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On Good Authority
Repressed desires, irresistible obsessions, and perception-twisting games.
When lady’s maid Marian Osley and footman Valentine Hobbs assume their positions at the cliff-top estate of Valor Rise, they already share a history. Raised together as paupers in a London workhouse, they escaped through games of imaginary crimes and sublime punishment. Now they’ve been unexpectedly reunited—in subservience to the brooding Wythe Bornholdt and his frail wife, Diana. A master and mistress with their own dark secrets.
In private, Marian and Valentine return to their playful and addictive games—now tinged with BDSM. But when lecherous Wythe sees something he desires in Marian, he turns the pair’s diversions violently against them.
The line between servitude and bondage is drawn, and the dynamics of dominance and submission will shift in this sensually charged novel of Gothic suspense.
When lady’s maid Marian Osley and footman Valentine Hobbs assume their positions at the cliff-top estate of Valor Rise, they already share a history. Raised together as paupers in a London workhouse, they escaped through games of imaginary crimes and sublime punishment. Now they’ve been unexpectedly reunited—in subservience to the brooding Wythe Bornholdt and his frail wife, Diana. A master and mistress with their own dark secrets.
In private, Marian and Valentine return to their playful and addictive games—now tinged with BDSM. But when lecherous Wythe sees something he desires in Marian, he turns the pair’s diversions violently against them.
The line between servitude and bondage is drawn, and the dynamics of dominance and submission will shift in this sensually charged novel of Gothic suspense.
335 pages, Paperback
First published October 11, 2022
About the author
Briana Una McGuckin
7 books47 followersBriana Una McGuckin writes Gothic Romance/Romantic Suspense and fabulist fiction. She has an MFA from Western Connecticut State University, and is a former academic librarian. She also has cerebral palsy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
October 12, 2022
This 1800 London, gothic type novel was a treat. Although there are some trigger warnings this story just flowed well. The characters were so likeable and full of life. For a debut novel I was splendidly surprised by how well it was written. I really liked Marian's character and how she stood up for herself even when she was just a lady's maid.
A really good read and an author to watch for sure!
Thank you Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
A really good read and an author to watch for sure!
Thank you Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
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September 6, 2022I give my book 4 stars. I love it very much, but I know, as keenly as only authors can, that it is not perfect. I worked hard, put in heart and soul, did the best I could—but if there wasn’t room to grow, I wouldn’t have reason to write any longer!
First, here is the Author’s Note, which serves as a Content/Trigger Warning:
“This book deals with some heavy themes, including sexual assault, domestic abuse, grief, death, infertility, and child loss. My intention in shedding light on these topics is good, but intention and impact are often very different things. You deserve to know this information going in, so you can judge the impact it may have upon you and make healthy decisions about the media with which you engage.”
Now, I’d like to talk about why I wrote this book, and to the readers I hope will find it. When I was on the cusp of adolescence, I used to play a game of cops and robbers outside with my friends. I was always a robber, and when I was “arrested” part of my punishment was that my hands were held under a dryer vent. It puzzled me that the “punishment” part of the game was my favorite part, when I knew that if I had really been arrested, if I had truly been in jail, I would have been miserable like anybody else.
When I first saw The Rocky Horror Picture Show, I realized there were other people in the world like me. Through the years I became a fixture of the local fandom, doing more than my fair share of call-backs in my best Dr. Frank N. Furter make-up (which was amateur, let's be honest). Those spaces always felt safe to me. People were kind and welcoming—never predatory, never crude. We understood one another as misfits, as people who had come together out of a need for feeling not-so-odd; it seemed instinctive, that none of us should alienate anyone else.
I read up on responsible kink literature on my own, and was lucky to build relationships with kinky people who respected me, who understood consent-seeking as a central focus of BDSM. I had no idea, for much of my twenties, that meanwhile there were, for example, straight, cis men out there calling themselves Doms just to excuse their misogyny, and women subs getting roped (sometimes literally) into abusive relationships.
There is no actual grey area between BDSM and abuse. They are fully separate things. The former REQUIRES, DEMANDS, VALUES informed and free consent; the latter AVOIDS, DISMISSES, and IGNORES consent. BDSM practiced properly should be cathartic, fulfilling—a release, like any other sexual act, meant to raise participants up, not cut them down. Yet there is a social conflation of BDSM and abuse, a confusion which hurts both the actual, responsible kink community and survivors of abusive relationships.
This muddling of two opposite worlds worries me, as someone who has experienced both. I wrote On Good Authority to show healthy BDSM and abuse of power side by side, to help folks outside of the community who come by their confusion honestly (in other words, who sincerely want to understand better), to see the difference.
I also wanted to present the emotional side of Dominant and submissive relationships. So much of the broader understanding of BDSM centers around the toys—whips and chains—and the idea of pain. This is not a graphic, toys-centered book. I focus more on how someone could be honest-to-goodness comforted by a period of submission without being a doormat, or how someone else might be comforted by being in a role of (authorized, trusted) power without being a monster. To show just how people might come to need the roleplay for which BDSM allows—come by it honestly, again, for those willing to understand.
And, of course, I hope this book finds people who see something of themselves reflected back to them. I hope I have done a small part to honestly represent the community in which I have found so many kind, understanding, respectful people.
With all that seriousness out of the way, I hope people who loved the film Secretary find and love this book. I hope people who love Rebecca, Jane Eyre, and Sarah Waters find and love this book. People who want a love like Depeche Mode lyrics. I want to tell all of you this story, about how sometimes mean people use the light to hide themselves, and how honest good people can be in the dark.
First, here is the Author’s Note, which serves as a Content/Trigger Warning:
“This book deals with some heavy themes, including sexual assault, domestic abuse, grief, death, infertility, and child loss. My intention in shedding light on these topics is good, but intention and impact are often very different things. You deserve to know this information going in, so you can judge the impact it may have upon you and make healthy decisions about the media with which you engage.”
Now, I’d like to talk about why I wrote this book, and to the readers I hope will find it. When I was on the cusp of adolescence, I used to play a game of cops and robbers outside with my friends. I was always a robber, and when I was “arrested” part of my punishment was that my hands were held under a dryer vent. It puzzled me that the “punishment” part of the game was my favorite part, when I knew that if I had really been arrested, if I had truly been in jail, I would have been miserable like anybody else.
When I first saw The Rocky Horror Picture Show, I realized there were other people in the world like me. Through the years I became a fixture of the local fandom, doing more than my fair share of call-backs in my best Dr. Frank N. Furter make-up (which was amateur, let's be honest). Those spaces always felt safe to me. People were kind and welcoming—never predatory, never crude. We understood one another as misfits, as people who had come together out of a need for feeling not-so-odd; it seemed instinctive, that none of us should alienate anyone else.
I read up on responsible kink literature on my own, and was lucky to build relationships with kinky people who respected me, who understood consent-seeking as a central focus of BDSM. I had no idea, for much of my twenties, that meanwhile there were, for example, straight, cis men out there calling themselves Doms just to excuse their misogyny, and women subs getting roped (sometimes literally) into abusive relationships.
There is no actual grey area between BDSM and abuse. They are fully separate things. The former REQUIRES, DEMANDS, VALUES informed and free consent; the latter AVOIDS, DISMISSES, and IGNORES consent. BDSM practiced properly should be cathartic, fulfilling—a release, like any other sexual act, meant to raise participants up, not cut them down. Yet there is a social conflation of BDSM and abuse, a confusion which hurts both the actual, responsible kink community and survivors of abusive relationships.
This muddling of two opposite worlds worries me, as someone who has experienced both. I wrote On Good Authority to show healthy BDSM and abuse of power side by side, to help folks outside of the community who come by their confusion honestly (in other words, who sincerely want to understand better), to see the difference.
I also wanted to present the emotional side of Dominant and submissive relationships. So much of the broader understanding of BDSM centers around the toys—whips and chains—and the idea of pain. This is not a graphic, toys-centered book. I focus more on how someone could be honest-to-goodness comforted by a period of submission without being a doormat, or how someone else might be comforted by being in a role of (authorized, trusted) power without being a monster. To show just how people might come to need the roleplay for which BDSM allows—come by it honestly, again, for those willing to understand.
And, of course, I hope this book finds people who see something of themselves reflected back to them. I hope I have done a small part to honestly represent the community in which I have found so many kind, understanding, respectful people.
With all that seriousness out of the way, I hope people who loved the film Secretary find and love this book. I hope people who love Rebecca, Jane Eyre, and Sarah Waters find and love this book. People who want a love like Depeche Mode lyrics. I want to tell all of you this story, about how sometimes mean people use the light to hide themselves, and how honest good people can be in the dark.
May 16, 2022
Briana Una McGuckin's debut is a gothic, atmospheric masterpiece that melds a genuinely scary threat, a sweet romance, and some very hot consensual kink.
Marian grew up in a workhouse after her father's landlord sent him to debtor's prison. As a child, her biggest comfort was her friend Valentine and the games they play when no one is watching. Marian only half-understands her desires during those games, and after Valentine is sent away, she tries to forget them, believing herself wicked.
When she is sent to serve as a lady's maid in a manor house with walls as purple as a bruise, Marian feels grateful for her good fortune until the master of the house reveals his dangerous appetites. Then her old friend Valentine joins the household as a footman. Valentine does his best to protect Marian from the master's depredations, but the pair's rekindling desire for each other may destroy them both.
The novel shimmers with emotion, as McGuckin builds dread, tension, and romantic chemistry expertly. Part of the story is told in epistolary format by a future correspondence, with a twist I didn't see coming. This is not an explicit novel, but it is erotic, with a particular scene late in the book that will stay with me for a long time.
The author clearly understands that the power of kink is grounded in the emotion and connection between the characters, and uses clever parallels to demonstrate the difference between abusive and healthy power dynamics. The themes of resistance to manipulation, class disparity, and solidarity between survivors enrich the love story, and the suspense kept me turning pages late into the night. Don't miss this one if gothic suspense and/or a layered approach to BDSM romance appeals to you.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Marian grew up in a workhouse after her father's landlord sent him to debtor's prison. As a child, her biggest comfort was her friend Valentine and the games they play when no one is watching. Marian only half-understands her desires during those games, and after Valentine is sent away, she tries to forget them, believing herself wicked.
When she is sent to serve as a lady's maid in a manor house with walls as purple as a bruise, Marian feels grateful for her good fortune until the master of the house reveals his dangerous appetites. Then her old friend Valentine joins the household as a footman. Valentine does his best to protect Marian from the master's depredations, but the pair's rekindling desire for each other may destroy them both.
The novel shimmers with emotion, as McGuckin builds dread, tension, and romantic chemistry expertly. Part of the story is told in epistolary format by a future correspondence, with a twist I didn't see coming. This is not an explicit novel, but it is erotic, with a particular scene late in the book that will stay with me for a long time.
The author clearly understands that the power of kink is grounded in the emotion and connection between the characters, and uses clever parallels to demonstrate the difference between abusive and healthy power dynamics. The themes of resistance to manipulation, class disparity, and solidarity between survivors enrich the love story, and the suspense kept me turning pages late into the night. Don't miss this one if gothic suspense and/or a layered approach to BDSM romance appeals to you.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
September 7, 2022
I had no idea what to expect going into this book. What I got was a beautifully written story of gothic suspense and romance.
Raised in a workhouse after her parents are arrested for a crime Marian works hard to raise out of that station in life becoming a lady's maid in a rich manor house. But the master of the house is not a nice person and when Marian becomes indebted to him he holds her relationship with Valentine (an old friend also working at the manor) over her. It all explodes when a murder occurs, leading to an epic conclusion.
An awesome first novel, McGuckin handles of sensitive topics such as BDSM, assault, abuse, death , to mention only a few, with sensitivity and dignity, bringing to the forefront the difference between consent and abuse, control and willingness and she does it with beautiful atmospheric almost lyrical prose!
I was captivated by her words and writing style, I look forward to seeing what her next novel will entail.
I highly recommend to all looking for an atmospheric gothic tale filled with just the right amount of hot, sensual scenes.
Thank you to the publishers at Thomas and Mercer and to Net Galley for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review in return.
Raised in a workhouse after her parents are arrested for a crime Marian works hard to raise out of that station in life becoming a lady's maid in a rich manor house. But the master of the house is not a nice person and when Marian becomes indebted to him he holds her relationship with Valentine (an old friend also working at the manor) over her. It all explodes when a murder occurs, leading to an epic conclusion.
An awesome first novel, McGuckin handles of sensitive topics such as BDSM, assault, abuse, death , to mention only a few, with sensitivity and dignity, bringing to the forefront the difference between consent and abuse, control and willingness and she does it with beautiful atmospheric almost lyrical prose!
I was captivated by her words and writing style, I look forward to seeing what her next novel will entail.
I highly recommend to all looking for an atmospheric gothic tale filled with just the right amount of hot, sensual scenes.
Thank you to the publishers at Thomas and Mercer and to Net Galley for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review in return.
October 25, 2022
This was an enjoyable gothic read with a sweet romance. There is a BDSM element, which I enjoyed because it’s nothing I’ve quite seen before in a gothic. That being said, none of the sex/BDSM scenes were explicit. I personally would have preferred some more explicit scenes but I’m used to gothic’s having a closed-door squeaky clean romance so either way this was a welcome deviation.
The story essentially revolves around power dynamics of all kinds. From childhood to adulthood. McGuckin juxtaposes abuse with consensual power dynamics. There’s also an upstairs vs downstairs element that was reminiscent of Gosford Park.
Valentine, the book’s hero, doesn’t appear until about 100 pages in, but I would have preferred to have seen him earlier. His relationship with Marian is very sweet and I would have enjoyed some more scenes showcasing their relationship that is filled with sexual tension. Overall, On Good Authority pleasantly surprised me with its examination of power dynamics and BDSM in this historical setting.
The story essentially revolves around power dynamics of all kinds. From childhood to adulthood. McGuckin juxtaposes abuse with consensual power dynamics. There’s also an upstairs vs downstairs element that was reminiscent of Gosford Park.
Valentine, the book’s hero, doesn’t appear until about 100 pages in, but I would have preferred to have seen him earlier. His relationship with Marian is very sweet and I would have enjoyed some more scenes showcasing their relationship that is filled with sexual tension. Overall, On Good Authority pleasantly surprised me with its examination of power dynamics and BDSM in this historical setting.
October 11, 2022
On Good Authority by Briana Una McGuckin
Compelling twisted dark gothic suspense that I could not put down.
What I liked
* Marian Osley: eight years in a workhouse, loving daughter, lady’s maid hopeful about her new job in service but fearful soon, seamstress, good friends with Valentine in the workhouse
* Valentine Hobbs: workhouse for several years, orphaned young, works way up in service to footman status, good friend of Marian’s in the workhouse
* The way the childhood games Marian and Valentine played in the workhouse games were presented and the part they played in grounding them
* The strong enduring friendship between Marian and Valentine
* The dark oppressive dangerous feel of Valor Rise estate
* The ability to so dislike Wythe Bornholdt
* Feeling more than one thing about Diana Bornholdt
* Wishing Karma would eventually be dealt out as I hoped it would be
* Being drawn into the story and feeling part of it
* The plot, pacing, atmosphere, character development and overall writing
* The conclusion…and thinking about what happened after the last page
* Reading a new-to-me author that I truly enjoyed
* All of it really except…
What I didn’t like
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about how unfair the class system of the times was and how little recourse was available to many with such a divide and discrepancy between the various levels
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
Compelling twisted dark gothic suspense that I could not put down.
What I liked
* Marian Osley: eight years in a workhouse, loving daughter, lady’s maid hopeful about her new job in service but fearful soon, seamstress, good friends with Valentine in the workhouse
* Valentine Hobbs: workhouse for several years, orphaned young, works way up in service to footman status, good friend of Marian’s in the workhouse
* The way the childhood games Marian and Valentine played in the workhouse games were presented and the part they played in grounding them
* The strong enduring friendship between Marian and Valentine
* The dark oppressive dangerous feel of Valor Rise estate
* The ability to so dislike Wythe Bornholdt
* Feeling more than one thing about Diana Bornholdt
* Wishing Karma would eventually be dealt out as I hoped it would be
* Being drawn into the story and feeling part of it
* The plot, pacing, atmosphere, character development and overall writing
* The conclusion…and thinking about what happened after the last page
* Reading a new-to-me author that I truly enjoyed
* All of it really except…
What I didn’t like
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about how unfair the class system of the times was and how little recourse was available to many with such a divide and discrepancy between the various levels
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
March 15, 2023
McGuckin’s debut simmers with sensuality as it sweeps readers along through twists built on longing and deception wrapped in beautiful, lyrical prose. With many books delving into sexuality outside of societal norms, it’s refreshing to see the topic handled so well and with authenticity and sensitivity. Fans of Downton Abbey (if the show included sexy scenes involving leather crops) will devour this book with relish. Looking forward to reading whatever comes next from this new, exciting voice in gothic fiction.
October 7, 2022
I got the chance to read an ARC of this book, and I saved it for a period of time I knew I would have a chance to relax and enjoy reading for pleasure—and I am so glad I did.
This is a beautifully-written Victorian novel with gorgeous prose and imagery, characters that feel alive and real and compelling, and a story that keeps the pages turning and turning.
There was not a word wasted, everything in the book mattered, moved the plot forward, or foreshadowed what was going to come later.
The end of the book was beautiful, everything (I mean everything, plot, characters, motifs/theme, imagery, even the scenery) came full-circle in a way that was not only beautiful but satisfying.
