To survive, Joanna Pengerran must become someone she is not.

Forced to flee the only life she has ever known, Joanna escapes her murderous stepfather and finds refuge among England's travelling tinkers. To survive in the dangerous world of Tudor England, she disguises herself as a young man, concealing her true identity while secretly plotting revenge against the man who stole her family, her inheritance and her future.

Living among society's outcasts and forgotten communities, Joanna learns that survival demands courage, deception and sacrifice. Every day risks exposing her secret, yet every hardship strengthens her determination to reclaim the life stolen from her.

When Joanna's path crosses that of Angel, a mysterious young man burdened by prejudice, superstition and secrets of his own, the lives of both are changed forever. Together they are drawn into a dangerous journey through the hidden world beyond the Tudor court, where loyalty is fragile, justice comes at a price, and love may prove the greatest risk of all.

Beautifully researched and richly atmospheric, The Unicorn Summer explores the forgotten lives of ordinary people in sixteenth-century England with warmth, authenticity and emotional depth. Through memorable characters and compelling storytelling, Rhona Martin brings vividly to life a world of travelling communities, hidden identities and impossible choices.

Written by Georgette Heyer Historical Novel Prize-winning author Rhona Martin, The Unicorn Summer is an unforgettable historical novel of courage, identity, love, survival, revenge and hope.

Author Biography

Rhona Martin was an acclaimed historical novelist whose meticulous research, vivid storytelling and unforgettable characters earned her recognition as one of Britain's finest writers of historical fiction.

She was the winner of the inaugural Georgette Heyer Historical Novel Prize for her novel Gallows Wedding, an award recognising excellence in historical fiction and named in honour of one of the genre's most influential authors.

Rhona's novels combine historical authenticity with emotional depth, exploring themes of courage, identity, love and survival through compelling characters and richly realised settings.

Her work continues to captivate readers who appreciate intelligent, beautifully written historical fiction.

At Romaunce Books we are passionate about preserving outstanding storytelling that deserves to be discovered by new generations of readers.

When we first read The Unicorn Summer, we were struck by its remarkable blend of historical authenticity, emotional depth and unforgettable characters. Rather than focusing on kings and queens, Rhona Martin shines a light on the hidden lives of ordinary people navigating the dangers and hardships of Tudor England.

In an age when historical fiction continues to enjoy enormous popularity, we believe The Unicorn Summer remains every bit as compelling as when it was first written. Joanna Pengerran is a heroine whose courage, determination and resilience still resonate with modern readers, while the novel's themes of identity, survival, prejudice and hope feel as relevant today as ever.

We are delighted to introduce Rhona Martin's award-winning storytelling to a new audience and hope readers will enjoy discovering this remarkable novel.