-read!
Thank you so much!
(Review of advance copy received from NetGalley)
▹ slow burn gothic romance
▹ only love triangle I accept
▹ yearning fmc
▹ ”fuck” moment
I appreciate honesty, so I will be completely honest with you:
WHAT A MASTERPIECE. A true piece of art. It touched my heart, completely destroyed me and somehow fixed me back together and in the end let me spill out all of my feelings.
It has been a long time since I have read a book filled with so much emotion and such an interesting plot. I couldn’t stop reading, and I also never knew what was going to happen on the next page.
The use of words felt like art. I especially loved the use of metaphors and stylistic devices used throughout the story to convey so many emotions so wonderfully.
This book was neither too short nor too long, the pacing felt just right. It gave enough time to let me get a feeling for the characters and connect with them. Really well done.
› ”You are the sun and yet also the moon. My day starts and ends with your reminder.” ‹
I feel genuinely blessed to have found this book (or better this book found me) and I insist that this is a must-read!
Thank you so much!
(Review of advance copy received from NetGalley)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Broken and The Beautiful is a stunning blend of historical Austen-esque vibes and haunting gothic romance.
It is a story that reminds us that even the most broken of us deserve to be loved.
I saw myself in a lot of this book and I think that is why I fell so in love with it. That and the stunning prose and historical settings, I really felt like I was transported in to this world and living alongside its characters.
Isadora loses her parents to consumption and is sent to live with her aunt and uncle where she is sent out into society with her cousin to find suitable husbands. The way that women had to live back in those days was so well written and so respectfully written, I really felt for these girls and the pressures that were put on them to find a husband who could provide for their families.
The supernatural aspects of this story were so well done, so wonderfully woven in to the story, I felt my heart aching and breaking and being put back together all at once. It felt both haunting and hopeful and I was enamoured by this book.
This is a truly beautiful story and beautiful writing and it definitely deserves a spot on the tbr.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an arc to review
It is a story that reminds us that even the most broken of us deserve to be loved.
I saw myself in a lot of this book and I think that is why I fell so in love with it. That and the stunning prose and historical settings, I really felt like I was transported in to this world and living alongside its characters.
Isadora loses her parents to consumption and is sent to live with her aunt and uncle where she is sent out into society with her cousin to find suitable husbands. The way that women had to live back in those days was so well written and so respectfully written, I really felt for these girls and the pressures that were put on them to find a husband who could provide for their families.
The supernatural aspects of this story were so well done, so wonderfully woven in to the story, I felt my heart aching and breaking and being put back together all at once. It felt both haunting and hopeful and I was enamoured by this book.
This is a truly beautiful story and beautiful writing and it definitely deserves a spot on the tbr.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an arc to review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Not your average regency romance. This story had my heart, from the vivid imagery that makes you feel as though you are right there on the moors with Isadora, to the beautifully gentle journey of healing she goes on.
Our main character, Isadora, goes from a blissfully happy childhood and is plunged into tragic circumstances. Being shipped off to stay with her Aunt, Uncle and Cousin, she soon finds that the priorities of life are very different in this household and she is shoved onto the marriage mart. But with everything that has happened she simply isn't ready.
Strelou clearly excels with characterisation and the atmosphere was brilliantly gothic. This would be excellent read for the autumn!
My only complaint is the voice of the story fell away at the heightened emotional point, which did bump me out of the world a little bit, but I was enjoying the story itself that much, I was very much willing to overlook it.
The pacing is perfect, I struggled to put this story down at points!
If you are someone who needs to check content warnings, I would make sure you do with this one. Everyone has a back story and they aren't all shiny.
Thank you to NetGally for enabling me to read an advanced copy.
Our main character, Isadora, goes from a blissfully happy childhood and is plunged into tragic circumstances. Being shipped off to stay with her Aunt, Uncle and Cousin, she soon finds that the priorities of life are very different in this household and she is shoved onto the marriage mart. But with everything that has happened she simply isn't ready.
Strelou clearly excels with characterisation and the atmosphere was brilliantly gothic. This would be excellent read for the autumn!
My only complaint is the voice of the story fell away at the heightened emotional point, which did bump me out of the world a little bit, but I was enjoying the story itself that much, I was very much willing to overlook it.
The pacing is perfect, I struggled to put this story down at points!
If you are someone who needs to check content warnings, I would make sure you do with this one. Everyone has a back story and they aren't all shiny.
Thank you to NetGally for enabling me to read an advanced copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Isadora is sent to live with her Aunt after her parents death and the loss of her fortune, and is forced to take a husband.
The Broken and the Beautiful is a dark regency style romance laced with raw emotion. This story had the potential to be heartbreakingly beautiful and, whilst there were some great moments, overall it didn't quite hit the spot for me.
I really enjoyed the first half; I loved the inner turmoil the FMC faced, the mystery surrounding Harrowmoor Hall, the hint to a dark past, however it lost me a little past the mid point. I feel one of the FMC's past traumas was said in passing and somewhat brushed over. I didn't see the point of including it, for it to not be hugely relevant. I wasn't a fan of the "dark and brooding" MMC and the reveal as to who he is and I felt the FMCs actions surrounding both MMCs seemed hard to believe given the time period and what was at stake.
I liked the priest character, however I was confused that he was looking for a wife. It was implied that he was Catholic (crucifix at the church), and therefore would not be allowed to take a wife.
I really wanted to love this book, but will settling with liked. If you're a fan of the Bridgerton-esque regency period, mystery and spicy romance, you should give this a try.
The Broken and the Beautiful is a dark regency style romance laced with raw emotion. This story had the potential to be heartbreakingly beautiful and, whilst there were some great moments, overall it didn't quite hit the spot for me.
I really enjoyed the first half; I loved the inner turmoil the FMC faced, the mystery surrounding Harrowmoor Hall, the hint to a dark past, however it lost me a little past the mid point. I feel one of the FMC's past traumas was said in passing and somewhat brushed over. I didn't see the point of including it, for it to not be hugely relevant. I wasn't a fan of the "dark and brooding" MMC and the reveal as to who he is and I felt the FMCs actions surrounding both MMCs seemed hard to believe given the time period and what was at stake.
I liked the priest character, however I was confused that he was looking for a wife. It was implied that he was Catholic (crucifix at the church), and therefore would not be allowed to take a wife.
I really wanted to love this book, but will settling with liked. If you're a fan of the Bridgerton-esque regency period, mystery and spicy romance, you should give this a try.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
You should have seen my face when I heard this author was doing a gothic romance that was Phantom of the Opera meets Pride and Prejudice! Eeeek!!! I loved the setting - the atmospheric regency setting, but also the spooky house that felt like a character in its own right.
The angst! drama! The tragic backstories! I loved the MC and the prose was gorgeous as always, and really shone with this historical lens. I would love it if this author wrote more books with historical settings, but I'll read whatever she writes.
A few things that surprised me:
I think some plot choices might be polarizing, and while they mainly worked for me, I think some readers might feel a bit betrayed, especially by the ending. Also I did feel like it was more Crimson Peak meets Pride and Prejudice than Phantom, and it will be interesting to see how readers react if the paranormal aspects of this book aren't highlighted in the marketing. I had no idea this book had ghosts until I was a good portion into it!
Anyway, I really liked it, and I can't wait for Strelou's next book! This one, like all her books, is perfect for fans of Keri Lake.
The angst! drama! The tragic backstories! I loved the MC and the prose was gorgeous as always, and really shone with this historical lens. I would love it if this author wrote more books with historical settings, but I'll read whatever she writes.
A few things that surprised me:
I think some plot choices might be polarizing, and while they mainly worked for me, I think some readers might feel a bit betrayed, especially by the ending. Also I did feel like it was more Crimson Peak meets Pride and Prejudice than Phantom, and it will be interesting to see how readers react if the paranormal aspects of this book aren't highlighted in the marketing. I had no idea this book had ghosts until I was a good portion into it!
Anyway, I really liked it, and I can't wait for Strelou's next book! This one, like all her books, is perfect for fans of Keri Lake.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First of all thank you so much for giving me the chance to give me an arc. This book is outside my comfort zone for books so I have to say that first.
For me this book was difficult to read at first. It took me a while to get used to the language and it felt like everything took a while to get started. But after some time i got used to the language.
I think the writer stayed true to the language spoken at that time, it is just not my personal style. I did want to know more about the characters and there were definitely plot twists. I think that if this genre is your thing you will love the book!
I however read many books during this read just to keep my brain active. Had to force myself to get back into it. But was glad that I did.
For me the end felt completely the opposite as the start. So many things were happening. But i did feel satisfied with all the plot holes closing.
So I am grateful to have been chosen to read this book. I am recommending it to people who'd love a (as the writer says) pride and prejudice meets the phantom of the opera story.
Giving 3 stars because it is not a bad book, it is just not my thing.
For me this book was difficult to read at first. It took me a while to get used to the language and it felt like everything took a while to get started. But after some time i got used to the language.
I think the writer stayed true to the language spoken at that time, it is just not my personal style. I did want to know more about the characters and there were definitely plot twists. I think that if this genre is your thing you will love the book!
I however read many books during this read just to keep my brain active. Had to force myself to get back into it. But was glad that I did.
For me the end felt completely the opposite as the start. So many things were happening. But i did feel satisfied with all the plot holes closing.
So I am grateful to have been chosen to read this book. I am recommending it to people who'd love a (as the writer says) pride and prejudice meets the phantom of the opera story.
Giving 3 stars because it is not a bad book, it is just not my thing.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
✦⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆ ━━━━━━━━━━━━━⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆✦
✧｡･ﾟﾟ･☾ Review ☾･ﾟﾟ･｡✧
★★★★★
THANK YOU NETGALLEY AND J STŘELOU!
🖤🌹🕯️✨🐦⬛
You know how sometimes you’re in the mood for a classic but you just don’t have the brainpower to decode all the olde English and dense writing? If you agree then this is exactly what you pick up instead. It has all the charm and atmosphere of a classic.
It really captures that timeless, almost nostalgic feel without making you work for every sentence. The writing flows beautifully, the story pulls you in, and it just feels effortless in a way that a lot of classics don’t.
Truly so beautiful. This is just another testament to Julia’s talent and range as an author. I’m genuinely blown away by this one, and I think it’s the kind of book that could appeal to a lot of readers. Definitely worth picking up.
✦⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆ ━━━━━━━━━━━━━⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆✦
✧｡･ﾟﾟ･☾ Quotes ☾･ﾟﾟ･｡✧
“ɪꜰ ᴀʀᴄʜɪʙᴀʟᴅ ᴅ'ᴀʟᴘꜱ' ᴘᴀɪɴᴛɪɴɢꜱ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ʀᴇꜰʟᴇᴄᴛ ꜱᴜᴄʜ ᴅᴇᴇᴘ ᴘᴀɪɴ ᴡʜɪʟᴇ ꜱᴛɪʟʟ ᴄᴀᴘᴛᴜʀɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ'ꜱ ʙᴇᴀᴜᴛʏ, ꜱᴏ ᴛᴏᴏ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ɪ ᴀʟʟᴏᴡ ᴍʏꜱᴇʟꜰ ʜᴇᴀʟɪɴɢ.”
✧｡･ﾟﾟ･☾ Review ☾･ﾟﾟ･｡✧
★★★★★
THANK YOU NETGALLEY AND J STŘELOU!
🖤🌹🕯️✨🐦⬛
You know how sometimes you’re in the mood for a classic but you just don’t have the brainpower to decode all the olde English and dense writing? If you agree then this is exactly what you pick up instead. It has all the charm and atmosphere of a classic.
It really captures that timeless, almost nostalgic feel without making you work for every sentence. The writing flows beautifully, the story pulls you in, and it just feels effortless in a way that a lot of classics don’t.
Truly so beautiful. This is just another testament to Julia’s talent and range as an author. I’m genuinely blown away by this one, and I think it’s the kind of book that could appeal to a lot of readers. Definitely worth picking up.
✦⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆ ━━━━━━━━━━━━━⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆✦
✧｡･ﾟﾟ･☾ Quotes ☾･ﾟﾟ･｡✧
“ɪꜰ ᴀʀᴄʜɪʙᴀʟᴅ ᴅ'ᴀʟᴘꜱ' ᴘᴀɪɴᴛɪɴɢꜱ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ʀᴇꜰʟᴇᴄᴛ ꜱᴜᴄʜ ᴅᴇᴇᴘ ᴘᴀɪɴ ᴡʜɪʟᴇ ꜱᴛɪʟʟ ᴄᴀᴘᴛᴜʀɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ'ꜱ ʙᴇᴀᴜᴛʏ, ꜱᴏ ᴛᴏᴏ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ɪ ᴀʟʟᴏᴡ ᴍʏꜱᴇʟꜰ ʜᴇᴀʟɪɴɢ.”
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Gothic romance done so RIGHT!! This had everything a good gothic romance should have: wild moors, ghosts, trauma, drama, yearning. Isadora was an excellent main character. Her trauma was a huge part of who she was throughout this book, but it didn’t define her or make her make terrible decisions as can sometimes be the case with trauma-ridden characters in darker novels. She felt human; she made mistakes, but she loved and cared so deeply for those around her.
The twist in this novel was EXCELLENT. I had my suspicions about a certain character’s true identity, but I never expected it to be revealed the way it was!! Isadora’s relationship with both of her love interests was handled so well, both being believable in their function and outcome. I loved the contrast between the stable, grounding love she had with one and the passionate, all-consuming love she had with the other. Both were considered equally important and portrayed with such realism. Some of the dialogue in the ~sexy scenes~ did take me out of the period setting, but overall, this was an excellent book.
The twist in this novel was EXCELLENT. I had my suspicions about a certain character’s true identity, but I never expected it to be revealed the way it was!! Isadora’s relationship with both of her love interests was handled so well, both being believable in their function and outcome. I loved the contrast between the stable, grounding love she had with one and the passionate, all-consuming love she had with the other. Both were considered equally important and portrayed with such realism. Some of the dialogue in the ~sexy scenes~ did take me out of the period setting, but overall, this was an excellent book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wow.
Okay, so this was stunning from first page to last. I read the description and jumped at 'imagine Bridgerton, but everyone's navigating dark trauma in a gothic setting'. When I read that, I knew I wanted to request the ARC. I finished this book in under a day.
The Broken and the Beautiful is well written. The writer easily transports you into a dark, unsettling Bridgerton-esque world (as promised). Many twists and turns had me clutching my pearls in time with the characters, the plot had me excitedly turning the next page to find out what happened next. The characters endeared themselves to me in many ways that I found surprising.
However. Miss Isadora had me shadowboxing open air sometimes. Without going too into detail, PICK A DAMN SIDE. Her connections with some of the characters were really grinding my gears by the end of it.
Other than my one-sided beef with a fictional woman, I loved this book. Heavily recommend.
Okay, so this was stunning from first page to last. I read the description and jumped at 'imagine Bridgerton, but everyone's navigating dark trauma in a gothic setting'. When I read that, I knew I wanted to request the ARC. I finished this book in under a day.
The Broken and the Beautiful is well written. The writer easily transports you into a dark, unsettling Bridgerton-esque world (as promised). Many twists and turns had me clutching my pearls in time with the characters, the plot had me excitedly turning the next page to find out what happened next. The characters endeared themselves to me in many ways that I found surprising.
However. Miss Isadora had me shadowboxing open air sometimes. Without going too into detail, PICK A DAMN SIDE. Her connections with some of the characters were really grinding my gears by the end of it.
Other than my one-sided beef with a fictional woman, I loved this book. Heavily recommend.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I didn’t connect with this book at all. The premise was interesting, but it ended up falling very flat. The first half of the book was better than the second. I didn’t connect with any of the characters and found their development to be very shallow. While the book has a historic setting, it somehow felt modern which was annoying. The dialogue was cringey and choppy. The pacing went from 0 to 100 at about 50% through the book. I just couldn’t find anything to enjoy in this. I think it will have a specific audience, but unfortunately, I am not one of them. The one thing I appreciated was the SA representation in historical settings. I feel like a lot of women were assaulted in that time and it never really comes up in historical dramas/romances. I wish I could have liked this, but it took me weeks to get through and I just didn’t enjoy it.
May 8, 2026
This book was absolutely beautiful and brilliant! I wish I could give it 6 stars.
This book spoke to my soul! Truly. I felt seen in a way I can’t begin to put into words. I loved the characters. I want to do a re read of it asap! The love story was delicious and the spice was perfect. I really adored everything about it!
I thought the atmosphere the author created was so stunning. The moors, the mist, the dark tortured artist. I felt absolutely addicted to the whole experience of reading it - in the best way! It’s a wonderfully written story. Heartfelt, moody and emotional. I think that honestly it’s one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. I can’t wait to own a copy for my book shelf! Thank you allowing me to read it early.
This book spoke to my soul! Truly. I felt seen in a way I can’t begin to put into words. I loved the characters. I want to do a re read of it asap! The love story was delicious and the spice was perfect. I really adored everything about it!
I thought the atmosphere the author created was so stunning. The moors, the mist, the dark tortured artist. I felt absolutely addicted to the whole experience of reading it - in the best way! It’s a wonderfully written story. Heartfelt, moody and emotional. I think that honestly it’s one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. I can’t wait to own a copy for my book shelf! Thank you allowing me to read it early.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Broken and the Beautiful
by J. Strelou
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub Date: Oct 31, 2026
First of all, thank you to J. Strelou for the opportunity to ARC read The Broken and the Beautiful.
This was an addictive, atmospheric read that completely pulled me in and had me finishing it within a few days. It also felt like a really strong introduction to gothic romance—accessible, emotional, and easy to sink into even if you’re newer to the genre.
The writing is where this book truly shines. It feels immersive and cinematic, almost like stepping into another century, with a moody, haunting atmosphere that lingers throughout the story. There’s a quiet sadness woven through everything that makes it feel beautifully melancholic.
Isadora was a compelling FMC, torn between heart and logic in a way that felt very grounded for the time period. Her emotional conflict was frustrating at times, but in a very human way.
Mr. Winters and Mr. Westridge both added strong contrast to the story—one mysterious and emotionally guarded, the other warm, steady, and easy to root for. The dynamic between all three created a lot of tension and emotional push-and-pull.
There are some darker themes present, but they are handled in a way that feels thoughtful rather than overwhelming. My only real critique is that the story sometimes felt a little rushed—I would have loved more time to sit with the characters and the world.
Overall, this is a moody, romantic, and emotionally layered gothic read that I think is perfect for the fall season.
✨ Thank you again to J. Strelou and NetGalley for the ARC.
by J. Strelou
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub Date: Oct 31, 2026
First of all, thank you to J. Strelou for the opportunity to ARC read The Broken and the Beautiful.
This was an addictive, atmospheric read that completely pulled me in and had me finishing it within a few days. It also felt like a really strong introduction to gothic romance—accessible, emotional, and easy to sink into even if you’re newer to the genre.
The writing is where this book truly shines. It feels immersive and cinematic, almost like stepping into another century, with a moody, haunting atmosphere that lingers throughout the story. There’s a quiet sadness woven through everything that makes it feel beautifully melancholic.
Isadora was a compelling FMC, torn between heart and logic in a way that felt very grounded for the time period. Her emotional conflict was frustrating at times, but in a very human way.
Mr. Winters and Mr. Westridge both added strong contrast to the story—one mysterious and emotionally guarded, the other warm, steady, and easy to root for. The dynamic between all three created a lot of tension and emotional push-and-pull.
There are some darker themes present, but they are handled in a way that feels thoughtful rather than overwhelming. My only real critique is that the story sometimes felt a little rushed—I would have loved more time to sit with the characters and the world.
Overall, this is a moody, romantic, and emotionally layered gothic read that I think is perfect for the fall season.
✨ Thank you again to J. Strelou and NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC!
Sadly, however, this book just didn’t quite do it for me.
We started off with a strong premise and some great foundations, but then it felt like we hit one note and stayed there.
The first 50% was very slow and shallow in terms of character depth. I could see what the author was trying to convey, but I don’t know. It felt surface level.
So when the plot did pick up, I just wasn’t able to connect with the relationships in the way the audience is supposed to.
(Also, I know the book hasn’t claimed to be a true historic fiction piece but the historical inaccuracies and inconsistencies were a bit of an annoyance)
Sadly, however, this book just didn’t quite do it for me.
We started off with a strong premise and some great foundations, but then it felt like we hit one note and stayed there.
The first 50% was very slow and shallow in terms of character depth. I could see what the author was trying to convey, but I don’t know. It felt surface level.
So when the plot did pick up, I just wasn’t able to connect with the relationships in the way the audience is supposed to.
(Also, I know the book hasn’t claimed to be a true historic fiction piece but the historical inaccuracies and inconsistencies were a bit of an annoyance)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews