Mini Reviews: Memorable Women

I love reading books about women who were misunderstood or long forgotten—women written off as secondary characters in the pages of history. Today, I’m sharing two new books about notorious (and often misunderstood)! women: Anne Boleyn, Queen of England and one of Henry VIII’s wives, and Peggy Shippen, also known as Mrs. Benedict Arnold.

 

The House of Boleyn by Tracy Borman

Pages: 416

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction 

Pub. Date: August 4, 2026 

Publisher: Grove/Atlantic

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "When nobleman Thomas Boleyn, lord of Hever Castle, is called to London in 1509 to present himself to the newly-anointed eighteen-year-old king, Henry VIII, Thomas's young daughter, Anne, implores him not to leave. "Well, make sure the prize you bring me is worth it, Father," Anne demands of him. "I will try," he responds. "But I'll wager even a crown wouldn't satisfy you." Such premonitions resonate convincingly throughout Tracy Borman's rich and compelling novel. Blending the history she knows so well with the creativity of her imagination, Borman brings the Boleyn family's three-decade rise and precipitous fall to vivid life.

Borman surrounds the main dramatic events of the Boleyn saga with a colourful tableau in which servants play key roles, familial and inter-familial rivalries threaten, and true love often loses out to keen ambition. Anne's ever-loyal attendant Agnes Frideswide, and Thomas Boleyn's perfidious steward Robert Cranwell, are as memorable as Cardinal Wolsey, Thomas Cromwell, or anyone in the increasingly dangerous orbit of Henry VIII's court, as he pursues Anne relentlessly, only to abandon her when she can't give him the son and heir he desperately seeks."

 

Everyone knows the story of the Boleyn family, who took Henry VIII's court by storm; the rise and fall of this family is legendary, and of course, everyone knows what happened to the ill-fated Anne Boleyn. However, Tracy Borman, a Tudor Historian, delves deeper into the Boleyn family as a whole, starting with Anne's father, Thomas. The story of this family spans three generations and offers a fresh perspective by examining not only the usual Boleyns (Mary, Anne, and George, along with their father) but also their grandmother, Margaret. Her story is complex, and other secondary characters come to the forefront, one being Anne's attendant, Esther, and Thomas's steward, Robert Cranwell (not to be confused with Cromwell!). Since Borman is a Tudor historian, readers can appreciate the level of detail in The House of Boleyn and the fresh perspective on a much-told story.
 
Borman did a superb job of bringing Tudor England to life; she truly knows the topic. I felt like I was there! Anne is portrayed as bookish, smart, charming, interested in politics, and a little unconventional, much to her mother's dismay. The House of Boleyn depicts her sister, Mary, (with an interesting take on her situation), George, George's wife (also an interesting take), and the other usual suspects: Cromwell, Cardinal Wolsey, and more. Even though I knew Anne's fate, Borman made the story feel fresh; I appreciated the new perspectives. Fans of stories centered on the Tudors, as well as Philippa Gregory, will appreciate The House of Boleyn the most.

 

 

 

Mrs. Benedict Arnold by Emma Parry

Pages: 320

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction 

Pub. Date: April 28, 2026

Publisher: Zando

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "Philadelphia in the 1770s. Peggy Shippen longs for the war she’s living through to end. Though not always appreciated at home, she finds her curiosity is welcomed by a lively and influential circle of friends, including a glamorous rising star in the British army, Captain John André.

When the war separates them, Peggy is devastated—both by his absence and the horrors of ongoing conflict—before finding consolation in a man whose heroics for the Patriots have captured the world’s imagination: General Benedict Arnold.

As she trades Loyalist balls for Patriot salons, entertaining the most prominent figures of early America, and navigating the country’s lethal political currents, she conceives of an audacious scheme to achieve peace and her family’s survival, unleashing what would become the most famous act of treason in history.

When uncertainty and bloodshed are the only constants, Mrs. Benedict Arnold asks, how far will one woman go for safety?

 

This debut novel, which focuses on Peggy Shippen, otherwise known as Mrs. Benedict Arnold, will pull in any fan of the American Revolution. I knew a little about the Arnolds and mostly had a negative impression of them, like most people. However, Parry did a great job bringing Peggy Shippen's story to life and humanizing her. Peggy grew up in a wealthy family in Philadelphia and was mostly concerned about balls and clothing. She brushed shoulders with the British soldiers in the city; however, her family was well-known for not getting involved in politics, but had Loyalist tendencies. She forms a relationship with British Major John Andre, but once he leaves the city, their romance dwindles, much to her dismay, but they keep up a correspondence. Then Benedict Arnold comes into her circle and her world is forever changed. Despite her father's Loyalist tendencies, she starts a relationship with Arnold, the Continental military commander of Philadelphia. What ensues is a story of intrigue, espionage, conspiracies, romance, and more. Emma Parry's debut, Mrs. Benedict Arnold, is perfect for fans of Hamilton as well as AMC's Turn.
 
I have always enjoyed stories about the American Revolution, and Parry does an excellent job of bringing Peggy Arnold to the forefront. Oftentimes, she is merely a footnote in the history of the American Revolution, but she actually played a significant role in the conspiracy, which Parry highlights in Mrs. Benedict Arnold. What surprised me most about this novel was that I found myself feeling sympathy for the Arnolds. Their situation was complex, and when learning about these events, we often don't get the full picture of what Benedict endured. It’s definitely a complicated story. My only issue with the novel was the use of modern language throughout, which felt jarring. I’m not sure why this wasn’t edited to more appropriate phrasing for the time period. Nevertheless, I enjoyed Peggy's story, and I now appreciate her much more. She is much more than just a "spy" or the wife of the notorious Benedict Arnold.

 

 

Have you read either novel? Are you a fan of the Tudors or the time period of the American Revolution? Let me know in the comments below.  

 

Book Review: The Astral Library by Kate Quinn

Pages: 304

Genre: Adult Fantasy

Pub. Date: February 17, 2026

Publisher: William Morrow

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author: The Alice Network,

The Phoenix Crown, and The Rose Code 

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "Alexandria “Alix” Watson has learned one lesson from her barren childhood in the foster-care system: unlike people, books will never let you down. Working three dead-end jobs to make ends meet and knowing college is a pipe dream, Alix takes nightly refuge in the high-vaulted reading room at the Boston Public Library, escaping into her favorite fantasy novels and dreaming of far-off lands. Until the day she stumbles through a hidden door and meets the Librarian: the ageless, acerbic guardian of a hidden library where the desperate and the lost escape to new lives...inside their favorite books.

The Librarian takes a dazzled Alix under her wing, but before she can escape into the pages of her new life, a shadowy enemy emerges to threaten everyone the Astral Library has ever helped protect. Aided by a dashing costume-shop owner, Alix and the Librarian flee through the Regency drawing rooms of Jane Austen to the back alleys of Sherlock Holmes and the champagne-soaked parties of The Great Gatsby as danger draws inexorably closer. But who does their enemy really wish to destroy—Alix, the Librarian, or the Library itself?"

 

 

Alix Watson has some baggage, and to escape her past and her current disappointments, she has always found respite at the Boston Public Library, specifically the Reading Room. While there, she encounters a different realm, The Astral Library; it's a world where she can travel between books. This sounds like a book lover's dream, am I right? At the Astral Library, Alix meets the Librarian, who is desperate to put lives into books and change their future for the better; however, things do not pan out as planned. Insert the villain, the Library Board. They are unhappy with how the Astral Library is being run and create a lot of problems. The Astral Library by Kate Quinn is a love letter to libraries and books; it had so much potential, but ultimately fell flat for me.
 
I was rooting for Alex from the start of The Astral Library; who doesn't love the idea of jumping into their favorite novel and living within its pages? She gets to brush elbows with Jane Austen in Regency England, wander the shabby alleyways of Sherlock Holmes's London, and hang out with the glamorous Jay Gatsby, among others. It’s a book lover's dream, right? However, an enemy is lurking, and Alex needs to determine whether this threat is coming for her, the library, or both. Once this element of the plot developed, it became challenging for me because the messaging shifted from feeling organic to more heavy-handed. While I agree with the political themes in The Astral Library, particularly regarding book banning, it felt forced rather than a natural part of the story.
 
The Astral Library is a departure from Quinn's usual historical novels, and I enjoyed the magical realism aspect; however, I felt the world-building could have been better. It felt busy and all over the place at times--so much was going on. I prefer Quinn's historical novels overall.
 
Unfortunately, The Astral Library had so much promise, as I am obviously someone who values libraries and books, but overall, it felt disappointing. Have you read The Astral Library? Are you a fan of Kate Quinn? Let me know in the comments below.  

 

Captivating Novels to Dive Into After Enjoying Bridgerton

With a new season of Bridgerton finally here, I can’t stop thinking about all the excellent Regency romances waiting on our shelves. If you’re curious about the Bridgerton series itself, you can find my reviews here—but if you’re craving read-alikes to binge next, you’re in the right place.

 

The Gilded Age Heiresses series by Harper St. George

"Even a fortune forged in railroads and steel can't buy entrance into the upper echelons of Victorian high society--for that you need a marriage of convenience."

Miss Lattimore's Letter by Suzanne Allain

 

"The woman who never made a match of her own is making matches for everyone else in this hilarious Regency era comedy of manners."

The Siren of Sussex by Mimi Matthews

"Victorian high society’s most daring equestrienne finds love and an unexpected ally in her fight for independence in the strong arms of London’s most sought after and devastatingly handsome half-Indian tailor."

Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean

Brand new paperback edition featuring her sexy, funny, emotionally rich writing and one of the fiercely feminist heroines that made Entertainment Weekly crown her “the utterly intoxicating queen of historical romance.”

Pink Carnation series by Lauren Willig

"Willig hits the ground running in a highly entertaining debut novel that romps between centuries and offers a swashbuckling mix of romance, swordplay, espionage, and historical sleuthing."

 

 

 

Last Duke Standing by Julia London

"Fans of Bridgerton will love the this sparkling, witty, and sexy new series from New York Times bestselling author Julia London! With a young future queen in the market for a husband, and the charming--and opinionated--Scottish lord tasked to introduce her to the ton's most eligible bachelors."

 

 

The Rokesby series by Julia Quinn

The first novel of the delightful Bridgerton Prequel series in a stunning new package. There were Bridgertons before the eight alphabetically named siblings, and in this novel, we go back to where it all began."

 

 

  

On My TBR LIST: 

 

Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore

"A stunning debut for author Evie Dunmore and her Oxford suffragists in which a fiercely independent vicar's daughter takes on a powerful duke in a fiery love story that threatens to upend the British social order."

 

 

Along Came a Lady by Christi Caldwell

"The brooding, illegitimate son of a duke meets his match in the determined woman hired to transform him into a gentleman."

 

 

 

To Have and to Hoax by Martha Waters

"In this fresh and hilarious historical rom-com, an estranged husband and wife in Regency England feign accidents and illness in an attempt to gain attention—and maybe just win each other back in the process."

 

 

 

The Davenports by Krystal Marquis

"This book delivers a totally escapist, swoon-worthy romance while offering a glimpse into a period of African American history often overlooked."

 

 

 

A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall

"A lush, sweeping queer historical romance where sparks fly between childhood friends after a life-changing separation."

 

 

 

Mr. Malcom's List by Suzanne Allain

"It is a truth universally acknowledged that an arrogant bachelor insistent on a wife who meets the strictest of requirements—deserves his comeuppance."

 

 

 

Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas

"The first book in her beloved Wallflowers series. The Wallflowers: four young ladies at the side of the ballroom make a pact to help each other find husbands . . . no matter what it takes."

 

 

 

The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare

"When girl meets Duke, their marriage breaks all the rules. It's the first book in the Girl Meets Duke series."

 

 

 

While the Duke Was Sleeping by Sophie Jordan

"Sometimes the man of your dream isn't who you think. It's the first book in the Rogue Files series."" 

 

 

 

Mad and Bad: Real Heroines from the Regency by Bea Koch

"Discover a feminist pop history that looks beyond the Ton and Jane Austen to highlight the Regency women who succeeded on their own terms and were largely lost to history -- until now."

 

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What are some of your favorite Bridgerton read-alikes? Have you read any of these books? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. 

Book Review: The King's Messenger by Susanna Kearsley

Pages: 352

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: March 4, 2025

Publisher: Sourcebooks

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author: The Winter Sea,

The Vanished Days, The Shadowy Horses, 

The Rose Garden, Bellewether, and Mariana

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

Goodreads says, "1613:  King James – sixth of Scotland, first of England, son of Mary, Queen of Scots - has unified both countries under one crown. But the death of his eldest son, Henry, has plunged the nation into mourning, as the rumours rise the prince was poisoned.
 
Andrew Logan’s heard the rumours, but he’s paid them little heed. As one of the King’s Messengers he has enough secrets to guard, including his own. In these perilous times, when the merest suggestion of witchcraft can see someone tortured and hanged, men like Andrew must hide well the fact they were born with the Sight.
 
He’ll need all his gifts, though, when the king sends Andrew north to find and arrest Sir David Murray, once Prince Henry’s trusted courtier, and bring him a prisoner to London to stand trial before the dreaded Star Chamber. A story of treachery, betrayal and love…"

The year is 1618 and Henry, Prince of Wales, has died under suspicion. Many people suspect poison and many suspect his Gentleman of the Robes, Sir David Murray, as they were quite close. Curiously, he traveled to France right after Henry's death, which raises another red flag. They assign Andrew Logan, the King's Messenger, to track down Murray in his native homeland of Scotland and apprehend him. The King has also requested a scrivener to attend, who happens to be Andrew's neighbor, Laurence. He is ailing though, so his daughter, Phoebe, accompanies them, so she can help out her father. The issue is that Phoebe can't stand Andrew even though Andrew has secretly had a bit of a crush on her. While on the journey there's danger that lurks, the awkward moments between Phoebe and Andrew, dealing with Laurence and his health, and not to mention Andrew's second sight. Once they come in contact with Murray, things aren't as they seem though and Andrew is questioning his suspicions. Meanwhile, Phoebe and Andrew's relationship blossoms and it has Phoebe questioning her feelings towards him. Susanna Kearsley's The King's Messenger is rich with historical detail and while slower than her other novels, there is still much to enjoy for historical fiction fans.

