I respect and admire the convincing research the author did for this book. She clearly understands Shakespeare and all the doubts about who he was. She created a story that was truly amazing, but it was just too long and laborious. If she had cut out about 500 pages it would have been enjoyable.

This book was so interesting! I’m hoping this is a story of fact and not fiction! I loved the 2 related women!!

This was so wonderful and engaging.

Emilia’s story feels so real, so touching, thanks to Jodi Picoult’s brilliant storytelling. Wonderful!!

Jodi Picoult is due for a reinvention as well.

I am not normally a Jodi Picoult reader, but this blew me away. I can tell how much love she has for her subject, and the way she spun the few sources that exist into such an amazing story is truly a feat. And the miniature afterward — wow! 😍

As always another great novel from Jodi. She never fails to amazing me with her writing.

I literally couldn’t finish it: I am a fan of the authors but this publication just wasn’t for me/

I felt it started out a little slow but then became a page turner. Really enjoyed reading about Emilia and Melina’s lives.

This book was so incredibly boring that it kept putting me to sleep literally. Very disappointing.