Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this.

To be honest, I found this an average read, as it did not seem to hook me in as it did with other readers.

While the synopsis was very intriguing, and the concept of the book was interesting, this was just unfortunately not my cup of tea. But that won't stop me from still encouraging people to read this, as it may suite them more then it did me.

My rating:

Plot: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Writing: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Character development: 3.5out of 5 stars
Overall: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Recommended for readers of:

Historical Fiction



Review:

This is a story full of intrigue and glamour. It tells the story of Cleo Davenport, A strong women who is determent to find out who her parents are. There have always been rumours that she may have royal blood. She is also determined to forge her own path in life and longs to be a jewelry designer rather than being some ones wife. The Characters are interesting and described in great detail which made them interesting and realistic.

Determined to unlock the truth about her past, Cleo Davenport travels from London, then Cairo, and then Paris, where her investigations take a shocking turn into the world of the Parisian demi-monde, and a high-class courtesan whose scandalous affair with the young Prince of Wales threatened to bring down the British monarchy long before anyone had heard of Wallis Simpson. Shepheard's Hotel was the leading hotel in Cairo and one of the most celebrated hotels in the world from the middle of the 19th century until its destruction in 1952 during the Cairo Fire.
The hotel was originally established in 1841 by Samuel Shepheard under the name "Hotel des Anglais" (English Hotel) and was later renamed "Shepheard's Hotel." Shepheard's Hotel was famed for its grandeur, for its guests, and as a base for the military.Marguerite Marie Alibert (9 December 1890–2 January 1971),aka Maggie Meller, Marguerite Laurent, and Princess Fahmy,was a French socialite. She started her career as a prostitute and later courtesan in Paris.After her marriage to Egyptian aristocrat Ali Kamel Fahmy Bey, she was frequently called princess by the media.In 1923, she killed her husband at the Savoy Hotel in London. She was eventually acquitted of the murder charge after a trial at the Old Bailey,though she failed in claiming his property.She had a teenage pregnancy.In the following years, Alibert led a nomadic life until she met Mme Denant, who ran a Maison de Rendezvous, a brothel catering to a high society clientele. Under the tutelage of Denant, Alibert became a courtesan.Alibert met Edward, Prince of Wales, in April 1917 at the Hôtel de Crillon in Paris. At the time, Edward was in France as an officer of the Grenadier Guards in the Western Front during WWI.After her death, the few remaining letters from Edward (if these existed), which she had kept as insurance, were found and destroyed.Cascais is a town and municipality in the Lisbon District, located on the Portuguese Riviera.Due to Portugal's neutrality in World War II and the town's elegance and royal past, Cascais became home to many of the exiled royal families of Europe,including Edward VIII,Duke of Windsor.

3.5 stars

Wells did a good job weaving actual historical facts, real people, and widespread rumours with fictional characters to create conspiracy and intrigue. Where she fell a little short was pacing to maintain interest and detail to flesh out these ideas.

I admired Cleo’s determination to be independent and follow her dreams. It’s not foolhardy or impractical - she has a real talent and pursues her goals with logic and impressive foresight. She declines funding from those who may have ulterior motives, makes her feelings clear even if they may be unpopular, and her perseverance gets her meetings with the right people and proves her interest. She even turns down what she may want most in the world to be truly independent.

Cleo’s determination to find her biological parents was a little less believable. Her desire ebbs and flows depending on convenience, and the matter only seems to arise when it can’t be avoided without explanation. Considering how much effort, planning, and research is put into starting her own business, very little is put into examining whether there is any truth behind the facts she discovers. Everyone else does this work for her, and she just stumbles into discoveries with little effort.

Some may enjoy a meandering plot, but it makes me feel sleepy and uninformed. Wells did not delve into any details; we just followed Cleo on her path from Cairo to Paris to England to Paris to England to Paris to England to… you get the picture. There may have been some Scottish interludes and returns to Cairo, but at this point, I can’t be sure. If we spent too much time in one place, Cleo’s complete lack of intimate relationships would become apparent and distract from this romantic vision of two childhood friends separated by class and wealth and forced apart. Instead, Cleo collects and discards acquaintances based on her current location, and she and Brodie seem to know exactly what the other is thinking despite never vocalising anything. They may have grown up together, but they spend so many years apart and barely speaking that their love story becomes less believable as more time passes.

An enjoyable read, The Royal Windsor Secret never quite became great, but it was a fun traipse through history and rumour.

I haven’t read any books by Christine Wells before, but I enjoyed this one so much that I will definitely read her others. A charming heroine, exotic settings, and interesting characters, including the Duke of Windsor help to make this a lovely story. When it begins, Cleo is being raised at the famous Shepheard Hotel in Cairo with her Aunt Serafina. She is keen on Brodie, a fellow orphan. When Cleo hears rumours that the Duke of Windsor may be her father, she becomes determined to find out the truth.

The story takes us from Cairo to London and Paris, as Cleo tries to find out more, and The Second World War tears her and Brodie’s lives apart. It’s a real saga as Cleo actually meets the Duke and Duchess, struggles through the war years, and starts her jewellery business. But will she ever find love with her childhood crush, Brodie…?

I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

The Royal Windsor Secret was the first book by Christine Wells that I have read. I enjoy historical fiction as you always learn something even though it is fiction. This tells the story of Cleo who was left on the doorstep as a baby and raised by a family. She lives quite a charmed life and eventually wants to know who her parents were. This leads to multiple countries and she is convinced that she is the illegitimate daughter of the Prince of Wales.
This was a little disjointed for me and jumped around quite a bit with the various characters, hard to get invested in Cleo's story in parts. I did enjoy the part about the Prince of Wales and Wallis Simpson though, it showed how selfish they both were and how the Prince of Wales was actually quite a weak man as he had to indulge Wallis constantly to keep her happy.
Thanks go to Harlequin Australia for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

An thoroughly enjoyable read combining fact and fiction. Well written, I enjoyed the various setting and fabulous characters which included kings, consorts and bell hops.

Cleo was desperate to find her roots, could she be the daughter of the Prince of Wales? Her story starts in Cairo and we are then transported to London and Paris. Her love of jewels and jewellery designing was developed well and I enjoyed this part of her story.

If you enjoy historical fiction, this a book for you.

Let me start by saying that historic fiction is not usually a genre I seek out - this was offered to me by the publisher to review, and on seeing the cover title, and blurb, I was hooked!

I love historic fiction set in British India, but other than that, historic fiction doesn't really interest me. Particularly British history that I find a little, well, stuffy, or hoity toity. However, with the recent passing of Queen Elizabeth, the coronation of King Charles, the real life drama that is Meaghan & Prince Harry, and my unprecedented bingeing of The Crown, this book was a must read. And boy am I glad I did!

I have seen a number of Christine Wells titles but never picked one up. Her writing style is great, the characters well developed (with a strong female lead), and in this case, had me turning pages and not wanting to put the book down. Even though this novel is set 100 years ago, the language is thankfully modern and much more enjoyable (to me at least).

Whilst I rated this 5 stars, it was really a 4.5, but considering at the time of writing this review, the rating was 3.8, I thought it worthy of the extra half star than not.

What a likeable girl-next-door type Cleo Davenport is. The novel is centred around Cleo’s non-conventional upbringing, starting in Cairo, Egypt where 16yo Cleo grew up in a luxurious and somewhat eccentric hotel with her very proper Aunt. Despite growing up in Egypt, Cleo identifies as a Brit despite never really knowing about her parentage.

Determined to understand more about her origins, Cleo subtly begins to question those closest to her, but not her cold adoptive ‘Aunt Serafina’.

This beautifully flowing novel sees the fiercely independent and likeable Cleo come of age. Cleo follows her dreams, and her heart and her head, living in Paris and London, and back to Cairo through two world wars. All this time, Cleo is looking for answers from those closest to her …… everyone from her childhood friend, to confidant and crush Brodie, well-connected aristocratic aunt and uncle, to Parisian family friends, to staff at the hotel where she was raised. Could she be the daughter of the Prince of Wales? Read it to find out!

Suitable for readers who enjoy historical fiction, mysteries, the British Royal family and romance.

Thank you to the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in return for my honest review.

Now off to shortlist some more Christine Wells titles!

Reviewing: The Royal Windsor Secret
Author: Christine Wells
Format: e-Book
ARC: Netgalley
My final star rating for this beautiful e-book experience is
Rating: 4 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Christine Wells has astounded me with her literary prowess in "The Royal Windsor Secret." This was my first foray into her world of historical fiction, and I must admit I was fortunate to have received an ARC from NetGalley. From the very first page, I was captivated, and my fascination never waned throughout this sixth novel by the author.

Wells takes us on an adventure spanning from 1935 to the 1950s, with stops in iconic cities like Paris, London, Lisbon, and the enchanting land of Egypt, where our story unfurls. "The Royal Windsor Secret" is a dual point-of-view historical fiction masterpiece, weaving the narratives of two remarkable women, Cleo Davenport and the enigmatic French courtesan, Marguerite Miller.

Cleo's journey begins in the opulent surroundings of Shepheard's Hotel in Cairo, under the care of her guardian, Serafina. Her childhood is intertwined with adventures alongside her friend Brodie, another orphan, as they explore the wonders of Egypt. Cleo's past is shrouded in mystery, with whispers suggesting her lineage ties her to none other than the Prince of Wales, earning her the nickname "The Princess."

The arrival of Lord and Lady Grayson marks a significant turning point in Cleo's life. They believe it's time for her to make her societal debut in England and for Brodie to pursue his education. Cleo becomes consumed by the desire to uncover the truth behind the rumours. As she departs for London and Paris, she acquires clues that could potentially unveil her parentage.

During her stay in Paris, Cleo diligently pursues the leads she's collected. Her visit to the Cartier showroom not only fuels her passion for jewellery but also sparks dreams of establishing her own business. While Cleo and Marguerite's stories form the narrative's core, Wells masterfully introduces a rich ensemble of characters, including Brodie, Lord and Lady Grayson, and even the intriguing royal figures King Edward III and Wallis Simpson.

Wells skillfully melds fact and fiction in "The Royal Windsor Secret." While the Graysons, Cleo, Brodie, and Serafina, are products of her creative imagination, they are inspired by real-life individuals and events. The inclusion of historical figures like King Edward III and Wallis Simpson adds authenticity to the tale, with Wells ingeniously blending factual elements with her fictional narrative.

In conclusion, "The Royal Windsor Secret" is a spellbinding journey of discovery, ambition, love, loss, and acceptance. Through the turbulent backdrop of Egypt, London, Paris, Portugal, and Scotland during a period of profound uncertainty, Christine Wells seamlessly intertwines historical facts with her vivid imagination. I eagerly anticipate more literary gems from this author, for "The Royal Windsor Secret" is an absolute must-read for historical fiction enthusiasts.

Disclaimer: I received a digital copy of "The Royal Windsor Secret" by Christine Wells from HarperCollins Publishers Australia and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Royal Windsor Secret is another great addition to Christine’s growing list of historical fiction titles. Two timelines, set between 1935 and 1952, follow the early life of Marguerite and her possible daughter Cleo. The main thread of the book aims to discover who exactly Cleo’s parents are.
‘….why did she still feel like there was a deep fissure inside her, one that could only be filled with the love of her real parents?’
Cleo was abandoned on the steps of a luxury hotel in Cairo and grew up with the rumor that her mother had an affair with the Duke of Windsor. With a story sweeping from Egypt, Portugal, France, and British Isles, Cleo pursues all means possible to uncover who her biological parents were. Wrapped around this are a variety of characters and accompanying storylines ranging from WWII, the Duke’s abdication, the role of women and Cleo’s passion for making jewelry.
‘…sooner or later, everyone who was anyone - from Mark Twain and Noël Coward to royalty of every nation - came to tea on the terrace at Shepheard’s.’
Christine states that she was inspired by events such as the luxurious Shepheard’s Hotel in Cairo and also the drama surrounding Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson with a particular focus on their time in Portugal during the Second World War. There is also a focus on French courtesan Marguerite Meller and this is one plot line to which I felt was more deserving of more time. Finally, there was a strong focus on high end jewelry and some of Cartier history. Then, finally, a small reference to some military units from WWII. With lots of characters and many plot lines there was no one angle that grabbed me fully. This felt like a lighter version of historical fiction with some interesting inclusions of interest but too many to have one particular appeal.

“I don’t know about all that, but if you ask me, the fellow doesn’t seem to want to be King.”
Whilst the main focus of the novel is Cloe's quest for identity, Christine takes a range of threads and possible scenarios to form an interesting story that covers both intriguing topics and locations. Historical fiction lovers are sure to find something to capture their attention.







This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

I thoroughly adored this story by Christine Wells. We first meet 16 year old Cleo, an orphan living in Cairo Egypt, at the famous Shepheard Hotel, and exotic setting for this novel. Cleo lives with her ‘adopted’ aunt Serafina, and rumours have been swirling for years that Cleo is in fact daughter of Prince and later King Edward VIII who abdicated from the royal throne to marry actress Wallis Simpson. This leads to Cleo’s quest to find out the truth to her parentage and where she really belongs. Cleo travels to Paris and London to make her ‘debut’ to society under the guidance of her ‘aunt’ and ‘uncle’, Lord and Lady Grayson. Whilst in Paris, she is introduced to notable designers from Cartier house, and further develops her love of designing jewellery.

Lots of plot twists keep the pages turning through love, war, and family secrets as we hope that Cleo can discover her real parents. Throughout, she never gives up on her dream to be a fashion jewellery designer, and start her own business in a male dominated world.

The exotic locations and descriptions of the cities of Paris, London, Lisbon and Cairo take us on a wonderful visual journey by the author, as do the times of pre-war high society and descriptions of the clothing and jewellery. The inclusion of real life people including the Duke and Dutchess of Windsor and the character inspired by Marguerite Alibert or Maggie Meller, the French socialite and Courtesan to Prince Edward during the Great War, added to the fascination of this fictional tale.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins Australia for providing me with an early digital copy to read and review.

Cleo Davenport’s life changed once she turned 17 in the 1930s and she was sent from her childhood home in Cairo to make her debut in London society. She was told she was an orphan but rumours persisted that the Prince of Wales (later crowned as King Edward VIII in 1936 until he abdicated) was her father.

She was determined to discover whether this was true and the story twists and turns as Cleo travels between England, Cairo and Paris. A passion for jewellery design and a determination to work for Cartier provides another stream to Cleo’s story.

This story wasn’t for me, mainly because the pomp and pretences of English society are anathema to me. However, it was a readable, light piece of fun.

Thanks to HarperCollins Publishers Australia and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy in return for an honest review.

This is a multilayer complex story with many glorious parts. There are jewels, the former king and Wallis Simpson, the war, courtesans, family secrets, exotic locations including Egypt with a strong and formidable female character and overall a delicious love story. Loved it

Cleo Davenport grew up at the Shepheard’s Hotel in Cairo, Egypt, she’s been looked after by her guardian Serafina, she’s heard rumours her father is the Prince of Wales and people refer to her as “The Princess.” Cleo and her friend Brodie, have a great time riding horses in the desert and visiting the zoo and have no idea what the future holds for them.

An opportunity presents itself a year later for the orphans to travel to England with Lord and Lady Grayson. The journey by sea gives them time to learn their manners, brush up on their social skills and make sure they use the right cutlery. Both Serafina and her sister Lady Grayson think Cleo needs to make her debut, her clothes has aren’t up to scratch, once she arrives in London and Lady Grayson takes her to Paris to get a whole new wardrobe.

Cleo visits the Cartier showroom while in the city of lights, she dreams of designing jewellery and working for the master. Cleo want's to solve the mystery surrounding her parentage, she has some information, and she contacts the woman she thinks is her mother and she has a very checkered past! Cleo travels back to London, she can't just walk up to the Prince of Wales and ask him if he's her father, when he's crowned the King of England, he marries divorcee Wallis Simpson, he has no choice but to abdicate and his new royal title is the Duke of Windsor.

Chloe goes back to Paris, when the German's invade Poland it becomes too dangerous for her to stay, she returns to London, Chloe joins the FANY’s and she’s sent to Lisbon. Here, Chloe hears talk about the Duke of Windsor and Wallis Simpson being on the Germans side and he's the new British Governor of the Bahamas. Chloe worries about Brodie who's joined Scots Guards, she feels very confused about her feelings for her childhood best friend and why is her life always so complicated?

I received a digital copy of The Royal Windsor Secret by Christine Wells from HarperCollins Publishers Australia and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Using the well known theory the Prince of Wales had a relationship with a high class French courtesan during The Great War and she's one of the many women before Wallis Simpson and who knows what skeletons he possibly had hidden in his closest?

The reader is taken on an historical fiction journey and one that you won’t forget in Ms. Well’s latest engrossing and well written narrative. It’s full of interesting details about Cairo, London, Paris and Lisbon and the iconic Shepheard's Hotel and it's famous guests, the intricacies of jewellery design and how it’s made. A story brimming with intrigue, secrets, greed, lies, schemes and I'm not sure who I disliked more Wallis Simpson or French courtesan Marguerite Miller and five stars from me.

A fictional woman slotted into situational events of real people, such a beautiful and interesting take on historical events. Cleo was a riveting and industrious character, who thankfully never gave into societal pressures and is an inspiration to everyone. I loved reading the events and history that was twisted into fiction through the eyes of Cleo.

The writing of this novel was exceptional and chapters didn't overstay their welcome. It felt as if all the important information was shown as needed, however I did feel this left the chapters stopping and starting abruptly. That being said, Christine does an amazing job of telling this story through the perspectives of multiple people over different timeframes. This can get very confusing for some, and it was well executed.

I did feel as though I needed a French dictionary to fully comprehend what is exactly being talked about sometimes within this novel. The spoken language/phrases weren't so much of an issue, it was the description of items being talked about. I don't know how many people would have a decent understanding of French fashion and what the pieces are called, but I found myself bringing up Google more often that I should have to know what the characters were talking about.

Overall this novel was a great mash up of historical fiction, real historical people, romance and mystery that I would recommend. I appreciated the characters and their places within the world and enjoyed the fictional take on the real people depicted in this novel and their interactions with Cleo. All this while subtly highlighting the privilege some people experienced, and bringing people's eyes towards a real woman who no doubt got away with Murder.

A fascinating dual timeline story told through the eyes of two women, The Royal Windsor Secret piqued my curiosity from the first page. Whenever I thought I had the story of Cleo Davenport’s life worked out, a plot twist had me guessing all over again. As for Marguerite Mellor, well all I can say is she had me fooled for most of this book. Both women are complex characters, each driven by a love of jewellery. Marguerite is determined to amass a fortune in jewels, while Cleo is more driven to design than to wear. A strong supporting cast, including Cleo’s best friend Brodie, her aunts Serafina and Lydia and Lydia’s husband, Lord Grayson provide additional depth to the story.
The book is set partly in Paris, partly in Cairo and partly in the UK and spans the years from the beginning of WWI through to the early 1950’s. Christine Wells’ realistic imagery has you imagining yourself right there watching events unfold. The two timelines blend seamlessly and help drive the story, which is emotionally engaging and intriguing throughout.

I found this to be an interesting story. Could 'orphan' Cleo really be the daughter of an English prince and a Parisian courtesan? The Royal Windsor Secret is based on a lot of true facts, people and places, laced together to create a work of fiction. Part truth, part imagination.

The writing is simple but engaging. I found myself quite invested in Cleo and Brodie, and where their lives would take them. There are wars woven in with jewellery and wealth and discovering who you are in your youth.

Excellent author notes at the end. Overall, really enjoyed this and would recommend. Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the opportunity to read this.

I loved so much about the synopsis of this book that I thought I would be easily be sucked into the story. As such, I cleared my day and sat down to read, but couldn't get much past the first few chapters. I am sure it is one of those subjective things, but the writing and voice simply did not hook me as I had hoped.

The Royal Windsor Secret is very much a story about a young woman who is keen to uncover facts surrounding her birth. Who are her real parents? But it is also a story about creativity, being true to yourself, following your dreams, finding love and following your goals. It is about family and what that means— not necessarily blood connections but also other relationships— including those who are guardians. As you’d expect, there are some great twists in the parentage plot, with plenty of secrets and lies that swirl around the topic to keep interest high.

Without question, I enjoyed all the mayhem, mystery and royalty connections that ooze from this novel but I particularly found a nugget in the jeweller design journey of Cleo Davenport. The horrid losses and effects of World War II, the political and financial nightmares that abounded, the painful ebb and flow of romances, the childhood friendships that change in adulthood, the disappointing roadblocks and discoveries in seeking true parentage, the ups and downs of royal figures: these are all worthy topics explored well in The Royal Windsor Secret but for me the golden centre of the story that shines beautifully is Cleo’s jewellery creations and the talent she never abandons because it is part of her soul.

Cleo’s dedication to pursue her dream, does come at great personal expense, though. Is the sacrifice worth it? I think so. These parts of the story really sparkled for me. I love how she draws inspiration from her circumstances, art and artefacts in the Louvre, and natural environment like snowflakes and sunsets. And when she is feeling empty from all the trials happening in her life, the beauty of the night sky sets her imagination back on fire. Stunning elements of nature flow through her art and make it sing with authenticity. This act of creativity realigns her core and even sets the world right in her eyes. True purpose provides real pleasure. Pleasure and fulfilment that lasts long after the party sparklers have died down and the crowds have diminished. The wonderful thing about standing on her gut instincts and staying true to herself, brings love back to her in full measure. She gets to have both by not compromising.

The power of jewels is not only present in Cleo’s life but they are also prominent in Marguerite the courtesan’s life: to the point she would risk her life to save them (as she tried in the story). But her attachment to the jewellery is different from Cleo’s. Marguerite’s identity and self-worth is tied up in them. Cleo’s jewellery designs are an extension of herself. And she certainly never pulls the stunts that Marguerite does to gain position, fame or money. This woman is quite a colourful character and adds a large dose of spice to the plot with her constant conniving and outrageous antics. As her character traits unveil, we begin to wonder like the author if she has a mental illness.

Other characters to mention are Lord & Lady Grayson who are a wonderful couple and support Cleo in so many ways. They have an intriguing part in the story that readers will find satisfying when all is revealed. And, of course, Cleo’s longstanding childhood friend Brodie who has also been embraced by the Grayson’s with love and protection. Of course, the royals King Edward III and Wallis Simpson and Marguerite were real people and part of this story but there are some fictional elements added where needed. In fact, this novel is a wondrous mix of fact and fiction. The Grayson’s, Brodie, Cleo, Serafina and the Santerres are fictional but inspired by various people and their events. And we must not forget Shepheard’s Hotel that played host to many prominent people over the years so it makes a great setting for Cleo’s life. It is an exhilarating journey as we are whisked back and forth between France, Egypt, Portugal and Scotland.

The Royal Windsor Secret is an intriguing story told from Cleo’s and Marguerite’s viewpoints. It is well researched and covers plenty of drama, real and imagined, that will keep most historical fiction lovers fascinated with its mystery, mayhem, colourful figures and settings. Fans of Christine Wells will most certainly enjoy her latest offering. 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Many thanks to HarperCollins Australia and Netgalley for a review copy.

'You have served your apprenticeship, my dear Cleo. Now you must set yourself free'.

Cleo Davenport has lived a wonderful life, growing up in Cairo in the opulence of its Shepheard Hotel, living with her adopted Aunt Serafina. But as luxurious and lucky as her life for the last 17 years has been, one thing has always niggled: just who were her parents? Forced to depart Cairo in order to make her debut in London's social scene, she summons the courage to ask around. Surely, despite appearances, she's not a love child of Edward VIII, future King of England? However, with the outbreak of WW2, her personal agenda needed to be cast aside, alongside her dream of becoming an infamous jewellery designer. In a world of chaos, tragedy, and loss, Cleo learns that love and acceptance are closer than she thinks.

Christine Wells's latest novel offers more than solving a scintillating secret; it's.a journey of self-discovery. The journey spans across countries, and throughout the war, blossoming with the importance of staying true to yourself and pursuing your dreams. Within all of these segues, Wells's research is apparent; dropping names, places, and key events for this era. All of these add up to a relatively pacy story that doesn't dwell on one theme for too long. Overall, I enjoyed this book and appreciated the broad view rather than a focused one. I'm confident fans of WW2 fiction will enjoy it.