Pj Ausdenmore's Reviews > The Secret Daughter

It was Anne Gracie's characters who first drew me to her books almost twenty years ago and it's her characters who bring me back with each new book she writes. Each one - whether main or secondary - is brought to life on the page with Gracie's deft hand.

In this fourth and final book of The Brides of Bellaire Gardens series, we finally get Zoë's story and it's a delight. This former orphan, born in the London slums but with a French aristocratic heritage, is one of my favorite Gracie heroines, right up there with George (Georgiana), heroine of Marry in Scarlet (book four - Marriage of Convenience). I love her layers, her loyalty, her forthright manner, and her determination to carve her own path. I also love her vulnerability. She's quite a complex character.

Reynard/Julian has layers of his own. I enjoyed the evolution of their relationship, both as Vita and Reynard then as Zoë and Julian. Their banter is electric with each holding their own. I also appreciate how he isn't threatened by Zoë's artistic skill but supports and encourages it. There's plenty of humor between these two but also deep, heart-tugging emotion. They are a good match and I rooted for them to find their way back to one another.

The Secret Daughter can stand on its own but it's the final book in a four-book series. As such, overarching secondary storylines are wrapped up and main characters from the first three books are instrumental in this story. Julian isn't introduced until book four but for a better understanding of Zoë and the rest of the characters I recommend reading the series in order.

I don't know what Gracie has in store for readers next but whatever it is, I'll be happily buying it.

4.5 stars
ARC received from publisher. Fair and unbiased review.