Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth

Another stunning historic romance from the talented pen of Kate Forsyth.

We follow three women as they struggle to find love and security in times when women had no agency: the reign of King Louis XIV in Versailles and Renaissance Venice. At the heart of this complex book is a re-imaging of the Rapunzel fairy tale.

My handle on the history of France is sketchy, and I found the French names confusing at times. Reading this on the kindle did not make it any easier to keep up with all the characters. But I was engrossed by the details of life in the Court of the Sun King and how a woman’s position was precarious. On a man’s whim, a woman could find herself imprisoned in the Bastille, or sent to a nunnery to live out her remaining days.

Kate doesn’t shy away from explicit sex scenes – so be prepared for some steam! Her woman are three dimensional, yearning for love and a life-companion. And when they fall in love, they fall hard!

Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Gaby Meares
Murder on a Monday Reading Group