Princess Louise, sixth child of Queen Victoria, was called by her own mother, "indiscreet." Queen Victoria likely meant it in the sense that Louise was rash and bold, caring not for consequence. The rebellious Louise is the subject of Georgie Blalock's new novel, An Indiscreet Princess, and is based on several of the rumors surrounding Princess Louise's "unconventional" life.

Louise, tired of constantly living under her mother's thumb, wants to pursue her passion - art. When she makes a plea to the dismal, perpetually mourning Queen Victoria to allow her to attend the National Art School, Victoria finally relents. It is there that Louise falls in love with and begins a lifelong relationship with her sculpting instructor Joseph Edgar Boehm. However, it should be noted that there is no factual basis for Louise's relationship with Joseph - it is simply speculated since Louise was with Joseph at the time of his death. Therefore, nearly all of Blalock's novel is an assumption of how Louise's choices and actions throughout her life may have been influenced by the feelings that she held for Boehm.

Much of this book focuses on Louise's relationship with her mother, as well as those of her eight siblings. Louise and Victoria make quite the pair, with the rigid Queen constantly railing against the self-centered Louise's impetuousness and disrespect. Through this novel, I learned much about Victoria's life and personality after the death of her beloved husband, Albert, and I saw a completely different side to this much lauded monarch than I previously had known.

Since much of Blalock's novel is speculative, she inserts actual historical documents at the front of each chapter, tying the events of the story into the Royal Family's letters, newspaper articles, and more. I appreciated Blalock grounding some of An Indiscreet Princess in fact, as I personally read biographical fiction to serve as a jumping off point to learn more about intriguing people from history.

But speaking of intriguing, while An Indiscreet Princess is well-written, it is not entirely entertaining. Much of this book is a bore, and it failed to hold my attention. For a story about someone with as many rumors spread about her as Louise, I expected this novel to have some spice and scandal. Unfortunately, it is primarily about Louise pining after Boehm and pushing back against her mother. It also introduced far too many characters for me to keep track of them. It is one thing to introduce a slew of well-known characters, such as Queen Victoria, but Louise herself is not entirely well-known, nor were the people in her inner circle. To have so many characters introduced with little background provided on them was frustrating.

The story of Princess Louise is definitely an intriguing one - even by today's standards. In the era of her mother, Queen Victoria, her behavior and accomplishments were utterly unheard of. At first, I was a little confused with what was going on in the story, but quickly caught up. The writing was quick and witty and did the story well. For those that have an interest in Victorian era England and royalty would definitely enjoy this novel!

Princess Louise was Queen Victoria’s most scandalous daughter. Her indiscreet behavior shocked the Victorian era. She was famous for her many liaisons, her artwork, and her marriage to a commoner. An Indiscreet Princess tells the story of how Princess Louise strives to be an artist. She enrolls with an art school and falls in love with her teacher. However, Princess Louise must adhere to the expectations of a royal princess. Princess Louise must choose between love or duty.

I read this novel right after reading Heather B. Moore’s fabulous novel, In the Shadow of a Queen. I was excited to read it to get a different perspective on Princess Louise. This novel did not disappoint, and I read it in one sitting. An Indiscreet Princess focused on Princess Louise’s time in school and her ill-fated romance with her art teacher. Princess Louise was still a sympathetic character. She yearned for the freedom to pursue her passion for art and love. However, her mother found her profession and her suitor to be very unsuitable for a princess. Princess Louise was determined to live her life according to her own terms. I found Princess Louise to be a very strong woman and an engaging heroine. Thus, I enjoyed Mrs. Blalock’s version of Princess Louise.

Overall, this novel was about freedom, love, and duty. I found all the characters to be very complex. I like how Mrs. Blalock included Princess Louise’s letters into the story. The story was well-written, meticulously researched, and filled with vivid imagery. After reading In the Shadow of a Queen, I did wish that An Indiscreet Princess would begin with Princess Louise as a child instead of an adult. I also found the beginning to be very slow. Still, it was a very compelling and engaging read! This novel is a must read for royal fans! I recommend this novel for fans of I, Victoria, The Wild Princess, and A Most English Princess! An Indiscreet Princess is a delightful tribute to Princess Louise, Queen Victoria’s most enigmatic daughter!

A historical and cleverly-fictionalized look at the inner-life of a British Princess - Louise Caroline Alberta - born in 1848 as the sixth child of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert (deceased when this story begins) - an accomplished sculptor, patron of the arts, and yes, champion of love and freedom at a time when royalty, culture, and societal expectations allowed someone in her position anything but.

Princess Louise’s story, rich with longing for a life always just outside her grasp, is fascinating, providing a rarely-seen lens into the stultifying obligations held by royal progeny, perhaps all the more extreme under the somewhat malicious and always suffocating watch of widowed Queen Victoria (a woman whose amorous hypocrisy with her own commoner-manservant is more than hinted at between these pages).

As Louise grows from rebellious teen to young woman seeking fulfillment in both artistic and impassioned endeavors, her life at court seems to afford far more hurdles than helpmates - with politics, critics, and a slew of watchful and spite-fueled observers greeting her at home and in the public arena.

A woman of strength, intelligence and conviction, Louise’s journey is a fascinating one - a sweeping look at a personal battle fought in the name of liberalism, feminism, and love - much of it waged indirectly and increasingly with stealth (despite the books title).

An absorbing, tantalizing and even educational read (centering on a perhaps little-known historical figure), this book charmed me as it held my interest, deep into the evening, a perfect read (no spoilers here) for a snowy Canadian afternoon.

A great big thank you to Netgalley, the publisher for an ARC of this book. All thoughts provided are my own.

A talented sculptor and artist, Princess Louise is not satisfied serving as secretary to her mother, Queen Victoria, while awaiting an approved marriage. She persuades her mother to allow her to attend art school, where she meets friends, artists, and lovers, and hones her abilities. But her mother demands her presence at Balmoral, where she is equal parts repulsed by her mother's fawning over the drunken Mr. Brown and enthralled with Edgar Boehm, who is commissioned to sculpt the same Mr. Brown.

Eventually, Louise agrees to marriage, maintaining her private life. However, as the Queen suspects Louise's extracurricular activities, she ships Louise and her husband to Canada. A life-threatening accident sends Louise back to England, where she carves out a peace with her mother. Louise is a fascinating character. I confess I'm not much of an expert on Victoria and her children and could have used a family tree to help keep the characters straight. I love Georgie Blalock's work, but this particular book dragged until the very end. The backstory was just too long. Nonethless, fans of historical fiction and the British royals will enjoy this novel. #AnIndiscreetPrincess #NetGalley

I'm a fan of historical fiction, but haven't read much royal driven historical fiction so I was excited about this one about Queen Victoria's daughter, Princess Louise. It was fascinating to get a glimpse of what it might have been like to be Princess Louise, to be Queen Victoria's daughter while craving independence in order to pursue art and not bow down to the societal and royal norms of being a princess.

AN INDISCREET PRINCESS is a deeply personal look at Princess Louise’s life as she navigates love, her passion for art, and her desire for freedom beyond her mother’s reach. Blalock paints a beautifully complex and nuanced portrait of what it was like for the children of the crown during Queen Victoria’s reign.

When first encountering Princess Louise, I was instantly drawn to her. Maybe it is how the author steeped the narrative with art or how real this character felt throughout the book, but entering into her world was captivating. Through the ups and downs, the reader is given a glimpse into royal life. Louise is a rebel but is also a woman trying her best to balance her duty with her desires.

AN INDISCREET PRINCESS doesn’t lay bare the emotions brought out by the constant scrutiny from the public as well as expectations from family. This candid depiction of the Princess is one I will not soon forget.

Well before Princess Diana, Meghan Markle, and Wallis Simpson, there was another royal rebel – Lady Louise, daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. And what a rebel she was!

In the late 1800s it was Louise, an artist and sculptor, who was seen as quite rebellious. She took courses for the arts at a public school, talked back to the queen, and even had pre- and extra-marital affairs! Quite the scandal for the time.

I loved getting a look at one of the lesser-known (to-me) royal figures. I hope to learn about more of Queen Victoria’s offspring in the future.

In "An Indiscreet Princess" author Georgie Blalock gives us an insiders look at the life of Princess Louise, daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. It's a fascinating glimpse into the life of an unconventional Princess- one who chose to follow her passion for art despite her exalted social status, and who declined to marry a foreign prince, instead choosing to marry an English nobleman- pioneering a choice that's become the norm for royal families the world over. An engrossing novel about a rebel princess!

I've enjoyed Georgie Blalock's past books especially The Other Windsor Girl so was looking forward to reading about Princess Louise - Queen Victoria’s most rebellious and artistically talented daughter since I love learning more about the British Royal Family.

Unfortunately I never really got into this book. I both read and listened to this one and the audiobook was better for me but I think it's because I like the narrator Ann Marie Gideon. I was also annoyed there was no author's note and was hoping it was because I had an advanced copy but there also wasn't one on the audiobook either. Especially for a prominent figure I want an author's note to see where fictional aspects came in.

If you're a huge royal fan maybe you'll like this one but I was underwhelmed especially because Princess Louise led a fascinating life!

I love stories about royalty and while Princess Louise is an interesting subject, not much happened in this book. She spent most of it pining for the love she couldn't have and while I felt for her and the restrictions of her role as Queen Victoria's daughter, I wish there had been more focus on Louise's friendships and artistic achievements over her very boring relationship with her former instructor, Mr. Boehm. Maybe my expectations were too high or other royal stories have raised the bar but this story wasn't all that unique or engaging. I wish Louise had been more indiscreet or rebellious - it would have made for a much more enjoyable read.

Thanks to William Morrow for the copy to review.

I love how some of the other children of Queen Victoria are finally getting some love! Princess Louise was the embodiment of the middle child; she was the sixth out of nine children. One brother became a king (King Edward VII), one sister became an empress (German Empress Victoria), and another sister had two children that married into one of the most written about families in history (Princess Alice had two daughters who married into the Romanov family).
It can be argued that Princess Louise was the most outspoken and head strong of all of Queen Victoria's daughters. She possessed an exorbitant amount of artistic talent and fought to gain freedom from her oppressive mother. As she has been nurtured by her father to do so, Louise was a strong supporter of the arts and higher education.
Blalock's writing was enjoyable, as it provided vivid descriptions that didn't bog down the scene. While I believe that Blalock used a considerable amount of creative license in writing Louise's life story, I feel that in doing so she successfully embodied the passion and energy Louise had in comparison with her dour Queen mother.

I received a copy of this title via NetGalley.

An Indiscreet Princess
A Novel of Queen Victoria's Defiant Daughter
by Georgie Blalock
William Morrow, William Morrow Paperbacks
Pub Date: Sep 27

I fell headlong into Georgie Blalock's compelling histfic tale, AN INDISCREET PRINCESS. I can't imagine living the life of Princess Louise, fourth daughter of Britain's Queen Victoria, relegated to sit and watch as the Queen mourned her dead husband, Prince Consort Albert. The passionate and beautiful Louise longs to become an artist and live a free life outside this gilded cage.

Blessedly, she is able to attend the National Art Training School in London, 1868, where she learns to sculpt nudes and has an affair with her married professor, Joseph Edgar Boehm. But she knows she must eventually marry, and when possible matches with foreign royalty are discussed, Louise chooses an Englishman, the Duke of Argyll, instead.

Louise is drawn by Blalock in elegant literary strokes. I felt great compassion for her and was fully swept into her unconventional life by the author's deftly written narrative. Highly recommended for readers who adore histfic tales that reveal intriguing royal backstories.

Thanks to the author, William Morrow, William Morrow Paperbacks, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.

#AnIndiscreetPrincess #GeorgieBlalock #WilliamMorrow #NetGalley #histficnovel #womensfictionnovel #PrincessLouise #fourthdaughterqueenvictoria #bookstagramcommunity

When I was approved for An Indiscreet Princess and also received a hard copy from the publisher, I was overjoyed. I inhale anything about Queen Victoria and her children.
Princess Louisa, fourth daughter was feisty and a firebrand. Born in 1848, she was infused with the rebelliousness of that revolutionary year. An artist and free spirit she chafed at her royal shackles.
Blalock effortlessly captured the personalities of the queen, Louisa, and her siblings. One really understands the constraints Victoria placed on her daughter and her haughty expectations by reading this novel.
Blalock demonstrated the avenues Louise explored and her attempts to love and love on her terms.
One scene of indiscretion was quite humorous. I liked how each chapter began with a excerpts from actual letters or newspaper clippings.
This book celebrates the vivacity of Princess Louise and makes it easy for modern readers to identify with her relationship with a difficult mother and the responsibilities of being royal.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.

Queen Victoria had many children, and while her son and successor Edward VII’s philandering is well-known, and others might be mentioned in passing due to their parental connections to other major figures in history, Louise stands out by being the one who did not make a foreign royal marriage, nor did she have children to further serve as chess pieces in her mother’s grand matrimonial scheme. However, as An Indiscreet Princess explores, she had a fascinating life in her own right, in spite of the confines of Royal life, which would eventually pave the way for other Royal rebel princesses, like another British royal who Blalock wrote about, Princess Margaret.

I love the way Blalock captures the complex family dynamics between the Royals at the time. It’s common knowledge that Victoria mourned for Albert deeply after his 1861 death, and she also had somewhat dysfunctional relationships with her children (echoing the dynamic she had with her own mother), and we get that here. But there’s also a sense of humanity there, so it doesn’t feel like Victoria is this unfeeling parent, especially as she and Louise actually share a lot in common.

Louise is a compelling protagonist, and I appreciate how the stakes of her situation are depicted. I was surprised she was allowed to pursue art so seriously, and whatever the truth of her relationship with her teacher Edgar Boehm was, the illicitness of their relationship in the book helps to illustrate that, no matter how she tries to pretend, she is still restricted by the circumstances of her birth. And while she seems to have been able to compromise on marriage by marrying an English nobleman instead of a foreign prince, they too deal with issues, including the fact that she is unable to have children.

Ultimately, I appreciated how the narrative explored how Louise negotiated these different obstacles in her life to carve a niche of her own, as an artist and a person. If you’re a fan of historical fiction about the British Royal Family, I recommend picking this one up.

This book was interesting and very well-written. I would likely want to read more from this author and will recommend this to friends. This was a very interesting look at Princess Louise. I found it greatly entertaining and I will be adding this to my list of favorite royal family fiction.

In this novel, an artistically talented princess navigates carving out her own independence, cultivating her work, and managing her royal obligations.

I had high hopes for this book but was sadly disappointed. There is little to the plot besides the heartsick longing of a princess. Which is too bad because Ms. Blalock did a fantastic job of making Princess Louise a well rounded and vivid character but gave her little to do but pine over Mr. Boehm. I wanted her to find more fulfillment in her artistic achievements rather than her affair with another sculptor. In fact the best scenes were with Sybil, Bertie, and Smack. Her friendships simply jumped off the page in a way that the others didn't. I'd read a whole book about the Prince of Wales and his adventures.

The scenes were drawn wonderfully as well, although I kept getting hung up on so many people being described as drunkards. Princess Louise seemed put off by people enjoying any type of alcohol. Was this true to the real Princess Louise? Was this a general sentiment leading up to the temperance movement? Regardless, I found it rather distracting.

I love historical fiction and have loved Georgie Blalock's other books and this was one was just as good. I loved learning more about Princess Louise and what she went through in her life. I loved learning that she was such a rebel.!

Great Britain During Queen Victoria's Reign

Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, Queen Victoria's fourth daughter, aches to escape the boring, bleak existence of Windsor Castle where her mother expects obedience to her, and her alone. After the death of Prince Albert, the queen's mourning engulfed her, and wearing black, avoiding the public, and demanding her children to follow suit has, even years after the prince's death, made for a dull life for all within the walls of the castle. For Princess Louise, it is a prison. Lively, pretty, and artistic, Louise is determined to pursue a lifestyle that is less royal, and much more free. But the queen has no intention of giving any of her children that opportunity.

When Queen Victoria sends Princess Louise to represent her when Parliament opens, the doors seem to open a bit for Louise to venture further. With the assistance of her art tutor, as well as some of her family members, Louise is allowed to enroll in the National Art Training School, an establishment that Prince Albert founded. She is determined not to allow her royal position to interfere, and makes friends with some of the students. The school is where she meets Joseph Edgar Boehm, the sculptor, and she falls in love with him.

Life for a royal princess requires trust in one's closest friends, as well as the ability to hide one's emotions. With the help of her close friend, Sybil, who accompanies her about London, Louise is able to spend time with Edgar, while still completing her royal duties. She is also able to promote Edgar's talent by getting the queen to appreciate his works. But how long can this last? The queen wants Louise to marry.

Eventually Princess Louise marries the Marquess of Lorne, a Scottish commoner, and he is appointed Governor General of Canada, much to Louise's horror. Being separated not only from Edgar, but her artist friends is devastating. But her royal upbringing, and her ability to deal with the public put her in a great light with the Canadian people. It's only after a terrible accident that Louise returns to England, and, upon her recovery, she sets out to live her life free of her mother's control.

Each chapter of AN INDISCREET PRINCESS begins with actual letters, newspaper articles, or notes from the queen, and others. Beautifully researched, the author has brought to life a woman of talent, intelligence, as well as compassion who lived through a stifling, but an enlightening era. Princess Louise was outspoken, but only when necessary, and she was one of the few of Victoria's children able to stand up to her domineering mother. An excellent read, don't miss AN INDISCREET PRINCESS.

Review:
An Indiscreet Princess, a story of Princess Louise, begins in 1868 and ends in 1887. Louise is headstrong and knows what she wants; she doesn’t bow down to her mother or convention. Instead, she fights for the right to attend the National Art Training School, to maintain friendships with fellow artists, to have a relationship with her professor, to later marry a commoner of her choosing, and to live the life SHE wants rather than the life her mother wants for her. Turns out, Princess Louise, in her ‘stubbornness,’ is more like her mother than either of them realize.

I liked how the author chose to focus primarily on one aspect of Louise’s life - her as an artist - and how the rest of her actions and life played into that. I also liked how, at the beginning of each chapter, there were excerpts from personal letters and publications which set the scene for the events that follow.

Thoughts:
~ I enjoyed reading about Princess Louise and learning a bit about her life as an artist. I had no idea she was a sculptress.
~I’m curious as to why the author chose the word ‘indiscreet’ to describe the Princess; I’m not sure I agree with it.
~When the book is published I’ll be curious to read the Author’s Note to learn more about her research. I wish this had been included in the ARC as I’m interested to know more about what is fact versus fiction, particularly in regards to her relationship with Boehm since it took up so much of this story. I look forward to reading this when the book is published.