the-other-gwyn-girlSynopsis “The sister forgotten by history who had the fate of her family in her hands…

1671 – London

The Civil War is over and Charles II, the ‘Merry Monarch’, is revelling in the throne of his murdered father and all the privileges and power that comes with it. Sharing the spoils is his favourite companion, the celebrated beauty, actress Nell Gwyn. Beloved of the English people, Nell has come a long way from selling oranges and a childhood in a brothel, but as her fortunes have turned, her sister Rose has taken a different path. Marriage to a feckless highwayman has left Rose in the grim Marshalsea prison and now she needs her sister’s mercy to help get her out. But Nell needs Rose too. A plot to steal the Crown Jewels has gone tragically wrong, and Nell’s future with her protector King is at risk. If Rose can’t solve the riddle of the jewels both Gwyn sisters will head straight to the Tower.

Present Day

Librarian and history enthusiast Jess Yates has hit rock bottom. With her ex behind bars for fraud, Jess needs to lay low – easier said than done with a celebrity sister. But Tavy has her uses. Her latest TV project involves renovating Fortune Hall, and she needs a house sitter while she’s jetting around the world. The opportunity is too good to miss, especially when Jess discovers that Fortune Hall has links to the infamous Nell Gwyn. Slowly the house begins to reveal its mysteries, and secrets that have laid buried for centuries can no longer be ignored. Jess hears echoes from a tragic past and as she struggles to understand her sister, Jess feels ever closer to Rose Gwyn, the sister forgotten by history but who had the fate of her family in her hands.“

My Review

I really enjoyed this historical fiction novel, a timeslip story set in England in the 1670s and also the present day.

I loved Rose Gwyn and really enjoyed finding out more about her, as her story unfolded. I loved all the historical details throughout book and felt that I was transported back in time with Rose’s chapters. I liked Jess in the present day and enjoyed the way her storyline connected with Rose’s at  times.

I definitely preferred the 1670s storyline as I enjoy that time period, and knew nothing about the mystery the Crown Jewels or the Gwyn sisters’ connection. In fact I didn’t even know that Nell Gwyn had a sister, so it was fascinating learning more about the siblings.

I actually did a listen /read for this book, as I when saw that Lucy Scott, one of my favourite narrators, was reading this one I bought the audiobook. Unfortunately there was also a new-to-me narrator I didn’t get on with so I switched back to my NetGalley copy.

Definitely recommended if you enjoy dual timeline, historical fiction novels.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my digital copy via the NetGalley app.

Book 4 of 20 Books of Summer 2024