Those who know only a little about Beethoven will likely enjoy this more than those more familiar with the man and his work. This works as historical fiction about one aspect of his life- his relationship with Julie and the Moonlight Sonata. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC.

I LOVE historical fiction, the detail to era in this novel is stunning!
Early 19th century Austrian Empire? Sign me up!
this beautiful love story between Countess Guilietta and Ludwig Beethoven. Is beautifully writing an array of colourful and witty characters. it was funny and devastating what more could you want from a novel?

I couldn't put it down, if you are a fan of the genre i highly recommend it.

4 stars.

Unfortunately I did not like this book. It is well written and fast-paced, and I cannot really say I was bored at some point. However, my main issue was that I found the characters had no development and I could not understand why a musician such as Beethoven could have been inspired by such a dull woman as Julieta, and vice versa, how could she loved for more than two decades a man that showed her no real love. Put in another way, I did not find the characters relatable nor believable and hence, I was disappointed by a promising love story that was simply not there. The Woman in Moonlight is the story of a beautiful countess which inspired Beethoven to write his Moonlight Sonata. While the story is fictional, I think there was a lot of material the author could have used to make this story more passionate, more alive. Julie meets Beethoven when she’s barely 18 years old, and falls head over heels with the musician. He also falls in love with her but circumstances –economical mainly, will separate them. Beethoven will hate her and mistreat her for 15 years when they happen to meet by chance. Julie marries another man but she still thinks of Beethoven. And that is basically the plot. I must say I disliked Julie a lot –she seemed capricious, spoiled, and I hated the distain she showed to other women, those who love Beethoven too. In this, I found her personality contradictory because, while she claimed to be truly devoted to a man, I could not help but feel she was condescending to other people and women. For example, while she saw her cousin Josephine lead a very tragic life, she always held a grudge against her because Beethoven was always attracted to her. Likewise, we are led to believe she always hated her mother, who was not a good wife and did not agree with her love for Beethoven, and yet, many years later, in her deathbed, Julie mourns her passing. I mean, ok, she is your mother but you spent more than a decade away from her and fighting and out of nowhere you change your mind? This does not seem logical.

Another issue that bothered me –and perhaps the one that bothered me the most- was the love story. Why? Because there was none to be honest. While artists usually have muses from whom they draw inspiration, we never truly see what made Julie so special to Beethoven. To be fair, they were together barely a year, maybe, but I never felt there was a true exchange of words, thoughts, and feelings among them. A novel like this one could have benefited a lot from the exchange of letters, for example, or more meaningful encounters and conversations. But outside their classes, where dialogue was honestly very minimal and common, there was nothing. There was not even a hint of physical passion! So while I understand at some point this woman could have inspired a great composition, what I do not understand is why she hanged on to that relationship. She even rejects a man that truly loved her, in her idealization of a man who did not. And not only that –everything in her life was always under the shadow of the rejection of the musician and therefore, everything seemed pointless. For example, while living in Naples she is recruited as a spy. Did she find any useful information on that time? No. Did she meet and build a meaningful relationship with any interesting historical character there? No. There were so many interesting figures that appeared on the pages of this book, but Julie was so self-centered that it seemed none were interesting enough to her, outside she and Beethoven.

A positive aspect I found on the book was that it indeed had some beautiful writing, and I wished the author could have used this to make a more passionate, interesting story with unforgettable characters:.
<i>“Beethoven was and would always be the magical tiles in the cloister, the Mediterranean on a stormy day, mourning in the moonlight, morning in the dark.".</i>

Unfortunately, this book failed to convey that.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* really interesting read, at first i wasnt sure i was going to care much for it but even if it wasnt based in historical figures it would still be a great read!

An interesting read for fans of Beethoven’s music and the times he lived in. The tone verges on melodramatic.

I was drawn to this book just by the amazing premise it had. It just sounded really intriguing.
I did enjoyed this book, I devoured it fast but I do feel it could've been so much more. It's interesting but I will probably not remember it after some time. It could've been developed better.

I really enjoyed reading this novel and found it difficult to put down. It is well written and you find yourself really caring about what happens to the characters. I listened to Beethoven while reading it. I highly recommend it.

I would like to thank Patricia Morrisroe, Little A publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I really enjoyed reading this novel and found it hard to put down. Well written you really care about what happens to the characters. I highly recommend it.

This novel about Beethoven lacks depth and charm, instead reads like a flat biography of a minor associated figure. Dull.