There’s tons of story in this, Romeo and Juliet in one sense with warring families, and echoes of the classic peripatetic comic novels of the 18th Century too, such as Tom Jones and Barry Lyndon, in the journey they take together, the strangers they meet etc. But above all, this is a sweeping romance with such highs and such lows. It’s deeply sensual, it’s dramatic, and it is heart-breaking. Towards the end you get such an awful sense of doom, of lies unravelling, and I really began to wonder, how on earth can they possibly have any sort of happy ever after. Don’t read the last section on the bus as I did, unless you’re happy to sob in public. This is a really sweet historical romance between Penn and Raff. Both are hiding big secrets about who they are but also sharing some very sensitive topics. I want to make a content warning about abuse really just talking about some severe abuse in this book. Raff and some of his family are escorting his sister to the castle belonging to her future in-laws. Penn, unknown to Raff, is the intended bridegroom. I loved Penn, he’s the most unlikely of heroes and the best of heroes – a man who has no idea that he is a hero. He’s been raised to believe that he’s worthless, he has no self-esteem and he’s certainly no warrior. Raff on the other hand is a very competent warrior, seemingly a totally alpha male – bit of course, all is not what is seems with him either. Both of them are outcasts. Oh, how I do love a good outcast romance. And both consider themselves in different ways unlovable. So, right from the start you’re really, really invested in them. Raff’s sister was supposed to get married, but her husband to be mysteriously disappeared the night before the wedding. Being a skilled hunter, Raff is tasked with finding this man so the wedding can go ahead.

I loved almost all the characters, not just the main two…and those I didn’t love I loved to hate. I love a book that has real feeling characters, that feel like whole complete people on their own. while their romance is the truly the main driver of this medieval england set historical fiction, the pacing towards their happily ever after felt quite off. The spend a solid 40, maybe even 50% traveling in the woods, from one keep to another. that’s a damn long time for one: them not to communicate with each other about their identities! two: very little progression in actual the plot. and three: lots of repetitive scenes to occur. obviously, i understand that’s how it’s going to be in reality. but i think after the fifth day of “we rode in the snow. we spoke over the fire. we ‘shared warmth’ the stave off cold winter nights” it’s bound to lose you a bit. and it did for me.Thank you to Netgalley, Harper360, and Mills & Boon for the opportunity to review this amazing story. Sweet and romantic, tempered by achingly painful moments and excruciating longing. I laughed, I cried, I held my breath through moments of disaster…a fun and wild ride that pays off beautifully. The night before the wedding, strangers Raff and Penn are desperate for some space from their stressful, strained lives so they venture into Hartswood Forest, where they share a night (and a kiss) before parting.

the relationship is a bit insta-lovey and the author didn't manage to make me care about them at all (in fact i didn't care for any character in this book). it was mostly: they met - liked each other - fell in love, and that was it. there was some conflict and drama but meh. i guess i need more angst in my ships. i also just didn't care for the writing style, like i stated before. One Night in Hartswood was the perfect heartwarming medieval queer romance I didn’t know I needed! If you enjoyed the Scottish Boy but wished it was more lighthearted and emotional, this is the book for you. My only one problem with the book, hence the loss of one star, was the inaccuracies of other characters reacting to a MM relationship. Considering the book is set in medieval England, I feel as though more could have been done with character development and story tension. Considering the views of the time, their love story would not have been one easily accepted by those around them, and so I would have liked to have seen this developed more. This book drew me in immediately and I loved the unique historical take on a traditional road trip story. There is, however, always a bit of tension in queer historical romance where you’re never quite sure what the HEA will look like and how they will find their way there. This is especially the case here as you’re waiting for the truth of their identities to be revealed. Towards the end, the plot got a bit muddled for me, as the politics of the day come into play but I still enjoyed the ultimate resolution.Oh what a great romance. What I loved about this was actually how unpredictable it was. Even though I knew it would have a HEA, I could not foresee how it would play out and lots of bits took me by surprise. to paraphrase one of my favorite authors (hint hint the one blurbed on the us cover), this is pretty damn tender!!