The Painter's Daughter by Julie Klassen {Book Review}



Julie Klassen
Historical Fiction

Sophie Dupont assists her father in his studio, keeping her own artwork out of sight. In private, she paints the picturesque north Devon coast, popular with artists--including handsome Wesley Overtree, who seems more interested in Sophie than the landscape.

Captain Stephen Overtree is accustomed to taking on his brother Wesley's responsibilities. Near the end of his leave, he is sent to find his brother and bring him home. Upon reaching Devonshire, however, Stephen is stunned to learn Wesley has sailed for Italy and left his host's daughter in serious trouble.

Stephen feels duty-bound to act, and strangely protective of the young lady, who somehow seems familiar. Wanting to make some recompense for his own past failings as well as his brother's, Stephen proposes to Miss Dupont. He does not offer love, but marriage "in name only" to save her from scandal. If he dies in battle, as he fears, she will at least be a respectable widow.

Desperate for a way to escape her predicament, Sophie finds herself torn between her first love and this brooding man she barely knows. Dare she wait for Wesley to return? Or should she elope with the captain and pray she doesn't come to regret it?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS INCLUDED



My Thoughts

The Painter's Daughter begins with a quote from Psalm 15 that encapsulates the whole story:
"The one . . . who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind . . . will never be shaken." Psalm 15 NIV
Captain Stephen Overtree is the epitome of that verse. He is the younger son so he isn't the one to inherit. Stephen has spent most of his life cleaning up the messes of his older brother Wesley and making sure the estate is kept afloat.

Unfortunately for Captain Overtree Wesley has left a big mess this time that will change the course of several lives. But this story is one of Providence. Sophie Dupont thinks that she has made an irrevocable mistake but God has different plans for her and Stephen. The story of their blossoming love is tender with an underlying passion that makes the reader continue to turn the pages long after they should have put the book down!

If you enjoy a good redemption story set in the regency era you'll devour this one. Klassen's writing style is that of the great British writers from a bygone age. I have yet to read one of her books that I didn't absolutely love.

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