Artfully Wild

Blue Grove Mountain #2

by Kelsey Schulz

They made a deal never to date, but buried feelings between friends can only stay hidden for so long.

Skylar Waters has to make the biggest decision of her life: sell her outdoor store, or keep it in the family. With important decisions to make, she can‘t help but feel that life before her sister‘s death painted a completely different picture.

Jacob Sinclair needs a solution. Overcrowding at his animal shelter, and lack of donations to expand, have left him no choice but to bring animals home. Teaming up with his talented best friend, Skylar, to raise funds at the Winter Festival is supposed to solve all his problems. But the more time he spends in her studio, watching her paint masterpieces, the more the lines of their just friends agreement begin to blur.

Genres: Friends To Lovers, Small Town Romance, Romance

Paperback

First published April 30, 2024

About the author

I am an indie author based out of Godfrey, Illinois living with my husband and our two sons. My most recent book, Pictures in Blue; A Blue Grove Mountain Novel is out now and available on Amazon & KU! My first book is the first in a trilogy: Witchhunter: The Realm of the Isles and my second, is a Contemporary Romance standalone, When Fate Steps In. Both are available for purchase on Amazon & for free on Kindle Unlimited. I am currently working on book 2 in the Blue Grove Mountain Series and am hoping to release at the end of the year!

Follow me on Instagram at kelseys.corner.of.books!

Reviews

[Zoé · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5⭐️ 2/5🌶️

I want to thank the author for the ARC, this book was fun and easy to read, and I really enjoyed getting to know skylar and jacob🫶🏼

the friendship between the characters was so cute, and I loved seeing their relationship evolve into a romatic one. they knew each other so well, and they were just perfect for one another. their relationship allowed them to grow as people and overcome some personal problems together, and I found that so beautiful🥹 jacob is such a green flag (he loves animals and he knows the meaning of flowers🫠), and skylar was so strong and grew so much!!

overall, the story was so sweet and I loved the characters (including the side characters and the animals, especially frank the parrot🦜)

the tropes:
- best friends to lovers
- small town romance
- reverse grumpy x sunshine
- dua pov

[Brianna Crowder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful addition to this sweet and heartwarming series! I was very lucky to receive an advanced copy of this book from the author!
The book centers on Skylar and Jacob, two best friends, who each secretly have romantic feelings for the other. While working together on a project to help raise money to expand Jacob's vet practice, sparks begin to fly!
I love that the book isn't a slow burn like most romance novels. It's refreshing and fun.
The book has great wit, and the dialogue flows well. I love all of the chance to read this one before it's out in a few weeks!
The book touches on important topics like chronic pain, grief, and trying to decide what to do with your life and make your mark on the world.
I really hope we are able to see Elias and Charlotte's story at some point later on.
I highly recommend this cozy and charming book! I can't wait to read more by this author and really appreciate the chance to read this one a few weeks before it's release!

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best friends to lovers + no third act breakup + it’s always been you!

Skylar & Jacob made a deal as kids to never date because their friendship was too important.

But nearing thirty and both figuring out life changes—Skylar if she’s selling the store that’s been in her family for years & Jacob needing a solution to expand the animal shelter—they decide to help each other.

Lines begin to blur and the deal they made years ago is questioned.

Read if you love…
🫶🏼dual perspective
✨best friends to lovers
🥾hiking
✨small town
🎨painting
✨MMC veterinarian
🐱so many animals
✨FMC business owner & artist
🫠childhood nickname & last names as nicknames
✨cameos from past & future MCs
🚎renovated RV
✨no third act breakup
🌞grumpy (her) & sunshine (him)
✨caretaking
💐flowers & their meaning
✨mutual pining
⛷️skiing
✨forced proximity
🥵“that’s my girl”
✨it’s always been you
💬texts on page
✨secret tattoo

Let’s be real, I need Blue Grove, Oregon to be a real place. And I’d like to live there! I’m such a sucker for small towns where everyone knows everyone, the meddling, the town staple businesses, just all of it!

I’ve been waiting for Sky & Jacob’s book since the first second they were in Pictures in Blue (Kels’s debut book and the first in the series)! Childhood best friends to lovers, sign me tf up immediately! Add in no third act breakup, it’s always been you, and everything else in the “read if you love” list, and I am so so so here for it!

One of my very favorite things about this book is the representation: while never explicitly stated, Sky lives with ADHD & I felt so validated seeing myself in Sky. She also lives with SPD, and there were aspects of that I related to. Jacob lives with chronic migraines and it was eye-opening to see how that directly impacts his life. They’re both bi, which I obviously relate to, and I love the subtle way this was done where it wasn’t this whole big thing but just acknowledged because in the past they’ve both been in same-sex relationships.

While I absolutely recommend you read Pictures in Blue first, Artfully Wild is a must read!!

PUB day: April 30th!

📍Oregon
✨Rep: ADHD, SPD, chronic pain - migraines; bisexual MCs
‼️Content: parental abandonment; death of a sibling, past; grief

[Book.ishJulie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Artfully Wild is book two in Kelsey Schulz's Blue Grove Mountain series, and as I was already familiar (and in love with) Skylar, I was excited to see where her story went!

-content and trigger warnings up front
-book references
-mountainy small town romance
-bisexuality representation
-grief representation
-meddling/fairy Godmother townsfolk
-sweet flower gestures for days
-open door steamy scenes
-perfectly fitting character arcs
-Lovelight Farms (B. K. Borison) vibes

Skylar is a free spirit, wrestling with both her ever-present feelings for long-time friend Jacob and trying to break free from the mold she feels put in. Jacob is the sweetest and values his friendship with Skylar so deeply that his feelings for her take the very last seat. Helpful friends, understanding families, and a menagerie of animals all add to this sweet romance!

I love that Schulz has the ability to write two very different male leads; Jacob and Hudson (from Pictures In Blue) come across so individually on the page, which is truly a testament to her writing skills! (Plus, she handles sensitive matters perfectly!)

Friends to lovers, no third act break up, and the sweetest vibes - Artfully Wild can't be missed!

Thank you Kelsey Schulz for the complimentary copy to read and review!

[Laura Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Childhood best friends, Skylar and Jacob, live in the cozy and small mountainside town of Blue Grove, Oregon. When they were teenagers, they made a deal to never date each other, to strictly keep things platonic. But one day, Skylar and Jacob find themselves thinking the deal they made all those years ago was a colossal mistake. They can't deny the intense chemistry between one another and will soon learn that perhaps the pact they once made should've been broken long ago.

From the first few pages alone, I definitely got cozy vibes! Like I would book a flight to Blue Grove ASAP kind of cozy. And I loved quite a few things:
• how Sky and Jacob were there for each other for so many crucial points in their lives.
• Jacob giving Sky a single flower at different times in their lives and the meaning of each one.
• seeing the many relationships amongst friends, siblings, and parents throughout the story and how they evolve (especially Skylar and Jacob's 😉).
• the sweet, tender moments shared between characters.
• Frank the parrot.
• the bond Sky had with her late sister, and the annotated copy of The Secret Garden and beautiful messages Sarah left behind for her.
• getting to witness Skylar's growth and her finally accepting that she deserves more than she thinks.
• she's an artist, he's a vet/lover of animals.

Definitely recommend and I can't wait to read the rest of the books in this series!

Read if you love:
🎨 Childhood bffs to lovers
⚘️ Mutual pining
🎨 Small town romance
⚘️ Grumpy x sunshine
🎨 Open door spice

*This book deals with grief/loss of a sibling. Please check TWs.

Artfully Wild is book two in the Blue Grove Mountain Series and can be read as an interconnected standalone!

Release date: April 30, 2024

Thank you, @kelseys.corner.of.books, for this arc! ❤️

[Angela 🏳️‍🌈 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Update- I finished it and loved it so much. I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy so I can read it over and over again. I want to go back right now and reread it to fall in love with them even more

I don’t think Jacob could have any more green flags if he tried. It’s been so long since I fell this in love with a small town and characters in that town. The second I met Skylar and Jacob in PIB, I just KNEW they would have my heart. I see so much of myself in Skylar and the further I got into their story, the more I fell in love with both of them. Childhood best friends to lovers in the sweetest, greenest flag way is golden for these two.
I annotated the daylights out of this book so I can revisit it over and over again. I’m only 53% done and my heart is breaking know I’m halfway done with their story.

[Lori Leaf · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really cute small town romance story that had me falling in love with the 2 main characters and their relationship.

What I liked:
🎨Best friends to lovers
🎨The family involvement
🎨Finding your purpose
🎨How grief was handled

I really liked that we got frequent appearances from characters in the first book, although this easily could be read as a stand alone. My only complaint was the sexual trope used, but the author perfectly captures the awkwardness of sex. These characters communicated so well and had great chemistry.

[Apoorva Sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a fan of small town and best friends to lovers romance and this book is the reason why. Everything was calm throughout expect for the confusion Skylar had regarding the shop. What I liked was the representation of migraine and how much a person suffers silently because of it.

The tension was tensioning and oh god I didnt want this book to end,

Thank You Kelsey for sending an advance reader copy in exchange of review.

[Sammie Pechkurow · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up

The thing I found myself LOVING about this book & Pictures in Blue is that yes they are romance books but they are so unique to me. The characters truly do and say things that are…opposite of the norm? and it is just so refreshing because it makes the characters feel so REAL.

I loved this book for not only those reasons but also because of the characters. Jacob was a perfect book boyfriend in every way, don’t get me wrong, I loved HIM! But this story for me was for and about Skylar. After Pictures in Blue I NEEDED to read Skylar’s story and get her happily ever after and that’s exactly what we got with this story. Like truly, this story was so amazing and I’m so glad we got to watch Skylar’s character development and watch her process her grief in such a beautiful way.

Yes, this story was spicy and about romance, but to me it really felt like so much more and I would highly highly HIGHLY recommend it!!!!

[Kims.reading.nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful story of two life long best friends finally admitting their feelings for one another and falling in love 💕 I loved the first book in the series and was happy to continue to get to know the characters in this quirky small town.

I love the inclusive way that the Author has created the characters in her books. MCs Skylar and Jacob openly represent those with physical and mental health diagnoses, identify as bisexual and show the way that grief can play out over time.

If I can say anything about this Author, it's that her writing comes from an incredibly authentic place and its impossible not to connect with the characters. I can't wait to read book 3 focusing on Elias!

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of Artfully Wild in exchange for my honest review. This was my first time reading this author and entering into Blue Grove Mountain (maybe just Blue Grove?) and I am so glad I did. :)

Disclaimer: This book ticks almost all of my boxes and as such my review is pretttty favorable.

The boxes:
Friends to lovers? Check.
bi- characters? Check.
Mental Health Represenation? Check.
No Third Act Breakup? CHECK!!!!
Grumpy/Sunshine? Check.
Pining? Check.

So I'm a LITTTTLE biased going into it, but I also want to say that a book can tick all of my boxes and still not be my cup of tea. This is NOT the case here. Kelsey Schulz did a fantastic job writing this book and these characters. They felt real. They felt fully developed and I ate this book up. I loved Jacob and Sky. I loved that Jacob was there for Sky as a friend and honored their friendship pact until they both decided to break it. He didn't make it weird. I liked that he was Sky's biggest fan. I liked that they both cared for each other in different ways. The way Sky cared for Jacob with his chronic migraines physically made my heart melt. Kelsey truly developed the relationship before it turned into a romantic relationship and I was here for it. The flowers Jacob gave Sky throughout their life was so STINKING CUTE. I just can't (in the best way possible). The only reason I knocked off a star was because it felt that some of the emotional scenes felt like an after thought or felt oddly paced. Jacob has some emotional baggage with his dad, but it felt like it was tacked on at the end rather than naturally developed/enveloped into the story. Sky's grief over her sisters death felt natural as something she was struggling to deal with the whole book, but it also felt a bit wrapped up in the end kind of fast?

Let's talk about Sky quick. I loved that she felt adrift or rather I loved the representation of showing a character that's adrift. It made me feel seen. I loved that she didn't have everything figured out and that that was ok. Possibly my favorite part of this book though was the natural awkwardness these characters had the first time they had sex. Both had limited experience in that field and rather than making the first time sex scene one in which they rocked each others world, Kelsey wrote it in a way that felt real. Characters don't always have to be amazing in the bedroom the first go round and it was honestly refreshing to read a scene where characters weren't sex gods right out the gate. Sky and Jacob got to have fun figuring out what they liked and it was cute and adorable and also hot. :)

I would DEFINITELY return to Blue Grove Mountain and highly recommend you book a visit soon.

Read if you like:
small town romance
friends to lovers
grief representation
mental health representation
grumpy/sunshine
bi representation
no third act breakup

[Bookishandbrewsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Childhood friends make a pact to NEVER become lovers. What could go wrong?

Skylar is a quirky artist with sensory disorders and a disheveled mind, which makes her perfectly relatable. She moved back home to help run the family business after her older sister falls ill, and stays after her sister ends up passing.

Jacob is small town vet with chronic migraines and more animals than he can handle. Oh and he’s secretly been in love with his best friend since the day he met her. Which he would totally tell her if only she felt the same way..

This book was adorable, loved the chronic condition rep, the emotional depth of problems in the personal lives of the MC’s and their grumpy/sunshine relationship!

Tropes

☀️Grumpy/Sunshine
🫶🏻Friends to lovers
🏔️ Small town romance

[Petra · Rating 4 out of 5]

KELSEY SCHULZ - ARTFULLY WILD
Thank you to the author for the ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!

REVIEW:

Skylar and Jacob have been friends more than a decade - strictly just friends, as they even shook hands on a no dating each other pact, making sure their friendship stays a priority over any pesky romantic or sexual feeling.The pact worked - the only thing is, they're both in denial about the reason why it did. It wasn't because they have not felt any inkling of attraction and romantic love towards each other.
So, when they start a project together and spend even more time with each other after several *I think we almost kissed* moments, the natural flow of being best friends starts to pour into a real romantic relationship.
The book did a splendid job at juggling several deep themes, without getting too angsty or less content in any shape. The romantic scenes were otherworldly, I loved-loved the tender care and devotion both MCs showed, how easily they communicated their thoughts and feelings.After a few years emerging myself with love stories, I've come to the conclusion that I just love the yearning and 'what if we...' aspects of a well-written friends to lovers trope. The meddling family and friend groups added an extra delight in this case. The mutual pining eclipsed in some open door scenes, which were laced with lovely passion, but stayed true to the overarching feeling the book provided.

If you know me, you know: one of my favourite series is Lovelight. I don't want to compare the two stories too much, I think that would be disservice to the uniqueness of the authors, but let me tell you: I had the same swoony, butterflies are flying, everything is quietly but voraciously loving feeling while reading Artfully Wild, as I did with Lovelight Farms.


Thank you to the author for the trust & rewarding me with the ARC!

[HappyKT · Rating 4 out of 5]

They have been best friends for twenty years, vowing to never cross the line between friendship and dating. But now things are changing between them in the most beautiful way possible.

Skylar Waters has been living through the grief of losing her sister. Her dreams of traveling the world stalled once she learned her beloved sister was dying. Wings clipped and now heart broken, Sky took over her father's business of a clothing store in their small town. The best thing about being back home was not missing her best friend, Jacob. Over the years they have remained close as friends and Jacob even joined her in a few adventures. After watching her brother fall for the love of his life, Sky realizes she wants that for herself. Suddenly, Jacob is a very handsome man that has been one of the best things to ever happen to her. Their platonic lines clearly drawn, now feel like they need be be blurred.

Jacob loves animals and naturally decided to become a Veterinarian. He lives in the home his parents raised him in with a Dr Dolittle level menagerie. Jacob struggles with mind numbing migraines and has been trying to find answers to their root cause. Fortunately, whenever a bad one hits he knows his best friend Sky will help without hesitation. He doesn't know what he would do without her in his life. Jacob fell in love with Sky the day her met her when they were children. Along the way, their relationship became special but also platonic. Jacob would do anything for Sky except tell her he is in love with her.

Sky finally acknowledges her need to have a tough conversation with Jacob that could potentially change their relationship forever. She finds him looking at her when he thinks she doesn't notice. For Jacob, he knows if something is ever going to change between them, it needs to be Sky's choice. Knowing that confessions of feelings are told, they can finally begin their begin their happy ending together.

Dual POV, mutual pining, besties to lovers, open door romance.

This is exactly what a best friends to lovers should read like. The two people already have a long list of emotional intimacy and relationship capital. So when one MC is willing to suggest for more they fall into something absolutely charming. Thankfully the burn isn't slow. These two adore each other and neither one of them fight it. They just lean it and hold on. I was delighted to read how they progressed into more. I was a little weirded out by one detail of their love story, (virginity), but that's just me being very particular with my 5 star ratings. Overall, I really enjoyed this story and these two are so sweet together. Sweet HEA and Epilogue.

[Mackenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so excited to dive into this and so happy I received it as an ARC and I also bought the paperback because it’s just so beautiful! Thank you Kelsey!! ❤️
I was obsessed with Skylar in the first book and I know I’m only going to love her more in this one!
The bi representation in this makes me scream, I love it and Sky is perfect.
Jacob already has me falling for him! Best friends to lovers always gets me 😭
Jacob only calling her Skylar and never Sky, kills me.
Dying at the first sight of Hudson in the book being his bare ass in a window 😂
What is it with male and female friends having an “agreement” to not date, NO SENSE.
The meddling in this town from the old woman and Sophie, is everything!!
The migraines Jacob gets is so relatable, I can feel his pain through the words and the way Sky takes care of him is beautiful.
The almost kiss 😩 The anticipation is killing me already.
THE FIRST KISS. THE PAINT. PERFECTION.
Fran and Cordie are the best woman in this town, I love them 😭
Obsessed with the fact SHE asked HIM on the date, swooning.
These notes from Sarah, are killing me but Sky needs it 💔
Little Sparrow, the reasoning is perfect and hilarious, I love it
So casual with the official boyfriend/girlfriend title, like it was always that way, love it
They finally admit how dumb they’ve been for years, took long enough!! Kids make stupid rules for friendships lol
Two virgins, I’m obsessed with these two omg.
They waited for each other, without even intentionally waiting, it’s perfect.
Ugh I love Frank, cranky old men with the best advice in the world, they’re the best.
STOP, he’s scared of heights and still rocked climbed, hiked mountains, all for her, he kept it to himself just for her, I CANT!
Finally, the confession of their love and she said it first, I’m dying over here 😭
I am so obsessed with these two. Friends to lovers might be my new favorite trope or Kelsey just writes it THAT damn well, I don’t know anymore.
There would a huge medical emergency right at the last 10% of the book that makes me want to rip my heart out and cry. Thank god everything is okay, or I wouldn’t be okay!
Skylar’s mind is amazing, the way she works, her art, the rebranding idea, she’s phenomenal, her character is just beautiful.
That ending, the tears in my eyes don’t lie, this book was magical as Sarah would say ❤️

Tropes:
🎨 Artist x Vet
❤️ Childhood best friends to lovers
🎨 Small mountain town
❤️ Grumpy(her)/Sunshine(him)
🎨 No third act break up

[Holly Schwartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book and such a sweet follow up to Pictures in Blue! Skylar and Jacob have the PERFECT friends to lovers story. The balance between the romance and the other parts of the story was done really well. Between Skylar’s grief, and trying to find where she belongs, and Jacob’s migraines and his struggles with his dad, none of it felt like it too much space but it was also all so important??? It was all pretty low stakes but still hit pretty deep! Kelsey did a fantastic job really!

Jacob and Skylar are SO wonderful! Two casually bi main characters?? The way they were SEAMLESS in their transition from friends to lovers??? The way things just CHANGED for them?? The FLOWERS? I LOVE THEM. They communicated SO well throughout the entire book, and it showed that that wasn’t really new for them! And they were FUN together! And they could be so vulnerable and honest with each other!! They already had such a good foundations and once they finally took the leap into a romantic relationship!!! Perfection!!

I loved the way Skylar’s grief was written. She was struggling, much like Hudson was in the last book. But I loved watching her figure it out, figure out how to move through her grief, with the help of Jacob and even with the help of her sister in the sweetest way. And Jacob’s journey with his dad was very much a secondary, or even tertiary storyline, but it impacted him so much. I also loved his journey too. There’s so some resolution and Skylar really helps and allows him the space to figure things out.

I loved how causal Kelsey wrote both Sky and Jacob?? It’s never mentioned that Sky had ADHD, but it’s clear she does. And she often talks about her sensory processing disorder, but just because that’s part of her every day life. And both Jacob and Sky are bi and there’s never any big declarations or anything because there doesn’t need to be?? Honestly it was perfect.

I cannot wait for whatever’s next!! If I read little clues right I’m VERY excited!!

Thank you so much to Kelsey Schulz for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!!

[Sara Herrera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a lovely, fun and steamy read ❤️❤️

I’ve been hooked on Blue Grove, and I was so excited when Kelsey announced this book! It was great getting to read Sky and J’s story, and revisiting some of my favourite characters from this charming little town!

Kelsey once again is checking all my boxes:
✅Friends to lovers
✅“Just friends” pact
✅Pinning (so much pinning!)
✅Having each others backs no matter what
✅Teasing 🔥
✅Meddling townspeople
✅Petnames
✅Text bubbles
✅Cute animals

I took my time with Artfully Wild because let me tell you it was just a DELIGHTFUL read ❤️ So sweet and swoony and they were so perfect together!! They had me laughing and giggling and wanting to scream and also crying both happy and emotional tears because reading about a love like this is one of the most brilliant things.

This book has dual povs (as we like) and I loved getting to be inside their heads as they worked through some very complicated feelings regarding very tough situations they’ve had to face in the past. Both Sky and J have their own baggage to figure out and it was actually inspiring getting to read about how very supportive they were while also keeping each other accountable.

And tbh I love a guy who’s just obsessed (in all of the right ways) with his lady and loves her in all the right ways too 🥹🥹 Blue Grove boyfriends raising the bar to the stars!!

Here are some of my favourite quotes: (this is why i marked this review with ‘Spoilers’, just to be super safe!)

“Skylar has my head completely muddled and I don’t think I ever want to think clearly again.”

“And miss an opportunity to sit here and watch you do something you love? Never. I’ll stay right here, sweetheart.”

“You really think there is anything that can ever keep me from you, Skylar Waters?”

And a last one from Sky because this is the energy I want in my life from now on:

“I’m not denying myself the things I deserve any longer”

Like excuse me? What a queen!! Thank you so much Kelsey for sharing these lovebirds with us ❤️

[Kelly | theliterarydruid · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second installment in the Blue Grove Mountain series was heartwarming and romantic from start to finish. I always say that enemies to lovers is my favorite romance trope, but I really am a sucker for friends to lovers, and this was such a cute love story. Thank you to the author for providing this e-arc in exchange for my review! 🩵

Skylar and Jacob made a deal as teens to never date, but that deal comes crashing down when they finally start to acknowledge their growing attraction and feelings for one another. These two characters were so sweet and vulnerable with each other, it was heartwarming to watch them continue to open up and embrace their feelings.

As with the first book, the author handles the grief of losing a sibling with care. Sky’s journey in dealing with her grief all of these years later is a beautiful one to go on, and I’m so happy she found her happy ever after.

Jacob also comes to terms with his own set of issues, ranging from an absentee parent to unexpected medical news, while at the same time working hard to expand his animal shelter. I loved all the animals!! Frank is the star of this show, for sure. 🦜 Jacob is definitely a new favorite cinnamon roll book boyfriend. Every time he called Skylar “sweetheart”?! MELTING 🫠

I really enjoyed that we got so much of Hudson and Avery throughout the book. I cannot wait for this town to continue to grow on me and to read about Charlotte and Elias next! The dynamics between those two are sure to be fun.

[Chiara · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Except I’ve already found my new home. It’s with him. Jacob Sinclair. My best friend.”

4/5 ⭐️ 4/5 🌶️

*I received this book as an ARC in exchange for a review but all thoughts and opinions are my own*
Before I jump into my actual review I need to take a moment to thank Kelsey Schulz and her team for trusting me with this ARC copy. It’s truly such an honor to get to review this book and be one of the first to read it :)

‘Artfully Wild’ follows Skylar, a store owner and artist and her childhood best friend (and a vet) Jacob. The pair made a pact not to date when they were in high school, and ever since then they have been able to keep their feelings hidden - that is until Sky’s brother gets engaged and inspiration ( 😉 ) strikes.
Sky and Jacob pair up to create an art auction to help expand his animal shelter, and throughout the process feelings may or may not have progressed into more 🤫

I really enjoyed this book! It can definitely be read as a standalone, but I personally preferred to read ‘Pictures in Blue’ first :)

I really appreciated how delicately the author handled difficult subjects, such as grief, mental health and chronic pain, and included thorough trigger warnings.

Overall, this book was a sweet, heartwarming and fast paced book I would definitely recommend to any small town romance lovers!

To wrap up my review, the featured ‘tropes’ are:
- childhood best friends to lovers
- small town
- mutual pining
- mental health awareness
- HEA
- bi rep

[Haylee • haylsbookshelf •]

How do I even begin to tell you how much I adored these characters 🥹💖 my heart was so happy getting to know them!!

Skylar & Jacob need to be real people! That’s the only answer! And Blue Grove needs to be a real place I can pack up & go to 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

They were the best friends everyone wishes they had! There when you absolutely need them, & able to understand you in ways only they can. Both Skylar & Jacob are relatable in so many ways, & being able to see parts of yourself on page while reading is the best feeling! And the representation throughout was phenomenal 💕💕💕 it was there, plain to see, yet also subtle enough to not be what the entire story is wrapped around 🥰 beautifully done!!!

I cannot recommend this one enough, but I encourage you to read Kelsey’s first book in the series first, PICTURES IN BLUE 💙 both are on KU & OUT NOW!!!

What to expect:
✨dual POV
✨interconnected series
✨friends to lovers
✨mutual pining
✨small town
✨cameos from other characters
✨forced proximity
✨grumpy/sunshine
✨painter FMC
✨veterinarian MMC
✨cute rescue animals
✨caretaking
✨no third act breakup
✨representation (ADHD, migraines, SPD)
✨and so much more!!!!

Thank you so much @kelseys.corner.of.books for sending me an early copy!! You wrote such a beautiful story with amazing characters I cannot say enough great things about 💕💖💕💖💕💖

What is a book that just makes your heart happy???

[Cathlene Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story just consumed me!!! Skylar and Jacob made me feel all the emotions, there’s something about them that makes me want to scream from the roof (in a good way) 🤭

These two spent years pining for each other and the payoff was so sweet. The fact that there’s no third act breakup was the best part, we didn’t have to miss one moment of their relationship. There was so many moments of just genuine love I couldn’t help but smile and squeal like an idiot. The amount of highlights I made should be illegal, basically everything was marked!

The two deal with family stressors and rely on each other to keep them grounded. Jacob even calls Skylar his “lighthouse” and it made me tear up a little.

One thing I related to was Jacob’s disdain for the health system and getting a diagnosis. Waiting to get the help you need while doctors either dismiss your claims or say everything is fine is the worst, so I definitely had a soft spot for him. Skylar taking care of him and knowing all the things he needs to be safe and healthy reminds me of my sweet husband 🥹

Thank you Kelsey for my ARC copy in exchange for my honest review, you are such a sweetheart!!!

Read if you enjoy:
🏔️ Best friends to lovers
🎨 Mutual pining
🏔️ Reverse grumpy x sunshine
🎨 Small town
🏔️ No third act breakup

[Sofi Mascaró · Rating 5 out of 5]

thank you so much to the author for gifting me an early copy! all opinions are my own!

this review arrives a year late but i just couldn't sit down last year. and now i'm wishing i had because i hadn't realized how much i missed a friends to lovers story 😱😭
besides the romance, this whole trilogy deals with grief, finding out what you want in life not at 18, but close to being 30, and as someone who is still going through that crisis, reading about it makes me feel more seen. the characters have their flaws and misbeliefs, something they go through the whole book, and i just love when they get to the point when they can share their fears and secrets knowing the other won't judge at all. also, my fave part? how they kept mentioning they were best friends but at the same time they were falling over heels for the other person 😭😭😭 they just were my fave part and i adored them so much, considering i wasn't even interested in reading their story in the first place.
my only complain is that sometimes some scenes would be cut off kindla abruptly, like the author didn't know how to continue them. but that's that, the writing is very smooth and easy to read.
i'm so enjoying the trilogy and can't wait to read the final book!!!

[Aamira · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this heartwarming, cozy read with complex characters and endearing side characters.

Skylar Waters has been in love with her best friend, Jacob, for a long time. Afraid of ruining their friendship, they made a pact to only be friends, without realizing that they were each pining for the other. I really liked that Sky and Jacob communicated and allowed themselves to be vulnerable with each other. I’m usually on the fence with friends to lovers because it takes so long for couples to get with the program. This wasn’t the case here. They acknowledge their feelings for each other early on. Of course we do get moments of yearning beforehand, but I wasn’t left feeling frustrated. They’ve been friends for years and the trust they have for each other really shined through.

I also thought Ms. Schulz’s portrayal of grief was handled with care. Three years after the death of her sister, Skylar is having a difficult time coping. It was really moving to see the connection the two sisters had. I liked the way Sarah was very much a character in the story and her presence was made stronger by Skylar’s memories of her.

This has been such a pleasant series, and I’m excited to see what’s in store in the next installment.

[Star.e.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will happily take a trip to Blue Grove any time, this small town is dreamy and the cast is just as captivating and charming.

This is my second visit to Blue Grove, and from my first trip, I was intrigued by Skylar's sarcastic sense of humor and naturally wanted to learn more about her and Jacob... and I adore them!
They are childhood best friends, and this really comes through in the story. Their friendship is so strong from the start that when situations present themselves, the transition feels natural. They know each other so well and instinctively know how to support each other. I don't want to spoil anything, but this book has some raw and very intimate emotional moments that are written exceptionally well. Their communication and understanding are truly heartwarming.
Both Skylar and Jacob have emotional things to work through, and this part of the storyline is written beautifully, with great care and tenderness.

Thank you Kelsey for letting me read this early and I'm so looking forward to the next one. Especially can't wait to see how the covers align🤩🏔️

[Corey Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my heart. I went back to Blue Grove Mountain and my heart is bursting at the seams.

Friends to lovers - J + Sky. I’m swooning. Kelsey has a way of bringing characters to life and feel real. What they’re going through, what they say in their heads vs say out loud, the way we truly second guess and worry. Not all authors show a true representation of how real life in relationships and friendships works so it’s always refreshing to get this type of romance.

Here are a few of my absolute fav things about this story

- Frank the Parrot
- a cat named Dorthy (just like my kitty - thanks for being a friend)
- meddling small town
- no third act break up
- it was always you
- little sparrow - gaaaaah. Yes

If Kelsey writes it I will read it. Obsessed. I cannot wait to head back to Blue Grove Mountain

[Emily Quid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read if you like:
✨best friends to lovers
✨small town
✨MMC vet
✨cutie nicknames
✨no third act breakup
✨ grumpy/sunshine
✨caretaking
✨forced proximity
✨“that’s my girl”
✨it’s always been you
✨texts on page
✨secret tattoo

The tropes in this book are perfect!! Another wonderful book by Kelsey! I have never read a book with a main character like Sky but I wound up loving her so much! Sky is so empathetic and caring for Jacob, she is strong and creative, and I loved watching her work through her sister's death and what to do with the shop. Jacob is a sweetheart. THE FLOWERS - COME ON KELSEY! ARE YOU KIDDING! Sky and Jacob are perfect for each other. "You're it for me." COME ON! I'm just rambling now, but this book was so cutie and you all need to buy it come release day at the end of the month!

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received Artfully Wild as an ARC and these are my thoughts:

This was a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5


This was the book I didn’t know I needed!

It’s exactly what you’d want to see in a friends to lovers story! Two people who know each other so deeply that even in the unspoken, there is a conversation going on. The level of understanding and acceptance of each other’s individuality and idiosyncrasies, is just what we all yearn for.

I really liked how seamless the transition from friends to lovers was. How Skylar and Jacob were so comfortable with each other that they didn’t let embarrassment or insecurity get in their way, taking the opportunity to accept happiness and love with other.

The notes Sarah left Skylar will resonate with everyone, and especially to those who have lost a sibling. Her words, are ones that those who were left behind would probably like to hear. They broke my heart and then put it back together again; I had no idea that I need to hear them.

Physical intimacy is present throughout the book and marks the shift from being best friends (that know each other on a deep and emotional level), to that of lovers; adding an extra layer to the MCs relationship.

It is a story about grief, being brave and opening your eyes to the truth that’s in front of you - that your person could be right there in front of you, but you just hadn’t realised it (or preferred to ignore it out of fear). It is also a story about healing and connecting or reconnecting with yourself and your loved ones.

I also loved the little details like the flowers Jacob gave Skylar and their meanings 🥰

Artfully Wild is a spicy, beautiful story about love and its different forms. I recommend this book and look forward to reading more stories by Kelsey.

[Lisa Hambridge (lisamareebooks1109) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was beautiful, and I enjoyed reading this book, which was book two in the Blue Grove mountain series.

The best friends to lovers trope was beautifully written, and I enjoyed reading the journey between Skylar and Jacob. These characters were fabulous. The connection they had was so good that you wait to read what happens between them next. Skylar was such a determined woman who had a great friendship with Jacob. Jacob was a great male character who knew what Skylar needed and was a talented artist. This book was brilliantly written, and I loved that even though they promised to only be friends, they definitely had feelings that may result in a more serious relationship.

I loved the characters. The plot was amazing.

Thank you for the ARC.

[Steph King · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
🌶.5/5

This was a really sweet read 🥰 I love reading friends to lovers because there's so much depth to the existing relationship with the characters and it was definitly the case here. Kelsey also did an amazing job at conveying grief and mental health rep and it caught me tearing up in parts.

The communication in this book was excellent and again showed the understanding that the fmc and mmc had for each other. I did miss some of the angst and tension of friends to lovers before they get together and I found it a bit jarring at times but overall it wasn't too impactful.

The dynamics of the side characters was really fun as well especially when they could see the mc dynamics before they could !

[Kait · Rating 5 out of 5]

Artfully Wild is the second book in Kelsey Schulz’s Blue Grove Mountain series and it was absolutely beautiful. See the beginning of the book for content warnings.

Wow, I loved Skylar and Jacob’s story so much! Right from the start, I could see how much they cared about each other and it was only natural that they go from best friends to something more. They were so cute together (Little Sparrow might be my new favorite nickname), and the Mr. Darcy level pining was TOP TIER.

This book has also been added to the many reasons I love the grumpy/sunshine trope. It was great to explore where Skylar’s grumpiness came from and how Jacob’s sunshine energy and love of animals brought out the best in her.

Once again, the side characters were great! Fran and Cordie are like everyone’s surrogate grandmothers and I loved the Hudson and Avery and Charlotte cameos. But absolutely no one can top Frank the parrot! He was absolutely hilarious and I loved his bond with human Frank.

Kelsey, thank you so much for the ARC! Skylar and Jacob are giving some serious competition for favorite couple of the year and I cannot wait to return to Blue Grove for another story.