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There is a prequel novella to this book, titled The Wicked One, that gives a bit of background on Oliver and Diane. They start this book with a history and dislike of each other.
Diane has returned to London a widow, after an unhappy marriage. She has received a property from her late husband that was not entailed and she's determined to use it to create a living for herself. She creates The Tantalus Club in the mansion to ensure she will never be destitute and relying on a man ever again.
She doesn't want to, but Diane asks Oliver for help in starting her club. With their history, it can create a volatile environment. Frustration, arguments, and push and pull between two very strong people.
I think you would like this book if
Enemies to lovers is a trope you love
You prefer a strong, experienced, independent heroine
You like your people real, with real flaws
I just didn't love this book. It might just be Suzanne Enoch for me. This is the second book of hers I've tried and I had very similar feelings about both. The characters are strong and quite independent. They make real mistakes. They have flaws. And I think a lot of people will like that about them. But I just didn't find either of them likable. I didn't like them alone, I didn't like them together. Their morals left a bit to be desired for me. While I get they were trying to survive, I just wanted more from them – better behavior or more remorse.
The sex felt completely unemotional and mechanical. I didn't feel the tension. And part of that might be because of their history together. I prefer my main characters don't have a history and things are new to them.
There was a lot of sweetness in this book though, especially through the second half. I thought Oliver's date with Diane was very sweet. And the little bits they started to show each other as their trust grew was enjoyable. I have books 2 and 3 in the series, so I'll be jumping into book 2 soon.
Diane has returned to London a widow, after an unhappy marriage. She has received a property from her late husband that was not entailed and she's determined to use it to create a living for herself. She creates The Tantalus Club in the mansion to ensure she will never be destitute and relying on a man ever again.
She doesn't want to, but Diane asks Oliver for help in starting her club. With their history, it can create a volatile environment. Frustration, arguments, and push and pull between two very strong people.
I think you would like this book if
Enemies to lovers is a trope you love
You prefer a strong, experienced, independent heroine
You like your people real, with real flaws
I just didn't love this book. It might just be Suzanne Enoch for me. This is the second book of hers I've tried and I had very similar feelings about both. The characters are strong and quite independent. They make real mistakes. They have flaws. And I think a lot of people will like that about them. But I just didn't find either of them likable. I didn't like them alone, I didn't like them together. Their morals left a bit to be desired for me. While I get they were trying to survive, I just wanted more from them – better behavior or more remorse.
The sex felt completely unemotional and mechanical. I didn't feel the tension. And part of that might be because of their history together. I prefer my main characters don't have a history and things are new to them.
There was a lot of sweetness in this book though, especially through the second half. I thought Oliver's date with Diane was very sweet. And the little bits they started to show each other as their trust grew was enjoyable. I have books 2 and 3 in the series, so I'll be jumping into book 2 soon.
I’m feeling a bit conflicted about this book. There were a few things that just didn’t “do” it for me yet there were so many wonderful parts. In fact, most of it really was wonderful. So I’ll give it 🌟🌟🌟🌟 even though I don’t think it’s going in my keep pile.
We have, of course, another Duke. Edgar, the Duke who has gone into trade. He finds out about his 9 year old twins a few months ago and has gone through many a governess without success. Enter, Mari rhymes with starry, who really was a wonderful and lovable character.
I loved the children! And this surprised me as I usually won’t choose a book purposefully that has children involved (wow I sound heartless 😂😧) but I really enjoyed the scenes with them and how they pulled everyone’s relationship together.
The heroine was amazing. I loved her spunk and I adored how she interacted with her charges. She’s funny, her dialogue entertaining, optimistic.
The things that bothered me about this book are rather small. Some of the wording was a little modern and honestly I’m not a stickler for historical accuracy at all. But when I read “You wish” I definitely rolled my eyes...
