What do you think?
Rate this book
Muses of Esk
The Muse of Missing Pieces
When Harriet Finch, abandoned by the muses, is approached by her more successful rival to collaborate on a prestigious art commission, she must decide if her dreams are worth the risk of failing...again.
Artist Harriet Finch is done trying. Done failing. Done chasing dreams that always slip out of reach. After a previous commission fails catastrophically, she resigns herself to life as a shop clerk. It’s easier to let her hopes of becoming an artisan fade than to add another disappointment to her list of failures.
Artemisia Whitaker is everything Harriet once aspired to be—an artisan destined for the heights of Esk society. Nothing can keep her from her ascension, except, apparently, Harriet’s refusal to work with her. Artemisia needs Harriet's help. Harriet wants nothing to do with her.
As a flood threatens and the deadline looms, Harriet has one last chance to claim the life she’s always wanted. All she has to do is complete the commission. But her inspiration is thin, her muses missing, and this time, her failure won’t just end her dreams. It will destroy Artemisia’s, too.
The Muse of Missing Pieces is a short, sapphic novella set in a quietly magical fantasy world. It is the first standalone novella in the Muses of Esk series, a collection of low-stakes fantasy romances. Each novella can be read as a standalone.
Artist Harriet Finch is done trying. Done failing. Done chasing dreams that always slip out of reach. After a previous commission fails catastrophically, she resigns herself to life as a shop clerk. It’s easier to let her hopes of becoming an artisan fade than to add another disappointment to her list of failures.
Artemisia Whitaker is everything Harriet once aspired to be—an artisan destined for the heights of Esk society. Nothing can keep her from her ascension, except, apparently, Harriet’s refusal to work with her. Artemisia needs Harriet's help. Harriet wants nothing to do with her.
As a flood threatens and the deadline looms, Harriet has one last chance to claim the life she’s always wanted. All she has to do is complete the commission. But her inspiration is thin, her muses missing, and this time, her failure won’t just end her dreams. It will destroy Artemisia’s, too.
The Muse of Missing Pieces is a short, sapphic novella set in a quietly magical fantasy world. It is the first standalone novella in the Muses of Esk series, a collection of low-stakes fantasy romances. Each novella can be read as a standalone.
84 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 29, 2025
15 people are currently reading
1013 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
June 11, 2025
“How can the artist show their true self if they do not know it themselves, yet?”
“Why else are we creating art other than to find out?”
a very quick and cozy sapphic historical read about two artists working on a commission together.
I really enjoyed the aspect of the story following harriet, who’s fallen into an artistic rut feeling already a failure. artemisia, on the other hand, is learning how to work with others. the end up having a beautiful collaboration and finding love.
very sweet and you will want a cup of tea for it.
“Why else are we creating art other than to find out?”
a very quick and cozy sapphic historical read about two artists working on a commission together.
I really enjoyed the aspect of the story following harriet, who’s fallen into an artistic rut feeling already a failure. artemisia, on the other hand, is learning how to work with others. the end up having a beautiful collaboration and finding love.
very sweet and you will want a cup of tea for it.
September 25, 2025
i love it when lesbians are cozy and happy and get everything they want and more!!
May 15, 2025
this book felt like a cappuccino in autumn
May 18, 2025
it really does feel like i'm in a cafe during autumn while i sip my warm cappucino while i read this book. it's so so cute and low stakes and such an easy read
November 27, 2025
This is exactly what I needed rn 🙂↕️ short, sweet, and cozy!
May 7, 2025
3.5 Stars
The Muse of Missing Pieces by Thea Hawthorne is as it claims to be - short, cosy and low stakes. I did appreciate the straightforwardness of the story and the dialogue was on brand with the times it was in.
The Muse of Missing Pieces by Thea Hawthorne is as it claims to be - short, cosy and low stakes. I did appreciate the straightforwardness of the story and the dialogue was on brand with the times it was in.
December 18, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
“How can the artist show their true self if they do not know it themselves, yet?”
“Why else are we creating art other than to find out?”
romantic books are not my favourite genre so this novella was a pleasant surprise, i really liked it more than i thought i would!
i love books about art, the romantic part was enjoyable and the writing style was poetic, suitable to the world’s vibes, but still easily understandable.
i also loved the setting, i think i’ll read the other novellas just so that i can live in there some more time 🩷
“How can the artist show their true self if they do not know it themselves, yet?”
“Why else are we creating art other than to find out?”
romantic books are not my favourite genre so this novella was a pleasant surprise, i really liked it more than i thought i would!
i love books about art, the romantic part was enjoyable and the writing style was poetic, suitable to the world’s vibes, but still easily understandable.
i also loved the setting, i think i’ll read the other novellas just so that i can live in there some more time 🩷
July 2, 2025
3.5/5
December 28, 2025
I love a good lesbian media
dnf
January 10, 2026DNF @ 18%. Lesbians could not save me from my hatred of cozy romance/fantasy.
April 18, 2025
It was a nice short novel.
I appreciated reading Harriet and Artemisia's story, they have quite different personalities but they match nicely together. They are very sweet and always make the other their priority.
It's heavy in Australian slang for sure, which made me lost sometimes at what some words meant but never to a point where i'm not appreciating the book anymore.
Overall, i do recommend this book. If you love a story between 2 artists having to work together on a project, you'll enjoy this one.
I appreciated reading Harriet and Artemisia's story, they have quite different personalities but they match nicely together. They are very sweet and always make the other their priority.
It's heavy in Australian slang for sure, which made me lost sometimes at what some words meant but never to a point where i'm not appreciating the book anymore.
Overall, i do recommend this book. If you love a story between 2 artists having to work together on a project, you'll enjoy this one.
March 2, 2025
sapphic longing at its finest
January 17, 2025
4.5 🌟
"perhaps, but there's a layer of facades, isn't there? You aren't telling your own story if you've been getting distracted telling someone else's"
First of all I want to thank the author Thea Hawthorne for gifting me this eArc.
This was a short, cute read and I'm carving for more. I normally don't really read novella's but I really enjoyed this one. The world building, description, and the plot were definitely the star of the book.
And I'll definitely be on the look out for more from this author.
ps. The acknowledgement!!!!!! The piece she wrote to her partner was absolutely heart melting.
I hope your tea is always the perfect temperature, and you never lose a biscuit when you dip it
"perhaps, but there's a layer of facades, isn't there? You aren't telling your own story if you've been getting distracted telling someone else's"
First of all I want to thank the author Thea Hawthorne for gifting me this eArc.
This was a short, cute read and I'm carving for more. I normally don't really read novella's but I really enjoyed this one. The world building, description, and the plot were definitely the star of the book.
And I'll definitely be on the look out for more from this author.
ps. The acknowledgement!!!!!! The piece she wrote to her partner was absolutely heart melting.
I hope your tea is always the perfect temperature, and you never lose a biscuit when you dip it
September 14, 2025
A perfectly cozy story, with an amazing description of ambiance and atmosphere, making it light and sweet on the eyes of whomever reads it.
September 23, 2025
I so wish this would’ve been a bit longer and I could’ve gotten to know the world better, but the atmosphere was impeccable!
November 18, 2025
yet another beautifully written esk novella that is so warm and cozy and atmospheric 🥹 I'm loving this world and all its characters so much!!
August 20, 2025
This book found me at the very moment I needed it most. A tender and beautiful sapphic short story about two artists creating side by side. As an artist myself, I felt deeply seen in the way it captures the emotions and struggles we carry through our creative lives. I can’t wait to dive into books 2 and 3!
January 24, 2025
A Beautifully Crafted Gem [eArc review]
The Muse of Missing Pieces by Thea Hawthorne is an enchanting romance that offers readers a heartwarming and evocative tale that brims with creativity and emotion. Thea's charm and sense of humor shines through this book brilliantly, and I had a smile on my face for the entire time.
Even though the book is described as being low stakes, I think Harriet and Artemisia had a lot on the line in their endeavors, and I found myself cheering for their achievement. Hawthorne captures the successes and struggles of an artist so beautifully, no doubt from personal experience, as other reviews have mentioned, she illustrated the cover herself and describes so many parts of the creative process (Art block!) with stinging accuracy.
What truly sets this novel apart is Hawthorne's ability to craft beautifully nuanced characters who are pursuing their own ambitions in a way that overlaps more than initially realized. The thoughtful exploration of their relationship, as it develops through their shared goals, punctuated with moments of tender vulnerability, honesty and artistic passion, makes for a captivating and memorable read. It is a book that you may read over a lazy breakfast and continue to think about for the rest of the day, and perhaps well into the evening. It is a satisfying tale that gives the reader a glimpse into the world of Esk, where I can feel so much potential for future stories, and I am excited to read what Thea publishes in the future.
Thank you very much Thea Hawthorne for sending me an advanced reader copy of The Muse of Missing Pieces.
The Muse of Missing Pieces by Thea Hawthorne is an enchanting romance that offers readers a heartwarming and evocative tale that brims with creativity and emotion. Thea's charm and sense of humor shines through this book brilliantly, and I had a smile on my face for the entire time.
Even though the book is described as being low stakes, I think Harriet and Artemisia had a lot on the line in their endeavors, and I found myself cheering for their achievement. Hawthorne captures the successes and struggles of an artist so beautifully, no doubt from personal experience, as other reviews have mentioned, she illustrated the cover herself and describes so many parts of the creative process (Art block!) with stinging accuracy.
What truly sets this novel apart is Hawthorne's ability to craft beautifully nuanced characters who are pursuing their own ambitions in a way that overlaps more than initially realized. The thoughtful exploration of their relationship, as it develops through their shared goals, punctuated with moments of tender vulnerability, honesty and artistic passion, makes for a captivating and memorable read. It is a book that you may read over a lazy breakfast and continue to think about for the rest of the day, and perhaps well into the evening. It is a satisfying tale that gives the reader a glimpse into the world of Esk, where I can feel so much potential for future stories, and I am excited to read what Thea publishes in the future.
Thank you very much Thea Hawthorne for sending me an advanced reader copy of The Muse of Missing Pieces.
December 20, 2025
⁀➷ 3.5 ★ ´ˎ˗
this was the second book that i’ve read by thea hawthorne and while i absolutely adore her writing style and the imagery that she evokes through her writing, this novella fell short for me. maybe i was in a cynical headspace when i was reading this, but it felt as if there was absolutely zero chemistry between artemisia and harriet. i was hoping that there would be the same aspects of yearning that made me love a lantern left burning so much, but it was lacking in that department for me personally. i would still recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick and cozy sapphic read that feels whimsical!
this was the second book that i’ve read by thea hawthorne and while i absolutely adore her writing style and the imagery that she evokes through her writing, this novella fell short for me. maybe i was in a cynical headspace when i was reading this, but it felt as if there was absolutely zero chemistry between artemisia and harriet. i was hoping that there would be the same aspects of yearning that made me love a lantern left burning so much, but it was lacking in that department for me personally. i would still recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick and cozy sapphic read that feels whimsical!
Read
October 7, 2025⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
“Her kiss is as gentle as the rain, and all around them, the mist sits tucked against the trees like a quilt around lovers in the cold of the night.”
Another lovely little cosy fantasy! This one is about an unexpected artistic collaboration to make a mural and, as usual with this author, it’s a gentle, low angst sapphic romance set in the magical gaslamp world of Esk. I enjoy learning more about the world with each book. The language is also so so beautiful, and old-fashioned in the best way.
“Her kiss is as gentle as the rain, and all around them, the mist sits tucked against the trees like a quilt around lovers in the cold of the night.”
Another lovely little cosy fantasy! This one is about an unexpected artistic collaboration to make a mural and, as usual with this author, it’s a gentle, low angst sapphic romance set in the magical gaslamp world of Esk. I enjoy learning more about the world with each book. The language is also so so beautiful, and old-fashioned in the best way.
August 11, 2025
4 stars ⭐️
Beautiful writing, beautiful art, and a beautiful story. What more do I have to say?
Harriet, while sorrowful, was a likeable character, and matched with Artemisia, they were such a lovely pairing. I loved Artemisia’s confidence and smug nature.
The romance that blossomed between them felt authentic, natural, and the two of them getting trapped in a house together, sharing kisses and apple buns? Wonderful.
Highly recommend for lovers of cosy fantasy!
Beautiful writing, beautiful art, and a beautiful story. What more do I have to say?
Harriet, while sorrowful, was a likeable character, and matched with Artemisia, they were such a lovely pairing. I loved Artemisia’s confidence and smug nature.
The romance that blossomed between them felt authentic, natural, and the two of them getting trapped in a house together, sharing kisses and apple buns? Wonderful.
Highly recommend for lovers of cosy fantasy!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2025
3.5 stars
This sapphic fantasy was such a cute and quick read, I loved the characters and learning more about the world its set in. I just wish it was a couple of hundred pages longer, as the romance as well as the process of designing the commission felt rushed and I honestly just wanted to spend more time in that world. If you want a quick cozy sapphic fantasy I would definitely recommend it.
Thank you Thea Hawthorne for the arc
This sapphic fantasy was such a cute and quick read, I loved the characters and learning more about the world its set in. I just wish it was a couple of hundred pages longer, as the romance as well as the process of designing the commission felt rushed and I honestly just wanted to spend more time in that world. If you want a quick cozy sapphic fantasy I would definitely recommend it.
Thank you Thea Hawthorne for the arc
March 3, 2025
i devoured this. i loved the setting and the atmosphere. the writing was great. it was the perfect blend of cozy and intriguing. i loved harriet and artemisia. despite the fact that this was so short, the romance was very fleshed out which i think is really impressive. the conversation abt art was so interesting. and thea hawthorne drew the cover?? it's GORGEOUS
July 25, 2025
this cozy little book feels like freshly brewed coffee, warm apple pie and a rainy evening as you're curled up under a fluffy blanket. tenderly written and played out in a setting that feels like autumn, it's a lovely introduction into the world of Esk and i'm excited to read more about it <3
November 2, 2025
cuties!!
November 26, 2025
el horror de Hollywood, lesbianas siendo felices.
January 4, 2026
This was a really cute novella, and I really liked learning about this form of artwork through the story. The relationship developed well and for such a short story, the character's personality's really stood out. I find that sometimes with short-form fiction that the characters don't get fleshed out enough, but I don't believe that happened in this one.
January 20, 2025
I absolutely adored this novella ❤️ the imagery and descriptions that were used throughout this story were absolutely brilliant and made me feel so cozy! This was such a cute and comforting story and I will be watching for more from this author 💕 so thankful to be an ARC reader for The Muse of Missing Pieces!!
August 28, 2025
"We don't become captivated because it's good or better or the best. It's the glimpse of the artist that connects us. The viewer and the artist both being seen and seeing each other."
2.75⭐️
Esta novela corta se enmarca en la ficción histórica con matices de fantasía íntima y acogedora, dotada de un ambiente suavemente mágico que da forma a un relato breve pero sensible. Su mayor rasgo distintivo es que centra su atención en la relación entre dos mujeres y en cómo el amor se convierte en motor de transformación personal. "The Muse of Missing Pieces" se presenta como una historia donde el mundo pasado funciona como el escenario emocional, lo que permite centrar la atención en el desarrollo íntimo de los personajes y la delicada atmósfera romántica que los envuelve. El resultado es una lectura ligera y acogedora, aunque algo limitada en cuanto a ambición y alcance narrativo.
La protagonista, Harriet, es una artista que, tras un fracaso creativo, se ha resignado a abandonar sus aspiraciones y lleva una vida marcada por la decepción. La aparición de Artemisa Whitaker, brillante y prometedora, introduce la tensión fundamental: ella representa todo lo que Harriet soñó ser y encarna, al mismo tiempo, la posibilidad de un futuro distinto. La colaboración forzada entre ambas da lugar a un vínculo que, más allá del trabajo artístico, se transforma en un lazo afectivo que oscila entre la admiración, el deseo y la esperanza. Este crecimiento mutuo se enmarca en un contexto de urgencia, marcado por una inundación que amenaza al pueblo y por la presión de cumplir con un encargo artístico decisivo.
En cuanto a los personajes, Harriet está construida con ternura y transmite de manera convincente el peso de la inseguridad, aunque su arco resulta previsible. Artemisia aparece como contrapunto luminoso y encarna la fuerza inspiradora de quien no teme al riesgo, aunque su desarrollo psicológico es limitado. El romance entre ambas aporta momentos entrañables y delicados, pero carece de la complejidad emocional que podría haberlo convertido en un eje más memorable.
Los temas giran en torno a la pérdida, la resiliencia y la construcción de un amor inesperado. La metáfora de las piezas perdidas y la amenaza de la inundación simbolizan la fragilidad de la vida y la posibilidad de recomponerse, mientras que el vínculo entre estas dos mujeres representa la esperanza de un nuevo comienzo. El tratamiento de estos elementos es directo y algo reiterativo, sin demasiada sutileza, pero eficaz en la creación de una atmósfera cálida y optimista.
El estilo narrativo de Hawthorne es sencillo y fluido, con un lirismo ligero que refuerza la dimensión emocional del relato. El mundo de Esk se presenta de manera clara, con detalles suficientes para dotarlo de coherencia sin entorpecer la lectura. La prosa evita cualquier complejidad excesiva, lo que convierte esta novela corta en una experiencia accesible y reconfortante, aunque también menos impactante en el plano literario.
En conjunto, "The Muse of Missing Pieces" ofrece una historia acogedora, tierna y cálida que celebra el poder del amor entre mujeres, aunque lo hace con trazos suaves más que con profundidad arrolladora. Es un libro que reconforta más que sacude: sencillo, delicado y dulce.
2.75⭐️
Esta novela corta se enmarca en la ficción histórica con matices de fantasía íntima y acogedora, dotada de un ambiente suavemente mágico que da forma a un relato breve pero sensible. Su mayor rasgo distintivo es que centra su atención en la relación entre dos mujeres y en cómo el amor se convierte en motor de transformación personal. "The Muse of Missing Pieces" se presenta como una historia donde el mundo pasado funciona como el escenario emocional, lo que permite centrar la atención en el desarrollo íntimo de los personajes y la delicada atmósfera romántica que los envuelve. El resultado es una lectura ligera y acogedora, aunque algo limitada en cuanto a ambición y alcance narrativo.
La protagonista, Harriet, es una artista que, tras un fracaso creativo, se ha resignado a abandonar sus aspiraciones y lleva una vida marcada por la decepción. La aparición de Artemisa Whitaker, brillante y prometedora, introduce la tensión fundamental: ella representa todo lo que Harriet soñó ser y encarna, al mismo tiempo, la posibilidad de un futuro distinto. La colaboración forzada entre ambas da lugar a un vínculo que, más allá del trabajo artístico, se transforma en un lazo afectivo que oscila entre la admiración, el deseo y la esperanza. Este crecimiento mutuo se enmarca en un contexto de urgencia, marcado por una inundación que amenaza al pueblo y por la presión de cumplir con un encargo artístico decisivo.
En cuanto a los personajes, Harriet está construida con ternura y transmite de manera convincente el peso de la inseguridad, aunque su arco resulta previsible. Artemisia aparece como contrapunto luminoso y encarna la fuerza inspiradora de quien no teme al riesgo, aunque su desarrollo psicológico es limitado. El romance entre ambas aporta momentos entrañables y delicados, pero carece de la complejidad emocional que podría haberlo convertido en un eje más memorable.
Los temas giran en torno a la pérdida, la resiliencia y la construcción de un amor inesperado. La metáfora de las piezas perdidas y la amenaza de la inundación simbolizan la fragilidad de la vida y la posibilidad de recomponerse, mientras que el vínculo entre estas dos mujeres representa la esperanza de un nuevo comienzo. El tratamiento de estos elementos es directo y algo reiterativo, sin demasiada sutileza, pero eficaz en la creación de una atmósfera cálida y optimista.
El estilo narrativo de Hawthorne es sencillo y fluido, con un lirismo ligero que refuerza la dimensión emocional del relato. El mundo de Esk se presenta de manera clara, con detalles suficientes para dotarlo de coherencia sin entorpecer la lectura. La prosa evita cualquier complejidad excesiva, lo que convierte esta novela corta en una experiencia accesible y reconfortante, aunque también menos impactante en el plano literario.
En conjunto, "The Muse of Missing Pieces" ofrece una historia acogedora, tierna y cálida que celebra el poder del amor entre mujeres, aunque lo hace con trazos suaves más que con profundidad arrolladora. Es un libro que reconforta más que sacude: sencillo, delicado y dulce.
January 20, 2025
Firstly, thank you Thea for giving me the chance to read the eArc of this novella.
Having followed Thea on social media for a while now because of her beautiful artwork, I was fascinated to see what her writing would be like when I saw she'd written a novella and I wasn't disappointed.
This was a cozy, low-stakes story which I often find very hit-or-miss when it comes to the actual execution of the plot and its characters but this novella hit those marks perfectly. I felt that the plot was engaging enough that I'd absolutely love to read more from this world and the characters were given enough time for you to get to know them and for a relationship to naturally form between them. Considering the length of this story, all the elements discussed within it felt as though they were given the appropriate time to unfold and while some minor details (like interactions with side characters, pacing of the days and the competition itself) were a little more vague, that definitely comes down to the novella format. In saying so, I was still able to enjoy every bit of it regardless of the page count because of how the main elements of this plot were paced within that limit. The writing itself was also fantastic. Being beautifully descriptive and atmospheric with fun dialogue and banter.
I'd absolutely love to read more from Thea in the future. Whether that be in the form of more novellas or longer formats, I'm not fussed. It's not on goodreads at the moment but they also illustrated the cover for their novella and it's absolutely beautiful. I'd definitely recommend everyone check this out when it's officially published and maybe go check out their artwork in the meantime.
Having followed Thea on social media for a while now because of her beautiful artwork, I was fascinated to see what her writing would be like when I saw she'd written a novella and I wasn't disappointed.
This was a cozy, low-stakes story which I often find very hit-or-miss when it comes to the actual execution of the plot and its characters but this novella hit those marks perfectly. I felt that the plot was engaging enough that I'd absolutely love to read more from this world and the characters were given enough time for you to get to know them and for a relationship to naturally form between them. Considering the length of this story, all the elements discussed within it felt as though they were given the appropriate time to unfold and while some minor details (like interactions with side characters, pacing of the days and the competition itself) were a little more vague, that definitely comes down to the novella format. In saying so, I was still able to enjoy every bit of it regardless of the page count because of how the main elements of this plot were paced within that limit. The writing itself was also fantastic. Being beautifully descriptive and atmospheric with fun dialogue and banter.
I'd absolutely love to read more from Thea in the future. Whether that be in the form of more novellas or longer formats, I'm not fussed. It's not on goodreads at the moment but they also illustrated the cover for their novella and it's absolutely beautiful. I'd definitely recommend everyone check this out when it's officially published and maybe go check out their artwork in the meantime.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews