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farmfreshlisa's review
4.0
I deviated from my normal HISTORICAL inspirational fiction to read book #2 in this series. It was very cute and I appreciated the fact that the author gives her characters baggage. That's much more real-life and helps to build the story and see how they handle it in regards to their relationships and day to day life. Now if I can get my hands on book #3...
christygsp's review
4.0
Fun, cute, engaging and funny.
The book had an effortless flow that translated to a lovely read. Characters felt real as they dealt with issues and fell in love, meddled with relatives and lived their lives.
Probably a more character driven read, but enough interesting plot points that kept a plot girlie interested throughout.
Really interesting topics were explored from Christian perspectives, and done in a way that didn’t make a reader feel preached at.
Through flawed and realistic people, we saw a great story unfold.
The book had an effortless flow that translated to a lovely read. Characters felt real as they dealt with issues and fell in love, meddled with relatives and lived their lives.
Probably a more character driven read, but enough interesting plot points that kept a plot girlie interested throughout.
Really interesting topics were explored from Christian perspectives, and done in a way that didn’t make a reader feel preached at.
Through flawed and realistic people, we saw a great story unfold.
marmeelovesbook's review
4.0
If you are looking for a nice, contemporary, romantic, Christian fiction novel with an artistic flair... and meddling Grandma’s, then this is the book for you. [b:The Art of Romance|8148910|The Art of Romance (The Matchmakers #2)|Kaye Dacus|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1273256079s/8148910.jpg|12948433], by Kaye Dacus starts us out with 2 plotting Grandmas “Sassy” and “Perty”- don’t you love them already?- who have decided that it’s time for a little matchmaking for their respective Grandkids Caylor and Dylan. As these Grandma’s are a part of a larger group called collectively the “matchmakers” (this is Book 2 in The Matchmakers Series), Caylor and Dylan stand no chance. After all these Grandmas are in a race for Great Grandchildren!
This story involves an accomplished and Tenured English Professor and author Caylor Evans and the struggling,in more ways than one, artist Dylan Bradley. Dylan Bradley is coming off of a bad and dominating relationship with an old colleague at a former college in New York and trying to heal from his past mistakes and start over in a whole new place, his home town of Nashville, Tennessee. He is doing this by moving in with his Grandparents to try and get his life back in order. He has a lot of work to do, in terms of his relationship with God, his parents , brothers, etc., because his former relationship was incredibly toxic in his life, not exactly a time to meet someone new and start a relationship. But, in time, they do and there are many hurdles to overcome during this story. A part of the story that I really loved was one involving Dylan and his 3 brothers- they all come together via a Skype type of interlude- and I don’t want to spoil it, but- I just loved how the author incorporated that into the storyline because it is just so “now”. It turns out that Dylan is not the only one with a skeleton in his closet, it appears that Caylor has one of her own. So both of them need to be honest and have “some esplainin' to do”( Imagine Ricky Ricardo accent here).
I think that Kaye Dacus does a nice job of taking her characters on a journey where they truly do grow and change. They are not perfect people, some more flawed than others, but with God’s help trying to change and grow and become all that they are meant to be. I just think it brings hope to show the process and how they change, as opposed to,” they are perfect from the beginning and have it all together all the time”. Kaye Dacus always throws some cute humor in her characters as well, which makes it fun to read. It’s also a pretty sweet love story with just the perfect ending. So, if you’re in the mood for that sweet Contemporary Christian Romance- then I think you’ll enjoy this book. And the moral of the story- always listen to your Grandma.
Disclosure-I was graciously provided with a digital copy of “The Art of Romance” by the publisher, Barbour Books through the Netgalley program. The opinions I expressed are my own and I was not obligated to write a positive review .
This story involves an accomplished and Tenured English Professor and author Caylor Evans and the struggling,in more ways than one, artist Dylan Bradley. Dylan Bradley is coming off of a bad and dominating relationship with an old colleague at a former college in New York and trying to heal from his past mistakes and start over in a whole new place, his home town of Nashville, Tennessee. He is doing this by moving in with his Grandparents to try and get his life back in order. He has a lot of work to do, in terms of his relationship with God, his parents , brothers, etc., because his former relationship was incredibly toxic in his life, not exactly a time to meet someone new and start a relationship. But, in time, they do and there are many hurdles to overcome during this story. A part of the story that I really loved was one involving Dylan and his 3 brothers- they all come together via a Skype type of interlude- and I don’t want to spoil it, but- I just loved how the author incorporated that into the storyline because it is just so “now”. It turns out that Dylan is not the only one with a skeleton in his closet, it appears that Caylor has one of her own. So both of them need to be honest and have “some esplainin' to do”( Imagine Ricky Ricardo accent here).
I think that Kaye Dacus does a nice job of taking her characters on a journey where they truly do grow and change. They are not perfect people, some more flawed than others, but with God’s help trying to change and grow and become all that they are meant to be. I just think it brings hope to show the process and how they change, as opposed to,” they are perfect from the beginning and have it all together all the time”. Kaye Dacus always throws some cute humor in her characters as well, which makes it fun to read. It’s also a pretty sweet love story with just the perfect ending. So, if you’re in the mood for that sweet Contemporary Christian Romance- then I think you’ll enjoy this book. And the moral of the story- always listen to your Grandma.
Disclosure-I was graciously provided with a digital copy of “The Art of Romance” by the publisher, Barbour Books through the Netgalley program. The opinions I expressed are my own and I was not obligated to write a positive review .
wakela's review
5.0
I found this book very fun to read. I absolutely loved the meddling Grandmas. There were so cute. They sort of reminded me of my grandma, Nan. I could picture her doing some of the things they did. It gave me a nice chuckle!
I felt like Kaye Dacus did a wonderful job of creating very believable characters. I think that Dylan and Caylor were such a great match for each other. I was rooting for them the whole time.
And of course, Dylan’s brothers were great too. Hopefully, we will see more of them in the years to come.
This is book 2 and I will definitely be going back to locate book 1 to read.
You should definitely head over to Kaye’s website. She has tons of great behind-the-scenes looks into this story.
In conjunction with the Wakela's World Disclosure Statement, I received a product in order to enable my review. No other compensation has been received. My statements are an honest account of my experience with the brand. The opinions stated here are mine alone.
I felt like Kaye Dacus did a wonderful job of creating very believable characters. I think that Dylan and Caylor were such a great match for each other. I was rooting for them the whole time.
And of course, Dylan’s brothers were great too. Hopefully, we will see more of them in the years to come.
This is book 2 and I will definitely be going back to locate book 1 to read.
You should definitely head over to Kaye’s website. She has tons of great behind-the-scenes looks into this story.
In conjunction with the Wakela's World Disclosure Statement, I received a product in order to enable my review. No other compensation has been received. My statements are an honest account of my experience with the brand. The opinions stated here are mine alone.
blackngoldgirlsbookspot's review
4.0
4 out of 5 stars
If you are a fan of "fluff" romance than The Art of Romance probably isn't what you're looking for but if you like your books to feature realistic heroines with well-researched storylines I highly suggest picking up a Kaye Dacus novel. Having read all of her previous contemporary romances it's safe to say that she's got the smart, independent, educated lead down pat. There are no "too dumb to function" heroines to be found and yet they are not without flaws.
In this, the second installment of the Matchmakers series, we once again meet Caylor Evans, a thirty-something English professor by day and romance writer by night and struggling artist, Dylan Bradley. Neither Caylor or Dylan are looking for a relationship, Caylor having to take care of her aging grandmother and Dylan having just left a disastrous relationship with a former colleague, but God and grandmas are a team that will not be thwarted. Where Love Remains didn't include a lot from the meddling grandmas, this book more than made up for it. From setting up a "fantastic" kitchen remodel to painting daisies in an art class for seniors Sassy and Perty were unstoppable and I loved them. If anyone knows about grannies concerned for their still single grandkids, it's me and these two matriarchs were right on target.
As much as I loved the Sassy, Perty, and Caylor, Dylan wasn't my favorite hero. I definitely liked him towards the end of the book when he learned to be a little more assertive. I guess I am so used to the big, strong, alpha male heroes that Dylan came as a bit of a shock allowing his ex-girlfriend and his family to have so much control in his life. Not only was he a bit diffident but also a lot younger than Caylor. That said, I really appreciated Ms. Dacus breaking the mold so to speak with this story and making it reflect modern day trends, I just have to get used to it I think! Altogether, The Art of Romance is a terrific book and perfect for today's Christian reader.
If you are a fan of "fluff" romance than The Art of Romance probably isn't what you're looking for but if you like your books to feature realistic heroines with well-researched storylines I highly suggest picking up a Kaye Dacus novel. Having read all of her previous contemporary romances it's safe to say that she's got the smart, independent, educated lead down pat. There are no "too dumb to function" heroines to be found and yet they are not without flaws.
In this, the second installment of the Matchmakers series, we once again meet Caylor Evans, a thirty-something English professor by day and romance writer by night and struggling artist, Dylan Bradley. Neither Caylor or Dylan are looking for a relationship, Caylor having to take care of her aging grandmother and Dylan having just left a disastrous relationship with a former colleague, but God and grandmas are a team that will not be thwarted. Where Love Remains didn't include a lot from the meddling grandmas, this book more than made up for it. From setting up a "fantastic" kitchen remodel to painting daisies in an art class for seniors Sassy and Perty were unstoppable and I loved them. If anyone knows about grannies concerned for their still single grandkids, it's me and these two matriarchs were right on target.
As much as I loved the Sassy, Perty, and Caylor, Dylan wasn't my favorite hero. I definitely liked him towards the end of the book when he learned to be a little more assertive. I guess I am so used to the big, strong, alpha male heroes that Dylan came as a bit of a shock allowing his ex-girlfriend and his family to have so much control in his life. Not only was he a bit diffident but also a lot younger than Caylor. That said, I really appreciated Ms. Dacus breaking the mold so to speak with this story and making it reflect modern day trends, I just have to get used to it I think! Altogether, The Art of Romance is a terrific book and perfect for today's Christian reader.
lmblanchard's review
2.0
I couldn't actually make it to the end. It was a little too bland for me. The characters were either angsty or they were guilty over non-existent problems. Writing "secular" romance novels? Give me a break. Though having an emotionally manipulating tryst with your department head is something a character would have to struggle to get over, some of it made me roll my eyes over-much.
And last but not least - the idea of interfering church biddies playing match maker isn't adorable. It's horrifying. Stay out of these single adults' business! They need no help from you to get together, omg
And last but not least - the idea of interfering church biddies playing match maker isn't adorable. It's horrifying. Stay out of these single adults' business! They need no help from you to get together, omg
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