The Author's Note at the end of this book is really pivotal, and perhaps should be placed at the beginning. See, this is one of the author first ever books that she wrote. And it shows. It's not a horrible story, it's just way more choppy than her other writings. There's so much more "telling" than "showing", so much less historical detail and the characters are more cliche's than anything. All that being said, knowing that this was an early work of the author made me appreciate the book much more than I otherwise would have. It's a Regency love story (can you use romance when the author doesn't show more than a kiss?) of a couple that marries at first for (her) safety and then fall in love. They're married and have love scenes, though the author fades away and doesn't show any. The villiian is easily identified and not a very deep character, though there is a twist that will get you at the end. Not a great read, the others by this author are much better. But all in all, a decent read and one I'm glad the author published!

You will not be able to put this book down. It is totally engrossing, romantic, beautifully written and full of intrigue. Arthur and Philly hardly know each other when they are thrust into a marriage of convienence. They have angered a powerful Duke with a wicked reputation. I turned pages to see how our H & h would stay safe and fall in love. There are thriller aspects to this plot that make for rapid page turning. I highly recommend this one to all HR readers. It will go On my Best Reads of 2019 list.

Oh man, a regency romance boasting a handsome protagonist who has war wounds and can barely walk, and a girl with the rarity of different-colored eyes? A gross chauvinist villain who wishes to ‘obtain’ her for his collection of oddities? Hahahah count me IN. I honestly got some Persuasion vibes in this book – maybe it was that the guy was Captain Arthur Heywood, or there was a Lady Eliot, or the regency era or…something else. But I liked that aspect, in any case.

Inclusion: Okay, I was very, very into the realism of Arthur’s leg condition and the pain it takes to walk, navigate stairs, mount a horse, all manner of things that able-bodied people take for granted. As someone -still- recovering from a gross knee break this time last year, walking with difficulty and leaning on a cane 85% of the time, this realistic portrayal of a devastating injury and what it does to the mind – particularly that of a MAN and a member of the gentry – I loved this plot aspect. So refreshing. The gentleman being vulnerable, oftentimes actually needing the assistance of the lady – awesome.

Dogs: Philly, our main lady, has several dogs. Even better, another inclusion that just makes this plot more refreshing. She has her own protection of sorts, and a channel through which to portray her compassion for animals (and wounded handsome gentlemen). There is even a CROSSOVER when one of Philly’s dogs is lame from a leg injury, so she coddles and carries around this dog for most of the book.

Gross men: The villain we are shown, this sinister Duke of Moreland, was chilling to read about! A complete creep who stares at Philly and evaluates her as he would a horse – or worse, an inanimate piece of art for his collection. The title comes from the nickname society gave her because of her dual eye colors.

Additional thoughts: There was even a little bit of a mystery involved, with several red herrings thrown in, so if I wasn’t taken in by the romance already, there was even more to the story. The romance was fantastic, from Philly’s effect on Heywood’s injuries, to his caring for her dogs, to the mutual support the couple lent each other – and swoony moments, of course.

Solid 5 stars. I read this in a few hours and just devoured it.

Review excerpted from my blog post over at FanSciHist (https://fanscihist.wordpress.com/2019/07/02/the-work-of-art-by-mimi-matthews/)

My Rating: 4 stars

Library recommendation: Recommended for public library historical romance collections.

Warning: Hereafter, you chance spoilers. I will try never to reveal major plot points, but to review any book, you must reveal some parts of the story.


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Number of titles I have read by this author: 6

Love story speed: Medium burn

Relationship dynamics: The Recovering War Hero (H) / The Striking Impoverished Lady (h)

Sexual content: None “on-screen”, some vaguely described after the fact. Some minor foreplay described “on-screen”

Triggers: PTSD (H); some descriptions of animal cruelty (not by H or h); explicit descriptions of war; potentially upsetting scenes involving lack of (non-sexual) consent (involving h, not imposed by H).

Grammar/Editing: I found one spacing error. This was a very clean ARC.

Review: The pacing of this novel is very good and I found it to be quite a quick read. Although Matthews specializes in the Victorian time period, she does not disappoint in the Regency time period: as always, the historical setting is well-researched and accurately presented.

As is usual for leads written by Matthews, Philly and Arthur have a very satisfying dynamic and natural relationship. They are also very human and have flaws: Philly can be both naive and quick to jump to conclusions and Arthur can be incredibly overprotective, although much of this behaviour is easily justified by events in the book. The supporting characters are well-enough developed to serve their purposes in the narrative and the villain(s) of the piece are well-written and inspire just the right level of tension within the story.

Animal Rescue PSA version: Many animals who end up in rescues have come from dire circumstances, including horrible situations of abuse. Please consider donating funds to your local animal rescues, particularly for those animals who come into the shelter needing extensive (and expensive) veterinary care due to injuries sustained before arriving at the shelter.

Full disclosure: I received a free advance review copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this emotional and intense story from Mimi Matthews. The tenderhearted and innocent heroine is used as a pawn in business dealings by her unscrupulous uncle when she is sold into marriage. Society calls her "The Work of Art" and bets on her acquisition by a wealthy nobleman. The tension from the threat to Philly and the challenge of her making a real marriage and life form the action of the novel. I found myself so concerned for her and her husband that I thought about the while not actively reading the book. The courage and grace that Philly shows are models for the triumph of compassion over a cynical and harsh social world. Philly deserves her HEA.

This has been the best book by Mrs Matthew so far!!! I loved everything about the book! Characters are amazing!!! Plot is great and the dogs are adorable!!! Great job!!!!

SWEET, HEARTFELT AND WONDERFUL

Anyone who knows me knows that I have a soft spot for historical romance. Therefore it is unusual for me to find an author, I didn't know about in advance. With Mimi Matthews that was the case - but now I want to read more from her hand because this was just wonderful!

"Without a pitying look or a word of sympathy, Miss Satterthwaite had lent him her support. And she'd done it in just such a way as to spare his foolish pride."

THE THINGS I LIKED

Philly and Arthur: The most important thing with any historical romance novel is definitely a strong leading couple. Usually, however, historical romance authors tend to build a relationship for their leading couples around lust and physicality. Honestly, it's getting boring to me. Mimi Matthews did not fall into that trap. Instead, she build a true, deep and very emotional connection between Arthur and Philly and that made the entire book so special!

Feeling: As the relationship between the two MC's the entire feeling of the book was so light, heartfelt and sweet. While I don't mind mystery or hardship, which this book had, it was nice that most of it was just sweet and romantic.

Arthur: Another annoying cliché in historical romance is the hunky, buff hero who, somehow, is all muscles even though he doesn't really do anything at all. Arthur was no hunk - at least he wasn't described as one. And that was so great. Also, he was not a douche, a player or a rogue. That was great too.

THE THING I DISLIKED

Ma'am: Maybe this is just me, but calling the unmarried woman 'ma'am' seemed sort of misplaced. I mean, wouldn't 'miss' be more accurate?

I love stories where the hero and heroine begin as friends. The romance develops differently. It awakens and builds slowly, and there’s nothing like that slow burn. Readers get to venture with the two characters on a journey of surprising discovery. And this journey of Arthur and Philly is truly a Work of Art.

Phyllida Satterthwaite spent her whole life being obedient and obliging, doing what was expected of her. That’s why after the loss of her grandfather and her beloved home, she found herself unhappy and alone in London with strangers who now stood as family. She thought she’d been brought by her Uncle Edgar to London for a season so she might find a suitable match. It appears her uncle only had one man in mind though. The Duke of Moreland, a collector of anything rare. And he found Philly rare indeed. When Moreland wanted something, he must have it. And if he couldn’t, no one else would. Philly found herself facing a bleak future. There was only one person she could turn to for help. Captain Arthur Heywood. The only friend she’d made since coming to London. Where the Duke of Moreland inspired fear in Philly, Capt. Heywood inspired confidences and trust. And Philly trusted that Arthur could help her escape the future her uncle intended for her.
Captain Arthur Heywood led a quiet, reclusive life after he returned injured from the war. While in London, he avoided everyone but Edgar Townsend, the man with whom he had necessary business to attend to. It was on one of these visits that Arthur met Philly, Edgar’s niece. She had a genuine warmth about her and didn’t look at Arthur with pity as so many others did. Moments with her were the closest thing he’d had to companionship since his return and he found himself seeking opportunities to spend time with her. When Philly approached Arthur about her uncle’s plans, he felt he was in no condition at all to be of service to anyone anymore. He could no longer walk without aid and could scarcely hold a pistol. What use could he be? But Philly was so vulnerable and trusting, and before he knew it, Arthur offered the only thing he could think of to help her escape the duke, a marriage of convenience.
As Philly and Arthur settle in to life on his country estate, they learn more and more about each other, and it becomes harder and harder to accept a marriage in name only. But when strange things start happening, it appears the Duke of Moreland may be out for revenge, and Arthur will do whatever he must to win Philly’s heart and keep her safe.
I fell in love with Arthur and Philly immediately. Philly was like my favorite childhood character, Pollyanna. Always managing to keep a happy outlook. Looking for the good in others. She was so encouraging to Arthur but in a quiet way, helping him push himself to regain some of what he’d lost. Arthur was injured, yes, but he bore the pain and pushed himself. He didn’t’ wallow in self pity. He was sweet and kind and looked for ways to make Philly happy. They each brought out the best in the other. Theirs was a beautiful and heartwarming romance. I loved how honest they were with one another. Their shyness and doubts only made them more human and relatable. There was just something special about their friendship and their romance. Both had a quiet strength to them and their connection was strong,
I’m amazed at how Mimi Matthews can write the most endearing characters and also the most scheming and nasty characters too. Elizabeth and Lady Elliot were complete witches. I found myself curling my lip every time they appeared on the page. Uncle Edgar and the Duke never failed to make my blood run cold. The dichotomy between all these characters kept me turning the pages to see just who was up to mischief in Somersetshire. Strange things were afoot and I had more than one suspicion as to who was behind it.
Fans of Mimi Matthews will fall in love with this charming story. The pacing of Arthur’s and Philly’s romance is perfect. I loved watching their relationship evolve and come full circle. A sweet testament to the healing power of love, this story is perfection. Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this book.

"The Work of Art" is a romance set in 1814 in England. Philly is a kind, compassionate woman drawn to hurting beings. She has four loyal dogs that she's rescued from injury or abuse, so she understands that Arthur's outwardly stern, unwelcoming attitude is a result of the injuries he received in battle. He was once a skilled rider and crack shot, but now he can't walk without a cane and even then only with pain.

Philly's kindness opened the way for a friendship between the two that developed into love. They had plenty of misunderstandings, but--happiness!--they actually talked them out within a day, drawing the two even closer together. They're a good match that brings out the best in each other. Suspense was added from the rumored danger to Philly because she rejected the duke's efforts to "collect" (marry) her. Accurate historical details about things like manners, historic events, and clothing were woven into the story.

There was some bad language. There were several scenes involving extended heated kissing (focusing on the face) fading to black as things became more intimate between the married couple. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable romance.

"Without a pitying look or a word of sympathy, Miss Satterthwaite had lent him her support. And she’d done it in just such a way as to spare his foolish pride."

"The Work of Art" is Mimi Matthews' first Regency historical romance and it is as delightful as her Victorian romances.

The story starts off when Phyllida Satterthwaite (Philly) is brought to London to her Uncle Townsend after her grandfather's passing. Shortly after arriving there she is being touted as "the work of art" due to her different colored eyes.

Captain Heywood returns from the Battle of Albuera scarred, physically and emotionally, and has secluded himself from society. His father decides to send him to London for business on his behalf with none other than Philly's uncle.

While conducting business with her uncle Captain Heywood and Philly have a few pleasant interactions. When the "Collector" finally comes to take her hand in marriage, Philly goes to Captain Heywood to ask for a safe haven for her dogs. However, he proposes marriage to her instead...

Right from the beginning we knew the respect and admiration both Phyllis and Captain Heywood had for each other so seeing their love blooming was sweet. One thing I really liked was how a certain misunderstanding she had was cleared up the very next time they met. Along with their relationship, Philly also has a great bond with her dogs, especially Basil and Fox.

Victorian or Regency, my favorite thing about Mimi Matthews' is her writing. It just seems so effortless and is always so pleasant to read. Highly recommended!

All opinions are my own and I thank Perfectly Proper Press for the ARC.

(5 stars) – wonderfully, thoroughly immersing

This book’s cover is gorgeous – not just the lovely young woman, but the sumptuous colors. It caught my eye immediately.

Once I began reading, I did not put it down, (except under moments of familial duress 😉), until I’d finished it. Events began immediately & the pacing of the story is steady enough that it never felt laggy.

The story has a bit of a Gothic flavor to it. What if Jane Eyre had been a beauty? And coveted by a cold-hearted Duke that Rochester had to save her from?

Mimi Matthews excels at tortured, broken heroes. Arthur may well be her best. At one point he tells his father it was a good thing his hand had been too damaged to hold a gun or he’d have blown his brains out.

When he & Phyllida meet, he’s still a man who wants to despair at some level, but it’s not in his nature to quit, so he’s biding time, though without any real purpose.

Phyllida connects with people similar to the way she connects with animals. She has compassion & understanding rather than pity, so she acts from an empathetic care & consideration of others.

Despite Arthur’s initial irritation that he might be just another one of her strays, he feels that connection with Phyllida & their friendship begins.

Phyllida & Arthur’s relationship development felt natural and entirely believable. The chemistry between them is palpable. It’s a clean romance with no graphic details yet the author successfully portrays the growing attraction & developing intimacy of the couple.

And to the blessed relief of romance readers everywhere, they deal with their insecurities & misunderstandings like real life people. Despite the drama of the plot, the story felt believable all the way to the end.

This book is definitely on my “Best of 2019” list!

Clean romance level: passionate kisses, marital intimacy takes place but discreetly & without graphic detail.

Religion: only topical to setting, use of the Lord’s Name in vain in typical Regency expressions (By G*d,for G*d’s sake, etc) but not cursing at least

Language: a dozen or so “d*mn”s + a” h*ll” or two

[review posting on publication date at Amazon, BN, & major retailers, as well as Facebook & social media]

The Work of Art was a delightful read. Arthur and Philly are engaging characters whom I got behind right from the start. The story moves at a good pace, with a perfect blend of action and romance, and the latter was nicely developed, the relationship progressing in a believable way. There was a twist in the tale I didn't see coming until the last moment, and overall I had great fun reading it. Recommended for fans of Regency romance who like solid characters and exciting plots.

This was the steamiest proper romance I've ever read and I did not mind one little bit. Phyllida, a uniquely beautiful and kind orphan, is shipped off to her Uncle in England to be groomed for her coming out season but she soon learns that those closest to her have alterer motives and interests. Captain Heywood, though gruff and bitter, immediately sees the compassion in Philly and offers her the quick solution of a convince marriage. But will that truly save her from her former fate? I loved Philly. Her love for dogs and her patience for all living creatures was a beautiful trait. And Heywood was a tortured soul (perhaps a little *too* tortured at times), but I loved his devotion to Philly and her beloved pets. This story also had a little twist- almost a proper thriller in its own rights. It was sweet and a little suspenseful and very enjoyable!

It will be an impossible task to convey the emotions this very book made me feel.
I do not know why Mrs Mimi Matthews’ name clicked right for me as I’m sure it is my first reading of her work.
Whatever, it was such a marvelous read, I lost myself in Philly and Arthur’s tale and cursed my daily cores as they kept me from reading a big part of the day, with I read it late this night and wake up earlier to finish it as my eyes decided to have a will of their own to shut me down.
I found no fault in Mrs Matthews’ protagonists she painted them perfectly, they are not flawless but their imperfections made them more true and alive.
Philly and Arthur were not only brushed as kind and full of care characters, they were given a breadth not often seen in paper heroes. They were multidimensional persons and even if one or two times I disagreed with their courses of actions, I understood them too.
Arthur is a wounded man, soldier’s life left him badly hurt, but his scars are not only physical, they haunt him. He is not an expansive kind of man, he keeps his feelings close to his heart, never showing them while Philly wears her heart on her sleeve and her sensibility on her face.
Despite the short span of time at the beginning, the plot didn’t seem rushed, the events unfolded smoothly and I was drawn to them, their struggles and their decency when facing unsettling situations.
Philly despite her innocence and naivety, is not one to hold a grudge even when betrayed, but she also refuses to surrender and let others decide her fate. She is such a thoughtful person, always helping others in need, also never pitying them, she tries in her own way to improve their issues. And by trying to ease Arthur’s impairments, she breached the walls around his heart. Their mutual support and instant connection during their few encounters built the premises of a solid relationship, which once on the right path evolved its fated way.
Even if there were some unsaid things and uneases, they are such honest persons, they express their thoughts and feelings, they discuss and let no one plays with their sentiments.
It is a complex story with a touch of danger and a love that grows to its right conclusion once the masks have fallen.
Mrs Matthews has crafted a wonderful tale of healing and destined love.
There is no rating to reward a so awesome read.

4 Stars - I highly recommend if you enjoy proper romance/historical romance.

I adore Mimi Matthews's historical proper romances. She always works so much great historical details into them, creates the most adorable characters, and the swooniest proper romances that you ever did read. This one of course, was no different. I instantly took a liking to Philly and Arthur. She was so kind and discreet in helping him, and he was surly but also always in wonder of how she treated him. I adored how their relationship progressed and thought it was really quite a lot steamier than expected. I think you could still call this "clean" but there is a lot more implied and some fade to black moments. I loved Philly's dogs, and their horses too. I generally just thought that their whole relationship was so sweet and swoony. I also liked that they were good communicators overall. I am finding hard to rank my favorites among Matthews's books, because I love all that I have read so much, but this one was definitely very strongly written. Already excited for her next one!

I have greatly enjoyed other books by Mimi Matthews. This is just as fabulous as the others. Excellent. I read into the wee hours of the morning (fortunately on the weekend) as I could not put this down. Wow! Many an author of historical romance could take a lesson or two from Mimi.
I suffered not a moment of boredom, but rather was anxious to read the next page to discover what it contained. Wonderfully written in tone and language, this could be labelled a study in deceit. There is a tension almost throughout - the reader held in suspense to learn how our h and H will get through their trials and tribulations.
Our heroine, Miss Phyllida (Philly) Satterthwaite, is empathetic and kind and so easy to like and root for. Otherwise shy, Philly could readily speak with Captain Arthur Heywood, and he with her. I think we've all had similar experiences.
I was suspicious of several characters, wondering if they may be trusted by Philly and Arthur. While I suspected correctly who the villain MIGHT be, I did not expect the reason.
I read an advance copy I received via NetGalley; the thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Interesting flawed characters, make this a romance that keeps your attention. While keeping in the style of Regency romance, it almost has a Gothic touch with the strange Duke as a "collector" of art and what that "art" also includes gives a dark feel to this book. I appreciated the bit different approach to a Regency romance.

Mimi Matthews has done it again - another wonderfully written historical romance! The Work of Art is about a marriage of convenience between Phyllida Satterthwaite and Captain Arthur Heywood. Both characters were well-written and I always enjoy how true to the time period Matthews is in her writing whether that be during her usual Victorian era or the Regency era as in this book. The story moved along at a good pace, and there is a mystery involved but does not completely interfere with the development of Philly and Arthur's relationship (which I prefer). Fun fact - Matthew's other novel "The Viscount and the Vicar's Daughter" was originally written to be a companion novel to 'The Work of Art' as Arthur's older brother's novel! The former was rewritten for the Victorian time period and character names changed. You can bet I went ahead and re-read that novel with new eyes! Matthews continues to be one of my favorite authors and I always eagerly anticipate her new releases. (less)

This is a tale of two people who are underestimated - one for being a woman and the other being a wounded soldier. It was so inspiring to see these two overcome what life threw at them and take control of their lives. Mimi Matthews is such a talented writer, and this book is no exception. Expect a sweet romance that grabs you by the heart and makes you believe in true love again.

Phyllida Satterthwaite is a poor relation - beautiful in body, strong in spirit, but under the thumb of an ambitious uncle who would marry her off to the highest bidder. Simply wanting to be left to find love and care for her rescued dogs, she is alarmed when she finds out that she won't be given a choice at all, and she turns to the one man who has shown her kindness. Captain Arthur Heywood was wounded in the war, left with a leg injury that makes it difficult to walk, and he has secluded himself in the countryside. On a quick visit to London, he meets Philly and is quickly enchanted. Quiet and unassuming, Philly seems too kind hearted for the cruelty of society peers, and when he hears of her predicament, he offers a marriage of convenience. Of course, convenience has little to do with it, and it's not long before their hearts begin to sing as one.

I love a romance where the characters grow before your eyes! Such was the case with this book. Philly began as a quiet girl, inwardly rebelling at her family's orders but outwardly keeping the peace. She has so much compassion for people, even those who don't deserve it. This was a bit frustrating at times, as she came across as too trusting and naive, but I really liked that about her character. It's refreshing to read about someone who sees the best in people, as we are far too cynical most days. Arthur was unassuming, happy to fade into the background, but Philly refused to let him. She believed in him and his ability to overcome his past. It was an inspiring love story, to say the least.

As usual, I happily anticipate her next book! I love her style of romance and can't wait to read what's next.

"The Work of Art" is a wonderful Regency novel featuring a unique plot and fascinating characters. The heroine, Phillida Satterthwaite (what a name!) is pursued by the creepy Duke of Moreland (The Collector) solely on account of her dual-colored eyes. Philly's new friend Captain Arthur Heywood proposes a marriage of convenience to spare her an unpleasant fate as the Duke's wife.

Arthur is a fabulous hero. Seriously injured in Spain during the Napoleonic Wars, he is often in pain, walks with a cane, and shuns society for the most part. Animal-loving Phillida is drawn to Arthur right away. An early scene where she asks him to escort her home, when in reality it was so that SHE could assist HIM and get him off his feet, was so sweet!

This novel is full of twists and turns. The former fiancée's backstory is eye-opening. I confess, the ending came as quite the surprise to me.

Mimi Matthews' writing style is beautiful and flows well, and the editing is superb. While I love all Ms. Matthews' Victorian novels, I am glad she penned a Regency romance. Regency customs and behaviors fascinate me, from the fancy balls, the glove wearing, to the marriage bets at White's, and beyond. There are a few references to marital relations, but this novel is clean. I love this author!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this lovely novel.