One Naughty Night (The Scandalous St. Claires, #1) by Laurel McKee

Jul 07, 2012 Rane rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: victorian-romance, keeper

“Sexuality is half poison and half liberation. What’s the line? I don’t have a line. ”
― Lady Gaga

I'm a sucker for dark sensual and sexual romances. One Naughty Night gave, and gave me more with two characters that craved more out of life, and took their chances and that leap of faith to reach their goals.

Lily St. Claire and Aidan Huntington come from family with a long history of hate between them. One from a well known family of rising stars of the theater another from a great ton family. L...more

19 likes · like · see review

Jun 09, 2012 Baba ♥♥♥ Marcus, Tyler, Tate, Dan, Ty, & Hunter rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historicals, erotica-erotic-romance

FULL REVIEW NOW POSTED

He went very still and took her hands in his, their fingers entwined as he held them down against the bed. He rose up and stared into her eyes. She looked back at him, and for just an instant, they were completely open to each other. Completely bound to each other. It felt like the center of a whirling storm, a moment of perfect stillness amid the thunder and noise of the world.

Yes, I am torn.

3.5 stars.

A shout out to my friend Diana
I know you were happy when you saw me rea...more

16 likes · like · see review

Feb 04, 2013 Melanie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Ever since the feuds between the Capulet’s and the Montague’s, Hatfield’s and McCoy’s, I’ve been drawn to love stories of these ‘at dagger’s drawn’ families. There’s just something about all of them that touches and engages in me a range of emotions. I believe that this is what Ms. McKee tried and, at least in my case, succeeded to convey with this story.

In her first book of this series, she introduces us to the St. Claire and Huntington family via Lily and Aidan.
Lily St. Claire is an adopted ch...more Ever since the feuds between the Capulet’s and the Montague’s, Hatfield’s and McCoy’s, I’ve been drawn to love stories of these ‘at dagger’s drawn’ families. There’s just something about all of them that touches and engages in me a range of emotions. I believe that this is what Ms. McKee tried and, at least in my case, succeeded to convey with this story.

In her first book of this series, she introduces us to the St. Claire and Huntington family via Lily and Aidan.
Lily St. Claire is an adopted child of the St. Claire family and never the less, much loved by her parents and siblings. She spent her early childhood on the streets of London, watching her mother slowly dying and trying to outrun Tom Beaumont, a man who would have her become a prostitute, after her mother's death. Her luck changes as she meets St. Claire’s and Lily gets a chance to belong to a real family.

Aidan Huntington is a typical second son of a duke, who’s really not much impressed with his station in life and in order to avoid his family, takes to the road and gives his all to passion of writing plays.

The first meeting between these two lonely people occurs outside of the theater and neither knows the identity of the other. As Lily runs out of it feeling that she’s failed her family’s expectations of becoming a hit in a play, she finds comfort in a conversation and a passionate kiss from a total stranger.

It’s now three years later and Aidan’s travels have taken him far and wide, but now he’s home and he still feels there’s much of life left to be lived before he shackles himself to a wife. Lily on the other hand has been married and widowed by now, and is trying to make good use of her time by helping her brother succeed in establishing himself as a gaming hell proprietor.

There are a lot of things one’s attracted to certain authors and their story telling. We look for plots, pace and prose to take us to places we at times just dream about. For me, the characterization of the main players is what I look forward to the most. I just love to dissect the reasons behind the behavior of everyone in the story, and Ms. McKee never fails to impress in that regard. The character of Lily St Claire is a complex and yet easy to comprehend once we’re given a glimpse of her childhood, and that goes for the character of Aidan. Both come with some baggage yet neither is hiding behind it and freely are admitting and embracing their sexuality. I just thought them a perfect match!

This story’s quick pace, well written dialogue and some really hot scenes kept me glued to my Kindle and I highly recommend and give it my Five Quills. I am totally ready for the second one in the series ‘Two Sinful Secrets’ landlady Sophia Huntington’s adventure.

Melanie for RCJR eZine

Book provided by NetGalley.(less)

like · see review

Sep 23, 2012 Rebecca rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley, read-in-2012, review-copy

Lily St. Claire Nichols’s adopted brother has set up a gambling club, and the Duke of Carston wants to invest, so he sends his son, Lord Aidan Huntington to look into it, and decide whether it is a good investment or not. Her family has hated his family for years, so her brothers don’t like it when Aidan shows up at the club, an later the theater.
Lily was raised on the streets after running away from the brothel where her mother had worked. Tom Beaumont kidnapped her, and forced her to become a...more

1 like · like · see review

May 22, 2012 Mary Gramlich rated it 5 of 5 stars

Are you really that mysterious or is that just an act to get my attention?

Lily St. Claire was literally plucked off the street and raised up from poverty by the generosity of her adopted family. The long seeded grudge that they held against the Huntington family was as deeply embedded in her as if she were a true member of the family. What surprise was she to behold when the one bane of her existence turns out to the joy of her life, Lord Aiden Huntington.

Aiden has always kept his emotions and i...more

2 likes · like · see review

May 30, 2012 Diana~ rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, regency-romance, author-laurel-mckee, 2012-reads, amazon-kindle, made-me-cry

“You can tell me to stay away, if that’s what you want. I can’t promise I will do it, but you can tell me to.”

And that was exactly what she should do. But it was not what she wanted to do. Lily was suddenly weary of doing what she should do. She wanted to cease to be cautious for a moment, to be mischievous and seize life as her siblings did. Even as she knew it would not end well.

I absolutely adored the love story of Lily St. Claire and Aidan Huntington. It was sweet, extremely hot, and jus...more

“You can tell me to stay away, if that’s what you want. I can’t promise I will do it, but you can tell me to.”

And that was exactly what she should do. But it was not what she wanted to do. Lily was suddenly weary of doing what she should do. She wanted to cease to be cautious for a moment, to be mischievous and seize life as her siblings did. Even as she knew it would not end well.

I absolutely adored the love story of Lily St. Claire and Aidan Huntington. It was sweet, extremely hot, and just heartbreaking at the same time. Their attraction to one another was just irresistible! One Naughty Night is simply a great start to a wonderful series about the St. Claire family. I can't wait to read Two Sinful Secrets, which features Lily's brother, Dominic St. Claire, and Aidan's cousin, Sophia Huntington next! We do get a glimpse of the start of their relationship in this book as well as a possible romance between Aidan's brother (David, the heir to the Dukedom) and Lily's younger sister (Isabel, the shining star of the Majestic theater). I can't wait! This book had romance, suspense, and plenty of hot scenes between Lily and Aidan.

“I… I have to go,” she whispered. He stood up beside her, not trying to touch her again. His blue eyes glowed in the shadows. “Where can I find you?” he said hoarsely.

She shook her head. He was a dream—and she had to wake up now. She whirled around and ran away from him, lifting her skirts to flee once again. “Wait! Please,” he called after her. But she didn’t dare look back.

Lily St. Claire is the first sibling to get her HEA in the series. Unlike her brothers and sister, Lily was actually adopted by the St. Claire's when she was a little girl... after trying to pick pocket Mr. St. Claire. Her past is her own story to tell, but I'll briefly explain it. Lily's childhood before she got adopted was actually really sad. After her mother's death, she ran away and met Tom Beaumont -- he is one sick, cruel, and disgusting man. Well, soon after she was adopted, he was caught and sent away to Australia and believed that Lily was the reason that this had happened. Which is why now he wants to enact revenge on her and her family.

She started to turn away, but he caught her hand and raised it to his lips for a quick kiss, his mouth hot through her glove. “You won’t escape me that easily, Lily,” he whispered.

Lily grows up to be a beautiful woman, even though she doesn't think so, and ends up meeting Aidan after her failing rendition of Juliet in the St. Claire's opening play of Romeo and Juliet in their theater. Lily has never forgotten about Aidan -- even though she ended up marrying Harry Nichols, but he died two years later. Three years have passed since then and their attraction towards one another is hotter than ever.

Overall, I'm really glad that I decided to read this book. I needed my historical romance fix and this certainly did the job! (less)

10 likes · like · see review

Jan 27, 2013 Daneesha rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

More like many naughty nights...a quick read, BUT this book only gets 3 stars. I liked Lily and Aidan. However, a couple of things kept me from loving this book:

1. The origin of the Huntington and St. Claire feud. It was so vague. I thought the author had a great idea with a page from the diary of the woman whose ill-fated romance began the feud. Yet, it was only one page at the beginning of the book. Maybe it will be better explained since this is Book 1 in this series. However, it KEPT being b...more

like · see review

Jun 07, 2012 Kimberly rated it 4 of 5 stars

Review written for www.books-n-kisses.com

4.5 Stars
What an intriguing story. There is so much happening in this book and yet it seemed like I could not get enough of it. I can not wait for the next one to come out!

Aidan and Lily are fascinating characters and written really well. The reader is pulled into their story almost from page one. Lily’s background is so filled with adventure it is hard to believe one person could live that life yet the way it is written you do not feel overwhelmed by it....more

1 like · like · see review

Jun 19, 2012 SOS Aloha rated it 4 of 5 stars

How far that little candle throws its beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world. - Shakespeare

Lord Aidan Huntington does a good deed for Lily St. Claire - neither realizing that the other is from an "infamous family" that is the sworn enemy. Years later, their paths cross again, their passion engulfs them, and mystery lurks from their past. Regency favorite Laurel McKee delivers another winning story that warms the heart. This time, she steps outside the ballrooms to spotlight a quirky "co...more

2 likes · like · see review

Jun 19, 2012 Farrah rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review also appears on my blog at http://www.thegoldenruleof666.blogspo...

Absolutely magnificent! One Naughty Night is a book full of romance and thrills, with plot twists you'll never see coming.

Lily was an intensely loyal character, which I really admired. Since the St. Claires took her in, she is loyal to them. This caused her to go along wholeheartedly with the feud. Imagine her surprise when she finds out that she actually likes one of those Huntingtons. Bu that's what was great about...more This review also appears on my blog at http://www.thegoldenruleof666.blogspo...

Absolutely magnificent! One Naughty Night is a book full of romance and thrills, with plot twists you'll never see coming.

Lily was an intensely loyal character, which I really admired. Since the St. Claires took her in, she is loyal to them. This caused her to go along wholeheartedly with the feud. Imagine her surprise when she finds out that she actually likes one of those Huntingtons. Bu that's what was great about her. She didn't stick with old notions and stubbornly refuse to accept her love for Aidan. But she did feel torn between her two loyalties. I felt for her struggle and I was very happy with the way she settled the internal conflict. I was so glad that she won her happy ending after going through so much in life. Truly, Lily is a character anyone would cheer for.

Aidan was an absolute delight. You never know what to expect from him. To say he was an interesting character is an understatement. I loved how he would do just about anything for Lily. When it was clear that she was in danger, he didn't waste any time taking out whatever was threatening her. It was very sweet. The love between Lily and Aidan was strong and true. Through the very many obstacles put in their way, they would always triumph together. And this could be a deterrent or a benefit, depending on how you like your romance, but the sex scenes were HOT. Like there-must-be-steam-rising-straight-out-of-the-book hot. And there were quite a few of them, more than a standard romance, with a little more variety (dominatrix anyone?). Since the level of the steaminess in higher than average, I think that it merits mention. But, moving back to Aidan, I adored him. He was a perfect, entertaining hero who never does what you expect. It was very fun reading about him.

The plot, as I said earlier, is full of twists. One in particular I never saw coming. It kept the story interesting. The St. Claires were so fun. Lily adoptive siblings were so entertaining. I can't wait to hear their stories. I believe the next one is about Dominic, so I'm excited to hear more about the golden boy. I'm sure it will be fun ;)

So, One Naughty Night is a delightful read. I LOVED it!

5/5

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy!(less)

like · see review

May 17, 2012 Jess rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: for_review, historical, family_sibling_series

Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
Blog rating: 4.5/5

Lily couldn't stop herself. She went up on tiptoe to frame his face in her palms, tracing the sharp line of his cheekbones, the wings of his brows. She gently used her fingertips to urge his eyes to close, and when they did, she kissed him.

She had never craved a kiss so much. Aidan tasted of champagne and mint, of that deep, masculine darkness that was only him. She traced the tip of her tongue over the softness of his sensual lower li...more Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
Blog rating: 4.5/5

Lily couldn't stop herself. She went up on tiptoe to frame his face in her palms, tracing the sharp line of his cheekbones, the wings of his brows. She gently used her fingertips to urge his eyes to close, and when they did, she kissed him.

She had never craved a kiss so much. Aidan tasted of champagne and mint, of that deep, masculine darkness that was only him. She traced the tip of her tongue over the softness of his sensual lower lip, craving more. Craving all of him.

I am completely in love with the St. Claire and Huntington families. Not only did this first book in a new series by Laurel McKee have me thoroughly enjoying the story between Lily and Aidan, I was just as drawn into both their families and the supporting characters who were involved just enough to add interest to their own stories that will be coming up in the series. But, this was Lily and Aidan's story and I enjoyed everything about it, from the suspense coming from a man from Lily's past to her and Aidan's naughtiness in the bedroom.

Lily was adopted into the St. Claire family after she was caught as a young girl trying to pick pocket Mr. St. Claire. Instead of turning her over to the authorities, he and his wife Katherine, took her in and treated her as one of their own children. Lily had been living on the streets, trying to survive after her mother's death and her path crossed with Tom Beaumont, a man corrupt and evil, pulling in people down on their luck who don't have a choice of saying no to his offers and using them for his own criminal gain. Thievery, prostitution or worse, Lily got caught in this world, and after the St. Claire's gave her a better life, Tom was captured and sent away to Australia. He put two and two together when his capture happens right after Lily is taken into her new family and he blames her entirely. He's back and wants revenge. The suspense portion of the story revolves around Tom causing pain to Lily and her family as he tries to make her pay for what he's gone through.

Aidan and Lily first meet one night at her family's theater and now three years later, their paths cross again. Lily is a young widow, her first marriage was nothing to write home about, her husband wanted her to be someone she wasn't and after his death, she moves back home and takes over her family's accounts for both their theater and most recently her brothers' new venture, a gaming hall. That's part of what I loved about this story. The St. Claire's aren't high in society, but they're hard working and with running the theater and the gaming hall, they do indirectly run in the same circles as the titled. But, the characters are so much fun, in their unique way. I love that Lily is working hard at both businesses and enjoys what she does. She loves her family so much and would do anything to help them. She's close to her siblings, who are all interesting characters, and I liked how strong she was. When it came to Aidan, he made her feel things that she never has before and it made her be adventurous and open up with him like she hasn't done with anyone else.

Aidan and Lily's relationship fits the title of this book - it's very naughty. I wasn't expecting it to be as sexy as it was, but these two characters enjoy each other, many times, and they don't hold back. Nothing is off limits for them together and they have some incredibly sexy and yummy scenes together.

"Having fun?" he asked.

Lily tilted back her head to smile up at him. He watched her with hooded eyes, a half-smile on his lips.

"Very much," she said. "I haven't been dancing in years. You're very good at this."

His smiled deepened, revealing that enticing little crease in his cheek. "Oh, I have many hidden talents, Lily. If you're nice to me, I just might show them to you."

She bit her lip as she remembered the "hidden talents" he had already shown her. If they got any more intense, they would surely make her faint away. "Perhaps I have a few secret talents of my own."

Aidan laughed and lifted her higher in his arms. "I have no doubt of that at all. You show me yours and I'll show you mine?"

Both families get great introductions in this book. The St. Claire's and the Huntington's history is connected through one event that happened many years ago. The St. Claire's were ruined by the Huntington's and still hold a grudge to this day. Because of that, Lily's brothers have very strong feelings about her seeing Aidan and don't approve. Aidan proves himself in time, but this allows us to get to know not only Lily's brothers and her sister, but Aidan's older brother David (a hermit who Lily also describes as a wild man) and his cousin, Sophia (who I already love - she has a love of gambling and has caught the eye of Lily's brother Dominic) and we get a good idea about how this family will continue to intersect through various relationships coming up in the series.

I completely enjoyed this story. The characters all grabbed my attention and I love the dialogue between everyone, especially Lily and Aidan, their humor and back and forth banter was really enjoyable. The suspense with Tom was well done, he's a little over the top for a villain, but I did like the position it put Aidan in as being there for Lily and her having someone outside her family take such an interest in her safety. I highly recommend this book, and will be coming back for more of the St. Claire's when the next book comes out later this year.(less)

5 likes · like · see review

Jun 06, 2012 Danielle rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: review

Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick

What to say about this book. I'm so torn because on one hand I enjoyed the first quarter of this book immensely, but the rest just annoyed me and I actually had to walk away at one point because I was so annoyed. Let me explain...

In the beginning of the book I loved, loved the chemistry between Lily and Aidan. I especially love the fact that even though Lily isn't part of the ton that Aidan is still drawn to her. I loved that Aidan is such a...more Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick

What to say about this book. I'm so torn because on one hand I enjoyed the first quarter of this book immensely, but the rest just annoyed me and I actually had to walk away at one point because I was so annoyed. Let me explain...

In the beginning of the book I loved, loved the chemistry between Lily and Aidan. I especially love the fact that even though Lily isn't part of the ton that Aidan is still drawn to her. I loved that Aidan is such a recluse and class doesn't mean much to him. He sees others just as people and nothing more. But as the book goes on their chemistry can only go so far. The relationship between Lily and Aidan becomes monotonous and stilted. All they do with each other is have sex and don't get me wrong, some of their encounters are pretty steamy but it just becomes a bit much after awhile. Can we please see something else. I understand that they are both extremely attracted to one another but I felt like there wasn't much character growth with either character. They are both the same person they were when the story began.

I feel as if the story is lacking because the author just focuses on the sexytimes occurring between Lily and Aidan. There were many opportunities to take the actual conflict of the story and make it so much more but it was just blah. I never was able to connect with it and I never really cared about it either way. I think that there was so much we were being introduced to and being told that the author never really focuses on each properly. I understand that some things are being set up for future books but with so much going on we never get the full closure we need on a few of the things.

All in all, the story wasn't a complete waste. I did enjoy the chemistry between Lily and Aidan and I'm really curious to see is going to happen with some of the other characters. The next story looks really good and I really want to see how things are going to transpire.

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

like · see review

Jun 05, 2012 Jen (Red Hot Books) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Lily St Claire knows what life is like on both sides of the tracks. She is the adopted daughter of a successful theater family. But before they took her under their wing, she was the orphaned daughter of a drug-addicted whore. She had to scrape and steal to survive and barely escaped from a horrible street criminal who wanted her for his own.

Once the St Claire's took her in, she learned about love and family. She lived a safe life, marrying a man for duty and doing the all things she thought she...more Lily St Claire knows what life is like on both sides of the tracks. She is the adopted daughter of a successful theater family. But before they took her under their wing, she was the orphaned daughter of a drug-addicted whore. She had to scrape and steal to survive and barely escaped from a horrible street criminal who wanted her for his own.

Once the St Claire's took her in, she learned about love and family. She lived a safe life, marrying a man for duty and doing the all things she thought she was supposed to. Now that she is a widow, she is back in the bosom of her family and helping them launch a new gaming hall. But her carefully ordered life is about to come tumbling down around her.

Aidan actually met Lily once, years ago, and shared a passionate kiss. He reenters her life as he checks out the St Claire family's new venture. He's attracted to her --and intrigued. She is a woman full of mysteries and contradictions. The story follows the progression of their relationship and the dangers Lily faces as her past comes back to haunt her.

I can't say that I loved this one. Maybe part of it is because it has some light BDSM elements and I'm not a fan of that brand of kink. But I don't really think that's it. The role that it played in the story just didn't make sense to me. Lily abhorred the brothel where she grew up and was disgusted and ashamed by her mother and what she did. Somehow, though, she inherited her mother's "dark gift" --it's a part of her. Is this some kind of hereditary gene I don't know about? --And it's not just the bondage and the spanking, but the constant sexing at inappropriate times and places that bothered me. The sex they have in the brothel, in particular, didn't work for me because it should be last thing Lily wants to do, considering her past.

I guess the sex, for me, was the biggest fail in the book, but it wasn't my only problem. I just wasn't engaged by the main characters. I don't feel like I ever really got to know Aiden. The side story with Harry and the letters was a total red herring. The feud was ridiculous. I honestly felt like the best thing the book had going for it was the set-up we got for future installments in the series. I'm intrigued by a possible story for Lily's brother and Aiden's cousin. Maybe that one will be a better fit. This one just didn't ring my bell.

Rating: C-

*ARC Provided by NetGalley(less)

1 like · like · see review

Jun 09, 2012 Dottie rated it 4 of 5 stars

An action-packed read rated at 4.5. Taken from my review at RomanceJunkies.com.

After the death of her mother, Lily had lived on the streets, trying to survive. One day, while trying to pick the pocket Mr. St. Claire, she was surprised when instead of turning her into the authorities, he and his wife had taken her in, treating her as one of their own. They have always considered her a St. Claire, but Lily cannot forget where she came from. She had tried to fit into their acting world. However, un...more An action-packed read rated at 4.5. Taken from my review at RomanceJunkies.com.

After the death of her mother, Lily had lived on the streets, trying to survive. One day, while trying to pick the pocket Mr. St. Claire, she was surprised when instead of turning her into the authorities, he and his wife had taken her in, treating her as one of their own. They have always considered her a St. Claire, but Lily cannot forget where she came from. She had tried to fit into their acting world. However, unlike her brothers and sisters, she has no talent on the stage. But she cannot forget the man who had sat and talked to her on the night that she had bombed at the theatre. Hearing her adopted mother calling her, she had run off that night without telling him her name or getting his. Now three years later, she is a widow and she and her brothers are opening a gaming club called The Devil’s Fancy. While getting the club ready, she sees a carriage, driven by a handsome man, who waves at her. It isn’t until he has gone by that she realizes that he is the man she met three years ago. When her brother Dominic sees the carriage, he gets angry. That is when she discovers that the man is a Huntington and an enemy of her family. The St. Claires had met financially ruin due to a Huntington a century ago. As a St. Claire, she knows she should share her family’s feelings, but she just cannot forget how he had been that night.

Lord Aidan Huntington, the son of a duke, is known as a rake, but he has never forgotten the one night he had kissed the woman at the theatre three years ago. They had shared a kiss before she had taken off without telling him her name. Now three years later, he gets a glimpse of her as he is out riding. However, Huntington is the least of her problems because Tom is out of jail and searching for her and retribution.

As Lily and Aidan continue secretly meeting, she feels guilty about her feelings for him. But perhaps, she can make amends by restoring her family’s fortune. However, an evil from her past, before the St. Claire family took her in, may end her plans as he draws her back into the seedy underworld and maybe even destroy any future she might have with Aidan.

A steamy, action-packed read, ONE NAUGHTY NIGHT, the first novel in award winning author Laurel McKee’s THE SCANDALOUS ST. CLAIRES series, is a vividly portrayed, sensual historical romance. Through Ms. McKee’s beautiful prose, this story is brought to life, captivating the reader from the very first page. Brimming with emotion, a century long grudge, complex characters, including an evil villain bent on revenge, witty banter, danger, suspense, sizzling hot passion and romance, this story is a winner. I look forward to reading the next story in this wonderful series, TWO SINFUL SECRETS, which is due out in December. In the meantime, do not miss ONE NAUGHTY NIGHT.

Dottie, RomanceJunkies.com
(less)

like · see review

Jul 03, 2012 Dee rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, arc-net-galley, reviewed-netgalley, erotic-romance

3/5 stars

I think the title for this book is wrong…It should have been MANY Naughty Nights

I really struggled with deciding on what to give this book, the author's style of writing is very good and the words flow well. I also liked the story but I do think there could have been a lot more to it and had great potential to be expanded but the author didn’t!

So what was the problem? Why am I not gushing about it? - Well I can wrap the major complaint up in one word….SEX! Most of my reading pals know t...more

7 likes · like · see review

Jun 15, 2012 Lynelle rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is the 1st book in her series The Scandalous St. Claires and it reveals many interesting characters. This first book along with telling Lily and Aidan’s story, but it sets up for future stories around the other family members that I find that I’m pretty eager to find out their stores as well ;)

Lily St. Claire was born and grew up on the wrong side of the streets until one day she came across the St. Claires and they decided to adopt her. There is much love in her family, but she feels herse...more This is the 1st book in her series The Scandalous St. Claires and it reveals many interesting characters. This first book along with telling Lily and Aidan’s story, but it sets up for future stories around the other family members that I find that I’m pretty eager to find out their stores as well ;)

Lily St. Claire was born and grew up on the wrong side of the streets until one day she came across the St. Claires and they decided to adopt her. There is much love in her family, but she feels herself separate from them, even though they never treat her that way. Her St. Claire family is very big in the theater and even though she tried once and failed to be an actress, she found a way to help her family out by doing the books for various businesses, as she has found she is very good at numbers.

Aidan Huntington is the second son of a duke, who feels like he doesn’t really belong in a ducal home. He has traveled, and has made many friends in all walks of life. He has a passion for theater and wants to write plays, but he keeps his true self secret from his family because he knows they wouldn’t approve. Aidan is very protective and loyal and when he wants something, he doesn’t stop till he gets it.

Lily and Aidan met as strangers in the dark of night after Lily’s failed attempt as Juliet and found a comfort with each and share a passionate kiss until Lily runs off. Three years later they have once again stumbled onto each other and they are just drawn to each other, and the more and more they are together the more the need is. Until Lily’s past collides with her present, she is determined to keep her past a secret and to deal with a specific person from her past on her own.

I only have a couple things that stuck out to me that bugged me in the story. I found the side story of Aidan’s friend Freddy, who had tried to pursue Lily, kind of pointless. I mean it gave a brief conflict between Lily and Aidan, other than that, could have done without it. Lily and Aidan are very intense and they can’t keep their hands off each other! While their sex scenes were pretty hot at times it felt somewhat repetitive, such as Aidan proclaiming how much Lily drives him crazy and how Lily goes from self doubting herself to being a seductive minx with a few touches.

The overall story I really liked and I found myself hooked as Lily’s past was revealed and how Aidan proved himself to more than just a carefree rake. I enjoyed Lily’s slow course to opening up to Aidan and even when she thought he would be disgusted by her past, she tells him anyway, and I love Aidan’s fierceness to be her protector. Despite that the St. Claires are determined to loathe the Huntingtons from an incident that happened 100 years in the past, Lily can’t stay away from Aidan.

ARC provided by NetGalley (less)

like · see review

Jun 02, 2012 Nita rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, fiction, arc, read-2012

I'm hoping this ends up being one of those series that gets better after the first book. I like the concept, I love the characters, and the romance was hot, but the story in this one fell flat for me.

Aidan and Lily meet on the night of Lily's failed theater debut. After flirting and a kiss, they do not meet again for three years. Now a widow, Lily is helping her brothers set up a gaming den. Once a respectable family of the ton, the St. Claire's now live on the edges of it as theater owners. Lil...more I'm hoping this ends up being one of those series that gets better after the first book. I like the concept, I love the characters, and the romance was hot, but the story in this one fell flat for me.

Aidan and Lily meet on the night of Lily's failed theater debut. After flirting and a kiss, they do not meet again for three years. Now a widow, Lily is helping her brothers set up a gaming den. Once a respectable family of the ton, the St. Claire's now live on the edges of it as theater owners. Lily was adopted by the St. Claire's as a young teen. Her mother, a prostitute addicted to opium, died when Lily was a child. Lily spent the years after her mother's death and before her adoption living on the street. Aidan and Lily meet again at the gaming den. Their attraction for each other is immediate and scorching and they can't seem to stay away from each other.

Here's the thing, Aidan is a Huntington and the St. Claire's hate the Huntington's. They were the cause of St. Claire's ruin a hundred years before. Lily knows she should stay away from Aidan. Her family would definitely not approve of their relationship. Aidan has no idea why the St. Claire's hate him. He does not know his ancestor one hundred years before ruined that family. From the description, I assumed there would be mutual hate between the families, but it seems to be all on the St. Claire's side. It was a bit odd, but maybe it will be different in future books.

The sex was a pleasant surprise for me. It was more on the erotic side, with some light bondage and horse crop whipping. It was well written and hot. I think though, the story could have used one less sex scene, and instead have one more with the two getting to know each other beyond sex; it would have added to a more believable love story.

I think I would have liked the story more if it had been more focused on the conflict between the two families, instead of Lily's past. I was more interested in the families and enjoyed reading those bits more than Lily dealing with the ugliness of her past.

I do plan on seeing where McKee takes this story in the next book. She had one scene between the next couple, Dominic St. Claire and Sophia Huntington in One Naughty Night that was quite intense. I hope that intensity continues in their book.

ARC provided through NetGalley.
(less)

1 like · like · see review

Jan 16, 2013 Kris rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, family-drama, historical-romance, series, romance

3 STARS

A hundred years ago a St. Claire married a Huntington and it ended in disaster with the St. Claires being dropped from society and taking up the Arts (theatre in this case). Lily St. Claire - adopted by the famous theatre family from a life on the streets - meets Aidan Huntington on her acting debut and neither will forget one another...fast forward a few years, Lily is now a widow opening a gambling establishment with her brothers and finds Aidan just as irresistible and has decided to...more

like · see review

Aug 01, 2012 Jess rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance-novels

On a steaminess scale of 1 to Black Dagger Brotherhood, this book rates a nine. It is a LOT hotter than you'd expect from a historical romance, which was quite a pleasant surprise. The plot doesn't suffer for it, either. I was expecting Romeo and Juliet with a happy ending, but Lily and Aidan ended up having so much more depth than that. I liked Lily's strength and her willingness to do whatever it took to protect her family. I also appreciated that Aidan was an alpha male, but could still talk...more

like · see review

Jun 25, 2012 Butterfly rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

In Love with Aiden, that's all I have to say

1 like · like · see review

Jul 20, 2012 AnneOK rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reads

How far that little candle throws its beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world. (Shakespeare)

From an Oklahoma (my home state) author who first caught my eye with her incredible “Daughters of Erin” series. I was so enchanted with Laurel McKee's Irish series that I immediately started searching for more books by her. I found that she also writes Regency romance under the pen name Amanda McCabe.

Now McKee gives readers the first glimpse into her new "Scandalous St. Claires" series with the be...more How far that little candle throws its beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world. (Shakespeare)

From an Oklahoma (my home state) author who first caught my eye with her incredible “Daughters of Erin” series. I was so enchanted with Laurel McKee's Irish series that I immediately started searching for more books by her. I found that she also writes Regency romance under the pen name Amanda McCabe.

Now McKee gives readers the first glimpse into her new "Scandalous St. Claires" series with the beautifully crafted debut of One Naughty Night. After a hundred years, the battle between the St. Claire and the Huntington families continues on. Lily St. Claire and Aidan Huntington are caught between the feuding families. She’s the illegitimate daughter of a prostitute and grew up on the streets of London before being adopted by a popular theater family. While still on the streets as a child, Lily was caught trying to pick the pocket of a Huntington. Aidan is the wealthy rakish second son of a Duke, who has artistic talents and makes a habit of hanging around lower-class citizens. Years later, her identity unbeknownst to him, Aidan falls hard and fast for the lovely former pick pocket.

McKee is a pro at serving up plenty of “naughty nights” filled with sizzling chemistry and sexual romps between Lily and Aidan. Of course, those “hidden and secret talents” the couple shared with one another scorched the pages. But the author also brings us a strong and compelling story of hardship and pain, corruption and evilness, revenge and forgiveness. Not only does the reader enjoy the emotional love story between Lily and Aidan, but also the profound closeness, protection, and love of family. The window is opened wide with a wonderful introduction to the St. Claire family for readers to catch hints of future storylines.

The second book in this promising new series, Two Sinful Secrets, will be Dominic St. Claire and Sophia Huntington's story. It is scheduled for release in December 2012. This reader is eagerly anticipating its arrival.
(less)

5 likes · like · see review

Jun 21, 2012 Shawna rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of steamy historical romance

Shelves: historical-romance, historical-romance-victorian, rt-book-reviews-4-stars, first-book-in-a-series, heroine-abused-traumatic-past-rape, brothers-sisters-cousins-family, laurel-mckee-amanda-mccabe, masquerade-hide-your-face-identity, revenge-deception-secrets-lies, star-crossed-lovers, series-scandalous-st-claires, 2012-reads, 4-to-5-stars, angsty-dark-heavy-lotsa-drama, backdoor-action-lovin-playin, bdsm-kink, bdsm-lite-mild, dirty-talk-turns-me-on, erotic-romance-erotica-romantica, favorite-love-scenes, hero-alpha, hero-authentic-uber-rake, hero-bedroom-bad-boy, hero-besotted-so-smitten-its-sexy, hero-black-sheep, hero-brooding, hero-duke-heir-to-dukedom, hero-expert-skilled-voracious-lover, hero-player-manwhore-sex-addict, hero-stalk-me-baby-possessive, hero-stud-mantel-hall-of-fame, hero-walking-hardon, heroine-commoner-lower-class, heroine-good-girl-tempted-gone-wild, heroine-miss-independent, hh-across-the-tracks, hh-aristocracy-nobility-royalty, hh-author-writer-quill-mighty-sword, heroine-kickass-spirited-strong, hh-disfigured-injured-scarred-ill, hh-servant-serving-working-class, hh-social-class-wealth-matters, hh-widow-or-widower, i-read-library, mystery-intrigue-espionage-subplot, reunions-are-sweeter-second-chances, stalker-alert, steam-4-smokin, steam-some-like-it-hard-rough-dirty, villain-uber-bad-nasty, yowza-hotness, hero-cad-rake-rogue-scoundrel

4 ½ stars – Victorian/Historical Romance

This is the first book I’ve read by author Laurel McKee and I was very pleasantly surprised. I really liked her writing style, the voice she gives to the characters, and the love scenes are fire alarm smokin’ hot! It’s very sensual, borderline erotic, and definitely steamier than most standard mass market historical romances. Let’s just say that Lily is a (view spoiler)...more

10 likes · like · see review

Aug 29, 2012 The_Book_Queen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: own, arc-copy, nor, romance, historical, england, read-in-2012, reviewed, one-of-my-favorites

Originally posted on TBQ's Book

Palace

~*~*~

Laurel McKee may be a new author to me, but she is now officially on my list for wickedly sexy historicals!

One Naughty Night lives up to its title (again...and again...and, well, you get the point)! As the first book in McKee's new series, we are introduced to the very interesting theater family, the St. Claires, and the family they've been feuding with for centuries, the titled Huntingtons. Based on how entertaining this book was, I have no doubt this...more

like · see review

Nov 23, 2012 Tanya rated it 2 of 5 stars

I was really in the mood for a historical romance but should have known when I came across the term "balls deep" near the beginning that I would be getting a little more than I bargained for. The draw of HR for me is the tension and this book didn't have any. There were so many sex scenes that I just started skimming past them. Other than the setting, it didn't even feel like a historic romance or a romance of any kind really worth rooting for.

like · see review

May 14, 2013 EllaMae Bee rated it 3 of 5 stars

While my homework does reveal that the F' word would have been used during the Victorian era I did find the usage of the word frequent and frustrating as its glaring presence pulled me from the story.

" the origins and usage of the “F” word, making it likely that the words was know in the 1820’s, but not used in polite conversation...."

"F--- has a multitude of slang synonyms such as screw, poke, plow, ride, sex, jazz ... with the rise of the middle class, and reached its zenith during the Victori...more

like · see review

Jul 07, 2012 Tammy Walton Grant marked it as to-read

So I added this book, then clicked over to Amazon to check it out. A word of warning when you search the title:

You start by looking for this book:

but what you can get is THIS one:

(Which actually sounds like a more fun read.)

Now I can't decide which book to buy. :(

3 likes · like · see review

Nov 02, 2012 Jennifer rated it 2 of 5 stars

Lily, an adopted member of the St. Claire family, finds herself in love with Lord Aidan Huntington, a member of some rival family. Half the time she is called Lily Nichols (her dead husband's name) and the other half of the time she's Lily St. Claire. Why isn't it consistent??? She is more of a mistress to Aidan than a heroine in a true love story.

like · see review

Jun 30, 2012 Angie rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the first Historical Romance book that I've read. I really liked the story line, the era ahhh to be able to go back in time!! Can wait for the next book but Not till November!! Any other recommendations for these types of books???

like · see review

Feb 14, 2013 Evelyn Rivera rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: yes

Recommended to Evelyn by: gift

This is the first time reading a novel by this author. I like the story line and that it gave a little about the other books that would follow in the series. I love the way Lily and Aidan got together and their raw passion for each other.

like · see review

Jun 30, 2012 audi rated it 4 of 5 stars

I love the this book the story great and sensuality passion excitement. I cant wait for the book .

like · see review

title link	preview: One Naughty Night
avg rating	preview: One Naughty Night Goodreads rating: 3.71 (132 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13060111-one-naughty-night?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1344266758l/13060111.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13060111-one-naughty-night?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]One Naughty Night by Laurel McKee[/url]

One Naughty Night (The Scandalous St. Claires #1)

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (2)

Genres

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Laurel McKee

Books by Laurel McKee

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About One Naughty Night