This book checked all the boxes for me - historical fiction, a woman artist, gothic country estate, mysterious royal affected by the Great War, a family of secrets, loss, and hope - as well as the fight for female equality.

Like many other reviewers have stated, this captivating debut novel can be described as Beauty and the Beast meets Downton Abbey. I sympathized with main character Bertie Preston, an artist struggling to be taken seriously just after WW II. Through Bertie and the other female characters, the author explores the themes of misogyny and prejudice towards women during this time period.

But that description might make you think it's a dry book and it's anything but. There is romance (is Bertie and Julian's relationship more than a summer fling?), lifestyles of the rich and famous (fascinating descriptions of a noble way of living: clothes, food, servants, attitudes, and morals), and family secrets (relationships, facades, mental health) just to name a few plot points.

I don't want to share any spoilers, but do want to say I had no idea how this novel was going to end, even though I did figure out the family secrets. But that didn't make any difference to enjoying the story. I definitely recommend this and will be on the lookout for her next book! ( )

Bertie Preston is surprised when she gets a letter from the Earl of Wakeford who wants to commission her to make a series of paintings of his home at Castle Braemore. She is eager to accept since she believes it will lead to more commissions from others in his social set and provide security for her to set up her own studio. When she arrives, she finds the Earl isolated in his room after suffering terrible injuries while serving in the First World War.

The Earl only accepts visits from his older sister Gwen. His younger brother Roland has been trying to handle things on the estate and his younger sister Celia hasn't spoken to him since he went off to war the last time. Needless to say, Bertie is disappointed in the situation but she quickly falls in love with the area and is intrigued by all the residents of Braemore. She is especially curious about the Earl. His injuries don't disturb her since she spent part of the war as a VAD nurse dealing with lots of wounded soldiers.

Bertie gradually works her way into the Earl's confidence and finds a man who has taken lots more than physical injuries in the war. Julie, Earl Wakeford, was always a shy, quiet, gentle man. The war changed him immensely. He fears leaving his rooms, has nightmares, and is deeply depressed. Even so, he is concerned for his family. His sister Gwen is also a war widow who was left with two small children including her adopted daughter Anna. Roland is a homosexual and Julian wants to shelter him. Celia is an angry young woman who is having trouble dealing with what she sees as betrayal by her older brother. Julian's younger siblings are having a magical summer and only Julian knows it will be their last since the estate is bankrupt and will need to be sold when the fall comes.

Bertie is encouraged by Gwen to form a relationship with Julian but doing so, falling in love, was never in her plans. She wanted her independence and her art. She isn't sure she can deal with all the problems that come with Julian no matter how deeply she falls in love with him.

I liked the way the story was arranged with chapters going back to earlier years to explore how the current situation came about. I liked that there were more viewpoints than just Bertie's. The story was very emotional. The horrors and effects of war were an almost constant background of everything that happened. The way the war disrupted society is shown in how the characters lives were all changed by it.

This was wonderful historical fiction with intriguing characters. I recommend it. ( )