'I want to paint you,' he whispers. In his high-ceilinged studio filled with golden light she takes in the canvases propped against every wall, the paints like jewels. She thinks of the pictures she longs to paint, of her lost little girl playing in sunlit gardens. Will she ever see her daughter again?
Paris, 1860s. For Mimi Bisset, survival is everything on the cobbled streets of the Paris slums. She tries to forget the pain of losing her daughter Colette: born out of wedlock and forcibly given away to a rich family. But Mimi's world turns upside down after a chance encounter with handsome artist Édouard Manet. Boldly posing for portraits on Manet's chaise longue, Mimi feels a wild freedom - and as Manet teaches her how to layer the vivid paints on canvas herself, a passion grows between them that breaks all the rules...
At Manet's side, Mimi is caught up in his world. They dance all night at Paris's new can-can clubs and drink absinthe at masked balls. But one day, strolling by the Seine on her lover's arm, Mimi catches a glimpse of familiar green eyes... it's Colette, with a family who Manet knew all along.
Although she's reeling that the man she loved kept such a secret from her, Mimi is filled with hope she'll finally get her daughter back. But when a terrible rumour begins to circulate about Mimi, the only place she has to go is back to the slums. Destitute, hungry and alone, can Mimi clear her name? Or will her heart shatter all over again when she loses her daughter for a second, final time?
A completely gripping and heartbreaking read that will whisk you away to 19th-century Paris. Perfect for anyone who loves Marie Benedict, Chocolat and Dinah Jefferies.
Read what everyone's saying about Helen Fripp:
'Extraordinary. Outstanding... absolutely amazing... just wow!... this book is exquisite. Absolute perfection. A masterpiece. One of my favourite reads ever... one of the finest books out this year and one of the best historical fiction reads ever.' Renita D'Silva, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'One of the best books I've read... stunning... it grabbed me and pulled me right in... unforgettable... addictive... you feel really caught up in the twists and turns... has to be experienced to truly realise how special it is... I was totally immersed.' On the Shelf Reviews
'A fascinating book... very heart-warming... I found this book very hard to put down and I thoroughly enjoyed every page.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Beautifully written, fascinating novel... comes alive on the pages... wonderful... extra special.' Angela Petch, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Instantly and completely immersed me in a beautiful romance, heartbreak and the passion of Madame Clicquot.... The author's ability to whisk me away... is extraordinary.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
