Sadly I can’t rate this lower than 1 star.
I love everything by Jodi Picoult so I tried so hard to love this one but I just couldn’t. It was so incredibly clear that not enough research was put into this book.

Emilia Bassano was born in 1569. According to this book, she became Lord Chamberlain Hunsdon’s mistress in 1582. She would have been 12 or 13 if going off the book. Emilia Lanier Bassano ACTUALLY became his mistress 5 years later in 1587, making her approximately 18. For morality purposes and just truthfulness in general, Jodi REALLY should have done her research there. I’m not saying pre teen mistresses weren’t a thing back then as I’m sure they were in some instances. But the fact is she did not become his mistress that young. She went to him after the passing of her mother in 1587. (Yes I’m aware the book literally states she is 12 in the very beginning. However the fact is she did not become a mistress in 1582.)

This is only one instance of things being horrifically incorrect (studied Emilia for a school project in high school) and if you’re going to market at least half of your book as historical fiction but use this actual human beings life, there’s just so many details that NEED to coincide to make it truthful. I understand embellishing some things I truly do. But this was just… no. If you’re going to write a historical fiction book, make a character up don’t use a real actual human being then change multiple aspects of their lives that are important. I’m honestly just so disappointed in this book. Not Jodi’s best….