С дъх на скандал

by Sandra Brown

Преди четиринадесет години Джейд Спери е изнасилена от три момчета. Съзнавайки, че не може да спечели дело срещу синовете на местния шериф и най-влиятелния богаташ в околността, забременялото момиче напуска родния си град. Джейд успява да се справи успешно с трудностите на самотното майчинство и изграждането на блестяща кариера. Но през цялото това време тя таи в себе си унищожителна омраза към насилниците, станали причина за опозоряването й и самоубийството на нейния любим. Сега богатата бизнес дама се завръща в Палмето с единствената цел да съсипе живота на тримата насилници и да раздаде така дълго жадуваното възмездие. Но срещата й с Дилън ще я накара да се запита дали си струва да продължава мъчителната борба с призраците на миналото, или вече е настъпил моментът да започне живота си на чисто...

Трогателен роман за отровата на отмъщението, за силата на прошката и за чудото на любовта...

Genres: Romance, Romantic Suspense, Fiction, Suspense, Mystery, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary

432 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Sandra Brown is the author of more than sixty New York Times bestsellers, including STING (2016), FRICTION (2015), MEAN STREAK (2014), DEADLINE(2013), & LOW PRESSURE (2012), LETHAL (2011).

Brown began her writing career in 1981 and since then has published over seventy novels, bringing the number of copies of her books in print worldwide to upwards of eighty million. Her work has been translated into over thirty languages.

In 2009 Brown detoured from romantic suspense to write, Rainwater, a much acclaimed, powerfully moving historical fiction story about honor and sacrifice during the Great Depression.

Brown was given an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Texas Christian University. She was named Thriller Master for 2008, the top award given by the International Thriller Writer’s Association. Other awards and commendations include the 2007 Texas Medal of Arts Award for Literature and the Romance Writers of America’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Reviews

[Mo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books was written 23 years ago. Can you tell? I certainly hope that the attitudes of Southern “gentlemen” have changed in 23 years. They come across as totally sexist and racist….. she portrays them really well. You have to hate them.

His bearded face never smiled … he was wearing clothes similar to those he had worn yesterday and the day before …. Old Levi’s, a faded top, boots and work gloves …. She was able to see that sweat had dampened his dense chest hair and and formed a triangle in the cloth of his top

This is the story of Jade who was gang raped when she was 18. Nobody believes her. The good ol’ boy’s club in town is tight knit and they don’t want their boys exposed to any scandal. Jeez these guys were something else. Fucking preppy boys. At least Neal Patchett was and the other two followed him around like lost puppies. Total Dickheads.



So Jade has to leave town and try to make something of herself. She does and she is hell bent on revenge. She was strong, beautiful, loyal.




Dillon Burke (Irish name….. must be good) had a tough upbringing but he got his chance to make something of his life and he has. But there is heartbreak along the way too…. Poor Dillon.

So begins the journey of two wounded souls, trying to find some happiness. I don’t think they are trying to find happiness, Dillon, especially, he just wants to live his life not caring.

ANGER WAS AN EMOTION. HE DIDN’T WANT TO FEEL ANY EMOTION WHERE SHE WAS CONCERNED

Dillon knows something has happened in Jade’s past but she won’t tell him. It frustrates him and eventually she does tell him. He is so sweet to her, holding her, taking care of her.

“Okay, I’ve been nice. I’ve been patient. But I’m up to here with this crap. I want to know what the hell is going on and why.”


“Like a cruel cliché, Neal smoked a cigarette before they left. I remember smelling the sulfur of the match and the burning tobacco.”

The sex scenes were practically non-existent … until about 80% and then there was one scene, OMG, he was only kissing her…. I was so turned on by it.

He slid his fingers into her hair and tilted her head back, then lowered his mouth to hers. In her surprise her breath rushed out of her mouth. He felt it against his lips, tasted it. When he did, every other thought flew right out of his head… the tip of his tongue flicked across her lips, then he pressed it into her mouth…He exercised the technique he had mastered years ago and slowly made love to her mouth. His tongue dipped into it then withdrew again and again….

Returning to her lips, he angled his head and kissed her deeper than before. Heat and lust concentrated in his loins. He groaned over the intensity of the ache the potency of the pleasure… his erection nestled in her cleft. She moaned.

