An inspired imagined biography of Lambert Simnel, one of the Yorkist “pretenders” (scare quotes because who knows?) during the reign of Henry VII. Harkin creates a plausible backstory for the historical Simnel — one which conveniently never fully affirms or refutes his claim to the throne — and invents a life story for him that doubles as a reflection on the nature of identity.

I … love this book.

From the beginning, I was hooked on this story. The writing style was so original, so captivating. I loved the unique vocabulary, the characters, and the intrigue. What I think I enjoyed most were the secondary characters, especially Jennott, Beatrice, and Elyn. The heartache and the humor are woven together throughout Simnel's life, and the themes of identity, revenge, and love are beautifully crafted.

What a treat this was to read. It was bawdy but still had emotional stakes and extrapolated feasibly on known history. I would happily read 10 more books in this style. One of my new favorites.

The humor was excellent and wasn’t tryhard or over the top. To me, it was reminiscent of Ariana Franklin/Diana Norman’s dry, sometimes absurdist humor. I loved the mentions of the pranks or hijinks people got up to and all the well-placed swearing. The dialogue and narration, particularly early on in the book, reminded me of reading the Canterbury Tales and Shakespearean comedies (admittedly that was ages ago).

I appreciated the journey the MC goes through and the glimpses of turmoil he faces throughout. It kept the story grounded.

It did take me the first 2-3 chapters to get into it and adjust to the prose. But after that, I was off to the races.

If you like historical fiction, particularly stories set in the 15th Century, The Pretender should be right up your alley. It details the battle for the Crown between the York and Tudor dynasties, with much of the drama centered on a small boy, aka, “the pretender.” Jo Harkin's sweeping saga is full of intrigue and murder, plots and passions, mystery and majesty, love and wanton lust. The language stays true to the times and the tone reminds me of Maggie O’Farrell’s “The Marriage Plot.” But be warned: this tale spans about 500 pages.

I struggled initially with this book, and the kindle was not being sent to my book and I couldn’t download. But being able to read it in the NetGalley app helped finally solve that problem.

I have never read anything by Jo Harmon and this one really intrigued me. The book was a little slower that I struggled with the pacing but when the plots and twists came I could not put it down. The idea of reality versus illusion reminds of inception in my brain!

Definitely worth the read!

Thank you NetGalley for the Arc!! And the opportunity to read on your app!

The Pretender was written for historical fiction fans in mind. With the start of this book, I did not know who Lambert Simnel was nor was I familiar with late fifteenth-century British history. We learn that Lambert Simnel is a pretender to the throne of England as well as a threat to King Henry VII. He grows up as John, son of Will Collan, or so he thinks until he learns he is Lambert Simnel, son of George, The Duke of Clarence? He is whisked away to Oxford where he learns there are big plans in store for him including an education and being next in line for the throne. He is now only going through the motions set forth for him by his new teachers but is actually questioning everything going on around him. Who is he? Why the secrecy and changing of his name? These questions and more constantly consume him. Jo Harkin has done a wonderful job bringing her story to life and showing the depth of the characters throughout the book.

The Pretender is a gripping, richly detailed historical novel that brings to life one of history’s most intriguing but little-known figures, Lambert Simnel. With sharp prose and immersive storytelling, the book follows Lambert’s journey from an unsuspecting village boy to a pawn in the dangerous game of monarchy, where his fate teeters between a crown and a grave.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its character work. Lambert is a fascinating protagonist—his transformation from humble peasant to a supposed heir to the throne feels both believable and compelling. The political intrigue surrounding him is enthralling, but it’s his relationship with Joan that truly shines. Joan is an absolute force—intelligent, ruthless, and unafraid to bend the world to her will. The dynamic between her and Lambert adds both tension and depth to the narrative, making their alliance one of the book’s most captivating elements.

The historical backdrop is meticulously crafted, immersing the reader in the tumultuous landscape of 15th-century England and Ireland. From Oxford’s academic halls to the dangerous plotting of the Yorkist rebellion, the novel balances historical accuracy with a fast-paced, engaging story. It doesn’t just recount history—it makes you feel the weight of every decision, every betrayal, and every battle.

While The Pretender is steeped in political intrigue and courtly machinations, it also has a sharp wit and a lively energy that keeps it from ever feeling dry. It’s a novel that respects history while never losing sight of the human drama at its core. If you enjoy historical fiction that’s both intelligent and exciting, this is a book well worth reading.

I loved it. The writing was amazing, the first half was funny as hell, and the descriptions and people were so well done they felt absolutely vivid and alive. I loved that it was a interesting take on Lambert Simnel and adored bringing history to life. And yet. By the time I closed the book I cried and felt/feel utterly hopeless about humanity as a whole. So on one hand, it was amazing and fabulous! On the other, people suck. I did not feel hopeful that Lambert was going off for an adventure. I pictured him dying of the plague after a week on a ship...

This is a deeply rich historical story set in the 1480s that follows the life of a young boy who was raised in secrecy to protect him as he is supposedly to be King Edward VI one day.

I struggled with this one. The writing sticks closely to historical accuracy. There are lots of stops and starts and is in dire need of more editing. At nearly 500 pages, it was daunting. The story didn’t keep me engaged enough to be excited to pick it up. I spent a lot of time reading other books between passages of this one.

I’m sure this will be a phenomenal read for those who enjoy this style of writing. I was looking forward to seeing the author’s take on this true historical story but it’s just not hitting me like I expected.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to preview this book.

4.5 🌟

I was excited for this release, but I was not expecting to fly through this book as quickly as I did!

Harkin’s writing makes the Wars of the Roses so easily digestible and (especially early on in the story) it is FUNNY. I was living for the passing commentary of all the characters as king after king usurped another. Because after a while how much did the common man really care? lol

Young John/Lambert/Simnel/Edward is portrayed as so incredibly endearing. It was so hard not to root for him even knowing how his story ends. My heart broke and raged for him a million times. I only hope there is an alternate universe where he gets the peace he deserves.

Thank you NetGalley and Knopf for sending me a copy of this ARC!

The Pretender is about a little-known footnote in history, when John Collan/Lambert Simnel/Edward, Earl of Warwick, was crowned as King of England by the remaining supporters of the House of York as an act of rebellion against King Henry VII. John was raised on a farm, believing himself to be the son of a well to do farmer in a small town, when a nobleman in disguise takes him away to Oxford to be educated, telling him that he is the rightful heir to the English monarchy after the death of Edward IV, and the disappearance of the young Princes in the Tower under Richard III. From there, his journey to taking his place on the throne takes him to Mechelen, taken under the wing of Margaret of York, before being sent to Ireland under the protection of the Earl of Kildare, the Lord Deputy of Ireland. At each point in his journey, he takes on a new name, and a new understanding of his place in the world, while dreading the day when he forced to take the crown from Henry VII.
I knew nothing about this time in history prior to reading this book, and I enjoyed learning more about the time period, while also sympathizing heavily with Edward as he is used as a pawn by men with more power to further their own ambitions. The style of the prose felt authentic to the time period, but was admittedly somewhat inaccessible for me, until I became more comfortable with the style and vocabulary used. The first 25% of so dragged and felt difficult because of the writing, but once I became more immersed in the story, the verbiage used enhanced my enjoyment of the book as it felt true to the late 1400s. Overall, this was a book centered around a young man as he comes of age, struggling to understand if he truly is an Earl or is merely a peasant, a pawn, and finding his own place in the world. I would highly recommend this book to lovers of Historical Fiction.
Thank you to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor and NetGalley for the electronic ARC of this novel for review.

Set in late 1400’s England following the life of John Collan, a farm boy who is taken from the farm, whose real name is said to be Edward Plantagenet, Earl of Warwick. As we follow his journey we find he is the center of a plot as a pretender of the English throne. Groomed by powerful political men of the times, he is claimed to be the rightful heir during the reign of Richard III. At the hands of these men, he is a boy trying to find his rightful identity. Excellent research and well written this is an amazing story, part of the history of England. Not to be missed, I highly recommend reading this piece of English history. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review..

Ok I loved this refreshingly funny, tender, curious book. This is my dream version of historical fiction: a beautifully written and playful exploration of the strange humanness of it all! Would recommend to anyone. Huge thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for the advanced reader copy.

At the start of The Pretender, the protagonist is a young farm boy named John Collan, who is eventually taken away, given the name Lambert Simons, and sent to Oxford to be trained as a gentleman. His true identity is gradually revealed to be Edward, Earl of Warwick, and his fate is tied to the throne. However, after being captured, he fades into obscurity as Lambert Simnel, and finally, as John Crossey by the end of the story. The central mystery that propels the narrative is the question of his true name at birth: was he a royal heir or simply an ordinary boy?

I have a deep appreciation for historical fiction, whether it’s meticulously rooted in historical fact with citations and footnotes, or the more speculative kind that bends the rules for a thrilling, action-packed read. This Advanced Readers Copy of The Pretender left me feeling somewhat confused, and I hope the final version includes an Author’s Forward or Afterword to clarify certain points. Another issue I had was with the dialogue—it felt somewhat authentic to the late 1400s, but not consistently so, and it seemed to become more profane as the book went on. At nearly 500 pages, the book is quite long, and with the numerous characters spanning different phases of the Pretender's life, as well as various foreign royal lineages, I found it difficult to keep track of everyone. There were just too many characters for me to follow over such a long period.

That said, I did enjoy the plot and the premise. The story of a farm boy who learns to become a prince, grapples with the excesses of royalty, and embodies the theme of loss is compelling. Despite its challenges, the book offers a rich exploration of ambition, identity, and fate.

My first 5 star in a while! This was intense and perfect! I havnt read a historical fiction book and this was amazing!

This is a well done novel about a Yorkist challenge to Henry VII, the first Tudor king. This particular "pretender" is named Simon Lambert in history, in this novel he has many names. He starts off as John Collan, a beautiful, blond boy who is taken off to be educated in order to take his rightful place as the Earl of Essex, hidden son of the Duke of Clarence and rightful heir to the throne. It is interesting to see the pretender's view point as he is trained, passed about, and used for political ends. It is also interesting to see his evolution into a survivor. And there is always the question of who is he really?

Life's been pretty hectic lately, and it's taken me a bit longer than I would like to get through my TBR piles. The Pretender by Jo Harkin seemed like a great way to get back into reading for the year, and did not disappoint. It inspired me to dig a little bit further into the historical figures who inspired the novel.

When reading The Pretender, it took a moment to get used to the writing style but once I adjusted, I loved the way the book was written. So many books focus on Henry VIII and I enjoyed that this book takes a step back and tells a story from before his time. The Pretender is based on a real historical figure, Simnel, and we follow a representation of his journey through the fictional John Collan, who is alleged to be the son of the Duke of Clarence, hidden on a farm to avoid being unalived, first by Richard III and then by Henry VII.

An interesting part of reading this book, is that the reader gets to see how the main character develops and becomes the person we see at the end of the book, which is analyzed as John looks back at his life. Each section of the book, John is named according to his role at that time in his life. I can't imagine living a life where your choice is opposing a king and claim to be the rightful heir, or die when there is no further use for you. Being a child by today's standards, John is shaped and molded by those around him and not allowed to learn who he would be without their interference.

I did enjoy how the author brought the novel to a close. I had a hard time thinking of how to describe it. The first word that came to mind was, "soft." This is my interpretation, but while the story ended eloquently, it did not feel like it ended happy or sad. It shook out in almost the best outcome John could have wanted, but the getting there is where it was not necessarily a happy road.

