Weight in Gold by Karen Restaino is a gripping historical novel based on a harrowing true story—an unforgettable tale of betrayal, survival, and resilience in 1822 England.

Set in the vividly imagined market town of Merrifield, Nottingham, the story follows Sarah Snade, a woman whose life is forever altered when her drunken husband, William, makes a chilling wager in a local tavern—auctioning off his wife at the town’s Christmas Fayre.

What unfolds is a masterfully woven narrative of vengeance, buried secrets, and forbidden desires. As William grapples with the shadows of his past and Sarah fights for her dignity and freedom, the ghosts of their decisions haunt them both—threatening to unravel everything.

Restaino’s haunting prose explores the raw edges of misogyny, the quiet rebellions of women trapped by class and circumstance, and the brutal consequences of obsession. Weight in Gold is a powerful story of love pushed to its limits—and the human spirit’s fight to reclaim itself against all odds.

Fans of The Miniaturist, The Crimson Petal and the White, and Alias Grace will be spellbound by this bold and unforgettable debut.

Out on all major platforms Christmas 2025