Wednesday 12 August 2015

Review ~ Art & Soul by Brittainy C Cherry

Reviewed by Donna ~ 4.5 stars


“We became the masterpieces of the loneliest souls. The colors in both of our eyes bled out,
knowing that sometimes the most beautiful pieces of art were created from the darkest of souls.”


I love it when I go into a book blind and just get swept away in an all-consuming story. This was recommended to me so I just downloaded and read, I knew nothing about it. This was one of the most beautiful YA stories I have read and it wasn’t until the end that I realised there were no sex scenes, nothing naughty, just a beautiful, endearing, friends to lovers story that captures your heart.

This story is about Aria and Levi, two kids that were so different yet so similar. Both were having a difficult time yet somehow found solace in each other. An unexpected friendship that is the beginning of a new start, healing for each other, support for each other but most of all a friendship that will stand the test of time, a friendship that no matter the hurdles is solid and one that despite the circumstances will bear the fruit of one the most uplifting friends to lovers story I have read.


“Was Levi Myers real? Did he really exist? Or did my sad, black heart create him because it longed for a little bit of color?”


Aria keeps herself to herself; she is a budding artist, one of the “unpopular” kids at school and tries to walk the corridors unnoticed. She sits with the “freaks” but she has the best friendships. She was a beautiful character inside and out and just radiated sunshine. Anyone who got to know her loved her; she just had to let you in first. Aria is incredibly sensible but everyone at some point or another has a lapse in judgement and Aria’s one and only lapse would have far reaching consequences.

Levi was totally and utterly adorable in the best way, he was free spirit in every sense of the word, his mum was a bit of a hippie and being that he had been home schooled and been with his mum 24/7 for most of his life she had kinda rubbed off on him. He loved nature and loved his music and he took life with a pinch of salt. His mum has her own issues that he has learned to deal with but a call from his Uncle leaves him wanting to reconnect with his Dad who he has not seen since he was little. Spending a year with his Dad and starting school for the first time would have been daunting to most, but Levi took it all in his stride.


“I wanted Dad to want me a little. I wanted Mom to stop wanting me so much. I wanted to be wanted, but not wanted a lot.”


Levi was immediately popular, fresh meat and all that and the girls loved him. However, Levi only had eyes for the Aria, the girl that he met at the bus stop, the girl that he couldn’t stop thinking about and the girl that he wanted to get to know better. Levi didn’t care what social circles he ran in, who were “cool” and who wasn’t, he treasured true friendships. He was compassionate, sincere and empathetic, he had his own issues and all he needed and wanted were true friends. And so begins this beautiful friendship and that is all I am saying…and who can resist a guy that brings out the big guns…maths chat up lines!

“Well, I’m just going to put this out there: I’m not trying to be obtuse, but you’re acute girl.”


I do love my book titles and sometimes when they are a bit abstract I cannot wait for that Eureka moment when the title makes sense and this one was no different. When art and music blend you can create something magical…you have Art & Soul…genius by the author and truly magical.

I loved this bunch of misfits, every single one of them, they all had an important part to play and made this book what it is. Yes they were quirky, yes they were different, but they all had hearts of gold, they would do anything for each other and all had each others backs. These were true friendships, friendships borne from the heart and ones that would stand the test of time.


“Love openly,” my heart whispered.
“Love unconditionally,” my heart begged.
“Love the struggles,” my heart taught.
“Love in the moment.”



I loved this author’s voice; she certainly has a way with words and is one amazing story teller. Her words and characters keep you captive, your ‘Art and Soul will be held hostage until you have devoured every single word. But most of all you will walk away with a huge smile, that uplifting feeling of hope that there are good people in this world, that no matter how dire the circumstances you find yourself in friends and family will be there for you but most of all, stay true to yourself, if people don’t love you for who you are they are not worth the time or the effort. Loved this story and highly recommend.


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