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The Boy in the Painting: a why choose portal fantasy romance
Not yet published
Expected 19 Mar 26
When home becomes a person, and you lose them, where are you supposed to go?
Since the sudden and tragic death of her husband two years ago, painter Alice Raine has asked herself that question a thousand times. The only answer she's come up with is an old blue Victorian house three-thousand miles away, situated in the small, coastal town of Meadowbrook.
But grief is not so easily swayed by changes of scenery, though Alice finds that new friends help some. Like Jessa, the extroverted cafe owner who's got a smirk like sin and forces Alice out of her shell. Or Harley, the local librarian with eyes the color of nostalgia, who has Alice picking up her paintbrush again. Even Ori, the grouchy tailor, who also happens to be Jessa and Harley's housemate, has Alice wondering if the door to her heart will stay closed forever like she once thought.
It's fortunate that Alice is desperate for an other-worldly escape, because once whispered thoughts of more fill her head, Alice is pushed down a rabbit hole of secrets that any sane person would try to escape. But Alice discovers that there comes a point in life where you have to make a choice to let go and fall. Not in a bad way, but hopefully into something good.
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The Boy in the Painting is the first in a MFFM why choose/polyamorous portal fantasy romance duology about a grieving painter, the realm she’s fated to save, and the three shifters who breathe life back into her muse. This means that there are three love interests and the main character will end up with all of them by the end of the series. Book one ends on a cliffhanger. HEA guaranteed in book two.
Since the sudden and tragic death of her husband two years ago, painter Alice Raine has asked herself that question a thousand times. The only answer she's come up with is an old blue Victorian house three-thousand miles away, situated in the small, coastal town of Meadowbrook.
But grief is not so easily swayed by changes of scenery, though Alice finds that new friends help some. Like Jessa, the extroverted cafe owner who's got a smirk like sin and forces Alice out of her shell. Or Harley, the local librarian with eyes the color of nostalgia, who has Alice picking up her paintbrush again. Even Ori, the grouchy tailor, who also happens to be Jessa and Harley's housemate, has Alice wondering if the door to her heart will stay closed forever like she once thought.
It's fortunate that Alice is desperate for an other-worldly escape, because once whispered thoughts of more fill her head, Alice is pushed down a rabbit hole of secrets that any sane person would try to escape. But Alice discovers that there comes a point in life where you have to make a choice to let go and fall. Not in a bad way, but hopefully into something good.
__
The Boy in the Painting is the first in a MFFM why choose/polyamorous portal fantasy romance duology about a grieving painter, the realm she’s fated to save, and the three shifters who breathe life back into her muse. This means that there are three love interests and the main character will end up with all of them by the end of the series. Book one ends on a cliffhanger. HEA guaranteed in book two.
396 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 19, 2026
9 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
G.B. Bancroft
4 books22 followersG.B. Bancroft is an events producer by day and indie author by night. She loves all things magical, gritty, and romantic, and is a voracious mood reader. Originally from New York, she’s currently enjoying a few-year stint in sunny California with her husband and her grumpy orange tabby, Miso.
You can find her @authorgbbancroft on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok.
You can find her @authorgbbancroft on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book from the author, and oh man did I devour it.
I was instantly drawn into the story from the very beginning. My husband is former military, so instantly starting with Alice's husband getting ready to leave hit hard. I'm lucky that my husband always got to come home to me, but Alice was not as lucky. Then her grandma passed away, like mine did not so long ago, whom she shared a passion for painting like I did with my own grandma? Safe to say Alice felt very close to me.
Alice's journey to Meadowbrook, where she meets Harley, Jessa, and eventually Ori, felt like the thing everyone wishes they could do when drowning in grief and sadness: move somewhere people don't only know you as your past, and love you for the present you. Harley and Jessa show her that she doesn't have to forget her husband, there can still be a place for him and his love amongst theirs. She also remembers that she knew all of them when she was a child, rediscovering that she is the fated champion to Ori, who has to fight his brother Enzo and Enzo's champion to gain his rightful place on the throne. Of course, things don't go that easy for them, and the story ends on a delicious cliffhanger before that is resolved.
This story beautifully combined a why-choose romance with a unique retelling of Alice in Wonderland. I was equally invested in the dynamics between Alice, Harley, Jessa, and Ori, while also caring about the larger story of Arcadia and the tourney that would need to happen when Ori and Alice turn 30. The dynamics between all the characters feel real and part of a larger story, with everyone feeling like they have a proper place. I particularly love that Ori seems reluctant to allow himself to love again. Ori's struggle with feeling forgotten and rejected by Alice when she is HIS champion was raw and felt very realistic given his personality. I love all the characters, and can't wait for them to finally be happy.
I want to give a huge shout out to GB Bancroft for the way she writes about grief and depression. It felt real, but still hopeful. I think its best to just give one of my favorite quotes from the book to prove it: "I’ve come to realize that healing is more a matter of figuring out how to survive, then re-learning how to live, and then re-discovering how to love."
I was instantly drawn into the story from the very beginning. My husband is former military, so instantly starting with Alice's husband getting ready to leave hit hard. I'm lucky that my husband always got to come home to me, but Alice was not as lucky. Then her grandma passed away, like mine did not so long ago, whom she shared a passion for painting like I did with my own grandma? Safe to say Alice felt very close to me.
Alice's journey to Meadowbrook, where she meets Harley, Jessa, and eventually Ori, felt like the thing everyone wishes they could do when drowning in grief and sadness: move somewhere people don't only know you as your past, and love you for the present you. Harley and Jessa show her that she doesn't have to forget her husband, there can still be a place for him and his love amongst theirs. She also remembers that she knew all of them when she was a child, rediscovering that she is the fated champion to Ori, who has to fight his brother Enzo and Enzo's champion to gain his rightful place on the throne. Of course, things don't go that easy for them, and the story ends on a delicious cliffhanger before that is resolved.
This story beautifully combined a why-choose romance with a unique retelling of Alice in Wonderland. I was equally invested in the dynamics between Alice, Harley, Jessa, and Ori, while also caring about the larger story of Arcadia and the tourney that would need to happen when Ori and Alice turn 30. The dynamics between all the characters feel real and part of a larger story, with everyone feeling like they have a proper place. I particularly love that Ori seems reluctant to allow himself to love again. Ori's struggle with feeling forgotten and rejected by Alice when she is HIS champion was raw and felt very realistic given his personality. I love all the characters, and can't wait for them to finally be happy.
I want to give a huge shout out to GB Bancroft for the way she writes about grief and depression. It felt real, but still hopeful. I think its best to just give one of my favorite quotes from the book to prove it: "I’ve come to realize that healing is more a matter of figuring out how to survive, then re-learning how to live, and then re-discovering how to love."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2026
As I write this ARC review, I am in absolute emotional turmoil so there may be some spelling and grammar mistakes I’ll have to fix later. It’s 11:24 pm. Plus, would this even be an honest review if I wasn’t a little unhinged and feral about it??? Holy hell, that ending. I mean…the whole story. Don’t even get me started about that absolute b$tch, Maven. You’ll meet her and despise her too, don’t worry.
I need someone to roll me up and wring me out because this was a PHENOMENAL story!!!! Took me hours to read and would have been less if I didn’t have to work at my silly little job. This book is going to be in the running for one of my favorites of 2026. I need to read it again.
Oh Alice… our FMC…. The grief she has experienced. It’s so real—I was in tears myself there at the end. I love her as an artist & her journey with our other MC’s. I will literally be her loudest supporter going into this next book of the series. I love our little polycule so much and I just need them all cuddling and happy together. Harley’s so soft but intuitively strong and steady. Jessa with her confidence and that forest chase— had me fanning myself. I was BLUSHING. Ori…. Oh Ori…. I fear we aren’t done experiencing pain yet. But there’s whispers of the boyfriends kissing on the horizon. *sighs*
I simply adore a “why choose” scenario.
The open door spice between characters with various intimacy levels— I’ll have 10 more please. It’s hot, it’s sexy, and watching everyone work through the development of feelings made it all the more painful for the ending. I, as the reader, am YEARNING.
Well done, G. B. Bancroft.
Well done.
Thank you so much for having me on your ARC Team. I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy of your book.
I need someone to roll me up and wring me out because this was a PHENOMENAL story!!!! Took me hours to read and would have been less if I didn’t have to work at my silly little job. This book is going to be in the running for one of my favorites of 2026. I need to read it again.
Oh Alice… our FMC…. The grief she has experienced. It’s so real—I was in tears myself there at the end. I love her as an artist & her journey with our other MC’s. I will literally be her loudest supporter going into this next book of the series. I love our little polycule so much and I just need them all cuddling and happy together. Harley’s so soft but intuitively strong and steady. Jessa with her confidence and that forest chase— had me fanning myself. I was BLUSHING. Ori…. Oh Ori…. I fear we aren’t done experiencing pain yet. But there’s whispers of the boyfriends kissing on the horizon. *sighs*
I simply adore a “why choose” scenario.
The open door spice between characters with various intimacy levels— I’ll have 10 more please. It’s hot, it’s sexy, and watching everyone work through the development of feelings made it all the more painful for the ending. I, as the reader, am YEARNING.
Well done, G. B. Bancroft.
Well done.
Thank you so much for having me on your ARC Team. I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy of your book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was like having a brick thrown at me while receiving a warm hug.
I'm writing this past 5 a.m., still trying to process what I just read. This story hooked me from the very first line: “I’ve found that the best time to cut onions is when you’re already crying.” Because I’ve been Alice too, waiting for the right moment to finally let everything out.
The way her grief is portrayed feels incredibly real. Watching her slowly start to laugh again, to feel lighter, and to give herself a chance with Jessa and Harley, and later with Ori, shows just how much she grows throughout the story. Her journey doesn’t feel rushed or idealized, the depression, the insecurity, the guilt, all of it is there, and it feels honest.
Harley is pure softness. A total cinnamon roll with cute freckles. I loved how literal he is, how gentlemanly he was with Alice from the very beginning, and especially how patient and kind he was with Ori.
Jessa is direct, bold, fun, and sensual. I absolutely loved her personality and the fact that she’s described as the strongest of the Arcadia trio.
One of my favorite things was how understanding Jessa and Harley were about Alice’s loss, giving her space when she needed it, but also steady support.
Ori was harder for me to love at first, mostly because he reminded me too much of myself. That instinct to close yourself off to avoid being hurt again hit very close to home, and I deeply related to him.
And the ending, OMG! I can't wait to read how this story concludes! This first part was incredible.
I'm so grateful for being part of the ARC team♡
I'm writing this past 5 a.m., still trying to process what I just read. This story hooked me from the very first line: “I’ve found that the best time to cut onions is when you’re already crying.” Because I’ve been Alice too, waiting for the right moment to finally let everything out.
The way her grief is portrayed feels incredibly real. Watching her slowly start to laugh again, to feel lighter, and to give herself a chance with Jessa and Harley, and later with Ori, shows just how much she grows throughout the story. Her journey doesn’t feel rushed or idealized, the depression, the insecurity, the guilt, all of it is there, and it feels honest.
Harley is pure softness. A total cinnamon roll with cute freckles. I loved how literal he is, how gentlemanly he was with Alice from the very beginning, and especially how patient and kind he was with Ori.
Jessa is direct, bold, fun, and sensual. I absolutely loved her personality and the fact that she’s described as the strongest of the Arcadia trio.
One of my favorite things was how understanding Jessa and Harley were about Alice’s loss, giving her space when she needed it, but also steady support.
Ori was harder for me to love at first, mostly because he reminded me too much of myself. That instinct to close yourself off to avoid being hurt again hit very close to home, and I deeply related to him.
And the ending, OMG! I can't wait to read how this story concludes! This first part was incredible.
I'm so grateful for being part of the ARC team♡
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was my first encounter with the author, and it was quite successful. Perhaps if I'd been more attentive and noticed when they handed out the ARC that this was the first part of a duology (my reading resolution this year is not to start , I wouldn't have picked up the book and would have missed out on a rather interesting story.
The main character, Alice, lost her husband, a rescue helicopter pilot, two years ago. After this, Alice's life lost all colors, and this is doubly saddened by the fact that she is an artist, and drawing is a huge part of her life. Desperate to find herself again, she flees to a small town, to the house her grandmother left her, where Alice spent her happy childhood.
Here, she meets the sweet librarian Harley, then the barista Jessa, and finally the grouchy tailor Ori, each of whom will find a special place in Alice's life, and ultimately, her heart.
This is an emotional, tender, slow-burn story in a complex quartet. And, of course, the intrigue lies not only in this, but also in the secret hidden in Alice's past. I especially liked the allusions to "Alice Through the Looking Glass."
Luckily, the second book is scheduled for August 2026, so I hope we won't have to wait long for the ending, as the first book naturally ended on a major cliffhanger.
I've got an ARC for free and I am leaving my review voluntarily.
The main character, Alice, lost her husband, a rescue helicopter pilot, two years ago. After this, Alice's life lost all colors, and this is doubly saddened by the fact that she is an artist, and drawing is a huge part of her life. Desperate to find herself again, she flees to a small town, to the house her grandmother left her, where Alice spent her happy childhood.
Here, she meets the sweet librarian Harley, then the barista Jessa, and finally the grouchy tailor Ori, each of whom will find a special place in Alice's life, and ultimately, her heart.
This is an emotional, tender, slow-burn story in a complex quartet. And, of course, the intrigue lies not only in this, but also in the secret hidden in Alice's past. I especially liked the allusions to "Alice Through the Looking Glass."
Luckily, the second book is scheduled for August 2026, so I hope we won't have to wait long for the ending, as the first book naturally ended on a major cliffhanger.
I've got an ARC for free and I am leaving my review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
The Boy In The Painting weaves the torment of grief over a lost love with the promise of new loves in small town New York. With a twist. And I absolutely could not stop myself from enjoying every second.
Alessa, nearly three years out from the sudden death of her husband, has taken up residence in her late grandma's home. And taken up an interest in the local community- namely these peculiar, very attractive folks that work at her local haunts who happen to have a brooding, very grouchy, also very attractive roommate.
I have NEVER taken so quickly to loving not one, not two, but three of the main characters. Harley and Jessa have stolen my heart, and I will forever yell the praises of men written by women because HARLEY? HELLO? Submissive soft boy librarian who's anxious until given commands (*cough*) and is one of my favorite parts of the whole book. I thought dommy mommy Jessa would be, it was a closer call than I expected. Ori will have to grow on me more in book two, but I see the vision.
I had recently sworn off contemporary romance, but this was exactly what I needed. Lighthearted and a compulsive fantasy read- finished in under 12 hours 😭 I will be waiting for book two with eager anticipation.
ARC received from BookFunnel. Thoughts and review are my own! 🫶
Alessa, nearly three years out from the sudden death of her husband, has taken up residence in her late grandma's home. And taken up an interest in the local community- namely these peculiar, very attractive folks that work at her local haunts who happen to have a brooding, very grouchy, also very attractive roommate.
I have NEVER taken so quickly to loving not one, not two, but three of the main characters. Harley and Jessa have stolen my heart, and I will forever yell the praises of men written by women because HARLEY? HELLO? Submissive soft boy librarian who's anxious until given commands (*cough*) and is one of my favorite parts of the whole book. I thought dommy mommy Jessa would be, it was a closer call than I expected. Ori will have to grow on me more in book two, but I see the vision.
I had recently sworn off contemporary romance, but this was exactly what I needed. Lighthearted and a compulsive fantasy read- finished in under 12 hours 😭 I will be waiting for book two with eager anticipation.
ARC received from BookFunnel. Thoughts and review are my own! 🫶
February 7, 2026
I’m struggling to put my thoughts into words about how much I loved this book. By the time I got 100 pages in, I was cancelling my plans for the morning because no way was I going to stop reading.
I loved Harley, Jessa, and Ori. I loved Harley most of all. He’s sweet and kind and the best good boy you will ever find. There were many aspects of his personality I recognized from myself. Jessa is assertive and not afraid to say what she wants. I loved how straight forward she was. Ori may be a bit rough around the edges but he loves and cares deeply.
The way Alice’s grief was portrayed had me in tears every time. The descriptions of anxiety and depression were spot on and written in ways I would have never been able to say myself.
I am so glad the author honored me to be part of her ARC team and I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this book so I can read it all over again. I will be impatiently waiting for the next book.
I loved Harley, Jessa, and Ori. I loved Harley most of all. He’s sweet and kind and the best good boy you will ever find. There were many aspects of his personality I recognized from myself. Jessa is assertive and not afraid to say what she wants. I loved how straight forward she was. Ori may be a bit rough around the edges but he loves and cares deeply.
The way Alice’s grief was portrayed had me in tears every time. The descriptions of anxiety and depression were spot on and written in ways I would have never been able to say myself.
I am so glad the author honored me to be part of her ARC team and I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this book so I can read it all over again. I will be impatiently waiting for the next book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Boy in the Painting is such a magical, mystical adventure that felt like a wild ride from beginning to end.
Alice starts in such a dark place but when she stumbles (literally) into her past and into a fantastical world she’d forgotten all about she’s forced to face herself and those she loves.
This book deals a lot of grief on all sides and I felt like it was written so intentional. The prose is so beautiful and the author crafted the story in such a way that I couldn’t stop reading!
Overall, I loved this one! It lost me a little in the middle with the pacing but would highly recommend to those who love Alice in Wonderland, why choose books, and books that toe the line between reality and fantasy!
Thank you so much to the author for an advanced copy of this one!
Alice starts in such a dark place but when she stumbles (literally) into her past and into a fantastical world she’d forgotten all about she’s forced to face herself and those she loves.
This book deals a lot of grief on all sides and I felt like it was written so intentional. The prose is so beautiful and the author crafted the story in such a way that I couldn’t stop reading!
Overall, I loved this one! It lost me a little in the middle with the pacing but would highly recommend to those who love Alice in Wonderland, why choose books, and books that toe the line between reality and fantasy!
Thank you so much to the author for an advanced copy of this one!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I'm an emotional mess but in the best way! The vibes of this book dealing with grief, finding yourself, learning a forgotten past, and being loved for who you are. 🫠🫠🫠
All the different personalities in this MFFM worked together so well! I'm not even mad at the cliffhanger knowing this is a duet. I love a good found family trope mixed with loving, communicating relationships. I love these characters, even the grumpy one! I love the story! I'm vested!
Thank you to the author for an advance copy of the book. I'm in a happy book hangover.
All the different personalities in this MFFM worked together so well! I'm not even mad at the cliffhanger knowing this is a duet. I love a good found family trope mixed with loving, communicating relationships. I love these characters, even the grumpy one! I love the story! I'm vested!
Thank you to the author for an advance copy of the book. I'm in a happy book hangover.
Review of advance copy received from Author
if I could, I would give this one a 10* rating!
This is one of my favorite books so far this year! I absolutely adore Alice and Harley, Jessa and Ori just perfect the picture. The boy in the painting is so wonderfully fantastical, I damn near ignored my kids in favor of staying engrossed in this work of art. I highly recommend this! I also recommend tissues for this one.
Thank you G.B Bancroft for sharing your wonderful creation with me, I cannot wait for book 2!
This is one of my favorite books so far this year! I absolutely adore Alice and Harley, Jessa and Ori just perfect the picture. The boy in the painting is so wonderfully fantastical, I damn near ignored my kids in favor of staying engrossed in this work of art. I highly recommend this! I also recommend tissues for this one.
Thank you G.B Bancroft for sharing your wonderful creation with me, I cannot wait for book 2!
Review of advance copy received from Author
The grief Alice felt was so real and raw. Reading how she navigates through it while getting to know Jessa and Harley was so good.
I can not wait for The Girl in the Mirror ❤️
I can not wait for The Girl in the Mirror ❤️
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews