Set in the period of the War of Roses, Wheel of Fortune starts out very strong. There is a mystery surrounding Isobel and her mother's identity. Throughout the book it is hinted that Sir Geoffrey Fenton married a woman who was way above him in status and could belong to a family who holds considerable tout in the politics and power games of the time. It's the reason that Isobel finds herself under scrutiny of the Earl of Warwick and after her father's death, living under his protection.

At this point the story begins to drag and I did skip parts because it mostly deals with the personal struggle of Isobel against the Earl who, by forcefully taking her as his lover, has not only left Isobel isolated in his household but has her questioning her identity and future. The book ends at a point that paves way for most of the plot and action to move forward in the second book.

The writing is very good and the author has done her research work very well. She brings this time period of war and power struggle to life with her words. Isobel Fenton could very well be a fictional character so it will be interesting to see how the author merges her character further with the events of the period. The name of the Earl of Warwick is also not revealed in this book but it could probably be Richard Neville who the author is talking about. I am interested in reading the follow up book and hopefully it covers a lot more action and political intrigue. The War of the Roses is a huge period to write a historical fiction around and kudos to the author for attempting it.

I received an e-Arc of the book from the publishers Literally PR Ltd./Resolute Books and the author via NetGalley.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨💫

A very interesting book that is intense and emotional and is set during the fifteenth-century Wars of the Rose which is very intriguing. The research has been so well done and the writing and development of the characters is what makes it such a wonderful book to read. They are parts of this book that may be hard for some people to read but all in all it is a book that is strong and interesting, making for a good read.

Thank you NetGalley and Literally PR Ltd for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

To begin with, the author did a great job with the research. You can tell that slot of time and effort was put into it. However , the beginning of the book was very slow to start and I had a difficult time getting into it. Honestly, I was about a 1/4 of the way in before asking myself if I should dnf it. I also took Odie with the ending. I understood that the author wanted to have this be the first of a series however there needed to be some type of closure and there wasn't so it felt very unfinished to me. The last third of the book is what I enjoyed. I felt that there was a lot of extra unnecessary bits thrown in to show that it was going to be a series.

I'm hoping that book two is an improvement.

This book has a very pretty cover! But overall this book fell short for me. I will only be leaving my review on netgalley. Thank you to the publisher, the author and netgalley for allowing me a copy of this book.

This is not a book for a casual historical fiction reader. Its a unique perspective for War of the Roses, as it doesn't focus so much on any royals that were involved. It is also a little bit of a slower pace, but its the first in a series so that choice makes sense.

1465 England

It’s a time when British King’s are uncertain, gathering together loyal troops. King Edward IV of York is besieged on all sides. The War of the Roses is nigh. The story is a veritable who’s who.
Lady Isabel Fenton is the daughter of Geoffrey Fenton. She’s promised to Thomas Lacey. The Lacey family is a whirlpool of misdirection and underhandedness. Fenton owes his allegiance to the Langton Earl who in turn serves Edward, and the Lacey’s??
An independent young woman Isobel has been tutored in French and Latin. She can read and write.
She’s sent by her father to the Earl to be in his guardianship until Thomas Lacey returns from France.
There’s a secret surrounding Isobel’s mother. The Earl sees her and it seems remembers someone. Basically he rapes her and takes her for his mistress.
Isabel through no fault of hers earns the Earl’s wife and Countess Felice’s enmity.
Isobel has feelings for the Earl’s brother Robert Langdon. He’s been widowed and mourns his wife.
The story brings home how women for the most part were and in some cases still are owned and bartered for power.
These women only had their wits to survive. A comely face doesn’t mean anything unless a strong family is behind them. This is the top echelons of society at that time. Below that all else is moot.
I was gripped by Isobel’s betrayal by the man her father had called Lord. Every moment of the story is packed with emotion.

A Literally PR ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Thank you for the copy of Wheel of Fortune! I enjoyed this but found the pacing a tad slow for the first 15 chapters. Thankfully this picked up towards the third of the book which renewed my interest in the story.

Overall, Dunn paints a compelling picture of life during the War of Roses, choosing to focus more on the story of Isobel x the Lacey/Langton house to demonstrate the lived experience of the time. The novel is also well researched and there is a clear sense of place through out.

I felt connected to Isobel and my heart aches for the multiple injustices she suffers in Wheel of Fortune. I echo the sentiments of other readers that the mentions of sexual assault were deeply disturbing, though perhaps integral to Isobel’s story to properly demonstrate the circumstances of women of the time who did not have dependable male guardians. I’m rooting for Isobel to pull through in the next instalment!

Wheel of Fortune

This book begins a series set in 1400s England relating to the War of the Roses.
Sixteen-year-old Isobel Fenton is content to stay in her father’s manor house, work in her garden, and fix healing remedies for her father’s servants

However, she has to leave her home until she can marry her betrothed. Isobel must stay at another manor house where she is treated as a maid/nanny until the marriage takes place. But then, the betrothal is broken. All because of changes in alliances. What on earth will happen next?

This novel is carefully researched, (with a glossary), with fleshed-out characters, detailed settings, and believable, intricate plots. It ends at a crucial point so the reader will really want to read the next volume.
Not a good read-a great read!

Unfortunately, I was slightly disappointed by this read.

For me, this fell a little flat and the novel felt slow and constricted.

The ongoing war was referenced throughout the story but I think I was expecting more action and how it had more of an impact on Isobel. Instead this felt more like most of the novel was in one very personal setting that only occasionally was affected by the outside world. Therefore the world felt small.

That said, the history definitely was there and Wheel of Fortune provided a strong snapshot of family life during the 15th century. It also provided understandable and digestible context about the turbulent politics of the Wars of the Roses which was interesting to learn.

There were a few strong characters such as Robert Langton and Thomas Lacey, who had their own distinct personalities and who supported the protagonist, playing a key part in the plot.

This was a solid historical novel but the plot didn’t quite hook me.

I have no interest in reading about rape. Again, I'd like to advocate for content warnings to be available prior to requesting.

the writing is good but the pacing was a bit slow for me and i didn’t feel as engaged to the book as i do with others. i guess im not a historical reader, maybe? it wasn’t in my interest after all. unfortunately the book was a let down to me. the story did not go out the way i was expecting, which was to build up to a big war and thomas fighting for isobel’s freedom.

I enjoyed this and it was very entertaining and enjoyable. I like the writing style and the story line. It kept me wanting to read and not leave the book for too long. This was a good read and I enjoyed it.
I just reviewed Wheel of Fortune by C.F. Dunn. #WheelofFortune #NetGalley
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I love historical fiction novels and have read many War of the Roses novels do I was pleased to be granted an advanced copy of this first in a series.
Sadly I found the novel was not as I expected, there was little of the Royal wars and conflict and more of the conflict between Earl Langton and Isobel Fenton.
Although I liked the authors style of writing sadly the story lacked for me.

Fabulous start to what promises to be an interesting series set towards the end of the Wars of the Roses.
Wheel of Fortune traces the life of Isobel Fenton during the tumultuous events of 1469, when King Edward IV is embroiled in a power struggle with Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick. Isobel herself has her life turned upside down by the death of her father, when she is forced to leave her manor and live under the protection of the local earl, at Tickhill Castle.
As a South Yorkshire lass, it took me a while to get used the book being set around an area I know so well, with a fictional earl in residence at Tickhill Castle. But once the book draws you in, you stop thinking about what you know and start caring about those lives within the walls of the famous landmark.
The story is intriguing and has many twists and turns. Most of the characters are fictional, dropped into the existing history, though Richard, Duke of Gloucester puts in an appearance once in a while.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and the ending promises even more intrigue to come.

I'm a big fan of all things Tudor era and while I usually stick to nonfiction, this was a great branch out for me. Thoughtfully written.

This book simply wasn't for me because there wasn't a strong enough hook. I wanted to love it - it's set during Edward IV's reign, which means Wars of the Roses, so a period I love. However, the story seemed to be more "will she get to marry this guy?" which isn't something I'm particularly interested in. The tensions in the country, at least 15% in (when I stopped reading) were such a minor secondary part that it felt like the story could have happened at any point in history, which is something I really don't like. I want the period to feel intimately tied in.

The Wheel of Fortune by CF Dunn is the first of a new series called The Tarnished Crown. The Wheel of Fortune is set in the 15th century during the War of the Roses, it follows the story of Isabel Fenton.

Everything that I liked about this book happened in the first 15 chapters. Once I got to the 15th chapter I almost did not finish, but since I promised to read and review this book I skimmed through the rest. While this book does well as a Historical Fictional adaptation of the War of the Roses, the reason I picked it up is because it was described as a romance/love story. There is little aspect of love in this book, at most a budding crush that is completely out of the question due to Isobel's unfortunate position.

This is not a love story. This is the story of a woman who was abducted, raped, and held prisoner. It's confusing and shocking to me that this book did not have any triggers, warnings, or a better description that this entire story hinges upon a woman forced to become a sex slave.
The fact that this book has been labeled a story of love/romance is disgusting, unethical, and the antithesis of all mentalities of equality, human rights, and feminism. The idea that the author thought readers should or could mistake this for love/romance is disturbing.


Instead, this book is about betrayal and treachery.

(SPOILERS)

The Earl is a man who constantly takes advantage, while it is unfortunately historically accurate that The Earl has no repercussions for his actions, it does not make them any less vile and displeasing to read. The Earl promised Sir Geoffrey he would take care of Isobel, and instead rapes her and holds her captive with no potential of letting her go.

To add salt to the wound, your heart breaks for Isobel since you can see something is happening between her and Robert, but as I said before because of The Earl's position, neither Isobel nor Robert can defend, protect, or voice their worries/fears/anger and concern, or demand justice. Robert is then forced to become an accomplice to his brother's crimes.

Strong-willed and determined, Isobel Fenton is resolved that nothing will separate her from her beloved manor of Beaumancote - even if it means marrying Thomas Lacey. But Isobel is unaware of the importance she and her land represent, nor of the agenda of the formidable Earl in whose care she finds herself.

This was really interesting. I have never read any War of the Roses historical fiction before, but I really enjoyed this one. Well done!

Wheel of Fortune by C.F. Dunn

When I read the outline I the plot to this book I was really looking forward to it as anything set in this era is right up my street .
In this book , which is going to be part of a series we are introduced to Isobel Fenton and life in medieval times.

I did not like this book.

It was one long, depressing, and sometimes melodramatic, story about rape and general toxicity in a toxic, turbulent time. When I read the brief mention of sexual assault in the summary, I didn't realize that Isobel would have to spend the rest of the book trapped underneath this guy (pun sort of intended). I know this is part of a series, but that ending just made me the opposite of curious about the rest of Isobel's story.

At least Richard III is presented well.