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aedgeworth27's review against another edition
2.0
While this story had really interesting moments (fencing female lead, kidnapping) I really hated both characters and that didn't change through the entire book. The writing was OK but I felt like the execution of the story was really clunky and just didn't work. By the time the characters were suddenly in love, I just didn't care anymore.
marshmalohgrrl's review
3.0
I have always had a soft spot for historical romance. It was what I first cut my teeth on and I've taken pleasure in reading them ever since. Jenna Jaxon shows her passion for historical accuracy by describing setting and attire in detail.
The Marquess Dalbury first meets our heroine on a sale block in a whorehouse in London where he buys her for a remarkable sum. She pleads her case to be released, that he help her. He believes it part of a sensual game and makes a move on her. She wounds him, hits him over the head with a pitcher and flees. She is found by the authorities and is sent home to her brother.
Katarina Fitzwilliam knows if a word is breathed about being in the brothel, she will be considered impure and unmarriagable. Not only her reputation, but that of her brother will be ruined. She sets a plan to marry a seafarer from her homeland of Virginia and make a life for herself there. If she can do so before her husband-to-be discovers the news, all will be well.
Unfortunately for her, the Marquess discovers the truth of Katarina's story and seeks her out. He is infatuated with her and sets up a crazy scheme to force her into marriage so he can smooth over the scandal himself. After a duel to save her honor, Katarina agrees to enter into marriage with him.
Of course there is a happily ever after involved after much sniping and hate toward one another.
I enjoyed the attention to detail and focus on the time period. This traditional bodice-ripper is like a journey into my romance-past.
The Marquess Dalbury first meets our heroine on a sale block in a whorehouse in London where he buys her for a remarkable sum. She pleads her case to be released, that he help her. He believes it part of a sensual game and makes a move on her. She wounds him, hits him over the head with a pitcher and flees. She is found by the authorities and is sent home to her brother.
Katarina Fitzwilliam knows if a word is breathed about being in the brothel, she will be considered impure and unmarriagable. Not only her reputation, but that of her brother will be ruined. She sets a plan to marry a seafarer from her homeland of Virginia and make a life for herself there. If she can do so before her husband-to-be discovers the news, all will be well.
Unfortunately for her, the Marquess discovers the truth of Katarina's story and seeks her out. He is infatuated with her and sets up a crazy scheme to force her into marriage so he can smooth over the scandal himself. After a duel to save her honor, Katarina agrees to enter into marriage with him.
Of course there is a happily ever after involved after much sniping and hate toward one another.
Spoiler
While I did enjoy most of the book, parts of it absolutely bored me. By the time the hero and heroine finally got around to the sex scene, I found I really just didn't -care- anymore rather or not they got together. Her hate and spite toward him was tiring and his insistence that he wanted to be there for her and wanted to be a loving, supportive person while falling back into his "seduction" routine was annoying. He spoke the words, but all I kept hearing was "this is fake so I can get in your pants". Toward the middle of the book, the characters just stopped being endearing and started being annoying. I honestly believe some of the book could have been cut down, certain scenes reduced to conversations or recollections and been a lot tighter.I enjoyed the attention to detail and focus on the time period. This traditional bodice-ripper is like a journey into my romance-past.
jessschira's review
The book doesn’t start out like a typical romance. This one starts out with a kidnapping and slave auction which than leads to antics, love, and a variety of shenanigans.
The great thing about the book is that it felt fresh and interesting. Both main characters have amazing chemistry and it was interesting to read about them falling in love. Jenna Jaxon has a lovely writing voice that keeps the reader engage.
The biggest downside to this story is that there are sections where the story dragged a little and a few places where Katarina and her brother Jack felt inconsistent. Another problem, and that’s totally on me, is that there are certain aspects of the storyline that bother me even though I know they’re historically accurate. I think it’s a combination of my current mood and a recent conversation with a different author.
Katarina’s brother irritated me. I don’t like whiny passive aggressive types in real life and I don’t like the in fiction. I did love Mathews and hope Jaxon has plans to write a story about him.
If you’re looking for something just a little bit different that’s well written and sexy, you’ll enjoy Only Scandal Will do.
The great thing about the book is that it felt fresh and interesting. Both main characters have amazing chemistry and it was interesting to read about them falling in love. Jenna Jaxon has a lovely writing voice that keeps the reader engage.
The biggest downside to this story is that there are sections where the story dragged a little and a few places where Katarina and her brother Jack felt inconsistent. Another problem, and that’s totally on me, is that there are certain aspects of the storyline that bother me even though I know they’re historically accurate. I think it’s a combination of my current mood and a recent conversation with a different author.
Katarina’s brother irritated me. I don’t like whiny passive aggressive types in real life and I don’t like the in fiction. I did love Mathews and hope Jaxon has plans to write a story about him.
If you’re looking for something just a little bit different that’s well written and sexy, you’ll enjoy Only Scandal Will do.
ravenmoon's review
4.0
So I will say that I did like this book. I got this one because I'm going to review the second one in the series and I needed to read this one before I do that. I was a little apprehensive going into this one because they are a lot of mixed reviews on it. At first I didn't like the hero of the story. He is a playboy. Seriously who buys a woman at a auction and then tries to force himself on her? Katarina tried to tell him who she was and he wouldn't believe her. He deserved that bashing on the head she gave him. And then when he founds out that she was telling the truth he tried way to hard to get her to marry him.
Katarina, omg that woman just needed to stop being such a hot head all the time. The smallest little thing sets her off it seems like. If only she had stopped and actually thought things through and I don't know talked to her husband a lot of the misunderstandings between them could have been avoided. She won't let her husband consummate their marriage until late in the book because she believed what her brother told her right before she got married. And the only reason they even got married is because she lost their fencing match because he cheated. She was all set to marry her friend and then he cheated on their wager.
I liked this book but both the characters are whiny and they deserve each other in that regard.
Katarina, omg that woman just needed to stop being such a hot head all the time. The smallest little thing sets her off it seems like. If only she had stopped and actually thought things through and I don't know talked to her husband a lot of the misunderstandings between them could have been avoided. She won't let her husband consummate their marriage until late in the book because she believed what her brother told her right before she got married. And the only reason they even got married is because she lost their fencing match because he cheated. She was all set to marry her friend and then he cheated on their wager.
I liked this book but both the characters are whiny and they deserve each other in that regard.
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