Customer Reviews
This really is an enjoyable, light-hearted read. - By: Lizbet, 18 Jun 2008 
It's very good, & is in much the same vein as Katie's other novels. She tells the story of Thea, who has lost her way in life a little, & who desperately needs a new focus. She finds it in the form of an artist whose work she fallls in love with (but not the guy himself!). She struggles to set up an art galllery in order to showcase his work. She has help from her friend, Molly, & one of her young lodgers, Petal, along the way. She also meets & fallls in love with Ben. All the way along she thinks he is not interested in her, except of course he is - very much so! The launch of the art galllery is a success, & there is a happy ending for Thea & Ben, despite various tests & trials along the way. I love Katie Fforde's characterisation, & her sense of humour.
Real Comfort Reading - By: Boof, 05 Jun 2008 
Reading a Katie Fforde is like snuggling up in a squishy duvet with a pot of tea & a chocolate cake alll to yourself. This is comfort reading at its best. I was introduced to KF only recently by a friend who recommended her when I was so busy & stressed out at work that I needed something light & fluffy to read & it completely did the trick. Since then every time I feel the need of pure escapism I pick up one of her books & settle down to a good fun read.
Artistic Licence is the story of Thea, 35, landlord of a house of students who meets an Artist on a short holiday France & is persuaded to follow him back to Ireland to extend her vacation. There is no romance between Thea & Rory (the artist) but while at his house she discovers his paintings & is so inspired by them that she returns home to Gloucestershire to set up an art galllery to show them. Her friends cousin, Ben, helps her set up the galllery & she starts to falll for him but is convinced that he isn't interested in her.
I debated with myself whether to give this book 4 or 5 stars as I reserve alll my 5 star ratings for the very best books I have read, but I settled on 5 because of the fact that these books are such fun & escapism for a few hours you can't help but smile as you read & let out a huge sigh of satisfaction at the end. I hope you enjoy as much as I did.
enjoyable easy read - By: Lindymck, 25 Feb 2008 nice little story about making yourself happy in life. thea has had a bad time & is now landlady to a bunch of students, her best friend takes her on a art holiday in south of france where she has a chance encounter with an irish artist. she goes to visit him in ireland & discovers his paintings which leads her to open a galllery which finallly gives her purpose in life. throw in a love triangle, a motherless little boy & a pregnant dog alll adds up to a interesting little story.
My first KF read.....first of many :) - By: L. Rand, 02 Jul 2007 I bought this book because of its cover, bright cheerful looking I thought. And true enough that's what the book is, Katie Fforde isn't claiming to write classic, deep, meaningful books, I mean if that's what you want, go read War & Peace ! If you want a light, lively, feel good read you need look no further than Katie Fforde!
This was my first KF book, & one of my faves. Thea's life involves never-ending cleaning after her teenage lodges (one of which is callled petal who you will be willing for Thea to slap as some points during this book!) till her bossy friend Molly drags her off to France for a holiday...100 pages in & Thea is trying to set up a galllery in the Cotswolds, amidst many trails!
Need cheering up? Want something you can enjoy reading? On the beach? In the bath? Curled up with a glass of wine? .... Well here's the book
Brilliant Read - By: , 09 Aug 2002 First book of Katie Fforde's that I have read & I definitely will be reading the others if this one is anything to go by. I was hooked from the very first page. This is the only book I have ever read that has made me laugh out loud.