I felt there was a lack of depth to Edgar. He had so much potential. He is a likable character but he was just...his presence felt thin. He has a painful past but I didn’t feel the pain. He walks with a limp but I swear it’s only mentioned like twice in the book. I literally forgot he had a limp until I read where he discusses the whole situation that caused it. He holds back so much emotionally and has so many rules for himself because of his relationship with his father and it’s an ongoing battle in his relationship with Mari. Yet I didn’t feel his pain and struggle like I did with other characters I’ve read (I’m thinking of Eloisa James When Beauty Tamed the Beast hero with his limp and cane, just such an integral part of his character that I can clearly picture. Or the hero from Sabrina Jeffries The Truth About Lord Stoneville or King from The Rogue Not Taken, these heroes had daddy issues and I felt their pain. I could see and understand why they acted the way they did, I didn’t really get that same feeling here) Edgar had some of these things but it just wasn’t as deep as I wanted I guess. As usual, I’m greedy and wanted more! Haha.
However, despite my complaints it really is a sweet and wonderful story. It’s worth reading just to get to know the children.
Finally, something I’ve been thinking about is allllll the Dukes. I don’t mind Dukes but really what has happened to the viscount, the earl, the Marquess, the baron, the gentleman??? I get Dukes are most powerful but sometimes I find myself starting to get annoyed that every book has a Duke. And it will be entire series with all Dukes. 3-5 Duke best friends. Lenora bell obviously comes to mind with reading this book. I think she’s written 5 books so far and every one is a Duke haha. I guess with the governess and Duke combo it makes me roll my eyes a little. I read how publishers push Dukes because that’s what sells but really what choice do I have to buy if I go I the store and they all have Dukes in the title 😂 Still, I’ll never turn down a Duke, I just might have to space them out a bit hehe
We have, of course, another Duke. Edgar, the Duke who has gone into trade. He finds out about his 9 year old twins a few months ago and has gone through many a governess without success. Enter, Mari rhymes with starry, who really was a wonderful and lovable character.
I loved the children! And this surprised me as I usually won’t choose a book purposefully that has children involved (wow I sound heartless 😂😧) but I really enjoyed the scenes with them and how they pulled everyone’s relationship together.
The heroine was amazing. I loved her spunk and I adored how she interacted with her charges. She’s funny, her dialogue entertaining, optimistic.
The things that bothered me about this book are rather small. Some of the wording was a little modern and honestly I’m not a stickler for historical accuracy at all. But when I read “You wish” I definitely rolled my eyes...
I felt there was a lack of depth to Edgar. He had so much potential. He is a likable character but he was just...his presence felt thin. He has a painful past but I didn’t feel the pain. He walks with a limp but I swear it’s only mentioned like twice in the book. I literally forgot he had a limp until I read where he discusses the whole situation that caused it. He holds back so much emotionally and has so many rules for himself because of his relationship with his father and it’s an ongoing battle in his relationship with Mari. Yet I didn’t feel his pain and struggle like I did with other characters I’ve read (I’m thinking of Eloisa James When Beauty Tamed the Beast hero with his limp and cane, just such an integral part of his character that I can clearly picture. Or the hero from Sabrina Jeffries The Truth About Lord Stoneville or King from The Rogue Not Taken, these heroes had daddy issues and I felt their pain. I could see and understand why they acted the way they did, I didn’t really get that same feeling here) Edgar had some of these things but it just wasn’t as deep as I wanted I guess. As usual, I’m greedy and wanted more! Haha.
However, despite my complaints it really is a sweet and wonderful story. It’s worth reading just to get to know the children.
Finally, something I’ve been thinking about is allllll the Dukes. I don’t mind Dukes but really what has happened to the viscount, the earl, the Marquess, the baron, the gentleman??? I get Dukes are most powerful but sometimes I find myself starting to get annoyed that every book has a Duke. And it will be entire series with all Dukes. 3-5 Duke best friends. Lenora bell obviously comes to mind with reading this book. I think she’s written 5 books so far and every one is a Duke haha. I guess with the governess and Duke combo it makes me roll my eyes a little. I read how publishers push Dukes because that’s what sells but really what choice do I have to buy if I go I the store and they all have Dukes in the title 😂 Still, I’ll never turn down a Duke, I just might have to space them out a bit hehe
I really enjoyed this book! Our heroine is ‘Georgie’, raised in India. A feisty, caring, adventurous, yoga-practicing free spirit and I just loved her. Our hero, Ian, is a Marquess and diplomat sent to India to end a war before it begins.
This book takes place half in India and half in England, and I must say, I loved the change of scenery. India, and the events that take place there, are described in perfect detail. I could picture the exotic dishes being served for dinner, the change of clothing from corsets and dresses, without it being too descriptive. (Ever read a book with such long descriptions you no longer care what anything looks like 😂 ??)
There’s a moderate amount of action in the book, which I usually don’t like as much, but I enjoyed it in this story. It didn’t take over the story but was enough to move the plot along and keep you entertained.
I found Ian to be a hero of layers that I came to love over the course of the book. You couldn’t really get a good feel for his character in the beginning, as he was quite calm, cool, collected and closed off. Towards the end I found him to be such a wonderful hero. I loved his dialogue with Georgie and his flirty banter.
The first two almost love scenes were wonderful. Just steamy, detailed, surprisingly hot. I do wish the author would have spent the same amount of time on the first real scene, as it was extremely short and glossed over.
While the book didn’t drag on, I did catch myself wondering if a part of the book at the end was even needed. It wasn’t a large part of the story until that point and at 411 pages in I was just wondering where it came from. I thought it could have been resolved with a bit less drama. But still I didn’t mind it, it just didn’t really fit to me.
This book takes place half in India and half in England, and I must say, I loved the change of scenery. India, and the events that take place there, are described in perfect detail. I could picture the exotic dishes being served for dinner, the change of clothing from corsets and dresses, without it being too descriptive. (Ever read a book with such long descriptions you no longer care what anything looks like 😂 ??)
There’s a moderate amount of action in the book, which I usually don’t like as much, but I enjoyed it in this story. It didn’t take over the story but was enough to move the plot along and keep you entertained.
I found Ian to be a hero of layers that I came to love over the course of the book. You couldn’t really get a good feel for his character in the beginning, as he was quite calm, cool, collected and closed off. Towards the end I found him to be such a wonderful hero. I loved his dialogue with Georgie and his flirty banter.
The first two almost love scenes were wonderful. Just steamy, detailed, surprisingly hot. I do wish the author would have spent the same amount of time on the first real scene, as it was extremely short and glossed over.
While the book didn’t drag on, I did catch myself wondering if a part of the book at the end was even needed. It wasn’t a large part of the story until that point and at 411 pages in I was just wondering where it came from. I thought it could have been resolved with a bit less drama. But still I didn’t mind it, it just didn’t really fit to me.
A glowing, wonderful
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I seriously loved this book so much. It had everything I love in a romance. It was funny, it has tension, it has hot kisses, it gives me butterflies. LOVED getting lost in this book. All I wanted to do was read it. I took it with me everywhere. I did more random hiding from my kids and reading than I have in a very long time.
Gabriel is hosting a bride hunt ball for his younger brother Tristian. Gabriel has sworn never to marry and is helping his brother foster the Dukedom line.
Madelyn is a red headed, quirky, clumsy mess of a woman with a wonderful heart. She somehow gets invited to the bride hunt ball despite her evasion tactics.
There’s so so much to love about this book. I loved Madelyn’s spunk. Gabriel was a to die for hero, in my opinion. I loved everything about him. I was worried it would follow the whole “No I cannot marry because of xyz” which I don’t usually like (especially when it’s a huge problem through the book and then they just do it anyway because it’s magically not a problem anymore. Ok mini rant over). This book wasn’t like that at all. It was wonderful. He doesn’t want to fall in love, but it happens in a beautiful way anyway. Nothing can stop it. And slowly he admits to himself what is happening and he embraces it.
I loved the tension and butterflies in this book. It had so many little scenes and things that make my heart sing. There’s one scene where she is hiding from two other guests and he pulls her backwards against him into a shadowy alcove and it’s so swoon worthy. Also when Madelyn gets lost and inadvertently ends up in his bedroom and she goes to leave and his hand comes up and slams the door preventing her escape. Makes my heart pitter patter 😍
This book felt steamy. It had the feels combined with well written scenes. Quite a few kisses and 2 full scenes. I just loved it. I highly recommend everyone try it. I’ve already bought the second and third.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I seriously loved this book so much. It had everything I love in a romance. It was funny, it has tension, it has hot kisses, it gives me butterflies. LOVED getting lost in this book. All I wanted to do was read it. I took it with me everywhere. I did more random hiding from my kids and reading than I have in a very long time.
Gabriel is hosting a bride hunt ball for his younger brother Tristian. Gabriel has sworn never to marry and is helping his brother foster the Dukedom line.
Madelyn is a red headed, quirky, clumsy mess of a woman with a wonderful heart. She somehow gets invited to the bride hunt ball despite her evasion tactics.
There’s so so much to love about this book. I loved Madelyn’s spunk. Gabriel was a to die for hero, in my opinion. I loved everything about him. I was worried it would follow the whole “No I cannot marry because of xyz” which I don’t usually like (especially when it’s a huge problem through the book and then they just do it anyway because it’s magically not a problem anymore. Ok mini rant over). This book wasn’t like that at all. It was wonderful. He doesn’t want to fall in love, but it happens in a beautiful way anyway. Nothing can stop it. And slowly he admits to himself what is happening and he embraces it.
I loved the tension and butterflies in this book. It had so many little scenes and things that make my heart sing. There’s one scene where she is hiding from two other guests and he pulls her backwards against him into a shadowy alcove and it’s so swoon worthy. Also when Madelyn gets lost and inadvertently ends up in his bedroom and she goes to leave and his hand comes up and slams the door preventing her escape. Makes my heart pitter patter 😍
This book felt steamy. It had the feels combined with well written scenes. Quite a few kisses and 2 full scenes. I just loved it. I highly recommend everyone try it. I’ve already bought the second and third.
“Good girls don’t get drunk and run away on their wedding day,” he went on. “Good girls don’t take off their clothes in front of wicked men. Good girls don’t taunt those men into tumbling them. Good girls don’t make the men wish they’d thought to do it years ago. Good girls are boring. You won the awards for boring because you were trying to be a good girl. You’re not. You’re a bad girl, and if you’d been a boy, you might have been one of my best friends. I’m glad you’re not a boy. Now, can we stop talking and thinking and get out of here? We haven’t a minute to lose.”
I actually kinda loved this book. I didn’t know what to expect. I generally enjoy Loretta Chases writing style, I find she uses lots of dialogue, and it’s usually witty and funny, her characters likable. I think this was the funniest of all her books I’ve read so far. It’s very light-hearted and cute, yet a vague feeling of guilt overhung the book for me.
The book begins with our heroine, Olympia, trying to escape her wedding through a window. The grooms best friend, the Duke of Ripley (or just Ripley as he’s referred to throughout the book) tries to reason with and bring her back. On their journey they fall in love.
It’s very much a road trip romance with much of the book taking place on the run. It’s funny! I just could NOT shake my sense of guilt that she was falling for her fiancés best friend and hadn’t worked it out with him yet. I just felt like I couldn’t truly enjoy their romance. It just was niggling at me over most of my reading even though I KNEW it was going to be okay lol. The character development isn’t the deepest. For these reasons it’s not 5 star for me.
I did love Ripley. He’s so sweet and funny. And I read romance to fall in love and I truly did watch them fall in love and experience it with them. So I had my own hang ups about the book but I still really enjoyed it and encourage others to try it. I got this on my library overdrive.
I actually kinda loved this book. I didn’t know what to expect. I generally enjoy Loretta Chases writing style, I find she uses lots of dialogue, and it’s usually witty and funny, her characters likable. I think this was the funniest of all her books I’ve read so far. It’s very light-hearted and cute, yet a vague feeling of guilt overhung the book for me.
The book begins with our heroine, Olympia, trying to escape her wedding through a window. The grooms best friend, the Duke of Ripley (or just Ripley as he’s referred to throughout the book) tries to reason with and bring her back. On their journey they fall in love.
It’s very much a road trip romance with much of the book taking place on the run. It’s funny! I just could NOT shake my sense of guilt that she was falling for her fiancés best friend and hadn’t worked it out with him yet. I just felt like I couldn’t truly enjoy their romance. It just was niggling at me over most of my reading even though I KNEW it was going to be okay lol. The character development isn’t the deepest. For these reasons it’s not 5 star for me.
I did love Ripley. He’s so sweet and funny. And I read romance to fall in love and I truly did watch them fall in love and experience it with them. So I had my own hang ups about the book but I still really enjoyed it and encourage others to try it. I got this on my library overdrive.
This is the second book of the Scandalous Brides series. This is fine to be read as a standalone. The characters from the previous book are in it briefly, but nothing you would need to know the background story.
Camille is our heroine and I really enjoyed her. She' just so likable. She was funny, sweet, just a tad sassy but not overwhelming. She was raised in a wealthy home and has been betrothed pretty much since birth. Waiting her whole life, her fiance never even bothers to say hi to her, let alone write a letter, or send a gift. Camille flees the ceremony. Completely alone, with every back turned against her, she finds friends and protection at the Tantalus Club. (The Tantalus Club was created by and is run by the previous book's heroine.)
Keating Blackwood is the hero and boy does he have a reputation. “Bloody Blackwood” tore through London 6 years ago, drinking, wenching, seducing, taking, gambling, hurting until a horrible scandal occurs, leaving someone dead and Keating ostracized. He's returned to London a changed man and with some things to take care of. His cousin, Camille's former betrothed, has tasked him with returning his fiance to him.
I really enjoyed this story. Keating is oh so sweet. More of a beta hero. I loved his honesty with Camille from the get go. I was worried about the direction this story would go in once I got into the plot but he was such a better hero that I thought he would be. It's a story about really just getting to know someone and falling in love. I thought it was rather funny too. Not super slap stick like Tessa Dare, but just some witty one liners and some silliness.
I think you would like this book if you like
a nice slow burn romance of two people getting to know each other
a book on the lighter, funny side
you want sex scenes, but nothing drawn out or overly explicit
I give this book 4 stars for two reasons. First is it was on the lower side for feels for me, but I am sure they will be there for others. It was a really really pleasant read for me. The last thing thing is something I didn't like towards the ending, more of a...really this and this has happened in your life and now you're going to choose this? Didn't you learn anything the first time?? Haha. Nothing super big, but it did bother me quite a bit.
This has changed my perspective of Suzanne Enoch. I haven't loved anything I've tried by her until this book. I am more optimistic she will have something I just adore, one of these books.
My Rating: 4 stars
Number of titles I have read by this author (including this): 3
Camille is our heroine and I really enjoyed her. She' just so likable. She was funny, sweet, just a tad sassy but not overwhelming. She was raised in a wealthy home and has been betrothed pretty much since birth. Waiting her whole life, her fiance never even bothers to say hi to her, let alone write a letter, or send a gift. Camille flees the ceremony. Completely alone, with every back turned against her, she finds friends and protection at the Tantalus Club. (The Tantalus Club was created by and is run by the previous book's heroine.)
Keating Blackwood is the hero and boy does he have a reputation. “Bloody Blackwood” tore through London 6 years ago, drinking, wenching, seducing, taking, gambling, hurting until a horrible scandal occurs, leaving someone dead and Keating ostracized. He's returned to London a changed man and with some things to take care of. His cousin, Camille's former betrothed, has tasked him with returning his fiance to him.
I really enjoyed this story. Keating is oh so sweet. More of a beta hero. I loved his honesty with Camille from the get go. I was worried about the direction this story would go in once I got into the plot but he was such a better hero that I thought he would be. It's a story about really just getting to know someone and falling in love. I thought it was rather funny too. Not super slap stick like Tessa Dare, but just some witty one liners and some silliness.
I think you would like this book if you like
a nice slow burn romance of two people getting to know each other
a book on the lighter, funny side
you want sex scenes, but nothing drawn out or overly explicit
I give this book 4 stars for two reasons. First is it was on the lower side for feels for me, but I am sure they will be there for others. It was a really really pleasant read for me. The last thing thing is something I didn't like towards the ending, more of a...really this and this has happened in your life and now you're going to choose this? Didn't you learn anything the first time?? Haha. Nothing super big, but it did bother me quite a bit.
This has changed my perspective of Suzanne Enoch. I haven't loved anything I've tried by her until this book. I am more optimistic she will have something I just adore, one of these books.
My Rating: 4 stars
Number of titles I have read by this author (including this): 3