A few months back I read Sands Love in Provence series and absolutely loved it, she creates realistic characters in the most beautiful settings dealing with the same type of issues and problems that many of us can relate to on some level. She takes the reader on a poignant and emotional journey that is just a gorgeous experience.

I adored her protagonist Katherine from LIP and was hoping I would have another strong connection to Arianna and I totally did! I love that Sands has heroines that are not in their twenties, they’re more mature and worldly bringing a sophistication to the story. Arianna’s situation was heart wrenching, dementia is a devastating disease and I had so much sympathy for her. When she takes a chance and heads to the artists retreat she begins a journey of personal growth and self introspection that was amazing. The rest of the people at the retreat are eclectic and interesting, they added an additional layer of depth to the story.

Sands truly brings a setting to life, from the mouthwatering, scrumptious food descriptions to the stunning landscapes she paints the prettiest picture with her prose. There was a strong, rich sense of history of Arles that was fascinating, I’m not a history buff or remotely artistic by any means but it was compelling and I definitely learned a few new things. This was a bittersweet read with plenty of life lessons and inspiration, a really positive and lovely tale.

A beautifully written novel taking place in France.
Arianna now in her sixties has been caring for her terminally ill husband who has been diagnosed with Pick's disease a form of dementia. Devastating for all involved..
Arianna's children encourage their mother to find her own peace as she is also slowly wearing away and plan a trip for her.
She goes to France to try to recconect and find herself after this long journey with her husband ,Ben.
What she finds in France is more than she could imagine and I highly recommend this book for anyone who is in the throes of being a caregiver to a loved one.
Patricia Sands has done an amazing job of helping us to realize that as Arianna's friend said: "Grab opportunities when they present themselves."
The description of France is something nobody will want to miss!

This is the first book by Patricia Sands that I have read. Adrianna has a loving marriage with Ben who is diagnosed with dementia. I thought the author did a great job in describing the effects of dementia on family and friends. I couldn't imagine living through this as the person becomes someone who no longer recognizes their loved ones. Her adult children urge her to take a trip to France to reengage in her art to help moving forward in healing and living. The class she signs up for is with other artists where she builds relationships with who also have dealt with challenges in their life. I have to say the descriptions provided of France have made me want to visit there. I have really never had a desire to travel to this region so I thank the author for the detailed description of the food and area. Adrianna has begun to heal and find happiness again and not feel guilty.
I was given an ARC for an honest review.

This book was an emotional ride for me. Arianna's journey with her husband Ben reminded me of my own Mother and Fathers descent into Dementia. I love Patricia Sands style of writing and I found myself drawn in quickly. When she travels to the South of France the sensory part of the story began. I could hear, see, taste all things French. I enjoyed getting to know a little bit about the people at the retreat and the history of the area. This is truly a feast for ones soul.

Drawing Lesson by Patricia Sands had three of my favorite things -- vivid descriptions of the south of France, wonderful descriptions of food and lots of information about Vincent Van Gogh. And along with that, a wonderful story full of unforgettable characters.

Arianna is 62 years old and is trying to find joy in her life. Her husband, Ben, no longer remembers who she is due to dementia and after being his main care giver, she puts him in a memory care unit and tries to learn how to live on her own. With her children's encouragement, she signs up to take a painting course in France to try to remember the joy that she had gotten from her painting before life changed her plans. She is in a group with an eclectic group of artists and after initially questioning whether she is really good enough to be in the group, she gradually learns to embrace life and her painting again.

This is a lovely story about individual growth and looking for the good in life. I highly recommend this book.

I received an advance review copy of this book from the Great Thought's Ninja Review Team. All opinions are my own.

“Drawing Lessons” by Patricia Sands

Patricia Sands has written a novel that is full of history, culture, and beauty of an area within the city of Provence. She has written a beautiful and heartfelt novel about one woman’s journey to let go of her present and to find who she is within herself after grieving a loss that had consumed her for years. She decides to travel to A small area in Provence, France where Vincent Van Gogh had lived and painted so many years ago. At one time, Arianna lived and breathed art. She had spent time in France following her artistic dreams before getting married, having children and following a different paths in life. Now she is off to find her artistic spirit, to heal her heart and soul, and to find herself in the process.

Arianna attends a two week art program where she learns a great deal about artistic techniques she hadn’t thought of, finding her muse, making amazing friendships, dining on fantastic food, and slowly finding a way to moving forward in life by redefining herself and her outlook.

This is a bittersweet novel full of happiness, sadness, loss, hope, relief, letting go, gain, friendship, history, culture, art, food, and finding a way for the heart and soul to soar once again.

The author shows great mastery of the history, culture, and beauty of Arles and Camargue; of art history and artistic techniques, particularly as they pertain to Vincent Van Gogh; and a great love of the food within this region as well as within other areas of France. Her passion about the relationship between art and food is made via her characters and their meals and what they find pleasing and enjoyable.

This is also a novel about nature’s power and beauty in so many different backdrops and setting, even within a general area. Often it is in the eye of the beholder and other times it is something many agree upon such as the sunsets and sunrises, though they too can often be different depending upon ones location and visibility.

The author takes the reader on a wonderful journey via Arianna’s travels and her search to find her heart, herself, and a way to soar once again.

Rating: 4.5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.💫

** I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this novel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

62 year old woman's (Arianna) life changed drastically when husband (Ben) was diagnosed with dementia.

"Art is to console those who are broken by life." - Vincent Van Gogh

Twice, Arianna and Ben's lives were rocked to the core. The first time was over 20 years ago when Arianna's father, Nikos, was killed in a car accident forcing Ben to take over the family's Greek bistro and Arianna to quit her art historian job to help. The second time was in the present when Ben was diagnosed with Pick's Disease, or frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

Arianna cared for husband until he became unaware of his surroundings and no longer remembered her or their children, Faith and Tadeus (Tad). As a respite from reality, Arianna embarked on a solo trip to the South of France and took drawing lessons hoping to reignite her passion for art. What better place to do that than where Vincent Van Gogh lived and painted? While there, will she find herself again?

Much to my surprise, there was a snippet of history about Buffalo Bill, his visit to France, and his grave site in Golden, Colorado in which I visited this past summer with my son and friends!

I am a sucker for books about artists, and this one was no exception! I had to stop reading many times so I could look up photos of locations mentioned, or Van Gogh's paintings. Upon completion, I am left feeling inspired to create art of my own, and/or to visit France ... or hopefully BOTH in tandem, just like Arianna!

Thank you to the author, the publisher, the Great Thought's Ninja Review Team, and NetGalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

I received this book as an advance copy to provide an honest review.
I thought I had read that there was something about Van Gogh in this book.....I have been a huge Van Gogh fan for many years & while that made me look forward to read the book, I had no idea how much or how little a part he was in this story.
The book is mostly about Arianna, a 60+ woman who lives a lovely life, has a wonderful marriage, family etc, something sad is happening in her life & her family sends her off on a trip to get back to her art interests & to take some much needed time for herself. She goes to the South of France, to Arles, & attends an artists retreat, in the heart of where Van Gogh once lived.
The story is truly picturesque. The visualization is just breathtaking & beautiful. I felt I could smell the flowers & taste the food.
We meet the rest of the people on this retreat & we learn a little about each of them, but the parts I loved best were the descriptions of the area, the food, the towns people & the history of the area & then add Van Gogh into it all & I just loved it!
I have never highlighted so many words, places, & sayings in any book before.
This was my first book by Patricia Sands, but I look forward to reading many more by her!
I did receive an advance copy from NetGalley & the Great Thought's Ninja Review Team. All opinions are my own.

This book is so heartbreaking and heartwarming all at the same time. I wish the characters were real people that I could call my friends. All of them are warm, caring and quirky. I loved the storyline and all of the facts about France. Absolutely recommended!

~I received an advance review copy of this book from the Great Thought's Ninja Review Team. All opinions are my own~

I reviewed this book on Amazon and Goodreads! This was a beautiful story and a hard topic to talk about it has to do with a marriage dealing with Dementia! It involves a woman trying to find herself and who she is without her husband beside her side!

TANTALIZING!!

Drawing Lessons is tantalizing! Author Patricia Sands paints exquisite word pictures that takes her readers through the emotional journey of Arianna's life. She has lived a fabulous life up until the last few years when her husband & soulmate Ben developed dementia. She once was an accomplished artist and she decides to take a class in France to renew her interest and hopefully renew her spirits as well. She is joined together with other artists who are craving to improve their craft under the careful tutelage of several gifted artists. The group is very diversified with people from the US, Canada and England and they all have very different backgrounds for their art skills. Sands takes readers on a phenomenal adventure as she tells the stories of these artists coming together, finding common ground, encouraging one another and forging friendships for a lifetime! They begin to see how the gorgeous areas of France - the flora, fauna, food, culture, history, and people - influence art past and present. Sands' superlative descriptions will have you feeling as though you're seeing the breathtaking sights of flamingos flying over iridescent marshes, seeing the beautiful old buildings and natural scenery that Van Gogh painted and tasting all of the gastronomic delights at each meal or snack. I was provided an ARC by NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.

MY REVIEW OF "DRAWING LESSONS" by Patricia Sands

I just had an emotional journey as I finish "Drawing Lessons" by Patricia Sands. The genres of this novel are Fiction and Women's Fiction, with a touch of Romance.

The story takes place in Canada and in the South of France, where the author provides a detailed view of the gorgeous colorful landscape and scenery, and provides a sensory image of the feel, taste, touch, smell and sights of the region. It is a perfect place for an artist or painter to enjoy the spectacular views. The timeline of the story is in the present.

The characters are described as sensitive, creative, loving, and caring.The situations that the characters face are complicated, complex and distressing.  Ariana faces each day as if looking at a blank canvas, and sees everything in black, gray and white. Ariana, now 62 once had the passion to be an artist. As she watches her beloved husband Ben, slip into the cruel world of dementia, Ariana hopelessly stands by. Her family encourages Ariana to go to the Southern part of France,  and found herself through Art.

Ariana does meet new friends, and has new experiences, and as the short time passes is in the process of creating and accepting a new life for herself.

I appreciate that the author describes dementia, and how devastating at first it is to the patient, and family members. How incredibly frustrating and sad it is to see the person you love physically be present, but no longer emotionally aware, I also  love the way the author discusses the importance of family support, friends, love, and hope. I also like the way the author describes individual growth and acceptance to live life. I would recommend this story for readers who look to see the positive in life, when there is negative.  I received a copy of this ARC for my honest review.

Patricia Sands writes beautiful stories that transport the reader to the Provence area of France. She knows how to make the area part of the story. The group of artists who spend two weeks together was a very hodgepodge of personalities who got along great. I enjoyed learning a lot about the area. What I had a time with two people barely knowing each other and one changes their life because of this short encounter. I just don't believe stuff like that happens. I know it's fiction but it felt rushed at the end. Other than that, anything by Patricia Sands is enjoyable.

I received an advanced review copy of this book from The Great Thoughts Ninja Review Team. All opinions are my own. I absolutely loved this story from the wonderful characters that you will easily relate to, well written story and the touch of romance sprinkled in. I didn't want the story to end. I wanted to live in their world a while longer. This is the best compliment for a book so well written. Don't forget the Kleenex. You will need it.

Drawing Lessons is my first introduction to Patricia Sands' writing. What a great story! She does a fabulous job keeping my interest throughout. She is such a talented author knowing how to play with the reader's emotions. I could just feel Arianna's anxiety, grief, and heart ache. I love that the book does not deal with a younger character but with an older woman in her 60s. A woman who has lived a wonderful life with the love of her life. However, she learned she still needs new experiences to get through her breaking heart. What's a better way to do that than traveling to the French countryside? Again, the author's talent shows through with her vivid descriptions showing the beauty of the area. I felt like I was right there with Arianna.

Drawing Lessons is not a light read by no means. It deals with some heavy issues. It is so well written and has become one of my favorites of the year. I want to read more from Patricia Sands in the future. Most definitely a must read.

Highly recommended.

100 stars.

I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

Drawing Lesson is a Beautiful Journey of Love, Life, Sadness and searching away out of being stuck in grief & guilt. I cried and laughed while on this Journey with Arianna and her family; for it hit close to home with my Father who passed this March but at the same time explain so much....Arianna with a little push of her family sets off to France where she will spend the next two weeks in Provence at an Art workshop trying to rediscover her love of art; the couple Juliette & Maurice who opened up their home and ran this advanced workshop, filled the Participants days not only with Art but exposed them to the beauty and the history that surrounded the especially the history Arles and the Camargue. You will find in two weeks this group of strangers became a Family. They helped one another to give them selves permission to become unstuck and move forward from their now. I want thank Patricia Sands for sharing this beautiful story and helping me to try to move forward. You will want to put Drawing Lessons on your TBR List.

This richly beautiful book - I savored every page, it filled my heart with things I love, art, and a poignant story of finding oneself anew through grief. There are magnificent descriptions of Arles, France, and the Camargue, the horses, the culture, the azure to pink 'water rose' sunsets of the Mediterranean not to mention all the food choices of cheese, wine, deserts mignardises and the incredible passages about Van Gogh. Arinana is torn with guilt leaving her husband Ben who has dementia, to attend a two week artists workshop but she knows this is a chance of a lifetime. I felt her sorrow yet loved her strength to follow her heart with her families blessings. She finds a symbiotic companionship with Jacques de Villeneuve. He is an artist who helps her re-find her passion of sketching, drawing painting, in the beauty of this country, and in sailing with him to Cote Bleue. I loved this quote by Araina - "This is my reality today. My moments of happiness. By choice." Thanks to the author, publisher, the Ninja Review Team and Net Galley for letting me read this outstanding book. I truly loved it and highly recommend it as a book you want to stay with and not have it end.

This story touches the heart and made me look at the role of caregiver in a completely new way. How would you react if your loved one was given a diagnosis that included uncertainty and ultimate decline? Have you been in that situation? The family in this story chooses their own way to deal with the diagnosis and the outcome for the main character is amazing and uplifting. I cried while reading this story. Also, the descriptions of the surroundings in the story are truly breathtaking. Great read. I received a copy of this story from the author and NetGalley and this is my personal honest opinion.