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Scandalous Seasons #6

Once a Wallflower, At Last His Love

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Responsible, practical Miss Hermione Rogers, has been crafting stories as the notorious Mr. Michael Michaelmas and selling them for a meager wage to support her siblings. The only real way to ensure her family’s ruinous debts are paid, however, is to marry. Tall, thin, and plain, she has no expectation of success. In London for her first Season she seizes the chance to write the tale of a brooding duke. In her research, she finds Sebastian Fitzhugh, the 5th Duke of Mallen, who unfortunately is perfectly affable, charming, and so nicely… configured… he takes her breath away. He lacks all the character traits she needs for her story, but alas, any duke will have to do.

Sebastian Fitzhugh, the 5th Duke of Mallen has been deceived so many times during the high-stakes game of courtship, he’s lost faith in society women. Yet, after a chance encounter with Hermione, he finds himself intrigued. Not a woman he’d normally consider beautiful, the young lady’s practical bent, her forthright nature and her tendency to turn up in the oddest places has his interests… roused. He’d like to trust her, he’d like to do a whole lot more with her too, but should he?

367 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 6, 2015

974 people are currently reading
991 people want to read

About the author

Christi Caldwell

136 books2,557 followers
USA TODAY Bestselling author CHRISTI CALDWELL blames Judith McNaught's "Whitney, My Love!" for luring her into the world of historical romance. While sitting in her graduate school apartment at the University of Connecticut, Christi decided to set aside her notes and pick up her laptop to try her hand at romance. She believes the most perfect heroes and heroines have imperfections, and she rather enjoys torturing them before crafting them a well deserved happily ever after!

Christi makes her home in Charlotte, North Carolina where she spends her time writing her own enchanting historical romances, and baking surprisingly good cakes (almost 2 years in lockdown will do that) with her courageous son and twin daughters, each who with their daily antics provides limitless source material.

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5 stars
1,114 (43%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
Profile Image for Tanya Sridhar.
260 reviews108 followers
September 13, 2018
3/5 Stars.

I like this hero, much more than I like the heroine. Though, to be honest, in the later part of the book the hero annoyed me as well.

I've read several Caldwell's, so I was very well aquainted to repetitions and the general feeling of "huh where did I just read this?" Thankfully in her new series, this seems to no longer be an issue.
The reason why this book didn't do so well with me, even though she hit all the usual notes in terms of romance and angst, was the ludicrous plot.

I for the life of me cannot get the lack of communication between the two characters. Hermoine could have simply spoken to him about her problems, and the reasons for which she so desparetly required a rich and powerful husband. Perhaps she could not have gone into complete detail like at the end of the book, but at least let him into the fact that she had troubles. He wasn't one of those no nonsense, I-care-for-noone Duke's. He'd shown that he cared for her, and all this book needed was a conversation between the two of them. Rathen than the chapters of post-trapping-into-marraige-forced-angst.

It just didn't work for me, especially when I see no reason why this couldn't happen. Ironically, Caldwell's For Love of the Duke is one of my favorite arranged/happenstance marraiges till date.

This book hasn't deterred me from her books but definitely not my favorite.
Profile Image for Carol Cork *Young at Heart Oldie*.
430 reviews242 followers
December 27, 2016
I love Christi Caldwell’s books. She always enchants me with stories that are full of warmth, emotion, poignancy, laughter and romance and this, the final book in her Scandalous Seasons series, is no exception.

It is refreshing to have a heroine who is not perfect in every way. Hermione is plain, rail thin with slightly crooked teeth and is generally regarded as a bluestocking. After her mother dies, her father withdraws into himself, neglecting his family, and Hermione willingly takes on the role of both parent and protector to her siblings. I loved the selfless way she puts her siblings’ welfare before her own. Her father’s mismanagement of their finances has left them facing financial ruin and Hermione gallantly tries to keep the family afloat and retain her own independence with her payments from writing Gothic novels. However, she knows that the only solution to their situation is for her to travel to London and find a wealthy husband.

Although I am a huge fan of all those brooding, tormented heroes, I adored Sebastian. He is charming, clever and kind with a sense of humour as well. However, he does take his ducal duties seriously, having had the precepts of responsibility, commitment, and honour instilled into him from an early age by his father. He is fully aware of his duty to provide an heir but, deep down, longs for a marriage based on love rather than duty. He longs to find a woman who sees him as a person and not simply a title.

It is obvious that Ms Caldwell has very much drawn on her own personal experiences in writing this book and it gives the story real emotional depth. I could relate to Hermione in so many ways. She has to cope with unforeseen, life-changing events and I’m sure many of us have had similar experiences; I know I have. Above all, this is a story of love, hope and family.

The romance is perfectly paced… a lovely blend of tenderness, passion, heartbreak and humour. Here are a few of my favourite moments:

Something about her commanded his notice, demanded his attention, if for no other reason than to understand the intense glint in her eyes and whatever the hell it was she marked down on that card.

~~~~~

She was Hermione, so very different than any other lady to come before her. Not mercenary or title-grasping, she was the first woman to see him and see… a man. Not the title. Or duke. Or gads of wealth. Simply Sebastian.

~~~~~

“Men don’t woolgather. I don’t woolgather.” Dukes certainly did not woolgather. They were contemplative, quite rational gentlemen who didn’t think overly long about unimpressed lithe young ladies with… Oh, for Christ’s sake. “I’ve business to see to,” he lied.

~~~~~

In a matter of days, a handful of meetings, three stolen kisses, and a Gothic novel, Sebastian had given his heart to a woman he barely knew.

~~~~~

“It is for you, Hermione. I told you I wanted all of you. I want the aggravating parts, the loyal parts; I want your smile and laugh. I want Mr. Michaelmas.”


~~~~~

The secondary characters are so well-drawn. I loved Adeline ( Addie), Hermione’s 11 year old sister, and the interactions between these two were delightful. Her brother Hugh’s attitude annoyed me at times but it was obvious that he was only being protective of Hermione. I loved seeing how strong the family bond was between the siblings. I clapped my hands with glee when the ruthless, scheming Aunt Agatha gets her marching orders. Sebastian’s sister Emmeline and her husband Drake (from Forever Betrothed, Never the Bride ) are on hand to provide timely words of advice to our hero and heroine and I also loved the addendum to the Epilogue.

MY VERDICT: An enchanting finale to a truly delightful series. Highly recommended.

REVIEW RATING: 5/5 STARS


Scandalous Seasons series (click on the covers for more details):

Forever Betrothed, Never the Bride (Scandalous Seasons, #1) by Christi Caldwell Never Courted, Suddenly Wed (Scandalous Seasons, #2) by Christi Caldwell Always Proper, Suddenly Scandalous (Scandalous Seasons, #3) by Christi Caldwell Always a Rogue, Forever Her Love (Scandalous Seasons, #4) by Christi Caldwell A Marquess for Christmas (Scandalous Seasons, #5) by Christi Caldwell Once a Wallflower, At Last His Love (Scandalous Seasons, #6) by Christi Caldwell

This review is also posted on my Rakes and Rascals blog:

https://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com...

Profile Image for Lady Wesley.
967 reviews370 followers
October 30, 2017
3.5 stars

I had not read anything by Christi Caldwell before, but I definitely will in the future. This was a delightful story with a little more depth than I had expected.

I'm sure that I'm overly sensitive to these things, but it completely takes me out of the story when I read about a "marriage between he and Hermoine" or that the heroine came to London at "the bequest of her aunt." According to an internet quiz that I took recently, I am a "Grammar Despot," so I cannot help suggesting to the author that she get a better editor.
Profile Image for Edwina " I LoveBooks" "Deb".
1,440 reviews17 followers
October 3, 2015
ANOTHER FLOP!!

Another and ridiculous unbelievable story in the Scandalous Season series by Christi Caldwell. Miss Hermoine Rogers a mere Baronets daughter has to write books under the ridiculous pen name of Michael Michalmas. "Really" Her father is an idiot who does nothing to help his family's dour income. So with one older unwed sister pregnant and a hellion brother Hugh and sister Adeline, she must provide support for her family. Sebastian Fitzhugh 5th Duke of Mallens turn out to win the idiot award of the year. We first meet the Duke in bk2 of the series and I thought he would have a great story, but it was not to be. He fall right into the trap set for all Dukes. I was really hoping Hermoine wouldn't resort to trapping Sebastian into marrying her. At first she is just a young lady trying to care for her family. Then she turns into this spinster who will do anything to save her family from ruin, even if it means to trap a good decent man into marriage. At first I felt sorry for Mallens but as the story goes on I felt he should have just dumped her. No Duke has to marry a Miss nobody with such a scandalous family unless they choose to. Instead of Sebastian coming across as doing the honorable thing he comes across as a fool. He knew the minute the trap was set my Hermoine and her Aunt but he ran right into to it. I dislike stories when poverty stricken characters feel they have a right to Dupe wealthy characters for the title and money to protect there family. What about the rights of the wealthy person. What is ironic is Sebastian would have proposed marriage to her because he loved her. But What Webs We Weave When We Practice to Deceive!! Once a Wallflower is another disappointing story and its the last one I have to read. Yeah!!
Profile Image for Elaine.
4,419 reviews90 followers
January 10, 2019
I think this book is the best in the series yet. I'm flabbergasted at how Christi Caldwell just gets better and better with each book. With this book, I think Christi's reached beyond the summit.
Loved Hermione and Sebastian. Truly loved how Hermione befuddled Sebastian - it made me laugh.
This is a wonderful story that's funny, romantic, sad - a spectrum of emotions throughout the book.
I'm utterly enchanted by this story!


Second reading: what can I say that I have already stated. Brilliant, lovely, and one of my favourite Christi Caldwell stories........I've been enchanted once again! 5☆
Profile Image for Missy.
1,109 reviews
May 14, 2017
I really liked the hero when he was first introduced in Book 2 of the Scandalous Seasons series. He deserved a better love story than this one. The last couple of chapters dragged a little.
Profile Image for HR-ML.
1,270 reviews54 followers
May 14, 2024
****Caution: news of rape of 2ndary female character****

Surrey, then London 1819. 2.5 stars.

I liked Sebastion as the brother in bk #1 of this series.
This had too much drama and love too-soon. Seb was
intrigued by Hermoine. Much later Seb saw Hermione
do something odd & he followed her.

Hermione carried too much responsibility for her family
who resided in the country. Her witchy aunty sponsored
a season for her in London. Aunty suggested a scheme.
Aunty needed a rubber room. The FMC's younger bro
needed a time-out in the worst way.

Sorry IMO this was a let-down. Seb was more mature
than this story indicated. Intelligent Seb needed to
piece together the clues his beloved gave him over
and over. MCs deserved a better story.

One positive : we saw Emmaline & Drake & they learned
of a 2nd baby.
Profile Image for Sissy's Romance Book Review .
8,992 reviews16 followers
February 7, 2017
'Once a Wallflower, At Last His Love' by Christi Caldwell is book six in the "Scandalous Season".
This is the story of Miss Hermione Rogers and Sebastian Fitzhugh, the 5th Duke of Mallen. Book 1 in this series 'Forever Betrothed, Never the Bride' does have Sebastian in it due to the first book in the series was about his sister. In addition Sebastian turns up in book 2 'Never Courted, Suddenly Wed' also. You don't have to have read the other books to enjoy this one but I just wanted to let you know so you would have all the information.

Hermione has been taking over caring for her family since her mother has died and this has left their father rather lost in his thoughts. So to earn money she has started writing a book to help also take care of her older sister who due to a illness has been left a child's mind but in a women's body.
In addition she is being made to try and make a match from a wealthy man to help support her family. Sebastian is finding Hermione to be a distraction and a mystery.
With Ms. Caldwelll writing she takes you on a emotional journey with her books and this one was no different. Loved It.
Profile Image for Connie.
2,497 reviews62 followers
February 13, 2015
Surrey England

Hermione Rogers is a strong young woman. Her mother passed away several years ago leaving her father in a state of deep depression. As such, their family finances are dwindling and Hermione is doing her best to keep things going. Her older sister, Elizabeth, had a fever some years back which affected her mind leaving her mentally as that of a child. She also has two younger twin siblings, Addie and Hugh both of whom look to her for guidance.

Hermione’s aunt has provided funds for Hermione to go to London for a season in hopes of her making a match and, thus saving the family from financial ruin. While Hermione is agreeable to this, her first true love is her writing. She has penned several stories under the nom de plume of Mr. Michael Michaelmas.

Sebastian Fitzhugh, the fifth Duke of Mallen, was taught to accept his responsibilities and has done a good job of it. He’s quite content as his life is now. However, his mother is pushing him to attend more soirees in hopes of finding his perfect duchess.

When Sebastian eyes Hermione at a dance, he is intrigued by her being absorbed with sitting and jotting things down on her dance card. Thinking it strange that she is not simply watching the other dancers, he follows her as she heads down a hallway only to discover her sitting at their host’s desk writing away. Thinking he is trying to accost her, she pushes to get away from him when he is only interested in what she is writing. He becomes quite charmed by her and the feeling is mutual for her. He just cannot figure her out but is afraid to become too involved with her because he might find himself ensnared by the parson’s mousetrap.

Ms. Caldwell has once again perfected her characters and expressed their emotions so well which grabs the reader. There is so much more to the story but I don’t want to give too much away. Suffice to say, you will love this novel. Christi Caldwell has nailed it again!
Profile Image for belle ☆ミ (thisbellereadstoo).
2,587 reviews175 followers
July 9, 2022
hermione rogers, though not the eldest in the family, is responsible for the security of her siblings and her only living parent. after her mother’s death, hermione’s father had left the home in disarray and their finances are dire. with younger siblings to take care of and an older sister who was left simple after a bad fever, hermione’s their only hope.

sebastian’s attention was caught by hermione, a lone girl scribbling things down in her dancing card. in research for her new book, hermione needs to know the mannerism of a nefarious, brooding duke. but the duke she met is charming and not that brooding with light hair.

i loved the both of them. sebastian and hermione’s attraction was there. hermione’s bold and brazen personality captivated sebastian right from the beginning. i had such a great time reading christi caldwell’s historical romances.
542 reviews3 followers
July 10, 2023
3 stars weak plot, mediocre H/H, there’s nothing I liked so much that it could make up for the weaknesses, but the sister storyline I hated and it was so unnecessary, did not add to the story in any way.
Profile Image for Kiltsandswords.
229 reviews31 followers
February 16, 2015
I really love Christi Caldwell. She is just so consistent that when I get a book of hers, I know that I am going to get a story that meets all my criteria for a great read. Her stories contain exquisite emotions, a healthy dose of reality and amazing characters. Her latest is no exception to her track record.
The story centres on Hermione and Sebastian. The two of them dance around each other and like moths to a flame, just can’t stay away. Neither can they admit the truth of the real reasons they keep coming back. Their circumstances are so different in the world they inhabit. This is not the classic poor girl meets rich man; it’s so much deeper than that.
Hermione has come to London for the season to make a match. She must make a match as her entire family is counting on the funds a new, wealthy husband will bring. After her mother’s death, her father stopped parenting and the role fell to Hermione. Her elder sister has special needs and has been ruthlessly taken advantage of. Her younger siblings need parenting as well as a future that isn’t bleak. Hermione has been writing Gothic novels as a way to make money to support the family. The titles of her books had me in stitches – The Entrapped Earl, The Bitterest Baron’s Bittersweet Love. She has been charged with writing a book about a nefarious duke. Once she meets Sebastian, with all his golden charm, she wants to write a different duke story.
What I adored about this book was that Hermione wanted to get to know Sebastian as “research”, but the more she was around this golden Adonis, the more she wanted to know the man. Her writing changed as she wrote about a charming and dashing man, not a foul tempered and angry duke. Every experience she had with Sebastian fueled her writing, but it also fed her soul. She fell for the man that Sebastian was, rather than the title. Her family’s hopes are high since a duke has shown interest, but Hermione just wants to enjoy the dalliance with Sebastian.
Sebastian is exactly the kind of character you hope to get when you open the pages of a book. He’s a good and decent man. He knows he needs to marry to get the requisite heir, but he can’t help wanting to marry a woman who wants him and not his title. He also wonders about love. He has seen it in the marriages of those close to him, yet the thought of it scares him. Sebastian is so intrigued by Hermione, he can’t stay away. He loves sparring with her, kissing her and watching her adroitly avoid potential suitors thrown her way by her horrid aunt. The more Sebastian gets to know Hermione, the more he wants her. She has a refreshing way of getting through to him and seeing the world. She isn’t silly or vapid and he adores that she takes care of her siblings – even though her brother Hugh is a major pain in the ass. Sebastian has pride, but deep down he is a really decent man. He is on the cusp of offering for Hermione after the startling revelation that he loves her.
And then…a big problem. Usually when authors throw that curve into a romance story you know that all will turn out fine. I think what sets Christi Caldwell apart from others, is the incredible emotionally pull she creates. I was devastated that the fragile and special relationship between the two was damaged. I understood why Sebastian was so angry and Hermione was so devastated. I hurt for both of them. As Hermione was writing her duke story, it was like she was writing her own destiny. I wanted Hermione to have a happy ending.
All too often, you read stories where the lead male character has a ton of flaws. Sebastian has flaws, such as his pride and stubbornness, but he is a really good man. I think that was what I liked so much about this story. Both characters are really honourable people who deserve happiness. The sad moments made me appreciate the beautiful relationship they had together.
It’s rare that a book moves me to tears, but they fell reading this lovely story. They weren’t tears of sadness, but rather just emotion from the feelings the story evoked. This is a really special story due to the well written and developed characters. The book is out now and I highly recommend adding it to your list.
Reviewed for www.kiltsandswords.com
Profile Image for Eileen Dandashi.
542 reviews17 followers
March 29, 2015
: Christi Caldwell never fails to create a story that makes me cry. I’ll be reading along and then bam, my throat closes down, tears well in my eyes and I feel such heartache. She’s a master who takes a simple, forthright idea, strikes a match, molds characters within this story marvelous flowing plot, then grips the heart and squeezes ever so gently.

Her story delves into our inner nature. We all need to protect those we love. We also protect ourselves by trying to live vicariously. In this case, Hermione, the heroine, understood life through the stories she herself creates as an author. I might add, that I, too, live vicariously through the stories I read.

I am always guaranteed a story that pulls my heartstrings and nod vigorously that the author has it right. In this story she has poured her heart, sharing with all of us her love of her special needs son. Christi, you have my full admiration and Rory is one lucky boy!

Words flow from the page totally engaging. The story is driven forward by its absorbing characters who are well-defined and totally engaging as the story unfolds with words of wisdom I take to heart.
Polite Society had such sway in people’s lives during the Regency period. Has it changed any? Our ideas are shaped by what others think. Is that not true? Women’s talents were kept hidden, sometimes even from husbands. Does this not happen today? Women’s talents were underestimated then and are in the present time. Romance authors most definitely provide, not only an engaging, entertaining tale, but provides manna to the soul!

This book is as charming as the previous ones I’ve read in this series. Thank you, Christi Caldwell, for sharing with your readers who you are.
Profile Image for Sarah.
22 reviews1 follower
February 8, 2015
The much anticipated Duke of Mallen's story is finally here and it did not disappoint. I knew from the dedication and acknowledgement that this was going to be a special story. You can certainly tell that Ms. Caldwell put her own heart into this story.
For as much as I was looking forward to reading Sebastian's story I was actually more intrigued by the heroine's story. Miss Hermione Rogers' story touched me from the very beginning. Her selfless love for her family told me that she was going to be perfect for Sebastian. I also loved the fact that she was an author and it was fun seeing her get lost in ideas for her story. The interaction with her younger siblings was great and always brought a smile to my face.
It was so good to see how Sebastian's feelings for Hermione grew throughout the story. So often in books the love seems to be instant and although their "courtship" wasn't very long it did go through various stages and felt believable. Some of my favorite scenes of his included appearances by his sister, Emmaline, and his brother-in-law, Lord Drake and one of my favorites, Christopher, the Earl of Waxham. All three had wonderful wisdom to impart to our hero, who so wanted a love match of his own.
While it isn't necessary to have read the other books in this series, I do recommend reading at least the other two books that featured The Duke of Mallen, "Forever Betrothed, Never the Bride" and "Never Courted, Suddenly Wed".
1,117 reviews4 followers
February 27, 2024
Sebastian gets his family at last. But not with the polished diamond of the ton we expect, but a country girl, naive to the ways of the ton, who spends all her time looking after her family.

Slow burner, but builds to a very satisfying end.
Profile Image for Laura Landon.
Author 67 books368 followers
March 15, 2015
Another good book by Christi Caldwell. Enjoy her books!
Profile Image for Deyanira C..
307 reviews4 followers
May 5, 2025
I found it quite silly and boring.

Hermie is a writer trying to support her siblings, as her father is an impoverished baronet and completely inefficient. However, Hermie is facing writer's problems and can't write about a duke, so taking advantage of the fact that she's in London for her season, she spies on the dukes, attracting one of them. He becomes intrigued by Hermie because she is different and independent. They begin a flirtation, fall in love, but she forces the marriage, and everything gets complicated by secrets and lies.

Maybe it's just me and I don't have the patience for these kinds of stories anymore, or maybe it's because I read this book after a great book and one of my new favorites. I don't know what it is, but the story never really caught my attention. I didn't find it entertaining, and except for a few tense moments, everything felt predictable and flat. It took me too long to finish it, and I just wanted to move on to the next book.

The protagonists are incredibly frustrating, the hero has no reason to be traumatized, he has an unjustifiable, incomprehensible trauma or emotional blockage. The heroine is absurd; she writes romance books, so she needs to meet a duke, which seems silly to me, she's a writer, so are you telling me she has to experience EVERYTHING SHE WRITES?!? She also lies and lets her relationship with the hero fall apart by omitting things she could have told him, and this story would have been less absurd and shorter, of course. I also found Hermie rude most of the time. I don't know why the hero found her charming and spirited, when all I saw was a silly, temperamental girl, and although I understand her motivations, she always makes the worst decision.
Overall, I wasn't convinced by the secondary characters, and although I like heroines with siblings in tragic situations, I couldn't really get into this theme here. I didn't even find the protagonist's siblings likable. Her dad also seemed like an unfunny character.

The truth is, it's not that it's a bad novel, but I didn't find anything special about it, and I think my main problem is that the plot, for me, is too unrealistic and silly.
Profile Image for Maureen.
1,012 reviews
November 27, 2022
BOTM for HRBC January 2023. Wallflower trope.
This was an interesting romance about a writer trying to write about a Duke for her next Gothic Romance under her pseudonym Michael Michaelmas. The h is Hermione Edith Rogers second daughter of a poor as a church mouse Baronet, responsible for her whole family her father, eldest sister and her younger twin brother and sister. The H is Sebastian Fitzhugh 5th Duke of Mallen with a Dowager Duchess his mother and a younger sister Emmaline now married with one child and another on the way.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Profile Image for herdys.
636 reviews35 followers
May 27, 2019
It would've gotten 4 stars if it wasn't for the heroes lack of faith in our heroine at the end. Otherwise a very enjoyable book 😉
Profile Image for Uluwehi Hopkins.
63 reviews2 followers
January 21, 2019
Hermione is a coward. Whatever agony she goes through during her relationship with Sebastian is her own fault. She had multiple chances to tell him the truth and she didn’t. He begged her to talk to him after they were caught, but she chose not to tell him what was really going on. Even before and after the wedding, he still gave her the chance to speak, and she didn’t! Sebastian was completely justified in his feelings and actions. In fact, he behaved far better than he should have in that situation. In the end, Hermione STILL didn’t tell him everything! When she finally did confess her situation, she STILL didn’t tell him that she stalked him as research for her story, but instead led him to believe that she hunted him for his title. The story ends without him ever knowing that! And she also chose NOT to tell him that she was Michael Michelmas, which was a HUGE reason why she did everything that she did. He had to force the truth out of her, and by the time that happens, everyone treats it like withholding that truth is no big deal. Even in the end, Hermione is STILL deceitful and mistrusting. Sebastian is WAY too good for her, had every right to never speak to her again.

The worst thing about this book is that the author goes and turns everything around and makes it as if Hermione’s deceit is not as damaging as it really is, and everyone starts to act like Sebastian is the one who is wrong. He is not. He married a coward who did NOT learn from her mistakes, or even seems all that regretful for what she’s done. There is even a point when the situation is compared to what Christopher did to Sophie in book 2, but it is NOT the same at all, because Christopher accepted responsibility for what he did and confessed all. Hermione never does. She does not deserve Sebastian, and the author trying to craft Sebastian as the antagonist in any point in this story is just plain wrong.

The first book in this series was delightful, and had me giggling all the way through. The second was heart wrenching, and had me captivated. But then the author somehow twisted happiness and love into something slimy and gross in this one. I was disgusted for the last half, and couldn’t wait for it to end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Toula.
2,504 reviews
March 4, 2016
This is a historical romance . Hero is Sebastian. Heroine is Hermoine
Sebastion is going through his life and realizing he needs to get married and beget a heir. only thing is he hates the Ton chicks that only see money with his name . Sebastian's feelings for Hermione grew throughout the story. She is a Barons daughter that needs to save her family . She is also a writer and her editor wants a story of a dark brooding duke but once she meets Sebastian she wants a story of a happy duke. Nobody knows she's an author . Some of my favorite scenes of his included appearances by his sister, Emmaline, and his brother-in-law, Lord Drake who the Author knows is my favorite. Christopher, the Earl of Waxham. All three have this to tell Sebastian how he should go about finding a bride . Sebastion so wanted a love match of his own. When Sebastian is married and he thinks she trapped him he leaves and goes to the club for a month after a night of marriage . It is the earl that goes and talks to her and tells her an important advise. he then goes and sees Sebastian at the men's club and drills some sense into him . Sebastian goes home to make up with Hermione . Hermoine is sleeping and that is when he discovers that she is an author . He loves it. He always tries to bring her to admitting to him that she writes, But she doesn't tell.
Get the book to see do they make up. Does he move back home. Does he male up with his brother in law Lord Drake. Does he get his heir and a spare
Profile Image for Spuffed.
562 reviews61 followers
July 8, 2015
I listened to the audio version and enjoyed the book. The narrator was VERY good with the female voices. I typically avoid male narrators because they tend to high pitch the female but this guy just did a great job.

