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loverofromance 's review for:
A Lady's Lesson in Scandal
by Meredith Duran
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
Book Evaluation:
Plot: ποΈποΈποΈποΈ
World Building:πππππ
Cover:πππππ
Hero: π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»
Heroine:π¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈ
Intimacy Level: π₯π₯π₯
Relationship Building: ππππ
Heart & Feels:ππππ
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: ππππ
Page Turner Level:ππππ
Ending:π§§π§§π§§π§§
Overall View: β¨β¨β¨β¨
First Impressions
This is the first time that I have read this author. I know I know, it probably shocks some of you on that. I am not sure why, maybe its because hardly any of her books are in audio and I always like to have a backup for historicals on the methods of reading it. But I finally bit the bullet and picked this one up and it was such fun! And wow was it authentic. The dialogue especially just made me feel like I was really in the Victorian age from the gutter snip style of dialogue to the Aristocratic style, it all worked so well together and I appreciated what the author delivered.
First Line
By the time the whistle finished shrilling, Nell was already out the door.
The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Simon St. Maur
Recently inherited an earldom. Has a good jolly sense of humor, knows how to entertain people around him, but has a deep heart that surprises others.
The Heroine: Nell Whitby
Nell is from East End, she grew up poor and is barely surviving. She is sassy and strong and independent and generous towards others
Summary
Nell Whitby finds out that a certain earl treated her mother poorly and when he rejects her letters to him of her being his daughter, she comes for him out for revenge, but she doesn't find her father, she finds a young handsome man, in the nude, who disarms her quickly and then proposes marriage to her. Well, Nell isn't one to let a good opportunity pass her by to create a better life for herself and she reluctantly agrees. Nell and Simon have mutual interests so it makes sense for them to come to a marital agreement, but there is a connection between them that goes far deeper. But there are also enemies who don't want to see them receive what they are striving for and will stop at nothing to keep it from happening...
What I Loved
This basically has everything that you need in a solid historical romance. I really enjoyed the authenticity in this story. And what really drew me in the most was the connection between Nell and Simon. They really connect in all the ways I love to see a couple bond to. They have a sexual attraction and when they get together....its empowering. Man these two could make me curl my toes without even thinking, that is how much chemistry is on the page. But there is also so much more to their relationship than that. I enjoyed how they get along with each other, the way they just "play" together and fight for each other when its needed the most.
The plot was especially fun to see. I really didn't expect there to be any intrigue really, but the way it catapults in the third act was especially thrilling.
What I Struggled With
No surprise to anyone but the heroine. Now I was drawn to some aspects of her character, but I just didn't feel the growth in her. It just felt almost superficial at times and I didn't feel the heart I wanted to from the heroine or really any type of solid redemption to really make her more likable. She was especially prickly in the beginning, but to be honest, the only reason it softens is because of the hero, not because of her character growth in any real way.
Overall View
A Lady's Lesson in Scandal was a intriguing story that brings two opposites into a mutual accord and their connection breathes fresh air into the story that makes you searching for more.
Favorite Quote(s)
Loving him would not be easy. It would mean never again completely belonging anywhere β save with him. But she would belong with him. He would be her home, she thought.
Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Historical Romance, Victorian Era
Character Types: Earl
Themes: Prickly Heroine, Class Difference, Fun Witty Banter
Tropes: Rags to Riches, Forced Proximity, Opposites Attract
Book Perspective
3rd POV
Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A blend of both
Steam/Spice Explanations
Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.
Book Evaluation:
Plot: ποΈποΈποΈποΈ
World Building:πππππ
Cover:πππππ
Hero: π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»π¦Έπ»
Heroine:π¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈπ¦Έπ»ββοΈ
Intimacy Level: π₯π₯π₯
Relationship Building: ππππ
Heart & Feels:ππππ
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: ππππ
Page Turner Level:ππππ
Ending:π§§π§§π§§π§§
Overall View: β¨β¨β¨β¨
First Impressions
This is the first time that I have read this author. I know I know, it probably shocks some of you on that. I am not sure why, maybe its because hardly any of her books are in audio and I always like to have a backup for historicals on the methods of reading it. But I finally bit the bullet and picked this one up and it was such fun! And wow was it authentic. The dialogue especially just made me feel like I was really in the Victorian age from the gutter snip style of dialogue to the Aristocratic style, it all worked so well together and I appreciated what the author delivered.
First Line
By the time the whistle finished shrilling, Nell was already out the door.
The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Simon St. Maur
Recently inherited an earldom. Has a good jolly sense of humor, knows how to entertain people around him, but has a deep heart that surprises others.
The Heroine: Nell Whitby
Nell is from East End, she grew up poor and is barely surviving. She is sassy and strong and independent and generous towards others
Summary
Nell Whitby finds out that a certain earl treated her mother poorly and when he rejects her letters to him of her being his daughter, she comes for him out for revenge, but she doesn't find her father, she finds a young handsome man, in the nude, who disarms her quickly and then proposes marriage to her. Well, Nell isn't one to let a good opportunity pass her by to create a better life for herself and she reluctantly agrees. Nell and Simon have mutual interests so it makes sense for them to come to a marital agreement, but there is a connection between them that goes far deeper. But there are also enemies who don't want to see them receive what they are striving for and will stop at nothing to keep it from happening...
What I Loved
This basically has everything that you need in a solid historical romance. I really enjoyed the authenticity in this story. And what really drew me in the most was the connection between Nell and Simon. They really connect in all the ways I love to see a couple bond to. They have a sexual attraction and when they get together....its empowering. Man these two could make me curl my toes without even thinking, that is how much chemistry is on the page. But there is also so much more to their relationship than that. I enjoyed how they get along with each other, the way they just "play" together and fight for each other when its needed the most.
The plot was especially fun to see. I really didn't expect there to be any intrigue really, but the way it catapults in the third act was especially thrilling.
What I Struggled With
No surprise to anyone but the heroine. Now I was drawn to some aspects of her character, but I just didn't feel the growth in her. It just felt almost superficial at times and I didn't feel the heart I wanted to from the heroine or really any type of solid redemption to really make her more likable. She was especially prickly in the beginning, but to be honest, the only reason it softens is because of the hero, not because of her character growth in any real way.
Overall View
A Lady's Lesson in Scandal was a intriguing story that brings two opposites into a mutual accord and their connection breathes fresh air into the story that makes you searching for more.
Favorite Quote(s)
Loving him would not be easy. It would mean never again completely belonging anywhere β save with him. But she would belong with him. He would be her home, she thought.
Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Historical Romance, Victorian Era
Character Types: Earl
Themes: Prickly Heroine, Class Difference, Fun Witty Banter
Tropes: Rags to Riches, Forced Proximity, Opposites Attract
Book Perspective
3rd POV
Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A blend of both
Steam/Spice Explanations
Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.