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Whatever It Takes #2
Scoundrels and Heroes
“I’d sooner put an arrow through that man than marry him!”
Lady Clara Redwood's life is growing increasingly complex. She's carried a secret unbefitting of a lady throughout her life. Now, that secret is at risk as she's forced to marry a foreign nobleman, a man she knows nothing about. Adding to her troubles, her brother is abducted, and his kidnappers threaten to execute him unless Clara poisons the king.
Oscar Huxley relishes secrets. He collects, trades, and uses them to his advantage. He guards a secret of his own — an unrequited love for a woman forever out of his reach. An arranged marriage to young Lady Redwood wasn't part of his plans, but he's certain that, like everything else in his life, he can manipulate the arrangement to his advantage. What he doesn't expect is to develop a fondness for the young lady.
As their paths collide, Oscar and Clara must learn to navigate their new situation and to trust each other. Can they work together to solve their problems before it’s too late? Will their long and perilous journey bring them to discovering the true meaning of the word ‘love’?
Scoundrels and Heroes is book 2 of the Whatever It Takes series. While it is possible to read it as a standalone, I recommend reading book 1, The Royal Romance, first. The series features realistic relationships, complex characters, and intriguing setting. No cliffhangers, HEA guaranteed.
Trigger warning: This book contains adult content! There is graphic violence, sex, and an attempted sexual assault (not between the main characters).
Lady Clara Redwood's life is growing increasingly complex. She's carried a secret unbefitting of a lady throughout her life. Now, that secret is at risk as she's forced to marry a foreign nobleman, a man she knows nothing about. Adding to her troubles, her brother is abducted, and his kidnappers threaten to execute him unless Clara poisons the king.
Oscar Huxley relishes secrets. He collects, trades, and uses them to his advantage. He guards a secret of his own — an unrequited love for a woman forever out of his reach. An arranged marriage to young Lady Redwood wasn't part of his plans, but he's certain that, like everything else in his life, he can manipulate the arrangement to his advantage. What he doesn't expect is to develop a fondness for the young lady.
As their paths collide, Oscar and Clara must learn to navigate their new situation and to trust each other. Can they work together to solve their problems before it’s too late? Will their long and perilous journey bring them to discovering the true meaning of the word ‘love’?
Scoundrels and Heroes is book 2 of the Whatever It Takes series. While it is possible to read it as a standalone, I recommend reading book 1, The Royal Romance, first. The series features realistic relationships, complex characters, and intriguing setting. No cliffhangers, HEA guaranteed.
Trigger warning: This book contains adult content! There is graphic violence, sex, and an attempted sexual assault (not between the main characters).
555 pages, ebook
Published May 3, 2023
39 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Anna Svoboda
21 books51 followersAnna Svoboda is a stay at home mom and a part-time programmer. When she isn’t writing, working, or taking care of her family, she usually hides from the outside world with a book in her hand.
Author of various romance novels, her stories center around strong female heroes and realistic relationships. She loves building her own complex worlds and listens to her characters’ opinions while writing. Then she puts them through unimaginable torment for messing up with her plot.
Author of various romance novels, her stories center around strong female heroes and realistic relationships. She loves building her own complex worlds and listens to her characters’ opinions while writing. Then she puts them through unimaginable torment for messing up with her plot.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 8, 2023
First off - While this book COULD be read as a standalone, it is recommended to have read Whatever It Takes: The Royal Romance first, as it will provide a better backdrop for the scenery, realm, and eventual plot developments.
The writing style of Anna Svoboda in this book (and in general) is to provide the reader a 3rd person Point of View (POV), yet also an insight into the thoughts and reasoning of the character. It allows a familiarity to be built between the reader and the character, allowing you to more fully immerse yourself into the world she has created (something I truly enjoyed). The multiple POVs that you are eventually allowed into (I counted 4) can be somewhat confusing, but consider the book a puzzle; you must place all pieces together to view the final picture.
However, it is easy to get a little lost with all the different information and scenes. (Although each scene/situation change does allow good stopping points for when you must do important things, like your job, sleep, eat, etc.) I actually found it more enjoyable reading the book the SECOND time around, knowing the outcome, and trying to find the subtleties Svoboda had hidden inside the text.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and being enveloped into its world. Whatever It Takes: Scoundrels and Heroes is definitely a keeper on my shelf.
WORD OF WARNING: This is a (medieval) ROMANCE novel. Not only is cussing rampant, but there are sexual scenes, both positive and negative (mostly positive). If you are triggered by such literature, this may not be for you.
The writing style of Anna Svoboda in this book (and in general) is to provide the reader a 3rd person Point of View (POV), yet also an insight into the thoughts and reasoning of the character. It allows a familiarity to be built between the reader and the character, allowing you to more fully immerse yourself into the world she has created (something I truly enjoyed). The multiple POVs that you are eventually allowed into (I counted 4) can be somewhat confusing, but consider the book a puzzle; you must place all pieces together to view the final picture.
However, it is easy to get a little lost with all the different information and scenes. (Although each scene/situation change does allow good stopping points for when you must do important things, like your job, sleep, eat, etc.) I actually found it more enjoyable reading the book the SECOND time around, knowing the outcome, and trying to find the subtleties Svoboda had hidden inside the text.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and being enveloped into its world. Whatever It Takes: Scoundrels and Heroes is definitely a keeper on my shelf.
WORD OF WARNING: This is a (medieval) ROMANCE novel. Not only is cussing rampant, but there are sexual scenes, both positive and negative (mostly positive). If you are triggered by such literature, this may not be for you.
September 7, 2025
Have to say I found this book harder to get into. Maybe it’s just because I’m a sucker for a bad boy, alphahole and still a bit hooked on Hayden. I’m so glad I persisted, as even though Oscar isn’t your typical warrior hardened MMC, he actually grew on me despite all of that.
Oscar’s biggest weapon is his mind and his witt. Oscar’s unwavering support of Clara, his child bride, was a pleasure to read. Clara was so sheltered, trying to pave her way in life within the strict guidelines her overbearing Mother and eldest brother. This story is more of a self discovery for Clara, Oscar’s strength shows in his unwavering support for his wife.
“You are not one of my ‘friends’, you are my wife and the love of my life,”
I loved the interlinks with previous characters from the series. It was great to see all the characters interact, especially between Hayden and Oscar. Those 2 were quite a double act come the end.
Most definitely off to read the rest, looking forward to seeing where the story progresses next.
Oscar’s biggest weapon is his mind and his witt. Oscar’s unwavering support of Clara, his child bride, was a pleasure to read. Clara was so sheltered, trying to pave her way in life within the strict guidelines her overbearing Mother and eldest brother. This story is more of a self discovery for Clara, Oscar’s strength shows in his unwavering support for his wife.
“You are not one of my ‘friends’, you are my wife and the love of my life,”
I loved the interlinks with previous characters from the series. It was great to see all the characters interact, especially between Hayden and Oscar. Those 2 were quite a double act come the end.
Most definitely off to read the rest, looking forward to seeing where the story progresses next.
March 25, 2024
This is a short Novella that received from the author for review.
Clara is hiding in a village and does not want to be seen again. Set in medieval times she works n a pub. Drabby clothes, scarf covering her head. She also lives in a convent. She had run away after falling in love with a man and becoming pregnant.He doesn't love her and pretty much laughed at her. While at work one day he shows up with his now wife. The wife confronts her and tells her that he is changed and really sorry for what happened. That's when all hell breaks loose and a bad man is after Oscar.
Because it is such a short story we don't get to know much of the characters except for Clara. I liked the book but I didn't love it.
Clara is hiding in a village and does not want to be seen again. Set in medieval times she works n a pub. Drabby clothes, scarf covering her head. She also lives in a convent. She had run away after falling in love with a man and becoming pregnant.He doesn't love her and pretty much laughed at her. While at work one day he shows up with his now wife. The wife confronts her and tells her that he is changed and really sorry for what happened. That's when all hell breaks loose and a bad man is after Oscar.
Because it is such a short story we don't get to know much of the characters except for Clara. I liked the book but I didn't love it.
June 4, 2023
I love love love how smoothly she keeps everything flowing from book 1 to 2 plus so much more. Knowing there is more still to come is really exciting for me. I really couldn't put this book down almost literally. Like the first book, character dynamics are strong and realistic, no dull moments, and super engaging. Really talented author and I don't just want more, I need more.
June 5, 2023
This book flowed really well from book one. I was able to become fully immersed in the series once more very quickly. The concept was entertaining and the action kept me hooked throughout. I love how the relationships between the characters developed more from book one as well. I’m excited to see where book three takes us!
June 15, 2023
keep reading
This was so beautifully built! Having been not completely on board with the first in the series, I am so glad that I continued to read it. This second book truly develops all of the characters and makes them much more believable. Whilst the language and actions are modern, it doesn’t detract from the reading too much.
Definitely looking forward to Laina and Lamar’s story.
This was so beautifully built! Having been not completely on board with the first in the series, I am so glad that I continued to read it. This second book truly develops all of the characters and makes them much more believable. Whilst the language and actions are modern, it doesn’t detract from the reading too much.
Definitely looking forward to Laina and Lamar’s story.
July 2, 2023
I really enjoyed this book it linked so nicely with the first book characters continuing to be woven throughout. Cara's archery skills were something I enjoyed reading and how her sense of strength and belief in herself grew. The intimacy scenes were hot. Truly can not wait for the next book.
April 28, 2024
I loved this book the most from this series so far, the development of the characters is absolutely phenomenal with real struggles and a great arc. Read it multiple times and I keep going back to it! Highly highly recommend it!
January 14, 2025
Clara is my favorite! From under her mom’s thumb to a total badass, what’s not to love?! Oscar though… definitely needed a little growing up and I’m glad Clara kicked his ass into gear. This was yet another great book in the Whatever It Takes universe.
July 2, 2023
I love the how all the characters interact with each other. Loved all the banter between King Hayden and Oscar.
July 4, 2023
I love how book 1 and 2 go hand in hand. Must read in order. If you enjoy hot steamy romances with strong female characters this is the series for you.
June 3, 2023
This is the second book in the series and it goes on from the strength of book one . It is well written and while we have new characters stories the old ones are not forgotten.briliant worth the read.....
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews