‘I want to paint you,’ he whispers. In his 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?
Fans of Marie Benedict, Chocolat and anyone who dreams of springtime in Paris will adore this utterly captivating read. Inspired by true stories of a group of radical painters who changed the art world forever – and the forgotten women who were their muses.
Read what everyone’s saying about The Painter’s Girl:
‘Completely gripping and heart-breaking… easily read in one sitting… an absolute triumph…
truly an unstoppable read!...
I loved every minute of it!’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Totally gripping… I was captivated right from the start.’ Goodreads reviewer
‘This story was completely unexpected… A wonderful story… a wonderful escape to Paris… recommend it.’ Page Turners
‘Helen Fripp has done an excellent job… twists and turns that will surprise and keep you hooked… loved.’ Beachesbooksandcoffee
‘Nineteenth century Paris comes alive… vibrant… Fascinating… Beautifully written historical fiction.” Jaffa Reads Too
‘Thrilling… fascinating… Great to be swept away to Paris… Emotional, endearing and impactful.’ Bobs and Books
‘Fascinating… I was enthralled… I was glued from beginning to end.’ Eatherbookreview
Genre: Historical
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?
Fans of Marie Benedict, Chocolat and anyone who dreams of springtime in Paris will adore this utterly captivating read. Inspired by true stories of a group of radical painters who changed the art world forever – and the forgotten women who were their muses.
Read what everyone’s saying about The Painter’s Girl:
‘Completely gripping and heart-breaking… easily read in one sitting… an absolute triumph…
truly an unstoppable read!...
I loved every minute of it!’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Totally gripping… I was captivated right from the start.’ Goodreads reviewer
‘This story was completely unexpected… A wonderful story… a wonderful escape to Paris… recommend it.’ Page Turners
‘Helen Fripp has done an excellent job… twists and turns that will surprise and keep you hooked… loved.’ Beachesbooksandcoffee
‘Nineteenth century Paris comes alive… vibrant… Fascinating… Beautifully written historical fiction.” Jaffa Reads Too
‘Thrilling… fascinating… Great to be swept away to Paris… Emotional, endearing and impactful.’ Bobs and Books
‘Fascinating… I was enthralled… I was glued from beginning to end.’ Eatherbookreview
Genre: Historical
Visitors also looked at these books
Used availability for Helen Fripp's The Painter's Girl