Another nice novel from Ferry. It's emotional and will tug at the heartstrings. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Three and a half star rating.
Cori moves down to London, is fascinated by the PRB and consequently meets the lovely Simon and then Daisy who goes on to make her presence felt in many ways. This is a good mix of art, obsession, ghosts and two different timescales featuring ladies who resemble Ophelia, told in an easy restful way. Perfect book for people who like romantic mysteries, with amusing characters, just the sort of thing to take away on holiday!

You've got art, romance, history, suspense and...ghosts!

Another case of the blurb not being forthcoming regarding genre. I personally need to be forewarned if there are supernatural elements to a book as it is not my preferred theme - I prefer books set in reality. So imagine my frustration when reading along and then...boo! Ghosts everywhere!

So, dear reader, please be aware before reading that this is a ghost story. If that's your cup of tea, go for it!

I was thinking about halfway through that I would have LOVED this book if it had been a dual timeline story (and not had any ghosts in it), but then the author showed me exactly why she didn't write it that way. That twist was highly unexpected and I loved where the story went.

One of my favorite things about reading is learning something I didn't know before, and I really learned so much about the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood - a group of revolutionary Victorian artists. I enjoyed how the author incorporated actual historical figures into the story. I spent some time googling the paintings and the people to learn more about them and to get a visual and it was pretty fascinating stuff.

Recommended for readers who enjoy reading about Victorian art and history, and who don't mind a ghost or two popping up into their books.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars

Engrossing time-slip mystery with a focus on Rossetti and the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. If you have interest at all in this, it's a must read. I didn't know much about it, but it didn't detract from my enjoyment and I found it a great read. In fact, I learned a little :)

Cori was a likable character under attack from a ghostly presence. You really feel her anguish and confusion as she tries to figure things out and regain her regular life. The mystery was compelling with unique historical details. Recommended!

Reminded me a little of a Susanna Kearsley book.

**Many thanks to NetGalley and ChocLit for the opportunity to read and review this book**

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1929782034?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

I’m always a total pushover where time slip stories are concerned – but they do need to be well constructed, with a seamlessness and ease around the transition from modern to historical. And this book gave me everything I wanted. There’s a really strong modern story – Cori and her marked resemblance to Lizzie Siddall, her rather eccentric (and so well described) home, her love of Pre-Raphaelite painting (which drove me on-line to find the artworks), her visits to the Tate, her developing relationship with Simon, the finding of Daisy’s diary, the re-introduction of some characters I enjoyed in the first book in the series Some Veil Did Fall, and the mystery behind the model for Millais’ Ophelia. Then there are the supernatural elements, as Daisy (of the diary) intrudes on Cori’s life, putting her in danger by sharing her experience of laudanum abuse. And then there’s the journey back in time to uncover the truth about Daisy’s involvement with the Pre-Raphaelite brotherhood. When I read Some Veil Did Fall (you’ll find my review here), I wasn’t entirely happy about the historical story being presented as a single block, mainly because I found it a bit of a wrench from the modern story – in this book that approach works quite perfectly, as it resolves the issues at the heart of the story.

The research behind this book shines from every page – you don’t need to be an art lover to enjoy it, but I doubt you’ll find much to criticise. The characters – major and minor – are well drawn and engaging, the romance is convincing, and the supernatural elements mildly unsettling and very believable. Kirsty Ferry writes extremely well – the pages of this book turned very quickly, and I was totally immersed in the story throughout. I really enjoyed this one… I don’t often read a series (and should add that these books can comfortably be read as stand-alone stories) but I’m really looking forward to the next!

The Girl in the Painting is one of those stories that will appeal to many different types of readers, and can be enjoyed by all. If you enjoy the thrill of a time slip story got that covered, enjoy having tingles go down your spine from a haunting got that as well, do mysteries to be solved make you long to dive into a book well here’s one for you, are you a lover of art and can spend hours in galleries and museums then you’ll be right at home here, do you absolutely love a good romance no matter what time frame it’s placed in then you’re in for a special treat. It’s difficult for me to put this story in one category for there are so many delightful genres woven expertly throughout the telling of this tale. So you aren’t reading only one genre here, you’re being invited into a journey to find the truth and sometimes you have to touch on the past to understand the present.

Lissy, a friend of Cori’s, has come into the possession of a diary that would be of great interest to Cori since it involves not only her favorite time period, but makes references to one of her most favorite paintings as well – plus some shocking claims, if true. Soon Cori will begin to experience things she never believed possible or real. She’ll have to make choices as well, some easy others, more difficult. And a romance that could lead to a very happy future is also pulling at her heart among all the others happenings around her.

There are stories where the explaining of them should be left up to the author completely – and I believe that The Girl in the Painting is one of those stories. There are magical and amazing discoveries to be found in this story, and the different genre merge into a lovely woven pattern that makes up the fabric of this story. I was captivated and engaged throughout this tale, even though I’m of the “I know what I like” type of art lover, I was impressed by the art knowledge and lore.

I believe this is a story that many readers, of varying genre preferences, will enjoy. At the heart, it’s a Contemporary Romance with touches of other genre that combined tell an intriguing story. Take a chance, step out of your comfort zone and give The Girl in the Painting a try, you’ll be sure to find something to enjoy about this story.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

I came to this book knowing only a little about the Pre- Raphaelites and expecting a cosy easy to read love story. I was very wrong! The story captured me from the very beginning and led me to research paintings, Shakespeare, Dante and Millais to name a few. Of course the love story was there but it was intertwined with ghosts from the past and interesting background information about the PRB.
Cori and Simon meet in front of the Millais painting of Ophelia at the Tate. Both are recovering from broken relationships and neither expecting the instant connection they shared. However, and this is where the story becomes darker, Cori’s life is disrupted by Daisy, a contemporary of the PRB and her journal dating from the 1860’s.
I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next one by this author.

Having read 'Some Veil will Fall' I was pleased to see that they new book 'The Girl in the Painting' by Kirsty Ferry was available for request.
I read the book in two days and loved it! It linked in beautifully with the first book, however could equally be read as a stand alone tale.
The book centres around Cori and Simon, a young couple who have both been hurt in love in the past and who come together due to their shared love of the PRB (Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood). Cori bears a striking resemblance to the muse Lizzie Siddall in the paintings by Rossetti and Millais and the discovery of a dairy from then brings into play the possibility that Cori's ancestor's were related in some way. It is a tale of love, ghosts, obsession and illustrates how love endures through the centuries. It also shows how people can get lost in life and lose their way. A great read, full of romance and hope.

4.5 stars - This is a story that weaves together romance, mystery, obsession and ghosts. Along with a time-slip feature, this one has it all. Cori is a very likable lead and Ms. Ferry pulled me in right from the beginning. I enjoyed learning more about the art world of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and Ms. Ferry shows us in an interesting and intriguing way.

The "ghostly adventures" that Cori is lead through is so well described...very intense! A great read for me from start to finish.

**Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley in exchange of an honest review.**

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

4.5 Hearts This is the second in the series and I am most certainly going back to pick up book 1( Some Veil Did Fall). I won’t say this book is perfect. It isn’t. It can be a little jumpy and some things move fast and others slow but something about this book pulled me in within a couple of pages and I just kept wanting to read it. But honestly I can’t pin down what it is.

Cori is obsessed with a painting and meets Simon at the museum. Then she is given the diary of the person who may be the girl in the painting (hence the title). The issue comes when Daisy (the author of the diary) comes to Cori in spiritual form and Cori freaks out, rightfully so. Simon is by her side throughout the situation but so is Lissy, Becky and Jon from book 1.

I have to say that I believe it was the writing that pulled me in. The story is interesting and the characters are good, the romance is ok and the setting is common but something about this story was just so wonderful.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

The book begins very sweetly as Cori and Simon meet at the Tate Gallery in London. He first notices that with her red hair she bears a striking resemblance to the famous model of one of the artists. They bond over their love of Pre-Raphaelite art. It could be the beginning of a beautiful love story if it weren't about to face a big challenge in the form or apparition of Daisy who has decided now is the time that she will be heard. Strange things suddenly start to happen to and around Cori. The book is a quick read with happy go lucky characters who are being pulled down by the gothic Daisy. I enjoyed the premise but had no sympathy for Daisy who dragged the story down. I also think this book could have used an editor who would have struck at least half of the constant references to the main characters exes in their dialogue. The Epilogue was fun but seemed a secret that would not have been kept by Cori. I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Cori and Simon meet at the Tate Gallery in London, where Simon works. She’s enthralled with a painting called Millais’s Ophelia and he’s enthralled with her, and a little taken aback by how much she resembles the woman in the portrait. Both Simon and Cori are recovering from bad relationships, and while Simon is ready to pursue something with Cori, she’s distracted with the diary she’s reading. It was written by a Victorian woman named Daisy who is determined that her story be told, through whatever means possible. This is a mystery/love story/ghost story that will please fans of Susanna Keasrley and Barbara Erskine