The Work of Art
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4.4 • 1.2K Ratings
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Publisher Description
"Suspense and mystery within an absorbing love story. Readers will be hard put to set this one down before the end." -Library Journal, STARRED review
Winner of the 2020 HOLT Medallion
An Uncommon Beauty…
Hidden away in rural Devonshire, Phyllida Satterthwaite has always been considered more odd than beautiful. But in London, her oddity has made her a sensation. Far worse, it's caught the eye of the sinister Duke of Moreland—a notorious art collector obsessed with acquiring one-of-a-kind treasures. To escape the duke's clutches, she's going to need a little help.
An Unlikely Hero…
Captain Arthur Heywood's days of heroism are long past. Grievously injured in the Peninsular War, he can no longer walk unaided, let alone shoot a pistol. What use can he possibly be to a damsel in distress? He has nothing left to offer except his good name.
Can a marriage of convenience save Philly from the vengeful duke? Or will life with Arthur put her—and her heart—in more danger than ever?
Customer Reviews
Wittily Linked
Philly's stay with her cousins meant she should have made a marriage bargain during the season, but her appearance is objectified to present her as unique Duchess material. Her country ways detest such possessive ideas and she tries to correct the situation.
This romance is a work of art
The Work of Art by Mimi Matthews is an incredible story. I fell in love with the characters from the start. Captain Arthur Heywood is a wounded warrior returned home from the war with Napoleon. He is a man with hidden inner pain as well as an injured leg. “He was much taller than the other gentlemen, with broad shoulders and a lean, athletic build that seemed at odds with his use of a cane. Whatever had happened to him in the war, he still had the proud, upright carriage of a soldier. His hair was jet black with the barest hint of gray at his temples. His suit of clothes was black as well; unnecessarily austere, as if he were in mourning. But it was his face that caught her notice most of all. It was solemn, almost to the point of harshness, and in it she had the distinct impression of pain.” Phyllida Satterthwaite is naturally drawn to hurting creatures. Once she meets Captain Heywood, she finds in him a true friend who is in need of her compassion.
Phyllida is an uncommon beauty. She has dual colored eyes: one blue and the other amber. She is considered “The Work of Art” by members of the ton. But there is a sinister villain in the story that threatens to sweep away all of Phyllida’s happiness.
I truly found myself captivated by this book. I couldn’t put it down. Matthews is an incredible writer. There are no sex scenes in this book - just some kissing. But the chemistry is very much there without it. I was gifted a copy of this work of art.
A beautiful romance with no s*x scenes!
This is such a wholesome and romantic love story, it reminds me of The Prince of Midnight. A seemingly broken man who finds a woman who loves him completely and helps him heal. I wish I could find a strong, devoted man like Arthur. My only complaint is the ending was abrupt and I felt like there could have been more of a conclusion. One of a few books that I’d read again. Just beautiful.