Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for an advanced review copy of this title. All opinions are my own and are honestly given.

When reluctant art forger Nina Finch accepts a position with art critic Alan De’Ath, she hopes to derail his investigation into her forgeries and to make money to put towards her dream of opening a bakery. However, when an inconvenient attraction emerges, Nina must decide if she can risk her future and their fledgling relationship with her secrets.

Artfully Yours was my first book by Joanna Lowell but definitely not my last. I had a great time reading about Nina, Alan, Fritz, Claud and the cast of characters in the De’Ath and Finch households. Lowell has a distinctive style of writing— packed with wry witticisms and a bit more dense than most historical romances that are being published at the moment— that took me a few chapters to grow accustomed to, but once we were a few chapters in, I really found myself drawn in by the writing, characters, and plotting. I would definitely recommend this to fans of Mimi Matthews who are up for a bit more spice. A really enjoyable read and a definite purchase for our physical and digital collections. 4 stars.

Artfully Yours by Joanna Lowell is an enthralling read that rewards readers with multi-dimensional characters and an intriguing and captivating love story. This sumptuous tale is sure to delight fans of Victorian romance, transporting them to a world of romance and adventure. With its vivid descriptions and captivating plot, Artfully Yours is sure to leave readers spellbound and eager for more.

While the cover may look like it will be akin to Charles Dickens or Jane Austen, this book bore little resemblance to those great authors. This was no genteel society novel with romantic tension--it was a pornographic romp that turned my stomach. Having to skip past multiple salacious scenes, I began to wonder if there was even a plot to the story. The story details seemed to be secondary to the lengthy descriptions of promiscuity.

This is a prime example why I believe that books--like movies, music, and video games--should come with content warnings. There was so much potential in this book: tragic childhood, estranged brothers, lonely bachelor, forged artwork. And yet the story was utterly ruined for me by throwing in such tasteless scenes. I would not recommend this book to anyone as it is highly graphic and disturbing. How an author can immerse herself in that kind of writing is beyond my comprehension. Lowell will be added to my "Steer Clear" book list and I will stick with historic novels that have a compelling storyline, not a pornographic peep show. I deeply regret having agreed to review this book.

Perhaps the true irony is that the heroine who forges paintings--copying authentic artists, falls victim to the forgery of promiscuity that masquerades as authentic love.

Disclaimer: I received a digital copy of Artfully Yours from NetGalley for the purpose of review. No other compensation was received (no amount of money would have enticed me to read this book had I known its content).

I enjoyed this book so much more than the "Runaway Duchess." because I really liked and rooted for BOTH main characters to get their happily ever after. Alan & Nina are #relationshipgoals.

Art critic, Alan "Lord Death" De'Ath is still dealing with his childhood trauma, his overbearing older brother and his own identity crisis when he meets the sassiest, sweetest former maid, Nina Finch. After his brother fires Nina, he hires her to be his personal secretary and help him catch a notorious art forger. Little does he know, that Nina IS one of the art forgers he's trying to expose. I had to know how they would get past her deception to get their happily ever after and I'm so grateful to have been given this arc.

I really liked how their relationship built from friendship to mutual love and respect. They helped each other get over their various issues. and were so sweet together. **Moonlight swimming lessons, stolen kisses, steamy love scenes, well-built romantic tension and heartfelt bedroom banter = Squeeee!!

The only thing that bothered me about this book was Fritz. I really hated that damn monkey. His antics were so annoying, like Marcel in "Friends." I was hoping he would just run away.

For years, art forger Nina Finch has produced fakes of the masters at the behest of her manipulative older brother Jack. Nina is a rare talent but really longs for a simpler life in the countryside, owning her very own bakery. When Nina inconveniently catches the attention of renowned art critic and social elite Alan De’Ath, she soon finds herself in an impossible situation. Desperate for income, Nina takes a position as Alan’s personal secretary as he embarks on a mission to prove that recently acquired paintings are fakes. Nina must assist Alan in his work to uncover the forger knowing full well that she is the culprit. Jack encourages the arrangement to gain insider knowledge of Alan’s operation despite the fact Nina is in great peril. An attraction immediately develops, but Nina cannot honestly forge any future with Alan with such a monumental secret between them.

