The Virgin's Lover is a historical novel written by British author Philippa Gregory.

The book is told from four main perspectives: Elizabeth I's; William Cecil's, the queen's main advisor; Robert Dudley, the queen's favourite; and Amy Robsart's, who is Robert Dudley's wife.

Robert Dudley returns to court upon Elizabeth's coronation, and Amy hopes that his ambitions will not get him into trouble.

However, her hopes for the quiet life soon die, as Elizabeth and Robert become closer and more intimate.

Elizabeth has inherited a bankrupt and rebellious country, in turmoil as a result of the previous two monarch's reigns.