- thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc to review!

- a story filled with sultry, secrets, and characters who are cunning in getting what they want. Regina Black explores her characters with nuance, allowing them to feel human but also allow us to either root for or despise their actions, in turn crafting a story filled to the brim with drama and moments that made my jaw hang open in awe.

Ive been thinking about this one since I read it a couple of months ago. These characters buried under my skin and stayed there in all the best ways. Once I started reading, I didn't want to put the book down for any reason. I loved the dynamic between Nathan and Rachel and the political aspect of Rachel's relationship with Matt and how that impacted how they handled things after his infidelity. I would absolutely love to see this one adapted to film!

Scandal was my favorite show for years and this has an almost desperate housewives-esque crossover with that show! I love love love Rachel and Nathan and their chemistry was OFF THE CHARTS. Regina knows how to write a couple, and does the secret love so well. Rachel has so much to lose, so the stakes are delicious.

it could have used stronger editing in places but I really enjoyed this debut! soapy and fun and different, but didn’t feel like it was looking down on romance either

This was one of the most angsty book I have ever read. This is a book that will keep surprising you, devastating you, leaving you breathless by simply never allowing you to relax or foresee what lies ahead, and I assure you that you will never see the next blow coming. They are all delivered with such precision, I felt like I was on the receiving end of a throwing act. Undoubtedly, so enjoyed reading it.

New to me author Regina Black weaved deeply rooted pain into beautiful romance story. The Art of Scandal is well-written, with a well-built plot. From page one, the connection and sizzling bond between the two main characters Nathan and Rachel was palpable.

It's an exceptional love story of self-discovery, acceptance, real life emotions and second chances. #TheArtofScandal #NetGalley

I enjoyed this book so much! The characters and the storyline were so interesting. I saw a 5 star review for this book a little while ago and that brought me right here to try and grab an early look at it! Friends were not kidding when they say this book is a winner! I found the story to be perfectly written and even heartwarming. Many thanks to the publisher and also NetGalley for the ARC.

TW: infidelity, death of parent

This debut novel explores a reverse age-gap romance along with interesting themes including race, motherhood, and family dynamics.

I loved Nathan - his relationship with his family was both heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time.

It was interesting to get an insight into the behind the scenes of a political marriage. I understood the motivations of Rachel as to why she chose to stay with her cheating husband.

It was interesting how Rachel and Nathan’s worlds collided.

This was a great read. I never thought I would’ve gotten into this book but I read it in one night and have been singing its praises since I finished.

The Art of a Scandal
Written By Regina Black
Publisher Grand Central Publishing
Release Date August 01, 2023


Characters: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Pace: 5/5
Overall Enjoyment: 5/5


“ A “wildly steamy, utterly heartwarming” (Tia Williams) debut filled with romance, artistic ambitions, political scandal, and finding love where you least expect it. “

After reading the publishers blurb, I wanted to read this book and I was NOT disappointed. I had never heard of this author before and am not really a romance genre reader. My go to genre is Mystery/Thrillers but when you read well written books like this, it certaInly changes your perspective and opens up your parameters with other genres.

This is an absolutely beautiful love story that adds family drama, indiscretions and hot hot hot hormonal reactions. Atleast the last one, well, it did that for me.

Rachel Abbott and her husband Matt are enjoying time together at Matt’s 40th birthday. Until…Rachel receives a spicy and sexy text that includes a picture of his ahem “private parts” from her husband. But…it was actually meant for another woman. Rnachel wants out of the marriage but is not going to do so empty handed. Except for one BIG thing. Matt Abbott is a very wealthy politician who also has a very greedy and money hungry family. A divorce this nasty will be on the headlines of every news station around. Matt wants to work out a deal.

So Rachel gets one million dollars and the super expensive and beautiful home in the suburbs of Washington D.C. as long as she remains his “trophy wife” until after the elections are through. Everything was ok until Nathan Vasquez comes into the picture. Their attraction to each other is powerful. The steam from the two of them will emit from your kindle. I was hooked. Knowing that their relationship could destroy what she worked for,I still wanted the two of them to be together. Can Rachel have her cake and eat it too? Does she walk away with everything she ever wanted? Rachel wanted to be the Rachel she used to be and it seems that she may have found the manor her dreams. In her dreams she wanted him to never leave her, and in real life she wanted him to take her. Once both of those scenarios happened Rachel realized that there are great men who will take their time to please her and keep her happy.

This book is extremely well written from an author who certainly knows how to tell stories that will have you wishing that you were the protagonist and were ready to be ravished by Nathan’s everywhere. I was enamored, excited and so engrossed in this book that I could not put it down. The author did a great job building up the story as well as the characters which were very well developed and flawed. The banter between the characters was also very real and believable. It is a very captivating and at the same time scandalous which made it even better. This is a book that has everything needed to make sure the reader holds on and never lets go.

5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley as well as the author and publisher for giving me a copy of this book to read in return for my unbiased and honest review.

This book gave sophisticated, grown woman sexy vibes. We get some toxic relationship drama, a political scandal, a deep dive into what being privileged can do for you, and some steamy forbidden romance. But with a cover like this I was expecting something more erotic ya know with a little more spice the nasty kind LOL. Either way I enjoyed the book for what it was really loved the cover a little more though.

We get alternating POVs from Nathan and Rachel where we see chemistry build between the two. I liked that they helped each other realize what they wanted and pushed each other to go after it. Sometimes it takes a different person on the outside looking in to show you all the things you’ve been missing.

I know I’m not the only one who kept getting The Perfect Find vibes while reading this. Maybe it was the age gap and Nathan’s artistic background that forged the similarities for me which wasn’t a bad thing. The character development was very strong, they felt realistic as well as their interactions, and were very diverse. I loved that Rachel was put through so much and never folded. Her original request for 1 million and the house was modest. Matt would’ve been breaking me off half of everything he got. That 15 million his dad offered looked real nice just to pretend we on good terms LOL.

The author did a decent job creating an atmosphere of desire, passion, and discovery but the ending didn’t do the book justice. I was expecting something a little more enticing I guess. But the pacing was fair and I think the character conflict helped it move along. Overall, the book was okay I wouldn’t say it was a page-turner but still worth a read. Special thanks to the author & @grandcentralpub for my gifted copy!!!

Rating: 3.5⭐️

So while I did my review on amazon a bit ago, I somehow forgot to place it here

Rachel get's a d pic from her husband, but he really didn't mean to send it to her. So the two of them come to an agreement. But in the midst, Rachel meets a younger man, Nathan and has hard time trying to stay away from him.

this is a book. It took me through all kinds of emotions, and I cheered for Rachel so hard. And I have a few choice words for Matt, but I don't want this to get flagged, so I'll keep it to myself. This story took me on such an emotional roller coaster ride that I didn't want to end. I loved and had a good time reading this book. I plan to keep this author in my rotation and am awaiting her next novel

I received a copy of the book via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review of my own thoughts and opinions

Smart and sexy are the two words that come to mind when thinking of The Art of Scandal.
This book reads like a hot new TV series and pulls you in from page 1. Rachel and Nathan are fire together. Nathan is the perfect partner for Rachel, the politician's wife dealing with her husband's affair while trying to navigate an election. There were so many twists in this story. And the chemistry and angst between Rachel and Nathan is some of the best I've read this year.
This book is just good old fashioned fun from start to finish and I can't wait to see what Regina Black brings us next.

4.75⭐
PG-13 on 🌶️? Like the tension was the hottest part of the spice, despite the cover.

This whole story was juicy delectable goodness from start to finish. Politician wife, he cheats, impending divorce, and she fell in love with a younger man... and then the drama gets amped up to the max as the web of people and lies comes together.

This book has all the angst, the desire, the anger, the heartbreak and the love I want in a book. Regina Black is destined to end up with the greats of the romance world if this is her debut. She created this beautifully complex story about race, class and privilege with such heart and I think this is definitely a must read romance for this year.

Also if Joe and Mia aren't getting their own story next, I will be very upset.

✨ Review ✨ The Art of Scandal by Regina Black

When Rachel Abbott receives a nude text from her husband meant for someone else on the night of his 40th birthday party, divorce seems inevitable. But, her husband Matt, the mayor, is in the middle of a congressional campaign, and so she negotiates a compromise -- she'll wait to divorce him for the promise of one million dollars after they do divorce.

That same night, Rachel meets Nathan Vasquez, a 26-year-old artist and laundromat owner, and a friendship grows between them, as Rachel explores her life and the things that have disappointed her.

Supported by a rich cast of family and friends, this book was enjoyable to read, steamy in some places, frustrating in others, but overall, it kept me engaged. I loved how it wove in themes of family and expectations, disappointment and aspiration, art and scandal. One review I read compared it to Shonda Rimes-style entertainment and that totally tracks!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: contemporary f/m romance
Reminds me of: Tia Williams Seven Days in June
Pub Date: 01 Aug 2023

Read this if you like:
⭕️ Age gap romances
⭕️ forbidden romances
⭕️ romances with older characters reshaping their lives
⭕️ art & food

Thanks to Grand Central Publishing and #netgalley for an advanced e-copy of this book!

For thirteen years, Rachel Abbott was the definition of the perfect political wife, polished, cultured... and silent. But following the ultimate betrayal by her husband, Matt, she has cause to reexamine what has become of her life and the personal aspirations that weren't intertwined with her husband’s political ones.

Enter Nathan Vazquez, fan artist and perceived ne'er do well member of a rich and influential local family. In Rachel, Nathan sees a kindred spirit. Someone who sees him beyond the aimless "second son" he presents himself as to the sensitive artist that lies beneath. They make a passionate connection that seriously upends both their carefully curated lives.

Black deftly depicts a relationship that is at once, sensual and restorative for both Rachel and Nathan. They come to recognize each other on ever-deepening levels that challenge the status quo of both their lives. There are no easy answers here, only sensual self-discovery, mental liberation, and awakening agency for both characters.

THE ART OF SCANDAL is destined to be one of the BEST BOOKS of the summer!

I adored this fun, sexy, and layered novel! This book had so much more to it than the cover led me to believe. I can't wait to read more from Regina Black!

In The Art of Scandal, Rachel receives an x-rated text from her politician husband that isn't meant for her. As her entire world explodes around her she has the wherewithal to demand a hefty paycheck to keep up appearances during his congressional campaign. Then enters a much younger artist with a secret tie to their small town.

The Art of Scandal was a fun read. I look forward to reading whatever Regina Black does next.

This was a good story and I enjoyed the two leads. I thought the resolutation was a little too fast at the end but mostly enjoyed it

Thank you for the advance copy however it’s a DNF for me.

I have tried on multiple different occasions to read this book but cannot get into all the lying, cheating, love squares, etc going on. I hope it works out for Rachel in the end.

*only giving 1 star bc NetGalley makes you rate*