actually the prequel to two other books, this is the one i read first and enjoyed the most. my favorite kind of historical fiction for lazy summer days/cozy winter evenings - juicy and romantic, full of treachery and intrigue, heaving bosoms and gorgeous clothes. set in the court of Charles II, it's the story of Alice Verney's social aspirations and loves, all wrapped up in the whirlwind political machinations of the French and English monarchs and aristocracy. Luscious with detail, historical and otherwise, it's a wonderful romp. the two books she wrote before this - Through a Glass Darkly and Now Face to Face - aren't as driven by narrative and character and more in the vein of bodice ripping romance. this is the one to read if you want the historical story and a little more character development. As far as I know, it's actually pretty true to history, aside from the whole Alice Verney character, of course, and it definitely made me want to read more about the Restoration. It also made me go pick up the other two books, and even though they're all rather huge - 500-800 pages - they're page turners and don't really require any sort of in depth reading, meaning they of course ended too soon.
the book equivalent of oh, i don't know, an ice cream sundae with whipped cream, cherries, hot sauce, caramel, slivered almonds, and sprinkles - very little nutritional value but oh so pretty and delectable.
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