Art from the Heart: Book 1
Publication Date: August 1, 2025
Katlyn Andrews is a talented artist on her way to fulfilling a dream—her own show at a New York City gallery. Focused on her career, she’s ditched her hometown of Denver for the bright lights of the Big Apple. When she’s drawn back to check on her beloved grandmother, she finds a surprise—Nick Summers, a woodworker bidding on a job at her parents’ upscale home. Nick’s gorgeous smile and easy-going manner charm Kat. Too bad he lives in Colorado.
Nick adores the mountains of Colorado, but NYC is on his radar. He’s auditioning to be a guest host on a home-builders network there. Since that’s a long shot, he’s still pounding the pavement closer to home to secure jobs like the high-end Andrews project. Meeting his client’s intriguing daughter has his thoughts going in other directions. Too bad she lives in New York.
But distance can’t dim their undeniable attraction. Unfortunately, it turns out dreams can be shattered. While Nick’s career is on an upward trajectory, Kat’s unexpectedly takes a big hit. Devastated, she struggles to find a path forward. Nick fears her family’s status and wealth keep her from seeing reality—is she reaching for the stars before paying her dues?
In her heart, Kat knows he’s wrong about her…but could her heart be wrong about him?
Painted Dreams is the first book in the Art From the Heart series by author Darlene Deluca, and I look forward to reading more. It was a pleasant surprise to see that this book is part of a series since there’s definitely more stories to tell.
Kat and Nick unexpectedly meet at her parents’ house in Denver when he’s there to give an estimate for a renovation and she’s on a rare visit home from New York City. There’s a definite attraction, much to her mother’s chagrin, since he’s the help. Nick and Kat have art in common, even though they work in different mediums. They have other compatible interests, and it was fun to watch their feelings grow as they explore their newfound friendship, or is it more especially when she’s in New York and he’s in Colorado.
The story builds nicely and touches on different emotions and strengths. There is a good flow, and a depth to the characters and the story, especially when things aren’t always perfect. Multiple stories are being told that are seamlessly woven together.
Kat’s grandmother is a breath of fresh air and a joy to be around, especially in her support of Kat, as the rest of her family always seems disappointed with her. There are vivid descriptions of the art in all its forms as well as life in the city. There is some closure with a possible happily ever after in the future, but, unfortunately, many loose ends that I’m hoping will be addressed in the following books. The book did end abruptly, and an epilogue might have helped in that situation.
Painted Dreams is a contemporary romance with endearing main characters and lots of art. Will Kat reach her dreams, especially with Nick and her grandmother competing for the position of being her #1 fan?
Darlene Deluca writes contemporary romance and women’s fiction that explores relationships – what brings people together or keeps them apart.
Her intent is to bring to life interesting characters that readers can relate to in real-life situations that combine a little fun, plenty of drama (with perhaps a tear or two), and big helpings of friendship, love, and self-discovery, and will leave readers either cheering or sighing with a satisfied smile as they turn the final page.
