"I Always Loved You" by Robin Oliveira is a novel that follows the life and work of two of the 19th centuries greatest artists: Mary Cassatt and Edgar Degas. Cassatt is an American who went to Paris to paint and Degas was already there, famous, and full of opinions. It starts at their meeting and follows them and their crowd full of artists throughout their lives until the death of Degas.

I really loved this book. It "paints" the imagery and turns the novel into a work of art itself. Cassatt is one of my favorites and this book brings her to life. I recommend this novel to anyone who loves art, Paris, or color in their life.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review from netgalley.com.

This is at times a wonderful story and at other times slow. Like painting, when an artist is searching for inspiration the painting or whatever the format is. The story takes place in Paris after the American civil war and though her father wants her to come home to America and find a husband. Mary stays and though she disappointed when her work is rejected into the Paris Salon, she meets a man Edgar. She would find out much later that this was not a chance encounter as she had always thought. Just another disappointment in her life or not because it seems at the time to re energize her. This story has many layers and reminded me when I would watch my mother paint and each the painting would change even though she was adding more paint, but each day was added a new dimension to the painting. Finally when you get to the end have something wonderful, and with this book you do. A wonderful story and good characters throughout the book.