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meganallenby's review
3.5
This is not my favourite Katie Fforde novel. She’s such a good writer so it’s still well written, I just didn’t love the plot as much. Which is hilarious when you think about it, as it’s about a creative woman setting up an art gallery (and it’s a dream of mine to own a small business, like an art gallery or a bookstore)
The romance between the two main characters (Thea and Ben) didn’t hit as hard as her other novels. Maybe it was just not as successful of a slow burn? I don’t really know how to describe it. I believe that they both were into each other, but it went from 0 to 60 at the end a little too abruptly.
I love the addition of the son (Toby). I love it when the romance with the father really has nothing to do with the heroines care for his child. Katie Fforde didn’t use Thea’s love for Toby to influence her slow burn with his dad. Thea’s relationship with Toby was definitely a highlight of the novel. It was so sweet and authentic.
Ben, of course, is the classic grumpy romantic lead. as this is my favourite type of male lead, I am inclined to like him a lot. And their rocky relationship was exactly what I wanted. It just didn’t play out correctly or satisfactorily.
I did enjoy this novel just not my favourite out of Katie Ffordes catalogue.
oddsocksagain's review against another edition
4.0
I felt the characters progressed very fast but for a easy to read, easy to get lost in cute romantic story with lots of flirting it was a lot of fun. But definitely not my favourite Katie Fforde book.
samyukta_24's review against another edition
4.0
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.
Spoiler
I mean, personally, I wouldn’t go out with, let alone marry someone who fluctuated between trying to beat me and trying to kiss me, every time we differed in some opinions.neen_mai's review against another edition
2.0
Why was it hard to say no to Ms Fforde's even I knew this is another run of her mill?
babsbutler14's review against another edition
4.0
This author was recommended by Rivka Sass (former Omaha Library Director). Katie Fforde, like Jill Mansell, writes with quirky characters and fun, normal situations. Witty dialogue and likable characters make her a fun author to read.
blancwene's review
1.0
Previously, [b:Going Dutch|442956|Going Dutch|Katie Fforde|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174819568s/442956.jpg|431737] 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!
bananatricky's review
4.0
Thea Orville is that quintessential Katie Fforde heroine, somehow owns a large house but earns very little money (acting as a landlady to feckless students and working part-time in a photo shop) and has artistic tendencies. On an artistic holiday in Provence which she was strong-armed into attending by her bossy neighbour Molly, aunt to one of Thea's lodgers. Thea meets a charming Irish artist called Rory who rather impulsively invites her to stay with him in Ireland. Initially Thea laughs it off as a younger man making a pass at a slightly older woman, but when confronted at Gatwick by the news that her students had thrown a raucous party and trashed the house she decides to turn straight around and fly to Ireland rather than face the mess.
Although Rory's attentions are flattering, Thea is more interested in his artistic talents which have been hidden away after his disastrous debut years earlier. Thea doesn't even have a chance to properly review the paintings before Molly descends upon Rory's tiny cottage bringing along her niece (and Thea's tenant) Petal, Petal's uncle Ben (a man who has already looked down his nose at Thea) and his son - way too many people for a small two bedroom cottage!
Thea hatches a wild scheme to open an art gallery in Cheltenham and bring Rory's art to the world, despite having no money and no prior experience! And despite Rory's clear indications of interest Thea is more interested in Ben, despite Ben making it very clear that he is not interested in a relationship, and certainly not with someone like Thea.
As always there are trials and tribulations, cute moppets, shaggy dogs, nasty ex-wives, bossy home county women and Thea in the centre of it all.
If you have read my other recent reviews of Katie Fforde's books you will know that I have a hatred of heroes who show absolutely no interest in the heroine until the very last chapter (or so it seems) and, more annoyingly, Katie Fforde's use of the word 'rape' when she means 'ravage'. I am very pleased to report that neither of these are an issue in this book.
Although Rory's attentions are flattering, Thea is more interested in his artistic talents which have been hidden away after his disastrous debut years earlier. Thea doesn't even have a chance to properly review the paintings before Molly descends upon Rory's tiny cottage bringing along her niece (and Thea's tenant) Petal, Petal's uncle Ben (a man who has already looked down his nose at Thea) and his son - way too many people for a small two bedroom cottage!
Thea hatches a wild scheme to open an art gallery in Cheltenham and bring Rory's art to the world, despite having no money and no prior experience! And despite Rory's clear indications of interest Thea is more interested in Ben, despite Ben making it very clear that he is not interested in a relationship, and certainly not with someone like Thea.
As always there are trials and tribulations, cute moppets, shaggy dogs, nasty ex-wives, bossy home county women and Thea in the centre of it all.
If you have read my other recent reviews of Katie Fforde's books you will know that I have a hatred of heroes who show absolutely no interest in the heroine until the very last chapter (or so it seems) and, more annoyingly, Katie Fforde's use of the word 'rape' when she means 'ravage'. I am very pleased to report that neither of these are an issue in this book.
angrygreycatreads's review
4.0
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.
afoolsingenuity's review
4.0
This was such a pleasant read. I've read a few of Fforde's novels before so I knew to expect a perfectly happy and slightly infuriating little romance to keep me occupied for the day. I would recommend it to anyone looking for something to keep them entertained for a few hours. It is not a challenging read so it is the perfect book to just unwind to.