With her unorthodox looks and her family’s dwindling funds, equestrienne Stella Hobhouse knows she is on a steady track to spinsterhood. Her outmodish gray hair makes her invisible to London society, and her pious brother’s domineering restrictions have her convinced she’ll spend the rest of her days trapped in Derbyshire without a chance at love or freedom. Until she meets aspiring artist Teddy Hayes.
Teddy knows true beauty when he sees it, and it only takes one look at Stella for him to be convinced she must be the star of his next portrait. After a bout of scarlet fever left him partially paralyzed, he knows the importance of seizing an opportunity before it’s gone, and he’ll do anything to persuade his muse to pose for him. The pair strike up a powerful friendship, and though Teddy seems to be the only person who truly sees Stella for who she is, she can’t risk her reputation to be known as an artists’ model.
That is, until Teddy offers Stella an offer she’s hard pressed to refuse. Knowing Stella craves nothing more than her freedom from until her brother’s thumb—and fighting for his own independence from his overly attentive family—Teddy offers Stella a marriage of convenience if she agrees to pose for him. Stella struggles to reconcile her growing feelings for Teddy with his pragmatic offer, but while Teddy has yearned to trace Stella’s luminous beauty on canvas since their first meeting, she’ll discover it’s her heart he truly aches to capture.
My Review:
"The
Muse of Maiden Lane" by Mimi Matthews is a lovely conclusion to the
“Belles of London” series! This series follows four horse loving friends during
the Victorian era. This final installment tells Stella and Teddy’s story.
Stella Hobhouse has always stood out due to her silver hair. Even though
Stella’s hair makes her stand out, it is not always in a good way. She is used
to being overlooked by gentlemen because of that very thing, making her
somewhat of an oddity. Teddy Hayes is an artist who uses a wheelchair, due to
being partially paralyzed by scarlet fever. Teddy sees Stella and is taken
aback by her beauty and feels that he must paint her portrait, even though
sitting for a portrait is considered scandalous for a lady of that time. Ms.
Matthews once again brings her readers well thought out and complex, loveable
characters. I instantly fell in love with Stella and her love for her horse,
Locket. Stella feels more confident and independent with Locket. Teddy’s
character brings great disability representation, while also being a
three-dimensional hero that readers will root for. It is refreshing to see a
male protagonist who deals with chronic pain. I love how Mimi shows what the
reality of life would have been like for someone in a wheelchair and partly
paralyzed, especially in that era. There is also a lot of talk about art,
artists, and techniques that I found fascinating. Readers of Ms. Matthews’s
books will love seeing characters from the previous books in this series as
well as from her “Parish Orphans of Devon” series. I especially loved the house
party setting and getting so much time with characters from other books. Both
Stella and Teddy have things that make them different and considered odd in
their society and they want to find independence. Combine these characters with
a marriage of convenience plot and you have a winner! I only wish there were
more books in the series!
Content: I
give this book a PG-13 rating. Some examples of the content are: mention of
prostitutes and brothels; the Lord’s name is taken in vain; the words “da*n,
“bloody,” “hell,” and “devil” are used; characters drink alcohol;
reference to someone being born out of wedlock and a bastard; talk of someone
having a mistress; someone struggles with depression; a man wants his future
wife to pose in the nude for him to paint; talk of wedding night and
consummation; fade to black scene with kissing and undressing to underwear.
I
voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from
the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
About the Author
Mimi Matthews is the USA Today bestselling author of several historical nonfiction works and award-winning Victorian romance novels. Her novels have received starred reviews in Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, 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. Learn more online at www.mimimatthews.com.
