Overall I enjoyed this one though I think it's my least favorite of the series. The characters themselves are fantastic and I loved the disability representation but I felt like some of the chemistry was missing.

A Matthews romance is always anticipated, even if I have to play catch up with the Belles of London series, reading the final volume first and backtracking. Though it took a while to get into this one thanks to the frequent, voluble appearances of the series’ past heroines and now-husbands, Matthews’s protagonists, wheelchair-bound artist Teddy Hayes and prematurely-grey-haired-plain-Jane heroine Stella Hobhouse, won me over. I don’t know how Matthews gets her reader to care so much about her protagonists. Maybe one reason is how they come alive on the page that the too-often-sense of contrivance with most romances melts?

To the blurbish details to orient us:

Stella Hobhouse is a brilliant rider, stalwart friend, skilled sketch artist—and completely overlooked. Her outmodish gray hair makes her invisible to London society. Combined with her brother’s pious restrictions and her dwindling inheritance, Stella is on the verge of a lifetime marooned in Derbyshire as a spinster. Unless she does something drastic…like posing for a daring new style of portrait by the only man who’s ever really seen her.

Aspiring painter Edward “Teddy” Hayes knows true beauty when he sees it. He would never ask Stella to risk her reputation as an artist’s model but in the five years since a virulent bout of scarlet fever left him partially paralyzed, Teddy has learned to heed good fortune when he finds it. He’ll do anything to persuade his muse to pose for him, even if he must offer her a marriage of convenience.

After all, though Teddy has yearned to trace Stella’s luminous beauty on canvas since their chance meeting, her heart is what he truly aches to capture….


Stella is introduced at a house party where she dyed her hair determined to make this last chance (indeed, given her surly, sour brother’s lack of care) to find a husband, to give herself a life a modicum better than spinster-aunt (read “drudge” to her vicar brother’s soon-to-be family). On the ballroom’s edges sits handsome, intense, roguish artist Teddy Hayes, in his wheelchair. He has eyes only for Stella, taken by the desire to paint her. We learn they had an encounter three months ago, at the British Museum, where he sketched, she gazed, and he recommended a Whistler at one of the galleries. Now, Stella coloured her hair the shade of the woman in the Whistler painting, for once to feel like other young women at a social gathering, instead of an oddity and nonentity. Since their initial encounter, Teddy has wanted to find his muse, this silver-haired goddess who, with a brief encounter, made him yearn to paint her and here she is.

A prematurely-grey-haired young heroine, merely 22, and ambitious, physically-challenged artist-hero: original choices on Matthews’s part. Matthews could have gone the way of conventional historical romance: Stella’s fortunes growing, Teddy walking again…etc etc. you get the trite picture. But she didn’t and made these two more memorable than if she had.

If there is a flaw in Matthews’s romance, it is that the story of Teddy and Stella is interrupted and punctuated with too many secondary characters (which may be enjoyable to long-time series fans). As a standalone, I could only bear with it: don’t bother trying to figure out who’s who, just enjoy the ride. The reward will be twofold: Teddy and Stella have sympathetic inner voices and together, they are honest, heart-felt, truly lovely to read. I wanted to see more of them together and fewer drawing-room scenes, but that is the lot of the TBR-laden reader who hasn’t caught up with a series.

Teddy, in particular, is funny, sharp, intelligent, and blunt. He is charming: it’s not easy for a romance writer to pull off charming. Quite often, lesser romance writers declare their hero and/or heroines charming, but don’t show us. What is even more heart-stirringly engaging is Teddy’s inner voice: the one fully aware of his limitations, especially in the context of Victorian society, where to be confined to a wheel-chair makes one invisible. Teddy knows he is side-lined, but he has built a world for himself, through his art and determination for independence, that is admirable. Matthews doesn’t give him any miracles, but makes him a wonderful romance hero just the way he is, at times vulnerable and more often than not, strong in spirit and body.

Stella is his match in banter, thought, and ethos. They are both social side-lines, but have a core of devoted, loyal friends (who appear once too often, but sigh, I’ve belaboured this point). Stella and Teddy are less flirtatious than converse with wry humour, but also care for one another’s heart and sensibility. They challenge each other; they encourage each other. When Stella is bound by society not to pose for Teddy’s painting and trapped in the possibility of a love-less marriage, she takes the reins, literally on Locket her horse, to leave for friends, London, and Teddy, where friendship, mutual care, and a modified, not reckless, flouting of stodgy social conventions brings these two worthy protagonists the love and life they deserve. I cheered and enjoyed every moment of it.

If anyone would agree, it would be Miss Austen, who’d deem The Muse of Maiden Lane “real comfort,” Emma.

Mimi Matthews’s The Muse of Maiden Lane is published by Berkley. It releases tomorrow, November 19th. I received an e-galley from Berkley, via Netgalley. The above review is my honest, AI-free opinion.

Stella Hobhouse is a skilled rider, a talented artist, and invisible—a status she works hard to maintain as her prematurely white hair makes her an oddity in London society. A diminishing inheritance and her brother’s calloused expectations have her well on her way to being trapped in obscurity and misery.

As an aspiring painter, Edward Hayes has an eye for beauty, which he immediately recognizes in Stella. Asking her to model for him would risk her reputation, but he is unwilling to loose his muse, so he proposes the only solution he can think of—a marriage of convenience. A union between the two could solve both their problems as long as they don’t mess it up by falling in love.

The Muse of Maiden Lane brings the Belles of London series to a sweet conclusion. Mimi Matthews transports readers to Victorian England as she pens a heart-warming romance that explores some issues of the time period.

Both Stella, a woman dependent on her male relative, and Teddy, a man confined to a wheelchair, struggle to find independence in a society stacked against them. A master wordsmith, Matthews’ creates moments and characters that can as easily make me swoon as make me fume.

The Muse of Maiden Lane is not your usual marriage-of-convenience story. While the arrangement between the protagonists started out that way, the marriage itself does not take place until almost the end of the novel, and by then, the characters are already in love. This is neither good nor bad, just something to keep in mind if you are picking up the book specifically for that trope.

I recommend this novel and Mimi Matthews in general, to anyone who enjoys Victorian Romances. Matthews brings the era to life with a dexterity few possess. Fans of the Parish Orphans of Devon will enjoy reuniting with familiar faces.

Bewitched!

Artist Edward (Teddy) Hayes is astounded, awed when he first sees Stella Hobhouse.
They’re at an exhibition at the British Museum. He can’t take his eyes off her. Her hair is unusual—pure silver! He’s mesmerised, struck by Stella’s beauty. He must paint her! Stella must be his muse!
Stella is entranced by the gentleman in the wheel chair who speaks his mind, who sees her, who discusses art with her free from condescension.
Stella’s a gentlewoman with an impatient vicar for a brother. He wants to marry her off, even if the potential suitors are years older than Stella. After all her hair is gray! A match! Grr!
Her brother’s also casting his eyes over someone who wouldn’t and doesn’t suffer Stella gladly. What can Stella do?
A member of the Furies, four women who galloped their horses in the early morning on Rotten Row, who became known as the Four Horsewomen. Except two are now married and the third just became engaged. There’s only Stella left.
What does Stella want?
We journey alongside her as she deals with the questions about life, love and disappointments.
Another fabulous tale from Matthew’s that causes one to pause and reflect.

A Berkley Group ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Stella Hobhouse appears to be bound for spinsterhood. She has fully silver/gray hair that makes her conspicuous (never a good thing for a young lady!) She decides to try to catch a suitor one more time by dyeing her hair auburn and attending a house party where no one knows her as the silver-haired equestrienne in London... except there is one who recognizes her, of course!

Teddy Hayes is a mysterious, outspoken artist who has been obsessed with Stella from the first moment he saw her and he cannot believe he has found her again--now with a temporarily changed hair color! (Ah, I just love the hair color catastrophe in this novel.) Teddy is partially paralyzed and uses a wheelchair. I like how the author includes wheelchair advancements in this story and what a difference it makes when Teddy gains access to a different type of chair.

Of the four, this book was definitely the lowest on the angst scale--but I didn't mind that! I have been so looking forward to Stella's story and I loved the way we met the love interest in book 3. This book was an incredibly gentle love story between two people navigating their desire for independence, but finding out that they are so much stronger when they let the other person help and support them.

What else?
•I love artist heroes. They're so intense and broody. Even better when they just MUST draw/paint/sculpt their muse!
• I also loved the art history and real artist names in this novel. Art geek here! 👋 🤓
• The "do you require mistletoe?" first kiss
• A bit of marriage of convenience!

I truly enjoy what Mimi brings to the historical romance world. I'm a reader who prefers steam, so the fact that I can still rave about these completely closed door books is saying something!

Thank you to Berkley Romance for the advance reader copy and to PRH Audio for the complimentary audiobook. These opinions are my own.

I have adored this entire Belles of London series. And this final book touched my heart. Stella Hobhouse is in the final season she can afford. And she needs to find a husband to escape her conservative brother and his intended's household. But she fears she won't be successful.

Teddy has wanted her to serve as a model for his painting since he first saw her. But he has no interest in marriage ever. He uses a wheelchair for mobility, but still requires regular assistance from a servant. And he chafes for more freedom.

You can read this as a bit of a Christmas book since the book starts during the holidays. There's even a lovely sleigh ride.

For me, my favorite parts of the book were how in their own ways, Stella and Teddy were both trying to learn to be independent. And how they found their independence with each other was beautiful.

I recommend reading this series in order. While this book could stand alone, the first meeting between Stella and Teddy occurs in the previous book (The Lily of Ludgate Hill), and the two even overlap in describing the same party from different perspectives.

Stewart Crank and Zara Hampton-Brown narrated the audiobook beautifully.

4.25 stars

Story Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (0-5)
Narration: 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 (0-5)
Overall: 4.5/5
Steam: 🔥☄️ (0-5) Very closed wedding night door & some scrumptious kisses.

What I’m Starry-Eyed Over:
🤩 This is so unlike me, starting a series in book 4. That’s how much the book blurb intrigued me—read it!
🤩 Fabulous characterization.
🤩 Boy/artist obsessed.
🤩 What beautiful physical disability representation.
🤩 The artsy conversations. And when Stella calls Teddy handsome.
🤩 I love Teddy’s bluntness—they have the best conversations. And both narrators give us a great performance with fantastic conversations.
🤩 The house party—when Teddy shares a house cap with Stella and when Stella talks Teddy into the sleigh ride. It gives us so much hope for how they can take care of each other in a beautiful HEA.
🤩 The not under the mistletoe kiss.
🤩 Oh, my goodness, I hate Stella’s brother so much, but it definitely helps with all the feels including so much deep longing for them to find love and support in their HEA.
🤩 The letter correspondence is everything!! I just love epistolary components in my books.
🤩 Sloooooooow burn with so many cute interactions as they naturally and beautifully fall in love. “I love your company.” “And I love yours.”
🤩 Marriage of convenience.
🤩 Found family.

What I’m Wishing/Dizzy About:
💫 Some secret pining and more descriptions of sexual chemistry would have been helpful in their connection.

And just like that, the series is complete.

The Muse of Maiden Lane is everything I’ve come to know and love about a Mimi Matthews book and SO much more.

The attention to detail of setting and character was immaculate. Teddy and Stella will find a way into your heart with their passions, longings, and bravery for being conspicuous! They are the youngest represented characters in this series, but still felt very age appropriate in all their interactions which I really enjoyed!

This book follows Stella, a woman with graying hair at an early age who loves nothing but riding her horse and living in the moment. And…Teddy, a tortured artist who while confined by his disability, doesn’t let it confine his opinionated, no nonsense spirit.

The two clash together like threads of intertwining fate, somehow being the exact thing the other person needs them to be, all while shining their own unique and vibrant light. Teddy’s passionate candor and Stella’s vulnerable yet stubborn heart really create some crazy good chemistry! I was so here for it.🔥

This book was incredibly well researched, the disability rep for the time period was very well done, the relationship build was well timed out, and beautifully romantic, and the ending came together like an epic and colorful masterpiece. It was a perfect finale for the series.

If I am a fool for being such an intense fan, then let that foolery convince you to pick up your next book by Matthews.

The Muse of Maiden Lane is the fourth and final instalment in Mimi Matthew’s Belles of London series, which follows four misfit equestriennes trying to navigate life and love in Victorian society.

Mimi Matthews is a master at the Victorian closed-door romance and has an extensive back catalogue. I really appreciate her stories for incorporating and not shying away from the diversity of Victorian society. I particularly enjoyed the first of the series, the Siren of Sussex that explored interracial relationships and colonialism.

Muse centres Stella, the last of the women in the story to find her happy ending. She is resigned to trying to find herself a match that will provide her with financial stability, as she believes her prematurely grey hair has ruined her prospects for a love match. She longs for independence from her overbearing brother and a simple life of riding her beloved horse.

Stella doesn’t count on meeting the forthright and blunt Teddy, himself determined for more independence from his loving sister and brother in law, whose protectiveness of him is borne out of his near death and subsequent disability due to scarlet fever, which left him wheelchair bound. Teddy is an artist and is immediately captivated by Stella and her ethereal beauty, and is determined to paint her.

There are the familiar tropes of multiple misunderstandings, and a late set marriage of convenience. The blossoming of Stella’s confidence is sweet, as well as Teddy’s growing vulnerability and trust in her.

Mimi’s attention to detail within the time period is one of my favourite things about all her books - they are stuffed full which makes the world building so imaginable and evocative.

Thanks to @penguinukbooks @berkleyromance and @mimimatthewsesq for an advanced copy for review. The Muse of Maiden Lane is out in the US on the 19th and the UK on the 21st of November!

I will post reviews on retail sites and instagram from publication day.

ENGLISH REVIEW (ESPAÑOL DESPUÉS)

The Muse of Maiden Lane is the last book of the four stories of the "Belles of London", or the "Furies" of Mimi Matthews, 4 young women who are ignored during the "season" due to their particular character, and who end up falling in love with 4 unexpected suitors , due to its origin, its fame or its particularities.

Having especially loved "The Belle of Belgrave Square", and liked the other books prior to this one, I was expecting an especially sweet romance, given that we already knew Stella, especially from the previous book, and because her suitor is Teddy, brother of the protagonist of "A Convenient Fiction" (from the Parish Orphans of Devon saga), who is a painter in a wheelchair, which separates him from the classic heroes of romantic novels.

Indeed, I have not felt disappointed with this story, which without being my favorite in the saga (the story of Julia and Jasper is too wonderful), it has given me that "slow-burning love" between two people with the same passion (painting, beauty, arts), and that they are limited due to their nature (his handicap or her sex), and that they must move in a society that wants to shelter them, without allowing them to be owners of their own lives.

A new example of Mimi Matthews romance, well documented and in this case, full of nods to art and painting.

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CRÍTICA EN ESPAÑOL

The Muse of Maiden Lane es el cierre de las cuatro historias de las "Londinenses", o las "Furias" de Mimi Matthews, 4 jóvenes que son ignoradas durante la "temporada" por su caracter particular, y que acabarán enamorándose de 4 inesperados pretendientes, por su origen, su fama o sus particularidades.
Habiendo especialmente amado "The Belle of Belgrave Square", y gustado los demás libros previos a éste, estaba esperando un romance especialmente dulce, dado que ya conocíamos a Stella, especialmente por el libro anterior, y porque su pretendiente es Teddy, hermano de la protagonista de "A Convenient Fiction" (de la saga de los Huérfanos de Devon), que es un pintor en silla de ruedas, que lo separa de los clásicos héroes de novela romántica.

Efectivamente, no me he sentido decepcionada con esta historia, que sin llegar a ser mi favorita en la saga (la historia de Julia y Jasper es insuperable), sí que me ha dado ese "amor a fuego lento" entre dos personas con una misma pasión (la pintura, el arte y la belleza), y que están limitados debido a su naturaleza (su minusvalía o su sexo), y que deben moverse en una sociedad que los quiere arropar, sin permitirles ser dueños de sus propias vidas.

Un nuevo ejemplo de romance de Mimi Matthews, bien documentado y en este caso, lleno de guiños al arte y la pintura. Esperando que llegue pronto también a Libros de Seda para que podáis leerlo en español.

This is a unique and well written love story. The characters were delightful, bold, complex, and interesting. I enjoyed this original, emotional marriage of convenience or true love romance? I'll let you decide. I highly recommend reading!

The final book in Mimi Matthews' Belles of London series features Stella Hobhouse, a brave rider and friend who knows if she doesn't marry soon she'll find herself buried in the quiet countryside forever. Thanks to her odd gray hair and lively personality, she's had more trouble than her friends when it comes to finding a suitor. Thinking if men could just look past her hair to her they might give her a chance, Stella decides to be daring and dye her hair while attending a houseparty with her friend Lady Anne, since noone else will know her there.
Edward "Teddy" Hayes is a fustrated artist who briefly met his muse at a museum, only to lose her to his blunt speech. Now he's at a house party he doesn't want to attend and only knows his sister and brother-in-law. Deciding to spend most of his time painting and hiding away to avoid people and dealing with the annoyance of his wheelchair, he's as surprised as Stella when they meet again.

Muse is a slow burn romance very different from what readers might generally expect- both from Matthews' normal books or traditional romance in general, but I thought it worked very well. At the heart of the story, both Stella and Teddy want independence. They want to discover who they are, what they are capable of in life. While they each start off thinking they need to chart their paths separately, by the end they've discovered that love can make them stronger together. Both have wanted to be truly seen for who they are and what they are capable of beyond their physical appearance- Stella's hair and Teddy's wheelchair. Even early on it is clear (to the reader anyway) that they see each other for who they are. The question is, how long will it take them to figure it out? The suggested marriage of convenience comes late in the book, which might annoy some people. After all, traditionally you have an early marriage of convenience and then love grows from that. But I enjoyed how Matthews played with the expectations and turned the idea into something new- rather like Teddy and his fellow painters were trying to do with what we now call Impressionist art!

One of my absolute favorite things in this book is how Teddy encourages Stella to be herself. Not to be small and quiet, but to be whatever she feels she is, because once they are married they only have to please themselves. That's the kind of support I want in a partner!

This is a story of two people finding their own way, discovering friendship and strengths within themselves that allow for a beautiful, trusting partnership of a loving marriage.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

I received this book for free from Netgalley. That did not influence this review.

The Muse of Maiden Lane is the fourth book in Mimi Matthews’s wonderful Victorian Romance series, Belles of London. The series centers around four women who come to London for the Season to find husbands. Initially, they find only each other, bonding over their love of and skill with horses. The series includes The Siren of Sussex, The Belle of Belgrave Square, and The Lily of Ludgate Hill. You don’t have to read them in order, but you might get to know the ladies best if you do.

The last of “the four horsewomen” to make a love match is Stella Hobhouse. When Stella’s father died, he left her a small inheritance, just enough to live on (with her horse) and to have two London Seasons to find a husband. If she doesn’t, she is doomed to live with her brother, a sour, self-righteous clergyman, who criticizes her constantly and keeps trying to control her and her money. Worst of all, he’s interested in marrying a woman who is even more critical than he is.

But Stella has another problem. Although she is only twenty-two, her hair has gone completely platinum gray. She is seen as an oddity, and the ton is cruel to oddities. She hides in the background. But there is one man who sees her for the beauty she is.

Teddy Hayes is a young, very talented artist who burns to paint her from the first moment he sets eyes on her. Teddy has his own obstacle. An illness has left his legs paralyzed and he is confined to a wheelchair. He is accompanied everywhere by a manservant. And he is coddled by his sister and her husband, who infantilize him. But he is as determined to gain his independence as he is to paint Stella.

Stella can’t possibly pose for Teddy. Artist’s models are usually prostitutes or actresses, and Stella has enough trouble with her gray hair and judgmental brother. Still, the two are drawn together.

This is a beautiful story of two people overcoming society’s boundaries to fall in love and find their happily-ever-after.

A mostly solid, albeit predictable tale.

I'm a sucker for a fun historical romance. I liked Stella well enough and understood her desire for love and acceptance. But I never quite understood why she fell in love with Teddy. He's an acceptable enough match, certainly, however, I never got butterflies when they were together—no kicking my feet or smiling like an idiot at their cuteness.

Since the book leans into the fade-to-back territory, it can't depend on spice to help prop it up. It's forced to rely purely on relationship development and chemistry. While I liked Stella and Teddy together, it sometimes felt more like a comfortable friendship. They were attracted to each other, yes. But not enough time was spent growing their friendship into a full-on romantic relationship.

That being said, did I enjoy the book overall? Yes, I did.
Was it easy to read? Absolutely.
Is it an absolute must-read? Probably not.

You don’t see a lot of disability rep in historical romance! The MMC is in a wheelchair in this one and I thought it was very well done. It’s a major part of the story without at all diminishing his character. I thought the insight into how he had to deal with other’s perceptions of him was likely very true to life. The FMC also dealt with being conspicuous as her hair was prematurely grey. In the Victorian era where conformity to societal norms was paramount, these two MCs stood out and had to learn to accept and embrace their differences and stand up to the people in their lives who sought to hide them away and diminish them.

The chemistry between them was excellent and I enjoyed their love story even though it was fade-to-black.

This is an interconnected standalone but I haven’t read any of the preceding books and I was able to follow it.

Continuing from the previous book in the series, Teddy has been enraptured by Stella since their first encounter and he desperately wants to paint her. Teddy is a unique main male character partially due to his inability to walk (due to a past illness), his talent in art, and also because of his direct attitude (he doesn’t mince his words!). Hence when he meets Stella, he shocks her to the core but she cannot resist her attraction to him.

As both of them love art, there is quite a lot of conversation revolving around this topic. Their relationship is one that slowly deepens over time spent together and subsequently via letters.

When Stella’s overbearing brother causes trouble, Teddy steps in to offer a marriage of convenience. Unlike most stories, it was refreshing to see how Stella handled the proposal.

I also loved the strong bond between the Four Horsewomen. Their friendship is something to be coveted and I loved how they are always there to support each other.

I went into this book having not read the first 3 in the Belles of London series, and I’m happy to report that it works wonderfully as a standalone! I really enjoyed this one, and am looking forward to reading the prior books!

My favorite thing about this novel is the unique characters! Stella Hobhouse is an experienced equestrian rider, who has so far been expected by society to become a spinster due to her untimely gray hair. Artist Teddy Hayes has been shunned by the public due to his partial paralysis after having scarlet fever. Both outcasts in their own way, they find themselves drawn together: Stella as Teddy’s muse, and Teddy as Stella’s potential way out of an arranged marriage to a much older man she has no interest in.

Wonderful disability rep, a marriage of convenience, witty banter, and more I will not divulge, all made it so I could not get enough! I feel I could have potentially gained more having read the first 3 books set in the same world, but I thoroughly enjoyed this just the same!

I cannot wait to read more from this author, and strongly recommend this for anyone looking for a cozy historical romance!

Big thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the gifted eARC!

This series just keeps getting better and better! The Muse of Maiden Lane is a Victorian romance and the fourth and final book in the Belles of London series. Our final horsewoman to find her happily ever is Stella Hobhouse. Stella is an independent spirit under the guardianship of her clergyman brother who wants her to be proper, quiet and small. Stella is anything but! If only her naturally gray hair could go unnoticed she would be happy. When Stella attends a Christmas house party having dyed her hair a more reddish color (unheard of for a proper girl) she doesn't expect to run into someone who know it is not her real color. Enter Teddy Hayes, aspiring artist who wants nothing more than to paint Stella and spend time with her. Stella's hair dye gone wrong puts her right in the path of Teddy, and the two strike up a unique and beautiful "friendship."

I loved the care in which Mimi Mathews writes Teddy as a Victorian man confined to a wheelchair after a bought with Scarlett fever. Mathews takes pains to represent his struggles as a 24 year old man grappling with his desire for independence while confronting the limitations of his body. There is no glossing over how this affects him. At the same time, his attraction to Stella and their relationship is believable and inspiring . Stella sees him as the man he is, Teddy desires a wife not a nurse, the tow of them together make each other better without diminishing the other. This is one of the best romances with disability rep I have read. WE NEED MORE OF THIS. I also loved how Stella and Teddy are united through their mutual love for art. Mathews depicts this with the same care and research.

This book could easily be read as a stand alone and I must admit I have read this series out of order. I love it when a romance series ends while brining back former characters in coming full circle and this one does not disappoint. If you like historical romance with feisty women ahead of their time and HEA's that fully satisfy with found family as added bonus, you will certainly enjoy this book!

A unique pair of individuals have their own reasons for agreeing to a marriage of convenience and a scandalous artistic endeavor by high society’s standards. Mimi Matthew wraps up the Belles of London series set in the Victorian era with two colorful characters seen in previous books with their own emotional, difficult road to lasting love.



The Muse of Maiden Lane is the fourth book in an inter-connected series that still works well as an individual romance if the reader doesn’t mind encountering the previous happy couples from not only this "Belles of London" series but also Matthew's first series, "Orphans of Devon." But you will find more enjoyment should you read the other books in the series, too.



Miss Stella Hobhouse would love to be truly seen and not for her odd, premature graying hair. Edward Hayes, despite his artistic talent, is first noticed as a man in a wheelchair. Stella's prim preacher brother and his even primmer lady are determined to pawn her off on a local, aged widower and squelch her spirited equestrian pursuits. Her previous reluctance to be Mr. Hayes’s art muse is overcome by his honest, earnest desire to see her as special and lovely, but also his wish for something more.



A holiday country house party and her friend Anne’s surprising engagement (Anne and Hartford from book three) allow Stella and Mr. Hayes, Teddy, to enjoy the treats of the season. A sleigh ride and a bit of mistletoe are meant to bolster Stella against a dreary future in Derbyshire. Their secret correspondence draws a deeper connection. Only Teddy is aware that he wants her love, too, and not just her need to escape her brother’s plans.



I loved the layered character development and friendship, starting at the country house holiday party and then through the discreet correspondence. There was also the magnificent support of Stella's Belles of London friends as well as Teddy's Orphans of Devon group that had me cheering for this unlikely couple from the beginning. They both always saw each other as worthy and attractive when others overlooked them. Gradually, love supplanted doubt. Such a tender and sometimes sultry romance without worry about stigmas and ready to face the challenges together.



This series is now complete, but what a satisfying and heartwarming finale. I hope to spot this pair and others as crossover characters in future books just to spend more time with them. Those who enjoy their historical romance full of authentic backdrop, diversity, variety, and compelling characters and plots must add this one to the must-read stack.

3.5 Stars

<i>The Muse of Maiden Lane</i> is a solid finale to the <i>Belles of London</i> series, but also serves as a coda for Matthew’s <i>Parish Orphans of Devon</i> series.

I think a reader needs to have read, if not the rest of this series, then all seven preceding books to fully enjoy Teddy and Stella’s romance. It will also help with all the cameos of previous characters.

The first half of the book takes place nearly all at the March Christmas party. While this is where Teddy and Stella reconnect after their one run-in from The Lily of Ludgate Hill, there is very little - if any - relationship development to consider these two more than acquaintances by the end of the party. Yes, there were moments when Stella was sitting for Teddy’s sketch that lent themselves to possible romantic development but there wasn’t enough.

In the second half of this book, Stella really shines as the Heroine not only of this book, but of her own life and I loved that journey of her from a woman trying to hide in the background to one who demands to be seen and heard.

It is also in the back-half that the romance picks up as Teddy and Stella are reacquainted in London. But Stella says it best herself at the 68%(!) mark: <i> “It occurs to me that, outside of art, and the fact that you once loved a young lady named Miss Talbot, I don’t know very much about you.” </i> Had I not read A Convenient Fiction, I wouldn’t have known more of Teddy nor cared for his HEA as much as I did so IDK how Stella was expected to be falling in love with him at this point.

While Teddy and Stella’s acquaintanceship quickly becomes more from this point, a marriage of convenience is suggested and then crammed into the last 30% of the book in a way that had this not been a Mimi Matthews book, I wouldn’t have believed in. Nor would I have felt a tendre for the <i>finally</i> building romance…I just...wasn’t sold on it completely by the end. Teddy came across as obsessed with his painting of Stella and art in a way that others might find charming but was not to me.

Still, this is a Mimi Matthews book so it is well written, researched and the characters are fantastic. As a series finale, it is also fantastic. But as a Romance, the usual spark and development I come to Matthews for wasn’t present.

I will go cry now that I didn’t love this book as much as I wanted to.

Thank you to Mimi Matthews, Berkeley Publishing and NetGalley for the Arc!