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Chilton Crosse ##1
Painting the Moon
When Noelle Cooke inherits a quaint English cottage and an art gallery from her famous Aunt Joy, she welcomes a departure from her San Diego routine. But the lure of the Cotswolds, combined with a locked cottage room and a revealing journal, entice her to stay and discover more, including a way to save the gallery from financial ruin. And that means remaining in England.
When her childhood sweetheart, Adam Spencer, begins work on a restoration project in Noelle’s village, their friendship blossoms. But as her feelings for Adam deepen, she struggles with memories of what might have been and yearns for a future once thought lost. Faced with a life-altering revelation Aunt Joy took to her grave and a wrenching choice regarding the man she loves, Noelle could lose far more than her heart.
When her childhood sweetheart, Adam Spencer, begins work on a restoration project in Noelle’s village, their friendship blossoms. But as her feelings for Adam deepen, she struggles with memories of what might have been and yearns for a future once thought lost. Faced with a life-altering revelation Aunt Joy took to her grave and a wrenching choice regarding the man she loves, Noelle could lose far more than her heart.
311 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2014
1580 people are currently reading
3671 people want to read
About the author
Traci Borum
11 books104 followersTraci Borum is a writing teacher and native Texan. She’s also an avid reader of women’s fiction, most especially Elin Hilderbrand and Rosamunde Pilcher novels. Since the age of 12, she’s written poetry, short stories, magazine articles, and novels.
Traci also adores all things British. She even owns a British dog (Corgi) and is completely addicted to Masterpiece Theater–must be all those dreamy accents! Aside from having big dreams of getting a book published, it’s the little things that make her the happiest: deep talks with friends, a strong cup of hot chocolate, a hearty game of fetch with her Corgi, and puffy white Texas clouds always reminding her to “look up, slow down, enjoy your life.”
You can follow Traci on Facebook and Twitter:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Traci-...
https://twitter.com/TraciAuthor
Traci also adores all things British. She even owns a British dog (Corgi) and is completely addicted to Masterpiece Theater–must be all those dreamy accents! Aside from having big dreams of getting a book published, it’s the little things that make her the happiest: deep talks with friends, a strong cup of hot chocolate, a hearty game of fetch with her Corgi, and puffy white Texas clouds always reminding her to “look up, slow down, enjoy your life.”
You can follow Traci on Facebook and Twitter:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Traci-...
https://twitter.com/TraciAuthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 283 reviews
August 1, 2016
3.5 stars upgraded to four stars for this romance with just a little mystery from Traci Borum.
Noelle is lured to the Cotswolds from San Diego following the death of her Aunt Joy, a renowned artist. Unhappy in her job, and faced with an irate boss who objects to extending her time off so that she can tidy up her aunt's estate, Noelle throws in her job and remains in England, determined to save her aunt's gallery from the financial ruin it is facing.
A locked room in the cottage, her aunt's journal, the reappearance of an old boyfriend, old friends and new all conspire to tease this storyline out into an enjoyable, even if it is a little predictable, read.
Thank you to Netgalley and Red Adept Publishing for providing me with a digital ARC of Painting the Moon in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
Noelle is lured to the Cotswolds from San Diego following the death of her Aunt Joy, a renowned artist. Unhappy in her job, and faced with an irate boss who objects to extending her time off so that she can tidy up her aunt's estate, Noelle throws in her job and remains in England, determined to save her aunt's gallery from the financial ruin it is facing.
A locked room in the cottage, her aunt's journal, the reappearance of an old boyfriend, old friends and new all conspire to tease this storyline out into an enjoyable, even if it is a little predictable, read.
Thank you to Netgalley and Red Adept Publishing for providing me with a digital ARC of Painting the Moon in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
August 10, 2014
I have trouble classifying this as a Romance novel or Women's Fiction because Wuthering Heights is my only basis for comparison. I know little about those genres.
I was moved by this book because the characters showed me what was in their hearts and after closing the book I felt a sense of loss, wondering what happens next in their lives.
The scene that moved me was when Noelle sees Adam for the first time in fourteen years. It is a surprise meeting to both Noelle and the reader, arranged by Noelle's close friend, Jill. I was able to share in Noelle's shock at seeing Adam because the author had so masterfully prepared me with essential background of Noelle's feelings toward Adam from the summer holidays they shared as teenagers.
Noelle didn't know what her feelings would be toward Adam after such a long and silent absence. In that instant of recognition, Noelle confirmed that she still had strong feelings for him. I shared in this stellar event from her compelling perspective.
I was drawn in by the unexpected revelation of how a man could be cherished by a woman with such innocence and purity, with no agenda. I, like many modern men, had become jaded by the materialism so ingrained and pervasive in most cultures where a man's appeal is first measured by his resources. This scene cut through that veil of prejudice like a hot knife, or at least made me forget about it.
The real gift of that moment when Noelle saw and recognized Adam and her electric feelings ignited was that it exemplifies something rare, profound and universal in nature--the spontaneous blossoming of love. Being able to express such a feeling on paper is one thing, but the ability to get a reader to feel it is a rare gift.
I've opened a Danielle Steel book once or twice and could not get past page one. This is NOT that kind of book. I'm not sure how to classify it and not quite ready to write a proper review; so I will do some research and finish this later.
In the meantime, go ahead and buy it. You will not be disappointed. This lady can write.
I was moved by this book because the characters showed me what was in their hearts and after closing the book I felt a sense of loss, wondering what happens next in their lives.
The scene that moved me was when Noelle sees Adam for the first time in fourteen years. It is a surprise meeting to both Noelle and the reader, arranged by Noelle's close friend, Jill. I was able to share in Noelle's shock at seeing Adam because the author had so masterfully prepared me with essential background of Noelle's feelings toward Adam from the summer holidays they shared as teenagers.
Noelle didn't know what her feelings would be toward Adam after such a long and silent absence. In that instant of recognition, Noelle confirmed that she still had strong feelings for him. I shared in this stellar event from her compelling perspective.
I was drawn in by the unexpected revelation of how a man could be cherished by a woman with such innocence and purity, with no agenda. I, like many modern men, had become jaded by the materialism so ingrained and pervasive in most cultures where a man's appeal is first measured by his resources. This scene cut through that veil of prejudice like a hot knife, or at least made me forget about it.
The real gift of that moment when Noelle saw and recognized Adam and her electric feelings ignited was that it exemplifies something rare, profound and universal in nature--the spontaneous blossoming of love. Being able to express such a feeling on paper is one thing, but the ability to get a reader to feel it is a rare gift.
I've opened a Danielle Steel book once or twice and could not get past page one. This is NOT that kind of book. I'm not sure how to classify it and not quite ready to write a proper review; so I will do some research and finish this later.
In the meantime, go ahead and buy it. You will not be disappointed. This lady can write.
June 21, 2015
I want to start off with saying that I am not a big romance book fan, but I am a big fan of Red Adept Publishing and have read several of the books they have published, either really liking or loving each one. When the email came in about this one, the book description sounded interesting and, having read no bad book by them yet, I decided to give it a try.
As a whole, I liked the story. It was cute and I found the characters interesting. I liked how the romance didn't just happen overnight, but things took a little time to see where they would/could go. I liked how it began and it was a surprisingly quick read. It reminded me a lot of a cozy mystery, a bit of light reading, with some twists and turns that were fun to read about. When this book was done, I was excited to move on to the second one.
I had a few problems, though. I thought it was just me with some of the British parts of the book, but after looking at some of the other reviews, I see that I am not the only one who noticed things that didn't seem quite right. (I'm not British, though, so maybe I'm wrong in my understanding.) Also, everything came so easily for the main character and, being considered "Women's Fiction" and "Contemporary Romance," I expected the whole thing to feel a little more realistic. (Not to say that everything comes easily, but, well, you have to read the story for that.)
There were some parts that I expected, and it didn't shock me that they were happening, but there were other parts that were unexpected.
Would I recommend it? Yeah. If you like cozy books, with a cute romance, this could be a good read for you.
Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. Please remember that this review is my opinion based on my interpretation of the book.
As a whole, I liked the story. It was cute and I found the characters interesting. I liked how the romance didn't just happen overnight, but things took a little time to see where they would/could go. I liked how it began and it was a surprisingly quick read. It reminded me a lot of a cozy mystery, a bit of light reading, with some twists and turns that were fun to read about. When this book was done, I was excited to move on to the second one.
I had a few problems, though. I thought it was just me with some of the British parts of the book, but after looking at some of the other reviews, I see that I am not the only one who noticed things that didn't seem quite right. (I'm not British, though, so maybe I'm wrong in my understanding.) Also, everything came so easily for the main character and, being considered "Women's Fiction" and "Contemporary Romance," I expected the whole thing to feel a little more realistic. (Not to say that everything comes easily, but, well, you have to read the story for that.)
There were some parts that I expected, and it didn't shock me that they were happening, but there were other parts that were unexpected.
Would I recommend it? Yeah. If you like cozy books, with a cute romance, this could be a good read for you.
Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. Please remember that this review is my opinion based on my interpretation of the book.
August 6, 2015
Noelle is unsettled in her life and job in San Diego. The best part of her life is her house right on the beach but even that will change as her roommate gets married and leaves. She receives a letter from a lawyer in London discovering the her beloved aunt, who had some horrific event occur causing her to become a recluse, has died. She has inherited her aunt's cottage and art gallery in England. Noelle decides to return to take care of cleaning out and selling her aunt's cottage and gallery. Her aunt has told her that she will find out secrets and surprises and that she should feel free to reveal any of those secrets as she wishes. Her aunt had been a well known painter before her reclusive years and what Noelle discovers as she sifts through her aunt's belongings is more than surprising. On top of this, Noelle is remembering her relationship with two special friends that she spent many summers with. Could she possibly find them before she leaves?
This was a lovely tale that takes us to a wonderful cottage in England and shows the charming, caring relationships among the people in a small village. Friendships from our youth can sometimes pick right up as though we have not been apart for years and new friends can add new dimensions to our lives. When I was reading about the author at the end, I discovered that this was book 1 in a series and book 2 has already been written. A sweet novel that was worth reading.
This was a lovely tale that takes us to a wonderful cottage in England and shows the charming, caring relationships among the people in a small village. Friendships from our youth can sometimes pick right up as though we have not been apart for years and new friends can add new dimensions to our lives. When I was reading about the author at the end, I discovered that this was book 1 in a series and book 2 has already been written. A sweet novel that was worth reading.
January 19, 2016
This was an enjoyable easy read.
May 8, 2020
Noelle, who lives in San Diego, gets word that her great aunt, whom she had spent childhood summers with in England, has died and left her some property. She plans to sell quickly and return to California, but things take a surprising turn while she is in England, and she quits her job and decides to stay in the small village, where she renews old friendships and learns the many secrets of Aunt Joy.
June 30, 2018
I enjoyed this book. It was a bit nostalgic for me because of its setting. It brought memories to mind of my life way back when I lived in England. It was a nice summer read. Clean, with a few little mysteries, I guess you could say. It kept your interest because you wanted answers. It wasn’t one of those OMG books but still enjoyable.
March 7, 2016
For those of you over 30, ever felt like you have lived multiple lives, and felt a rip in the space time continuum when those past lives collided together? Has a trip down memory lane ever left you wondering “Am I really living and how disappointed would my younger self be with me now?” Sorry for the integration, but it is relevant to my review.
Traci Borum’s Painting The Moon takes us on a literary journey that will hit all too close to home for many of us. As adults, we need to stop weighing risks and just live. Noelle Cooke is forced to face her past lives and dreams when her aunt dies, and Noelle must travel around the world to deal with her inherited estate and the mysteries of unanswered questions that her aunt left behind. What seems as a simple legal transaction turns into a life altering self journey.
This is an adult fairytale, meaning very plausible - which I love! No fairy godmothers or mystical powers to grant our heroine a happy ever after. It’s just a profound self awareness, rare courage and bravo that can fulfill a little girls dreams and guide a grown woman to true happiness.
Overall, Borum delivers a story that will have us all reflecting on past experiences, evaluating our decisions, and questioning our futures in this well deserved 4.75 to 5 star story.
~*Disclaimer: This post was originally written for the Genuine Jenn blog. I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are honest and my own.*~
Traci Borum’s Painting The Moon takes us on a literary journey that will hit all too close to home for many of us. As adults, we need to stop weighing risks and just live. Noelle Cooke is forced to face her past lives and dreams when her aunt dies, and Noelle must travel around the world to deal with her inherited estate and the mysteries of unanswered questions that her aunt left behind. What seems as a simple legal transaction turns into a life altering self journey.
This is an adult fairytale, meaning very plausible - which I love! No fairy godmothers or mystical powers to grant our heroine a happy ever after. It’s just a profound self awareness, rare courage and bravo that can fulfill a little girls dreams and guide a grown woman to true happiness.
Overall, Borum delivers a story that will have us all reflecting on past experiences, evaluating our decisions, and questioning our futures in this well deserved 4.75 to 5 star story.
~*Disclaimer: This post was originally written for the Genuine Jenn blog. I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are honest and my own.*~
October 20, 2016
Check out my review on Diary of an Eccentric
July 29, 2014
In the latest new release from Red Adept Publishing, Painting The Moon by Traci Borum, we're given a rare, beautiful, mysterious love story that is about so much more than two lovers.
It's clean romance, which is rare enough these days, and it hits so much deeper than anything I've read lately (and I've read a lot!).
Noelle spent her teenage summers in a London suburb, with her Gram and her lovable, artistic Aunt Joy. There she made two wonderful friends, Jill and Adam, and made memories to last a lifetime.
Fourteen years passed after her last summer, when she'd left with bad feelings in her heart, her aunt has passed away and left her her cottage in Chilton Crosse, her art gallery and the cottage at the ocean, where renters keep it afloat.
The gallery is in debt, the cottage needs to be emptied fit sale and Noelle only has three days. What she doesn't need is for Jill to want get together...with Adam, Noelle's unrequited love.
Secrets, old emotions and the lure of England keep Noelle's head spinning. What will she do?
From the first page, the reader will be hooked into wanting to know more, about everything!
The female lead, Noelle, is strong, independent, talented and brave, the perfect woman anyone above sixteen will want to read a book about. Joy is an up-front, slightly mystical figure, a main character, even though she's dead through the entire story, save flashbacks.
It's a novel about life, death, love, regret, longing and art. The painting is so prominent in the story, I consider it a character in itself.
You'll laugh, cry, smile, sigh and have your heart break and mend a million times before the book ends.
One of the best romance stories I've read since Jane Eyre!
5/5--excellent!
It's clean romance, which is rare enough these days, and it hits so much deeper than anything I've read lately (and I've read a lot!).
Noelle spent her teenage summers in a London suburb, with her Gram and her lovable, artistic Aunt Joy. There she made two wonderful friends, Jill and Adam, and made memories to last a lifetime.
Fourteen years passed after her last summer, when she'd left with bad feelings in her heart, her aunt has passed away and left her her cottage in Chilton Crosse, her art gallery and the cottage at the ocean, where renters keep it afloat.
The gallery is in debt, the cottage needs to be emptied fit sale and Noelle only has three days. What she doesn't need is for Jill to want get together...with Adam, Noelle's unrequited love.
Secrets, old emotions and the lure of England keep Noelle's head spinning. What will she do?
From the first page, the reader will be hooked into wanting to know more, about everything!
The female lead, Noelle, is strong, independent, talented and brave, the perfect woman anyone above sixteen will want to read a book about. Joy is an up-front, slightly mystical figure, a main character, even though she's dead through the entire story, save flashbacks.
It's a novel about life, death, love, regret, longing and art. The painting is so prominent in the story, I consider it a character in itself.
You'll laugh, cry, smile, sigh and have your heart break and mend a million times before the book ends.
One of the best romance stories I've read since Jane Eyre!
5/5--excellent!
July 16, 2018
I got this one off Amazon for free because I thought the plot sounded unique. I wasn't disappointed. I usually read more gritty noir type mysteries but I do like the occasional mystery that is more light-hearted. The primary plot revolves around Noelle Cook. I won't rehash the basic plot as you can read that in the summary - what I will say is, I like Noelle. I can't connect with a book when I can't get invested in the main character. Noelle is a solid lead, she's believable and likable. You want her to succeed and I enjoyed watching her evolve. As the story unfolds, I was surprised more than once by the twists and turns it took. The romantic side was fairly predictable but also enjoyable - why? Because the author took the time to let the reader watch the characters evolve. They weren't rushed or pushed into unrealistic scenes. I felt their emotion as I read. Noelle wanted to do the right thing and her feelings and reactions seemed very real. Kudos on the mystery surrounding Aunt Joy. This is well-written and I'd recommend it to those that appreciate a cozy mystery with a side of romance. No graphic content. 4/5
July 9, 2014
Brilliant, beautiful, and heartwarming story about love in all it's wondrous facets. Borum's use of color and imagery, inspired by the snippets of painting advice laced throughout the book, make the novel rich, vibrant, and alive with feeling. Each quote of artistic instruction to start the chapter resonates as a kind guide about life as well as art. I rooted for Noelle the entire time, looking at her through the lens of a big sister and wishing her to succeed. I connected with best friend Jill and adored love interest Adam. Borum's characters are as rounded and three dimensional as her incredibly evocative settings. Five stars isn't enough. I'm hooked on this series!
July 27, 2014
This was a fun light read that I would classify as women's fiction. The characters has enough depth to keep it from slipping into 'chick lit' territory. It's set in England and is about a great niece who inherits her aunt's estate in England. Her aunt had some secrets that her niece, Noelle, slowly unveils throughout the book. All in all it was a fun read that is perfect for summer.
May 19, 2019
"Art is magic. Take an empty canvas, blank and shapeless, and inject it with depth, colour, and purpose. Artists are creators. We create energy where there's dullness and produce life where there is nothing."
This was a wonderful idea for a story but sadly, the execution didn't work for me. As I don't always mesh well with contemporary romance books, it was the mystery plotline that piqued my interest with this one, but I was disappointed to see that it was quickly put on the back burner and the book focused on the romance.
The setting in a small British village was lovely and I absolutely adored all the parts about painting/creating art. Aunt Joy's cottage is basically my dream house, that's why I really liked the initial idea of Noelle inheriting the house and moving to the quiet village. However, soon the things started to be too perfect for a realistic contemporary novel. On top of that, the book dragged mercilessly for me. The mysterious plotline would've been much more enjoyable, if not for the fact that the main character was more occupied with other things and romance, to solve it, so it took her almost a year. I honestly thought that it was a bit too much and all my interest was mostly gone at that point.
And lastly, I couldn't bring myself to fully like and sympathise with the characters and disliked the main romantic relationship. I don't want to write any spoilers, but it's one of the types of relationships that I can't stand in books, not to mention that the main female character suddenly falls heads over heals for the guy after not even thinking about him for the past 14 years. I can't call it insta-love, because of their past but it was still very abrupt and took over the story really fast.
All in all, I know that there are readers who will enjoy this book much more than I did, but I think that for now I'm better off not reading women's fiction too often.
~~~
For more bookish goodies, check out my Tumblr, Instagram and Twitter :)
This was a wonderful idea for a story but sadly, the execution didn't work for me. As I don't always mesh well with contemporary romance books, it was the mystery plotline that piqued my interest with this one, but I was disappointed to see that it was quickly put on the back burner and the book focused on the romance.
The setting in a small British village was lovely and I absolutely adored all the parts about painting/creating art. Aunt Joy's cottage is basically my dream house, that's why I really liked the initial idea of Noelle inheriting the house and moving to the quiet village. However, soon the things started to be too perfect for a realistic contemporary novel. On top of that, the book dragged mercilessly for me. The mysterious plotline would've been much more enjoyable, if not for the fact that the main character was more occupied with other things and romance, to solve it, so it took her almost a year. I honestly thought that it was a bit too much and all my interest was mostly gone at that point.
And lastly, I couldn't bring myself to fully like and sympathise with the characters and disliked the main romantic relationship. I don't want to write any spoilers, but it's one of the types of relationships that I can't stand in books, not to mention that the main female character suddenly falls heads over heals for the guy after not even thinking about him for the past 14 years. I can't call it insta-love, because of their past but it was still very abrupt and took over the story really fast.
All in all, I know that there are readers who will enjoy this book much more than I did, but I think that for now I'm better off not reading women's fiction too often.
~~~
For more bookish goodies, check out my Tumblr, Instagram and Twitter :)
June 27, 2018
Great romance
This book was amazing. It had such a poignant romance with tons of emotion. Loved this novel. Now onto the next
This book was amazing. It had such a poignant romance with tons of emotion. Loved this novel. Now onto the next
June 23, 2018
Painting the Moon
The title of this book was intriguing. I enjoy books with history set in England. Noelle, Jill, Adam, Grammy, Aunt Joy, Mac, Laurel, and the Cotswold are the heart of this beautiful story. Painting the Moon brought joy, tears, and love. The author has done a incredible book and I look forward to reading more of her books.
The title of this book was intriguing. I enjoy books with history set in England. Noelle, Jill, Adam, Grammy, Aunt Joy, Mac, Laurel, and the Cotswold are the heart of this beautiful story. Painting the Moon brought joy, tears, and love. The author has done a incredible book and I look forward to reading more of her books.
November 23, 2024
Is was longer than needed and OK, I put it down months ago and I was between books so decided to finish it.
June 13, 2015
For a San Diegan who loves England enough to consider moving there, Painting the Moon spoke to me in more than ways than one. I had to Google pictures of the Cotswolds, but once I did, I knew I'd be all over that opportunity if I was Noelle. Noelle is in a dead-end job, although she lives on the beach, so that's almost a wash. But she has no love life and a jerk of a boss, so not sure the beach house wins out any more. When her great aunt passes away, leaving her entire estate to Noelle, she flies to England to handle the legalities.
The longer she's in the English countryside, the less she's in a hurry to return to her mundane job and her dreamy beach house. Her aunt's cottage with all of its divine charm is a pretty good substitute. But it rains a lot in England, so we're back to even. Until Noelle discovers a secret stash of never-before-seen paintings by her famous-artist aunt, and suddenly Noelle has more money that she knows what to do with.
Having spent her summers visiting her aunt and grandmother in her teens, Noelle rekindles her childhood friendships with her two best British friends, Jill and her teenage crush, Adam Spencer. Noelle realizes she still has feelings for Adam, but he's engaged to someone else. Still, the draw of Chilton Crosse is stronger than San Diego and she decides to stay. The story unfolds slowly, like a lazy summer day, as Noelle adapts to her new life, and uncovers more secrets her aunt has kept hidden away for decades.
Plot
The main plot is likely the romance between Noelle and Adam, but the mysteries around Aunt Joy are almost neck-and-neck with the romance. The romance is subtle and there is almost zero heat, but there is a sweetness that more than makes up for it.
World Building
The author does an incredible job with scene setting. She places the reader in the heart of the small village outside of Bath. It's easy to picture the sights, hear the sounds, smell the fresh air. She captures a small village atmosphere that feels like something right out of Waking Ned Devine.
Characters
The cast is intriguing, everyone from Noelle, the transplanted American, to the town full of eclectic characters, to childhood besties Jill and Adam, and even Aunt Joy, who we only know through her journal entries and paintings. There's a complexity to each one, even Mac the caretaker, that makes the story come alive in a colorful way.
Writing
The writing is fluid and nuanced, painting the scenery with words and placing three-dimension characters in that scenery to act out a layered story. The book seems to straddle the fence between woman's fiction and literary, never quite landing on either side of that fence, making it unique.
Ending
The ending wraps up all loose ends in a satisfactory way, bringing closure to the story in the way you'd close the door of your English countryside cottage at the end of the day and plop down on your favorite couch with a cup of tea. It's soothing, comforting, and warm.
Top Five Things I enjoyed about Painting the Moon
1. Joy's Paintings. The story of Joy's hidden past, revealed through paintings was a clever tool for working in backstory, one I've not seen used before.
2. Adam. From unsure teen to rekindled love interest, he has this adorkable vibe about him that I love.
3. Jill. She's fun, spunky, outgoing, the yin to Noelle's yang in all the right ways.
4. Mac. There's so much to love about this affable, yet sometimes cantankerous, Scotsman.
5. Joe's Pub. This is the quintessential small English countryside village gathering place where everyone really does know your name.
Bottom Line
I very much enjoyed Painting the Moon. It was a lazy stroll through a lush field on a warm summer day.
Disclaimer
I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The longer she's in the English countryside, the less she's in a hurry to return to her mundane job and her dreamy beach house. Her aunt's cottage with all of its divine charm is a pretty good substitute. But it rains a lot in England, so we're back to even. Until Noelle discovers a secret stash of never-before-seen paintings by her famous-artist aunt, and suddenly Noelle has more money that she knows what to do with.
Having spent her summers visiting her aunt and grandmother in her teens, Noelle rekindles her childhood friendships with her two best British friends, Jill and her teenage crush, Adam Spencer. Noelle realizes she still has feelings for Adam, but he's engaged to someone else. Still, the draw of Chilton Crosse is stronger than San Diego and she decides to stay. The story unfolds slowly, like a lazy summer day, as Noelle adapts to her new life, and uncovers more secrets her aunt has kept hidden away for decades.
Plot
The main plot is likely the romance between Noelle and Adam, but the mysteries around Aunt Joy are almost neck-and-neck with the romance. The romance is subtle and there is almost zero heat, but there is a sweetness that more than makes up for it.
World Building
The author does an incredible job with scene setting. She places the reader in the heart of the small village outside of Bath. It's easy to picture the sights, hear the sounds, smell the fresh air. She captures a small village atmosphere that feels like something right out of Waking Ned Devine.
Characters
The cast is intriguing, everyone from Noelle, the transplanted American, to the town full of eclectic characters, to childhood besties Jill and Adam, and even Aunt Joy, who we only know through her journal entries and paintings. There's a complexity to each one, even Mac the caretaker, that makes the story come alive in a colorful way.
Writing
The writing is fluid and nuanced, painting the scenery with words and placing three-dimension characters in that scenery to act out a layered story. The book seems to straddle the fence between woman's fiction and literary, never quite landing on either side of that fence, making it unique.
Ending
The ending wraps up all loose ends in a satisfactory way, bringing closure to the story in the way you'd close the door of your English countryside cottage at the end of the day and plop down on your favorite couch with a cup of tea. It's soothing, comforting, and warm.
Top Five Things I enjoyed about Painting the Moon
1. Joy's Paintings. The story of Joy's hidden past, revealed through paintings was a clever tool for working in backstory, one I've not seen used before.
2. Adam. From unsure teen to rekindled love interest, he has this adorkable vibe about him that I love.
3. Jill. She's fun, spunky, outgoing, the yin to Noelle's yang in all the right ways.
4. Mac. There's so much to love about this affable, yet sometimes cantankerous, Scotsman.
5. Joe's Pub. This is the quintessential small English countryside village gathering place where everyone really does know your name.
Bottom Line
I very much enjoyed Painting the Moon. It was a lazy stroll through a lush field on a warm summer day.
Disclaimer
I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
October 20, 2015
If you are looking for a romantic, angst-filled, second chance at love read, you may want to consider Painting the Moon by Traci Borum. There is no physical drama here or “make you blush” steamy scenes, my romance book-loving friends. It’s all about the emotions. Ms. Borum proves you don’t need a lot of dirty talk to speak the language of love. Instead, she uses longing, regret, memories, innocent touches, and stolen glances to convey the main couple’s chemistry.
Noelle has never gotten over her feelings of unrequited love towards Adam. The teenage boy who captured her heart during her frequent summer trips to England while visiting her Aunt Joy. Including the almost kiss she wished had happened. However, due to some unexplained family drama, Aunt Joy had suddenly pushed everyone away and then lived in seclusion until her death, leaving Noelle her sole benefactor. It takes travelling back to Chilton Crosse for Noelle to slowly piece together what happened to her famous artist aunt.
She unexpectedly finds herself running into Adam, but only to discover he is recently engaged. There lies why some may have issues with this story. Not only are they not a couple throughout the entire book, but Adam is living with his fiancé. Noelle even begins dating someone else, but mainly to help her move on from Adam. There is also a lot of time spent on secondary characters/other items (Aunt Joy, Mac, the diary, daily happenings within the village, etc.). Normally, I do not like my romantic reads to deviate so much time from the main couple’s interactions. Perhaps, it was because I needed to cleanse my literary reading palate from the instant lust to love, steamy reads I’ve been coming across lately. Maybe I simply enjoyed this author’s writing style so much I didn’t mind this slower, more drawn out approach to their HEA.
Don’t get me wrong. The couple do spend time together via dinners, a village festival, picnic, phone calls, etc. You definitely get the feeling Adam never was madly in love with his girlfriend. It was likely he proposed only because they had dated so long. They seemed to seldom be together because of their busy careers. Noelle also did not set out to win him back. In fact, they both at times even tried to avoid each other. Neither wanted to hurt his fiance. But the heart wants what it wants and their love can no longer be denied.
Overall, I found Painting the Moon refreshingly romantic and engaging. I’ll soon be delving into Finding the Rainbow to find out what happens next in this series.
Title: Painting the Moon, Series: Chilton Crosse (Book 1), Author: Traci Borum, stand-alone, HEA, romantic angst, no steamy scenes, hero is engaged to another, second chance romance.
Book 1 – Painting the Moon (Noelle and Adam), 6/7/14, Pages: 310
Book 2 – Finding the Rainbow (Holly and Fletcher), 3/24/15, Pages: 300
Book 3 – Seeking the Star, 10/6/15, Pages: 200
(This review is based on NetGalley ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.)
Noelle has never gotten over her feelings of unrequited love towards Adam. The teenage boy who captured her heart during her frequent summer trips to England while visiting her Aunt Joy. Including the almost kiss she wished had happened. However, due to some unexplained family drama, Aunt Joy had suddenly pushed everyone away and then lived in seclusion until her death, leaving Noelle her sole benefactor. It takes travelling back to Chilton Crosse for Noelle to slowly piece together what happened to her famous artist aunt.
She unexpectedly finds herself running into Adam, but only to discover he is recently engaged. There lies why some may have issues with this story. Not only are they not a couple throughout the entire book, but Adam is living with his fiancé. Noelle even begins dating someone else, but mainly to help her move on from Adam. There is also a lot of time spent on secondary characters/other items (Aunt Joy, Mac, the diary, daily happenings within the village, etc.). Normally, I do not like my romantic reads to deviate so much time from the main couple’s interactions. Perhaps, it was because I needed to cleanse my literary reading palate from the instant lust to love, steamy reads I’ve been coming across lately. Maybe I simply enjoyed this author’s writing style so much I didn’t mind this slower, more drawn out approach to their HEA.
Don’t get me wrong. The couple do spend time together via dinners, a village festival, picnic, phone calls, etc. You definitely get the feeling Adam never was madly in love with his girlfriend. It was likely he proposed only because they had dated so long. They seemed to seldom be together because of their busy careers. Noelle also did not set out to win him back. In fact, they both at times even tried to avoid each other. Neither wanted to hurt his fiance. But the heart wants what it wants and their love can no longer be denied.
Overall, I found Painting the Moon refreshingly romantic and engaging. I’ll soon be delving into Finding the Rainbow to find out what happens next in this series.
Title: Painting the Moon, Series: Chilton Crosse (Book 1), Author: Traci Borum, stand-alone, HEA, romantic angst, no steamy scenes, hero is engaged to another, second chance romance.
Book 1 – Painting the Moon (Noelle and Adam), 6/7/14, Pages: 310
Book 2 – Finding the Rainbow (Holly and Fletcher), 3/24/15, Pages: 300
Book 3 – Seeking the Star, 10/6/15, Pages: 200
(This review is based on NetGalley ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.)
November 27, 2015
If you are looking for a charming series, set in the idyllic countryside of Cotswold, filled to the brim with delightful and charming characters, you can't help but love, then look no further than Tracy Borum's Chilton Crosse series. In Painting the Moon, the first novel in the series, we are introduced to the small town of Chilton Crosse, buried in a quaint English village. Noelle Cooke has made the journey to the town after hearing of her late aunt Joy's death. She has 3 days leave from her employer in San Diego to settle the affairs and get back to work.
Among those details are not only getting her Aunt's cottage ready for sale, but sorting through the years of belongings to decide which must stay and what she can donate or ship home. What she doesn't expect to find is a locked door upstairs and no apparent key. Thinking she will tackle that one later, she heads to the gallery her Aunt also owned and finds that it is bordering on bankruptcy unless she can raise enough money to salvage it. It's been quite some time since Noelle has been back and is looking forward to connecting with her childhood friend Jill while she is in town. She just never expected Jill to invite her former crush Adam Spencer who is working nearby on a renovation project in the town nearby.
However she tries to fight her emotions, she knows that Adam is the one man she wishes she could have fallen for many many years ago. Even though for Noelle, the relationships she has attempted to have, have all fallen flat. As the time draws to a close, Noelle realizes that 3 days isn't enough time to settle what she needs to accomplish in England, however when her boss gives her an ultimatum, she immediately considers the implications of staying. Would it be possible to find a job if she stayed? Would there be a future with Adam? Did her Aunt Joy have more in store for her than just what her eyes can see? Only time will tell!
I received Painting the Moon by Traci Borum compliments of Red Adept Publishing for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation, aside from a free copy of this book, in exchange for my honest review. This is such a heartwarming series and I can't wait to pick up the next one, Finding the Rainbow! The characters you meet in this village are as real as the pages in the books from Mac MacDonald, the local handyman with a strong Scottish accent that always dispenses wisdom along with a sharing a cup of tea to the 90 year old gentlemen outside the bakery passing out samples of his daughters blueberry scones. You might just want to brew a pot of tea, pick up some biscuits or scones and settle down for a evening by the fire for this one. Well worth all 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion.
Among those details are not only getting her Aunt's cottage ready for sale, but sorting through the years of belongings to decide which must stay and what she can donate or ship home. What she doesn't expect to find is a locked door upstairs and no apparent key. Thinking she will tackle that one later, she heads to the gallery her Aunt also owned and finds that it is bordering on bankruptcy unless she can raise enough money to salvage it. It's been quite some time since Noelle has been back and is looking forward to connecting with her childhood friend Jill while she is in town. She just never expected Jill to invite her former crush Adam Spencer who is working nearby on a renovation project in the town nearby.
However she tries to fight her emotions, she knows that Adam is the one man she wishes she could have fallen for many many years ago. Even though for Noelle, the relationships she has attempted to have, have all fallen flat. As the time draws to a close, Noelle realizes that 3 days isn't enough time to settle what she needs to accomplish in England, however when her boss gives her an ultimatum, she immediately considers the implications of staying. Would it be possible to find a job if she stayed? Would there be a future with Adam? Did her Aunt Joy have more in store for her than just what her eyes can see? Only time will tell!
I received Painting the Moon by Traci Borum compliments of Red Adept Publishing for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation, aside from a free copy of this book, in exchange for my honest review. This is such a heartwarming series and I can't wait to pick up the next one, Finding the Rainbow! The characters you meet in this village are as real as the pages in the books from Mac MacDonald, the local handyman with a strong Scottish accent that always dispenses wisdom along with a sharing a cup of tea to the 90 year old gentlemen outside the bakery passing out samples of his daughters blueberry scones. You might just want to brew a pot of tea, pick up some biscuits or scones and settle down for a evening by the fire for this one. Well worth all 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion.
May 16, 2015
Can I please just say how much I love this novel. I mean truly love it. Traci Borum is a fantastic writer and has a gift for transporting a reader to a new place from the comfort of their living sipping tea along with the characters in the precious town of Chilton Crosse. I'm moving there, by the way. #livinginabook
When Noelle Cooke inherits a quaint English cottage and an art gallery from her famous Aunt Joy, she welcomes a departure from her San Diego routine. But the lure of the Cotswolds, combined with a locked cottage room and a revealing journal, entice her to stay and discover more, including a way to save the gallery from financial ruin. And that means remaining in England.
When her childhood sweetheart, Adam Spencer, begins work on a restoration project in Noelle’s village, their friendship blossoms. But as her feelings for Adam deepen, she struggles with memories of what might have been and yearns for a future once thought lost. Faced with a life-altering revelation Aunt Joy took to her grave and a wrenching choice regarding the man she loves, Noelle could lose far more than her heart.
And just in case the plot isn't enough to make you picture a lovely Sunday afternoon of reading - check out the book trailer at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFez-...
This is a truly well crafted, dazzling, and touching piece of literature. I was immersed from page one and it left me feeling genuinely happy. This book is literally like a warm hug. I don't know how else to explain it. Her gift for creating language and ideas that comfortably sequence into a plot that never lulls or presses is something I've not seen in women's fiction in quite some time. She is a softer Nora Roberts and I say this as a compliment.
The next book in the series is Finding the Rainbow and I've already read it - and loved it! But that's for another review.
About the author:
Traci Borum is a writing teacher and native Texan (WOOT WOOT!). She’s also an avid reader of women’s fiction, most especially Elin Hilderbrand and Rosamunde Pilcher novels. Since the age of 12, she’s written poetry, short stories, magazine articles, and novels.
Traci also adores all things British. She even owns a British dog (Corgi) and is completely addicted to Masterpiece Theater–must be all those dreamy accents! Aside from having big dreams of getting a book published, it’s the little things that make her the happiest: deep talks with friends, a strong cup of hot chocolate, a hearty game of fetch with her Corgi, and puffy white Texas clouds always reminding her to “look up, slow down, enjoy your life.”
When Noelle Cooke inherits a quaint English cottage and an art gallery from her famous Aunt Joy, she welcomes a departure from her San Diego routine. But the lure of the Cotswolds, combined with a locked cottage room and a revealing journal, entice her to stay and discover more, including a way to save the gallery from financial ruin. And that means remaining in England.
When her childhood sweetheart, Adam Spencer, begins work on a restoration project in Noelle’s village, their friendship blossoms. But as her feelings for Adam deepen, she struggles with memories of what might have been and yearns for a future once thought lost. Faced with a life-altering revelation Aunt Joy took to her grave and a wrenching choice regarding the man she loves, Noelle could lose far more than her heart.
And just in case the plot isn't enough to make you picture a lovely Sunday afternoon of reading - check out the book trailer at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFez-...
This is a truly well crafted, dazzling, and touching piece of literature. I was immersed from page one and it left me feeling genuinely happy. This book is literally like a warm hug. I don't know how else to explain it. Her gift for creating language and ideas that comfortably sequence into a plot that never lulls or presses is something I've not seen in women's fiction in quite some time. She is a softer Nora Roberts and I say this as a compliment.
The next book in the series is Finding the Rainbow and I've already read it - and loved it! But that's for another review.
About the author:
Traci Borum is a writing teacher and native Texan (WOOT WOOT!). She’s also an avid reader of women’s fiction, most especially Elin Hilderbrand and Rosamunde Pilcher novels. Since the age of 12, she’s written poetry, short stories, magazine articles, and novels.
Traci also adores all things British. She even owns a British dog (Corgi) and is completely addicted to Masterpiece Theater–must be all those dreamy accents! Aside from having big dreams of getting a book published, it’s the little things that make her the happiest: deep talks with friends, a strong cup of hot chocolate, a hearty game of fetch with her Corgi, and puffy white Texas clouds always reminding her to “look up, slow down, enjoy your life.”
June 21, 2015
I loved Painting the Moon. It was enchanting, romantic and adventurous. One of the only ways I can explain just how much I enjoyed the book and the author's writing style (which I hope to read more of) is to use a few of my favorite quotes from the book. I'm sure you'll agree once you've experience the writing.
"...her aunt had proclaimed it the most beautiful sheep she had ever seen, and Noelle had believed her. They painted every summer after that. Noelle still heard the swishy brushstrokes, saw the easels side-by-side in the garden, smelled the blueberry scones Gram baked almost every day to set silently on a tray between them.
And during those lessons, Joy issued wise nuggets of advice, honed by years and years of artistic experience. Wisdom about technique, perspective, and texture - and life. Noelle always heard teh message between the lines, even at a young age, and knew Joy was talking about more than just a paintbrush or canvas. Noelle always thought Joy should write down her bits of artistic wisdom and maybe publish them someday.
...As much as you enjoy the rush of accomplishment, equally welcome the sting of frustration. Accept it as part of the process - that brush effect you can't get "just right" or the failure to mix the colours the way your mind's eye sees them. Without the frustration, we can't fully enjoy the beauty of sucess.
...A painting offers immortality. When we put out colours onto the canvas, we put ourselves there. And as long as that painting stands, even a hundred years from now - whether in a stranger's parlor, a loved one's home, or even a museum - we exist.
...Use the darkness inside you - take something you long for, something out of reach, and look for it inside your painting, knowing you might not ever find it. Because that quest, that hunger, will translate into something raw and real.
There are so many more quotes that I outlined to go back and read. I loved the story and the writing. It was a book that made you forget the outside world and took you to a little place in England, to a hillside, and that is where you spend your time once you open the book.
I am looking forward to more stories about the little town and its wonderful people.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. more at www.mylifeonestoryatatime.com
"...her aunt had proclaimed it the most beautiful sheep she had ever seen, and Noelle had believed her. They painted every summer after that. Noelle still heard the swishy brushstrokes, saw the easels side-by-side in the garden, smelled the blueberry scones Gram baked almost every day to set silently on a tray between them.
And during those lessons, Joy issued wise nuggets of advice, honed by years and years of artistic experience. Wisdom about technique, perspective, and texture - and life. Noelle always heard teh message between the lines, even at a young age, and knew Joy was talking about more than just a paintbrush or canvas. Noelle always thought Joy should write down her bits of artistic wisdom and maybe publish them someday.
...As much as you enjoy the rush of accomplishment, equally welcome the sting of frustration. Accept it as part of the process - that brush effect you can't get "just right" or the failure to mix the colours the way your mind's eye sees them. Without the frustration, we can't fully enjoy the beauty of sucess.
...A painting offers immortality. When we put out colours onto the canvas, we put ourselves there. And as long as that painting stands, even a hundred years from now - whether in a stranger's parlor, a loved one's home, or even a museum - we exist.
...Use the darkness inside you - take something you long for, something out of reach, and look for it inside your painting, knowing you might not ever find it. Because that quest, that hunger, will translate into something raw and real.
There are so many more quotes that I outlined to go back and read. I loved the story and the writing. It was a book that made you forget the outside world and took you to a little place in England, to a hillside, and that is where you spend your time once you open the book.
I am looking forward to more stories about the little town and its wonderful people.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. more at www.mylifeonestoryatatime.com
September 3, 2015
Painting the Moon (Chilton Crosse Book 1) is by Traci Borum. It is an excellent book and is a delightful read. It is one that can be read in one sitting or you can draw it out into multiple readings and relish each one. It deals with relationships and dealing with those that go wrong. Second chances are addressed as well as family betrayal. It is a romance and a mystery at the same time. It is also the story of friendships that last over years even when you don’t see each other.
Noelle Cooke is trying to be happy with her San Diego job and home; but it is hard with her boss. So she is looking for another job and even has an interview set up. Then she received notification that her Aunt Joy, an English artist, has died and she is needed to sign papers and decide what to do with Aunt Joy’s home in the Cotswolds. Noelle hasn’t seen or heard from her aunt in a long time. She knew something happened in the town’s art gallery and Aunt Joy went into seclusion. Noelle tried again and again to get her aunt to write her; but Aunt Joy didn’t. Now it was too late. Now it occurred to Noelle that she should have flown over and confronted her aunt. Now she was back at her Aunt Joy’s cottage where things looked the same but were not the same. Aunt Joy was not there nor was her grandmother.
Noelle had spent summers with her Grandmother and her Grandmother’s sister Aunt Joy. Her own mother was too self-centered to keep her over the summers. Her father’s new family didn’t want her either, so Grandmother and Aunt Joy came to the rescue. Those were wonderful memories- Sand, sea, and her best friends Jill and Adam. As her memories came back, she began to wonder where Jill and Adam were. It turns out they were an hour or so away in London. Jill was over the moon excited to hear from Noelle and wanted her to come to London immediately to meet Jill’s husband Gareth. When Noelle arrived, Jill had a surprise for her. Adam was invited to dinner too and was thrilled to see both of them. Can their friendship be renewed that fast? Was it real?
What was Noelle to do with Aunt Joy’s things? What had Aunt Joy been doing all those years? No one seemed to know and no one knew what caused Aunt Joy to go into seclusion. Maybe Noelle can find out? What was behind the locked door in the cottage?
It is a fascinating novel.
Noelle Cooke is trying to be happy with her San Diego job and home; but it is hard with her boss. So she is looking for another job and even has an interview set up. Then she received notification that her Aunt Joy, an English artist, has died and she is needed to sign papers and decide what to do with Aunt Joy’s home in the Cotswolds. Noelle hasn’t seen or heard from her aunt in a long time. She knew something happened in the town’s art gallery and Aunt Joy went into seclusion. Noelle tried again and again to get her aunt to write her; but Aunt Joy didn’t. Now it was too late. Now it occurred to Noelle that she should have flown over and confronted her aunt. Now she was back at her Aunt Joy’s cottage where things looked the same but were not the same. Aunt Joy was not there nor was her grandmother.
Noelle had spent summers with her Grandmother and her Grandmother’s sister Aunt Joy. Her own mother was too self-centered to keep her over the summers. Her father’s new family didn’t want her either, so Grandmother and Aunt Joy came to the rescue. Those were wonderful memories- Sand, sea, and her best friends Jill and Adam. As her memories came back, she began to wonder where Jill and Adam were. It turns out they were an hour or so away in London. Jill was over the moon excited to hear from Noelle and wanted her to come to London immediately to meet Jill’s husband Gareth. When Noelle arrived, Jill had a surprise for her. Adam was invited to dinner too and was thrilled to see both of them. Can their friendship be renewed that fast? Was it real?
What was Noelle to do with Aunt Joy’s things? What had Aunt Joy been doing all those years? No one seemed to know and no one knew what caused Aunt Joy to go into seclusion. Maybe Noelle can find out? What was behind the locked door in the cottage?
It is a fascinating novel.
August 16, 2014
From the first chapter, Painting The Moon has captivated me with its picturesque settings. I’ve always wanted to visit quaint little villages in Great Britain and this was set in just one. The setting was beautifully written and I can perfectly imagine what the place looks like.
For me, Painting The Moon is more of a women’s fiction than romance. In fact, the romance aspect of the story a bit bland. Which is just perfect for this kind of story. It’s a great book and definitely entertaining to read but if you’re looking for passionate romance or sizzling chemistry, find another book (I can’t say that it won’t be your loss, though). In fact, this is a clean literature. And the author proved that you don’t need passionate scenes to portray love.
So romance aside, Painting The Moon is wonderfully written. It’s kind of poetic in how the author told the story. The story was smooth and easy to connect to. The plot is really interesting. There are actually two stories here. One is about Noelle, and the other is from the letters and diaries she reads from her Aunt Joy. It was fun to read about Aunt Joy’s secrets as they are slowly revealed to Noelle.
The characters were also endearing. There were no bad characters here. Just some who have normal human faults but not necessarily evil. I love how Noelle instantly connected to the villagers as they accept her as one of their own. I like Adam but I had a problem regarding his feelings about Noelle. I wasn’t entirely convinced of his feelings for Noelle. Aunt Joy, although she’s dead in the story, she was kept alive by her journals and letters. Her life was interesting and definitely her love life, as well. Mac was also a very interesting character. He’s so mysterious and it’s obvious he’s more deeply involved with some things than he’s letting on.
I’m giving Painting The Moon 4 stars. Overall, this book is for keeps. The kind of stuff classics are made of. I had a hard time writing a review for the book because the story is deep and I can’t find the write words to review it properly. It’s not just simply about love. It’s about true love, family, friendship, old sins, forgiveness, secrets, and everything else. You have to read it to understand what I’m talking about.
For me, Painting The Moon is more of a women’s fiction than romance. In fact, the romance aspect of the story a bit bland. Which is just perfect for this kind of story. It’s a great book and definitely entertaining to read but if you’re looking for passionate romance or sizzling chemistry, find another book (I can’t say that it won’t be your loss, though). In fact, this is a clean literature. And the author proved that you don’t need passionate scenes to portray love.
So romance aside, Painting The Moon is wonderfully written. It’s kind of poetic in how the author told the story. The story was smooth and easy to connect to. The plot is really interesting. There are actually two stories here. One is about Noelle, and the other is from the letters and diaries she reads from her Aunt Joy. It was fun to read about Aunt Joy’s secrets as they are slowly revealed to Noelle.
The characters were also endearing. There were no bad characters here. Just some who have normal human faults but not necessarily evil. I love how Noelle instantly connected to the villagers as they accept her as one of their own. I like Adam but I had a problem regarding his feelings about Noelle. I wasn’t entirely convinced of his feelings for Noelle. Aunt Joy, although she’s dead in the story, she was kept alive by her journals and letters. Her life was interesting and definitely her love life, as well. Mac was also a very interesting character. He’s so mysterious and it’s obvious he’s more deeply involved with some things than he’s letting on.
I’m giving Painting The Moon 4 stars. Overall, this book is for keeps. The kind of stuff classics are made of. I had a hard time writing a review for the book because the story is deep and I can’t find the write words to review it properly. It’s not just simply about love. It’s about true love, family, friendship, old sins, forgiveness, secrets, and everything else. You have to read it to understand what I’m talking about.
August 19, 2014
This story begins with Noelle Cooke receiving a letter from England that her Great Aunt Joy passed away and she has been named executor and sole heir of her estate. Putting her life in San Diego on hold, she heads to the quaint little village of Chilton Crosse to settle affairs as quickly as possible. As Noelle reminisces about her summers spent with her Gram and Great Aunt Joy in England, old family secrets become apparent and Noelle is compelled to uncover the mysteries surrounding the last ten years of Aunt Joy’s reclusive past.
There was a section after the first part of the story after Noelle arrived in England that moved unbearably slow for me. Small mundane details that don’t move the story forward bore me. I tend to associate this with Women’s Lit, however, it is a personal grievance of my own and I know some readers enjoy those details. My favorite parts of the story were the insightful snippets at the beginning of each chapter in which Aunt Joy issued wise nuggets of advice to Noelle about artistic technique, perspective, texture and life itself.
Otherwise, I found the storyline compelling and the main characters were well developed. Jill provided a good sounding block for Noelle, while going through life changing events of her own, and Adam provided sexual tension, with the regret of missed opportunities from the past. This story contains romantic elements, however I would hesitate to call it a romance because we are not privy to Adam’s perspective aside from a third person narration. The two story arcs compounded Noelle’s journey of self-discovery while trying to uncover the mystery behind her Aunt Joy’s last years of reclusiveness and the symbol added to the last group of paintings found hidden behind the locked cottage door.
Ms. Borum’s descriptive prose set each scene so well I was able to get a good sense of the Cotswold area. The addition of several secondary characters from Chilton Crosse added to the charm of this heartwarming tale.
Format/Typo Issues: I found no significant editing or formatting issues.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy.** August 14, 2014
There was a section after the first part of the story after Noelle arrived in England that moved unbearably slow for me. Small mundane details that don’t move the story forward bore me. I tend to associate this with Women’s Lit, however, it is a personal grievance of my own and I know some readers enjoy those details. My favorite parts of the story were the insightful snippets at the beginning of each chapter in which Aunt Joy issued wise nuggets of advice to Noelle about artistic technique, perspective, texture and life itself.
Otherwise, I found the storyline compelling and the main characters were well developed. Jill provided a good sounding block for Noelle, while going through life changing events of her own, and Adam provided sexual tension, with the regret of missed opportunities from the past. This story contains romantic elements, however I would hesitate to call it a romance because we are not privy to Adam’s perspective aside from a third person narration. The two story arcs compounded Noelle’s journey of self-discovery while trying to uncover the mystery behind her Aunt Joy’s last years of reclusiveness and the symbol added to the last group of paintings found hidden behind the locked cottage door.
Ms. Borum’s descriptive prose set each scene so well I was able to get a good sense of the Cotswold area. The addition of several secondary characters from Chilton Crosse added to the charm of this heartwarming tale.
Format/Typo Issues: I found no significant editing or formatting issues.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy.** August 14, 2014
February 25, 2015
This review first appeared on my blog Christy's Cozy Corners.
I, like the author, love all things British. One of my favorite shows right now is Doc Martin, which you can find on Netflix. It's set in a cozy little town in Cornwall. This beautifully written book is set in a cozy little town in the Cotswolds. Best of all, it is a clean romance. (There's a little bit of language but not much.)
Noell is just existing in San Diego. Though she's got a lucrative job, she doesn't really like her boss and doesn't find it very fulfilling. When she learns of her great aunt's passing, she takes time off of work to wrap-up her aunt's estate since everything was left to her. Her aunt was a recluse in her final years and kept many secrets, as Noell learns.
The story goes back and forth as Noell recalls her childhood days spent with her grandmother and great aunt. She reconnects with the friends she made while spending her summers in England. Her memories are very moving and become quite revealing as the story goes on.
The characters in this book are very well written and so fun and likable. I can't say enough good things about this book! I love the setting, the characters, the story, the romance...everything! I read this very quickly. It is so heartwarming and has so much to like about it. There is a little bit of mystery in it as well. I don't want to give anything away, but believe me, if you are a clean romance lover, you will adore this book! I read a lot! This is definitely one of my new favorites and Traci is one of my new favorite authors!
The second book, Finding the Rainbow, is coming out in March. I can't wait!
I, like the author, love all things British. One of my favorite shows right now is Doc Martin, which you can find on Netflix. It's set in a cozy little town in Cornwall. This beautifully written book is set in a cozy little town in the Cotswolds. Best of all, it is a clean romance. (There's a little bit of language but not much.)
Noell is just existing in San Diego. Though she's got a lucrative job, she doesn't really like her boss and doesn't find it very fulfilling. When she learns of her great aunt's passing, she takes time off of work to wrap-up her aunt's estate since everything was left to her. Her aunt was a recluse in her final years and kept many secrets, as Noell learns.
The story goes back and forth as Noell recalls her childhood days spent with her grandmother and great aunt. She reconnects with the friends she made while spending her summers in England. Her memories are very moving and become quite revealing as the story goes on.
The characters in this book are very well written and so fun and likable. I can't say enough good things about this book! I love the setting, the characters, the story, the romance...everything! I read this very quickly. It is so heartwarming and has so much to like about it. There is a little bit of mystery in it as well. I don't want to give anything away, but believe me, if you are a clean romance lover, you will adore this book! I read a lot! This is definitely one of my new favorites and Traci is one of my new favorite authors!
The second book, Finding the Rainbow, is coming out in March. I can't wait!
June 20, 2015
Sometimes I love to read Women's fiction. I think that is where I would put this genre.
Because this was set in Great Britain it was a treat for me to read as I am of course from Great Britain in the UK. There is always something endearing to me in reading a book with places I know are mentioned that I actually heard of or now about.
This is Nota sizzling hot read with lots of bedroom sex, so if you are looking for that, this isn't it. Ifyou are looking for family life, gentle romance and family drama, then this isfor you.
There is Noelle, Adam, Aunt Joy, and a village with village life in this book.
Noelle is the story, however, we get to hear from Aunt Joy from the diary pages Noelle reads from and it was really a lot of fun reading through this with Noelle and finding out what kind of character Aunt Joy was.
In reading letters from Aunt Joy Noelle reminisces about the life she used to have.
Noelle has inherited her Aunts estate in England, we see what decisions and thought process Noelle had to go through.
My Thoughts
This was brilliantly written and a great sounding book. I did loose my focus sometimes and had to make myself keep going, so for me, personally it got a bit lapse now and again and not exciting enough to "wake me up" and keep reading. I wish it did, but all in all, this doesn't make it a bad read, it just makes it a steady read that you can pick up and put down. Its certainly not 'edge of your seat' material.
I would like to thank Red Adelphi Publishing for allowing me to read and give my honest thoughts.
Because this was set in Great Britain it was a treat for me to read as I am of course from Great Britain in the UK. There is always something endearing to me in reading a book with places I know are mentioned that I actually heard of or now about.
This is Nota sizzling hot read with lots of bedroom sex, so if you are looking for that, this isn't it. Ifyou are looking for family life, gentle romance and family drama, then this isfor you.
There is Noelle, Adam, Aunt Joy, and a village with village life in this book.
Noelle is the story, however, we get to hear from Aunt Joy from the diary pages Noelle reads from and it was really a lot of fun reading through this with Noelle and finding out what kind of character Aunt Joy was.
In reading letters from Aunt Joy Noelle reminisces about the life she used to have.
Noelle has inherited her Aunts estate in England, we see what decisions and thought process Noelle had to go through.
My Thoughts
This was brilliantly written and a great sounding book. I did loose my focus sometimes and had to make myself keep going, so for me, personally it got a bit lapse now and again and not exciting enough to "wake me up" and keep reading. I wish it did, but all in all, this doesn't make it a bad read, it just makes it a steady read that you can pick up and put down. Its certainly not 'edge of your seat' material.
I would like to thank Red Adelphi Publishing for allowing me to read and give my honest thoughts.
January 2, 2016
Lightning review at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books
The cover of this book got to me. Then I read it was about a small town in the Cotswolds, and off I went. I’m not lying when I say travel within books is 212% my catnip.
This book had a good balance of revealing the mystery, introducing the town and the way of life in the Cotswolds, and allowing Noelle to figure things out at a pace that was interesting for the reader and didn’t make Noelle look like an idiot. If anything, she was very smart and emotionally savvy, and navigating grief and family secrets is exhausting for anyone. The story of her reclusive great aunt is a part of the development, as is Noelle’s own realizations of what constitutes her happiness, and what she’d like to do with her life. Her life makes several major changes during the course of the novel, and she was for the most part a pretty chill adult about most of it.
My problem was the love interest. This guy needed to put on his big boy pants and man up already. He was unwilling to risk himself, unwilling to be honest, and way, WAY too willing to compromise his morality and Noelle’s for what he wanted in the moment. His uncertainty is part of the tension, but it carried on WAY too long. There’s a note in my copy of the book that reads, “SHIT OR GET OFF THE POT YOU DICKBAG,” which pretty much sums up my mid-book ire at this guy.
- SB Sarah
The cover of this book got to me. Then I read it was about a small town in the Cotswolds, and off I went. I’m not lying when I say travel within books is 212% my catnip.
This book had a good balance of revealing the mystery, introducing the town and the way of life in the Cotswolds, and allowing Noelle to figure things out at a pace that was interesting for the reader and didn’t make Noelle look like an idiot. If anything, she was very smart and emotionally savvy, and navigating grief and family secrets is exhausting for anyone. The story of her reclusive great aunt is a part of the development, as is Noelle’s own realizations of what constitutes her happiness, and what she’d like to do with her life. Her life makes several major changes during the course of the novel, and she was for the most part a pretty chill adult about most of it.
My problem was the love interest. This guy needed to put on his big boy pants and man up already. He was unwilling to risk himself, unwilling to be honest, and way, WAY too willing to compromise his morality and Noelle’s for what he wanted in the moment. His uncertainty is part of the tension, but it carried on WAY too long. There’s a note in my copy of the book that reads, “SHIT OR GET OFF THE POT YOU DICKBAG,” which pretty much sums up my mid-book ire at this guy.
- SB Sarah
March 26, 2016
Noelle always sought the ocean during troubling times and did again when she got a letter postmarked from London. She read that her aunt Joy had died. Noelle thought about summers spent with her grandmother and aunt they had taught her how to paint, enjoy literature, and love life. She had been to see her aunt in 14 years since she had been 17. Her aunt had a meltdown and none knew why then her aunt basically became a recluse. Noelle had tried to call and write with no answers. Then Noelle received a short letter stating that her aunt was o k and just wanted to be left alone. Noelle had a painting her aunt did of when Noelle was 5 and the first time she was in England. She had seemed all out of sorts until her aunt and grandma had taken Noelle to the sea and she seemed calmer and at home. Noelle was now alone in the world, her mom her grandmother and now her aunt had passed on. Noelle went to England to evaluate what to do next. Her father had a second family and he was busy with them. No real place for Noelle in his life now. Noelle’s first love and best friend had been Adam for years. She had also made a friend named Jill in England and they did find each other again. Then she sees Adam and all those feelings come back.
I really enjoyed this story, it was just a good read and sweet not all hot sex or a lot of drama. I like the characters a lot especially the ups and downs Noelle goes through and the decisions she has to make. I liked Joy and Adam also. I recommend. ‘
I received an ARC of this story for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this story, it was just a good read and sweet not all hot sex or a lot of drama. I like the characters a lot especially the ups and downs Noelle goes through and the decisions she has to make. I liked Joy and Adam also. I recommend. ‘
I received an ARC of this story for an honest review.
December 30, 2014
I really enjoyed Painting the Moon. It captured my attention from the first page and I didn't put it down until the end. It is such a sweet story about finding home and love and getting a second chance. Noelle gets that when she goes to England to settle her great-aunt's estate. Through the "surprises" that her aunt left her, she is able to work through her feelings on the past and figure out what she wants for her life. I loved the way the village embraced her and accepted her as one of their own.
At the same time it is a bit heart wrenching. Imagine reconnecting with your first love and finding him engaged to another woman. I felt bad for Noelle in her struggle with her feelings for Adam and trying to find a balance to be just his friend. I was rooting for her the whole time and hoped things work would work out in her favor at the end.
I definitely recommend this one. It would make a great beach read or one to cozy up with on a rainy day. Reading it made me want to take a trip to England and visit the countryside! I look forward to reading more from this author!
At the same time it is a bit heart wrenching. Imagine reconnecting with your first love and finding him engaged to another woman. I felt bad for Noelle in her struggle with her feelings for Adam and trying to find a balance to be just his friend. I was rooting for her the whole time and hoped things work would work out in her favor at the end.
I definitely recommend this one. It would make a great beach read or one to cozy up with on a rainy day. Reading it made me want to take a trip to England and visit the countryside! I look forward to reading more from this author!
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