Ansel Bray, an artist known around the world for his tragic hiatus from the canvas. Ansel Bray, a broody, handsome man not known by me, at all. Long dark hair, blue eyes, and dimpled cheeks. I’ve never met her, but her image is imprinted in my mind. An angel muse who inspires me to paint again. There is something about him. Something that spurs a need to be as close to him as possible. A need to … need to be as close to him as possible. A need to find out why.
There is something about her. Something that draws me in. Something that urges me to find out what her presence means.
Why does the girl in his painting look so much like me?
Who is this girl, and why can I see her so vividly?
I shouldn’t fall in love with him.
I shouldn’t fall in love at all.
But fate plays her hand.
But fate has other plans.
The lines of my life will blur.
The needs of my heart will change.
What a beautiful mess we’ve made.
more
The Girl in the Painting is hands down Max Monroe’s best book! This book was so different than anything they’ve ever done. I was captivated from page one. I don’t think I took a breath until the very last page. Ansel and Indy’s story was beautiful, tragic, and a whole lot of magic!
Ansel and Indy’s connection was intense from the get go, but learning the reason why threw me for a loop. I was heartbroken for them! Ansel’s passion for Indy was palpable. She became his muse before he even met her. Indy was living, but was merely going through the motions until she met Ansel. He made her really live again.
I’m struggling to write this review, because I don’t want to give anything away. The Girl in the Painting is so good that I want everyone to read it and get the full experience I had reading it. So I leave you with this, READ this amazingly unique book!
Where to start with this book? I have so many thoughts and emotions going through me right now I don’t know where to begin. This is a story unlike these authors have ever written before. It is their masterpiece. When you read Max Monroe you usually expect laughs, smiles, tender moments, heat and just recently, suspense. They always bring something new to the table. They deliver every time. This time is no exception, except it is so much more! It is intense, thought provoking, romantic, gut wrenching, poignant and beautiful. There’s an ethereal quality to this story. It’s what I would call magically delicious. There is a point where artists have that defining moment. Spielberg was always famous with his fantasy movies but it wasn’t until Schindler’s List that people labeled him as a genius, the real deal. Well for Max Monroe this is their moment. They went above and beyond with this story. This story tapped into my heart and soul. I don’t do spoilers. It’s my belief you can get what you need from the blurb and then you can read how it affected me. You shouldn’t want anyone to tell you the story. You need to read it for yourself. What I will say is I started it and never put it down. There’s twists and turns you don’t see coming, even if you think you have things figured out. Believe me you don’t. I couldn’t not finish it. It’s currently 4:09am. I had to write this review while my emotions were at an all time high. What I will say is that it will definitely make you think about things you may not have before. You may have questions about fate and destiny. It’s a story that will draw you in and capture your heart. This book will be in your thoughts long after you’re done reading the end.
Ansel, is the dark, broody artist and Indy is a beautiful music teacher. Even the secondary characters are people I want to meet again. If I say anymore it will ruin the experience for you.
While you’re reading you may even get an education in things you didn’t know before.
Seriously, this book is everything you didn’t know you were looking for. You will experience a plethora of emotions.
I’m not sure what their next book will be but I certainly wouldn’t mind reading a follow up on the secondary characters because I have a feeling that would be a totally different style. No matter what I can’t wait to see what they have in store because they never fail to amaze. Thank you Max Monroe for taking me on this thought provoking journey I was not expecting.
***5 ‘A Muse, A True Muse, Changes You Forever’ Stars***
The blurb was the hook.
I wanted and NEEDED to see how this love story would play out. What the twists and turns would be and if it would make sense to my sometimes chaotic and fantastical mind and this one went above and beyond what I could have ever expected.
Maybe I should have seen it coming.
Maybe I should have been more…cynical? Aware?
I don’t. But I wasn’t either of those. I was simply a very willing captive to this story that proves that love has no boundaries and sometimes you just have to roll with the punches.
I adored Ansel. He is all kinds of stubborn, grouchy, brooding artist who has a biting sarcastic wit and a tendency to just not give a fuck about what is expected of him. Which isn’t a bad thing when you look at what he’s gone through. But under all of that is a sweet man with a really good heart who finally knows who he is. Indy. I loved her. I did. But she also had me wanting to reach out and Gibbs smack some sense into her over a few things. Thankfully, when the real Indy came out to play, she was sassy, sweet and real and I loved seeing that side of her in all it’s facets.
As for their journey. Just from the description, you know it’s one of those that you just have to roll with and when I did that, I really enjoyed being around Ansel and Indy. They had this flow to them that had me wanting them to be together and get their HEA. But, there was also that lingering anticipation of when that shoe was going to drop, and in this one there were a couple, one anticipated, one not so much, and they both brought upheaval, some of which COULD have been avoided, but also a sense of clarity and rightness that worked for me and I loved how it all worked out for them in the end.
I know this one is a bit vague and all that, but this is a story you need to go into with as little knowledge as possible to get the most out of it. With that said, I was all in from the start and really enjoyed how everything played out from start to finish. I do hope that we see Bram at some point in the future because if anyone should be brought to his knees, it’s him!
~ Copy provided by Social Butterfly PR & voluntarily reviewed ~
I have one word for this book, wow! Apart from that I have no idea how to even find the words to bring this book the justice it deserves. I really don’t want to ruin anything, it’s something you have to experience for yourself because it’s truly like nothing I’ve ever read before. The twists, mystery, heartbreak and hit times are just a few of the emotions this book will have you feeling. It was mind blowing and I absolutely loved it. I’m so excited to see what’s next!!
You are not going to want to miss this one, I literally just finished. I need to say OMG and holy smokes that was so Good! I know that sentence went on forever and I don’t care! This book, I’m rambling, you’ll want to read it. Congrats Max Monroe, you continue to raise the bar.
I LOVED everything about this book!!! It has ALL THE FEELS! EVERY. LAST. ONE.
Ansel was an amazing character. He just felt so real to me. To have everything taken away from him, only to get it back, in that way, damn.
Then there’s Indy. That girl…
Absolutely brilliant, and I can’t wait to see what’s next!
I have read every single book that has been published by Max Monroe, and I without a doubt have loved each and every one of them. So when word got out that they was getting ready to release a new book out of the blue, I became ecstatic. This duo of authors are my kryptonite. They have established that the can pretty much write about everything and do it really well. Rather it be rom-com, contemporary, or suspenseful, it is always an amazing journey to be on. When I read the blurb for The Girl In The Painting I was a goner. When I heard the playlist that goes along with The Girl In The Painting, I was done. I knew this book was going to be filled with so many emotions, so I knew to come prepared. Max Monroe’s writing style is so unique, I felt like I was walking hand and hand with Ansel and Indy. This story is unlike anything I have ever read before. It is mysterious, and intriguing. It had my mind going a million miles a minute trying to decipher what was going to happen.The pull between the characters was cathartic. It was strong, but silent. Intense, but also calm. You could feel the intensity of the story line flowing like the current from the ocean. It was strange in a sense, because your trying to understand what they couldn’t even understand, and it took time for the answers to come, and trust me when they were shown, it was like a stick of dynamite being lit. There was some instances that I was not particularly in favor of though. It took loads of patience, understanding, and tons of ” Holy crap ” moments to get through it. I am not going to lie, it wasn’t easy, because of my preferences, but in the end I am glad I steam rolled ahead, because it was so worth it. I just wish the ending didn’t feel so abrupt. I would have loved to have seen more, and get a couple questions answered. Otherwise this story was fantastic.
Ansel is a 34 year old artist. His paintings are known all around the world, he finds solace when he has a paint brush in his hands. To be so well known, he isn’t a people person in the slightest. He is rather rude and condescending, with an air around him that screams intensity.
Indy is a 32 year old teacher, who has a thing for music. She is mellow and a little bit introverted with certain preferences. She is surrounded by those she loves, and they like to push her out of her comfort zone.
Ansel is determined to find out why his muses presence means so much to him, why he can see her so vividly, why he can feel the pull to her so strongly. To get these answers, you must read this book, and go in with an open mind, it is worth it.
*I recommend this book.
The kind of story that you just can’t forget. The kind of connection you never knew existed except in fairy tales. The kind of love that touches your soul! This story will give you all the feels.
Indy has been going through the motions. Not truly living her best life. The hurt from her past haunts her present…until she meets Ansel.
Ansel has been living but never thought love would find him, until he met Indy. He knows what he wants and he’s going to do whatever necessary to have her.
Their connection was instant. Their attraction was undeniable. Their love was inevitable. This story will make your heart flutter, have you shedding a tear and ultimately falling in love with Indy and Ansel. A story so beautiful that it will steal your heart. I am a total fan for this heartfelt love story.
I don’t think I have the right words to do The Girl In The Painting justice. Three words “ALL THE FEELS” doesn’t seem like enough. 5 stars feel like such a low rating. I can’t remember a book that has torn me apart and put me back together again like this one has. I was totally heartbroken in the beginning reading Ansel’s background story. He is quite funny when he’s in a horrible mood. The interactions between Ansel and his brother Bram are priceless. Indy is a down to earth broken woman. Ansel and Indy have such a connection but they don’t know why it’s so strong and so right. Such a beautiful love story. Such a tragic bond that ended up bringing them together. You will laugh, cry, rip your heart out, and then crazy glue the pieces back together again.
Now……do we get a Lily and Bram spin-off???????
Truly a masterpiece. Once you start reading Indy & Ansel’s story, you will not want too stop. The chemistry between Indy & Ansel is off the charts. This book will make you laugh, smile and definitely pull on your heartstrings. I love all Max Monroe’s books but this is by far my favorite. If you want a 5 star read that will give you all the feels, then you must click this book.
This book is a departure from the other Max Monroe books I have read. This is a deeper book with all the feels- not a ROM-com. That said, I really liked Ansel. I appreciated his anger, frustration, and depression at the beginning of the book and I loved that he had friends and family that stood by him even when he was a total jerk. Indy’s story is a little less fleshed out and we really don’t learn enough about her until the end of the book. I found her somewhat difficult to like and a little wishy-washy. I really wanted her to stand up to Matt when he did things that bothered her instead of just coasting along. And if she had she would have avoided getting into a position where she did things that make her even less likable.
I really liked the premise of this book and the fate connection that Ansel and Indy share but I wish parts of it were a little more developed, especially Indy’s backstory. This is an insta-love, compelled-to-be-together type of book. I loved Ansel completely as the broody artist type.
As a side note, I would really like to see Bram’s and Lily’s stories in the future, perhaps in a more typical Max Monroe book.
3.5 stars
Max Monroe is a one click author for me and I love that their books are currently on KU so I don’t have to break the spine in the gorgeous paperbacks. The cover on this one is beautiful.
THE GIRL IN THE PAINTING is a story I was drawn to from the very beginning. It starts in such a way that I, initially, didn’t know if it was going to be one of their rom-coms or a little darker. IT WAS PERFECT.
Told in a dual POV, the story flows well and, while predictable, I read every word from beginning to end. No need to skim as the writing is compact and without filler.
The main characters AND secondary characters are all fully formed and there wasn’t one I didn’t like -well except for that one duck, ze was an a$$. (Being purposefully vague using genderless pronoun so as not to give a spoiler).
I read this book in “one sitting” and when I wasn’t physically holding my Kindle, I was listening on Audio (which I highly recommend, the narration is spot on).
I absolutely recommend this story. 5 stars all the way!
The Girl In The Painting is not the light, fun kind of story that I expected from this author. It is a little angsty, emotional and had a surprising twist at the end.
I really enjoyed the narration. This book kept me entertained while working and listening.
-4 Stars-
Ansel Bray is a world renowned artist and after coming back from what seemed the end of his career, he’s even a hotter commodity. But his paintings this time around have a new muse. A woman he’s never met, but is not far from his thoughts and dreams.
When Indy Davis finds herself reflected in the canvas of an artist she’s never met, curiosity wins and she has to meet the man behind the painting.
This is my first read by this author and, as I thought when I first read the blurb, one heartfelt and emotionally charged ride.
Though I’m not keen on stories where I can easily predict the final outcome and this was one of them, I still liked and enjoyed this one very much. The way the author developed it, the fact that both Ansel and Indy are artistically inclined and the love and passion for their crafts are, IMO, what made this book.
The eyes are said to be the mirror of one’s soul and the author takes this to another level with this story. If you are a hopeless romantic who believes in fate and that love can survive anything, you should give a chance to this story.
Wow what a beautiful read this was, pulled all the feels out of me, from giggling to sadness. Two ppl so deeply connected and they have barely just met. Ansel has had visions of a beautiful woman since his surgery, she becomes his muse, his dreams and he has no clue why. Indy has been fighting her grief for the past 4 yrs finally slowly being able to move on, until she sees a beautiful painting which looks alot like her. Remember the butterflies u got when u dated someone special? Remember that feeling? I had that feeling again just reading this book, there is nothing better than reading about two ppl who deserve love, reading as it grows into something special.
Wow. I mean, really… WOW. A one-sit read, and an urge to remaining seated after I was finished to absorb it all into the fibers of my mind. I love it when a book does this to me. I was gripped from the very start with the thread of mystery and the ache of uncertainty. All of these things kept me rooted in place.
“The eyes are the windows to the soul, and once those windows are closed, evil and loathing spread their roots like ivy.”
It’s an amazing ability to make characters come alive in such a palpating way. Each with a trauma and yet a need to remain functional. That’s the best way to describe both Ansel and Indy. Two totally different people harboring trauma yet on a collision course to finding peace.
“My soul knows your soul.”
I’ve highlighted so many passages hoping to string them into a review worth sharing and I simply feel as if I will fail at this task. I’m terrified of spoiling. It’s such a compelling book. Just know this, getting The Girl in the Painting is worth it. So totally worth.
Get it. Read it. Love it.
Gah this book was a mixture of emotions for me. I legit didn’t know what I was going to feel next.
Ok, I absolutely adored this storyline. It’s sad, heartbreaking even and painful! You can help but feel what they’re feeling because it’s tragic what they both have had to go through but it’s also happy, fun and beautiful. These two being friends and watching their relationship grow was both lovely and frustrating.
Now, I legit tend to stay away from stories that feature the kind things this does because it makes my blood boil, my skin itch and drives me absolute mad. I won’t giveaway the storyline because I hate ruining books for people but damn it. I’m just glad I didn’t read any earlier reviews of it as I would have stayed well away but I’m so SO glad I didn’t because although it frustrated me this book was so damn good. More amazing than I thought it was going to be.
This is my third book that I’ve read from Max Monroe and again, I absolutely loved their writing. I love the way the characters are brought to life in this book and I love every emotion that accompanies them. It’s a heartbreaking one to read but one I loved very much. I can’t wait to see what future books come from the super talented Max Monroe.
The girl in the painting was a heartbreaking and emotional read. One that’ll make you feel all the feels and love every second.
Ansel is a painter who lost is sight in an accident. He decides to have an eye transplant because despite the risks, being blind is not living to him.
Indy is a women who is living half a life. She his going through the motions of living, without living at all.
One day Indy goes to a gallery party and finds a painting of a girl that looks just like her.
She meets the artist and sparks fly immediately. They both remember what living was all about, when they are together.
This story was intense, romantic, heartbreaking at times and a little predictible.
I’m not sure where to start or even if my words can do this book justice, The Girl in the Painting was like nothing I have read before and it shows just how diverse this duo really are. I’m not going to write a review that’s full of spoilers you really need to read this book with no expectations, you need to experience Ansel and Indy first hand and that means all you are getting from me are the feelings this book left me with. This story took my breath away and at one point I found myself holding my breath with my hand over my mouth, I loved this couple, I loved the mystery around the connection this couple share and I loved this at times their heartbreaking love story. This is a beautifully written love story about a couple with a connection that can’t be explained and you need to make sure you have time to finish what you start because you won’t want to put this book down. This was an emotional roller coaster but it’s a ride I didn’t want to get off and i’m sure you will all feel the same. This is a very different type of read from what we are used to from this duo and I urge you to one click this great read, I guess all that’s left to say is I can’t wait to see what’s next from this pair of very talented authors…….
I love, love, loved this book! It was so romantic and steamy, and just so fantastic in the perfect way!