The Portrait Paperback – October 6, 2020

Joan Wolf is one of only a very small handful of authors (and only two romance authors) whose books I will pay full price for, just to be able to read them as soon as they come out. So, I’ve already bought and read her latest book, The Portrait, even though it was only published two days ago. And it was well worth it!I have been a fan of Wolf’s books from back in her days writing for Signet Regency Romances, but also have liked (with one exception) all of her forays into other times and places – her contemporary romances, her not-quite-time-travel book, the pre-history trilogy, the book set during the American revolution (actually one of my favorites), and especially her two mysteries. (I’m a big mystery fan, so I wish she’d write more.) But still, I think her strength is in the Regency period, and I’ve been happy she has revisited this period in her recent books, including The Portrait.Like all good romances, there is a likeable young heroine, Isobel Besson. Isobel has been brought up in France, and in the days after the French Revolution, she is quite skeptical about aristocrats. Like many of Wolf’s heroines, she is a fantastic rider, and performs in her family’s circus with her horse, Alonzo. And Alonzo is a great character in his own right.And, of course, there is an aristocratic English earl, who recognizes her as the girl who had been kidnapped from his family as an infant – all due to her resemblance to a portrait of his great-grandmother. He persuades her to come to his estate to meet the family she’s never known, even though she’d rather return with her Papa to their circus and home in France. Throw in a shared love of horses, but also a bit of jealousy here and there, along with a nasty half-brother, and the result is a romance that kept me reading straight through until I finished it. And that’s the best way to read a book!

But I dislike these formula romances that she has put out recently. Basically all the same plot just. Few different twists and turns. The heroine is pretty much the same and the hero is also the same. I've read everything she's written and I have LOVED many. Reread some. Not this one.

I love Joan Wolf. This story was up to her usual high standards. I dont remember anything i learned in English class about tenses in literature but I think she writes in the present (?). Anyway, it was a wonderful couple of hours. Thanks for reissuing this story.

Joan Wolf’s new book is a wonderful story and a great escape during this difficult time of living during a pandemic. I close my eyes and envision the English country side. The heroine,Isabel, and the hero, Leo are genuinely good people. Give yourself a deserved break and get captivated with a sweet romance.

I have loved Joan Wolfe's books for years. I especially like her spirited unconventional female characters who are often independent women who don't car what others think. I n this book, the change in the female character is not convincing. The male character is too perfect

It's a book. I used it to read and enjoyed it very much

Has the unusually fine characterizations that are Ms. Wolf's signature, but the story is listless. Not much happens, and the little that does takes place offstage and is related third-hand. It felt phoned-in and, frankly, half-hearted -- possibly rushed for a deadline. Still, it is quite readable; the author is awfully good.

As always with the works of Joan Wolf, this is a great read.