A swoony, Shakespeare-inspired Regency tale of family feuds, fiery passion, and forbidden love.
Synopsis
In These Violet Delights, New York Times bestselling author Madeleine Roux sweeps readers into the English countryside with a Regency romance that simmers with secrets and smolders with slow-burn tension. Violet Arden, a passionate young artist, has just suffered a scandalous fall from grace after her art debut ends in public humiliation. Escaping to her cousin’s estate in the country, she’s determined to avoid further embarrassment or entanglements—especially with the arrogant Alasdair Kerr, the man who publicly criticized her work.
But fate has other plans. The Kerr and Graddock families have a long-standing feud, yet sparks fly between Violet and Alasdair even as they try to sabotage their siblings’ forbidden romance. When mysterious fires break out and tensions boil over, Violet and Alasdair are forced to work together to uncover the culprit—unwittingly kindling a romance of their own.
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Review
This historical novel blends the drama of Austen with the tension of a Shakespearean romance, complete with a smattering of scandal, sharp-tongued banter, and even a bit of open-door spice!
At its heart, These Violet Delights is more than a romance it’s a story about agency, art, grief, and healing.
What I Loved:
- Violet is a fantastic heroine: Strong-willed, artistic, and fiercely independent, she breaks the mold of a traditional Regency lady. Her voice is compelling, and her growth as both an artist and a woman is incredibly satisfying to watch.
- Enemies-to-lovers perfection: The chemistry between Violet and Alasdair crackles on the page. Their dynamic is full of biting wit and emotional vulnerability, especially as they navigate complicated family ties and old wounds.
- Austen meets Shakespeare: Each chapter opens with a quote from Shakespeare, grounding the novel in a literary tradition that adds richness without feeling gimmicky. There are echoes of Romeo & Juliet in the family feud storyline, but Roux gives it a modern emotional depth.
- Family drama galore: Alasdair’s family brings plenty of complications—his rakish brother, a controlling mother, and a meddling clergyman all add layers to the plot. These interpersonal conflicts make the story feel both historically authentic and emotionally resonant.
- That almost Gothic mystery subplot: The mysterious fires, brooding atmosphere, and countryside setting add just the right amount of tension and intrigue without pulling focus from the romantic arc.
What Might Not Work for Everyone:
- If you prefer your Regency romances to be strictly focused on romance, the heavier emphasis on Violet’s personal journey and the family intrigue may feel like a detour.
- The writing style leans more literary than light think Bridgerton meets Jane Eyre with more emotional nuance and fewer frothy balls.
- While there is spice, it’s used sparingly and with intention. If you're looking for high heat throughout, this may be more of a slow simmer than a raging fire.
Final Thoughts
These Violet Delights is a beautifully written novel that toes the line between romance and historical fiction.
Roux crafts a compelling heroine in Violet Arden and gives us a love story that both thought provoking and swoony. With themes of self-worth, healing, grief, and the courage to risk your heart again, this book is a must-read!
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Whether you’re road-tripping, baking cookies, or hiding from your in-laws with headphones on this one is perfect for getting lost in!
Read If You Love:
- Enemies-to-lovers in historical settings
- Strong female leads with artistic ambition
- Family drama and forbidden love
- A touch of mystery in your romance
- Shakespearean inspiration with a modern emotional lens
Suggested Reading:
If you enjoyed These Violet Delights, you might also like:
1. Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore
What it's about:
Set in Victorian England, this story follows Annabelle Archer, a brilliant scholar and suffragist who finds herself entangled with a brooding and powerful duke while trying to recruit him to the women’s cause.
Why you'll love it:
- Enemies-to-lovers slow burn with razor-sharp wit
- Feminist themes woven into a historical setting
- A heroine who’s just as headstrong and clever as Violet Arden
- A tortured hero who matches her strength beat for beat
Read if you love: clever banter, political intrigue, and unconventional heroines in corsets.
2. A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Mayhem by Manda Collins
What it's about:
A lady journalist investigates a string of murders—and butts heads with a grumpy Scotland Yard inspector. Their reluctant partnership turns steamy as the stakes rise.
Why you'll love it:
- Snappy dialogue and a mystery subplot like These Violet Delights
- Strong-willed woman + uptight man = romantic gold
- Blends crime-solving and courtship seamlessly
📚 Read if you love: Gothic undertones, Victorian sleuthing, and sizzling tension with a side of danger.
3. The Heiress Gets a Duke by Harper St. George
What it's about:
In Gilded Age London, an American steel heiress is pressured into marrying a penniless duke to boost his family’s fortune. Sparks fly as they both resist and redefine their roles in society.
Why you'll love it:
- Tension-filled arranged marriage plot
- Commentary on class, power, and expectation
- A lush and emotionally satisfying slow-burn romance
- Rich historical detail and simmering chemistry
📚 Read if you love: scandal, societal rebellion, and emotionally intelligent heroines.
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