This book has two POVs one is Jess who is living in what her sister is calling Fortune Manor and being remodeled by her celebrity sister Tavy. Jess has recently found out her boyfriend has been frauding in the elderly and other innocent targets out of their money and he is now in prison. She is regrouping at Fortune house as a caretaker while her sister films her show. They learn from Tavis psychic companion Francis that the house has ties with Nell Gwyn and wants Jess who is a librarian by profession to investigate with the help of Eathan who is family and ancestors farmed the land the house sits on. The other POV is of course the Glwynn girls Nell and Rose and although historically Rose was a thief, where her sister was known as the lover of king Charles as we learn about the two girls it seems Nell is a flashy watch me now type of character where her sister roses story is one a person can appreciate after time. I loved both of these characters Jess and Rose and although they have similar stories throughout with Rose marrying a swindler drunk abusive bastard he gets her involved in a scandal to steal the crown jewels and when she is arrested bike guy Forster it really is the first day of the rest of her life and although she still has to go through hardship and even prison in the end in my opinion it was all worth it. It is rare that both POV‘s are equally interesting that was definitely the case with The Other Gwen Girl. This is definitely a five star read and if you can give a star rating to an ending of the book both endings would definitely rate higher in that in my opinion I loved this book found it a superb interesting delightful read I know if I don’t read this book again I will definitely be reading part of it again in the future especially towards the end with a fabulous ending especially the one with Lord Gray… What a rake! I want to thank boldwood books and Net galley for my free art copy please forgive any mistakes I am blind and I dictate my review.

This story is told with dual timelines. I thought each one was good and interesting. The story flows back and forth and I found myself entranced by both. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough and really wasn’t quite ready for it to end. Historical fiction fans will definitely enjoy this one, it’s another good one by this author.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

This is the second book that I have read by the author. This is another dual timeline story set in the present and the past. In this book we follow Jess who after a disastrous relationship goes to live with her influencer sister Tavy at Becote Manor. In the past we follow Nell Gywn but mainly her sister Rose who had a connection to the Manor.

I enjoyed this book but it didn't wow me. I was interested to know about Rose as I knew nothing about her at all, even googling doesn't give much more than what is covered in the book. I know a bit more about Nell Gwyn but the story is more about Rose.

I enjoy dual timeline stories and especially when they are about real historical people. This offering dud hold my interest and there was a hint of a ghost story to it. I did find some of the plot go into thrillerland and I couldn't quite get on board with it.

I would read more by the author in the future as I do enjoy these types of books. This was an OK read for me.

Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the book to review.

I'm not sure where to start but.... Oh Wow! I love this book and love the past and present and how they come together to make such a wonderful and great read. Set in Both London 1671 and of course present day when the stories of the past are revealed. This is such an intriguing read of family, mystery, loyalty and so much more.

The characters come to life on the page as does the mystery of what happened in the past and how it came to light in the present. Such a well written and historical story I was immersed into it from page one. The sisters in both parts of the story are very interesting and in some ways similar which makes it fascinating. I can't fault the writing and found it easy to read and follow. This is definitely a wonderful book and I highly recommend it.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

The Other Gwyn Girl

1671 was a time of great change and excitement in London. The city had just emerged from a brutal Civil War and the restoration of Charles II, the 'Merry Monarch', had brought about a sense of hope and rejuvenation. But amidst the celebrations and revelry, there was a darker side to the city that was often overlooked.
At the center of this whirlwind of events was the celebrated actress and beauty, Nell Gwyn. Nell had captured the hearts of the English people with her charm, wit, and talent on the stage. But her rise to fame had not been easy. Born into poverty and raised in a brothel, Nell had overcome numerous obstacles to become one of the most beloved figures in London.
But as Nell enjoyed her newfound fame and fortune, her sister Rose had not been so lucky. Rose had married a reckless highwayman and ended up in the dreaded Marshalsea prison. Desperate to help her sister, Nell turned to her powerful protector, King Charles II, for assistance. But little did she know that her own future with the King was also at risk.
You see, Nell was involved in a plot to steal the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London. It was a daring plan that had gone horribly wrong, and now Nell's life, as well as her sister's, hung in the balance. The only hope for a successful rescue lay with Rose, who had to solve the riddle of the jewels before it was too late.
As we delve into the world of 1671 London, we are transported to a time of opulence and extravagance, but also one of danger and intrigue. The city was a bustling hub of activity, with its narrow streets filled with merchants, artisans, and commoners alike. But it was also a place of stark contrasts, with the wealth and privilege of the upper class juxtaposed with the poverty and desperation of the lower classes.
Through the story of Nell and Rose Gwyn, we see the disparities and struggles of 17th century London through their eyes. We witness the power of love and family in the face of adversity and the lengths that people would go to protect those they care about.
But above all, we are reminded that despite the grandeur of the times, the human condition remains unchanged. The struggles and triumphs of the Gwyn sisters are just as relevant today as they were in 1671. And as we walk the streets of modern London, we are reminded that beneath the glitz and glamour, there are still stories waiting to be told, waiting to captivate us and transport us to a different time and place. The parallel story is not my favorite format, I loved the Rose and Gwyn Story, it's the part that holds my interest. If like me you don't care for this parallel story line, in all honesty I would still read it, I think it would have been a good read on its own. 3.5
Thank you #Netgalley #BoldwoodBooks
carolintallahassee

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this eCopy to review

I loved The Other Gwyn Girl, I have not read many books set during the restoration of the monarchy so found this fascinating. I loved the dynamics between the 2 sets of sisters (Nell and Rose, Jess and Tavy) and how both sets seemed very similar with one sister loving the limelight and the other being more reserved.

I enjoyed the theft of the crown jewels and all the mysteries surrounding them and how they connected to fortune Hall. The romance aspects add an extra dimension to the story making it a fascinating read full of wonderful characters, secrets and mysteries as well as the main characters of Rose and jess coming into themselves and finding happiness at last

Another brilliant dual timeline book from Nicola Cornick. I knew nothing about Nell Gwyn (my knowledge of the Stuarts is severely lacking) so I enjoyed discovering a new historical fiction period. I always like the exploration of the parallels between the lives of the characters in the two timelines. I’ve seen plenty of Tavy-type influencers on Instagram and so loved the comparison to the 1600s.

As an avid reader of Nicola’s books I really like the crossover characters and references to previous books and houses - it won’t matter to new readers as I don’t think there are substantial spoilers but I really like them popping in!

All in all another excellent book!

Yet another fantastic story from this brilliant author. I really enjoyed the mix of the 2 timelines and reading about a little known historical figure. The author just brings the characters leaping off the pages and it was a book that I did not want to finish. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me access to an early release of this great novel.

I have loved all of Nicola's books because they are my favourite genre, timeslip and this story about Rose Gwyn and her subsequent adventures was brilliant, moving between her time and the present day where Jess manages to reconcile the stories, an absolute cracker of a book!

Firstly thank you to Netgalley who provided me with an ARC in exchange for a truthful review.

Firstly I loved the history of forgotten women element that this story had. The focus on someone who was tangential to so much was very fascinating. I even liked the dual timeline aspects (but if you don’t this book isn’t for you).

For me the issue was I was 80% in when I realised there was no real conflict or stakes. It was a light fun story but I had to real reason to care or worry for the characters. In fact I couldn’t really have told you what the conflict to be resolved was. I was interested but not invested in this story so that means for me it lost a few stars as I want to feel like I care what happens in the end.

The characters are well developed but the plot tends to focus more on mirroring the past and present then trying to grow our characters but again this might be a side effect of not feeling connected to them.

All in all if you like low stakes historical fiction you will like this book :)

The year is 1671 and England is slowly recovering from the horrors of the English Civil War. King Charles II lives lavishly with his many mistresses, including the famous beauty Nell Gwyn. On the other side of London, Nell’s eldest sister Rose Gwyn is caught in the middle of a high-profile robbery that could cost her her life. In the present day, Jess Yates, a librarian and history lover, is dealing with her family's struggles. When Jess enters Fortune Hall to help her sister Tavy, with a project, Jess begins to follow the clues to discover the connection between the great house and the Gwyn sisters. What secrets does this great hall hold and can the reputation of the Gwyn family be saved in time? The mystery of the past and the present collide in Nicola Cornick’s latest novel, “The Other Gwyn Girl.”

I would like to thank Boldwood Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. I have read two other novels by Cornick, “The Forgotten Sister” and “The Last Daughter of York,” and I thoroughly enjoyed both dual-timeline novels. When I heard about this novel, it was a compelling premise to me as I know very little about Nell and Rose Gwyn.

Nell and Rose Gwyn were the daughters of Captain Thomas Gwyn and Helena Smith Gwyn. When their father died, Helena had to raise her daughters to survive the cruel world, but we soon find out that Helena’s favorite is her youngest daughter Nell. The sisters may have started as simple orange sellers, but Nell’s star was on the rise as she became an actress and then the favorite mistress of King Charles II. Rose was less fortunate as she married John Cassells and now finds herself in prison for a third time, this time for the theft of the Crown Jewels, a scheme orchestrated by Colonel Thomas Blood. Now, Rose must team up with the officer who arrested her, Guy Forster, to clear her name and save her sister Nell’s reputation by finding the Crown Jewels before it is too late.

The lives of the Yates sisters mirror that of the Gwyn sisters. Jess is down on her luck after her ex-boyfriend ends up in prison and the whole scandal is splashed on every newspaper and tabloid due to her sister’s fame. Jess thinks that she is going to Fortune Hall for a reunion of sorts with her mother and sister, but that is not the case at all. Tavy, the younger sister, is a style influencer/ TV star who needs her nerdy older sister’s help with a project. Tavy has agreed to renovate Fortune Hall because of its alleged connections to Nell Gwyn and she has asked her sister Jess for help. As Jess hunts down clues to the history of Fortune Hall, alongside Ethan Sterling whose family has a connection to the home, she discovers shocking truths about the Gwyn sisters.

This novel was such a wild ride from the start and I could not put it down. The English Civil War is not usually an area of study for me, but there was just something about the way Cornick wrote this novel that I want to learn more about Nell and Rose Gwyn as well as King Charles II and his many mistresses. If you are a fan of dual-timeline novels or Nell Gwyn, you must check out, “The Other Gwyn Girl” by Nicola Cornick.

When it comes to “the other Gwyn girl”, the first question is, who is the first Gwyn girl? This is probably common knowledge in England, but I googled it and Wikipedia says the following: “Nell Gwyn (born February 2, 1650[1] or 1651[1] probably in Hereford[1] or London[1]; † November 14th Born in London in 1687 as Eleanour [also: Ellen[2] Gwyn, Gwynn, Gwin, Gwynne]) was an actress and the most popular of the many mistresses of the English King Charles II among the English people. She was known by Samuel Pepys for her wit and sharpness Tongue also called Pretty Witty Nell." So, we have historically confirmed people here, but it's not just about Nell, but rather about her older sister Rose - the sister who was forgotten by history, about whom there is very little evidence , and whose story Nicola Cornick now tells us with lots of empathy and imagination. The novel takes place on two time levels; at first we are in 17th century England with Rose and Nell, and then we have a current timeline with the sisters Jess and Tavy. But first to Rose and Nell, who were born into abject poverty and took completely different paths. Nell is a brilliant actress with the ambition to consolidate her life with rich men - which she succeeds in, after all, she is the long-time mistress of Kong Charles II. Rose resorts to theft and is involved in the famous theft of the crown jewels by her first husband, and ends up in the dungeon... Here she can only be freed by Nell, but Nell wants the jewels in return... Rose suspects them to be on the rural Becoate estate, the former family home.
Here and now in England we are with Jess, the older sister of Tavy, who is glamorous as a celebrity and influencer. Jess's husband is also more of the blundering sort, and right at the beginning of the book he is struggling in prison. Jess is close to the edge, and grateful that Tavy offers her at least temporary accommodation and a job as a housekeeper at Tavy's new estate, Fortune Hall, formerly known as Becoate…. By chance, Tavy gets the idea that Nell Gwyn might have lived here before, and so she gives Jess the task of researching...
We basically have similar constellations here on two time levels: two sisters, one of whom has found the way to money and glamor, and the other, who is more introverted, and looking for her own way to happiness. There are no fathers; in both cases the mothers are alcoholic and rarely present in a quality manner. I found that alone to be quite exciting, precisely because of the different living conditions and eras. Both Jess and Rose also meet a new, tentative love after their first crook husbands (you can say that without giving spoilers), and I found that emotional and magical too. Well, and the connecting element is of course the house, Fortune Hall…. the historic building that Tavy is currently turning into Tavyland for her TV show 😉 - so there's still room for humor in this novel! My reading impression: That was great. Well written, exciting and enthralling, historically precisely researched – I thought it was great. Once again a story that you can really immerse yourself in.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the review copy!

A bleak crumbling castle being used by a celebrated influencer in present times being used as a project. Jess is trying to get over being scammed by her boyfriend, who wiped not just her out of everything she had but wiped out many others as well. Tavy her very selfish sister whilst offering her a bolt hole, wants an unpaid housekeeper to occupy the house when she is away, in order to comply with insurance policies.

We then go back to 1671 when the castle came into the hands of Nell Gwyn the courtesan of the King. Rose was the “wild” sister, living on her wits, a thief, married to a highwayman and in prison. When her husband is found dead and Rose herself is pregnant, she appeals to Nell who organises her release.

But Nell like Tavy centuries later has ulterior motives. She knows that Rose’s husband and another notorious criminal Thomas Blood attempted to steal the Crown Jewels and that since they were not found, Rose may be the key to finding the jewels. Additionally Nell is being blackmailed because the locket given by the King to her is with Blood and he holds this as a bargaining tool. Nell’s position with the king has turned precarious. There is a wife and a French mistress to contend with.

Fast forward and Jess discovers a pile of old books which her sister wants to dispose of as quickly as possible. Jess discovers the link to both Gwyn girls and researches the history of the time giving an account of the lives of these two women.

Nell was the smart one but I was rooting for Rose the overlooked one. In a similar vein Tavy was beautiful, fabulously rich and self serving. Jess was the reserved one. It seemed like though so apart the women had similar characteristics, brought together at this Becote Castle.

The contrasts in characters, in lifestyles, plus the history all added interest to the story.

What a spellbinding dual timeline gem! I absolutely loved it from start to finish! The Other Gwyn Girl by Nicola Cornick is an exhilarating fascinating read that kept me turning the pages in anticipation. The plots clip along at a steady pace featuring two main intriguing perspectives, one from the 1600s and the other, current day. We get a valuable peek into the lives of two historical Gwyn sisters (each quite different from the other) as well as two unalike modern day sisters. There are numerous parallels between the four women, though they are centuries apart.

I found that each thread was well delivered but being a historical fiction lover, I somewhat favoured that one a little more. But, I still enjoyed both and was effortlessly delivered back and for between the outstanding two created worlds. When I was transported to the 1600s, I could visualise everything due to the excellent descriptions provided. In fact, all my senses were engaged. Then when we leaped forward to the modern thread, I still enjoyed the unique setting. The house, in fact, takes centre stage becoming the vehicle for unveiling its centuries’ old secrets. It even witnesses and reveals two murders from past and present! There’s a wonderful mysteriousness about the old stately place. The sense of history that surrounds it, draws you in. I loved watching the characters interact as they moved through this fascinating building and grounds. It made me want to dig deeper to learn more, like Jess. She is a house sitter and researcher for her famous sister (who now owns it) so the old library really captures Jess’s attention. She begins to learn about its former owners with a little help from a new friend, Ethan, who just might become more!

The two timelines have positive features that compliment each other and, in fact, they blend together toward the end so we get to see the mysteries solved and dramas resolved that have been intertwined. And the old manor, Fortune Hall, is the star setting for them both.

The characterisation was brilliant in this novel with the extroverts showing off their charisma and showiness (Nell and Tavy). But I favoured each of our quieter heroines (Rose and Jess) who showed great strength and spunk in the face of danger and disappointment. The story is in fact told from their perspectives which made it all the more interesting as we get to see the world through their eyes. The villains were well formed and appropriately placed providing the havoc and suspense needed to give us plenty of twists and turns. In fact, the plot of the 1600s held lots of rollicking adventure and it kept me turning the pages at a rapid speed. The modern thread had its drama, too, but this evolved more slowly and unexpectedly. Jess has come through some traumatic events with her ex. She must heal and start again, so her new adventure with her sister helps kickstart her in a new direction. But what she finds is not quite what she expected and the outcome will bring some chilling revelations.

It was fun watching the characters of Rose and Nell unfold in living colour—particularly the lesser known Rose as in historical accounts, we know more about Nell, the actress and mistress of King Charles II. By focusing on Rose, it left the author with more chance to put her creativity into motion to fill in the missing parts. And in doing so, it helps us to imagine what it might have been like to be in her shoes in an era that was not easy for women (whether working class or privileged). It is easy to see why Nell, an extrovert used her wits and beauty to advance from poverty to acclaimed heights. She is not only adored by the king but also the people. And Rose, the more-lowly sister, (married to an awful man and thief) learned how to defend herself against the many men who tried to take advantage of her. These two sisters living at opposite ends of society, try to find ways to accrue financial support for themselves— in the chance they might end up in a tough position. In Nell’s case, if the King tired of her, she would be abandoned for another pretty face. As for Rose, she wanted independence so when the situation presented itself, she took advantage. The fear of poverty is what fuels both sisters into coveting some treasures through criminal means for future protection.

Another character I found intriguing was Guy: a soldier who exhibits lots of presence, patience and quiet passion on the pages. His relationship with Rose turns into quite a surprise—a bit of enemies to lovers’ theme here.

This was such a fun and fascinating read that I highly recommend. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for my review copy.

:: The library was the only room on the ground floor, where there was a view across to the fishing house as the slope of the hill blocked it out from the west. As Jess looked out she had that same eeriee sensation, she has experienced, on her arrival to Fortune Hall: It was as though the landscape shifted slitghly, the view blurred and she was looking out on a different say in another time. "::

Rose Gwyn is a mystery, like many of the female middle class citizens, is servery undocumented. But bit by bit as the story unfolds, we find out her better known baby sister was actually a lover and favourite Mistress of Charles ll and one that intruges you to the very core. But in the present day we also meet Jess who like Rose is understated and out shadowed her her famous younger sister.
I love this story so much. It was heart felt and gave the message of hope, even if both Rose and Jess went through smilimar scenarios and whereas Jess and her new favourite Ethan scrabbled through the past looking for any mention of their girl Rose, they become closer.

I found it facing the same nationg how their stories came to like. I thoroughly enjoyed it thank you so much ❤️

Thank you so much to Nicola Cornick and Bolwood for allowing me to read this on Net Galley for an honest review.

While I’m quite interested in Nell Gwyn, I don’t usually enjoy fictionalized biography. Using Nell’s more obscure sister as the protagonist was a clever idea. I don’t feel that the dual
storyline added much, though. The modern tale had a bit of a chick-lit flavor that I didn’t think married well with the historical story. I wish it had been left out and Rose’s story expanded.

In the 17th century, Rose Gwyn ends up in jail when she tried to steal the crown jewels with her husband. She has to plead with her sister Nell, the king's famous mistress, for her freedom. In the 21st century, Jess moves to Fortune Hall where her famous sister Tavy is running a TV show, after a break-up with her fraudulent boyfriend. There is a rumour that once Nell Gwyn would have walked in these corridors.

Nicola Cornick has already written several stories with so-called dual timelines. In 'The other Gwyn girl', she chooses Rose Gwyn, the unknown sister of Nell Gwyn as a main character. And I quite liked that choice because it introduced me to a historical character who was new to me. Rose is brave and headstrong and tries to be independent but she lives in the shadow of her more famous sister. A feeling modern-day Jess experiences also.

As always, the contemporary story worked less for me. The parallels between Rose and Jess are rather cliché and the whole story around Tavy and her influencer status seems off the mark. We also see some previous characters from Cornick's other books - I haven't read them all so I didn't always knew the characters. A few of them have paranormal powers and I found that too much at times. There is also Francesca who pop ups with certain predictions, but her gift is never explained.

And yet Cornick's books read like a train. There are entertaining reads. And I definitely want to read some more about Nell Gwyn and perhaps her sister Rose.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Nicola Cornick had me wrapped up in the dramatic, yet romantic tale of The Other Gwyn Girl after the first chapter.
Written from the view point of the present day sisters, Jess that lives in the shadow of her famous sister Tavy and past sisters, Rose Gwyn that lives in the shadow of her famous sister Zoe. About the men who want to use them and the men that want to love and take care of them. It’s all tied up brilliantly with a shocking ending.
Definitely a 5+ from me. I throughly enjoyed reading this book.
#TheOtherGwynGirl
#NicolaCornick
#Boldwood
#NetGalley

This was an entertaining story and Rose was a terrific, feisty heroine with great charm and spirit. It was easy to fall in love with Forster along with her, and to feel for her in her more trying times. The author’s interest in women who have been neglected by the historical record made for a brilliant premise, and as soon as I heard about this book I was keen to read it.
The modern aspect of the dual timeline was less engaging in my view, but perhaps I’ve just read too many dual timelines with a paranormal angle. Personally, I’d have preferred a straightforward historical romance or adventure concentrating on Rose and Nell, and could happily have skipped the contemporary timeline, which I found less exciting and a bit implausible.
The whole book had excellent pacing and it romped along. The well-written scenes of seventeenth century London and Rose’s journey to the country made these easy to imagine. The author is clearly very knowledgable and used just the right amount of detail to provide a vivid picture of the period without overloading the reader.
It’s the second book I’ve read by Nicola Cornick and I’ll look forward to reading more in the future.

This book is interesting and well-written but ultimately the tone is too dark for me. DNF.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.