I received an Advance Readers Edition in the mail (thank you Harlequin books) !

The artwork of this cover is beautiful and you can easily "judge" it and know what kind of story you will be enjoying. Bryn Turnbull delivers a great "beach read" for the historical fiction lover. She takes us back a hundred years to the scandals of the rich and royal. We follow our protagonist (Thelma) between mansions, husbands,shopping, parties, lovers (including a Prince that never wants to grow up) and a custody battle for an American Princess.

An extremely easy read, with a consistent theme of loyalty (that really resonated with me). How does loyalty factor into marriage, family, children, siblings, friendships, country, countrymen/neighbors and lovers? Our characters learn (mostly the hard way ), where they can put their trust and love. ( )

I received an Advance Readers Edition in the mail (thank you Harlequin books) !

The artwork of this cover is beautiful and you can easily "judge" it and know what kind of story you will be enjoying. Bryn Turnbull delivers a great "beach read" for the historical fiction lover. She takes us back a hundred years to the scandals of the rich and royal. We follow our protagonist (Thelma) between mansions, husbands,shopping, parties, lovers (including a Prince that never wants to grow up) and a custody battle for an American Princess.

An extremely easy read, with a consistent theme of loyalty (that really resonated with me). How does loyalty factor into marriage, family, children, siblings, friendships, country, countrymen/neighbors and lovers? Our characters learn (mostly the hard way ), where they can put their trust and love. ( )

The woman before wallis
This is nteresting historical fiction story about Lady Thelma Furness who was the mistress of Prince Edward, the Prince of Wales. She was dumped by David for Wallis Simpson
Thelma and Gloria Morgan were twins. Their mother’s advice was to “Marry for money”. Gloria married Reggie Vanderbilt and Thelma married Junior Converse at 17. Neither marriage lasted long, Reggie died of cirrhosis and Thelma divorced Junior. Reggie left his estate to his daughter Gloria while her mother’s source of income was the interest from the estate.
Thelma married widower Viscount Duke Furness in 1926 and through his connections was introduced to the world of royalty. Through Furness she rubbed shoulders with royalty and attracted the attention of Edward (David). She became his mistress with her husband’s consent since he too was a philanderer.
Meanwhile, Gloria became embroiled in a sex scandal and a court case ensued over whether she should have custody of her daughter. While Thelma travelled to New York in 1934 to support her sister, she asked her friend Wallis Simpson to look after David. The rest is history.
This is not a flattering portrayal of the future king or his lifestyle. He is portrayed as a selfish, shallow, lazy, vain, playboy with no interest in the royal duties of his position He felt put out by his father’s demands to attend functions as a representative and preferred to repair and renovate his country estate Fort Belvedere. He claimed to love Thelma but he strayed very easily. ( )

Woman Before Wallis Bryn Turnbull
For readers of The Paris Wife or A Well Behaved Woman, a debut novel with historical accuracy and detail which enhances the enjoyment and ease of reading. Travel to early twentieth century Paris, the English countryside, and by necessity to New York and beyond to immerse yourself in the world of Lady Thelma Furness and her family and acquaintances. Discover how the daughter of an American diplomat marries the aristocratic Viscount Duke Furness and through him, meets Prince Edward (known to his inner circle as David); however, can she trust her friend Wallis to care for him while she journeys to New York to support her twin sister Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt in her notorious child custody battle? There are many intriguing and accurate subplots.

An intriguing and thought provoking read into the societal demands of the British noble and royal families and their circle in the early twentieth century. The relationships between Thelma and Gloria, and with the younger generation, adds depth, interest, and understanding of the period. The details of the homes, estates, and more add color to the book. The only hindrance for some readers will be the interweaving of the two plots and time periods on the opposite sides of the Atlantic but these drive the plots and the family dynamics. These twin plots are needed to understand. If you enjoy historical fiction, I highly recommend this book. The plot is well executed and the characters draw into their lives.

Discussion are included in the book or your contemplation or for group discussion. ( )

Everyone knows about Wallis Warfield Spensor, the woman who married the Prince of Wales and caused him to abdicate the throne of Britain, but how many people know about the woman who came before her, Lady Thelma Furness?

Thelma Furness was known as one of the "fabulous Morgan sisters" in her youth. Her twin sister, Gloria married Reggie Vanderbilt, gave birth to today's Gloria Vanderbilt (mother of Anderson Cooper) and became a widow at the age of 19.She then led a peripatetic life in New York, London and Paris, and finally lost custody of her daughter in s sensational custody suit that made headlines across the world.

Thelma also made an unfortunate first marriage, but rebounded to a much better man, Lord Marmaduke Furness, and gained entry to the British aristocracy, It was at one high-toned social event that she was introduced to the Prince of Wales and the rest was history.

Thelma may have lived a long life as the discreet mistress of the Prince, but she made one crucial mistake. When she was returning to New York to support her sister in her custody fight, she asked her friend, Wallis to, "Watch over the 'Little Man'" (The Prince). Wallis obliged - a little too well - and when Thelma returned to London, she found herself out in the cold and living the next 40 years of her life as a footnote to history.

This book was a quick read and a great gossipy read. ( )