Sign in with Facebook
Nenia ✨ I yeet my books back and forth ✨ Campbell's Reviews > The Madness of Miss Grey
The Madness of Miss Grey (Harcastle Inheritance, #1)
by
Instagram || Threads || Facebook || Amazon || TikTok
It's so hard to find historical romances coming out that don't feel like literal cut and pastes, but THE MADNESS OF MISS GREY is it. Set in a Victorian asylum, it is a romance between a patient and her doctor, and if that sounds toxic... well, that's because it kind of is. But romance is about fantasy, and who hasn't wished for someone in a position of authority to whisk them away from their unhappiness during their darkest times?
Helen has been confined to a private hospital by an unknown man with lots of power. In the hospital, she is subject to sadistic treatments by people who seem to enjoy their power over a lot more than they should. Her doctor is kind of like Claude Frollo, and his chief nurse definitely gives Nurse Ratched vibes. When a new doctor interferes with her escape, and ends up treating her for hypothermia, she mocks him for his "common" accent. That's because Dr. Carter grew up as the son of the help before getting his degree.
He's fascinated by Helen, who is the daughter of an actress, and adept at manipulating people to get her own way. Even though he knows he's being manipulated, he can't help but marvel at the sheer level of desperation she must feel to work her wiles on someone who poses such a potential threat. So in spite of his best interests, with the fate of his own career hanging over his head, he decides to help her, and find out who locked her away here-- and why.
The gothic atmosphere of this book was EVERYTHING. Also, the angst? *chef's kiss* It gives hurt/comfort fanfic vibes. There's just something so satisfying about seeing two characters in peril clinging to each other like sailors to a mast. Also I loved how Helen was so strong and simultaneously so vulnerable. It was refreshing to see a heroine who was manipulative and realistically flawed, and I loved that she wasn't a virgin. On that same note, I loved the author's decision to make Dr. Carter kind of ugly-- or at least, you know, super plain. He's self-conscious about his looks and his station (we find out he used to have sex with his late wife with the lights off D':), and the way Helen comes to idolize him for his goodness, and his strength, is just so, so sweet.
Anyone who likes dark romance but is tired of alpha heroes will love this romance, because in THE MADNESS OF MISS GREY, Julia Bennet has gift-wrapped for us a beta hero who simps hard for his woman and would tread through the very rivers of hell to bring her back from the dead.
LOVE.
4.5 stars
by
Nenia ✨ I yeet my books back and forth ✨ Campbell's review
bookshelves: victorian, kissing-books, historical-romance, doth-the-goth
Sep 26, 2023
bookshelves: victorian, kissing-books, historical-romance, doth-the-goth
Instagram || Threads || Facebook || Amazon || TikTok
It's so hard to find historical romances coming out that don't feel like literal cut and pastes, but THE MADNESS OF MISS GREY is it. Set in a Victorian asylum, it is a romance between a patient and her doctor, and if that sounds toxic... well, that's because it kind of is. But romance is about fantasy, and who hasn't wished for someone in a position of authority to whisk them away from their unhappiness during their darkest times?
Helen has been confined to a private hospital by an unknown man with lots of power. In the hospital, she is subject to sadistic treatments by people who seem to enjoy their power over a lot more than they should. Her doctor is kind of like Claude Frollo, and his chief nurse definitely gives Nurse Ratched vibes. When a new doctor interferes with her escape, and ends up treating her for hypothermia, she mocks him for his "common" accent. That's because Dr. Carter grew up as the son of the help before getting his degree.
He's fascinated by Helen, who is the daughter of an actress, and adept at manipulating people to get her own way. Even though he knows he's being manipulated, he can't help but marvel at the sheer level of desperation she must feel to work her wiles on someone who poses such a potential threat. So in spite of his best interests, with the fate of his own career hanging over his head, he decides to help her, and find out who locked her away here-- and why.
The gothic atmosphere of this book was EVERYTHING. Also, the angst? *chef's kiss* It gives hurt/comfort fanfic vibes. There's just something so satisfying about seeing two characters in peril clinging to each other like sailors to a mast. Also I loved how Helen was so strong and simultaneously so vulnerable. It was refreshing to see a heroine who was manipulative and realistically flawed, and I loved that she wasn't a virgin. On that same note, I loved the author's decision to make Dr. Carter kind of ugly-- or at least, you know, super plain. He's self-conscious about his looks and his station (we find out he used to have sex with his late wife with the lights off D':), and the way Helen comes to idolize him for his goodness, and his strength, is just so, so sweet.
Anyone who likes dark romance but is tired of alpha heroes will love this romance, because in THE MADNESS OF MISS GREY, Julia Bennet has gift-wrapped for us a beta hero who simps hard for his woman and would tread through the very rivers of hell to bring her back from the dead.
LOVE.
4.5 stars
Sign into Goodreads to see if any of your friends have read
The Madness of Miss Grey.
Sign In »
Reading Progress
February 23, 2023
– Shelved
February 23, 2023
– Shelved as:
wishlist
September 27, 2023
–
Started Reading
September 27, 2023
– Shelved as:
victorian
September 27, 2023
– Shelved as:
wishlist
September 27, 2023
– Shelved as:
kissing-books
September 27, 2023
– Shelved as:
historical-romance
September 27, 2023
–
9.0%
"This book mysteriously disappeared from Amazon after I'd purchased it so if I say it's good, I'm going to feel like I'm taunting y'all, because you don't seem to be able to buy it anymore"
September 27, 2023
–
24.0%
"I do not think I can convey to you HOW MUCH this book is stressing me out"
September 27, 2023
–
28.0%
"I'm thinking that one of the reasons this book has low-ish ratings is because it paints a rather unflattering portrait of psychiatric care. But Victorian-era psychiatric care WAS fucked up. People could go on tours of asylums as if they were zoos, to laugh at and mock the patients. The treatments were often worse than the disease. People should not be penalized for portraying history as it was. That's how you learn."
September 28, 2023
–
29.0%
"You medical men, she’d said once. Always ready to help, always eager to strap me down and manhandle me."
September 28, 2023
–
35.0%
"Light shone through the stained-glass window, dappling her with shades of rose, blue, green, and gold.
He’d never seen anything lovelier."
He’d never seen anything lovelier."
September 28, 2023
–
38.0%
""This place makes lunatics. It births them like some great monster. And if you can’t see that, you’re a fool.”"
September 28, 2023
–
51.0%
"“Let’s be clear,” she added, “I don’t owe you my body, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to give it to you.”
This book might wreck me tbh"
This book might wreck me tbh"
September 28, 2023
– Shelved as:
doth-the-goth
September 28, 2023
–
64.0%
"“But it’s your whole life,” she said before her courage could falter. “I like you. I don’t want to trick you. I don’t want lies between us.”
I would let this book step on me, which is good, because it HAS"
I would let this book step on me, which is good, because it HAS"
September 28, 2023
–
69.0%
"I have a healthy respect for romance authors who put their sex scenes at 69%"
September 28, 2023
–
71.0%
"Omg this is so sad, the hero felt ugly so when he had sex with his late wife, he would always do it with the lights off :( :( :("
September 28, 2023
–
79.0%
"“Promise me,” she said. “Promise me you’ll never give up on me.”
“I promise.”"
“I promise.”"
September 28, 2023
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-31 of 31 (31 new)
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
TL
(new)
Sep 27, 2023 02:07PM
Heh, wonder why
reply
|
flag
TL wrote: "Heh, wonder why"Who knows why anything happens on Amazon
Looks like it. Shame as the subject matter sounded interesting.
Nenia ✨ I yeet my books back and forth ✨ wrote: "TL wrote: "Heh, wonder why"Who knows why anything happens on Amazon"
True, was it the kindle versions?
Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Looks like it. Shame as the subject matter sounded interesting."I KNOW! How many historical romances delve into the mistreatment of asylum "care"? I hope the author didn't remove it because people were badgering her for being controversial
TL wrote: "Nenia ✨ I yeet my books back and forth ✨ wrote: "TL wrote: "Heh, wonder why"Who knows why anything happens on Amazon"
True, was it the kindle versions?"
Seems like everything came down except the used paperbacks, but you could check for yourself. I might be wrong.
Nenia ✨ I yeet my books back and forth ✨ wrote: ""I KNOW! How many historical romances delve into the mistreatment of asylum "care"? I hope the author..."
I wouldn't be surprised!
Edit; I had a look & there was no buying info for this title. You could try other Amazon sites I guess but my experience is if the book comes down off one Amazon site, it comes down on all of them.
It’s on eBay for close to 30.00 though
& I was wrong - paperback still on Amazon Australia - but an eye watering price!Can't link unfortunately.
Sequel still there too, but no trace of a kindle
Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Nenia ✨ I yeet my books back and forth ✨ wrote: ""I KNOW! How many historical romances delve into the mistreatment of asylum "care"? I hope the author..."
I wouldn't be surprised!
Edit; I had a..."
Boooooo :(
Maybe she just changed publishers or something and it will be back. I hope that is the case because I like it so far!
lynne wrote: "It’s on eBay for close to 30.00 though"jesus christ
Nenia ✨ I yeet my books back and forth ✨ wrote: "lynne wrote: "It’s on eBay for close to 30.00 though"jesus christ"
OK, that makes the Au Amazon price a bargain. Approx US$16
Ok now I’m obsessed with reading this book and solving the mystery of where it disappeared to. 🕵🏻♀️
I can’t post a link here but I did find the Amazon in stock for this book and the sequel in paperback. But where did the kindle editions go? :( Looks like both of these are $15.99 prime shipping in US.
Chelsea wrote: "I can’t post a link here but I did find the Amazon in stock for this book and the sequel in paperback. But where did the kindle editions go? :( Looks like both of these are $15.99 prime shipping in..."The book's selling details had definitely disappeared for me, but I am in New Zealand & sometimes weird stuff happens. I think the authors can choose which countries they sell in.
Chelsea wrote: "I can’t post a link here but I did find the Amazon in stock for this book and the sequel in paperback. But where did the kindle editions go? :( Looks like both of these are $15.99 prime shipping in..."Chelsea wrote: "Ok now I’m obsessed with reading this book and solving the mystery of where it disappeared to. 🕵🏻♀️"
IKR! When a book goes out of print, that only makes me want it MORE.
Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Chelsea wrote: "I can’t post a link here but I did find the Amazon in stock for this book and the sequel in paperback. But where did the kindle editions go? :( Looks like both of these are $15.99 p..."Speaking as an author, you can definitely select which territories you're selling in. And some marketplaces apparently won't carry your book at all if it has been tagged as erotica.
Nenia ✨ I yeet my books back and forth ✨ wrote: "lynne wrote: "It’s on eBay for close to 30.00 though"jesus christ"
Yikes
Nenia ✨ I yeet my books back and forth ✨ wrote: "Boooooo :(
Maybe she just changed publishers or something and it will be back. I hope that is the case because I like it so far!
Could be
So now that I know you can’t buy this book anywhere I want to read it even more. Especially since I loved The Worst Woman in London (which is available on Amazon btw)
Audrey wrote: "Sounds great!"It was amazing 😭
Dab wrote: "So now that I know you can’t buy this book anywhere I want to read it even more. Especially since I loved The Worst Woman in London (which is available on Amazon btw)"Oooh I'll have to check out that book 🥰
Carmen wrote: "Aw, great review."Thank you, Carmen! ♥
Kristina wrote: "Added to tbr!"YAY
I loved now the author handled the power imbalance between the two, I thought it was really well done
Grace wrote: "I loved now the author handled the power imbalance between the two, I thought it was really well done"Me too! He acknowledged it and really tried not to be predatory. I liked that dialogue, because even though the heroine kept throwing herself at him, it was HIS job to be the professional.
Yay it was so good.
Kristina wrote: "Yay it was so good."YAY
