How to Handle a Scandal

The Scandalous Sisters #2

by Emily Greenwood

Seven years after fleeing to India brokenhearted, Tommy Halifax returns to be knighted for his service to the crown, and of course he would run into his first love, the more beautiful than ever Eliza Trueheart.

Widowed already, Eliza is no longer a careless flirt—in fact, she spends her time looking out for such wayward young women. She finds Tommy to have become quite the gentleman, too, and she wants to be honest with him, but she can't decide what's right: making up for her years as a wanton, or falling willingly into Tommy's arms…

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Adult Fiction

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 1, 2016

About the author

USA Today bestselling author Emily Greenwood worked for a number of years as a writer, crafting newsletters and fundraising brochures, but she far prefers writing playful love stories set in Regency England. She lives in Maryland with her husband and two daughters.

Reviews

[Anna's Herding Cats · Rating 1 out of 5]

Reviewed for herding cats & burning soup.

Oooo! I love a second chance romance trope. Plus the gorgeous cover? Totally in.

Aaaaaand DNFd at the midway point.

The quick of it is that when they were young Tommy proposed and Lizzie...laughed. She was young and stupid and hurt him badly which sent him off to India for years. He's come home for a visit a hardened man. A hero. And someone who had little interest in the flighty girl who hurt him years earlier even if everyone claims she's changed.

Alright so I was fairly into this one. Like I said. I love the second chance at romance. And seeing them years later, how they'd changed and that little spark that was maybe still there despite their not wanting it to be...yeah it was working for me. Eliza (formerly Lizzy) had changed quite a bit from the flirty girl she'd been. Going the exact opposite direction and avoiding anything frivolous or extravagant. She runs a program for homeless girls trying to give them a chance in life. And Tommy? No longer a love struck young man who was impulsive. He's all man now and rather harsh. His focus is on serving his country and he's got no interest in love..doesn't even believe in it. There were a lot of things for them to work past and I was on board with the love-hate vibes happening.

And then things fell apart. The heroine. Eliza. I couldn't seriously stand her by the time I tapped out. I'd actually been somewhat liking her. And then...nope. Here's how it fell apart.


--While wearing a disguise at a whore house--she had her reasons--she got herself in a big of a jam and ended up knocked up by the hero. While she knew all along it was him he had no clue it was her. He'd not planned on being with anyone while there--had gone with friends--and ended up hiding in a room to avoid someone and he'd been in there hiding as well and then well things happened.

--He found out who she was and was reasonably upset and told her to tell him if they'd gotten pregnant as a result.

--They did! But instead of telling him she plots to keep him in the dark figuring he's leaving for India soon and she won't be showing by then so she can just say nothing came of it then after he's left for India she can go about her life with her baby and him none the wiser.

--Which is idiotic since they're part of the same family (non blood relation)

--He has his suspicions and pointedly asks her and she again says no before confessing.

--Does it end there? Of course not! She then decides to run away where he won't be able to find her and return to town at a later point pretending she'd adopted a child. Because he is apparently an idiot and won't figure it out.

--He once again finds out and stops her carriage as she's 'escaping' and they marry because it's the right thing to do.

--And then she begins to act like a bratty child. She wronged him time and time again but behaves as if SHE was the injured party and acts out. He tells her she can redecorate his home and she sets about doing so by outrageous spending to hurt his pocket book (she thinks this) and doing things like changing the drapes in his study to pink. Or insisting the cook make fish dishes even though he hates fish because in her opinion it's her job to run the house and he's probably just never had good fish before.

And that's where I was done. Her lies, her childish behavior when she was the cause of everything happening between them, etc. Tommy? Eh. I didn't love him. I didn't hate him. I felt sorry for him that he unknowingly slept with her and it landed them where they were. But that pity was not enough for me to carry on and finish this book.

~~~notes~~~
2/22--Nope. Done! I hate this heroine. I quit. What an obnoxious little shit she turned out to be. It's really ALL her fault but she's acting like the injured party and being bratty and childish. He's...eh. I don't love him. I don't hate him. I feel sorry for him that he slept with her and it got them to where they were.

2/22-- I'm precariously close to DNFing this one. Was going along and liking it and then the heroine just fucked it all up and ruined it for me. I don't think she can come back from this is my eyes.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Tarryton, age 17, seems to attract mischief and trouble. Her uncle and guardian, Will Halifax, Viscount Gradville, took her on as his ward when her father and mother died from a fever. Lizzie’s former governess, Anna, is now Will’s wife.

Lizzie’s scandals are becoming more numerous. She is not interested in getting married because she enjoys the attention of all men and cannot imagine settling for just one.

Will’s younger brother, Tommy Halifax, age 21, has been a good friend of Lizzie’s and is smitten by her beauty and personality and wants to marry her. So, when the publicly proposes to her, her indifference to marriage takes over and she laughs at him which hurts and humiliates Tommy deeply. That is when he sailed to India.

Six Years Later -

Captain Tommy Halifax has returned to England possessing great new skills and is to be knighted for his service to the Crown.

Lizzie Truehart is now a widow having lost her husband two years ago. She now goes by Eliza and lives in Truehart Manor which she inherited from her deceased husband. She deeply regrets her past behavior toward Tommy and even though she sent him a letter apologizing, she never received a reply. Now that he is back in town, she is not ready to see him again.

Today, Eliza is involved in helping homeless girls by allowing them to stay at the Manor to gain some education, manners, and polish that will help them to get good jobs and stay away from prostitution.

When Eliza happens upon Tommy in the park, he is cordial, but aloof. But in her research to discover what draws her young women to prostitution, she dons a mask and enters a brothel. But meeting Tommy there was not in her plans. Their chance encounter immediately sparks into passion leaving Eliza pregnant. That is when Tommy agrees to marry her and move into the home he has recently purchased. His plan is to return to India soon leaving Eliza to live in England.

How will this marriage work out?

I found this to be a good story but with a bit too many characters and storylines. However, the ending was perfect.

Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

[Kari · Rating 3 out of 5]

How to Handle a Scandal is the second book in the Scandalous Sisters series. I thought it did well as a stand alone as it takes place several years after the events of the first book. I never felt like I was missing anything. I will be honest, I have kind of mixed feeling about the book. On one hand, I really liked Eliza. I thought her heart was in the right place most of the time. She just needed to learn how to balance the serious and the fun times. The secondary characters added a lot of color to the story. What I didn't like was Tommy. He really rubbed me the wrong way through most of the book and I had a hard time wondering why Eliza would fall for him. He did redeem himself in the end, so at least it ended on a good note for me. I hope that the author writes Meg's story, I look forward to reading it.

[eyes.2c · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love, liking and trust!

Hellfire Hall. That's where our heroine arrives after a gigantic misunderstanding that stretches back years and has led to this crossroad.
Elizabeth Tarryton had wanted to find her own path. She was young and not yet ready to settle down. Tommy Halifax, a childhood friend and brother to her guardian, was wounded by her seemingly callous public rejection of his marriage proposal. He fled to India.
Now he has returned and is faced with the young widow and his former passion, Elizabeth.
An Elizabeth who has grown into a different woman. Can Tommy see her as she is now or will he be forever trapped in the memory of his humility at her hands?
An enjoyable read

A NetGalley ARC

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book # 2 of the Scandalous Sisters series. This is about Elizabeth whom we met in the other book and Tommy (her guardian's brother). Well, if you remember Elizabeth was only 17 when she met Tommy and thought to pose herself as an airheaded girl. Tommy ends up leaving (before the book was over) but Elizabeth never forgets him and wants to make up for how she acted. She ends up married and widowed by the time he gets back in this book and the adventure begins again only this time Tommy is in for a shock. I liked it.

[Lacy · Rating 2 out of 5]

It started out okay. Eliza was kind of a lame character, I know she was purposefully made this way but it was a little too boring. Tommy was very pigheaded, I thought it was strange how he changed so much but he couldn't admit that she probably had too. And his one hang up about her was so old. The first sex scene could be taken as a rape scene because Tommy did not consent to sex with Eliza and was clearly furious about it after.

[Maps · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last in series

[Deb Lester · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emily Greenwood returns to her Scandalous Sisters series with How to Handle a Scandal. Greenwood is a proven Regency writer, who knows the ins and outs of the ton like the back of her hand. Readers who love a good second chance romance will find this one enchanting, if a bit trying at times. Greenwood is always good for a great scandal and when Lizzy laughs at Tommy's high profile proposal, sparks fly. But there is still more scandal in their future and readers will find these intense characters full of surprises.

What I liked:

I can totally believe that a young girl could laugh at a young man's proposal. Been there myself actually. I don't think Eliza meant to be so insensitive, but Tommy certainly didn't see it that way. Emily Greenwood gives readers an interesting premise for her latest book, How to Handle a Scandal. Readers get a second chance romance, but that's not all. Scandal abounds, and that is definitely what a reader looks for in a great Regency novel. If an author can pull off a good scandal, half of the battle is won with her audience. Greenwood proves she can do that here.

Tommy isn't the wide eyed young man he once was when he returns to the ton. He is being knighted for his service and doesn't have any plans for romance. But as often happens, one thing leads to another and he ends up in the middle of another scandal... with the same woman, no less. I liked Tommy even though he has become a bit jaded where women are concerned. He could be harsh and he seemed a bit unfeeling at moments, but I'm telling you, Eliza could make a priest curse. This was one hard fought HEA. He had his hands full and it wasn't what he bargained for.

I can see Eliza making a turn around. She grows up a lot in this novel. She changes for the better. Since she is a widow with a lot to make up for, seeing her mentor young women to keep them off the streets was satisfying. She has a new purpose in life. But she tends to go a bit overboard with everything. Dressing the part of a prostitute in an actual brothel, probably not the learning experience she expected. I found her a bit childish at times, bratty, self serving. I wasn't too sure she was the right woman for Tommy even after all these years.

What I didn't like:

The heroine in this one was a bit much for me. I liked parts of her story, but other parts left me a bit aggravated. She wants to make a great turn around in her life and she does, but not when it comes to the romance of the story. She lies to Tommy, time and time again. She tricks him, she throws temper tantrums and just made me a little disgusted with her at times. The action lagged a little because of it and I just felt he deserved a lot better. Not the kind of feelings you want when it comes to a good romance.

Bottom Line:

Loved the hero, even if he was a bit gruff at times. Liked the heroine in some ways and detested her in others. Not the couple I would have chosen. The scandal was good, well written. The heat was good to a point and certain will cause some readers to need a fan. But the romance was a bit flat, because the heroine wasn't very honest and when she did tell the truth, she made it seem like the hero was to blame. Ughhh! I was wringing my hands with this one. Take it with a grain of salt, you might like Eliza, she just wasn't my cup of tea.

[Marsha Keeper Bookshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf

Eliza was a spoiled beauty in her younger years and heady with a strong willed determination to enjoy every moment of her ton success she was at times very heartless and childish. When Tommy, who had fallen in love with this beauty, proposed in a very public fashion Lizzie simply laughed in his face. Humiliated, Tommy set off for India with a determination to forget Lizzie ever existed.

Years later, Eliza has acknowledged her wanton ways of the past and is attempting to put forth a far different face to the world and herself. Now a widow, Eliza is taking in homeless young women to her home in order to keep them from a desperate life of prostitution. With training, an understanding of proper manners and skills, these young women can face the world with the talents and deportment needed to get decent jobs instead of turning to the brothels and the streets for their income. Yet, Eliza doesn’t truly understand the brothel life… so she does something completely foolish.

Tommy has returned from India to be knighted for his service. He is a stronger, wiser man than the young boy who left England so many years ago. Still when he does eventually encounter Eliza he wants nothing to do with her. When he visits a brothel, and unexpectedly encounters a woman who doesn’t quite fit the part – but that doesn’t stop the sparks from flying… or the results of their encounter.

Tommy and Lizzie/Eliza go through a lot of growing up, misunderstandings and eventually get their happy ever after.

I admit that I struggled greatly with this story and came close to DNFing it at several points. While I love and have read Emily Greenwood’s works before – this one I simply could not connect with. And again I admit that disconnection is on me and not the author. I frankly could not have given a flying fig whether Tommy and Lizzie/Eliza worked out their differences to get to their happy ending. I could not root for either of them because they both acted so spoiled, childish and without any backbone. This simply isn’t a book that I would read again – and don’t have much desire to finish up the series.

Having said that – I am also certain there are many readers who would love How To Handle A Scandal. And that’s awesome that we don’t all have the same tastes or opinions of books. But for me – I couldn’t connect and that does leave a sad feeling behind. So the 3 star rating (good book) is based on Emily Greenwoods’ skills as a writer – the plot was well woven… the fact that I didn’t care about the main characters is on me.

*I received an e-ARC of How To Handle A Scandal from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

[Angel Hatfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elizabeth/Lizzie was seventeen and her guardian was her uncle Will who was the Viscount Granville. Her father, very stern stepmother, and baby brother had died from a fever. One of Lizzie,s favorite people was Will’s younger brother Tom who was four years older then Lizzie. Lizzie loved to spend time with Tommy and they had long talks. Tommy was fascinated with Lizzie and she had been Will’s ward for two years now. Tommy wanted to marry Lizzie but he wasn’t twenty two yet. He hadn’t talked to will or Lizzie yet Then he just proposed and Lizzie laughed because she didn’t know what to say. Tommy’s whole outlook changed and three days later Tommy left on a ship for India. Six years later Captain Tom Halifax returned to England. He runs into Lizzie who is now a widow and runs a program for homeless girls. Lizzie now goes by the name of Eliza and is no longer the flirty girl she had been. Eliza goes to a brothel for some research for her program and is in disguise and ends up sleeping with Tommy and he impregnates her. Tommy and Lizzie get married and Tommy plans on leaving again and leaving Lizzie in England.
I liked this story a lot.I loved how Tommy had changed but there was still something between Eliza and Tom. I loved how Eliza had turned herself around. But both acted spoiled and immature at times even though they were adults. Eliza more then Tommy as Eliza lies and tricks Tommy. Sometimes it was hard to like Lizzie/Eliza. I liked the plot, and this was well written. I enjoyed the characters for the most part. I loved the twists and turns of the story especially between Tommy and Lizzie. I recommend.
I received an ARC of this story for an honest review.

[Jess O. (From Jess to You) · Rating 3 out of 5]

"3 out of 5 stars. Eliza (Elizabeth/Lizzie) was raised by her father for most of her life, a man who let her be more wild and free then respectable. After her father remarries, when she's a preteen, her new stepmother says she needs more discipline so Eliza is sent away to live with her Uncle Will the Viscount Grandville. A few years after living with her Uncle, Eliza finds herself the "bell of the ball" with a lot of wannabe suitors. Tommy is a close friend of Eliza's who has fallen for her and plans to propose to her, but the proposal doesn't end well and Tommy takes off for India. Now, about six years later, Eliza is a widow who is trying to make amends with Tommy when he finally returns home. However, one misunderstanding leads them straight for the wedding alter and now they need to navigate how to be friends again let alone how to turn that friendship into possibly something more.

Some people cannot get over their pasts without a bit of help from others. This novel is just like that, as you follow Eliza and Tommy through their youth into adulthood where they find that even if they make new experiences and think they've changed, their pasts will always be a part of them. While I liked Tommy & Eliza together..."

Read more of my review and TWO TEASERS here: http://frommetoyouvideophoto.blogspot.com/2016/01/made-grade-scandalous-sisters-series.html

[Amy Alvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 2 in the Scandalous Sisters series.

Tommy Halifax fled England 7 years ago when Eliza Trueheart broke his heart. Returning now only to visit is family and to be knighted for his service to the crown, he knows it is inevitable that he will run into her.

Eliza feels horrible for what she did to Tommy all those years ago and has been living a life with virtually no fun at all to atone for what she did.

When they have an intimate encounter that changes everything, how will the two of them get past their past?

I really enjoyed this story. Having met Eliza in The Beautiful One, I knew that her history would effect how she found love. As a teen, she was a spoiled rotten girl, which is what lead to her breaking Tommy's heart all those years ago.

With this story, we have seen that Eliza has grown up and is actually a widow having been married an older gentleman. She has turned her life around and is not longer the girl that is only out for a good time.

It takes Tommy some time to realize that Eliza has changed. He she sides of her that he had not seen before, but it is hard for him to believe after hating her for so long.

There were several secondary characters that I hope get their own story. I'm looking forward to seeing what Greenwood has in store for us next!

Thanks you out to Sourcebooks via NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.

[Heather andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tommy was seriously a butt at times, “and yet I prefer not to. I am your husband, after all. And you’ll be behind a screen. Besides, it’s not as if I haven’t already seen most of you.” Though not all, not anywhere near as much as he wanted, and the knowledge plagued him constantly." Tommy was just dumb at times I felt that as long as he got what he wanted he was all happy but what about Eliza? Didn't he care about her at all? Yeah there were hot moments between them, “I’ve been looking at you all day in that dress,” he said, “and thinking about touching what’s under it.” He put his hands on the hem and pushed the dark pink fabric upward, sliding his hands over her stockings. She drew his shirt out of his breeches and pulled it over his head," but I could feel my heart breaking. I almost cried in some scenes what the hell is wrong with Tommy can't he grow balls and not be selfish that's what ive been thinking throughout this whole book thank Chrsit Eliza grew some lady ball, "her hands pulled into fists at her side. “With me being the only one who really wants the baby. Why are you making this so hard? You don’t want a baby. It was my idea, my choice for the future awaiting me. For you it was just fun to oblige me.” I liked the ending got their heads out of their butts and I was pleased.

[Belinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good read and enjoyed it. The book can be read as a stand alone book since it's the second in the Scandalous Sisters series. The characters in the story were Lizzie Trueheart and Tommy Halifax. They are young and good friends with each other. Lizzie is a bit flirt during her first season in London and likes all the attention from the gentlemen. She's not worried about anything but having a good time. Like I said, Tommy is smitten and love has touched his heart for Lizzie. He wants to marry her, but Lizzie turns him down. He is devastated and leaves the scene to ventures to India.
Years later, Lizzie is a widow now and is trying to be a proper woman. She has matured to a different person than she was before. No more wanton behavior is the code she lives by. When Tommy returns to London he meets again the one woman who he had his heart. He is a gentleman with honor as his guide, but still Lizzie is in his thoughts (seduction and lust).
There is a swift marriage between the two when they are caught in a compromising circumstance. Lizzie feels like her friendship with Tommy will never be the same, and hopes that one day he will forgive the past.
I appreciate Net Galley and Sourcebooks for this ARC title in which I gave an honest review.

[SmartBitches · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

This is the second book in the Scandalous Sisters series, and the first Greenwood I’ve read. Elizabeth, the heroine, is one of those young women who had very little in the way of boundaries while she grew up, and uses the attention she got as a purveyor of ridiculous schemes as a substitute for parental love.

There were other parts I enjoyed. I am always fond of “holy shit this house is a DUMP let me throw a bunch of money at it” plots. It’s why I watch lots of HGTV. I’m even more fond of “yes, wife, you can do what you want, don’t bother me with detail- WAIT WHY IS THE DRAWING ROOM PINK.” HA.

The biggest weakness in this book is that the language is a touch too modern, and everyone refers to Tommy as “Sir Tommy.” No, he would be Sir Thomas. Just…no, that pulls me out. Please don’t do that.

PLEASE.

Anyway, I loved the premise and, like, 78% of the plot, and the heroine was great and the hero was okay when he wasn’t being a dick. So this is totally a good plane book.

-Redheadedgirl

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

How to Handle a Scandal, book 2 in Emily Greenwood's Scandalous Sisters series, exhibits how loves does not always bring out the best in everyone. Immaturity and miscommunications take the hero and heroine of this work from heartache to true love but not without lots of growing pains. As hurt feelings are exposed and long festering wounds are reopened lots of emotion and drama follow. Ms. Greenwood is a writer who easily flows in style and portrays her characters with no filters. Desire and angst pave the way to a happily ever after in this continuation of a solid series.
*I received this ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*
*While part of series this work can be read as a stand alone.*

[Isha Coleman · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a youngster, our immaturity brings about stupid actions that can be hurtful to others and ourselves. Unless we learn from them. In How to Handle a Scandal, Lizzie and Tommy learn this first hand. Lizzie has a lot to make up for. Her life experiences have taught her much. Now she works to make a difference in the lives of the less fortunate. When she and Tommy cross paths again their history makes it hard to get back to the friendship they once shared. But past regrets have a way of working themselves out. I received an ARC of How to Handle a Scandal in exchange for an honest review. The story itself was a little slow paced at times but I was able to overlook that because I really enjoyed these characters. 3.5 of 5 stars.

[Anna Swedenmom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really loved the story. Only one thing was wrong.. the lead took a little too long to mature. It is a very creative and well written story. The author shows romance, life as well as growing up in human terms. I will look forward to reading more under this author. I refuse to write a spoiler.. for you will like the story! Good reading and mark your book for the publication date.
I was given this book in return for an honest review.
Regards
Swedenmom

[Seanna Yeager · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this spin on a second chance love story. Lizzie (Eliza) goes from one of the ton's biggest flirts to being a woman of exceptional propriety. Of course, Tommy does not believe that she has truly changed. They end up marrying due to Lizzie going back to her crazy scheming, but they end up falling in love the hard way.

[June · Rating 3 out of 5]

When she was young and immature Elizabeth, didn't know how to react to her friend's proposal and laughed. Young, himself, Tommy left for India. 6 years later Tommy returns to be knighted, expecting the same careless flirt. However, sparks fly and Elizabeth has been trying to make amends ever since Tommy left - though she is still just as scandalous.

[The Romance Book Disciple (Samantha) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings on this one....full review will be on on the blog on 3/2/16 The Book Disciple

[Shh I'm reading!]

I tried for weeks but never made it past page 60. I just didn't find the characters that fascinating. Eliza in particular was this vapid selfish child that transformed into a bland caricature.

[Bindu · Rating 1 out of 5]

From Love me... love me not!
From Love you not... love you!
"All's well that ends well!"

That's the story in nut shell and its just readable and highly predictable!