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Artistic Licence
Thea, fed up with being mother to a houseful of students, accepts her bossy friend Molly's offer of an art appreciation holiday in Provence. While there, Thea meets the gorgeous Rory, an artist who is as attracted to her as she is to him, in spite of him being several years younger. So when Thea hears that her student lodgers have had a party and her house is a tip, she decides to extend her holiday and accept Rory's invitation to his house in Ireland. But Molly, her annoying niece Petal, not to mention their enigmatic cousin Ben and his son Toby, all appear on the doorstep, just as Rory's dog is about to have puppies...
392 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2001
About the author
Katie Fforde
83 books2,394 followersCatherine Rose Gordon-Cumming was born 27 September 1952 in England, UK, the daughter of Shirley Barbara Laub and Michael Willoughby Gordon-Cumming. Her grandfather was Sir William Gordon-Cumming. Her sister is fellow writer Jane Gordon-Cumming. Katie married Desmond Fforde, cousin of the also writer Jasper Fforde. She has three children: Guy, Francis and Briony and didn't start writing until after the birth of her third child. She has previously worked both as a cleaning lady and in a health food cafe.
Published since 1995, her romance novels are set in modern-day England. She is the founder of the "Katie Fforde Bursary" for writers who have yet to secure a publishing contract. Katie was elected the twenty-fifteenth Chairman (2009-2011) of the Romantic Novelists' Association. She is delighted to have been chosen as Chair of the Romantic Novelists' Association and says, "Catherine Jones was a wonderful chair and she's a very tough act to follow. However, I've been a member of the RNA for more years than I can actually remember and will have its very best interests at the core of everything I do."
Katie lives in Stroud, Gloucestershire, England with her husband, some of her three children and many pets. Recently her old hobbies of ironing and housework have given way to singing, Flamenco dancing and husky racing. She claims this keeps her fit. The writers she likes herself is also in the romantic genre, like Kate Saunders.
Published since 1995, her romance novels are set in modern-day England. She is the founder of the "Katie Fforde Bursary" for writers who have yet to secure a publishing contract. Katie was elected the twenty-fifteenth Chairman (2009-2011) of the Romantic Novelists' Association. She is delighted to have been chosen as Chair of the Romantic Novelists' Association and says, "Catherine Jones was a wonderful chair and she's a very tough act to follow. However, I've been a member of the RNA for more years than I can actually remember and will have its very best interests at the core of everything I do."
Katie lives in Stroud, Gloucestershire, England with her husband, some of her three children and many pets. Recently her old hobbies of ironing and housework have given way to singing, Flamenco dancing and husky racing. She claims this keeps her fit. The writers she likes herself is also in the romantic genre, like Kate Saunders.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews
March 17, 2023
I've tried a few books by this author now and I have to say I enjoyed this one. It kept me turning the pages.
Three stars.
Three stars.
September 18, 2012
Previously, Going Dutch was my least favorite Katie Fforde book, but congrats Artistic License! You have now won the coveted title of "the worst Katie Fforde novel I have ever read."
I sometimes feel that all Katie Fforde ever writes about are middle-class heroines who have done nothing with their life, tackling some huge ill-advised job or plan which (of course) succeeds brilliantly, and ultimately getting together with wealth(ier) alpha assholes of a higher social class.
This was no exception.
I understand that Thea's artistic integrity or what-have-you was destroyed by her boyfriend before the book started, but...really? She gave up a promising career as a photojournalist to run a boarding house and work at a one-hour photo place?
Her idea to open an art gallery just because of some hot caddish failed artist was very naive, and I kept rolling my eyes at its great success in the end.
And seriously, all Thea and Ben ever did was fight. That's not a sign of a promising relationship, much less a healthy marriage! Jaysus, people, you don't have to marry the dude you meet in Chapter One! There are other fish in the sea!
I sometimes feel that all Katie Fforde ever writes about are middle-class heroines who have done nothing with their life, tackling some huge ill-advised job or plan which (of course) succeeds brilliantly, and ultimately getting together with wealth(ier) alpha assholes of a higher social class.
This was no exception.
I understand that Thea's artistic integrity or what-have-you was destroyed by her boyfriend before the book started, but...really? She gave up a promising career as a photojournalist to run a boarding house and work at a one-hour photo place?
Her idea to open an art gallery just because of some hot caddish failed artist was very naive, and I kept rolling my eyes at its great success in the end.
And seriously, all Thea and Ben ever did was fight. That's not a sign of a promising relationship, much less a healthy marriage! Jaysus, people, you don't have to marry the dude you meet in Chapter One! There are other fish in the sea!
September 16, 2009
Artistic Licence is one of my favourite Katie Fforde novels. I’ve read it three times and loved it each and every time. It tells the story of Thea, a landlady with a house full of students. After a trip to France with her best friend Molly she decides to go to Ireland with Rory – an artist she met in France – to get away from it all. Trouble is Molly, Petal (one of Thea’s lodgers) and Petal’s Uncle Ben rock up in Ireland demanding to see Rory’s paintings. And that’s just the start of things!
I loved Artistic Licence. I thought it was an easy read and I really enjoyed all of the characters. Reading about Thea trying to set up an art gallery after seeing Rory’s paintings was brilliant, the whole will-he-won’t-he regarding showing with Thea in the provinces or showing in London was an interesting part of the story, too.
Sure, Thea swanning off to Ireland seemed very sudden but the spontaneity of it was great to read. Who doesn’t dream of swanning off somewhere and getting away from it all?! I thought Thea was really well written and I enjoyed the dilemma’s she faced and I couldn’t help hoping she would pull it off.
I also really enjoyed the interaction between Ben and Thea and was rooting for them throughout. From the first meeting in the dustbin to the end, their relationship was a really great part to the novel. The build-up for it was really great and well done by Katie and my favourite aspect of the story.
I enjoyed all the minor characters, Molly, Petal, Rory but my favourite of the minor characters was Ben’s son Toby. He was really enjoyable to read about. Another part of the story I enjoyed was Rory’s dog, Lara, having her puppies and, when Rory went to London, reading how Thea looked after them.
Artistic Licence is written in the third-person as all of Katie’s books are and I love how that’s done. Depending on the author, I alternate between which style I prefer. I’m generally a fan of first-person but I love when third-person is really well written and Katie definitely manages that.
Overall, Artistic Licence is a really great read, and although a lot of people (on Amazon – where some reviews cannot be classified as reviews) say Katie’s writing style is “old-fashioned” I disagree with them, I love how Katie writes her books. It’s well worth a read if you like a good romance!
Rating: 5/5
I loved Artistic Licence. I thought it was an easy read and I really enjoyed all of the characters. Reading about Thea trying to set up an art gallery after seeing Rory’s paintings was brilliant, the whole will-he-won’t-he regarding showing with Thea in the provinces or showing in London was an interesting part of the story, too.
Sure, Thea swanning off to Ireland seemed very sudden but the spontaneity of it was great to read. Who doesn’t dream of swanning off somewhere and getting away from it all?! I thought Thea was really well written and I enjoyed the dilemma’s she faced and I couldn’t help hoping she would pull it off.
I also really enjoyed the interaction between Ben and Thea and was rooting for them throughout. From the first meeting in the dustbin to the end, their relationship was a really great part to the novel. The build-up for it was really great and well done by Katie and my favourite aspect of the story.
I enjoyed all the minor characters, Molly, Petal, Rory but my favourite of the minor characters was Ben’s son Toby. He was really enjoyable to read about. Another part of the story I enjoyed was Rory’s dog, Lara, having her puppies and, when Rory went to London, reading how Thea looked after them.
Artistic Licence is written in the third-person as all of Katie’s books are and I love how that’s done. Depending on the author, I alternate between which style I prefer. I’m generally a fan of first-person but I love when third-person is really well written and Katie definitely manages that.
Overall, Artistic Licence is a really great read, and although a lot of people (on Amazon – where some reviews cannot be classified as reviews) say Katie’s writing style is “old-fashioned” I disagree with them, I love how Katie writes her books. It’s well worth a read if you like a good romance!
Rating: 5/5
October 25, 2021
Que livro tão palerma! Estou tão chateada. Nos últimos meses li maioritariamente livros de que não gostei ou que foram apenas meh; os de Katie Fforde foram uma exceção pois deliciaram-me e estava a contar com este Artistic License para animar-me as leituras deste mês. Mas não, vem esta parvoíce que não tem pés nem cabeça; a maior parte do tempo nem percebi o que se estava a passar por ser uma tolice sem jeito nenhum. O romance principal, entre a Thea e o Ben até era alguma coisa boa, mas até isso perdeu a graça de tão parado que foi ou, nos momentos em que acontecia alguma coisa, mais uma vez era uma tolice qualquer sem sentido.
June 19, 2011
Thirty-odd Thea gave up her burgeoning professional photography career after a gross betrayal by her boyfriend nearly ended in tragedy for her professionally. Paid some money by her grateful clients for averting a gossip-column scandal, she retreated to the country and bought a huge house and took in lodgers, university students, as an extra source of income. Realising she was more like a mother to these late teens and 20-somethings than a landlady and that they were taking her for granted, she jumped at the opportunity to go on a holiday to Europe with a friend of hers, Molly. While on holiday she meets Rory, a gorgeous artist who is clearly interested in her. He offers Thea to come and look after him rather than her students and although Thea declines, when she arrives back at the airport and realises her lodgers have thrown a huge party in her absence complete with a broken washing machine and vomit on the carpet, she abruptly changes her mind and books a flight to the airport closest to Rory’s Irish retreat.
