What do you think?
Rate this book
Exhibitionists
Not yet published
Expected 2 Mar 27384 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication March 2, 2027
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Want to Read
August 28, 2026Questionable title...I'm assuming we're talking about art exhibitions right?
Anyway, thanks Berkley for the arc!
Anyway, thanks Berkley for the arc!
September 1, 2026
Pub Date 2 March 2027
Thanks to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
An easy favourite of the year (perhaps THE favourite of the year).
This book is classified as General Fiction (Adult), Romance, and Women’s Fiction, and while it certainly has elements of the latter two, I think Exhibitionists by Samantha Quinn is so much more. There’s mystery, drama, psychological tension, art-world politics, and plenty of twists. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with romance or women’s fiction, but I think there are better genre descriptors for what this book actually does (sadly, "romance" may turn some readers off; however, if romance turns you off, then grow up).
As someone doing a PhD in art history, I often read books set in the art world, but I don’t necessarily recommend them widely. The minutiae of the art world can be a slog for readers who aren’t already interested in it. That is absolutely not the case here. Quinn, who has worked in the art world for many years, does such a fantastic job of identifying and exploring its absurdities, politics, personalities, and power dynamics without ever making the reader feel like they need a degree in art history to understand or enjoy it. She manages to make the art world itself feel like part of the story rather than simply a backdrop.
I especially loved that the book exists in a world where real institutions, artists, and artworks are mentioned, while the museum and the artists and artworks at the centre of the story are fictional. It creates this wonderful sense of familiarity and plausibility while still giving Quinn complete freedom to construct her own world.
And the characters! I don’t always form particularly strong connections with fictional characters, but I felt viscerally angry on behalf of Caroline. I absolutely loved to hate Victor, and I found myself connecting to the other characters to varying degrees. Everyone feels complicated in a way that kept me invested in what would happen to them.
And then there’s Chapter 24. I have never felt such palpable tension while reading a book. I was holding my breath reading that chapter.
I also have to mention the title. The double meaning of "exhibitionists," both the sexual/sensual meaning and the obvious connection to the art world, is just brilliant.
Genius. Simply genius.
Thanks to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
An easy favourite of the year (perhaps THE favourite of the year).
This book is classified as General Fiction (Adult), Romance, and Women’s Fiction, and while it certainly has elements of the latter two, I think Exhibitionists by Samantha Quinn is so much more. There’s mystery, drama, psychological tension, art-world politics, and plenty of twists. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with romance or women’s fiction, but I think there are better genre descriptors for what this book actually does (sadly, "romance" may turn some readers off; however, if romance turns you off, then grow up).
As someone doing a PhD in art history, I often read books set in the art world, but I don’t necessarily recommend them widely. The minutiae of the art world can be a slog for readers who aren’t already interested in it. That is absolutely not the case here. Quinn, who has worked in the art world for many years, does such a fantastic job of identifying and exploring its absurdities, politics, personalities, and power dynamics without ever making the reader feel like they need a degree in art history to understand or enjoy it. She manages to make the art world itself feel like part of the story rather than simply a backdrop.
I especially loved that the book exists in a world where real institutions, artists, and artworks are mentioned, while the museum and the artists and artworks at the centre of the story are fictional. It creates this wonderful sense of familiarity and plausibility while still giving Quinn complete freedom to construct her own world.
And the characters! I don’t always form particularly strong connections with fictional characters, but I felt viscerally angry on behalf of Caroline. I absolutely loved to hate Victor, and I found myself connecting to the other characters to varying degrees. Everyone feels complicated in a way that kept me invested in what would happen to them.
And then there’s Chapter 24. I have never felt such palpable tension while reading a book. I was holding my breath reading that chapter.
I also have to mention the title. The double meaning of "exhibitionists," both the sexual/sensual meaning and the obvious connection to the art world, is just brilliant.
Genius. Simply genius.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4 stars!! This was so unique to what I usually read, I really enjoyed a lot of aspects about it. Jumping into such intricate details of the museum and art world was so fascinating to me, it was like stepping into another life (I know the author wrote from personal experience, so therefore the details were immaculate and immersive).
I loved truly being educated along the way- I went several deep rabbit holes... Vasili Vladmirovich Pukirev's works including the one she references "The Unequal Marriage." Also "The Lady and the Tiger" (apparently near where I live, housed at Smithsonian but not on display sadly). I have always personally had a deep appreciation for art in general but 19th century art in particular (niche, I know) so I feel I was the perfect target reader for this.
There is this intangible tension you can feel right from the beginning of this book in the form of deep seated animosity, and the plot just thickens from there. MANY betrayals with a heavy dose of unhinged, and twists that had me gasp out loud. This was a fantastic unique debut novel. I really hope this author continues to bless us with books! I love the peek into making an exhibition. I will definitely reread this book as well, because I know there are several other works of art/artists referenced and I was too engrossed in the story to independently search at the time.
Thank you NetGalley, this creative author Samantha Quinn, and Berkeley!
I loved truly being educated along the way- I went several deep rabbit holes... Vasili Vladmirovich Pukirev's works including the one she references "The Unequal Marriage." Also "The Lady and the Tiger" (apparently near where I live, housed at Smithsonian but not on display sadly). I have always personally had a deep appreciation for art in general but 19th century art in particular (niche, I know) so I feel I was the perfect target reader for this.
There is this intangible tension you can feel right from the beginning of this book in the form of deep seated animosity, and the plot just thickens from there. MANY betrayals with a heavy dose of unhinged, and twists that had me gasp out loud. This was a fantastic unique debut novel. I really hope this author continues to bless us with books! I love the peek into making an exhibition. I will definitely reread this book as well, because I know there are several other works of art/artists referenced and I was too engrossed in the story to independently search at the time.
Thank you NetGalley, this creative author Samantha Quinn, and Berkeley!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to net-galley and Berkley for this ARC!
To be totally honest, the cover and mention of art history drew me in. I hadn’t read the whole description before digging in, so getting to the end of chapter 2 and finding out Edward was Caroline’s boyfriend was a thrilling delight.
I really enjoyed the art museum/curatorial setting, which felt simultaneously high brow while showing the nitty gritty parts that every employed person has to deal with. And the fact that so many of the characters were somewhat flawed or imperfect made the story much more interesting. The first ~80% or so was closer to a 3.5* for me, but the last 20% was full of twists and turns and brought it up to a 4* for me.
My petty complaint is about multiple uses of the term “slick-back bun,” placing it squarely in current times.
Loved the double entendre of Exhibitionists.
Expected pub March 2, 2027
To be totally honest, the cover and mention of art history drew me in. I hadn’t read the whole description before digging in, so getting to the end of chapter 2 and finding out Edward was Caroline’s boyfriend was a thrilling delight.
I really enjoyed the art museum/curatorial setting, which felt simultaneously high brow while showing the nitty gritty parts that every employed person has to deal with. And the fact that so many of the characters were somewhat flawed or imperfect made the story much more interesting. The first ~80% or so was closer to a 3.5* for me, but the last 20% was full of twists and turns and brought it up to a 4* for me.
My petty complaint is about multiple uses of the term “slick-back bun,” placing it squarely in current times.
Loved the double entendre of Exhibitionists.
Expected pub March 2, 2027
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
**Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC**
Genuinely cannot describe my feelings for this book! I haven’t been locked into a book like this in awhile. The relationships, and the characters all have their own unique flaws that make them breath on the page. I found myself going through a range of emotions to pride, to excitement to finally just true devastation.
PLEASE PLEASE READ THIS BOOK
Genuinely cannot describe my feelings for this book! I haven’t been locked into a book like this in awhile. The relationships, and the characters all have their own unique flaws that make them breath on the page. I found myself going through a range of emotions to pride, to excitement to finally just true devastation.
PLEASE PLEASE READ THIS BOOK
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really loved this book.
I love art and loved how it was incorporated into this story. I especially loved the fake Renaissance painter Quinn made up for the story. I would love to see the paintings that are talked about in this come to life.
The prose was great and I loved our main character and narrator, Caroline.
I love art and loved how it was incorporated into this story. I especially loved the fake Renaissance painter Quinn made up for the story. I would love to see the paintings that are talked about in this come to life.
The prose was great and I loved our main character and narrator, Caroline.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review to come shortly.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews