Nenia ✨ I yeet my books back and forth ✨ Campbell's Reviews > Midnight on the River Grey

Midnight on the River Grey by Abigail Wilson
Rate this book
Clear rating

by
2190064

Instagram || Twitter || Facebook || Amazon || Pinterest


Christian fiction is not usually a genre of books I usually read because I am not religious, and tend to find the overwhelmingly sanctimonious and preachy messages of some of these books troubling at best and extremely uncomfortable at worst. But there's one thing I can't say no to, and that's a Gothic romance novel. MIDNIGHT ON THE RIVER GREY had a great cover and concept, and it had a plus-size model on the front cover. YAAASS



To my surprise, MIDNIGHT ON THE RIVER GREY was not all that religious. I think God was only mentioned in the epilogue, and there weren't any random prayer sessions or recitations of scripture, as many historical christian romances tend to have. Instead, what I got was a fantastic gothic romance with atmosphere and suspense, that managed to pay homage to the squeaky-clean romances of Phyllis A. Whitney and Victoria Holt, while also giving nods to much older favorites, like Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre.



Rebecca Hunter is a scrappy young heroine who is a bit of a feminist-- she doesn't want to get married, and she's incredibly smart. When her older brother dies under mysterious circumstances, she decides to investigate his death. Especially when her guardian, a cousin named Lewis Browning, takes her to the reclusive and sinister Greybourne Hall. Lewis is a darkly attractive and intense man, and as with many Gothic romances, there's a suggestion that he might be guilty of murder. When more bodies turn up, and reports of sinister happenings stir among the nearby village, Rebecca is forced to wonder: who might want her brother dead-- and why?



I enjoyed every second of this book. The writing is gorgeous and fits the time period, and given some of the references, was obviously well-researched. I loved the dynamic between Rebecca and her Aunt Jo; they reminded me of Sabrina and Aunt Hilda from The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Aunt Jo had that bumbling but capable act down pat, and I was pleased that she got a side-romance of her own. The murder mystery element was also really well done-- I didn't even guess what happened! The final confrontation was suspenseful, and everybody (well, everyone good) gets a happy ending.



Honestly, if you're a secular reader and saw this cover and wanted, but had second thoughts, fear not. Anyone can enjoy this book, and as long as you're not looking for something really racy, I think you'll enjoy it if you're into regency romances and Gothic romances. I certainly did, and think it really captures the essence of its 1960s and 1970s forebears. Definitely recommend!



Thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review!



4 stars
60 likes · flag

Sign into Goodreads to see if any of your friends have read Midnight on the River Grey.
Sign In »

Reading Progress

August 9, 2019 – Shelved
August 9, 2019 – Shelved as: wishlist
August 9, 2019 – Shelved as: les-arcs-de-triomphes
August 9, 2019 – Shelved as: kissing-books
August 9, 2019 – Shelved as: doth-the-goth
August 9, 2019 – Shelved as: historical-romance
August 22, 2019 – Started Reading
August 22, 2019 –
page 100
29.76% "100 pages in and no mention of the word "God." What this DOES have is gorgeous writing, homages to P&P and the Bronte sisters as well as Victoria Holt, and some really great story-telling.

This work of christian fiction definitely has the potential to be mainstream and appeal to lovers of romance. I am absolutely LOVING this so far."
August 24, 2019 –
page 153
45.54% "I'm still very impressed by this book. If you're a fan of Phyllis A. Whitney or Victoria Holt, you will really enjoy this."
August 24, 2019 –
page 203
60.42% "Trying to figure out who the bad guy is like:
🤔🤔🤔"
August 24, 2019 –
page 258
76.79% "So behind in finishing this ARC but I'm almost done! Now there's some espionage involved. I think I have a theory, but I may be wrong..."
August 25, 2019 – Shelved as: regency
August 25, 2019 – Finished Reading

Comments Showing 1-4 of 4 (4 new)

dateDown arrow    newest »

message 1: by Suzana (new) - added it

Suzana Thompson Great review, Nenia! I love gothic romances too, so I am excited to see this. So few recently written gothics can compare to the ones from the 1960s and 1970s.


Nenia ✨ I yeet my books back and forth ✨ Campbell Suzana wrote: "Great review, Nenia! I love gothic romances too, so I am excited to see this. So few recently written gothics can compare to the ones from the 1960s and 1970s."

You're welcome, Suzana! I can't wait to see what you make of it. I completely agree; capturing that style is so hard.


message 3: by Chelsea (new)

Chelsea Humphrey Fantastic review! Just added this one to my TBR!


Nenia ✨ I yeet my books back and forth ✨ Campbell Chelsea wrote: "Fantastic review! Just added this one to my TBR!"

Thank you so much! I actually own several of this author's other books and need to read them hehe. Nothing beats a gothic romance. :')


back to top