Shades of Yellow - by Wendy J Dunn Paperback

About the Book

Book Synopsis

Lucy Ellis does not believe the past stays buried.

Grief has a way of opening doors-especially the ones history tried to seal.

In contemporary England, Lucy navigates the devastation of her broken heart as she writes a novel giving voice to Amy Robsart, a Tudor woman almost erased from the historical record. Across centuries, two women-one modern, one historical-echo each other in sorrow, longing, and resilience.

As Lucy follows the fragile traces of a woman whose life ended without justice, the boundaries between past and present begin to thin. What emerges is not simply a mystery of history, but a reckoning with grief, love, and the way women's lives persist-even when they are denied a voice.

Shades of Yellow is a haunting dual-timeline novel about grief, forgiveness, and the women history tried to forget. Blending literary fiction with historical depth, it will resonate with readers who value emotional complexity, quiet storytelling, and books that linger long after the final page.

Perfect for readers of Maggie O'Farrell, Kate Morton, and book-club literary fiction.

Review Quotes

Touching story of love, betrayal, and women's lives across centuries.

A Booklife Editor's Pick.

A dazzling, multi-layered tale of love and betrayal Vivienne Brereton, author.

With its profound themes and thought-provoking insights, this novel leaves a lasting impression, lingering in the mind long after the final page has been turned. YARDE BOOK REVIEWS

The story's impact lingers beyond the ending, reflecting the novel's overall effectiveness. It felt as if I had just experienced a rare work of art. READERS' FAVORITE.

Dunn gives voice to both Lucy and Amy, crafting a story where two women, centuries apart, speak to one another through history. THE COFFEE POT BOOK CLUB

This is great historical fiction with a literary touch-carefully researched, thoughtful, and ultimately hopeful. A deeply engaging read that lingers in the mind long after the last page Elizabeth St John, award-winning author.

This book bears a touch of the eternal and deserves five stars just for the creativity throughout Brook Allen, award-winning author.

Mixing the old and the new, modern day life with that of the sixteenth century, Dunn weaves together a captivating story for fans of historical fiction and contemporary literature.

Sarah Hodder, author.

This book is a wonderful blend of contemporary and historic fiction. I loved it!

Kristie Dean, author.

An extraordinary achievement: a work of literary finesse, historical sensitivity, and emotional intelligence.

Dr Lydia Allison Fucsko

Shifting between 2010 and the Elizabethan era, Wendy J. Dunn's compelling new novel Shades of Yellow explores the complexities of relationships, creative ambition, and medical pain through the eyes of two brave women living centuries apart. Forced to confront the decisions that have brought them to their respective crisis points, Lucy and Amy seek to rewrite their own destinies. A treat for lovers of history and strong stories.

Lauren Chater, author of The Beauties, plus others.