*I received a free copy of The Art of Sinning from Gallery Books via Netgalley. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review, which is honest and unbiased *
The Art of Sinning by Sabrina Jeffries Series: Sinful Suitors #1
Published by Gallery Books on 21 July 2015
Genres: Adult, Historical Romance
Pages: 400
Format: eARC
Source: Netgalley
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American artist Jeremy Keane refuses to return home and take over his father’s business. He’d much rather sample bevvies of beauties abroad, in search of a model for the provocative masterpiece he’s driven to paint. When he meets Lady Yvette Barlow at a London wedding, he realizes she’s perfect for his work—and determines to capture the young heiress’s defiant spirit and breathtaking sensuality on canvas.
No stranger to scandal, Yvette agrees to be Keane’s subject—in exchange for his help gaining entry to the city’s brothels he knows intimately, so she can track a missing woman and solve a family mystery. But when their practical partnership leads to lessons in the art of sinning, can they find a bold and lasting love?
The Art of Sinning is a delicious tale of forbidden love and attraction, made very tense because of the time it is set in, and I loved every look, pun and touch!
My The Art of Sinning review:
One of the things I love about historical romance novels is that the attraction between the hero and the heroine often has to be hidden, because women in those times weren’t supposed to actually be attracted to anyone. The tension between Jeremy and Yvette was strong from the start, and their verbal sparring made me almost squee with delight! The Art of Sinning unfolds like a flower in spring sunshine, a little hesitantly at first, then suddenly there is a full bloom that is beautiful and fulfilling!
Jeffries has set The Art of Sinning in the same universe as her The Duke’s Men series, and while only a couple of the characters I recognized from those books were present, the possibilities were endless. In the beginning of the story, Jeremy seemed like a complete rake, aloof and only after some fun times. Yvette was very open-minded and out-spoken, so I fell for her straight away. One of her hobbies was to create a dictionary of street slang, and my goodness, the way she would ask people questions about words or turns of phrases they used had me laugh so hard!
As the story moved forward, it was easy to see that Jeremy was hiding behind his artist persona, and that he was much more of a gentleman than many of the actual gentry. I loved the slow friendship between Jeremy and Yvette’s brother, Edwin. And the scandalous painting Jeremy wanted to paint of Yvette was the perfect stage for their burning romance. I really did love everything about this story – the writing was excellent, the character development well done, and both the story and the plot were flawless. The sexy scenes between Jeremy and Yvette were so hot it was impossible to stop reading. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book in this series!
Some of my favorite The Art of Sinning quotes:
Perversely, that peeved her. For a scoundrel, he was being awfully gentlemanly. Or was she simply not attractive enough to tempt him? Perhaps she’d imagined all those heated looks. It wouldn’t be the first time she’d misinterpreted a man’s interest in her.
“We’re here,” she said in her low, melodic voice, tightening something deep in his chest. Not his heart. He had no heart. He couldn’t risk having one, because hearts always ended up broken.
But you have a heart! God he hoped she was wrong. Hearts got trampled on. He’d been through enough pain without the crushing agony of a broken heart. Yet he didn’t want her thinking him a scoundrel, either. As usual, he wanted to have his cake and eat it, too.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.
Twitter: bmreviewsohmy
I was not fan of Keene in The Dukes Men series so I was a bit worried but Jefferies made me like him a bit. 🙂 My review is coming up pretty soon. 🙂
I’m glad you enjoyed Keen more in his own story, Stormi 🙂 I look forward to reading your review!
Yay I am so glad that you loved this one. I was impressed with the way Jeffries handled this story. Love the hero.
I loved both the hero and the heroine. Her slang-dictionary really did me in – the linguist part of me was so happy about that!
Thanks for sharing – glad you enjoyed this one. Making a dictionary of street slang huh? How interesting! haha
Yeah, that was awesome, Lauren, I loved it!
I really need to start reading historical romance. I have some on my TBR just haven’t gotten to any yet, This sounds fantastic. Great review!!
I love historical romances where the heroines are a little bit anachronic, Grace 😀 And tis series is a lot of fun, and also quite hot 😉
Gah! I can’t wait to get my hands on The Art of Sinning, Lexxie. It sounds like Jeffries created fantastic characters – especially Yvette – and injected her brand of humor. I like that it’s set in the Duke’s Men’s world. 🙂 I’m so, so happy you introduced me to Jeffries. And I’m happy you enjoyed this one so well!
**BIG HUGS**
Yvette was awesome! And yes, the Duke’s Men is a great universe to have a story in 😉 *BIG HUGS*
Twitter: talksupeblog
Scandalous painting, is it like Rose’s in Titanic? Lol
Hmm… I think it might be even more scandalous than that, Braine 😉
Twitter: Mlsimmons
I dictionary of street slang sounds fun. I could use one of those. LOL. Glad you enjoyed it.
Ha! I think I could use a dictionary of ‘young’ speak… sometimes my students say the weirdest things!
Woots! That’s awesome to hear. I enjoyed this one as well. She’s such a fun historical author 🙂
Jeffries is awesome 🙂 And I’m glad we both had fun with The Art of Sinning, Anna 😀
I am adding this to my wishlist right now! I love this type of dynamic between characters, and she sounds like the type heroine I prefer.
She’s a great heroine, Christy! I loved her so much 😀 No shrinking violets in sight.
Oh my, I need to read this, your review makes this book irresistible, I just bought it ! And the cover, I love the look on the man’s face ^^
Mmm, you’re going to love this, Iza! It’s very good, and the heroine is one you’ll enjoy, too.
Used to read her work all the time, but confess to not reading many historicals lately. Loved, loved, loved your review! Hugs…