Victorian London is pretty much an automatic read for me and so obviously I loved the setting, but this book was so richly imagined overall and the characters were really well-drawn. Excellent historical women's fiction.

I enjoyed this book immensely. Belle was a woman born way out of her time. She was a talented,, sassy, independent woman who loved men but didn't let them take advantage of her.. She made one mistake with her first love, a lying good for nothing who left her with a son and no support. But she struggled on with her successful career as a sister duo dancing with her sister Flo and supported herself and the baby too. Later she truly fell in love with a younger Irish aristocrat who although he loved her very much in return was a bit hogtied to his powerful father's money and prestige which caused the couple a lot of tension and tears. But gladly all turned out well in the end and they married and returned to the ancestral home in Ireland to raise a lovely family. Based mostly on a true story, I thank Net Galley and the wonderful publisher for letting me read this book.

Becoming Belle is a captivating quick read. An amazing peek into Victorian era life! Historical fiction fans will love this one!

This was a really good book and I enjoyed it immensely. It brought all of my favorite things together in one book!

Many thanks go to Nuala O'Connor, GP Putnam, and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my unbiased review. Why do so many young ladies in novels dream of being dancers and going on stage? If this weren't based on a true story, I'd have said,"not again." But it is, so I didn't. Belle sure did have some hard luck though. <br />Nothing novel about this novel, wonder if this is the true story that every other story is based on. I just couldn't get overly excited about it. And Belle wasn't likable. At All. O'Connor worked with what she had. It just wasn't a great story.

This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2018. However, it proved to be a massive disappointment. I have been intrigued by Belle Bolton because she lived a fascinating life and was the inspiration of Becky Sharpe. However, Belle is very unlivable. She is very vain. I could not sympathize with her. The story itself was very slow. It had many tedious and repetitive love scenes. I recommend this for fans of Alyssia Palombo, Sherry Jones, and Nicole Evelina. However, I have to look elsewhere for a better novel on Belle.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

Isabel Bilton grew up in an army town, the oldest of 3 daughters. She has always dreamed of becoming a dancer in London, and now she is making that dream a reality. She loves dancing at the Empire Theater in the evenings and then socializing at the Corinthians Club at night. When Belle meets William Dunlo, the two fall quickly in love and decide to marry. Williams dad, 4th earl of Clancarty, disapproves and will do everything in his power to keep the two apart.

I just could not get into this book. I did not particularly find any of the characters likable, and thus, I didn't care what happened to them.

I had high hopes for this one but I JSU couldn’t finish it . I couldn’t connect with Isabel. I found it repetitive at times .

As a thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced readers copy. I shall give an honest review of this novel. Based on a true story, Becoming Belle was exactly the novel I needed during Victober as it not only was set in the Victorian era, but told the experience of a woman who was ahead of her time. I enjoy Victorian novels, and those with a female protagonist whose goals, and beliefs were not to her time ex. relationships, class-structure, gender equality. The novel tells the story of Isabel Bilton, the eldest of three daughters from a middle-class military family. The novel follows her experience living in a provincial town to her rise as a bohemian actor living in London. This rags to riches story invokes the romantic aspect to what many consider Victorian and creates a meta-environment in which we the reader may associate in their world a la authors, plays, etc. As many rags to riches story this tale examines a Victorian woman’s ambition and her experience despite gender, socio-political differences to create the world around her by her choice in the matter. The authors prose was comfortable , easy to follow and delightfully intriguing. I finished this book in four days using my kindle, and audiobook from my local library as a guide. The novel was interesting and was pleased to learn it was based on a true story. I am intrigued to learn more about Isabel Bilton after learning her experience in Becoming Belle and look forward to sharing this book with friends and family. I recommend this book to those who enjoy Victorian literature, rags to riches stories, and show the merit of what strong women can do despite which era you live in. I gave this novel four out of five stars on good reads.

DNF at 56%

I tried I truly did, but I just couldn't. I might come back to it. but life is too short to read books that aren't doing it for you.
It felt too modern for a historical fiction for me, and Belle was way made out to be way too silly girl for my liking. I haven't been able to find much information about the real Isabel Bilton so I can't say how correct any of it was, but what I read I couldn't wrap my head around, nor could I connect to any of the characters.

*I normally don't rate DNF, but can't post without giving it a star.

It wasn't good, it wasn't bad. It was just eh. It didn't grab me until the last 1/4 of the book and even that wasn't a "I can't put it down." I'm by no means a prude, but the sex scenes just seemed out of place.

Belle is quite an interesting character. At times she's incredibly naive, and yet shrewd and determined when it comes to advancing her career. The author transports the reader by artfully depicting the era. The only reason I gave 3 stars, is because Belle's intimate life is described far more explicitly than I liked. If there had been more left to my imagination, I could have rated this a 4 or 5. Since this was based on a true person, I really appreciated the author's notes and thorough research to give us the rest of the story on this complex woman.

I’m a devotee of historical fiction, and I expected to enjoy “Becoming Belle”. I was disappointed in several ways. I never connected with the character, in fact, I admired Belle’s sister Flo far more than Belle. The historical background was understated and at times confusing. The language was overblown and would have benefited from a good paring down. I finished the book, but only because I had committed to it, and I did have a bit of curiosity about what would happen.

Interesting to read this book, as it is based on actual people and events during the late 1800s in England. Belle was an independent, strong woman, ahead of her time who made a name for herself in the Victorian era. Although surrounded by adversity, she held her head high and fought for what she wanted in life. I’d give this 3.5 stars.

This is a great fictional story about Belle Bilton, the Countess of Clancarty. Belle who started her life as Isabel, was a woman ahead of her time. At the tender age of 19, she left home to go to London to follow her heart's passion to sing, dance and act on the stage. This was highly unusual in 1887 and frowned upon by the upper classes but she defies the accepted precepts and goes on to a very successful career. Being very guileless, she falls for a scoundrel, who leaves her with a child. With help from friends, she bounces back and meets the man of her dreams, only to lose him because of his overbearing father. This is the story of these turbulent years as she deals with all life throws at her in unconventional ways.

This story's major storyline is approximately 4 years, from the time Belle left home until the end of her court case that persecuted her for adultery. During this time, her character is shown to have a strong independent streak. She strongly maintains and undertakes to prove her innocence. The author uses her story telling skills to illustrate Belle's character and to bring depth to the story. This tale is fast moving, not over burdened by details and keeps you reading to the end.

I enjoyed this book immensely. All the women in the novel are strong in their own way during a period in history when this is not thought of as an attractive feature. You want to keep reading to discover if Belle wins the case and her love. This novel deals with adult themes and although handled delicately, I would not recommend it for young readers.

Linda Zagon's review Jul 29, 2018 · edit
really liked it

My Review of “Becoming Belle” by Nuala O’Connor. G.P.Putnam’s Sons August 2018

Nuala O’Connor, Author of “Becoming Belle” has written an enthralling and captivating novel about ambition, love, passion and making dreams come true. The Genres of this story are Historical Fiction and Fiction.This also also is a story of a feminist way ahead of her time, and a Bohemian way of acting and living. The timeline of the story is around 1887 in London, and other areas. The story goes to the past only when it pertains to the characters or events in the story.

The author describes her colorful cast of characters as complicated and complex , possibly due to the circumstances and the time. The main character is based on Isabel Bilton, who is 19 years old when she comes to London to be an entertainer. Isabel is the oldest of three sisters, and has the need to escape her mother’s oppression, and find her way. Soon after, her sister Flo comes and joins her and both become part of a dancing and singing act. The two sisters are extremely popular at The Empress Club and The Corinthian Club, where high society visits.

At this time, Isabel changes her name to Belle. Belle has a certain innocence and naivety about her. Belle seems to prefer the friendship of men to women. Unfortunately Belle is betrayed and left with dire consequences. With the help of Flo and a wealthy friend, Belle lands on her feet. Belle is determined to find true love.Belle makes sure she is able to provide for herself, and becomes determined to do well.

In 1891, Belle has become a countess. Along the way, the press attacks her, people betray her, and she finds herself in a trial, fighting for her reputation.
I would recommend this entertaining Historical Novel for those readers that enjoy reading about a Bohemian lifestyle and feminism in this time period. Happy Reading!!

Becoming Elle is a slow read. It's about a woman who became a stage performer in London in the 1880s. She had liaisons with different men. Frankly, I question the reason this book was even written. It meandered quite frequently, which didn't add to the essence of the story. It just wasn't to my liking.

I had high expectations for Becoming Belle, maybe because I had heard that Belle Bilton was a charismatic, intriguing woman, and I have to say, they fell a little short. This book is fast paced and entertaining, but I couldn't connect very well to Belle, who came across as a bit bratty. That being said, I raced through this, so it is not a boring read at all. maybe it was a matter of wring timing for this book and me. All in all, not quite what I was expecting, but certainly worth a read.

This is a historical fiction novel. It encompasses the life of Isabel Maude Pernice Bilton. She grew up with a military father and a mother who was extremely spoiled. She had two sisters, Flo, and Violet. She was very close to her Sister Flo. When she decides to leave for the big city of London, her father helps her with expenses until she finds a job. She is a talented dancer, singer, performer and is home if front of an audience. She has her sister Flo come with her to London and together become a part of the show as the Sisters Bilton. She wanted an exciting life and this book portrays just that. It was enjoyable to read a story of such a strong woman, ahead of her time. At times innocent, at other times rather sophisticated. Great read!

Belle certainly lived a full life, even though she had sort of a rough home life. I felt that her mother was jealous of her in some aspects. Also, I felt for her when the "Baron" left her pregnant and alone. Issy seemed a bit naive at times. But she also seemed to have pulled herself up by her bootstraps. And along the way she wound up becoming a countess. Not bad for an army brat. I've never heard of her until reading this book. however, It was an interesting story. I voluntarily read this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.