Reviews with content warning for Classism - The Art of Scandal

We have so many coming of age stories, perpetuating the misconception that we cease to develop as a person once we reach an arbitrary age. Adulthood isn’t so much a destination as an era in our lives. One of many we will change us in social and psychological as well as physical ways. This is a truth anyone over the age of 25 can confirm.

Which makes the fact that so many of us are pressured either socially or economically to make huge decisions about our lives and relationships at such a young age, often only just as we are becoming “adults.” It’s natural that living in those lives, relationships, and careers for decades would wreak change upon our younger selves in many unforeseen ways.

People in their 30’s and 40’s rarely resemble who they were when they was 18 or 20.

Despite their age difference Rachel and Nathan find themselves similarly dissatisfied and lost in the lives shaped by choices they made when they were young. Meeting each other has caused them both to question who they are and could be if they take chances now they weren’t able or were too afraid to take when they were younger.

A couple’s chemistry is always what makes or breaks a romance for me. These two are amazing together. Not just sexy, but they genuinely connect. Their vulnerability with each other is a big key to what makes their romance believable.

While this book is a Romance that spend lot of time on the relationship, it spends as much of not more time on Rachel’s journey toward self discovery and growth. She’s a wonderful example of the wider range of feminine experiences we miss out on when so many Romances focus only on women in their teens and 20s. Women do not stop deserving love and sex after they turn 25. People can fall in love more than once in their life, especially as they grow older, change, and want different things in life.

The book also explores the subtle racial politics that happen within interracial relationships, especially when one of the partners is a rich white man. This story pulls all the nastiest forms of micro aggressions women of color (especially Black women) deal with on a daily basis even within their own homes and family.

While Nathan is Latino he has to come to terms with his own privilege and prejudices in order to grow into a man worthy of Rachel’s trust and love. But most importantly Rachel has to learn and grow into some one brave enough to be safe for and love herself.

This isn’t always an easy read (check the TW), but it was so worthy it. Love this this always is.

Content Warnings

ktdakotareads's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

what_karla_reads's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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

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