Experience the Magic of Above the Bay of Angels: A Novel

gina c: Interesting plot. Almost predictable using Victorian history but still kept my interest. Would recommend to historical fiction buffs to read.

United States on Oct 25, 2023

Barbara Fosmire: Great romance but not soppy. Good, interesting plot. Learned
some history and ways to cook food, contrasting English and French preferences and recipes.

United States on Oct 24, 2023

Kindle Customer: This book like all of the books I have read by this author, was very interesting. I never pass up a chance to read one of Rhys Biden's novels.

United States on Oct 07, 2023

Amazon Customer: Bella becomes Helen Barton and takes a job as undercook at the Palace. It’s a case of good things finally coming to a good person. The Dayton day is a fascinating story, well written and exciting. I knew about the “ bay leaves” before Bella did!

United States on Sep 24, 2023

Amazon Customer: A good and humble historic story.
Beautifully written with a sweet sweet heroine amongst the royal rigmarole of the late 1800’s 😀
I liked it very much and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Australia on Sep 12, 2023

VR: Mai noioso, un inglese di facile lettura, storia reale in certi suoi aspetti. Il libro della Bowen che mi è piaciuto di più

Italy on May 10, 2023

Kevin: This a story about a young girl from an aristocratic family without inheritance rights forced into service. At first she works in the kitchens of an ungrateful patron learning the trade of a cook. Opportunity strikes when she comes into the possession of an invitation to serve Queen Victoria in her kitchens
Because she has taken on another's identity to secure the position she is always looking over her shoulder in case she is found out. Things come to head when she is accused of trying to poison the Queen on a winter break in Nice. In the background she is also pursued by suiters including one from royalty.
I surprised myself by liking what is close to a romantic novel. The historical details of the foods and teams of chiefs serving the Queen was intriguing
I could not help liking the young girl and hoping that she would overcome the barriers in her way. Recommended to those who like a really, feel good, story

United Kingdom on May 31, 2022

lyntrom: This book, set in Victorian times was a reflection of the distinction between the British classes and the impact that this had on the lives of those caught up in it. The educated daughter of a 2nd earl finds herself " in service" after her mother's death and father's descent into dire financial straits. However, due to an unusual turn of events, she finds herself part of Queen Victoria's kitchen staff. Her love of cooking leads to a desire to become a chef, something very rare for a woman at this time. It was an interesting story of the challenges faced by a bright young woman in that age.

Canada on Feb 09, 2022

Wendy L: This is the first book I have read by this author and I certainly found it easy reading and was intrigued by the fact that it was based on a true story about Queen Victoria. A lot of research must have gone into this book.
Although this was set in the late nineteenth century, it was not written in such a formal and stylised manner as other books of this period which I have read. In fact, some of the dialogue used was quite modern, which almost made me forget that this was set in 1896.
Bella was certainly a feisty young woman, but I found it almost incomprehensible that she would talk to the Queen and her retinue in the way she did. It is a wonder she did not make many enemies amongst the court and her fellow cooks with the way she carried on. But an enjoyable enough read.

United Kingdom on Apr 28, 2021

Daniel Cate: Above the Bay of Angels is a stand alone novel by author Rhys Bowen. Bowen's Royal Spyness series has long been one of my absolute favorite series and I tend to read those as soon as they are released. I have really enjoyed the recent stand alone novels that she has released through Lake Union (Amazon) publishing as well. I'm happy to say that Above the Bay of Angels was no different. I thought this book was fantastic and I loved that it was set during the reign of Queen Victoria. I have not read many historical fiction books that feature Queen Victoria so it was nice to learn a little more about someone that had such a big impact on the world.

This story centers around Isabella Waverly, who is the oldest daughter of a second son that grew up in an aristocratic family but since he was the second son he received no title or inheritance. Her father at first takes a commission in the British Army in India but he has to give up his commission because his wife can't handle the Indian climate. He brings his family back home to London and has to take a job working at a hotel. He eventually succumbs to the lure of alcohol and loses the hotel job. Isabella's mother also dies shortly...

United States on Feb 27, 2020