I've enjoyed all of Jess Everlee's books and this was no exception. It was wonderful to get Warren's story and seeing Mattie find some joy. It was interesting seeing David in a different light in this book. I think the characters were engaging, the romance felt genuine, the plot suitably interesting and the flirtation quite sweet. I loved the angle of art in this book and discovering ones passion and also the idea of identity and relationships. The chemistry felt real and the conflict also quite realistic. These two were quite besotted and it was adorable to see. Warren's home life was also entertaining chaotic!
I'm not usually a fan of this particular narrator but I think this was a very good performance.

Uhg this was delightful. I was initially skeptical of our Vice cop Love Interest, but I’m very glad I trusted the process. This was entertaining, silly, and a touch scandalous. I loved how oblivious Mattie was, and Warren's kindness and flirtation was delightful and very wholesome. Loved it!!!!

rep: gay Indian MC, gay LI, hella queer cast, indian side characters

spice: one vivid sex scene

To Sketch a Scandal was wonderful! I've enjoyed all of Jess Everlee's books, and this is one of the best. I don't usually like to read about a member of the police, but this situation was a well deserved example, as Matthew works out his feelings about his role in the police force and the way he is treated there. I loved getting to see the Fox again, and the protagonists of a few former books (especially those from my favorite, A Rulebook for Restless Rogues). Seeing David as an antagonist was an interesting and thoughtful choice, and backed up his character from the former books. Joel Leslie is one of my favorite narrators and does this book fine justice. Another great Jess Everlee book!

Read if you like Magic in Manhattan Series, Sherlock Holmes, or Peaky Blinders

Rating: 4/5
Book: To Sketch a Scandal by Jess Everlee

Genre: LGBTQIA+ & Romance
Series: Lucky Lovers of London Series
Spice: 3/5
Setting: London, 1886
POV: 3rd person narrator
Tropes: Friends to lovers, forced proximity, detective x barkeep, secret society

My Thoughts:

I loved this book. I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the stories’ early beginning and how it showed me the world both Warren and Matthew were involved in.

I found that this book made me fall in love with artists and the conception of art pieces that the characters were involved in – it also made me love a friends to lovers trope.

Matthew must crack the case of an art thief and he befriends Warren to help him – what could go wrong? Did I mention that both are also hiding their love for one another and are afraid to be found out by the police, bystanders, or others? Seeing the fear both characters had if their sexual orientation was found is very symbolic to my identity as a queer individual so seeing the historical context built by Everlee really hit home for me.

I want to read the rest of this series ASAP!

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.

“I will be to you whatever this age demands of us.“

I received an advance listeners copy of To Sketch a Scandal by Jess Everlee from Harlequin Audio in exchange for an honest review. Here are my thoughts!

✏️ Warren’s job as bartender at The Curious Fox has helped to keep him and his mom off the streets, but he also loves it. Loves teasing all his friends falling in love, loves being around other queer folk, and especially loves the chance to flirt (and maybe do a bit more than just flirt) with the lovely men he serves. But all of that is at risk when Warren’s brother sails back in to town with riches to raise their family’s status.

Matthew has worked hard to bring some of the worst criminals to justice in his role as detective inspector, even if most folks at work only view him as a pretty face. So when Matthew’s mentor decides to retire and the only job he’s ever known is on the line, he knows that he needs to solve this next case in a different way.

When Warren enrolls in an art class to appease his brother and Matthew is there undercover, they both know it’s a bad idea to spend any time together. But the spark between them seems worth the risk, even when it makes them reconsider the old lives they are clinging to. ✏️

To Sketch a Scandal is the fourth book in Jess Everlee’s Lucky Lovers of London series, which features interconnected romance stories of folks who are connected to The Curious Fox club.

This time we got to focus on everyone’s favorite flirty bartender, and I was very excited for Warren to get a romance of his own. Overall I think he got a pretty decent book, though it’s definitely not my favorite of the series.


My main complaint with this one is that the detective work/police case in this one felt mostly unnecessary. That plot just felt really boring, and I always wanted to get away from it and back to the romance. Which, wow, Matthew had some GREAT one liners in this one. I just wish that he’d had a better story to back that up - although I am glad with the choices Everlee made for him in the end.

Overall I gave To Sketch a Scandal 3 stars, and I would definitely pick up another book in this series. It a good ol’ historical romance seems like your jam, consider checking this one out now that it’s released!

I was so excited to dive into Jess Everlee’s To Sketch a Scandal, and even more thrilled that Warren got his own book after being such a standout in the previous story. As the flirty barkeep with a heart of gold, deeply loyal to his mother and to his place of employment, The Curious Fox (a Molly club), Warren shines here not only with his charm but also with his artistic brilliance. Getting to know him more deeply was a true treat, and I loved seeing a new dimension of his character unfold.
Matty was also such an interesting character to follow. Having first appeared as Forrester’s valet in the earlier book, it was wonderful to see his world and personality open up here. A lonely cop with a sense of duty and a hidden vulnerability, Matty is aching for connection, and Warren sweeps into his life like a bolt of light. Their chemistry is immediate, intense, and yet layered with tenderness. Watching their relationship develop, full of stolen moments, fiery attraction, and genuine care, made this a compulsively engaging read.
The plot itself was both fun and suspenseful. Everlee balances the tension of queer life in Regency England with the sweetness of found love, never shying away from the risks and dangers but still allowing joy and passion to shine through. I always love a good queer Regency romance, and this one absolutely delivered on the genre’s promise of intrigue, romance, and emotional stakes.
That said, while I loved the story, I unfortunately struggled with the audiobook narration. Joel Leslie’s performance felt overly playful and exaggerated, to the point where it sometimes distracted from the emotional weight of the story. For me, it lessened the impact of the romance and made it harder to stay immersed. It’s a personal preference, of course, some listeners may enjoy the lively style, but I know for future Jess Everlee books, I’ll opt to read the physical or ebook version instead.
Overall, To Sketch a Scandal is another fantastic installment from Jess Everlee, offering romance, tension, and richly drawn queer characters navigating love and identity in the Regency period. I adored Warren and Matthew together, and I will always show up for Everlee’s beautiful, heartfelt writing.

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!!!!

i enjoyed the narrator for the audiobook, and would definitely recommend its quality

4.5 stars rounded up
I was not aware that this book is the 4th of a series, but it didn't hinder me at all. In fact, it made me want to read the other books of the series to discover the stories of the secondary characters.
The style was very fun, bouncy and witty. It has a certain flair that filled the Red White and Royal Blue shaped hole and my heart. I immediately got attached to the characters and therefore cared about their struggles, there was no akward period of "pushing through the first 50 pages until the real plot arrives". My enthusiasm waned a little towards the end when the last plot point was introduced, but this is hardly relevant to my overall enjoyment.
Furthermore, Joel Leslie really gave it his all for the audiobook (as he always does, according to other reviews I've read) and it made it all the more entertaining even if the theatricality did take some getting used to.

This story follows Warren, a frugal and frivolous man, working at a Gentlemen’s club to make ends meet for his family, and Mattie, a new cop trying to get that promotion that keeps threatening to slip from his fingers. They meet and have an instant attraction, but they know it’s forbidden and it takes a while for them to finally get together. Not only because of the time set in the book. But the difference between their jobs and lives.

I loved the audiobook to this, and I knew I found a new favorite! I felt for Warren and his struggles as well as Mattie’s. Their insecurities, their wish to be who they want to be without hiding.

This was such a funny read, and it helped me relax after reading something heavy before this. This was definitely a comfort listen

If you love a time-period piece, with forbidden romance and an instant attraction, then this is for you!

I recommend the audiobook!

Personal Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Dnf and bummed about it! This ended up being a bit boring and the chemistry wasn't working for me. Bummed since the premise sounded great but the execution was a little underwhelming.

As always, gay historical romance makes me a little sad, but it didn’t stop me from loving this story! This starred a working class + middle class pairing and featured a secret queer club, a quirky cast of side characters, and a perfect mix of humor, angst, and joy.

Read if you like: Bridgerton, bonding over shared hobbies, drag

Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Audio for providing me with a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

This unlikely pair warmed my heart, the sketching element works perfectly with the plot. This story brings to light things like: being accepted as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community by family, peers, and society; expectancy of ones relationship status, the struggle to trust people with your heart when feelings like the ones they have are asked to be repressed. Cute story, well written, and the author does a good job at presenting the spicy scenes in a way that it shows the desire and the intimate connection of the characters.

I loved this entire series by Jess Everlee, and to Sketch a Scandal didn't disappoint! Matty and Warren were so, so sweet and I continuously love how the characters make mistakes, how they love each other and how they start to find their passions outside of what society thinks they should be. I laughed, I smiled, I was so excited to listen!

This is a nice cozy read. Sure, it is about England in 1886, and the love interests are men, but the love they have for each other makes it cozy. They face all types of obstacles but come out on top. It reminds me a little of Red, White and Blue, but with a little spice.

I loved the narrator. His English accents make you feel like you are in England in 1886.

Thank you Harlequinn Audio and Netgalley for allowing me to listen to this ALC.

This book was a fun time with interesting side plots (the art school with a dog who collects checks? So funny). It also touches on difficult topics from a time when queer people had to hide who they truly were or risk being arrested. Overall, this was a cute story where opposites attract. If you liked the previous books in this series, this one will be right up your alley!

This was very reminiscent of KJ Charles and it was a lot of fun. Although Jess Everlee didn't ignore the issues the Warren and Matthew had to face as a queer couple in Victorian London, she also infused a lot of joy into the corner of London they inhabited. Warren and Matthew were adorable in how they treated each other and the worlds of the police department/the drawing class/the pub and Warren's family home were all fascinating spaces to inhabit. The narrator did a great job - differentiated characters with ease.

This was such a cozy little read—sweet, low-stakes, and full of heart. If you’ve been following the *Lucky Lovers of London* series, you’ll probably enjoy seeing familiar faces pop up again. Warren, the barkeep at The Curious Fox, finally gets his moment in the spotlight, and Matty, the uptight detective with a soft center, makes for a charming romantic lead. Their chemistry is solid, and the art class setup is a fun twist on the usual meet-cute.

The romance leans into forbidden love territory, which adds a nice layer of tension, though it’s more gentle yearning than high drama. I appreciated the emotional growth both characters go through—Warren dealing with family upheaval and Matty questioning his career and identity. There are hints at deeper themes like privilege and exploitation, especially around Warren’s background and Matty’s work, but they’re touched on lightly. I kind of wish the story had gone further there.

As for the historical setting, it’s more vibes than immersive world-building. You get the sense of Victorian London, but it’s not super detailed. That said, the community dynamics and side characters are lovely, and Everlee continues to do a great job making you care about everyone, not just the leads.

I listened to the audiobook and… mixed feelings. Joel Leslie is clearly a talented narrator with a lot of energy, and if you love his style, you’ll probably be thrilled. Personally, it felt a bit too theatrical for me and made it hard to connect emotionally. I might give this one another shot as an eyeball read, especially since I liked Everlee’s sapphic romance in the series.

Overall, this is a light, charming addition to the series. Not my favorite, but still enjoyable. If you’re into queer historical romance with cozy vibes and a dash of spice, this one’s worth checking out—especially if you’ve read the earlier books.

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.