Teamwork makes the dreamwork

Synopsis

A feel-good, opposites-attract, slow burn romantic comedy

Somebody stole my painting! The one I need for the career-defining Vertex Art Exhibit. This upcoming art show is my chance to finally be recognized as an artist—after ten years of waitressing and being asked if I still have that “lovely painting hobby.”

I have mere weeks to find my painting or lose my artist dream forever—but it’s going to mean working with William.

William Haruki Matsumura. Good-looking, if you like the Secret Service type. You know, law-abiding, protector of women and children. That’s all fine, but I can never tell what he’s thinking. Which drives me crazy.

He insists on coming along to do “damage control.” As if “accidentally” wandering into certain areas is “breaking and entering.” I may be an emotional artist, but William shouldn’t dismiss my investigative skills yet.

William is definitely my opposite, and, if there’s one takeaway from my parents’ divorce, it’s that opposites might attract, but it doesn’t last. But detecting with William is kind of fun—and fluttery. I definitely can’t trust these feelings, or can I? However this caper ends, I think this may be more than a crush.

My review

Miranda is on the verge of having her dream coming true. She can finally show her painting at the Vertex Art Exhibit and she is certain that this exhibit is her chance to be finally appreciated as an artist.
That is, until the most important painting is being stolen, together with another famous painting owned by her Uncle.
Without her painting, her place at the exhibit is at risk, and she has only a few weeks to find the paintings back.
Miranda is determined to find the culprit, but what she doesn’t need is to be chaperoned by William Haruki Matsumura, who is connected to her through her Uncle’s partner.
While Miranda would go everywhere head first, William is the calmer of the pair. And is also frustrating Miranda as she never knows what she is thinking.
Together on a mission, Miranda quickly learns a whole different side of William, that is actual fun. Opposites have always attracted, but with so much at stake, can Miranda trust her feelings? 

There are some authors that you know before you have read one word, that you will enjoy reading their books.
And this author surely is part of my list! 

I appreciate art, but give me paint, a canvas and brushes, and I would come up with something a toddler could make.
And while modern art isn’t my cup of tea either, again, I appreciate the artist’s work and passion in it.
So I can only imagine how devasting the discovery of stolen paintings can be.
And I can surely comprehend how Miranda is struggling with putting anything else on a blank canvas! 

So obviously, Miranda wants to find her painting back, not only for her exhibit but also for herself, as this painting was a turning point in her career as an artist.
I have to say, I absolutely loved Miranda! She is a determined woman, as she won’t back down until her painting is back where it belong.
She is also an inventive one. The way she can trick people (in a good way) by changing her appearances, made me laugh out loud!
But she also is a correct woman. Meaning that if someone isn’t as passionate about her work, she would rather lose the sell than have it hanging somewhere and not being loved. 

So obviously, such a headstrong woman, needs someone to balance things. And William is the perfect yang to Miranda’s yin!
He is an accountant, so clearly a strict man, making numbers work and not colouring outside the lines. And he keeps Miranda from doing things she didn’t think through.
While William may seem like a boring accountant, the more we read about him, the more fun he seems to be and he surely is very chivalrous!  

I loved how the author managed to keep the reader intrigued about the theft, but also kept us luring with Miranda and William.
I kept looking for clues together with the main characters, while at the same time I was in need for the romantic moments.
While more clues were being found, more feelings were developing. Even if both Miranda and William have their own stories of broken hearts and reluctance of admitting their feelings, even in their way of moving on couldn’t be more different (as Miranda is still friends, while William doesn’t see the point). 

This book is filled with so many emotions, there is anger, sweetness, love, laughter, frustration, determination and understanding.
Being opposites doesn’t mean that things are impossible, just that in some circumstances we have to learn to step in the other person’s shoes. Because seeing things our way doesn’t mean that everyone sees it the same way. 

The author for sure fulfilled my high expectations, and I found myself swept away in this mysterious yet lovely story, with not only amazing main characters, but also great side characters giving us that little extra making this story even more amazing!