Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

A really great addition to any lover of Stuart history. Well written and very easy to get absorbed into.

NetGalley, Sara Marsden

This was a fascinating little book about a woman I had heard about but didn’t really know that much about. Nell came from a lowly background and seemed to capture the heart of her king, one has to think that King Charles was mesmerised by her and it was probably the young innocence that appealed to him. When you think of the types of people a King must have to encounter or meet you can understand that a young woman who seems carefree and relaxed would become a charm to him. It wasn’t just the relationship between the two in this book as it also covers the period of time and what it was like living in that time. The was a really easy book to read with some fascinating details provided by the author. A really good read and very enjoyable.

Read the full review here

UK Historian

The book is easy to read. The author has a smooth writing style. In addition, the book is an excellent study book. It contains a lot of information about Nell, but also about the time period. Until recently I didn’t really have a clue who Nell Gwyn was, only seeing her name in other books. By reading this book, the knowledge has expanded again. The book is captivating from start to finish. It also looks complete as a biography, with the images of Nell, Charles II etc., the extras’ appendix’s and a bibliography contribute to that.

In summary : Charles II’s Favorite Mistress is a compact but complete biography. A book that makes the unknown known. Biographies can often be dull and dusty, but that is not the case with this book. It is an engaging and educational book. Definitely recommended for those interested in the English monarchy and its history.

Read the full review here

The New Royalty World

Sarah-Beth's biography of the absolutely fascinating persona of Nell Gwyn is absolutely first class and paints a beautifully detailed picture of Restoration England at the same time. Magnificent.

Books Monthly

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Nell Gwynn is my favorite historical character, so I was very happy for the chance to review this book. Well researched and written, it gives an excellent view of Nell, her relationship with King Charles, and the events of the period.

Born into obscure poverty, not much is known of Nell's early life. Her birthday and birthplace have been lost to time. She rose from this to become the favored mistress of a king. She was loved by the British people, and known for her generosity. She was undemanding, and created a safe and serene haven for King Charles.

I loved this book, and would highly recommend it.

NetGalley, CATHY CARTER

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Interesting and engaging, I loved reading about the many love interests of this famously naughty English king!!!

NetGalley, Heather Bennett

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

A very well researched biography of Nell Gwynn, the most beloved by the English people among King Charles II's mistresses. From a humble background as an orange seller in a theater to becoming a popular actress on the stage and subsequently catching the king's eye and eventually becoming one of his mistresses you could say that it was quite a rise. Among the three major mistresses, she alone was always faithful to Charles. She eventually bore him two sons which he recognized and supported as well as Nell. She grew up in and had a large role in Restoration circles counting nobles, authors, theater owners and merry rakes as her acquaintances. The author did an excellent job of combining the historical events that occurred during Nell'a life along with her biography. I really enjoyed reading about Nell and the Restoration period.

NetGalley, Rena McGrath

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

As a former student of Restoration and British Lit and a self-professed Anglophile, I absolutely loved this book. I loved learning so much about Nell Gwyn and really getting what I felt was an in-depth look into her life, career, family, and her role in the history and context of Restoration England.

NetGalley, Laura Marion

Nell Gwyn knew that one of her rivals, another actress, was going to spend the night with the King. She would put paid to that! Nell made sure that she put purgatives into her rival's drink. I doubt that it was a good night for anyone.

This is just one of the many anecdotes in this lively book about the rollicking Nell, who made her way up from a hard life in the slums with a drunken single mother to become quite respected as an actress and Charles II's favourite mistress with many notable friends. Pretty, sympathetic and vivacious, Nell was a great comfort to the King, and she was not malicious, or grasping. There is a tale though that she wanted a title for her son, and dangled the young boy over the window sill under the King gave him the title of Lord Burford!

This almost reads like a novel about Nell, and it has many interesting stories about the other mistresses, as well.

NetGalley, Lisa Sanderson

I came away from it feeling well-informed of her life story and glad I read it. It was concise, digestible and an easy read.

NetGalley, Elizabeth Stebbings

This is a very deep and in-depth look into the life of Nell Gwyn. One of the most favored and colorful of Charles II mistresses... Very Informative.

NetGalley, Tami Mangrum

I find Restoration England quite fascinating (thank you Mathew Baynton in Horrible Histories!) and there's so much to explore in this period. There so many first hand accounts - looking at you Pepys! - so it feels like you're able to really get close to the people you read about. You can find out more about their character - both the good and the bad.

All in all I enjoyed this read and I felt I got to learn more about Nell which, you know, was the whole point!

NetGalley, Sarah Matsson-Klingzell

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. I loved how the author has drawn on lots of contemporary accounts and sources to try to give us an idea of the real Nell Gwyn - not just the glamorous mistress of Charles II but what she was like as a mother, daughter, sister and friend. I learned a lot of new things reading this book, and especially liked the details of the bickering between the mistresses all competing for Charles' attention - and how Nell expertly responded to it, sometimes with props and even dressing up! A really good read for anyone interested in Restoration Britain or women's history.

NetGalley, Jo Romero

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

A delightful and rollicking biography of Nell Gwynn, one of the most famous royal favourites in English history and her complex relationship with one of the greatest womanizers in the history of Great Britain.
A wonderful portrait of an admirable courtesan full of delicious details about Restoration England and the frivolous court of the most famous and lovable of all the Stuarts, Charles the Second....
I really enjoyed this very entertaining biography. Very amusing and highly recommended.

NetGalley, Jean Luc Estrella

I enjoyed this well researched biography immensely. I knew very little about Nell Gwynn and was fascinated by her story. The fact that she’s still remembered in such positive terms almost 350 years later speaks volumes about her. The book relies on many contemporary sources which bring her to life. I was particularly interested in the section about Restoration theatres .
The book deals with many other areas of life at court and also the rivalry between Charles II’s mistresses ; Nell once again comes out of this very positively. The last section is very touching ,outlining all the provisions made in her will for charitable purposes.

NetGalley, Evelyn Love-Gajardo

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

A brilliant history of Nell Gwyn, superb in the attention to detail and historical research that went into the book. It is an excellent read, and I highly recommend it.

NetGalley, Mary Hawkes