They had built their lives in this grand old house, its walls encompassing their family and their secrets. Nestled in the sweeping hills they have always known, the house is part of their history, their heritage. But these four walls also hold a secret.
When Lord Frampton dies in a skiing accident, a beautiful young woman named Phaedra appears at his funeral—claiming to be the lord’s illegitimate daughter. In his will, Lord Frampton has left the priceless Frampton suite of sapphires to this interloper, confirming her claim and outraging his three adult sons and widow. Eventually, however, Phaedra’s sweet nature thaws the frosty relationships. She becomes the daughter that Antoinette Frampton never had and a wise and compassionate granddaughter to the formidable Dowager Lady Frampton. But an attraction grows between Phaedra and the eldest son, David. It seems an impossible love—blocked by their blood connection and by the fury of one family member who is determined to expose Phaedra as a fraud.
Filled with the luscious scenery and enchanting characters her fans adore, Santa Montefiore’s The Woman from Paris confirms the remarkable power of love to heal broken families and tender hearts.
This novel was published under the title The Summer House in the UK.
**
From Booklist
The day of Lord George Frampton’s funeral is filled with more than the usual sense of drama. A gorgeous young woman sits among the mourners, catching the eye of David, the heir apparent, who’s pleased to see that she’s among the guests attending the memorial reception at his family’s estate. Pleased, that is, until his father’s lawyer introduces Phaedra as Lord George’s recently discovered stepdaughter. Staked to an equal inheritance as his three sons, as well as the family sapphires, Phaedra’s presence causes the expected amount of consternation. To George’s widow, she’s tangible proof of her husband’s secret life; to his skeptical daughter-in-law, she’s a gold-digging usurper. But to David, she just might be the love of his life. As Phaedra beguiles each member of her new family with her infectious joie de vivre, she struggles to conceal a secret that threatens to destroy everyone. Themes of remorse, recrimination, and reconciliation imbue Montefiore’s (The Mermaid Garden, 2011) otherwise bright and buoyant romance with a satisfying depth. --Carol Haggas
Review
“Santa Montefiore really knows these people inside and out. I couldn’t put this book down.” (Julian Fellowes, creator of Downton Abbey)
“The joy Montefiore infuses into her work shines throughout . . . a feel good story, full of exuberance and passion and threaded with hope. Score another winner for Santa Montefiore--this is an exceptional find.” (Seattle Post-Intelligencer.com)
"This novel captivates from start to finish, the plot driven by dark secret, unspoken emotions and a forbidden attraction. The characters are striking and complex, leading to intense and sometimes humorous family dynamics. In rich prose, Montefiore tells an engrossing story about overcoming grief and betrayal to find hope, love and happiness in the most unexpected places." (Romantic Times)
"Montefiore is an able chronicler of family dynamics, making for a skillfully crafted...tale of high society drama." (Publishers Weekly)
"Themes of remorse, recrimination, and reconciliation imbue Montefiore’s...bright and buoyant romance with a satisfying depth." (Booklist)
“Readers will be reluctant to leave the golden world Montefiore creates. Fans of Rosamunde Pilcher and Adriana Trigiani will enjoy.” (Library Journal)
“The book is filled with glamorous characters discreetly hiding their emotions and motivations.” (Kirkus Reviews)
“The characters in The Woman from Paris are alive and real . . . beautifully written.” (Affaire de Coeur)
Description:
They had built their lives in this grand old house, its walls encompassing their family and their secrets. Nestled in the sweeping hills they have always known, the house is part of their history, their heritage. But these four walls also hold a secret.
When Lord Frampton dies in a skiing accident, a beautiful young woman named Phaedra appears at his funeral—claiming to be the lord’s illegitimate daughter. In his will, Lord Frampton has left the priceless Frampton suite of sapphires to this interloper, confirming her claim and outraging his three adult sons and widow. Eventually, however, Phaedra’s sweet nature thaws the frosty relationships. She becomes the daughter that Antoinette Frampton never had and a wise and compassionate granddaughter to the formidable Dowager Lady Frampton. But an attraction grows between Phaedra and the eldest son, David. It seems an impossible love—blocked by their blood connection and by the fury of one family member who is determined to expose Phaedra as a fraud.
Filled with the luscious scenery and enchanting characters her fans adore, Santa Montefiore’s The Woman from Paris confirms the remarkable power of love to heal broken families and tender hearts.
This novel was published under the title The Summer House in the UK.
**
From Booklist
The day of Lord George Frampton’s funeral is filled with more than the usual sense of drama. A gorgeous young woman sits among the mourners, catching the eye of David, the heir apparent, who’s pleased to see that she’s among the guests attending the memorial reception at his family’s estate. Pleased, that is, until his father’s lawyer introduces Phaedra as Lord George’s recently discovered stepdaughter. Staked to an equal inheritance as his three sons, as well as the family sapphires, Phaedra’s presence causes the expected amount of consternation. To George’s widow, she’s tangible proof of her husband’s secret life; to his skeptical daughter-in-law, she’s a gold-digging usurper. But to David, she just might be the love of his life. As Phaedra beguiles each member of her new family with her infectious joie de vivre, she struggles to conceal a secret that threatens to destroy everyone. Themes of remorse, recrimination, and reconciliation imbue Montefiore’s (The Mermaid Garden, 2011) otherwise bright and buoyant romance with a satisfying depth. --Carol Haggas
Review
“Santa Montefiore really knows these people inside and out. I couldn’t put this book down.” (Julian Fellowes, creator of Downton Abbey)
“The joy Montefiore infuses into her work shines throughout . . . a feel good story, full of exuberance and passion and threaded with hope. Score another winner for Santa Montefiore--this is an exceptional find.” (Seattle Post-Intelligencer.com)
"This novel captivates from start to finish, the plot driven by dark secret, unspoken emotions and a forbidden attraction. The characters are striking and complex, leading to intense and sometimes humorous family dynamics. In rich prose, Montefiore tells an engrossing story about overcoming grief and betrayal to find hope, love and happiness in the most unexpected places." (Romantic Times)
"Montefiore is an able chronicler of family dynamics, making for a skillfully crafted...tale of high society drama." (Publishers Weekly)
"Themes of remorse, recrimination, and reconciliation imbue Montefiore’s...bright and buoyant romance with a satisfying depth." (Booklist)
“Readers will be reluctant to leave the golden world Montefiore creates. Fans of Rosamunde Pilcher and Adriana Trigiani will enjoy.” (Library Journal)
“The book is filled with glamorous characters discreetly hiding their emotions and motivations.” (Kirkus Reviews)
“The characters in The Woman from Paris are alive and real . . . beautifully written.” (Affaire de Coeur)