Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: The Woman Before Wallis

Author: Bryn Turnbull

Book Series: Standalone

Rating: 4.5/5

Recommended For...: romance, political intrigue, historical fiction, royal scandals

Publication Date: July 21, 2020

Genre: Historical Ficiton

Recommended Age: 18+ (romance, slight sexual content, affairs, and political intrigue)

Publisher: MIRA

Pages: 400

Synopsis: This novel is the fictionalised story of the American divorcée who captured Prince Edward’s heart before he abdicated his throne for Wallis Simpson.

In the summer of 1926, when Thelma Morgan marries Viscount Duke Furness after a whirlwind romance, she’s immersed in a gilded world of extraordinary wealth and privilege. For Thelma, the daughter of an American diplomat, her new life as a member of the British aristocracy is like a fairy tale—even more so when her husband introduces her to Edward, Prince of Wales.

In a twist of fate, her marriage to Duke leads her to fall headlong into a love affair with Edward. But happiness is fleeting, and their love is threatened when Thelma’s sister, Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt, becomes embroiled in a scandal with far-reaching implications. As Thelma sails to New York to support Gloria, she leaves Edward in the hands of her trusted friend Wallis, never imagining the consequences that will follow.

Review: Overall, this was a well done novel and it seems like it was well researched. The book is intriguing and it felt like reading someone’s private diaries. The book had a lot of well done world building and it’s the perfect book if you’re a fan of the royal family of England.

However, this book had a lot of characters and it became confusing for me to keep them straight. I also felt that the characters weren’t well developed and they just became a name.

Verdict: Worth the read!