What a spellbinding dual timeline gem! I absolutely loved it from start to finish! ‘The Other Gwyn Girl’ by Nicola Cornick is an exhilarating fascinating read that kept me turning the pages in anticipation. The plots clip along at a steady pace featuring two main intriguing perspectives, one from the 1600s and the other, current day. We get a valuable peek into the lives of two historical Gwyn sisters (each quite different from the other) as well as two una modern day sisters. There are numerous parallels between the four women, though they are centuries apart.

I found that each thread was well delivered but being a historical fiction lover, I somewhat favoured that one a little more. But, I still enjoyed both and was effortlessly delivered back and for between the outstanding two created worlds. When I was transported to the 1600s, I could visualise everything due to the excellent descriptions provided. In fact, all my senses were engaged. Then when we leaped forward to the modern thread, I still enjoyed the unique setting. The house, in fact, takes centre stage becoming the vehicle for unveiling its centuriesÂ’ old secrets. It even witnesses and reveals two murders from past and present! ThereÂ’s a wonderful mysteriousness about the old stately place. The sense of history that surrounds it, draws you in. I loved watching the characters interact as they moved through this fascinating building and grounds. It made me want to dig deeper to learn more, Jess. She is a house sitter and researcher for her famous sister (who now owns it) so the old library really captures JessÂ’s attention. She begins to learn about its former owners with a little help from a new friend, Ethan, who just might become more!

The two timelines have positive features that compliment each other and, in fact, they blend together toward the end so we get to see the mysteries solved and dramas resolved that have been intertwined. And the old manor, Fortune Hall, is the star setting for them both.

The characterisation was brilliant in this novel with the extroverts showing off their charisma and showiness (Nell and Tavy). But I favoured each of our quieter heroines (Rose and Jess) who showed great strength and spunk in the face of danger and disappointment. The story is in fact told from their perspectives which made it all the more interesting as we get to see the world through their eyes. The villains were well formed and appropriately placed providing the havoc and suspense needed to give us plenty of twists and turns. In fact, the plot of the 1600s held lots of rollicking adventure and it kept me turning the pages at a rapid speed. The modern thread had its drama, too, but this evolved more slowly and unexpectedly. Jess has come through some traumatic events with her ex. She must heal and start again, so her new adventure with her sister helps kickstart her in a new direction. But what she finds is not quite what she expected and the outcome will bring some chilling revelations.

It was fun watching the characters of Rose and Nell unfold in living colour—particularly the lesser known Rose as in historical accounts, we know more about Nell, the actress and mistress of King Charles II. By focusing on Rose, it left the author with more chance to put her creativity into motion to fill in the missing parts. And in doing so, it helps us to imagine what it might have been to be in her shoes in an era that was not easy for women (whether working class or privileged). It is easy to see why Nell, an extrovert used her wits and beauty to advance from poverty to acclaimed heights. She is not only adored by the king but also the people. And Rose, the more-lowly sister, (married to an awful man and thief) learned how to defend herself against the many men who tried to take advantage of her. These two sisters living at opposite ends of society, try to find ways to accrue financial support for themselves— in the chance they might end up in a tough position. In Nell’s case, if the King tired of her, she would be abandoned for another pretty face. As for Rose, she wanted independence so when the situation presented itself, she took advantage. The fear of poverty is what fuels both sisters into coveting some treasures through criminal means for future protection.

Another character I found intriguing was Guy: a soldier who exhibits lots of presence, patience and quiet passion on the pages. His relationship with Rose turns into quite a surprise—a bit of enemies to lovers’ theme here.

This was such a fun and fascinating read I highly recommend. 5 Stars ??????????

Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for my review copy.5 s ChristinaAuthor 35 books301

Wow! I have no other word for this story which has totally blown me away – it is a master-class in timeslip writing and I loved it! Excitement, adventure, romance and historic authenticity, together with a touch of the paranormal and magical, all perfectly blended to create a story I simply couldn’t put down. And as always, the author has loosely linked the characters to those of her previous books, which is an added bonus for me as I love to get a glimpse into their lives, however brief.
THE OTHER GWYN GIRL is partly the tale of Rose Gwyn, sister of the famous Nell who was King Charles II’s mistress in the 17th century; and partly of Jess Yates in the present century, introverted sister of famous TV presenter Tavy. The two stories are expertly intertwined as mystery and romance unfold, and I quickly became immersed in their lives and love stories. I find this period of history fascinating as there aren’t enough books set in this era – there definitely should be – and it is vividly brought to life in this story. I don’t want to reveal too much of the plot, as that would ruin it for other readers, so I can only say – read it for yourself, it’s absolutely wonderful!
3 s Annelies - In Another Era353 29

In the 17th century, Rose Gwyn ends up in jail when she tried to steal the crown jewels with her husband. She has to plead with her sister Nell, the kingÂ’s famous mistress, for her freedom. In the 21st century, Jess moves to Fortune Hall where her famous sister Tavy is running a TV show, after a break-up with her fraudulent boyfriend. There is a rumour that once Nell Gwyn would have walked in these corridors.

Nicola Cornick has already written several stories with so-called dual timelines. In ‘The other Gwyn girl’, she chooses Rose Gwyn, the unknown sister of Nell Gwyn as a main character. And I quite d that choice because it introduced me to a historical character who was new to me. Rose is brave and headstrong and tries to be independent but she lives in the shadow of her more famous sister. A feeling modern-day Jess experiences also.

As always, the contemporary story worked less for me. The parallels between Rose and Jess are rather cliché and the whole story around Tavy and her influencer status seems off the mark. We also see some previous characters from Cornick’s other books – I haven’t read them all so I didn’t always knew the characters. A few of them have paranormal powers and I found that too much at times. There is also Francesca who pop ups with certain predictions, but her gift is never explained.

And yet CornickÂ’s books read a train. There are entertaining reads. And I definitely want to read some more about Nell Gwyn and perhaps her sister Rose.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Dutch review:
In de 17de eeuw belandt Rose Gwyn in de cel wanneer ze samen met haar man mee de kroonjuwelen probeerde te stelen. Ze moet beroep doen op haar zus Nell, de bekende minnares van de koning. In de 21ste eeuw trekt Jess na een break-up met haar frauduleuze vriend naar Fortune Hall waar haar bekende zus Tavy een tv-show aan het draaien is.

Cornick schreef al verschillende verhalen met zogenaamde duale tijdslijnen. In dit boek kiest ze voor Rose Gwyn, de onbekende zus van Nell Gwyn. En dat vond ik best een fijne keuze want zo leerde ik een historisch personage kennen die nieuw was voor mij. Rose is moedig en eigenwijs en probeert onafhankelijk te zijn.

Zoals steeds werkte het hedendaagse verhaal minder voor mij. De parallellen tussen Rose en Jess zijn nogal cliché doorgetrokken en het hele verhaal rond Tavy en haar influencerstatus lijkt van de pot gerukt. Ook zien we enkele vorige personages uit de andere boeken van Cornick terug. Enkelen onder hen hebben paranormale krachten en dat vond ik er soms te veel aan.

En toch leest dit als een trein. Zoals steeds zijn deze boeken een mooi tussendoortje. En ik wil zeker nog wat meer lezen over Nell Gwyn.

Bedankt aan Netgalley en de uitgever voor een exemplaar van dit boek in ruil voor mijn eerlijke mening.books-i-own historical-fiction kindle2 s TeresaAuthor 8 books64

I will review properly later. But absolutely loved every word. Wonderfully written.2024-read adult-fiction contemporary ...more2 s Charlotte reads history 31 4

The Other Gwyn Girl looks at the life of Rose Gwyn - the sister of Nell Gwyn, famous actress and mistress to King Charles II. The scene setting of Restoration England was great and I was quickly immersed in the sights and sounds of the less respectable parts of London at that time, as Nell & Rose's mother ended up impoverished due to the Civil War, her husband's gambling and subsequent death.

Learning more about Rose and her life as a thief, her doomed marriage and her difficult relationship with her sister and mother was interesting, and if it had just been this I think I personally would have enjoyed the story more. I also think Cornick's idea of writing about women 'from the footnotes of history' is a great one, and enjoyed the inclusion of local and family history in the book.

Unfortunately I couldn't get on board with the dual timeline and the aspects of the paranormal. I found the accompanying modern mystery storyline to be a little flat and inwardly groaned when I realised the two stories were parallels of each other - Jess is the overlooked sister of TV star Tavy and both Jess and Rose have awful ex-partners and flee to the same house (Becote Manor) for solace from difficult/tragic experiences.

The modern characters keep glimpsing ghosts or sensing the presence of their Restoration counterparts in and around the old Manor which I felt was unnecessary to the plot - the research that the modern characters did clearly pointed to Rose having lived there. A certain modern discovery made within the last pages of the book seemed very clear to me from about a third of the way in too, which was a shame.

All in all, the book was fine, I've realised dual-timelines aren't my thing - but I'm sure many other people will enjoy this book.

The publisher sent me an advanced reader copy of the book for review but all opinions are my own. 1 Carolina CHC91 3

I honestly loved this book! The story of “the other Gwyn girl” was captivating and endearing from the start. I actually ended up reading about Nell Gwyn and the seventeenth century history after finishing the book.

Based on a real person from the seventeenth century who was overlooked by historians. Rose Gwyn/GwynneÂ’s fictionalized story have the reader rooting for her from the moment she was a little girl. The supporting charactersÂ’ story of Jess and Ethan was equally interesting, intriguing and charming.

I have to remind myself at the end that the story was about Rose and Guy and not about Jess and Ethan. I thought that a few more chapters were needed to finish with their story but maybe, there is possible another book to follow with Jess and EthanÂ’s story? If there is not, then, I need to know what RoseÂ’s horoscope says and what other historical adventures Jess and Ethan take later. Hopefully, the author will take that into consideration.1 Tammy Buchli655 11

While IÂ’m quite interested in Nell Gwyn, I donÂ’t usually enjoy fictionalized biography. Using NellÂ’s more obscure sister as the protagonist was a clever idea. I donÂ’t feel that the dual storyline added much, though. The modern tale had a bit of a chick-lit flavor that I didnÂ’t think married well with the historical story. I wish it had been left out and RoseÂ’s story expanded.1 Staceywh_172,503 19

What a great introduction to Cornick's writing style - here's to reading more of her books, soon.

