Scandal of the Year (Abandoned at the Altar #2)

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Scandal of the Year (Abandoned at the Altar #2)

3.83 of 5 stars 3.83 · rating details · 1,103 ratings · 113 reviews

ONE TRYST WAS ALL SHE WANTED ...

From their very first meeting, Julia knew that Aidan Carr, the oh-so-proper Duke of Trathen, had a bit of the devil in him, a devil who secretly yearned for what he could not have, a devil who harbored a desire for her. So when she needed to be caught in a compromising situation, Aidan was the answer to her prayers.

ONE TRYST JUST WASN'T ENOU...more

Paperback, 372 pages

Published January 25th 2011 by Avon (first published January 1st 2011)

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Mar 20, 2011 Shawna rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of opposites attract theme

Shelves: historical-romance, laura-lee-guhrke, historical-romance-edwardian-gilded, hero-darcy-paragon-haughty-staid, hero-duke-heir-to-dukedom, heroine-kickass-spirited-strong, enemies-to-lovers-opposites-attract, brothers-sisters-cousins-family, heroine-bluestocking-unconventional, heroine-badgirl-improper-scandalous, childhood-ties-friends-sweethearts, animals-matter, heroine-abused-traumatic-past-rape, hero-gentleman, hero-i-wanna-marry, hero-im-gaga-over, hero-celibate-virgin-virginesque, heroine-i-adore, made-me-cry, hero-beta, favorites, favorite-romance-couple-hh-pairings, favorite-love-scenes, steam-3-hot, humorous-at-times-or-fluffy-fun, i-read-library, sweet-romance-left-smile-on-my-face, hh-aristocracy-nobility-royalty, hh-love-commitment-marriage-phobic, hh-social-class-wealth-matters, hh-politician-diplomat, 5-stars, 2011-reads, best-faves-of-2011, cheating-hearts-fidelity-issues, dirty-talk-turns-me-on, hero-attractive-handsome-heartthrob, hero-mix-of-alpha-beta, heroine-beautiful-bombshell, heroine-tomboy-lady-in-pants, reunions-are-sweeter-second-chances, revenge-deception-secrets-lies, historical-romance-gilded-age-totc, hh-riches-to-rags, heroine-bad-reputation-fallen, hero-silent-quiet-type-reticent, hero-starchy-loosen-up-buttons-babe

5 stars – Edwardian/Historical Romance

Wow! I loved this! It's an emotional, sensual, and engaging romance between a free-spirited, indecorous, rebel heroine who's brazen ways mask a fragile soul and a steadfast, honorable, strait-laced, to-die-for duke who can't resist her scandalously tempting allure. I loved the complexities of the characters and the chemistry, connection, and passion between Julia and Aidan. Scandal of the Year is another Laura Lee Guhrke favorite! I just wish the wait wasn't...more

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Jan 31, 2011 Rane rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: victorian-romance, keeper

In the books and stories I’ve read by Laura Lee Guhrke, she has a way and writer’s way of re-building a relationship, such that it’s like the people involved or say the lead couple are discovering things about the other they didn’t know, or eyes were not open to before. In the Abandoned at the Altar series, that is one of the true premises along with second chances and other chance at love.

In Wedding of the Season we meet Aidan Carr, the Duke of Trathen the straight lace very honorable duke, l...more In the books and stories I’ve read by Laura Lee Guhrke, she has a way and writer’s way of re-building a relationship, such that it’s like the people involved or say the lead couple are discovering things about the other they didn’t know, or eyes were not open to before. In the Abandoned at the Altar series, that is one of the true premises along with second chances and other chance at love.

In Wedding of the Season we meet Aidan Carr, the Duke of Trathen the straight lace very honorable duke, looking to marry and carrying on his duty to his title and Julia Hammett and then Lady Yardley a free spirit with many shadows haunting her, now a year later divorced from her cruel husband with the unlikely help from Aidan whom she got roaring drunk (cheap drunk) and seduced him in order for her husband to catch them and for her to finally be free. Things though haven’t been easy for either. Julia though doesn’t admit it often, feels guilt for what she did to Aidan, whom has a dark blemish upon his own clean name, and Aidan while still looking for a wife, can’t get that afternoon out of his head, and when they meet again, there’s going to be a few more second chances in store for both.

I shall admit, that I really enjoyed the characters more in Scandal of the Year, perhaps due to them not really liking one another, the depth of their emotions or the scars they carried. There were so many reasons, and though an easy pace, both Aidan and Julia discover more about one another then meets the eye. Aidan isn’t always the honorable knight and Julia isn’t really that free as she plays. The road isn’t any easy one for this couple, as they have to overcome a lot in order for them be together.

