A mysterious heir is on his way to England. Will Molly be able to find her place in his household, or will a tragic fate befall one of them within the week?In this steamy mystery romance, two people are thrust together on the ashes of a disastrous murder plot. Now they must find a way to work together despite the unexpected attraction between them.
No one knows the new heir ...
Marco Scott has never been to England, but now he is next in line to a title. Surrounded by potential enemies, he must find his footing in this strange land. Learning he is to act as guardian to an enticing young woman only makes matters more complicated.
A ward stuck in a stranger’s home ...
Molly Carter is handed over to the new heir, a man no one knew existed until it was revealed a peer was murdered to conceal his existence. To make matters worse, he might be the most beautiful man alive, which is making her blurt out the most embarrassing nonsense.
But someone is not happy that Marco will inherit. Danger lurks in the shadows, and he can’t inherit if he’s dead. Can Molly and Marco come to terms with their newfound passion to solve the mystery before one of them ends up in a grave?
Lord of Intrigue is the delightful fifth book in the Inconvenient Scandals series of steamy Regency suspense romance books. If you like worthy heroes, fast-paced plots, and enduring connections, then you’ll adore Nina Jarrett’s charming novel. Can be read as a standalone book.
Buy Lord of Intrigue for a tale of mystery and passion today!
Nina started writing her own stories in elementary school but quickly grew distracted when she finished school and moved on to non-profit work with recovering drug addicts. There she worked with people from every walk of life from privileged neighborhoods to the shanty towns of urban and rural South Africa.
One day she met a real-life romantic hero. She instantly married her fellow bibliophile and moved to the USA where she enjoyed a career as a sales coaching executive at an Inc 500 company. She lives with her husband on the Florida Gulf Coast.
Nina believes in kindness and the indomitable power of the human spirit. She is fascinated by the amazing, funny people she has met across the world who dared to change their lives. She likes to tell mischievous tales of life-changing decisions and character transformations while drinking excellent coffee and avoiding cookies.
Thanks to Booksprout for a copy of this ebook and this is my freely given opinion.
This is the continuation of the murder mystery story arc that occurs during the Inconvenient Scandals series. So you really do need to read at least the books involved in that story to understand the deeper drama in the background, that brings the characters together in this story.
This is a direct continuation from The Trouble with Titles, where the heirs to the Scott family title arrive from Italy and are immediately enveloped in the drama of the murder mystery started from Long Live the Baron. Marco, the new found heir, his brother, and their two traveling companions are immediately targeted as they land in England. After decades of being shunned and ignored by their English relatives, Marco is torn between wanting to know more about his father's past and family, and leaving his comfortable, and known life in Florence. Landing to such a hostile welcome that threatens his and his brother's life makes him reluctant to stay in England, and desirous of running back to Florence, despite being told he is the next heir to the baron.
Molly Carter landed into a fraught situation when she was orphaned and placed under the guardianship of the current baron, as an outsider landing in the drama of murder and conspiracy. But she earned a place in the family, good will, and trust, with the role she played in helping through the strife, and nursing the ill-baron back to help. But the helpful and practical Molly isn't sure what is in her future, and things are further thrown in a whirl when she meets Marco and finds herself thrown for a loop by how strong her attraction is to him.
Marco likewise finds himself very drawn to Molly, but does everything he can to deny his attraction and rebuff her, considering his plans to leave England and return to Italy. But his plans must wait until they discover who is continuing to target the heirs to the barony, and he feels obligated to continue the work entrusted to him by Simon, his uncle, when Simon is forced to take his wife away in case she remains a target for the murderers.
The story focuses on Molly and Marco, but also continues to build on the background characters such as the youngest Scotts, ang gives context to family relationships and past events that can (and apparently do) lead to future stories. I am continuing to enjoy the murder mystery story arc, though that appears to have come to a conclusion... but of course, it appeared to do so in the past story as well. The introduction of new characters and unexpected connections adds a bit more interest and drama, drawing back onto previous characters too, and adding some interesting nuances to the family connections as well.
A solid addition to the Inconvenient world. But I cannot help but start wondering when it will finally end - is it going on too long now (much like how I was starting to feel about Robert Jordan and the Wheel of Time).
They thought the mystery was solved, but old ghosts die hard...
Molly & Marco She’s a young lady who feels her life slipped her by. Her mother’s illness and death kept her from coming out, then all hell broke loose at her guardian’s home and now she’s steadily heading for spinsterhood... until an heir no one knew off, the handsomest man she’s ever seen, shows up. He’s an Italian young man who’s English father died before he was old enough to know him, and now he’s suddenly heir to his title - a title that’s apparently worth killing for - and guardian to a most enticing young lady... a lady he can’t claim, because there’s no way he’ll stay in England. Ever. Is there?
A vexed French poodle companion, a second son long overdue for a visit, private meetings, secret looks, vases falling from roofs, broken axels, injuries old and new, a missing diary, loyal friends, too many uncles and a mystery that kept me on edge till the end. Add a ton of chemistry with a splash of forbidden fruit, an honest straightforward hero - no false promises here - and a heroine determined to shackle her man, or at least steal as many kisses as she can. And you get a thrilling action-packed strangers-to-lovers romance with a steamy cherry on top!
There’s always something going (wr)on(g) in this story, but it also has these nice quiet moments. Moments of self-reflection, understanding and growth - no melodramatics, it’s adapt and attack. And I absolutely love how the big finale played out; unexpected, but they do get even and everyone lives happily ever after! I loved it! A marvellous ending to this intriguing series! And yes, it works as a standalone, but really, the mystery is so much better when you start at the beginning.
Part of the Inconvenient Scandals series, this brings the mystery of who is trying to kill Simon is finally found. I adored Molly, with her feisty attitude and kind heart, even towards a less than palpable companion. Her infatuation with Marco, the true heir has her doing things most “ton ladies would not do-but that is what makes it so fun! I felt for Marco, trapped between 2 worlds and so confused as to what to do. I could feel their chemistry , almost from the start. The author’s descriptions make you envision perfectly what you are seeing and the plot is well timed. I adore this series and can’t wait to see Sebastian’s story come to life. Reading these stories makes me feel like I am part of the family, and I love it!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Lady Blackwood overdosed. The Baron is poisoned. The new heir to Lord Blackwood, Marco Scott, doesn't want to leave Florence and travel to London. Molly Carter is related to the Scotts through marriage. Her cousin is her de facto guardian. The arrival of four gentlemen from Italy includes the new heir who wants no part as the heir. Though Molly and Marco have an instant connection, he won't make any commitment until he decides to stay and accept his responsibilities as the heir. Molly won't give up to change his mind, but someone is trying to kill Marco. A little anticlimactic with the villain. I do like a strong woman as the heroine and a hero who accepts her as an equal. Descriptive sex. I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from Booksprout.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is the fifth book in the Inconvenient Scandals series, each following a different couple. Molly and Marco had good chemistry, and this was a fun, satisfying romantic read with a dash of spice. This is one of my auto-read authors for the Regency romance genre, because I've enjoyed all the books I've read by this author.
Thank you to Booksirens and the author for a free copy to review.
Lord of intrigue by Nina Jarrett Book 5 of Inconvenient Scandals/10 of Inconvenient Brides
Historical Romance
Set in London late 1820 directly after the events of book 4
We met Molly Carter in book 4. She is a distant cousin by marriage to the Baron of Blackwood and, upon her mother’s death, has become his ward. At 23 years old, she was raised in the countryside and spent much of her time in mourning, missing the typical social season that other young women would experience. As a result, she now finds herself on the fringes of the aristocracy. The author suggests that she is naïve and inexperienced.
Marco Scott is the long-lost heir to the Baron of Blackwood. For nearly 30 years, he and his brother have been blissfully unaware of the murder and mayhem that has occurred to keep their existence a secret.
Marco reluctantly agrees to leave Florence and go to London to meet the estranged family of his deceased father. He arrives with his younger brother and two companions: a British expat and an Italian art dealer.
Marco and Molly share an immediate and intense attraction to each other. Much of the book revolves around Marco evading attempts on his life while also struggling to acknowledge his feelings for Molly due to a sense of honor. He is torn between staying in London and returning to Florence.
Molly when she isn’t throwing herself at Marco, spends most of the book trying to escape the watchful eye of her companion, who just so happens to be the former lady's maid to the murderer revealed in the last book.
This is a book review, and I want to clarify that I'm not a critic. I struggled quite a bit to finish this book because I found the main characters to be flat and uninteresting. The "insta-love" trope didn't resonate with me at all. To be fair, I typically have a hard time with this trope unless it's part of a fantasy or paranormal romance.
Many of the plot devices felt contrived. Forcing the companion to wait outside in the cold while the female main character mingles with all the unmarried men—and her guardian—seemed unnecessary. There were also numerous red herrings throughout the story. This book could have easily been 100 pages shorter.
There was a significant emphasis on the younger brother's interest in and fascination with Italian pharmaceutical advances, as well as on subplots involving other characters that remained unresolved. This seemed designed to entice the reader to continue exploring the next books in the series.
The biggest disappointment is that the final resolution to the mystery that the reader has been following for the last five books is resolved off-page, and the “villain” doesn’t face any consequences. Instead, he simply sails away on a slow boat to an unknown destination. Additionally, his motivations were, at best, weak and unconvincing.
The world the author is creating holds a lot of promise. I really enjoyed the first six or seven books in the "Inconvenient Brides" series, including the first two books in the "Inconvenient Scandals" series. The fact that Lady Slight is hinted to be the main character in the next book makes me eager to read it. I love a good redemption arc for a villain. I hope the author can return to the engaging writing style that initially captured my interest.
This book frankly felt completely unnecessary and left more questions than answers, and not in a good way.
There were two on page intimate scenes, but honestly, I skimmed through them because it was already taking me so long to finish this boring book.
2.5 ⭐⭐⭐
Thanks to Booksprout for an advanced copy of this e-book, and this has been my freely given opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Lord of Intrigue is the fifth book in Nina Jarrett’s Inconvenient Scandals series and finally concludes the mystery running through the books. Book 4 revealed the identity of the murderer but also brought forward the identity of the rightful heir to the baronetcy. Marco Scott has his future mapped out as a respected ‘bear leader’ (Grand Tour guide) in Florence. When he is informed that he is the heir to an English Baron he is initially not interested. Persuaded by his mother and brother to go back to his birthplace he makes the journey only to find that his life is in danger. Miss Molly Carter is a ward of the present Baron and has become inadvertently involved in their family scandal. With no family, in half mourning and no prospect of a season she is feeling aimless and a little lost. To add to that when she sees the new heir she is instantly smitten. Molly is determined to do all that she can to help find the culprit. Molly and Marco cannot hide their attraction for each other but while Molly is eager to pursue where that attraction might lead, Marco is reluctant to encourage her when he is still contemplating returning to Florence. And while he is the target of a murderer, he cannot offer any promises of a future. The story flows well and the mystery does not overshadow the romance. I loved Molly. She is so capable and practical. She makes most of the discoveries that move the story along and when she lands in danger, I love that she essentially rescues herself. She does not need to be ‘saved’ by Marco – a fact that even he acknowledges. She is pretty amazing! Marco spent most of the book playing hot and cold with Molly. He could not hide his attraction but also kept saying he ‘needed time’. I felt for Molly, but I could also understand his uncertainties and how big a decision this would be for him. I liked that he did start to assert himself towards the end and started to find a sense of belonging. This was a nice resolution to the series but the only thing I couldn’t really understand is the extent the villain went to for the title of a Baron which really is the lowest title there is in the aristocracy. It would make more sense if it was a Marquessate or a Dukedom they were after. But that is a tiny, tiny niggle. This series was a great read. I love Nina’s writing and Marco and Molly are a very likeable couple. I received an advanced review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This story takes place shortly after the demise of the Dowager Baroness of Blackwood. The Duke of Halmesbury sent a representative to Florence, Italy to encourage Marco Scott to travel to England for the purpose of visiting his late father’s homeland and assuming his position as Baron Blackwood’s heir. Reluctantly he agreed, and his younger brother Angelo and their two friends Sebastian and Lorenzo decided to accompany Marco on his journey. After an uneventful voyage and a carriage mishap, they arrived to be greeted by John Scott, the current Baron of Blackwood; Simon Scott, the former Blackwood heir and current Scottish Viscount Lord Campbell; Molly Carter, the Baron’s ward; and Nicholas, John and Simon’s younger brother. They were soon joined by the Duke of Halmesbury and Lord Saunton. To round out the cast of characters there was MacNaby, the butler; Duncan the footman; and Claudette Dubois, the former lady’s maid for the Dowager Baroness and current paid companion of Molly….much to the dismay of both women. Molly was instantly attracted to Marco, and although he too felt drawn to her, he tried to hold back as he had not yet decided whether or not he would remain in England. Therefore, the push/pull between them permeated most of the story. Meanwhile, as Marco was getting the lay of the land, he experienced several deadly near misses, which generated a search for the Dowager Baroness’ accomplice. As the story unfolds you will read about secrets, surprises, journals, lovely kisses, internal battles and a kidnapping at gun point. This is a well-written, exciting tale filled with convoluted familial relationships, conflict, emotional turmoil, and an unexpected viilain. It is fast-paced, intense, and because they had to bring Marco and Angelo up to speed, a quick synposis of previous events. I have enjoyed the whole ‘Inconvenient’ series from ‘Inconvenient Brides’ to ‘Inconvenient Scandals’, and look forward to what comes next in the upcoming ‘Inconvenient Venture’ series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
“Lord of Intrigue” concludes the saga of the missing heir and the attempted murders. Marco, an Italian man, arrives in England with the intention of denouncing his succession to Baron from his Uncle John. He has a life in Italy and no desire for England, especially considering the potential danger there. However, when he meets Molly, a spirited woman she captures his heart.
Marco, struggling with his heritage and danger surrounding his inheritance, finds solace and challenge in Molly's unwavering resolve. Their chemistry is palpable as they navigate a landscape filled with secret meetings, loyal friends, and a relentless murder mystery. From stolen glances to unexpected dangers, the tension never lets up.
Amidst all this chaos, there’s a strong chemistry between the protagonist and the heroine, a splash of forbidden fruit, and an honest, straightforward hero who doesn’t make false promises. The heroine is determined to shackle her man or at least steal as many kisses as she can. Together, they embark on a thrilling action-packed strangers-to-lovers romance with a steamy cherry on top!
The author's exceptional writing skillfully weaves romance and suspense into Marco and Molly’s journey, creating a tale that is both charming and unpredictable. Jarrett’s ability to craft a satisfying, hopeful ending while offering moments of self-reflection and growth amidst the chaos is truly remarkable. This ensures an engaging experience from start to finish, showcasing the author's ability to captivate and hold the reader's attention.
In this thrilling conclusion to the saga, the author's adept storytelling delivers a perfect blend of romance and suspense. I absolutely adored how the grand finale unfolded—unexpected, yet satisfying, with everyone living happily ever after!
I look forward to Sebastian’s story in The Courtship Trap, in her new series Inconvenient Ventures, it sounds interesting!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I really enjoyed the series finale. All mysteries are finally solved and new characters are introduced who will play a role in the new series. The plot is very well written and has instalove and close proximity tropes, some twists, suspenseful moments, danger, some steam and very likeable characters. I had fun visualizing the spirited and swearing Italians in particular. The way Molly pursued Marco was a tad too aggressive for me at times, but they have a wonderful chemistry that sizzles from the start. I'm really looking forward to Sebastian's story. Since the first book in the Inconvenient Brides series, I've wondered what happened to him and can't wait to read his backstory and story.
In his childhood, Marco Scott wished to meet his English relatives, but every attempt at contact went unanswered. So it is all the more surprising when a solicitor suddenly turns up at his home in Florence, invites him to England and tells him that he is the heir to a baron. Reluctantly, he sets off on his journey to England with his younger brother and two friends, only to realise that his life is in danger. Molly Carter has been living with her distant relatives, the Scotts, since the death of her mother. After the frightening experiences of recent times, she is curious about the Italian heir. As she has never had a season, she is afraid of having to lead the boring life of a spinster. This changes when Marco arrives and she feels attracted to him from the very first moment. He is also attracted to her, but the attacks on his life increase and Marco can't imagine staying in England forever...
If you like historical romances with mystery, danger and spice, you are sure to enjoy this book! But beware, as the plot builds up over the course of the series, I don't recommend reading the book as a stand-alone.
I received a free ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and left voluntarily.
Nina Jarrett delivers a delicious blend of mystery, romance, and suspense in Lord of Intrigue, the fifth installment in the "Inconvenient Scandals" series. While it can be enjoyed as a standalone novel, the intricate world the author has built certainly leaves you wanting to dive into the previous books.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The premise is immediately captivating: a mysterious heir from abroad, a suspicious murder, and a young woman thrust into the middle of it all.
Marco Scott, the unexpected inheritor, was instantly intriguing. He's thrown into a viper's nest of English society, surrounded by unknown enemies and burdened with the guardianship of the captivating Molly Carter.
Jarrett masterfully portrayed Marco's fish-out-of-water experience, making him relatable and sympathetic despite his newfound title.
Molly was equally compelling. Her awkwardness and inner turmoil, especially in the face of Marco's undeniable attractiveness, provided plenty of humor and heart.
The dialogue between Molly and Marco crackled with chemistry, and their burgeoning attraction felt both natural and forbidden given their circumstances.
