An entertaining read all about what it was like to be a muse in 17th century Rome.

Great description of people and places with the smells of the era bought to life.

Costanza was she really a muse or just a woman who was enticed by the more grandeur way of life, but paid the heavy price for it? Really showed the difference between men's adulterous ways and their punishment and the women's.

I did not want this book to end I got so engrossed into it.

Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this book. New author for me to watch out for.

I normally stick with my usual thriller/crime novels but when the opportunity came up on Netgalley to request Costanza by Rachael Blackmore I jumped at the chance to delve into something different.

I am so glad that I got accepted to read this stunning novel as I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Set in Rome, way back in 1963 we meet title character Costanza Piccolomini. She starts an affair with another man and wow this novel left me breathless.

I was invested in Costanza and how she dealt with things that came at her, she is a strong woman and is an absolute idol.

It is very obvious that there has been so much research into this book and I had never heard about her before.

The description of Rome is stunning and it is now on my bucket list of places to visit.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publishers and author for allowing me a copy of this amazingly well-written book.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This was excellent.

I wanted to disapprove of Costanza before reading this. I didn’t know anything about her or the time or the place. But I felt it was my moral duty to be displeased before turning to read the first page.

I was not displeased. Not in the slightest. Costanza is a three-dimensional, layered, flawed, complex, and very dynamic character who will have you rooting for her from the first page. I had so many feelings throughout this book. I smiled, I frowned, I wanted to throw my e-reader across the room in irritation at the injustice of what it is to be a woman. In any time. I was frightened for her, I was cheering at her back. I wanted nothing more than her happiness.

Bernini, Matteo and other men of this book are fleshed out and carry their own voices. Same for the supporting cast of women, actually. It is amazing how well the author has woven words together to have multiple characters really jump out of the page and be memorable.

I became slightly confused at times because of the switch between narrative perspectives. That would probably be my only complaint about this book, but it was so minor that my overall enjoyment of the book wasn’t impacted.

This was… a heartbreaking and very sobering read. Well worth a look for… anyone really. I do not think this book has a particular audience. It probably does, but I think this book needs to be widely read. So pick it up.

Thank you Dialogue Books and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

I want to start this review by first saying, please check the trigger warnings of this novel, and also please please please read the author's note. This brought me to tears and gave a completely new appreciation for the novel. Blackmore's motives for sharing and giving life to Costanza's story are something that I am sure all women will appreciate and empathize with. The experiences of a woman from the 1600s resonates with the lives of so many women today.

This is a feminist historical fiction book that will likely make you angry - and it should! It is clear that Blackmore poured her heart and soul into this book and I'm so glad I read it.

I also want to share how excellent I found the audiobook! I had struggled reading the e-book and found changing to the audio a great choice for me. I think there is also something interesting in listening to the story of a woman like Costanza - a story so often viewed through the lens of her lover.

Now onto the book. Rome, 1636 - Costanza is a respectable young married woman. History knows her as a muse, a temptress. But there is more to her story.

Her life is thrown into chaos when she meets famed sculptor Gianlorenzo Bernini, and a fatal attraction is born. A secret affair ensues, both completely enraptured by one another. But Bernini's desire is obsessive, and he immortalizes his Costanza in marble for all to see and exposing her as his lover.

Outrage, betrayal, cruelty beyond measure. What should have been the end of Costanza is only the beginning.

Costanza's journey was a rollercoaster from start to finish. Womanhood, sisterhood, and the horrors women go through at the hands of men and society. A great cast of characters with intriguing motives, making questionable choices and a sharing a breadth of experiences. The attention to detail in the setting of Rome was really excellent. It was incredibly immersive for such a character driven story.

My slight issue was the pacing for the first 50%, it was tricky to get into and I couldn't quite see where the plot was going. The 'acts' of this story weren't quite what I expected (like in terms of when the different events happened) which is why this isn't quite a 5 star for me. This was one of those reads where it wasn't necessarily about the journey but how it made me feel when it was over.

I'd definitely recommend this, especially the audio.

Thank you again Dialogue Books and NetGalley for the arc.

A fictional retelling of Constanza and her sculptor Bernini set in the 17th century. I'm a fan of his sculptures as they're so detailed and emotional.
So many elements of wealth, society, rivalry, double standards and of course, romance.
This was a really well written book with so many relatable moments and just leaves the impression of a powerful and strong woman.

I started to read this without knowing that it was based on real characters, and still felt that it was a great story. The fact that most of these people did exist made it even more interesting. I loved that Costanza was portrayed as a strong opinionated woman at the beginning but she became dazzled by the attention from high society, which led to her downfall. My favourite section however, was when she is incarcerated and the women she met there. This section continues to examine the age old and current problem of mens' manipulation of women for their own ends and the characters that Costanza meets there are particularly sympathetic.
I very much enjoyed this, both for the thoughtful story and for the insight into a period of history that I knew little about.

A fantastic historical fiction book about Costanza Piccolomini, 400 years ago in Italy. A great story over resilience and hope.

I loved this!
Costanza is an innocent, caught up in a world where she can have no power and has no understanding of the precariousness of her position, where love is irrelevant and women are an irrelevance. She rises and falls according to the whim of men, and has no idea how to play the game of life in 17th century Rome, where every decision is based upon money, status and the rule of the Church,
It is however, still a story of the strength and resilience and brilliance of women, who carve their own path in a way that the men can't see or recognise, and earn their own successes - and must keep these to themselves.
This novel is a brilliant light shining on a woman who was a major influence in the life of a man whose fame echoes down the ages, but who had until now nobody to tell her story. The attention to detail and understanding of that period in history, the careful weaving together of many strands that come together to complete the tapestry, the beautiful use of language and clear love of writing shines in every sentence.
A definite must read.

After a slow start, this proved a very worthy read. For fans of historical fiction, this is a must, particularly as it is based on actual events and characters.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC

Rachel Blackmore's "Costanza" is a gripping and evocative tale that follows the life of its flawed yet compelling heroine, Costanza.

Costanza, a woman of fierce determination and complex emotions, navigates a world filled with societal constraints and personal trials. From a young age, she dreams of escaping her humble beginnings and making a name for herself. As she grows older, Costanza faces numerous obstacles, including betrayals, failed relationships, and her own inner demons. While married she falls in love with Gianlorenzo Bernini, a famed sculptor and the relationship threatens to tear her life apart when he decides to do a "good deed" by immortalising her in marble.

Rachel Blackmore does an excellent job of portraying Costanza's complexities, making her a character readers can empathize with, despite her imperfections.

The narrative is rich and engaging, with Blackmore's descriptive prose vividly bringing the historical setting.

Delightful writing, the language and descriptive narration flows smoothly.
The author notes that there may be slight historical inaccuracies but you’re so absorbed in the story, you really don’t notice and could easily forgive them as artistic license even if you did.

If there was one major drawback to this book, it’s that the majority of the interesting parts of the story all happen in the last third. The first two thirds do seem to be unnecessarily long winded and lacking some adventure.

Even so, it’s difficult to deny that the author skilfully traverses trauma, heartbreak and violence so that it’s impactful without being triggering.

Great read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

Based on the true story of Costanza Piccolomini, this historical novel is set in 17th century Rome. I didn't realise that Costanza was actually a feminist icon but after reading I can understand why. The descriptions of Rome are so evocative - you can immediately imagine the sights, sounds and smells of daily life there. Costanza is a young wife married to Matteo, a sculptor working in the studio of the infamous Lorenzo Bernini. Upon meeting Costanza and Lorenzo are immediately attracted to each other and as well as his muse, she becomes his lover. When he unveils his sculpture of Costanza it is obvious what has been happening and she loses everything only to be triumphant again. I don't normally read historical fiction but art and Rome tempted me to give it a go and I'm glad that I did. Amazing atmospheric descriptions and fabulous characterisations really enhance the telling of this story. I'm so grateful to Netgalley for letting me read and review this book.

Historical fiction is not one of the genres I would usually chose to read. This book goes back to Shakespeare's times and thus the author is constrained in what she can write compared to modern day settings. I was impressed with how some challenging subjects were well tackled and I did enjoy the book. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to ARC this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Dialogue Books for this eCopy to review

Costanza is based on real events and follows a young wife Costanza as she embarks on an affair with a powerful sculptor Lorenzo Bernini as she discovered a secret about her husband, and needed to borrow a lot of money to save her best friend Giuliana. They fall in love and everything is going well until she becomes his muse and he creates a sculpture of her but this is no modest pious piece, everyone who sees it will know what she is.

There is an intense rivalry between Lorenzo and his younger brother Luigi, this all comes to head one day and Costanza's life is changed forever betrayed by her lover and her friend Costanza nearly gives up but new friends help her carry on

I found the book quite slow in places and many of the characters just seem to disappear

A fascinating but not altogether an easy read. Costanza tells the story, based on real people, of Costanza Piccolomini and her love affair with Lorenzo Bernini. Lorenzo is part of Rome’s elite society favoured by the Pope so when it all goes wrong Costanza bares the brunt.
There is a slow start to this book and Costanza is not a particularly nice character but then again no one else is either.
My biggest disappointment is that it simply ended too soon. It finished up just as Costanza was coming into her own and showing us what an intriguing character she really was.
Would definitely recommend this book, well worth a read.

Thanks to NetGalley.co.uk and the publishers for this ARC.

Set in Rome in 1636, this book is even more amazing as it is actually based on a real life character.
Costanza is a worthy heroine, married to a man who is relatively kind to her but is never going to give her the child she longs for so that she is fully accepted in society and not seen as a barren wife. When Costanza suddenly finds why her marriage to Matteo, a sculptor, is not a real marriage she is tempted by the attentions of Lorenzo Bernini, a renowned sculptor in whose court Matteo is employed.
Lorenzo is enthralled by Costanza but as their relationship deepens he feels trapped by his all consuming love for her. Lorenzo’s brother, Luigi, who is a womaniser and predator of all vulnerable women is jealous of his brother and wants Costanza for himself and will stop at nothing to get what he wants.
In the aftermath, all blame falls at Costanza’s feet and no matter how much she tries to defend herself she finds herself arrested and placed in a convent with other “fallen women”.
It was sobering to see how women were treated during these times. They really had no say in their lives and were at the mercy of any man who wished to control them so it was all the more astonishing to read about Costanza and what she actually managed to achieve in these times.
A thoroughly absorbing historical novel. Thanks to the author and publishers for an ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dialogue Books for the advance reader copy.

I found the first half of this book a bit hard to get into and it was mainly for the male characters and their attitudes. I suppose it is accurate for the time but it meant I couldn’t get into reading the story properly.

I enjoyed the story being centred around Costanza and the aftermath of her mistreatment by the brothers as there always tends to be limited information about the women in history.

If you enjoy all types of historical fiction then I would recommend this book. There’s a good level of world building but the pace is a little slow.

In Costanza, Rachel Blackmore shows us 1630s Rome in all its clamour and precarity, its pomp and glamour, right from its tantalising, sleight-of-hand prologue. Religion was still very much at the heart of most people’s lives, whether the superstitious belief and piety of the ordinary person, or the riches and power of the Curia.
Strong-willed Costanza is prepared to speak her mind and that is perhaps her downfall – she might not otherwise have caught the attention of the superstar sculptor Lorenzo Bernini. And had she been less frustrated by the lack of interest shown by her steady husband Matteo, she might not have reciprocated.
Lorenzo presents as attentive and generous, opening Costanza’s eyes to art and beauty but it’s perhaps her guilelessness, her innocence that he really latches onto. Bernini’s brother Luigi is poisoned from living in the shadow of the genius. The brothers are at odds and a threat has been made, but the violence does not play out as one might expect.
Despite forging connections and achieving some business success, Costanza’s vulnerability as a woman is all too familiar. Men, free to live their lives and pursue their business, are inclined to believe a woman is deceitful and punish her for it. Betrayal can come from all sides – an apparently dear friend, a vindictive neighbour. Based on real people, the story is as brutal as it is compelling.

A really interesting story based on a real person in 17th Century Rome. We get to know Costanza and the struggles she faces, many as a disenfranchised woman in a highly patriarchal society with double standards. She experiences both poverty and high society. Highly recommended reading.

This book burned with a woman’s passion, power and strength.

Blackmore lures you into a 17th century Rome that glitters with wealth and culture, art and beauty. But she also exposes its dark underbelly: of man’s power, the expectation of women’s roles and the delicate balance between respectability and scandal.

Constanza is an utterly fascinating forgotten woman, brought to life vividly within the story. Sharp, passionate and vibrant, her story was real, compelling, and relevant.

The world was utterly immersive, displaying shining ballrooms and fashion, and the everyday lives of Rome’s citizens.

In a world of marble, Costanza Piccolomini comes alive with the author’s touch.