Very Like a Queen

Alice Petherton is the mistress and favorite of King Henry VIII. As the favorite, she has special privileges. She is young and beautiful and has the protection of the King. Everything is fine until she falls for Nicholas Bourbon, a Frenchman, when visits England.

The King’s court begins to fall apart under the threat of treason. Thomas Cromwell was Alice’s protector until he is accused of treason and executed for his alleged crimes. He provides her with money and properties to secure her future. Alice takes his advice and flees England where she finds protection from the King of France. During her stay, she gives birth to twins but their paternity is in question. Alice cannot be certain if Nicholas or Henry is the father.

After several failed kidnapping attempts, she decides it would be better to return to England and show her support to Henry. By now, Henry has remarried and Alice is no longer his mistress. She travels with him and his entourage to the north. He wants to control her since he does not completely trust her anymore.

This is a well written fictional story of British history. The story had good flow and the characters were complex. I recommend this book to anyone interested in stories of royal courts and relationships.