I loved this final book in Gracie's trilogy of three sisters. It fulfilled all of my hopes for the series finale. I highly recommend it.

The Secret Daughter was book 4 for the historical romance readathon"Rake Meets Bluestocking" and I absolutely adored so much of this. It was at times very cozy, at others highly entertaining and in others a bit swoony in all the ways that I look forward to seeing in a historical romance. I have always found that Anne Gracie has delightful charming writing. And you definitely felt that charm and delight resonate in this one here. I was easily swept up so easily within the story. Anne Gracie takes you across the countryside of France to the captivating streets of the Ton in London. It had such a taste of adventure that I have truly missed seeing in recent historicals.

The connect that we see between our couple Zoe and Reynard was brilliant. They both are assuming different identities, and it had such a cozy casual vibe to it. Going from strangers....to friends...to lovers and swiftly to enemies due to some misunderstandings about both of their intentions and they are both at fault for it. I did love how Reynard was so diligent in his pursuit of Zoe. I wished she had been just as diligent because was just as accountable in what caused their separation ....in fact I would say more so. Its probably one of the issues that I had with the story is how the heroine wasn't willing to take true accountability for the wrongs she committed. While the hero did take accountability and made the attempt to make amends. Its what I have struggled with modernistic heroines in historicals...we see this so much. Heroines not caring how they hurt others because all that matters is themselves. They have become very self centered.

I did enjoy the romance though and boy did this author have me swooning all over the place left and right. I loved the intimacy .....the deep connection that they had especially in their mutual talent for art. I did find it strange the heroine thought she could just make a easy career of being a painter....like really? Do you understand societal restrictions? lol But the way that this element was written was more subtle so I do think readers who struggle with modernistic romances will still enjoy this one. As its not overdone or heavily focused. Its more in the background so you can just ignore it.

Overall I was completely satisfied in the end and how their story wraps up and now I am curious what is on the horizon for this author and very eager to read more of her backlisted works I have yet to read. If you are looking for a cozy poignant romance that delves into the true heart of the time period and genuine desires ....I highly recommend this stunning installment that will be comforting and swoony in little moments.

I'm so glad to have gotten back to the genre that started my love of reading. It's been almost a year that I've read an historical romance, and Anne Gracie is the perfect author to get me back to my happily ever after. This is the fourth installment of The Brides of Bellaire Gardens series. Although not necessary, it's better to have read the first three to get the back story and become familiar with the characters. This whole series is wonderfully written, romance without being too racy, just perfect. Many thanks to Berkley Publishing and Netgalley for an advanced copy in return for an honest review.

It was Anne Gracie's characters who first drew me to her books almost twenty years ago and it's her characters who bring me back with each new book she writes. Each one - whether main or secondary - is brought to life on the page with Gracie's deft hand.

In this fourth and final book of The Brides of Bellaire Gardens series, we finally get Zoë's story and it's a delight. This former orphan, born in the London slums but with a French aristocratic heritage, is one of my favorite Gracie heroines, right up there with George (Georgiana), heroine of Marry in Scarlet (book four - Marriage of Convenience). I love her layers, her loyalty, her forthright manner, and her determination to carve her own path. I also love her vulnerability. She's quite a complex character.

Reynard/Julian has layers of his own. I enjoyed the evolution of their relationship, both as Vita and Reynard then as Zoë and Julian. Their banter is electric with each holding their own. I also appreciate how he isn't threatened by Zoë's artistic skill but supports and encourages it. There's plenty of humor between these two but also deep, heart-tugging emotion. They are a good match and I rooted for them to find their way back to one another.

The Secret Daughter can stand on its own but it's the final book in a four-book series. As such, overarching secondary storylines are wrapped up and main characters from the first three books are instrumental in this story. Julian isn't introduced until book four but for a better understanding of Zoë and the rest of the characters I recommend reading the series in order.

I don't know what Gracie has in store for readers next but whatever it is, I'll be happily buying it.

4.5 stars
ARC received from publisher. Fair and unbiased review.

Zoey and Fox met in the French countryside while they were both incognito.  Before Fox could come clean about who he was and what he was doing in France, Zoey ran away and searching for her was liking finding a needle in a haystack, but Fox did try. Now back in London, will true romance find a way to bring the estranged lovers back together?
Zoey's sisters are determined to present her to society and find her a noble husband though all Zoey really wants to do is paint. Thanks to her benefactor she's making a name for herself and despite the lady's hostility ends up painting the portrait of an untitled tartar who turns out to be Fox's grandmother. It is so funny when Fox runs across two of his army colleagues to find he's been chasing the wrong tree and gets himself invited to Zoey's introduction to society.
With her sisters playing matchmaker and Zoey determined to resist all of Fox the scoundrel's attempts to connect it's an interesting kettle of fish indeed. Throw in the hateful gal next door who's downtrodden but in love with a well to do commoner the story takes some interesting twists and turns. When he's foiled, Fox takes matters into his own hands and kidnaps Zoey so she can listen to reason. 
Despite its regency setting, that and other things seem to have no repercussions for the young couple and the path to true love finally smoothens out.  The story unfolds well, the cast of characters are excellent young and old and the dialog and stratagems witty and engaging.

The Secret Daughter is the fourth and final book in Anne Gracie’s The Brides of Bellaire Gardens and is a delightful story of love and family. Zoe Benoit is another illegitimate daughter of Sir Bartleby Studley and sister to Clarissa and Izzy. Before she can be presented to Society She needs a little refinement. Zoe is living in France with friends in order to improve her English and manners. Circumstances have her escaping a house party as a maid and then sets off on a journey in the French countryside to find her late mother’s home. On the way she runs into a vagabond painter named Reynard who isn’t forthcoming with a lot of information, but then again neither is she. A friendship forms between the two of them and maybe a little bit of romance. When she finds out what he is doing with old paintings she leaves him and returns to England heartbroken that he is cheating the locals. Both are surprised when they meet up again as their true identities and sparks fly between them.

What an interesting premise to meet someone in disguise, fall in love, and realize they aren’t who they said they were. Emotions are high when Zoe realizes Reynard is an Earl and he has his own reasons for being upset with her. These two had a journey to get past the hurt and realize a future together. Zoe also wanted more than love and marriage. She wants to be an artist. Balancing what she wants and not causing a scandal for her two sisters isn’t easy but she finds a way. I liked that the annoying neighbor Millie got a nice finishing storyline in the end, and with the help of the three sisters. The author created an enjoyable series and I grew to love and adore these women who overcame obstacles in order to find their one true love and be part of a family. The Secret Daughter is an exceptional story and historical romance readers are going to love it.

Well, I thought this was trilogy and here is the 4th book. How happy am I?? We met Zoe in the previous books when Clarissa's maid found her in an orphanage. She looks so like Izzy, her half sister that she realizes she must be another half sister. Three years later, Zoe has spent time in Paris learning to become a proper. Lady, even though her mother was an escaped French aristocrat saved by her nanny. What a back story.
Zoe decides to change places with a maid who has been abused by the same man trying to catch Zoe. They run away and Zoe sends the maid to Paris while Zoe looks for her family home
She meets an English vagabond painter Reynaud, and she spends time with him fixing his paintings as he can paint animals but not people. When she discovers what she thinks is an immoral scheme, she steals a painting of her family from him and ends up back in London.
I will not tell you anymore of the plot, but it works out well of course or this wouldn't be a romance. Suffice to say, all the previous characters turn up, there are several happy endings and this may be the end of the series unless another sister turns up.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the EARC. The opinions in this review are my own. I love Anne Gracie and have introduced my daughter to her books as well. Be sure to read these books in order.

Zoe is the half sister Clarissa and Izzy discover in an orphanage in the previous book. She has spent the last few years in France learning how to be a lady and losing her lower class English accent. While at a house party in France, she switches clothing with a housemaid and takes off in the countryside to find the house her mother grew up in. Her family were killed in the French Revolution while she escaped to England as a child. After an altercation with some men along the road, she is relieved to come up the Englishman Reynard. She tells him her name is Vita and only speaks French. He seems trustworthy and lets her sleep locked inside his caravan. He's a vagabond artist offering to paint family portraits of peasants in exchange for the painting already in the frame they own. Zoe, an artist herself, make improvements to his paintings. When she discovers he's taking valuable paintings and in her mind cheating the villagers, she takes off after they share a night together. Since they both used an alias and didn't know each others stories, Reynard/Julian had a lot of searching to do. This meant they were apart for much of the book dragging down the story. Also, so many characters from previous books were part of the narrative. You may be a little lost if you haven't read them. I did enjoy when the story reverted back to their homes in England with the shared back garden and the sisters were reunited. It was fun to see the irritating neighbor Millie again and learn her future.

This is a very interesting and original love story. After an upsetting occurrence at a house party, a swap in identities and fleeing occurs. While trying to find closure to a terrible past loss, a meeting takes place between another hiding their identity for a different reason. After parting, they happen to surprising ruinite, and their truths are revealed. I enjoyed how engaging this story was and how happily it ended. I recommend reading!

I really enjoyed Zoe and Julian's story! I loved that they fell for one another outside of the trappings of the Ton.

The Secret Daughter by Anne Gracie, book four in her The Brides of Bellaire Gardens series, is a captivating story, with humor, and wit, while engaging the reader; creating an enjoyable read. Orphaned Zoë Benoit was discovered in an orphanage by her two half-sisters, Clarissa and Izzy. Her mother was a member of the aristocracy in France before the Reign of Terror, who fled to England, losing her status and struggling to make a living. Zoe could speak aristocratic French, but her English was that of the lower class. The sisters devised a plan to send her to France with friends, to learn how to be a lady so she could take her place in society when she returned.

While attending a house party to practice her new social skills, Zoë ends up having to fend off the advances of the son of her hosts; realizing she needs to leave. The son has also made advances to a maid and together they leave the estate. Zoe decides to travel to the Chateau, her ancestral home, which was nearby; switching clothes with the maid before sending her on to Paris and her friends' home. As she makes her way to her mother's home, dressed as a maidservant named Vita, she encounters a vagabond artist who offers her refuge, after meeting more assailants on the road.

Reynard loves the life of a vagabond and when he meets the beautiful Vita he discovers that she too is an artist, a very good one, so he does his best to convince her to stay as they paint portraits for the farmers to replace old paintings that Reynard takes with him. A major misunderstanding occurs and Vita disappears, not even leaving a note. He searches for her, but cannot find her; and it is now time for him to return to London and his other life.

Back in London and his life as Julian Fox, Earl of Foxton, he discovers a portrait that his grandmother has had done, instantly recognizing it as the work of Vita; he then sets off to find her. It was not going to be easy and when he does he needs to convince her that she can trust him. When Zoe meets up with Reynard, aka the Earl of Foxton, many emotions run through her. He might be the man she fell for and she learns she can she trust him, but she is still not convinced that she is made to be a ton wife. Zoe and Julian have a lot of hurdles to cross before they can find their HEA; including the fabulous Lady Scattergood.

Although I enjoyed this story, the first half of this book is definitely stronger than the second. I loved reading about the two working on commissioned paintings and living in a little wagon in the countryside. The English ton part is also good, but the plot dragged a bit in the middle.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
#Berkley #NetGalley #TheSecretDaughter

I've enjoyed this low angst historical romance series since its start, and this was a solid entry. Zoe is a newly-discovered illegitimate sister of Izzy and Clarissa, FMCs of the two previous books. She's preparing for her social debut, but before entering Society, she wants to visit her mother's childhood home. Her mother was one of the deposed aristos during the French Revolution; she fled her home at age 11 and died when Zoe herself was 12. Zoe speaks French like a native, and decides to go to her family's chateau incognito.

So we've got Zoe, in disguise as ladies maid "Vita," who after some scary run-ins with other men, meets "Reynard," itinerant artist. He's a real gentlemanly type, a big change from the other. men she's met, and they spend about a week together falling in love with each other's aliases. But it turns out that Reynard has been fleecing French peasants out of valuable paintings, which Zoe finds intolerable. (He's been painting their portraits and putting them in the gilded frames they all happen to have lying around in their houses, and in return taking the "old paintings" that used to be in the frames...) Zoe runs back to her family, and although Reynard goes after her, he can't find her anywhere ... until he meets her once again in a haut ton ballroom...

I would have liked. a little more nuance to the "aristocrats: good; peasants: murderous looters" paradigm that has been a part of English literature since A Tale of Two Cities or The Scarlet Pimpernel. I'm not saying that Zoe's family deserved to meet Madame Guillotine, but I'm also not saying that the peasants didn't have the right to be ... upset? ... with their landlords. And Reynard's ultimate goal by getting the paintings falls very much into the "British aristocrat helping out his impoverished French counterpoint" mode. But, this book is basically a traditional Regency romance with some light spice, so it wasn't exactly something I expected. I liked the book for what it it was, and I'm hoping for another by Anne Gracie soon!

Note that I said this series was low angst: that is true, especially in the central relationships. However, many of the books include an element of sexual assault, which is not traumatizing for the characters, but might be something you don't want to encounter in your romances. Just a heads up.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

Zoe Benoit grew up in the slums of London, the daughter of an aristocratic French emigrant and an unknown English gentleman, and when her mother died, she was sent to an orphanage. But her life changed when Clarrisa Studley found her and claimed her as a sister. Clarrisa along with her other half-sister Izzy, realized that they all shared the same father and decided to introduce Zoe to society. They sent her to France with their dear friend Lucy and her husband to learn to be a lady away from the prying eyes of the ton and planned to launch her once she returned. While in France Zoe attends a house party not far from her mother’s former home and when there is an incident that leads to her leaving the party early, she decides to use it as an opportunity to visit her mother’s home. She switches places with her maid and calling herself Vita, she sets out on her own. But it isn’t long before she realizes that it isn’t safe for a young woman to travel alone, lucky for her she meets a vagabond painter named Reynard, who gives her a ride to her mother’s old home and then later offers her shelter. She plans to return to Paris immediately, but after spending time with Reynard, she decides to stay and even helps him with his painting. She falls in love with him and can envision a life with him, but a misassumption of his character has her fleeing without a word. Back in England, she tries to forget him, but it seems impossible and when he finds her, it is clear that she was not the only pretending to be someone else.

Julian Fox, the Earl of Foxton never expected to inherit the earldom and never wanted it. But he takes his responsibility seriously, but that doesn’t mean he is willing to give up his freedom or his passion for painting. So, he takes a sojourn to France for three months and then plans to return to England to assume his responsibilities. What he didn’t plan on was falling in love and then losing her, all without knowing who she really is. He tries to find her but has to accept that she is gone. He returns to England and is stunned to see a painting that he is sure was done by his Vita. He tracks her down and discovers that he was not the only one hiding something, but that doesn’t matter to him, can he convince Zoe that her secrets don’t change the way he feels?

This was a well-written, interesting story with wonderful characters, and while I did enjoy this book, but it was not really the story I was expecting and while I definitely felt the connection between Zoe and Julian, I found myself wishing they spent more time together and let the reader experience the development of their romance. I loved catching up with Clarrisa, Lucy, Izzy and Lady Scattergood and enjoyed the secondary storyline with Millie, but it ends rather abruptly, and it really needed an epilogue to give readers a bit of closure. Overall, this was a good book, and I am glad that I had the opportunity to read it, but it is not a book I would read again. This is the final book in the series, it could be read as a standalone title, but I would recommend reading the series in order for the best reader experience.

3.5 stars, rounded up

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

I went into this book not realizing it was the 4th in the Brides of Bellaire Gardens series, and I’m happy to report it works fine as a standalone!

Set in the Regency era, Zoe Benoit is the illegitimate daughter of a French aristocrat, and her mother was also part of the aristocracy before the Reign of Terror. Her mother flees to England with Zoe, where she grows up knowing aristocratic French and lower class English. After being orphaned, a plan is hatched to bring Zoe to France pretending to be a cousin of her half-sister to learn how to be a lady in French society. A whirlwind romance ensues between Zoe and a vagabond artist, Reynard. There are secrets and scandals that break them apart, and their relationship is never forgotten as the two move through their separate lives. Was it actually meant to be, and will they ever find each other again?

I really enjoyed the relationship between Zoe and Reynard. Even though it was initially brief, it felt very authentic and my heart did break when they went their separate ways. After the first half of the book, however, it got somewhat convoluted and repetitive. I found it hard to keep reading at times, but the ending was very engaging and wrapped up nicely!

I am definitely interested in reading the other books in this series! I wonder if it will give me more insight into this book.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the gifted eARC!

Back from France the last sister gets her story. A unlikely meeting between two free spirits sets up the plot. As the story progresses both look for a way to be together. Great story.

4 Stars The Secret Daughter is the fourth book in the Brides of Bellaire Gardens series by Anne Gracie.

Set in the Regency period, orphaned Zoë Benoit has been in France for the last three years, learning to become a lady so she can enter society, pretending to be a French cousin of her half-sisters since she is illegitimate. On an impulsive visit to the château where her mother once lived, Zoë meets vagabond artist Reynard. Disguising herself as a maidservant named Vita, Zoë spends a week with Reynard before fleeing, heartbroken. Reynard searches for the woman he knows as Vita before ultimately returning to England to resume his life as Julian Fox, Earl of Foxton. Except when he recognizes one of Zoë's paintings, his hope is restored that he may find the woman he fell in love with in a French forest.

I loved the first half of this book, as Zoë and Julian get to know each other in the forest while each pretending to be someone they are not. This was such a unique plot and it was interesting to pull in some French history in a series that has mostly been set in Regency England. Despite the unique circumstances, Zoë and Julian's romance progressed naturally. The second half got a bit complicated and repetitive, but the ending was just right.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC! The Secret Daughter releases December 24th!

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Zoe hasn't had an easy life. When she meets Reynard, she thinks he's the one. She leaves when she learns hes keeping something from her. I enjoyed the chemistry between Zoe and Reynard

Zoe grew up poor in a London orphanage, although her mother was part of the French aristocracy and fled the Terror as a child. When she travels to France and visits the ruins of her mother's old home, she meets an intriguing traveling artist called Reynard. Zoe is also a painter, and the two travel and work together for a time. After they are separated by a misunderstanding, they encounter one another again in England--where they each have some surprises for the other, but their chemistry is still there.

The first half of this book is definitely stronger than the second. I loved reading about the two working on commissioned paintings and living in a little wagon in the countryside. The English ton part is also good, but the plot dragged a bit in the middle.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

Zoe and Julian's story was a joy to read. This book was another solid outing by Gracie. Fans of the series will not be disappointed.

*rounded up to 4.25
The Secret Daughter is the 4th book in Anne Gracie's Brides of Bellaire Gardens series. Zoe Benoit is an illegitimate daughter of Sir Bartleby Studley and half sister to his legitimate daughter Clarissa and his other illegitimate daughter Izzy. While Zoe's mother was a member of the aristocracy in France before the Reign of Terror, after she fled the country for England her status dropped as she had to make a life in the stews of London. Zoe could speak aristocratic French, but her English was that of the lower class. So when her sisters discovered her a plan was hatched to send her to France with friends to learn how to be a lady so she could take her place in society when she returned.
The book opens when Zoe is attending a house party to practice her new social skills and because the house party was within 20 miles of her ancestral home. When she has to fend off the advances of the son of her hosts, Zoe knows she needs to leave. The son has also importuned a maid and they leave the estate together. Zoe decides to travel to her ancestral home by herself and switches clothes with her maid before sending her on to Paris and her friends' home. As she makes her way to her mother's home, she encounters a vagabond artist who offers her refuge after meeting more assailants on the road. Reynard is not who he seems, but then neither is Zoe. A friendship develops and then something more. But a big misunderstanding occurs that has to be made right.
The first half of this book was bordering on a 5/5 territory for me. It flowed so well and the relationship, even though it took place over a short period of time, seemed very authentic. The second half, while still good, had a few spots that got a little convoluted with the addition of other characters and the resolution took a bit of time.
I have read a lot of mediocre books lately and it was so refreshing to read something that was well crafted and engaging. I have read the other books in the series, but this one can be read as a standalone.
*Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.