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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
This is the second time I’ve read this book, and I enjoyed it a lot more on a reread. It’s a fun storyline with lots of passion and drama. The female lead, Juliana, is very passionate and I liked her a lot. I liked her backbone and her stubborn nature. She was very feisty and it made her more vulnerable moments more powerful.
The male lead, Simon, was a little less likeable - he was a very stiff character and was very frustrating, but it was enjoyable to watch him unravel as his feelings for Juliana grew. The pair had good chemistry and their scenes together were well-written. It was more of a slow burn than the previous book in the sense they But it worked for the characters. What I appreciated here was how much emotional depth could be created in their romance through them talking (or in their case, mostly arguing).
I also liked seeing glimpses of Callie and Ralston from Nine Rules, and seeing how Juliana has developed in her social life since we first met her. I also liked Simon’s backstory with his sister. Whilst I saw it coming, I liked his scenes with his sister. They were very sweet and endearing and did a lot of good in improving my opinion of his character by that stage.
I did find the writing style a little dramatic sometimes. I didn’t really understand the wager aspect of the story - I might just be really obtuse but I didn’t really get what the result of the wager was meant to be? But I just skipped past it. I also personally didn’t really enjoy the introduction of. Whilst this aspect of the plot suited the themes of the novel and I understood its narrative purpose, it felt a little superfluous for me - almost like extra angst for angst’s sake. I think that the story would have been fine without it.
I also found the will-they-won’t-they a little repetitive as the story went on, but not enough that it ruined the story for me. These were small gripes - overall, I enjoyed the book a lot and would reread it.
I would recommend it if you like opposites-attract historical romances with a lot of drama and scandals.
Content Warnings:.
Separate warning for mild OW drama
The male lead, Simon, was a little less likeable - he was a very stiff character and was very frustrating, but it was enjoyable to watch him unravel as his feelings for Juliana grew. The pair had good chemistry and their scenes together were well-written. It was more of a slow burn than the previous book in the sense they
Spoiler
only share a few kisses for the first three quarters ish of the books; they sleep together for the first time fairly close to the end.I also liked seeing glimpses of Callie and Ralston from Nine Rules, and seeing how Juliana has developed in her social life since we first met her. I also liked Simon’s backstory with his sister. Whilst I saw it coming, I liked his scenes with his sister. They were very sweet and endearing and did a lot of good in improving my opinion of his character by that stage.
I did find the writing style a little dramatic sometimes. I didn’t really understand the wager aspect of the story - I might just be really obtuse but I didn’t really get what the result of the wager was meant to be? But I just skipped past it. I also personally didn’t really enjoy the introduction of
Spoiler
Juliana’s motherI also found the will-they-won’t-they a little repetitive as the story went on, but not enough that it ruined the story for me. These were small gripes - overall, I enjoyed the book a lot and would reread it.
I would recommend it if you like opposites-attract historical romances with a lot of drama and scandals.
Content Warnings:
Spoiler
Sexual harassment / sexual assault, near drowning, difficult relationship with parentSpoiler
The heroine's mother abandoned her as a child and this causes issues for the heroine.Separate warning for mild OW drama
Spoiler
Hero is in negotiations to become engaged to OW who is not the heroine for the majority of the story and is later engaged to her.
Read for CBR 6, Crossposted here.
“Your mother’s daughter”: Is there anything Lady Juliana Fiore fears being more? Her mother, who had abandoned her sons and her title, who courted scandal, then vanished from her children’s’ lives? In the midst of her own semi-disastrous Season, what will happen when her mother reemerges and scandal erupts once more? Those are some of the questions the lady must answer in Sarah MacLean’s Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke’s Heart. On top of that, her brother is a recently-reformed, now-married rake, she has no title of her own, and she can’t seem to stay out of trouble. Juliana also has a problem with her brain to mouth filter (particularly in Italian), she’s impulsive and passionate and… everything English misses aren’t. She’s not exactly the most eligible lady of the season: In fact she’s a prime target for the gossips of the Ton.
“The Duke of Disdain”, Simon, Lord Leighton, is a man of stalwart reputation and unimpeachable morals, betrothed to a similarly unblemished society lady, who’s constantly turning down his nose at Juliana and her antics. Her reckless behavior and his sense of propriety clash at every occasion. Of course, this being a romance novel and all, the Duke is hiding some fairly scandalous family secrets of his own, and Lady Juliana – despite her penchant for winding up in all sorts of scandalous scenarios – might be just be longing for a little respectability and ‘normal’ in her life.
I enjoy Sarah MacLean’s books – this book is third in the Love by Numbers series, by the way. There’s some catching up with previous characters, which I always appreciate; but the star of this book was really Juliana and her fish out of water acclimation to the Ton. I find it annoying when the thing that attracts the hero in the first place – say a heroine’s feisty nature – is somehow subsumed by the end of the story ~ how it gets toned down, tweaked, until it’s not really the same kind of person at all, come the end. I was glad to see that didn’t happen here – all the little traits that made Juliana unique – her conjugating verbs in Latin when she was nervous, or reverting to Italian when overloaded, or saying the thing nobody else would dare to say because it needed to be said – were still firmly on display come the conclusion.
I’m not a huge fan of the Do it For Duty Trope, which played a very large role in this story, but I thought it was well done – I could at least understand the majority of Leighton’s hang-ups about his responsibility as the duke, even if I don’t agree or appreciate them. I thought the idea of foreigner = passionate – at least in relation to the supposedly cold, English ways – was a little bit overdone, but that’s probably just because I’ve seen a few too many plays on that type of thing lately (where, in place of foreign, you could substitute ‘red headed’ or, in a particularly memorable occasion ‘Southerner’ (vs. Yankee)). I think I’m just played out on the whole idea that ‘large groups of people are significantly more passionate than other large groups of people,’ right now. But, other than that, I did enjoy this one.
“Your mother’s daughter”: Is there anything Lady Juliana Fiore fears being more? Her mother, who had abandoned her sons and her title, who courted scandal, then vanished from her children’s’ lives? In the midst of her own semi-disastrous Season, what will happen when her mother reemerges and scandal erupts once more? Those are some of the questions the lady must answer in Sarah MacLean’s Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke’s Heart. On top of that, her brother is a recently-reformed, now-married rake, she has no title of her own, and she can’t seem to stay out of trouble. Juliana also has a problem with her brain to mouth filter (particularly in Italian), she’s impulsive and passionate and… everything English misses aren’t. She’s not exactly the most eligible lady of the season: In fact she’s a prime target for the gossips of the Ton.
“The Duke of Disdain”, Simon, Lord Leighton, is a man of stalwart reputation and unimpeachable morals, betrothed to a similarly unblemished society lady, who’s constantly turning down his nose at Juliana and her antics. Her reckless behavior and his sense of propriety clash at every occasion. Of course, this being a romance novel and all, the Duke is hiding some fairly scandalous family secrets of his own, and Lady Juliana – despite her penchant for winding up in all sorts of scandalous scenarios – might be just be longing for a little respectability and ‘normal’ in her life.
I enjoy Sarah MacLean’s books – this book is third in the Love by Numbers series, by the way. There’s some catching up with previous characters, which I always appreciate; but the star of this book was really Juliana and her fish out of water acclimation to the Ton. I find it annoying when the thing that attracts the hero in the first place – say a heroine’s feisty nature – is somehow subsumed by the end of the story ~ how it gets toned down, tweaked, until it’s not really the same kind of person at all, come the end. I was glad to see that didn’t happen here – all the little traits that made Juliana unique – her conjugating verbs in Latin when she was nervous, or reverting to Italian when overloaded, or saying the thing nobody else would dare to say because it needed to be said – were still firmly on display come the conclusion.
I’m not a huge fan of the Do it For Duty Trope, which played a very large role in this story, but I thought it was well done – I could at least understand the majority of Leighton’s hang-ups about his responsibility as the duke, even if I don’t agree or appreciate them. I thought the idea of foreigner = passionate – at least in relation to the supposedly cold, English ways – was a little bit overdone, but that’s probably just because I’ve seen a few too many plays on that type of thing lately (where, in place of foreign, you could substitute ‘red headed’ or, in a particularly memorable occasion ‘Southerner’ (vs. Yankee)). I think I’m just played out on the whole idea that ‘large groups of people are significantly more passionate than other large groups of people,’ right now. But, other than that, I did enjoy this one.
Imagine the scene: Me. An Airport with a five hour lay over. Just. One. Book.
The pressure was on; Sure the first Sarah MacLean that I had read had been great, but would 'Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart' live up to that novel...??
If it didn't, would I be forced to spend my five-hour lay over twiddling my thumbs and making small talk with strangers who thought that I was just plain old weird?!
These thoughts were naturally the thoughts of an over dramatic book-geek, and entirely unfounded.
This novel had me laughing out loud throughout, Juliana was just hilarious as a sassy Italian trying to understand the English ways and Simon was just great with his internal thoughts so often contradicting his sense of duty.
I thought for sure that this would be a five-star review, but felt that by about half way I had grown tired of Simon pulling Juliana in and then sending her away and being cruel to her. I knew that he would eventually man up and sort everything out, but just felt that it took too long to get there.
However, I would absolutely recommend as this was an extremely great read!
The pressure was on; Sure the first Sarah MacLean that I had read had been great, but would 'Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart' live up to that novel...??
If it didn't, would I be forced to spend my five-hour lay over twiddling my thumbs and making small talk with strangers who thought that I was just plain old weird?!
These thoughts were naturally the thoughts of an over dramatic book-geek, and entirely unfounded.
This novel had me laughing out loud throughout, Juliana was just hilarious as a sassy Italian trying to understand the English ways and Simon was just great with his internal thoughts so often contradicting his sense of duty.
I thought for sure that this would be a five-star review, but felt that by about half way I had grown tired of Simon pulling Juliana in and then sending her away and being cruel to her. I knew that he would eventually man up and sort everything out, but just felt that it took too long to get there.
However, I would absolutely recommend as this was an extremely great read!
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I came to the Sarah McLean reader's fold during the pandemic, so, for me, the Bareknuckle Bastards books will probably remain my emotional favourites. But I can now understand why her first trilogy has a special place in the hearts of the author's long-standing fans. I listened to Nine Rules, Ten Ways, and Eleven Scandals through my library app and enjoyed them all. I get why sheltered, overlooked Callie from Book 1 is a reader favourite, and Book 2 introduces what we all know will be a McLean feature - a proto girl gang - but Book 3 is my favourite. Not that I have anything against a rake like Ralston, or... whatever archetype Nicholas - Indiana Jones? - but I just love a Starchy Comes Unstarched and we get that trope in spades with the ducal hero here. Not that Simon the Duke isn't infuriating. He really, really is. But classic firebrand Julianna is up to the task and we move towards the requisite 'proud man begs' moment with plenty of mischief and mayhem.
Perfect summer reading - and fulfills a square in Summer Reading Bingo. :-)
Am i even happy these two are together idk, but i really like the side characters
1.5 stars
Like no. Just no.
Normally I like a story about flawed person seeing how shitty their opinions are, and evolving into a more open person. But this one? I'm going to have to pass.
Our male protagonist first appeared very briefly in the first book of the series, and sure he acted okay toward Juliana when they talked in the book shop. But we are told by Callie and Marianna that he is a snob. Furthermore as soon as he figures out who Juliana is his behaviour takes a 180. Simply put Simon is a deeply classist cunt, with an awful mother (who instilled those values in him, but it's not an excuse), and a sister that he honestly treats awfully when he finds her in a vulnerable situation (book 2). Sure, he starts to change his mind in the third act, but like? Following the timeline of the book it only took him like 2-3 weeks to dismantle his classism. That's not very realistic when in the beginning of the book he wasn't really questioning his position.
I'm also very weirded out by how Juliana is written as intrinsically sexy yet virginal, and those qualities feel very tied to the fact she's italian. Feels very close to "written by a man"/"male fantasy", which is weird since this book is labeled "women's fiction" or "chick lit" here on goodreads.
I'm also honestly sick to death of the trope in historical romance of the female protag not knowing what oral is, both in terms of receiving (applies in this book) and giving. Especially because the scene always goes:
The male and female protag have been kissing, and it's getting passionate. A boob is exposed and suckled (I hate that word so, so much). It's amazing. If we're lucky Mr Man asks if more is okay, but it's 50/50. They either move to a suitable surfaces, or Mr Man pulls the Lady to the edge of the bed, and makes her spread 'em. Mr Man moves his face towards "the core of her", and the Lady is outraged. She thinks they can't (because she's a "virgin"), and Mr Man reassures that yes, they can (because he's the only one with experience, and knowledge).
Yeah, so this one was not quite for me.
Like no. Just no.
Normally I like a story about flawed person seeing how shitty their opinions are, and evolving into a more open person. But this one? I'm going to have to pass.
Our male protagonist first appeared very briefly in the first book of the series, and sure he acted okay toward Juliana when they talked in the book shop. But we are told by Callie and Marianna that he is a snob. Furthermore as soon as he figures out who Juliana is his behaviour takes a 180. Simply put Simon is a deeply classist cunt, with an awful mother (who instilled those values in him, but it's not an excuse), and a sister that he honestly treats awfully when he finds her in a vulnerable situation (book 2). Sure, he starts to change his mind in the third act, but like? Following the timeline of the book it only took him like 2-3 weeks to dismantle his classism. That's not very realistic when in the beginning of the book he wasn't really questioning his position.
I'm also very weirded out by how Juliana is written as intrinsically sexy yet virginal, and those qualities feel very tied to the fact she's italian. Feels very close to "written by a man"/"male fantasy", which is weird since this book is labeled "women's fiction" or "chick lit" here on goodreads.
I'm also honestly sick to death of the trope in historical romance of the female protag not knowing what oral is, both in terms of receiving (applies in this book) and giving. Especially because the scene always goes:
The male and female protag have been kissing, and it's getting passionate. A boob is exposed and suckled (I hate that word so, so much). It's amazing. If we're lucky Mr Man asks if more is okay, but it's 50/50. They either move to a suitable surfaces, or Mr Man pulls the Lady to the edge of the bed, and makes her spread 'em. Mr Man moves his face towards "the core of her", and the Lady is outraged. She thinks they can't (because she's a "virgin"), and Mr Man reassures that yes, they can (because he's the only one with experience, and knowledge).
Yeah, so this one was not quite for me.
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Simon the Duke is a jerk, and thinks too highly of himself. Julianna is the Italian half-sister of his friend, and because she isn’t titled, he refuses to consider his attraction to her as something more. I was angry at Simon for a LOT of the book because (dummy!) it was so obvious that he liked her, and even more obvious that she was falling for him, but just from one offer to make her his mistress, he really bumbled everything. HOWEVER, the way they finally ended up forced together and the way he GROVELED! We love groveling. A+. This trilogy has been SO MUCH FUN.