Reading with a Side of Life

“That books are a safe place to explore fantasies that push the boundaries.”-Zara

• Overall: ⭐⭐⭐
• Characters: 👍👍👍
• Spicy: 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️🌶️
• Writing: 🖊️🖊️🖊️
• Narration: 🗣️🗣️

If you do not want to read this breakdown in fear of spoilers, please feel free to go here for a video breakdown of the review.

Please click here to buy this book because your a Tutor loving royalty yourself and must have this hot cosplay romance steaming up your shelf.

WTF Just Happened: Book Breakdown

Elodie Peach gets a new job as a substitute history teacher at an elite British prep school because Elodie’s sister, Grace, gets left high and dry by her baby daddy, and she wants to help support her niece’s school tuition. That is where the role-playing king himself, Charlie Fisher, works. Not only is Charlie impressed by Elodie’s resume, but also? He’s obsessed—with her swan-like neck. (Sir, be serious.)

Elodie, meanwhile, thinks her new boss is a pompous, broody enigma. Attractive? Annoyingly so. Friendly? Absolutely not. She chalks him up as a cold, untouchable academic and keeps her distance. Elodie is venting to her co-worker, stylish AF history teacher Zara, about how she needs extra money…because, life, you know? That is when Charlie proposes something wild. He asks Elodie to join him in weekend historical reenactments at Hampton Court Palace, playing none other than Anne Boleyn to his Henry VIII. Elodie is stunned–shooketh! But she loves Tudor history, and she needs the money. So bring on the heavy garb and pearls. Little did she know that “King Charlie” is a completely different man in costume: witty, charming, and full of swagger. Suddenly, it’s not so easy to keep things professional when he’s courting her with royal flair… and looking at her like she hung the moon.

Would I force my friends to read this book?

Maybe… I don’t know. I do not know if everyone would be down for this Tudor roleplay romance novel. I think that I would have to know that they were into this particular period of time. What is so funny is I was talking about this particular time with this gorgeous lady that just got engaged. Congratulations!!!
(still slightly screaming and jumping up and down like I have to pee with excitement)

If I knew my friends were into historical reenactment fantasies mixed with teacher-student workplace tension, I would 100% recommend The Rest is History. This book is pure history teacher romance gold—complete with a slow-burn boss romance, British prep school drama, and yes… they absolutely get it on at school. And it is 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️🌶️.

Honestly, if someone had told me this was a modern Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn love story with tension that builds like a pressure cooker in a palace, I’d have thrown on a corset and joined the cast.

This story makes you want to don the Tudor dress and then back it up harder than Henry VIII backtracked on his own morals. Smart, spicy, and satisfyingly swoony—this is the British academic romance you didn’t know you needed.

Tropes, Tea, and Twists

• Workplace Romance– Boss + employee… with lots of tension.
• Grumpy/Sunshine– He’s all stiff upper lip from past relationship damage. She’s sunshine with with a side of spice.
• Forced Proximity– Dressing up together every weekend.
• Historical Roleplay– Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII… with feelings and gray morals.
• Secret Longing– Charlie has it BAD for Elodie from day one.
• Nerdy Academia– History teachers with emotional baggage.
• Slow Burn– Like why Charlie? Why can’t you just put your shit a side and swoon her sooner?
• Palace shenanigans and museum vibes– I mean, there are not very many books that make Henry look this good *drool*
• Enemies-to-lovers– It gives the energy but in tweed
• Teachers being passionate about their jobs– Because let’s admit it by this point that is almost fictional.
• Men in historical costume– all the while pining awkwardly
• Strong family dynamics and loyal sisters– Elodie rides hard for her sister and it is a beautiful relationship.
• Anne Boleyn getting the happy ending she deserves
• Duet narration romance– This book is set in England so yes-the narrators do talk in a British accent.
• Tudor roleplay romance
• Historical reenactment love story

Author Vibes: Was the writing GIVINGGGG?

When it comes to weaving historical facts into romance, Sara Madderson absolutely gives. In the very end of the book, she adds an author’s note about how she even reached out to legit historians to ensure that the descriptions in this book are as accurate as possible. She doesn’t just toss in a crown and call it Tudor-themed—she brings real Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII dynamics into the emotional undercurrent of the story.

I love the conversations that take place in between the weekends over the actual historical events that took place and how everything went out. It was a tiny history lesson in between all the spit-swapping scenes. The palace reenactments aren’t just backdrops; they mirror the tension, power shifts, and longing between Elodie and Charlie.

Whether it’s teaching 19th-century history by day or slipping into character at Hampton Court Palace, the historical details feel researched, relevant, and weirdly sexy. Madderson strikes that rare balance between nerdy historical accuracy and modern romantic fantasy and somehow makes you want to fall in love and fall into a textbook at the same time.

Voices in My Head, Book Edition

This book was made for audio due to the swoon-worthy British accents. The duet narration by Shane East and Zara Hampton-Brown makes the chemistry crackle, the emotion hit deeper, and the story feel completely immersive. Their delivery brings both tension and tenderness to life. It is also really nice to be able to listen to a book and not get lost in whose chapter you are reading. Please, as an avid audiobook reader, more duet narrations in books!

If you’re into audiobooks, this is one to experience that way—trust me.

Shane East gives us a Charlie who is charming, nervous, and full of depth, even if a little emotionally stunted by his ex. Shane East is apparently in my ears quite a bit. According to Audible, he is in over 500 titles. Some of the other titles I have listened to from looking at the narration selection include American Queen, Kismet, Throne of the Fallen, The Never King, and How My Neighbor Stole Christmas. I am sure that there is more. I mean, he worked with Lauren Blakely and Meghan Quinn—they are part of the royal author court themselves!

Zara Hampton-Brown nails Elodie’s heart and sass with grace. According to Audible, this sultry voice is in over 129 audiobooks. And it looks like this dynamic duo is in a few titles together again, including Audacity, God of Fury, Gold Digger, The Reluctant Billionaire, and A Royal Mile.

Books Fictional Coordinates

Hampton Court Palace: Where History Slaps and Horny Tudors Come to Life
If walls could talk, Hampton Court Palace would have stories—and probably a few restraining orders. This place is the ultimate backdrop for royal drama, ghost sightings, and reenactment-worthy romance that made me feel like I was there. Whether you’re here for the Henry VIII chaos wrapped in corset cosplay, the gardens that look straight out of a Bridgerton fever dream (and Bridgerton is also mentioned in the book), or the sheer vibe of palace-level pettiness, this historical hotspot delivers. 10/10 would smuggle in a codpiece again. Here is the actual site if you want to read this book and then visit this historical palace.

Woodland House Primary School: This school pops up in the book as the place where little Olive sharpens her pencils and her sass to get out of her introverted self—but is it a real-life British school or just a very convincing figment of Sara Madderson’s imagination? The internet shrugged. I went down a Google rabbit hole and still came up empty due to it apparently being a popular name for a UK school of learning. So for now, we’ll call it “fictional until proven factual.”

The Mitre Hotel (Bar): This is where our cast of corset-wearing acting history-loving hotties go to debrief, drink, and maybe flirt over a pint or two after a long day of playing Tudor dress-up and getting divorced from charming Charlie. Honestly, it’s giving “royal afterparty with sexual tension on tap.” It’s the kind of cozy, vibey spot where you half expect Henry VIII to stumble in and order a round of mead. I’d absolutely risk a historical hangover to sip something scandalous here.

The Plot’s Favorite Children

• Elodie Peach Bright, curious, and unexpectedly bold, Elodie is impossible not to root for. She is a great sister and aunt, going above and beyond to take care of her family. She brings out the best in Charlie and helps him shed the weight of his past. Elodie is a wonderful heroine. She is kind, passionate, and genuinely good at her job. She’s not here for nonsense, even if it’s wearing tights and a codpiece. Her relationship with her family and students makes her all the more lovable.
• Charlie Vaughan—After his wife leaves him for reasons you’re going to have to read to find out– Charlie turns into the ultimate softie wrapped in a grumpy academic shell. Like most men, he has insecurities, hesitation, and hidden sweetness. I was desperate for Elodie to tear down his walls—and lucky for us, she does, and then he does her up against a wall. Very fitting if you ask me. He may be emotionally constipated at work, but he’s a total king roll in disguise. You’ll want to shake him and hug him at the same time.

Backup Dancers of the Plot

• Zara– This is Elodie’s best work, bestie, due to her being a cool-ass person as well as a historical nerd. The thing that I liked about Zara the most, other than her love of a good spicy mafia romance book, is her ability to get Elodie to trust in her and confide in her so she is able to work out the hot and cold Charlie gives her throughout the book. Also, she sometimes gives me Tina Belcher vibes with her obsession with the PE teacher’s butt.

• Grace– Certified twin, unbothered queen, and ride-or-die sister energy. When her baby daddy pulls a vanishing act, Grace doesn’t flinch—she just opens her door to her sister and lets her live with her versus moving back home with her parents and probably also opens a bottle of wine. Iconic.
• Olive Clancy—the quiet queen currently of cross-stitch and deep YouTube rabbit holes. Elodie’s sweet, ultra-introverted niece might not say much, but her hobby game is strong—and her obsession with nutrition and beauty vloggers is both endearing and slightly terrifying. One minute she’s being the cross-stitch extraordinaire and the how-to-contour-like-a-Kardashian.
• Shelby—She plays Jane Seymour with all the grace of royalty—and then promptly ruins the illusion by blowing a fruity-smelling cloud and dropping F-bombs in her thick Essex accent. Honestly? Icon behavior. Shelby is that chaotic co-worker you low-key adore and high-key fear.
• Tess—our resident Catherine of Aragon and literal PhD holder in the Henrician Reformation, which basically means she could write circles around the rest of the cast—and yet, Charlie still thinks he knows more and tries to mansplain a few things to the cast. Sir, please. Honestly, she deserves a research grant and a raise.

• Philip Willoughby—the prep school principal with big “awkwardly endearing teacher energy,” but he has a hard-on for Zara but tries to act like it doesn’t bother him that she looks at the PE teacher the way she does. He’s Charlie’s friend and confidant. Charlie says that he was able to talk to him from day one with ease. And we know how uptight Charlie is, so this says a lot about Philip. Big Phil is a school administrator by day and a low-key romantic underdog by night. Sweet, a little cringey, totally lovable—and just one heartfelt scene away from breaking your heart (or at least making you root for his love life).
• Cassie—The baby queen of the bunch, playing Katherine Howard with fresh-faced energy and a whole lot of stage dreams. She’s in her first year at acting school, and it shows—in the best way. Cassie brings that Gen Z sparkle to the royal roster, and while she might still be learning the ropes, she’s got main character energy vibes. We’re rooting for her.
• Lauren—our low-key scene-stealer playing Anne of Cleves with a hidden edge—literally. Beneath that historical headpiece? A crown of candy-pink hair she tucks away like a rebellious secret. Quiet at first, but once she warms up, she and Elodie form the kind of unexpectedly deep bond that feels like emotional support in corset form. We love a soft-spoken queen with pastel rebellion in her soul.

• Rebekah—the ever-observant queen playing Catherine Parr. Poised, polished, and with a quiet confidence that says, “I see you,” Rebekah is the one taking mental notes on how to always be improving her acting skills while everyone else is goofing off. Charlie’s convinced she’s destined for stardom, and honestly? Same. She is just waiting for the spotlight to catch up to her shine.
• Jack Fisher—Charlie’s half-brother, but Charlie considers him full-blooded and loved. Jack is the poster child for “how to keep life interesting.” With a handful of kids—and just as many exes—Jack’s the lovable chaos to Charlie’s broody order. Four kids with Stacy alone? That’s some serious family business, a whole lot of dogs, horses, and all the love-filled drama. Jack’s the kind of guy, brother, that comes over to kick your ass for being stupid and shows up with all his kiddo chaos, saying, “Yep, this is my circus, and these are my monkeys.” Jack knows how to love and be loved, and we love a man who is confident in his decisions. Not that many men are able to stay friends with their exes.
• Stacey—Jack’s ex and mother of four of his kids, Stacey’s got a blended-family empire going strong—she’s also got two more with her current husband, Ariel. Talk about juggling act goals and being a mature mama.
• Ariel—Stacey’s husband and co-parent extraordinaire.
• Emmy Fisher—Jack’s new wife with a plot twist—she was already pregnant by someone else when they got together, and Charlie is the one that talks sense into Jack when he questions if he can raise another man’s child. However, Jack surprises everyoneand impregnatesher, saying, I can do one better.
• Rosa—Emmy’s sister, the sibling sidekick.
• David– Rosa’s husband, rounds out the extended Fisher clan with his own brand of charm.
• Tullulah and Martha—Jack’s adorable nieces who also happen to be in his history class. Because why not mix family and work drama?

Highlighter Worthy Moments

” The options are binary. Outward frost indifference, or kneeling in front of her, thrusting my face between those long legs of hers and begging her to spend the rest of her life with me.”- Charlie Chapter 2 Page 13

“But Charlie Vaughan is sitting in front of me, asking me to be his Anne Boleyn.” Elodie Chapter 4, Page 27

“I could write a PhD thesis on the way nuances of Elodie’s eyes. By the way, to call them merely green is to undersell them criminally.” Charlie, Chapter 5, Page 29

“She’s the type of woman you throw everything you’ve got at, in the hope that she’ll let you slide a ring on her finger and make you the happiest fucker on the planet.” Charlie, Chapter 13, Page 89

“I would like to say at this point that I don’t have a Henry VIII kink. That would be impossible. Horrifying. But, in a cruel twist of fate, it seems I may have a Charlie Vaughan as Henry VIII kink.” Elodie, Chapter 14, Page 96

“You are so fucking infuriating,’ I hiss, and make a grab for the back of her head and smash our mouths together.” Charlie, Chapter 17, Page 126

“That books are a safe place to explore fantasies that push the boundaries.”-Zara, Chapter 22, Page 160

“Can’t have you thinking Saturday was some kind of role-play for me, sweetheart. It broke my heart when you said that. The only women I want is you. Past or present.” Charlie to Elodie, Chapter 23, Page 166

“I’m not offering, Elodie.’ His hands go back to the sides of my panties. ‘I’m fucking begging.” Charlie, Chapter 23, Page 169

“Men don’t seem to get that no condom equals leaky love juices after sex. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.” Elodie, Chapter 26, Page 194