Having spent early years of my life in England, I am familiar with the Windsors and Edward and Wallis Simpson. Bryn Turnbull's novel takes us back in time to the 1920s and 1930s. It is beautifully written and provides an interesting portrayal of the woman before Wallis Simpson. I'd heard of Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt, but didn't know anything about her twin sister, Thelma Morgan Furness. THE WOMAN BEFORE WALLIS throws the reader into the glittering world of these sisters; two American socialites, and takes the reader on an emotional journey that shows how wealth, celebrity, and privilege effected these two sisters.

My only critique is that the story seemed to end abruptly, jumping in time from Wallis stealing Edward to Thelma seeing King George VI on the throne. Overall, this is a great read for fans of THE CROWN or historical fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the e-ARC.

An entertaining glimpse into the world of the well off in the 1930s and how quickly it can change . Motivated by reputation, and money, the rich can be cruel Double standards apply if not of the same social standing.

I have long been fascinated with the live affair of David Windsor and Wallis Simpson. Specifically how he willingly gave up the throne for such a woman. A few times while reading about the couple, I had seen the name Lady Thelma Furness, but not much more. This book brings to light the very serious romance between the Prince and Thelma Furness née Morgan, an American who married in to British aristocracy. Thelma embarks upon an affair with the Prince while married to Lord Furness whose own affairs have all but destroyed their marriage. Thelma and David fall madly in love and are almost constantly together. During this time Thelma meets through her older sister Consuelo, the Simpsons. On one occasion, the Simpsons serve as ‘chaperone’ to David and Thelma. Thelma befriends Wallis, who seems to be lacking many friends. Thelma’s twin sister was Gloria Vanderbilt. When Gloria is widowed, and scandal comes following a sensational trial involving custody of her daughter Little Gloria, Thelma must go to America to support her sister. Naturally David cannot accompany her, as it is a horrific scandal. She reluctantly leaves David in the care of her ‘friend’ Wallis and her husband. This was an interesting and entertaining read, showing the Prince before Wallis. I’ll let the reader draw their own conclusion, but if you are a fan of the Windsors, this is definitely a worthwhile read. Than you to Net Galley for the ARC.

The Woman Before Wallis is the story of Thelma Morgan. Thelma was raised in a world of privilege but that didn't protect her from disappointment. She lived a grand life and when life was good it was good and when it wasn't she did her best to rise to the challenge. She and her twin sister Gloria almost raised themselves from their teen years. Because of that they made some decisions that weren't always the best. But they were always there for each other. Perhaps Thelma more than Gloria. They usually landed on their feet. They had some truly amazing experiences and some life-shaking disappointments. The Woman Before Wallis is about their ups and downs.The dual-storyline moves between Thelma's relationships and Gloria's infamous custody case. I enjoyed learning about the two sisters and would pause occasionally to search online for pictures and more info about the principals, residences, etc. Recommended to fans of historical fiction.

Talk about a small world! This book was a page-turner for me. A good juicy gossip fest even though everything happened before I was born because I had heard if everyone and everything in this story, I just did not know they were connected. I found this book fascinating even if it was historical fiction. I did not know anything about Thelma, Lady Furness, other than her name and she preceded Wallis Simpson in Edward the VIII's affections. I was surprised to learn she was the twin sister of Gloria Vanderbilt, the mother of poor little Gloria of the infamous child custody battle in the 1930s. Also, poor little Gloria, who just died, was the mother of CNN's Anderson Cooper. I can only imagine what their holiday and Sunday dinners were like. In fact, I found the sections about the custody battle and the Vanderbilts much more interesting than the parts about Thelma's affair with Edward. Edward was not that interesting. Most historians agree he was selfish, smothering, and petulant. He also did not want to be king. Too much responsibility. It interfered with his fun. This is good because Britain got the king and queen she needed to get her through WWII, King George VI, and Queen Elizabeth. Edward got Wallis, not Thelma. I think Thelma got the better end of that deal. I also did not know Gloria Vanderbilt was heavily involved with George and Nada Mountbatten. Again, a small world. I liked Thelma. The author made her likable and sympathetic. There is an author's note at the end, a reader's guide, and a bibliography to help the reader understand more about the subjects in the book. Also, there are book club questions and I do feel this would be an excellent book club selection. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for a review.

A fascinating mix of power, romance, scandal and the royals are the right ingredients to make page turning historical fiction. Much has been written about Wallis Simpson but Bryan Turnbull shines a light on Thelma Morgan Furness. (The woman before Wallis). This novel alternates between Thelma’s life and that of her twin sister Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt..
When Thelma, married for the second time, is introduced to Edward, Prince of Wales (David) by her husband a long term affair begins. In New York, Thelma’s sister becomes involved in the custody battle for her daughter Gloria Vanderbilt and Thelma leaves for New York in support of her sister. While gone, she requests that her friend Wallis keep a watchful eye on David. With that request, the relationship between Thelma and David will end as the Prince of Wales becomes enthralled with the married Wallis Simpson and she will become ‘that woman’.
Bryan Turnbull brings the good and the bad of the human spirit to each character with her wonderful prose.
Thank you NetGalley, Bryan Turnbull and MIRA books for the ARC of this highly enjoyable and recommended read.

Thelma Morgan held an interesting spot In pre-WWII high society. Her story ties together two of the bigger scandals of the times, the Gloria Vanderbilt custody fight and the lead up to the abdication of Edward VII. Her twin was the mother of “littleGloria” and her lover was the Prince of Wales. If it were not based on truth it would be almost too much of a stretch. One particular aspect of the story that struck me was thePrecarious nature of the “career path” available to a socialite of that era. I think there would be fodder here for a book discussion.

Many know the story of Edward VIII who abdicated the English throne to be with Wallis Simpson, the woman he loved. This is the lesser-known tale of American Thelma Morgan, Lady Furness, who was Edward's mistress before Wallis. Full of tabloid gossip about the heiress and her twin sister Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt who fought a lengthy battle to retain custody of her young daughter (designer Gloria Vanderbilt). All the scandals of the 1920s, but told from the perspective of women making the best choices the can in a world where they are mostly controlled by others.
There are 2 related storylines that bounce back and forth, Since many of the characters appear in both threads and the stories are only a few years apart, it was sometimes confusing. But for fans of The Crown, British aristocracy, and the lives of the rich and famous, this book is a treat.

I was very excited to read this one, I've read a couple of other things on the abdication and Wallis Simpson and the Vanderbilts, and was looking to learn more about these bits of historical drama. I suppose I should have considered the title more carefully - it sets this up as a battle between women, which suggests it's more about Romance than about history. That is in fact how it played out for me, which is where I struggled with it.

While I found the historically focused parts of the book (eg, those that laid out Gloria Vanderbilt's trials and tribulations and Thelma's life, as opposed to her affairs) to be very interesting, the vast majority of it felt like I was reading historical romance rather than historical fiction, and I'm not a romance reader. That said the writing is good, it just was focused more on the affairs and romantic dramas then on the history and actual dramas. Hence three stars from me but more from readers who enjoy that emphasis more than I do...

When we think of The Duke of Windsor and Wallis Simpson, we are often unaware that Edward had a previous long-time relationship with Thelma Furness, Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt's twin sister. Though she wasn't wealthy like her sister, her charm and good looks permitted her to make the right connections, eventually winning her a title.

The book is roughly divided into two primary storylines, the private life of Thelma Morgan Furness and her subsequent relationship with the Duke of Windsor and the story of her sister's battle for custody of her heiress daughter, Gloria.

The book is full of historical information about both the Vanderbilts and the Royal Family. This gossipy-scandalous story sets the stage for Wallis Simpson's entrance into the battle for the eligible heir to the British throne. I did a fair amount of research on the characters and places on the internet that interested me.

Overall quite interesting, if you like to read the Royal magazines at the hairdresser, you're going to enjoy this book.

When thinking of the famous Vanderbilt family or the Prince of Wales during the early 20th century, what comes to mind? Money? Power? During the 1920s and 1930s, a woman named Thelma Morgan was connected to both, and this is her story. Although most of the events in the story happened as written, the author had to imagine the dialogue and the nuances of the characters. The line between fact and fiction is sometimes difficult to distinguish in a book such as this. It takes a talented author to weave together the threads of a story and create such an intriguing tapestry of wealth, power, and deceit.. The lives of the rich and famous are not as glamorous as they seem, and this sad tale illustrates the fact that money does not necessarily equate happiness. Be transported back in time to a behind-the-scenes glimpse of high society as it was before the Great Depression. This would be an excellent addition to any collection of historical, realistic fiction, especially fascinating to fans of the pre-Depression era time period.

I really enjoyed this book. It's one of the best historical fiction books I've read this year.

The Woman is Lady Thelma Furness, twin sister of the elder Gloria Vanderbilt and mistress of the Prince of Wales. The story alternates between the custody trial of the younger Gloria Vanderbilt and Thelma's love stories. The book chronicles her romance with Lord Furness and then the Prince of Wales.

This was good, light reading for fans of The Crown. Highly recommended.

A well written book that grabs the reader and goes behind the scenes of the Prince of Wales., the Vanderbilts, Morgan’s, and others of the era. The story centers on Thelma Morgan Furness, the lover of The heir assumptive of England. A good read, seen through the eyes of Thelma.

The Woman Before Wallis
A Novel of Windsors, Vanderbilts, and Royal Scandal
by Bryn Turnbull
Harlequin Publishing
MIRA
@harlequinbooks
@brynturnbullwrites
#TheWomanBeforeWallis

Bryn Turnbull, debut book, The Woman Before Wallis is a must read for historical fiction fans everywhere.
A whirlwind drama soaked with historical glamour, as the lives of some of the memorable decadent people known.
Thelma Morgan mesmerizing life comes to illustrious details through the pages of Bryn Turnbull superb narration.

In The Woman Before Wallis , the whole book was a gossipy pageturner, even if I ultimately felt like the book skimped on important information and dramatic highlights.

I love the drama of this time, and I love the American heiresses marrying impoverished British titles. Thelma, though, isn’t quite as loaded as the dollar princesses in stories like in That Churchill Woman and American Duchess. Although her twin sister has married a Vanderbilt, Thelma’s not particularly well-off, but her looks and charm attract the attention of Lord Furness. I knew, of course, that her marriage to Lord Furness was just a brief stop on her path, but I still wanted to know a bit more about this time. I wasn’t totally sold on the breakdown of the Furness’ marriage, but I rolled with it because obviously that was necessary to start Thelma’s romance with David, the heir to the British throne.

This romance is broken up by a second storyline, a few years in the future, when Thelma returns to New York as a character witness and emotional support in her twin sister’s custody trial. (This storyline, about a mother with a millionaire heiress baby, trying to get permission to choose her child’s school or fire her nanny, or eventually, even visit her child, seems outlandish, but it actually happened.) In New York, Thelma is reconnecting with her sister, and slowly realizing that David isn’t going to join her or defend her family from scandal.

There is one heavy moment when Thelma asks her friend Wallis Simpson to look after David in her absence. The Wallis we meet in this novel seems like the same Wallis living in the Bahamas in Beatriz William’s The Golden Hour. Self-absorbed, manipulative, but also always throwing a party and bringing a good time. Readers are left wondering just when exactly she saw the opportunity, and swooped in to seduce the easily-swayed David.

The problem is that the story never quite resolves. Of course, readers know going in that David is going to leave Thelma and take up with Wallis, and by the end, it’s clear that David isn’t going to end the affair with a dramatic scene or teary breakup. But all the of famous drama is skipped for an unsatisfying flash-forward finish. Thelma asks her good friend Wallis Simpson to look after David, and we all know what’s about to happen, but the narrative skips from this to Thelma seeing Bertie on the throne, as George VI, after the famous abdication of King Edward VIII.

A fascinating behind the scenes look at life for the wealthiest Europeans and Americans in the 1930's. Follow beautiful twin sisters Gloria and Thelma as they are raised by their ruthless social climbing mother. Gloria, becomes Gloria Vanderbilt, enjoying the excesses of American wealth, while Thelma, fresh from a disastrous first marriage finds love with a titled Englishman and later a connection to the royal family. When Gloria finds herself a young widow, her daughter "Little Gloria" becomes a hostage to those who would control the Vanderbilt estate, including Gloria and Thelma's mother.

Turnbull brings us "backstage" at the glittering parties of the 1930's, both in the U.S. and in England. The famous names in the headlines of the day come to life as real people The scandals are real and dangerous for those with social status to lose. The juxtaposition of a seemingly idyllic, yet scandalous life in Europe with the crowds, noise and endless "paparazzi" of New York City gives the reader a real sense of being there in the midst of the action. Was Wallis really a good friend or had she planned her part in the abdication of a king from the very start?

We know the story about Wallis Simpson but not about Thelma Morgan, sister to Gloria Vanderbilt. I wanted so much to like this book, but it was just too long and it became tedious after a while. Perhaps more editing could have helped. It is, however, another facet to the royal crown intrigues.

I love historical fiction and have always been fascinated by the royal family of England, so when I heard about this book, I couldn’t wait to read it. I was certainly not disappointed!
Author Bryn Turnbull has woven a delightful and intriguing book that delves into a world of politics and glamour on steroids. It is a view of the royal world from a unique perspective -- that of Swiss-born Thelma Morgan Furness, mistress of Edward VIII, Prince of Wales, who would later abdicate the throne to marry Thelma’s friend, Wallis Simpson. The story alternates between Thelma’s story and the custody battle of her identical twin sister, Gloria, who married into the famed Vanderbilt family. Gloria was the mother of namesake designer Gloria Vanderbilt and the grandmother of television journalist Anderson Cooper.
This beautifully written story grabbed my attention early and kept me reading well into the night as I became immersed in the drama. This is a testimony to Turnbull’s artistic gifts for world building and character development, as well as her ability to distill a complicated story into a thoroughly enjoyable read. I look forward to reading more by this talented author.
Many thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this wonderful book. I was under no obligation to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are entirely my own.

If you are an Anglophile, Royal watcher, you can’t get enough of Will and Kate or you love historical fiction, Bryn Turnbull has given us a great read! Lady Thelma Morgan Furness, mistress of the Prince of Wales (David not Charles) and sister of Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt was strong, giving, family oriented, and in love with HRH until it was time for him to step up and do his duty for England. Turnbull’s writing style keeps the pages flowing as he moves readers between two time periods in Furness’ life — when you’re in 1931 you look forward to get to 1934 and vice versus. It was great to learn about the Woman Before Willis.

Between "The Crown" and "The King's Speech" and "The Windsors", there's been a lot lately about Edward's abdication. I'm fascinated by all this, so was more than ready to read about Edward's previous lady.

However, this book was the kind that tries to impart a lot of information by name-dropping and explanations to the point that I was confused by who was who and who did what when. Even with all the info-dumps, the characters didn't come to life or act in ways that made me invest in them. I noped out pretty quickly after it became evident that while the author knew a lot, she didn't know how to impart that information in an organic or entertaining manner.