Fini

by M. Leigh Morhaime

Finleigh was an artist. Was being the operative word. She’d always been surrounded by art—until she couldn’t be anymore.

But when a tragedy left her empty and heartbroken, she had to find her way back. So she found Ian’s class. She planned to refresh, ease back into her painting.

Her relationship with Ian changed that, as he remained a constant through her turbulent life, quickly becoming her best friend and forging an unspoken bond. Ian taught her the difference between the unfinished canvas and the artist that quits. He was helping her heal enough for her to possibly open her heart again. 

But would she be able to, without shadow of the past to get in her way? 

305 pages, Paperback

Published March 21, 2021

About the author

M Leigh Morhaime is an East Coast Native transplanted to the Pacific Northwest with her husband, sweet pup named Myah, and two cats, Hannibal and Watson. She can always be found with a pair of sunglasses somewhere on her head as she wasn’t meant for the sun. With a childhood dream to be an author, she published her first novel in November of 2020. While she is chaos, her stories revolve around the fierce heroines healing, thriving, and finding love.

Creating Fierce & Witty Heroines with Lingering Love Stories.

To Connect:
Facebook, Instagram, Linktree & TikTok: mleighmorhaime
Amazon & BookBub: M Leigh Morhaime

Reviews

[M.]

Break with her. Heal with her. Love with her.

LIMITED FREE COPIES!
-> https://booksprout.co/arc/85094/fini

All I ask for is your honest review after you read!

[Twila Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story about Finliegh aka Fini. She is a young woman on a path to healing from past traumas. Art helps her work through her emotions, allowing a glimpse into her pain. Her mentor, Ian, can read the pain in her artwork as they work together. Fini has many ups and downs, which is to be expected for someone who has gone through what she’s experienced. Many times when I read a character that just won’t get out of their own way, I get frustrated with them. That was not the case with Fini. I ached for her instead. Part of the way into the book, it took a turn I was it expecting (avoiding spoilers). I knew in my heart it would be okay for her in the end. I like the somewhat open ending, a happy for now with an implied happy ever after. That’s exactly how Fini would want the book to end. No definite labels.

[Lilian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully poignant, powerful and painful, this is a romance that combines two of my favorite plot devices: slow burns and healing from traumatic pasts.

As a character, Finleigh is bent, but not broken. For too long, she has allowed a combination of grief and guilt to control her life and block her from experiencing actual joy and growth. In Ian, she finds somewhat of a kindred spirit who empowers her to continue to paint, to embrace her creativity (and her talent in art) and little by little, learn how to let go and actually enjoy life.

What follows is an exploration of the ups and downs of actually putting that into practice, of how to embrace what actually feels good versus embrace what feels natural and Finleigh learns that there's no easy way to do either of those things. At least, not without experiencing pain along with that growth.

Overall, it's a raw & realistic portrayal of what it means to allow yourself to heal from trauma and one that I feel deeply, having been on the journey myself more than once. It's never linear, it's never easy and it's not without pain and certainly some outside judgement, but it's a rollercoaster you come out the better for having experienced.

[The Lushy Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am normally not a fan of slow burn romances, but this is something special. To me, it’s more than a romance; it’s about dealing with pain and heartache, leaning on loved ones, learning personal growth, and letting life, love, and relationships happen organically.

Though Fin felt lost at times, in my eyes, she never was. She was dealing with her pain as best she could but knew what she wanted, even though it didn’t feel that way in the moment. She had to find her own way back to painting and back to her own happiness before she was able to fully move forward. Ian understood her and always encouraged her to just let things happen as they’re meant to be.

I connected with this story on a deeper level; the Haley and Ava aspect (sorry, keeping this spoiler free). It’s deeply heartbreaking; but sometimes after it rains... 🌈

This was beautiful 💕

[Judy Samson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fini by M. Leigh Morhaime. I was in love with this book from the moment I started reading it. I am an artist and am not always confident that what I make is worth viewing, so I could totally relate with Finleigh. I lost myself in the way Fini was able to heal through her Art. She not only felt defeated in her relationship with Dalton, but also from the loss of closeness with her Father. It’s not until she decides to take an Art Class that she realizes she has potential and finds her way to heal with her Art and to find closure to so many things she struggled with. In her realization she also finds love. The only thing that could have made this novel even better would to have been able to actually see the Art she painted. I received a copy of this book from the Author via Voracious Readers in exchange for my honest review. JKSlovestoread/JudyKU/LuvsKU/JudySamson

[MyDogAteMyBookReview · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good slowburn romance, especially one that hits all the roadblocks and still keeps the car on the road.

This is about love after loss, that even if you feel numb, you still need those who love you. They don’t let you push this away, they show that love is always a risk, but sometimes you have to take that chance.

It’s a rollercoaster of intense emotions but I loved the ride. I wanted Finleigh to heal and to open her heart again, I wanted her to create art again.

[Dena Akbar · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a really good book and It is really interesting.

[ShariLee · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the feels.

I stumbled across this book in a KU. No idea what to expect, but I love all forms of art, so was intrigued by the blurb. I completely love it! There are triggers, so it may not be for everyone. I laughed, cried and said Aaawww and read the entire book in one sitting. Fully engaging, rich, and emotional story.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a beautiful love story. Fini and Ian are such beautiful characters and through this story, we get to see how they learn to love after loss. I enjoyed every second of reading their story and think this book deserves so much more recognition.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fini is not the type of book I’d normally pick up but I’m so glad I did! The cover is actually what drew me in. I’m an artist who has been uninspired lately so I was hoping to get some inspiration. Well, I got that plus some fun romance and some good heartfelt lessons about healing. This is a romance book I can recommend to people who don’t normally read romance because I don’t normally read romance and I found it real, refreshing, and inspirational.

[Felicity Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Fini.
It's a beautiful story filled with heartache and happiness.
The characters come to life and are so easy to fall in love with.
Another great job Michelle Leigh Morhaime.
Can't wait for the next one.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Realistic characters and the art class setting immersed me in the story and got me excited to keep reading right from page one!

It got me in the feels and I have never rooted for main characters in quite the same way I did for Finleigh and Ian. I wanted them to be together, but not in the typical romance genre relationship sense. This story set up an ending expectation that is uniquely its own and is a wonderful reading experience unlike any other read!

There are many genres that make up the Canvassed Hearts novel for all kinds of readers to enjoy. Steamy scenes for romance readers, a tragic and emotional plot for readers who enjoy well-written stories where you can really feel what the main character is going through and really enjoy getting caught up in turning the pages to find out what happens next because you are rooting so deeply for things to work out for the main character in the end, and lots of painting for artists who want to read about an artist as a main character. We all have some kind of outlet where we do the same as the main character in this book-we share pieces of ourselves in a form we don't speak aloud and I think that makes these characters still relatable to everyone, even if the reader isn’t an artist.

I read Canvassed Hearts in April 2022 while its author, M Leigh Morhaime, was featured by Book-Club Hosted by Heather Skinner and I recommend this book for book clubs! It is a beautiful roller coaster ride of emotions that doesn’t hold back on being real about topics like loss and PTSD and how they can impact daily lives and interactions. There is also hope and a lot unsaid that is intriguing to chat about with other readers.

Lastly, with all of the detailed art projects in this book, there are so many unique possibilities for paint and sip book chats that I know I would love to see happen and attend!

[Caley Brennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

[I was given a free copy of this book by the author in exchange for a review through Voracious Readers Only]

This was a wonderful novel! The very emotionally-driven story gets straight to the point and starts off with Finleigh in Ian's art class struggling with finishing her piece but also suffering from a deep and hidden pain. The nature of her pain is slowly revealed to both Ian and the reader and I kept turning pages to find out what it was and what she was going to do about it. I was rooting for her the whole time to develop fully into her potential as an artist but also as a person and find healing. She's a likable protagonist and it was also nice to see how her relationships with the other characters developed over time, especially with Ian. Other characters and their interactions with each other felt real as well.The plot swerved in a direction I definitely wasn't expecting around halfway through but the ending was still satisfying. Having all of the painting and drawing scenes feel real was a nice touch too and Morhaime definitely put her artistic knowledge to great use here. I really enjoyed this book and I think fans of Slammed, All Your Perfects, and Speak will also.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Canvassed Hearts by M. Leigh Morhaime is a really good book. It’s about two people, Finleigh and Ian, who are both artists; they connect through their art and find healing. I found the characters real and compelling, and felt their emotions. I could see in my mind’s eye the places they went and lived. This is a great slow burning romance which I thoroughly enjoyed. Finleigh and Ian go through a lot and find happiness, with an implied happy ever after. I recommend this book.

[Tonya Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slow burn romance that keeps you wanting more. Great read. Some triggers.
I highly recommend this book!