Scandalous

by Candace Camp

A MAN WITHOUT A PAST

Who was the stranger on her doorstep?
Why was someone trying to kill him?
And what had happened to his memory?

A WOMAN WITH A SECRET

She had always been a model of propriety, the dutiful daughter and loving sister who put her family above all else. No one had guessed at the shocking secret she kept hidden ... or the desire that would burn inside her at this stranger's touch.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Regency Romance, Regency

400 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Candace Camp is the New York Times bestselling author of over sixty books.

Her first novel, *Bonds of Love*, was published by Jove Publishing in 1978, under the pseudonym Lisa Gregory. Two pseudonyms (Kristin James and Sharon Stephens)and many books later, Candace writes under her own name Candace Camp and still loves creating stories.

Candace lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband and is the mother of Young Adult author Anastasia Hopcus.

Reviews

[Becca · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story had such a promising beginning, but the heroine managed to ruin everything.

Chapter 1 opens with Priscilla, a country girl of genteel, but poor family, opening her door and finding an injured, naked man on her doorstep with no memory of who he is. The attraction is immediate and the man ends up staying with Priscilla and her governess and absent-minded father as they strive to unravel who he is and who is out to harm him. The first chapters held steam, witty banter, and intrigue and I really enjoyed it, but sadly, this did not last long.

The mystery was predictable but still would have been enjoyable because of the sexy hero, silly secondary characters, and fun, small town British countryside setting. There are also a few love stories going on, but those never detract from the main romance. All these are fun things that set up the groundwork for a fun story reminiscent of Amanda Quick.

So why the low rating? The heroine.

She started off likable, but soon began a downward spiral into TSTL territory. Aside from cheating on the hero (thank heavens she didn't go there or she would've been the dumbest heroine I have ever read about), Priscilla checked every box for behavior in a heroine that drives me nuts:
-She demands to go with the hero during his investigations, even though it is dangerous and risky for her reputation.
-When hero goes without her because it is dangerous, she pouts about it and goes somewhere alone, getting herself kidnapped.
-She jumps to conclusions and thinks the worst of the hero at every opportunity (e.g., when the hero's memory finally returns she immediately assumes he has been faking it and she runs off in a huff).
-She sleeps with the hero TWICE and then refuses to marry him because he hasn't said "I love you" (but he has certainly showed devotion in numerous other ways).

Need I go on? I only finished this because I wanted to know if I was right about the mysteries (I was) and because the hero was fun to read about. I am not sure what he saw in the heroine, but I did revel in it when he would finally put Priscilla in her place and call her out on her tunnel vision and stubbornness.

The story was still easy to read and there were bright spots in it, but the heroine's behavior really took down the rating. GR friends that can't stand stupid heroines should avoid this one.

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Can I just start by wondering at the sheer volume of romance novels named "Scandalous?" Many are just that -- the single word. Others use the word "scandal" combined with other words. I did a search for "Scandalous" on goodreads and this book was the 5th listed. Out of 539 results.

I'm beginning to think I've read at least a hundred of them myself. And I'm sure (hope) there's an exception out there, but so often, it's a misleading title. It's like romance publishers know romance readers (and the average human being) are drawn to scandal, and so they strongarm the author into naming it "Scandalous" or whatever.

So, title aside, I was pretty much unaffected by this book. A guy who doesn't remember who he is collapses on Priscilla's doorstep. They spend much of the book trying to figure out who he is (which I knew by about 1/4 of the way through), there's a murder (that I solved by about 1/4 of the way through). There's some sex, which didn't really interest me. The big "scandal" is mostly that Priscilla write adventure novels under a pseudonym. *gasp*

Another disappointment from an author I've enjoyed in the past. That's two in one week. Time to try a new author, I think. :)

[Desi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. The sex in this book was really inappropriate, like legit action movie “Aren’t you supposed to be running! Is this really the time for that?” inappropriate. And incredibly disrespectful of his role as a guest to the family that had taken him in.

Me throughout the entire book- “Like now? You choose now for this? You have energy for sex but not to walk back to the house? Your father thinks you’ve been kidnapped! Seriously, y’all are napping after?”

Good book and characters otherwise. Fun and amusing. But seriously, the author needed to rethink sex scene placement! It was legitimately always obnoxious against what was happening, in pace, escalation and general realism.

Despite this irritant, I quite liked both leads, and the amnesia trope was surprisingly angst free.

[Tammy Walton Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I lowered my rating a bit from when I first read this book years ago, but my tastes have changed since then and I seem to like my books darker and 'angstier' nowadays.

Still, an entertaining way to spend an afternoon!

With quite a few of my favourite plot devices -- a bluestocking/spinster type with a secret, a handsome rogue with amnesia, a missing duke and some pretty good chemisty (not to mention a fever and an excellent spongebath!) this one stays on my keeper shelf.

And the hero's name is Bryan. I don't tend to care for that name in real life, but it works pretty well for me here ;).

[LaFleurBleue · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book fits into the distraction with not much substance category, as I knew it would from the first page onwards.
A romance with more adventure than real depth of feelings, a plot based on action with no character development. And anyway no real characterization, with most characters looking like caricatures of themselves. Obviously historical realism is not a major concern and can be used as a convention when required and totally forgotten when it did not fit with the purpose. This is a genre some readers deeply enjoy, though it's not my favorite by far.
By the end of the book, there are 3 weddings to be celebrated, everything ended up like it should have, very conveniently. At each kiss or steamy scene, I kept rolling my eyes, thinking "wow they really know how to pick their moment"... And those did not really work for me.
This was my first from Ms. Camp. I will not rush, nor specifically search for another one from her, though I might read a cheapie.
2.5 stars

[Lori D · Rating 5 out of 5]

"There was a Naked Man on her Doorstep." Then he collapsed and looked up at her. "Help me." Yes that got my attention with this mystery that was about to unfold. Priscilla had been sitting there reading when she heard pounding on the front door.
He doesn't remember who he is and as determined, strong Priscilla takes care of him, a spark ignites. More like like a fire but he worries he may not be able to commit to her.
Can I just say this started out great and I love the characters and their witty banter. I really could not put it down once I started and as the mystery unfolds as to who the hero is and what is going on, it only got better!
Of course what do you expect with a tale by the fabulous Candace Camp? Amazing!

[anastasia ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

i ate that shit UP!!! sometimes the best books are the ones you buy for one dollar at the thrift store that have literally 600 ratings and 100 reviews on goodreads

“personally, i find i like my women with thorns. as with roses, it makes them all the more desirable” actually kill me now john wolfe i’m in love with you

also priscilla hamilton i’m literally obsessed with YOU. just as much as with john (if not more so). i love love LOVE feminine heroines who are not afraid to put a man in his place, who make her opinion known and known well, yet also have so much love and kindness in her heart!!! eeee!!! my gorgeous adventuring girl

also the way this (historical) nov approaches feminism / women’s rights / sexuality is my new roman empire. ugh, SO GOOD! i mean the book isn’t called “scandalous” for nothing. obviously it would’ve been scandalous for an unmarried couple to kiss, but i love how they handle it - no shame detected. when john (teasingly) tells her she tempted him with her lips, priscilla says this:

“ha! that sounds just like a man, laying the blame on the woman! as if it had nothing to do with you! well, let me set you straight. i did not tempt you into anything. you did it of your own free will, just as i did.” QUEEN!! ICON!!

obviously this book had all the cheese. if you’re expecting a plausible and totally realistic and 100% historically accurate novel, this is def not the novel for you lol. everything probably tied up a little too perfect ;) but also HELLOOO this is a historical romance novel written in the 90s and thus met my expectations flawlessly. obviously we have the main love story of priscilla and “john wolfe” (whose real name is bryan, which threw me for the rest of the book lol, cause i was so used to seeing “john.” every time i read bryan, i was like who the hell is this dude??) as well as a beautiful second chance romance concerning priscilla’s friend which nearly brought tears to my eyes. it was SO well done. and then a “she fell first he fell harder” relationship. these rounded out the story very well. i like how easily candace camp switched between perspectives — it could’ve been very disorienting and overwhelming but was not tbh!!

there were several major twists and turns - all of which i guessed except one, which made me gasp out loud so hard i startled my grandmother. it kept me on my toes the whole time. i devoured this story like someone was chasing me. also the love scenes were so tender and gorgeous and heartfelt and i am now patiently waiting for my own handsome rugged stranger to stumble naked and feverish onto my doorstep…

candace i was not familiar with your work but am definitely familiar now 👀

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scandalous
Candace Camp
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

He's a strange man who's just showed up on Priscilla's door step completely naked and then promptly passes out. Who is he? And why is he naked and beat up to boot? Was someone trying to kill him? When he wakes up there is a little bit of a scuffle between the stranger and Priscilla. He has no idea who she is and if she is working with them? But who are they she asks? He can't tell her though and not because he doesn't want to. It seems that he has no memory of who he is. So what happened to his memory? What sort of trauma did he suffer through? Now he's going to have to unravel this mystery and find out who he is and why someone would want him dead.

Priscilla has always been the model of propriety the dutiful daughter, and the loving sister who puts her family above any and all things including herself. But things are not always as they appear. You see she is a woman with a secret. Nobody has ever guessed at the shocking secret she has kept hidden or the desire that burns inside her everytime this stranger touches her.

Candace Camp never ceases to amaze me. This book was absolutely brilliant. It had me hooked from the get go and just kept getting better and better as the story unfolded right in front of my eyes. Bryan and Priscilla were so adorable. No matter what he wanted her to do or not do it didn't matter because it was her way or the highway. She was one feisty lady who had no qualms about speaking her thoughts out loud weather it was the right time or the wrong time. She loved to get the last word in and since I myself am told I'm like that it just made her all that much more likeable to me. Bryan loved her and was not going to give up on asking her to marry him and she was so terrified of her shocking secret getting out she kept saying no to him. Finally she relents and tells him her deep dark secret thinking he's going to run far away from her, but it has the opposite effect and has him loving her even more. So as you can see this story has it's happy ever after which is something that always leaves me with a wistful smile on my face. Ms. Camp you have written a gem of a book and I'm so happy that I took the time to read it.

[Monika · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is entertaining; even though it is predictable. I had no problem solving the mystery. But I had fun doing it. I loved the hero. However, the heroine got on my nerves by acting pretty stupid most of the time. Getting that reaction out of me is a writing talent not all authors have. Thank you, Ms. Camp, for another entertaining story.

[Angélica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me encanto! Tiene aventura, misterio, amor... un cóctel adictivo sin dudas.

[Gerrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I debated between giving this book two or three stars. It's probably about a 2.5. Ms. Camp is a very fine writer. There was a lot to enjoy about this book, and there were some very interesting elements in the plot. There were two mysteries: why the hero had been attacked and abducted; and which of the gentlemen in the area had killed a pregnant servant 30 years before.

The attack on the hero leaves him with amnesia. However, once the hero - and reader - discovered who he is, the answer to the first mystery became fairly apparent. Also, the author left some pretty obvious clues. However, it was still very well done, and I enjoyed the reading about the first mystery and its resolution. And the solution to the second mystery was far more subtle.

Further, the secondary characters were likable and well drawn, and the triangle involving the heroine's companion and eccentric scientist father was delightful. I also liked the hero. He was very engaging, and he loved the heroine's intelligence, and relished their intellectual sparring. The fact that he was an American made his attitude at that time period credible.

My problem was the heroine. She was fine for about the first third of the book. But then she decides she can't marry the hero, with whom she's head over heels in love. The reason for her refusal to marry him, despite his repeated entreaties, was totally ridiculous, especially given the time period of the novel, which is sometime in the last quarter of the 19th century. She's hiding something from the hero that she believes will cause him scandal if they marry, but I think it's something that was accepted by polite society at that time in history.

I also had a problem with the sex scenes. Yes, yes, of course unmarried people had sex in the 19th Century. However, the heroine, who certainly was a member of the gentry class, blithely gave her virginity to the hero, before there'd been any talk of love between the two of them. This is really more late 20th century/21st Century behavior. Unwed pregnancy was such a shame and scandal that I don't think women casually fell in lust and jumped into bed in Victorian England. The heroine was not in least concerned about becoming pregnant, which also didn't seem authentic for that time. I felt that the hero and heroine could have fallen in love with each other without all the gratuitous sex. In fact, it would have been more believable to see them fall in love rather than substitute lust for love.

[Doreen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Obvious plot, but what did it for me was the character of the heroine's father. I am so tired of eccentric scientists with wild hair, who forget about meals and sleep and explode their laboratories at regular intervals. This is Enid Blytonland, I expected the Famous Five to rush in at any moment, demanding ginger beer and cake.

[dakotapie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stereotypical characters
Predictable plot
Ridiculous scandal

And yet I found it enjoyable? I'm befuddled on this one.

[Amana Shahid Ullah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first proper book by Candace Camp and I liked it.

The book had a very good premise, a man shows up at Priscilla Hamilton's door late one night and faints away at her feet. Our heroine then proceeds to take him in and treat him, only to discover he has lost his memories and has no clue who he is or why he was there.

Thus starts our story of trying to discover who this nameless man is, along with other mysteries and side stories added in.

It was all going fine until Priscilla just up and really pissed me off. I mean, come on. That man goes one day without taking you with him, and this madam decides to huff and puff and gets herself kidnapped. That was purely childish behavior. And then, she irritated me some more until I felt like hitting her over the head and knock some sense into her. For someone so smart and clever, she sure can be presumptuous and dumb.

John Wolf, ahem, I mean Bryan, on the other hand was the man. He is charming, caring, brave and definitely swoon worthy. I really like his character which is why at some point I didn't want him to end up with Priscilla. That man deserved better.

The side stories were cute, and the obvious mystery was at best predictable. I was dead on when u guessed the real killer so I was laughing when they discovered who it was that really killed Rose Childs.

All in all, it was an a-okay book, could've been better with a much more likeable heroine.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first read by Candace Camp. She knows how to hook a new reader. While it took me a long time to get into my last read by a favorite author, Camp had me at the first sentence: "There was a naked man on the porch." Our hero had been kidnapped and beaten and had amnesia. Our heroine Priscilla nurses him back to health and the rest is romance history. This book was written in the 1990s but has stood the test of time in my opinion. Unlike many books of that decade, our heroine is a strong woman, an undercover bluestocking author whose witty exchanges with our hero endear her to him. I will look forward to more books by Candace Camp.

[Lisa Arnold · Rating 3 out of 5]

Think romantic comedy, the plot is so outrageous that it's funny, a naked stranger who claims to have been abducted arrives at the front door and promptly collapses, turns out he has been hit over the head and lost his memory. The family decide to pretend he is a relative from America but he turns out to be from an aristocratic family. The girl is afraid that marrying her will ruin the families reputation, in between breaking into houses and being caught in priest holes this is definitely an adventure story from a different time. Lighthearted and enjoyable but not something I would rush to read again.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a little crazy and a bit "old school" but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

[susana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nota Geral: 3/5
Escrita: 3.5
Cenário: 3.5
Originalidade: 3
Personagens: 3
Suspense: 3
Humor: 3
Romance: 3.5
Capa: 3
Aditivo: 3
Previsível: 2.5

[Ryan Mackay · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you remove the last 20% conflict, this was really fun! Priscilla drove me up a wall during the past but but I’ll forgive it.

[Senorita · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. HEROINE TSTL

[KYReader · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a slog. I liked the beginning but the middle and end did not hold my attention.

[Eli · Rating 1 out of 5]

Supongo que sería de los primeros libros de esta autora. Malísimo

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

En realidad 3,75

[Cristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me ha gustado, pero menos que los anteriores. Se me ha hecho un poco pesado, aunque la historia es original, da algún giro y te mantiene enganchada.

[Faith Williams-Rauch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I never really read a romance novel because I was nervous about the sexual scenes but I decided to try it and it wasn't bad at all! There were only about two scenes that were remotely "bad" and the author did a great job with the word choice and not making the audience feel too uncomfortable. I also liked that it wasn't just all about sex and love. It was a story and was executed very well :) I can't wait to read more from this author!

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

When a naked man lands on her doorstep begging for help, Priscilla takes him in and cares for him. He doesn't know his name. He doesn't know how he was injured. The only thing he is sure of is he had been kidnapped and held in a shed in the woods. Priscilla names him John. Together they try to discover John's true identity and find out who wants him out of the picture.

This is a very predictable historical romance. The plot was a little slow and there were no surprises. My rating: 2.5 Stars.

[john orchard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast moving novel with lots of excitement.

An interesting story with good character development. A historical fiction that keeps the reader's mind wondering what will happen next. Lots of sex and intriguing situations where the reader wonders what will the next chapter bring into the story line. A fun and fast read for the public to enjoy this summer and fall before winter returns.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the beginning, and this was a good book. I just wish there was more to the male character. I understand that it would be hard to do since he has amnesia for most of the book, but i still wish that he had more POV parts. Other than that i really have no complaints. THe ending wasn't rushed, and i felt it wrapped up quite nicely
I would read this author again.

[Kirsti · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was particularly intriguing, because of the mystery behind the main love interest. Who is he? Where did he come from? and why is someone trying to kill him? I think the mystery made this one, as the romance itself wasn't really anything to write home about. It was a simple lust turned into love scenario, but still, it kept me occupied. Four stars!

[Aldy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Aburrido, me leí casi todo el libro esperando que se pusiese interesante y no, continuaba con lo mismo: que a él le gusta ella y ella cede siempre pero solo un beso cada 80 páginas (en el cual los interrumpe un grito, un gruñido, ALGO externo!).
Ah, y el "terrible" escándalo? ella es escritora, aunque al protagonista masculino no lo afecta en lo más mínimo.