Julia’s own ploy get herself out of her bad marriage cost Aidan a lot of respect along with her family, something she tries to just shrug off, but deep down, it pains her, and knows there could be no other way out. Julia is a haunted woman use to using humor and her wit to show the world she doesn’t have a care in the world, in reality she’s lost in a maelstrom of hurt, pain, numbness and great disappointment. She doesn’t understand after all the years of trying to be numb; she could feel anything when around Aidan. Julia takes a lot of emotional hits to be finally awakened from her slumber of being numb, and it scares the hell out of her. Thoughts of ever feeling the joy of being alive were just a passing dream to her, and she runs away from it and Aidan. Once Julia is able to truly feel free, she’s scared of being chained again to someone, scared it won’t work out. Julia’s troubles were understandable, and while I always didn’t agree with her actions, she reminded me of a scared animal, whose been hurt and needs to learn to trust again, you may get bitten, and scratch but through kindness, love and patience you have a chance to win the animal or perhaps person’s love. I did have one major problem with Julia toward the end of the story, and felt like a slap in the face when she lashed out again in fear of comparing her ex to Aidan. I thought that was a low-blow, and felt it unfair to Aidan whom is NOTHING whatsoever close to her ex. Thankfully she sees reason quickly and asks for her rock in the storm Aidan to be with her.

Aidan was the true character I wanted to read most about. He seemed so “contained” that I wonder what he was about. Like Julia I loved to see him smile, to get himself out of his box and dance in the moonlight. Aidan was truly honorable man, and while raised to be self-contained, it made it that more special when he crack a joke, tease and laid her heart on the line. Aidan wasn’t all that much of a saint mind you. He wanted Julia- and he wanted to relive that hazy sexual day again, and if breaking down the walls around her heart was the sure-fire way, then so be it. Of course, he says this to himself, but he’s always had a craving and deep connection to Julia since the first day he saw her over ten years before. Aidan true surprise was his insight to people. He wasn’t really fooled by anyone, and even went to the heart of the matter with Julia, something that shocked her to her core. Aidan though knows his own faults, but has to be reminded that sometimes love and your own well-being come before duty. And life isn’t about duty, duty duty, but about living it out full of love and laughter. When Aidan goes after Julia you see another side, and also how deeply he feels for her and others. If a heart is an never-ending well full of emotions and compassion - so said well would be Aidan’s. Even when the truth of the afternoon comes out, he feels more for Julia and what she went through, and sets out to prove to her his love for her, and that he wants to care and love for her, while setting her free from the chains she’s carried with her, and as she flies free, he flies along side her. Aidan is one of those awesome heroes that go straight to my all-time favorite list, for his big heart.

The pace may have been a tad slow, but I enjoyed it as it gave the impression of the bridge being built between Aidan and Julia, one paved from their pasts and built strong later with their love. Their attraction is built to a fever pitch. Oddly enough, I would have loved a few extra 10-20 pages, as the ending felt like a rushed job. Oh, it ended well and good, but left the reader kinda uneasy with its sudden abruptness. Maybe we’ll get to see more of this couple in the next book?
This series is shaping up to be the best yet I’ve read of LLG’s and I’m ready and waiting for the third book with a real hype and reader joy!(less)

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Mar 01, 2011 Evangeline Holland rated it 4 of 5 stars

It's taken me a while to review this book because it wasn't an easy book to read. While it has some of the same issues which plagued Wedding of the Season (namely inscrutable and slow plotting until the last three or four chapters, which flew by like lightening until the book ended rather abruptly), Julia and Aidan were intriguing characters, and their relationship was prickly and complex. While I didn't fully buy the flashbacks, since they don't gel with the Julia and Aidan we saw in WotY, at t...more

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Apr 07, 2011 Lisa Kay rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: genre-romance-historical, genre-courtroom-drama, character-duke-or-maybe-1-in-story, character-bluestocking, 2nd-chance-at-♥, authors-l, authors-g

With this book Laura Lee Guhrke goes a little deeper into the psyche and pain of her characters than she has in her previous books, and it’s worth it. There were times in this book I felt LLG had painted herself into a corner and I would never truly like the heroine (she broke one of my romance “don’t”) or get a satisfying HEA. They go from family friends, to lovers, to ‘frienemies’, back to friends, to true loves. It is an interesting circle. Not every author can change my mind about one of my...more

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Dec 19, 2011 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2010, romance-and-or-erotica, netgalley, own, read-more-than-once, rtheme-mpdg-starchy-dude

In Wedding of the Season, you knew that Beatrix didn't belong with Aidan. He was clearly the "Baxter" of the situation, he was so straight laced and stuffed shirt-ed and everything. But you still liked him. He was sympathetic. So, while many romance heroes are just "the perfect guy and anyone would be lucky to be with him", this one definitely shows you why some people belong together. Aidan is paired with "wacky" Julia, and while I rather disliked her in Wedding of the Season, here she is round...more

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Aug 10, 2011 Carol *Young at Heart Oldie* rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 5-star-books

The second book in the Abandoned at the Altar series, SCANDAL OF THE YEAR is a beautifully crafted love story from the very talented Laura Lee Guhrke.

"On the afternoon of August 21, 1903, I had intimate relations of a sexual nature with Aidan Carr, the Duke of Stathen."

With these words Julia, Baroness Yardley, is finally free after twelve long years of a loveless marriage. But her freedom has come at a price because, seeing Aidan Carr as she leaves the courtroom, she is overcome with guilt for...more

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Aug 21, 2011 Kelly22 rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of good boy heroes turned necessarily devilish & feisty heroines turned amusingly meek in love!

Shelves: 1st-marriage-or-lover-was-disaster, beloved-favorites, beta-hero, childhood-ties, hero-darcylike, dukes, enemy-to-lover, favorite-couple, favorite-hero, favorite-heroine, favorite-story, hero-good-boy-gentleman, gorgeous-handsome-attractive-hero, hero-celibate-virgin-less_practiced, heroine-wild-child-unconventional, historical-romance, made-me-cry, opposites-attract, previous-ties, sweet-reunions-second-chances, traumatized-abused-heroine, hero-merchnt-indstrialist-uber-rich, witty-humerous-funny-comedy, widow-widower-divorcee, hottest-love-scenes-ever, hero-gods-gift-to-woman, hero-bashful-starchy-silent, hh-aristocrat-peer-royal-nobel

4.00 Stars - Late Victorian/Early Edwardian/Historical Romance!

Her scandalous liaison with the duke may be one scandal too many ...

Scandal Of The Year tells Julia’s story who would go any length to get rid of her husband Lord Yardley whom she despised. Therefore eventually she got involved with Aidan Carr, Duke of Trathem, and managed to sanction a divorce in the adultery case. Aidan is a sophisticated wealthy traditional duke who understood he was maneuvered by Julia, who was his complete oppo...more 4.00 Stars - Late Victorian/Early Edwardian/Historical Romance!

Her scandalous liaison with the duke may be one scandal too many ...

Scandal Of The Year tells Julia’s story who would go any length to get rid of her husband Lord Yardley whom she despised. Therefore eventually she got involved with Aidan Carr, Duke of Trathem, and managed to sanction a divorce in the adultery case. Aidan is a sophisticated wealthy traditional duke who understood he was maneuvered by Julia, who was his complete opposite, disliked her immensely. But her beauty and sharp wit always secured his attention towards her which seemed to enhance with time.

Julia is a free spirited, sharp-tongued, lively heroine who hides secrets and vulnerability behind witty comments and charade. She knows Aidan for a long time and is always seemed to be amused by his old-fashioned insights. She makes fun of his chivalries at times and plays pranks on him throughout the book. She knows Aidan is a gentleman and therefore very trustworthy. As a result, when she is in debt she confines Aidan to give her an employment to help her pay off debts.

Aidan, no matter how much principal-ruled, grudgingly realize his tremendous attraction and lust towards her. He vows to get over that and agrees to employ her as one of his secretary. Her job description consists of Julia finding and introducing him to prospective brides since he was in the market of choosing his duchess. Therefore things should proceed smoothly between them.

However questions remain. Will Aidan identify the woman behind the fake superficial mask as a woman worthy of his love and his duchess? Will Julia get over her fears and reservations against men and start taking Aidan seriously?

I found the story to be brilliant with admirable characters, compelling plot, magnificent dialogues and interesting secondary characters. There are lots of funny appealing dialogues between the two patragonists which sparks the interests to keep on reading the book all the more. Also, the setting and the timeline was splendidly rare outlining the late Victorian or early Edwardian age.

I would have given the book a 5-star review except the ending which was if I may say…disturbingly rushed. It gave me a feeling that someone might snatch away the book if I don’t finish it right away, therefore had to skip some pages to read the last page. Wasn’t a good feeling!

This second book of the Abandoned at the Altar series is definitely a keeper, shortcomings notwithstanding!!
(less)

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Nov 27, 2012 Mafi rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: emprestados, eng, 2012

Sooooo goood!!! description

Love it!!

Why this and other books by LLG are not published in Portuguese??

Sometimes I don't understand the publishers description

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Apr 14, 2012 Melissa McHugh rated it 5 of 5 stars

The best thing about Laura Lee Guhrke's newest series, Abandoned at the Altar, is the time period. I find so few romance novels set in the very late Victorian/early Edwardian age and I'm not sure why. The aristocratic world was fighting to keep everything exactly the same, but the rest of the world was jumping forward and this pre-war Britain is the perfect time setting. I hope Guhrke continues to mine this era for gold.

The first book was amazing and I'll find time to review that, but this secon...more The best thing about Laura Lee Guhrke's newest series, Abandoned at the Altar, is the time period. I find so few romance novels set in the very late Victorian/early Edwardian age and I'm not sure why. The aristocratic world was fighting to keep everything exactly the same, but the rest of the world was jumping forward and this pre-war Britain is the perfect time setting. I hope Guhrke continues to mine this era for gold.

The first book was amazing and I'll find time to review that, but this second book was even better. Julia as a divorced woman was one of the most fascinating heroines I've read in a long time. The conservative Aidan was so uptight, that like Julia, you wanted to ruffle his cravat (or whatever fashion men were wearing at that point). The chemistry between Julia and Aidan just poured from the page and it was wonderfully complicated by their history together, which was not quite that Aidan thought it was.

My one criticism, and it is very small, was that Julia's marriage wasn't fleshed out until three-quarters of the way through the book. It was clear almost from the moment Julia appears in Wedding of the Season that her marriage is disastrous and her behavior stems from a desire to push her husband into divorce. We know the lengths Julia has gone, up to and including deceiving Aidan and dragging him into the divorce proceedings, which is a very large stain on his reputation. But we don't know why and by the time Julia reveals it, it's lost of a little of the punch. I don't disagree that the timing in the book was right for Aidan's discovery, but the reader ought to have been included somewhat earlier.

That's a very small problem that really don't detract from my enjoyment of the boy. Everything Guhrke writes is beautiful and her characters and plots are some of the most engaging and original novels on the market. This? This makes my expectations of her next book even higher.

The resolution of Julia and Aidan's story happens nearly on the last page, but the story is well-paced and I was sorry to see it end. I've reread the last scenes between the two and it's as satisfying as it was the first time I read it. (less)

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Mar 03, 2012 Jessi rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, 2012-challenge, appealing-characteristic-story, historical, part-of-a-series, romance

The very staid and traditional Aidan Carr, Duke of Trathen was involved in a scandalous affair that resulted in the divorce of Julia, Lady Yardley. He knew that he lusted after her, but didn't think that he had it in himself to do something so... outre. Even now, a year later, with a blemish on his reputation which is somewhat impeding his search for a wife, Aidan is attracted to the woman.
For her part, Julia only just got out of a hideous relationship and, while she regrets pulling Aidan into...more

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Oct 23, 2011 RomReader rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical

Unconventional divorcee asks conservative duke for employment due to her large debts. Hero hires her as his social secretary to help him find a suitable wife. Their frequent contact makes it harder for Hero to resist his strong & long-time attraction to her. He's been in love with her since they 1st met 12 years before & she was engaged to be married. Heroine has always known of his interest in her but she's only become aware of her sexual attraction to him & is frightened by it. She...more

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May 25, 2011 Bobs (Reader Unbound) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-read-list, curiosity-shot-the-reader, i-so-wanted-to-like-this-book, first-time-i-read-this-author

SUMMARY:
The year is 1903 and Lady Julia Yardley has just been grated a divorce after she was caught in a compromising situation with Aidan Carr, the Duke of Trathen. So Julia is finally free from Yardley and so romance of her life begins.
Aidan Carr should be looking for a wife but strangely he cannot take his mind of that seducing woman and the night they shared, though he does not remember quite a lot of it.
READER'S OPPINION:
Aidan is perfect. Of that have no doubt. He is gentle yet fierce at...more

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Apr 18, 2011 willaful rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: readers who have given up on Gurhke

Shelves: heroines-behaving-badly, good-boy-bad-girl, tortured-heroine

Since reading Wedding of the Season, I’ve been looking forward to the story of Aidan -- a priggish duke who gets tiddly much too easily has a lot of entertaining potential. But although those factors do play into the plot, this didn’t turn out to be the “bad girl makes the good boy loosen up” theme I was expecting. Instead it was a “good boy makes the scared bad girl open up” story, and a lovely one.

The book opens with Lady Julia Yardley being divorced by her husband, after he caught her in bed...more Since reading Wedding of the Season, I’ve been looking forward to the story of Aidan -- a priggish duke who gets tiddly much too easily has a lot of entertaining potential. But although those factors do play into the plot, this didn’t turn out to be the “bad girl makes the good boy loosen up” theme I was expecting. Instead it was a “good boy makes the scared bad girl open up” story, and a lovely one.

The book opens with Lady Julia Yardley being divorced by her husband, after he caught her in bed with Aiden, the Duke of Trathen. (I was a bit disappointed that the story began with the naughty stuff already in the past, but we do learn the truth about the incident through flashbacks.) Aidan is resentful of Julia, whom he believes -- correctly -- used him to force her husband to divorce her. Now he’s trying to forget “that woman” and continue with the important task of finding a Duchess. There’s just one problem: he can’t seem to stop wanting Julia.

Aidan, in this story, is not the somewhat dull character he appeared before, but a model of just about everything good: honorable, faithful, trustworthy. Perhaps we’re seeing him from Julia’s point of view, because we now learn that she deeply respects his excellent qualities, although she can’t resist teasing him for them. We also see another side of Julia: her apparent wildness is protection against a powerful fear of vulnerability.

This was an unusual romance in having a far more interesting heroine than hero. Not that Aidan isn’t charming, but the main focus of the story is on Julia; she’s a complex and intriguing character, who does some terribly dishonest and manipulative things. She's forgivable because we see her redeeming qualities, and the terrible demons that drove her.

The book has a bit of a bittersweet air, tempered by the playfulness that Guhrke draws so well between her lovers. The happy ending felt rushed to me, and even though I live for HEAs, I almost felt this one was imposed on the story by romance novel convention. But no matter; it's still a very good book.(less)

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Mar 11, 2011 Kate L rated it 4 of 5 stars

Scandal of the Year is the second of book of the Abandoned at the Altar series and definitely the best so far. While the first one, Wedding of the Season, lacked spice, Scandal of the Year did a million times better in that department. The main character, Julia (cousin of the main character from the first book) is a very interesting and surprisingly complex character. She is battling her attraction to her cousin's former fiance, Aiden Carr, who is of the strong and silent variety (and a Duke no...more

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Feb 04, 2011 Malin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Scandal of the Year is a sequel of sorts to Wedding of the Season, and in it, the man jilted in the previous book, Aidan Carr, the Duke of Thathen, finally finds his Duchess, but only after yet another broken engagement. While his first engagement was broken once he found Lady Beatrix Danbury in the arms of her childhood sweetheart, in a particularly passionate snog, his second attempt at matrimony was ruined about a year later, when he was found naked in bed with Lady Julia Yeardley (Beatrix' c...more Scandal of the Year is a sequel of sorts to Wedding of the Season, and in it, the man jilted in the previous book, Aidan Carr, the Duke of Thathen, finally finds his Duchess, but only after yet another broken engagement. While his first engagement was broken once he found Lady Beatrix Danbury in the arms of her childhood sweetheart, in a particularly passionate snog, his second attempt at matrimony was ruined about a year later, when he was found naked in bed with Lady Julia Yeardley (Beatrix' cousin, a supporting character in the previous book) by her husband.

Having tried to get a divorce from her beastly husband for years, Julia finally managed it by getting Aidan incredibly drunk on champagne and seducing him, knowing her husband would find them in bed together, and the public scandal wouldn't allow him to stay married to her any longer. She knows that Aidan probably hates her afterwards, and that his previously perfect reputation was rather tarnished by the incident. So she's surprised when he not only acknowledges her at social functions, but seems quite pleased to see her. Deeply in debt, as her husband made sure she had no money of her own for most of their marriage, Julia is in desperate need for gainful employment, not something easy to find for a woman of rank, and a notorious divorcee to boot. When Aidan offers to make her his social secretary, she gladly accepts, even though her primary role will be to help him find a suitable wife, and she'll have to spend lots of time in close proximity to the only man who's ever really made her feel passionate.

Aidan seen from Julia's perspective is rather a different man than the one presented in Wedding of the Season, and as it's clear that he's always fancied her cousin since the first time he met her, it's probably a good thing he didn't end up marrying Beatrix. He's still a perfect gentleman, kind, honourable, protective and chivalrous, but instead of coming across as a bit of a boring prig here, it's clear that he keeps his true emotions tightly shackled, for fear of repeating his father's mistakes. He knows that unless he keeps his desires reigned in, he'll hurt the people around him, who depend on him, and he strives to do the right thing always. Like Beatrix, he thinks he knows exactly what he wants in a life partner, only to have his mind changed for him. When he realizes what he does want, however, he doesn't hesitate as long as she did, he pursues it with a singleminded determination.

While Wedding of the Season was a nice bit of escapist fluff which I wouldn't necessarily remember a year from now, I'm glad I read it, as it set up the scene for the protagonists of this book. Scandal of the Year was a great romance and a much more satisfying read, more so because Aidan and Julia, who seemingly couldn't stand each other in the previous book, are clearly meant for each other. Having met at chance encounters throughout the years, the first time shortly before Julia was about to make her disastrous marriage, they've got a much more interesting backstory than Beatrix and Will, and Julia's vulnerability and vehement unwillingness to ever commit to a man are very understandable. Both protagonists seem like much more complex characters, and their sufferings and struggles make their happy ending so much more rewarding. This book reminded me in turns of Blue Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas and His at Night by Sherry Thomas, and stood up well in comparison to both books. There is apparently a third book in this series coming out, and I now can't wait to read it.(less)

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Feb 01, 2011 SidneyKay rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance-edwardian

Who says nice guys finish last?

Aiden; what an honorable, trustworthy, nice guy and he's a hunk on top of that. Aiden's problem... he just can't find a fiancee who will stick around. He can't seem to hold on to them. His first one dumps him for her childhood sweetheart, and the second gets a tad bit upset when he's caught in bed with "that woman." And, it is "that woman" who is like a nettle under his skin, a ringing in his ears that he can't block. She's constantly irritating him, arousing him,...more Who says nice guys finish last?

Aiden; what an honorable, trustworthy, nice guy and he's a hunk on top of that. Aiden's problem... he just can't find a fiancee who will stick around. He can't seem to hold on to them. His first one dumps him for her childhood sweetheart, and the second gets a tad bit upset when he's caught in bed with "that woman." And, it is "that woman" who is like a nettle under his skin, a ringing in his ears that he can't block. She's constantly irritating him, arousing him, making him forget who he is and what he owes to his family. That woman is Julia, a supposedly wild woman in a horrible marriage, which she is trying disparately to get out of. This is where Scandal of the Year begins - in divorce court. Aiden is named as the co-respondent in a messy divorce case brought on by Julia's husband. Truly a scandal!

And so begins a wonderful story of two mismatched, complex people on their journey to that HEA. First of all, let me say this: I liked this story a lot better than the first. I thought Aiden was a wonderful Romanceland hero; he had such a strong sense of what was right. I dare any of you not to love this man. He wasn't so much a stuffed shirt as he was concerned with doing the right thing and having high expectations of everyone else doing the right thing. So, his perception of "that woman"... she smokes, she drives a car, plays risque songs, she has lovers... She is not to be tolerated and he tries to stay away from her, but he is drawn to her like a moth to a flame. (Love that analogy.)

There are some flashbacks in this book. I'm not sure they were needed, but nevertheless they are there. There was also a fascinating look at what it must have been like to be a woman during that time period and how limited the choices were. I especially enjoyed Julia when she was trying to figure out how she was going to pay her debts.

Pet names in books! I'm not a big fan of pet names, in books or in real life, but in this one Julia calls Aiden "petal" He was irritated by it, but it was really charming. If I had one quibble with this book, it was Julia's resistance to being married to this wonderful guy. I think Ms. Guhrke has the beginnings of a really good series going and thanks to an incredible hero, I liked this story a lot.(less)

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Jan 27, 2011 Tina rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: besotted-hero, beautiful-heroine, beta-hero, h-loved-ex, reunion, secret-crush

Although this book was 10 times better than her last book, it still lacked her original spellbinding passion and story telling. From start to finish, the book didn't go anywhere and the whole book is just a retelling of old events with random flashbacks. I thought the plot line pretty thin and everything wrapped up too easily and clumsily. Furthermore, there didn't seem to be any conflict that made much sense to me, therefor the climax seemed as fulfilling as empty air. I was left feeling pretty...more

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Jan 13, 2011 April rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance-regency-england

SCANDAL OF THE YEAR by Laura Lee Guhrke is a delightful historical romance set in 1904 England.It is the second in the Abandoned at the Altar series but can be read as a stand alone. The first in the series is Wedding of the Season. It is well written with depth,details, twists and turns. It has romance, sweet sensuality, secrets, fear, love, spousal abuse, forgiveness,deceit, moving forward with ones life, and learning to leave the past behind. The hero, Aidan, is deathly, handsome, has had two...more SCANDAL OF THE YEAR by Laura Lee Guhrke is a delightful historical romance set in 1904 England.It is the second in the Abandoned at the Altar series but can be read as a stand alone. The first in the series is Wedding of the Season. It is well written with depth,details, twists and turns. It has romance, sweet sensuality, secrets, fear, love, spousal abuse, forgiveness,deceit, moving forward with ones life, and learning to leave the past behind. The hero, Aidan, is deathly, handsome, has had two broken engagements, is chivalrous, has been attracted to Julia for years, but she was a married woman and is now looking for a bride, again. The heroine, Julia, is beautiful, witty, disgraced, divorced, been abused by her ex-husband, the cousin to one of Aidan's ex-betrothed, fearful, uses wit to hide her own fears and has been attracted to Aidan for years, but was forced into marriage to another. After, Aidan is confronted by Julia concerning her debts and her need for a job. Aidan hires Julia to be his personal assistant and arrange his attendance to the society balls. He has tried not to be affected by Julia, she has caused his downfall to polite society. By naming name as her lover. This is to gain her divorce from her evil, husband. Aidan can't seem to get Julia out of his system for he believes they slept together that faithful day when Julia's husband caught them together.Aidan is determined to find Julia's secrets and broke through her rough exterior. Julia, is also attracted to Aidan for she knows he is good, kind and honest. But she has trouble in trust and letting go of her past with her abusive husband.Together, they embark on an adventure into love, honesty, romance, the true meaning of forgiveness and letting go of the past. I would highly recommend this book especially if you enjoy letting go of the past, living in the future and finding true happiness and love. This book was received for review from Net Galley and details can be found at Avon, an imprint of HarperCollins and My Book Addiction and More. (less)

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Dec 11, 2010 Ron rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, romance

Two secondary characters from Guhrke's Wedding of the Season move to the forefront -- Aidan, the straitlaced duke who had the misfortune to be engaged to a woman who was still in love with her ex-boyfriend, and Julia, the seemingly flamboyant libertine. Guhrke fleshes out the backstory for this pair and then moves it forward -- at the novel's start, Julia has seduced Aidan in order to provoke her hsuband into finally granting her the divorce she's desperately sought for years, and Aidan's second...more

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Jan 27, 2011 Joy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, historical-fiction

Aidan Carr, the Duke (10 points!) of Trathen is a solid, upright, honorable citizen. Which is why it seems out of character for him to be named correspondent in a scandalous divorce case. Yet he cannot get the memories of his tryst with the notorious Julia, Lady Yardley, out of his mind. Except for the parts he can't remember at all. All of which combine to totally drive him crazy, even as he tries to move on with his life.

Julia, Lady Yardley, is relieved to finally be free of her brutal husband...more

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Jan 18, 2011 Julia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, historical-romance, series, bookcase, own, netgalley, pub-avon

The second book in the Abandoned at the Altar series, Scandal of the Year lets us follow the tale of my two favorite people from the first book, Julia and Aiden. I didn't really like the first book all that much, but was still excited to read this. The two characters were already interesting and I was curious on how they would be developed further.

I read this book in a day, yet I needed the extra days to really digest everything. It was engaging to see how the story unfolded. It wasn't in a lin...more

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Feb 08, 2012 Suzanne the Mighty ~Satin Seductress~ rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, girlies-i-would-take-for-a-tequila, hero-i-wanna-hug, lover-the-cover, pdf-kindle, perfect-man-syndrome, scandalous-woman, couple-made-in-heaven

Julia is getting tired, although she has a sophisticaed and scandalous reputation it is all just an elaborate facade, what she is is desparate to get of her disastourous marriage. So she decides to gets a divorce the only way she can, by committing adultery. The only regret she has is that she has damaged Aidan Carr's honourable and gentlemanly reputation by manipulating him into a tryst. But now divorced she is heavily in debt, and the only person she can turn to is the man she used so poorly,...more Julia is getting tired, although she has a sophisticaed and scandalous reputation it is all just an elaborate facade, what she is is desparate to get of her disastourous marriage. So she decides to gets a divorce the only way she can, by committing adultery. The only regret she has is that she has damaged Aidan Carr's honourable and gentlemanly reputation by manipulating him into a tryst. But now divorced she is heavily in debt, and the only person she can turn to is the man she used so poorly, the very proper Aidan, Duke of Trathen.

I am so glad I carried on reading this series after not being very enthralled with the first book, Wedding of the Season. In this book we get a closer look at Julia, Beatrix's cousin, I really liked her in Wedding of the Season and I am glad I didn't just imagine the tension between her and Aidan, Beatrix's jilted fiance. At first they seem such opposites, Julia has a rebellious devil-may-care attitude, where as Aidan is very serious and always does what is polite and proper, but what was great about this book was that the more you delved in and got to know the characters, the more you could see they weren't just caricatures of a scanalous woman and an honourable man. Julia was complicated and making the best out of a horrendous situation and rather then the callous and carefree image she nurtured she always tried to do the right thing, and Aidan, although honourable and steady to the core also had a little bit of a deliciously wicked side. I think they made a beautiful couple.

As well as having characters that I really liked, you could also really see the chemistry between the two, opposites really did attract in this book. The writing was wonderful, it was poignant and sensual at times and I found the whole book very hard to put down. The only problem I had was that it ended rather quickly I turned the page and was rather expecting something a little more, I think this is the kind of book the could have done with a epilogue.

Although I found this series had a disappointing start, this book is well worth reading, it has memorable characters and a wonderful love story and I hope the books continue to improve with the next in the series Trouble at the Wedding

Favourite Quote

This was the pain of light and beauty and a man's tender kiss. It was the burn in your eyes when you looked into the bright, shining sun, and the pinch in your chest when you saw the first green shoots of springtime and the lump in your throat when you heard the sound of a newborn baby's cry. It was life, life, life.
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Jun 11, 2011 Kristina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance-novels, 2011-goal-50

I have to give this four stars instead of five because about halfway through the book the main male character had a total flip of character. For an entire book and a half (this is the second book of the "Abandoned at the Alter" series) he was reserved and polite and "oh-so-proper" and then all of a sudden he seemed to be a rake. Although she did establish that the main female character always suspected a "bit of the devil in him," it just seemed wholly out of character for a while. I did eventua...more

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Feb 20, 2011 Leanne rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-books, feb-11, historical-romance, kindle

Julia used Aidan to help her escape an unhappy circumstance which leaves them ruined in the eyes of society. Some months later they are both trying to rebuild their lives but end up doing this at the same time which leads them to meet each other and the passion is still there. It seems Aidan can't forget and soon realises he needs to get her out of his system but is she as willing. And why was she is intent on using him.

As you start to read it you try to find out why Julia did what she did and a...more

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Mar 24, 2011 Jo (Mixed Book Bag) rated it 3 of 5 stars

The year is 1903 and Lady Julia Yardley has just testified that “On the afternoon of August 21, 1903, I had intimate relations of a sexual nature with Aidan Carr, the Duke of Trathen”. Julia is granted a divorce from Yardley and becomes The Scandal of the Year.

Fast-forward six months and Lady Julia is back out in society. Adrian, the Duke of Trathen, is trying to put the scandal behind him and is looking for a wife. He should forget Julia but finds that he cannot. As they are thrown together spa...more

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Feb 25, 2011 Jan Crow rated it 4 of 5 stars

An early meeting sets Julia’s eyes on Aidan Carr, Duke of Trathen. However, all her flirting doesn’t send him running after her until years later when another meeting sets the stage for a scandal. A beautiful afternoon and a picnic complete with champagne puts Aidan in the middle of a public scandal when Julia’s husband walks in.

But the lovely Julia is not one to be forgotten. Over the next year Aidan tries to find a wife yet his eyes keep going back to Julia, now divorced and available.

Julia s...more

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Jan 11, 2011 Janga rated it 5 of 5 stars

I was charmed by the setting and the characters of Wedding of the Season, the first book in Laura Lee Guhrke’s new series, Abandoned at the Altar, but Scandal of the Year is even better. Both the hero and heroine are secondary characters in Book 1: Julia, Lady Yardley, as the wild cousin who introduces Beatrix to the joys of automobile driving, and Aidan Carr, Duke of Trathen, as the wealthy, stuffily proper fiancé whom Beatrix jilts for Will.

Book 2 begins with Julia in divorce court, boldly adm...more
I was charmed by the setting and the characters of Wedding of the Season, the first book in Laura Lee Guhrke’s new series, Abandoned at the Altar, but Scandal of the Year is even better. Both the hero and heroine are secondary characters in Book 1: Julia, Lady Yardley, as the wild cousin who introduces Beatrix to the joys of automobile driving, and Aidan Carr, Duke of Trathen, as the wealthy, stuffily proper fiancé whom Beatrix jilts for Will.

Book 2 begins with Julia in divorce court, boldly admitting to adultery and thus gaining freedom from her hated marriage. Aidan is the correspondent in the case. The scandal in which Julia has deliberately embroiled him causes a second fiancée to jilt him. Aidan wants an appropriate bride with whom he can build a comfortable life suitable to his rank and high standards. Julia, who plans to remain single, just wants to luxuriate in her freedom. Yet the two are drawn together—initially be desire on his part and guilt on hers. The reader understands before the H/H do that they are perfect for one another. The high-spirited irrepressible Julia is exactly what Aidan needs to bring humor and vitality to his rather bland life. Aidan’s stability, integrity, and acceptance are what Julia needs to anchor her and show her what true freedom is. The joy of the book is seeing them come to this realization.

My favorite romance novels are generally those that are rich in context, with secondary characters who add layers to the story. In Scandal of the Year, the focus is on Julia and Aidan from the opening scene and remains there throughout the book. Everyone else is mere background. But the relationship between the two is complicated enough that I never missed context. Julia appears somewhat shallow and selfish in the beginning, but that impression is dispelled as her genuine concern for Aidan’s happiness and her own vulnerabilities are revealed. Aidan is one of my favorite kinds of heroes—the proper gentleman with a real sense of honor and a sense of humor and daring that just need the right touch to stir them to life.

Abandoned at the Altar is a three-book series. I’m eager to see what the third book will be. I’m hoping for Paul’s story.
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Feb 12, 2011 Alex rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorite-authors, historical, romance

At First Sight: Julia, Lady Yardley survived 12 years of a hellish marriage, gaining he freedom by tangling into an affair with Aidan Carr, Duke of Trathen; which forced her husband to divorce her. Months later, and once her divorce is final, Julia is ready to re-enter society, she knows she's notorious but she's trying her best to quiet down the scandals, for the sake of her family as they stood by her through it all.

Aidan is not happy, his affair with Julia - which he can never quite remember...more At First Sight: Julia, Lady Yardley survived 12 years of a hellish marriage, gaining he freedom by tangling into an affair with Aidan Carr, Duke of Trathen; which forced her husband to divorce her. Months later, and once her divorce is final, Julia is ready to re-enter society, she knows she's notorious but she's trying her best to quiet down the scandals, for the sake of her family as they stood by her through it all.

Aidan is not happy, his affair with Julia - which he can never quite remember - cost him his second fiance. So now, at 30, he has been jilted twice. And he is also re-entering society, ready to look for a new fiance. But, during his first sojourn into society, he encounters Julia.
It seems to him he can't scape her. Certainly, in their 13 year long acquittance, he has never been able to forget her. Everything about her so vivid in his mind, much as he wishes that weren't the case.

Aidan knows that tangling with Julia again might make them the scandal of the year, two years in a row, but he also knows that it might just be worth it.

Second Glance: Julia survived a lot during her marriage and developed quite a thick skin, but Aidan has always had a way to get under it. If she feels anything other than elation about her divorce, is a bit of guilt for the part Aidan played unwillingly. Aidan has a hard time admitting it, but Julia has always been able to get to him. She ruffles him and confuses him in ways he shouldn't like, but he does.

I really liked the chemistry between Aidan and Julia, I could see a bit of it during Wedding of the Season, but in Scandal of the Year this is explored more fully, the book has many flash backs, taking us back to the fateful day when Aidan and Julia met when they were both 17, how they saw each other again 10 years later, still able to recognize each other at a glance but with a world of experience keeping them apart.

I felt the ending was a bit abrupt, but I loved how it was that Julia came to her final choice, the reason why she does what she does, in the end. And I was quite happy about it.

Bottom Line: This is the second book in the Abandoned at the Altar series, and I have to say I liked it more than it's predecessor. There is a lot of chemistry between Aidan and Julia and it was fun to see how they chipped at each other's defenses to get to the core beneath. It's a very enjoyable book and I definitely plan on reading the next (and last) book of the series Trouble at the Wedding (2012)

Favorite Quote:“We all have our weaknesses, petal. Yours is your fine, upstanding character.”-Julia(less)

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Mar 30, 2013 Kaycee Sapinoso rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 5-stars, adult-romance, cute-couple, favorite-series, historical-romance, lovable-hero, must-read, read-2013, romance, second-chance, true-love

I can’t believe I only discovered Laura Lee Guhrke. I absolutely adore everything she writes! She has given us readers another marvelous story to read. I just loved the emotional roller-coaster and I’m so excited to read her other books.

SCANDAL OF THE YEAR is a book you will not want to miss.

Aidan Thomas Carr, The Duke of Trathen - Handsome, Responsible, A perfect gentleman. Every girl’s dream. He was honorable and willing to accept his mistakes. He had such a strong sense of what was right. But...more

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Sep 22, 2011 Reading Haven rated it 2 of 5 stars

"I actually found it very difficult to finish this story. It was actually a bit bland and didn’t really hold my interest. Not to say that the writing wasn’t well done, I just couldn’t find a way to immerse myself in the story. Many times I felt the urge to just skip to the end. And that’s not how a book should be read. A reader should look forward to each and every word and I just didn’t find that with Scandal of the Year."

Reviewed at the Reading Haven.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 White Roses.

Content rate...more

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About Laura Lee Guhrke

From the publication of her very first historical romance, Laura Lee Guhrke has received numerous honors and critical acclaim for her novels and her writing style. She has been honored with the most prestigious award of romance fiction, the Romance Writers of America Rita Award, and she has received additional awards from Romantic Times and All About Romance. Romantic Times has proclaimed her, “On...more

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Books by Laura Lee Guhrke

And Then He Kissed Her (Girl Bachelors, #1)

The Wicked Ways of a Duke (Girl Bachelors, #2)

Wedding of the Season (Abandoned at the Altar, #1)

Secret Desires of a Gentleman (Girl Bachelors, #3)

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“No, she was just a woman. And that meant she could feel, she could need, she could give and she could receive.” — 5 people liked it

“Shakespeare's Iago could be played as a soul in hell, driven, dark and desperate, willing to do anything, willing to use anyone, in order to escape from that hell.” — 4 people liked it

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