Milena McKay

The Delicate Things We Make

Izza

4.25 stars | I've been meaning to read this for so long, and when I saw it was narrated by Abby Craden I couldn't resist! This book was so sad and painful but also beautiful and hopeful. I enjoyed every minute of it. Stellar performance from Abby Craden as always <3

Lucia Correa

5 Stars for this debut novel by Milena McKay. EDIT: Initially, I gave this book 4.75 stars. But it kept nagging me. My reasoning was that it felt a bit long and I put it down a couple of times. Its not a completely fluffy story and that surprised me, though the signs were there. It made me feel. Sometimes uncomfortable. But comparing it to other books I'd given 5 stars, it totally deserved it too.

I downloaded the Devil Wears Prada fanfic this story was based on, when it was posted in Sept. 2020 but I never got around to reading it. Then downloaded this ebook, and I'm glad I waited for the published version. Eventually, I will go back and read the fanfic to compare.

Wow. What a great way to begin a writing career with a fabulous debut novel! I'm going to try to review this book without giving too much away. This can be categorized as a mystery-romance. 

We follow down 'n out writer, Jamie Walker. An investigative journalist, she wrote a number of articles for several publications, but eventually jobs dried up and so for income she walked dogs and worked as a bartender. She ended up secretly sleeping in the attic of an art gallery where a friend worked. Her luck changed when the Editor-in-Chief of Poise magazine asks her to do an investigative story on the world famous artist, DeVor. DeVor's paintings and sculptures sold for millions of dollars, which they sold only one at a time at auction coincidentally taking place at the gallery where Jamie "lived". DeVor's art was a huge influence on the art world and fashion – as their latest painting's colors would be used in all the fashion houses. Although everybody was familiar with DeVor's work, but no one knew who DeVor was. The editor, tells Jamie that publisher, Gio Salvini is the person who commissioned her and will pay her thousands if she is successful. But, if she fails, she wouldn't be able to work in NY again. Jamie accepts the contract and so begins her search for any and all information on DeVor. She learns that New Yorker, Arabella Archibald bought the first DeVor sold in auction in NYC and later bought 2 paintings until the prices hit at over 1 million. She goes to interview Arabella and learns that Arabella owns the Gallery and that she knew that Jamie was sleeping in the attic. Arabella offers Jamie to stay in the mansion's maid's apartment. The only request Arabella has is for Jamie to use utmost professionalism and care when investigating DeVor.

So begins the mystery of DeVor. Who are they? Why the secrecy? Will Jamie be able to get an interview when she finds them? Will Jamie write the expose´ after meeting them?

This plot sounds deceptively simple. Readers journey with Jamie as she discovers it's not just about finding a mysterious artist.

Jude Silberfeld

4.5⭐️ – Another very promising debut! We may not be living in the most joyful, comfortable world right now, but good books make everything better and I feel very lucky that I get to read so many of them.

Beggars can’t be choosers and when she’s asked by one of the most important fashion magazines to find who a reclusive but extraordinary artist is, struggling journalist Jamie signs her soul to the devil in half a second. Her investigative skills serve her well and soon enough, she’s met her target. Little did she expect to be so captivated by the woman that she’d rather date her than out her, or that in her search, she would uncover a seventeen-year-old mystery that led to two breakups and the end of a friendship. And that’s only the beginning.

The Delicate Things We Make is dedicated “to the survivors”, so be warned that it tackles sensitive and possibly triggering topics. There is no on-page rape or assault but these subjects are very much part of the story. It’s a love story and a #MeToo story, it speaks of strength and vulnerability, of taking back the power, taking back one’s life and also of letting go. And it does so with care, finesse and talent.

A common issue with debut novels, especially those that started their life as fanfic (as this one did) and especially those that are independently published, is pace and length. This book suffers from this to some extent, there are a few redundant sentences and paragraphs here and there, as if the author couldn’t decide between two rather pretty ways of saying things. Don’t, however, let these minor flaws stop you from reading. The writing is good. The characters have depth, they’re complex and multilayered. More than once I thought another author might have given Jamie a break but Milena McKay keeps backing her into corners and forces her to go further, to rethink what she believes to be right. There’s a very moving scene between Jamie and her friend Lucy – there’s another story there too – that really made me want to applaud Lucy for being so wise and kind (and funny). The story isn’t straightforward and I like that. The resolution doesn’t come fast and easy, mistakes are made, egos are bruised. There’s real character growth. The romance is lovely and, at times, raw, and there’s definite ice queen melting. Love scenes aren’t easy to write, and chemistry isn’t always obvious on paper (or in digital form, as may be), but McKay carries it off.

So okay, The Delicate Things We Make isn’t perfect, but it made me think, it made me happy, it made me mad. All good things.

I received a copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

The Delicate Things We Make

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