Scan barcode
brontebabeblog's review
4.0
This may be undeniably a Regency Romance, but it is a fresh and modern take for those who like their heroines more active, and in some ways, more cunning, with the ability to look out for themselves in a cut-throat world when necessary. In short, I found this to be another short and engaging read and I would certainly recommend it.
Here's the link to my full review: https://brontebabeblog.wordpress.com/2019/10/26/a-modern-regency-romance-art-and-grace-by-catherine-e-chapman/
Here's the link to my full review: https://brontebabeblog.wordpress.com/2019/10/26/a-modern-regency-romance-art-and-grace-by-catherine-e-chapman/
lauriereadsrom1's review
4.0
"Art & Grace" by Catherine E. Chapman was a well-written and engaging story with interesting, likeable, and well-developed characters. I particularly liked that the story was set in Bristol and the English countryside, not London, and featured characters that weren't titled members of the ton. Some of them actually had to work for a living and make do without servants, which is very different from a lot of the other historical novels out there. I also liked that I wasn't easily able to predict where the story would go next. Just when I thought I knew what to expect, there would be a twist, so eventually I just sat back and enjoyed the ride.
While there were romantic elements that were central to this story, the relationship between main character Bess and her friend, Miss Artemisia Liston, was equally important. I always enjoy stories featuring strong female friendships, and while this one had its share of ups and downs, Bess and Artemisia were mostly supportive of each other, which I appreciated.
Bess herself was an excellent main character and narrator. There aren't many stories set in this time period that feature mixed-race characters, so it was very interesting for me to get a sense of what life might have been like for her. I admired that Bess didn't apologize for her actions and choices except for her regret at the impact they sometimes had on her relationship with Artemisia. Faced with a sometimes uncertain future, Bess did what she felt was necessary to secure her own comfort and happiness, even if she did make some mistakes along the way. However, she never came across as selfish. She always looked out for Artemisia as well as a number of the other secondary characters, including servants Hannah and Esther.
Overall, "Art & Grace" was a refreshingly different take on a Regency novel, and I recommend it. I would read more of Ms. Chapman's work in the future.
*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.
While there were romantic elements that were central to this story, the relationship between main character Bess and her friend, Miss Artemisia Liston, was equally important. I always enjoy stories featuring strong female friendships, and while this one had its share of ups and downs, Bess and Artemisia were mostly supportive of each other, which I appreciated.
Bess herself was an excellent main character and narrator. There aren't many stories set in this time period that feature mixed-race characters, so it was very interesting for me to get a sense of what life might have been like for her. I admired that Bess didn't apologize for her actions and choices except for her regret at the impact they sometimes had on her relationship with Artemisia. Faced with a sometimes uncertain future, Bess did what she felt was necessary to secure her own comfort and happiness, even if she did make some mistakes along the way. However, she never came across as selfish. She always looked out for Artemisia as well as a number of the other secondary characters, including servants Hannah and Esther.
Overall, "Art & Grace" was a refreshingly different take on a Regency novel, and I recommend it. I would read more of Ms. Chapman's work in the future.
*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.
si0bhan's review
3.0
Art & Grace was my second Catherine E. Chapman read, and like my first, The Laird’s Right-Hand Lady, I found it difficult to decide upon a final rating. It was a solid three-point-five-star read, and there were reasons for me to both round up and down. As I said in my review of The Laird’s Right-Hand Lady, I’m an extremely picky person with my reads, and I often round down instead of up. However, this does not mean I did not enjoy Art & Grace. I did, devouring it in a single sitting, and would highly recommend it.
With Art & Grace, Catherine E. Chapman offers something outside the norm of regency novels. Although there is romance to be found throughout this one, the focus is much larger in scope. It is a story of family and the connections with have with people, with the story focusing more on the friendship between the two characters than on the romance that plays a large role in events. With the story focusing outside the norm, I was sucked into the events and friendship between the two and could not get enough.
Although the main focus of the book was not the romance, it did play a large role in the events. It was a pivotal part of the story, and the reason for my rounding down is linked to the reason I opted to round down with The Laird’s Right-Hand Lady as well. The romance between the characters seemed too quick, too close to instalove, and whilst it was an important part of the story, I never felt the connection I would have liked. Yes, the romance was secondary all the other events we experienced, but I would have liked to feel the romance more than I did.
I’m a very fussy romance reader, though. I find myself feeling this way often when the romance is not main focus of the story, as I always expect to be sucked in deeper. People who are less picky about their romance will easily overlook this and will adore the book.
As I said, this is not your normal regency novel. It’s something different, something that will have you hooked. Well-written with plenty to love throughout, it’s a story that will have you hooked.
With Art & Grace, Catherine E. Chapman offers something outside the norm of regency novels. Although there is romance to be found throughout this one, the focus is much larger in scope. It is a story of family and the connections with have with people, with the story focusing more on the friendship between the two characters than on the romance that plays a large role in events. With the story focusing outside the norm, I was sucked into the events and friendship between the two and could not get enough.
Although the main focus of the book was not the romance, it did play a large role in the events. It was a pivotal part of the story, and the reason for my rounding down is linked to the reason I opted to round down with The Laird’s Right-Hand Lady as well. The romance between the characters seemed too quick, too close to instalove, and whilst it was an important part of the story, I never felt the connection I would have liked. Yes, the romance was secondary all the other events we experienced, but I would have liked to feel the romance more than I did.
I’m a very fussy romance reader, though. I find myself feeling this way often when the romance is not main focus of the story, as I always expect to be sucked in deeper. People who are less picky about their romance will easily overlook this and will adore the book.
As I said, this is not your normal regency novel. It’s something different, something that will have you hooked. Well-written with plenty to love throughout, it’s a story that will have you hooked.
More...