Title: The Art of Sinning
Series: Sinful Suitors #1
Author: Sabrina Jeffries
Genre: Historical Romance
Published: July 21, 2015
Publisher: Pocket Books
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:
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?
Read on for my thoughts on The Art of Sinning. No true spoilers, promise.
The Art of Sinning is the delicious start to a new series, Sinful Suitors. And Sabrina Jeffries starts off with a winner.
Jeremy and Yvette both want something, Jeremy obviously wants to paint this beautiful woman as his triumphant masterpiece, Yvette wants to solve a family mystery by gaining access to London’s brothels. Working together they both get what they want and a whole lot more. Of course Jeremy’s eventual intent is seduction, he is after all somewhat a man of his time. Still Yvette is unlike other women he has known. She is intelligent without trying to hide her brain behind the ploy of being a complete ninny. She has been hurt before and is not trusting of men. Her loyalty and devotion to all members of her family, no matter their circumstances, is an attitude rarely seen in the world they both travel.
The banter between the main characters is one of the gems in this story. While some of it may hide deeper feelings, or let’s be truthful, lustful feelings the way that Jeremy and Yvette interact is as charming and provocative as any part of their story. It also makes them a deeper, more believable couple, in my opinion. Their relationship is slow building, but there is little doubt that they will eventually act on those burning feelings. Neither expect love to overtake them, and it’s a delightful journey in watching them fall. The tread of mystery begins in this first story, and while there is a bit of resolution, I suspect we haven’t seen the end just yet. One of the things I enjoy about Ms. Jeffries’ novels is that string of something that connects every story within a series and I look forward to seeing this one play out.
We will run into a few characters from other series. If you have read other works by this author you will most likely recognize them – if you haven’t, it’s not important in that they will simply be another secondary character to you. The inclusion of previous characters is enjoyable and gives the long time readers a chance to “catch up” with characters whose stories we’ve seen have happy endings. It never takes away from the current couple, and in fact adds fascinating characters to the mix.
I greatly enjoyed The Art of Sinning and am looking forward to the next novel in this series. The story is compelling, the characters charming, the sizzle between Jeremy and Yvette is obvious and well played, the love and affection they have for each other will grow on them and on the reader. For fans of Ms. Jeffries this is a welcome and exciting beginning to a new series to look forward to – for those just discovering this amazing author, get ready for an enjoyable experience that will have you looking for previous series to devour. Definitely recommended for any Historical or Regency romance reader or for someone who enjoys a good love story with a touch of mystery. Pick up The Art of Sinning, step back in time to an era of beauty and corruption (opposite sides of any society’s coin) and indulge yourself.
*I received an e-ARC of The Art of Sinning from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*
The Art of Sinning is available in audio, paperback and for the Kindle
