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Between the Scandal Sheets: a friends to lovers historical romance
Two old friends with an arrangement of a yearly reunion at a masked ball, and otherwise separate lives. But what happens when feelings and familial connections complicate the plan? For fans of tropes like second chance, friends to lovers, secret letters, and banter.
265 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 10, 2026
About the author
Carly Kaye
4 books8 followersCarly Kaye is a Tennesse, US-based single mom and former English Teacher. When not spending time with her two kids, Carly also works as a freelance copy-editor and travel advisor, and spends her free time volunteering in her community, with friends and family, or in other worlds (aka reading). She was inspired to write a balance of humor, angst, spice, the different faces love wears, and yearning. Her debut is a redemption arc for a beloved character, but of all women who've experienced being given a label. You can look her up on socials: @carlywritesandreads
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 13, 2026
First my blurb, then my thoughts!
Two old friends with an arrangement of a yearly rendezvous at a masquerade, and otherwise separate lives. But what happens when feelings and familial connections complicate the plan?
Peregrine Winter – introvert, illegitimate heir, big brother, politician, Seven Dials King and Father Christmas – devoted his life to his little brother, a title that wasn’t his and the common man, for his heart was lost many moons prior to a love that could never be.
Tristan Valentine – rogue, jester, disinherited heir, adopted stray, scandal sheet writer, poet, Saint – grew up unwanted, cast aside, his true nature an unforgivable sin. Lost and found, he never settled, always the first to leave.
Friends since school, fate drew them apart. Years later scandal did the same. Still, nothing could break their secret bond. Not absence, not unanswered letters, not even a fiancée. Their love impossible, one night a year was all they had – until Perry ruined it.
But when tragedy strikes and Perry’s life crumbles, Tristan steps up. Taking the biggest leap of his life, he never expected the favour returned…
This novella spans two decades in the life of Peregrine and Tristan. It’s difficult summarising this tale without giving to much away, so I’ll tease with a few keywords...
Christmas at school, two lonely boys, fencing, chess, snowball cricket and library notes.
Three years pass. An accidental run-in, a stolen kiss and a tattling maid.
Scandal, disinherited, cast out, safe haven, found family, lost friend.
Unanswered letters and a kitten in a basket.
Little brother recovery mission, payback and a kingdom.
Working man, scandal sheet, redemption and a birthday masquerade.
Perry the politician of the common man, Tristan the tortured poet and rogue.
And this is where friends become lovers. Separated by circumstance, neither man’s life stood still yet their hearts still beat in sync – but theirs is a love that cannot be... except for that one night a year. Or can it?
Spicy and sweet with plenty of action and captivating twists, this was a lively and entertaining read. Theirs is a road riddled with potholes, but, for better or for worse, they’re soulmates and life has an uncanny way of guiding them back together.
What especially touched me was how vulnerable these two are in private. Where Perry is constipated, Tristan is a well of emotion. They tease, bicker and fight, but they’re so very connected and they both grow so much throughout this story. Simply beautiful!
About halfway through, the story starts entwining with A Lady of Means: A Steamy Historical Romance, and while not strictly necessary, reading that one first will add dimension. It’s part of the reason Perry and Tristan’s relationship moves to the next level – and eventually to a hard-earned but so satisfying happy end.
Two old friends with an arrangement of a yearly rendezvous at a masquerade, and otherwise separate lives. But what happens when feelings and familial connections complicate the plan?
Peregrine Winter – introvert, illegitimate heir, big brother, politician, Seven Dials King and Father Christmas – devoted his life to his little brother, a title that wasn’t his and the common man, for his heart was lost many moons prior to a love that could never be.
Tristan Valentine – rogue, jester, disinherited heir, adopted stray, scandal sheet writer, poet, Saint – grew up unwanted, cast aside, his true nature an unforgivable sin. Lost and found, he never settled, always the first to leave.
Friends since school, fate drew them apart. Years later scandal did the same. Still, nothing could break their secret bond. Not absence, not unanswered letters, not even a fiancée. Their love impossible, one night a year was all they had – until Perry ruined it.
But when tragedy strikes and Perry’s life crumbles, Tristan steps up. Taking the biggest leap of his life, he never expected the favour returned…
This novella spans two decades in the life of Peregrine and Tristan. It’s difficult summarising this tale without giving to much away, so I’ll tease with a few keywords...
Christmas at school, two lonely boys, fencing, chess, snowball cricket and library notes.
Three years pass. An accidental run-in, a stolen kiss and a tattling maid.
Scandal, disinherited, cast out, safe haven, found family, lost friend.
Unanswered letters and a kitten in a basket.
Little brother recovery mission, payback and a kingdom.
Working man, scandal sheet, redemption and a birthday masquerade.
Perry the politician of the common man, Tristan the tortured poet and rogue.
And this is where friends become lovers. Separated by circumstance, neither man’s life stood still yet their hearts still beat in sync – but theirs is a love that cannot be... except for that one night a year. Or can it?
Spicy and sweet with plenty of action and captivating twists, this was a lively and entertaining read. Theirs is a road riddled with potholes, but, for better or for worse, they’re soulmates and life has an uncanny way of guiding them back together.
What especially touched me was how vulnerable these two are in private. Where Perry is constipated, Tristan is a well of emotion. They tease, bicker and fight, but they’re so very connected and they both grow so much throughout this story. Simply beautiful!
About halfway through, the story starts entwining with A Lady of Means: A Steamy Historical Romance, and while not strictly necessary, reading that one first will add dimension. It’s part of the reason Perry and Tristan’s relationship moves to the next level – and eventually to a hard-earned but so satisfying happy end.
May 1, 2026
The Lord of Birds and the Lord of Scandal
“Between the Scandal Sheets” is the first book I have read by author Carly Kaye. This is book two in her series Roses and Rakes. I didn’t realize this was the second book in the series, however, I’m definitely sure this historical romance can be read as a standalone. This is an open door m/m romance that follows the lengthy journey of Tristan and Peregrine, both society gentlemen. The London ton could be brutal to those who dared to buck the system. It did take me awhile to really get into and want to stick with the story. The pace in the first half was slow, Peregrine and Tristan didn’t spend a lot of time together before scandal happened and they were forced to head in different directions. That said, I found the second half picked up the pace and focused on the two main characters. I did like Tristan and Peregrine, their personalities contrasted in all the right ways. I enjoyed most of their banter. I did want to feel more chemistry between them, at times they almost felt shy or antagonistic with one another. I found it quite amusing that Tristan was the author behind a scandal sheet. That was definitely an interesting choice of occupation after he was disowned, kicked out of his home, and left penniless. I was definitely glad that friends and family were supportive. The intimate scenes between Tristan and Peregrine were well composed and super steamy. There were many secondary characters that were important to the story, especially Peregrine’s younger brother, Devyn. Peregrine was especially protective and it showed in his life choices. I was quite satisfied with Tristan and Peregrine’s happy ever after. Overall, the story contained some ups and downs, some good and bad making me confident with the four star rating.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review, my thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
“Between the Scandal Sheets” is the first book I have read by author Carly Kaye. This is book two in her series Roses and Rakes. I didn’t realize this was the second book in the series, however, I’m definitely sure this historical romance can be read as a standalone. This is an open door m/m romance that follows the lengthy journey of Tristan and Peregrine, both society gentlemen. The London ton could be brutal to those who dared to buck the system. It did take me awhile to really get into and want to stick with the story. The pace in the first half was slow, Peregrine and Tristan didn’t spend a lot of time together before scandal happened and they were forced to head in different directions. That said, I found the second half picked up the pace and focused on the two main characters. I did like Tristan and Peregrine, their personalities contrasted in all the right ways. I enjoyed most of their banter. I did want to feel more chemistry between them, at times they almost felt shy or antagonistic with one another. I found it quite amusing that Tristan was the author behind a scandal sheet. That was definitely an interesting choice of occupation after he was disowned, kicked out of his home, and left penniless. I was definitely glad that friends and family were supportive. The intimate scenes between Tristan and Peregrine were well composed and super steamy. There were many secondary characters that were important to the story, especially Peregrine’s younger brother, Devyn. Peregrine was especially protective and it showed in his life choices. I was quite satisfied with Tristan and Peregrine’s happy ever after. Overall, the story contained some ups and downs, some good and bad making me confident with the four star rating.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review, my thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
April 28, 2026
I am reading this series out of order, from the intro this is a side story to the first in the series, but I didn't feel the absence.
I didn't know what to expect from this when I picked it up, but found that I liked the writing - it had an easy and driving flow to it. Engaging. Good character building with depth and painting a picture of their world (scandals and twists and pining and all). The only stumbling block was at first I had trouble keeping track of who was who because 2 or 3 names where used for the same characters in the first chapter which sorted itself out quickly enough.
Now I'm doing things backwards and will go read the first in the series.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I didn't know what to expect from this when I picked it up, but found that I liked the writing - it had an easy and driving flow to it. Engaging. Good character building with depth and painting a picture of their world (scandals and twists and pining and all). The only stumbling block was at first I had trouble keeping track of who was who because 2 or 3 names where used for the same characters in the first chapter which sorted itself out quickly enough.
Now I'm doing things backwards and will go read the first in the series.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 25, 2026
Book 2 of the Roses and Rakes series.
'If you enjoy tropes like: friends to lovers, second chance, banter, and secret letters; this book is for you.'
The characters were very appealing. Plot was intriguing. World building was solidly drawn. All in all a very good read. Recommend.
Grab a copy!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
'If you enjoy tropes like: friends to lovers, second chance, banter, and secret letters; this book is for you.'
The characters were very appealing. Plot was intriguing. World building was solidly drawn. All in all a very good read. Recommend.
Grab a copy!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 9, 2026
I’m a sucker for yearning, pining and all the stolen touches.
April 25, 2026
I loved this so much! Their reunion turned into so much more. And I’m so glad it did. They were perfect. So sweet, so loving. An absolutely wonderful read.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews