Member Reviews
Quick and sexy. I love a paranormal Romance and this was a good one. The characters were very likable and their connection felt natural and believable.
I adored this book, it was wonderful , I love a book I can dive into and not want to leave. The chemistry and between Madelyn and Thomas is perfect , the tension, I loved it, Ienjoyed them bonding and I wanted more, which always shows I’m invested, looking forward to the next as it was a great story
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I have found very few books where the main character is an incubus, so I love that this MMC is one. He is instantly represented as someone who is handsome and charming in an old fashioned way. As an art lover, I also appreciated how that plays into the storyline as well. I found the novella to be well paced and a quick read once I got into it. I would certainly read more by this author.
An interesting short story. The characters were well developed and I liked the originality of the story. Not too much romance, just enough to bring it all together nicely.
This was a fun, quick read. The chemistry and tension between Madelyn and Thomas were excellent, and having Thomas as an incubus fighting his instincts and his growing attraction to Madelyn added another enjoyable layer to the story. The art history component was also nice, as they bond over their shared love of it (albeit without Madelyn realizing that Thomas lived through it). I liked the novella length, though wanted more of their story when it was done -- especially more details on the bonding scene! I will definitely check out the next books in the series as they are released.
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for providing a copy for review!
This was a beautifully written and engaging novella. I loved the ornately descriptive prose, which really sold the setting in a run-down Gothic mansion. The romance/plot was pretty straightforward with no real twists or surprises, however given the length of the novella this was to be expected and there was a decent amount of depth to the characters. I'll be looking out for more of Katelyn's writing.
Thanks to Netgalley for the eARC.
So picture it. You are an art appraiser for the riches estate sales in the Chicago/ Milwaukee and suddenly the change to not only view a large college of art but help to curate the art in a home that holds great folklore in the area comes up; and they want you. Sounds great right? But what if the current owner of the home is a demon?
So y’all this book was a unique read to say the least. I will say its a quick read and was pretty intriguing. The authors notes about the subject matter really tied everything together. This book had steam towards the end but honestly was more of a love story.
If you want a romance that has a unique spin to it this is one to grab.
As a lover of paranormal fiction, "The Art Collector" by Katelyn Brehm did not disappoint. Despite its novella length, this book managed to deliver a satisfying and engaging story that left me thoroughly entertained.
Set in the heart of Milwaukee, the novel skillfully weaves the city's essence into the narrative, giving readers like me an added layer of connection and familiarity. The homage to Milwaukee's landmarks and atmosphere was a delightful touch that enhanced the reading experience.
The novella strikes a perfect balance between intrigue and emotional depth. The narrative unfolds with just the right amount of mystery and paranormal elements to keep the pages turning. While the story isn't overly long, the author manages to create a world that feels rich and captivating.
"The Art Collector" is a quick read that doesn't sacrifice substance. It's an enjoyable blend of the paranormal and human emotions, making it a satisfying choice for readers seeking a unique twist on the genre. The novella's concise length is a strength, allowing readers to dive into a complete story without committing to a lengthy read.
This was so good, it’s a pity it was short. I like paranormal romances and this didn’t disappoint. I liked how the author chose not a typical creature from the myths as a main character. I think it made the story and Madelyn and Thomas’s relationship unique. The chemistry was palpable and their bond was undeniable. The description of the place was very good and it was great to read how it transformed from a gloomy, gothic ghost story place to a cozy home. I look forward to the next book in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a copy of the book.
So the reason I got this book was because it was a Gothic romance and Gothic romance books are my favorite. I was very very happy when I got approved for it. Thank you so much tonight Kelly for giving me this book to review it took me only a day to read it I felt like it was a short book. I wish that there was more to it. It’s about the lady who gets a job to appraise the art of this place called the witches house. I find out later in the book that it’s in the urban legend, in Milwaukee, like it was a real story about the whole house Mainly, basically she gets a job to be our appraiser at this mansion of this guy who his mother died, and he got to own the estate. He had some pieces of art that she had to appraise one of them. She basically fell in love with this book has a Romance to it. I think it was more Insta love. She falls in love with the owner of the house, and he find out later that he was like a demon vampire because of how old he is there is a happily ever after at the end of the story was short and sweet. I loved it. I wish it was longer.
3.7 Stars
One Liner: Quite entertaining
Madelyn is a 43-year-old art appraiser with a simple, drama-free life. She gets a contract to appraise the collection at The Witch House, a local infamous mansion she’s been curious about as a teen. There, she meets the owner, a multibillionaire Baron, Thomas von Dreiss, and feels an instant attraction.
Thomas has been living for centuries just like most of his type do. However, he keeps women at an arm’s distance and leads a solitary life to avoid becoming the monster he is. However, Madelyn makes him crave more.
Can they find a way to be together despite the obvious differences in their worlds?
The story comes in the first-person POV of Madelyn and Thomas.
My Thoughts:
Well, based on the phrases in NetGalley’s description (sexy demons, et al.), I thought this would be a smutty novella. Luckily, this one turned out better than I expected.
The lead characters, Thomas and Madelyn, are 40+ (though Thomas has another 120 years to his age), which makes them slightly more mature leads. Even though Madelyn blushes a lot, she is competent, smart, and efficient.
While the book has steam (3+), the primary focus is not on smut. Even with Incubi as the MMC, there’s enough plot to make the romance seem organic enough for a novella. I like that they don’t jump right into action but spend time talking and getting to know each other (even if it is ‘told’).
The writing is easy to read and maintains good momentum. By only issue is the lack of H2s for POV change. Since both voices come in the first person, I had to pause after every scene break to see if there was a POV. Also, there aren’t any chapters as such. We only get scene breaks. Having a new chapter for POV changes would also have helped.
That said, the voices are distinct enough that I didn’t have to wonder whose POV I was reading. This is a huge plus as I noticed that even popular (women) authors don’t always get the (cis male) voice right. First-person POV is much more than writing with I’s. It’s where the author has to think, talk, and act like the character.
The setting (The Witch House is a real place known to the author) is well done, though the atmosphere could be a little more intense. The chilly vibes aren’t strong enough, even though I could visualize the house and its interiors.
The tweaks to the incubus and succubus lore are creative and seamlessly blend with the storyline. I like how the focus is on emotional connection and physical (which is food for them). They also have good and bad folks, just like humans.
While the book has some details about art, there isn’t much other information. This is an advantage and a disadvantage. On the plus side, it doesn’t distract the reader from the core plot. However, for a plot that relies on paintings and art, a little more detail wouldn’t have hurt.
We also have an epilogue (yay!) and an author’s note, which made me quite happy. If a novella can have an epilogue, why can’t a 400-page novel?
To summarize, The Art Collector is a quick entertainer if you want something light, sexy, and sweet. I see the second book in this standalone series listed on GR. Might try that one too.
Thank you, NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
I really enjoyed this debut romance novella. The banter between the main characters was engaging and there were a couple particularly steamy scenes. I also learnt some things about Milwaukee and 18th century artwork.
It might be my own failing as a romance reader, or it might be a symptom of the novella format, but I'd have liked more build up for each character. It seemed to jump to pining quicker than I'd have preferred.
Otherwise, this is a strong debut and I look forward to the author's future releases.
this book was everything i dreamed of and more . i promised a hot spicy demon book and i got a hot spicy demon book. He was a a hot sexy demon fr . What made me wanna read this book was the fact it had demons in it. i dont usually go for paranormal books but im happy i did this time because this didnt disappoint .
it was spicy and hot and had an interesting storyline
I loved Madelyn and Thomas together! Both of them are lonely and want more out of life but they have not found the one yet.
When she gets a job to work on the estate he has inherited. Their connection off back is drawing.
The description of the mansion easily transformed me as if I was there walking through it myself.
Thomas is very rich and handsome but full of mystery and more. We watch how these two characters grow and bring life back to each other’s lives.
Thank you Netgalley for the EARC! As always, my review is my opinion and thoughts. This review will be shared on my Instagram (@Alexandriavwilliams_) shortly.