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Duke Undone #3
Artfully Yours
Sparks fly between a lordly art critic and a lady forger in this enthralling Victorian historical romance from the author of The Runaway Duchess.
Nina Finch isn’t suited for a life of crime. Raised by her art-forger brother, she can paint like Botticelli. But she’d so much rather be baking gooseberry tarts. She finally has the money she needs to open her own bakery. Unfortunately, her brother’s carelessness lands her—and their forgeries—directly under the nose of London’s most discerning art critic, Alan De’Ath. De’Ath knows the paintings are fake. He doesn’t know that Nina had a hand in their creation. In fact, he offers her a job in his household. Accepting it is the most dangerous thing she has ever done….
Alan takes pride in seeing things other people miss. He plans to catch the forger and cement his reputation. There’s only one problem: the closer he gets to the beguiling woman he hired, the less he trusts his perspective. Nina isn’t what she seems. But despite their false start, she just might hold the real key to his heart.
As Nina and Alan’s attraction grows, divided loyalties threaten to pull them apart and shatter their worlds. They’ll lose everything, or discover how powerful true love can be….
Nina Finch isn’t suited for a life of crime. Raised by her art-forger brother, she can paint like Botticelli. But she’d so much rather be baking gooseberry tarts. She finally has the money she needs to open her own bakery. Unfortunately, her brother’s carelessness lands her—and their forgeries—directly under the nose of London’s most discerning art critic, Alan De’Ath. De’Ath knows the paintings are fake. He doesn’t know that Nina had a hand in their creation. In fact, he offers her a job in his household. Accepting it is the most dangerous thing she has ever done….
Alan takes pride in seeing things other people miss. He plans to catch the forger and cement his reputation. There’s only one problem: the closer he gets to the beguiling woman he hired, the less he trusts his perspective. Nina isn’t what she seems. But despite their false start, she just might hold the real key to his heart.
As Nina and Alan’s attraction grows, divided loyalties threaten to pull them apart and shatter their worlds. They’ll lose everything, or discover how powerful true love can be….
Audiobook
First published February 21, 2023
130 people are currently reading
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About the author
Joanna Lowell
8 books451 followersJoanna Lowell lives among the fig trees in North Carolina, where she teaches in the English department at Wake Forest University. When she’s not writing historical romance, she writes collections and novels as Joanna Ruocco. Those books include Dan, Another Governess / The Least Blacksmith, The Week, and Field Glass, co-authored with Joanna Howard.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 252 reviews
April 1, 2023
✨Paint me like one of your forgeries✨
So this was a mixed bag for me! I really enjoyed the main couple and the art expert vs. art forger dynamic, but the relationship was overshadowed a bit by the art drama. I had a fun time seeing Nina get under De’Ath’s skin. It’s always a fun time when a character is undercover and working for the other one.
Both characters had some annoying brothers and that’s double trouble on a trope I don’t generally enjoy. I will say, Lowell worked in a little bit of redemption for each that I wasn’t expecting. It wasn’t full forgiveness (which would’ve made me angry) but it worked in an organic way.
As for the audiobook, I’m normally a huge Mary Jane Wells fan. However, the voice she used for Alan was ATROCIOUS. He sounded like the villain!! Like he wore way too many gold rings and had a big curly black mustache and long ass beard. She was out there rolling his Rs and truly my skin was crawling. Multiple people have confirmed that his voice was NOT the move and I’m so sad. I didn’t like Jack but boy was I attracted to HIS voice!! Alan sounded like he was an overstuffed peacock pushing 80.
Overall, I wasn’t as emotionally attached here as I was to book two. The writing was still excellent and I love Lowell’s humor. I’m excited to see what’s next! I recommend reading this one via ebook or physically if you have the chance. The audiobook really wasn’t the move.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶️🌶️.75*/5
*I think there were two scenes and it felt a bit lighter in steam than book two. I also just didn’t feel the heat because I couldn’t get behind MJW’s voice for Alan.
P.S. I was rather obsessed with seeing Neal and Lavinia again because I’m rather obsessed with everything they do. I think Alan was first introduced in book two so I really shouldn’t have been surprised, but it was definitely a treat.
CW: The major CW that I noted was Munchausen's syndrome by proxy. Alan’s mother intentionally kept him ill as a child as well as force surgeries and such. It was a pretty heavy and emotional scene when it all came up.
Thank you to PRHaudio and the publisher for advanced copies. All opinions are honest and my own.
So this was a mixed bag for me! I really enjoyed the main couple and the art expert vs. art forger dynamic, but the relationship was overshadowed a bit by the art drama. I had a fun time seeing Nina get under De’Ath’s skin. It’s always a fun time when a character is undercover and working for the other one.
Both characters had some annoying brothers and that’s double trouble on a trope I don’t generally enjoy. I will say, Lowell worked in a little bit of redemption for each that I wasn’t expecting. It wasn’t full forgiveness (which would’ve made me angry) but it worked in an organic way.
As for the audiobook, I’m normally a huge Mary Jane Wells fan. However, the voice she used for Alan was ATROCIOUS. He sounded like the villain!! Like he wore way too many gold rings and had a big curly black mustache and long ass beard. She was out there rolling his Rs and truly my skin was crawling. Multiple people have confirmed that his voice was NOT the move and I’m so sad. I didn’t like Jack but boy was I attracted to HIS voice!! Alan sounded like he was an overstuffed peacock pushing 80.
Overall, I wasn’t as emotionally attached here as I was to book two. The writing was still excellent and I love Lowell’s humor. I’m excited to see what’s next! I recommend reading this one via ebook or physically if you have the chance. The audiobook really wasn’t the move.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶️🌶️.75*/5
*I think there were two scenes and it felt a bit lighter in steam than book two. I also just didn’t feel the heat because I couldn’t get behind MJW’s voice for Alan.
P.S. I was rather obsessed with seeing Neal and Lavinia again because I’m rather obsessed with everything they do. I think Alan was first introduced in book two so I really shouldn’t have been surprised, but it was definitely a treat.
CW: The major CW that I noted was Munchausen's syndrome by proxy. Alan’s mother intentionally kept him ill as a child as well as force surgeries and such. It was a pretty heavy and emotional scene when it all came up.
Thank you to PRHaudio and the publisher for advanced copies. All opinions are honest and my own.
January 8, 2023
Definitely not your typical historical romance.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you have read historical romances before, you may realize that there are different periods authors craft the story in, such as Regency romance. Many times the author will write in the speech patterns of the times instead of how we typically write today. This varies with each author.
Lowell has chosen to write this book in very structured prose, not necessarily of the timeframe of the story, but it is something you will need to get used to. I found myself slowing down quite a bit to get used to her writing.
Artfully Yours is as unique as the characters she has created. This is not the typical historical romance in the least and that can be a good thing or something that bugs you should you like the traditional story plots.
This is the story of family connections, commitments, art, legacy, and living life as you choose. It is also a slow-burn romance, with plenty of heat and steam that will make your heart skip a beat or two!
Lowell managed to combine the best of a traditional type of historical romance with the heat and passion we get in a contemporary romance. This story is beautifully unique and stands out for that exact reason!
* copy received for review consideration
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/artfully-you...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you have read historical romances before, you may realize that there are different periods authors craft the story in, such as Regency romance. Many times the author will write in the speech patterns of the times instead of how we typically write today. This varies with each author.
Lowell has chosen to write this book in very structured prose, not necessarily of the timeframe of the story, but it is something you will need to get used to. I found myself slowing down quite a bit to get used to her writing.
Artfully Yours is as unique as the characters she has created. This is not the typical historical romance in the least and that can be a good thing or something that bugs you should you like the traditional story plots.
This is the story of family connections, commitments, art, legacy, and living life as you choose. It is also a slow-burn romance, with plenty of heat and steam that will make your heart skip a beat or two!
Lowell managed to combine the best of a traditional type of historical romance with the heat and passion we get in a contemporary romance. This story is beautifully unique and stands out for that exact reason!
* copy received for review consideration
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/artfully-you...
February 24, 2023
Joanna Lowell's signature style seems to be taking on a "bonkers" historical romance plot and pushing it to its logical extreme. Come across a naked guy in an alley, sketch him and make it into a painting, and he turns out to be a duke who falls in love with you? (UN)DONE. Run away from an unhappy marriage, masquerade as someone completely different who's staying with a hot, rich, young plant hunter who falls in love with you? DONE. This book is no different: Nina is a gifted artist who has been forging classic art pieces for about a decade at the behest of her older brother. London's leading art critic, Lord Alan De'Ath (who is serving shades of a hotter Lord Peter Death Bredon Wimsey IYKYK), is on to them. So what does Nina do? She accepts a position as his secretary and goes to live in his house so that she can foil his investigation into the forgery ring from the inside.
Since this is Joanna Lowell, this isn't a hilarious spy farce. Nina is conflicted about her roles as a forger and as a spy. Although she also sees art forgery as an almost victimless crime and is confused at Alan's determination to uncover the criminals, she is also drawn into his world view that sees almost anything as an art: writing, music, painting, but also baking, journalism, and more. Of course, just as Nina begins to expand her own horizons, she does the same for Alan. He begins to understand that art is not just a matter of talent, but also opportunity.
Of course, this is a romance and a love story. Through their relationship with each other, Nina and Alan are able to adjust their own expectations, desires, and perceptions. Alan, in particular, has relied on his own perception of the world for so long that it is difficult for him to understand that differences of opinion are not necessarily attacks. This is the only historical romance we can think of that incorporates elements of Munchausen syndrome by proxy, and in a devastatingly poignant way that illuminates Alan's greatest strengths and weaknesses.
Artfully Yours does incorporate more whimsey than the previous books in the series, primarily due to the inclusion of Fritz the marmoset. It's tough to be serious all the time when you have a mischievous monkey as a member of the household! Recommended if you like serious HR without too much relationship angst.
22-Word Summaries:
Meg: Nina’s brother makes her forge paintings. Now he’s making her spy on preeminent (and hot) art critic Alan. What could happen next?
Laine: Forgery is clearly a gateway crime to lockpicking, theft, and conspiracy. Good thing Alan's there to tempt Nina by not being awful.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
Since this is Joanna Lowell, this isn't a hilarious spy farce. Nina is conflicted about her roles as a forger and as a spy. Although she also sees art forgery as an almost victimless crime and is confused at Alan's determination to uncover the criminals, she is also drawn into his world view that sees almost anything as an art: writing, music, painting, but also baking, journalism, and more. Of course, just as Nina begins to expand her own horizons, she does the same for Alan. He begins to understand that art is not just a matter of talent, but also opportunity.
Of course, this is a romance and a love story. Through their relationship with each other, Nina and Alan are able to adjust their own expectations, desires, and perceptions. Alan, in particular, has relied on his own perception of the world for so long that it is difficult for him to understand that differences of opinion are not necessarily attacks. This is the only historical romance we can think of that incorporates elements of Munchausen syndrome by proxy, and in a devastatingly poignant way that illuminates Alan's greatest strengths and weaknesses.
Artfully Yours does incorporate more whimsey than the previous books in the series, primarily due to the inclusion of Fritz the marmoset. It's tough to be serious all the time when you have a mischievous monkey as a member of the household! Recommended if you like serious HR without too much relationship angst.
22-Word Summaries:
Meg: Nina’s brother makes her forge paintings. Now he’s making her spy on preeminent (and hot) art critic Alan. What could happen next?
Laine: Forgery is clearly a gateway crime to lockpicking, theft, and conspiracy. Good thing Alan's there to tempt Nina by not being awful.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
June 22, 2023
4 stars / 4.25 stars
I’ve now read Lowell’s past four books (starting with Dark Season) and this one is my favorite. Quoting from my Dear Author review:
Alan De’Ath, the novel’s main male character, is an art and music critic and a duke’s younger brother. Alan and his brother Geoffrey, the duke, have a falling out early on. Geoffrey wants Alan to use the power of his pen to aid in Geoffrey’s political ambitions, and Alan wants his brother to help his bedridden son lead a fuller life instead of cloistering him away. An argument about this escalates when Alan identifies one of his brother Geoffrey’s paintings, supposedly a Rembrandt, as a forgery. They come to blows over it.
The argument is first disrupted when a maid comes in and drops a tray, and the fight when she returns and quits. But Alan decides to prove the forgeries are forgeries and to see the forgers captured. That is something that could harm Geoffrey’s political ambitions because some of the people who bought the paintings are connected to prominent leaders who could aid Geoffrey or stand in his way, and these men want and expect Geoffrey to rein in Alan’s caustic pen. But Alan has too much integrity (and perhaps is too opinionated) to falsify his opinions.
Before I proceed further, I want to take a moment to appreciate the fact that hey—here is a work of fiction where the art critic isn’t the scum of the earth and in fact can have integrity and legitimate opinions. The nasty/villainous critic/reviewer trope is one of my dead last favorites, for obvious reasons (as well as, it often feels like authors and other content creators grinding an ax), and like Layla said in her review, it was refreshing to see it subverted.
Geoffrey forbids Alan from visiting with his nieces and nephew (the bedridden boy, Claude). Instead he uses them as leverage to get Alan to write the kind of reviews Geoffrey thinks he should be writing—glowing ones. Alan fires back that he will sell all the art in Geoffrey’s house, which he inherited until Geoffrey lets him visit the kids again. He is really worried for Claude.
There’s a long story behind why Alan and Geoffrey’s parents left the title and the (entailed, I think) properties to Geoffrey but gave Alan all the house’s contents. Alan has let Geoffrey keep them because he doesn’t hate his brother and it would be a horrible thing to take everything out of the house and sell it. But to save Claude from the kind of childhood he himself once had (more on this later), Alan would do even that.
Meanwhile, the maid who dropped the tray isn’t really a maid, but Nina Finch, the other main character and one of the art forgers. Nina infiltrated Geoffrey’s house to steal a letter that could incriminate her and her brother Jack. After Geoffrey sacks Nina (who is happy to be fired, since she’s already accomplished what she went there to do), Alan offers her a secretarial position because he feels bad about it. Nina declines but once Jack finds out about Alan’s intention to expose the forgers, he convinces Nina to accept the position after all so she can find out what Alan is up to.
Nina shows up at Alan’s house, which is also occupied by a small coterie of artists who double as his servants. Alan is their patron in a way, and he does not treat them with condescension. To house has a casual and sometimes humorous atmosphere. This, and Nina’s pet marmoset, made me fear this book was on a rapid descent into tweeness. Fortunately this turn was arrested by the deepening relationship between Alan and Nina and by the shading of the characters themselves as their backstories were filled in.
There were also a few details that might or might not be true to the period. I’m not sure, even though I know a lot about Late Victorian England. One is a a seemingly (and perhaps actually, it wasn’t clear to me) female artist who openly dresses in men’s clothes. Her circle is fringe and bohemian, so it didn’t seem completely out of the realm of possibility to me, but it also didn’t seem that probable. It’s not something I can speak with any confidence about, since I haven’t researched it, but it still pulled me out of the story.
However, the book got more serious and complex and interesting, as well as more believable, as it went on. The romance was moving and the way Lowell writes about it is more mature than in many books. There’s also the kind of background detail that adds a lot in my opinion, details about art forgery and about baking (Nina dreams of opening a pastry shop).
You can read the rest of the review here: https://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/o...
I’ve now read Lowell’s past four books (starting with Dark Season) and this one is my favorite. Quoting from my Dear Author review:
Alan De’Ath, the novel’s main male character, is an art and music critic and a duke’s younger brother. Alan and his brother Geoffrey, the duke, have a falling out early on. Geoffrey wants Alan to use the power of his pen to aid in Geoffrey’s political ambitions, and Alan wants his brother to help his bedridden son lead a fuller life instead of cloistering him away. An argument about this escalates when Alan identifies one of his brother Geoffrey’s paintings, supposedly a Rembrandt, as a forgery. They come to blows over it.
The argument is first disrupted when a maid comes in and drops a tray, and the fight when she returns and quits. But Alan decides to prove the forgeries are forgeries and to see the forgers captured. That is something that could harm Geoffrey’s political ambitions because some of the people who bought the paintings are connected to prominent leaders who could aid Geoffrey or stand in his way, and these men want and expect Geoffrey to rein in Alan’s caustic pen. But Alan has too much integrity (and perhaps is too opinionated) to falsify his opinions.
Before I proceed further, I want to take a moment to appreciate the fact that hey—here is a work of fiction where the art critic isn’t the scum of the earth and in fact can have integrity and legitimate opinions. The nasty/villainous critic/reviewer trope is one of my dead last favorites, for obvious reasons (as well as, it often feels like authors and other content creators grinding an ax), and like Layla said in her review, it was refreshing to see it subverted.
Geoffrey forbids Alan from visiting with his nieces and nephew (the bedridden boy, Claude). Instead he uses them as leverage to get Alan to write the kind of reviews Geoffrey thinks he should be writing—glowing ones. Alan fires back that he will sell all the art in Geoffrey’s house, which he inherited until Geoffrey lets him visit the kids again. He is really worried for Claude.
There’s a long story behind why Alan and Geoffrey’s parents left the title and the (entailed, I think) properties to Geoffrey but gave Alan all the house’s contents. Alan has let Geoffrey keep them because he doesn’t hate his brother and it would be a horrible thing to take everything out of the house and sell it. But to save Claude from the kind of childhood he himself once had (more on this later), Alan would do even that.
Meanwhile, the maid who dropped the tray isn’t really a maid, but Nina Finch, the other main character and one of the art forgers. Nina infiltrated Geoffrey’s house to steal a letter that could incriminate her and her brother Jack. After Geoffrey sacks Nina (who is happy to be fired, since she’s already accomplished what she went there to do), Alan offers her a secretarial position because he feels bad about it. Nina declines but once Jack finds out about Alan’s intention to expose the forgers, he convinces Nina to accept the position after all so she can find out what Alan is up to.
Nina shows up at Alan’s house, which is also occupied by a small coterie of artists who double as his servants. Alan is their patron in a way, and he does not treat them with condescension. To house has a casual and sometimes humorous atmosphere. This, and Nina’s pet marmoset, made me fear this book was on a rapid descent into tweeness. Fortunately this turn was arrested by the deepening relationship between Alan and Nina and by the shading of the characters themselves as their backstories were filled in.
There were also a few details that might or might not be true to the period. I’m not sure, even though I know a lot about Late Victorian England. One is a a seemingly (and perhaps actually, it wasn’t clear to me) female artist who openly dresses in men’s clothes. Her circle is fringe and bohemian, so it didn’t seem completely out of the realm of possibility to me, but it also didn’t seem that probable. It’s not something I can speak with any confidence about, since I haven’t researched it, but it still pulled me out of the story.
However, the book got more serious and complex and interesting, as well as more believable, as it went on. The romance was moving and the way Lowell writes about it is more mature than in many books. There’s also the kind of background detail that adds a lot in my opinion, details about art forgery and about baking (Nina dreams of opening a pastry shop).
You can read the rest of the review here: https://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/o...
December 13, 2023
Oh dang, looks like I am the first person with the honour to review this book on this site, so the pressure is ON!
Berkley has been kind enough to provide me with an e-ARC of each novel in this companion series by Joanna Lowell so far, and I was excited to read this new third installment. Based on the rating alone, this book lands nicely in second place for me.
I was quite glad to get back to the artistic roots of the first book. This time, the romance is between Alan, a staunch and well-known art critic, and Nina, a low-born art forger. And let me tell you this was a lot of fun! I was unable to put it down towards the end and zipped through the last half in one sitting. There are so many funny moments that had me chuckling out loud, especially the one in the beginning when we meet Nina in her position as a housemaid. And of course, who can forget the sweet little monkey who steals so many scenes.
Nina is the art forger who does not want to art forge. Her brother is the mastermind behind their operation, and she just happens to be the more skilled of the pair of them. Which sucks, because all she wants to do it is bake. And who can blame her? Once she has the money, she intends to buy a bakery in the village she loves most and live out the rest of her days there. The fear of God is put in here when famed art critic Alan De'Ath unknowingly calls one of her fakes just that in front of her.
Alan will not praise a single piece of art unless he believes it deserves it, much to his older brother's dismay. The pair of them get into it over money and family matters quite regularly, and that was another humourous aspect to this book. After she quits working for his brother, and he now has a very bruised and useless hand, Alan hires Nina to work for him as his secretary. A position she only agrees to on her brother's behalf to spy on him and his investigation into their forgeries. And so, obviously, begins a love story.
Both of them have such sad backstories, but I think it meshed them together really well. The arc of their relationship was also great! There is a lot of lying and omissions of the truth in their romance, but there is also a surprising amount of honesty that was quite refreshing. It was handled in such a way to not be the main conflict while still leaving you wondering if they would survive this speed bump in their blossoming romance. I loved how it all ended and had a big stupid grin on my face, so that's a very good sign.
We do meet some characters from The Runaway Duchess and The Duke Undone, namely Neil and Lavinia, and Lucy, respectively. Everyone knows Alan, so there's that! There's also someone named Kate that I suspect we've met before as well, but I don't remember her.
As hard as it was for me to put this down at the end, the beginning was a bit of a slog. Which, in hindsight, seems to be a trend with Lowell's books for me, and my final ratings end up being based on how quickly the books got their legs under them. The first handful of chapters are very long. Like, you know how Kindle has the setting to tell you how much time is left in a chapter? Yeah, well, my soul left my body a little bit when I had 30-minute-long chapters to get through just to get to the meat of the story. Hopefully that improves in her future books.
I'm not sure if there will be more books in this companion series, but if there are ... this is my official declaration that I would happily read them.
Berkley has been kind enough to provide me with an e-ARC of each novel in this companion series by Joanna Lowell so far, and I was excited to read this new third installment. Based on the rating alone, this book lands nicely in second place for me.
I was quite glad to get back to the artistic roots of the first book. This time, the romance is between Alan, a staunch and well-known art critic, and Nina, a low-born art forger. And let me tell you this was a lot of fun! I was unable to put it down towards the end and zipped through the last half in one sitting. There are so many funny moments that had me chuckling out loud, especially the one in the beginning when we meet Nina in her position as a housemaid. And of course, who can forget the sweet little monkey who steals so many scenes.
Nina is the art forger who does not want to art forge. Her brother is the mastermind behind their operation, and she just happens to be the more skilled of the pair of them. Which sucks, because all she wants to do it is bake. And who can blame her? Once she has the money, she intends to buy a bakery in the village she loves most and live out the rest of her days there. The fear of God is put in here when famed art critic Alan De'Ath unknowingly calls one of her fakes just that in front of her.
Alan will not praise a single piece of art unless he believes it deserves it, much to his older brother's dismay. The pair of them get into it over money and family matters quite regularly, and that was another humourous aspect to this book. After she quits working for his brother, and he now has a very bruised and useless hand, Alan hires Nina to work for him as his secretary. A position she only agrees to on her brother's behalf to spy on him and his investigation into their forgeries. And so, obviously, begins a love story.
Both of them have such sad backstories, but I think it meshed them together really well. The arc of their relationship was also great! There is a lot of lying and omissions of the truth in their romance, but there is also a surprising amount of honesty that was quite refreshing. It was handled in such a way to not be the main conflict while still leaving you wondering if they would survive this speed bump in their blossoming romance. I loved how it all ended and had a big stupid grin on my face, so that's a very good sign.
We do meet some characters from The Runaway Duchess and The Duke Undone, namely Neil and Lavinia, and Lucy, respectively. Everyone knows Alan, so there's that! There's also someone named Kate that I suspect we've met before as well, but I don't remember her.
As hard as it was for me to put this down at the end, the beginning was a bit of a slog. Which, in hindsight, seems to be a trend with Lowell's books for me, and my final ratings end up being based on how quickly the books got their legs under them. The first handful of chapters are very long. Like, you know how Kindle has the setting to tell you how much time is left in a chapter? Yeah, well, my soul left my body a little bit when I had 30-minute-long chapters to get through just to get to the meat of the story. Hopefully that improves in her future books.
I'm not sure if there will be more books in this companion series, but if there are ... this is my official declaration that I would happily read them.
April 21, 2023
I’m…a little obsessed with this I think?? Just on a technical level I really enjoy Lowell’s style, but these characters, their depth and emotional complexities, and how fun the story is combined with the both physical and emotional connection of their romance—everything came together into a really compelling story for me. It tugged on my heartstrings and had me laughing out loud in turns, which is what makes for a truly excellent romance for me. Plus, it managed to take turns both in the external plot and within the romance that really surprised me (in a good way) and kept me hooked from start to finish. Truly, WHAT a delight.
CW: chronic illness, ableism, child abuse, medical trauma, gaslighting, sexual content
CW: chronic illness, ableism, child abuse, medical trauma, gaslighting, sexual content
March 24, 2023
Summary: When art forger Nina Finch is hired by renowned art critic Alan De’Ath, he has no idea the women he hired is the criminal mastermind he has been on the hunt for. Nina, taking the job in large part to thwart Alan’s investigation, is surprised to discover there is more to Alan than meets the eye.
Thoughts: This is my first historical romance and I really enjoyed it. As someone who loves Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice, I was a bit worried about a contemporary writer trying to recreate the same type of work. However, this book is something entirely unique. A mesh between Victoria era and contemporary romance, this surprisingly steamy novel has many layers making it a substantial read.
At the heart of our story is the potential romantic entanglement brewing between Nina and Alan. We are treated to a forced proximity/workplace romance between opposites which is always fun. Within another layer is that cat and mouse vibe between the art critic and art forger which offers an angsty bit of tension. Further still, are the heavier topics of overcoming childhood trauma, abandonment and grief.
All of these layers, in addition to Joanna Lowell’s unique writing style, set this book apart. This is not your typical Victorian romance, and I think that increases it’s appeal for those who don’t normally love cookie cutter historical romance.
Read if you like:
•workplace romance
•forced proximity
•opposites attract
•morally grey characters
•steamy romance
Thank you {partners} Berkley Romance and PRH Audio for the gifted copies in exchange for my honest review.
Thoughts: This is my first historical romance and I really enjoyed it. As someone who loves Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice, I was a bit worried about a contemporary writer trying to recreate the same type of work. However, this book is something entirely unique. A mesh between Victoria era and contemporary romance, this surprisingly steamy novel has many layers making it a substantial read.
At the heart of our story is the potential romantic entanglement brewing between Nina and Alan. We are treated to a forced proximity/workplace romance between opposites which is always fun. Within another layer is that cat and mouse vibe between the art critic and art forger which offers an angsty bit of tension. Further still, are the heavier topics of overcoming childhood trauma, abandonment and grief.
All of these layers, in addition to Joanna Lowell’s unique writing style, set this book apart. This is not your typical Victorian romance, and I think that increases it’s appeal for those who don’t normally love cookie cutter historical romance.
Read if you like:
•workplace romance
•forced proximity
•opposites attract
•morally grey characters
•steamy romance
Thank you {partners} Berkley Romance and PRH Audio for the gifted copies in exchange for my honest review.
March 8, 2023
Какво й трябва на една книга, за да я възприема като едно от заглавията на месеца в личната ми класация?
Трябва да е изпълнена с емоционалност, артистичност и перспектива. Деликатна чувствителност и правдивост на характерите. И свободата на духа.
„Красотата емоция ли е тогава?“
/ Artfully Yours
Има случаи, в които някоя книга ме кара да я възприема твърде емоционално. Заради темата или заради ситуациите. Там героите са разкъсани между себе си - такива , каквито са в душата си и образа, който поддържат пред останалите. Дори пред онези, които обгарят съществото им с копнеж и одухотворяват сърцето им с любов.
Artfully Yours на Joanna Lowell ме обхвана изцяло в атмосферата си на ярка артистичност. Хората на изкуството са малко или много ексцентрични. И тези, които творят, и онези, които се любуват и купуват артистичното изкуство имат изтънчена и чувствителна нишка у себе си. Те възприемат всичко под ъгъл, невъзможен за прагматици. Постоянно търсят справедливост заради склонността си да отразяват и най - красивото и най - грозното в света. Но не се извиняват.
Всичко арт, одухотворено и страстно е в центъра на тази книга. Силата на изкуството да очарова ценители, да предизвиква сноби с дълбоки джобове и да е мишена за престъпления. Дали кражба или фалшификация, материалните произведения са и способ за оцеляване на хората, на които животът не е изсипал рога на изобилието. Заради лош късмет или обществена несправедливост много бедни души с вроден грандиозен талант не успяват да спечелят достатъчно от уменията си. Но пък могат да привлекат жадни за колекции богатоши.
Joanna Lowell ме спечели със стила си на писане. Образите на героите бяха пълни с деликатни нюанси, поставящи на кантар доброто и лошото:
= Борбата за оцеляване оправдава ли създаването на фалшификати?
= Ако таланта, който един човек притежава е голям, защо обществените порядки му пречат да се изяви?
= Какво може да направи завистта между студенти в артистичната школа, породена от класови различия?
= И как се живее с угризение на съвестта и в постоянна лъжа в близост до човека, който бавно и уверено завладява сърцето и ума ти?
= А дали постоянната жажда да се гонят виновните е желание за справедливост? Или е заради комплекси, придобити още в детството?
Светът е сложно място. Пласт след пласт ние трупаме неувереност, съмнение, обида или жажда за осъществяване на мечти. После, в някакъв разтърсващ момент започваме да отхвърляме подозренията, доверчивостта и вярата в действията си. Оставяме се на съвестта си. Дори, когато рискуваме най - важната си цел. Или любовта си!
Образите на Нина и на Алън. Обзеха душата ми! Симпатизирах и на двамата. Защото не бяха идеални. Напротив, грешките ги заслепяваха и объркваха. Искаха да стигнат до своята истина. Но тя не беше една. И не беше само тяхната истина. Всичко по пътя им беше лъжа, заблуда и объркване. А когато се забъркат цел, страст , мечта и гняв никога не се знае кой и какво ще изгори.
" Човек може да изпита силна емоция пред Ботичели. А също и пред поднос златисто - кафяв шотландски сладкиш. "
" Болката е там. Болката е причина. Объркване, страх - това са причините. Взети заедно, те мотивират по-голямата част от човешкото поведение. Заедно с алчността... "
" Картините не могат да ни покажат света, не и буквално. Но най-добрите от тях могат да ни дадат нови начини за виждане. Прозорците не притежава тази сила. "
" Понякога сънищата са карти на бъдещето, надраскани зад клепачите ни. Начин да видим това, което не съществува, което само ние, мечтателите, можем да създадем. Този втори тип сън създава изкуство. Истинско изкуство. И други чудеса.”
Трябва да е изпълнена с емоционалност, артистичност и перспектива. Деликатна чувствителност и правдивост на характерите. И свободата на духа.
„Красотата емоция ли е тогава?“
/ Artfully Yours
Има случаи, в които някоя книга ме кара да я възприема твърде емоционално. Заради темата или заради ситуациите. Там героите са разкъсани между себе си - такива , каквито са в душата си и образа, който поддържат пред останалите. Дори пред онези, които обгарят съществото им с копнеж и одухотворяват сърцето им с любов.
Artfully Yours на Joanna Lowell ме обхвана изцяло в атмосферата си на ярка артистичност. Хората на изкуството са малко или много ексцентрични. И тези, които творят, и онези, които се любуват и купуват артистичното изкуство имат изтънчена и чувствителна нишка у себе си. Те възприемат всичко под ъгъл, невъзможен за прагматици. Постоянно търсят справедливост заради склонността си да отразяват и най - красивото и най - грозното в света. Но не се извиняват.
Всичко арт, одухотворено и страстно е в центъра на тази книга. Силата на изкуството да очарова ценители, да предизвиква сноби с дълбоки джобове и да е мишена за престъпления. Дали кражба или фалшификация, материалните произведения са и способ за оцеляване на хората, на които животът не е изсипал рога на изобилието. Заради лош късмет или обществена несправедливост много бедни души с вроден грандиозен талант не успяват да спечелят достатъчно от уменията си. Но пък могат да привлекат жадни за колекции богатоши.
Joanna Lowell ме спечели със стила си на писане. Образите на героите бяха пълни с деликатни нюанси, поставящи на кантар доброто и лошото:
= Борбата за оцеляване оправдава ли създаването на фалшификати?
= Ако таланта, който един човек притежава е голям, защо обществените порядки му пречат да се изяви?
= Какво може да направи завистта между студенти в артистичната школа, породена от класови различия?
= И как се живее с угризение на съвестта и в постоянна лъжа в близост до човека, който бавно и уверено завладява сърцето и ума ти?
= А дали постоянната жажда да се гонят виновните е желание за справедливост? Или е заради комплекси, придобити още в детството?
Светът е сложно място. Пласт след пласт ние трупаме неувереност, съмнение, обида или жажда за осъществяване на мечти. После, в някакъв разтърсващ момент започваме да отхвърляме подозренията, доверчивостта и вярата в действията си. Оставяме се на съвестта си. Дори, когато рискуваме най - важната си цел. Или любовта си!
Образите на Нина и на Алън. Обзеха душата ми! Симпатизирах и на двамата. Защото не бяха идеални. Напротив, грешките ги заслепяваха и объркваха. Искаха да стигнат до своята истина. Но тя не беше една. И не беше само тяхната истина. Всичко по пътя им беше лъжа, заблуда и объркване. А когато се забъркат цел, страст , мечта и гняв никога не се знае кой и какво ще изгори.
" Човек може да изпита силна емоция пред Ботичели. А също и пред поднос златисто - кафяв шотландски сладкиш. "
" Болката е там. Болката е причина. Объркване, страх - това са причините. Взети заедно, те мотивират по-голямата част от човешкото поведение. Заедно с алчността... "
" Картините не могат да ни покажат света, не и буквално. Но най-добрите от тях могат да ни дадат нови начини за виждане. Прозорците не притежава тази сила. "
" Понякога сънищата са карти на бъдещето, надраскани зад клепачите ни. Начин да видим това, което не съществува, което само ние, мечтателите, можем да създадем. Този втори тип сън създава изкуство. Истинско изкуство. И други чудеса.”
March 8, 2023
Full RTC!!
did-not-finish
March 3, 2023I can't believe I am about to type this sentence. Mary Jane Well's narration was horrendous.
The MMC voice was awkward, nasally, & overall unappealing. Her overall narration was painfully slow and unlike her usual work.
I have been on the fence for Ms. Lowell's last 2 books and was hoping this was where I could fall in love however, I felt the story was a jumbled and The MC didn't have enough interaction in the first half to my attention to truly enjoy this. Artfully Yours was an interesting concept that was executed poorly coupled with an unfortunate narration.
The MMC voice was awkward, nasally, & overall unappealing. Her overall narration was painfully slow and unlike her usual work.
I have been on the fence for Ms. Lowell's last 2 books and was hoping this was where I could fall in love however, I felt the story was a jumbled and The MC didn't have enough interaction in the first half to my attention to truly enjoy this. Artfully Yours was an interesting concept that was executed poorly coupled with an unfortunate narration.
March 1, 2024
This is so darn INTERESTING. None of the characters are cardboard or one-dimensional or flawless. Maybe I didn’t like the heroine, Nina, so much at first, but I did by the end. Maybe the marmoset was a little too cutesy, in spite of his smell. But darned if there was a single second in this book where my brain cells weren’t firing on all cylinders. And I like that. I would have loved it if my emotions had been similarly engaged but they didn’t quite get there, maybe hitting 80% full capacity. Still highly engaging.
March 1, 2023
The writing style and pace are a departure from those in the previous two books in this series. The first 100 pages have the main characters spending limited time together (Nina leaves at least twice?), yet they fall deeply in love? There are points when physical action or placements is u clear or difficult to consider possible (Nina standing on an unstable ottoman? How high is that balcony?)
Münchausen syndrome is part of the male lead’s back story, which is differently and somewhat interesting.
Around page 280, a pair of ruby earrings are suddenly very important during a conversation. They are never mentioned again.
Münchausen syndrome is part of the male lead’s back story, which is differently and somewhat interesting.
Around page 280, a pair of ruby earrings are suddenly very important during a conversation. They are never mentioned again.
February 2, 2023
Four and a Half Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭒
Artfully Yours by Joanna Lowell is historical fiction set in London and puts an art forger against an art forgery expert.
Story Recap:
Nina Finch isn’t suited for a life of crime but that’s what she has. Her brother saved her when their mother died, and kept her out of the workhouse or worse, so she owes him her loyalty. And her job of making art forgeries isn’t a bad one, she’d just rather open a shop selling gooseberry tarts. She’s just about saved enough to open a shop when an art critic starts to notice several of the forgeries, it puts Nina and her brother in his sights and might put them in jail too.
Alan De'Ath is an art critic and he has the ability to quickly see a forgery. He knows how much forgers hurt artists and he’s convinced he has to round up all the art forgers and put them all in prison. And then he meets Nina, and he doesn’t know what to think after that.
My Thoughts:
Artfully Yours gave me an interesting look into the lives of art forgers in Victorian England. Nina was a sympathetic and plucky heroine. Her loyalty towards her brother, who led her to a life of crime is admirable, as is her talent for forging paintings. The author provided enough backstory to make us understand Nina’s loyalty, as well as made Nina a sympathetic character.
Alan De'Ath is also an interesting character, he’s a man on a mission, and he knows he must use his talent for finding forgeries to help the police bring the forgers to justice. Alan hires Nina as his assistant, and Nina reluctantly agrees, and from their first moments together, there is both chemistry and an easy companionship between them.
Of course, I can’t finish this review without talking about the star of the story, Fritz, Nina’s pet marmoset. Fritz causes a great deal of trouble during the story, and he’s just adorable.
Recommendation:
I highly recommend, Yours Artfully to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Artfully Yours by Joanna Lowell is historical fiction set in London and puts an art forger against an art forgery expert.
Story Recap:
Nina Finch isn’t suited for a life of crime but that’s what she has. Her brother saved her when their mother died, and kept her out of the workhouse or worse, so she owes him her loyalty. And her job of making art forgeries isn’t a bad one, she’d just rather open a shop selling gooseberry tarts. She’s just about saved enough to open a shop when an art critic starts to notice several of the forgeries, it puts Nina and her brother in his sights and might put them in jail too.
Alan De'Ath is an art critic and he has the ability to quickly see a forgery. He knows how much forgers hurt artists and he’s convinced he has to round up all the art forgers and put them all in prison. And then he meets Nina, and he doesn’t know what to think after that.
My Thoughts:
Artfully Yours gave me an interesting look into the lives of art forgers in Victorian England. Nina was a sympathetic and plucky heroine. Her loyalty towards her brother, who led her to a life of crime is admirable, as is her talent for forging paintings. The author provided enough backstory to make us understand Nina’s loyalty, as well as made Nina a sympathetic character.
Alan De'Ath is also an interesting character, he’s a man on a mission, and he knows he must use his talent for finding forgeries to help the police bring the forgers to justice. Alan hires Nina as his assistant, and Nina reluctantly agrees, and from their first moments together, there is both chemistry and an easy companionship between them.
Of course, I can’t finish this review without talking about the star of the story, Fritz, Nina’s pet marmoset. Fritz causes a great deal of trouble during the story, and he’s just adorable.
Recommendation:
I highly recommend, Yours Artfully to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
read-partial
October 27, 2022not a b book. I read this for library journal and skimmed a whole lot. would make a good read if you enjoyed Mimi Matthews but you wanted the door open instead of fading to black. Lots of characters, dense prose, jobs jobs jobs.
February 23, 2023
I first picked up this series after a mutual on Twitter raved about how she couldn't put down Joanna Lowell's first book in her new series. Based on her POV, it had all the makings of an immediate favorite for me — it was beautifully written, with strong female characters, a detailed Victorian setting and lots of twisting plot points. Delightfully, Lowell's books only got better and better for me: Artfully Yours is my favorite of the series.
I feel a certain kind of tenderness towards the two leading characters. Nina is an orphan and reluctant but talented art forger who''s forced to commit petty crime to survive, but only wishes to have enough money to bake her gooseberry tarts at a bakery in the country (where to even START with that??!). Alan, a brilliant art critic and second son in line for the Dukedom, lives an unconventional life and struggles to tamp down a childhood trauma with snark and an aloofness that never quite gets by Nina. Throughout the book, it's a game of cat-and-mouse between them, both in their obvious attraction to each other and Alan's insistence to uncover the "real" artist behind the fake paintings floating around. Lowell's final installment surprised me (which is hard to do) and was an absolute delight; I will be recommending this book to anyone who needs a little escape from life.
This star-crossed lovers historical romance is full of laughter, plenty of charm and lots of wistful longing that made my heart ache in the best possible way. There is a beautiful swimming scene midway through the book that lives in my mind rent-free now. Sigh.
You can read "Artfully Yours" as a standalone novel, but you'll have more fun if you start from the beginning and get to know the whole set of characters from Lowell's Duke Undone series.
This book is for anyone who loves:
🎩 Historical romance
🔥 Steamy open-door scenes
🧲 Cross-class romance
🗣️ Multiple POV
🎨 Art history, strong women and bohemian life
👗 Dukes and lords and the ladies who love them
👑 A satisfying happily-ever-after
Note: As a trigger warning, please be aware that this text has a storyline that includes childhood trauma, abuse and dysfuntional family dynamics.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for allowing me the chance to read and provide an honest review of this book! I've posted this review on GoodReads and will share to my social platforms, as well as Amazon and B&N listings, during the first week of release.
I feel a certain kind of tenderness towards the two leading characters. Nina is an orphan and reluctant but talented art forger who''s forced to commit petty crime to survive, but only wishes to have enough money to bake her gooseberry tarts at a bakery in the country (where to even START with that??!). Alan, a brilliant art critic and second son in line for the Dukedom, lives an unconventional life and struggles to tamp down a childhood trauma with snark and an aloofness that never quite gets by Nina. Throughout the book, it's a game of cat-and-mouse between them, both in their obvious attraction to each other and Alan's insistence to uncover the "real" artist behind the fake paintings floating around. Lowell's final installment surprised me (which is hard to do) and was an absolute delight; I will be recommending this book to anyone who needs a little escape from life.
This star-crossed lovers historical romance is full of laughter, plenty of charm and lots of wistful longing that made my heart ache in the best possible way. There is a beautiful swimming scene midway through the book that lives in my mind rent-free now. Sigh.
You can read "Artfully Yours" as a standalone novel, but you'll have more fun if you start from the beginning and get to know the whole set of characters from Lowell's Duke Undone series.
This book is for anyone who loves:
🎩 Historical romance
🔥 Steamy open-door scenes
🧲 Cross-class romance
🗣️ Multiple POV
🎨 Art history, strong women and bohemian life
👗 Dukes and lords and the ladies who love them
👑 A satisfying happily-ever-after
Note: As a trigger warning, please be aware that this text has a storyline that includes childhood trauma, abuse and dysfuntional family dynamics.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for allowing me the chance to read and provide an honest review of this book! I've posted this review on GoodReads and will share to my social platforms, as well as Amazon and B&N listings, during the first week of release.
February 26, 2023
***ARC Provided by the Publisher***
DNF 26%
Nina and Alan just didn't work for me. I loved the idea of this one, but the execution of it didn't work for me as I didn't feel any connection with the characters.
I am unable to recommend this title.
DNF 26%
Nina and Alan just didn't work for me. I loved the idea of this one, but the execution of it didn't work for me as I didn't feel any connection with the characters.
I am unable to recommend this title.
March 16, 2024
I've read all of the books to date in this loosely-constructed series and loved them all. This is my favorite of them and was my favorite book from 2023. It confirms my appreciation for Lowell's lovely, ambitious writing and the unusual stories she tells.
As with the other two related books, Lowell puts her characters in awkward and at times seemingly impossible situations. Here, Nina Finch is a reluctant (coerced) art forger and sometime-thief employed by her brother in his underground racket to forge minor art pieces to sell to otherwise deluded aristos. She is talented, and in fact, so talented that her works have successfully made their way into the homes of some of the wealthiest of England's families. That is until famed art critic Alan De'Ath catches the details and sets on a mission to uncover a forger. Nina, alas, comes face to face with Alan in the very first chapter while pretending to be a maid in his family's home in order to steal damning letters on her brother's behalf. Much to Nina's chagrin, Alan finds her intriguing and offers her a position as his personal assistant. They spark right away and half of me wanted them to find ways to be in each other's company while the other half wanted Nina to run far away. Alan is convincingly brilliant and menacing, and Nina is convincingly brilliant while frustratingly under her brother's thumb. Thus begins a cat and mouse game of Nina spying on Alan from within his home and Alan using all of his means and perseverance to flush out a forgery ring. I was tense for much of this book, as it felt like waiting for the next shoe to drop.
Artfully Yours is a long and complicated story with lots of twists and turns. It's also though a compelling romance between two people who despite miles of deception truly see each other. Both Nina and Alan have secrets and hidden pain, and both are accustomed to putting on a facade in society. When they are together though, all the subterfuge feels survivable somehow. The way they talk to each other and the respect they have for each other is so reassuring that each new revelation brought depth to their relationship rather than drove them apart.
I felt completely immersed in this book and enraptured with this author's prose. I think too that Lowell has created a world filled with secondary characters that beg for their own stories, and so I'm hopeful that the series is ongoing.
As with the other two related books, Lowell puts her characters in awkward and at times seemingly impossible situations. Here, Nina Finch is a reluctant (coerced) art forger and sometime-thief employed by her brother in his underground racket to forge minor art pieces to sell to otherwise deluded aristos. She is talented, and in fact, so talented that her works have successfully made their way into the homes of some of the wealthiest of England's families. That is until famed art critic Alan De'Ath catches the details and sets on a mission to uncover a forger. Nina, alas, comes face to face with Alan in the very first chapter while pretending to be a maid in his family's home in order to steal damning letters on her brother's behalf. Much to Nina's chagrin, Alan finds her intriguing and offers her a position as his personal assistant. They spark right away and half of me wanted them to find ways to be in each other's company while the other half wanted Nina to run far away. Alan is convincingly brilliant and menacing, and Nina is convincingly brilliant while frustratingly under her brother's thumb. Thus begins a cat and mouse game of Nina spying on Alan from within his home and Alan using all of his means and perseverance to flush out a forgery ring. I was tense for much of this book, as it felt like waiting for the next shoe to drop.
Artfully Yours is a long and complicated story with lots of twists and turns. It's also though a compelling romance between two people who despite miles of deception truly see each other. Both Nina and Alan have secrets and hidden pain, and both are accustomed to putting on a facade in society. When they are together though, all the subterfuge feels survivable somehow. The way they talk to each other and the respect they have for each other is so reassuring that each new revelation brought depth to their relationship rather than drove them apart.
I felt completely immersed in this book and enraptured with this author's prose. I think too that Lowell has created a world filled with secondary characters that beg for their own stories, and so I'm hopeful that the series is ongoing.
January 28, 2024
This ended up being a smidge long I think, but I was very charmed by almost the whole thing. The hero is a survivor of facetious disorder imposed by another which left an actual disability in the aftermath and I don't think I've ever seen that portrayed in a romance before? Very interesting stuff, and the whole art forger and art critic dynamic was wonderful. Definitely going to check out other books by this author in the future.
July 26, 2025
Alan De'Ath is a bohemian art critic who delights in spotting art forgeries in the collections of pompous rich jerks. Nina Finch forges art for her infamous brother, Jack Reeve. When Alan spots one of Nina's fakes at his uptight brother's house, his proclamation startles an undercover Nina into dropping the tea tray—not a metaphor. She goes undercover on a new mission as Alan's secretary while he attempts to hunt down the art forgery ring but the whole thing is undermined by boners.
1. I enjoyed parts of this and was frustrated by parts of this. The meet cute between Alan and Nina was just a bit convoluted for my tastes, and the levels of deception necessary to maintain their initial status quo felt oppressive rather than zany or challenging. But then Alan and Nina were relatively emotionally resonant characters who didn't compromise on their internal compasses more than required by the original premise (i.e., intelligent / clever Alan and honest / moral Nina).
On the other hand, this did drag on a bit, and the entire thing was pretty uneven in actual relationship building (because of the number of deceptions necessary to maintain the premise, Alan and Nina really only "get to know" the facts about one another in the latter half of the book. This ends up feeling like a firehose of development that starts and stops abruptly, vs. the building momentum of a babbling brook growing into raging rapids.
/metaphor, or whatever.
2. For a book about art critics and art forgers, there isn't much art in this.
I thought there was some interesting unexplored corners in the idea of Nina being an exceptionally talented artist who despises the creation of art as a thing she is capable of—this is touched on in a few places, but not to the depth that I was hoping for. It ends up being a shallow "whelp" kind of thing.
Alan's overall philosophy and preferences for art were equally shadowy: I mostly walked away believing that he liked being a contrary prick to his brother's collection of allies vs. being a true connoisseur of art. I suppose his being a contrarian until he meets Nina could be the point, but why?
3. The parts with boners had a oddly dissonant tone to the rest of the book: like they were written by a different author / by someone still figuring out how to write about sex in their usual voice. This isn't necessarily a bad thing—sometimes an artist needs to change up the style to get a message across!—but it did throw me out of the story because it didn't seem to serve a purpose other than smearing (metaphorical) vasoline across the narrative when the boners came out.
(And it made it harder to follow, since the rest of the text had a more conversational / direct cadence that went away when things got "spicy".)
4. Ultimately, I enjoyed it but in a passive, "Oh, is that it?" business-socks kind of way.
1. I enjoyed parts of this and was frustrated by parts of this. The meet cute between Alan and Nina was just a bit convoluted for my tastes, and the levels of deception necessary to maintain their initial status quo felt oppressive rather than zany or challenging. But then Alan and Nina were relatively emotionally resonant characters who didn't compromise on their internal compasses more than required by the original premise (i.e., intelligent / clever Alan and honest / moral Nina).
On the other hand, this did drag on a bit, and the entire thing was pretty uneven in actual relationship building (because of the number of deceptions necessary to maintain the premise, Alan and Nina really only "get to know" the facts about one another in the latter half of the book. This ends up feeling like a firehose of development that starts and stops abruptly, vs. the building momentum of a babbling brook growing into raging rapids.
/metaphor, or whatever.
2. For a book about art critics and art forgers, there isn't much art in this.
I thought there was some interesting unexplored corners in the idea of Nina being an exceptionally talented artist who despises the creation of art as a thing she is capable of—this is touched on in a few places, but not to the depth that I was hoping for. It ends up being a shallow "whelp" kind of thing.
Alan's overall philosophy and preferences for art were equally shadowy: I mostly walked away believing that he liked being a contrary prick to his brother's collection of allies vs. being a true connoisseur of art. I suppose his being a contrarian until he meets Nina could be the point, but why?
3. The parts with boners had a oddly dissonant tone to the rest of the book: like they were written by a different author / by someone still figuring out how to write about sex in their usual voice. This isn't necessarily a bad thing—sometimes an artist needs to change up the style to get a message across!—but it did throw me out of the story because it didn't seem to serve a purpose other than smearing (metaphorical) vasoline across the narrative when the boners came out.
(And it made it harder to follow, since the rest of the text had a more conversational / direct cadence that went away when things got "spicy".)
4. Ultimately, I enjoyed it but in a passive, "Oh, is that it?" business-socks kind of way.
February 14, 2023
A portrayal of love against all odds that explores the way our vulnerabilities are strengths. The ways that Nina and Alan have been broken enhance their connection and deepen their bond.
Full review to come on blog at ihyperomance.com on release day.
Full review to come on blog at ihyperomance.com on release day.
May 5, 2023
The eccentric characters were fun! Bunch of bohemians, fit in nicely with a recent rewatch of Moulin Rouge!
June 26, 2023
I don't know what got me about this book but I loved it. Deep hidden details that pulled you in, not knowing when they would be revealed. Who doesn't love lovers with secrets? Not your typical historical romance but a fantastic read!
February 23, 2023
BOOK REVIEW: Artfully Yours by Joanna Lowell
2022 Publication Date: February 21
⭐️⭐️⭐️️
T.I.M.E. Most Anticipated Books Of 2023
Pages: 336
Genre: Historical Romance | Steamy Romance 🌶
Sub-Genre: Hidden Identity Romance
T.I.M.E. Jalapeno Rating:️ 🌶 (Mild Spicy)
Time Period: 1885 (Victorian Era)
Location: Chelsea (England)
Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group
PUBLISHER BOOK SYNOPSIS
Sparks fly between a lordly art critic and a lady forger in this Victorian historical romance from the author of The Runaway Duchess.
Nina Finch isn't suited for a life of crime. Raised by her art-forger brother, she can paint like Botticelli. But she'd so much rather be baking gooseberry tarts. She finally has the money she needs to open her own bakery.
Unfortunately, her brother's carelessness lands her — and their forgeries — directly under the nose of London's most discerning art critic, Alan De'Ath.
De'Ath knows the paintings are fake. He doesn't know that Nina had a hand in their creation. In fact, he offers her a job in his household. Accepting it is the most dangerous thing she has ever done....
Alan takes pride in seeing things other people miss. He plans to catch the forger and cement his reputation. There's only one problem: the closer he gets to the beguiling woman he hired, the less he trusts his perspective. Nina isn't what she seems. But despite their false start, she just might hold the real key to his heart.
As Nina and Alan’s attraction grows, divided loyalties threaten to pull them apart and shatter their worlds. They’ll lose everything, or discover how powerful true love can be....
BOOK CLUB DISCUSSION
Includes Readers Guide Questions for Book Club Discussion
BOOK QUOTE
"Appreciation takes practice. Keep trying, and you'll improve... Even in the absence of natural talent." — Artfully Yours by Joanna Lowell
--------------------
All my book reviews can be seen at This Is My Everybody | Simple Living | Denise Wilbanks at thisismyeverybody.com/blog/what-book-...
♡ Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.
// COME ON OVER & SAY HELLO!...
Website: https://thisismyeverybody.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ThisIsMyEve...
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thisismyeve...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisismyeve...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisismyever...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/t_everybody
And let's be friends here on Goodreads too!... ✨😎✨
2022 Publication Date: February 21
⭐️⭐️⭐️️
T.I.M.E. Most Anticipated Books Of 2023
Pages: 336
Genre: Historical Romance | Steamy Romance 🌶
Sub-Genre: Hidden Identity Romance
T.I.M.E. Jalapeno Rating:️ 🌶 (Mild Spicy)
Time Period: 1885 (Victorian Era)
Location: Chelsea (England)
Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group
PUBLISHER BOOK SYNOPSIS
Sparks fly between a lordly art critic and a lady forger in this Victorian historical romance from the author of The Runaway Duchess.
Nina Finch isn't suited for a life of crime. Raised by her art-forger brother, she can paint like Botticelli. But she'd so much rather be baking gooseberry tarts. She finally has the money she needs to open her own bakery.
Unfortunately, her brother's carelessness lands her — and their forgeries — directly under the nose of London's most discerning art critic, Alan De'Ath.
De'Ath knows the paintings are fake. He doesn't know that Nina had a hand in their creation. In fact, he offers her a job in his household. Accepting it is the most dangerous thing she has ever done....
Alan takes pride in seeing things other people miss. He plans to catch the forger and cement his reputation. There's only one problem: the closer he gets to the beguiling woman he hired, the less he trusts his perspective. Nina isn't what she seems. But despite their false start, she just might hold the real key to his heart.
As Nina and Alan’s attraction grows, divided loyalties threaten to pull them apart and shatter their worlds. They’ll lose everything, or discover how powerful true love can be....
BOOK CLUB DISCUSSION
Includes Readers Guide Questions for Book Club Discussion
BOOK QUOTE
"Appreciation takes practice. Keep trying, and you'll improve... Even in the absence of natural talent." — Artfully Yours by Joanna Lowell
--------------------
All my book reviews can be seen at This Is My Everybody | Simple Living | Denise Wilbanks at thisismyeverybody.com/blog/what-book-...
♡ Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.
// COME ON OVER & SAY HELLO!...
Website: https://thisismyeverybody.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ThisIsMyEve...
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thisismyeve...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisismyeve...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisismyever...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/t_everybody
And let's be friends here on Goodreads too!... ✨😎✨
December 30, 2022
Lovely lovely lovely. Nina is quietly terrified throughout most of the book, even as she’s falling for Alan, which was a fascinating point of view. And Alan is so charming, especially as he falls for Nina completely without intention.
A few previous characters appear from the first two books, but this can one hundred percent be read and enjoyed as a stand-alone.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.
A few previous characters appear from the first two books, but this can one hundred percent be read and enjoyed as a stand-alone.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.
May 31, 2023
totally loved the spunk of the female character, the fact that she has a pet marmoset, and the glimpses into the world of art. the slow burn romance, the unique life backgrounds, the ever changing sibling relationships, all 👍
March 4, 2023
a year ago, the announcement blurb clicked with me instantly and i pushed everything aside to read this the min it got released bc of that gut instinct and i was right! this was sweet, wholesome and surprisingly, dark. i did not expect that turn damn after some research, i found out this is the author's speciality: dark pasts lol
the romance worked for me bc of the progression. it was slooow burn bc it was kinda forbidden, them not acting on it bc of rule #3. the mouth drawing scene damn! anyway alan was way more obsessed with her, as it should be. the way she felt seen and heard with him 🤧
“Harm isn’t care,” he answered. “That’s it. Simple. But the one is so often confused with the other.”
i knew the third act or the big reveal/betrayal was coming and i anticipated it, but it turned out to be so.. anti- climactic. alan was too in love by that point to give a fuck. he said 'yeah you've been lying to me this whole time but i couldn't care less.' ?? wish there was more drama.
“For another, I could look at those old masters all day, finding all the little ways in which you appear."
the romance worked for me bc of the progression. it was slooow burn bc it was kinda forbidden, them not acting on it bc of rule #3. the mouth drawing scene damn! anyway alan was way more obsessed with her, as it should be. the way she felt seen and heard with him 🤧
“Harm isn’t care,” he answered. “That’s it. Simple. But the one is so often confused with the other.”
i knew the third act or the big reveal/betrayal was coming and i anticipated it, but it turned out to be so.. anti- climactic. alan was too in love by that point to give a fuck. he said 'yeah you've been lying to me this whole time but i couldn't care less.' ?? wish there was more drama.
“For another, I could look at those old masters all day, finding all the little ways in which you appear."
March 2, 2023
Another enjoyable read about romance and art. I'm not sure why this doesn't show up as #3 in the Duke Undone "universe" because it definitely is the same world (Alan De'Ath has a minor part in book two and we see main characters from the previous books in guest roles).
You can read my full review at Forever Young Adult.
You can read my full review at Forever Young Adult.
November 10, 2022
He’s an art critic intent on exposing counterfeit Rembrandts.
She’s a coerced art forger who just wants to buy a bakery and create gooseberry tarts.
Joanna Lowell has created wonderfully complex and wholly original characters in Alan and Nina.
(His actual surname is laughable so his fabricated name…De’Ath…Lord De’Ath…ridiculously clever; her pet marmoset Fritz generates ample opportunities for mayhem.)
Past histories and complex sibling relationships also factor greatly in Artfully Yours.
A thoroughly enjoyable historical romance between apparent opposites who find they have more in common than they initially think.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
She’s a coerced art forger who just wants to buy a bakery and create gooseberry tarts.
Joanna Lowell has created wonderfully complex and wholly original characters in Alan and Nina.
(His actual surname is laughable so his fabricated name…De’Ath…Lord De’Ath…ridiculously clever; her pet marmoset Fritz generates ample opportunities for mayhem.)
Past histories and complex sibling relationships also factor greatly in Artfully Yours.
A thoroughly enjoyable historical romance between apparent opposites who find they have more in common than they initially think.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 29, 2023
I really enjoyed this opposites attract historical fiction romance between Nina, an aspiring baker slash art forger and Alan, the man threatening to uncover all her secrets. When she takes a position working in his house things get even more complicated, especially when they grow closer and closer.
This story had good disability rep and was full of emotional depth (Alan's history with his mother, who very much sounds like she suffered from Munchausen syndrome and physically and mentally harmed him as a child). Great on audio too and perfect for fans of Evie Dunmore, Elizabeth Everett or Manda Collins.
Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. Bonus: there's a cheeky pet monkey and some good open door scenes in this story too!
This story had good disability rep and was full of emotional depth (Alan's history with his mother, who very much sounds like she suffered from Munchausen syndrome and physically and mentally harmed him as a child). Great on audio too and perfect for fans of Evie Dunmore, Elizabeth Everett or Manda Collins.
Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. Bonus: there's a cheeky pet monkey and some good open door scenes in this story too!
January 13, 2024
DNFed at 50%. Got it in a desperate time when my flight was delayed at the airport and I hoped it would be better than expected but it was not good. The plot was weird and the writing was unnecessarily difficult to read.
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