The Other Gwyn Girl was a huge hit with me and I devoured it across
two sittings.

The authors writing style is rich and descriptive, capturing the Restoration period and the Stuart monarchy perfectly.1 M.J.Author 81 books215

The Other Gwyn Girl by Nicola Cornick is a dual-timeline novel taking place in the present day and the early 1670s, offering an account of the life of The Other Gwyn Girl, Rose, as opposed to Nell, mistress of Charles II, although Nell does have a role in the book.

Beginning with events in the 1670s, the historical element of the story is well woven and told in a 1st person POV, taking in the theatre, London, the king, and indeed, the theft of the crown jewels as well as the delight of the Marshelsea prison. I was firmly invested in Rose's story and, as often with dual-timeline tales, felt a little resentful that the whole tale was not about Rose:)

That said, our modern timeline, told from a 3rd person POV, is still intriguing, encompassing the Bodleian Library, ancient letters, and a little bit of 'otherworldlyness'. The parallels between the two narratives, both 'the unfamous' sisters, worked well.

The narrative is certainly engaging, and I whipped through the book in only a few sittings, quite desperate to find out what would happen to Rose in the historical timeline.

A really enjoyable tale, well pieced together, and thrilling.

(I would have d some historical notes at the back).blog-tour historical-fiction1 Luisa JonesAuthor 4 books15

This was an entertaining story and Rose was a terrific, feisty heroine with great charm and spirit. It was easy to fall in love with Forster along with her, and to feel for her in her more trying times. The authorÂ’s interest in women who have been neglected by the historical record made for a brilliant premise, and as soon as I heard about this book I was keen to read it.
The modern aspect of the dual timeline was less engaging in my view, but perhaps IÂ’ve just read too many dual timelines with a paranormal angle. Personally, IÂ’d have preferred a straightforward historical romance or adventure concentrating on Rose and Nell, and could happily have skipped the contemporary timeline, which I found less exciting and a bit implausible.
The whole book had excellent pacing and it romped along. The well-written scenes of seventeenth century London and RoseÂ’s journey to the country made these easy to imagine. The author is clearly very knowledgable and used just the right amount of detail to provide a vivid picture of the period without overloading the reader.
ItÂ’s the second book IÂ’ve read by Nicola Cornick and IÂ’ll look forward to reading more in the future.1 Marie216 3

I want to thank Netgalley and Boldwood Books for an advanced reader copy of this book.

Brief Summary: Jess Yates and Rose Gwyn are connected in more ways than one.

In the days of the Merry Monarch, Rose is viewed as the scandalous sister of Charles II's favourite mistress, Nell Gwyn. However, when a plot to steal the crown jewels draws the Gwyn sisters together they must set aside their past disagreements and work together to avoid imprisonment in the Tower or worse.

Jess Yates is trying to escape the scandal of her last boyfriend stealing millions of dollars from unsuspecting business investors, many of whom are retirees who lost everything. However, she's seeking the help of her famous influencer sister, Tavy, and Jess' plan to lay low and avoid the spotlight does not go according to plan. Working as Tavy's housekeeper Jess discovers in the library that Nell Gwyn might have had a sister. As Jess attempts to learn more about the mysterious Rose Gwyn and avoid her sister's celebrity, she seems ly to stumble into her happy ending.

Thoughts: This was such an engrossing book. I loved Cornick's writing and how Jess and Rose were distinct characters but had such underlying similarities that you could see how the two stories were intertwined.

Rose and the historical timeline were more enjoyable to me as that is what I was looking for when I picked up this book. I loved how Cornick was able to take a real woman who has left little mark on the historical record and bring her to life again. I also appreciated how Cornick made Rose feel a woman living in the seventeenth century, with the vulnerabilities around being trapped in a marriage because you're viewed as your husband's property and the fear and sorrow of childbirth.

Although Rose's relationship with Nell does feature a lot in this book I did wish that there was a bit more interaction between the two sisters. Cornick was ly trying to depict how their relationship truly was as Nell was often preoccupied at court, but it was a little sad that they did not get more time together on the page. That being said, Cornick's characterization of Nell made her a fascinating character, which she ly was in real life, and I have ordered a biography of her to learn more.

Jess was an endearing character, but I felt a lot of the time that I pitied her. She had so much happen to her in such a short amount of time and she was not given a break throughout the book. I think it is a testament to Cornick's writing that I felt so deeply for Jess, but I do wish that her character arc would have been as clear-cut as Rose's was on the page. I was also a little frustrated that a lot of Jess's story happened off-screen, such as the first get-together with friends. Also, I am desperate for more of her and Ethan.

I did not find Tavy as redeemable a sister as Nell and I am not sure if that is because there is a difference in personality or the modern technology with which Tavy was able to create her celebrity. Her actions at the end of the book made my jaw drop. I fully had to put the Kindle down and take a breath.

That being said mothers are the heroes of this book.

This is a good read if you want some historical fiction, mixed with mystery, mixed with romance, mixed with celebrity culture pick up this book, I enjoyed it and would recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Self harm, Child death, Confinement, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Pregnancy, Suicide, Alcoholism, Death, Death of parent, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Classism and Sexual harassment
Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic, Rape, and Sexual content Elizabeth24

It's been some time since I last read a time-slip novel and Nicola Cornick's latest offering did not disappoint. The story is told from two perspectives; in the past, it is a first person narrative told from the perspective of the other Gwyn girl herself, Rose Gwyn. Or as the reader is introduced to her Rose Cassells. The older unknown sister of Charles II's famous mistress, Nell Gwyn, and she is caught in the middle of an extremely dangerous situation. Colonel Thomas Blood's attempt to steal the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London in 1671.

In the present, the story is told as a third person narrative, with the reader following Jess Yates, a twenty-something librarian with an interest in history who finds herself in need of a fresh start after she discovers that her now ex-boyfriend has been engaging in fraudulent activities and has dragged her into his mess. Although separated by time, Rose and Jess, find themselves turning to their younger, celebrity sisters for help. Something that will lead both women to Becote Manor (Fortune Hall in Jess' time). While Rose finds herself tasked with saving her sister from potential ruin. Jess finds herself researching Nell but finding Rose.

This is a book that draws you in very quickly and keeps your interest throughout. Having the narrative switch between first and third person helps to make the time shifts feel seem-less. It's not difficult to Rose and Jess, or to sympathise with them. Both women are pragmatic in their way of dealing with the situations they find themselves in rather than spending time wallowing in self pity. Although both women start the novel with the wrong men, the story arc in each case leads them to finish the novel with supportive partners who help them to move forward and do not judge them for past mistakes.When we first meet Rose in the prologue; and frankly, it was the prose in one particular paragraph that had me instantly hooked to this read. She is looking back to an incident when she was five years old and the point at which she notes that her once happy life "when it had been summer" had changed with the loss of her father. Now everything joyful in her life has disappeared and been replaced by " perpetual winter". You can almost feel the colour and happiness drain out of her life. Nicola Cornick is very good at drawing you into the settings, so you're able to envisage places and scenes. Cornick's background not just as a historian but as someone who clearly has an understanding not just of the time period, it's key players, and her own research into the Craven family, and Ashdown House, also add to the appeal of this book. I particularly found it interesting to learn a little about the spy network that operated in the latter half of the 17th century, and how it may have functioned. Having studied the importance of coffee houses in relation to the public sphere and the spread of information at this particular time period, I certainly found the reference to activities of Charles' spy network in public houses of interest. Fans of Barbara Erskine and Christina Courtney will not be disappointed in this book. It will also appeal to people with a general interest in historical fiction set in the Early Modern period. This is a book I will definitely be picking up again. Although I read this as an ebook, I think my re-read will definitely be a physical copy.
*A review copy of this book was supplied in electronic form by the publisher in exchange for a frank and honest review.*historical-fiction netgalley-review-books time-slip Heidi Malagisi313 13

The year is 1671 and England is slowly recovering from the horrors of the English Civil War. King Charles II lives lavishly with his many mistresses, including the famous beauty Nell Gwyn. On the other side of London, Nell’s eldest sister Rose Gwyn is caught in the middle of a high-profile robbery that could cost her her life. In the present day, Jess Yates, a librarian and history lover, is dealing with her family's struggles. When Jess enters Fortune Hall to help her sister Tavy, with a project, Jess begins to follow the clues to discover the connection between the great house and the Gwyn sisters. What secrets does this great hall hold and can the reputation of the Gwyn family be saved in time? The mystery of the past and the present collide in Nicola Cornick’s latest novel, “The Other Gwyn Girl.”

I would to thank Boldwood Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. I have read two other novels by Cornick, “The Forgotten Sister” and “The Last Daughter of York,” and I thoroughly enjoyed both dual-timeline novels. When I heard about this novel, it was a compelling premise to me as I know very little about Nell and Rose Gwyn.

Nell and Rose Gwyn were the daughters of Captain Thomas Gwyn and Helena Smith Gwyn. When their father died, Helena had to raise her daughters to survive the cruel world, but we soon find out that HelenaÂ’s favorite is her youngest daughter Nell. The sisters may have started as simple orange sellers, but NellÂ’s star was on the rise as she became an actress and then the favorite mistress of King Charles II. Rose was less fortunate as she married John Cassells and now finds herself in prison for a third time, this time for the theft of the Crown Jewels, a scheme orchestrated by Colonel Thomas Blood. Now, Rose must team up with the officer who arrested her, Guy Forster, to clear her name and save her sister NellÂ’s reputation by finding the Crown Jewels before it is too late.

