The Art of Unmaking was a thoroughly delightful exploration of a young artist's journey of self discovery - both personally and professionally. Clara's story was enjoyable, and the supporting characters interesting. The language used when talking about art was easy to follow for someone who isn't an artist, although perhaps too much so -- it's more fun to be challenged and to learn new things and perspectives.

Clara and Evelyn's blossoming relationship was fun, with some delightful tension and friction.

The only real weak point for me was the flow of the ending. The escalation at the end felt quite abrupt and ended just as quickly, and the supernatural element too casually thrown around and believed by bystanders.

Overall, I did greatly enjoy the characters and Clara's story, I just wish for more depth around the non-romantic part of the ending.

This read is perfect for YA and Adult readers. If you enjoyed The picture of Dorian Grey, You'll love this sapphic, artsy, and gothic atmosphere

I loved the dark academia vibes of this!
The combination between enemies to lovers romance and a beautifully written art filled world was so enjoyable to read.
The storyline flowed very well, and I was hooked on every word.

I absolutely adored this book! For a shorter book it definitely packed a punch! From the 1920’s art studio, to secret societies, enemies to lovers, and going against the culture at the time. The characters were likeable and I felt like I was back in college in my art classes, the imagery was that good!

Firstly, I want to thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read the E-ARC of this novel.

I was hooked from the premise of the book and the cover, due to being in a dark academia reading era I decided to give this a go.

Think of this as the sapphic version to the Picture of Dorian Gray. It adored the fact that I got to follow Clara as she navigates through life, finding herself.
Coming from a family where everything had to be pristine, prepped and propper to finding herself at an art exhibition overwhelmed with completely different styles and structures that she has grown accustomed to.

This is where she meets Evelyn, who comes across as a mysterious yet cool controlled love interest.

I loved the gothic, dark academia feel to this novel and expecially seeing art being created and appreciated through the eyes of another. I loved the found family of The Society and wish we got abit more personality through the rest of the found family members.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read.

Tropes and things.
- rivals to lovers
- dark academia
- formal and slightly archaic vocabulary
- sapphic
- secret society
- slow burn
- rituals / cult like vibes
- found family

I rated this 3.75 rounding up to 4✨️

Note: Thank you to ONYX Publishing and NetGalley for an e-ARC of The Art of Unmaking!

Are you looking for a fast, lesbian, dark academia-style mystery novel? Then this one, my friend, is for you.

Take the journey with Clara Bennett, traditional art student, as she discovers more of what her art can be. More of what she herself can be. Enter Evelyn Price, the enigmatic, infuriating artist challenging everything Clara thought she knew about art, and herself.

As Clara gets deeper and deeper into the art society of Evelyn’s world, what will break first, Clara, or the cage she’s built around herself?

I loved Clara and Evelyn. I loved the side characters, and I loved the central conflict. It’s just a fast, great time, and I loved it.

I thought the mystery could’ve been clued in more often, because it took me by surprise when everything came into light, but it wasn’t too much of a shock. Giving more time to the mystery would’ve been my only complaint. Just a great book doing what it says within the time it’s given.

The Art of Unmaking by Parker Lennox gripped m from the moment I laid eyes on the cover. A story of two women, both artists, both dedicated but in such totally opposite ways that it's almost tangible how their chemistry feels rising off the pages. The language used to describe the shadows, the light, the technical precision of Clara's work is flawless. I could see their pieces coming to life right on the page, with nothing more than a paragraph.

This book gripped me. I read it in two days straight because I genuinely just could not put it down. The longing for more - not just what you know your future could be, but what you yearn for deep down - was so poignant that I cannot stop talking about this book. Long live Clara and Evelyn, may their art return to the pages of Lennox's books because I crave more.

I find it insane how many high scores this book has, considering all the flaws it has. I read the only 1 star review it had and thought, before reading: "Oh, that's mean. Probably an exageration."
But man, how right that person was!
This book is like sapphic After with gothic vibes and I'm about to explain you why.

This is going to be a rant (with sense, don't cancel me yet). So for those who don't want to read a will, I'll summarize what you're going to find in this book:

💀 Clichés in nearly every dialogue
💀 A Predictable plot
💀 Nothing historical, just vibes
💀 Nothing artistic, more vibes
💀 Characters without personality
💀 Romantized toxic behaviour
💀 The most straight sapphic romance I´ve ever seen

That being said, allow me to ellaborate.

It´s true the narration reads very clumsy. I wouldn´t compare it to a fic, but only because I´ve read fanfiction better than this one. However, the style -and also the plot- could very well fit a teenager that began to write recently.
I had an ARC of this book via Netgalley (and for that, I thank the author and the website), and I understand the copy I got is not the finished manuscript. However, there were so many details that were badly done, that truly don´t think they´d be able to fix it all for the final product.

Narration was just a tiny piece of the overall issue: Not only it is full of scenes that are cliché and repetitive, but a lot of times there was something lacking in it for the reader to get the full picture. An example of this? Well, If I remember correctly, Clara, the protagonist, was living at a house with some Mrs Pembroke... My guess it´s that house was a student´s residence. But it´s just a guess because neither the premises nor who works there and how, ever gets described.
(In fact, I finished this book with the impression that there was only one employee at Pembroke´s, and also only one employee at Fleming´s, precisely because we never get to see anyone else in charge.)

Also, narration often tries to be more flourished without really accomplishing it, especially when it comes to art or a developing romance. As if the author is trying really hard to tell us something, but ends up sounding quite cringey. Example:

Through the window, a woman passed through a pool of gaslight—black hair cut in a striking bob, moving with unusual grace through the evening crowd. Our eyes met briefly, and I caught a glimpse of sharp cheekbones and green eyes that seemed to see right through me. Her gaze held mine with an almost predatory intensity before she disappeared into the darkness. I foundmyself analyzing the shade of her hair, trying to decipher the blue hues from the stark onyx of her finger waves. The light caught it like liquid metal, the sort of color that would require a complex mixture of mars black and indigo—perhaps a drop of raw umber, though that still wouldn’t do it justice.


Ah... So much text just to say the character has black hair in a bob style and green eyes.
Which reminds me: There´s no slow burn in this story. Not really. This I just showed is the first time Clara sees Evelyn and, as you can see, she´s inmediately attracted to her.
They have some banter in the following chapters, for sure. Because just like in After, there is that dynamic of "I´m going to pretend to be enemies with you, just because I don´t like your personality... although I do actually feel attracted since the beginning".

Characters in this novel are annoying.
Or well... Clara and Evelyn (especially Evelyn) are. The rest of the people is more like background noise: They are there, they have to be there, but they´re blurred figures without a defined personality.

Clara is the stereotype of a nerd, of a good girl who always tries to get the highest scores and do what is expected of her (funny this, considering in that time -1922- what was expected of women was not to pursue a higher education at all).
The only personality Clara has is: She likes to paint. And she likes to be perfect in such thing, doing it always in the traditional way (whatever that means). Although we get so see that through the novel she abandons this goal of hers in order to become more rebellious (???). So I suppose by the end of the book, she just has half personality.
No, seriously, the woman is terrible naive. And since the author failed in providing a proper background for her (the only thing I know for sure about her is that her mom is hella annoying and must have used the TARDIS to live in 1870. Because, good God, the ideas she´s got...), it´s hard to have empathy for her.

Evelyn is the worst. I´m not exagerating when I say she is the most disgusting character I´ve read in a while. She is the stereotypical bad girl: Smokes, makes rude coments about Clara and manipulates her at every chance possible, she´s condescending and believes her ways are the best.
When I met her, in the first scene, I wanted someone to throw her in a pit.
Now that I´ve finished the novel I want someone to throw her in a pit and cover the hole so she´ll never torment anyone ever again.

The romance was toxic. Very manipulative on Evelyn´s part.
Take a look at this:

“You’re going to paint.” She said simply.
I reached for my familiar tools—ruler, pencil for preliminary sketches,but Evelyn’s hand caught mine.
“No,” she said, moving behind me. “Not like that.”
Her free hand settled on my waist, and I watched as she reached past me for a wide brush—the kind I’d never use for a first layer. She pressed it into my hand, her fingers lingering over mine. A jar of deep blue paint sat open on the table, its surface like black glass in the darkness.
“This isn’t how—” I started, but she tightened her grip slightly.
“Look,” she said, directing my gaze over the balustrade. The city sprawled below us, cathedral spires rising like shadows against the starscattered sky. Gas lamps traced the streets in threads of gold, their lightreflecting off the river in broken pieces. “Really look.”
Her breath was warm against my neck as she guided my hand to the paint.


I mean, hello? Am I the only one seeing the mansplaining?
During the entire story, the only thing Evelyn does is cancel Clara´s perspective, telling her that Evelyn´s ways are better, so things must be done her way. No questions nor doubts allowed.
I find amazing that this kind of books that perpetuate damaging stereotypes in romance (not only in sapphic books) keep being published and sometimes even praised. This is not good.

I will avoid talking, in this review, about the art. The whole art career.
Because I didn´t study that and, although if you read the story is pretty clear the author hasn´t either, I think I can be a better critic of other things... Like the historical context.

Because you see, this book´s historical context is all over the place.

We are supposed to be in 1922, but...

❎Here, characters wear gowns, as if we were in the Victorian era. In fact, there´s something very wrong with clothes: I remember a scene of a Ball (a ball in 1922! omg) where Evelyn came dressed in a suit. That is not normal, no matter how rebellious you are.
❎There is no electricity (cue: in 1922, there was electricity)
❎Women at that time couldn´t get to an academy/university so easily, they had to be wealthy and lucky. Not all could get to the studies they wanted and, even if they did, they suffered discrimination. Usually they weren´t able to study in the same classes as men. Yet... in this novel there is absolutely no mention of such discrimination, and Clara can study with the rest of the students regardles of gender.
❎The book fails to tell you, in regards of this, what is Clara (and the others) social status. My guess is that they come from a wealthy family but, who knows? Everything is written as if it were a YA book set nowadays.
❎Clara´s mother insists on her to find a husband at a Ball. Balls were a thing in the Victorian era. Edwardian at most. But in 1922... that was not the style anymore.
❎ Speaking of misses, there is no mention of jazz (of course, that would kill the gothic aesthetic) and neither we mention Europe had gone through a Great War on the year prior (I mean, no need to mention this one but, idk, maybe you could get to see the consequences in people if you set something in this year and place?)
❎ There is a live broadcast mentioned, but in the book never tells you if it´s on TV or the radio, so the reader has to guess (I´ll help you: it´s the radio)
❎ The descriptions of York in 1922 get reduced to imposing building and fog at all hours. No, literally, every time Clara went on to the streets there was fog. No matter the time of the day.

To summarize, this book is NOT historial.
In fact, I´m pretty sure all the author did in regards of getting info for the novel was to check wikipedia for a couple of names and then go straight to pinterest to see "gothic dresses".

The art of unmaking was such a pleasure to read, this is a master class in yearning and finding ones true self by shaking off the shackles of normalcy.

This is an historical tale set in York and the thriving art scene, we focus on Clara Bennet the straight laced 20 something art student who thrives on perfection who gets thrown into a new art form that challenges everything about who she believes she should be. We meat Evelyn and the ‘society’ who are shaking up the old world with new styles and ideas.

The whole tale really is around finding your true self and the art of self discovery, we see the world open up for Clara through her challenges on perception as well as a sapphic yearning that is so beautiful to read, the slow burn of slow burns. We see Clara slowly evolving into someone more who wants more for herself. A coming out story of self realisation mixed in with small looks and touches that do become something more and she breaks away from perfection. Finding the imperfect her perfection.

My only slight niggle was that the twist that plays out at the end feels quickly concluded and poorly executed, honestly I did think this was going to be something more occult to the tale but without spoiling anything it’s not something “Dorian grey” or vampiric it’s actually much more basic which I found a little disappointing.

This is quite a short quick read, beautifully wrote and overall a pleasure to read. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the authors for an opportunity to read this. I would highly recommend you all add this to your tbr pile!

Truthfully, this book kind of has me in a mind-f*** right now because it completely sucked me in.

First, let’s talk about plot twist, okayyy. Easter eggs were perfectly laid the entire book. Wow.

Second, the LGBTQ+ representation. I felt seen. I felt like it was so incredibly relatable. The tension and back and forth were perfect for this exact scenario. It felt personal.

Third, the representation of perfection, almost OCD like, was so raw and real. I could both feel and see the perfectionism spiraling, attacking and constraining the main character. Watching this character come into herself was fantastic and breathtaking.

This was a very fast paced story and I finished so easily. It was an easy read to take in, while also being complex and beautiful. It did feel rushed at times, but I think it’s because I just wanted more of the writing. It was so fascinating and kept me wanting more. I wasn’t sure, at first, how I felt about some things towards the middle/end of the book. At first it felt off, but when I finished the book, it all fell perfectly.

Definitely need to get my hands on more books by this author!!!

Thank you NetGalley and ONYX publishing for the early read!

Pub Date: 2/4/25 <3

𝔸ℝℂ ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨
𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙧𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙐𝙣𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 by Paker Lennox
𝙍𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙚: 2/4/25
𝙂𝙚𝙣𝙧𝙚: Historical sapphic fiction
𝙎𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙚: 1 FTB and 1 open door scene
𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨/𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩:
1920s York, London setting
Sapphic romance
Rivals to lovers
Dark academia
Secret Societies
Found family
Tortured artists
Slow burn
Standalone

This is definitely not my usual read but this absolutely blew me away!! From the lyrical writing to the entrancing plot and flawed characters, this art focused book immersed me in a world that I did not want to leave. It was atmospheric and enchanting despite being contemporary. You will feel like you cannot get enough and must know more about every single character. Even the art and act of drawing itself took on a magical quality and almost became a character in and of itself. The underlying tone of the book was one of discovering your true self despite what society expects of you. Which makes the book relatable even for today's time. I loved how everything was woven intricately and everything built on slowly within the plot.

Both FMCs, Clara and Evelyn, were enthralling and you could feel the tension on every page. From their first glimpses to the end of the book each interaction had me holding my breath. There was always a "will they or wont they" any time they were on page together.

I devoured this book and even though I was in the middle of another book when I started this one, I just kept being drawn back to this and would sneak in reading on my phone at every opportunity. I'm so glad that I took a chance and requested this book on @netgalley. It was an amazing book.

This book was so different for me. I'm not usually one for historical fiction but I thought I would dive in and try. I love the setting the story is in. 1900s, old style dress, art galleries, prim and proper women with the rebels on the side. Beautiful.

This story was wonderfully written. Clara, a girl that has always been proper, following the societal norms, when she meets a woman who intrigues her. Clara goes on to fight a battle not just within societal norms, but also within herself. Who is Clara? Can Clara escape this cage that her family but also herself has stuck her in?

Clara explores who she is within her artistic debate with Evelyn and it's beautifully written. The Art of Unmaking truly shows how someone with such a harsh and critical background, can come to life when given a chance to unravel a little bit.

Tropes:
historical romance
rivals to lovers
art student

From the beginning of the book, my main thought was “Oscar Wilde would adore this.” Think sapphic ‘The Portrait of Dorian Gray’-esque explorations of the Self through art with the lyrical prose to match.

Overall rating: 4/5

Spice: 3/5
Perception: 3.5/5
Execution: 4.5/5

Summary:
Clara is an art student that stays within the lines, not only within the boundaries of conventional artistic expression, but also within the expectations of society. After finding herself at a controversial exhibition, Clara slowly finds herself enmeshed within the mysterious Blackwood Society and drawn closer to a fellow painter Evelyn. How long with these new experiences can Clara remain within the lines, and how far will she push herself?

Review:
The prose was stunning - lyrical and perfectly balanced between the philosophical questions and the day-to-day experience of being an artist in 1920s York.

I found the explorations of the Self - not just sexuality, but deeper levels of who we are and how we relate to the world - incredibly well done. It didn’t come across heavy handed or preaching, and instead intricately ground these explorations into technical descriptions of the world, the art, the technique.

This is not my normal genre (neither historical or sapphic romance) but I loved Lennox’s fantasy debut and am thrilled to see how her writing has progressed even from that incredible start.

Tropes:
- rivals to lovers
- dark academia
- sapphic romance
- secret societies
- slow burn
- found family

Thank you Parker for the gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book instantly transported me to the English art scene of days gone by, making me feel as if I've walked into the pages of a Sherlock Holmes novel. The Art of Unmaking is full of art imagery, historical references, and a mystery that ever so gently looms in the distance. The struggle between the desires of young adulthood and the pull back to the lifestyle of childhood plays into the struggle the FMC has between the allure of freedom and the security of the mundane. Anyone who has experienced deconstructing their religious upbringing will find they relate well to Clara's struggle. This concept, as well as the resolution of the mystery, is done expertly, with incredibly descriptive inner dialogue and atmospheric elements that put you right there in the studio, the gallery, and the boardinghouse.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys being transported to another place and time, and who values a gentle, steadily paced love affair that also has complexity and depth. The author creates an atmosphere that makes you feel like an artist yourself, if only for a moment.

The Art of Unmaking

I cannot stop thinking about and talking about The Art of Unmaking.
(Apologies to my wife.)
I read this book while on my stationary bike. I read this book instead of doing my chores (sorry baby x).
I have lost sleep over this book.

To summarize, The Art of Unmaking is about an art student, Clara, who is a bit of a perfectionist. Well… not just a bit. An anxiety-inducing amount. Her art instructor recommends she visit a gallery featuring modern, experimental art. There she meets Evelyn and is introduced to a mysterious, secretive art society. I don’t want to spoil too much, but let’s just say the title of this book is perfect.

Right from the first couple of pages, my interest was piqued. The characterization of perfectionist Clara (whose point of view the book is from) was apparent right away. This helped me connect with her, and therefore the book, very quickly. I could not consume the words fast enough. There is a cat-and-mouse dynamic between Clara and Evelyn that is captivating and pulls the reader in. Along with the quick-natured pacing of the chapters, I never found myself rushing through descriptions or side character interactions to get to Clara and Evelyn. (Okay this might just be a personality flaw of mine!)

The side characters had enough depth and characterization that I could tell them apart and feel affection toward them, but they weren’t TOO developed in the sense that it didn’t feel like there were 8 main characters. I very much got found family vibes from the side characters even though Clara was honest to admit that many of them she didn’t actually know that well (realistic!).

The mystery and dark acadamia vibes, really rounded out the plot for me. I could not stop raving after I finished. I was shook, yet all the puzzle pieces fell into place. I have already recommended The Art of Unmaking to several of my friends, and I imagine I will continue indefinitely.

I have been unmade.

Thank you NetGalley, ONYX Publishing, and Parker Lennox for the free advanced review copy of The Art of Unmaking in exchange for my honest review. I am not the same person anymore.

Down below is some generalized review information for those interested. Possibility of minor spoilers. Read at your own discretion. (Micro-tropes and Content Warnings contain the most spoilers)

Medium to Fast Paced
First Person, Character Driven, Strong Character Development
Moods: Mysterious, Dark, Emotional
Rep: SC with Synesthesia
Romance: Sapphic, Classically Trained Artist x Modern Experimental Artist
Spice: 3/5 (one open door scene, other intimacy)
Tropes: Rivals-To-Lovers, Cat-and-Mouse
Micro-Tropes: Bathing/hair washing, cat-becomes-the-mouse, tell me what you want/I want to hear you say it, stay still/follow directions, hair pulling, look at me/I want to see you c*m, light praise kink, “take what you want”, light dominance, erotic painting/paint me like one of your French girls
Content Warnings (provided by author): explicit sexual content, violence/physical assault, emotional abuse/manipulation, death, murder, suicide, psychological distress, homophobia, classism, mild body horror, alcohol, smoking

If bloodgaurd and hunger games had a baby then this would be their love child. Love this coming of age story with a powerful message.

A very unfortunate DNF. Everything about the story sounds intriguing but the execution is more reminiscent of younger YA rather than the Adult Romance it is marketed as. The writing is too simple and just too obvious. At best this reads like it only got its adult status because of the explicit sexual content.

this was an absolutely stunning queer romance. from the cover first of all (which first caught my eye) i was intrigued by this story and it delivered!!!! i want to read anything lennox has to say, this was perfection 🫶🏼

Thank you to Parker Lennox and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

The premise of The Art of Unmaking intrigued me and the book cover is understated but lovely. Unfortunately, the writing style was too juvenile and underdeveloped. The first page read like a 2014 one direction fanfic. I had to dnf.

I could not have picked a better title for this artful romance! @parkerlennoxauthor gave me sapphic artists with lots of paint and self discovery! I loved every minute of it, the only note I have is I wish there was more! I want to see what Evelyn and Clara do next

The Art of unmaking follows our main character Clara Bennett, who has lived her life to the very letter of how she is supposed to, in 1920's York. A pristine art student at Fleming's school of Art, she has perfected her technical skills and proper art technique. But when she attend a gallery opening and meets a group of artists whose methods are unorthodox to say the least, so begins to re-imagine her life without the constraints she has always felt holding her into the mold of society. This gothic Sapphic romance will lead you down a road of self discovery, breaking societal barriers, betrayals, twists and turns.