Review

Lady Jenny is a brilliant portrait artist.  Since she is also the youngest daughter of a duke, her talent is considered by her family to be nothing more than a hobby.  Jenny’s only dream is to be free of her family and go to Paris to study art and paint.  In Paris, she’ll be taken seriously, even though she’s a woman.  Though she loves her family, inside she is seething with frustration at their lack of regard for her talent.  She has decided that during the family’s Christmas get-together, she’ll let them know her plans.

Elijah is a well respected and renowned portrait artist.  Years ago, he chose to leave his home and pursue his art, causing a great rift between him and his father.  He vowed only to return when he had been accepted to the Royal Academy of Artists.  He is close to that goal, but he needs to provide a brilliant portrait of a child, which is his one weak area.  His intended models are the nephews of Jenny, and she is there visiting as he arrives to begin the portrait.  Jenny asks to assist him, and he agrees, which means they’ll be spending much time in each other’s pockets.  You know that they are bound to fall in love, and they do.

This is a very emotional story, which I love.  There are two scenes where Jenny confronts her family that had tears streaming down my face.  I also got angry, first at Jenny and her family, and then at Elijah.  Jenny could have it all, her dream, and love too.  But she was too stubborn to let go of a plan that she wasn’t even sure she wanted anymore.  I loved Elijah’s character.  He recognized Jenny’s talent and was willing to play the hero, and let her pursue her dream, even if it didn’t include him.  At the same time, I wish he would have tried to convince her.  But miracles do happen at Christmas, don’t they?

This is the final book in the Windham sibling series by Grace Burrowes, which consists of stories about the three brothers, and four other sisters.  Most of these characters and their families made appearances here in this book, which was a delight to those of us who have followed the series.  I recommend this book (and the series) for those who like romances with well developed characters and emotional stories.