In a life driven by passion, famed artist Maxfield Caswell lives in a world of brilliant color and drama, pushing his art and affairs to his emotional edge. He’s stunning, charismatic and celebrated in the art world, but are the trappings of fame also destroying him?
For years intelligent and bright-eyed Ava Jacobs has worked diligently toward a career in the art world. Ava is swept off her feet when she meets the passionate artist. She soon realizes, however, that he’s on a destructive path—one she doesn’t intend to join him on.
In the decadent world of patrons, art groupies, and predators, feisty and beautiful Ava knocks Max off his pedestal. A stunned Max sees something special in Ava and offers her an opportunity she can’t refuse. As their lives and passions collide, will he realize that she alone has the power to heal him? Can their hearts come together to create their own work of art?
**I received an e-book ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review**
This is a review of an adult book.
This book was everything I expected and more. It’s romantic, sexy, somewhat dark, and just angsty enough to keep you on the edge of your seat with your heart stuck in your throat.
From the moment Ava and Max encounter one another, sparks fly and you can tell there’s just something there between them. Max is quick to dismiss it, but Ava notices right away. Fortunately Clampett has crafted a female lead who is anything but a push over. Ava is intelligent and driven, and when Max brushes her off, Ava rolls with it, doing her own thing, loving the art scene and her life in LA, and continuing to work on all of the things that are important to her. Her path keeps crossing with Max’s, and when she finds herself in a situation that embeds her in Max’s life in a way she didn’t imagine happening, things start to get really interesting. Clampett takes us on an emotionally-charged ride where we get to watch these two characters develop, change, and embark on a beautifully orchestrated journey.
The sexual tension between Ava and Max is palpable. This is one of my favorite aspects of the story. These two do a dance, one that’s maddening at times but sexy as well, and that left me hoping that despite their differences and obvious personal demons, these two would come together. I loved the use of art in this story, and it’s very obvious that Clampett has a background in it and an extensive knowledge of it. As a former art history major and someone who appreciates artists of all forms, it was lovely to read a book that did justice to that world and wove all of the elements of it in there.
Secondary characters are woven into the story and play an important part in the plot. I had a hard time putting this book down once I got started. Clampett’s writing is beautiful, and the story is filled with just enough action and drama that I became easily hooked to it. I fell in love with Max’s character. He’s brooding and moody and infuriating at times, but there are moments when we get a glimpse of the man beneath the surface, and that man made me swoon and easily worked his way into my heart. I really liked Ava’s character as well. One thing I appreciate in a story is a strong female lead, and Clampett does an amazing job of giving us just that. It was easy to see how Ava could fall for Max, and Clampett wrote the book in such a way that I literally felt Ava’s emotions while reading.
Pick this book up for the holidays and I promise you won’t be disappointed. The second installment, Work of Art – The Unveiling comes out on January 5, and is available for pre-order now.
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