I really enjoyed reading this book, it had that feel that I was wanting in this time-period. The characters had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed the overall concept going on. Sue Williams has a strong writing style and was invested in what was happening to both the storyline and characters. It was engaging and worked with what was happening in this and left me wanting to read more.

this was a book i was really interested in. i have recently started to learn more about this time in history. its not something i have wanted to delve deeper into before. and when i did i cant help being naively shocked at just what went on. i have read on the Early Grey scheme before coming across this book. and that in itself was shocking. i dont think we can always blame a sign of the times either. its sign of humans and beliefs and cultural behaviours. its a sign of something we are sadly still seeing today. and almost in a more darker kind of way. the behaviour towards woman was,is just terrible. im not sure we can say we should learn from history when the present is just so very bleak.
this book took me in immediately. it was just full of both information and pace that held your grip and attention throughout.
you felt for these woman. such brave and strong and mistreated beings. i dont know how it could ever be allowed. and its never easy to read about.
then seeing as the two woman come together, how they must have felt, then how they handled both themselves and the situation was again only another act of bravery of these woman.
both woman in this mans life held so much courage to keep going in the situations they had been dealt.
the journeys across oceans then being completely different home lives must have felt so up in the air and confusing. so full of terror at times too. would anyone you were stood next to survive this? would you? would your children?
i cant recommended this book enough. it was a page turner and page thinkers. im feel a huge sense of privilege that i get to chance to read the skill of these authors. and Sue has an incredible talent. her words build to pages, build to a book that exceeds anything i thought going in. it was fantastic.

A story of the early colonists in Australia. Well researched. I enjoyed it very much. This ARC was given to me in exchange for an honest review. This review is mine.

A story of tangled love affairs, female friendship, twisted loyalties, betrayals, hardship, and the tragedies and triumphs of life in a new land.

Ann Inett-Robinson (1754–1827), was the youngest of four children of Samuel and Mary Inett.As a young woman, she was a dressmaker and had two illegitimate children: Thomas,in 1778, and Constance,in 1781.In 1785, the dwelling-house of Susannah Brookes in Grimley had been broken open and that several articles of her clothing were taken. Ann Inett, was soon apprehended for the crime and taken into custody.At the Worcester Assizes on 11 March, 1786, Ann was found guilty of stealing and initially sentenced to death, but then had her sentence commuted to 7 years transportation beyond the seas.Ann had to leave her two children behind.Ann eventually embarked on the Lady Penrhyn, a ship specifically designed to carry female convicts to Botany Bay, as part of the First Fleet, sailing on 13 May, 1787,and arriving in Australia on February 1788.Because her behaviour on the ship was deemed least exceptional,Ann was sent from Botany Bay to Norfolk Island,and subsequently became housekeeper to Lieutenant-Governor Philip Gidley King.Ann was described as an attractive woman, small framed, dark haired and with a neat and clean appearance.She was an industrious and accommodating woman, keeping King's home comfortable,and sleeping with him.As his mistress, Ann bore Gidley two sons:Norfolk(b.1789) and Sydney(b.1790),who later became distinguished Royal Navy officers.However, Gidley King returned to England, leaving Ann and their sons behind.Gidley King married Anna Josepha Coombe and had another family.

Ann wed English convict Richard John Robinson in November 1792.Together,they opened a hotel named The Yorkshire Grey.Ann and Richard became successful business and property owners.Ann returned to England in 1820 and lived there until her death.

Philip Gidley King was Governor of NSW from 1800-1806.He helped develop livestock farming, whaling,mining,built many schools,and launched the colony's first newspaper.But conflicts with the military wore down his spirit,and they were able to force his resignation.

I received a copy of The Governor, His Wife and His Mistress from NetGalley and in exchange for an honest review. Author Sue Williams uses real people as a bases and the First Fleets historic trip across the Pacific Ocean in her narrative, it was long and brutal journey, especially for convicts and many died during the voyage and she explores what it was like living in New South Wales and Norfolk Island in the early years of settlement.

Anna Josepha was a remarkable woman, she cared about Ann's boy’s welfare and education and many in her position wouldn’t have cared about the children of his mistress and with kindness and grace . Ann Inett and her fellow female convicts and friends, were strong, courageous and went on to be influential and powerful women in the new country. However, as a mother I can’t imagine being separated from my son, Ann had four children, and hers was a sad and heartbreaking situation to be in and she wasn't the only one.

Five stars from me, this is the third book I have read by Sue Williams and I highly recommend The Governor, His Wife and His Mistress and Elizabeth & Elizabeth and That Bligh Girl for readers who enjoy well written historical fiction set in the new colony of New South Wales and Australia.