Book Review: The Other Gwyn Girl by Nicola Cornick

I’m so happy to be welcoming Nicola Cornick back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest novel, The Other Gwyn Girl.

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.

*****

It’s 1671. Charles II is on the throne and enjoying all that comes with it, including mistress Nell Gwyn. She’s come a long way from the poverty she experienced as a child. Her sister Rose on the other hand has needed to forge a different life.

When a failed attempt to steel the Crown Jewells puts her into the path of Sir Guy Forester, it has the potential to change her life forever.

In the present day, Jess is also struggling with scandal and living in the shadow of her famous sibling. When her sister suggests she look after Fortune Hall, Jess is excited especially when she finds a connection to a Gwyn sister.

I have previously read and enjoyed The Forgotten Sister by Nicola Cornick so I was excited to be invited onto the blog tour for The Other Gwyn Girl.

I do love the duel timelines and the author manages to weave the stories together so well. I found myself engrossed in both stories and was very intrigued to how it was all going to come together in the end.

Both Rose and Jess have fought under the shadow of their more famous and successful sisters. They are, as a result, strong, clever, resourceful, determined characters who can adapt and are developed well. The supporting characters are a great mixture. I loved Ethan and Ed and the actions of some of the other people were surprising. I’m not going to give it away and say whether it was in a good or bad way.

I found the historical aspects of this novel very fascinating. This is a time period I am not all familiar with but it has prompted me to find out more. This novel does a lot to show the power imbalances that existed between people and what people will do or not do in order to survive. Take Nell for example – how much choice did she have in becoming the King’s mistress? She then had to take the gossip and nasty vitriol that came her way as a result.

The settings are varied and vividly described. Fortune Hall reminded me of Kingston Lacy in Dorset, with the trees and the water.

The Other Gwyn Girl is a brilliant insight into the lives of two women who were separated by time but alike in so many ways and how, in the end, love and family are your best weapons. It’s a compelling novel with heartbreaking moments mixed with triumphant ones and tells us that you have the chance to make your own destiny.

Nicola Cornick has once again given us a fantastic historical novel. Can’t wait for what comes next.

(Thank you to Boldwood Books, Netgalley and Rachel’s Random Resources for the advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.) 

About Nicola Cornick  –

Nicola Cornick is a historian and author who works as a researcher and guide for the National Trust in one of the most beautiful 17th century houses in England.

She writes dual time novels that illustrate her love of history, mystery and the supernatural, and focus on women from the footnotes of history.

Her books have appeared in over twenty five languages, sold over half a million copies worldwide and been described as “perfect for Outlander fans.”

Nicola also gives writing and history talks, works as a consultant for TV and radio, and is a trustee of the Wantage Literary Festival and the Friends of Lydiard Park.

Say hello to Nicola on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Bookbub. Click here to sign up to her newsletter. 

The Other Gwyn Girl was released by Boldwood Books on 7th March 2024. Click here to buy on Amazon UK and Waterstones. 

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.