An Indiscreet Princess: A Novel of Queen Victoria’s Defiant Daughter

by Georgie Blalock

From the acclaimed author of The Other Windsor Girl and The Last Debutantes comes a brilliant novel about Queen Victoria’s most rebellious and artistically talented daughter, Princess Louise, showcasing her rich life in Georgie Blalock’s signature flair.

Before Princes Margaret, before Duchess Meghan, there was Princess Louise: royal rebel.

As the fourth daughter of the perpetually in-mourning Queen Victoria, Princess Louise’s life is more a gilded prison than a fairy tale. Expected to sit quietly next to her mother with downcast eyes, Louise vows to escape the stultifying royal court. Blessed with beauty, artistic talent, and a common touch, she creates a life outside the walled-in existence of the palace grounds by attending the National Art Training School—where she shockingly learns to sculpt nude models while falling passionately in love with famed sculptor Joseph Edgar Boehm.

Although Louise cultivates artist friends, artistic success, and a life outside the palace, she quickly learns that even royal rebels must heed the call of duty. For twenty years, Louise fights to maintain her relationship with Joseph and what freedom she can glean within the strict requirements of Queen Victoria’s court. When a near fatal accident forces her back under Queen Victoria’s iron rule, Louise must choose between surrendering to the all-consuming grief of lost love and dreams that plagued her mother or finding the strength to keep fighting for her unconventional life.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Romance, Victorian, British Literature, Royalty

Audible Audio

First published September 27, 2022

About the author

Georgie Blalock is a history and movie buff who loves combining her different passions through historical fiction, and a healthy dose of period piece films. When not writing, she can be found prowling the non-fiction history section of the library or the British film listings on Netflix or in the dojo training for her next karate black belt rank. Georgie also writes historical romance under the name Georgie Lee.

Reviews

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

London, 1868. Princess Louise Caroline Alberta is artistically talented and dreams of entering the National Art Training School. She is introduced to Mr. Joseph Edgar Boehm, who is a professor at the art school. He is honest with his opinion of her natural talent, which lacks spontaneity. At first, she is taken aback by his honesty, but later it turns out that students appreciate his honesty. That’s how they progress at school.

Once, she is permitted to attend school, at first, she struggles with balancing between instructions from prof. Boehm and what her mother may thing of nude drawings. As she progresses at school, her feelings also progress for the Hungarian professor, but in reality, she must marry the one her mother and her government approve of.

Louise is a likeable and relatable character, someone who craves to forge her own path, despite the strict protocols.

It is an interesting story written with beautiful prose. I just found some descriptions too long, slowing the pace.

Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is by far one of the most glorious covers of 2022! That said, the novel itself was a dud... If Princess Louise sounds like a petulant, forgets-she-has-interests teenager with a crush, Queen Victoria is reduced to a caricatural Mama figure. Their final confrontation reads like cheap melodrama... Superficial characterization and ridiculously anachronistic dialogue. I was ready to swoon over a forbidden romance between two artistic personalities... However, I'm not buying the love story because I am told about it in snippets rather than shown. I should be grateful this isn't a first-person narrative. Small mercies, I guess.

The 2nd star is for the cover alone!

[Mimi Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

From my endorsement:

An Indiscreet Princess is an enthralling portrayal of Princess Louise, the talented and headstrong fourth daughter of Queen Victoria. Georgie Blalock paints a vivid and accessible portrait of a woman navigating duty and desire, set against the richly-drawn backdrop of Victorian society, featuring all the luminaries of the age. Highly recommended.

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Indiscreet Princess
A Novel of Queen Victoria's Defiant Daughter
by Georgie Blalock
William Morrow, William Morrow Paperbacks
Pub Date: Sep 27

I fell headlong into Georgie Blalock's compelling histfic tale, AN INDISCREET PRINCESS. I can't imagine living the life of Princess Louise, fourth daughter of Britain's Queen Victoria, relegated to sit and watch as the Queen mourned her dead husband, Prince Consort Albert. The passionate and beautiful Louise longs to become an artist and live a free life outside this gilded cage.

Freedom comes when she attends the National Art Training School in London, 1868. She learns to sculpt nudes and falls in love with her married professor, Joseph Edgar Boehm. But she knows she must eventually marry, and when possible matches with foreign royalty are discussed, Louise chooses an Englishman, the Duke of Argyll, instead.

Louise is drawn by Blalock in elegant literary strokes. I felt great compassion for her and was fully swept into her life by the author's deftly written narrative. Highly recommended for readers who adore histfic tales that reveal intriguing royal backstories.

Thanks to the author, William Morrow, William Morrow Paperbacks, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.

#AnIndiscreetPrincess #GeorgieBlalock #WilliamMorrow #NetGalley #histficnovel #womensfictionnovel #PrincessLouise #fourthdaughterqueenvictoria #bookstagramcommunity

[Stephanie Thornton]

Meticulously researched and vividly written, Georgie Blalock paints a detailed portrait of Princess Louise and her refusal to bow to society's--or her mother's--expectations, from Louise's unusual admittance into the National Art Training School to her sweeping romance with a renowned sculptor. Fans of The Crown's Princess Margaret will adore this look at Princess Louise, the unconventional daughter of Queen Victoria, as she bends all the rules to live a life on her own terms.

[Nursebookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you @williammorrowbooks and @georgieblalock for the gifted book!

Before Princess Margaret, before Duchess Meghan, there was Princess Louise: royal rebel.

TITLE: An Indiscreet Princess: A Novel of Queen Victoria's Defiant Daughter
AUTHOR: Georgie Blalock
PUB DATE: 09.27.2022 Preorder Now

Enthralling
Vivid
Unconventional

AN INDISCREET PRINCESS is a fascinating and enthralling story of Queen Victoria’s fourth daughter, Princess Louise. Blalaock, in a meticulously researched and richly imagined account, paints the portrait of a young woman torn between family responsibilities, and the freedom to pursue her art and passions. With the backdrop of the Victorian society, we are drawn as readers into the constraints of the life of a woman clearly ahead of her time, and with the duty as a daughter of the Queen. In a deftly written narrative, I was completely gripped by the dialogue, the characters, the historical references, and the royal family.

[Cherlynn Womack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher & to goodreads for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I loved it!!!
Georgie Blalock beautifully weaves together a story on Queen Victoria's daughter, Princess Louise, who is lovely, down to earth, & artistically talented. She takes an interest in going to art school to study sculptures. Queen Victoria is a demanding mother, who is constantly mourning her husband, & has retreated from public appearances leaving Louise and her brothers & sisters at her right hand. Louise grows bored from living behind the palace walls. When Queen Victoria allows Louise to go to school to study art Louise thrives & even sculps nude sculptures. She doesn't want special treatment because she's a princess & loves to blend with those of no rank. She takes classes from the famous sculptor Joseph Edgar Boehm & there is chemistry, but marriage is out of the question. However, Queen Victoria brings a list of possible suitors for Louise to choose to marry. Just when Louise marries, she feels free from her mother's grasp, but an accident in Canada sends her back home under her mom's control. Will she find a way to be free & live her own life?
I plan on reading more from this author.

[Lorin (paperbackbish) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this story! I read a lot of historical fiction, but this was my first time reading in detail about Princess Louise, aka Loosy (I love this nickname).

My favorite aspect of this story is how the relationship between mother and daughter evolves, especially given how their similarities cause so much friction between them. I also enjoyed the inclusion of historical letters and editorials, each of which set the scene for the subsequent section of the story. It’s a nice touch and an ever-present reminder that this fiction is based on real people and real events.

I found Louise to be an extremely relatable and likable character. I think most of us can empathize with a desire to live as we yearn to, whether or not our parents (and monarchical obligations) are the ones setting the restrictions. Her romance with Edgar is sweet, and I especially enjoyed reading her interactions with her many siblings of dissimilar personalities.

I think it commendable that author Georgie Blalock chose to focus on a specific subset of Louise’s life. I personally have had many historical reads ruined by the inclusion of too much detail — years and events that weren’t hyper-relevant to the “point” of the novel. The timeline of this narrative is poignant and compelling to the portrayal of Louise as its heroine.

Thank you to Georgie Blalock, William Morrow Paperbacks, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!

[Renée Rosen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Georgie Blalock has delivered a mother-daughter story of immense proportions. Especially because the mother is Queen Victoria and the daughter is Princess Louise, a rebellious woman determined to pursue a life of art and forbidden love. AN INDISCREET PRINCESS is a must read for fans of The Crown, Princess Margaret and all things Royal.

[Sarah W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't know much about Princess Louise, daughter of Queen Victoria, prior to this novel. Louise struggled to make her own way in the late 19th century, something that can feel relatable today. Louise sought to be a sculptor, studying with many of the noted artists of the day, and she aimed to assert herself in her personal relationships, too. Often tense with her mother, Louise married to escape the queen's household and to have the freedom to conduct her own love affairs. Overall, this novel makes for compelling reading and is definitely a good book for fans of royal history.

[Kathleen Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Indiscreet Princess by Georgie Blalock is a story based on facts about Princess Louise, daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Fourth daughter and sixth child. In this version, Prince Albert is dead and the Queen is in perpetual mourning. This puts a damper on the children, especially Louise. Talented in her own right as a sculptor/artist she fights conventions and her mother so she can go to art school.

Louise was secretary to her mother, as an unmarried girl, that was the lot in life for the Queen's girls. She was of marriageable age and it was the Queen's duty to find a suitable husband for Louise and her other girls. She had strict requirements, and the prospective husband had to stay in England.

Louise was allowed by the Queen to attend art school, thus meeting her lover, sculptor, and teacher Edgar Boehm. It was a long-lasting affair. The Queen finally found a suitable suitor for Louise, she became engaged to Marquess of Lorne, heir to the Dukedom of Argyll while he visited Balmoral. He was a British subject and Louise was royalty, which was not often done then. The Queen felt this marriage would bring new blood to the royalty, although Louise never had any children.

The Marquess wanted some sort of appointment in the Queen's court. He was appointed Government General of Canada and Louise became Viceregal consort of Canada. While there the Marquess and Louise founded the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. Louise was also a patroness of many organizations while in Canada.

A sleigh accident injured Louise and she was sent back to England where she took up where she left off, as a married woman it was easier for her to carry on her duties and affair with Boehm. This is pretty much where this story ended, her return to England. She and her husband never really had a loving relationship whereas they spent a lot of time apart.

I enjoyed this particular take on Louise and the life of royalty in Victorian England. A time of strict protocols and lifestyle. Seemed to me to be a dark and gloomy time. One can only mourn for so long. For that era, Louise was a very strong woman, getting what she wanted and being very accomplished.

If you like a historical novel at its best, this one is for you. Louise was a very fascinating woman of her time. I give it 5 stars for story content, research, and writing.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story. Saw a different side of Queen Victoria then what I knew of her.

[Sarah S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another win from a Goodreads giveaway. This was a fun one following one of the princesses of England on her journey to make a name for herself and not just fall into the typical role expected of her.

[Ally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took me so long to finish cuz this was my first time reading something other than romance on my spare time, but luckily there was still some romance. it’s a slow burn all around, everything moves slowly in this book, but it’s so well written that after the last page i’m speaking with a british accent

[Annette · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Thoughts:

I read an advanced reader copy. There is only the story. There is not a chapter for Reader's Notes telling me about the author's research. There is not an Acknowledgement's section either. So, I don't know what books Blalock read or other types of factual history there is on Louise. I want to state this plain that it is a rumor that she and Boehm had an affair. There were other rumors of her as well. For example, a child possibly born to her when she was a teenager. But I don't believe there is solid historical evidence in writings, etc., about her affair with Boehm. Maybe she did and maybe she did not. She was with him at his death, but it doesn't mean they had an affair. Yes, this is a fictional account, but I still dislike.

Why do I mention the above? I kept thinking all through the story, I would hate it if someone wrote a book about me sharing untrue information. But if I am dead who can argue my case.

I will review on the book itself. But I did have to get the above off my chest.

In the story, Louise comes across as disrespectful to her mother. Yes, Victoria comes across as critical and domineering. And uses a strong hand (or tries to) with her children. Louise is still sneaky and disrespectful.

I love the focus of art. I too am an artist. I draw mainly. So, I enjoyed reading a book that has artistic qualities and characters.

Usually in a book there is a character or characters that I feel sorry for. That I feel something for. It was difficult to "feel" for these people who come across as snobby even though they see others as snobby they don't realize it in themselves. As a result, the book was difficult for me to become invested in. I had (almost) an- I don't care attitude.

The most touching scene in the book came at 81%. I don't have a page number. It took that long for the story to touch my heart.

The book wraps up well and between that point and the previous mention of the touching scene my rating moved up to "good."

Source: I received an advanced reader complementary Kindle e-book from NetGalley and William Morrow. I am not required to write a positive review.
Audience: Readers of historical fiction and the royal family of England.
Rating: Good.

[Miriam Smith (A Mother’s Musings) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Georgie Blalock is the talented author of ‘The Other Windsor Girl’ and ‘The Last Debutantes’. She also writes historical romance novels, under the name Georgie Lee. “An Indiscreet Princess” is her latest historical fiction novel.

I found it helpful to research Queen Victoria and her many children, with a particular attention on her fourth daughter Princess Louise. This helped me understand Louise’s real life ambitions and love interests and how it correlated to the author’s fictional account.

It’s often believed, being a part of the royal family would be simply wonderful, with basically everything you could wish for at your fingertips. However, what we often forget, is that those family members still have everyday normal human emotions and feelings. The restrictions imposed upon them must be very constricting (as we’ve seen recently with Harry and Meghan) and this made understanding Louise all the more easy. I really liked her strong feminist morals and her perseverance to achieve her ambitions, especially considering her domineering mother Queen Victoria, strictly forbade her to continue with her aspirations.

Due to the recent sad death of our beloved Queen and the many references to Balmoral, I felt a much closer connection to the story. Being my first regency novel and cleverly based loosely on some real life facts, this won’t be my last by this author. She reeled me in completely with her polished writing, literary prose and vivid descriptions of the art, the sculpting and the many enigmatic characters and I was literally swept away in the life of Queen Victoria’s defiant daughter.

#AnIndiscreetPrincess - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My thanks go to the Georgie Blalock and Anne at Random Things Tours for inviting me on tour and for my copy of the book in return for an honest and unbiased opinion.

[Hannah Simpson · Rating 2 out of 5]

In this novel, an artistically talented princess navigates carving out her own independence, cultivating her work, and managing her royal obligations.

I had high hopes for this book but was sadly disappointed. There is little to the plot besides the heartsick longing of a princess. Which is too bad because Ms. Blalock did a fantastic job of making Princess Louise a well rounded and vivid character but gave her little to do but pine over Mr. Boehm. I wanted her to find more fulfillment in her artistic achievements rather than her affair with another sculptor. In fact the best scenes were with Sybil, Bertie, and Smack. Her friendships simply jumped off the page in a way that the others didn't. I'd read a whole book about the Prince of Wales and his adventures.

The scenes were drawn wonderfully as well, although I kept getting hung up on so many people being described as drunkards. Princess Louise seemed put off by people enjoying any type of alcohol. Was this true to the real Princess Louise? Was this a general sentiment leading up to the temperance movement? Regardless, I found it rather distracting.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love stories about royalty and while Princess Louise is an interesting subject, not much happened in this book. She spent most of it pining for the love she couldn't have and while I felt for her and the restrictions of her role as Queen Victoria's daughter, I wish there had been more focus on Louise's friendships and artistic achievements over her very boring relationship with her former instructor, Mr. Boehm. Maybe my expectations were too high or other royal stories have raised the bar but this story wasn't all that unique or engaging. I wish Louise had been more indiscreet or rebellious - it would have made for a much more enjoyable read.

Thanks to William Morrow for the copy to review.

[Lauralee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Princess Louise was Queen Victoria’s most scandalous daughter. Her indiscreet behavior shocked the Victorian era. She was famous for her many liaisons, her artwork, and her marriage to a commoner. An Indiscreet Princess tells the story of how Princess Louise strives to be an artist. She enrolls with an art school and falls in love with her teacher. However, Princess Louise must adhere to the expectations of a royal princess. Princess Louise must choose between love or duty.

I read this novel right after reading Heather B. Moore’s fabulous novel, In the Shadow of a Queen. I was excited to read it to get a different perspective on Princess Louise. This novel did not disappoint, and I read it in one sitting. An Indiscreet Princess focused on Princess Louise’s time in school and her ill-fated romance with her art teacher. Princess Louise was still a sympathetic character. She yearned for the freedom to pursue her passion for art and love. However, her mother found her profession and her suitor to be very unsuitable for a princess. Princess Louise was determined to live her life according to her own terms. I found Princess Louise to be a very strong woman and an engaging heroine. Thus, I enjoyed Mrs. Blalock’s version of Princess Louise.

Overall, this novel was about freedom, love, and duty. I found all the characters to be very complex. I like how Mrs. Blalock included Princess Louise’s letters into the story. The story was well-written, meticulously researched, and filled with vivid imagery. After reading In the Shadow of a Queen, I did wish that An Indiscreet Princess would begin with Princess Louise as a child instead of an adult. I also found the beginning to be very slow. Still, it was a very compelling and engaging read! This novel is a must read for royal fans! I recommend this novel for fans of I, Victoria, The Wild Princess, and A Most English Princess! An Indiscreet Princess is a delightful tribute to Princess Louise, Queen Victoria’s most enigmatic daughter!
(Note: I read an ARC copy of this book in courtesy of Netgalley.)

[Nancy Brady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I received this novel through a First Reads Goodreads giveaway, but that in no way affected this review.

This historical novel features Princess Louise, the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria. Louise is an artist, a sculptor, and defies her mother to pursue her artistic career. It is only with reluctance that her mother, always the monarch, allows her to attend the National Art Training School--more for citizens with artistic talent than royalty.

There, she discovers that it isn't easy to be accepted, but she works hard to prove herself. Along the way, she falls in love with one of her teachers, famed sculptor Edgar Boehm. Is it possible for her to have a career and have love? Or will her royal duties keep her close to home and under the thumb of her mother?

Her royal duties include marriage, and she wants to find a husband that won't have her leaving England. Unfortunately, Edgar is married, leaving her few options; however, she agrees to marry another in what is touted as a "love match." Is it, or will the two work around their differences?
Will she manage to have her art, a marriage, a family, and her relationship, too? Or will her mother have the final say?

This is a fascinating history of Louise, her mother, and her siblings. The interactions between the siblings (Bertie, Alice, Leopold, Lerchen, and Beatrice) and Louise show the difficulties of being the child of the monarch. The author shows how Victoria was very demanding and selfish, expecting her children to bow to her royal demands. She also shows how Louise, known as Miss Saxe-Coburg-Gotha at school, learns to live outside the bounds of her birth as a princess and becomes an artist of note. This is an intimate portrait of a true rebel royal.

Definitely worth reading, especially if the history of the lesser known royals is an interest.

There are some typos (missing words, wrong tenses of verbs, etc.) but nothing too egregious that a reader wouldn't be able to figure out what was intended.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. I don't know a whole lot about Queen Victoria and I know a lot less about any of her children so I was excited to read this book about her daughter Louise. Queen Victoria was not very nice to her children and I thought it had a lot to do with the death of her husband, but I think she was not very nice to them before his death. Maybe he balanced her out and would tell her when she was being mean but with his death there was no one to make her see sense. I don't know. Queen Victoria had a horribly sheltered childhood and so I don't understand why she treated her children in the same way. She hated her mother because of her childhood yet she did the same to her own children. I don't get it. But alas this book is about Louise. She loved art and was a sculptor. She was forced to marry someone she did not love and she kept her real lover on the side. Her lover was also married. Both spouses knew of the affair and just went with it. Marriage was different in the 1800s. I had no idea the Queen Victoria sculpture at Kensington Palace was done by Princess Louise. That is pretty darn impressive. I read The Other Windsor Girl by this author and I need to check out her other books now.

-Louise missed Papa as much as anyone, but the last six years had softened her pain. Mama enjoyed grief too much to relinquish it.

-"Then look for the light, everywhere you can. Don't let the shadows dominate you..."

[Tracy Sauvageau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This novel is a testament to the talent of Georgie Blalock! She skillfully illustrates the challenges Princess Louise, daughter of Queen Victoria, faces when balancing independence and duty to Queen and country. As Princess Louise is granted the permission to pursue an education in Art, she embraces an entirely different life and falls in love with her instructor, Mr. Boehm. Under the thumb of Queen Victoria and the constricts of her station, Princess Louise is desperately seeking a place where she can become the artist she is destined to become, while fighting for her independence, and still maintaining her royal personage. This book had me hooked from start to finish! One of my favorite books this year! A must for the top of your TBR pile! This copy was gifted to my by William Morrow Books.

[Tiffany E-P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting glimpse into people and personalities behind royal family. It’s interesting how Queen Victoria manipulated and controlled her grown children and relied on grief and mourning to carry her through the rest of her life after her husband died. This book doesn’t give credence to the rumors that Louise had at least one child out of wedlock and supports the idea that she was barren because of a childhood illness.

[Lynnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you William Morrow, an Imprint of HarperCollinsPublication, and Goodreads, for the giveaway ARC copy.
An Indiscreet Princess portrays Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, the headstrong, unconventional, and artistically talented daughter of Queen Victoria, whose duties and desires conflict. The book is a well-researched navigating duty, strict monarchy, and Victorian societal protocols. Louise must find her way on her terms. I enjoyed the story, but at times felt the descriptions were long, affecting the pace. Overall, I enjoyed and recommend it to readers who enjoy royal drama shows or reads.

[Katie’s Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️
Georgie Blalock paints a detailed and entertaining portrait of Victorian royal rebel, Princess Louise. The fourth daughter of Queen Victoria, Louise pushed against the confines of her mothers dour court and longed for freedom. She was a lifelong artist who wanted the space and time to practice and display her works, and to be with her friends and loved ones.

[Elizabeth Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Louise was snooty and mean too often for me to truly like her, but she certainly had a fascinating life, and Blalock tells it well. The gorgeous cover is misleading IMO; the sex scenes are fade-to-black.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always with Georgie Blalock, I adored this novel!
I very much appreciate that the topic of Lorne's sexuality was not the focus as it tends to be with Louise. This book brought her to life, and reminded me why she remains one of my favourite historic figures

[Leah Rehman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really interesting historical fiction novel as I felt like I was living life with the characters. I was not a fan of any many typos or mistakes there were, as it could have used more editing

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not finish. I will give the author recognition for knowing the period and all but honestly could not stand any of the characters in this fictional retelling of one of Queen Victoria’s daughters. I tried but found I kept limiting the amount of time reading from a chapter at a time to half a chapter to a few pages & all could think of was how much I disliked reading the book so am just going to close it down and go on to something else.

[Charlsie Doan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I needed a good historical fiction and this hit the spot. Queen Victoria always gets painted like a saint so it was interesting to see her written as so flawed and human and something even the antagonist. Louise wasn’t a wild child—she just wanted to be free and to be loved.