At Summer's End: A Novel by Courtney Ellis

(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book: (book summary from Goodreads)

A sparkling debut from a new author we're all going to want more from."--Susan Meissner, bestselling author of The Nature of Fragile Things 

When an ambitious female artist accepts an unexpected commission at a powerful earl's country estate in 1920s England, she finds his war-torn family crumbling under the weight of long-kept secrets. From debut author Courtney Ellis comes a captivating novel about finding the courage to heal after the ravages of war.

Alberta Preston accepts the commission of a lifetime when she receives an invitation from the Earl of Wakeford to spend a summer painting at His Lordship's country home, Castle Braemore. Bertie imagines her residence at the prodigious estate will finally enable her to embark on a professional career and prove her worth as an artist, regardless of her gender.

Upon her arrival, however, Bertie finds the opulent Braemore and its inhabitants diminished by the Great War. The earl has been living in isolation since returning from the trenches, locked away in his rooms and hiding battle scars behind a prosthetic mask. While his younger siblings eagerly welcome Bertie into their world, she soon sees chips in that world's gilded facade. As she and the earl develop an unexpected bond, Bertie becomes deeply entangled in the pain and secrets she discovers hidden within Castle Braemore and the hearts of its residents.

Threaded with hope, love, and loss, At Summer's End delivers a portrait of a noble family--and a world--changed forever by the war to end all wars.

my thoughts:

Love, love, love! At Summer's End by Courtney Ellis is a wonderful debut novel that will captivate you from the start with its lyrical descriptions and addictive story. I fell in deep with this one and can't wait to read more by Ellis. I loved this book to bits!

Alberta Preston, aka Bertie, gets an offer she simply can't refuse. A summer painting at Castle Braemore - talk about a dream come true! Bertie just knows that this commission will finally cement her as an artist and help to jumpstart her career. She is beyond excited and can't wait to start. Of course, sometimes reality doesn't exactly match up to what we envision. As Bertie settles into her summer digs, she finds herself in a world that is not longer gilded, but instead one filled with tarnish. The Earl has locked himself away and hides his battle scars behind a mask, while his siblings seem to welcome Bertie into their home. As time slowly unfolds, Bertie falls in love with the town of Braemore, but she comes to realize that the Earl and his family are broken and that he is a man in deep pain. Her summer is definitely turning out to be full of unexpected twists and turns. And, that is all I will write about this terrific tale that is a bit reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast ( a story I LOVE).  

Definitely check out Ellis' debut novel, At Summer' End - you are going to love it!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!