These violet delights A novel

Violet Arden's hopes of one day becoming an established artist are seemingly dashed when she overhears Alasdair Kerr's scathing critique of her paintings in the exhibition sponsored by her aunt Eliza. If this wasn't enough to discourage Violet from pursuing her passion for art, the scandal surrounding her romantic relationship with her former art instructor is forcing Violet to abandon London for a lengthy stay at a relative's estate in Warwickshire. Once there, Violet's efforts to nurture her artistic interests back into bloom take another unexpected turn when she discovers her neighbor is none other than Alasdair. After detailing Violet's sister Margaret's pursuit of romance in 2024's Much Ado about Margaret, Roux is back with another cleverly crafted, Regency-set love story, whose vibrant writing, vividly evoked settings, and vivaciously etched characters display a marvelously painterly touch. Combine this with a perfectly executed plot that incorporates intriguing details about the nineteenth-century art world and a generous dash of family drama and danger while also giving an inspired nod to Shakespeare (the pièce de résistance) and you have a romantic masterpiece.

This tantalizing Regency from bestseller Roux (Much Ado About Margaret) sends budding watercolor artist Violet Arden from London to the British countryside to ride out a scandal after her affair with her French art teacher is exposed. While staying at her cousin's home, she becomes reacquainted with art collector Alasdair Kerr, who was a childhood friend despite the long-standing feud between their families. It's not a happy reunion: before leaving the city, Violet overheard Alasdair dissing her paintings at an art opening. Though she's determined to stay mad at Alasdair, she slowly warms to him, especially when he helps her save a cat caught in a fire at a local theater. Their joint search for the arsonist responsible leads to a tentative courtship, even as Alasdair's mother schemes to keep them apart. Roux steeps this arresting romance in references to art and artists, and uses her passionate and plucky heroine to highlight the unique position of female artists in Regency society. Fans will not be disappointed. (Nov.)

Star-crossed lovers must contend with a family feud and threatening fires. When aspiring artist Violet Arden gets caught up in a scandal, she retreats to Pressmore, her cousin's English country estate, which neighbors the ruins of Clafton, once home to the Kerrs, longtime nemeses of her family. The Kerr patriarch perished in the fire that decimated the house, leaving behind his wife and two sons. Alasdair Kerr has now returned home after years of traveling and acquiring art, ready to rebuild, take up residence at Clafton, and hopefully rend his mother from her complete devotion to a shifty clergyman. Violet and Alasdair were briefly friends as children, but now Violet would happily steer clear of hulking, handsome Alasdair. When romance brews between his rakish brother and her cousin's new sister-in-law, they must join forces to stop the lovers from making rash decisions. They're further thrust together when mysterious fires endanger Violet. They grow in each other's esteem during this time spent together and soon find themselves falling in love. FollowingMuch Ado About Margaret (2024), this Regency romance features another Arden sister and has similar Shakespearean influences and lovely prose. There are too many moving pieces that don't fully gel, though--the secondary romance starts strong but peters out, the mystery of the fires doesn't add much tension when it's obvious who's behind it, and the leads' former romantic dalliances take up too many pages for how little they add to the story. Violet and Alasdair are both winsome, but the unnecessary padding distracts from their cute love story. Still, a theme woven throughout about the purpose, power, and simple delight of art and fighting back against those who would try to silence it is timely. Prettily written but too unfocused to entirely captivate. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.