What do you think?
Rate this book
A Defiant Woman: A Modern Tudor Mystery
Kate Tudor’s marriage to billionaire Hank Tudor continues to fray when his ex-wife resurfaces in the wake of their daughter’s kidnapping, in the latest novel in this genre-defying crime series.
Eight years ago, Nan Tudor escaped her husband, billionaire businessman Hank Tudor, afraid for her life and leaving a dead body behind—but in doing so, she abandoned her three-year-old daughter, Lizzie. Still wracked with guilt for that decision, she is living a quiet life as a restaurant cook in France with her son when she receives a mysterious “We have your daughter.”
Lured back to the scene of the crime on Martha’s Vineyard by a threat against Lizzie’s life, Nan believes the kidnapper is exacting revenge against her, stopping at nothing to do so—and discovers that she and her daughter may not be the only targets. Kate Parker—Hank’s sixth and latest wife—is also on the island and drawn into the kidnapper’s elaborate web of retaliation.
Keeping their alliance secret from Hank, Hank’s fixer Thomas Cromwell, investigator Steve Gardiner, and reporter Tom Seymour, the two women find themselves in a race against time to rescue Lizzie—and to make sure they both stay alive.
Eight years ago, Nan Tudor escaped her husband, billionaire businessman Hank Tudor, afraid for her life and leaving a dead body behind—but in doing so, she abandoned her three-year-old daughter, Lizzie. Still wracked with guilt for that decision, she is living a quiet life as a restaurant cook in France with her son when she receives a mysterious “We have your daughter.”
Lured back to the scene of the crime on Martha’s Vineyard by a threat against Lizzie’s life, Nan believes the kidnapper is exacting revenge against her, stopping at nothing to do so—and discovers that she and her daughter may not be the only targets. Kate Parker—Hank’s sixth and latest wife—is also on the island and drawn into the kidnapper’s elaborate web of retaliation.
Keeping their alliance secret from Hank, Hank’s fixer Thomas Cromwell, investigator Steve Gardiner, and reporter Tom Seymour, the two women find themselves in a race against time to rescue Lizzie—and to make sure they both stay alive.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published March 3, 2026
6 people are currently reading
4347 people want to read
About the author
Karen E. Olson
18 books298 followersI am the author of the Black Hat Thrillers and the Annie Seymour and Tattoo Shop mystery series. My new book AN INCONVENIENT WIFE, a Modern Tudor Mystery, is a modern retelling of Henry VIII and his wives as a crime novel. The sequel, A DEFIANT WOMAN, will be published in March 2026.
My first book, SACRED COWS, won the Sara Ann Freed Award for best first mystery and my fourth book, SHOT GIRL, was shortlisted for a Shamus Award.
My first book, SACRED COWS, won the Sara Ann Freed Award for best first mystery and my fourth book, SHOT GIRL, was shortlisted for a Shamus Award.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
In my opinion, I didn’t like this audiobook at all. I really tried, but I just couldn’t get into it.
The storyline sounded interesting at first, with the kidnapping and complicated family dynamics, but it never fully pulled me in. The pacing felt slow, and I found myself struggling to stay engaged. The plot became confusing at times, and I didn’t feel emotionally connected to the characters.
Unfortunately, the narration didn’t help either. It made the story feel even more flat, which made it harder to stay interested.
Overall, this just wasn’t for me. I was expecting more suspense and excitement, but it fell short. While others may enjoy it, I didn’t find it memorable or enjoyable.
The storyline sounded interesting at first, with the kidnapping and complicated family dynamics, but it never fully pulled me in. The pacing felt slow, and I found myself struggling to stay engaged. The plot became confusing at times, and I didn’t feel emotionally connected to the characters.
Unfortunately, the narration didn’t help either. It made the story feel even more flat, which made it harder to stay interested.
Overall, this just wasn’t for me. I was expecting more suspense and excitement, but it fell short. While others may enjoy it, I didn’t find it memorable or enjoyable.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Have you ever wondered what the Tudors might be like in the modern day? What kind of life would they live, and would they all survive? What if King Henry VIII were a billionaire and most of his wives were still alive, including Anne Boleyn? Anne Boleyn is living but is in hiding from the rest of the Tudor clan and is separated from her daughter. When her daughter is kidnapped, Anne has to come back to her old life and team up with Henry’s latest wife to save her daughter. Can they save Anne’s daughter before it's too late? Karen E. Olson brings the Tudors to the modern age in her latest novel, “A Defiant Woman.”
I would like to thank Pegasus Crime and Edelweiss for sending me a copy of this novel. I have read a few novels that featured the Tudors in the modern age, so I had an idea of what to expect, but I loved the cover, and I wanted to see what another author could bring to this sub-genre of historical fiction.
So, like other novels that put the Tudors in the modern age, the names of the historical figures have been changed, so Henry is Hank, Anne Boleyn is Nan, Elizabeth is Lizzie, and so on and so forth. Since this is book two in the series, we pick up where the previous book left off. Nan Tudor, who many believed died eight years ago, is living her best life in France with her son, Harry, when she gets a text message that the daughter she left behind, Lizzie, has been kidnapped. The kidnappers ask her to return to Boston and save her daughter.
We then get the perspective of Hank’s latest wife, Kate Parker Tudor, who is seeking a divorce from Hank. She runs into an old fling named Tommy Seymour around the same time that she finds out that her step-daughter, Lizzie, has been kidnapped. While Anna Klein, Hank’s fourth wife, is taking care of Hank’s son Teddy, she is also concerned about the missing Lizzie and her own wife, Joan Carey, who is also missing. We also get to see Hank’s first wife, Catherine, and their daughter, Maril, interacting with Hank’s other wives. While the wives are not supposed to interact with one another, Nan, Kate, and Anna make an alliance to find Lizzie, no matter what, even if it means encountering danger along the way.
It has been a long time since I properly binged a book, but I could not stop reading this novel. This was just a fantastic, fun read that had me gripped from beginning to end. Now, I want to read the first book in the series as I patiently wait for the next book. If you want a novel that’s so thrilling about the Tudors reimagined in the modern world, I highly suggest you read “A Defiant Woman” by Karen E. Olson.
I would like to thank Pegasus Crime and Edelweiss for sending me a copy of this novel. I have read a few novels that featured the Tudors in the modern age, so I had an idea of what to expect, but I loved the cover, and I wanted to see what another author could bring to this sub-genre of historical fiction.
So, like other novels that put the Tudors in the modern age, the names of the historical figures have been changed, so Henry is Hank, Anne Boleyn is Nan, Elizabeth is Lizzie, and so on and so forth. Since this is book two in the series, we pick up where the previous book left off. Nan Tudor, who many believed died eight years ago, is living her best life in France with her son, Harry, when she gets a text message that the daughter she left behind, Lizzie, has been kidnapped. The kidnappers ask her to return to Boston and save her daughter.
We then get the perspective of Hank’s latest wife, Kate Parker Tudor, who is seeking a divorce from Hank. She runs into an old fling named Tommy Seymour around the same time that she finds out that her step-daughter, Lizzie, has been kidnapped. While Anna Klein, Hank’s fourth wife, is taking care of Hank’s son Teddy, she is also concerned about the missing Lizzie and her own wife, Joan Carey, who is also missing. We also get to see Hank’s first wife, Catherine, and their daughter, Maril, interacting with Hank’s other wives. While the wives are not supposed to interact with one another, Nan, Kate, and Anna make an alliance to find Lizzie, no matter what, even if it means encountering danger along the way.
It has been a long time since I properly binged a book, but I could not stop reading this novel. This was just a fantastic, fun read that had me gripped from beginning to end. Now, I want to read the first book in the series as I patiently wait for the next book. If you want a novel that’s so thrilling about the Tudors reimagined in the modern world, I highly suggest you read “A Defiant Woman” by Karen E. Olson.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Karen E. Olson has created something I didn’t realize I’d been longing for: a mystery series that brings real Tudor figures into the 21st century without losing the essence of who they were. A Defiant Woman is speculative history, contemporary mystery, and emotional wish‑fulfillment all woven together — and somehow it works so seamlessly that I kept stopping to marvel at it.
I was lucky enough to receive a free advanced copy from Pegasus Books and the author, and I’m so grateful, because this book absolutely swept me away.
From the moment Robert Dudley appears, I was cheering. Olson manages to honor his historical relationship with Elizabeth I while giving him a modern presence that feels believable and emotionally grounded. Their meeting in this book echoes their time in the Tower in a way that made my Tudorphile heart ache in the best way.
And then there’s Thomas Wyatt.
Olson keeps him a poet — of course she does — and she lets him drop lines like “Noli me tangere, for Caesar’s I am.” When she wove in his heartbreaking poem for Anne, “And wilt thou leave me thus?” I had to pause and breathe. That poem melts me every time, no matter the century. And their time in the book felt authentic to what I always imagined their feeling were for each other when I read the historical facts.
Even the secondary characters shine. Tommy Seymour as a disgraced reporter is such a clever, historically resonant touch. If you know your Tudor history — or even if you’ve only watched Showtime’s The Tudors — these names will ring bells and summon all the gowns, doublets, intrigue, and family dysfunction you expect. But Olson does more than retell. She asks why these people might act the way they do now, and who they might have become if history had given them more time.
This is a why‑dunnit as much as a whodunnit, with the character‑driven emotional intelligence of a Louise Penny or Tana French mystery — but with a Tudor twist that is entirely Olson’s own.
You can read this as a standalone, but honestly, why miss the joy of Book One (An Inconvenient Wife) and the time spent with Hank Tudor, his four wives, Lizzie, and Teddy. The emotional payoff is richer when you’ve lived with them from the beginning.
A brilliant, clever, heartfelt blend of past and present. Tudorphiles, mystery lovers, and speculative‑history fans will all find something to adore here.
I was lucky enough to receive a free advanced copy from Pegasus Books and the author, and I’m so grateful, because this book absolutely swept me away.
From the moment Robert Dudley appears, I was cheering. Olson manages to honor his historical relationship with Elizabeth I while giving him a modern presence that feels believable and emotionally grounded. Their meeting in this book echoes their time in the Tower in a way that made my Tudorphile heart ache in the best way.
And then there’s Thomas Wyatt.
Olson keeps him a poet — of course she does — and she lets him drop lines like “Noli me tangere, for Caesar’s I am.” When she wove in his heartbreaking poem for Anne, “And wilt thou leave me thus?” I had to pause and breathe. That poem melts me every time, no matter the century. And their time in the book felt authentic to what I always imagined their feeling were for each other when I read the historical facts.
Even the secondary characters shine. Tommy Seymour as a disgraced reporter is such a clever, historically resonant touch. If you know your Tudor history — or even if you’ve only watched Showtime’s The Tudors — these names will ring bells and summon all the gowns, doublets, intrigue, and family dysfunction you expect. But Olson does more than retell. She asks why these people might act the way they do now, and who they might have become if history had given them more time.
This is a why‑dunnit as much as a whodunnit, with the character‑driven emotional intelligence of a Louise Penny or Tana French mystery — but with a Tudor twist that is entirely Olson’s own.
You can read this as a standalone, but honestly, why miss the joy of Book One (An Inconvenient Wife) and the time spent with Hank Tudor, his four wives, Lizzie, and Teddy. The emotional payoff is richer when you’ve lived with them from the beginning.
A brilliant, clever, heartfelt blend of past and present. Tudorphiles, mystery lovers, and speculative‑history fans will all find something to adore here.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A Defiant Woman is a smart, gripping novl hat raises the stakes both emotionally and psychologically. Karen E. Olson once again proves she knows how to weave power, privilege, and danger into a suspenseful story that feels both contemporary and timeless.
The novel opens with a haunting premise: eight years after fleeing her powerful husband and leaving behind a shattered past, Nan Tudor is forced back into the world she escaped when she receives a chilling message: “We have your daughter.” That single line propels the story into high gear. The tension is immediate, and the emotional weight of Nan’s guilt over abandoning Lizzie adds a compelling layer of depth to the mystery.
What makes this book particularly engaging is the uneasy alliance between Nan and Kate Tudor. Kate, Hank’s sixth wife, is no passive bystander. Drawn into the web of revenge surrounding Lizzie’s kidnapping, she proves to be perceptive, determined, and far stronger than the role of “billionaire’s wife” might suggest. Watching these two women navigate suspicion, secrets, and shifting loyalties, while keeping their collaboration hidden from Hank and his inner circle, adds a rich, character-driven dimension to the suspense.
Olson masterfully uses Martha’s Vineyard as both an idyllic backdrop and a pressure cooker. Beneath the beauty lies a simmering threat, and the island setting amplifies the claustrophobic feeling that no one can truly escape their past. The plot unfolds with steady pacing, delivering twists and revelations that feel earned rather than forced.
Beyond the kidnapping mystery, A Defiant Woman explores themes of survival, motherhood, control, and reinvention. It’s a crime novel, yes, but it’s also a story about resilience and the complicated bonds between women tied to the same powerful man.
For readers who enjoy intelligent suspense with layered female protagonists and a touch of high-society intrigue, this novel is a compelling and satisfying read. Karen E. Olson continues to elevate the series with sharp storytelling and emotionally grounded stakes.
The novel opens with a haunting premise: eight years after fleeing her powerful husband and leaving behind a shattered past, Nan Tudor is forced back into the world she escaped when she receives a chilling message: “We have your daughter.” That single line propels the story into high gear. The tension is immediate, and the emotional weight of Nan’s guilt over abandoning Lizzie adds a compelling layer of depth to the mystery.
What makes this book particularly engaging is the uneasy alliance between Nan and Kate Tudor. Kate, Hank’s sixth wife, is no passive bystander. Drawn into the web of revenge surrounding Lizzie’s kidnapping, she proves to be perceptive, determined, and far stronger than the role of “billionaire’s wife” might suggest. Watching these two women navigate suspicion, secrets, and shifting loyalties, while keeping their collaboration hidden from Hank and his inner circle, adds a rich, character-driven dimension to the suspense.
Olson masterfully uses Martha’s Vineyard as both an idyllic backdrop and a pressure cooker. Beneath the beauty lies a simmering threat, and the island setting amplifies the claustrophobic feeling that no one can truly escape their past. The plot unfolds with steady pacing, delivering twists and revelations that feel earned rather than forced.
Beyond the kidnapping mystery, A Defiant Woman explores themes of survival, motherhood, control, and reinvention. It’s a crime novel, yes, but it’s also a story about resilience and the complicated bonds between women tied to the same powerful man.
For readers who enjoy intelligent suspense with layered female protagonists and a touch of high-society intrigue, this novel is a compelling and satisfying read. Karen E. Olson continues to elevate the series with sharp storytelling and emotionally grounded stakes.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
| A modern-day Tudor-inspired tale of survival, revenge, and resilience
As a reader who loves historical fiction with strong female protagonists, A Defiant Woman by Karen E. Olson immediately caught my attention. And honestly--who can resist a title like that?
🙏 Many thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the advance audio copy. Publication date: March 3, 2026.
💭 What if the wives of Henry VIII were reimagined in a modern-day power struggle?
The story opens with a chilling message: Nan Tudor, the second wife of billionaire Hank Tudor, learns that her daughter has been kidnapped. To see her alive again, she must return to a life she escaped eight years ago.
✈️ Living quietly in France under the assumption that she is dead, Nan is forced to reemerge, risking everything to save the child she was once forced to leave behind.
👑 Hank Tudor, now on wife number six, reaches out to his former wives to help find his daughter. As the narrative unfolds, the focus shifts among these women, with particular emphasis on Nan, while also exploring the dynamics of the other wives, especially Catherine, the first wife, and her daughter Maril.
📚 While the novel draws inspiration from the wives of Henry VIII, the historical parallels feel more thematic than essential. Prior knowledge of Tudor history is not necessary to enjoy the story, which ultimately reads as a twisty, contemporary tale of survival and revenge.
🎧 Nikki Thomas delivers a solid narration, maintaining the tension and pacing throughout the audiobook.
✨ An engaging and entertaining mystery, especially for readers who enjoy strong female characters navigating power, betrayal, and survival.
As a reader who loves historical fiction with strong female protagonists, A Defiant Woman by Karen E. Olson immediately caught my attention. And honestly--who can resist a title like that?
🙏 Many thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the advance audio copy. Publication date: March 3, 2026.
💭 What if the wives of Henry VIII were reimagined in a modern-day power struggle?
The story opens with a chilling message: Nan Tudor, the second wife of billionaire Hank Tudor, learns that her daughter has been kidnapped. To see her alive again, she must return to a life she escaped eight years ago.
✈️ Living quietly in France under the assumption that she is dead, Nan is forced to reemerge, risking everything to save the child she was once forced to leave behind.
👑 Hank Tudor, now on wife number six, reaches out to his former wives to help find his daughter. As the narrative unfolds, the focus shifts among these women, with particular emphasis on Nan, while also exploring the dynamics of the other wives, especially Catherine, the first wife, and her daughter Maril.
📚 While the novel draws inspiration from the wives of Henry VIII, the historical parallels feel more thematic than essential. Prior knowledge of Tudor history is not necessary to enjoy the story, which ultimately reads as a twisty, contemporary tale of survival and revenge.
🎧 Nikki Thomas delivers a solid narration, maintaining the tension and pacing throughout the audiobook.
✨ An engaging and entertaining mystery, especially for readers who enjoy strong female characters navigating power, betrayal, and survival.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A Defiant Woman by Karen E. Olson centers around billionaire Hank Tudor and the many women connected to his life. With multiple wives and children across marriages, it definitely takes a minute to sort out who is who, especially in audiobook format. Once I had the relationships straight, it became an easy story to follow.
For reference, here’s the core family web:
• Hank Tudor, billionaire patriarch
• First wife: Catherine (daughter Maril)
• Second wife: Nan (daughter Lizzie, son Henry?)
• Third wife: ?
• Fourth wife: Anna (wife Joan; looks after Lizzie and Teddy, can't recall who Teddy's mother is)
• Fifth wife: Caitlyn (deceased - 1st book?)
• Sixth and current wife: Kate
I didn’t realize going in that this is a sequel to An Inconvenient Wife, but I never felt lost and was able to keep up with the storyline without having read the first book. That said, because so many characters lead chapters, I think the audiobook could have benefited from multiple narrators or more distinct character voices to help differentiate perspectives. Nikki Thomas did a solid job narrating, but the number of players made it a bit challenging at times.
Overall, this was a fine story. I didn’t feel deeply connected to any particular character, though there were a few I definitely had disdain for. If you enjoy family drama with complicated relationships and shifting loyalties, this may work well for you.
For reference, here’s the core family web:
• Hank Tudor, billionaire patriarch
• First wife: Catherine (daughter Maril)
• Second wife: Nan (daughter Lizzie, son Henry?)
• Third wife: ?
• Fourth wife: Anna (wife Joan; looks after Lizzie and Teddy, can't recall who Teddy's mother is)
• Fifth wife: Caitlyn (deceased - 1st book?)
• Sixth and current wife: Kate
I didn’t realize going in that this is a sequel to An Inconvenient Wife, but I never felt lost and was able to keep up with the storyline without having read the first book. That said, because so many characters lead chapters, I think the audiobook could have benefited from multiple narrators or more distinct character voices to help differentiate perspectives. Nikki Thomas did a solid job narrating, but the number of players made it a bit challenging at times.
Overall, this was a fine story. I didn’t feel deeply connected to any particular character, though there were a few I definitely had disdain for. If you enjoy family drama with complicated relationships and shifting loyalties, this may work well for you.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
At first I was excited about this book. It started off strong straight from the beginning with the abduction/ransom, providing intrigue and drawing the reader right in. More and more layers are added until you get a grasp of how all of the characters are tied together through their relationship with one man and the abducted girl, but each still are hiding secrets.
As the story went on however, I found myself losing interest more and more. The family dynamics were unnecessarily complicated and hard to follow making it difficult for me to stay engaged. There were too many characters and shifting POVs to keep track of and this combined with slow pacing just made this book a chore to try to finish.
I listened to the audiobook and I think the narrator's performance fell a bit flat. She didn't make an effort to differentiate between the voices in the different POVs. Maybe if I had physically read it, I would have had an easier time keeping track of everything.
Overall, this book was a let down and lacked the suspense and excitement I look for in this type of book.
Many thanks to Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for the Advanced Listener's Copy!
As the story went on however, I found myself losing interest more and more. The family dynamics were unnecessarily complicated and hard to follow making it difficult for me to stay engaged. There were too many characters and shifting POVs to keep track of and this combined with slow pacing just made this book a chore to try to finish.
I listened to the audiobook and I think the narrator's performance fell a bit flat. She didn't make an effort to differentiate between the voices in the different POVs. Maybe if I had physically read it, I would have had an easier time keeping track of everything.
Overall, this book was a let down and lacked the suspense and excitement I look for in this type of book.
Many thanks to Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for the Advanced Listener's Copy!
March 6, 2026
This had such a compelling setup—a modern Tudor-style drama with a powerful billionaire standing in for Henry VIII—but the story never fully lives up to the concept. The central kidnapping plot strangely lacks urgency, and the characters often behave in ways that feel more convenient for the plot than believable. Nan repeatedly ignores the kidnappers’ instructions and somehow keeps lucking into being ahead of them, while Kate is framed as a savvy player but ends up doing surprisingly little.
The biggest issue for me, though, was Nan’s backstory and motivation. We’re told she fakes her own death and flees because she’s terrified Hank will destroy her financially and take her daughter away from her. But disappearing guarantees exactly that outcome: she loses custody, abandons her child, and gives Hank total control of the narrative. The book treats this as a tragic but necessary sacrifice, yet the logic never quite holds up—the drastic choice she makes essentially produces the very result she was trying to avoid.
There are moments of intrigue, but overall the plot felt muddled and the emotional stakes never quite came through.
The biggest issue for me, though, was Nan’s backstory and motivation. We’re told she fakes her own death and flees because she’s terrified Hank will destroy her financially and take her daughter away from her. But disappearing guarantees exactly that outcome: she loses custody, abandons her child, and gives Hank total control of the narrative. The book treats this as a tragic but necessary sacrifice, yet the logic never quite holds up—the drastic choice she makes essentially produces the very result she was trying to avoid.
There are moments of intrigue, but overall the plot felt muddled and the emotional stakes never quite came through.
Read
March 4, 2026Sorry to say that this was a ‘miss’ for me.
I didn’t enjoy any of the characters, and didn’t identify with them at all.
Way too many ex-wives. Way too much testosterone from the very wealthy husband… who just seemed like a guy that wasn’t nice…. And his ever present guards.
And, very confusing all-around.
Although the story had a solid premise, it just wasn’t executed to my liking… but I’m sure there are many out there who will love it!
A Defiant Woman by Karen Olson and narrated by Nikki Thomas.
3 stars for me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was released today, 3/3/26, so if it sounds like something you’d enjoy, look for it on shelves now.
Thanks so much to #NetGalley and @DreamscapeAudio for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!!
You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
I didn’t enjoy any of the characters, and didn’t identify with them at all.
Way too many ex-wives. Way too much testosterone from the very wealthy husband… who just seemed like a guy that wasn’t nice…. And his ever present guards.
And, very confusing all-around.
Although the story had a solid premise, it just wasn’t executed to my liking… but I’m sure there are many out there who will love it!
A Defiant Woman by Karen Olson and narrated by Nikki Thomas.
3 stars for me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was released today, 3/3/26, so if it sounds like something you’d enjoy, look for it on shelves now.
Thanks so much to #NetGalley and @DreamscapeAudio for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!!
You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
First, thanks to NetGalley, Karen E. Olson and dreamscape media for this audiobook ARC of A Defiant Woman.
The book: first, I did not realize this was part of a series when I requested it. It is the second book. However, many details are in the book to where I don’t think reading book one would be necessary. It could be read as a standalone.
Overall, the book was ok. There were a lot of characters. That made it confusing to follow at times. But that could just be a me problem, honestly 😅 and yes, they are all necessary characters, too. I had the “who done it” figured out pretty early on. But I was still able to stay engaged in the story enough to want to stay until the end.
The narrator: this book is narrated by Nikki Thomas. She did a great job. I enjoyed listening to her. She kept me engaged the whole time.
Overall I’d say 3.75 stars ⭐️
The book: first, I did not realize this was part of a series when I requested it. It is the second book. However, many details are in the book to where I don’t think reading book one would be necessary. It could be read as a standalone.
Overall, the book was ok. There were a lot of characters. That made it confusing to follow at times. But that could just be a me problem, honestly 😅 and yes, they are all necessary characters, too. I had the “who done it” figured out pretty early on. But I was still able to stay engaged in the story enough to want to stay until the end.
The narrator: this book is narrated by Nikki Thomas. She did a great job. I enjoyed listening to her. She kept me engaged the whole time.
Overall I’d say 3.75 stars ⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
✨️ALC REVIEW✨️
Thankyou Netghalley for this Advance Listening Copy.
The narration was well done though. Very well performed.
The story line really captured me at first the mystery of the kidnapping but about halfway then it fell a bit flat for me. It was easy to zone out of listening it didnt hold my attention. The pacing was quite slow. It was also quite confusing I thought I was listening to one POV but then realise it had actually switched which made it really hard to connect to any of the characters. I really wanted to love this but unfortunately it just wasn't for me but it might be for you.
Thankyou Netghalley for this Advance Listening Copy.
The narration was well done though. Very well performed.
The story line really captured me at first the mystery of the kidnapping but about halfway then it fell a bit flat for me. It was easy to zone out of listening it didnt hold my attention. The pacing was quite slow. It was also quite confusing I thought I was listening to one POV but then realise it had actually switched which made it really hard to connect to any of the characters. I really wanted to love this but unfortunately it just wasn't for me but it might be for you.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Nan's daughter has been kidnapped. The daughter she left behind 8 years ago when she left her billionaire husband, Hank. In order to see her daughter again, Nan has to return to her old life, risking everything.
Unfortunately this book for me fell short. I didnt realise this was part of a series, however you could read this as a stand alone. A modern day take on Henry VIII and his many wives.
A web of family members made it a little hard to follow and the narration wasn't brilliant to keep me entertained.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review
Unfortunately this book for me fell short. I didnt realise this was part of a series, however you could read this as a stand alone. A modern day take on Henry VIII and his many wives.
A web of family members made it a little hard to follow and the narration wasn't brilliant to keep me entertained.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review
March 6, 2026
I was a bit surprised when I started reading this book. I picked it up, not realizing it was a Henry 8 modern-day twist. Of course, I love the historical fiction of Henry 8, so this modern-day version was one I wanted to get into. Unfortunately, it did not quite work for me. The sheer number of characters is painful to keep track of. This is book 2 in the series, and while it works as a standalone, you miss some of Kate and Henry's interactions and character progression. The pacing was a bit inconsistent as well. Maybe I was just not in the right mindset for this book. I won't be following this series.
#netgalley #ADefiantWoman
#netgalley #ADefiantWoman
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is the follow up book to "the inconvenient wife" which is a modern Tudor series book. I read the first book maybe 2 years ago and remembered liking it. This book picks up a short time after the other book ended. So the cliff hanger we were left with, is addressed and the multiple storylines continue. I liked how this book ended and enjoyed the plot twists along the way. The premise of this story took a different turn than the last book which I think was much needed. I'd say more, but I don't want to give any spoilers.
March 4, 2026
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the early listening copy. This was a stellar production! Karen E. Olson has crafted a truly intriguing storyline, and Nikki Thompson’s narration was the perfect complement, enhancing every twist and turn. I found myself completely immersed from the start. A top-tier recommendation for any thriller enthusiast's audio library.
This is a review of the audiobook.
This is a review of the audiobook.
March 7, 2026
A Defiant Woman was an interesting listen overall. The audio production itself was well done and the narration quality was solid. However, since I experienced the story as an audiobook, I sometimes had a hard time clearly differentiating between the main characters. At times the voices blended together a bit, which made it harder to stay fully immersed in the story. Still, the production value was good and the story kept my attention enough to finish it.
March 10, 2026
This had an interesting premise and a strong theme of resilience, but it didn’t fully work for me. While I appreciated the focus on a determined female protagonist, the pacing felt uneven and I struggled to connect with the characters as much as I hoped. The writing is clear and readable, but the story lacked the depth and emotional impact I was expecting. Overall, it was an okay read, but not a particularly memorable one for me.
March 5, 2026
It took me an embarrassingly long time to realize this book is basically a modern retelling of the whole Henry VIII/Tudor situation. I was halfway through wondering why several characters had nearly identical names before the lightbulb finally flickered on. Once I realized what the author was doing, it actually made the story more interesting.
The book follows Hank Tudor’s current wife, Kate, and his ex-wife Nan after their daughter is kidnapped, which pulls them both back into Hank’s orbit on Martha’s Vineyard. There’s a lot of tension, secrets, and maneuvering between the characters as they try to figure out who’s behind everything and save the girl.
I liked the premise and the Tudor parallels once I caught them, but the ending felt really unsatisfying to me. After all that buildup, it just didn’t quite land the way I wanted it to.
Still an interesting read overall, especially if you enjoy modern stories loosely inspired by historical drama.
The book follows Hank Tudor’s current wife, Kate, and his ex-wife Nan after their daughter is kidnapped, which pulls them both back into Hank’s orbit on Martha’s Vineyard. There’s a lot of tension, secrets, and maneuvering between the characters as they try to figure out who’s behind everything and save the girl.
I liked the premise and the Tudor parallels once I caught them, but the ending felt really unsatisfying to me. After all that buildup, it just didn’t quite land the way I wanted it to.
Still an interesting read overall, especially if you enjoy modern stories loosely inspired by historical drama.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This novel has a very creative premise—characters inspired by figures from Henry VIII’s history, reimagined in a modern 2026 setting. I thought that concept was clever and definitely what drew me to the story.
The mystery itself was interesting and had some good moments. However, the plot felt a bit scattered at times, jumping around in a way that made it harder to stay fully engaged. While the idea behind the story was strong, the execution didn’t always keep my attention the way I hoped it would.
Overall, it’s a decent read with an intriguing concept, but the pacing and structure made it harder for the story to truly shine.
The mystery itself was interesting and had some good moments. However, the plot felt a bit scattered at times, jumping around in a way that made it harder to stay fully engaged. While the idea behind the story was strong, the execution didn’t always keep my attention the way I hoped it would.
Overall, it’s a decent read with an intriguing concept, but the pacing and structure made it harder for the story to truly shine.
March 10, 2026
3.5 stars from me. I really enjoyed the historical nods woven throughout the book. The side characters and their connections to Tudor history are clever, and the way those elements are worked into the modern-day setting is genuinely fun if you are a history fan.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
February 23, 2026
A book full of guessing games and trying to figure out who is behind everything. Pretty much all my guesses were wrong. Olson did a great job keeping you invested in the story until the end.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews