Love Behind the Canvas, the second in Hazel Applebee's stand-alone, interconnected Bareela Series is a swoony, heartwarming contemporary romance about art, self-discovery, and love that finds you when you least expect it.

 

Kira Williams has always believed her place was in the classroom, not the gallery—until a last-minute invitation to a coveted group exhibition forces her to step into the spotlight. Nervous, self-doubting, and questioning her own voice, Kira begins to assemble her debut collection…and in the process, confronts a past she’s spent years trying to forget.

 

At school, a quietly gifted Year 11 student is struggling to find his footing, and Kira can’t help but reach out, even as chance encounters with a charming, emotionally guarded stranger stir something new in her heart. As her portraits take shape—of friends, family, and herself—Kira discovers that identity isn’t something to prove. It’s something to live.

 

Tropes you’ll find inside:

🎨 Slow-burn, steamy romance
🖌️ Artist/teacher stepping into the spotlight
💔 Healing from grief & past heartbreak
💞 Unexpected love

💞 Age-gap 
🔥 Forbidden attraction
🌿 Self-discovery & reclaiming your voice
🏡 Small-town/school-community charm

 

Love Behind the Canvas is perfect for fans of Emily Henry, Sarah Morgan, and Lucy Diamond—full of heartfelt romance, emotional growth, and the transformative power of love and art.