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The Paths We Carve
Art prodigy Lydia Holden hasn’t painted in months.
After being trained to paint by her grandfather, a talented artist in his own right, everyone expected Lydia to be the next big name in the art world. But ever since his sudden passing, she hasn’t been able to pick up a paintbrush. Now, in an attempt to live up to at least one half of her family’s legacy, she’s following in the footsteps of her highly successful parents by focusing on her academics instead. She’s doing well on her new path, until she’s paired up with the one person she can’t stand—Aiden Rockholm, her fellow art prodigy who spent years ruthlessly critiquing her paintings—on a school project that could set her up for success in the academic world.
Having no other choice but to work with Aiden, Lydia prepares for a less than enjoyable semester full of arguments and setbacks. As it turns out though, working with Aiden isn’t so bad once they agree to bury the hatchet—which actually allows them to start seeing each other for who they really are. But spending time with Aiden eventually leads to tapping back into her artistic side, and even though they start finding the success with their project she was hoping for, Lydia can’t help but wonder if her decision to pursue academia over art is truly the right one.
With her project, her family’s multiple legacies, and her future all up in the air, Lydia will have to decide which path she wants to take—painting, academics, or a different option she never considered until now—before she loses her chance to leave her own mark on the world.
The Paths We Carve is a contemporary coming-of-age novel filled with lots of heart, emotion, self-discovery, and sweet romance that will be sure to tug at your heartstrings.
After being trained to paint by her grandfather, a talented artist in his own right, everyone expected Lydia to be the next big name in the art world. But ever since his sudden passing, she hasn’t been able to pick up a paintbrush. Now, in an attempt to live up to at least one half of her family’s legacy, she’s following in the footsteps of her highly successful parents by focusing on her academics instead. She’s doing well on her new path, until she’s paired up with the one person she can’t stand—Aiden Rockholm, her fellow art prodigy who spent years ruthlessly critiquing her paintings—on a school project that could set her up for success in the academic world.
Having no other choice but to work with Aiden, Lydia prepares for a less than enjoyable semester full of arguments and setbacks. As it turns out though, working with Aiden isn’t so bad once they agree to bury the hatchet—which actually allows them to start seeing each other for who they really are. But spending time with Aiden eventually leads to tapping back into her artistic side, and even though they start finding the success with their project she was hoping for, Lydia can’t help but wonder if her decision to pursue academia over art is truly the right one.
With her project, her family’s multiple legacies, and her future all up in the air, Lydia will have to decide which path she wants to take—painting, academics, or a different option she never considered until now—before she loses her chance to leave her own mark on the world.
The Paths We Carve is a contemporary coming-of-age novel filled with lots of heart, emotion, self-discovery, and sweet romance that will be sure to tug at your heartstrings.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 29, 2024
15 people want to read
About the author
Abby Peek
2 books11 followersAbby Peek is an avid reader, writer, and overall lover of stories.
Abby writes heartfelt and tender novels with the hope of making her readers feel seen, understood, and loved. Her debut novel, The Cracks That Form Us, is releasing in September of 2023.
Abby grew up in the suburbs of St. Louis, Missouri but now resides in the Kansas City metropolitan area with her husband and their black cat, Spooky. When she’s not reading or writing, you can find her working on a puzzle, playing all kinds of games with her family and friends, wandering through a museum, or watching reality TV.
Abby writes heartfelt and tender novels with the hope of making her readers feel seen, understood, and loved. Her debut novel, The Cracks That Form Us, is releasing in September of 2023.
Abby grew up in the suburbs of St. Louis, Missouri but now resides in the Kansas City metropolitan area with her husband and their black cat, Spooky. When she’s not reading or writing, you can find her working on a puzzle, playing all kinds of games with her family and friends, wandering through a museum, or watching reality TV.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 30, 2024
**Thank you for sending an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**
The Paths We Carve feels like a breath of fresh air for YA novels. Lydia, a high schooler, is grappling with the loss of her grandfather and struggling to reconnect with her passion for art. Instead of painting, she’s following her parents’ academic path, and things get complicated when she’s partnered on a school project with her former rival.
Abby Peek does an incredible job capturing Lydia’s grief journey. The emotional complexity is evident in her reflections on her grandfather and their bond over art, illustrating beautifully how the people we love stay with us, even as life moves on.
The relationships in this story are noteworthy. Lydia’s best friends, Hannah and Dani, are wonderfully supportive characters who bring warmth to the narrative and help Lydia navigate her grief and plans. Additionally, Lydia’s relationship with her parents adds depth, showcasing a grounded family dynamic that highlights the importance of connection during challenging times.
Aiden, the male lead, serves as a perfect counterpoint to Lydia. His laid-back and nice demeanor contrasts with her Type A personality and quick temper, leading to tension that evolves as they work through their issues together.
This book is a cozy read, blending themes of friendship, grief, and self-discovery. Lydia’s journey resonates deeply, making the narrative both relatable and uplifting.
Overall, The Paths We Carve is a touching exploration of loss and renewal, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys character-driven stories with emotional depth.
The Paths We Carve feels like a breath of fresh air for YA novels. Lydia, a high schooler, is grappling with the loss of her grandfather and struggling to reconnect with her passion for art. Instead of painting, she’s following her parents’ academic path, and things get complicated when she’s partnered on a school project with her former rival.
Abby Peek does an incredible job capturing Lydia’s grief journey. The emotional complexity is evident in her reflections on her grandfather and their bond over art, illustrating beautifully how the people we love stay with us, even as life moves on.
The relationships in this story are noteworthy. Lydia’s best friends, Hannah and Dani, are wonderfully supportive characters who bring warmth to the narrative and help Lydia navigate her grief and plans. Additionally, Lydia’s relationship with her parents adds depth, showcasing a grounded family dynamic that highlights the importance of connection during challenging times.
Aiden, the male lead, serves as a perfect counterpoint to Lydia. His laid-back and nice demeanor contrasts with her Type A personality and quick temper, leading to tension that evolves as they work through their issues together.
This book is a cozy read, blending themes of friendship, grief, and self-discovery. Lydia’s journey resonates deeply, making the narrative both relatable and uplifting.
Overall, The Paths We Carve is a touching exploration of loss and renewal, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys character-driven stories with emotional depth.
November 12, 2024
This book was so sweet! 🥹 I love young adult novels that feel like a warm hug. I loved reading Lydia’s journey of finding her own path and learning to open up to and trust people along the way.
May 10, 2025
3.75 stars
I loved the dynamics in this book and the art angle. Though there were maybe a couple of times that the art stuff got a little too detailed for a non-art person. It also took me a little while to get into the story and start caring about the characters, but I kept going since I enjoyed the author's other book and I am glad I did! There were definitely a few spots where grammar/editing errors stuck out - at least four or five, and some of the prose needed tightening. Lydia was dense so many times it started to get a little old, and I think it would have been nice to have Aiden's POV too to balance things. However, I love Abby Peek's style overall and the clean YA contemporary she's producing.
I loved the dynamics in this book and the art angle. Though there were maybe a couple of times that the art stuff got a little too detailed for a non-art person. It also took me a little while to get into the story and start caring about the characters, but I kept going since I enjoyed the author's other book and I am glad I did! There were definitely a few spots where grammar/editing errors stuck out - at least four or five, and some of the prose needed tightening. Lydia was dense so many times it started to get a little old, and I think it would have been nice to have Aiden's POV too to balance things. However, I love Abby Peek's style overall and the clean YA contemporary she's producing.
October 30, 2024
4.5⭐️
It was such an honor to read this novel as an ARC reader, so thank you to Abby for letting me be one! This story is a romance novel but it’s not just a romance novel. Abby has crafted a stunningly poignant and incredibly raw narrative on how grief and hope are two sides of the same coin.
Lydia is grappling with her grandfathers death and subsequently her loss of art. Frozen in time with her grandfathers memory, her art supplies and paints are tucked away in her closet. Lydia is a girl who always has a plan (or seven) and as she navigates her senior year with the weight of grief still heavy on her shoulders, she also is faced with the ongoing pressures of being a legacy painter and the many decisions she has to face as the year progresses. Of course, her many plans didn’t quite account for her art history teacher pairing her with her arch-nemesis for an exhibit project. Nor the fact that maybe she doesn’t absolutely hate every single thing about him.
Lydia, at times, was an infuriating character but in the way that I saw SO much of my own teenage stubbornness, passion and fury. She was written with so much intensity and passion that balanced so well with Aiden’s calmer and outward vulnerability. I adored seeing the slow build up of this story, as Aiden and Lydia work together on the exhibit and as Lydia tries her best to face the easel once more.
I felt like this novel, at its core, was an ode to love. It is love that kindles a passion and perseveres through time. And all the same, it is grief that preserves it and reminds us of something we had, something we still do. In a new shade, a different medium, with a new outlook- but it’s still there all the same.
It was such an honor to read this novel as an ARC reader, so thank you to Abby for letting me be one! This story is a romance novel but it’s not just a romance novel. Abby has crafted a stunningly poignant and incredibly raw narrative on how grief and hope are two sides of the same coin.
Lydia is grappling with her grandfathers death and subsequently her loss of art. Frozen in time with her grandfathers memory, her art supplies and paints are tucked away in her closet. Lydia is a girl who always has a plan (or seven) and as she navigates her senior year with the weight of grief still heavy on her shoulders, she also is faced with the ongoing pressures of being a legacy painter and the many decisions she has to face as the year progresses. Of course, her many plans didn’t quite account for her art history teacher pairing her with her arch-nemesis for an exhibit project. Nor the fact that maybe she doesn’t absolutely hate every single thing about him.
Lydia, at times, was an infuriating character but in the way that I saw SO much of my own teenage stubbornness, passion and fury. She was written with so much intensity and passion that balanced so well with Aiden’s calmer and outward vulnerability. I adored seeing the slow build up of this story, as Aiden and Lydia work together on the exhibit and as Lydia tries her best to face the easel once more.
I felt like this novel, at its core, was an ode to love. It is love that kindles a passion and perseveres through time. And all the same, it is grief that preserves it and reminds us of something we had, something we still do. In a new shade, a different medium, with a new outlook- but it’s still there all the same.
October 28, 2024
I am obsessed with this book!!
Lydia's journey through grief and art, the pressure of her family's legacies and finding her spark again was beautiful. I cried as she navigated the hard parts, laughed when her and Aiden were bantering, and felt for her so much as she struggled with her creative block. Watching her get her love for painting back felt like encouragement to me while stuck in a writing block. Walking through it all with Lydia as she processed and persevered while navigating her complex emotions about art and managing all the nuances of high school made for a story I couldn't put down.
I fell in love with these characters and their art community. I stayed up too late reading and constantly told myself "just one more chapter."
If you're looking for a young adult book with enemies to lovers, a great cast of characters, a lot of growth, and an engaging plot, this is the perfect book.
Lydia's journey through grief and art, the pressure of her family's legacies and finding her spark again was beautiful. I cried as she navigated the hard parts, laughed when her and Aiden were bantering, and felt for her so much as she struggled with her creative block. Watching her get her love for painting back felt like encouragement to me while stuck in a writing block. Walking through it all with Lydia as she processed and persevered while navigating her complex emotions about art and managing all the nuances of high school made for a story I couldn't put down.
I fell in love with these characters and their art community. I stayed up too late reading and constantly told myself "just one more chapter."
If you're looking for a young adult book with enemies to lovers, a great cast of characters, a lot of growth, and an engaging plot, this is the perfect book.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews