Portrait of a Lover

Can This Be Love #2

by Julianne MacLean

A picture of deception...

Annabelle Lawson knew nothing about the breathtaking stranger she met on the train -- only that he'd make an ideal model for the budding young artist...and that she desired him more than she believed possible. But after she'd been seduced, she learned that she'd also been betrayed.

The man she thought she loved was really Magnus Wallis -- a scoundrel like his father before him, the loathed cousin of Annabelle's benefactor, the honorable Earl of Whitby.

A landscape of love...

No longer the naively romantic girl who would tumble for a rogue, Annabelle cannot avoid a reunion with the despicable Magnus, who wants to include her portraits in his new London gallery. She means to show him her coldest face -- but upon seeing him again, her every intention melts from the heat of his touch. It is clear that Magnus still burns with love for her. But is he still the villain he once was, or can he be reformed into a man Annabelle can dare to love?

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Regency, Forbidden Love, Adult, Fiction

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 17, 2015

About the author

Julianne MacLean is a USA Today bestselling author of more than thirty novels, including the contemporary women’s fiction Color of Heaven Series. Readers have described her books as “breathtaking,” “soulful” and “uplifting.” MacLean is a four-time RITA finalist and has won numerous awards, including the Booksellers’ Best Award and a Reviewers’ Choice Award from Romantic Times. Her novels have sold millions of copies worldwide and have been published in over a dozen languages.

MacLean has a degree in English literature from the University of King’s College in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and a degree in business administration from Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. She loves to travel and has lived in New Zealand, Canada, and England. MacLean currently resides on the east coast of Canada in a lakeside home with her husband and daughter.

For more information about Julianne and her writing life, please visit her website at www.juliannemaclean.com. Be sure to follow her on Bookbub to be notified whenever her ebooks are offered for FREE or 99 cents. (www.bookbub.com/authors/julianne-maclean) and chat with her on Facebook (www.facebook.com/JulianneMacLeanRoman...), Twitter (@JulianneMacLean), and Instagram (@JulianneMaclean).

Reviews

[Alba Turunen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Estrellas. No esperaba mucho de éste libro porque era el que peores críticas tenía, además el protagonista era Magnus Wallis, el primo malvado de Whitby, que se aprovechó de Annabelle y le rompió el corazón. Solo con este poco ya iba algo predispuesta, y me alegro muchísimo de haberme equivocado, pues éste libro me ha gustado mucho, mucho.

Como digo, solo sabemos lo ocurrido por el libro anterior, el de Whitby y Lily, que si soy sincera, no me gustó mucho, pero fue por los personajes, no me llegó ninguno de ellos. Annabelle es la hermana adoptiva del conde de Whitby, éste siempre la ha tratado como a su propia hermana y la ha querido y protegido como tal; pero cuando Annabelle tenía veintiún años conoció en el tren a John Edwards, un hombre atractivo del que se enamoró. Transcurridos los meses la verdad fue desvelada, John Edwards resultó ser Magnus Wallis, el primo y enemigo declarado de su hermano, y su relación fue un engaño para vengarse de éste, por lo que Annabelle quedó destrozada y no volvió a confiar en ningún hombre.

Cuando empieza “Retrato de un amante” han transcurrido trece años y Annabelle es toda una mujer. Ocho años atrás, cuando pasa el libro “Los amores de Lily”, Whitby expulsó a su primo Magnus con una asignación anual con tal de que no volviera a Inglaterra, y éste se fue a América. Pero han pasado los años y Magnus ha acabado convirtiéndose en otro tipo de hombre, ya no es ése ser amargado por el rechazo y los desplantes de la que debía ser su familia. Ahora Magnus es un hombre de éxito y no necesita la asignación de Whitby, por lo que vuelve a Inglaterra con la excusa de abrir una galería de arte, cuando lo que en realidad quiere es reconquistar a Annabelle.

El primer tercio del libro son unos pocos capítulos donde la autora nos recrea el romance de juventud de Annabelle y Magnus; cuando se conocieron en el tren, y cuando él venía a escondidas a verla, y ella pintaba un cuadro de él pescando. Esos meses de verano fueron los más felices de su vida, donde Annabelle podía ser realmente ella y no fingir que pertenecía a la nobleza, a la que no pertenece por derecho de nacimiento. Desde el principio, John Edwards le dijo a Annabelle que lo suyo no podía ser por las trabas sociales, al ser él un “humilde banquero” y ella la hermana de un conde. La verdad es que Magnus Wallis acabó perdidamente enamorado de Annabelle, pero sabía que lo suyo no podía ser, era el enemigo de la familia y Whitby jamás consentiría en semejante unión, así que tras una fuerte discusión, Magnus rompió con Annabelle, le confesó quién era realmente y la echó en cara que todo había sido un engaño para vengarse de su hermano.

Ahora Magnus Wallis ha vuelto y ha escrito a Annabelle para decirla que quiere exponer sus cuadros en su galería de arte. Annabelle no sabe si fiarse, han pasado muchos años y querría odiar a Magnus y a todos los hombres por ser unos mentirosos. Pero en su fuero interno le encantaría que su obra fuese expuesta, así que decide ir a Londres y encontrarse con Magnus. El dolor y el resentimiento vuelven, pero con ello, empieza a renacer el mismo amor del que ambos disfrutaron siendo más jóvenes. Annabelle querría odiarle, pero Magnus está decidido a hacer lo correcto y ésta vez ha venido imparable para reconquistar a Annabelle y hará lo imposible porque le perdone y le de una oportunidad de nuevo, más allá de las trabas que puedan existir con su familia.

En los años transcurridos, ambos han cambiado, han madurado, quieren cosas distintas de la vida, pero lo que no ha cambiado es el amor que se profesaban. Según como se vea, la suya es una historia de amor imposible, pero Magnus está dispuesto a limar asperezas con tal de que Annabelle vuelva a él. A su vez, a Annabelle le cuesta mucho volver a confiar ¿Cómo sabe que no es de nuevo un engaño o que su amor es fingido? Lo cierto es que he empatizado mucho con la situación de ambos, y aunque al inicio del libro querrías odiar a Magnus, poco a poco descubres que no es ése ser odioso que Julianne MacLean nos presentó en el anterior libro.

Lo repito, he disfrutado muchísimo de ésta novela y junto con la primera de la serie, es la que más me ha gustado. Agradezco mucho esos libros de los que no esperas gran cosa y luego te llevas una sorpresa, en éste caso me ha ocurrido. No tardaré en leer el sexto y último de ésta serie y me encantaría que fuese tan bueno como éste o el primero.

[♥ℳelody · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bummer. I was actually really looking forward to this one considering where things left off with the character of Magnus in Book 4. It's been a while since I read a book with an anti-hero getting redeemed and honestly I think Magnus deserved better than this IMO. What started out as a beautiful angsty forbidden love story became a miserable overwrought muddled merry-go-round with the h/hr not making any sense and talking in circles. I hate when that happens. At one point you even have the heroine contradicting herself on the same freaking page. You supposedly love the man and believe in him but feel foolish and ridiculous for forgiving him? *side eyes* For an over 30 year old woman the heroine Annabelle still had a lot of growing up to do unfortunately. 😕 This suffered the same fate as Book 2 An Affair Most Wicked, it went from one extreme to another and back again. The whole "you don't trust me" conflict was beaten to death over and over again. You love him but you don't trust him. You love him but you aren't sure if he's a good guy. You love him but shoot, you don't even trust yourself! 😱

This is supposed to be a love story, not 'let me give you 20 different miserable reasons why these 2 aren't a good match'. I love MacLean's writing but she has the tendency to focus too much on the angst aspect of her plot and repeating things over and over and over again that the initial love story is exhausted and beaten through the ground. She has a serious thing for writing her heroines as indecisive. Extremely indecisive. Annabelle's mistrust of Magnus made sense...in the beginning. But considering this man sailed across a damn ocean for her and proved to be nothing but a gentleman who loves her and asks for her forgiveness endlessly, her reservations and hangups over him didn't hold an ounce of weight after that. And to use what happened between them 13 years ago for why she could never trust any man since then?

Let's be real here. Considering she had no previous experience with men before Magnus, considering these 2 had a clandestine very short 3 week affair that consisted of just innocent kissing and heavy petting on the beach and she knew nothing about him from the very beginning I found her blaming him for her self-imposed spinsterhood and being a recluse after their break up a little too extreme and dramatic. It just didn't hold up for me. The source of conflict felt very forced. If he had left her at the altar, cheated on her or slept with her then her 13 years worth of anger, resentment and paranoia would make more sense. You barely knew the guy and he kept giving you fair warning that you two can't be together. It just came off overly dramatic for what it was to be quite honest. And again let me repeat, they never even had sex. You put your entire life on hold for 13 years over a 3 week affair? <_< The decade long sentence did not hold up for the supposed crime IMO. And the fact that she kept relying on her big brother Whitby to make decisions for her cause she's "deficient" and he knows what's best for her was all kinds of ridiculous. Grow up lady. You are a 34 year-old spinster for Christ's sake. Pull up your big girl panties and make up your own damn mind.

I loved Whitby in Book 4 but he drove me nuts in here with his patronizing coddling and condescending attitude. So much so I was tempted to go back and take a star off his book. 😑 I think this could have been a really beautiful story if the author didn't tangle up her heroine into emotional indecisive knots. Magnus more than earned her trust IMO. And PS: that epilogue with the OTT robotic cheesy dialogue didn't help at all. What was that? Ick.

[Nσҽɱí · Rating 3 out of 5]

Es lo primero que leo de esta autora.
He de decir que escribe muy bien, es una historia entretenida y se lee rápido.
Pero me ha faltado algo más, no llegado a conectar del todo con esta historia.
El tira y afloja de los personajes se me ha hecho algo pesado y hay cosas de la historia que no veo mucho sentido.
Pensé que me engancharia pero no ha sido así.
Aún así no está mal y en un futuro probaré con otro libro de la autora

[Katrina Passick Lumsden · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'll be honest, I really want to like this one. I remember Magnus from the fourth book in this series, and his encounter with Lily only made me think there was more to him than met the eye. Lo and behold, there was.

The problem is...this story is shit. It's two people who've missed out on 13 years of happiness merely because they're both stupid. I hate reading about this. Yes, I appreciate the whole "second chance at love" theme, but for me, it's just plain painful to read. And while it's bad enough when the thing that drives the lovers apart is something outside of their control, it's a thousand times worse when the only thing standing between them and happiness is their own ridiculous pride or some monstrously stupid misunderstanding. Annabelle is a shrew. Magnus is an idiot. I wanted to relate to them, but I just couldn't because neither one of them, at any point in the story, let their guard down enough to say what was really going on in their heads. And Annabelle's constant harping on not being able to trust Magnus? Sweet Zombie Jesus, it wouldn't stop! I've read other books where the protagonists had to deal with their trust issues, so I know it can be handled deftly. But MacLean really seems to enjoy dragging this crap out for as long as humanly possible.

[Edwina " I LoveBooks" "Deb" · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magnus Wallis was the cousin to Edward Wallis Earl of Whitby "Love According to Lily" Magnus's father had been thrown out of the Wallis family. His own father stories told of him being evil and wanting to kill his twin brother who was the heir. It was always something fishy about the story. Why would the the Earl of Whitby throw out his son and leave him with nothing to live on? Why would he disown is grandson who was baby and then a young boy? Magnus was spit on beaten and beggared by there neighbors and tenant farmers. He was a child and was not responsible for what they thought his father Robert had done. This made No sense. Why didn't Edward the new Earl question how his young cousin was to blame for his suppose fathers deeds?

