I had seen the author, Tracy Borman, mention her book The House of Boleyn in a history video on YouTube and was immediately interested in reading it, so when I saw it available on NetGalley I requested it immediately, and I was excited when I was approved for an advance copy. I’m happy to say my excitement was justified.
The House of Boleyn opens with a scene from the point of view of Thomas Boleyn, just after his daughter and son have been executed, and then goes back in time to their childhoods.
The story is told from multiple points of view, from various members of the Boleyn family, as well as some of their servants, to give a fairly well rounded account of the events leading to the rise, and fall, of the Boleyn family.
In this fictionalized account, the author puts forward some interesting views that I’ve seen hinted at on various historical documentary videos, but haven’t seen in a novel, about the courtship between Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII. I thought the way the author portrayed their relationship made the theory believable, even if it is based on speculation.
I do wish we had spent more time in the points of view of Anne, or George in the days before their executions, rather than spending so much time with the servants at Hever. That part of the novel felt rather slow, but I guess it also would have felt that way if you were waiting to her what was happening at that time.
All in all, I enjoyed this account of the Boleyn family, and look forward to checking out more of this author’s work. I recommend it for anyone who is interested in the Tudor period.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The House of Boleyn will be available on August 4 2026.
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