I enjoyed this book quite abit. I am not that familiar with Jane Seymour other than that she was the 3rd wife of Henry VIII-gave him his only living son, Edward and that supposedly she was the only wife he ever really loved.
I have to say while the novel was engrossing on many levels-Jane is somewhat boring. She is kind of like the oldest child who always does exactly what is expected of them. I did not know that she was considered plain and not very attractive. It was interesting to see her perceptions as a lady in waiting to Katherine of Aragon with Anne Boleyn and her perspective on the whole Henry and Anne fiasco.
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Strange that there is almost no reference to the religious controversy at the time. The one reference is when Jane receives a request to intervene with the king regarding dismantling of the nunneries -- and even there, the reader would have to fill in the context.

Plain Jane, written by Laurien Gardner, is a rare view at Jane Seymour, third wife of Henry VIII. She isn't a beauty in the traditional sense like Anne Boleyn. Gardner present Seymour as a woman with an inner beauty determined not to be beheaded or be set aside as her predecessors were. Although Jane is one of the lesser-known wives, she is important in that she was the only wife to successfully bring a son, an heir, to the monarchy. Gardner brings us a story that gives Jane substance and gives the reader appreciation for this little-known queen. She is quiet, obedient, and faithful. She does stand up to the king, but in a quiet way unlike her predecessors. Jane's death, so soon after Edward is born, is treated with empathy and is given a dignity that Jane so richly deserves. Well done, Laurien Gardner.

Like all of Gardner's Tudor novels, this is historical fiction light. I read it in about a day. She creates a fairly interesting character for Jane, the queen about whom we know the least, but I can't say that I learned anything new. It was the kind of novel I read when I don't want to have to concentrate too hard. ( )

I thought it was a novelty to read a book about Jane Seymour -- of all of Henry's wives, perhaps excepting Anne of Cleves, Jane is the least written about. This novel was reasonably well done and historically accurate. I think it could have been better, however. It was extremely repetitious. Several times in every chapter it was noted that Jane was plain, Jane lacked beauty, Jane had buggy eyes, no man could ever be attracted to Jane. It got old. And Jane herself was a little too clueless to be credible. She practically Forrest Gumped her way onto the throne. I highly doubt it worked out that way in real life. ( )