What do you think?
Rate this book
Benevolence Society #1
Gabriel's Empath
A betrothal he did not want. A bargain she cannot refuse
Lillian Hargraves’ gift is truly a curse. When she touches someone, she sees their past—not the happy memories, but dark visions. Hidden away for years at a school for ‘exceptional’ children, Lillian is now of marriageable age and her mother has already picked out the groom. But the thought of enduring someone’s touch and the nightmares it will produce is something Lillian is desperate to avoid, especially since her gift is becoming stronger and harder to control. With the wedding looming, she will do anything to escape society and live in seclusion.
Gabriel Ramsey has waited four long years to find a murderer. Now that the war is over, he is released from duty and back in England, determined to capture the man who killed his father. But his mother has other ideas. Insisting Gabriel marry and produce an heir, she pushes him toward a hasty betrothal with Lillian. Gabriel has no interest until he learns of his soon-to-be-wife’s strange ability—one that could undoubtedly help him catch the assassin. So, he makes Lillian an offer she cannot refuse: Freedom in exchange for the use of her gift.
As the two work together and grow closer, Lillian is increasingly unwilling to pull Gabriel into her nightmare. Once they discover the killer, can she overcome her fears and accept being loved?
Lillian Hargraves’ gift is truly a curse. When she touches someone, she sees their past—not the happy memories, but dark visions. Hidden away for years at a school for ‘exceptional’ children, Lillian is now of marriageable age and her mother has already picked out the groom. But the thought of enduring someone’s touch and the nightmares it will produce is something Lillian is desperate to avoid, especially since her gift is becoming stronger and harder to control. With the wedding looming, she will do anything to escape society and live in seclusion.
Gabriel Ramsey has waited four long years to find a murderer. Now that the war is over, he is released from duty and back in England, determined to capture the man who killed his father. But his mother has other ideas. Insisting Gabriel marry and produce an heir, she pushes him toward a hasty betrothal with Lillian. Gabriel has no interest until he learns of his soon-to-be-wife’s strange ability—one that could undoubtedly help him catch the assassin. So, he makes Lillian an offer she cannot refuse: Freedom in exchange for the use of her gift.
As the two work together and grow closer, Lillian is increasingly unwilling to pull Gabriel into her nightmare. Once they discover the killer, can she overcome her fears and accept being loved?
568 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2021
3 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
Emmaline Rose
8 books7 followersBooks that have influenced me the most as a child were Nancy Drew, Anne of Green Gables, and Little House on the Prairie. I'm a huge fan of Jane Austen. I love reading children's picture books as well as any novels that have pictures as an integral feature (such as Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children). I love well-written Regency Romance and mysteries. I love just about anything that has a hint of romance and a happy ending!
Follow me on
Instagram @emmalinerosemac
Facebook @EmmalineRoseBooks
Amazon and Bookbub
Follow me on
Instagram @emmalinerosemac
Facebook @EmmalineRoseBooks
Amazon and Bookbub
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 10, 2021
Lillian was very brave at the end!
The prologue set the whole tone for this outstanding book. Can you imagine how hard it would be to go through life knowing things that should not be know and feeling the emotions of others? How could you have a full life is it a curse or a gift? Wonderful cast of characters in this one Sarah and Jersey were great I love Lillian’s pet Prince Albert and Lillian and Gabriel were splendid. The author made this piece so interesting and it move at a good pace. The book from the cover that is done so well to the last page this is one book that I suggest you check out it was excellent. I did receive a free copy of this book from Booksprout and voluntarily chose to review it.
The prologue set the whole tone for this outstanding book. Can you imagine how hard it would be to go through life knowing things that should not be know and feeling the emotions of others? How could you have a full life is it a curse or a gift? Wonderful cast of characters in this one Sarah and Jersey were great I love Lillian’s pet Prince Albert and Lillian and Gabriel were splendid. The author made this piece so interesting and it move at a good pace. The book from the cover that is done so well to the last page this is one book that I suggest you check out it was excellent. I did receive a free copy of this book from Booksprout and voluntarily chose to review it.
November 7, 2021
I read widely because I'm not a busy man, and thanks to the success of shows like Bridgerton, I wanted to give this a go.
Emmaline Rose is a superlative talent who captures the beauty and grace of historic England and its citizens with respect, wisdom and style. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the world she has created here and look forward to reading the rest of the series.
Heartthrob Gabriel will be a favourite of mine and others for years to come I am sure!
Emmaline Rose is a superlative talent who captures the beauty and grace of historic England and its citizens with respect, wisdom and style. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the world she has created here and look forward to reading the rest of the series.
Heartthrob Gabriel will be a favourite of mine and others for years to come I am sure!
November 8, 2021
Regency isn't usually my thing, but the way this book was written made it fun and exciting. Who knew putting spies, superpowers, and fancy ballrooms together would create an amazing story. I loved both Gabriel and Lillian and the way their stories weaved together. I especially loved Lillian's pet ferret, Prince Albert. Who doesn't love a ferret?
November 11, 2021
The first book in the Benevolence Society series a well written story with a very good storyline that kept me turning pages. Gabriel Ramsey and Lillian Hargraves’ story makes you feel like you are there watching as it happens. This is a new Author to me. I found the book to be well worth reading. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 8, 2021
Absolutely loved this book. I've read it in its many forms over the years and I'm so happy with the final product that Emma came out with. There's times that make you laugh or get teary. Such a fantastic story that I can't wait for future books in the series.
November 11, 2021
I really enjoyed reading this paranormal romance, it had what I enjoy about the paranormal and the historical novel. The characters were great and I enjoyed reading this.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 15, 2022
This was a good idea but suffered in the execution. It's basically X-men in Regency England--a whole school of people who have extraordinary abilities but cannot be accepted by society at large, or even by their own families. They are not overwhelmingly powerful (unlike the X-men movies I have seen) but are just learning how to use what they have. The protagonist has the ability to see the evil things that people have done in the past--a fascinating ability, especially when combined with the spy ring of the other protagonist.
The text is unfortunately pretty clunky and the speech feels wooden even for regency England. In addition, it has the flaw (all too common in romance stories) where the protagonist is determined to keep secrets and do something foolish, despite advice. The villain seems unrealistic (at least to me).
Despite all of that, I did like the characters. I didn't want to stop reading it, even though it didn't flow very well, because I wanted to make sure they were ok in the end. I thought the author did a pretty good job of making the protagonists feel realistic (despite their stilted speech), with flaws and virtues and room to grow and forgive each other. I also thought it was an interesting premise, worth following through.
The text is unfortunately pretty clunky and the speech feels wooden even for regency England. In addition, it has the flaw (all too common in romance stories) where the protagonist is determined to keep secrets and do something foolish, despite advice. The villain seems unrealistic (at least to me).
Despite all of that, I did like the characters. I didn't want to stop reading it, even though it didn't flow very well, because I wanted to make sure they were ok in the end. I thought the author did a pretty good job of making the protagonists feel realistic (despite their stilted speech), with flaws and virtues and room to grow and forgive each other. I also thought it was an interesting premise, worth following through.
November 19, 2021
Lillian is avoided in society because of her strange reaction to being touched but this curse will never leave her.
Meeting the Duke of Wyvern, they come to an arrangement when he finds out about her gift which includes their engagement if she can help find a killer.
Their fake betrothal makes both families ecstatic but the couple have much to do to find the truth.
Their connection grows stronger and love blossoms within them both.
Can Lillian accept her powers and the feelings they both have?
I enjoyed the budding romance between the two main characters and was warmed by their obvious care for each other in the face of danger.
There is shock, surprise, emotion, suspense, drama, impropriety and mystery.
This is a rather long story but it is very detailed and transports the reader to a regency world.
A unique story that involves special powers with the Duke loving Lillian for everything she possesses.
There are moments of sadness and various other emotions that hit you like a fist.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Meeting the Duke of Wyvern, they come to an arrangement when he finds out about her gift which includes their engagement if she can help find a killer.
Their fake betrothal makes both families ecstatic but the couple have much to do to find the truth.
Their connection grows stronger and love blossoms within them both.
Can Lillian accept her powers and the feelings they both have?
I enjoyed the budding romance between the two main characters and was warmed by their obvious care for each other in the face of danger.
There is shock, surprise, emotion, suspense, drama, impropriety and mystery.
This is a rather long story but it is very detailed and transports the reader to a regency world.
A unique story that involves special powers with the Duke loving Lillian for everything she possesses.
There are moments of sadness and various other emotions that hit you like a fist.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 7, 2022
Loved it!
I can’t remember how I came upon this book, but I loved it and am so glad I decided to give it a try! I really liked how the characters grew as people over the course of the book. As much as I like reading books where the characters fall in love at first sight, this felt more realistic. Gabriel and Lillian are both complicated people who needed to find themselves, even though they thought they knew themselves quite well! Most of us are like that. Lillian’s gift is a fascinating one and I can see why it would frighten a person to have it. There were a good number of twists and turns and a whole cast of fascinating characters that made for engrossing reading. It looks as though this is book 1 in a series so I’m hoping to read a new installment soon!
I can’t remember how I came upon this book, but I loved it and am so glad I decided to give it a try! I really liked how the characters grew as people over the course of the book. As much as I like reading books where the characters fall in love at first sight, this felt more realistic. Gabriel and Lillian are both complicated people who needed to find themselves, even though they thought they knew themselves quite well! Most of us are like that. Lillian’s gift is a fascinating one and I can see why it would frighten a person to have it. There were a good number of twists and turns and a whole cast of fascinating characters that made for engrossing reading. It looks as though this is book 1 in a series so I’m hoping to read a new installment soon!
September 18, 2022
Wow Wow Wow! This intriguing suspenseful action packed adventure has spies and students with special abilities looking for the murderer of a four year old cold case. Unable to put down it just grabs you from the beginning!
Thanks to the author for providing this book for my honest review!
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Page-turner Easy-to-read Wonderful characters Original Action-packed Happily Ever After Entertaining Unpredictable Romantic Tragic
Thanks to the author for providing this book for my honest review!
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Page-turner Easy-to-read Wonderful characters Original Action-packed Happily Ever After Entertaining Unpredictable Romantic Tragic
September 10, 2022
This was a light, sweet story even though it dealt with not fitting in, being judged by society, and a murder. Despite all that I didn’t find it to be at all angst-y. I also didn’t get caught up in or swept away by the romance for whatever reason. But I did enjoy Lillian and her friends as well as Gabriel and his network.
December 28, 2022
Intended as teenage fiction, nonetheless I found this book to be an enjoyable read. It blends sci-fi with Regency England, and produces an unusual tale of events, with a number of plot twists. I'm impatiently waiting for the next volume in this series to appear.
December 5, 2024
I loved this book so much! Regency romance, supernatural abilities and a cast of characters you so want to root for. I loved the growth of Lillian throughout the story. How she came to accept herself on her own terms and came into her own. Truths about life and love are learned by all. Each of the main characters also had a wonderful group of supportive friends and family, which I loved. I can't say enough good things about this story. Well done! This is my first five star read in a long time.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews