Notorious (The Scandalous Women of the Ton, #4) by Nicola Cornick

Jul 24, 2011 Leah rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: 1-star, damn-that-cover-is-smokin, flip-flops, cherry-poppin, lists-as-reviews-are-the-shiznit, love-triangles-can-kiss-my-booty, scars-and-tats-and-piercings-oh-my, secondary-love-plots-make-me-swoon, happy-slapsgiving, wheres-the-bonfire, horrible-heroine-alert, its-all-in-the-accent, book-cover-skank, second-mate

This book is another instance where I was drawn in by the pretty cover and interesting description on the back cover. It is also another instance where I was supremely disappointed in the book that I read. Aside from the premise of the book--which I didn't feel was executed very well--I liked nothing about Notorious. I despised all the characters.

Not even taking into account the horrible secondary characters, the people in this book were horrible. Susanna our heroine and Devlin our hero were qui...more

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Jul 29, 2011 Fani rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-netgalley-to-review, romance-historical, second-chance, secrets-and-misunderstandings, hero-is-supposed-to-be-rake, heroine-is-feisty, angsty, belle-of-the-ball, secondary-romance, starcrossed-lovers, as-alpha-as-it-gets, lust-at-first-sight, smexin-hot, heartwrenching, hero-is-good-man, lust-is-synonym-for-love, hero-or-heroine-already-engaged, dark-romance, controversial-theme-or-act, heroine-is-cold-hearted, on-each-others-throats

4.5 stars

Devlin is a man on the lower steps of the ton's scale, with a less than stelar reputation and in sore need of funds. His only hope to escape his debts, is a good marriage for both him and his sister. But just when it seems that they've both made it, with Devlin being betrothed to a rich earl's daughter and his sister on the verge of being proposed to by a Marquis, Susanna enters. Susanna, happens to be not only his sister's rival for the Marquis' affections, but also Devlin's ex-wife. A...more 4.5 stars

Devlin is a man on the lower steps of the ton's scale, with a less than stelar reputation and in sore need of funds. His only hope to escape his debts, is a good marriage for both him and his sister. But just when it seems that they've both made it, with Devlin being betrothed to a rich earl's daughter and his sister on the verge of being proposed to by a Marquis, Susanna enters. Susanna, happens to be not only his sister's rival for the Marquis' affections, but also Devlin's ex-wife. And suddenly, it appears that the attraction that brought them together 10 years ago, is still there. But is attraction enough to make them forget their lifelong goals and duties?

Yes, I am aware of the fact that technically speaking, this book is far from perfect. I also am not oblivious to the cold-hearted heroine, or that this was mostly a tale of falling in lust than in love with each other. However, being a big fan of angsty, heartwrenching romances I can't help but be captivated with it!

Well, as I said, the most obvious problem for the story, is that throughout the whole book, Devlin pretty much hates Susanna and with good reason. What he sees, is a cold-hearted, ambitious, manipulative female, even if the reader knows otherwise. Of course, this is a romance, so at the same time, Devlin can't fight his attraction to her. It would be much easier to believe that those two finally fell in love than in lust, had Susanna revealed the truth to Devlin at some point earlier in the plot and thus become more sympathetic to him. As it is though, and with hardly an insight as to how those two met and fell in love in the first place, it is difficult to believe that Devlin not only desires her but also loves her. On top of that, the resolution given to the romance between Devlin's sister and her beloved, was hardly satisfactory at all.

On the other hand, the angst, tension and heat between those two, set the pages on fire:) I cried with them, ached with them and was really anxious about how they could escape all the obstacles that seemed to get endlessly in their way. Susanna, for the reader if not for Devlin, is a woman to be admired despite the mistakes she's done in the past. She does whatever she must to survive on her own, using her wits and beauty in the best way she can. I can understand that there are readers who will still think of her as cold-hearted, but personally, I refuse to castigate people for doing what they must, not to gain money or power, but simply to survive. As for Devlin, he might have been a rake in the past, but what the reader sees here is a man devoted to his sister, a man with purpose, patience, decency and reluctant to hurt back the person who has most injured him in the past. Much of the story is told by his point of view and I really appreciated that, especially as I could feel his ache, sorrow and internal conflict between duty and desire as if it were mine.

In the end, whatever the book's faults, the fact remains that the book managed to touch me deeply emotionally, as few books have, and that makes it a winner for me. So, it's a solid 5 stars for the emotional punch delivered and a 3 for the plot & technical execution. If you love angsty reads, you should check this out. I know I'll definitely be on the lookout for more works by this author.

PS: (view spoiler)

ARC provided by NetGalley(less)

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Jun 16, 2011 Karenna rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, historical-romance, read-in-2011

I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway.

This novel centers around the story of Susanna Burney and James Devlin. Susanna and James were married for one day years ago before Susanna abandonned James after their wedding night with the intention to seek an annulment. Years later they meet up at a ball where Susanna has been hired to seduce James's sister's fiance.

Overall, I found this book to be a pleasant read. I liked James from the beginning. He was a bit of a fortune hunter but his love fo...more

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Jul 28, 2011 Wendy Darling rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult, costume-fiction, read-2011, 2011-publication

I never go into historical romances expecting very much, so it's always a pleasant surprise when one is well-written and engaging enough to hold my attention. I liked the premise of this book, which follows Lady Susannah, a woman makes her living as a professional unmatchmaker for men with unsuitable love interests. She's hampered in her quest to break up the current couple that is her job, however, because one man is standing in her way--James Devlin, her husband.

The beginning of the book is a...more

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Jan 03, 2013 Carrie Olguin rated it 1 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. When I read the BOB blog, I thought, "Matchbreaker! What a cool concept!"

But the story is dissapointing, the characters non-sympathetic.

Here's the rundown full of spoilers:

The H and h secretly and impulsively married nine years previous. After the wedding night, the heroine changed her mind and told the hero she was leaving and would obtain an annulment. They parted (hate the hero for not fighting for the marriage. What a coward.) He runs off into the military.

She goes to her Uncle, finds out s...more

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Dec 14, 2012 Laura Ashlee rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, romance

I absolutely loved this book. It was sexy, but still incredibly sweet. I nearly a whole day reading it because I just couldn’t get enough of the characters and Cornick’s superb and sensual writing. There were hot scenes a-plenty and they that perfect tension and eventual satisfaction. There was also romance that had me smiling full on.

I loved Devlin. He has a little of that dominance that I find attractive in men. He knows what he wants and he’ll do what he must to get it. There’s also some comp...more

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Jan 02, 2012 Mary Gramlich rated it 5 of 5 stars

NOTORIOUS by Nicola Cornick
7/11 – Harlequin - Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages

What if everything I ever wanted is something I had already lost?

James Devlin believes he is on the brink of the perfect life. While his intended bride is needy, his future in-laws unwelcoming, and he abhors London society there is the money he will marry into. When you lived in abject poverty anything you must do to turn that around is a possibility and necessity. Dev is one step away from this perfect life when the w...more

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Dec 04, 2011 Marlene rated it 4 of 5 stars

It's almost a universal concept. The person your child looks like they are going to marry just isn't good enough for them. The definition of "good enough" may vary, but the idea probably occurred to the first caveman's parents when he dragged a cavewoman home from the cave next door.

In Nicola Cornick's latest Regency romp, Notorious, she takes the concept to a whole new level. Betrothals were broken if one of the parties proved unfaithful before the marriage was solemnized. After the wedding, of...more It's almost a universal concept. The person your child looks like they are going to marry just isn't good enough for them. The definition of "good enough" may vary, but the idea probably occurred to the first caveman's parents when he dragged a cavewoman home from the cave next door.

In Nicola Cornick's latest Regency romp, Notorious, she takes the concept to a whole new level. Betrothals were broken if one of the parties proved unfaithful before the marriage was solemnized. After the wedding, of course, the rules were a little different. But what if a young man's parents really, really wanted to prevent his marriage to an unsuitable young lady? What if they could hire a professional "betrothal breaker" to tempt him away from someone they were just certain wasn't, in this particular case, blue-blooded enough for their tastes?

There weren't, as far as history records, any such things as professional "match breakers", but that hasn't stopped Cornick from creating a story centered around one.

Susanna Burney has been hired to prevent the impending match between Fitzwilliam Alton, the heir to the Duke of Alton, and Francesca Devlin, the rather impoverished sister of Lord James Devlin. Miss Devlin isn't well enough bred for the son of a Duke. Not to mention, the Duke and Duchess of Alton fear she is a fortune-hunter. Unfortunately for Francesca, she really is in love with Mr. Alton. It is her brother, Lord Devlin, who is the fortune-hunter. James Devlin has been dancing attendance on Emma Brooke for two years, waiting for her to finally give him her hand, and her fortune.

Susanna Burney's introduction into the London Season as the mysterious widow "Lady Carew" causes havoc, not just with Francesca's plans, but also with Devlin's own. Dev has met the lady before. However, he was informed, by her family no less, that the lady was dead. If he had not been so certain of her death, he would never have proposed marriage to the rich and possessive Emma, as Susanna Burney is Devlin's wife.

This is a Regency farce that starts out with two couples and ends with three. At the beginning, James Devlin is unhappily engaged to Emma Brooke. He is a former adventurer who is marrying her money. She is a spoiled rich girl who wanted to marry an adventurer and is disappointed that he has become respectable. Francesca Devlin hopes she has an "understanding" with Frederick Alton. She loves him. He is a cad who intends to use her and then throw her away.

Enter Susanna Burney, masquerading as the mysterious Lady Carew. Her job is to seduce Alton away from Francesca, to the point where he proposes marriage, and then break the engagement a month or so later. Her plans start to fall apart the minute that she and Devlin meet. He has spent the last eight years believing himself a widower. She, on the other hand, has always known that he was among the living. Her reasons for not seeking him out are just one of the many secrets that lie between them.

Escape Rating B: Notorious was a great way to spend an afternoon. I wanted James Devlin to find a happy ending for himself, and I knew from the very beginning that Emma Brooke was not the right girl for him. I think she got what she deserved in the end, and I don't want to spoil the surprise. However, I found the character of Susanna to be somewhat contradictory, and it bothered me. She was a professional "matchbreaker", and her "job" was to be sophisticated and seductive. And yet, she had managed to keep all of the men she had previously become engaged to not just out of her bed but had kept their hands off her as well! This stretched the bounds of either her luck or my fictional belief, even for a romance. But not enough to keep me from finishing the book at breakneck speed!(less)

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Oct 28, 2011 cecilia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: red-covers

Epic romance tends to guard its deepest, darkest secrets closest to the heart rather than wear them on its sleeve, so pardon James Devlin if he fails to acknowledge his perfect-in-every-way fiancée when he spots his dead wife across the ballroom. No, not zombified, but very much alive and currently seducing a gentleman away from Devlin’s sister!

Susanna Burney had learned long ago that love is not invincible and has found a lucratrive job in helping disapproving mamas and papas of the ton to brea...more

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Oct 04, 2011 Melanie rated it 4 of 5 stars

I reviewed this book for Romance Reader At Heart website.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Our hero, James Devlin, is at a ball, and he's bored. But then he spots a woman, and she's none other than Susanna Burney, his ex-wife, who he thought dead for the past nine years.

Our heroine, Susanna Burney, is at the same ball, and she's on a mission: breaking up a betrothal of Fritz, the Duke of Alton's son, who just happens to be wooing James' sister.

Everything about this story sounded and, in the beg...more I reviewed this book for Romance Reader At Heart website.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Our hero, James Devlin, is at a ball, and he's bored. But then he spots a woman, and she's none other than Susanna Burney, his ex-wife, who he thought dead for the past nine years.

Our heroine, Susanna Burney, is at the same ball, and she's on a mission: breaking up a betrothal of Fritz, the Duke of Alton's son, who just happens to be wooing James' sister.

Everything about this story sounded and, in the beginning, was interesting. The premise of a woman hiring herself to the ton as a match BREAKER is something I've never read before. The more I read, the more frustrated I got. This had nothing to do with Ms. Cornick's writing. She pulled off a well written, three-dimensional and decently paced story that had plenty of secondary characters to keep me entertained; but what frustrated me was our hero and heroine.

With all my heart, I wanted to feel, understand, and love them, but I just couldn't. I disliked Susanna for her selfish, conniving, and deceitful manner, and by the time all her secrets came to light, it was too late for me to like her.

As for our hero, I didn't dislike him as much as I was baffled by him, and I couldn't understand why in the world he would love her! I know that opposites attract (my real-life relationship with my husband is living proof), but try as I might, I just never felt the passion he clearly felt for this pathetic, sorrowful, and nasty piece of work.

I understand that this is book four out of six in the `Scandalous Women of the Ton' series, and I can tell you, without a doubt, it stands alone. If you've read the previous three, I'm sure you wouldn't want to miss this one. If you're new to this author, as I am, you might be better off starting with another story with a more likable hero and heroine.

In the end, I've decided to give this tale Four Roses despite my dislike of the main protagonists and their actions, and the reason is Ms. Cornick herself. She gets credit for engaging my emotions, negative as they may be. Also, this book made me want to read Alex and Joanna's story from WHISPER OF SCANDAL, and only a well written book can accomplish that.

Melanie (less)

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Aug 06, 2011 Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, non-erotic

Originally posted at: http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...

Choosing love or money can be a pressing issue for someone who has been starving and homeless and alone as a child. If one cannot have money AND love then some hard decisions have to be made.

Sir James Devlin may have an air of confidence and authority now, but he was once one of the starving and homeless. Even though a good navy man, he has little money. He has a deep desire for wealth and status that will insure he is never destitut...more

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Aug 01, 2011 April rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance-regency-england

RATING:4.5)NOTORIOUS by Nicola Cornick is an exciting historical romance set in Regency England. It is book #4 in The Scandalous Women of The Ton,but can be read as a stand alone. See Book #1"Whisper of Scandal",Book 2 "One Wicked Sin" and Book 3 " Mistress By Midnight".This is a wonderful series that shows not only strong,wicked,sexy,heros,but also strong,beautiful heroines. Who can stand their ground,hold their own against a tough, determined advisory and come out one of the winners. While Jam...more

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Jul 27, 2011 Judith rated it 4 of 5 stars

There are a group of writers who know how to "handle" historical romance well, and Nicola Cornick is one of those. This story is just different enough that it caught my interest immediately and I am delighted to have read it. The heroine is not present trying to find a husband as is most often the case. Rather she is present at ton events to prevent marriages, specifically the matches that have begun which are not favored by the family of one or the other of the persons in question. Masquerading...more

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Jul 25, 2011 Barbara rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, romance

Interesting premise. Parents hire a woman to seduce their very eligible son away from a totally unsuitable young lady. Sounds like it could happen.
Ms. Cornick is a good writer and I quite liked our hero(Sir James) and heroine(Lady Carew), who are at cross purposes and who share a connection unknown to the rest of the ton. Add in a whole lot of angst re: their past And you have a very emotional story going on--
And, after many trials and tribs they get their HEA--hooray!

What didn't work were the...more

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Jul 06, 2011 Angela rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult, mystery, alternating-pov, female-pov, male-pov, dragged-out-plot, netgalley, romance

Read via NetGalley

The story basically is about Susanna and Devlin. They were married nine years ago, but have only truly been with each other for one night. The reason for their separation; Susanna left Devlin after the first night. Devlin still holds anger over her betrayal, but they have not seen each other until Susanna is found flirting with the duke who Devlin's sister, Francesca, eyes to marry. But Susanna is hiding some secrets. There is a Susanna that Devlin does not know exists.

There i...more

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Jul 06, 2011 Pamela Todd rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, read-in-2011, women-s-fiction, romance, ebook

Notorious is the fourth book in the Scandalous Women of the Ton series. I have not read any of the previous books and that did not spoil the read of Notorious. Each novel stands alone, though characters of the other books will crop up familiarly to fans of the series.

From the first page, the author transports you back in time to glittering ballrooms, handsome gentleman and elegant ladies. She paints the portrait of the time effortlessly, before ripping the rose-tinted glasses from out face and...more

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Aug 09, 2011 Jennifer rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: historical romance lovers, readers of angsty romance

Shelves: earcs, ebook, historical, romance

In NOTORIOUS, Susanna works as a matchbreaker, dividing unsuitable couples by order of their concerned parents. But she encounters Devlin, a man from her past who threatens to unravel the careful life she has constructed for herself. On the one hand, the characters in this book are written well, because I connected emotionally with them. However, the continuous acrimony between the two main characters got a little hard to take. There wasn't a lot of action in this book, which is fine, given its...more

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Aug 09, 2011 Danielle rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: review

Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick

This was the first book that I've read from this author and it definitely won't be my last. This book was just so good. I admit that when I found out that this book was a second chance at love story I was beyond giddy, those just happen to be my favorite. I believe that Nicola did it justice. I didn't want to put the book down. I was so engrossed with what was happening in the story.

I loved Susanna and Devlin together. They were just so feis...more Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick

This was the first book that I've read from this author and it definitely won't be my last. This book was just so good. I admit that when I found out that this book was a second chance at love story I was beyond giddy, those just happen to be my favorite. I believe that Nicola did it justice. I didn't want to put the book down. I was so engrossed with what was happening in the story.

I loved Susanna and Devlin together. They were just so feisty with each other. I really got a sense of them both having strong feelings for one another mixed with a lot of anger and pain.

Nine years ago Devlin and Susanna ran off and eloped together. After spending one blissful night together, Susanna got cold feet and left Devlin with the promise that she would be filing for an annulment. Devlin, feeling angry and betrayed leaves on his commission with the Navy without looking back.

Susanna's life has been nothing but hardships since she made the decision to leave Devlin. A decision that she instantly regretted. To make ends meet, she is somewhat of a reverse match maker. Parents who don't want their children marrying beneath them or to someone who is not right for them hire Susanna to seduce their offspirng. It is while Susanna is on a new commission that she encounters Devlin for the first time since she left him.

When Devlin sees Susanna again he is angry, both at her and himself for having all of these feelings rush back at once. He doesn't trust Susanna and knows she is up to something. He is also deeply hurt by her abandoning him after they were wed.

With Susanna, your heart just breaks to see everything she has been through over the last nine years. She deeply regrets leaving Devlin after their wedding and everything that has happened as a result of her leaving.

While reading this book, I got an immediate sense of longing from both Devlin and Susanna. They both were so hurt from the past and they are still trying to come to terms with everything that has happened. You can see that they both still share a mutual passion for one another even though they are constantly bickering. The banter between these two was great. You could really see the sparks between them. I very much enjoyed reading this book and watching these two finally find their way back towards one another. I was rooting for them from the beginning and I loved how things worked out.

3 1/5 out of 5

**This was an ARC copy provided by NetGalley**
(less)

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Jul 20, 2011 Jen (Red Hot Books) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arcs, historical-romance

On its surface, Notorious is a sexy Regency Romance... a battle of wills between two former lovers with conflicting agendas. But underneath, it's a story of loss, regret, and self-realization. It is, in turns, sad, steamy, frustrating, and rewarding.

Devlin and his sister Chessie have always had to scrape to make ends meet. But they finally seem to have a comfortable future in their grasp. Devlin is engaged to a wealthy woman of the Ton. He doesn't love her, but he is pragmatic about the marriage...more On its surface, Notorious is a sexy Regency Romance... a battle of wills between two former lovers with conflicting agendas. But underneath, it's a story of loss, regret, and self-realization. It is, in turns, sad, steamy, frustrating, and rewarding.

Devlin and his sister Chessie have always had to scrape to make ends meet. But they finally seem to have a comfortable future in their grasp. Devlin is engaged to a wealthy woman of the Ton. He doesn't love her, but he is pragmatic about the marriage. Chessie is in love with a wealthy peer named Fritz. And while they are not betrothed, he has been seriously courting her for some time.

All their grand plans go out the window, however, when Devlin's former wife shows up with an eye for Fritz. (No one knows that she has really been hired by Fritz's parents to lure him away from Chessie.) Devlin is floored by her presence. She abandoned him nine years ago, the morning after they wed... and he has thought her dead for years. It turns out that Susanna left him in an act of innocent self-sacrifice, but she lets him believe the worst of her, to keep him away. Of course, that doesn't work.

For two people who consider themselves puppetmasters of other people's emotions, there are very real feelings between these two. It's kind of ironic that their initial parting is what hardened them both in so many ways. But when they are together, they are unable to maintain the walls they have worked so hard to build around their hearts.

As more and more of Susanna's backstory is revealed, the story grows heavier and heavier. She has been through so much... and to a lesser extent, so has Devlin. Their past heartbreak is set against their flirting and fighting in the present day. And it doesn't just make me ache for them to give in to their mutual attraction, but makes me beg for them to find a little bit of peace and real happiness. Unfortunately, their financial positions make any hopes of a happily ever after seem unlikely, if not impossible.

It was a good love story with a surprising depth. But on a side note, I have to say I had a hard time relating to Chessie and the choices she makes. The resolution of her arc left me scratching my head a little.

This is book four in the Scandalous Women of the Ton series. I haven't read the previous books, and though Devlin's uncle Grant and his wife were featured in an earlier book, I never felt lost.

4 stars.

*ARC Provided by NetGalley(less)

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Jul 02, 2011 Crystal Posey rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011

Before we begin, let us just take another moment to admire that cover art. Take several minutes if you must. There isn’t anything about that cover that isn’t great. And after looking at Cornick’s website, I’m seeing that most of her cover art is top notch. Bravo!

Moving on to the story …

Conflict is a crucial element in story telling. Without it you have a … well, not much of a story. Some authors center on one main conflict. Some authors throw in a second or third smaller conflict to go along wit...more

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Jun 28, 2011 Cocktails and Books rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: blue-reader-ebook, historical-romance, netgalley

I was pleasantly surprised by this one. I wasn't sure what to expect when I got it from NetGalley, especially since I hadn't read any of the other books in the series. But it turns out you really didn't need to read those to enjoy this one.

The last thing Susanna Burney expected when she accepted her latest assignment was to find James Devlin. She'd last seen him when she was seventeen, heartbroken and leaving him. In the years since, she's done what's she's needed to in order to ensure her welfa...more

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Jun 15, 2011 Amanda Ryan rated it 3 of 5 stars

Notorious by Nicola Cornick is Cornick’s latest release in her Scandalous Women of the Ton series. For me personally I’ve found Cornick’s books to be hit or miss. A few of them are my go-to favorites, but I’ve also read some that just really didn’t do it for me. Unfortunately, Notorious fell into the latter.

Susanna finds herself face to face with her husband, a man she deliberately left after consummating their elopement and hasn’t seen in several years. James, her husband, is engaged to a rich...more

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Jun 03, 2011 Cleffairy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Reviewed at: Over A Cuppa Tea
Review date: 4 June 2011
Review link:http://cleffairy.com/?p=5407

This book, ‘Notorious’ by Nicola Cornick is meant to be highly arousing. It’s a very naughty book to read, but at the same time, it reminds me of reality where there’s a lot of people who break the hearts of others on purpose and using one another purely for their own benefit while putting up a very sweet facade on the outside.

