Genres: Fiction, Romance, Multicultural & Interracial, Historical, Victorian, Regency Romance
Pages: 201
Format: eBook
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Bristol, England, in the early Nineteenth Century. The slave trade has been abolished but slavery itself has not yet been outlawed. Bess, a young woman of mixed heritage, has an ambiguous position in the home of the once-eminent Liston family. Raised and educated alongside the family's children, Richard and Artemisia, she has been increasingly confined to the role of a domestic servant since the death of Joshua Liston, the household's head. When Richard Liston instigates an introduction between Captain Adam Bryce, a Royal Naval officer of repute, and his sister, Artemisia, Adam shows greater interest in Bess. Pressed by Artemisia to stalk Adam, Bess's problems begin. And when the ailing matriarch, Elizabeth Liston, presents Bess with an impossible choice, the weaving of a web of deceit commences that will ultimately push Bess and Artemisia's friendship to the brink.
As the scene shifts to rural Somerset, things are far from serene: Sebastian Weston, occupant of the grand Milton Abbey, means to hold both Bess and Artemisia in his thrall. Rivalries ensue, the bond between Artemisia and Bess being strained by their allegiances to the men in their lives. Charting the turbulent waters of family commitments and amorous liaisons, it's hard to fathom who can be trusted and whom to love."This isn't your normal Regency novel. It's something different: well-written, with plenty to love throughout, it's a story that will have you hooked," (Goodreads)."The narrative flows with vitality, despair and every nuance of Bess through her eyes, thoughts, and words. She battles societal prejudice and embraces men and women of integrity; kindness her forte," (5-star review)."Recommended; a thoroughly enjoyable Regency period novel," (5-star review).
I picked up Art & Grace off of KU after receiving a review request from the author. I was curious to see how things would make their way toward a HEA given the heroine’s mixed heritage and the familial circumstances that would apparently uproot our characters. The author wastes no time with yanking the reader into the story with an ill-timed meeting between Bess and Captain Bryce. From there, the story rushes along in Bess’s POV providing glimpses of her life with the Listons and the unfortunate circumstances after the passing of Mrs. Liston.
While well-written, my lack of attachment to the characters and their circumstances significantly impacted the enjoyability of the read. This is hardly the author’s fault and more just what my husband refers to as an “Alana-ism.” I have a strange relationship with classical-style romances. I felt there was a curious lack of emotion from Bess, but again maybe I’m projecting. Admittedly, I do struggle with some books that are written solely from one characters POV, particularly when it appears like they are relating their history in a way that makes them seem more competent than those around them. I ended up spending a lot of time wondering how the story actually unfolded even though this is only a work of fiction. Honestly, I’m not sure I liked the main character Bess because of it. The only real likeable character was George, and even then we only see him a bit.
Art & Grace proved to be an interesting foray into a softer, classic romance from the regency subgenre. While I’m not sure it has changed my tendency to avoid them, I still plan to pick up more of Chapman’s work in the future. Maybe after I finally force myself to read Pride and Prejudice for Romanceopoly. Ultimately, this is definitely for readers that enjoy their regency romances with a classic spin, love and redemption, and a whole lot of dubious actions from a wealth of characters.
*I voluntarily read and reviewed this book from Kindle Unlimited. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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Thank you so much for this thoughtful review, Alana. Your comments have given me insight into the categorisation of the book, which is invaluable to me and will be very helpful to prospective readers. I do hope you get around to reading ‘Pride & Prejudice.’ I didn’t read it until after watching the iconic ‘Colin Firth’ TV adaptation and I was amazed when I did that the book was even fresher and more pacy than the screen version!