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?
I really enjoyed this story. Maybe it’s because it’s one of the only historical romances I’ve found with an American, an artist, or just the fact that Jeremy Keane is so
I loved Edwin Barlow, Yvette’s older brother and the Earl of Blakeborough. He’s a bit stuffy, but he means well, and he’s a good brother to her. Unlike her other brother, but I won’t get into that or I’ll spoil the story. What’s hilarious is that Edwin, after meeting Jeremy, almost immediately tells the artist he can’t paint Yvette:
“Speaking of beautiful women,” Jeremy said to Blakeborough, “can you tell me the name of that one there in the emerald silk?”
The fellow looked over and blanched. “Why do you want to know?”
“I want to paint her.”
The earl glared at him. “That won’t ever happen.”
“Why not?” Then the man’s curt tone registered. “Don’t tell me—you’ve fixed on her as your future countess.”
“Hardly. She’s my sister.”
God
The Art of Sinning by Sabrina Jeffriesrot it, that was worse. Sisters were sacrosanct.
That had me smiling as I read it the first time, and still does anytime I reread that scene. This book is light, fun, and amusing, with some darker and more serious bits to balance it out. Basically, if you’re looking for a solid and entertaining historical romance, look no further.
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