Set in the Georgian era, Virgina Henley’s Undone aspires to be the sort of saga hist-ro so beautifully crafted by Judith McNaught. And while it falls short of McNaught, it is still a well written and entertaining book, particularly for those readers who like to follow characters over the span of many years.
The Gunning beauties are the daughters of an impoverished third son and inveterate gambler, and an actress. Spurred on by a chance attendance at a Dublin Society function, their domineering mother decides to perpetrate a fraud and launch her daughters into Town.
We follow them through love, marriage, and death mostly through the eyes of heroine Elizabeth. She is a likable character, and her growth is well managed (if only frustrating in the beginning when she is such a push over).
I can’t reveal much more without it being a spoiler. I will say that the book was realistic and highlighted the imperfections of humanity with interest.
The main thing I didn’t like about the book: the romance. Just wasn’t gut wrenching enough to compel my interest throughout. I also thought there was a lot of death, and while accurate for the era, may have been a bit gratuitous in parts. (Call me a romantic!)
The book is based on the real life Gunning sisters (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Campbell,_1st_Baroness_Hamilton_of_Hameldon) and is great for history buffs wanting to learn more about these Georgian beauties!
Regency Reader 
Thanks for the quick blurb. I had no idea that she had written a book abou the Gunning sisters. I’ve always been fascinated with them and the Lennox sisters.
Thank you for the nice complement on my harze/bunnies. I am curious, and I hope you don’t mind me asking, but how did you find my blog?
hi…
im also a fan of virginia henley….
i really love her novel TEMPTED….
hope they can publish the whole story toooo00…..
i would really love that…
My mom/book buddy is slugging through this one and not a fan…helps a bit that it is based on real people but still a little dry…
Considering the lack of romance in the true history of the Gunning sisters, (Your review implied you didn’t know the story was based on fact) I think she did a great job.
An even better one, though, is A WOMAN OF PASSION it is based on the life of Elizabeth Hardwick, who was a friend (and sometimes enemy) of Queen Elizabeth I. Now THAT one is epic. A must read!