A review by meaganleereads
To Sketch a Scandal by Jess Everlee

hopeful lighthearted

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Romance for providing me with an eArc in exchange for an honest review!

The fourth installment in the Lucky Lovers of London series To Sketch a Scandal follows Warren Bakshi, barkeep of the underground queer club The Curious Fox, as he meets and falls in love with Detective Inspector Matty Shaw in 1886 London. The police are a huge threat to The Curious Fox’s livelihood and its patrons so Warren and Matty must keep their relationship a secret from Warren’s friends, including the owner of the club. 

This is a simple and sweet love story that unfortunately didn’t make much of an impression on me. I was excited to get this ARC because I really enjoyed The Gentleman’s Book of Vices and A Bluestocking Guide to Decadence, one and three in the series respectively, but this one paled in comparison. 

While Warren is an established character from the other books in the series, there isn’t much to Matty as a character outside of his background. The two fall in love quickly and I wish there had been more build-up. Warren is known for only being into hook-ups prior to Matty so I found it a bit hard to believe that he fell in love so quickly and with so little resistance. 

My biggest takeaway is that I wish there had been more plot. The blackmailer is found out so quickly that the stakes basically feel non-existent which doesn’t make sense when the situation is so dangerous. I would have liked to see Warren and Matty really fight for their love instead of things being wrapped up so quickly and perfectly. I read this book recently but I’m already forgetting how everything was resolved because it just seemed too easy. 

I did like that the two fell in love over their shared interest in art. Matty, undercover, takes the same drawing class as Warren, and the scenes of Warren teaching Matty how to draw and Warren drawing Matty were cute.

I still like this series as a whole. I just wish this installment had been stronger.