“Brimming with scandal and an equal amount of heart…a sweeping yet intimate look at the lives of some of history’s most notorious figures from Vanderbilts to the Prince of Wales… A must-read.”—Chanel Cleeton, New York Times bestselling author of When We Left Cuba and Next Year in Havana“Bryn Turnbull takes a story we think we know and turns it on its head, with captivating results… A beautifully … Havana
“Bryn Turnbull takes a story we think we know and turns it on its head, with captivating results… A beautifully written, meticulously researched and altogether memorable debut.”—Jennifer Robson, USA TODAY bestselling author of The Gown
For fans of The Paris Wife and The Crown, this stunning novel tells the true story of the American divorcée who captured Prince Edward’s heart before he abdicated his throne for Wallis Simpson.
In the summer of 1926, when Thelma Morgan marries Viscount Duke Furness after a whirlwind romance, she’s immersed in a gilded world of extraordinary wealth and privilege. For Thelma, the daughter of an American diplomat, her new life as a member of the British aristocracy is like a fairy tale—even more so when her husband introduces her to Edward, Prince of Wales.
In a twist of fate, her marriage to Duke leads her to fall headlong into a love affair with Edward. But happiness is fleeting, and their love is threatened when Thelma’s sister, Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt, becomes embroiled in a scandal with far-reaching implications. As Thelma sails to New York to support Gloria, she leaves Edward in the hands of her trusted friend Wallis, never imagining the consequences that will follow.
Bryn Turnbull takes readers from the raucous glamour of the Paris Ritz and the French Riviera to the quiet, private corners of St. James’s Palace in this sweeping story of love, loyalty and betrayal.
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THE WOMAN BEFORE WALLIS: A Novel of Windsors, Vanderbilts and Royal Scandal by Bryn Turnbull is a historical fiction book that I have been waiting anxiously to read and it did not disappoint. This is the story of the American divorcee who captured Prince Edward’s heart before Wallis Simpson.
Thelma Morgan is divorced and has no prospects until her identical twin sister Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt and her husband, Reggie introduce her to Viscount Duke Furness. After a whirlwind romance, she is married, becomes the Viscountess Furness and is immersed into the decadent and wealthy life of the British aristocracy.
When Thelma learns Duke is having an affair, she is devastated, but her friends counsel her to live her own life and ignore it. At a party she is introduced to Edward, Prince of Wales. She finds him charming and soon the two are embroiled in a love affair.
Gloria Vanderbilt is fighting a terrible custody battle against her own mother and Gertrude Vanderbuilt in New York. The scandal sheets are posting terrible stories, so Thelma decides she must sail to American to stand by her sister and niece. As Thelma leaves England, she asks her trusted friend to watch over Edward. Wallis Simpson.
I love all the characters in this story. I believe that the author did a wonderful job of bringing them all to life; foibles and all. It is always interesting to read about the rich and famous and realize the social, political and/or personal pressures they live with and their money does not really make them happy. Even though I knew what would happen with both Gloria and Thelma, and this is not a history book, but historical fiction, I could not put the book down. It pulled me into the intrigue and scandal of their lives.
This is perfect for all the Anglophiles out there that can never get enough!
This fascinating story of Thelma Morgan Furness, a woman who spent much of her adult life on the periphery of history, is deftly told and thoroughly enjoyable.
Elegantly fascinating about an oft unheard of woman who helped change the history of the British monarchy. Her niece, however, was quite famous as Poor Little Gloria Vanderbilt and the custody scandal that rocked the country in the 1930’s. It was a fun peek into the lives of the rich and powerful, but ultimately it left me sad because it proves that money can’t buy happiness.
This was an interesting story about the woman who loved the Prince of Wales before Wallis. This takes place during the 1920’s and the 1930’s between England and America. The story is mainly about Thelma and her life before she me met David, Prince of Wales. It also centers around her sisters trial in America for the custody of her daughter against their mother and a Vanderbilt. I wanted to feel sorry for Thelma’s sister, Gloria, but it was hard to do when she was trying to live the life of a jet setter. I found it hard to put down because I knew nothing about these people. I definitely did not agree with their lifestyle. I received a copy of this book from HarperCollins Publishing for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
Talk about a small world! This book was a page-turner for me. A good juicy gossip fest even though everything happened before I was born because I had heard if everyone and everything in this story, I just did not know they were connected. I found this book fascinating even if it was historical fiction. I did not know anything about Thelma, Lady Furness, other than her name and she preceded Wallis Simpson in Edward the VIII’s affections. I was surprised to learn she was the twin sister of Gloria Vanderbilt, the mother of poor little Gloria of the infamous child custody battle in the 1930s. Also, poor little Gloria, who just died, was the mother of CNN’s Anderson Cooper. I can only imagine what their holiday and Sunday dinners were like. In fact, I found the sections about the custody battle and the Vanderbilts much more interesting than the parts about Thelma’s affair with Edward. Edward was not that interesting. Most historians agree he was selfish, smothering, and petulant. He also did not want to be king. Too much responsibility. It interfered with his fun. This is good because Britain got the king and queen she needed to get her through WWII, King George VI, and Queen Elizabeth. Edward got Wallis, not Thelma. I think Thelma got the better end of that deal. I also did not know Gloria Vanderbilt was heavily involved with George and Nada Mountbatten. Again, a small world. I liked Thelma. The author made her likable and sympathetic. There is an author’s note at the end, a reader’s guide, and a bibliography to help the reader understand more about the subjects in the book. Also, there are book club questions and I do feel this would be an excellent book club selection. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for a review.
Being British I am very interested in Edward VIII. I did not know about this woman and found it a really interesting story
The book is full of unknow facts. I have read Anderson Cooper’s book about his mother and this book gives you another person views of what happened to Poor Lil Gloria.
Written sympathetically..an untold story
I was absolutely lost in this book. Thelma Morgan was a fascinating character and Bryn Turnbull captures the fashions, the way of life, and the scandals of this time perfectly, bringing to life an enthralling piece of history.
I read this a month ago and remember nothing about it. Think that says it all.
Interesting view on history. Not a documentary, but could be what caused a historical event.
This book felt like going back in English history, rather Downton Abbey-ish
Juicier than trading gossip at the Ritz, The Woman Before Wallis spills the secrets of the woman who captivated King Edward before he was the king who gave up his crown. This is a glamorous story of just how far we’re willing to go for love. Fabulous!
I loved this book. Historical fiction: the best.
pleasant read
Best book I’ve read in a long time.
Great book with lots of history in both England and America. I was intrigued and looked up the history of the main characters.
This book all began with a single request for a friend to watch the man she loves while she is gone. What transpired it’s what we know to become a huge story. We meet Thelma Morgan and her twin sister Gloria Morgan the ups and downs these sisters suffer through is huge. Gloria lands the dashing Reginald Vanderbilt and Thelma falls for Viscount Duke Furness.
This book so rich in history and what women went through back then and how men behaved. I found myself following along with Thelma as her story is shared and the ups and downs she went through with her sister to the death of her husband and the court case that shook the country.
I loved it and think anyone wanting to learn more about Edward the King who abdicated his throne for love to Gloria’s ups and downs in her life. Definitely worth learning more about. Can’t wait to see what this writer comes up with next!
Thelma Morgan & her twin sister Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt were both raised by their mother to marry great wealth. Gloria married a Vanderbilt & had a daughter, Little Gloria, shortly before her husband died. Thelma was married briefly to a man who was not the best of husband material & subsequently divorced him. She lived for a time with her sister, who supported her financially. Their social lives were conducted in the wealthiest of circles on both sides of the Atlantic. Eventually Thelma made the acquaintance of a wealthy Englishman, Viscount Duke Furness. They went on to marry & have one son, Anthony. Duke was in love with Thelma, but had a “wandering eye” & his various affairs were embarrassing & disturbing to her. When she was introduced to Edward VIII, Prince of Wales, it was the beginning of a love affair which would end her marriage to Duke and ultimately introduce Wallis Simpson to the Prince.
This was a truly exceptional historical novel. I could not put it down & found myself thinking about it when I was not reading it. I am still thinking about it & looking into other books about the main characters, who were all real people. The story by itself is fascinating & the writing excellent, even though the story did go back & forth in time a fair amount, which I do not care for. It was a wonderfully descriptive take on the lifestyle of the very wealthy at that point in time. Thelma & Duke lead extravagant lives with no thought to cost. Their homes & entertaining were luxurious & all about comfort & pleasure. It was also an account of a terrible time in the life of Gloria Vanderbilt, as she fought with her husband’s family & her mother, for custody of her daughter, Little Gloria, who would grow up to be mother of Anderson Cooper. When Thelma goes back to the states to support her sister, she leaves the Prince of Wales in the cross hairs of Wallis Simpson & loses him. Very strongly recommend.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author Bryn Turnbull, & the publisher Harlequin for granting my request for this free ebook in return for my honest opinion.
The Woman Before Wallis by Bryn Turnbull is a close up look at Lady Thelma Furness, the long-time mistress of the ill-fated Prince of Wales BEFORE Wallis Simpson. I also took a close look at her sister, Gloria Vanderbilt, the mother of the Gloria with whom we are familiar. It is a shocking look at the lives of the movers and shakers of high society in the 1920s and 30s…the way they dressed and the homes they lived in. It is, in part, the story of a custody battle waged over a child and against a child. It shows a pampered and immature prince who probably saved his people from a terrible king by abdicating. The Woman Before Wallis definitely a peek into history.
Turnbull has written an excellent novel, fairly accurate, and heart-breaking. The sadness begins with the parents of Thelma and Gloria Morgan, who used their children instead of loving them. She has portrayed broken lives with clarity and openness, doing a wonderful job of showing their humanity with compassion and not judgment. Although the story often times disintegrates into lists of names, it reflects a dissolute portion of society and the repercussions of the lifestyle. I enjoyed it and recommend it.
I was invited to read a free ARC of the Woman Before Wallis by Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #thewomanbeforewallis