This book made me cry from about the 60% mark till the 90% mark. I am prone to crying though when reading if I'm touched by something so... Anyhow, the last 10% of the book is what dropped a star for me. I was annoyed by how things were wrapped up. It just became boring especially with all that heartfelt drama earlier. I also had a problem with the major issue in this book- lack of communication. A lot of hurt and months of self torture could have been solved with speaking a few sentences to the other MC. And that didn't follow in line with the character's nature.

I did like this book enough to purchase another by this author (I believe the one in the series preceding this one) and was very disappointed. It was very boring so I don't think I'll read any past books from this author but might give another try on a future book.
Profile Image for Beth.
322 reviews21 followers
February 18, 2015
5 stars

This is the sixth book in the Scandalous Season series and is my favourite so far (the others were fantastic) I loved Sebastian and Hermione they were fabulous. I loved Hermione's character and the fact that she didnt want a duke for the reason of an "advantageous" match, I also loved the fact that she wasn't trying to impress Sebastian and that he in turn was all the more interested. Sebastian you will know if you have read the previous books in this series and I loved his lists, I also liked the interaction between him and his mother and sister it was quite amusing. I found it interesting that Hermione never had any competition for his affection seeing that he was a duke, I liked that that the story was solely focused on Sebastian and Hermione's little world. If you enjoy historical romances this series is a great one to read as it is really well written and the stories are great.
Profile Image for Wyrdness.
499 reviews38 followers
September 28, 2015
I feel this story would have been far more entertaining and novel if she'd just confessed to the duke at the beginning that her father was an emotionally distant flake and she'd been keeping the family together and somewhat financially solvent by secretly selling her stories. Somewhat scandalous for the time, but it's not as if she avoided scandalous behaviour by not telling him all of that.

Since he liked her precisely because she wasn't conventional, it would have been far more fun (and potentially humourous) watching them slowly fall in love over the course of a Season. All whilst arranging secret meetings so he could willingly help her with her research without being discovered by nosy servants, overly desperate Ladies and their mothers, and greedy, horrible relatives.

Unfortunately that's an entirely different, and probably not even written, story.
Profile Image for Mari  Pequenos Retalhos.
912 reviews29 followers
June 1, 2015
Probably my favourite of the series. Hermione is a nice heroine, and the fact that she writes is just one of the reasons I liked her so much. Sebastian was a character that intrigued me from the beginning, and getting to know him better was great. Also, I really like Hernione's relationship with her brother and her sister.
Even if once more there is a special license to wed and there is the separation and the desperation that happened in every book of this series, at least this time the story was a lot more interesting. I think the whole plot worked altogether and the pace was a lot better than in all the rprevious stories.
I think it was a good historical romance, after all.
Profile Image for Al *the semi serial series skipper*.
1,659 reviews851 followers
December 31, 2015
I really enjoyed this book but i have noticed that with Ms Caldwell's writing she tends to get repetitive in the sense that there is always a misunderstanding that the hero and heroine dont talk about until late in the book, i dont know if she does this to increase the word counts , also again with the drinking, her heroes are almost always soused. When reading her books i always wonder if they could have had any AA meetings then because from the entire series i can only surmise that alcohol is the answer until someone tells you it isnt.
Besides that i have enjoyed her works and would be on the lookout for future ones
Profile Image for Marlene.
752 reviews2 followers
March 22, 2015
I enjoyed the story until the point about 3/4 way through and I realized the mulish heroine Hermione intended to continue her lies with Sebastian the Duke of Mallen. She didn't speak up when she could have and suddenly was lost for words which was not within character. I found this so irritating, as a lying heroine is a turn off, reflects on the character's lack of character; and a distraction to moving the story along. She was a coward and I began to dislike her. Not a satisfying end to the series for me.
Profile Image for Molly.
178 reviews40 followers
May 22, 2015
I absolutely loved this one! I love a non-rogue hero! If I've gone through a spell of unsatisfactory HR novels, I know I can turn to Christi Caldwell for an excellent, well-written story. This one might be my favorite yet!
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