Autumn Simmons is a woman of many dimensions. She is an artist, a humanitarian, a world traveler, and a soon-to-be mother. But if her nearly forty years have taught her anything, it is that change often comes without invitation. She might have imagined a charmed life in Italy with her baby’s father, and for a moment, it is. But in an instant, her dreams of motherhood are shattered, forcing her to confront unimaginable loss. The tragedy puts a heavy strain on her relationship with Colin Acieta, and everything from their planned nuptials to her art studio is less certain. Now Autumn craves an intimacy that transcends sex, and the Acieta men are short on impulse control and used to getting what they want, when they want, and with whomever they want. It is that misogynistic entitlement that drives brothers Colin and Marco across the ocean to retrieve their father’s illegitimate children. But the mission is far from easy. Algeria isn’t like Amalfi, and it certainly isn’t like Autumn’s Florida home. Still reeling from the loss of her child, Autumn finds herself in northern Africa, where she falls into the arms of a dangerous man. Will she be able to navigate the storms, both literal and figurative, that come her way?
The second in a whirlwind vacation-travel romance series, The Artist & Her Lover hangs its sensual love story on a solid, thought‑provoking backbone. Deep-rooted societal patterns such as international resource politics, patriarchal tradition, and the systemic inequities that plague migrant workers are just a few of the broad themes Edwina Dorch considers with sensitivity. Autumn is the soul of this globe-trotting novel, but she isn’t the only character wrestling with a complicated past. She exerts a curious hold over the men in her orbit, an attraction that burns hot, then prompts them to reach for better versions of themselves. These character arcs supplement the novel’s forward drive, shaping its turns and deepening its impact. However, the narration fixates on minutiae in many scenes, drawing attention to the trivial while deeper currents remain largely untouched. For instance, when the story reaches a moment of genuine weight and substance, such as Autumn breastfeeding a stranger’s baby so soon after her own child’s death, the emotional landscape goes largely unexamined. The imbalance is distracting, but the book is still entertaining and informative. Geographic detail, starting in Italy and landing in Algeria, is enlightening. Explorations of the Trans-Sahara Highway, Africa’s energy reserves, fracking fallout, religious practices, and local customs lend the novel a vivid sense of place, which helps it stand out. Age-old struggles are set against breathtaking backdrops in The Artist & Her Lover, a fast-paced novel that highlights strength, beauty, and resilience all across the globe.
