I don't normally write actual reviews for books as I can usually move on from a book when it disappoints me or most I read tend to be lovely but this book, and as of my position of having just finished the first two books, the series in whole is full of wasted potential. 
 When I found the first book and read the premise I was so intrigued, excited even for what could have potentially been a fascinating rewritten version of history. I've always been a very avid fan of everything Tudor Era, especially focusing on Anne Boleyn and Elizabeth I, so the idea of Anne not dying and having kept the son she carried was promising. 
 (view spoiler)[Unfortunately what I found in the book was disappointing. The first book started out alright and though I was iffy about Minuette, unlike many who said Dominic was also flat I felt he had potential. And I was pleased with how Elizabeth, Robert and at some points even William were depicted. However, I was upset to see Anne reduced to nothing but a woman with an uncontrollable temper and habit of throwing fits, which seemed to be often reiterated by Minuette in book two? There were brief moments yes where Anne was shown as the wise and powerful woman she was but it was as I said brief and little. 
 Now I get that Anne wasn't the focus of the book so I tried to put that past me and focus on the four main protagonists of the tale. William and Elizabeth I accepted, even Dominic, but Minuette only got worse as I entered book two. She was as many mentioned always depicted as Ms. Perfect, adored by all, always the star of the ball and center of attention and her irritating and useless mostly diary entries at every step even if she herself wasn't present. Though of course there were many moments of decent writing and of the characters I enjoyed so I kept reading in hopes the series might get better. 
 The tipping point for me was when Minuette and Elizabeth were at the ball in France (p.207), 
 "Although Elizabeth herself was dressed in cloth-of-silver with a fortune in diamonds and pearls in her hair and around her neck and sewn to her gown, she knew that for once she did not match her friend for brilliance." 
 Elizabeth would never have been outshined by anyone? She was known to be a shining sun to those of her court and even foreign courts, she was the Queen who would bring about one of the longest eras of peace and prosperity in England and here she was being outshined by a badly written, fictional girl, a blatant mary sue. 
 Perhaps if I wasn't so invested in this era and these characters I would have been able to better enjoy this book as a simple historical fiction teen romance, but I always tend to get invested into books I read, more so if its about historic figures I adore, so from that point on the rest of the book was ruined and read if only to finish it with a very sour mood, especially whenever Minuette popped up. Even William who I was able to come to like began to unwind into this..lovesick idiot who somehow for all his genius did not realize from Minuette's lack of outright consent or Dominic's stiffness in regards to things concerning her that the two were in love with each other. I highly doubt that love would have blinded him so strongly with all that we were shown of him and how he was smart despite his youth and had a perfect memory to boot. 
 Now, I will say a few final notes before wrapping this up as I realize this has gotten quite lengthy. Dominic was actually a very...for the most part in every regard except his love for Minuette at least...an interesting character. I feel he did get some development from book one, and he had plenty of flaws even if they weren't being selfish with titles like most nobles. He was shown to be jealous, possessive, angry at William, and not always approving of his friend even though he was the King. I think the highlight of this book for the end half was when he told Minuette straight up to choose between him and William and that he was done pretending, though of course I knew since the beginning the two would end up together so that highlight only lasted so long. 
 The end letter to Minuette was interesting though I will admit, I was irked again that Elizabeth should be envious of a mary sue insert but the points she brought up about having to rule England if William ever died were wonderful to see from her perspective. Andersen at least displayed what I feel her thoughts would have been correctly in regards to her concerns about countries not wanting women monarchs. It was a nice ending note to the book, and I was also pleased to see that Elizabeth said she didn't think Minuette would be a good choice fo Queen, as I agree with the points mentioned about the reference to Anne and William changing completely, etc. (hide spoiler)] 
 I will be continuing on to read Book three, if only because I am unfortunately one of those people who cannot not finish a series once started, and I will keep hoping (though that hope is all but extinguished) that somehow the last book might end better and that the other characters might be done justice. I doubt I will be rid of Minuette of course but I will grit my teeth and bear with this useless mary sue for the sake of Elizabeth and Robert. 
 To those who begin this book series with the expectations I had, I apologize for if you are as avid a fan as I, they will probably be dashed.