Lessons from a Scandalous Bride (Forgotten Princesses #2)

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Lessons from a Scandalous Bride (Forgotten Princesses #2)

by Sophie Jordan (Goodreads Author)

3.69 of 5 stars 3.69 · rating details · 336 ratings · 59 reviews

A life can change in an instant...

No one knows this better than Miss Cleopatra Hadley, who went from poverty to plenty when she discovered one of England's richest men was her true father who wanted her to share his wealth...if she married into the upper echelons of Society. A high price to pay for someone whose mother taught her just how dangerous a marriage could be.

An i...more

Mass Market Paperback, 344 pages

Published July 31st 2012 by Avon

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Jul 31, 2012 Letitia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: edelweiss, kindle, historical-romance

Rating: B-/C+ ... Heat: Warm

Life has not been kind to Cleopatra Hadley or her family. When the story opens, Cleo is holding in her arms the body of yet another stillborn half-sibling. Cleo is charged with the harrowing task of taking the tiny body to the undertaker. This is a familiar occurrence for Cleo, who is her mother’s oldest daughter—one of fourteen living children and numerous that did not survive. Cleo’s life is filled with births and deaths, all at the hands of her stepfather and his r...more

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Apr 09, 2013 x0unerthanlater rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone

Shelves: historical-regency, reviewed

**Disclaimer** I received this book through a giveaway hosted on a blogger's site. My review is of my own opinion. Thank you.

"Lessons From A Scandalous Bride" is book #2 in the "Forgotten Princesses" series. Although the actual reading order might be different because some of the characters involved have their own books already. (You'll understand what I mean if you read the series) You might want to check out Sophie Jordan's site for specific details here or find her profile on Goodreads.

Miss...more

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Dec 15, 2012 CoffeeTimeRomance andMore rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance

When a mysterious man offers her money to leave her stepfather’s house for the opulent elegance of her biological father’s life, Cleo has no choice but to agree. The money can keep her mother and siblings from dying in their poverty stricken circumstances. In order to secure a better life for them all, Cleo has only to meet one requirement. She must marry a titled lord to help her father rise within society’s highest circles.

Lord Logan McKinney needs an heiress. His Scottish estate is in dire st...more

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Aug 05, 2012 Lydia rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book was what I wanted from the second in the Forgotten Princess series and more!

First off I didn't realize it was directly connected to "Wicked in Your Arms" until it mentioned in the first few pages about Grier, but I should have known better because as an after thought I remembered that Cleo, the lovely subject of this one, was in the first book when Grier was introduced to her towards the end when their father found out about her.

Anyways, "Bride" was truly a great heart wrenching story...more This book was what I wanted from the second in the Forgotten Princess series and more!

First off I didn't realize it was directly connected to "Wicked in Your Arms" until it mentioned in the first few pages about Grier, but I should have known better because as an after thought I remembered that Cleo, the lovely subject of this one, was in the first book when Grier was introduced to her towards the end when their father found out about her.

Anyways, "Bride" was truly a great heart wrenching story about Cleo Hadley, one of Grier Hadley's half-sisters. After their father, Jack, had abandoned her mother, Cleo and her mom went through this awful time full of an evil stepfather and multiple siblings, some stayed alive and some unfortunately left this world.

When Cleo learns that her awful person of a stepfather basically sold her back to her father, she is then thrust into the high social circles of London, so her social climber of an actual father can get that English wealth that he wants, as if having your other daughter marry a prince wasn't enough!

That's when Cleo meets the WONDERFUL Logan McKinnely! Jordan basically describes him a sex on a stick without the crude description that I just gave! Logan is the most gorgeous Scotsman in the world with the reputation that those beautiful men get.

Logan's estate is in trouble so he has to marry to keep his family home in one piece. Of course mayhem of the two people who should be together but aren't ensue.

If "Wicked in Your Arms" was basically Pride and Prejudice with gorgeous people and scandalous intrigue, "Lessons from an Scandalous Bride" would be like the Cinderella version of that, but better!!

I got this book on Friday and read it all through the night it was SUCH a great read! I now just can't wait for the next one about another interesting Hadley sister!! But I doubt her man can compare to Logan!!!

All I could think of when I was reading his part was imagaining him as that guy who married Christina on Grey's Anatomy because he was that hot Scotsman in Made of Honor. He's gorgeous! Go Google him, then read this book and you will know why I'm kinda in love with Logan McKinnely right now!(less)

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Aug 04, 2012 Romancing the Book rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, romance, regency

Posted on Romancing the Book's blog
Reviewed by Ashleigh
Review Copy Provided by the Publisher

For Cleo Hadley a life in the ton is something that she never dreamed was possible. When you come from a family with less than nothing and a step father that is repulsive to everyone, life is barely worth leading. when a stranger comes to her home and shatters everything she thought she knew about herself, it could just be the best thing that ever happened to her. But the fears of losing herself to a man...more Posted on Romancing the Book's blog
Reviewed by Ashleigh
Review Copy Provided by the Publisher

For Cleo Hadley a life in the ton is something that she never dreamed was possible. When you come from a family with less than nothing and a step father that is repulsive to everyone, life is barely worth leading. when a stranger comes to her home and shatters everything she thought she knew about herself, it could just be the best thing that ever happened to her. But the fears of losing herself to a man are something that could just keep her from the man that has wanted her from the first moment their eyes meet. But Logan will only take heer if she can come to him willingly. With a few fumbles and fights along the way Cleo will have to discover herself on the path to winning her husband’s heart.

Lord Logan McKinney just need a wife, preferably one with lots a zeros in her dowry. If only the women of the ton could spark just a bit of interest in him outside of the package they present. Just about ready to give up completely, Logan meets Cleo for the first time and suddenly no other woman matters. Just like the cheesy romance themes it was love at first sight, only this time it is the man falling hard and trying to convince the woman of his feelings. Just how much will Logan endure before even his love is dashed? And can he convince Cleo that not all men are like her step father?

While the beginning of this story was quite dismal, I was glad to see it pick up a bit so that I could see how Logan and Cleo make out in the end. I was a bit leery about ready a second story of a series without having the first story under my belt first but I think it made this one even better. Sophie Jordan is an author that I have read quite a bit of in the past a loved the majority of her works. While I do with that Cleo and Logan were a bit more believable at times I think the emotion was there and it made up for everything else in spades. If you like historical romances and are wanting one with a strong heroine than this is a story, you will want to add to your TBR pile.

(less)

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Jul 31, 2012 Lisarenee rated it 4 of 5 stars

My Synopsis:

Cleopatra Hadley knew what it was to live a hard life. She knew what it was to live in poverty--to live without. She knew there were better ways to live then the life she led. Her stepfather kept her mother in a perpetual state of pregnancy, and they had fourteen children with another four lying in a neighboring cemetery to prove it. Cleo did what she could to help, but at times there wasn't enough to eat or enough money for them all to be properly clothed. Her own father had been ou...more My Synopsis:

Cleopatra Hadley knew what it was to live a hard life. She knew what it was to live in poverty--to live without. She knew there were better ways to live then the life she led. Her stepfather kept her mother in a perpetual state of pregnancy, and they had fourteen children with another four lying in a neighboring cemetery to prove it. Cleo did what she could to help, but at times there wasn't enough to eat or enough money for them all to be properly clothed. Her own father had been out of the picture for as long as she could remember and she had all but forgotten him until the day he sent someone to "fetch" her home. Her mother encouraged her to go saying it'd be her chance at a better life. Cleo, however, saw it as a way to better the lives of her siblings as well. When she learned of her father's plans to marry her off to a man with a title, she knew exactly what type of man she wanted to marry. She'd long ago thrown away ideas of fairy tales, Prince Charming and happily ever afters. She was a realist and when she met Lord Thrumgoodie, an eighty year old fatherless Earl, she knew she'd met her perfect match.

Logan McKinney had a reputation as being "the perfect savage". He'd earned the reputation when he'd sliced a woman's stays with his sword when he realized she wasn't breathing properly. He was in London looking to marry an heiress so he could get his current estate out of disrepair. His problem, however, was that he found the woman of London society to be a bit too 'vapid' and 'feather headed' for his tastes. That was until he met Miss Cleo Hadley. He found her intriguing and down to earth. He saw her as not someone to be saddled with, but someone he could share a life with. Now he only had to convince her.

My Thoughts:

I really liked Cleo. She was a strong and independent woman who was very loyal to her family. She'd grown up with no male role models in her life and didn't know of anyone involved in a loving relationship or marriage. So when she entered the marriage market she knew exactly what she wanted in a husband and it wasn't love. She wanted security. When Logan McKinney, a young handsome Scottish lord, started pursuing her, she did all she could to discourage him even though she found him attractive. She'd set her cap set for Lord Thrumgoodie, and elderly gentleman with all rumors suggesting it would be a marriage in name only.

Logan was a fun character. I loved how he figured out Cleo early on and did all he could to dissuade her fears. He was the exact opposite of what Cleo thought she wanted in a husband. He was young, virile, attractive. Yeah, I know...What's wrong with her? lol But when you've grown up on the wrong side of the tracks, and you know what it's like to be hungry and to see your siblings perish because you couldn't afford medical treatment your priorities tend to differ from that of someone who has never wanted for anything. Plus, she was determined to make sure her mother's fate would not be hers. Qualities such as charm and good looks in a husband, after all, wouldn't pay the bills or put food on the table.

Why is the book named Lessons from a Scandalous Bride? Well, I believe it has to do, in part, with the fact Cleo finds herself amidst a scandal which leads to her becoming a bride. Also, in order for her marriage to work she needs to learn a few lessons. She needs to learn that not all men are the same and not all men are bad. She needs to learn not to let fear sabotage her future by dwelling on the 'what ifs' of life. Most importantly, she needs to learn to trust and lean on another individual--something she's never had the luxury of being able to do before. She's always had to be the strong one and look out for herself and everyone else in her family.

Overall, I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses. I liked how Cleo had to realize her feelings for Logan in her own time and in her own way. I enjoyed seeing her take a step back and decide what she thought of him and what she truly wanted. I loved how the chemistry between them was undeniable and got them into trouble. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one gets STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.(less)

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Jul 06, 2012 Rebecca Graf rated it 4 of 5 stars

Romance. Historical romance. A man pursuing the woman he wants. Sounds like my kind of book. Sophia Jordan delivered just that with her book Lessons from a Scandalous Bride.

A young woman has watched her mother at the hands of her stepfather. The drunken man kept her mother pregnant and watched with uncaring eyes as many of the children died at birth or soon after. When she has to find a husband, she chooses a man who can’t perform his husbandly duties. She has it all planned out until she meets...more

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Apr 14, 2013 Martini Times rated it 4 of 5 stars

Lesson's From A Scandalous Bride was something I purchases at the end of last year and had just got around to reading it.

The story starts off with Cleopatra nervously pacing with one of her 14 siblings in her arms as she awaited the birth of yet another child frm her mother's womb. She's terrified that nothing good will come of this birth and knows in her heart that it will be another still born, and quit possibily this could be the time her mother dies during child birth. Her body just can't ta...more Lesson's From A Scandalous Bride was something I purchases at the end of last year and had just got around to reading it.

The story starts off with Cleopatra nervously pacing with one of her 14 siblings in her arms as she awaited the birth of yet another child frm her mother's womb. She's terrified that nothing good will come of this birth and knows in her heart that it will be another still born, and quit possibily this could be the time her mother dies during child birth. Her body just can't take the strain anymore. She also harbours hate and anger for her step father because he knows that his rutting and impregnanting her mother over and over will eventually kill her. But he doesn't care. He's a selfish prick with a penchance for drinking and rutting when he feels like it.

When her step father comes out of the room with her dead baby brother in his hands, she steels herself and does what she must. She does what she had done each time a sibling has passed away. No one else would hug that child close as they walked to the church yard to hand over the child to be buried with no funeral or headstone. Only she gave them the love and care before she had to let them go to be buried and forgotten by everyone else. Only she would remember each and every one of them.

It's a heart breaking begining, and you definitly ache for the harshness of the reality that clings to Cleo, but as the story goes on, when she gets home from her task, there is a man speaking to her step father whom she has never seen before. Cleo is outraged. This isn't the time for visitors after she had just buried her baby brother and her mother just went thruogh such a taxing birth. She wants the man to leave, but her mama is out of bed and she's so happy. Happy that Cleo's real father has finally come for her as her mama always hoped her would.

The man had been hired by her father to come fetch her so she could live with him and live in high scociety. Cleo refuses to go, but her step father gives her a sly grin and says she's been sold as he jangles a pouch of gold in her face. He then tells her that it's enough to feed and house their entire family for a year.

Well crap. Way to lay on the guilt. There is no way Cleo could refuse after that. Her brothers, and sisters, and mother wouldn't have to go hungry for an entire year, longer if they rationed the money out right. But as shrewly as ever, Cleo desires more for her family and tells the hired man that she'll only go if he pays twice as much.

In agreement, Cleo bids her family goodbye, promising to write often and that she'll see them again soon before she's whisked away to her real father's home.

Eleven months pass and the story opens with Logan Mickinley desperately in need of an heiress wife so that he can use her dowry to rebuild his delaptiating Scottish castle. So he heads to London to find himself a bride whom he could stand. One that doesn't bore him tirelessly with feathers for brain. Taking the opportunity to attend the opera with his brother in law, Logan meets Libba and her brother and dear old uncle who is bordering on 80.

He had a plan to court Libba, but there's another person at the opera whom he hadn't been expecting. A woman on the arm of the 80 year old Earl. It was Cleo.

Click to read full review at Martini Times Romance Book Reviews (less)

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Aug 11, 2012 Elis Madison rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: era-regency, like-the-author

Cleopatra Hadley has good reasons to marry the decrepit but titled genteman she's angling for. She doesn't WANT a man who makes her mouth water. She's seen firsthand what happens to women who succumb to those feelings--and to their children. Her father wants her to marry a title, so she's picked the oldest and hopefully most impotent suitor possible.

As for Scottish Lord Logan McKinney, he's getting used to the idea that love won't be a factor in his marriage. His family and estate need money--lo...more

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Jul 31, 2012 Morgan (Fictitious Escape Reviews) rated it 4 of 5 stars

More reviews, book news, and more are available at: http://morgan-irina.blogspot.com/

Title: Lessons from a Scandalous Bride

Author: Sophie Jordan

Series: The second book in the Forgotten Princess series.

Genre: Historical Romance

ARC Provided by: Edelweiss (Thank you for the opportunity to review this title!)

Rating: 4 Bookmarks

Review (Warning: Contains Spoilers!): Sophie Jordan's new book was exciting, fast-paced, and will engross readers from the very beginning. The story follows Cleopatra Hadley a...more

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Jul 24, 2012 Lexie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Prelim Review: I'm kind of wondering if the title here was meant for a different book because Cleo isn't really scandalous. She actually does everything in her power to be as conventional as possible. I think a more apt title would be 'Lessons from a Scandalous Groom', but that doesn't have the same wham bam attention grabber.

I was enjoying this book up until the actual marriage (does that count as a spoiler since the title involves bride?). Cleo was a little frustrating with her constant intern...more

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Aug 19, 2012 Regina rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'm so glad this story didn't waste any time on convoluted plots or deceptions. Instead I found a simple, straightforward storyline that focused on Cleo and Logan's budding romantic relationship and subsequent marriage. Cleo's background--an over large family steeped in poverty and rife with premature death--was original and fascinating. Her fear of being trapped in the same type of family life as her mother was real and a strong motivator to avoid marriage to any virile man and instead secure a...more

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Feb 01, 2013 Carrie rated it 4 of 5 stars

3.5 stars...I rounded up because I love this author. ;)

This was a great historical romance. Our leading man was not the typical dark, brooding type. He was open and loving and absolutely swoon-worthy! Our heroine WAS the typical 'I can't love you' gal and I had a really hard time with that! I understand she had a hard upbringing, etc...but by 75% of the way, I thought, (view spoiler) I also f...more

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May 24, 2013 Lita Bouquard rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance

Cleo the illegitimate daughter of a status seeking father wants to marry an old geezer who cannot consummate his marriage. She has seen to much suffering as her mother gave birth to 14 children, many stillborn or who died in infancy due to little health care or food. Thus her resolve never to let emotions sway her. As she gets to know her father Jack, she begins to think he might car about her rather than just want her to help him attain a place in society. She meets a Scottish lord who also see...more

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Jun 25, 2012 Deborah rated it 5 of 5 stars

I received this ARC via Edelweiss in exchange for my honest opinion. I am in no way obligated to give a glowing review. However, I am glad to give this one five stars because it was fantastic. Tugged at my emotions right from the start. I was actually wiping away tears as Cleo was carrying her infant brother to the graveyard. Wow! This story really was so emotional. The attraction between Cleo & Logan sizzled. They just couldn't deny the chemistry between them no matter that they both starte...more

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Oct 20, 2012 Sharyn rated it 3 of 5 stars

A cute read. Scottish hero, English Heroine who saw her mother have many babies, many who died and is afraid of love, afraid to become her mother.We see into the thoughts of both characters and root for them both. This is the 2nd in the Forgotten Princesses. !st is about Greir, Wicked in your arms. #rd is I presume about Annalise, How to lose a bride in a night. They are 1/2 sisters. I am now going to search for those to read. However, the story about the 1st sister is in another series, Wicked...more

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May 06, 2012 EM rated it 3 of 5 stars

The blurb interested me but, unfortunately, the story didn't hold my interest as much as I'd hoped it would. I was more interested in how these half-sisters were brought together by their father...and I would have liked to see how they had managed to go from what they had been living in to learning to navigate London society. At times I had a hard time reconciling what we had been introduced to Cleo in the first chapter to what she was like in the rest of the book. In the end I knew that Logan a...more

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Jul 20, 2012 Amy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Cleo Hadley's been rescued from poverty and the oppression of her stepfather by a wealthy father she's never known but she hasn't left behind the fears and worries that she's carried all of her life along with the heartache of lost siblings. She's learned that there are no promises kept, no love of a man worth sacrificing a life for, and that she's sworn that she will live her life the way she chooses not the way a man chooses for her. Her father, Jack Hadley, is seeking a higher standing in ton...more Cleo Hadley's been rescued from poverty and the oppression of her stepfather by a wealthy father she's never known but she hasn't left behind the fears and worries that she's carried all of her life along with the heartache of lost siblings. She's learned that there are no promises kept, no love of a man worth sacrificing a life for, and that she's sworn that she will live her life the way she chooses not the way a man chooses for her. Her father, Jack Hadley, is seeking a higher standing in ton society and is determined to use his illegitimate daughters to gain it. Knowing Jack wants her to marry UP, Cleo sets her cap for an elderly and ill Earl, Lord Thrumgoodie. Cleo has chosen this old man even with his reputation for lechery because she knows that with him she will never have to be a true wife. She will never have to fear getting with child, suffering through childbirth, the death of a child or risk her life in the name of loving a man.

Lord Logan McKinney, a Scotsman unafraid of what others think, needs a wife. He needs a wife with money so that he may restore McKinney Castle and provide well for his younger siblings. He hopes to be fortunate enough to meet a woman that will stimulate him both with mind and body. He's nearly given up hope of finding such a woman and is about to settle for Lady Libba, Lord Thrumgoodie's granddaughter when he discovers Cleopatra Hadley. He sets out to win her over and claim her heart as well as her fortune. Cleo, however, is determined to discourage him even as she craves his kiss and more.

From the beginning pages of LESSONS FROM A SCANDALOUS BRIDE by Sophie Jordan, the reader is caught by heart-tugging images and carried through Cleo and Logan's turbulent yet irresistible relationship. The pages seem to turn themselves as the story moves forward. Sophie Jordan touches on the greatest fear that plagues nearly every woman at some point in her life - the dangers that accompany the wonder of childbirth. Sophie has created a strong yet frightened character in Cleo that most readers will feel themselves connecting with on many levels. Nature cannot be ignored. In Logan, she's created a strong, family-oriented man that you'll easily fall in love with just as Cleo does and when tragedy strikes, you'll find yourself holding your breath till the outcome even though we all know deep down there must be a happily-ever-after or hope anyway.

LESSONS FROM A SCANDALOUS BRIDE by Sophie Jordan treats you to delightfully touching moments, heart-tugging images and emotions that will carry you through the pages with joy, touching romance and some steamy scenes that will have you panting for more. You'll delight in the robust highlander that would rather turn the ton on its ear rather than succumb to propriety.

Sophie Jordan has done it again with LESSONS FROM A SCANDALOUS BRIDE. This is the second book in the Forgotten Princesses series.(less)

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Aug 17, 2012 Melinda rated it 4 of 5 stars

Miss Cleopatra Hadley is not your usual debutante. This is a young woman who knows how it is to be poor, to live each day as if it is your last. Everything changes when her real father comes for her. Now years later it is her duty to marry seeing as she is now over the age to capture a young husband. Her mother always taught her to never marry without love for if you marry with no love it will be marriage of hate and scorn. This is something that Cleo keeps reminding herself that her upcoming ma...more

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Aug 24, 2012 Ash Ash rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical

The second book in the Forgotten Princess series about the second Illegitimate daughter of Jack Hadley aka Cleo Hadley and Scottish Lord Logan McKinney .. Cleo lived with her mother, step father and step siblings until adulthood.. Jack Hadley searches for his illegitimate children and finally finds Cleo.. His man pays Cleo's Step father some money and takes away Cleo to London.. Jack wants Cleo to get married to a English nobleman with a title so he offers her a huge dowry to make her one of the...more

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Aug 22, 2012 Daisy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: egalley, own

Guys, I've raved about Sophie Jordan's amazing talent when it comes to writing swoonworthy historical romance before. And I'm going to do it again, cause I absolutely LOVED Lessons From a Scandalous Bride!!!

I mean, gosh, this was just everything I wanted from a historical romance! It had a likeable heroine who had issues that were not because of being a bit cray-cray in the head, but real issues. A swoonworthy hero who totally made me cry, wonderful tension and believable romance. ALL THE THINGS...more

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Jul 12, 2012 Danielle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: review

Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick

I really enjoy this story. I liked the chemistry between Cleo and Logan. I liked the dynamics between them.

Cleopatra Hadley has wants no part of being married. She has watched her mother time and again get used and discarded by her step father one too many times and is not a fan of the consequences. So when her long father comes to collect her in the hopes that she will marry and marry well she know she must think of a plan. She decides to set...more Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick

I really enjoy this story. I liked the chemistry between Cleo and Logan. I liked the dynamics between them.

Cleopatra Hadley has wants no part of being married. She has watched her mother time and again get used and discarded by her step father one too many times and is not a fan of the consequences. So when her long father comes to collect her in the hopes that she will marry and marry well she know she must think of a plan. She decides to set her cap for Lord Thrumgoodie who is just one step from the grave. She knows that he would never be able to consummate the marriage and that is exactly what she wants.

Lord Logan McKinney is a nobleman from Scotland and desperately needs to find an heiress to marry. His castle is falling apart and there is no money to take care of his family. He knows it's his duty to marry an heiress but all his plans go awry after meeting the vibrant Cleo. She tempts him as no other has and he can't deny that the more he's around her the closer he wants to be to her. There is just something about her that pulls him in and he finds it increasingly difficult to stay away.

Cleo wants no parts of Logan. Yes, he has awakened desires inside of her she didn't know she had or even craved, but there is no way she can be trapped into a marriage like her mother was. What starts out as a innocent kiss quickly leads to more and the two soon find it impossible to keep their hands off of each other.
Cleo knows she must resist Logan, but how can she when his kisses are like a drug and she keeps wanting more.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I loved the chemistry between Logan and Cleo. It was refreshing. Logan is thoroughly pursuing Cleo throughout most of the story and I quite enjoyed it. It's not too often when we see a hero so persistent. I like that Logan was able to help bring Cleo defenses down. Not only that, but he was incredibly passionate and tender with her.

I liked Cleo but at times she had me a bit frustrated. She was so hung up on what happened with her mother that she doesn't look to see what's right in front of her. She continuously pushes Logan away because she doesn't want to let him in or tell him the truth. I just hated that she was so stubborn at times.

All in all, I really enjoyed this story and I look forward to the next installment in the series.

**ARC copy provided by Edelweiss**(less)

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Jul 05, 2012 Lisa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: sophie-jordan, historical-romance, edelweiss

Miss Cleopatra Hadley grew up impoverished with her mother and stepfather and has just delivered yet another stillborn babe to be buried when she vows to never be at the mercy of a man, never let her body betray her. When her birth father suddenly appears in her life, she goes with him in exchange for enough money to keep her mother and all her siblings in a decent life. A bit of time passes and Cleo has begun a campaign to wed a doddering old earl, in part to please her father with the English...more Miss Cleopatra Hadley grew up impoverished with her mother and stepfather and has just delivered yet another stillborn babe to be buried when she vows to never be at the mercy of a man, never let her body betray her. When her birth father suddenly appears in her life, she goes with him in exchange for enough money to keep her mother and all her siblings in a decent life. A bit of time passes and Cleo has begun a campaign to wed a doddering old earl, in part to please her father with the English title he so wants in his family but more since she knows her marriage will unlikely be consummated. Her plans go awry though when a Scottish man appears and tempts her body and her heart. With the threat of harm coming to her siblings if she does not marry and pay more money quickly and a jealous nephew also at her neck, how can Cleo let go of the past to embrace a happy future?

Lord Logan McKinney needs to marry an heiress quickly to help his family and his falling down castle. He had decided on a lady, and while she will do, she does not stir his blood like the delightful Cleo. Once he meets Cleo, he knows she is the one for him. Convincing Cleo that the attraction that burns between them proves to be very difficult but Logan uncovers the clues surrounding Cleo's instance of a loveless marriage and takes steps to protect her and her family. But when circumstances force the couple together before Cleo is ready to let Logan in, can Logan find a way to show Cleo that love is possible as well respect or will Cleo's fear override her heart until it is too late?

Oh, what a delightful, witty, sexy book! The attraction between Cleo and Logan just leaps off the pages! But I admired Cleo for standing firm with her beliefs and also with her knowledge that she was soon to be engaged to another man. She refuses to let herself fall for a man, just to be used physically and emotionally as she can not stand the toll it has taken on her poor mother and wants to do whatever she can to provide for them, even if it means sacrificing her happiness. The beginning of this story is very sad and sets up Cleo wonderfully. Her dedication to her family and to herself was a delight to read and I loved when Logan arrived and upended all her careful plans. Cleo continues to push Logan away and that got a bit tiring at times but Logan was persistent and was the perfect man to break down her defenses. I loved the epilogue, it brought happy tears to my eyes, but I would have liked to have seen more resolved with Cleo family situation and I also thought her change of heart was just a tad abrupt. The ending is fast paced and exciting and I breezed through this book and was disappointed that I had to let go of these characters already! Overall, a wonderful romance that is sure to make you smile, laugh, sigh and cheer. 4 stars

Review copy provided by Avon through edelweiss.com
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Jan 28, 2013 Lori Meehan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: a-z-challenge-2013

I enjoyed this second book of the Forgotten Princesses series. Cleo and Logan had great chemistry. This book is a great example of how ones fears can rule your life and keep you from really living. Logan's family were fun and I fell in love with Josie even though she had such a small part. I can't wait for Annalise's book she was very shy and sweet. I'm looking forward to see the type of man that she falls for.
Sophie Jordan writes wonderful historical romance and I highly recommend her books.

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Feb 13, 2013 Alexandra Brooks rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: scottish-heartbreaker, sexy-alpha-male, swoon-worthy-man, sweet-tender-and-talented-male, good-romance, good-series, likeable-heroine

Logan is a strapping Scottish lord seeking an heiress. Cleo is reluctant to wed anyone who might stir her passions. She's determined to learn from her past and not end up like her mother. She's terrified. Logan and Cleo meet and are drawn to each other. They share a brightly burning desire for the other. Cleo tries to fight it, Logan tries to understand. They fight, they embrace. Their romance is turbulent, angsty and passionate. I very satisfying romance.

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Sep 20, 2012 Melanie rated it 3 of 5 stars

The Forgotten Princesses. Cleopatra learns she is one of the daughters of a wealthy man. She will receive a portion of that weath if she marries into society. Her mother taught her to fear a man in marriage. Lord Logan McKinney is one of those dangerous men that her mother warned her about. Love teaches Cleo that not all dangerous men make bad husbands and Logan learns that a woman ca be an equal.

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Jul 31, 2012 Michelle rated it 4 of 5 stars

He may have not started his life on the right path but Cleo’s father is trying to make good by providing a large dowry to his daughters but only if they marry into society. But marriage is not what Cleo wants for her life; she’s seen what it’s done to her mother so she just wants her freedom. But she must play her father’s game so that she can plan on how to escape marriage. Nothing prepared her for Lord Logan who initially noticed Cleo because of her dowry but once he saw her, he saw no other w...more

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Aug 11, 2012 Tabetha Waite rated it 5 of 5 stars

Sophie Jordan is one of my favorite authors. She knows how to spin a story that is believable and sweet, but with plenty of romantic chemistry. The same is true with Cleo and McKinney. There was plenty of steamy attraction between these two that made you want to keep turning the pages! And I can't wait for the next book in the series!

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Aug 12, 2012 Brittany rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reads, 2012-romance-challenge

I like the back story an the character development but felt the story line was lacking an wasn't anything special. I was sorta disappointed after the previous book in the series. I liked the twists but they weren't huge or plot altering an a bit overdone an sappy.

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Nov 25, 2012 Eve rated it 3 of 5 stars

Pleasantly surprised by this one. 3-1/2 stars. I liked Cleo and her background actually made sense given her issue in the book (which admittedly did take a bit too long to overcome) but nevertheless enjoyable.

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About Sophie Jordan

Pseudonym:
Sharie Kohler

Sophie Jordan took her adolescent daydreaming one step further and penned her first historical romance in the back of her high school Spanish class. This passion led her to pursue a degree in English and History.

A brief stint in law school taught her that case law was not nearly as interesting as literature - teaching English seemed the natural recourse. After several years...more

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Books by Sophie Jordan

Sins of a Wicked Duke (The Penwich School for Virtuous Girls #1)

Wicked in Your Arms (Forgotten Princesses, #1)

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Lessons from a Scandalous Bride (Forgotten Princesses #2)

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