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The Lancaster Family #1
Seeking Persephone
When Persephone Lancaster receives a marriage proposal from the ill-tempered Duke of Kielder, she refuses, and then reconsiders. The obscene sum of money he's offering Persephone would save her family from ruin. With her characteristic optimism, she travels to the far reaches of Northumberland to wed a greatly feared stranger. Lodged deep in a thick forest infested with wild dogs, the Duke's castle is as cold and forbidding as the Duke himself, a man with terrible scars on his body and his soul. But the Duke's steely determination to protect his heart at all costs is challenged by his growing attachment to his lovely and gentle bride. With caring persistence, Persephone attempts to pierce the Duke's armor and reach the man beneath. Yet he cannot tolerate such exposure, and his repeated rejections take their toll. But when grave danger arises, the Duke realizes he must face the risk of revealing his true feelings or lose the woman he cannot live without.
254 pages, Paperback
First published November 7, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,288 reviews
May 26, 2022
AY, SANTA CACHUCHA, QUE ESTO VA DE LOBOS!
Bueno, de lobos y de algo más🤭, y ese algo más es una pasada!
Pero empecemos por el principio, que me conozco y me pierdo solita🥴. ¿A quién no le apetece leer un retelling de La bella y la Bestia ambientado en la regencia😍? Vamos, a mí muchísimo, y si además le añadimos un duque arrisco, una mansión oscura y silenciosa, un bosque tenebroso y una Bella increíble, pues ya tenemos montado el sarao del siglo.
Y qué sarao! De esos que te calientan el corazón mientras los lees, de los que te dibujan una sonrisa en los labios y te hacen suspirar y reír. Es más, si esto es una muestra de lo que nos espera en el siguiente libro de esta bilogía, pa´mañana es tarde! Y es que estoy deseando leer más historias de esta autora❤️!
Bueno, de lobos y de algo más🤭, y ese algo más es una pasada!
Pero empecemos por el principio, que me conozco y me pierdo solita🥴. ¿A quién no le apetece leer un retelling de La bella y la Bestia ambientado en la regencia😍? Vamos, a mí muchísimo, y si además le añadimos un duque arrisco, una mansión oscura y silenciosa, un bosque tenebroso y una Bella increíble, pues ya tenemos montado el sarao del siglo.
Y qué sarao! De esos que te calientan el corazón mientras los lees, de los que te dibujan una sonrisa en los labios y te hacen suspirar y reír. Es más, si esto es una muestra de lo que nos espera en el siguiente libro de esta bilogía, pa´mañana es tarde! Y es que estoy deseando leer más historias de esta autora❤️!
April 27, 2020
spoiler-free, mainly (no big suspense give-aways)
Wonderfully written "Beauty and the Beast" Regency Romance, set in 1805 in Northumberland, near the Scottish border. Despite the "clean" factor, Eden manages to engender sexual tension, imbuing her characters with emotional depth. This is not a Christian romance, despite the publisher. No mention of scriptures and Eden does not evangelize.
The POV shifts from Adam to Persephone. Internal musings are limited to brief digressions so it does not hinder the flow of the story. Eden writes flowing dialogue peppered with humor and angst, creating a mounting sense of emotional urgency.
I ♥ the lonely hero, Adam Boyce, Duke of Kielder, aka The Dangerous Duke (and by the end of book 2, I was swooning for him). He hides his tender and intensely loyal heart behind a biting sarcasm and a deadly reputation. His birth defect resulted in numerous bumbled surgeries, leaving the right side of his face a mess. Knowing that his son's ear-less and cross-hatched face would incite cruelty in the kids at Harrow -- and all through life -- the old Duke taught young Adam how to fight dirty. When Adam went to Harrow at age 7, he immediately slew every Goliath. He did the same at Oxford and at The House of Lords.
When the story begins, Adam is giving his spineless heir-presumptive cousin the boot and deciding to marry ASAP, to beget an heir. He tells his man of affairs to find him a poor and plain Jane of gentle birth, for "Adam severely disliked beautiful people." But his solicitor arranges the marriage, sight unseen, so Adam finds himself at the altar with Persephone Lancaster, a baron's impoverished granddaughter, eldest of six kids, and fairly pretty, but not beautiful.
For the sum of 110,000 pounds -- plenty to feed her hungry family -- Persephone marries her Hades, and what a cold, austere, grumpy grouch he is! Heartless, at least for a while. Yet funny, too -- grumbling under his breath at the wedding service when he realizes she's not homely, mocking her mythologically-based name (so she cheekily mocks his horses' names, Atlas and Zeus). But there are reasons for his distance. He's been hurt badly by the one who should have loved him most, his mother.
(I didn't buy his mother's sob story, not fully. Eden let this useless excuse for a parent off too easily).
Gradually, Adam learns to trust and respect Persephone. Without realizing that he is in love, he finally allows her to her see his face, fully, not just the good side. (Eden vividly portrays his insecurity about his scars and his gradual trust.) Adam starts plotting ways to make her want to stay at his immense castle in bleak Northumberland, far from her beloved family.
And Persephone? It takes time, but she learns to love him, by ignoring his contradicting words and demeanor, and attending instead to his actions. Persephone slowly wins him over with her courage (he despises cowards), companionship, and intelligence.
Best scenes: The whole book! (Ok, not quite). I could not believe what an emotionally gripping tale this unknown Eden has penned. This sometimes sad and angsty tale is lightened by snarky humor, often provided by the immensely charming Harry Windover, Adam's friend (the hero of book 2). The story suddenly darkens when death occurs, bringing grieving and loss. It drastically changes tempo and tension when Adam -- in a superior bit of daring-do -- saves Persephone. And always, the author portrays Adam, confused, striving to stay apart, but yearning. The bedtime scenes. ツ The scene when Adam played doctor. ツ Could it get any sweeter? The ending is totally delicious. Perfect.
Flaws: Umm...how we gonna beget that heir?? Get to it. Get naked. And the villain? Seemed like an extreme action to take, but not beyond credulity. I wanted just a little more physical expression of love. Also, the e-book price is questionably high, since printing, shipping, and warehousing costs are eliminated. $10.36 for the kindle version! (But the sequel, Courting Miss Lancaster, was only $3.99, so the two ebooks averaged at about $7.18.). Plus, Adam plays a fairly big role in the sequel. (See my review.)
FOOTNOTE: At her website, Eden provides a rebuttal to criticism that some aspects do not align with English history, rules of succession, and the flora and fauna of Regency-era Northumberland. (I dunno, but her defense sounded reasonable to me. I'm just glad to know Eden takes her readers seriously enough to TRY to get it right.)
Wonderfully written "Beauty and the Beast" Regency Romance, set in 1805 in Northumberland, near the Scottish border. Despite the "clean" factor, Eden manages to engender sexual tension, imbuing her characters with emotional depth. This is not a Christian romance, despite the publisher. No mention of scriptures and Eden does not evangelize.
The POV shifts from Adam to Persephone. Internal musings are limited to brief digressions so it does not hinder the flow of the story. Eden writes flowing dialogue peppered with humor and angst, creating a mounting sense of emotional urgency.
I ♥ the lonely hero, Adam Boyce, Duke of Kielder, aka The Dangerous Duke (and by the end of book 2, I was swooning for him). He hides his tender and intensely loyal heart behind a biting sarcasm and a deadly reputation. His birth defect resulted in numerous bumbled surgeries, leaving the right side of his face a mess. Knowing that his son's ear-less and cross-hatched face would incite cruelty in the kids at Harrow -- and all through life -- the old Duke taught young Adam how to fight dirty. When Adam went to Harrow at age 7, he immediately slew every Goliath. He did the same at Oxford and at The House of Lords.
When the story begins, Adam is giving his spineless heir-presumptive cousin the boot and deciding to marry ASAP, to beget an heir. He tells his man of affairs to find him a poor and plain Jane of gentle birth, for "Adam severely disliked beautiful people." But his solicitor arranges the marriage, sight unseen, so Adam finds himself at the altar with Persephone Lancaster, a baron's impoverished granddaughter, eldest of six kids, and fairly pretty, but not beautiful.
For the sum of 110,000 pounds -- plenty to feed her hungry family -- Persephone marries her Hades, and what a cold, austere, grumpy grouch he is! Heartless, at least for a while. Yet funny, too -- grumbling under his breath at the wedding service when he realizes she's not homely, mocking her mythologically-based name (so she cheekily mocks his horses' names, Atlas and Zeus). But there are reasons for his distance. He's been hurt badly by the one who should have loved him most, his mother.
(I didn't buy his mother's sob story, not fully. Eden let this useless excuse for a parent off too easily).
Gradually, Adam learns to trust and respect Persephone. Without realizing that he is in love, he finally allows her to her see his face, fully, not just the good side. (Eden vividly portrays his insecurity about his scars and his gradual trust.) Adam starts plotting ways to make her want to stay at his immense castle in bleak Northumberland, far from her beloved family.
And Persephone? It takes time, but she learns to love him, by ignoring his contradicting words and demeanor, and attending instead to his actions. Persephone slowly wins him over with her courage (he despises cowards), companionship, and intelligence.
Best scenes: The whole book! (Ok, not quite). I could not believe what an emotionally gripping tale this unknown Eden has penned. This sometimes sad and angsty tale is lightened by snarky humor, often provided by the immensely charming Harry Windover, Adam's friend (the hero of book 2). The story suddenly darkens when death occurs, bringing grieving and loss. It drastically changes tempo and tension when Adam -- in a superior bit of daring-do -- saves Persephone. And always, the author portrays Adam, confused, striving to stay apart, but yearning. The bedtime scenes. ツ The scene when Adam played doctor. ツ Could it get any sweeter? The ending is totally delicious. Perfect.
Flaws: Umm...how we gonna beget that heir?? Get to it. Get naked. And the villain? Seemed like an extreme action to take, but not beyond credulity. I wanted just a little more physical expression of love. Also, the e-book price is questionably high, since printing, shipping, and warehousing costs are eliminated. $10.36 for the kindle version! (But the sequel, Courting Miss Lancaster, was only $3.99, so the two ebooks averaged at about $7.18.). Plus, Adam plays a fairly big role in the sequel. (See my review.)
FOOTNOTE: At her website, Eden provides a rebuttal to criticism that some aspects do not align with English history, rules of succession, and the flora and fauna of Regency-era Northumberland. (I dunno, but her defense sounded reasonable to me. I'm just glad to know Eden takes her readers seriously enough to TRY to get it right.)
July 22, 2022
Reseña completa: https://masromance.blogspot.com/2022/...
Es un no😅
No me ha gustado ni el estilo, ni la historia ni los personajes 🤷♀️
No voy a juzgar la calidad o no de la autora, que para eso hay gente más cualificada que yo simplemente es una novela que no es para mí
Me ha parecido aburrida, sin construcción de personajes, la historia es una adaptación de una que ya conocemos y hemos leído muchas veces, pero sin ningún tipo de chispa
Me ha costado muchísimo terminarla porque prácticamente no pasa nada y cada uno por su lado no deja de darle vueltas al mismo tema y no hay interrelación romántica entre ellos
Un gran chasco🤷♀️
Me sabe muy mal porque lo he empezado con muchas ganas pero no a todas nos puede gustar lo mismo
Es un no😅
No me ha gustado ni el estilo, ni la historia ni los personajes 🤷♀️
No voy a juzgar la calidad o no de la autora, que para eso hay gente más cualificada que yo simplemente es una novela que no es para mí
Me ha parecido aburrida, sin construcción de personajes, la historia es una adaptación de una que ya conocemos y hemos leído muchas veces, pero sin ningún tipo de chispa
Me ha costado muchísimo terminarla porque prácticamente no pasa nada y cada uno por su lado no deja de darle vueltas al mismo tema y no hay interrelación romántica entre ellos
Un gran chasco🤷♀️
Me sabe muy mal porque lo he empezado con muchas ganas pero no a todas nos puede gustar lo mismo
March 23, 2024
Nice enough story, but it didn’t work for me. I’ve read clean romances, but this one was sanitized down to the wall studs. No closed door. No consummation (Zounds! Is c*******t**n too forward to say in this review?).
You know, I could even live with chaste, but what broke me was that neither Persephone nor Adam broached the subject at all. “Are we…?” or “My bedroom…?” or “Undo my buttons…?” never passed their lips or entered their thoughts.
The diluted Beauty and the Beast tale was unnecessary. The references to Persephone and Hades were better, although Eden needed a bit more finesse to hide the marionette strings.
With that said, I did like Harry, and might take a peek at his and Daphne’s story.
You know, I could even live with chaste, but what broke me was that neither Persephone nor Adam broached the subject at all. “Are we…?” or “My bedroom…?” or “Undo my buttons…?” never passed their lips or entered their thoughts.
The diluted Beauty and the Beast tale was unnecessary. The references to Persephone and Hades were better, although Eden needed a bit more finesse to hide the marionette strings.
With that said, I did like Harry, and might take a peek at his and Daphne’s story.
October 22, 2020
When I saw a friend had reviewed this the other day it of course got me thinking about it again and so I thought I'd just pick it up and read a bit, and of course got sucked in and ended up reading the whole thing! This is one of my favorite regencies, I've read it quite a few times. I realized when I went to review it, that I had actually read it the past couple summers, always in June - this seems to be a summer favorite of mine. I'll of course have to pick up Courting Miss Lancaster because they just have to be read together. I can't wait for more books in the Lancaster series, I can't wait for Persephone's siblings to each have their own books!!!
The story was great, had a marriage-of-convenience storyline which I’m always a sucker for. It was a bit like Beauty and the Beast, but also the Greek myth of Persephone and Hedes was mixed in. I really liked our main characters Adam and Persephone. They don’t meet until the day of their wedding and they couldn’t be more opposite. Persephone comes from a big loving family, is used to being social and running her family household from a young age. Adam is an only child, being born without an ear and enduring (pointless) surgery's leaving him scared he has built up strong tall walls around his heart. While Persephone loves people and social gatherings, Adam despises them - he'd rather enjoy his quiet routine.
Persephone really wants to get to know her husband and has hope that maybe one day theirs will be a love match. Adam didn't want a beautiful wife and is upset when he sees how pretty his new wife is, only reminding him of his own physical imperfections, deciding to keep his distance. They have good interactions together and it was fun to watch their story unfold. I like that they grew to love each other slowly and accepted each other for who they were. To me it felt like they really fell in love. They had good chemistry. I especially loved Adam’s best friend Harry. He is really light-hearted and totally loyal to Adam, even though Adam is kind of mean to him. I guess Harry has known him for so long he sees Adam's sarcasm for what it is. I also liked how Persephone and Harry became friends as well. There is also some excitement and touch of mystery in the series. While what happens to Persephone is upsetting, it was a great way for Adam to come out of his shell and really care for her. Those scenes are some of my favorite!
Overall, I just really enjoy this one. I love the gothic-like castle and secluded setting. The characters are fun and well developed. One I would easily recommend to any regency fan.
Content
Romance: Squeaky clean - kissing
Language: None
Violence: Mild - a planned attack on Persephone, she is injured. Mild fight scene.
Religious: None
Series: Book one, but each book can standalone
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The story was great, had a marriage-of-convenience storyline which I’m always a sucker for. It was a bit like Beauty and the Beast, but also the Greek myth of Persephone and Hedes was mixed in. I really liked our main characters Adam and Persephone. They don’t meet until the day of their wedding and they couldn’t be more opposite. Persephone comes from a big loving family, is used to being social and running her family household from a young age. Adam is an only child, being born without an ear and enduring (pointless) surgery's leaving him scared he has built up strong tall walls around his heart. While Persephone loves people and social gatherings, Adam despises them - he'd rather enjoy his quiet routine.
Persephone really wants to get to know her husband and has hope that maybe one day theirs will be a love match. Adam didn't want a beautiful wife and is upset when he sees how pretty his new wife is, only reminding him of his own physical imperfections, deciding to keep his distance. They have good interactions together and it was fun to watch their story unfold. I like that they grew to love each other slowly and accepted each other for who they were. To me it felt like they really fell in love. They had good chemistry. I especially loved Adam’s best friend Harry. He is really light-hearted and totally loyal to Adam, even though Adam is kind of mean to him. I guess Harry has known him for so long he sees Adam's sarcasm for what it is. I also liked how Persephone and Harry became friends as well. There is also some excitement and touch of mystery in the series. While what happens to Persephone is upsetting, it was a great way for Adam to come out of his shell and really care for her. Those scenes are some of my favorite!
Overall, I just really enjoy this one. I love the gothic-like castle and secluded setting. The characters are fun and well developed. One I would easily recommend to any regency fan.
Content
Romance: Squeaky clean - kissing
Language: None
Violence: Mild - a planned attack on Persephone, she is injured. Mild fight scene.
Religious: None
Series: Book one, but each book can standalone
Similar Books You May Enjoy...
September 6, 2023
I loved this. So. Much. This book is as good (or better) on the re-read as it was the first time.
This is a slooooow burn. You get to see inside their heads as they struggle to understand the other person and become more vulnerable with each other. The ending made me remember why I kept reading this series. I didn’t care about any of the other couples half as much as I just wanted to see Adam more. He opens up and begins to love and be loved by so many more people. I love Persephone, but I ADORE Adam. He’s such an imperfect, scarred, and grumpy hero. What makes it work, is that he is a lovely and soft/squishy person at heart. It’s because he was so hurt that he became prickly… he had so much love to give and no one to lavish it on… until Persephone.
This book doesn’t feel like the end to their relationship… and because there are a whole bunch of other books in the series, it’s like we get to see a gazillion epilogues with him growing in how he can demonstrate his love more openly and bravely.
Ugh, this is so good. I want to write like this when I grow up!
Even tho this has an audiobook, I didn't listen to it cause the sample of the narrator didn't feel right. The narrator has an American accent. I would love to see this book done with duet narration.
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First read. 5 stars. I really loved this. It was a little Beauty and the Beast. A little Hades and Persephone. Well done!
This is a slooooow burn. You get to see inside their heads as they struggle to understand the other person and become more vulnerable with each other. The ending made me remember why I kept reading this series. I didn’t care about any of the other couples half as much as I just wanted to see Adam more. He opens up and begins to love and be loved by so many more people. I love Persephone, but I ADORE Adam. He’s such an imperfect, scarred, and grumpy hero. What makes it work, is that he is a lovely and soft/squishy person at heart. It’s because he was so hurt that he became prickly… he had so much love to give and no one to lavish it on… until Persephone.
This book doesn’t feel like the end to their relationship… and because there are a whole bunch of other books in the series, it’s like we get to see a gazillion epilogues with him growing in how he can demonstrate his love more openly and bravely.
Ugh, this is so good. I want to write like this when I grow up!
Even tho this has an audiobook, I didn't listen to it cause the sample of the narrator didn't feel right. The narrator has an American accent. I would love to see this book done with duet narration.
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First read. 5 stars. I really loved this. It was a little Beauty and the Beast. A little Hades and Persephone. Well done!
March 24, 2026
3.5 Persephone, Hades & the pomegranate seeds ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a gorgeous, well written and innocent story. I did miss a little edge and angst, but it’s was totally worth reading.
Persephone is the oldest daughter in her gentry, impoverished family. Their mother is long dead and the father is completely useless and Persephone has been responsible for all her siblings well being, since adolescence.
Adam is a cantankerous and recluse Duke, with scaring both inside and out. His dukedom will go to his despised cousin if he doesn’t produce an heir and hence he decides to buy a bride as one does.😳
He sends a letter to Persephone’s father and offers a vast amount of money for her hand in marriage, and he hopes to get a boring, ordinary and easy to handle wife. That doesn’t happen.
Their first meeting, is the church at their wedding and Adam is mortified about how pretty she is. He falls first, but she follows fast. ❤️
The castle is surrounded by wolves every night, ( Hounds of hell) something that terrifies Persephone and when they howl, she sneaks into Adam’s rooms because he makes her feel safe.
He is of course is completely awake but pretends to sleep, because he adores having her beside him and he doesn’t want her to stop coming in.❤️ the whole tiptoeing was super sweet and heartwarming.
However like Hades, he fears Persephone will leave him and not return and he sets up strict rules for her, however he is isolating and suffocating her and slowly he realizes that the pomegranate seeds Hades gave Persephone wasn’t to trick her to stay in underworld, but a deal struck between the two to allow her to leave but with a promise to return.
( Or something along those lines 😁) Adam slowly learns to relinquish control.
The story was super innocent, clean and sweet, I didn’t miss steam per se, but I did miss some tension between them as a couple.
Another issue I had with this was, if you write a Hades inspired story it has to have a little sexual tension right? Isn’t he an archetype of sorts?🖤
Should you read it? Yes it is well done and fun. It could have been epic with a little more drama and courage.
Change of divorce? 0% He will never let her go 😂
This was a gorgeous, well written and innocent story. I did miss a little edge and angst, but it’s was totally worth reading.
Persephone is the oldest daughter in her gentry, impoverished family. Their mother is long dead and the father is completely useless and Persephone has been responsible for all her siblings well being, since adolescence.
Adam is a cantankerous and recluse Duke, with scaring both inside and out. His dukedom will go to his despised cousin if he doesn’t produce an heir and hence he decides to buy a bride as one does.😳
He sends a letter to Persephone’s father and offers a vast amount of money for her hand in marriage, and he hopes to get a boring, ordinary and easy to handle wife. That doesn’t happen.
Their first meeting, is the church at their wedding and Adam is mortified about how pretty she is. He falls first, but she follows fast. ❤️
The castle is surrounded by wolves every night, ( Hounds of hell) something that terrifies Persephone and when they howl, she sneaks into Adam’s rooms because he makes her feel safe.
He is of course is completely awake but pretends to sleep, because he adores having her beside him and he doesn’t want her to stop coming in.❤️ the whole tiptoeing was super sweet and heartwarming.
However like Hades, he fears Persephone will leave him and not return and he sets up strict rules for her, however he is isolating and suffocating her and slowly he realizes that the pomegranate seeds Hades gave Persephone wasn’t to trick her to stay in underworld, but a deal struck between the two to allow her to leave but with a promise to return.
( Or something along those lines 😁) Adam slowly learns to relinquish control.
The story was super innocent, clean and sweet, I didn’t miss steam per se, but I did miss some tension between them as a couple.
Another issue I had with this was, if you write a Hades inspired story it has to have a little sexual tension right? Isn’t he an archetype of sorts?🖤
Should you read it? Yes it is well done and fun. It could have been epic with a little more drama and courage.
Change of divorce? 0% He will never let her go 😂
May 24, 2013
Seeking Persephone was entertaining and quick. I read through it in one day and enjoyed it. If you are looking for a cute love story that is clean, fun, and short, this a good pick. If you are looking for something more, look elsewhere.
There are two reasons I didn't rate it higher. First, I didn't enjoy it as much as other books I've read. Frankly, I thought the main character Adam was annoying. His character was defined by exactly one characteristic and emotion. Later in the book he kind of develops a second one, but even then he's a really weak character. And I kept wishing that Persephone and Adam wouldn't work out so she could end up marrying Harry.
2. The second issue (made more glaring in comparison with Pride and Prejudice which I recently read) is that I don't feel like the author was true to human nature. When you read a great book, you walk away having learned something about human nature. It teaches you something about yourself. It's inspiring and enlightening. I don't expect that of every book I read, but there were a few moments in Seeking Persephone where I was pulled completely out of the story by the thought, no one is really like this. No one actually thinks this way.
I didn't chose to read this book for it's insight into the soul, but occasionally it was so contrary to what I understand of human nature that it was distracting. I'm not talking about sappy love. The major character flaws that are the main conflict of the book are not solved so much as superseded by convenient external emergencies. Thank the wolf/dog pack the marriage worked out at all.
I don't want to belabor this as I think the author's purpose was to write a casual cute love story. She nailed that. I just think it could have been much more.
There are two reasons I didn't rate it higher. First, I didn't enjoy it as much as other books I've read. Frankly, I thought the main character Adam was annoying. His character was defined by exactly one characteristic and emotion. Later in the book he kind of develops a second one, but even then he's a really weak character. And I kept wishing that Persephone and Adam wouldn't work out so she could end up marrying Harry.
2. The second issue (made more glaring in comparison with Pride and Prejudice which I recently read) is that I don't feel like the author was true to human nature. When you read a great book, you walk away having learned something about human nature. It teaches you something about yourself. It's inspiring and enlightening. I don't expect that of every book I read, but there were a few moments in Seeking Persephone where I was pulled completely out of the story by the thought, no one is really like this. No one actually thinks this way.
I didn't chose to read this book for it's insight into the soul, but occasionally it was so contrary to what I understand of human nature that it was distracting. I'm not talking about sappy love. The major character flaws that are the main conflict of the book are not solved so much as superseded by convenient external emergencies. Thank the wolf/dog pack the marriage worked out at all.
I don't want to belabor this as I think the author's purpose was to write a casual cute love story. She nailed that. I just think it could have been much more.
February 19, 2026
✨Spoiler-Free Review✨
Seeking Persephone by Sarah M. Eden
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was an absolute five-star regency romance read for me!!
If you love Beauty and the Beast, grumpy-hero romance, marriage of convenience, or even light threads of a Hades and Persephone dynamic - you need to pick up Seeking Persephone by Sarah M. Eden. 🤭
While the author clearly weaves in subtle nods to the Hades and Persephone myth, this felt much more like a Regency Beauty and the Beast retelling - and I adored every second of it. 🌹
And don’t let the Greek mythology element scare you off. The mythology references exist because Persephone’s father was a scholar who studied Greek myths and named his children after those figures. The story makes it very clear these are simply literary inspirations within the world - not spiritual commentary. I wouldn’t classify this as Christian fiction, though there are a few brief mentions of God. It reads as clean, wholesome Regency romance. 🥰
The story follows Adam, a powerful duke in early 1800s England who believes he will one day die without an heir. Determined to prevent his estranged family from inheriting his estate, he decides to marry quickly in hopes of producing an heir within his lifetime. But Adam carries deep physical scars from traumatic childhood surgeries, and society has never let him forget it. Women fear him. Whisper about him. Avoid him. 😭
So he makes a calculated decision: he will marry as far beneath his station as possible - someone with no prospects, someone who won’t have the luxury of rejecting him. In exchange, he offers her family financial security. 🙌
That woman is Persephone.😳
Persephone has long accepted that she will likely remain a spinster. She loves her family deeply, and when this unexpected proposal arrives, she agrees - willing to sacrifice her future to secure theirs. What she doesn’t expect is just how intimidating, temperamental, and emotionally guarded her new husband will be. 😅
This is a deeply character-driven story. There’s no sweeping external adventure - the heart of the book is watching two people slowly, tenderly fall in love. Watching Adam’s hardened heart soften. Watching Persephone’s quiet strength shine. Their dynamic is layered, emotional, and so satisfying. 😩
And then there’s Harry - Adam’s best friend (though Adam would grumble at the term). 😆 Harry is the laugh-out-loud comedic relief, constantly poking the bear… and the bear never quite attacks because deep down, he’s a wounded teddy bear. 🧸 The banter in this book is phenomenal. I genuinely laughed out loud multiple times.👏
If you loved Edenbrooke, I would absolutely recommend this one as well. It has that same delightful Regency charm, but with an even stronger grumpy-hero arc. 😌
This is slower-paced, emotionally rich, romantic, funny, and incredibly sweet. It is one of the most delightful Regency romances! 💐
I truly cannot say enough good things about it!!! Also it’s being released as a movie March 1st 😍
If you love:
• Grumpy x sunshine ☀️
• Marriage of convenience 💍
• Scarred hero with a soft heart ❤️🩹
• Character-driven romance 🥰
• Regency settings 👗
This is a must-read!
•••
⚠️‼️ Content / Trigger Warnings ‼️⚠️
- Childhood trauma (neglect & loss of parent)
- Grieving siblings death
- Mentions of blood & wounds
- Wounded animals
Seeking Persephone by Sarah M. Eden
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was an absolute five-star regency romance read for me!!
If you love Beauty and the Beast, grumpy-hero romance, marriage of convenience, or even light threads of a Hades and Persephone dynamic - you need to pick up Seeking Persephone by Sarah M. Eden. 🤭
While the author clearly weaves in subtle nods to the Hades and Persephone myth, this felt much more like a Regency Beauty and the Beast retelling - and I adored every second of it. 🌹
And don’t let the Greek mythology element scare you off. The mythology references exist because Persephone’s father was a scholar who studied Greek myths and named his children after those figures. The story makes it very clear these are simply literary inspirations within the world - not spiritual commentary. I wouldn’t classify this as Christian fiction, though there are a few brief mentions of God. It reads as clean, wholesome Regency romance. 🥰
The story follows Adam, a powerful duke in early 1800s England who believes he will one day die without an heir. Determined to prevent his estranged family from inheriting his estate, he decides to marry quickly in hopes of producing an heir within his lifetime. But Adam carries deep physical scars from traumatic childhood surgeries, and society has never let him forget it. Women fear him. Whisper about him. Avoid him. 😭
So he makes a calculated decision: he will marry as far beneath his station as possible - someone with no prospects, someone who won’t have the luxury of rejecting him. In exchange, he offers her family financial security. 🙌
That woman is Persephone.😳
Persephone has long accepted that she will likely remain a spinster. She loves her family deeply, and when this unexpected proposal arrives, she agrees - willing to sacrifice her future to secure theirs. What she doesn’t expect is just how intimidating, temperamental, and emotionally guarded her new husband will be. 😅
This is a deeply character-driven story. There’s no sweeping external adventure - the heart of the book is watching two people slowly, tenderly fall in love. Watching Adam’s hardened heart soften. Watching Persephone’s quiet strength shine. Their dynamic is layered, emotional, and so satisfying. 😩
And then there’s Harry - Adam’s best friend (though Adam would grumble at the term). 😆 Harry is the laugh-out-loud comedic relief, constantly poking the bear… and the bear never quite attacks because deep down, he’s a wounded teddy bear. 🧸 The banter in this book is phenomenal. I genuinely laughed out loud multiple times.👏
If you loved Edenbrooke, I would absolutely recommend this one as well. It has that same delightful Regency charm, but with an even stronger grumpy-hero arc. 😌
This is slower-paced, emotionally rich, romantic, funny, and incredibly sweet. It is one of the most delightful Regency romances! 💐
I truly cannot say enough good things about it!!! Also it’s being released as a movie March 1st 😍
If you love:
• Grumpy x sunshine ☀️
• Marriage of convenience 💍
• Scarred hero with a soft heart ❤️🩹
• Character-driven romance 🥰
• Regency settings 👗
This is a must-read!
•••
⚠️‼️ Content / Trigger Warnings ‼️⚠️
- Childhood trauma (neglect & loss of parent)
- Grieving siblings death
- Mentions of blood & wounds
- Wounded animals
November 3, 2020
I so love the 'beauty and the beast' trope. And this book has all its fundamentals right, admixing in the Persephone/Hades tale as well - have to be the original beauty and the beast.
It's sweet, charming, leisurely and (too) clean.
The h is a sweet, biddable girl doing her duty to her family by marrying - sight unseen - a man who seems quite perfect on paper. A wealthy duke, not even thirty yet.
The H is a grumpy loner, a physically and emotionally scarred person who doesn't believe that any woman would willingly marry him or then stay on. So he asks his secretary to 'buy' a poor and plain spinster with a dependent family. Poor she is, plain not so much. Spinster she thinks she is/will be because of her dismal prospects - but at 20, isn't it a tad premature?
His doubts and mistrust only grow as he expects her to bolt just like his mother had done when he was a little boy - deserting her husband and her son. So he resides within emotional and physical walls - of his heart and his castle (yes he has one) in Northumberland. Very Beast-y!
All rolls on well and good, and some very endearing moments but...
The H-bff bromance wore on my nerves. The bff is oh-so-loyal that he refuses to leave the H's side even on the h-H honeymoon. I disliked this infringement with a fervor. And his silly, unfunny prattling made my teeth ache. He's used for fillers, very skim-able fillers.
“If you’re trying to tell me to make myself scarce now that you’re married, I completely understand, Adam.” Do you? Really?
(He's the H of the next book - a book I've decided now, to not read.)
The h/H were much more intersting during his rare absences. Left to their own non-verbose devices, the h/H patch up an understanding of sorts with sweet, hesitant (hers) and gruff (his) gestures.
Would today be a friendly-Adam day or a grumpy-Adam day? It was almost impossible to predict.
It's sweet, charming, leisurely and (too) clean.
The h is a sweet, biddable girl doing her duty to her family by marrying - sight unseen - a man who seems quite perfect on paper. A wealthy duke, not even thirty yet.
The H is a grumpy loner, a physically and emotionally scarred person who doesn't believe that any woman would willingly marry him or then stay on. So he asks his secretary to 'buy' a poor and plain spinster with a dependent family. Poor she is, plain not so much. Spinster she thinks she is/will be because of her dismal prospects - but at 20, isn't it a tad premature?
His doubts and mistrust only grow as he expects her to bolt just like his mother had done when he was a little boy - deserting her husband and her son. So he resides within emotional and physical walls - of his heart and his castle (yes he has one) in Northumberland. Very Beast-y!
All rolls on well and good, and some very endearing moments but...
The H-bff bromance wore on my nerves. The bff is oh-so-loyal that he refuses to leave the H's side even on the h-H honeymoon. I disliked this infringement with a fervor. And his silly, unfunny prattling made my teeth ache. He's used for fillers, very skim-able fillers.
“If you’re trying to tell me to make myself scarce now that you’re married, I completely understand, Adam.” Do you? Really?
(He's the H of the next book - a book I've decided now, to not read.)
The h/H were much more intersting during his rare absences. Left to their own non-verbose devices, the h/H patch up an understanding of sorts with sweet, hesitant (hers) and gruff (his) gestures.
Would today be a friendly-Adam day or a grumpy-Adam day? It was almost impossible to predict.
August 2, 2024
5 stars.
Awesome slow burn romance. There's a strong beauty and the beast - theme, and a bit of the Hades and Persephone - myth (I didn't know anything about it, but now I do).
I loved how slowly the relationship developed.
Every sloooooow step Adam and Persephone took felt well earned. Adam was never mean, just aloof and cool, never having experienced love and care aside from his nurse before he was sent to school at 7 years.
Persephone's will to get to know her husband and never really giving up was admirable.
I enjoyed the secondary characters, like Harry, the butler and stable master, they were all unique.
Adam's mother's explanations about his childhood, and his acceptance didn't make sense to me, but that was a small issue, and everything else was simply awesome.
Awesome slow burn romance. There's a strong beauty and the beast - theme, and a bit of the Hades and Persephone - myth (I didn't know anything about it, but now I do).
I loved how slowly the relationship developed.
Every sloooooow step Adam and Persephone took felt well earned. Adam was never mean, just aloof and cool, never having experienced love and care aside from his nurse before he was sent to school at 7 years.
Persephone's will to get to know her husband and never really giving up was admirable.
I enjoyed the secondary characters, like Harry, the butler and stable master, they were all unique.
Adam's mother's explanations about his childhood, and his acceptance didn't make sense to me, but that was a small issue, and everything else was simply awesome.
August 4, 2024
3,5 rounded up
This was a sweet story but there was one very upsetting thing, for which I haven’t seen any TW, so I’m leaving one:
TW loss of a loved one (a fourteen year old sibling) and grief
Otherwise it’s a cute Beauty and the Beast retelling. It’s very clean, especially for a marriage that was arranged for the sole purpose of begetting an heir (ain’t happening if you’re only kissing, guys).
Adam was a real jerk at the beginning and he only started snapping out of it towards the end. I would’ve loved one or two more chapters to see how he was doing as his new, vulnerable self. (And if there was any progress with that whole begetting an heir thing 😏.) Persephone was sweet and a good match for Adam. If it wasn’t for her grief this probably would’ve had more of a grumpy-sunshine dynamic.
I might still continue with the series, but not sure yet, I don’t want any more triggering surprises.
This was a sweet story but there was one very upsetting thing, for which I haven’t seen any TW, so I’m leaving one:
TW loss of a loved one (a fourteen year old sibling) and grief
Otherwise it’s a cute Beauty and the Beast retelling. It’s very clean, especially for a marriage that was arranged for the sole purpose of begetting an heir (ain’t happening if you’re only kissing, guys).
Adam was a real jerk at the beginning and he only started snapping out of it towards the end. I would’ve loved one or two more chapters to see how he was doing as his new, vulnerable self. (And if there was any progress with that whole begetting an heir thing 😏.) Persephone was sweet and a good match for Adam. If it wasn’t for her grief this probably would’ve had more of a grumpy-sunshine dynamic.
I might still continue with the series, but not sure yet, I don’t want any more triggering surprises.
July 11, 2022
4.5 💛
No esperaba disfrutarlo tantísimo pero es que a pesar de ser poco original HE VIVIDO ESTA HISTORIA A FUEGOOOOOO
No esperaba disfrutarlo tantísimo pero es que a pesar de ser poco original HE VIVIDO ESTA HISTORIA A FUEGOOOOOO
November 13, 2023
My third listen -- prompted by Sarah M. Eden's novella in The Holly and the Ivy collection. It features Adam as a boy and I just had to reread his love story again. Happy Sigh. Still as magnificent as I remembered.
---
My second read through...er listen through...in preparation for finally finishing the Lancaster Family series in the year (this is the only one I've read so far.)
---
Eeeeeepppp!!! I'm in a Regency daze of epic proportions. How is it that I haven't read a Sarah M. Eden book before???? She has written a bunch of swoonilicious novels, including 14 Regencies! This is me hyperventilating over 8 years of missing out! Gah! Time for a fast and furious game of catch-up!
Fainting couches, lace fans and smelling salts are definitely necessary accoutrements for this reading journey. Stock up and be prepared to be charmed by witty banter and the social graces of the day...well, maybe not so much when it comes to the Duke who has a somewhat beastly persona. In fact, I would actually classify this as a fairy tale retelling of Beauty and the Beast.
Disfigured in boyhood, Adam hides his heart behind a thick armor of indifference. He doesn't need anyone. Especially a bride. So, though he begrudgingly accepts Persephone into his home, he bars her from his life. Or tries to. Persephone can be quite a force when necessary -- the perils of being the eldest sibling of a motherless brood. Love how this beauty's gentle spirit proves stronger than her Beast's gruff stoicism!
An enchanting Regency gem.
---
My second read through...er listen through...in preparation for finally finishing the Lancaster Family series in the year (this is the only one I've read so far.)
---
Eeeeeepppp!!! I'm in a Regency daze of epic proportions. How is it that I haven't read a Sarah M. Eden book before???? She has written a bunch of swoonilicious novels, including 14 Regencies! This is me hyperventilating over 8 years of missing out! Gah! Time for a fast and furious game of catch-up!
Fainting couches, lace fans and smelling salts are definitely necessary accoutrements for this reading journey. Stock up and be prepared to be charmed by witty banter and the social graces of the day...well, maybe not so much when it comes to the Duke who has a somewhat beastly persona. In fact, I would actually classify this as a fairy tale retelling of Beauty and the Beast.
Disfigured in boyhood, Adam hides his heart behind a thick armor of indifference. He doesn't need anyone. Especially a bride. So, though he begrudgingly accepts Persephone into his home, he bars her from his life. Or tries to. Persephone can be quite a force when necessary -- the perils of being the eldest sibling of a motherless brood. Love how this beauty's gentle spirit proves stronger than her Beast's gruff stoicism!
An enchanting Regency gem.
October 2, 2025
Outstanding narration. Often the romance happens too quickly in most books. This was believable and felt natural. The story flowed well and the plot was rich. I read this with a book club and we all loved it. It’s not just a romance story, there’s a sinister plot as well. There was nothing graphic, nor inappropriate for a gentle reader. I’ve already purchased the next in the series and will listen to it with my book club. I’m legally blind, so it’s such an extra blessing to have Audible.
November 27, 2022
NO SEX PEOPLE!! NO SEX!!
And 2 virgins besides…
Man, if I knew there was only 2 BRIEF kisses (I mean not even a mention of TONGUE!) I likely wouldn’t have picked this up.
But I did read it, and it was well written and I suppose I have to treat it like watching Sense and Sensibility or something. Ugh…
And 2 virgins besides…
Man, if I knew there was only 2 BRIEF kisses (I mean not even a mention of TONGUE!) I likely wouldn’t have picked this up.
But I did read it, and it was well written and I suppose I have to treat it like watching Sense and Sensibility or something. Ugh…
November 5, 2023
I enjoyed this so much. A very familiar beginning with a damaged hero, arranged marriage, grumpy sunshine dynamic, beauty and the beast/Hades and Persephone retelling, but it all felt so well done with a fresh and unique perspective.
A sweet, swoony, charming historical romance inhighly recommend.
Will be in my next vlog
A sweet, swoony, charming historical romance inhighly recommend.
Will be in my next vlog
May 9, 2026
“Please stay with me”
“If you will stay with me”
♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《Now playing: Something There from Beauty and the Beast》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪
»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓜𝔂 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼❀°-🎀-★–—►
I finished the audiobook for this book in one day. If that doesn't let you know that I enjoyed the book, let me just tell you that I don't think that has ever happened before! Although I enjoyed Seeking Persephone, I did have to cut my rating down from five stars for a few different reasons. One of which being the plot holes. I didn't notice many, but one that stood out to me was how Adam wanted to marry to have an heir, yet once he married he made no move to make an heir and it was pretty much forgotten that that was the main purpose for the marriage.
Another was the Greek mythology. This one is more of a me thing considering that I'm not fond of Greek mythology in general. I did find it neat how Sarah used it in this book, but as a Christian I just wasn’t fond of it.
Then lastly I knocked down my rating due to the fact that I came into Seeking Persephone expecting it to be very Christian... It wasn't, much to my disappointment. It did have some faith content, but not much. I think I might have misunderstood what other people had been saying, and took it as them saying that it was very Christian, but regardless, the lack of it made me enjoy Seeking Persephone slightly less. Thankfully, though, I had no reason to be disappointed in the content. It was way cleaner than I was expecting it to be!
I wish the book had been at least a little bit longer, but at least I'll get to see Adam and Persephone in the other books in the series!
♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《There's something sweet and almost kind》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪
»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼❀°-🎀-★–—►
⤷ Persephone:
I liked her, although her personality doesn't give me much to remark upon. I really liked how caring she was with her siblings, though!
⤷ Adam:
Adam did aggravate me for most of the book, but I did warm up to him by the end. I think my main issue with him was how he treated Persephone. He just acted so rude and uncaring, and even when he attempted to care for her, he still came off as if he didn't most of the time. (But trust me, he does get better by the end)
⤷ Henry:
I cannot wait for his book! He was definitely my favorite character in this one. He was just so funny and I really liked him!
♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《But he was mean and he was coarse and unrefined》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪
»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓒𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰❀°-🎀-★–—►
8/10 It’s pretty! I think the gold lining the edges of the cover is definitely my favorite! I'm not a fan of the other cover, though. The purplely one.
♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《And now he's dear and so unsure》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪
»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓒𝓸𝓷𝓽𝓮𝓷𝓽 𝓦𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼❀°-🎀-★–—►
(Warning! 🚨 Before you go any further, there is a chance that something I've said about the content will possibly be a bit spoilerish, so please proceed with caution! Also, if I missed any content, please let me know so I can add it!)
☆Trigger Warnings:
None that I can think of.
☆Faith based/Christian:
A few mentions of characters praying; a side character is a vicar.
☆Other Religious Content:
Lots of talk about Greek mythology; the story of Hades and Persephone plays a large role in this book and it's mentioned a lot; horses and characters are named after Greek mythological persons.
☆Violence:
Death of a brother (off page, only mentioned); the FMC ends up very badly injured after a wolf attack and the MMC has to be the one to doctor her (up to semi-detached or maybe a little higher); blood; wounds; attempted murder on a main character; mentions of the MMC breaking people's noses and dueling; the MMC says that if the wolves don't kill a character he will.
☆Sexual Content/Romance:
There was never once any talk or anything about Adam and Persephone consummating the marriage, which was a nice change considering all of the other marriage of convenience books I have read have at least some talk of it; cheek kisses; hand kisses; kisses on the mouth (up to a little above not detailed); remembering kisses; thinking about kisses; wanting to kiss someone; the main characters sleep in the same bed but nothing happens; blushing; the main characters get married; a mention of a conversation about dowries and money being used to essentially buy a spouse; there's a wedding (on page).
☆Magic:
None
☆Bad Language:
None
☆LGBTQ+:
None
☆Drugs/Alcohol:
None
☆Miscellaneous:
Grief (not much shown or in general); a character has a nightmare (shown on page and we see the dream); a character is scared of wolves.
♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《I wonder why I didn't see it there before》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪
»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓜𝔂 𝓐𝓰𝓮 𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰, & 𝓓𝓸 𝓘 𝓡𝓮𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓶𝓮𝓷𝓭?❀°-🎀-★–—►
14 years old and older. Lowkey I shocked myself by rating Seeking Persephone that low, but it was just so sweet and clean that I think it would be fine for an early teen to read.
I absolutely recommend it! If you like books set in the Regency era, Beauty and the Beast, or the story of Hades and Persephone, then I think you should try this book!
♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《She glanced this way, I thought I saw》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪
»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓟𝓪𝓻𝓽 𝓸𝓯 𝓪 𝓼𝓮𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓼?❀°-🎀-★–—►
Yes, this is the first book in the Lancaster series by Sarah M. Eden.
♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《And when we touched, she didn't shudder at my paw》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪
»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓦𝓲𝓵𝓵 𝓘 𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓻𝓮𝓼𝓽 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓼𝓮𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓼/𝓶𝓸𝓻𝓮 𝓯𝓻𝓸𝓶 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓪𝓾𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓻?❀°-🎀-★–—►
Absolutely! I put the next book on hold as soon as I finished this one! 🤭
♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《No, it can't be, I'll just ignore》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪
»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓦𝓸𝓾𝓵𝓭 𝓘 𝓻𝓮-𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓫𝓸𝓸𝓴?❀°-🎀-★–—►
Yes!
♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《But then she's never looked at me that way before》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪
»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴𝓼 𝓼𝓲𝓶𝓲𝓵𝓪𝓻 𝓽𝓸 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓸𝓷𝓮❀°-🎀-★–—►
If you want more Regency era books:
The Heiress of Winterwood by Sarah E. Ladd
Vying for a Groom by Sophie Leigh Fox
Persuasion by Jane Austen
All the Tea in China by Jane Orcutt
♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《......
There may be something there that wasn't there before》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪
“If you will stay with me”
♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《Now playing: Something There from Beauty and the Beast》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪
»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓜𝔂 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼❀°-🎀-★–—►
I finished the audiobook for this book in one day. If that doesn't let you know that I enjoyed the book, let me just tell you that I don't think that has ever happened before! Although I enjoyed Seeking Persephone, I did have to cut my rating down from five stars for a few different reasons. One of which being the plot holes. I didn't notice many, but one that stood out to me was how Adam wanted to marry to have an heir, yet once he married he made no move to make an heir and it was pretty much forgotten that that was the main purpose for the marriage.
Another was the Greek mythology. This one is more of a me thing considering that I'm not fond of Greek mythology in general. I did find it neat how Sarah used it in this book, but as a Christian I just wasn’t fond of it.
Then lastly I knocked down my rating due to the fact that I came into Seeking Persephone expecting it to be very Christian... It wasn't, much to my disappointment. It did have some faith content, but not much. I think I might have misunderstood what other people had been saying, and took it as them saying that it was very Christian, but regardless, the lack of it made me enjoy Seeking Persephone slightly less. Thankfully, though, I had no reason to be disappointed in the content. It was way cleaner than I was expecting it to be!
I wish the book had been at least a little bit longer, but at least I'll get to see Adam and Persephone in the other books in the series!
♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《There's something sweet and almost kind》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪
»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼❀°-🎀-★–—►
⤷ Persephone:
I liked her, although her personality doesn't give me much to remark upon. I really liked how caring she was with her siblings, though!
⤷ Adam:
Adam did aggravate me for most of the book, but I did warm up to him by the end. I think my main issue with him was how he treated Persephone. He just acted so rude and uncaring, and even when he attempted to care for her, he still came off as if he didn't most of the time. (But trust me, he does get better by the end)
⤷ Henry:
I cannot wait for his book! He was definitely my favorite character in this one. He was just so funny and I really liked him!
♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《But he was mean and he was coarse and unrefined》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪
»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓒𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰❀°-🎀-★–—►
8/10 It’s pretty! I think the gold lining the edges of the cover is definitely my favorite! I'm not a fan of the other cover, though. The purplely one.
♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《And now he's dear and so unsure》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪
»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓒𝓸𝓷𝓽𝓮𝓷𝓽 𝓦𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼❀°-🎀-★–—►
(Warning! 🚨 Before you go any further, there is a chance that something I've said about the content will possibly be a bit spoilerish, so please proceed with caution! Also, if I missed any content, please let me know so I can add it!)
☆Trigger Warnings:
None that I can think of.
☆Faith based/Christian:
A few mentions of characters praying; a side character is a vicar.
☆Other Religious Content:
Lots of talk about Greek mythology; the story of Hades and Persephone plays a large role in this book and it's mentioned a lot; horses and characters are named after Greek mythological persons.
☆Violence:
Death of a brother (off page, only mentioned); the FMC ends up very badly injured after a wolf attack and the MMC has to be the one to doctor her (up to semi-detached or maybe a little higher); blood; wounds; attempted murder on a main character; mentions of the MMC breaking people's noses and dueling; the MMC says that if the wolves don't kill a character he will.
☆Sexual Content/Romance:
There was never once any talk or anything about Adam and Persephone consummating the marriage, which was a nice change considering all of the other marriage of convenience books I have read have at least some talk of it; cheek kisses; hand kisses; kisses on the mouth (up to a little above not detailed); remembering kisses; thinking about kisses; wanting to kiss someone; the main characters sleep in the same bed but nothing happens; blushing; the main characters get married; a mention of a conversation about dowries and money being used to essentially buy a spouse; there's a wedding (on page).
☆Magic:
None
☆Bad Language:
None
☆LGBTQ+:
None
☆Drugs/Alcohol:
None
☆Miscellaneous:
Grief (not much shown or in general); a character has a nightmare (shown on page and we see the dream); a character is scared of wolves.
♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《I wonder why I didn't see it there before》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪
»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓜𝔂 𝓐𝓰𝓮 𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰, & 𝓓𝓸 𝓘 𝓡𝓮𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓶𝓮𝓷𝓭?❀°-🎀-★–—►
14 years old and older. Lowkey I shocked myself by rating Seeking Persephone that low, but it was just so sweet and clean that I think it would be fine for an early teen to read.
I absolutely recommend it! If you like books set in the Regency era, Beauty and the Beast, or the story of Hades and Persephone, then I think you should try this book!
♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《She glanced this way, I thought I saw》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪
»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓟𝓪𝓻𝓽 𝓸𝓯 𝓪 𝓼𝓮𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓼?❀°-🎀-★–—►
Yes, this is the first book in the Lancaster series by Sarah M. Eden.
♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《And when we touched, she didn't shudder at my paw》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪
»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓦𝓲𝓵𝓵 𝓘 𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓻𝓮𝓼𝓽 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓼𝓮𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓼/𝓶𝓸𝓻𝓮 𝓯𝓻𝓸𝓶 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓪𝓾𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓻?❀°-🎀-★–—►
Absolutely! I put the next book on hold as soon as I finished this one! 🤭
♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《No, it can't be, I'll just ignore》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪
»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓦𝓸𝓾𝓵𝓭 𝓘 𝓻𝓮-𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓫𝓸𝓸𝓴?❀°-🎀-★–—►
Yes!
♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《But then she's never looked at me that way before》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪
»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴𝓼 𝓼𝓲𝓶𝓲𝓵𝓪𝓻 𝓽𝓸 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓸𝓷𝓮❀°-🎀-★–—►
If you want more Regency era books:
The Heiress of Winterwood by Sarah E. Ladd
Vying for a Groom by Sophie Leigh Fox
Persuasion by Jane Austen
All the Tea in China by Jane Orcutt
♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《......
There may be something there that wasn't there before》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪
May 24, 2024
I am discovering that I enjoy Beauty and the Beast-inspired romances. The hero’s name is Adam, which is the unofficial name fans have given the Beast. He’s scarred from a birth deformity (if I recall correctly) that surgeons had attempted at fixing. There are creatures referred to as wolves in the forest. There is even a scene I think there’s a castle?? Or maybe just a large estate, I can’t recall. 😅
This book also drew inspiration from the Greek myth of Persephone and Hades, which is a favorite of mine. How Persephone (both the goddess and the heroine) is lonely and misses her family and how Adam/Hades feared letting her go because she may not return.
It is a clean romance with two or three kisses.
I don’t typically enjoy reading a slow-burn romance but it makes sense that these two characters gradually fall for each other. I think the author did a good job showing how they come to care for each other. There’s a little bit of angst (and possibly some frustration for some readers) since Adam refused to change his ways until almost the very end.
Adam’s best friend, Harry, provided comic relief, so I enjoyed reading his scenes.
This book also drew inspiration from the Greek myth of Persephone and Hades, which is a favorite of mine. How Persephone (both the goddess and the heroine) is lonely and misses her family and how Adam/Hades feared letting her go because she may not return.
It is a clean romance with two or three kisses.
I don’t typically enjoy reading a slow-burn romance but it makes sense that these two characters gradually fall for each other. I think the author did a good job showing how they come to care for each other. There’s a little bit of angst (and possibly some frustration for some readers) since Adam refused to change his ways until almost the very end.
Adam’s best friend, Harry, provided comic relief, so I enjoyed reading his scenes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2026
Where was the romance? Is she in the room?
It honestly upsets me how disappointing this turned out. I was SO excited to read this. 😭 I pray the movie is better because...dear lord. The hero is a piece of uninspiring work. The fact that this inspired a movie adaption is the real surprise for me because Ms. Eden doesn't give you much to work with in the pining, yearning or romance department. I mean it's there but very miniscule. And that's not because the romance falls secondary to a bigger plot. The whole plot is about a marriage of convenience that starts off in Chapter 2 so there isn't much room left to guess where this story should fall in. This is the one time I hope the movie ignored the source material and adds stuff cause this was as weak as lukewarm tea that's been sitting out for hours.
This book should have been titled Ignoring Persephone considering the great lengths the hero Adam goes to to avoid the heroine Persephone in their own home. If this was supposed to go the Jane Austen route of slow burn it failed. Cause this dude doesn't do a damn thing in "seeking" much less wooing Persephone. He avoids her because she's "too pretty" and their marriage is "ridiculous". He's convinced it won't last so he gives zero effort in making the marriage actually work even though the whole point of the marriage was to stop his cousin from inheriting his title and estate if he doesn't produce an heir. Honestly this character made no sense. The MOC was his idea and he claims he wants an heir but does nothing about it and give it any thought after the marriage where he treats Persephone like a leper who needs to be avoided at all costs. Did the author forget about it herself? I was so baffled. I can understand it being the cause of tension for the first half of the book but THROUGH THE WHOLE BOOK?? Make it make sense. Instead we have to sit through endless chapters of this man hiding out in his book room and going for rides and bickering with his best friend Colin. Meanwhile Persephone is....left alone. To eat, to sleep, to run off and cry in the gardens while he watches from a window and does nothing. Wash, rinse, repeat. There was more page time and chemistry between the hero and Colin than the hero and heroine. 😕 This felt like a character who didn't know he was the hero of the book for much too long for my tastes.
I'm mainly here because I came across some scenes on Instagram from the movie that caught my attention. Down the rabbit hole I went only to find out it's an adaptation of a Historical Romance book that I already had on my TBR. SIGN. ME. UP. The premise had everything I love and salivate over. 1. Grumbly, bitter, disfigured, disillusioned Duke in need of an heir, 2. a marriage of convenience 3. a sweet heroine from a poor family who only agrees to the MOC help her family, 4. a large gloomy castle. Yes, yes and yes. This started off really strong. But that great feeling slowly started to sour with how repetitive the situations became and the hero constantly freezing, ignoring, dismissing the heroine at every single turn. Moments that should have been there to help build that connection are completely dismissed, cut short, or nothing is done with it. And I mean literally nothing. If that 1 gift of a riding habit for the heroine and randomly kissing her once is supposed to makeup for all the missed moments and the hero completely ignoring her for the majority of the story then I would like a refund of my time. I salivate over a good slow burn romance but this felt like pulling teeth.
My first red flag was the whole drama over the map her first week in her new home. Persephone is trying to get used to the layout of the large castle and keeps getting lost among the many hallways and wings so she carries a small map around in her pocket the maids drew for her to help her memorize the place. When Adam discovers this he takes it from her refusing to give it back because it "looks bad" that a Duchess doesn't know her way around the estate and she's smart enough to figure it out. 🙄 I wish I was joking. Here I was hoping the cranky dismissive hero would find some way to give it back to her or make the situation better for her or playfully tease her about it while helping her along. Does he? Nope. Doesn't lift a finger. Just growls and rolls his eyes and calls her "ridiculous". If you are paying attention that's the word of the day for this entire book: ridiculous. And the hero loves to use it at every opportunity. Excuse me but....what the fuck?
Another huge moment of WTFuckery is when Persephone sneaks into Adam's bedchamber one night because the howling wolves on their estate woke her up and made her nervous. Now this should have been a pivotal moment and what I *thought* would be the turning point finally for this couple. Is it? Ms. Sarah Eden said...
Nope. Adam is awake but pretends to be asleep to avoid her and internally calls her a "coward" for being scared. She sleeps on his bed curled up in corner, cold and petrified, and this idiot doesn't do a damn fucking thing but be perplexed and ignores her. This continues on for weeks and becomes their thing. She curls up on his bed terrified and he pretends to sleep and she doesn't even know until later on and is humiliated when she finds out he was pretending to sleep. He gets "used" to her being in the room is all we are given as a sign of defrosting. I wanted to pull my hair out at the lack of thought this man continuously shows. LIKE HOW MANY TIMES????
Did I mention the heroine is grieving the loss of her 12 year old brother who died on a Navy ship at this point? She's alone, homesick, mourning, trying to adapt to a new life and title with a husband who has the emotional intelligence of a napkin who ridicules and condescends to her. Adam only seems to obsess over people who are "ridiculous" or "cowards" when he's the walking definiton of both. He's clearly befuddled and intrigued by Persephone and observes her but can never look her in the eye cause of his disfigured ear and facial scarring. I really thought that would be explored more as he was ridiculed as a child and had painful surgeries to try and fix his disfigurement (also his ear is clearly missing but no mention of hearing loss on his left side??). He's super insecure about it that he doesn't like to show the left side of his face. Do we get any moments of the heroine getting to touch his scars or he talks about it? Barely any. It goes so far that it takes him months to even realize what color Persephone's eyes are because he refuses to look at her. Which just underlines the problem here with this story. He doesn't give her any chances where as she actually tries. Persephone tries so hard to understand him, to make him happy and wants a loving husband and tries to make the marriage work. It was painful how many times this man disappointed her.
My entire problem with this hero is he constantly lets her assume the worst instead of correcting her and assuaging her fears. I don't mind misassumptions especially during a slow burn and the 'getting to know you' phase of the story. But the amount of assuming and miscommunication that happens on top of all the non-agency just made this feel like going in circles with zero results. She thinks he views her as a coward and that he's not happy with her for a bride. She verbally confesses this to him quite a few times and he says nothing. Just makes a joke and changes the subject. And then he has the audacity to be surprised and hurt when he finds out how miserable she is? SIR, MAKE UP YOUR MIND. I just felt the author's writing choices so odd and left wanting. So many moments that should be meaningful and very vulnerable fall incredibly flat because she doesn't let her characters really react to anything or move forward in their feelings. It's just repeating and thinking the same thing over and over again. Her hero is always permanently confused or distressed and that's pretty much it. Persephone makes him want to smile, he's shocked. She makes him want to stay in her company, he's confused. She makes him want to kiss her, he's stunned and confused.
My patience was beyond gone and in another zip code when he's actually surprised how lonely she is when he actively avoids her and refuses to let any visitors into the house to meet the new Duchess. Dude, what is wrong with you? He rebuffs her but then has the audacity to be shocked and hurt why she's upset and unhappy in their marriage. There is only so much Mommy/Daddy baggage that can be used to excuse obliviously obtuse behavior. 70% into the story your heroine is still miserable and lonely and it's 3 months into their marriage and I was officially over it. There's 1o0 pages left and your hero has done nothing to make the heroine happy? In a MOC??! That's insane. Persephone deserved so much better than what she got. I honestly want to weep for her. All this woman wants is a loving home and a husband who loves her and she got a man who is emotionally constipated all the time.
There are some books that try too hard and others that don't try enough, this falls in the latter category. We don't even get "I love you's" in the end. Yes the heroine does tell him she fell in love with him but the hero? Adam literally can't even say "I love you, Persephone". It's just too hard for him to express his feelings so we gotta just read between the lines and through his sparse actions. You need a magnifying glass to look for it. Instead it's constant references and questions near the end of the book as to why Hades let Persephone go because he loves her and Persephone returning because well....she must love him. 😐 The Hades & Persephone references was doing A LOT of heavy lifting in the last quarter of the book as if the author was scrambling to connect her characters to the famous Greek mythology when she did the bare minimum in actually showing it in her storytelling. Having your characters point it out to readers isn't doing what it should and felt very half-assed. The effort was so weak. Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte were my introduction to romance so it's not like I'm looking for insta-love or flowery declarations or grand gestures at every turn here. I can appreciate a hard earned HEA in a clean romance but this honestly felt like pulling water from a rock. You want to feel the emotions, the pining and yearning. I've read other clean Historical Romances that did a much better job at it than this. While I really want to read Persephone's sisters stories I'm not sure if Ms. Eden's writing is for me. Cause this felt very much like an overall writing issue than a storyline/character issue. :(
It honestly upsets me how disappointing this turned out. I was SO excited to read this. 😭 I pray the movie is better because...dear lord. The hero is a piece of uninspiring work. The fact that this inspired a movie adaption is the real surprise for me because Ms. Eden doesn't give you much to work with in the pining, yearning or romance department. I mean it's there but very miniscule. And that's not because the romance falls secondary to a bigger plot. The whole plot is about a marriage of convenience that starts off in Chapter 2 so there isn't much room left to guess where this story should fall in. This is the one time I hope the movie ignored the source material and adds stuff cause this was as weak as lukewarm tea that's been sitting out for hours.
Words were not possible. “That’s all.” And his footsteps began sounding a retreat.
Persephone turned her head away from the lump that was Adam’s sole offer of comfort: a coat he’d dumped on the seat beside her. “I want to go home,” Persephone whispered in agony to herself.
This book should have been titled Ignoring Persephone considering the great lengths the hero Adam goes to to avoid the heroine Persephone in their own home. If this was supposed to go the Jane Austen route of slow burn it failed. Cause this dude doesn't do a damn thing in "seeking" much less wooing Persephone. He avoids her because she's "too pretty" and their marriage is "ridiculous". He's convinced it won't last so he gives zero effort in making the marriage actually work even though the whole point of the marriage was to stop his cousin from inheriting his title and estate if he doesn't produce an heir. Honestly this character made no sense. The MOC was his idea and he claims he wants an heir but does nothing about it and give it any thought after the marriage where he treats Persephone like a leper who needs to be avoided at all costs. Did the author forget about it herself? I was so baffled. I can understand it being the cause of tension for the first half of the book but THROUGH THE WHOLE BOOK?? Make it make sense. Instead we have to sit through endless chapters of this man hiding out in his book room and going for rides and bickering with his best friend Colin. Meanwhile Persephone is....left alone. To eat, to sleep, to run off and cry in the gardens while he watches from a window and does nothing. Wash, rinse, repeat. There was more page time and chemistry between the hero and Colin than the hero and heroine. 😕 This felt like a character who didn't know he was the hero of the book for much too long for my tastes.
She laid her hand on the cheek he’d touched. It was the first time in a month that anyone, other than the stable hands who helped her mount, had intentionally touched her. She hadn’t realized until that moment how deeply she’d craved human contact, how much she’d missed the simple gesture of being touched.
I'm mainly here because I came across some scenes on Instagram from the movie that caught my attention. Down the rabbit hole I went only to find out it's an adaptation of a Historical Romance book that I already had on my TBR. SIGN. ME. UP. The premise had everything I love and salivate over. 1. Grumbly, bitter, disfigured, disillusioned Duke in need of an heir, 2. a marriage of convenience 3. a sweet heroine from a poor family who only agrees to the MOC help her family, 4. a large gloomy castle. Yes, yes and yes. This started off really strong. But that great feeling slowly started to sour with how repetitive the situations became and the hero constantly freezing, ignoring, dismissing the heroine at every single turn. Moments that should have been there to help build that connection are completely dismissed, cut short, or nothing is done with it. And I mean literally nothing. If that 1 gift of a riding habit for the heroine and randomly kissing her once is supposed to makeup for all the missed moments and the hero completely ignoring her for the majority of the story then I would like a refund of my time. I salivate over a good slow burn romance but this felt like pulling teeth.
My first red flag was the whole drama over the map her first week in her new home. Persephone is trying to get used to the layout of the large castle and keeps getting lost among the many hallways and wings so she carries a small map around in her pocket the maids drew for her to help her memorize the place. When Adam discovers this he takes it from her refusing to give it back because it "looks bad" that a Duchess doesn't know her way around the estate and she's smart enough to figure it out. 🙄 I wish I was joking. Here I was hoping the cranky dismissive hero would find some way to give it back to her or make the situation better for her or playfully tease her about it while helping her along. Does he? Nope. Doesn't lift a finger. Just growls and rolls his eyes and calls her "ridiculous". If you are paying attention that's the word of the day for this entire book: ridiculous. And the hero loves to use it at every opportunity. Excuse me but....what the fuck?
Another huge moment of WTFuckery is when Persephone sneaks into Adam's bedchamber one night because the howling wolves on their estate woke her up and made her nervous. Now this should have been a pivotal moment and what I *thought* would be the turning point finally for this couple. Is it? Ms. Sarah Eden said...
Nope. Adam is awake but pretends to be asleep to avoid her and internally calls her a "coward" for being scared. She sleeps on his bed curled up in corner, cold and petrified, and this idiot doesn't do a damn fucking thing but be perplexed and ignores her. This continues on for weeks and becomes their thing. She curls up on his bed terrified and he pretends to sleep and she doesn't even know until later on and is humiliated when she finds out he was pretending to sleep. He gets "used" to her being in the room is all we are given as a sign of defrosting. I wanted to pull my hair out at the lack of thought this man continuously shows. LIKE HOW MANY TIMES????
She feared the wolves, which didn’t really make sense. But Persephone had found a way to deal with her fear. That showed a remarkable amount of intelligence, a character trait Adam valued highly. Persephone wasn’t exactly what he’d wanted in a wife, but she had her good points.
Did I mention the heroine is grieving the loss of her 12 year old brother who died on a Navy ship at this point? She's alone, homesick, mourning, trying to adapt to a new life and title with a husband who has the emotional intelligence of a napkin who ridicules and condescends to her. Adam only seems to obsess over people who are "ridiculous" or "cowards" when he's the walking definiton of both. He's clearly befuddled and intrigued by Persephone and observes her but can never look her in the eye cause of his disfigured ear and facial scarring. I really thought that would be explored more as he was ridiculed as a child and had painful surgeries to try and fix his disfigurement (also his ear is clearly missing but no mention of hearing loss on his left side??). He's super insecure about it that he doesn't like to show the left side of his face. Do we get any moments of the heroine getting to touch his scars or he talks about it? Barely any. It goes so far that it takes him months to even realize what color Persephone's eyes are because he refuses to look at her. Which just underlines the problem here with this story. He doesn't give her any chances where as she actually tries. Persephone tries so hard to understand him, to make him happy and wants a loving husband and tries to make the marriage work. It was painful how many times this man disappointed her.
He felt confused and indecisive. He had no idea why he’d kissed his wife and no idea what he meant to do about it. Except keep his distance.
“You tell me to trust you, but I don’t know that I can. I don’t know anything about you, Adam. I have no idea what kind of man you are. And that . . . that frightens me.”
“Do not throw away this chance by making her guess at your feelings.”
My entire problem with this hero is he constantly lets her assume the worst instead of correcting her and assuaging her fears. I don't mind misassumptions especially during a slow burn and the 'getting to know you' phase of the story. But the amount of assuming and miscommunication that happens on top of all the non-agency just made this feel like going in circles with zero results. She thinks he views her as a coward and that he's not happy with her for a bride. She verbally confesses this to him quite a few times and he says nothing. Just makes a joke and changes the subject. And then he has the audacity to be surprised and hurt when he finds out how miserable she is? SIR, MAKE UP YOUR MIND. I just felt the author's writing choices so odd and left wanting. So many moments that should be meaningful and very vulnerable fall incredibly flat because she doesn't let her characters really react to anything or move forward in their feelings. It's just repeating and thinking the same thing over and over again. Her hero is always permanently confused or distressed and that's pretty much it. Persephone makes him want to smile, he's shocked. She makes him want to stay in her company, he's confused. She makes him want to kiss her, he's stunned and confused.
My patience was beyond gone and in another zip code when he's actually surprised how lonely she is when he actively avoids her and refuses to let any visitors into the house to meet the new Duchess. Dude, what is wrong with you? He rebuffs her but then has the audacity to be shocked and hurt why she's upset and unhappy in their marriage. There is only so much Mommy/Daddy baggage that can be used to excuse obliviously obtuse behavior. 70% into the story your heroine is still miserable and lonely and it's 3 months into their marriage and I was officially over it. There's 1o0 pages left and your hero has done nothing to make the heroine happy? In a MOC??! That's insane. Persephone deserved so much better than what she got. I honestly want to weep for her. All this woman wants is a loving home and a husband who loves her and she got a man who is emotionally constipated all the time.
There are some books that try too hard and others that don't try enough, this falls in the latter category. We don't even get "I love you's" in the end. Yes the heroine does tell him she fell in love with him but the hero? Adam literally can't even say "I love you, Persephone". It's just too hard for him to express his feelings so we gotta just read between the lines and through his sparse actions. You need a magnifying glass to look for it. Instead it's constant references and questions near the end of the book as to why Hades let Persephone go because he loves her and Persephone returning because well....she must love him. 😐 The Hades & Persephone references was doing A LOT of heavy lifting in the last quarter of the book as if the author was scrambling to connect her characters to the famous Greek mythology when she did the bare minimum in actually showing it in her storytelling. Having your characters point it out to readers isn't doing what it should and felt very half-assed. The effort was so weak. Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte were my introduction to romance so it's not like I'm looking for insta-love or flowery declarations or grand gestures at every turn here. I can appreciate a hard earned HEA in a clean romance but this honestly felt like pulling water from a rock. You want to feel the emotions, the pining and yearning. I've read other clean Historical Romances that did a much better job at it than this. While I really want to read Persephone's sisters stories I'm not sure if Ms. Eden's writing is for me. Cause this felt very much like an overall writing issue than a storyline/character issue. :(
May 28, 2018
4.75 stars - pg/mild pg13
Love this story! Love Adam, the Duke of Kielder and Harry, his best and only friend! The two of them are hysterical together. (I enjoyed book two, which is Harry's story, but, truly, I liked Harry even more in this book.) Love this author! I rarely re-read books; Sarah Eden's books are one of the exceptions (along with Georgette Heyer) -- I will gladly re-read hers for years to come. So far I've read this one twice and loved it just as much both times.
Another reviewer listed a great link in her review to Sarah Eden's website where she addresses some of the historical research she did for this book. I'm not very good with this, but I'll try to include a link as well, since it's quite interesting.
Love this story! Love Adam, the Duke of Kielder and Harry, his best and only friend! The two of them are hysterical together. (I enjoyed book two, which is Harry's story, but, truly, I liked Harry even more in this book.) Love this author! I rarely re-read books; Sarah Eden's books are one of the exceptions (along with Georgette Heyer) -- I will gladly re-read hers for years to come. So far I've read this one twice and loved it just as much both times.
Another reviewer listed a great link in her review to Sarah Eden's website where she addresses some of the historical research she did for this book. I'm not very good with this, but I'll try to include a link as well, since it's quite interesting.
June 4, 2022
Perséfone Lancaster recibe la propuesta de matrimonio del frío y distante Adam Boyce, duque de Kielder y pese a que en un principio la rechaza, sabe que es la mejor solución para el bienestar de su familia. Allí intentarán convivir tanto el uno como la otra, pero no será nada fácil.
Esta novela llamó poderosamente mi atención y es cierto que me arriesgué pues no sabía si se trataba de un libro cristiano. Os puedo afirmar con total rotundidad que no lo es, eso sí, es un clean romance, cosa que no me molesta, es más, a veces encuentro que estas novelas desarrollan mejor varios aspectos.
En busca de Perséfone es el primero de los libros de la serie “The Lancaster family” y tiene toques de “La bella y la bestia” y del mito de “Hades y Perséfone”.
La historia parte de los motivos de Adam, duque de Kielder que no son otros, sino de evitar que su fortuna pase a manos de su odiado primo, por ello busca una esposa que le dé un heredero. Su fortuna es tan atractiva y generosa que Perséfone no puede rechazarla, pues sabe que su familia está en graves aprietos y esta sería la mejor salida.
Así que tenemos un matrimonio de convivencia y un protagonista masculino realmente atrayente.
Adam sufre unas cicatrices en su cara desde muy pequeño, pero en vez de traumatizarlo le han hecho ser un hombre que se enfrenta sin problemas, es además duque con lo cual lo frío y distante están garantizados. El toque de la autora es que Adam tiene un humor irónico que no dan ese carácter de hombre enojado. Adam está acostumbrado a la soledad... https://oceanodelibros.blogspot.com/2...
Esta novela llamó poderosamente mi atención y es cierto que me arriesgué pues no sabía si se trataba de un libro cristiano. Os puedo afirmar con total rotundidad que no lo es, eso sí, es un clean romance, cosa que no me molesta, es más, a veces encuentro que estas novelas desarrollan mejor varios aspectos.
En busca de Perséfone es el primero de los libros de la serie “The Lancaster family” y tiene toques de “La bella y la bestia” y del mito de “Hades y Perséfone”.
La historia parte de los motivos de Adam, duque de Kielder que no son otros, sino de evitar que su fortuna pase a manos de su odiado primo, por ello busca una esposa que le dé un heredero. Su fortuna es tan atractiva y generosa que Perséfone no puede rechazarla, pues sabe que su familia está en graves aprietos y esta sería la mejor salida.
Así que tenemos un matrimonio de convivencia y un protagonista masculino realmente atrayente.
Adam sufre unas cicatrices en su cara desde muy pequeño, pero en vez de traumatizarlo le han hecho ser un hombre que se enfrenta sin problemas, es además duque con lo cual lo frío y distante están garantizados. El toque de la autora es que Adam tiene un humor irónico que no dan ese carácter de hombre enojado. Adam está acostumbrado a la soledad... https://oceanodelibros.blogspot.com/2...
July 17, 2022
3.5, un romance histórico totalmente blanco, no esperéis escenas calientes ni duques despendolados, aquí hay una historia preciosa, muy bonita.
Hay un momento que se pierde el Duque en sus pensamientos,en su manera de ver las cosas,sus dudas y se me ha venido un poco abajo y de pronto llega un final muy muy muy precipitado
La parte inicial iba para un cuatro pero el final ha sido muy precipitado y y algo más de desarrollo le hubiera sumado
Me parece que en junio viene la historia de Harry en castellano , va a ser un personaje muy interesante ,aquí ha dado mucho juego
Los diálogos son buenísimos
Hay un momento que se pierde el Duque en sus pensamientos,en su manera de ver las cosas,sus dudas y se me ha venido un poco abajo y de pronto llega un final muy muy muy precipitado
La parte inicial iba para un cuatro pero el final ha sido muy precipitado y y algo más de desarrollo le hubiera sumado
Me parece que en junio viene la historia de Harry en castellano , va a ser un personaje muy interesante ,aquí ha dado mucho juego
Los diálogos son buenísimos
June 8, 2017
Wow I loved this book! I was engrossed in the first page and couldn't put it down. Not that it is a fast passed action packed adventurer, far from it. This is a English romance that was a joy to read! Edan creates great complex characters and explains why they do the things they do and why it is logical to do them. In so many romance novels the heroines are very changeable and you wonder why they do the things they do but not Edan's characters. I just love a sweet, complicated love story and you get it all here. Her books are so clean! No references to sex at all, yet they hold such passion! This is they way to write a romance novel! I just can't say enough good. And the best part.....there is more to come! The story of the friend in this book is continued in Courting Miss Lancaster and other characters in Kiss of a Stranger! Both excellent books!
Reread_ 6-7-17. I think this is one of my favorite Eden regency books. I read it quickly to remember before I read Daphne's story. I just love these two and I love the way this one was written. It is so fun to go back and read them in order.
Reread_ 6-7-17. I think this is one of my favorite Eden regency books. I read it quickly to remember before I read Daphne's story. I just love these two and I love the way this one was written. It is so fun to go back and read them in order.
March 2, 2022
Adam was born with his right ear missing. Several surgeons believed that his ear was just under the surface and with surgery they could dig it out of hiding. Several unsuccessful surgeries later, his parents finally gave up hope that the ear would ever make an appearance. But all this left Adam even more disfigured and scarred both physically and emotionally. Feeling rejected by his mother, dealing with his father's untimely death and then being shipped off to school was just too much for little 7 year old Adam. He became cross and grumpy. Everyone feared and coward away from him. He never felt accepted or loved and did everything he could to hide his feelings from the world. When he discovers who the heir presumptive to his fortune is he will do anything to make sure the idiot never inherits his title. Even if it's paying for a desperate bride whose family is in need of financial security.
At the age of 12, Persephone's mother passed away giving birth to her youngest sister. From that moment on she could not longer be a child, she had to grow up and take care of several responsibilities. She was the mother, the cook, the maid, the bookkeeper, you name it and she did it. She was the glue that kept her family together. So when a letter arrived with a marriage proposal that would give her family the financial security they had always longed for, she was torn on what to do. She did not like the fact that she was being purchased and really wanted to turn it down. But, as always, she put her family first and accepted the proposal.
Adam and Persephone's marriage got off to a pretty rocky start. But with help from Adam's life long friend, Harry, Persephone will get some of the insight she needs to understand and connect with her husband. She knows there is something in his past that has caused him to shut himself off from the world. The more she tries to figure out what it is, the more she grows to care for her husband. But will he ever return her feelings? Or will he just keep rejecting her?
When tragedy strikes Falstone Castle, Adam is forced to open his eyes and see what's right in front of him. Will he choose to continue to keep the world at bay? Or will he open up and learn to not only live but love as well.
I absolutely adored Seeking Persephone! Even though I had read it once before, years ago, I was still sucked in from the very beginning and did not want to stop until I had finished it. I was very upset that real life got in the way of my reading time! I enjoyed getting to know Adam, Persephone and Harry all over again. I found myself laughing at the witty banter, getting teary eyed during the sad parts, growling in frustration and letting out little sighs throughout the book. My only complaint was the ending felt a bit rushed. I would have loved a little less of the misunderstanding/lack of communication and more of them together as a real couple. Other than that I LOVED it! :) Definitely a must read if you are a fan of Beauty and the Beast or Regency. ;)
I do have to admit that the casting for this one was a bit hard for me. But I love it! :)
At the age of 12, Persephone's mother passed away giving birth to her youngest sister. From that moment on she could not longer be a child, she had to grow up and take care of several responsibilities. She was the mother, the cook, the maid, the bookkeeper, you name it and she did it. She was the glue that kept her family together. So when a letter arrived with a marriage proposal that would give her family the financial security they had always longed for, she was torn on what to do. She did not like the fact that she was being purchased and really wanted to turn it down. But, as always, she put her family first and accepted the proposal.
Adam and Persephone's marriage got off to a pretty rocky start. But with help from Adam's life long friend, Harry, Persephone will get some of the insight she needs to understand and connect with her husband. She knows there is something in his past that has caused him to shut himself off from the world. The more she tries to figure out what it is, the more she grows to care for her husband. But will he ever return her feelings? Or will he just keep rejecting her?
When tragedy strikes Falstone Castle, Adam is forced to open his eyes and see what's right in front of him. Will he choose to continue to keep the world at bay? Or will he open up and learn to not only live but love as well.
I absolutely adored Seeking Persephone! Even though I had read it once before, years ago, I was still sucked in from the very beginning and did not want to stop until I had finished it. I was very upset that real life got in the way of my reading time! I enjoyed getting to know Adam, Persephone and Harry all over again. I found myself laughing at the witty banter, getting teary eyed during the sad parts, growling in frustration and letting out little sighs throughout the book. My only complaint was the ending felt a bit rushed. I would have loved a little less of the misunderstanding/lack of communication and more of them together as a real couple. Other than that I LOVED it! :) Definitely a must read if you are a fan of Beauty and the Beast or Regency. ;)
I do have to admit that the casting for this one was a bit hard for me. But I love it! :)
April 26, 2026
My Review:
I read this as a read & watch for the adaptation.
This was so full of heart and emotion and captivated me from the beginning. It was so well done and I just loved every single moment of this one. I really loved the casting, they fit just right and definitely worth the money. I am going to want to read more of this author now!!!!
I read this as a read & watch for the adaptation.
This was so full of heart and emotion and captivated me from the beginning. It was so well done and I just loved every single moment of this one. I really loved the casting, they fit just right and definitely worth the money. I am going to want to read more of this author now!!!!
April 26, 2024
Reviewing and enjoying a Sarah M. Eden book feels like saying “Wow, that Albert Einstein was smart, right?” or “Mother Teresa, such a kind lady.” Like, come on.
This was not my first Eden, but it is my first Eden Regency, which I’m aware, picking up back up one of those comparisons, is like “Yeah, I’m familiar with Einstein’s theories, just not that relativity one.” I know, I know this humble servant calls herself a kissing-only historical romance reader, won’t shut up about marriage of convenience and broody grumps and yet had not read this. Make it make sense. You can’t. It’s called irrational bookish self-sabotage.
I’d also never read what’s basically a mail-order duchess scenario. I mean, His Grace franked his own sight-unseen proposal, that’s pretty bonkers. But we’re talking a severely high-handed, reclusive, scarred peer of the realm, so, as they say, it tracks.
I am left with some questions, but here we have lots and lots of what I love from the arranged nuptials trope. And most of all, I love when an author tests one’s tolerance for a brutish grump. I’ll be the first to admit I am a glutton for grovel, and my expectation of apologies, declarations and gestures being proportionate to the acute emotional constipation are subjectively elevated. Took him a minute, but the Duke of Kielder managed it well, for someone who considered arson as a Plan A solution and marriage was Plan B. Also for one so powerful and fearless, except when it comes to pesky emotions and vulnerable old wounds.
I also love a heroine that is better, more long-suffering, than me. More than once I wanted to tell her “You have nothing to prove here, Persephone! Wipe those eyes and take baskets to the villagers or something, the burden of proof is on him. And not these hot and cold crumbs of affection.” Her older sister/caretaker/fixer-upper heart won out, and she stuck in there and tamed her snarling beast. Thank goodness for darling Harry, too. We needed that steady relief, as every brooding brute needs a charming friend to throw empty, violent threats at.
Happy I finally read it, and I get why this book is so beloved. You can call off that booksta-intervention now.
Content notes: Kissing Only. Mentions of childhood trauma, loss of parent. On page grieving death of a sibling. On page peril and mention of blood.
This was not my first Eden, but it is my first Eden Regency, which I’m aware, picking up back up one of those comparisons, is like “Yeah, I’m familiar with Einstein’s theories, just not that relativity one.” I know, I know this humble servant calls herself a kissing-only historical romance reader, won’t shut up about marriage of convenience and broody grumps and yet had not read this. Make it make sense. You can’t. It’s called irrational bookish self-sabotage.
I’d also never read what’s basically a mail-order duchess scenario. I mean, His Grace franked his own sight-unseen proposal, that’s pretty bonkers. But we’re talking a severely high-handed, reclusive, scarred peer of the realm, so, as they say, it tracks.
I am left with some questions, but here we have lots and lots of what I love from the arranged nuptials trope. And most of all, I love when an author tests one’s tolerance for a brutish grump. I’ll be the first to admit I am a glutton for grovel, and my expectation of apologies, declarations and gestures being proportionate to the acute emotional constipation are subjectively elevated. Took him a minute, but the Duke of Kielder managed it well, for someone who considered arson as a Plan A solution and marriage was Plan B. Also for one so powerful and fearless, except when it comes to pesky emotions and vulnerable old wounds.
I also love a heroine that is better, more long-suffering, than me. More than once I wanted to tell her “You have nothing to prove here, Persephone! Wipe those eyes and take baskets to the villagers or something, the burden of proof is on him. And not these hot and cold crumbs of affection.” Her older sister/caretaker/fixer-upper heart won out, and she stuck in there and tamed her snarling beast. Thank goodness for darling Harry, too. We needed that steady relief, as every brooding brute needs a charming friend to throw empty, violent threats at.
Happy I finally read it, and I get why this book is so beloved. You can call off that booksta-intervention now.
Content notes: Kissing Only. Mentions of childhood trauma, loss of parent. On page grieving death of a sibling. On page peril and mention of blood.
February 12, 2022
This book made me laugh a lot. Adam's comments and gruff attitude were comical to say the least. Honestly, I don't know how Persephone even put up with him. I found her devotion to him quite admirable! I would have easily given this five stars if the couple would have communicated more openly earlier in the book. (I have never done well with books where the characters have a lack of understanding, or communication until the very end.) It had a very sweet ending though. I thought this was a very fun read.
Read
September 30, 2019Enjoyed. I had already read books 2 & 3 in the series. Fun to go back and read how these two came together.
content: clean
content: clean
Did Not Finish
May 26, 2025More like a bromance than a romance....
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