This book is so dang steamy. I can feel the adult pent up sexual tension between Nathan and Rachel, it’s wild. Matt is trash - I’m guessing towards the end of the story we will see who he had an affair with which as of now there’s no real contenders.

How Nathan and Rachel end up being forced to work together after such sizzle and steam radiate off of them when they are together is magical. I’m a huge enemies to lovers fan but close proximity is my second favorite and though they weren’t locked in a house together while a raging hurricane was going on, they were forced to work together for days leading up a big event and their chemistry and wanting for each other was so taboo it made my heart race!

When you find out the mistress it was shocking but not in a WTF way. The ending was good but if you’ve ever been through a divorce you know it’s not nearly how this one went down (for the most part.)

I can’t believe this is a debut. Regina’s writing it sexy, gorgeous, and riveting. Rachel and Nathan are an explosive combination that I couldn’t get enough of.

This was a steamy that i did not want to put away. It had political drama, cheating husband and romance. The characters were written great, the lead was strong and i loved her.

One of my favorite Books of 2023! This is an addictive, steamy and unputdownable book. Regina Black is also local to me and I'm thrilled. I can't wait for more from this author! An auto buy for me.

First Thank you Net galley for this e-arc,

What happens when you catch your husband of 13 years cheating? And he tells you, you can’t leave yet because he needs to win the next mayor re-election, so you agree that you will do if you get the house, a divorce and a certain amount of money……

The art of scandal is definitely true to its name and it was scandalous!!!! The blackmail, the cheating husband who had the audacity and the hot artist who owned a laundromat that made our main character feel alive again. All the secrets, political drama and family feuds I kept expecting for Olivia Pope to come in because if this was an episode on scandal she would had a field day with Rachel!!! I can’t believe this is the authors first book. It was so well written and from the first line the book sucks you in and when you come back to reality you realized you aren’t in Oasis Springs with Rachel

Tropes
Political drama
Family feuds
Age gap romance
Cheating

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
The Art of Scandal is a debut that has been on my radar for a while since I saw the cover…how rare is it that we see single-title contemporary romances with actual people on them, especially a) with BIPOC rep, and b) in a clinch pose. While I’ll defend well-done illustrated covers, and the right for those to exist in general, it’s just so refreshing to see this. So, I was onboard without even knowing what it was about, and once I finished the book? I was even more blown away.
I loved Rachel. She’s such a strong lead, and I loved reading about a character who doesn’t let her philandering husband walk all over her. While I personally would have walked out sooner and damn the consequences, I respect that she wasn’t in that place yet in the beginning of the story, and I loved following her as she rediscovered herself. I respect that she’s never weak; even when she’s in a toxic marriage, she does advocate for herself, and she eventually does the work to find herself and who she wants to be on her own terms.
And given the historically puritanical views on what counts as cheating in romance, I find it incredibly transgressive for her to still be legally married and acting the part of loyal, supportive politician’s wife, while simultaneously being swept up in an affair with a younger man.
As for Nathan, I like that this wasn’t a case of there being a massive power imbalance, and he has his own messy history with the elite, coming from a wealthy and powerful family who he’s on the outs with, being a bit of a disappointment to them. Like Rachel, however, he has his own untapped potential, and he also makes peace with his past, while going through self-growth and being inspired in his artistic pursuits.
Their romance hits all the right notes: it’s very sexy, yet also extremely emotionally vulnerable. The high stakes with Rachel and Nathan’s clandestine affair going on while she’s also pretending to be a happy politician’s wife predictably come to a head, but not quite in the way I expected, and I’m glad that the husband also got his just deserts in the process (even if it didn’t come without a dose of hypocrisy on his part).
This was everything I wanted and more, and I’m so excited to read more from Regina Black in the future. If you’re looking for a romance with political intrigue and scandal and/or with BIPOC characters by a Black author, I’d recommend checking this one out!

I was really excited about this one, but for me right now, contemporaries have not been doing it for me. I think I may revisit this when I'm not just devouring historicals, but for now, it isn't for me.

Think HTGAWM meets Scandal crossover. Rachel though is no stranger to scandal but when we meet her she is a hallow version of herself until her bum husband cheats and isn't very sloppy about it. For a debut Black weaves in the internal struggle of being in IR with a trust fund baby who thinks she should be greatful. In a heated argument Matt said he pulled her out of the gutter (definitely was seething when I read it) but then also acknowledged his career, his standing she had so much to do with curating it for him. See why he's a bum.

Now enters in lost puppy Nathan not sure where he's going but knows he is passively living. I think it was interesting to couple these 2 together when they are both at a crossroads. Love can be inconvenient but what I loved was Nathan actively trying to be present even if it wasn't perfect. He struggled with insecurities, anger. and loneliness. My heart ached for him bc I felt his struggle so while I was rooting for them I also wanted him to (really both of them) to have an easier chance for love.

While these two were struggling to stay away from each other we also read a strong theme of family obligations, how it impacts relationships, causes misunderstandings, and it could rob you from forgiveness. This alone can be a review in its self. I have so many highlights, this was such a good read and infused with art- chef's kiss

I have been waiting to read this book since 2021, and it was worth the wait! It's about identity, family expectations, learning to forgive yourself and a romance all wrapped up into one.

The Art of Scandal is a mix of Desperate Housewives, Scandal and The Good Wife where Rachel, who has transformed herself into the perfect politician's wife, learns her husband is cheating on her when she receives a dick pic that he meant for his mistress. He's a white, liberal mayor, and she became the cardboard cutout of a Black woman who was a teenage mother and was lifted out of poverty through their marriage. Once their facade drops, Rachel is convinced to stay in the marriage until after the election cycle ends in exchange for $1M and ownership of their house.

On the night Rachel learns of the affair, she meets Nathan Vasquez, a younger Latinx man who is also struggling to find his identity. He's the spare son who has been in the shadow of his perfect older brother and domineering father. When Nathan and Rachel meet there's a pull toward each other neither can deny, and through a lot of interconnected people, forced-proximity and a forbidden relationship compel each to decide what will make them happy, and if they'll be brave enough to pursue it.

Regina Black's prose made each scene appear like a movie in my head, where I learned people's secrets while being introduced to them and I was still shocked by some of the twists! I hope Regina will write a future book about the side characters because there are a lot of layers among the group, and there are some hints and cliffhangers that I would love to see resolved - especially Mia and Joe! I also would like more steam, but that is a personal preference!

I'm looking forward to what Regina writes next, and am so glad to have read her debut.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an eARC in exchange for a review.
Pub date: Aug. 1

This book was recommended by Sarah from Sarah’s Bookshelves Live and I absolutely loved it. It is a smart, sexy and original romance, breaking the typical romance formula and not falling into the dreaded lack of communication trope. I truly cared about both protagonists, and loved the art woven in, as well as the friends and family introduced. Yes, it is steamy, but I think even appreciators of more closed door romances would be drawn in because of the high quality writing and story development. I loved this one!

A lot of traditionally published romance novels have been flattened down to be toothless, take no stand, and touch on nothing controversial. That is not this book. It has bite. It's voicey and opinionated, tough and smart. It's also very sexy and hopeful.

This book is sexy, seductive, important, heartfelt. It's a romance that starts at a time when both main characters are adrift - unsure of their next steps, living a half life. But Black gives them time to grow, both together and separately. Nothing feels rushed.

I loved Rachel and Nathan - usually in romance novels I like one person more than the other but honestly both were so strong. Complex, deep, confused yet independent, struggling to find themselves. I loved the age gap - the fact that Nathan always had to be older and Rachel never had anyone take care of her. "He had always been attracted to women with ambition because it required a level of confidence he didn't have." He truly worships her - loves her for everything she is and everything she wants to be.

Then we have the art, which adds to the seductiveness of the story. The way Nathan looks at art, the way Rachel loves art even when she wasn't allowed to do it the way she wanted to. Their art is deep, their love of art is deep, and helps to form their connection.

Side characters - Matt is GARBAGE. Like you know he's garbage from the first sentence *which never has a first sentence in a book made me as excited since Tia Williams Seven Days in June*. But he gets worseeeee. I loved his brother. I loved Nathan's brother Joe, and his mom and Dad. I loved Mia and Rachel's extended family. Understanding and learning about Rachel and Nathan's family helps to give a broader view of who they both are. Nathan's relationship with his dad, realizing that he loves him "an extension of your soul in someone else". Like truly tears.

And I have to talk about the racial aspects of this book. Matt, being a white man married to a Black woman. Using his "platform" to make rants that show he's a good white person, a woke white person. And the utter exhaustion Rachel feels. Those scenes felt so real - ripped from everyday relationships. "She never told him it was exhausting...". "Kind of like being married to a white man, I guess. Some parts fit. Others don't. Try to have more that fits." - GOSH THAT IS PERFECT.

Plus the background of the town, and how Alesha's family had owned the bank until the Vasquez family abandoned them. The cross-racial history woven into the story just elevated it even more. The comments on racism in the art community. All of it made such a well rounded story.

Lastly, I was SHOCKED by the Matt mistress reveal. But I loved the way Black wrapped up the story.

I need a Joe and Mia story STAT.

I wish I could write as thoughtful and nuanced a review as this book deserves. First of all, what a debut. I look forward to reading many more book from this author. Her voice is clear and sharp and smart and I was hooked on the story.

The book is messy. Not that it's sloppily written, I mean the plot the messy. The book opens with our heroine, Rachel, finding out her husband has been having an affair for months and wants to leave his wife for his mistress. She learns this while hosting his 40th bday party. Theirs is an IR marriage, she is Black, he is white, wealthy, the mayor of their rich little exclusive town, and has dreams of running for the U.S. Senate. Rachel gave up her whole identity and her own dreams to basically become Matt's wife, the supportive partner. She was a teen mom, homeless for at a time and the way that Matt plays on her background to curry votes is sickening but also accurate. Something this book does extremely well is the commentary on race relations and racism, on allyship and how performative it can be.

Enter Nathan, younger than Rachel by 11 years (she's 37, he's been 26). He has secrets of his own. Secrets about who he is, his family, his art, his dreams. He is hiding and Rachel is done with hiding who she is. It's an interesting dichotomy, these two have, the instant attraction is there, of course, but it's fascinating that Nathan just wants to hide his existence and Rachel finally wants to come into the light and find her wings.

I liked the book a lot, loved the writing and immediately added this author as one to watch.

I will say, there's a good amount in this book that could be triggering, from the infidelity to toxic family relationships, to parental illness (there's a revelation of a cancer dx and resulting death, both in the past off page and also in current times) on page, teen pregnancy, homelessness, drug use, slut shaming.

5/5 stars
2/5 spice

Oh the love I have for this book. The characters, the scandals, the emotion, the passion... loved it all.

Tropes:
Age gap (reverse)
Taboo romance (she's married)
Work together
Forced proximity
Soulmates
Artistic MCs
Latinx rep
LGBTQIA rep (side characters)
Dual POV

So before y'all get up in arms you have to know right off the bat... Rachel is the mayor's wife but he was cheating on her so she's basically done with him. So she had every right to take life back. Unfortunately, she's coerced into staying married for political reasons. I was so upset by this decision but I can't judge her for protecting her daughter and her future. But then when she meets Nathan... OMG that chemistry was palpable. I just knew some scandal was going to come... they couldn't hide their attraction. But it was more than just lust... it was a meeting of like minded individuals who yearned for more. You could tell that the attraction was going to develop into something deeper very fast.

I loved that both MCs are artists... he hid his true talent for years because of family pressures and she smothered her talent for her husband's political career. The journey of hope they inspired each other to be brave and embrace their talents was amazing. I loved how it all came together in the end, even with the inevitable scandal.

The build up to the spice was also well done. Like I said... the chemistry was on point... they really felt like soulmates. It is open door but it's not super descriptive so that's why it's rated low.

Overall, I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves tense love stories full of passion and drama.

Thank you to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered voluntarily.

Trigger/Content warnings:
Teen pregnancy (past tense), homelessness, misogyny, classism, infidelity (not between the MCs), death of a parent

Ohmygod I absolutely loved this book! This is a great BIPOC age-gap romance that definitely is written in a more mature voice? It's a romance that also has other stakes involved and definitely isn't that rom-com/wholesome romance. But! That's not to say that this book is definitely gives off "hot romance of the summer vibes" - it has really well-written stakes, a good romance storyline, and it's HOT. I fell in love with this book, with Rachel and Nathan, and their forbidden relationship. Highly recommend if you love forbidden romances.

This was a good debut for the author. I love a story that centers around a woman trying to take back her life after her heartbreaking betrayal.

The characters were pretty well developed and their back stories were well done also. The book held up to it's title with having plenty of scandal, politics, romance, Nathan and Rachel relationship was written very well. While I understand some of the reasons the decisions were made, I did find myself having a hard time connecting with the characters and rooting for them.

Overall I really enjoyed the premise of this story and would read more of this authors work

When Rachel receives an explicit text from her husband Matt on the night of his 40th birthday party she knows immediately it was meant for another woman. And so begins the fallout of their marriage - except, Matt is a rising star mayor and doesn’t want anything to tarnish his image. He convinces Rachel to continue playing the ideal Black trophy wife and in return she’ll receive a million dollars and get to keep their home. But what she doesn’t expect is 26 year old artist, Nathan, or the attraction between them.

I wanted to love this book so much more than I did - it had all the makings of a book that I’d fall in love with. But from the get go I felt like there were so many characters, that all of them were pretty unlikable except for Nathan, and that this wasn’t really a romance at all as it seemed to be from the blurb. Had I had different expectations, I think I would’ve fallen more in love with this story.

I wanted more of the romance but I felt like we hardly got Rachel and Nathan on the page together - we didn’t really get to see them fall in love or the build up. And with all of the plot lines I found myself often losing interest.

I’m sad to say this one just wasn’t one for me.

I really wanted to love this one, but I struggled with the last half. I was totally hooked by the first half of the book, but the last half seemed to fall apart a bit. I struggled to understand Rachel and Nathan's chemistry in the second half. It just didn't carry over for me. The writing is good, but the pacing is a bit off.

Kudos to the author for making a solid Black- and POC-centric addition to the romance genre. This book has serious "How Stella Got Her Groove Back" vibes, with key characters Rachel Abbott and Nathan Vasquez having a significant age gap. The book's theme is essentially how a wife supports a rising-star husband and loses herself along the way - very relatable!

Unfortunately, Rachel's politician husband from a rich family, Matt, is super cringy, and that cast a negative spell over the whole book for me. I felt like he could have been written as a little more likeable character to whom Rachel was attracted many years ago, and still had the message of the book work.

That said, my rating is within the romance genre and in support of a debut author with a novel representing persons of color, very positive. 4-stars. Pub date 8/1/23. 335 pages.

Thank you NetGalley, for providing an eARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

#netgalley @netgalley #theartofscandal

What first drew me to The Art of Scandal was its tantalizing premise! After discovering her husband Matt's infidelity, Rachel Abbott is determined to break away from her crumbling marriage. The only problem is their airtight prenup could prevent Rachel from receiving a fair divorce settlement, so she agrees to keep playing the part of dutiful wife for the remainder of Matt's political campaign. Putting on a facade is second nature to Rachel, she's been putting on a front for the cameras for years, but when she meets young artist Nathan Vasquez he ignites a desire within her to grab hold of her true self. What ensues is a passionate love affair scattered with secrets, betrayals, and searing romance.

I would venture to say that this book is more of a character study than plot-focused, something I think we rarely see in romance. The way Regina Black dives into Rachel and Nathan's psyches allows readers to understand the depths of their trauma and how it impacts their decisions. I was fully invested in their relationship and felt that the progression of their journey was crafted in a realistic manner. The drama within the town and the tangled cast of characters also made for exciting moments. I could see the author expanding on this universe and delving into some of the side characters' stories deeper. My only complaint is that while this book is relatively short, the chapters themselves are quite long. As a reader who refuses stop in the middle of chapters, I felt like there were times when sections could have been split up.

The Art of Scandal was deeply emotional and contained beautiful passages on grief, love, race, and inner strength. For lovers of literary romance, this book is sure to capture your heart!

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC!