I received a copy of Where the Light Falls by Katherine Keenum in exchange for an honest review.
Where the Light Falls is set as the Belle Epoque dawns, and artists find their way heading to Paris in search of inspiration. Jeanette Palmer is no different. Growing up the daughter of a prominent family in Ohio, Jeanette leaves Vassar College after a scandal breaks loose. She finds herself in Paris, amid the city’s great bohemian neighborhoods and studios, Jeanette slowly makes friends as she finds her way. One man in particular, Edward Murer, becomes a quick friend and eventually he becomes her lover. But, things become complicated as she learns that Edward is addicted to laudanum and as she attempts to help him fight his demons, she also begins to achieve a new level of artistic success. Will Jeanette be able to make a decision between success and love? Or will she lose both trying?
I absolutely loved the historical aspect of this novel and found the details and the settings quite charming. Katherine does a wonderful job at weaving the story throughout time and creating darling characters with real thoughts and ambitions. I loved Jeanette from the get go and was rooting for her as she pursued her dreams to become an artist. Then, Katherine presents us with Edward, and although older, I can definitely tell where the attraction came from. Overall, this plot is rich with love, guts, history, conflict (both inner and outer) and most of all, creative inspiration. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I think you will too.
