A sweet and funny read! Loved the setting of Paris and enjoyed the cute romance story. Wasn't my favorite book, but still enjoyed reading this story. It was a quick read too!

A lovely romance, refreshingly about a middle aged couple. I loved the descriptive food writing and the insight into authorship. My only objection was one action of the female lead that created the conflict near the end but felt completely out of character.

This is such a classic and appealing type of plot. It’s very Under the Tuscan Sun or one of those kinds of stories / movies.

It was fun to have the meta aspect of a romance writer as the MC sun a romance book.

I liked that her daughter was on the spectrum and was doing really well. That was delightful representation I wasn’t expecting.

The end fell of for me a bit but it was enjoyable and was mostly what it sold itself to be.

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was sweet and fairly straightforwad. Overall not my usual genre but I can't resist a book about books. The genre is just one that is not usually for me, so that should be taken into consideration. I think readers of this genre will find this an enjoyable reading experience. For me there was nothing out of the ordinary, but this will certainly be the right book for the right reader.

Quick and entertaining, you can’t but help fall in love with Maggie. Stroll through France as Maggie finds her muse and the inspiration two write an entire book in a few weeks time while eating and touring her way through Paris. Charming cast of characters that you can’t help but love, and hate, as Maggie finds herself growing and learns what she wants and how to get it.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy of this book. The comments and review are my honest opinion.
A book of romance with a touch of humor and self-realization. Maggie, a writer, needs a muse in order to write her next book...correction to start writing her next book. Nothing is happening....nothing is making her fingers fly over the keys. Then she has a chance to go to Paris. An offer to good to turn down. Surely, the city of love will spark her muse. And spark it did! A delightful escape from the thriller mysteries I normally read. 4.5 stars

I’ve been sitting on Maggie Finds her Muse for months and I’m kicking myself, although maybe it was serendipitous because this book was perfect for a quiet night in...especially during a cold Ohio January! The imagery in this book is fantastic, I could see the sights (even though I’ve never been the France), I could smell the air, and taste the food. And that is without the characters! I found Maggie to be very inspiring (literally, she inspired my manicure!) and a character that, while sometimes a mess, is worth redemption. This book comes out April 20, don’t do what I did and sit on it, get reading right away!

This was an enjoyable and okay read but it did not blow my mind like some of the recent nonfiction I have been reading or after reading Meet Me in Another Life, which I loved. I enjoyed the romanticism of the story being mostly set in Paris and the characterization of Maggie. But I was left underwhelmed at the end. Loved the cover. Still a recommended read and probably read this at the wrong time.

All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks to Netgalley, Dee Ernst, and St Martin's Press Griffin for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Available: 4/20/21

Overall I really enjoyed this book. I think I found overseeing the process of how Maggie writes her novel. As a reader I have imagined it's a long arduous process of creating a successful novel, BUT being able to read that put a new perspective on it. I found it very intriguing and inspired a new level of respect for authors, especially Dee Ernst. It was a unique and creative path she took in Maggie Finds Her Muse. Similarly, I appreciate that the relationship between Maggie and Max was not the main focus of the entire novel. The integration of Alan was important and well done. Ernst did not make the novel into a big love triangle, which I think separates this novel from a lot of other books, in my opinion. Although the two men were in Maggie's life, it was pretty clear what direction she was going to choose. I think there were an appropriate amount of characters that played an important role in one way or another. I enjoyed the ending because there was a mutual agreement on the character's feelings for each other and it didn't make Maggie look like an unforgivable individual that had to prove her worth again. She made an honest mistake and that was honored and they moved on. I would definitely recommend this book, especially for a light, happy, and enjoyable read!

This book was a fun escape. I loved the mix of women’s fiction and romance, and I loved being able to visit Paris vicariously. I also enjoyed that the main character, Maggie, is a romance writer trying to meet the deadline for her current book.

Anyone who has ever procrastinated against a crucial deadline will identify with Maggie, a famous romance novelist who absolutely must turn in the first draft of her newest book, but hasn't yet written a word. Her agent arranges for her to stay in his family apartment in Paris, hoping that will get her to find her rhythm and confidence. She does find it -- and love too. Very heartwarming story, enhanced by the beautiful Paris setting.

I gravitated towards this title because the main character is a writer who goes to Paris to work on the third book in her super popular series. I don’t have a super popular series, but I do have a series. I only have one publishing deal, and a small one at that, but I still have a deal. As of the time of the writing of this review, I am working on the third book of my series (albeit not the last, mine has a projected 8 books). And I would LOVE to go to Paris for 6 weeks, all expenses paid, in a gorgeous apartment, be waited on hand and foot, to write. Although instead of falling in love like Maggie, I would take the one I love with me. Maggie is a lovely character and I would love to meet her, if she existed. She is smart and sassy, a creative writer who knows how to say yes to help when it is given to her, and deals with questions about her romantic life in a way I find both charming and mature. While you can tell exactly how it is going to end, the story is a delight to read and the end came way too fast. If you need to escape the current crazy reality we are in, this is a good book to help you do just that.

This genre is hard to rate, because it can sometimes seem predictable. However, I thought this book was a fun, light read. I loved the sprinkle of Paris and France, and it made me want to get back to traveling. Overall, I would recommend! The plot is fast paced (and things actually happen), the characters are likable, and overall the book was enjoyable to read.

3.5 rounded up

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing a copy to review!

I really enjoyed this book. I felt like I was transported to Paris and France. I loved that the main character was in her 40’s. Cute story.

A delightful work of women's fiction about a bestselling author who goes to Paris to overcome writer's block, and in the process rediscovers family, independence, and love. Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this.

Maggie Finds Her Muse by Dee Ernst is an amusing book about a real life writer. Maggie has missed two deadlines and is on her last chance to finish the third book in her extremely successful trilogy. Her agent, Lee, gives her an opportunity to be his guest in his Paris apartment. Maggie in her desperation agrees to try this change in scenery as her life in New Jersey is anything but inspirational.

Maggie meets up with two separate matchmakers who think they know best. One is her daughter, Nicole, who seems to think reuniting with her ex-husband will bring her happiness. The other one is the Paris housekeeper, Solange, who is convinced her son Max is perfect for Maggie. This book is amusing and quite insightful to get some of the back story of a successful author. The backdrop of Paris will have you drooling over the descriptions of the out of this world food, mesmerizing architecture, and historic museums. You will feel like you have visited due to the crystal clear descriptions.

The heroine Maggie is quite flawed and her excellent character development helps you fell better about your own failings. Maggie has a slight problem with honesty and the troubles she gets into because of this habit are amusing and at the same time worrisome. She also given her profession puts honesty on the back burner in search of her muse.

I would be remiss if I did not mention the funny chapter headings. They preview the upcoming escapades and are clever. I think having an older heroine who is not willing to settle for the status quo is long overdue. Witnessing that she has the courage to go after what she truly wants inspired me.

The true heart of Maggie is pure, we are given insight into her quirky personality and fall in love with her flaws and all! Poignant scenes are shared between Larissa and her daughter Nicole as they struggle with the challenges that having Asperger’s Syndrome and a strong desire for boundaries from Nicole. Other quirky characters are also introduced who help lend to the excellent storytelling. The last scene of the book will have you thrilled that in all of her imperfection Maggie has found her own happily ever after.

I was provided a free advance reader copy from St. Martin’s Griffinin exchange for my honest review on Net Galley. The opinions shared in this review are my own.

I requested this arc as I thought it would be a cute, fun read. It’s not that it wasn’t cute or fun…I just ended up not really liking anything about it?

I really didn’t enjoy the way Max and Maggie interacted. I think the author was trying to write Max as upper crust and fancy, but I felt like it came off a condescending and sexist. Maggie’s personality and celebrity seemed over the top and in-genuine. I had a hard time believing so many people would recognize her in another country. I felt like the ending was rushed and didn’t match anywhere close to the pacing in the first half of the book and left me wondering how this fairytale ending really happened. I don’t like rating books so low, but this one was not for me. Overall, two stars.

While Maggie Finds A Muse was difficult for me to get into, once I was into it, well, it was lovely! Paris, how romantic! All the talk of food, woman after my own heart. Once I connected with Maggie, I really loved her voice. She was determined, strong and courageous. She loved fiercely and wouldn’t have it any other way. Her relationship with her daughter was beautifully honest, and I loved her friendship with Solange. How the relationship between Maggie and Max was built up, only for Maggie to realise that she had found her muse, was so sweet. This book has left me with all the warm, fuzzy feelings. Oh and I also really want to go to Paris!

Maggie Finds Her Muse by Dee Ernst is my first read by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it! The storyline was pretty simple but it had the right mix of humor, drama, and emotion to keep me going till the end.

I liked how each character had their own unique quirks and was flawed like a normal person. It made some of the scenarios seem more realistic and not just something one would read in a fictional book. Yes, the whole flying off the Paris to get out of writer's block and having an unlimited budget is something we all dream about but the way the characters were weaved into this story was very appealing

I liked Dee Ernst's writing style and would definitely try more of her works...

Thank you #NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this entertaining read. I found a new author to add to my list!

Readometer rating - 4*/5

Maggie Bliss suffers from writer's block and travels to Paris with her agent to find her Muse. Maggie is a middle-aged and newly single. She’s hoping by traveling abroad, she will be able to start her third book in her series. While she is there, she’s meet up with her daughter, who has Asperger’s syndrome and is thriving in France, and wouldn’t you guess, her ex-husband Alan shows up, who is also newly single. Maggie soon finds she is living in one of her books as her ex-husband is trying to rejuvenate an old flame, and she’s intrigued by a handsome Frenchman named Max.

Will Maggie be able to complete her novel and meet her deadline? Will she find love again with her ex-husband? Or will this new Frenchman steal her heart?

This story kept my attention as a writer myself. I was able to relate to the situation of suffering from writer's block. The struggles and pressures of working with editors and meeting/missing deadlines. I felt the characters were real, and over was an easy read.

4 of 5 stars
publication date April 20, 2021

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance review copy