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Scandalous #2
It Takes a Scandal
Sometimes It Takes a Scandal...
Abigail Weston has everything: beauty, wit, and one of the largest dowries in England. Her parents hope she'll wed an earl. Abigail hopes for a man who wants her desperately and passionately. But the money seems to blind every man she meets—except one.
Sebastian Vane has nothing. He came home from war with a shattered leg to find his father mad and his inheritance gone. He's not a fit suitor for anyone, let alone an heiress. But Abigail lights up his world like a comet, bright and beautiful and able to see him instead of his ruined reputation. And it might end happily ever after...
To Reveal Your Heart's Desire
...Until Benedict Lennox begins courting Abigail. Ben is everything Sebastian isn't—wealthy, charming, heir to an earl. Sebastian won't give up the only girl he's ever loved without a fight, but Abigail must choose between the penniless gentleman who moves her heart, and the suitor who is everything her parents want.
Abigail Weston has everything: beauty, wit, and one of the largest dowries in England. Her parents hope she'll wed an earl. Abigail hopes for a man who wants her desperately and passionately. But the money seems to blind every man she meets—except one.
Sebastian Vane has nothing. He came home from war with a shattered leg to find his father mad and his inheritance gone. He's not a fit suitor for anyone, let alone an heiress. But Abigail lights up his world like a comet, bright and beautiful and able to see him instead of his ruined reputation. And it might end happily ever after...
To Reveal Your Heart's Desire
...Until Benedict Lennox begins courting Abigail. Ben is everything Sebastian isn't—wealthy, charming, heir to an earl. Sebastian won't give up the only girl he's ever loved without a fight, but Abigail must choose between the penniless gentleman who moves her heart, and the suitor who is everything her parents want.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 29, 2014
132 people are currently reading
2188 people want to read
About the author
Caroline Linden
57 books1,702 followersCaroline Linden was born a reader, not a writer. She earned a degree in mathematics from Harvard University and worked as a programmer in the financial services industry before realizing writing fiction is much more exciting than writing code. Her books have won the NEC-RWA Readers' Choice Award, the JNRW Golden Leaf, the Daphne du Maurier Award, and RWA's RITA Award, and have been translated into seventeen languages around the world. She lives in New England.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 331 reviews
August 7, 2018
Recently, I read a Historical Romance where the heroine loses her virginity in a tree. I heartily approved of this since tree sex is awesome. The only thing that can really beat tree sex is cave sex, and this book had the potential. There was a magical cave and all I could do was root for her to lose her virginity in that cave, because that is another great place to lose it. (Remember Clary and Jace? It was a good thing he happened to bring a condom to the hell-zone. Too bad he forgot a bottle of water or food of any kind, but priorities!!)
Maybe he thought this would qualify as the "food" part of their provisions.
*sigh*
Missed opportunities
Anyway, this book stars Abigail and Sebastian. She is a virgin heiress from "new money" which means it's not as easy to land a respectable gentleman as those from "old money", so she was kind of a wallflower in London. Luckily, her father bought a country house and it just happens to be next door to the very broody, moody, and damaged Sebastian.
Oooh, a challenge!
Can I help you carry your bag, sir?
I'm convinced that girls are a sucker for a guy with baggage because we love bags of every kind. Purses, tote bags, cute backpacks, nice luggage. We love it all. I had this awesome purse that my hubs bought me in England that kind of looked like a panda. I swear, we could be anywhere and no matter how bitchy a clerk was, in any mood, and she would always suddenly cheer up when she saw that purse. Postal employee frowning yells: "Next!" me walking up and putting purse on counter. Her: "Oh, girl! Do you know your purse looks like a panda!!" *big smile* Yup. Gotta a lot of good girlfriends from that bag. I used that thing until my panda looked like it had rolled around in the dirt a little too often.
Still cute.
Anyhoo... So, Abilgail is all over this guy like cute on a panda.
And, of course, he is all "oh no, you must stay away from me. I'm too damaged. I'm too dangerous."
Yeah, like that isn't bamboo to a panda.
But, then things take a turn and Sebastian leaves town for two weeks. In comes another dude. He's all charming, handsome, and titled. And, he likes Abby for hermoney self. Unfortunately for him, he isn't damaged. Well, no noticeable baggage. Good luck, dude. You are going to need it.
I liked this story because it wasn't as clear-cut as the last one. But, the heroine became a little bit shallow as it went on. She wasn't as loyal as I would have liked (there was no cheating). Still, overall, it has some interesting things going on. I'm really looking forward to the next book about her sister. I think it's going to be an enemies-to-lovers trope, which I always enjoy.
Maybe he thought this would qualify as the "food" part of their provisions.
*sigh*
Missed opportunities
Anyway, this book stars Abigail and Sebastian. She is a virgin heiress from "new money" which means it's not as easy to land a respectable gentleman as those from "old money", so she was kind of a wallflower in London. Luckily, her father bought a country house and it just happens to be next door to the very broody, moody, and damaged Sebastian.
Oooh, a challenge!
Can I help you carry your bag, sir?
I'm convinced that girls are a sucker for a guy with baggage because we love bags of every kind. Purses, tote bags, cute backpacks, nice luggage. We love it all. I had this awesome purse that my hubs bought me in England that kind of looked like a panda. I swear, we could be anywhere and no matter how bitchy a clerk was, in any mood, and she would always suddenly cheer up when she saw that purse. Postal employee frowning yells: "Next!" me walking up and putting purse on counter. Her: "Oh, girl! Do you know your purse looks like a panda!!" *big smile* Yup. Gotta a lot of good girlfriends from that bag. I used that thing until my panda looked like it had rolled around in the dirt a little too often.
Still cute.
Anyhoo... So, Abilgail is all over this guy like cute on a panda.
And, of course, he is all "oh no, you must stay away from me. I'm too damaged. I'm too dangerous."
Yeah, like that isn't bamboo to a panda.
But, then things take a turn and Sebastian leaves town for two weeks. In comes another dude. He's all charming, handsome, and titled. And, he likes Abby for her
I liked this story because it wasn't as clear-cut as the last one. But, the heroine became a little bit shallow as it went on. She wasn't as loyal as I would have liked (there was no cheating). Still, overall, it has some interesting things going on. I'm really looking forward to the next book about her sister. I think it's going to be an enemies-to-lovers trope, which I always enjoy.
November 16, 2016
DNF at 84%
It’s defeated me. The book wins. I lose. I seriously, seriously lose. I lose so bad.
I do not care what happens to these characters. I do not care if they get together or they don’t. Frankly, someone could take a can of petrol and a match to the whole place and I would be entirely unmoved.
This book isn’t necessarily bad. The writing is sufficient. The scene setting is passable. But life is just too short for a story like this one.
I made a comment about Avon in the early days of reading this book (waaaaay back when I started it in 1932 or whenever). I think back to the last Heath that I read, to the Eloisa James books when I first started reading romance, to Tessa Dare and Sarah Maclean. All of which are the very definition of contemporaries in long dresses and have this infuriating habit of ‘borrowing’ from movies for their plot points or their titles which makes me want to pitch my Kindle at the wall - Do You Want to Start a Scandal – really Dare? Really? Are we doing this? I like Frozen as much as the next feminist with young nieces, who thinks she can sing 'Let It Go' as well as Idina but really?! - and I come the conclusion that either Avon is editing them this way or it’s picking only the authors that write this way (it’s probably a combination of both) and I just don’t think its for me.
If Cosmo wrote romance novels they’d be like this. And there’s a reason I don’t read Cosmo. It’s patronising; trumpeting only one version of womanhood without any artifice or nuance. To compound matters it assumes its readership doesn't want different, better content because they sell some magazines just doing what they've always done and so they tell themselves they must be doing everything right.
And here we have the book that does all the same things. No nuance. Taking the reader for granted and talking down to them at the same time.
This is the same romance novel which has been written hundreds of times before and will probably be written hundreds of times in the future.
The hero is an injured recluse, except around the heroine. He’s handsome, with those ubiquitous "heavy-lidded" eyes and “sensual” lips (loc 459). The heroine wants love and passion and the hero is the man for her because: reasons. She’s the daughter of a merchant done good, although nothing comes of that, it's just information. They have a nice big house in Richmond. People visit. There are parties and trips and a cute dog. And there's a rival for the heroine's affections who never has any real chance but who has history with the hero. All of that will make everything difficult between the H/h. But the love of the young attractive woman for the reclusive heavy-lidded man will win out. Obviously.
There’s nothing wrong with telling the same story over and over. Half of romance is doing just that. But you need to do it well. You need to do something to raise it above the crowd - language, characterization, style, sex - something. And here, it's just: average. The inclusion of a pamphlet, which is a play on 50 Shades of Grey (and yet somehow obtainable over the counter on request at the local Richmond bookshop and read by the heroine and her sister) is not enough to elevate the book above the average.
To compound matters, this book reads like a Cosmo article:
"I shall tease you if you end up meeting the man of your dreams here.” (loc 300)
The juxtaposition of 'shall' and 'tease' which feel right for the period and 'man of your dreams' is so jarring.
“What did I ever do to deserve these men in my life?” (loc 347)
I fear we're moments away from tipping into, "I couldn't help but wonder..."
The reclusive, quiet, anti-relationship (because he’s poor and may go mad) hero says to the heroine, of her eyes:
“They are as fresh and clear as a new dawn, filled with promise and hope…” (loc 1314)
No one speaks this way. Imagine someone saying this to you. I'd literally laugh in their face. There might have been some scope for this sort of language amongst the romantics of the early 19th century, but this hero isn't a wannabe poet or a dandy, he's (apparently) brooding and dark and stoic. Even if he thought words to this effect, he wouldn't say them.
Then, a little later he says:
“I pictured it, though. Just the thought of touching you nearly drove me to distraction. You’re a temptress, Abigail. So ethereally beautiful, I’m stricken dumb in your presence. Abigail with the starry eyes that’s tole a piece of my sole the first time you looked at me. Abigail with the bright smile and the kind heart and the curious nature. Abigail who haunts my dreams.” (loc 2099).
Again, no one speaks this way. Linden really does not embrace the concept of less is more in this book. If only the hero were actually stricken dumb, I wouldn’t have had to read any more of his effusive, fruity platitudes.
Everything is explained ten times over - motivations, feelings, actions - and then often articulated in dialogue too. Nothing about this book is designed to challenge the reader.
I’m just not sure in a world where there’s Alexis Hall, KJ Charles, Rose Lerner, Ellen O'Connell and Theresa Romain and that’s to name but a few, that I want to spend my time and money on this. Plainly, others do. Have at it guys: you do you. I just think Avon could cater to this market at a better, more enjoyable level than is on display in this book.
It’s defeated me. The book wins. I lose. I seriously, seriously lose. I lose so bad.
I do not care what happens to these characters. I do not care if they get together or they don’t. Frankly, someone could take a can of petrol and a match to the whole place and I would be entirely unmoved.
This book isn’t necessarily bad. The writing is sufficient. The scene setting is passable. But life is just too short for a story like this one.
I made a comment about Avon in the early days of reading this book (waaaaay back when I started it in 1932 or whenever). I think back to the last Heath that I read, to the Eloisa James books when I first started reading romance, to Tessa Dare and Sarah Maclean. All of which are the very definition of contemporaries in long dresses and have this infuriating habit of ‘borrowing’ from movies for their plot points or their titles which makes me want to pitch my Kindle at the wall - Do You Want to Start a Scandal – really Dare? Really? Are we doing this? I like Frozen as much as the next feminist with young nieces, who thinks she can sing 'Let It Go' as well as Idina but really?! - and I come the conclusion that either Avon is editing them this way or it’s picking only the authors that write this way (it’s probably a combination of both) and I just don’t think its for me.
If Cosmo wrote romance novels they’d be like this. And there’s a reason I don’t read Cosmo. It’s patronising; trumpeting only one version of womanhood without any artifice or nuance. To compound matters it assumes its readership doesn't want different, better content because they sell some magazines just doing what they've always done and so they tell themselves they must be doing everything right.
And here we have the book that does all the same things. No nuance. Taking the reader for granted and talking down to them at the same time.
This is the same romance novel which has been written hundreds of times before and will probably be written hundreds of times in the future.
The hero is an injured recluse, except around the heroine. He’s handsome, with those ubiquitous "heavy-lidded" eyes and “sensual” lips (loc 459). The heroine wants love and passion and the hero is the man for her because: reasons. She’s the daughter of a merchant done good, although nothing comes of that, it's just information. They have a nice big house in Richmond. People visit. There are parties and trips and a cute dog. And there's a rival for the heroine's affections who never has any real chance but who has history with the hero. All of that will make everything difficult between the H/h. But the love of the young attractive woman for the reclusive heavy-lidded man will win out. Obviously.
There’s nothing wrong with telling the same story over and over. Half of romance is doing just that. But you need to do it well. You need to do something to raise it above the crowd - language, characterization, style, sex - something. And here, it's just: average. The inclusion of a pamphlet, which is a play on 50 Shades of Grey (and yet somehow obtainable over the counter on request at the local Richmond bookshop and read by the heroine and her sister) is not enough to elevate the book above the average.
To compound matters, this book reads like a Cosmo article:
"I shall tease you if you end up meeting the man of your dreams here.” (loc 300)
The juxtaposition of 'shall' and 'tease' which feel right for the period and 'man of your dreams' is so jarring.
“What did I ever do to deserve these men in my life?” (loc 347)
I fear we're moments away from tipping into, "I couldn't help but wonder..."
The reclusive, quiet, anti-relationship (because he’s poor and may go mad) hero says to the heroine, of her eyes:
“They are as fresh and clear as a new dawn, filled with promise and hope…” (loc 1314)
No one speaks this way. Imagine someone saying this to you. I'd literally laugh in their face. There might have been some scope for this sort of language amongst the romantics of the early 19th century, but this hero isn't a wannabe poet or a dandy, he's (apparently) brooding and dark and stoic. Even if he thought words to this effect, he wouldn't say them.
Then, a little later he says:
“I pictured it, though. Just the thought of touching you nearly drove me to distraction. You’re a temptress, Abigail. So ethereally beautiful, I’m stricken dumb in your presence. Abigail with the starry eyes that’s tole a piece of my sole the first time you looked at me. Abigail with the bright smile and the kind heart and the curious nature. Abigail who haunts my dreams.” (loc 2099).
Again, no one speaks this way. Linden really does not embrace the concept of less is more in this book. If only the hero were actually stricken dumb, I wouldn’t have had to read any more of his effusive, fruity platitudes.
Everything is explained ten times over - motivations, feelings, actions - and then often articulated in dialogue too. Nothing about this book is designed to challenge the reader.
I’m just not sure in a world where there’s Alexis Hall, KJ Charles, Rose Lerner, Ellen O'Connell and Theresa Romain and that’s to name but a few, that I want to spend my time and money on this. Plainly, others do. Have at it guys: you do you. I just think Avon could cater to this market at a better, more enjoyable level than is on display in this book.
July 25, 2016
I've given this an A- at AAR, so 4.5 stars
Caroline Linden follows up one of my favourite books of last year, Love and Other Scandals with another beautifully written, character-driven romance which, while loosely linked to the earlier book, is very different in tone. In it, we become reacquainted with Abigail and Penelope Weston, and, of course, privy to more of the sexual exploits of the scandalous and mysterious Lady Constance, purveyor of smut to well-bred and curious young ladies in her equally scandalous publication, 50 Ways to Sin.
It’s always quite refreshing when characters in novels come from stable, loving backgrounds, and it’s obvious that Abigail and her siblings come from just that sort of family. Her parents clearly adore each other and want the best for her, and at the beginning of the story have moved from London to Richmond for the summer. Mr. Weston makes no secret of the fact that he hopes that having a house in such an excellent locale will enable his daughters to make matches which will elevate their social status – because while the family is very rich, Mr. Weston is a “Cit”, someone who has made his money rather than being born into it, which means that the family can never gain entry to the highest echelons of society - unless they marry into it.
Abigail and Penelope are close, but very different in temperament, reminding me a little of Elinor and Marianne Dashwood. Penelope wants excitement and adventure, whereas Abigail is of a quieter disposition, quite happy with her own company and a good book.
Not long after they have moved into Richmond, Abigail meets their neighbour, Mr. Sebastian Vane, a handsome but strangely reticent young man to whom she feels strongly drawn. The attraction is mutual – even stronger on his side, perhaps – but Sebastian, knowing he has nothing to offer this lovely young woman, resolves to keep his distance.
Sebastian is the book’s heart – a lovely beta hero who has maintained his dignity in the face of ridicule and censure. Returned from the war with a debilitating injury to his leg, he discovered that his father’s mind was failing him and that in his weakened state he had sold off huge tracts of his land for next to nothing, leaving them barely solvent. One night not long after his return, Sebastian’s father disappears, never to be seen again. Rumours quickly circulate that Sebastian has murdered him; that he is just as mad as his father and, when a large sum of money disappears from the home of Lord Stratford – a neighbour and father of Sebastian’s boyhood friend - that Sebastian is a thief.
With no way of proving his innocence, and very little to live on, Sebastian withdraws from society, more or less content to live as he must – frugally, and solitarily. But meeting Abigail changes all that in an instant. He doesn’t want to fall in love – but he can’t help himself. He knows that if he is to win his lady, he is going to have to eschew his reclusive existence, something Abigail senses is difficult for him, and which she values accordingly.
Abigail and Sebastian make a perfect couple. Her liveliness is a lovely counterpoint to his reserve, and the way she gradually draws him out of his shell is lovely to watch. I will admit to a weakness for a brooding, wounded, wronged hero – so I adored Sebastian, but one of his most attractive qualities is that he never gives in to self-pity or behaves outrageously as a way of thumbing his nose at the local inhabitants. He’s always a perfect gentleman, exuding a quiet confidence which is very attractive.
Ms. Linden develops the romance beautifully, showing the deepening emotional connection between the couple through their interactions and their ability to understand each other in an instinctual way. Now, that is my kind of romance. There’s a gentle humour to many of their exchanges, together with a great deal of tenderness, and a delicious, simmering sexual tension.
When Sebastian’s one-time friend, Benedict Lennox, Lord Atherton, returns home and is immediately smitten with Abigail, Sebastian realises that he must try, once more, to clear his name and restore his reputation if he is to have any real chance of winning her. The mystery over the disappearance of his father and the stolen money is wrapped up neatly (perhaps a little too neatly) and in such a way as not to overshadow the romance or disrupt the flow of the story.
It Takes a Scandal is a beautifully written and charming romance which features an absolutely gorgeous hero cast from a slightly different mould to so many of the other romantic heroes around today. The characterisation of the two principals is excellent and the cast of secondary characters is well-developed, too, especially Abigail’s sister, Penelope, who is gradually revealed to have a greater depth to her personality than I had at first thought. I enjoyed the book immensely and have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone who enjoys a heartfelt, emotionally satisfying and sensual romance.
Caroline Linden follows up one of my favourite books of last year, Love and Other Scandals with another beautifully written, character-driven romance which, while loosely linked to the earlier book, is very different in tone. In it, we become reacquainted with Abigail and Penelope Weston, and, of course, privy to more of the sexual exploits of the scandalous and mysterious Lady Constance, purveyor of smut to well-bred and curious young ladies in her equally scandalous publication, 50 Ways to Sin.
It’s always quite refreshing when characters in novels come from stable, loving backgrounds, and it’s obvious that Abigail and her siblings come from just that sort of family. Her parents clearly adore each other and want the best for her, and at the beginning of the story have moved from London to Richmond for the summer. Mr. Weston makes no secret of the fact that he hopes that having a house in such an excellent locale will enable his daughters to make matches which will elevate their social status – because while the family is very rich, Mr. Weston is a “Cit”, someone who has made his money rather than being born into it, which means that the family can never gain entry to the highest echelons of society - unless they marry into it.
Abigail and Penelope are close, but very different in temperament, reminding me a little of Elinor and Marianne Dashwood. Penelope wants excitement and adventure, whereas Abigail is of a quieter disposition, quite happy with her own company and a good book.
Not long after they have moved into Richmond, Abigail meets their neighbour, Mr. Sebastian Vane, a handsome but strangely reticent young man to whom she feels strongly drawn. The attraction is mutual – even stronger on his side, perhaps – but Sebastian, knowing he has nothing to offer this lovely young woman, resolves to keep his distance.
Sebastian is the book’s heart – a lovely beta hero who has maintained his dignity in the face of ridicule and censure. Returned from the war with a debilitating injury to his leg, he discovered that his father’s mind was failing him and that in his weakened state he had sold off huge tracts of his land for next to nothing, leaving them barely solvent. One night not long after his return, Sebastian’s father disappears, never to be seen again. Rumours quickly circulate that Sebastian has murdered him; that he is just as mad as his father and, when a large sum of money disappears from the home of Lord Stratford – a neighbour and father of Sebastian’s boyhood friend - that Sebastian is a thief.
With no way of proving his innocence, and very little to live on, Sebastian withdraws from society, more or less content to live as he must – frugally, and solitarily. But meeting Abigail changes all that in an instant. He doesn’t want to fall in love – but he can’t help himself. He knows that if he is to win his lady, he is going to have to eschew his reclusive existence, something Abigail senses is difficult for him, and which she values accordingly.
Abigail and Sebastian make a perfect couple. Her liveliness is a lovely counterpoint to his reserve, and the way she gradually draws him out of his shell is lovely to watch. I will admit to a weakness for a brooding, wounded, wronged hero – so I adored Sebastian, but one of his most attractive qualities is that he never gives in to self-pity or behaves outrageously as a way of thumbing his nose at the local inhabitants. He’s always a perfect gentleman, exuding a quiet confidence which is very attractive.
Ms. Linden develops the romance beautifully, showing the deepening emotional connection between the couple through their interactions and their ability to understand each other in an instinctual way. Now, that is my kind of romance. There’s a gentle humour to many of their exchanges, together with a great deal of tenderness, and a delicious, simmering sexual tension.
When Sebastian’s one-time friend, Benedict Lennox, Lord Atherton, returns home and is immediately smitten with Abigail, Sebastian realises that he must try, once more, to clear his name and restore his reputation if he is to have any real chance of winning her. The mystery over the disappearance of his father and the stolen money is wrapped up neatly (perhaps a little too neatly) and in such a way as not to overshadow the romance or disrupt the flow of the story.
It Takes a Scandal is a beautifully written and charming romance which features an absolutely gorgeous hero cast from a slightly different mould to so many of the other romantic heroes around today. The characterisation of the two principals is excellent and the cast of secondary characters is well-developed, too, especially Abigail’s sister, Penelope, who is gradually revealed to have a greater depth to her personality than I had at first thought. I enjoyed the book immensely and have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone who enjoys a heartfelt, emotionally satisfying and sensual romance.
May 20, 2022
New Review: 5/19/22:
Overall: 3.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Only a hint here, this is a fairly somber book
Perspective: Third person from both hero and heroine
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
“He’ll ruin your gown,” he said. “I didn’t carry him all the way here only to dirty you up at the end. You look too lovely to spoil.”
Should I read in order?
You should, because book 1 is one of my favorite books ever! But, I can’t recall how they fit together, if at all. So I think this one is probably okay to pick up without reading it, if you MUST.
Basic plot:
Abigail has a large dowry, which only makes her more determined to marry only for love. Sebastian has returned from war with an injured leg, father mentally ill, and missing half his inheritance. Rumors abound and he is basically shunned, socially. He’s the worst fit for Abigail, but they repeatedly find themselves together...
Give this a try if you want:
- I have this marked as Beauty and the Beast – I didn’t think of it on my reread but I guess it kind of fits? The hero is ruined in multiple ways and is a recluse. The beautiful heroine helps heal him.
- Mid steam – 3 full scenes though they are all on the shortish side
- Physical disability – hero returns from war with a shattered knee. He has a limp and uses a cane and it’s a very large part of the story and his character
- Late Regency time period (1822)
- English countryside – the whole book takes place at country manors
- A bit of a somber, emotional read about healing
My thoughts:
So, apparently I was really grumpy when I read this book the first time. This go around I didn’t have the same complaints and I ended up enjoying it a bit more!
It’s still kind of a heavy book, and I can’t say it’s something I would want to reread. Both characters faltered for me a bit about ¾ of the way through but they definitely recovered. It didn’t have the best tension for me, but there was a lot of cute scenes in it and I thought their love was very sweet and romantic. There were a few parts that got me feeling a little emotional. The ending was a touch rushed to me.
This reread has made me want to finish the series!
Content Warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Original Review: 11/14/18:
I had such high hopes for this book! I so enjoyed the first one, this one I didn’t care for.
The hero and heroine barely have interactions in the first 100 pages. It’s all rumor and conjecture and gossip the heroine hears about the hero.
It was...so....boring! I was reading and reading waiting for basically anything to happen with them and I felt like I never got it. Even the dialogue between them when it did happen wasn’t compelling. When it finally got to some action scenes I basically didn’t even care and was almost skimming them. These characters didn’t come remotely close to touching my heart unfortunately.
Overall: 3.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Only a hint here, this is a fairly somber book
Perspective: Third person from both hero and heroine
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
“He’ll ruin your gown,” he said. “I didn’t carry him all the way here only to dirty you up at the end. You look too lovely to spoil.”
Should I read in order?
You should, because book 1 is one of my favorite books ever! But, I can’t recall how they fit together, if at all. So I think this one is probably okay to pick up without reading it, if you MUST.
Basic plot:
Abigail has a large dowry, which only makes her more determined to marry only for love. Sebastian has returned from war with an injured leg, father mentally ill, and missing half his inheritance. Rumors abound and he is basically shunned, socially. He’s the worst fit for Abigail, but they repeatedly find themselves together...
Give this a try if you want:
- I have this marked as Beauty and the Beast – I didn’t think of it on my reread but I guess it kind of fits? The hero is ruined in multiple ways and is a recluse. The beautiful heroine helps heal him.
- Mid steam – 3 full scenes though they are all on the shortish side
- Physical disability – hero returns from war with a shattered knee. He has a limp and uses a cane and it’s a very large part of the story and his character
- Late Regency time period (1822)
- English countryside – the whole book takes place at country manors
- A bit of a somber, emotional read about healing
My thoughts:
So, apparently I was really grumpy when I read this book the first time. This go around I didn’t have the same complaints and I ended up enjoying it a bit more!
It’s still kind of a heavy book, and I can’t say it’s something I would want to reread. Both characters faltered for me a bit about ¾ of the way through but they definitely recovered. It didn’t have the best tension for me, but there was a lot of cute scenes in it and I thought their love was very sweet and romantic. There were a few parts that got me feeling a little emotional. The ending was a touch rushed to me.
This reread has made me want to finish the series!
Content Warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Original Review: 11/14/18:
I had such high hopes for this book! I so enjoyed the first one, this one I didn’t care for.
The hero and heroine barely have interactions in the first 100 pages. It’s all rumor and conjecture and gossip the heroine hears about the hero.
It was...so....boring! I was reading and reading waiting for basically anything to happen with them and I felt like I never got it. Even the dialogue between them when it did happen wasn’t compelling. When it finally got to some action scenes I basically didn’t even care and was almost skimming them. These characters didn’t come remotely close to touching my heart unfortunately.
August 21, 2020
Adorable story. I loved the hero and heroine!
July 14, 2018
Amazon Bargain Bin / BookBub Ebook Bargain
(Tropes: Scarred (war hero, limp), Love Triangle (no cheating), Class/Cultural Divide)
*****
“She stared at him. “You intrigue me.”
He leaned closer. In confusion she closed her eyes.
“And you intrigue me,” he replied, his breath stirring the hair at her temple. “That’s why I avoid you.”
“Isn’t that all the more reason not to avoid someone?” she asked unsteadily.
*****
Plot: While Abigail’s parents wants her to marry an earl, she wants someone who can see her for more than her dowry. Her yearning for passion seem to be met when she meets the destitute, war hero who lives on their neighboring land, but her parents would much rather prefer the handsome and charming Benedict Lennox. Will the star crossed lovers rewrite literary history?
The first half of this book is pretty damn great, as Abigail is the one actually pursuing Sebastian, who tries to stay away as he feels he has nothing to offer her.
- “We are neighbors, sir. Surely we can have an amiable relationship.”
With unexpected speed and grace he whirled on her. Abigail nearly tripped as she leapt back once, then again until her back hit a tree as he stalked toward her.
He loomed over her, so close she could see the lines around his eyes, but not so close he was touching her. “Amiable,” he whispered. “We will never be amiable.”
- “He admitted he’s avoiding me.”
“Because he wants to throw you to the ground and ravish you into unconsciousness.”
Abigail felt her face grow warm. “Well—probably not . . . unfortunately . . .”
- “I’m entirely susceptible to reason and logic. I have a great weakness for appeals to justice and fairness, and I daresay I could pardon almost any act committed by a parent in defense of his child. It’s merely wild rumor and gossip that I treat with suspicion.”
“Then why are you still speaking to me?”
“Because I like you,” she said softly. “I like talking to you, even when you’re telling me to run away from you. You look at me as if—”
This time he stopped so suddenly, she ran into him.
Instinctively she clutched at his shoulder, and his arm went around her waist to catch her. Abigail’s eyes grew wide as she stared up at him. His eyes were no longer hard and angry, but dark with raw longing.
“As if I want you?”
- “The other day,” she whispered. “In the woods. When you held me and told me to read that story again . . . I wondered . . . I thought for a moment that you might have been about to . . .”
“To kiss you?” he finished when she didn’t. He felt the slight tremor that went through her. “Were you relieved or sorry that I didn’t?”
But then..
When Sebastian goes away for 2 weeks (he does not say exactly why - the reader knows - but makes sure she knows he will be gone), she immediately starts questioning his motives and feelings, and her attention is drawn by the smooth and too-perfect Lord Atherton.
And all of a sudden Abigail is not such a cool heroine anymore, coming off as weak and shallow.
- She wanted him to want her in every way. She wanted him to go out of his way to meet her, to call on her—perhaps with flowers in hand—and to look at her as if he couldn’t tear himself away.
Just as Lord Atherton was doing. She sighed quietly.
When Sebastian does return, she finally snaps out of it, but it really made me lose some respect for her. Luckily they actually talk about it, and despite everyone trying to keep them apart, Abigail won’t take no for an answer and makes the right choice. But a time-out would have been appropriate.
*****
3.5 – 4 stars
(Tropes: Scarred (war hero, limp), Love Triangle (no cheating), Class/Cultural Divide)
*****
“She stared at him. “You intrigue me.”
He leaned closer. In confusion she closed her eyes.
“And you intrigue me,” he replied, his breath stirring the hair at her temple. “That’s why I avoid you.”
“Isn’t that all the more reason not to avoid someone?” she asked unsteadily.
*****
Plot: While Abigail’s parents wants her to marry an earl, she wants someone who can see her for more than her dowry. Her yearning for passion seem to be met when she meets the destitute, war hero who lives on their neighboring land, but her parents would much rather prefer the handsome and charming Benedict Lennox. Will the star crossed lovers rewrite literary history?
The first half of this book is pretty damn great, as Abigail is the one actually pursuing Sebastian, who tries to stay away as he feels he has nothing to offer her.
- “We are neighbors, sir. Surely we can have an amiable relationship.”
With unexpected speed and grace he whirled on her. Abigail nearly tripped as she leapt back once, then again until her back hit a tree as he stalked toward her.
He loomed over her, so close she could see the lines around his eyes, but not so close he was touching her. “Amiable,” he whispered. “We will never be amiable.”
- “He admitted he’s avoiding me.”
“Because he wants to throw you to the ground and ravish you into unconsciousness.”
Abigail felt her face grow warm. “Well—probably not . . . unfortunately . . .”
- “I’m entirely susceptible to reason and logic. I have a great weakness for appeals to justice and fairness, and I daresay I could pardon almost any act committed by a parent in defense of his child. It’s merely wild rumor and gossip that I treat with suspicion.”
“Then why are you still speaking to me?”
“Because I like you,” she said softly. “I like talking to you, even when you’re telling me to run away from you. You look at me as if—”
This time he stopped so suddenly, she ran into him.
Instinctively she clutched at his shoulder, and his arm went around her waist to catch her. Abigail’s eyes grew wide as she stared up at him. His eyes were no longer hard and angry, but dark with raw longing.
“As if I want you?”
- “The other day,” she whispered. “In the woods. When you held me and told me to read that story again . . . I wondered . . . I thought for a moment that you might have been about to . . .”
“To kiss you?” he finished when she didn’t. He felt the slight tremor that went through her. “Were you relieved or sorry that I didn’t?”
But then..
When Sebastian goes away for 2 weeks (he does not say exactly why - the reader knows - but makes sure she knows he will be gone), she immediately starts questioning his motives and feelings, and her attention is drawn by the smooth and too-perfect Lord Atherton.
And all of a sudden Abigail is not such a cool heroine anymore, coming off as weak and shallow.
- She wanted him to want her in every way. She wanted him to go out of his way to meet her, to call on her—perhaps with flowers in hand—and to look at her as if he couldn’t tear himself away.
Just as Lord Atherton was doing. She sighed quietly.
When Sebastian does return, she finally snaps out of it, but it really made me lose some respect for her. Luckily they actually talk about it, and despite everyone trying to keep them apart, Abigail won’t take no for an answer and makes the right choice. But a time-out would have been appropriate.
*****
3.5 – 4 stars
May 19, 2014
Contents: One fairly explicit sex scene and two explicit foreplay scenes. Very little swearing or profanity (appreciate that). No murder, gore, or grue. A little suspense -- who stole the gold and whatever happened to poor mad Michael Vane? No children in the plot.
Audiobook, nicely narrated by Veida Dehmlow. I played it at a slightly faster clip, because she pauses too long between sentences, but that's my only quibble with her performance. I would happily listen to her again.
I have not read the first book in this series, Love and Other Scandals. This book reads like a stand-alone. The main characters from book 1 played no role in it.
The setting is in the country, near Richmond, England, about 1822, seven years after the hero was injured at Waterloo.
This romance felt sweet and good. Heartwarming, because I truly felt for the beleaguered Sebastian Vane, a wounded warrior with a torn knee. Sebastian is an ordinary "mister" in dire straights, although he was born a gentleman, wealthy and educated. When he came limping home from Waterloo, he suddenly realized that he'd lost his lands and funds, for his father went mad and sold them off for a song. Soon afterwards, Sebastian was blamed when his loco father went missing. "Murderer! He's a madman, just like his father, and a murderer to boot!" Sebastian was also blamed when 4000 golden guineas went missing. His accuser? His "good" neighbor, The Earl of Stratford.
Adding insult to injury, his best childhood friend (Benedict, heir to the Evil Earl) did nothing but drive the blade in deeper, further destroying Sebastian's reputation. Then he tried to steal Sebastian's girl, Abigail. Boo on Benedict. Boo Boo Boo. The apple didn't fall far from that tree.
The scales are tipped against him on all counts, but Sebastian decides he's not gonna give Abby up without a fight, even though his chances are abysmal. He throws his heart over the fence for love. I loved that aspect of the romance.
The heroine, Abigail Weston, is also a winner. I loved her character. She's got sense, stamina, and guts. Plus, she speaks her mind! Yay! First, she gives Sebastian what for. Then, she reams out Benedict. Whoot!! I liked the slowly growing relationship between Sebastian and Abigail.
I expect a book featuring her loyal sister, Penelope -- as long as she is not hooked up with Benedict Arnold. Ugh. Couldn't bear that.
I also liked Abigail's goodhearted parents, the wealthy, common -- and newly rich -- Westons. The dogs played great roles, too. What's not to like? (Well, Benedict, of course, and his unforgivably lax sister Samantha, and -- needless to say -- their father, the Earl.)
Some reviewers complained that it wasn't hot enough, but I found enough sizzle, given the tryst in the grotto, in the wood, and the scene in bed. Frankly, I grow weary of descriptions of nipples, etc. The first full-bore sex scene occurs in the final quarter, but intense foreplay happens earlier.
Quibbles:
I could have done without the salacious book describing the torrid love life of Lady Constance. Yawn. I cannot count the books I've read that include erotic books, paintings, cards, sculptures, etc. According to the GoodReads series description: "A series in which a shocking book -— Fifty Shades of Grey for the Regency era -— has all of London talking and gives more than one young miss a mind for scandal."
I felt the author was trying to make Benedict and his sister Samantha more sympathetic towards the end. Forget that. No way.
Other books I have liked by Caroline Linden: What a Gentleman Wants, Like None Other.
Audiobook, nicely narrated by Veida Dehmlow. I played it at a slightly faster clip, because she pauses too long between sentences, but that's my only quibble with her performance. I would happily listen to her again.
I have not read the first book in this series, Love and Other Scandals. This book reads like a stand-alone. The main characters from book 1 played no role in it.
The setting is in the country, near Richmond, England, about 1822, seven years after the hero was injured at Waterloo.
This romance felt sweet and good. Heartwarming, because I truly felt for the beleaguered Sebastian Vane, a wounded warrior with a torn knee. Sebastian is an ordinary "mister" in dire straights, although he was born a gentleman, wealthy and educated. When he came limping home from Waterloo, he suddenly realized that he'd lost his lands and funds, for his father went mad and sold them off for a song. Soon afterwards, Sebastian was blamed when his loco father went missing. "Murderer! He's a madman, just like his father, and a murderer to boot!" Sebastian was also blamed when 4000 golden guineas went missing. His accuser? His "good" neighbor, The Earl of Stratford.
Adding insult to injury, his best childhood friend (Benedict, heir to the Evil Earl) did nothing but drive the blade in deeper, further destroying Sebastian's reputation. Then he tried to steal Sebastian's girl, Abigail. Boo on Benedict. Boo Boo Boo. The apple didn't fall far from that tree.
The scales are tipped against him on all counts, but Sebastian decides he's not gonna give Abby up without a fight, even though his chances are abysmal. He throws his heart over the fence for love. I loved that aspect of the romance.
The heroine, Abigail Weston, is also a winner. I loved her character. She's got sense, stamina, and guts. Plus, she speaks her mind! Yay! First, she gives Sebastian what for. Then, she reams out Benedict. Whoot!! I liked the slowly growing relationship between Sebastian and Abigail.
I expect a book featuring her loyal sister, Penelope -- as long as she is not hooked up with Benedict Arnold. Ugh. Couldn't bear that.
I also liked Abigail's goodhearted parents, the wealthy, common -- and newly rich -- Westons. The dogs played great roles, too. What's not to like? (Well, Benedict, of course, and his unforgivably lax sister Samantha, and -- needless to say -- their father, the Earl.)
Some reviewers complained that it wasn't hot enough, but I found enough sizzle, given the tryst in the grotto, in the wood, and the scene in bed. Frankly, I grow weary of descriptions of nipples, etc. The first full-bore sex scene occurs in the final quarter, but intense foreplay happens earlier.
Quibbles:
I could have done without the salacious book describing the torrid love life of Lady Constance. Yawn. I cannot count the books I've read that include erotic books, paintings, cards, sculptures, etc. According to the GoodReads series description: "A series in which a shocking book -— Fifty Shades of Grey for the Regency era -— has all of London talking and gives more than one young miss a mind for scandal."
I felt the author was trying to make Benedict and his sister Samantha more sympathetic towards the end. Forget that. No way.
Other books I have liked by Caroline Linden: What a Gentleman Wants, Like None Other.
June 26, 2022
Abigail Weston's parents buy a house in the country which comes with a hot, recluse neighbor named Sebastian Vane. They meet in the woods a bunch of times and make out in the woods a bunch of times and Get The Feels a bunch of times. Enter Benedict Lennox, a hot son of an Earl, who is also interested in Abigail. OH NO, WHAT IS A GIRL TO DO?
1. 50 Ways to Sin showed you the way, girl: BOTH. DO BOTH.
2. She does not do both; she only wants that hot recluse action. FINE. I GUESS.
3. Jokes aside, the soap opera angst of Sebastian and Benedict's falling out and Sebastian's s0-called "mad" father and Benedict's abusive father and the younger sister's theft / infatuation and the sale of Sebastian's property and everything else was A LOT. But what's the best way to put a bow on all that drama? THREESOMES. (Last joke. Maybe.)
4. I did really like the establishment of a quiet, intentional romance between Sebastian and Abigail. Some of the physicality felt a little shoehorned in, but their moments of being together were really soft and sweet.
5. Pen's big old crush on Benedict was something; very curious how that will play out now that she knows some of his shitty history?
6. I am docking at least a star for the lack of resolution about Sebastian's land. Like, he's marrying Abigail and I'm sure they'll be happy—but I wanted to know he got some of his land back. Maybe the next book (with Benedict's redemption)? SOMETIMES I CARE ABOUT EPILOGUES (SOMETIMES I DON'T).
7. (3.5 stars, rounding up.)
1. 50 Ways to Sin showed you the way, girl: BOTH. DO BOTH.
2. She does not do both; she only wants that hot recluse action. FINE. I GUESS.
3. Jokes aside, the soap opera angst of Sebastian and Benedict's falling out and Sebastian's s0-called "mad" father and Benedict's abusive father and the younger sister's theft / infatuation and the sale of Sebastian's property and everything else was A LOT. But what's the best way to put a bow on all that drama? THREESOMES. (Last joke. Maybe.)
4. I did really like the establishment of a quiet, intentional romance between Sebastian and Abigail. Some of the physicality felt a little shoehorned in, but their moments of being together were really soft and sweet.
5. Pen's big old crush on Benedict was something; very curious how that will play out now that she knows some of his shitty history?
6. I am docking at least a star for the lack of resolution about Sebastian's land. Like, he's marrying Abigail and I'm sure they'll be happy—but I wanted to know he got some of his land back. Maybe the next book (with Benedict's redemption)? SOMETIMES I CARE ABOUT EPILOGUES (SOMETIMES I DON'T).
7. (3.5 stars, rounding up.)
January 26, 2022
2.5
I enjoyed listening to this narrator. She made the slow-burn romance tolerable. I typically don’t have the patience for that. I like that the heroine knew she wanted our hero and pursued him. He was hesitant at first (due to rumors about him) but he eventually came around.
I listened to the last 20 minutes during my commute to work and ended up in tears—tears of grief, tears of joy. Fortunately, the tears did not blurred my eyes while I was driving. I do feel the person with the information about the stolen money should have shared it a long time ago to spare our hero from false accusations and rumors.
I’m looking forward to the next book, which is about the heroine’s sister Penelope and Benedict, who courted and proposed to the heroine (Abigail) in this book.
I enjoyed listening to this narrator. She made the slow-burn romance tolerable. I typically don’t have the patience for that. I like that the heroine knew she wanted our hero and pursued him. He was hesitant at first (due to rumors about him) but he eventually came around.
I listened to the last 20 minutes during my commute to work and ended up in tears—tears of grief, tears of joy. Fortunately, the tears did not blurred my eyes while I was driving. I do feel the person with the information about the stolen money should have shared it a long time ago to spare our hero from false accusations and rumors.
I’m looking forward to the next book, which is about the heroine’s sister Penelope and Benedict, who courted and proposed to the heroine (Abigail) in this book.
May 17, 2018
I picked up this book, and 7 hours later it was finished.
I know most people prefer the first book in this series, but I loved this one! While I agree that the love triangle was unnecessary, the romance between Abigail Weston and Sebastian Vane was so sweet I did not mind. I happened to have a soft spot for War veterans who come home injured, find love, and get another chance at happiness. If you like these type of Heroes as well, I recommend this story.
I am definitely on to the next in the series even though I already know I will not enjoy Benedict Lennox as a hero. We will see if Carolyn Linden can redeem him for me.
I know most people prefer the first book in this series, but I loved this one! While I agree that the love triangle was unnecessary, the romance between Abigail Weston and Sebastian Vane was so sweet I did not mind. I happened to have a soft spot for War veterans who come home injured, find love, and get another chance at happiness. If you like these type of Heroes as well, I recommend this story.
I am definitely on to the next in the series even though I already know I will not enjoy Benedict Lennox as a hero. We will see if Carolyn Linden can redeem him for me.
March 18, 2018
4.5 ALMOST 5 CRYING LIKE AN IDIOT STARS
Edit 3/18/2018 Full Review:
So I realized that I've been inflating a lot of my reviews because I overlook a lot of flaws in books, but I'm trying really hard to change that because I would like to be an honest, nuanced and most importantly, critical book reviewer that can articulate why or why not elements in books are good or bad.
I am impressed and will definitely be reading this author in the future! Here is why
1.)Nuanced writing and plot: She wrote in a way that I could really feel and empathize with the characters' pain. Sebastian Vane was a really unique hero to me, and his back story, along with personality was not written, but shown and it was almost poetic. I loved how she made the characters so reasonable and realistic! One thing a lot of authors do poorly is make villains. A lot just make it black and white, no nuance, just an evil bad guy, but there were a lot of shades of grey. And the "villain" or "other man" who was into Abigail, was someone I hated on principle, but didn't actually hate, because a backstory was hinted and he redeemed himself just a little bit. I still hated that he never apologized though, especially after the end when it was so obvious he did his friend wrong! But, the pride and vulnerability in the characters were very realistic! I was rushing to get through the book because I so desperately needed to know the end! Great characters, writing and plot!
I also cried a fair few times! A book hasn't moved me that much in a while!!
2.)Hero Quiet brooding type but a secret hot and sexy mofo. MMMMMHHHMMMM HOT DAYUMMM MY NEW FAVORITE KIND OF LITERARY HERO. Move over all of you OVERT RAKES
ITS TIME FOR
COVERT RAKES
His eyes were no longer hard and angry, but dark with raw longing. “As if I want you?” he asked, not making any effort to release her. “I do. I came into the woods today because I wanted to see you, even though I said I wouldn’t—even though I know I shouldn’t. I want you in every wicked way a man can want a woman. And if I had you, I could show you many, many more than fifty ways to sin.”
Oh lordy I was not expecting that. How many more surprises you hiding Sebastian? Up until that part I thought he was just sad and broken but hes sad and broken and sizzling hot inside
Seriously, Sebastian really surprised me. I think he was so unique because this is the first time in a while I read a very nuanced novel about a character who is truly alone. In most books they are rakes that surround themselves with debauchery or put on a nonchalant facade with a deeper or secret emotional past that makes them feel lonely, but still have their rake squad. In this case, he was a real social pariah, a veteran, and alone. He hardly had ANY money, which was so different! Most heroes are financially secure. He didn't even have any lady love. I felt his loneliness keenly through the writing and his deep longing for human connection. He was so vulnerable and I'm very grateful because this is personality diversity among men in historical fiction
Abigail was the biggest burst of light, and she was calm and collected, but also vibrant. She really coaxed him out of his shell (though he tried to resist lol) and what came out of the shell was WAYYY more than I bargained for! I was not expecting him to be so hot because he's shy but turns out a shy facade over a sexy talker is more of a turn on for me! lol I just loved him a lot, the journey was very hard for him, especially at the end, which by the way felt too rushed! but I'll talk about that later.
3.)Heroine smart, knows what she wants and perfectly reasonable and realistic. I really liked Abigail! She was sweet and interested in Sebastian from the start. She let him know what she wanted and even when the third guy came in the picture, always knew who her heart belonged to. One thing that bugged me though, was the romance was kind of fast. They fell fast and hard, and while it was sweet, I kind of wished for more. Don't get me wrong, it was well done! I'm just being a little bit more picky, the romance was the warm and fuzzy type, where you're just rooting for them to get together. It wasn't explosive, but a slow burn.
4.)The family! Usually families are given a backseat but here it was very realistic and it was nice to see a whole family, their relationship and interactions! I don't see that very often anymore. Honestly in most historicals I have read the parents die or are non-existant OR super evil and hear they were reasonable and wholesome! It kind of reminds me of Pride and Prejudice and their family dynamics, just because they all got along pretty well and the father was very reasonable and realistic. I felt the love!
5.) THE DOGS. nuff said
Things I wish were different
I wish the ending wasn't so abrupt, I would have liked an epilogue
Certain parts of the romance should have been better, like a little bit more dialogue and build up because it was more subtle and I would like overt!
Benedict annoyed me because he never apologized and Sebastian deserved more than an apology!
But overall, this was an emotional and sweet read, and I left with a big ole smile on my face
“You’re a rare woman, Abigail Weston. You deserve so much better than a wreck of a man.”
“You’re not a wreck.”
“I don’t feel like one when I’m with you.” He leaned closer, looming over her.
Full review to come when I have time, but for now I'm
And then a little
And so grateful and astonished
I'm weak with tears of happiness ONLY MAD SHE DIDN'T GIVE US AN EPILOGUE
Edit 3/18/2018 Full Review:
So I realized that I've been inflating a lot of my reviews because I overlook a lot of flaws in books, but I'm trying really hard to change that because I would like to be an honest, nuanced and most importantly, critical book reviewer that can articulate why or why not elements in books are good or bad.
I am impressed and will definitely be reading this author in the future! Here is why
1.)Nuanced writing and plot: She wrote in a way that I could really feel and empathize with the characters' pain. Sebastian Vane was a really unique hero to me, and his back story, along with personality was not written, but shown and it was almost poetic. I loved how she made the characters so reasonable and realistic! One thing a lot of authors do poorly is make villains. A lot just make it black and white, no nuance, just an evil bad guy, but there were a lot of shades of grey. And the "villain" or "other man" who was into Abigail, was someone I hated on principle, but didn't actually hate, because a backstory was hinted and he redeemed himself just a little bit. I still hated that he never apologized though, especially after the end when it was so obvious he did his friend wrong! But, the pride and vulnerability in the characters were very realistic! I was rushing to get through the book because I so desperately needed to know the end! Great characters, writing and plot!
I also cried a fair few times! A book hasn't moved me that much in a while!!
2.)Hero Quiet brooding type but a secret hot and sexy mofo. MMMMMHHHMMMM HOT DAYUMMM MY NEW FAVORITE KIND OF LITERARY HERO. Move over all of you OVERT RAKES
ITS TIME FOR
COVERT RAKES
His eyes were no longer hard and angry, but dark with raw longing. “As if I want you?” he asked, not making any effort to release her. “I do. I came into the woods today because I wanted to see you, even though I said I wouldn’t—even though I know I shouldn’t. I want you in every wicked way a man can want a woman. And if I had you, I could show you many, many more than fifty ways to sin.”
Oh lordy I was not expecting that. How many more surprises you hiding Sebastian? Up until that part I thought he was just sad and broken but hes sad and broken and sizzling hot inside
Seriously, Sebastian really surprised me. I think he was so unique because this is the first time in a while I read a very nuanced novel about a character who is truly alone. In most books they are rakes that surround themselves with debauchery or put on a nonchalant facade with a deeper or secret emotional past that makes them feel lonely, but still have their rake squad. In this case, he was a real social pariah, a veteran, and alone. He hardly had ANY money, which was so different! Most heroes are financially secure. He didn't even have any lady love. I felt his loneliness keenly through the writing and his deep longing for human connection. He was so vulnerable and I'm very grateful because this is personality diversity among men in historical fiction
Abigail was the biggest burst of light, and she was calm and collected, but also vibrant. She really coaxed him out of his shell (though he tried to resist lol) and what came out of the shell was WAYYY more than I bargained for! I was not expecting him to be so hot because he's shy but turns out a shy facade over a sexy talker is more of a turn on for me! lol I just loved him a lot, the journey was very hard for him, especially at the end, which by the way felt too rushed! but I'll talk about that later.
3.)Heroine smart, knows what she wants and perfectly reasonable and realistic. I really liked Abigail! She was sweet and interested in Sebastian from the start. She let him know what she wanted and even when the third guy came in the picture, always knew who her heart belonged to. One thing that bugged me though, was the romance was kind of fast. They fell fast and hard, and while it was sweet, I kind of wished for more. Don't get me wrong, it was well done! I'm just being a little bit more picky, the romance was the warm and fuzzy type, where you're just rooting for them to get together. It wasn't explosive, but a slow burn.
4.)The family! Usually families are given a backseat but here it was very realistic and it was nice to see a whole family, their relationship and interactions! I don't see that very often anymore. Honestly in most historicals I have read the parents die or are non-existant OR super evil and hear they were reasonable and wholesome! It kind of reminds me of Pride and Prejudice and their family dynamics, just because they all got along pretty well and the father was very reasonable and realistic. I felt the love!
5.) THE DOGS. nuff said
Things I wish were different
I wish the ending wasn't so abrupt, I would have liked an epilogue
Certain parts of the romance should have been better, like a little bit more dialogue and build up because it was more subtle and I would like overt!
Benedict annoyed me because he never apologized and Sebastian deserved more than an apology!
But overall, this was an emotional and sweet read, and I left with a big ole smile on my face
“You’re a rare woman, Abigail Weston. You deserve so much better than a wreck of a man.”
“You’re not a wreck.”
“I don’t feel like one when I’m with you.” He leaned closer, looming over her.
Full review to come when I have time, but for now I'm
And then a little
And so grateful and astonished
I'm weak with tears of happiness ONLY MAD SHE DIDN'T GIVE US AN EPILOGUE
July 25, 2022
Disappointed that I didn't like this one as much as I hoped since it was a grumpy sunshine trope!! It just wasnt the angsty angry hero I was thinking of. He was more so quiet and reserved and had a horrible past/reputation. Other than that, the romance developed slowly and sweetly.
April 29, 2014
Sebastian Vane, has come back from the war injured with a shattered leg. His father is going insane, and when his father disappears, the townspeople believe that he is a murderer, and going mad just like his father did. But when a new neighbor move in, with a beautiful daughter, Abigail, his world changes. Abigail, with her parents and younger sister, have just moved to a country manor. When Abigail meets Sebastian in the woods, she sees a man that protects himself, but needs someone to believe in him. Abigail seems much redeemable in him, and doesn't believe the vicious rumors. But right when Abigail is sure of her feelings for Sebastian, a newcomer comes to the area, a Benedict Lennox,who is persistent in his pursuit of her. Now Abigail will have to make a choice: a man that is wealthy and everything her parents want for her, or a man that has won her heart.
It Takes A Scandal is the second book in the Scandals Series. and the most recent book from Caroline Linden. I have always enjoyed this author quite a bit, but I was really excited to read this one. I did enjoy the first book, so I was wondering how this book would compare, and it passed all my expectations for it. When I first read the synopsis, I was thinking, that it would probably be a enjoyable read, but wasn't sure if it would be memorable, and after reading it, I am impressed with the way Linden wove this story.It begins with seeing Sebastian Vane, in search of his missing father, who has recently come back from the war, and is trying to live on meager funds where he barely makes it by. Then he rescues Abigail mothers puppy, and it seems like romance blossoms between them. The first half of the story seems to be a slow and steady love story, where Sebastian and Abigail start to slowly fall in love, and then everything goes crazy when a newcomer comes courting Abigail. This is when things start to really heat up, because this newcomer used to be Sebastian's childhood friend. So tensions are high, and you start to see how strong their connection is, and I loved how Sebastian fought for Abigail, even knowing that he has little to give her but himself.
Sebastian and Abigail were so beautiful together, and I loved them as a couple. At first it seems like Abigail is a normal England miss, however as you go chugging along in the story, you develop a appreciation for her character, and she develops a backbone, she is feisty and a fighter and I totally cheered her on especially toward the end. Sebastian is the tortured hero, despite his bad fortune, he still has dignity and pride, and feels somewhat worthy of Abigail's affections. At first he didn't seem too willing to really fight for her, but he proved me wrong, and what a great way he does it too. There is a slight mystery element packed into the plot, but it doesn't overshadow the romance, and I felt like the love story between Sebastian and Abigail is the center focus of the story, and all the other elements are just icing on the cake. The side characters, especially Abigail's family were witty and fun and engaging. Easy to relate with my own family, and I loved seeing the affection and silly bantering between them.
Overall a mesmerizing romance that is steady paced, sensuality extreme, with a wonderful love story to weaken the knees and have you cheering for this couple!! Guaranteed to overwhelm the senses. OUTSTANDING AND WELL DONE!!
It Takes A Scandal is the second book in the Scandals Series. and the most recent book from Caroline Linden. I have always enjoyed this author quite a bit, but I was really excited to read this one. I did enjoy the first book, so I was wondering how this book would compare, and it passed all my expectations for it. When I first read the synopsis, I was thinking, that it would probably be a enjoyable read, but wasn't sure if it would be memorable, and after reading it, I am impressed with the way Linden wove this story.It begins with seeing Sebastian Vane, in search of his missing father, who has recently come back from the war, and is trying to live on meager funds where he barely makes it by. Then he rescues Abigail mothers puppy, and it seems like romance blossoms between them. The first half of the story seems to be a slow and steady love story, where Sebastian and Abigail start to slowly fall in love, and then everything goes crazy when a newcomer comes courting Abigail. This is when things start to really heat up, because this newcomer used to be Sebastian's childhood friend. So tensions are high, and you start to see how strong their connection is, and I loved how Sebastian fought for Abigail, even knowing that he has little to give her but himself.
Sebastian and Abigail were so beautiful together, and I loved them as a couple. At first it seems like Abigail is a normal England miss, however as you go chugging along in the story, you develop a appreciation for her character, and she develops a backbone, she is feisty and a fighter and I totally cheered her on especially toward the end. Sebastian is the tortured hero, despite his bad fortune, he still has dignity and pride, and feels somewhat worthy of Abigail's affections. At first he didn't seem too willing to really fight for her, but he proved me wrong, and what a great way he does it too. There is a slight mystery element packed into the plot, but it doesn't overshadow the romance, and I felt like the love story between Sebastian and Abigail is the center focus of the story, and all the other elements are just icing on the cake. The side characters, especially Abigail's family were witty and fun and engaging. Easy to relate with my own family, and I loved seeing the affection and silly bantering between them.
Overall a mesmerizing romance that is steady paced, sensuality extreme, with a wonderful love story to weaken the knees and have you cheering for this couple!! Guaranteed to overwhelm the senses. OUTSTANDING AND WELL DONE!!
April 26, 2018
I can't get enough of this author. It's been a long time since I read a whole series, but I may be in danger of just that.
I thoroughly, take me away, shut out the world, leave me alone in my make-believe castle, LOVED this book. I love Caroline Linden's style and am so glad to have discovered her at long last. I may have to read this entire series. :D
I thoroughly, take me away, shut out the world, leave me alone in my make-believe castle, LOVED this book. I love Caroline Linden's style and am so glad to have discovered her at long last. I may have to read this entire series. :D
December 11, 2017
It Takes a Younger Reader...to fully enjoy this HR, I believe. It's definitely not written for my age group, so perhaps I am being unfair by posting a review. However, it's not a YA romance and I have read many HRs that appeal to all age groups. Those by Meredith Duran, Sherry Thomas, Courtney Milan, Cecilia Grant, Julie Anne Long and Eloisa James come quickly to mind. And Caroline Linden would have been included in that list if I took into account only what she had written pre-Scandal series.
But starting with Love and Other Scandals and now this one, she's writing at a different level. The storylines and characters aren't in enough depth for me. When I read the blurb for this, it sounded like there would be some angst with a deeply troubled hero who needed rescuing by a loving woman, and I guess that was what Linden was going for, but, unfortunately, the hero Sebastian didn't come across so much tortured and brooding as sulky and defeatist. When life gives him lemons, he takes them to squeeze the juice into his eyes and open skin abrasions and cuts. No lemonade for this guy.
He comes back from war with a shattered knee (and our Wounded Warriors would be grateful for such a minor injury) to find his father a broken, mentally ill man who had sold off much of the family land for a pittance and left the estate in financial ruin. When his father disappears mysteriously, Sebastian is suspected, without direct proof, of having done away with him.
So Sebastian spends six years in retreat, shunning the townspeople who shun him and just kind of wandering around his run-down estate feeling sorry for himself. Does he try to investigate his father's disappearance? No. Does he try to get others to see his side of the story? No. Does he try to think of ways to make some money to improve his estate? No.
Enter heroine Abigail, whose family has just purchased the neighboring home. They meet cute when she's looking for her mother's escaped puppy. There's immediate attraction for no reason I could find and the rest of the romance development is just Sebastian blowing hot and cold to sweet, long-suffering Abigail, telling her there can be nothing between them and then grabbing her for a kiss or a fondle the next time they meet.
And there's the mystery. It involves the disappearance of the hero's father and the theft of 4000 pounds, both blamed on Sebastian without enough proof to put him in prison but with enough suspicion to have him shunned by all (except for lovely Abigail). But not to worry. After six long years of inaction by Sebastian, suddenly all is resolved in the wink of an eye. And it doesn't take a scandal, it takes Abigail as the catalyst to get things rolling.
IMO, Sebastian doesn't deserve Abigail. He's a wimpy, self-pitying, do-nothing defeatist. This story did not satisfy as a romance and the other plot lines don't save it. The writing is ordinary and prosaic, the dialogue is a bit flat and uninspiring and the characters are rather uninteresting and unconvincingly developed.
But starting with Love and Other Scandals and now this one, she's writing at a different level. The storylines and characters aren't in enough depth for me. When I read the blurb for this, it sounded like there would be some angst with a deeply troubled hero who needed rescuing by a loving woman, and I guess that was what Linden was going for, but, unfortunately, the hero Sebastian didn't come across so much tortured and brooding as sulky and defeatist. When life gives him lemons, he takes them to squeeze the juice into his eyes and open skin abrasions and cuts. No lemonade for this guy.
He comes back from war with a shattered knee (and our Wounded Warriors would be grateful for such a minor injury) to find his father a broken, mentally ill man who had sold off much of the family land for a pittance and left the estate in financial ruin. When his father disappears mysteriously, Sebastian is suspected, without direct proof, of having done away with him.
So Sebastian spends six years in retreat, shunning the townspeople who shun him and just kind of wandering around his run-down estate feeling sorry for himself. Does he try to investigate his father's disappearance? No. Does he try to get others to see his side of the story? No. Does he try to think of ways to make some money to improve his estate? No.
Enter heroine Abigail, whose family has just purchased the neighboring home. They meet cute when she's looking for her mother's escaped puppy. There's immediate attraction for no reason I could find and the rest of the romance development is just Sebastian blowing hot and cold to sweet, long-suffering Abigail, telling her there can be nothing between them and then grabbing her for a kiss or a fondle the next time they meet.
And there's the mystery. It involves the disappearance of the hero's father and the theft of 4000 pounds, both blamed on Sebastian without enough proof to put him in prison but with enough suspicion to have him shunned by all (except for lovely Abigail). But not to worry. After six long years of inaction by Sebastian, suddenly all is resolved in the wink of an eye. And it doesn't take a scandal, it takes Abigail as the catalyst to get things rolling.
IMO, Sebastian doesn't deserve Abigail. He's a wimpy, self-pitying, do-nothing defeatist. This story did not satisfy as a romance and the other plot lines don't save it. The writing is ordinary and prosaic, the dialogue is a bit flat and uninspiring and the characters are rather uninteresting and unconvincingly developed.
August 23, 2016
2.5 stars
Rounding up because I didn't dislike it, I just wasn't as invested as I was with the first book. I didn't feel Abigail and Sebastian had the kind of spark Joan and Tristan had, and the basis for their romance was a little thin. Additionally, I thought Abigail behaved like a ninny (for lack of a better word) at times, and the triangle with Benedict went on a bit too long.
It was enjoyable, but nothing more. Despite certain reservations, I'm curious to see where the author will take book 3. I love Penelope and am currently very interested to see how Benedict will be redeemed, so. Tentatively looking forward to that.
Rounding up because I didn't dislike it, I just wasn't as invested as I was with the first book. I didn't feel Abigail and Sebastian had the kind of spark Joan and Tristan had, and the basis for their romance was a little thin. Additionally, I thought Abigail behaved like a ninny (for lack of a better word) at times, and the triangle with Benedict went on a bit too long.
It was enjoyable, but nothing more. Despite certain reservations, I'm curious to see where the author will take book 3. I love Penelope and am currently very interested to see how Benedict will be redeemed, so. Tentatively looking forward to that.
February 20, 2016
Aww! What a lovely historical romance book. I loved Abigail and Sebastian and I loved them even more as a couple. It was refreshing that there was hardly any drama between them and I especially appreciated the fact that they communicated with each other.
I also need to give a shout out to Penelope, Abigail's sister, who was funny, loyal and a sweetheart! I'm ready for her story although her hero has some serious work to do to impress me.
November 8, 2017
I actually loved the first half of the book... all of the characters were well written and easy to root for and relate to. I just didn't think the love triangle was necessary and I would have loved to watch them fall in love without that extra side drama.
October 6, 2019
GAH! I loved Abby and Sebastian. This book had some seriously hot scenes! Not to mention, the heroine and hero were just so damn endearing.
September 9, 2016
While the second in a series, this book actually works very well on its own with very little carry-over from the first (although the sisters, Abigail and Penelope, are prominent there, their personalities are only really hinted at and are much better established here). As well, the books are quite different in tone and plot so even predicting how you'd like the story is going to be hit-or-miss.
A big difference is that Abigail is a quiet heroine, given to walks in the woods and reading. Oh, not in a melancholy or gothic way or anything, just that she's an obvious introvert and comfortable with herself. Indeed, it's that self-assurance that was her primary draw for me. I liked her a lot and not least for her strength of conviction, including not having to rebel all the time to establish herself; hers is a quiet competence that doesn't have to compete or stand out to be whole and content. Which is good because Sebastian needs that quiet competence a lot.
The biggest surprise for me is that I didn't dislike Sebastian even though I'm not a fan of the despair-ridden broken-down recluse that he so easily could have been. A lot of that is learning his story and identifying strongly with his sense of ill-use and desperation. Being wounded in the army started a chain of discovery that would have been just one blow after another as he lost everything. Worse, he lost it in chunks and some of it very slowly indeed (as with his father's descent into madness). I could see how that'd leave him reeling as he assimilates the changes in his life and digs in to build up from the hole he's been shoved into. And bitterest of all, the loss of friends and reputation, including his best pal and chum.
Abigail comes along to bust him out of his self-imposed seclusion and the art of it was that Linden depicted it such as to invite sympathy for his despair even as you see him overcoming it. And better, still, not just for the love she gives him. I get the sense that even had he lost her (through some truly gothic mischance, I suppose), he'd have still been better off than at the start as his interest in life and acknowledgement of his need to heal came across as well-earned and deeply felt. But really, my favorite was the quiet but powerful connection they forged as really only two introverts can—the kind of satisfaction in each other that allows that one other person to count-as-self for purposes of being with someone else and not feel on-stage and in need of separation to regenerate afterwards. It was a quiet connection, and Linden leaves it understated, but I felt it keenly. I admit I may be projecting, here, as an introvert married to another, but the romantic arc resonated with me deeply.
The plot and story weren't as interesting as the relationship and emotional developments. There's a hint of melodrama in the retelling of the past and the central mystery is perfunctory, though adequate for the story. That sounds more damning all written out than I really feel. It was enough framework to support what I cared about, even as I note the weakness for the sake of others not as interested in this type of romance as I am. So yeah, the four stars is a touch on the generous side and contains a lot of personal taste. Also, I admit to more than a little interest in the next as Ben and Penelope are so interesting as side-characters in this book.
A note about Steamy: There are two and a half explicit sex scenes and I found them a bit dull, to tell the truth. The last was particularly hard as I kind of hated the circumstances and was yelling in my head at Sebastian not to be a putz . Indeed, I think they got away with it only because Linden declared they should as .
A big difference is that Abigail is a quiet heroine, given to walks in the woods and reading. Oh, not in a melancholy or gothic way or anything, just that she's an obvious introvert and comfortable with herself. Indeed, it's that self-assurance that was her primary draw for me. I liked her a lot and not least for her strength of conviction, including not having to rebel all the time to establish herself; hers is a quiet competence that doesn't have to compete or stand out to be whole and content. Which is good because Sebastian needs that quiet competence a lot.
The biggest surprise for me is that I didn't dislike Sebastian even though I'm not a fan of the despair-ridden broken-down recluse that he so easily could have been. A lot of that is learning his story and identifying strongly with his sense of ill-use and desperation. Being wounded in the army started a chain of discovery that would have been just one blow after another as he lost everything. Worse, he lost it in chunks and some of it very slowly indeed (as with his father's descent into madness). I could see how that'd leave him reeling as he assimilates the changes in his life and digs in to build up from the hole he's been shoved into. And bitterest of all, the loss of friends and reputation, including his best pal and chum.
Abigail comes along to bust him out of his self-imposed seclusion and the art of it was that Linden depicted it such as to invite sympathy for his despair even as you see him overcoming it. And better, still, not just for the love she gives him. I get the sense that even had he lost her (through some truly gothic mischance, I suppose), he'd have still been better off than at the start as his interest in life and acknowledgement of his need to heal came across as well-earned and deeply felt. But really, my favorite was the quiet but powerful connection they forged as really only two introverts can—the kind of satisfaction in each other that allows that one other person to count-as-self for purposes of being with someone else and not feel on-stage and in need of separation to regenerate afterwards. It was a quiet connection, and Linden leaves it understated, but I felt it keenly. I admit I may be projecting, here, as an introvert married to another, but the romantic arc resonated with me deeply.
The plot and story weren't as interesting as the relationship and emotional developments. There's a hint of melodrama in the retelling of the past and the central mystery is perfunctory, though adequate for the story. That sounds more damning all written out than I really feel. It was enough framework to support what I cared about, even as I note the weakness for the sake of others not as interested in this type of romance as I am. So yeah, the four stars is a touch on the generous side and contains a lot of personal taste. Also, I admit to more than a little interest in the next as Ben and Penelope are so interesting as side-characters in this book.
A note about Steamy: There are two and a half explicit sex scenes and I found them a bit dull, to tell the truth. The last was particularly hard as I kind of hated the circumstances and was yelling in my head at Sebastian not to be a putz . Indeed, I think they got away with it only because Linden declared they should as .
January 23, 2018
I like Caroline Linden's writing.
I liked that Abigail was no pushover, that she was opinionated and had no qualms about telling everyone what she thought. I liked how sure she was of herself and her emotions and how she knew what she deserved. I loved Penelope and I can't wait to read her book next.
I didn't like the insta love part of the story, it seemed that only after a couple of meetings they were in love. I also didn't like how the whole mystery of Sebastian's father and his disappearance was resolved. Seemed too easy.
Overall quite enjoyable.
I liked that Abigail was no pushover, that she was opinionated and had no qualms about telling everyone what she thought. I liked how sure she was of herself and her emotions and how she knew what she deserved. I loved Penelope and I can't wait to read her book next.
I didn't like the insta love part of the story, it seemed that only after a couple of meetings they were in love. I also didn't like how the whole mystery of Sebastian's father and his disappearance was resolved. Seemed too easy.
Overall quite enjoyable.
May 26, 2019
Sebastian and Abigail are so very sweet.
He is a war veteran, crippled and despised by everyone in his village (who believe he murdered his father and stole money from the local Earl).
She is a heiress without aristocratic connections, a sweet soul always believing the best about everyone.
Sebastian falls in love with Abigail but believes it impossible in view of his financial situation and bad reputation and, to make matters worse, the very eligible son of the Earl (and his former best friend) starts to court her.
Sweet story of fierce and lonely hearts fighting for love.
He is a war veteran, crippled and despised by everyone in his village (who believe he murdered his father and stole money from the local Earl).
She is a heiress without aristocratic connections, a sweet soul always believing the best about everyone.
Sebastian falls in love with Abigail but believes it impossible in view of his financial situation and bad reputation and, to make matters worse, the very eligible son of the Earl (and his former best friend) starts to court her.
Sweet story of fierce and lonely hearts fighting for love.
March 10, 2021
Sebastian Vane mungkin hero HR paling ngenes yg saya baca. Ayahnya adalah ilmuwan gagal yg kehilangan akal sehatnya, menjual tanah miliknya di bawah harga saat Sebastian sedang tugas berperang melawan Perancis. Jadi sekembalinya dari perang dlm keadaan kakinya cacat, Sebastian kaget bukan hanya ayahnya menjadi sinting, tapi juga kehilangan sebagian tanahnya termasuk yg melingkupi makam ibunya. Dan 7 thn yg lampau, Sebastian bertikai dgn Lord Stratford gara-gara tanah tsb ditambah sang Lord menuduh Sebastian mencuri uangnya. Apesnya ayah Sebastian juga menghilang sejak saat itu dan rumornya Sebastian membunuh ayahnya.
Hingga kedatangan keluarga Weston yg menjadi tetangganya di Hart House, Sebastian mendapati dirinya tertarik dan jatuh cinta pd Abigail Weston, putri dari orang kaya baru tsb. Masuknya Abby ke kehidupannya membuat Sebastian bersedia utk bersusah payah mengubah dirinya dari sangat tertutup menjadi lebih membuka diri. Boris dan Milo, kedua anjing ini mencuri spotlight dari novel ini yg semakin mendekatkan kedua insan ini.
Hingga kedatangan Benedict Lennox, mantan sahabat karib Sebastian yg berniat utk melamar Abby. Sebastian yg sudah merencanakan akan melamar Abby merasa "dilangkahi" oleh Benedict. Akankah mereka bisa bersatu sementara jurang perbedaan diantara mereka begitu tinggi dan tak terjangkau?
Karena Sebastian Vane adalah hero yg jauh dari sempurna dan bangsawan kere serta pincang (yg lebih ngenes daripada Sebastian St Vincent) tetapi sangat gigih dan tangguh menghadapi cobaan dan hinaan, saya memberikan rating lumayan tinggi. Saya memaafkan plot cerita yg cenderung lelet terutama di pertengahan cerita. Saya juga suka dgn keteguhan Abby walau agak cenderung naif dan membabibuta kepercayaannya pd Sebastian. Sayangnya masalah terbesar justru baru diselesaikan di ending cerita. But overall, ceritanya bagus dan menarik utk dibaca.
Hingga kedatangan keluarga Weston yg menjadi tetangganya di Hart House, Sebastian mendapati dirinya tertarik dan jatuh cinta pd Abigail Weston, putri dari orang kaya baru tsb. Masuknya Abby ke kehidupannya membuat Sebastian bersedia utk bersusah payah mengubah dirinya dari sangat tertutup menjadi lebih membuka diri. Boris dan Milo, kedua anjing ini mencuri spotlight dari novel ini yg semakin mendekatkan kedua insan ini.
Hingga kedatangan Benedict Lennox, mantan sahabat karib Sebastian yg berniat utk melamar Abby. Sebastian yg sudah merencanakan akan melamar Abby merasa "dilangkahi" oleh Benedict. Akankah mereka bisa bersatu sementara jurang perbedaan diantara mereka begitu tinggi dan tak terjangkau?
Karena Sebastian Vane adalah hero yg jauh dari sempurna dan bangsawan kere serta pincang (yg lebih ngenes daripada Sebastian St Vincent) tetapi sangat gigih dan tangguh menghadapi cobaan dan hinaan, saya memberikan rating lumayan tinggi. Saya memaafkan plot cerita yg cenderung lelet terutama di pertengahan cerita. Saya juga suka dgn keteguhan Abby walau agak cenderung naif dan membabibuta kepercayaannya pd Sebastian. Sayangnya masalah terbesar justru baru diselesaikan di ending cerita. But overall, ceritanya bagus dan menarik utk dibaca.
September 29, 2018
★★★★
Abigail Weston was pretty strong and independent for a member of the ton. Her family wasn't the usual title and fortune hunters. If so, Abigail would have never been attracted to Sebastian Vane, who was wounded in war. In addition, he was bankrupt and accused of being a thief. So he wasn't ideal husband material for the ton. Abigail's family wasn't titled but they were really rich so Abigail was the perfect answer to Sebastian's financial woes.
I like this story because I love the tortured hero tropes. Sebastian was a really good guy who was judged harshly and shunned by the ton. I love when the heroine knows what she wants and marches to the beat of her own drum. She helped him stop hiding and live again. She was outspoken and inquisitive. They were physically attracted to each other so the chemistry was there. It was the outside community that posed the obstacle.
Plus, there was a mystery involving a missing person and money. It helped resolve Sebastian's tainted past and restored his family name when all was settled. It was a nice love story.
Abigail Weston was pretty strong and independent for a member of the ton. Her family wasn't the usual title and fortune hunters. If so, Abigail would have never been attracted to Sebastian Vane, who was wounded in war. In addition, he was bankrupt and accused of being a thief. So he wasn't ideal husband material for the ton. Abigail's family wasn't titled but they were really rich so Abigail was the perfect answer to Sebastian's financial woes.
I like this story because I love the tortured hero tropes. Sebastian was a really good guy who was judged harshly and shunned by the ton. I love when the heroine knows what she wants and marches to the beat of her own drum. She helped him stop hiding and live again. She was outspoken and inquisitive. They were physically attracted to each other so the chemistry was there. It was the outside community that posed the obstacle.
Plus, there was a mystery involving a missing person and money. It helped resolve Sebastian's tainted past and restored his family name when all was settled. It was a nice love story.
February 9, 2017
I don’t think I’ll be reading Caroline Linden again after this. While the book itself was okay, her stilted writing style and questionable plot choices left something to be desired.
Abigail and Sebastian’s romance was sweet and pleasantly low-drama, that is until a poorly thought out love triangle of sorts was added into the mix which in effect really sucked a lot of the enjoyment I had been feeling. It was like this conflict was introduced just for conflict's sake and also as a lead-in to the next book which really didn't do Sebastian and Abigail any favors. Benedict was a straight up dick to his once best friend Sebastian and I couldn't find one thing I liked about him. I don't care if he had daddy issues up the wazoo, his behavior throughout was inexcusable. So after all that, why Caroline Linden decided to then stick Abigail's effervescent sister Penelope, who saw right through Benedict's bs and was adorably the biggest Abigail/Sebastian shipper ever, with Benedict as her ~hero for book 3 I don't know and I don't plan to find out.
Overall highlights: Abigail’s relationship with her family, the lovely moments shared between Abigail and Sebastian (i.e. the grotto, gifting her his mother’s book, the cameo) and Sebastian himself who was, in my opinion, the single most well written and enjoyable aspect of this book.
Abigail and Sebastian’s romance was sweet and pleasantly low-drama, that is until a poorly thought out love triangle of sorts was added into the mix which in effect really sucked a lot of the enjoyment I had been feeling. It was like this conflict was introduced just for conflict's sake and also as a lead-in to the next book which really didn't do Sebastian and Abigail any favors. Benedict was a straight up dick to his once best friend Sebastian and I couldn't find one thing I liked about him. I don't care if he had daddy issues up the wazoo, his behavior throughout was inexcusable. So after all that, why Caroline Linden decided to then stick Abigail's effervescent sister Penelope, who saw right through Benedict's bs and was adorably the biggest Abigail/Sebastian shipper ever, with Benedict as her ~hero for book 3 I don't know and I don't plan to find out.
Overall highlights: Abigail’s relationship with her family, the lovely moments shared between Abigail and Sebastian (i.e. the grotto, gifting her his mother’s book, the cameo) and Sebastian himself who was, in my opinion, the single most well written and enjoyable aspect of this book.
October 6, 2020
It Takes a Scandal
A delightful Regency romance with an appealing couple and a minor mystery.
Wounded in the Napoleanic Wars, Sebastian Vane embodies all of the superior qualities of a soldier - honesty, dignity, loyalty and courage. His treatment at the hands of his so-called friends and neighbors is abominable, especially considering his sacrifice, but this make's the heroine's appreciation for him all the sweeter.
Abigail Weston is a wonderful heroine. She is able to see beyond Sebastian's cold reserve to the passionate and caring man beneath. Her faith in him is admirable and she manages to navigate the strictures and limitations of society with aplomb.
Thankfully, Linden manages to avoid many of the annoying pitfalls that can undermine the love-triangle trope, i.e., keeping secrets, silly misunderstandings and angsty moments, by having her characters communicate with one another.
The secondary characters are also appealing, especially Abigai's sister, Penelope, and it will be interesting to see how Linden manages to overcome the obstacles established between her and Benjamin Lennox in the next book. He is going to have to redeem himself in her and my eyes.
A delightful Regency romance with an appealing couple and a minor mystery.
Wounded in the Napoleanic Wars, Sebastian Vane embodies all of the superior qualities of a soldier - honesty, dignity, loyalty and courage. His treatment at the hands of his so-called friends and neighbors is abominable, especially considering his sacrifice, but this make's the heroine's appreciation for him all the sweeter.
Abigail Weston is a wonderful heroine. She is able to see beyond Sebastian's cold reserve to the passionate and caring man beneath. Her faith in him is admirable and she manages to navigate the strictures and limitations of society with aplomb.
Thankfully, Linden manages to avoid many of the annoying pitfalls that can undermine the love-triangle trope, i.e., keeping secrets, silly misunderstandings and angsty moments, by having her characters communicate with one another.
The secondary characters are also appealing, especially Abigai's sister, Penelope, and it will be interesting to see how Linden manages to overcome the obstacles established between her and Benjamin Lennox in the next book. He is going to have to redeem himself in her and my eyes.
August 4, 2019
lordt. I reread this the other day and I just *french kisses* I just love the SIMPLICITY and directness of Sebastian and Abigail's romance. She's just a girl (albeit from a super rich fam who's looking at her to marry into a title) and he's just a boy (albeit wounded from war, with trauma still stuck in his veins and shunned from society due to his fam)... and they just find solace in each other's arms. If that isn't enough for y'all in romance books, idk what is. FJDKAL;FJKDLSA;
Also when Abigail called Sebastian out at one point for not making his intentions clear?????! (Although, to his defense, he didn't have confidence in himself and their relationship, which he ended up stepping up after the call-out)... and he was like "SHE'S RIGHT I messed up" I was like *wipes single tear off cheek*... finally... a mans who will LISTEN to his love interest... im just. Overwhelmed. Argh. Love y'all.
Also when Abigail called Sebastian out at one point for not making his intentions clear?????! (Although, to his defense, he didn't have confidence in himself and their relationship, which he ended up stepping up after the call-out)... and he was like "SHE'S RIGHT I messed up" I was like *wipes single tear off cheek*... finally... a mans who will LISTEN to his love interest... im just. Overwhelmed. Argh. Love y'all.
March 27, 2018
5 stars
Abigail Weston Heiress whose dad is new money falls in love with Sebastian Vane a man who has lost much and rumors swirl around.
Her family wants her to marry the very eligible lord Atherton. She just wants to be happy can a HEA happen.
I like Abigail she is a nice enough character if not a tad bit bland but I love Sebastian he is a fascinating his backstory his angst just everything. The way he doesn’t want to fall for Abigail but does.
I also love the whole family dynamic of the Weston’s her sister’s book is the third and I will be reading that next.
A nice book to curl up with. Highly recommended.
Abigail Weston Heiress whose dad is new money falls in love with Sebastian Vane a man who has lost much and rumors swirl around.
Her family wants her to marry the very eligible lord Atherton. She just wants to be happy can a HEA happen.
I like Abigail she is a nice enough character if not a tad bit bland but I love Sebastian he is a fascinating his backstory his angst just everything. The way he doesn’t want to fall for Abigail but does.
I also love the whole family dynamic of the Weston’s her sister’s book is the third and I will be reading that next.
A nice book to curl up with. Highly recommended.
February 8, 2021
Three stars for the heroine’s sister Penelope who has all the brain cells in that family. Jk jk but fr. I really wonder how her book will go considering how they paint her future love interest as a spineless coward in this novel.
Nevertheless, strong, illustrative writing. I could really feel the urgency in the opening chapter and the conclusion was pretty satisfying. While I didnt care for the couple, they suited each other and it was an inoffensive novel as a whole.
Nevertheless, strong, illustrative writing. I could really feel the urgency in the opening chapter and the conclusion was pretty satisfying. While I didnt care for the couple, they suited each other and it was an inoffensive novel as a whole.
March 17, 2020
This was just lovely!
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