Once Thea sees Rory’s artwork, she knows that it simply has to be shown. But Rory blew his only show years ago by getting blind drunk and acting the disgrace and finding somewhere willing to show him might not be easy. When Molly arrives with one of Thea’s lodgers, Petal and Petal’s uncle Ben to make sure that Thea hasn’t completely lost her mind taking off like that, everyone sees Rory’s work and agrees that it must be shown. When Ben, who has contacts, said that maybe he can get a showing in a year or so, Thea finds this unacceptable. She decides to open her own gallery so that she can show Rory’s work.
But starting up a gallery is harder, and more expensive than Thea anticipated, especially when Rory has started being alarmingly vague and out of contact. Thea knows that if he goes back on his agreement to show with her, everything she has worked for will be lost. So far she has managed to resist Rory’s advances – he’s younger than her and very charming but mostly all Thea is interested in is his art. Ben on the other hand…Ben infuriates her but there’s definitely something there.
Sometimes the saying ‘you get what you pay for’ rings true and sometimes it doesn’t. In this case it mostly did – this book cost me about $3.33 and it was probably the equivalent to buying one of those .99c eBooks. You’re always taking a gamble – sometimes it pays off and sometimes it doesn’t. In the case of this book it wasn’t too bad a story line – I’ve definitely read worse! I think my biggest problem was character development. Oh and pacing.
I had a hard time getting into Thea as a main character as she was just so much of a doormat. Surely someone, a home owner, who took money from people, would not allow themselves to be walked all over in such a fashion by these college students. We only really meet one of them, Petal, who is mostly unbearable, but from what I can tell, she was just one of a decent length list who messed up Thea’s house, used all the hot water, stole her hair dryer and various other appliances, flooded the washing machine and held parties in her absence where people vomited all over the carpet. The fact that Thea ran off to Ireland to stay with a man she’d met on holiday and spoken to once, was also a bit unbelievable as that’s the sort of behaviour that tends to get a person dismembered and buried in separate garbage bags around the countryside.
Rory and Ben, as the requisite two thirds of a love triangle, are equally basic characters. Rory is a charming, feckless artist who coasts through life on his good looks and spends his time producing amazing artworks that after his last indiscretion, no one ever sees. He’s interested in Thea, but it seems mostly as a bed partner and it’s never really explored why he finds her attractive or exactly what he wants or why he invited her to his house in the first place, seeing as he’s an artistic loner. Ben is obviously the long term option but their ‘relationship’ for want of a better term, is mostly nothing for approximately 98% of the entire book and then suddenly there it is. Thea at one stage declares herself madly in love with Ben, despite the fact that they’ve not actually done much other than argue and spend a few afternoons together looking at galleries (and more arguing). I can buy an attraction based on so little but I did find it very hard to buy love. I need a bit more than that to convince me of actual love.
Once Thea sees Rory’s artwork, she knows that it simply has to be shown. But Rory blew his only show years ago by getting blind drunk and acting the disgrace and finding somewhere willing to show him might not be easy. When Molly arrives with one of Thea’s lodgers, Petal and Petal’s uncle Ben to make sure that Thea hasn’t completely lost her mind taking off like that, everyone sees Rory’s work and agrees that it must be shown. When Ben, who has contacts, said that maybe he can get a showing in a year or so, Thea finds this unacceptable. She decides to open her own gallery so that she can show Rory’s work.
But starting up a gallery is harder, and more expensive than Thea anticipated, especially when Rory has started being alarmingly vague and out of contact. Thea knows that if he goes back on his agreement to show with her, everything she has worked for will be lost. So far she has managed to resist Rory’s advances – he’s younger than her and very charming but mostly all Thea is interested in is his art. Ben on the other hand…Ben infuriates her but there’s definitely something there.
Sometimes the saying ‘you get what you pay for’ rings true and sometimes it doesn’t. In this case it mostly did – this book cost me about $3.33 and it was probably the equivalent to buying one of those .99c eBooks. You’re always taking a gamble – sometimes it pays off and sometimes it doesn’t. In the case of this book it wasn’t too bad a story line – I’ve definitely read worse! I think my biggest problem was character development. Oh and pacing.
I had a hard time getting into Thea as a main character as she was just so much of a doormat. Surely someone, a home owner, who took money from people, would not allow themselves to be walked all over in such a fashion by these college students. We only really meet one of them, Petal, who is mostly unbearable, but from what I can tell, she was just one of a decent length list who messed up Thea’s house, used all the hot water, stole her hair dryer and various other appliances, flooded the washing machine and held parties in her absence where people vomited all over the carpet. The fact that Thea ran off to Ireland to stay with a man she’d met on holiday and spoken to once, was also a bit unbelievable as that’s the sort of behaviour that tends to get a person dismembered and buried in separate garbage bags around the countryside.
Rory and Ben, as the requisite two thirds of a love triangle, are equally basic characters. Rory is a charming, feckless artist who coasts through life on his good looks and spends his time producing amazing artworks that after his last indiscretion, no one ever sees. He’s interested in Thea, but it seems mostly as a bed partner and it’s never really explored why he finds her attractive or exactly what he wants or why he invited her to his house in the first place, seeing as he’s an artistic loner. Ben is obviously the long term option but their ‘relationship’ for want of a better term, is mostly nothing for approximately 98% of the entire book and then suddenly there it is. Thea at one stage declares herself madly in love with Ben, despite the fact that they’ve not actually done much other than argue and spend a few afternoons together looking at galleries (and more arguing). I can buy an attraction based on so little but I did find it very hard to buy love. I need a bit more than that to convince me of actual love.
May 27, 2019
This was a light and charming book about a landlady named Thea Orville who finds out that her life’s mission is to set up a gallery and introduce a fabulous (not to mention gorgeous and a total sleazeball) artist, Rory Devlin, to the public. It’s perfect for a one time read, preferably with some tea! Seriously, I didn’t realize that the book was British until I saw the characters drinking suspicious amounts of tea. I mean, they were downing gallons of tea Every.Single.Day.
I also realized partway through the book that money had no meaning in here. The success of the gallery was completely unbelievable and the concept of money was completely warped. Thea should have run out of money by the second chapter, but somehow, through conveniently helpful "donations" from her conveniently rich friend and benefactor Molly, she managed to give a happy ending to her dream. But, this is all nit-picking because overall it was a really fun read with quirky and sarcastic humor.
I would say that the only thing that marred the whole romantic escapism effect was the violent tendencies of the hero, Ben Jonson.
I also realized partway through the book that money had no meaning in here. The success of the gallery was completely unbelievable and the concept of money was completely warped. Thea should have run out of money by the second chapter, but somehow, through conveniently helpful "donations" from her conveniently rich friend and benefactor Molly, she managed to give a happy ending to her dream. But, this is all nit-picking because overall it was a really fun read with quirky and sarcastic humor.
I would say that the only thing that marred the whole romantic escapism effect was the violent tendencies of the hero, Ben Jonson.
September 30, 2013
My second book was Artistic License by Katie Fforde. I should say from the outset that I always love Katie Fforde’s books. I find it very easy to immerse myself in the world she creates for her characters and this book was no exception. Thea Orville is a young woman who was unlucky in love and her career and became a landlady for a boarding house for students. She meets an almost equally unlucky artist and decides to make some changes in her life, to become “unstuck” from the disappointing life she was living. There are numerous twists and turns and more than one love interest and a charming young boy looking for a mother. Katie Fforde always writes about relationships and the effects people and their decisions have on others and their lives. Her books celebrate how messy life can be and yet always there is always this thread of hopefulness that makes them lovely and charming to read. I recommend this book and any others by Katie Fforde.
February 6, 2012
I am loving katie Fforde - this is my 3rd book and I enjoy the easy-going flow of the story. I appreciate that her protagonists are seemingly ordinary women with flaws and foibles...they may be a little dumpier and frumpier than most! This book was a pleasant read and worth a few chuckles.
I have 3 more of her books to go and I am excited to get to them to say that I am so far quite hooked - the first one I read was themed on gardening, the second on cooking and growing fresh produce and the 3rd on art..wonder what the next one will be. There's also always wonderful dogs involved. Brit chick lit is such a blast!!
I have 3 more of her books to go and I am excited to get to them to say that I am so far quite hooked - the first one I read was themed on gardening, the second on cooking and growing fresh produce and the 3rd on art..wonder what the next one will be. There's also always wonderful dogs involved. Brit chick lit is such a blast!!
August 9, 2015
I really enjoyed this book and it made me laugh out loud at some parts. I wanted to keep on reading it - I was hooked after the first page. The characters were lifelike and what I really liked about them was that they weren't perfect - which is good because nobody's perfect in reality. I could really empathise with Thea and I could understand and feel her frustration at the students. So this book deserves five out of five because it's very well written and I just loved the story.
I like the cover a lot, it all ties in well together and I like the sort of relaxed style of it.
I like the cover a lot, it all ties in well together and I like the sort of relaxed style of it.
September 1, 2016
To say uninspiring would be an understatement! The slightest of her books with insipid characters and a wafer thin plot.
August 1, 2015
I seldom read chicklit, as to many authors of the genre it means 150+ pages of chase-me-Charlie and a ridiculous "misunderstanding" that could be resolved with one straight question and one honest answer, but carries on to the final pages. But once in awhile I don't want to think too hard. For that we have Katie Fforde. Drawing on bourgeois upmarket favourites--winebars, art galleries, small niche businesses that sell at farmers' markets etc.--she writes wish-fulfillment fiction that usually includes an Aga or Rayburn, a heavily pregnant woman (absent in this case), large dogs, gardens and houses, and enormous consumption of whiskey. In this case, the student-lodging housemother drops everything to open an art gallery because she falls for a lush Irish artist. Like one does. Of course she knows nothing about the art world or running a business, but hey! Fortunately, she has a friend with bottomless pockets and endless free time (don't they always?), and of course the gallery is situated far enough from London to be "reasonably" priced, though not too far for all and sundry to visit. Fforde perpetuates the myth that a couple who "fight like cat and dog" (her words) will have a happy marriage--really? Oh, right--this is not reality. If you fight like cat and dog in every conversation, trust me, marriage won't improve things, no matter how good the sex is at first.
Fforde continues to telegraph her punches in the best chicklit tradition, but manages not to be cringe-making in the process. I did get tired of having rooms described as "spaces", in the manner of all those home-transformation TV shows so beloved of ITV. Of course a room is a "space." A space with four walls and a roof. I can understand the large open areas of a gallery or hangar described as a "space", but--a tiny shop? Someone's kitchen? Overkill. Oh, and the self-confessed frump who can't be bothered to iron her clothes, let alone carry her own moisturizer and comb when travelling, blossoms out in the final scene and everyone realises how hot she is, thanks to actually combing her hair and letting a friend apply a little slap. Of course they do!
A quick read, but without the warmth of characters that Fforde usually manages to create. All of the characters in this book, including the MC, are pretty two-dimensional, many are just scribbles to fill in background: the interchangeable "students", the hard-faced ex, even her "bestie" Magenta is really just there to serve a minor purpose. The end is patched on, the action just stops, basically in mid-sentence. No loose ends are tied up, no lessons learned--just a "fantastic" roll in the sleeping bag, most of which is mercifully left to the reader's imagination. And whatever happened to Lara and her pups? After all that buildup worrying about the little one, which she could have worked into a satisfyingly sentimental "Hallmark moment" with the kid, and then--nothing.
Two and a half stars, three because I was tired and just wanted to be on autopilot for a bit. At least she can write coherent sentences without grammatical or stylistic horrors, and her proofreaders can spell and know the meanings of words, which is more than I can say for most modern light fiction.
Fforde continues to telegraph her punches in the best chicklit tradition, but manages not to be cringe-making in the process. I did get tired of having rooms described as "spaces", in the manner of all those home-transformation TV shows so beloved of ITV. Of course a room is a "space." A space with four walls and a roof. I can understand the large open areas of a gallery or hangar described as a "space", but--a tiny shop? Someone's kitchen? Overkill. Oh, and the self-confessed frump who can't be bothered to iron her clothes, let alone carry her own moisturizer and comb when travelling, blossoms out in the final scene and everyone realises how hot she is, thanks to actually combing her hair and letting a friend apply a little slap. Of course they do!
A quick read, but without the warmth of characters that Fforde usually manages to create. All of the characters in this book, including the MC, are pretty two-dimensional, many are just scribbles to fill in background: the interchangeable "students", the hard-faced ex, even her "bestie" Magenta is really just there to serve a minor purpose. The end is patched on, the action just stops, basically in mid-sentence. No loose ends are tied up, no lessons learned--just a "fantastic" roll in the sleeping bag, most of which is mercifully left to the reader's imagination. And whatever happened to Lara and her pups? After all that buildup worrying about the little one, which she could have worked into a satisfyingly sentimental "Hallmark moment" with the kid, and then--nothing.
Two and a half stars, three because I was tired and just wanted to be on autopilot for a bit. At least she can write coherent sentences without grammatical or stylistic horrors, and her proofreaders can spell and know the meanings of words, which is more than I can say for most modern light fiction.
July 25, 2020
The writing felt sloppy, there was no actual romance and the ending is ridiculous.
May 14, 2016
I'm not going to pick up any more of this author's books, because I've cottoned on to the formula for her stories, and they've become absolutely boring. I pretty much guessed almost everything that was going to happen throughout the book, a few chapters before it happened.
The characters were, once again, nigh insufferable. The only parts I liked were the parts about the pregnant dog, and then about her puppies, which I think says a lot about the rest of the cast.
To be honest, I only finished this book because I paid $3.50 for it, and I wanted to get my money's worth out of it before I put it down and never pick it up again.
The characters were, once again, nigh insufferable. The only parts I liked were the parts about the pregnant dog, and then about her puppies, which I think says a lot about the rest of the cast.
To be honest, I only finished this book because I paid $3.50 for it, and I wanted to get my money's worth out of it before I put it down and never pick it up again.
November 11, 2013
Would've been more interesting if it didn't have that sense of lazy writing at the end. It started out pretty okay but I just couldn't buy how the problem(s) got resolved so quickly and easily in the end. ...and this is something I've been noticing in all the Fforde books I've read so far (which isn't that many yet but it's tiring me already). Such a shame because I like the characters and the plot..it's just..how it ends..ugh... :(
May 11, 2016
The story itself was ok, I guess.
But the writing was somehow, well, boring for Katie Fforde's standard.
It was as if this was her early novel, something not quite match the year of publication. Or, may be, this was something she wrote earlier, but published later?
Whatever it was, this was the first time having it as a drag to continue reading a Katie Fforde.
Still love her books anyway, if not this one.
But the writing was somehow, well, boring for Katie Fforde's standard.
It was as if this was her early novel, something not quite match the year of publication. Or, may be, this was something she wrote earlier, but published later?
Whatever it was, this was the first time having it as a drag to continue reading a Katie Fforde.
Still love her books anyway, if not this one.
May 17, 2014
Why was it hard to say no to Ms Fforde's even I knew this is another run of her mill?
September 8, 2024
Een heerlijke roman, leest lekker weg vooral op de helft van het boek blijf je lezen.
Read
June 2, 20253,5 stars
February 18, 2019
Thea is a mid-thirties woman who, after finding her last photojourno boyfriend trying to sell one of her photos to a tabloid, has reimagined her life and career, and now has a houseful of university students as lodgers, and works part-time. With no real interest in money and fame, Thea’s also rather sort of rolling through life, sometimes smoothly, other times being stepped on under the boots of those more assertive. But, when her friend Molly insists she go on a 6 day tour of Provence at short notice, it opens a series of questions and opportunities for Thea, many of which she’d never considered. And the introduction to the lector for the history of Cezanne, while horrible, turns out to be a rather charming Irishman who ‘dabs about’ with paints, and offers Thea a place to stay and getaway in the West Counties, the idea of returning to her home with the knowledge of the mess to clean and the bone-deep knowledge that she just doesn’t WANT to be there – she hooks a ride to Stanstead and is on the first plane to Ireland.
Rory is much more than a crap art lecturer who ‘dabbles’ with painting. While he makes a living painting horses, dogs and portraits, his true ‘art’ is tucked in a shed. Gloriously colorful landscapes with light and presence that shines through, wall-sized oils that are as beautiful and atmospheric as the views from his little cottage. This unknown ‘gem’ has a horrible history, having behaved more than badly at his first showing, panned by all the critics, and sent off home with a tail between his legs. Thea- recognizing something wonderful in the work contacts Molly, who knows EVERYONE, to get Rory some notice.
Oh this was fun – the ins and outs of the ‘art scene’ and Thea’s determination that Rory’s work should not only stay in Britain but that she’d very much like to be the one who owns a gallery that reintroduces him to the art world. When you add in Molly’s cousin Ben and his young son, one very frustrated by Thea’s naivete and willingness to go so far out for Rory, the other finding her hominess and willingness to bake cakes and let him muck about in the kitchen. And there is a mastiff with her litter of puppies, some unexpected showdowns in the pouring rain, and a lovely happy ever after with a new gallery in the home counties – I love Fforde’s ability to take a heroine who isn’t truly confident, turn her about and have her find her feet with the help of determination, friends and good humor.
I’ve plucked this copy from my overly full bookshelves full of titles purchased for my own library, an #OffTheShelf read. I was not compensated for, nor obligated to write a review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
Rory is much more than a crap art lecturer who ‘dabbles’ with painting. While he makes a living painting horses, dogs and portraits, his true ‘art’ is tucked in a shed. Gloriously colorful landscapes with light and presence that shines through, wall-sized oils that are as beautiful and atmospheric as the views from his little cottage. This unknown ‘gem’ has a horrible history, having behaved more than badly at his first showing, panned by all the critics, and sent off home with a tail between his legs. Thea- recognizing something wonderful in the work contacts Molly, who knows EVERYONE, to get Rory some notice.
Oh this was fun – the ins and outs of the ‘art scene’ and Thea’s determination that Rory’s work should not only stay in Britain but that she’d very much like to be the one who owns a gallery that reintroduces him to the art world. When you add in Molly’s cousin Ben and his young son, one very frustrated by Thea’s naivete and willingness to go so far out for Rory, the other finding her hominess and willingness to bake cakes and let him muck about in the kitchen. And there is a mastiff with her litter of puppies, some unexpected showdowns in the pouring rain, and a lovely happy ever after with a new gallery in the home counties – I love Fforde’s ability to take a heroine who isn’t truly confident, turn her about and have her find her feet with the help of determination, friends and good humor.
I’ve plucked this copy from my overly full bookshelves full of titles purchased for my own library, an #OffTheShelf read. I was not compensated for, nor obligated to write a review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
March 1, 2022
I'm a newcomer to Katie's work, and really enjoyed this book. Most other reviewers have already discussed the plot, so I won't do that, though there are a few reasons I didn't give it 5 stars, which follow. I am a scatty person myself so I could empathise with Thea and I thought she was a very believable character. Some not so; the typical brittle spiteful ex-wife for one. Veronica's role in the story (other than being the ex) was too coincidental to be realistic. Also .......... I just didn't "get" Ben! As a "leading man" I just couldn't take to him and he felt largely invisible; in fact I found him scary and unpleasant rather than endearing. As such the change of attitude at the end with no explanation of WHY he is like he is makes no sense. He's not a guy I would want to be involved with.
The lodgers really interested me though. I would have liked to know more about them in more depth. A spin-off book about them, perhaps, Katie?
I wondered about Thea's life before the ex - why did she like looking after the lodgers so much? That could have perhaps been explained in a little more depth.
The conclusion about the setting up of the gallery was brilliant, but the events of the final 8 pages were too rushed and implausible for me to take seriously. Proposing marriage (and accepting) when you've not had a proper relationship? The line "I'll give you two seconds to get to the door, but if you don't run I'm very much afraid that I'm going to have to make love to you" could have come straight from a bad James Bond script. Would anyone REALLY say that? I would have been at the door in half a second if anyone said that to me! Also there are a few editing errors - Eau Savage instead of Sauvage, and using lead instead of led.
All that said, the book's style is nice and easy to read, and the cute factor is provided with Lara and her puppies. I liked the concept of Thea making the right decision about her career, which led to other things falling into place (ie weight, relationships etc) and this sends out a positive message. I was able to visualise the house (big old house, spacious hall, solid old door with lovely stained glass panels and a proper, big kitchen).
But ...... and I felt bereft at this ........ the conclusion never told me what happened to Lara and her babies, the little mini one, or the lodgers!!!
The lodgers really interested me though. I would have liked to know more about them in more depth. A spin-off book about them, perhaps, Katie?
I wondered about Thea's life before the ex - why did she like looking after the lodgers so much? That could have perhaps been explained in a little more depth.
The conclusion about the setting up of the gallery was brilliant, but the events of the final 8 pages were too rushed and implausible for me to take seriously. Proposing marriage (and accepting) when you've not had a proper relationship? The line "I'll give you two seconds to get to the door, but if you don't run I'm very much afraid that I'm going to have to make love to you" could have come straight from a bad James Bond script. Would anyone REALLY say that? I would have been at the door in half a second if anyone said that to me! Also there are a few editing errors - Eau Savage instead of Sauvage, and using lead instead of led.
All that said, the book's style is nice and easy to read, and the cute factor is provided with Lara and her puppies. I liked the concept of Thea making the right decision about her career, which led to other things falling into place (ie weight, relationships etc) and this sends out a positive message. I was able to visualise the house (big old house, spacious hall, solid old door with lovely stained glass panels and a proper, big kitchen).
But ...... and I felt bereft at this ........ the conclusion never told me what happened to Lara and her babies, the little mini one, or the lodgers!!!
August 9, 2015
For a book written by a woman, about a woman, and presumably for women, it left me with a particularly bitter after-taste of unfortunate implications.
Not only were the characters one-dimensional, utterly irrational and, consequently, dreadfully unrealistic, their interactions implied a seriously unhealthy image of the ideal romantic relationship. Throughout the novel, the main love interest (Ben) has done nothing but argue with the heroine (Thea) culminating in physical intimidation and even manhandling at several occasions -- all of which is described in terms of passion. Thea even feared she would get attacked more than once and, when asked, Ben does not deny his urge to hit her:
Moreover, Thea is aware that her feelings are completely irrational and even mentions being "unfeminist" for it. By pointing this out, Fforde draws even more attention to the issue than she already did by writing about it in such a blatantly thoughtless way. I fear for readers who find this kind of aggression in relationships attractive.
Still, after not having as much as kissed properly, Ben asks Thea to marry him, claiming to have been in love from the minute he saw her. If unrealism was a genre, I would definitely file this novel under it.
Not only were the characters one-dimensional, utterly irrational and, consequently, dreadfully unrealistic, their interactions implied a seriously unhealthy image of the ideal romantic relationship. Throughout the novel, the main love interest (Ben) has done nothing but argue with the heroine (Thea) culminating in physical intimidation and even manhandling at several occasions -- all of which is described in terms of passion. Thea even feared she would get attacked more than once and, when asked, Ben does not deny his urge to hit her:
"You’re angry now, aren’t you? You want to hit me again."
