The Diamond of London

Content warnings: abusive parent, attempted suicide, betrayal, loss of family, loss of a significant other

Lady Hester Stanhope lives an extraordinary life as the niece of the prime minister.

Lady Hester "Hetty" Stanhope has an adventurous spirit and chafes under the expectations of a Regency-era woman. Her family comprises famous politicians, including both prime ministers Willaim Pitt (the Elder and the Younger), and war heroes. Her great-great-grandfather Thomas "Diamond" Pitt discovered the world's largest diamond, which contributed to her family's wealth and renown.

She gains her male relatives' ambition, which combined with the friendship of the sophisticated and influential Beau Brummel makes her the talk of the ton. Hetty's had a hard life, with a mother long dead and an unstable father who imprisons his children. While free from her father's clutches, she must rely on the graciousness of her family members to retain her lifestyle.

Lady Stanhope lives life as no other unmarried woman of society does, having liaisons and being included in political conversations as her prime minister uncle's assistant. Her story is incredible compared to other historical females of the time.

Unfortunately, what could arguably be the most exciting time in her life is left out of the novel. Lady Stanhope is known for being a world traveler and the book takes place entirely in England.

This biographical fiction covers much of Hetty's adult life and reads more like nonfiction in some areas. Anglophiles and those who enjoy British history may relish having a new style of woman to discover.

Andrea Penrose is a USA Today bestselling author of historical romances and mysteries focusing on the Regency period. She is a Yale graduate and lives in Connecticut.

Publisher: Kensington

Length: 368 pages

Release Date: January 23, 2024

Representation: side character with dwarfism

I received an electronic galley copy of this title from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.