Having follow Morgan @nycbookgirl for years, I've been keenly looking forward to her debut novel! The premise of a couple from different worlds falling in love, in the setting of a museum, sounded so perfectly written for me.

Sadly, I soured on this book. The writing needed so much more editing than it received - redundant phrasing, confusing subject/verb construction, and so much "said" rather than "shown" made for an amateurish impression. The two main characters simply made no sense, individually or together. What about Jean was so compelling?? Why did Claire keep her daughter a secret for so long? Why did this have to be set during COVID?

I am bummed that this wasn't a home run for me, but appreciate the opportunity to review it and offer my honest opinion.

2.5⭐

LIKED:
- The premise of this is great. Not only the concept of being able to enter paintings, but also just the setting of the museum, and the FMC being on the janitorial staff.
- The lore and world building of how the different paintings interact was fun. I could have done with even more to be honest.
- I don’t know if I like or really don’t like that Jean was a character from the life of a real world painter. But…I get it. And it makes sense that it’s like that with the conversation of real life people versus their painterly counterparts, which was an interesting idea.
- The title is pretty good. I don’t think…vanishing is really the best word to cap off “The Art of -” but I get what the author was going for.
- Oh this cover is stunning. Just gorgeous.

LAMENTED:
- This book is not a romance. Not if you’re looking for the #1 tenant of romances. It’s okay if it’s not trying to be a romance, but it is marketed as such and that is frustrating.
- The stark change in tone and plot at around the 50% mark was jarring to say the least. And honestly, I wasn’t a fan of it. It made it feel like two books crammed together as well as shock for shock’s sake, like information has been withheld from us just so the author could go “betcha didn’t see that coming!!”
- The climax of the book seemed to come out of absolutely nowhere and then the resolution wasn’t clear? I don’t know, maybe I just didn’t understand it, but it was odd and it felt like drama for drama’s sake.
- The journal was also just not terribly interesting, and felt like a dead giveaway as to its writer due to us not being introduced to the journal until nearly two-thirds of the way through the book and not really letting the mystery sit with the reader. I didn’t dislike the concept of the journal and finding its writer, but I just don’t think it was well executed.
- Unfortunately, this book was also quite boring to me. I was not rooting for the romance (I found it really awkward to be honest) and I found the Jean to be tedious and underwhelming. Claire was most interesting to me, but Jean really needed more goals outside of pining for her for me to care about him.

LONGED FOR:
- More payoff for an interesting concept.
- A story and character arcs that didn’t feel quite as disjointed.
- Jean to be more interesting and less two-dimensional, pun very much intended.
- Also, this book depicts early COVID-19 and lockdown era which I am just honestly uninterested in reading after living it.

Will I read the next one? : I don’t think so.

Tysm @ballantinebooks and @prhaudio for the early reading and listening copies of this very interesting read!

I started this one and immediately was hooked! I really don’t think I will be able to go to a museum and ever look at the artwork the same again! This was such an interesting premise for a story and one that I will definitely be thinking about for some time. A love story between a museum employee and a man in a masterpiece?!

Jean and Claire’s vibe was so whimsical and I really was so invested in what happens to them. There are also some deeper themes explored like family dynamics, the impact of COVID, and how we feel about ourselves.

I also really enjoyed the audio version of this one! It is narrated by Jarman Day and Jennifer Araya and the way they bring the dual POV to life is very addicting!

If you are a museum lover that also enjoys magical realism, grab this one!

4 stars

**Thank you to @randomhouse for this free digital review copy!**

The magic behind this storyline was so dang fun and cute, if magic can be cute?? Loved this unique take on a romance that felt somewhat impossible at times, but that just made it all the better. This was such an inspirational take on living through difficult circumstances and a twist on a pandemic novel that I truly wasn’t expecting! I thought that Claire was a wonderful protagonist, resilient, strong, kind, and an incredible mom who always provided for her kiddo, even when it wasn’t easy. Jean was also a delight and such an interesting character, frozen in time yet still growing in his mind. I loved reading this story and I think anyone with a love for art and romance will too.

This book is longing, deep longing for a different world that you've somehow never been apart of but feel that belonging deep in your bones. This book smells like grass after rain, fresh lilies in the spring and washing sunscreen off in the shower. This book is for anyone that stepped foot into a museum and was drawn to loving something, even though they didn't know what they were looking at. Who they were supposed to see. They simply felt something so deep within themselves that had no choice but to look, straight ahead, into the future unflinching.

This book reminded me of the first summer I spent at Huntington Garden in Los Angeles. Inside the farmhouse where most people don't know there are paintings. I felt something tying me down there, to that very spot, as I gazed longing at the oil paints on the wall. In a place I once felt so foreign, suddenly was familiar. I spent the spring in Lisbon, walking through castles where people lived years before me. Painting each other into oblivion and hanging their faces on the wall. A memorial of sorts.

I loved this book and how it allowed me to have those feelings again, the feelings I only feel when I'm in a museum. Or lost in a play. Experiencing something so deep and human I don't realize I'm longing for a different world. Pager does such a wonderful job of not only making you love these characters, but having you wish so deeply you could reach out, touch them and join their magical world. A novel that reminded of the magic of all the things I loved so dearly as a child. A wonderful debut, thank you for taking me along on your journey.

On the surface this book is so totally up my alley. Love me some magical realism and I love the romance of an art museum. But, the more I got into this book the more frustrated I became. The "real world" characters' motivations were hazy and while this intentionally it just came across annoying. The FMC was just plan annoying and MMC didn't really bring anything to the table either. I've seen this compared to Ashley Poston books and can certainly understand that comparison, but I would argue the main difference is that Poston's books typically have a plot that carries through from start to finish.
My biggest issue here was that I felt like I read 3 thirds of 3 different books. First, we get the romance. Then, we get a COVID-19 lockdown story (didn't appreciate that surprise at all). And finally, we sort of get a heist story. It felt convoluted and overall I finished the story disappointed. That said, I think Pager has good idea and with some editorial help could give us something great in the future.

The Art of Vanishing was an utterly unique and magical story that completely swept me away—I found myself so lost in it, in the best possible way. The narrative was unlike anything I’ve read before, full of quiet wonder and unexpected turns that kept me entranced from beginning to end. I especially loved Jean’s character—his way of observing the world was so thoughtful and beautifully written, it made even the smallest moments feel meaningful. The whole book had a dreamlike quality that lingered long after I turned the final page. I truly loved it.

The Art of Vanishing is a standalone romantic fantasy (and debut novel) by Morgan Pager. Released 1st July 2025 by Penguin Random House on their Ballantine imprint, it's 304 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

This is such an appealing premise: the subjects in the paintings at museums have an internal life of their own... and the real-world MC can enter and exit the paintings and interact with the people depicted, moving between frames. There's a sort of "Night at the Museum" vibe sans humor.

Much of the characterizations and setting descriptions are more sketched in than detailed. The plot is definitely not linear and it varies between magical realism/fantasy, romance, and a heist mystery (last 30%) of the book, and jumps between genres so unexpectedly and abruptly that it's whiplash inducing.

The ending is not unexpected (it couldn't -be- otherwise, given the big-reveal twist), but it is somewhat dissatisfying.

Three stars. It's well written (especially for a debut novel), and worth a look for fans of hybrid genre romantasy/mystery.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Thank you to Random House Ballantine and Netgalley for the eArc.

3.5 rounded down. This story reminded me heavily of Jodi Picoult's "Between the Lines." I was intrigued throughout the story, but didn't feel a deep connection to any of the characters. The slow unraveling of the main character's story was interesting, but arguably too slow - some of the reveals felt like they came far too late for the weight they should have held.

The concept is wholly unique and the writing is strong. I would read from this author again.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I really enjoyed the beginning of The Art of Vanishing. It has strong Night at the Museum vibes: Claire, a night-shift custodian at a museum, discovers she can step into paintings. She meets Jean, a man trapped in a Matisse, and together they explore the vivid worlds of other masterpieces. It’s a wonderfully imaginative premise with romantic and magical-realism elements that immediately hooked me. But while the setup was fantastic, the story felt like it ended way too soon. The pacing speeds up toward the end, and the conclusion is abrupt, leaving some of the emotional stakes unresolved. Overall, it’s an entertaining, creative read that just didn’t quite deliver the satisfying ending I was hoping for.

The concept of this book was so fun! A nice blend of romance & magical realism. Loved the pacing and coziness.

"The Art of Vanishing" by Morgan Pager is a truly unique and enchanting read that beautifully blends romance, fantasy, and a touch of magical realism. The concept alone is captivating: a museum employee falling in love with a man in a painting and discovering she can step into his world. This premise immediately drew me in, and the execution largely lived up to its imaginative promise, earning it a solid 5 stars.

The romance between Claire and Jean is genuinely sweet and develops in a wonderfully unconventional way. Their journey through various art masterpieces, as they fall deeper in love, provides a rich and visually stimulating backdrop to their story. Pager's writing style is evocative, making it easy to visualize the different artistic worlds they inhabit. I particularly enjoyed the way the book celebrated art itself, making it almost a character in its own right. The blend of historical fiction elements with the fantastical was also very well done, adding layers to the narrative.

What truly stands out is the sheer creativity of the central idea. It's rare to find a book that feels so fresh and original, and "The Art of Vanishing" delivers on that front. The magical realism is handled with a delicate touch, making the impossible feel wonderfully plausible within the story's context. The emotional connection between Claire and Jean is palpable, and I found myself rooting for their extraordinary love story.

While the pacing occasionally felt a little deliberate in places, and some minor plot points could have been tightened, these were small quibbles in an otherwise delightful and imaginative journey. "The Art of Vanishing" is a charming, heartfelt, and artistically inspired novel that offers a refreshing escape. If you're looking for a romance with a truly unique twist and a love for art, this book is definitely worth picking up.

3.5/5 This was so cute!

I think this is perfect for fans of Ashley Poston's work, that sort of magical realism, and the art girlies!

This follows an art museum employee who essentially falls in love with a man in a painting.

I thought this was so fun and lovely and almost reminded me of the movie Midnight in Paris (I don't think I necessary know why with that one). Or maybe even Night at the Museum.

This is a very cozy, slower-paced read. The writing style is easy and quick to read, taking minimal effort (sometimes I find magical realism to be wordy or dense, this is not that). I did feel like the ending was a but rushed, but overall, this was so sweet and cute and enjoyable. Such an easy read that I think so many people will enjoy.

I also think that this cover is very cute!

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

The overall plot of this was very intriguing to me – a young woman named Claire takes a job as a nighttime janitor in a museum and soon discovers that she can be pulled into the paintings she’s surrounded by. Night after night, she meets up with a young man named Jean and they travel from painting to painting, mingling with the inhabitants and exploring the terrain. The two of them eventually begin a romantic relationship.

Unfortunately, I didn’t like the writing style or the last two-thirds of their story. A lot of their story was told to you instead of actually unfolding on the page. I wasn’t rooting for them to be together because there weren’t enough situations where they interacted on a deeper level.<spoiler> I also didn’t enjoy that the pandemic was a part of their storyline. </spoiler>Claire had A LOT of stressful issues going on in her personal life. I wish that one or more of those could have been used as an excuse for their time apart. I wanted to see her overcome more and grow as a person. <spoiler>It also really bothered me that there wasn’t a happy ending for Claire and Jean. I think that the fantastical part of their story was so interesting, and it could have extended into a conclusion where they could live in a world together. It felt like the author wanted to tell a more magical story, but didn’t want to commit to it fully.</spoiler>

Thank you to author Morgan Pager, publisher Ballantine Books, and NetGalley for an eARC of The Art of Vanishing in exchange for my review.

The premise of The Art of Vanishing was intriguing, though I knew it was a bit of a gamble for me since I don't love magical realism. I found the magical realism element to be enjoyable. What I ended up struggling with was the underwhelming romance and "golly gee" feeling dialogue. I imagine this genre-bender to be tricky to market - does it fit with general fiction? Romance? Fantasy? For me, a massive romance reader, I didn't feel the romance got the spotlight it needed. And I'm not sure big fantasy readers would be satisfied either. Those who love magical realism, wherever it's shelved, will probably enjoy this.

I read about 40% of this book before DNFing. I loved the concept but found myself rather bored and looking for something more.

This was a fun read with a creative setting and a couple of surprising twists. I enjoyed getting to know Claire and Jean. Well done!

A completely unique and magical story about a night custodian at an art museum who finds that she can step into the painting on the wall. My only complaint is that the ending felt a bit abrupt, and I was left with a few unanswered questions.

Mature, but don't age
Stuck, immortal

Art of Vanishing
By Morgan Pager
Release Date: 7.1.25

Thank you @Randomhouse for the e-ARC of The Art of Vanishing. This was a fun, quirky, nostalgic read.

Claire begins her new job at the local Art Museum as an overnight Janitor. While cleaning one night, she finds herself believing that the people in the art have moved position.

This was a fun storyline with hints of magical realism and low steam romance. I like the two main characters and their interactions. For fans of Night at the Museum and Mary Poppins, this one will make you believe in magic and love.

I enjoyed the world that the author "paints" for Claire to explore within the art, but wanted more of a cross over by Jean on the other side. Without giving away spoilers, I also felt that a supporting character in the end that had a similar shared talent was capable of more. The ending left me a bit sad with the lack of story. Parts seamed to be missing in the second half of the book. Still, it was a fun book to escape into.

This was a unique and whimsical premise, and I love that it primarily takes place in an art museum. I liked the alternating timelines- the only way I think this could be successful. The plot development was fine, nothing really surprised or moved me. But overall, it was a sweet, magical story to spend some time with.