It's hard to explain why I struggled with this book. The historical period is interesting, Alice Perrers is a good base for a story, but this is very hard going. There is so much description of how the characters are feeling, so very little conversation. A lot of dry background and not much to get you emphasising with the characters. I got sick of the phrase, 'It's only then'. It's only then that he/she thinks/feels/realises/understands. If you'd like to read a historical fiction based on Alice Perrers, Emma Campion's 'The King's Mistress' beats this hands down.