4.25

Maggie has a book to finish! She's having some major writer's block though. After discovering that her boyfriend doesn't find her as important as she thought she was, she ends things and ends up tagging along on a trip to Paris with her agent Lee and his partner. This also gives her the opportunity to see her daughter, who is in Paris as well. I found myself really liking Maggie (despite our 20 year age difference). Maggie was relatable and I liked how most of the characters were written.

The story of Paris was exactly what the doctor ordered during this no travel time. I loved reading of Paris and all the things Maggie gets to try and do while there.

Maggie's muse(s) were both beautiful in their own way and I found myself smiling throughout the novel! Thank you Netgalley for this read for an honest review!

Coming from an author myself, I could really relate to this story. It was very well written and the scenery was described perfectly. It actually felt like I was there in Paris with Maggie. It has made me want to go write in Paris! The romance was amazing. This was such a great fun read! Highly recommend!

I really enjoyed Maggie as a character; however, I wasn't sold on Max or Alan, and that made the love story part of this romance difficult for me to understand. The author did a great job describing food and the scenery but I wasn't sold on the story.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this tale about a blocked writer's adventures unlocking her creativity, her love life, and her future during a trip to Paris. It was pure escapist fun, and I will wholeheartedly recommend it to customers at the store where I work.

A fun and entertaining story about a romance writer who suffers writer’s block just when she’s on a deadline to produce the final book in a wildly popular series. Willing to try anything to jumpstart her imagination, she accepts a friend’s offer to hang out in his suave Parisian flat. Not the most original storyline, but reading about a writer in Paris, for me, never gets old. A great way to escape the realities of a pandemic lockdown.

A writer with a deadline, Paris at any time of the year and a dreamy Frenchman - what's not to love? For anyone who has ever written anything, even the occasional email, writers block is no joke. For best-selling author Maggie Bliss, writers block could be the end of her career.

In Dee Ernsts' laugh-out loud new book, Maggie Finds Her Muse, 40-something Maggie is at the end of her literary rope. With a difficult soon-to-be ex-boyfriend, a bestseller to write (never mind that she hasn't even started it) and no muse in sight, Maggie finds herself chasing after inspiration in Paris. What follows is an entertaining romp through the realities of the writing process, the beauty of Paris and the promise of romance. A perfect book for the beach or even a rainy day in Paris, Maggie Finds Her Muse is worthy of your bookshelf.

This is a quick and fun read - perfect to forget the world for a weekend! Maggie is a refreshing writer in her 40s who is relatable and likable. Who hasn't suffered from writer's block before? Not all of us can flee to Paris where we encounter an ex-husband and a new love interest in the form of a French gentleman.
I must admit I'm a sucker for heroines in their late 40s and early 50s. They're so underrepresented! This was a big pull for me. There's so much life in this book. It's short and despite that, I felt like some scenes could have been a bit shorter and tighter. That's why I'm giving the novel four stars.
While not a huge fan of love triangles, it worked here because it's not really one. I enjoyed how it played out in the end.
To sum up, the characters are likable and it's an entertaining, warm read that left me with fuzzy feelings.

This book was a slow burn to start as Dee Ernst went through describing Paris, her characters and the food she was eating. I really enjoyed the relationship she had with her ex husband and I liked most of the characters except her agent Lee. I felt like he was not as well developed and was just a grumpy voice complaining every so often. They obviously had a good relationship to invite her to Paris, but based on their interaction you would not think they really knew each other that well. I really liked that she included Maggie's daughter that has Aspergers and I really liked Solange and would love to have her living at my house. This romance is barely open door, and ended as fast as it started, which is not how I imagined a Paris lover ;) however, I do like closed door romances and feel much can be left to the imagination so this is not a dislike, just an observation. I enjoyed the second half of the book, where the story picks up the pace more. What I did not particularly like about the book: I think Maggie fell in love a little too fast for someone who was barely around the man-the relationship was not well developed where you would think love is possible. The second thing I did not love is all the description about food. Food is something that is really hard to taste through description and I mostly just skimmed those parts. I think Maggie was represented older than her 48years of age. If I did not know her age in the beginning I would think the author was describing a 58+ year old woman. For example, a 48 year old has no problems using her smart phone to find her way around Paris, as a 48 year old uses her phone for everything and is not so helpless with technology at this age yet. And last, I really disliked the dog. I think this book would be much better without the dog as it did not really add to the plot in any way. I loved most of the characters, I loved the setting. This book is not as predictable as other romance novels which is nice. This is a quick, easy read and I think many will enjoy it.

I’ll be honest - I was a few chapters in and unsure how I felt about this book and wondered if I would finish it. I wasn’t ready to give up, so I continued reading and I am SO glad I did. I ended up finishing the book in a sitting (well, a drive, as we were traveling)

I really enjoyed having an older main character. While most stories focus on young love this was a pleasant change for me. Maggie was witty and charming and so fun to follow as she learned how to fit in while in Paris. I loved seeing her grow in confidence and as a person while figuring out just what she needed.

All of the characters were so well written and I don’t think I could pick a favorite...but if I had to I’d say Nicole. And Martin. And Solange and her meddling. Ok, ok, they’re all perfection.

The “love triangle” if you want to call it that kept me on my toes and I really wasn’t sure which way Maggie was going to go. I was #TeamMax from the get go - but you’ll have to read it yourself to see how things play out for Miss Maggie Bliss.

Maggie Bliss has a book problem - she needs to finish the 3rd book of her blockbuster romance series, but she has a serious case of writer's block. To top it all off, her partner refuses to sympathize, claiming that his work is more important than hers. After dumping him, she takes an impromptu trip to Paris, hoping to find her inspiration in the city of lights. If she plays her cards right, she may find a little romance for herself.

I really needed a happy, light read, and this was a perfect choice! I'd definitely recommend as an escape from all the craziness in the world right now.

What I liked:
-Maggie was a great protagonist, relatable, sarcastic, and funny. I loved her voice.
-Paris. Who doesn't love Paris? Such a beautiful setting for a book, and in this time of quarantine, it was nice to take a "trip" to such a beautiful city.
-A wonderful supporting cast of characters. We get to meet Maggie's friends, her French host, her ex-husband and daughter, and the mysterious Frenchman Max, and each character added a lot to the story and made me laugh!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing an ARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

What a fun book. I enjoyed the story and the trip back to Paris. It made me wish I was there, walking the streets and going to a Cafe. Fun read.

Anything can happen in Paris. It's the city of love. It's where you go to find romance. So a book that takes you there has to be open to fantasy, glamour, excitement, wonderful food and beautiful people. This novel has it all.

Forty eight year-old Maggie needs inspiration to write her final trilogy. She feels stuck. Her relationship has just ended and she is on a six-week deadline to complete her romance novel. Her editor gives her an offer she can't refuse: to go Paris to find a muse. She will immediately pack her bags and go with him and his lover. She doesn't have to look far once she arrives. The housekeeper's son in the home where they're staying just happens to be about the same age, very handsome and successful. Her daughter is also in the area with the man she loves.. But there's more: Maggie's x-husband is now single, available and staying nearby on a short getaway.

Which direction will Maggie take? For me it was an easy guess. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book. It was written well. It's simple and who doesn't like a good love story?

My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this advanced copy.

I'm pretty sure all of us at one time or another have dreamed about packing our bags and heading to Paris or another city that we love and have dreamed about. Well, that's exactly what Maggie does. She has writer's block and decides she needs a change. So many books focus on a fresh out of college, find yourself, coming of age stories. I love that this is the story of a middle age woman who has found success and is now struggling. She does what many of us have dreamed of and packs her bags and heads to Paris where she finds friends, amazing food, adventure, and love

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Maggie Bliss is a middle aged romance writer trying to finish the last book in her latest trilogy. Maggie has writers block, so her agent invites her to Paris to try and find her muse. Exploring the streets of Paris, undergoing a mini makeover, and meeting a few fun characters along the way helps Maggie get out of her writing funk. Maggie rediscovers things she didn’t realize were missing from life and is able to get another chance at romance.

I loved this beautiful story of an enchanting city. Maggie is a romance writer struggling to write the final book in her series. She goes to Paris to find her muse and finish her book. Maggie finds more than that! I loved the relationship between her and Solange, Lee, and Martin. I loved how she roped her daughter into her shenanigans. Her ex husband was kind and loving, but he was a little dull. I didn't feel the spark between them. When it came to Max, I could tell she found him attractive. The reason this book is 4 stars instead of 5 is Maggie's relationship with Max. It seemed to come out of left field. Abrupt. It was hot and sizzling once it started, but it just started weird.

The writing was descriptive and Maggie was hilarious. My favorite scene was the whole group acting out the action scene. It was a very memorable book!

Thanks to NetGalley for letting me ARC read and review this book.

This was a very good book! It follows Maggie, a 48-year-old writer on a trip to Paris where she finds her muse, Max. It had everything to be a success, from the beautiful city of Paris as a background to the amazing food descriptions and the interesting love interest. I enjoyed reading it, but only gave three stars because I didn’t feel the chemistry between the love interests, which is a must in a romance for me. However, I’m sure many readers might feel differently about it and love the story!

Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

Maggie is a successful romance writer working towards buying her cozy dream house on the beach. The only problem? She's got major writer's block and hasn't been able to even START the third and final book of her best selling series. With the potential of a TV deal hanging in the balance once the trilogy is complete, Maggie's book agent convinces her to fly off to Paris is search of inspiration. Between the beautiful French scenery, hot French men, and an attractive ex-husband, there's a lot to be inspired by. But will Maggie get her book done? And will she pick her loving ex-husband Alan or her new French beau, Max?


This book was a delight to read. Definitely something I can imagine reading on the beach or tucked away in a coffee shop. Ernst beautifully crafted the Parisienne streets while keeping Maggie and her work grounded in reality. The characters were complex and interacted in realistic ways that kept the plot moving. Definitely will recommend to friends!

I read "Maggie Finds Her Muse" by Dee Ernst during my week off of work after Christmas. I loved it! I would definitely pick more books from dee Ernst to read. I thought the character development was great and wanted more! I had a hard time putting this book down. The story kept me entertained and held my attention.

Dear Fellow Reader:

Happy New Year! I hope you had a safe and happy holiday season. Hard to believe that it is over already! And (as Silent Sam sadly pointed out the other day) we have almost six months until our next day off. Now, that is depressing!

For those of you, like me, who are facing another grey day outside, it is time for some LIGHT reading. Unfortunately, the book I am reviewing today will not be available until April 20th. Yes, I know, I don’t usually review books before they are out, but I have had this book for a long time and it still has a long time until it comes out. I thought I should review it while it is still fresh in my mind. (And yes, I received a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.)


Maggie Finds Her Muse is a story about Maggie, who is a writer with a deadline. Her third book is due to the editor in six weeks and she hasn’t had any inspiration to sit down and write. This book is part of the key to her financial independence and she feels that she needs to get going on it. But the words aren’t coming. She is frustrated.

And then we meet her live-in. He only spends part of the year with her – otherwise, he is off doing speaking events or closed into his cabin writing. He is with her when he is teaching at the same school where she teaches. She tries to talk with him about how she is stuck in her writing, but he ignores her and tells her what he needs her to do for him. And that was the end. She kicked him out. This is not helping her writing issue. In talking to her agent, she confesses that she has not been writing and that she has kicked out her current man. The agent is horrified. He tells her that he and his partner are leaving for Paris the next week and she should come with them to their apartment so she can write. (under his watchful eyes) At first, she hesitates but then gives in and goes to Paris.

She has a daughter living outside of Paris and it turns out that her ex-husband will be in town at the same time. They are friendly; they agreeably split years before so seeing her ex is not an issue.

She has no thought about rekindling her love for her ex nor does she expect to fall in love with the man she finds in her bathtub one morning. She just wants to write her book. Love is not part of her equation.

This is Dee Ernest’s 30th book. Wow! She writes Chick lit and cozy mysteries. The book was the balm I needed when I read it. A light, quick read that is satisfying. I see that Kindle has one of her other books (A Mother’s Day Murder) free on kindle right now. It is the first in a series. I have downloaded it. While not a book to change your world view, it is a comfort book. And come on, there is a pandemic, who doesn’t need a comfortable book?

Thanks for reading!

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins Press for the Arc to read and review.

Maggie Finds Her Muse by Dee Ernst

Very light hearted story of a forty year old author who travels to Paris to finish a book and finds second chance at love.

I appreciated the more mature heroine of this book. We need more over 40 romances.

Great summer read.