What do you think?
Rate this book
The Art of Appreciation
Abby Reynolds is burned out.
Since clawing her way into a great position at a Boston museum, she’s been saddled with a scheming intern and a nagging boss. She’s scuttled her own painting dreams, her cat refuses to be box trained, and now the most boring man on the eastern seaboard just told her, “It’s not you, it’s me."
Her bestie Sarah offers a much-needed escape: a summer of sand, sea, and younger men in Santa Cruz...
Hot young bike racer Jason is sexy, unattached, and completely ready to spend a summer in uncomplicated flirtation. Since Abby has decided love is off the table, he seems like the perfect match.
Then she meets Matt. Sculptor, surfer (and age appropriate), he’s everything she gave up wanting and then some. He’s a grown-ass man with his own life issues: does he want to sculpt for love or for profit? What about that twentysomething model who's always clinging to him? Is he ready to let a woman invade his Fortress of Solitude?
Abby has to decide whether she’s satisfied with leaving behind the idea of Mr. Right and settling for Mr. Right Now.
Grown up love. It’s complicated.
Since clawing her way into a great position at a Boston museum, she’s been saddled with a scheming intern and a nagging boss. She’s scuttled her own painting dreams, her cat refuses to be box trained, and now the most boring man on the eastern seaboard just told her, “It’s not you, it’s me."
Her bestie Sarah offers a much-needed escape: a summer of sand, sea, and younger men in Santa Cruz...
Hot young bike racer Jason is sexy, unattached, and completely ready to spend a summer in uncomplicated flirtation. Since Abby has decided love is off the table, he seems like the perfect match.
Then she meets Matt. Sculptor, surfer (and age appropriate), he’s everything she gave up wanting and then some. He’s a grown-ass man with his own life issues: does he want to sculpt for love or for profit? What about that twentysomething model who's always clinging to him? Is he ready to let a woman invade his Fortress of Solitude?
Abby has to decide whether she’s satisfied with leaving behind the idea of Mr. Right and settling for Mr. Right Now.
Grown up love. It’s complicated.
280 pages, Paperback
First published November 12, 2013
About the author
Autumn Markus
3 books26 followersWhen she’s not chasing rug monkeys or otherwise running around like a madwoman, Autumn likes to look out at the Rocky Mountains that surround her, and daydream. She wouldn’t live anywhere else (except maybe Tahiti, if half naked serving men are included in the deal. Admit it—you’d trade, too).
Autumn’s always up for a good chat about music, movies, wine, or good books. Or bad books. Or books of any kind (Really. She talks a lot. Almost as much as she reads. Ask her husband). She sucks down java at a scandalous rate to keep her going by day, but in the dead of night you’ll find her hunched over the computer keyboard, writing frantically while alternating between bouts of snickering madly, sniffling aloud, and despairing over her technodorkiness.
Someday she’ll grow up and put her very grown-up education to use.
Maybe.
But not today.
Autumn’s always up for a good chat about music, movies, wine, or good books. Or bad books. Or books of any kind (Really. She talks a lot. Almost as much as she reads. Ask her husband). She sucks down java at a scandalous rate to keep her going by day, but in the dead of night you’ll find her hunched over the computer keyboard, writing frantically while alternating between bouts of snickering madly, sniffling aloud, and despairing over her technodorkiness.
Someday she’ll grow up and put her very grown-up education to use.
Maybe.
But not today.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 13, 2013
The Art of Appreciation is the perfect antidote to a blechy winter. Not only does it have the super fun beach setting - complete with alluring surfer dudes - it's got snappy dialog, fun characters, and a romantic connection that will have you aching for these two to get together.
Markus weaves artistic imagery, particularly sculpture, throughout the story and does a beautiful job of it. Her descriptions are accessible to readers at all levels of artistic knowledge and evoke a vivid, lovely artistic experience.
Markus weaves artistic imagery, particularly sculpture, throughout the story and does a beautiful job of it. Her descriptions are accessible to readers at all levels of artistic knowledge and evoke a vivid, lovely artistic experience.
January 5, 2014
Pull2Pub Fanfic Formerly the Twilight fanfic "I Only Want You For Your Body" by Fatalllyobsessed
December 17, 2013
" I don't think he's taking girlfriend requests. And besides, are we talking about a man or a wildebeest? "
"Is there a difference? They're both rare and elusive."
One thing is for sure Art of Appreciation will make you laugh with all its crazy banter. I loved the characters, they are super fun. There is just enough angst and you want nothing more for them to get together. I love it. Markus did an amazing job at writing, I couldn't get enough.
Abby Reynolds is burned out. Lets be honest here, who isn't? I know I am. Well Abby is, and her bestie Sarah offers her an escape. Fun in the sun, what a perfect way to spend the summer than in Santa Cruz. Abby is set out to have some fun, and that includes having a fling with a very sexy guy. Relationships aren't in the cards for Abby.
She meets Jason. A bike racer who's unattached and ready for all that Abby has to offer. He seems like the perfect match! Is he though???
" Yes, it should. This is exactly how easy it should be, Abby. We're right. We just make it difficult."
Matt…where oh where do I even begin with Matt? I sure do love a successful man that knows what he wants. Matt is a sculptor, surfer, and totally in her age group. However Matt is everything Abby wanted to give up. Matt is a grown-ass man with his own life issues. Not to mention he has a young piece of ass that's always at his side.
Abby needs to decide if she's ready to give up Mr. Right for a Mr. Right now! It's truly a great story, and I highly recommend you pick it up to read.
I know your curious as to what Abby chooses.
I rate Art of Appreciation 4 out of 5 stars.
"C'mon Romeo. Haven't you learned yet that it's not nice to take advantage of sweet, drunken ladies?"
" Well, it's been over an hour, and I haven't attacked you and left your body in a ditch yet. Trust me to walk you back to the club?"
"Is there a difference? They're both rare and elusive."
One thing is for sure Art of Appreciation will make you laugh with all its crazy banter. I loved the characters, they are super fun. There is just enough angst and you want nothing more for them to get together. I love it. Markus did an amazing job at writing, I couldn't get enough.
Abby Reynolds is burned out. Lets be honest here, who isn't? I know I am. Well Abby is, and her bestie Sarah offers her an escape. Fun in the sun, what a perfect way to spend the summer than in Santa Cruz. Abby is set out to have some fun, and that includes having a fling with a very sexy guy. Relationships aren't in the cards for Abby.
She meets Jason. A bike racer who's unattached and ready for all that Abby has to offer. He seems like the perfect match! Is he though???
" Yes, it should. This is exactly how easy it should be, Abby. We're right. We just make it difficult."
Matt…where oh where do I even begin with Matt? I sure do love a successful man that knows what he wants. Matt is a sculptor, surfer, and totally in her age group. However Matt is everything Abby wanted to give up. Matt is a grown-ass man with his own life issues. Not to mention he has a young piece of ass that's always at his side.
Abby needs to decide if she's ready to give up Mr. Right for a Mr. Right now! It's truly a great story, and I highly recommend you pick it up to read.
I know your curious as to what Abby chooses.
I rate Art of Appreciation 4 out of 5 stars.
"C'mon Romeo. Haven't you learned yet that it's not nice to take advantage of sweet, drunken ladies?"
" Well, it's been over an hour, and I haven't attacked you and left your body in a ditch yet. Trust me to walk you back to the club?"
December 18, 2013
3 - 3.5 Stars in the Sky!
Abby is in a rut, she's just been dumped by a guy she didn't really like but was safe. Thankfully her best friend Sarah has a plan; escape to Calfornia for the summer and meet hot guys.
Abby meets Jason the young sometimes life model, sometimes racer who is both hot and available. Abby also meets hottie surfer and non-toyboy Matt. Matt's a sculptor who is creative and driven. Art of Appreciation follows Abby as she tries to decide whether she wants a bit or summer fun or a lasting relationship.
Abby and Sarah's friendship was one of my favourite parts of the book. I loved how they teased, yet supported each other. Although at times she has questionable taste in men *ahem* Tyler, Sarah was good at pushing Abby into action and saw what Abby didn't always see herself.
I enjoyed Abby's struggles with both guys and she made me laugh when I considered her age. It was interesting to see how she acted when she was with Jason or Matt or sometimes both of them together (not like that, get your minds out of the gutter people).
Often when there is more than one potential love interest I end up not liking one of the guys but in this case I actually liked both Jason and Matt.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review!
Also reviewed on my blog Zili in the Sky
January 1, 2014
A satisfying read, Ms Markus introduces us to a range of characters, each on their own journey in search of personal and professional fulfillment.
Come and read about Abby and Matt.
These central characters meet over summer break, but these are no "teen" or "twenty-something" individuals - they are mature, and closer to their forties than their thirties! They're real, earthy, and not looking for any more of a connection that a summer "distraction" can provide.
Change is a central theme of this book. While challenging themselves, challenging their choices, and challenging their expectations, Abby and Matt draw the reader into their world - an emotional world to which all of us "30+" folk can easily relate.
The raft of supporting characters bring light and shade to the storyline. Humour, counseling and eye-candy, are all on offer by the web of friends and associates introduced in this book.
I finished it with a satisfied smile on my face. It's emotionally intimate, without being prescriptive, sexy, without reading like a manual, and thoroughly enjoyable, without being too predictable.
A great read at any time of the year...whether the reader is on summer break herself, or not!
Come and read about Abby and Matt.
These central characters meet over summer break, but these are no "teen" or "twenty-something" individuals - they are mature, and closer to their forties than their thirties! They're real, earthy, and not looking for any more of a connection that a summer "distraction" can provide.
Change is a central theme of this book. While challenging themselves, challenging their choices, and challenging their expectations, Abby and Matt draw the reader into their world - an emotional world to which all of us "30+" folk can easily relate.
The raft of supporting characters bring light and shade to the storyline. Humour, counseling and eye-candy, are all on offer by the web of friends and associates introduced in this book.
I finished it with a satisfied smile on my face. It's emotionally intimate, without being prescriptive, sexy, without reading like a manual, and thoroughly enjoyable, without being too predictable.
A great read at any time of the year...whether the reader is on summer break herself, or not!
December 18, 2013
Let me start out by saying I love the cover. It is elegant and beautiful. Second... Amazing! I thought I had this book figured out... Most of the time it is easy for me to predict a books ending or over all plot. While I did have it somewhat figured out, I kept getting thrown for a loop. And I loved it.
I loved the art theme. It worked beautifully. As far as the predictable part... I was surprised every couple of pages. I like when an author can take twist in a romance and make it work. The characters were great. I loved the friendship between Abby and Sarah. It reminds me of my best friend and I. Just bringing me that much closer to the characters. And Mike and Jason..... Hello sexy men!
Loved the humor and the love and the plot twist. A really great read. I could pick this book up over and over again just to get lost for a few hours. A must read!
I loved the art theme. It worked beautifully. As far as the predictable part... I was surprised every couple of pages. I like when an author can take twist in a romance and make it work. The characters were great. I loved the friendship between Abby and Sarah. It reminds me of my best friend and I. Just bringing me that much closer to the characters. And Mike and Jason..... Hello sexy men!
Loved the humor and the love and the plot twist. A really great read. I could pick this book up over and over again just to get lost for a few hours. A must read!
December 22, 2013
I have to say that this was a very interesting book. This is definitely not a book where everything is predictable. The author was able to incorporate humor, twists, and freakin hot men into one book. I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it based on the title of the book. For some reason I thought it was going to be boring. However, this author was able to captivate me with the plot of the story. It absolutely is not boring at all. I should know better than to judge a book by its cover but I will admit I’m guilty of this sometimes. In this instance I was absolutely WRONG!!! Hope you enjoy
January 14, 2014
A book with mature characters is a rarity, a good read with mature characters is even more so. It was a blessed relief to read a romance with minimum angst and no ridiculous soap operatic drama. Having read and enjoyed Ms Markus first book "Cocktails and Dreams" I was looking forward to reading her latest offering and I wasn't disappointed. Full of witty banter and great characterisations and just the right amount of sexy not explicit. My own imagination supplied the rest :D I can see the progress in the authors writing style and look forward to reading any new work she publishes.
January 28, 2014
Add this to the growing number of books out now that feature non-twenty year olds! hooray! It's so nice to read a sexy story about a couple that is Of A Certain Age (meaning around my age *cough*). Not to hate on 20 year olds, but it's great to read a cute story about an actual adult having actual adult issues. Plus it takes place on a beach, and features hot surfers. yum. If you like grown up, hot surfer sculptors (picture it. Yep. Hot.) then this is a story for you.
December 29, 2014
I enjoyed reading about a romantic pair that's pushing forty and contending with adult issues. It was difficult watching the characters struggle with change. Each is in a very different rut when the story begins, and each has to learn different lessons to get out of the rut. Will they take a chance on a relationship or continue in the comfortable vein?
I particularly liked the sculpting component of the story. Nicely done.
I particularly liked the sculpting component of the story. Nicely done.
January 6, 2014
What a lovely easy fun rom com to read. Thoroughly enjoyed the relationships between all the characters.. The descriptions of the beach and places made me feel like I was there . Look forward to reading more from Autumn Markus..
December 20, 2013
4 1/2 stars
Shelved as 'fanfiction-oh-fanfiction'
March 3, 2017Another bland romance with cookie cutter characters and plot. Boring. 0 rating.
January 16, 2016
This was cute. I liked that the lead couple were older and overcame past hurts and career demands.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews