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jo_bookworm's review against another edition
4.0
Royalty has always fascinated me and more so historical royalty, whether in the recent past or further back. I can recall asking my grandmother what it was like in 1936 when the King abdicated - she recalls it being an awful time and that it was just all so wrong and that Wallis woman had a lot to answer for.
The same as I can recall sitting with my grandmother and mother when we watched the wedding of Charles and Diana in 1981.
Fast forward to 1997 and the horrific accident which changed the world, royalty and perhaps history forever.
In this we mix the real with the fiction and it blends so well.
In 1997, Paris, a tunnel, a couple, Alex and Rachel, recently engaged seem to be stuck in traffic. An accident is up ahead. The events of that night put Alex and Rachel's relationship through a test as Alex is obsessed about the theories of the death of Princess Diana and starts to push away Rachel.
Rachel is facing a test of her own, as her own business suffers a setback. But it seems the aftermath of the death is around everyone and Rachel is drawn back to the past.
Mary and Wallis beamce friends in Summer Camp in 1911 and their friendship stood the test of time until the end. Wallis was the more confident of the two, who used this to disguise her background and her real problems. Mary went along in her shadow, relinquishing friendships, loves and even the closeness of her family due to the friendship with this woman called Wallis.
This book taught me a lot about Wallis, about her first marriage was and the reasoning behind her second marriage and the almost game that was played with her "Peter Pan" - it was very much all a fantasy for Wallis and as soon as her obsession was over, the next toy needed to be played with. It seems to me though, that in the end her actions were her undoing, she was left with only one toy to play with.
It makes you stop and think about what if? What if in both storylines? The Wallis Simpson one for me was much stronger and well researched, I wanted to get to the end to then find out how much was true (the vast majority, even in some cases down to what was spoken) to how much was conjecture - a lot in terms of conversations where there was no evidence available.
The more modern plotline did jar me slightly I think because it was so recent and the perhaps setting of the characters who were in such close proximity to the final moments made it a bit more macabre. That aside it did have some interesting elements, especially as it tied back to the Mary and Wallis story and that perhaps we did not need the reminder of the death. For me I would like to have seen a different way of handling the events.
However this was really a fascinating book and littered with names in history who fascinate me and was brought together with a compelling storyline. Just how I like my historical fiction.
The same as I can recall sitting with my grandmother and mother when we watched the wedding of Charles and Diana in 1981.
Fast forward to 1997 and the horrific accident which changed the world, royalty and perhaps history forever.
In this we mix the real with the fiction and it blends so well.
In 1997, Paris, a tunnel, a couple, Alex and Rachel, recently engaged seem to be stuck in traffic. An accident is up ahead. The events of that night put Alex and Rachel's relationship through a test as Alex is obsessed about the theories of the death of Princess Diana and starts to push away Rachel.
Rachel is facing a test of her own, as her own business suffers a setback. But it seems the aftermath of the death is around everyone and Rachel is drawn back to the past.
Mary and Wallis beamce friends in Summer Camp in 1911 and their friendship stood the test of time until the end. Wallis was the more confident of the two, who used this to disguise her background and her real problems. Mary went along in her shadow, relinquishing friendships, loves and even the closeness of her family due to the friendship with this woman called Wallis.
This book taught me a lot about Wallis, about her first marriage was and the reasoning behind her second marriage and the almost game that was played with her "Peter Pan" - it was very much all a fantasy for Wallis and as soon as her obsession was over, the next toy needed to be played with. It seems to me though, that in the end her actions were her undoing, she was left with only one toy to play with.
It makes you stop and think about what if? What if in both storylines? The Wallis Simpson one for me was much stronger and well researched, I wanted to get to the end to then find out how much was true (the vast majority, even in some cases down to what was spoken) to how much was conjecture - a lot in terms of conversations where there was no evidence available.
The more modern plotline did jar me slightly I think because it was so recent and the perhaps setting of the characters who were in such close proximity to the final moments made it a bit more macabre. That aside it did have some interesting elements, especially as it tied back to the Mary and Wallis story and that perhaps we did not need the reminder of the death. For me I would like to have seen a different way of handling the events.
