Gregory Vyse, Baron Fulkham is a very self-controlled and ambitious man who’s currently undersecretary to the Foreign Office in other words he takes care of other little things for the crown as in he’s a spymaster. While he was on a mission Gregory meets a sassy beautiful French actress, Monique Servais in Dieppe backstage at the theater. Monique Servais is only one taking care of her elderly grandmother and is getting worse every day. Her grandmother was a Princess Solange of Chanay whose father disowned her when she ran off and married an actor. She’s approached impersonating her cousin whose fallen ill and in exchange her grandmother will be sent to and taken care of in Chanay.
Now three years later he is certain the woman he was just introduced to as the Princess Aurore of Chanay, but he's positive her royal persona is a ruse and that she's actually Monique Servais, the one woman he has not been able to forget. What’s an ambitious man to do but investigate her to prove she’s an imposter, and all he needs proof before he exposes her and creates a scandal. Gregory’s not free to give his heart, he’s an ambitious and and he can’t marry an actress, but that doesn’t stop him from yearning for Monique but when her life is in danger he vows to protect her.
Wow this fast paced romantic story is filled with political intrigue, drama and suspense a you’ll not soon forget. This is my honest opinions after I voluntarily read a copy of this book that was provided to me with no requirements for a review.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

I have read earlier novels in this series, but forgotten them, but it didn't seem to matter apart from a couple of places where various happily married couples appeared and commented on how happily married they were.

Here Gregory, an under-secretary in the foreign department, recognizes one of the candidates for the newly created throne of Belgium as in fact Monique, an actress he saw perform three years ago, but never forgot. The historical setting, which I learnt from the note at the end was based in fact, was very interesting. Monique was a likeable heroine, and I found this enjoyable overall, although the agonizing over whether Gregory should take Monique for his mistress or marry her or expose her or protect her became a little repetitive. You can guess what he went for in the end.

Great historical read with plenty of drama and suspense. Monique and Gregory are great characters with steamy chemistry and I enjoyed their story. The story is entertaining and really draws you in, I was hooked from beginning to end with its twists and turns. I loved it!

So, I really like Sabrina Jeffries, and I've been devouring this series, but for some reason this book, I couldn't really get into. It took me forever to read, and the weird thing is, that I liked it. I don't know why I couldn't really get into it. I guess I just kept getting just a little bit bored and would close the book and read something else. But I enjoyed it.

As an avid reader of historical romance, Sabrina Jeffries is a familiar name to me, though not one of my favorites. Her historical romances tend to be light, both emotionally and in terms of historical accuracy, and The Secret of Flirting was a good example of this. The mistaken identity/secret twins plot was absurd, requiring much complicated family history exposition to suspend even the slightest amount of disbelief. The hero's behavior towards the heroine, especially when he still believes her to be to princess, was rather shockingly predatory and inappropriate (dragging her into a deserted garden alone, giving her a love bite in an exposed place), even by today's standards, let alone if he's supposed to be a diplomat dealing with the royalty of another nation. It left an unpleasant taste in my mouth and I didn't enjoy the rest of the book as much as I normally enjoy Jeffries' fluffy but pleasant romances.

The Secret of Flirting by Sabrina Jeffries. I was hooked when Monique, an actress, took on the role of Princess Aurore of Chanay, who was deathly sick. There was a vote on who was to be ruler of Belgium so Monique was to be Aurore. Shortly thereafter, there was an attempt on her life. Lord Fulkham, having met Monique three years earlier was positive she was not Aurore but had to prove it. After the attempt on her life, he did everything to protect her. Loved the story and watching it unfold held me captive.

Once again Sabrina Jeffries does an amazing job of creating characters and situations that make you want to keep reading long into the night. This book continues the great writing of the previous books in the series and yet, you wouldn't have had to read them to enjoy this book.
The struggles and difficulties that the hero, and particularly the heroine encounter make their Happily Ever After all the better.
I received a free advanced copy of this book.

Wow! One of Sabrina Jeffries’ best novels!
This is an exciting and intriguing romance that kept me up way too late. I didn’t care about the clock when I was totally captivated by Monique and Gregory’s exciting tale! I really love this couple. They have such a great dynamic between them, and their flirty seduction was oh so hot! The author is at the top of her game. Bravo on writing such a winner!
The novel is set in Autumn 1830, and it is inspired by the actual events surrounding the choosing of the first monarch of Belgium. The historical foundation is solid, and I love how a few extra characters were inserted into the realistic setting.
I recommend this book to all historical romance fans. It is part of a series, but it can be read as a standalone. I received a free advanced reading copy from the publisher via Netgalley, and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.

3.5 Stars I struggled with ever really getting into this book. I didn't really feel the connection between Monique and Gregory. The best part of the story was the mystery surrounding who was trying to assassinate the princess. It's certainly a solid story, but I wanted to feel more between the main characters.

ARC provided by NetGalley.

This was actually my first Sabrina Jeffries story and I am hooked - loved the characters and the story line. I didn't have any problem following even tho I had not read the previous books and look forward to the next installment

When I see a book by Sabrina Jeffries, I know before reading that I will be lost in a wonderful world of the imagination. I picked up a book of hers years ago, "The Truth About Lord Stoneville" and it opened up the world of historical romance for me again after a few years hiatus. I have been hooked ever since! This author has a wonderful prose that draws you quickly into the story and it is easy to get lost in the characters. Such is the case with the hero Gregory, Baron Fulkham, spymaster (yes we have a wonderful spy!) and actress, Monique Servais aka Princess Anne of Chanay (which she isn't!). Does that get your attention yet? It should because this is a story of things not being what they seem but outside forces make it seem so. Monique is the granddaughter of a Royal princess of Chanay but ran away with an actor years ago and became an actress. Estranged from her family she meets Gregory after one of her performances but nothing comes of it. Fast forward three years later, Monique is taking care of her grandmother and asked to impersonate her cousin and pretend to be a royal. Gregory steps back into the picture and just knows, Monique is the girl he met years ago. This story is full of intrigue, suspense, betrayal and yes a romance. I so enjoyed this tale and although part of a series, this can be read as a standalone. Do not let this one pass you by!

Spymaster Baron Fulkham is tasked with heading up the committee to choose the new ruler of Belgium from various candidates. Princess Aurore from Chanay is one such candidate, and also someone Fulkham swears he's met before. But the person he met before was actress Monique Servais and it was three years ago. Is he remembering right? Is there an impostor in the Princess's stead? As Fulkham tries to figure out the deception, someone is keen on making sure the Princess is no longer a candidate for the throne. Fulkham begins falling for the Princess, but if she is in fact putting on a ruse, Fulkham stands to lose everything he's built for himself.

Monique Servais was happy being an actress, that is until her elderly grandmother started to need extra attention and care that is difficult for Monique to provide on her own. Hope comes in the form of her grandmother's estranged family. To be specific, Monique's great-uncle offers her the part of a lifetime: Impersonate Princess Aurore, who has fallen ill, and do so successfully and he'll welcome Monique's ailing grandmother back to Chanay to live and be cared for properly for the rest of her days. All is going well, until the Baron Fulkham recognizes her! And added to all that, someone might possibly be trying to kill her. As she tries to keep her secret intact and stay alive, Monique starts falling for the Baron as well. But what can come of a union between an actress and a Baron?

The Secret of Flirting is by far my favorite of the Sinful Suitors series. Fulkham's spymaster affiliation is put to great use as he tries to figure out who is after Monique. And are they after the actress or the Princess? I loved the way that Sabrina Jeffries introduced the varying layers of conspiracy to the story. How each person close to Monique could have a motive. It was all very plausible and didn't come across as hokey or anything.

I also loved that Sabrina Jeffries kind of flipped the script in that it's Faulkham who is worried about his reputation should his feelings for Monique (or the Princess) be made known. Typically in the historical romances I've read, we see the woman either being told she should worry about her reputation or the woman actively worries about her own reputation. I liked seeing the shoe on the other foot in this case. And it's not necessarily the fact that she's an actress, because we know how actress were looked down upon in this time period, but it's his supposed complicity in the deception that could ruin him politically speaking, which is essentially his career on the line.

I did love how self-assured Monique was even though she is "innocent". I loved that this fact isn't the main focus of her character. It matters not whether she's slept with a man or not, even though, given her profession, many would presume. All that matters are her feelings on the idea of it. She doesn't look to anyone else's opinions to make her decisions and, from being an actress, she's used to not caring what people think about her.

As I said, The Secret of Flirting has been my favorite book in the series. With the release of the novella The Risk of Rogues, we will see secondary character Lord Hartley step into the limelight. This has been a pretty good historical romance series. Each story stands alone on its own just fine so don't let not having read the previous books stop you from picking up this wonderful story.

The Secret of Flirting by Sabrina Jeffries is the first book I have read of hers. I thought it was a great read and an unexpected pleasure. This is not the first book in the series but it can be read as a stand alone. I am certainly going to read the previous books and look forward to it. I received an advanced readers copy from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review, and I highly recommend this book.

Baron Fulkham meets Monique Servais after one of her performances in Dieppe France. Three years later he meets Princess Anne of Chanay and just knows they are one in the same person. Princess Anne is in Britain vying for her chance to become Queen of Belgium. It is Fulham’s job to figure out if the Princess and Monique are the same person, if they are, why is Monique masquerading as the Princess.

This book has court intrigue, assassination attempts, spymasters, actresses, love, romance, blackmail, adventure. If you like any of these in a book, this one is for you.

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.

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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.

This was a highly addictive story, lots of tense action, suspense and intrigue.
Witty and clever banter keep you entertained, the romance is well thought out., That you can’t help but fall in love with them. Lots mystery and twists keep you wondering what the next move will be.

I really enjoyed this and I highly recommend. I recieved a complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest opinion.

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.

Sabrina Jeffries is always on my *must read* list, and she scores again with “The Secret of Flirting”. This time, we have a royal impersonation, and the political snarl that results. With assassins, princesses, real and imposter, and a good dose of old-fashioned lust, Jeffries has another hit!

From the very beginning Monique defies all conventions- society's and those of a stereotypical actress. She doesn't want to meet rich and titled English lords who fall for her beauty on stage. She wants to work hard and take care of her ailing grandmother. When Fulkham, both rich and titled, claims tragedies are the only real theater after she's just professed to enjoy comedies (and just acted in one!) she doesn't keep her opinions to herself but lets him have it with no hesitation. When her great-uncle appears claiming he needs her to do him a favor, she doesn't want his money or connections- she just wants her grandmother taken care of. Where most actresses would see playing a real life princess the role of a lifetime, she sees a disaster in the making. Monique is realistic, loyal, brave, and intelligent- everything Gregory Fulkham needs.

Fulkham is the shadowy spymaster friend we've met in previous Sinful Suitors books, but know almost nothing about- and here we find out why. Fulkham battles demons from his childhood by trying to lock himself away from the world and the potential for being hurt again. It was delightful to watch Monique get past all his defenses without even trying, and equally delightful to watch him come to grips with his emotions and work out how to save his job and reputation AND have Monique for a wife. And of course, his friends are more than happy to watch him fall to their level: that of a man deeply in love!

I enjoyed reading about a moment in history I hadn't even considered asking about before: how did Prince Leopold become King of the Belgiums? Even a version with a bit of a romantic fictional twist to it was more than I'd ever thought of before and definitely makes me interested to learn more about it. But even if you don't care about the history, or haven't read any of the rest of the Sinful Suitors series before, you'll love The Secret of Flirting. Fast-paced, with sparkling dialogue, plenty of wit and delightful characters, Jeffries' newest succeeds in keeping you glued to the page from first to last!

I'm not a fan of the fake identity trope. Usually the reasons for pretending to be someone else are silly at best and the reason for keeping up the charade are even sillier. However, I wasn't too nervous going into this because Jeffries has managed to make the "secret child" trope (which I HATE) not only work but make total sense so I figured fake identity would be easy for her and it really was!

Monique is a wonderful heroine. She's smart, brave, good at her chosen profession and just trying to do her best. Her relationship with her grandmother is so sweet but also sad as her grandmother's dementia is getting worse leaving Monique desperate to figure out how to get her grandmother the best possible care. I loved her and I admired her and she was a character I really rooted for.

Gregory took me a little bit longer to warm up to. He's much more reserved and arrogant. While his behavior is explained by his past and his profession his reserved nature kept me from feeling really connected to him for quite some time.

I loved this pair together. Gregory is very dry and sarcastic with a tendency to be more than a bit blunt. Monique hold her own and puts up with nothing from him. I loved that his opinion on tragedy vs. comedy made her ranty even after quite some time had passed! They work well together as a team and I loved how equally matched they were. The political intrigue was fascinating and made me want to read up on just how Belgium was actually formed. While Gregory wasn't my absolute favorite hero I did feel like this was a couple that worked together on so many levels and I couldn't help but root for them.

Sabrina Jeffries is one of my absolute favorite historical romance authors and this book did nothing to change that. She has a strong couple that really works together in a situation with legitimate conflict as well as fascinating bits of history. I loved spending time in the world Jeffries created and will be anxiously waiting the next book.