There’s no doubt that Joel Leslie is a passionate performer who gives his all to every literary work he narrates. If you're a fan of Leslie, you'll find his signature style here—full of energy and distinct voices for each character. Unfortunately, his approach just isn’t for me. It came across as over-the-top in the worst way. I think this is one of those narrations you’ll either love or hate, and it has the potential to either enhance or diminish your enjoyment of the story. In my case, it did the latter. I struggled to keep track of the key players and couldn’t fully invest in their story. That said, I may give this book another shot as an eyeball read someday, especially since I enjoyed Everlee’s sapphic romance in another installment of this series.

Sexy sketches lead to love? More likely than you think! Now I want to learn to do art so I can do some sexy sketches of my own! It sounds fun!
The narrator was excellent and he portrayed the characters perfectly giving each their own distinctive voice. I really liked how they started their approach towards each other, flirting, trying their best to conceal what they felt but having it also right there for everyone to see. I really liked the story.

To Sketch a Scandal is a light, charming romance between an uptight detective and a secretive bartender-artist. Matty and Warren are a fun, opposites-attract pairing, and their initial meeting in a drawing class is a unique touch. The story is easy to enjoy, but the historical setting feels more like window dressing than an immersive world, and the emotional stakes never quite land. I listened to the audiobook and found Joel Leslie’s narration energetic.

Overall, this is a cozy, low-conflict read—sweet and pleasant, but not particularly memorable.

Thanks to NetGalley for giving me access to this ALC. I think I may have liked this book more in text form rather than in audio form. The posh British accent of the narrator didn’t convey the range of emotions I probably would’ve imagined in my mind. The story was much more about the main characters’ relationship than the “mystery” I expected, which was a pleasant surprise. It just felt cold and reserved in audio format. Edited to add that I didn’t read the previous books in this series, but I could tell there was a backstory to these relationships that I’d missed out on.

Based on other reviews, I wish I had read the rest of the series! I love MM regency romances, and this was cute.

I took awhile to finish this book because I wasn't ready to leave my comfort characters! I love them all and hope Jess Everlee writes more! Maybe Annabelle's book is next?!

I love how I knew both of the MMCs from previous Lucky Lovers of London books. Warren is the barkeep at Forrester's gay club, The Curious Fox, and Matty is the inspector who helped saved the club when its previous owner was being investigated. They hit it off, but Warren's boss doesn't want them hanging out. But when they are unexpectedly thrown together at an art class, they continue to hit it off.

As with her other books, Jess Everlee does a great job of making you care about the side characters as well and including interesting B plots that aid character development. Warren's life is thrown into disarray when his long lost brother returns with a wife and a fortune. Matty is starting to second guess his career as an inspector with his mentor retiring and with growing suspicions at work about his queerness.

This. was such a cozy read for me even though some chapters had me at the edge of my seat! Highly recommend for historical ficition lovers, but read the previous books in the series first!

This book felt like an alternate reality Benedict Bridgerton if we ever got the gay storyline that was teased at in the show. And I loved it!!

The beginning felt a bit wordy but I think there were just a lot of names mentioned all at once and I just got a bit confused.

Other than that, I truly enjoyed this story! Getting to see the two MCs grow and become more sure of themselves and the roles they play in their respective lives was lovely.

The narrator did a great job, no complaints on the performance.

I would rank "To Sketch a Scandal" at number two in Jess Everlee's "Lucky Lovers of London" series. I enjoyed this one more than "The Gentleman's Book of Vices" and "A Rulebook for Restless Rogues," but not as much as "A Bluestocking's Guide to Decadence." I liked the relationship between Warren and Mattie. I thought they had excellent chemistry. However, I despise the insta love trope and this book is full of it.

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.

I've read the previous books in this series, and enjoyed this one as well! Both Warren and Matthew were endearing characters, and I loved the art school premise for throwing them together. They had great chemistry together. Having seen Warren throughout all three previous books, I also enjoyed getting to see more of his character, including his relationship with his family. However, the story feels like it can sufficiently stand on its own and appeal to readers who haven't read the previous in the series. This book also felt a little quieter than others in the series, which worked for me. Overall, a fun read with loveable characters and great for anyone looking for queer historical romance!

To Sketch a Scandal is the latest entry in the Lucky Lovers of London series, and just like all of the books in this series it is heartwarming, emotional, and a little bit spicy. To Sketch a Scandal follows Warren, the barkeep of The Curious Fox who has been around since the beginning of the series, watching all of our other couples get together and fall in love, and Matty, a queer detective who originally pretend to be a valet for the bar's owner.

This book was very sweet, and I really enjoyed the character development of both Matty and Warren, as well as the look we got into Warren's family, who we hadn't seen much of before. I also enjoyed the forbidden romance element quite a bit, especially the tension we saw between Matty having to hide from the outside world and Warren feeling like he has to hide from his queer community. I liked that there were mentions of Matty having privilege that Warren, being Punjabi, does not have, but I wish the book had delved deeper into that topic. I also wish that Matty being exploited and used had been spoked of in greater detail. Overall though, this was a very cute and sweet book, and a good addition to the series!

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.

Barkeep Warren Bakshi has taken care of his mother for years, but when his brother returns and his fortune changes, he’s required to upgrade his leisure time pursuits. So he takes an art class. Detective Inspector Matthew Shaw ends up in the same art class as Warren. Warren’s boss has forbidden Warren to pursue Matty, but when Matty’s art skills need work, he and Warren end up spending a lot of time together.

This book was super cute, and I thought Jess Everlee did a brilliant job with character development. I was invested in both Marty and Warren, and I was rooting for them. I did feel like the author built up the tension only for it to fizzle out a little in the end. All in all, this was a fun read.

The audio really added to the experience. I enjoyed the narration.

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!

I listen to the audio narrated by Joel Leslie and the first thing I thought was I love this narrator! This isn’t my first time listening to a Joel Leslie production and I find that his voice, enthusiasm and enunciation bring a book and its characters to life. That being said, in this circumstance, it would have been nice to have dual narration to separate the characters voices a little more.

Overall, this was an excellent book, great for a series, readers, and newcomers with a delightful narration!

I’m a Joel Leslie stan first and foremost, I will listen to him read literally anything. That said, he did speak a little quickly in this one, so if you usually listen at more than 1x speed, you might plan to dial it back just a bit.

The plot of this book leaned more slice-of-life than clear structured narrative, which was totally fine, just something to note. Because of life stuff, it took me about two weeks to finish, and since the story was a bit looser in structure, I did find it harder to drop back in and remember where I was each time.

As always, the epilogue is worth it and full of warm fuzzies. While it stands alone, it pays off especially well if you’ve read the rest of the series and are already invested in the full cast of characters.

I definitely recommend the series, the author, and especially this narrator.

Jess Everlee never disappoints and this was no exception! This is the fourth edition in the lucky lovers of London series and it's just as charming as the last. The audio was incredibly well done you could really feel the emotion in the actor's voices. I would highly recommend listening to the audiobook.
Thank you to the publisher for this arc copy!

first of all thank you to the publisher for my copy of the audio book on net-gally. It was one of the best Audio books I've listened to thus far. (I've listened to a lot of audio books in the past two years so that's saying something)

I dono what I liked about it, but everything was so wonderful! sorry i'm gushing just like ugh the romance. I think it's ok that I got into it in book 4 because I believe they ARE stand alone books (a book with in a series) this is book 4 I guess. (so my bad) but it didn't hinder my enjoyment of the book.

The art the love the everything oh and did I mention the DRAG QUEENS! OH MY GOSH!

I felt so many things with this romance! I fell hard for these two characters who haven't felt truly known before and are undone when they find someone who sees the full messy picture and wants in anyway. The ever present possibility of legal ramifications for their sexual preferences kept the stakes high and made the romantic moments all the more meaningful. If you're looking for a steamy, swoony historical with a unique premise definitely pick this one up.

Joel Leslie knocked this out of the park! The characters came alive in his voice. He expertly distinguished between the cast of characters and brought out the emotions of the story. He is one of my favorite narrators because he manages to elevate every story he narrates. Definitely check this one out on audio!

I loved this so much! I’ve been really into queer historical romances lately so this was exactly what I needed.

I adored Matty and Warren’s journey and their relationship with each other. Their personalities are so fun and I felt like they were a perfect fit for each other despite being sort of opposites. Matty is a detective with Scotland Yard and Warren is a bartender and they meet in a drawing class. I loved how unique and exciting their story was.

I also really liked Joel Leslie as the narrator. I think he really brought the characters to life and gave an extra dimension to the story. I would highly recommend this as a feel good romance audiobook to put on when you need a little boost.

Thank you so much to Harlequin Audio for access to the ALC!

Warren Bakshi is the barkeep of an underground queer club, The Curious Fox. He holds secrets of both his patrons and his own. When his brother returns, bringing wealth to the Bakshi family, his status elevates, thus requiring more dignified pursuits. Warren takes an art class to keep questions to the wayside, but when he reunites with the object of his fantasies, he is unprepared for what’s in store.
DI Matthew Shaw has brought many criminals to justice. Matthew, aka Matty, works a case undercover and it could detonate by his desire around and for Warren. Too bad Warren is the only person he can turn to for help. When private drawing tutorials give way to an affair that may put more than their jobs in jeopardy, real life is far more complicated than lessons could prepare them for.
As the fourth book of the series, and having not read the previous books, I do believe this can be considered a standalone.
The story was easy to follow and super fun. I really enjoyed the way the two seemingly different men were able to be written so down bad for each other the moment they met. I’m a huge fan of queer romances and this one just adds to that adoration.
I listened to the ALC for this and the narrator, Joel Leslie, was great. I’ve listened to quite a few regency-era books that have him as the narrator and I’ve always had a great time listening.
Thank you to Harlequin Audio, the author, and NetGalley for the early copy!