This is definitely my favorite in this series and I would say the strongest and best-written. Warren and Matty were both easy to root for and definitely had chemistry. Their friendship was also really nice and gave weight to the love story. I also really appreciated Warren's background and how it shaped his character.

I really enjoyed the cameos from the gang at the Curious Fox and the tie-ins to previous books.

I love love loved the ending, when Warren was asked to prove he loved Matty. It was perfect.

I will definitely read more from Jess Everlee.

The audiobook was excellent. Joel Leslie is definitely growing on me as a narrator, and he did a fabulous job with this one. He brought all of the characters to life and breathed life into the entire story.

*Thanks to Carina Adores and Harlequin Audio for providing an early copy for review.

Warren cherishes his reputation as the flirty barkeep who's immune to love, until a fresh faced wanna be artist catches his eye and his heart. I liked this one. Tons of chemistry as usual, lots of pining. The additional fear of Matty being a cop had my stomach in knots even though I know these are relatively low angst stories. Everything get a tidy and simple answer in the end. Both characters get a satisfying arc of self discovery, and Matty gets to show off his skill set. I honestly was hoping he would break the case, but the journey we go on was still satisfying. Thanks to the publisher for the advanced copy.

jess everlee’s lucky lovers of london continues to be one of my favorite series ever!!! i adore that we got to see the illustrious warren bakshi settle down, and the added mystery element here was a fun thread. the cameos from the other couples is, of course, one of my favorite parts. may the curious fox live on!!!!

4.5 stars rounded up to 5

This is book 4 in the Lucky Lovers of London series(which I love!!). Warren Bakshi is the flirty barkeep of the underground queer club The Curious Fox. After years of tending bar to support himself and his mother, his long-absent brother returns from sea with riches and a wife. Suddenly with nothing to do, he pursues his love of art, only to run into the adorable, but dangerous Detective Matthew Shaw in class.

Having spent years in the undignified position as an entrapper for the police, Matty finally gets the chance to do serious detective work that could earn him the respect and promotion he deserves. He joins an art class in the hope of uncovering a forgery ring, only to find the irresistible Warren in the class.

Matty quickly realizes he needs help, enlisting Warren as an art tutor. During the lessons, their attraction grows, but they both know that any sort of relationship would be dangerous in a time when homosexuality is illegal.

I love the dynamic between the two. The chemistry is instant, but they both struggle with what their feelings could mean for them, their friends, and their family. The tension is palpable! Both characters were present in the earlier books, and I found it enjoyable that I got to find out more about them and got to read their story.

I also enjoyed being reintroduced to other characters in the earlier books, as well as reading about new ones. My favorite was Warren’s sea-faring sister-in-law. She was a hoot! All in all, it’s an excellent book and I highly recommend it. It works as a stand alone book, but I do recommend reading the entire series, as I enjoyed those books as well.

"To Sketch a Scandal" was an absolute delight.
I adored the previous books in this series, but this one might be my favourite. Enjoyable, witty, with two three-dimensional, very relatable and realistic leads. I've been so curious about Warren! So I'm super glad we got his story, and that I enjoyed it so much.
The historical setting was vivid, the plot engaging and the romance superb. I highly recommend!

To Sketch a Scandal is a sweet little romance with just a touch of mystery. I thought this novel was a cozy romance with lots of quirky characters. I thought the Curious Fox Club, and I LOVED the drag shows! Warren and Matthew had a nice dynamic, and the romance was believable and had great growth. I also was really interested in the art aspect- it was unique and felt correct for the novel. I did feel like the novel got a little slow in the middle with the return of the brother, but by the end I quite liked the addition and the way that the characters came together and grew. All in all, a sweet cozy romance with a dash of mystery! Many thanks to Harlequin Romance and Jess Everlee for this ARC!

I am in between a 3 and 4 star for this one. I LOVED Warren and his story. He's confident, hard-working, loves his family, a passionate lover, and at least tries to handle everything with grace. Even his long lost brother returning with a fortune and spinning his life upside down. Even when trying to balance the danger of being a gay man in the late 1800s with his desire to be his authentic self and fall in love .

Matty is an undercover cop, constantly acts like a coward and close to a nervous wreck, has no talent in anything, and is overall rather pathetic. They say he's handsome, but every description written down really had me skeptical. I dreaded his POV chapters and kept shouting at him that he should NOT be part of the police department that is imprisoning and blackmailing other gay men like him. It was close to infuriating.

If this novel was focused more on Warren and only had his POV, I would have loved this. The writing is stellar, the locations interesting, and the plot would be tighter and made me care significantly more. Unfortunately Matty's constant near-breakdowns, weak motivation and plot are also there. It really dragged the whole thing down and I'm so sad!

Overall I'm here for Warren only.

Recommended for fans of cozy queer historicals with a focus on acceptance, found family, and gentle romance. Everlee's writing shines with warmth, emotional depth, and a strong sense of place. I would recommend reading this as an e-book or physical copy as the narrative performance in audio by Joel Leslie is a very definite choice and personally negatively influenced my enjoyment of the book.

To Sketch a Scandal is the 4th book in Everlee’s Lucky Lovers of London series and tells the love story of Varun “Warren” Bakshi and Matthew “Matty” Shaw.

Warren is everyone’s favorite bartender from The Curious Fox (the safe queer bar at the center of this series). He’s a flirt and a good time at the Fox and an obedient and devoted son at home with his mother.

Matty is a policeman and was a major secondary character in an earlier book in this series. Matty is anticipating a major promotion when his mentor retires only to learn that the rest of the department isn’t interested in his type of policing (mostly undercover scandal hunting). Determined to show his skill, Matty and his mentor decide he’ll go undercover again but without his usual bent.

After a quick meeting at the Fox, Warren and Matty can’t get the other out of their heads. When Warren’s long gone brother makes a triumphant return, with money, Warren gets a chance to pursue his love of art. Turns out Matty's new investigation is as a student in the same art class.

Taking advantage of the random reconnection Matty and Warren spend more and more time together, practicing art, allowing their mutual attraction, and falling in love. All the while, Warren is dealing with his changing role in his family and the promise he made to stay away from Matty. Matty is facing his own secrets, what brought him to the police force, why he stayed, and the truth of his relationship with his mentor.

Everlee deftly weaves their love story with commentary on immigration and identity, race and racism, sexuality and homophobia, family, and the reality of being queer and finding safety in Victorian England.

To Sketch a Scandal can be read as a stand alone but it would be a mistake for me not to recommend the entire series.

Thank you to Everlee, Carina, and NetGalley for this arc.

3 stars
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Not my favorite of the series.

I've been enamored with this series since reading the first last year and was so excited to receive an early copy of this one. This one was my least favorite so far. The plot took off quickly, which I appreciate, but it felt a little instant love for me. The premise is an investigation, but the investigation wraps up about halfway through the book, which left a lot of room for filler content. I wish their had been more to the investigation and the use of that to flesh out the book. Keeping the investigation a secret would have added a lot more tension and suspense. I really enjoy the secretive nature of the story with their tryst given the law, but more suspense is always a good thing in my book. It took me a while to get into.

What a fun cast of characters in a good setting. The characters really make this series, but it was the background characters carrying this one. Warren and Matty were a slightly weird pairing, but I adore the background characters as always. I enjoy seeing them and recognizing them from their books. I love the bar and the atmosphere it gives off.

I just wanted more from this.

Warren finally meets his match! I loved this addition to the Lucky Lovers of London series not only because we get to see more of our mysterious bar-keep, but because I love being in this world Jess Everlee has created. For both Warren and Matthew this is not quite a 'coming of age' story, but it explores how we grow into and beyond ourselves even when in adulthood. It was sweet, heartwarming, and something I needed after a few dark/terrifying/depressing reads recently. If you want some fun, joyful, love (with just a hint of danger because of the sneaking around) this is definitely a book to go for.

**I received an electronic ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.**

Actual rating: 3.5

Jess Everlee returns with her fourth book in the Lucky Lovers of London historical romance series, To Sketch a Scandal. Each book follows a different couple's romance in 1800s London where all parties have some affiliation with The Curious Fox, an underground queer club. Each romance is contained within its book, but the overall story does build in order of release.

For this installment, readers re-visit Warren Bakshi, the fan-favorite barkeep. When his brother brings unexpected wealth to the family, Warren enrolls in a sketching class to have a visible, dignified hobby. To his surprise, the class re-unites him with the undercover Detective Inspector Matthew Shaw. Matty's art skills are as perilous as the homosexuality laws, and both things are driving Matty straight to Warren.

I listened to this book via audio library loan since I had read the other books in the series via the same method. I enjoyed the narration by Joel Leslie and felt his narration contributed to my enjoyment of the novel.

This was probably my favorite in the series, but it admittedly had the tropes I'm most drawn to. Everlee manages to take on serious topics while still keeping the building romance light and cute. If you've liked any of the previous books in the series, this installment certainly matches the vibe and follows directly in their footsteps.

Would recommend for those seeking a lighthearted spin on queer historical romance with a variety of couples in focus.

I'm a sucker for old timie MM romances, but this one fell very flat for me. I kept putting it down for something else, I even missed the publication date because I just had no interest in picking it back up. I haven't read any other books in this series, but they should be separate so that shouldn't matter, let me know if that is very wrong of me to think that.

I use the assistance reader on the kindle app and the NetGalley shelf app, and "Matty" sounds like "Maddie", and I was convinced it was a girl name Maddie for a bit and had to recheck what book I had started.

Just wasn't the book for me, if the art theft ring thingy took up more plot, I think I would have been way more into it.

Sexy bartender Warren Bakshi has always been a tantalizing character in the Lucky Lovers of London series, and here we get his love story with Detective Inspector Matthew Shaw, who we met in "A Rulebook for Restless Rogues" when he was undercover posing as David Forester's valet.

The thing I love about the first two books in this series is the vivid sense of community that is found at the Curious Fox and with characters such as Charlie, Miles, Noah, David, along with the elusive Warren who is clearly having too much fun to settle down for anything more than a steamy one-off in the back rooms of the Curious Fox.

This book pulls both characters out of familiar settings and gives us a Warren dealing with his life away from the Curious Fox, which involves his mother and two other widows - all seamstresses - who share rent in the small house they call home. Warren's older brother has left years before to find his fortune, leaving Warren to deal with their meager finances alone and fend off matchmaking attempts by his mother.

As for DI Shaw, his mentor Inspector Barrows is retiring soon, and Matt finds himself worrying about transitioning from "successfully posing as a potential or active prostitute for years" into real detective work. Both Shaw and Warren find themselves at Buttersnipe's School for Artistic Enrichment ... because "plot" - Warren to finally take some art classes and Shaw to gather intelligence in an art fraud case.

The problem I had with this installment of the series, beyond the thin plot, is that while Shaw and Warren clearly are meant to be together once they work through various issues, is that there are several subplots that sound so much more interesting, and are never really developed. For example, Warren's older brother returns with a fortune and success, and a new wife. But is the fortune real, and what's the deal with Warren's new sister-in-law who clearly has lived a fascinating life? Will Barrows stand by Shaw and support him like the father figure he has always been to Matt? Will Shaw suitably reinvent himself to be successful with the police force?

Alas, like Shaw's attempts to actually learn to knit a scarf - which results in a thin thready "thing" haphazardly tossed around his neck - the book, IMHO, never really gels. After reading it, it became instantly forgettable (which is definitely not the case with the first two books in the series). As always your results may vary. 3 stars.

The fourth book in Jess Everlee’s series rounds out these characters nicely – with cameos from favorite characters from past books and new side characters to love (or despise!). It was an easy read and a nice love story. Very sweet, very cute.

This was a fun read. I enjoyed the banter and the intrigue and of course the characters. Deep and yet easy to get into and enjoy!

I do wish the mystery had had a bit more of a role in the story but it was still a fun read!

Thanks #NetGalley for an advanced copy of #ToSketchaScandal by Jess Everlee in exchange for an honest review.

I recently read my first book by Jess Everlee (A Bluestocking's Guide to Decadence) and loved it so when I saw this one on NetGalley, I jumped to request it and was so excited to be approved for it. I really love Everlee's writing and her stories are heartfelt and sweet. I really enjoyed getting to know Warren and Matty and watching them fall in love and become good friends at the same time. You also get to see the other couples from this series and that was great too but it really made me want to read the first two books in the series (which I already wanted to read) so up the TBR list they go! And I think I will get a sneak peak at Warren and Matty in at least one of those other books so I can't wait!

Cute but I'm pretty over books with cops/detectives/investigators as MCs. I wish this one had delved a bit deeper into the character and how he got tangled in the police and how/why it was problematic. it's touched on but I want crystal clear quotes to pull from and I don't have that.

overall this was fine. this whole series was fine. fairly enjoyable queer historical romances.

Warren Bakshi is the "resident cynical slattern" and barkeep of a "private club" (read: gay bar) in 19th century London and proud of it. He's totally happy with his life: he helps run the house he shares with his mother during the day, and by night he charms the clientele at The Curious Fox. He's totally one of those men who swear they'll never fall in love and they're happier with their numerous liaisons than they would be settling down.⁠
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Matty Shaw, on the other hand, is a Scotland Yard detective who makes his living by going undercover to investigate crimes. Again, this is 19th century London, so one of the possible "crimes" he could be called on to investigate is sodomy. Matty feels ambivalent about his job, and especially ambivalent about looking into these specific cases because he's gay, himself. He knows he could lose his job if anyone finds out, but he doesn't know what else to do with his life.⁠
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Enter: art lessons. Matty is investigating an art school under suspicion of forgery; Warren's family recently had a reversal of fortune, and he's able to take art lessons instead of keeping house. Matty and Warren strike up a friendship, and then a friendship with benefits. They're both on the cusp of a life change, and they just might be there for each other.⁠
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There's a lot to love about this book. It has what I consider to be the perfect mix of plot and character development; I was never bored and I felt connected with both leads. The relationship progression was great, and the resolution of the relationship and of the external conflict was perfectly suited to the book. That said, this is one of those historical romances that, while there's an ultimate HEA, still makes me feel a little melancholic. Matty and Warren end up in love and with friends who acknowledge and support their relationship. But there's always going to be an element of deception about their relationship, and Everlee doesn't let you forget about it. ⁠
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This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

Warren has been a fan favourite in this series since the first book and we meet him slinging drinks and picking up at The Curious Fox. He’s up to his usual tricks until circumstances change at home and he’s no longer the main provider since his erstwhile brother has returned from sea with his own fortune and a new wife! He’s now expected to be the proper gentleman and no longer work at the club… unsure what to do, he decides to take up a portraiture class.

Detective inspector Matthew Shaw started out turning tricks on the street and is now a top vice inspector… or so we thought until his mentor retires from the force and he’s in a position needing to prove himself. He’s assigned on an artistic fraud case and finds himself in a drawing course… but when his case goes awry and his future prospects in the force come into question, he finds that his priorities have shifted and his new association with Warren and The Curious Fox mean a lot more to him than his badge.

I loved the forbidden romance aspect between the vice inspector and the “gentlemen’s” club bartender. This romance heated up and I enjoyed how rakish Warren finally succumbs to Cupid‘s arrow! This love match changes everything for both of these characters and widens their lives so much for the better!

In any good series, I love seeing all of the former characters pop in to support or nudge the current characters in the right direction. This was done so organically and enjoyable for series readers in this book. I love how Fosters past gets in the way of Warren‘s future but doesn’t stop true love from happening!

Overall, this was an excellent book, great for a series, readers, and newcomers alike!