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The Merricks #1
A Symphony for the Earl
Not yet published
Expected 4 Jul 26
Amid the chaos of a London Season, can a fiery Irish pianist and her overbearing guardian come to an understanding long enough to fall in love?
For two years, piano virtuoso Fiona Rafferty has waited for her father to return home from a sea voyage. But now Irish law declares him deceased and says she’s an orphan at eighteen. The last thing she needs is an overbearing and arrogant English guardian, but she’s packed off to London until she comes of age.
Richard Merrick, Earl of Seldon, doesn’t need an outspoken ward who takes the ton by storm, plays Beethoven instead of minuets, and disregards him at every turn. Even more maddening is his growing attraction to the willful Miss Rafferty.
When a shocking indiscretion amid Mrs. Drummond-Burrell’s prizewinning camellias forces them into the betrothal of the Season, neither can admit they’re falling in love. And when they finally do, Fiona’s past threatens to derail any hope of a wedding.
For two years, piano virtuoso Fiona Rafferty has waited for her father to return home from a sea voyage. But now Irish law declares him deceased and says she’s an orphan at eighteen. The last thing she needs is an overbearing and arrogant English guardian, but she’s packed off to London until she comes of age.
Richard Merrick, Earl of Seldon, doesn’t need an outspoken ward who takes the ton by storm, plays Beethoven instead of minuets, and disregards him at every turn. Even more maddening is his growing attraction to the willful Miss Rafferty.
When a shocking indiscretion amid Mrs. Drummond-Burrell’s prizewinning camellias forces them into the betrothal of the Season, neither can admit they’re falling in love. And when they finally do, Fiona’s past threatens to derail any hope of a wedding.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication July 4, 2026
About the author
Patricia Wilson
124 books182 followersPatricia Wilson (1929 – 2010) was a best-selling writer of 53 romance novels for the Mills & Boon publisher from 1986 to 2004. She placed her novels primarily in England, Spain or France.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As a former professional pianist, I am excited to devour any Regency story about music. Unfortunately, it was egregiously obvious that the writer didn't have any understanding of playing piano, and instead of glossing it over, she devoted a huge amount of page time to music-making, which was overwhelmingly incorrect and not believable.
The dialogue about music, both internal and external, is not the way musicians talk. There were plenty of big words, many of them used incorrectly. There was no understanding of what the character would have learned at the Dublin Conservatory — which, in actuality, was founded 70 years after this book was written (which makes sense if you know music history). Most frustrating to me was the many mentions of the physical sensations of playing the piano which are just not how bodies work. For instance, at one point they discuss ring size in relation to piano-playing ability. We're pianists, not body builders! I know plenty of professional pianists— playing larger, heavier instruments than the characters had in this time period — with tiny hands and yes, small ring sizes. It was not once or twice, but the whole book was filled with problems like this.
As for the plot.... I was immediately drawn to both Fiona and Richard as characters. They each felt dynamic, with wants and flaws and style. I also really enjoyed the family and community setting, an the interplay between the side characters. This immersive family setting and wide cast of characters was where the book was lovely and kept me reading.
The romance was primarily insta-lust. This is not my favorite trope, but I think it was well done if that's your style. There was plenty of craving, brief passionate scenes that kept getting interrupted, and the characters' obsession with each other built steadily. Personally, I could not see any reason that the mains were drawn to each other besides physical attraction — at least Fiona admits this, and says several times that she doesn't think they have enough to build a marriage on. Richard, unfortunately, just shuts her down and says that they do, and buys her more presents. Even in the last quarter of the book, I found myself more interested in each individual than in their relationship.
If you are looking for an insta-love dream hero, this story ticks all the boxes. He's physically perfect, obsessed with her body, rich, capable, and rains presents on her. The Cinderella/instant princess vibes were strong with this one, and the writing and characters were interesting enough to carry the story.
If you like relationship building or care about the music, I'd give this a pass.
The dialogue about music, both internal and external, is not the way musicians talk. There were plenty of big words, many of them used incorrectly. There was no understanding of what the character would have learned at the Dublin Conservatory — which, in actuality, was founded 70 years after this book was written (which makes sense if you know music history). Most frustrating to me was the many mentions of the physical sensations of playing the piano which are just not how bodies work. For instance, at one point they discuss ring size in relation to piano-playing ability. We're pianists, not body builders! I know plenty of professional pianists— playing larger, heavier instruments than the characters had in this time period — with tiny hands and yes, small ring sizes. It was not once or twice, but the whole book was filled with problems like this.
As for the plot.... I was immediately drawn to both Fiona and Richard as characters. They each felt dynamic, with wants and flaws and style. I also really enjoyed the family and community setting, an the interplay between the side characters. This immersive family setting and wide cast of characters was where the book was lovely and kept me reading.
The romance was primarily insta-lust. This is not my favorite trope, but I think it was well done if that's your style. There was plenty of craving, brief passionate scenes that kept getting interrupted, and the characters' obsession with each other built steadily. Personally, I could not see any reason that the mains were drawn to each other besides physical attraction — at least Fiona admits this, and says several times that she doesn't think they have enough to build a marriage on. Richard, unfortunately, just shuts her down and says that they do, and buys her more presents. Even in the last quarter of the book, I found myself more interested in each individual than in their relationship.
If you are looking for an insta-love dream hero, this story ticks all the boxes. He's physically perfect, obsessed with her body, rich, capable, and rains presents on her. The Cinderella/instant princess vibes were strong with this one, and the writing and characters were interesting enough to carry the story.
If you like relationship building or care about the music, I'd give this a pass.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A Regency romance which starts with Richard Merrick, Earl of Seldon, unexpectedly finding himself guardian to Fiona Rafferty, who is believed to be orphaned. Things between them get off to a bad start, and their relationship continues tempestuously as it progresses through complications, obstacles and failure to communicate towards the inevitable happy ending.
The plot has its unlikely aspects, and towards the end there is a coincidence of timing that defies belief. As often with Regency romances, one has to suspend one's disbelief at language and behaviour out of place for the time.
There are also factual slips. FIona is a gifted pianist. The pieces she is described as playing include: a Bach cantata - unlikely, given that his cantatas were vocal works not suited to piano arrangements; a Schubert étude - he did not write études; and a Toreador Song by Schubert - he never wrote one, and the famous Toreador Song was in Bizet's "Carmen", first performed in 1875.
At one point Fiona asks if a couple can be engaged when banns have not been read - she would have known that banns were read in the weeks before a wedding, after the betrothal. RIchard responds that he has arranged for banns to be published in a newspaper: an engagement might be announced in a newspaper, but banns had to be read in a church.
At another point, the author has Richard spend a morning on business at his estate near Wembley, then travel to Bath to collect a sister, than then come to London in time to attend part of a soirée - all in a single day. A glance at a map would have told the author that this was impossible. The travelling would have taken several days.
On the plus side, Fiona is a likeable character, even if it felt to me that her characterisation is more appropriate for someone of the second half of the 20th century.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me have an advance review copy in exchange for an honest review.
The plot has its unlikely aspects, and towards the end there is a coincidence of timing that defies belief. As often with Regency romances, one has to suspend one's disbelief at language and behaviour out of place for the time.
There are also factual slips. FIona is a gifted pianist. The pieces she is described as playing include: a Bach cantata - unlikely, given that his cantatas were vocal works not suited to piano arrangements; a Schubert étude - he did not write études; and a Toreador Song by Schubert - he never wrote one, and the famous Toreador Song was in Bizet's "Carmen", first performed in 1875.
At one point Fiona asks if a couple can be engaged when banns have not been read - she would have known that banns were read in the weeks before a wedding, after the betrothal. RIchard responds that he has arranged for banns to be published in a newspaper: an engagement might be announced in a newspaper, but banns had to be read in a church.
At another point, the author has Richard spend a morning on business at his estate near Wembley, then travel to Bath to collect a sister, than then come to London in time to attend part of a soirée - all in a single day. A glance at a map would have told the author that this was impossible. The travelling would have taken several days.
On the plus side, Fiona is a likeable character, even if it felt to me that her characterisation is more appropriate for someone of the second half of the 20th century.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me have an advance review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Fiona is one of the best characters I have encountered so far, this story is so well crafted with historical facts, also you can feel the music as a living being part of te narrative, Patricia nailed the narrative and the way she makes us care for these characters and each of their struggles to become who they are meant to be.
Thanks for the ARC.
Thanks for the ARC.
June 19, 2026
A Symphony for the Earl gets 5 stars from me as a fantastic historical fiction book. I love Victorian era romance so this was a fun read. The FMC and MMC were both likeable. The yearning was fantastic and the conflict was perfect. The side characters were delightful and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews