The Muse of Maiden Lane
Author: Mimi Matthews
Reviewer: Ang
Rating: A
What I’m Talking About:
The Muse of Maiden Lane is book 4 in the Belle of London series. I had not heard of this series, nor had I read any of the previous books but that did not prevent me from understanding or enjoying The Muse of Maiden Lane.
Stella and Teddy are smart, well written characters that compliment one another beautifully. The secondary characters add a lovely depth and dimension to Teddy and Stella and their story. The relationships between the characters are explained without taking interest away from Stella and Teddy.
The settings are interesting as they add variety and interests especially to Teddy’s struggles, helping Stella to understand his vulnerability and his moodiness. Stella is lovely and her friendships are beautifully written. Her struggle to find herself in a world desperately trying to silence her is as relevant today as it would have been in the 1800s. Finally, the chemistry between Stella and Teddy is clear but tender and written in a way to let the reader know what is happening without getting into the often over the top sex scenes many romance novels indulge in.
Overall, The Muse of Maiden Lane was a lovely distraction on a rainy afternoon: a great book to sit by the fire with while enjoying a hot drink and forgetting the dumpster fire that can often be reality.
My Rating: A Loved It
Ang
About the Book:
Stella Hobhouse is a brilliant rider, stalwart friend, skilled sketch artist—and completely overlooked. Her outmodish gray hair makes her invisible to London society. Combined with her brother’s pious restrictions and her dwindling inheritance, Stella is on the verge of a lifetime marooned in Derbyshire as a spinster. Unless she does something drastic…like posing for a daring new style of portrait by the only man who’s ever really seen her.
Aspiring painter Edward “Teddy” Hayes knows true beauty when he sees it. He would never ask Stella to risk her reputation as an artist’s model but in the five years since a virulent bout of scarlet fever left him partially paralyzed, Teddy has learned to heed good fortune when he finds it. He’ll do anything to persuade his muse to pose for him, even if he must offer her a marriage of convenience.
After all, though Teddy has yearned to trace Stella’s luminous beauty on canvas since their chance meeting, her heart is what he truly aches to capture….
Release Date: November 19, 2024
Publisher: Berkley
Series: Belle of London #4
Genre: Historical Romance
Format(s): paperback (384 pages), e-book, audiobook
Book Source: Publisher / NetGalley
Purchase Info:
Amazon (affiliate link)