Scan barcode
cupofbooks's review
4.0
I really loved the beginning and the storyline. I felt the two mains had a good build up but I just wished there wasn't so many side things happening. The ending felt a little rushed too but overall it was a good read!
clara_books's review
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
4.5
For a debut this book was phenomenal and so good that I read it virtually in one sitting. I haven’t read a book that had a unique and creative plot for a long time and especially not one like this.
From the character development, to the plot to the emotional story behind Amelia and Merrick and the past they both have growing up separately to then becoming step-siblings and having these feelings for each other but are never acted upon until they are adults is beautiful, and this is purely down to the writing.
The chemistry between Amelia and Merrick was so good, I always love a possessive mmc and Merrick delivers it so well and it’s just topped off with delicious spice.
I highlighted so many quotes which is how I know I really loved a book. I can’t wait to read more from this author. Highly recommend if you love dark romance.
“Because when all is said and done. I’d allow her to walk me straight through the gates of hell, as long as she was holding my hand.”
From the character development, to the plot to the emotional story behind Amelia and Merrick and the past they both have growing up separately to then becoming step-siblings and having these feelings for each other but are never acted upon until they are adults is beautiful, and this is purely down to the writing.
The chemistry between Amelia and Merrick was so good, I always love a possessive mmc and Merrick delivers it so well and it’s just topped off with delicious spice.
I highlighted so many quotes which is how I know I really loved a book. I can’t wait to read more from this author. Highly recommend if you love dark romance.
“Because when all is said and done. I’d allow her to walk me straight through the gates of hell, as long as she was holding my hand.”
mspaulaa_reads's review
5.0
Omg this story
I was living it, seeing it play out like a movie
I can feel the love this man has for MIA
How hard and how much he wanted it
This was beautiful … the storyline was easy to follow, we had plot drama love spice
ma’am the spice wow
—— this was beautiful …. I’m so proud of you this being your debut novel and I’m so glad I got to be a part of it
Candice what can I say … one this story is beautiful !!! You have a way with words that just wow! I told you before but I’ll tell you again I can feel the way this man loved Mia. I saw this book playing out in my head like a movie and it was beautiful. I am super happy and proud of you and so happy to be a part of your journey in writing this book.
It was easy to follow, I don’t feel like you added things for effect or like attention grabbers (is that a word) lol but you know what I mean.
The spice, ma’am! It was hot and yummy
It was really good babe
I couldn’t put it down, I needed to know what happens, what happens next, how does it end - like I was so invested in their story
I was living it, seeing it play out like a movie
I can feel the love this man has for MIA
How hard and how much he wanted it
This was beautiful … the storyline was easy to follow, we had plot drama love spice
ma’am the spice wow
—— this was beautiful …. I’m so proud of you this being your debut novel and I’m so glad I got to be a part of it
Candice what can I say … one this story is beautiful !!! You have a way with words that just wow! I told you before but I’ll tell you again I can feel the way this man loved Mia. I saw this book playing out in my head like a movie and it was beautiful. I am super happy and proud of you and so happy to be a part of your journey in writing this book.
It was easy to follow, I don’t feel like you added things for effect or like attention grabbers (is that a word) lol but you know what I mean.
The spice, ma’am! It was hot and yummy
It was really good babe
I couldn’t put it down, I needed to know what happens, what happens next, how does it end - like I was so invested in their story
stxrdust_books's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This book is a mix of cute, dark, spicy, angsty, and just all-around crazy, I really effing liked it, it was really good read and the writing was really, really good for a debut, honestly, there wasn't anything I didn't like about this book, apart from the angst at the end, that personally was a little bit prolonged but that's only my personal opinion, so do take it with a grain of salt.
I LOVED THE MCs SO SO MUCH, like DADDY MERRICK?? ON MY KNEES FOR HIM and Amelia, I wanna hug her so much, Siren too.
The spice was good, not too much and not too long, and UGHHHHH CAN I HAVE MY OWN MERRICK TOO?
I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE NEXT TWO BOOKS. ESPECIALLY AFTER THE LITTLE SNEAK PEAKS FROM MISS CANDICE HERSELF.
I LOVED THE MCs SO SO MUCH, like DADDY MERRICK?? ON MY KNEES FOR HIM and Amelia, I wanna hug her so much, Siren too.
The spice was good, not too much and not too long, and UGHHHHH CAN I HAVE MY OWN MERRICK TOO?
I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE NEXT TWO BOOKS. ESPECIALLY AFTER THE LITTLE SNEAK PEAKS FROM MISS CANDICE HERSELF.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual content, Blood, and Death of parent
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Sexual harassment
theoppositebookshelf's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
This is the debut novel by Candice Clark and what an excellent debut it was. The Thief and the Painter follows two broken people who fall in love at first sight, but have to fight to be able to be together. This book has a darker vibe, and I think the Southern setting really added to that with an almost gothic feeling.
Our two main characters are Amelia and Merrick who met when they were teenagers after their parents got married in a failed attempt to con each other. Amelia’s mother is a black widow who has murdered several of her former husbands and Merrick’s father is manipulative, abusive, and an alcoholic. OBVIOUSLY both our MCs are carrying some serious baggage because of that.
Amelia has channeled her trauma into art and Merrick has channeled his into thieving (and definitely being obsessed with Amelia)
They both love each other, but Merrick has avoided her because he didn’t want her to be used against him and be hurt in the process. His plan is to remain away from her UNTIL he’s able to put both of their parents away for their crimes.
Amelia has had enough of his mixed signals and chips away at his carefully curated wall until he finally snaps and they both give in to the tension that’s been building between them for nine years.
And when I say he snaps, I mean SNAPS. The smut in this book was sooooo well written. It was nasty while also being so tender because of the love and history between these two.
It was so clear to me how OBSESSED Merrick was with Amelia and how she felt those feeling right back.
I felt like I knew Merrick so well. You really get into his head with all of his POV chapters and you understand his motives for everything he does. One thing I wished I had more of was Amelia. With the glimpses of her that we got, I loved her. She was really different from other dark romance heroines I’ve read. She threw literal punches and was funny, while also being vulnerable and graceful. I just wish we had more of her throughout the book.
One piece that I’m really excited for are the Easter eggs that Candice placed for the next books in the series. She was able to introduce Siren and Deacon with just enough detail to make me want more of them.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Candice’s writing style is really engaging and I am looking forward to reading more from her!
*I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
sipsoffiction's review
4.0
BOOK/ARC REVIEW: The Thief and the Painter by Candice Clark
4 STARS
Okay Candice, I see you and your story. I really did like this story and I’m very excited to see where you go with your other books! The thief and the painter. Merrick and Amelia. Two who found each other at 17 and 15. But the story takes place nine years later and their life at that point. Told from both POVs and with past and present timelines. I really enjoyed the writing style, there isn’t much dialogue between other characters in the story. But a lot of internal thoughts when in each characters POV, So if you like a story with a lot of dialogue, maybe this one isn’t for you. But it is very atmospheric and the way it is written you feel like you are in that town with them. The vibes I got was a black and white, dark academia, gothic town and I was totally here for that!
“There was one thing that the thief didn’t want to steal but earn instead.”
4 STARS
Okay Candice, I see you and your story. I really did like this story and I’m very excited to see where you go with your other books! The thief and the painter. Merrick and Amelia. Two who found each other at 17 and 15. But the story takes place nine years later and their life at that point. Told from both POVs and with past and present timelines. I really enjoyed the writing style, there isn’t much dialogue between other characters in the story. But a lot of internal thoughts when in each characters POV, So if you like a story with a lot of dialogue, maybe this one isn’t for you. But it is very atmospheric and the way it is written you feel like you are in that town with them. The vibes I got was a black and white, dark academia, gothic town and I was totally here for that!
“There was one thing that the thief didn’t want to steal but earn instead.”
christikb's review
4.75
Y'all, I was so stoked to be selected as an advanced reader for @what_the_smut 's debut novel, The Thief and the Painter, since I've been low-key stalking her Instagram for WIP snippets of TTATP for close to a year now. This is Mia and Merrick's story, a forbidden romance between two stepsiblings whose lives have been haunted by their conniving and ambitious parents and have to find their way to each other in spite of their demons. I was obsessed with Merrick (morally-grey criminal with stalker-lite tendencies and, like, 18 red flags, sign me up) and loved both the development of their tale as well as the almost Thomas Crown Affair feel I got throughout the plot. Plus the spice is 🔥🔥🔥 and I was completely enamored with every moment. I did notice some odd linguistic choices (sentence phrasings that were awkward or didn't make sense), but I can't wait to see Candice grow in her writing! So enjoyed this one!