I am in love with The Artful Bargain, Audrey Lynden’s latest contemporary romance and the first in a series set in my home state of Wisconsin. Yes, I love all the references to an area of the state I love best, but the chief reason for my adoration are her characters. Museum curator, Claire Beaumont, is on a mission. She needs one particular piece to add to her first major exhibit featuring artwork with a steampunk theme. She goes to collect the piece, a sculpture titled Coal or Steam, only to find that its British creator, Sinjin Reid, knows nothing about the exhibition. Claire realizes that she’s has been set up to fail by her loathsome boss, Larry. Sinjin realizes that Larry and his ex-wife are trying to steal his sculpture. After his ex-wife trapped him into marriage and then cheated on him, Sinjin has big-time trust issues. Claire’s got a huge secret, one that could ruin her and any chance she might have with a career in the art world or a relationship with Sinjin. Still, Sinjin and Claire agree on two things: they both hate Larry and want to take him down, and they are wildly attracted to each other. Together, they devise a plan to make Claire’s exhibit a success while setting a trap for Larry and his ex-wife. Perhaps the defining aspect of Lynden’s writing is the secondary characters who represent the kind of love and warmth we all want from our friends and family. It’s a world one can step into and never want to leave.

Just as a masterpiece in oils contains many layers, so, too, does Audrey Lynden’s debut novel, The Artful Bargain. On the surface, it’s presented as a romantic caper involving a reclusive sculptor and a harried curator eager to prove her worth. It’s a fun romp containing an anti-heist, an inventive steampunk exhibit, engaging side characters, and plenty of art world shenanigans. But it also has a much deeper emotional core, as seen in the way the two main characters—Claire and Sinjin—change and grow over the course of the story. At the start, both have experienced their fair share of pain and heartbreak. They’re hesitant to trust each other, yet that’s exactly what they have to do if they hope to defeat the noxious gallery director who is intent on ruining their lives. As they team up together, coming up with clever schemes worthy of Danny Ocean, I couldn’t help but root for them—not only to succeed but to realize how much they need each other. As the story unfolds, the twists and turns will keep you reading, eagerly turning those pages in the hopes that these two characters will get the happy ending they so richly deserve. Without giving anything away, I can attest this is a truly satisfying novel, perfect for those chilly fall days when all you want to do is curl up on the couch and read.

The Artful Bargain is a well-researched romp through the art world starring a museum curator heroine and an artist hero. There is a fun cast of characters – plucky friends, engaging allies, and villains aplenty, in addition to a sexy British hero and a determined heroine. PLUS a pair of adorable pooches! Set in Wisconsin, the story is also a love letter to the author’s hometown. The Artful Bargain is an enjoyable romance that kicks off a series of standalone romances.

I thoroughly enjoyed Lynden’s endearing and unique characters. Sinjin and Claire’s fall-in-love romance among art exhibits, art thieves, and art secrets kept me engaged. I liked Sinjin’s British flair and Claire’s backstory as it relates to her prominent father. Reading Lynden’s story made me want to visit an art museum.

The wonky and wonderful characters in this novel were endearing.
Don’t miss this fun, fast-paced ride with a little steam and steampunk mixed in for flair.
I received an advanced copy of this novel, but all opinions are my own. I enjoyed this artistic caper with spice.