The Rest is History

by Sara Madderson

When Elodie Peach joins our school's History department, her clear green eyes, joyous ways and swan-like neck enchant me as much as Anne Boleyn’s charms captivated Henry VIII five hundred years ago.

Monday to Friday, I’m grumpy Mr Vaughan, Head of History. Zero personality, except when I’m teaching. So passionate about my field that my pupils bought me a highly inappropriate t-shirt last year.

I HAVE A HARD-ON FOR REVISIONIST HISTORY, if you must know.

It’s only on Saturdays, when I play Henry VIII at Hampton Court Palace for over-exuberant tourists, that I allow myself to channel a bit of His Majesty’s swagger. There's something about wearing both a crown and a codpiece that makes me feel invincible.

At school, I stay the hell away from that Peach woman. Because nothing good can come from my obsession.

But it’s when I make her my Anne Boleyn on Saturdays that the sparks fly.

[Please note this book contains themes of infertility]

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Workplace, Forced Proximity, Audiobook, Enemies To Lovers

343 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 16, 2022

About the author

I like to change things up! I spent my 20s as a banker and my 30s bringing up small children and running my own fashion brand (Madderson London).

Now, aged 43, I find myself writing, and I wonder why I didn’t do it sooner.

I’ve always loved writing. My daughter Tilly has an old notebook of mine filled with half-finished stories and accompanying drawings. I’ve read for as long as I can remember, guzzling up books so quickly that my mum always protested that I couldn’t be reading them properly. You can see my original, dog-eared version of A Little Princess in my photo. Its protagonist, Sara Crewe, is one of my all-time favourite heroines (alongside Anne Shirley, naturally).

I published my first book, Metamorphosis, in February 2020, right before lockdown happened. It’s a non-fiction book about escaping from our cocoons and living as a butterfly. As lockdown progressed, I found escapism in devouring lots of delicious chick-lit (for want of a better title) and I realised I had a few novels in me too. I have loved every single minute of writing them.

I’ve published my books independently, and I love the freedom it provides. The world of independent publishing is fascinating and so empowering—I’m delighted to share more of my experiences of self-publishing if you’re interested.

Reviews

[Isabella · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOK.

Ok wow wow wow. The pining, the tension, the swoon-worthy moments? Every book by this author is a rom com dream. You get all the tension, romance, and spice, wrapped up nicely and set in the UK. Charlie is the dream.

Charlie is a quiet little grump who is absolutely infatuated with Elodie from their first meeting (!!!) and is determined to build zero relationship with her while they work together as teachers. But once the tension becomes too much (and they're spending more time together outside of school) and the spice begins, he is quite actually one of the best book boyfriends I've ever read. He's hot and obsessed with HER experience. Like I said- the dream. Also, his mouth during the spicy scenes??? I'm still recovering.

Charlie was so sweet and thoughtful and deserves all the love. Their romance was everything and more. This author has definitely raised my standards even higher and I'm just never getting over Charlie.

This author is so criminally underrated and every one of her books is amazing. Loved receiving this ARC and I hope to continue to get through her backlist because I truly enjoy her writing so so much.

[Jenn (The Book Refuge) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not know what to expect from this book.

I heard things like "Tudor roleplay" being thrown around and I was intrigued but also confused about how that was gonna go down. I didn't even read the blurb. I saw who the narrators were and I jumped on it. What a treat it ended up being and more emotional than I was prepared for as well.

SO what was the dealio? Well, Charlie and Elodie are history teachers at a prep school. Charlie is actually her boss and he has been very tight-lipped and kept careful distance since she was hired. He is secretly pining for her but he's not planning to make a move.

Then, he needs her to play his Queen. And not just any Queen. He needs her to be the Anne Boleyn to his Henry VIII. At Hampton Court. For tourists on the weekend.

Yes! They are actors for historical tours about the Tudors! How freaking cool is that?! I am also a huge history nerd and I can't imagine anything better. And as they get into their roles, so to speak, the tension keeps rising and they aren't going to be able to keep their hands to themselves.

Charlie was secretly the BIGGEST sweetie and his insecurities had me wrecked. I just wanted Elodie to wrap him up and love the pain away. So beautiful.

What a fun and unique story. I had a few little nitpicks but I was mostly just charmed the whole way through.

Another wonderful performance from Zara Hampton-Brown & Shane East. This was narrated in Duet style and it made for a wonderful and immersive experience. I highly recommend experiencing it this way.

4.5 stars
3 on the spice scale

CW: infertitlity

*Thank you to Must Love Audio and Sara Madderson for an ALC of this title.*

[Heather Button · Rating 5 out of 5]

@saramaddersonauthor is one of my favorite Bookstagram finds. Somehow, I found her before Christmas 2021 and got to read her book A Very London Christmas, which I loved SO MUCH and one of my besties swears it needs to be made into a movie stat. Since then, if she writes it, I will devour it... And that's exactly what I did when she mentioned The Rest Is History was available to ARC read. Sign me up please! ✅

Elodie is a pretty selfless person. Her sister's husband left his wife and dyslexic daughter high and dry, so in comes Elodie. She sells her place and quits her job in London to move in with them and find a job nearby. Doing so, she starts chipping in to help her sister pay for her niece's expensive private schooling, as well as everything else. It's stressful but there's nothing she wouldn't do for them, including take a job at an elite private school with the snootiest boss ever, Charlie. He's so cold to Elodie and she can't figure out why. It's like he's got some wall up, but it comes down a bit when she starts playing Anne Boleyn to his Henry at Hampton Court on the weekends. Suddenly, she sees a different side to his usually frosty demeanor and she quite likes it. Little does she know that Charlie is desperately in love with her and trying to keep his distance because he knows ultimately he can never give her what she wants or what she deserves. But what if all she wants is him?

Charlie is a very smart idiot. He thinks he knows everything without even asking a question. Of course, we all know what they say about people who make assumptions. I really enjoyed the way Elodie gave him attitude right back when he was icing her out. I was super curious about the info on Jack, Stacey and Emmy, which I saw was included in The Winter's Fail. Now, I have to add that one to my TBR! I practically read this in one sitting. Highly recommend!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Karolina Jakubczak · Rating 2 out of 5]

Charlie’s obsession with Elle’s neck turned me off

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this by the author for my honest review.
Wow I was blown away not just by the story but the history behind it and how accurate it is. Meet Charlie and Elodie he is in charge of the history department at a private school and Elodie is filling in for a teacher going on maternity leave. He comes across at first as hating Elodie but that is because he is very attracted to her, after a nasty divorce from his first wife you can understand why he is reluctant to give in to the feelings for Elodie. Things progress when they also start working together at Hampton court bringing history alive for the public he as Henry Vlll and Elodie as Anne Boleyn, the queen that Henry obsessed over but in the end still had her beheaded, wow Henry you really was a gent of a king NOT.
Charlie has such a dirty mouth when he finally let's go and gives in to his feelings for Elodie. The history telling in this book had me hooked as much as the modern day story, and let me tell you that when I was at school I hated history didn't understand why we had to learn about it when it was in the past, but hey who knew just how much knowledge I had retained for a subject I hated. Give this book a go it's hot in some scenes with a great story line behind it, find out why Charlie,s first marriage broke down and how Elodie helps him overcome his hang up on this. 5 stars happily given for this one.

[claire - clairesbooked · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlie is a teacher at a prestigious private school, where he interviews Elodie for a teaching job in his department. Through the first couple weeks at work, Elodie soon believes Charlie despises her, but the truth is Charlie has wanted her since he first set eyes on her. Charlie also happens to play King Henry VIII every weekend for tourists in a local play. Suddenly, they are in need of a replacement for their Anne Boleyn actress. Knowing her love for the Tudor period, Charlie asks Elodie, and she agrees. Once Charlie sees his new Anne Boleyn in costume, he can't control his feelings anymore.

I love Elodie and everything she stands for. She's helping her family in any way she can. Charlie deserves so much more than what he believes. I feel like we get to see more of Charlie’s past than Elodie 's, but that's needed to get their story across. Charlie is very cold at first and can't communicate to save his life but somehow we still love him, and I love how Elodie didn't give up on him. One of my favorite things about this book is how there are little bits of history thrown in. I enjoy history, but admittedly I don't explore it as much as I'd like, so this was fun. I also loved how this book felt both like a histrom and a romcom. Special shout-out to the Queens!

Zara Hampton-Brown and Shane East are one of my favorite pairings and I loved listening to them together again! Perfection!

Thank you to Must Love Audio and the author for an advanced copy of this audiobook. Opinions are my own.

THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU IF: You're a fan of British history, dirty talk, and women who don't give up.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating!
I was captivated from the first page, what a wonderful book! This is my first book by this author, and I could not put it down. The story was original, the characters were engaging, and I loved every minute!
Charlie and Elodie are history teachers during the week, sparring over how best to engage their students. But on Saturdays, oh my. I went into this blind, so I’m not going to say anything more except this is a must-read book. It’s also a lively history lesson! I can’t stress enough how much I loved this book and this author!

I listened to the new audio release and Shane East and Zara Hampton-Brown are perfect as Charlie and Elodie! Great performances!

[Alaine McDaniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Rest Is History- Sara Madderson
Narrated by Shane East and Zara Hampton-Brown

Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Narration 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧

This book was so cute. The direct parallels between King Henry/Anne Boleyn and Charlie/Elodie were fun but also sad. The mutual pining between Charlie and Elodie was adorable and hot. However, if you know the story of King Henry VIII, and why he had so many wives, you understand why that part is sad. The adoration Charlie had for Elodie’s neck was comical. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

The narration was spot on. You can never go wrong with a narration from Shane East and Zara Hampton Brown. They’re always so in sync with each other. They brought Charlie and Elodie to life so beautifully.

[Cassandra]

DNF at 48%

I wanted to love this but Charlie really was just an insufferable assh*le. I can't stand the whole' I'm going to ignore and be mean to her because I want her so much' trope.

[Cheeseluvr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook narration was good and I was digging the first 2/3 of the book but then the plot took a turn with some unnecessary/avoidable turmoil that took me right out of the story. Readers who love some third act angst will love this book but it ended up not being for me.

[Elyse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 112 of 2025

Oh my @ElodieHart! You are an absolute gem. This is the first book of hers that I have done on audiobook, and there was something about it that just HIT. She uses @ShaneEast and @ZaraHampton-Brown on all her books, and these two were absolute dynamite. Did it take a bit of getting uses to because of the British accents? Yes. But in the end did that just add to Charlie’s sexiness factor? Dare I say… Yes!

The special thing about this book is that @SaraMadderson creates the character of Elodie here, and then in the note in the back admits that this character is most like herself – a history nerd! AH! I mean, obviously because she has used this name as her pen name, @ElodieHart, there is a real connection to this character. In the end, what she did was connect the readers to history, and that was done exquisitely.

Even though I have never been to England, I could see the scene. I could see Hampton Court and how Elodie and Charlie walked around in their regalia as King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. I love all the history we got about their famous relationship and how all of that was intertwined into our modern day story of Charlie and Elodie. As a history nerd myself, I soaked all of this in like a sponge. It was history come to life in the most fantastical way, more than any other modern book I’ve read.

I have a hard-on for revisionist history.

If Charlie has this shirt, gifted to him from his students, then I want this shirt. I mean, come on! It’s amazing. Charlie had so much charisma, it was oozing from the pages. I love that he was so focused on her neck, and that he would ACHE to touch it. I love a man that is broken from pining. I mean, hello! He was a mean colleague because he couldn’t be near here, his desires were so deep. But when these two came together in character, it was magnetic. Then the match was lit, and the sparks turned into a roaring fire that was too hot to contain. WHEW. The way that @ElodieHart writes heat and spice and intimacy is just second to none.

I will be dreaming about brooding Charlie, how presents himself as serious and put together and totally unaffected. But on the inside his composure is gone because all he wants to do is UNLEASH on her. AH! I absolutely loved these two. Thank you @ElodieHart for this gem of a book, and for the chance to read this ARC and rave about it to all!

Rating – four stars
Format – audiobook / e-book

Ranking of Elodie Hart Books –
1. Always Alchemy (Alchemy Book #7, extended epilogues), five stars
2. Undulate (Alchemy Book #2, Zach and Maddy), five stars
3. Duplicity (Seraph Book #2, Brendan and Marlowe), five stars
4. Unbind (Alchemy Book #6, Adam and Nat), four and a half stars
5. Untether (Alchemy Book #4, Cal and Aida), four and a half stars
6. Unstitch (Alchemy Book #5, Dex, Max and Darcy), four stars
7. The Rest is History (Charlie and Elodie), four stars
8. Audacity (Seraph Book #1, Gabe and Athena), four stars
9. Unveil (Alchemy Book #3, Anton and Gen), four stars
10. Unfurl (Alchemy Book #1, Rafe and Belle), three and a half stars

[Lulu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely ate this up in a single day. Rivals to lovers, you could cut the tension with a knife, two history teachers utterly gagging for one another 😂 engaging characters you become immediately invested in, steaming hot spice 🔥 Chefs kiss 👌🏻

[ThianeJansen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Writing style is weird, the MMC is weird and genuinely I just don’t give a flying saucer about Anne Boleyn. DNF @45%

I tried is all I’m saying.

[K.B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spoilers at the last paragraph.
This book was quite good, I loved the first half, but I didn’t connect super well to this one. It’s well done, the schmex is well done, and I really really dug the Tudor stuff. I highly enjoyed the history and how the characters came together and bonded over their … erm… mutual interest. It was a really cool and unique way to build on the relationship that is rough at first a, because the MMC can’t get over himself. MMC Intensity was great. FMC was also good, IDK it all happened kinda fast at the middle point when they finally got together. Again, great author and writing and the book is lovely and well done. It’s not on her I had some disconnect. Will never lower a review for something that’s my issue.

I like angst, but the miscommunication kinda got me, and for sure by the “3rd act break up” thing, I disconnected. I think it was due to the MMCs infertility, which we find out about earlier on and know it’s gonna cause a miscommunication. I went through my own infertility, it’s not a trigger in books for me generally, but perhaps it’s why I just didn’t connect as well as I usually do. Maybe i’m just in a weird hormone place currently.

[Nerdy.Scientist.Reads || NERDY · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5⭐️ 3.5/5🌶️ 5/5🎧
Omg, I adored this freaking book so much. As a King Henry VIII and Tudors dynasty nerd, this was right up my alley! I don't even really know how to go into it without spoiling things, but here's to trying. Charlie is your brooding, grumpy, stiff professor professor by week and King Henry VIII cosplayer by weekend with an Anne Boleyn kink. He also has a huge, secret crush on his coworker, Elodie Peach. Elodie is convinced he hates her guts, but things take a turn when he asks her to play as Anne Boleyn on the weekends with him at the Hampton Court Palace. What starts as cosplay quickly turns into role play. And when I tell you guys that this book is STEEEAMYYYY, oh mah gawd. It gave me the squeeze knees! Amidst the 16th century kinkyfuckery, Elodie and Charlie start to catch feelings. The only problem is that Charlie is scorned by his past and won't allow himself to be happy. Can these two work through the hurt, or will their love be cut off at the head? Pun intended. Read to find out because I promise you, this book is so freaking good!

Zara Hampton-Brown and Shane East freaking nailed this performance. Their duet narration definitely brought the heat and the emotion. The way Shane says "Holyyy FUUUCCCKKK" will live in my head rent free for the rest of my days. He and Zara were utterly explosive. Phenomenal! Such an amazing audiobook!

[i_hype_romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fantastic and I’ll definitely read more from this author.

He’s her grumpy boss. He treats her like the plague so she’s completely mystified when he asks her to be take a temporary gig as his imaginary Elizabethan cosplay wife.

They’re Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn on the weekends. But they’re also Charlie and Elodie. And the lines start to blur. And then he has to untangle her necklace clasp from her elaborate Elizabethan hairdo and when I tell you it is one of the hottest barely touching scenes I’ve ever read…

This has ALL THE HEAT. ALL THE PINING.

I freaking swooned when he told her she was “Exquisite.” I swooned when he finally let her have a peek at just how long he’s been carrying a torch.

And the twist about why he doesn’t think he’s worthy of being her forever????? TEARS WERE STREAMING DOWN MY FACE.

This is definitely the spicier version of Jen DeLuca’s Ren Faire series.

[Shawntel (read_with_shawntel)]

“I cannot believe I get to do this with you. Can’t believe I get to be inside you. To make you come. It’s a miracle. I’ll never, ever want anything in life as much as I want you.”

I had no idea what to expect going into this book. I loved the bits of Tudor history that was thrown in (I could have gone for some actual role play but ya know- that’s just me). While the reason for the third act breakup makes your heart hurt for the MMC - you simultaneously want to punch him in the face because of lack of communication.

Shane East and Zara Hampton Brown did an excellent job on this duet narration. They truly brought the characters to life.

Thank you Must Love Audio, East House Productions, and Sara Madderson for an advanced listener copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steamy blend of modern love and history

This book is a clever blend of historical fiction and modern love. It has stratospheric levels of chemistry and sparks (which lead to a four-alarm blaze) all over the place. I love the unabashed passion of the hero, combined with the empathetic (yet also passionate) heroine. The perfect chemical formula for a book you won’t want to put down.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, who’d have thought a book about two nerdy history teachers would be this good.

Huge fan of the plot development and the angle that was taken around it, I’m always entertained by an MMC that thinks icing out the FMC is a good game plan, and the relationship building was superb.

I now know way more than I care to remember about history, so I’m off to read something to wipe some dates from my brain.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book SO, SO much. The fact that they’re teachers during the week & he’s socially awkward to the point of rudeness, but once he’s dressed as Henry & she’s dressed as Anne & he can slip behind the facade to be more honest with her is amazing. And hot. But there’s so much more than that I truly enjoyed this entire book from beginning to end.

[Shannon Brubaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute book. Especially if you like history lol

[Karley Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absoloutely loved everything about this book!!!🤘🧡 by far my favorite I've read this year

[Georgie Standhaft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loooooved it! Couldn’t put it down! I was hooked with the storyline (love a bit of history) and found the love story really cute!

[Emily Tataryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun! Loved the premise, the narrators, the SPICE! So much spice and I’m here for it. I’ll definitely look for more books by this author 😊 it’s the perfect easy, breezy book

[Elizabeth]

Something about the beginning of this irritated me so I read reviews and this is not for me

[Torey · Rating 4 out of 5]

great slow burn. I learned a lot about Henry VIII and his wives while also getting some swoon from Charlie and Elodie. A great blending of a history lesson present time romance.

[Chelsea Neven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh this book! Listened on audible Shane East’s voice as Charlie just tickles my ear lobe just right, easy listen, adult relationship, perfect smut

[Ellie White · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has everything a Tudor loving history buff who lives on steamy romances needs!

The sheer amount of research that’s gone into this book comes across on page because not only is it all accurate, it’s also relevant to the story and the characters.

I’m not ashamed to say I’m obsessed!

I’d definitely recommend to everyone, it’s a book I’ll be thinking and talking about for a long time to come!

[Naomi Manning · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.50 stars

[Sigrid · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story was not for me nothing happened 🤷🏼‍♀️