Plot summary, “The Art of Love” by A.B. Michaels in 3 Minutes - Book Review
0"The Art of Love" by A.B. Michaels is a historical romance novel set in San Francisco at the end of the Gilded Age. The story revolves around Augustus Wolff (Gus) and Amelia Starling, two individuals haunted by troubled pasts who find solace in each other as they journey to San Francisco to start anew. The city, described as the "new Sodom and Gomorrah," serves as a backdrop for their struggles and romance.
Gus, once a gold prospector in the Klondike region, seeks a warmer climate and a fresh start after the mysterious disappearance of his wife and daughter. In contrast, Amelia, a talented artist from New York, yearns for a chance to escape the constraints of her conservative family and pursue her art in a more liberal environment.
As the two characters meet in the vibrant San Francisco art scene, their connection is immediate and unique. However, both are haunted by their pasts. Gus grapples with the weight of grief over his lost family, while Amelia faces the challenges of a tarnished reputation, marked by a messy divorce that falsely accused her of adultery and having a lesbian partner.
Gus, despite his newfound wealth and success in the San Francisco business market, is not content. The romance between Gus and Amelia faces obstacles, including Gus's own lies from Alaska and Amelia's struggles with societal judgment. Eventually, faced with the challenges of their pasts, Amelia decides to start anew in Europe, and Gus is determined to follow her. For their love to endure, Gus must confront his own lies and grief.
A.B. Michaels, with a degree in history from UCLA, specializes in romance fiction set in the Gilded Age. "The Art of Love" is the first book in The Golden City series, followed by several sequels, including "The Depth of Beauty," "The Promise," "The Price of Compassion," and "Josephine's Daughter." Michaels also authored "The Sinner's Grove," a historical suspense series connected to The Golden City series. "The Art of Love" received recognition, winning a 2014 Notable Indie Book award, a Silver Ippy Award, and being chosen as Editor's Choice for the Idaho Book Awards.