Catherine of Braganza faces the daunting challenge of navigating a volatile English court while married to the notoriously unfaithful King Charles II. As a foreign princess thrust into a position of immense political and social pressure, Catherine must contend with the king's mistresses, religious prejudice, and the shifting loyalties of the Restoration era. The narrative follows her attempts to secure her place in a society that views her with suspicion, utilizing a third-person perspective that highlights the contrast between her private endurance and public scrutiny. Her primary objective is to maintain her dignity and position despite the constant emotional and political obstacles placed in her path by the crown and the court.

Readers frequently highlight the author's ability to humanize a historical figure often relegated to the periphery of Charles II's reign. Discussion often centers on the balance between the protagonist's gentle nature and the harsh realities of the seventeenth-century English court. Critics note the pacing is deliberate, allowing for a thorough examination of Catherine's emotional development over several decades. The narrative is often praised for its attention to period detail and the nuanced portrayal of a marriage defined by political necessity rather than affection. Many readers appreciate the focus on the domestic challenges faced by women in positions of high status during this era.