The lives of the Yates sisters mirror that of the Gwyn sisters. Jess is down on her luck after her ex-boyfriend ends up in prison and the whole scandal is splashed on every newspaper and tabloid due to her sisterÂ’s fame. Jess thinks that she is going to Fortune Hall for a reunion of sorts with her mother and sister, but that is not the case at all. Tavy, the younger sister, is a style influencer/ TV star who needs her nerdy older sisterÂ’s help with a project. Tavy has agreed to renovate Fortune Hall because of its alleged connections to Nell Gwyn and she has asked her sister Jess for help. As Jess hunts down clues to the history of Fortune Hall, alongside Ethan Sterling whose family has a connection to the home, she discovers shocking truths about the Gwyn sisters.

This novel was such a wild ride from the start and I could not put it down. The English Civil War is not usually an area of study for me, but there was just something about the way Cornick wrote this novel that I want to learn more about Nell and Rose Gwyn as well as King Charles II and his many mistresses. If you are a fan of dual-timeline novels or Nell Gwyn, you must check out, “The Other Gwyn Girl” by Nicola Cornick. Mae of Scotland144

Thank you to Netgalley, Boldwood Books, and Nicola Cornick for giving me an arc copy of The Other Gwyn Girl to read in exchange for a fair and honest review.

IÂ’ve been reading Nicola Cornick for a long time since I accidentally discovered one of her Historical Romance Mills and Boon titles in a holiday cottage in Devon. I loved a book so much; that I asked the owner of the cottage if I might be able to keep it (I was a very polite and honest soul as a teenager). Thankfully the nice lady said OK (the book got left behind by another guest and added to the bookshelf in the cottage for future guests).

Nicola’s writing always brings the past to life in a vivid wonderful way, she weaves the past and present together seamlessly with the dual timelines portrayed in Jess and Rose’s stories. Her historical romances are always so evocative and atmospheric – I almost could hear the Merry Monarch’s voice (he surprisingly sounds Sam Neill). The plot is full of political intrigue, mystery, and secrets to uncover from the history of Fortune House and an attempt on the Crown Jewels that went horribly wrong. The romances Rose and Jess find are sweet, redemptive and brought to life with the gentle, tender love they both needed after being bruised by their past husbands/lovers.
The characters are lavishly detailed and well-developed – both female protagonists, Rose and Jess, and relatable – we have all been in their shoes with bad life decisions for love and bear the scars. I thought Nicola wrote with great sensitivity and care on some of the topics of grief and loss. As someone who has been in Rose’s shoes myself, I felt the scenes were written with great empathy and understanding of the mental state of losing a child.

The colourful sibling dynamics were quite interesting to view – I think Nicola captured how sisters can be with great accuracy. How things can divide a wedge between sisters, how parents treat you differently (even though they say they don’t), and how at the bleakest of times no matter what has come between you or the state of your feelings you will be there for each other. No one is allowed to execute Nell’s sister but Nell! Jess and her famous sister Tavy have a similar relationship, though I think Tavy treats Jess more as a handy family assistant than a sister, but she is there to give Jess a place to live and a job when she needs it.

A great time-slip story delving into the unknown past of Rose GwynÂ’s life and the riveting historical events of Charles IIÂ’s rein and showing the dynamics of the relationships between sisters who have famous siblings in the spotlight.
Janalyn Prude3,116 90

This book has two POVs one is Jess who is living in what her sister is calling Fortune Manor and being remodeled by her celebrity sister Tavy. Jess has recently found out her boyfriend has been frauding in the elderly and other innocent targets out of their money and he is now in prison. She is regrouping at Fortune house as a caretaker while her sister films her show. They learn from Tavis psychic companion Francis that the house has ties with Nell Gwyn and wants Jess who is a librarian by profession to investigate with the help of Eathan who is family and ancestors farmed the land the house sits on. The other POV is of course the Glwynn girls Nell and Rose and although historically Rose was a thief, where her sister was known as the lover of king Charles as we learn about the two girls it seems Nell is a flashy watch me now type of character where her sister roses story is one a person can appreciate after time. I loved both of these characters Jess and Rose and although they have similar stories throughout with Rose marrying a swindler drunk abusive bastard he gets her involved in a scandal to steal the crown jewels and when she is arrested bike guy Forster it really is the first day of the rest of her life and although she still has to go through hardship and even prison in the end in my opinion it was all worth it. It is rare that both POV‘s are equally interesting that was definitely the case with The Other Gwen Girl. This is definitely a five star read and if you can give a star rating to an ending of the book both endings would definitely rate higher in that in my opinion I loved this book found it a superb interesting delightful read I know if I don’t read this book again I will definitely be reading part of it again in the future especially towards the end with a fabulous ending especially the one with Lord Gray… What a rake! I want to thank boldwood books and Net galley for my free art copy please forgive any mistakes I am blind and I dictate my review.an-awesome-read my-alltime-favorites net-gally Mystica1,461 30

A bleak crumbling castle being used by a celebrated influencer in present times being used as a project. Jess is trying to get over being scammed by her boyfriend, who wiped not just her out of everything she had but wiped out many others as well. Tavy her very selfish sister whilst offering her a bolt hole, wants an unpaid housekeeper to occupy the house when she is away, in order to comply with insurance policies.

We then go back to 1671 when the castle came into the hands of Nell Gwyn the courtesan of the King. Rose was the “wild” sister, living on her wits, a thief, married to a highwayman and in prison. When her husband is found dead and Rose herself is pregnant, she appeals to Nell who organises her release.

But Nell Tavy centuries later has ulterior motives. She knows that RoseÂ’s husband and another notorious criminal Thomas Blood attempted to steal the Crown Jewels and that since they were not found, Rose may be the key to finding the jewels. Additionally Nell is being blackmailed because the locket given by the King to her is with Blood and he holds this as a bargaining tool. NellÂ’s position with the king has turned precarious. There is a wife and a French mistress to contend with.

Fast forward and Jess discovers a pile of old books which her sister wants to dispose of as quickly as possible. Jess discovers the link to both Gwyn girls and researches the history of the time giving an account of the lives of these two women.

Nell was the smart one but I was rooting for Rose the overlooked one. In a similar vein Tavy was beautiful, fabulously rich and self serving. Jess was the reserved one. It seemed though so apart the women had similar characteristics, brought together at this Becote Castle.

The contrasts in characters, in lifestyles, plus the history all added interest to the story.1 comment Ashley181

The Other Gwyn Girl is another fun historical time-slip of what ifÂ’s by Nicola Cornick. I have loved all her time=slips and this one was no exception.

This is a book about sisters, the good, the bad and the straight up annoying. The Other Gwyn Girl is Rose Gwyn older sister to the infamous pretty, witty Nell, orange girl, actress and lover of King Charles II. Rose and Nell were raised by their mother in poverty and have gone their separate ways as adults, but the theft of the Crown Jewels and other shenanigans have brought them together again. Rose is marrried to a neÂ’re-do-well named John Cassells who conspires with Captain Thomas Blood to steal the Crown Jewels. Rose is reluctantly drawn into the plot as is her sister Nell. Then enters Sir Guy Forster a spy for Lord Craven who hinders and helps Rose in equal measure.

In the present Jess is recovering from the scandal of her ex-boyfriendÂ’s conviction for fraud. She goes to visit her tv show star sister Tavy at her new manor house Fortune Hall, formerly Becote Manor. Tavy is a lifestyle reality star who is renovating the hall for her show. Jess hopes that it will be a good place to hide and lick her wounds. Not so easy when your sister is a drama queen. Jess finds some hints that the hall may have once belonged to the Gwyn sisters. With the assistance of the former ownerÂ’s grandson Ethan, Jess starts investigating. With a few supernatural incidents and the discovery of two bodies, the adventures never end.

I enjoyed the story and found both the historical and the present day stories riveting, I was pleased to see cameos from characters from some of Ms. CornickÂ’Â’s other books make an appearance. All in all another great story from Ms, Cornick

Thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and the author for the chance to read and review this book. Jaffareadstoo2,691

I nothing better than to time slip into one of my favourite periods in history. In The Other Gwyn Girl we are taken back to the time of Charles II and whilst his relationship with Nell Gwyn is well documented little is known about her older sister, Rose. This story sets the record straight and in a beautifully imagined story we follow the tumultuous events of Rose Gwyn's life and of her alleged involvement in the daring attempt to steal the Crown Jewels in 1671. The differences between Nell's life as the darling mistress of a King and Rose's life as the wife of a feckless thief couldn't be more different and so it is these stark differences which make the story all the more interesting.

In the modern day Jess Yates has been offered sanctuary in Fortune Hall where her celebrity sister Tavy renovates the medieval hall for her social media channels. Mirroring the discrepancy in the fortunes of two very different sisters The Other Gwyn Girl is an interesting story of siblings especially when one is more successful than the other and of their influence on each other's lives. I particularly enjoyed the similarities about events in Stuart England, whilst, at the same time, being comfortable about what was happening in the modern day story with Jess and Tavy.

Written with an authenticity which brings everything vividly to life, the author weaves past and present really well, blending them so seamlessly that I could well imagine spending time at Nell's house in Pall Mall or supping ale with Rose in The White Hart Inn in Covent Garden. I was equally fascinated by Jess as she begins to unfold the ancient history of Fortune Hall and reveals the long buried secrets of the past. loopyloulaura978 20

1671, Rose Gwyn faces execution for her part in a plot to steal the Crown Jewels. Desperate to save her unborn child, she writes to her infamous sister Nell. Present day, Jess' life is in tatters as her husband is imprisoned and she leaves her job. She turns to her celebrity sister for a home and job...
The Other Gwyn Girl is a dual timeline novel set in the 1670s and present day.
Poor Rose has not had the easiest start in life and now she is trapped in an unhappy marriage. Her husband coerces her into joining a madcap scheme to steal the Crown Jewels but she is caught. Her only hope of surviving is her sister Nell, the mistress of King Charles II, but Nell has her own fears and needs Rose's help in return. I loved this timeline and how the life in the seventeenth century was depicted. The characters felt authentic and the danger seemed to really loom over them.
The juxtaposition of the two pairs of sisters is interesting to watch unfold. In the present day Jess' husband has gone to prison and she feels tainted and guilty by association. Her sister is a celebrity and needs a housesitter for an old manor house she is restoring. Jess agrees to help out as a means of escape and uses her time to explore the house and its contents which establishes the link with the Gwyns.
I was a little less interested in the present day timeline. Jess seems more of a passive character than her sister or the Gwyns. Rose's perspective had danger and passion and her vivacity brought her character to life. There are elements of supernatural and mystery which develop in the present day as Jess explores the setting.
The Other Gwyn Girl is a fascinating interpretation of life in the seventeenth century and I loved Rose's character. Lisa Gentry554 23

What a glorious book! It is one of those books where you are quickly transported to a different time and place. Nicola Cornick's descriptions of London in 1671 are visceral, allowing the reader to feel the squalor and desperation of its people. You don't need any prior knowledge of the period to enjoy this novel because the characters are what make it work so brilliantly. Written in a dual timeline, Rose Gwyn, older sister of the famous Nell, is the narrator for 1671. "Where survival was concerned, morality often went out the window." Life has been less than fair and more than unkind but Rose keeps getting back up. In the present-day timeline, there is Jess, older sister of the flashy celebrity/influencer, Tavy. The sisters and the timelines are tied together through a centuries-old manor house, Fortune Hall.

I was enthralled by both storylines and completely surprised by the twists at the end of each of them. There were so many details that were pulled together in the final pages, bringing satisfying closure to the parallels between both sets of sisters. This engrossing story obviously required substantial research which is a challenge since women weren't considered important to those who recorded history. Let's hope that times are changing but we can honor the women who came before us by reading books this one. I loved it.

My thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood for the digital ARC. All opinions and the review are entirely my own. england historical-fiction netgalley ...more Kate HardyAuthor 825 books189

Nicola Cornick's novels are always a real treat. Her history is always accurate, but her research doesn't show - instead, you feel as if you're right there in the time period she's writing about.

In this dual timeline novel, the stories of Jess (present day) and Rose (1671) are intertwined tightly; I love the way Nicola reflects the past in the present, and vice versa. Jess and Rose both put their trust in the wrong man, and have to deal with the intrusiveness of having a 'celeb' sister, as well as having a difficult mum. And while neither of them believe in love any more, love has a way of finding them.

It was nice to read about a period that hasn't been covered by many novels in the last few years. I was fascinated to learn about Captain Blood and the failed heist of the Crown Jewels. (I did guess what happened to the missing jewels, but then again I write crime novels and it's how I would've written it!)

The scenes in the Marshalsea in the Restoration period are absolutely visceral, and a sharp contrast to the luxury of life as a court favourite. I particularly enjoyed the scenes at Ashdown House - a comeuppance most definitely deserved! The modern setting is fabulous, too - loved the ancient house, especially the library, and Jess's research into Rose's life.

Loved the characters, the two timelines were woven together well, there was plenty of historical colour and lots of dramatic tension. Definite five stars from me.1 Linda S.520 2

The Other Gwyn Girl is a dual timeline story, with the first timeline taking place during the time of Charles II in the 1600s and featuring Rose, the sister of Charles II's famous mistress Nell Gwyn, and the second timeline taking place in the present day and telling the story of Jess, a librarian and historian living in the UK, who has just gotten out of a bad relationship with someone who defrauded people out of a lot of money. Jess's sister Tavy, a reality TV star, has purchased Beckett Hall and renamed it Fortune Hall, all the while filming the renovations for her fans. The two story lines are tied together by the historical Beckett Hall, or Becote Hall, as it was called in the 1600's. The story has able characters, a mystery and even some supernatural aspects. I got a big kick out of the appearances of Lizzie Kingdom, from Nicola Cornick's The Forgotten Sister and Lucy from last year's The Winter Garden in this novel. Highly recommend!

I read my first Nicola Cornick novel in 2020 after a recommendation from a dear friend and this makes the sixth novel of hers that I have read and just loved! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.arc BethanAuthor 3 books2

:: The library was the only room on the ground floor, where there was a view across to the fishing house as the slope of the hill blocked it out from the west. As Jess looked out she had that same eeriee sensation, she has experienced, on her arrival to Fortune Hall: It was as though the landscape shifted slitghly, the view blurred and she was looking out on a different say in another time. "::

Rose Gwyn is a mystery, many of the female middle class citizens, is servery undocumented. But bit by bit as the story unfolds, we find out her better known baby sister was actually a lover and favourite Mistress of Charles ll and one that intruges you to the very core. But in the present day we also meet Jess who Rose is understated and out shadowed her her famous younger sister.
I love this story so much. It was heart felt and gave the message of hope, even if both Rose and Jess went through smilimar scenarios and whereas Jess and her new favourite Ethan scrabbled through the past looking for any mention of their girl Rose, they become closer.

I found it facing the same nationg how their stories came to . I thoroughly enjoyed it thank you so much ??

Thank you so much to Nicola Cornick and Bolwood for allowing me to read this on Net Galley for an honest review. Jane HuntAuthor 2 books108

The Other Gwyn Girl is an evocative and lyrical tale of a little-known historical figure whose story is full of danger, passion and political intrigue. Rose is the elder of the Gwyn sisters, who spent much of their young lives in deprivation and poverty. Whilst Nell caught the eye of the King, Rose's husband is not what she expected and leads her into a life defined by abuse and crime. Jess's partner is also a fraud, and she is forced, Rose, to turn to her estranged sister for help. The dual-time stories share a believable connection with echoes of the supernatural. They are engaging and immersive and reflect the politics and society of the seventeenth and twenty-first centuries. The storytelling draws you into the women's world, and you invest in them. The vivid historical details bring the characters and events to life, and the contemporary story reflects the current-day obsession with celebrity and social media. I enjoyed both stories and found the characters engaging. The plot is well-written, and the connections between the past and present resonate. I particularly the gentle romance the stories share.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.2024-book-tours netgalley-reviewed Debbi705 18

The Other Gwyn Girl is the story of Rose Gwyn, the sister of famous Nell Gwyn, actress and mistress of King Charles II (aka the Merry Monarch), set in London in 1671. Raised in poverty, Rose marries a feckless (and not very successful) highwayman, but quickly discovers that he's not what she thought, and the marriage is a mistake. When her husband gets involved in a plot to steal the crown jewels it Rose who ends up in prison. Desperate to get out, she reaches out to her sister Nell to save her. It's Rose's story that makes up the book, revealed to us from Rose's perspective, and that of Jess Yates, a librarian and history lover in the present day. Jess has secrets of her own including a criminal ex-husband, so she heads off to England to see her sister and get away from the hoopla surrounding her ex. Rose, Jess's sister Tavy is famous, and Jess finds that the quiet retreat she thought she was headed to, isn't so quiet. Also Rose's sister Nell, Tavy has secrets of her own to hide.

The dual story lines weave Rose's story together and drew me so deeply into her story that I couldn't put it down. A fabulous book! Shelagh1,528 19

What a fascinating story this is! The Other Gwyn Girl is dual timeline set partially in 17th century England and partly in the present day. In the 1650Â’s, we first meet Rose, Nell GwynÂ’s older sister and discover the massive challenges she faced as an impoverished woman in those times. With three stints in the Marshallsea Prison and a thoroughly nasty first husband, Rose certainly had a difficult and unpleasant start to life, however she is a strong character, filled with a drive to survive and if possible to thrive. I found myself cheering for her again and again.
In the present day we meet librarian and history buff Jess Yates, who has been invited to stay at Fortune Hall by her celebrity sister Tavy. Jess is hiding from the publicity that surrounded the imprisonment on fraud charges of her long time boyfriend Jared. Tavy needs somebody to act as housekeeper and Jess needs the privacy. Fortune Hall, formerly Becote Manor, has many secrets to reveal and I found it fascinating to watch Jess as she investigated the various centuries-old books in the library and discovered RoseÂ’s links to the manor.
This story was a real page-turner for me and is one I will definitely read again. Michelle J29 1 follower

Thank you to Netgalley who provided me with an ARC in exchange for a truthful review.

Firstly I loved the history of forgotten women element that this story had. The focus on someone who was tangential to so much was very fascinating. I even d the dual timeline aspects (but if you donÂ’t this book isnÂ’t for you).

For me the issue was I was 80% in when I realised there was no real conflict or stakes. It was a light fun story but I had to real reason to care or worry for the characters. In fact I couldnÂ’t really have told you what the conflict to be resolved was. I was interested but not invested in this story so that means for me it lost a few stars as I want to feel I care what happens in the end.

The characters are well developed but the plot tends to focus more on mirroring the past and present then trying to grow our characters but again this might be a side effect of not feeling connected to them.

All in all if you low stakes historical fiction you will this book :)netgalley tinalouisereadsbooks306 9

This is the second book that I have read by the author. This is another dual timeline story set in the present and the past. In this book we follow Jess who after a disastrous relationship goes to live with her influencer sister Tavy at Becote Manor. In the past we follow Nell Gywn but mainly her sister Rose who had a connection to the Manor.

I enjoyed this book but it didn't wow me. I was interested to know about Rose as I knew nothing about her at all, even googling doesn't give much more than what is covered in the book. I know a bit more about Nell Gwyn but the story is more about Rose.

I enjoy dual timeline stories and especially when they are about real historical people. This offering dud hold my interest and there was a hint of a ghost story to it. I did find some of the plot go into thrillerland and I couldn't quite get on board with it.

I would read more by the author in the future as I do enjoy these types of books. This was an OK read for me.

Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the book to review.netgalley read-in-2024 Kelly1,436 62

I am reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a book tour for Rachel's Random Resources.

I was interested in this book because I read a previous book by this author and enjoyed it.

This is a dual timeline novel, with one narrative in the present day, and one in the 1600s. What I found interesting was that although I identified more with Jess and the other characters in the present, I felt a stronger emotional connection to Rose in the 1600s. I felt the author portrayed some of the characters in the historical narrative as a little enigmatic and mysterious. I find it interesting to read this type of book and see the contrasts between the characters, and to find out how the the characters involved in the two narratives are somehow intertwined. I found this light enough to read in one sitting, and it was a little bit reading two stories in one, so I enjoyed it.

Thank you to Boldwood Books, NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.

Antonella Gramola-Sands369 3

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