First published 2012
In 1850, Isabella Robinson attends a lavish party at the home of a wealthy widow. There, she is enchanted by the charms of a handsome young medical student, Edward Lane. As their secret flirtation blossoms, Isabella's repressed desires take hold, leading her to keep a private diary that will ultimately expose her to the harsh judgment of Victorian society. This compelling true story explores the fragile boundaries of marriage, female sexuality, and the high price of passion in a time of rigid social expectations.
Genres: historical-fiction, adult-fiction, biographical-fiction, 19th-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: forbidden-romance, social-commentary
Setting: England
Period: 1850s
320 pages · Paperback · Bloomsbury
Content warnings: sexual-content