stardustofel 's review for:

The Thief and the Painter by Candice Clark

4.0

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Listen… when I say this book devoured me??? I mean it.

The Thief and the Painter by Candice Clark is a hauntingly beautiful slow burn that wraps its hands around your heart from page one and refuses to let go.

Charleston came to life through the pages, thanks to Candice’s writing that made you feel the sticky southern air, the tension, the secrets—and OH the angst. Amelia and Merrick? These two are the blueprint for tortured, forbidden love. Step-sibling taboo? Check. Possessive MMC with that obsessed, starved energy? BIG check. Merrick was giving “I’d burn the world for her” and Amelia? Babygirl is a soft-spoken storm with art as her weapon. The chemistry? Off the easel and straight into my feels 

AND THE SPICE. Whew. I need a moment. Possibly two. SPICY BABES, this one’s for you. 🌶️🔥

The side characters were just as layered—like Alexi, who better be getting his own book because I am INVESTED. And the way Amelia’s mental health was explored? Honest, raw, and powerful. Watching her pour that pain into her artwork was nothing short of stunning. It wasn’t just romance—it was healing through creation, trauma tangled in brushstrokes.

Candice Clark really said “first book in a series” and swung for the fences. I’ll be following this series like Merrick follows Amelia—devotedly and with a little bit of unhinged energy.