However this was really a fascinating book and littered with names in history who fascinate me and was brought together with a compelling storyline. Just how I like my historical fiction.
colorfulleo92's review against another edition
4.0
I've been wanting to read another Hill Paul book since I read Jackie and Maria and I wasn't at all disappointed. This weaves in different timelines and follow a few women in their life and issues. Mostly Wallis and Mary through friendship and through dramatic and tough times. I found the parts following Wallis and Mary emersive and interesting. While the timeline following Rachel wasn't as interesting and I wasn't as invested in her story. Still think the whole book was well written and skillfully weaving different time zones and life stories together.
nearly_empty_nesting's review against another edition
4.0
This royal historical fiction is full of drama, rule-breaking, and tragedy. Told in dueling timelines, this book made an interesting connection between Wallace Simpson and Princess Diana.
mamaroe93011's review against another edition
4.0
I love how deep Gill Paul goes into her storylines and does her research, and this one was no exception. It wasn’t my favorite of her books, but I definitely was drawn into the story.
chelsbethbaute's review against another edition
3.0
I thought this story was very interesting; however, I feel like it was truthful to the blurb. This is not a story about Diana...like at all. The biggest problem I had was that I thought all the characters were horrible people. I find it hard to get behind a book with no one to root for.
marsetta's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to Gill Paul, Headline. and Netgalley for providing a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Two women who challenged the Crown. Divided by time. Bound by a secret...
1911
At the age of fifteen, carefree Mary Kirk and indomitable Wallis Warfield meet at summer camp. Their friendship will survive heartbreaks, separation and the demands of the British Crown until it is shattered by one unforgivable betrayal.
1997
Rachel's romantic break in Paris with her fiance ends in tragedy when the car ahead crashes. Inside was Princess Diana. Back in Brighton, Rachel is haunted by the accident, and intrigued to learn the princess had visited the last home of Wallis, Duchess of Windsor, only hours before the crash. Soon, the discovery of a long-forgotten link to Wallis Simpson leads Rachel to the truth behind a scandal that shook the world...
The story is told from two POVs, Mary Kirk (school and life-long friend of Wallis Simpson as she became known) and Rachel (vintage clothes shop owner and fiancee of Alex). Personally, I found the parts set in the past, about Mary and Wallis, more interesting than those about Alex and Rachel - while there was a sense of mystery behind their story, it all felt a bit forced: what is this bracelet that Alex took from Princess Diana?
The story, from the beginning, about Wallis and Mary just seem to flow and it was a case of flipflopping between the two as who my sympathises would lie with. I found myself reading the Alex and Rachel parts very quickly as I wanted to get back to the story of Wallis and Mary. I did wonder how the two parts of the book were going to tie together and it was only as we came near to the end that I got the answer. Won't say anymore!
This is the second book of Gill Paul that I have read and whilst it wasn't as good as "The Secret Wife" it was still an interesting read. There is a depth and honesty to the story which made me want to read more and I ended up googling a lot of the characters, including Mary Kirk, to find out more about them. I look forward to reading another book by Ms Paul (leaning towards The Affair, which seems to have the background story of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton).
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Two women who challenged the Crown. Divided by time. Bound by a secret...
1911
At the age of fifteen, carefree Mary Kirk and indomitable Wallis Warfield meet at summer camp. Their friendship will survive heartbreaks, separation and the demands of the British Crown until it is shattered by one unforgivable betrayal.
1997
Rachel's romantic break in Paris with her fiance ends in tragedy when the car ahead crashes. Inside was Princess Diana. Back in Brighton, Rachel is haunted by the accident, and intrigued to learn the princess had visited the last home of Wallis, Duchess of Windsor, only hours before the crash. Soon, the discovery of a long-forgotten link to Wallis Simpson leads Rachel to the truth behind a scandal that shook the world...
The story is told from two POVs, Mary Kirk (school and life-long friend of Wallis Simpson as she became known) and Rachel (vintage clothes shop owner and fiancee of Alex). Personally, I found the parts set in the past, about Mary and Wallis, more interesting than those about Alex and Rachel - while there was a sense of mystery behind their story, it all felt a bit forced: what is this bracelet that Alex took from Princess Diana?
The story, from the beginning, about Wallis and Mary just seem to flow and it was a case of flipflopping between the two as who my sympathises would lie with. I found myself reading the Alex and Rachel parts very quickly as I wanted to get back to the story of Wallis and Mary. I did wonder how the two parts of the book were going to tie together and it was only as we came near to the end that I got the answer. Won't say anymore!
This is the second book of Gill Paul that I have read and whilst it wasn't as good as "The Secret Wife" it was still an interesting read. There is a depth and honesty to the story which made me want to read more and I ended up googling a lot of the characters, including Mary Kirk, to find out more about them. I look forward to reading another book by Ms Paul (leaning towards The Affair, which seems to have the background story of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton).
To read this and other reviews like and follow me at
https://crimeandmysterybookreview.wordpress.com/
www.twitter.com/crimemysteryboo
www.facebook.com/crimeandmysterybooksreview
portybelle's review against another edition
4.0
As she did with The Secret Wife, Gill Paul has taken a well known historical event and woven it into a story which imagines what may have happened. She is adept at intertwining fact with fiction to create a compelling novel. The historical aspect of this story looks at the long-lasting friendship between Wallis Simpson and Mary Kirk who met at summer camp in America in 1911. Their friendship lasted many years through various relationships, scandals and heartbreak before finally breaking down over a betrayal. The more modern part of the story is not quite history yet but is set at the time of Princess Diana's death in a car crash almost 20 years ago in Paris. Newly engaged Rachel and Alex are in a car not far behind hers and are witnesses to the scene. Following her death, Alex becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened and begins investigating for a documentary. Rachel discovers a possible link between Princess Diana and Wallis Simpson and becomes very intrigued with this possible connection.
Until I read the notes at the end of the book, I had no idea that Mary Kirk was actually a real person! I'm quite glad I didn't as I would no doubt have succumbed to Google and found out more about her life. As it was, I was able to read this book with no idea what happened to her and just enjoy reading about her life. I liked the way she developed throughout the course of the novel from quite a naive young woman who really should have been less tolerant of Wallis's actions to a much stronger woman who stood up for herself. She knew a lot of sadness in her life and I really felt for her as she yearned for a happy family life.
Other than the fact that she was the American divorcee for whom King Edward VIII gave up the crown, I didn't know an awful lot about Wallis Simpson either. Although the abdication was of course a huge upset and scandal at the time, I had always thought it was very romantic that he gave up so much 'for the woman he loved'. Reading the book I see Wallis in rather a different light now. She seemed a rather selfish woman who only cared about getting what she wanted and showed little loyalty to those who loved and cared for her. I can understand a bit more now about why she was so disliked.
In the 1990s, Rachel is an altogether more likeable character. She owns a vintage clothes shop although is struggling at the beginning of the story due to a break-in. I'm not really into fashion myself, but even I enjoyed reading about the glamorous clothes and jewellery she bought and sold in her business. The clothes of course, are just one link between the stories of Wallis Simpson and Princess Diana as they were both renowned for their stylish clothes. It is through her business that Rachel comes into contact with another character who has a link to both Diana and Mary adding another layer of intrigue to the story.
I am going to admit that The Secret Wife is still my favourite book but I did thoroughly enjoy this book too. Gill Paul has obviously impeccably researched her real life characters, the historical events, the social attitudes to women at the time and brought all this research together into a fascinating and enjoyable read.
Until I read the notes at the end of the book, I had no idea that Mary Kirk was actually a real person! I'm quite glad I didn't as I would no doubt have succumbed to Google and found out more about her life. As it was, I was able to read this book with no idea what happened to her and just enjoy reading about her life. I liked the way she developed throughout the course of the novel from quite a naive young woman who really should have been less tolerant of Wallis's actions to a much stronger woman who stood up for herself. She knew a lot of sadness in her life and I really felt for her as she yearned for a happy family life.
Other than the fact that she was the American divorcee for whom King Edward VIII gave up the crown, I didn't know an awful lot about Wallis Simpson either. Although the abdication was of course a huge upset and scandal at the time, I had always thought it was very romantic that he gave up so much 'for the woman he loved'. Reading the book I see Wallis in rather a different light now. She seemed a rather selfish woman who only cared about getting what she wanted and showed little loyalty to those who loved and cared for her. I can understand a bit more now about why she was so disliked.
In the 1990s, Rachel is an altogether more likeable character. She owns a vintage clothes shop although is struggling at the beginning of the story due to a break-in. I'm not really into fashion myself, but even I enjoyed reading about the glamorous clothes and jewellery she bought and sold in her business. The clothes of course, are just one link between the stories of Wallis Simpson and Princess Diana as they were both renowned for their stylish clothes. It is through her business that Rachel comes into contact with another character who has a link to both Diana and Mary adding another layer of intrigue to the story.
I am going to admit that The Secret Wife is still my favourite book but I did thoroughly enjoy this book too. Gill Paul has obviously impeccably researched her real life characters, the historical events, the social attitudes to women at the time and brought all this research together into a fascinating and enjoyable read.
mkendrab's review against another edition
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jcarsrud's review against another edition
4.0
This book compelled me to finish it, but I wish it wrapped up 100 pages sooner. I really liked the back and forth of the periods to connect the two stories and I enjoyed the characters. I had to go to Google images when Rachel talked about the outfits. :)
cebaute's review against another edition
3.0
I thought this story was very interesting; however, I feel like it was truthful to the blurb. This is not a story about Diana...like at all. The biggest problem I had was that I thought all the characters were horrible people. I find it hard to get behind a book with no one to root for.