Review – Painted Dreams by Darlene Deluca
Synopsis
Katlyn Andrews is a talented artist on her way to fulfilling a dream—her own show at a New York City gallery. Focused on her career, she’s ditched her hometown of Denver for the bright lights of the Big Apple. When she’s drawn back to check on her beloved grandmother, she finds a surprise—Nick Summers, a woodworker bidding on a job at her parents’ upscale home. Nick’s gorgeous smile and easy-going manner charm Kat. Too bad he lives in Colorado.
Nick adores the mountains of Colorado, but NYC is on his radar. He’s auditioning to be a guest host on a home-builders network there. Since that’s a long shot, he’s still pounding the pavement closer to home to secure jobs like the high-end Andrews project. Meeting his client’s intriguing daughter has his thoughts going in other directions. Too bad she lives in New York.
But distance can’t dim their undeniable attraction. Unfortunately, it turns out dreams can be shattered. While Nick’s career is on an upward trajectory, Kat’s unexpectedly takes a big hit. Devastated, she struggles to find a path forward. Nick fears her family’s status and wealth keep her from seeing reality—is she reaching for the stars before paying her dues?
In her heart, Kat knows he’s wrong about her…but could her heart be wrong about him?
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Review
Sometimes long-distance romance works out!
Kat has ties to Colorado, but she left for college and never looked back. She has dreams of making a name for herself in the art world. She is an accomplished artist, but is having a hard time breaking into the big time. Does she have her sights set too high? Nick meets Kat while bidding on a job. It is love at first sight, at least for Nick. It takes Kat a little longer to come around. However, the chemistry is there.
Love hits us when we are least expecting it, even with roadblocks thrown in the way. However, communication can solve a multitude of problems. Nick and Kat do have conversations, especially about the distance, but how deep are these conversations? NYC and Colorado Springs are not close to one another. It will take a lot for something to work between the two of them.
These two unlikely individuals have a lot going for them, but also a lot working against them. Kat’s mother is unsupportive, but she has a gem of a grandmother who offsets any negativity from mom. I felt the tension between Kat and her mom. It was evident that she holds something against Kat, but we really don’t know what. It doesn’t help that her mother is a socialite snob. Nick is successful, but because he doesn’t come from the country club set, she looks down at him. This is a shame, because he is quite an amazing artist and is going places.
Kat has issues of her own. She is working at the MoMA, which is a feat, but her thoughts about where her work should be displayed/sold are unrealistic. She feels like she should start at the top, versus working her way up, as many do. Is it her upbringing that has influenced this way of thinking? It is also the cause of a rift between her and Nick. Can they find a solid middle ground?
This was an enjoyable story that offers a variety of elements and conflict to keep things interesting. No life is smooth sailing, and watching these two navigate what is thrown at them was what I would expect to see in life.
We give this book 4 paws up.
About the Author
Darlene Deluca writes contemporary romance and women’s fiction that explores relationships – what brings people together or keeps them apart.
Her intent is to bring to life interesting characters that readers can relate to in real-life situations that combine a little fun, plenty of drama (with perhaps a tear or two), and big helpings of friendship, love, and self-discovery, and will leave readers either cheering or sighing with a satisfied smile as they turn the final page.
The Kansas City author enjoys getting lost in a good story with a glass of tea, a bit of dark chocolate and a warm, sunny beach.
