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The Diamond of London
The Diamond of London | Andrea Penrose
4 posts | 3 read | 5 to read
Born into an illustrious family of swashbuckling war heroes and brilliant political leaders, Lady Hester Stanhope pursued a freedom few Regency women could dream of: shaping her own remarkable destiny. Her unforgettable spirit is the heart of USA Today bestselling author Andrea Penroses dazzling new historical novel. Even with her privileged life, Lady Hester Stanhope knows that claiming the adventurous life she truly wants will not be easy, thanks to her eccentric fathers stifling grip. With the help of her renowned statesman uncle William Pitt the Younger, she takes on the glittering, treacherous heights of London Society. Her formidable intelligence, outspoken opinions, and headstrong determination gain the favor of the beau mondes leading taste-maker Beau Brummelland she quickly learns to bend the rules of the ton to her own advantage. And as her uncles hostess, she astutely uses her skills to preside overand give advice tothe most influential figures of her day, rising to a position unequaled in society . . . But when it comes to holy matrimony, Hester will settle for no less than a passionate match of equalsa search marked by challenges and heartbreak. Her affair with a charismatic naval officer tempts her with forbidden pleasureseven as it threatens her reputation. Her love for a sophisticated, brilliant diplomat offers the marriage of her dreams . . . and unsuspected betrayal. And as England is plunged into war, Hesters world changes forever, causing her to find courage and strength amid loss, chart a completely unexpected futureand make a glorious legacy forever hers . . .
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suvata
The Diamond of London | Andrea Penrose
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Pickpick

• 356 pages • first pub 2024 • fiction • historical • romance • Regency • adventurous • emotional • 4 Stars

Andrea Penrose's dazzling new historical novel based on the real life of Lady Hester Stanhope (1776-1839) a British aristocrat, antiquarian, and adventurer who defied all conventional strictures of what a woman could and couldn't do during the Regency era. ⬇️

suvata The Diamond of London by Andrea Penrose is a good fit for those seeking a historical fiction novel that follows the journey of a strong-willed and adventurous woman who defies societal norms in early 1800s England, with a focus on themes of female empowerment, self-discovery, and the pursuit of passion and love.
2mo
CarolynM Sounds good. I read a biography of her a few years ago - an extraordinary woman. 2mo
suvata @CarolynM I agree. I would like to read a little more about her since she is so fascinating. 2mo
Deblovestoread Great review! Stacked 📚 2mo
46 likes2 stack adds4 comments
review
Bookish_Gal
The Diamond of London | Andrea Penrose
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Mehso-so

Mixed review. I liked Lady Hester some of the time, because she was headstrong and cased her heart. Even as it wounded her. Multiple times. Through multiple men, which was kinda refreshing she didn‘t get stuck with one man. Then she turned around and fought to be who the men in her life saw in her. She tried so hard not to let adversity drag her down. That‘s what made the final bit so powerful. The last hurt more due to it. Was worthwhile.
#ouabc

blurb
Bookish_Gal
The Diamond of London | Andrea Penrose
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Honestly, I think this is the book club choice I‘ve found myself most intrigued by. The story of Lady Hester sounds incredible. Maybe just because it‘s historial fiction, if a woman who refuses to be tied down by society. She‘s from a family of adventurers, so why shouldn‘t she be one? I am really intrigued. These are my favorite characters; who refuse society‘s hold.
338 pages #ouabc

review
robinb
The Diamond of London | Andrea Penrose
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this “loose“ partial biography of Lady Hester Stanhope (1776-1839) spanning roughly the first 35 years in an astonishing and unique life for a woman of her era.
Lady Hester was a remarkable woman who turned her hand to a large variety of interests...serving as her uncle's (Prime Minister William Pitt, the Younger) private secretary and hostess/lady of the house for various residences, world explorer, and antiquarian/archaeologist among🔻

robinb other diversions. The book covers some of her childhood difficulties (she and her half-brothers grew up with a tyrannical, eccentric father), her first tastes of freedom and forays into romance and how she worked within her stalwart creed to live life by her terms, not by those of the men of the time who were granted dominance and dominion over women. She would definitely have been considered an “original“ during that time period, and quite 🔻 (edited) 4mo
robinb arguably any time period.
It was interesting to see her strengths, her flaws, her ups and downs and her unstinting belief and confidence in herself and her abilities. Well written and well researched with an afterword from the author which provided additional clarity and information on both Hester and the author's own thoughts and process.
Thoroughly enjoyable, and since I was not previously familiar with Lady Hester, this book led me to find 🔻
(edited) 4mo
Crazeedi Sounds interesting, I do love historical works, I think my fave, when there's so much I don't know and love learning! 4mo
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robinb out more about her amazing life. 4.25/5 stars 4mo
robinb @Crazeedi I think you would like it, Diane! :) 4mo
Crazeedi @robinb we do have similar tastes!! 4mo
robinb @Crazeedi 👍👍🤗 I hope you are doing well! 4mo
Crazeedi Working on making cards to send!! You're on my list,but I'm not very fast anymore, lol. Hope all is well with you Robin 4mo
robinb @Crazeedi Good for you! Glad to hear you‘re recovering well. I‘m happy to be on your list. 😉 4mo
42 likes2 stack adds9 comments