What do you think?
Rate this book
The Complex Art of Being Maisie Clark
All eighteen-year-old Maisie Clark wants to do is leave her tiny town in upstate New York. Crescent Valley is home to Glenna’s, the family-run portrait shop she loves more than anything. But after years of imitating her dad’s artistic style, Maisie fears she will never find her own voice. So, she comes up with a plan: quit working at Glenna’s, go to art school in London, and, most importantly, stop painting portraits. If she can’t find her voice by the end of the year, she’ll give up art entirely.
Unfortunately, pushing outside her comfort zone is (surprise!) uncomfortable. Maisie struggles to connect with her eccentric new flatmates, feels farther away from her best friend than ever, and hates every art course she signed up for—especially photography, where her talented but prickly partner, Eli, is not afraid to point out her every mistake on their semester-long project. Maisie is already questioning all her life choices when a crime strikes Glenna’s, reopening old family wounds she thought she’d long healed from. It’ll take even more discomfort, as well as help from Eli, her older brother, Calum, and his earnest boyfriend, Benji, to confront the layers she’s painted over the past. But maybe, just maybe, the keys to finding herself lie closer to home than she realized.
Unfortunately, pushing outside her comfort zone is (surprise!) uncomfortable. Maisie struggles to connect with her eccentric new flatmates, feels farther away from her best friend than ever, and hates every art course she signed up for—especially photography, where her talented but prickly partner, Eli, is not afraid to point out her every mistake on their semester-long project. Maisie is already questioning all her life choices when a crime strikes Glenna’s, reopening old family wounds she thought she’d long healed from. It’ll take even more discomfort, as well as help from Eli, her older brother, Calum, and his earnest boyfriend, Benji, to confront the layers she’s painted over the past. But maybe, just maybe, the keys to finding herself lie closer to home than she realized.
Unknown Binding
Published June 10, 2025
5 people are currently reading
2817 people want to read
About the author
Sabrina Kleckner
2 books44 followersSabrina Kleckner is a teacher by day and an author by early morning and night. Her debut middle grade novel, The Art of Running Away, was a 2023 ALA Rainbow Booklist Selection; the 2022 Moonbeam Awards Bronze Medalist in Pre-Teen General Fiction; and a 2022 IPPY Award Silver Medalist in Juvenile Fiction. On her days off, she can be found traveling the world or gushing about her three cats to anyone who will listen. Sabrina can be found on Instagram (@sabkleckner), and can be reached on her website sabrinakleckner.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
January 3, 2025
The Complex Art of Being Maisie Clark by Sabrina Kleckner is a perfect fit for readers who crave a heartwarming and humorous coming-of-age story about self-discovery, embracing individuality, and the power of human connection, with a dash of romance and a strong female protagonist at its core.
⭐ First of all, I would like to thank NetGalley for giving me this free ARC to read, and I am thankful to read this one. I would like to thank the publisher of this book, which is North Star Edition, for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. Lastly, I would like to thank the Author for writing this beautiful book and I'm glad to found this nice book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
⭐ The main character here in this book is Maisie Clark, and she's going to reach her dream, which is Art. She moved to London to learn more about art. Maisie explores more of herself, and as she takes a journey through her life, she will meet a lot of people. But can she find her voice as she explores the city of London and learns more about her art?
⭐ I liked the writing of the book, and it was the perfect book for middle-grade readers, which I recommend they read. The themes for this book are self-discovery and identity, which I also loved to read in some kinds of books. The cover of the book is colorful, which also has the main character of the book, and I think it's the synopsis of the book that caught my interest in reading this book. There also has some character development throughout the story, which is interesting to read more of.
⭐ The author explores the theme very well throughout the whole story of this book, and I like how she writes it. The pacing of the book is medium, which means there are some moments that are kind of slow or maybe kind of fast. But the ending is satisfying to me, and it was good to read the ending of the book. Overall, I would totally recommend this book, especially to young adults or middle school, and I would give it 4 stars for the story.⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐ First of all, I would like to thank NetGalley for giving me this free ARC to read, and I am thankful to read this one. I would like to thank the publisher of this book, which is North Star Edition, for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. Lastly, I would like to thank the Author for writing this beautiful book and I'm glad to found this nice book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
⭐ The main character here in this book is Maisie Clark, and she's going to reach her dream, which is Art. She moved to London to learn more about art. Maisie explores more of herself, and as she takes a journey through her life, she will meet a lot of people. But can she find her voice as she explores the city of London and learns more about her art?
⭐ I liked the writing of the book, and it was the perfect book for middle-grade readers, which I recommend they read. The themes for this book are self-discovery and identity, which I also loved to read in some kinds of books. The cover of the book is colorful, which also has the main character of the book, and I think it's the synopsis of the book that caught my interest in reading this book. There also has some character development throughout the story, which is interesting to read more of.
⭐ The author explores the theme very well throughout the whole story of this book, and I like how she writes it. The pacing of the book is medium, which means there are some moments that are kind of slow or maybe kind of fast. But the ending is satisfying to me, and it was good to read the ending of the book. Overall, I would totally recommend this book, especially to young adults or middle school, and I would give it 4 stars for the story.⭐⭐⭐⭐
July 2, 2025
HELLO FIRST OFFICIAL ARC I AM SO EXCITED
I was supposed to finish this before May.
I didn't because of my smart timing with my tests.
3.5 stars!! This was so funny and so sweet, I wanted to curl up and live in the world of Maisie Clark. There weren't any characters whom I didn't adore!
However I would love to see more of Eli and Maisie's relationship, and felt like the ending with them was kind of cut short. But still, nonetheless, amazing book!
I was supposed to finish this before May.
I didn't because of my smart timing with my tests.
3.5 stars!! This was so funny and so sweet, I wanted to curl up and live in the world of Maisie Clark. There weren't any characters whom I didn't adore!
However I would love to see more of Eli and Maisie's relationship, and felt like the ending with them was kind of cut short. But still, nonetheless, amazing book!
June 2, 2025
Huge thanks to NetGalley & North Star Editions💌
We get to know our MC Maisie, 18 years old girl who loves art but hates her art style and tries to make new friends away from her home, at london.
It’s really nice that we’re talking about getting to know new people and making new friends bc I think a lot of people have problem with that (or maybe it’s just me) but anyway - figuring out who you are, what do you like and what you don’t like, what do you prefer and what you don’t prefer is hard, especially at the teenage years. Someone knows right away, someone’s really struggling with their identity - it’s really different. I really like that theme of this book is this. Finding who you really are. 🥹💗
📝And the writing? So easy to
read, and one of the reasons is because it’s not like chapter one, chapter two and boom! she has three new friends. I’m glad it’s written in kind of realistic way about the problems that may be a bit silly, but lot of people are struggling with them all the time.
We get to know our MC Maisie, 18 years old girl who loves art but hates her art style and tries to make new friends away from her home, at london.
It’s really nice that we’re talking about getting to know new people and making new friends bc I think a lot of people have problem with that (or maybe it’s just me) but anyway - figuring out who you are, what do you like and what you don’t like, what do you prefer and what you don’t prefer is hard, especially at the teenage years. Someone knows right away, someone’s really struggling with their identity - it’s really different. I really like that theme of this book is this. Finding who you really are. 🥹💗
📝And the writing? So easy to
read, and one of the reasons is because it’s not like chapter one, chapter two and boom! she has three new friends. I’m glad it’s written in kind of realistic way about the problems that may be a bit silly, but lot of people are struggling with them all the time.
January 11, 2025
Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for this book in exchange for an honest review.
I will start by saying that I am maybe not the target audience for this. I like a good young adult book once and a while, but this was more "teen" than young adult. I really disliked the main character, and her immaturity made this very difficult to finish. In fact, I found most of the characters fairly childish-- especially her brother, who is meant to be nearly 30.
The ending is very rushed, and this is very un-polished. Again, I definitely wasn't the target audience, but I do still feel that this book needs work.
I will start by saying that I am maybe not the target audience for this. I like a good young adult book once and a while, but this was more "teen" than young adult. I really disliked the main character, and her immaturity made this very difficult to finish. In fact, I found most of the characters fairly childish-- especially her brother, who is meant to be nearly 30.
The ending is very rushed, and this is very un-polished. Again, I definitely wasn't the target audience, but I do still feel that this book needs work.
June 9, 2025
Sabrina Kleckner nailed the feeling of being a college freshman. All those away from home, parents aren't here to tell you what to do, trying to figure out what the hell you are doing with your life feelings? They are all here. I felt 18 again and that was a loooooooooong time ago.
Not to mention we've got a bit of family drama. So the angst, the coming of age, the drama, *chefs kiss*. Thank to Flux for an early copy.
Not to mention we've got a bit of family drama. So the angst, the coming of age, the drama, *chefs kiss*. Thank to Flux for an early copy.
March 4, 2025
A coming-of-age story about finding one's purpose and reason. Messy—but the good kind of messy, the kind that comes with self-discovery.
From the very first page, this book had a strong, captivating voice that instantly hooked me. The pacing was perfect, and the writing remained solid throughout, making it an engaging and immersive read. While this was primarily a character-driven novel, there was enough story to create a well-balanced narrative.
Maisie Clark is such a fantastic main character—bubbly, passionate, and layered with depth. Watching her grow and evolve was one of the highlights of this book. She’s someone you truly want to root for, and I loved how her relationships shaped her journey. Her dynamic with her friends—especially Eli—stood out, as well as the way her relationship with her family developed over time. The character growth felt authentic and rewarding.
This book is a perfect mix of lighthearted and meaningful. It had some unexpectedly funny moments that made me smile, while also tackling strong themes that give depth to the story. And I have to say—Calum and Benji? Their chemistry was amazing. I’d absolutely read a book just about them.
Some might feel that Maisie’s actions don’t always match her age, but I think she’s a great representation of an 18-year-old trying to navigate school, life, and self-discovery. Her struggles and choices felt real, which made her story even more compelling.
Overall, The Complex Art of Being Maisie Clark is a heartfelt and well-written YA novel with a strong character arc, engaging relationships, and a cozy but meaningful narrative. If you love coming-of-age stories that blend humor, growth, and a touch of emotional depth, this is one to pick up.
From the very first page, this book had a strong, captivating voice that instantly hooked me. The pacing was perfect, and the writing remained solid throughout, making it an engaging and immersive read. While this was primarily a character-driven novel, there was enough story to create a well-balanced narrative.
Maisie Clark is such a fantastic main character—bubbly, passionate, and layered with depth. Watching her grow and evolve was one of the highlights of this book. She’s someone you truly want to root for, and I loved how her relationships shaped her journey. Her dynamic with her friends—especially Eli—stood out, as well as the way her relationship with her family developed over time. The character growth felt authentic and rewarding.
This book is a perfect mix of lighthearted and meaningful. It had some unexpectedly funny moments that made me smile, while also tackling strong themes that give depth to the story. And I have to say—Calum and Benji? Their chemistry was amazing. I’d absolutely read a book just about them.
Some might feel that Maisie’s actions don’t always match her age, but I think she’s a great representation of an 18-year-old trying to navigate school, life, and self-discovery. Her struggles and choices felt real, which made her story even more compelling.
Overall, The Complex Art of Being Maisie Clark is a heartfelt and well-written YA novel with a strong character arc, engaging relationships, and a cozy but meaningful narrative. If you love coming-of-age stories that blend humor, growth, and a touch of emotional depth, this is one to pick up.
February 3, 2025
This book follows Maisie's attempt to define and discover herself all while dealing with entirely new environment with new, but not-so-new people in her life. I was just so-so with Maisie in the beginning, and I didn't really realize how much she really grew on me until the end! :] She is quite emotional and that influences her decision-making at times, I feel, but it feels intentional and appropriate to her character. I found some of her struggles to be somewhat relatable to mine ha ha... Eli is another character I really like! One thing though, I find Calum a bit frustrating throughout the story. The ending was really nice, and overall, I think this book is a lovely coming-of-age for young readers.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for providing me an ARC of this book! i enjoyed it a lot.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for providing me an ARC of this book! i enjoyed it a lot.
May 6, 2025
I got this as an ARC from NetGalley and honestly, I really liked it! Maisie is super relatable—awkward, emotional, trying to figure herself out—and the story does a great job showing how complicated growing up can be. There were parts that hit hard, especially around grief and feeling like you don’t fit in. Some parts dragged a little, but overall it was real, heartfelt, and made me feel seen. Definitely worth a read if you're into coming-of-age stories with lots of emotion.
September 2, 2025
Gracias NetGalley y North Star Editions por el eARC.
Este libro es un maravilloso “coming of age” donde acompañamos a Maisie Clark a través del autodescubrimiento lejos de su casa familiar, cuando ella decide que debe encontrar su propia forma de expresión artística.
Maisie es un personaje complejo y en opinión personal, refleja perfectamente los sentimientos de la adolescencia y ese deseo de encontrarse a sí mismo fuera del cobijo y la identidad que te da tu familia en casa, su aventura desde un punto de vista adulto podría parecer un poco egoísta, sin embargo en retrospectiva nos podemos encontrar en ella.
Durante la lectura conocemos a sus nuevas amistades y nuevos círculos sociales que nos ayuda a comprender su realidad, el “cast” es diverso y realmente apegado a la realidad actual.
Siento que de haberse leído en una edad o situación de vida de Maisie este libro me hubiera gustado mucho más y me hubiera llevado una enseñanza un poco más profunda, por lo cual lo recomendaría dentro de las edades de final de preparatoria y primeros años de universidad.
La escritura de Sabrina Kleckner me pareció bastante cómoda de seguir, no es sobre complicada, sin embargo es posible que falte un poco de pulir, pero no es algo que le robe ni a la historia ni al ritmo de la misma.
En fin, es un libro divertido que te deja con un sentimiento de satisfacción bonita algo “heartwarming” que leer.
Thank you NetGalley and North Star Editions for the eARC
This is a marvelous coming of age book, where we accompany Maisie Clark though her self discovery far from her family house, when she decides she needs to find her own artistic expression.
Maisie its a complex character and in my personal opinion, she portrays perfectly the feelings from adolescence and that desire to find oneself far from the cover and the identity that your family provides safe at home, her adventure if seen from the perspective of an adult could look a little egoistic, however, in retrospective, we could find ourselves in her.
Through reading we meet her new friendships and social circles that help us understand her reality, the “cast” is diverse and it's within our actual reality.
I feel that if it was red within the age or life situation as Maisie’s I would have liked this book a lot more and I would have kept a more profound learning, and for this reason I would recommend this book to someone within the ages of finishing Highschool or beginning of University.
Sabrina Kleckner’s writing I felt very comfortable to follow, it's not overly complicated, however it's possible it needs a little polishing, but that does not take anything from the story nor the rhythm of it.
At the end, the book is really fun and it leaves you with this beautiful, heartwarming feeling.
#TheComplexArtofBeingMaisieClark #NetGalley
Este libro es un maravilloso “coming of age” donde acompañamos a Maisie Clark a través del autodescubrimiento lejos de su casa familiar, cuando ella decide que debe encontrar su propia forma de expresión artística.
Maisie es un personaje complejo y en opinión personal, refleja perfectamente los sentimientos de la adolescencia y ese deseo de encontrarse a sí mismo fuera del cobijo y la identidad que te da tu familia en casa, su aventura desde un punto de vista adulto podría parecer un poco egoísta, sin embargo en retrospectiva nos podemos encontrar en ella.
Durante la lectura conocemos a sus nuevas amistades y nuevos círculos sociales que nos ayuda a comprender su realidad, el “cast” es diverso y realmente apegado a la realidad actual.
Siento que de haberse leído en una edad o situación de vida de Maisie este libro me hubiera gustado mucho más y me hubiera llevado una enseñanza un poco más profunda, por lo cual lo recomendaría dentro de las edades de final de preparatoria y primeros años de universidad.
La escritura de Sabrina Kleckner me pareció bastante cómoda de seguir, no es sobre complicada, sin embargo es posible que falte un poco de pulir, pero no es algo que le robe ni a la historia ni al ritmo de la misma.
En fin, es un libro divertido que te deja con un sentimiento de satisfacción bonita algo “heartwarming” que leer.
Thank you NetGalley and North Star Editions for the eARC
This is a marvelous coming of age book, where we accompany Maisie Clark though her self discovery far from her family house, when she decides she needs to find her own artistic expression.
Maisie its a complex character and in my personal opinion, she portrays perfectly the feelings from adolescence and that desire to find oneself far from the cover and the identity that your family provides safe at home, her adventure if seen from the perspective of an adult could look a little egoistic, however, in retrospective, we could find ourselves in her.
Through reading we meet her new friendships and social circles that help us understand her reality, the “cast” is diverse and it's within our actual reality.
I feel that if it was red within the age or life situation as Maisie’s I would have liked this book a lot more and I would have kept a more profound learning, and for this reason I would recommend this book to someone within the ages of finishing Highschool or beginning of University.
Sabrina Kleckner’s writing I felt very comfortable to follow, it's not overly complicated, however it's possible it needs a little polishing, but that does not take anything from the story nor the rhythm of it.
At the end, the book is really fun and it leaves you with this beautiful, heartwarming feeling.
#TheComplexArtofBeingMaisieClark #NetGalley
July 12, 2025
⟢ 3.5 out of 5 ✮⋆˙
Maisie is trying to find her art style, or maybe she’s trying to find herself. Her life starts to change when she arrives in London to enroll in university. She meets new people, makes new friends, and finds her purpose. The questions Maisie asks herself are very relatable, I really liked her as a main character. As for the side-characters, I found most of the adult characters to be quite immature, at times I had a hard time understanding their thought-process. Nevertheless, I enjoyed seeing Maisie grow up and discover herself. A great middle-grade.
Arc kindly provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.
----------------
trying to find your style and, in the end, your individuality is soo hard.. growing up is hard in general lol. i look forward to getting into this!🧡
Maisie is trying to find her art style, or maybe she’s trying to find herself. Her life starts to change when she arrives in London to enroll in university. She meets new people, makes new friends, and finds her purpose. The questions Maisie asks herself are very relatable, I really liked her as a main character. As for the side-characters, I found most of the adult characters to be quite immature, at times I had a hard time understanding their thought-process. Nevertheless, I enjoyed seeing Maisie grow up and discover herself. A great middle-grade.
Arc kindly provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.
----------------
trying to find your style and, in the end, your individuality is soo hard.. growing up is hard in general lol. i look forward to getting into this!🧡
May 6, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and North Star Editions / Flux for the e-ARC of this title to read and review. I don't know if this is *quite* a full 4-star for me, but I'm rounding up because I really enjoyed my reading experience. I own the middle grade book "The Art of Running Away," by Sabrina Kleckner, and I didn't realize that story follows the younger version of these characters. That's SUCH an interesting premise, because "The Complex Art of Being Maisie Clark," isn't exactly a *sequel*, but it's a look at these aged-up characters at a different stage of their life, for a totally different reading audience. (Though, I think anyone at all with the interest could read either or both of these books!)
Just-entering-college is such a specific time and theme for YA, because it's really bridging a genre gap, but the themes are super relatable for anyone who's been this age (college or not.) Maisie's trying to find her own style, both in the art she creates and her fashion sense/style/how she presents herself to the world. Her family dynamics are loving but complicated, and she feels like she may be limited by the art world she's been in for her whole life, so she wants to go big and push herself out of every comfort zone at once. I love that she's trying to move to a new country, make all new friends, wear bizarre hair/makeup/clothes, and take classes in subjects she's terrible at. It's both fun to read, and also a great way to see her learning-by-failing (and deciding which parts of her "old" self area actually worth keeping around!)
I do think there are several meandering lulls in the story, where the plot could really pick up steam and then just... doesn't? I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll be vague there. Throughout, I feel like enough conflicts and diversions are introduced to keep the reading exciting, but they don't really advance the plot significantly or result in any specific growth/change (beyond being part of Maisie's own growth journey, if that makes sense.) Not even in the cliffhanger sense, just a lingering kind of unfinished issue. But I also feel this way about the ending overall - there are a lot of moments throughout the book, including nearing the end, that could really explode into a dynamic ending, and I did feel like the last chapter rushes and just suddenly ends.
Just-entering-college is such a specific time and theme for YA, because it's really bridging a genre gap, but the themes are super relatable for anyone who's been this age (college or not.) Maisie's trying to find her own style, both in the art she creates and her fashion sense/style/how she presents herself to the world. Her family dynamics are loving but complicated, and she feels like she may be limited by the art world she's been in for her whole life, so she wants to go big and push herself out of every comfort zone at once. I love that she's trying to move to a new country, make all new friends, wear bizarre hair/makeup/clothes, and take classes in subjects she's terrible at. It's both fun to read, and also a great way to see her learning-by-failing (and deciding which parts of her "old" self area actually worth keeping around!)
I do think there are several meandering lulls in the story, where the plot could really pick up steam and then just... doesn't? I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll be vague there. Throughout, I feel like enough conflicts and diversions are introduced to keep the reading exciting, but they don't really advance the plot significantly or result in any specific growth/change (beyond being part of Maisie's own growth journey, if that makes sense.) Not even in the cliffhanger sense, just a lingering kind of unfinished issue. But I also feel this way about the ending overall - there are a lot of moments throughout the book, including nearing the end, that could really explode into a dynamic ending, and I did feel like the last chapter rushes and just suddenly ends.
November 20, 2024
[5/5]
This novel was everything and I want to tell you why.
So we have Maisie Clark, an 18-year old artist who has been doing art for as long as she can remember. However, now she’s moving to London to university to study art, but not portraits because she feels like she needs to find herself and that means trying new things and discovering her art away from her dad (whose art she can’t tell the difference between hers and his).
London also has her brother and his boyfriend there so she’s not completely alone.
I really enjoyed the family dynamics in this and the friendships/relationships. They felt so real and raw and I liked that things were said bluntly and Maisie's inner dialogue was just so funny. She is what it means to be a teenager moving abroad to study in another country!
I really loved London as the setting, along with their small town in New York. I also loved the characters in this.
Maisie felt so relatable, but was also frustrating at times which yeah. She was known to be “a lot” but that doesn’t necessarily make her a bad person.
I liked how her and Eli balanced each other out. The scenes between them were hilarious and awkward, I loved them!! I am happy with how their story turned out and for everything that happened in between.
Calum was the older brother, by quite a large margin but I could also relate and understand that sort of relationship as I also have an older sibling that is 10 years my senior. As soon as I read that, I was like “oh yeah I’m going to love this book.” And I do! It’s just really fun, but also about discovering yourself, distinct art styles, family dynamics, and a little bit of romance thrown in there.
I definitely would be interested in reading the novel that came before this, that depicts Maisie when she was 12 instead of 18. I gravitated towards this because of the age of the main character, but now that I sort of see who she has grown into, it’d be interesting to read about how she used to be.
The character arcs in this were amazing. Maisie grew so much, not only in herself but understanding her art that was great to see.
Overall, a very YA college, funny, artsy, book that I had fun reading!
Thank you to Flux Books for the auto-approval via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This novel was everything and I want to tell you why.
So we have Maisie Clark, an 18-year old artist who has been doing art for as long as she can remember. However, now she’s moving to London to university to study art, but not portraits because she feels like she needs to find herself and that means trying new things and discovering her art away from her dad (whose art she can’t tell the difference between hers and his).
London also has her brother and his boyfriend there so she’s not completely alone.
I really enjoyed the family dynamics in this and the friendships/relationships. They felt so real and raw and I liked that things were said bluntly and Maisie's inner dialogue was just so funny. She is what it means to be a teenager moving abroad to study in another country!
I really loved London as the setting, along with their small town in New York. I also loved the characters in this.
Maisie felt so relatable, but was also frustrating at times which yeah. She was known to be “a lot” but that doesn’t necessarily make her a bad person.
I liked how her and Eli balanced each other out. The scenes between them were hilarious and awkward, I loved them!! I am happy with how their story turned out and for everything that happened in between.
Calum was the older brother, by quite a large margin but I could also relate and understand that sort of relationship as I also have an older sibling that is 10 years my senior. As soon as I read that, I was like “oh yeah I’m going to love this book.” And I do! It’s just really fun, but also about discovering yourself, distinct art styles, family dynamics, and a little bit of romance thrown in there.
I definitely would be interested in reading the novel that came before this, that depicts Maisie when she was 12 instead of 18. I gravitated towards this because of the age of the main character, but now that I sort of see who she has grown into, it’d be interesting to read about how she used to be.
The character arcs in this were amazing. Maisie grew so much, not only in herself but understanding her art that was great to see.
Overall, a very YA college, funny, artsy, book that I had fun reading!
Thank you to Flux Books for the auto-approval via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
November 22, 2024
Thank you NetGallery for access to the eARC! 4.25 ⭐️
Maisie enters her first year of college in search of finding herself (or more specifically, her own art style). She moves to London pursuing art, the main focus being around trying out photography. In doing so, she meets Eli after she breaks his ankle (not really but also definitely). She finds herself drifting from her best friend, struggles with photography, and her relationship with her brother. Maisie embodies the struggle of trying to find yourself in college, a very relatable experience for myself and many others.
There were two aspects that I enjoyed more over the rest in this novel. The first comes from Maisie’s relationship with her brother and her abandonment issues. Thinking about it, there aren’t many stories I consume that touch on this dynamic. Calum left home when he was sixteen and Maisie was six. No one would give her a reason why and no one would discuss him after this event. Then, years later, Calum seeks out Maisie and they reconnect. Now they are close, but Maisie still struggles with this fear of him leaving. I thought it was well written when it came to her feelings. She would spiral into these thoughts that I was able to feel the stress of the situations myself. By the end, Maisie learns how to cope with these feelings even though they are still present. Her relationship with Calum improves and ends on an endearing note. The second aspect is Eli and Maisie’s dynamic. I am a sucker for an awkward/introverted and loud/anxiety-ridden couple. Their subtle romance was very sweet, and I appreciated where the story ended with them.
Other brief things to note:
- Benji and Calum’s engagement shenanigans! Loved it.
- Alicia and Maisie, I’m glad they figured it out. Being in different parts of the world is a testament of true friendship.
- I would have liked to have known more about Calum’s relationship with their parents. I still don’t think I get the whole picture on him leaving home. But perhaps this is intentional, as we are in Maisie’s perspective.
- Benji is a sweetheart.
Overall a really cute read. Would recommend to anyone seeking comfort in being away from home for the first time.
Maisie enters her first year of college in search of finding herself (or more specifically, her own art style). She moves to London pursuing art, the main focus being around trying out photography. In doing so, she meets Eli after she breaks his ankle (not really but also definitely). She finds herself drifting from her best friend, struggles with photography, and her relationship with her brother. Maisie embodies the struggle of trying to find yourself in college, a very relatable experience for myself and many others.
There were two aspects that I enjoyed more over the rest in this novel. The first comes from Maisie’s relationship with her brother and her abandonment issues. Thinking about it, there aren’t many stories I consume that touch on this dynamic. Calum left home when he was sixteen and Maisie was six. No one would give her a reason why and no one would discuss him after this event. Then, years later, Calum seeks out Maisie and they reconnect. Now they are close, but Maisie still struggles with this fear of him leaving. I thought it was well written when it came to her feelings. She would spiral into these thoughts that I was able to feel the stress of the situations myself. By the end, Maisie learns how to cope with these feelings even though they are still present. Her relationship with Calum improves and ends on an endearing note. The second aspect is Eli and Maisie’s dynamic. I am a sucker for an awkward/introverted and loud/anxiety-ridden couple. Their subtle romance was very sweet, and I appreciated where the story ended with them.
Other brief things to note:
- Benji and Calum’s engagement shenanigans! Loved it.
- Alicia and Maisie, I’m glad they figured it out. Being in different parts of the world is a testament of true friendship.
- I would have liked to have known more about Calum’s relationship with their parents. I still don’t think I get the whole picture on him leaving home. But perhaps this is intentional, as we are in Maisie’s perspective.
- Benji is a sweetheart.
Overall a really cute read. Would recommend to anyone seeking comfort in being away from home for the first time.
February 9, 2025
"So maybe people are more than they can see on their own, and that's why there's value in analyzing the differences between a self portrait and a portrait."
Maisie Clark, the daughter of a family full of artists, almost runs away from her family to find her identity, her voice as an artist. All she had ever known was her brilliantly talented parents, their art shop and that her brother had left a gaping wound when he had ran away from their home in New York. Clark finds herself in a tight spot when a fellow student, Eli had a broken ankle because of her. Well, she wasn't particularly having a blast because her roommates were sort of weird and she found her brother's boyfriend planning the most bizarre but thoughtful proposal ever and she had crashed it. She just went full persistent mode to help Eli by covering the art class which he was supposed to take as a side hustle.
I loved how the author chose to portray Maisie's character. She is chaotic, artistic, emotional and confused to say the least. While the story explores the aftermaths of the wounds from her childhood which were the result of his brother's running away, also because their parents chose not to support him because of his Sexual orientation, it also focuses on how she couldn't see how brilliant and unique she was in her own ways. It also explores very realistically how we often think that our friends might be living a better life and we often find ourselves to feel inferior and drift away from them. Another interesting aspect was Eli being a trans rep in the story and how his struggles were highlighted. Even though Eli is in majority of the story, his blossoming relationship with Clark doesn't consume the limelight from the main plot. Clark and her worries, her struggles, her journey remains the main focus throughout. We embark on a journey to discover how often times we see ourselves in a very different light than that of others.
"I know I can be a lot sometimes. But, your photo works because I'm a lot. If I wasn't lit so brightly, I wouldn't look as striking. So it's not always a bad thing. Being a lot. "
Maisie Clark, the daughter of a family full of artists, almost runs away from her family to find her identity, her voice as an artist. All she had ever known was her brilliantly talented parents, their art shop and that her brother had left a gaping wound when he had ran away from their home in New York. Clark finds herself in a tight spot when a fellow student, Eli had a broken ankle because of her. Well, she wasn't particularly having a blast because her roommates were sort of weird and she found her brother's boyfriend planning the most bizarre but thoughtful proposal ever and she had crashed it. She just went full persistent mode to help Eli by covering the art class which he was supposed to take as a side hustle.
I loved how the author chose to portray Maisie's character. She is chaotic, artistic, emotional and confused to say the least. While the story explores the aftermaths of the wounds from her childhood which were the result of his brother's running away, also because their parents chose not to support him because of his Sexual orientation, it also focuses on how she couldn't see how brilliant and unique she was in her own ways. It also explores very realistically how we often think that our friends might be living a better life and we often find ourselves to feel inferior and drift away from them. Another interesting aspect was Eli being a trans rep in the story and how his struggles were highlighted. Even though Eli is in majority of the story, his blossoming relationship with Clark doesn't consume the limelight from the main plot. Clark and her worries, her struggles, her journey remains the main focus throughout. We embark on a journey to discover how often times we see ourselves in a very different light than that of others.
"I know I can be a lot sometimes. But, your photo works because I'm a lot. If I wasn't lit so brightly, I wouldn't look as striking. So it's not always a bad thing. Being a lot. "
January 5, 2025
Book Name: The Complex Art of Being Maisie Clark
By Sabrina Kleckner @sabkleckner
Publisher: North Star Editions | @fluxbooks
PubDate: June 10, 2025
Genre: Romance / Teens & YA
My Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖
Book no 1/80
Wow. WOW! The Complex Art of Being Maisie Clark is an absolute masterpiece and the perfect way to kick off my 2025 reading journey! Sabrina Kleckner’s writing is pure magic—her style shines so brightly, I couldn’t help but fall head over heels for this story and its characters.
Maisie’s journey is beautifully messy, heartbreakingly real, and incredibly touching. The way Sabrina Kleckner crafts Maisie’s struggles, triumphs, and her fight to find her voice is so relatable and inspiring. And oh, Eli! The chemistry between Maisie and Eli is so wonderfully written—it turned me into a blushing, giddy mess! Every interaction made my heart race, and I couldn’t get enough.
Calum and Benji—what can I say? Their love, struggles, and unwavering support for each other brought me to tears. The heartfelt LGBTQ+ representation made this my first LGBTQ+ read, and I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction.
I loved how Maisie (Nosy) hilariously changed Eli’s name—from "The Ridiculous Boy" to "The Boy Who Doesn’t Look Like a Drowned Rat" to Eli Bauman! It had me laughing so hard. And the final proposal scene with Calum? Pure joy—it left me grinning.
This book didn’t just make me feel good; it reignited my childhood love for art. I’m now inspired to pick up my pencil again and start drawing!
This book made me laugh, cry, and left me with the warmest feeling. Sabrina Kleckner’s storytelling feels like a comforting hug for the soul. I HIGHLY recommend The Complex Art of Being Maisie Clark—it will bring sunshine into your life, leave you smiling, and remind you of the beauty of finding yourself.
By Sabrina Kleckner @sabkleckner
Publisher: North Star Editions | @fluxbooks
PubDate: June 10, 2025
Genre: Romance / Teens & YA
My Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖
Book no 1/80
Wow. WOW! The Complex Art of Being Maisie Clark is an absolute masterpiece and the perfect way to kick off my 2025 reading journey! Sabrina Kleckner’s writing is pure magic—her style shines so brightly, I couldn’t help but fall head over heels for this story and its characters.
Maisie’s journey is beautifully messy, heartbreakingly real, and incredibly touching. The way Sabrina Kleckner crafts Maisie’s struggles, triumphs, and her fight to find her voice is so relatable and inspiring. And oh, Eli! The chemistry between Maisie and Eli is so wonderfully written—it turned me into a blushing, giddy mess! Every interaction made my heart race, and I couldn’t get enough.
Calum and Benji—what can I say? Their love, struggles, and unwavering support for each other brought me to tears. The heartfelt LGBTQ+ representation made this my first LGBTQ+ read, and I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction.
I loved how Maisie (Nosy) hilariously changed Eli’s name—from "The Ridiculous Boy" to "The Boy Who Doesn’t Look Like a Drowned Rat" to Eli Bauman! It had me laughing so hard. And the final proposal scene with Calum? Pure joy—it left me grinning.
This book didn’t just make me feel good; it reignited my childhood love for art. I’m now inspired to pick up my pencil again and start drawing!
This book made me laugh, cry, and left me with the warmest feeling. Sabrina Kleckner’s storytelling feels like a comforting hug for the soul. I HIGHLY recommend The Complex Art of Being Maisie Clark—it will bring sunshine into your life, leave you smiling, and remind you of the beauty of finding yourself.
February 5, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and North Star Editions for the ARC!
rating: ⭐ 4.5/5
read if you like:
- character-driven story
- coming-of-age
- young adult
If I had to describe this book and Maisie in one word, it would be sunshine. This story didn’t just bring me joy—it made me feel warm and nostalgic, like reminiscing about my own college years. Maisie’s personality is so vibrant, and her journey of self-discovery was both relatable and heartwarming. While the plot itself isn’t overly complex, that’s exactly what makes it such a great read for young adults. It’s more about the characters—their growth, their relationships, and the small but meaningful moments that shape them. And, of course, I loved the little sprinkle of romance!
Maisie felt like a little sister to me. I was so invested in her story, watching her navigate friendships, identity, and the ups and downs of young adulthood. And now that I’ve discovered there’s a book about her younger years? You know I need to read it! The side characters—Eli, Calum, and Benji—also stood out in the best way. They weren’t just there to support Maisie, they each had their own arcs, making the story feel even more real!
As someone who’s into art and has studied it, this book hit differently. So many little moments made me feel deeply connected to Maisie—her struggles, her passion, and the way art was woven into her life. It felt so authentic. Honestly, my only tiny wish? An epilogue! I need to know more about Maisie and Eli’s relationship after everything!
If you love character-driven stories that make you feel something, this one is for you. It’s heartwarming, fun, and full of life. I absolutely loved it and highly recommend it!
rating: ⭐ 4.5/5
read if you like:
- character-driven story
- coming-of-age
- young adult
If I had to describe this book and Maisie in one word, it would be sunshine. This story didn’t just bring me joy—it made me feel warm and nostalgic, like reminiscing about my own college years. Maisie’s personality is so vibrant, and her journey of self-discovery was both relatable and heartwarming. While the plot itself isn’t overly complex, that’s exactly what makes it such a great read for young adults. It’s more about the characters—their growth, their relationships, and the small but meaningful moments that shape them. And, of course, I loved the little sprinkle of romance!
Maisie felt like a little sister to me. I was so invested in her story, watching her navigate friendships, identity, and the ups and downs of young adulthood. And now that I’ve discovered there’s a book about her younger years? You know I need to read it! The side characters—Eli, Calum, and Benji—also stood out in the best way. They weren’t just there to support Maisie, they each had their own arcs, making the story feel even more real!
As someone who’s into art and has studied it, this book hit differently. So many little moments made me feel deeply connected to Maisie—her struggles, her passion, and the way art was woven into her life. It felt so authentic. Honestly, my only tiny wish? An epilogue! I need to know more about Maisie and Eli’s relationship after everything!
If you love character-driven stories that make you feel something, this one is for you. It’s heartwarming, fun, and full of life. I absolutely loved it and highly recommend it!
June 19, 2025
I got this book for free, in exchange for my honest opinion via NetGalley.
“The Complex Art of Being Maisie Clark” is a coming of age story about finding your purpose. This book had a hold of me from the very first page. The pacing was really good and the writing remained pretty solid throughout.
The main character Maisie Clark, is a bubbly, passionate, and doesn’t lack depth. Maisie moved to London to attend an art university. Watching her grow was definitely a highlight in the book. Maisie is a character you want to root for, and I enjoyed how her relationships helped shaped her journey. It was enjoyable to watch her find her voice as she explores London. Maisie’s character growth was rewarding to read.
This book mixes lightheartedness and meaningful, and the author does a great job. For funny moments that made me smile to tackling strong themes, this author was right on the nose. The pacing of the book was okay. Honestly, it felt kind of all over the place. Some moments seemed very slow while others were rather fast. I don’t think that Maisie’s actions always matched her age. She’s 18 attempting to navigate school, life, and her purpose and sometimes her actions just didn’t match.
A side note, I was obsessed with the London setting. I have a soft spot of anything British.
Overall, this book is a heartfelt and well-written Young Adult novel. If you enjoy reading coming-of-age stories but also like a little humour and growth, this book is for you.
Thank you, NetGalley and Sabrina Kleckner for allowing me to review! As always, my review is my own opinion and thoughts. This review will be shared to my Instagram @what_emm_reads shortly.
“The Complex Art of Being Maisie Clark” is a coming of age story about finding your purpose. This book had a hold of me from the very first page. The pacing was really good and the writing remained pretty solid throughout.
The main character Maisie Clark, is a bubbly, passionate, and doesn’t lack depth. Maisie moved to London to attend an art university. Watching her grow was definitely a highlight in the book. Maisie is a character you want to root for, and I enjoyed how her relationships helped shaped her journey. It was enjoyable to watch her find her voice as she explores London. Maisie’s character growth was rewarding to read.
This book mixes lightheartedness and meaningful, and the author does a great job. For funny moments that made me smile to tackling strong themes, this author was right on the nose. The pacing of the book was okay. Honestly, it felt kind of all over the place. Some moments seemed very slow while others were rather fast. I don’t think that Maisie’s actions always matched her age. She’s 18 attempting to navigate school, life, and her purpose and sometimes her actions just didn’t match.
A side note, I was obsessed with the London setting. I have a soft spot of anything British.
Overall, this book is a heartfelt and well-written Young Adult novel. If you enjoy reading coming-of-age stories but also like a little humour and growth, this book is for you.
Thank you, NetGalley and Sabrina Kleckner for allowing me to review! As always, my review is my own opinion and thoughts. This review will be shared to my Instagram @what_emm_reads shortly.
May 4, 2025
This was a beautiful coming of age novel that revolves around the diversity and vibrancy of life in London, and the complicated, complex inner workings of one teen girl's mind following the aftermath of a big trauma, going into a new chapter in her life. Maisie is less than perfect, but who is as a teen? Only 18, at that. The complexities of figuring out who you want to be, and the pressure of doing that while you're young is very real, and very much delved into, and I think it's a very important topic to take note of. There's themes of finding yourself, of struggling with abandonment, of trying to be your true authentic self even when you feel like you have no one else who wants you for that authentic self. It's obvious there's a story to Maisie's past, especially revolving around her brother who is 10 years her senior. I found out there was actually another book that precedes this one, but I feel like the story explored enough of her past and the feelings she still carries that I didn't feel lost while reading. The characters felt fleshed out and real. Flawed, surely, but real. It felt like the side characters had enough time and space to not feel like they were taking up the spotlight but also to not feel as if they were stagnant and unimportant to the story, or for them to have just showed up once only to be seen never again.
A very bittersweet book, but one id happily recommend and read again.
A very bittersweet book, but one id happily recommend and read again.
June 19, 2025
“I came to London to learn who I am on my own, but that hasn’t meant being alone.”
I loved The Complex Art Of Being Masie Clark (it was one of my May’s top reads). It was a super easy read and a lot of themes deeply spoke to me. This story is deliciously queer –and completely related to the author’s first novel that also had Maisie as a MC (book2 can completely be read separately, that’s what I’ve done, but if you plan to read both, read book1 first or you’ll be deeply spoiled)– but most themes are completely universal.
I loved Maisie’s quest to find her voice in her art, how she puts herself in a difficult position for that. And I adored how she rediscovers herself on the path, and learns what it truly means to grow up. The link with her art is deep and super interesting as it creates a mirror effect between the book, her life, her art “from before”, her memories, her photography project, her relationships… that pattern repeats the same question about identity again and again, bringing fragmentary –though complementary with each other– answers. Piece by piece, Maisie starts understanding herself, accepting who she is, accepting to understand –and maybe let go– her family trauma.
All of this made this book so relevant and tender, through a whole cast of characters, each one super lovable and unique.
Thanks to the author and TopplingStacksTours for the eARC via NetGalley. My opinions are my own
I loved The Complex Art Of Being Masie Clark (it was one of my May’s top reads). It was a super easy read and a lot of themes deeply spoke to me. This story is deliciously queer –and completely related to the author’s first novel that also had Maisie as a MC (book2 can completely be read separately, that’s what I’ve done, but if you plan to read both, read book1 first or you’ll be deeply spoiled)– but most themes are completely universal.
I loved Maisie’s quest to find her voice in her art, how she puts herself in a difficult position for that. And I adored how she rediscovers herself on the path, and learns what it truly means to grow up. The link with her art is deep and super interesting as it creates a mirror effect between the book, her life, her art “from before”, her memories, her photography project, her relationships… that pattern repeats the same question about identity again and again, bringing fragmentary –though complementary with each other– answers. Piece by piece, Maisie starts understanding herself, accepting who she is, accepting to understand –and maybe let go– her family trauma.
All of this made this book so relevant and tender, through a whole cast of characters, each one super lovable and unique.
Thanks to the author and TopplingStacksTours for the eARC via NetGalley. My opinions are my own
April 28, 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5 stars)
The Complex Art of Being Maisie Clark is such a heartfelt, relatable coming-of-age story! ✨ It dives deep into figuring out who you are, navigating family expectations, and finding your own creative voice. I really loved how real and honest Maisie’s journey felt.
Maisie heads off to art school in London (major ✈️ + vibes!), and she’s determined to find her own path instead of living in the shadow of her family’s portrait business. Her messy, imperfect growth felt super authentic — not sugar-coated at all, which I appreciated!
Her dynamic with Eli (her sometimes-prickly, sometimes-surprisingly-sweet photography partner ) added a lot of tension and charm. I also loved how Maisie’s relationship with her brother Calum and his boyfriend Benji unfolded — so much heart and healing packed into their storylines.
That said, there were a few moments where the pacing slowed down a bit , and I wished for just a little more depth with some of the side characters. Still, this book captured the bittersweet beauty of growing up, finding your voice, and embracing the complex art of just being yourself.
Huge thanks to Sabrina Kleckner and Flux Books for the early ARC! I’m so grateful I got to experience Maisie’s story early!
The Complex Art of Being Maisie Clark is such a heartfelt, relatable coming-of-age story! ✨ It dives deep into figuring out who you are, navigating family expectations, and finding your own creative voice. I really loved how real and honest Maisie’s journey felt.
Maisie heads off to art school in London (major ✈️ + vibes!), and she’s determined to find her own path instead of living in the shadow of her family’s portrait business. Her messy, imperfect growth felt super authentic — not sugar-coated at all, which I appreciated!
Her dynamic with Eli (her sometimes-prickly, sometimes-surprisingly-sweet photography partner ) added a lot of tension and charm. I also loved how Maisie’s relationship with her brother Calum and his boyfriend Benji unfolded — so much heart and healing packed into their storylines.
That said, there were a few moments where the pacing slowed down a bit , and I wished for just a little more depth with some of the side characters. Still, this book captured the bittersweet beauty of growing up, finding your voice, and embracing the complex art of just being yourself.
Huge thanks to Sabrina Kleckner and Flux Books for the early ARC! I’m so grateful I got to experience Maisie’s story early!
January 27, 2025
3 ⭐️
Thank you NetGalley and Flux for this arc in exchange for an honest review…
Firstly, I just gotta say… I feel attacked. Personally. (Not in a bad way)
There was something about this novel that felt so relatable and had more realism about transitioning into adulthood than other fiction novels that I’ve read before. It covered queer topics, struggles in one’s life we must overcome, and acceptance. I could see myself in Maisie Clark in some chapters; going to uni and enrolling into an art degree to find your own art style … relatable.
As good as this novel was, it was infuriating at times because of Maisie’s personality and how she has to butt in or try to be in her brother’s life. Her approach was bad but when the truth was all out in the open, it made sense. Also, what happened to Maisie and Eli afterwards? I need their romance to bloom. It was cute and their story needs to continue, please author!
If this novel was around when I was still in uni, this would’ve been a good book to consider for some of the questions asked. It definitely has me thinking about my own art approaches and art style.
Thank you NetGalley and Flux for this arc in exchange for an honest review…
Firstly, I just gotta say… I feel attacked. Personally. (Not in a bad way)
There was something about this novel that felt so relatable and had more realism about transitioning into adulthood than other fiction novels that I’ve read before. It covered queer topics, struggles in one’s life we must overcome, and acceptance. I could see myself in Maisie Clark in some chapters; going to uni and enrolling into an art degree to find your own art style … relatable.
As good as this novel was, it was infuriating at times because of Maisie’s personality and how she has to butt in or try to be in her brother’s life. Her approach was bad but when the truth was all out in the open, it made sense. Also, what happened to Maisie and Eli afterwards? I need their romance to bloom. It was cute and their story needs to continue, please author!
If this novel was around when I was still in uni, this would’ve been a good book to consider for some of the questions asked. It definitely has me thinking about my own art approaches and art style.
May 18, 2025
Reading "The Complex Art of Being Maisie Clark" became an absolutely wonderful experience for me. This novel offers a universal story of self-discovery that connects with both artists and photographers and people dealing with life's complexities.
Maisie embarks on a bold journey from New York to London where she challenges herself to discover her personal artistic identity instead of repeating her family's artistic path. The story follows her journey toward self-knowledge while she faces the double challenge of chasing her friend Alicia's success. Throughout the book, the author demonstrates how Maisie resists the urge to revert to familiar territory which enhances the impact of her personal development.
The book's examination of friendship dynamics stands as one of its most valuable elements. Among the characters, Benji stands out as my favorite person. The book provides a comfortable reading experience through its relatable content that left me with a smile while inspiring my creative self. The story stands as a heartfelt YA book that readers should definitely explore to experience its emotional depth.
Maisie embarks on a bold journey from New York to London where she challenges herself to discover her personal artistic identity instead of repeating her family's artistic path. The story follows her journey toward self-knowledge while she faces the double challenge of chasing her friend Alicia's success. Throughout the book, the author demonstrates how Maisie resists the urge to revert to familiar territory which enhances the impact of her personal development.
The book's examination of friendship dynamics stands as one of its most valuable elements. Among the characters, Benji stands out as my favorite person. The book provides a comfortable reading experience through its relatable content that left me with a smile while inspiring my creative self. The story stands as a heartfelt YA book that readers should definitely explore to experience its emotional depth.
January 14, 2025
thank you sabrina, the publisher and netgalley for this book!!
now, it took me a while to read this, longer than needed but for some reason i just couldn't get through it.
maisie is a teenager who is very emotional. which honestly made me upset alot of the times throughout the book because she would only think of herself. and calum is frustrating, sooooo frustrating. it was definitely intended to be written that way but i just couldn't keep reading because i got TOO annoyed.
however my favourite characters are benji and eli. i loved eli and i loved the representation as it deeply resonated with me. i just wish we got to see more of both of them.
the ending was fast and felt incomplete. i mean it feels like the whole book was dragged and in the last 10% everything wrapped up. i think i would've given it 4 stars if it was a little longer because there was more to be said i feel like.
however i loved the overall vibe, it was artsy, it was cute and fun. everything that an YA needs!
now, it took me a while to read this, longer than needed but for some reason i just couldn't get through it.
maisie is a teenager who is very emotional. which honestly made me upset alot of the times throughout the book because she would only think of herself. and calum is frustrating, sooooo frustrating. it was definitely intended to be written that way but i just couldn't keep reading because i got TOO annoyed.
however my favourite characters are benji and eli. i loved eli and i loved the representation as it deeply resonated with me. i just wish we got to see more of both of them.
the ending was fast and felt incomplete. i mean it feels like the whole book was dragged and in the last 10% everything wrapped up. i think i would've given it 4 stars if it was a little longer because there was more to be said i feel like.
however i loved the overall vibe, it was artsy, it was cute and fun. everything that an YA needs!
May 30, 2025
What a delight of a book! I read it in one day and had a great time. It's heartwarming, touching, humorous, and very human. The characters are quirky, flawed, and down to earth, it was quite easy to connect with them because of that. Yes, sometimes they might have been annoying, but aren't we all like that sometimes?
The plot, while being simple and realistic, is also engaging. Now that I have gotten to know Maisie, her brother, Benji, and Eli, I am curious to know more about this family and their background. I'll try to find time to read the first book about Maisie soon, and I hope the author writes about these characters again. Exploring Maisie and Eli's evolving relationship, especially in the context of topics connected to LGBTQ, would certainly be very interesting! We need more books like these in the times that we live in right now.
I also found it quite delightful that all of Maisie's family members come from artistic backgrounds. Being a creative myself, I connected to that. The book explored intriguing and important questions about art style, what it means to be influenced by other artists, and finding one's voice.
It's a great YA book that can also be enjoyed by adults (well, I definitely enjoyed it). Thank you to the author, publishers, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. My review is based solely on my honest opinion, and is written with the utmost respect.
The plot, while being simple and realistic, is also engaging. Now that I have gotten to know Maisie, her brother, Benji, and Eli, I am curious to know more about this family and their background. I'll try to find time to read the first book about Maisie soon, and I hope the author writes about these characters again. Exploring Maisie and Eli's evolving relationship, especially in the context of topics connected to LGBTQ, would certainly be very interesting! We need more books like these in the times that we live in right now.
I also found it quite delightful that all of Maisie's family members come from artistic backgrounds. Being a creative myself, I connected to that. The book explored intriguing and important questions about art style, what it means to be influenced by other artists, and finding one's voice.
It's a great YA book that can also be enjoyed by adults (well, I definitely enjoyed it). Thank you to the author, publishers, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. My review is based solely on my honest opinion, and is written with the utmost respect.
December 4, 2024
thank you netgalley for this arc!
4.5 stars !
this book was so cute, i loved maisie so much, i think her character felt so honest and realistic! sabrina managed to write the different relationships so well, and whilst i haven't read the art of running away, i imagine it gives even more depth into the characters and their backstories exactly.
representation matters!! and i really appreciate how it was presented in this book, it genuinely didn't feel forced, yet was still highlighted well as it should be, because our identities are a major part of our lives.
i also think the message that everyone's art is distinct, and that perspective is such a large part of how we go about every day life, is so important, and was so intelligently spoken about.
such an enjoyable read, and has really helped me in my reading slump, i really recommend this :)
4.5 stars !
this book was so cute, i loved maisie so much, i think her character felt so honest and realistic! sabrina managed to write the different relationships so well, and whilst i haven't read the art of running away, i imagine it gives even more depth into the characters and their backstories exactly.
representation matters!! and i really appreciate how it was presented in this book, it genuinely didn't feel forced, yet was still highlighted well as it should be, because our identities are a major part of our lives.
i also think the message that everyone's art is distinct, and that perspective is such a large part of how we go about every day life, is so important, and was so intelligently spoken about.
such an enjoyable read, and has really helped me in my reading slump, i really recommend this :)
December 27, 2024
I adored the first book, The Art of Running Away, and in The Complex Art of Being Maisie Clark, we are back with a grown up Maisie. Maisie is starting college near her brother and figuring out who she is and what she can bring to the art world. I adore her voice and personality, along with the cast of characters. (Benji <3).
In this book, we still get to connect with Maisie's family and Glenna's, but we also meet new friends, someone who's more than a friend, and some smart teachers/adults. It was fun watching Maisie fumble her way through art mediums she's not great at or doesn't like, to reach her conclusion, thanks to the insight from her brother. I loved the message about perspective in this book- how we view ourselves and how others view us.
We're all trying to find our place in the world and have something to say, and this book encapsulates both of those things so well.
In this book, we still get to connect with Maisie's family and Glenna's, but we also meet new friends, someone who's more than a friend, and some smart teachers/adults. It was fun watching Maisie fumble her way through art mediums she's not great at or doesn't like, to reach her conclusion, thanks to the insight from her brother. I loved the message about perspective in this book- how we view ourselves and how others view us.
We're all trying to find our place in the world and have something to say, and this book encapsulates both of those things so well.
February 20, 2025
✨Thank you Netgalley and the author for the ARC. I’m always so grateful for receiving books to read and review.
The next thoughts and opinions are completely mine and honest .🫶🏼
This book would be something I’d liked at middle school.
Tho I’m in my 30’s it made me remember how confusing it is to be a teen and to add the complexity of Maisie family issues to her journey to finding her identity, it was well done and relatable.
All her emotions and her inner dialogue felt real for someone at their 19’s.
There was satisfactory character growth and the ending was cute.
I just want to add that the pacing was inconsistent some parts felt a little slow and some that where (in my opinion) more important to the character development felt rushed.
Overall I would recommend this book for someone between 12 to 17 yo. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The next thoughts and opinions are completely mine and honest .🫶🏼
This book would be something I’d liked at middle school.
Tho I’m in my 30’s it made me remember how confusing it is to be a teen and to add the complexity of Maisie family issues to her journey to finding her identity, it was well done and relatable.
All her emotions and her inner dialogue felt real for someone at their 19’s.
There was satisfactory character growth and the ending was cute.
I just want to add that the pacing was inconsistent some parts felt a little slow and some that where (in my opinion) more important to the character development felt rushed.
Overall I would recommend this book for someone between 12 to 17 yo. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 1, 2024
While at the beginning I wasn't sure this book was going to hit for me, it ended up being exactly what I needed. It's a beautiful story about coming of age and trying to find yourself. Maisie is a well written character with flaws that make her relatable. Her relationship with her brother was fleshed out well and their moments together made me tear up a few times. The only thing that took me out of the story a little bit was the fact that Maisie is supposed to be an American but she speaks in British English (using words like flat ect.). Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot and would definitely recommend it.
A big thank you to the publisher for providing me with an arc via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
A big thank you to the publisher for providing me with an arc via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
June 6, 2025
The Complex Art of Being Maisie Clark by Sabrina Kleckner was a wonderfully beautiful and messy novel about a girl named Maisie who’s trying to find herself when going off to university.
I loved all the characters in this book, they all felt so real and lively to me. I loved the humour and the writing was fun to read. I felt like it also captured Maisie’s awkwardness perfectly and without giving me any second hand embarrassment. All the relationships Maisie had were also lovely to read about, each one was so vastly different from each other and helped her develop as a character and person throughout the book. The struggles she went through with her friends and family as well as seeing her work through them was all really interesting to read about. The way Kleckner wrote Maisie’s emotions really drew me into the book as well.
This book is technically the sequel to another where we follow a much younger Maisie. I haven’t read it yet but I definitely will after loving this one so much!
E-arc provided by NetGalley!
I loved all the characters in this book, they all felt so real and lively to me. I loved the humour and the writing was fun to read. I felt like it also captured Maisie’s awkwardness perfectly and without giving me any second hand embarrassment. All the relationships Maisie had were also lovely to read about, each one was so vastly different from each other and helped her develop as a character and person throughout the book. The struggles she went through with her friends and family as well as seeing her work through them was all really interesting to read about. The way Kleckner wrote Maisie’s emotions really drew me into the book as well.
This book is technically the sequel to another where we follow a much younger Maisie. I haven’t read it yet but I definitely will after loving this one so much!
E-arc provided by NetGalley!
September 28, 2025
This was a very good read for me, coming of age, Maisie at 18, learning self-discovery, connecting with new people, filled with heartfelt moments as well as some humour in the mix. I loved the family dynamics, the diverse characters, and how real every single character felt through their own imperfections and struggles.
I myself am passionate about art and felt a deep connection with Maisie and how she was striving to prove herself, but also grow and learn along the way while always following her dream.
The inner voice of Maisie was fun and authentic, and the writing style was easy to follow and relate to.
Definitely recommend this book to anyone who is looking for something light but with important and relatable topics.
Additionally, the cover is amazing! Illustrator: Ana Bidault
I myself am passionate about art and felt a deep connection with Maisie and how she was striving to prove herself, but also grow and learn along the way while always following her dream.
The inner voice of Maisie was fun and authentic, and the writing style was easy to follow and relate to.
Definitely recommend this book to anyone who is looking for something light but with important and relatable topics.
Additionally, the cover is amazing! Illustrator: Ana Bidault
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews