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The Heart of a Scandal #2
A Lady's Guide to a Gentleman's Heart
Honor demands he give her up-
Heath Whitworth, Marquess of Mulgrave and heir to a dukedom, is honorable to his handsome bones. When his mother insists he spend the holidays dancing attendance on Lady Emilia Aberdeen, he has no choice but to do the gentlemanly thing. For years, Heath has harbored feelings for the lady, but he knows exactly why his best friend jilted Emilia years ago, and that secret makes a happily ever after for Heath and Emilia an impossibility.
Love demands she follow her heart-
Heartbroken after the man she loved ended their betrothal, Lady Emilia Aberdeen, is quite content to live a spinster’s life penning an anonymous column that offers guidance to young ladies. Except, the more she is thrown into Lord Mulgrave’s company, the more she sees that the proper, always-aloof gentleman is also charming, clever, and inconveniently attractive. Emilia discovers maybe it is possible to love again but with secrets between them, Heath will face his greatest challenge yet: loving Emilia Aberdeen or letting her go.
Heath Whitworth, Marquess of Mulgrave and heir to a dukedom, is honorable to his handsome bones. When his mother insists he spend the holidays dancing attendance on Lady Emilia Aberdeen, he has no choice but to do the gentlemanly thing. For years, Heath has harbored feelings for the lady, but he knows exactly why his best friend jilted Emilia years ago, and that secret makes a happily ever after for Heath and Emilia an impossibility.
Love demands she follow her heart-
Heartbroken after the man she loved ended their betrothal, Lady Emilia Aberdeen, is quite content to live a spinster’s life penning an anonymous column that offers guidance to young ladies. Except, the more she is thrown into Lord Mulgrave’s company, the more she sees that the proper, always-aloof gentleman is also charming, clever, and inconveniently attractive. Emilia discovers maybe it is possible to love again but with secrets between them, Heath will face his greatest challenge yet: loving Emilia Aberdeen or letting her go.
177 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 5, 2018
1044 people are currently reading
401 people want to read
About the author
Christi Caldwell
136 books2,557 followersUSA 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.
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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
December 14, 2018
*Might have spoilers* - Give good guys a chance!
Regulars of the CaldWorld will tell you Christi is a master redeemer. She takes the baddest of the boys, puts them through wringers and takes you through their journeys of traumatic childhood, bad role models, early deceptions and makes you want to cry out and root for them. So much so that for Christi’s regular readers every villain is now an opportunity. For a great tale of redemption.
This is NOT that tale. Heath – the ducal heir – is the boring, bookish Lord you’d expect to dot his i’s and cross his t’s. He is the dutiful son, the oft suffering brother of a rogue. He is the beige you won’t turn to take a second look in the colourful reds and greens of the CaldWorld rogues. And that is exactly what Emilia has done for all her life.
She’s seen him as the arrogant and aloof ducal heir who doesn’t even like her. After a failed engagement, she is a pariah of the society and still she’s kept her distance from him. Because that is what anyone would do with boring people.
This story is the WHY that is exactly what she should NOT have done. Because that would be a mistake! And it has been a mistake.
She’s missed the chance to be happy with a man who would pluck stars from the sky for her if only she’d asked. And what woman wants to miss that chance of one true forever love?
They say life imitates art. In the contemporary world where #MeToo has caught our imagination it’s a time to retrospect from within. Of the role models we choose. Of the heros we root for. And of the stories we enjoy telling – and reading.
Christi has once again proven to be a responsible story teller here.
Safe is good. Safe is healthy. Safe is wise. We need to educate our daughters that while the Rutlands and the Marcus’ of the world are interesting characters it’s the quiet strength of the Miles’ and the Heaths that form foundations of a great relationship, a great family, a great country and a great world.
These are the good sons, th
e good brothers and the good husbands and the good fathers who quietly toil and make lives of everyone around them safer - and so much better. They deserve to be celebrated.
And that is what makes this story so very special to me. Not just Heath, the “villain” Renaud also is not a rogue or a cad. Though misguided he is shown to be a man of honour. Young and impulsive, perhaps? But not evil. And we all can live with that.
Go ahead pick up this book and root for Heath with all your heart. If you are a woman who’s wondered why are women expected to put up with “boys being boys” and the “reformed rakes make best husbands” trope, do yourself a favour and choose your next hero wisely!
I promise you wont regret it…
Regulars of the CaldWorld will tell you Christi is a master redeemer. She takes the baddest of the boys, puts them through wringers and takes you through their journeys of traumatic childhood, bad role models, early deceptions and makes you want to cry out and root for them. So much so that for Christi’s regular readers every villain is now an opportunity. For a great tale of redemption.
This is NOT that tale. Heath – the ducal heir – is the boring, bookish Lord you’d expect to dot his i’s and cross his t’s. He is the dutiful son, the oft suffering brother of a rogue. He is the beige you won’t turn to take a second look in the colourful reds and greens of the CaldWorld rogues. And that is exactly what Emilia has done for all her life.
