In the city of echoes and illusions, an artist will discover his eternal muse.Georgette, the youngest of the Caulfield sisters, has always desired a different life – one full of adventure and experiences. All her parents want from her, however, is to marry a wealthy, titled man that will bring them prestige. Resigned to her fate, Georgette asks and earns one last freedom: the journey to the … last freedom: the journey to the Italian peninsula she’d always dreamed about.
There, amidst ancient ruins and vibrant art, her life changes forever.
Mattia Cancio, son of the Count of Siga, is an embarrassment to his family: a nobleman that refuses his legacy and yearns to become an artist. To pursue his dreams, he assumes a false identity – Mattia Ricci sails for London, to win the fame he desires and the heart of the ethereal English girl he fell in love with in Rome.
Across two cities, love battles duty as Mattia and Georgette fight to overcome conventions and expectations and find their way to each other. But a vicious enemy will not stop until he reduces their love to ruins…
If you like engaging characters, heart- wrenching twists and turns, and lots of romance, then you’ll love “The Portrait of a Rebellious Lady!”
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A delightful, clean romance!
Georgette Caulfield’s father is a wealthy Merchant, intent on advancing his family’s status in England. Both of her older sisters married noblemen without his permission and she has no intention of marrying the rude, cruel Viscount of Grimsby her father has chosen for her. Her governess has expounded on the beauty of Italy and Georgette dearly wants to experience it. When her parents finally agree to travel to Rome they meet the Earl of Redford and his talented protegee, a young portrait painter known as Mattia Ricci who is actually Mattia Cancio the son of the Count of Siga, masquerading as a poor artist to build a reputation based on talent, not his nobility. Georgette is impressed with his artistic knowledge and dark good looks.
Mattia’s dream is to travel to England and build his reputation there. When the Earl invites him to visit him in England he seizes the opportunity, not only to paint portraits but to see the lovely Georgette again but Georgette’s parents and the Viscount of Grimsby are determined to keep them apart.
This is a well-written historical romance with a well-developed storyline. I enjoyed the book and couldn’t put it down once I started reading.
Perfectly charming and heartwarming characters. Interesting plot that kept me thoroughly engaged throughout. Enjoyed every minute of it!
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
Georgette Caulfield and her Italian artist, Mattia take center stage in The Portrait of a Rebellious Lady by Fannie Finch. Georgette has finally succeeded in convincing her father to take her to Rome, a place she has heard so much about from her governess/companion, Miss Franklin. Father was only able to stay a week, but her mother and Miss Franklin were to stay for three more weeks. Many days her mother was tired or disincline so she and Miss Franklin were able to wander and see the scenery and museums, something her mother thought was pointless. Georgette was just happy to be away from the odious Lord Grimsby, the man to whom he father sought to see her betrothed. It was on one of these outings she met Mattia, a portrait artist whom another Englishman, the Earl of Rudford had engaged to paint his portrait. Shortly she had to return to England but not before becoming thoroughly enamored with Mattia, who as it turns out, is about to come to England under the patronage of the Earl.
It would have been so difficult to live in this time, with all the rules and mores, not to mention the class distinctions. Mattia has found a way to deal with all of it, at least for now, as things were much the same in Italy as in England. He is of noble but is allowed by his father, for now, to pursue his interest in art. He is a sympathetic character as is Georgette. Parents in this type of book are usually painted as so stoic and unfeeling but sadly, life has taught them that is the better way to be. This book is different in that the writer leaves England and opens to the greater world of the continent. It is an exciting departure and one I applaud. Finch has done an excellent job with this novel. I recommend it. I think you will enjoy it.
I received a free ARC of this novel. All opinions expressed herein are solely my own.
This story crosses two countries and two different cultures. The story addresses both, but centers on Georgette and Mattia and her parents. When these two are together, its as if they are all alone. When Georgette finally decides what she wants; it is a decision between understanding Mattia and choosing a life without him. Georgette will understand that with love comes sacrifice.
TITLE: Debutante trades love over a place in the peerage.
SETTING:Georgette Caulfield, the youngest of the 3 Caulfield daughters, had previously been seen as in harmony with her parents’ wish to marry someone with a title, to raise the family’s social status. However, when her father chooses an uncouth, haughty Viscount, Georgette has a change of heart. As her governess/companion/chaperone, Miss Franklin, had loved Italy’s art and architecture when she had visited the continent, Georgette talked her parents into taking a trip, the ostensible reason being increasing her value as a highly cultured and traveled young lady. However, secretly Georgette was hoping to meet someone more to her liking that might also please her parents. Instead of a man of high social standing, Georgette finds herself falling for a young, striving artist without any apparent significant family. This young artist has hidden his true parentage and wealth in order to make a name based on his own abilities, not as the son of a Count, as is actually the case. Will he accomplishes this, as he and Georgette fall in love? Or will Georgette be forced to marry the Viscount at her father’s insistence?
CRITIQUE: I have enjoyed the series built around the Caulfield family, and this seems to complete the story. The plot/story line is well thought out. However, the characters seemed to lack the depth seen in the other books. The events as they occurred were not well fleshed out, making the book lack the sparkle it seems some of the other books had. (Perhaps there was a time crunch to get the book put together?)
If you have enjoyed the other books in the series, by all means read this book, as this book ties up the loose ends left with Georgette being unmarried and heading into a loveless marriage. We see a few surprising events wherein Georgette’s brother-in-law makes some interesting and unexpected gestures of support that help turn the tide of events so that our H & h come to a HEA ending. A clean book, readers of all ages can enjoy. 3.5 stars
Georgette Caulfield wanted to go to Rome she was obsessed with the idea of going to Rome. She told her mom it was a place for culture. The Caulfield’s had grown wealthy, and with this well her loving parents had changed into people who would use their daughters for their own financial advancement. Mrs. Caulfield said she would speak with her father about their going to Rome. Mr. Caulfield decided it would be wise to go to Rome he would go with him and spend a week and then they would spend three weeks without him when he returned home. While he was there he was introduced to young artist who painted his portrait. Georgette was intrigued by the gentleman and watched him paint the portrait and ask questions. The portrait was finished and her Papa went back to London. The Earl could introduce them to this artist returned to London and he was no longer coming to the apartments where they were staying. An English gentleman and his parents arrived he was her parents hope she would marry this young Lord though she didn’t want to. To find out if she married Italian or English you have to read the book. It’s a good book…
Georgette is from a newly wealthy family! Her parents insist she marry this horrible man because he is a Viscount. She begs them to take her to Rome before she must consider her future! There she meets artist Mattia! It is an immediate attraction! This book definitely showed how money can change good people overnight into what society deems them to be in order to fit in. Her father treats her like a commodity to be sold to the wealthiest man that can bring him more prestige despite what his daughter thinks or wants. Georgette is adventurous and has no desire to settle for the ordinary! This books spans Italy and England. I really enjoyed this book!
I love Fanny Finch’s previous books. This one fell short of her other work. I liked the overall storyline concept of an international romance that did not fit into English society’s idea of proper. But there was something lacking in the story. This is a calm, slow moving story that became mind numbing. It was with great effort that I finished reading this book. I did like the character’s personalities for the most part. Mattia was from Italy and was not like his stern father. He was more like his mother, placid, tranquil, humble, sensitive and loving. However, he was a little to uncomplaining, too amendable and constantly took on too much responsibility and blame that was not his to bare. But he also driven. His passion was art, painting. He was determined to make a living from it despite the nobility and wealth of his family. He adopted a faux name to hide his noble background. He begins to generate business of portrait painting and is quickly becoming well admired for his talent by the English tourists who were his patrons. Georgette is from England and finally got her parents to agree to take her to Italy to increase her cultural education. While there she meets Mattia and they take an instant liking to each other. I like that the author did not cater to insta-lust or insta-love or infatuation. The author took the time to develop the relationship between Mattia and Georgette. I just think it took too much reading time covering it. There was some drama and the villain was described perfectly to be instantly disliked. This story could have easily and effectively been told in less time. I feel there was ample opportunities to create twists and turns, interesting subplots. This story was a little too passive for me. I just feel there is room for improvement.
Mattia’s father is a count in Italy. Mattia wants to pursue a portrait painting career. His father does not approve. Georgette Caulfield is visiting in Italy and meets Mattia. Mattia decides to travel to England to pursue his career. He changes his last name to try to make a name for himself. Mattia and Georgette become very fond of each other. The culture at the time forbids marrying outside countryman. Georgette’s parents want her to marry Lord Grimsby, a disgusting person that looks at Georgette like a possession. This historical romance kept me wanting to continue reading.