The Art of Scandal- Regina Black

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(Internally screaming) This book was exactly what the title said- SCANDAL… Political drama, family feuds, secrets uncovered, manipulation, cheating , corruption… you name it! This was something Olivia Pope would have her gladiators suiting up to defend because this was EVERYTHING!!!!! Available August 2023 , so glad I got the opportunity to read this ARC , because this was perfectly executed!!! 💋💋💋💋

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#theartofscandal #reginablack

The Art of Scandal is one of my top reads of 2023, and this author's debut novel. You could not tell because this book was beautifully written and I couldn't put it down.

Rachel is an older black woman who has been married to her husband for years. Her husband, the current mayor, is starting his political campaign for office, and wants Rachel by his side. The problem? Rachel just discovered that her husband has been cheating and plans to leave her. For a woman as loyal as Rachel, this turns her world upside down, especially when her husband only wants to give her money in the divorce if she agrees to present themselves as a happily married couple while he's campaigning.

Rachel meets Nathan, a younger artist and laundromat owner, on the night she discovers her husband cheated. From the outside, these two appear to be from opposite sides of the track, but they have so much in common. Their friendship turns into more, and while they form a romance, there are other forces at play that will jeopardize the peace they've found with each other.

I loved watching Rachel rediscover who she was as a woman. She'd been suppressed for so long by being a prop for her husband. Nathan feels like a family disappointment, and has artistic talents that he is too afraid to believe in until he's met with Rachel's quiet encouragement. These two complemented each other in the best way. I loved how flawed they were because sometimes you don't meet your soulmate under the perfect circumstances. It takes heartache and some self-growth to get these two where they need to be, and the author took us on that journey in a way that had me rooting for Rachel and Nathan the entire time!

There were a few surprises here and there, so I do recommend being prepared to binge this book because once you start, you're going to want to see it through to the end. I can't wait to see what this author writes next!

I was so excited to receive both an ARC and ALC of this debut from an author that I’m proud to call a local! While spice and political intrigue are definitely not a go to for my reads, this was an unexpected surprise. Yes, it was spicy and sultry (in a supremely well done way, I might add) but the plot was driving and explosive. There was a twist that made me audibly gasp, and this is a treat for friends of Shonda Rimes flavored drama!

Loved this! My jaw dropped so many times while reading, it really is up to the "scandal" in the title. I loved the drama, the writing was beautiful, and watching Rachel and Nathan fall in love amid so much chaos... whew. I can't wait to recommend this to customers when it comes out!

I enjoyed the scandal and mystery of this novel, but I wish there was more romance. I had high hopes for this based on the cover and hype but it fell a little short. It was still interesting and I definitely recommend it!

I adore this book by Regina Black. The opening sentence had me hooked and I deliberately took my time with it because I loved the characters so much that I really wanted the book to last. Rachel Abbott is a wonderful lead character. She had a daughter a very young age, never graduated college after the death of her father, married a white man with political aspirations and lost herself in the years that lead up to her discovering (in an incredibly memorable way) that her husband of 13 years is cheating on her.

Nathan Vasquez is a part of a well-connected billionaire family in the same community, but has done everything he can to avoid being a part of that world. He owns a laundromat and is an artist. He’s distant from his father, looks up to, though resents, his brother, and his mother is a constant source of frustration in his life. Though his family and Rachel and her family run in the same circles, the two don’t meet until the night Rachel discovers Matt’s affair.

The chemistry between Nathan and Rachel is beautifully written. This is a romance, but it’s also a story about race, class, art, and family. I adore this book.

What a debut. Regina Black has created two excellent characters in Rachel and Nathan, but Rachel is one of the most compelling main characters I’ve read in ages.

On the night of her politician husband’s 40th birthday party, Rachel learns he’s been cheating on her when she receives a dick pic he meant to send to his mistress. It’s a hell of an opening, and I felt Rachel’s anger rolling off the page. I had to root for her as she took back control of her life after spending years making herself smaller in service of her husband’s political ambitions.

When she meets Nathan, an artist 11 years younger than her, they instantly connect — and soon find out their lives are more interwoven than they realized. I loved that they kept popping up in each other’s lives and how his mother was one of Rachel’s husband’s biggest donors. It just added to the scandal of it all.

Nathan is a compelling character in his own right, an artist who has a complicated relationship with his wealthy parents, particularly his father. This story is his journey to believing in himself and in his art. And he is GONE for Rachel almost from the moment they meet. This man literally carries her through the woods on his back in a torrential downpour when their car breaks down! If that’s not love, I don’t know what is.

THE ART OF SCANDAL was one of those books where I didn’t know how the couple would find an HEA, which definitely kept the pages turning. Regina Black is a writer to watch.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I laughed, I cried, I wanted more from this tour de force of a debut, Regina Black!

Since the Pitch Wars showcase I’ve followed this author’s journey and especially this story, and it was an honor and a pleasure to get a chance to read an arc of it. From a stunning first time to the final notes of the last page this book has the romance, drama, angst, scandal, and humor.

Rachel Abbott is the dutiful wife who receives a text from her politician husband meant for someone else. A text that can only mean one thing—he’s definitely cheating. With a flimsy prenup in place she knows she needs to bargain for more since her job the last decade+ has been a professional spouse. They agree she’ll stay through his campaign and play-act like nothing has changed for the cameras in exchange for the house and $1M. Easy enough.

And then she meets Nathan.

The owner of a laundromat and son of a rival political family (though he doesn’t act like it) and much younger than Rachel are immediately drawn to each other when the meet the night she receives the life-altering text. There’s a whole art sub-plot I won’t get into but suffice it to say, I was hooked!

This is easily one of my top reads for 2023 and I look forward to much more from this outstanding and talented author!

THIS BOOK. What a debut! I have to admit, I was wary of the affair subject matter, especially in the context of a romance novel, but Regina Black managed to write a beautiful, smart, layered, and sexy story. Every character felt like they had a purpose and the relationships and struggles felt very real. I loved Rachel and Nathan together - the connection! the tension! the pining! It was *chef's kiss".

I feel like there are so many more stories to explore in this universe. I know I am not the first to say this, but I NEED more Joe and Mia! We just got a taste of their history, and I hope we'll be able to read more in the future. I also really enjoyed Julia, the lawyer, as well as Nathan's best friends, Bobbi and Dillon, and would happily read more about all of them!

I highly recommend this book and now consider Regina Black an auto-buy author. I am excited to see what is next!

This story emerges as an excellent reflection of power. It unfolds as a story about fraught family dynamics, fears of what can be, and a woman owning her pleasure. Rachel gets to be unsure of herself. She also takes back her purpose. Matt's quest to be a political powerhouse becomes sloppy and pathetic but fits the ambition needed to a tee. Nathan needs the push to pursue his dreams and himself as a person.

There are parts that read as a soap opera but that balances the core pieces of the book. There is a big cast of characters. I would have liked more of Alesha.

Otherwise, Washington D.C. is a forthright setting in this power play of a story.

This was so sexy and gave everything it needed to give. I loved it so much!!!!!! Regina did what was necessary and then some.

Included in this post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CuK1YXsg6mw/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

This was just okay.

There was scandal, there was some heat and lots of secrets but the story also didn’t blow my mind.

This book definitely lived up to its title.

The Art of Scandal is just that and so much more. It’s about a woman taking the reins of her life back after experiencing a deep betrayal. It’s like she’s waking up from a fever dream and suddenly so many years have passed.

I enjoyed the book but somehow I couldn’t connect to the storyline. But I really liked Regina Black’s voice and I would be interested in her future work.

A biting and poignant romance with complicated but completely human characters. Rachel is one of the fiercest protagonists I've ever read and I loved her tenacity and unwavering confidence.

I definitely enjoyed this story. I think the blurb from Tia Williams is very smart as I got similar vibes to Seven Days in June (also The Idea of You from Robin Lee). Very layered and fully realized characters. But maybe too layered? This book covers a lot of big topics and introduces perhaps too many characters around Nathan and Rachel. The writing is great throughout. I think the first third of the story was perfect, then the pacing waned a bit but still kept me engaged. I worry the cheesy cover might keep it from truly catching fire (unlike the poorly photoshopped flames on it) but if this book finds the right audience I think it can be big!

Thank you to netgalley and grand central pub for the e-arc!

5/5 📖

Thank you netgalley and grandcentralpub for giving me an ARC of this book.

"I think about you all the fvcking time. And not just-" He swallowed hard. "I'm no good at this. Every time I think I'm okay with how we left it, that I've gotten it together, you take me apart. Who was I before I met you?"

This book was SO good. Rachel finds out her husband was cheating on her during his birthday. He's determined to not lose his political career, and they come to an agreement to fake the marriage until the election period is over. What Rachel wasn't planning was to meet a 26 year old man that would see her for who she really was, and would help her realize just how much of herself she had forgotten or let go of.

This book comes out in August, and I highly recommend you grab it if you like:

📚 BIPOC Romance
📚 Dual POV
📚 Age Gap
📚 Forbidden Romance

What a compelling, high-stakes, glittering romance, but it's grounded by meaningful commentary, themes, and depth. A wonderful debut!

This book is a powerhouse. Beautifully written with strong, memorable characters. I was blown away. Definitely a high recommend.

Loved this book! It's so great! Definitely would recommend!! I seriously couldn't put it down! It's definitely heavy but also entertaining!