The Perfect Royal Mistress

by Diane Haeger

Born into poverty and raised in a brothel, Nell Gwynne sells oranges in the pit at London’s King’s Theater, newly reopened after the plague and the Great Fire devastated the city. Soon, her quick sense of humor and natural charm get her noticed by those who have the means to make her life easier. But the street-smart Nell knows a woman doesn’t get ahead by selling her body. Through talent, charm, intelligence, and sheer determination—as well as a keen understanding of how the world operates—Nell works her way out of the pit and onto the stage to become the leading comedic actress of the day. Her skills and beauty quickly win the attention of all of London—eventually even catching the eye of King Charles II. Their attraction is as real as it is unlikely, and the scrappy orange girl with the pretty face and the quick wit soon finds herself plunged into the confusing and dangerous world of the court, where she learns there are few she can trust—and many whom she cannot turn her back on.

From the gritty streets of seventeenth-century London, to the backstage glamour of its theaters, to the glittering court of Charles II, The Perfect Royal Mistress is a love story for the ages, the rags-to-riches tale of a truly remarkable heroine.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, British Literature, Romance, 17th Century, Royalty

405 pages, Paperback

First published February 27, 2007

About the author

Diane Haeger is the bestselling author of fifteen published novels, including Courtesan, The Ruby Ring and My Dearest Cecilia. Her work, to date, has been translated into 18 different languages and has been featured in the LA Times and Harper's Bazaar Magazine. She loves telling real stories from history. She lives in California with her husband and family.

Reviews

[Bookish Ally · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars for the first historical fiction I’ve read surrounding the reign of Charles II, who was a central figure in this highly readable novel about the relationship between he and the low born Nell Gwynn.

Ms. Haeger beautifully flushed out the characters as they played across the stage of this book but it is only Nell’s character that we truly fall in love with.

Definitely recommend this for fans of historical fiction - a very well thought out approach to the day and culture of the time.

[Orsolya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Move aside Cinderella, Nell Gwynne puts your rags to riches story to shame! Everyone should have an introduction (hopefully it will grown into a love) of Charles II's mistress, Nell Gwynne. Unlike the sex-crazed and overly ambitious mistress (and cousin of the Duke of Norfolk) Barbara Villiers (Lady Castlemaine), Charles's childhood crush the Duchess of Mazarin, Lucy Walter, the countless actresses, or even his wife Catherine whom he loved more like a sister than with any passion; Nell possesed something not of the other harlots did: a witty, down-to-earth, REAL demeanor. Even a king just want a "girl next door"!

Nell was less ambitious and without the over-the-top political machinations common to courtiers and more about finding security in her life. Along the way, she truly fell for the king and wasn't seeking money or riches. Haeger provides a solid and fun overview of Nell's acting career and rise to the king's bed with some firm facts along the way. Some of the quotes and passages are well-known excerpts actually spoken by Nell and could pass for wit even in today's time. Admittedly, this is historical fiction and an easy easy, but it isn't without a little history lesson on the way.

Not a biography, and more of a fast-moving novel, The Perfect Royal Mistress raises the curtain to the sassy world of Nell. Once you long for an encore, you can pick up an actually bio on the saucy mistress.

[Tocotin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Can you believe this is the Baroque era, the era when Duc de Saint-Simon was writing his memoirs, the era of the Sun King? Yeah, neither can I. Awfully anachronistic, no sense of time or place really. Nell Gwynn (and I read it for her, I like her, the Nell Gwynn from the historical records) is an impossible saint who does everything FOR LOVE. She is the only woman who has ever cared for the king. There is not an ounce of meanness or self-interest in her. Yeah right. Maybe. Only, a) from what I read elsewhere, she had a much more colorful personality, b) saintliness is very hard to write about, it gets boring.
And really, having all the men fall in love with the heroine, and all the women portrayed as ugly and/or evil, is just cheap. I'd use another word but I'm too sleepy to get angry. And I did get angry over the treatment the Countess of Castlemaine got in this book. She was as interesting person as Nell was, and cool and magnanimous too.
Bleh. One star added for the cover.

[Christy · Rating 1 out of 5]

It started out well enough: political machinations, the London fires, the potential for a steamy read...and it fell quite flat. After a few chapters, the phonetic voices of Nell and her sister were more annoying than endearing and her dialogue, which was supposed to be brash and witty, was actually quite dull.

I felt that there wasn't much depth to Nell's character, and while it was based on a real person, as fiction, liberties could have been taken to make the character more vivid. She just seemed to stroll along, idly and with not a care in the world while the King boffs any pretty penny tossed his way. There should have been bitter rage being choked on, white knuckles, curses hurled at the lusty little wanker, but no...Nell just soldiers on, swallowing back a big lump of nothing.

Just my opinion. In all honesty, I was looking for a bit of fluff to read poolside. I guess I got my cotton candy.

[Courtney · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the first part of the book - the meeting, the chase, the falling in love - but the second part of this novel really bumped down the rating. I realize that historically, women didn't have much power (and learned to deal with it). However, I got so tired of the protagonist sighing to herself about how much she loved the King and why she'd put up with anything.

Plus, Charles wasn't even likable. He'd lament his lust for women and talk about change, but he never did it. I really wanted Nell to end up with someone - ANYONE - else, just because I was tired of the King and his "inability" to change.

Plus, every mistress who wasn't Nell was really mean and unlikable. They were all whiny women who were only out for power.

Overall, this novel has weak characterization and only a so-so plot. Definitely just two stars.

[LibraryCin · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the mid-17th century in England, Nell grew up in a brothel. Her single-mother was a prostitute and a drunk, and her sister followed her mother’s footsteps to become a prostitute. Nell wasn’t going to do that, so she started off selling oranges outside a theatre. From there, she moved on to become a famous, well-loved actress, where she managed to catch the eye of King Charles II and she went on to become one of his many mistresses.

I really liked this. I had read one previous fictional account of Nell, but on looking back at my review, I wasn’t crazy about how that one was written, but I found this one very readable. There were parts that focused more on Charles and a bit of the politics of the time that wasn’t as interesting to me, but overall, I quite enjoyed this story. Just an fyi that Nell was a real person.

[Dawn (& Ron)]

Wow, what a wide range of opinions on this one with GR friends, from 1 star to 4.

[Misfit · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the rags to riches story of Nell Gwynne, a one time orange girl and then actress of The King's Theatre who captured the heart of Charles II, The Merry Monarch. Since two other reviewers have done such a fine job of recapping the story, I needn't rehash it again.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the story, I felt the characters could have been better defined. Maybe it's because I've read Forever Amber and Dark Angels: A Novel and I kept wishing for more like that. The author did a nice job of defining the Reformation society and the court, but it just wasn't enough for me. Buckingham's intrigues came off as too lighthearted, Queen Catherine a non-existent sap, and Louise a whiny immature child. I could never figure out how Lord Bockhurst started out as a worthless hellion that Nell dumped to being one of her greatest friends and supporters, along with Buckingham. Like another reviewer, I found the "h" dropping didn't quite do the dialect justice and I found at least one instance where Nell "forgot" to drop the "h".

All in all an enjoyable entertaining read, just not something to write home and friends about, one of those books that will go right back to the library and probably soon forgotten. 3.5 stars.

[Ally · Rating 4 out of 5]

This really is a tale of rags to riches. Nell started out with nothing and ended up being the favourite of the royal mistresses to Charles II. Nell was an interesting character who used humour to cope with the difficulties she faced in her life. We could certainly all do with a dose of that in our lives.
Charles II was undoubtedly a man whore, he chased everything that moved. I wouldn't be surprised if what he really died from was a sexually transmitted disease. The man was certainly a stud who apparently had no trouble keeping the ladies coming back for more. This is the second novel I’ve read about him and both authors certainly painted the same picture of him.
I enjoyed this novel because King Charles II was a complex man and the author seemed to portray what is known about him accurately. But know that I’ve read two novels about him, I’m not in a hurry to read another. In fact, I’d go as far to say that it has put me off reading royal history for a couple of books at least.

[Amie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't care for this version of Nelly. It didn't come close to showing her as a witty actress. It made her seem more of a weak victim of fate than anything else. Charles too seemed weak and ruled by others. As if he had no will of his own. Not very likable characters.
The story wasn't very good. I didn't feel anything like I did when I read "The Secret Wife...". I don't know how I finished it.

[Sasha Strader · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book about Nell Gwynn I've found to date!

[Mercedes Rochelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a surprise! I got a much deeper understanding of Charles II and his favorites than I expected. This is a wonderful rags-to-riches story about the real-life Nell Gwynne, a common orange seller at London’s King’s Theatre who happens to catch the eye of the king (while he is “slumming” with his friends — his favorite pastime). The affair doesn’t happen right away, but in the mean time she is seduced (raped) by the star actor in the troupe who gives her a chance on stage… and voila! She’s a natural comedic actress who quickly gains popularity and also the king’s attention. Charles II is an interesting character, who has a different woman every night but can’t find happiness. Nell provides the love and diversion he needs, but of course, Charles could never be tied down to one woman (ask his queen). She has to use her quick wit to stay afloat in the treacherous atmosphere surrounding the king, knowing she will never fit in. She has to figure out how to hold the king’s attention and maneuver around jealous rivals. I really enjoyed the twists and turns of the novel, and discovered the human side of this fascinating king.

[Stephanie Kline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book! I always love anything by Diane Haeger, so it comes as no surprise. I've also read very few books centered on King Charles II (one of my favorite English monarchs)... so this was a treat! I was hooked right from the first few lines, and enveloped all the way through. I listened to this via Audible.

Nell Gwynne is a fascinating historical figure, and while I do think she was probably painted in an extra-shiny light in this book, I do assume most of the detail of her story was true to fact. Charles, too, was probably made to be a little overly-likeable... but I appreciate that, because it helped me become even more attached to these two main characters.

In general, the love story was incredibly sweet. Nell is an authentic, interesting, and genuinely likeable character from the get-go, and her relationship with Charles is wonderful to read/hear about. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves historical fiction!

[Sol · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded up

[Igenlode Wordsmith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Starts off well and very vividly, but I felt it got a bit generically 'historical fiction' towards the end. Simply writing a shorter book only about Nell's rise to Court might have been better? (And Louise de Kéroualle's accent is just painful to read...)

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Perfect Royal Mistress tells the story of young Nell Gwynn, a fascinating historical character who has been explored by a number of different writers. Nell's rags to riches story is one of the most unique stories in history, as well as one of the most fascinating.

Nell was making her living by selling oranges to theatre patrons at the popular King's theatre. While most women of her status -born into poverty and raised in a brothel -have little option other than to sell their bodies, Nell becomes a favorite with theatre patrons, those in charge of the theatre and even courtiers thanks to her dazzling wit and charm. Purely because of her standout personality, Nell caught of the eye of the theatre's owner, who decided to make her into an actress. As an actress, she becomes the darling of London, both in noble circles and commoner ones. It isn't long until Nell captures the attention of King Charles II himself and finds herself in his bed.

Once she becomes the King's mistress, Nell's world changes in ways she never expected. But, it all seems so fragile as other courtiers and mistresses declare war on Nell for the King's affections. Nell is thrown into a world of intrigue and betrayal where your fortunes can change in an instant based on the king's whim.

While Nell is set up to be a wonderful character, she never quite follows through. Sadly, there were several points where I nearly put the book down because I was getting downright board. I kept going though, mostly because Haeger continued to weave an entertaining plot and threw in enough twists and turns to keep me going. However, in an environment where characters are supposed to drive everything, I found Nell, Charles and all the other characters that populated the world of The Perfect Royal Mistress to be incredibly dull, moving between somewhat interesting plot points in a world that felt just a little hazy.

Basically, I've read better Haeger novels, all of which were published after Perfect Royal Mistress. With that background, I would say that Perfect Royal Mistress was probably a stepping stone to these later books, but I know that Haeger is capable of better.

[Lígia Bellini · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only time, i heard about Charles II, it was when i watched the movie "Restoration". Then years and years later on, i came upon this book and decided to read about him and his famous royal mistress. That was an interesting reading. I think Nell Gwynne, was a clever woman! She was poor and like many londoners, after the plague and the Great Fire, Nell was struggling to live her life. She knew how to use her charm and talent, and thanks to that, she got the attention of the King Charles II. From an orange seller, she get the chance to work on the theatres and became a famous actress, and with that, King Charles II's royal mistress. Read this novel, is like to read a real "adult fairytale", actually. Of course, besides the affair between Charles II and Nell, the writter tells about how was the life on his court. Charles II was a womanizer! His Queen, Catherine of Braganza, bore no Royal Children, but he had many illegitimate with his mistresses! But is still beautiful read about his affair with Nell. She really loved him! And Charles, even being a womanizer, gave everything he could to Nell, including his heart. I loved the reading!

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars. I liked this because it was a period of time and historical characters I knew next-to-nothing about, and it was a quick read. I didn't like it because Nell seemed more like a caricature than a living, breathing person, and because the whole "love" story was basically the King using her as a doormat and her being cool with it. Also, the pace was weird because we spent a lot of time on the first year of their affair, then a fair amount of time on the subsequent five or so years, and then fast forwarded through to the end of their lives. I would probably have just focused on the initial romance, and then maybe included the rest of the biographical information in an epilogue.
I wasn't impressed with Haeger's writing (there was a LOT of telling, instead of showing) but I did like being immersed in another time and place, so that was fun.

[Rio (Lynne) · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are several books out there about Nell Gwynne. I chose to read this one first because I loved Diane's Courtesan. This one on the other hand fell kind of flat for me. I did enjoy it, I just didn't love it. After reading two books now on Charles II, I can honestly say I am not a fan. Talk about a man who couldn't handle any conflict. If he could have learned to say "no" to his women, instead of feeling guilty and had stopped wasting England's money on his mistresses, he might have accomplished more with Parliament. Supposedly, Nell was his true love. I don't think Charles new what love was.

[Eh?Eh! · Rating 2 out of 5]

historical fiction novel of this particular mistress of Charles II. a mistress's frustrations interspersed with actual religious/political/social events of the time. i kept wanting her to leave him but apparently it was her constant love and subjugation of her personal desires to his whims (or perhaps one could say making his whims her personal desires) that made her a refuge for him...blah.

[Jaffareadstoo · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really like Restoration historical fiction, and the love story between Charles II and the orange seller , Nell Gywnne has long been one of my favourite stories, however this interpretation left me completely underwhelmed, and I'm afraid that I had to give up and admit defeat.

I just lost interest.

[christina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've been spoiled by historical fiction lately. It's been more history than fiction. This book is basically a bodice ripping romance novel that claims to be historical fiction because it occurs during the reign of Charles III and the London Fires. Skip it.

[Chelsea · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

Immensely entertaining, The Perfect Royal Mistress was a wild romp through the debauched world of Charles II's English court. The protagonist, Nell Gwynne, was as "pretty and witty" as Samuel Pepeys deemed her, but I am not entirely sure that I agree with Haeger's interpretation of her life.

For starters, biographical events deviated greatly from what scant concrete facts scholars agree on. This is a work of fiction, so Haegar undoubtedly choose to rearrange things in favour of a smoother flowing plot to fit her artistic vision, but I prefer fictional biographies that are more fact that imagination in this regard. For one example of many, the story itself starts in 1666 just after the Great Fire of London with Nell as an "Orange Girl," but primary sources (i.e. Samuel Pepeys) remarked upon her skills and prominent presence as an actress in 1665 (although she may have graced the stage with her presence in minor roles as early as 1664).

I also did not care for how Haegar choose to depict her loss of virginity with such a disgusting and violent description of sexual assault, and how she used rape as a motivator for Nell to join the stage. Three things in particular upset me about this interpretation:

1) There is no evidence that Charles Hart raped Nell. There are reports that she had a lover as early as 1662, years before she started at the King's Theatre, and that she was later notoriously having an affair with Hart with no indications of force.

Thus: 2) I don't understand why an author would feel the need to create and insert scenes of unfounded sexual assault into a fictional biography when the characters life itself is so much more captivating without it. So much else was missing from Nell's story. She was said to have experimented as a cross-dresser for a few years, she allegedly attended a school for young performers learning to act and dance, and she was part of a theatre company that followed the king and his court to Oxford during the plague of 1665 - 1666 to provide royal entertainment while escaping the city - all matters which were omitted from this tale, but which would have been much more interesting (and less grotesque) than rape.

3) The entire situation Haegar set up to create the rape scene was improbable. Nell grew up in a bawdy house / low class neighborhood in 17th century England; she would have undoubtedly known that going out to privately meet a strange man for food and drinks would send a message of "hey, I am available to bone." If she was guarding her "virtue" as viciously as Haegar attempted to illustrate, it is extremely unlikely that she would have agreed to meet this then-stranger Hart alone in such a circumstance for fear of this very "misinterpretation." It doesn't add up. I hated it. -2 stars for this alone.

The last element that really bothered me about this novel was Haegar's selective choice to write certain characters accents in the vernacular. She only chose to do this for Nell, her sister and mother, and (the French) Louise de Kérouaille. I am (mostly) sure that in Nell's family's case it was to depict the sharp contrast in upbringing between the Gwynne's and the rest of uppercrust society, but my goodness did it irritate the heck out of me and feel inauthentic. Even the French accent of Louise felt overemphasized - "eet waz zo annoyeeng." I really don't need to read the butchering of accents like this. A part of me is not convinced she did her research, but I should be more charitable - it is an historical fiction novel after all, even if I don't remember finding a sources page at the end

At the end of the day, this story was entertaining, but it had so many annoying elements it was honestly hard to enjoy. It did inspire me to learn more about Nell and King Charles II though, so for that I am grateful.

[Sarah Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel does such a fantastic job of exploring the life of Nell Gwynne, who was born and raised in a brothel and rose up the ranks in the theatre from being an orange seller to an actress to eventually catch the eye of King Charles II. Her carefree nature and quick wit captured the king's attention and though he was never faithful to her, she bore him two sons and maintained a lasting relationship with him until his death, a remarkable feat considering the grim circumstances into which she was born.

I truly loved the focus on Nell Gwynne in this book, which felt like such a breath of fresh air from the focus on princesses and fair ladies that are the subject of so many historical fiction novels. Nell is scrappy and irreverent and was a fascinating main character. She isn't afraid to strike a deal or tell the truth, no matter who she is speaking to. I loved how loyal and earnest Nell is in this. She remains steadfast to her friends, never forgets anyone who pays her a kindness, and yet is quick to forget and forgive a grudge.

I think where this book struggled is that Haeger wanted to make this a great love story. I am sure that Nell and the king did love each other on some level. But there is no denying that this was a calculated move on Nell's part. Becoming a royal mistress came with immense security and wealth and had to have been attractive, regardless of her feelings for the man. The king is constantly moving on to other women and it made the narrative feel choppy and swing all over since Nell is constantly waiting around for her supposed great love to swing back to her.

I also was disappointed with what Haeger did with the character of Jeddy, who was the young black child that Nell inherits from one of her first lovers. Jeddy is used as a living embodiment to show how kind and generous Nell is. She takes in the child, fiercely protects her, and treats her like her own family - all calculated to show the reader what a good person she is at heart. And I think that she is! But yet Jeddy has no independent characterization. She is literally just a walking example of Nell's goodness, and it grated on me. Similarly, I wish more had been done with Nell's sister and mother.

3.5 stars

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Born into poverty and raised in a brothel, Nell Gwynne sells oranges in the pit at London's King's Theatre, newly reopened after the plague and the Great Fire devastated the city. Soon, her quick sense of humor and natural charm get her noticed by those who have the means to make her life easier. But the street-smart Nell knows a woman doesn't get ahead by selling her body. Through talent, charm, intelligence, and sheer determination -- as well as a keen understanding of how the world operates -- Nell works her way out of the pit and onto the stage to become the leading comedic actress of the day. Her skills and beauty quickly win the attention of all of London -- eventually even catching the eye of King Charles II. Their attraction is as real as it is unlikely, and the scrappy orange girl with the pretty face and the quick wit soon finds herself plunged into the confusing and dangerous world of the court, where she learns there are few she can trust -- and many whom she cannot turn her back on.

"From the gritty streets of seventeenth-century London, to the backstage glamour of its theaters, to the glittering court of Charles II, The Perfect Royal Mistress is a love story for the ages, the rags-to-riches tale of a truly remarkable heroine."
~~back cover

I found the book slow going at first, but as the love story deepened between Charles and Nell, the story became more riveting, until, towards the end, I could hardly put it down (and didn't.)

[Helen Robare · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book from Amazon Kindle. It was money well spent. I knew a bit about Charles II's mistress but haven't read much about any of them. I'm glad I started off with Nell Gwynn. She was common just like the people and not high class which is one thing that was conveyed throughout the book. The story flowed along and the author writes quite well. If you're interested in this period of British History or if you just like learning about the mistresses of a king, then this book will be what you're looking for.

[Litty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy historical fiction from this period and Nell Gywn was a force! DH always delivers with the beautiful and detailed descriptions- I truly felt like I was there! But this plot was tough for me. There wasn't a lot push and pull between her and Charles as one would have hoped. The story just kind of wound about and felt somewhat aimless at times. I found their story sad in so many ways (not in a heartbreaking way)- he's a sentimental serial philanderer and she wants to support her sister but they are in love with each other. They don't fight for each other!

[mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't believe there are too many typos. I already found three even though I have not even read half way through the book. How does it make a good book if you don't care editing it?

And the characters.....the way they think and act doesn't suit to the 17th time period at all.

Also, about nell..... At first I really liked her character. She was full of spirit and wit. Bold in assertive way. But the more I read the more it seems she become out of her character and dull.

[Gabriella · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book but it for some reason was extremely infuriating to me how since Charles was the King, he could get away with cheating on Nell for years. I probably shouldn’t get upset about men being pigs hundreds of years ago but I just couldn’t help myself.

[Jennifer I. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this rags to riches story about an actress who makes her way into the court. Strong characters, especially Nell the main character, the kind of funny, sharp-witted woman every woman wished she had as her bestie!