Thank you so much to NetGalley and Rebecca Anderson for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Art of Love and Lies coming out August 8, 2023. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Manchester, England, 1857 

Rosanna Hawkins is one of Manchester’s most brilliant painters, even though no one knows her name. She reproduces “parlor versions” of classic masterpieces with near-perfect precision. She is employed by a man her who then sells her work to the upper-middle class families.

When a large art exhibition opens in Manchester, Rosanna goes to it, excited for the chance to sketch such famous works. When she meets the charming Detective Martin Harrison, who is head of security for the exhibition, she is instantly intrigued by his confidence and canvas-worthy good looks. They spend many an eventful afternoon exploring the exhibition hall, discussing art and sharing their secrets. Rosanna wishes to paint something original and meaningful, and Martin dreams to one day shed the shadow of his father’s notoriously criminal past.

Their blossoming summer romance takes a turn when Rosanna realizes her own works are on display in the exhibition hall. Someone is taking artwork and replacing them with her parlor version reproductions. When the evidence casts suspicion on her, Rosanna must prove her innocence and help Detective Harrison capture the real art thief.

I’ve read another book by this author, so I was excited to check this out. I don’t read as many books set during the 1850s in Manchester, so that was a fun aspect of the book. I thought it was a quick read, but I really loved the dialogue between Rosanna and Martin. I thought the book was pretty straightforward. I really enjoy sweet romance stories. The only real thing I thought was odd was that Martin arrested her when she was literally showing him the paintings were fakes. It was kind of like if she was a criminal, why would she point that out? Other than that, I loved it!

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical English romances!

3.5 stars

The main action teased in the blurb doesn’t begin until about 60% of the way through. The lead up to the action was slightly repetitive but had enough new content to keep the book going.

The story taking place in the 1850’s helps the believability of Rosanna’s naivety and the situations she gets involved in.

I enjoyed the discussion of art and painting and the way different people view the subject.

I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Unfortunately this one didn’t satisfy me. The loved the concept and the story felt too slow for me and I didn’t get enough chemistry from the two main characters. All the action and excitement of being framed for theft didn’t happen until the end of the book.

I think my favorite part of this book might actually have been the setting--I'm totally intrigued by Victorian England and love learning new things about it, so getting glimpses of the Art Treasures Exhibition in Manchester in 1857 was really cool.
I also like the banter between Martin and Rosanna; they were quite cute together!
There were a few plot points that were a little hard to believe (like how Rosanna escapes a couple of situations), but all in all, this romance was fun to read.

3.5 stars.

I read an ARC provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review; all opinions are my own.

Genre: Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Victorian Romance
Spice Level: Sweet

This is such a fun novel! When I pick up a novel from Shadow Mountain, I know what I'm getting into which is a family friendly book with all the great emotions and plotting.

I was particularly interested in *THE ART OF LOVE AND LIES* because of the famous artwork and time period.

I adored how the love interests were diametrically opposed and didn't realize it (kind of in more than one way). Rosanna loves art and can paint reproductions for the rising middle class so they can enjoy beautiful things on their walls, but she's always been told that she's terrible at producing her own designs. Since she cannot do without art, she happily studies paintings and gives joys to those who buy the reproductions. Then there's Detective Martin who lives under the shadow of his father's wrong doings, which has molded Martin into a man who always tells the truth and does the right thing. So much friction is caused between these two and the scoundrels who are in Manchester.

I highly recommend this novel for lovers of romance, Victorian England, and art.

Happy reading!

While I know very little about art, and definitely don't have a talent for it at all (even my stick figures tend to look a bit deranged,) I enjoyed this story. I was able to put myself at the Art Treasures Exhibition, and walk around, viewing the different artwork - except, in my mind, it was nature/landscape scenes, since that's what I love looking at.

Aside from the art show part of the story, I enjoyed watching the relationship with Martin and Rosanna grow. I did feel it was a bit on the insta-love side, which did detract from their relationship a bit. Maybe that was necessary for the story to move on as it did though.

The catching of the criminal was written very well, and I think that may have been my favorite part of the story.

Gifted Artist Rosanna Hawkins makes a living by painting “parlor” copies of priceless artwork that her employer sells to upper-middle-class families in Manchester, England, and together they have a successful partnership. Her personal life takes a turn when she meets detective Martin Harrison, who is in charge of security, while touring the Art Treasures Exhibition and finds a kindred spirit and someone she believes she could share a future with. But when her reproductions are connected to stolen masterpieces, everything in her life including her blossoming romance is in jeopardy unless she can convince Martin that she is innocent and garner his help in finding the real thief.

Martin immediately falls for Rosanna, but due to his father’s notorious past, he can’t quite accept her work as legit and when priceless paintings are found to have been replaced with her reproductions, he wants to believe she is innocent, but all evidence point to her being the thief. Will he be able to trust his heart and work with her to find the real thief or will a lifetime of mistrust cost him a chance for HEA?

This is a new-to-me author and apparently, this is part of the "A Proper Romance" series, which I have never read, so perhaps I was at a disadvantage right from the start. I thought the writing was good, although a bit wordy, dry, and meandering at times, yet at the same time the mystery was interesting and the author’s writing is descriptive. The romance was very lowkey and while a no-heat romance is fine, I felt like this book could have used a bit of spice to liven things up. Overall it was a good read and I would be willing to read more of this author’s work, but this story was very “art-centric” and that just isn't my cuppa.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

As an art lover I really enjoyed this book and how the author wove in education about some of the pieces of art included in this historic art exhibition. Rosanna Hawkins is an artist who specializes in reproductions of the masters’ paintings. She meets Inspector Martin Harrison at an art exhibition, where he is in charge of security. They spend many days discussing art and falling in love. When Rebecca discovers some of the paintings are fakes, she is accused of being part of the scheme to steal them. She goes on a quest to find the real thief and prove to Martin and others her innocence.

I would like to thank Shadow Mountain Publishing and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book as an ARC. This book started out with an interesting premise.It is Victorian London, 1857.There is an Art Exhibition in Manchester. Every one is coming to see it, even the Queen. Rosanna Hawkins is a young lady from a good family. Her parents have encouraged her and her sisters to be independent and work for a living. Rosanna likes to paint and is employed by a gentleman named Anton, who has her painting reproductions of art works for society matrons who want art at lower class prices.Martin Harrison is a policeman. Part of his job is to guard the paintings in the exhibition. His father was a criminal and Martin has spent his life being on the side of the law. The book has an interesting premise, and is full of good details about the Victorian Era. It almost seems , however, that the book has a split personality. Is it a study of the way women were treated in Victorian England? Is is a romance ? At times it almost seems to take on the aspects of a screwball caper type of book? There is a lot going on, and not all of it fits. I am just not sure that Rosanna's family would be pushing the daughters to get out into the world like they seem to be doing. One of Rosanna's sisters writes for a newspaper, and at first the chapters are preceded by a column written by Lottie Hawkins that dovetails into the story. This fades away after a while, and I for one, missed it. It is a cute story, just a bit all over the place, for my liking .

I've always loved the movie "How to Steal a Million" with Audrey Hepburn, and this book reminded me so much of it. It was art heists, independent heroines, action, swoon-worthy victorian men, and fighting the odds at every turn. With a healthy dose of romance on top, of course.

Rosanna and Martin were really great characters. I loved their dedication to their jobs and their witty banter. As a person who loves art, I loved any of Rosanna's comments on the topic. I also appreciated that Martin could be a voice for those who aren't as familiar with art.

Overall, the book was masterfully done and I would absolutely read it again.

I really enjoyed the art aspects of this sweet romance!

I received an ARC through Netgalley and all opinions are my own.

A fun story of love, art, and the line of thievery. We follow artist Rosanna Hawkins as she strives to make her own way in the world making affordable reproductions of masterpieces for the up and coming wealthier working class. As she spends her days visiting The Art Treasures Exhibition in Manchester, she comes to enjoy the company of Inspector Martin Harrison. No, not the notorious criminal, but his upstanding son who leads the security team at the exhibition. As events unfold a plot to steal and sell the original artworks displayed comes to light, feelings are hurt, lines are crossed, and safety is at risk. Who will win out in the end?

Fun, easy read that keeps you turning the page to the very end.

This was another beautiful and delightful love story from Rebecca Anderson. She has a way of writing her main characters’ feelings towards one another and dialogue that make you feel as if you are feeling the love that they experience yourself. Her words are profound and sincere, which makes it so exciting and heartwarming to read about the journey and resolution of Rosanna and Martin’s love story.

In addition, this book has a level of intrigue and danger that was woven well into both the insecurities and issues that Rosanna and Martin had to tackle. I don’t often write about villains in reviews, but they way Anton Greystone was depicted, along with Rosanna’s growing distrust of and disgust with him, we’re very effective in highlighting the genuine connection between Rosanna and Martin, and how their relationship made them each stronger and fuller versions of themselves.

I have to say I did hope for an Isabelle and Alexander cameo (but that’s just me as a fan talking!) with the story taking place in Manchester, but I was excited by the setup via Rosanna’s sisters! I hope we get more books from them, from Manchester’s people and their changing world from Anderson.

I enjoyed this quick and fairly light read from Rebecca Anderson. It was a unique storyline with interesting characters. There was a fun meet cute and a friendship that quickly blossomed into more. Martin and Rosanna had a great connection and admiration for each other. Of course, the villain in this story was absolutely despicable and I couldn’t wait for him to receive his comeuppance. There was some mystery and danger to drive the plot along, but my favorite part was the sweet, endearing romance between the two main characters. I loved seeing women during this time period excelling in things they loved while making a wage.

Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced copy, all opinions are my own.

#rebeccaanderson #theartofloveandlies #historicalfiction #historicalromance #cleanromance #netgalley #arcreview

I loved this book so much! Becca is one of my favorite authors and this was such a fun and unique story. At first it took time for me to get into but I kept going and once you get through the fifty pages the story flies and it was so fun and enjoyable.

I went into this with zero expectation. I haven’t read anything by Rebecca Anderson but found this story delightful! The idea of a woman who reproduces art was super refreshing! Add in a handsome inspector who guards the exhibit Rosanna frequently attends to mimic its pieces, and you were obviously going to get a fantastic story! The action and mystery was enticing and I was thoroughly delighted by the end of it.

The chemistry was there and it was fun to have Rosanna’s sister who columns that gave off the vibe of Lady Whistledown in Bridgerton.

Things totally played out how I had hoped they would and it was satisfying to the end.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

(3.5 Stars) First the cover is striking. With my love of art I was instantly drawn to the book. Rosanna Hawkins is upper middle class woman who makes a living selling reproductions of classical art. Art dealer named Anton is the middleman takes her art or commissions it for sales. She seemingly has been romanced by him but it isn’t going anywhere. She’d like to create her own works but her money is made with her reproductions. When a large art exhibition opens in Manchester (an event that really happened) it gives her a chance to see more works by the masters.

Detective Martin Harrison is head of security for the exhibition. He meets Rosanna when she is sketching. There is instant friendliness and chemistry between the two. But when Rosanna recognizes her own work as being substituted for originals she needs to convince a disbelieving Martin that she is innocent.

This isn’t a mystery as the villain is obvious. It is more the adventure of proving innocence to a new beau, figuring a way to get the originals back and catch the thieves. The story is quick and it is a fun adventure. I would have like to seen the romance develop a little more on the page. I think I am use to my historical novels being set more with the ton so I had to adjust the rules in my head to accept that she could be young, single and living and working on her own. The story is clean, some kissing, and a little peril.

Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for the ARC and I leaving an honest review.

I really enjoyed Rebecca Andersons last Proper Romance so I was looking forward to reading this one but sadly I did not enjoy this story at all. With the plot being about forgeries and stolen artwork I thought there would be some mystery to the plot but there was none, we all knew exactly who had stolen the paintings. I'm not into art much so I found I didn't understand the art discussions and most of the banter went over my head. I didn't like Rosanna, she was pretentious, insincere (being true to neither Anton or Martin) and really not that clever outside the realm of art. I liked Martin but his policing was terrible, it was mere chance that he caught the criminal. The romance was the most disappointing of all, There was no growth to it, they were instantly in love yet knew absolutely nothing about each other, they chose to trust each other despite having no character knowledge to base it on. There entire love was based of banter, it was just silly

"The Art of Love and Lies" by Rebecca Anderson is a captivating novel that takes readers on a delightful journey through the intricate world of love, lies, and art. Set in a charming backdrop of a picturesque art gallery, the book weaves a compelling tale of romance, deception, and the power of the human heart.

Mystery, art and romance enthusiasts alike will find something to cherish in Anderson's latest novel!

A gentle, easy-read romance between the head of security at an art exhibition and a young woman who reproduces masterpieces for the parlors of the idle rich. Going in, I expected the art theft to be the main plot rather than just the final arc, so the sudden shift from leisurely romance and character study in the first half to thrilling heroics in the second was a bit jarring. The leads were a likable pair but sometimes made choices that seemed more plot than character-driven, particularly in the latter part of the book. However, the descriptions of painting and Rosanna's relationship with her art was lovely, and I was sad it didn't receive more attention before jumping over her self-acceptance to the final chapter. I'm sure many will enjoy this book, as it's not unpleasant, but if you are looking for nuance, it's in too much of hurry to comply.

My thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.