I recently read Louise and Vincent, a wonderful love story penned by Diane Byington. The book explores the idea of "what ifs", imagining what might have happened if Vincent had found the love he had been searching for in his final days. The characters are portrayed in a very realistic way, making the story feel like a totally fictional novel. Although I have always enjoyed Vincent's artwork, this book helped me to see him as a real person. I would like to extend my gratitude to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC ebook copy of the novel to read and review.

Vincent Van Gogh’s life reads like a novel, even without fictionalization. But author Diane Byington plums the last months of his life with rich and rewarding “what ifs.” Yes, the Ravoux family—Arthur, Louise, 13-year-old Adeline, and one-year-old Germaine—ran the inn, but what if Arthur was a cad and Louise a sad wife? Yes, Van Gogh stayed at the Ravoux Inn in Auvers-sur-Oise, but what if he fell in love with the beautiful Louise? Yes, Van Gogh died of a gunshot wound, but what if it wasn’t self-inflicted?

Byington takes the facts and imagines a tender love story, explores a woman’s options in that day, brings to life a girl made famous in a painting (take the time to look up Portrait of Adeline Ravoux if you’re not familiar with it), and “paints” an artist known for mental illness with gentle strokes.

Louise and Vincent captivated me by plunging me into the French countryside, where so many artists escaped to for inspiration, and unfolding a story about a sensitive man who awakens the artistic and sexual senses of an abused woman.

Thanks to NetGalley and Red Adept Publishing for an advanced review copy.

A grateful thank you to NetGalley for allowing me the privilege of reading this wonderful novel about Vincent Van Gogh's last 70 days before he died.

I am a lover of his artwork and have been to the museum in Amsterdam as well as the traveling immersive experience show in the US. I had no idea that it wasn't until after his death that his first painting was sold.

This was the story of Vincent's time as a boarder in Auberge Ravoux,located north of Paris in the small town of Auvers-sur-Oise known for summer tourists and aspiring artists. While this is a work of fiction, there are numerous details of Vincent's brother, Theo and his doctor.

I really recommend this book!

A beautiful love story and unique perspective and thought piece on Vincent’s life. An interesting read that is captivating.

Louise and Vincent is a fictionalized version of the final seventy days of Vincent van Gogh, an artist who has always captivated and fascinated me. Anyone with any knowledge of the end of van Gogh 's life can tell that the author did her due diligence in researching.
But what captivated me, more than anything, was our narrator and protagonist, Louise. I adored watching her strengthen and blossom with the love of Vincent. Her voice hooked me from the beginning, and I wanted to know this woman's story. I was rooting for her before I even knew her, and never stopped.
This is the epitome of a five star read for me. I'll forever hold the idea that something as wonderful as this story was the reality of the final days of one of the greatest artists to ever live. He deserved some joy and tenderness.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book, "Louise and Vincent." I was hooked right from the start. I was completely intrigued by the love affair between Louise and Vincent. I also found myself extremely angry with Louise's home life. The author, Diane Byington, did a fantastic job of relating what it was like for a female living in France in the late 1800's. Woman had to be particularly careful about how they acted and portrayed themselves to everyone around them. I'm normally not a fan of infidelity in a marriage, but at that time there was no way out of a marriage even if there was abuse involved. My heart ached for Louise and I found myself rooting for her affair with Vincent. I was also happy to see so much of Vincent's artwork discussed throughout the story. He was truly a mastermind. I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction with a beautiful love affair weaved throughout the story.