The Secret Life of Lady Gabriella

by Liz Fielding

Lady Gabriella March is the perfect domestic goddess�at least, that's what her editor at Milady magazine thinks! In truth she's simply Ellie March, cleaner and aspiring writer, who uses the beautiful mansion she is house-sitting to inspire her.

When the owner returns unexpectedly, Ellie's fledgling writing career is threatened. But even more dangerous is the man himself! Gorgeous Dr. Benedict Faulkner is quite the opposite of the aging academic she imagined, and soon it is her heart, and not just her secret, that is exposed….

Genres: Romance, Harlequin, Harlequin Romance, Contemporary Romance

248 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Hi, I'm Liz Fielding, and I'm a best selling contemporary romance author with more than 15 million books in print and Katie Fforde wrote, when honouring me with the Romantic Novelists' Association's Outstanding Achievement Award in 2019 said - "Liz Fielding's books, with their warmth, humour and emotion, have charmed millions of readers. She is a true star of the romantic fiction genre..."

And now I've turned to a life of crime with my first cozy mystery. Murder Among the Roses, published on 18 April 2023 - of which Katie Fforde also said, "I was gripped from beginning to end..."

Reading is a big part of my life. I love witty, contemporary romances, not too much sex,, Women's fiction by the likes of Fiona Harper, Julie Cohen, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Jennifer Crusie and Barbara O'Neal. And I love crime fiction that isn't too gory, or focussed on clue hunting, but is big on character.

My best loved series at the moment are the Ruth Galloway series by Elly Griffiths, The Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch and the Libby Sarjeant Mysteries by Lesley Cookman. I've just read the first in the Georgina Drake crime series from Kate Hardy and looking forward to the next.

For news and excerpts of my new releases, visit me at http://www.lizfielding.com and sign up for my newsletter

Reviews

[Susan in Perthshire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another of LF’s older books re-released and ready to be enjoyed. This one stands the test of time even though some elements make it clear it was written ages ago.

This was simply fabulous. Ellie and Ben are just the most amazing characters, the meet- cute really is cute and the rest of their love story was a delight to read. The mix of humour and drama is so well balanced. My only criticism is that I would have liked to see Ben’s handling of Natasha’s unpleasantness at the end of the book, rather than hear him tell Ellie what he’s said.

But this was a joy to read - I heartily recommend. 5 stars.

[Aysha P · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've realized after reading this book that I either completely dislike Fielding's books or they're somewhat not too bad. This was about as pleasant as 15 minute old tea. I generally liked it. I liked the h, she was sweet and caring but with a pinch of desperation. I can't remember much else (albeit that I read this on Saturday) but I know that it was a sweet book. The OW was a troll but then most are.

[Anuradha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its a 2007 romance but it has an old world charm to it. Simple people, no major convoluted conflict.

Just a girl grieving after her first love dies, and learning to live again with the hero. The hero is a jaded academician who finds the guileless , simpleton heroine extremely endearing.

The title is about the girl building a false identity as a writer. She pretends to be a wealthy socialite with the perfect home and family, and writes about gardens, tea parties and such. And in reality she is just house sitting one such house for the hero in absentia.

Well, he turns up earlier than planned. They work their way through each other's past and learn to share the present. Just a small sexual encounter, interrupted by the OW. And the only scandalous thing in the story is the girl has her navel pierced !!

Lots of pets, lots of grief, lots of love, lots of fun. Good story. 4 stars.

[Elgyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Když je to celé založené na velkém tajemství, tak by to tajemství mělo za něco stát.

s. 47 „Carpe diem?“
„Přesně tak, latinské přísloví Prožij nevšední život.“
Až tak?

s. 88 Otci? Kdy řekla, že to byl otec, kdo jí to rozmluvil?
Na s. 45.

s. 68 řekla Lady Morrisonová
Teda Laura.

s. 47 (2×) Menchester United
s. 138 s se
s. 139 s [se]

ji/jí - s. 150
uvozovky – s. 150

[české vydání, 2009, Tajemství lady Gabriely]

[Annie Burrows · Rating 4 out of 5]

heart-warming

[Jessica Roark]

was really good

[thadine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ellie March is the cleaner/house-sitter hired by Benedict Faulkner's sister to look after his house whilst he is overseas for the next 12 months. He returns unexpectedly and the usual romantic hijinks ensue.

I didn't think I'd like this story at the beginning, as the heroine looked rather annoying. Many romance authors try to make "fiery" heroines who instead turn out to be arrogant and demanding, and I thought Ellie would turn out to be like this. However as the story progresses, she turns out to be quite nice. Just a few things I didn't like:

1. Ellie's guilt over her pretence regarding her "title" with the magazine editor. Why would she offer to return the money she had been paid? There's no reason for her to feel so guilty about the whole thing.

2. Benedict's anger on discovering Ellie's articles. This was so obviously contrived to be the "conflict" that all romance novels require. However, it was completely unbelievable. Why on earth would he get mad at her for it? I can understand being surprised, but why would he feel used and betrayed?

Those two things aside, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A frothy, fun, fast read. Ellie March is a widow trying to move forward with her life. She wants to seize opportunities and find excitement like she hadn’t before. She also needs to earn money. On a whim, she invents a fictional lady whose life is inspired by the beautiful mansion she is house sitting. She submits a fake column to a magazine for the well to-do and to her shock they hire her.

The owner of the home, Dr. Faulkner (or Doc) comes home to find that his sister has literally dropped a house sitter in his lap. He expects that she’ll stay for a few days but his resolve cracks as he gets to know her.

They’re each battling the demons of past relationships. Ellie’s worried about being disloyal to her now dead husband. Doc can’t seem to get beyond his beautiful, perfect ex.

I really enjoyed Ellie’s irrepresible spirit and creativity. Her adventures were mad cap and crazy, but she still seemed like a real person. Doc was a bit more one dimensional, and I thought his changes of opinions on things happened to quickly at times.

A very fun read and an author I’d pick up again. (4 out of 5 on my romance scale)

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has gone to the top of my favourites pile. It's a wonderful story and a delight to read. From Chapter One, Ellie's character - her internal musings and spoken words - are laugh-out-loud funny, and I loved her instantly. Ellie brought to mind another much loved character; Anne Shirley,from L.M. Montgomery's classic Anne of Green Gables.

This is one romance where you know without a shadow of a doubt that Ben and Ellie are made for each other. Alongside the warm and funny humour, this story also contains a large sprinkling of emotion, synonymous with every Liz Fielding story, that will have the reader reaching for the tissues while swallowing the lump in her throat.

Aside from the romance, any reader who is also an aspiring writer will have total empathy with Ellie's writing experiences! Whatever your circumstances, by the time the book draws to its climax, you will feel so close to Ellie and Ben that you won't want to let them go.

This is one story you don't want to miss!

[Emmie Dark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really cute, really sweet, lovely book. Mostly because I loved the heroine and her beautifully understated conflict. She's not your usual tortured, grieving heroine, but there's a thread of unhappiness through her on-the-surface sparkly outlook on life. The hero I had less of an understanding of -- he was heroic, but personally I'd have liked more insight into him.

*spoiler ahead*

My only quibble was with the ending -- why a marriage proposal? Unlike some Sweets where the sex scene ends at the door -- this one didn't even have one. They'd never had sex and yet were getting married? I know it does happen, but not very often in this day and age.

So apart from that little eye-rolling moment at the end, I really enjoyed this book.

[Peggy Parsons · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last half of the book was rewarding with humor and a satisfying ending. But the first half of the book seemed to have propelled by unnecessary conflict. The arrangement only needed to be awkward and uncomfortable. The smothered hostility between the two was unnecessary and off-putting. That said, I'd be willing try another of her books.

[Becky Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, sometimes moving, always involving. Easy to read with Fielding's usual light touch, clear prose and gentle humour.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely, warm, sweet read.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely, laugh out loud. Gem of a book!

[Jean Cowden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little book had some fine writing, great characters and a exciting plot. I loved the story. I couldn't put it down until I finished it.