Schooling the Duke

The Heart of a Scandal #1

by Christi Caldwell

Be swept away by the first book in Christi Caldwell's 'Heart of a Scandal' series!

There once was a gypsy’s pendant said to bring its wearer the heart of a duke. Some found love and others--heart ache. In this passionate series, clever, once-wounded, twice-wary women will find their chance at happily ever after…and maybe even, the heart of a duke!

Schooling the Duke
A lady
Finishing school instructor, Mrs. Rowena Bryant is hated by her students, revered by the headmistress, and absolutely determined to maintain her financial security. Deceived years ago by the only man she'd ever given her heart to, Rowena relies on no one but herself—that is the best way to keep her most scandalous secret.

A soldier turned
When Graham Linford returned from war on the cusp of death, he discovered he'd been betrayed by the woman he loved. From that moment, Graham shaped himself into an unfeeling nobleman, refusing to ever suffer the agony of betrayal again. Now a duke, Graham is determined no one will ever discover the touch of madness that has haunted him since battle.

Lovers
When Graham finds himself named guardian to a young lady, the woman sent as a companion to his ward is none other than Rowena Bryant. With every moment spent together, their passion reignites, and the walls they've built to keep one another out begin to crumble. But when their dark past tests them again will true love be enough to repair their damaged hearts?

***Heart of a Scandal Series***
Book 1--Schooling the Duke
Book 2--A Lady's Guide to a Gentleman's Heart

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

305 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 7, 2017

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Sissy's Romance Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Schooling the Duke' by Christi Caldwell is book One in the 'The Heart of a Scandal' series. This is the story of Rowena and Graham. Ms. Caldwell is one of my favorite Authors! When I see her name on a book I know that I will be getting a Great, Heartfelt, and total emotional book. This one was no different...I had to read it at once and not put it down until I was done! Just loved this story!
Rowena and Graham fell in love and had planned to get married but Graham had went away to war but promised to marry her on his returned. But his father the Duke oldest son died and now Graham will be his heir...and the Duke does not want Rowena around. So the older Duke comes to Rowena and her family to threaten them if Rowena doesn't leave the area he will release the secret that Rowena mother once was a whore. This will hurt Rowena and her two younger sisters. Rowena agrees to go to a School to which she will in turn become a teacher. Rowena feels that when Graham returns he will come for her. Now 10 years later she has harbored the upset that Graham never came and it appears that he was just using her. Graham is under the impression that Rowena up an married and didn't wait for him. So both are holding the other responsible for their breakup.
Graham has now inherited a 17 year old child that he is looking for a companion and that is how he finds Rowena again. How will the other react when they come face to face again?
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[Ivy H · Rating 3 out of 5]

And in this Regency Era version of Pettyville, our beautiful young heroine Rowena is betrayed and treated like a pawn by her family at the behest of the wicked old Duke of Hampstead. This horrible man wanted her gone from the village because his son Graham was in love in with her and the old man didn't think she was suitable daughter in law material. Graham, the H, is the second son of the old duke and he had been largely ignored by his father but when his older brother died, the situation suddenly changed. Graham had been madly in love with Rowena and had promised to marry her when he returned from fighting in the war against Napoleon. The old duke knew of this promise and intervened as soon as his heir died and Graham became ( in absentia, of course ) the new marquess. The duke investigated Rowena's background and discovered that her mother had led a very "colourful" life, prior to marrying the vicar ( Rowena's stepfather ):






The old duke didn't want his new heir to marry the illegitimate daughter of a courtesan, so he bullied and threatened her parents' livelihood. Rowena had little choice but to leave the village even though her heart was breaking at the thought of never being with her beloved Graham again:



The thing that frustrated me beyond belief, in this novel, was the 11 year length of separation before the MC's are reunited. They were both betrayed by people they trusted and told a lot of lies that led to 11 long unhappy years. The biggest traitor in the story was the H's best friend Jack Turner. This guy had also been best buddies with the young Rowena and the 3 of them had even called themselves the 3 Musketeers. A huge part of the problem that led to Jack's betrayal was the fact that he'd also wanted Rowena for himself. It was stated, towards the end of the novel, that both Graham and Jack had fallen for Rowena when they'd met her as a young teen:



Jack had fooled them all in believing that he had accepted their relationship, but his bitterness at being tossed over by the heroine had turned him into an envious, evil villain. When Graham returned from the war, Jack, the old duke and even Rowena's parents had lied and told him that Rowena had eloped with another man. The H was destroyed at this revelation and his life spiralled into debauchery and drunkeness until he finally settled down and became a cold, cynical rake. Graham also suffered from PTSD as a result of his experiences in the war and the evil Jack used this knowledge to convince the H that he was a bit mentally unstable. By the time the MC's are about to be reunited, Jack had convinced Graham that he needed to marry a cold and selfish debutante called Lady Serena. At this point in the story, the old duke had died and Graham was the new Duke of Hampstead. Rowena is drawn back into the H's life when he comes to the school where she works and hires her to be a governess/companion for his new hoydenish ward Ainsley.

This part of the novel tended to drag a bit. There was a bit too much of bitterness as the MC's sniped at each other continually and it took a while before the actual romantic reconciliation started to happen. Ainsley, the H's ward, was a very entertaining minor character and she played a significant role in bringing the MC's together again. They eventually start to communicate in a more civil manner but Rowena is still very confused by his resentful behaviour, since she sees him as the villain and herself as the victim:





Eventually the truth, about how they'd been betrayed, is revealed and they're both understandably shattered. The nasty, jealous villain Jack does manage to create more trouble for the lovers, because he ensures that everyone in the Ton is made aware of the fact that Rowena's the daughter of a former courtesan. The heroine is so embarrassed by this that she refuses the H's marriage proposal and runs off to teach at another school for young ladies. Rowena feels that his public image would be tainted if he marries her. Graham is depressed during the entire month that she's gone but then Ainsley helps him with a big dramatic plan to make Rowena accept his proposal. Suddenly, the H is filled with optimistic love again:




The dramatic proposal scene at Rowena's new school was very romantic and it did help to end the novel in just the right way. I won't give any spoilers about this scene because it's truly beautiful and needs to be enjoyed by the reader. I did wish that the author had included an epilogue though. I felt that the reader should've been given a glimpse at these lovers in a few years' time, to bask in their well deserved happiness and perhaps see them with a child or two. I also thought that Jack should have been punished a bit more for his transgressions and that Rowena's cowardly relatives could have been re-introduced just to see their reaction to the fact that she's now a duchess. I didn't begrudge Graham's lack of celibate status during the 11 yrs because he'd been led to believe that Rowena was married to another man and lost to him.

[Jultri · Rating 3 out of 5]

PTSD duke hires companion for his new ward, only to come face to face with his old youthful love, who he believes betrayed him when he left for war 12 years earlier. I like the second-chance romance trope but once again this book, like so many recent books by Caldwell, feels rushed and formulaic, regurgitating a lot of repetitive inner dialague to fill the already short pages. Some glaring inconsistencies like stating that the heroine's father refused to acknowledge her, after mentioning several times that her paternity is unknown as her mother had several lovers at the time of her conception. And why on earth would she be the right person to guide the girl into society, when the heroine was from more humble background, a village girl really, who was never part of the glittering world on the Ton herself? And with that lack of experience, how can she at 16 be employed to teach other girls her age deportment and proper decorum, even with the old duke's intervention?

[Edwina " I LoveBooks" "Deb" · Rating 2 out of 5]

Schooling the Duke is bk1 of a brand new series by Christi Caldwell.
Graham Linford was a second son of the Duke Hampstead now his father and brother the heir are both deceased and he is the new Duke of Hampstead.

Miss Rowena Endicott Is the step daughter of the local Vicar and her mother was once a Courtesan. Rowena is the result of that and illegitimate daughter of some unknown Lord.

After Graham's father the Dukes first son dies and he knows Graham will one day become the Duke. He sets out to get rid of Rowena whom at the time Graham has sworn he will come back from the war for her and marry her. Rowena's parents work with the Duke to protect there legit family to send Rowena away and they lie to Graham about why she left and they lie to Rowena that Graham only thinks of her as a Whore!! Even Graham's and Rowena's childhood friend is in on this big deception.

11 years pass. Far too long for a couple to be separated in my opinion. They have come to hate each other because of there perceived lies that have been told to them. Once they are reunited Rowena as a companion to Grahams ward who is old enough to have been married at 17. This didn't work for me either. Girls during this era where married off as early as 15. I did like the way Ainsley's character was written.

The reason this was not 4 or 5 stars for me might be personal likes and dislikes. I don't like long separations between the H/H and 11 years is much too long. I don't like it when it takes the couple more then 60% of the story to discover the truth of the lies they had been told to separate them all those years ago. Once the truth was revealed it was not even a page long. Why didn't they talk when they were first united? The story is repetitive. Its say over an over Rowena is a bastard and the daughter of a courtesan. The lies separating them become the whole story line and is repeated over and over even after they know the truth. Also, I have gotten tire of the Spinster storyline who has plan brown eyes and a willowy figure. Brown eyes are boring especially when you have brown hair. I am also sick and tire of the hero being scared on the face. These characteristics are overdone. I want to tell Authors please stop. No more Plan Spinster and Scarred Hero's. Give us back the fantasy. For it is Fantasy that I read Historical Romance. This story mad me sad and the couple don't even get back together until the last few pages of the book. Rowena's parents are never confronted for how badly they treated her and the other villain Jack Turner who was Grahams and Rowena's childhood friend just got away with a butt kicking and fired my Graham. Villains need to suffer the consequences of there action when they do such diabolical things to the H/H of the story. This story was a Disappointment for me. Hopefully the next will be better. If not I will drop this series.

[Amy ~ Love At 1st Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think books should come with a sleep deprivation warning. By the middle of the prologue of Schooling the Duke, I knew I’d be up all night reading. Second chance romances are a tried and true romance trope and one of my favorites. I love seeing the spark that brought two people together originally reignite and grow into something amazing. And what a spark! The connection between Graham and Rowena was that much more intense because of their history together.

Rowena Endicott lived a simple life in Wallingford, England with her step-father, the vicar, her mother, and her two half-sisters. She spent carefree days with Jack and Graham, her two friends who knew her biggest secret. At 16, Rowena fell in love with Graham. They’d promised their eternal love to one another and Rowena had given her heart, body, and soul to Graham. After Graham left for the war, his older brother passed away. Graham’s father, the Duke of Hampstead, knew he had to end Graham’s romance now that his second son was the heir. No future duke could wed a baseborn daughter of a former courtesan. The duke cast Rowena out of the folds of her family and she lost every remnant of her once happy existence. She tried to contact Graham but all her letters had never been answered. When she risked going to see him upon his return, she was turned away with a vile letter from him ending their relationship. And so she’d assumed an alias and taken a position at Mrs. Belden’s Finishing School, a place devoid of warmth, love, and laughter. Now Rowena, the daughter of a reformed courtesan turned vicar’s wife, gave lessons on propriety to students who would never have to know what it was like to make their own way, never be toyed with by powerful noblemen and tricked out of their hearts and virtue. She did her best to keep thoughts of Graham out of her mind. The only purpose in thinking about him was to remind herself that it was safer to trust no one than to let anyone in.
Society saw Graham Linford, Duke of Hampstead, as a rogue turned powerful, austere duke. That was a lie. Since his return from war, he’d been plagued with nightmarish episodes that would unexpectedly creep in. He avoided engagements where an episode could bear witness to his weakness. The memories of those hellish battles. The only thing that had kept him going in battle were thoughts of rosy cheeks and emerald eyes- Rowena. He’d written to her while away but she’d never replied. When he did return, she was gone. He was told she’d chosen another. After fighting off death and the agony of Rowena’s abandonment, he’d re-entered the world overindulging in women and drink, trying to vanquish his demons. Now he lived a passionless, quiet, organized life. But that quiet was threatened when he was named guardian of a ward, a young girl who was the daughter of a fallen comrade. A man who had saved Graham from certain death. This girl would invade his life and threaten his carefully crafted façade. He needed a companion for the girl. Someone who could train her for her introduction to society. So he began the process of screening potential candidates and in so doing, “came face to face with the one vision who’d refused to relinquish her hold so he might shape himself into a completely immovable duke”.
The thought of bringing Rowena into his home was crazy but she shared more with his ward, Ainsley, than any other possible companion. He craved calm in his life and Rowena had always roused in him too much emotion for her to ever be safe. “It would be sheer folly to bring her into his home, a daily reminder of his greatest hopes and most painful heartbreak.” Even knowing of her betrayal, he still ached for her. Rowena wasn’t keen on the idea either. She knew the headmistress would fire her if she failed to take the assignment, but she had no desire to step into the world of the nobility ever again. How could she survive and hold on to her preciously guarded strength and control where Graham was concerned? She’d never been strong when it came to him. She’d been captivated by him as a girl and nothing had changed.

If this first book in Christi Caldwell’s new The Heart of a Scandal series is any indication, this series may very well be my new favorite. I adored Graham and Rowena. The sacrifices they made for family, their acceptance of Graham’s ward Ainsley, and the way they embraced her uniqueness were just some of the things that endeared them to me. Though bitter over perceived betrayals, each only wanted the other to be happy. I have to say I fell in love with them both during the thunderstorm when they played their childhood game to allay Rowena’s fears.
I loved the well- developed plot. The history between Rowena and Graham heightened the romantic tension. The slow revelation of what had really occurred to separate them kept me riveted. I especially enjoyed the memories intermingled in their conversations. It made their transformation that much more believable. I was captivated watching Rowena and Graham gradually find their way back to being the people they thought they’d lost.
The secondary characters were delightful as well. Who couldn’t love Ainsley? Her spirit, honesty, and sheer joy in the simplest pleasures of life made her an unforgettable character. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for her. Christi Caldwell always delivers romances that draw you in with enchanting, realistic characters that are perfect for each other. I’m so excited for this new series. Keep ‘em coming, Christi! A Book Obsessed Chicks Review Team Selection

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish there was an epilogue :((

[Mary Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say that Rowena and Graham now rank very high on my list of favorites.
They were in love at an early age but parted because Graham went away to fight in Boney's war. He came back an injured man and found she was no longer living in England. He finds himself with a young teenage girl who has been left as his ward by his friend who died. So he goes looking for the best companion to instruct this spirited young lady. He finds Rowena and hires her to help. He really put her in a tough position.
There is deceit between friends, suffering for both Graham and Rowena but also a great deal of sadness. I loved everything about this book and highly recommend you read it. So I better stop here before I reveal too much.
I received an ARC from Book Obsessed Chicks Review team for an honest review.

[🦉Maggie Whitworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋
Graham and Rowena have a love for all time , like swans who mate for life , these two belong together no matter what challenges befall them.
His Father , Her Mother , Parentage , Friends , Wards , Jobs , these things are sent to try them , but nothing is insurmountable for the two , who need each other as much as their next breath .
An awesome book , full of woes , hope , and love , oh and swans .

[Ursula · Rating 3 out of 5]

I used to love this author's books, probably because they were a few of the first HR books I read when I started with this genre. And this was still a nice story of a second-chance romance, but it did not grab me or engage me on a deeper, emotional level. I did find the H's lack of tenacity annoying and felt the h was a much stronger person all round, which made for a somewhat unequal partnership, but I was glad they got their HEA. The secondary character of Ainsley was sweet and feisty, whereas the other characters were rather one-dimensional and did not really add anything to the feel of the book.

