Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this eARC. All opinions are my own.

This was an enjoyable reading experience.

Kat Cooke is left to fend for herself when her mother dies and her father and brother are away working. She heads to court to look for her aunt but is taken into the household of Queen Katherine of Aragon. Her life changes forever...
Of Aragon is an historical book set at the court of King Henry VIII.
I love the Tudor era and am always keen to read books on the subject. This book starts as a letter to her daughter yet this device is often forgotten and unnecessary in my opinion. When she does remember to address her daughter it isn’t believable, especially at the end (whose daughter wants to hear about a sex scene and her mother’s pink nipples???)
There is a big mystery that is revealed and not very easy to believe at all. Some of the plot developments made me feel quite uncomfortable. The ending was rushed and abrupt, leaving me with a sense of non completeness.
Of Aragon was well researched but I felt that it stretched my credulity too far with its plot twists.

From beginning to end, 'Of Aragon' will have you in a chokehold! Caroline Willcocks did a spectacular job with this work of historical fiction.

As someone who loves historical retelling this book did not disappoint! I loved the spin on the story we all know so well and it was both fast paced but had a clear attention to detail which served this story well!

Rich in court intrigue, emotional depth, and Tudor drama - this one swept me away. Caroline brings Katherine of Aragon to life not just as a queen, but as a complex, fiercely human woman fighting for her place in a brutal world. And through Kat Cooke’s eyes - clever, curious, and full of heart - we get a front-row seat to all the beauty and betrayal behind the palace walls.

The writing is elegant without being stuffy, and the details? Gorgeous. You can practically hear the rustle of silk gowns and feel the tension every time the Queen’s favour shifts. Kat’s personal journey adds real weight, especially as she untangles her past and navigates impossible choices between love, loyalty, and survival.

Overall, this was an evocative, character-driven slice of Tudor life that made history feel both grand and intimate!

Great historical read with great characters. Loved the story and atmosphere. Would read again from this author

A great Tudor book, with some really interesting characters. You will find yourself involved in their lives. Kat Cooke is a wonderful heroine, a foundling just searching for her real parents in London and at court. Thank you to NetGalley for giving ne this title to read.

I found Caroline Willcock's use of epistolary writing offer the reader a very accessible entry point to this period of history. Although Catherine of Aragon's story is often told, by flipping the script and having the focus be on an unlikely member of Catherine's court added interest and was thought proviking.

Great concept for a historical fiction. I enjoyed the start of this book, but it did not hold my interest. I did not finish. I would try this author again. I would recommend to die hard Tudor fans.

I have always loved a Henry VIII historical fiction novel. This fits just into that realm, but gives you a perspective of someone else who is exposed to the royal family and how it affects palace life. I loved the twists and did not the expect the outcome. I love the possibility that something could have been different.

This was a great, lighter read than some of the other Tudor set novels that I've read. It caught my eye since it focuses on the reign of Catherine of Aragon, instead of Anne Boleyn or any other later queens. Willcocks did excellent research on Catherine, and it was refreshing to see her depicted accurately in this novel, as most of the Tudor novels I read we see her through Anne's or Henry's jaded descriptions. It was also nice to see a novel set in the Tudor era that is not leaning heavily towards the romance genre. I would recommend this for fans of the period

It is a very entertaining story and allows us to take a look at Catalina's story from her perspective. It is a very pleasant way for those who are just starting to read it to get a first look at her story.

Thanks to netgalley for providing this advanced copy for the purpose of review.
I love reading about this time period and found the details to be really interesting. It has all the intrigue and drama you would expect to be happening and the descriptions of court life were compelling

In this fascinating perspective of Tudor England and the court of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, readers join Kat Cooke, a girl in Her Majesty’s service, as she discovers the complicated web of court politics and the lies and plots behind the gilded and glittery facade. Following Kat through the highs and lows of Catherine of Aragon’s time as Queen of England, she too must choose where her loyalty lies amidst the scheming of the court. Providing a beautifully complex and detailed look into the Queen’s court under Catherine of Aragon in the early sixteenth century, Willcocks has done some incredible research into the period and successfully brings the Tudor court to life in this intriguing historical fiction novel. Kat’s perspective brings the less glamorous positions that did not belong to the nobility to life, and this class status divide makes the intricacies of court life more apparent. Kat is a fascinating protagonist with a complex backstory, and her struggles with love, identity, and loyalty make the book emotional and the larger background stakes of court more personal. A fantastic read for all fans of Tudor England and the glamorous intrigue of court, Willcocks’ book is a moving and exciting peek into the court of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon.

In *Of Aragon*, Caroline Willcocks masterfully immerses readers into the opulent yet perilous world of Tudor England, seen through the eyes of Kat Cooke, a young girl captivated by Katherine of Aragon, Henry VIII's first queen. Willcocks' novel blends historical intrigue with a personal coming-of-age story, creating a compelling narrative that draws readers deep into the heart of the Tudor court.

Kat, fascinated by the strength and grace of Queen Katherine, embarks on a journey that intertwines her own mysterious origins with the fortunes of the royal household. The book vividly portrays the tension and spectacle of Tudor politics, where alliances shift like the wind, and court life is a dangerous game of loyalty and ambition. As Kat becomes part of Queen Katherine’s inner circle, she is not only a witness to the Queen’s triumphs and sorrows but also entangled in the web of court intrigue.

The strength of *Of Aragon* lies in its richly detailed depiction of life at court, from the personal and intimate spaces of Katherine’s chambers to the public, tense atmosphere surrounding the king’s desires for a male heir. Willcocks offers a deeply personal look at Katherine, a queen whose life was defined by her devotion, both to her husband and to her role as queen, even as the threat of being cast aside loomed large. Kat’s admiration for Katherine gives the novel an emotional depth that connects readers with the historical drama unfolding.

At the heart of the novel, Kat's personal quest for identity is woven into the larger narrative of Tudor politics. Her discovery of love and her growing understanding of where her true loyalties lie provide an intimate counterpoint to the high-stakes power struggles happening around her. As Kat navigates this dangerous world, the choices she faces are complex, highlighting how even in the royal court, love, loyalty, and survival are often at odds.

Willcocks’ writing captures the grandeur and danger of the time, her descriptions transporting readers to the royal chambers, the banquets, and the quiet moments of desperation in Queen Katherine’s life. The book’s exploration of the Queen’s private world, especially the intimate realities of marriage and childbirth, gives it a raw, human quality that adds to its historical richness.

Kat is a relatable protagonist, young and eager but forced to grow up quickly in a world where deception and betrayal are commonplace. Her journey, both personal and historical, provides a fresh perspective on the Tudor court, one that feels both immersive and relatable.

In conclusion, *Of Aragon* is a beautifully crafted historical novel that balances courtly intrigue with personal growth. Willcocks gives readers a window into the lives of women in the Tudor period, where even queens must fight for survival in a world dominated by politics and power. Fans of historical fiction will find *Of Aragon* a captivating read, full of rich details, emotional depth, and a story that lingers long after the final page.

I have read this ARC with a view to providing a review
All opinions and thoughts are my own

A new author to me
This is an area pf history I am fascinated in
This didn't disappoint

Loved it

Read this as an ARC for my honest review.

I think it can be very difficult to have a new and unique story from this time period, because there have been so many books, shows, and movies about it. Overall, thus book did a pretty good job at keeping me interested and wanting to read more.

I think historical fiction fans will really enjoy this one :)

This book felt like being a fly on the wall during the Tudor era. I was really impressed by the author made it feel like their was no true villain, just people doing what they could.

It's difficult to keep Tudor stories refreshing as we are all entirely familiar with Henry VIII's relationship with Queen Katherine of Aragon and the ins and outs of the Tudor court. Of Aragon brings a different slant to the story as we meet Kat Cooke, an impoverished maid who is taken into court and placed under the protection of the Queen herself.

The reason for Kat being at court is explained with an imaginative description of what life was like for the poor of Tudor England and the immense change in Kat's circumstances is told in a gentle story about life at the Tudor court. There's a conversational tone to the story, the politics of the time are explained well especially the danger which lingered in shadows. There are a few modernisms in the story, which I felt could have been changed. Of Aragon is light historical fiction and even though I had figured out the twist quite early on in the book it didn't spoil my enjoyment of the story

If you love Historic fiction and the crazy life of the Tuder family, you will love this story. I love reading about the Tuders, the drama of the court and what the women of that time had to do to be seen and heard. All Henry VIII wanted was a son, but what he got was daughters and one that would become one of the most beloved Queen in history. So, when I saw this book, I knew I had to read it, the author did a beautiful job of describing women of this time period. All the heartaches, the pressure to have sons and have a voice in the Tudor court was both sad and captivating. I can't wait to read what this new author writes next, as she will be one to watch.

Kat Cooke is a young girl who is captivated by Henry's VIII wife Queen Katherine of Aragon. She soon becomes Katherine favorite in her court but when court politics put their relationship at risk, she is forced to decide where her loyalties lie. Kat also learns secrets of her birth as this change the course of her life or would keeping quiet be the best for the ones, she truly loves.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atmosphere Press for a copy of this book for my honest review.