The Last Gypsy Queen: A Novel

by Linda Paul

A love story filled with prejudice and stereotypes as a young Gypsy woman is forced to read tarot cards instead of becoming a doctor – setting lives on a dangerous collision

In the spring of 1942, as America has just joined the war, Marisol is forced to read tarot cards at an Ohio lakeside amusement park so that her family can survive. Though she dreams of learning to read and becoming a doctor. A forbidden romance with Will, the son of a wealthy railroad tycoon blossoms, putting them both at risk as they deal with deadly prejudices. The park manager’s wife, Lila, tries to secretly help her learn to read in a room hidden below the Crystal Ballroom.

An oppressive park man threatens and works to have Marisol and her people banned from the park by any means possible. By summer’s end, storms are brewing, and not everyone will survive. Marisol questions her ancient heritage and must choose between her family and the clan’s traditions, the one who understands her true desires, and following her true career path.

A breathtaking tale of female resilience, The Last Gypsy Queen is an extraordinary novel that captures the sheer desire and longing to live a bigger life.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Romance, Adult, Fiction

289 pages, Paperback

Published April 16, 2026

About the author

Linda Paul is an award-winning author, including her newest, The Last Gypsy Queen, about a young Romani Gypsy woman who must read tarot cards at a lakeside amusement park instead of becoming the doctor she longs to be. She writes contemporary and historical fiction. Her passion for travel found through her work has led her to twenty-three countries, always exploring the next creative spark.

A former retail and ecommerce executive, she’s a passionate lifetime volunteer and regularly sits on non-profit boards. She’s now a full-time author and mother of two. She lives outside of Dallas, Texas with her family. Want to stay connected with Linda? Sign up for her newsletter and check her out online at www.lindaspaul.com

Reviews

[Di · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the title indicates, this book is about a band of Romanis (gypsies) who migrate twice a year between Indiana in the winter and central Ohio in the summer. During the summer, they work in Central Ohio at Buckeye Lake, an amusement/carnival park, in 1942.

Marisol is on the brink of adulthood, age 18. She wants more from life than what her people are accustomed to. She wants to be educated, she wants to be a doctor. She does not agree with the constraints that the beliefs and culture of her people put upon themselves. She is working as a Tarot card reader, following family tradition.

While at work she meets a young man, Will. He also has visions of what he wants from life that don’t conform to his parents' expectations. And, he is about to deploy for the army to fight for his country in WW2. They try to manoeuvre their relationship with difficulty.

The carnival atmosphere is well described in the book. Complete with rides, waffles, popcorn, cotton candy…..all the smells and sounds that I expect. This park is a destination for tourists in the summer, complete with swimming pools, cottages and dance halls with Big Bands appearing. Very 1940-ish.

The culture of the Romani people plays a central part. They are accustomed to keeping a low profile. Their relationships must only be with their own kind. Marriages are arranged. They also have a bad reputation for thieving and trouble-making which is not always deserved.

This is a great debut novel for Ms Paul. She created an interesting tale with well-developed characters and an interesting setting. Kudos to the author for the extensive research.

I would love to read more about Marisol and Will's life together. Perhaps there is a sequel on the horizon.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the Advance ReadersCopy.

[Sara Jesus · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story about the racism against the romani people, the the"gypsy" that were tell by others be inferior and that made them fear them and do not want that their children maried non-romani. This books tells the story about Marisol, that wants to decide her own fate. She dreams to be a doctor and have a love marriage. When she meets Will, Marisol would have to choose betteween her belifs and her people prejudices.

[Heather~ Nature.books.and.coffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an informative, enjoyable and entertaining book. Well written and well researched. Another fantastic historical fiction book based on true events. The story of Marisol, who was a young Romani woman living in Ohio's Buckeye Lake Amusement Park in 1942. She is a gypsy, and reads cards for the customers to earn money. She meets a patron, Will, who is there to have his cards read. She is at odds with his family over wanting to be an Army pilot during the war. Both of their families are against their relationship, but they are falling in love. The author gives these characters well developed pasts, and see what they want for the future. The descriptions of the park, the rides, and the atmosphere was so vivid you could picture it while reading. Simply excellent. Such a great summer boom. I highly recommend it.

Thank you to the publisher, author and Suzy approved book tours for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

[crafty.jenn.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much from this book.

My knowledge of the Romani people don’t go much past that Cher song, and Lisa Kleypas’ Hathaway series, and I’m so glad this book delivered so much information and texture without ever seeming preachy or stilted.

I loved the strong character of Marisol, the gorgeously rendered travelling settings and, of course, the personal growth and romance.

I did NOT love that this was a debut. What the heck am I supposed to do now?

[Susan McAulay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that is published by a small publishing company, where you don’t know what to expect but sometimes it hits and sometimes it misses. This hits. It is quiet and unassuming but one thing that tells the reader that this might be special is the cover; it is just beautiful, especially at this time of year where everything hints at summer, at least where I live.
This is a work of historical fiction. While it does present some rather weighty issues, the backdrop of an amusement park helps it from becoming onerous. Actually, some of my favorite novels have taken place at amusement parks; I am not sure what that says about me but it probably means something. This book will appeal to those that enjoy historical fiction about quietly strong women who are off the beaten track. We have all read novels about war, whether it is before, during, or after. This book fits squarely within that time frame, 1942, in America. However, the emphasis is different than in many books that take place then. We meet Marisol, a young gypsy woman who wants to be a doctor but is relegated to being a tarot reader at the amusement park. We see how poverty and prejudice affect people, even within the context of a circus, where things are “different” than in other places. Paul builds a strong female character that has to overcome the odds to achieve her dream. There is also romance, which is tastefully done and fits into the overall themes of acceptance and prejudice in the community. This novel walks the fine line between feeling like I have done something important when I read this but not being so heavy handed that it seemed like a chore. There is also something about it that while it is clearly historical, even those readers that are not so into that genre might well enjoy it because of the character development.
Thanks to NetGalley and Black Rose Writing for an advanced copy of this digital and book. All of the opinions herein are my own.

[Floraljoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting subject matter and story:
This book was a mix of historical fiction and romance and I found it to be interesting and informative, without being too heavy. I liked that it tackled some difficult subjects such as prejudices and racism, especially towards the Romani or Gypsy people. I enjoyed the unique setting and learning about life for the Romani in Ohio during the Second World War. I liked Marisol and Will and was so glad that they found a way to be together despite all of the obstacles.
Overall, I thought it was a solid effort and a well researched book for a debut. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

[Elaine Stock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linda Paul's The Last Gypsy Queen is a worthwhile read that takes the reader back to America in the 1940s as if faces WWII. Most of all, it's a sharp look at the prejudices against the Romani people, as well as their wariness of non-Romani. What I also appreciated was the love story element, especially through the lens of family discouragement and disapproval.

[Booksandcoffeemx · Rating 4 out of 5]

This debut novel honestly surprised me, I loved the writing, and you can tell it’s really well researched. Set during World War II, the story follows Marisol, a fierce and determined young woman trying to rebuild her life while navigating prejudice, family expectations, and impossible choices.

A mix of historical fiction and romance, set in a real place in Ohio (Buckeye Lake), with a strong female heroine that completely stole my heart.

It’s a story about love, identity, and choosing your own path, even when it comes at a cost.

I’m really hoping this isn’t the last we see of these characters, I would absolutely read a sequel.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to BookSirens for an ARC of The Last Gypsy Queen by Linda Paul. I received this copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I gave this 4 stars - what a great story. I loved learning about Marisol and her Romani family and traditions. Great characters, great settings.

[Courtney Pityer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Gypsy Queen is a very intense and passionate read. I will say I was very moved by this story and the journey these characters went through. Set against the backdrop of the second world war we really see the struggles these characters went through. For Marisol it was the fear of being hated by those because she was different and for Will it was the rejection he faced from his family because of whom he loved and the goals he had for the future. Overall a very moving story.

We are first introduced to Marisol a young Gypsy who is trapped in a loveless marriage. However, she is soon widowed and she and her remaining family members are left struggling to survive. She has dreams outside of being a gypsy but at the moment those dreams seem impossible.

But the chance to be a fortune teller at an Ohio amusement park changes everything. Despite the mistrust the locals have for the gypsies she manages to meet Will who is much different from her deceased husband. Will seems quite taken with her as well but his families expectations for him complicate it. Will a relationship ever seem possible between these two in troubled times

[Irvin Rodhe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linda Paul has accomplished something remarkable with her debut novel. The writing is exceptionally well-crafted, with a lyrical, almost poetic quality that elevates what might otherwise be a familiar narrative structure. She writes with the confidence and polish of an author far beyond her "debut" status.
What struck me most powerfully—and I suspect will resonate with many readers—is how Paul makes Buckeye Lake itself a character. This Ohio amusement park, based on a historical location once called "The Playground of Ohio," comes alive in these pages. The boardwalk, the Crystal Ballroom, the carnival rides, the swimming pool are all painted with such vivid detail that I felt transported. For anyone who recalls the amusement parks of their youth, there's a deep sentimental connection here. The 1942 setting, with America newly entered into World War II, provides a rich backdrop.
Marisol Mazaria, our young Romani protagonist, is genuinely endearing. Trapped in a loveless marriage, soon widowed, struggling to help her family survive—her dreams of becoming a doctor seem impossible when she's forced to read tarot cards at the amusement park. Her fear of being hated simply for being different is rendered with sensitivity and without melodrama. She's not a perfect heroine; she's complicated, flawed, and all the more compelling for it.
Will Worthington, the wealthy railroad tycoon's son, could easily have been a one-dimensional romantic interest. Instead, Paul gives him his own struggles—rejection from family, conflicting desires about his future as a pilot versus his father's expectations. The forbidden romance between Marisol and Will carries echoes of Romeo and Juliet, but with its own distinctive heartbeat.
Lila, the park manager's wife who secretly helps Marisol learn to read in a hidden room beneath the Crystal Ballroom, provides a third point of view that enriches the narrative considerably. The decision to unfold the story through three perspectives (Marisol, Will, and Lila) in present tense was bold and pays off beautifully.
As a 70-year-old white male retiree from South Africa, I admit I was uncertain how fully I would connect with a story centered on a young Romani woman's experience. But that's precisely why this book is important. Paul writes with such authentic feeling that I found myself deeply moved—genuinely moved—by Marisol's journey. Her questioning of her ancient heritage, her struggle between family traditions and her true desires, the impossible choice between her clan's survival and her own path... these are universal human dilemmas, even as they emerge from a specific cultural context.
The historical parallels to prejudice in America are drawn without being heavy-handed. And from my South African perspective, the themes of discrimination and the human cost of hatred resonate powerfully.
The Last Gypsy Queen is women's historical fiction at its finest, but don't let that genre label limit your expectations. This is simply excellent storytelling, period.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Krista Swan DeWitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Last Gypsy Queen is one of those unique stories in which the author has created two main characters: 1) Marisol Mazaria, the book's endearing protagonist; and 2) Buckeye Lake, the story’s principal setting. It is a resort destination in central Ohio to where both ends of society flock in the summers for juxtaposing motives: the poor come to work, and the rich come to play. Based loosely on historical facts -- there really is a village called Buckeye Lake, and it really was once called “The Playground of Ohio” -- the author succeeds in giving her readers a place where they can connect on a sentimental level (who doesn't recall favorite amusement parks from the past?) and thus further engages them in a memoir that sometimes feels too real to be fiction.
The lion’s share of the story occurs in the early 1940s as a flashback set apart from the beginning and ending of the book. America was in the thick of World War II. Life revolved around deployments, rationings, Rosie the Riveters, Victory Gardens, and Big Band music. Buckeye Lake thrived as a weekend diversion with its lakeside boardwalk, carnival rides, celebrity entertainers, the Crystal Ballroom, and its adjoining swimming pool. What a place!
The main conflict in the story is linked to cultural and gender prejudice. It manifests in pervasive and often cruel acts of malice inflicted on Marisol, her clan, and many others as they struggle to overcome the poverty, illiteracy and oppression linked with their nomadic lifestyle. Equipped with the ability to read (a luxury denied to Romani women at that time) and memories of her grandfather’s healing ways, Marisol vows to rise above what appears to be her predestined path.
Readers will also enjoy having the story unfold in the present tense through not one, but three Points of View: those of Marisol, her love interest, Will, and her employer/mentor, Lila. Together, this trio builds each chapter upon the next, while endearing readers to them and their separate plights.
Do not let the phrase “debut novel” fool you. Ms. Paul writes with deftness and consistency. Her lyrical style flows with a subtle, almost poetic cadence. Although the story follows a fairly predictable course, many will discover a number of exceptions that make The Last Gypsy Queen an unputdownable read: a Romani heroine, her unconventional workplace, and an unexpected event that catapults Marisol into a destiny she never thought to be possible. It is women’s historical fiction at its finest. Kudos to you, Ms. Paul, for becoming a new author we can follow in a genre we enjoy.
P. S. -- There is a 68-year gap between the last two chapters of the book. Perhaps these years will be turned into a follow-up book? One can hope, right?
Please note: I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book. My review is based on my own thoughts and conclusions.

[Linda Zagon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linda Paul, the Author of “The Last Gypsy Queen” has written a memorable, captivating and thought-provoking novel. The Genres for this novel are: Historical Fiction, Romance, Fiction, and Suspense. The timeline is approximately 1942, and goes to the past and future when it pertains to the characters or events. The author visually describes the scenery of the amusement parks, the tents, and the landscape, and vividly describes the colorful, and dramatic characters. The characters are complex, complicated, and flawed. Each of the characters has their own problems, dreams, and wishes. There are some mean-spirited and prejudiced characters, and there are some courageous, strong-willed characters that look and hope for survival. I appreciate the amount of historical research that the author has done. I enjoyed reading this novel, and at times thought of a Romeo and Juliet feel.

Marisol and her Romani family are forced to leave their home and head for Ohio’s Buckeye Lake Amusement Park. Marisol’s family has certain traditions and are faced with prejudicial treatment and discrimination from other people. Marisol has the feeling of “stay with your own kind”. Unfortunately, Marisol is used to emotional and physical abuse, and to be able to survive, works as a fortune teller. People go to amusement parks to escape from the troubles of World War Two, poverty and many problems. Many of the workers are kind at the amusement park. There are some people who are sabotaging the amusement park, and causing dangerous conditions. There is one person who threatens the Romanis and other female workers. There are also some interesting customers. Marisol’s dreams are to heal sick people, and she would love to become a doctor. One of the employees has been helping Marisol learn to read.

One of the visitors to the park, Will Worthington has a manipulative family. Will’s dreams are to become a pilot. Will’s father has other plans for Will. When Will meets Mariol, sparks fly. Will’s parents are negative and and have prejudices. Is it possible for Marisol and Will to break through the prejudice, discrimination and tradition,and find true love?

I appreciate that the author discusses this historical period, and brings to our attention the many people who were looked down as inferior in America. The author does mention the emotional and physical abuse, and the devastation of hate and war. Linda Paul does mention the importance of family, community, friends, love, and hope, and being able to fulfill one’s dreams. I highly recommend this heartfelt book.

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Gypsy Queen by Linda Paul is a historical fiction novel with a strong historical romance thread, centered on Marisol Mazaria, a Romani woman whose life stretches from wartime Buckeye Lake in the 1940s to her final act of remembering in 2014. The story moves between memory and present day as Marisol tells her son the truth about her youth, her family, her dreams of healing others, the prejudice her people faced, and the love that changed the shape of her life.

What struck me first was how carefully the book builds its world. Author Linda Paul does not just drop us into an amusement park and expect nostalgia to do the work. She fills the place with sound, dust, food, music, lake air, and the uneasy feeling of being watched by people who think they already know who you are. I felt most drawn to the scenes where joy and danger sit side by side. A carnival can feel bright and alive, but for Marisol, it's also a place where class, race, gender, and belonging are constantly being tested. That tension gives the novel its pulse.

I also appreciated the author’s choice to frame the story through an older Marisol looking back. It gives the book a reflective quality that fits its bigger ideas about memory, inheritance, and what families choose to say or bury. Sometimes the story leans into familiar historical romance beats, especially around forbidden love, but I didn't mind that because Marisol herself feels sturdy enough to carry them. She's not only a romantic heroine. She's curious, wounded, stubborn, and hungry for a life that wasn't handed to her. The novel is candid about the limits placed on women, and it asks a quietly painful question: what does it cost to survive by hiding parts of yourself?

I would recommend The Last Gypsy Queen to readers who enjoy character-driven historical fiction, especially stories with romance, family secrets, cultural identity, and a strong sense of place. It would also work well for book clubs because there is plenty to talk about, from prejudice and assimilation to women’s ambition and the ethics of remembering. It's best for readers who like their history personal and emotional, told less like a lecture and more like someone finally opening an old, carefully guarded box.

[N.J. Mastro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never thought of Romanies (whom many of us have only ever known of as “gypsies”) living in America. I knew “gypsy” was a derogatory term, but I didn’t know the appropriate name, which is Romani. So I learned some very important lessons in this book. I thought Romanis lived primarily in Europe. Not true. They lived in America as well, and many clans remain present to this day.

Beyond that, The Last Gypsy Queen is a story of a persecuted group of people, as told through the story of Marisol, a young woman who at the start of the story is forced to marry a man whom she does not love and knows as an abusive person. The day after their wedding, he is murdered along with her father. Marisol and her mother become widows together.

With only themselves to rely on, they travel from rural Missouri to an amusement park in Ohio, where they have worked as fortune tellers for the last decade. Marisol is surprised to know that this year she will have her own tent. The year is 1942, and America is at war, suggesting from the start that this summer will be unlike previous summers. What Marisol really wants is to become a doctor, yet because of her ethnic heritage and her poverty, she is afraid to embrace her dream.

The author’s descriptions alone make the settings and the characters in The Last Gypsy Queen feel fully formed. Details are grounded in historical accuracy, and the story is told from multiple points of view, giving readers a broad look into what happens to Marisol, her hopes, her dreams, and of course, a romance she can’t resist. The Buckeye Lake Amusement Park is an actual park, and according to the author’s notes, several secondary figures are based on real people who worked at the park.

Overall, two thumbs up for this debut novel! A must read for anyone wanting a deeper understanding of the various ethnic groups who claim America as their own and the discrimination they suffered, the Romanies in particular, and for readers who like strong, resilient female lead characters.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Last Gypsy Queen is a tender, evocative, and beautifully layered historical novel that captures both the heartbreak and hope of a young woman fighting for her future in 1940s America. Linda Paul brings Buckeye Lake Amusement Park to life with vivid, cinematic detail—the music, the lights, the wartime crowds seeking escape—and sets the stage for a story that feels both intimate and sweeping.

Marisol Mazaria is a heroine who stays with you. Scarred by tragedy yet fiercely determined, she arrives at the park with her Romani family carrying little more than grief and grit. Paul handles Marisol’s cultural identity with sensitivity and depth, weaving Romani traditions, prejudice, and resilience into every part of her journey.

Her relationship with Will Worthington is tender and quietly powerful. Their romance grows in stolen moments beneath the glow of the midway, shadowed by the disapproval of both their worlds. Will’s longing to become a pilot and Marisol’s unexpected dream of medical school create a poignant parallel—two young people daring to imagine lives beyond the boundaries set for them.

The novel’s emotional stakes rise as war looms and danger creeps closer. A vindictive supervisor threatens the Romani community, family pressures tighten, and Will’s draft notice casts a long shadow. Paul builds this tension with a deft hand, never losing sight of the human heart at the center of the story.

What makes The Last Gypsy Queen truly shine is its blend of romance, cultural history, and quiet courage. It’s a story about love in impossible circumstances, but also about identity, dignity, and the bravery it takes to choose your own path—even when the world tries to choose for you.

A moving, beautifully written novel that lingers long after the final page. Perfect for readers who love historical fiction with heart, depth, and unforgettable characters.

With thanks to Linda Paul, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Heather Dodge Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Gypsy Queen, by Linda Paul, transports the reader to a 1942 midwestern amusement park midway, where a young Romani woman, Marisol, works telling fortunes. She yearns for a meaningful life outside of what is allowed for a woman in her restrictive traditional culture. She finds herself entranced by a park patron, Will, a young man who’s facing down family restrictions of his own, as he seeks to become a pilot and enlist in the Army, against his wealthy father’s plans for him.

This colorful story, set against the backdrop of the early U.S. involvement in WWII, follows Marisol and Will as they pursue a relationship against the disapproval of both of their families, and must balance their individual ambitions and obligations with their mutual desire to explore a life together.

The rich multi-point-of-view storytelling also takes us into the life of Lila, one of the managers of the amusement park, who helps Marisol learn to read and succeed in the “gadzo”, non-Romani cultural world. From Lila’s perspective, we see the park’s struggle to adapt to the pre-war rush of patrons, and grapple with heedless cost-cutting measures from corporate that endanger the safety of the park’s visitors.

The author skillfully weaves all these threads together in a fascinating, evocative tale that keeps the reader turning “just one more page”. I found the meticulously researched behind-the-scenes views of amusement park operation and the grounded description of traditional Romani culture in the U.S., which I previously knew very little about, to be particularly interesting.

Every character feels fully fleshed, with pasts and goals and dreams of their own, and Paul’s prose vividly recalls the sounds of big band music, the screaming of roller coaster riders, and the whiff of caramel corn on the breeze. It’s a perfect summer getaway for the historical fiction reader.

[Diane Nagatomo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading “The Last Gypsy Queen” by Linda Paul was like stepping back into time to a world I never really knew existed in the United States. Eighteen-year-old Marisol Mazaria’s life as she knows it when her abusive father has arranged for her to marry a man who looks like he will be equally abusive. But what can she do? It’s the Romani way—or what the “Gadjos” would say the “gypsy way.” She will have to leave the security of her mother and grandmother and join her husband in his family’s caravan. As luck (or tragedy?) would have it, Marisol’s father and new husband are killed the day after her wedding night in a brawl. She can return to her mother and grandmother, but now, as widows, they are outcasts within their community. And the traditions prohibit them from working—from doing a “man’s” job to get enough money to put food on their table. Their only hope is their annual summer work at the Lake Amusement Park in Ohio, where they can earn money through fortune telling in a carnival atmosphere. While they struggle with long-established prejudices by outsiders and members of her clan, the doors begin to crack open for Marisol through the kindness of others who see her potential. But does she have the strength to turn away from centuries-old traditions and seize the opportunity for a new life?

I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this book that was a perfect blend of historical fiction, romance, and social commentary. I enjoyed the characters so much that I really hope there is to be a sequel. I would love to follow Marisol throughout her entire life and see how she would continue to challenge racial and gender stereotypes throughout the fifties, sixties, and seventies.
Many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC of this wonderful novel. My opinions are my own.

[Melissa (Nissa_the.bookworm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
📖 are a fan of historical fiction
👨‍🏫 enjoy learning about different cultures
👀 like multiple POVs
🎡 love the carnival

• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓

In 1942, eighteen-year-old Marisol Mazaria arrives with her Romani family at Ohio's Buckeye Lake Amusement Park where big bands come to play and thousands of wartime-weary visitors long for an escape. She is desperate for work and haunted by tragedy after her abusive husband's violent death. Marisol faces a future of tarot card fortune-telling and servitude-until a chance encounter with Will Worthington changes everything.

Will, a college student dreaming of becoming a pilot against his wealthy father's wishes, is drawn to Marisol's intelligence and fierce determination. As their secret romance blossoms amid the lights of the midway, both must navigate the treacherous waters of prejudice from their own communities. When the park manager's wife begins secretly teaching Marisol to read and helps her apply to medical school, Marisol longs for a future she never dared imagine.

• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒

This was such a fun read! I love when authors take real life history and create a fictional story about it. It always adds to the realness of the characters and plot line. I enjoyed learning more about the Romani’s history and nomadic culture. I can honestly say I never knew much, as it simply doesn’t seem to be something they cover in history classes. The story is told through 3 points of view which added to the overall depth and meaning. I loved picturing the carnival rides and the fair food in my mind. I honestly wanted to travel back in time and be there myself. I loved Marisol’s character and found myself rooting for her the entire story. This debut is not to be missed!

[Ivy Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

​I just finished the ARC of The Last Gypsy Queen by Linda Paul, and I am still under a spell from Marisol’s journey. Huge thanks to Booksirens and author Linda Paul for trusting me with this story. 🙂‍↕️

Set against a backdrop of deep prejudice and rigid class divisions, this story follows Marisol, a young Romani woman who's forced to do tarot readings with her mom and grandma in an amusement park. However, she has one dream: to become a doctor like her grandpa, breaking free from the bonds of the times and their customs. Being the Gypsy Queen that she is, she refuses to give up on both her dreams and her forbidden love.

​The historical research shines through on every page, grounding this forbidden romance in a world that feels incredibly vivid and authentic. The book balances meticulous history with a high-stakes romance and draws the reader into its own unique atmosphere. I'm a fan of strong, ambitious, and brave characters, so I was able to connect with Marisol on a personal level and could relate to her feelings and thoughts. Coming from a country with some similar outdated customs, I could deeply understand Marisol's frustrations and occasional moments of feeling helpless.

I loved the language the author used in the book, which was deeply emotional but not filled with heavy prose. This made the tone of the book relatable and easy to harmonize with. I just wanted to see a bit more development in the ending, as it felt a bit rushed, and I thought the conclusion to Will and Marisol's story deserved to spend more time with the reader.

[Gwendalyn Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝚃𝚒𝚝𝚕𝚎: The Last Gypsey Queen
𝙰𝚞𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚛: Linda Paul
𝙿𝚞𝚋𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚑𝚎𝚛: Black Rose Writing
𝙿𝚞𝚋 𝙳𝚊𝚢: April 16, 2026
𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔𝚜 𝚝𝚘@lindapaulauthor on tour @suzyapprovedbooktours @blackrosewriting 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚖𝚢 𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚕𝚢 𝚌𝚘𝚙𝚢 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔

💭 𝙼𝚢 𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔𝚒𝚜𝚑 𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜
The Last Gypsy Queen by Linda Paul takes set in a village called Buckeye Lake, once called “The Playground of Ohio”. A place where the intermingling of the elite and working class clashes. America has joined the large stage of WWII, and readers follow Marisol Mazaria, a nomadic Romani. Who is unlike most woman within her clan because she can read, a luxury denied to Romani women. Wanting more from her life than prearranged route, she struggles with the bonds placed on her from being a woman and that of her ethnicity. The serene shores of Buckeye Lake become a battleground of a different kind, where deep-seated class divides collide against the backdrop of a nation torn apart by war. While the wealthy elite maintain a veneer of summer normalcy, locals and factory workers struggle with the hardships of a depleted economy, rationing, and the loss of young men to the front lines.
Linda Paul does a wonderful job with her world building. Bringing the sights and sounds of the vibrant amusement park. Rich details come to life under Linda Paul’s pen. A moving heart thoughtful book with a strong FMC, that readers are able to can root for.

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[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance copy from the author, but this is my unbiased review. This historical novel begins during World War II but explores a world that was unfamiliar to me, and will no doubt also be new to many readers. The main character, Marisol, is a teen of Romani heritage whose life is bound by the restrictive customs of her people, despite the fact that she was born in the United States and works during the summers in an amusement park in Ohio. The author has done extensive research, including consulting several Romani people who experienced the time and setting of the novel. Marisol is an engaging heroine, torn between her love for her family and her wish to get an education and escape the drudgery and violence of her early life. She is aware of the Nazi persecution of European Romani communities during the holocaust and experiences racism and prejudice herself. However, her drive to expand her horizons is aided by several supportive non-Romani women, especially the wife of the amusement park manager. The plot also held my attention throughout, although some of it was predictable. Paul does an excellent job of keeping the reader guessing about Marisol’s ultimate life course, but I did find the ending somewhat hasty. The colorful, detailed descriptions of Romani life were particularly noteworthy.

[Chelsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love novels that have true historical events as part of the storyline. Marisol after a horrible event and the loss of family, heads back to Ohio's Buckeye Lake Amusement Park for another summer of earning funds. But things are different this year, as they are all widow's and women on their own and there is a war brewing in Europe. Having to earn for her family this year, she quickly learns from her mother and grandmother on how to read cards and has her own tent this year. When a young pilot comes to get his cards read, she knows she to keep paying customers as just that. But there is a pull with Will as he shares parts of his personal life with her and the impending call to serve his country against his father's wishes. He asks to see her again even though she knows it's against all the rules of the Gypsy's she can't help but feel nothing she has ever felt before for someone. As their romance blossoms, so does the war at home for Will, the war in Europe and mother nature also has her own plans. Marisol and Will have to decide if their love is worth everything they will be risking. I loved this story and the characters. I had no idea about this place and really enjoyed learning about the gypsy's and all of their beliefs. Thank you to the author for the complementary novel and to Suzy Approved Book Tours for the tour invite. This review is of my own opinion and accord.

[Shellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Gypsy Queen takes place during the WWII era. In contrast to the many WWII-era novels set in Europe, this story is refreshingly set in Ohio at the once-famous Buckeye Lake Amusement Park. Linda Paul’s vivid descriptions of the park made me reconnect with fond memories of amusement parks while growing up.

The story is told through the eyes of Marisol, a coming of age Romani woman who helps support her family by reading Tarot cards at the amusement park. Inspired by her grandfather, who was a Gypsy healer, Marisol dreams of becoming a physician; not a profession for women of the day and unheard of for a Gypsy woman. The author provides us with a poignant look into the Romani culture, who, despite being an integral part of the attractions industry for many years, have remained invisible to many. In order to pursue her goal, Marisol must confront both prejudice against women and prejudice against her culture. Along the way she meets Will, who comes from an affluent and domineering family and is struggling to carve out his own path against his family’s wishes.

As a skilled writer, Paul immediately draws the reader in so that you can’t help but root for these two to overcome the impossible. This reader couldn’t put the book down until I found out each of their fates!

[Lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book from the first page. It is well-written, has an engaging plot, and has interesting characters you will root for immediately.

Marisol, a young Romani woman, was forced to marry a cruel man. When he is killed the day after their wedding, she doesn't mourn. She feels lucky to escape him, though among her people, widows are shunned and have few rights. With her mother, grandmother, and younger sister, they eke out an existence until they arrive for their usual summer work at an Ohio amusement park.

At the park, Marisol continues her yearly friendship with Lila, who encourages her reading lessons and helps her apply to college. Marisol hopes to follow in her grandfather's footsteps and become a doctor. She also meets Will, a young man struggling to break the shackles of duty to his family and find his own life.

In this historical fiction novel, set in the summer of 1942, Marisol strives for a better life despite the racism, sexism, and prejudice of the time. Readers looking for an exceptional love story of perseverance and strength will enjoy this captivating read.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Gypsy Queen by Linda Paul is a poignant story of star-crossed lovers set in WWII Ohio. Marisol Mazaria is an eighteen-year-old Romani woman who longs to follow in her grandfather’s footsteps and become a physician, but who is constrained by traditional cultural roles. She is working as a tarot card reader at a summertime lakeside amusement park when she meets Will Worthington, a college student who comes to have his fortune told. Will also struggles to defy family expectations. Rather than take over his father’s business, he hopes to be a pilot and join the war effort. Over the course of one too-short summer, a romance blooms, one they must hide because of deep-rooted prejudice in both of their communities. This beautifully written novel is perfect for book clubs with its prime-for-debate mix of love against the odds, a strong female protagonist, the fascinating weaving in of tarot card reading, and themes of identity and cultural bias.

[Louella Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate stories that focus on "place," especially when the locale is well presented. Linda Paul’s novel The Last Gypsy Queen could very well have been set in my small Vermont community where residents greet each other by name, gather at the general store, and look after one another. Paul has chosen the WWII era at a park in Ohio where once a year a carnival takes place. Young Marisol, a Romani woman wishing for a better life, reads Tarot cards at the carnival and falls in love with a fellow whose wealthy white family is firmly prejudiced against gypsies. Paul’s research into the Romani culture is nicely woven into the story with details readers might not have known. The carnival features a threatening antagonist and some colorful characters behind the Romeo-and-Juliet-type of love story. The ending is poignant and satisfying. The Last Gypsy Queen would be a feel-good novel for a book club.

[AnnMarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book positively fascinated me! It was so much more than just a romance. Although fiction, much of the story is based on facts. From the amusement park's existence, to the real prejudice between the Romani and non-Romani people.

Reading about how Marisol, a young Romani, wants to become a doctor and how much her family carefully encourage her, despite knowing that the others would ostracise them, was so moving. So too was how Marisol is tempted into a relationship with Will, a non-Romani and how their relationship had more than its fair share of trials and tribulations. Set during the war, it's no surprise that one of those trials is Will going off to fight.

I have so much I want to comment on about this book, but I don't want to disclose important spoilers. Just do yourself a favour and read this wonderful book. You won't be sorry. Just make sure you have a tissue or two ready!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Miss W Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Gypsy Queen by Linda Paul is such a wonderful debut novel I absolutely LOVED!

The story is about the Romanis also known as Gypsies. The story is set in Ohio at Buckeye Lake in 1942. Set at Buckeye Lake, an amusement carnival, circus.

Marisol is almost 18. She is not really agreeing with the culture of the gypsies, but is working as a Tarot Card Reader, following in her family's tradition.

When she is working, she meets Will. They have a lot in common, as both do not want to follow their parent's wishes. Will is about to deploy to fight in WW2.

I really like the story and vibe of the carnival. Traditional but also with the 1940's nostalgia.

I really enjoyed this story. Will and Marizol's story is really a forbidden relationship that I really liked.

I have read some stories about the Romani, and this one was so fantastic. I really enjoyed learning more about the Romani and Gypsy culture.

A well-developed complex story that I really enjoyed.

[Crystal Awadalla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gypsies, Romanies. A group that has historically been painted with many mean-spirited brushes is examined through the lens of a young Romani woman. Marisol is a Romani who is living on the cusp of changing times. Like the Rosie the Riveters of her time, she has been marginalized by society and most importantly by her Romanie community’s backwards attitudes towards women.
Marisol is a strong female lead. Despite societal and community barriers pushing her down; she gets up and moves forward. A forced marriage, shunning, all the things that women in many cultures have struggled against is highlighted in this perceptive novel. Bigotry, and the stories we tell ourselves: that we are better than others is challenged.
Join Marisol in her journey from young Romanie girl to a woman of substance. This novel begs the question - is being different wrong?