I found very well written and easy to read, its obvious the author did a lot of research and it shows you really feel the author knows the subject well.

NetGalley, Shelly Myers

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This was an interesting biography of the Princesses De La Balle. It was a very tragic tale of a princess who was loyal to her queen. I recommend this for anyone interested in Marie Antoinette and her court.

NetGalley, Lauralee Jacks

I really enjoyed getting to know Marie Thrse, it really was a well-written piece that kept me invested. I look forward to more from the author.

NetGalley, Kay McLeer

I've always been fascinated by Marie Antoinette, and this book did not disappoint. I am not an expert by any means, but I found it to be well-researched and thought-provoking. This was a time in history that a lack of communication and compassion led to the gruesome end of many lives, royal and non-royal. This book showed a different side of the French Revolution, one in which Marie Antoinette was benevolent, if slightly uninformed, queen.

NetGalley, Rachel Darnell

The author does a masterful job at telling the story of Marie Antoinette through telling the story of Princesse de Lamballe, and I found that I couldn't put it down nor walk away from it for long. A story that is both informative and easy to read, 'Marie Antoinette's Confidante' is a definite recommend.

NetGalley, Stacie Tyson

Would you give up your life for your best friend? We all know the story of the ill-fated Louis XVI and his queen, Marie Antoinette. But what about her most faithful lady-in-waiting, superintendent and best friend, the Princesse de Lamballe. Marie Antoinette’s Confidnate: The Rise and Fall of the Princesse de Lamballe tells her story: a story of love and sacrifice. The Princesse de Lamballe was born into one do the wealthiest families in Europe which meant she had to make a political marriage. This marriage to the Prince de Lamballe, a prince of blood to Louis XVI, is what brought her to Versailles and the Bourbon Court. Marie Antoinette fell in love with her instantly. They became best of friends in no time flat. I don’t want to give every detail of her fascinating life away but what ensued after was a tragic story of friendship put to the ultimate test during one of the most violent periods unrest in Europe. While it did take me forever to get though this simply because I knew the tragic ending, I did enjoy this meticulously researched account of what life was like for the beau monde at Versailles. I really admire the Princesse de Lamballe so much for her bravery and courage in the face of certain death for remaining loyal to her queen and best friend.

NetGalley, Amy Downes

The Princesse de Lamballe was the most wonderful friend. She stuck with the doomed Queen through thick and thin, even paying the supreme sacrifice. Sweet and angelic with golden hair, the Princess liked a quiet life and didn't want to join in the Queen's love for playing games and her friendships with some frivolous aristocrats. Her main rivalry for the Queen's friendship was with the Princesse de Polignac, but when Marie-Antoinette wanted a more sensible, loyal companion, she turned back to the lovely Lamballe.

This is a very detailed and sympathetic biography of the Princess... This is a must-read for anyone who likes reading about French royalty.

NetGalley, Lisa Sanderson

I love history in general, but know less than I'd like to about the French Revolution. I've thought before about digging into it, but it's such a big subject I have felt overwhelmed about where to start. This book, viewing the subject through the lens of just one subject was a great way to fill in some of those gaps.

NetGalley, Tammy Buchli

Geri Walton made the whole story (history?) really easy to follow, despite so many names and information and dates being thrown in. It was clear to me who was doing what and their relationships and the things happening!

I never expected to enjoy a biography this much. I guess since most of it was new to me (I've studied the french revolution so many times already and it seems there's always something new to find out) it was a smooth read and really interesting.

Also I absolutely fell in love with the princesse, like "the queen wants me; I must live and die near her." Can you imagine being willing to die because you love someone so much and are so loyal you sacrifice everything just to keep them company and give some comfort when it's all going to hell? Wow.

NetGalley, Giovana Mazzoni

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I Enjoyed everything about this book there was nothing I didn't like about the book. I Like the setting, the writing style, the plot, the plot twists and the characters in the book were amazing. I would gladly reread it again.

NetGalley, Nicole Bannister

If you're obsessed with Marie Antoinette or the French Revolution, it's well worth a read.

NetGalley, Giorgia Guazzarotti

This beautifully written history of Louis XVI, Queen Marie Antoinette and the French Revolution, is seen from the perspective of the queen’s confidante and friend, the Princesse de Lamballe. The author’s interpretation of well known and little known incidents leading to the violent and tragic climax, is believable and extensively documented. I found the role of the gutter press of the day, and the Paris mob, was particularly relevant and fascinating, and one draws parallels with current world events.

I have handed the book to my wife, because I know that she will be very interested in the detailed descriptions of life in the royal court at Versailles.

The author expresses the hope that the reader will like her book. “No, I hope that you will love it”. I did. 10/10

Dr John Viggers

What's good is that it does give us insight to the elite court from beyond just the view of the Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.

NetGalley, reviewed by Krista Sigler

As featured on...

Lil's Vintage Blog, YT

Marie Antoinette’s Confidante: The Rise and Fall of the Princesse de Lamballe is a comprehensive look at quite an unknown woman...

She deserves to be remembered for more than her gruesome death.

Read the full review here.

History of Royal Women

Marie Antoinette boasts one of history's most recognisable names, and this book is a fascinating, lively and entertaining account of her intertwined life with her foremost lady-in-waiting, Marie-Louise Therese, the Princesse de Lamballe.

The dust jacket promises to "[immerse] the reader into a world of titillating sexual rumours, blood-thirsty revolutionaries, and hair-raising escape attempts." If this suggests that Walton is indulging more in the salacious side of the period ahead of serious study, fear not, as she has struck a winning balance between vivid storytelling and well-researched history. Non-fiction is usually at its best when the author's enthusiasm for their subject emerges clearly but yet remains tempered by scholarly study, and this is the case here.

It's not really as straightforward biography of either the Princesse de Lamballe or Marie Antoinette; in truth it's more of a general picture of 18th-century France and the Revolution that swept across the nation like a firestorm during the century's final decade. Walton does a superb job of bringing events to life, and you'll soon find your attention held; it's an addictive read that's truly difficult to put down.

There's a fairly substantial cast of characters here and if you're a relative newcomer to this world, you may find yourself turning back to the cast of characters that's helpfully included at the start of the book.

Antoinette has been the focus of many myths, and Walton seeks to set the record straight concerning some of the more pervasive ones, such as the infamous 'Let them eat cake'. "The Queen..." explains Walton, "was not completely unaware of the people's desperate plight... The famous line often attributed to her was likely said by one of the Mesdames, although probably taken out of context".

The other oft-circulated rumour that's looked at throughout the book is that of Marie Antoinette's relationship with no only the Princesse de Lamballe but the pretty Duchess of Polignac, who was Lamballe's "nemesis", managing to usurp Marie-Louise Therese as Antoinette's favourite while the Princesse was suffering from measles.

Such rumours resulted in the distribution of pamphlets that "accused [Marie Antoinette] of the most repulsive, vile, and vicious acts," and contributed to the fate of both Antoinette and Lamballe. The latter's grotesque death during the September Massacres is described here in fairly graphic detail, but it doesn't seem gratuitously portrayed by Walton. One of the author's self-ascribed aims for the book was to redress common misconceptions about Lamballe, and this feels very much like a success.

The book ends, as you would perhaps expect, with the execution of Marie Antoinette herself. This is history writing at its very best; vivid detail, characters colourfully brought to life and events clearly described. Anyone with an interest in French history, 18th-century Europe or the main players will find this book hugely appealing. Very highly recommended.

History of Royals, January 2017

This was a very comprehensive biography about the Princess de Lamballe.

NetGalley, reviewed by Lauralee Jacks

As featured on Amazon.

Amazon reviewer

Where Walton may have spoken of Princesse de Lamballe solely and near-selfishly for the entire book, she walks freely and boldly through the French court, reframing the excess, drama, etiquette, and poshness of a royal lifestyle impeccably well. A modern reading audience can easily pick up on personality traits, scandals, woeful tragedy, and details of the French Revolution from the ease of prose and Walton's levelheaded use of pathos.

GoodReads, K Fisher

A sensitive portrait of the price of loyalty in 18th-century Courts of opinions

Between the glamorous trivia concerning donkey races, an elaborate infamous necklace, hedgehog wigs and absurdly sounding unraveling parties; there are serious illustrations to be found of the cost of loyalty in the Hall of Mirrors and condemning public opinions. Those vaguely familiar with the name (Marie-Louise Thérèse of Savoy-Carignan), the Princesse de Lamballe are first introduced to fairy tale beginnings that can flutter from one name (or repetitive scandal and daily minutia) to the next in this work but with a little persistence a direct fascinating timeline emerges of this tragic figure of history who is remembered for her grisly connection to terrifying events of the French Revolution and the queen whose side she refused to leave at the very end. If the reader is searching for a fine easily accessible accompaniment for their 18th-century French history shelves that can encourage lasting reflections and further reading Marie Antoinette's Confidante: The Rise and Fall of the Princesse de Lamballe is definitely worth a look.

NetGalley, reviewed by Elspeth G. Perkin

This is an old-school, extremely detailed biography of the Princesse de Lamballe, whose position within the French royal family and in Marie Antoinette's favor made her an excellent target for revolutionary charges of frivolity, sexual excess and decadence (so much so that her head ended up on a stick early). Walton has done a really thorough job combing records in an attempt to rehabilitate her, but there is little analysis here about *why* Lamballe was such an embodiment of charges against the monarchy, or nods to the excellent work done about the workings of the court, like Dairy Maids, and Queen of Fashion: What Marie Antoinette Wore to the Revolution.

NetGalley, reviewed by Margaret Sankey

The author hoped readers would love the book, I did. This period has so much intrigue, fashion, danger, etc. there are so many books written about it. I found this one different. Slightly gossipy, in a good way, chatty really. Masses and masses of historical research and background to learn from, you easily understand who's who. Women had no power yet much power and used it. Men were dressed in elaborate clothes but many were cruel, self serving, ruthless tyrants. Women needed close friends they could trust and spend time with. I think the author has crafted a super easy to read book am thrilled to have been able to review it. Write more please. I am a fan!

NetGalley, reviewed by Patricia Bishop