Night Owls is definitely a little paint splotch of adorableness, calamity and fabulousness. It’s about art. ART, PEOPLES, HUZZAH. I’m a sucker for arty books, because a) I’m dreadfully un-arty myself, c) but I really want to be arty, and c) I love Evil Art* Books. I wish to embrace Night Owls in a painty embrace because it literally has SO MUCH AWESOME. Epic characters! Addictive writing style! Family relationships! Graffiti! DEAD BODIES!!!
* How dare you question my terms! I shall explain to the unknowledgeable ones. “Evil Art” is a phrase which means “I’m-arting-even-though-society-calls-it-a-crime” or “my-parents-don’t-believe-in-my-art-but-I’m-gonna-do-it-anyway“. Now you know a new term! EVIL ART.
Accurate representation of me arting.
Okay, okay, I’m getting ahead of myself. Let me go about this calmly.
The story is about two contrasting artists. Bex (the narrator) is a medical artist and draws dead bodies. Jack is a graffitist. Obviously I found Bex’s 1000 x more intriguing because I’d never thought about medical artists before. SO COOL. When Bex and Jack meet, it’s this chance stumbling into each other on a bus and A SMALL DOLLOP OF ATTRACTION IS PAINTED.
I do need to talk about the “insta-love” factor, because it sounds insta-lovey, doesn’t it? IT IS NOT. Yes, Jack and Bex met each other on a bus and were attracted (dead bodies and paint do bring lovers together, do not doubt this). But it was attraction, not “OMG MARRY ME, MY LOVE”. This intrigued reaction drove them to find each other again. They didn’t “fall in love” in a flash. Their relationship started as friendship, too, and the build up was glorious. I just ship them so hard! And, by the way, I need mention this because it’s super irregular in books: but Jack ended up going to Bex’s for family-dinner-night to meet her mother BEFORE he even kissed her. Also family-dinner-nights are incredibly awesome and hilarious…although why is it always lasagna?? Not that I’m complaining, BUT JUST NOTICING.
That all saying, the romance is quite steamy. I’m not a heavy-romance-contemporary fan so this wasn’t exactly my idea of a stroll through Monet’s garden, but the two of them are still entirely shippable.
OH AND THE ART. Did I mention I adore arty books?! I DO. And I particularly like when I can see the art, and I think the writing did complete justice in the arty description. And Bex’s final piece for the competition? I’m DYING TO SEE IT.
OTHER STUFF I LIKED A LOT AND THEREFORE DESERVES A LIST:
- It talks about schizophrenia.
- There’s diversity. YAY.
- Bex’s hobby is drawing corpses, I mean, come on, that’s awesome.
- There’s tons of family interactions and sibling bonds and that’s just MY FAVOURITE.
- And when Bex’s mum gets super strict, it’s still in a respectful/logical way (even though it’s unfair).
- Much lasagna.
- Bex holds down an average job plus does wild things.
- Jack graffitis words all in gold because he’s fabulous.
- The humour and banter and writing are all GOLDEN. Haha, get it?! Because Jack always paints in gold? GET IT.
I definitely liked this book! The romance was a bit steamy for me and I have to admit nothing surprised me. It played out interestingly, but predictably. But when I adored the characters and found myself snickering quietly at the witty banter — I call this a book of win. Plus it’s short but still deals poignantly with a LOT of issues and I closed the book feeling like I just ate a painting. SO THAT’S GREAT.
NOTE: Apparently in the USA this book is called The Anatomical Shape of a Heart which is such a much more interesting title, but if you’re curious about the reason Charnell @ Reviews from a Bookworm interviewed the author (!!) and has answers there.
THANK YOU SIMON & SCHUSTER FOR THE ARC! Night Owls by Jenn Bennett was published August, 2015.
Feeling alive is always worth the risk.
Meeting Jack on the Owl—San Francisco’s night bus—turns Beatrix’s world upside down. Jack is charming, wildly attractive…and possibly one of San Francisco’s most notorious graffiti artists.
But Jack is hiding a piece of himself. On midnight rides and city rooftops, Beatrix begins to see who this enigmatic boy really is.
-~-
Oh, is this out? I had the release date down as November so hadn’t posted my review.
I really enjoyed it much more than I expected to, although I prefer the original title to this one.
Butting in! It’s November in the US, but August in the rest of the world 🙂
I think it’s out in November in the US? It’s confusing with the different release dates I KNOW. XD
ARE THEY BIC MARKERS? Because I’m using those for my colouring in and they are SO gorgeous. Shhh, don’t tell my mum I stole them.
Also, cannot WAIT to read this. And I like the title Night Owls much better than the other title 😉
YES THEY ARE BIC MARKERS. THEY ARE BLEEDING DEVILS. I’ve got the Enchanted Forest colouring-in book (the picture with the owl is actually part of that book :P) and it bleeds through so horrifically. But they are beautiful pens. Stealing them is totally understandable. :’)
I did an Art GCSE in school and got a B, and obviously I design and create things, so um, maybe I’m artistic, WHO KNOWS! I do think this book sounds super interesting, and I remember requesting it and being declined *sadface* so I’ll definitely be checking this one out for sure! Wonderful review, and why the such big title change, say whutttt?
I’M SURE YOU ARE ARTISTIC. You do graphic designy things, right?! That’s art! Agh, I get declined for all the things so I understand your pain. *pats shoulder*
OMG. EVIL ART. DEAD BODIES. MEDICAL ARTIST. THIS BOOK IS SO MUCH YES. And we haven’t even gotten past the premise. Seriously, this sounds fab but it’s contemporary and I’m scared of contemporary. THERE IS NO MAGIC. But then they always sound so fabulous? GAHHHH.
Also, you have no right to talk about lasagna family dinners. You wrote a lasagna family dinner.
TALKING ABOUT EVIL ART WAS MY FAVOURITE PART OF THIS POST, TBH. Also the dead bodies *nods* because I just hadn’t even thought of medical art before and now I’m intensely interested in it. I WANT MORE BOOKS ON THIS TOPIC.
Shshhhhh. I THOUGHT I WAS BEING ORIGINAL.
So, basically I need this book in my life yes? AND OMG I KNOW IT’S ALWAYS LASAGNE. idek how to spell it but yeah. this book sounds adorable, I LOVE ART, and i’m not too keen on steamy-romance type things but hey, there’s art – it should make up for it. 😉
BASICALLY I THINK YOU DO. Art and lasagna cover a multitude of transgressions tbh.
Oh, I cannot wait to read this book! I have it on my Kindle, but I have other books I need to read first, and OH MY GOD, sometimes life just isn’t fair. But I’m now even more excited for this book! fiversity and mental health! Whoop! And it just sounds so good generally, though I’m a little nervous about the ead body art, because I can be quite squeamish. I’m hoping it doesn’t make me feel ill. (Seriously, The beginning of I am Not a Serial Killer by Dan Wells has a funeral directors dealing with the dead body to stop it decomposing. It had to pause several times. It made me feel very sick and quite faint. I didn’t do either, but it wasn’t an enjoyable experience. So yeah, I hope there’s not a repeat of it here.) BUT I AM EXCITED! Thanks for the amazing review, Cait!
I am not an artist, but I enjoy being arty. I used to quite enjoy art at school. And I was always drawing when I was younger. I’d spend hours trying to draw the people in my posters. It was fun, even if I was crap. But yesss, I am enjoying this colouring in craze at the moment. I’m not wonderful, but I don’t need to be, and it’s quite fun! I love your owl! 😀 I have the Enchanted Forest book, but have yet to use it. I am sad to say I do not like lasagna. I think it has comething to do with the cheese. And the pasta. I don’t like either.
I KNOW THAT FEEL. So many books to read. *hides from towering TBR* Hehe, actually one character does faint when they see her art, so YEAH. THERE’S THAT. XD I loved it, but I am a curiously weird bean. Omg, really?! You got faint with I am Not a Serial Killer? I LOVED THAT BOOK TOO. Although I was kind of grossed out the whole time. :O
I used to draw…maps. xD And omg the colouring-craze is so fabulous. I’m reliving the colouring of my childhood, since I didn’t really colour when I was little. I HAVE THE ENCHANTED FOREST BOOK TOO. I’m waiting on some pens to arrive though, because my Bic Markers are bleeding through. Boo.
AGH HOW DO YOU NOT LIKE LASAGNA??? CAN I EVEN TALK TO YOU?? hehe Okay but *whispers* I actually eat lasagna without cheese or pasta so. yes.
Ooh ART! Now, I must let you know that art is… well… not my talent. I can’t draw, paint, sculpt or even colour something in in an at all satisfactory manner. Hence why I dropped Art as a subject two years ago. BUT I LOVE READING ABOUT ART. I looove appreciating art (other people’s that is), becuase it can be so beautiful – one reason why I like to read since are books not a form of art? So yes to this book! Me wants to read it. Great review and aaah how awesome is that, a character who only graffitis in GOLD?
It isn’t my talent either. We shall be talentless pineapples in this, Rebekah. *nods sadly* Reading about art is like a less-messy way to participate and do well because we GET TO BE THE SAVANT CHARACTER, RIGHT?!?
Trying to type on my phone… Oops, this will not go well. Thank you for linking to my post 😄 You already know that I absolutely loved this. I lived the art. The cutesy romance. The exploration of mental health. And everything. I can’t wait for her next YA book, I shall be devouring it!!!
Yesss, I loved your review and interview. XD I’m SO glad you asked about the titles because I always wonder why/how that comes about, eheh.
I love lasagna!!!
YOU AND ME BOTH, MY FRIEND.
Great review! 🙂 I think this one sounds really good! The characters seem very interesting. I need to read some more sibling bonding books. I loved I’ll Give You The Sun with all the sibling dynamics.
I’ll Give You the Sun is like one of my all-time TOP favourite books OF EVER. *hyperventilates quietly* This doesn’t quite get to that level, but I still loved it!! 😀
Ooo, this sounds cute. I’m normally not one for romance but I also like arty books because I also have almost zero arty skills (I’m decent with charcoal. Not much else). AND IT’S SET IN SAN FRANCISCO. I adore San Francisco. It’s like my third or fourth favorite city.
I DIDN’T EVEN NOTICE THE CITY. Tbh, all american cities sound the same to me. heeh Dooon’t hurt me. xD I like arty books because it makes me feel arty when I am not.
*raises hand* I like lasagna! *lowers hand* I can finger paint?
We can finger paint together then, Maraia. Fingerpaint with lasagna?
I have fingerpainted with ketchup before (as an almost-adult), so I guess lasagna wouldn’t be too much of a stretch. 😀
I DO really want to read this one. I like the title Night Owls actually. I don’t know…the title and cover you all have just sticks out to me more. Anywayyy…I love books about art, because I WISH I could paint and draw and do all that lovely stuff. I’m thinking of taking an art class of some sort this fall, but we’ll see!!
-Lauren
I do like how the cover is all speckled in golden paintishness. :’) I guess I like the US title because it sticks in my brain more, hehe, although it DOES sound like a Jennifer E Smith book. XD
I can’t say I’ve ever had the sudden urge to draw a dead thing. I don’t really get the urge to draw, in any case. I’m more likely to want to pick up a camera (because I’m already framing the shot in my head). I guess I lean more toward photography for the visual arts side of things (although I have dabbled with acrylics in the past).
Lasagna is awesome, but I haven’t had any in years. Being vegan is limiting with the whole cheese thing… and then when you’ve got food sensitivities to wheat, onions, garlic, spinach, and tomatoes… well, what’s left? Whatever it is, I don’t think you could call it “lasagna” anymore!
It’s nice to find books that actually portray a hobby in a realistic way. It’s also nice to see the character actually doing the hobby they claim to love! I’ve read quite a few books where the main character is supposed to be an artist, and yet we never see her draw anything… or she’s a book blogger, but she never reads… or she’s a dancer but she never dances. Or, even worse, the author gets things wrong (like one book I read where the girl was painting in oils, and the painting dried during the time it took to eat dinner!). I can’t think of that many books that really impressed me, hobby-wise… although Hilary T. Smith’s Wild Awake had a main character who was a pianist, and she actually played the piano. (Too bad the mental illness aspects of that book were weak.)
I prefer photography too. XD And it’s faster?!? I can’t usually get exactly the image I want, but I get a lot closer than when I attempt to art!
AGH, I understand about the lasagna troubles. When my mum makes it, it’s dairy-free, and grain-free. We use pumpkin instead of pasta sheets. IT’S GLORIOUS. No cheese either. *sad face*
YES I SEE THAT TOO!! I don’t see it too often, but it is a problem to me when they only trot out their passion once and a while. Although maaaybe it’s just me who is UTTERLY OBSESSED with my interests so they’re literally on my brain 24/7. I also wish I could see more books about hobbies where the character wasn’t a GENIUS at it. -_- Am I just too fussy?!? hehe
Lasagna is life! 🙂
I like drawing, but I’m not great at it. Drawing my characters is part of my planning/first drafting process though – it helps me work out whether or not the character looks right. 😉 But if we’re on about paint…no. I’m that annoying person who never washes her brush properly and mixes up all the colours.
I don’t know whether to read this one or not. On the one hand, the last arty book I read was AMAZING. On the other, steamy romance isn’t really my scene.
Oh that is so cool though!! My characters are big blogs of blankness before. Tbh, I don’t even find models on pinterest usually. xD But I’m super glad you are NOT that annoying person. I don’t approve of mixing colours and brushes and all those things either. *shudders* In fact, I have my Sharpies all in separate contains by colour and shade.
On the lasagna note: your characters have lasagna for dinner during the family-dinner-night in Tremolo XD
sHUHHHHHHH. I KNOW. I FEEL CLICHE NOW. XD
BUT it was vegetarian lasagna. So you still put your own spin on it XD
‘TIS TRUE. GO ME. XD
evil art is such a cool term. Unfortunately I can’t use it because in the book I’m writing art is the proper, traditional lifestyle, the one that every parent wants their children to follow.
Ah, there’s always next time, amirite? Because one needs to Evil Art JUST so they can use the phrase. XD
HEHA I KID I KID.
So I was reading through your post and was thinking OH THIS IS GOING ON MY TBR and then I saw that it is the same thing as The Anatomical Shape of a Heart and well lucky me that’s already on my tbr. I frankly had no idea what it was about – I just added it because I ADORE that title 🙂
I am not super arty… but I guess I am arty in the way that my family is all kind of arty in various ways and we could be good at graphic art if we cared about drawing or painting but we care about music and theater more so that gets priority in our artiness.
However – my aunt (my dad’s twin sister) IS an artist – a medical artist! But she doesn’t draw dead bodies. She’s also a podiatrist, so she draws feet with muscles and bones exposed for anatomy books. (I guess she’s had to have studied dead people’s feet to draw them so…)
HEHE. ME TOO. Actually the S&S publicist emailed me to say she’d sent it and I’m like “oh yeah, awesome, I hadn’t heard of that one…” then I looked it up and YES I HAD. Just…with the other title. XD aHH. I wish books wouldn’t have different titles. It’s so confusing. 😛
I guess there is more to “art” than painting/drawing. So I should’ve said “painty arting”. Because technically writing is arting, right?!?
OH THAT IS COOL THOUGH. I mean, dead feet doesn’t do anything for me, but I totally hadn’t even ever THOUGHT about medical art until this book. The things you learn…
YES YES YES! I am so glad you loved this book, because I LOVED IT TOO, and I am still in the READ THIS BOOK SO GOOD LOVE IT YES NOW phase where I am super excited and happy when other people read and loved it too because it is so good and so different and just YES.
Also, love the accurate representation of you arting.
Also also, thank you for teaching me the term EVIL ART because I like learning something new every day.
YAAAAAY!! REVIEW TWINS *HI FIVES* I kind of had zero expectations when I went in, so I’m super excited that I ended up REALLY loving it. :’) And you are so welcome. I’m here to teach, as you know, because how could you really go through life not knowing what Evil Art meant, hmm???
I WISH I WAS IN AUSTRALIA RIGHT FREAKING NOW. This book doesn’t come out until NOVEMBER in the US :(, and I’m apart of this thing called Sunday Street Team, I don’t know of you’ve heard of it, and our November book is going to be THIS ONE, and I find it totally intriguing because I love creative concept novels (things like Ness & Grant) or artsy novels!!!
CAIT. CAIT. DID YOU REALLY SAY YOU’RE NOT ARTY. Well, yes, painting and drawing counts and that’s what you meant but allow me to point out the ways you’re ALREADY arty. Blogging!!! You create interesting, lively content. THAT’S GOOD ART. You write wonderful stories, and you write them WELL. WELL enough to get an agent, so yes, you are arty because you’re talented when it comes to writing things, which is an art form. SO GO ARTY CAIT. My first reaction was, “Is she serious???” Then I realized you were talking about paintings and drawings…but you are still arty just not always in the “conventional” way, and that’s okay!
I like to paint and draw, although the art forms I most commonly participate are writing (obviously), but stories, poetry, and such…and acting. I’m an okay painter, not the best, not the worst!
No, I have not had the urge…UNTIL NOW! *rubs hands together* *cackles*
For lasagna, WELLLLLL it depends on who cooks it, and what they put in it! I won’t just eat any lasagna, I’m picky and it has to be a certain type cooked by a certain person. I will be reading Night Owls when it comes out. I’m rather ambivalent when it comes to the title. I did think Night Owls sounds cool and I like the US one as well. I’d say 50/50, either/or.
Great review, and you are arty, I think you’re one of the most creative bloggers out there! Hence, me nominating you for the Creative Blogger Award. I’ll link that next time so you can set it aside for later.
WHAT?!?? NOVEMBER?!?? WHAT IS THIS CRAZY UNIVERSE. *prances around hugging book* Australia is wiser in all things, just so you know. I have not heard of Sunday Street Team though. I’m hopeless when it comes to clubs and teams and things. >_< Okay, OKAY YES YOU ARE RIGHT. I should've specificed arty/painty/drawing-y art. I do draw a bit, but I get caught up doing all the millions of other things and never get a chance to draw much. *whispers* I'm also a perfectionist so drawing is hard when I 80% suck at it. xD BUT SERIOUSLY THIS COMMENT IS LIKE BEAUTIFUL AND ENCOURAGING. I MAY JUST HUG YOU, WESAUN AND SMUSH CAKE IN YOUR HAIR. I also admit, I don't like ALL lasagna. I don't like vegetarian lasagna, and once I ate one that was like bathed in the blood of rosemary and it was not okay.
I have never wanted to draw something dead…. But I do like drawing, mostly sketching. And I can paint, but I generally don’t find the time to, I prefer photography! And anyway my painting is not anything amazing.
BAH. WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? WANTING TO AVOID DEAD THINGS, PFFT, CLARE, SERIOUSLY. x) heehe okay, I get that. I’m not sure if I’d have the stomach for it or not? I wonder…
My photography turns out better than my art. 😀
THIS SOUNDS SO GOOD. I don’t actually read a lot of contemporary, it usually feels to predictable and pretentious, however this sounds really good! Must add to TBR list ASAP.
Ah, yes, I totally get that. I find a LOT of books predictable, but I think that’s because I’ve read so many?!? I kind of like pretentious characters, though, as long as they’re sweeties as well. heeh.
Fantabulous review, Cait! I was scurrying away to Goodreads to add this to the “very much want to read list” because well, medical artist. Medical artist! But then I realised that I had it shelved under its American name. Grrr! I hate title differences… but anyway, I’ll still read it. But I still prefer the title Night Owls.
I know right?!!? I’ve NEVER read a book about medical artists…or…really…heard of it before now. I just didn’t think about where those sketches would come from. hehe And I hate title differences too, just because it’s confusing.
Yes, lasagna! Who doesn’t love it? Pillowy layers of pasta…tomato-y goodness…creamy sauce… and now I’m starving. Off to eat breakfast, I go! But before I do, I’m definitely interested in checking this out. You and Kelly both loved this and it sounds like such a lovely contemporary, so I am sold! Love the review and photos!
LASAGNA IS THE THING OF DREAMS AND HAPPINESS. Are you eating lasagna for breakfast, though? Because, I admit, that would be stupendous. Ahem. YES. Kelly and I are like twins on this matter. *nods*
I’ll tell you a secret Cait: I’m not a romance person. (Okay, that’s not really a secret, but pretend for a minute it is. 😉 ) I don’t know why, but I’d much rather read something action-packed than something filled with romance. This being considered, you’ve managed to make me want to read this despite the fact that it’s not something I’d normally pick up. It sounds like an amazing and emotional story, and I can’t wait to read it for myself. Thanks Cait, and, as always, fabulous review! ♥
PFFFFFFT. THAT IS NO SECRET. THAT IS THE UNSECRETY SECRET OF SECRETNESS. (That sentence makes total sense. DO NOT DENY THIS.) XD But come on, isn’t flipped a romance?!? *whispers* Of which I so will read ASAP!! I’m just a bit behind on my reading atm. >_<
This does not sound like my tyoe of book but I do like artsy stuff. If you like coloring( who doesn’t?) You should check out Johanna Basfords books. They are awesome. They are so detailed. I have special japenese pens for when I color them( they are super fine tipped. You can use a to of different things to color them with though)
hehe, actually the photo with the book and the owl drawing IS from one of Johanna Basfords books! I have enchanted forest! I’m waiting on decent pens to arrive though, because my bic markers totally bleed. 🙁
I was so for reading this, but steamy romance is a no for me, I cannot stomach it just no.
love art though, I am more of a sketcher, but my occasional painting isn’t horrendous. I have been drawing zombies, does that count as a dead body. I make a pretty great lasagna, but I love eating it more than making it.
hehe, fair enough! Usually it lowers a rating for me, but this time?! NOPE. I just really enjoyed all the other parts of the book! 😀 Drawing zombies totally counts as a dead body. Creatively dead.
I agree, the US title is much more interesting. And oh my, your photos are the loveliest! Your gifs are the cutest as well (and ehem your writing is fantabulous as always) If I am artsy (which I am sadly, not) I’d defo be Bex and just DRAW ALL THE DEAD BODIES. (…I can so totally see a crime/thriller book somewhere with this kind of antagonist) Wait now that I think about it I’ve done that before lmao (it was a fanart thingy majig for A Slice of Cherry)
p/s: I so didn’t thought Bex was a guy and squealed at the prospect that guy-Bex and Jack had a sort of insta-love ehem definitely did not think that way
Aww, thank you!! <3 I had quite fun with this photoshoot since I had obvious props I could use, eheh. I mean, OBVIOUSLY I should've found myself a dead heart or something, but, yes. Sadly I just had to settle with painty things.
True story: I want to read THIS book every time I see it. I want to read The Anatomical Shape of the Heart zero percent of the time. So, when I finally do read this book (and I will, because you have convinced me, as usual) I will be reading the UK version. Because both this title and cover appeal to my eyes and brain, and the US one does not. You win this round, overseas friends!
The romance sounds so cute! And I want to know what the heck kind of hobby drawing corpses is because… that is weird. Completely, unequivocally abnormal. And therefore insanely intriguing. Sign me up! But not for the US one with the ugly heart cover.
I always wondered what this book was, as I’ve seen it around – turns out it’s the same as the Anatomical Shape of the Heart (I love that cover by the way). How great this one develops the romance and that it’s about art. I mean drawing dead bodies kind of sounds creepy doesn’t it? Lovely review Cait!
Yessss!! When S&S told me I was getting a copy I was all like “yep sounds good” but then I looked it up and I’m like “OMG I ACTUALLY REALLY WANTED THIS BOOK, BUT BY A DIFFERENT TITLE”. XDXD I think retitling things is sooo confusing, but, I guess, England and America do have a century old rivalry to keep up?! 😛 I JOKE! I JOKE!
Oooh, I need to read Night Owls–although, I do prefer the American title. I agree, it is more intriguing. It’s funny–I love art and art books, but I haven’t actually read too many. In fact, I’m not sure I can list any off the top of my head. I do enjoy painting a lot, but I don’t get many chances–I tend to spend more time sketching random things and people. Sketching dead bodies as a hobby, though–now there’s an idea. *takes notes* I like that this isn’t instalove because I like books with instant attraction that don’t immediately leap into romance. Great review!
YAY *hi fives* We’re pretty evenly split for who-prefers-what-title actually. XD I’m going to stick with the Anatomical, even though it takes me 95830 x goes to spell it right. -_- For a writer, I’m a horrendous speller. DEFINITELY a new hobby to take up for sure.
THIS LOOKS SO GOOD! I LOVE ARTSY BOOKS AND ALSO, YAY FOR DIVERSITY! I prefer the title The Anatomical Shape of a Heart, I’m not sure why but I do. I love lasagna (who doesn’t?!) and I can’t paint to save my life. I can sometimes draw but I can’t paint AT ALL.
SAME. Although The Anatomical Shape of the Heart nearly sounds like a Jennifer E Smith book instead. xD hehe BUUUUUT. I like it more, it just captures me somehow. :’) Lasagna is life and only 1 person in, like the 30 commenters has confessed to not liking it, so we’re mostly in agreement here. *nods*
I want to feel like I just ate a painting. Seriously, your review has made me want to read this so much. Another on to the TBR pile. It keeps growing and growing and growing!
THE ETERNALLY GROWING TBR = I understand that calamity. I mean, it’s partially wonderful and partially drowning, right?! XD
LASAGNA!
(This is a perfectly legitimate comment. Ahem.)
Okay, this books sounds lovely, AND WHY DID I NOT REQUEST IT FROM SIMON & SCHUSTER? I think because the synopsis makes it sound totally different to what you described here (which sounds AMAZING). Le siiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh. Ah, well. At least I know that it IS better than the synopsis pretends that it is, and maybe one day I’ll stumble across it and remember that.
I do like the sound of a lot things about this book. Art (YAY). Slow burn romance. Cute family dinners. Diversity. Dead bodies (shh, I didn’t write that). So I am pretty sure that I would be quite partial to this particular book, if I ever did end up reading it. So thank you for this review! It has brought the book to my attention, so hurrah! 😀 <3
Lasagna… is so the best. Mhmm, I am becoming hungry just thinking about it. Oh, and I have to say that I cannot wait to read this one! I know the book has another title and also cover in the UK (I just signed up for a book tour of this, fingers crossed I make it so I can read it!). So at first I was like where can I find this wonderous book? Why do no bookstores have it? Until I did some research that is.
But the medical art sounds so cool DD: I have never heard of anything like that before. And I am so glad there is no insta love in the end.
Wait are there even people in this world who DON’T love lasagna? I pity them, I really do. Also great review! And I love your photos (but I always do so that’s nothing new)