This is book 2 in the Plantagenet Tudor series.
Elizabeth Woodville Grey is recently widowed with two young boys when she meets the new King, Edward IV Plantagenet. He is enthralled by her beauty and invites her in his bed. Elizabeth declines and because the young King is bewitched by her, he suggests they marry in secret. Elizabeth’s mother Jacquetta is present at the secret wedding.
When Elizabeth is later presented as Queen at court not everyone loves her. The king’s mother thinks she’s too old for him and also she’s a commoner, and one of the King’s brothers, George, doesn’t think much of her at all. But Edward remains with her and they have a lot of children together. Edward, however, has quite a few mistresses too, but he always returns to his Elizabeth. The King is exiled and Elizabeth and her children take refuge in the Tower. And when Edward dies, his brother Richard takes the crown, the eldest girls are summoned to his court, and the boys are taken to the Tower…
This book was such a wonderful read, I’ve read it a few times now and still love it. Philippa Gregory brings the history back to live and it almost feels like you’re there. Elizabeth definitely was a true queen, who remained upright through lots of heartbreak and adversity.
Read for the PopSugar Reading Challenge 2024.
Prompt 15: A book recommended by a librarian.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
