I would rate this 3.5 out of 5.

I want to thank Pen & Sword Publishing and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Brief Summary: Barbara Villiers was a member of the extended and powerful Villiers family in Stuart England. Her life spanned the English Civil Wars to the reign of Queen Anne. However, she is known to history as mistress to King Charles II and a major political player in the Restoration Monarchy. Her volatile and complicated reputation was widely discussed in her lifetime and continues to intrigue history lovers today.

Thoughts: I enjoyed this book a great deal. It provided a clear and well-researched snapshot of Charles II's court. Every major political player appears throughout the book in relation to Villiers and the larger English political context. However, this book's greatest strength is also its greatest weakness. Zuvich's exploration of the people and events happening around Villiars often overtakes the biographical nature of the work. Particularly in the later chapters of the book it feels as though Barbara has all but fallen off the face of the earth with how little she is mentioned in events. I am unsure if that is because Zuvich was focused on other things or because Villiers had fallen off everyone's radar. The diaries of Samuel Pepys are a large source used by Zuvich to discuss Villiers' movements during the earlier years of the Restoration. However, as time went on and Pepys became less infatuated with Villiers it seems likely that this source of information dried up.

There are only a few instances when primary sources directly from Villiers' own hand, such as her letters are used throughout. Several court cases are also discussed but do not appear in great detail. At the end of the book, I am interested know why Zuvich used the sources she did.

Something else that I struggled with is the timeline. In quite a few places it felt as if we were moving backward or forward in time from something that had just been discussed. At various points, there was even a repetition of events which made it a little confusing because everyone had the same names at this period and it sometimes took a bit of backtracking to determine who was being discussed.

Zuvich painted a clear portrait of Villiers' personality as a triumph given that she was a woman in a period when women were not highly favoured, even noble women. I also enjoy that Zuvich leaned into Villiers' complex personality rather than trying to make her out to be a perfect person. This book embodies the quote, "I support women's rights, but more importantly I support women's wrongs".

Before reading this work I knew nothing about Barbara Villiers, except the few things I had heard from podcasts. This book is an important introduction to Villiers and Zuvich's love letter to the women of the Stuart court discussed. I would recommend it to those interested in learning more about: the Stuart monarchy, women's history, and general English history.

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Infertility, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Classism

Moderate: Child death, Miscarriage, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Pandemic/Epidemic

Minor: Ableism and Lesbophobia

Two stories in this book were "What did I just read moments" which might be sensitive for some as they both have a sexual component. First, there is an instance where Samuel Pepys is in a church where Barbara is and he appears to masturbate and then ejaculate. Now Zuvich does not use so many words to describe this event, but it's clear from the text that is what happened and is disturbing.

Second, there was a prominent church official's body that was discovered after the great fire of 1666 that was then displayed for people to come view. Someone (it is unclear from what is provided in the text although Zuvich suggests who it might have been) appears to have stolen the genitalia of the corpse. Worse still it is unclear if the genitalia was cut or bitten off.

This was a really fun non-fiction book! I was delighted by the scandalous life Barbara lived, she was a legendary beauty who captivated kings and nobles. She was so complex, using her charm and determination to amass wealth and power. This was an entertaining biography, educational but written in a delightful way that made you want to keep on reading all the amazing and sometimes absurd details of her incredible life!

This was one of the juiciest, most scandal-filled non-fiction books I've enjoyed! It's written in an academic style but also quite fun and entertaining, and sent me down several wikipedia rabbit holes as I learned about various aspects of courtly life and British history.

I wish there had been photography during Barbara Villier's lifetime, because I don't think the paintings of her do justice to the beauty that Zuvich writes of, the kind that caused men to be obsessed with her for years. Her most famous lover was of course Charles II; they had a passionate affair that went on for a decade and resulted in several children. Barbara openly took lovers from all walks of life, gambled voraciously, influenced politics, survived scandals that probably would have sent a lesser person off to exile in a convent.

There is so much interesting history in this book: politics, disease, violent revenge, the Great Fire of London. I didn't think it all flowed perfectly, but it had me reading passages out loud to my family, saying 'listen to this one!'

Thank you so much to Pen and Sword and Netgalley for this book!

Another great Stuarts book from Andrea Zuvich!
Truly in keeping with #KeepItStuart, Andrea brings to life one of the most beguiling and yes, ravenous characters from the whole of the 17th century.
Understanding Barbara Villiers is important in order to understand the Stuart era.

A legendary beauty in Stuart-era Britain, Barbara Villiers captivated kings and nobles alike with her stunning looks and magnetic personality. But behind her captivating exterior lay a complex woman who used her charm and determination to amass wealth and power, navigating a life of scandalous affairs, political intrigue, and personal turmoil amid the backdrop of tumultuous historical events.

This entertaining biography offers an informative look inside the court of Charles II. Barbara Villiers lifted herself from poverty and lived on her own terms, providing for her children and making her mark on the world.

Thanks, NetGalley for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I really enjoyed this book as I already knew versions of many of the stories featured in here through a previous job at Hampton Court.
However, this book not only puts things into context, but it tells the correct versions.
I found it easy to read and well researched with new information that sheds new light for me on who Barbara was as a person.
That being said, even the author can't justify some of the things Barbara did.

I have read this ARC with a view to providing a review
All opinions and thoughts are my own

A new author to me
The subject is new to me and I was fascinated by the write up
This didn't disappoint

Loved it

Delightfully scandalous and extremely well-written. History lovers, gossip fanatics, behind-the-scenes junkies should get a kick out of this one!

Thank you Netgalley and Pen & Sword for the digital ARC!

Barbara Palmer, 1st Duchess of Cleveland, Countess of Castlemaine (née Villiers, November 1640–9 October 1709),was the only child of the 2nd Viscount Grandison, a half-nephew of the 1st Duke of Buckingham, and of his wife Mary Bayning, co-heiress of the 1st Viscount Bayning.On 29 September 1643,her father died in the First English Civil War from a wound.He had spent his considerable fortune on the war; his widow and daughter were left in straitened circumstances. Shortly after his death,Barbara's mother remarried to Charles Villiers, 2nd Earl of Anglesey,her late husband's cousin.Tall,voluptuous,a brunette with slanting,heavy-lidded violet eyes,alabaster skin,and a sensuous,sulky mouth,Barbara Villiers was considered to be one of the most beautiful of the Royalist women,but her lack of fortune left her with reduced marriage prospects.Her first serious romance was with the 2nd Earl of Chesterfield, but he was after a rich wife.On 14 April 1659 she married Roger Palmer,a Roman Catholic,against his family's wishes.In 1660, Barbara became the King's mistress.The King created her husband Baron Limerick and Earl of Castlemaine in 1661.These titles were given with the stipulation that they would only be passed down through Roger's heirs by Barbara, and thus served as a way for the king to indirectly secure an inheritance for his illegitimate children.The two officially separated in 1662.At her height,she has been referred to as "The Uncrowned Queen" and she was known to assert her influence with the King over the actual Queen,Catherine of Braganza.Of her 6 children,5 were acknowledged by Charles as his.In June 1670,Charles created her Baroness Nonsuch (as she owned Nonsuch Palace).She was made Countess of Castlemaine and Duchess of Cleveland in her own right.Barbara was extravagant, promiscuous,and fiery.Her influence over the King waxed and waned throughout her tenure as royal mistress.She sought security through power and wealth.In 1705,Barbara remarried to Major-General Robert Fielding,but he was an abusive fortune-hunter and a bigamist.Barbara loved to be in love.She was audacious and offensive. She didn't care too much about what others thought of her.

Ravenous by Andrea Zuvich, this is a scandalous gossipy story of Barbara Villier, Charles the second’s most beloved mistress. Force to marry Young by her inatentive mother, she still married with a Secret lover in the shadows at a time where there were staunch morals. Barbra Villier Felt no qualms about being herself, herself being loud, sexual, independent and enticing to most men. Prince Charles would not be her last lover but the one she would go onto have five children with despite already being married. She lived an interesting life and seems to be the type of person that would be what they call a social media darling today. She was many different things to many different men but never could she be accused of faithfulness and a being a good mother the end of her life was just sad is the life she live. This was a very interesting book anyone who loves gossipy backstabbing and questionable people I just love history who would love this book. Books like this are the reason I am obsessed with the Stewart’s the tutors and the Victorians. #NetGalley, #PinAndSwordPress, #AndreaZuvich,#Ravish, #CharlesThe2, #Royalty,

History is one of my greatest interests, and interesting women in history is a specific interest of mine. This book about Barbara Villiers was very interesting and I really enjoyed reading about her. The late 1600s is such a fascinating time in European history.

The book is full of contemporary accounts of both Barbara and the happenings around her which really gives something extra to the book. Having the actual accounts to reference gives this feel like you’re there witnessing the events.

Barbara Villiers lived an extraordinary life, and this books highlights her life and her drive to make a name for herself in the world.

Ravenous: A Life of Barbara Villiers, Charles II's Most Infamous Mistress by Andrea Zuvich is a highly compelling, utterly fascinating read about a woman who defied every social convention in the immensely tumultuous Stuart Era to get everything she desired, using the desires of men as her primary weapon of choice

Barbara Villiers was most famous for being the lover of Charles II, however, her road to Royal courtesan is extensive, dark and deeply scandalous. Despite being married to Roger Palmer, Barbara Villiers used her looks and magnetism to commit countless acts of adultery, to become a muse, a lover and ultimately the mistress of a King.

Vindictive, spiteful, a gambler, both a victim and purveyor of violence and destruction, gluttonous for every piece of power, pleasure and riches she could get her hands on, Villiers defied convention and lived her life her way, even as soceity bore the brunt of the most tumultuous times in British history

Absolutely fascinating and very well written

Thank you to NetGalley, Pen & Sword | Pen & Sword History and Andrea Zuvich for this highly compelling ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

A great overview of Villiers life. She was a very interesting person, and the author does a wonderful job of teaching us about her.

This was a fascinating and titillating historical read about the "ravenous", "scandalous", unapologetically sexual, and undoubtedly successful Barbara Villars. Author, Andrea Zuvich has infused these passions and characteristics of Barbara into the historical events of the day, bringing it all to life for the reader.

Barbara was quite the lady for her time! While many called her anything but a lady, she most certainly lived life on her terms and created a world for herself (and her children) in which she held so much power and influence, even at such an incredibly young age. She had King Charles II wrapped around her finger in all manners of court business, finance, politics, and even his marriage and other mistresses.

Almost all court and country drama surrounded Barbara. Newspapers, poets, and authors couldn't write enough about her, men wanted to be with her, and women wanted to look and dress like her. Not to say she didn't have her enemies, she had many. But it seems as though Barbara has the last laugh on them all, as her bloodline carries on even today through Prince William, Prince of Wales as one of her and King Charles II's descendants.

Thank you to #netgalley, #andreazuvich, #harpercollinspublishers, and #pen&swordbooks for an ARC.

Oh man, Barbara.

She was fascinating, notorious, beautiful and definitely lived an exciting life. I enjoyed reading and learning more about her life and how she lived it, her loves, and her impact and influence during that time period.

A well written non fiction read that I am so glad I had the opportunity to pick up (and not put down!).

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for my honest review.

There’s something about those Villiers…

I requested and received an eARC of Ravenous: A Life of Barbara Villiers, Charles II's Most Infamous Mistress by Andrea Zuvich via NetGalley. When I think of the Merry Monarch the first thing that comes to mind (aside from the particularly delicious Rufus Sewell in Charles II: The Power and the Passion) is sex! Mistresses! Uncontrollable lust! Zuvich’s book focuses on Barbara Palmer (née Barbara Villiers), 1st Duchess of Cleveland, Charles II’s longest, and perhaps most influential, mistress. Charles may have had the appetite of a king, but Barbara Villiers was ravenous!

The volume opens with a foreword by the lovely Gareth Russell as he invites us to discover Zuvich’s text which isn’t necessarily seeking to “rehabilitate” Barbara Villier’s image, but to give a more full understanding of her character and circumstances. This is something Zuvich certainly delivers in her book. She presents Barbara Villers’ life without judgment or without trying to sanctify her, instead offering a nuanced view of a complex and endlessly interesting woman. Perhaps this detail has escaped me from my other readings, but I thought it was fascinating that Barbara Villiers was so closely aligned with Henrietta Maria (who I am always eager to learn more about!) From beginning to end, this was a thoroughly entertaining look at a complicated woman lived life on her own terms, occasionally to her detriment.

I also wanted to mention some technical aspects of this book that I found to be very delightful. Zuvich makes the most of her sources to create a captivating portrait of her subject. The tone is both academic and fun, inviting you to learn, while also allowing you to delight in the scandalous and occasionally absurd details that emerge (still obsessed with Barbara Villiers sending her Madonna & child portrait to a convent.) I enjoyed that there were so many chapters and that they never felt cumbersome or difficult to finish in one sitting. This allowed me to absorb the information while also encouraging me to press onwards.