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Ariadne's Thread
Ariadne was born in poverty, raised by her aunt and uncle, and now lives as a companion to their daughter, Pippa. Her life is small, simple, and predictable. It’s not a terrible her uncle is distant but not uncaring, her cousin Pippa is silly but sweet, her aunt is preoccupied with Spiritualism but kind, and her uncle’s other ward, Daniel, is her one confidante.
Ariadne knows that she is the poor relation. She knows that she has nothing to offer a world that values wealth, privilege, and power. She knows she will likely spend her life at Cordwell Park as more than a servant but less than an equal. She knows that Daniel will never be anything but a friend. She knows that her aunt’s obsessions are unhealthy but ultimately harmless, because magic is a fantasy for children. She knows that her path is set out before her, straight and narrow, and that nothing will ever change.
Then Foxfield Hall is let. Cordwell Park finds itself regularly hosting their new neighbors. And Ariadne discovers that everything she knew was wrong.
Ariadne’s Thread is a medium burn, reverse harem paranormal romance set in the Regency period. While it will appeal to fans of Austen or Bridgerton, it contains material Jane Austen would have been pilloried for printing, so readers of delicate sensitivity or young age should seek their entertainment elsewhere. Contains adult content, M/M, rakes, questionable seances, scandals, and shameless use of puppies as alibis.
Ariadne knows that she is the poor relation. She knows that she has nothing to offer a world that values wealth, privilege, and power. She knows she will likely spend her life at Cordwell Park as more than a servant but less than an equal. She knows that Daniel will never be anything but a friend. She knows that her aunt’s obsessions are unhealthy but ultimately harmless, because magic is a fantasy for children. She knows that her path is set out before her, straight and narrow, and that nothing will ever change.
Then Foxfield Hall is let. Cordwell Park finds itself regularly hosting their new neighbors. And Ariadne discovers that everything she knew was wrong.
Ariadne’s Thread is a medium burn, reverse harem paranormal romance set in the Regency period. While it will appeal to fans of Austen or Bridgerton, it contains material Jane Austen would have been pilloried for printing, so readers of delicate sensitivity or young age should seek their entertainment elsewhere. Contains adult content, M/M, rakes, questionable seances, scandals, and shameless use of puppies as alibis.
177 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 8, 2022
10 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 18, 2022
Uniquely written RH story where writing style matches with era the story is set in. Gives a whole different vibe. I like the characters, the romance is mweh but the story elements regarding the supernatural are really nice. I look forward to those bits being expanded in the next book.
January 20, 2023
DISCLAIMER: The author is a friend of mine. However, I paid real dollars for my copy of the book and my praises and criticisms here are genuine.
So I really enjoyed reading this. I don't read a ton in the romance genre, but I deeply enjoyed Getty's writing style and tone here, and they have a knack for conveying their characters' various voices and creating dialogue and interaction that's both spirited and genuinely touching. The storyline teases a bit at the tropey elements of regency matchmaking drama, but in a way that felt playful rather than mocking. The primary characters were quite enjoyable, the sex scenes were terrifically hot, and the romance scenes struck the right notes between wonder and surprise so as to be deliciously moving.
There were, of course, opportunities for improvement here. This is a very short read, like much of the genre, and I would have not minded having twice as much space to inhabit the world, revel in the character interplay, spend a bit more time lingering over the plot beats and characters that had to be sketched a bit too hastily, and breathe in the tale more deeply. There were some elements of relationship I had to take on faith rather than feeling totally supported by the text itself; for example, Daniel and Ariadne's relationship started on solid footing but came unmoored somewhat at the book's midpoint, leaving a climactic moment and the subsequent denouement feeling a bit unjustified. There were also points at which the perspective switching left me annoyed to have missed out on another character's thoughts and feelings at particular intervals, or where important scenes and conversations were happening off-camera that I would have preferred to actually witness. It's also completely true that further editing would have helped, as I encountered multiple formatting and typography errors and at least one place where a first-person draft hadn't been completely changed over to third-person.
Which is to say, it's a new author's self-published work. But also I'm going to be picking up the next one, obviously, hopefully very soon.
So I really enjoyed reading this. I don't read a ton in the romance genre, but I deeply enjoyed Getty's writing style and tone here, and they have a knack for conveying their characters' various voices and creating dialogue and interaction that's both spirited and genuinely touching. The storyline teases a bit at the tropey elements of regency matchmaking drama, but in a way that felt playful rather than mocking. The primary characters were quite enjoyable, the sex scenes were terrifically hot, and the romance scenes struck the right notes between wonder and surprise so as to be deliciously moving.
There were, of course, opportunities for improvement here. This is a very short read, like much of the genre, and I would have not minded having twice as much space to inhabit the world, revel in the character interplay, spend a bit more time lingering over the plot beats and characters that had to be sketched a bit too hastily, and breathe in the tale more deeply. There were some elements of relationship I had to take on faith rather than feeling totally supported by the text itself; for example, Daniel and Ariadne's relationship started on solid footing but came unmoored somewhat at the book's midpoint, leaving a climactic moment and the subsequent denouement feeling a bit unjustified. There were also points at which the perspective switching left me annoyed to have missed out on another character's thoughts and feelings at particular intervals, or where important scenes and conversations were happening off-camera that I would have preferred to actually witness. It's also completely true that further editing would have helped, as I encountered multiple formatting and typography errors and at least one place where a first-person draft hadn't been completely changed over to third-person.
Which is to say, it's a new author's self-published work. But also I'm going to be picking up the next one, obviously, hopefully very soon.
June 13, 2022
This is a SEXY book - it definitely has the spice and a great slow burn, and the ending has me impatiently waiting for the next book in the series! Well-written with a strong plot and main characters, I’ll definitely be recommending this one.
June 9, 2022
Disclaimer: the author is a friend.
Still, I loved this. The Regency pastiche of it all was delightfully done, and I appreciate that we get to see how the circumstances chafe at both Ariadne and Daniel - and Finn, for that matter. And the little glimpses of magic around the edges are fascinating and hint at so much more in this world that's out there to discover. (Oh, and the romance is believable and the sex ix Hot.) Eagerly awaiting the next book in the series!
Still, I loved this. The Regency pastiche of it all was delightfully done, and I appreciate that we get to see how the circumstances chafe at both Ariadne and Daniel - and Finn, for that matter. And the little glimpses of magic around the edges are fascinating and hint at so much more in this world that's out there to discover. (Oh, and the romance is believable and the sex ix Hot.) Eagerly awaiting the next book in the series!
June 9, 2022
Amazing start to a new series
What a great story, it is a slow burn in every way, it slowly builds everything, so much so you find yourself enthralled and before you know it, you are 100% in the story and living it along with them. There's enough story that it is tantalizing, and it captures you and your imagination. It is a gentle story initially, with little hints of potential to come. Highly recommend, cannot wait for the second book.
What a great story, it is a slow burn in every way, it slowly builds everything, so much so you find yourself enthralled and before you know it, you are 100% in the story and living it along with them. There's enough story that it is tantalizing, and it captures you and your imagination. It is a gentle story initially, with little hints of potential to come. Highly recommend, cannot wait for the second book.
February 14, 2023
Pleasantly surprised
Soooo, I went into this story not quite sure what it was about. I have to be honest, it wasn't till about halfway through that I realized it was a paranormal story also and than everything slotted into place for me. I quite enjoyed this story. I liked the characters and storyline. I'm ready for book two to be out so that I can continue this journey.
Soooo, I went into this story not quite sure what it was about. I have to be honest, it wasn't till about halfway through that I realized it was a paranormal story also and than everything slotted into place for me. I quite enjoyed this story. I liked the characters and storyline. I'm ready for book two to be out so that I can continue this journey.
June 19, 2022
This was sweet but also slow burning spicy and just a really easy book for a one sitting read. Enjoyable in many ways
There was a lot revealed but I still feel like there's a long way to go in terms of seeing into this world and the relationships. And that makes me really excite for book two!
There was a lot revealed but I still feel like there's a long way to go in terms of seeing into this world and the relationships. And that makes me really excite for book two!
July 21, 2022
perfect beach read
I’ve been saving this for time that I can sit down and finish it in two days, and I was not disappointed. Compelling characters, excellent pacing, light hearted but in all the best ways. Can’t wait for the next one!
I’ve been saving this for time that I can sit down and finish it in two days, and I was not disappointed. Compelling characters, excellent pacing, light hearted but in all the best ways. Can’t wait for the next one!
January 7, 2025
I’d been getting disillusioned with so many RH books being insta-love (my pet peeve). This somehow managed to be short and also had a realistic build-up. An enjoyable wee book - just sad I couldn’t find the second one yet!
September 10, 2022
5 Stars
The short and quick of it: great book, great characters, intriguing concept, but my god what a painful cliffhanger ending.
Anxiously awaiting book two.
The short and quick of it: great book, great characters, intriguing concept, but my god what a painful cliffhanger ending.
Anxiously awaiting book two.
December 27, 2024
3.5, rounding up. Sequel when??
June 28, 2022
This was a lovely, gentle book with excellent characterization and wit. The period setting was quite well done and the dialogue had some truly funny/witty bits. Honestly, I could not tell that this was a first time author.
I very much appreciated the instances where "standard" romance for historical romance tropes were turned on their heads. Ariadne was a great FMC. Strong, full of common sense but, also kind.The mysterious/paranormal hints and elements were well done and subtle. I also really enjoyed that the MM relationship was well-grounded before they met her. I am very much looking forward to the next books in the series.
I very much appreciated the instances where "standard" romance for historical romance tropes were turned on their heads. Ariadne was a great FMC. Strong, full of common sense but, also kind.The mysterious/paranormal hints and elements were well done and subtle. I also really enjoyed that the MM relationship was well-grounded before they met her. I am very much looking forward to the next books in the series.
September 1, 2024
Brilliant start to a series
This was a brilliant start to the series. Can't wait to read the next book and find out all the hints the guys were dropping about magic
This was a brilliant start to the series. Can't wait to read the next book and find out all the hints the guys were dropping about magic
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews