I had high hopes for this book, but alas, I didn't finish more that about 25% percent of it. I might pick up the pace once you get further in, but for me, it dragged and I just could not get into the story.

The introduction to the family's history felt very tedious and set up took too long.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the change to read an arc of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Diamond of London, written by Andrea Penrose, is an enthralling and meticulously researched novel that immerses readers into the captivating and daring world of Lady Hester Stanhope.

Thank you to Net Galley and Kensington Books for the chance to read and review this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
At first, I was not sure if I was going to like this book-it seemed a little slow. I am so glad I stuck with it though. I learned a lot about a most interesting lady, Lady Hester Stanhope. She was a Regency-era British Aristocrat who refused to conform to the rules for women. She was also the niece of William Pitt the Younger (who was a big influence in her life). She wanted to travel and have adventures-not settle down and be a wife and mother. She had a couple of serious love affairs, but she never did marry. I admire her courage to stand up for herself and be an important person in her own right-not depend on a man. I enjoyed this book and recommend it for all readers who like stories about strrong women.

Thank you for this advanced copy. Unfortunately I did not finished the book. I ended at 24%, halfway through chp 9. While the book was very well written and very descriptive it just did not grab my attention early enough for me to get hooked and want to keep reading it. I felt that the beginning was drawn out and repetitive. The came across as very autobiographical - and I think the description is a little misleading in that it doesn’t let the reader know that this is what the book will be likes. For those who like this genre they will probably really enjoy the book. It just wasn’t for me.

I really enjoyed THE DIAMOND OF LONDON and especially appreciated how the author fictionalized the life of a real person, thus effectively bridging the gap between biography and fiction. Through fiction we are able to imagine what this real person might have been feeling and experiencing even as she was going through various times in history. She was a really fascinating person, and I applaud the author for the captivating premise and the immense research it must have taken to complete this well-written novel.

I received a complimentary e-galley from the publisher; all opinions are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this novel and this is my freely given opinion.

I was a bit iffy about this because it is a fictional piece about a real historical figure, Lady Hester Stanhope. I am iffy about that because I am torn between wanting to know the real historical details, facts, timelines, etc. It can be dry, but I do love historical details, and facts in and of themselves (and if it is medical, science, criminal, or food history - then you really have me). But I also love a good fictional story too. I was not sure which way this one would fall. But I figured I love Andrea Penrose, so how could I lose?

This is the story of a portion of Lady Hester's life, starting out with her in the later stages, looking back on her past, but concentrating largely on her adult life, first as a young woman in London, and then in her later 20s, spanning the periods of her life when she learns about her strength and abilities as a woman in social and political world of Regency Britain. The story goes through her life during those periods as they relate to various important men in her life, including relationships with her uncle William Pitt the Younger, Beau Brummell, and other men who were significant in her life. It started out a bit dry and I was not sure I liked her very much, but that quickly changed as I caught drawn into the pathos of Hetty Stanhope - a strong-willed passionate woman who wants to be more, and make a mark, but not sure how to do it because of the limitations placed on women at the time, and also not wanting to harm those important to her, such as her uncle. But also a passionate, intelligent woman looking for love and connection, only to be hurt repeatedly and various ways.

My biggest disappointment though is that this focuses on the early portion of her life in Britain, essentially ends there, just hinting at her travels and adventures outside of England, and by the time I got to the end of the story, I was severely disappointed to know that there is no continuation of her story. I would have loved to hear about her adventures beyond the boundaries of England.

But otherwise, I did get very drawn and interested into the story of Lady Hester and her relationships. I just wanted more...

4.25 stars out of 5

4.5 stars

A good story. I learnt about Hetty Stanhope and her life. I didn't reaise she had a relationship with General Moore. I think that because it's written in the first person we don't get so much passion or even really her trauma about the Cad who plays all ends to the middle! His story must be eyebrow raising. I wondered what her life was like in the Levant...perhaps there's a second book?

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I thought the story line of this book was very interesting. It is always neat to me to read about history in ways I could not have imagined. I also love a good regency romance.

I just reviewed The Diamond of London by Andrea Penrose. #TheDiamondofLondon #NetGalley
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I liked the story line of this book. It is always interesting to me to read about history in ways I could not have imagined.

The Diamond of London by Andrea Penrose

This book has made me gasp with awe. Ballroom, courtship, and park riding are all at a standstill in the grip of war and this will change the balance of aristocracy and society. She was set to live the life of a privilege debutante but now she's facing challenges and breaking all the rules. Women uprising and women finding their place in society and entering society without a man demanding them.

Amazing book and many thanks to Netgalley! 10/10

I loved this book! I will definitely recommend it. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This book was a captivating read—a blend of a love story (actually multiple love stories!), coming of age, and an exploration of the changing times of women’s rights and submissive roles in society. What was more intriguing to me was that the main character, Lady Hester Lucy Stanhope was a real figure in history and that that the author built her semi-fictional tale on true history. May all our lives reflect the growing rights of women.

Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the Advanced Review copy.

In THE DIAMOND OF LONDON, ANDREA PENROSE has given us a really excellent fictional biography of Lady Hester Stanhope. I really enjoy the way she has done such a great deal of research, and yet her fictional additions make the story flow and this interesting Regency era woman come alive.
I highly recommend The Diamond of London to anyone who enjoys this genre.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Kensington Books. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

A lovely book that is based on the life of Lady Hester Stanhope in the England of the 1800’s.. She was a member of the Pitt family and enjoyed and endured being in high society and political circles with all its benefits and drawbacks. This is a very good book about a woman trying to make a life for herself despite the barriers to her sex.

This is a wonderful historical biography/fiction novel! The writing is beautifully done and I loved getting an inside perspective into the early years of Lady Stanhope's life. It was wonderful to explore what might have happened in her early life to lead her to all the adventurous things she is famous and well-known for later in her life.

Thank you so much for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC. 3.5 stars

I was intrigued by the premise of this historical fiction novel. I had heard of Lady Hester but only in passing. What a character! Coming from a tragic childhood but stemming from a family of strong unique personalities, Hester is determined to live life on her terms… which as a titled woman in Regency London isn’t easy. We ride the waves of her romantic entanglements and watch as she figures out what’s truly important.

The story held my interest and is very well-researched. I love books about little-known strong female characters from history. I think the book could benefit from a tighter editing - lots of the same descriptors used repeatedly and the war talk/strategy seemed to detract a bit from the overall arc of the story.

An enjoyable book recommended for historical fiction fans.

Although well written I found that I was never able to really get into the story, to my dismay.

Other readers will likely love this well reviewed historical fiction but I just wasn't able to connect with this one.




Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the DRC

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing Company for an advanced copy of The Diamond of London by Andrea Penrose. A wonderfully written, totaling engaging novel of the life of Lady Hester Stanhope. While I had never heard of Lady Stanhope, I was completely absorbed by her story from the beginning. She was definitely a women before her time and led a very intriguing life. You get a complete sense of who she is both personally and professionally.

While this is my first novel by Ms. Penrose, I find her to be an articulate and expressive writer! I look forward to reading other novels by this wonderful author.

Well written and interesting, but I found it very difficult to read at times. There were so many people mentioned that it made it difficult to follow everything. Additionally the details of the war were an interesting addition, but there was so much that felt that it was not fully adding to the story for me.

I know people who will love this book and I cannot wait to recommend to them, so my rating is specifically based on MY own interest in the book, the book itself was good.

Thank you Netgalley for an Advanced copy to read for review.

This Regency Romance/historical fiction is based on Lady Hester Stanhopes life, and it was a fantastic read. It shows her struggle as a educated women of the time and refusing to marry for anything but love. This shows her struggles with society in her search for her spit in the Ton and in love.
I just reviewed The Diamond of London by Andrea Penrose. #TheDiamondofLondon #NetGalley
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