When Philly's grandfather died, her uncle inherited the estate and was kind enough to take Philly back to London with him to give her a season. But things are not always what they seem. Her first ball is specifically chosen to be an event that the Duke of Moreland, 'The Collector', will be attending, and it gradually becomes clear that Philly's unique eyes, one blue and one amber, are intended to attract the duke, who is known to pay highly for anything unique - and to take vengeance on anyone who thwarts him in a desired object. But very little time spent with the duke shows Philly that the man is heartless and at times vicious to those in his power, and she decides that she must escape. One of her uncle's business partners, Captain Arthur Heywood, is the only man she feels comfortable with in London, and she begs him for help - only to be astonished when he offers a marriage of convenience, as the only way of escaping from the duke. But will their marriage really keep her safe? And is Arthur's past destined to keep them forever apart?

I really enjoy this author's writing, and this did not disappoint. The characters felt real, as did their struggles, and the bit of mystery fitted in well without feeling overdone or forced. All in all, this would have been a five-star book for me but for a couple of pages which, though I'd probably still call them clean, gave me a bit more information than I was quite comfortable with about Arthur and Philly's marriage night. No, there was no problem with their actions, but I don't really want to know even that little. Most people probably won't be bothered by it, and some will doubtless be disappointed at how little information is given, but I would have been happier with less. Other than that, though, I really enjoyed the book.

Note that I received an ARC from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my personal opinion of the book.

London - 1814

Captain Arthur Heywood, the second son of the Earl of Gordon, is visiting at the home of Mr. Edgar Townsend, a well-known financier. Suddenly, several large dogs come running through the room, causing a uproar. Mr. Townsend’s niece, Phillida (Philly) Satterthwaite, age 23, owns the dogs and rushes in to corral them while apologizing profusely for the disturbance. Mr. Townsend inherited Philly’s home when her grandfather passed away, so he brought her to live with his sister and his daughters, Elizabeth, 24, and Abigail, 18. Philly had insisted that she must bring her dogs with her. She is soon to make her debut.

Arthur Heywood has to rely upon his cane to get around He had been severely inured in the war. When he returned home from the war, he found his fiancé had married someone else. Now, he swears he will never marry.

When Philly is out walking her dogs, she meets Arthur sitting on a bench. Realizing his limitations, she is very kind to him and they enjoy chatting.

Philliy’s uncle, Mr. Townsend, has big ideas for her. As she has one blue eye and one hazel eye, she is sometimes called The Work of Art by the arrogant, cold, and cruel Duke of Moreland, also known as The Collector. He wants Philly but she has no interest in him. To get away from him, Philly accepts Arthur’s proposal to marry him. They then go to live at his home in the country. They are perfect together and Arthur even starts to open up more and his walking improves. Ah, but the Duke of Moreland doesn’t take rejection easily and soon the evil man rears his ugly head. Will they be able to have a happy and safe marriage?

This is a sweet, clean romance with a great hero and heroine, both able to show one another how devoted they are to the other. It made me smile to see their love and happiness. I think readers will love this book and I look forward to reading more by this favorite author of mine.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Phyllida Satterthwaite, twenty-three, has lead a quite life with her grandfather Sir Charles of Satterhwaite Court in Devonshire, but after her time of mourning his death is over in 1814 she is taken to London by the only relations she has left. Edgar Townsend has agreed to give her season as she stays with him and her cousins Elizabeth and Abigail.
But unknown to her the cruel and sinister Duke of Moreland, a collector of items, wants her for himself. Who can she turn to in her need.
A delightful well-written romance. The main characters are quite lovely, especially the way they are able to interact with each other considering the period, and the story kept my interest right to the end.
Once again Ms Matthews has written an enjoyable story.

Mimi Matthews is fast becoming one of the best writers in the romance genre these days. Her characters are compelling, her plots fresh and her HEAs always a tiny bit in doubt until she wraps up the story. In "The Work of Art" she goes to the Regency period rather than her usual Victorian era for the story of a beautiful young woman about to be sold into marriage by her uncle to a wicked Duke. Phyllida Satterthwaite, as used to doing what she is told, refuses to go along with the arranged marriage. She is sweet but not a pushover; she's also a great judge of character -- that's why she turns to Captain Arthur Heywood, a wounded soldier, our tortured hero. He spirits her away to the countryside, offers a marriage of convenience and sets about protecting her. Along the way, the convenient marriage becomes decidedly more. The elements of mystery and suspense add to the romance and propels the story to the end.
Mimi Matthews writes like a dream, giving her love stories added depth and details that linger long after the book is closed. Another winner!
(I received an ARC from NetGalley. Opinions mine.)

The Work of Art by Mimi Matthews is a marvelous Regency that was a joy to read. Having read and been impressed with Matthews' work set in the Victorian era, I was happy for the opportunity to read more of her work. From the gorgeous cover, you are drawn into the heartfelt, romantic story of Phyllida Satterhwaite and Captain Arthur Heywood.

Phyllida had been living in the country with her grandfather and is offered a Season when his estate is inherited by Edgar Townsend, not knowing that "Uncle Edgar" has an ulterior motive in bringing her to London. Arthur had withdrawn from Society after being terribly wounded in the war and is only in town to handle business for his father, the Earl of Gordon. Phyllida and Arthur strike a chord in each other and form a true bond.

War-damaged heroes and marriage of convenience are not new tropes, but Matthews deftly captures the society and manners of the era with well-defined characters and wonderfully descriptive prose. I highly recommend The Work of Art to anyone who appreciates fine Regency romance.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Hidden away in rural Devonshire, Phyllida Satterthwaite has always been considered more odd than beautiful. But in London, her oddity of having two different coloured eyes has made her a sensation & she’s caught the eye of the Duke of Moreland a notorious art collector obsessed with acquiring one-of-a-kind treasures & who's nickname is The Collector. 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.
Everytime I read one of the author’s books I now know I'm in for a treat, they are beautifully written & have a lovely attention to detail. The characters are extremely well portrayed with plenty of depth. The pace is good & flows effortlessly. This is a lovely romance of Arthur & Philly bringing out the best in each other, he's the wounded war hero & she's the woman with a heart of gold, they are perfect for each other. There’s the added interest of unexplained accidents but it’s the love story between Arthur & Philly that proved to be the page turner
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Mimi Matthews historical romance writing is a pure joy to read. She effortlessly entwines history around beautifully developed characters and creates a story that has you glued to the book from page one!

In order to saved the beautiful orphaned Phyllida Satterthwaite from fearsome Duke of Moreland, Captain Arthur Heywood proposes a marriage of convenience. But with this marriage he will only be able to give her his name because he has been horrible wounded from the war and can not imagine what else he would have to offer. Miss Satterthwaite accepts and starts a journey of healing for both of them, both physically and emotionally.

I highly recommend The Work of Art by Mimi Matthews for all lovers of historical fiction and romance.

#TheWorkOfArt #NetGalley

I was instantly captivated by the cover, and soon found myself immersed in the beautifully written novel “The Work of Art”. After the death of her grandfather, Phyllida (Philly) Satterthwaite was taken to London, to live with her uncle and cousins, in what she thought would be her introduction to society. Whilst understanding that she would need to marry, she was unaware of her uncle’s plans to make her noticed by the Duke of Moreland. Considered a ‘collector’ of fine art, the duke decides that she is a ‘work of art’ and that they must marry; however, Philly refuses and then begins to fear what may happen as a consequence. She seeks the assistance of Captain Arthur Heywood, who has been in business dealings with her uncle, but feels that he is her only friend in London. When Arthur suggests marriage, Philly readily accepts for more than just a means to escape. She has quickly realised that she cares for Arthur, possibly more than he realises. Likewise, Arthur also has strong feelings for Philly, but with his injuries from the Peninsula War, leaving him with both physical and emotional scars, he worries that Philly may regret her decision to marry him.
This is a book that will resonate for long after the story has ended. I found myself reflecting on the way in which the friendship gradually builds and turns to such strong and devoted love, with such ease. Whilst both characters are kind and caring, they are in no way two dimensional as their flaws make them more realistic, and their relationship more believable. The secondary characters were well developed, and some so nasty, but this to, made the story more enjoyable and suspenseful. With each chapter, the story unfolds revealing more behind each character, whilst adding greater depth, making this more than your average romance. This is definitely a book to treasure.
I received an advanced review copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Highly recommended. Very sweet, interesting historical novel. I really enjoyed it.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book which I would characterize as Gothic romance. It contains many of my favorite elements: a wounded hero, resourceful heroine, marriage of convenience, suspense, and a real feeling of menace. Most of the author's books are set in the Victorian period but this one was set in the Regency period in the aftermath of the Napoleonic War. For me, what really set this book apart and made it memorable was the hero's account of his last battle and the aftermath. It was realistic and absolutely horrifying.

The heroine, Phyllida, lived happily in the country with her grandfather until he passed away. She enjoyed country living, her horses and roaming with her band of rescued stray dogs, one so crippled that she carried him. After her grandfather's death, her aunt and uncle inherited the estate. They had not previously known Phyllida, but since she had no other relatives and no means to support herself, they offered her a season so that she would have the opportunity to marry. Her aunt and uncle are somewhat cold, and her two female cousins are not particularly likable either.

Her uncle is trying to find investors for a business scheme, and one of the men he was hoping would invest is Captain Arthur Heywood, who had been badly wounded in war and was crippled. The Captain was impressed by Phyllida, not just her beauty but by her compassion and tact when she found ways to offer him unobtrusive support in walking. They began meeting in the park when she walked out with her cousins, and got to know each other.

Unbeknownst to Phyllida, her uncle and aunt had ulterior motives in offering her a home and a season. When Phyllida discovers their scheme, she becomes desperate to leave her uncle's house, and turns to Captain Heywood. He helps her to escape and offers her marriage and a home. The escape was not easy as they were pursued and there was a genuine sense of danger. I highly recommend this book for lovers of historical romance.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Work of Art by Mimi Matthews

Every time I pick up one of this author’s books I know I will be in for a treat! From the chaotic beginning flooded with dogs to the excellent happily ever ending I was interested and engaged with the characters and absolutely fell in love with them! AND as I had to find out what would happen...stayed up till nearly 3am to finish this book!

Phillida “Philly” Satterthwaite was raised by her grandparents away from town and has simple tastes bred in the country life she has experienced. At twenty-three, after her grandparents die, she is taken in by the family of the man who inherits her grandfather’s title. With a season to look forward and a husband to find she is less than enamored with the choice her uncle has in mind for her. Taking things into her own hands she comes up with a much better solution than the Duke of Moreland...yes...she opts for Captain Arthur Heywood. The fact that nobody in town understand WHY she would choose a second son over a Duke is not of importance to her and it isn’t of much importance to Arthur either.

This book has the young heroine in a dire situation with a dashing...well...perhaps not so nimble...hero that steps in to save her. There are some hurdles for them to overcome as they get to know one another and there is also someone out to cause trouble...perhaps more than one someone.

I loved the relationship between Philly and Arthur and knew before the end of the story that they were well suited to one another with decades of happiness to enjoy with one another and a loving family.

I have a smile on my face as I write this and am eager for whatever book Ms Matthews offers next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Perfectly Proper Press for the ARC - This is my honest review.

5 Stars

I loved this one. I think this author writes very well, and have enjoyed her previous work very much.

Phyllida is a young woman of 23, orphaned as a newborn, she has been brought up in a very sheltered way by her grandparents, who were very loving but strict. She has spent her time with animals and has four adopted dogs who she is devoted to. She is uncommonly beautiful with unusual eyes, as such she is dubbed “The Work of Art” . Townsend, a distant relative, inherits her grandfathers estate, and brings her to London to find her a husband. She is very innocent and doesn’t realise that her so called uncle is grooming her to be sold off to a Duke who likes to collect unusual things. It is rumoured that his last wife was killed by him. She is kept away from society and instructed on correct society manners, to make her a suitable bride for a Duke, but is so innocent that she doesn’t realise what is happening until she is forced to waltz with the Duke of Moreland at her first ball.

She is also introduced to Captain Arthur Haywood at her uncle’s house. He has been asked to investigate an investment scheme Townsend is trying to broker, by his father the Earl of Gordon. Captain Haywood has been badly injured in battle, and is badly injured. He walks with difficulty, using a cane and can no longer ride or shoot. It is rumoured he carries a candle for Lady Eliot, who was engaged to him before he went to fight. He has become a recluse, living a half life at Haywood House in the country. In desperation his father has asked him to look into this investment opportunity. Almost against his will, Arthur is attracted to Phyllida. She recognises his pain, both physical and mental, and quietly tries to ease it in small ways. Arthur is inexplicably calmed and heartened by her presence. Being so sheltered, Arthur is the first person Phyllida has met who she thinks of as a friend.

When she tries to resist the match, she is threatened by Townsend, in desperation she asks Arthur to help her, and he suggests a marriage on convenience.

He whisks her away, and marries her. How will they get on as husband and wife, and will Arthur be able to protect her?

What I loved about this book was the way MimI Matthews developed the relationship between Arthur and Phyllida. Arthur is very wounded by his experiences, and he very quickly develops intense feelings for Phyllida once he is married to her. He become incredibly protective and cherishes her carefully. Phyllida, is a great character, beautiful and good, but not an insufferable Cinderella/martyr. She recognises Arthur’s emotional wounds, and tries to gentle him, raster like she would and injured dog. He slowly comes back to life as a result of her attention. I also really enjoyed the way that Phyllida grew and discovered her feelings and desire to be loved by Arthur. The way the relationship between Phyllida and the Earl and his mistress was also nicely done.

The whole book had as yearning bittersweet quality to it that I loved, together with great restraint in the writing.

Highly recommended

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book and all opinions are my own.

Also on Goodreads

I loved this book! I am a big fan of regency romances and I really enjoyed the premise of this one. There is a duke who is called collector who enjoys collecting unique items and he finds Philly, our heroine, to be one of these things.
Enter our hero, Captain Arthur Haywood, to save Philly from a marriage to the duke by marrying her himself.
I enjoyed watching Arthur and Philly’s relationship develop and how they complemented one another. It was a sweet, clean read with quite a bit of suspense. I definitely will be checking out more books by this author.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Miss Phyllida Satterthwaite has spent the majority of her life in the country. When her cousin takes over the only home she's known, he takes Philly to London where her oddity makes her a sensation. With control of her life quickly slipping away and desperate to avoid the fate her cousin has planned, Philly must trust an injured war hero to protect her. Has she made the right choice?

This was a lovely read. I really enjoyed Philly and Arthur. They complimented each other well. Their relationship grew with time and they communicated well. It was really, really sweet. At times, the emotions were a little heavy and I had to step away for a short time.

The Duke of Moreland brought a high level of suspense and tension to the story. There was a "twist" to the end that I have to admit, I suspected about halfway through the story. It was set up well and the plot played out in an enjoyable way.

I would recommend this to readers looking for a stand-alone clean Regency romance.

Phyllida Satterthwaite's uncle has swept her away from rural Devonshire and to London, promising her a season and a chance at an advantageous marriage. Little does she know, he has already chosen her husband: the rich and sinister Duke of Moreland. When neither her uncle nor Moreland are willing to take no for an answer, Philly turns to the one friend she has managed to make in London: Captain Arthur Heywood. But can even a marriage of convenience save her from an unhinged madman?

Like Matthews' earlier Holiday by Gaslight, The Work of Art is a beautifully written and emotionally satisfying story of two people who discover that they are their best selves when together. Philly is innocent and trusting, yet not in an obnoxious too-stupid-to-live way. She has a soft spot for injured creatures, whether animals or people, and is willing to look beyond a person's exterior to see the hurt beneath- making her far more understanding of some of the cruelty the London elite can dish out than Captain Heywood is! She's patient and kind, and turns out to be exactly who Arthur needs to help him become himself again. Arthur returned from the Peninsular Wars injured both physically and mentally. He retreats into a reclusive life in the country to handle the nightmares that followed him home and can't imagine being good for anything now that he's permanently injured. When he offers to marry Philly to protect her, it's because he can't challenge the other men to duels and kill them.

Philly much prefers marrying the man she has already fallen for to a pile of dead bodies, and it is her sweetly understanding manner, and her love, that slowly begin to heal Arthur. I loved how she is always willing to talk to Arthur about what bothers her, and that the frequent misunderstandings they have due to inexperience and poor self esteem get solved without allowing them to build up into weeks-long dramas. The emotional bonds between Philly and Arthur are palpable from the first and Matthews did a wonderful job of strengthening them in natural ways. Matthews also does an excellent job balancing romance and menace with her villains and the danger hanging over Philly's head throughout the book. The reader gets to enjoy seeing a beautiful romance unfolding while still feeling on the edge of danger the entire time.

A definite must read for romance lovers, and one of the best Mimi Matthews books I've read in ages!

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

Wonderful historical romance by Mimi Matthews. Philly Satterthwaite comes alive in these pages, she is a sweet, young tender hearted young lady whose lost her family and is taken in by her Uncle Townsend and promised a London season.. Arthur Heywood is a wounded solider not only in mind but in spirit; that is until he meets Philly. All is not as it seems and soon Philly's uncle reveals his plan for her. Philly turns to her only friend, Arthur Townsend, for help. What started out as a wonderful friendship slowly develops into deep love and affection for each other.

Matthews keeps this sweet tale of romance and love moving with an intriguing mystery and the budding relationship between Philly and Arthur. Well worth the read.

I am a voracious reader of historical romance. I believe Mary Balogh, Grace Burrowes and Lisa Kleypas are the queens of this genre. And now Mimi Matthews has joined that exalted group. Her beautiful novels draw me right in and I can't get anything done until I'm finished reading. This book is particularly engaging and so, so romantic!

Phyllida Satterthwaite and her four beloved dogs now live in London with her stern uncle, hateful aunt and irritating cousins after the death of her grandfather. She has different colored eyes, which draw much attention. When her uncle has potential business partners at the home, she meets Captain Arthur Heyward, a former cavalry officer who was grievously injured in the war; he cannot walk without a cane and suffers severe pain. Philly really clicked with the gruff, unsmiling Arthur and they become friends. She didn't look at him with pity, and when she thought he needed help or was in pain, she helped him without being obvious and drawing attention to him. Her uncle wishes her to meet a Duke, who is interested in Philly because he believes she is a work of art with her unusual eyes. She didn't like this Duke at all. However, she finds her uncle has essentially sold her to him and demands she marry him. Frightened of the rumors about the Duke, she leaves her home with Arthur; he decides the only way he can protect her is to give her his name.

The relationship between Philly and Arthur was just beautiful! They started as friends, with the intention that their marriage would be in name only. That was not to be; a quiet romance built quickly between them. Philly was a sweet, caring woman with a big heart, evidenced by the care she gave her wayward pets...and Arthur. Arthur still suffered from his pain and injuries, feeling frustrated that he couldn't do the things he used to do. When it appeared that someone was trying to hurt Philly, he would do everything he could to protect her. Though intimacies were behind closed doors, the story was still very sensual and the love palpable. I can't express just how much this book touched me. Ms. Matthews can't write fast enough for me.

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel. This was regency era historical fiction. I love this author and this book did not disappoint. While it was not sexually explicit, it definitely had a steam factor between Philly and Arthur the two main characters. Loved the ending!

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Heartfelt stars!
This cover is gorgeous! ♥️♥️♥️
This was such a romantic story that I can’t quit smiling. I LOVED it! This book made me so happy that I’ll be thinking about it for weeks. Mimi Matthews is one of my favorite authors and I get so excited when she writes a new book. *SIGH*
It’s about a lady and her pets and a gentleman who was wounded in the war. Both are lost in their new surroundings and became friends under the most unlikely circumstances. Their story is very, very sweet and precious.
It also had a bit of mystery that kept me guessing and I’ll have to say that this is my favorite book of hers so far! If you want a wonderful story with romance and mystery then this is your book!
What I loved:
• The Romance
• The Chemistry
• Arthur (whose my new book boyfriend)
• Philly (sweet, precious girl)
• The time period
• HEA
This was a NETGALLEY gift and all opinions are my own!

3.5 stars.
Another interesting story by Mimi Matthews.

As always, the author is exquisitely correct about historical accuracy, and as always, her characters are lovely and adorable. And if you take the time to read the articles Ms. Matthews posts in her blog, you can see almost all her stories have a <i>real</i> background. Another plus, if you ask me.

I loved the romance. It´s (again) a marriage of convenience to save the heroine from a horrifying future that, at the end, becomes a love match (of course 😉)

The story´s strong point has been the beginning. At the middle (more o less) its pace was a bit slow but, overall, the plot is so original it´s worth reading it. The idea of the collector is a new (and chilling) one for me and that´s another plus.

This author is one of my favorites in HR.
***
3.5 stars.
Otra interesante historia de Mimi Matthews.
Como siempre, la autora es exquisitamente correcta con la precisión histórica, y como siempre, sus personajes son entrañables y encantadores. Y si además te tomas la molestia de leer algunos de los artículos en su blog, verás que todas sus historias tienen un trasfondo real. Casi todas se basan en algún evento ocurrido en la época lo que les confiere un toque aún más real.

El romance es enternecedor. Otro matrimonio de conveniencia para salvar a la heroína de un futuro desolador que acaba convirtiéndose en una relación preciosa.
El comienzo ha sido el punto fuerte de la historia. Hacia la mitad del libro todo ha sido un poco más lento pero en general, la trama es interesante y original, que no es poco. La idea del coleccionista nunca la había leído hasta ahora y es, como poco, escalofriante.

Esta autora sigue siendo una de mis favoritas en romance histórico.