The Secret Wife of King George IV

The Secret Wife of King George IV is a great book! It is written by Diane Haeger. The main character in it is named Maria Fitzerbert, and she is the young widow of a Lord. George is not yet king, he is still the Prince of Wales. George and his father don't get along at all, and they don't really talk. George lives in his London home, but doesn't have very much money to pay his staff or anything. He does things just to spite his father, like joining the Whig party because his father is a Tory. George also has had mistresses, because his father is very loyal to his wife. George has had mistresses not because of love, but when he meets Maria, he falls in love with her even when she refuses to become his mistress. George pursues Maria, but she pushes him away time and time again. Maria is a devout Catholic, but is falling in love with the Protestant Prince of Wales. She is very confused, and worried for her reputation (the London society does like to talk, even if it is not true, you know!), so Maria travels to France and spends about 2 years in a French country manor. She doesn't have contact with the prince for about a year, but during the second year of her stay in England, Maria and the Prince exchange letters often. She knows she loves him, and wants to go back to England to see him. So, Maria returns home.  

The Prince of Wales tells Maria he will marry her, even though he technically can't marry anyone without his father's approval, and his wife definitely can't be Catholic. They secretly marry anyway, and now in the book no one in London knows what is going on with Maria and the Prince. Everyone gossips, but all the ladies and friends of Maria avoid her. They don't want to be seen with her, because they fear their reputation will be tarnished.

I can't wait to see how this book ends! I am super excited to see if George' father dies and George makes Maria his queen, or if they are found out before that can happen. I will post another blog when I finish this book; if the ending is good I probably won't give it away, though! From what I've read so far, I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a historical romance! I hope you love it as much as I do!