2017 RITA award-winning author “Wonderful A charming, clever, and engaging storyteller not to be missed.” –Sarah MacLean, New York Times bestselling author A lady with secrets, a man with a burning desire, a love that breaks all the rules Lady Charlotte Beaumont has spent her whole life being ignored. By her parents, her brother, even the servants. So she was secretly able to develop her … servants. So she was secretly able to develop her talent for painting well beyond the usual watercolors. Too bad no one will let her actually use it-women are rarely accepted into the Royal Academy. But when a connection at the Haverhall School for Young Ladies gets Charlotte her dream commission, she’ll do whatever it takes to make it work. Including disguising herself as “Charlie.”
Flynn Rutledge has something to prove. His lowly upbringing is not going to stop him from achieving his artistic dreams. This commission is the key to his future, and his partner, an unknown youth in oversized clothes who is barely old enough to shave, doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. But Charlie does inspire Flynn’s artistic passion-something he worried he might have lost forever. For all his street smarts, nothing can prepare Flynn for the shock of Charlie’s true identity. He doesn’t care that she’s a woman, but a lady of the ton is a different matter altogether . . .
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Lady Charlotte Beaumont, who has been a non-entity in an uncaring family all her life, is an artist. It’s her private passion, and she’s developed her skills and her own unique style. She manipulates her way into a commission, but she must pose as a man to fulfill it. Flynn Rutledge has made a living with his art, and is commissioned to create two windows for a cathedral. but he must work with this new artist in the process. A fun story of two people who help the other to realize their own potential, both professionally and personally.
Lady Charlotte Beaumont is willing to risk everything to follow her passion for painting. She has been ignored most of her life so she uses the only dangerous means available to her to secure the second painter slot for a dream commission. She is disguised as a man, Charlie Beaumont. The other painter, Flynn Rutledge, is a brilliant painter, but he hasn’t done a significant piece in 5 years. Charlie, with her frank assessment of Flynn’s work, helps him work his way back to joy in his work again, but what will happen when he finds out her true identity?
Ms. Bowen has written a beautiful novella invoking such powerful and passionate emotions as Charlie and Flynn inspire each other to create a masterpiece. The depth of their characters was slowly teased out throughout the story and I couldn’t put the book down. I was sad to see this story end as I wanted more of these two and Charlotte’s promise to the elusive man who got her the commission in the first place. One small criticism is that the cover and title don’t really match the storyline or the description of Charlotte. Other than that, I would definitely recommend this story for regency romance fans.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I very much enjoyed Kelly Bowen’s “The Lady in Red.” The main characters, Flynn and Charlotte, were quite well-developed for a novella, and I couldn’t help but empathize with both of them. They deserved recognition for their artistic talent but were both forced to pretend to be someone else in order to get it. Also, I am a big fan of historical romances in which the heroine pretends to be a man, and this one was no exception. My favorite thing about the trope is usually the comedic aspect of the hero wondering about his sexuality because he’s suddenly attracted to a boy or young man; while that was missing here, this was an entertaining story nonetheless.
I have not read the previous books in the Season for Scandal series, but this novella stood very well on its own, so I did not feel lost at all. I enjoyed meeting some of the characters from the earlier books here, however, and will plan to go back and read them now.
*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publisher’s Description:
Lady Charlotte Beaumont has spent her whole life being ignored. By her parents, her brother, even the servants. So she was secretly able to develop her talent for painting well beyond the usual watercolors. Too bad no one will let her actually use it-women are rarely accepted into the Royal Academy. But when a connection at the Haverhall School for Young Ladies gets Charlotte her dream commission, she’ll do whatever it takes to make it work. Including disguising herself as “Charlie.”
Flynn Rutledge has something to prove. His lowly upbringing is not going to stop him from achieving his artistic dreams. This commission is the key to his future, and his partner, an unknown youth in oversized clothes who is barely old enough to shave, doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. But Charlie does inspire Flynn’s artistic passion-something he worried he might have lost forever. For all his street smarts, nothing can prepare Flynn for the shock of Charlie’s true identity. He doesn’t care that she’s a woman, but a lady of the ton is a different matter altogether . . .
My Thoughts:
I was in love with the character of the heroine immediately. I am an artist also and even in more modern times female artist often get pushed aside and replaced by their male counterparts.
Lady Charlotte Beaumont, Charlie, has an extraordinary artistic talent, but like most females of the era it is looked upon as something that she could perhaps teach to other genteel young ladies but not to be taken seriously.
Flynn Rutledge has also had much to overcome. First and foremost his own artistic talent has brought him to the attention of ladies who want for his body and not his mind.
Charlie is chosen along with Flynn to create two panels that will be displayed in a church. Disguised as a young lad, Charlie endeavors to do her best with her work and in the meantime to encourage the confidence of Flynn which is lacking after his breakup with his lady mistress.
Will this unusual pair carry their relationship to a higher degree or will the revelation that Charlie is actually a highborn lady be the end of things between them?
I gave this book 4.5 of 5.0 stars for storyline and characterization and a sensual rating of 3.75 of 5.0 flames. After Flynn discovers that Charlie is a woman sparks fly and the intimacy between them ensues.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.