The story progresses fast. The chapters are short, making it a quick read. However, I didn’t feel any connection with the main character.

Nineteen-year-old Isabel Bilton uses her talents and charm to take London by storm in the late 1880s. Her innocence is left in the dust as she goes on to become Countess of Clancarty.

I did not like Belle in this novel. From what I've read, Belle Bilton was a woman who was charm and talent to climb her way up the social ladder. Here, she was extremely selfish, didn't show any concern for anyone, and relied far too much on a man who was far too good to be true. Maybe this was how it really happened, but if so, I would not have liked her.

There were numerous sex scenes, far too detailed for my taste. They could have easily been removed and nothing would have been missing from the story.

Overall, definitely not a favorite read of the year. I suppose I would recommend this to readers who are looking for more spice in their historical fiction.

I received my copy from NetGalley for reviewing purposes.

This is based on the true story of Isabel Bilton who began her life as the oldest daughter in a military family, entered a life in the theater and eventually moved up (considerably) in the world. The promotional material presents Isabel as a woman ahead of her time, but I don't see it. She seems to me to be very much a product of her time, becoming successful surprisingly easily, fighting to maintain her reputation despite grave mistakes, and falling in love well above her station.
The writing flows easily and all the necessary elements are there, but the story didn't hold my interest the way I expected. I simply wasn't drawn to Isabel/Belle, her sister and fellow performer Flo, and friend Isador (who seemed far too good to be true). There was little new ground covered, so that most of the story seemed pretty predictable until the lawsuit raised its head - that part was quite fascinating. It was a good read, just not particularly memorable.

This book is dull. The main character is so dull. The love interest is dull. The setting is dull. The sad thing is that this could have made for an interesting read. A singer fights against the aristocracy to marry a count. The most interesting part came at the end with the trial against being granted a divorce. But there was still no tension.

Based on a true riches to rags to riches story, this book recounts the life of Isabel Bilton, the oldest of three daughters in a very proper military family. In 1887, she fulfills her role as a dutiful daughter, but four years later, she’s being hailed the “peasant countess”. What happened to Belle in those four years makes for some fascinating reading, from becoming a performer to falling in love with a member of the peerage, Belle lived a large and remarkable life