For Emma Trinket, life is a delicate balancing act between loving her family and pursuing interests they don’t understand. When the opportunity arises to finally impress them with her job as a computer programmer, she jumps at it even if it means immersing herself in a world she’s despised since childhood. Unfortunately the one man who could crush her prospects is also the best person to help her navigate the lessons she needs to be a success. Artistic expression is both Carter Anderson’s safe space and his livelihood, but his fading inspiration has him worried about his place in life. His encounters with Emma spark a passion to create that he hasn’t felt in years and he isn’t ready to let go of his new muse even if she’s threatening the sanctity of his art world with her digital technologies. As each tries to gain an advantage from the other, Emma and Carter discover they actually might be more compatible than they thought. Will that be enough to unify their opposing missions or will the real differences between pixels and paint tear them apart?
I'm really not a fan of books written in the present tense; it takes way too long to get into the story enough for it to quit bothering me. But once at that point, I did really enjoy this book, just as I expected from a Kristi Ann Hunter novel. It is full of the author's delightful sense of humor (I laughed so hard during one scene in particular), engaging characters, and encouraging message.
Weirdly, in spite of being an artist myself, I connected way more with Emma than Carter. When it comes to the vast majority of art, be it classical or modern, master or amateur, there's a very narrow window that I truly enjoy. And I make art because I enjoy the process and the results, not because of overwhelming emotion or the desire to make a statement. It mystifies me when people find deep emotion or hidden meaning in something that was only meant to be precisely what I depicted. But maybe that proves some of Carter's points in the story; art is certainly a very personal experience.
I really look forward to reading Amy's story--this book hinted at layers of depth and hurt behind that fashionable façade, and I can't wait to see where she ends up!
Trinket Sisters
1. Pixels and Paint
2. (2024)
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