Though I usually enjoy rom-coms, and a book with a writer main character is frequently a must-read, I couldn't get into Maggie Finds Her Muse. It wasn't the writing, which was very good, or the Paris setting, which I also enjoyed. I think the problem was that I just didn't connect with the characters, nor care which guy Maggie ended up with. Most reviewers seem to enjoy it though, so I'm the outlier, apparently. Not a bad book, just one that didn't click with me.

There's a lot on the line for 48-year-old Maggie Bliss. She's suddenly found fame and fortune as the author behind a romance trilogy. Book 1 was a blockbuster and book 2 was on several best seller's lists even before it was released. Her publisher and agent want book 3 done in just a few short weeks because they know it's important to keep the story's momentum going. Plus, a production company wants to turn all three books into a made-for-cable movie.

It sound be an exciting time for her, but Maggie is in a rut. She finally broke up with Greg, her live-in boyfriend for the past four years. His self-confident swagger had been sexy for a while, but his ego and the way he took her for granted wore down their relationship. As she states in the book, she was "tired of always being the second most important person in the room when we were alone together." .

Maggie had always thought Greg was the muse behind her Delania Trilogy, but with him out of the picture, she struggled with writing the third book in the series. No words on the paper sounded right. Desperate, her agent invites to stay at his Paris apartment, hoping the city's magical environment will inspire her to write again. Maggie hopes that she can finish the draft quickly and then go visit her daughter, who is currently living west of Paris in the city of Rennes.

Despite the beauty and atmosphere of Paris, Maggie still finds it difficult to write until she meets Max, the handsome son of Solange, the caretaker of the Paris apartment. Max is a New York banker who is back in Paris to visit his mother. Max shows her around Paris and takes her to some quaint cafes. His approach to life intrigues her, and Maggie finds herself growing more and more attracted to Max. She also discovers that she wants to write again, and spends hours at her computer as the words pour out on to the page.

Of course, there are problems that crop up, including the appearance of her ex-husband, who is in Paris because of a trip that his ex-girlfriend planned for them before she broke up with him. And Maggie nearly loses her muse (Max) because of a misunderstanding. But perhaps it will all work out, and there will be a happily-ever-after in the City of Lights? I won't say -- you'll need to read the book to find out!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing an ARC of this book in return for a fair, unbiased review.

ARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review.
Maggie is a romance novelist, stuck in a nasty case of writer's block. Her manager asks her to come along to Paris with him and his partner so Maggie can find some inspiration for her latest novel. While in Paris, Maggie meets Max, the son of the elderly woman who's home Maggie and her friend's are staying in. Maggie automatically finds inspiration in Max and he becomes her muse for her characters. Maggie also finds herself falling for Max. While also in Paris, Maggie visits her daughter, Nicole. Maggie's ex-husband Alan is also in Paris visiting their daughter. Maggie and Alan spend a little time together and she realizes that Alan thinks they might rekindle their old flame, but she is drawn to Max.
This book was a sweet romance that centered around an older woman in her late 40s. There are not many newer, older aged women romances and I enjoyed this one. Maggie was relatable and I loved her indecisiveness and spunk.

A sweet and funny read! Loved the setting of Paris and enjoyed the cute romance story. Wasn't my favorite book, but still enjoyed reading this story. It was a quick read too!

A lovely romance, refreshingly about a middle aged couple. I loved the descriptive food writing and the insight into authorship. My only objection was one action of the female lead that created the conflict near the end but felt completely out of character.

This is such a classic and appealing type of plot. It’s very Under the Tuscan Sun or one of those kinds of stories / movies.

It was fun to have the meta aspect of a romance writer as the MC sun a romance book.

I liked that her daughter was on the spectrum and was doing really well. That was delightful representation I wasn’t expecting.

The end fell of for me a bit but it was enjoyable and was mostly what it sold itself to be.

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was sweet and fairly straightforwad. Overall not my usual genre but I can't resist a book about books. The genre is just one that is not usually for me, so that should be taken into consideration. I think readers of this genre will find this an enjoyable reading experience. For me there was nothing out of the ordinary, but this will certainly be the right book for the right reader.

Quick and entertaining, you can’t but help fall in love with Maggie. Stroll through France as Maggie finds her muse and the inspiration two write an entire book in a few weeks time while eating and touring her way through Paris. Charming cast of characters that you can’t help but love, and hate, as Maggie finds herself growing and learns what she wants and how to get it.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy of this book. The comments and review are my honest opinion.
A book of romance with a touch of humor and self-realization. Maggie, a writer, needs a muse in order to write her next book...correction to start writing her next book. Nothing is happening....nothing is making her fingers fly over the keys. Then she has a chance to go to Paris. An offer to good to turn down. Surely, the city of love will spark her muse. And spark it did! A delightful escape from the thriller mysteries I normally read. 4.5 stars

I’ve been sitting on Maggie Finds her Muse for months and I’m kicking myself, although maybe it was serendipitous because this book was perfect for a quiet night in...especially during a cold Ohio January! The imagery in this book is fantastic, I could see the sights (even though I’ve never been the France), I could smell the air, and taste the food. And that is without the characters! I found Maggie to be very inspiring (literally, she inspired my manicure!) and a character that, while sometimes a mess, is worth redemption. This book comes out April 20, don’t do what I did and sit on it, get reading right away!

Maggie is in her late 40's and struggling with writers bloc on her last book of a trilogy and she has just ended a relationship. Her agent Lee offers her his flat in Paris to find her spark again. Maggie's daughter is currently living in France so Maggie decides she will go. Her ex-husband is also visiting their daughter and Lee's housekeeper welcomes her and introduces her to her son, Max. Paris, Parisian food, and her new friends work their magic, but life is complicated and Maggie has decisions to make. This book has humor and romance and it is nice to have older characters taking second chances. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the digital copy for my honest review.

This was an enjoyable and okay read but it did not blow my mind like some of the recent nonfiction I have been reading or after reading Meet Me in Another Life, which I loved. I enjoyed the romanticism of the story being mostly set in Paris and the characterization of Maggie. But I was left underwhelmed at the end. Loved the cover. Still a recommended read and probably read this at the wrong time.

All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks to Netgalley, Dee Ernst, and St Martin's Press Griffin for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Available: 4/20/21

Overall I really enjoyed this book. I think I found overseeing the process of how Maggie writes her novel. As a reader I have imagined it's a long arduous process of creating a successful novel, BUT being able to read that put a new perspective on it. I found it very intriguing and inspired a new level of respect for authors, especially Dee Ernst. It was a unique and creative path she took in Maggie Finds Her Muse. Similarly, I appreciate that the relationship between Maggie and Max was not the main focus of the entire novel. The integration of Alan was important and well done. Ernst did not make the novel into a big love triangle, which I think separates this novel from a lot of other books, in my opinion. Although the two men were in Maggie's life, it was pretty clear what direction she was going to choose. I think there were an appropriate amount of characters that played an important role in one way or another. I enjoyed the ending because there was a mutual agreement on the character's feelings for each other and it didn't make Maggie look like an unforgivable individual that had to prove her worth again. She made an honest mistake and that was honored and they moved on. I would definitely recommend this book, especially for a light, happy, and enjoyable read!

This book was a fun escape. I loved the mix of women’s fiction and romance, and I loved being able to visit Paris vicariously. I also enjoyed that the main character, Maggie, is a romance writer trying to meet the deadline for her current book.

Anyone who has ever procrastinated against a crucial deadline will identify with Maggie, a famous romance novelist who absolutely must turn in the first draft of her newest book, but hasn't yet written a word. Her agent arranges for her to stay in his family apartment in Paris, hoping that will get her to find her rhythm and confidence. She does find it -- and love too. Very heartwarming story, enhanced by the beautiful Paris setting.

I gravitated towards this title because the main character is a writer who goes to Paris to work on the third book in her super popular series. I don’t have a super popular series, but I do have a series. I only have one publishing deal, and a small one at that, but I still have a deal. As of the time of the writing of this review, I am working on the third book of my series (albeit not the last, mine has a projected 8 books). And I would LOVE to go to Paris for 6 weeks, all expenses paid, in a gorgeous apartment, be waited on hand and foot, to write. Although instead of falling in love like Maggie, I would take the one I love with me. Maggie is a lovely character and I would love to meet her, if she existed. She is smart and sassy, a creative writer who knows how to say yes to help when it is given to her, and deals with questions about her romantic life in a way I find both charming and mature. While you can tell exactly how it is going to end, the story is a delight to read and the end came way too fast. If you need to escape the current crazy reality we are in, this is a good book to help you do just that.

This genre is hard to rate, because it can sometimes seem predictable. However, I thought this book was a fun, light read. I loved the sprinkle of Paris and France, and it made me want to get back to traveling. Overall, I would recommend! The plot is fast paced (and things actually happen), the characters are likable, and overall the book was enjoyable to read.

3.5 rounded up

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing a copy to review!

I really enjoyed this book. I felt like I was transported to Paris and France. I loved that the main character was in her 40’s. Cute story.

What a fantastic read! This book quickly transported me to the streets of Paris and I couldn't get enough.

Maggie, an author, is the main character and currently struggling to finish the last installment of her highly sought after trilogy. Her agent offers up a trip to Paris to pull her from her writing slump and find her muse. Maggie's experience in Paris, the people she meets, and the culture she takes in is quite possibly life-altering.

My typical reads revolve around college/young adult age as I feel I can mostly relate (I'm mid/late-twenties) and had yet to dabble in a main character who was in a different phase of life (older, grown child, divorced, etc) however, this did not prevent me from being sucked into Maggie's storyline as the main character and thoroughly enjoying her time spent in France.

I overall really enjoyed this story, the characters, and look forward to its public release!

A delightful work of women's fiction about a bestselling author who goes to Paris to overcome writer's block, and in the process rediscovers family, independence, and love. Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this.