Thank you for this read I enjoyed it I will recommend to all and leave my review it was a good read and has potential

Pictures of My Desire sets out with a promising premise—one that merges personal history with global tragedy, art with loss, and the search for meaning in the aftermath of generational trauma. Nate’s journey to recover a painting lost to the ravages of war feels deeply rooted in emotional weight and historical intrigue, and when the novel focuses on that—on legacy, identity, and grief—it shines with a quiet, mournful intensity.

The novel’s atmosphere is undeniably compelling. There’s a tension that hums beneath every page as Nate becomes consumed by his mission, and the layers of memory, obsession, and art are expertly interwoven. The inclusion of familial trauma, particularly linked to World War II, lends the book a sense of urgency and purpose.

But somewhere along the way, that purpose becomes murky.

The narrative frequently shifts its focus toward Nate and Emily’s romantic entanglement, and while romantic subplots can enhance emotional stakes, this one felt underdeveloped and awkwardly inserted. Much of their emotional connection happens off the page, relayed in summary through internal thoughts rather than lived scenes. As a result, their relationship lacked the emotional punch needed to make it feel believable or even necessary. It left me detached rather than invested.

Emily’s character, in particular, felt elusive—not in a mysterious way, but in a frustrating one. Her motivations seemed inconsistent, and her actions often contradicted what we were told about her. Nate, while slightly more grounded, also veered between driven and emotionally aimless in a way that made it difficult to root for him. Their interactions were often more confusing than compelling, and instead of enhancing the core themes of the novel, the romantic tension muddled them.

Ultimately, the romance elements clashed with the solemnity of the historical backdrop. There’s a delicate balance between using WWII as narrative setting and treating it as a device, and at times this book edged uncomfortably close to the latter. While the writing is often elegant and the exploration of trauma through art is compelling, the book’s indecision about what it wants to be—a love story, a historical mystery, a psychological drama—results in a fragmented reading experience.

For readers who like:
-Stories of generational trauma and family legacies
-Historical fiction
-Quietly introspective narratives

Final Verdict
Pictures of My Desire begins with a powerful premise, but loses its footing in trying to straddle too many genres. While its core themes are poignant and its exploration of grief compelling, the undercooked romance and inconsistent character work hold it back from reaching its full potential. A thoughtful story that struggles under the weight of its own ambitions.

Grateful to NetGalley, Köehler Books and Caroline Goldberg Igra for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.

Early access e-arc provided by netgalley.

Set in the modern art world, Emily navigates a new relationship and how it weaves into her job of locating and purchasing art for clients. Her connection with Nate is intense and instant at first, but she quickly realises he has a dark connection with art from World War II. Nates intention is to locate and rehome art stolen from the victims of the war and planned to use Emily to gather information.

This was a very interesting and unique premise to me. The elements of Art History and the story of stolen art from World War II was a driving factor that lead me to read and stay engaged with the novel. I wanted more about the history and impact this had on those families.

However, other elements of the novel had me confused. It seemed like to me this book was fighting over what genre it was. There was a very large focus on the romance between Nate and Emily even though it didn't appear to be the main focus of the novel. A lot of their connection was built off page, with events and feelings not being written out and rather told to the reader within a characters internal monologue. This made their connection feel weak to me and resulted in a lack of care toward their story.

I also struggled with Nate and Emily's characterisation. Their seemed to be a lot of conflicting actions and words that made it difficult to understand their characters. I found both of them to be rather unlikeable, particularly Emily.

The romance in this book seemed completely unnecessary to me and what was there was underdeveloped. Especially her relationship with Julia. The romance mixed with the seriousness of World War II just seemed a bit distasteful and is just used as a way to bring in romance readers.

The Art History was enough for this book to stand and I really enjoyed reading about this part of the book. The rest just made me confused and irritated.

A gripping and emotionally rich story about family, art, and the lasting impact of trauma. Nate’s quest to recover a lost painting intertwines history and personal obsession in a way that feels both intimate and suspenseful. The complex dynamic between Nate and Emily adds depth and tension, making this a compelling read from start to finish.