Weird, dark, somehow sinister & unsettling undercurrent that builds through the book despite what seems like a low-stakes world. The characters felt fleshed out and whole, realistic and I was sucked into and immersed in the FMCs life pretty immediately.

Possibly because this went a different direction than I was expecting (the paranormal reveal felt too abrupt for me, and then immediately switched gears again), so the conclusion threw me off. I think the story needed more time to develop and finish (and maybe in the final version it is!).

I’ve loved other books by the authors and will absolutely pickup more of their books in the future!

I loved every second of this book.
Such a perfect blend of queer romance and art, with just a touch of the supernatural.

Rating: 3.5/5

Let me first state the obvious, this book was a lot of fun.

Entertaining characters, a genuinely lovable romance plot and a fast pace that made it a quick and easy read. The main plot was kept fairly straight forward – an artist breaking free from the confinements of tradition both in her art and life to find herself – mirroring in some ways Lex Croucher’s ‘Infamous’.

However, the ease of the novel proves to be both its merit in one aspect and it’s downfall in another. The fast pace left me feeling like I was bouncing from once scene to the next without pause, leaving little air to breath or understand most of the cast beyond their simplistic purpose within Clara’s journey and transformation – her friends in particular get little to no attention beyond their initial introductions and brief interactions when she’s attending her classes.

This flaw becomes most glaring in the final chapters, where the otherwise calm narrative takes a sharp turn as secrets are revealed, and dark intentions are brought to light. These revelations are given only a few chapters, each barely 10 pages in length, to settle before they’re resolved and we’ve moved on. Had the ending been allowed a little more time to breath and revelations had more space to exist before being quickly done with, then this book would have easily risen to 4 stars.

DNF 26% unfortunately
I told myself I would get to the quarter of the book before letting it go if I still did not like it by then and this is what I did.
I did not connect with the characters and their philosophy which I found a little shallow (at least for what I read). I also did not click at all with the prose and this proved to be a major obstacle to my enjoyment. This is really not the type of prose I was expecting when I read the trigger warnings at the beginning...it feels a little too young to tackle dark topics.

"The Art of Unmaking" is a fascinating case of a book wrapped in such thick atmosphere of danger, that when you arrive at the center of it you find asking yourself "is that really all?". The story is quite simple – a young woman on a painting scholarship, approached by an artistic society, finds not only a new style, but also a deeply awaiting desire to another soul.

Let me tell you, the vibes are immaculate. The way Clara and Evelyn flirts, how they behave like starving lions fighting for the last piece of meat, unsure whether they will dive in each other's flesh or bury themselves in kisses. And this passion leads to nothing, it's just a romance that starts greatly, but later changes the direction, leaving all those emotions behind. It was a bit sad, actually.

Besides that, I think it's a rather good novella. It's not particularly wrong, and while the setting and surroundings seems to not play the major role to the overall narration, I would not say it's disappointing. The twists are present, the intrigue isn't the simplest, the gothic is gothicing. I admit, I have wanted something more once I found myself buried deep into the story, but overall it was not a wasted time.

Read if you're looking for: Atmospheric dark academia with lesbians.

From the start I really loved the atmospheric elements. The setting, including mentions of fog and gas lit lamps, as well as the descriptions of life as an art student and working with canvas, mixing paint, and cleaning brushes and tools, really drew me in.

We meet the repressed MFC, Clara, as an art student who is used to following every rule in society and school. She is hanging on tightly to what she knows is proper and expected until she discovers a provocative gallery. She gives herself one night to step into their world, but it isn't all that surprising when one night becomes two and soon she's discovering who she is as a woman and artist, without the burden of societal expectations.

I enjoyed this book and Clara's journey. But felt the last few chapters were too rushed. The plot reveals at the end needed more time and didn't land as much for me because of how quickly they were introduced.

3.75 stars on StoryGraph
Rounded up to 4 on the web since 3.75 isn't an option.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I liked the premise a lot, found the setting engaging but overall did not like the juvenile writing style or characterizations of the characters.

This was fine. Category 5 5/10 book.

Things I liked: the paintings that got described sounded cool (why couldn't the art at the front been in the style described in the book?). The way the two leads had sex via painting at least twice was great; I love a good sex scene that's not a sex scene.

Unfortunately, that's about it for things that I actively liked. I was mostly neutral on the rest of this book. It didn't have anything particularly groundbreaking to say about queerness, found family, or feminism, but I didn't find any of that actively obnoxious to have to sit through. The sentence-to-sentence prose was fine; nothing to write home about but not actively incompetent, aside from a few anachronisms that I found particularly annoying. When Peggy said "'Earth to Clara'", I almost lost it (I've only done some light googling on this, so I could be wrong, but it feels weird). The story was interesting enough, though the pacing felt a bit off towards the end. The sex scenes, while good on a technical level, worsen this, because I skimmed through them wanting to figure out what was going to spark the climax. The supporting cast was unremarkable to the point where I confused two of the Fleming's girls.

For active dislikes, I really didn't like Evelyn for most of the book. I didn't find her mean in a particularly charming or funny way; she just came off as rude, and I was not routing for her and Clara's relationship for much of the book. I was resigned to it more than anything. I found the way that Clara would flip flop dramatically on things within the same scene (e.g. going from absolutely not ok with Evelyn's past to being absolutely ok with it over the course of 5 or so pages) a little odd and unlikely, but she does do it enough that it could be considered a character trait.

I don't consider myself a wlw scholar, particularly of romantasy wlw, but you could certainly do worse. You could do better, but you could do worse.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

My experience with this book is one of discovery. For all of my love of MM romance, I've yet to read an FF romance until now, and it was beautiful.

Parker wrote such an enticing female duo. I was completely immersed in Clara's journey to embrace all that she'd kept bottled up, and I couldn't help but to be enchanted by the dark and seductive Evelyn. Seriously, I clung on to her every line! Every interaction was tastefully seductive and almost dangerous, for she forced Clara to think, disregard her formal education, and loosen the reins on her carefully composed facade.

I think anyone who has ever struggled with their identity or has wished to break free from expectations in any way can find great messages in these pages. A pinch of a thrilling twist and beautiful, captivating imagery - the paint, the art, the light, the music, the 1920s setting, and dark society vibes are captured vividly. Evocative and mysterious. I made quick work of The Art of Unmaking... couldn't put it down.

This really is a great solo-writing debut for Parker Lennox! It's a treat to distinguish Parker's voice, having formerly known her writing from her Fantasy title (Riftborne), co-written with Bree Grenwich. It's clear to me that I will continue reading whatever genre or trope she wishes to explore!

In 1922 York, England, Clara Bennett knows exactly who she's supposed to be. As a promising young artist at the prestigious Fleming Academy, she perfects her style through classical training. But when she encounters the mysterious Evelyn Price at a controversial exhibition, Clara's carefully ordered world begins to unravel. Drawn into the mysterious Blackwood Society, Clara is torn between her rigid training and an intoxicating new freedom, and finds herself questioning everything she once believed.
This is not the typical story I read and I am having trouble reviewing it, but overall I did enjoy this, felt empathetic with Clara and was very much drawn in by Evelyn. This is the first time I have ever read a book that I would call seductive. Clara was absolutely being seduced by the freedom of the 20s and the modernist movement, but I felt like I was also being seduced, pulled into this world almost in a way that felt dark, verging on uncomfortable, like it was getting under my skin. I also think this was a great representation of the rise of modernism and jazz in the 20s, and how uncomfortable that must have felt to people so entrenched in the strict rules of society. I don't think that really gets analyzed a lot in popular novels set in the 20s.
Typically you're following characters that love jazz and are thrilled to be in speakeasies and feel very comfortable there. But this was eye opening, to follow a perspective where this would feel very unsettling, and the lack of control verging on upsetting, and I think that was shown really well. It reminded me of a scene in Mona Lisa Smile where she introduces modern art to her students and the feelings those pieces evoke in these very privileged girls.
However, the ending is quite abrupt and while there is an unsettling feeling throughout the novel in many ways, the finale comes on so quickly I wish there had been a little more explanation and build up. The beginning is a little slow, but in a good way, building tension, but around the 80% mark, the story felt like a runaway train and the second reveal, with only 5% left in the book, gave me whiplash. I think if they had been together a bit longer and there had been a little more of a lead in to the final situation it wouldn't have felt so out of nowhere. So I'm giving this 4 stars instead of 5, but it was a very unique story to me. Also, I think this was a great title. I often find titles very forgettable either having little to do with the story, or too boring or on the nose, but this was really good.

Thank you to Parker Lennox, ONYX Publishing, and NetGalley for the eARC of this novel in return for an honest review.

This is gonna be rough. I truly hate talking negatively about any book, but this was... not good. At all. I'm extra disappointed because I've really enjoyed other books written by this author, and even highly recommend them. First off, I don't like either of our main characters. Clara is extremely naive, and Evelyn is simply not a good person. They both lack personality and speak in clichés. There is absolutely no chemistry between them either. The only thing even connecting them is that they are both artists. The way Evelyn initially treats Clara is exactly how boys in elementary school would pick on you "because they like you." There's no real development in the "relationship" the two have with one another, which I'm sure is partially because this book is so short. There is no room to add those much needed details. The insta-love gave me secondhand embarrassment. For something described as historical and sapphic, I was highly intrigued - but the vibes were not there. And I'm sorry, the twists at the end were actually ridiculous - and Clara just decides eh let's continue on like nothing happened. Like HUH??! And then the book ends abruptly. I can't explain the disappointment I felt after finishing this. It could've been SO much better, but it would need to be altered completely. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

Clara is a student at the Art Academy of York, where she strives everyday for perfection. She has an eye for composition and details, and even though she won’t limit herself to pretty watercolour landscapes, she is happy to follow the Academy’s curriculum. So why is she so unsettled when she discovers the works of a group of young artists who defy the laws of property? And especially Evelyn, with her piercing gaze and outrageous costumes. Soon, Clara finds herself drawn into their midst where she might start to question everything she’s ever been taught.
This novel is a real page-turner. The writing flows by effortlessly while not being simplistic in the slightest. The prose was really what drew me in. But before I knew that, I’d requested this book on NetGalley because of the artistic setting (1920s England) and queer themes, and it also delivered on those aspects. True, there were a couple of anachronisms. But really, who cares when the story is so engaging? I even enjoyed the romance, which is rare for me. What worked really well for me was that despite the fact that there is a “seducer” character who is more knowledgeable, and one who is seduced and new to romance, the power in their relationship is always very balanced. The former never takes advantage of her situation, and I was very grateful for that.
I would even have been happy without the final, final twist, but it provides the characters with a little more depth (which they were not lacking) so I’m not mad.
Rep: sapphic characters.
CW: sexual content, mention of murder and toxic friendship.
Many thanks to the author for providing me with an epub file of this book because I couldn't read the one from the NetGalley website on my Kobo reader.

The Art of Unmaking is a delightful and compelling journey of self-discovery, art, and romance. Clara's story is engaging, with a strong supporting cast and vivid imagery that transports you straight into the 1920s art scene. The blend of secret societies, enemies-to-lovers tension, and defiance of societal norms makes for an exciting read.

The language around art is accessible, though at times it could have been more challenging for deeper engagement. Clara and Evelyn’s relationship is filled with enjoyable friction and chemistry, adding to the book’s charm. The only drawback was the abrupt escalation at the end—the supernatural elements felt too casually accepted, making the resolution feel rushed.

If you're looking for a fast-paced, lesbian, dark academia-style mystery with rich atmosphere and compelling characters, this one is for you!

The Art of Unmaking was a thoroughly delightful exploration of a young artist's journey of self discovery - both personally and professionally. Clara's story was enjoyable, and the supporting characters interesting. The language used when talking about art was easy to follow for someone who isn't an artist, although perhaps too much so -- it's more fun to be challenged and to learn new things and perspectives.

Clara and Evelyn's blossoming relationship was fun, with some delightful tension and friction.

The only real weak point for me was the flow of the ending. The escalation at the end felt quite abrupt and ended just as quickly, and the supernatural element too casually thrown around and believed by bystanders.

Overall, I did greatly enjoy the characters and Clara's story, I just wish for more depth around the non-romantic part of the ending.

This read is perfect for YA and Adult readers. If you enjoyed The picture of Dorian Grey, You'll love this sapphic, artsy, and gothic atmosphere

I loved the dark academia vibes of this!
The combination between enemies to lovers romance and a beautifully written art filled world was so enjoyable to read.
The storyline flowed very well, and I was hooked on every word.

I absolutely adored this book! For a shorter book it definitely packed a punch! From the 1920’s art studio, to secret societies, enemies to lovers, and going against the culture at the time. The characters were likeable and I felt like I was back in college in my art classes, the imagery was that good!

Firstly, I want to thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read the E-ARC of this novel.

I was hooked from the premise of the book and the cover, due to being in a dark academia reading era I decided to give this a go.

Think of this as the sapphic version to the Picture of Dorian Gray. It adored the fact that I got to follow Clara as she navigates through life, finding herself.
Coming from a family where everything had to be pristine, prepped and propper to finding herself at an art exhibition overwhelmed with completely different styles and structures that she has grown accustomed to.

This is where she meets Evelyn, who comes across as a mysterious yet cool controlled love interest.

I loved the gothic, dark academia feel to this novel and expecially seeing art being created and appreciated through the eyes of another. I loved the found family of The Society and wish we got abit more personality through the rest of the found family members.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read.

Tropes and things.
- rivals to lovers
- dark academia
- formal and slightly archaic vocabulary
- sapphic
- secret society
- slow burn
- rituals / cult like vibes
- found family

I rated this 3.75 rounding up to 4✨️

Note: Thank you to ONYX Publishing and NetGalley for an e-ARC of The Art of Unmaking!

Are you looking for a fast, lesbian, dark academia-style mystery novel? Then this one, my friend, is for you.

Take the journey with Clara Bennett, traditional art student, as she discovers more of what her art can be. More of what she herself can be. Enter Evelyn Price, the enigmatic, infuriating artist challenging everything Clara thought she knew about art, and herself.

As Clara gets deeper and deeper into the art society of Evelyn’s world, what will break first, Clara, or the cage she’s built around herself?

I loved Clara and Evelyn. I loved the side characters, and I loved the central conflict. It’s just a fast, great time, and I loved it.

I thought the mystery could’ve been clued in more often, because it took me by surprise when everything came into light, but it wasn’t too much of a shock. Giving more time to the mystery would’ve been my only complaint. Just a great book doing what it says within the time it’s given.

The Art of Unmaking by Parker Lennox gripped m from the moment I laid eyes on the cover. A story of two women, both artists, both dedicated but in such totally opposite ways that it's almost tangible how their chemistry feels rising off the pages. The language used to describe the shadows, the light, the technical precision of Clara's work is flawless. I could see their pieces coming to life right on the page, with nothing more than a paragraph.

This book gripped me. I read it in two days straight because I genuinely just could not put it down. The longing for more - not just what you know your future could be, but what you yearn for deep down - was so poignant that I cannot stop talking about this book. Long live Clara and Evelyn, may their art return to the pages of Lennox's books because I crave more.

I find it insane how many high scores this book has, considering all the flaws it has. I read the only 1 star review it had and thought, before reading: "Oh, that's mean. Probably an exageration."
But man, how right that person was!
This book is like sapphic After with gothic vibes and I'm about to explain you why.

This is going to be a rant (with sense, don't cancel me yet). So for those who don't want to read a will, I'll summarize what you're going to find in this book:

💀 Clichés in nearly every dialogue
💀 A Predictable plot
💀 Nothing historical, just vibes
💀 Nothing artistic, more vibes
💀 Characters without personality
💀 Romantized toxic behaviour
💀 The most straight sapphic romance I´ve ever seen

That being said, allow me to ellaborate.

It´s true the narration reads very clumsy. I wouldn´t compare it to a fic, but only because I´ve read fanfiction better than this one. However, the style -and also the plot- could very well fit a teenager that began to write recently.
I had an ARC of this book via Netgalley (and for that, I thank the author and the website), and I understand the copy I got is not the finished manuscript. However, there were so many details that were badly done, that truly don´t think they´d be able to fix it all for the final product.

Narration was just a tiny piece of the overall issue: Not only it is full of scenes that are cliché and repetitive, but a lot of times there was something lacking in it for the reader to get the full picture. An example of this? Well, If I remember correctly, Clara, the protagonist, was living at a house with some Mrs Pembroke... My guess it´s that house was a student´s residence. But it´s just a guess because neither the premises nor who works there and how, ever gets described.
(In fact, I finished this book with the impression that there was only one employee at Pembroke´s, and also only one employee at Fleming´s, precisely because we never get to see anyone else in charge.)

Also, narration often tries to be more flourished without really accomplishing it, especially when it comes to art or a developing romance. As if the author is trying really hard to tell us something, but ends up sounding quite cringey. Example:

Through the window, a woman passed through a pool of gaslight—black hair cut in a striking bob, moving with unusual grace through the evening crowd. Our eyes met briefly, and I caught a glimpse of sharp cheekbones and green eyes that seemed to see right through me. Her gaze held mine with an almost predatory intensity before she disappeared into the darkness. I foundmyself analyzing the shade of her hair, trying to decipher the blue hues from the stark onyx of her finger waves. The light caught it like liquid metal, the sort of color that would require a complex mixture of mars black and indigo—perhaps a drop of raw umber, though that still wouldn’t do it justice.


Ah... So much text just to say the character has black hair in a bob style and green eyes.
Which reminds me: There´s no slow burn in this story. Not really. This I just showed is the first time Clara sees Evelyn and, as you can see, she´s inmediately attracted to her.
They have some banter in the following chapters, for sure. Because just like in After, there is that dynamic of "I´m going to pretend to be enemies with you, just because I don´t like your personality... although I do actually feel attracted since the beginning".

Characters in this novel are annoying.
Or well... Clara and Evelyn (especially Evelyn) are. The rest of the people is more like background noise: They are there, they have to be there, but they´re blurred figures without a defined personality.

Clara is the stereotype of a nerd, of a good girl who always tries to get the highest scores and do what is expected of her (funny this, considering in that time -1922- what was expected of women was not to pursue a higher education at all).
The only personality Clara has is: She likes to paint. And she likes to be perfect in such thing, doing it always in the traditional way (whatever that means). Although we get so see that through the novel she abandons this goal of hers in order to become more rebellious (???). So I suppose by the end of the book, she just has half personality.
No, seriously, the woman is terrible naive. And since the author failed in providing a proper background for her (the only thing I know for sure about her is that her mom is hella annoying and must have used the TARDIS to live in 1870. Because, good God, the ideas she´s got...), it´s hard to have empathy for her.

Evelyn is the worst. I´m not exagerating when I say she is the most disgusting character I´ve read in a while. She is the stereotypical bad girl: Smokes, makes rude coments about Clara and manipulates her at every chance possible, she´s condescending and believes her ways are the best.
When I met her, in the first scene, I wanted someone to throw her in a pit.
Now that I´ve finished the novel I want someone to throw her in a pit and cover the hole so she´ll never torment anyone ever again.

The romance was toxic. Very manipulative on Evelyn´s part.
Take a look at this:

“You’re going to paint.” She said simply.
I reached for my familiar tools—ruler, pencil for preliminary sketches,but Evelyn’s hand caught mine.
“No,” she said, moving behind me. “Not like that.”
Her free hand settled on my waist, and I watched as she reached past me for a wide brush—the kind I’d never use for a first layer. She pressed it into my hand, her fingers lingering over mine. A jar of deep blue paint sat open on the table, its surface like black glass in the darkness.
“This isn’t how—” I started, but she tightened her grip slightly.
“Look,” she said, directing my gaze over the balustrade. The city sprawled below us, cathedral spires rising like shadows against the starscattered sky. Gas lamps traced the streets in threads of gold, their lightreflecting off the river in broken pieces. “Really look.”
Her breath was warm against my neck as she guided my hand to the paint.


I mean, hello? Am I the only one seeing the mansplaining?
During the entire story, the only thing Evelyn does is cancel Clara´s perspective, telling her that Evelyn´s ways are better, so things must be done her way. No questions nor doubts allowed.
I find amazing that this kind of books that perpetuate damaging stereotypes in romance (not only in sapphic books) keep being published and sometimes even praised. This is not good.

I will avoid talking, in this review, about the art. The whole art career.
Because I didn´t study that and, although if you read the story is pretty clear the author hasn´t either, I think I can be a better critic of other things... Like the historical context.

Because you see, this book´s historical context is all over the place.

We are supposed to be in 1922, but...

❎Here, characters wear gowns, as if we were in the Victorian era. In fact, there´s something very wrong with clothes: I remember a scene of a Ball (a ball in 1922! omg) where Evelyn came dressed in a suit. That is not normal, no matter how rebellious you are.
❎There is no electricity (cue: in 1922, there was electricity)
❎Women at that time couldn´t get to an academy/university so easily, they had to be wealthy and lucky. Not all could get to the studies they wanted and, even if they did, they suffered discrimination. Usually they weren´t able to study in the same classes as men. Yet... in this novel there is absolutely no mention of such discrimination, and Clara can study with the rest of the students regardles of gender.
❎The book fails to tell you, in regards of this, what is Clara (and the others) social status. My guess is that they come from a wealthy family but, who knows? Everything is written as if it were a YA book set nowadays.
❎Clara´s mother insists on her to find a husband at a Ball. Balls were a thing in the Victorian era. Edwardian at most. But in 1922... that was not the style anymore.
❎ Speaking of misses, there is no mention of jazz (of course, that would kill the gothic aesthetic) and neither we mention Europe had gone through a Great War on the year prior (I mean, no need to mention this one but, idk, maybe you could get to see the consequences in people if you set something in this year and place?)
❎ There is a live broadcast mentioned, but in the book never tells you if it´s on TV or the radio, so the reader has to guess (I´ll help you: it´s the radio)
❎ The descriptions of York in 1922 get reduced to imposing building and fog at all hours. No, literally, every time Clara went on to the streets there was fog. No matter the time of the day.

To summarize, this book is NOT historial.
In fact, I´m pretty sure all the author did in regards of getting info for the novel was to check wikipedia for a couple of names and then go straight to pinterest to see "gothic dresses".