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Brush Strokes
Todd Navarro is halfway through college, trying to juggle his art studies with work and avoid the ongoing feud between the gallery where he works and the one next door. When his best friend Mela invites him to a frat party, he meets athlete Daniel Berger, who doesn’t fit Todd’s preconceived notions about jocks. After an unexpected night together, a romance seems possible, until Todd discovers that what they have in common could also drive them apart.
230 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 12, 2019
2 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
March 20, 2019
A Joyfully Jay review.
2.75 stars
I liked the style of this book as it opened with Todd as he is in college and working at an art gallery that is his second home. Todd is a little bit of a loner and a little too self-aware, but he reluctantly goes to a party with his best friend and there he meets Daniel. Todd feels completely out of his element, but when Daniel seeks him out, things are looking up. Then, a misunderstanding derails a friendship and their first date and even when Todd realizes that he may have been wrong, he doesn’t seek Daniel out to apologize. They see each other occasionally through friends, and it’s awkward for a while until it’s not and they forge ahead with some semblance of a friendship.
This book stalled out for me early on as nothing happens in this story. The majority of the book is Todd trying to get it together. He has a strained relationship with his brother that was not gone into in enough detail, he refuses to ask for help from anyone until he’s clearly in panic mode, and he doesn’t want to deal with anything really and hopes most of his issues will simply go away.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
2.75 stars
I liked the style of this book as it opened with Todd as he is in college and working at an art gallery that is his second home. Todd is a little bit of a loner and a little too self-aware, but he reluctantly goes to a party with his best friend and there he meets Daniel. Todd feels completely out of his element, but when Daniel seeks him out, things are looking up. Then, a misunderstanding derails a friendship and their first date and even when Todd realizes that he may have been wrong, he doesn’t seek Daniel out to apologize. They see each other occasionally through friends, and it’s awkward for a while until it’s not and they forge ahead with some semblance of a friendship.
This book stalled out for me early on as nothing happens in this story. The majority of the book is Todd trying to get it together. He has a strained relationship with his brother that was not gone into in enough detail, he refuses to ask for help from anyone until he’s clearly in panic mode, and he doesn’t want to deal with anything really and hopes most of his issues will simply go away.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
March 13, 2019
You're exactly where you're supposed to be. Being discriminated against can never be your fault.
I don't know how to even explain how much I loved this book.
I was over the moon happy when E.S. Karlquist contacted me and asked me if I wanted an ARC of Brush Strokes , I didn't know that much about it when I started reading it which made me even more excited to read it...and gosh, I loved it.
Brush Strokes isn't only a book about a complicated romance but also such a fun, easy and at the same time emotional read where you really get close to the main characters Todd. I can't think of one book that I've read that ever have made me feel so close to the main characters.
I absolutely adore both Todd and Daniel (gosh I want a Daniel in my life), they feel incredibly real and the fact that they have their flaws and problems makes them feel human. Not like in many other romance books where the main character is put on some sort of pedestal and everyone bows at their feet. Todd makes mistakes in this book but he learns from them which makes him an amazing characters.
I love that Karlquist writes with so much emotion that I really can feel what the characters feel. I don't think I've ever smiled through a whole book and giggled every time someone made a joke or did something funny, as much I did while reading "Brush Strokes". I also cried... a lot and through most of the book I was screaming at my Kindle asking it: "WHY ISN'T TODD AND DANIEL TOGETHER ALREADY?"
Also can we just take a moment and appreciate how freaking amazing both Mela and Jesse are as well? And Mrs. Floral, Ava and Todd's parents? Oh gosh, I've got so much love for all these characters.
Brush Strokes has definitely become one of my favorite books and even though some of you might think that it's too early to say so, E.S. Karlquist is a new favorite author. When you read this book (because you have to) you'll understand why I admire this story and her style of writing so much.
Now I'm gonna stop gushing about this amazing book — that I can't wait to read again and again and again because now I don't have to feel anxious to find out whether Todd and Daniel gets together in the end or not — and let you go and order it.
Brush Strokes by E.S. Karlquist gets 5/5 stars from this hardcore Todd+Daniel fan!
❤️Thank you E.S. Karlquist & Interlude Press for the ARC. ❤️
I don't know how to even explain how much I loved this book.
I was over the moon happy when E.S. Karlquist contacted me and asked me if I wanted an ARC of Brush Strokes , I didn't know that much about it when I started reading it which made me even more excited to read it...and gosh, I loved it.
Brush Strokes isn't only a book about a complicated romance but also such a fun, easy and at the same time emotional read where you really get close to the main characters Todd. I can't think of one book that I've read that ever have made me feel so close to the main characters.
I absolutely adore both Todd and Daniel (gosh I want a Daniel in my life), they feel incredibly real and the fact that they have their flaws and problems makes them feel human. Not like in many other romance books where the main character is put on some sort of pedestal and everyone bows at their feet. Todd makes mistakes in this book but he learns from them which makes him an amazing characters.
I love that Karlquist writes with so much emotion that I really can feel what the characters feel. I don't think I've ever smiled through a whole book and giggled every time someone made a joke or did something funny, as much I did while reading "Brush Strokes". I also cried... a lot and through most of the book I was screaming at my Kindle asking it: "WHY ISN'T TODD AND DANIEL TOGETHER ALREADY?"
Also can we just take a moment and appreciate how freaking amazing both Mela and Jesse are as well? And Mrs. Floral, Ava and Todd's parents? Oh gosh, I've got so much love for all these characters.
Brush Strokes has definitely become one of my favorite books and even though some of you might think that it's too early to say so, E.S. Karlquist is a new favorite author. When you read this book (because you have to) you'll understand why I admire this story and her style of writing so much.
Now I'm gonna stop gushing about this amazing book — that I can't wait to read again and again and again because now I don't have to feel anxious to find out whether Todd and Daniel gets together in the end or not — and let you go and order it.
Brush Strokes by E.S. Karlquist gets 5/5 stars from this hardcore Todd+Daniel fan!
❤️Thank you E.S. Karlquist & Interlude Press for the ARC. ❤️
March 9, 2019
4.5 stars
While this book definitely had some romance themes, for me, I thought it was really about getting to know the main character Todd and working through his life with him. The pacing was perfect and authentic to the characters and story. I found myself interested and wanting even more details about Todd’s life than what we were getting.
I also enjoyed really getting to know not only the MCs but their friends and families as well. I wanted to know about the people who were important to them and who had impacted their lives. We got that perfectly in this story. There were definitely a few times that I wanted to sit Todd down and give him a stern talking to because GOSH, TALK ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS TODD. But even with that, I really enjoyed going through the story with Todd and seeing his struggles and triumphs. He also had a pet and pet name (I do not want to spoil it for you) that were super great.
The description of the art was awesome and inspiring and I loved the addition of the kid art class. Those scenes in the book were cute and funny and brought a different emotion to the story.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
While this book definitely had some romance themes, for me, I thought it was really about getting to know the main character Todd and working through his life with him. The pacing was perfect and authentic to the characters and story. I found myself interested and wanting even more details about Todd’s life than what we were getting.
I also enjoyed really getting to know not only the MCs but their friends and families as well. I wanted to know about the people who were important to them and who had impacted their lives. We got that perfectly in this story. There were definitely a few times that I wanted to sit Todd down and give him a stern talking to because GOSH, TALK ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS TODD. But even with that, I really enjoyed going through the story with Todd and seeing his struggles and triumphs. He also had a pet and pet name (I do not want to spoil it for you) that were super great.
The description of the art was awesome and inspiring and I loved the addition of the kid art class. Those scenes in the book were cute and funny and brought a different emotion to the story.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
April 14, 2019
3.5 stars
My book cover inspired nail art for this book
I'm glad I waited to read this book. I picked it up once when I first got the ARC, but the writing style wasn't working for me after a couple of pages so I put it down. I think if I had stuck with it I wouldn't have enjoyed it as much as I did.
I picked it up last night and the story was just what I needed.
This is quintessential NA, where there is so much promise and possibility, but most of the conflict is from the MC not being able to get out of his own way.
At 20, Todd has a hard time seeing the big picture. Everything revolves around him and his feelings. Not in a selfish way but in that way it is when you are 20 and trying to find yourself in a world while keeping everything in your comfort zone. Where adulting is fast approaching reality and life seems to be two steps back for every step forward.
Daniel is Todd's love interest. He is attentive, friendly and open. He is hard of hearing and this may be the third book I've read this year with a hard of hearing character. The representation in this book is a little different than in others I've read because he is young and also still finding his way in the world. His family dynamic is like many others yet different. While this story is told just from Todd's POV, I feel like the author did a good job with giving us insight into Daniel's life, his triumphs and his personal struggles.
Todd really grows a lot in this book. He conquers fears and steps out of his comfort zone despite the chance of being hurt or embarrassed. He learns to open himself up and give himself a chance as well as the people he cares for. He comes a far way from page 1 until the end.
I'm not a fan of NA. I usually find it tiring and filled with misunderstandings. This one does have a misunderstanding, but it is resolved fairly quickly. And while Todd was immature about it, all the people around him were urging him to wise up. When he figures it out, he makes a concerted effort to be better.
Todd's BFF is awesome and they have an epic friendship. I loved that they could disagree without it being a friendship ending endeavor. I also liked that they knew how to be there for each other when needed and prioritized their relationship with each other while allowing for space.
All in all, there was a lot to like about how this story progressed. Far from perfect, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I'll admit that I may have teared up a bit when Todd and his brother did.
And Sandwich the bunny is my dream bunny.
Slow burn and no steam, but if you like new adult romances you might enjoy this one.
My book cover inspired nail art for this book
I'm glad I waited to read this book. I picked it up once when I first got the ARC, but the writing style wasn't working for me after a couple of pages so I put it down. I think if I had stuck with it I wouldn't have enjoyed it as much as I did.
I picked it up last night and the story was just what I needed.
This is quintessential NA, where there is so much promise and possibility, but most of the conflict is from the MC not being able to get out of his own way.
At 20, Todd has a hard time seeing the big picture. Everything revolves around him and his feelings. Not in a selfish way but in that way it is when you are 20 and trying to find yourself in a world while keeping everything in your comfort zone. Where adulting is fast approaching reality and life seems to be two steps back for every step forward.
Daniel is Todd's love interest. He is attentive, friendly and open. He is hard of hearing and this may be the third book I've read this year with a hard of hearing character. The representation in this book is a little different than in others I've read because he is young and also still finding his way in the world. His family dynamic is like many others yet different. While this story is told just from Todd's POV, I feel like the author did a good job with giving us insight into Daniel's life, his triumphs and his personal struggles.
Todd really grows a lot in this book. He conquers fears and steps out of his comfort zone despite the chance of being hurt or embarrassed. He learns to open himself up and give himself a chance as well as the people he cares for. He comes a far way from page 1 until the end.
I'm not a fan of NA. I usually find it tiring and filled with misunderstandings. This one does have a misunderstanding, but it is resolved fairly quickly. And while Todd was immature about it, all the people around him were urging him to wise up. When he figures it out, he makes a concerted effort to be better.
Todd's BFF is awesome and they have an epic friendship. I loved that they could disagree without it being a friendship ending endeavor. I also liked that they knew how to be there for each other when needed and prioritized their relationship with each other while allowing for space.
All in all, there was a lot to like about how this story progressed. Far from perfect, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I'll admit that I may have teared up a bit when Todd and his brother did.
And Sandwich the bunny is my dream bunny.
Slow burn and no steam, but if you like new adult romances you might enjoy this one.
February 27, 2019
Super cute read! Daniel is an angel and I’d do anything for him. I liked Todd, but he had a tendency to get on my nerves. He worked out his issues for the most part which made him less annoying.
Some parts seems really stretched out and other felt a little rushed. Some things maybe should have been clarified a little earlier. For example, I had no idea what kind of pet Sandwich was for a little bit. I eventually figured it out before it was confirmed. It wasn’t critical to the story, but I don’t like feeling confused every time I run across a “character”. Also, I was unsure of Evan’s relationship to Todd for a bit. I figured it was a brother, but I wasn’t 100% sure until it was clarified later in the noon. But it is good for a debut novel.
The thing I really loved about this book was all the time we got to spend with Daniel and Todd building their relationship. It was nice to see the little slice of life parts that tend to get overlooked in most books.
I’m not deaf or HoH, but from what I could tell the rep was good. If I’m wrong feel free to point it out.
Some parts seems really stretched out and other felt a little rushed. Some things maybe should have been clarified a little earlier. For example, I had no idea what kind of pet Sandwich was for a little bit. I eventually figured it out before it was confirmed. It wasn’t critical to the story, but I don’t like feeling confused every time I run across a “character”. Also, I was unsure of Evan’s relationship to Todd for a bit. I figured it was a brother, but I wasn’t 100% sure until it was clarified later in the noon. But it is good for a debut novel.
The thing I really loved about this book was all the time we got to spend with Daniel and Todd building their relationship. It was nice to see the little slice of life parts that tend to get overlooked in most books.
I’m not deaf or HoH, but from what I could tell the rep was good. If I’m wrong feel free to point it out.
June 10, 2019
I was sent an eARC of this book from Netgalley in an exchange for an honest review.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Although I was expecting more of a romance, I loved the exploration of art, friendships, platonic relationships and sibling relationships.
The love interest Daniel in this book is hard of hearing and I cannot say personally how this has been represented.
I would definitely categorize this book as a new adult and it is quickly becoming an age range I would like to read, especially if they are as good as Brush Strokes.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Although I was expecting more of a romance, I loved the exploration of art, friendships, platonic relationships and sibling relationships.
The love interest Daniel in this book is hard of hearing and I cannot say personally how this has been represented.
I would definitely categorize this book as a new adult and it is quickly becoming an age range I would like to read, especially if they are as good as Brush Strokes.
March 7, 2019
I'm conflicted on how to review this book properly. There were some things I liked about the story, and other things that were just...meh. I liked the overall plot, and the MC and his LI had potential; however, nothing grabbed me. I didn't feel much passion for anything the characters were going through. Overall, the characters were pleasant enough, and the story was just interesting enough. I appreciated the author's take on a slow burn romance and how Todd and Daniel really got to know each other before being in a relationship...even if that was due to a misunderstanding between the two. While I'm not hard of hearing myself, I did come to appreciate the representation and thought it was done respectfully. If there was supposed to be angst, I didn't feel it.
In short, this was an okay read, little-to-no-angst with a slow burn romance.
In short, this was an okay read, little-to-no-angst with a slow burn romance.
February 28, 2019
Okay gonna have a full disclosure here: I am friends with the author but she knows I will be honest so here we go.
Daniel is my baby and I love him with all my heart! And his slow-burn relationship with Todd is stupidly cute and ridiculous. I've fallen in love with the story right from the beginning. Brilliant representation for a wide variety of cultures, it is so diverse and that is one of the reasons I love this story. The story itself is Todd attempting to save a place he truly loves and feels like he belongs and sees Daniel as a threat to this place. However, there's more to the eye.
Now, being deaf myself and having had helped with this aspect, I feel the representation of Deaf people and Hard of Hearing people is true and close to real life. I completely relate to him and feel this isn't taken out of proportion. Now some people may struggle to read the dialogue but there's a valid reason behind this. Push through it and you'll realise why and it's such an amazing way to write.
Overall, such an amazing cute book! I loved it <3
Daniel is my baby and I love him with all my heart! And his slow-burn relationship with Todd is stupidly cute and ridiculous. I've fallen in love with the story right from the beginning. Brilliant representation for a wide variety of cultures, it is so diverse and that is one of the reasons I love this story. The story itself is Todd attempting to save a place he truly loves and feels like he belongs and sees Daniel as a threat to this place. However, there's more to the eye.
Now, being deaf myself and having had helped with this aspect, I feel the representation of Deaf people and Hard of Hearing people is true and close to real life. I completely relate to him and feel this isn't taken out of proportion. Now some people may struggle to read the dialogue but there's a valid reason behind this. Push through it and you'll realise why and it's such an amazing way to write.
Overall, such an amazing cute book! I loved it <3
February 28, 2019
Advanced Reader Copy Review below
I cannot even begin to tell you how much I loved this book--but I can tell you why :)
- The platonic relationships in this story are so important to the advancement of the plot--I won't spoil you or anything, but if "chosen family" is your jam, this gem is right for you!
- The main character has a lot of anxieties, and I loved the way it was dealt with
- The love interest is deaf, and a good portion of the story is dedicated to make you understand that it is not his job to educate you but if you want a relationship with him (of any nature), an effort is more than welcomed
- The whole concept of finding your own path and your own voice at your own pace I mean *swoons*
- As an art lover, I would have loved more artistic references, but the ones that were used in the story were stellar as it is!
Brush Strokes is a good book to relax, to immerse yourself in someone else's life for a moment and to just breathe all that loveliness in.
Brush Strokes comes out on March 12th, and I can only encourage you all to pre-order it now!
I cannot even begin to tell you how much I loved this book--but I can tell you why :)
- The platonic relationships in this story are so important to the advancement of the plot--I won't spoil you or anything, but if "chosen family" is your jam, this gem is right for you!
- The main character has a lot of anxieties, and I loved the way it was dealt with
- The love interest is deaf, and a good portion of the story is dedicated to make you understand that it is not his job to educate you but if you want a relationship with him (of any nature), an effort is more than welcomed
- The whole concept of finding your own path and your own voice at your own pace I mean *swoons*
- As an art lover, I would have loved more artistic references, but the ones that were used in the story were stellar as it is!
Brush Strokes is a good book to relax, to immerse yourself in someone else's life for a moment and to just breathe all that loveliness in.
Brush Strokes comes out on March 12th, and I can only encourage you all to pre-order it now!
March 13, 2019
🌟🌟🌟🌟 4.5 stars
🔥 Heat Level: 1/NA
Such a touching story about finding your and your place!!
This story is a young adult story about finding yourself. Following Todd and his passion for art and the art gallery where he works. It’s his safe place and a place he loves and realizes he needs to try and save it. There are many dynamic characters and great families and friends. The story for me reflected a bit of a coming-of-age and self-discovery for Todd. His love of art never wavered but his belief in himself and his worth and ability to ask for help showed his growth.
I liked that the author is true to the age group of college studies in the final years of study and the anxiety that goes with what comes next. Throughout the story anxiety in mentioned and reflected true to form and with such heart, I could relate. Something as simple as picking up the phone can cause anxiety and E.S. has incorporated these real-life changes into her writing to make it that much more real and heartfelt.
Daniel was a wonderful character and so strong given his hard of hearing. I enjoyed the ever-present connection between Daniel and Todd and while miscommunication and the classic ‘not talking about our thought or feelings’ usually annoys me, the way E.S. approached this was endearing and worked so perfectly with these characters. It’s a slow-burn crush that neither seems to act on but Todd is finally brave and they get their happy ending.
I loved the Kids & Canvas, art class Todd runs and those kids are just so loveable!
My only notes are that it took a while to figure out what Sandwich was. Sandwich is a rabbit! Also, I wasn’t sure who Evan was at first. From the story, he could have been either an ex or the brother, but obviously, as the story progressed, the brother part became clear.
This story was well written and with so much love and understanding for Todd and Daniel. I don't think the blurb does the book justice as there is so much more to the book! I enjoy this and look forward to seeing more from E.S. Karlquist.
Thanks for reading! For great stories, reviews and more please visit https://bookstattoosandtea.wordpress.com 📚
🔥 Heat Level: 1/NA
Such a touching story about finding your and your place!!
This story is a young adult story about finding yourself. Following Todd and his passion for art and the art gallery where he works. It’s his safe place and a place he loves and realizes he needs to try and save it. There are many dynamic characters and great families and friends. The story for me reflected a bit of a coming-of-age and self-discovery for Todd. His love of art never wavered but his belief in himself and his worth and ability to ask for help showed his growth.
I liked that the author is true to the age group of college studies in the final years of study and the anxiety that goes with what comes next. Throughout the story anxiety in mentioned and reflected true to form and with such heart, I could relate. Something as simple as picking up the phone can cause anxiety and E.S. has incorporated these real-life changes into her writing to make it that much more real and heartfelt.
Daniel was a wonderful character and so strong given his hard of hearing. I enjoyed the ever-present connection between Daniel and Todd and while miscommunication and the classic ‘not talking about our thought or feelings’ usually annoys me, the way E.S. approached this was endearing and worked so perfectly with these characters. It’s a slow-burn crush that neither seems to act on but Todd is finally brave and they get their happy ending.
I loved the Kids & Canvas, art class Todd runs and those kids are just so loveable!
My only notes are that it took a while to figure out what Sandwich was. Sandwich is a rabbit! Also, I wasn’t sure who Evan was at first. From the story, he could have been either an ex or the brother, but obviously, as the story progressed, the brother part became clear.
This story was well written and with so much love and understanding for Todd and Daniel. I don't think the blurb does the book justice as there is so much more to the book! I enjoy this and look forward to seeing more from E.S. Karlquist.
Thanks for reading! For great stories, reviews and more please visit https://bookstattoosandtea.wordpress.com 📚
March 13, 2019
I'm a pretty serious smut-hound, I live for it, it's my guilt pleasure. The fact that this book didn't have any explicit sex didn't deter from it at all. In fact, the first night the two MCs spend together was such an awesome reading experience. It really felt like I was there with Todd, being flirted with and flirting and all the things that happen when you're really connecting with someone. I even blushed in excitement a few times. It was very sweet and I loved it!
The story itself is good and it has what I consider the pinnacle of what all books should strive more for in this genre: a believable plot and reasonable conflict. Like, this could have actually happened. There's no excessive drama for dramas sake (everything that happens is explain via emotions and feelings), no people who are terrible human beings for vague, unexplored reasons (or no reason at all) solely to move the plot along and create conflict. Cruella (you could argue she's the "antagonist" but it's a bit of a stretch), has motives that make sense in the end. People are human and they make human choices. Of course, there are small things that you could nitpick at like people being unreasonably kind or nice or understanding but I, as a sometimes-optimist, would like to believe that nice people like the supporting characters in this book exist. Also, I'm a bit of a slut so I doubt I could have slept in the same bed as my crush but maybe people with strong wills really do exist.
A really well-done, slow-burn, smutless romance that made me wish I was young again so I could experience that rush of young love *sigh*
Also! This book has two of my all-time favorite things ever: a cute pet rabbit and a third person POV which focused on Todd. I hate switching FP POVs in this genre (M/M Romance) with everything that I am. It's used as a crutch, it's always jarring, it's lazy, and it ruins any sort of mystery about characters. This doesn't hold true to all genres, switching FP POVs have their place, but they are notoriously badly executed in this genre.
The story itself is good and it has what I consider the pinnacle of what all books should strive more for in this genre: a believable plot and reasonable conflict. Like, this could have actually happened. There's no excessive drama for dramas sake (everything that happens is explain via emotions and feelings), no people who are terrible human beings for vague, unexplored reasons (or no reason at all) solely to move the plot along and create conflict. Cruella (you could argue she's the "antagonist" but it's a bit of a stretch), has motives that make sense in the end. People are human and they make human choices. Of course, there are small things that you could nitpick at like people being unreasonably kind or nice or understanding but I, as a sometimes-optimist, would like to believe that nice people like the supporting characters in this book exist. Also, I'm a bit of a slut so I doubt I could have slept in the same bed as my crush but maybe people with strong wills really do exist.
A really well-done, slow-burn, smutless romance that made me wish I was young again so I could experience that rush of young love *sigh*
Also! This book has two of my all-time favorite things ever: a cute pet rabbit and a third person POV which focused on Todd. I hate switching FP POVs in this genre (M/M Romance) with everything that I am. It's used as a crutch, it's always jarring, it's lazy, and it ruins any sort of mystery about characters. This doesn't hold true to all genres, switching FP POVs have their place, but they are notoriously badly executed in this genre.
March 13, 2019
This is a decent debut book for the author, especially considering English is not her first language. It’s classified as a romance, but I would consider it almost a ‘coming of age/growing pains’ story for Todd. While Todd does have a romantic interest in the story – Daniel, they fizzle almost as soon as they get started. Todd and Daniel dance around each other throughout the story, eventually becoming good friends. There are hints from several characters that they could be more than friends, but neither of them takes the step and almost at the end of the book (98% into the story) we discover a HUGE miscommunication/lack of communication led to them not having a romantic relationship. I am NOT a fan of the lack of communication causing the angst in a story…especially when it lasts almost until the end of the book so this was a bit frustrating for me.
Todd spends most of the book attempting to save the gallery, making it through the college year and eventually building his friendship with Daniel. Their friendship is sweet, and I’d like to see more of them together as a couple.
Secondary to Todd’s story, Daniel is battling his decisions for the direction of his future. There are hints dropped he’s not certain he’s following the right path…that he’s meant to do more, but that story line is never fully developed. By the end of the book we learn the direction he’s chosen but we don’t know what became of his project and his desire to do more in that world he feels he belongs. I’d like to know what happened with that project and whether or not he does more with those plans once he graduates.
There are several great side characters – Jesse, Mela, Daniel’s sister, Todd’s parents, Mrs. Floral, the kids in the art class and eventually Todd’s brother and Daniel’s parents.
The end felt more like HFN than an HEA so I’m left wondering if there will be a follow up story for these two, but I couldn’t find much information about that on the author’s site, so I guess we’ll just have to wait and see!
Todd spends most of the book attempting to save the gallery, making it through the college year and eventually building his friendship with Daniel. Their friendship is sweet, and I’d like to see more of them together as a couple.
Secondary to Todd’s story, Daniel is battling his decisions for the direction of his future. There are hints dropped he’s not certain he’s following the right path…that he’s meant to do more, but that story line is never fully developed. By the end of the book we learn the direction he’s chosen but we don’t know what became of his project and his desire to do more in that world he feels he belongs. I’d like to know what happened with that project and whether or not he does more with those plans once he graduates.
There are several great side characters – Jesse, Mela, Daniel’s sister, Todd’s parents, Mrs. Floral, the kids in the art class and eventually Todd’s brother and Daniel’s parents.
The end felt more like HFN than an HEA so I’m left wondering if there will be a follow up story for these two, but I couldn’t find much information about that on the author’s site, so I guess we’ll just have to wait and see!
March 10, 2019
This is a tough one for me to review. First off, this was written in third person, present tense. Most of the time, it was fine, but there were several times where it felt quite jarring. Present tense is always difficult for me to find a flow with, so this may just be me.
Daniel was written brilliantly and I felt like I got to know him well. The author does a beautiful job of describing what it's like to be hard-of-hearing, and his character is endearing. I also really enjoyed the secondary characters and the friendships between everyone.
Unfortunately, Todd remains an enigma to me. We were in Todd's head 100% of the time, so it would stand to reason that we would get to know him better than anyone else. He felt very immature through a lot of the story and I honestly couldn't tell what Daniel found so attractive and interesting. He clearly had some kind of anxiety issues, but this was never delved into. I feel like that was an untapped opportunity.
I definitely wouldn't call this a romance. I couldn't call it a slow burn because I didn't feel any burn between Todd and Daniel. Personally, I think it may have been more successful as a romance if we had some time with Daniel's POV.
Despite my frustrations, I DID enjoy the story. I just don't think it reached it's full potential.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
Daniel was written brilliantly and I felt like I got to know him well. The author does a beautiful job of describing what it's like to be hard-of-hearing, and his character is endearing. I also really enjoyed the secondary characters and the friendships between everyone.
Unfortunately, Todd remains an enigma to me. We were in Todd's head 100% of the time, so it would stand to reason that we would get to know him better than anyone else. He felt very immature through a lot of the story and I honestly couldn't tell what Daniel found so attractive and interesting. He clearly had some kind of anxiety issues, but this was never delved into. I feel like that was an untapped opportunity.
I definitely wouldn't call this a romance. I couldn't call it a slow burn because I didn't feel any burn between Todd and Daniel. Personally, I think it may have been more successful as a romance if we had some time with Daniel's POV.
Despite my frustrations, I DID enjoy the story. I just don't think it reached it's full potential.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
February 25, 2019
Full disclosure: I’ve been close friends with the author for over 10 years, so I may be a bit biased, but since she trusts me to always be honest with my feedback, you will just have to take my word for it that this is a very good book.
My heart aches so much for Todd. I recognise so much of myself in his anxiety-riddled mind, and I wish my friends were reality-checking me that much. I cried during several parts of this story; most of them involving family. I’m 100 % a daddy’s girl and father/kid interactions almost always make me cry, and the part with Evan struck a particularly familiar chord and I had to send Em an actual photo of my tears.
And Todd and Mela’s friendship. Absolutely wonderfully portrayed.
I think this book is mostly a book about passion? And not like paperback romance throes of passion-passion, but rather the I’m very passionate about this subject and my whole appearance lights up when I talk about it-passion. Todd with his art, Daniel desperately wanting to do something good, Todd’s dad and accounting, and of course the dude with bridges.
Like, yes, I cried while reading it, but I feel so much better for having read it? There is good in the world, there is good in people. (There is good in this book.)
I was involved in the very, very early stages of this project and I tried to have Em make one of them (I don’t even remember which one) into a One Direction fan. And now I’m just all Look at where you are, look at where you started:y. Todd and Daniel have come a long way and I love them so much.
I gave real time updates on my reading progress via messenger, and I called the exact progress of the story early on, and I love it, it’s predictable in the absolute best of ways (like fanfiction tagged “fake relationship” is predictable in the absolute best ways, ya know?). I mean, don’t read this book if you’re looking for unexpected plot twists that will take you places; but if you want an absolutely lovely read about absolutely lovely boys who are very real and have very real and complex feelings about themselves, each other, and the life around them? This is the one for you.
I put off all my domestic chores in favor of finishing the book, so I’m gonna lose a lot of sleep tonight, but it was worth it.
My heart aches so much for Todd. I recognise so much of myself in his anxiety-riddled mind, and I wish my friends were reality-checking me that much. I cried during several parts of this story; most of them involving family. I’m 100 % a daddy’s girl and father/kid interactions almost always make me cry, and the part with Evan struck a particularly familiar chord and I had to send Em an actual photo of my tears.
And Todd and Mela’s friendship. Absolutely wonderfully portrayed.
I think this book is mostly a book about passion? And not like paperback romance throes of passion-passion, but rather the I’m very passionate about this subject and my whole appearance lights up when I talk about it-passion. Todd with his art, Daniel desperately wanting to do something good, Todd’s dad and accounting, and of course the dude with bridges.
Like, yes, I cried while reading it, but I feel so much better for having read it? There is good in the world, there is good in people. (There is good in this book.)
I was involved in the very, very early stages of this project and I tried to have Em make one of them (I don’t even remember which one) into a One Direction fan. And now I’m just all Look at where you are, look at where you started:y. Todd and Daniel have come a long way and I love them so much.
I gave real time updates on my reading progress via messenger, and I called the exact progress of the story early on, and I love it, it’s predictable in the absolute best of ways (like fanfiction tagged “fake relationship” is predictable in the absolute best ways, ya know?). I mean, don’t read this book if you’re looking for unexpected plot twists that will take you places; but if you want an absolutely lovely read about absolutely lovely boys who are very real and have very real and complex feelings about themselves, each other, and the life around them? This is the one for you.
I put off all my domestic chores in favor of finishing the book, so I’m gonna lose a lot of sleep tonight, but it was worth it.
March 5, 2019
Brush Strokes is a solid first novel for E. S. Karlquist. The characters were interesting and the dialog was engaging. I enjoyed Daniel’s character and appreciated the representation of a HoH individual. Karlquist did a great job describing the challenges and daily struggles Daniel faced. Todd was more flawed and the author put him through his paces as he realized his errors and worked to change. I really liked the friendship and longing that developed between Todd and Daniel before they admitted they had feelings for each other.
Some parts of the story stretched a tad too long and there were some confusing elements. The author doesn’t explain who Evan is until later in the story, perhaps to build tension, but it left me with questions. Also, we don’t find out what kind of pet Sandwich is until chapter 2 and are left to guess that it’s a bunny, which is unnecessary to the story. The author has great potential, but at times the narration style was awkward. It seemed like a mix of 1st person present and 3rd person. Overall this was promising debut.
Some parts of the story stretched a tad too long and there were some confusing elements. The author doesn’t explain who Evan is until later in the story, perhaps to build tension, but it left me with questions. Also, we don’t find out what kind of pet Sandwich is until chapter 2 and are left to guess that it’s a bunny, which is unnecessary to the story. The author has great potential, but at times the narration style was awkward. It seemed like a mix of 1st person present and 3rd person. Overall this was promising debut.
February 28, 2019
Sweet ~ Endearing ~ Romantic
tl;dr: Even guards need love
This books is a great short, romance novel for someone wanting a solid, character-driven book. Karlquist does a wonderful job of depicting friendship, in the platonic relationship. Also, the love story (m-m) is also so well done. This author is particularly good at character-driven story. One character is hard of hearing, and the dialogue is well-done (intentionally awkward). I wondered if this story has a visual arts element b/c of the hearing element, i.e. when one sense is diminished another grows. I don't know, but the museum part is probably the weakest element. It's really a book about people set around a museum. For most people, that will be plenty of museum. If you happen to be a museum worker, it's done just fine with no glaring errors.
Really well-done debut.
Seema Rao Write : Instagram| Blog| Twitter|
tl;dr: Even guards need love
This books is a great short, romance novel for someone wanting a solid, character-driven book. Karlquist does a wonderful job of depicting friendship, in the platonic relationship. Also, the love story (m-m) is also so well done. This author is particularly good at character-driven story. One character is hard of hearing, and the dialogue is well-done (intentionally awkward). I wondered if this story has a visual arts element b/c of the hearing element, i.e. when one sense is diminished another grows. I don't know, but the museum part is probably the weakest element. It's really a book about people set around a museum. For most people, that will be plenty of museum. If you happen to be a museum worker, it's done just fine with no glaring errors.
Really well-done debut.
Seema Rao Write : Instagram| Blog| Twitter|
March 7, 2019
A cute story about a whole bunch of miscommunication. Not an unreasonable level of miscommunication, in fact it's a pretty realistic level, but it still frustrated me at times. That being said, I did generally like the characters. They were normal people doing normal things. Definitely recommended for fans of slice of life type genres.
February 26, 2019
I almost never read digital copies of books (I have more trouble focusing on them, and they sometimes trigger headaches, so it's easier just to stick to physical copies), but I HAD to make an exception for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this. And I’m so glad I did because it is such a lovely story!! Lots of fun artsy things (which brought me back to my own college days when I toyed with doing a double major in art), beautiful representation with a character who is hard-of-hearing, and the slowest of slow burn romances, full of all the pining and ridiculousness you could hope for. Add in some wonderful side characters and a plot that had me rooting for everyone involved right up until the end, and this made my heart so happy to read.
I think the only thing that might make people have a harder time with this is some awkwardness with certain pieces of dialogue, but there is a reason for it when it happens...it really brings to light what people in the Deaf community have to deal with every single day, and looked at as a whole, I thought it ended up adding to the story, not detracting from it.
Overall, I found this to be a really adorable, really lovely debut book! <3
I think the only thing that might make people have a harder time with this is some awkwardness with certain pieces of dialogue, but there is a reason for it when it happens...it really brings to light what people in the Deaf community have to deal with every single day, and looked at as a whole, I thought it ended up adding to the story, not detracting from it.
Overall, I found this to be a really adorable, really lovely debut book! <3
March 12, 2019
4.25 stars
Well, I read this in a single day, so I think it’s safe to say I liked it.
Rep: bisexuality, Mexican MC, hard of hearing LI
Well, I read this in a single day, so I think it’s safe to say I liked it.
Rep: bisexuality, Mexican MC, hard of hearing LI
March 12, 2019
Note: Though this is a New-Adult novel, there's really no sexual content. Just thought I should mention it.
I wanted to start this review on a positive note, because my overall experience with the novel was positive. But the first thought in my head, about what I want to write in the review, is about the third-person present tense.
It's been a while since I expressed my dislike for this particular narrative tense. I just don't like it. In fact, a lot of people don't like it. And the worst part is that, whenever I come across a book written in third-person present, it takes me like 50 pages just to get used to it. Especially when the third person isn't done as well as it could be.
But before I get into that... this book is about Todd Navarro, who is a college student and works in an art gallery. He loves his job and the gallery, but it's not doing too well financially. And Todd desperately wants to find a way to save it.
That's one part of the plot. The book's focus is almost entirely on Todd and the things that matter to him. There's the gallery he's trying to save, his family troubles, the prospect of an unsure future after college, and the new guy he meets who's really great, but who's tied to the fate of the gallery in a way that presents a problem to Todd.
Now, this book isn't perfect, which I expected since it's the author debut novel, but it has a lot of redeemable qualities. First of all, I loved Todd. I mean, the guy has his issues. He overthinks everything to death and takes forever to decide on any action (which is often no action at all). He's shy and reserved and gets lost in his head a lot. But I found him to be very relatable. His anxiety, his desire to avoid conflict, and even his screw ups, they felt so human. And he's such a well-meaning guy that you can't really be mad at him. Plus, the author did a really good job of explaining his perspective.
Also, his dilly-dallying nature paved the way for a very slow burning romance (too slow, some might say) and it was exactly what I wanted to read. I love slow burns any day of the week, but these last couple of months especially, they're the only romances I feel up for. And this one was very sweet too, complete with friends-to-lovers.
As for issues... depending on who's reading the book, the problems can be more, or less, bothersome. For me, most of the issues had to do with the writing, and they decreased significantly as the novel progressed. I got used to the third-person present tense, and it no longer felt like this was a book written in first-person, just with the I's replaced by He's (that happens way too often with new authors). Still, the narrative sounded younger that it should have. It felt like we were reading about teens, not college student, and I think the book would've benefited from first-person POV, because of how intimately the story follows Todd.
And, if not that, then I really wish the author hadn't used the words "Dad" and "Mom" instead of "his dad" and "his mom". That's a pet peeve of mine, when author use sentences like 'Todd stepped inside as Dad opened the door' in third person.
Overall, I liked the book and I would definitely recommend it. I was initially skeptical about requesting an ARC because I hadn't read anything by the author (since this is her first book) and I hate leaving negative reviews of ARCs. But I'm glad I got to read this one, thanks to the publisher, who provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review, and I'm looking forward to more books by the author.
I wanted to start this review on a positive note, because my overall experience with the novel was positive. But the first thought in my head, about what I want to write in the review, is about the third-person present tense.
It's been a while since I expressed my dislike for this particular narrative tense. I just don't like it. In fact, a lot of people don't like it. And the worst part is that, whenever I come across a book written in third-person present, it takes me like 50 pages just to get used to it. Especially when the third person isn't done as well as it could be.
But before I get into that... this book is about Todd Navarro, who is a college student and works in an art gallery. He loves his job and the gallery, but it's not doing too well financially. And Todd desperately wants to find a way to save it.
That's one part of the plot. The book's focus is almost entirely on Todd and the things that matter to him. There's the gallery he's trying to save, his family troubles, the prospect of an unsure future after college, and the new guy he meets who's really great, but who's tied to the fate of the gallery in a way that presents a problem to Todd.
Now, this book isn't perfect, which I expected since it's the author debut novel, but it has a lot of redeemable qualities. First of all, I loved Todd. I mean, the guy has his issues. He overthinks everything to death and takes forever to decide on any action (which is often no action at all). He's shy and reserved and gets lost in his head a lot. But I found him to be very relatable. His anxiety, his desire to avoid conflict, and even his screw ups, they felt so human. And he's such a well-meaning guy that you can't really be mad at him. Plus, the author did a really good job of explaining his perspective.
Also, his dilly-dallying nature paved the way for a very slow burning romance (too slow, some might say) and it was exactly what I wanted to read. I love slow burns any day of the week, but these last couple of months especially, they're the only romances I feel up for. And this one was very sweet too, complete with friends-to-lovers.
As for issues... depending on who's reading the book, the problems can be more, or less, bothersome. For me, most of the issues had to do with the writing, and they decreased significantly as the novel progressed. I got used to the third-person present tense, and it no longer felt like this was a book written in first-person, just with the I's replaced by He's (that happens way too often with new authors). Still, the narrative sounded younger that it should have. It felt like we were reading about teens, not college student, and I think the book would've benefited from first-person POV, because of how intimately the story follows Todd.
And, if not that, then I really wish the author hadn't used the words "Dad" and "Mom" instead of "his dad" and "his mom". That's a pet peeve of mine, when author use sentences like 'Todd stepped inside as Dad opened the door' in third person.
Overall, I liked the book and I would definitely recommend it. I was initially skeptical about requesting an ARC because I hadn't read anything by the author (since this is her first book) and I hate leaving negative reviews of ARCs. But I'm glad I got to read this one, thanks to the publisher, who provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review, and I'm looking forward to more books by the author.
July 12, 2019
3.5 stars
A perfect book for summer read! I don't think I've ever tried new adult genre before (not that I'm aware of), but this one gave me a lovely experience.
The plot was rather simple, but the way it's written was nice and neat. The pacing was good too, though there were some parts of the story I felt was pretty fast and could be expanded more. There was a content warning before you dive into the first chapter too which I thought was amazing! A little heads up for what the readers are going to get into is always great. The dialogues and the interaction between the characters were entertaining to read. Some parts had me giggling and grinning from ear to ear, while some had me teary eyed.
To be honest, I dislike miscommunication trope. They always frustrate me and I don't like that feeling, especially when it was purposefully dragged on for a long time to create more drama and thicken the pages. However, this one made use of that trope in the least annoying way ever! Never once I felt irritated with the miscommunication issue these characters had. It didn't drag on and was solved rather quickly.
The book did a good job at highlighting the importance of communication, of having the courage to admit your own fault and be honest with yourself and the people around you even though it's hard and scary at times. Having a conversation that matters can help one avoids further misunderstanding and from severing a connection that might as well be their best and most memorable one.
The relationship development between Todd and Daniel was wonderful to read! Slow and steady, they progressed at a very nice pace. Based on the first chapter though, I thought the author was going to use insta-love trope and frankly speaking, insta-love is another trope I dislike reading. However, the direction the author took for their relationship in the next chapter surprised me and I was pleased and excited to learn that!
The casts of characters were all likeable. I liked how the author wrote them. Their energy screamed teenagers, but at the same time it never made me forgot that they're all twenty-something. Being a new adult myself, I felt close to these characters. It's easy to connect with them and relate to their concerns and insecurities. It felt really nice being able to understand all these feelings!
The main character, Todd, was fun, but awkward, sometimes a bit blunt too and had lots of self-awareness in him. I found some parts of myself in Todd, making him easy for me to click with. And the people around him were all amazing it made me jealous! Jesse's an angel, Mela's awesome, and Daniel's very endearing! I wish we could all have a friend like Daniel. Supportive and attentive. Understanding and forgiving. He definitely was my most favourite character in this entire story. The Hard of Hearing representation was done respectfully too and I enjoyed reading Todd and Daniel's interaction a lot! They're just adorable together.
My only issue with this book was the writing part. I noticed some sentences were missing prepositions. A few sounded a little weird and/or incomplete when read aloud, at least to me. I personally think it'd be much better had the editing part be done a few times to double check on grammar and sentence structure. Aside from that, I liked her writing style. It's easy to read and engaging. Plot wise, I wished I could see more of the relationship between Todd and Evan. It'd be nice to see the family theme this book touched upon being given a bit of an in-depth exploration from the author.
There are always rooms for improvement and I totally understand that this was just the author's debut work. But all in all I truly enjoyed reading this one! It came at the right time for me and sure enough, I won't hesitate to reread it someday in the future. I'd be glad to try her next works too!
Sweet and lovely, Brush Strokes is the book to pick up if you're in need of something light and nice for summer or to cool down your rushing adrenaline after a heavy, mind-boggling one. Don't be intimidated or skeptical when you notice the new adult tag at the genre section because trust me there's no explicit, rated scene you should be aware of at all. Instead, prepare yourself for lots of sweet and heartwarming moments that'd bring a wide smile on your face!
A perfect book for summer read! I don't think I've ever tried new adult genre before (not that I'm aware of), but this one gave me a lovely experience.
The plot was rather simple, but the way it's written was nice and neat. The pacing was good too, though there were some parts of the story I felt was pretty fast and could be expanded more. There was a content warning before you dive into the first chapter too which I thought was amazing! A little heads up for what the readers are going to get into is always great. The dialogues and the interaction between the characters were entertaining to read. Some parts had me giggling and grinning from ear to ear, while some had me teary eyed.
To be honest, I dislike miscommunication trope. They always frustrate me and I don't like that feeling, especially when it was purposefully dragged on for a long time to create more drama and thicken the pages. However, this one made use of that trope in the least annoying way ever! Never once I felt irritated with the miscommunication issue these characters had. It didn't drag on and was solved rather quickly.
The book did a good job at highlighting the importance of communication, of having the courage to admit your own fault and be honest with yourself and the people around you even though it's hard and scary at times. Having a conversation that matters can help one avoids further misunderstanding and from severing a connection that might as well be their best and most memorable one.
The relationship development between Todd and Daniel was wonderful to read! Slow and steady, they progressed at a very nice pace. Based on the first chapter though, I thought the author was going to use insta-love trope and frankly speaking, insta-love is another trope I dislike reading. However, the direction the author took for their relationship in the next chapter surprised me and I was pleased and excited to learn that!
The casts of characters were all likeable. I liked how the author wrote them. Their energy screamed teenagers, but at the same time it never made me forgot that they're all twenty-something. Being a new adult myself, I felt close to these characters. It's easy to connect with them and relate to their concerns and insecurities. It felt really nice being able to understand all these feelings!
The main character, Todd, was fun, but awkward, sometimes a bit blunt too and had lots of self-awareness in him. I found some parts of myself in Todd, making him easy for me to click with. And the people around him were all amazing it made me jealous! Jesse's an angel, Mela's awesome, and Daniel's very endearing! I wish we could all have a friend like Daniel. Supportive and attentive. Understanding and forgiving. He definitely was my most favourite character in this entire story. The Hard of Hearing representation was done respectfully too and I enjoyed reading Todd and Daniel's interaction a lot! They're just adorable together.
My only issue with this book was the writing part. I noticed some sentences were missing prepositions. A few sounded a little weird and/or incomplete when read aloud, at least to me. I personally think it'd be much better had the editing part be done a few times to double check on grammar and sentence structure. Aside from that, I liked her writing style. It's easy to read and engaging. Plot wise, I wished I could see more of the relationship between Todd and Evan. It'd be nice to see the family theme this book touched upon being given a bit of an in-depth exploration from the author.
There are always rooms for improvement and I totally understand that this was just the author's debut work. But all in all I truly enjoyed reading this one! It came at the right time for me and sure enough, I won't hesitate to reread it someday in the future. I'd be glad to try her next works too!
Sweet and lovely, Brush Strokes is the book to pick up if you're in need of something light and nice for summer or to cool down your rushing adrenaline after a heavy, mind-boggling one. Don't be intimidated or skeptical when you notice the new adult tag at the genre section because trust me there's no explicit, rated scene you should be aware of at all. Instead, prepare yourself for lots of sweet and heartwarming moments that'd bring a wide smile on your face!
March 12, 2019
Oh, this book! I read a lot of LGBTQ fiction and this has settled itself next to my heart. I may have to build it a little house there so it can stay. This is Karlquist’s first book and I have to say, I will definitely pick up anything else she writes!
This story is about Todd Navarro. He’s in the middle of College, works at a struggling Art Gallery and suffers from Anxiety. I’m laying it all out like a list, but the author does a lovely job of painting a picture of Todd that is detailed and gentle. I found myself growing quite fond of him quickly, and even though he can get very caught up in himself… he’s likable.
When Todd heads out to a party with his Best friend Mela, he meets Daniel Berger. Todd pegs Daniel as a jock almost immediately – sure, he’s a hot one, but he’s a jock. Todd can’t imagine Daniel being interested in him, only it turns out… he is. They have a great night together, Daniel is attentive and sweet, he’s caring, he’s interesting. In short, he’s all the things that Todd wouldn’t have expected a Swim-Team-Jock to be. And Daniel wants to see Todd again.
One of the things that I found endearing about this story is that Daniel Berger is hard of hearing. He was born hearing so he speaks without a problem but he reads lips and/or uses ASL. What I like about Karlquist’s writing style is that the reader learns about Daniel’s hearing at the same time as Todd. I picked up on it quite quickly as I used to work with Deaf and hard of hearing people, so the intensity of his gaze and the way he repeatedly asked for clarification made sense to me. But, it is subtle and well-written and there is a gentle learning curve for anyone who may be unfamiliar with people with a disability. Daniel isn’t written as though he is “less” because of his disability… he’s just different. Todd has challenges. Daniel has challenges. We all do.
While this book is a love story, it’s also very much centered on Todd and the way his thought patterns get him in trouble. He’s obviously living with anxiety and struggles with the decisions he has to make every day. It’s well-written, and I love how Todd has so much support in his life. It was refreshing and made my heart feel good. Support aside, Todd gets caught up in his emotions, and in the way he sees things. He struggles with having to change direction, rethink things, and seems to second-guess himself all the time. There are times when he’s his own worst enemy.
And there’s conflict! Did you think you might escape that? Nope. It turns out that Daniel may have something to do with the fact that the Art Gallery Todd works at is in danger of closing. I won’t ruin the ending…but I loved it.
If all of that doesn’t convince you to read this book, the author also posted a playlist of songs that go with the story.
This is a beautiful story about misunderstandings, hurt, family challenges and friendship. It’s staying on my shelf of favorites.
This story is about Todd Navarro. He’s in the middle of College, works at a struggling Art Gallery and suffers from Anxiety. I’m laying it all out like a list, but the author does a lovely job of painting a picture of Todd that is detailed and gentle. I found myself growing quite fond of him quickly, and even though he can get very caught up in himself… he’s likable.
When Todd heads out to a party with his Best friend Mela, he meets Daniel Berger. Todd pegs Daniel as a jock almost immediately – sure, he’s a hot one, but he’s a jock. Todd can’t imagine Daniel being interested in him, only it turns out… he is. They have a great night together, Daniel is attentive and sweet, he’s caring, he’s interesting. In short, he’s all the things that Todd wouldn’t have expected a Swim-Team-Jock to be. And Daniel wants to see Todd again.
One of the things that I found endearing about this story is that Daniel Berger is hard of hearing. He was born hearing so he speaks without a problem but he reads lips and/or uses ASL. What I like about Karlquist’s writing style is that the reader learns about Daniel’s hearing at the same time as Todd. I picked up on it quite quickly as I used to work with Deaf and hard of hearing people, so the intensity of his gaze and the way he repeatedly asked for clarification made sense to me. But, it is subtle and well-written and there is a gentle learning curve for anyone who may be unfamiliar with people with a disability. Daniel isn’t written as though he is “less” because of his disability… he’s just different. Todd has challenges. Daniel has challenges. We all do.
While this book is a love story, it’s also very much centered on Todd and the way his thought patterns get him in trouble. He’s obviously living with anxiety and struggles with the decisions he has to make every day. It’s well-written, and I love how Todd has so much support in his life. It was refreshing and made my heart feel good. Support aside, Todd gets caught up in his emotions, and in the way he sees things. He struggles with having to change direction, rethink things, and seems to second-guess himself all the time. There are times when he’s his own worst enemy.
And there’s conflict! Did you think you might escape that? Nope. It turns out that Daniel may have something to do with the fact that the Art Gallery Todd works at is in danger of closing. I won’t ruin the ending…but I loved it.
If all of that doesn’t convince you to read this book, the author also posted a playlist of songs that go with the story.
This is a beautiful story about misunderstandings, hurt, family challenges and friendship. It’s staying on my shelf of favorites.
March 25, 2019
I enjoyed some aspects of this debut novel, but not all of it worked well for me.
One thing I really appreciated about this book is how the author handled the fact that one of her main characters is hard of hearing. The narrator, Todd, meets Daniel at a party and is struck both by how handsome Daniel is and how attentive he seems to be to Todd. It’s only later that he learns that Daniel has been reading his lips because he’s losing his hearing. Since he’s not used to being around someone who reads lips, Todd often forgets to face Daniel and to enunciate clearly, so Daniel has to ask him what he said, and Todd has to repeat himself. It might have been tempting to avoid that repetition in order not to bore readers, but I’m glad the author chose to be realistic in the complications and frustrations that someone who is hard of hearing may encounter when communicating with hearing people.
This novel is as much a coming of age story as a romance, and I actually quite liked that aspect of the book. Todd is a rather insecure person, in part because he has a learning disability and also because he tends to measure himself against his seemingly perfect older brother. As the story unfolds, Todd learns that he is more capable and his brother less perfect than he originally thought.
While I liked Daniel a lot as Todd’s love interest, and the two of them had some really nice moments together, I thought their romance was the weakest part of the story. Early in the book, Todd becomes upset with Daniel over something that isn’t really Daniel’s fault and then lies to him repeatedly in a way that is very immature. That I can forgive in someone who is supposed to be college aged. The problem is that after that point, Todd refuses to believe that he and Daniel can be any more than friends, and that part of the plot gets dragged out much, much too long given how much time the two of them spend together. I wanted to shake Todd and/or Daniel after a while, I got so frustrated with the two of them and their inability to just be open with each other about their feelings.
Even though I was somewhat frustrated with how the romance was handled, I liked the novel well enough overall that I’m going to be keeping an eye out for more of her books in the future.
A copy of this book was provided through NetGalley for review; all opinions expressed are my own.
One thing I really appreciated about this book is how the author handled the fact that one of her main characters is hard of hearing. The narrator, Todd, meets Daniel at a party and is struck both by how handsome Daniel is and how attentive he seems to be to Todd. It’s only later that he learns that Daniel has been reading his lips because he’s losing his hearing. Since he’s not used to being around someone who reads lips, Todd often forgets to face Daniel and to enunciate clearly, so Daniel has to ask him what he said, and Todd has to repeat himself. It might have been tempting to avoid that repetition in order not to bore readers, but I’m glad the author chose to be realistic in the complications and frustrations that someone who is hard of hearing may encounter when communicating with hearing people.
This novel is as much a coming of age story as a romance, and I actually quite liked that aspect of the book. Todd is a rather insecure person, in part because he has a learning disability and also because he tends to measure himself against his seemingly perfect older brother. As the story unfolds, Todd learns that he is more capable and his brother less perfect than he originally thought.
While I liked Daniel a lot as Todd’s love interest, and the two of them had some really nice moments together, I thought their romance was the weakest part of the story. Early in the book, Todd becomes upset with Daniel over something that isn’t really Daniel’s fault and then lies to him repeatedly in a way that is very immature. That I can forgive in someone who is supposed to be college aged. The problem is that after that point, Todd refuses to believe that he and Daniel can be any more than friends, and that part of the plot gets dragged out much, much too long given how much time the two of them spend together. I wanted to shake Todd and/or Daniel after a while, I got so frustrated with the two of them and their inability to just be open with each other about their feelings.
Even though I was somewhat frustrated with how the romance was handled, I liked the novel well enough overall that I’m going to be keeping an eye out for more of her books in the future.
A copy of this book was provided through NetGalley for review; all opinions expressed are my own.
March 17, 2019
I’ll be honest, this book disappointed me. As much as I loved the premise and really wanted to love the characters and story, the writing caused it all to fall rather flat. I am always very reluctant to criticize writing style because a) style is subjective and b) as a writer myself, I am loathe to be harsh on other writers.
Still, in this case, criticism is necessary. The writing felt amateurish, like something I might read on Wattpad, with quite a lot of telling rather than showing. I grew frustrated with Todd, our main character, very quickly, as a literal third of the book was squandered on his inability to admit his own mistakes. While Daniel seemed lovely, I felt no chemistry between him and Todd, and as much as I love a slow burn, the lack of any tension between them made the ending feel like a complete departure from the rest of the book. There were no significant moments to indicate to the reader that Daniel was feeling anything romantic for Todd, and even Todd very rarely expressed his feelings for Daniel in romantic terms. In sum, I feel like I just read a book about two guys becoming very good friends. Which wouldn’t be terrible by any means, but clearly that’s not what the story is intended to be.
In general, this book lacks focus and movement. The word count could have been cut in half and there would still be excess to trim off. Without that clarity, the story quickly began to sag, and I found myself skimming just to get through some parts. This story might have been better suited to a novella and a much more strenuous editing process. Without clean and engaging writing, the characters and plot had no room to really flourish or evolve, meaning that ultimately, Brush Strokes lacked the heart and spark I was hoping for.
I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Still, in this case, criticism is necessary. The writing felt amateurish, like something I might read on Wattpad, with quite a lot of telling rather than showing. I grew frustrated with Todd, our main character, very quickly, as a literal third of the book was squandered on his inability to admit his own mistakes. While Daniel seemed lovely, I felt no chemistry between him and Todd, and as much as I love a slow burn, the lack of any tension between them made the ending feel like a complete departure from the rest of the book. There were no significant moments to indicate to the reader that Daniel was feeling anything romantic for Todd, and even Todd very rarely expressed his feelings for Daniel in romantic terms. In sum, I feel like I just read a book about two guys becoming very good friends. Which wouldn’t be terrible by any means, but clearly that’s not what the story is intended to be.
In general, this book lacks focus and movement. The word count could have been cut in half and there would still be excess to trim off. Without that clarity, the story quickly began to sag, and I found myself skimming just to get through some parts. This story might have been better suited to a novella and a much more strenuous editing process. Without clean and engaging writing, the characters and plot had no room to really flourish or evolve, meaning that ultimately, Brush Strokes lacked the heart and spark I was hoping for.
I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
March 30, 2019
*I received a copy of Brush Strokes from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
Brush Strokes by E.S. Karlquist is a New Adult contemporary fiction book centered around Todd Navarro. Todd is halfway through college and is unsure of what he wants to do in the future, other than knowing he wants it to be somehow art related. But his dad doesn’t think art can be a real job, and the fact that the gallery Todd works at is struggling financially isn’t helping matters.
When his best friend Mela drags him out to a party to take his mind off things, he meets Daniel and develops a crush – until he learns Daniel might be involved in deciding the art gallery’s future.
In broad strokes, I liked this story a lot. The themes of finding your place in the world, figuring out “how to adult”, fighting for what you believe in, etc. are very resonant. On a smaller scale, the characterization was done very well. Todd is extremely anxious, and his anxiety is portrayed realistically and understandably. Even when he’s working against his own best interests (such as with the persistent miscommunication/failure to communicate with Daniel), it’s clear that he knows he’s self-sabotaging, but his anxiety is preventing him from making another choice.
Daniel is hard-of-hearing and as far as I could tell, that was represented accurately and with nuance. Todd’s friend Mela and Daniel’s friend Jesse were also well-written characters.
However, there were also parts of the story that were distracting or didn’t seem to work well. As a small example, when we’re introduced to Todd’s pet, Sandwich, it’s not mentioned anywhere what kind of animal Sandwich is. That was a small, but very distracting, thing, as I re-read the pages several times trying to see if I’d skipped anything. All I knew is that Sandwich has a cage in Todd’s room and thus was a small animal, but she could’ve been a hamster, gerbil, rat, chinchilla, rabbit… (She’s eventually revealed to be a rabbit, but that was a mystery that really wasn’t needed).
There are also a number of cryptic references to “Evan”, who Todd is actively avoiding, but again, who Evan is isn’t revealed until quite late on. I also thought the reason for the falling out between Todd and Evan, which led to Todd refusing to speak to Evan for a year and a half was not really worth that extreme a reaction.
Finally, I thought there was a very obvious solution to Todd and Daniel’s conflicting plans/desires regarding the gallery space, but it doesn’t occur to any of the characters at any point.
Having said all that, I did like the story and the way Todd and Daniel worked to reconnect as friends after their initial attempt at dating backfired so spectacularly. It was also nice to see how important their friends Mela and Jesse were to them; although there is definitely a romantic subplot between Todd and Daniel, platonic friendships are equally important in Brush Strokes, and that’s always nice to see.
Overall, 3.5 stars
Brush Strokes by E.S. Karlquist is a New Adult contemporary fiction book centered around Todd Navarro. Todd is halfway through college and is unsure of what he wants to do in the future, other than knowing he wants it to be somehow art related. But his dad doesn’t think art can be a real job, and the fact that the gallery Todd works at is struggling financially isn’t helping matters.
When his best friend Mela drags him out to a party to take his mind off things, he meets Daniel and develops a crush – until he learns Daniel might be involved in deciding the art gallery’s future.
In broad strokes, I liked this story a lot. The themes of finding your place in the world, figuring out “how to adult”, fighting for what you believe in, etc. are very resonant. On a smaller scale, the characterization was done very well. Todd is extremely anxious, and his anxiety is portrayed realistically and understandably. Even when he’s working against his own best interests (such as with the persistent miscommunication/failure to communicate with Daniel), it’s clear that he knows he’s self-sabotaging, but his anxiety is preventing him from making another choice.
Daniel is hard-of-hearing and as far as I could tell, that was represented accurately and with nuance. Todd’s friend Mela and Daniel’s friend Jesse were also well-written characters.
However, there were also parts of the story that were distracting or didn’t seem to work well. As a small example, when we’re introduced to Todd’s pet, Sandwich, it’s not mentioned anywhere what kind of animal Sandwich is. That was a small, but very distracting, thing, as I re-read the pages several times trying to see if I’d skipped anything. All I knew is that Sandwich has a cage in Todd’s room and thus was a small animal, but she could’ve been a hamster, gerbil, rat, chinchilla, rabbit… (She’s eventually revealed to be a rabbit, but that was a mystery that really wasn’t needed).
There are also a number of cryptic references to “Evan”, who Todd is actively avoiding, but again, who Evan is isn’t revealed until quite late on. I also thought the reason for the falling out between Todd and Evan, which led to Todd refusing to speak to Evan for a year and a half was not really worth that extreme a reaction.
Finally, I thought there was a very obvious solution to Todd and Daniel’s conflicting plans/desires regarding the gallery space, but it doesn’t occur to any of the characters at any point.
Having said all that, I did like the story and the way Todd and Daniel worked to reconnect as friends after their initial attempt at dating backfired so spectacularly. It was also nice to see how important their friends Mela and Jesse were to them; although there is definitely a romantic subplot between Todd and Daniel, platonic friendships are equally important in Brush Strokes, and that’s always nice to see.
Overall, 3.5 stars
May 7, 2019
Real Rating: 3.75
I really enjoyed this book! It was a really cute romance with some angst thrown in. I really enjoyed the hard of hearing representation in this book as well. I have a cousin who is HOH and it was really cool seeing a character live their life as my cousin does.
I really enjoyed the characters. Todd struggled and he was flawed but that's why I liked him. He seemed real. The only thing that bothered me was that yes, we know he's in art school but which school and what is he studying exactly? At the end he randomly takes an accounting class but I'm not sure that art schools have those types of classes.
Daniel is really interesting as well. He has famous parents but he himself is really down to earth. We clearly see him struggling with his hearing disability and getting frustrated because he can't hear what people are saying to him. I would've loved for his ambition to go into law to be explored a bit more. The author made hints that law wasn't exactly his idea but he ends up going to law school and seems happy about it. There are just some open ended things that I would've loved to see dealt with.
I really enjoyed this book! It was a really cute romance with some angst thrown in. I really enjoyed the hard of hearing representation in this book as well. I have a cousin who is HOH and it was really cool seeing a character live their life as my cousin does.
I really enjoyed the characters. Todd struggled and he was flawed but that's why I liked him. He seemed real. The only thing that bothered me was that yes, we know he's in art school but which school and what is he studying exactly? At the end he randomly takes an accounting class but I'm not sure that art schools have those types of classes.
Daniel is really interesting as well. He has famous parents but he himself is really down to earth. We clearly see him struggling with his hearing disability and getting frustrated because he can't hear what people are saying to him. I would've loved for his ambition to go into law to be explored a bit more. The author made hints that law wasn't exactly his idea but he ends up going to law school and seems happy about it. There are just some open ended things that I would've loved to see dealt with.
September 4, 2019
Todd is trying to make it through college while working at a beloved art gallery that is struggling to keep its doors open. When his best friend invites him to a party he hits it off with Daniel and feels like something good is finally starting to happen until he finds out that Daniel is planning to take over the gallery space when it closes.
This is possibly the first book I've ever read with a major character who is hard of hearing or at least it's the first one where it has been so intricately written into the story. The book can sometimes be a little frustrating to read because the characters repeat themselves so much, but it's really illustrating how Daniel would actually be processing the world and needing to ask people to repeat themselves or not being able to understand things when he is in a loud situation or when people turn away from him while speaking. The book does a good job of putting you in his shoes.
This is possibly the first book I've ever read with a major character who is hard of hearing or at least it's the first one where it has been so intricately written into the story. The book can sometimes be a little frustrating to read because the characters repeat themselves so much, but it's really illustrating how Daniel would actually be processing the world and needing to ask people to repeat themselves or not being able to understand things when he is in a loud situation or when people turn away from him while speaking. The book does a good job of putting you in his shoes.
March 18, 2019
This was a sweet book. The story of Todd, a college art student, who meets Daniel at a party that he didn't really want to go to because it was a college jock party....and then he is pleasantly surprised. They have a misunderstanding that upsets Todd although he really likes Daniel. Their friends decide to get them together so they can talk, and eventually they do and they agree to be friends. Daniel is hearing impaired and Todd learns sign language to communicate better with Daniel. He really tries and they become good friends for most of the book. They are both just really sweet guys but Todd is really unsure of himself and his relationship with Daniel and keeps holding back. Daniel is SO sweet and the nicest guy ever. Todd has trouble expressing his feelings but he finally gets it together at the end of the book which made me really happy. Quick read, and a very sweet nice love story.
March 27, 2019
I really enjoyed this book! It was a fun, light-hearted contemporary that was easy to get through.
I loved the relations among the characters in the book and how each one had been expanded on.
Todd and Mela's relationship is one I really enjoyed reading about and also Todd's relationship with his family. It was a relief to see parents who were invested in their kid's life for once!
Todd was a fun narrator to read about. I loved how humanistic and relatable he was. He was hard working and he did as much as he could to save the art gallery. I understood his emotions, even though he frustrated me at some times.
Daniel was hard of hearing. He seemed untouchable and perfect at first but as we got to know him, I fell in love with him and wanted to know as much about him as possible!
I especially loved the scenes where either of the two stayed over at the others' houses.
It was a coming-of-age novel where Todds goes through many hardships and comes out of them stronger than ever. I loved how he kept working even when odds weren't looking too great!
I love how Todd tries to fix things between Daniel and himself and also tried to learn sign language in order to make it easier for Daniel.
This book is one of a kind and one I truly enjoyed! I am so glad I read it!
I loved the relations among the characters in the book and how each one had been expanded on.
Todd and Mela's relationship is one I really enjoyed reading about and also Todd's relationship with his family. It was a relief to see parents who were invested in their kid's life for once!
Todd was a fun narrator to read about. I loved how humanistic and relatable he was. He was hard working and he did as much as he could to save the art gallery. I understood his emotions, even though he frustrated me at some times.
Daniel was hard of hearing. He seemed untouchable and perfect at first but as we got to know him, I fell in love with him and wanted to know as much about him as possible!
I especially loved the scenes where either of the two stayed over at the others' houses.
It was a coming-of-age novel where Todds goes through many hardships and comes out of them stronger than ever. I loved how he kept working even when odds weren't looking too great!
I love how Todd tries to fix things between Daniel and himself and also tried to learn sign language in order to make it easier for Daniel.
This book is one of a kind and one I truly enjoyed! I am so glad I read it!
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