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Notorious Ladies of London #1
Lady Ruthless
Lady Calliope Manning is determined to punish the man she holds responsible for her beloved brother's death. She will do anything in her power to destroy him. When rumors swirl that the Earl of Sinclair requires a wealthy bride to rescue himself from dire financial straits, she seizes the opportunity to ruin him at last.
Justin "Sin" Vaughn, Earl of Sinclair, needs to marry an heiress, and he needs to marry one now. But the sudden, anonymous publication of salacious memoirs rumored to be his obliterates his chances. With polite society convinced he is a murderer, he has only one choice: find the person behind his supposed memoirs and get his revenge.
Callie never expected Lord Sinclair to discover she wrote Confessions of a Sinful Earl. Or to abduct her and demand restitution in the form of her own hand in marriage. She definitely did not expect to find him so difficult to resist...
Sin is about to teach the beautiful, perfidious Lady Callie a lesson in ruthlessness. One scorching-hot kiss at a time.
Justin "Sin" Vaughn, Earl of Sinclair, needs to marry an heiress, and he needs to marry one now. But the sudden, anonymous publication of salacious memoirs rumored to be his obliterates his chances. With polite society convinced he is a murderer, he has only one choice: find the person behind his supposed memoirs and get his revenge.
Callie never expected Lord Sinclair to discover she wrote Confessions of a Sinful Earl. Or to abduct her and demand restitution in the form of her own hand in marriage. She definitely did not expect to find him so difficult to resist...
Sin is about to teach the beautiful, perfidious Lady Callie a lesson in ruthlessness. One scorching-hot kiss at a time.
346 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 25, 2020
About the author
Scarlett Scott
127 books1,615 followersUSA TODAY bestselling author Scarlett Scott writes steamy Victorian and Regency historical romances with strong, intelligent heroines and sexy alpha heroes. She lives in Pennsylvania and Maryland with her Canadian husband, their adorable identical twins, a demanding diva dog, and one zany cat.
For Scarlett's latest releases, exclusive excerpts, contests and more, visit her website, http://www.scarlettscottauthor.com
For Scarlett's latest releases, exclusive excerpts, contests and more, visit her website, http://www.scarlettscottauthor.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 374 reviews
August 22, 2023
Found me a new historical romance author, a new series to binge. This was too much fuckin’ fun! 😍
August 29, 2023
4.5 stars! Lady Ruthless is the first book in Scarlett Scott’s Notorious Ladies of London series and it was so so good! I previously binged this author’s League of Dukes series and was ready to jump into more of her books. Read this one if you want an enemies to lovers, historical romance, with captor/captive vibes and a forced marriage! 👀
Lady Calliope is the sister to the Duke of Westmorland (hero of Fearless Duke, 6th book in the League of Dukes series) and she anonymously writes and publishes “Confessions of a Sinful Earl”, a publication she believes is based on facts. At the very beginning of the story we see Callie being kidnapped in the night by the Earl of Sinclair. Sin is frustrated with Callie for writing such blatant lies about him, she has pretty much told the world that he killed his own wife and one of her brothers (the previous Duke). Sin’s reputation has been ruined and he decides the best form of revenge is to get Callie to stop writing about him and force her into a marriage with him!
“You seem to be confused, so allow me to enlighten you. You are mine now.”
These two obviously have a lot of hateful thoughts towards one another in the beginning, so it definitely delivers on true enemies to lovers. Over time of course, Callie starts to realize she didn’t really know Sin and was wrong about so much of him. I liked seeing these two fall for one another and overcome each of their mistakes, all of the “my wife” talk was so fun too!
Lady Calliope is the sister to the Duke of Westmorland (hero of Fearless Duke, 6th book in the League of Dukes series) and she anonymously writes and publishes “Confessions of a Sinful Earl”, a publication she believes is based on facts. At the very beginning of the story we see Callie being kidnapped in the night by the Earl of Sinclair. Sin is frustrated with Callie for writing such blatant lies about him, she has pretty much told the world that he killed his own wife and one of her brothers (the previous Duke). Sin’s reputation has been ruined and he decides the best form of revenge is to get Callie to stop writing about him and force her into a marriage with him!
“You seem to be confused, so allow me to enlighten you. You are mine now.”
These two obviously have a lot of hateful thoughts towards one another in the beginning, so it definitely delivers on true enemies to lovers. Over time of course, Callie starts to realize she didn’t really know Sin and was wrong about so much of him. I liked seeing these two fall for one another and overcome each of their mistakes, all of the “my wife” talk was so fun too!
April 13, 2021
So our heroine thinks the hero murder her brother and has decided to ruin his life by writing a murder book series using his name ..... he's innocent , bless him , he's been ostracized from society and has no marriage prospect . So what does he do ? Kidnaps the heroine , takes her to a far away countryside house with only the two of them and is now forcing her to marry him.
He does this by blacking mailing her into revealing the authors identity, essentially causing her to also be ostracized too...so they wed.
I loved how much he forced her into doing things she didn’t want and it wasn’t at all rapey.
There are no villains, although our hero tried to give us and the heroine the impression that he was a ruthless merciless man who had nothing to lose, but in actuality he was just a desperate man trying to save himself out of the ruination that was bestowed upon him, also in the process, help his mother who is mad (she sometimes forgets that she has a son, which is also hard on him) and all trying to save himself from the tarnished reputation, our heroine created for him.
The heroine literally wrote him out to be the worst sort of guy alive, we get to read little snippets of the sort of things she wrote in her series at the start of the chapter, I just felt so bad for the hero. Bare in mind the only thing that the hero has done which everyone frowns upon is being a rake ....which in HR is practically not a sin at all. However even before the scandal sheets and when he was just known to be a rake, he was still respected by society, however his funds were low because of his previous evil wife (don’t worry she’s dead the entire time, lucky for him)
Our hero’s previous marriage was a sham. The wife was a complete whore, who spent ALL the money and forced our hero into a state of depression by cockolding him and then died.
Now i forgot to mention that the heroines brother and the hero’s wife were sleeping With each other, and both happened to die on the same day. This is why our heroine thought the hero was responsible and deliberately sought to destroy his reputation.
It was so funny in certain areas, like I’m reading this and thinking ‘the heroine has some balls maaaaaaan’
All in all I enjoyed the book more than I was expecting, like it completely took me off guard. Scarlett Scott is my fav author in the ‘new authors’ category❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Usually when new authors have over 30 books, and they’ve only been writing for about 5 years in total, I automatically assume that there work would be inferior in the HR department....boy was I wrong with Scarlett Scott, what was the saying again....oh yea...never judge a book by its cover 😉
He does this by blacking mailing her into revealing the authors identity, essentially causing her to also be ostracized too...so they wed.
I loved how much he forced her into doing things she didn’t want and it wasn’t at all rapey.
There are no villains, although our hero tried to give us and the heroine the impression that he was a ruthless merciless man who had nothing to lose, but in actuality he was just a desperate man trying to save himself out of the ruination that was bestowed upon him, also in the process, help his mother who is mad (she sometimes forgets that she has a son, which is also hard on him) and all trying to save himself from the tarnished reputation, our heroine created for him.
The heroine literally wrote him out to be the worst sort of guy alive, we get to read little snippets of the sort of things she wrote in her series at the start of the chapter, I just felt so bad for the hero. Bare in mind the only thing that the hero has done which everyone frowns upon is being a rake ....which in HR is practically not a sin at all. However even before the scandal sheets and when he was just known to be a rake, he was still respected by society, however his funds were low because of his previous evil wife (don’t worry she’s dead the entire time, lucky for him)
Our hero’s previous marriage was a sham. The wife was a complete whore, who spent ALL the money and forced our hero into a state of depression by cockolding him and then died.
Now i forgot to mention that the heroines brother and the hero’s wife were sleeping With each other, and both happened to die on the same day. This is why our heroine thought the hero was responsible and deliberately sought to destroy his reputation.
It was so funny in certain areas, like I’m reading this and thinking ‘the heroine has some balls maaaaaaan’
All in all I enjoyed the book more than I was expecting, like it completely took me off guard. Scarlett Scott is my fav author in the ‘new authors’ category❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Usually when new authors have over 30 books, and they’ve only been writing for about 5 years in total, I automatically assume that there work would be inferior in the HR department....boy was I wrong with Scarlett Scott, what was the saying again....oh yea...never judge a book by its cover 😉
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2020
Lady Calliope is an author hell-bent on revenge. She mistakenly believes Lord Sinclair murdered her brother and his wife after discovering their illicit affair. Callie weaponizes her pen, writing a serial publication that clearly paints Sin as a lecherous murderer. This in turn ruins him and causes his fiancée to cry off. He is now destitute with nothing to lose.
Callie is beautiful, intelligent, impulsive, infuriating and stubborn. Even when hit over the head with evidence of Sin’s innocence, she doesn’t want to admit she was wrong. She clings to her cruel and unfair convictions.
Sin is alluring, stoic, gentlemanly, generous, and selfless. In the face of utter ruin, he doesn’t resort to complete cruelty. He is innocent of all charges that Callie accuses him of. He kidnaps her in order to force her marry him and rectify the grievous injustice she has heaped on him. He needs her dowry because there are helpless people who depend on him. That’s the least she owes him, for all the damage she’s done!
Was kidnapping Callie wrong? Yes, but I felt very little sympathy for Callie. What she did was so horrible and so cruel, she was far from redeemable in my eyes. She let a lot of terrible things spew from her lips and her pen! She finally apologized, but it was very late. Sin is a saint (haha), because he is a much more forgiving person than I could ever be. Callie got the better deal, a man with a big heart who could find a way to love her after EVERYTHING she did!
But the ending of the book! It was delicious and it saved the story for me. Callie does find a way to rectify the damage and there is a HEA. Callie infuriated me. She was so self-righteous and single-minded. She finally displays the contrition she should have shown much earlier. Also, this book it HOT!
Mrs. Scott has done it again! She is the queen of writing exasperating heroines I love to loathe.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Callie is beautiful, intelligent, impulsive, infuriating and stubborn. Even when hit over the head with evidence of Sin’s innocence, she doesn’t want to admit she was wrong. She clings to her cruel and unfair convictions.
Sin is alluring, stoic, gentlemanly, generous, and selfless. In the face of utter ruin, he doesn’t resort to complete cruelty. He is innocent of all charges that Callie accuses him of. He kidnaps her in order to force her marry him and rectify the grievous injustice she has heaped on him. He needs her dowry because there are helpless people who depend on him. That’s the least she owes him, for all the damage she’s done!
Was kidnapping Callie wrong? Yes, but I felt very little sympathy for Callie. What she did was so horrible and so cruel, she was far from redeemable in my eyes. She let a lot of terrible things spew from her lips and her pen! She finally apologized, but it was very late. Sin is a saint (haha), because he is a much more forgiving person than I could ever be. Callie got the better deal, a man with a big heart who could find a way to love her after EVERYTHING she did!
But the ending of the book! It was delicious and it saved the story for me. Callie does find a way to rectify the damage and there is a HEA. Callie infuriated me. She was so self-righteous and single-minded. She finally displays the contrition she should have shown much earlier. Also, this book it HOT!
Mrs. Scott has done it again! She is the queen of writing exasperating heroines I love to loathe.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2020
I will read the second book, Lady Wallflower. I hope the MCs will be as delicious as this one.
August 4, 2026
This was a fairly fun historical romance. It was a high melodrama enemies-to-lovers story, but it was a good one.
Lady Calliope Manning firmly believes that Justin "Sin" Vaughn, the Earl of Sinclair, is responsible for the death of her brother and is determined to destroy him. She does so by anonymously writing some scandalous fiction that paints him as a murderer. Unfortunately for her, Sinclair learns who has destroyed his reputation and decides to take his own revenge by abducting the lady and forcing an arranged marriage between the pair that will solve his financial woes!
It was a fairly fun, high-melodrama read. Both Calliope and Justin had plenty of reasons to be enemies, but for all their drama, they were always attracted to each other and easy enough to root for when they started to get a bit more invested in their unwanted marriage of convenience.
I quite enjoyed the bickering at the start of the book, and both characters remained likeable and easy to root for even when they were at their most ridiculous. The back half of the story was more cutesy marriage-of-convenience fare, but it was still enjoyable enough.
All in all, this was a pretty solid HR.
Rating: 4 Stars.
Audio Note: This was dual narration from John Lane and Olivia Thompson. Both were OK without being anything spectacular. They both struggled a bit with the voice acting of characters of the opposite gender.
Lady Calliope Manning firmly believes that Justin "Sin" Vaughn, the Earl of Sinclair, is responsible for the death of her brother and is determined to destroy him. She does so by anonymously writing some scandalous fiction that paints him as a murderer. Unfortunately for her, Sinclair learns who has destroyed his reputation and decides to take his own revenge by abducting the lady and forcing an arranged marriage between the pair that will solve his financial woes!
It was a fairly fun, high-melodrama read. Both Calliope and Justin had plenty of reasons to be enemies, but for all their drama, they were always attracted to each other and easy enough to root for when they started to get a bit more invested in their unwanted marriage of convenience.
I quite enjoyed the bickering at the start of the book, and both characters remained likeable and easy to root for even when they were at their most ridiculous. The back half of the story was more cutesy marriage-of-convenience fare, but it was still enjoyable enough.
All in all, this was a pretty solid HR.
Rating: 4 Stars.
Audio Note: This was dual narration from John Lane and Olivia Thompson. Both were OK without being anything spectacular. They both struggled a bit with the voice acting of characters of the opposite gender.
September 11, 2022
4 stars for the steamy scenes, dirty talk towards the end, and narration!
April 20, 2021
Solid 3 stars.
I liked Lady Ruthless enough to finish it in good time but was not entirely convinced of the chemistry between the main characters to devour it frantically.
Still, it was an enjoyable read with an interesting premise. The first 50% was rather overcooked I felt, with the hero Lord Sin and heroine Lady Callie at each other’s necks given any opportunity. This is classic enemies to lovers. They hate each other vehemently for good reasons - but it felt like I was being beaten over the head repeatedly with the trope that it got very tedious. After they rip each other apart verbally, they rip each other’s clothes off and have angry sex. Is that a healthy relationship? I’m no therapist but I’m not sure I think so. In any case, they overcome their mutual mistrust and have their HEA... (duh, like anyone would settle for anything less in Romancelandia 😅)
There was a snippet for the next book Lady Wallflower that sounded interesting - spinster plans her own ruination - and I will be reading that to see how that turns out!
I liked Lady Ruthless enough to finish it in good time but was not entirely convinced of the chemistry between the main characters to devour it frantically.
Still, it was an enjoyable read with an interesting premise. The first 50% was rather overcooked I felt, with the hero Lord Sin and heroine Lady Callie at each other’s necks given any opportunity. This is classic enemies to lovers. They hate each other vehemently for good reasons - but it felt like I was being beaten over the head repeatedly with the trope that it got very tedious. After they rip each other apart verbally, they rip each other’s clothes off and have angry sex. Is that a healthy relationship? I’m no therapist but I’m not sure I think so. In any case, they overcome their mutual mistrust and have their HEA... (duh, like anyone would settle for anything less in Romancelandia 😅)
There was a snippet for the next book Lady Wallflower that sounded interesting - spinster plans her own ruination - and I will be reading that to see how that turns out!
May 14, 2023
If you want to read an ENEMIES to lovers historical, you HAVE to pick this one up!!
This book starts out with Sin (Lord Sinclair) kidnapping Lady Callie, in order to get revenge. This woman has been secretly writing articles about Sin and ultimately ruining his reputation. He has decided enough is enough, and his retaliation is to force Lady Callie to marry him!!
UGH, this was SO good! It reminded me of Lady Whistledown in a sense, but if someone found out who she was and blackmailed her to marry him haha! I loved everything about this book!!
TROPES: author/writer (heroine), captor/captive, tortured hero, forced marriage, great banter, enemies to lovers, historical romance, if you like this read this (Bridgerton), kidnapping, married couple, one bed, revenge, villains, widower
This book starts out with Sin (Lord Sinclair) kidnapping Lady Callie, in order to get revenge. This woman has been secretly writing articles about Sin and ultimately ruining his reputation. He has decided enough is enough, and his retaliation is to force Lady Callie to marry him!!
UGH, this was SO good! It reminded me of Lady Whistledown in a sense, but if someone found out who she was and blackmailed her to marry him haha! I loved everything about this book!!
TROPES: author/writer (heroine), captor/captive, tortured hero, forced marriage, great banter, enemies to lovers, historical romance, if you like this read this (Bridgerton), kidnapping, married couple, one bed, revenge, villains, widower
January 26, 2021
It took me a minute to get into this but once I did I could not put it down. Scarlett Scott is a pro at balancing steam and sweet. I would have liked more groveling, I think Calli should have made Sin sweat a bit before she forgave him. What really bothered me was the epilogue, it was your typical ending of a historical romance but it would have been extra special we saw more of Sin's mother interact with him, Calli and their little one.
March 23, 2023
This was a delightful battle of wills where everyone wins!
4.5 stars
3 on the spice scale
CW: parent with dementia
4.5 stars
3 on the spice scale
CW: parent with dementia
May 20, 2022
This was just ok for me.
December 22, 2021
I enjoyed it, the plot is predictable but the MC had a good chemistry that kept me from getting bored.
June 25, 2020
I don't think Scarlett Scott could write a book I don't like if she tried! This is the first in a new series and I think its gonna be a fun one! Vengeance is the name of the game in this one. Lady Callie is seeking to lay the blame of the death of a beloved sibling on someone's shoulders by writing a series of anonymous memoirs that convinces the Ton have been written by the wicked Earl of Sin. The Earl of Sinclair is just trying to find a bride to fill his coffers as he as a sick mother is is trying to care for and these false memoirs have completely ruined his chances. After discovering the memoirs are being written by none other than Lady Callie, Sin kidnaps her in order to force her to fill the role of the needed Bride. Both are so focused on seeing the worst in the other that love sneaks up and before they even know it, its too late! The chemistry of these two sizzles off the pages!
I'm really looking forward to the rest of the Series and I'm so excited for Lady Jo Danvers to finally get her story!
I'm really looking forward to the rest of the Series and I'm so excited for Lady Jo Danvers to finally get her story!
June 23, 2020
Having met Lady Calliope in the last of the previous series, it was obvious she was a force to be reckoned with. However, Callie has definitely met her match in Justin, Earl of Sinclair ( Sin). Sin goes to some length to make Callie pay for her part in his downfall. What neither of them had taken into account was their extreme attraction to each other. As they got to known each other better, so they realised there was much more to the person than was first thought. There are some very steamy moments but also some very heartfelt and sincere ones as well. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, liked that Benny and Isabella made an appearance and I’m looking forward to reading the next in the series.
June 19, 2023
This was SO GOOD. Easily my favorite Scarlett Scott and one of my top reads of 2023 so far!! A wonderful hate to love historical romance with a “villain” hero and a Lady Whistledown esque heroine. This was also HOT 🥵
December 15, 2021
Lady Calliope Manning is the anonymous author of Confessions of a Sinful Earl, the memoirs that have ruined the reputation of the Earl of Sinclair AKA Sin. Callie publicly slandered Sin's name out of revenge because she thinks he killed her brother. Sin's plans to marry an heiress get thwarted when everyone in London believes the slanderous memoirs. When Sin finds out that Callie is the author, he kidnaps her and blackmails her into marrying him so he can access her dowry. He figures it's what she owes him for spreading lies about him.
OMG this book felt like an old school romance: abduction of the heroine, forced marriage/blackmailed into marriage, forceful angry kisses, etc. If I had picked up this book without knowing anything about it, I would have immediately assumed it was old school. If this type of content offends you, then Lady Ruthless is most definitely not for you.
The revenge trope usually involves deception. I appreciated the fact that there is no deception involved in this story. Yes, Callie does not immediately reveal that she's the anonymous author, for obvious reasons. But both Sin and Callie put their cards on the table. And while there is a lot of hatred and lust between the two, there is no deception because they both know what they're getting into.
To be honest, neither Sin nor Callie is likeable. There is decent character and relationship development, but not enough for me to swept away by Sin and Callie. The steam level is hiiiigh 🔥🔥🔥 The chemistry between Sin and Callie is intense, with lots of anger, unwanted lust, and sexual tension. Because of their enmity, it takes a long time for Sin and Callie to trust each other. There are some important trust-building moments that I appreciated, but I needed a bit more of that. There was just something missing.
Nevertheless, I look forward to reading more from this author!
OMG this book felt like an old school romance: abduction of the heroine, forced marriage/blackmailed into marriage, forceful angry kisses, etc. If I had picked up this book without knowing anything about it, I would have immediately assumed it was old school. If this type of content offends you, then Lady Ruthless is most definitely not for you.
The revenge trope usually involves deception. I appreciated the fact that there is no deception involved in this story. Yes, Callie does not immediately reveal that she's the anonymous author, for obvious reasons. But both Sin and Callie put their cards on the table. And while there is a lot of hatred and lust between the two, there is no deception because they both know what they're getting into.
To be honest, neither Sin nor Callie is likeable. There is decent character and relationship development, but not enough for me to swept away by Sin and Callie. The steam level is hiiiigh 🔥🔥🔥 The chemistry between Sin and Callie is intense, with lots of anger, unwanted lust, and sexual tension. Because of their enmity, it takes a long time for Sin and Callie to trust each other. There are some important trust-building moments that I appreciated, but I needed a bit more of that. There was just something missing.
Nevertheless, I look forward to reading more from this author!
April 4, 2021
I enjoy this author she writes steamy stories that are interesting to read. Its insta lust and love with a lot of sexy. Plot is secondary but it still holds my attention and I will continue with the next in the series.
June 20, 2020
This is Book #1 in what is the start of the Notorious Ladies of London!
First, I loved the dedication from the author! I enjoyed everything about this book, the storyline and the character. Miss. Scott pays attention to details, her heroines are strong and independent and sassy! In this book, the beautiful Lady Calliope Manning lost her beloved brother, and she is out for vengeance. She believes the sinfully gorgeous Earl of Sinclair is guilty of his death, among other things.
Sin, the Earl, needs to marry an heiress to restore his estates. Lady Calliope is not only an heiress, he believes she is the one responsible for the writing Confessions of a Sinful Earl!
This is a glimpse of what turned out to be such a wonderful story. Drama, suspense, surprises, and I did get emotional with the Earl's secrets!
I really liked his character, he is a tortured soul with a long past of heartache. Lady Calliope realizes that not everything is what she thought, and I loved how their story developed.
Romance and tastefully written hot love scenes, with a beautiful ending! I cannot wait for Book #2!
I was given a copy of this book by the author for an honest review.
First, I loved the dedication from the author! I enjoyed everything about this book, the storyline and the character. Miss. Scott pays attention to details, her heroines are strong and independent and sassy! In this book, the beautiful Lady Calliope Manning lost her beloved brother, and she is out for vengeance. She believes the sinfully gorgeous Earl of Sinclair is guilty of his death, among other things.
Sin, the Earl, needs to marry an heiress to restore his estates. Lady Calliope is not only an heiress, he believes she is the one responsible for the writing Confessions of a Sinful Earl!
This is a glimpse of what turned out to be such a wonderful story. Drama, suspense, surprises, and I did get emotional with the Earl's secrets!
I really liked his character, he is a tortured soul with a long past of heartache. Lady Calliope realizes that not everything is what she thought, and I loved how their story developed.
Romance and tastefully written hot love scenes, with a beautiful ending! I cannot wait for Book #2!
I was given a copy of this book by the author for an honest review.
Did Not Finish
May 19, 2026Second read through and changing from 4 stars to no rating as I found it incredibly difficult to enjoy
October 24, 2020
I ALMOST PUT THIS DOWN WHEN I REALIZED HOW RIDICULOUS THE HEROINE WAS TO BLAME AND ACCUSE THE HERO OF KILLING HER BROTHER & HIS WIFE WHEN SHE HAD NO SOLID PROOF TO USE IT AGAINST HIM.
SIN is a man who owns up to his mistakes, and he won't deny it when accused of engaging in heinous sexual proclivities and debauchery. Hell, the man fucked his way through France and Italy when he was nursing the Demons in his black heart. Once upon a time, he married his dead wife too young, mesmerized by her beauty like any young infatuated man, only to realize too late that she's a conniving snake. In fact, a man who loves his own mother like Sin does, isn't a bad man in my book. A man who keeps his old butler around even if the man was becoming deaf with age, and has a pet dog for a companion, isn't bad at all. Period. Yet, he's a man in debts. To solve that issue, he seeks to marry an heiress but thanks to Callie's evil words about him being a murderer, it's no wonder he has zero prospects now. To go about it, he kidnaps the woman responsible and blackmails her to marry him. Who knew these two would find attraction and lust that burns so brightly, it overwhelmed any resentment and hatred, changing to love.
CALLIE, callie, callie. What can I say about you? While fierce and loving, I liked her better AFTER they were wedded because she became sensible then. A woman who is consumed by grief and rage, writes out an incriminating story with the purpose to ruin the Earl of Sin, without having any form of proof to back it up....I absolutely abhorred that part of her. I think Sin treated her fairly well for a man whose reputation is blacker now thanks to her. This story held circumstantial potential, where the angst could have been full-blown into something dramatic. Through marriage, Sin and Callie will learn about each other and realize that they were both wrong about the other since the beginning. Callie's judgmental for sure, showcasing her age and naiveté despite being a celebrated debutante in the crème de la crème.
OVERALL this was immensely passionate and enjoyable to the point where it's almost ludicrous to believe this exists in 10% of today's society, IF you overlook the condemnation and unfairness of the heroine's book in the beginning. It was otherwise, a highly emotional romantic story that just makes you sigh with love at the end of the chapter.
SIN is a man who owns up to his mistakes, and he won't deny it when accused of engaging in heinous sexual proclivities and debauchery. Hell, the man fucked his way through France and Italy when he was nursing the Demons in his black heart. Once upon a time, he married his dead wife too young, mesmerized by her beauty like any young infatuated man, only to realize too late that she's a conniving snake. In fact, a man who loves his own mother like Sin does, isn't a bad man in my book. A man who keeps his old butler around even if the man was becoming deaf with age, and has a pet dog for a companion, isn't bad at all. Period. Yet, he's a man in debts. To solve that issue, he seeks to marry an heiress but thanks to Callie's evil words about him being a murderer, it's no wonder he has zero prospects now. To go about it, he kidnaps the woman responsible and blackmails her to marry him. Who knew these two would find attraction and lust that burns so brightly, it overwhelmed any resentment and hatred, changing to love.
CALLIE, callie, callie. What can I say about you? While fierce and loving, I liked her better AFTER they were wedded because she became sensible then. A woman who is consumed by grief and rage, writes out an incriminating story with the purpose to ruin the Earl of Sin, without having any form of proof to back it up....I absolutely abhorred that part of her. I think Sin treated her fairly well for a man whose reputation is blacker now thanks to her. This story held circumstantial potential, where the angst could have been full-blown into something dramatic. Through marriage, Sin and Callie will learn about each other and realize that they were both wrong about the other since the beginning. Callie's judgmental for sure, showcasing her age and naiveté despite being a celebrated debutante in the crème de la crème.
OVERALL this was immensely passionate and enjoyable to the point where it's almost ludicrous to believe this exists in 10% of today's society, IF you overlook the condemnation and unfairness of the heroine's book in the beginning. It was otherwise, a highly emotional romantic story that just makes you sigh with love at the end of the chapter.
June 23, 2020
Lady Calliope Manning is determined to punish the man she holds responsible for her beloved brother Alfred’s death. She will do anything in her power to destroy him. Justin “Sin” Vaughn, Earl of Sinclair, needs to marry an heiress, and he needs to marry one now. But the sudden, anonymous publication of salacious memoirs rumoured to be his obliterates his chances. With polite society convinced he is a murderer, he has only one choice: find the person behind his supposed memoirs and get his revenge. Callie never expected Lord Sinclair to discover she wrote Confessions of a Sinful Earl. Or to abduct her and demand restitution in the form of her own hand in marriage. She definitely did not expect to find him so difficult to resist…
This is the start of a new series but we did meet Callie before in Fearless Duke & I’m thrilled that she’s had her story & boy! What a story it was. Enemies to lovers is my favourite trope & this book epitomises why. The verbal bantering is wonderful & the sexual chemistry is electric. I already loved Callie who was a strong, feisty, outspoken young woman who had lost both a very dear brother & a fiancé. I also loved absolutely everything about Sin who made my toes curl (repeatedly). I found the road to their HEA to be captivating, engrossing & virtually unputdownable. I can’t wait for Jo's book
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
This is the start of a new series but we did meet Callie before in Fearless Duke & I’m thrilled that she’s had her story & boy! What a story it was. Enemies to lovers is my favourite trope & this book epitomises why. The verbal bantering is wonderful & the sexual chemistry is electric. I already loved Callie who was a strong, feisty, outspoken young woman who had lost both a very dear brother & a fiancé. I also loved absolutely everything about Sin who made my toes curl (repeatedly). I found the road to their HEA to be captivating, engrossing & virtually unputdownable. I can’t wait for Jo's book
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
August 23, 2023
I started out physically reading this, but the beginning was so repetitive and boring that I had to switch to the audiobook. This had good promise and could have been a great enemies to lovers, but they continued to have the same arguments over and over.
The heroine was extremely unlikable. She was blaming him for her brother and his wife's death with literally no proof. Honestly, it didn't even seem like he would be responsible for their deaths. She was ruining his life without even looking into it or ever speaking to him. That was the biggest issue with this book.
The first half was the same argument. The rest was hate sex that led to "feelings." I did not feel their connection or care about these characters. It was really spicy, but I didn't care since there was no character growth or romance between them. There was just a lot missing and it fell flat.
I did really enjoy the author's writing, and I will give her another try. It honestly reminded me of the old school bodice ripper romances.
Oh, and the female narrator was so awful at doing the heroes voice.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
The heroine was extremely unlikable. She was blaming him for her brother and his wife's death with literally no proof. Honestly, it didn't even seem like he would be responsible for their deaths. She was ruining his life without even looking into it or ever speaking to him. That was the biggest issue with this book.
The first half was the same argument. The rest was hate sex that led to "feelings." I did not feel their connection or care about these characters. It was really spicy, but I didn't care since there was no character growth or romance between them. There was just a lot missing and it fell flat.
I did really enjoy the author's writing, and I will give her another try. It honestly reminded me of the old school bodice ripper romances.
Oh, and the female narrator was so awful at doing the heroes voice.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
October 5, 2025
Oh this is one hot sexy romance story. This is close to erotica!! But very well written and a great storyline.
Lady Callope Manning know as Callie to family and friends. Has published a series disparaging articles about Justin "Sin" Vaughn Earl of Sinclair. Callie has accused him of murdering his wife and her brother the Duke.
Justin Earl of Sinclair has been financially ruined and ostracized by Ton because of Callies lies. So he kidnaps her. This begins a very sensual tug of war between the two enemies. Justin make Callie marry him or he will expose her as the writers of the articles. Which will ruin her and her brother the Duke.
Callie and Justin slowly but surely fall in love. It takes time for them to trust and eventually fall in Love!! This is a beautifully written story.. The Sex is HOT HOT HOT!!
Lady Callope Manning know as Callie to family and friends. Has published a series disparaging articles about Justin "Sin" Vaughn Earl of Sinclair. Callie has accused him of murdering his wife and her brother the Duke.
Justin Earl of Sinclair has been financially ruined and ostracized by Ton because of Callies lies. So he kidnaps her. This begins a very sensual tug of war between the two enemies. Justin make Callie marry him or he will expose her as the writers of the articles. Which will ruin her and her brother the Duke.
Callie and Justin slowly but surely fall in love. It takes time for them to trust and eventually fall in Love!! This is a beautifully written story.. The Sex is HOT HOT HOT!!
November 8, 2021
Ruthless and Ravishing
Enemies-to-lovers magnificence!
I ADORED this book💕 Callie and Justin (aka Sin) are two of the most likeable MC's I have ever had the pleasure of reading about ...and a pleasure it was, right from page 1. Starting with the dramatic introduction, and throughout, there was so much depth to the story and the characters that it seemed to unfold effortlessly. All the elements were laid out with such care, in precise measure, it was so engaging and I didn't want it to end. I'm a sucker for enemies to lovers and marriage of convenience tropes and this was absolutely exceptional.
I loved the humour, the humanity, the heart, the beautiful HEA...and the hot, hot, hot sexytimes!
Perfection.
Can't wait to continue with the series.
A MUST READ FOR HR FANS!
Enemies-to-lovers magnificence!
I ADORED this book💕 Callie and Justin (aka Sin) are two of the most likeable MC's I have ever had the pleasure of reading about ...and a pleasure it was, right from page 1. Starting with the dramatic introduction, and throughout, there was so much depth to the story and the characters that it seemed to unfold effortlessly. All the elements were laid out with such care, in precise measure, it was so engaging and I didn't want it to end. I'm a sucker for enemies to lovers and marriage of convenience tropes and this was absolutely exceptional.
I loved the humour, the humanity, the heart, the beautiful HEA...and the hot, hot, hot sexytimes!
Perfection.
Can't wait to continue with the series.
A MUST READ FOR HR FANS!
July 6, 2024
Audiobook*
DNF at chapter 8/25.
I don't think historical romance is for me... or rather THIS historical romance book, let's say.
I am open to the subgenre, but can't say I'm looking forward to picking up another one anytime soon lol.
DNF at chapter 8/25.
I don't think historical romance is for me... or rather THIS historical romance book, let's say.
I am open to the subgenre, but can't say I'm looking forward to picking up another one anytime soon lol.
June 25, 2020
Lady Ruthless is the first book in Scarlett Scott’s Notorious Ladies of London series and what a rollickingly great start it is! This book has everything. From mysterious deaths, to abductions, to blackmail, to a marriage of convenience, to slightly dotty aunts, to a furious brother, with a feisty heroine, a tender hearted rogue and a whole shedload of scorching hot romance. It left me breathless and wanting this story to never end.
It has been a year since Lady Calliope Manning’s beloved eldest brother and his paramour both died within a day of each other in mysterious circumstances. Given that said paramour’s husband was Justin, the Earl of Sinclair’s wife, Callie immediately suspected foul play. Surely the most notorious man in London must be responsible. When she realises he is looking for a wealthy wife, she finally sees her opportunity to ruin him.
Justin ‘Sin’ Vaughn, Earl of Sinclair needs to marry money and quickly. When the anonymous and scandalous memoirs supposedly written by him surface, his chances are ruined. Finding out who wrote them was easy. Now he needs to teach Lady Calliope a lesson she will never forget…
I loved this story. Callie and Sin were a really wonderful couple. Lady Callie is a refreshing heroine. She is unconventional, bold, passionate in her beliefs and loyal. She was initially pretty blinkered in her views towards Sin and it took her a while to trust in him. The reader could understand her struggle to fight the attraction she felt towards the man she thought was her brother’s murderer but I liked that she soon started to question what she thought she knew and tried to understand Sin.
I adored Sin. He was much maligned and desperate when he embarked on his plan for revenge but we knew that Callie was never in any danger. Callie knew that too instinctively. His first marriage definitely damaged him and he lost his way a little. A lot was said [by Sin himself] about his previous debauched ways but we didn’t really see it. It took him a while to be able to trust Callie and see that she is nothing like his first wife. He is honourable and a devoted son. His relationship with his mother was very emotional. You could feel his sadness and frustration at the changes in his mother and the fact he could do nothing about it.
Callie and Sin's relationship developed after their marriage and that is probably my favourite part of the book. The scenes when Sin reveals a little of the misery of his life with his first wife or where Callie meets his mother have a real emotional pull. Of course there is plenty of steam as well!
As with all Scarlett’s books there is a well rounded cast of secondary characters that flesh the story out both new and familiar. It was great to see Callie’s brother Ben and his wife Isabella and to meet Callie’s best friend Lady Jo again. I am so looking forward to Lady Jo’s story with Decker next. They sound an explosive couple and I’m sneakily pleased that it will be very likely we get to see Jo’s brother Julian, Earl of Ravenscroft and his wife Clara again [Restless Rake]. Julian is a real favourite!
One of my measures for deciding how good a book is, is how long it takes to finish it. I read this in one sitting. I could not put it down. It is fast paced and holds your interest from the first page to the last.
I was generously granted an ARC of this book but the views are entirely my own. Definitely go out and read this book. You won’t be disappointed.
It has been a year since Lady Calliope Manning’s beloved eldest brother and his paramour both died within a day of each other in mysterious circumstances. Given that said paramour’s husband was Justin, the Earl of Sinclair’s wife, Callie immediately suspected foul play. Surely the most notorious man in London must be responsible. When she realises he is looking for a wealthy wife, she finally sees her opportunity to ruin him.
Justin ‘Sin’ Vaughn, Earl of Sinclair needs to marry money and quickly. When the anonymous and scandalous memoirs supposedly written by him surface, his chances are ruined. Finding out who wrote them was easy. Now he needs to teach Lady Calliope a lesson she will never forget…
I loved this story. Callie and Sin were a really wonderful couple. Lady Callie is a refreshing heroine. She is unconventional, bold, passionate in her beliefs and loyal. She was initially pretty blinkered in her views towards Sin and it took her a while to trust in him. The reader could understand her struggle to fight the attraction she felt towards the man she thought was her brother’s murderer but I liked that she soon started to question what she thought she knew and tried to understand Sin.
I adored Sin. He was much maligned and desperate when he embarked on his plan for revenge but we knew that Callie was never in any danger. Callie knew that too instinctively. His first marriage definitely damaged him and he lost his way a little. A lot was said [by Sin himself] about his previous debauched ways but we didn’t really see it. It took him a while to be able to trust Callie and see that she is nothing like his first wife. He is honourable and a devoted son. His relationship with his mother was very emotional. You could feel his sadness and frustration at the changes in his mother and the fact he could do nothing about it.
Callie and Sin's relationship developed after their marriage and that is probably my favourite part of the book. The scenes when Sin reveals a little of the misery of his life with his first wife or where Callie meets his mother have a real emotional pull. Of course there is plenty of steam as well!
As with all Scarlett’s books there is a well rounded cast of secondary characters that flesh the story out both new and familiar. It was great to see Callie’s brother Ben and his wife Isabella and to meet Callie’s best friend Lady Jo again. I am so looking forward to Lady Jo’s story with Decker next. They sound an explosive couple and I’m sneakily pleased that it will be very likely we get to see Jo’s brother Julian, Earl of Ravenscroft and his wife Clara again [Restless Rake]. Julian is a real favourite!
One of my measures for deciding how good a book is, is how long it takes to finish it. I read this in one sitting. I could not put it down. It is fast paced and holds your interest from the first page to the last.
I was generously granted an ARC of this book but the views are entirely my own. Definitely go out and read this book. You won’t be disappointed.
September 3, 2021
3.5 Stars
This review is proving difficult for me because I am confused about how I feel about some aspects, there are things that I loved and ironically the some of the same ones I did not care for. I rated it 3.5 stars because I love Scarlett Scott, the revenge/ enemies to lovers trope and I enjoyed reading it very much.
The Plot
Justin (Sin), the Earl of Sinclair is desperate, debt-ridden and out for revenge. The person who thoroughly ruined his reputation & standing in society by anonymously publishing a series called The Confessions of a Sinful Earl says he murdered his wife & her lover (a Duke), must pay, even if the said author is the late Duke's sister, Lady Calliope. How does one go about seeking reprisal from such a villainess? Why by kidnapping her and convincing the hellion by kisses or blackmail to marry him of course. When Callie stepped out to drop off her latest Confessions instalment to her publisher she did not think her writing the series would lead to a kidnapping and a week later a wedding, but lead it did. A marriage of convenience under the best of circumstances can be difficult but a marriage based on mutual loathing and sizzling physical chemistry is something else altogether.
What I Liked
Revenge, a marriage of convenience, horrible ex, enemies to lovers, all these tropes are covered quite well in this book. The intricacies are balanced very nicely that made this book interesting.
The prose was excellent even though it was high on emotion and low on humour, it worked well. The story is paced & gripping, centred predominantly on main characters and very few supporting casts it does not bore the reader. Character building & development was skillfully done.
A special shout out to the steamy scenes, my oh my were they alluring. After having read 263 HR novels the I mostly skim through the sexy times but not in this book, here it had my toes curling.
What I did not care for
The revenge was a smidge extreme, the kidnapping, blackmail or ruination by pen. Somehow it made the love aspect difficult to find its place in the story. There is emotion & romance and love but the more I think about it the more it feels that it's there because it has to be.
More background information on both the main characters would have helped me understand why they are the way they are. Stuff about Justin's previous marriage is revealed but before that, what made him as sinful as he is shown to be. With Callie, we know even less, what would turn her shrewish & so rigid in her mistrust? I would have liked to know.
The Hero
Justin/ Sin was likeable because he had the moral high ground, it made him endearing. He was good-hearted, caring, persistent & protective, just a guy who was wronged, multiple times. I loved how patient he is with everyone, his mother, Callie and even the ageing butler. The kidnapping & the blackmail was wrong but how else was he to get Callie alone and make her listen to him or get his restitution? He is guarded with his emotions because all he has gotten so far because of them is hurt, but he tries to overcome his fears, speak honestly and even apologises when necessary however his anger at being ruined is justified. He never held the publications over Callie's head beyond a certain point, his focus was always on trying to tell her he is not a murderer. Got to love a guy who looks to make a difference than whining about how he was wronged or assigning blames. All he wanted was to be understood.
I felt every emotion - desperation, confusion, angst, anger, guilt, attraction, trepidation and hesitation. A mark of effective writing from an excellent author.
The Heroine
Lady Calliope/ Lady Ruthless or as I like to call her Lady Bitchface was TSTL. My how I hate her. I mean what kind of a person writes such ruinous things without even a shred of hard evidence? Most of her information was based on ton gossip & hearsay. In her own words, she wrote the series as an act of vengeance because no one believed her, not her other brother nor Scotland Yard. I understand her grief and need for answers but she continued writing them because she enjoyed the response the series got (again her own words) made her downright horrible. Her continual refusal to believe Sin is innocent got on my nerves even after he had shown her nothing but kindness and provided an alibi. Her guilt over her actions was not enough even if she did publish the truth later.
Here is the confusing part - she does marry him willingly even if it is to save her reputation, cares for his household, the staff, his mother, worries about him & his whereabouts, is involved enough to be jealous but refuses to trust him? Callie was a rollercoaster for me to figure out what I thought of her exactly, I do know that I hate her but then there were parts where I almost sympathised. All I can say is great writing but I felt manipulated as a reader, especially about Callie. I want to hate her, but do I? Mostly I do, I think!
My Recommendation
Scarlett Scott knows how to deliver novels that have you so enthralled it is completely worth sacrificing your beauty sleep. Even though my review seems confused, I do know that I liked reading this book, enough that I have already started the next one in the series.
This review is proving difficult for me because I am confused about how I feel about some aspects, there are things that I loved and ironically the some of the same ones I did not care for. I rated it 3.5 stars because I love Scarlett Scott, the revenge/ enemies to lovers trope and I enjoyed reading it very much.
The Plot
Justin (Sin), the Earl of Sinclair is desperate, debt-ridden and out for revenge. The person who thoroughly ruined his reputation & standing in society by anonymously publishing a series called The Confessions of a Sinful Earl says he murdered his wife & her lover (a Duke), must pay, even if the said author is the late Duke's sister, Lady Calliope. How does one go about seeking reprisal from such a villainess? Why by kidnapping her and convincing the hellion by kisses or blackmail to marry him of course. When Callie stepped out to drop off her latest Confessions instalment to her publisher she did not think her writing the series would lead to a kidnapping and a week later a wedding, but lead it did. A marriage of convenience under the best of circumstances can be difficult but a marriage based on mutual loathing and sizzling physical chemistry is something else altogether.
What I Liked
Revenge, a marriage of convenience, horrible ex, enemies to lovers, all these tropes are covered quite well in this book. The intricacies are balanced very nicely that made this book interesting.
The prose was excellent even though it was high on emotion and low on humour, it worked well. The story is paced & gripping, centred predominantly on main characters and very few supporting casts it does not bore the reader. Character building & development was skillfully done.
A special shout out to the steamy scenes, my oh my were they alluring. After having read 263 HR novels the I mostly skim through the sexy times but not in this book, here it had my toes curling.
What I did not care for
The revenge was a smidge extreme, the kidnapping, blackmail or ruination by pen. Somehow it made the love aspect difficult to find its place in the story. There is emotion & romance and love but the more I think about it the more it feels that it's there because it has to be.
More background information on both the main characters would have helped me understand why they are the way they are. Stuff about Justin's previous marriage is revealed but before that, what made him as sinful as he is shown to be. With Callie, we know even less, what would turn her shrewish & so rigid in her mistrust? I would have liked to know.
The Hero
Justin/ Sin was likeable because he had the moral high ground, it made him endearing. He was good-hearted, caring, persistent & protective, just a guy who was wronged, multiple times. I loved how patient he is with everyone, his mother, Callie and even the ageing butler. The kidnapping & the blackmail was wrong but how else was he to get Callie alone and make her listen to him or get his restitution? He is guarded with his emotions because all he has gotten so far because of them is hurt, but he tries to overcome his fears, speak honestly and even apologises when necessary however his anger at being ruined is justified. He never held the publications over Callie's head beyond a certain point, his focus was always on trying to tell her he is not a murderer. Got to love a guy who looks to make a difference than whining about how he was wronged or assigning blames. All he wanted was to be understood.
I felt every emotion - desperation, confusion, angst, anger, guilt, attraction, trepidation and hesitation. A mark of effective writing from an excellent author.
The Heroine
Lady Calliope/ Lady Ruthless or as I like to call her Lady Bitchface was TSTL. My how I hate her. I mean what kind of a person writes such ruinous things without even a shred of hard evidence? Most of her information was based on ton gossip & hearsay. In her own words, she wrote the series as an act of vengeance because no one believed her, not her other brother nor Scotland Yard. I understand her grief and need for answers but she continued writing them because she enjoyed the response the series got (again her own words) made her downright horrible. Her continual refusal to believe Sin is innocent got on my nerves even after he had shown her nothing but kindness and provided an alibi. Her guilt over her actions was not enough even if she did publish the truth later.
Here is the confusing part - she does marry him willingly even if it is to save her reputation, cares for his household, the staff, his mother, worries about him & his whereabouts, is involved enough to be jealous but refuses to trust him? Callie was a rollercoaster for me to figure out what I thought of her exactly, I do know that I hate her but then there were parts where I almost sympathised. All I can say is great writing but I felt manipulated as a reader, especially about Callie. I want to hate her, but do I? Mostly I do, I think!
My Recommendation
Scarlett Scott knows how to deliver novels that have you so enthralled it is completely worth sacrificing your beauty sleep. Even though my review seems confused, I do know that I liked reading this book, enough that I have already started the next one in the series.
January 31, 2021
Can a book evoke a "light angst"? this one does: there is revenge and passion and conflicting feelings but drama was "absent". Characters were really good and steam on top as usual.
What else can a romance reader require?
Mrs (or Ms) Scott is a go-to-author for me. Loved it.
What else can a romance reader require?
Mrs (or Ms) Scott is a go-to-author for me. Loved it.
July 5, 2026
5/5
OMG! This story has definitely earned a place among my top 5 favorite books of the year. Callie and Sin were absolutely amazing. I loved the action, their banter, their incredible chemistry, sex and the passion between them... it felt like it set the pages on fire. The love scenes were intense, filled with fiery passion, and beautifully written.
Their story had everything: playful banter, emotion, intensity, humor, adventure, courage, and love... exactly what I look for in a romance. They completely won me over, and I adored them from beginning to end.
The only thing I didn't like about this book was that it ended far too soon!
I can't wait to start Decker and Jo's story! 💜📚
OMG! This story has definitely earned a place among my top 5 favorite books of the year. Callie and Sin were absolutely amazing. I loved the action, their banter, their incredible chemistry, sex and the passion between them... it felt like it set the pages on fire. The love scenes were intense, filled with fiery passion, and beautifully written.
Their story had everything: playful banter, emotion, intensity, humor, adventure, courage, and love... exactly what I look for in a romance. They completely won me over, and I adored them from beginning to end.
The only thing I didn't like about this book was that it ended far too soon!
I can't wait to start Decker and Jo's story! 💜📚
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