The story takes Jade back to Palmetto to extract revenge for a tragedy that happened eighteen years previously. I won’t got into any more detail with the plot and storyline as it is one you have to discover yourself.

“Don't ever be afraid to live. Because though dying is easy when compared to living”

The walls of the candlelit bedroom echoed soft cries of gladness, whimpers of gratification, and, eventually, sighs of repletion.

[♥Rachel♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Breath of Scandal was a sweeping tale of broken dreams, shattered hearts, and revenge! But it was also, a story of letting go, moving on and falling in love again. Very addictive stuff!

At the start, Jade Sperry’s story was heartbreaking! At age eighteen she had a bright future ahead: about to graduate high school and looking forward to attending college on a full scholarship with the love of her life by her side. Jade was on the cusp of living out all her dreams when something awful happens that changes her entire future. The town offers no support, we have a case of “the good old boys club” covering and turning a blind eye, and even her mother and best friend are not in her corner. Instead, Jade must pick up the pieces and move on, for now… Jade spends years preparing for revenge, yet at the same time she doesn’t allow bitterness to poison her life.

Concurrently, we have our hero, Dillon’s story unfolding, and his is a tragic tale as well. He had a rough beginning losing his parents at a young age, going into foster care, but eventually finding happiness. Dillon also had the very brightest future ahead until tragedy struck leaving him shattered. Plagued by guilt, Dillon goes through the motions, barely living, but things change when Jade Sperry walks into his life.

As I said, Jade’s story was heartbreaking. I was outraged for her! I wanted to smack several people, including her crap-excuse for a mother, while simultaneously grabbing Jade up to give her a big hug! The first 25% of the story was shocking, painful and unbelievable, but somehow Jade rose above it all and settled in for long term plans. Revenge is best served cold, as they say, and Jade made some delicious preparations!

I admired Jade’s strength of spirit, and while she was focused on revenge it didn’t stop her from being a caring, good person. Her mother may have been severely lacking in compassion or love, but Jade gains others that fill that void in her life, and love her like she deserved in the first place. I find I have issues with “revenge” stories because it’s hard to connect with someone whose main focus is so very negative. This was not the case with Jade who had such a big heart in spite of everything she went through.

Dillon’s and Jade paths don’t cross until about the 50% mark but the timing was perfect. If they met earlier in life I’m not sure things could’ve worked out. He ends up being a rock Jade can count on, even though at first she’s determined to handle problems created by the past on her own. Having gone through so much as well, Jade provides comfort and understanding to help Dillon cope with his feelings of guilt and loss, as well.

Breath of Scandal took me on an emotional roller coaster, but I enjoyed the ride. I have to say if you pick this up, be patient. Like I said the first 25% was painful, but the payoff was well worth it! I wanted to high five Jade at more than a few points, and I’m thrilled with the way it all worked out.

I’m relatively new to Sandra Brown’s stories, but every one that I’ve picked up so far has been riveting! I stayed up until three a.m. to finish Breath of Scandal, because I could not put it down! A total recommend.

A copy was provided by Grand Central in exchange for an honest review.

This review is also posted at The Readers Den.

[♥Sharon♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet another great book from Sandra Brown!

I just have to say that this is the first book I have read by her that I wholeheartedly HATED one of the characters. Neal Patchett was such a bastard along with his two little puppets Lamar and Hutch.

Full review to come.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breath Of Scandal by Sandra Brown

This book was amazing. I couldn't put it down.

One spring night in the small town of Palmetto, South Carolina, a young girl's dream would be shattered forever. Raped and beaten by the three town hell-raisers, Jade Sperry's life would be irrevocably changed. Had she been weak, she would have stayed in the mud that her attacker left her at. But more compelling than her will to survive was the need to see her attackers punished for their crimes. But when her plea for justice was ignored, Jade vowed to one day return to the town that betrayed her, and find the peace she will never again know until her attackers suffered as much as she did that night.

Fourteen years on and Jade is a very successful woman. Knowing that the only way to hit back at the Patchetts - the powerful family who made everyone turn a blind eye against her attack - is by crippling their business, she builds a construction project in Palmetto. And as she comes close to the justice that was denied her once, it seems that fate is not only granting her that one wish, but also giving her another chance at love in the form of Dillon Burke, the man she hired to complete the project.

BREATH OF SCANDAL is an intriguing and heartwrenching tale about a young girl's shattered dreams and her fight for survival. The author has carefully spun a tale that is guaranteed to hook you from the start. The story flows well and I felt all sorts of emotions - anguish, disbelief, sadness and pride. Yes, pride for Jade and for how she picked herself up after what she went through. And I was so glad for her to meet someone like Dillon, a man who also suffered the cruelty of fate, a man seeking for a new start. I loved how he patiently helped Jade overcome her fear of men and intimacy and help her rediscover love.

With its strong characters and compelling plot, BREATH OF SCANDAL is a tear-jerking novel that you won't be able to put down. I plan on reading many more of Sandra Browns books.

[*TANYA* · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favorite books!!

[-ya · Rating 4 out of 5]

reread/br with Amanda: 3.5-stars
FYI, the first half of the book was drown by the tragic events that the MCs went through. Trigger warning: gang rape, suicide, tragic deaths, topic of abortion

first read 01/2016: 4-stars

Is it a sad story? Yes.

The blurb seems to suggest this is Jade’s story, but I find Dillon’s backstory equally compelling. Breath of Scandal is an older Brown’s book that conveyed the difficulties of combating corruption, bigotry and prejudice, and most importantly, told a heartfelt, victorious story of getting a second chance at life and love.

HEA? YES!

[Hollie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dear lord .....the beginning of this book was so heartbreaking and depressing. This was a story of one woman's mission to execute revenge(which was much deserved) and how she was able to heal during the process. The plot was fast paced and exciting. The characters were solid and likeable. Very well written. I'll definitely check out more of this writers work.

[Bj · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I gave this audiobook a B+ for the story and B for the narration at AudioGals*

Narration by Dick Hill

First published in 1991, A Breath of Scandal by Sandra Brown was recently released on audio in CD format by Brilliance Audio, so I jumped at the chance to review it. Accustomed to Ms. Brown’s recent, romantic suspense titles, I must admit that the tough and sensitive nature of this listen caught me a bit off guard (please see the warning in the Violence rating below). That said, once I settled into listening to this book, Ms. Brown fully transported me to a time and place that fortunately I never had to live through myself (the prejudiced and chauvinistic society that ruled small towns in the deep South in the 1970s and 1980s); and in the end, for those that are brave enough to follow this story to its conclusion, Ms. Brown blesses her listeners with a very powerful message of vindication and empowerment.

The backdrop of this story will tear your heart apart. The injustice and unfairness of the tyranny of a small town by one rich family who could get away with just about anything is downright painful to listen to. Moreover, the flagrant bashing of one woman’s ideals and dreams and the injustice with how she was treated, notwithstanding her never having done anything wrong, makes you want to scream. But in the end, it is this visceral reaction, that makes the message of this tale – which you will have to wait until the last third of the book or so to be gratified with – that much sweeter. Oh and though you may wonder how there could possibly be a romance woven into this story, there definitely is, though the romance is really secondary to the overarching suspense – you will have to get through some very difficult hours of listening before finally being rewarded.

See the full review at AudioGals.

[ReadAlongWithSue recovering from a stroke★⋆. ࿐࿔ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot believe this is my FIRST Sandra Brown book I have read! Why is that!

If this book is anything to go by, I need to get my finger out and read more of her books.


Here we have a young girl, Jade. She is so in love with her boyfriend. The thing is, her Mother doesn't approve of her choice, she wants her to marry someone more prominent in society and the home town they live, someone with prestige and money. The person is Neal. But she doesn't have feeling for him, in fact, she doesn't really like him eventhough they have known each other since children along with his other friends Dillon and the other lad.


Jade and her boyfriend are trying to do 'the right thing' as sex before marriage is shunned upon. But one day she confides in her Girlfriend that its all getting too much and she just wants to 'do it'. This is remembered in the next few chapters when all hell breaks loose and Jade arrives at the hospital, bloodied, torn and been ganged raped by the self same lads.

Without giving the story away, things are 'owned' by a certain person who heads the Police procedure which makes it very uncomfortable for Jade's Mother and others around this crime.

Mouths are shut.

But can this lay where it is?


Years later we pick up the story of Jade when she is now a successful business woman with money and prestige of her own.

She comes back to her home town hell bent and making people pay for the crime and violation that was reaped upon her.

Consequences of that rape, she now has a son. But who is the daddy?

What happens when she comes back?

This was a superbly written book. Hush Hush money, Hush Hush crime with threats if it leaks out.

I would like to add, the gang rape wasn't explicit so you don't have to suffer and cringe through that, imagination is enough.


Great book, and had me thoughtful throughout my read.

I would like to thank Grand Central Publishing via Net Galley for my copy

[Carole (Carole's Random Life) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/

I have been a fan of Sandra Brown’s books for a very long time so it is no surprise that I enjoyed this one quite a bit. I actually liked it enough to read most of it in a single day which says a lot. This book was originally published in 1991 so it’s over 30 years old at this point. There were times that it did feel a bit dated but in no way did that get in the way of the story. I am so glad that I finally picked up this enjoyable story.

This was Jade’s story. Jade was a fantastic character and she goes through so much in this book. My heart broke for her completely. The first part of the book is one tragedy after another and I wondered just how much Jade would have to bear. I think that Sandra Brown handled a difficult topic incredibly well and expertly set the stage for why Jade is seeking revenge in the later parts of the book. We do also see Dillon’s story unfolding as you move through the book. He has also been through some tragic events and I was really curious how their stories would meet up.

While the first part of this book is completely heartbreaking, the action really picks up in the second half. Years have passed and Jade is an adult and parent of a teenage son. She is ready to get her revenge. The people from her hometown made me incredibly angry. It is crazy how much the powers in town have been able to get away with over the years. Jade and Dillion made a great team and I enjoyed seeing the romance blossom between them slowly. I thought that they were really good for each other. I was very happy that the book came to a very satisfying ending.

I would recommend this book to others. Sandra Brown is an incredibly talented author and I felt like she really shined in bringing the emotions out in this story. I will definitely be reading more of her work soon.

I received a digital review copy of this book from Grand Central Publishing via NetGalley.

Initial Thoughts
I liked this book well enough to read almost all of it in a single day. It was written 30 years ago and it was dated in some ways but that didn't get in the way of the story. Jade was a strong character and I really wanted to see things work out for her. The romance doesn't really take off until the end of the book but I thought that it was very well done. I am so glad that I finally decided to give this book a read.

[Bona Caballero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Si te gustan las historias de venganza, esta es para ti. Trata de un crimen del que sabes casi todo desde el principio. Pero la forma exacta en que ocurrieron los hechos no te la narra la víctima hasta bastante más adelante.
Es durilla, porque las cosas que le pasan a Jade Sperry de joven son terribles. Al cabo de los años, vuelve para vengarse. Los malos remalos acongojan un huevo. Te preguntas cómo podrá Jade darles en los morros,... Pero es que es listísima. Solo por ella, ya merecería la pena el libro.
Advierto: el encuentro con el chico de la película ocurre más allá de la página 300. Dillon Burke, otro con su dosis de desgracias. Sí, el romance es secundario. ¿Lo importante? Jade y su venganza. El trepidante último tercio de la novela te tiene en vilo y contiene uno de esos giros tan brownianos que no sueles ver venir.
Crítica extensa, en mi blog.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Very emotional story......Spent the first half of the book wiping tears away and trying to control a few sobs and the second half of the book fist pumping and and shouting the ocassional 'YES'

[❤️ Dorsey aka Wrath Lover Reviews ❤️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Breathless Stars!!

* Reread and reviewed on: 5.10.20

Jade Sperry is high school Senior and pondering her future with her boyfriend Gary. The pair are destined for bigger things and both have earned college scholarships which will get them out of Palmetto, a small town ruled by the vile Patchett family.



Privileged and narcissistic H.S. senior Neal Patchett lusts after Jade and cannot believe she prefers dirt poor Gary. One night Neal and two of his two best friends come across a stranded Jade and her best friend and take their revenge on Jade and Gary, in a way that has tragic repercussions.



A decade later Jade has accomplished her academic and financial goals and she’s intent on returning to Palmetto and exacting revenge on Neal and his croonies.

Triggers: Rape and offensive language

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's very rare that I re-read books. I mean where's the suspense in a book when you already know the ending? Well, considering it must be at least ten years since I first read Breath of Scandal, the details were sketchy to say the least.

I'd honestly forgotten the brutal rawness of this story, It's far, far from a light read and is definitely one of the darker books I've read.

If rape and/or suicide (not the rape victim) is a trigger for you - approach this story with caution.

If you like a book that grabs you from the get-go, and never let's up, perhaps its time to check this one out.

[Britt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have not been this emotionally moved by a story in a long time. Jade automatically appeals to me as a character because whilst painted as a popular and beautiful girl she is not the stereotype, in that she is in a deeply loving relationship with Gary, a poor farmer and is intelligent and driven. Seeing her journey as a character and her ability to move past her dark past and triumph against great adversity definitely moved me as a reader. Similarily Burke is equally traumatised by a tragic past and I love how Brown forms a story in which both characters are finally able to find happiness within each other. I cried, I laughed and devoured this book in less than 24 hours. This is Sandra Brown at her best.

[Pepa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reseña completa:https://masromance.blogspot.com/2022/...
No es una novela romántica, es un libro que desarrolla la venganza de una joven.
Tampoco puedo decir que sea de suspense porque sabemos todo desde el principio, lo único es que no tenemos los detalles, que la autora deja para el final, aún así, es un continuo sufrir para la protagonista y, con ella, el lector.
Hay escenas en las que lo he pasado muy mal, no sé si es porque esta temática me afecta más que otras o porque la autora es una crack engullendo al lector en la trama de tal modo que tienes que respirar hondo para poder continuar leyendo.
Ella es magnífica y el trabajo de personajes me ha parecido fabuloso.
Es un dramón y de sus primeras novelas, creo que eso se nota.
Es difícil recomendar una novela que me ha hecho sufrir tanto, pero como novela de venganza, la encuentro genial.
Por qué no las 5... creo que con el detalle que desarrolla toda la preparación, el final queda muy desmejorado y, sobre todo, los últimos capítulos me parecen demasiado abruptos.
También le falta un poco de suspense al proceso de venganza, me ha resultado todo tan previsible.... que eso le resta puntuación

[Patrice Hoffman]

Breath of Scandal has been patiently sitting on my to-read list for about a year now. I received a review copy from Netgalley and just never had the time to get around to reading it. I requested this book primarily based on the fact I recognized Sandra Brown's name. I'd seen other titles by her in many places books are sold so naturally, I was intrigued. Figuring someone who's written as many books as she has, she must be quite the author and I've been missing out for some time now.

So, one night I decided to give Sandra Brown's Breath of Scandal a go and was immediately hooked. The thought that someone was finally going to get revenge and make someone pay for their past transgressions is proven to be a hook, line, and sinker... as far as I'm concerned. After a few pages of getting acquainted with Jade Sperry and her story, I couldn't wait to see what the results of this 15 year old grudge would lead to.

Breath of Scandal initially shares the story that leads readers to understand why revenge is so critical. The hell that Jade Sperry goes through is heartbreaking and maddening. There were very few people I didn't want to punch in the face repeatedly during much of Jade's story. Her mother for one, her so called best friend, and pretty much every other person she encountered after the "scandal".

As Brown's story unfolds she takes us on a journey that is at times heartbreaking and at other times is infuriating. Before long, I realized I was reading a romance. Honestly, I've never been huge on the romance genre. Better yet, the cheesy, Lifetime Movie romance. That's usually something I can't stomach or take seriously.

I don't know how, but the romance, cheesy crap works here. I didn't feel like chucking my Kindle across the room because the hunky dudes eyes were so mesmerizing (although there was a little of that). Sandra Brown cleverly balances the thrilling story of revenge with the gushy romance moments in a way that didn't make me want to barf.

Essentially, Breath of Scandal was an awesome introduction to this author, Sandra Brown. I see why she is so popular. Her writing is spot on, gritty when necessary yet inspiring and thought provoking. The theme that seems most apparent with Breath of Scandal is to move forward and not be afraid to live life. I'm certainly looking forward to reading more by Sandra Brown.

Copy provided by Grand Central Publishing via Netgalley

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Horrible topic and hard to read at times. I did lose interest a bit the book was why to long for the subject material.

[Nσҽɱí · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 ☆ #retorita4 #ritaviejuna
Aprovechando el Rita, por fin he leído este libro que me compre hace ya un tiempo.
Me gusta mucho como escribe la autora y el último libro que leí de ella me encantó.
Esta historia también me ha gustado mucho, ha estado muy entretenida y la trama engancha.
Aunque he de decir que me tuvo más enganchada al comienzo por qué empieza bastante fuerte. A mitad del libro se me hizo un poco largo y luego me volvió a enganchar.
Es una historia dura y triste por todo lo que pasa la protagonista.
Aunque Dillon, el protagonista tampoco se queda atrás.
Poco a poco van sanando y dejando todo lo malo atrás.
Ha sido una buena lectura

[Jacki · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book flip-flops between two characters, Jade Sperry and Dylan Burke. Although you get mostly Jade's story in the beginning and there's no mention of Burke in the book blurb, so I was like "Who is this guy?" when his story began. Jade is raped by 3 high school classmates, all of which are sons of prominent men in the small town society. Basically, the incident is swept under the rug and Jade is then shunned from high school because she was with a really nice guy, Gary. As time goes on, however, Jade is planning the ultimate in get-back schemes and even waits more than 15 years for her revenge. I won't give any more details about that, since it is intricately woven throughout the story. Jade meets Burke and he ultimately becomes involved.

I must say that Neil Patchett is the vilest, most horrible, awful and anger-inspiring character I've ever come across. I thought Professor Umbridge in Harry Potter was bad, and this just shows me I either need to read more adult books or stay away from them altogether. His character and the total injustice that happened to Jade is almost why I stopped reading this book.

[Jodie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I realllllly wanted to love this you have no idea. The whole revenge story really wet my whistle but it felt like a chore to read.

Let's start with Jade.

I felt sorry for her truly to do with the rape and the aftermath but I think the whole Gary story line was a huge cop out, her reasoning for not telling him felt contrived and awkward and for the author to have him kill himself after painting him as a strong character really annoyed me. The whole story could have flowed better had Jade returned to town and her secrets become known and a Gary/jade renuion takes place or he helps her enact her revenge.

Dillon-: I skimmed through his story because I was so bored- he's good looking I get it and OCD about building safety wooohoooo sigh

Now onto the story. I really felt ripped off reading this because it went on and on and on and freaking on through time and space and irrelevant rubbish like Hank...

At one point I skipped ahead ten chapters and picked up the story at the end and still didn't miss anything .... It was like hold and the beautiful - you know how you can stop watching it and twenty years the same boring shit is still happening? That is this book.

Honestly you could have removed five hundred pages and still had the same emotions etc the whole middle section could have been removed, in fact you could have skipped everything from the rape and picked up with her successful again in the future and it wouldn't have taken anything from the body of the story

[Eva • All Books Considered · Rating 3 out of 5]

f you are in the mood for some old school romance with a side of revenge, you will love Breath of Scandal!! This book originally came out in 1991 and it definitely is true to that time period in terms of attitudes and behavior, especially in the south. Although things were a bit outdated, I couldn't help but love Jade Sperry -- she is a self-made woman, an amazing mother but she is also not over her past, which is completely understandable given what happened to her. The book really was more about revenge rather romance but there was a slow build that made the eventual romance worth every page.

There were those who had much to atone for, and Jade would see to it that they did. The restitution she had dreamed of was within her grasp. She now had the power to make it happen.

She continued to gaze out the window, but litter of the street scene below barely registered with her. Rather, she saw the tall grass swaying in coastal marshes. She smelled pungent salt air and heady magnolias. She tasted low-country cooking. The skyscrapers were replaced by tall pines; the broad avenues became sluggishly flowing channels. She remembered how it felt to breathe air so heavy and thick that it didn't even stir the limp, gray Spanish moss that dripped from the branches of ancient live oaks.

She was going back to Palmetto. And when she got there, all hell was going to break loose.

[εllε · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe this book was written 30 years ago. 30 years! And it is still accurate. Some of the things the author predicted, came to be So true!

"Anyway, in a few years computers will be doing the drafting. Draftsmen will become keyboard operators.

Everybody is using AutoCad nowadays. Nobody drafts by hand anymore.

I thought Envy was her best book, but Breath of Scandal was a little better. The first half broke my heart. All Jade endured was so sad. Not only what happened to her, but the injustice she suffered because of it, the way people treated her, made me so angry! I rarely cry over a book, in this one I found myself tearing up a couple of times.

Apart from the people who raped her (monsters), I can't believe the behavior of her mother or her best friend's. What a Bitch!! The audacity of her!! A horrible person until the end!

There were also some good moments, as a result of good people entering Jade's life, which caused happy tears. The Hearons and later Dillon, helped her overcome her fears and be a normal person, living a normal-ish life trying to forget her stolen years.

This book of Vendetta is a good example that Karma does 50% of the job, and you must take care of the other half.

[Elle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Wow. Wow. I actually got this book by mistake. I had ordered a book by the same title by another author, which was a historical, which is my usual preference. I don't usually like contemporaries, but when I read the back cover, I was intrigued enough to read on. I loved it. OK, I admit I'm not the most PC person. If I had read the first part of this book, and seen what the heroine suffered, seen her set her sights on vengeance, only to see her do the "right" thing and leave vengeance to the Lord while she moves on, I'd be most unhappy with this book. Fortunately, the author is apparently of the same mind as I am. This gal takes her pound of flesh before she decides that it's time to move on. It's not the most morally correct book I've ever read, but it's one of the most satisfying.

Read this one. Even if you hate contemporaries, even if you hate books involving rape. If you like books that engage your emotions to the point of tears and give you a reason to cheer, this is one for you. I'll be looking into more of Sandra Brown's books, even if she doesn't write historicals.

[Jorie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book mystifyingly romanticizes the statutory rape of a 13-year-old boy by an older woman neighbor while simultaneously being about a young woman's rape by three of her classmates.

While the story unflinchingly focuses on her fighting back against her aggressors and the ongoing trauma of her assault, the rape of that child, who grows up to become the protagonist's love interest, is used as backstory for why he is so good at the sexing. Because that lady neighbor "taught him". A 13-year-old.

If you understand the part of yourself that can recognize that this dichotomy is not ok, give this book a hard pass.

[Mitzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

On sale for $2.49. Audible on sale too for $2.99. Thought I'd give this author a try. The romance develops slowly, but the story is very intense and the audio by Dick Hill is very good. I love his male voices, the female lead was a bit to breathy & soft...but all in all an excellent audio book.

[*The Angry Reader* · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars for being so balanced, thorough and smooth. Writing that never blew my socks off, but was so completely solid that it wasn't a distraction. This is a big book - but it didn't feel too long or overwrought or ridiculous or unnecessary. It was an absolute pleasure to read from page 1.

Jade is a nice girl in a small Southern town. Three someones do something awful to her, and even when Jade does the right thing there's no justice. These young men have power, and Jade does not. I spent a lot of time dreading what i knew was coming, but it was handled in a manner for maximum impact with minimum reader-agony. (FYI - there's some romance thrown in this thing as well. I wasn't expecting that, and when it appeared i was a little confused.)

Jade is a wonderful character - realistic and likable throughout the story. She becomes focused on gaining power so that she can right her wrong as well as stand-up for others.I love love love stories about strong women - i anticipate i'll have a crush on this story for a while.

It wasn't preachy or pushy. This book was sans-eyeroll the entire time. I was buying everything Sandra Brown was selling. I'm so excited to check out more of her books.

[Belle Aurora · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the very first romance/suspense book I had ever read. And I loved it.
It made me want to continue reading romance and so I have almost all of Sandra's books now.
Some are better than others but I enjoy them all and this one started it all for me.
Now I write romance and am so grateful for ever finding this book.
This was an awesome story of first love, betrayal, hurt and, most importantly, vengeance. I love Jade. She is a strong woman and even at the tender age of fourteen I admired her and her courage. Loved it.
Respect, Sandra <3

[Ivana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knjiga je odlična kao i sve Sandrine. Priča je zanimljiva i jaka, ali je meni teško pala. Stvarno mi je bilo mučno na samom početku pa sam se razvlačila sa čitanjem skoro dva meseca. Sandra je u ovoj knjizi bila baš okrutna prema oba glavna junaka, što me je stvarno iznenadilo. Kad god sam pomislila da je kraj sa lošim događajima, eto ti novog šoka. No, uprkos svim lošim stvarima koje su im se dogodile njih dvoje su se našli i izlečili jedno drugo. Dobili su svoj srećan kraj.

[Shabby Girl ~ aka Lady Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is my favourite Sandra Brown so far. I really enjoyed this one, except for that bit at about 25% that knocked the wind out of me and made me cry. Strong heroine and enjoyable story of revenge. Couldn't put it down.