Kell's Reading Realm

This is supposed to be a book that focuses on the great love of Catherine Howard, Henry VIII's fifth wife and Thomas Culpepper, one of his servants.... two people who tried to pull the wool over the eyes of the King of England. I did not like any characters as they were portrayed in this book. The author tries to play on Catherine's naivety to gain the readers' sympathy but she just comes off as immature and childish and Culpepper was just a hot mess from the beginning.

I always thought that Catherine and Culpepper must have been deeply in love as they both risked death to be together. It is what glimpses of historical writings have told, including her own death speech. I had hoped this book would make me feel and understand that great love. It didn't. Catherine confused me. She flip flopped on her feelings for the king... one chapter would have her stomach churning over his sour breath and her prayers that he wouldn't touch her to the next chapter where she watched him cry over a kitten (it was written as silly as it sounds) and all of a sudden she loves him. She also effortlessly beds a man that in all previous chapter she said repulsed her.

I hate when books make me roll my eyes and unfortunately this one did a few times. However, it wasn't all bad. The last meeting between Catherine and Culpepper was fittingly dramatic. It was also a very easy read. It didn't make me want to throw it across the room like some books I have read but I am not sure I can really recommend it to anyone unless you like historical romance novels. I actually do so I was able to forgive the author for some of her romance novel clichés.