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rmbonds1993's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
artormey23's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.75
geo_ix's review
2.0
2.5 stars.
So I'm one of those people who doesn't like historicals that are written like historicals. The phrases always stop me enjoying what's going on, which seems like such a silly thing, but being confused or unsure of something usually ruins a reading experience for me, especially if it's constant. This was full of things like 'jaundiced eye' and 'five and twenty' - although Gabby says thirty-three when explaining Marcus/Nick so whatever - so it became a bit confusing with old mixed with new and I really didn't like it.
I didn't like either protagonist. He bribed her to kiss him to save her sister from his rakish ways, and even though he had no intention he clearly knew she thought he did, so instead of putting her at ease he preys on her innocence. I don't usually mind that in books, but seeing him explain himself gave me the creeps at times, and I felt the end conflict of the book was just thrown in like wow here's your bad guy and all is fixed. It was just silly,
So I'm one of those people who doesn't like historicals that are written like historicals. The phrases always stop me enjoying what's going on, which seems like such a silly thing, but being confused or unsure of something usually ruins a reading experience for me, especially if it's constant. This was full of things like 'jaundiced eye' and 'five and twenty' - although Gabby says thirty-three when explaining Marcus/Nick so whatever - so it became a bit confusing with old mixed with new and I really didn't like it.
I didn't like either protagonist. He bribed her to kiss him to save her sister from his rakish ways, and even though he had no intention he clearly knew she thought he did, so instead of putting her at ease he preys on her innocence. I don't usually mind that in books, but seeing him explain himself gave me the creeps at times, and I felt the end conflict of the book was just thrown in like wow here's your bad guy and all is fixed. It was just silly,
thegeekyblogger's review against another edition
2.0
Listened for fun (Audible)
Overall Rating: 2.50
Story Rating: 2.50
Character Rating: 2.50
Audio Rating: 4.50 (not part of the overall rating)
First Thought When Finished: I really loved the leading lady but I couldn't fall in love with the hero *sigh*
Speed Date Review
First Date: Oh Gabby you are very brave or very stupid--either way I think you and I could totally hang out with a glass of wine! We could stir up some trouble in the name of making our siblings lives better! You go girl!
Second Date: Oh Nick! I swear I see moments where I think I could like you and then you just go do something totally arrogant and overbearing. Gabby deserves better and quite frankly she should have probably shot you in the rear (just saying)!
Third Date: Ummm huh? That ending was just not for me! Even if I was falling a little bit for Nick that just went and blew it! Plus, hello snotty sisters alert and they are the leading ladies of the next books *sigh*
Audio Date:
I would marry the audio for Scandalous! Seriously Justine Eyre did such a wonderful job with all the voices, pacing, and emotions. I will be listening to more by her!
Relationship Status: I think the series and I are not going to work out. Sometimes that happens!
Overall Rating: 2.50
Story Rating: 2.50
Character Rating: 2.50
Audio Rating: 4.50 (not part of the overall rating)
First Thought When Finished: I really loved the leading lady but I couldn't fall in love with the hero *sigh*
Speed Date Review
First Date: Oh Gabby you are very brave or very stupid--either way I think you and I could totally hang out with a glass of wine! We could stir up some trouble in the name of making our siblings lives better! You go girl!
Second Date: Oh Nick! I swear I see moments where I think I could like you and then you just go do something totally arrogant and overbearing. Gabby deserves better and quite frankly she should have probably shot you in the rear (just saying)!
Third Date: Ummm huh? That ending was just not for me! Even if I was falling a little bit for Nick that just went and blew it! Plus, hello snotty sisters alert and they are the leading ladies of the next books *sigh*
Audio Date:
Narrated by Justine Eyre /LENGTH 9 hrs and 40 mins
I would marry the audio for Scandalous! Seriously Justine Eyre did such a wonderful job with all the voices, pacing, and emotions. I will be listening to more by her!
Relationship Status: I think the series and I are not going to work out. Sometimes that happens!
thunguyen's review against another edition
2.0
The story started very promising: an eldest sister of three, impoverished by the cruelty of her own father, was forced to make a bargain with the devil to find a way out for her sisters (the way out for women in 1810s was obviously marriage). Then came the complication, a handsome rake parading himself as the dead half-brother with a whole murder mystery back story. When she shot him with his own pistol I thought the book was really great. But it all went downhill from there. The plot was so thin, if the book was half its length with less historical stuff (you know the usual: ballroom, waltzing, gossiping, barely concealed insults, etc), it may make a fluffy quick read. But the writing drags on and on about nothing, making it a bore to read. The end was a massive chore. Our heroine didn't have to do a thing, everything just fell into place and all was good in the end.
sadie_rae's review against another edition
4.0
Ha! Finally read this. I enjoyed this book a lot. From the get go you are wrapped up in a murder. And then there is Gabby, a sister who wants to protect her younger sisters and give them a chance at a marriage before they are kicked out by there relatives. Hatching a plot with there groom who delivers the news of her Brothers death Gabby sets out to give her younger sister a season on the ton. Imagine her surprise when they arrive at their town house only to find their alleged brother in residence. Chaos insures and in the mist of it all Gabby and Marcus (real name Nick) are stirring up a bit of scandal with their 'close' relationship.
Great book and bit of a twist at the end as to why Marcus was killed. Overall 3.8
Great book and bit of a twist at the end as to why Marcus was killed. Overall 3.8
nnowels's review against another edition
3.0
Light reading at it's best. I read the last one in the Banning Sisters trilogy first, and just had to read the first two. Made me smile.
readinginthegarden's review
5.0
5/5 stars!
I read the second book of the Banning Sisters series and it was such a surprise I loved it so much. Just a quick trip to the charity shop and I picked it up and I loved it so much I wanted more and I ordered the first book.
Again this book like the second was filled with so much passion and romance (and of course another enemies to lovers romance.) The title Scandalous really does speak for itself, very scandalous indeed. It has a very intriguing concept of decent of identity and no one else knowing apart from four people. This made the romance even more forbidden between to the two characters as they are supposed to be brother and sister (dw they know they aren’t related the whole time they were in on the ruse.)
This was a slow burning romance which I loved. So when they finally kissed and did the deed I felt it had been building up so much. The tension and irritation they have with each other boils over at the end to become a very affectionate romance. Both opening up to each other and understanding one another. Gabriella was literally a shrew at the beginning and I was unsure she was going to be a likeable character but she grew on me so much. She just wants what is best for her sisters and it’s lovely I love a good sister dynamic in books they are my favourite and actually what the second book lacks.
I actually liked ‘Marcus’ with the very ironic surname of ‘Wickham’ which is a wink wink to Pride and Prejudice. I actually thought he was more fleshed out than the main love interest in the second book. He was very cheeky sometimes cocky but he also had many sides to him. He comes across and very dangerous and sexy which I obviously loved. I really felt the love the two characters had for each other and it really was true forbidden passion. When Gabby opened up to him about Trent I honestly felt myself nearly crying it was really emotional and so tough for her to talk about. I felt really emotionally invested in all of the characters.
I can’t wait to read the third book which I have ordered about Beth I just know it’s going to be full of excitement I can’t wait!
I read the second book of the Banning Sisters series and it was such a surprise I loved it so much. Just a quick trip to the charity shop and I picked it up and I loved it so much I wanted more and I ordered the first book.
Again this book like the second was filled with so much passion and romance (and of course another enemies to lovers romance.) The title Scandalous really does speak for itself, very scandalous indeed. It has a very intriguing concept of decent of identity and no one else knowing apart from four people. This made the romance even more forbidden between to the two characters as they are supposed to be brother and sister (dw they know they aren’t related the whole time they were in on the ruse.)
This was a slow burning romance which I loved. So when they finally kissed and did the deed I felt it had been building up so much. The tension and irritation they have with each other boils over at the end to become a very affectionate romance. Both opening up to each other and understanding one another. Gabriella was literally a shrew at the beginning and I was unsure she was going to be a likeable character but she grew on me so much. She just wants what is best for her sisters and it’s lovely I love a good sister dynamic in books they are my favourite and actually what the second book lacks.
I actually liked ‘Marcus’ with the very ironic surname of ‘Wickham’ which is a wink wink to Pride and Prejudice. I actually thought he was more fleshed out than the main love interest in the second book. He was very cheeky sometimes cocky but he also had many sides to him. He comes across and very dangerous and sexy which I obviously loved. I really felt the love the two characters had for each other and it really was true forbidden passion. When Gabby opened up to him about Trent I honestly felt myself nearly crying it was really emotional and so tough for her to talk about. I felt really emotionally invested in all of the characters.
I can’t wait to read the third book which I have ordered about Beth I just know it’s going to be full of excitement I can’t wait!