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Lady Philippa Shaw had it all: a husband who was madly in love with her, a sweet baby daughter, and a house in the most exclusive square in London. Until a shocking discovery after her husband’s death revealed her happy life was a lie. Now, his past crimes are returning to haunt her, bringing danger, devastation, and the one man she’s spent the past few years despising.

Roland, the Duke of Northwich, never recovered from losing Pippa to the cunning scoundrel she married instead of him. When he began investigating the murky business dealings of her dead husband, however, he never intended to cause Pippa harm. Their clash is instant, her enmity for him shattering. As the shadowy menace of her husband’s sins emerges, Northwich offers his protection in the only way he knows how.

Pippa has no intention of binding herself to the duke in a marriage of convenience. But after an incident makes the threat to herself and her daughter undeniable, she reluctantly accepts his proposal. She finds herself struggling to reconcile the cold, ruthless man she believed Northwich to be with the caring, considerate man she’s married.

As they work together to discover who is behind the attacks on her, the secrets of the past are unlocked. And the most shocking one of all lies in her new husband’s heart.

261 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 22, 2021

553 people are currently reading
406 people want to read

About the author

Scarlett Scott

121 books1,566 followers
USA 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

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
Profile Image for Morgan Many Books.
232 reviews72 followers
July 25, 2021
2.5 Stars because... I dunno... meh? But also, why Lady "Brazen"?

So I've been going through a hard time with Scarlett Scott for the last four full-length releases, as well as her Winter novella series. This, apparently?, was the last in her Notorious Ladies of London series. I've read all six, and I have many thoughts. Mostly I wonder, what, pray tell, made any of these women notorious? Aside from Callie (Lady Ruthless) and maybe by-proxy because of her brother, Jo (Lady Wallflower)... every single heroine is just another privileged lady, caught up in their pseudo-feminism (definitely not à la Boadicea in Darling Duke), while also being strict adherers to propriety, and Victorian social mores... until they have sex, obviously. I was expecting a score of women that were getting arrested for fighting for women's rights, being scandalous, all of them wearing split skirts, smoking cigarettes and drinking raucously. I dunno! Like they were boringly formulaic at best, mostly assuredly not notorious.

Lady Brazen is no different, sadly. There is, genuinely, a lot to like here I will not lie… but that almost exclusively comes from Roland, the Duke of Northwich, and a little bit from Charlotte (Pippa's daughter). Whose self-anointed diminutive was 'Char-Char' and made me think of Charizard/Charmander (ya know... the Pokémon) which was distracting.



See, it's distracting!

Anyways.

Roland is beautiful and lovely and in love and doesn't do anything wrong, ever, so there was comfort in that. Even then though, there were aspects of him that seemed very fragmented and lacking cohesion.

And then there is Lady Phillipa/'Pippa'/'Sunshine'... whose diminutives made no sense to me, since Pippa struck me as half-way shrew (I love shrewish heroines, so long as they are consistent and have an arc) half-mop. She didn’t feel brazen. She was skirting Emotional Ping-Pong territory and only missed earning that ignominious title, in my opinion, because she eventually realized that Roland was quite a catch and decides to sleep with him? Argh, I don't know. She was just inconsistent. I couldn’t follow her logic. She was slightly better than the previous three heroines, though.

At the end of the day, I felt like both the characters were a little beyond my reach. Their personalities remained elusive, and as a result so did their love story.

Before I move on I am going to venture into the Land of Big Bad Tangents that some people will not agree with at all, but this is something I felt very personally while reading: yeah... this felt like performative allyship/diversity at its worst with the subplot of Northwich's mother being Oneida Iroquois (Oneida of the Haudenosaunee). I am of the mind that non-Indigneous folks (of which I am one) should not be making money off Indigenous culture simply to tick a box that means not ALL their characters are white Europeans. So my thoughts are boiled down to 1) if you are going to include Indigenous Peoples of North America (slash, like, the world) it needs to be more than a passing nod to the genocide perpetuated against them for centuries... so 2) it needs to be consciously, tactifully, and sensitively handled, or dropped altogether. Unless one is going to comprehensibly weave Haudenosaunee history and culture into a story, it ends up being nothing short of fetishization and capitalization, in my opinion. In my opinion!

I know Scott probably meant only good with this, but it still came off… not so good. ARGH! Like great make Roland's mother Oneida but dive in, tell me about that. Instead we get a flimsy description of Haudenosaunee belief systems, the Great Spirit etc., and the fact that Roland and his mother were discriminated against their entire lives because they were 'savages' (and by Roland's father no less... such a good ‘not racist dad' opportunity wasted). [EDIT: What was the point then, if not to simply tick the diversity box? For some contrast, look at [author:Royaline Sing|21277792] ’s debut which totally integrated south Asian culture into the narrative and helped fuel the love story. Moreover, you can sense the appreciation and depth of understanding of what Sing includes.] The only HR author I've encountered that succeeded (in my opinion) in doing the same, including Indigenous Peoples of North America in historical fiction/romance, is Pamela Clare. Scott's attempt could have been an opportunity to do something wonderful, but it ended up being surface level at best and should have been cut as a result. There is an increasing demand for diversity in the genre, and I am all for it but this just…felt empty and like box ticking. That rubbed me wrong. End Tangent.

Anyways, this isn’t fraught with emotional abuse or obnoxiously repetitive dialogue though I wouldn't say Roland and Pippa necessarily share any chemistry or have many real conversations before the 70% mark. But they are sweet, and non-infuriating. There was one VERY long sex scene, which I enjoyed AND it included a mirror. So… this was a no for me based on my personal views and the characters being fleshed out, but I think some people will enjoy this particularly if one likes pining heroes.

The next book (new series) is The Detective Duke, and I will be praying to the Historical Romance Gods that Lady Elysande (the heroine) is a non-propriety adhering, conniving, vibrant, title-hungry, lovely, horrible person. That would be fun, and I would read it and enjoy that.
Profile Image for Christy Hall.
368 reviews94 followers
January 3, 2024
Without realizing it, I have read another of Scott’s romance novels. It was on my TBR. It is free with my Kindle Unlimited account. Yes, I knew it was a romance. I just didn’t realize that it was by Scarlett Scott. I have already read her Unexpected Lords series. I enjoyed the escapism of those, even though there were elements that were lacking in her handling of the plot lines.

Pippa is a young widow with a young daughter who finds out quickly that her husband, dead and gone a year, is a nefarious criminal. It takes her too long for an intelligent woman to realize the truth. She clings to lies too much for my liking since the truth of her situation is pretty clear. Roland, her former/jilted love, wants only to protect Pippa and her daughter. This is also his second chance to marry the only woman he’s ever loved. As the sins of her husband loom over her, Pippa must learn to trust and love again.

Scott does have a way of creating romance, so she’s on target there. She attempts to add other elements, like mystery into her novels. They just never seem to be the priority. It seems wasted to have such a good idea and then have all the action off page. This is clearly not a Veronica Speedwell book. What I love about Raybourn’s Speedwell series is that it is focused on character development, mysterious plot lines, and a simmering and realistic romance. Scott has the ability to write this way, but she focuses much more on the romance. She has a certain audience and they expect certain things. I just wish she spent more time on her intriguing mysteries.

Update: I just read another review on this novel and that reviewer had some good points about the lack of chemistry between the two leads and the author’s attempt to add in diversity that felt not as respectful as it should have been. While Scott does some research, I find that it tends to be superficial and that can leave a reader feeling like there are some missing elements. While a great deal of time is spent on the push/pull of the lead characters, Scott could have found time to bring more interesting aspects to the story, instead of glossing over them.
Profile Image for Bookfreak OHearn.
120 reviews
September 14, 2021
I was so excited to read this book. I truly enjoyed the others in this series, however I was so disappointed.

I could not stand Phillippa. She was just horrid personality and character. She deserves what she got marrying Shaw. I truly wish the duke would have just let her be, maybe even just hit it once so she knows what she will never have again.

I liked the plot but her character just ruined the entire book.
Profile Image for Janet.
5,187 reviews64 followers
July 21, 2021
Lady Philippa Shaw had it all: George Shaw a husband who was madly in love with her, a sweet baby daughter Charlotte, and a house in the most exclusive square in London. Until a shocking discovery after her husband’s death revealed her happy life was a lie. Now, his past crimes are returning to haunt her, bringing danger, devastation, and the one man she’s spent the past few years despising. Roland, the Duke of Northwich, never recovered from losing Pippa to the cunning scoundrel she married instead of him. When he began investigating the murky business dealings of her dead husband, however, he never intended to cause Pippa harm. Their clash is instant, her enmity for him shattering. As the shadowy menace of her husband’s sins emerges, Roland offers his protection in the only way he knows how.
The sixth & final book in this absolutely brilliant series, yes this book is easily read on its own but when a series is this good I’d recommend reading from the beginning. Wonderful characters & a fast paced story had me glued to my kindle, I've learned that I start the author's books early in the day, I read this engrossing book in two sittings. I loved this friends to lovers story. I adored the toe curlingly gorgeous, patient, steadfast, Roland & loved Pippa who had had her whole world turned upside down. The road to their HEA wasn’t easy but it did make for a novel full of romance, intrigue & heat. I loved it & of course a delightful toddle Char Char stole my heart
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Profile Image for Lisa C.
1,100 reviews22 followers
July 18, 2021
Marvellous story of Lady Philippa Shaw's and Roland, the Duke of Northwich's journey from enemies to lovers. Pippa and Roland were once almost betrothed, but a conniving criminal stepped in and convinced her that Roland was the criminal. The truth is revealed but feelings are difficult to change or forget. Loved these characters and Pippa's daughter Charlotte was a delight. Very intriguing story will keep you turning the pages, and rooting for the couple will keep your emotions engaged. Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Lady Nilambari Reads HR.
507 reviews197 followers
September 5, 2021
4 Stars

A lovely finale as we bid adieu to The Notorious Ladies of London!

The Plot
It has been five years since Pippa threw over Roland to marry George Shaw (one of the villains from Lady Lawless), but Roland is still pining for her. Pippa still hates Roland for all his deceits from five years ago, but when her late husband's many many crimes come to light, threatening her & her daughter's safety, she doesn't know what to believe & whom to trust anymore? To ensure their well-being, Pippa has no choice but to marry Roland the Duke of Northwich and accept the protection of his name and title. But with doubts & criminals lurking, how is one to find love?

What I loved
- Great unfolding of the plot. This story answers many questions we had from the previous book about what exactly happened with Pippa & Roland and the criminal activities of George Shaw.
- Excellent main characters. Their individual development and dynamic as a couple was heartfelt, believable and angsty. Yet again, Scarlett Scott can create characters, which have a certain uniqueness about them, main & secondary both.
- This was a tale of "cautious love". The book stays true to the romance genre even though there is a thriller-esq/ criminal subplot. The story is also very straightforward without excess drama & misunderstandings (they all get clarified by 29% of the book), it's just about a new relationship blossoming.

The not so great aspects
- The pacing of the book was slow, it would have worked much better as a novella since the story does not dive very deep into criminal investigative matters. As the central plotline is romance, I get that the relationship development took time but the domesticity portrayed felt a bit cliched & boring.
- The sensuality was ridiculously a slow burn, I am talking 85% of the story went without steam, thus making the title of the book incorrect. Nobody was brazen, they ran away to the country!

The Hero
Roland has been painted in a great light since Lady Wicked and in this story as well, he upheld the mantel. He is a genuine, non-flowery person, a great friend, protective to the bone, all in all, a good guy who was burnt by love. I don't this I have ever read about an athletic hero with a penchant for working out/ exercising in the HR genre, that made him so unique. His reactions to Pippa & their past was a study in patience and understanding. No idiotic prideful behaviour. He's of part Native American heritage and that has made him a juicy subject of gossip, but instead of the bitterness he clings to the teachings of his mother and seeks a brighter side. Though he has not given up on love, he is cautious, all of this made him a wonderfully believable hero.

The Heroine
My initial reaction to Pippa was "here we go again, another stubborn, TSTL heroine" but that changed very quickly. As the reality of her past came forth, her reactions also started changing accordingly. I loved the fact that Pippa did not keep clinging to her version of things. She was just coming to terms and she did it with aplomb. Dealing with trust issues can be difficult when every one of importance to you had lied, repeatedly. It was heartening to read her character grow up from a naive girl to someone who understands what is that she needs. She was a dedicated mother, kept an open mind towards Roland, gave her new circumstances a chance without being judgemental and always apologized when she made a gaffe thus making her a likeable heroine.

My Recommendation
If you have not read this series yet, I suggest you finish whatever book you are currently reading and get on with this one, trust me you will not be disappointed.
Profile Image for Edwina " I LoveBooks" "Deb".
1,440 reviews17 followers
October 19, 2025
WOW I never thought I would do this to a story in the Nortorious Ladies of London series.
BUT Pippa Shaw was a Bitch!!! She was a Shrew so mean and cruel to Roland Duke of Northwich.

Pippa finds out her deceased husband was a murderer, liar, manipulator rapist , thief and child trafficker!! A Criminal of the worse sort. But its Roland she doesn't trust.

Roland is a weak stupid man!! Not deserving of being a Duke. He shows no respect for himself or his Title!! Pippa shoots him down blast him with her cruel words and he apologizes to her!! WTF!! She is the one in the wrong Not you Roland. Roland is trying to protect Pippa and her 2 year old daughter and she treats him like shit on a stick!!

This is not just angst in a storyline this is downright stupidity on Roland's part. I wanted him to just Dump Pippa!! Find someone to love and show Pippa what she had lost!! Wow I just don't believe this couple could ever truly be in love.
February 20, 2022
Profile Image for Zoe.
20 reviews2 followers
December 6, 2021
Pippa is insufferable

Didn't like it. Pippa is insufferable, she hates Roland and her reasons aren't justified, she doesn't even wait for him and comes to conclusions herself. She is shallow and selfish, I felt so much pity for Roland. Roland also is obsessed with Pippa and for what? What redeeming qualities does she have? The villain is also abrupt, and the story felt all over the place. What were the earlier side characters even there for, the build up to the climax was so jarring. Not my fav work from Ms Scott.
Profile Image for Judith Miguel.
Author 4 books36 followers
July 19, 2021
I’ve read all the books in this series and I can’t believe that I fell in love with EVERY SINGLE ONE of them.
Lady Philippa Shaw discovers after her husband’s death that her happy life was a lie. Now, his past crimes are returning to haunt her and her baby, bringing danger, devastation, and the one man she’s spent the past few years despising.
Roland, the Duke of Northwich, never recovered from losing Pippa to the scoundrel she married instead of him. When he began investigating the murky business dealings of her dead husband, however, he never intended to cause Pippa harm. Their clash is instant, but as the shadowy menace of her husband’s sins emerges, Northwich offers his protection in the only way he knows how.
Pippa has no intention of binding herself to the duke in a marriage of convenience. But after an incident makes the threat to herself and her daughter undeniable, she reluctantly accepts his proposal. As they work together to discover who is behind the attacks on her, the secrets of the past are unlocked. And the most shocking one of all lies in her new husband’s heart.
I read this book in less than two days. It was so beautiful and emotional! Pippa is an amazing character. She thinks herself fragile and easy to fool because of all the lies her husband feed her over the years, and that makes her distrustful. How can she trust in her own instincts with Northwich, now? But it’s so wonderful to see her grow up not only in her relationship with Roland, but on herself as a woman too. Charlotte, her daughter is a delight. The Duke is every woman’s dream: patient, considerate, loyal, a true gentleman. He never stopped loving her and that is so clear in these pages! Together they light everything up.
This story is really steamy and passionate, but mostly sweet and emotional. The best ending for this outstanding series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for 🦉Maggie Whitworth.
3,254 reviews113 followers
July 19, 2021
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋💋

I never get tired of reading Scarlett Scott books, her imagination knows no bounds and her books constantly have me enthralled.
Wonderful characters full of sensuality and romance, steamy storylines that have your eyes jelled to the pages for hours.
Im totally hooked, and this book is no different, addictive reading especially if your already a fan .

I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review


1,084 reviews12 followers
July 22, 2021
I loved Pippa and Roland's story, theirs is a story mired in deceit, mistrust, lies, passion and love. It has so many ups and downs that I couldn't put it down.

Lady Pippa's world is irrevocably shattered when she reads the letters that her dearest friend Tilly Hastings the former Duchess of Longleigh discovers hidden away by her late husband, letters pertaining to the false imprisonment of Adam Hastings Tilly's husband and other crimes.  How can these letters be true, they must be wrong and yet the handwriting is her husbands, how is this possible surely not. George Shaw was a wonderful, kind and generous man and loving father to their daughter he couldn't possibly be this man that could orchestrate these crimes that Tilly and Northwich believed he did and yet the his letters prove otherwise, proving that there was a side to Pippa's husband that she never saw or didn't want to see.

Roland, Duke of Northwich has never gotten over his lost love and does not understand how the girl he loved back then could have abandoned him for George Shaw whilst he was on his tour, he thought they had an understanding, that she loved him as much as he loved her. He had wanted to marry her, now all he wants to do is to warn her, protect her from the people out there who would do her and her daughter harm, people who will stop at nothing to keep their secrets hidden away, secrets that only George, his unknown partner and they know about. With George's death these people will stop at nothing to silence Pippa should she ever discover all their secrets.

To save Pippa Roland offers her the protection of his name in the form of a marriage of convenience, Pippa never wanted to bind herself to Roland in this way, but after an incident threatens not only her life, but the life of her daughter she feels she has no choice, but to accept. Pippa struggles to understand how the man she believes Roland to be can be the caring, generous man that she is married too now.

Can Northwich and Tilly convince Pippa of the truth or will they be too late to save her. Will Pippa and Roland realise that long buried feelings and a love thwarted by another is just beneath the surface and can it survive all the mistrust and deceit of the past and present or will the ever present danger succeed in killing Pippa and can Roland stop them in time.

I give this review voluntarily as I was lucky enough to be gifted an ARC copy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
49 reviews3 followers
July 18, 2021
A beautiful ending to the Notorious Ladies of London series!!!!! Roland, the Duke of Northwich never got over being jilted by his former fiance, Lady Philippa. Pippa thought she had the ideal life with her husband George Shaw and daughter Charlotte. It wasn't until her husband's death that her world comes crashing down and all that she knew to be the truth was in fact all lies. And with these lies comes danger for Pippa and her daughter. Roland offers marriage as a means of protecting them and have what he always wanted, which was Pippa. As truths are finally revealed, Pippa finds it harder to maintain her animosity toward Roland. How could he be this kind and caring man that she has hated for so long? Could the love they once shared still be there for them? Roland is a swoon worthy hero who is patient and considerate of all that Pippa has gone through even after all the pain she caused him. You will love this last installment of this series. It has all the romance and heat that you expect from this author. I will miss these characters but hope to see them in her next series Unexpected Lords which features Chief Inspector Hudson Stone. I received an ARC of this book and is my honest review.
Profile Image for Laney.
54 reviews2 followers
July 22, 2021
I genuinely love all of Scarlett Scott’s books. This one was no exception. Each story she weaves has its own unique pulse.

In Lady Brazen, Pippa and Roland were in love 5 years ago, and were torn apart by the lies and machinations of the man who became Pippa’s husband. At the beginning of the novel, we see Pippa as she is confronted with her now deceased husband’s crimes (against others - but also against her). Roland has never stopped loving Pippa, even though he doesn’t want to love her anymore.

This story is brimming with emotion as both characters learn to love again, but more importantly, how to trust again. I typically describe Scarlett Scott’s books as very passionate, and while that is certainly true in this one, too, the passion had an emotional depth that surprised me. This is an excellently written novel.
Profile Image for Lostintime.
549 reviews17 followers
June 22, 2022
After two very good entries this one was somehow anticlimactic.

I appreciated the plot concerning a widow who was very much in love with her late husband without knowing he had been a criminal of the worse sort.

I would have preferred if the author had not progressively turned him in a bad husband too via the h’s memories.

It would have been more interesting to see a true dicothomy between the corrupted George Shaw and George Shaw the perfect husband. Instead it came out he was a mediocre lover, a disinterested father, a suffocating husband. This turned my interest down and considering that the H was a quite boring cinnamon roll I ended up skipping until the end.

A last thought… why brazen? The lady had nothing brazen? 🤨
Profile Image for Nicole.
926 reviews15 followers
October 16, 2022
I'm heartbroken to see the last of the Notorious Ladies of London but it definitely ends with a bang and a very happy ending. She was deceived for 5 years by her deceased husband she thought the man she hated the most betrayed her in the most impossible way.. But it wasn't until all deceptions were revealed that he was innocent and he never expected to have her in his arms again or to have her ice melt towards him. Until she realizes that she never loved anyone else but him.. He is her hero her future her everything. She is his everything..
Profile Image for Laura.
394 reviews13 followers
December 28, 2022
Every single one of these stars is for how stupid in love Roland was.

(The two missing stars are only partially for Pippa, who was occasionally annoying, and mostly for the decision to write Charlotte's dialogue like that and the whole Char-Char thing.)
Profile Image for Denise .
931 reviews9 followers
July 23, 2021
“Lady Brazen” is the 6th and final fantastic book in the ‘Notorious Ladies of London’ series by Scarlett Scott. You definitely need not have read any of the others in the series in order to be enthralled with this one.

Pippa is content with her life. She has George, a husband who is devoted to her, a baby she adores, a home in the most fashionable part of London, and every creature comfort imaginable. After her husband suddenly dies, she is shocked and grieved but determined to carry on for the sake of their daughter. Pippa is stunned and confused when circumstances reveal that everything she thought she knew about her husband was a lie. Roland, the Duke of Northwich, is involved in an investigation that deals with her late husband’s dirty business dealings. Five years previously, Pippa jilted Roland in order to marry George, informing him in writing and never giving him an explanation that made sense. She broke his heart, but he’ll still do anything possible to protect her when it becomes all too apparent that she’s in danger. He can’t help her though, if she won’t trust him. The lies she was told are hard for her to move past, but even worse than that, she no longer trusts herself to ever have sound judgment and make good decisions.

“You are not damaged, Pippa.”
“But I am. I do not know if I can never truly trust anyone again.”


Pippa is incredibly resilient as she comes to terms with the staggering reality of the consequences of her own naivete and bad choices. Roland is an extraordinary character. After Pippa broke his heart, the last thing he wants to do is still care about her, but he just can’t help it. He’s a wonderfully smart, strong and sensitive man. I liked the pride he takes in the Iroquois heritage he gets from his mother, and the patience he has with Pippa despite how unfairly she’s treated him. Roland will also melt your heart with his treatment of Pippa’s sweet little girl, who also happens to be an adorable character.

I thought this was an engaging story with mystery, drama, romance, passion and danger. As the plot unfolded, I could empathize more and more with both of the lead characters and was anxious for them to get the ‘happy ever after’ they so richly deserved. I was excited to find out at the very end of the book that one of the most important secondary characters in this story is going to get a book of his own to start a new series. I pre-ordered it already because Scarlett Scott is an author who never disappoints!

Profile Image for Debbie Brown.
2,042 reviews18 followers
July 24, 2021
Roland, the Duke of Northwich has never recovered after the young lady he loved through him over and married another with no reason. Lady Philippa Shaw knew the Roland for the scoundrel he was, blackmailing her brother and her soon to be husband, so how can she trust him now after her husband has died and left her with more questions. Questions of his scandalous life of crime, blackmail, various activities and possible murder. Did she ever really know him, the man she’d come to love and how her life was life with George Shaw was a lie. She’s now become a target and Roland wants to keep her safe, he gets her to finally tell him what happened five years ago when their lives were torn apart. A captivating story of two people getting a second chance at love, a second chance to find real happiness if they can escape her deceased husband’s partner in crime. What starts out as a marriage of convenience quickly becomes a passion neither can deny. I voluntarily read and reviewed this extraordinary story.
Profile Image for Lady Whitbrooke.
406 reviews16 followers
July 28, 2021
Oh my well I think I am giving this one 4stars as a mere courtesy. I have read the whole series and a few books I really liked, a few where okay, this one annoyed me.
First of all Pipa must be a very shallow person. She was supposedly “in love with Roland” and had agreed to marry him, he leaves for America with his mother to visit an aunt and within two months time she has married a totally different person, believing lies and not even having a conversation with him!
THEN as if that alone didn’t make me dislike her she was a witch to Roland and kept talking about how much she loved George (her first husband) blah blah blah and this was AFTER we find out George is a liar and villain of the first order.
In my opinion Roland was way to nice and forgiving. Needless to say I did not love it. But I do like the author and like I said I enjoyed a few other books in this series. It’s readable just not one of my favs!!!
Plot 5(1-10) steaminess 7.5(1-10)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lana Birky.
1,703 reviews22 followers
July 20, 2021
I am sad to see the last book in the Notorious Ladies of London series but oh what a fantastic finale! I always say the last book I read by this author is always my favorite but this one had it all - Roland, a handsome, hilarious, honorable, hunky duke; Sunshine/Pippa, a lady, widow, mother, kind & loving; Charlotte/Char-Char a bundle of impish, adorableness in a 2-year-old toddler & Puppy, a cuddly, sweet, lovable puppy! Plus, the second chance love story was heartbreaking, heart-wrenching & heartwarming!

I highly recommend this book & the series - all the books can be read as standalones, but they are on KU so why not start a new series now. All are full of steam, emotions, great couples & fantastic stories! I voluntarily read & reviewed an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book; all thoughts & opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Ermione Pickwick.
302 reviews15 followers
June 12, 2024

I liked the premise. The protagonists, especially the hero, are essentially good but somehow I couldn't find the chemistry as much as I would have hoped for.

Something that I think didn't help empathising with the story and the dynamic is the fact that we are told that the heroine is super in love with her late husband, and ok that she then finds out that he was actually a very questionable character, but I still found the speed with which she gets over him a bit puzzling - again, considering how much in love we are given to believe she was with him.
And frankly the story dragged on for too long...by half of the plot it is clear the protagonists are in love with each other and all previous issues between them sorted...so from then onwards there is not much of a crescendo left to keep you glued to the pages.

Profile Image for CATHERINE  BURHANS .
827 reviews8 followers
July 23, 2021
Second chance romances and Marriages of Convenience (or out of necessity in this case) are two of my favorite themes. I also like a strong, feisty heroine! This story has it all! Roland , the Duke of Northwich, was the most wonderful of heroes. Besides being gorgeous, he was kind, forgiving, compassionate and caring, a man of integrity, and a passionate lover. Wow, did Pippa ever make a mistake in misjudging him! After five years, fate gives them a second chance, and our patient Duke goes through the wringer trying to win her back. But their reuniting is worth waiting for as their romance sizzles off the pages. An intriguing “who dunnit” goes hand in hand along with the romance, making for a wonderful read!
Profile Image for Margaret.
3,212 reviews33 followers
August 19, 2021
Lady Pippa Shaw thought she had everything she ever wanted. The perfect husband and a beautiful daughter. After her husband's death, Pippa and her daughter are in danger. The only man who can protect her and her daughter is the one man she isn't sure she can trust. Roland, Duke of Northwich, lost the love of his life to George Shaw who lied and deceived to get her as his wife. Now the truth is revealed about Shaw, who wasn't the man Pippa thought he was. If she can trust Roland to protect her and her daughter surely she can trust him with her love. More of a love story than focusing entirely on George Shaw's illegal activities. Roland's heritage gave a nice addition to the story. Steamy explicit sex.
2,426 reviews22 followers
July 19, 2021
Ahhhh, Roland. Poor Pippa finds out her dead husband is not who she thought he was but when Roland, her old flame, decides to inform her she doesn’t believe him. Isn’t that how it always happens? She think old boyfriend is always trying to dis the new flame. Well, old boyfriend is right. I love the slow back to passion between Roland and Pippa. Roland is kind, loving, sensitive and so perfect for Pippa. Normally kids in books are okay but Charlotte is so cute, how could Roland not fall in love with her. Again, Scarlett amazes me with her stories. It is sad to see this series end but a secondary character, Chief Inspector Stone starts a new series soon, Can’t wait for that one.

I received a complimentary copy from the author.
150 reviews1 follower
July 22, 2021
What a great ending to this series. Mrs Shaw is certain she has made the right choices and knows who to trust, or can she? The Duke of Northwich is determined to win her love once again. This books has such beautiful characters. Reading how they must learn to find a way to love again was truly delightful. Scarlett writes beautiful stories that you can feel in your heart.
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4,472 reviews92 followers
October 30, 2021
Oh my, this was so good. Great characters, the good and the baddies. Storyline was super. I loved this story - and this series. Marvellous! 5☆
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2,661 reviews79 followers
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April 8, 2024
She wasn’t even that brazen??
Profile Image for Alyssa.
117 reviews
August 21, 2021
Absolutely loved this book! Fantastic end to a wonderful series. Couldn’t have asked for a better read. Scarlett Scott knocked it out of the park with this series and this book was no exception. I loved the relationship between Roland and Pippa and the plot was great. If you haven’t read this series yet, you are missing out!
Profile Image for Pam  Bereznak.
1,822 reviews135 followers
December 31, 2021
As some of you may know from seeing some of my reviews, I really suck at it. I mean, if I wrote a good review, I’d be a writer. 😊 I never really know what to say but I do hate when reviewers practically rewrite the whole synopsis in their review. I mean I just read the book...I know what it’s about. Anyway, I do like to say something to let the author know I felt about it.

I spend a lot of time researching the books I read and most books I read are authors I read a lot of and know they’ll give me a good read. Scarlett Scott is one of those. She is one of my favorite authors. I absolutely love her. I have read every one of her books and they just keep getting better and better each read. I just love her writing, her characters, her stories. She also writes the best sex scenes. So yummy!

Because I read so many other books between authors series, I don’t always remember secondary characters. Sometimes when I am reading a new story it may trigger “Oh, yeah I remember them”. Sometimes not. It sounded like Roland and Pippa had been in previous Notorious Ladies story but I didn’t remember if they were.

As I said above, I know most of my authors and how they write and know I’m going to get a good read out of them. There is usually a funny line here and there that makes me laugh, cute and moving love stories and I only read one book that I remember that brought a few tears. With all that being said, I have never felt such emotion reading a book as I did this one. This book gave me all the feels. There were scenes when Roland was talking about his mother that were so raw and beautiful. It made be very emotional. But the scenes when Roland and Pippa when they were talking about what happened and their feelings….lord, I cried buckets. It brought out such emotion which is very unusual for me. My heart ached for them. How Scarlett can write as if you know these people and feel for these people almost as if you know them personally. This is one of the best books I’ve read all year so far this year and I’ve read 221 books. This is a MUST read.
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