I am incapable of expressing exactly what I think about this novel. It is a rich and powerful read. If Downton Abbey met Beauty and the Beast, this would be their baby.
Told in dual timelines, At Summer's End mostly takes place a few years following the end of the Great War. Bertie aspires to be a great artist and gets the opportunity of a lifetime to paint for the Earl of Braemore. With little information to go on, Bertie arrives at his seat unprepared for the enchantment of the grounds and the mysteries revolving around the reclusive family. At the heart is Julian, the earl and previous officer during the war.
This book reminds me so much why I love historical fiction. Courtney's ability to weave a engrossing plot within a beautifully described setting will sit with be sure to stay with me. After finishing, I just want to go back and see Gwen and Celia get their own happily ever after's.
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.

WOW. What a breathtaking + stunning debut by @courtney! Rich with history, glamour and complex + authentic characters, this novel overwhelmed me and has quickly become one of my favorite historical reads. Bertie Preston is an ambitious and passionate painter who is commissioned by the aloof Earl of Wakefield to paint at his country estate during the summer of 1922. Eager to prove herself as an artist and gain financial independence from her family, Bertie accepts his offer- even though she is entirely sure he believes her to be a man based off their correspondence. She is welcomed to Castle Breamore by the Earl’s siblings- Gwen, Roland and Celia- and becomes enchanted by the gorgeous sprawling estate and the people who live there. She learns that Lord Wakeford has suffered serious injuries from the war and doesn’t leave his quarters. As a former nurse, Bertie seeks a connection to help heal his troubled spirit and to better understand the man who found value in her artwork. Over the course of the summer, she finds herself entrenched in the history and hope of this incredible family.

Beautifully written, this poignant story is told from multiple perspectives and unfolds across the years. I loved learning more about these character’s feelings, secrets and dreams. They came alive to me through the vivid, descriptive and powerful storytelling. It was fascinating to learn more about World War I’s effect on society as a whole through the lens of these family members. I can’t recommend this one enough- thank you so much to @berkleypub + @netgalley for this ARC!

Unlike most well-born women her age who aspired only to marriage and motherhood, Alberta “Bertie” Preston dreamed of having her paintings hang in the poshest salons of London. Her parents refuse to accept that this is what she desires most from life - even after her modest win in the Royal British Legion’s art contest.

Bertie is now faced with a decision. Live as she chooses or become that which society says she must be. Her mind is instantly made up when a letter arrives with an unexpected offer. So she’s going to spend the summer painting for the Earl of Wakeford – regardless of the consequences.

“Someone—a bloody earl! - wanted me to paint for him. For money. This had been my goal when entering the contest. But how could I ever have expected such a commission? An earl might display my paintings where his titled friends could see. It wouldn’t be long before more commissions came through and I had the income for a solo show, to submit a piece for entry in the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, to rent a flat with a view of Hyde Park.
Now I certainly was going to faint. I sat down in a nearby chair to save myself the fall and put the petunia under my nose to breathe the warm sweetness.
I was finally on my way.”

Life at Castle Braemore isn’t at all what she thought it might be. The Napier family is shrouded in mystery and in secrets. With the Earl being the most mysterious of all.

Julian Napier has shouldered the responsibility of his title since a very young age. Taking care of his family has always been paramount and every action was always taken with them in the forefront of his mind. But after the war scarred both his heart and his body, he’s been hiding from them.

The arrival of Bertie Preston is the greatest of blessings and the worst of curses. With her independent spirit, she’s worked her way right into a heart that he long believed to be dead. But would she still dare to love him when all his sins are laid bare?

“I fell in love with the way his teeth touched when he said my name, the crooked bottom row peeking out from behind his lip. His lip—my God, did I want to know what it tasted like. I thought perhaps it was time I stepped away to gain some composure, but Wakeford had a firm hold on me.”

With At Summer’s End, Courtney Ellis delivers the kind of historical that I’ve always wished for! With a breathtaking combination of fiercely independent female characters unafraid to walk their own path, tender romance, and opulent landscapes, I was instantly captivated.

She somehow fashions the Napiers themselves into a microcosm of the modern world. They embrace each other and Bertie with a devotion that never ever waivers. And it’s what makes them something truly exceptional.

This story is everything a historical romance should be. And so much more…

Thank you to Net Galley for the advanced copy of this book. What a great debut novel for Courtney Ellis. She addressed so many issues in this book and did all of them well. From the decline of nobility after world war one, to PTSD of soldiers after the war, Ms. Ellis addresses each in a forthright yet empathetic way. The healing that takes place throughout this book is a joy to read about. How the characters, both main and side are tied together is interesting. All in all Ms. Ellis captures a very turbulent time in history and the lives of a somewhat dysfunctional family and brings everything together to prove that people with love, patience and understanding can get past anything to become stronger people. This is a wonderful story that takes you back to post world war one and gives you great insight into many facets of the ways people's lives were affected by the war.

Beauty and the Beast! Bertie is commissioned to paint for an Earl, upon arrival she finds that things are not exactly she expected. She arrives at the home to find the Earl lives in his own apartment, does not venture out, and does not see visitors. Somehow, she breaks through the barricade that the Earl has built around himself and gives him friendship, support, and possibly more.

I really enjoyed seeing Bertie not only open the doors that the Earl has slammed shut but she also learns how to live for herself. She realizes that she has talent, that she can stand on her own two feet, and that she does not have to bend to society’s expectations. I liked that she stood up for herself to her parents, to the Earl, and to the Earl’s family. She showed her strength while still being respectful and true to what she needs to be happy.

I enjoyed the 1920’s and look forward to visiting there again. Historical Fiction books are a great escape to the past and learning about the history in an enjoyable way.

"Fear is a notion, Bertie. The action that follows is far more important."

The genre of this book strikes me as "romance plus" because while the love story is as detailed and moving as I could wish, the plot is much broader, drawing you into a fully realized world full of living, breathing characters. We are swept away to 1922 England, a nation still healing from the inhumanity of The Great War. Bertie is our protagonist. She worked as a nurse with the Red Cross, and now her fledgling art career is kicking off, much to her parents' displeasure. Hired by the Earl of Wakeford to draw his family estate, a baroque castle that is a work of art in and of itself, Bertie sets off for the unknown to make her name.

The story is a spin on Beauty and the Beast. The Earl is suffering from PTSD after his time in the war, called shell-shock in historical parlance. His two younger siblings haven't seen him in a year because he has locked himself away in his apartments, suffering from agoraphobia. The family is war-torn, but the weight of their secrets and shared history also bears down on them. As each flashback reveals more about how the four Napier siblings came to this point, you can't help but feel comapssion for all they have endured.

This book features dark elements regarding mental health and also social strictures of the times. The 1920s blare to life in this precise writing with all the champagne, jazz, and cigarettes needed to obfuscate deep wounds. The great house brings a personality to the story-- not just backdrop, but living art, a growing history. Ultimately, it's a story of healing. It's messy, it's terrifying, and it's nonlinear. And it's about family-- the kind that errs but that loves and supports one another unconditionally. All in all, these elements make for a breathtaking read.

Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, out 8/10.

At Summer's End was an unexpected reading pleasure. I was expecting Downton Abbey but it was more Durrells in Corfu, an inspired choice by Courtney Ellis. The story unfolds when an ambitious female artist accepts an unexpected commission at a powerful earl's country estate in 1920s England. Bertie think this is the entree she needs to high society and a steady stream of commissions. But instead, she finds his war-torn family crumbling under the weight of long-kept secrets. So, not great for Bertie's art career, but great for the book. The set-up allows for human emotions and interactions rather than the stiff confines of proper society. A lovely late summer read.

This book is so lovely. The writing drew me in from the first page, and Bertie is a heroine to root for, inquisitive yet empathetic. She’s a painter in post-WWI England who gets her first commission to paint Castle Braemore, an earl’s country home. As soon as she arrives, she falls under the spell of the house, the grounds, and the people she finds there: the Earl of Wakeford, a reclusive and haunted war veteran, and his younger brother and sister. I fell completely under the spell of this book as well. It's got English country house energy, it's got 1920s Bright Young Things energy, and I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say things get romantic.

I went into this book completely blind and was so pleasantly surprised at what I found. This is Downton Abbey meets Beauty and the Beast-ish.  That sounds odd, I know, but just give it a shot. The cast of characters is amazing and the more you get to know them the better it gets. On top of that, there's a good love story and descriptions of fabulous scenery. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was such a beautiful and atmospheric read! Bertie is instantly compelling— bold and unafraid to go after her dreams, and Ellis does a fantastic job questioning what it means to be a woman in post-WW1 England. The relationship between Bertie and the Earl was beautifully nuanced and I thoroughly enjoyed this exceptionally well-written book!
I’m looking forward to reading the next one by this author!

When Bertie gets a commission to paint for the Earl of Wakefield , she not ready for the family she meets or the man she eventually falls in love it.

☑️This is first and for most a love story - the love of a family and siblings that support each other and even when there is anger and hurt, the love is still there , waiting to rise back to the surface. I loved this aspect of the story and all the members of this family !

☑️It is also a story of war - and the lasting effects of war on those that fought and although they came back, they were left with trauma and damage that will last forever.

🔘There’s also art - as Bertie is an artist. As I am not, these were prob my least favourite parts of the book- although well done,crust not for me. I love to look at art, but not always reading about it. But that didn’t deter from the book at all.

Thank you Net Galley, Berkley, and Courtney Ellis for an advanced copy of At Summer’s End in exchange for an honest review.

Genre: Historical Fiction
Pub Date: August 10, 2021
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book, but it was a beautiful ode to love, loss, and hope. I loved the characters and the storyline a lot, and I especially loved the way the story unfolded in layers.

While the characters are memorable and engaging in this story, it’s really Ellis’ writing style that pulls you in and keeps you hanging around. Her writing is beautifully poetic, and her prose kept me flipping page after page to learn what happened.

The historical aspect of this story was fabulous. While not easy to read about characters so changed by the war, it was both interesting and heartbreaking to read of the way the war affected everyone. A story like this really makes the struggles from the past seem real and present even when discussed like ghosts on the page. If you enjoy learning about the past, I think you will like this book.

Overall, I would encourage anyone who loves a good story to pick up this book. Thank you again for the advanced copy!

Alberta Preston, an unknown aspiring artist in 1922 England, enters a competition as Bertie, hoping the assumption would be that ‘she’ is a ‘he.’ Her painting titled, Something for the Pain, wins and is featured in the Times. Soon Alberta receives a letter from the Earl of Wakeford, addressed to Mr. Preston, offering to commission ‘him’ for several paintings of his estate in Wiltshire, England, known as Castle Braemore. Against her parents’ wishes Bertie accepts the commission to spend the summer at the castle and the experience changes her life forever. This debut novel by Courtney Ellis is a superb character study of women and their aspirations in the early 20th century, the long-term effects of World War One on soldiers, nurses, and those left behind, along with the economic aftermath dealt with by families. Upon his father’s death, 12- year-old Julian becomes the Earl of Wakeford and his oldest sister, Gwen, takes over the responsibilities of her siblings. The author’s use of flashbacks develops compassion and empathy as alternating chapters take a glimpse into the family dynamics, early years, and the personalities of each of the Wakeford children. Bertie’s personal feelings are explored as she comes to grips with her own aspirations and her feelings of unworthiness within her own family. Readers will get a true sense of Bertie’s inspiration and obsession in painting and sketching Castle Braemore as Courtney Ellis fills in with superb descriptions of the palace and grounds, along with artistic details of composition and techniques. As the family faces reality, the Earl of Wakeford and his siblings attempt to heal their wounds of war with love and loyalty. Readers will be filled with suspense, sometimes even anxiousness, but also cheer for Bertie’s boldness, her sense of accomplishment and the decision she makes “at summer’s end.”

I enjoyed this book. At first I thought oh know just another love story with a predictable ending. But it was well written with beautiful feeling, kindness and love. The author did a good job of keeping you guessing on how the characters behaved and what was going to happen to each and everyone of them. I recommend reading this, soft read, but full of wonderful interesting happenings.

DNF at chapter 10. Thanks to Berkley for sending this my way (I did not put in a request), but I couldn't get into it. There's a certain corner of historical fiction that tends to romanticize war trauma and that seemed to be the direction this was headed, so I stopped reading.

I also didn't like the format and time-jumping (Bertie's present timeline is told in first person, while Julian's past timeline is told in third person omniscient). It's a bit overkill for the predictable nature of the storyline and I was mostly just bored.

Disregard my rating as I didn't finish the 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.

Alberta Preston is thrilled to be invited to spend the summer at Castle Braemore where she has been commissioned to paint for the Earl of Wakefield. But she arrives to find the estate and its occupants in reduced circumstances after World War I. Bertie quickly makes friends with the earl’s family, but the earl himself is in seclusion, suffering from profound physical and emotional scarring from the war. Bertie slowly gains his trust, helping him to accept his change in circumstance and appearance. This is a big, beautiful story that immerses readers in late Edwardian England

I enjoyed everything about this book. A wonderful historical fiction with a lovely cover!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are completely my own.

Thank you to @netgalley and @berkleypub for access to this ebook 🙌🏼

This was a good one! It had many of my favorite things such as historical England, the “royalty falls for a commoner” trope, and a strong female lead. The story actually ended up being a bit more complex than I expected, which I liked, but it was also a bit slow at times. There was a lotttt of flowery and descriptive writing, which makes sense as the main character is a painter, but it made some parts drag for me.

The character building was great though. The Earl, Julian, was very broken which was really well written.I felt for him throughout, but main character, Bertie, stole the show for me. I loved how she was confident and bold; she said what she was feeling and never held back. The Earl’s siblings were also really fun characters with a lot of personality.

My only caveat about the story itself was the (8 year!) grudge between Julian and his younger sister, Celia. It felt really silly when we found out the reasoning. That said, I do think the ending wrapped up very nicely and I was overall pleased with the story as a whole.

If you’re looking for a unique historical fiction that has romance without it being the entire premise, this book might be for you! If you’re interested, it will be published and available on August 1st 💞

Enjoyable romance in a grand English house. Beauty and the Beast meets Phantom at the Opera after WWI. Pleasurable escapism.