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The Ellinghams #1
How To Enjoy A Scandal
DOUBLE DECEPTION… Twins Jason and Jasper Barrington were once the wildest of scoundrels, but inheriting a title has reformed Jasper. Now it's Jason's turn to try his hand at redemption by posing as his brother to investigate improprieties at one of the family estates. What he doesn't count on is the amorous attention of every eligible young lady in York. When one of them slips into his bed, Jason finds himself face-to-face with her sister...and falling madly in love with her. Smart, strong, and somewhat mysterious, Gwendolyn Ellingham brings out the best in Jason—as well as his most wicked desires... EQUALS SWEET SEDUCTION… Rumors may have ruined Gwendolyn's social standing, but she has no intention of letting her sisters fall to the same fate. With one throwing herself at Viscount Fairhurst and the other unknowingly entangled in the estate's intrigues, Gwendolyn has no choice but to stay close to Jason and try to distract him from the truth. As sober and thoughtful as the gentleman appears, Gwendolyn senses a fire that blazes hotter whenever they're together—a fire that ignites her own longings in ways she never imagined. Jason is the one man who could tempt her to earn her scandalous reputation…and make her surrender to an all-consuming passion… Visit us at www.kensingtonbooks.com.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2007
60 people are currently reading
289 people want to read
About the author
Adrienne Basso
26 books240 followersBetween stints as a corporate financial analyst, marketing consultant and public librarian, Adrienne Basso has parlayed her vivid imagination and desire to tell romantic stories into a twenty-four-year writing career. She has published contemporary, Regency, Victorian, vampire, and Scottish medieval romance novels. She enjoys the challenge of creating stories that emphasize the everlasting power of love and is truly delighted that her characters always achieve the fantasy of living happily ever after. A native New Yorker, Adrienne, her husband, and their incomparable dog now live in New Jersey.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 4, 2019
I find it rather odd the way propriety is completely ignored in some instances in this book. Such as when the women descended on Jason a few hours after his arrival. I mean a book that has women rudely visiting a supposedly single man in his home without a maid or their menfolk present, mere minutes after his arrival tired from his journey with full knowledge that he has no female in residence to greet them is just Bizarre. A book that then has the man blithely call for tea in this situation does not seem too concerned with historical accuracy and the ins and outs of chaperones.
So it is rather annoying the way proper behavior is brought up conveniently later on as if the characters are actually suddenly aware of propriety's dictates. Where was this consciousness earlier?
Then too the behavior of the supposed "newly married viscount" could have in no way enhanced any female with an already damaged reputation's standing. His escorting a lithe young woman anywhere or riding out with her on mornings would never force the townspeople to stop shunning her. They'd simply label her as a husband thief and whore in addition to her previous much milder sins. I really don't understand the ridiculousness of this plot.
C'mon Jason takes a young woman, Alone, to a ball without the permission or chaperonage of her guardians and this is supposed to be ok? This after earlier offering to pay for her new wardrobe (which she thankfully refuses) but sheesh no man from that time would have even made the offer, being very aware of its "be my kept woman" implications.
.... “All the slights, the snubs, the snide looks and comments would have to be stifled when she entered the party. She kept telling herself she would be greeted with deference, acknowledged with envy, accepted back into the fold without any challenges because no one with half a brain would wish to anger or displease the viscount. To do so would be social suicide. Gwendolyn pressed her lips together, then put her hand on his arm. With his words of encouragement ringing in her ears, she marched up the steps and swept through the front door as if she were queen of the castle.”- Excerpt ....
I would wonder about the "half a brain" the main characters are apparently working with, rather than that of the townspeople
Sigh. First time with this author. Never Again. Overall it's endlessly repetitive, both in dialogue, characters' thoughts, and repeated emphasis on the rather flimsy author 'created conflict' which we apparently need to have explained to us every two pages just in case we forgot. Spare yourself the frustration.
So it is rather annoying the way proper behavior is brought up conveniently later on as if the characters are actually suddenly aware of propriety's dictates. Where was this consciousness earlier?
Then too the behavior of the supposed "newly married viscount" could have in no way enhanced any female with an already damaged reputation's standing. His escorting a lithe young woman anywhere or riding out with her on mornings would never force the townspeople to stop shunning her. They'd simply label her as a husband thief and whore in addition to her previous much milder sins. I really don't understand the ridiculousness of this plot.
C'mon Jason takes a young woman, Alone, to a ball without the permission or chaperonage of her guardians and this is supposed to be ok? This after earlier offering to pay for her new wardrobe (which she thankfully refuses) but sheesh no man from that time would have even made the offer, being very aware of its "be my kept woman" implications.
.... “All the slights, the snubs, the snide looks and comments would have to be stifled when she entered the party. She kept telling herself she would be greeted with deference, acknowledged with envy, accepted back into the fold without any challenges because no one with half a brain would wish to anger or displease the viscount. To do so would be social suicide. Gwendolyn pressed her lips together, then put her hand on his arm. With his words of encouragement ringing in her ears, she marched up the steps and swept through the front door as if she were queen of the castle.”- Excerpt ....
I would wonder about the "half a brain" the main characters are apparently working with, rather than that of the townspeople
Sigh. First time with this author. Never Again. Overall it's endlessly repetitive, both in dialogue, characters' thoughts, and repeated emphasis on the rather flimsy author 'created conflict' which we apparently need to have explained to us every two pages just in case we forgot. Spare yourself the frustration.
March 26, 2009
(cut not so much for spoilers as immense crankiness.)
Meet my own personal decision tree for books like this:
Does one character perform a Convenient Misleading Act upon the other?
(if yes)
Are there multiple opportunities for logical resolution that the author ignores for no good reason?
(if yes)
Is it resolved in an interesting/unpredictable way?
(if no)
Does the resolution involve any consequence for the character who lied?
(if no)
Does the Misleading Act add any depth, humor, or characterization to the book, or anything at all except extra page count?
(if no)
throw book against wall. repeat.
Meet my own personal decision tree for books like this:
Does one character perform a Convenient Misleading Act upon the other?
(if yes)
Are there multiple opportunities for logical resolution that the author ignores for no good reason?
(if yes)
Is it resolved in an interesting/unpredictable way?
(if no)
Does the resolution involve any consequence for the character who lied?
(if no)
Does the Misleading Act add any depth, humor, or characterization to the book, or anything at all except extra page count?
(if no)
throw book against wall. repeat.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2019
This book has a fairly interesting story. The premise is a little unusual possibly because it is a little forced.
There are some secrets to uncover including Gwendolyn's past (not nearly as shocking as the people in her town made it out to be, but that's the point) and what's happening to the estate's money. I thought far too much was revealed far too early.
I thought the bad guys were incredibly stupid, again a plot point that was a little forced.
Gwendolyn was a likable heroine without being over the top. Jason was pretty honorable for the reputation he had.
I wasn't overly impressed with the climax and there is way too much that follows the climax. The epilogue was totally a waste.
Mature themes: two very explicit and extended bedroom scenes and a third shorter one. There is some physical violence and even killings. There was some unnecessary vulgar language.
There are some secrets to uncover including Gwendolyn's past (not nearly as shocking as the people in her town made it out to be, but that's the point) and what's happening to the estate's money. I thought far too much was revealed far too early.
I thought the bad guys were incredibly stupid, again a plot point that was a little forced.
Gwendolyn was a likable heroine without being over the top. Jason was pretty honorable for the reputation he had.
I wasn't overly impressed with the climax and there is way too much that follows the climax. The epilogue was totally a waste.
Mature themes: two very explicit and extended bedroom scenes and a third shorter one. There is some physical violence and even killings. There was some unnecessary vulgar language.
August 21, 2017
I thought it was refreshing that Jason went out of his way to get Gwendolyn accepted into society again. Then she put herself right back into the fire by sleeping with him, but her love was stronger than her common sense at the time. Loved how it ended at the house he wanted to buy her. The perfect ending.
August 2, 2018
Lovely - a new story line.
I discovered Adrienne Basso (her books) in the first book store I found when we moved from Hawaii to Florida; she'll keep me from missing "Paradise" too much. She knows how to keep a story going. Other characters rounded enough to make a sequel or two - ah, younger unmarried sisters!
I discovered Adrienne Basso (her books) in the first book store I found when we moved from Hawaii to Florida; she'll keep me from missing "Paradise" too much. She knows how to keep a story going. Other characters rounded enough to make a sequel or two - ah, younger unmarried sisters!
February 4, 2023
Good read
It is a bit wordy at times. In many places, I found, I would speed read to get to the point. The middle towards the end captured my attention to want to finish it. The plot was interesting, the sex at times was a bit much.
It is a bit wordy at times. In many places, I found, I would speed read to get to the point. The middle towards the end captured my attention to want to finish it. The plot was interesting, the sex at times was a bit much.
August 30, 2017
Great story,loved the family aspect and that not all bad things are done by bad people.I will read more by this author.
April 26, 2019
Mehh, very boring, nothing really happened. Stopped at +/- page 150.
October 17, 2022
Drug out just a little bit too long but was a good story.
January 28, 2023
Did not finish
October 11, 2012
Love the title. Pleasant, light read, entertaining with sensual sex scenes. I think this may be part of a series due to all the references to "off-scene" characters and their history.
The hero is an identical twin who takes on the identity of his brother in order to investigate missing money from his brother's country estate. There he meets the heroine, a young woman who made scandalous mistakes on her trip to London for her comeout year. By today's standards, her mistakes may seem trivial, but historically, what she did was enough to ruin her good standing in the community.
I appreciated the hero's personal growth when he compared his truly scandalous past behavior with her innocent mistakes - how he remained in good standing and yet she was cut dead from society - and decided to champion her, bring her back into good standing with the harpies of the community.
The climax is action packed, not one of emotional crisis and growth, so don't worry about weeping in public while reading.
The hero is an identical twin who takes on the identity of his brother in order to investigate missing money from his brother's country estate. There he meets the heroine, a young woman who made scandalous mistakes on her trip to London for her comeout year. By today's standards, her mistakes may seem trivial, but historically, what she did was enough to ruin her good standing in the community.
I appreciated the hero's personal growth when he compared his truly scandalous past behavior with her innocent mistakes - how he remained in good standing and yet she was cut dead from society - and decided to champion her, bring her back into good standing with the harpies of the community.
The climax is action packed, not one of emotional crisis and growth, so don't worry about weeping in public while reading.
December 26, 2008
Jason and Jasper are identical twins, but the connection stops at that point. Where Jasper is reserved; Jason is adventurous and a rake. Yet, the two of them work together to find out who is stealing money and property from the estate. Along the way, Jason falls for Gwendolyn Ellingham. Unfortunately, she believes he is married (actually it is Jasper who is married). Jason is so self-effacing one has to root for him to win Gwen.
May 12, 2014
What do you get when you combine improprieties, intrigue, an investigation, a rogue and a young lady with a scandalous reputation?
You get a lesson in "How to Enjoy a Scandal".
You get a lesson in "How to Enjoy a Scandal".
August 15, 2008
enjoyed
July 11, 2010
Couldn't get into this book, just skimmed it. At the library.
May 20, 2013
Light reading to occupy my mind while re-cooping.
July 30, 2018
Loved, loved this book. The alpha male. Jason, Wes well written. Jason had me swept away with his over powering need to have Gwendolyn. Gwendolyn, was a character herself. I would have made her uncle pay for what he did though. More books please Basso!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews