What do you think?
Rate this book
Scandalous Sisters #2
Charity Nightingale Heals Her Husband
Charity Nightingale, once a courtesan of some renown, has retired from her career with enough funds to see her through the rest of her days. What she wants more than anything else is a peaceful, comfortable life. What she gets is a chance meeting with the husband she believed had died years and years ago.
Captain Anthony Sharp has returned to England at last, after a family tragedy has unexpectedly made him a duke. The last person he expects to encounter upon his return is the woman he took to wife some sixteen years ago, whom he thought had long predeceased him.
Charity doesn't want to be a duchess. Anthony needs a wife and an heir. But Charity has got a soft spot for the lonely, battle-scarred man who has replaced the young soldier she knew so briefly a lifetime ago. In return for his assistance in seeking the annulment which will put an end to their inconvenient marriage, Charity agrees to teach her husband the skills he will need to find a love match on the marriage mart—but can she avoid becoming seduced by a lover of her own making?
Captain Anthony Sharp has returned to England at last, after a family tragedy has unexpectedly made him a duke. The last person he expects to encounter upon his return is the woman he took to wife some sixteen years ago, whom he thought had long predeceased him.
Charity doesn't want to be a duchess. Anthony needs a wife and an heir. But Charity has got a soft spot for the lonely, battle-scarred man who has replaced the young soldier she knew so briefly a lifetime ago. In return for his assistance in seeking the annulment which will put an end to their inconvenient marriage, Charity agrees to teach her husband the skills he will need to find a love match on the marriage mart—but can she avoid becoming seduced by a lover of her own making?
250 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 16, 2025
32 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Want to read
July 21, 2025Interesting. FMC is a courtesan while MMC is the less experience one 👏
June 17, 2025
I have been waiting for Charitys book for a long while since she was first introduced as the mistress in a deal with a notorious devil. I love how in that book and then in her sister’s, Mercy’s, book she had a way of helping the leads understand their feelings and seek their love and happiness. I wanted Charity to have a HEA so badly.
Here, you need to suspend disbelief so if you want a historically accurate book or a book that’s been thoroughly edited, this book isn’t for you. However, if you can get past that, this is a beautiful book.
First, charity is the courtesan with a heart of gold. Though it’s not explicitly dealt with all the trauma she has that has made her feel she’s not good enough, the book does enough discussing of her background for you to understand that Charity is not going to understand feelings easily.
At one point Anthony our MMC is defending Charity from his mothers and extols about her virtues and how good of a person she is. He does say that maybe she doesn’t have a heart of gold but she’s got so many other qualities. I’m not sure that I agree, I think Charity does have a heart of gold. She constantly looks out for her people and takes care of them. Charity has every right to be hard hearted but honestly she’s quite open and sweet but not a doormat and I love that about her. She wasn’t perfect and didn’t always behave ideally but she was just a good strong person who seemed real.
Anthony was broody but not so overtly broody that it was off putting. He really did learn to have some confidence in himself so at no point did he push Charity away and at the end he believed in her and himself enough to not doubt his feelings and not take a chance on confirming charity’s feelings for him.
The best part of the book is watching Charitys and Anthony’s relationship develop. We get to spend so much time with them talking and with them just existing in their own bubble that you really believe how they developed comfort, friendship and then love. I loved the time they spent together being somewhat domestic and just existing with each other. I loved that Anthony listened to Charity, took her opinion seriously and respected her. Charity deserved that. She really deserved this HEA and it was earned. I’m glad this was a sweet, slow romance for her.
Here, you need to suspend disbelief so if you want a historically accurate book or a book that’s been thoroughly edited, this book isn’t for you. However, if you can get past that, this is a beautiful book.
First, charity is the courtesan with a heart of gold. Though it’s not explicitly dealt with all the trauma she has that has made her feel she’s not good enough, the book does enough discussing of her background for you to understand that Charity is not going to understand feelings easily.
At one point Anthony our MMC is defending Charity from his mothers and extols about her virtues and how good of a person she is. He does say that maybe she doesn’t have a heart of gold but she’s got so many other qualities. I’m not sure that I agree, I think Charity does have a heart of gold. She constantly looks out for her people and takes care of them. Charity has every right to be hard hearted but honestly she’s quite open and sweet but not a doormat and I love that about her. She wasn’t perfect and didn’t always behave ideally but she was just a good strong person who seemed real.
Anthony was broody but not so overtly broody that it was off putting. He really did learn to have some confidence in himself so at no point did he push Charity away and at the end he believed in her and himself enough to not doubt his feelings and not take a chance on confirming charity’s feelings for him.
The best part of the book is watching Charitys and Anthony’s relationship develop. We get to spend so much time with them talking and with them just existing in their own bubble that you really believe how they developed comfort, friendship and then love. I loved the time they spent together being somewhat domestic and just existing with each other. I loved that Anthony listened to Charity, took her opinion seriously and respected her. Charity deserved that. She really deserved this HEA and it was earned. I’m glad this was a sweet, slow romance for her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2025
This was different than most of Richards’ stories. There was very little angst. I liked our unconventional pariah of a heroine. I enjoyed how non-judgmental the Hero was. It was a sweet story.
June 23, 2025
The H and h met and married on a battlefield sixteen years ago. The H sustained life threatening injuries, lost an eye and his face was stitched by the h who was assisting a doctor. There was little hope for the H's survival so he offered marriage to the h to provide his name and free her from her abusive father. The h and H became separated when she developed cholera. Each thought that the other had died.
Sixteen years later, the H returns to England when he unexpectedly becomes a new Duke after a boating accident claims his father and two older brothers. The h has recently retired from her profession as a courtesan.
The h and H explore the legal ramifications of their marriage and decide the most discreet option is to seek an annulment. Visiting the H after dark, the h helps the H learn to deal with his disfigurement, dance and engage in polite conversation with a goal of courting a suitable lady of the ton after his marriage ends. While learning together, the h and H discover that they suit each other very well.
Sixteen years later, the H returns to England when he unexpectedly becomes a new Duke after a boating accident claims his father and two older brothers. The h has recently retired from her profession as a courtesan.
The h and H explore the legal ramifications of their marriage and decide the most discreet option is to seek an annulment. Visiting the H after dark, the h helps the H learn to deal with his disfigurement, dance and engage in polite conversation with a goal of courting a suitable lady of the ton after his marriage ends. While learning together, the h and H discover that they suit each other very well.
August 11, 2025
Second in a series. Similar to the previous, the author applies 21st century psychological concepts (in this book PTSD, in the previous book it was ADHD) to 19th century characters. She’s also very optimistic about how open-minded people might have been. But I enjoyed the sweet, steamy story. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon.
December 12, 2025
I wanted to like this book.
I really did.
It was just so damn vanilla.
It's a romance-lessons book (with some spice) but to be honest, it's kinda boring. It's necessary, for the series, to read because part of it is in book #1 & book #3 (which I'm reading now) but it doesn't get good until the last quarter of the book. I felt like Charity was written as a goddess and Andrew was written as like an ogre (looks-wise) and it felt a little exaggerated. We did get the "Aydra of yore" grovel, which is ALWAYS a delight, and the ending of the book is ADORABLE.
But yeah. Meh on the book. Solid 3 stars.
I really did.
It was just so damn vanilla.
It's a romance-lessons book (with some spice) but to be honest, it's kinda boring. It's necessary, for the series, to read because part of it is in book #1 & book #3 (which I'm reading now) but it doesn't get good until the last quarter of the book. I felt like Charity was written as a goddess and Andrew was written as like an ogre (looks-wise) and it felt a little exaggerated. We did get the "Aydra of yore" grovel, which is ALWAYS a delight, and the ending of the book is ADORABLE.
But yeah. Meh on the book. Solid 3 stars.
June 24, 2025
4.5 stars. So beautiful. Everything about this book was great. The confident, former courtesan healing her surprise husband’s family dynamics and self esteem, while the two of them grow to love each other while on an annulment journey… unique storyline, well done.
July 2, 2025
perfection
I love an opposites attract book…add in a hero who is very eager to please and I TORE through this one! So good. Can’t wait for Felicity’s book.
I love an opposites attract book…add in a hero who is very eager to please and I TORE through this one! So good. Can’t wait for Felicity’s book.
June 20, 2025
3.5
Charity is a favorite amongst fans of Richards and I was glad this book seemed to honor that well. Turns out she’s married and to a Duke at that. In process of working toward an annulment, said Duke asks her to help him find a proper woman to marry and how to woo and pleasure her enough to make up for his scarred appearance and uncouth manners. I wish we had spent more time with Anthony in society - it felt like his development outside of being around Charity was a little limited since he only ever tried to woo one woman and only briefly. I also think some of the logistics of their arrangements and the way some plots with their families and friends unfurled felt a little stilted and like they weren’t delved into as deeply as they could have been.
Charity is a favorite amongst fans of Richards and I was glad this book seemed to honor that well. Turns out she’s married and to a Duke at that. In process of working toward an annulment, said Duke asks her to help him find a proper woman to marry and how to woo and pleasure her enough to make up for his scarred appearance and uncouth manners. I wish we had spent more time with Anthony in society - it felt like his development outside of being around Charity was a little limited since he only ever tried to woo one woman and only briefly. I also think some of the logistics of their arrangements and the way some plots with their families and friends unfurled felt a little stilted and like they weren’t delved into as deeply as they could have been.
October 2, 2025
Very good, very well. Lovely, unconventional FMC (a courtesan) and a gentle, scarred MMC, who doesn't mind being taught some sessions in passion and being called 'a good boy' every now and then.
It wasn't the most riveting story, but it was endearing in its role reversal where the fmc is the experienced one and the mmc is a virtual virgin.
Extra bonus points for the mmc not being reluctant about falling in love. He frankly admits that he years to love, which is so against 99% of mmc's in hr. A good man, this one.
It wasn't the most riveting story, but it was endearing in its role reversal where the fmc is the experienced one and the mmc is a virtual virgin.
Extra bonus points for the mmc not being reluctant about falling in love. He frankly admits that he years to love, which is so against 99% of mmc's in hr. A good man, this one.
July 19, 2025
Found screenshots by this author in a discord where she mocks Palestinian people for their suffering and grief.
What a loser. There’s no space for racism here.
What a loser. There’s no space for racism here.
October 6, 2025
All smut scenes here are great. Like all-round great: the premises, motivations, tension, descriptions - five-star. The under-balcony scene… Holy mother of God! I’ll keep that one close to my heart.
Another great part is the contrast between the hypocritical scorn the FMC faces from the clerics and the calm and respectful acceptance of her by the MMC. She lived her life by whatever means were available to her, so no big deal - how cool is that? (Also, I just hate those clerics. Just hate them).
There are a couple of petty complains though:
First is the misuse of the “duke” title; it’s used not as a position in 1831 England (even in an imaginary one), which would bring definite conditions to the story, but more like some desperate historical-romance-marketing sh*t or something. Understandable, but tiring to read yet another time.
Second is the communication between the FMC’s friends, which feels like something from a ‘90s US sitcom. Yikes! That’ll throw you right out of the story and into the sad reality around us, just by the sheer force of association. And it requires some mental exertion to overlook. I mean, yes, it could be done, but such exercises usually land me in a reader’s slump, so I generally try to avoid them.
Plot coherence: 6/10
Steam quality: 10/10
Communication: between MCs 9/10, with others 3/10
Historical accuracy: 3/10
Is it an okay read for someone with anxiety? Mostly yes (there are some flashbacks to early 19th-century medical practices, but if you are squeamish, you could skip them without harm to the actual plot).
Another great part is the contrast between the hypocritical scorn the FMC faces from the clerics and the calm and respectful acceptance of her by the MMC. She lived her life by whatever means were available to her, so no big deal - how cool is that? (Also, I just hate those clerics. Just hate them).
There are a couple of petty complains though:
First is the misuse of the “duke” title; it’s used not as a position in 1831 England (even in an imaginary one), which would bring definite conditions to the story, but more like some desperate historical-romance-marketing sh*t or something. Understandable, but tiring to read yet another time.
Second is the communication between the FMC’s friends, which feels like something from a ‘90s US sitcom. Yikes! That’ll throw you right out of the story and into the sad reality around us, just by the sheer force of association. And it requires some mental exertion to overlook. I mean, yes, it could be done, but such exercises usually land me in a reader’s slump, so I generally try to avoid them.
Plot coherence: 6/10
Steam quality: 10/10
Communication: between MCs 9/10, with others 3/10
Historical accuracy: 3/10
Is it an okay read for someone with anxiety? Mostly yes (there are some flashbacks to early 19th-century medical practices, but if you are squeamish, you could skip them without harm to the actual plot).
October 6, 2025
“Charity Nightingale Heals Her Husband” is the story of Charity and Anthony.
Our heroine is a retired courtesan, who lives her life on her terms after years of suffering. She stumbles across the hero, a scarred Duke whose life she had once saved, and who is her long dead husband.
Thus begins an unlikely friendship between an experienced strong heroine and a naive sweet hero, filled based on the promise of an annulment. We have seduction lessons, jealousy, midnight trysts, angst, drama and a happy ending.
The supportive characters were all amazing- I love how each of them contributed to the main storyline and how even the judgmental ones learned to get over their prejudices.
The heroine is a badass, it is a pleasure to read a confident, mature heroine who is not ashamed of her past and can express her opinions and desires. She has her own trauma but does not let it debilitate her.
The hero is recovering from years of confidence issues and isolation, and the heroine is a perfect balm to his soul- healing him and every relationship around him. I loved how he wasn’t shown as even the tiniest bit angry or opinionated about her past- he was in fact her biggest champion.
A lovely book
Unsafe by definition/ safe for me
5/5
Our heroine is a retired courtesan, who lives her life on her terms after years of suffering. She stumbles across the hero, a scarred Duke whose life she had once saved, and who is her long dead husband.
Thus begins an unlikely friendship between an experienced strong heroine and a naive sweet hero, filled based on the promise of an annulment. We have seduction lessons, jealousy, midnight trysts, angst, drama and a happy ending.
The supportive characters were all amazing- I love how each of them contributed to the main storyline and how even the judgmental ones learned to get over their prejudices.
The heroine is a badass, it is a pleasure to read a confident, mature heroine who is not ashamed of her past and can express her opinions and desires. She has her own trauma but does not let it debilitate her.
The hero is recovering from years of confidence issues and isolation, and the heroine is a perfect balm to his soul- healing him and every relationship around him. I loved how he wasn’t shown as even the tiniest bit angry or opinionated about her past- he was in fact her biggest champion.
A lovely book
Unsafe by definition/ safe for me
5/5
August 7, 2025
I bow to this author’s way with words, and this book just adds to my writer fandom. Another fabulous, well written story with strong women characters, and men not afraid to love them. So good.
*Because romance is very subjective, and ratings systems not conducive to that, but because writers depend on reviews, I rate as such:
Five stars for a well written book I loved
Four stars for a book I liked
Three stars for a book others might enjoy even if it might not have been my cup of tea.
Writing is damn hard. Readers like what we like. Not all books are for everyone. Be kind.
*Because romance is very subjective, and ratings systems not conducive to that, but because writers depend on reviews, I rate as such:
Five stars for a well written book I loved
Four stars for a book I liked
Three stars for a book others might enjoy even if it might not have been my cup of tea.
Writing is damn hard. Readers like what we like. Not all books are for everyone. Be kind.
July 27, 2025
a man who respects a woman!! truly so cute and A+ spice actually not egregious and actually impacted characters feelings and the story. I was once again tortured with something of a cliffhanger for the younger sisters fate and that could have just happened at the beginning of the next book instead of now but it makes sense we couldn't get much of an epilogue with the sisters fate so urgently unknown.
anyways cute book and got to see all the Beaumont brides girlies who I love
anyways cute book and got to see all the Beaumont brides girlies who I love
December 3, 2025
I really loved the unapologetic, confident FMC and the earnest, loving MMC! I think personally the ‘coaching/tutoring’ trope is not for me however and there were a lot of characters thrown in that made things a bit hazy. I wish there was more focus on the MCs. But I enjoyed the sweetness and two people learning to love and also to accept it in return ❤️
June 23, 2025
Well ,this book was one of the best I've read in awhile. I laughed, I cried I really felt sympathy for some of them. Captain and Miss Nightingale so perfect for each other like star crossed lovers. I highly anticipate the next book quickly, please
June 27, 2025
A novel setup— the hero and heroine were married in their youth but both thought the other was dead. The heroine made her money as a high class courtesan and our hero lived his life practically in seclusion.
November 21, 2025
This book sure did healed me. Absolutely love Charity, she’s a woman to be reckoned with and she knows her value and knows her own mind and sexuality. Which is very rare in historical romance. I love this!! Have high expectation for this series.
More heroine like Charity please! 🫶
More heroine like Charity please! 🫶
June 19, 2025
A good book, a good plot and I think I will read more from this author.
September 2, 2025
I thought that this was a sweet and tender book!
Read
December 8, 2025DNF. Supposed to be a romance but got erotica instead. Not my thing.
December 26, 2025
Extremely enjoyable I love courtesans
January 20, 2026
unbelievable, but lovable all the same
October 26, 2025
This was sweet and nice and as always, well written. I was missing a bit of tension and drama though and just didn’t like the mother at all to even accept the redemption arc. Very excited for Felicity!
October 6, 2025
Miss Richards yet again writes a brilliant book. I loved how gentle this book was, their relationship was so natural. 5/5
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews