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The Whispers Between Us
Charlotte Fairmont knows her duty — save her family from ruin by marrying well, regardless of her heart’s desires. The engagement is expected, the wedding planned and her future sealed. But when she overhears her intended threatening everything her family has left, she has no choice but to fight back. And no one to turn to but a stranger with clever eyes and too many secrets. He shouldn't be her ally. He certainly shouldn't be anything more.
But he makes her feel what no proper suitor ever has:
A flutter. A yearning. A dangerous hope that could cost her everything she holds dear.
Stephen Turner has spent years invisible — standing against the walls of the ton, serving their needs, watching their games from a distance. He knows better than to want what he cannot have. He has always known better. But when Charlotte Fairmont stumbles into his path, desperate and cornered, he offers his help before good sense can stop him. And suspects it never could have.
Because her mere presence awakens something in him:
A recklessness. A hunger. A forbidden dream he would risk everything for.
But he makes her feel what no proper suitor ever has:
A flutter. A yearning. A dangerous hope that could cost her everything she holds dear.
Stephen Turner has spent years invisible — standing against the walls of the ton, serving their needs, watching their games from a distance. He knows better than to want what he cannot have. He has always known better. But when Charlotte Fairmont stumbles into his path, desperate and cornered, he offers his help before good sense can stop him. And suspects it never could have.
Because her mere presence awakens something in him:
A recklessness. A hunger. A forbidden dream he would risk everything for.
410 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 20, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much to the author for the arc!
♾️/5⭐️ This has absolutely become one of my favourite books ever, I loved it so so much and can’t wait to read it again and also to read any of the authors future books!
Charlotte is such an amazing main character. I absolutely love her strength and how she never looses focus of her dreams for her future. She’s never waiting around for someone to solve anything herself and I love her attitude towards everything. She has so much personality and I loved her story so much, she’s so likeable and I immediately connected with her character from the very start. Stephen is one of my favourite male characters ever, he’s the sweetest and so respectful and I absolutely loved getting to know him throughout this book, he had a super strong backstory and it allowed us to get to know him so well. I always appreciated how he never once made a decision for Charlotte and I loved that he wasn’t the typical brooding guy. The side characters were also incredibly strong, my favourites were definitely Henrietta and Lady Bellamy and I loved how they would support Charlotte and encourage her to follow her heart. Henrietta and Charlotte’s friendship was one of my favourite things, the two of them have such a close, strong bond and I’m so excited to (hopefully) see more of Henrietta in any of the authors upcoming books! Each character was written with so much depth and the author’s characterisation brings so much to the plot.
The romance was one of the most beautiful I’ve read. The interactions between the two of them were the cutest and so much fun. This is absolutely everything I’d want from a forbidden romance and definitely one of the best I’ve ever read. The little touches between them, the shared glances across the room, secret meetings, stolen moments, it was done to absolute perfection and had me rooting for them from the very start (also the spanish!!) The chemistry between them was so good and it truly felt like the two of them were made for one another, I loved that the two of them shared a love for books and other interests and the way it was incorporated within the story was so sweet. I really love that it was closed door too and how any drama between them didn’t ever drag on or get in the way of the connection they’d built. I love how it also has so much plot outside of the romance and definitely had me wondering how things were going to resolve by the end of the book, the ending was perfect and had me smiling so much!
The writing style itself is so beautiful and flows so well making it super easy to read. In my opinion the pacing was absolutely perfect and the dual pov allowed us to get to know both characters and those they interact with so well. I felt so connected to them and the plot throughout the whole book and constantly found myself wanting to get back to read more. Everything was so easy to visualise and the descriptions were so beautiful and instantly immersed me within the plot and time period.
I can’t put into words how much I loved this book and would recommend this to anyone! I already find myself wanting to reread it and keep thinking about it! I’m so excited for the authors future releases!
♾️/5⭐️ This has absolutely become one of my favourite books ever, I loved it so so much and can’t wait to read it again and also to read any of the authors future books!
