Duty or Love?: Review of Lilies, Lies and Love by Jackie French

As the King of England wavers between duty and love, Sophie knows that she must choose duty.

In Lilies, Lies and Love, the fourth title in the Miss Lily series, Jackie French explores one of the most controversial events in history.

1936: The new King Edward VIII wishes to marry American divorcee, and suspected German agent, Wallis Simpson. Top-secret documents that the king must read and sign are being neglected for weeks, and some are even turning up in Berlin. As Germany grows its military might, Britain and its empire are under increasing threat.

In Australia Sophie Vaile, the Countess of Shillings and Miss Lily’s most successful protégé is peacefully residing at her family property Thuringa. The daughter of Australia’s king of corned beef has spent the last few years at home, her eventful life at Shillings Hall left far behind. That is until James Lorrimer arrives with a request that will personally challenge Sophie and call on her sense of duty.

Can Sophie, who Miss Lily has trained in the art of charm, persuasion and to possess all the weapons a woman needs to be influential in modern day English society, win over the King? She was once close friends with him but can she influence his opinions on Germany and change the course of history?

Based on new correspondence found in the German archives, Lilies, Lies and Love is a work of fiction. Or is it? In this series author Jackie French is giving a voice to women in history and there is a strong sense of feminism throughout. It’s a series that also explores the changing concept of what it means to be a woman.

The narrative is clever and engaging, historical fact mixed with vibrant and fascinating characters. The intricacies of family, friends, complex relationships, responsibility and duty makes for a captivating read.

I’ve long been a fan of Jackie Frenchs’ historical novels for children, and so I was intrigued to read my first of her adult titles – I was not disappointed, and I will be seeking out the first three books in this series. Lilies Lies and Love can definitely be read as a stand-alone, but I enjoyed it so much that I will happily add the others to the top of my TBR pile.

If you love the Netflix series The Crown and want a different take on the story of King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, then this is a must read – although I’m sure there are plenty of you that have been intrigued by this story for many years. Make yourself a cup of tea and set aside plenty of time to immerse yourself in this riveting story.