I think I was put off by the author's previous effort in My Lady of Deception, a story I hated, again with an H who was much weaker than the h and which had a great deal of violence against the h in it (some of which was perpetrated by the H). Hence my new wariness where this author is concerned. Probably being unfair, but there it is!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was marvelous. Absolutely Marvelous.
The characters call to your heart, some make you want to pull them in for a hug and never let go such as with the ward, and others make you want to punch them such as with the best friend. And others make you want to show them what the world can enrich a persons life such as with the two main characters of the book.
Rowena Endicott is done with society and with the social pressures the ton puts on her. After being forced out of her home and forsaken by those she loved with her whole heart she is building a life for herself as a teacher for young women getting ready for their coming out. Her plans for never turning into her mother or going back to her past are completely decimated when her head mistress forces her to go with the man who had forsaken her so long ago.
Graham Linford, Duke of Hampstead is saddled with a ward that he never anticipated. After the man who saved his life died Graham is forced to take in his illegitimate daughter. Now Graham needs to find a companion in order to teach his ward how to act in proper society. And maybe he can throw in a little closure about what happened all those years ago when he found out that the women he loved married another.
This book is a HEA with all loose ends tied up quite nicely. I really enjoyed how all of the secrets came to life gradually and how the Rowena and Graham came back together gradually. It made the story extremely enjoyable.
I would highly recommend this story to any historical romance lovers. And I would highly recommend Ms. Caldwell to any romance lovers because absolutely none of her stories have let me down.
~A Book Obsessed Chicks Review Team Selection.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time I review a Chrisi Caldwell book I always thing this is her best book yet and then I read the next one. Well this is the best. Christi manages to take a story of young lovers separated by family and create an amazing story of older (~30) people finding each other and finding their was back to love. This book has every character type - an imperious Duke who only cares for his legacy, an illegitimate heroine who is forced to leave her home and family, a wounded soldier who thinks his love has abandoned him, a traitorous friend, and a feisty, independent ward who brings everyone together.
The narrative is smart and the characters well written. This book had places where I laughed but more where I cried. You can't help but feel for the two main characters Rowena and Graham and all they have lost because of the meddling of those closest to them. If this is the first book in the series, I can't wait to see what comes next.

[Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

She is his swan... He mate for life

Very good book. They were meant to be together and after years of separation they still loved one another. They worked thru all that had been thrust upon them. I do wish that we could have gotten flash backs to thier beginning. And also a little more of life after they reunited. And perhaps a better final conclusion with Jack. I felt that other than thier relationship there were some loose ends but the ending was very romantic. I love Graham

[Lori Meehan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a good book. It's the perfect second chance romance. I'm glad I read the prequel ( In Need of a Duke) first so that I knew the gist of the story and locket.
Graham Linford the Duke of Hampstead and Rowena Endicott were friends and then lovers until Graham went off to war with a promise to return and make Rowena his wife. With Graham born the second son he was free to marry who he wished or so he thought. While away at war Graham's brother dies and he becomes the heir. Unknown to Graham his father would of never allowed him to marry Rowena and he does everything in his power to make sure that it will never happen. Coming home to a fate he never wanted and to find that Rowena is gone and the madness that continues to plague him has changed Graham for ever. Rowena is living a life that she never invisoned and is now a shell of her former joyful personality, the top instructor at a finishing school. Never thinking she'd see Graham again one day he shows up at the school needing a champion for his ward Miss Ainsley Hickenbottom. Only the best will do and that's Rowena.
With so many lies and secrets and heartbreak there may be no way for Graham and Rowena to find their way back to the people they once were.
I loved these characters and I want Ainsley to find her HEA. She is one of the shining lights in this book.
*Book Obsessed Chicks Review team

[Vikki Vaught · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly enjoyed Schooling the Duke from the first page to the last. The characters are amazing the plot is unique. Even the secondary characters are fantastic. I can’t get enough of Christi Caldwell’s books. Happy reading/listening!

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was good. It would have been better if the author hadn't given in and gone too far with the marriage proposal denials. It gets repetitive and boring after two.

[Andrea Luhman · Rating 1 out of 5]

I need to avoid this author from now on. I've DNF's one too many of her books. I gave this one up at Chapter 17. She's clearly not my cup of tea.

[Gal reads books · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this author’s novels as a rule - but this one had tropes that I hated, that possibly colored my perception of the book:

1. Long separation thanks to other people - both main characters were separated due to the devious actions of others BUT, and this is why I can’t stand the hero, he doesn’t even look for her to find out the truth himself. He just descends into drunkenness and debauchery (But of course!) for 10 years. This was a woman you claimed you loved so much, wouldn’t you have wanted to see her and find out the truth the moment you were back? What a passive hero!

2. Heroine is celibate and has no one after the hero - but hero was of course man - whore for 10 years. I know it’s historically accurate though, even though I still hate it! Let the girl have a full life!!!

3. When they first meet, one of his mean comments was comparing her in bed to other women. I know we’re supposed to have an arsehole hero at first but that was just too much.

4. Again - passive hero - couldn’t stand that. They finally talk, he proposes marriage but she knows she can’t marry him being the daughter of a courtesan and she leaves. He only goes after her when prodded by his ward. Really, how annoying!

[Tracy DeNeal · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love second chance romances, this is the book for you.

I was transported by this story of young lovers thwarted by prejudice, jealousy, class distinctions and desperation.

As usual, Christi Caldwell takes a flawed H and h and brings them together after a long separation to recognize the strength of their love for one another.

The villains of this piece were despicable. The callous disregard for the feelings of others was heartbreaking. I kept wanting to say, "Why?"

It was pure schaudenfraude (pleasure derived from the misfortune of others).

My pleasure came, of course, from the liberal use of symbolism to drive home the point that our dear couple was meant to be. The cameo appearances and mentions of several denizens in the Caldwell HOAD universe made me smile and was refreshing.

All in all, this first installment of the Heart of a Scandal series was an excellent read and I anxiously await the next book in the series.

[LOVEROFBOOKS · Rating 2 out of 5]

Frustrating!

At the beginning of this book, I was loving it. Then she started rehashing the same stuff going on in both characters' minds. OVER and OVER again-throughout the whole book!! I can't even remember how many times I rolled my eyes and said out loud "Again?! I KNOW!!" I was so tired of this book by the time I was done with it. Plus I wanted to slap Rowena for being so obstinate.

Teachers tell writing students continually to SHOW, NOT TELL but this is what repeatedly happens all throughout the book. We are hit over the head with the same dang information-telling not showing. I was so bored and frustrated after the very beginning of this book. What could have been a great book ended up dreadful.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finished this a couple weeks ago and have already forgotten most of the plot points/characters. But I do remember being super annoyed with how repetitive it all became. This author needed an editor to hack at a good chunk of the exposition. We don't need to read every page about how the duke felt betrayed by the female MC, or how she thinks she's a bastard/whore and they can never be together. You establish it , mention it once or twice more, and the reader will understand the underlying conflict of the story. But my god, it was rehashed every other page. Eye-rollingly redundant.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read. The only thing for me was the ending. Why didn't Rowena go back to see her mother, step-father and half-sisters. It somehow bothered me. Seemed like a loose end.
4☆

[Kiley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Schooling the Duke, Book 1 of The Heart of a Scandal series, was about Mrs. Rowena Bryant, a finishing school instructor, and His Grace Graham Linford, second son of the late Duke of Hampstead, now the current Duke of Hampstead.
Rowena and Graham had fallen in love several years before, but he had gone off to war before they could marry. When Rowena was betrayed, not only by Graham but by everyone she loved, she disappeared. Graham, returning injured from war, believed that it was Rowena who had betrayed him, determined he would never give his heart to anyone again.
Ten years later, having been informed by the headmistress of the school at which she taught, that the new Duke of Hampstead needed a companion for his new ward and wanted the best teacher the school had...which, when he went to interview the potential companion, ended up being Rowena.
Graham, after returning home from the war, suffered from horrible nightmares and PTSD (although it wasn't called that back then). His friend, Jack, tried to help him from going "mad", but at the same time kept telling Graham that's what was happening to him.
When Graham learned the truth of why Rowena had disappeared ten years before, he was devastated, realizing that everyone she had known, including him, had betrayed her.
There was nearly more angst and drama in this book than one reader could handle at a time. The fate that had swamped the two main characters for most of their lives was close to unbearable to watch unfold. There was only a smidge of humor to alleviate the near oppressive tension and darkness of the storyline.
With all the twists and turns, the heartaches, the pain, the tears that were shed, betrayals on both sides, the second chance for happiness...this was an excellent love story. The passion the two shared, though it was minimal, was flaming hot. The characters were well-developed and the storyline was well-written.
This book definitely deserved a five-star rating and to find its place among the Keeper for the Shelves collection.

[Crazychriss889 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plot?
MCs spent ten years apart from each other. Took them about 60-65% of the book to talk about what had happened back the and to identify the real villain - villains in this case.

Some inconsistencies. A lot of confusion. The heroine was a vice's daughter. How could she know about all the things that were done in the ton? Apart from some evening dinners. How would she be accepted as a teacher at a school that teaches ladies of the ton? Without any knowledge about that?

Some subplots are never resolved. What about her parents? Will there ever be any contact again?

Writing style?
Too much inner monologues... not enough dialogues.
Kind of dragging... I skipped a lot of pages cause I simply needed to find out what had happened in the past between them and what the hero would do to make amends. Not a lot, as it turned out.
The author built everything up to this moment but then it just wasn't enough... Not enough blame put on him, not enough groveling,... Argh, unfortunately, I didn't fall in love with this book...

Characters?
Both of them are not perfect.
The hero put his trust in the wrong people.
The heroine betrayed herself. She tried to make a living but had to go against her principles to do so...

All in all, I loved the idea itself, I loved the idea of the plot but it took too long for them to find each other again! He asked her a out her husband three freaking times and she didn't say anything ! Drove me a big mad...

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soulful and Sensational!

Schooling the Duke, book one of Christi Caldwell’s Heart of a Scandal series, is the story of Rowena Bryant and Graham Linford, second son of the Duke of Hampstead. Childhood sweethearts in love and planning a life together, everything changes when Graham’s brother dies making him the heir while he’s overseas fighting against Bonaparte. Rowena is sent away, and Graham comes home wounded. Manipulated by family and friends, each of them feels hurt and angry with the other, wishing never to see them again. Ten years later they meet again when Graham, now Duke, is searching for a companion for his ward. He doesn’t want Rowena in his life, but she is the best candidate for the post so he forces her hand. As time unfolds the truth of what happened in their past unfolds, and they realize the love they once shared still burns within them, but will it be enough to overcome the obstacles they face in order to be together. Christi Caldwell has written a sensational story with soulful characters. Their strength and courage are inspiring. Ainsley, the Duke’s ward, is a firecracker! Too wise for her age, but timid of the world of the ton, and still holding on to the innocence of youth, despite her upbringing! You’re sure to fall in love with this smashing hit!

[Leyla · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is only the second historical romance novel I’ve ever read. Perhaps it’s because I’m still new to the genre, or maybe my opinion is valid regardless—but at times, the story felt repetitive, particularly in the first half of the book. I understand that a major misunderstanding was central to the plot, but I wondered why the same scenes had to be repeated after already being mentioned.

The flashbacks, for example, often didn’t add anything new to the characters’ backgrounds. I would have preferred if they revealed new details instead of repeating what had already been shown. The same goes for the portrayal of the trauma experienced by both Rowena and Graham. While I can understand that the author may have wanted to emphasize certain aspects of their pain to make the reader truly feel it, it still felt repetitive at times.

I don’t mind flashbacks or detailed backstory, but I would have appreciated more variation rather than the same memories being recycled. That said, I did enjoy the story overall.

Once again, I’m new to this genre, and it’s possible that my critique comes from not yet being accustomed to this particular style of storytelling. Who knows—perhaps I’ll reread the book in a few years and find myself disagreeing with my initial impressions.

[dumbells · Rating 2 out of 5]

– Strong start with promising build up of chemistry between the h and H and then everything just gets lost in the endless repetition of their inner demons and things they rake themselves over the coals over and over and over and over and over again. I guess this is how God feels when he has to hear endless confessions of sinners asking for forgives or salvation or one thing or another… dude must be bored out of his mind.

Ps. Found NOTHING whatsoever endearing and interesting about the ward girl. She is just stumbling into situations and causing some sort of upheaval (not real she was very neglectable) and everyone is super sympathetic cuz of the sad past she’s had. No one ever tries to explain her the realities of the world she finds herself they are just trying to protect her cuz of all the hardship she has already experienced not realizing she is entering the dangerous and cutting world of the Ton and if someone does not prepare her for that world someone far less kind is gonna rip her naïve soft ideas to shreds.

[Cherry London · Rating 5 out of 5]

This tale is filled with deep and heartfelt emotions that reverberate throughout the whole book, their tortured hearts are shrouded in pain due to some serious prejudice and jealousy. Rowena and Graham had to wade their way through years of betrayal and deceit in order to get clarity on some serious heart-wrenching stuff which was covered in an ugly mask of wickedness that immersed itself in everything they believed was the truth. This book is a great piece of art that was masterfully constructed, I even felt like I was part of the scenery in the library where Graham shared some long overdue blows to his so called friend and a man of business. I literally wanted to give him some blows but the Duke took care of that in style. So yeah, this is one of those books that gets you emotionally and let’s not forget the romance part, so get a copy and immerse yourself into some whole-time real romance.

[Lisette Ruiz · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF-DNR.. I've come up with a new rating system for myself, did not finish, do not recommend.. I feel bad giving bad reviews, but I think authors really need to focus on crafting a compelling & emotional story arc.

I felt like I was reading the same.exact.passage page after page, literally the same words chapter after chapter, with our heroine constantly whining/ruminating on how she'll never be accepted by society because she's the daughter of a whore (seriously, the word whore is SO overused, its in almost every paragraph where she's going through inner monologue- which is A LOT). I got about 75% of the way through.. Hoping for improvement, but it didn't get better, and I couldn't continue.

The most interesting characters in this story are NOT the 2 main characters.. I found the jilted intended and the ward to both be much more interesting and I wanted to read more about them than Rowena and Graham.

[Lana Birky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christi Caldwell always creates and develops characters that you fall in love with and root for their happiness in the end. Rowena Endicott aka Mrs. Bryant and Graham Linford, Duke of Hamstead pulled you in to their story from the beginning and the Duke's ward, Ainsley was an absolute hoot! It took a lot of working, talking and convincing to find out what had really pulled them apart years ago and there were things that happened that were beyond their control. Now after several years, they finally see each other and the truths are finally exposed.

I loved the story, the main characters, hated the villains and would have given it a 5 star rating but I felt there was too much time spent by Rowena and Graham reflecting on the past. I highly recommend this read and can't wait to read the next book in this series.

[Sonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine second chance romance. Rowena and Graham were childhood friends turned lovers. As the spare to a dukedom, he had the freedom to love where his heart desired. Then, he was sent to war. While at war, his brother died and he suddenly became the heir. After becoming the heir, his father destroyed the budding love between the village girl and the would be duke.

Fast forward ten, bitter years. Graham inherits a ward and he needs a companion/tutor. He goes to the best to hire the best, only, it turns out to be Rowena. Bitterness, pain, and regret abound on both sides. Rowena and Graham must find a way past all that to see if anything is left between them. Each hopes not, but it gets harder to deny each day they spend in each others presence.