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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Overall: 4.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑 (maybe a 4...they are kinda ‘average’ length as far as I could tell on audio)
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥 (it’s possible I missed something)
Humor: Yes
Perspective: third person from both heroes
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together: takes a bit – about 17% (chapter 3)
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after for the mains
Epilogue: Yes
Format: listened to an audiobook version through NetGalley on their app
Why I chose this book: The cover looked super cute!
Mains: Warren Bakshi and Mattie Shaw - this is a M/M relationship between two cisgendered queer heroes
Should I read in order?
I have only read book 3 – I personally think this stands alone well for the romance but there’s some friendships mentioned that have occurred throughout the series so I’m sure pleasure can be found reading in order.
Basic plot:
Warren and Mattie have an immediate connection – but Warren’s boss forbids them to see each other at his work. When they realize they are taking the same art lessons, it leads to more...
Give this a try if you want:
- Victorian – 1886
- M/M relationship
- Warren’s a bartender
- Matty’s a detective inspector
- instalust elements
- art lessons
- drag events
- medium steam – 2 full scenes (I might have missed one towards the end?)
Ages:
- Matty is 25, didn’t catch Warren
First line:
When it came to such concepts as following rules, Warren Bakshi was a hit or miss sort of chap.
My thoughts:
I thought this one was really, really cute. It takes a bit for the mains to meet but this set up their respective situations and families and that is what really helped bring these characters to live. I fell in love with both of them, and loved their growth throughout the book. They really are perfect for each other – Warren with his silliness and banter pulling Mattie out of his shell a bit – and reinforcing that he is worthy of love and worthy of being with.
I LOVED the inclusion of the drag scenes. They were so funny and adorable and Everlee’s writing just immersed me so much in their antics. I wasn’t super in love with book 3 of this series (it was fine overall but I wasn’t clamoring for me) but this book has made me way more eager to grab more from them in the future.
Super sweet story.
As for the narration, I think this my first by Joel Leslie. I wasn’t sure how I felt at first – especially for his side characters voices. They seemed almost over exaggerated to me? But over the course of the book I really fell in love with the narration. It was done so well – the variations for the characters, the emotion within the dialogue. I really appreciated this narration and would definitely pick up more by Leslie!
Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: 2
Average rating from me: 4.5 stars
Favorite book: This one!
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
- homophobia and laws against queer people are a plot point
Author content warnings? Didn’t catch any on audio
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex aspects, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:
Safe sex: I don’t believe so? I think condoms are mentioned, can’t really remember
How’s the consent? It’s good
Pregnancy/children in story? Nope
Chapter 4 (22%) – kisses, partial that’s interrupted
Chapter 11 (52%) – 🔥kisses mutual bjs
Chapter 14 (73%) – 🔥kisses, Warrnen on top with a mirror in the headboard
Total chapters: 21 and an epilogue
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑 (maybe a 4...they are kinda ‘average’ length as far as I could tell on audio)
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥 (it’s possible I missed something)
Humor: Yes
Perspective: third person from both heroes
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together: takes a bit – about 17% (chapter 3)
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after for the mains
Epilogue: Yes
Format: listened to an audiobook version through NetGalley on their app
Why I chose this book: The cover looked super cute!
Mains: Warren Bakshi and Mattie Shaw - this is a M/M relationship between two cisgendered queer heroes
Should I read in order?
I have only read book 3 – I personally think this stands alone well for the romance but there’s some friendships mentioned that have occurred throughout the series so I’m sure pleasure can be found reading in order.
Basic plot:
Warren and Mattie have an immediate connection – but Warren’s boss forbids them to see each other at his work. When they realize they are taking the same art lessons, it leads to more...
Give this a try if you want:
- Victorian – 1886
- M/M relationship
- Warren’s a bartender
- Matty’s a detective inspector
- instalust elements
- art lessons
- drag events
- medium steam – 2 full scenes (I might have missed one towards the end?)
Ages:
- Matty is 25, didn’t catch Warren
First line:
When it came to such concepts as following rules, Warren Bakshi was a hit or miss sort of chap.
My thoughts:
I thought this one was really, really cute. It takes a bit for the mains to meet but this set up their respective situations and families and that is what really helped bring these characters to live. I fell in love with both of them, and loved their growth throughout the book. They really are perfect for each other – Warren with his silliness and banter pulling Mattie out of his shell a bit – and reinforcing that he is worthy of love and worthy of being with.
I LOVED the inclusion of the drag scenes. They were so funny and adorable and Everlee’s writing just immersed me so much in their antics. I wasn’t super in love with book 3 of this series (it was fine overall but I wasn’t clamoring for me) but this book has made me way more eager to grab more from them in the future.
Super sweet story.
As for the narration, I think this my first by Joel Leslie. I wasn’t sure how I felt at first – especially for his side characters voices. They seemed almost over exaggerated to me? But over the course of the book I really fell in love with the narration. It was done so well – the variations for the characters, the emotion within the dialogue. I really appreciated this narration and would definitely pick up more by Leslie!
Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: 2
Average rating from me: 4.5 stars
Favorite book: This one!
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
- homophobia and laws against queer people are a plot point
Author content warnings? Didn’t catch any on audio
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex aspects, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:
Safe sex:
How’s the consent?
Pregnancy/children in story?
Chapter 4 (22%) – kisses, partial that’s interrupted
Chapter 11 (52%) – 🔥kisses mutual bjs
Chapter 14 (73%) – 🔥kisses, Warrnen on top with a mirror in the headboard
Total chapters: 21 and an epilogue
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This made me happy!
So I loved The Bluestocking's Guide to Decadence but still need to read the first two books in this series. This references book 2 often enough, though I didn't need to have read it to keep track of the story.
Our lovers:
- Warren Bakshi, bartender at The Curious Fox, an underground gay bar
- Matthew (Matty) Shaw, a detective with Scotland Yard with a precarious position due to previous undercover work
Matty's mentor is retiring and hopes to promote him to a better job, but it's going to be hard considering his reputation (all of his previous undercover work had him posing as a gay sex worker). For his new investigation, his mentor Detective Barrow signs Matty up to pose as an art student at a shady art school... except that Matty is absolutely terrible at making art. When trying to psych himself up, Matty wanders into The Curious Fox and meets the handsome bartender Warren, who is told by his own boss, David Forrester from book 2, that he is ABSOLUTELY NOT allowed to have any further contact with the known cop. Warren and Matty find themselves in the same art class and ohhhh nooooooo Matty is terrible, guess Warren just needs to help him practice drawing!!!
This was very cute, and just my speed. I liked the art setting and was really happy to see a British Indian MC + family. I was charmed by all of this.
Thank you to Netgalley and Carina Adores for the ARC.
So I loved The Bluestocking's Guide to Decadence but still need to read the first two books in this series. This references book 2 often enough, though I didn't need to have read it to keep track of the story.
Our lovers:
- Warren Bakshi, bartender at The Curious Fox, an underground gay bar
- Matthew (Matty) Shaw, a detective with Scotland Yard with a precarious position due to previous undercover work
Matty's mentor is retiring and hopes to promote him to a better job, but it's going to be hard considering his reputation (all of his previous undercover work had him posing as a gay sex worker). For his new investigation, his mentor Detective Barrow signs Matty up to pose as an art student at a shady art school... except that Matty is absolutely terrible at making art. When trying to psych himself up, Matty wanders into The Curious Fox and meets the handsome bartender Warren, who is told by his own boss, David Forrester from book 2, that he is ABSOLUTELY NOT allowed to have any further contact with the known cop. Warren and Matty find themselves in the same art class and ohhhh nooooooo Matty is terrible, guess Warren just needs to help him practice drawing!!!
This was very cute, and just my speed. I liked the art setting and was really happy to see a British Indian MC + family. I was charmed by all of this.
Thank you to Netgalley and Carina Adores for the ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia, Alcohol
Minor: Transphobia, Death of parent, Alcohol
Following two side characters appearing throughout this series, To Sketch a Scandal follows Detective Investigator Matthew Shaw, who was briefly Forester's handsome valet in Book 2, and Warren Bakshi, the bartender of the Curious Fox as they inadvertently take the same art class and form a quick and warm friendship.
Despite the setting and ever escalating indecency laws and arrests in Victorian England, this is a surprisingly low stakes and tender romance with an unlikely pairing slowly figuring out how to shape their lives around each other.
I personally found the low stakes to be a bit on the boring side. Despite Warren being forbidden to associate with Matty by Forrester, it seems the consequences of being caught are practically nonexistent. Matty's profession is perhaps the most interesting part of this as he has built a career out of being an undercover investigator, especially as an entraper. Unfortunately his current undercover assignment, as a portraiture student investigating the art school, is incredibly tame, and the investigation itself does not even cover a side plot in this novel.
Nonetheless this is a very tender relationship and I loved how trusting and secure Warren and Matty are with each other.
Insta-lust, friends to lovers, no third act break up.
Thanks to Harlequin for the gifted review copy! Thoughts are my own.
Despite the setting and ever escalating indecency laws and arrests in Victorian England, this is a surprisingly low stakes and tender romance with an unlikely pairing slowly figuring out how to shape their lives around each other.
I personally found the low stakes to be a bit on the boring side. Despite Warren being forbidden to associate with Matty by Forrester, it seems the consequences of being caught are practically nonexistent. Matty's profession is perhaps the most interesting part of this as he has built a career out of being an undercover investigator, especially as an entraper. Unfortunately his current undercover assignment, as a portraiture student investigating the art school, is incredibly tame, and the investigation itself does not even cover a side plot in this novel.
Nonetheless this is a very tender relationship and I loved how trusting and secure Warren and Matty are with each other.
Insta-lust, friends to lovers, no third act break up.
Thanks to Harlequin for the gifted review copy! Thoughts are my own.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Spice Level: 1/5 Closed / Open Door
Narrator: ⭐⭐⭐
Warren Bakshi is a bartender at the discreet club for men called “The Curious Fox.” One night, he has a chance meeting with a patron whom he later finds out is an officer with Scotland Yard. They run into each other again when this patron signs up for an art class that Warren is also attending.
Matty Shaw is a detective inspector within Scotland Yard. Matty enters “The Curious Fox” one evening in an attempt to further his investigation into the forgery ring he is investigating. The bartender ends up giving him a night to remember. Then he meets the bartender again, at the art class he attends, as he is undercover. Will Matty stop the forgery ring or will the cute bartender keep him from his duties?
I made my way through this book as an audiobook. There were a couple of times I almost DNF’d the audiobook because the narrator was just taking me out of it. For me, his tone just didn’t fit the mood of the book, if that makes sense. There are times in the book where the tone of the book is slower and would call for more of a somber tone but the narrator had too much of a jovial tone.
The reason that I ended up not DNFing it was because I liked the story. Even though I lost my way listening more than once, I was still able to get back into it and follow along to understand what was happening in the book to still enjoy it. Historical romances are slowly becoming a favorite genre of book for me. The mutual pining, the angst that comes with forbidden relationships, the hard decisions as whether they really want that happily ever after or not. I will say, storywise I would recommend, as an audiobook, not so much.
🦊 Forbidden Love
🍸 Found Family
🦊 Opposites Attract
🍸 Convenient Proximity
🦊 Slow Burn
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-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:
Yes
📚 *To Sketch a Scandal* by Jess Everlee
📖 Format: eARC via NetGalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✧
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC—this is my honest review.
Set in 1886 London, this queer historical romance follows Warren Bakshi, a barkeep at the underground queer club The Curious Fox, and Detective Inspector Matthew (“Matty”) Shaw, who’s undercover in an art class as part of a criminal investigation.
I struggled a bit to get into the rhythm at first—the pacing felt slow to spark me in—but once Warren and Matty’s art lessons turned personal, the chemistry set fire to the canvas. Warren, torn between newfound family expectations and his secret world, and Matty, navigating forbidden desire and professional duty, brought my heart into each sketch and stolen glance.
Their slow-burn romance is anchored by clever banter, gentle emotional stakes, and historical detail that paints Victorian queer life with grit and tenderness. It’s not flawless—some side plots felt rushed—but the warmth between these men, their community, and the artful tension make it worth the read.
—
✨ Queer historical romance
✨ Barkeep × undercover detective
✨ Slow-burn chemistry
✨ Secret queer spaces in Victorian London
✨ Art class intimacy
✨ Family expectations & hidden lives
✨ Class & cultural tension
#ToSketchAScandal #JessEverlee #QueerHistorical #NetGalleyReviewer #bookstagram #booktok #VictorianRomance #UndergroundQueerLife #SlowBurnRomance
📖 Format: eARC via NetGalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✧
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC—this is my honest review.
Set in 1886 London, this queer historical romance follows Warren Bakshi, a barkeep at the underground queer club The Curious Fox, and Detective Inspector Matthew (“Matty”) Shaw, who’s undercover in an art class as part of a criminal investigation.
I struggled a bit to get into the rhythm at first—the pacing felt slow to spark me in—but once Warren and Matty’s art lessons turned personal, the chemistry set fire to the canvas. Warren, torn between newfound family expectations and his secret world, and Matty, navigating forbidden desire and professional duty, brought my heart into each sketch and stolen glance.
Their slow-burn romance is anchored by clever banter, gentle emotional stakes, and historical detail that paints Victorian queer life with grit and tenderness. It’s not flawless—some side plots felt rushed—but the warmth between these men, their community, and the artful tension make it worth the read.
—
✨ Queer historical romance
✨ Barkeep × undercover detective
✨ Slow-burn chemistry
✨ Secret queer spaces in Victorian London
✨ Art class intimacy
✨ Family expectations & hidden lives
✨ Class & cultural tension
#ToSketchAScandal #JessEverlee #QueerHistorical #NetGalleyReviewer #bookstagram #booktok #VictorianRomance #UndergroundQueerLife #SlowBurnRomance
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
To Sketch A Scandal is the fourth in a series that can stand on its own, but will be enhanced by reading the other novels in the series.
Although not my favorite in the series, this novel delivers on romance amongst a cozy mystery. It’s a fun easy read. The narrator for the audiobook is not my personal favorite so I would suggest picking up a physical copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Although not my favorite in the series, this novel delivers on romance amongst a cozy mystery. It’s a fun easy read. The narrator for the audiobook is not my personal favorite so I would suggest picking up a physical copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
To Sketch a Scandal is the fourth book in Jess Everlee’s Lucky Lovers of London series. It can be read as a standalone, and I find that it’s one of the stronger installments of the series, with book two failing to make much of an impression, and book three being a DNF. That’s not to say I didn’t have some misgivings going in, albeit very petty ones; as a Swiftie I cringed every time I read the name “Matty,” especially in the chapter headers, since the blurb referred to him as “Matthew.” I also forgot he was a character from prior books…that’s how forgettable some of those books were! I did get used to it, and it’s absolutely not the author’s fault, but I couldn’t help the somewhat visceral reaction.
However, once I got into the meat of the story and got to know these characters, I was charmed by them. I was a bit more invested in Warren, and intrigued by his family and background, with him being Punjabi, and especially the complexities that come from their sudden change in station due to his brother’s new fortune. Warren also running the queer club at the center of the series’ action was also fairly interesting, providing a window into queer life as it may have been back then, even with the threat of prosecution for “homosexual behavior.”
In spite of his unfortunate moniker, I also liked Matty. His position is even more at risk due to the legal precedent against queer men, as he’s a police detective. The struggle with that, and the expectations of his rather heartless mentor, are issues he reckons with, and while he took longer to get to know, I ended up feeling for him as he struggled to find his own happiness in a less-than-ideal situation.
The romance was also fairly cute, with solid tension and chemistry between them. It’s somewhat lower in stakes, given the words “forbidden romance” are attached, but there’s enough acknowledgment of the situation politically and the other circumstances for that to be understood. And I’m glad that historical queer romances can exist that acknowledge the harsh realities of the past (and nod to some of those same realities in the present), while still being a space for queer joy first and foremost.
This was a solid read, and I’d recommend it to readers who are in the mood for a fairly lighthearted queer historical romance.
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The audiobook was a dud for me. Mostly I'm not a fan of the narrator. The way he portrays intense emotion or passion is not it, in my opinion.
It's a typical romance with a detective who specializing in going under cover and a bartender at a certain kind of bar meeting and sparks flying. Problem is they're in (I believe) Victorian era London and their relationship would be a crime.
Of course there's plenty of side drama happening too with family, work, and societal expectations.
It's fine. If you like romances, particular those by KJ Charles or The Last Binding series, you'd probably really enjoy this.
It's a typical romance with a detective who specializing in going under cover and a bartender at a certain kind of bar meeting and sparks flying. Problem is they're in (I believe) Victorian era London and their relationship would be a crime.
Of course there's plenty of side drama happening too with family, work, and societal expectations.
It's fine. If you like romances, particular those by KJ Charles or The Last Binding series, you'd probably really enjoy this.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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:
Yes
1886 London.
Warren Bakshi has spent most of his adult life helping his mother at home with the cooking and cleaning, and earning money as a barkeeper at the Curious Fox, an underground queer club. He's saucy and charming, and very good at his job. Matthew Shaw, Scotland Yard detective, walks into the bar one night (and nearly gets kicked out by club owner David Forester for whom he once valeted for 6 months in an undercover operation), and once he lays eyes on Warren, there's an instant connection. When they meet again, it's at an art school - Warren needs to do something with himself now that his brother has returned with a wealthy wife, and Matty is working on a plainclothes operation to see if the owners of the school are committing fraud. This gives them time together...and an excuse to draw one another. But there's no way a detective and a queer bartender can amount to more than an occasional hasty coupling, is there?
Warren Bakshi is South Asian, and he and his mother have made do with very little for some time while his brother is off maybe on a pirate ship?! Warren never fully trusts his brother who has been gone for so long, even when he brings back a wife and money. Once he does, Warren is in a difficult place. He no longer has to work at the club, but that's his home away from home, and he no longer has a place in the home to cook or clean. Drawing gives him some purpose, but Matty gives him even more reason for passion. Matty desperately wants a promotion at Scotland Yard, but his superiors keep finding reasons to tear him down. This puts both Warren and Matty in a place where they need the friendship and love they can offer one another, without them realizing that companionship can be available to them.
This series gets better with every book. Jess Everlee has found her stride in writing queer HEAs in a historical setting, and her solution to Matty and Warren's HEA both made sense and made me grin. Any time a reader points to a lack of diversity in historical romance, this is a book I want to recommend. Neither characters is from the aristocracy, Warren and his family are of South Asian descent, and the story is a tribute to underground queer clubs and queer relationships. The research feels careful and thoughtful, and the worldbuilding and love story are all the better for it.
Joel Leslie narrates the audiobook magnificently (even if I still haven't forgiven him for Nick's accent in We Could Be So Good), and he made me want to keep listening.
Thank you to Carina Adores and Harlequin for an eARC and ALC. To Sketch a Scandal is out 7/22/25.
Warren Bakshi has spent most of his adult life helping his mother at home with the cooking and cleaning, and earning money as a barkeeper at the Curious Fox, an underground queer club. He's saucy and charming, and very good at his job. Matthew Shaw, Scotland Yard detective, walks into the bar one night (and nearly gets kicked out by club owner David Forester for whom he once valeted for 6 months in an undercover operation), and once he lays eyes on Warren, there's an instant connection. When they meet again, it's at an art school - Warren needs to do something with himself now that his brother has returned with a wealthy wife, and Matty is working on a plainclothes operation to see if the owners of the school are committing fraud. This gives them time together...and an excuse to draw one another. But there's no way a detective and a queer bartender can amount to more than an occasional hasty coupling, is there?
Warren Bakshi is South Asian, and he and his mother have made do with very little for some time while his brother is off maybe on a pirate ship?! Warren never fully trusts his brother who has been gone for so long, even when he brings back a wife and money. Once he does, Warren is in a difficult place. He no longer has to work at the club, but that's his home away from home, and he no longer has a place in the home to cook or clean. Drawing gives him some purpose, but Matty gives him even more reason for passion. Matty desperately wants a promotion at Scotland Yard, but his superiors keep finding reasons to tear him down. This puts both Warren and Matty in a place where they need the friendship and love they can offer one another, without them realizing that companionship can be available to them.
This series gets better with every book. Jess Everlee has found her stride in writing queer HEAs in a historical setting, and her solution to Matty and Warren's HEA both made sense and made me grin. Any time a reader points to a lack of diversity in historical romance, this is a book I want to recommend. Neither characters is from the aristocracy, Warren and his family are of South Asian descent, and the story is a tribute to underground queer clubs and queer relationships. The research feels careful and thoughtful, and the worldbuilding and love story are all the better for it.
Joel Leslie narrates the audiobook magnificently (even if I still haven't forgiven him for Nick's accent in We Could Be So Good), and he made me want to keep listening.
Thank you to Carina Adores and Harlequin for an eARC and ALC. To Sketch a Scandal is out 7/22/25.