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Christmas Scandals #2

Un Brigante per Natale (Scandali di Natale Vol. 2)

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Lily Rowland non ha altra scelta che rifiutare la proposta di matrimonio del Conte di Seaford. Nessuno può negare che l'uomo sia affascinante, con i suoi capelli scuri e gli occhi scuri che lampeggiano con un accenno di qualcosa che giace più in profondità sotto la superficie. Ma nonostante siano diventati buoni amici, il conte così corretto non potrà mai darle ciò che desidera... la passione.

Simon ha guardato Lily Rowland una volta e ha capito che sarebbe stata sua. Ma dopo mesi di resistenza alla tentazione di gettarsela sulla spalla e portarla in un angolo buio per fare cose deliziosamente malvagie con lei, si rende conto di aver commesso un errore tattico. Perché Lily non vuole il gentiluomo rispettabile che lui finge di essere. Lei vuole il libertino che lui le sta nascondendo.

Il che non gli lascia altra scelta questo Natale se non rapire Lily per dimostrarle che può darle esattamente ciò che brama.

87 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 19, 2024

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30 people want to read

About the author

Suzanna Medeiros

80 books248 followers
USA Today bestselling author Suzanna Medeiros was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. Her love of reading led her to pursue a degree in English Literature from the University of Toronto. After working at a number of interesting places, including a federal inquiry, a youth probation office, and the Office of the Fire Marshal of Ontario, she decided to pursue her first love—writing.

Suzanna is married to her own hero and survived raising twins. When she isn't writing, she loves reading and playing video games.

She would like to thank her parents for showing her that love at first sight and happily ever after really do exist.

To learn about Suzanna's future books, sign up for her newsletter at https://www.suzannamedeiros.com/newsl....

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
Profile Image for Jill booksandescape.
646 reviews51 followers
December 7, 2022
I received an advance ebook copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for review.

A Highwayman for Christmas by Suzanna Medeiros is the second book of Christmas Scandals. Simon, the Earl of Seaford, has just asked Lily Rowland to marry him. He was rejected. Lily considers their relationship friendly, but she wants a marriage of passion. She doesn’t believe she can get that from him. Simon has been resisting temptation for Lily throughout their entire courtship. He has a past of being a rake. But when he first saw Lily, he knew she was it for him. He thought the only way to win her was to become a proper gentleman. So when Lily rejects his proposal, he becomes determined to give her the real, passionate Earl she wants. He decides the best way to do this is to kidnap her at Christmas so they can have some alone time together.

I had a blast reading this! I adored every second. I really didn’t want Simon and Lily’s story to end. This is the perfect, quick Christmas read!
6,138 reviews17 followers
December 14, 2022
This is the second story in the "Christmas Scandals" series. It is a fairly short and quick holiday historical romance. This is such an enjoyable romantic read about Simon and Lily. Simon, the Earl of Seaford, is a reformed rake and trying to prove he is a gentleman to win Lily. He proposes but she wants a passionate marriage and thinks he won't be able to provide that. What happens we he decides to kidnap her and convince her?
Profile Image for Bonnie.
1,141 reviews19 followers
December 10, 2022
I received a copy of this from BookSprout and this is my freely given opinion.

This was a cute, and charming little Christmas novella. This is book 2 of the Christmas Scandals set, which started with A Viscount for Christmas. In this one, Simon, the Earl of Seaford, had been sedately and earnestly courting Lily Rowland for months. If I remember, he was a very minor character in the first book, and known to be a bit of rake. However, he had fallen in love with Lily, and decided his best course was tamp down his rakish behaviours and court her in as gentlemanly a manner as possible. However, when it comes time for his proposal, he is soundly rejected by Lily and stunned when he finds out why.

Lily likes the handsome, seemingly proper earl, but when he proposes, she refuses because what she feels he cannot give her what she wants in a marriage - love and passion. Simon had spent months wooing her in a proper manner because that is what he thought would win fair maiden is thrown aback... but recovers fast. After all, he had been hiding his passion to not overwhelm her. Now he plans an outrageous kidnapping of his lady love to show her how deeply passionate he is about her. In background of her family visiting his for a Christmas house party, Simon, in the guise of a highwayman, takes her off for a passionate seduction at an isolated hunting lodge, hoping that showing her the passion he does feel for her will be enough to persuade her that he is the husband for her.

This was a cute, light hearted, charming love story. Short, sweet, and fun. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

4 stars out of 5
Profile Image for Elaine.
4,482 reviews92 followers
April 29, 2024
This is not my review - this is the review from the author!
Lily Rowland has no choice but to reject the Earl of Seaford’s marriage proposal. No one can deny the man is handsome, with his dark hair and dark eyes that flash with a hint of something that lies deeper beneath the surface. But despite the fact they have become good friends, the oh-so-proper earl can never give her what she wants…passion.
Simon took one look at Lily Rowland and knew she’d be his. But after months of resisting the temptation to throw her over his shoulder and carry her to a dark corner to do deliciously wicked things with her, he realizes he’s made a tactical error. Because Lily doesn’t want the respectable gentleman he’s pretending to be. She wants the rake he’s hiding from her. Which leaves him with no choice this Christmas but to kidnap Lily to prove he can give her exactly what she craves.

This was a lovely short story. I really got into it. Loved it! 5☆
Profile Image for Sabrina (Soter) Sally.
2,174 reviews70 followers
January 5, 2025
3.5

"MAI SIMON AVEVA FALLITO in modo così spettacolare. Aveva fatto male i suoi calcoli, terribilmente male. Ma non aveva intenzione di abbandonare il campo.
Voleva Lily Rowland e, per Dio, l'avrebbe avuta.
Se Miss Rowland lo riteneva privo di passione, presto avrebbe scoperto che era vero l'opposto. Era finita la farsa di recitare la parte del gentiluomo perfetto per lei. Era finita la convinzione di dover nascondere chi fosse veramente. Di nascondere il fatto che la desiderava con una disperazione che non era da gentiluomo. Che non era gentile.
No, da questo momento in poi, avrebbe preso ciò che voleva. Lily non poteva sapere cosa stesse chiedendo, ma lui le avrebbe mostrato di essere più che capace di essere passionale. Sperava solo che fosse pronta a scoprire la sua vera natura."


Le donne, anche le lady, vogliono i bad boy e direi che potremo riassumere così la vicenda XD Poi non resta che ammirare la determinazione e l'inventiva di Simon per riconquistare la sua lei, con un bel rapimento con tanto di casetta nel bosco stile bella addormentata XD
Profile Image for Ash Juillet.
660 reviews6 followers
November 25, 2022
Simon, the Earl of Seaford, is supposedly a gentleman while he courts Lily, but to his shock, she rejects him because she believes he lacks in passion, which is very important to her in a marriage. He then kidnaps her to reveal his true nature to her.

The moment I read the title of the book, I knew this was meant for me. I had just finished rereading my favourite poem, The Highwayman, so it was a sign from the Universe. This book called out to me, begged me to read it, and I did my best to download it as soon as possible. I even complained to my friend about how, because I couldn't get more than 10 books a week from Booksprout, I had to be patient to get this one. I knew this would be worth the wait, so I clicked on 'claim' every single hour, hoping desperately that THIS time's the charm. And when I was finally able to get this book, I began reading right away.

And I fell head over heels in love with this.

There is nothing about this book that I didn’t love. From the regency era setting to the perfectly crafted love scenes that didn’t feel strange despite being in a historical fiction, everything was jsut brilliant. The characters were unique and had personalities of their own that differed from the others quite obviously. My favourite character was Mr Hastings, who felt more like Simon’s best friend than his valet. His mirth at Simon’s situation, his loyalty, his excitement; everything about him endeared him to me. Everyone deserves a Mr Hastings of their own.

Onto the most exciting part of the book…The smut! It was the backbone of this work. The phrases weren’t vulgar or prudish, the actions were described well, and the characters’ emotions could easily be felt through the pages. I loved how passionate Seaford actually was and that he didn’t hide the truth about his rakishness from Lily. It showed that he definitely loved her enough to risk it all. Every time I read his POV, I fell harder for the man.

So, if you haven’t read this short, fun, and steamy (for its time) Christmas novella with a happily ever after, what on earth are you doing? Get to it!

Thanks to Booksprout for a copy of this book. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Profile Image for Julie.
2,655 reviews42 followers
December 9, 2022
An enjoyable Christmas novella spiced with heat, intrigue and charm, historical romance readers will love Suzanna Medeiros' A Highwayman for Christmas.

Lily Rowland couldn't deny that the Earl of Seaford was charismatic and handsome, but she found herself with no choice but to turn down his marriage proposal. Although the two of them becomes good friends, Lily wants to marry someone wild and passionate - and prim and proper Simon is anything but. However, little does she realize that Simon is keeping a secret for her.

Simon has been keeping his true self under wraps for so long. He thought that Lily wanted a respectable gentleman and he has been trying to act the part and keep a lid on his real feeling for her. But if Lily wants passion, then Simon is willing to give her everything she desires - by kidnapping her this Christmas!

Will Simon be able to show Lily that he's the one for her? Or is his plan for seduction doomed to fail?

Suzanna Medeiros has written a fun, engaging and sensuous historical romance novella that is hard to resist. A Highwayman for Christmas is an entertaining and emotional novella readers with two terrific characters readers will root for. Sexy, heartwarming and uplifting, A Highwayman for Christmas will leave readers wanting more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Jamie Bee.
Author 1 book122 followers
December 27, 2022
Christmas Regency Fluff

If you read this novella with the thought in mind that it is just meant to be a piece of meaningless Christmas Regency romantic fluff, you'll most likely enjoy it as I did. If you peer a little too deeply below the surface, you will find inconsistencies and inaccuracies that will most likely drive you up a tree, like how the heroine sees the world in black and white during her suitor’s ill-fated proposal that begins the book. (By the way, if you are a Pride and Prejudice fan, you will certainly recognize elements of Darcy's similarly ill-fated first proposed home, though Lily is not quite as bright as Elizabeth. She believes that Simon not only does not love her but also lacks passion, which is very important to her even though she's never personally experienced it. When Simon realizes his blunders, he seeks to correct them in the most dramatic, and even passionate, way. I thought things moved along a little too quickly in his highwaymen plot, but again, if you see it is just a piece of Regency Christmas fluff, you can overlook the details and still enjoy the story.

I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
Profile Image for Avalle Rei.
1,155 reviews16 followers
December 21, 2025
Esta historia es la de Lily, la prima de la protagonista del libro anterior y su pretendiente el conde de Seaford.
Simon Seaford lleva cortejando a Lily durante seis meses y ahora está completamente decidido a que ella sea su mujer, pero no cuenta con que ella lo rechace con la excusa de que quiere el amor y la pasión que su prima y su nuevo marido tienen. Pero Seaford no es tan fácil de contentar y decidido a complacer sus deseos organiza todo un plan para que ella acepte su proposición de matrimonio. Y para todo eso, las mejores fechas son las navideñas.

La novela es muy rápida, corta y entretenida. La verdad es que todo pasa en un suspiro y hasta sorprende en algunos momentos. Me ha gustado mucho, más que la anterior que se me hizo un poco pesada en algunos momentos. Por supuesto, aunque algunos personajes salgan en el libro anterior se puede leer perfectamente de manera individual.
Me ha gustado la forma de ser de los personajes y también la forma de narrar de la autora, aunque una de las cosas que más he agradecido es la concisión que ha usado a la hora de escribir esta historia.
Profile Image for JenReviews4U.
475 reviews
December 5, 2022
This was an enjoyable novella, a very quick read.
Lily wants passion and sadly, the man courting her has been more than proper, he's downright boring. So when he proposes she turns him down. Now, Simon must do what he can to show Lily that he can be the man of her dreams even if he has to kidnap her to do it.
Great storyline but shallow, and some very fun scenes, especially when Lily figures out her kidnapping isn't quite right. I just wish this was a bit longer because what is missing is the setup to show the reader that both of them are actually in love with each other and have known each other. It needed more in the beginning because even though they have been courting politely for 6 months, I didn't feel any love or affection from either of them. There was lust towards the mid- to end but when Lily says she loves him, I did not believe her. They were missing a spark between them which is sad because it was a lovely story.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Suzanne Irving.
2,730 reviews24 followers
December 9, 2022
Simon is an interesting character in this book by Suzanna Medeiros. . As the blurb says he has made the error of trying to pretend to be what he thinks Lily wants instead of being himself. So he makes a plan to kidnap her and show her what he really is like. Let’s just say that they don’t spend much time on the highway. I don’t know if I would like it in real life, but haven’t we all wished at some point for someone to love us enough to go to extremes like this? This is a shortish book but I had a good time reading it. The back and forth between the two main characters and the lengths that Simon is willing to go to are the best parts. I don’t usually read Christmas specific books but it’s a Susanna Medeiros book so I definitely wanted to read it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,416 reviews11 followers
December 8, 2022
A Fun Loving Novella

Simon Earl of Seaford was a rake but the first moment he set eyes on Lily he just knew she was the one for him and she would be his countess. He started to court her as a gentleman and not his true self so when he proposed and she refused he was floored!

Lily wanted passion and she told him so he would give her passion! She didn’t know his true self only the one he had been playing at whilst courting her but she was about to find out!
A fast paced passionate love story, sure to please.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Andrea Wenger.
Author 4 books39 followers
November 22, 2022
Rake Simon is ultra-proper when courting innocent Lily. But his plan backfires: she wants passion. So he hatches a plan to play highwayman and mock-kidnap her. After a winter night in a cabin, will she succumb to his charms?

Simon and Lily are likable characters with no unnecessary drama coming between them. This is a short and steamy novella that focuses primarily on the physical aspects of their relationship.

Thanks, Booksprout, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Profile Image for Heather.
202 reviews3 followers
November 23, 2022
This is a wonderful story of when propriety meets passion. The story of Lily and Simon broke several norms that would most certainly have classified Lily as a harlot and Simon as a rake. I loved the lengths that Simon went to to convince Lily he could give her everything that she needed in a marriage. The happy ending was sweet. This is a feel good story that will make you smile. I highly recommend it!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Donique Collins.
306 reviews2 followers
November 25, 2022
Simon Howe…Earl of Seaford, has decided on a wife, determined to get what he desires. Lily Rowland…turned down a decent marriage proposal, wants a marriage with passion and affection, wants to re-evaluates her decisions. This is a cute little story about not giving up. I was tickled to see that the h seems to have underestimated the depth the H felt about making her his wife. His determination is shown by the elaborate ruse he creates to finally convince her she belongs with him. There is steamy steam.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Jayne Butcher.
1,346 reviews15 followers
December 2, 2022
Oh what a yummy story!
Simon had been the consummate gentleman for the six months that he courted Lily. Yet when he proposed, she rejected him because she thought he was too staid. She wanted passion in her life and she did not think he could give her that. He proved her wrong. This is a sweet sensual story full of hot kisses and warm embraces. It is light, fun and steamy! It’s such a treat, and the perfect little indulgence!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4,720 reviews41 followers
December 3, 2022
A rake in disguised.
Now this book is an entertaining read! She refused him because he was too proper and she wanted passion. He has been trying not to be his normal self he is a rake well if she wants passion he will give her passion. So he cooks up and plan and fun is had by all. This is quick story but such fun to read and yes dear reader there is some heat to it too. I liked the characters but I do admit Mr. Hastings has a special place in my heart. I did receive a free copy of this book from Booksprout and voluntarily chose to review it.
Profile Image for TheCatLady.
67 reviews1 follower
December 6, 2022
Somewhat farfetched but very entertaining novella. Simon is sexy, a little devilish and very determined. Lily is spirited and knows what she wants. This is explored through witty dialogue, an outrageous (for the time) situation and well detailed steamy scenes that manage to hover between affectionate and erotic.

Another thing I liked was a more complex use of side characters than I normally see in these shorter romances. Very well done and I would definitely read more by the author. I received a copy from Booksprout and chose to review.
88 reviews
December 8, 2022
The concept was cute. Simon accidentally friend-zones himself and has to rethink his techniques, because Lily is smart enough not to settle for ‘good enough’ in a relationship. It was fun to see Simon realize his choice of wife was truly perfect for him, since she wanted the kind of man he actually was, instead of the one he pretended to be. I just would’ve preferred more heat; the ‘passion’ was carefully portrayed and tamer than I’d hoped. But, for a regency Christmas book, it was still enjoyable.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Peggy.
2,120 reviews13 followers
December 10, 2022
Simon and Lily have been courting for six months, and he is ready to propose. Much to his surprise, and dismay, Lily says no. Lily wants passion in her marriage, and Simon is just too proper, and boring. Well, Simon, who is a rake and possesses a great deal of passion, needs a plan to convince Lily he is just what she wants. The plan is quite bold. Will it be enough to win Lily’s love? This is a cheery holiday tale filled with fun, a little steam, a bit of adventure, and some very charming characters.
I received an ARC of this book via BookSprout and am voluntarily reviewing it.
68 reviews
March 12, 2023
Story of the Seaford and Lily. There was proposal, a short courtship after dropping the facade and HEA.

A good, short, romantic read about a love/passion-seeking lady being swept off her feet by a highway man than a gentlemanly earl. I was intrigued by such and thus cause me to read this story. First from this author.

Intrigued and entertained. Recommend this sweet story (note Has mature scenes).

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Gloria Pastorino.
Author 82 books59 followers
November 22, 2022
A cute novella with a moral: always show your true self! Simon almost lost the love of his life because he hid his passionate side and he had to resort to a daring trick to win Lily over. I liked this novella: it’s well written and funny at times. The characters are lovable and the setting well described. A pleasant and quick read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
1,760 reviews45 followers
November 28, 2022
I read this in like a half hour! I liked the brevity of this short story and the fact that the author tried to give the characters life. The story concept is enticing, and I can see it as a longer book, I would read it again if it was expanded. The couple was cute, and their chemistry was hot, but there wasn't a huge plot happening in the background, but as I said earlier, it's a good quick read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Priscilla.
1,019 reviews
November 29, 2022
Lily rejected Simon's proposal because he lacked passion unbeknownst to her that he has been doing all he can to act as a gentleman. In order to show her his passionate side, he plans something special to show her. It was an incredibly short and definitely very adorable story for the holidays to enjoy with a cup of coffee.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
9,376 reviews140 followers
December 9, 2022
Lily and Simon courted for six months. He's been a perfect gentleman. She wants passion and refuses his proposal stating they were just friends. He sets out to prove her wrong, planning to seduce her and change her mind.
This is a well written book with strong characters, moves quickly and smoothly and is a great story.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
3,645 reviews17 followers
December 9, 2022
Simon courted Lily like a gentleman, but she didn’t want the staid man he presents. She wants a man who would show her passion. Simon’s servants were funny and helpful in his quest to win Lily’s hand. I liked that this wasn’t an instant love story. Simon and Lily liked each other and knew their interests, he just held back from showing her everything until she forces him to take risk in this steamy holiday novella romance.
Profile Image for Jenn Theis.
306 reviews1 follower
November 21, 2022
This was a decent romance. I find historical romance to be rather repetitive, there's only so many ways a lord and a lady can come together within the rules of polite society. This author employed a fun plot line to give a little life to the narrative.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for JudyAnnLovesBooks.
2,126 reviews77 followers
November 21, 2022
This book was such an adorable read! Lily is innocent in the ways of love but she knows what she wants. Simon is in over his head. He’s a lady’s man with zero experience with innocents. Together they make quite the team! I enjoyed watching them get their happily ever after. I’m giving 𝗔 𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗪𝗔𝗬𝗠𝗔𝗡 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗖𝗛𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗠𝗔𝗦 the judy.ann.loves.books stamp of approval, TBR and Enjoy!
2,426 reviews22 followers
November 22, 2022
Cute, cute, cute. I’ve read a few kidnap stories and really like this trope. This story is fun, flirty and sexy. Lily wants a rake (don’t we all) and Simon is going to give her one. A very sweet short story that will have you smiling. Perfect for Christmas.

I received a complimentary copy from Booksprout.
Profile Image for Courtney.
4,298 reviews
November 23, 2022
I just absolutely adore regency books. The time period, the culture, just... everything, seems otherworldly for me!

This author did not disappoint me with this historical romance. I was swept up and away with the chemistry of the main characters, and their storyline of finally coming back together! ❤️
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