Three Queens

by Rebecca Connolly

Abigail Adams, Queen Charlotte, and Marie-Antoinette—three women form an unlikely sisterhood, navigating revolutions, royal pressures, and personal losses as they shape their own legacies.

After the end of the American Revolutionary War, Abigail Adams crosses the Atlantic to reunite with her husband, John, after five long years apart. But she is unprepared for the glittering courts of England and France that are so different from her experience in the newly established United States. Undeterred, Abigail sets her sights on befriending the queens of Europe, believing their support is key to her nation’s future.

In England, Queen Charlotte carries the weight of an empire on her shoulders. Her husband, King George III, battles a private madness, while political tensions rise and her eldest son schemes for power. Charlotte struggles to maintain order and propriety—while clinging to the solace she finds in her correspondence with her friend Marie Antoinette in France.

Revolution has gripped France, and Marie Antoinette must watch as her world crumbles. Vilified by the public and neglected by a king who refuses to see the storm coming, she faces growing unrest with dwindling allies. As tragedy strikes her family, she reaches out to her friends—Charlotte and Abigail—in a last attempt to find a path forward, possibly even escape.

The paths of these three women cross in unexpected ways in public, in private, and through letters. They forge a quiet sisterhood across borders and upheaval, each one facing love and loss, sweetness and strife, revolution and regrets.

Genres: Historical Fiction

336 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication May 5, 2026

About the author

I was born once upon a time, and I started making up stories right away. Eventually, I started writing them down, and never stopped! I have a day job, which gets in the way of my writing, but it pays the bills so I CAN write, so I guess that's okay! I am a bookworm, which I think is key to being a writer, and I am always looking for inspiration! I live in Indiana, am obsessed with hot chocolate, and I am on track to be the best aunt in the world.

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three Queens by Rebecca Connolly is an entertaining historical fiction that brings together three different, but equally fascinating women into one story.

This novel intertwines three different, but yet similar, women: Abigail Adams, Queen Charlotte, and Marie Antoinette. Their individual and combined circumstances create a unique story.

All of these women are married to powerful men that were major players in the course of history. All of them were subjected to the limitations of their status and time. All were bound by these rules, yet they found inspiration and strength where they could: within themselves and with one another.

4/5 stars

Thank you NG and Shadow Mountain Publishing for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 5/5/2026.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well researched novel from a historical point of view. However, I think the relationship between the Three Queens and their husbands was rather simplified. On one hand, these three women appeared to have been strong personalities with a deep wish to attend their husbands. On the other hand, I could not feel that they were trying very hard and were actually submissive. Most probably true, but then they constantly talk about their deep love for their husbands which does not fit at all in my opinion. If their focus had been more about loyalty, their relationship would have been more credible in my opinion. Overall, a light novel.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

[Shauna Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thought-provoking story
Three women with powerful husbands and prominent positions but without the power to affect their world. Abigail Adams follows her husband to England and France as he represents the new United States government but finds her life empty of the simple pleasures she enjoys. Thrust into the spotlight of royal courts, she finds a sense of sisterhood with two queens of the time. Queen Charlotte, finds herself working to protect her country from the threat of her son’s plans while dealing with the mental illness of her husband which make him almost unrecognizable at times. Marie Antoinette, faces her world crumbling from forces she has no control of and personal attacks she doesn’t understand. While her husband struggles to maintain his country. All face problems in their lives that are common to women of their times, along with added struggles thrust upon them by their husbands’ positions. Joining together, they extend understanding and support to each other as they face the uncertain future. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy. This is my review and all thoughts are my own.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance reader copy in exchange for a review.
I love a good historical fiction, and I run two book clubs at the library I have to read for. I picked up this book because this year is the nation's 250 anniversary, so I wanted to choose some books related to this time period.
Not knowing anything about Queen Charlotte and Marie Antoinette, I found this combo plus Abby Adams to be an attractive premise!
I would have given this a 5* but I found it a bit slow as we got the gears rolling.
However at about halfway, the three distinct voices really started to show and I latched on especially to Marie's story that I really couldn't put it down. What you learn in high school might make the story sound a little familiar, but this is no 'let them eat cake' version of the French Queen. Teaser - you might find yourself completely immersed in the French Revolution and this book takes no prisoners on how you will find yourself gutted for the royal families.
This is one I will recommend to my patrons and have planned to use it in book club!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea that these three women were tied together in history or even came in contact with one another. This book is fascinating! I LOVED getting a unique perspective of each woman, though Marie and Charlotte were my favorite to read. This is a work of fiction but the historical research that went into this novel is astounding. I had to do further research myself after reading to find out more because I was so intrigued. The author unites these women with a few common themes but one of them is being a mother. They all had children and they all lost children. I truly can't imagine being in their positions and raising children let alone having one pass away. The book was easy to read, even with the different perspectives. The chapters are organized in a way that made it not feel like a history book and I always knew whose perspective I was reading. I recommend if you enjoy historical fiction.


Four Stars.

"I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."