SOLVED. British romance about a girl named Sophie whose mother dies and she goes to live with her step-brother Max- there is also a secondary character named Celia. [s]

[Sharon]

Looking for a book that I borrowed from a library in Australia back in 1996 in hardback. It was a British romance, which given the subject matter could have been published anytime between 1945 and 1995. The main character was named Sophie, she was a rather spoiled girl who was at a finishing school in Switzerland. Her mother was the mistress of a rather wealthy man, but when both die, Sophie is poverty stricken. Max, her step-brother, takes her in reluctantly. He is an author with a kind hearted but plain neighbour named Celia. Inevitably, Max and Sophie fall in love... And that's all I can remember. Please help. I have been looking for this book for a long time.

[Kris]

Melting Fire by Anne Mather is a partial match. Heroine returns home from a finishing school in Switzerland (according to an Amazon reviewer), hero is her half-brother.

Sharon, what's the time period - is this historical romance?

[Sharon]

Kris wrote: "Melting Fire by Anne Mather is a partial match. Heroine returns home from a finishing school in Switzerland (according to an Amazon reviewer), hero is her half-brother.
..."

In one scene the heroine wears a white swimsuit- so I would say not historical, but anywhere from 1950 onwards.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Sharon, you ruled out Kris's suggestion then?

[Sharon]

Lobstergirl wrote: "Sharon, you ruled out Kris's suggestion then?"

It's similar, but not it. The hero was definitely called Max and he was a successful but reclusive author. I think the title may have even had the word 'Sophie' I'm but can't be too sure. It's so frustrating.

[Sharon]

I found it. 'Sophie's Story' by Nina Lambert. Out of print now, so will have to search out a second hand copy. Thanks all.

[Kris]

Great! Thanks for the update, Sharon.

Sophie's Story by Nina Lambert
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sophies-Stor...