Isabelle and Alexander by Rebecca Anderson – Review

Join the virtual blog tour of ISABELLE AND ALEXANDER (Proper Romance Victorian), Rebecca Anderson’s highly acclaimed historical romance novel, May 3–16, 2021. Over forty popular blogs specializing in historical fiction, inspirational fiction, and Victorian romance will join in the celebration of its release with spotlights, exclusive excerpts, and reviews of this new Victorian-era novel set in Manchester, England. 

• Title: Isabelle and Alexander (Proper Romance Victorian)
• Author: Rebecca Anderson
• Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishing on May 4, 2021
• Genre: Historical Fiction, Inspirational Fiction, Victorian Romance
• Pages: 368
• Formats Available: Paperback, Audiobook, & Digital
• Rating: 5/5

Trigger Warnings: Trauma due to accident

Many thanks to Rebecca Anderson, Shadow Mountain Publishing, and Laurel Ann from austenprose for providing me with a paperback Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of Isabelle and Alexander with a request for an honest review.

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Isabelle and Alexander Blurb

Isabelle Rackham knows she will not marry for love. Though arranged marriages have fallen out of fashion, hers has been settled for some time to combine the upper-middle-class wealth of her father’s coal mines with Alexander Osgood’s prospering Northern country textile mills. Though not a man prone to romantic gestures, Alexander is well-known as an eligible bachelor. His good looks have turned more than one head, so Isabelle is content to think of herself as Alexander’s wife.

However, her marriage is not what she expected. Northern England is nothing like her home farther west in the lake country. Cold, dreary, and dark, the soot from the textile mills creates a gray hue that seems to cling to everything in the city of Manchester. Alexander is distant and aloof, preferring to spend his time at the mill rather than with her at home. Their few conversations are brief, polite, and lacking any emotion, leaving Isabelle lonely and desperately homesick.

Sensing his wife’s unhappiness, Alexander suggests a trip to his country estate. Isabelle hopes this will be an opportunity to get to know her new husband without the distractions of his business. But the change of scenery doesn’t bring them any closer. While riding together on horses, Alexander is thrown from his and becomes paralyzed. Tragedy or destiny? The help and care that Alexander now needs is Isabelle’s opportunity to forge a connection and create a deep and romantic love where nothing else could.

My Review

Isabelle and Alexander is, hands down, the best romance I have ever read. Rebecca Anderson tells a flawless tale of what it means to love someone. The tenderness is what affected me the most. This novel got into my soul and hasn’t let go yet.

Isabelle lived all her life loved and cherished by her family. She knew no other way. But, when she marries Alexander, she finds herself in a foreign situation. Alexander is cold and indifferent to his wife. Of course, Isabelle doesn’t understand why. But, what she doesn’t understand is that Alexander feels beneath her and not worthy of her.

From that, you may have the assumption that this novel is much like any other romance. But, there is so much more to the story. Plagued by trauma, the path to everlasting love isn’t easy. What makes this book remarkable is the dedication, respect, and caring shown by Isabelle. Even at Alexander’s worst, she commits herself to learn to be the best wife she can be.

There are points in the novel that had me yelling at Isabelle for not standing up for herself. She wrestles with a yearning to be assertive, but she doesn’t want to upset Alexander. So, she sits on her hands and is meek. But, when she gets the chance to voice her opinion openly, she is a force.

Watching Isabelle and Alexander’s relationship grow was such a pleasure to be a part of. There need be no sweeping declarations between these two. When it finally comes, the feelings are raw and laid bare for everyone to see. I’ve not cried so many happy tears in a long time. 

It is with great joy that I award Isabelle and Alexander a full 5 out of 5 stars. If you are a fan of romance, historical or otherwise, you should read this book. I hope it moves you, as I have been. The book hangover will last a good long time.

About the Author – Rebecca Anderson

Rebecca Anderson is the nom de plume of contemporary romance novelist Becca Wilhite, author of Wedding Belles: A Novel in Four Parts, Check Me Out, and My Ridiculous Romantic Obsessions. Isabelle and Alexander is her debut historical romance novel. 

High school English teacher by day, writer by night (or very early morning), she loves hiking, Broadway shows, food, books, and movies. She is happily married and a mom to four above-average kids.

Author’s Contact Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram  | Goodreads

Blog Tour Schedule

• May 03 Lu Reviews Books (Review)
• May 03 Timeless Novels (Review)
• May 03 Our Book Confessions (Review)
• May 04 Literary Time Out (Review)
• May 04 My Bookish Bliss (Review)
• May 04 The Book Diva’s Reads (Excerpt)
• May 05 Heidi Reads (Review) 
• May 05 Laura’s Reviews (Review)
• May 05 Wishful Endings (Review)
• May 05 Gwendalyn’s Reviews (Review)
• May 06 Margie’s Must Reads (Review)
• May 06 Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen (Excerpt)
• May 06 Relz Reviewz (Review)
• May 07 Randi Loves 2 Read (Spotlight)
• May 07 The Reading Frenzy (Review)
• May 07 Nurse Bookie (Review)
• May 08 The Christian Fiction Girl (Review)
• May 08 The Bibliophile Files (Review)
• May 09 Reading with Emily (Review)
• May 09 Fire and Ice (Spotlight)
• May 10 My Jane Austen Book Club (Excerpt)
• May 10 The Caffeinated Bibliophile (Review)
• May 10 Booked Solid (Review) 
• May 10 From Pemberley to Milton (Spotlight)
• May 11 Greenish Bookshelf (Review)
• May 11 Captivated Reading (Review)
• May 11 The Green Mockingbird (Review)
• May 12 For Where Your Treasure Is (Excerpt)
• May 12 Bookworm Lisa (Review)
• May 13 Books, Teacups & Reviews (Spotlight)
• May 13 Library of Clean Reads (Review)
• May 13 Robin Loves Reading (Review)
• May 13 So Little Time (Excerpt)
• May 14 Eli’s Novel Reviews (Review)
• May 14 The Lit Bitch (Review)
• May 14 The Bluestocking (Review)
• May 15 Reading Is My Superpower (Review)
• May 15 Christian Chick’s Thoughts (Review)
• May 15 A Darn Good Read (Review)
• May 16 The Silver Petticoat Review (Excerpt)
• May 16 CozyNookBooks (Review)