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Romilly
Edwardian high society favourite Lady Cynthia Sheradon receives the shock of her life when she discovers the secret that her late husband has left behind ─ a love-child from a lowly background, Romilly, whose life has also been shattered by the revelation. To her dismay, Romilly has inherited a fortune from her unknown father but is now orphaned and alone in the world. Setting aside any natural hostility and risking her social position, Cynthia seeks to adopt Romilly with unforeseen consequences which threaten to destroy her. The only solution to the resulting turmoil requires her to give up the thing that she holds most precious, but the rewards for her courage are greater than she could ever have imagined. Romilly continues the story of a character from Pommeroy, although can be read as a stand-alone novel.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 14, 2014
104 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Cate Charleston
7 books9 followersIf it’s sexy, sweeping romance you’re after, then the Cate Charleston brand probably isn’t for you! Instead, my books concern women facing difficult dilemmas such as we all do when heart and head lead down different paths and hard choices must be made. But there is always a love story, and love in its many forms is ever-present.
I live with my long-term partner amid the glorious countryside of Mid-Wales which provides inspiration for the natural description always to be found in my stories. If you’d like to contact me about them, please feel free to do so through the charlestonslade website. I promise to reply!
I live with my long-term partner amid the glorious countryside of Mid-Wales which provides inspiration for the natural description always to be found in my stories. If you’d like to contact me about them, please feel free to do so through the charlestonslade website. I promise to reply!
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 8, 2017
This is definitely not a fun, escape HR read. There's a lot to chew on here and some great depth to the characters. A sequel to Pommeroy, with one of its main protagonists a secondary character from that first book, it may be my favorite Charleston book.
The setting is the early 1900s. Lady Cynthia Sheradon is recently widowed and discovers, from provisions of her husband's will, that he has an illegitimate daughter (Romilly Vaughn). Romilly is 20, an orphan now b/c her mother had died some months before her father (whom she had known only as a family friend who visited their modest home occasionally).
This sets in motion a complicated, emotional story of growth of character (Cynthia's) and growth of relationships (Cynthia and Romilly). Who would have thought that Lady Cynthia had so much depth hidden in her flighty, hedonistic character, to want to claim this relationship with her illegitimate stepdaughter in spite of upper-class snobbery?
Romilly also is a conflicted character. Raised a religious, devout Methodist by a mother who had turned to religion in atonement for her sin of adultery, she finds herself uncomfortable at times with some of the restrictions the Methodist community puts upon her, but, not knowing any other life, feels this must be a failure in herself.
So the story mainly concerns itself with the in-depth growth of these two main characters and the love and affection which develops between them, and Romilly's integration into her father's family. There's an H/h love story too, but its inclusion is really just another branch on the Cynthia/Romilly relationship tree. It caused me and the characters some pages of angst and anguish, but, not to worry, there's an HEA here.
The setting is the early 1900s. Lady Cynthia Sheradon is recently widowed and discovers, from provisions of her husband's will, that he has an illegitimate daughter (Romilly Vaughn). Romilly is 20, an orphan now b/c her mother had died some months before her father (whom she had known only as a family friend who visited their modest home occasionally).
This sets in motion a complicated, emotional story of growth of character (Cynthia's) and growth of relationships (Cynthia and Romilly). Who would have thought that Lady Cynthia had so much depth hidden in her flighty, hedonistic character, to want to claim this relationship with her illegitimate stepdaughter in spite of upper-class snobbery?
Romilly also is a conflicted character. Raised a religious, devout Methodist by a mother who had turned to religion in atonement for her sin of adultery, she finds herself uncomfortable at times with some of the restrictions the Methodist community puts upon her, but, not knowing any other life, feels this must be a failure in herself.
So the story mainly concerns itself with the in-depth growth of these two main characters and the love and affection which develops between them, and Romilly's integration into her father's family. There's an H/h love story too, but its inclusion is really just another branch on the Cynthia/Romilly relationship tree. It caused me and the characters some pages of angst and anguish, but, not to worry, there's an HEA here.
March 12, 2017
An Edwardian family/romance story but certainly with many twists to it that it could very well have been set in present times. The over riding sense of protocol and correctness was certainly there but not overwhelmingly so, and whether such a situation could survive in those times I really do not know but it made for a very interesting, fast paced read.
Romilly and her mother have lived a very quiet life. Being Methodist, 'chapel' rules their day to day lives and both of them seem very satisfied the way it has turned out to be. Romilly has never questioned why she is so sequestered from others, not encouraged to make friends even at the academy she went to and certainly not with members of the chapel. Her mother despite being an ardent supporter of chapel, maintains a reserve that is chilling.
With the death of her mother, Romilly's new life begins with startling revelations. It also brings her into contact with the very rich and very social world. A world totally alien to her and which she has been always told to hold aloof from. How she is going to reconcile her natural good sense with what she has been taught from the day she was born is tricky because many things go against the grain. Despite a very delicate air, Romilly survives and thrives meeting antagonism and social disapproval head on because she has the support of her new immediate family.
The romance was for me just by the way as the story of family and support, and women standing up for themselves was much more important. It was however a nice by product!
Romilly and her mother have lived a very quiet life. Being Methodist, 'chapel' rules their day to day lives and both of them seem very satisfied the way it has turned out to be. Romilly has never questioned why she is so sequestered from others, not encouraged to make friends even at the academy she went to and certainly not with members of the chapel. Her mother despite being an ardent supporter of chapel, maintains a reserve that is chilling.
With the death of her mother, Romilly's new life begins with startling revelations. It also brings her into contact with the very rich and very social world. A world totally alien to her and which she has been always told to hold aloof from. How she is going to reconcile her natural good sense with what she has been taught from the day she was born is tricky because many things go against the grain. Despite a very delicate air, Romilly survives and thrives meeting antagonism and social disapproval head on because she has the support of her new immediate family.
The romance was for me just by the way as the story of family and support, and women standing up for themselves was much more important. It was however a nice by product!
August 12, 2017
4.25 * Another great novel by Cate Charleston set in early 1900's England. Having recently read Pommeroy, I was anxious to read this follow up which features one of the secondary characters, Lady Cynthia Sheradon, from that book. This book is titled Romilly, but to me, it is very much Cynthia's book too. They are both the main characters in this story and even though there is eventually a romance, it is secondary to the relationship that develops between Cynthia and Romilly.
Romilly is 18 when she discovers that much of what she has been told her whole life is a lie. Her mother has recently died and she feels very alone in the world. All her life she had been told that her father had died before she was born and her mother portrayed herself as a widow. In fact, she was a product of an affair her mother had with Lord Reggie Sheradon. Reggie had provided for them and even visited the home on several occasions, passing himself off as a friend of her late father. Romilly and her mother had a comfortable life, but not lavish as her mother became a devout Methodist and devoted much of her life to this church and their strict way of life. For Romilly, the church was basically her only social outlet as her mother had discouraged her daughter from forming any other outside friendships, presumably because of her fear or the shame related to Romilly's birth.
Shortly after her mother's death, Reggie Sheradon also passes away. He has provided a large sum of money for Romilly in his will. Lady Cynthia had never known about Romilly but she is soon to find out. Cynthia is a complicated person and this book is very much a character study of her and the self realization she goes through. The book details this as well as changes and discoveries within Romilly too. The friendship and love that develops between Cynthia and Romilly was very heartwarming, even though there were some definite bumps along the way.
I wish there had been an epilogue because I felt the ending didn't quite satisfy me entirely as to how the MC were going to maneuver through society given the complexity of their biggest conflict. Other than that little niggling complaint, I thought this was a beautiful read and I look forward to reading other Cate Charleston books.
Romilly is 18 when she discovers that much of what she has been told her whole life is a lie. Her mother has recently died and she feels very alone in the world. All her life she had been told that her father had died before she was born and her mother portrayed herself as a widow. In fact, she was a product of an affair her mother had with Lord Reggie Sheradon. Reggie had provided for them and even visited the home on several occasions, passing himself off as a friend of her late father. Romilly and her mother had a comfortable life, but not lavish as her mother became a devout Methodist and devoted much of her life to this church and their strict way of life. For Romilly, the church was basically her only social outlet as her mother had discouraged her daughter from forming any other outside friendships, presumably because of her fear or the shame related to Romilly's birth.
Shortly after her mother's death, Reggie Sheradon also passes away. He has provided a large sum of money for Romilly in his will. Lady Cynthia had never known about Romilly but she is soon to find out. Cynthia is a complicated person and this book is very much a character study of her and the self realization she goes through. The book details this as well as changes and discoveries within Romilly too. The friendship and love that develops between Cynthia and Romilly was very heartwarming, even though there were some definite bumps along the way.
I wish there had been an epilogue because I felt the ending didn't quite satisfy me entirely as to how the MC were going to maneuver through society given the complexity of their biggest conflict. Other than that little niggling complaint, I thought this was a beautiful read and I look forward to reading other Cate Charleston books.
November 23, 2017
Excellent
This is a heart-wrenching plot filled with so much emotion I could hardly put it down.
The main characters are so well described that you can feel what they're feeling. The desolation, sorrow, humiliation, love and innocence are all part of what makes this a five-star read in my opinion. I just loved Romilly. She's so naive and innocent. Her world changes so drastically so quickly her self doubt and fear almost threaten to immobilize her.
I highly recommend readers of historical romance fiction to read this book. The plot is amazing.
This is a heart-wrenching plot filled with so much emotion I could hardly put it down.
The main characters are so well described that you can feel what they're feeling. The desolation, sorrow, humiliation, love and innocence are all part of what makes this a five-star read in my opinion. I just loved Romilly. She's so naive and innocent. Her world changes so drastically so quickly her self doubt and fear almost threaten to immobilize her.
I highly recommend readers of historical romance fiction to read this book. The plot is amazing.
December 22, 2019
Evviva! Finalmente un'altra scrittrice di classe. La storia della giovane Romilly, che scopre di essere una figlia illegittima e viene generosamente accolta in casa dalla vedova di suo padre (diventando, per un capriccio del destino, sua rivale in amore) è originale, i personaggi sono disegnati con affetto e partecipazione, e la storia si dipana con il ritmo giusto.
Purtroppo, chi scrive così non può sfornare un romanzo al secondo: mi procurerò subito quelli già esistenti, e mi armerò di pazienza.
Purtroppo, chi scrive così non può sfornare un romanzo al secondo: mi procurerò subito quelli già esistenti, e mi armerò di pazienza.
May 3, 2018
A delightful historical story
This is a story filled with complex situations which could very easily occur today too.
A married woman is contemptuous of her kind generous husband, flaunting her many adulterous affairs openly. The last one was with a much younger man. Her husband never treats her behaviour with the disgust it deserves. He has his own secrets. It is a well-written intriguiging story. Recommended.
This is a story filled with complex situations which could very easily occur today too.
A married woman is contemptuous of her kind generous husband, flaunting her many adulterous affairs openly. The last one was with a much younger man. Her husband never treats her behaviour with the disgust it deserves. He has his own secrets. It is a well-written intriguiging story. Recommended.
October 25, 2018
Low 3
The story is quite good, although at times a bit subjugated to religion. But the tendency to switch POV on a whim is beyond annoying. The habit ignores the rules of limited 3rd person and don't try telling me it's omni. It most definitely is not.
The story is quite good, although at times a bit subjugated to religion. But the tendency to switch POV on a whim is beyond annoying. The habit ignores the rules of limited 3rd person and don't try telling me it's omni. It most definitely is not.
February 13, 2018
Lovely
Redemption story about the power of love,not just a romance. Pommeroy should be read first to really appreciate this story.
Redemption story about the power of love,not just a romance. Pommeroy should be read first to really appreciate this story.
February 20, 2016
Nearly gave up on reading this one
And I'm not sure why I didn't. I had hoped it would improve, and it did somewhat after the first third. Royally herself was a pretty boring and somewhat insipid character. Her "aunt" was a bit more interesting - but this is overall a predictable, cliche novel, and eminently forgettable.
And I'm not sure why I didn't. I had hoped it would improve, and it did somewhat after the first third. Royally herself was a pretty boring and somewhat insipid character. Her "aunt" was a bit more interesting - but this is overall a predictable, cliche novel, and eminently forgettable.
April 2, 2015
Thanks, Cate
Twists and turns and perhaps highly unlikely, but I really enjoyed this book. The discovery of her deceased husband's daughter causes a lady to change her life and those of many others.
Twists and turns and perhaps highly unlikely, but I really enjoyed this book. The discovery of her deceased husband's daughter causes a lady to change her life and those of many others.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews