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Quietly Waiting
Every Sheffolk heiress knows the legend: to earn her seat, she must first pass the ancient trial, trust no kin, hide behind no oaths of loyalty, and find the betrayer hiding in plain sight. Fail, and become another ghost in Redford’s halls.
Francesca Sheffolk was never meant to inherit the duchy: she was meant to drown. The lake took her parents. It took her sister. And though it spat her out, it did so right into a cursed inheritance. Each generation, a traitor’s spirit rises, searching for a bitter soul through which to act. They say he chooses someone close. Always. Someone who resents the heiress in silence. Someone willing to finish what he started.
But the curse didn’t account for a stranger with no stakes in her story. When exiled crown prince Eric Atherbourne arrives to bury his father’s sins under the guise of restoring political relations, he brings salvation she never knew she needed. Cold and blisteringly observant, he sees things that others don't. The tremble in her voice. The dead that trail behind her. And the hunger hiding in her shadow.
History demands she keep Eric at a distance, but he’s already too close: shielding her, lying for her, whispering promises that taste like truth—making sure she survives, even if they both go down for it.
Love once damned the House of Sheffolk.
Now, it may be the only thing left to save it.
Francesca Sheffolk was never meant to inherit the duchy: she was meant to drown. The lake took her parents. It took her sister. And though it spat her out, it did so right into a cursed inheritance. Each generation, a traitor’s spirit rises, searching for a bitter soul through which to act. They say he chooses someone close. Always. Someone who resents the heiress in silence. Someone willing to finish what he started.
But the curse didn’t account for a stranger with no stakes in her story. When exiled crown prince Eric Atherbourne arrives to bury his father’s sins under the guise of restoring political relations, he brings salvation she never knew she needed. Cold and blisteringly observant, he sees things that others don't. The tremble in her voice. The dead that trail behind her. And the hunger hiding in her shadow.
History demands she keep Eric at a distance, but he’s already too close: shielding her, lying for her, whispering promises that taste like truth—making sure she survives, even if they both go down for it.
Love once damned the House of Sheffolk.
Now, it may be the only thing left to save it.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
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May 12, 2026𐔌 . ⋮ pre-read 🌹 .ᐟ ֹ ₊ ꒱
so grateful to have received an early copy of this from the author, thank you so much for trusting me with your story.
i’ve been so curious about this one, and it always feels special reading a book before it’s out in the world!! 🌟
so grateful to have received an early copy of this from the author, thank you so much for trusting me with your story.
i’ve been so curious about this one, and it always feels special reading a book before it’s out in the world!! 🌟
May 6, 2026
First of all thank you so much for the ARC.
I cannot articulate the excellency that is this book. It pulled me from the first page and I could not put it down. The whole idea of a Duchess Heir having to uncover a traitor amongst her bloodline which is chilling enough paired with the fear becoming another ghost within her own home if she cannot overcome the test. Francesca is such a strong layered character. She’s carrying a lot of grief, a legacy and a curse that’s already taken too much from her at such a young age. You can see the weight of it in every decision she makes. There’s a constant tension flowing that has you looking over your shoulder for Fran and a danger that lingers regarding the traitor and how it could be anyone. Eric comes across as this boisterous royal with no care for anyone or anything but himself. You see this persona break through and see the real Eric and what made him become this way ( his father) you can see why he relies on patterns and why he needs fonts. You can see his genuineness as a person but also his genius and Fran makes him feel so seen without a word needing to be uttered.
At a point Eric is also let in and it reassures Fran to make her feel like she’s not shouldering this deep and terrible burden alone. Eric also helps reveal history that was forgotten and changed which helps Frans cause.
Some of my favourite parts of the book were when Eric and Fran really saw each other and not just the people they had to be for their positions and I particularly loved how they could lean on eachother. I loved that through “hatred” their love grew and it was honest and real. The soft touches and lingering gazes along with the sarcasm and flirting had me on my knees. Alongside the love and protectiveness from Eric especially when her whole world was collapsing in on her and Edmund was being a creep. I love how he was able to shoulder her burden with her despite the rules and was willing to sacrifice himself in the process. I also enjoyed the family dynamics and the quiet steady love Eric had for his family letting it show in moments breaking down the unfeeling facade. Letting Eric in is a testament to her trust and care for him given the nature of the curse. The way he pulled through and trusted what she told him and in turn she trusted him to get her through this lonely journey.
I loved the many dynamics within the book such as Frank and Eric too their relationship warmed my heart because you could see frank saw himself in Eric. I also loved the dynamic of Eric Henrik and Kai. Henrik was soft and held it down whilst Kai was so deeply hilarious I had to take several minutes to stop laughing #justiceforbakedbean he was definitely right about something and he also provided entertainment for Francesca too lightening up the darker moods. I loved the bond between Fran and Percy too having someone who understands the curse and has your back bar the consequences and just wanted to see her live. Percy constantly pushed Fran to live and experience not give into her sad fate of being ghost like whilst still living. Eric also pushes Fran to live for herself and not give into Godwyn whilst he is dead and she’s alive. I highly recommend this book if you love gothic mysterious romance books. It has everything it makes you giggle, cry, feel chills, kick your feet it truly is everything 🥺
Baskerville & Garamond Bold Italic (Arial) ❤️
I cannot articulate the excellency that is this book. It pulled me from the first page and I could not put it down. The whole idea of a Duchess Heir having to uncover a traitor amongst her bloodline which is chilling enough paired with the fear becoming another ghost within her own home if she cannot overcome the test. Francesca is such a strong layered character. She’s carrying a lot of grief, a legacy and a curse that’s already taken too much from her at such a young age. You can see the weight of it in every decision she makes. There’s a constant tension flowing that has you looking over your shoulder for Fran and a danger that lingers regarding the traitor and how it could be anyone. Eric comes across as this boisterous royal with no care for anyone or anything but himself. You see this persona break through and see the real Eric and what made him become this way ( his father) you can see why he relies on patterns and why he needs fonts. You can see his genuineness as a person but also his genius and Fran makes him feel so seen without a word needing to be uttered.
At a point Eric is also let in and it reassures Fran to make her feel like she’s not shouldering this deep and terrible burden alone. Eric also helps reveal history that was forgotten and changed which helps Frans cause.
Some of my favourite parts of the book were when Eric and Fran really saw each other and not just the people they had to be for their positions and I particularly loved how they could lean on eachother. I loved that through “hatred” their love grew and it was honest and real. The soft touches and lingering gazes along with the sarcasm and flirting had me on my knees. Alongside the love and protectiveness from Eric especially when her whole world was collapsing in on her and Edmund was being a creep. I love how he was able to shoulder her burden with her despite the rules and was willing to sacrifice himself in the process. I also enjoyed the family dynamics and the quiet steady love Eric had for his family letting it show in moments breaking down the unfeeling facade. Letting Eric in is a testament to her trust and care for him given the nature of the curse. The way he pulled through and trusted what she told him and in turn she trusted him to get her through this lonely journey.
I loved the many dynamics within the book such as Frank and Eric too their relationship warmed my heart because you could see frank saw himself in Eric. I also loved the dynamic of Eric Henrik and Kai. Henrik was soft and held it down whilst Kai was so deeply hilarious I had to take several minutes to stop laughing #justiceforbakedbean he was definitely right about something and he also provided entertainment for Francesca too lightening up the darker moods. I loved the bond between Fran and Percy too having someone who understands the curse and has your back bar the consequences and just wanted to see her live. Percy constantly pushed Fran to live and experience not give into her sad fate of being ghost like whilst still living. Eric also pushes Fran to live for herself and not give into Godwyn whilst he is dead and she’s alive. I highly recommend this book if you love gothic mysterious romance books. It has everything it makes you giggle, cry, feel chills, kick your feet it truly is everything 🥺
Baskerville & Garamond Bold Italic (Arial) ❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Currently Reading
May 11, 2026YAY I GOT THE ARC! Very anticipated to start reading eek
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews