Rebel of the Regency: The Scandalous Saga of Caroline of Brunswick, Britain's Uncrowned Queen

by Ann Foster

The dramatic, absolutely outrageous story of Caroline of Brunswick, a beloved icon of the Regency era, who uplifted the voice of the public and unabashedly defied society’s expectations, yet was shockingly robbed of her crown, from the host of the Vulgar History podcast.

Caroline Amelia Elizabeth, Princess of Brunswick, was born in the northern German town of Braunschweig. Her mother and father, the duke and duchess, instantly knew one there was something irrefutably untamable about their daughter. She grew up a wild child, sequestered from others to protect her family's reputation—a Regency-era Rapunzel.

She was freed from this gilded cage by an unexpected marriage proposal from George Augustus Frederick, Prince of Wales and the eldest son of George III and Queen Charlotte. Caroline was entirely unprepared for the backstabbing mean girls of the royal court. Always staying true to herself, she stepped into her role of queen-to-be without compromising her character, showing off her affinity for fashion, her many eccentric hobbies, and ultimately, her infallible spirit, despite being ostracized as an outsider by her in-laws.

And so Caroline became the unlikely figurehead of the anti-monarchists, aided by the just-emerging tabloid press. Yet, despite her status as a revolutionary heroine, Caroline’s name faded away following her death. Until now.

For fans of Normal Women, Ann Foster brings us the riveting story of Caroline of Brunswick, Britain’s uncrowned queen, through an empowering examination of womanhood and autonomy that feels just as relevant today.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Biography, Historical, Royalty, Biography Memoir, Audiobook

Audible Audio

First published February 10, 2026

Reviews

[Brendan (History Nerds United) · Rating 5 out of 5]

History can be serious business. However, there are some books which come along which ride the fine line between telling a true story while having fun with it. I am still a stickler for accuracy, but if that is covered, why not get a little indignant, sarcastic, and, dare I say it, sassy. When your villain is nicknamed "Prinny", then how can you go wrong? In the case of Ann Foster and her book Rebel of the Regency, it goes very right.

Foster is telling the story of Caroline of Brunswick. For the uninitiated, of which I was recently one, Caroline married the future George IV of England, and I cannot even explain how badly the marriage went. In fact, for it to go any worse, someone would have needed to be murdered. I won't spoil the plot any further.

As mentioned, treating historical events with a humorous and light touch can often go wrong very fast. Foster nails this tone perfectly. She has found a subject begging for its absurdity to be highlighted. The author is clearly in Caroline's corner (as was much of England), but you can see where even Foster recognizes she is no saint and a different author may be more explicitly unflattering. However, in comparison to Prinny....

My sole warning to readers is that Foster is irreverent and is unafraid to use contemporary comparisons and vernacular. Most importantly, she gets the history right, but I know some readers don't want anything but the facts. Fair enough, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one. You might just be missing out if you don't allow for a reference to The Princess Diaries once or twice.

(This book was provided as a review copy by Hanover Square Press.)

[Nat · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a long time listener to the pod, I'm so excited for this!

[Catherine (catisbookedup) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe this woman isn't talked about more! She was the original 'People's Princess' whose life draws so many parallels with Princess Diana you could definitely say history repeated itself. Originally thought to be timid and chosen by George IV ( yes George III and Queen Charlotte's eldest son) as a pushover bride ended in one of histories most controversial marriages since Henry VIII. She was a force to be reckoned with and ahead of her time. This book is excellently done darling many pop culture references and language not usually seen in royal biographies. Ann Foster is a breath of fresh Historical air!l
I loved this so so much. I've always loved History especially British Royal History and I love discovering lesser known Royals that just don't get mentioned enough. Caroline married into a lion's den of a family. You thought Bridgerton was scandalous? Well this is the REAL scandal of the same time period. This woman was Queen Charlotte's daughter in-law. She married her eldest son the future king. They thought she would be a pushover, boy were they wrong. She fought them to the bitter end. Looks like Princess Diana very much mirrored Caroline's life sadly. Why has no one made a movie about this woman!!!!

[Tish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is how I've copped with running out of Bridgerton episodes, 😂 reading about Queen Charlotte's daughter in law.

I just love a woman who misbehaves, is an inconvenience, a problem, and just a downright rebel.

God Prinny was such an egotistical man scorned by this woman and would do anything to try and ruin her, I'm glad Ann wrote this so I could learn about her and firmly put her top of my list of favourite Queens and I will call her that, a Queen because she deserves to be called one.

[Ridhima · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of those rare situations where the book ended up being different from what I had initially envisioned, but I was still pleasantly surprised by it.

