Hugh and Bess - Susan Higginbotham

Hugh and Bess
By Susan Higginbotham

After reading The Traitor’s Wife, and loving it, I was excited to read more from Higginbotham. I actually finished Hugh and Bess at the end of last year but somehow my review got lost on my computer and never found its way to a post. So long overdue, here it is. Basically, if you enjoyed The Traitor’s Wife, but haven’t read Hugh and Bess what the heck are you waiting for?

Hugh and Bess continues in time with Hugh the son, filling in how he went from being the crown’s prisoner to a decade later marrying 14 year old Bess. We see Bess learning to overcome her fears of marriage and facing the trials of her time.

The story is captivating and wonderfully written. At times I felt the issues Hugh and Bess faced were almost wrapped up a little too neatly but I’m a pessimist, I can’t help it. I loved the relationship Hugh and Bess had and the strength Bess showed when faced with losing everyone she held dear.

This is a wonderful story and a great follow-up to The Traitor’s Wife. Higginbotham creates a beautiful story laced with some moments that had me chuckling to myself.

A woman cackled to her companion, “Pretty little chick, but not ready for our lord to bed, I’ll wager!” Bess, whose mouth had been fixed into a smile, forgot herself and glared daggers at the woman. She sat up straighter and thrust her chest forward a bit, trying to create the illusion of a bosom.

Although the book covers a great deal of time, many of the details were passed over so the book was over too soon. A lot of this was because it was detailed in The Traitor’s Wife. There were parts at the end I want to know more about. I would have kept reading and reading but unfortunately the pages ran out.


Also check out:
Susan Higginbotham's website
My review of The Traitor's Wife


**Source: Personal copy I purchased with my own sweet loot.