What do you think?
Rate this book
Bragg Saga #6
Scandalous Love
Rebelliously independent Lady Nicole Bragg Shelton refuses to be constrained by the stifling rules of Victorian England. And now desire has impelled the beautiful heiress toward a shocking liason with Hadrian Braxton-Lowell, Duke of Clayborough.
Bound by the dictates of honor and duty to another woman, Hadrian is hocked by Nicole's daring conduct, yet entranced by her fiery free spirit and breathtaking sensuality. Though resolved to making the raven-haired beauty his mistress, he will never agree to wed her. But Nicole is no man's plaything. And she is prepared to risk heartache in order to satisfy her wild, uncompromising passion . . . and win the dashing Duke's unwavering loyalty and undying love.
Bound by the dictates of honor and duty to another woman, Hadrian is hocked by Nicole's daring conduct, yet entranced by her fiery free spirit and breathtaking sensuality. Though resolved to making the raven-haired beauty his mistress, he will never agree to wed her. But Nicole is no man's plaything. And she is prepared to risk heartache in order to satisfy her wild, uncompromising passion . . . and win the dashing Duke's unwavering loyalty and undying love.
416 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
35 people are currently reading
732 people want to read
About the author
Brenda Joyce
106 books1,298 followersBrenda Joyce is the bestselling author of forty-one novels and five novellas. She has won many awards, and her debut novel, Innocent Fire, won a Best Western Romance award. She has also won the highly coveted Best Historical Romance award for Splendor and Two Lifetime Achievement Awards from Romantic Times BOOKreviews. There are over 14 million copies of her novels in print and she is published in over a dozen foreign countries.
A native New Yorker, she now lives in southern Arizona with her son, dogs, and her Arabian and half-Arabian reining horses. Brenda divides her time between her twin passions—writing powerful love stories and competing with her horses at regional and national levels. For more information about Brenda and her upcoming novels, please visit her Web sites: www.brendajoyce.com, www.thedewarennedynasty.com and http://mastersoftimebooks.com.
A native New Yorker, she now lives in southern Arizona with her son, dogs, and her Arabian and half-Arabian reining horses. Brenda divides her time between her twin passions—writing powerful love stories and competing with her horses at regional and national levels. For more information about Brenda and her upcoming novels, please visit her Web sites: www.brendajoyce.com, www.thedewarennedynasty.com and http://mastersoftimebooks.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
May 21, 2021
The blurb tells me the heroine is supposed to be "rebelliously independent" and "fiery spirit"
Well that is true if by "rebelliously independent" you mean "is constantly impulsively stupid" and by "fiery spirit" you mean "has anger management issues."
She had no impulse control and was constantly hitting on the hero, and by hitting on I don't mean giving him come hither eyes, I mean punching and slapping and going at him with a whip because... gasp... he tries to tell her not to be a dumb bitch all the time (my words...) but seriously if I was this guy I would have hopped on a boat to America to get away from this sow.
God I hated her.
Well that is true if by "rebelliously independent" you mean "is constantly impulsively stupid" and by "fiery spirit" you mean "has anger management issues."
She had no impulse control and was constantly hitting on the hero, and by hitting on I don't mean giving him come hither eyes, I mean punching and slapping and going at him with a whip because... gasp... he tries to tell her not to be a dumb bitch all the time (my words...) but seriously if I was this guy I would have hopped on a boat to America to get away from this sow.
God I hated her.
November 2, 2010
Lady Nicole, at 23, is a spinster due to the scandal she caused when she came out several years earlier. She's decided she likes her solitary life of running free with her horses and doesn't need to be married to be happy. That is until she meets Hadrian, Duke of Clayborough at a masquerade party.
I really liked Nicole's personality, she doesn't let anyone walk all over her and stands up for herself. Once she realizes that Hadrian is betrothed and only wants her for sexy times she lets him know exactly how she feels by trying to give him a well deserved whack with a riding crop. No whining and no tears just pure unrestrained anger. I loved it.
Hadrian, on the other hand, took some getting used to. He's one of those guys that thinks it's his right to screw around on his fiancee as long as he does it with married women and doesn't get attached. Once he discovers Nicole is unmarried he breaks it off immediately and also breaks her heart in the process. I was really ticked at him, but rake that he may be, he was betrothed to Elizabeth since she was two and although he genuinely cares for her he feels no great love towards her and thinks of her more as a sister. Even though Nicole gets under his skin the way no other woman has his strong sense of duty will not let him break it off with Elizabeth.
The couple have many obstacles to overcome, Elizabeth being only the first one. They experience a very bumpy road when everything could have been cleared up with a little communication but because both of these characters have such stubborn personalities and loads of pride they both suffer. This book also turned out to have a very engrossing secondary story about Hadrian's mother.
I really enjoyed, it made me go all misty eyed. I loved Nicole's spirit and her temper had me laughing out loud. And underneath all of Hadrian's stubbornness he turned out to be a real sweetheart.
I really liked Nicole's personality, she doesn't let anyone walk all over her and stands up for herself. Once she realizes that Hadrian is betrothed and only wants her for sexy times she lets him know exactly how she feels by trying to give him a well deserved whack with a riding crop. No whining and no tears just pure unrestrained anger. I loved it.
Hadrian, on the other hand, took some getting used to. He's one of those guys that thinks it's his right to screw around on his fiancee as long as he does it with married women and doesn't get attached. Once he discovers Nicole is unmarried he breaks it off immediately and also breaks her heart in the process. I was really ticked at him, but rake that he may be, he was betrothed to Elizabeth since she was two and although he genuinely cares for her he feels no great love towards her and thinks of her more as a sister. Even though Nicole gets under his skin the way no other woman has his strong sense of duty will not let him break it off with Elizabeth.
The couple have many obstacles to overcome, Elizabeth being only the first one. They experience a very bumpy road when everything could have been cleared up with a little communication but because both of these characters have such stubborn personalities and loads of pride they both suffer. This book also turned out to have a very engrossing secondary story about Hadrian's mother.
I really enjoyed, it made me go all misty eyed. I loved Nicole's spirit and her temper had me laughing out loud. And underneath all of Hadrian's stubbornness he turned out to be a real sweetheart.
August 18, 2016
Hadrian Braxton-Lowell, the ninth Duke of Clayborough, is a man bound by duty and honor. After he and his mother suffered greatly at the hands of his abusive father, Hadrian swore that he would never allow himself to be similar to his sire in any way. Yet with his driving need to be proper, Hadrian has become somewhat tight fisted. He even acknowledges to himself that no one would like him if he wasn't the Duke of Clayborough for with that title comes great and exceptional power. Hadrian also feels duty bound to his fiancé, Elizabeth, with whom he's been engaged to since nearly her birth. While he adores her as a brother might of a younger sister, Hadrian feels no desire for his bride. But he is a duke and he will follow through with his commitments. Although fate, it seems, has another plan for him.
Nicole Bragg Shelton is no stranger to scandal and while her birth proclaims her a lady, no one else would believe it. After escaping the noose of a potentially dull marriage, society has shunned her to the country. Yet this couldn't bother Nicole in the slightest. Living like a wild ruffian, Nicole shamelessly rides her feisty stallion astride with men's breeches, no less. She'd much rather be galloping around with her father and brothers then being trussed up in a ball gown and having insipid conversation.
After Nicole's pride is pricked by some unsavory acquaintances, Nicole decides to attend the masque ball being held in honor of the Duke of Clayborough's arrival to his neighboring country estate. Nicole dresses as a gypsy, staying true to the nature of the costume she arrives with her long dark hair unbound and her feet left bare. Her scandalous ensemble garners the attention of the duke in quite the wrong way. He jumps to the conclusion that she's a widow looking for passion. With raging desire that cannot be denied, Hadrian invites Nicole to his home with the simple intentions of bedding her and then sending her on her way.
But things do not go as planned with Nicole's true unwed position being discovered by Hadrian while Nicole discovers that the man she's fallen in love with is actually engaged to be married. A physical altercation ensues with Nicole flaying Hadrian with a riding crop. The whole debacle then moves to London where once again it appears that Nicole is fodder for gossip and that her past scandal has not lost its appeal to society.
Both Nicole and Hadrian feel guilty for their flaming desire for one another because Elizabeth, Hadrian's fiancé and saint that she is, wants to see Nicole accepted by society and implores Hadrian to help put a stop to the gossip. Nicole truly begins to care for Elizabeth and sees her as a wonderful friend while Hadrian is pulling his hair out in wanting to stay clear of the temptation of Nicole but he also wants to please his bride.
When Elizabeth's strange and elusive illness claims her life both Nicole and Hadrian are bereft at the loss. Nicole, wanting to ease Hadrian's grief visits him unescorted. Hadrian, wishing to numb both his feelings for Nicole and his grief for Elizabeth, drinks himself into a haze and when comforted by Nicole, he takes her in a fit unbridled passion. When he comes to, he's need to be dutiful has him offering Nicole marriage. Nicole refuses. It's her belief that while she loves Hadrian; he's still in love with Elizabeth.
Hadrian, baffled by Nicole's refusal, decides to tell her father what transpired between him and Nicole. Somehow his feelings for Nicole have grown into something that prevents him from even trying to walk away from her. It's not just about duty, but the fact that he desires her as his wife. He's a little unprepared though for Nicole's wrath when she discovers that he's informed her father of their scandalous passion and she is now being forced by her parents to marry him. Dragging her feet every step of the way insights numerous battles and heated discussion yet neither can deny the passion and desire they still harbor for one another. When the vows are finally spoken and the duke whisks her back to his country estate the culmination of that transpired is fought out in the bedroom eliciting a night of ravaging desire. But these two are not out of the wood yet.
Nicole, glimpsing the love that may be had between them embarks on being a duchess but of course nothing is to go smoothly for the woman who instigates scandal just by breathing. The battle of wills once again erupts with Hadrian trying to force Nicole to bend to his iron will but she comes back fighting. Eventually Hadrian realizes that who Nicole is, scandal and all, is what has ignited his deep seeded love for her. But will his realization be too late?
Nicole was a very feisty and entertaining heroine. Some reviewers disliked her thinking her to be a whiner who chased after Hadrian incessantly. I loved Nicole though for her blatant tenacity. She's fiery and bold and while there were times that she acted immature, I believe it was more to do with the newness of her emotions. I loved when she went after Hadrian with her crop. She's not afraid to show her emotions to him especially when she's angry. I think she struck him about four times in the book but I thought they were all deserved. Nicole really had my inner feminist cheering for her time and again.
There was only one instance that had me frustrated with Nicole's stubbornness and that was at her wedding. Hadrian spent two weeks trying to quiet any vicious gossip over the truth of their marriage. She almost became ostracized over the fact that the duke was marrying her within weeks of Elizabeth's death. Hadrian plays the role of a love sick groom, stating that he just couldn't wait to marry his true love. Yet Nicole ruins his work when she blatantly shows her disapproval over having to marry him. Society then laughs at Hadrian for loving a woman who obviously doesn't love him which couldn't be further from the truth. Nicole soon sees the error to her ways but she almost took her stubbornness too far.
Hadrian was a perfect foil to Nicole's untamed spirit. He really needed some scandal to liven up his life. Nicole becomes the key to his freedom from the choke-hold of duty. And while of course being a man, Hadrian has trouble reconciling his intense feelings for Nicole; he soon accepts that she's the love he's unknowingly always wanted in his life.
Despite the vastness of the De Warenne Dynasty series, every book can easily be read as a standalone and 'Scandalous Love' is no exception. Brenda Joyce has a very extensive website featuring long excerpts and historical facts. I think I've already spent a few hours on her site; the woman seriously has that much material.
Nicole Bragg Shelton is no stranger to scandal and while her birth proclaims her a lady, no one else would believe it. After escaping the noose of a potentially dull marriage, society has shunned her to the country. Yet this couldn't bother Nicole in the slightest. Living like a wild ruffian, Nicole shamelessly rides her feisty stallion astride with men's breeches, no less. She'd much rather be galloping around with her father and brothers then being trussed up in a ball gown and having insipid conversation.
After Nicole's pride is pricked by some unsavory acquaintances, Nicole decides to attend the masque ball being held in honor of the Duke of Clayborough's arrival to his neighboring country estate. Nicole dresses as a gypsy, staying true to the nature of the costume she arrives with her long dark hair unbound and her feet left bare. Her scandalous ensemble garners the attention of the duke in quite the wrong way. He jumps to the conclusion that she's a widow looking for passion. With raging desire that cannot be denied, Hadrian invites Nicole to his home with the simple intentions of bedding her and then sending her on her way.
But things do not go as planned with Nicole's true unwed position being discovered by Hadrian while Nicole discovers that the man she's fallen in love with is actually engaged to be married. A physical altercation ensues with Nicole flaying Hadrian with a riding crop. The whole debacle then moves to London where once again it appears that Nicole is fodder for gossip and that her past scandal has not lost its appeal to society.
Both Nicole and Hadrian feel guilty for their flaming desire for one another because Elizabeth, Hadrian's fiancé and saint that she is, wants to see Nicole accepted by society and implores Hadrian to help put a stop to the gossip. Nicole truly begins to care for Elizabeth and sees her as a wonderful friend while Hadrian is pulling his hair out in wanting to stay clear of the temptation of Nicole but he also wants to please his bride.
When Elizabeth's strange and elusive illness claims her life both Nicole and Hadrian are bereft at the loss. Nicole, wanting to ease Hadrian's grief visits him unescorted. Hadrian, wishing to numb both his feelings for Nicole and his grief for Elizabeth, drinks himself into a haze and when comforted by Nicole, he takes her in a fit unbridled passion. When he comes to, he's need to be dutiful has him offering Nicole marriage. Nicole refuses. It's her belief that while she loves Hadrian; he's still in love with Elizabeth.
Hadrian, baffled by Nicole's refusal, decides to tell her father what transpired between him and Nicole. Somehow his feelings for Nicole have grown into something that prevents him from even trying to walk away from her. It's not just about duty, but the fact that he desires her as his wife. He's a little unprepared though for Nicole's wrath when she discovers that he's informed her father of their scandalous passion and she is now being forced by her parents to marry him. Dragging her feet every step of the way insights numerous battles and heated discussion yet neither can deny the passion and desire they still harbor for one another. When the vows are finally spoken and the duke whisks her back to his country estate the culmination of that transpired is fought out in the bedroom eliciting a night of ravaging desire. But these two are not out of the wood yet.
Nicole, glimpsing the love that may be had between them embarks on being a duchess but of course nothing is to go smoothly for the woman who instigates scandal just by breathing. The battle of wills once again erupts with Hadrian trying to force Nicole to bend to his iron will but she comes back fighting. Eventually Hadrian realizes that who Nicole is, scandal and all, is what has ignited his deep seeded love for her. But will his realization be too late?
Nicole was a very feisty and entertaining heroine. Some reviewers disliked her thinking her to be a whiner who chased after Hadrian incessantly. I loved Nicole though for her blatant tenacity. She's fiery and bold and while there were times that she acted immature, I believe it was more to do with the newness of her emotions. I loved when she went after Hadrian with her crop. She's not afraid to show her emotions to him especially when she's angry. I think she struck him about four times in the book but I thought they were all deserved. Nicole really had my inner feminist cheering for her time and again.
There was only one instance that had me frustrated with Nicole's stubbornness and that was at her wedding. Hadrian spent two weeks trying to quiet any vicious gossip over the truth of their marriage. She almost became ostracized over the fact that the duke was marrying her within weeks of Elizabeth's death. Hadrian plays the role of a love sick groom, stating that he just couldn't wait to marry his true love. Yet Nicole ruins his work when she blatantly shows her disapproval over having to marry him. Society then laughs at Hadrian for loving a woman who obviously doesn't love him which couldn't be further from the truth. Nicole soon sees the error to her ways but she almost took her stubbornness too far.
Hadrian was a perfect foil to Nicole's untamed spirit. He really needed some scandal to liven up his life. Nicole becomes the key to his freedom from the choke-hold of duty. And while of course being a man, Hadrian has trouble reconciling his intense feelings for Nicole; he soon accepts that she's the love he's unknowingly always wanted in his life.
Despite the vastness of the De Warenne Dynasty series, every book can easily be read as a standalone and 'Scandalous Love' is no exception. Brenda Joyce has a very extensive website featuring long excerpts and historical facts. I think I've already spent a few hours on her site; the woman seriously has that much material.
February 15, 2022
И в тази история имаше бурни емоции, които трудно те разделяха от книгата, макар и една идея по-слаби от другата за Сторм.
Никол беше доста темпераметна и различна от останалите жени в обществото, но и доста глупаво се държеше, на моменти скандално и унизително. Понякога ме ядосваше и дразнеше, но в същото време ми хареса, че авторката е създала и такъв образ, за да ни покаже, какво да не правим 😅. Сама се буташе между шамарите и ми хареса как всички около нея ѝ напомняха, че е глупачка. В един момент тя си взе поука и мисля, че това беше посланието на авторката.
Главният Ейдриън имаше много силно чувство за чест, което го караше да се държи зряло и до колкото може почтенно. Но често изблиците му на гняв нажежаваха обстановката, привидно тих и отдръпнат от обществото, Никол го скандализираше постоянно.
Никол беше доста темпераметна и различна от останалите жени в обществото, но и доста глупаво се държеше, на моменти скандално и унизително. Понякога ме ядосваше и дразнеше, но в същото време ми хареса, че авторката е създала и такъв образ, за да ни покаже, какво да не правим 😅. Сама се буташе между шамарите и ми хареса как всички около нея ѝ напомняха, че е глупачка. В един момент тя си взе поука и мисля, че това беше посланието на авторката.
Главният Ейдриън имаше много силно чувство за чест, което го караше да се държи зряло и до колкото може почтенно. Но често изблиците му на гняв нажежаваха обстановката, привидно тих и отдръпнат от обществото, Никол го скандализираше постоянно.
September 13, 2025
I enjoyed this read, the characters are interesting. Even though the storyline was predictable I still enjoyed it.
If you're in the mood for a nice but dated historical romance pick this one up.
If you're in the mood for a nice but dated historical romance pick this one up.
March 7, 2021
I normally LOOOOVE plots where the H is engaged and suddenly meets the love of his life and goes crazy about her, but this was frustrating to read because I hated the h! She is the most spoiled, insensible, selfish, uncaring, home wrecking b*tch.
I have never said that about any heroine until now. She wanted the H to break off with his fiancé and marry her, and kept pursuing him even when he said to stay away from him. When his fiancé dies, she runs to him and lets him screw her. When he feels guilt and want to marry her, suddenly she is feeling holier than thou and cannot marry without him loving her (even though she didn’t have those morals earlier in the book).
She proceeds to throw tantrum after tantrum and constantly kept making a spectacle of herself and embarrassing those around her. She never wants to take responsibility for her actions and thinks defying norms at every turn is cool and other people just don’t get it. She didn’t care about how her actions hurt her family or the H. I’m over her. she seriously sucks and comes across unstable. She’s the type that i imagine would day drink all say by the time she’s 30, and bitter at everyone and blaming others for her own misery.
As for the H, he sucked too! He went to his mistress after his wedding with the intention of sleeping with her, just so he could stop himself caring about his wife. That made no sense. He ended up not sleeping with her but that still pissed me off that he could have such cruel intentions.
I have never said that about any heroine until now. She wanted the H to break off with his fiancé and marry her, and kept pursuing him even when he said to stay away from him. When his fiancé dies, she runs to him and lets him screw her. When he feels guilt and want to marry her, suddenly she is feeling holier than thou and cannot marry without him loving her (even though she didn’t have those morals earlier in the book).
She proceeds to throw tantrum after tantrum and constantly kept making a spectacle of herself and embarrassing those around her. She never wants to take responsibility for her actions and thinks defying norms at every turn is cool and other people just don’t get it. She didn’t care about how her actions hurt her family or the H. I’m over her. she seriously sucks and comes across unstable. She’s the type that i imagine would day drink all say by the time she’s 30, and bitter at everyone and blaming others for her own misery.
As for the H, he sucked too! He went to his mistress after his wedding with the intention of sleeping with her, just so he could stop himself caring about his wife. That made no sense. He ended up not sleeping with her but that still pissed me off that he could have such cruel intentions.
November 14, 2012
Oh dear. Book number six of this series was an explosive, tiresome bundle of fireworks. These two butted heads like a couple of rams in the wilderness. At one point, I came to the conclusion that being apart would’ve been the best for everyone’s sake.
Nobody likes two strong opposing characters finding kindred love with one another more than I but it was not the case with these characters. Frankly, their constant bickering annoyed me endlessly. The relentless push and pull of their attraction tired me out. This seems to be the general theme with the relationships in this series.
Lady Nichol Bragg Shelton was supposed to be a head-strong, well educated, well opinionated woman of the time and yet, I couldn’t, for the life of me understand some of her spontaneous, impulsive decisions. She kept in pursuit of a man who had no intention of being caught at first. It got to a point where I was truly embarrassed on her behalf. She had no scruples at all. Her much too forward thinking was far from admirable, to be honest. It was too bad, because I was looking forward to reading about Nicole. I thought she was an independent woman who would pare down a man down to his size but because she gave too much chase, I didn't like her at all.
The thing is I wouldn’t mind a woman chasing after a man if the man is worth the effort. But Hadrian is definitely not worth that. He’s conceited, boorish and chauvinistic, who sees himself as the master of all he surveys. And while I sometimes like that in a character, this man didn’t have a speck of any redeeming qualities in him. I didn’t get her fascination and ardor for chasing him.
Since I’ve been reading these books in the last few days, I’m just noticing the changes in the first characters from the previous books: their parents – which are the characters from the initial books – seemed to have changed for the worst. While most of them opposed to forced marriages, this time, they’re actually forcing their kids because they know what’s best for them. Give me a break. I don’t know about you, but I found them hypocritical.
Overall, this book ranks probably dead last in this series. It was not an enjoyable read and the characters were far from likable.
This concludes my interest in this series. Really, I should've stopped at book #5 as book #7 is sitting in queue in le Kindle. Oh well.
Nobody likes two strong opposing characters finding kindred love with one another more than I but it was not the case with these characters. Frankly, their constant bickering annoyed me endlessly. The relentless push and pull of their attraction tired me out. This seems to be the general theme with the relationships in this series.
Lady Nichol Bragg Shelton was supposed to be a head-strong, well educated, well opinionated woman of the time and yet, I couldn’t, for the life of me understand some of her spontaneous, impulsive decisions. She kept in pursuit of a man who had no intention of being caught at first. It got to a point where I was truly embarrassed on her behalf. She had no scruples at all. Her much too forward thinking was far from admirable, to be honest. It was too bad, because I was looking forward to reading about Nicole. I thought she was an independent woman who would pare down a man down to his size but because she gave too much chase, I didn't like her at all.
The thing is I wouldn’t mind a woman chasing after a man if the man is worth the effort. But Hadrian is definitely not worth that. He’s conceited, boorish and chauvinistic, who sees himself as the master of all he surveys. And while I sometimes like that in a character, this man didn’t have a speck of any redeeming qualities in him. I didn’t get her fascination and ardor for chasing him.
Since I’ve been reading these books in the last few days, I’m just noticing the changes in the first characters from the previous books: their parents – which are the characters from the initial books – seemed to have changed for the worst. While most of them opposed to forced marriages, this time, they’re actually forcing their kids because they know what’s best for them. Give me a break. I don’t know about you, but I found them hypocritical.
Overall, this book ranks probably dead last in this series. It was not an enjoyable read and the characters were far from likable.
This concludes my interest in this series. Really, I should've stopped at book #5 as book #7 is sitting in queue in le Kindle. Oh well.
November 2, 2019
This was going quite well. But just when you think they're about to transcend to the heights of love, both characters acted like they hadn't a bit of sense. Engaging hence the 3* but get ready to be frustrated.
February 24, 2024
THIS WASN'T A PERFECT LOVE STORY - TUMULTOUS, BRIMMING WITH PRIDE AND THE CHARACTERS WILL MAKE YOU WANT TO TEAR YOUR HAIR OUT, but I loved it! The drama had me hooked, every page was a turner, and once again I'm convinced that Brenda Joyce is indeed one of my favourite classic regency authors.
It was love at first sight for Nicole and Hadrian, but there were too many obstacles in their way. Almost like forbidden romance before it turned into marriage of convenience. For one, Hadrian was engaged to his childhood friend - a woman the embodiment of a saint without a cruel streak in her body. And secondly, he was too honourable to ever back out of the engagement. Thirdly, their pride played a big factor in ruining their truces and softer moments.
HADRIAN's character spoke to me. He was deeply shaped by an abusive, money-spending and sodomite father who wasn't his true sire. Of course, he won't know that until later. Hadrian became the man completely opposite of his hated father - successful, honourable, protector and reliable. Both Hadrian and Nicole were strangers to love, and they handled their attraction rather badly.
The first obstacle of their love was obviously Hadrian's sickly fiancée. No matter that he doesn't love her apart from a brotherly love, he would marry Elizabeth. But, he was at crossed roads with his fierce, animalistic attraction towards Nicole. It was entertaining to see the straitlaced, composed and cool Hadrian losing his composure over a woman. As a Duke, I suppose he was entitled to pride and arrogance, and while he was demanding, he knew how to be sweet and sympathetic, also respectful to the people he cared about. Points for him!
The poor man doesn't know how to show or relay his affections to Nicole - later his wife. While their passion burned bright, they barely knew how to function outside the bedroom. IT WAS EXHAUSTING and FRUSTRATING at some point, because by then you just want to shove them into a room and demand they talk it out like ADULTS! There were plenty of reasons for Hadrian's behaviour and reluctance to admit his feelings to Nicole - his fear of rejection as his childhood abuse reflected, his pride or that he seriously was an idiot at love.
Some would claim their relationship toxic, because they're often shouting and screaming at each other if they're not having great sex. And Nicole's always jumping to conclusions without confronting Hadrian, making the situation worse. And Hadrian's stupid pride would allow his wife to rebel or run away from home, before he would hunt her down and carry her home. LOL! No one can say this book was boring. Like I said, tumultuous.
NICOLE would have been wonderful had she been less a virago and more soft-centered candy. Don't get me wrong, I did like her, but I wished she had set down her pride and hurtful words more often. While Nicole was the first to fall for Hadrian, my moral compass was screaming at her to NOT BE THE THIRD WHEELER MISTRESS even though Hadrian didn't love his fiancée. It just felt wrong! Years ago, she jilted her groom and society hadn't since forgiven her.
There were plenty of moments where the author created dramatic tension between the MCs whereby they were forced together in social gatherings, promised to leave each other alone (I can't count the number of goodbyes they said but never came true) yet still attacking each other's mouths with a delirious passion that left them reeling.
Throughout, I was more pissed at Nicole who prioritised her pride and heart. If she had fought for Hadrian harder, to soften him up and we all know you can catch flies better with honey than vinegar. For all her 'LOVE' for him, she wasn't showing a good example. That annoyed me immensely. (I know it was unfair to assume she knew how to handle her feelings, young as she was but, she was raised in a loving home compared to Hadrian. One would think she had a better understanding of love)
OVERALL the ending arrived too soon, and I was happy for Hadrian's mother who finally reunited with her love (Hadrian's real father), and also happy for the main characters. What I dislike about old school regency romances are how authors leave us hanging without an epilogue. I was disgruntled by how Hadrian and Nicole declared their love, AND THAT WAS IT...the last page!! So much for me gripping the edges of my seat to be left a little...wanting. I wanted to experience the calm before the storm, because this story was riddled with drama to the point where you'd love FOR ONCE to see Hadrian and Nicole interacting outside the bedroom without tearing each other's throats out.
Honestly, I loved it! Even if the drama could have easily solved had Hadrian and Nicole been honest and just talked it out. COMMUNICATION! But perhaps, if we were the ones in their shoes, whose to say we wouldn't have acted similarly? It's always easy to judge when you're looking from outside the window. My only lament? I wished the love scenes had been elaborated and steamier.
This would have been an epic TV drama. Modern day gossip girl etc etc.
It was love at first sight for Nicole and Hadrian, but there were too many obstacles in their way. Almost like forbidden romance before it turned into marriage of convenience. For one, Hadrian was engaged to his childhood friend - a woman the embodiment of a saint without a cruel streak in her body. And secondly, he was too honourable to ever back out of the engagement. Thirdly, their pride played a big factor in ruining their truces and softer moments.
HADRIAN's character spoke to me. He was deeply shaped by an abusive, money-spending and sodomite father who wasn't his true sire. Of course, he won't know that until later. Hadrian became the man completely opposite of his hated father - successful, honourable, protector and reliable. Both Hadrian and Nicole were strangers to love, and they handled their attraction rather badly.
The first obstacle of their love was obviously Hadrian's sickly fiancée. No matter that he doesn't love her apart from a brotherly love, he would marry Elizabeth. But, he was at crossed roads with his fierce, animalistic attraction towards Nicole. It was entertaining to see the straitlaced, composed and cool Hadrian losing his composure over a woman. As a Duke, I suppose he was entitled to pride and arrogance, and while he was demanding, he knew how to be sweet and sympathetic, also respectful to the people he cared about. Points for him!
The poor man doesn't know how to show or relay his affections to Nicole - later his wife. While their passion burned bright, they barely knew how to function outside the bedroom. IT WAS EXHAUSTING and FRUSTRATING at some point, because by then you just want to shove them into a room and demand they talk it out like ADULTS! There were plenty of reasons for Hadrian's behaviour and reluctance to admit his feelings to Nicole - his fear of rejection as his childhood abuse reflected, his pride or that he seriously was an idiot at love.
Some would claim their relationship toxic, because they're often shouting and screaming at each other if they're not having great sex. And Nicole's always jumping to conclusions without confronting Hadrian, making the situation worse. And Hadrian's stupid pride would allow his wife to rebel or run away from home, before he would hunt her down and carry her home. LOL! No one can say this book was boring. Like I said, tumultuous.
NICOLE would have been wonderful had she been less a virago and more soft-centered candy. Don't get me wrong, I did like her, but I wished she had set down her pride and hurtful words more often. While Nicole was the first to fall for Hadrian, my moral compass was screaming at her to NOT BE THE THIRD WHEELER MISTRESS even though Hadrian didn't love his fiancée. It just felt wrong! Years ago, she jilted her groom and society hadn't since forgiven her.
There were plenty of moments where the author created dramatic tension between the MCs whereby they were forced together in social gatherings, promised to leave each other alone (I can't count the number of goodbyes they said but never came true) yet still attacking each other's mouths with a delirious passion that left them reeling.
Throughout, I was more pissed at Nicole who prioritised her pride and heart. If she had fought for Hadrian harder, to soften him up and we all know you can catch flies better with honey than vinegar. For all her 'LOVE' for him, she wasn't showing a good example. That annoyed me immensely. (I know it was unfair to assume she knew how to handle her feelings, young as she was but, she was raised in a loving home compared to Hadrian. One would think she had a better understanding of love)
OVERALL the ending arrived too soon, and I was happy for Hadrian's mother who finally reunited with her love (Hadrian's real father), and also happy for the main characters. What I dislike about old school regency romances are how authors leave us hanging without an epilogue. I was disgruntled by how Hadrian and Nicole declared their love, AND THAT WAS IT...the last page!! So much for me gripping the edges of my seat to be left a little...wanting. I wanted to experience the calm before the storm, because this story was riddled with drama to the point where you'd love FOR ONCE to see Hadrian and Nicole interacting outside the bedroom without tearing each other's throats out.
Honestly, I loved it! Even if the drama could have easily solved had Hadrian and Nicole been honest and just talked it out. COMMUNICATION! But perhaps, if we were the ones in their shoes, whose to say we wouldn't have acted similarly? It's always easy to judge when you're looking from outside the window. My only lament? I wished the love scenes had been elaborated and steamier.
This would have been an epic TV drama. Modern day gossip girl etc etc.
May 8, 2023
What in the beginning started as promising became after the first half a pitiful mess, and in the end it was rushed and badly dealt.
The hero meets the heroine at a party, she lives as a recluse in the country because years before she jilted her fiancée at the altar and the ton condemned her for it.
Now she’s 23 basically a spinster, and the hero thinks she’s a married woman who wants an affair.
They almost have sex and when he finds out she’s not a lightskirt but a lady, probably a virgin, he tells her crudely he’s not interested in anything.
He’s engaged and only wanted some fun. The poor heroine that fell in love at first sight is hurt by his callous words and philandering ways and reacts very badly.
Now, a woman with some sense, a lady moreover, would avoid him like the plague or maybe, were she a more unconventional lady, she could accept an affair and live with it but the idiot heroine doesn’t do anything of the kind.
She decides she will follow him in London, where the supposedly very moral duke run after he mauled the heroine a couple of times, one of these even while he was a guest in her own house. Honorable really.
In London he has a very inconsistent behavior with her, he’s either protective or insulting, asking her to leave him alone and to go back to her country estate.
Well, I’m not into heroines who pursue the hero, I love the opposite, so I hated that this heroine stalked him everywhere and even became friend with his fiancée.
The fiancée was a surprise. She’s definitely too young for him and a pale and sick creature, just the opposite of the very tall, dark, and healthy heroine but she’s also quiet, kind and sweet with everyone.
The hero of course is not in love with her but loves her as a sister but since his father was a pervert and a sadist he swore he would be a model of honor and decency, at least on the outside since he’s got a mistress and he also lusts after the heroine like a dog after a bitch in heath, and I apologize for the metaphor but it’s quite appropriate.
The poor girl dies after a great amount of suffering and the heroine, instead of staying quiet for some time, goes to the hero when the dead one is not yet cold and they have passionate sex on the carpet.
After this, the hero, since he’s such a honest and honorable guy, proposes.
His proposal was so appalling that the heroine, who was ready to get him anyway anytime, rejects him totally.
And she holds a grudge even when she is forced to marry him.
Of course sex is what keeps them together but sadly I felt like sex was all that there was at least on the hero’s part.
For basically the 80 % of the book he keeps on thinking that she’s not what he would like in a wife, and keeps reminding her he doesn’t want her and wouldn’t marry her even if his fiancée died. He never thought about breaking his engagement, and it wasn’t only out of duty.
What I felt was an enormous amount of lust.
There’s the mater of his mistress.
He has a mistress but we don’t know if he visits her after meeting the heroine. It seems that he’s very taken with the heroine and he doesn’t go to her, but he only break with her in the end, that is after he’s been married for some time.
Ok, he never visited her for sure when he was married, but why keeping her anyway?
And the matter of his feelings to his ex fiancée was never solved. The heroine thought that he loved the girl more that her, of course it wasn’t like that but they never cleared the air.
So this hero never realizes grovel, or talks about his feelings for her and it’s only oh, I love you, yes, I love you too that was really unsatisfactory.
The side story of his mother and her lost love was quite unnecessary and not interesting.
It could have been better but it was only half good, imo.
The hero meets the heroine at a party, she lives as a recluse in the country because years before she jilted her fiancée at the altar and the ton condemned her for it.
Now she’s 23 basically a spinster, and the hero thinks she’s a married woman who wants an affair.
They almost have sex and when he finds out she’s not a lightskirt but a lady, probably a virgin, he tells her crudely he’s not interested in anything.
He’s engaged and only wanted some fun. The poor heroine that fell in love at first sight is hurt by his callous words and philandering ways and reacts very badly.
Now, a woman with some sense, a lady moreover, would avoid him like the plague or maybe, were she a more unconventional lady, she could accept an affair and live with it but the idiot heroine doesn’t do anything of the kind.
She decides she will follow him in London, where the supposedly very moral duke run after he mauled the heroine a couple of times, one of these even while he was a guest in her own house. Honorable really.
In London he has a very inconsistent behavior with her, he’s either protective or insulting, asking her to leave him alone and to go back to her country estate.
Well, I’m not into heroines who pursue the hero, I love the opposite, so I hated that this heroine stalked him everywhere and even became friend with his fiancée.
The fiancée was a surprise. She’s definitely too young for him and a pale and sick creature, just the opposite of the very tall, dark, and healthy heroine but she’s also quiet, kind and sweet with everyone.
The hero of course is not in love with her but loves her as a sister but since his father was a pervert and a sadist he swore he would be a model of honor and decency, at least on the outside since he’s got a mistress and he also lusts after the heroine like a dog after a bitch in heath, and I apologize for the metaphor but it’s quite appropriate.
The poor girl dies after a great amount of suffering and the heroine, instead of staying quiet for some time, goes to the hero when the dead one is not yet cold and they have passionate sex on the carpet.
After this, the hero, since he’s such a honest and honorable guy, proposes.
His proposal was so appalling that the heroine, who was ready to get him anyway anytime, rejects him totally.
And she holds a grudge even when she is forced to marry him.
Of course sex is what keeps them together but sadly I felt like sex was all that there was at least on the hero’s part.
For basically the 80 % of the book he keeps on thinking that she’s not what he would like in a wife, and keeps reminding her he doesn’t want her and wouldn’t marry her even if his fiancée died. He never thought about breaking his engagement, and it wasn’t only out of duty.
What I felt was an enormous amount of lust.
There’s the mater of his mistress.
He has a mistress but we don’t know if he visits her after meeting the heroine. It seems that he’s very taken with the heroine and he doesn’t go to her, but he only break with her in the end, that is after he’s been married for some time.
Ok, he never visited her for sure when he was married, but why keeping her anyway?
And the matter of his feelings to his ex fiancée was never solved. The heroine thought that he loved the girl more that her, of course it wasn’t like that but they never cleared the air.
So this hero never realizes grovel, or talks about his feelings for her and it’s only oh, I love you, yes, I love you too that was really unsatisfactory.
The side story of his mother and her lost love was quite unnecessary and not interesting.
It could have been better but it was only half good, imo.
January 21, 2019
Lady Nicole Bragg Shelton was an unconventional young lady. Seven years ago, she left London in disgrace and has been at her family's country estate since then. When Hadrian Braxton-Lowell, Duke of Clayborough purchases the neighboring estate, Nicole is invited to a masque in his honor. Hadrian is shocked by Nicole's daring conduct and costume at the masque. He finds he admires her fiery spirit and is determined to have her.
I first read this when it was published in 1992 and I know I re-read it numerous times. Now, when I read it, I find it exhausting. There is so many ups and dramatic, plunging lows in this book. As an adult, I find Nichole's character bratty and not at all appealing. Hadrian is just an ass. I felt so bad for his mother Isobel. One thing that irritated me was Nicole being called Lady Shelton. That is her MOTHER. Nicole would be referred to as Lady Nicole.
I first read this when it was published in 1992 and I know I re-read it numerous times. Now, when I read it, I find it exhausting. There is so many ups and dramatic, plunging lows in this book. As an adult, I find Nichole's character bratty and not at all appealing. Hadrian is just an ass. I felt so bad for his mother Isobel. One thing that irritated me was Nicole being called Lady Shelton. That is her MOTHER. Nicole would be referred to as Lady Nicole.
December 5, 2021
I would like to know, what exactly is the point of writing about the mc being headstrong, independent and a strong supporter of women’s suffrage if she’s just going to be a crying, blabbering, horny ninny that can’t stand her ground….
Like girl, this man literally degrades you and lowkey verbally abuses you but alls good because his male anatomy can fit in your female anatomy and make you feel good.
I know this was set in twentieth century and men still very much was the “boss” and women were simply decorative toys but my goodness bro, I know this man’s penis was not coated with crack cocaine for you to be that down bad for it.
Ugh… this book genuinely makes me wanna… ugh !
Like girl, this man literally degrades you and lowkey verbally abuses you but alls good because his male anatomy can fit in your female anatomy and make you feel good.
I know this was set in twentieth century and men still very much was the “boss” and women were simply decorative toys but my goodness bro, I know this man’s penis was not coated with crack cocaine for you to be that down bad for it.
Ugh… this book genuinely makes me wanna… ugh !
May 19, 2022
Now I'm confused af. Two days ago I just said "I don't understand why people compare her to Judith McNaught" because when I read An Impossible Attraction, it was just absolutely horrendous. Bad writing, bad plot.
But what the fuck was going on here. THIS. This is the high I've been chasing after. This reminds me of McNaught, this reminds me of Garwood. This was just ups and downs of crazy, crazy people in fucking love and I was so into it. No pride left by the end of it. I wonder if she writes like this more often.
But what the fuck was going on here. THIS. This is the high I've been chasing after. This reminds me of McNaught, this reminds me of Garwood. This was just ups and downs of crazy, crazy people in fucking love and I was so into it. No pride left by the end of it. I wonder if she writes like this more often.
May 15, 2022
I read this book when I was younger and fell in love. Yes, Nicole was a brat and was allowed to get away with a lot but this is a book of the early 90's. It totally fit the era of the bodice rippers. Now, if it was written now and the heroine was acting like this, you know I would have DNF it quickly. I loved that Hadrian had an awakening too. The subplots really kept my attention enough that I ignored Nicole's immature ways.
I really enjoyed it and was happy to read it today, 30 years later.
I really enjoyed it and was happy to read it today, 30 years later.
October 10, 2023
3.5
Brenda Joyce’s writing is good. She has drama filled, romance and emotional filled stories and they’re really good.
This had a dash of forbidden because the h is friends with the H’s fiancé. There is a lot of tension between the love interests and you just wanted them to get their HEA.
The ending wrapped up a little too quickly and after 50% the story dragged a little so maybe the conflict resolution could’ve started earlier but great characters and overall a good book.
Brenda Joyce’s writing is good. She has drama filled, romance and emotional filled stories and they’re really good.
This had a dash of forbidden because the h is friends with the H’s fiancé. There is a lot of tension between the love interests and you just wanted them to get their HEA.
The ending wrapped up a little too quickly and after 50% the story dragged a little so maybe the conflict resolution could’ve started earlier but great characters and overall a good book.
September 11, 2020
Reminds me of Judith McNaught which is not exactly a praise in my book... The actions of both Nicole and Hadrian were not exactly founded... Nicole i found a little shallow and to a certain degree not witty. Also the ending is abrupt aftet pages and pages of bickering and resent. Still i have to swoon at a duke willing to make a fool of himself for love.
June 22, 2020
For some reason, I just wanted to throttle the h. She was quite bratty and much too impulsive for the time period. The H was swoon-worthy but lack that spark that would make him memorable. It really wasn’t love. More of physical attraction that was the basis for their marriage.
March 5, 2022
I enjoyed this one. It's an illustration of both the need for communication skills and Roger Miller's song, "This I believe: pride is the chief cause of the decline in the number of husbands and wives."
November 22, 2017
Couldnt put it down!
So good i loved it so much! I loved the duke and nicole together! Amazing story! Must read! Loved it!
So good i loved it so much! I loved the duke and nicole together! Amazing story! Must read! Loved it!
March 26, 2019
A great love story with some interesting characters and some romance.
July 22, 2019
My recommendation!
dfr
June 13, 2020DFR at 36%
February 11, 2021
Enjoyable read.
Want to read
September 11, 2021Really good
May 28, 2022
Took me a while to get involved in the story, but it started to draw me in around the middle. Final result - an interesting tale courtesy of the period in which it is set.
October 4, 2023
Fantastic read!
Brenda Joyce is a master of weaving together a compelling romance! Her stories never disappoint and leave you wanting more!
Brenda Joyce is a master of weaving together a compelling romance! Her stories never disappoint and leave you wanting more!
June 15, 2024
I started reading this book at the same time I started watching Bridgerton. I was actually getting my stories confused because it’s a similar time frame and events.
June 6, 2023
Book 6. Scandalous Love (1992). Impetuous and independent, Lady Nicole Bragg Shelton, in disgrace for leaving a man at the altar a few years earlier, meets Hadrian, Duke of Clayborough at a masque ball ..,tho a spinster she’s dressed like a gypsy and he thinks she’s a tart. My least favorite book of the series.., Nicole is actually super stupid, always regretting her decisions but keeps repeating them. Insta lust between them, she’s angry, constantly fighting with him, both too proud to admit they love each other until the last few pages of the book. Boring and exhausting to read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2020
The first Brenda Joyce book I read that felt lifeless, regardless of whether I liked/agreed/enjoyed/was into where the story was going. More thoughts to come.
UPDATE 06/02/2020
If you're a Brenda Joyce fan, I would give this one a pass.
I've read mostly all of her de Warrenne series, of which this book is part of the same world, and while some of them have been swoon-worthy keepers for life to stinkers to hate with a fiery passion, none of them have elicited a
Brenda Joyce is a strong writer who can build relationships even if you roll your eyes at the characters or disagree with where the plot is going but you can't deny her hand is on the wheel. So with Scandalous Love, was Brenda Joyce on autopilot?
I never understood why Nicole fell in love with Hadrian. He noticed her and was nice to her for one evening and all of a sudden it's omg he's the one. That being said, I was on board with a story about a nymphomaniac pursuing her stuffy duke across the country but then we find out Hadrian's betrothed to his cousin, Elizabeth, who has held a burning touch for him since forever and he's going to marry her, DAMNIT, because he's not like his dad and she's about to die and he needs to do this because he has a duty as a duke. Elizabeth definitely put a damper on things because she was a good person who was about to die an untimely death from a very rare and very vague sickness. There was no chance of any illicit hanky-panky going on until she bowed out.
What sort of ruined the magic was the reality that if Elizabeth did not die, Hadrian was never going to end up with Nicole. It's not very satisfying, is it? That the heroine ends up with the hero because he cannot resist any longer and his betrothed was conveniently out of the picture?
Scandalous Love reminded me a lot of An Impossible Attraction. The back story of how Hadrian became so resolutely stuffy is similar in motivation to what made the hero in An Impossible Attraction an impossible prig at times. Also, it's another plot where a priggish hero doesn't want to be with the heroine he so clearly wants to be with. However, An Impossible Attraction is so much better because I got why the hero couldn't be with her. He was an asshole who thought he could get a poor gentry woman to be his mistress.
But Hadrian? He fights kicking and screaming all the way to his happily ever after. Yeesh, is this what the heroines do? I mean, he would never have married Nicole if Elizabeth died. This is something I can't get over.
Scandalous Love is a definite pass.
UPDATE 06/02/2020
If you're a Brenda Joyce fan, I would give this one a pass.
I've read mostly all of her de Warrenne series, of which this book is part of the same world, and while some of them have been swoon-worthy keepers for life to stinkers to hate with a fiery passion, none of them have elicited a
Brenda Joyce is a strong writer who can build relationships even if you roll your eyes at the characters or disagree with where the plot is going but you can't deny her hand is on the wheel. So with Scandalous Love, was Brenda Joyce on autopilot?
I never understood why Nicole fell in love with Hadrian. He noticed her and was nice to her for one evening and all of a sudden it's omg he's the one. That being said, I was on board with a story about a nymphomaniac pursuing her stuffy duke across the country but then we find out Hadrian's betrothed to his cousin, Elizabeth, who has held a burning touch for him since forever and he's going to marry her, DAMNIT, because he's not like his dad and she's about to die and he needs to do this because he has a duty as a duke. Elizabeth definitely put a damper on things because she was a good person who was about to die an untimely death from a very rare and very vague sickness. There was no chance of any illicit hanky-panky going on until she bowed out.
What sort of ruined the magic was the reality that if Elizabeth did not die, Hadrian was never going to end up with Nicole. It's not very satisfying, is it? That the heroine ends up with the hero because he cannot resist any longer and his betrothed was conveniently out of the picture?
Scandalous Love reminded me a lot of An Impossible Attraction. The back story of how Hadrian became so resolutely stuffy is similar in motivation to what made the hero in An Impossible Attraction an impossible prig at times. Also, it's another plot where a priggish hero doesn't want to be with the heroine he so clearly wants to be with. However, An Impossible Attraction is so much better because I got why the hero couldn't be with her. He was an asshole who thought he could get a poor gentry woman to be his mistress.
But Hadrian? He fights kicking and screaming all the way to his happily ever after. Yeesh, is this what the heroines do? I mean, he would never have married Nicole if Elizabeth died. This is something I can't get over.
Scandalous Love is a definite pass.
August 24, 2012
Lady Nicole Bragg Shelton is tall, an amazon, she is a hoyden who rides horses astride, she is considered on the shelf as she is not married. Nicole cannot find anybody worthy to get married and most of all she is considered to taller than most men, the men are intimidated by her and therefore she does not receive any proposals or even a request for dance whereas her younger sister is small petite and very beautiful she is considered a better catch.. this creates a complex and she decides not to attend any balls or parties and remains in her country home.. She meets Hadrian Braxton-Lowell, Duke of Clayborough one man who is taller than her and she feels an intense attraction towards him.. Hadrian mistakes her for a courtesan and sleeps with her.. later he leaves her after their brief affair.. Nicole is hurtand devastated she has fallen in love with the duke.. she follows him to London only to find that Hadrian is already engaged.. In london both Hadrian and Nicole come across each other very frequently in parties and balls and mutual acquaintance get together.. Both of them feel the attraction still and Hadrian falls in love with Nicole.. Then Hadrian's fiance falls ill and dies leaving Hadrian free and he proposes to Nicole and they both get married..
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews