For the past decade Harry, the Earl of Wycliff, has worked feverishly to reclaim all that his father had lost. Only one item remains elusive: the Gainsborough portrait of his beloved mother. And the impossibly young, stunningly beautiful widow Louisa Phillips holds the key to finding it. If only he can persuade her to help him . . .
The Portrait of Lady Wycliff
By cherylbolen
If there’s one thing I love in a Regency romance it’s a strong, independent woman. In a time where simpering young women vie for the affections of a titled nobleman, it’s always a nice counterpoint to the strong alpha-male.
Such is the case in this first book in author Cheryl Bolen’s new series, The Lords of Eton. Harry, the Earl of Wycliff is everything you’ve come to expect in a Regency hero. Handsome, opinionated, goal-oriented and stubborn.
However, he’s met his match in widowed Louisa Phillips. Reclaiming his family property from the beautiful Louisa won’t be as easy as he’d imagined.
The Portrait of Lady Wycliff is a beautiful written, historically accurate Regency that will entice lovers of the genre.
A classic tale of something lost and something found which will bring our hero and heroine together. Louisa Phillips has lost her husband and as is the case sometimes, she finds herself left with little to nothing to live on and does not really know who owns the property she resides in. The house she inhabits was once owned by the family of Lord Harry Wycliff, but was lost by his parents along with a lot of other family property. Harry is determined to regain by fair or foul means all that was gambled away and restore his family name. As they meet, Harry is captivated by Louisa and tries to balance his attraction to her with his desire for her property. Louisa’s sister Elle has also had a very hard time of it and they both just want security. Thus begins a search to find the answers to secrets held by her deceased husband and trying to unlock the mystery of who owns the home A little suspense, adventure and intrigue leads them on a journey to find the answers they seek. Can they uncover the truth as well as form a bond between them? An entertaining story that will keep you turning the pages.
Adventurous, Intriguing, Misunderstandings, Lies & Romance.
A Wonderful clean Story with Wonderful characters.
An adventure with the H&h who are complete opposite from one another. As they spent time traveling from London to Cornwall, the lies & secrets are thrown into the mix, Harry & Louisa fall head over heels in Love for each other but felt their Love was not being reciprocated.
I really enjoyed reading this Book.
Although the plot is unreal in merry olde England, it was an entertaining story. I thought the ending was a bit abrupt, but it worked.
3.25 STARS
I story itself was enjoyable, but I didn’t care for either H/h until the end. The H lies to the h from the beginning. Even when he gets the information that caused him to lie he continues. I dislike with a passion when this happens. Someone else lets the h know he has lied. I did enjoy the ending because she doesn’t let him off the hook right away. The h was a bluestocking, and I understood her passion but she just didn’t click with me.
The story was suspenseful and I liked the secondary character’s. There is a bad villain who kept the story interesting.
This is a clean story, only a few kisses. No cheating, no cliffhanger, HEA, some romance. (ljb)
A fun book to read.
Very good book!!
A good read
Good feed. Excellent story line.
Enjoyed this book and story line.
I like the characters and the story. Had to finish it
quick because held my attention
Great Summer reading for the beach.
A bit above average for me. A bit wordy. I did enjoy and would like to know what happens next!
This is the first in a series of stories about three aristocratic lads who bonded at Eton and vowed to always be there for each other. Years later, Harry, the Earl of Wycliff, a wealthy man again, is now reestablishing his family’s honor by reclaiming the possessions his father so carelessly lost. To complete his task, Harry must align himself with the beautiful widow, Louisa Phillips, a bluestocking who is the only person who might lead him to his greatest prize, his deceased mother’s Gainsborough portrait. Together, they journey through Cornwall in search of the painting, a trip that leads to suspense and danger. I found a Regency England map online, and tracked the trip as they traveled, from Minehead to Tintagel, then south to Bodmin, on to the coast, to Penryn, then north again to Cuthbert Falwell near Lands End. What an adventure! I love the way this author weaves the social, political, and geographical mores of the time into a charming and entertaining story. I can always count on Cheryl Bolen to write realistic and beautiful Regency romances.
I liked the action of the characters very much.
Enjoyed it!
Good example of the Regency Romance genre.
Lord Harry Wycliff has spent years trying to recover everything his father lost (everything the family had). His goal in this story is to purchase the family’s London home from its current owner. Louisa Phillips is a young widow, left with almost nothing, and a bluestocking with radical political views. She lives in the house. The two of them discover that she can’t sell him the house because she doesn’t own it. They strike out together to find the mysterious lord who holds the house. During their search, they fall in love. This will not, however, be an easy and immediate happily ever after. Mistrust and secrets between the two could seriously hinder their chance for happiness.
The Portrait of Lady Wycliff is a wonderful introduction to a new series, The Lords of Eton (who are also introduced in this story). Both the hero and heroine possess strength and a determination to overcome the hardships handed to them in life. The complex plot is full of mystery, danger, secrecy (with a little dishonesty on the part of the hero), romance, and a dose of humor. The secondary love story between Louisa’s sister and Harry’s cousin is sweet and helps bridge the divide between them. This is a good first story that leads me to believe the new series will be an interesting one.
I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley. My review is voluntary.
The Portrait of Lady Wycliff by Cheryl Bolyn is the first in the Lords of Eton series. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the rest of the series. I received and ARC from NetGalley and the publisher and am giving my honest review.
Harry, the Earl Of Wycliff has been earning money to get back what his father gambled away and lost. He will stop at nothing to get what he wants, even if it means lying to Louisa Phillips a widow, to get it.
Louisa Phillips is strong and opinionated. She was sold to her husband who was not a nice man. When he died, he left her with nothing. Not even the house she lived. Based on her past experiences, she is not fond of men.
Harry and Louisa must work together to find the elusive benefactor and reclaim some of Harry’s family possessions.
As the story goes, you can see how the couple grows and learn from each other. The best part of the book I thought was the bad dash across England to find the elusive benefactor. All in all, I loved this story and highly recommend it.
The Portrait of Lady Wycliff by Cheryl Bolen
Louisa Phillips has lost her husband and she finds out she has very little money, clothes and jewelry and no home at all. She learns of her living situation and her late husbands relationships with others that she doesn’t know their names.
Lord Harry Wycliff just wants to buy back the house he had grown up with but nobody will divulge the information as to who really owns it. He wants to get everything back that his family had lost: paintings and other articles.
Louisa and her sister Elle have been out walking with the lord and his cousin, Edward.
The Lord and her speak of writings that she mentioned and they discuss them. Lot of politic views then private matters.
The Lord wants to get the information and is willing to pay her. She has been writing secretly for money about the rights of others.
Harry wants to not only find the benefactor and set Louisa up in a small house as her husband had swindled her out of everything and take his fathers seat in Parliament.
They come up with a list of Lords and set out traveling to visit each til they find the benefactor.
Some of their secrets are divulged as they travel. Mishap down a cliff and infection as time goes on…loved hearing of the Cornwall landscape.
Love castle detailed descriptions. They are from different classes and will never be together.
It’s amazing how the women help. They are full of surprises!
Love the action, adventure, mystery and clues that lead them all to get the answers they seek. Travel and a bit of romance are also welcome.
Love that the three men series will continue in the next book. An excerpt is enclosed. Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.