The mystery itself was well-paced and engaging, with enough twists and turns to keep a reader guessing. The "someone is not happy that Marco will inherit" trope was executed effectively, creating a palpable sense of danger and driving the plot forward.
Lord of Intrigue is a thoroughly enjoyable read. I throughly enjoyed the compelling characters, engaging plot. The sizzling chemistry make it a page-turner that you won't want to put down. If you're looking for a quick escape into a world of dukes, dastardly deeds, and undeniable passion, then this book is definitely worth checking out. I highly recommend it!
Lord of Intrigue is the fifth book of the Inconvenient Scandals series by Nina Jarrett. This is a historical romance, set in Regency Era England. While this may be read as a standalone book, I think that this would make a lot more sense if you've read at least a couple of the books in this series, if not all of them.
This is truly a book of intrigue, which starts in previous books, hence my earlier recommendation. While the romance between Marco and Molly is a major part of the book, it's the mystery of why and who wants eliminate Marco from the line of inheritance.
The story starts in Italy with Marco Scott, whose father was disinherited due to his marriage to the daughter of an Italian tradesman, and has no real desire to go back to his father's homeland. But now Marco is the heir to an Earldom, and he has little choice but to go back - so he does, with his younger brother and two friends accompanying him.
Marco does not realise just the depth of intrigue and crime and possible murder plots that he is about to get himself into when he meets his paternal family and settles in to visit England. Marco also doesn't notice straight away his attraction to his uncle's ward, Molly Carter, who isn't quite ready for her attraction to Marco, but is also ready to get involved in solving the mystery that has put people dear to her in danger. Two people have already been poisoned due to the plot to hide Marco's existence, but now Marco is in trouble and the family must find out who the culprit is before anyone is killed.
The ending of this book leads in the author's next "Inconvenient" series of Regency Romances, starting with the good friends of our hero, Marco Scott.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Lord of Intrigue is the 5th book in Nina Jarrett's Inconvenient Scandals Series. It is a murder mystery and the continuation of the previous book, The Trouble With Titles. This story is full of danger, secrets and attraction. The characters from previous books are included in the mystery but our main characters are Marco Scott and Molly Carter. Marco and his younger brother, Angelo were born and raised in Florence, Italy so much of the book has Italian translated into English. They have traveled to England to meet the members of their deceased English father's family as Marco is now the heir to the murdered Baron. It doesn't take long for the reader to realize that Marco and Angelo are in danger from the time they step onto English soil. Molly is a ward of sorts and highly regarded by other family members. She has been in mourning for her mother and feels her marriageable time has passed. The book moves quickly as the brothers are briefed on murders, attempted murders and the interrupted murders of their family members. Marco's future depends on finding the murderer and important decisions are held in limbo. Lord of Intrigue is filled with unexpected twists and turns along with heart tugging personal discoveries. I feel that to enjoy this book, one should read the previous books. The characters are family and friends that support each other and references are made that would make perfect sense to one who has read previous books. I would have given 5 stars but I felt that Lord of Intrigue was more of a novella and not as complex as the other books in the series. I received an advance reader copy and am leaving my voluntary review based solely on my reading experience.
If you’re in the mood for a steamy Regency romance with a twist of murder, Lord of Intrigue delivers just the right blend of suspense, slow-burn attraction, and scandalous secrets.
Molly Carter’s life is turned upside down when she’s handed over to the guardianship of a man she’s never met—Marco Scott, a mysterious heir no one in England even knew existed until a nobleman's murder uncovered his identity. And let’s just say… he’s not what she was expecting.
Marco is a fish out of water—new to England, new to the title, and suddenly responsible for a spirited young woman who keeps saying the most unexpected (and hilarious) things whenever he’s near. There’s an undeniable pull between them, but with danger circling and enemies closing in, there’s little time to explore feelings when someone clearly wants Marco dead.
The romance is red-hot, but what sets this book apart is the clever weaving of suspense into the love story. Every moment of longing is laced with tension—not just emotional, but mortal. The story kept me turning pages not just to see if they kiss (and more), but if they survive.
Molly is a delight: strong, awkward in the most endearing way, and refreshingly open-hearted. Marco is stoic, protective, and carries that brooding "outsider with a secret" energy that historical romance readers love.
While it’s book five in the Inconvenient Scandals series, this reads perfectly as a standalone—though you may find yourself reaching for the earlier books to dive deeper into a world of aristocratic secrets and steamy entanglements.
I received a complimentary copy from BookSirens and am voluntarily leaving my review.
Nina Jarrett's 5th book in this series exposes the last piece of the mystery of the Baron of Filminster murder.
The final heir to the Barony, Marco Scott and his younger brother Angelo are arriving in England from Italy after a very hard time convincing the older brother. Marco was always curious about his deceased father’s family but after years of trying to contact them without any answer he made peace with his life in Florence. In the present, Marco doesn’t want the title or anything that comes with it, much less the assassin who is after him and his brother.
Molly Carter is the Baron's ward, left to him to protect after her recently deceased mother. She has witnessed all the horrible incidents the family has lately experienced on the hands of the Baron's stepmother. Now, she is about to meet the new heir and somehow her life will never be the same.
There were some moments in the story that I felt disappointed by the plot. The first time Molly and Marco met, it felt more like a child´s infatuation, therefore, the Molly's determination to be with Marco felt kind of forced, to be honest. Plus, his lack of courage and his hesitation to decide about his future made him feel even more immature. The end of the book is missing the excitement I was hoping for.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Another well written story in this series. Full of mystery, secrets, love, action, romance, kidnapping, rescue, revenge, intrigue, suspense, society, twists and turns. Marco is a young man who has lived all his life in Italy. When a stranger shows up and tells him , he is next in line to inherit an English title. It should have been his father's but he had passed away , leaving his 2 sons as hie heirs. Marco really doesn't want the title or to go to England as he likes his life the way it is. Molly is a young Lady , who is living in a house where people were being killed or killed themselves. She is now in mourning when Marco and his brother and friends. There is a terrible carriage accident when they are traveling to the manor. The others waiting for him realize that it was an attempt on his life and his brother's. Together with everyone they try to find out who is trying to kill him. Molly is kidnapped after finding the missing journal by the person who is trying to kill Marco . What a great group of characters, now and from the other story, both bad and good. Lots of emotional struggles for these remarkable spirited characters. Hang on to the edge of your chair and enjoy this fantastic story. Would strongly recommend to everyone this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
So far I have enjoyed every book in this series, but I found this one less entertaining. In the previous books we were faced with a murder, a search for the murderer, who is eventually found. Meanwhile, the main characters in the stories find love. In this story the case seems not solved yet: it turned out that an ally of the murderer was still around. I didn't find the romance between the two main characters Marco and Molly interesting, and I often found Molly irritating.
Molly is staying as a guest with the Scotts, and is driven crazy by her companion's superficial criticisms (although I feel more sorry for the companion than for Molly). Marco, rightful heir to the Scotts’ Barony, comes over from Italy, with brother and friends, and sets Molly's mind and heart racing. Although Marco has no ambition to become a baron, his life is still threatened.
What I do like about the author is that she links her books to existing literature, which gives it an interesting approach. There is sometimes a humorous note, in the interactions of Marco's brother and his friends.
The author can write well enough, but this read was a bit boring, and in terms of content I thought it was a somewhat sparse story with a thin plot.
Another exciting book in this series from Nina Jarrett. This is the fifth in the series and brings a conclusion to the entire storyline. It is best read in the order it is written to fully appreciate the nuances that occur throughout the story.
Marco Scott and two of his friends, Lorenzo, and Sebastian, arrive in London to meet his family and learn about the Baronetcy that he is heir to. While there, he meets Molly Carter who, upon losing her parents, has lived with his uncle as his ward. The chemistry between Marco and Molly is evident from their first meeting, however, as Marco is unsure if England will agree with him and if he wants to remain there or return to his native Italy, keeps his attraction for Molly under wraps.
While exploring the land to see if it will work, several near misses threaten his life and Molly, and he team up to stay ahead of the perpetrators and try and solve the mystery of why they are trying to kill him. Molly herself gets kidnapped and must be rescued! Lots of excitement that keeps you on the edge of your seat and engaged throughout this novel from start to finish.
I received an ARC from Book Sirens and submit my honest review voluntarily.
Lord of Intrigue is a captivating conclusion to the Inconvenient Scandals series, delivering an intricate blend of romance, suspense, and historical depth. With the murder of the late Baron Filminster solved, the search now turns to his elusive accomplice, keeping the tension high. We reunite with the Scott family and meet the strong-willed, endearing Molly, alongside Marco—the reluctant heir who arrives from Italy only to find himself in grave danger. As the accomplice attempts to carry out Isla Scott’s original plan, Marco’s life hangs in the balance.
This installment is even more complex than the first book in the best possible way, drawing readers deeper into the richly detailed world Nina Jarrett has crafted. I especially appreciated the historical accuracy, from the responsibilities of a baron to the nuanced role of a paid companion. The minor characters, like Lorenzo with his sharp critique of English art, added charm and authenticity. I loved the Divine Comedy references, the inclusion of Italian and French accent of Molly's chaperone, and Marco’s beautifully developed arc of grief and second chance to find love. A thoroughly engaging and heartfelt read—highly recommended!
This is my seventh time reading a Nina Jarrett regency romance, and she has yet to disappoint. This is the second book I am reading in her Inconvenient Scandals series, and I am loving her unique blend of romance, intrigue, and suspense all beautifully written in the style exemplary of regency+era Britain.
Apart from her writing style, I've come to enjoy the unique characters she creates, especially when it comes to the heroines. To me, they are always just the perfect blend of bold, resolute, and enchanting that makes it difficult for the hero to turn away. In this book, especially, Molly - the heroine - was decisively steadfast in her quest to win over Marco. That had not been off-putting at all because one could see that Marco wanted her too, but his present circumstances were making it difficult for him to prioritize her. It was thus up to Molly to show him that, when all has been said and done, they were ultimately right for each other.
Suffice it to say, this is another winning book in Nina Jarrett's Inconvenient Scandals series that I am eager to dive in to the rest of the series.
I am thankful to the author for granting me a free review copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is the fifth and final in the Inconvenient Scandals Series and I have read them all.
A new flavour is added by having a MMC who is Italian, Marco Scott. Well, born of an English father and Italian mother but brought up entirely in Florence. Who doesn’t want to be romanced in Italian?
The FMC, who we were introduced to in the previous book, Molly Carter is a determined young woman who hasn’t had an easy life. She’s not content to sit back and wait for others to take action.
This series is based on murder mystery so there is intrigue and danger. The story moves along at a good pace. We are introduced to some new MC’s, Marco and his brother Angelo and their friends Lorenzo and Sebastian. I think we shall see more of them in the future.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I thoroughly recommend both the Inconvenient Brides and the Inconvenient Scandals Series which can be read as standalone stories but have a recurring cast of characters intertwined throughout. I was delighted to find out, at the end of this book, that there is to be a follow on series Inconvenient Ventures. Happy days!!
Lord of Intrigue is the fifth book in Nina Jarrett's Inconvenient Scandals and the book ten of the Inconvenient series. While the book is part of a series it can be read as a standalone, however in my opinion to fully enjoy all the side characters in the book, it is best to have also read their stories. In Lord of Intrigue we meet Marco Scott the newly discovered heir to the Barony. Marco and his brother Angelo were happily living in Florence until it was discovered they are the true heirs. They come to England to learn more about their inheritance and have multiple attacks on their life. The female character in this book is the ward Molly Carter who we met in The Trouble with Titles. The storyline was predictable but it was nice wrap up to the Lord Josiah Ridley's murder mystery. I must admit the author does a great job with having a few red herrings and numbers of potential killers. This is an easy to read, predictable, romance/mystery set in Regency England. I enjoyed reading it and recommend the entire series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This story closely follows "The Trouble with Titles" as it begins with the arrival of Lord Blackstone's newly discovered heir. Although only half-Italian, Marco is committed to his life in Italy. As soon as things in England are settled, he plans on returning home. Meeting Molly was the only positive thing that had happened during his visit. He life was in danger and starting a new romance was the furthest thing from his mind. Molly, a mere cousin through marriage, felt very out of place within the family. She was instantly attracted to Marco and hoped to get him to stay in England and stay with her. That is, if he didn't meet up with an unfortunate accident first! This book picks up the final loose ends of the Baron's murder mystery. I liked that it once again featured the Duke of Halmesbury. Even though the next book will begin a new series, it looks like the focus will return to the duke and other more central characters. As a fan of this series, I'm glad because the circle of characters was getting too large for me to easily follow.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
If Molly was sure of anything, it was that it was getting too late for her not to be resigned to a lonely future, grieving for what she didn't achieve. I was impressed by how this Miss, who had been in the shadows for a long time, understood that she had an opportunity in front of her and decided that she wasn't willing to lose it easily. I laughed a lot at her mischiefs as I visualized her in the middle of a hunt. I liked how the strings moved in her head. Marco was lost with the danger stalking his life, the doubts that overwhelmed him and the deep attraction he felt for Molly. And that kiss! The man not only made Molly sigh, but I was very mortified by his indecision. Many surprises were present in this story full of drama, romance, detective action, passion and interesting characters. Marcos' entourage seemed to have its own mystery and I’m eager to know more about them. Enjoyed the interesting plot development that kept me intrigued. I was very entertained following the investigation until what seemed to be the end of it.
It is disappointing having followed a promising new author from the beginning, that I think I am at the end of my journey with them. The murderer was discovered in the last book but apparently there is still an accomplice intent on murdering anyone in the way of Simon inheriting the baronetcy so what do the main players do but bring the heirs Marco and his brother Angelo to England to aid the would-be murderer in their attempts. Throw in an incredibly stereotypical rendition of a French lady’s maid/chaperone who was made to watch from outside a window to keep a meeting secret. Molly had tended to Nicholas previously, so this seemed stupid. As was a character telling another to “shut it”. Molly’s forwardness with Marco and their relationship felt forced. I did not believe in their romance. The end of the intrigue fizzled out in the end. This book wasn’t needed and seemed to be used as an introduction to the next series. I was intrigued by the introduction of the Duke of Halmesbury’s brother Sebastian but the realisation that the ‘heroine’ is going to be Lady Slight – no thank you.
Marco Scott, along with his brother and a couple of friends, arrives in London to meet his somewhat complicated family and learn about the title to which it seems he is heir. On his way to the family home, the group is involved in a carriage “accident.” When he arrives, he meets his uncles and Molly Carter. Molly has lived with the Scotts since her parents died. Marco and Molly are instantly attracted, but Marco doesn’t want to encourage anything since he is not sure if he will stay in England. When more attempts are made on his life, going home to Florence seems the best course. This is another well-done story with mystery, drama, attempted murder, danger, intrigue, secrets, plot twists, and surprises. There are characters from the other stories, as well as some new ones. I love Marco and Molly together. Do they solve the mystery? Yes. Do Marco and Molly have a happy ending? Yes. A great finale to this series, and an interesting hint at what comes next. I received an ARC of this book via BookSprout and voluntarily reviewed it.
While not as gripping a tale as the earlier ones in this series, this is still a solid story with two people who, while attracted to each other, have to overcome lots of obstacles, some self-induced, to reach a HEA ending. Although we had thought the drama was over with the deaths of Lady Blackwood and the footman, it appears there is still a villain on the loose who wants to end the recently discovered heir's life. I am torn about Molly as she is feisty and knows what she wants, most of the time, yet seems a bit too forward for the time period. While I understood Marco's reluctance to leave Florence and his Italian upbringing behind, his wavering reflected a somewhat immature outlook on life. It takes real danger to make each realize their dreams. However, the mystery is nicely finished with all the loose ends being tied up. If you want to find out who the last remaining conspirator is, you'll just have to read the book. Although I received an ARC of this novel, my opinions are my own and freely given.
The book gets off to a good start with Marco (main male character) in Florence, introducing his family & friends as well as setting the basics of his background.
Similarly, the start with Molly (MFC) in London is also interesting however some of the background (especially of the host family) takes a little time to gel. (It was nicely written but I expect this book would have followed directly on from one of the previous ones in the series - separate stories in linked world - so I suspect a series follower would be straight into the plot rather than having to absorb the environment / history as I did).
Still, this was a very enjoyable tale with interesting players, good & consistent pacing, and yes, plenty of intrigue.
(I might just have to go back and read some of the previous books as well as the one that will undoubtably follow this!)
Final book, #5 in the Inconvenient Scandal series and it wrapped up the last missing piece of the murder mystery/cliffhanger from The Trouble With Titles. This is not a stand-alone book, and best read in order. I wish there was a chart of connections/marriages/siblings for this entire series. Sometimes I'd get lost and have to go back and review, but it didn't stop me from enjoying the book.
I like how Jarrett wrapped everything up in a big HEA for Marco and Molly. I would have liked a better resolution the the missing wanna be murderer, but I see how it was necessary. The twist unexpected, the banter in Italian/English between Marco and Molly was fresh and at times swoon worthy. Well worth the read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Loved the story and especially the two main characters, Marco and Molly. I loved the strength and tenacity that the author wrote into Molly’s role and especially how she decided what she wanted and then went after it, Marco. His character is exemplary in how he tries to not lead Molly on but he can’t fight their attraction. Danger is still present and Marco seems to have a guardian angel looking out for him. They get their HEA but it took awhile with mishaps along the way. It’s an excellent story, well written and very entertaining. I loved that individuals from previous stories played a part in this one. I would highly recommend it as a great read. I received a free copy of this book via Booksirens and are voluntarily leaving a review.