She’s seen him as the arrogant and aloof ducal heir who doesn’t even like her. After a failed engagement, she is a pariah of the society and still she’s kept her distance from him. Because that is what anyone would do with boring people.
This story is the WHY that is exactly what she should NOT have done. Because that would be a mistake! And it has been a mistake.
She’s missed the chance to be happy with a man who would pluck stars from the sky for her if only she’d asked. And what woman wants to miss that chance of one true forever love?
They say life imitates art. In the contemporary world where #MeToo has caught our imagination it’s a time to retrospect from within. Of the role models we choose. Of the heros we root for. And of the stories we enjoy telling – and reading.
Christi has once again proven to be a responsible story teller here.
Safe is good. Safe is healthy. Safe is wise. We need to educate our daughters that while the Rutlands and the Marcus’ of the world are interesting characters it’s the quiet strength of the Miles’ and the Heaths that form foundations of a great relationship, a great family, a great country and a great world.
These are the good sons, th
e good brothers and the good husbands and the good fathers who quietly toil and make lives of everyone around them safer - and so much better. They deserve to be celebrated.
And that is what makes this story so very special to me. Not just Heath, the “villain” Renaud also is not a rogue or a cad. Though misguided he is shown to be a man of honour. Young and impulsive, perhaps? But not evil. And we all can live with that.
Go ahead pick up this book and root for Heath with all your heart. If you are a woman who’s wondered why are women expected to put up with “boys being boys” and the “reformed rakes make best husbands” trope, do yourself a favour and choose your next hero wisely!
I promise you wont regret it…
May 9, 2025
⭐⭐⭐
3 stars.
➕ What I liked :
Some parts here and there of the story was a little tiny bit interesting.
A little tiny bit “older” heroine (28)
Tallish heroine.
Somewhat interesting side characters.
➖ What I disliked:
A little too anachronistic in some places of the story.
In many places in the story some things needed to be more fleshed out…. And in others not be so repetitive.
Some parts of the plot were a little disjointed and kind of confusing….
There was No steam … only kissing and No sex scene… Not even closed door scenes/fade to black scenes.
(The book is not labeled/marked as a “clean”/”sweet” or closed door romance but it very much felt like one.)
The ending felt kind of abrupt and unfinished.
Repetitive.
A little too OTT in some places in the book.
The romantic-build up and chemistry felt unconvincing and like it came out of nowhere…. But also rushed even for a novella and for a plot where the main characters have known each other indirectly and directly for most of their lives… the heroes mother is godmother to the heroine.
That the former betrothed of the heroine was added in the story like he was … and also the reason for him breaking things of with the heroine was just dumb and made no sense … like he could not have done that “noble” thing and still married the heroine …. or at least told her why he did what he did.
Verbose for a novella.
Both main characters were a little too contradictory… especially the heroine.
Formulaic in the character description/visual appearance/character choice of the hero.
(Hero= tall, muscular/chiseled, handsome …. heroine compares him to Greek statues)🙄
June 19, 2021
I absolutely adored this sweet book. Love love the hero- heroine who were polar opposite at first glance but had so many things in common.
I’m an absolute sucker for books with heroes who are silently in love with the heroines for years. The scenes with hero and his mother was hilarious. As was the way both H/h interacted with each other.
No epilogue.
Recommended and safe.
I’m an absolute sucker for books with heroes who are silently in love with the heroines for years. The scenes with hero and his mother was hilarious. As was the way both H/h interacted with each other.
No epilogue.
Recommended and safe.
December 12, 2018
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
💋
This is one of the most tender and loving books I’ve ever read and I am so glad Christi wrote it .
Heath was a touching and honest character ,and is the sort of man you would love to take home to your mum .
Emilia is strong in some ways but she’s had to be , deep inside she’s still emotional and reeling from past experiences, both of these characters were perfect , in fact I think there now up there among my favourites from Caldworld .
Christi’s books don’t get much better than this , it funny , tense, sweet , loving , it’s everything you want from a good book .
Highly Recommended!!
💋
This is one of the most tender and loving books I’ve ever read and I am so glad Christi wrote it .
Heath was a touching and honest character ,and is the sort of man you would love to take home to your mum .
Emilia is strong in some ways but she’s had to be , deep inside she’s still emotional and reeling from past experiences, both of these characters were perfect , in fact I think there now up there among my favourites from Caldworld .
Christi’s books don’t get much better than this , it funny , tense, sweet , loving , it’s everything you want from a good book .
Highly Recommended!!
August 2, 2019
This book was my first read by Christi Caldwell, it was a sweet and cute one about two peoples who get to know the real self of the other, so different from the one they thought they known.
Emilia’s character was shaped by the rejection of her betrothed on her weeding day. Since she retreated from society’s life and found new purposes but she also became bitter.
Heath, Lord Whitworth, has loved Emilia from afar since his childhood but he was too shy and awkward with words around her to declare himself and he let her go to his best friend.
So ten years later, when they are required to attend the same party, their own mothers and some gossipers put them on the same path.
And it was a revelation, Heath has always been attracted to the spitfire Emilia was, but he learns there was something different behind her happy face, and he is surprised to discover how she changed after she was let down by her former fiancé.
Emilia never saw Heath, oh she knew he existed but she never really acknowledged his existence, because he never spoke more than few words to her, she dismissed him, thinking he was boring and too bookish to be interesting but now as he begins to speak to her, even if it is to please his mother, she realizes she truly misjudged him, he is not the one she thought he was, he is so much more but nobody not even herself never saw him for who he really is.
It was a lovely story about second chance, in love and life as the more they are together, the more they care for another but also get to enjoy the little pleasures life can bring when shared with those who care.
The tirade told by Emilia’s mother to her daughter hiding in her chamber was heartbreaking and magnificent about the love of a mother and her helplessness to protect her child from life’s pains.
Emilia’s character was shaped by the rejection of her betrothed on her weeding day. Since she retreated from society’s life and found new purposes but she also became bitter.
Heath, Lord Whitworth, has loved Emilia from afar since his childhood but he was too shy and awkward with words around her to declare himself and he let her go to his best friend.
So ten years later, when they are required to attend the same party, their own mothers and some gossipers put them on the same path.
And it was a revelation, Heath has always been attracted to the spitfire Emilia was, but he learns there was something different behind her happy face, and he is surprised to discover how she changed after she was let down by her former fiancé.
Emilia never saw Heath, oh she knew he existed but she never really acknowledged his existence, because he never spoke more than few words to her, she dismissed him, thinking he was boring and too bookish to be interesting but now as he begins to speak to her, even if it is to please his mother, she realizes she truly misjudged him, he is not the one she thought he was, he is so much more but nobody not even herself never saw him for who he really is.
It was a lovely story about second chance, in love and life as the more they are together, the more they care for another but also get to enjoy the little pleasures life can bring when shared with those who care.
The tirade told by Emilia’s mother to her daughter hiding in her chamber was heartbreaking and magnificent about the love of a mother and her helplessness to protect her child from life’s pains.
December 9, 2018
An enjoyable sweet story (clean romance), not very long and set over a few days.
H and h have known each other since childhood but were not playmates. H was rather bookish while h was an outgoing child. She was engaged to his best friend who broke the engagement on the wedding day.
H is bullied by his mother into paying attention to h while she is a guest at his house.
I loved the two main characters; H was a kind man, quiet and laden with expectations as he was his father's heir. h teaches him to smile while he teaches her to look beyond his quiet exterior.
Their interactions are playful and sweet and the developing relationship rather sweet.
There is no OW drama although OM makes an entrance where h promptly tells him she is in love with H (OM is also a nice man whose reasons for breaking the engagement were jutified in his way).
The other characters are hilarious although interfering and some scenes are very funny.
I recommend this book for a light read
H and h have known each other since childhood but were not playmates. H was rather bookish while h was an outgoing child. She was engaged to his best friend who broke the engagement on the wedding day.
H is bullied by his mother into paying attention to h while she is a guest at his house.
I loved the two main characters; H was a kind man, quiet and laden with expectations as he was his father's heir. h teaches him to smile while he teaches her to look beyond his quiet exterior.
Their interactions are playful and sweet and the developing relationship rather sweet.
There is no OW drama although OM makes an entrance where h promptly tells him she is in love with H (OM is also a nice man whose reasons for breaking the engagement were jutified in his way).
The other characters are hilarious although interfering and some scenes are very funny.
I recommend this book for a light read
June 29, 2019
I generally dislike novellas and this accidental read of one is not going to make me change my mind in a hurry. Contradictory heroine. Rushed and unconvincing romance. Dialogues that left me confused as to what on earth they were alluding to. Not CC's finest but at least she has eliminated all the annoying repetitions that had plagued some of her mass-produced books. Ironically, the best thing about this book was that it was thankfully a quick read, otherwise it would have ended up in my DNF pile.
February 7, 2022
It is hard to rate a novella, but this was a little too silly and cheesy for taste.
November 18, 2020
A Historical romance novella - one I'm going to label as Wallpaper - sorry. There's lots of 'sparkling' and 'witty' dialogue, but unfortunately a lot of it is quite confusing at times, because of the author's love of inserting random and supposedly humorous thoughts in the middle of sentences - for both Heath (a Duke's heir) and Emilia (a Duke's daughter).
Also the copious use of the word, 'what', annoys me. (eg as per answering a question with). It abounds in modern historicals written by American authors and it's very annoying. If I replied 'what', as a kid to either my Nana or my mother (even today, for my mum who's in her 80's), I would be reprimanded, because to answer someone with 'what', was considered extremely rude and I assume aristocrats would never have uttered it. (My granny was from an upper class English family - born late 1800's and came to Australia as a WW1 bride).
The book's well written in general, but I think I'm a bit over this type of writing style. Plus, why have a Christmas tree in a regency romance, when the tradition didn't come about until Prince Albert introduced the German custom in the 1840's? This is the third book featuring the chopping down of said tree, I've read this month. One side character is apparently from somewhere in Europe, so hence the reason. They used to cut a yule log, so why not go with that? The romance was slow burn, but still felt pretty insta-love, as our couple have know each other most of their lives.
Note to authors - getting sick of Dukes... In reality they were few and far between. These books make it seem like they were a species all of their own. Lol.
Also the copious use of the word, 'what', annoys me. (eg as per answering a question with). It abounds in modern historicals written by American authors and it's very annoying. If I replied 'what', as a kid to either my Nana or my mother (even today, for my mum who's in her 80's), I would be reprimanded, because to answer someone with 'what', was considered extremely rude and I assume aristocrats would never have uttered it. (My granny was from an upper class English family - born late 1800's and came to Australia as a WW1 bride).
The book's well written in general, but I think I'm a bit over this type of writing style. Plus, why have a Christmas tree in a regency romance, when the tradition didn't come about until Prince Albert introduced the German custom in the 1840's? This is the third book featuring the chopping down of said tree, I've read this month. One side character is apparently from somewhere in Europe, so hence the reason. They used to cut a yule log, so why not go with that? The romance was slow burn, but still felt pretty insta-love, as our couple have know each other most of their lives.
Note to authors - getting sick of Dukes... In reality they were few and far between. These books make it seem like they were a species all of their own. Lol.
December 7, 2018
Perfect winter read
A lovely wintery story. This book is Emilia and Heath’s story, two characters who were side characters in Home for The Holidays. While this book can stand alone, it works best after The Rogue Who Rescued Her and Home for the Holidays.
Emilia is a strong heroine, and also slightly older than the typical Regency heroine at twenty-eight. Heath is a wonderful hero - the bookish, ducal heir, who has forgotten what it means to do something for enjoyment. I loved watching his character development as he fell in love.
A beautifully written winter story, with skating, carols and romance.
A lovely wintery story. This book is Emilia and Heath’s story, two characters who were side characters in Home for The Holidays. While this book can stand alone, it works best after The Rogue Who Rescued Her and Home for the Holidays.
Emilia is a strong heroine, and also slightly older than the typical Regency heroine at twenty-eight. Heath is a wonderful hero - the bookish, ducal heir, who has forgotten what it means to do something for enjoyment. I loved watching his character development as he fell in love.
A beautifully written winter story, with skating, carols and romance.
April 25, 2019
So loved this tender story ♡ What lady wouldn't want Heath? Christi Caldwell is brilliant! 5☆
December 11, 2018
I am such a sucker for the good guy trope in romance novels. They never get enough love and was excited that my favorite historical romance author had one, just time for the holiday season!
A Lady's Guide to a GEntleman's Heart is the perfect winter romcom! I laughed my way through this book and just loved the witty banter between Heath and Emilia. I think I wore a huge smile on my face all the way through the end of the book. While this was good for laughs, there was also the trademark Caldwell emotion and you will find yourself tearing up and time or two.
Heath and Emilia were two souls so caught up in the pain of the past and what was society's expectations for them, that they failed to see that they stopped living and were just existing. Coming together during the Christmas season, they found a freedom in each other that was truly magical. They could let down their mask and just their beautifully awkward selves and it was fun to watch two people not only fall in love with each other but to also love and accept themselves as well.
A Lady's Guide to a GEntleman's Heart is the perfect winter romcom! I laughed my way through this book and just loved the witty banter between Heath and Emilia. I think I wore a huge smile on my face all the way through the end of the book. While this was good for laughs, there was also the trademark Caldwell emotion and you will find yourself tearing up and time or two.
Heath and Emilia were two souls so caught up in the pain of the past and what was society's expectations for them, that they failed to see that they stopped living and were just existing. Coming together during the Christmas season, they found a freedom in each other that was truly magical. They could let down their mask and just their beautifully awkward selves and it was fun to watch two people not only fall in love with each other but to also love and accept themselves as well.
February 23, 2019
This one's a little shorter - hence the lower price point - but it has everything we need to fall in love with these two characters. Despite having known each other their entire lives, they never looked beneath the surface, and are only now discovering what makes the other person so unique. I love how the book reminds us how easy it is to fall in love with the flirt when we're younger, but as we grow older, we want someone who's actually reliable. And when the reliable guy turns out to also have a great personality hidden under his sometimes aloof veneer, and is super hot, then you definitely want to pick that guy.
December 13, 2018
I got married right before Christmas so I’m a sucker for Christmastime romance. A Lady’s Guide to a Gentleman’s Heart is the perfect combination of the magic and joy of Christmas and a happily ever after. Two of my favorite things! I adored Heath and Emilia. And honestly, I can’t think of two people more deserving of joy and love. Both had been ducal children who’d bowed to the expectations placed upon them. And in Heath’s case, so much so that he never enjoyed the simple pleasures of life. Though they’d known each other since their youth, they were still a mystery to each other. All they simply needed was to spend time alone together. And they both found a new understanding of one another. One they liked very much. Christi Caldwell has a way of writing characters so real and genuine that you can’t help but be overjoyed when they find their HEA. With the snowfall scenes, ice skating, tree trimming, mistletoe, and a beautiful story of two people opening their hearts to each other, this book is the perfect gift to give yourself this season.
December 9, 2018
Amazing
What can I say about Emilia and Heath? Don’t judge a book by its cover? Both of these people are deeper then the surface they show society. But, a mother knows her child and finally uses Heath’s dependability to bring them together. He loved her for years! He thought her too brilliant for a solid guy. But still waters run deep! And Heath shows himself with the interactions of his nieces and nephew and finally to the woman he has always loved.
What can I say about Emilia and Heath? Don’t judge a book by its cover? Both of these people are deeper then the surface they show society. But, a mother knows her child and finally uses Heath’s dependability to bring them together. He loved her for years! He thought her too brilliant for a solid guy. But still waters run deep! And Heath shows himself with the interactions of his nieces and nephew and finally to the woman he has always loved.
October 11, 2019
Nope
Please stop the exessive use of Mayhap
10 years really and in all that time a woman who is reputedly quite sharp can't figure out that she didn't really know her former betrothed, that it was fancy not love. and the deep secret "oh so noble" reasons for said "cad" breaking it off..............yeah not flying on that lead ship
So its a bit of a surprising no for me on reading this author in the future
Please stop the exessive use of Mayhap
10 years really and in all that time a woman who is reputedly quite sharp can't figure out that she didn't really know her former betrothed, that it was fancy not love. and the deep secret "oh so noble" reasons for said "cad" breaking it off..............yeah not flying on that lead ship
So its a bit of a surprising no for me on reading this author in the future
January 12, 2019
A Lady’s Guide to a Gentleman's Heart is book two in The Heart of a Scandal Series. This is another winner from Ms. Caldwell. I read the entire book in one day because I couldn't put it down. The hero is a new favorite for me. Heath Whitworth, Marquess of Mulgrave is a man of amazing honor and loyalty. “Jacketless and in his bare, well, stocking clad feet. And she, for the first time in her life, had been...intrigued by Heath Whitworth, of all gentlemen. Tall, lean, and wiry, he’d an altogether different physique than her former betrothed. Only, sans jacket and cravat with his lawn shirt gaping open, she’d appreciated for the first time the chiseled perfection of his frame. From the aquiline nose, to the sharp cheeks, noble jaw, and brow, he put her in mind of one of those Greek statues she’d admired in the London Museum.”
Lady Emilia Aberdeen is an unconventional whoot! I loved her sense of humor and her antics. I can’t wait to read the next in this series.
Lady Emilia Aberdeen is an unconventional whoot! I loved her sense of humor and her antics. I can’t wait to read the next in this series.
December 20, 2018
Love Past and Present
Lady Emilia is quite a unique and amazing sort of heroine. And Heath, what’s not to love. Their story is beautifully written, and one that leaves a warm and comforting feeling as the pieces from the past come together, secrets are revealed, and truths of the present bring hope for the future. Another wonderful book by this author.
Lady Emilia is quite a unique and amazing sort of heroine. And Heath, what’s not to love. Their story is beautifully written, and one that leaves a warm and comforting feeling as the pieces from the past come together, secrets are revealed, and truths of the present bring hope for the future. Another wonderful book by this author.
December 7, 2018
Love in the snow
Another heartwarming story by Christi Caldwell. Love & romance blossoms amidst a house party. Unrequited love from years ago finally given a chance. A lighthearted story to warm your heart in these winter days. Highly recommend this book
Another heartwarming story by Christi Caldwell. Love & romance blossoms amidst a house party. Unrequited love from years ago finally given a chance. A lighthearted story to warm your heart in these winter days. Highly recommend this book
December 29, 2018
This is a fantastic beta-hero romance and I’m so glad to have read it. There just aren’t enough of them, probably because it’s harder to pull off. Gold stars, 5 of them, to Christi Caldwell for doing such a fine job. Heath was just yummy and I liked Emilia’s saucy ways.
February 13, 2022
I have enjoyed other works by this author and I was looking forward to this story (especially after being introduced to Heath and Emilia in a holiday novella) but it just didn't entertain me as much as other writings by this author. I often complain about a lack of depth in shorter stories/books and that was not the case here; however, there was WAY too much repetition. They had misconceptions of each other that were being challenged - great - but halfway through the book they're still surprised by it. And the reason Emilia was jilted just didn't make sense to me. At the very least, he could have told her (but then we wouldn't have had Emilia wondering what was wrong with her all these years - just seemed contrived). And TEN years before Renaud ever tries to see her? At least, Heath called him out on that. What was so magical about 10 years vs 5? No clue.
There just seemed to be too many lost opportunities in this story. For example, the scene in the billiards room - I was like "now we're getting somewhere" with the dialogue and interaction between them and then he lets her chase him out!
I did enjoy the musicale scene when Heath "rescues" another girl and Barry's dialogue (Emilia's brother) - he was a good side character throughout.
There just seemed to be too many lost opportunities in this story. For example, the scene in the billiards room - I was like "now we're getting somewhere" with the dialogue and interaction between them and then he lets her chase him out!
I did enjoy the musicale scene when Heath "rescues" another girl and Barry's dialogue (Emilia's brother) - he was a good side character throughout.
July 20, 2019
This is an amazing read!! We were first introduced to Heath Whitworth, a Duke's heir, in book #3 of the Brethren series, The Rogue Who Rescued Her. He is the "dutiful" son, and takes everything in life seriously. "Still waters run deep" as they say, and there is so much more to Heath. Emilia Aberdeen is a childhood friend of the family and was jilted by Heath's best friend. She has vowed to remain a spinster and spend her time writing her "Lady's Guide". Ms. Christie has given us a wonderful look into this couple's awakening to each others true selves. If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would. Note: I "read" part of this book on audible and thoroughly enjoyed it. Tim Campbell is a masterful reader, and even sings! Most enjoyable.
December 26, 2018
Not her best work
This book was rather predictable and boring. There was very little wit or mystery to it. I’m not sure why it’s listed as book 2 there was no relation to book 1. If there were half point I would rate 2.5.
This book was rather predictable and boring. There was very little wit or mystery to it. I’m not sure why it’s listed as book 2 there was no relation to book 1. If there were half point I would rate 2.5.
January 7, 2019
So much better than "Schooling the Duke" as it had so much less of the endless stream of consciousness by the H & h. I could enjoy the light story rather than having to sift through repetitive nonsense.
January 30, 2020
I made the mistake of pausing at the beginning of chapter 13 for a week, not realizing I was mere pages from the climax. Might have gotten a higher rating if I had properly read it straight through. Cute story of misunderstanding and latent feelings and a touch of angst.
January 11, 2019
I thought there'd be more to this story, but I guess it's just a novella? It was okay.
August 11, 2019
It would have been a better story if it had been longer and more fleshed out.
September 22, 2021
Before I write my review, let me just give all other potential readers a heads up. You should first read "The Rogue Who Rescued Her" and "Home for the Holidays" (found in the anthology "Tis the Season by Jennifer Ashley) as this book is the continuation of the two aforementioned books. If you read those two books first, you won't be lost when you read this one.
A Lady’s Guide to a Gentleman’s Heart, Book 2 of The Heart of a Scandal series, was about Lord Heathcliff "Heath" Whitworth, the Marquess of Mulgrave and heir to the Duke of Sutton, and Lady Emilia Aberdeen, the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Gayle, and goddaughter to the Duchess of Sutton.
Emilia had once been engaged to His Grace Connell Wordsworth, the Duke of Renaud, Heath's best friend, only for him to suddenly cry off for reasons known only to him and Heath, leaving Emilia to deal with the rumors, conjectures, ruination, and scandal for the next ten years.
During a house party thrown by his parents, Heath, who had wrestled with his feelings for Emilia for years, was tasked by his mother to see to it that Emilia "had a good time". She even went so far as to write him a "to-do/not-to-do list for him to follow when interacting with Emilia. To say that Heath was reluctant to spend any amount of time with her would be putting it mildly. He protested strenuously against his mother's machinations, mainly because she was his best friend's former betrothed. Due to that illustrious title, Emilia was to be considered off-limits...at least by him.
For her part, Emilia had always been frustrated by her former betrothed's ever-present, totally staid best friend. But as she was getting to see a different side of Heath while at the house party, her opinion of him started to change. When Emilia spotted Heath's to-do list that he had unknowingly dropped, she set out to have a little fun with it. Using the list against him, Emilia began subtly teasing him, which put the ever-staid lord at "sixes and sevens", much to her amusement and his discomfort.
Unknown to her family, friends, and even Society, Emilia was the anonymous author of a column that offered advice to young ladies regarding how to win a gentleman's heart and how to discern a gentleman from rogues, rakes, and cads.
Heath, too, was beginning to see a side of Emilia he did not know existed. He had always seen her as a young debutante that thumbed her nose at Society, believing she had been free to live as she wanted while he, on the other hand, had been collared by the studying of his duties as the ducal heir.
Having been tricked into kissing Emilia under the mistletoe by his nieces, Heath struggled with guilt. Since she was the former betrothed of his best friend, he didn't know the rules regarding how to act around her, especially as his feelings had never changed but now seemed to be growing in strength.
As they proclaimed their love to each other, the past reared its ugly head and sought to part them. Anguish, fear, and concern were some of the other emotions that filled this story, along with humor, joy, passion, and happiness.
The characters were well-rounded and fleshed out...as well as likable. The storyline had a firm foundation, very little fluff, and the flow was smooth and easy-going. The ups and downs of the relationship were so close to reality that it was like watching a true-to-life relationship play out on every page.
This was definitely five-star worthy, and the book will be added to the Keeper for the Shelves collection.
A Lady’s Guide to a Gentleman’s Heart, Book 2 of The Heart of a Scandal series, was about Lord Heathcliff "Heath" Whitworth, the Marquess of Mulgrave and heir to the Duke of Sutton, and Lady Emilia Aberdeen, the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Gayle, and goddaughter to the Duchess of Sutton.
Emilia had once been engaged to His Grace Connell Wordsworth, the Duke of Renaud, Heath's best friend, only for him to suddenly cry off for reasons known only to him and Heath, leaving Emilia to deal with the rumors, conjectures, ruination, and scandal for the next ten years.
During a house party thrown by his parents, Heath, who had wrestled with his feelings for Emilia for years, was tasked by his mother to see to it that Emilia "had a good time". She even went so far as to write him a "to-do/not-to-do list for him to follow when interacting with Emilia. To say that Heath was reluctant to spend any amount of time with her would be putting it mildly. He protested strenuously against his mother's machinations, mainly because she was his best friend's former betrothed. Due to that illustrious title, Emilia was to be considered off-limits...at least by him.
For her part, Emilia had always been frustrated by her former betrothed's ever-present, totally staid best friend. But as she was getting to see a different side of Heath while at the house party, her opinion of him started to change. When Emilia spotted Heath's to-do list that he had unknowingly dropped, she set out to have a little fun with it. Using the list against him, Emilia began subtly teasing him, which put the ever-staid lord at "sixes and sevens", much to her amusement and his discomfort.
Unknown to her family, friends, and even Society, Emilia was the anonymous author of a column that offered advice to young ladies regarding how to win a gentleman's heart and how to discern a gentleman from rogues, rakes, and cads.
Heath, too, was beginning to see a side of Emilia he did not know existed. He had always seen her as a young debutante that thumbed her nose at Society, believing she had been free to live as she wanted while he, on the other hand, had been collared by the studying of his duties as the ducal heir.
Having been tricked into kissing Emilia under the mistletoe by his nieces, Heath struggled with guilt. Since she was the former betrothed of his best friend, he didn't know the rules regarding how to act around her, especially as his feelings had never changed but now seemed to be growing in strength.
As they proclaimed their love to each other, the past reared its ugly head and sought to part them. Anguish, fear, and concern were some of the other emotions that filled this story, along with humor, joy, passion, and happiness.
The characters were well-rounded and fleshed out...as well as likable. The storyline had a firm foundation, very little fluff, and the flow was smooth and easy-going. The ups and downs of the relationship were so close to reality that it was like watching a true-to-life relationship play out on every page.
This was definitely five-star worthy, and the book will be added to the Keeper for the Shelves collection.
February 3, 2019
Yes, she is my favourite author and yes, as usual, she can ‘write’ no wrong! Christi’s third instalment of The Heart of a Scandal Series is just as ‘un-put-downable’ as all her previous books and a sweet addition to the Caldwell Universe.
Christmas romances are the best (a personal favourite) and this one is no exception - kissing under the mistletoe, snow laden landscapes, carol singing, finding and decorating a tree - all are perfect settings for a romance to blossom. Added to that is Christie’s writing and you have a perfect story. No, this one just can’t go wrong.
In Heath Whitworth we have a sensitive and dutiful son and a sexy intense lover put together into a perfect hero. Heath is the ducal heir and after the tantalising glimpse of him in his brothers story (The Rogue Who Rescued Her) we finally get to meet and fall in love with him in this one. ‘Intense’ would be a mild word to describe him, as he reveals his feelings for a childhood friend in very few comments and even fewer actions. His awkwardness is endearing and one wishes that we could get more of him than just thirteen chapters. Before I knew it, the story was over :(.
We also got a glimpse of Emilia Aberdeen in Aldora’s book. Alongwith Constance Brandley, Rowena Endicott, and Meredith Durant. A ‘happy, young girl‘ glimpse before she was jilted and is now this serious ‘Mrs Matcher’ who writes a successful column in the papers. And funnily enough finds her own writings being tried on her! Emilia, on her part is clueless about Heath’s feelings and stumbles along charmingly discovering the man he has grown to be and eventually fall in love over, yes, christmas festivities. Her initial ignorance of him to her growing awareness will have you smiling throughout the book.
The ‘childhood friends falling in love’ trope is a very popular one in the romance world, and this story turns out to be more than just that. Heath’s silent love and Emilia’s discovery of Heath makes for a story that leaves you wanting more of this endearing couple.
So we have Book 1: Aldora; Book 2: Rowena and Book 3: Emilia … and we can now also add Constance and Meredith to our lists of characters who pique our interest and demand stories of their own.
But till we get those, this is a short, sweet filler that can be read as a standalone novel, but trust me when I say that it is not possible to get sucked into the Caldworld Universe and not want to read the entire connected series.
Other Books in The Heart of a Scandal series:
Prequel Novella: In Need of a Knight
Book 1: Schooling the Duke
Book 2: A Lady's Guide to a Gentleman's Heart
Christmas romances are the best (a personal favourite) and this one is no exception - kissing under the mistletoe, snow laden landscapes, carol singing, finding and decorating a tree - all are perfect settings for a romance to blossom. Added to that is Christie’s writing and you have a perfect story. No, this one just can’t go wrong.
In Heath Whitworth we have a sensitive and dutiful son and a sexy intense lover put together into a perfect hero. Heath is the ducal heir and after the tantalising glimpse of him in his brothers story (The Rogue Who Rescued Her) we finally get to meet and fall in love with him in this one. ‘Intense’ would be a mild word to describe him, as he reveals his feelings for a childhood friend in very few comments and even fewer actions. His awkwardness is endearing and one wishes that we could get more of him than just thirteen chapters. Before I knew it, the story was over :(.
We also got a glimpse of Emilia Aberdeen in Aldora’s book. Alongwith Constance Brandley, Rowena Endicott, and Meredith Durant. A ‘happy, young girl‘ glimpse before she was jilted and is now this serious ‘Mrs Matcher’ who writes a successful column in the papers. And funnily enough finds her own writings being tried on her! Emilia, on her part is clueless about Heath’s feelings and stumbles along charmingly discovering the man he has grown to be and eventually fall in love over, yes, christmas festivities. Her initial ignorance of him to her growing awareness will have you smiling throughout the book.
The ‘childhood friends falling in love’ trope is a very popular one in the romance world, and this story turns out to be more than just that. Heath’s silent love and Emilia’s discovery of Heath makes for a story that leaves you wanting more of this endearing couple.
So we have Book 1: Aldora; Book 2: Rowena and Book 3: Emilia … and we can now also add Constance and Meredith to our lists of characters who pique our interest and demand stories of their own.
But till we get those, this is a short, sweet filler that can be read as a standalone novel, but trust me when I say that it is not possible to get sucked into the Caldworld Universe and not want to read the entire connected series.
Other Books in The Heart of a Scandal series:
Prequel Novella: In Need of a Knight
Book 1: Schooling the Duke
Book 2: A Lady's Guide to a Gentleman's Heart
July 11, 2021
The Lady's Guide to Scandal by Emmanuelle de Maupassant is an entertaining twist on the age-old reluctant suitor. This suitor is very different in that he grew up in Texas and is an archeologist. Ethan Burnell is the brother to a duchess, who grew up in England. In fact, until their mother died, he had lived in England as well and summered close to Cornelia's aunts' cottage where they roamed the beach barefoot as small children. Now he had returned as the world-famous explorer who had uncovered the secrets of Palekmul on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Those secrets were now in London, at the British Museum, where Cornelia Mortmain volunteered, and since she caused no trouble, she was allowed to continue. He father had been on the Board of Directors before his death and had worked out the arrangement. She was a scandalous woman. Don't worry that it was her mother who had run away with her paramour and her husband who had died in the bed of their hostess at a house party. She was the scandalous one.
This was a very clever story manipulating the two main characters are every turn. It started out as a fake relationship, but turned quickly to the read thing, almost without the reader noticing as we were too involved with peripheral characters, who were extremely entertaining. There was the dog who made off with one gentleman's toupe, for instance. And the aunts, Cordelia's, who were a hoot, trying to be matchmakers at every turn while still entertaining themselves by whatever means was at hand. It was a clever plot, very different than we are used to in the years just following the death of Queen Victoria. I very much enjoyed this clever novel, who entertained without being obvious. Read it and see.
I was invited to read a free e-ARC of The Lady's Guide to Scandal by Booksprout. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was a very clever story manipulating the two main characters are every turn. It started out as a fake relationship, but turned quickly to the read thing, almost without the reader noticing as we were too involved with peripheral characters, who were extremely entertaining. There was the dog who made off with one gentleman's toupe, for instance. And the aunts, Cordelia's, who were a hoot, trying to be matchmakers at every turn while still entertaining themselves by whatever means was at hand. It was a clever plot, very different than we are used to in the years just following the death of Queen Victoria. I very much enjoyed this clever novel, who entertained without being obvious. Read it and see.
I was invited to read a free e-ARC of The Lady's Guide to Scandal by Booksprout. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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