THE GOOD:An amazing amount of historical research packed into an enjoyable read. A fascinating tale based on an 1800's real woman who served politically as an aide/hostess to her uncle and other great adventures. This novel ends in 1810 and left me longing to know more about Hester Stanhope and her life beyond this tale.THE BAD:A bit of "modern" "thinking" creeps into bemoan that women are treated as "only" good for marrying and raising children. (Why do women keep downplaying their unique role ...

TITLE: THE DIAMOND OF LONDONAUTHOR: ANDREA PENROSE PUB DATE: 01.23.2024 A dazzling new historical novel based on the real life of Lady Hester Stanhope, a British aristocrat born into an illustrious family of swashbuckling war heroes and brilliant political leaders. Lady Hester was a Regency-era adventuress who lived on her own terms and defied all conventional strictures of what a woman could and couldn’t do during the Regency era.THOUGHTS:I found this Regency era read fascinating as I was learn...

The real Lady Stanhope weathered many tragedies and this book really wallows in them all. I’m a little disappointed by this book being too faithful to her life - my gosh, throw the old girl a win. You’re allowed to play in the sandbox a bit when writing fiction. This book is almost all “tell” and no “show.” A lot of action is just told to us after the fact and there are time jumps. One chapter will be Summer and the next is “winter/spring.” There was no real plot here. Relationships, dismissal, ...

This is wonderful historical fiction. Lady Hester Stanhope led a rich and fascinating life. I'd previously known nothing about her. After enjoying this book, I'm eager to learn more.

In summary- this book dragged. Once we reached the end and I read the epilogue of what her life became I felt ripped off. Why didn’t we get that story? It’s sounded so much more interesting than the comings and goings of boring regency life. I wish the book started where it ended. While I know Hetty was a dynamic lady- she was written very flat. We didn’t find out she was 6 feet tall until page 178. I don’t think I ever read what color her hair was or any details to give me an image of her. I co...

Extraordinary!I began this title whilst in the middle of another genre. Caught up in that read, I put this away for a time, wondering if I’d make it back. I’m glad I did!The more I read about Lady Hester Stanhope, the more intrigued I became. The volatile, intelligent Lady Hester, a superb rider, an extraordinary “amazon” of a woman, of “fierce intellect and ambition”. A woman who stepped into the world of men, navigating her way through a closely strewn minefield of political, social and famili...

Publication date: 1-23-2024

Charming story of a fabulous British personality intent on forging her own way through life in the early1800's. Lady Hester Stanhope's story provides a pleasant escape into a world long passed away. Certainly love and it's intricacies never change.

My thanks to the author, Andrea Penrose, and the publisher, Kensington Books, for my ARC of this book. #Goodreads Giveaway

I had high hopes for this book, but alas, I didn't finish more that about 25% percent of it. I might pick up the pace once you get further in, but for me, it dragged and I just could not get into the story.

The introduction to the family's history felt very tedious and set up took too long.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the change to read an arc of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book was a captivating read—a blend of a love story (actually multiple love stories!), coming of age, and an exploration of the changing times of women’s rights and submissive roles in society. What was more intriguing to me was that the main character, Lady Hester Lucy Stanhope was a real figure in history and that that the author built her semi-fictional tale on true history. May all our lives reflect the growing rights of women.Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the Advanced Re...

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC. 3.5 starsI was intrigued by the premise of this historical fiction novel. I had heard of Lady Hester but only in passing. What a character! Coming from a tragic childhood but stemming from a family of strong unique personalities, Hester is determined to live life on her terms… which as a titled woman in Regency London isn’t easy. We ride the waves of her romantic entanglements and watch as she figures out what’s truly important. The story held my interest and is...