Ambrose & Estelle

by Charlotte Applewhite

Love and scandal in Regency England, and a second chance at romance in a world where duty and desire collide.

Behind the opulent façade of Edgemere Hall, the Duke and Duchess of Summersley’s marriage lies in ruins. To the Regency ton, Ambrose and Estelle are the epitome of aristocratic harmony—yet their smiles hide years of silent heartbreak.
When Estelle travels to Bath to escape her misery and guide her daughter Violet toward her society debut, she vows to leave the past behind. But Ambrose, haunted by the hollowness of life without her, is determined to reclaim the family he took for granted.

In Bath, Estelle finds more to occupy her than she expected, when she strikes up a friendship with a handsome military officer, who is staying at the same hotel.

Ambrose, meanwhile, must confront the wounds of pride and neglect that drove his wife away. With time slipping through his fingers, he risks everything to prove his devotion—but can a bond fractured by years of coldness ever be repaired?

In a world where reputation is everything, will duty triumph… or will desire rewrite their story?

If you love closed door historical romance with vibrant characters, and a warm inviting family that beckons you into the heartrending turmoil of Regency relationships then you’ll love the Summersley Series.

242 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 15, 2025

Reviews

[Maxine Burns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent book by Charlotte Applewhite. This was the second in the Summersley series. It followed on beautifully from book 1 and I loved the character development of both Ambrose and Estelle and the storyline and family dynamics made it so interesting.

[Sue Bluntish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great storyline

Book 2 of the Summersley saga doesn’t disappoint, it leaves you impatient for book 3. This great storyline continues with its strong diverse and fascinating characters. Superbly written as you would expect from the author ( Julia Brannan ) of the Jacobite Chronicles .

[Lise F · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Masterful Work: Ambrose and Estelle Shine in the Summersley Series second installation

Charlotte Applewhite has done it again. Just days after its release, Ambrose and Estelle proves to be a breathtaking and utterly satisfying lure into the beloved Summersley series.

From the very first page, Applewhite immerses us back into the lush, romantic world we've come to adore. This book focuses on the long-anticipated union of the brooding, honorable Ambrose Summersley and the fiercely intelligent, independent Estelle. Their journey is not a simple one; it is a beautifully crafted dance of vulnerability, mistakes wit, rage and deep-seated passion. The chemistry between them crackles off the page, making every stolen glance and charged conversation an absolute delight to read. It is a tale of deepest redemption and reawakening .

What makes this novel exceptional is how Applewhite masterfully ties together threads from the parents of Rose ( Book one) series. Us fans are rewarded with poignant callbacks and heartwarming resolutions for the entire Summersley clan, making the reading experience feel like a joyful reunion. Yet, the story stands powerfully on its own, a testament to Applewhite's skill in creating rich, individual character arcs within a broader narrative. The life lessons and brutal devastation abusive parenting can cause for future relationships are immensely insightful .

The prose is, as always, elegant and evocative. The dialogue is sharp and authentic, and the emotional depth will have you laughing one moment and reaching for a tissue the next. Applewhite doesn’t just tell a love story; she makes you feel it in your bones.

Ambrose and Estelle is more than a historical romance; it’s a perfect payoff for patient readers and a triumphant showcase of everything that makes this series great: complex characters, simmering tension, tragedy , loss and and a heartfelt belief in the transformative power of love.

A must-read for series devotees and a brilliant entry point for new readers. Five dazzling stars without a doubt. Charlotte Applewhite has cemented her place as a auto-buy author with this flawless book two !

[Anne-Mammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I thought all the reservations I had had when I reviewed Rose had been dealt with. There was nothing self conscious about this story and I felt Charlotte was now really comfortable in writing regency romance books. I loved both the gradual opening up of Ambrose to his children and Estelle’s involvement with the charming Stephen. I wondered whether Ambrose was going to find them embracing as he made a surprise visit to Bath, but no the author dealt with Ambrose discovering Estelle’s love interest in a very much more subtle way. I leave you to discover how it happened.
It is rare to find a book where you feel sympathy for all the characters. There is no villain here; the children are delightful. I am really looking forward to reading Violet’s story and will pre order as soon as it comes available. I hope we also get Rowan’s story as he shows great promise as the heir apparent.
Thank you for a few very pleasant hours spent with the Summersley

[Shea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was not at all what I was expecting but I still enjoyed it. When a book is called "Ambrose & Estelle" you don't expect the main characters to spend 90% of the book apart and not even in communication with each other. I enjoy the stories about this family and this moved the whole family's story along but I think it was misnamed.

[Sheila Girten · Rating 5 out of 5]

transformation

As I continue to love the strength of Estelle and the constraints of the time period, it was fascinating and heartbreaking to learn of Ambrose’s back story and beautifully watch a ridged man’s transformation 🥰