Maggie Finds Her Muse was a joy and a delight to read! It was sexy and romantic, with just the right amount of tension to keep things interesting! I enjoyed getting to know Maggie, Max, and the rest of the characters, each of them a bit quirky and charming. Paris sparkles in this book, becoming a character, too—and I wanted to eat and drink everything they had, except maybe for the absinthe! This funny and heartwarming book should be in everybody’s beach bag this summer!

I enjoyed this a lot more than I was expecting to! This book makes me want to take a romantic trip to Paris now lol. I love that this featured an older woman finding love and the romance was really cute. There were times where the pacing was a it slow, which it mainly why I couldn't give this 5 stars, but it was still enjoyable all the same. Definitely recommend if you're into Women's Fiction.

I thought that Maggie Finds Her Muse is an enjoyable light romance. When Maggie has trouble writing her latest book and the book's first draft deadline is looming, her agent invites her to stay at his home in Paris. He hopes that being in Paris will inspire Maggie to write the next installment of her book in time to meet her contract. Maggie has just ended a relationship and really needs to get away so the timing is perfect. Paris is a wonderful city and the setting is very vivid. I loved the scenes where Maggie is trying to navigate daily life in Paris, but bungles badly. Anyone who has traveled can relate to her experiences. While I enjoyed the love triangle, I didn't feel like Maggie's actions and responses were always in keeping with the extremely independent person she was supposed to be, which detracted from the story in my opinion and resulted in a lower rating.

What a fun story! I really enjoyed this novel about a romance novelist who had lost her mojo and is in need of a "muse". Maggie Bliss is under deadline, has just broken up with her boyfriend, and just cannot find the words to complete her next romance novel. Her agent invited her to come to Paris with them and try to find the will to write there. What she finds there is her daughter, great food, wonderful museums, her ex husband, and a new love interest. This book had it all, a love triangle, drama, lots of laughs, and some slightly spicy scenes, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it for any fans of rom coms or just romance in general.

What a breath of fresh air this book is - a romance that centers around people in their late 40s! The whole thing had me humming the Frank Sinatra song about love being lovelier the second time around. Will she go back into a relationship with her ex-husband or take a chance on French Max or neither? Will she ever finish her book? I really enjoyed the all the descriptions of Paris; they evoked lovely memories and made me long to travel again (which I hope will happen in the near future). I have cousins in Paris but alas, not ones with an apartment I can simply stay in any time I want to, like the lucky Maggie does! Also loved the scenes in Manhattan and in New Jersey - very authentic. Her portrayal of her daughter with Asperger’s was so empathetic. This is my first book by Dee Ernst but it won’t be my last.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I've had this on my Kindle for a few months now and I'm so glad I finally got around to reading it. I obviously can't go to Paris during a pandemic so it was fun to at least "visit" via the story. I liked the character of Maggie and identified with her in many ways, with the exception of having an agent offer me a villa in France to do my writing. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this fun read.

Maggie Bliss has been a successful author, and her most successful trilogy ever is garnering even more attention with plans for film rights and a summer release. Unfortunately, book 3 isn’t progressing AT ALL, and she’s stuck. With deadlines pushed back twice already, she’s got to get the writing done –but can’t find the motivation. And with her most recent relationship hitting the skids, officially, and an opportunity to head to Paris with her agent and his partner to write – she takes the plunge.

Arriving in Paris with her agent and partner and being handed off into the very capable hands of Solange, the housekeeper / maven of all things, Maggie is enthralled by Paris, less enamored of the farting Frenchie, and completely out of her element. But when Solange’s son Max arrives for a few days between business engagements, a spark flies between the two – and some clever manipulations by Solange leaves Maggie in Max’s hands and influence.

What follows is Maggie’s muse returning, probably in the form of Max, and the words start flowing as rapidly as her fantasies about the handsome Frenchman multiply. Max is kind, warm, funny and very French, and helps Maggie to find that confidence that was long buried under a plethora of sweats, old t-shirts and comfy ‘writer wear’. With her daughter not far from Paris by train, and her ex-husband, the travel-phobic math geek also appearing, the three meet up to see the sights, and her daughter Nicole expresses her own childhood fantasy that her parents reconnect. Sure, things are good with her ex, and they are friends – but the writing is powered by thoughts (and the presence of) Max, and the feelings that the two are developing for one another.

I loved this story: knowing a couple of authors that I edit for well; when the muse strikes there is little that will distract, and each person is completely ‘enamored’ of their muse, even to the point of superstition. Maggie has spent so long catering to the needs of others and suppressing her own very illustrious career in the face of less ‘popular’ partners’ works, Max is a breath of fresh air and just what the doctor ordered. But not being wholly honest could tank the relationship, and with Maggie’s obsession with her muse – the book. With writing that is better than anything else (even in a first draft) and complications with release date and her having pushed things back – it looks as if her dreams for a shore-side house and media and film rights may just be gone. Until grand gestures, honest decisions and a reconnection moment not to be missed come full circle. Ernst makes Maggie an example of hard work, chance-taking and new hope and brings her to us with all her flaws and foibles, a great sense of humor and a story that is told as she writes it – to leave everyone with a smile.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-aTg /” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

I found this story absolutely delightful! As a romantic comedy geared towards an older demographic it was a breath of fresh air. The story felt relatable, realistic and hopeful. I found the characters, specifically Max, to be interesting and unique. I definitely recommend this book!

This review includes mild spoilers.

I'm sorry to say I didn't find much to like in Maggie Finds Her Muse. Maggie, the titular romance novelist searching for inspiration in the City of Love, is 48 and long divorced, recently split from her selfish boyfriend, and, honestly, pretty annoying. Her romantic prospects, the dashing French banker Max and her gently nerdy ex-husband Alan, provide her with little in the way of chemistry - we're supposed to read this as a love triangle, but Alan is never a likely option, and the romance falls flat on all sides. The big conflict near the end of the book comes from an incredibly silly, shallow misunderstanding...and then Maggie, ever the romance novelist, tells us "Oh, this is a Great Misunderstanding," defines that trope, and tells us she would never write something so lazy! And yet here it is!

There's also the matter of Maggie's relationship with her daughter, Nicole, who lives in France, a relationship that was even less appealing to read about than the flat romances with Max or Alan.

We are told early in the book that Nicole always had "social problems" and was diagnosed with Asperger's as a high school junior (despite Asperger's syndrome having been removed from the DSM in 2013; it would be more accurate to say Nicole is on the autism spectrum). Maggie spends plenty of page time reminding us, and the other characters around her, that while she and Nicole love one another (and, indeed, their relationship as it actually plays out in this book seems perfectly fine and affectionate), Maggie just doesn't *get* her daughter. You know, because Nicole doesn't care what other people think of her clothes (unlike Maggie), doesn't wax poetic over every meal (unlike Maggie), and has a strong social conscience and believes in activism (unlike Maggie). Apparently these are all symptoms of how Nicole's mind is "like a strange and distant country" to Maggie, who finds it "exhausting" to have to "reset" her mind to see things from the point of view of Nicole, who, we're told several times by her mother, can't handle social situations. Mind you, what we actually see from Nicole on the page is...a lot of hanging out in social situations and crowds of strangers, partying and having a perfectly good time. Not that that would make the way her mother talks about her okay, because even if she did exhibit more stress in social situations on the page, the focus shouldn't be just on Maggie's "exhaustion" in understanding her daughter, who clearly puts up with a lot from her mom. And yet Maggie briefly wonders why Nicole seems so much happier in France - a continent away from her parents. Truly, it's a mystery. The only real on-page moment in which Nicole's autism is relevant, not just Maggie telling us how she can't figure out her daughter, is when Nicole spills the beans on her mother's lie (as part of the aforementioned Great Misunderstanding), because she's not good at reading facial expressions. Never mind that her mother set up the lie in the first place, or that there isn't much in the scene for her to 'read' (the lie has already been revealed; the problem here is her elaboration on it, a slip literally anyone might have made without realizing it'd be a problem). In fact, another character who has just arrived on the scene and should have NO idea what's going on, berates Nicole for not adequately reading the expression. Which makes far less sense than the goofy web of lies in the first place. Honestly, Justice 4 Nicole.

Ableist rhetoric aside, it's also worth pointing out that there's a touch of casual racism thrown in just for good measure - namely, in the books-within-books that Maggie has written and is writing. At one point, she mentions one of her older books, a historical romance, featuring a Confederate soldier as the romantic hero. Cool. And her current trilogy, the final book of which is the source of her writer's block that drives the plot, appears to be a militaristic, imperialistic white savior story set in a fictional country that smushes together every third world stereotype, with details like a "Middle Eastern-inspired" "tribal" cover design. Cool.

It isn't like a decent story, interesting characters, or appealing romance would make up for ableism or racism, but Maggie Finds Her Muse doesn't even have these, so there's no need to try.

I received an early digital copy from NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin in exchange for an honest review.

📚💻A writer with a delectable problem😋

4.5🌟 etoiles (stars)🗼
A good romance bathed in the charm of its French setting. My favorite character was Paris with its historic architecture, beautiful streets, sense of fashion and scrumptious food. Maggie gets to experience it all AND write her manuscript. I find it hard to understand how anyone reading this story who likes to travel would not be swept away in a desire to head right on over to experience Paris and Rennes for him- or herself.

Maggie suffers a bout with writer's block and needs a quick solution to unblock her creative juices. Enter her mature, French solution named Max in a flirty meet-cute involving a bubble bath🛀. Maggie and Max have some great times as Maggie ensconces herself in Paris to finish her overdue novel and find her mojo. There's a spark that Max's mother Solange wants to see ignite but Maggie has issues with Max's peripatetic lifestyle and tries to resist even while she accompanies him about and experiences life a la parisienne. Complications also arise when Maggie's ex-husband appears and seems eager to win her back.

Nevertheless, her book comes together in fits and starts most productive with her muse present. Maggie needs to finish her manuscript and is ready to even resort to subterfuge and outright lies to keep her muse on tap..

It's an interesting concept well executed bar one long, drawn-out scene in the park where Maggie's friends help enact an action sequence she is developing for the book. I just felt it was too nuts and bolts and not necessary. Otherwise the plot moves well and the overall story was an excellent read.

I liked that the main characters, apart from Maggie's daughter Nicole and Louis, her boyfriend, were of a mature age. Romance and worries about relationships and careers are not limited to the young!

Thanks to St. Martin's Griffin Press and NetGalley for providing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

I thought this book was charming and honest. The main character, Maggie, is wonderful! I haven't read many romance books in which the woman is middle-aged and as real as she is.

Maggie has a deadline for writing her next book but she has a wicked case of writer's block. She breaks up with her live-in boyfriend and decides a trip to Paris with two friends might help unlock her next story. There she reconnects with her ex, spends time with her daughter, eats a ton of wonderfully French food, has a mini makeover, and meets her muse in the form of a Frenchman, all of which contribute to her writing success.

This book was great. I loved reading about the process Maggie used to write her books. I also like that she was just a regular person. In my experience, most romance books write about physically perfect women and men who are young. This book was great to me because Maggie and her love interests were everyday people. I loved the descriptions of Paris and the other places she visited. Warning: the food described in this book will make you want to hop on a plane!

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the ARC.

I really loved this quick, cute read! I loved the storyline and the beautiful scenery. I also loved the detail to the food as part of the back story! Would definitely read again.

Maggie Finds Her Muse is a cute story about an author with writer’s block that goes to Paris to find inspiration. She is staying at a friend’s apartment alone until one day she finds an attractive man in her bathroom. Her newly single ex-husband is on a solo trip to Paris visiting their daughter. Maggie finds inspiration but also has to choose between these two men. She also has to decide if she wants to be with either of them. There is drama and a love triangle and many laughs. Maggie brings her daughter into her lies. I really enjoyed Maggie Finds Her Muse. This book was very entertaining and had a cute romance. Maggie rediscovers her confidence in Paris and has to decide what she wants. I recommend Maggie Finds Her Muse for fans of cute romances.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press for Maggie Finds Her Muse.

Great book that has an amazing story of finding yourself. If you have ever felt a bit lost in the world you will probably relate to this book. I know I did.

I loved Maggie Finds Her Muse. It was just a happy book. Maggie’s trip to Paris is a dream come true- beautiful, free place to stay, people to cook for her, a Cinderella makeover and a sexy man ! What more can you ask for? Even her ex husband acts like a prince. I found the story quick moving and really enjoyed the “tour” of Paris. I need to go back! I would like a sequel all about her daughter.

Maggie is facing a rapidly approaching deadline for the third book in her trilogy, so she packs her bags for Paris and inspiration. While in Paris, she is most definitely inspired, but is that because of the wonderful Max or her ex husband Allan?
There were parts that made me laugh out loud and others that made me cringe (like when they all act out a scene from Maggie's book), but overall I enjoyed this book. A very quick and easy read that allowed me to escape reality for a few hours.

2.5 stars

Maggie Finds Her Muse sounded like a fun and easy romance with a fun setting. I could pretend to go on a vacation just by reading a book! Maggie has writer’s block and is down to the last minute to write the final book in her trilogy. When her agent offers her a place to stay in Paris to help find her muse, she jumps on a plane. While there she plans to visit her daughter and surprisingly, her ex-husband.

And the beginning of the book was what I had hoped for. The descriptions of Paris and the food made me feel like I was there…and made me hungry. She has an awkward meet-cute with Frenchman Max and it is soon after that she gets her spark to write again. But then my interest started to wane. Reading about an author’s writing process is kind of boring to me.

And then Maggie’s character just got worse. She’s supposed to be 48 but her actions are so immature. She makes some questionable decisions and manipulates Max. If her daughter Nicole hadn’t intervened, I truly don’t think Maggie would have owned up to her lies. And that just makes me dislike her. The only character that was worthwhile was the daughter Nicole.

At the end of the day, I didn’t feel invested in the characters or their relationship.

Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy.

This book makes me want to go to Paris, just for the food ALONE!

We meet Maggie, who is a very famous writer and she needs inspiration for her new book, she seems to be stuck, and doesn't know why, her agent is going away and told her to come with him and his partner, maybe there she will find her muse that will inspire her. And she meets Max, who is the housekeepers son, in the most funny way. I loved Max as a character from the start, even though I was a little confused about his age at the beginning. Anyway he plays this amazing role in Maggie life while in Paris, and I was PRAYING that they got together already, even though it happened towards the end and I was a little annoyed with that, but Max is such a sweet and understanding character. Maggie is all over the place and I loved it. The flow and how quickly the book went by was perfect, I'm happy she was able to experience her own happy ending like in her books.

4 endearing + sweet + charming stars to this delightful novel by Dee Ernst. Maggie is a successful and established author who is experiencing writer's block while finishing up the 3rd book in a popular series. Newly single and feeling frustrated and stuck, she takes up her agent's offer to spend a few weeks in Paris. There she finds good food, good people, good conversations and her muse....who takes the form of the attractive and engaging, Max. Maggie finds her heart full and her creativity reinvigorated while exploring the City the Lights. This was a fun, delightful and quick read- I was thoroughly charmed by Maggie's musings about writing, relationships and life as well as the descriptions of Parisian landmarks, food and people. This book left me feeling hopeful and captivated....and craving a croissant.

Maggie, a romance author, has major writer’s block and past deadline on the third book in her best-selling trilogy. Her agent suggests a change of scenery and in Paris she finds not only an inspiration and muse, but family connections, amazing food, and maybe, love.

What I loved about this book was an older heroine in her late 40s and the settings in Paris and Rennes. I was drooling imagining all the croissants, bread, cafe creme, and food and wine in general, strolling the gardens, Musee d’Orsay and along the Seine. I enjoyed the family dynamics between Maggie and her daughter and ex-husband, and many of the secondary characters, particularly the layers of Nicole. Our hero was not too “romance alpha male hero” like, and seemed more like a real person, which I really liked a lot; but I was missing some of the chemistry between them. Overall, this was a fun, vibrant, escapist story. I was definitely whisked away to Paris!