Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Water Lily Dance is a novel mixing contemporary and historical stories and was penned by author Michelle Muriel. Set in both 2014 and 1865, we meet women in search of a better life for themselves, all of whom are connected by the romantic art and beautiful gardens of the artist Claude Monet. In the modern age, Sophie Noel is grief-stricken and in search of a way to cope, and her artistic tendencies lead her back to her love of Monet as a means of escape. And, in 1865, Camille Doncieux seeks more from life in the company of the rebellious and powerful artists of the time, one of whom is Claude Monet.

It is clear from the start that author Michelle Muriel relishes in fine art and has plenty of knowledge about it because her beautiful descriptions of Monet’s work make you feel as though you’re looking right at it. As a fan myself, I was totally transported by the historical setting of Paris reborn and the Salon culture, reveling in every stylish detail and the well-depicted dialogue of the post-uprising rebels. There is a fantastic air of reinvention to this deeply emotional and sensitive tale, making for a smooth mix of women’s emancipatory fiction, emotional drama and historical artistic fiction that fans of any/all are sure to enjoy. For me, it was the characters at the very heart which draw you in and keep you reading, superbly developed and likable as they are. Water Lily Dance is a highly recommended read.