“Quick pacing, witty dialogue, and charmingly original characters set Jeffries’ books apart” (Publishers Weekly, starred review), and The Secret of Flirting is the next thrilling romance in the bestselling Sinful Suitors series. The moment spymaster Baron Fulkham meets the stunning Princess Aurore of Chanay, he’s positive her royal persona is a ruse and that she’s actually Monique Servais, the … actually Monique Servais, the mysterious actress he met three years before in Dieppe. But as he pursues his suspicions, he uncovers a plot of attempted assassination and betrayal that could very well destroy his career, expose his own secrets…and ruin the woman he’s rapidly coming to love.
The Secret of Flirting is a sizzling historical romance filled with fast-paced storytelling, an enchanting heroine, and a sexy hero, perfect for fans of Regency romance.
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I keep saying every new Sabrina Jeffries book is my favorite. 🙂 I love this one because it gives a reader so much–mystery, a masquerade, a conflicted hero and a determined heroine, the witty flirting that Sabrina’s characters always deliver, and of course, a wonderful sigh of satisfaction that comes with the HEA. The Sinful Suiters always deliver!
Gregory Vyse, Baron Fulkham, is a man who likes to control everything around him. His work in the government requires him to keep any emotion under wraps as he sends out his spies to ferret out secrets and plots against England. His self-restraint is shaken when he meets the beautiful French actress, Monique Servais in Dieppe, France. With only one short meeting with Monique, Gregory is forever changed. When he meets her again masquerading as Princess Aurore of Chanay, he is determined to unmask and expose her for the imposter she is. When Monique Servais agrees to a scheme to act as her cousin at an important conference to choose the next ruler of Belgium, she has no idea that Gregory Vyse is the man in charge. She has never forgotten him and now must resist his efforts and charms to uncover why she is posing as her cousin.
Ms. Jeffries has delivered another wonderful and intriguing story. I loved how she incorporated many historical facts into the story. Gregory is a spymaster with secrets of his own and he does everything he can to tamp down his attraction to Monique. The story is filled with lots of witty banter and sizzling attraction. The web of lies and secrets that must be uncovered to get to the truth kept me turning the pages to find out who is trying to kill the future leader of Belgium. I found the epilogue a wonderful addition in wrapping up the storyline. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and fans of historical romance will find this a welcome addition to their library.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
When Gregory Vyse, Baron Fulkham, met the beautiful French actress, Monique Servais in Dieppe, she was impudent and seemed not at all concerned about his rank or station. Now three years later he is certain the woman he was just introduced to as the Princess Aurore of Chanay is the woman he has not been able to forget. The question is why she is masquerading in such a position and more importantly, who is trying to kill her.
Gregory has a background that hinders his ability to give his heart freely and yet it continues to yearn for the woman who has him in turmoil. Monique, holding her own in a profession that can leave a woman’s reputation in tatters, is simply determined to provide for her grandmother in what few years she may have remaining.
This hero was charming and fun, protective and seductive, and a bit confused how he was to make things work between him and his heroine. Monique was a strong heroine who held her own against him except when he turned the heat up. Then she found herself yielding or tempting him whichever the case may be.
I really enjoyed this romance filled with political intrigue, drama and suspense. There was a sprinkling of humor throughout, a cast of characters to throw suspicion around, and a villain that was not evident until revealed.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by NetGalley and Pocket Books. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I loved this book. Will Baron Fulkham be able to prove if Princess Aurora is the real princess or the actress Monique or not. Will he rick his job to protect her? Why are they flirting with eachother? You will enjoy finding out. This series is great!!!!!!
3.75 stars–THE SECRET OF FLIRTING is the fifth instalment in Sabrina Jeffries’ THE SINFUL SUITORS historical romance series. This is spymaster Baron Gregory Fulkham, and actress Monique Sevais’ story line. THE SECRET OF FLIRTING can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Monique and Gregory) THE SECRET OF FLIRTING follows Baron Gregory Fulkham as he is tasked with naming the royal head to the new kingdom of Belgium. As Belgium fought and won their independence in1830, the London Conference and the House of Lords was tasked with naming their new ruler. As Princess Aurore of Chanay on her deathbed due to an unknown illness, her look-alike doppleganger, French stage actress Monique Servais was called into service to ‘portray’ the princess at future gatherings. Enter Baron Gregory Fulkham, the man in charge of determining the rightful heir, and the man who would discover the truth to the identity of the reigning princess. What ensues is the building relationship between Monique and Gregory, and the potential fall-out as Monique aka the princess is targeted by an unknown assassin, in the hopes of destroying her chances at the crown.
Our heroine, actress Monique Servais is the sole custodian of her ailing grandmother so when an offer for aid comes with the opportunity to play her grandest role to date. Baron Gregory Fulkham recognized Monique immediately although her resemblance to the ailing princess was unmistakable and not without merit but proving our heroine’s secret meant revealing his own failings as it pertained to revealing the truth.
THE SECRET OF FLIRTING is a detailed, complex and intriguing story line; an entertaining, historical look at passion, betrayal, revenge and espionage; at one family’s hidden secrets, and another family’s secret past. The premise is engrossing; the romance is passionate; the characters are spirited, damaged and energetic.
4.5 stars
The first time Gregory Vyse, Baron Fulkham and Monique Servais meet after he sees her in a play, it is definitely not love at first sight, yet neither ever forgets the other.
Three years later Monique is still an actress in Dieppe, France, but due to the decline of her grandmother, she no longer has the lead roles, she wonders how much longer she can care for her grandmother working as an actress. Life has not always been kind to Monique and she doesn’t trust love, from her perspective love equals pain. But just when it seems she will have to do the unthinkable to support her grandmother, she gets a surprise visit from her grand-uncle, Count de Beaumonde comes to see her and makes her an offer that could solve all her problems. Her grandmother is Princess Solange of the royal family of Chanay. Her family disowned her when she married an actor, but now the Count (Solange’s BIL) will take them back to the palace and see to Solange’s care, if Monique will impersonate her cousin Princess Aurore and travel to England for the selection of the new monarch of Belgium – Aurore is the top candidate, but is deathly ill since arriving in France. Monique agrees, she and Aurore look almost identical and she is already familiar with Chanay thanks to her grandmother – what could go wrong?
The first gathering she attends, Monique discovers exactly what could go wrong – Baron Fulkham! Gregory can’t believe his eyes, the actress from Dieppe is impersonating Princess Aurore and as a member of the delegation, he cannot not let this imposter take the throne – but first he wants to know what their scheme is and sets out to unmask Monique.
Monique and Gregory are priceless together, he trying to get her to confess that she is Monique and her maintaining her role. But when her life is put in danger, Gregory doesn’t care who she is, he will protect her. Monique tells Gregory the truth of her ruse and begs him not to reveal the deception. Gregory agrees, but he will find out who is trying to kill the princess.
When Gregory learns that some is looking into his past trying to uncover his secrets and another attempt on Monique’s life is made, Gregory forms a plan. A plan that ends in him marrying Monique, but will she agree?
This is a very fast paced, well written story with wonderful characters, witty dialogue, steamy love scenes, a bit of intrigue, secrets and seemingly no chance for a HEA. But this is Sabrina Jeffries and she is able to make the impossible possible – with a surprising twist!
This is the fifth book in the series, but it is very loosely tied to the previous books and could easily be read as a stand alone title. I highly recommend this book and am looking forward to Hart’s story.
When spymaster Baron Fulkham meets the stunning Princess Aurore of Chanay, he’s sure he’s met her before, in Dieppe three years previously, where she was an actress called Monique Servais. As he pursues his suspicions, he uncovers a plot of attempted assassination and betrayals that could very well destroy his career, expose his own dark secrets and ruin the woman he’s rapidly falling for.
Forced by her great-uncle to cover for a cousin she’s never met, stage actress Monique Servais is playing the role of a lifetime as Princess Aurore.
This is the fifth book in the series, it could well be read by itself but as the whole series is so very good I’d recommend reading from the start. I’ve been hoping that Gregory would have his story & find a woman who could bring him to his knees & he’s certainly found her in Monique. I love the author’s books & she’s one of my must read authors, this book lives up to her high standard. The characters are so very well portrayed, the plots are well paced & draw you in from the start. I also love her attention to detail & knowledge of the era. There are plenty of secrets & misunderstandings as that all add to this engrossing read
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Wow. What a fun Regency romance filled with lots of sexual chemistry between the hero and heroine, love (of course), royalty (like the glamorous haute ton of London wasn’t enough), and a mystery that the hero, Gregory Vyse, Baron of Fulkham was more that happy to solve. I especially loved how Gregory was a gentleman but he just couldn’t stop swearing in from of the ladies, and a princess no less. I found him so entertaining and endearing when you read about his past. And the heroine, Monique Servais was so wonderfully independent and smart. Together they made a great team. I couldn’t put this book down. I really enjoyed this story and was so happy they were able to achieve their HEA.
Most of the character, were introduced in earlier books, including Gregory Vyse, Baron of Fulkham and a spymaster for Britain, the Hero of this book. The story begins, before the previous books, on a night that will come back to haunt him. While meeting his brother’s friend, Lord Hartley Corry to recruit him in a bit of espionage, he meets an actress, Monique Servais, and learns his younger brother, John, has been murdered. Several years later he sees Monique again, but now she claims that she is Princess Aurore of Chanay, one of the candidates to rule Belgium. His attraction to the actress has not diminished, but his career comes first and he is going to get to the bottom of this mystery. Lots of intrigue, attempted murders, blackmail, sizzling attractions all woven together with interesting and well developed characters, researched and rich history and beautifully described settings. A lovely addition to the series.
Not Much Flirting Happening Here
Romance took a back seat to political intrigue in this story. It was hard to get attached to the hero and heroine. Both were too serious and dull. I don’t think I recall any flirting between them until the end of the story. Before that, whatever happened between them was geared toward accomplishing their missions. Monique needed to protect her secret, and Fulkham was working to expose it. That is what kept the story interesting, reading to see how the truth would come out and get resolved, rather than the relationships between characters.
Secrets abound in The Secret of Flirting. Gregory Vyse, Baron of Fulkham has plenty; some as a spymaster, and some in his past. Mademoiselle Monique Servais has a few of her own, some even she is not aware of. Coming from a theatrical family, she supports herself and her grandmother by acting. Her fortunes seem to chance when she is approached to take the place of Princess Aurore from Chanay. Unfortunately, the princess is deathly ill, fortunately Monique could be her twin. Unfortunately, the princess needs to be in England as she is a candidate to be Queen of Belgium. Monique makes a deal with the Count Dr Beaumonde to portray Aurore. However, this puts in in contact with the one man she has not forgotten in three years, the Baron Fulkham. Will be recognize her for who she really is? He also has not been able to forget her from their one brief meeting? Will he expose her? If he does not and the truth is found out, it will sink his career.. What is his deepest, darkest secret? Who is trying to kill the princess and why? There are several possibilities. This is a fast paced read, very nicely done. I have read many of Ms.Jefferies books, and have enjoyed all of them. Her characters are always well done with the heros, heroines, side characters very likable and the villains dastardly. We also get to catch up on characters from previous reads. A very nice read, indeed! I received this eBook from NetGalley for an honest review.
All talk, and not much action here. Lost interest fairly quickly which is a shame as this author usually delivers a good read.
Ooooh! Intrigue and hot sexual tension are abound in The Secret of Flirting.
Spymaster Gregory, Baron of Fulkam, has to have his wits about him when he meets Princess Anne, he’s sure he’s seen her before on the stage as she actually is being replaced by a actress named Monique, a lady he’d met several years before.
The story opens up to intrigue and a clever mystery develops with danger lurking for Monique and the Princess. A tight drama and hot romance are in the cards for this excellent plot line and Ms. Jeffries characters were excellent for the story as usual.
A story not to be missed. I highly recommend it!
Jeffries can really weave a great story full of romance, intrigue, and surprises. Loved it!
The Secret of Flirting by Sabrina Jeffries
Should I be embarrassed that I bought both the eBook and audio of Sabrina Jeffries’ The Secret of Flirting? It’s no secret that Sabrina is one of my favorite authors. I’ve read almost everything she’s written. I’ve enjoyed all her series, but the Sinful Suitors has been a decadent delight of sexy heroes and strong, empowered heroines.
Listening to this story with narrator Justine Eyre brings Jeffries’ words to life. This book should be a movie. The intrigue and adventure are breathless with excitement as Spymaster Baron Fulkham uncovers an assassination plot that could leave the actress, Monique Servais with nothing, not even her life.
What Eyre brings to the narration compliments the novel and characters, we hear the voices like actors on a stage. The emotion and personality Eyre evokes adds to the beauty and strength of Jeffries’ characters.
Sparks sizzle from their first meeting when Fulkham insults the beautiful and talented actress. Mademoiselle Servais has never forgotten the arrogant Baron, nor he her. When she shows up in London as the Princess Aurore of Chanay, he is confident in her true identity. His desire for her frustrates him. To further his pollical career he cannot marry an actress but he cannot ask a princess to be his mistress. Can they find a way to be together or will an assassin destroy their chance at happiness?
If you haven’t read anything by Sabrina Jefferies before, I have to ask, “where have you been?” Read The Secret of Flirting, and the other books in the Sinful Suitors series. Then go back and check out The Hellions of Hallstead Hall, The Dukes’ Men and The School for Heiresses series, and you will understand why Sabrina Jeffries is one of my favorite writers.
Gregory Vyse, Baron Fulkram, Undersecretary of the Foreign Office, in control and ambitious (to a fault), and spymaster extraordinaire is knocked of his feet by a princess, or is she an actress posing as a princess? She may or may not want to rule Belgium, and someone might be trying to assassinate her. It is his job to protect her, as soon as he determines who she is.
Gregory and Monique are great characters and will make a wonderful couple (if they make it). The secondary characters range from sweet, caring, and loveable to demanding, frustrating, and obnoxious, each serving his or her purpose. At least one of them is quite dangerous. The story absolutely holds your attention beginning to end.
How does this all work out? Just as it should, of course, with a few surprises.
I received this book from the author and publisher via NetGalley. The review is my own.
This is the fifth book in a wonderful series of books by this author. In this story, Monique is a lovely french actress performing on stage in Paris. Gregory is a Baron, visiting France on a work assignment for the English government. The two meet by chance, and it doesn’t go well, but each has reason to remember the other.
Three years later, Monique is drawn into a plot laced with intrigue that requires her to pose as another person on a visit to London. Her future and that of one of her loved ones is dependent upon her success. Who should she run into, that might remember her as Monique, but Gregory.
Gregory DOES remember Monique, who is now pretending to be someone named “Aurore”. He remembers her beauty, her words to him, his lust for her. The two become embroiled in a tale of international political conspiracy that involves secrets and danger. They also begin to give in to their feelings for each other, despite the risk of doing so.
The story is a definite page turner, and the full extent of the mystery not revealed until nearly the end, which made it all the more entertaining. The heat between the two main characters was beyond flirtation and straight into flaming! I highly recommend this book to readers of romance who enjoy some excitement and real voltage with their hea.
I read this as an arc on Netgalley which affected my review in no way at all.
The Secret of Flirting by Sabrina Jeffries is book Five in The “Sinful Suitors” series. This is the story of Gregory Vyse, Baron of Fulkham and Princess Anne of Chanay aka Monique Servais. I have read the previous books (and loved them!) in this series but feel this is easily a standalone book.
Monique is trying to take care of her grandmother who has dementia. Monique has taken to becoming an actress which has lead to all her money and spare time going toward helping her Grandmother. Her Grandmother was once the Princess but left family and friends behind to marry an actor. That title has now gone to a cousin and now Monique has been asked to pretend to be that cousin in exchange Monique’s Grandmother will be taken care of.
Gregory and Monique had meet a few years back behind acting stage where Monique was working. There was an instant attraction from both ends but nothing further happened. Now in the present day Gregory meets the Princess who he thinks is the actress Monique that he meet and couldn’t get off his mind. Monique is a great actress and has Gregory starting to doubt his theory but then an attempt is made on Monique’s life that brings her safety to the forefront along with Gregory’s feelings. Gregory is trying to make a name for himself in the Political world but he can’t do that with an Actress as a wife so can his feelings be anything more?
Really loved their story and must say the sweet Epilogue put the ‘Cherry on Top’ of this story!
I have liked this whole series. Gregory and Monique are great characters. We have watched Gregory in the other stories and I am glad to get his now. He always seems a little cold and aloof. But, Monique brings out the fire in him. He isn’t able to keep his cool demeanor when she is around. After a bad introduction, he sees her again 3 years later. But, this time she is calling herself Princess Aurore. This can’t be Princess Aurore, it is Monique. Gregory knows she is an actress, but why does she look so much like the princess and what is she doing? Will she try to take the throne for herself or is something else going on. Secrets are Gregory’s specialty and he will get to the bottom of this secret.
Gregory Fulkham finally meets his match! After managing spies all over England and the Continent, he’s poised to take over as the head of the Foreign Office. All he has to do is manage a little conference to determine the ruler of the newly independent Belgium. As if all the normal intrigue and backbiting isn’t enough, he comes face to face with the one woman whom he’s ever given a second thought. She just happens to be a woman he knows to be an actress, but now she’s posing as a princess, who is one of the candidates for ruler of Belgium. Is it really her? Can he be sure? Further investigation is definitely called for, so he’s going to stay very close to this princess!
Monique knows the moment Fulkham spots her that all her family’s plans could go up in smoke if he exposes her as a fraud. She just has to make sure to give the performance of her life to convince him that she is a princess. She has too many people depending on her. But it’s so very difficult not to let down her guard when he is the only man she has ever felt passion for. She knows she’s flirting with danger–and that’s even before she realizes there’s a real threat lurking at the conference.
I enjoyed all the intrigue in this story, as Fulkham and Monique tried to dance around each other and figure out how to meet their objectives. When they eventually began working together to meet the larger threat, it got even better. I’m always a little sad when two characters from different social stations can’t just be together without there being some kind of transformation, but I guess due to the time period, it just isn’t possible.
The couples from the previous Sinful Suitors books make appearances, but this book stands on its own pretty well. It isn’t necessary to read the other books to know what is going on in this one.
I received an ARC of this book from the author.