The Muse of Maiden Lane is #4 in the loosely connected Belles of London series, featuring strong women and sweet Victorian romance. Each installment can be read as a stand-alone. The four-book series follows four horse-riding friends as they each find true love. The women are fiercely loyal to each other, feisty, and independent-minded.

Stella is the focus of this story. Prematurely gray, she has been overlooked in London society. Unnoticed until an aspiring painter with a physical disability sees her true beauty and she becomes his muse.

I love the four horsewomen and the themes presented in the series. Each young woman is independent and takes risks that ruffle some “society” feathers. In this story, we become acquainted with creative and bold Stella. The other three are mentioned as they support Stella. You do not have to have read the prior installments to appreciate their loyal friendships.

I find the substantial themes in each of the four books thoughtful and unique. This installment explores true beauty and physical disability, taking brave action to secure your future, and women supporting women.

The stories in this series feature sweet, slow-burn, yearning romance (no Bridgerton spice).

Content Consideration: physical disability

If you appreciate feisty women who take charge of their lives, sweet romance, and the Victorian Era, add this series to your TBR.

Thanks #NetGalley @BerkleyPub for a complimentary e ARC of #TheMuseOfMaidenLane upon my request. All opinions are my own.

Happy sigh! The Muse of Maiden Lane exceeded my (already high) expectations in the best way. It’s smart, sensitive, and romantic. Stella shines and shakes up Teddy’s world. Teddy truly sees Stella like no one has before. And it has a sweet friendship to marriage of convenience to LOVERS romance unfolding at a quiet, slow burn pace with private moments, letters (!!), sketches, and a particularly lovely sleigh ride.

Teddy is an artist, and this fits into the story naturally, adding another interesting element as a facet of his character. Teddy’s view of Stella is influenced by his artist outlook and the way he *wants* to paint her. This perceptiveness on his part makes Stella see herself in new ways and adds to the meaningful theme of learning to be comfortable in your own skin. This aspect also had me looking up a few paintings and artists mentioned, which is a fun way to learn about history and culture while reading.

Stella is an admirable character who knows her own mind, she just keeps her formidable personality and independent thoughts to herself as a result of her circumstances. Teddy shakes up her world and, with the help of the other 3 horsewomen (Belles) and their #friendshipgoals encouragement, Stella discovers an opportunity to embrace hope and happiness in a slightly not-conventional way (at least in society’s eyes). I LOVE how she grows into her independence and Teddy’s friendship/relationship complements her so well. Stella’s character resonates, I think, in the way she asserts her independence and equally asserts her desire to experience love.

Mimi Matthews excels at urging readers’ empathy for her characters, and this particular story does so with Teddy’s limitations sensitively and respectfully. I have a new appreciation for the historical context of those treated as “invalids”. And the way he grows and lets Stella “in” over his state. Gah!

Readers of Mimi Matthews’ backlist will be delighted to catch up with a few characters from the Parish Orphans of Devon series in some cameo moments. And, seeing the four “Belles” come full circle and happy is a treat.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. I voluntarily purchased an ebook copy for my shelves. This is my honest review.

A unexpected book that is written with a sense of depth and heart. I haven't read the previous books in this series, but this book worked just fine as a standalone (with the obvious spoilers for previous couples). Both characters are not the typical main characters for a historical romance and it was delightful to see something new. Both were so well written and layered with complexity that I was sad to part with them by the end of the book. It was a bit more angsty and slow burn than I generally pick up, but it was so well done I can't hold that against it. A great read for anyone who loved the genre and is looking for their next read (and desperately is looking for something new).

I love the cover and thought this would be a story about an older woman - it is instead about a young woman with atypical gray hair. I read this as a standalone, which was fine, but many other characters and relationships from previous stories and series were involved. Also, this is a closed-door romance.

One writing note that immediately throws me off is the use of "female" as a noun. Yuck. Other than that, the story is a little slow and repetitive and the language sometimes seems too modern.

I appreciate the portrayal of Stella's limited options and the circumstances she feels trapped by, but otherwise, I felt her character had very little depth. She is a gray-haired horse girl. I have similar thoughts about Teddy: the disability representation was good (especially in a historical romance) but there was nothing more to his character than "artist who uses a wheelchair."

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

The Muse of Maiden Lane by Mimi Matthews is a wonderful conclusion to her Belles of London series.

Stella Hobhouse is a lovely woman with many talents but she is hampered by her shockingly gray hair and her overly pious brother.

When she meets talented but partially paralyzed artist Teddy Hayes, she inspires him to pursue her as a model -- and more.

This is a sweet and sensitive romance of two lovely people who would have been "overlooked" by polite society and their story is related with great care and Matthew's careful attention to period detail. The characters are sympathetic and the writing is lovely.

A very enjoyable read. Highly recommended. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Books for an advanced copy of this novel.

“Why, you’re a shining star, Stella,”
he said. “Hasn’t anyone ever told
you so before? It’s that quality I need to paint...”

“You presume we’ll see
each other again.”

“Naturally.” He smiled, revealing a brief flash
of even white teeth.

“It’s taken me three months to find you.
I’m not likely to let you go.”

🌿🌿🌿

Happy Pub Day to @mimimatthewsesq and The Muse of Maiden Lane! The finale to the Belles of London series!

Stella Hobhouse finds herself invisible within society- trapped with her brother's guardianship and no prospects for marriage. Only her lovely horse to keep her company. It's at a house party where she meets again, the handsome and quite forward Teddy Hayes- the aspiring author unfortunately bound to a wheelchair. But nothing will stop Teddy Hayes from his world of artistry now that he has found his muse.

I fell in love with Teddy the moment I met him in the last two books of Mimi's Devon series. He is witty, smart, and has absolutely no care for what society thinks of his candor.

Stella and Teddy have such a beautiful slow burn romance. Both characters with their own stuggles and burdens, find home together. The dialogue and banter alone exceeded my expectations. The chemistry was off the charts.

The history element was wonderfully done. I loved the artistry world at this time as well as the wheelchair invention piece.

Teddy's hardships were beautifully written and tugged on your heart strings. Also fantastic medical elements here. I enjoyed his journey immensely.

So basically I'm in love with Stella and Teddy's romance. I'm not surprised at all. 😍

Thank you @mimimatthewsesq and @berkleyromance for my #gifted copy. Enjoy the day Mimi! 😘

🌿🌿🌿

*Romance- fade to black
*TW- disability

Stella and Teddy are both oddities in society, and keenly feel that sense of isolation, even with friends and family as supports. I love how they inadvertently came across each other, later discovering how connected they really are through their friends. It was easy to connect to the emotions of the characters, and feel the longing they both have for some sense of normalcy, yet also to follow their dreams. Teddy helps Stella embrace her differences and see herself as beautiful instead of peculiar. Stella does the same for Teddy, seeing his amazing skills and talents instead of just his limitations. They have wonderful chemistry and their interactions were so fun to read! I loved how Stella didn't capitulate to Teddy's requests out of pity, but made sure she was in the right frame of mind to embark on such a daring venture. The characters from the previous books in this series as well as some from the author's Parish Orphans of Devon series made this book feel like coming home, and now I want to read them all over again ;)

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

I expected that I would enjoy this book. I never expected the level of overwhelming joy it would bring me, but Mimi Matthews knows how to deliver.

To fully explain why I love this book so much, I need to explain what happened the first time I read one of her books. The first book I ever read was "The Matrimonial Advertisement" from Mimi's Parrish Orphans of Devon series, and when I said I couldn't put the book down I mean that I couldn't put the book down. I started the book on the train ride to work and almost missed my stop because I was so engrossed. Having to leave the train and go to work was excruciating. All day, I would sneak in a few pages in any spare moment I had. I ate a granola bar I'd brought for lunch so that I'd have more time to read during my lunch break.

This whole experience is what started my obsession with Mimi's writing. I've loved the entire Belles of London series so I was so excited to read "The Muse of Maiden Lane." However, imagine my delight when I realized that there were cameos from the characters I loved so much in the Parrish Orphans of Devon series in this book??? The Belles of London/Parrish Orphans crossover worked perfectly for me.

If you haven't read the Parrish Orphans of Devon series, you'll still fully enjoy this book. I LOVED the romance between Stella and Teddy. It's a slow burn, but in the best way. Stella is facing an uncertain future, is afraid no man will be able to see past her premature grey hair, and her odious brother is threatening to make her life miserable. Teddy similarly fears no one will see past his physical limitations. Most people only see his wheelchair, but he continues to fight for a life of independence regardless.

Both characters felt very real to me, so I was cheering for them the whole time. Add on the cameos that brought so much joy to my nostalgic soul, and this book was even better than I could have imagined.

💜⭐️💜⭐️💜⭐️💜⭐️💜

𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐋𝐄: The Muse of Maiden Lane
𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑: Mimi Matthews
𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒: The Belles of London Series
𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐑: Berkley Romance
𝐏𝐔𝐁 𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄: ⁣11.19.2024
𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐑𝐄: Historical Fiction, Regency Clean Romance

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This darling historical romance is set in 1862, England, and is the final novel in The Belles of London Series. Readers will follow silver haired, Stella Hobhouse, and disabled artist Teddy Hayes. While attending a Christmas country house party Teddy crosses paths again with Stella. Only this time her hair has been somewhat altered, she has covered up her silvery locks. His fascination only deepens, and wants nothing more than to paint her portrait. Stella Hobhouse, is last of the 4 women in a group of equestrian ladies. She has been passed over for marriage because of her odd premature silver hair. Spinsterhood is looming and she wants nothing more than to be released from living under her brother care. Teddy lost use of his legs five years ago after contracting scarlet fever. He is an artist and has had some serious tutoring from a renowned painter. He is captivated by the daring Stella, and convinces her to do the unthinkable and pose for him.
Oh I was for this heartwarming storyline. Mimi Matthews excels in her ability to breath life in to authentic situations. A steadfast and true author that never disappoints.
The Muse of Maiden Lane was everything I needed, two hearts that didn’t fit perfectly into society’s mold. Slow burn closed door romance, with characters facing real life obstacles.

#themuseofmaidenlane #mimimatthews #berkleyromance #berkleypublishing #silversisters

I absolutely adored Stella and Teddy’s story. I particularly appreciated that the story avoids a miraculous ending where Teddy regains the ability to walk. Instead, the author respects the characters as they are, without resorting to a contrived HEA.

I enjoyed reading all of the Belles of London series and I am sad it is over. If you like historical romance, horses, and closed door romance, this is the series for you!

“Be as much yourself as you wish...and then some.”

~A silver-haired equestrienne and a charismatic artist turn a scandalous bargain into a vibrant portrait of love...

“During their months apart, he’d begun to wonder if he’d imagined how beautiful she was-how very perfect she was for his painting. But he hadn’t imagined anything, had he? Indeed, it was possible that his memory had blunted the effect of her.”

-This historical romance is set in the Victorian Era time period. It’s a wonderful conclusion to the Belles of London series about four horse loving friends & their adventures. I would greatly suggest reading them in order as they build upon each other.

“The freedom to want, to choose, to be. To live a colorful, conspicuous, unconventional life with the man she loved.”

-This well-written story is simply enchanting. It is delightfully filled with unique characters, an interesting artistic setting, and an unconventionable love story, that will have your full attention from start to finish. The attention to detail of setting and character was precise. It was refreshing to see, the description of the emotional and logistical challenges facing a young man with a wheelchair and a young woman with graying hair at an early age who loves nothing but,riding her horse and living in the moment, within in the Victorian era. Watching dear character’s rise about their own personal challenges and seeing them able to move on happily with their lives was heartwarming. This is a story of found family, friendships, art, love, swoony moments, and horses. To not only be seen, but also be accepted shines through in this story. It is worth the read!❤️📚✨

“Forget being small and quiet. I’m asking you to be conspicuous with me.”

-Content: mild romance/innuendo, disability.

#themuseofmaidenlane
#mimimatthews
#allaboutthebestreads

-I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

“I can’t and won’t easily forget you.”

Stella Hobhouse has been through two London seasons, but unsuccessful in her mission to find a suitable husband. She’s been singled out as an oddity because of her prematurely gray hair, her passion for riding her spirited horse in an all-out gallop. Also, for speaking her mind when her holier-than-thou brother would like her to be a quiet, obedient woman. Such a jerk!

When artist Edward “Teddy” Hayes lays eyes on Stella he’s mesmerized by her beauty and unusual hair, and he’s determined to paint her. Since a suffering from a fever that partially paralyzed him, Teddy’s bold in his pursuits, especially when it comes to his art.

Teddy and Stella meet again at a house party and circumstances thrust them together and they end up forming a friendship and more. There’s a spark of attraction right from the beginning, but it’s a slow, natural progression of friendship to love. Both Teddy and Stella do conform to society’s expectations in physicality and in manner and so they were wonderfully suited!

The Muse of Maiden Lane was a lovely conclusion to The Belles of London series! I adored Ms. Matthews’ inclusion of characters that were not what people would think of as perfect. Teddy’s struggles from being in a wheeled chair were portrayed in a realistic way, that felt true to his character. Teddy and Stella’s romance was so very touching, and I loved that we got to “see” all the past Belles happy with their men. I also loved the strong female friendship between these women so devoted and supportive of each other!

The Muse of Maiden Lane by Mimi Matthews is a beautifully crafted historical romance that deftly explores themes of art, identity, and love. Stella and Teddy’s journey is both tender and empowering, as they navigate societal constraints and personal insecurities to find solace and strength in one another. Stella’s resilience and Teddy’s artistic passion create a compelling dynamic, with their slow-burn romance unfolding in a way that feels both authentic and deeply emotional. Matthews’ lush prose brings their world to life, from the vibrant energy of the art studio to the quiet vulnerability of their growing connection. This is a story of seeing and being seen, sure to resonate with anyone who’s ever felt invisible in a crowded room.

This was a beautifully written love story, and the perfect ending to a fabulous series. I absolutely loved it.

I adored Teddy and Stella. They were wonderful characters with a unique and charming love story. The tension between them, the letters, the kissing, the sweet words, the passion, all of it just made me swoon.

I’ve loved Teddy since he was introduced in the Parish Orphans series. He’s passionate, romantic, and has a blunt, no nonsense personality that I really enjoyed. It was interesting to have a hero with a disability, and I appreciated how Mimi wrote about it with such sensitivity and insight.

Stella was just as fantastic as Teddy. I loved her personality, and I loved the confidence she gained with Teddy’s friendship, love, and encouragement.

The loyalty and enduring friendship between the four ‘Furies’ was wonderful and heartwarming. It was a delight to have them each make an appearance in this concluding story. Mimi did an amazing job of giving them each such distinctive voices and personalities.

This story captured my heart! I highly recommend it, as well as the entire series.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

Matthews delivers the tenderest of love stories between the gray-haired horsewoman Stella and paralyzed painter Teddy to end the Belles series.

Stella is unwanted by everyone but her three best friends (Belles 1-3). After two failed seasons on the London marriage mart, the prematurely grey-haired Stella is invited to escape her sanctimonious preacher brother and spend a few weeks at a house party with her friend Anne. There she meets wheelchair bound artist, Teddy Hayes (you may remember Teddy from cameos in Matthew's "Parish Orphans of Devon" series - in fact, every main character from the Parish Orphans series appears in this book!) and the two become friends.

This is a slow burn sweet romance with a lot of grace and kindness. It was a pretty quick read with great dialogue. I wish there was more of the book that took place AFTER they were married and adjusting to living together.

If you're like me, you'll also wish Stella's brother, rotten fiancé and mother-in-law got some kind of karma comeuppance. Also knowing whether these two indeed had kiddos or if Teddy ever walked again in the epilogue would've been the cherry on series sundae.

