“A sweet, slow burn romance, I enjoyed this book from start to finish.” ★★★★★“A very enjoyable book you can relax with and escape from it all.” ★★★★★“A light hearted romance with laugh out loud moments.” ★★★★★
There’s no problem Becky Watson can’t fix. Except her own love life… a life-fixer, working miracles to solve her clients’ problems, no matter how big or small. Since the birth of her two-year-old son she has been stuck preventing wedding fiascos for the richest and rudest residents of the Comptons, a charming, leafy area of southern England known for its artistic heritage.
So when semi-reclusive local artist Charlie Handren reluctantly hires Becky to fix his six-year creative slump, she’s delighted to set him up with a come-back exhibition and Rachel Stone, the woman of his dreams.
Though they get off to a rocky start, Becky and Charlie soon become close. But as the beautiful Rachel becomes Charlie’s muse, Becky is forced to wonder: will giving Charlie everything he wants mean giving up her own happily ever after?
A heart-warming romance about second chances perfect for fans of Jill Mansell, Phillipa Ashley and Cathy Kelly.
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“Art and Soul” is a beautifully written story of two different people finding love. Becky is a single mother struggling with keeping afloat by fixing her clients problems. Whether it is a long-winded wedding speech, a potential ex-boyfriend interrupting a wedding or helping another find closure and inspiration. She is a take charge individual that can see potential problems and stop them before occurring. I think we could all use a Becky in our lives at some point.
Charlie, her reluctant client, has been in an artistic and life slump since his wife moved out and left him to raise their daughter alone. He has lost his muse and barely makes it through the days. His sister, Lauren, and his daughter Phoebe are behind the introduction of Becky into his life and a much needed “kick in the pants” to start living again.
Becky is a force of nature, and she is cast along with other great characters like Ronnie, her bestie, and Lloyd, a wealthy conspirator, plus Virgil and Rachel. The characters and the story were so well crafted that the reader feels like they are a part of the story watching it unfold and rooting for a happily ever after. I couldn’t believe this was a debut novel from the author and I look forward to many others. I was provided a free copy of this book for an honest review.
I enjoyed Claire Huston’s “Art and Soul,” a sweet, heartwarming slow burn romance between mature, likeable protagonists, Charlie and Becky. They seemed like an old married couple long before either of them admitted their feelings for the other! I loved the way they bonded over simple things such as their mutual hatred of wearing glasses or contacts and their love of old movies.
The relationships that Charlie and Becky developed with each other’s children were also an important part of the book, and I liked that they all started to seem so much like a family even before Charlie and Becky became a couple. The way Charlie’s daughter Phoebe worried about and tried to take care of her dad was very sweet, though it made me a little sad at the same time because she had obviously been forced to grow up too fast in the wake of her mother’s abandonment.
I would recommend “Art and Soul” for all fans of sweet contemporary romance, particularly readers who enjoy British humor and/or authors like Debbie Macomber. I would read more of Ms. Huston’s work in the future.
*Review copy provided by the author via Hidden Gems Books. All opinions expressed are my own.
Art & Soul is a wonderful contemporary romance with well-developed characters, an interesting story, and a lovely slow-building romance that includes themes of family, friendship, and starting over. The book follows Becky, a life coach tasked with aiding Charlie, a reclusive artist in a major slump. Can she pull Charlie out of his slump and help him straighten out his life while figuring out her own life as well? Becky and Charlie’s relationship starts tumultuously. However, as Charlie finds his muse in another art aficionado, he and Becky slowly realize that love can be found in the most unexpected of places.
One of my favorite aspects of the story is the fabulous cast of characters. Becky, for example, is so determined and driven, and she has an excellent take-charge personality. She’s not dissuaded by the obstacles that get in her way, which I admire. I also find it interesting that though Becky is great at reading other people and fixing their lives, she is not as attuned to her own feelings and desires. Her character is so well-layered and relatable and definitely one of my favorites in the story.
In contrast, where Becky is more outgoing and forthcoming, Charlie is introverted and finds it difficult to express himself. He is fully aware of his feelings but struggles to verbalize them. Though Becky and Charlie are quite different, they do have some things in common. They both love their children, they are both recovering from failed relationships, and they are both starting over. They also both have a deep respect for different kinds of art, another aspect of the story that I loved! Throughout the story, there are references to art and literature that are fantastic!
Becky and Charlie develop a good working relationship and a strong friendship before they realize that it might have grown into something more. The way that Charlie takes to Becky’s two-year-old son Dylan is endearing, as is the way he steps up when Becky finds herself incapacitated. Becky, not used to letting others take charge, sees Charlie in a whole new light. Their relationship grew naturally and charmingly and shows how two very different people can find love with each other.
Dylan isn’t the only fabulous secondary character. Becky’s meddlesome friend Ronnie, Charlie’s bright teenaged daughter Phoebe, and the mysterious and wealthy Lloyd all stole my heart and added the perfect mix of levity and realism to the story. I particularly appreciated Ronnie as she is honest, observant, helpful, and an all-around good friend. Plus, she bakes the most fantastic sounding desserts!
A heart-warming, feel-good contemporary romance, the novel also delves into some deeper issues. The author explores divorce, dealing with the difficulties of parenting, and opening yourself up to love again with honesty and realism. Who hasn’t dealt with a difficult client, an impatient toddler, or a meddling best friend? The messages and characters throughout the story are very relatable and relevant.
I loved Art and Soul! It’s the perfect light yet layered read that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. And this is her debut novel! Claire Huston is a dynamic storyteller, and I’m so thankful to have received a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
A pragmatic single mother helping a troubled artist rediscover his talent
Art and Soul is a story of coping with divorce, accepting help, and rediscovering happiness in a least-expected manner.
Charles was a 50yo famous artist, not in a great moment in his career. After a harsh critique was published in the local papers, he had let his hair and beard grow and lost all inspiration to paint.
He was also still wearing his wedding ring, even though his wife had left him 6 years before. He lived with his teenage daughter, Phoebe.
Desperate, Charlie’s sister reached out to Becky, a life coach specialized in helping people sort themselves out and reorganizing their lives. Becky also took side jobs as a wedding planner and was a single mother of a sweet toddler.
Charles was reluctant to hire Becky, but he relented to please his daughter and sister.
Practical Becky and dreamy Charlie clashed at every turn, but slowly they started balancing each other. A lovely friendship blossomed, but too many things were on their way.
Charlie was interested in a gorgeous art gallery manager, Becky had her son and her many jobs to deal with, and on top of that, a handsome man insisting on taking her to dinner.
An enchanting story about two people getting to know each other and slowly finding all they have in common despite their apparent differences.
I love how helpful Charlie was in Becky’s time of need and how lovely he was to her toddler son, Dylan.
I enjoy stories that deal with unrequited love, and this book had some delicious angst moments.
The side characters were lovely, especially the meddling Ronnie. Everyone needs a Ronnie in their lives.
The writing flows effortlessly, and the narrative is very well-built. My first book by this author, and I can’t wait to read more by her.
Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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Art&Soul is a wonderful debut novel with two flawed characters and a beautiful slow-burn romance.
I always love a creative mind and when I read the blurb for this story I knew I had to know more about Charlie and Becky.
Firstly, the setting of the story is here, in the UK, and that’s a fresh point of view because it’s a beautiful country that needs more contemporary stories out in the world.
It’s a very well written book, with an unexpected mix of characters and jobs description, full of witty banter and interactions, so many inner monologues and a slow burn romance that takes its time to become perfect.
I enjoyed the growing up moments, the realisation of what they want for their future and the acceptance of everything around them.
If you enjoy a good, uplifting story, this book is definitely a great choice.
She a modern fairy godmother. There’s no problem Becky can’t fix, except for her own life. Can she help famous artist Charlie come back from his struggle and star painting again? Can they help each other find happiness and live in the way? A sweet love story
Art and Soul is the debut book by Claire Huston and is both genteel and charming.
Claire is returning to work after taking a year off on maternity leave but she is finding it hard to get her clients back. Charlie is a painter sinking into obscurity, through both circumstances and his own behaviour. Together, these two can get Charlie back into the limelight and get him the woman of his dreams… but what about Claire?
For a simple storyline, this book was surprisingly complex and intriguing. Claire was a great character, being straightforward in certain situations and yet completely blind in others. Charlie was the more tentative of the two, easily being led by Claire and Rachel. I would have liked him to have been a little stronger but then I’m not the author!
Two things I loved about this book – 1) the main characters are not in their 20’s! and 2) it was set in the UK. It makes a nice change for it not to be the US.
The scene-setting was brilliant and both Claire and Charlie are helped along by a wonderful supporting cast. This was a lighthearted read without any major angst that kept my interest and the pages turning. Absolutely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian – I Dig Good Books!
What a sweet, uplifting romance!
Becky is a fixer and life coach for others, but all her advice and direction has done nothing for her own life. She has no love life to speak of. She is a single mother, who lives paycheck to paycheck, trying to make ends meet for her and her toddler son, Dylan.
She now has the opportunity to really make a good profit and take a little bit of her worries away when Charlie Handren lands in her life. He is a local artist with loads of talent, but he is in a slump. He can’t seem to get his creative juices flowing. His daughter and his sister think Becky is the answer to everything. He can get his career jump started again and maybe even catch the woman of his dreams, Rachel Stone. If anyone can help him, it’s Becky.
It’s funny though…the more time they spend together, the more complicated their feelings become toward one another. Becky doesn’t know why the thought of Charlie with Rachel illicit such feelings of jealousy. Charlie begins wondering if Rachel really is the woman of his dreams, and why is Becky the one now occupying all of his thoughts?
I loved the slow building romance of the book. It wasn’t rushed which allowed both of them to work on the issues in their own lives before rushing into a romance. Each one of them have been burned romantically, so trust is a huge roadblock for them. I enjoyed their friendship, and the way their families began to meld together.
If sweet romances that tug at your heartstrings are your thing, give Art and Soul a try! You won’t regret it!!!!!