Book Review: The Last White Rose by Alison Weir

Pages: 544

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: May 10, 2022

Publisher: Ballantine

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author: A Dangerous Inheritance

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Elizabeth of York is the oldest daughter of King Edward IV. Flame-haired, beautiful, and sweet-natured, she is adored by her family; yet her life is suddenly disrupted when her beloved father dies in the prime of life. Her uncle, the notorious Richard III, takes advantage of King Edward's death to grab the throne and imprison Elizabeth's two younger brothers, the rightful royal heirs. Forever afterwards known as the princes in the tower, the boys are never seen again. On the heels of this tragedy, Elizabeth is subjected to Richard's overtures to make her his wife, further legitimizing his claim to the throne. King Richard has murdered her brothers, yet she is obliged to accept his proposal. As if in a fairy tale, Elizabeth is saved by Henry Tudor, who challenges Richard and kills him in the legendary Battle of Bosworth Field. In recognition of his victory, Henry becomes king and asks Elizabeth to be his wife, the first queen of the Tudor line. The marriage is happy and fruitful, not only uniting the warring houses of Lancaster and York--the red and white roses--but resulting in four surviving children, one of whom, Henry VIII, will rule the country for the next thirty-six years. As in her popular Six Tudor Queens series, Alison Weir captures the personality of one of Britain's most important monarchs, conveying Elizabeth of York's dramatic life in a novel that is all the richer because of its firm basis in history."

 

If you are a fan of the Tudors of the show The White Queen, then you know that King Henry VIII's mother is Elizabeth of York.  But not much focus is on her when studying the Tudors as Henry's life always takes center stage. In The Last White Rose, it's the opposite. Weir focuses on Elizabeth, her rise to power, and her marriage to Henry Tudor, who is supposed to be her enemy. It starts off with Elizabeth's father, King Edward IV's untimely death and her family in an uncertain place. They spend most of their time in sanctuary for safety purposes. Due to a power struggle over the crown, Richard III rises and Elizabeth's brothers go missing in the Tower of London. You may be familiar with them as the "Princes in the Tower." One can only assume that Richard had them killed, as sadly, they are never seen again. Richard needs a wife and is looking Elizabeth's way (could you imagine?!?!), as a marriage with the daughter of the former King would make his grasp on the throne more legitimate. Obviously this is upsetting to Elizabeth and her family as they know Richard is responsible for killing her brothers, who, I might add, were just children! Thankfully, there's the Battle of Bosworth Field where Henry Tudor, who also has a claim to the throne, challenges Richard and wins. After winning, he asks Elizabeth to be his wife and unite the two families. They live happily and have an heir to the throne in Arthur, and then another son who will become the notorious Henry VIII.  If you enjoy stories about the Tudors, War of the Roses, and Royal life, you will appreciate Weir's take on Elizabeth of York in The Last White Rose.

I have always liked Elizabeth Woodville, Elizabeth of York's mother, so I was excited to learn more about this time period as well as her life.  I loosely knew about Elizabeth of York, her marriage to Henry Tudor, and the unfortunate Princes in the Tower, but I was happy to do a deep dive into her life. It was truly a crazy one with her father's sudden death and then Richard's rise. I can't imagine the immense pressure she must have felt if Richard wanted to marry her, but what about her brothers who are still missing? It was almost unbelievable. Then just when all is lost, in comes Henry Tudor, and he pretty much saves the day by winning the Battle of Bosworth, becoming King, and making Elizabeth his Queen.  I thought it was wise to unite the two fighting families once and for all and Elizabeth becomes the first Tudor Queen.

Their marriage was a happy one for the most part in The Last White Rose and I enjoyed the details surrounding their initial years of marriage. Their first born, Arthur, wasn't very strong, but got healthier as the years went by. Elizabeth never really could connect with him at first, and this made her feel guilty. When her second son came along, Henry, she fell for him immediately. She would dote on him and secretly wished he was their first born as he was stronger, more confident, and suited to the role. We all what happens, but it's the journey to get there that was very interesting and captivating.  

Elizabeth's time as Queen wasn't always easy though in The Last White Rose. There were many people popping up with a claim to the throne causing major disturbances, such as people claiming to be the long lost Princes in the Tower. I can't imagine how that would make Elizabeth feel as she wouldn't want someone competing for her son's claim to the throne, but also could her brothers still be alive? She can't help, but hope. Elizabeth had many children, but not many of them lived to adulthood. It was very sad at times, especially since she died after the childbirth of her last child, who also didn't survive long.

The Last White Rose also features the future Henry VIII's childhood as this provided much insight into the kind of person he would become as well as the kind of King.  His childhood was much different than Arthur's, as he was just second in line, so he wasn't trained or scrutinized as much as Arthur, but instead, doted on.  He was a willful child and the details surrounding his childhood definitely made me understand exactly how this molded his into an adult.

Elisabeth of York is a fascinating woman who played an important role in British history. She was known to be a good mother, an excellent Queen, charitable, smart, and kind. I am glad Weir chose to focus on her in The Last White Rose as her life is often overlooked, but is very important.  If you want to learn about the War of the Roses, check out Weir's The Last White Rose this fall, especially if the recent death of Queen Elizabeth II has prompted you to read more books about the Royals. 

So, are you a fan of the War of the Roses time period? Do you like to read about the Tudors? Is The Last White Rose on your TBR list? Let me know in the comments below.

Books To Read If You Love the Royals

 

With the recent passing of the incomparable Queen Elizabeth II, there's been a lot of focus on the British Royal Family.  I've received some questions about what books to read if you love stories about royals, so I thought I would update my list, which, believe it or not, hasn't been updating since 2015! I've linked my review when possible and include a wide variety of Royal stories, not just the British Royal Family!

The British Royal Family:

 

The People's Princess by Flora Harding - This one focuses on Lady Diana and her engagement to Prince Charles.

The Woman Before Wallis by Bryn Turnbull - The lesser known story of Thelma Morgan and her relationship with Prince Edward.

In Royal Service to the Queen by Tessa Arlen - The story of Queen Elizabeth II's beloved governess.

The Other Windsor Girl by Georgie Blalock - This historical novel is all about Princess Margaret, the Queen's sister.

 

 

Diana: Her True Story in Her Own Words by Andrew Morton - I listened to this audio book and was totally sucked in! It's a great companion to the latest season of The Crown.

Before the Crown by Flora Harding - This novel focuses on Elizabeth and Philip's courtship.

 

HRH: So Many Thoughts on Royal Style by Elizabeth Holmes - If you are a Royal style enthusiast, this is the go-to book filled with a ton of beautiful photographs.

 

 

Elizabeth the Queen: The Life of a Modern Monarch by Sally Bedell Smith - A fascinating biography of Elizabeth II. I really enjoyed it!

Victoria by Daisy Goodwin - A historical novel about the intriguing life of Queen Victoria just as she arrives to the throne. If you enjoy the TV show Victoria, this is a must read!

Lady Catherine, the Earl and the Real Downton Abbey by Fiona Carnarvon -If you love Downton Abbey, you'll enjoy this book about the real people that resided there.

Georgiana: Duchess of Devonshire by Amanda Foreman - I adored this biography about Georgiana Spencer, the great-great-great-great-aunt of Diana.  A fascinating woman!

 

 

War of the Roses:

(Books 1-7 are from Philippa Gregory's Cousins' War series)

 

 

1.  The White Queen - This is my favorite novel of the series. If focuses on Elizabeth's Woodville's rise at court and the War of the Roses.

2.  The Red Queen - This novel is from Lady Margaret Beaufort's perspective and she is one bad ass lady.  She will do anything to put her son Henry Tudor on the throne. 

3.  The Lady of the Rivers - This book reads like a prequel to The White Queen. I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about Jacquetta, Elizabeth Woodville's mother, and her "second sight."

4.  The Kingmaker's Daughter - The story follows Anne Neville, who is the daughter of the Earl of Warwick, otherwise known at The Kingmaker. He uses his daughter as a chess piece, which makes for an entertaining novel. 

5.  The White Princess - This novel focuses on Elizabeth of York, who is the daughter of Elizabeth Woodville (The White Queen) and mother to the infamous Henry VIII.  It's a captivating glimpse into her life as well as her political marriage.

6.  The King's Curse - When compared to the other books in the series, I thought this book was just ok. It is from Lady Margaret Pole's perspective, cousin to Elizabeth of York, so it's interesting to see how everything played out at court through someone on the sideline's view point.  This novel also focuses on the alleged Tudor curse. 

7.  Women of the Cousins' War  - A nonfiction read about the women involved in the War of the Roses.

 

 

 

8.  The Last White Rose by Alison Weir - A book focusing on Elizabeth of York, the mother of Henry VIII. 

The Tudors:

The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory - This is one of my favorite novels from the series. It focuses on Katherine of Aragon, Henry VIII's first wife.  We all know what happened, but getting it from Katherine's perspective is very interesting. 

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory - This is one of Gregory's best novels focusing on the infamous Anne Boleyn and her sister, Mary.  

 

 

 

The Taming of the Queen by Philippa Gregory - It's all about Kateryn Parr, who is forced to marry Henry VIII.

 

Three Sisters, Three Queens by Philippa Gregory - This historical tale focuses on Katherine of Aragon, Margaret Tudor, and Mary Tudor.

 

The Six Wives by Henry VIII by Alison Weir - A non-fiction book, but a fascinating read! I mean does it get more entertaining and unbelievable than Henry VIII?

 

The Last Tudor by Philippa Gregory - The story of Lady Jane Grey and her sisters.

Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir - Another novel focusing on Lady Jane Grey, the Nine Days' Queen.

Queen's Gambit by Elizabeth Fremantle - A novel all about Katherine Parr, Henry VII's last wife.

 

A Dangerous Inheritance by Alison Weir focuses on Lady Katherine Grey, Lady Jane's younger sister, and also deals with the mystery surrounding Princes in the tower.

Other Royal Families: 

 

The Summer Queen by Elizabeth Chadwick - It's the first novel in a trilogy about Eleanor of Aquitaine, a 12th century icon.

The Accidental Empress  by Allison Pataki - This historical novel focuses on Empress Elizabeth of Austria; it's a fascinating glimpse into her life.

 

Sisi: Empress on Her Own by Alison Pataki - Book two in the Sisi series following her marriage to Franz.

 

Inspired By The Royals:

 

 

 

The Royal We and The Heir Affair by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan - A modern day royal tale inspired by Kate Middleton and Prince William's real-life romance).

American Royals Series by Katharine McGee - A re-imagining of the United States if we had a Royal family stemming from the Washingtons.

 

 

 

On the TBR List: 

 

 

The Queen's Secret by Karen Harper
Elizabeth and Margaret by Andrew Morton

 

 

 

The Palace Papers by Tina Brown
The Empress by Gigi Giffis 

 

So, what do you think? Have you read some of these Royal reads? Do you have any recommendations for me? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Blog Tour: The Last Bookshop in London

 

Another day, another exciting blog tour! What a fun week this has been so far celebrating all of these amazing new releases.  Today I'm part of the blog tour for The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin, which just came out on April 6th.  Thanks to Harlequin, I am sharing an official excerpt from the novel today.  The book is inspired by the only bookstore in London to survive the Blitz. I really enjoy the WWII time period, so this book is right up my alley. 

Learn More About The Last Bookshop in London:

 

Inspired by the true World War II history of the only bookshop to survive the Blitz, a sweeping story of wartime loss, romance, and the enduring power of literature, perfect for fans of The Paris Wife and The Lilac Girls. London, autumn 1940: the Blitz has only just begun when Grace Bennett arrives in London to find the city she’s spent a lifetime dreaming about now cast in the clouds of war, and all of her plans unraveling at the seams. After accepting a job at a charming bookshop nestled in the heart of the city, a haven for literary-minded locals, she feels like a fish out of water – she’s never been much of a reader, after all.

As the bombs rain down on the city night after night, a devastating air raid leaves London’s literary center in ruins, and the libraries and shops of Paternoster Row are destroyed in a firestorm. But against all odds, one bookshop miraculously survives. Through blackouts and air raids, Grace continues staffing the shop, discovering a newfound comfort in the power of words and storytelling to unite her community in ways she never imagined, a power that triumphs even the darkest nights of war-torn London.

To learn more about The Last Bookshop in London, visit Madeline Martin's website, or connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  You can also purchase your own copy of the novel at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, IndieBound, and Bookshop.org.  

 

 

An Excerpt From the Novel:  

 

August 1939 London, England 

GRACE BENNETT HAD ALWAYS DREAMED OF SOMEDAY living in London. Never did she imagine it would become her only option, especially not on the eve of war.
The train pulled to a stop within Farringdon Station, its name clearly marked on the wall inside a strip of blue set within a red circle. People hovered on the platform, as eager to get on as those within were to get off. They wore smartly cut clothing in the chic styles of city life. Far more sophisticated than in Drayton, Norfolk.
Equal parts nerves and eagerness vibrated about inside Grace. “We’ve arrived.” She looked at Viv beside her.
Her friend clicked the top on her lipstick tube closed and gave a freshly applied vermillion smile. Viv glanced out the window, her gaze skimming the checkerboard of advertisements lining the curved wall. “After so many years of wishing we could be in London.” Her hand caught Grace’s in a quick squeeze. “Here we are.”
Back when they were mere girls, Viv had first mentioned the notion of moving away from dull Drayton for a far more exciting life in the city. It had been a wild concept then, to leave their slow-moving, familiar existence in the country for the bustling, fast-paced pulse of London. Never had Grace considered it might someday become a necessity.
But then, there was nothing left in Drayton for Grace anymore. At least nothing she cared to return to.
The ladies rose from their plush seats and took hold of their luggage. Each had only one case with them, faded things, beaten down more by age than use. Both were stuffed to the point of near-bursting and were not only impossibly heavy, but awkward to manage around the gas mask boxes slung over their shoulders. The ghastly things had to be brought with them everywhere, per the government, to ensure they’d be protected in the event of a gas attack.
Lucky for them, Britton Street was only a two-minute walk away, or so Mrs. Weatherford had said.
Her mother’s childhood friend had a room to let, one she’d offered a year ago when Grace’s mother first passed. The terms had been generous—two months for free while Grace acquired a job and even then, the rent would be discounted thereafter. Despite Grace’s longing to go to London, and despite Viv’s enthusiastic encouragement, Grace had remained in Drayton for nearly a year after in an attempt to pick up the pieces of her broken existence.
That was before she learned the house she’d lived in since her birth truly belonged to her uncle. Before he moved in with his overbearing wife and five children. Before life as she knew it shattered even further apart.
There was no room for Grace in her own home, a point her aunt had been eager to note often. What had once been a place of comfort and love became a place Grace felt unwelcome. When her aunt finally had the temerity to tell Grace to leave, she knew she had no other options.
Writing the letter to Mrs. Weatherford the previous month to see if the opportunity still held was one of the hardest things Grace had ever done. It had been a surrender to the challenges she faced, a terrible, soul-crushing failure. A capitulation that had rendered her the greatest failure.
Grace had never possessed much courage. Even now, she wondered if she would have managed her way to London had Viv not insisted they go together.
Trepidation knotted through her as they waited for the train’s gleaming metal doors to part and unveil a whole new world.
“Everything will be brilliant,” Viv whispered under her breath. “It will all be so much better, Grace. I promise.”
The air-powered doors of the electric train hissed open and they stepped onto the platform amid the push and pull of people coming and going all at once. Then the doors shushed closed behind them, and the gust of the train’s departure tugged at their skirts and hair.
An advert for Chesterfields on the far wall displayed a handsome lifeguard smoking a cigarette while another poster beside it called on the men of London to join the service.
It wasn’t only a reminder of a war their country might soon face, but how living in the city presented a greater element of danger. If Hitler meant to take Britain, he would likely set his sights on London.
“Oh, Grace, look!” Viv exclaimed.
Grace turned from the poster toward the metal stairs, which glided upward on an unseen belt, disappearing somewhere above the arched ceiling. Into the city of their dreams.
The advert was quickly forgotten as she and Viv rushed toward the escalator and tried to tamp down their delight as it effortlessly carried them up, up, up.
Viv’s shoulders squeezed upward with barely restrained happiness. “Didn’t I tell you this would be amazing?”
The enormity of it hit Grace all at once. After years of dreaming and planning, here they were in London.
Away from Grace’s bully of an uncle, out from under the thumb of Viv’s strict parents.
Despite all of Grace’s troubles, she and Viv swept out of the station like caged songbirds ready to finally spread their wings.
Buildings rose into the sky all around, making Grace block the sun with the palm of her hand to see their tops. Several nearby shops greeted them with brightly painted signs touting sandwiches, hairdressers and a chemist. On the streets, lorries rattled by and a double-decker bus rumbled in the opposite direction, its painted side as red and glossy as Viv’s nails.
It was all Grace could do to keep from grasping her friend’s arm and squealing for her to look. Viv was taking it in too, with wide, sparkling eyes. She appeared as much an awed country girl as Grace, albeit in a fashionable dress with her perfectly styled auburn curls.
Grace was not as chic. Though she’d worn her best dress for the occasion, its hem fell just past her knees, and the waist nipped in with a slim black belt that matched her low heels. While not as stylish as Viv’s black-and-white polka-dot dress, the pale blue cotton set off Grace’s gray eyes and complemented her fair hair.
Viv had sewn it for her, of course. But then, Viv had always seen to both of them with an eye set toward grander aspirations. Throughout their friendship, they had spent hours sewing dresses and rolling their hair, years of reading Woman and Woman’s Life on fashion and etiquette and then making countless corrections to ensure they “lost the Drayton” from their speech.
Now, Viv looked like she could grace one of those magazine covers with her high cheekbones and long-lashed brown eyes.
They joined the flurry of people rushing to and fro, heaving the bulk of their suitcases from one hand to the other as Grace led the way toward Britton Street. Thankfully, the directions Mrs. Weatherford had sent in their last correspondence had been detailed and easy to follow.
What had been missing from the account, however, were all the signs of war.
More advertisements, some calling for men to do their part, with others prompting people to disregard Hitler and his threats and still book their summer holidays. Just across the street, a wall of sandbags framed a doorway with a black-and-white sign proclaiming it to be a Public Air Raid Shelter.

Excerpted from The Last Bookshop in London @ 2021 by Madeline Martin, used with permission by Hanover Square Press.

 

 

What do you guys think?  Are you a fan of WWII novels? Is The Last Bookshop in London on your TBR list? Let me know in the comments below.

  

If You Love Historical Fiction Based on Real Women

 

It's been a few years since I updated this list and I've included some great new additions. You guys know that historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, but I especially love historical fiction based on real women from the past who lived extraordinary lives.  Here are some of my favorite novels inspired by real women. I linked the titles to my reviews when possible. 

 

1.  That Churchill Woman by Stephanie Barron - This novel focuses on Jennie Jerome, Winston Churchill's unconventional American mother.  

2.  A Well Behaved Woman by Therese Anne Fowler - This novel features Ava Vanderbilt, who was so much more than a wealthy woman. 

 

3.  The Kennedy Debutante by Kerri Maher - I really enjoyed learning more about Kathleen "Kick" Kennedy, the younger sister of John F. Kennedy. She led an amazing, but heartbreaking life.

4.  My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie - Most historians and storytellers focus on Alexander Hamilton, but this book features his just-as-interesting wife, Eliza Schuyler Hamilton.

 

5.  Three Sisters, Three Queens by Philippa Gregory - This novel features three important woman from the Tudor court: Katherine of Aragon, Margaret (Henry VIII's sister) and Margaret's younger sister, Mary. All three led important and fascinating lives. 

6.  The Summer Queen by Elizabeth Chadwick - This novel is all about Eleanor of Aquitaine, one of the most compelling and powerful queens of all-time.  

7.  Victoria by Daisy Goodwin - This book is the perfect introduction to Queen Victoria's life, especially if you are a fan of the PBS show.

8.  The Accidental Empress by Allison Pataki - This novel is a fascinating glimpse into the Hapsburg Empire as well as Empress Sisi's life.

 

9.  America's First Daughter by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie - I had no prior knowledge of Martha "Patsy" Jefferson (the eldest daughter of Thomas Jefferson) before reading this novel, but was pleasantly surprised by her interesting life. 

10.  Becoming Marie Antoinette by Juliet Grey - Who isn't fascinated by Marie Antoinette's life?

  

11.  The Invention of Wings by Susan Monk Kidd - I loved learning more about the Grimke Sisters, who are famous abolitionists and suffragists. 

12.  Cousins' War series by Philippa Gregory - Women were just as important in the War of the Roses as men were and Gregory highlights some prominent female women from the time period, such as Elizabeth Woodville and Margaret Beaufort.  