Annabelle is the adopted sister to Edward Wallis Earl of Whitby. She had been in love with a man named John Edwards she met on the train. She later finds out he is what she thinks is the evil cousin Magnus. Annabelle believes what Magnus tells her that he was having a go at her to take a Jab at his first cousin Whitby. That he never loved her!!

Eight years later Magnus returns from American to England where he had been banished by Whitby. But now Magnus is very rich man and determined to get the love of his life Annabelle back and marry her.

This could have been a 5 star story. But what is a total of 13 years separation of Magnus and Annabelle is extremely to long of a separation. Even the 5 year separation from Annabelle, before Magnus was banished to America and told never to return to England was too long of a separation. I also don't like Over the Hill Spinsters!! Annabelle is now 34 years old. She is not over the Hill she is under the Hill. A total of 13 years wasted life.
The ending is also, abrupt!! The epilog should have show a little of there married life in America. Something to compensate for the 13 year separation.

[Janet · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is one of my first historical romances where I just couldn't get into the story or characters. I liked Annabelle but wasn't a fan of Magnus.

[Lore Mona · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ya sabía que este libro iba a ser la típica pareja que no supera el pasado y tropieza de nuevo con la misma piedra. Pero de todas formas logró decepcionarme. Pensé que los personajes iban a tener un mayor crecimiento.

Annabelle es la hermana adoptiva del conde de Whitby. Siempre ha sido tratada como una más de la familia y protegida como tal. Cuando tenía veintiún años conoció en el tren a un empleado de banco que se hacía llamar John Edwards. Pasaron un verano saliendo en secreto, mientras ella pintaba un cuadro inspirado en él. Pero al finalizar la temporada John la deja porque pertenecen a clases sociales diferentes.
Annabelle está dispuesta a luchar por él, pero cuando va a buscarlo donde trabaja, descubre que le mintió con respecto a su identidad. En realidad era Magnus Wallis, el primo y enemigo de su hermano. El la rechaza de la forma más cruel, diciendo que solamente salió con ella para vengarse, por las injusticias que cometieron contra él y su familia. Annabelle quedó destrozada y no fue capaz de volver a confiar en ningún hombre.

Después de ocho años de haber sido expulsado por su primo Whitby. Magnus regresa a Inglaterra con el pretexto de abrir una galería de arte, para reconquistar a Annabelle. Ahora es un hombre de negocios, con mucho éxito y dinero. Está dispuesto a recuperarla como sea y demostrarle que ha cambiado.

En este libro se pasan tratando de redimir y justificar a Magnus por sus acciones y Annabelle se debate entre el amor y la incapacidad para volver a confiar.

Quejas con mucho spoiler:

Inició bien, con Magnus reinventado como un hombre de negocios, que ha madurado, está orgulloso de su trabajo, ayuda a los niños huérfanos y dice que superó su rencor y dejó atrás ese pasado. Se disculpa con Annabelle por el daño que le causó y trata de conquistarla otra vez.
Comienzan a relacionarse con motivo de la exposición en la galería. Esto también le ayuda a Annabelle a recuperar la confianza en su talento. Sentía que perdió esa chispa desde que fue abandonada. Pero aunque su relación mejora y vuelven a estar juntos, la confianza rota es algo muy frágil de recuperar.

Magnus puede haber cambiado en varios aspectos, pero tiene un lado orgulloso y egoísta. Esperaba que Annabelle simplemente lo perdonara y confiara en él luego de unas cuantas semanas? Pasaron trece años que ella vivió sufriendo, odiando, creyendo que nunca fue amada. Pero se frustra y enoja porque ella no confía en él a ciegas. Porque no lo escoge por sobre todo y se va con él, dando la espalda a su familia. Es egoísta ponerla en esa disyuntiva.

El sufrió porque no podía tener a la mujer que amaba debido a esa vieja enemistad familiar, pero siempre supo que ella lo quería de verdad. En cambio Annabelle se hundió en la inseguridad y el odio por haberse creído utilizada. Es un tipo de sufrimiento diferente.
Las personas necesitan tiempo para sanar y superar los traumas. El tuvo ocho años en el extranjero para reinventarse y superar sus rencores, trabajando por sus sueños. Y aunque no podía olvidar a Annabelle, pudo salir con otras mujeres. Pero ella pasó años sin poder confiar en ningún otro hombre y estancada sin poder avanzar.
Espera que ella supere todo en tan poco tiempo y solo con el poder del amor. Las cosas no funcionan de esa manera. Ya dio un gran paso al entregarse a él y aceptar su propuesta de matrimonio. Pero él sigue presionando, cuando está claro que ella necesita mas tiempo.

¿De verdad Magnus cree que hizo suficiente para demostrar que cambió? Dice muchas cosas con palabras, pero luego se contradice con sus acciones. Dejó salir su lado posesivo en el momento más importante, como si ella fuera un objeto sin voluntad propia, al que podía meter en la maleta y llevar a Norteamérica. Nuevamente parece que está intentando ganar una competencia contra su primo Whitby. El mismo reconoce que volvió a salir a la superficie ese viejo rencor que pensaba que había superado, pero se ofende con Annabelle por sentirse insegura ante ese hecho...

Annabelle se esforzó por investigar el pasado y arreglar la disputa familiar. Para comprobar que no se había equivocado al volver con Magnus y confirmar el cambio que vio en él. Pero este hombre sigue y sigue con el mismo discurso, que ella no confía lo suficiente. Es muy egocéntrico querer que lo siga sin dudar, después de que él mismo destruyó esa confianza.
Lo correcto en la vida es investigar y no creer a ciegas.

Es verdad que su padre y él fueron agraviados por el abuelo y sus decisiones egoístas, que los convirtieron en unos parias sin merecerlo. Pero eso no justifica lo que le hizo a Annabelle. Es algo aparte.
No elegimos a nuestra familia, de donde venimos y las situaciones desfavorables que nos toca vivir. Pero sí somos responsables de nuestras propias acciones. Magnus siempre le está echando la culpa a su primo, al abuelo, al sufrimiento que pasó. Pero no asume realmente su parte de responsabilidad.
Nadie le puso una pistola en el pecho y lo obligó a terminar con Annabelle de esa forma tan insensible. Pensó que la mejor alternativa era hacerle daño, ya que no podía tenerla?

No creo en esa idea de que "te hago daño por tu propio bien". Podía decirle la verdad, pero eligió voluntariamente una mentira despreciable.
Solo porque alguien fue lastimado, no le da derecho a dañar a otros.

Magnus dice que vino a Inglaterra para hacer lo que fuera necesario para recuperar a Annabelle, pero fácilmente se da por vencido y la deja por segunda vez. Claramente no la ama más que a su orgullo. ¿Por qué Annabelle es la que tiene que resolver las inseguridades de Magnus, cuando ni siquiera puede superar las suyas?

Annabelle puede ser algo frustrante. Es rápida para volver a enamorarse, pero su desconfianza es un recurso que se alarga demasiado para crear drama y justificar las acciones del personaje masculino enfurruñado y lleno de carencias emocionales.

Algo que me desagradó de este libro es que la persona que fue dañada sea la que tiene que pedir perdón por no volver a confiar fácilmente en la persona que le hizo daño.
Sin sentido.

Me gustó que Annabelle finalmente pudiera continuar su camino artístico por su cuenta, atreverse a innovar sola y encontrar su lugar en el mundo del arte, durante esos meses que estuvieron separados. Ese era un buen final. Mejor que cada cual siguiera con su vida. Juntos eran puros rencores y egoísmos.

El amor por si solo no es suficiente y la confianza es algo muy importante. Nunca es válido el "te hago daño por tu propio bien".
Hasta cuando van a ser felices? Hasta que esa persona vuelva a pensar que sus malas acciones son por el bien de la otra.

[☆Eiko · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't believe I ever remember reading about the most dormat hero yet, until now that is. A true love worth fighting for is one that is constant regardless of what others say or think. The hero Magnus repeatedly told the heroine that he wasn't who he said he was, he was also unsuitable for her and her family would never accept him and what does she do? she says that what she feels for him is true and everlasting regardless of what her family thinks. But then she goes and seeks him out when he decides to put an end to their frequent ' encounters', for her sake more than anything. she finds out the hard way that he his true identity from her and she gets butt hurt and appalled that she could ever associate with someone who apparently committed a crime to her adoptive family member she wasn't there to witness die (or something of a sort) and doesn't know the true facts, she never even gave him a chance to give him the benefit of doubt him or listen to his side of the story. well there's your true love that never was. what a total bitch. but wait! Magnus tries to get into contact with her after 13 years of forced exile only to have the 'heroine' turn him down flat when all he wanted to do was to show the world her fantastic artistic talent. he then vows to win her love once again no matter the cost. boy, you obviously need to get your priorities straight and listen well: those type of women are NOT worth it, especially if they treat you like you're beneath them. sorry, I truly wanted to like this but I couldn't go on, it was too painful.

[Jane · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thirteen year period was a ridiculously long separation after which the hero and heroine were still ridiculously passionate toward each other. The heroine did not grow up at all regardless of the long period and whatever she claimed she was.

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Characters: Annabelle and Magnus
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ out of 5

This is a re-read for me, I first read this book years ago, but I didn’t have a goodreads account at that time.

I still enjoyed this second chance romance.

[Winnifred D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This should be re-titled "the h and her family are idiots." I'm giving this 3 stars only because the writer has talent. Her prose flows well and isn't flawed by tons of typos and anachronisms.

I enjoyed the previous book in the series and wanted to see how Magnus would be redeemed. He was described as a complete villain previously, but early on in this book you see that he's most likely the victim of nasty gossip and a wretched childhood. He's not always been the nicest guy toward his cousin and the h's brother, Whitby, but then again, Whitby, and everyone else, treat him like crap. He didn't kidnap and molest the h, which everyone seems to have hinted in the previous book. They just have a clandestine summer affair (granted, he hides his real name from her). In fact, in many of their scenes together, he is circumspect and Annabelle is the aggressor. The opening chapters of the book, describing their relationship, are sweet, but end up being a waste because h spends the balance of the story trying to find reasons for blaming H, regardless of his apologies and his explanation for breaking things off so brutally (he was brutal but his explanation does make sense).

60% through the book, when a discovery is made about the H's past, your sympathies completely swing toward him and against the h and her family.

Whitby, who was a fairly sympathetic H in the last book, comes across as obnoxious and overbearing. The h herself comes across as 18 rather than 34. She seems to have no mind of her own. The H does everything he can to convince her to trust him, but she keeps waffling to the point that it's ridiculous. Only the h of the previous book, Lily, ever seems to have any sense.

SPOILER ALERT:............................................Basically, everything that was leveled against Magnus and his family, which caused them to lived in disgraced poverty, led to his father's early death and his mother's suffering, and led to Magnus being suspected of murder, was a lie. This is easily discovered when the h deigns to do a bit of simple digging around in the past, which her adoptive family never bothered to do. Magnus was basically the whipping boy for all of their problems. To make up for this, Magnus is offered some property and land, and he's supposed to do a happy dance? Rarely do I become so irritated by the utter shallowness of characters.

The epilogue was disappointing. After all of the endless drama, I wanted to know more about H/h's life and future in America.

A smarter, stronger h and less time reminiscing and ruminating in the early chapters would have much improved this book.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magnus has had a battle with his family his whole life. Annabelle Lawson has been raised by the family of Magnus's cousin and is very faithful to them. She meets Magnus on the train and introduces herself. Magnus gives her a false name. They are so taken with each other. She meets him later and still not knowing who he is, falls in love with him. Her brother tells him he will pay him to go to America and stay away from her. Years later Magnus returns and opens an art gallery. He wants to show Annabelle's art work. He has been a success now and does not need Whitby's money. Their love is still there but she is torn between Magnus and her brother. Read this delightful book and see what happens.

[Twila Leininger · Rating 2 out of 5]

I cannot believe that I am finding myself disappointed with this novel. However, why was it Annabelles job to resolve Magnus insecurities? When Annabelle had her brother make things right after finding out Magnus and his father had been wronged. Why would her brother offer him a estate and a way back into society? This could have been left out. Was this all it took to resolve a ongoing steamed feud over two novels?! Magnus came to England to do whatever it takes for get Annabelle, but he easily gives up and leaves her. I cannot believe he left her the second time. I am unsettled with all of the holes in this novel.

[Babette Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Teresa Siciliano)
Come già si era capito alla fine del volume precedente, la storia di Annabelle e Magnus si sviluppa per un verso nel tempo presente e per l’altro in un lungo flashback ambientato 13 anni fa, all’epoca del primo incontro. Così finalmente conosciamo il punto di vista di Magnus, che finora pareva il villain per eccellenza. È la parte migliore del romanzo perché la soluzione narrativa escogitata dall’autrice non è molto convincente né la lettura risulta interessante più di tanto, con i lunghi tira e molla dei protagonisti.
Titolo bruttino.

[MsWhiskey · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF, 2 chapters left.

Yeah, that's when this book went downhill for me. I simply can NOT continue. It was good enough until the last 2-3 chapters. The 3rd act breakup was so annoying, just as annoying as the main conflict. Both main characters main arc, or what little it might have, got completely thrown off the window.

-----
8 days later, I was listening to another audiobook when I wrongly click this book again. It only has 30 min left, so why not...but it's just as grueling as I thought. I just keep hoping she'd said I met someone and I want closure, but nah, this is an HEA. Annoyingly so. They spent years apart for some stupid conflict. I hate that MMC keep chosing something else, like pride over his love, which doesn't really speak well of it.

[Mariana Ponce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mi bebé Magnus fue el villano de una historia muy mal contada😭😭😭😭.
Lo bueno fue que pudo aclararse todo y que por fin pudo sentirse digno, valorado y querido, pero si me duele saber que prefirió sacrificarse y quedar como un villano, a condenar a una vida sin nada a Anabelle. Y pensar que tuvieron que estar separados 13 años...😭😭😭
Muy tierna, y linda historia.💙 Magnus te amooo💜😭😩

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read

Annabelle finally gets over all her distrust and resentment after much inner turmoil a finds out the truth behind what caused the family few so many years ago. Then finds her happy ending

[Marlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

art and love

The h is Annabelle, the Earl adopted sister ; and Magnus, estranged first cousin of the Earl. She is a painter and he has returned from America a rich man and gallery owner. He wants her back after 13 year separation. She wants him but was hurt by him in the past.

[Desi · Rating 3 out of 5]

leído en Oct 2013

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good villain redeemed story and like how the heroine finds her own way

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the romance story. What I found a bit far stretch was the grandfather ordeal.
I also believe Magnus was mostly misunderstood throughout the story.

[Ana_Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ☆

[Ana A. Sastre Serrano · Rating 3 out of 5]

Este libro paso de ser un 4 estrellas a un 2.5 estrellas para terminar siendo un 3 estrellas justo

[Jamileth Farez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Esperaba mucho de este libro y no me fallo, me gusto mucho como empieza, aunque su ejecución final no es mi agrado. Paso un buen rato leyéndolo.

[Tita Pedreros · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐
.
Me gustó... pero esperaba más de esta pareja, siento que dejaron varias cosas inconclusas, me agradó ver que acercandose a la recta final no se resolvieran las cosas tan de golpe, sin embargo, ese final no termina de dejarme feliz.

[BURMA · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5***

[Letschat1974 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stars 3/4 (Kate Pearce, Maureen Driscoll, Elisa Braden)

Hey fellow readers I don’t summarize the books (as there are always great full summaries written that I read myself).

I only give it my personal, general, summary of 5 stars to 1 star.

3 stars: This book is worth a read but didn’t really have me excited about interacting with the book where I could not put it down. It lacks the excitement and well roundness of my personal markers for a great read throughout the book.

Development and interest in main characters, secondary characters, humorous, movement of the book, writing/conversation and romantic/sexual content (1-2 scenes or too much unnecessary).

Read it once and that is enough for me.

However, if this book is part of a series, I would read the next book (pervious book) in the series as it would still peek my reading interest.

I’ll continue reading from this author. I wouldn’t cross the author out of my potential reads in the future.

[Maura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Magnus and Annabelle fell in love. He was only a bank clerk and far beneath her and he was also the family enemy, but he lied to her. So after they'd fallen in love, Magnus knew he didn't have a future with her and had to end it. So he did it in the most cruel way possible, letting her believe he was using her to get back at her adopted brother (and his cousin) Whitby. Then, 13 years later, he comes back to beg her forgiveness and convince her that he loves her more than anything.

This was a 4-star book up until about the 70% mark. But, then Magnus got on my nerves a bit. He expected Annabelle, whose pain and bitterness had been festering for 13 years, to just forgive him and trust him. Not in a matter of months, but weeks. And he gets frustrated and angry that she won't trust him. I can forgive a hero that breaks the heroine's heart if he feels true remorse and accepts his actions. But he remarks about how cautious Annabelle had become and says, "...that was his fault, he supposed, and perhaps he deserved this." The fact that he's using wishy-washy thoughts like, suppose and perhaps, indicates that he doesn't fully understand what he did. And he clearly doesn't have the patience to stick it out to convince Annabelle. And his actions later clearly prove that he didn't love her more than anything, certainly not more than his pride. Magnus was an idiot and needed to be slapped.

Annabelle... nothing like a spinster who cannot let go of the past. Sure she renews her love for Magnus quick enough, but for the love of Mike, does she have to keep harping on how he can't be trusted. We get it. Annabelle also needed to be slapped, but only because she irritated me so much.

The last 30% of this book made me want to throw my kindle. I wanted to bang these characters heads together and tell them to move on with their lives without each other because they obviously didn't belong together. First Annabelle's angry, then Magnus, then Annabelle, then Magnus and Annabelle, then inexplicably they let go of their anger for the HEA and by that point I didn't give a flying ****. The three stars is for the first 70%, which was very enjoyable and did not make me angry.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would recommend reading the 4th book in this series (Love According to Lily) before reading this one. It gives some great perspective into the dynamics of the whole "everybody vs Magnus" theme. Although Portrait of a Lover is much more interesting.

I bought this book on the Kindle app immediately after finishing Love According to Lily. I HAD to find out what the deal was with Annabelle and Magnus. I could not put this book down! I liked how we found out exactly how Annabelle and Magnus met, and we learned exactly what he was thinking. I enjoyed every second of reading this book..until we got towards the end. I didn't like what Magnus did after he last spoke to Annabelle and Whitby while they were in England. Didn't like that at all. I was totally planning on giving this book 5 stars until that happened. Plus, I was hoping the epilogue would have been a bit better. However, because the book was so good up to that point, I only knocked off a star.

[Amanda]

Slightly boring. Slightly tedious. Still it was a very good plot, though I liked the turn the story took at the end, and his reservations weret really dressed by Annabelle. There is alot of tension in the beginning and I loved the tortured hero in this case though you can really say he was more male romantic lead I guess. I didnt really like anabelle though I coul understand her, and I did shed a tear or two.