Artistic Licence

Katie Fforde

Dec 2010 · Random House

About this ebook

There's an art to choosing men, but Thea's just discovering it. A wonderfully romantic novel from the No. 1 Sunday Times bestselling author of A Wedding in Provence.

'The queen of uplifting, feel good romance' AJ PEARCE
'Effortlessly lovable, warm and fun' CLOSER
'Katie Fforde is on sparkling form' INDEPENDENT
'Top-drawer romantic escapism' DAILY MAIL
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Leaving behind a house full of students she looks after, Thea throws caution to the wind and takes off to Ireland with Rory, a charming artist.

But Thea's old life isn't so easily cut off. The arrival of Molly, her bossy friend, demanding to see Rory's stunning paintings (and to find out what Thea is up to) is bad enough, but why did she have to bring Petal, Thea's most annoying lodger, along for the ride?

And worst of all, Petal is accompanied by her uncle, the enigmatic Ben, a man Thea has sworn never to like.

The timing is terrible and even more alarming is that the more Rory pursues Thea, the more maddeningly attractive she finds Ben...
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The whole world loves Katie Fforde's work:

"Modern-day Austen. Great fun" Red
"Top-drawer romantic escapism" Daily Mail
"Warm, brilliant and full of love" Heat
"Delicious - gorgeous humour and the lightest of touches" Sunday Times
"Effortlessly lovable, warm and fun" Closer
"Curl up on the sofa with this book and dream... delightful" The Lady
"Deliciously enjoyable" Woman and Home
"Uplifting and delightful" Hot Brands Cool Places

Ratings and reviews

Thea Orville is that quintessential Katie Fforde heroine, somehow owns a large house but earns very little money (acting as a landlady to feckless students and working part-time in a photo shop) and has artistic tendencies. On an artistic holiday in Provence which she was strong-armed into attending by her bossy neighbour Molly, aunt to one of Thea's lodgers. Thea meets a charming Irish artist called Rory who rather impulsively invites her to stay with him in Ireland. Initially Thea laughs it off as a younger man making a pass at a slightly older woman, but when confronted at Gatwick by the news that her students had thrown a raucous party and trashed the house she decides to turn straight around and fly to Ireland rather than face the mess. Although Rory's attentions are flattering, Thea is more interested in his artistic talents which have been hidden away after his disastrous debut years earlier. Thea doesn't even have a chance to properly review the paintings before Molly descends upon Rory's tiny cottage bringing along her niece (and Thea's tenant) Petal, Petal's uncle Ben (a man who has already looked down his nose at Thea) and his son - way too many people for a small two bedroom cottage! Thea hatches a wild scheme to open an art gallery in Cheltenham and bring Rory's art to the world, despite having no money and no prior experience! And despite Rory's clear indications of interest Thea is more interested in Ben, despite Ben making it very clear that he is not interested in a relationship, and certainly not with someone like Thea. As always there are trials and tribulations, cute moppets, shaggy dogs, nasty ex-wives, bossy home county women and Thea in the centre of it all. If you have read my other recent reviews of Katie Fforde's books you will know that I have a hatred of heroes who show absolutely no interest in the heroine until the very last chapter (or so it seems) and, more annoyingly, Katie Fforde's use of the word 'rape' when she means 'ravage'. I am very pleased to report that neither of these are an issue in this book.

About the author

Katie Fforde lives in Gloucestershire with her husband and some of her three children. Recently her old hobbies of ironing and housework have given way to singing, Flamenco dancing and husky racing. She claims this keeps her fit.