This was a fascinating story that took place mainly in England and Naples. Amanda Carteret was a young girl easily manipulated by her mother and suitor. Lord Meyner seemed to be a man without any care or morals and John Purvis seemed self serving. There were a number of interesting secondary characters and a good amount of time was spent in and around Naples. The political activities were quite dominant at times, perhaps a little too much. Overall, a most engaging read. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

There is so much history and real drama in this story. From the start the story pulled me in to see what challenge would happen next. It is a full-length story with so many characters to like and dislike at times I was a little turned around. Still, I enjoyed the history, rules, and challenges that were faced in that time. The cover is beautiful. I now need to find more to read from this author.

It's been quite some time since I've read a Jane Aiken Hodge novel. One of the things that really struck me is how little was said to thoroughly outline the horror of the main character's situation and yet, I felt it just the same. It clearly illustrates the lack of agency even women from a privileged background had in that era (late 18th century Europe.).

I have also read fewer (possibly no other) novels set during the Napoleonic Wars with a female main character that weren't set in England. It was interesting to see Naples during this period. I enjoyed it and loved the taste of the next novel at the end. (I immediately requested that book via interlibrary loan.)

The story extended over some years, you see her life as it folds out. She is seventeen, innocent and her mother is greedy. She sells her daughter to Lord Meynel, he is cruel and wants her. She is dreaming of John Purvis her best friend and heart throb. He has to go to sea to earn money for them, so they can marry. Her husband makes her go to Naples, an English enclave. Here she meets the English Ambassador and his wife, Lady Hamilton.. The revolution of France comes about. Then Bonaparte becomes a menace..
I thought the descriptions were great. The characters were inviting and you could see the growth and changing attitudes of those characters especially Amanda and John. So much is going on, I have no idea how the author can keep all the facts straight. She has a well written, smooth moving and epic tale..

I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.

Historical fiction with a hint of romance, set in the early 1790s in England and Naples.

17-year-old Amanda is crushed when her childhood love John ships out to India the day after pledging his love. Beset by money problems, she bows to pressure and marries the aging, sadistic Lord Meynel. Soon thereafter, he whisks his young bride away to Naples, where they set up housekeeping. War with France has begun, and Naples is full of intrigue. When John Purvis reappears as an officer on one of Nelson's ships, Amanda is sure that he has come back for her. But nothing is as simple as it appears.

First published in 1996, and now available as an ebook, this is worth reading. But it is not a genre romance.