Andrew's role is an interesting one in The King's Messenger. I liked how he was assigned this mission and slowly readers learn what happened to Prince Henry, although Kearsley takes a bit of creative license in this sense. His forced proximity to Phoebe and the slow burn of their romance was enjoyable in that it was like a road trip romance as they journey to Scotland. The addition of a his second sight also gives the plot a touch of magical realist. Lastly, I did appreciate the mystery surrounding Henry's death and wanted answers as well. The Prince of Wales was meant to unify the country and his death was especially sad in that sense as he held much promise.

While I felt The King's Messenger was a bit slower than Kearsley's usual novels, I still enjoyed the the slow burn. The historical details that readers have come to love from Kearsley are present and as always, she truly brings the time period to life.

Have you read The King's Messenger? Is it on your TBR list? Are you a fan of Susanna Kearsley? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

 

If you love Outlander

The new season of Outlander premieres today, so there's no better time than to now to revisit the list of  Outlander read-alikes and add some new ones, too.  If you enjoy Outlander as much as me, here are some novels I recommend that have similar themes or characteristics. Each title is linked to my review if you'd like to learn more about the novel.

1.  The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley - This one not only takes place in Scotland, but it also has two parallel story lines with one that takes place in Scotland in the 1700s.  I thoroughly enjoyed this historical tale. 

2.  The Cousins' War series by Philippa Gregory - George R.R. Martin often says that he got his idea for the Game of Thrones series from the real-life events surrounding the War of the Roses, so you know Gregory's take on this will keep you captivated. If you are looking for strong female heroines along with some romance, betrayal, and court intrigue, look no further than this epic series.  

3.  Ross Poldark by Winston Graham - I love this show on PBS, but the book is also fantastic as well. The time period is great, the setting is gorgeous, and there's a beautiful romance as well.  I think fans of Diana Gabaldon would appreciate this series.

4.  Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly - Fans of historical fiction, will enjoy this YA tale about a modern girl who comes across a very old diary from the French Revolution and identifies with the author.  

 

 

 

5.  Into the Wilderness by Sara Donati - It's the 1700s and Elizabeth Middleton left England to go to upstate New York and meets an American frontiersman.  It's a romance with an incredible setting, but it also deals with serious issues like the fate of the Mohawk nation.

 

 

 

6.  A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness - While I didn't love this series, I adored the first book and its ability to combine fantasy elements, historical details, and romance.

 

 

 

7.  The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger - Henry and Clare's story never gets old. I read this book before I started my blog, so I don't have an official review posted, but this book shouldn't be missed! 

 

 

 

8.  The Bronze Horseman by Paulina Simons - Ahh! This book is so good! It takes place in Russia during WWII and it's all about survival, love, family and the horrible consequences of war.

 

 

 

9.  Highland Crown by May McGoldrick - The similarities to Outlander are definitely present in this novel, although it isn't quite as good. I liked that Isabella is a trained doctor in the 1800s and she saves Captain Mackintosh who ends up taking her to his castle in Scotland.

 

 

 

10.  The Lost Queen by Signe Pike - It's all about ancient Scotland, and the book gives readers a new take on the Arthurian legend. It's part of a series!

 

 

 

11.  The Vanished Days by Susanna Kearsley - This book takes place during the Jacobite Rebellion and truly you can't go wrong with Kearsley.  There's a lot of plot twists in this one, so buckle in!

 

 

 

12.  The Scribe of Siena by Melodie Winawer  - Time travel, medieval Siena, the plague! This one has it all. 

 

13.  The Secret by Julie Garwood - Judith is about to meet the father she never knew, Laird Maclean, who lives in Scotland. This is the first book in the Highlands' Laird series and it's perfect for historical romance lovers. 

 

14. A Witch in Time by Constance Sayers - A witch is doomed to relieve her cursed love affairs through many lifetimes in this Outlander read-alike that's perfect for the fall season.

 

 

15. The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory - While this is an entirely different time period, Gregory brings to life the history very well. Just like Outlander, it's a historical sweeping saga that really pulls readers in.

16. The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsely - This fantastic historical novel involves time travel and a lot of fascinating British history. Diana Gabaldon blurbed it, so you know it's perfect for fans of Outlander.

 

 

On My TBR List:

1.  When a Scot Ties a Knot by Tessa Dare

2.  Overseas by Beatriz Williams 

 

 

 

 

3.  Ransom by Julie Garwood

4.  Forever Amber by Kathleen Winsor

  

5. A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux

6. The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel

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So, what are your favorite Outlander read-alikes? Have you read any of the books that made my list? Let me know in the comments below.