Genre: Contemporary
LGBTQ+ Category: Bi, Gay
Reviewer: Lucy
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About The Book
A chance meeting at a bar.
An instant connection.
But that connection turns from a spark into all business. For the moment.
And it’s a really bad idea to date the boss…
Raphael (Raf) Lutz, is under immense stress with the opening of his fifth art gallery in a few months. He’s mentally and physically exhausted, and given his perfectionist nature, deeply concerned that this gallery won’t stack up to the rest. His best friend, Ambrose and Ambrose’s boyfriend, Barrett, have trusted Raf with a very special set of illustrations belonging to Barrett’s deceased friend. Raf is making the illustrations a highlight of the gallery’s opening, and it has to be just right. Perfect. But he’s drowning and he needs a marketing manager yesterday.
On the other side of town, Silvan Diedrich has just been downsized from the marketing firm he helped build, and drowning his sorrows in a few drinks and maybe some company sounds about right. The man who takes the stool beside him is dangerously handsome with a clear flair for the dramatic. Company, indeed. But as he and Raf talk, Raf offers him the one thing Silvan hadn’t been expecting – an interview.
Which he passes with flying colors.
But close proximity to Raf, day after day, is far too much temptation. Raf doesn’t need any more complications. Silvan’s not been with anyone in a long time, as he’s been the primary parent for his now college-aged daughter.
So they make a deal. Hands off, for now.
Sticking to that deal proves to be rather difficult for both of them.
The companion to Ask Me For Fire, but can stand alone.
The Review
A Brighter, Darker Art by Halli Starling is a lovely, slow-burn romance that pairs Silvan Diedrich with Raphael Lutz. Silvan is unexpectedly laid off from his job with a large marketing firm and stops in to a local club to filter his woes through alcohol. He randomly sits next to Raphael.
At first, they think to flirt. Then Silvan mentions his recent job loss, and Raf, who owns several art galleries, encourages Silvan to apply for the marketing manager position for his company. Upon receiving Silvan’s excellent resume, Raf realizes he’d be foolish not to hire this experienced, interesting professional. This seems to end the opportunity for flirting, but does it, really?
Throughout the story, we get the building of a beautiful romance against the backdrop of the chaotic world of art dealing. We meet a wide variety of charmingly diverse characters as we watch Raf and Silvan dance around the possibility of an actual relationship, rather than the random hookup they might’ve had that first night.
The writing is fluid and gorgeous with fabulous, well-developed characters. It’s a sweet, low-angst story that had great timing and flow. I have not read the companion book, Ask Me for Fire, but this really did read well as a standalone. And, having met the main characters, Ambrose and Barrett, I am anxious to read their story.
A Brighter, Darker Art was a fabulous introduction to the talented writing of author Halli Starling. This was my first opportunity to read something by this author, but I have no intention of it being the last.
The Reviewer
I’m an avid reader who loves pretty much all genres except math textbooks. As a kid, my parents exposed me to everything from fairies, hobbits, and dragons to the biographies of interesting people around the world, interspersed with poetry, plays, and music. Into adulthood, I spent a lot of years with my nose buried in various textbooks. Now, I read whatever grabs my fancy.