Ann Foster tells us the story of the forgotten Queen of England, Caroline of Brunswick, who subverted expectations of the Regency and was the people's princess much before Princess Diana. From her teenage years as a German princess, to her tumultuous marriage to George IV, to her tour of the world, her bond with her only daughter; the book takes us through a journey of the bold and outspoken life she lived at a time when it was more than just frowned upon.

I actually loved all the footnotes the author provided throughout the book. To be honest, that was the vibe I was expecting for the entire book - funny and sassy, so I was surprised when it was still mostly history given to the reader, with much less modern references and humorous comments.

Still, to know that not much has changed about how women are treated as voiceless child-makers, how men in power make the laws and then break them almost immediately; this could have just as easily been the story of a current royal family and I would have easily believed it. Recommended for those looking for some much needed knowledge about this forgotten and undervalued Queen, if only to prove those who tried to erase her memory wrong.

Thank you to HTP's Hive Program for the gifted copy of the book!

[Jacklyn B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am completely OBSESSED with this book!! I love stories about women who “misbehave” or who are “irrefutably untamable” and Caroline of Brunswick was perfectly sassy and witty and the opposite of how she was “supposed” to act.

This book is interesting and funny and the author does a wonderful job keeping the reader really engaged with the story. Her story is so well researched - there were moments where I had to remind myself this was in fact a nonfiction book.

Two words: The Trial!!!!!

Yes Caroline deals with difficult in-laws and mean girls and scandals and gossip, but she is always true to herself. With all the funny and witty moments there are also heartbreaking ones too.

I highly recommend giving this a read!

[Kelli Matthews | SighingOurPleasure · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is basically: “Prinny is trash” + “Caroline is a delightfully ungovernable icon” + “Regency politics are messier than you may have ever realized.” I learned a ton about the era and the calculated cruelty Caroline faced, but it never felt like homework—Foster’s voice is fun, snarky, and packed with pop culture winks that keep everything feeling modern. And amid all the scandal and spectacle, the heartbreak sneaks up on you: her exile and Charlotte’s death are gutting. The finale—her “trial”—is both fist-pump inspiring (those rallying crowds!) and deeply sad, knowing how quickly it all curdles into the end of her life. I’m definitely going to explore the author’s podcast next, because I loved her voice here.

One practical note: the ebook format really doesn’t do the footnotes any favors. It’s a pain to bounce between text and notes, and you lose some of the fun. If you can, grab this one in print—actual paper for the win.

[Kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

"As the ruler of our nation, i BANNED my wife from my coronation....."

Admittedly, I'm more familiar with Prinny than I am Caroline, and like most people I wasn't super familiar with her beyond the usual rumours and jokes about her. I was wary of any book that starts out talking about or making comparisons to Diana, because that has been DONE TO DEATH.

But I really ended up enjoying this book a lot. It was informative, but informal and funny at the same time. Comparing Prinny to early 2000's emo culture was just CHEF'S KISS. I learned a lot about Caroline's ridiculous and scandal filled life, and while I still don't think she or Prinny were great people, I have a lot more sympathy for her now. I'm excited to read it again in print, I've already got it on hold at my local library!

[Constance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebel of The Regency is the untold story of Caroline of Brunswick, Britain’s Queen Without A Crown. Many people know that Princess Charlotte, Queen Charlotte’s granddaughter and the heir to the throne died young, but what of Princess Charlotte’s mother? This biography takes us back in time, before the Regency Era began, to paint the story of a queen forgotten to time.

From Caroline’s secluded teenage years, to her marriage and separation, to a world tour in her 40s, this book takes us through each stage, including the explosive divorce trial that took Britain’s people by storm. Caroline had a spirit that couldn’t be broken, and truly was The People’s Princess, two centuries before Princess Diana took that title.

This is brilliantly researched, and at times laugh out loud funny! The way the author described Caroline and her husband, George IV (aka Prinny,) really showed that they were real people with real problems. And Prinny was THE problem. It was so cool to learn about the shift from George III’s rule to the regency, and to see how Caroline never let the man get her down.

Thank you so much to HTP books for the e-arc! If you’re into history and Bridgerton sparked a love for the Regency Era, you’re going to love this! Rebel of The Regency releases on Feb 10!

[⟢₊ Ana ⟣ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is probably the most fun I’ve ever had reading about history! The author’s writing style makes it hard to put the book down, turning what could be a dry topic into something genuinely entertaining. The footnotes were both helpful and delightful, and I loved learning about Caroline of Brunswick.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the e-ARC!

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I flew through this history. I cannot recommend it enough.

[Cardi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating! Well researched and accessible with some welcome humour. Shoutout to Olivia Waite's regency era fiction for piquing my interest in this historical figure.

[Amber Hauck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED how this was written. Read for the Her Story challenge and was dreading all the nonfiction, this kept me so enthralled I went through it extremely fast. Bravo!

[Amandasantana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compulsively readable. I couldn’t put it down. I appreciated how hard Caroline worked to carve out happiness for herself during a trying lifetime. And F Prinny 4 EVER!

[Beth Hammon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick, engaging read that makes Caroline of Brunswick feel vivid and unexpectedly contemporary. Foster’s approach is smart and distinctive, with a conversational tone that often feels like listening to the best episodes of Vulgar History. A great pick if you like feminist history that doesn’t take itself too seriously but still delivers the substance. I tore through it.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advance readers copy!

[Morinaganf]

Sữa Chua Không Béo Morinaga Vị – Giải Pháp Thanh Nhẹ Cho Lối Sống Năng Động

Khi xu hướng ăn uống cân bằng ngày càng được chú trọng, các sản phẩm sữa chua không béo trở thành lựa chọn quen thuộc của nhiều gia đình. Không chỉ hỗ trợ kiểm soát lượng chất béo trong khẩu phần ăn, sản phẩm còn mang lại giá trị dinh dưỡng thiết yếu cho cơ thể. Sữa chua không béo Morinaga vị là một trong những dòng sản phẩm được đánh giá cao nhờ hương vị dễ dùng và thành phần phù hợp với chế độ ăn hiện đại.

Xem thêm: https://morinagadinhduong.com.vn/san-pham/sua-chua-khong-beo-morinaga-vi/

1. Không béo nhưng vẫn đủ dưỡng chất

Điểm đặc trưng của sữa chua không béo là giảm thiểu hàm lượng chất béo nhưng vẫn giữ lại protein, canxi và hệ lợi khuẩn có lợi cho đường ruột. Điều này giúp người dùng an tâm hơn khi bổ sung vào thực đơn hằng ngày mà không lo tăng năng lượng dư thừa.

Trong bối cảnh nhiều người hướng đến chế độ ăn ít béo, việc lựa chọn sản phẩm phù hợp giúp duy trì sự cân bằng giữa dinh dưỡng và kiểm soát cân nặng. Thay vì loại bỏ hoàn toàn thực phẩm từ sữa, sử dụng sữa chua không béo là phương án linh hoạt và khoa học hơn.

2. Hỗ trợ hệ tiêu hóa khỏe mạnh

Hệ vi sinh đường ruột đóng vai trò quan trọng trong việc hấp thu dưỡng chất và duy trì sức đề kháng. Lợi khuẩn trong sữa chua góp phần cân bằng môi trường ruột, hạn chế các tình trạng rối loạn tiêu hóa thường gặp.

Khi sử dụng đều đặn, cơ thể có thể cảm nhận sự nhẹ nhàng sau bữa ăn và giảm cảm giác đầy bụng. Đối với bé trong độ tuổi phát triển, việc duy trì hệ tiêu hóa ổn định giúp tối ưu khả năng hấp thu dưỡng chất từ khẩu phần ăn hằng ngày.

Các sản phẩm dinh dưỡng bổ sung năng lượng hợp lý cũng được nhiều chuyên gia khuyến nghị trong chế độ ăn của bé.

Xem thêm: https://baohatinh.vn/sua-chua-uong-zinzin-kids-giai-phap-nang-luong-cho-be-post303715.html

3. Linh hoạt trong cách sử dụng hằng ngày

Sữa chua không béo Morinaga vị có thể dùng trực tiếp như một bữa phụ nhẹ nhàng hoặc kết hợp cùng trái cây, ngũ cốc để tăng hương vị. Với người bận rộn, đây là giải pháp tiện lợi giúp bổ sung dưỡng chất mà không mất nhiều thời gian chuẩn bị.

Việc duy trì thói quen ăn sữa chua vào khung giờ cố định mỗi ngày giúp cơ thể hình thành nhịp sinh học ổn định. Điều này góp phần nâng cao hiệu quả của lợi khuẩn và hỗ trợ hệ tiêu hóa hoạt động trơn tru hơn.

Ngoài ra, người tiêu dùng có thể tìm hiểu thêm thông tin và chia sẻ liên quan đến dinh dưỡng từ các nền tảng lưu trữ trực tuyến.

Xem thêm: https://hackmd.io/@morinaganf

4. Phù hợp với nhiều đối tượng trong gia đình

Không chỉ dành cho người ăn kiêng, sữa chua không béo còn phù hợp với người trưởng thành mong muốn duy trì thể trạng ổn định. Hàm lượng canxi và protein trong sản phẩm hỗ trợ xương chắc khỏe và duy trì khối cơ.

Đối với bé, việc bổ sung sữa chua vào thực đơn cần được cân nhắc theo độ tuổi và nhu cầu dinh dưỡng. Khi sử dụng hợp lý, sản phẩm có thể trở thành phần bổ sung hữu ích trong bữa phụ hằng ngày.

5. Hướng đến thói quen dinh dưỡng bền vững

Một chế độ ăn lành mạnh không chỉ dựa trên việc cắt giảm chất béo mà còn cần sự cân bằng giữa các nhóm dưỡng chất. Sữa chua không béo Morinaga vị mang đến lựa chọn thanh nhẹ, phù hợp với lối sống hiện đại.

Khi được sử dụng đúng cách và kết hợp cùng chế độ ăn đa dạng, sản phẩm có thể góp phần duy trì hệ tiêu hóa ổn định và thể trạng khỏe mạnh lâu dài. Đây cũng là bước khởi đầu cho thói quen dinh dưỡng chủ động và khoa học của cả gia đình.

[jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a life and what a woman. This one was fun! I am a big fan of the Vulgar History podcast and Ann Foster’s distinct narrative voice. I find it fun and gossipy and this is in the same vein.

Caroline is a fascinating historical figure and often written out of the regency era. Talk about controversial and dynamic. I believe a tv show in the style of The Great would do Caroline justice and after this book, this stands atop of my wishlist. One thing that struck me was how the public sort of turned on Caroline when she was no longer the perfect victim. The more times change the more people stay the same. Although, Caroline was using the working class and middle class women’s support for her own agenda, I found her plight compelling. Princess Charlotte’s story as another victim in the vicious cycle was also incredibly compelling as well. The fact that just like Caroline, she was mistreated, neglected and isolated by her own family was so sad. Absolutely tragic. This cultural shift in the royal family is also an interesting point to look at when compared to Tudor and Stuart monarchs and the ways in which they interacted with their children and in how said children were raised. Long gone where the times of nurturing family life where children were free to learn and grow as Henry VII and Elizabeth of York’s children had been. An argument could be made that Elizabeth’s nurturing of her children caused a generation of capricious, passionate and chaotic royals that led their lives based on emotion, other than poor Arthur who was whisked away to Wales at a young age. But Caroline and Princess Charlotte, both victims of family and tradition were as passionate and stubborn as their Tudor ancestors, and their gilded cages had not dissuaded their personalities but delayed any enjoyment of life. It is truly tragic that at the happiest moments of both Princess Charlotte and Caroline’s lives everything crumbled down. I am enthralled by this relationship and the parallel of their lives and I look forward to reading more about them.

Now onto some complaints. While this was hilarious, I wish there was more about the wedding night between Prinnie and Caroline. I’ve read a little bit about it and heard in podcasts and it definitely deserved more emphasis because the whole thing was hilarious and horrendous and a couple more pages on it would havw made it justice. Another thing is that sadly I don’t know if this book will age well. This is a book you have to read right now, otherwise pop culture references won’t really make any sense. Fans of typical biographies might find it jarring to find Pretty Little Liars and Bridgerton references on their historical nonfiction, and soon many of these references might become outdated. Personally I don’t mind it but I do think it’s a deterrent worth mentioning. I was also kind of disappointed about a glaring editing mistake when Lord Darnley, Mary Queen of Scots second husband was referredas her “first” husband. I have to think this is just an unfortunate editing mishap, given that Ann Fosters coverage of Mary Queen of Scots in her podcast spans more than ten episodes and was extremely detailed. Other than that I have few complaints, except it could have been way longer! Now onto the hunt for more on Caroline of Brunswick, injured Queen of England.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read that is entirely focused on Queen Caroline of Brunswick, and I want to thank the author for writing such a captivating and whimsical book that I am now desperate to learn more about Queen Caroline.

In addition to the level of research clearly being extensive, the writing felt conversational. It was like you were out to lunch with Foster and she was detailing her dissertation project, drawing parallels between Queen Caroline's life and popular culture events you know more about (e.g., the Free Britney movement). I was captivated from start to finish and immediately Googled further reading material, which to me is always an excellent sign that the author has immersed me in a topic and piqued my interest.

I also appreciated how Foster was able to format the book in such a way that Queen Caroline was entirely the focus, but relevant cultural and political information from the period in which Caroline lived was peppered in. For example, Napoleon was touched upon, but Foster did not spend several tangential chapters on that topic. This is a refreshing approach to historical biographies that I rarely see.

My favorite part of this book was how Foster made Queen Caroline come alive. You could feel Queen Caroline's personality oozing from the pages, warts and all. It made Queen Caroline relatable, even as hundreds of years separated me from her. I've always heard that Prinny (George IV's nickname) was awful, but when you see the pettiness and vindictiveness of his behavior toward Caroline and their daughter Charlotte, it puts him in an entirely different light. However, Queen Caroline's ability to rise above or sink to Prinny's level just made her all the more relatable. The way that life presented Queen Caroline with such a steep learning curve in which to learn about herself and the world was incredibly emotional to read.

If you love Georgian history or just want to read a biography focused on a woman that history tends to overlook, this is the book for you. It's incredibly well-researched and fantastically written. You almost forget that you're learning something. I highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hanover Square Press. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

CONTENT WARNINGS
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Medical content, Grief, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Classism
Moderate: Death of parent, Colonisation, War, Pregnancy
Minor: Sexual content

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Royal Rebel

Ann Foster’s Rebel of the Regency crackles with energy from the first page, dusting off the legend of Caroline of Brunswick and giving her the vivid treatment she’s long deserved. From the disastrous arranged marriage to George IV, nothing romantic, all scheming and cold calculation, through the endless parade of court intrigue and betrayal, Foster shows Caroline as anything but the passive royal of history’s margins. Instead, she emerges as a stubborn, dazzling disruptor who refuses to bow to the world’s expectations of her.

What makes this biography jump off the page isn’t just Caroline’s jaw-dropping scandals, but the way Foster captures her spirit: brash but lovable, scorned but never silent, always scheming to turn public opinion into a weapon when the palace would have preferred she simply disappear. This book is full of sharp humour and modern relevance, channelling Foster’s podcasting style into something that feels more like a conversation than a typical biography. There’s no stuffy detachment, just clear-eyed research, plenty of juicy asides, and a sympathetic eye on a woman whose real crime was refusing to blend in.

This book is a breath of fresh air, and it’s easy to see why. Foster’s approach is bold and informal but never careless with the facts, moving briskly through intricate court drama while never losing sight of the themes at stake: the cost of resisting patriarchal power, the blurred line between public scandal and private pain, and the stubborn endurance of someone labelled too much for her time.

If there’s a drawback, it’s that the breezy tone might put off fans of weightier, old-school biographies, but that’s also exactly what gives the story its punch. For those tired of gray portraits that bury real women under footnotes, Foster’s work is a rallying cry.

Ann Foster, with her background in history, libraries, and podcasting, has a knack for rescuing lost stories and spinning them into something urgent and alive. Rebel of the Regency is essential for anyone fond of royal drama or drawn to biographies that don’t flinch from the messier truths of history. Foster finally gives Caroline the freedom and the voice that she was always denied.

[Zachary · Rating 5 out of 5]

It feels like every time I sit down to watch a season of Bridgerton, I rediscover my love of the Regency era and get a hunger to dive into the nonfiction of the period. What a treat, then, that Ann Foster's biography of the uncrowned Queen Caroline of Brunswick, wife of the Prince Regent and future King George IV, came up at the right time!

Ms. Foster has crafted a witty, fast-paced biography of one of the more colorful but often forgotten characters who populated Regency Britain. Spurned by her husband and devoid of friends, she became a symbol to the poor and downtrodden and a safe avatar for the discontents that were raging across a post-French Revolution Great Britain. At a time when Europe was devolving into chaos, and the country had been placed in the hands of the Prince Regent, Princess and later Queen Caroline could be a figure of resistance to the decisions of the state, all without anyone risking being considered a traitor to crown and country.

Caroline was a woman who did not like to be told what to do or "know her place," and she was unafraid to stand up for her own good name--even when the Prince Regent sought to divorce her on the grounds of (wholly invented) adultery. Indeed, Caroline would remark to friends during her trial in the House of Lords that if she ever committed adultery, it was with the husband of Mrs. Fitzherbert--an un-subtle reference to the reality that George had been illegally married during his father's first bout of mental illness.

This book is replete with anecdotes that give us a picture of Caroline as a fighter and reformer, and perhaps in that vein can be viewed as an antecedent of other royal reformers like Diana, Princess of Wales or the Duchess of Sussex. From start to finish, Ms. Foster has written beautiful prose that really brings the reader into the beauty of the Regency and helps to bring an all-too-little studied character to life in living color.

As a side note: if Netflix is ever looking for a future Regency period drama...give Ms. Foster a call to be the showrunner!

Disclaimer: thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the e-ARC. I have received no other compensation in exchange for this review.

[Chelsea Cauley · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you think royal drama is a modern invention, this book will set you straight.

Ann Foster, host of the Vulgar History podcast, brings the wildly entertaining and infuriating story of Caroline of Brunswick to life with the kind of energy that makes you forget you're reading history.

Caroline was untamable from the start. A Regency-era wild child locked away to protect her family's reputation, only to be married off to George IV (aka Prinny), who turned out to be the actual problem in every possible way.

What I loved about this book is how Foster makes these historical figures feel like regular people. Caroline is vivid and defiant and genuinely funny, and Prinny is exactly the kind of entitled, petulant man you've definitely met before. This one just happened to wear a crown.

The backstabbing royal court, the mean girls, the impossible mother-in-law dynamics... apparently women have always dealt with this, and even being a princess doesn't exempt you.

But beneath the humor is a seriously well-researched examination of womanhood and autonomy that feels startlingly relevant today. The way powerful women get ostracized for refusing to conform. The way the establishment closes ranks. The way a woman's reputation becomes everyone else's project.

Caroline became an unlikely icon for anti-monarchists, championed by an emerging tabloid press, and her explosive divorce trial captivated the entire nation. She was The People's Princess a full two centuries before anyone called Diana that.

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC all opinions are my own.

The book covers every stage of Caroline's life. Her sheltered youth, the disastrous marriage and separation, her remarkable world tour in her forties, and the trial that gripped Britain. Through it all, Foster never loses sight of what makes the story matter: Caroline's autonomy, her spirit, and the way an entire system tried to crush both.

Brilliantly researched, laugh-out-loud funny, genuinely moving in others, and a fascinating look at the shift from George III's rule to the Regency. Caroline never let the man get her down, and Foster makes sure we remember her for it.

[Anna (Literaria Luminaria) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a longtime listener of Ann's podcast, Vulgar History, and, as a historian myself, could not have been more excited to read this book. As such, my expectations were high... and she absolutely delivered. I don't think I've ever had this much fun reading a biography.

Anyone familiar with the Regency or Georgian eras probably knows about Prinny (a horrible, petty AS F*CK, detestable man), but how many know about his wife, the "Uncrowned Queen," Caroline of Brunswick? If you find yourself wanting to know more about her, Ann has managed to turn Caroline's life—which is wild enough on its own—into a story that's equal parts heartbreaking, hilarious, and jaw-droppingly scandalous. I've read and learned plenty about the Regency period, but this was the first time I've seen it told through the eyes of the woman Prinny tried so hard to erase.

What I loved most about Rebel of the Regency is how readable it is. Much like her podcast, Ann's writing feels like you're listening to a friend spill the most unhinged 200-year-old gossip—but it's all backed by impeccable research. The history is solid, but it's the people, the personalities, that really bring it to life. Case in point: Caroline herself completely stole the show for me. She's messy, bold, funny, and so much more complex than the caricature her husband tried to reduce her to. As an independent woman and mother myself, I found her story both infuriating and inspiring. The way George treated Caroline and their daughter Charlotte made my blood boil, but Ann never lets it slip into pure tragedy. There's this constant current of resilience, stubbornness, and wit that keeps you rooting for Caroline the whole way through. Don't get me wrong—she certainly wasn't perfect. But who of us is?

P.S. The endnotes? Genuinely hilarious and informative. Don't skip them.

Thanks to HTP Hive, Hanover Square Press, and NetGalley for the review copy!

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[Nick Artrip · Rating 5 out of 5]

I requested and received an eARC of Rebel of the Regency: The Scandalous Saga of Caroline of Brunswick, Britain’s Queen Without a Crown by Ann Foster via NetGalley. Caroline of Brunswick was the wife of George IV. Born in a northern German town, her mother and father knew early on there was something untamable about their daughter. She was an exuberant and willful youth who was largely kept sequestered from society to protect her reputation. She had a habit of saying anything that entered her mind. She was freed from her sheltered existence when she received an unexpected proposal from her cousin, George, Prince of Wales, the eldest son of George III. The marriage would prove to be anything but a success.

I absolutely adored Rebel of the Regency. Caroline was definitely a fascinating woman! It's quite easy to draw parallels between here and Princess Diana. Foster's biography cuts through all of the nonsense and shines a light on the injustices faced by Caroline by "Prinny" (George IV), Queen Charlotte, and her brood of sisters-in-law. She was the frequent subject of xenophobia and misogyny, both culturally and politically, and was kept separated from her daughter. Foster's biography does a fantastic job of highlighting serious matters like the Delicate Investigation and the Milan Investigation in tension with the public's perception of these events. Like Diana, Caroline largely was favored by the public and was a major press sensation.

My favorite part of Foster's biography is that it is simply brimming with humor. There are many works where this tone wouldn't work, but golly does Foster knock it out of the park in Rebel of the Regency! The comedic voice does a real service to Caroline of Brunswick. It perfectly reflects the spirit of a woman who loved a good laugh and had a history of pulling practical jokes. There were several pop culture references and comparisons that made me giggle, but they also showed how stories like Caroline's are still so shockingly relevant. This book is an instant nonfiction favorite, and I will be purchasing a physical copy for my collection. The author is a master at making learning fun!

[Aura C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this knowing very little about Caroline of Brunswick and came out fully convinced she deserved far more space in the history books than she’s been given.

This is one of those biographies that reads almost like narrative nonfiction with personality. Ann Foster clearly did her research, but she delivers it in a way that feels lively instead of academic. The Regency court politics are messy, theatrical, and at times almost unbelievable, yet the emotional core of Caroline’s story keeps everything grounded.

Caroline herself is the highlight. She is stubborn, dramatic, impulsive, warm, and unapologetically herself in a world that demanded women be quiet and compliant. Watching her navigate a disastrous marriage to George IV and the cruelty of royal image management was equal parts fascinating and infuriating. It is hard not to root for her, even when she makes questionable decisions. She feels human rather than polished into some distant historical figure.

I also appreciated how the book draws subtle parallels between Caroline’s treatment and the way public women are still scrutinized today. The tabloid culture, the obsession with reputation, the weaponization of morality. It all feels surprisingly modern. At times the tone leans conversational and breezy, which I enjoyed, though I can see how readers wanting a more traditional, detached biography might prefer something denser.

If I had one small critique, I would have liked just a bit more depth in certain secondary figures and political contexts. Still, this was engaging, well paced, and incredibly readable for nonfiction. I found myself wanting to look up portraits, letters, and additional sources once I finished, which is always a good sign.

For anyone who loves royal history, complicated women, and stories of public scandal mixed with resilience, this is absolutely worth picking up. Caroline may have been Britain’s uncrowned queen, but she was never invisible.

[Elizabeth McFarland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I've ever read that focuses on Queen Caroline of Brunswick, and the author did a fantastic job. I knew about her familial connections, but not much about her personal life. Rebel of the Regency is a captivating and engaging read that makes me want to learn even more about her.

I don't usually read biographies, but when I do, I like ones about women in history with a feminist slant, and this one totally fit the bill! My favorite thing about Foster's biography is how it is full of humor and whimsy. While this particular style may not be suitable for the majority of books, it is truly remarkable how well Foster executed it in Rebel of the Regency.

This book is truly refreshing, and its appeal is readily apparent. Foster's approach is both audacious and approachable, yet always meticulous with the facts, navigating complex court drama with agility while consistently highlighting the core themes. This biography is truly remarkable, not only due to the captivating adventures of Caroline but also because Foster so skillfully portrays her indomitable spirit. She is characterized by her boldness, yet she remains incredibly endearing; despite facing societal disapproval, she consistently expresses her opinions and endeavors to influence public sentiment to achieve her objectives.

I hope Ann continues to write more books of this nature, focusing on various other women throughout history.

Many thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing and The Hive for this gorgeous hardback copy of this book. I especially enjoyed the full-color insert of all the beautiful artwork, and the family tree was a nice added touch!

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rebel of the Regency by Ann Foster is such a breezy, gossipy, fun read. Caroline of Brunswick’s story contains easy parallels to the saga of Princess Diana. This nineteenth-century Princess of Wales paved her own way, despite the crappy marriage she found herself in and the restraints put on her by the British royal family. Caroline’s life wasn’t easy, but she wasn’t about to be bossed around by anyone.

The pop culture references throughout were fun and gave context to the story without becoming too cringe-worthy. I also appreciated that the author didn’t dive into whole chapters detailing battles and wars that are so ubiquitous in every historical royal biography, even when they’re only tangentially related to the subject.

I found some of the naming conventions annoying, like only referring to George IV as Prinny (though I get it, he was an awful person and that’s a terrible nickname). I would have also appreciated some more detail in general about people around Caroline, or just background information on some aspects of the story that were skimmed over. Not battles, though. Anything but battles.

This would be a great read for someone who’s historical nonfiction-curious and wants a biography that’s anything but dry. I read this in about three days, and I’m generally a slow reader. It kept me engaged, and I couldn’t wait to curl up with my e-reader and dive into this book.

I received a digital advanced readers’ copy from NetGalley, and this review solely reflects my views on this book.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley, as well as The Hive for this eARC and ALC of Rebel of Regency!

I am most definitely someone who exclusively reads fiction. But something about this cover and the description of this book made me feel curious enough to want to try it, and I’m glad I did! Did it awaken a taste for non-fiction in me? Not necessarily, but I do think I had a good time reading it.

Ann Foster is quite a clever author and her writing is captivating! Throughout the book, my favorite part of her writing was how she related what was going on, to current pop culture references. These references are done in such a successful manner that they elevate the story and understanding of what was going on, rather than hindering it/causing cringeworthy reactions.

As for this audiobook specifically, I found the readers voice lovely to listen to! It felt as though I was listening to an educational Lady Wistledown podcast (minus Julie Andrew’s accent and iconic voice haha) Very captivating and kept me locked in to the story because it also felt as though I was listening to this gossip happening in real time too because of how well written it was!

As someone new to trying non-fiction, I’d say this was a perfect way to test it out! I find stories about women in history captivating, and I love a period piece! Any Bridgerton lovers out there should definitely jump on this book because it also gave an interesting look into what that world actually looked like, in a historically accurate viewpoint.

[Daphne Westfall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great surprise and way out of my comfort zone. I am not very into biographies and the ones I’ve read I can probably count with one hand.
I honestly didn’t know anything about Caroline’s story other than her name and time period but I’m so glad I stumbled upon this book. Thank you @htp and the author for my gifted copy, I will treasure it forever.
Caroline Of Brunswick was a woman way ahead of her time. She always fought for what she believed was fair, she refused to be tamed or silenced and even more important, she never accommodated to fit in.
The times she lived in were filled with social change and revolution, women’s rights were being discussed for the first time. Despite her fame and status as a revolutionary, her story was erased from the British records because it was deemed too vulgar to fit the Regency Era.
She was a Queen without a crown, King George “Prinny” made sure she died without ever being really recognized as Queen Of England. She was intelligent, charming and generous and still she was always mistreated and wronged constantly. Caroline never got to see her daughter Princess Charlotte, they couldn’t even exchange correspondence and the issue went so far as Princess Charlotte dying at childbirth without her mom knowing about it. She only found out because her staff intercepted a courier while in route to inform The Pope.
I really enjoyed the author’s humorous approach to this investigation and all the cross references to other known characters like Princess Diana. I think Caroline would appreciate that somebody took the time to tell her story from a non conventional point of view. I highly recommend this book.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

History has been a favorite of mine since 4th grade. And then that love was solidified a year or two later when I discovered (and devoured) the Royal Diaries series (and Dear America) as they came out. I still have a deep love of history, especially when it comes to really interesting women!

Rebel of the Regency tells the story of one such woman, Caroline of Brunswick. She was married to the eldest son of George III and Queen Charlotte (any Bridgerton fans here? 😉), and it seems that they hated each other pretty quickly. This was SUCH a fascinating, fun read. I had a passing knowledge of George and Charlotte, but my knowledge about their son, George (aka Prinny), and his wife, Caroline, was essentially nonexistent before this read.

I won’t dive much more into the actual life of Caroline because Ann Foster is a much better story teller than I am, but I will say she lived quite the wild life and Foster presented it in such a fun, often unserious way. She made history feel so alive and unpretentious, which made for a delightful reading experience. And in spite of presenting the story in a more lighthearted way than many non-fiction reads, I learned SO much. She used humor and modern day comparisons, but, as far as I’ve been able to tell, this book was full of substance and facts.

If you have even a passing interest in history or you want to celebrate women’s history month by reading about one of history’s scandalous royals, please pick this one up! I finished it over 24 hours ago, and I truly haven’t stopped thinking about it since.

Thank you SO much to Hanover Square Press for the #gifted copy of this book!

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading about women who go against the grain and Caroline of Brunswick was exactly just that type of women. She is a royal I have zero knowledge of, so I was naturally curious!
Ann Foster wrote this book in a way that correlated present day references to movies, TV shows and reality tv which actually made me chuckle a bit because it made it more "real gossip" in a weird way.
Caroline of Brunswick was married to future George IV of England, but the marriage was a disaster from the beginning and quickly separated. Caroline was lucky enough to have one daughter, Princess Charlotte very early in their marriage before they separated and in her 40s decided to go see the world! I mean, I love traveling and I'm still in my 30s. It cracked me up how this mention made her seem so normal.

Highly recommend the audiobook! Caroline Hewitt was amazing.

While Caroline was strong willed this quote got to me, because I feel like we all could relate to it:
"She had also become practiced in hiding her emotions behind a cheerful mask, exerting great effort to prevent others from noticing how much she had been suffering all those years in England. Often, she used humor to distract from her sadness and anxiety, and only those closest to her could tell when she was faking joy."

This one just straight up made me laugh:
"At one point, she pushed them into a bedroom together, called out to "have fun!" and closed the door."