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Scandalous Lord Dere
A Novella (originally appeared in the print anthology Secrets of a Perfect Night)
Once upon a time, a young woman attended a New Year's Eve ball...The moon shone brightly, music filled the air. Kisses were stolen and promises made. But what happens when morning comes? A new year brings new scandal when a rake awakens in the bed of the flame-haired temptress who had seduced him years before. All of society has them bedded, but can he convince her to become wedded?
Once upon a time, a young woman attended a New Year's Eve ball...The moon shone brightly, music filled the air. Kisses were stolen and promises made. But what happens when morning comes? A new year brings new scandal when a rake awakens in the bed of the flame-haired temptress who had seduced him years before. All of society has them bedded, but can he convince her to become wedded?
115 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 5, 2000
208 people are currently reading
618 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Laurens
206 books5,586 followersStephanie Laurens was born in Sri Lanka, which was at the time the British colony of Ceylon. When she was 5, her family moved to Melbourne, Australia, where she was raised. After continuing through school and earning a Ph.D. in Biochemistry in Australia, Stephanie and her husband moved to Great Britain, taking one of the last true overland journeys from Katmandu to London.
Once in London, Stephanie and her husband both began work as research scientists in Kent. They lived in an area surrounded by history. Their own cottage was built in the 16th century, while next door were the protected ruins of an early Roman villa, and nearby was a 14th century castle.
After four years in England, Stephanie and her husband returned to Australia, where she continued to work in cancer research, eventually heading her own research laboratory. One evening Stephanie realized that she did not have any more of her favorite romance novels to read. After years of thinking about writing her own novel, during nights and weekends for the next several months, she began crafting her own story. That manuscript, Tangled Reins, was the first of her books to be published. After achieving a level of success with her novels, Stephanie "retired" from scientific research and became a full-time novelist. Her novels are primarily historical romances set in the Regency time period.
Stephanie and her husband live on peaceful acreage on the outskirts of Melbourne. If she isn't writing, she's reading, and if she's not reading, she's tending her garden.
Once in London, Stephanie and her husband both began work as research scientists in Kent. They lived in an area surrounded by history. Their own cottage was built in the 16th century, while next door were the protected ruins of an early Roman villa, and nearby was a 14th century castle.
After four years in England, Stephanie and her husband returned to Australia, where she continued to work in cancer research, eventually heading her own research laboratory. One evening Stephanie realized that she did not have any more of her favorite romance novels to read. After years of thinking about writing her own novel, during nights and weekends for the next several months, she began crafting her own story. That manuscript, Tangled Reins, was the first of her books to be published. After achieving a level of success with her novels, Stephanie "retired" from scientific research and became a full-time novelist. Her novels are primarily historical romances set in the Regency time period.
Stephanie and her husband live on peaceful acreage on the outskirts of Melbourne. If she isn't writing, she's reading, and if she's not reading, she's tending her garden.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
July 8, 2015
I forgot that I had given this one a DNF 1-star rating a few years ago and tried to read it again. Yuck - the big seduction scene in the story is actually a rape - the heroine is protesting that she doesn't want to have sex, but the hero is convinced that she really secretly wants it, so he RESTRAINS her and goes at it! There is also some mention of the fact that the heroine had forced him to have sex with her, over his objections, a number of years previously, although this is just a flashback, not an actual event in the story, but still - pretty disgusting.
Couldn't finish it, just dropped it with a really bad taste in my mouth.
Couldn't finish it, just dropped it with a really bad taste in my mouth.
December 12, 2019
I wish this had more pages!
Abby and Adrian were lovers years ago, and then he leaves for London and lives life as a rake, and becomes the 'best lover in London' and soon finds himself feeling useless and empty. On returning to his home in the country after years away, he is trapped in a snowstorm and finds himself at the doorstep and mercy of Abby - the very girl he had taken advantage of some years ago.
Abby was only sixteen when she gave herself to the only man she had ever loved. But then he just left. And forgot her. Now years later, Abby has made a career and life for herself without any man. Still, she is shocked when she is suddenly stuck with him in her small cottage.
Chemistry never really died - and both find out fast they may have lived without one another for years, but now face to face, they belong together. Will Abby let herself love the man she once wanted more than anything? Has Adrian truly given up his playboy ways?
Abby and Adrian were lovers years ago, and then he leaves for London and lives life as a rake, and becomes the 'best lover in London' and soon finds himself feeling useless and empty. On returning to his home in the country after years away, he is trapped in a snowstorm and finds himself at the doorstep and mercy of Abby - the very girl he had taken advantage of some years ago.
Abby was only sixteen when she gave herself to the only man she had ever loved. But then he just left. And forgot her. Now years later, Abby has made a career and life for herself without any man. Still, she is shocked when she is suddenly stuck with him in her small cottage.
Chemistry never really died - and both find out fast they may have lived without one another for years, but now face to face, they belong together. Will Abby let herself love the man she once wanted more than anything? Has Adrian truly given up his playboy ways?
March 12, 2013
Reviewed for THC Reviews
Scandalous Lord Dere is a tender, sensuous friends-to-lovers, reunion story, two of my favorite themes in romance. Stephanie Laurens seems to have a talent for writing richly descriptive prose that isn't at all boring, but instead draws the reader into the story as through they are actually there watching everything unfold. For a novella, I thought that the characterizations and plot were extremely well-developed. Adrian is a rake to be sure, but surprisingly gentle, vulnerable and sympathetic, which is my favorite kind of alpha hero. I loved his possessiveness and his persistence in getting Abby to agree to marry him. Abby was a kind-hearted young woman who had never forgotten her one-time lover, Adrian, but he had also unknowingly broken her heart all those years ago, making her reluctant to accept his proposal now. I thought it was sweet that out of the countless women Adrian had seduced over the years, Abby was the only one he could truly remember in detail even though they had only made love once eight years before. I also like that he had become tired and fed up with his rakish lifestyle and wanted to turn over a new leaf. At the heart of it all, Adrian was a great guy who had simply gotten off track in his wild youth, but what better time for new beginnings than on New Year's Day, the day that he reconnected with Abby, the only woman who had ever truly understood him and that he had ever really cared about.
I found it very endearing that these two were childhood friends who later became more, and was totally enamored of the deep intimacy Adrian and Abby shared. It was often in their quieter moments that this showed through the most. I loved reading about them simply sitting together in Adrian's study while she sketched and he worked. They also had a mutual love of books that I could relate to and their impromptu waltz in the park was very romantic. I just thought these two were completely perfect for one another, and their love scenes absolutely sizzled. Stephanie Laurens is very good at writing varied love scenes that are powerfully passionate and lushly sensual. In general her writing style reminds me a lot of Lisa Kleypas which is a very good thing in my book. It is a rare author who can write a short story and make me feel fully satisfied from beginning to end. This was my first read by Ms. Laurens, and she has impressed me so much, I can say with certainly that it won't be my last. I'm very much looking forward to trying more of her books soon.
Scandalous Lord Dere is a tender, sensuous friends-to-lovers, reunion story, two of my favorite themes in romance. Stephanie Laurens seems to have a talent for writing richly descriptive prose that isn't at all boring, but instead draws the reader into the story as through they are actually there watching everything unfold. For a novella, I thought that the characterizations and plot were extremely well-developed. Adrian is a rake to be sure, but surprisingly gentle, vulnerable and sympathetic, which is my favorite kind of alpha hero. I loved his possessiveness and his persistence in getting Abby to agree to marry him. Abby was a kind-hearted young woman who had never forgotten her one-time lover, Adrian, but he had also unknowingly broken her heart all those years ago, making her reluctant to accept his proposal now. I thought it was sweet that out of the countless women Adrian had seduced over the years, Abby was the only one he could truly remember in detail even though they had only made love once eight years before. I also like that he had become tired and fed up with his rakish lifestyle and wanted to turn over a new leaf. At the heart of it all, Adrian was a great guy who had simply gotten off track in his wild youth, but what better time for new beginnings than on New Year's Day, the day that he reconnected with Abby, the only woman who had ever truly understood him and that he had ever really cared about.
I found it very endearing that these two were childhood friends who later became more, and was totally enamored of the deep intimacy Adrian and Abby shared. It was often in their quieter moments that this showed through the most. I loved reading about them simply sitting together in Adrian's study while she sketched and he worked. They also had a mutual love of books that I could relate to and their impromptu waltz in the park was very romantic. I just thought these two were completely perfect for one another, and their love scenes absolutely sizzled. Stephanie Laurens is very good at writing varied love scenes that are powerfully passionate and lushly sensual. In general her writing style reminds me a lot of Lisa Kleypas which is a very good thing in my book. It is a rare author who can write a short story and make me feel fully satisfied from beginning to end. This was my first read by Ms. Laurens, and she has impressed me so much, I can say with certainly that it won't be my last. I'm very much looking forward to trying more of her books soon.
February 18, 2021
This is an OK historical romance novella, with a mostly likable couple. I liked Abby, but I have to say that it was hard for me to like Adrian at first. He was just such a rake, who had been using women for years, and that really turned me off. I did like that he wanted to change, though, and realized that Abby was the one woman he could truly love. He should have realized sooner, though, how his rejection several years earlier had hurt her.
It did bother me a little how Abby just could not resist him. I get that he was an expert seducer, and she had always been in love with him -- but she would think/say she wasn't going to give in, and then immediately do just that. It was like she lost her spine whenever he touched her. I prefer heroines who don't automatically go "weak in the knees" whenever the heroes kiss them.
As is typical in Stephanie Laurens romances, this story contains several sex scenes, and they are quite descriptive. If you don't want to read that, you should avoid this novella.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
It did bother me a little how Abby just could not resist him. I get that he was an expert seducer, and she had always been in love with him -- but she would think/say she wasn't going to give in, and then immediately do just that. It was like she lost her spine whenever he touched her. I prefer heroines who don't automatically go "weak in the knees" whenever the heroes kiss them.
As is typical in Stephanie Laurens romances, this story contains several sex scenes, and they are quite descriptive. If you don't want to read that, you should avoid this novella.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
December 17, 2025
Steamy shorter story by Stephanie Laurens
Adrian is going back home after 8 years away when he and his batman Bolt encounters a severe snow storm. They have an accident but Adrian manages to get them both plus his horses to the closest house. There he finds his old friend Abby. She, her Aunt and 2 servants manage to bring them into the house and keep them from succumbing to the freezing they had received. When he awakens in the morning, he sees Abby as much more than his old friend. But can this renowned seducer seduce her into marrying him? That will take a whole bunch of other skills and he is learning as he goes!
The pace is engrossing and the tone is uncertain yet hopeful with a character centered storyline that has some steamy scenes. The characters are vibrant and engaging. This is a non-Cynster story that I don't think I have read before! Thanks for bringing it back out!
Adrian is going back home after 8 years away when he and his batman Bolt encounters a severe snow storm. They have an accident but Adrian manages to get them both plus his horses to the closest house. There he finds his old friend Abby. She, her Aunt and 2 servants manage to bring them into the house and keep them from succumbing to the freezing they had received. When he awakens in the morning, he sees Abby as much more than his old friend. But can this renowned seducer seduce her into marrying him? That will take a whole bunch of other skills and he is learning as he goes!
The pace is engrossing and the tone is uncertain yet hopeful with a character centered storyline that has some steamy scenes. The characters are vibrant and engaging. This is a non-Cynster story that I don't think I have read before! Thanks for bringing it back out!
January 1, 2020
Viscount Adrian , and Abby had been friends as children. He had gone off to London to sew some wild oats, and was a rake of the first order. He finally comes him to put his favorite country estate in. order, and ended up on the door step of his neighbor Abby. This is not the youth, he left behind, nor the first person he ever made real love to, but was to immature to understand it.. He has come back to make amends, but it isn't as easy as he thinks. I would have given it a five star, but it needed a longer more complete ending, and an epilogue. It just leaves you in a stormy sex encounter, at a ball, and it was so against the main characters ideas, and even the changes of the hero. He wanted to show love , and respect to the girl he hoped to marry that was not it. It did a u turn at the end. 4 stars.
January 6, 2025
This is a 5-star read, but rated on a Stephanie Laurens scale.
Stephanie Laurens manages to take 5 chapters of a ridiculously boring premise - childhood friends meet as adults and get married - and give it her signature batshit spin. This /is/ a NYE novella, so let's count down the ways:
5 Chapters;
4 Other houseguests;
3 Sex scenes;
2 "Snowed in together" hookups;
1 HEA.
Look, there's no plot other than the MMC finally deciding he should marry his BFF and seducing her into it ... but with Stephanie Laurens's signature batshittery (incl. sleep sex, an "uncomplicated and tight" FMC, etc.). We loved it.
2-Word Summaries:
Meg: Marry - now!
Laine: NYE - HEA
Stephanie Laurens manages to take 5 chapters of a ridiculously boring premise - childhood friends meet as adults and get married - and give it her signature batshit spin. This /is/ a NYE novella, so let's count down the ways:
5 Chapters;
4 Other houseguests;
3 Sex scenes;
2 "Snowed in together" hookups;
1 HEA.
Look, there's no plot other than the MMC finally deciding he should marry his BFF and seducing her into it ... but with Stephanie Laurens's signature batshittery (incl. sleep sex, an "uncomplicated and tight" FMC, etc.). We loved it.
2-Word Summaries:
Meg: Marry - now!
Laine: NYE - HEA
January 18, 2018
Scandalouz Lord Dere Indeed
Stephanie Laurens creates the most delicious rakes, rogues, heroes -- MEN! Her heroines are smart, sassy, confident and independent. Put the two together and enjoy. These two have history from seven years ago. Now he's back, older, wiser, ready to marry and be a father. He wants her for his bride. She is still angry and scared from when he hurt her seven years ago. She says, "No", every time he asks. It is an enjoyable, interesting story.
I buy, keep, read, and reread every Stephanie Laurens book I can find. I can't think of a happier way to spend an afternoon.
Stephanie Laurens creates the most delicious rakes, rogues, heroes -- MEN! Her heroines are smart, sassy, confident and independent. Put the two together and enjoy. These two have history from seven years ago. Now he's back, older, wiser, ready to marry and be a father. He wants her for his bride. She is still angry and scared from when he hurt her seven years ago. She says, "No", every time he asks. It is an enjoyable, interesting story.
I buy, keep, read, and reread every Stephanie Laurens book I can find. I can't think of a happier way to spend an afternoon.
November 27, 2021
After finishing The Stone Sky, I realised I really wanted to go on a bit of a romance kick.
So I have about 30 books downloaded from Libby and I'll see what I like. I have given myself permission, to skim, give up or read "properly" as I feel like it.
This is the first I finished. Just a nice, fun story with nice, fun characters.
Does this make me want to reread Cynster books? I really hope not, but maybe the first few.
So I have about 30 books downloaded from Libby and I'll see what I like. I have given myself permission, to skim, give up or read "properly" as I feel like it.
This is the first I finished. Just a nice, fun story with nice, fun characters.
Does this make me want to reread Cynster books? I really hope not, but maybe the first few.
December 25, 2019
Another good read from Ms Laurens
Enjoyed the plot and characters of this book. The plot as always was well developed. You could understand where the story was going, but with this author you never know where you will end up. I'd give it a five star rating,but I found too many spelling errors. Sometimes spell check is not enough. Still enjoyed the book tbough.
Enjoyed the plot and characters of this book. The plot as always was well developed. You could understand where the story was going, but with this author you never know where you will end up. I'd give it a five star rating,but I found too many spelling errors. Sometimes spell check is not enough. Still enjoyed the book tbough.
January 25, 2020
Steamy!
A definite rake tired of the nothingness of his life decides to return home. Caught in a blizzard, nearly home, he makes for the cottage he knows is near.
Who he finds, changes his idea of what he wants and where he will live. Now he only has to convince his one time friend that this is what he truly wants.
A definite rake tired of the nothingness of his life decides to return home. Caught in a blizzard, nearly home, he makes for the cottage he knows is near.
Who he finds, changes his idea of what he wants and where he will live. Now he only has to convince his one time friend that this is what he truly wants.
December 28, 2020
Short and sweet
Although this is a short story, it is just right to tell this simple love story of two youngsters who fall in love but have to go live their lives before they are thrown together again and realize that they love each other. An old theme with different characters, but S. Laurens can be depended upon to give you a sexy romance even if it is short and sweet.
Although this is a short story, it is just right to tell this simple love story of two youngsters who fall in love but have to go live their lives before they are thrown together again and realize that they love each other. An old theme with different characters, but S. Laurens can be depended upon to give you a sexy romance even if it is short and sweet.
December 6, 2019
Review
I have been a follower of Stephanie Laurens for years! My first book was Captain Jack. Her stories always have so much depth to her characters. Who doesn't love a hero and a strong woman? Love your books!
I have been a follower of Stephanie Laurens for years! My first book was Captain Jack. Her stories always have so much depth to her characters. Who doesn't love a hero and a strong woman? Love your books!
December 10, 2019
When they Meet Again
They grew up together as best friends. When Adrian quarrelled with his father, he ran off to London and stayed for 8 years. He decides to return home but gets caught in a blizzard. She saves his life, but refused to marry him. Now what?
They grew up together as best friends. When Adrian quarrelled with his father, he ran off to London and stayed for 8 years. He decides to return home but gets caught in a blizzard. She saves his life, but refused to marry him. Now what?
December 16, 2019
Stephanie Laurens always delivers to my desire for a regency romance. I think I’ve read all her books and loved each one. All different, but set in the same tire period. Strong heroines, strong men and a forever love.
December 21, 2019
Writing was very good,but...
How many times did we have to hear how he loved her, then left her for SOOOO many women? How many of the women at the balls had loved him, too? Yet, she was supposed to save him from them. She was a doormat.
How many times did we have to hear how he loved her, then left her for SOOOO many women? How many of the women at the balls had loved him, too? Yet, she was supposed to save him from them. She was a doormat.
March 1, 2020
Pretty good. The only thing I don't like is that the title doesn't seem to fit the story itself. I didn't read anything that really made him scandalous! I'll probably have to read it again to make sure….
February 19, 2021
Excellent!
If you like characters who are so real you can see them and feel their emotions; if you want to read love scenes a!I've with scorching sensuality without being crass; if you love engrossing stories artfully told; then this book is for you.
If you like characters who are so real you can see them and feel their emotions; if you want to read love scenes a!I've with scorching sensuality without being crass; if you love engrossing stories artfully told; then this book is for you.
June 25, 2017
I liked it but really thought the last explicit sex scene at a ball was a little tacky and did not serve that well as an ending.
December 5, 2019
The blurb doesn't match the book.
December 11, 2019
Great second chance
The story draws you in, until you are racing to find the happy ending. Stephanie Laurens never lets you down!
The story draws you in, until you are racing to find the happy ending. Stephanie Laurens never lets you down!
December 13, 2019
If you like a passionate sexy read, this book is for you. Enjoyed it!
January 4, 2021
Stephanie Laurens packs a lot of emotions into this novella.
January 14, 2021
A favorite of mine. I reread this book several times a year.
January 15, 2021
Great short story
Love all of her books. Great story about a second chance at love for two people who have known each other for Yeats.
Love all of her books. Great story about a second chance at love for two people who have known each other for Yeats.
August 19, 2021
Rated 3.5
January 26, 2025
I enjoyed this story and will be keeping it to read again somewhere in the future. I have most of her books and am seldom disappointed by her stories.
October 3, 2025
I enjoyed this one for the most part, it’s hard to see how much he hurt her when they were young and though he apologised I’d have liked to see him work a bit more for her heart.
December 24, 2020
consent? these characters have never heard of it! 🙃
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews