“What are the truly beautiful things in life � and how far will you go to get them?� (from the book jacket)Book on CD performed by Peter Francis James
“What are the truly beautiful things in life � and how far will you go to get them?� (from the book jacket)
Smith’s novel focuses on the Belsey family: Howard, an Englishman art professor at a Massachusetts college; Kiki, his African-American wife of thirty years; and their three teenage children, Jerome, Zora and Levi. There are many references to art, not just paintings (although Howard’s book on Rembrandt is years overdue), but also performance art. And there is another family, the Kipps; Howard is feuding with Monty Kipps, Kiki has befriended Mrs Kipps (Carlene), and Jerome was briefly in love with Victoria Kipps.
Most of these people behave rather badly in their pursuit of “beauty,� whatever that may be. While they may want a beautiful life, none of them (save for Kiki and Carlene) seem to have any idea how to actually achieve that or what it may mean. One after another betrayal occurs within the family, between the families, across generations. University politics come into play to further complicate matters, and Zora seems particularly skilled at employing this tactic.
I was reading this for a book club meeting and that is the main reason I finished it. I was not in the right frame of mind to give it the attention it deserves, for Smith’s writing in places was stellar. Still, at the end I was left with a feeling of “is that all?� I think this was really my fault; the press of other matters in real life kept me from being totally present in the novel.
The audio book is narrated by Peter Francis James. He has a lot of characters to deal with and does a fine job of differentiating them. ...more
From the book jacket: Two months ago, Annie Callaghan made a mistake. She thought she’d planned for every contingency. After five years in a bad marriFrom the book jacket: Two months ago, Annie Callaghan made a mistake. She thought she’d planned for every contingency. After five years in a bad marriage she filed for divorce, began to pursue her dreams of being a full-time artist, and quit her job to work for herself. Now, well on her way to a brand-new start with her fledgling mural painting business and her handsome new client, life finally holds promise again. But, � [now she is in the center of] a maelstrom of intrigue involving a stolen masterpiece, a powerful lawyer with questionable connections, and a murder for which she’s the prime suspect.
My reactions I came to know Hyzy through her White House Chef cozy mystery series. A challenge to read an author’s debut work had me looking back at a number of favorite author’s first works, which is how I came across this one.
I liked Annie Callaghan, though I wanted to slap her several times for her poor decision-making. I also really liked her new love interest, a stand-up guy who is mature and steady and genuinely concerned about her. The other characters, including the detective, seemed a little too cookie-cutter and/or straight out of central casting. The lawyer’s wife was a stereotypical bimbo, her kids were complete brats, the bodyguard and lawyer came from every bad Mafia movie, and her ex-husband and his best friend (the complete loser, Pete) had disaster written all over them.
Don’t misunderstand, though. I got hooked on the storyline and was entertained by the entire book. It was a quick, fast read that didn’t require much thinking. Perfect for an escape from all the stuff that’s going on in real life right now. ...more
Bowen uses the ubiquitous dual timeline to tell this story that spans three decades: 1944 to 1973. Joanna finds some papers among her late father’s efBowen uses the ubiquitous dual timeline to tell this story that spans three decades: 1944 to 1973. Joanna finds some papers among her late father’s effects that indicate he had a love affair with a woman in Italy while serving as an RAF pilot in WW2. Sir Hugo’s estate has previously been sold and he’s been living in the gardener’s lodge while teaching art at the school that has purchased the estate. He has very little to leave his daughter, but the love letter she finds references “our beautiful boy.� Could she have a Tuscan half-sibling? Joanna feels compelled to travel to the area where her father’s plane went down to find his lost love, Sofia, and to get answers to what really happened during the war.
This was a fun fast read with some intrigue to go along with the romance. I loved all the references to food (and definitely want to try to re-create some of those regional dishes that featured so prominently). The conclusion seems a little rushed and too pat for my tastes. But I still enjoyed the book. ...more
As she has done with other women “lost in history,� Benedict shines a light on a little-recognized woman who had enBook on CD narrated by Robin Miles
As she has done with other women “lost in history,� Benedict shines a light on a little-recognized woman who had enormous influence on American culture. Belle da Costa Greene was J P Morgan’s “personal librarian,� tasked with curating and expanding his collection of rare manuscripts, books and art works, especially those dating from the Renaissance. As his librarian, Greene was required to attend auctions and society balls as a means of becoming friendly and known in the rarified world of high-stakes art collecting. Her success at beating the “boys at their game� was celebrated in news articles on both sides of the Atlantic. So, she was hardly “lost in history.� But � what no one knew was that Greene was born Belle Marion Greener, the daughter of African American parents.
I found this a very interesting look at America in the Gilded Age. I was unaware of the early Equal Rights Act (enacted just at the end of the Civil War), and how it was defeated after offering such promise. It’s no wonder that Belle’s parents left the south for New York and greater opportunity for themselves and their children. The difference in approach between Mr and Mrs Greener was also interesting to me; while she made the decision to register the family as white in the census, her husband embraced his role as a leader in equal rights, fighting AS a black man and was incensed by her decision.
I did get pretty tired of the authors constantly reminding me of the high stakes for Belle and her family if her true identity as a black woman was discovered. I got the first time, or certainly by the third time. I didn’t really need a reminder in virtually every chapter!
I’m glad that Benedict partnered with Victoria Christopher Murray, an African American author, for this work. I wonder why Benedict’s name came first on the cover, though.
Robin Miles does a fine job of performing the audio version. She has clear diction and sufficiently differentiates the characters, so I wasn’t confused about who was speaking. ...more
This is Eng’s second novel, following his Booker-Prize nominated The Gift of Rain. Once again, he sets the Audible audio narrated by Anna Bentinck
This is Eng’s second novel, following his Booker-Prize nominated The Gift of Rain. Once again, he sets the work in Malaysia, specifically Penang, Yun Ling Teoh is the sole survivor of a brutal Japanese wartime camp, who now (1951) lives in the Cameron Highlands, where she hopes to find peace. She discovered Yugiri, the only Japanese garden in Malaya, and its owner and creator, Aritomo, the exiled former gardener of the emperor of Japan. Despite her hatred of the Japanese, Yun Ling asks Aritomo to create a garden in memory of her sister, who died in the camp. He refuses, but he does agree to take her on as an apprentice, at least until the monsoon comes, so that she can design the garden herself. World War II is over, but there is still a communist guerrilla war raging in the mountains, and there is considerable danger for the residents of the area. Slowly their stories - how Aritomo came to Penang, and how Yun Ling escaped the camp � come to light.
What a marvelous book! Poetic writing. Complex characters. Atmospheric descriptions. Eng brought right into this world. I felt the peace and serenity of the garden, and the terror of guerilla attacks. I could smell the jungle, feel the humid heat, hear the rain. I was fascinated by the tattoo art.
The story is told in flashback, as Yun Ling is trying to recollect the time she spent as an apprentice to Aritomo. But her memories, and her ability to commit them to writing are hampered by her physical deterioration. She is slowly but inextricably descending into a kind of dementia. Yet she faces her future, as she did her past, with courage and grace. �Before me lies a voyage of a million miles, and memory is the moonlight I will borrow to illuminate my way.�
The audio is narrated by Anna Bentinck. She is a skilled actor, but the accents she used for some of the Asian characters were rather badly done. I almost wish she had abandoned the idea of using different voices and just read it without the accents. I very nearly took away a half-star for her performance, but ultimately felt that the book deserved the full 5-star rating. ...more
This is book two in the series, featuring psychopath Tom Ripley. It’s six years after Tom murdered DDigital audiobook performed by Kevin Kenerly 3***
This is book two in the series, featuring psychopath Tom Ripley. It’s six years after Tom murdered Dickie Greenleaf and inherited his money. He’s since married a pharmaceutical heiress and they live in a villa in France. Everything seems to be going swimmingly, until Tom gets a call from London. An art forgery scheme he set up a few years ago is threatened by a nosy American asking questions.
Highsmith was a talented writer, and she could craft a chilling psychological thriller. In the first Ripley book we met a charming, somewhat socially inept, closeted gay young man with ambition. He was clever, quick-thinking, and determined to get rich. Lies came easily and murder even more so. If it served his purpose, he did it. But THIS Ripley is a drudge. The whole art forgery scheme is kinda amateurish, and I didn’t see it has having the “Ripley stamp.� Beyond having originally set up the con, why is he even still involved? He doesn’t paint the forgeries, and he’s not exactly making a fortune off the scheme. But it seems he just can’t help himself; he has to lie and cheat and steal and kill because he just doesn’t know how else to act. As the bodies pile up and investigators get closer to the truth, Ripley’s ability to charm his way out of things is taxed to the max. He seems to be completely unraveling, and yet �
The ending is a bit of a cliffhanger, which is one of my pet peeves. But I suspect Highsmith just ran out of steam and decided to stop.
Kevin Kenerly does a pretty good job of voicing the audiobook. He made the various characters sufficiently unique so I could easily tell who was speaking. Too bad he didn’t have better material to work with....more
What a lovely and remarkable graphic novel! Thapp explores one young woman’s feelings over the course of a year, from the highs of a sunny summer day What a lovely and remarkable graphic novel! Thapp explores one young woman’s feelings over the course of a year, from the highs of a sunny summer day to the doldrums of a gray winter.
The artwork is beautiful and evocative (and illustrated by Thapp). We see the woman energized and working with purpose, and we see her depressed and struggling to cope. We see her embrace her connection to nature, and find strength in expressing herself through her art. As she nurtures her plants, she nurtures herself, allows herself a quiet respite to regroup and be ready for Spring’s growth.
The text is spare and poetic, although she does begin each seasonal shift with a few paragraphs to set the mood. ...more
Sculptor Elise LeClaire entrusts her daughter, Mathilde, to her best friend, Juliette Foulon, when she is forced to flee Paris during the German occupSculptor Elise LeClaire entrusts her daughter, Mathilde, to her best friend, Juliette Foulon, when she is forced to flee Paris during the German occupation in World War II. After the war, Elise returns to Paris only to find the Foulon’s building a pile of rubble with no clue as to survivors or where they might be.
There are a number of historical threads woven into this melodrama: the Nazis penchant for stealing art, the role of the French Resistance, the many Jewish families who sent their children into hiding, and the post-traumatic stress survivors had to deal with.
I really liked Elise and the way she had to fight to be recognized as an artist. I had little sympathy for Juliette, though I suppose Harmel is trying to show how grief can warp one’s thinking. She certainly loved her children. Ruth Levy is perhaps the strongest of the three and shows the most resilience and positive influence. I would have liked to read more about her.
In general, Harmel’s story kept me interested, but I thought the writing was just okay. I guessed the central plot point VERY early in the book and noticed the foreshadowing as a result. The many coincidences that brought the story to its overly dramatic ending seemed contrived and tested my abilities to suspend disbelief. Don’t get me wrong. It was NOT terrible; it just wasn’t good enough to rise above many other stellar novels about this same period. ...more
This is a YA gay romance featuring two very likeable young men facing serious life decisions. Ander is an artDigital audiobook performed by Avi Roque
This is a YA gay romance featuring two very likeable young men facing serious life decisions. Ander is an artist and planning to go to college to further his studies in art. He has a chance at a prestigious scholarship, but feels he should take a gap year first. Santiago is an undocumented immigrant without family who takes a job in the restaurant Ander’s family runs. When they meet, sparks fly.
Oh, the intensity of young love. The passion and fierceness of the feelings. I really liked these two young men. Ander is very “out there� � he’s expressive and expansive in his art and in his feelings. He never holds back. Santi is more reserved, partly because of his natural personality, but also partly because he HAS to live under the radar to avoid being deported.
These two face some very tough decisions. Should Ander give up his dream college program because Santi cannot travel with him? Should Santi go back to Mexico to deal with a tragedy in his own family? Can the love they feel for one another survive such a separation? What choices do they have?
They are lucky in that Ander’s family is incredibly supportive of them both. While they are understandably upset that Ander would even consider abandoning his college dreams for Santi, they love him and respect his decisions. And when ICE arrives, they support and fight for Santi equally.
I do have a complaint, however. I’ve seen comparisons to Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe and the feelings and tenderness of first love certainly hold up to that comparison, but to ME, the language here (significant use of the ‘F� bomb) and the sexual content seem more adult than YA. It’s a beautifully told love story, but Villa could have done it with much less swearing and graphic sex. ...more
Book on CD read by Lisa Flanagan, Caroline Hewitt, and Paul Woodson. 3.5****
A work of historical fiction with a dual timeline � 1939 in France as the Book on CD read by Lisa Flanagan, Caroline Hewitt, and Paul Woodson. 3.5****
A work of historical fiction with a dual timeline � 1939 in France as the Germans are invading; and 1479 in Florence, when Leonardo da Vinci is commissioned to paint a portrait of Lisa Gherandini. In both cases one woman takes it upon herself to ensure that the portrait remains hidden away in order to protect it.
In 1479 the loyal servant Bellina, illiterate and not always fully understanding the intricacies of Medici politics, takes it upon herself to secure an unfinished portrait of her mistress. In 1939, Anne works to help obfuscate and hide the inventories that point to the location of the precious artwork. Having learned to drive a truck she is sometimes pressed into service joining the convoys that move the Louvre’s treasures about the countryside, trying to keep one step ahead of the Nazis. Both storylines have moments of intense activity and suspense, along with romance thwarted (or delayed, or interrupted) by events occurring outside their control.
Between the two storylines, I clearly preferred the World War II one. I wasn’t sure that this novel needed the 15th century story line. For me, it distracted from the danger and adventure of the situation faced by the curators and workers of the Louvre who worked tirelessly to secure the museum’s collections � including, or especially, the Mona Lisa � from invading Nazis. However, I did find the story of the creation of the painting, including the “rivalry� between Da Vinci and “that upstart� Michelangelo, interesting. I had no idea that the artist had presented the painting to the French. I also appreciated the look at how politics and religious fervor affected the residents of Florence during this time frame. I think I would have enjoyed it more had the two time frames been treated in separate novels.
The audiobook is very well done by a trio of talented voice artists. This does help when switching time frames and/or narrators.
I also had the print version readily available and I’m glad I did for it included extensive author notes / interviews and historic photos of the Louvre staff moving these treasures. ...more
Book on CD read by Maura Tierney 3.5*** (rounded up)
A contemporary family saga spanning decades.
William Waters had a lonely childhood lacking in loveBook on CD read by Maura Tierney 3.5*** (rounded up)
A contemporary family saga spanning decades.
William Waters had a lonely childhood lacking in love and affection. He meets Julia Padovano his freshman year of college and is embraced by her family. Julia and her three sisters are very close, and William seems to enjoy the loving chaos of the loud and boisterous family. But William’s buried darkness surfaces, threatening not only his and Julia’s plans for the future, but the sisters� once unbreakable bond.
Gosh, but Napolitano can craft some beautiful sentences! While there were times when I thought the plot seemed somewhat contrived, and I could not understand, at all, the way in which the girls� mother, Rose, behaved, I felt drawn into the relationships of the Padovano family. William, too, is not without some resources, including a group of friends who will do anything to help him; while he may not recognize it, he is rich in love despite the emotional damage caused by his parents.
I liked the way Napolitano reimagined Little Women, though I could have done without the constant reminders in the book about the classic novel. I was sorry that my F2F book club didn’t have a richer discussion (one member just dismissed the book as “a soap opera,� and basically cut off all efforts at further discourse with a variation of that statement).
Maura Tierney does a marvelous job of voicing the audiobook edition. She has a lot of characters to deal with and she is up to the task. ...more
Book four in the 44 Scotland Street series continues the varied stories of the current (or former) rBook on CD performed by Robert Ian MacKenzie 3***
Book four in the 44 Scotland Street series continues the varied stories of the current (or former) residents of the apartment complex. Bertie has questions about his new baby brother, Ulysses. Angus is frantic after his beloved Cyril is “incarcerated� on a charge of biting. Bruce, Big Lou and Matthew find new love interests. And Domenica is not so sure that her friend Antonia is really a friend after the latter moves in across the hall.
What I love about the ensemble series is that each book gives us just a glimpse into their lives. We pick up where the last book left off, and end with many issues still unresolved. It’s the same way we encounter casual friends, catching up when we see them, but not knowing how things will turn out once we depart. And yet, happy to see them again and catch up once more.
Robert Ian MacKenzie does a marvelous job of narrating the audiobooks. He really brings all these characters to life. I particularly like how he voices Bertie. How I love that kid!...more
From the book jacket: Smarting from her recently canceled wedding and about to turn forty, Laurie Sassalyn rDigital audiobook narrated by Julia Whelan
From the book jacket: Smarting from her recently canceled wedding and about to turn forty, Laurie Sassalyn returns to her Maine hometown to handle the estate of her great-aunt Dot, a spirited adventurer who lived to be ninety-three. Alongside boxes of Polaroids and pottery, a mysterious wooden duck shows up at the bottom of a cedar chest. Laurie’s curiosity is piqued, especially after she finds a love letter to Dot. As she works to uncover the mystery behind Dot’s duck, Laurie comes face-to-face with her own past, and has to make a decision about her future.
My reactions This was a fun rom-com / mystery / heist caper! Laurie is a conflicted woman, resolutely a loner but clearly attracted to her old high-school boyfriend (who is now divorced). She’s assisted in her tasks by her best friend, June, as well as librarian Nick (aka old boyfriend), and one of her brothers, who is an actor. As she works to get answers to Dot’s past, she meets a variety of colorful characters in town, including several elderly residents who have a few stories to tell.
Julia Whelan does a marvelous job of narrating the audiobook. She has a lot of characters to handle and manages to give them sufficiently unique voices so that I was never confused about who was speaking. ...more
Digital audiobook performed by Cassandra Campbell 3***
In this work of historical fiction, Davis turns her attention to another New York City landmarkDigital audiobook performed by Cassandra Campbell 3***
In this work of historical fiction, Davis turns her attention to another New York City landmark: Grand Central Terminal.
As has become de rigueur for historical fiction these days, Davis uses a dual timeline, though, in this case, both timelines are historical. In 1928 Clara Darden is an art instruction and illustrator, working at the Grand Central School of Art (yes, an art school WAS really housed in the terminal building). And in 1974 Virginia Clay, desperate for money after a divorce, gets a job at the information desk of a now dilapidated (and scheduled for demolition) Grand Central Terminal.
Both of them have to fight against institutional bias against women. Clara can’t achieve her potential as “Clara� because the men in charge of most work assignments can’t begin to see her value and are too afraid of bucking the system. (“We can’t let the public know a woman designed this car interior; they wouldn’t trust the product and wouldn’t buy it.�) Virginia has been the typical housewife, married to a successful attorney, and no one can imagine that she “needs� a job now. She’s also suffering from very low self-esteem, partly as a result of (view spoiler)[a mastectomy which makes her ashamed and embarrassed about her “disfigured� body (hide spoiler)].
Their stories merge as Virginia becomes aware of the history of Grand Central and joins the fight to save the structure as a landmark.
I really wish Davis had focused more on the building’s historic past and the many reasons it achieved landmark status, and the fight to save it -or- on the feminist issue of unrecognized artists (or other contributors) due to gender bias. Trying to do both resulted in a work that didn’t fully explore either theme. It was a pretty fast read, and I kept turning pages (or listening, in my case), but I was left with a “Is that all?� feeling.
Cassandra Campbell does a marvelous job of narrating the audiobook. She’s become one of my favorite audiobook performers. ...more
Based on the true, but little known, story of the first renowned female artist during the Renaissance period, this is a captivating work of historicalBased on the true, but little known, story of the first renowned female artist during the Renaissance period, this is a captivating work of historical fiction. Sofonisba Anguisola (Sofi) studied under Michelangelo, though, as a woman, she was not allowed to draw the naked figure. Still, her reputation garnered her an invitation from King Felipe II of Spain to join his court as a drawing instructor for his young bride, Elisabeth of Valois, the daughter of King Henri II of France and his wife, Catherine de� Medici.
I knew nothing about this extraordinary woman, and only a little about the court of King Felipe II. I had not realized the extent of his empire or how very powerful he was. I also was unaware of his relationship to the infamous Don Juan.
Cullen crafts a compelling story that includes intrigue, romance, mystery, politics and the frustration felt by a woman shackled by society’s conventions. Sofi is a strong woman: intelligent, observant, loyal, talented, and determined to live her own life. Her role in the novel, however, is mostly as observer to what is going on in the court, especially in regard to Elizabeth and her flirtations with Felipe’s son, Don Carlos, and with Don Juan.
The author’s notes at the end include more information about Sofonisba herself. I want to look up all her paintings now. ...more
I’ve read and reviewed Atwood’s novel previously (See my review HERE), so I’ll confine this review to the adaptation.
Nault is a Canadian artist and ilI’ve read and reviewed Atwood’s novel previously (See my review HERE), so I’ll confine this review to the adaptation.
Nault is a Canadian artist and illustrator and her interpretation of Atwood’s novel is marvelous.
Her imagery is even more vivid and memorable than some of the same scenes as described by Atwood. I’m thinking particularly of “the Ceremony� where the Commander tries to impregnate Offred each month, or the scenes of Offred walking past the wall where “traitors� are hung.
She uses just enough text to keep the story moving and to explain the images. Of course, I’d read the original (two or three times), but I don’t think I would have missed much had this been my only experience with Atwood’s story.
The final chapter, called “Historical Notes,� is perhaps too brief, but certainly conveys the relevant information, and is less likely to be skipped over than in Atwood’s original.
I do NOT recommend that readers skip the original work, but this would be a great introduction or supplement to the novel. ...more
You can’t please all of the people all of the time, but a 1-star review of Yosemite National Park (“Trees block the view, and there are too many gray You can’t please all of the people all of the time, but a 1-star review of Yosemite National Park (“Trees block the view, and there are too many gray rocks.�) or the Grand Canyon (“A hole. A very, very, large hole.�)?
Amber Share is an illustrator / graphic designer, and also a life-long afficionado of the United States� National Parks. She’s an avid hiker and finds much to enjoy in wildly different climates and ecosystems, including some of the most remote park settings. So, when she stumbled upon some of the clueless 1-star reviews she just had to shake her head, and then laugh.
She turned to her talent for illustration and painted some wonderful depictions, graced with the clueless remarks of seriously underwhelmed visitors, and began posting them, once a week at first (on her blog? Instagram? � whatever). People loved them and clamored for more. This book is the result.
Each park “visited� starts with the illustration and the clueless remark, but Share then gives an informative description of the park, including some ranger’s tips / cautions, and other hints on best enjoying nature’s splendors. She also incorporates Native American culture and significance for most of these parks.
The text does get somewhat repetitious, especially when you’re reading this as a book, rather than using it as a handy reference guide, hence the 3-star review. But she gets 5 for her illustrations! I’m inspired to visit another “Not much to do� park! ...more
Lia Frank is an appraiser / art historian, specializing in fine Chinese porcelain. She is sent to Beijing to authenticate a collection of rare 2.5**
Lia Frank is an appraiser / art historian, specializing in fine Chinese porcelain. She is sent to Beijing to authenticate a collection of rare pieces and finds herself in the midst of a multi-national effort to remove priceless artifacts from China.
This is the third book by Mones that I’ve read. Unfortunately, I liked it the least of the three.
I think it was that Mones was trying to do too much in one book. The art intrigue is story enough, with a smuggler willing to risk his life to get the collection out of China, a dealer in Hong Kong eagerly awaiting the shipment, and the buyer in America willing to spend all he has to possess these treasures, the pressure is heavy on Lia to authenticate, or be certain if she’s judging something to be a fake. But then the author added an unusual romance.
Michael is an ex-pat physician researcher studying lead levels in children due to Beijing’s pollution. He lives in the same complex where Lia has been given a room-apartment. It’s understandable that they’d be drawn to one another by their “otherness� but the romance just felt like an added extra that really didn’t contribute to the story or the development of the characters.
I’m not sure why Mones chose to have her central character be deaf, though I thought she wrote poetically about the silence Lia retreats to when she removes her hearing aids. And I could certainly see how Lia would use this silence, to “research� through her memory for the stories and evidence to help prove whether an item was real or an exquisite fake. I enjoyed the historical interludes as Lia searched her memory for evidence, and really loved the scene where she tracked down and visited the contemporary maker of extraordinarily fine reproductions. One mystery remains, however relating to the “chicken cup� � but I’ll let other readers find out on their own.
I certainly did like learning more about Chinese porcelains and found myself googling images of the kinds of pots Lia examines. ...more
From the book jacket: When her twin reached social media stardom, Moon Fuentez accepted her fate as the ugly, unwanted sister hidden in the backgroundFrom the book jacket: When her twin reached social media stardom, Moon Fuentez accepted her fate as the ugly, unwanted sister hidden in the background, destined to be nothing more than her sister’s camerawoman. But this summer, Moon also takes a job as the merch girl on a tour bus full of beautiful influencers, and her fate begins to shift in the best way possible.
My reactions: This is a pretty typical enemies-to-friends-to-lovers scenario. It’s also a YA coming-of-age book that deals with bullying, body-image, and self-confidence. Moon and Star’s Mom is a religious fanatic who has always favored Star, the fair-skinned, blonde “good girl.� It takes a group of strangers, and one in particular, to get Moon to recognize her own gifts and talents, and to help her find her own path to success.
The up-and-down, on-and-off romance drove me a little crazy, but it’s part of the package for this genre. Although the sex scene was still unrealistic, I’m at least glad that Gilliland chose to have them get to know one another over several months before they acted on the attraction.
As for Star � I’m not sure I would have forgiven my sibling so easily for behaving the way she did. ...more
Claire Roth is an aspiring artist who is making a living (just) by painting reproductions of old masters. And then she’s approached with an opp3.5***
Claire Roth is an aspiring artist who is making a living (just) by painting reproductions of old masters. And then she’s approached with an opportunity she cannot resist. A Degas painting is delivered to her studio, along with all the tools she’ll need to reproduce it � well, to actually forge the painting. In return she’ll not only be paid handsomely, but she’ll get her own show at Boston’s most prestigious gallery. But as she begins to study the original in preparation for painting the forgery, she makes a startling discovery.
Set against the backdrop of the infamous art theft at the Isabella Stewart Garner Museum in Boston � still the largest unsolved art heist in history � this is a marvelously intricate story. My feelings about Claire kept changing as I learned more of her backstory, and saw how vulnerable she was to being manipulated by unscrupulous men in a position of power. And then again, how could she be so stupid?!
Despite wanting to slap Claire silly a few times, I was engaged from beginning to end and Shapiro kept me turning pages to see what would happen next. ...more
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