Overview

Some play to win. She's playing to survive... Beneath the grandeur of palace life is a world where intrigue, power and hidden passions unfold... Neglected by her parents and branded an outsider at the opulent Swedish royal court, Jacquette Gyldenstolpe finds herself irresistibly drawn to Prince Oscar, heir to the throne. For Jacquette, alliances are fragile, secrets are deadly, and her every move is a delicate dance of diplomacy and deception. With a secret as precious as it is threatening to the crown, she will risk everything - love, duty and even her life - to protect it. But even using all her courage and cunning, can she play the Butterfly Games and win? Based on a true story in stormy early-1800s Europe, Butterfly Games is a sweeping tale of dangerous desire, fierce ambition and the price of power, ideal for fans of Philippa Gregory and Allison Pataki, from a new name in historical fiction.

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9798998690914

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Reviews

""An excellent work of historical fiction that delivers an engaging romance and memorable characters."" Kirkus Reviews ""With near-cinematic historical detail and enough drama to push the story forward, Scarborough's debut marches her straight up to the top of the genre. Very highly recommended."" Readers' Favorite, 5-star review ""In Butterfly Games, Kelly Scarborough crafts a work of historical fiction that feels as lavish as it is perilous. The book leans into the elegance of Bridgerton, the stately tension of The Crown, and the shadowy power plays that recall Game of Thrones. . . Scarborough possesses a gift; she draws readers into this world with deceptive ease."" Literary Titan, 5-star review ""The writing is realistic, the tension in many scenes is heart-stopping, and Oscar's intentions in his love for Jacquette are uncertain. I loved learning about this period of Swedish events, not often mentioned in history books."" Readers' Favorite, 5-star review ""Lyrical and passionate, this historical novel illumines a little-known countess with a big story. Drawn into a treacherous game of politics, betrayal, and forbidden love, young Jacquette must choose between her heart and her loyalty. A tale that reels you in and doesn't let you go."" Jude Berman, author of The Vow, a 2024 Kirkus Best Indie Book ""Set against the turbulent backdrop of Napoleonic-era Sweden, this richly woven tale follows Countess Jacquette Gyldenstolpe through passion, political intrigue, and heartbreak. Blending deep historical insight with irresistible drama, this is a romance that lingers long after the final page."" Anna-Lena Berg, noted biographer of Jacquette Gyldenstolpe (Jacquette Gyldenstolpe) and Gustav af Wetterstedt (Grand Tour) ""This opulent tale of early-1800s Swedish palace intrigue is richly detailed, meticulously researched, and bursting with all the good stuff-gossip, scandal, spies, and, of course, forbidden romance. Based on the life of lady-in-waiting and royal mistress Jacquette Gyldenstolpe, Butterfly Games will transport you to the gilded hallways of Napoleonic Stockholm, where secrets are worth more than gold."" Emily Matchar, author of In the Shadow of the Greenbrier ""Complex, captivating characters. Immersive prose. Glittery royal court intrigue. Based on the true ill-fated love story between a countess and a prince, Butterfly Games unfolds with all the dramatic intensity of a Shakespearean tragedy."" Joan Fernandez, author of Saving Vincent: A Novel of Jo van Gogh ""In this novel of love and betrayal, Jacquette grapples with Swedish court politics, while her mistakes, resolve, and sacrifice make her the true heroine of this sweeping tale."" Michelle Cameron, author of Beyond the Ghetto Gates and Napoleon's Mirage

Author Information

Kelly Scarborough worked for more than two decades as a law firm partner and white-collar prosecutor, but her real passion is reading and writing historical novels about the lives of fascinating women in challenging times. Butterfly Games, her debut novel, took her on journeys to Swedish castles and archives, where she walked in her characters' footsteps and translated hundreds of their letters. Along with the people she met, those experiences inspire her stories. A lover of coastlines and sunsets, she lives on the Connecticut Shoreline and in South Carolina's Lowcountry, where she tries to keep track of her workaholic husband and appease her stubborn Shih Tzu.

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