14. Jacqueline in Paris by Ann Mah - This was such a fun frolic through Paris when Jacqueline Bouvier was studying abroad. 

15. Innocent Traitor by Allison Weir - A heartbreaking, yet compelling story about Lady Jane Grey, infamously referred to as the Nine Days' Queen.

 

 

15. The Other Windsor Girl by Georgia Blalock - Princess Margaret, known as the Royal rebel, lived an entertaining (and sometimes sad! )life, that is for sure.

16. The Girl in White Gloves by Kerri Maher - I love all things Grace Kelly, so this book was especially entertaining. 

 

 

17. And They Called It Camelot by Stephanie Marie Thornton - I love reading about the Kennedys and this one did not disappoint. 

18. Jackie and Me by Louis Bayard - This book focuses on Jackie before her marriage to Jack and her friendship with Lem Billings.

19. The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Alison Pataki - Who knew that the heir to the Post fortune would be so fascinating? This was one of my favorite books of 2022.  

20. The Glorious Guinness Girls by Emily Hourican - This book focuses on the heirs to the Guinness fortune and their interesting lives. 

 

 

21. Before the Crown by Flora Harding - I loved learning more about Queen Elizabeth II and the time period before she ascended to the throne.

22. The Invisible Woman by Erika Robuck - This focuses on a lesser known women who lived a remarkable life, Virginia Hall.

23. The People's Princess by Flora Harding - Who doesn't love a good Princess Diana book? 

24. The Bookseller's Secret by Michelle Gable - Nancy Mitford's life was most definitely an entertaining one, especially during WWII.

 

 

25. The Last White Rose by Alison Weir - You can always count on Weir to bring to life interesting lives from the past and this one focuses on Elizabeth of York, Henry VIII's mother. 

26. The Social Graces by Renee Rosen - The Vanderbilts and the Astors in Gilded Age New York City....yes, please!

 

 

27. The Paris Wife by Paula McLain - This focuses on Hadley Richardson, one of Hemingway's wives, and their adventures in Jazz Age Paris.

28. Call Me Zelda by Erika Robuck - A novel focusing on the eccentric Zelda Fitzgerald, Scott Fitzgerald's wife. 

 

 

29.  Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly - This one is also based on real life heroines of WWII.

30. The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff - This is based on a real-life ring of female spies. 

 

 

31. The Collector's Daughter by Gill Paul - Most people know about the Earl of Carnarvon, but not his daughter, Lady Evelyn Hebert, the woman who took the first steps into the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun. 

32. The Woman Before Wallis  by Bryn Turnbull - This focuses on Thelma Morgan, the American woman involved with Prince Edward before his famous marriage to Wallis Simpson. 

 

 

33. The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba by Chanel Cleeton - This novel brings to life the story of Evangelina Cisneros. 

34. In Royal Service to the Queen by Tessa Arlen - This historical novel focuses on the life of the governess Marian Crawford, who took care of Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret. 

35. The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell - This book focuses on a lesser known woman in history, Duchess Lucrezia de’ Medici and her sad fate. 

36. A Dress of Violet Taffeta by Tessa Arlen - This historical novel highlights a fashion icon, Lady Duff Gordon.

Books on My TBR List:

1. The Queen's Secret by Karen Harper (Elizabeth, The Queen Mother)

2. American Princess by Stephanie Marie Thornton (Alice Roosevelt)

3. Her Lost Words by Stephanie Thornton (Mary Shelley and Mary Wollstonecraft)

 

4. The Paris Bookseller by Kerri Maher (Sylvia Beach)

5. The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray (Belle de Costa Greene) 

6. Starring Adele Astaire by Eliza Knight (Adele Astaire, Fred Astaire's sister)

 

7. Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl by Renee Rosen (Estee Lauder)

8. The Empress by Gigi Griffis (Sisi of Austria)

9. Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan (Joy Davidman, C.S. Lewis's wife)

 

10. Strangers in the Night by Heather Webb (Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner) 

11. The Woman with a Cure by Lynn Cullen (Dr. Dorothy Hortsmann)

What are some of your favorite historical novels based on real-life women? Have you read any of these novels? Let me know your thoughts in the comments and if you have any recommendations for me.