Great Britain During Queen Victoria's Reign

Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, Queen Victoria's fourth daughter, aches to escape the boring, bleak existence of Windsor Castle where her mother expects obedience to her, and her alone. After the death of Prince Albert, the queen's mourning engulfed her, and wearing black, avoiding the public, and demanding her children to follow suit has, even years after the prince's death, made for a dull life for all within the walls of the castle. For Princess Louise, it is a prison. Lively, pretty, and artistic, Louise is determined to pursue a lifestyle that is less royal, and much more free. But the queen has no intention of giving any of her children that opportunity.

When Queen Victoria sends Princess Louise to represent her when Parliament opens, the doors seem to open a bit for Louise to venture further. With the assistance of her art tutor, as well as some of her family members, Louise is allowed to enroll in the National Art Training School, an establishment that Prince Albert founded. She is determined not to allow her royal position to interfere, and makes friends with some of the students. The school is where she meets Joseph Edgar Boehm, the sculptor, and she falls in love with him.

Life for a royal princess requires trust in one's closest friends, as well as the ability to hide one's emotions. With the help of her close friend, Sybil, who accompanies her about London, Louise is able to spend time with Edgar, while still completing her royal duties. She is also able to promote Edgar's talent by getting the queen to appreciate his works. But how long can this last? The queen wants Louise to marry.

Eventually Princess Louise marries the Marquess of Lorne, a Scottish commoner, and he is appointed Governor General of Canada, much to Louise's horror. Being separated not only from Edgar, but her artist friends is devastating. But her royal upbringing, and her ability to deal with the public put her in a great light with the Canadian people. It's only after a terrible accident that Louise returns to England, and, upon her recovery, she sets out to live her life free of her mother's control.

Each chapter of AN INDISCREET PRINCESS begins with actual letters, newspaper articles, or notes from the queen, and others. Beautifully researched, the author has brought to life a woman of talent, intelligence, as well as compassion who lived through a stifling, but an enlightening era. Princess Louise was outspoken, but only when necessary, and she was one of the few of Victoria's children able to stand up to her domineering mother. An excellent read, don't miss AN INDISCREET PRINCESS.

Review:
An Indiscreet Princess, a story of Princess Louise, begins in 1868 and ends in 1887. Louise is headstrong and knows what she wants; she doesn’t bow down to her mother or convention. Instead, she fights for the right to attend the National Art Training School, to maintain friendships with fellow artists, to have a relationship with her professor, to later marry a commoner of her choosing, and to live the life SHE wants rather than the life her mother wants for her. Turns out, Princess Louise, in her ‘stubbornness,’ is more like her mother than either of them realize.

I liked how the author chose to focus primarily on one aspect of Louise’s life - her as an artist - and how the rest of her actions and life played into that. I also liked how, at the beginning of each chapter, there were excerpts from personal letters and publications which set the scene for the events that follow.

Thoughts:
~ I enjoyed reading about Princess Louise and learning a bit about her life as an artist. I had no idea she was a sculptress.
~I’m curious as to why the author chose the word ‘indiscreet’ to describe the Princess; I’m not sure I agree with it.
~When the book is published I’ll be curious to read the Author’s Note to learn more about her research. I wish this had been included in the ARC as I’m interested to know more about what is fact versus fiction, particularly in regards to her relationship with Boehm since it took up so much of this story. I look forward to reading this when the book is published.

My Thoughts:

I read an advanced reader copy. There is only the story. There is not a chapter for Reader's Notes telling me about the author's research. There is not an Acknowledgement's section either. So, I don't know what books Blalock read or other types of factual history there is on Louise. I want to state this plain that it is a rumor that she and Boehm had an affair. There were other rumors of her as well. For example, a child possibly born to her when she was a teenager. But I don't believe there is solid historical evidence in writings, etc., about her affair with Boehm. Maybe she did and maybe she did not. She was with him at his death, but it doesn't mean they had an affair. Yes, this is a fictional account, but I still dislike.

Why do I mention the above? I kept thinking all through the story, I would hate it if someone wrote a book about me sharing untrue information. But if I am dead who can argue my case.

I will review on the book itself. But I did have to get the above off my chest.

In the story, Louise comes across as disrespectful to her mother. Yes, Victoria comes across as critical and domineering. And uses a strong hand (or tries to) with her children. Louise is still sneaky and disrespectful.

I love the focus of art. I too am an artist. I draw mainly. So, I enjoyed reading a book that has artistic qualities and characters.

Usually in a book there is a character or characters that I feel sorry for. That I feel something for. It was difficult to "feel" for these people who come across as snobby even though they see others as snobby they don't realize it in themselves. As a result, the book was difficult for me to become invested in. I had (almost) an- I don't care attitude.

The most touching scene in the book came at 81%. I don't have a page number. It took that long for the story to touch my heart.

The book wraps up well and between that point and the previous mention of the touching scene my rating moved up to "good."

Source: I received an advanced reader complementary Kindle e-book from NetGalley and William Morrow. I am not required to write a positive review.
Audience: Readers of historical fiction and the royal family of England.
Rating: Good.

London, 1868. Princess Louise Caroline Alberta is artistically talented and dreams of entering the National Art Training School. She is introduced to Mr. Joseph Edgar Boehm, who is a professor at the art school. He is honest with his opinion of her natural talent, which lacks spontaneity. At first, she is taken aback by his honesty, but later it turns out that students appreciate his honesty. That’s how they progress at school.

Once, she is permitted to attend school, at first, she struggles with balancing between instructions from prof. Boehm and what her mother may thing of nude drawings. As she progresses at school, her feelings also progress for the Hungarian professor, but in reality, she must marry the one her mother and her government approve of.

Louise is a likeable and relatable character, someone who craves to forge her own path, despite the strict protocols.

It is an interesting story written with beautiful prose. I just found some descriptions too long, slowing the pace.

Royals, romance, and rebels! This is a fantastic historical fiction book and a very enjoyable read. I had never heard of Princess Louise and loved reading about her. Her whit, passion and fire for life makes her a very relatable and inspiring woman!

Yes, this story does involve romantic relationships but it also focuses on Louise’s ever evolving relationship with her mother, Queen Victoria, as well as her relationship with herself and her discovery of creating her own happiness and love. Something truly admirable! Please check out An Indiscreet Princess when it comes out September 27th!

Thank you William Morrow for letting me read this wonderful book and Georgie Blalock for introducing me to Princess Louise, one of my new favorite royals!

I loved this story! I read a lot of historical fiction, but this was my first time reading in detail about Princess Louise, aka Loosy (I love this nickname).

My favorite aspect of this story is how the relationship between mother and daughter evolves, especially given how their similarities cause so much friction between them. I also enjoyed the inclusion of historical letters and editorials, each of which set the scene for the subsequent section of the story. It’s a nice touch and an ever-present reminder that this fiction is based on real people and real events.

I found Louise to be an extremely relatable and likable character. I think most of us can empathize with a desire to live as we yearn to, whether or not our parents (and monarchical obligations) are the ones setting the restrictions. Her romance with Edgar is sweet, and I especially enjoyed reading her interactions with her many siblings of dissimilar personalities.

I think it commendable that author Georgie Blalock chose to focus on a specific subset of Louise’s life. I personally have had many historical reads ruined by the inclusion of too much detail — years and events that weren’t hyper-relevant to the “point” of the novel. The timeline of this narrative is poignant and compelling to the portrayal of Louise as its heroine.

Thank you to Georgie Blalock, William Morrow Paperbacks, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!

Wow! This novel is a testament to the talent of Georgie Blalock! She skillfully illustrates the challenges Princess Louise, daughter of Queen Victoria, faces when balancing independence and duty to Queen and country. As Princess Louise is granted the permission to pursue an education in Art, she embraces an entirely different life and falls in love with her instructor, Mr. Boehm. Under the thumb of Queen Victoria and the constricts of her station, Princess Louise is desperately seeking a place where she can become the artist she is destined to become, while fighting for her independence, and still maintaining her royal personage. This book had me hooked from start to finish! One of my favorite books this year! A must for the top of your TBR pile!