The Muse of Maiden Lane by Mimi Matthews Published by Penguin on November 19, 2024
Genres: Fiction / Romance / General, Fiction / Romance / Historical / General, Fiction / Romance / Historical / Victorian
Pages: 384
Format: ARC, eBook, Paperback
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A 2024 BookBub Best Historical Romance!
One of Parade's Best New Books of November 2024!
One of Amazon's and Apple's Best Romance Books of November 2024!A silver-haired equestrienne and a charismatic artist turn a scandalous bargain into a vibrant portrait of love.
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….
I loved this story and it was a beautiful way for these 4 ladies of the series to find their happiness in life. ~ Amanda – Simply Love Books
Mimi Matthews has saved the best for last because the Muse of Maiden Lane was a brilliant story of love and acceptance and my favorite in the series. Stella Hobhouse is in desperate need to marry and puts all her hopes that this holiday party will be the place that she makes a match. It hasn’t been easy, with her clergyman brother pushing her to marry an older gentleman so he can be rid of her, and the fact that she is a bit odd being 22 years old and has gray hair. Teddy Hayes, an aspiring painter, can’t believe his good fortune that he runs into his muse again (Stella) at the house party and wants desperately to paint her. What develops between these two individuals is an understanding and acceptance of one another.
Stella’s story was one in which I was anticipating because I knew it was going to take a special someone to see past her physical appearance. She’s been ridiculed for her hair in the past and knew it made it harder for her in finding a husband. Teddy lives now in a wheelchair after having scarlet fever 5 years ago. He doesn’t plan to marry because it was all about his art for him. Until Stella. Now he proposes a marriage of convenience for both of them to get what they both desire. They can live independently and live on their own terms. I loved how their secret correspondence brought them closer, and once Teddy recognizes Stella for herself, she blooms into a confident woman. Love came softly for these two but just as sweet and rewarding that they could find someone who would truly understand them. I loved this story and it was a beautiful way for these 4 ladies of the series to find their happiness in life
About Mimi Matthews
USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews writes both historical nonfiction and award-winning proper Victorian romances, including Fair as a Star, a Library Journal Best Romance of 2020; Gentleman Jim, a Kirkus Best Indie Romance of 2020; and The Work of Art, winner of the 2020 HOLT Medallion. Mimi’s novels have received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Booklist, and Kirkus, and her articles have been featured on the Victorian Web, the Journal of Victorian Culture, and in syndication at BUST Magazine.
In her other life, Mimi is an attorney. She resides in California with her family, which includes a retired Andalusian dressage horse, a Sheltie, and two Siamese cats.