She heard him laugh softly as he walked towards her. "Well, yes, but not quite as much as I want to kiss you."
Moreover, Thea is aware that her feelings are completely irrational and even mentions being "unfeminist" for it. By pointing this out, Fforde draws even more attention to the issue than she already did by writing about it in such a blatantly thoughtless way. I fear for readers who find this kind of aggression in relationships attractive.
Still, after not having as much as kissed properly, Ben asks Thea to marry him, claiming to have been in love from the minute he saw her. If unrealism was a genre, I would definitely file this novel under it.
January 5, 2018
Artistic License does exactly what it says on the tin. (Yes, sometimes you can judge a book by its cover!) The story is one of a middle-aged lady who is kind of floating and being pushed around by life and her pushy friend and students. She spontaneously heads to Ireland to visit an artist she met and she falls in love... with his work. She then decides to open a gallery to show his work. A series of fortunate coincidences and unfortunate (but foreseeable) problems follow.
One issue I had with the book is that it's quite moralistic. There is a very definite undertone of not having one-night stands and the ending kind of cements that. Without spoiling anything, you read these books to see the guy get the girl at the end. But a kiss or a date or even a passionate romp would have sufficed. The ending was a tad OTT for me and even in a book filled with unrealistic situations, the ending stood out as being ridiculous.
This book is a grand short read for when you don't really want to think. The twists in the story are a tad obvious (I'd hazard a guess that the writer follows a specific formula) but the book isn't meant to be very challenging. This really is escapism for middle aged women. It has a few clichés but it manages to not be too cringe-worthy. I probably wouldn't be rushing out to get other novels from Katie Fforde but you never know, maybe on my next beach holiday!
One issue I had with the book is that it's quite moralistic. There is a very definite undertone of not having one-night stands and the ending kind of cements that. Without spoiling anything, you read these books to see the guy get the girl at the end. But a kiss or a date or even a passionate romp would have sufficed. The ending was a tad OTT for me and even in a book filled with unrealistic situations, the ending stood out as being ridiculous.
This book is a grand short read for when you don't really want to think. The twists in the story are a tad obvious (I'd hazard a guess that the writer follows a specific formula) but the book isn't meant to be very challenging. This really is escapism for middle aged women. It has a few clichés but it manages to not be too cringe-worthy. I probably wouldn't be rushing out to get other novels from Katie Fforde but you never know, maybe on my next beach holiday!
December 16, 2017
I enjoyed parts of this a great deal, but the beginning was very slow. I came to like Thea, the heroine of the book, after a bit of a rough start. However, I never really warmed to Ben -- our hero -- who was off-page for a great deal of the book. While it was obvious there was a strong attraction between Thea and Ben, Ben acted like a jerk for much of the book toward Thea, and when we find out the reason why he did so, it was a bit over-the-top for me.
Definitely not my favorite by the author, but an okay read. I'd give it a C/C+, so 3 stars here.
Definitely not my favorite by the author, but an okay read. I'd give it a C/C+, so 3 stars here.
October 1, 2021
This book sparks my interest in Art Galleries. I google art galleries and was impressed by the layouts. I absolutely enjoyed reading this book. Infact all of Katie Fforde's books are very nice and soothing to read. Her storyline and characters and how she described the situations and environment makes you imagine you are in the story. This is one of it. A beautifully written book, takes place in London and Ireland.
January 18, 2016
Het verhaal kwam traag op gang en de personages waren niet zo uitgewerkt als ik gewend ben van Katie Fforde. Het eindigt wel totaal anders dan verwacht en dat is wel een keer leuk om te lezen..
Helaas zijn er wel een paar dingen/stukken open gelaten, dus heb ik niet het gevoel dat het verhaal is afgesloten!
Helaas zijn er wel een paar dingen/stukken open gelaten, dus heb ik niet het gevoel dat het verhaal is afgesloten!
May 27, 2007
Another poorly written book (I seem to be on a roll lately). The comedy in this book was over-done to the point where it wasn't funny. This book lacked exposition and setup. A potentially great plot ruined by poor writing.
February 17, 2018
The light suspense of the story and writing style was interesting however the ending was too suddenly resolved. I personally felt that the romantic relationship escalated far too quickly in the last 5 pages. I enjoyed the concept being conveyed but not the execution.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2015
3/3,5 sterren, ik weet het niet helemaal zeker.
Deze Katie Fforde was beter dan de meest recente boeken van haar die ik heb gelezen, zoals De Kers op de Taart.
Deze Katie Fforde was beter dan de meest recente boeken van haar die ik heb gelezen, zoals De Kers op de Taart.
February 13, 2016
Great easy read.
March 7, 2022
Sorry have read other Katie Fforde books and they were okay but this would turn Henry VIII into a feminist.
The dog was the only sympathetic character.
The dog was the only sympathetic character.
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