As an art enthusiast, I was excited to read Artfully Yours. The combination of art, intrigue and romance was very appealing. Ultimately, however, this book was just okay for me. I didn’t connect fully with Nina or Alan. I was more entertained by other characters who were more on the periphery. Plus, I inexplicably dislike monkeys, and Nina’s pet marmoset was highly off-putting to this reader. I understand this book is part of a series with recurring characters, but it appears to be marketed as a standalone. At times I felt I’d picked this up somewhere in the middle and was not privy to dynamics I might have benefited from if I’d read previous connected books. As with all historical romances, the contemporary is an essential part of the tone. Issues of feminism and mental illness are incorporated, as is a seemingly non-gender-conforming character. These inclusions grant a relatability to the story for readers.

A portrayal of love against all odds that explores the way our vulnerabilities are strengths. The ways that Nina and Alan have been broken enhance their connection and deepen their bond.

Full review to come on blog at ihyperomance.com on release day.

Artfully Yours is a standalone novel by Joanna Lowell but there is reference to other characters from the Duke Undone series. Despite that, you can definitely read this without having read those books as you won't miss a thing.

Our main characters are Nina and Alan. Both are somewhat at the mercy of their relatives in this story and it was great to see how they engaged both with each other as well as with the outside forces that essentially put them in the situations they currently find themselves in.

Nina is not interested in a life of crime but having been raised by her art-forger brother, she hasn't had much of a choice. When she'd rather be running her own bakery, her brother has pushed her to use her painting skills to fool the wealthy. Unfortunately, she now finds herself right in the path of London's most discerning art critic Alan De 'Ath and he's determined to figure out where the fake paintings are coming from.

Alan takes pride in seeing things other people miss and plans to catch the forger and cement his reputation. When he offers Nina a job as a secretary in his household, he has no idea just how close to the forger he really is.

I thought the story was well written and pretty low steam but engaging enough to keep me turning the pages. Alan and Nina's relationship has it's ups and downs due to the secrets but I enjoyed how it developed and how they handled all the outside forces.

Joanna Lowell's signature style seems to be taking on a "bonkers" historical romance plot and pushing it to its logical extreme. Come across a naked guy in an alley, sketch him and make it into a painting, and he turns out to be a duke who falls in love with you? DONE. Run away from an unhappy marriage, masquerade as someone completely different who's staying with a hot, rich, young plant hunter who falls in love with you? DONE AND DONE. This book is no different: Nina is a gifted artist who has been forging classic art pieces for about a decade at the behest of her older brother. London's leading art critic, Lord Alan De'Ath (who is serving shades of a hotter Lord Peter Death Bredon Wimsey IYKYK), is on to them. So what does Nina do? She accepts a position as his secretary and goes to live in his house so that she can foil his investigation into the forgery ring from the inside.

Since this is Joanna Lowell, this isn't a hilarious spy farce. Nina is conflicted about her roles as a forger and as a spy. Although she also sees art forgery as an almost victimless crime and is confused at Alan's determination to uncover the criminals, she is also drawn into his world view that sees almost anything as an art: writing, music, painting, but also baking, journalism, and more. Of course, just as Nina begins to expand her own horizons, she does the same for Alan. He begins to understand that art is not just a matter of talent, but also opportunity.

Of course, this is a romance and a love story. Through their relationship with each other, Nina and Alan are able to adjust their own expectations, desires, and perceptions. Alan, in particular, has relied on his own perception of the world for so long that it is difficult for him to understand that differences of opinion are not necessarily attacks. This is the only historical romance we can think of that incorporates elements of Munchausen syndrome by proxy, and in a devastatingly poignant way that illuminates Alan's greatest strengths and weaknesses.

Artfully Yours does incorporate more whimsey than the previous books in the series, primarily due to the inclusion of Fritz the marmoset. It's tough to be serious all the time when you have a mischievous monkey as a member of the household! Recommended if you like serious HR without too much relationship angst.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

This book was pure entertainment. It was such a fun and a light hearted read. The characters were fun and their romance was so swoony!! I loved it.

Four and a Half Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭒
Artfully Yours by Joanna Lowell is historical fiction set in London and puts an art forger against an art forgery expert.

Story Recap:
Nina Finch isn’t suited for a life of crime but that’s what she has. Her brother saved her when their mother died, and kept her out of the workhouse or worse, so she owes him her loyalty. And her job of making art forgeries isn’t a bad one, she’d just rather open a shop selling gooseberry tarts. She’s just about saved enough to open a shop when an art critic starts to notice several of the forgeries, it puts Nina and her brother in his sights and might put them in jail too.

Alan De'Ath is an art critic and he has the ability to quickly see a forgery. He knows how much forgers hurt artists and he’s convinced he has to round up all the art forgers and put them all in prison. And then he meets Nina, and he doesn’t know what to think after that.

My Thoughts:
Artfully Yours gave me an interesting look into the lives of art forgers in Victorian England. Nina was a sympathetic and plucky heroine. Her loyalty towards her brother, who led her to a life of crime is admirable, as is her talent for forging paintings. The author provided enough backstory to make us understand Nina’s loyalty, as well as made Nina a sympathetic character.

Alan De'Ath is also an interesting character, he’s a man on a mission, and he knows he must use his talent for finding forgeries to help the police bring the forgers to justice. Alan hires Nina as his assistant, and Nina reluctantly agrees, and from their first moments together, there is both chemistry and an easy companionship between them.

Of course, I can’t finish this review without talking about the star of the story, Fritz, Nina’s pet marmoset. Fritz causes a great deal of trouble during the story, and he’s just adorable.

Recommendation:
I highly recommend, Yours Artfully to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Review will be posted on Forever Young Adult blog on 2/21/23.

First Impressions: Clip Art, Victorian Style

The standard cartoony romance fare, with what feels like clip-art “historical” items pasted randomly on around cover. This cover could’ve looked like a gorgeously drawn painting or had maybe two people in an art museum looking coy; anything more interesting than this!

What’s Your Type?

Hiding Your Identity
Toxic Parents
Rivals to Lovers
Art Lovers
Workplace Romances
Stealing to Survive
Dating Profile

Nina Finch has spent the better part of her life making art forgeries so she and her older brother, Jack, could survive the mean streets of London. But her dream is to own her own bakery, and that is what she’s been saving her hard-earned pennies for.

Alan De’Ath, the younger brother of a duke, is a respected and quirky art critic who will tell the truth, even when interested parties would prefer that he would not. He’s got an excellent eye for detail and knows a forgery—and a hidden beauty—when he sees it.

Meet Cute: Caught In The Act

“Fake!” Alan declares in his brother’s study as he reviews the duke’s latest art purchase, a forged Rembrandt. The temporary housemaid—and secret artist—in the room who overhears this is none other than Nina, there to steal back an incriminating letter to their art dealer that Jack accidentally sent to the duke instead. She drops her tray all over the fancy carpet and gets herself fired, but her pert mouth and pert, ah, other things, catch Alan’s eye. He offers her a job on the spot as his secretary while his hand heals from punching his brother in the face.

The Lean: Off-Limits Yearning

Alan can tell Nina is hiding something from him, but aside from her adorable face he likes that she has a quick mind and is willing to speak it. Nina is at once terrified of being found out by Lord De’Ath and drawn to his confident wit and secret kindness (all his servants are really down-on-their-luck artists and his friends). Alan has had plenty of dalliances, but he does have a chivalrous rule about taking advantage of his subordinates, so he keeps things proper…but this is a romance novel.

Dirty Talk

She clung to him as he took her and took her. She didn’t know what she said, what she did, only that the pleasure made something clench right in the very pit of her being, and that when it exploded , she’d scream. His hand wedged between them, his thumb rubbing there, as he pumped his hips. She screamed, and his smile pressed into her neck. The words he muttered as he jerked in her arms made the most obscenely gratifying music she’d ever heard.

Ms. Perky’s Prize for Purplest Prose

Joanna Lowell’s writing can trend a bit more serious than some other historical romances, and the subject matter can also get weighty, but I love that it’s immersive and detailed and really makes me feel like these are historical, lived-in worlds rather than a thin veneer of 19th century backdrops only there to support fancy ball gowns and rich people falling in love.

We Need To Talk: Sexy But Serious

My ARC doesn’t actually list that it’s the third in The Duke Undone series, but I feel like that has to be an oversight because the book features characters from Lowell’s previous two books and it’s very much set in the same world.

As with the first book in the series, Artfully Yours felt a bit heavier than some romances, as the characters, especially Alan, are facing some personal struggles that are not easily soothed away with a kiss. In particular, he is dealing with the emotional fallout of having a mother with Munchausen by proxy syndrome. He was kept ill for most of his young and teen life and that informs so much of his character. Nina’s issues are more societal in nature, in that she’s a working-class woman with few options, and while she dislikes creating forgeries and is living in fear that Alan will find her and Jack out and put them in jail, she can’t see a viable way out.

Despite the heaviness, this book was eminently readable and I didn’t want to put it down after I started.

Was It Good For You? Draw Me Like One Of Your French Girls

I don’t know if I was as taken in by Nina and Alan as I was with Lavinia and Neal in the last book (there was something about them), but I definitely enjoyed our time together quite a bit (especially once Alan shaved those side whiskers because there’s just no amount of silver eyes and swimmer’s abs that can make what sounded like mutton chops sexy to me). They can murmur in my ear about brushstrokes and lighting any time.

FTC Full Disclosure: I received my free review copy from Berkley Books. I received neither money nor peanut butter cups in exchange for this review. Artfully Yours is available 2/21.

If you've ever had a hankering for Bridgerton but with a mystery twist, then this is the book for you. I enjoyed the banter and interactions between Nina and Alan/De'Ath. I found both their brothers incredibly annoying (though one was definitely worse than the other).
The writing style didn't write fit the specific historical period it's written for, which puts it in almost an in-between state. It's not a typical period romance but it's not completely modern either. I personally prefer my period romances to be a bit more historically accurate and the writing style a bit more reflective of the time, but this is a good introduction for new readers to the genre. All in all a solid read.

I really enjoyed this opposites attract historical fiction romance between Nina, an aspiring baker slash art forger and Alan, the man threatening to uncover all her secrets. When she takes a position working in his house things get even more complicated, especially when they grow closer and closer.

This story had good disability rep and was full of emotional depth (Alan's history with his mother, who very much sounds like she suffered from Munchausen syndrome and physically and mentally harmed him as a child). Great on audio too and perfect for fans of Evie Dunmore, Elizabeth Everett or Manda Collins.

Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. Bonus: there's a cheeky pet monkey and some good open door scenes in this story too!

✨Paint me like one of your forgeries✨

So this was a mixed bag for me! I really enjoyed the main couple and the art expert vs. art forger dynamic, but the relationship was overshadowed a bit by the art drama. I had a fun time seeing Nina get under De’Ath’s skin. It’s always a fun time when a character is undercover and working for the other one.

Both characters had some annoying brothers and that’s double trouble on a trope I don’t generally enjoy. I will say, Lowell worked in a little bit of redemption for each that I wasn’t expecting. It wasn’t full forgiveness (which would’ve made me angry) but it worked in an organic way.

Overall, I wasn’t as emotionally attached here as I was to book two. The writing was still excellent and I love Lowell’s humor. I’m excited to see what’s next!

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶️🌶️.75*/5

*I think there were two scenes and it felt a bit lighter in steam than book two. Alan was also just a little bit too foppish for me? He wasn’t really my hero type but he was still charming.

P.S. I was rather obsessed with seeing Neal and Lavinia again because I’m rather obsessed with everything they do. I think Alan was first introduced in book two so I really shouldn’t have been surprised, but it was definitely a treat.

I adored this book! It was such a fun, quirky historical romance. The characters were so fun, the plot was perfectly amusing, and Joanna Lowell's writing style made Artfully Yours a quick and lighthearted read.

There were also some serious moments between Nina and her brother that added depth to the story, and Alan backstory was heartbreaking to read about, but Joanna Lowell seamlessly blended the humor with the pain, giving us a story with emotion and joy. There were a few moments where the story felt slightly disjointed, but that didn't significantly affect my enjoyment.

I think lovers of historical romance will enjoy Artfully Yours. I didn't realize upon starting it that it takes place in the same world as The Duke Undone and The Runaway Dutchess, but I feel that readers can enjoy this book without having read Joanna Lowell's other books. I will, though, end up picking those books up because I thoroughly enjoyed Joanna's writing style!

Read if you like:
♥️ Historical Romances
♥️ Opposites Attract
♥️ Boss/Employee Trope
♥️ Secret Identities
♥️ Different Social Classes

This one is definitely one that has reinvigorated my love for historical romances! I loved the game of cat and mouse when we have an art forger and an art critic and Authenticator are falling in love with each other… I definitely love how it gave the opposites attract vibes as well.

This one has all the swooning vibes and a bit of steaminess to make it the perfect historical romance! I highly recommend picking this one up for a new historical romance to add to your shelves!

"Sparks fly between a lordly art critic and a lady forger in this enthralling Victorian historical romance from the author of The Runaway Duchess.

Nina Finch isn't suited for a life of crime. Raised by her art-forger brother, she can paint like Botticelli. But she'd so much rather be baking gooseberry tarts. She finally has the money she needs to open her own bakery. Unfortunately, her brother's carelessness lands her - and their forgeries - directly under the nose of London's most discerning art critic, Alan De'Ath. De'Ath knows the paintings are fake. He doesn't know that Nina had a hand in their creation. In fact, he offers her a job in his household. Accepting it is the most dangerous thing she has ever done....

Alan takes pride in seeing things other people miss. He plans to catch the forger and cement his reputation. There's only one problem: the closer he gets to the beguiling woman he hired, the less he trusts his perspective. Nina isn't what she seems. But despite their false start, she just might hold the real key to his heart.

As Nina and Alan's attraction grows, divided loyalties threaten to pull them apart and shatter their worlds. They'll lose everything, or discover how powerful true love can be...."

A cute story if you can get past the fact that the cover is Regency NOT Victorian... Sigh.

🖼️ Book Review 🖼️

Thanks to @berkleyromance and @netgalley for early access to this book. Artfully Yours was my first Joanna Lowell book and I really liked it and will check out her backlist.

✔️ Secret Identity
✔️ He's Her Boss
✔️ Different Classes

I don't remember what romance author said something like "if he's a firefighter, she's an arsonist". That's exactly at play here when an art critic and expert at spotting forgeries falls in love with an art forger. 🙃 It's the ultimate in opposites attract and cat/mouse trope and it plays out well here.

I loved the main characters, Nina and Alan. While their getting-to-know-each-other scenes and attraction-growing scenes were great, it's how their backstories flavor current day that's the star of this book. Both characters had traumatic childhoods that are still driving their current needs and wants. The big highlight of this book for me was watching Nina and Alan help each other take those blinders off and make changes to heal themselves and their relationships to their family.

My only criticism was that the beginning was a little slow - it took a while for me to get into this book. However once I was a quarter through, I was all in. 4.5 ⭐️

Steam 🔥🔥
Banter 🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️
Swoon 💕💕💕💕

Lowell has chosen to write this book in very structured prose, not necessarily of the timeframe of the story, but it is something you will need to get used to. I found myself slowing down quite a bit to get used to her writing.

Artfully Yours is as unique as the characters she has created. This is not the typical historical romance in the least and that can be a good thing or something that bugs you should you like the traditional story plots.

This is the story of family connections, commitments, art, legacy, and living life as you choose. It is also a slow-burn romance, with plenty of heat and steam that will make your heart skip a beat or two!

Lowell managed to combine the best of a traditional type of historical romance with the heat and passion we get in a contemporary romance. This story is beautifully unique and stands out for that exact reason!

Nina is an art forger (reluctantly) and ends up getting a job working for Alan, an art critic who is on to her and her brother’s schemes, to spy on him. However, as the two fall for one another, she can’t help but feel terrible about deceiving him while also wanting to protect her brother. This is a slow burn with a lot of sexual tension. I loved the disability representation in this one (Alan has chronic pain and uses a cane). There are a lot of content warnings (among them abuse, including MBP, and a mentioned suicide attempt before the novel starts) but it still remains upbeat. Also, there’s a pet marmoset. Lowell definitely writes within a “niche” and I think she’s great for reader’s advisory - Mimi Matthews fans who want more spice will appreciate her. Ticked a lot of boxes for me.