Very interesting read, and highly amusing. The story was well planned and the...more

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Jun 08, 2011 Amy (Books, College, and Other Random Things) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

I’m reviewing this book for NetGalley

Nicola Cornick delivers another tantalizing book in her Scandalous Women of the Ton series with Notorious. The hero Sir James Devlin is introduced to Lady Caroline Carew whom he immediately recognizes as someone from his past—his wife from his youth, Susanna Burney. Dev believes that his marriage has been annulled and has become engaged to Lady Emma to obtain a large fortune he desperately needs as he is greatly in debt and is responsible for his younger sist...more

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Jul 28, 2011 Heather Book Savvy Babe rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley, romance, historical-romance, review-on-blog

I enjoyed reading Notorious, the main characters are a part of the Ton, but not born into it. Susanna and Devlin had been married briefly when they were young. But, as young people do, they made mistakes and were separated. Susanna did what she had to do to survive, and Devlin went on to explore the world in the navy. After 9 long years, their paths cross again in London, where sparks fly and carefully laid plans change.

What I really liked about Notorious was the nature of the main characters. T...more

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Oct 17, 2011 Lauren Murphy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical

This review was first posted @ The Australian Bookshelf

It’s Susannah Burney’s job to break up relationships between wealthy well-inherited young men and women and those who they may have fallen for who have less societal advantages. When she signs up for her last assignment she doesn’t expect to be seducing him into a betrothal to stop him from proposing to Chessie, James Devlin’s younger sister. James Devlin, who she had not seen for ten years, since she left their marital bed twenty-four hours...more

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Jun 19, 2011 Lisarenee rated it 5 of 5 stars

Notes: I read the ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of this book. Book will be released July 19th.

Susanna Burney is a beautiful woman hired by members of the Ton to break up unsuitable matches. Her success rate is impressive. Her current target is Fitzwilliam (Fitz) Alton, only son and heir to the Duke and Duchess of Alton. She is to break up the relationship between him and Francesca Devlin (Chessie). The only thing standing in her way and success is her husband, James (Dev). Fortunately for her, he d...more

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Jan 01, 2012 Jennifer rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: library, historical

Oh, great. The big misunderstanding, the nonsensical separation, the pure as the driven snow " adventuress", and the endless rehashing of internal turmoil trying to disguise lust as true love. Also, worst secondary "romance" ever. Kind of depressing.

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Aug 23, 2012 Katrina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Notorious is another great read from Nicola Cornick and The Scandalous Women of the Ton series.

In Notorious we meet Lady Susannah, she helps the Ladies of the Ton rid their sons of woman whom they think that are not suitable enough for there sons. Normally ladies who are poor and unable to bring anything to the marriage worth cashing in. Lady Susannah helps the families rid there sons of these women by seducing the men from under the women's clutches, getting her marriage proposal, and months l...more Notorious is another great read from Nicola Cornick and The Scandalous Women of the Ton series.

In Notorious we meet Lady Susannah, she helps the Ladies of the Ton rid their sons of woman whom they think that are not suitable enough for there sons. Normally ladies who are poor and unable to bring anything to the marriage worth cashing in. Lady Susannah helps the families rid there sons of these women by seducing the men from under the women's clutches, getting her marriage proposal, and months later cancels the wedding. Leaving the poor suitor unwed and heartbroken. But parents happy of this forth coming.

Whilst Susannah is on her latest assignment = She meets her husband of 9 years, James Devlin. This comes as a surprise to both.

James is suspicious of Susannah's motives and want to exploit her , but delves much further and finds out more than he bargained for., And also the fact that is still married to his x- wife and the marriage was never annulled.

My thoughts.

Nicola Cornick always portrays historical romance, in exactly that way. Her vivid descriptions, background information, and her storylines are always well scripted giving the reader a feel for the era in which she is depicting.

I have enjoyed all her characters in this story , as whiny as James Devlin may have come forth at times; I enjoyed his sexiness and his constant lusting for Susannah. He was loving and passionate and a great catch for any woman of the ton. Despite his past and the rumours of being a rake, Devlin was a man of many colours. Green was certainly one (( lol ))

We certainly see the Chemistry between Lady Susannah and James Devlin. He was hot, smoking, and passionate and his Lady Love could not resist this man in pantaloons. The fire works were certainly scripted with passion, love and heat between the pair that was undeniable .

I enjoyed Susannah's character - she was faithful, and with a heart of gold, her end to a means may not have been everyone’s cup of tea but her heart was certainly in the right place. I felt her heart ache at the loss she suffered, her struggle to provide for a family she was given, and the struggle to give away her love for unselfish reasons, to give him the life she thought he wanted.

Overall, Nicola Cornick always put forth a wonderfully scripted Historical romance, with a wonderful storyline and plot to go with. This one started a little slower than most, but certainly picks up after 3-4 chapters.

Be drawn into the pages, to a world Of Scandal, Rakes, and Marriages of convenience, Seduction is at its finest in this story ! (less)

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Jul 21, 2011 Karyn Gerrard rated it 5 of 5 stars

Another solid, sensual and emotional read from Nicola Cornick. This is book 4 in her 'Scandalous Women of the Ton' series. This is something I have not read before, the heroine is a 'heartbreaker for hire'. Susanna Burney does what she must to make her way in the world. Hired by the elite of the ton, she uses her feminine wiles and stunning looks to lure the pampered sons of the elite away from inappropriate women. Women of questionable background and low birth to be more specific. Susanna manag...more Another solid, sensual and emotional read from Nicola Cornick. This is book 4 in her 'Scandalous Women of the Ton' series. This is something I have not read before, the heroine is a 'heartbreaker for hire'. Susanna Burney does what she must to make her way in the world. Hired by the elite of the ton, she uses her feminine wiles and stunning looks to lure the pampered sons of the elite away from inappropriate women. Women of questionable background and low birth to be more specific. Susanna managed to do quite well in her chosen field, keeping her emotions far removed from her task.

All that changed when she saw James Devlin at a ball. All James wanted was wealth, title, a place in society. Considering he and his sister Chessie are penniless Irish orphans he managed to achieve some of the goals. But now Chessie is all but engaged to a Marquess, and James has been engaged for over two years to the Earl of Brooke's daughter, Emma. James also managed the title, However, he and his sister are indeed penniless, everything is riding on their possible marriage alliances. James has jumped through hoops to stay in Emma's good favor, including giving up his roving eye/

James is shocked when Susanna walks into the ball on the arm of Fitzwilliam Alton, Chessie's possible suitor. She was hired by the Duke and Duchess of Alton to detach Fitz from the unsuitable Chessie. James does not know this, he only sees his childhood sweetheart, his former wife. They had run off together when they were 18 and 17 respectively. Now ten years later, the hurt floods back for both of them. Susanna is also passing herself as a widow, Lady Carew. A lot of heated exchanges between the two at various events is exchanged, but there is no denying the attraction is still there.

There are extenuating circumstances to the sudden split and annulment of James and Susanna ten years ago. The layers are slowly peeled back and the heartbreaking reasons revealed. Bitter heartbreak has damaged both these people and you wonder if they will ever find their way back to each other. More is revealed, of which I will not give away.

There is a fine line between anger and arousal, so it is inevitable that Susanna and James cross that line. Constant bickering can become tedious when reading a romance, but Nicola Cornick doesn't cross the line here, the emotion, angst and feelings are raw and real.

A subplot concerning Chessie and her secret amour was interesting enough, if not a touch creepy. You will see what I mean. Hence the title, 'Notorious.'

I found Susanna too stubborn for words, I rolled my eyes near the end of the book. I did love James. He had been through so much, including a stint as a Naval hero, then home to indulge in being a full-blown rake. Then his two year celibate engagement to the empty-headed Emma. Yes, things no doubt could have been resolved if the hero and heroine had just talked, but misunderstandings are a big part of this plot. While that can be frustrating, it works here.

It is quite a bumpy ride to get to the HEA, and well worth it. An emotional, sensual read that will grab you and not let go.

3.75 stars of out 4

(I round up my ratings)(less)

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Notorious (The Scandalous Women of the Ton #4)

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