“During their months apart, he’d begun to wonder if he’d imagined how beautiful she was–how very perfect she was for his painting. But he hadn’t imagined anything, had he? Indeed, it was possible that his memory had blunted the effect of her.”

Everything about this beautiful story had me enchanted from the very start. Stella is a silver-haired young lady and a brief encounter with charming artist, Teddy, only served to be the start of a somewhat scandalous entanglement.

Mimi Matthews is a magician with words. Not only does the story come to life, but the vibrancy of the characters and her magnificent way with words delights me to the core. I’ve loved everything about the Belles of London series, but I daresay, this may be my favorite one–the satisfying cap ending the series.

Teddy is in a wheelchair and it is so inspiring to watch him overcome the challenges that come with it and to focus on his painting. His obsession with Stella and his persistence is breathtaking. Stella has resigned herself to her situation and station in life, yet the feisty and spicy threads that run through her personality lend a boisterous dynamic to her interactions with Teddy.

In a holiday setting, I was captivated and became transfixed as the plot escalated and enthused at the outcome that resulted. I could feel the attraction, longing, and adoration seeping off the pages. Not only is the cover gorgeous, but the story within is equally so.

Content: mild romance/innuendo

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5)
Steam Level: 🔥🔥 (closed door)

Stella Hobhouse has come to the end of her second unsuccessful season in London. With no prospects and a future under the thumb of her strict brother, she's desperate to find freedom by any means. When she meets Teddy Hayes, a wheelchair-bound artist who is inspired by her unique beauty, she finally feels accepted by someone who understands how it feels to lack freedom and independence. As Teddy and Stella spend more time together, they soon discover that perhaps together they can find a happy future unbound by restrictions.

What a great ending to this series! I have loved following the belles as they each found love and supported each other along the way. Stella's story was all about freedom and acceptance. Both she and Teddy were restricted in one way or another- he by his wheelchair and overprotective sister, and she by her strict brother and uncommon hair color. The desire to find independence was strong in both of them, and it was beautiful to see how they accepted each other and felt safe revealing their flaws. I thought Mimi Matthews did a great job of setting up their romance, separating them so readers could get see what they were up against, and then bringing them together again to ultimately find happiness. There were letters exchanged, gifts given, and beautiful words spoken to show their growing affection. I liked how Teddy wasn't a brooding invalid, but rather a man unashamed to declare the beauty of his muse. Yes, he was embarrassed by his disability, but he continued to push himself out of his comfort zone in order to be near Stella. Their moments together were magical. I also loved how this book brought together characters from this series and the Parish Orphans of Devon series. I highly recommend reading all the books in order to get a full appreciation for all the connections. I'll be eagerly awaiting my next read from Mimi Matthews!

Reasons to read:
- Historical Romance
- Unique, well written, main characters
- Victorian London Setting
- Early Impressionism movement
- Themes of friendship and family
- Disability representation
- Series Final

My Thoughts:
Featuring two unconventional characters and their journey to independence and romance, The Muse of Maiden Lane is a memorable, captivating, read that again proves why Mimi Matthews is the undisputed queen of Victorian historical romance.

I loved that Teddy was not your traditional hero. In addition to his limiting disability brought on by a childhood illness, Teddy’s blunt personality, passion (sometimes obsession) for art, and no-nonsense outlook on life made him an unforgettable character and instant favorite. Living dependent on a wheelchair was difficult, to say the least in Victorian England, and I appreciated the care and detail Matthews put into describing Teddy’s challenges - and the confident way he faced them. The depth of his character, paired with the perceived flaws in his personality shaped him into a much more real person than the traditional hero. And he was met with his perfect much in Stella.

Stella, the last of the four horsewomen, faced a true plight when her demanding older brother began to view her as a burden. With her gray hair and small dowry, her prospects for marriage were slim, and I was grateful for the time Matthews took to show how difficult of a situation this was for a young, single gentleman at the time. She was a character with a lot of love to give, and a graceful manner that showed, while she may have been quiet, she was no pushover. She was smart and dignified, which played wonderfully off the sometimes gruff manner of Teddy's personality. I loved watching Stella’s character grow in confidence as she began taking her future into her own hands. Teddy, confident by nature, helped Stella to find her confidence - and this without a doubt was my favorite part of their romance.

The romance between Stella and Teddy was a fun one to watch unfold. This was not a “He fell first” situation (though he did fall hard), they matched each other's pace, which led to some wonderfully surprising declarations and actions. Their chemistry was some of the best in the series. Teddy and Stella also had moments of vulnerability, adding softer moments of growth in their romance, giving it just the right mix for a beautiful romance. I appreciated that both characters acted their age (early 20s) and faced similar issues, like gaining independence in a society that was stacked against them for being different.

Mimi Matthews' writing gifts readers with a seamless reading experience. The plot flow and characters' development were expertly executed, keeping me glued to the pages as the story progressed. The historical research conducted, not only for the setting but also detailing Teddy’s experience as a young man bound to a wheelchair and Stella’s life as a woman in Victorian England, added layers of realism to the story that allowed me to envision the world they lived in with perfect definition. Matthews has a way with words that sweep you up in a character's enthusiasm for their passions. For example, the explanations of early impressionism, often told from Teddy’s perspective, pulled me into the art scene at the time. I was fully invested in Teddy’s career and love of art. The same could be said for Stella’s bond with her horse and skill for riding!

As a long-time Mimi Matthews reader, I was excited about the return of many central characters, not only from the Belles of London series. Each returning couple was given some screen time, giving readers a glimpse of how they were doing after their “Happily ever after”. It was natural and did not distract from the main story, these moments contributed to the satisfying closing of not one, but two series, a true nod from a caring author to her readers. While it is bittersweet to see this amazing series end it ends on a high note for me, 5 stars and an instant recommendation for any historical romance reader.

I am excited to see what comes next!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

The last book in the Belles of London series was fantastic. I loved that this one was more of a slow-burn compared to some of Mimi's books. You get to see lots of past characters from her other books. Mimi's books are some of the most tender, romantic books I've read and this one is no different. Teddy and Stella show up for each other and develop feelings through real and honest interactions, which I loveeee.

While I did really enjoy the story, I didn't really connect to the painter/muse aspect of it. A couple of times, Teddy came off as pushy to me and I didn't like that. I definitely think that it's a me issue though, and that others would thoroughly enjoy this part of the story!

The Muse of Maiden Lane is a fitting conclusion to the Belles of London series. If you are historical romance fan who likes a slow burn with interesting characters, Mimi Matthew’s latest is a good choice.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

After another unsuccessful season, Stella Hobhouse heads to a country house party with friends, unsure of what her future look like. She even dyes her distinctive gray hair in an effort to blend in. But then she sees artist Teddy Hayes, who she met in a London gallery. He’s been searching for her, since he desperately wants to paint her. Teddy is memorable because he’s confined to a wheeled chair, but also because Stella enjoyed his artistic musings. The two have a connection that only grows stronger as they get to know each other, but what will happen when they are forced to go their separate ways.

I really like the way both characters are allowed to be “different” from what is expected of them. Teddy being confined to a wheelchair affects every relationship in his life, including his pursuit of Stella. The honest representation here is well done. And Stella, along with her friends, stands apart from a typical literary spinster, both in her appearance and the decisions she makes after her unsuccessful seasons. It is a treat to experience her supportive relationships with women who, in addition to their love of horses, truly put their friend’s best interests first.

There are a couple little things that didn’t work as well for me in this book. I’m a fan of a couple on the page together; this story slows when they are separated. And if you say a book involves a specific trope—that I adore—it needs to show up before 70% the way through the story.

The Muse of Maiden Lane is an entertaining historical romance. Stella and Teddy are characters readers want to spend time with, while being a little different from your average historical MCs. If you are a fan of a slow burn, closed door romance, you’ll enjoy this book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.