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.

Wow. What a book. Constanza is a married woman who falls headlong in love with her husbands boss, a renowned sculptor. Set a few hundred years ago this book highlights the differences for men and women/rich and poor. She has consequences for her actions which are shocking but she does come through it older and wiser! A real page turner.

Rich historical fiction that reignited my love of the genre, steeped in the beauty of Italy and expertly sculpting the life of a woman by giving a voice to her own story. The retelling of history from the female perspective, gives a glimpse into the real woman Costanza and how the author brings her alive through her writing. We are presented with a fierce MC recounting her own life and leaving the reader questioning history after being shown it through a different lens, an arguable feminist lens that would have created a different legacy for Costanza if she had lived in a different era of time.

Extensively researched, Costanza is a window into seventeenth century Rome and the life of Costanza Piccolomini. There’s a real sense of place in the author’s writing and that is a plus for me. Characters are important, but an authentic background gives the story far more substance. The writer excels at this and the initial pace at which the story begins is an opportunity to take stock of the characters and get a real feel for the way they lived.
Life then was by no means easy for women, and given the way they were treated in those times, Costanza comes across as a brave and determined individual. She challenges, she pushes boundaries. Unfortunately, sometimes this does not work well for her. It means the content of this novel sometimes makes uncomfortable reading, but it was also compelling, and pushed me to finish the story.
A moving tale, well written with believable characters.
I would like to thank Renegade Books, the author and Netgalley for an ARC of Costanza in exchange for an honest review.

As not only a lover of history but also a student of Classical Studies, the premise of this book really intrigued me. I was already aware of the real Bernini from an assignment I did for my degree in Classical Studies so I did enjoy the nod to the famous sculptor. I felt that the book was well-paced, albeit a little slow in the beginning. I loved the characterisation of Constanza as I feel like most women can relate to her struggles on a personal level. I also really enjoyed the showcase of sisterhood and women supporting women. If you like historical novels which have an incredible amount of research in, this is definitely the book for you.

This book is fantastic. I didn’t think I would enjoy being transported to 17th Century Rome but Costanza brings you on a journey where you can see and hear the streets with absolute clarity - a clarity that helps you understand the dangerous situation in which our heroine finds herself.

It’s brilliantly written and I raced through the pages with a growing sense of dread. Women have always had it tough it seems, but the nuances painted throughout this novel regarding the many women we meet were truly fascinating.

A 5 star read for sure.

What an excellent read and a great demonstration that the cult of celebrity is the same now as it was in the 17th century in the centre of the world; Rome.

Whilst I found the book gripping my interest and wanting me to keep page turning, I really was fascinated by the parallels that jumped off the pages about celebrities and power then and now. It seems nothing changes.

An excellent book to have very close to the top of your "books to read" list.

This is a beautifully written novel based on true events in Rome of the 1630s. It’s a difficult read in places as the treatment of women in this time period was abhorrent. The afterword and authors note demonstrates that sadly, the abuse of women continues into the present day. Thought provoking debut novel.

I was looking forward to this but did not like Constanza as a character at all. She had no redeeming qualities at all.

Costanza is a happily married wife in 17th-century Rome; her husband is on the rise as a sculptor, given the opportunity of a lifetime to work under Bernini. Bernini remains one of the most renowned artists of all time. Who could say no? And when his attention falls on Costanza, she can't resist him either. She's never been desired like this. Yet she will discover that obsession can come at a terrible cost.

The historical detail in this book is extraordinary. On every page, I was immersed in the sights and sounds of Rome and completely convinced by the world on the page. I loved Costanza as our heroine: she's clever but naive, a trait which lets her down over and over, and makes her mistakes feel credible yet heartbreaking. I was also fascinated by the author's notes, which explained her focus for the novel and the research she did - I won't give anything away, but it feels deeply timely and heartbreaking. Be warned: this book doesn't shy away from the darkest parts of human nature, and the final third was so hard to read. I'm not giving this five stars because I felt the pacing was off: the first half is much slower than the second half, and we spend a long time waiting before Costanza and Bernini's relationship really takes off. However, that said, this is still an excellent book and very worth reading.

Thank you Netgalley for this review copy!

A historical fiction exploring the life of Costanza Piccolomini and the abuse she faced at the hands of the Bernini brothers.

The author did such an amazing job of transporting the reader back to Rome in 1636. From the sounds, smells, the way people acted and held themselves - you can tell that so much research and time has gone into this book.

The exploration of the abuse Costanza faced at the hands of the Bernini brothers followed by the consequences each party faced was done so well. It honestly had me seething seeing the consequences that Costanza faced for the affair vs the lack of consequences the Bernini brothers faced. I also enjoyed seeing Costanza’s recovery and gaining her physical and mental strength back and wished we had gotten to see more of this.

However, the main reason I gave this 3 stars instead of higher was that it so slow to start. The pace was super slow in the first half of the book whilst we’re watching Costanza and Lorenzo fall in love (which I don’t think was done well enough) that by the time we got to the second and more impactful half of the book, I had lost most of my interest and was mainly reading to just finish the book rather than with any interest in the story.

Overall, it was a good book but just needs faster pacing. If you don’t mind a bit of a slower pace at the start, then this is a really good feminist historical fiction book to read.

Constanza” is the debut historical fiction novel by award-winning writer and communicator Rachel Blackmore. Blackmore’s fascination with the “forgotten stories of women on the margins” is skillfully depicted in her vivid descriptions, prose, and characters, bringing 17th-century Roman society to life. The book is well-researched, well-structured, and enjoyable.

The novel opens with Costanza Piccolomini, the respectable wife of the artist Matteo Bonucelli, waiting for her husband, who is late due to a new commission from the famed Papal sculptor Gianlorenzo Bernini. Little did she know that a passionate, forbidden, all-consuming love would deeply change her over the course of three years, testing her strength and resilience. The story unfolds without haste, building suspense and maintaining a steady pace, illustrating the societal pressures Costanza faces as a woman with a progressive mind and desires that do not conform to the conservative and religious – not to say hypocritical – society of Rome.

“Amidst all these notes of bacchanal, there is a piercing, soaring soprano. I looked toward the stage at the far end of the room, expecting to see a woman, but it is a man wearing a satin jacket of apricot brocade with heavily rouged cheeks. Matteo leans into my ear. ‘A castrato. Emasculated as a child. A favorite of cardinals, and not just for his singing – he’s very well connected.’”

Costanza’s journey is one of remarkable transformation. Blackmore vividly depicts how her experiences with love, betrayal, and loss shape her into a strong and determined woman. We witness her internal struggles as she grapples with societal constraints and her burgeoning desires. Yet, her spirit remains unbroken; even when the most horrific events occur, she finds ways to overcome her hardships.

“Growing up in my district, I quickly learned that words cannot bruise, and bullies do not like being challenged.”

Blackmore’s writing style is evocative and descriptive, transporting the reader to the Fabbrica, bustling streets, and opulent palaces of 17th-century Rome. The historical details feel meticulously researched – and the author explains in her notes that some liberties were taken, but they did not alter important historical facts – allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the world Costanza inhabits. For example, there are no historical records of Matteo’s and Constanza’s relationship as a couple. Some inferences were made, adding an extra layer for Blackmore to explore. Additionally, Blackmore employs powerful metaphors and imagery, particularly when depicting the intensity of Costanza’s love affair with Bernini and his obsession with her.

“‘This is the greatest peace I have ever felt in years. It’s you, Venus,’ he breathes. ‘Knowing you’re mine.’ Lorenzo shifts, his arm still around mine, but now gripping harder. ‘You are mine, aren’t you?’”

In the author’s notes, Blackmore mentions using two main references to build and understand the characters in the novel. She cites “In Control” by Jane Monckton Smith as an important source material for understanding Lorenzo’s known predatory behavior, exposing his coercive control.

“Constanza” is a perfect read for those who enjoy historical fiction, particularly stories that highlight the struggles and triumphs of strong female characters. Blackmore delivers a thrilling narrative and sheds light on an important historical figure who deserves recognition. The novel serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring strength of women and the importance of reclaiming forgotten voices from history.

Overall, “Constanza” is a captivating and thought-provoking read that leaves a lasting impression. It’s a must-read for anyone who appreciates historical fiction with a strong female character.

Many thanks to Dialogue Books, Renegade Books, and NetGalley for providing me with this opportunity to read and review “Constanza.”

This is so much more than a love story retelling one of the most scandalous affairs in 17th century Rome.

This is about womanhood and how Costanza was treated by the men in her life, and more generally in the 17th Century,

I found this book very compelling and was immediately transported into this world that Blackmore has created.
I really enjoyed this book as It mentioned baroque artist and art styles as this is the period in which the Baroque movement was taking off in Italy.
If you enjoyed Disobedient by Elizabeth Fremantle or The marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell.

I found this book very well researched considering that not much is known about the real like Costanza Piccolomini. Must more is known about her lover Gian Lorenzo Bernini and his infamous affairs.

I would strongly recommend this to everyone, this is my favourite book of the summer

Constanza by Rachel Blackmore is an unmissable feminist narrative that breathes life into a forgotten icon of history.

Rachel Blackmore's masterful writing vividly captures the fashions of the era, drawing readers into a world where every stolen kiss and illicit tryst carries the weight of potential ruin. The portrayal of Bernini's dark desire to immortalise Costanza in marble, and the subsequent scandal, is both haunting and enthralling. The metaphors abound in this novel

The hubris of the young and beautiful were truly captured in many of the characters. Constanza really develops as a character throughout the novel. Costanza’s journey from girl of little means to betrayal and abandonment to her ultimate rise from the ashes is profoundly moving. Her development as a character is remarkable, evoking a spectrum of emotions from happiness and anxiety to despair and hope. Through Costanza's eyes, we are introduced to the often overlooked world of women in the 17th century Italian art scene, a world brought to life with stunning detail and emotional depth.

Constanza is a captivating and essential read, a dazzling portrayal of a woman who defies the constraints of her time to leave an indelible mark on history. Blackmore has given us a heroine to remember, and a story that resonates with contemporary themes of female empowerment and resilience. Thank you, Rachel Blackmore, for this unforgettable journey.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Thank you Dialogue Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.