Scan barcode
lynnuwatson's review
5.0
This story touched me in so many personal ways!
I do wish I had read the Heirloom Secrets series in order. This one gives much insight into the characters and happenings in Book 3.
The story connects New Orleans and Charleston. I love Charleston but had never been to New Orleans. Now I have through Ashley's eyes and words.
I do wish I had read the Heirloom Secrets series in order. This one gives much insight into the characters and happenings in Book 3.
The story connects New Orleans and Charleston. I love Charleston but had never been to New Orleans. Now I have through Ashley's eyes and words.
farmfreshlisa's review
4.0
This was the second book in the Heirloom Secrets series. I LOVED the first book and looked forward to exploring more characters in this one.
Paint and Nectar begins with a prologue during the Civil War, mentioning Rose from book 1 again, but including Clara in the story. After that, the rest of the book was a timeslip between Eliza, Clara's grandaughter during the Depression (1920s) and Lucy, Eliza's great-grandaughter set in present day. the setting is the lush and beautiful Charleston, SC! :)
With this book, we still pop in and see Harper and Peter and Millie from the first book, but more in reference, as this book sort of begins towards the middle-second half of the first book. We also see pieces from book 1 woven into book 2, so I really think it helps to read book 1 first.
This book explored a lifelong grudge. Reminding me of Hatfiled and McCoy. I loved how this book explored the idea of "when God closes a door, somewhere He opens a window" in our lives and how we can't just keep circling the "gate" trying to find our ways back in.
As usual, the author wove a rich story with many layers giving you bits and pieces as she went. At one point near the end I stopped and said "Oh that's _____" when I realized how William and a character from Book 1 were connected! Honestly it made me want to go back and re-read a few passages of book 1 to piece it all together.
Now we prepare to dive into Clara's story in book #3, but I know the characters from book 1 and 2 will be woven in since this is a multi-level time slip between families.
This was a good book, but I loved book 1 more. :)
And I really hope that #3 has a genealogy in the front! LOL. I'm practically making my own to keep track of how everyone is connected now!
Paint and Nectar begins with a prologue during the Civil War, mentioning Rose from book 1 again, but including Clara in the story. After that, the rest of the book was a timeslip between Eliza, Clara's grandaughter during the Depression (1920s) and Lucy, Eliza's great-grandaughter set in present day. the setting is the lush and beautiful Charleston, SC! :)
With this book, we still pop in and see Harper and Peter and Millie from the first book, but more in reference, as this book sort of begins towards the middle-second half of the first book. We also see pieces from book 1 woven into book 2, so I really think it helps to read book 1 first.
This book explored a lifelong grudge. Reminding me of Hatfiled and McCoy. I loved how this book explored the idea of "when God closes a door, somewhere He opens a window" in our lives and how we can't just keep circling the "gate" trying to find our ways back in.
As usual, the author wove a rich story with many layers giving you bits and pieces as she went. At one point near the end I stopped and said "Oh that's _____" when I realized how William and a character from Book 1 were connected! Honestly it made me want to go back and re-read a few passages of book 1 to piece it all together.
Now we prepare to dive into Clara's story in book #3, but I know the characters from book 1 and 2 will be woven in since this is a multi-level time slip between families.
This was a good book, but I loved book 1 more. :)
And I really hope that #3 has a genealogy in the front! LOL. I'm practically making my own to keep track of how everyone is connected now!
morgangiesbrecht's review
5.0
There was so much to love about this book!
I loved Lucy & Declan along with William & Eliza. The enemies-to-lovers/Romeo & Juliet family feud aspect were hilarious & heartbreaking by turns. The connections to the first book were stunning. And an honourable mention side note is that I LOVED the relationship between Declan & his mum.
I loved Lucy & Declan along with William & Eliza. The enemies-to-lovers/Romeo & Juliet family feud aspect were hilarious & heartbreaking by turns. The connections to the first book were stunning. And an honourable mention side note is that I LOVED the relationship between Declan & his mum.
maryfaithreads's review
4.0
"What imitations have you accepted as originals in your own life?"
For most of the book, I thought this was a 3.5 star read, but that ending really moved it up to 4 for me.
This is my second Ashley Clark book, and I really enjoy her writing. Her prose is enchanting, and her stories are lovely. I can't wait to read more from her.
While I didn't enjoy this as much as The Dress Shop on King Street, it was really good. Lucy and Declan were such likeable characters I couldn't help but root for. I felt the same way about Eliza and William. I love a good dual timeline book!
Lucy's journey was one I could really relate to, and I appreciated Ashley's lessons on finding beauty in the ordinary and not settling for less so much.
If you love historical Christian fiction like I do, this series is for you!
For most of the book, I thought this was a 3.5 star read, but that ending really moved it up to 4 for me.
This is my second Ashley Clark book, and I really enjoy her writing. Her prose is enchanting, and her stories are lovely. I can't wait to read more from her.
While I didn't enjoy this as much as The Dress Shop on King Street, it was really good. Lucy and Declan were such likeable characters I couldn't help but root for. I felt the same way about Eliza and William. I love a good dual timeline book!
Lucy's journey was one I could really relate to, and I appreciated Ashley's lessons on finding beauty in the ordinary and not settling for less so much.
If you love historical Christian fiction like I do, this series is for you!
kazza27's review
5.0
Thank you to Kelly at Love Book Tours for my invitation to the tour and for my copy of the e book in return for a fair and honest review
William is working as a forger for Cadigan as he wants to have his work recognised as an artist. However Cardigan wants him to befriend the artist Eliza whose work he is forging also. He is desperate and needs the money so that he can help his sister so he agrees. Cardigan issues him with a warning about Eliza which he shrugs off.
Set in the beautiful Charleston, in South Carolina between two time lines and two women Eliza and Lucy.
Lucy in the present and Eliza in the past. Lucy is on her first date with Declan he is contacted by his parents to say they have been burgled. She is surprised that Declan is part of one of Charlestons oldest families, The Pinckneys. As the book goes between the present day and 1929 we begin to see the connection.
This is a really interesting and engrossing story, I was drawn in by the characters and the history. I really enjoyed reading about the setting and the old town of Charleston. I had not encountered this author before and I will definitely be reading her other books.
I really liked how the two stories effortlessly entwined, a really great read.
4 .5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
William is working as a forger for Cadigan as he wants to have his work recognised as an artist. However Cardigan wants him to befriend the artist Eliza whose work he is forging also. He is desperate and needs the money so that he can help his sister so he agrees. Cardigan issues him with a warning about Eliza which he shrugs off.
Set in the beautiful Charleston, in South Carolina between two time lines and two women Eliza and Lucy.
Lucy in the present and Eliza in the past. Lucy is on her first date with Declan he is contacted by his parents to say they have been burgled. She is surprised that Declan is part of one of Charlestons oldest families, The Pinckneys. As the book goes between the present day and 1929 we begin to see the connection.
This is a really interesting and engrossing story, I was drawn in by the characters and the history. I really enjoyed reading about the setting and the old town of Charleston. I had not encountered this author before and I will definitely be reading her other books.
I really liked how the two stories effortlessly entwined, a really great read.
4 .5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
vaenilla's review
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
gretchenlouise's review
4.0
A beautiful read! The intricacies of the way the stories spanned years and generations made Paint and Nectar a bit harder to follow than The Dress Shop on King Street (which you should definitely read first!). But I couldn't put it down. Lovely and fascinating!
damaris_anne's review
3.0
Paint and Nectar is Ashley Clark's sequel to her debut novel from 2020, The Dress Shop on King Street. Dress Shop was actually one of my very favourite reads from 2020 and so I was eagerly looking forward to Clark's next Heirloom Secrets novel. Paint and Nectar continues in the same vein with Clark's signature cinematic scope of 1920s Charleston. Clark really is a masterful artist with her pen, painting with vivid brushstrokes and setting a scene so realistic you feel as if you are stepping right into it.
Paint and Nectar focuses around a decades-old feud between two families, the Legares and the Pinckney's. Flashing back and forth between modern-day and all over the 20th century, Clark expands upon this feud and two different love stories connected to it. I had a difficult time keeping track of the different families, family members, and how they are all connected to one another between the two storylines. This often lead to me feeling frustrated, and I probably would not have continued had it not been for my previous love for Dress Shop and wanting to see how Clark would finish the story. That, and the slowness of the plot, disappointed me a bit. However, it was still a good read and I will still be eagerly looking forward to more of Ashley Clark's work!
I really appreciate how Clark ties in the gospel and rich Biblical themes into her stunning prose!
Paint and Nectar focuses around a decades-old feud between two families, the Legares and the Pinckney's. Flashing back and forth between modern-day and all over the 20th century, Clark expands upon this feud and two different love stories connected to it. I had a difficult time keeping track of the different families, family members, and how they are all connected to one another between the two storylines. This often lead to me feeling frustrated, and I probably would not have continued had it not been for my previous love for Dress Shop and wanting to see how Clark would finish the story. That, and the slowness of the plot, disappointed me a bit. However, it was still a good read and I will still be eagerly looking forward to more of Ashley Clark's work!
I really appreciate how Clark ties in the gospel and rich Biblical themes into her stunning prose!
melmo2610's review
4.0
This was a fun read! After loving the first book in this series, I have been looking forward to how Ashley would weave this story and it didn't disappoint. We still have a fantastic mystery, interesting timelines and great characters, plus the neat ways Ashley connects the characters and storyline to book one as well as her upcoming book three in the series. An engrossing and entertaining read all around. Don't miss it!
I received this book from the publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
I received this book from the publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.