This was a gorgeous read and I highly recommend it.
This is a beautifully-written Victorian novel with gorgeous prose and imagery, characters that feel alive and real and compelling, and a story that keeps the pages turning and turning.
There was not a word wasted, everything in the book mattered, moved the plot forward, or foreshadowed what was going to come later.
The end of the book was beautiful, everything (I mean everything, plot, characters, motifs/theme, imagery, even the scenery) came full-circle in a way that was not only beautiful but satisfying.
This was a gorgeous read and I highly recommend it.
October 11, 2022
Beautifully written, this kink -positive novel is not about sex. It’s about consent, power, and finding love when loving our authentic selves also. It’s a Victorian gothic full of atmosphere and is a compelling read. What a fantastic debut novel!
May 31, 2022
Excellent debut novel.
Birana Un McGuckin's first novel is a lush, gothic tale of Marian and Valentine. Children in poverty now grown into maid and footman. Unexpectedly reunited in the Bornholdt household, a place with dark secrets and dangers, the two begin a charged, BDSM-tinged relationship, before Master Bornholdt centers in on Marian.
No Gothic is complete without social commentary and and drawn lines meant to be crossed. This book has them in abundance. The terrible state of the era is presented in its full glory, while Marian struggles with he true desires. After having lost Valentine for so long, she believes herself wicked for her feelings, with a dangerous romance soon to blossom.
And said chemistry between them positively crackles on the page. McGuckin builds tension and dread through the novel, perfectly paced and brimming with themes of love, lust, secrets, repression and more. The prose is superb, the characters are well drawn and the secrets of the Bornholdts and exquisitely revealed. The novel lives by the feelings between Marian and Valentine, with things positively sizzling on page.
Emotionally charged and excellent debut.
Birana Un McGuckin's first novel is a lush, gothic tale of Marian and Valentine. Children in poverty now grown into maid and footman. Unexpectedly reunited in the Bornholdt household, a place with dark secrets and dangers, the two begin a charged, BDSM-tinged relationship, before Master Bornholdt centers in on Marian.
No Gothic is complete without social commentary and and drawn lines meant to be crossed. This book has them in abundance. The terrible state of the era is presented in its full glory, while Marian struggles with he true desires. After having lost Valentine for so long, she believes herself wicked for her feelings, with a dangerous romance soon to blossom.
And said chemistry between them positively crackles on the page. McGuckin builds tension and dread through the novel, perfectly paced and brimming with themes of love, lust, secrets, repression and more. The prose is superb, the characters are well drawn and the secrets of the Bornholdts and exquisitely revealed. The novel lives by the feelings between Marian and Valentine, with things positively sizzling on page.
Emotionally charged and excellent debut.
June 18, 2022
I had the pleasure of reading an advance reader copy of this. I found both the story and the quality of the writing a real delight. McGuckin's ability to build mood and emotion through her prose is at once effortless and captivating. Her singular way of describing even the most desperate circumstances in a voice that is nothing less than opulent lends the book a richness that is unexpected in a below-stairs story. Plus it's a real page-turner. I was so entranced by both Marian and Valentine that I was through the book in two days. The moment I finished, I went straight back to the beginning.
I was moved by the trust McGuckin places in her reader, particularly when it comes to the infusion of BDSM in this historical novel. With subtle, rising heat, she walks her reader along a dangerous tightrope of desire and desperation. When the heat becomes too much, she lets go and we plunge into a climax of our own imagination – deeper and more personal than any she could have written us.
Beyond clever, this marriage of the classic Gothic with modern BDSM themes borders on the diabolical.
I was moved by the trust McGuckin places in her reader, particularly when it comes to the infusion of BDSM in this historical novel. With subtle, rising heat, she walks her reader along a dangerous tightrope of desire and desperation. When the heat becomes too much, she lets go and we plunge into a climax of our own imagination – deeper and more personal than any she could have written us.
Beyond clever, this marriage of the classic Gothic with modern BDSM themes borders on the diabolical.
July 3, 2022
Wow, just wow is all that I can say. I am a big fan of good story telling and because of this as time goes by I have become more and more difficult to surprise from one book to the next. This book did deliver on its promises of suspense, gothic romance, and “tings” of BDSM. McGuckin weaved the story in such a way that just when you knew how things would end, she would drop a nugget to completely question what you thought you knew. At the heart of the story, a romance like none I have read before. I appreciate the way Valentine and Marian come together through out the story to show simple and complex love can be.
I was able to read an advanced copy borrowed from a friend. Looking forward to having my own copy in October!
I was able to read an advanced copy borrowed from a friend. Looking forward to having my own copy in October!
July 13, 2022
Wow. Wow. Wow.
I went into this book not knowing what to expect. It blew my mind. The prose, imagery, the story itself was just MWAH.
Just when I thought I knew where the story was going, nope. Another curve ball was thrown my way. To me, that is difficult to do. I was left completely shook with the ending and what events took place....
A poor girl, Marian, who spent her childhood in a debtors prison in London due to her father not able to pay their landlord, meets young Valentine. They create a game of cop and robber of their own, making their miserable time in the prison worthwhile. Valentine disappears one morning to be a hall boy, leaving Marian all alone. She learns to sew and mend. Years later, she is hired as the lady's maid at the Bornholdts. The master takes a liking to her and she must do what she can to keep away from him and his monstrous ways. She is starting to get in the mistress's good Graces after fixing her up a picnic dress in a color that suits her. She gets a letter that her mother is ill and leaves at once. Grieving and sick that her mother is to be tossed in an unmarked mass grave, she begs the master to loan her money to pay for a proper funeral against her better judgment. She returns knowing that this debt is the start of her undoing. To her shock, she learns Valentine will be stepping in as a substitute footman. Her long lost friend will be returned to her. Their friendship turns into a kinky romance. The master learns of this and uses their love against them. Secrets start coming out. Someone is killed. Who will take the fall? Can they escape the dark house of the Bornholdts?
Thank you so much to the author for sending me a free ARC for my honest review!
I went into this book not knowing what to expect. It blew my mind. The prose, imagery, the story itself was just MWAH.
Just when I thought I knew where the story was going, nope. Another curve ball was thrown my way. To me, that is difficult to do. I was left completely shook with the ending and what events took place....
A poor girl, Marian, who spent her childhood in a debtors prison in London due to her father not able to pay their landlord, meets young Valentine. They create a game of cop and robber of their own, making their miserable time in the prison worthwhile. Valentine disappears one morning to be a hall boy, leaving Marian all alone. She learns to sew and mend. Years later, she is hired as the lady's maid at the Bornholdts. The master takes a liking to her and she must do what she can to keep away from him and his monstrous ways. She is starting to get in the mistress's good Graces after fixing her up a picnic dress in a color that suits her. She gets a letter that her mother is ill and leaves at once. Grieving and sick that her mother is to be tossed in an unmarked mass grave, she begs the master to loan her money to pay for a proper funeral against her better judgment. She returns knowing that this debt is the start of her undoing. To her shock, she learns Valentine will be stepping in as a substitute footman. Her long lost friend will be returned to her. Their friendship turns into a kinky romance. The master learns of this and uses their love against them. Secrets start coming out. Someone is killed. Who will take the fall? Can they escape the dark house of the Bornholdts?
Thank you so much to the author for sending me a free ARC for my honest review!
June 8, 2022
Wow! The story of Marian and Valentine, the lady's maid and the footman, at Valor Rise blew me away. Fans of the classics Wuthering Heights and Rebecca will not be disappointed by the vibe of this story.
At the center of the story is the relationship between the two characters, and their interactions with their employers. The flashbacks to the childhood friendship they shared in a poor house in London, and their relationships with their parents set the stage for their interactions at Valor Rise and the reactions of the characters that drive the story to a cleverly executed climax.
The romantic chemistry between Marian and Valentine is magnetic and the tinge of BDSM complements the overall love story, weaving in with the other themes of the novel effectively. There is a twist at the end that immediately had me re-reading all of the letters in the story for clues I had missed.
At the center of the story is the relationship between the two characters, and their interactions with their employers. The flashbacks to the childhood friendship they shared in a poor house in London, and their relationships with their parents set the stage for their interactions at Valor Rise and the reactions of the characters that drive the story to a cleverly executed climax.
The romantic chemistry between Marian and Valentine is magnetic and the tinge of BDSM complements the overall love story, weaving in with the other themes of the novel effectively. There is a twist at the end that immediately had me re-reading all of the letters in the story for clues I had missed.
July 24, 2022
I received this ARC to review honestly.
I didn't know what to expect with this book. The blurb had me interested for sure, as did the line of "A Novel of Suspense" - it didn't disappoint.
I will not be giving any of the story as I could never do it justice. The era of 1800s London, the gothic type feel, the characters, just everything was written in such detail that I felt I was there. Briana has done an epic amount of research for this book and it shows.
I could envision everything written, I fell for the characters, whether that was loving them - Marian - total badass, who owns who she is and stands up for what's right. Valentine - swoon, stable scene, heart of gold or complete and utter hate and contempt - Mr B!
It had twists I didn't expect, the BDSM was subtle and very tasteful and a lot of consideration was taken on some parts that some people may be sensitive to.
This book will forever be a part of my re-reads. A brilliant novel by a fantastic writer & I am so excited to see what she does next.
I didn't know what to expect with this book. The blurb had me interested for sure, as did the line of "A Novel of Suspense" - it didn't disappoint.
I will not be giving any of the story as I could never do it justice. The era of 1800s London, the gothic type feel, the characters, just everything was written in such detail that I felt I was there. Briana has done an epic amount of research for this book and it shows.
I could envision everything written, I fell for the characters, whether that was loving them - Marian - total badass, who owns who she is and stands up for what's right. Valentine - swoon, stable scene, heart of gold or complete and utter hate and contempt - Mr B!
It had twists I didn't expect, the BDSM was subtle and very tasteful and a lot of consideration was taken on some parts that some people may be sensitive to.
This book will forever be a part of my re-reads. A brilliant novel by a fantastic writer & I am so excited to see what she does next.
May 1, 2022
The themes of power, fantasy, dominance, and vulnerability are explored so expertly and beautifully in ON GOOD AUTHORITY. It is truly a masterfully-written, gorgeous book. It’s clear from the start that this story was written lovingly--tender in its ecstasy and striking in its agony.
So many of these stunning lines will stay with me, and I’m a better writer for it. Also ... the scenes between Valentine and Marian, our love interests, are so freshly written ... and yes also very hot. One in particular...
Fast-paced, suspenseful, aching, and gentle. This is an emotionally-charged story by a debut author to watch.
There's also a line in there about roses, and about leading and following, that I'll probably never forget.
Gift yourself a copy, because you'll probably read the whole thing in one sitting.
So many of these stunning lines will stay with me, and I’m a better writer for it. Also ... the scenes between Valentine and Marian, our love interests, are so freshly written ... and yes also very hot. One in particular...
Fast-paced, suspenseful, aching, and gentle. This is an emotionally-charged story by a debut author to watch.
There's also a line in there about roses, and about leading and following, that I'll probably never forget.
Gift yourself a copy, because you'll probably read the whole thing in one sitting.
July 28, 2022
Briana Una McGuckin has outdone herself with her debut! After reading the synopsis, I knew I had to have an ARC, which she generously sent. I devoured the book while traveling, and the thick tension and delicious atmosphere made layovers and plane rides sail by.
The characters are well-drawn, the world is rich, the dialogue is engrossing. I could scarcely put this down once I started. If you enjoy Victorian gothic, suspense, dom/sub power dynamics, or all of the above, this is a MUST READ.
I particularly enjoyed the skillful way Briana portrayed positive versus negative sexual power plays. For me, this is a sterling example of kink in literature. Highly recommend this read!
The characters are well-drawn, the world is rich, the dialogue is engrossing. I could scarcely put this down once I started. If you enjoy Victorian gothic, suspense, dom/sub power dynamics, or all of the above, this is a MUST READ.
I particularly enjoyed the skillful way Briana portrayed positive versus negative sexual power plays. For me, this is a sterling example of kink in literature. Highly recommend this read!
September 16, 2022
Official blurb! So happy to endorse this stunner.
ON GOOD AUTHORITY is a tantalizing tale of upstairs-downstairs, manor house intrigue that crackles with desire and dread. Readers will be hard-pressed to put it down once they're caught in its grip.
ON GOOD AUTHORITY is a tantalizing tale of upstairs-downstairs, manor house intrigue that crackles with desire and dread. Readers will be hard-pressed to put it down once they're caught in its grip.
November 1, 2022
I found this to be quite a good book, especially for a debut novel. The writing was fully descriptive without being excessive and the characters were likable and relatable. I appreciated the consideration in the author’s note at the beginning about the potentially triggering topics covered in the book. Those topics were covered well and with care. I liked the romance between Marian and Valentine and only wished for more of it.
November 1, 2022
On Good Authority swept me up into its story, and I was happily captured there. The pacing was great and kept me hooked throughout each chapter. Briana Una McGuckin has succeeded in creating a strong novel with compelling characters, interesting dynamics and relationships, and some nicely plotted twists along the way. I loved going back at the ending and rereading the letters once I learned for sure who they were to. Highly recommend!
June 9, 2022
This had all of the components to be a seriously brilliant, but it fell a little bit short for me. Definitely felt immersed in that time period, but some parts felt really slow and just expected more.
Lots of potential and some lovely descriptions.
Lots of potential and some lovely descriptions.
March 8, 2023
Probably in the top 10 favorite books I've read this decade, possibly my entire life so far. Perfectly crafted, sensitive and hard hitting. It delivers both on suspense and substance. The erotic aspects that fade to black (my personal preference) are a thousand times more effective than actual erotica and yet handles its subject matter with grace and understanding.
This seems like a niche genre but I would recommend this to anyone who likes good books and good writing.
This seems like a niche genre but I would recommend this to anyone who likes good books and good writing.
September 13, 2022
On Good Authority is a challenge to review because it’s so many things at once: a thriller, a gothic romance, a well-researched historical novel, a coming-of-age story, and an exploration of the psychological impulses behind BDSM. It does a great job of all these, but my personal favorite aspect of the novel was the nuanced depiction of domination and submission within the framework of a compelling gothic story.
The first thing I noticed while reading this book was the gorgeous, accomplished writing style. I could open to almost any page of the book and I find a beautiful description that is not just pretty writing for its own sake, but contributes meaningfully to the tone and characterization. For instance, at the beginning of the novel, narrator Marian is leaving a workhouse in 1800s England to become a lady’s maid at a great manor. She describes her new home: “There was not a single lamp lit by any window after all, yet I was not relieved; it seemed less to me like the house slept than that it waited, watching keenly—and seeing better in the dark than I, like an owl or a cat.” Once she enters the house, Marian encounters “walls the shade of bruises—heavy, purple ones that have hardly begun to heal.” In true gothic fashion, the danger and violence implied by these descriptions only deepens as the book continues, and Marian becomes entangled in this violence—and we learn about her own predilection for pain of the BDSM sort.
The next thing that struck me while reading was the depth of research the author had undertook, and the way stark details of the era were brought to life. The portions at the beginning of the book describing Marian’s childhood in a workhouse were vivid and horrifying. Because Marian’s father could not pay his debts, his entire family was ripped apart and sentenced to drudgery and misery. The absolute injustice and lack of compassion for the lower class in 1800s England is hard for modern readers to accept—but at times Marian does seem to, if not accept it, find ways to cope with it and to desire to become a good servant, if that is the most she can hope for. This is very much not a modern viewpoint, and it might be hard for some readers to deal with—but I found it impressive that the author was able to create a true 19th-century heroine. Marian is a product of her time, with complex feelings and a lot of shame about her own sexuality in particular. I was glad McGuckin didn’t just give us a boss babe or dragon slayer in a corset, the way so many modern writers of historical fiction do.
The first part of this novel moves back and forth between Marian’s present as a new lady’s maid, and her childhood in a workhouse. Her memories of a childhood friendship with Valentine, another child in the workhouse, create a very different interpretation of BDSM than we see in most fiction. For Marian and Valentine, BDSM fantasies arose as a way to cope with the incredibly unjust world I described in the previous paragraph. Marian and Valentine don’t get to live as normal children would or enjoy their parents’ affection, but they do get to act out fantasies of punishment and atonement that make up for what the real world lacks. In these fantasies, Marian is always in the submissive role, Valentine the dominant one. And when Marian and Valentine inevitably meet again as adults—because Valentine finds himself employed as footman in the same manor where Marian is a maid—that dynamic hasn’t changed.
Marian and Valentine’s relationship as adults is complicated by a few factors: first, the fact that they are both servants who should be devoted to their masters to the point of eschewing any personal relationships that get in the way of this higher purpose. Marian and Valentine chafe against this restriction, yet try to live up to it at that same time—it’s an interesting conflict that is again very much a part of the time period. It’s fascinating and nuanced and I’m glad the author decided to explore it instead of just giving the characters modern, completely independent sensibilities.
And then, there is an even bigger problem: the master of the manor, Mr. Bornholdt, is also a very dominant man who recognizes Marian’s submissive tendencies—but Mr. Bornholdt doesn’t care about consent. This gives the author a chance to explore a conflict that is still very relevant today: what happens when the things you desire, are done to you by people in positions of power over you, without your consent? Can you still enjoy these things, or do you allow someone to rob you of a part of your identity? How do you take back your agency?
This question leads to my favorite quote from the book:
“…there was a robbery taking place. It was as if Bornholdt had stormed into my secret heart to systematically stomp on what few strange flowers grew there.”
I’m not going to go into how these questions are resolved, but suffice it to say there is an exciting gothic plot with many twists and turns, and Marian shows her strength in a satisfying way. And, I cannot end this review without also mentioning the romance and the depiction of consensual BDSM. This book contained one of the most romantic first kisses I’ve ever read, and as it moves beyond that moment, it becomes very sensual without being explicit. I think that was the right choice both for the time period, and to allow the book to explore the psychology of BDSM without making it just about sex. When it comes to the psychology of submission, and why someone could find release and joy in pain and in surrendering control to someone else, the author gets it exactly right.
This is such a unique and layered book, there is really so much more I could say about it. I highly recommend you read it for yourself!
The first thing I noticed while reading this book was the gorgeous, accomplished writing style. I could open to almost any page of the book and I find a beautiful description that is not just pretty writing for its own sake, but contributes meaningfully to the tone and characterization. For instance, at the beginning of the novel, narrator Marian is leaving a workhouse in 1800s England to become a lady’s maid at a great manor. She describes her new home: “There was not a single lamp lit by any window after all, yet I was not relieved; it seemed less to me like the house slept than that it waited, watching keenly—and seeing better in the dark than I, like an owl or a cat.” Once she enters the house, Marian encounters “walls the shade of bruises—heavy, purple ones that have hardly begun to heal.” In true gothic fashion, the danger and violence implied by these descriptions only deepens as the book continues, and Marian becomes entangled in this violence—and we learn about her own predilection for pain of the BDSM sort.
The next thing that struck me while reading was the depth of research the author had undertook, and the way stark details of the era were brought to life. The portions at the beginning of the book describing Marian’s childhood in a workhouse were vivid and horrifying. Because Marian’s father could not pay his debts, his entire family was ripped apart and sentenced to drudgery and misery. The absolute injustice and lack of compassion for the lower class in 1800s England is hard for modern readers to accept—but at times Marian does seem to, if not accept it, find ways to cope with it and to desire to become a good servant, if that is the most she can hope for. This is very much not a modern viewpoint, and it might be hard for some readers to deal with—but I found it impressive that the author was able to create a true 19th-century heroine. Marian is a product of her time, with complex feelings and a lot of shame about her own sexuality in particular. I was glad McGuckin didn’t just give us a boss babe or dragon slayer in a corset, the way so many modern writers of historical fiction do.
The first part of this novel moves back and forth between Marian’s present as a new lady’s maid, and her childhood in a workhouse. Her memories of a childhood friendship with Valentine, another child in the workhouse, create a very different interpretation of BDSM than we see in most fiction. For Marian and Valentine, BDSM fantasies arose as a way to cope with the incredibly unjust world I described in the previous paragraph. Marian and Valentine don’t get to live as normal children would or enjoy their parents’ affection, but they do get to act out fantasies of punishment and atonement that make up for what the real world lacks. In these fantasies, Marian is always in the submissive role, Valentine the dominant one. And when Marian and Valentine inevitably meet again as adults—because Valentine finds himself employed as footman in the same manor where Marian is a maid—that dynamic hasn’t changed.
Marian and Valentine’s relationship as adults is complicated by a few factors: first, the fact that they are both servants who should be devoted to their masters to the point of eschewing any personal relationships that get in the way of this higher purpose. Marian and Valentine chafe against this restriction, yet try to live up to it at that same time—it’s an interesting conflict that is again very much a part of the time period. It’s fascinating and nuanced and I’m glad the author decided to explore it instead of just giving the characters modern, completely independent sensibilities.
And then, there is an even bigger problem: the master of the manor, Mr. Bornholdt, is also a very dominant man who recognizes Marian’s submissive tendencies—but Mr. Bornholdt doesn’t care about consent. This gives the author a chance to explore a conflict that is still very relevant today: what happens when the things you desire, are done to you by people in positions of power over you, without your consent? Can you still enjoy these things, or do you allow someone to rob you of a part of your identity? How do you take back your agency?
This question leads to my favorite quote from the book:
“…there was a robbery taking place. It was as if Bornholdt had stormed into my secret heart to systematically stomp on what few strange flowers grew there.”
I’m not going to go into how these questions are resolved, but suffice it to say there is an exciting gothic plot with many twists and turns, and Marian shows her strength in a satisfying way. And, I cannot end this review without also mentioning the romance and the depiction of consensual BDSM. This book contained one of the most romantic first kisses I’ve ever read, and as it moves beyond that moment, it becomes very sensual without being explicit. I think that was the right choice both for the time period, and to allow the book to explore the psychology of BDSM without making it just about sex. When it comes to the psychology of submission, and why someone could find release and joy in pain and in surrendering control to someone else, the author gets it exactly right.
This is such a unique and layered book, there is really so much more I could say about it. I highly recommend you read it for yourself!
July 12, 2022
I was privileged to receive an advance reader copy of Briana Una McGuckin's fantastic debut novel. From the moment I began reading, I couldn't bear to stop - the story and writing pulled me in immediately. From the start, I was vested in the main character's life. Such evocative storytelling. The mysteries were clever and truly surprising. This was such a good book! Gothic romance and thrilling suspense all rolled into one. I loved this book.
October 5, 2022
TL;DR: People NEED to read this book. You are people. You NEED to read this book.
I don't even know where to begin with this. But I guess I should start by setting some expectations. One of the major themes of this book is BDSM, including a very clearly delineated juxtaposition of healthy BDSM and abuse. That said, this is not erotica, as some may expect from the topic. This is, as the subtitle states, "a novel of suspense." So even though my stupid slut brain wants more scenes of kink play, that is not the point of this book, so don't go in expecting it.
*** SPOILERS TO FOLLOW ***
I know this author personally, and I was so excited to read her debut novel (please note I bought the book with my own money, and we know each other from grad school where we don't pull punches with our critiques, so rest assured, this is my honest opinion). Off the top of my head, if I were to describe Briana's writing, in general, I'd choose the words "thoughtful" and "atmospheric." ON GOOD AUTHORITY delivers both qualities in full. The imagery is striking, and she pays special attention to scent detail (which didn't surprise me, given her love of perfume oils). Memorable images like walls the color of bruises and lingering smell of tobacco add depth to an already complex mix of literary flavors. Also, the concept of scenting a carpet with tea leaves (an actual Victorian housekeeping technique Briana discovered in her research) is so mind-blowing to me that I'm now overcome with the feminine urge to throw my pumpkin spice black tea all over the rug
But I think ON GOOD AUTHORITY's greatest strength is its characters. Marian makes for a strong POV protagonist. She's competent, rebellious, curious, passionate, and caring, and her journey and her vulnerability are relatable and realistic without robbing her of her total agency. Wythe's two-faced nature, entitled self-martyrdom, and all-around vileness is disgustingly true to life but never read, to me, as too triggering, despite my personal experience with people like him (and Briana helpfully includes a trigger warning at the beginning of the book so readers can accommodate themselves). Valentine is the best, and I will love him until my dying day.
Briana is incredibly thoughtful in how she handles the book's themes of BDSM and abuse. Unlike some other books I've heard of but mercifully haven't read, she incorporates both and demonstrates the clear differences between the two--carefully contrasting Wythe's invasive cruelty with Valentine's steady attentiveness. Each example is perfectly frame in words, action, tone, and Marian's reactions as she learns to understand with her own awakening without ever conflating abuse with affection.
I don't have a lot of experience with pure suspense novels, so the pacing felt unbalanced to me. This book is a slow burn that erupts into a raging inferno in the second half. While I felt its length in the beginning, once I reached the midpoint, I could not put it down again, chewing my fingernails in agony as my eyes raced to discover what was going to happen to these people. While this pacing style was ultimately the right choice for the book, it can still be disorienting to readers who aren't used to it.
The only thing that really disappointed me on my first reading was the ending. At first glance, it just... fizzled out with no resolution to Marian and Valentine. It wouldn't have bothered me if not for the "after" letters sprinkled throughout that seemed to show them not staying together, an occurrence that was not reflected in the main timeline. So when I got to the end I was like "so when and how did they fall out/drift apart?" Since I have the privilege of knowing the author, I asked her if I was missing something. She said, "Read the last line again." And friends, once you get it, everything changes. A confusing and disappointing conclusion becomes the best bait and switch I've ever read, laid out with the clever subtlety of an author who respects and believes in her reader's intelligence.
For those involved in the BDSM community or who were hurt by certain books' harmful and misinformed depictions of BDSM, I present two lines that resonated with me.
"Control--of my body, of the situation--was shifting from me to him, and the feeling was sweet, like falling asleep in safety, watched over by someone quite awake."
And, more succinctly: "I led, and you followed."
There's so much I could say about these lines, but I'll leave it at this: I hope the public allows Valentine and Marian to heal some of the damage done by damaged sack of cancer rats Christian Grey.
In short: People NEED to read this book. You are people. You NEED to read this book.
I don't even know where to begin with this. But I guess I should start by setting some expectations. One of the major themes of this book is BDSM, including a very clearly delineated juxtaposition of healthy BDSM and abuse. That said, this is not erotica, as some may expect from the topic. This is, as the subtitle states, "a novel of suspense." So even though my stupid slut brain wants more scenes of kink play, that is not the point of this book, so don't go in expecting it.
*** SPOILERS TO FOLLOW ***
I know this author personally, and I was so excited to read her debut novel (please note I bought the book with my own money, and we know each other from grad school where we don't pull punches with our critiques, so rest assured, this is my honest opinion). Off the top of my head, if I were to describe Briana's writing, in general, I'd choose the words "thoughtful" and "atmospheric." ON GOOD AUTHORITY delivers both qualities in full. The imagery is striking, and she pays special attention to scent detail (which didn't surprise me, given her love of perfume oils). Memorable images like walls the color of bruises and lingering smell of tobacco add depth to an already complex mix of literary flavors. Also, the concept of scenting a carpet with tea leaves (an actual Victorian housekeeping technique Briana discovered in her research) is so mind-blowing to me that I'm now overcome with the feminine urge to throw my pumpkin spice black tea all over the rug
But I think ON GOOD AUTHORITY's greatest strength is its characters. Marian makes for a strong POV protagonist. She's competent, rebellious, curious, passionate, and caring, and her journey and her vulnerability are relatable and realistic without robbing her of her total agency. Wythe's two-faced nature, entitled self-martyrdom, and all-around vileness is disgustingly true to life but never read, to me, as too triggering, despite my personal experience with people like him (and Briana helpfully includes a trigger warning at the beginning of the book so readers can accommodate themselves). Valentine is the best, and I will love him until my dying day.
Briana is incredibly thoughtful in how she handles the book's themes of BDSM and abuse. Unlike some other books I've heard of but mercifully haven't read, she incorporates both and demonstrates the clear differences between the two--carefully contrasting Wythe's invasive cruelty with Valentine's steady attentiveness. Each example is perfectly frame in words, action, tone, and Marian's reactions as she learns to understand with her own awakening without ever conflating abuse with affection.
I don't have a lot of experience with pure suspense novels, so the pacing felt unbalanced to me. This book is a slow burn that erupts into a raging inferno in the second half. While I felt its length in the beginning, once I reached the midpoint, I could not put it down again, chewing my fingernails in agony as my eyes raced to discover what was going to happen to these people. While this pacing style was ultimately the right choice for the book, it can still be disorienting to readers who aren't used to it.
The only thing that really disappointed me on my first reading was the ending. At first glance, it just... fizzled out with no resolution to Marian and Valentine. It wouldn't have bothered me if not for the "after" letters sprinkled throughout that seemed to show them not staying together, an occurrence that was not reflected in the main timeline. So when I got to the end I was like "so when and how did they fall out/drift apart?" Since I have the privilege of knowing the author, I asked her if I was missing something. She said, "Read the last line again." And friends, once you get it, everything changes. A confusing and disappointing conclusion becomes the best bait and switch I've ever read, laid out with the clever subtlety of an author who respects and believes in her reader's intelligence.
For those involved in the BDSM community or who were hurt by certain books' harmful and misinformed depictions of BDSM, I present two lines that resonated with me.
"Control--of my body, of the situation--was shifting from me to him, and the feeling was sweet, like falling asleep in safety, watched over by someone quite awake."
And, more succinctly: "I led, and you followed."
There's so much I could say about these lines, but I'll leave it at this: I hope the public allows Valentine and Marian to heal some of the damage done by damaged sack of cancer rats Christian Grey.
In short: People NEED to read this book. You are people. You NEED to read this book.
November 5, 2022
I highly recommend this book!
My brief synopsis:
Marian Olsey and her mother have spent years together at the workhouse on Parish Street following her father’s arrest and sentencing to debtors prison. After assuming her new position at the cliff-top estate of Valor Rise, Marian finds herself ‘lady’s maid’ to Diana Bornholdt and the new subject of Diana’s husbands twisted fascination. Marian is desperately trying to please Mrs.Bornholdt and avoid Mr. Bornholdt altogether when a familiar face shows up at the estate of Valor Rise. Valentine Hobbs, Marian’s former childhood friend from the workhouse, has been employed as the new footman of the Valor Rise estate. The pair cannot seem to avoid one another or their shared past and the games they used to play with one another to escape the confines of their grim reality. However, Mr. Bornholdt is neither keen nor willing to let Valentine have what he has been denied. Especially after Valentine and Marian stumble upon a dark secret that could derail the perfect image of the Bornholdt family.
~
I love, love, love this story! Growing up, this is what I imagined our mother’s period piece/historical romance novels were like. I finished this book in two sittings which I have not been able to do with any other story in the last few months. However, I was far too captivated to set this one down. I enjoyed reading about Marian’s pull towards activities that engaged in both pain and pleasure, the moral turmoil this caused her to have (especially with the societal structure of the time frame), and how different people being in control of said activities caused massively different responses. Marian’s thought process, flashbacks triggered, and actions all made sense to me and it was easy to relate to her in multiple aspects.
I adore gothic horror and suspense so this thriller was on par with my preferences. In my opinion, the best Gothic suspense novels don’t immediately unsettle the reader. A psychological thriller should open feeling like a normal, possibly eery, story then slowly unfold - presenting layers of unease and mystery. This causes the plot twists to feel sudden, like a bomb drop that turns the view of everything previously read upside down (giving the reader a new perspective moving forward in the novel). McGuckin did a phenomenal job with this.
I do highly recommend this read if you are a fan of thrillers with the addition of BDSM discussion. I’d give this a 1.5-2/5 on my personal view of the spice scale with intimate scenes ‘fading to black’. BDSM is a theme and it’s interesting to see Marian switch from submissive to dominant depending on the situation (not always of a sexual or intimate nature). Explicit content is not heavily featured or detailed. As someone who has indeed read their fair share spicy books with no plot or books that rate 3-5 on the spice scale, I still greatly enjoyed this book.
*Possible spoilers mentioned or alluded to ahead, scroll further at your own risk.*
As someone who loves my mother dearly, I found myself fairly emotional with parallels between Marian’s mother and Diana. My initial mistrust for Diana soon turned into admiration and sympathy. I believe she became my favorite character overall.
“I know the value of a daughter.” She bent down, so our heads nearly touched. “The depth of grief, one for the other, must match the depth of love.” (pg. 130)
This exchange (between Marian and her mother followed by Marian and Diana) in particular warmed my heart.
“But her eyes were hard--determined. "I don't want your salary. I want to know you're happy."
"But, Mother-“
She squeezed my hands. "Write to me."
And then she’d let me go.” (pg. 11)
"I do not want your money, Marian," she said, jostling me.
"I only want you to be well, and happy. If I were to ask anything of you for myself, it would be…” But she waved the thought away.
"I'll do it, whatever it is." I took her hands. "What is it.
She smiled.
"Write to me." (pg. 337)
I almost feel as if Marian and Diana’s relationship shined above any other in this novel, despite my affection for Valentine and Marian. It’s one of those cases where you start a romance thinking it’ll overshadow all; however, it’s a different type of love although there that reigns supreme.
I will also add, separately to the topic above, that I had to set my book down and process page 219 for several minutes before I could resume my reading. It was my first genuine “wait WHAT?!” moment of the book and I loved it. My book was filled with color coded tabs based upon my reactions from the first chapter to the last.
My brief synopsis:
Marian Olsey and her mother have spent years together at the workhouse on Parish Street following her father’s arrest and sentencing to debtors prison. After assuming her new position at the cliff-top estate of Valor Rise, Marian finds herself ‘lady’s maid’ to Diana Bornholdt and the new subject of Diana’s husbands twisted fascination. Marian is desperately trying to please Mrs.Bornholdt and avoid Mr. Bornholdt altogether when a familiar face shows up at the estate of Valor Rise. Valentine Hobbs, Marian’s former childhood friend from the workhouse, has been employed as the new footman of the Valor Rise estate. The pair cannot seem to avoid one another or their shared past and the games they used to play with one another to escape the confines of their grim reality. However, Mr. Bornholdt is neither keen nor willing to let Valentine have what he has been denied. Especially after Valentine and Marian stumble upon a dark secret that could derail the perfect image of the Bornholdt family.
~
I love, love, love this story! Growing up, this is what I imagined our mother’s period piece/historical romance novels were like. I finished this book in two sittings which I have not been able to do with any other story in the last few months. However, I was far too captivated to set this one down. I enjoyed reading about Marian’s pull towards activities that engaged in both pain and pleasure, the moral turmoil this caused her to have (especially with the societal structure of the time frame), and how different people being in control of said activities caused massively different responses. Marian’s thought process, flashbacks triggered, and actions all made sense to me and it was easy to relate to her in multiple aspects.
I adore gothic horror and suspense so this thriller was on par with my preferences. In my opinion, the best Gothic suspense novels don’t immediately unsettle the reader. A psychological thriller should open feeling like a normal, possibly eery, story then slowly unfold - presenting layers of unease and mystery. This causes the plot twists to feel sudden, like a bomb drop that turns the view of everything previously read upside down (giving the reader a new perspective moving forward in the novel). McGuckin did a phenomenal job with this.
I do highly recommend this read if you are a fan of thrillers with the addition of BDSM discussion. I’d give this a 1.5-2/5 on my personal view of the spice scale with intimate scenes ‘fading to black’. BDSM is a theme and it’s interesting to see Marian switch from submissive to dominant depending on the situation (not always of a sexual or intimate nature). Explicit content is not heavily featured or detailed. As someone who has indeed read their fair share spicy books with no plot or books that rate 3-5 on the spice scale, I still greatly enjoyed this book.
*Possible spoilers mentioned or alluded to ahead, scroll further at your own risk.*
As someone who loves my mother dearly, I found myself fairly emotional with parallels between Marian’s mother and Diana. My initial mistrust for Diana soon turned into admiration and sympathy. I believe she became my favorite character overall.
“I know the value of a daughter.” She bent down, so our heads nearly touched. “The depth of grief, one for the other, must match the depth of love.” (pg. 130)
This exchange (between Marian and her mother followed by Marian and Diana) in particular warmed my heart.
“But her eyes were hard--determined. "I don't want your salary. I want to know you're happy."
"But, Mother-“
She squeezed my hands. "Write to me."
And then she’d let me go.” (pg. 11)
"I do not want your money, Marian," she said, jostling me.
"I only want you to be well, and happy. If I were to ask anything of you for myself, it would be…” But she waved the thought away.
"I'll do it, whatever it is." I took her hands. "What is it.
She smiled.
"Write to me." (pg. 337)
I almost feel as if Marian and Diana’s relationship shined above any other in this novel, despite my affection for Valentine and Marian. It’s one of those cases where you start a romance thinking it’ll overshadow all; however, it’s a different type of love although there that reigns supreme.
I will also add, separately to the topic above, that I had to set my book down and process page 219 for several minutes before I could resume my reading. It was my first genuine “wait WHAT?!” moment of the book and I loved it. My book was filled with color coded tabs based upon my reactions from the first chapter to the last.
January 9, 2023
On Good Authority was a uniquely surprising, heart-wrenching, admirable debut from an author you will most definitely want to keep an eye on if you’re a fan of gothic suspense.
My first impressions of OGA were that McGuckin demonstrates an impressive control of language for a debut. Her sentences are well-crafted, the language lofty without being superfluous, with attention not only to detail you might expect from a gothic, but a keen grasp of rhythm, music, and readability. OGA was a page turner not only for its plot and suspense, but its language.
In regard to the plot, I found myself deliciously surprised at every turn. McGuckin leaves a finely curated trail of clues for readers to follow, but is careful not to show her hand before its time. I found myself nudged along, misdirected, and consistently satisfied every time another layer of the central plot revealed itself. I was at once pleased to have pieced together some of the clues, while also remaining blind to the book’s many twists and turns.
I want to commend McGuckin not only for her careful (and care-full) handling of trauma, sexual abuse, and sexual desire, but for the less-obvious themes OGA tries, and succeeds at, addressing. Beneath the surface of a book that seems at first glance to be about healthy sexual relationships and kink-positivity, McGuckin addresses the stigma surrounding women’s sexual desires (which is cleverly referred to as Marian being a woman “awakened”), the often uncomfortable, rarely simple relationship between mother and daughter, and the many difficulties of being a child raised without the steady presence of a parent.
On Good Authority rightfully deserves a place on the shelf of fans of gothic, romance, and suspense. I was reminded as I progressed through the novel of stories like Outlander, The Yellow Wallpaper, The Fall of the House of Usher, and Lapvona, among others. It is sexy without being lewd, hair-raising, sinister, and intimate. I found myself invested in the keeping (or, at times, telling) of the characters’ secrets. I wished for their well-being, or their downfall.
A promising start to a suspenseful, sexy writing career!
EDIT:
I’ve returned to my original thoughts after reading some of the other comments and reviews left below.
Many people seem to have been expecting more sex than the novel produced, but seem to fail to understand that a story which explores the complexity of a sexual relationship “tinged with BDSM,” is not necessarily about sex. McGuckin explores what it means to turn yourself in, so to speak, to another’s authority. Through words and thoughts and subtle actions, she tenderly presents the heart of kink-positivity. Perhaps readers were led astray by initial expectations, but I found On Good Authority to be a mature, engaging, honest approach towards a kink that is as much about what happens outside the closed bedroom as it is what happens inside. It is provocative, philosophical, and self-aware.
My first impressions of OGA were that McGuckin demonstrates an impressive control of language for a debut. Her sentences are well-crafted, the language lofty without being superfluous, with attention not only to detail you might expect from a gothic, but a keen grasp of rhythm, music, and readability. OGA was a page turner not only for its plot and suspense, but its language.
In regard to the plot, I found myself deliciously surprised at every turn. McGuckin leaves a finely curated trail of clues for readers to follow, but is careful not to show her hand before its time. I found myself nudged along, misdirected, and consistently satisfied every time another layer of the central plot revealed itself. I was at once pleased to have pieced together some of the clues, while also remaining blind to the book’s many twists and turns.
I want to commend McGuckin not only for her careful (and care-full) handling of trauma, sexual abuse, and sexual desire, but for the less-obvious themes OGA tries, and succeeds at, addressing. Beneath the surface of a book that seems at first glance to be about healthy sexual relationships and kink-positivity, McGuckin addresses the stigma surrounding women’s sexual desires (which is cleverly referred to as Marian being a woman “awakened”), the often uncomfortable, rarely simple relationship between mother and daughter, and the many difficulties of being a child raised without the steady presence of a parent.
On Good Authority rightfully deserves a place on the shelf of fans of gothic, romance, and suspense. I was reminded as I progressed through the novel of stories like Outlander, The Yellow Wallpaper, The Fall of the House of Usher, and Lapvona, among others. It is sexy without being lewd, hair-raising, sinister, and intimate. I found myself invested in the keeping (or, at times, telling) of the characters’ secrets. I wished for their well-being, or their downfall.
A promising start to a suspenseful, sexy writing career!
EDIT:
I’ve returned to my original thoughts after reading some of the other comments and reviews left below.
Many people seem to have been expecting more sex than the novel produced, but seem to fail to understand that a story which explores the complexity of a sexual relationship “tinged with BDSM,” is not necessarily about sex. McGuckin explores what it means to turn yourself in, so to speak, to another’s authority. Through words and thoughts and subtle actions, she tenderly presents the heart of kink-positivity. Perhaps readers were led astray by initial expectations, but I found On Good Authority to be a mature, engaging, honest approach towards a kink that is as much about what happens outside the closed bedroom as it is what happens inside. It is provocative, philosophical, and self-aware.
October 14, 2022
This is a book about bondage. Yes, it is somewhat about bondage like the cover shows, but it’s really about all sorts of bondage women could be bound in the time period this book is set in, especially when that bondage involves the will of men or the power of money.
The cover calls this “a novel of suspense”, but if you’re looking for some high-wire suspense thriller or suspense mystery, you’re looking in the wrong place. This is more of a low thrumming, steadily beating, pastoral sort of suspense novel. The gothic isolation and overall story of trying to undermine and find a way out of an untenable situation with an awful patriarchal overlord is a more quiet and furtive pursuit for a lady’s maid in the 1800s than in most other suspense novels you may read this year. And this is, indeed, a rather quiet book, despite its cover.
I like this book, though, because it’s so unassuming and has no pretenses. It simply is what it is: a historical fiction novel that brings us some suspense, some mystery, some romance, and lovely prose. The narrative isn’t heavy, which can be an issue with some historical novels set in this time period, nor is the dialogue melodramatic, which can also be an issue. The small details a frequent reader of historical fiction would notice have been neatly taken care of, as far as I can tell, which is something I always look at in reading HF. The characters are outstanding, and their moral dilemmas, as written, would be quite consistent with the social mores and conventions of the time. Sure, even the Victorians got a little spicy and liked more than a little slap and tickle, but only the rich and privileged would have had the freedom to express such feelings without consequence (because they would have been the only ones who could pay for loyal silence).
This book does have a non-linear timeline of sorts, too. The book has scenes set in the past, when two of the main characters are young and live in one of London’s workhouses, and then in the present as they work together at Valor Rise. There are also letters from the FMC to an anonymous receiver interspersed throughout the novel. I greatly enjoyed the scenes set at the workhouse, because I believe the past scenes greatly helped to inform the present scenes. In some books I believe a juxtaposed timeline like this is extraneous, but in this book I fully believe it works really well.
Overall, it’s an enjoyable page-turning novel. I greatly enjoyed it.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for granting me access to this novel.
File Under: Historical Fiction/Historical Romance/Historical Mystery/Historical Suspense/Romantic Suspense
The cover calls this “a novel of suspense”, but if you’re looking for some high-wire suspense thriller or suspense mystery, you’re looking in the wrong place. This is more of a low thrumming, steadily beating, pastoral sort of suspense novel. The gothic isolation and overall story of trying to undermine and find a way out of an untenable situation with an awful patriarchal overlord is a more quiet and furtive pursuit for a lady’s maid in the 1800s than in most other suspense novels you may read this year. And this is, indeed, a rather quiet book, despite its cover.
I like this book, though, because it’s so unassuming and has no pretenses. It simply is what it is: a historical fiction novel that brings us some suspense, some mystery, some romance, and lovely prose. The narrative isn’t heavy, which can be an issue with some historical novels set in this time period, nor is the dialogue melodramatic, which can also be an issue. The small details a frequent reader of historical fiction would notice have been neatly taken care of, as far as I can tell, which is something I always look at in reading HF. The characters are outstanding, and their moral dilemmas, as written, would be quite consistent with the social mores and conventions of the time. Sure, even the Victorians got a little spicy and liked more than a little slap and tickle, but only the rich and privileged would have had the freedom to express such feelings without consequence (because they would have been the only ones who could pay for loyal silence).
This book does have a non-linear timeline of sorts, too. The book has scenes set in the past, when two of the main characters are young and live in one of London’s workhouses, and then in the present as they work together at Valor Rise. There are also letters from the FMC to an anonymous receiver interspersed throughout the novel. I greatly enjoyed the scenes set at the workhouse, because I believe the past scenes greatly helped to inform the present scenes. In some books I believe a juxtaposed timeline like this is extraneous, but in this book I fully believe it works really well.
Overall, it’s an enjoyable page-turning novel. I greatly enjoyed it.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for granting me access to this novel.
File Under: Historical Fiction/Historical Romance/Historical Mystery/Historical Suspense/Romantic Suspense
July 13, 2022
I was given the chance to read this as an advanced copy and I thank Briana so much for the opportunity.
I wanted to love this book. On the surface it had all of the elements of my favourite kind of story. History, steam, suspense, BDSM. I really did want to like it.
Unfortunately, it fell short. I think that this novel was trying to do too many things at once. What hyped the novel up to me was an exploration of BDSM and sexual identity. I like the inclusion of safe words and the dynamic of consent between the two leads, but I was pretty disappointed when the big play scene that the whole book had been leading up to a few paragraphs with Valentine tied up, and then a fade to black scene. There didn’t have to be an explicit sex scene and I understand that not every author is comfortable with that, but if one of the main selling points of the novel is bdsm I just would have thought that there would have been further exploration of Marians sexuality and the submission piece that the novel had been leading up to.
My other complaint is maybe something that a normal person wouldn’t complain about. But I’m obsessed with history and historical fashion and some of the descriptions of historical fashion in the novel were jarring enough to take me out of the novel. I wish some more research surrounding Victorian clothing specifically undergarments would have been done before writing about them. I also wish the woman on the cover had a chemise under her corset but I understand this is stylized for the modern eye.
Now for the good things?
It was quick and easy read and it helped me get through the day of the rogers outage in Canada haha! I also genuinely didn’t expect some of the twists. The medication for the wife being birth control? Didn’t expect it. Then the wife siding with the husband! Didn’t expect it! Unfortunately, those were the few surprises I did find and I struggled to want to finish it. (Also I’m sorry for not being able to remember literally any names)
I really hate leaving a negative review after an author was kind enough to send me a book, but I also don’t want to lie. I definitely could see the appeal of this book, and it was good; just not great. If you’re looking for an easy suspense read and want to enjoy the story, this is for you. If you’re looking for spice? Probably go elsewhere.
Thanks again Briana for the opportunity to preview this novel.
I wanted to love this book. On the surface it had all of the elements of my favourite kind of story. History, steam, suspense, BDSM. I really did want to like it.
Unfortunately, it fell short. I think that this novel was trying to do too many things at once. What hyped the novel up to me was an exploration of BDSM and sexual identity. I like the inclusion of safe words and the dynamic of consent between the two leads, but I was pretty disappointed when the big play scene that the whole book had been leading up to a few paragraphs with Valentine tied up, and then a fade to black scene. There didn’t have to be an explicit sex scene and I understand that not every author is comfortable with that, but if one of the main selling points of the novel is bdsm I just would have thought that there would have been further exploration of Marians sexuality and the submission piece that the novel had been leading up to.
My other complaint is maybe something that a normal person wouldn’t complain about. But I’m obsessed with history and historical fashion and some of the descriptions of historical fashion in the novel were jarring enough to take me out of the novel. I wish some more research surrounding Victorian clothing specifically undergarments would have been done before writing about them. I also wish the woman on the cover had a chemise under her corset but I understand this is stylized for the modern eye.
Now for the good things?
It was quick and easy read and it helped me get through the day of the rogers outage in Canada haha! I also genuinely didn’t expect some of the twists. The medication for the wife being birth control? Didn’t expect it. Then the wife siding with the husband! Didn’t expect it! Unfortunately, those were the few surprises I did find and I struggled to want to finish it. (Also I’m sorry for not being able to remember literally any names)
I really hate leaving a negative review after an author was kind enough to send me a book, but I also don’t want to lie. I definitely could see the appeal of this book, and it was good; just not great. If you’re looking for an easy suspense read and want to enjoy the story, this is for you. If you’re looking for spice? Probably go elsewhere.
Thanks again Briana for the opportunity to preview this novel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
October 23, 2022A stunning and multifaceted debut that made me so, so happy as a fan of historical fiction.
I love my Downton Abbey, I love my Gilded Age, I love my Upstairs-Downstairs. But the truth is, the Victorian era was awful for the vast majority of people. It wasn't all lace dresses and tea cakes. Workhouses abused the poor, child labor was rampant and dangerous, and even if one managed to get a "good" position as staff, well, the rich folk weren't always as kind as Lord and Lady Grantham.
ON GOOD AUTHORITY is well-aware of this and wrings every drop out of the power dynamics of the time. Its heroine is a child of tenant farmers who were thrown into a workhouse after a poor harvest. The odds are stacked against Marian, but she still manages to carve out an identity and even love for herself under the dehumanizing workhouse conditions. The attention to detail and unflinching depiction of this reality set this apart.
This isn't a bleak story of poverty, though. It's a romance and a Gothic that doesn't skimp over the blemishes of the time period and it is so, so much richer for it.
When Marian is sent to the ominous Valor Rise as a lady's maid, all of that will and spine is put to the test. The twists and turns and dark hallways kept me reading for hours. And then the romance. THE ROMANCE. The relationship between Marian and her childhood friend-turned-protector/lover felt so real and inspiring. The BDSM elements are hot, but they are also thoughtful in their reflection and critique of the power structure. It shouldn't be possible for a book this gripping to also be so thoughtful and historically astute, but here we are. The twist at the end left me absolutely breathless, and despite all the suffering Marian endures, the overall tone was hopeful and inspiring. I wanted to read it again as soon as I was done.
Historical fans should not miss this one!
I love my Downton Abbey, I love my Gilded Age, I love my Upstairs-Downstairs. But the truth is, the Victorian era was awful for the vast majority of people. It wasn't all lace dresses and tea cakes. Workhouses abused the poor, child labor was rampant and dangerous, and even if one managed to get a "good" position as staff, well, the rich folk weren't always as kind as Lord and Lady Grantham.
ON GOOD AUTHORITY is well-aware of this and wrings every drop out of the power dynamics of the time. Its heroine is a child of tenant farmers who were thrown into a workhouse after a poor harvest. The odds are stacked against Marian, but she still manages to carve out an identity and even love for herself under the dehumanizing workhouse conditions. The attention to detail and unflinching depiction of this reality set this apart.
This isn't a bleak story of poverty, though. It's a romance and a Gothic that doesn't skimp over the blemishes of the time period and it is so, so much richer for it.
When Marian is sent to the ominous Valor Rise as a lady's maid, all of that will and spine is put to the test. The twists and turns and dark hallways kept me reading for hours. And then the romance. THE ROMANCE. The relationship between Marian and her childhood friend-turned-protector/lover felt so real and inspiring. The BDSM elements are hot, but they are also thoughtful in their reflection and critique of the power structure. It shouldn't be possible for a book this gripping to also be so thoughtful and historically astute, but here we are. The twist at the end left me absolutely breathless, and despite all the suffering Marian endures, the overall tone was hopeful and inspiring. I wanted to read it again as soon as I was done.
Historical fans should not miss this one!
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