Scan barcode
tillybh's review
5.0
While the title seems typical of the genre, I thought this book was well written and thought out, and gave an insight into life in the Court of Charles II. The scandal, the gowns, the plots and even the total powerlessness of Charles' wife in the court of his mistresses - in particular, Barbara of Castlemaine, the most notorious and scheming of them all.
Frances, the protagonist, was at the rather penniless French court during the period Charles was campaigning and winning his throne back. Along with many of the courtiers, she relocates back to England when Charles returns, and she becomes lady in waiting to his queen, Catherine of Bragansa. But Frances is tall, graceful, beautiful, innocent.... everything everyone else at the scandalous court is not. And Charles falls for her. This novel is, essentially, how Charles sets out to try and win her over, but also of how Frances refuses to become just another glittering and bejeweled mistress of his, to be enjoyed and then cast off when he tires of her. She will not settle for less than true love....
Overall a very good novel. I had never really read anything set in the Stuart era before, so this was really my first little window into the vast mansions of Stuart era historical fiction, and it was immensely enjoyable. Now I can't get enough! Very very good, and definitely earns its full 5 stars in my view.
Frances, the protagonist, was at the rather penniless French court during the period Charles was campaigning and winning his throne back. Along with many of the courtiers, she relocates back to England when Charles returns, and she becomes lady in waiting to his queen, Catherine of Bragansa. But Frances is tall, graceful, beautiful, innocent.... everything everyone else at the scandalous court is not. And Charles falls for her. This novel is, essentially, how Charles sets out to try and win her over, but also of how Frances refuses to become just another glittering and bejeweled mistress of his, to be enjoyed and then cast off when he tires of her. She will not settle for less than true love....
Overall a very good novel. I had never really read anything set in the Stuart era before, so this was really my first little window into the vast mansions of Stuart era historical fiction, and it was immensely enjoyable. Now I can't get enough! Very very good, and definitely earns its full 5 stars in my view.
More...