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The Betrayal of Thomas True
It is the year 1710, and Thomas True has arrived on old London Bridge with a dangerous secret. One night, lost amongst the squalor of London's hidden back streets, he finds himself drawn into the outrageous underworld of the molly houses.
Meanwhile, carpenter Gabriel Griffin struggles to hide his double life as Lotty, the molly's silent guard. When the queen of all 'he-harlots', Mother Clap, confides in him about a deadly threat, he realises his friends are facing imminent execution.
To the horror of all mollies, there is a rat amongst them, betraying their secrets to a pair of murderous Justices, hell-bent on punishing sinners with the noose.
Can Gabriel unmask the traitor before it's too late? Can he save hapless Thomas from peril, and their own impossible love?
Set amidst the hidden world of Georgian London's 'gay' scene, The Betrayal of Thomas True is a brutal and devastating thriller, where love must overcome evil, and the only true sin is betrayal…
Meanwhile, carpenter Gabriel Griffin struggles to hide his double life as Lotty, the molly's silent guard. When the queen of all 'he-harlots', Mother Clap, confides in him about a deadly threat, he realises his friends are facing imminent execution.
To the horror of all mollies, there is a rat amongst them, betraying their secrets to a pair of murderous Justices, hell-bent on punishing sinners with the noose.
Can Gabriel unmask the traitor before it's too late? Can he save hapless Thomas from peril, and their own impossible love?
Set amidst the hidden world of Georgian London's 'gay' scene, The Betrayal of Thomas True is a brutal and devastating thriller, where love must overcome evil, and the only true sin is betrayal…
422 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 4, 2024
325 people are currently reading
4363 people want to read
About the author
A.J. West
7 books211 followersA.J. West was a particularly shy boy at school, hiding away from other children with only his books for friends. Thus, he discovered the magic of ink on paper and fell in love with gothic tales of fear and fun, danger and mystery. A keen people-watcher and incorrigible eavesdropper, he grew up to study English Literature at university, before embarking on an award-winning career as a television and radio journalist. Later, he worked in the LGBTQ+ charity sector before leaving to pursue his writing career. He is married to Nicholas Robinson who gained fame as William Beech in BAFTA award winning Goodnight Mr Tom.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 380 reviews
July 13, 2024
In a Nutshell: A historical crime mystery focussed on “molly houses” of Georgian London. Fabulous research and great use of the historical setting, but somehow, the writing style and character development didn’t work for me. This is an outlier review.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Bookish Yays:
😍 The author is a historical researcher, and it shows! I had not heard about molly houses, but the book doesn’t just stop at giving us a brief overview of these historical meeting places for homosexual men but also highlights some of their special practices and rituals. The book also depicts the atrocities committed by bigots in the name of religion.
😍 Gabriel is a strong character. The only character whose actions and behaviour I could mostly connect with and whom I could root for. To me, he made the book memorable.
😍 I am very impressed by the vocabulary usage. I can’t remember the last time I relied on my Kindle dictionary so much. There were so many historical words that the book felt authentic to its era.
😍 The historical setting of old London is depicted exceedingly well.
😍 Thomas’s Uncle and Aunt Quince are fun additions to the plot. In such a serious storyline, their presence and Uncle Quince’s fascination with his tallow candle business offer comic relief.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
😐 The time period of the plot isn’t mentioned directly. The actual plot mentions nothing. The introductory blurb (which I chanced upon after completing the novel) mentions the year as 1710, and the Goodreads blurb (which I didn’t even read until now) refers to the year as 1715. As such, I read the whole book just knowing that it was from long ago. I wish the year had been clarified at the start of the actual story. This isn’t a major issue, but I prefer knowing the time period clearly.
😐 Each of the “mollies” in the book has two names: their masculine birth name and their feminine molly name. This made the proceedings a bit confusing for me. There is a helpful table at the start, detailing the molly names of all the ten mollies, but I find it tedious to navigate to and fro on my Kindle.
😐 The mollies, Mother Clap, and the Quinces all have interesting personae. However, because of the numerous characters, there is only a superficial development of each person. I felt like the characters were explored at just surface-level and I didn’t really get to understand most of them.
Bookish Nays:
😕 I don’t know why Thomas True was the titular character, or why the word ‘betrayal’ had to be a part of the title when it isn’t even a part of the storyline for most of the way. I had expected to connect to Thomas the best because of his being the eponymous lead, but somehow, I never got a handle on him. His behaviour felt quite ad hoc.
😕 There is one part of the book when the plot suddenly incorporates magical realism. Though I love magical realism, I didn’t see how it fit into this storyline as it came out of nowhere and was discarded equally suddenly.
😕 A few of the scenes were too gory for my liking. I also didn’t get how one particular character survived a heinous attack made on him without any medical issue. It didn’t seem realistic.
😕 The reveal about the rat’s identity didn’t satisfy me. It felt half-baked, and left a few questions unanswered.
😕 The story didn’t settle into a steady rhythm. The scene transitions also seemed a bit abrupt. I feel like the book could have gone a lot more into the hows and the whys, but it limits itself to the whats. The dragged reveal of the rat’s identity also was annoying. It was more like deliberate miscommunication.
😕 My copy doesn’t have an author’s note, which is sad because the story certainly deserved one. A line at the end says that this is entirely a work of fiction. However, when I looked up molly houses, I saw that Mother Clap’s was an actual place, and some of the characters in this book seemed to have real-life counterparts. I wish there had been some light shed on this.
Basically, I loved the historical aspects of this book. It brings to light the reality of molly houses and the heinous manner in which homosexual men were targets of moralistic prudes. However, because of the somewhat flat character development, especially of the eponymous Thomas True, the book didn’t work better for me.
I must say that I am very much an outlier in my opinion. Most reviews for this book are strongly positive. So I urge you to read them and take a call on this work.
This would be appealing to readers of historical fiction with an interest in real-life LGBTQ+ troubles of the past.
2.75 stars.
My thanks to The Book Club Reviewer Group for a complimentary copy of “The Betrayal of Thomas True”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Twenty-year-old Thomas True, just arrived in London after having escaped from his judgemental father’s residence, finds himself lured by Mother Clap’s scandalous molly house. The guard of the molly house is Gabriel Griffin, a serious carpenter who lives a double life as Lotty at Mother Clap’s. After one of the mollies is murdered, Gabriel figures out that there is a rat among them, betraying their secret to two murderous justices of the Society of Reformation. Will Gabriel be able to discover the rat’s identity before they are all either hanged for sodomy or murdered brutally?
The story comes to us in the third person perspective of various characters, chiefly of Gabriel and Thomas.
Bookish Yays:
😍 The author is a historical researcher, and it shows! I had not heard about molly houses, but the book doesn’t just stop at giving us a brief overview of these historical meeting places for homosexual men but also highlights some of their special practices and rituals. The book also depicts the atrocities committed by bigots in the name of religion.
😍 Gabriel is a strong character. The only character whose actions and behaviour I could mostly connect with and whom I could root for. To me, he made the book memorable.
😍 I am very impressed by the vocabulary usage. I can’t remember the last time I relied on my Kindle dictionary so much. There were so many historical words that the book felt authentic to its era.
😍 The historical setting of old London is depicted exceedingly well.
😍 Thomas’s Uncle and Aunt Quince are fun additions to the plot. In such a serious storyline, their presence and Uncle Quince’s fascination with his tallow candle business offer comic relief.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
😐 The time period of the plot isn’t mentioned directly. The actual plot mentions nothing. The introductory blurb (which I chanced upon after completing the novel) mentions the year as 1710, and the Goodreads blurb (which I didn’t even read until now) refers to the year as 1715. As such, I read the whole book just knowing that it was from long ago. I wish the year had been clarified at the start of the actual story. This isn’t a major issue, but I prefer knowing the time period clearly.
😐 Each of the “mollies” in the book has two names: their masculine birth name and their feminine molly name. This made the proceedings a bit confusing for me. There is a helpful table at the start, detailing the molly names of all the ten mollies, but I find it tedious to navigate to and fro on my Kindle.
😐 The mollies, Mother Clap, and the Quinces all have interesting personae. However, because of the numerous characters, there is only a superficial development of each person. I felt like the characters were explored at just surface-level and I didn’t really get to understand most of them.
Bookish Nays:
😕 I don’t know why Thomas True was the titular character, or why the word ‘betrayal’ had to be a part of the title when it isn’t even a part of the storyline for most of the way. I had expected to connect to Thomas the best because of his being the eponymous lead, but somehow, I never got a handle on him. His behaviour felt quite ad hoc.
😕 There is one part of the book when the plot suddenly incorporates magical realism. Though I love magical realism, I didn’t see how it fit into this storyline as it came out of nowhere and was discarded equally suddenly.
😕 A few of the scenes were too gory for my liking. I also didn’t get how one particular character survived a heinous attack made on him without any medical issue. It didn’t seem realistic.
😕 The reveal about the rat’s identity didn’t satisfy me. It felt half-baked, and left a few questions unanswered.
😕 The story didn’t settle into a steady rhythm. The scene transitions also seemed a bit abrupt. I feel like the book could have gone a lot more into the hows and the whys, but it limits itself to the whats. The dragged reveal of the rat’s identity also was annoying. It was more like deliberate miscommunication.
😕 My copy doesn’t have an author’s note, which is sad because the story certainly deserved one. A line at the end says that this is entirely a work of fiction. However, when I looked up molly houses, I saw that Mother Clap’s was an actual place, and some of the characters in this book seemed to have real-life counterparts. I wish there had been some light shed on this.
Basically, I loved the historical aspects of this book. It brings to light the reality of molly houses and the heinous manner in which homosexual men were targets of moralistic prudes. However, because of the somewhat flat character development, especially of the eponymous Thomas True, the book didn’t work better for me.
I must say that I am very much an outlier in my opinion. Most reviews for this book are strongly positive. So I urge you to read them and take a call on this work.
This would be appealing to readers of historical fiction with an interest in real-life LGBTQ+ troubles of the past.
2.75 stars.
My thanks to The Book Club Reviewer Group for a complimentary copy of “The Betrayal of Thomas True”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
April 14, 2024
Heartbreaking, gut wrenching and eye opening. AJ West truly has created a beautiful Master piece with the world of Thomas and Gabriel.
Such a magical writing style that takes you back in time to truly experience life in 1710. As a gay woman it really was breathtaking to learn and understand what men went through during these times. You can tell the volume of research the author has done as it shines through in this book and I found myself constantly googling bits that I wanted to learn more about!
A winner in the historical fiction genre!
* I received a proof copy with no obligation to review or post.
Such a magical writing style that takes you back in time to truly experience life in 1710. As a gay woman it really was breathtaking to learn and understand what men went through during these times. You can tell the volume of research the author has done as it shines through in this book and I found myself constantly googling bits that I wanted to learn more about!
A winner in the historical fiction genre!
* I received a proof copy with no obligation to review or post.
July 9, 2024
18th century London is bought to life with its foul smells, poverty and a term that I wasn’t familiar with before now, mollies and molly houses. Life in London was a dangerous place for gay men – they are hunted down and if caught are shown no mercy. Their ‘crime’ was often punishable by hanging however mollies had a sanctuary in molly houses around the City; whereby they could express themselves by choosing another identity – often female, wear whatever they wish whether it be dresses or wigs, behave how they want and not be judged. Their mantra of ‘Together…. Always Together’ was a thread that bound them.
Young Thomas True is desperate to fit in and find his place in the world. He has no friends and has known nothing but brutality from his religious family and torment from his peers. Fleeing his home and upon his arrival in London and the introduction to likeminded men he feels wonder and hope that this is somewhere he can belong. Thomas was an endearing character; he could be a little foolish and at times naive but his heart was good. However Thomas and other mollies are in danger. A traitor – known as ‘the Rat’ is suspected of giving away their identities to the justices and Thomas together with molly guard Gabriel Griffin try to find the Rat and end the betrayals. A huge hulk of a man, Gabriel was a lonely and complex character, conflicted in his feelings – particularly with his increasing attraction to Thomas. By day he was a carpenter/builder and still grieving for his family whilst at night he assumed the identity of Lotty guarding the molly house belonging to Mother Clap with the intention of keeping the mollies safe from outside forces.
The Betrayal of Thomas True was an amazing story and one which opened my eyes and tugged at the heart. It is a decadent romp through a part of history that I knew little about and the vivid descriptions bought the story and the characters to life. Love, hope, corruption and betrayal – it is all there together with a touch of the fantastical. The book inspired a myriad of emotions, and the grisly brutality inflicted by men of God and the law turned my stomach at times.
This was a gripping and atmospheric historical thriller with (some) characters that I took to my heart. It is clear that much research was involved (more details can be found on the author’s website). With its twists and turns and intricate plotting I was constantly wondering what would happen next although I was so hoping that good would triumph over evil and that those responsible for such misery would get what they deserved. Highly recommended.
Young Thomas True is desperate to fit in and find his place in the world. He has no friends and has known nothing but brutality from his religious family and torment from his peers. Fleeing his home and upon his arrival in London and the introduction to likeminded men he feels wonder and hope that this is somewhere he can belong. Thomas was an endearing character; he could be a little foolish and at times naive but his heart was good. However Thomas and other mollies are in danger. A traitor – known as ‘the Rat’ is suspected of giving away their identities to the justices and Thomas together with molly guard Gabriel Griffin try to find the Rat and end the betrayals. A huge hulk of a man, Gabriel was a lonely and complex character, conflicted in his feelings – particularly with his increasing attraction to Thomas. By day he was a carpenter/builder and still grieving for his family whilst at night he assumed the identity of Lotty guarding the molly house belonging to Mother Clap with the intention of keeping the mollies safe from outside forces.
The Betrayal of Thomas True was an amazing story and one which opened my eyes and tugged at the heart. It is a decadent romp through a part of history that I knew little about and the vivid descriptions bought the story and the characters to life. Love, hope, corruption and betrayal – it is all there together with a touch of the fantastical. The book inspired a myriad of emotions, and the grisly brutality inflicted by men of God and the law turned my stomach at times.
This was a gripping and atmospheric historical thriller with (some) characters that I took to my heart. It is clear that much research was involved (more details can be found on the author’s website). With its twists and turns and intricate plotting I was constantly wondering what would happen next although I was so hoping that good would triumph over evil and that those responsible for such misery would get what they deserved. Highly recommended.
June 1, 2024
This book has stolen my heart, totally heartbreaking, gut-wrenching, and eye-opening. I began this novel not knowing anything about Mollies, nothing about the history and those wretched times. The poor souls of those times, may they rest in peace. 😢
The writing style is phenomenal, takes you right to 1710, and the characters sweep you up into their lives.
The ending just killed me, I didn't guess at all, so many twists and turns, so cleverly written.
This book has my highest recommendation. 👏🏽 👏🏽
The writing style is phenomenal, takes you right to 1710, and the characters sweep you up into their lives.
The ending just killed me, I didn't guess at all, so many twists and turns, so cleverly written.
This book has my highest recommendation. 👏🏽 👏🏽
April 23, 2024
4.5 🌟.
Wow such an amazing story. It really has everything in this book. Hope, Love, Betrayal, Loyalties and treachery.
I’m used to reading fast paced thrillers and always find it hard to review and rate books out of that category but I couldn’t pass this book up after hearing a review of someone else I follow.
The style of writing/language is not what I am used too and did take me a while to adapt but the overwhelming emotions I had towards a lot of these characters had me devouring page after page. That ending really tricked me 😢.
Brilliant 👏🏻
Wow such an amazing story. It really has everything in this book. Hope, Love, Betrayal, Loyalties and treachery.
I’m used to reading fast paced thrillers and always find it hard to review and rate books out of that category but I couldn’t pass this book up after hearing a review of someone else I follow.
The style of writing/language is not what I am used too and did take me a while to adapt but the overwhelming emotions I had towards a lot of these characters had me devouring page after page. That ending really tricked me 😢.
Brilliant 👏🏻
September 26, 2025
Anyone who knows me knows that I don’t really read much historical fiction. I also don’t cry at books.
At least, that was until I read The Betrayal Of Thomas True.
This book – and its mollies – have now stolen my whole heart. It’s easily one of my top reads of the year so far (and will probably stay that way!)
The Betrayal of Thomas True by A.J. West is nothing short of a masterpiece. It delves deep into the vibrant, perilous world of the gay scene in Georgian London and is a poignant, thrilling, and utterly heartbreaking journey. It illuminates the vibrant culture of Molly houses while also exposing the horrific trials faced by the gay community during an era that I think is often overlooked.
From the first page to the last, I was hooked by the incredible storytelling and the depth of research that A.J. West clearly put into bringing this period to life. Despite the unspeakable horrors endured by the mollies, this book remains a beautiful celebration of the exuberant life of the mollies and Molly houses. Every single character in this book is vividly brought to life with vibrancy and authenticity; the emotional depth and humanity of each of the mollies made their joys and sorrows resonate deeply. There were moments that brought me to tears, some of which I’m not sure I’ve recovered from yet!
I feel like The Betrayal of Thomas True is more than just a story – it’s a hell of an emotional journey through trials and tribulations, as well as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring pursuit of love and acceptance, all wrapped up in a twisty, turny mystery.
I cannot recommend this book enough (and already have, to multiple people!). Always Together 🦚
At least, that was until I read The Betrayal Of Thomas True.
This book – and its mollies – have now stolen my whole heart. It’s easily one of my top reads of the year so far (and will probably stay that way!)
The Betrayal of Thomas True by A.J. West is nothing short of a masterpiece. It delves deep into the vibrant, perilous world of the gay scene in Georgian London and is a poignant, thrilling, and utterly heartbreaking journey. It illuminates the vibrant culture of Molly houses while also exposing the horrific trials faced by the gay community during an era that I think is often overlooked.
From the first page to the last, I was hooked by the incredible storytelling and the depth of research that A.J. West clearly put into bringing this period to life. Despite the unspeakable horrors endured by the mollies, this book remains a beautiful celebration of the exuberant life of the mollies and Molly houses. Every single character in this book is vividly brought to life with vibrancy and authenticity; the emotional depth and humanity of each of the mollies made their joys and sorrows resonate deeply. There were moments that brought me to tears, some of which I’m not sure I’ve recovered from yet!
I feel like The Betrayal of Thomas True is more than just a story – it’s a hell of an emotional journey through trials and tribulations, as well as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring pursuit of love and acceptance, all wrapped up in a twisty, turny mystery.
I cannot recommend this book enough (and already have, to multiple people!). Always Together 🦚
August 5, 2024
I really don't know how this has got so many 5 star reviews.
The book is billed as a 'historical mystery' which is the main reason I picked it up. Unfortunately, the only indication of it's setting is by reading the blurb on the inside cover. Although that says the book is set in 1715, there is no indication of that whatsoever in any part of the book. Actually, there are no historical details involved at all, disappointingly. Told properly, historical London could have been a character all on its own, but the author misses every opportunity do so. At one point, an area of London is described as "the very den of vice and evil", and that's it - no embellishments on what that means. In fact, there's no descriptions of London at all. Indeed, apart from the odd mention of Tyburn, Clerkenwell and St Paul's, it could have been set anywhere and at any time.
Added to this, the book is just badly written, in the main. Every male character has a female persona ( or Molly) and West frequently forgets which perspective he's using in any given chapter, so Thomas goes from Verity to Thomas and back to Verity in several chapters that start from Verity's p.o.v. West also adds completely made up words that make no sense - there's a "glimmeration of lanterns" and "little hands brambled across the yellow lights". All complete nonsense .
I'd not recommend it, in all honesty.
The book is billed as a 'historical mystery' which is the main reason I picked it up. Unfortunately, the only indication of it's setting is by reading the blurb on the inside cover. Although that says the book is set in 1715, there is no indication of that whatsoever in any part of the book. Actually, there are no historical details involved at all, disappointingly. Told properly, historical London could have been a character all on its own, but the author misses every opportunity do so. At one point, an area of London is described as "the very den of vice and evil", and that's it - no embellishments on what that means. In fact, there's no descriptions of London at all. Indeed, apart from the odd mention of Tyburn, Clerkenwell and St Paul's, it could have been set anywhere and at any time.
Added to this, the book is just badly written, in the main. Every male character has a female persona ( or Molly) and West frequently forgets which perspective he's using in any given chapter, so Thomas goes from Verity to Thomas and back to Verity in several chapters that start from Verity's p.o.v. West also adds completely made up words that make no sense - there's a "glimmeration of lanterns" and "little hands brambled across the yellow lights". All complete nonsense .
I'd not recommend it, in all honesty.
June 25, 2024
The year is 1715 and Thomas True has arrived on old London Bridge with a secret he must guard like the most precious of jewels, for should it be discovered, he would surely have any hope of a future snuffed out quicker than a candle in a storm…
One night, lost amongst the squalor, the leaning buildings, the miasma of the unknown, Thomas finds himself drawn into the underworld like something which seems akin to Alice and her Wonderland, for it runs so parallel to his own, yet the reflections are fanciful, garish, glorious, and downright debauched, for it is the world of Molly houses and those who find escape within such marvellous walls and Thomas soon finds himself at the mercy of all it has to offer.
Meanwhile, carpenter Gabriel Griffin struggles to hide his double life, for on one side of his coin he may be a mild mannered, everyday worker who has ghosts of his past forever looking upon his every move, but on the other, he is Lotty, the mollies’ stoic and lovable guard who only wants to ensure that all who seek it, find not only pleasure but also security.
Yet when a young man is found murdered, Gabriel realises this was not just mindless violence, this was calculated, for there must be a rat within the molly houses, betraying their secrets to a pair of justices who are far too drunk on their own power, hellbent on destroying everything Lotty works so hard to protect.
Can Gabriel and Thomas unmask the traitor before they all hang? Or will they both learn that perhaps the price of freedom is just too high for people like themselves?
The Betrayal of Thomas True is gorgeously decadent, deliciously seductive, and glamorously gritty.
Quite simply put, a triumph of a novel!
One night, lost amongst the squalor, the leaning buildings, the miasma of the unknown, Thomas finds himself drawn into the underworld like something which seems akin to Alice and her Wonderland, for it runs so parallel to his own, yet the reflections are fanciful, garish, glorious, and downright debauched, for it is the world of Molly houses and those who find escape within such marvellous walls and Thomas soon finds himself at the mercy of all it has to offer.
Meanwhile, carpenter Gabriel Griffin struggles to hide his double life, for on one side of his coin he may be a mild mannered, everyday worker who has ghosts of his past forever looking upon his every move, but on the other, he is Lotty, the mollies’ stoic and lovable guard who only wants to ensure that all who seek it, find not only pleasure but also security.
Yet when a young man is found murdered, Gabriel realises this was not just mindless violence, this was calculated, for there must be a rat within the molly houses, betraying their secrets to a pair of justices who are far too drunk on their own power, hellbent on destroying everything Lotty works so hard to protect.
Can Gabriel and Thomas unmask the traitor before they all hang? Or will they both learn that perhaps the price of freedom is just too high for people like themselves?
The Betrayal of Thomas True is gorgeously decadent, deliciously seductive, and glamorously gritty.
Quite simply put, a triumph of a novel!
January 21, 2025
Holy shit!! Holy shit!! I need to be able to breathe then I can write this review.
Jesus Christ! AJ West what did you do?? Five stars is not my final rating...just wait and see Instagram- Booksnink
All I will say is READ THIS BOOK!! IT COMES OUT JULY 4th! Oh my god!! My heart!!!
This book takes you to 1700's London... before I carry on I barely read historical fiction but this book is genre bending and is part historical fiction, mystery, romance. This book would suit anyone, trust me.
Anyway 1700's London and the appearance of Mister Thomas True. We go on a journey with him as he meets and lives with an estranged Aunt and Uncle and their daughter. When Thomas True first comes to London he meets a character called Jack and through him he and us get to meet The Mollies and Mother Clap and trust me this is where your life changes reading this book.
You meet some of the darkest and strangest people and places and my goodness this book will take you on a rollercoaster ride.
The writing in this book is impeccable and from experiencing AJ's writing before he has written this book from a different place in his heart and this is really clear and comes out more than ever. The twists and turns in this book will give you whiplash and just when you think you have got it, you haven't. This book will honestly do the best and worst things to your heart but my goodness it is worth it. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, this book was an experience I will never forget.
If there is any book you should have on your TBR it is The Betrayal of Thomas True.
Jesus Christ! AJ West what did you do?? Five stars is not my final rating...just wait and see Instagram- Booksnink
All I will say is READ THIS BOOK!! IT COMES OUT JULY 4th! Oh my god!! My heart!!!
This book takes you to 1700's London... before I carry on I barely read historical fiction but this book is genre bending and is part historical fiction, mystery, romance. This book would suit anyone, trust me.
Anyway 1700's London and the appearance of Mister Thomas True. We go on a journey with him as he meets and lives with an estranged Aunt and Uncle and their daughter. When Thomas True first comes to London he meets a character called Jack and through him he and us get to meet The Mollies and Mother Clap and trust me this is where your life changes reading this book.
You meet some of the darkest and strangest people and places and my goodness this book will take you on a rollercoaster ride.
The writing in this book is impeccable and from experiencing AJ's writing before he has written this book from a different place in his heart and this is really clear and comes out more than ever. The twists and turns in this book will give you whiplash and just when you think you have got it, you haven't. This book will honestly do the best and worst things to your heart but my goodness it is worth it. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, this book was an experience I will never forget.
If there is any book you should have on your TBR it is The Betrayal of Thomas True.
August 1, 2024
3.75 *
This is a historic crime mystery that takes place in the molly houses of early 18th century London. I was not aware of this term before I read the book but came to know that they were like secret clubs where homosexual men met and had their own rituals and entertainment.
This story focuses on Gabriel Giffin, a carpenter with a very serious disposition, who leads a double life as a molly guard and is still tortured by the loss of his family. The other main character, the eponymous Thomas True, is a very young man in his twenties who has escaped from a difficult life in his father's rectory, hoping to have a better life as an apprentice to his uncle who runs a candle making business. Thomas is introduced to the mollies and their house on his very first night in the city and becomes entangled in their search for the Rat, supposedly one of their very own, who is betraying them to two Justices who are out to see them hanged for their 'ungodly' ways. As the mollies try to ferret out the rat who always seems one step ahead, the innocent Thomas and Gabriel are drawn to each other.
The author has done his historical research really well and it shows in the portrayal of the setting and time period mentioned as 1710 as well as the authenticity of the language used. The description of the people, their attire and their way of life took me right into their world.
The plight of homosexual men, forced to hide their true selves because they are considered sinners and the slightest proof of 'wrongdoing' is enough to condemn them, is highlighted. Their lives are in constant peril.They bond together to defy the law and society by assuming molly names and dressing up in gowns and dancing and so the molly houses are safe spaces until they are not. The persecution of these men in the name of religious bigotry was sickening, particularly the relish with which the so called upholders of the law went about hounding them.
I felt the book had some pacing issues particularly in the dragging out of the identity of the Rat which led to some repetition of who could or could not be the traitor a number of times. I was pleasantly surprised to have guessed who it was correctly as the suspense was decently maintained. There was also a lot of gore and many gruesome torture scenes which I understand set the tone but were still difficult to stomach. The real names and molly names of the various characters were tough to keep track of but I got better at it as I read more of the book.There were some inexplicably sudden moments of magical realism which I nevertheless liked for the way they were executed.
How the title related to the story was clarified nicely for me and I appreciated that. Overall this was good historical fiction that managed to educate me about people and places and happenings I wasn't aware of. I liked the way Thomas and Gabriel's relationship developed with a sort of grumpy sunshine vibe with each trying to save the other in their own way.This is a good read particularly if you like the genre.
This is a historic crime mystery that takes place in the molly houses of early 18th century London. I was not aware of this term before I read the book but came to know that they were like secret clubs where homosexual men met and had their own rituals and entertainment.
This story focuses on Gabriel Giffin, a carpenter with a very serious disposition, who leads a double life as a molly guard and is still tortured by the loss of his family. The other main character, the eponymous Thomas True, is a very young man in his twenties who has escaped from a difficult life in his father's rectory, hoping to have a better life as an apprentice to his uncle who runs a candle making business. Thomas is introduced to the mollies and their house on his very first night in the city and becomes entangled in their search for the Rat, supposedly one of their very own, who is betraying them to two Justices who are out to see them hanged for their 'ungodly' ways. As the mollies try to ferret out the rat who always seems one step ahead, the innocent Thomas and Gabriel are drawn to each other.
The author has done his historical research really well and it shows in the portrayal of the setting and time period mentioned as 1710 as well as the authenticity of the language used. The description of the people, their attire and their way of life took me right into their world.
The plight of homosexual men, forced to hide their true selves because they are considered sinners and the slightest proof of 'wrongdoing' is enough to condemn them, is highlighted. Their lives are in constant peril.They bond together to defy the law and society by assuming molly names and dressing up in gowns and dancing and so the molly houses are safe spaces until they are not. The persecution of these men in the name of religious bigotry was sickening, particularly the relish with which the so called upholders of the law went about hounding them.
I felt the book had some pacing issues particularly in the dragging out of the identity of the Rat which led to some repetition of who could or could not be the traitor a number of times. I was pleasantly surprised to have guessed who it was correctly as the suspense was decently maintained. There was also a lot of gore and many gruesome torture scenes which I understand set the tone but were still difficult to stomach. The real names and molly names of the various characters were tough to keep track of but I got better at it as I read more of the book.There were some inexplicably sudden moments of magical realism which I nevertheless liked for the way they were executed.
How the title related to the story was clarified nicely for me and I appreciated that. Overall this was good historical fiction that managed to educate me about people and places and happenings I wasn't aware of. I liked the way Thomas and Gabriel's relationship developed with a sort of grumpy sunshine vibe with each trying to save the other in their own way.This is a good read particularly if you like the genre.
February 14, 2025
This is without a doubt the easiest 5 star read I’ve ever given.
I can’t think of a single negative thing to say about the book, the writing style was so authentic to the genre, it was captivating and gripping. I’ve never ever cried at a book but wow.
The Betrayal of Thomas True will be a book that is etched to my brain forever, thank you AJ for writing such a memorable book.
I can’t think of a single negative thing to say about the book, the writing style was so authentic to the genre, it was captivating and gripping. I’ve never ever cried at a book but wow.
The Betrayal of Thomas True will be a book that is etched to my brain forever, thank you AJ for writing such a memorable book.
June 5, 2024
Wow! I am currently sat in tears and covered in goosebumps, this is a book that will stay stuck in my mind for a very long time!
I highly recommend this to everyone, it was a subject I knew nothing about, but it had me hooked from the very beginning.
A must read!
Thankyou A.J West on giving us Thomas True xx
I highly recommend this to everyone, it was a subject I knew nothing about, but it had me hooked from the very beginning.
A must read!
Thankyou A.J West on giving us Thomas True xx
July 25, 2025
I have read a few historical novels, usually crime fiction and mainly based in London. I have never read anything like this novel before. I have also never spent as much time in google as I have reading a book. For those readers who are the same, the author’s website contains a lot of information.
My extra research started almost immediately. I had never heard of Molly Houses so needed to know more about those. And then the pretty grim research started, most of the methods of torture and execution in this novel I had never heard of, mercifully, but it was quite frightening that it really wasn’t that long ago. There are probably areas of our world that wouldn’t think twice about doing it. But on to the story.
Whilst the reader does get to know Thomas True most of the novel concerns Gabriel, otherwise known as Lotty. His loneliness is evident throughout, as his desire for Thomas, mingled with suspicions over whether he is the rat. He wanted to believe him, I wanted to believe him, but the suspicion stayed throughout the entire novel.
There were quite a few characters I liked a lot in this novel, nearly all of them connected to the Molly House. I loved reading their stories, the freedom they felt because of Mother Clap, the Molly House owner, and also about their fears over the danger they faced and their refusal to stop living their lives they wanted to. It was very refreshing but also worrying to read, wondering how safe they all were and who was the biggest threat.
I had my suspicions over who the rat could be all the way through but I never really had a clue. But for me, finding out wasn’t the main storyline. Instead it was seeing this group of Mollies who were determined to do what they wanted despite the threat towards them. All had my admiration and respect.
The ending was one that absolutely destroyed me, I know from seeing other reviews that this is a common feeling. I wish I misunderstood but I don’t think I did.
My extra research started almost immediately. I had never heard of Molly Houses so needed to know more about those. And then the pretty grim research started, most of the methods of torture and execution in this novel I had never heard of, mercifully, but it was quite frightening that it really wasn’t that long ago. There are probably areas of our world that wouldn’t think twice about doing it. But on to the story.
Whilst the reader does get to know Thomas True most of the novel concerns Gabriel, otherwise known as Lotty. His loneliness is evident throughout, as his desire for Thomas, mingled with suspicions over whether he is the rat. He wanted to believe him, I wanted to believe him, but the suspicion stayed throughout the entire novel.
There were quite a few characters I liked a lot in this novel, nearly all of them connected to the Molly House. I loved reading their stories, the freedom they felt because of Mother Clap, the Molly House owner, and also about their fears over the danger they faced and their refusal to stop living their lives they wanted to. It was very refreshing but also worrying to read, wondering how safe they all were and who was the biggest threat.
I had my suspicions over who the rat could be all the way through but I never really had a clue. But for me, finding out wasn’t the main storyline. Instead it was seeing this group of Mollies who were determined to do what they wanted despite the threat towards them. All had my admiration and respect.
The ending was one that absolutely destroyed me, I know from seeing other reviews that this is a common feeling. I wish I misunderstood but I don’t think I did.
July 17, 2024
This book was a lot darker than my usual historical fiction reads but I was hooked from the first pages. A colourful cast of characters from the streets of 18th century London really brought this to life.
The suspense was unreal, my heart was actually racing as it built up to the big reveal. As a romance lover I was holding out for a happy ending ☹️ but satisfied with the twisty ending we did get.
The suspense was unreal, my heart was actually racing as it built up to the big reveal. As a romance lover I was holding out for a happy ending ☹️ but satisfied with the twisty ending we did get.
June 17, 2024
Heartbreaking and emotional but so beautiful, Gabriel and Thomas’ story is one of love, friendship, strength and being true to oneself.
It’s been such a thrill and an honour to be part of this readalong with AJ and Instabook Tours. Listening to AJ’s thoughts on the characters and the research undertaken added such flavour to this wonderful evocative story.
With evocative descriptions of 18th century London I could imagine walking in Gabriel’s footsteps as he hunted down the Rat.
The twists and suspicions kept me guessing completely and I loved how we were fed little bits of information but never quite enough to spoil the review. I kept changing my mind all the way through.
I’ve taken Gabriel, Thomas and the Mollies to my heart and this book will definitely stay with me. ‘Always Together’
November 28, 2024
I realise it's definitely a me problem because there are so many 5 star reviews but I just can't pretend to like this. The premise seemed right up my alley and the cover is gorgeous. That's it. I didn't like the writing style, I couldn't connect to the characters, I didn't care about the relationship and I found some plot points to be absurd.
The book has its fans and I'm sad I'm not one of them.
The book has its fans and I'm sad I'm not one of them.
July 14, 2025
5⭐️
AD-PR PRODUCT ~ Book Tour
A mesmerising, hard-hitting and impactful novel! 💜
I am astounded at how amazing this book was. As LGBT+ historical fiction, I was incredibly apprehensive to enter into this realm, but what I just read was truly vivacious, evocative and dazzling!
West immediately thrusts Georgian London into your mind through visceral descriptions that rendered the book to life. Being transported back in time to a very different London was truly captivating.
What I can’t even describe was how beautifully composed and delivered this book was. I was on tenterhooks throughout as joy, pain, melancholy and rage reverberated throughout me with each chapter.
I adored the characters in this read and how they were all so different and diverse, but shared togetherness through their molly lifestyles. Thomas’ character was significant in understanding life as a young gay man and I loved his chapters. His connection with Gabriel captured my attention and I flew through the pages. I could truly shout about so many wonderful characters in this book.
West perfectly aroused suspicion and created a thrilling sense of mystery throughout the novel and cleverly achieved this whilst educating about molly houses in the 1700s. What I loved was how this book felt like such a pleasure to read, despite it tackling brutality and uncomfortable themes.
I think this story was destined to be told and West has done a magnificent job of telling it. I have not encountered a book like this for a long time and this book WILL be in not only my favourites of the year, but of all time. Absolutely impeccable!
A huge thank you @randomthingstours, @orendabooks and @ajwestauthor for this stunning copy of The Betrayal of Thomas True and for having me on the Book Tour. This read will stay with me forever.
I urge you go and check out this book immediately as this review doesn’t provide the justice it deserves! 😍
⚠️ Please check out the trigger warnings! ⚠️
AD-PR PRODUCT ~ Book Tour
A mesmerising, hard-hitting and impactful novel! 💜
I am astounded at how amazing this book was. As LGBT+ historical fiction, I was incredibly apprehensive to enter into this realm, but what I just read was truly vivacious, evocative and dazzling!
West immediately thrusts Georgian London into your mind through visceral descriptions that rendered the book to life. Being transported back in time to a very different London was truly captivating.
What I can’t even describe was how beautifully composed and delivered this book was. I was on tenterhooks throughout as joy, pain, melancholy and rage reverberated throughout me with each chapter.
I adored the characters in this read and how they were all so different and diverse, but shared togetherness through their molly lifestyles. Thomas’ character was significant in understanding life as a young gay man and I loved his chapters. His connection with Gabriel captured my attention and I flew through the pages. I could truly shout about so many wonderful characters in this book.
West perfectly aroused suspicion and created a thrilling sense of mystery throughout the novel and cleverly achieved this whilst educating about molly houses in the 1700s. What I loved was how this book felt like such a pleasure to read, despite it tackling brutality and uncomfortable themes.
I think this story was destined to be told and West has done a magnificent job of telling it. I have not encountered a book like this for a long time and this book WILL be in not only my favourites of the year, but of all time. Absolutely impeccable!
A huge thank you @randomthingstours, @orendabooks and @ajwestauthor for this stunning copy of The Betrayal of Thomas True and for having me on the Book Tour. This read will stay with me forever.
I urge you go and check out this book immediately as this review doesn’t provide the justice it deserves! 😍
⚠️ Please check out the trigger warnings! ⚠️
June 25, 2024
"London had to be friendly, or why should so many people choose to live there?"
A J West's book The Betrayal of Thomas True is set in Georgian London, and it tells us the tale of the secret Molly houses that were around back then. This was an eye opener for me and I enjoyed learning about something that I never knew about.
"‘For truth, darling! We are mollies and no true molly dresses so plain as men."
It focuses on the gay community and how they were perceived and tortured for who they were and who they loved. West doesn't scrimp on the description of the torture. I love my books that go into gory detail and there were times I was horrified.
‘Whoever you love, whoever you are, we shall always be righteous … always be free … and… ’ The room bent inwards, and the crowd erupted, joining in one single voice: ‘ALWAYS TOGETHER!’
It's not all about the torture. Underneath there is a tale of love and mystery. Who is the rat? There are so many characters that I took my heart in this book. Even though Thomas is the main character, it's Gabriel that I felt more invested in. A gentle giant who didn't know yet what love was. Will he find it?
‘That’s the saddest thing I ever heard. You have to open doors, or you’ll only ever see what people want you to see.’
This is out July 4th and I urge you to buy it. Believe me its a fantastic read. West uses all your senses to immerse you into Georgian London. You won't help yourself falling for these eclectic set of characters 🦚
A J West's book The Betrayal of Thomas True is set in Georgian London, and it tells us the tale of the secret Molly houses that were around back then. This was an eye opener for me and I enjoyed learning about something that I never knew about.
"‘For truth, darling! We are mollies and no true molly dresses so plain as men."
It focuses on the gay community and how they were perceived and tortured for who they were and who they loved. West doesn't scrimp on the description of the torture. I love my books that go into gory detail and there were times I was horrified.
‘Whoever you love, whoever you are, we shall always be righteous … always be free … and… ’ The room bent inwards, and the crowd erupted, joining in one single voice: ‘ALWAYS TOGETHER!’
It's not all about the torture. Underneath there is a tale of love and mystery. Who is the rat? There are so many characters that I took my heart in this book. Even though Thomas is the main character, it's Gabriel that I felt more invested in. A gentle giant who didn't know yet what love was. Will he find it?
‘That’s the saddest thing I ever heard. You have to open doors, or you’ll only ever see what people want you to see.’
This is out July 4th and I urge you to buy it. Believe me its a fantastic read. West uses all your senses to immerse you into Georgian London. You won't help yourself falling for these eclectic set of characters 🦚
August 29, 2024
5 stars are not enough for this book.
“We are mollies. Always together.”
This book is set in 1700s Georgian London which I absolutely loved. You are immersed into the world and characters right from the beginning. The writing style I imagine could be jarring for some people but I found it quite poetic and just helped immerse me even more.
It focussed on themes such as kinship, camaraderie, love, loss, and of course betrayal. You will fall in love with the characters and the story builds and builds to the finale which will make you feel a range of emotions.
This is the best book I’ve read this year.
Take a bow, AJ West.
“We are mollies. Always together.”
This book is set in 1700s Georgian London which I absolutely loved. You are immersed into the world and characters right from the beginning. The writing style I imagine could be jarring for some people but I found it quite poetic and just helped immerse me even more.
It focussed on themes such as kinship, camaraderie, love, loss, and of course betrayal. You will fall in love with the characters and the story builds and builds to the finale which will make you feel a range of emotions.
This is the best book I’ve read this year.
Take a bow, AJ West.
July 16, 2024
What an exciting, different and compelling tale. A journey into the world of 1700s London and the Mollies . The descriptive language had me captivated and the storyline kept me reading well into the early hours. Dark and dangerous, this book was a corker.
April 9, 2025
What a book. A.J. West can write. It was like i was in there, in Londen in the 1700. It is so detailet. I Just loved it. And it broke me at the end. I would recommend this book any day!!
April 7, 2024
I have just this minute read the final page of this book and all I can say is - wow. I was invested from the outset. Thomas True’s journey from the shy, oppressed and outcasted rectors son to the young man he would later become on the streets of Georgian London was just breathtaking.
The story is so fast paced and immersive, following Thomas as he discovers his true self among the mollies, the secretive underbelly of such a savage society. The cast of characters was diverse and all so brilliant - I loved every one of the mollies and felt like I knew them, with Gabe as a clear favourite. My heart ached for him throughout.
This is a book that will keep you awake at night, reading into the small hours, unable to put it down. The plot twists are shocking, I would never have guessed who The Rat was, it was all so cleverly done.
I can’t say too much more without giving spoilers, but what a brilliant, brilliant book. I will be recommending it to everyone.
The story is so fast paced and immersive, following Thomas as he discovers his true self among the mollies, the secretive underbelly of such a savage society. The cast of characters was diverse and all so brilliant - I loved every one of the mollies and felt like I knew them, with Gabe as a clear favourite. My heart ached for him throughout.
This is a book that will keep you awake at night, reading into the small hours, unable to put it down. The plot twists are shocking, I would never have guessed who The Rat was, it was all so cleverly done.
I can’t say too much more without giving spoilers, but what a brilliant, brilliant book. I will be recommending it to everyone.
October 12, 2024
5 ⭐
Wow. I adored this historical crime fiction based on the Mollies in London.
Thought provoking, eye opening and heartbreaking.
Loved the character development and setting.
Thorough research has made this an outstanding read.
The suspense was unreal and had my heart racing throughout.
Would highly recommend 💕
Wow. I adored this historical crime fiction based on the Mollies in London.
Thought provoking, eye opening and heartbreaking.
Loved the character development and setting.
Thorough research has made this an outstanding read.
The suspense was unreal and had my heart racing throughout.
Would highly recommend 💕
August 20, 2024
I'm looking forward to A. J. West's new book 'The Betrayal of Thomas True'. I was captivated by 'The Spirit Engineer' - my first read of 2022. Expectations are high for this next novel released in June/July. I await my signed pre ordered copy from West End Lane Books with much anticipation.
August 31, 2024
I have no words. I am a broken mess 😭💔 This book is AMAZING but it broke me 😭 more than any other book ever has !!
July 4, 2024
The Betrayal Of Thomas True is a intriguing and emotional read which I found incredibly gripping.
Firstly, I hadn’t read much about Molly Houses, so I enjoyed learning finding out more about them. The joyful atmosphere inside Mother Claps and the shows that happen there were wonderful to read about. I often felt like I was actually there, watching all the action unfold and enjoying it all alongside the characters. It really brought a smile to my face seeing them all free and able to just be themselves there. The general attitude toward homosexuality was difficult to read about and it made me very sad for past Mollies from that period. The gangs that hunted them made me shiver as did the corporal punishment that was doled out for anything that could be deemed homosexual behaviour.
My favourite character was Thomas who I felt very sympathetic towards as I felt he had a hard, lonely life trying to hide his sexuality. He seemed very naive and lost at times as he negotiates his new life in London which made me feel very protective of him. His growing friendship with the other Mollies was lovely to witness and I loved watching it develop. Their crude banter often made me laugh out loud as I read and the scenes of the book where they are all together at Mother Claps were my favourite in the book.
Overall, as you can probably tell I loved this book and I will definitely be recommending it to others. I quickly found myself drawn into the book and into the lives of the characters. There were some characters I loved to hate, like the horrible justices who I hoped would come to a sticky end, and some that I felt very attached so wanted to keep reading to find out what happened to them. I thought the book was quite hard hitting in places as the reader describes the treatment of the Mollies and the hardships poor Londoner’s faced during that period.
The ending was lovely though very emotional and while I did hope for a different ending I thought it was a fitting way to end the book. It’s a book that has stayed with me long after reading and I think would make a good book club read as I think there would be lots to discuss.
Firstly, I hadn’t read much about Molly Houses, so I enjoyed learning finding out more about them. The joyful atmosphere inside Mother Claps and the shows that happen there were wonderful to read about. I often felt like I was actually there, watching all the action unfold and enjoying it all alongside the characters. It really brought a smile to my face seeing them all free and able to just be themselves there. The general attitude toward homosexuality was difficult to read about and it made me very sad for past Mollies from that period. The gangs that hunted them made me shiver as did the corporal punishment that was doled out for anything that could be deemed homosexual behaviour.
My favourite character was Thomas who I felt very sympathetic towards as I felt he had a hard, lonely life trying to hide his sexuality. He seemed very naive and lost at times as he negotiates his new life in London which made me feel very protective of him. His growing friendship with the other Mollies was lovely to witness and I loved watching it develop. Their crude banter often made me laugh out loud as I read and the scenes of the book where they are all together at Mother Claps were my favourite in the book.
Overall, as you can probably tell I loved this book and I will definitely be recommending it to others. I quickly found myself drawn into the book and into the lives of the characters. There were some characters I loved to hate, like the horrible justices who I hoped would come to a sticky end, and some that I felt very attached so wanted to keep reading to find out what happened to them. I thought the book was quite hard hitting in places as the reader describes the treatment of the Mollies and the hardships poor Londoner’s faced during that period.
The ending was lovely though very emotional and while I did hope for a different ending I thought it was a fitting way to end the book. It’s a book that has stayed with me long after reading and I think would make a good book club read as I think there would be lots to discuss.
July 6, 2024
Oh.My.Gosh!!
What can I say about this book that will actually portray just how amazing a read this was!?
Let's start with the setting.
A Georgian Britain, where we enter the scene of the molly-house and follow the story of Gabriel and Thomas.
I was completely transported here right from the start.
The descriptive writing was something else and had me completely immersed in this era and right in amongst the characters throughout.
I'd never heard of a molly-house before and found the level of detail just outstanding. I was so intrigued that I went off down a Google rabbit hole for a while mid read!
But, nothing can ever be straight forward and of course, there's a "rat" in the house who is feeding information back to the justices....and so the mystery begins.
I can't say any more about the plot as I hate spoilers. But I will say that this was such a captivating storyline and one that kept me guessing right up to the reveal.
There was so much packed into this and I honestly couldn't put it down.
I was totally mesmerised, taking the characters into my heart and I'm sure that I'll be thinking about this one for quite some time.
I've already pre-ordered a print of this so that I will be able to enjoy it all over again in the near future!
A great read, written with skill. I can't wait to read more by this author!
What can I say about this book that will actually portray just how amazing a read this was!?
Let's start with the setting.
A Georgian Britain, where we enter the scene of the molly-house and follow the story of Gabriel and Thomas.
I was completely transported here right from the start.
The descriptive writing was something else and had me completely immersed in this era and right in amongst the characters throughout.
I'd never heard of a molly-house before and found the level of detail just outstanding. I was so intrigued that I went off down a Google rabbit hole for a while mid read!
But, nothing can ever be straight forward and of course, there's a "rat" in the house who is feeding information back to the justices....and so the mystery begins.
I can't say any more about the plot as I hate spoilers. But I will say that this was such a captivating storyline and one that kept me guessing right up to the reveal.
There was so much packed into this and I honestly couldn't put it down.
I was totally mesmerised, taking the characters into my heart and I'm sure that I'll be thinking about this one for quite some time.
I've already pre-ordered a print of this so that I will be able to enjoy it all over again in the near future!
A great read, written with skill. I can't wait to read more by this author!
July 25, 2024
This was one of the books I was excited to read this year and I was not disappointed. I read a lot of books, and I love a lot of books but what I love about AJ’s writing is the way it makes me feel nostalgic for the books that I read when I was younger. The way he makes the characters and places come alive is amazing. Once you open the pages of the book you just jump straight in and feel like you are among the people and places, that you could just reach out and touch them and talk to them. Needless to say I fell in love with this book. This is brilliant historical fiction.
July 4, 2025
Historical fiction at its very best. I found this book hugely emotional the forbidden love between Gabriel and Thomas set in the 1700s, it was heartbreaking and a gritty thrilling read.
The writing really dragged me back in time and felt very well researched, I learnt a lot.
A book that stays with you way after the book is closed.
I also purchased the hardback edition which is gorgeous 😍
The writing really dragged me back in time and felt very well researched, I learnt a lot.
A book that stays with you way after the book is closed.
I also purchased the hardback edition which is gorgeous 😍
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