Gillian Bagwell is not one of those authors. Many historical fiction authors have a tendency to either over– or under-describe the historical context in which the novel is set. No matter how much she rises in society, Nell never forgets her lowly beginnings. Here is a woman who’s faced horrid circumstances from a young age (prostitution at 10?!?!?!) but manages to remain graceful, generous, and humble throughout her life. I’d actually never heard of Nell Gwynn until reading this novel and have since fallen ever so slightly in love with her. Gillian Bagwell narrates the life story of this fascinating woman told, by her own admission, as truthfully and as close to the facts as possible. We follow the story of Nell’s childhood and learn of her rise to fame as one of the first English actresses and the favourite mistress of King Charles II. Nell, herself is enlisted at the tender age of 10. Her flight leads her to Madam Ross’s, where her 13-year-old sister, Rose, works as a prostitute. Nell Gwynn, second daughter to a drunken and violent widow, Eleanor, runs away from home to escape the drudgery of life as an oyster-collector. The Darling Strumpet is set during the Restoration, when Charles II is restored to the throne. It was also one of the first books to be picked out. So it was one of the first choices to go into my super-cool, slightly-geeky, TBR jar.

Not only is the cover beautiful, but it falls under the category of historical fiction (one of my favourite genres, if you didn’t already guess). This is one of those books that have been sitting on my shelf for an age that I’ve constantly berated myself for not reading. She sold her innocence…and captured the heart of a king. Step into the tumultuous world of Restoration England, and join Nell on her journey from courtesan, to famed actress to King’s mistress in a novel that is as captivating as Nelly herself. Synopsis: From her beginnings as a humble oyster seller, Nell Gwynn’s dazzling rise to fame has gone down in history.

The King's Mistress by Gillian Bagwell