I just loved this book. Obviously I had heard of Nell Gywn, but this gave so much background. What I loved most is the fact that this character has so many hardships, and awful things happen to her, but the book isn't melancholy or fishing for drama. Great British spirit. It's upbeat and fun, and so enjoyable. I fell in love with Nell reading this book, and cried at the end, which I rarely did, truly a mark of a good book. I really, really enjoyed reading this book. Though the beginning was kind of a shock to me; we only got to see a little bit of description about her early life and by the first couple of pages, she already sold herself. I didn't really expect the book to start off in that manner (I thought we were going to get a glimpse of her hardships in life that inevitably led to prostitution) BUT nevertheless, this was a really good read. Throughout this book, I really bonded with Nell as a character. I cared about her happiness; I felt for her. It was so damn hard to see all her loved ones die. I love that she is very down to earth; She still had moments where she would reminisce about how hard her life was back then, but now she has already earned a place in the king's bed and was far from lucky. My favorite phase in Nell's life was when she started selling oranges. I love how excited she had been and also how she used the opportunity to be in theatres to admire the plays and even memorized all the dialogues. She was a dreamer.Her relationship with Hart really tugged at my heart, I feel like he was the one that got away for her. I really wanted them to reconcile somehow at the end. I also came to like the king at the end of the book. At first, I viewed him as merely a man with needs, that's why he had so many mistresses. But I really loved reading Nell and the king's relationship develop. I love how she cared about him more than any other of his mistresses, and he to her. (Though they were not necessarily in love with one another). I broke down hen he asked his brother to take care of Nell once he dies, he even said that Nell was his home.Finally, the ending. THE ENDING! Well played, Gillian Bagwell. I honestly can't ask for a more suffocating ending. When the commoner said that she was one of them and not one of the royals........I was near tears.Nell's character development was fantastic, I came to love everyone she loved, the pace was fast, the writing was good, there were also several funny scenes that I really enjoyed.4 stars.
What do You think about The Darling Strumpet (2011)?
This book was fab, fab fab. I would recommend it to anyone who likes to read historical fact.
—momps
Seriously well done historical research, humorous, bawdy - Bagwell wrote Nell Gwynn to a "T."
—rizzuh42
Really liked Nell, great characters and an interesting history lesson.
—ilcu4
2012 RITA finalist in Best First Book category
—Dustin
