O enjoyed this book. Mimi is a likable and strong young woman with a big dreams, when she meet Eduard Monet change her life.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. This book whisks one away to Paris in the 1860s. Mimi lives in the slums and has such dreams for a better life. She lives many lives by a young age. A teenage mother, an orphan, a laundress, a trapeze dancer and an artist. Mimi is unfailingly hard working and driven. She believes in a better, more fair world. Where class and circumstance of birth don't matter. Mimi is a dreamer but she works for her chances. She's talented and headstrong.

The book is visually rich and arresting in its descriptions. The age of the Expressionists is fascinating. The words have colors of their own. I was enthralled with Mimi and adored her character. I was glued from beginning to end.

Mimi Bisset is struggling to survive, having given up her daughter, born out of wedlock to a wealthy family. When she meets Édouard Manet, an artist in Paris, she begins to have a sense of freedom. Posing for his portraits, he teaches her to paint, and she begins to live life again. But when she catches a glimpse of her daughter Colette, she soon realises that Manet has known the family all this time. Struggling to believe that he could hid this vital piece of information from her, she
I enjoyed the story of Mimi and Manet, and the overall plot but at times, I felt the story stopped and started. An interesting story, with the circus setting, not what I imagined the book to draw into. The story held my attention, and I enjoyed the character of Mimi and her positive determination despite the challenges that she faced.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Who can’ fail to be captivated by a story that starts with our main character riding a runaway zebra through the streets of Paris . It’s a tale of impressionist painters and one woman’s fight to thrive and survive in their world.. despite the many barriers put in her way she never gives up and you find yourself cheering her on every step of the way.

This novel is set in Paris 1860. To read books based in foreign countries with intrigue are always of interest to me.

The main character Mimi grows up in the rough parts of Paris with dreams and aspirations of having more in life. We see shes interested in the Circus at the start of the novel and pictures drawing the things she sees. I am not sure what age she is at the beginning of the novel which would have been preferred to at least be aware of this as this young girl has a few jobs and shes thankful for the fact that her mother has not made her sell herself which we would see as a rare thing, or maybe not.

She works in a circus it appears. This should have been mentioned in the plot as this element of the novel dragged a lot for me as I was looking forward to reading about Paris not a frigging circus. There was too many characters and overall this novel did not keep my interest. Looks are deceiving it seems as the cover doesn’t seem as if this novel would be a drag for me. I really did want to love this novel based on the plot.

I received this novel in exchange for an honest review.

The Painter’s Girl is set in Paris, 1860. The main character, Mimi, has grown up in the slums outside Paris, alone, but with big hopes and dreams to one day make it out. She starts out working 3 jobs just to put food on her own table and help her best friends, Rafi, Henriette and Paulette. Mimi is also quite the talented artist using the colors and shadows of the streets to bring to life the pictures she sees and draws on her bedroom walls. The Cirque d’Hiver comes to town and after a series of events, is able to see the show and her new dream becomes being a part of the high wire act. At the same time, she notices there are men who gather in the back of the circus ring to draw pictures of the circus acts. Little does she know at the time, three of those men are Monet, Renoir and Manet, all unknown artists but soon to be up and comers in the impressionist period of art.

Helen Fripp has done an excellent job in holding the readers interest from the very beginning until the very end with twists and turns that will surprise and keep you hooked. I truly enjoyed this book and loved the time period in which it takes place. For some reason any book that has a circus or artists of a particular time period always hold my interest and this book has both.

Thank you to #netgalley and #bookouture for allowing me the opportunity to read the eARC of this book. All opinions expressed above are my own.

Set in Paris at the time of the Impressionist painters (that we get to meet with the heroine), this novel tells the story of Mimi, a young woman with seemingly impossible dreams (especially because she was born in an underprivileged area) but multitalented and very determined. I enjoyed following her along the paths on which she chose to venture, hoping or worrying with her every step of the way.
Just like the author's previous book (The French House), it's exactly the kind of historical novel I love to read - a great mix of history and fiction, real people and imaginary ones who become so familiar to readers we might find ourselves surprised not to see them mentioned in non-fiction texts later.

It's the 1860s and Mimi is mourning the loss of her daughter to adoption when she meets Eduard Manet, who changes her life, She models for him but then she leans to paint. Fripp does a nice job of providing a bit of insight into the artists who created the Impressionist movement as well as what it was like to be a small part of it. The plot, however, is more about Mimi's hunt for her daughter and the ups and downs of her life. It's an emotional read. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. For fans of historical fiction.

A well researched book about the Impressionist painters and also a good description of the difference between the rich and the poor on the boulevards of Baron Haussmann's newly created Paris. The descriptions of the difficulties faced by the people of the poor areas of Paris were contrasted against the lives of the rich living in the new light and airy parts of the capital.

The character of Mimi is well drawn and very engaging and the trials and tribulations she goes through make her all the more alive as a character. Her happiness when it comes is well deserved.

Helen Fripp gives us a peek into the world of artists in Paris during The Impressionist period. The protagonist, Mimi, is likable, and believable, and a strong, positive person in spite of obstacles and stumbles. I loved her, and loved the book.

“The Painter’s Girl” by Helen Fripp is a historical fiction book set in Paris during the rise of the Impressionism style of painting. Knowing a tiny bit about that time period, I was pleased that Ms. Fripp included well known painters in this period including Manet, Monet, and Degas. This story follows a fictional character, Mimi, who the author explains (in the endnotes) is based upon real people of the time. The beginning of this book was wonderfully out there and it caught my attention. I enjoyed how real Mimi seemed - from job opportunities to circumstances and even how society treated her. I’m not a fan of circus scenes, but I thought the inclusion of that setting worked. At times I felt like the pacing could’ve been picked up as it slowed down a bit when Mimi was dwelling on the past, but luckily Mimi was usually a positive forward thinking person. While a chunk of the story is about Mimi and M. Manet’s relationship, I did like how the ending came about and wrapped everything up nicely. A solid 3.75 star read, rounded up to 4.

I really enjoyed this book, it was totally gripping and engaging and I was captivated right from the start. It was well written with a compelling storyline and well developed chaacters that were relatable and loveable. A great read.

What a wonderfully bizarre start to a book! A thrilling escapism read. Mimi and Edo's relationship was fascinating with all its complications. Liked the art side of it, particularly towards the end of the read. Great to be swept away to Paris, and see how it all unfolds.
Emotional, endearing and impactful.

A completely gripping and heartbreaking read that will whisk you away to 19th-century Paris Helen Fripp is a fantastic author and I love the way she draws you into the characters and storyline. This one was easily read in one sitting. It’s an absolute triumph
This is truly an unstoppable read! And I loved every minute of it!