In "The Work of Art" by Mimi Matthews, the story revolves around Phyllida Satterthwaite, a young woman facing an unwanted marriage arrangement with the sinister Duke of Moreland. Her circumstances take a turn when she confides in Captain Arthur Heywood, a war hero suffering from physical and emotional scars. As Phylly and Arthur form a bond of friendship that evolves into a heartwarming romance, they navigate through family betrayals, villainous characters, and a mysterious threat to Phylly's safety. The writing style of the book beautifully captures the Regency era with well-developed characters and a plot filled with twists and turns, keeping readers engaged till the end.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings for The Work of Art may include themes of PTSD and some animal distress.
Has Romance?
The romance in The Work of Art is prominent and central to the plot.
From The Publisher:
"Matthews weaves suspense and mystery within an absorbing love story. Readers will be hard put to set this one down before the end." (Library Journal, starred review)
An Uncommon Beauty....
Hidden away in rural Devonshire, Phyllida Satterthwaite has always been considered more odd than beautiful. But in London, her oddity has made her a sensation. Far worse, it's caught the eye of the sinister Duke of Moreland - a notorious art collector obsessed with acquiring one-of-a-kind treasures. To escape the duke's clutches, she's going to need a little help.
An Unlikely Hero....
Captain Arthur Heywood's days of heroism are long past. Grievously injured in the Peninsular War, he can no longer walk unaided, let alone shoot a pistol. What use can he possibly be to a damsel in distress? He has nothing left to offer except his good name.
Can a marriage of convenience save Philly from the vengeful duke? Or will life with Arthur put her - and her heart - in more danger than ever?
Ratings (8)
Incredible (2) | |
Loved It (3) | |
Liked It (1) | |
It Was OK (2) |
Reader Stats (24):
Read It (8) | |
Want To Read (10) | |
Did Not Finish (1) | |
Not Interested (5) |
2 comment(s)
My recent foray into the historical fiction genre has lead me to discover many books, some great, some bad. The Work of Art, I am glad to report, was one of the greats.
Heartfelt, charming, and entirely captivating, I was drawn in from the first page to the last. The characters, circumstances, and development kept me turning page after page. The only thing that I would've liked to see in this book was more suspense. I understand that this book is mainly a romance, but I found the suspense aspect of the story interesting and didn't feel that it was adequately expressed.
I hope this author has a few more similarly enjoyable books for me to read!
I enjoyed this. The plot was interesting and I liked the characters. Philly and Arthur worked well together. I liked that their actual relationship was free of drama - more or less anyway. I didn't guess the twist although in hindsight there were clues. I liked the supporting characters (William, the dogs, Mrs Oglivy and the Earl). 3 stars.
What can you read after
The Work of Art?
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