The Woman Before Wallis by Bryn Turnbull

The Woman Before Wallis by Bryn Turnbull – 416 pages

ARC provided by Mira for a honest review

My Review: 4.5 stars

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The Woman Before Wallis sparked all my knowledge from history classes. Before there was Megan Markle, there was Wallis Simpson, the American socialite and divorcee who created a media frenzy. But before Wallis Simpson, there was Thelma Morgan. Although married, Thelma embarked on a 4-year affair with Prince Edward. The novel is chockful of information about Prince Edward’s abdication and I loved learning about him before his scandalous break. Thelma Morgan was a fascinating character who found herself tied to two huge scandals of the 20^th century. Given the wealth of information on Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt, Thelma’s twin sister, and Wallis Simpson, Thelma’s friend/confidant, I was surprised I’d never heard of Thelma.

The story alternates between Thelma’s story and the custody battle of her identical twin sister against the Vanderbilt family. I loved both timelines, however, many of the characters overlapped and there was only a short time separating the two. That could sometimes get confusing and led to some going back to reread. You can tell the author did impeccable research in crafting this novel. I thought that Turnbull’s writing was compelling. She created a world I became immersed in with complex characters who I cared about. Even though I knew the outcome of Thelma’s story, given my knowledge on Wallis, Edward and Gloria, I still found myself glued to the book.

I’m already hoping that Turnball releases another book – whether it be a sequel or another delve into a historical figure. This novel will be loved by those who love historical fiction, romance, scandals royals & high society.

Book Blurb:

In the summer of 1926, when Thelma Morgan marries Viscount Duke Furness after a whirlwind romance, she’s immersed in a gilded world of extraordinary wealth and privilege. For Thelma, the daughter of an American diplomat, her new life as a member of the British aristocracy is like a fairy tale—even more so when her husband introduces her to Edward, Prince of Wales.

In a twist of fate, her marriage to Duke leads her to fall headlong into a love affair with Edward. But happiness is fleeting, and their love is threatened when Thelma’s sister, Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt, becomes embroiled in a scandal with far-reaching implications. As Thelma sails to New York to support Gloria, she leaves Edward in the hands of her trusted friend Wallis, never imagining the consequences that will follow.