The Painter's Daughter - A Review

Published - December 2015, Bethany House Publishers
Author - Julie Klassen
Title - The Painter's Daughter
Format - ebook, paper, audio
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Captain Stephen Overtree is used to cleaning up his brother's messes. When he arrives in the Devonshire village where his brother had said he'd be painting, he finds his brother disappeared and the painter's daughter, Sophie Dupont, left pregnant and alone. To rescue the young lady and keep a scandal from smearing her reputation, Stephen proposes a marriage in name only. Her child will have a name and should he be killed, Sophie would be a respectable widow. Sophie agrees knowing that it is the best decision. Yet why does her heart feel torn between her husband and the man who fathered her child? When Wesley arrives home, will Sophie seek a future with the father of her child or will she have discovered that she's fallen in love with her husband?

Once again, Julie Klassen has written a beautiful gothic tale of romance, betrayal, and mystery. While I found found the book to be really good, it didn't enthrall me like The Secret of Pembrooke Park did.

I loved the way that Stephen treated Sophie. I loved that he went out of his way to ensure that she was going to be provided for. I especially loved that he set up a studio for her to paint and to be creative. I loved that he wasn't willing to let her go.

Sophie, on the other hand, was hard for me to really like. I did come to like her. But for much of the story, I thought that she needed to stand up for herself. And Wesley needed to grow up.

Still, the book was beautifully written and like her others, makes me want to visit England.

I received the book for free from Bethany House for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of Jane Eyre, Jane Austen, Julie Klassen, Regency fiction, Sarah Ladd

Rating - 4 stars