This book inspired me to do some further research on the historical figures that inspired the book, and it's a rare book that does that. This might not be an outcome the author intended, but it also helps shed light on why the current royal family members are not allowed to do an ancestry DNA test. With murder, deception, personal agendas, a shell game of heirs, who knows who the "real" heirs were. We're left with as many questions as answers with this book, but it is done in a way that I enjoy. I really highly recommend the book.

Please be advised I received an Advance Readers Copy (ARC) from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Seen this and knew I had to check it out! Love a good historical fiction!

After the arrival of a well-dressed stranger, John's life is forever changed. He finds out he is the son of the long-deceased Duke of Clarence. He was hidden out in the country to protect him because Richard III has a nasty habit of removing his nephews. He is sent to Oxford to be trained and prepared to be the heir of the throne and is then sent to Ireland and he meets Joan. They form an alliance that will forever change the fate of the English monarchy.

What an interesting take and viewpoint to read from. This is based off the true story of Simnel who was the figurehead of the Yorkist rebellion. I honestly don't recall the name personally, so I'll have to do some googling after writing this to freshen up my 15th century knowledge.

The 1/3 and last 3rd were great! I was addicted and couldn't stop reading. I stayed up WAY too late finishing the book. The middle 3rd.....was a little rougher. It took me a while to get through it. I wanted to skim so badly, but I felt like I would miss some important stuff if I did. TBF - there was some trimming that could be done throughout. Some scenes went on for far too long.

But yes, the detail and the writing style was refreshing and really made this story come to life. I'm now itching for more. I might have to try out the other novel by this author.

There is a HUGE list of characters running amuck here, but the author did a good job keeping everything straight and keeping the reader in the know. We got the reminders we needed but yes, just keep that in mind that there is a big cast and you need to pay attention. Thus another reason why I didn't skim the middle bit.

Ugh Joan. Not sure why, but she really rubbed me the wrong way.

I adored John!! He was a gem. I loved watching him grow and try to find his way and his identity.

All-in-all, I did enjoy this. The writing style was great and the author just sucks you into the story. I felt like I was there! Sure there needs to be some trimming (especially in the middle 3rd), but I did appreciate the attention to detail. If you like historical fiction, keep your eyes out for this one when it releases! I'll give this 3 stars.


- Favorite Character(s): John
- Least Favorite Character(s): Joan and Richard III

**To be published on blog 1/7/2025 @ 230 PM est

As a reader of historical fiction, I was thoroughly engaged in this story by Jo Hardin. The writing was spot on for the times presented and I felt transported to the setting and situations. The overall story as well is completely believable as to whether a royal would have one or multiple heirs that are hidden in plain sight to avoid potential palace intrigues. In this case, whether or not the main character is a true son and heir became less important than what kind of life he could be expected to live once the idea is introduced to him. I highly recommend the book based on the excellent research and writing.

Who was Lambert Simnel? According to Britannica, Lambert was a commoner born in 1475 who came out of nowhere and claimed to be the true king of England.

Though history denies his claim, could Lambert really have been hidden for years to avoid his murderous uncle King Richard III who imprisoned and murdered his young cousins, true heirs to the throne? Could Simnel have gone to Ireland to be crowned as King Edward VI, the first step in the House of York’s plan to defeat the House of Lancaster usurper King Henry VII and his followers?

Harkin works judiciously to take scales of doubt off our eyes and make us question history’s version of Lambert Simnel because isn’t history filled with falsehoods? Everyone knows the victor gets the spoils, but don’t victors also get to write their own histories? Since Lambert wasn’t the victor, could King Henry VII have reduced him to a mere footnote in the annals of English kings?

“The Pretender” is filled with action, murder, blasphemy, cruelty, sex, love, adultery, scheming, and much, much more. As Lambert Simnel’s story is told, readers will have a new and far more expansive view of his time and place in history before and after The Wars of the Roses. Who will you stand for? Lambert, and the White Rose of York, or Henry and the Red Rose of Lancaster?

Recommended for Adults.