Summer reads—the staple of book lovers everywhere. Well, and Christmas reads, and TBR (to be read) piles, and RRs (recommended reads) and… and…
Sometimes you see a book and the first thing you do is go, “THAT should be the top of a ‘Summer Reads’ list.
That’s how I felt when the opportunity to review Painter Place appeared. I took one look at it and just knew it’d be right up my alley. Add to that an interesting synopsis, and I figured it was an easy win!
Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Additionally, I requested and received a free review copy of this book. Opinions were not required, but I give them freely.
In the Good Old Summertime: Is this Book Worth it
I’ve spent most of the day trying to figure out how to articulate (or write, I suppose) how I feel about this book. I wanted to love it.
Unfortunately, I didn’t.
Before I say much, I have to confess that I found myself skimming. A lot. I also only read to the 80% mark. I just. Couldn’t. Go. On.
This may have contributed to some of my issues, but the issues contributed to me beginning that skimming bit.
So, take it for what it’s worth.
Painter Place was a difficult and confusing book to follow. I found it hard to keep up with whose point of view it was and what was happening. The plot points were a bit convoluted, I think with an eye to slowly unveiling the underlying plots. Instead, I just didn’t know what was going on much of the time.
I also, unfortunately, didn’t connect with the characters, so I didn’t care much that I didn’t know. I just wanted to finish reading the review copy I was provided and move on. That feels horrible to say, and I don’t mean it to be unkind.
There’s just a disconnect with me and this book and I can’t explain it beyond that it didn’t capture or hold my attention. While I’m not sorry I requested and received a free review copy of Painter Place, I can’t say I recommend it without reservation. I think it would likely be most appreciated by people who read literary fiction and want “literary lite” and those who live in the Carolinas—particularly coastal.
Book: Painter Place
Author: Pamela Poole
Synopsis: In June of 1985, Caroline Painter’s uncle whisks her away from her island home at Painter Place to film an art video in the harbor village of Mevagissey.
But instead of clearing her head, the young artist becomes entangled in adventure on the English Channel when she influences a rock star’s contract and the media launches her into fame. When she returns home, she discovers a shattering secret that makes her question everything in her life. Can she trust the only one who says he understands?
About the author: 
“Inspiring Southern Ambiance”
Pamela Poole’s love for the South inspires all her books and paintings. It’s why she describes her work as “Southern Ambiance.” She and her husband Mark currently live in Raleigh, NC, but she considers the Lowcountry of SC “home.”
Her perspective on writing books and painting is like that of the iconic artist Norman Rockwell, who once said he knew life was not ideal, but it should be, so he chose to paint that way.
Pamela has experienced enough “reality” in life and now seeks the warm, whimsical, loveable, and ideal in her creativity. She hopes readers will laugh out loud, sigh, be inspired to reach higher, and feel refreshed, as if they’ve been for a walk in warm Southern sunshine!
Pamela writes clean fiction from a Christian worldview, but she was an artist before she felt led to become an author.
Her stories often feature artists and art perspectives that help any reader have a deeper appreciation for painting.
Pamela lives life loving Jesus and her family as a wife, mother, and Gigi, and she is blessed with true friends. She is a member of the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society and PaintNC. Readers and art enthusiasts alike can enjoy her Youtube channel and her painting demos.
Her blog can be found on her art and publishing websites.
Her illustrations for FREE coloring pages are her contribution to a cause she cares about, the healing that happens through art, and they can be downloaded on her websites. To enjoy the latest content, sign up for her newsletters and follow Pamela Poole Fine Art and Southern Sky Publishing on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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