The Bristol Scholar

by Kate Somers

One risky romance can ruin a woman...

1884. Bristol, England.

Twenty-year-old Evangeline Moore has endured three tedious seasons in London at her family's behest. Bold, intelligent, and aspirational, Evangeline wants nothing to do with husband-hunting. So, finally granted freedom to choose her future, she seizes the opportunity to attend University College, Bristol.

But life in academia isn’t everything Evangeline had dreamed. She suffers segregation and mockery—none worse than from her enigmatic history professor. Brooding and strict, he awakens an inconvenient attraction that Evangeline struggles to quell.

At war with herself over her infatuation and her need to focus on her education, Evangeline tries to navigate new friendships with fellow students—Sidney, a dangerously passionate man, and Flo, a dauntless woman with a dark secret.

As temptation overflows into risky reality, a brutal betrayal dashes Evangeline’s dreams. Her heart has always been set on academia, but is love worth losing everything else?



The Bristol Scholar is the first in this dark Victorian fiction duology and ends on a cliffhanger. Please see front matter for content warnings.

Click “Buy now” to enter Evangeline’s world today!

Genres: Historical Fiction

470 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2025

About the author

Kate Somers has loved historical fiction for as long as she can remember. An avid reader and writer of fiction, she took a novel-writing course in 2020 and soon after wrote The Bristol Scholar. Kate aims to incorporate real, raw, and relatable characters into her writing, drawing on her own experiences to connect with her readers.

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

20-year-old Evangeline Moore has always been eager to learn and her father encouraged her. But when her father died a couple of years ago, her mother forced Evangeline to make her debut in London society. Now she's finally got the chance to study and she begins at a co-educated college in Bristol. Despite this, Evangeline faces many obstacles and hardships - especially when she starts to develop feelings for Professor Edwards.

A historical dark romance with clear elements of feminism and equality. From the start I loved Evangeline and her way of standing up for herself and her rights. It can be difficult even today, so imagine what it would have been like at the end of the 19th century?!

"How could this possibly be the height of fashion? Oh, how I despised the constraints society placed on women."

I also loved how her father encouraged her interests and was a true feminist. As well as others who stood up for Evangeline and women's rights, even if it cost them their reputation.

After a while I thought that Evangeline started to waver too much, and didn't make the best decisions. I felt like I wanted to swipe at her sometimes! Well, that's my personal opinion, but I also felt it became too many repetitions of Evangeline's thoughts (since it was mainly her POV) and more "tell" than "show". It made the story feel a bit long-winded. Still, I was very invested in the characters, because I got angry, happy, frustrated and relieved all over, so the author obviously made them feel like real people.

Without revealing too much I wasn’t thoroughly happy with the later part of the book. Once again, a highly personal opinion, but I couldn't help but feel somewhat disappointed when I had finished. I discovered afterwards that this was the first book in a duology, so there's hope, but it also made me a bit confused about the epilouge which was set 3 years later...

* I received an ARC from the author and I'm giving my honest review. *

[Becky (romantic_pursuing_feels) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: This book ends on a cliffhanger. Some of my goodreads shelves can be spoilers


Overall: 4.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (I am tentatively unhappy with a few things here but I was so riveted by the first ½ of the book!)
Readability: 📖📖📖📖📖 (I was pretty obsessed with what was going to happen)
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔💔 (for the heroine, more of a 2-3 for the hero)
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡ (It was there but there was such a lack of page time with them together I had to knock it down)
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋 (You only get kisses here, but I really enjoyed the scenes!)
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑 (Kisses only)
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): Only kisses on page
Humor: Just a touch
Perspective: first person from the heroine (and a handful of chapters from side characters, maybe 5 or so from the villain, and a few from her friend Flo)
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? slow
When mains are first on page together: It takes a little bit – chapter 3 of 48 or pg 31 of 449
Cliffhanger: Yes, this ends on a cliffhanger, with another book to follow in the duology
Epilogue: No, this ends on a cliffhanger and without a HEA/HFN for the mains but the last chapter does take place a few years in the future
Format: voluntarily read an advanced reader copy from the author (through BookSirens)
Why I chose this book: The author reached out with an ARC offer and I was curious
Mains: Professor Oliver Edwards and Evangeline Moore – This is a M/F relationship between a cishet hero and heroine
(Descriptions found at end of my review)

“If you understood how you’ve tormented me. You, and only you.”

Should I read in order?
This is Somers debut. This novel does end in a cliffy so when the duology is finished, be sure to start here!

Basic plot:
Evangeline is finally realizing her dream of attending college at University College in Bristol

Give this a try if you want:
- Victorian – 1884
- Bristol, England setting
- you have to be okay with it ending on a cliffhanger (it will be a duology) – and you have to be okay with the mains barely being on page together
- college bound heroine – she wants to be an architect
- first person point of view (from the heroine)
- artist heroine – she sketches quite a bit
- he keeps buttons from her gloves...
- forbidden love – he’s the professor
- bit of an age gap – he’s 11 years older than her
- very slow burn and I’m hesitant to even call it a romance until I finish the next book because the mains are on page together a very small amount for almost 500 pages…
- (very) low steam – only kisses on page
- dark elements on page – this is plot darkness and nothing between the mains

Ages:
- heroine is 20, hero is 31

First line:
In the hush of dawn, I prepared to bid farewell to my childhood home to pursue, of all things, an education.

My thoughts:
Wow, this was an emotional roller coaster. I LOVED the first half of this book so much.

It was lovely seeing a father in a role supporting his daughter so much, and it made me feel the grief of her loss so much keener.

And can I just say when she entered her math class, and the scene that followed, my heart absolutely soared?? Ugh it was so satisfying. My heart hurts (much of the time) when reading heroines in situations regarding bigotry and misogyny but when they succeed? Ugh it’s the fucking best to read. It heals me so much. I really enjoyed the historical college setting of this book. The classes were interesting to me and I really enjoyed those scenes.

It’s so infrequent a book wraps around me – slowly, like a twining vine, encasing my heart and making me breathless. And I cherish those books so fucking much. And I found that in this book. The writing just pulled me in, though when I look at it objectively I see it could be said the book was a bit slow. I could say the mains weren’t on page together enough. I could say a ton of shit I don’t actually mean because this book utterly gripped me. I HAD to know what would happen. I was so...intrigued. I was so gripped. Every interaction was like a taste of something more, a teasing nibble of everything I wanted to devour.

God the chokehold this book had on me with only Evie’s POV. But I love my hero POV….I NEED my hero POV….but the uncertainty, the ANGST, of only knowing her thoughts, it just makes you melt so much harder when you see the yearning come out unexpectedly from him.

But the latter half did start to lag for me a bit. This is absolutely a book I would usually go back and tally up the exact number of pages the mains are together and be super salty and whiny over it. I’m really hoping they are more of a focus in the second book.

When I saw it marketed as ‘dark historical romance’ I was thinking more….darkness between the mains. Elements of taboo behavior from the hero...but it’s plot darkness – the actual relationship between Oliver and Evie is pretty easy...the first half had some great tension and uncertainty and angst but in the latter half it just got ‘easy’ and it lost some of it’s ‘oomph’ for me as the dark plot elements took over.

So I’m a little conflicted – curious enough to probably read the sequel when it comes out but it’s going to have to really up the romance for me to be happy. This book does read a bit more like historical fiction with a romantic plotline and not actual romance to me. But I had to give 5 stars with how obsessed I was in the beginning and the latter half broke my heart.

Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: This is my first (and her debut!)
Average rating from me: 5 stars
Favorite book: This one!

Quotes any typos are my own! I am bad with typos, I apologize


He’d invaded my space, and I swallowed, mindful of my every limb and flyaway hair...aware of my breath, which had hitched, and my rapid blinking. I held my ground and peered back at him.
If I wished, I could count his dark eyelashes, curving up to his eyelids. I stared at the finesse of his high cheekbones and traced them down to his square, stubbled jaw. My eyes settled on his mouth, frowning slightly yet somehow inviting. I moved toward him, thought I hadn’t made a conscious decision to do so. He drew me, like metal to a magnet.
“Miss Moore,” he whispered, and in his whisper, something twinged in my heart and mind. Something I couldn’t describe – something intimate – too intimate. His eyes, the eyes which but a moment ago, I was not lost in, swirled with anguish and torment, and it reverberated in my heart – pounding in my chest – and in my throat, where a lump had formed. What haunted him?
“Professor.”

---
Fuck yeah
Professor Edwards sat in a chair with his back to me, gloves off, and a glass in his hand. He’d removed his coat and draped it over the back of the chair.
“Professor?” I whispered.
He jolted in his seat and whipped around, standing to face me. I jumped as well, the gross impropriety of the scene hitting me hard in the chest.
“Evangeline, what are you doing in here?” he cried in a breathless voice, eyes wide and mouth ajar. He put his drink on a side table and grasped the chair, knuckles whitening. “You shouldn’t be in here, especially not without a chaperone.”
My heart pounded all the more at his use of my first name. He’d never used it before this moment. How I loved the sound of it on his lips.
//
“You should leave. No, I’ll leave.” He walked toward the door, bu as he passed me, he slowed and met my eyes. Perhaps seeing my desire, he stopped, breathing heavily, and reached out to graze the small bare spot on my arm between my gloves and sleeve.
I lost my breath, shocked by the electricity in his touch, and the wanting intensified, terrifying me. I gazed at him. He’d stopped his march to the door and closed his eyes.
---
He gripped my shoulders and slowly pushed me backwards to the wall, where he pressed against me. His tongue flicked against my lips, and I opened my mouth, allowing him to explore within.
----
He stood over me, staring for a moment before whispering, “You’re so utterly beautiful.”
Lowering himself atop me, his kisses grew in urgency. My lips might end up bruised, but I didn’t care. I wanted him. Here. In this moment.
Longing for his skin, I pulled at his waistcoat and shirt, trying to loosen the buttons. He sat straight, straddling my hips, then pulled them right off. I blushed at his chiseled figure – his abdomen taut, his shoulders broad.
---
Still straddling me, he undid the pearl buttons one by one. I didn’t think anything could be so torturous, for with each button, he kissed the spot of skin it revealed – my arm, my wrist, my hand.



Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.

- parental death and grief
- plenty of misogyny from people and society regarding the education of women including segregation at a co-ed college and plenty of comments/conversations putting down the heroine
- minor scene of the heroine slapping a man for being rude/she also punches someone who picks her up when she hurts her ankle
- alcohol usage (to excess including vomiting)
- scenes of brothel work, remembrance of rape as a child (11) of a side character and forced into brother work
- stalker villain side character that physically assaults the heroine into unconsciousness then rapes her
- suicidal ideation and cutting
- rape resulting in pregnancy
- talk of getting an abortion
- murder on page

Author content warnings? Yes – mentions a link to their website for specific warnings (I always encourage you to check author’s websites, since Amazon penalizes authors for certain content warning words in their novels)


Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex aspects, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:

Safe sex: The mains don’t have sex but the heroine is raped and it results in pregnancy
How’s the consent? It’s good though there’s obviously a level of power imbalance here with him being her professor, but there is a rape scene with a side character
Pregnancy/children in story? Yes the heroine gets pregnant from her rapist

Chapter 13 / Pg 164 – Evie kisses Sidney (a side character, and a kiss that means nothing to her)
Chapter / Pg 248 – kiss
Chapter 23 / Pg 270 – kiss
Chapter 33 / Pg 354 – kisses

Total chapters/pages: 48 / 449



Extra stuff like what my review breakdown means, where to find me, and book clubs


Full break down on what my ratings above mean here:
Overall: How I felt about it everything considered!
Readability: How ‘readable’ was the book? Did I fly through it? Did I have to tell myself to pick it back up repeatedly? Were any passages confusing? (I will probably score like (1) is literally unreadable due to formatting/typing errors, etc (2) There were lots of errors that made it difficult to read OR It was extremely confusing and I had to reread passages to make sense of it OR I disliked it so much I had to bribe myself to keep reading (3) I didn’t really want to keep reading and would have preferred to abandon the read and start something else OR some minor continuity issues/confusion (4) I liked it fine, maybe a minor error or 2. I was happy to pick it up when I had time. (5) I never wanted to put this down. I thought about it when I wasn’t reading it. I hid in the bathroom from my kids to read. I threw inappropriate food at my children for dinner so I could read instead.)
Feels: Totally subjective to each person but did the book give me any tingles? Any butterflies? Did it rip my heart out (in a good way?)
Emotional depth: How well do I feel I know the characters at the end? How much did I feel their emotions throughout the story?
Sexual tension: Again, subjective, but how strong was the wanting and longing to me between the characters? A book might have strong sexual tension without a single touch.
Romance: Was there romance? Did romantic things happen? This can be actions/words/thoughts of the characters and again is subjective.
Sensuality: This is how the intimate scenes are written. Kisses and sexual scenes – how sensual were they? Were they on the mechanical side? Was there emotional pull tied in? Were the details explicit or flowery? These are subjective but generally (1) too short to get a good judgment (2) not all what I'm looking for - very vague or flowery prose (3) either not explicit enough or not enough emotional pull (too mechanical/physically descriptive without the emotions) (4) what I love in a scene (5) absolute perfection - perfect balance of emotional longing and explicit descriptions
Sex Scene Length: How long the bedroom scenes are (generally (1) is 1-3 sentences (2) is a few paragraphs to a page-ish (3) is about average, a few pages (4) more well developed scenes, quite a few pages with descriptions (5) the majority of the book takes place in the bedroom. This is always hard to tell for me on audio!
Steam Scale: Generally, each flame is a scene. If scenes are super close together I sometimes combine them. If a scene is super short or so vague I don’t know what’s happening, I don’t count it. There’s some levels of grey but generally the number of flames is how many sex scenes there are (I max out at 5 so I’ll put a + after if there’s more than that)


Find me
Instagram || The Storygraph || Bookbub ||

Book Clubs
The Ton and the Tartans (Historical Romance)
Upturned Petticoats and Undone Cravats (Historical Romance with Steam Requirements)
A Love Less Ordinary (Science Fiction, Paranormal, Monster, Fantasy)
Modern Manuscripts (Contemporary Romance)
Words for the Wicked (Contemporary Romance with Steam Requirements)
Vintage Romance (Old School Romance – published 2000 and prior)

[A.H. King · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to start off by saying that the author did a really wonderful job putting me into the setting of the time. Reading it completely transported me both by the language and the descriptions. The story was very eloquently written. I admit, it did take me a bit of time reading to actually get into the story, but I did become invested once I got further along. I love a good historical fiction and this did the trick. The themes of feminism in an unjust time are just as, if not more potent than the romance itself.

The ending gave me whiplash as did the FMC at times, and I’m still not sure how to feel about how it was wrapped up in this first book. I'm teetering around 3.5 stars as there were certain parts of the character arcs that didn't quite line up for me. As this is a duology, I look forward to reading the next to have my questions answered and to revisit the characters once again.

*I received an advanced review copy of the Bristol Scholar. My opinions are my own. Thank you to the author for the opportunity.

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

SUCH a good read! The tone of the novel really shifts about 3/4 way through, and the plot takes an unexpected turn, which keeps the reader on their toes. This book is marvelously hopeful, exciting, romantic, and surprising. Loved it!

[Kate Somers]

Hey, Reader!

Thanks so much for picking up a copy of The Bristol Scholar. I wrote this story for anyone who has fallen and doesn't want to get back up. Evangeline's story will take you on a journey of love, friendship, heartbreak, and betrayal. You might laugh. You might cry. But most of all, I hope you discover that even when in the depths...when you can't carry on...when you don't want to get back up...when life isn't worth much at all...there are people who will climb down to the depths with you. You are not alone. You are cherished. You matter.

Kate Somers

[Jennifer L Speidel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Kate for allowing me to be an ARC reader for The Bristol Scholar. The book is beautiful written with complex characters trying to challenge the status quo of their world. There’s passion, suspense, joy, and tragedy woven into a story about family, obligation, and dreams that can and should become a reality.

[Zohara Madaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC received for free in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are entirely my own.



What I adore most in this world is a well-educated, fearless woman. And the heroine of this story? She’s exactly that....yes, queen.
The book begins with Evalengine, the female lead, who is determined to follow her dream of becoming an architect. Her father, her biggest supporter, encourages her ambition while her mother pressures her toward marriage, worried about society’s whispers. When her father dies, it’s her brother who honors his wish and sends her to college, even though her mother disapproves.
Coming from an orthodox brown family myself, this hit me hard. Too often, girls are seen as broodmares to be “sold off to the highest bidder.” It’s heartbreaking that parts of the world still live like this. But what I loved most about Evalengine is how she throws punches. Whether in life or in injustice. She’s strong, not because she was born fearless, but because her father raised her that way. And isn’t it beautiful when parents teach their daughters to be as bold as their sons?

Characters

Evalengine is both naive and fierce, a girl slowly learning the harsh realities of the world. She isn’t afraid to speak her truth or stand up for what’s right. Along the way she encounters betrayal, makes mistakes, and grows stronger for it. Her resilience made me want to scream, cry, and cheer with her all at once.

World-Building & Themes

The story captures the suffocating weight of societal expectations and the courage it takes to break free. It mirrors the injustices we see every day. where most people remain sheep, until the moment they finally rise to fight back. That courage, that spark, is what makes this story so powerful.

Emotional Impact

Just when I thought things would get better, the story twisted into raw grief, heartbreak, and betrayal. I bawled my eyes out. The author didn’t shy away from showing the nightmare of pain and mental torture people go through in real life. It was haunting, addictive, and painfully real.

Writing Style

The author’s writing is magnetic. She captures emotions so vividly that they grip your heart and don’t let go. The storytelling is immersive, weaving both beauty and devastation into every page.


A gut-wrenching, emotional journey with a fearless heroine and writing that lingers long after the final page. I’ll definitely be reading more from this author.

[Courtney Pityer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an Arc I orginally read in July

I would like to say thank you to Kate Somers for giving me the opportunity to be an ARC reader for her debut novel. This historical fiction novel is a great read with and interesting setting and characters. Not only is it empowering story of women defying the odds of society to get a better education but also dealing with the aftermath of a horrible trauma. I was amazed with how the MFC was able to pick herself up and move on with her life after dealing with such a traumatic event.
We are introduced to Eva who is an upper class high society woman with dreams of attending College. The dream was encouraged by her father who died a couple years back. However, her mother scorns the idea greatly but Eva ignores her and goes anyway. Although the arrival at the school doesn't come without blemishes.
From the first week she is dealing with people who expect her to fail because of her gender. She starts a forbidden relationship with a professor. Eva also finds friendship with Flo who is trying to make a better life for herself despite her rough past. Things take a turn for the worse when a so called admirer becomes a stalker and a violater. Will Eva be able to pick up the pieces of her shattered life and move on?

[Sheila Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a lot of historical fiction and "The Bristol Scholar" stands out as very well written. It was highly emotional; I laughed, I cried, I felt anguish and utter despair. It had a lot of elements that I love to read and expected for the genre, but it was also very different and took some unexpected turns. The characters were wonderful and had interesting development over the course of the book and I am greatly looking forward to reading more of their stories in book two! Kate Somers is an author to watch for!

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this as a opening chapter in the Bristol Scholar, it had that historical fiction element that I was looking for and enjoyed from the description. I was enjoying the overall concept of Bristol, England. I was invested in what was happening with Evangeline and how she was used in this storyline. I enjoyed how good the characters were and how the time-period was used perfectly. Kate Somers has a strong writing style and am excited for more in this world and from Kate Somers.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Katrina Garcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 ⭐️

Many thanks to Kate Somers for the opportunity to read this book as an ARC!

The Bristol Scholar follows a young woman seeking to break free of the societal norms and expectations of women in 1880s England. She attends college, makes friends, and falls in love with someone outside of what would be considered proper. Despite being called a dark historical romance, and while the features of that genre are present, The Bristol Scholar is most certainly about female empowerment, the inherent strength of women in times of adversity, and the value of female friendship.

I will also say, be sure to read the TWs before you read this book! It is dark and some scenes were hard to read because of their content.

[Maddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Kate for this ARC!

Overall, I think this was a strong entry into historical fiction. The author clearly did her research and, having been a woman at a UK university, this did feel familiar and accurate to me. I definitely was very immersed in the setting! Eva’s story was an unfortunately relatable and sympathetic one; I loved seeing her fire and determination. Also Professor Edwards was SO dreamy and what a true gentleman. Loved everything about him. However, I think we can all agree Flo was the star of the show. She was a star.

I struggled with a few things. The tonal shift in the middle of the book felt very abrupt and the end of the book felt totally different from the one I started reading. I do think it might have been an issue with the blurb/marketing. The pacing was also a little off. I feel like the first part of the book could have been shorter in favor of expanding on all the action at the end of the book. Finally, and I do think this is just personal preference, but as a history professional, I felt like some of the conflict was a little too on the nose. I love when there is more nuance to the history, conflict, etc.

Overall, grateful for the opportunity to read this book!

[Alischa O'Harrow Rogillio · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Bristol Scholar has a beautiful atmosphere and Kate Somers clearly put a lot of care into bringing Victorian England to life. Evangeline’s story has depth and there is a moody, romantic tone that feels different from the usual lighthearted historical romance. The writing itself is strong and you can tell the author has real talent with voice and detail.

That said, I did struggle at times. The pacing slowed in quite a few places and I found myself losing interest here and there. While the descriptive style will work well for readers who enjoy a slower, more thoughtful approach, it felt a little drawn out for me personally. Even so, I can appreciate the unique angle Somers took and the way she layered in the darker undertones of love and societal expectation.

Overall, this is a strong debut that I think many readers will connect with, even if it was not always the page turner I was hoping for. It left me curious to see what Kate Somers does next.

Thank You to Kate Somers and Book Sirens for the advance review copy.

[Manikya Kodithuwakku · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fairly quick read with a fairly good plot. The ‘brutal betrayal’ that the blurb talks about comes around only after about 75% of the story is through, and so the story lags a bit in the middle. But I guess this makes sense given the cliffhanger with which the story ends.

This is a historical fiction, located in the late 1800s Britain. But some of the language and conceptualisations seem too modern - for example, Eva’s grief over her father’s death is referred to as melancholia once but rest of the time as ‘trauma ‘, which I thought was a fairly modern usage while melancholia is more historically accurate. Instances like these is what made the book a 3* and not higher.

Having said that though, this would have been a great holiday read! And I will definitely pick up the sequel when it’s out.

Thank you to the author and BookSirens for the ARC!

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beginning was a bit slow, and I had some apprehension that it would only focus on Eva and her education.

However, the story improved from the moment she met Oliver. I was rooting for them the whole time and hoped they would find a way.

The portrayal of the other characters was well done; I cared deeply for them.

Reaching 70% of the story, it got dark. Really dark. I couldn't put the book down for the last 20%; I needed to know how it ended.

Now, I'm sad that there is no happy ending and all the missed chances for happiness.

The book did an excellent job of making me feel all the emotions: the anxiety, the tension, the sadness, the helplessness of being trapped in the situation, and their impossible love.

I hoped many times throughout the book that it would turn for the better, saved in the last instance, but it didn't.

The ending broke my heart, and I'm a bit mad at the author for not letting them at least visit each other and find a sliver of hope.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm giving this book 5 stars because it's very well-written and is an excellent work for a debut novel! I enjoyed the plot, I enjoyed the depth of research put into the creation of this book, I VERY MUCH enjoyed all the little details. It felt as if I'm getting to attend college along with Evangeline.

However, I did not expect how dark this book would get. I was so looking forward to this book that I jumped into it without reading the TWs and... at certain points, I had to pause and check in with myself to ensure that I'm able to continue reading this book without it affecting my mental health. There are very vivid descriptions of the heroine struggling with a trauma she went through. This is not for everyone!!!

Nevertheless, this is a brilliant novel, and I'm very much looking forward to Book 2.

[K.J. Ritchie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bristol Scholar by Kate Somers is a riveting dive into the constriction of a woman's world in 1884 England. Buckle up and get ready because things start to happen fast and it doesn't stop till you reach the end.

The narrative is filled with surprising turns along the way, making it a good read. The author's ability to capture the essence of the era and the struggles of women during that time is commendable. The dialogue-heavy approach adds a unique insight to the characters and their interactions.

Overall, The Bristol Scholar is a compelling read that keeps you engaged from start to finish. If you're looking for a historical fiction that offers a deep dive into the societal constraints of the 19th century, this book is worth picking up.

[Christina King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, brillant book! From the very first pages, I felt immersed in the time period. Somers brings 1884 England vividly to life, from the atmosphere and fashion to the way the characters speak. She also highlights the hardships women faced at the time, and the main character, Evangeline, truly shines as a feminist, determined to attend college to study architecture despite little support from her family or society.

From the beautiful relationships Evangeline builds to the tragic event that alters the course of her life, this book is both cozy and deeply engaging.

The ending wasn’t predictable, but it felt exactly right for her, and I’m already looking forward to the next book. Highly recommend!

[Gurisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! It is an engaging books that blends academic life, a reflective coming of age story, personal identity and romance. Kate Somer’s attention to detail makes Bristol come to life and I adored the themes of ambition, belonging and the cost of success.

It did take me a couple of chapter to get fully engaged but I cannot wait for the next book. The steady pace of the book allows the reader to absorb the emotional weight of the story. Did I cry at the end? Yes. The quiet intensity and the emotional depth makes this novel very rewarding.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kat Caldwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will have you laughing and gasping and crying.

I was mostly drawn to this book because it wasn't another historical romance set against The Season. Kate Somers did a great job of drawing us into historical Bristol against the backdrop of women's rights in both education and work. The MC Eva grows and matures into the woman she sees herself as just as she is betrayed. The heartbreak of it is almost too unbearable as a reader.

It is a cliffhanger and things are a bit dark, so beware of that! But I'm sure Somers will give us a great sequel!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Hope Vollm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a beautifully written foray into historical fiction and y'all, it DRAWS YOU IN. I love a school setting so give me a Victorian one? Absolutely. A woman going to school against the wishes of her mother (even though it was her dads dream)- HECK YES.

I felt so so many emotions reading this! There is drama, angst, a forbidden romance- but also happiness and love. Literally, you will feel everything and I am obsessed with that!

The plot moves along nicely and I was engaged the whole way through.

Thank you so much to Kate for the arc, all opinions are my own.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

Such a great book! The writing is beautiful, and the story has this quiet depth that sneaks up on you. I loved how the main character's journey unfolds — especially her time at the university, where she’s clearly out of her element but pushes through in such a real, relatable way. There’s a moment with one of the professors that really stuck with me — subtle, but powerful. If you like character-driven stories with heart and a bit of grit, this one’s a gem.

[Erica G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoy Fall Read! Thank you for the ARC!

I will be watching for more books by this author!

[BooksBooksandmoreBooks69 · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Bristol Scholar," the first installment in Kate Somers' compelling dark Victorian romance duology, immerses us in the tumultuous life of Evangeline Moore, a vibrant young woman longing for independence in 1884 Bristol, England.

The author writes a story that balances lush historical detail with the raw emotions of first love and betrayal, resulting in a captivating read that is both immersive and really well thought out.

Evangeline Moore shines as a wonderful character.
Over the course of three grueling seasons in London, her desires seem stifled by society’s expectations to marry rather than pursue her academic dreams. Her decision to attend University College in Bristol is a bold declaration of independence.
However, this newfound freedom comes with unforeseen challenges. The author depicts Evangeline’s struggles with mockery and segregation, and the rigid structures of a male dominated academic world.

The heart of the story lies in the complex relationships Evangeline navigates, particularly her complicated attraction to her enigmatic history professor. His strict demeanor and the emotional tension between them fuel a slow-burn romance that is both frustrating and tantalizing. Their interactions are rich with subtext, leading us to question whether Evangeline can prioritize her education while wrestling with her growing feelings.

Alongside her romantic dilemmas, Evangeline forges meaningful friendships with fellow students Sidney and Flo. Sidney's fiery passion introduces an element of moral danger, while Flo offers a fierce loyalty laced with mystery.

However, the story stakes are raised dramatically when a brutal betrayal shatters Evangeline’s dreams, forcing her to confront the painful reality of her choices. The author does not shy away from the darker aspects of love and ambition, creating an emotional resonance that lingers long after the last page.
The ending, which culminates in a cliffhanger, left me breathless and desperate for the next installment.

In summary, "The Bristol Scholar" is a beautifully written book that seamlessly blends historical context with captivating personal journeys. Its rich character dynamics, emotional depth, and unexpected twists make it a must-read for fans of historical romance and strong female protagonists.

As we eagerly await the next part of Evangeline's journey, one thing is clear…

The author has set the stage for a truly unforgettable tale filled with temptation, challenges, and the heart’s true desires. Highly recommended!

🦋

[Monica (crazy_4_books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a fine debut but I think that calling it a dark romance is not accurate. The story is about female empowerment in 1884. The main character wants to study at college in Bristol despite of her mother disagreeing with that, she'd rather see her marrying a noble man. A lot of the first section is devoted to show us her days at school and the obstacles she has to face for gender equality. She also develops a love affair with her professor but around 75% into the story, something happens that shifts the tone and the route of the plot 180 degrees. And the event seemed to come out of nowhere. The way the characters speak is very modern for the 1880s. This book talks about feminism but through XXI century pov. It was also the first in a series which I didn't know about and I prefer standalones when comes to historical fiction. Thanks to Booksirens and the author for providing with a free ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Barbara Morrissey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and great character development. Somers tells a riveting tale of women and men who are trying to pursue their dreams in a society ruled by very strict rules of accepted behavior. A story with an unexpected but overall positive ending.