by Thomas Perry
First published 2012
Madame de Cleves sits in the glittering court of Henry II, bound to a husband who inspires duty but never desire. The Prince de Cleves adores his young wife, yet their marriage feels hollow to her. When another man enters her world, forbidden attraction blooms. Madame de Cleves finds herself torn between the passion she has never known and the virtue she has always upheld. She struggles with feelings that threaten to destroy her reputation and her sense of honor. The court watches, gossips, and judges as she navigates the dangerous territory between her heart and her conscience. This story captures a woman's internal battle as she confronts the choice between remaining faithful to a marriage without love or pursuing the deep connection she craves.
Genres: romance, historical-fiction, 20th-century, adult-fiction, 19th-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, forbidden-romance
Setting: France
Period: 16th-century
232 pages · Paperback · Read How You Want