Charlotte is such an amazing main character. I absolutely love her strength and how she never looses focus of her dreams for her future. She’s never waiting around for someone to solve anything herself and I love her attitude towards everything. She has so much personality and I loved her story so much, she’s so likeable and I immediately connected with her character from the very start. Stephen is one of my favourite male characters ever, he’s the sweetest and so respectful and I absolutely loved getting to know him throughout this book, he had a super strong backstory and it allowed us to get to know him so well. I always appreciated how he never once made a decision for Charlotte and I loved that he wasn’t the typical brooding guy. The side characters were also incredibly strong, my favourites were definitely Henrietta and Lady Bellamy and I loved how they would support Charlotte and encourage her to follow her heart. Henrietta and Charlotte’s friendship was one of my favourite things, the two of them have such a close, strong bond and I’m so excited to (hopefully) see more of Henrietta in any of the authors upcoming books! Each character was written with so much depth and the author’s characterisation brings so much to the plot.
The romance was one of the most beautiful I’ve read. The interactions between the two of them were the cutest and so much fun. This is absolutely everything I’d want from a forbidden romance and definitely one of the best I’ve ever read. The little touches between them, the shared glances across the room, secret meetings, stolen moments, it was done to absolute perfection and had me rooting for them from the very start (also the spanish!!) The chemistry between them was so good and it truly felt like the two of them were made for one another, I loved that the two of them shared a love for books and other interests and the way it was incorporated within the story was so sweet. I really love that it was closed door too and how any drama between them didn’t ever drag on or get in the way of the connection they’d built. I love how it also has so much plot outside of the romance and definitely had me wondering how things were going to resolve by the end of the book, the ending was perfect and had me smiling so much!
The writing style itself is so beautiful and flows so well making it super easy to read. In my opinion the pacing was absolutely perfect and the dual pov allowed us to get to know both characters and those they interact with so well. I felt so connected to them and the plot throughout the whole book and constantly found myself wanting to get back to read more. Everything was so easy to visualise and the descriptions were so beautiful and instantly immersed me within the plot and time period.
I can’t put into words how much I loved this book and would recommend this to anyone! I already find myself wanting to reread it and keep thinking about it! I’m so excited for the authors future releases!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC from the author and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
I’ve ranted a lot lately about the overabundance of aristocrats in historical romance, even in series supposedly “about unconventional characters.” Cynthia Bastuck may have read my mind, because The Whispers Between Us was everything I wanted. And while I cannot confirm the inspiration with 100% certainty (although, based on a quick perusal of her Instagram, Bastuck does seem to be a Bridgerton fan), this book feels as if Benedict’s season and some fans’ dreams for a hypothetical Theloise season had a baby.
And to get into why: Charlotte is a lady, in her third Season. She longs to marry for love, to have the love her parents had, but she has not found that yet. But her father has gotten into some financial trouble since her mother’s passing, and he now owes a major debt to a dangerous lord, not only financially, but as a means to prevent a secret about his late wife getting out. As such, this lord is pushing his suit on Charlotte as recompense, despite her resisting at every turn.
Stephen, meanwhile, is in service as a footman, and his father also worked as a servant. However, he is educated, and his father always hoped Stephen would have a better life than he did, something that Stephen chafes at, no more so than when he begins to bond with Charlotte.
I loved the romance between them. And while Stephen did misrepresent himself to Charlotte, he did so before he truly fell for her. I felt for him, and I felt for her when she found out the truth and thought it had all been a lie.
But their bond was just so sweet from their first meeting, where they bonded over literature, and as the story progressed and the stakes continued to rise, I wondered how they would work out in the end. The immediate ending was beautiful, with them really taking a risk for their love and it paying off. While the “later” aftermath in the epilogue kind of resolved things in a cleaner way that I felt was a tad bit superfluous in some ways. But even though I was less of a fan of this occurrence with regards to its class/status implications, it was nice in terms of the further resolution of Charlotte’s personal arc, showing that giving up society didn’t mean she lost familial love.
Overall, this book was wonderful and a breath of fresh air, while still indulging some of my favorite familiar tropes. Whether you’re a Bridgerton fan who wants something in the vein of Benophie and/or Theloise, or just a historical romance fan in search of some quality cross-class, rich girl/poor boy goodness, this book is absolutely worth checking out!
I’ve ranted a lot lately about the overabundance of aristocrats in historical romance, even in series supposedly “about unconventional characters.” Cynthia Bastuck may have read my mind, because The Whispers Between Us was everything I wanted. And while I cannot confirm the inspiration with 100% certainty (although, based on a quick perusal of her Instagram, Bastuck does seem to be a Bridgerton fan), this book feels as if Benedict’s season and some fans’ dreams for a hypothetical Theloise season had a baby.
And to get into why: Charlotte is a lady, in her third Season. She longs to marry for love, to have the love her parents had, but she has not found that yet. But her father has gotten into some financial trouble since her mother’s passing, and he now owes a major debt to a dangerous lord, not only financially, but as a means to prevent a secret about his late wife getting out. As such, this lord is pushing his suit on Charlotte as recompense, despite her resisting at every turn.
Stephen, meanwhile, is in service as a footman, and his father also worked as a servant. However, he is educated, and his father always hoped Stephen would have a better life than he did, something that Stephen chafes at, no more so than when he begins to bond with Charlotte.
I loved the romance between them. And while Stephen did misrepresent himself to Charlotte, he did so before he truly fell for her. I felt for him, and I felt for her when she found out the truth and thought it had all been a lie.
But their bond was just so sweet from their first meeting, where they bonded over literature, and as the story progressed and the stakes continued to rise, I wondered how they would work out in the end. The immediate ending was beautiful, with them really taking a risk for their love and it paying off. While the “later” aftermath in the epilogue kind of resolved things in a cleaner way that I felt was a tad bit superfluous in some ways. But even though I was less of a fan of this occurrence with regards to its class/status implications, it was nice in terms of the further resolution of Charlotte’s personal arc, showing that giving up society didn’t mean she lost familial love.
Overall, this book was wonderful and a breath of fresh air, while still indulging some of my favorite familiar tropes. Whether you’re a Bridgerton fan who wants something in the vein of Benophie and/or Theloise, or just a historical romance fan in search of some quality cross-class, rich girl/poor boy goodness, this book is absolutely worth checking out!
Review of advance copy received from Author
🩵 It has been a while since I've read a Regency romance, and I'm so glad I was accepted as an ARC reader for this one! It was simultaneously beautiful, compelling, and inspiring. I loved the characters, the writing style, the setbacks, and the plot.
📖 The FMC, Charlotte, is a lady whose family is in dire straits. She's basically being forced to marry this Lord because he can offer her family money and stability (but it goes a lot deeper than that). Charlotte is full of hope and dreams and wishes of love--true love. Her parents married for it, against all odds, and she's vowed to wait for it herself no matter what. This story, though, takes her on a journey where she has to make a very hard decision and where her ideals are challenged.
🥀 The MMC, Stephen, is the sweetest, kindest, and most respectful MMC I've read in a while.🤭🫶 It was so refreshing. He is a servant and has kind of given up on being anything more than that. He's intelligent and charming as well. He reads and loves poetry and is literally a golden retriever. Finally, guys, a non-brooding and MMC, thank goodness. I do wish we had learned more about his background. We know certain things, but no details, and I want to know more about how he came to be a servant, his upbringing, etc.
🩵 TOGETHER their chemistry is sooooo good. The first moment they met was already filled with tension and an otherworldly kind of connection that was beautiful to read. Not only does Stephen like to read poetry, but he's a poet himself. Some of those lines?!?! I melted. Legit. Read it for yourself. The romance was so clean and wholesome and still so captivating. 😍🙌
📖 The plot was also really interesting and had a really nice amount of problems/setbacks versus romantic moments. There was a moment while I was reading in which I was LOVING the romance but also concerned because I had no idea how it was all going to work out.
🥀 There were plentyyyy of characters I did NOT like. not because they were poorly written, the opposite actually, but because they were meanies and that was just the purpose they served.
🩵 Also, the writing was gorgeous and so so so lyrical. Lots of clever verbage and even the descriptions of things were beautifully written (which is exactly what I want in a historical piece).
📖 This book is for the hopeful romantics out there, but also those who are a little more cynical. It's a story of following your heart and making choices based on what's right to you, not what's right to society. It was so inspiring and heartwarming. LOOOVEEEEEEE!!! <3
📖 The FMC, Charlotte, is a lady whose family is in dire straits. She's basically being forced to marry this Lord because he can offer her family money and stability (but it goes a lot deeper than that). Charlotte is full of hope and dreams and wishes of love--true love. Her parents married for it, against all odds, and she's vowed to wait for it herself no matter what. This story, though, takes her on a journey where she has to make a very hard decision and where her ideals are challenged.
🥀 The MMC, Stephen, is the sweetest, kindest, and most respectful MMC I've read in a while.🤭🫶 It was so refreshing. He is a servant and has kind of given up on being anything more than that. He's intelligent and charming as well. He reads and loves poetry and is literally a golden retriever. Finally, guys, a non-brooding and MMC, thank goodness. I do wish we had learned more about his background. We know certain things, but no details, and I want to know more about how he came to be a servant, his upbringing, etc.
🩵 TOGETHER their chemistry is sooooo good. The first moment they met was already filled with tension and an otherworldly kind of connection that was beautiful to read. Not only does Stephen like to read poetry, but he's a poet himself. Some of those lines?!?! I melted. Legit. Read it for yourself. The romance was so clean and wholesome and still so captivating. 😍🙌
📖 The plot was also really interesting and had a really nice amount of problems/setbacks versus romantic moments. There was a moment while I was reading in which I was LOVING the romance but also concerned because I had no idea how it was all going to work out.
🥀 There were plentyyyy of characters I did NOT like. not because they were poorly written, the opposite actually, but because they were meanies and that was just the purpose they served.
🩵 Also, the writing was gorgeous and so so so lyrical. Lots of clever verbage and even the descriptions of things were beautifully written (which is exactly what I want in a historical piece).
📖 This book is for the hopeful romantics out there, but also those who are a little more cynical. It's a story of following your heart and making choices based on what's right to you, not what's right to society. It was so inspiring and heartwarming. LOOOVEEEEEEE!!! <3
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was actually my first historical romance, and now I'm wondering why I waited so long to read one.
I went into The Whispers Between Us not really knowing what to expect, but it completely surprised me. From the very beginning, I was drawn into Charlotte and Stephen's story. Their connection felt instant yet believable, built on their shared love of books, poetry, and meaningful conversations. Watching their relationship develop through stolen moments, secret meetings, and quiet glances had me completely invested.
Charlotte was such an easy character to root for. I admired her determination to stay true to herself and her dreams despite the pressure surrounding her. Stephen quickly became one of my favorite book characters. He was kind, respectful, intelligent, and refreshingly different from the typical brooding romantic hero. His gentle nature and unwavering respect for Charlotte made their romance even more special.
One of my favorite aspects of the book was the forbidden, cross-class romance. The stakes felt real, and there were several moments when I genuinely had no idea how everything would work out. The tension between duty and following your heart kept me turning pages, while the romance itself remained sweet, heartfelt, and incredibly emotional.
The writing was beautiful and lyrical, perfectly capturing the historical setting while remaining easy to read. I also loved the supporting characters, especially those who encouraged Charlotte to make her own choices and follow her heart.
If this is what historical romance has to offer, then I definitely need to read more. The Whispers Between Us was emotional, inspiring, and full of hope. It made me smile, broke my heart a little, and left me completely satisfied by the end.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC🥰. All opinions are my own.
This was actually my first historical romance, and now I'm wondering why I waited so long to read one.
I went into The Whispers Between Us not really knowing what to expect, but it completely surprised me. From the very beginning, I was drawn into Charlotte and Stephen's story. Their connection felt instant yet believable, built on their shared love of books, poetry, and meaningful conversations. Watching their relationship develop through stolen moments, secret meetings, and quiet glances had me completely invested.
Charlotte was such an easy character to root for. I admired her determination to stay true to herself and her dreams despite the pressure surrounding her. Stephen quickly became one of my favorite book characters. He was kind, respectful, intelligent, and refreshingly different from the typical brooding romantic hero. His gentle nature and unwavering respect for Charlotte made their romance even more special.
One of my favorite aspects of the book was the forbidden, cross-class romance. The stakes felt real, and there were several moments when I genuinely had no idea how everything would work out. The tension between duty and following your heart kept me turning pages, while the romance itself remained sweet, heartfelt, and incredibly emotional.
The writing was beautiful and lyrical, perfectly capturing the historical setting while remaining easy to read. I also loved the supporting characters, especially those who encouraged Charlotte to make her own choices and follow her heart.
If this is what historical romance has to offer, then I definitely need to read more. The Whispers Between Us was emotional, inspiring, and full of hope. It made me smile, broke my heart a little, and left me completely satisfied by the end.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC🥰. All opinions are my own.
June 20, 2026
📖 Quick Premise
Charlotte made her mother a promise: that she would not marry unless she found her true love. But when arranged marriage may be the only way to save her family, she is forced to decide if she is willing to break that promise or not. Will she follow her heart or make the socially acceptable choice?
💭 Thoughts
I really enjoyed this story. It’s definitely a very cozy read. The familiarity of the plot made it predictable, but I did not find this took away any enjoyment from the story. There’s a reason we watch the same movies over and over, right? We like the familiarity of it.
The ending did feel slightly rushed to me, so I feel like making the book slightly longer would’ve helped.
The writing flowed well and was pleasant to read.
👥 Characters
I liked the FMC (Charlotte) and MMC (Stephen) in this book. I despised Charlotte’s aunt and Lord Penbroke, which I think is intended. Charlotte is very relatable and a character. She’s strong willed, determined, authentic, intelligent, and kind. Stephen is endearing. He defies the stereotype he is boxed in to.
❤️🔥Romance
This is definitely a fast burn/instant love kind of story, so if you don’t like that sort of thing, this may not appeal to you. I usually prefer a slow burn but I did still find the romance enjoyable and endearing. It reminded me of being young and immediately connecting with someone and the excitement that comes with that. There was a lot of yearning in this book!
✔️ Final Thoughts
Overall, this was a quick, easy read. The ending was sweet. I loved that we got to see what happens years later aren’t left wondering. If you’re looking for a wholesome regency romance without spice, I recommend this one. I would definitely read more books by this author.
Charlotte made her mother a promise: that she would not marry unless she found her true love. But when arranged marriage may be the only way to save her family, she is forced to decide if she is willing to break that promise or not. Will she follow her heart or make the socially acceptable choice?
💭 Thoughts
I really enjoyed this story. It’s definitely a very cozy read. The familiarity of the plot made it predictable, but I did not find this took away any enjoyment from the story. There’s a reason we watch the same movies over and over, right? We like the familiarity of it.
The ending did feel slightly rushed to me, so I feel like making the book slightly longer would’ve helped.
The writing flowed well and was pleasant to read.
👥 Characters
I liked the FMC (Charlotte) and MMC (Stephen) in this book. I despised Charlotte’s aunt and Lord Penbroke, which I think is intended. Charlotte is very relatable and a character. She’s strong willed, determined, authentic, intelligent, and kind. Stephen is endearing. He defies the stereotype he is boxed in to.
❤️🔥Romance
This is definitely a fast burn/instant love kind of story, so if you don’t like that sort of thing, this may not appeal to you. I usually prefer a slow burn but I did still find the romance enjoyable and endearing. It reminded me of being young and immediately connecting with someone and the excitement that comes with that. There was a lot of yearning in this book!
✔️ Final Thoughts
Overall, this was a quick, easy read. The ending was sweet. I loved that we got to see what happens years later aren’t left wondering. If you’re looking for a wholesome regency romance without spice, I recommend this one. I would definitely read more books by this author.
July 2, 2026
I don't know where to begin other than just saying what a lovely read this was! 🥺
Charlotte and Stephen jumped right off the page, and I enjoyed their immediate connection.
Charlotte is intelligent, witty and not willing to settle—a classic spin on the Georgian/Regency heroine. Henrietta is a great friend who serves as sort of a foil to Charlotte in some ways, while also preserving her own agency (and not becoming a plot device, as so many side characters tend to do).
Stephen is well-read, intelligent, and incredibly romantic, as seen by his first meeting with Charlotte in the library. His charm and wit place him above his station, and he's clever enough to disguise himself as the nobleman 'William Fletcher' in order to (in his view) secure a chance with Charlotte.
Of course, I knew going in that with Stephen pretending to be a nobleman, there was going to be potential fallout somewhere. In a lot of romance novels, these misunderstandings can be cliché, but the author avoids this and we really can see inside the characters' minds.
Lord Penrose is...well, Lord Penrose. The author does a fantastic job of writing a character we all love to hate. This is a man who has never been told no in his life, and it shows consistently throughout the plot of the story. He's self-centered, vain, and manipulative, seeking Charlotte not as a love match, but as a money match. I was SO relieved to see him face the consequences of his actions at the end of the book! Well-deserved 😌
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed The Whispers Between Us, and I can't wait for what Cynthia publishes next! It's sure to be another fantastic escape into a historical fiction world 💗
Thank you for allowing me to be an ARC reader 🙂↕️
Charlotte and Stephen jumped right off the page, and I enjoyed their immediate connection.
Charlotte is intelligent, witty and not willing to settle—a classic spin on the Georgian/Regency heroine. Henrietta is a great friend who serves as sort of a foil to Charlotte in some ways, while also preserving her own agency (and not becoming a plot device, as so many side characters tend to do).
Stephen is well-read, intelligent, and incredibly romantic, as seen by his first meeting with Charlotte in the library. His charm and wit place him above his station, and he's clever enough to disguise himself as the nobleman 'William Fletcher' in order to (in his view) secure a chance with Charlotte.
Of course, I knew going in that with Stephen pretending to be a nobleman, there was going to be potential fallout somewhere. In a lot of romance novels, these misunderstandings can be cliché, but the author avoids this and we really can see inside the characters' minds.
Lord Penrose is...well, Lord Penrose. The author does a fantastic job of writing a character we all love to hate. This is a man who has never been told no in his life, and it shows consistently throughout the plot of the story. He's self-centered, vain, and manipulative, seeking Charlotte not as a love match, but as a money match. I was SO relieved to see him face the consequences of his actions at the end of the book! Well-deserved 😌
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed The Whispers Between Us, and I can't wait for what Cynthia publishes next! It's sure to be another fantastic escape into a historical fiction world 💗
Thank you for allowing me to be an ARC reader 🙂↕️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
"Passion without insight is merely enthusiasm"
my rating: 4.8 ☆
tropes:
- Instant connection
- cross class
- forbidden romance
- historical romance
- STEPHEN TURNER (he needs his own trope. he's so fucking charming, yes CHARMING and WELL-MANNERED)
oh my god??
when i got this book as an arc i honestly didn't know what to expect, this is far from the trope i usually read and honestly? it was so enjoyable.
the main characters, Charlotte and Stephen, were equally intriqued by books which helped spark their love for each other. it was an instant connection.
Stephens well-mannered speech and behavior had my heart aching for a man like that in real life, especially when he went up against Penrose.
"Don't come near her, don't touch her, don't even look in her direction. If I see
you within ten feet of her again, what happened tonight will seem like a gentle warning."
this actually had me giggling, kicking my feet ¬‿¬
The whispers between us is an instant connection, historical romance where the main characters bond over classic litterature.
its a short but enjoyable read. definetly had my heart racing (and i cried) a couple of times. :')
Cynthia Bastucks debut novel could honestly not have been better, perhaps in my opinion the story could have been longer (which explains my rating) but to be fair it ended really well. i was thoroughly satisfied. Definetly looking forward to her future work and progress as she keeps writing more novels!
my rating: 4.8 ☆
tropes:
- Instant connection
- cross class
- forbidden romance
- historical romance
- STEPHEN TURNER (he needs his own trope. he's so fucking charming, yes CHARMING and WELL-MANNERED)
oh my god??
when i got this book as an arc i honestly didn't know what to expect, this is far from the trope i usually read and honestly? it was so enjoyable.
the main characters, Charlotte and Stephen, were equally intriqued by books which helped spark their love for each other. it was an instant connection.
Stephens well-mannered speech and behavior had my heart aching for a man like that in real life, especially when he went up against Penrose.
"Don't come near her, don't touch her, don't even look in her direction. If I see
you within ten feet of her again, what happened tonight will seem like a gentle warning."
this actually had me giggling, kicking my feet ¬‿¬
The whispers between us is an instant connection, historical romance where the main characters bond over classic litterature.
its a short but enjoyable read. definetly had my heart racing (and i cried) a couple of times. :')
Cynthia Bastucks debut novel could honestly not have been better, perhaps in my opinion the story could have been longer (which explains my rating) but to be fair it ended really well. i was thoroughly satisfied. Definetly looking forward to her future work and progress as she keeps writing more novels!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is the reason why I love bookstagram and arc reading. I’m not sure if I would of found this book otherwise.
This book is also another example of a book not needing to have smut and 900 tropes to make it a good story.
This is may be my first regency like book and I absolutely loved it. This book had everything I love- yearning, a green flag MMC, a strong FMC, fast paced storytelling, twists and surprises, and more yearning.
Was I crashing out in the author’s DMs? Yes. Charlotte and Stephen come from totally different worlds - which is the forbidden romance I’m here for. She’s from hihh society trying to escape an arranged marriage and he’s a server who can’t stay away.
Stephen is top tier book boyfriend. He saw her for who she was and even though he knew it was unrealistic for them to end up together he still wanted to help her. That man said the swooniest things.
Charlotte was a great FMC - she really tried to stick to the promise she made her mom. I love that she wanted to find love and not marry for any other reason. I loved her friends and her friends mom. The support she had from them 🥹.
We won’t talk about her aunt or Penrose because they don’t deserve her attention. I wish her dad had a bigger backbone.
The second half of this had me on the edge of my seat, as I wasn’t sure how it was going to end. The ending was beautiful and this book will stick with me for awhile.
This book is also another example of a book not needing to have smut and 900 tropes to make it a good story.
This is may be my first regency like book and I absolutely loved it. This book had everything I love- yearning, a green flag MMC, a strong FMC, fast paced storytelling, twists and surprises, and more yearning.
Was I crashing out in the author’s DMs? Yes. Charlotte and Stephen come from totally different worlds - which is the forbidden romance I’m here for. She’s from hihh society trying to escape an arranged marriage and he’s a server who can’t stay away.
Stephen is top tier book boyfriend. He saw her for who she was and even though he knew it was unrealistic for them to end up together he still wanted to help her. That man said the swooniest things.
Charlotte was a great FMC - she really tried to stick to the promise she made her mom. I love that she wanted to find love and not marry for any other reason. I loved her friends and her friends mom. The support she had from them 🥹.
We won’t talk about her aunt or Penrose because they don’t deserve her attention. I wish her dad had a bigger backbone.
The second half of this had me on the edge of my seat, as I wasn’t sure how it was going to end. The ending was beautiful and this book will stick with me for awhile.
Review of advance copy received from Author
“Todas las noches me torturo pensando en ti.”
Things I like:
• YEARNING #bringbackyearning2026
• Top notch banter.
• Dual POV.
• A light mystery that keeps you guessing.
• Enough drama and angst.
• THAT Library scene. Nuff said.
Things I dislike:
• Started a bit slow, but once we get to the middle things started to pick up.
• The conflict took too long to resolve. As I got closer to the end, I keep wondering how they gonna solve everything with just a few chapters left.
• The ending was a classic "tell don't show" problem. It was the main reason I rated it 4 instead of 5 stars.
Has a bit of insta feeling. Not a problem for me but I know it's not everyone's cup of tea. Low spice level 🔥. Also Charlotte's dad has ZERO spine.
Whispers of You is a nice debut novel that I would gladly reread and recommend if you're looking for a light historical romance. Would love to read Henrietta and Sophia's books too.
Things I like:
• YEARNING #bringbackyearning2026
• Top notch banter.
• Dual POV.
• A light mystery that keeps you guessing.
• Enough drama and angst.
• THAT Library scene. Nuff said.
Things I dislike:
• Started a bit slow, but once we get to the middle things started to pick up.
• The conflict took too long to resolve. As I got closer to the end, I keep wondering how they gonna solve everything with just a few chapters left.
• The ending was a classic "tell don't show" problem. It was the main reason I rated it 4 instead of 5 stars.
Has a bit of insta feeling. Not a problem for me but I know it's not everyone's cup of tea. Low spice level 🔥. Also Charlotte's dad has ZERO spine.
Whispers of You is a nice debut novel that I would gladly reread and recommend if you're looking for a light historical romance. Would love to read Henrietta and Sophia's books too.
Review of advance copy received from Autorin bzw. Autor
The heart and love do not ask about rank or status. It is connection that the heart desires.
That is precisely the focus of this book. When two literature lovers meet. Understanding one another, needing one another. He is her anchor, and she is his.
A footman and a young lady. What a scandal. Surely that’s forbidden? Yet their longing for one another is incomprehensible, and yet very real.
Described very well and in great detail. How they yearn for more – every word was palpable.
Especially as Charlotte has a very sharp tongue, and Stephen appreciates her all the more for it.😉
I’ve highlighted so many sentences, more than I ever have in my life. I can’t even show them all here, otherwise it would be too much. It was that good....
I’m thrilled by the book. I couldn’t hold back at the end. It enchanted me.
I received an ARC from the Author. This is my honest review.
That is precisely the focus of this book. When two literature lovers meet. Understanding one another, needing one another. He is her anchor, and she is his.
A footman and a young lady. What a scandal. Surely that’s forbidden? Yet their longing for one another is incomprehensible, and yet very real.
Described very well and in great detail. How they yearn for more – every word was palpable.
Especially as Charlotte has a very sharp tongue, and Stephen appreciates her all the more for it.😉
I’ve highlighted so many sentences, more than I ever have in my life. I can’t even show them all here, otherwise it would be too much. It was that good....
I’m thrilled by the book. I couldn’t hold back at the end. It enchanted me.
I received an ARC from the Author. This is my honest review.
July 13, 2026
This was well written and had an entertaining premise, but was a little too insta-love for me. Also, it had some inconsistencies/plot things that didn’t make sense to me (who was Sophia? why was Margaret so insistent on the marriage even when the blackmail was revealed (this felt like something added just to push the plot in a certain direction)? if her dad loved her so much why didn’t he contact her more/try to visit before?). Overall though I thought this was a cool debut and would be interested in reading more by the author!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This a sweeping historical romance. A bride caught between obligations, expectations and a promise made to her mother. An admirer, not worthy, by society’s standards. And a suitor who by all appearances should be the easy choice but from the get go the author shows us his evil lying beneath his pretty exterior. It feels like the set up of a melodrama. So well written and beautifully set. This is a stunning novel.
June 23, 2026
Unbelievable
This book chewed me up and spat me out in the best possible way.
I fell in love with Charlotte and Stephen from their very first library encounter, and hoooooly shit.
Cynthia DID NOT disappoint with this book. I was hooked from the first page and I couldn’t help but keep reading.
This is the first book I’ve read in almost two years that didn’t have any spice - but honestly? It didn’t need it. This story is amazing.
5 million stars.
This book chewed me up and spat me out in the best possible way.
I fell in love with Charlotte and Stephen from their very first library encounter, and hoooooly shit.
Cynthia DID NOT disappoint with this book. I was hooked from the first page and I couldn’t help but keep reading.
This is the first book I’ve read in almost two years that didn’t have any spice - but honestly? It didn’t need it. This story is amazing.
5 million stars.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was on the ARC team for this, so I am so glad to be giving it a 5 star, glowing review.
So many times we read a story about a female protagonist being the 'Cinderella' so to speak. Now, what if it was a man? This is what this book is.
Our male is a butler / servant and can read and think independently. One night while sneaking into a library of a nearby estate during a party, he comes across the literary smart daughter who went looking for refuge from an awful arranged courtship. It's love at first sight for them, but it soon becomes more than that.
I liked the two of them together. I liked that she was fighting for her freedom with so little time she had left and when everyone was against her. I love it that he was so smitten that he vowed to do what he could to assist her, meanwhile trying to keep his identity a secret until he knew when it was time to reveal it.
There is a villain to this all. He is sneaky and absolutely a piece of trash, and the way that he is trying to win her father over and own both her estate lands and her is despicable. To see how they win against him and what is done is something you have to read for yourself. It was getting down to the wire and I was wondering how things would turn out in the end.
Overall, if you're looking for a non-spice read and a good female and male pairing, this is one you should give a try!
So many times we read a story about a female protagonist being the 'Cinderella' so to speak. Now, what if it was a man? This is what this book is.
Our male is a butler / servant and can read and think independently. One night while sneaking into a library of a nearby estate during a party, he comes across the literary smart daughter who went looking for refuge from an awful arranged courtship. It's love at first sight for them, but it soon becomes more than that.
I liked the two of them together. I liked that she was fighting for her freedom with so little time she had left and when everyone was against her. I love it that he was so smitten that he vowed to do what he could to assist her, meanwhile trying to keep his identity a secret until he knew when it was time to reveal it.
There is a villain to this all. He is sneaky and absolutely a piece of trash, and the way that he is trying to win her father over and own both her estate lands and her is despicable. To see how they win against him and what is done is something you have to read for yourself. It was getting down to the wire and I was wondering how things would turn out in the end.
Overall, if you're looking for a non-spice read and a good female and male pairing, this is one you should give a try!
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