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A Scandalous Venture
He held the sketch between two fingers, lips curved into something dangerously close to a smile.
“Tell me, my lady, is this how you see me? Or how you wish to?”
Evelyn Everest is a baron’s daughter by birth, but a scandalous artist by choice—secretly sketching half-naked men and selling her work to bored noble ladies under a disguise. Her most daring piece yet? A wickedly detailed portrait of the Crown Prince himself. When the sketch scandalizes the palace and a bounty is placed on the unknown artist’s head, Evelyn must tread carefully, playing the perfect lady while navigating a world of whispers, suspicion, and a prince whose gaze lingers far too long. With scandal closing in and desire complicating everything, one thing becomes dangerously clear: in a game of masks and missteps, falling in love might just be her most reckless act yet.
“Tell me, my lady, is this how you see me? Or how you wish to?”
Evelyn Everest is a baron’s daughter by birth, but a scandalous artist by choice—secretly sketching half-naked men and selling her work to bored noble ladies under a disguise. Her most daring piece yet? A wickedly detailed portrait of the Crown Prince himself. When the sketch scandalizes the palace and a bounty is placed on the unknown artist’s head, Evelyn must tread carefully, playing the perfect lady while navigating a world of whispers, suspicion, and a prince whose gaze lingers far too long. With scandal closing in and desire complicating everything, one thing becomes dangerously clear: in a game of masks and missteps, falling in love might just be her most reckless act yet.
- GenresHistorical Romance
497 pages, Hardcover
Published August 2, 2025
37 people want to read
About the author
Aroona Abbas
4 books38 followersAroona Abbas believes every plot twist deserves a cup of chai and a little drama. When she’s not sketching or reading manhwas, she’s probably living as a character in a fantasy kingdom, a dystopian paradise, or somewhere deep in Regency-era drama. She loves creating new worlds and writing characters readers can truly love (or love to hate). Sketching may be her first passion—but writing is the one that keeps her up at night.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 6, 2025
I used to read a lot of historical romance but these day I mostly I have my head stuck in the world of romantasy or contemporary romance but occasionally I drag myself out to read something different. I was enticed out of my fantasy bubble by the offer a free ebook for in exchange for an honest review by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.
While Lady Evelyn Everest may be a respectable baron’s daughter she has a scandalous secret, she sketches half naked men and sells copies to the bored ladies of the ton under a disguise. By sketching the Crown Prince she may have gone too far, particularly when the Crown finds out and a reward is offered for revealing the artists identity. So Evelyn must tread carefully.
I enjoyed this book and going off topic I loved Herra and Cassius, they were so perfect for each other and I loved Herra’s friendship with Evelyn. I’m not a history buff so I can’t tell you how historically accurate it was but then I’m not really here for that, I am here for the hint of scandal around Miss Citrus Warrior herself Evelyn. I can just imagine all the fans quivering and the clutching of pearls about Evelyn’s secret, such a disgraceful thing for a lady to do lol. I liked Evelyn she had spark and plenty of it, she was strong and feisty. Cedric our golden Prince, I enjoyed the budding relationship between him and Evelyn. Overall I really enjoyed this book and the authors writing.
While Lady Evelyn Everest may be a respectable baron’s daughter she has a scandalous secret, she sketches half naked men and sells copies to the bored ladies of the ton under a disguise. By sketching the Crown Prince she may have gone too far, particularly when the Crown finds out and a reward is offered for revealing the artists identity. So Evelyn must tread carefully.
I enjoyed this book and going off topic I loved Herra and Cassius, they were so perfect for each other and I loved Herra’s friendship with Evelyn. I’m not a history buff so I can’t tell you how historically accurate it was but then I’m not really here for that, I am here for the hint of scandal around Miss Citrus Warrior herself Evelyn. I can just imagine all the fans quivering and the clutching of pearls about Evelyn’s secret, such a disgraceful thing for a lady to do lol. I liked Evelyn she had spark and plenty of it, she was strong and feisty. Cedric our golden Prince, I enjoyed the budding relationship between him and Evelyn. Overall I really enjoyed this book and the authors writing.
November 14, 2025
4.25/5 stars
𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖:
this book was so lovely and wholesome!! the ending was so cute. it took me a little to get into the book, but once i did i could not put it down!
𝐀𝐆𝐄 𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆:
13+ (mild, infrequent cussing. kissing, fade to black. kidnapping and abuse.)
𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒:
✩ 𝙴𝚅𝙴𝙻𝚈𝙽
“I have fallen- deeply, hopelessly, magnificently- in love with a prince. And there is no undoing it.”
I really liked her, and I found her to be a very good and realistic character! her and cedric are literally adorable, im so happy they ended together.
✩ 𝙲𝙴𝙳𝚁𝙸𝙲
“I want you like breath, like bread, like life itself. I ache for you, I hunger for you. I am unmanned in your presence. Uncrowned. Undone.”
You literally can not tell me him and evelyn are not soulmates after reading that. this boy yearned. a lot. i liked how every now and then we got a couple chapters in his perspective. im also so happy his mom finally came around to accept him and evelyn, dare i say literally the best part in the book??
✩ 𝙷𝙴𝚁𝚁𝙰
“Perhaps because I’ve been your most unfortunate companion for over ten years?”
let me just start off by saying her and cassius are literally adorable!! i would love to read more of them in the future. shes an amazing best friend to evelyn, gossips with her, keeps her secrets, and always supports her! i admit i giggled the multiple times evelyn accidentally interrupted her and cassius together haha.
𝐏𝐋𝐎𝐓
“But is anyone safe in a court made of whispers?”
the plot was great and easy to follow! i love how well it was developed, especially considering evelyn and cedrics relationship. i would recommend this book.
𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖:
this book was so lovely and wholesome!! the ending was so cute. it took me a little to get into the book, but once i did i could not put it down!
𝐀𝐆𝐄 𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆:
13+ (mild, infrequent cussing. kissing, fade to black. kidnapping and abuse.)
𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒:
✩ 𝙴𝚅𝙴𝙻𝚈𝙽
“I have fallen- deeply, hopelessly, magnificently- in love with a prince. And there is no undoing it.”
I really liked her, and I found her to be a very good and realistic character! her and cedric are literally adorable, im so happy they ended together.
✩ 𝙲𝙴𝙳𝚁𝙸𝙲
“I want you like breath, like bread, like life itself. I ache for you, I hunger for you. I am unmanned in your presence. Uncrowned. Undone.”
You literally can not tell me him and evelyn are not soulmates after reading that. this boy yearned. a lot. i liked how every now and then we got a couple chapters in his perspective. im also so happy his mom finally came around to accept him and evelyn, dare i say literally the best part in the book??
✩ 𝙷𝙴𝚁𝚁𝙰
“Perhaps because I’ve been your most unfortunate companion for over ten years?”
let me just start off by saying her and cassius are literally adorable!! i would love to read more of them in the future. shes an amazing best friend to evelyn, gossips with her, keeps her secrets, and always supports her! i admit i giggled the multiple times evelyn accidentally interrupted her and cassius together haha.
𝐏𝐋𝐎𝐓
“But is anyone safe in a court made of whispers?”
the plot was great and easy to follow! i love how well it was developed, especially considering evelyn and cedrics relationship. i would recommend this book.
October 5, 2025
A Scandalous Venture was one of the best books I have read. I loved the characters, who captured my heart. Evelyn Everest was a joy to get to know. I very much enjoyed her spirit and the way she lived her life. This book is a must for romance lovers
November 6, 2025
La primera imagen de Evelyn la revela pintando, mezclando colores mientras su mente, inquieta, no encuentra descanso, intentando en vano calmar su agotamiento. Se sume en recuerdos del pasado y viejas costumbres.
A medida que avanzamos en la lectura, descubrimos una personalidad rebelde y algo conflictiva, especialmente en lo que respecta a su madre. Esta última insiste en casar a su hija, quien, con cada año que pasa, se considera menos elegible entre los solteros. Evelyn no facilita la tarea, pues prefiere observar al vecino trabajando la tierra sin camisa, sin mostrar interés alguno en jóvenes más apropiados a los ojos de su madre.
El conflicto de Evelyn reside en la elección: si elige a uno, rechaza a los demás. ¿Y si se equivoca? Henry es a quien desea, por quien suspira.
La historia sigue a una Evelyn inquieta y perdida en el laberinto de su mente, en un pueblo lleno de maravillas envueltas en un halo de misterio y apellidos ilustres que le hacen proposiciones. Sin embargo, dada su edad y la evidente diferencia entre ellos, más que matrimonio, lo que le ofrecen se asemeja a un secuestro en toda regla. ¿Cómo podría siquiera considerar semejante ofrecimiento?
Evelyn guarda secretos que podrían llevarla a la horca en la plaza del pueblo. No observa a los jóvenes tras su ventana en poses provocativas y con poca ropa solo por admirar la anatomía masculina. Su verdadero secreto reside en su arte, en su negocio. Dibuja al carboncillo y vende esas imágenes indecorosas a mujeres de renombre, que bien pueden pagar por ellas. Imágenes que harían renegar a un cura.
Todo un negocio de fantasías, oculto tras un disfraz y un nombre falso.
Evelyn alberga secretos y sueños, tan audaces y extravagantes como ella misma. Anhela una vida de libertad y rebeldía, lejos de matrimonios convenidos y donde dibujos desvergonzados son el sol de cada día, y no el mundo de sombra que la ocultan. Sueña con viajar y explorar todo lo que el mundo le ofrece.
#Disfruté enormemente al sumergirme en los pensamientos de la protagonista, explorar sus audaces expectativas y nutrirme de su descarada y tentadora visión del mundo. A pesar de estar ambientada en el pasado, con sus tramas inflexibles y costumbres de la época, en ningún momento sentí estar en un tiempo diferente. Sí, había carruajes y vestimentas típicas, así como un lenguaje apropiado para tratar temas escabrosos, pero nunca tuve la sensación de leer un pergamino o la Biblia. Al contrario, leí absorta y reí con complicidad en cada párrafo. Evelyn es un personaje con una mentalidad moderna atrapada en un mundo con reglas anticuadas. Aunque respeta las convenciones de su tiempo, ofrece un vocabulario tan cercano que resulta fácil olvidar que son los pensamientos de la protagonista y no los nuestros.
A medida que avanzamos en la lectura, descubrimos una personalidad rebelde y algo conflictiva, especialmente en lo que respecta a su madre. Esta última insiste en casar a su hija, quien, con cada año que pasa, se considera menos elegible entre los solteros. Evelyn no facilita la tarea, pues prefiere observar al vecino trabajando la tierra sin camisa, sin mostrar interés alguno en jóvenes más apropiados a los ojos de su madre.
El conflicto de Evelyn reside en la elección: si elige a uno, rechaza a los demás. ¿Y si se equivoca? Henry es a quien desea, por quien suspira.
La historia sigue a una Evelyn inquieta y perdida en el laberinto de su mente, en un pueblo lleno de maravillas envueltas en un halo de misterio y apellidos ilustres que le hacen proposiciones. Sin embargo, dada su edad y la evidente diferencia entre ellos, más que matrimonio, lo que le ofrecen se asemeja a un secuestro en toda regla. ¿Cómo podría siquiera considerar semejante ofrecimiento?
Evelyn guarda secretos que podrían llevarla a la horca en la plaza del pueblo. No observa a los jóvenes tras su ventana en poses provocativas y con poca ropa solo por admirar la anatomía masculina. Su verdadero secreto reside en su arte, en su negocio. Dibuja al carboncillo y vende esas imágenes indecorosas a mujeres de renombre, que bien pueden pagar por ellas. Imágenes que harían renegar a un cura.
Todo un negocio de fantasías, oculto tras un disfraz y un nombre falso.
Evelyn alberga secretos y sueños, tan audaces y extravagantes como ella misma. Anhela una vida de libertad y rebeldía, lejos de matrimonios convenidos y donde dibujos desvergonzados son el sol de cada día, y no el mundo de sombra que la ocultan. Sueña con viajar y explorar todo lo que el mundo le ofrece.
#Disfruté enormemente al sumergirme en los pensamientos de la protagonista, explorar sus audaces expectativas y nutrirme de su descarada y tentadora visión del mundo. A pesar de estar ambientada en el pasado, con sus tramas inflexibles y costumbres de la época, en ningún momento sentí estar en un tiempo diferente. Sí, había carruajes y vestimentas típicas, así como un lenguaje apropiado para tratar temas escabrosos, pero nunca tuve la sensación de leer un pergamino o la Biblia. Al contrario, leí absorta y reí con complicidad en cada párrafo. Evelyn es un personaje con una mentalidad moderna atrapada en un mundo con reglas anticuadas. Aunque respeta las convenciones de su tiempo, ofrece un vocabulario tan cercano que resulta fácil olvidar que son los pensamientos de la protagonista y no los nuestros.
November 24, 2025
I’m a bit in love with 22-year-old Evelyn Everest, a witty heroine so eager to evade the strictures of Regency-era womanhood and marriage to some appalling fuddy-dud that she sketches semi-nudes of men she knows and sells them in an alley to other noblewomen to fund her escape. Of “refined upbringing and wretched self-control,” she is on her way to success when she stumbles into, draws, and then (Heaven forfend) sells her drawing of the crown prince of the realm. I won’t spoil the rest of the tale except to say that Aroona Abbas’s “A Scandalous Venture” offers plot twists and derring-do, is fun to read, and there are moments that arouse genuine emotion even in a crusty old guy like me.
I have some caveats. First, Abbas’s handling of women is deft and insightful, but her male characters are either minor, loathsome by dint of age and/or disposition, or good-humored eye candy. Even Prince Cedric, in whose head we often sit, is merely obsessed with Evelyn and otherwise lacks depth. (An exception is Lord Arnault, whose small but pivotal role is multidimensional.) Grammatically, the narrative occasionally shifts between present and past tense for no discernible reason. And the latter part of the book is less well-written than the clever beginning. A phrase such as “should the throne ever grace my head” evokes cranial concussion more than royal rule. (That one is an aberration; most of the sentences are well-crafted and amusing.)
My final beef is with the mechanics of her ebook. The table of contents doesn’t work. If you close the ebook, then in order to continue you must either search for a remembered phrase or chapter heading, or page through the entire text until you reach your stopping point (depending on whether you are reading in an ebook reader or online). Also, if you read it online, the type changes size from paragraph to paragraph, the enlarged first letter of each chapter often disappears, and sometimes, a sentence that is clearly meant to be in the paragraph above sits on its own line, but is not indented. It all makes the ebook harder to read than it should be.
That said, Ms. Abbas has talent. Her genre is not one I often read, but her style grabbed me, and I enjoyed Evelyn’s story to the end.
I have some caveats. First, Abbas’s handling of women is deft and insightful, but her male characters are either minor, loathsome by dint of age and/or disposition, or good-humored eye candy. Even Prince Cedric, in whose head we often sit, is merely obsessed with Evelyn and otherwise lacks depth. (An exception is Lord Arnault, whose small but pivotal role is multidimensional.) Grammatically, the narrative occasionally shifts between present and past tense for no discernible reason. And the latter part of the book is less well-written than the clever beginning. A phrase such as “should the throne ever grace my head” evokes cranial concussion more than royal rule. (That one is an aberration; most of the sentences are well-crafted and amusing.)
My final beef is with the mechanics of her ebook. The table of contents doesn’t work. If you close the ebook, then in order to continue you must either search for a remembered phrase or chapter heading, or page through the entire text until you reach your stopping point (depending on whether you are reading in an ebook reader or online). Also, if you read it online, the type changes size from paragraph to paragraph, the enlarged first letter of each chapter often disappears, and sometimes, a sentence that is clearly meant to be in the paragraph above sits on its own line, but is not indented. It all makes the ebook harder to read than it should be.
That said, Ms. Abbas has talent. Her genre is not one I often read, but her style grabbed me, and I enjoyed Evelyn’s story to the end.
September 20, 2025
I don’t care i need my girl Herra and my guy Cassius’s book next! This was too good let me go touch some grass…..
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews