How to Seduce a Scoundrel (How To Series #2)

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How to Seduce a Scoundrel (How To Series #2)

by Vicky Dreiling (Goodreads Author)

3.8 of 5 stars 3.80 · rating details · 837 ratings · 151 reviews

Miss Julianne Gatewick is in a pickle. It started when her brother's best friend-for whom she's long nursed a secret tendre-agreed to act as her guardian for the Season, only to seduce her with a risqué waltz. But when the music stopped and the expectant ton waited for Marc Darcett, Earl of Hawkfield, to claim her as his own, he made his disinterest clear. Rather than succ...more

Paperback, 396 pages

Published July 1st 2011 by Forever

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Jul 11, 2012 Laura the Highland Hussy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Read my review at Demon Lover's Books and More

Wow, I am really sad to say that this book was very "meh." It's not bad by any means, but it wasn't great.

When I first started this book, a lot of comments on both twitter and goodreads were all very positive and encouraging. I enjoyed the first book in this series (and both can be read as stand-alones), but this one was well, I guess it doesn't help that I got irritated with both the main characters quite a bit.

Hawk, Earl of Hawkfield, is talked in...more

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Jul 06, 2011 Laurie (Bitten by Paranormal Romance) rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, requests

I really hate to say this, but I just didn’t care for this book. It’s not the authors writing style, I just didn’t like the story. I found it boring and dull. There was nothing remotely interesting that really happened in the book, unless you call Julianne getting drunk one night interesting or when Hawk took her to his love nest. Ooh yeah, like that was real fun Blch, not for me. I wanted desperately to stop reading, but I got this for review, so I carried on.

I didn’t care for a flip flop of t...more

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Jul 27, 2011 Catherine rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads-arcs-won-a-copy, fiction-vixen-reviews, historical, romance, boring, england, falls-for-sibing-s-friend, rake-bad-boy, read-2011, sucked, series-but-not-officially

I went into this book expecting to like it. It had two things going for it right off the bat. One, it’s a “falls-for-sibling’s-friend” romance, and two, I enjoyed How To Marry a Duke, Julianne’s brother’s book. Imagine my surprise to find that I disliked it enough in the beginning half that I almost DNF’ed it!

There was a fatal flaw for me in the setup of this book—I had no sympathy for the heroine’s situation. I’m pretty sure I was supposed to be on her side, but I found her logic baffling. She...more

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Jul 14, 2011 Lisarenee rated it 5 of 5 stars

Four years ago at her debutant ball Lady Julianne Gatewick fell in love. The object of her affection was Marc Darcett (Hawk), Earl of Hawkfield. He's her brother's best friend and she's known him for what seems like forever. In the four years since her debut, it seemed he only saw her as his best friend's little sister and nothing more. Then at a ball held by the Breresfords, her fairytale ending looked like it was within her grasp. During a waltz with Marc he couldn't seem to take his eyes off...more Four years ago at her debutant ball Lady Julianne Gatewick fell in love. The object of her affection was Marc Darcett (Hawk), Earl of Hawkfield. He's her brother's best friend and she's known him for what seems like forever. In the four years since her debut, it seemed he only saw her as his best friend's little sister and nothing more. Then at a ball held by the Breresfords, her fairytale ending looked like it was within her grasp. During a waltz with Marc he couldn't seem to take his eyes off her. She felt like Cinderella at the ball dancing with the Prince. In an instant, however, the spell of the evening was broken. Not by the chiming of the clock at midnight, but by the words Marc would utter for all the ton to hear, "Lest you or anyone else harbor the wrong idea. I will set the record straight. Lady Julianne is practically a sister to me."

Utterly devastated, Julianne was determined to move on and forget about Marc. That was easier said then done as he would act as her guardian for the season. Marc's aunt Hester, who was sponsoring her this season, decided to take Julianne under her wing and give her the advice she would have imparted to her daughter, if she'd had one. While Hester might not be able to turn a pumpkin into a carriage, she did know a little something about landing a husband. She'd been married 5 times. Through Hester, Julianne, will learn the 'Secrets of Seduction.'

This was an enchanting tale that had me grinning from ear to ear. The chemistry between Marc and Julianne was flammable and only needed a spark to set it off. The interaction and bantering between the two was fun to witness. I loved seeing the way Marc tried to fight his feelings for Julianne since she was his best friend's sister. Plus, there was an added dimension to the story because something happened in Marc's past which made him determined never to ever marry. Thinking himself unworthy of such happiness, Julianne had her work cut out for her.

Once again a book inspired a song to dance through my head. In this case, however, it wasn't just one, but two. Taylor Swift's songs Love Story and White Horse kept alternating at various times in my head. While no song totally fits a book snippets like "I'm not a princess, this ain't a fairy tale" and "it's a love story baby just say yes" danced in my head. I gave this one 5 out of 5 roses

Order to read trilogy:

1. How to Marry a Duke
2. How to Seduce a Scoundrel
3. How to Ravish a Rake (tentatively coming late 2011 or early 2012)

To see more of my reviews visit my blog at
www.seducedbyabook.com
(less)

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Jul 13, 2011 Crystal ♥ RBtWBC rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: request-blog-tour

Lady Julianne Gatewick has been in love with the Earl of Hawkfield since she was a little girl. When he agrees to be her guardian during the season she thinks he is finally going to announce his feelings and intent with her but comes to find out that he only thinks of her as a sister, dashing all of her romantic hopes and breaking her heart in the process. Embarrassing her in front of the ton, Julianne decides to get over the rake and get revenge. With the help of her sponsor, Hawke’s aunt, she...more Lady Julianne Gatewick has been in love with the Earl of Hawkfield since she was a little girl. When he agrees to be her guardian during the season she thinks he is finally going to announce his feelings and intent with her but comes to find out that he only thinks of her as a sister, dashing all of her romantic hopes and breaking her heart in the process. Embarrassing her in front of the ton, Julianne decides to get over the rake and get revenge. With the help of her sponsor, Hawke’s aunt, she learns a few tips on seduction and puts her new knowledge to use by secretly penning a pamphlet to help other young ladies of the ton in turning the tables and seducing the roguish gentlemen of London.

The idea behind How to Seduce a Scoundrel was intriguing and I was looking forward to my first Vicky Dreiling read, but when it came to the actual story I found it sorely lacking.

The first three hundred plus pages dragged and I had to fight not to put it down and move on to another book. I liked the main character of Marc, the Earl of Hawkfield, a.k.a. Hawk. I found him to be a dashing rogue with a mysterious past and dark torment that intrigued me. There were hints throughout the novel of a past scandal that had devastating consequences but the suspense of it was too drawn out, it ultimately lost its appeal and was brought to the point of, ‘Can we just get to it already?’
His absolute obliviousness over Julianne’s feelings towards him was believable and somewhat laughable in a typical male kind of way; and then when he finally saw her as a woman instead of the girl he had a teasing relationship with I could feel the tension in him, and his fight between his sense of duty and his burgeoning feelings for her. Though he did come off sometimes as domineering, it was his jealousy that drove him to this. Hawk’s character had multiple dimensions that I felt were unexplored and neglected by the author, I would of loved for Dreiling to have dived more into him than the subplot of the novel.

Lady Julianne Gatewick on the other hand I just could not get into. I couldn’t get over this view I had of her as a teenage with a bad crush on her older brother’s best friend. I thought that she might mature into more of a woman throughout the story and though she did somewhat grow in her reactions to the world around her and her feelings I never came to see her as a grown woman with substance, her character fell flat.
I also found the idea and sub plot of Julianne writing a pamphlet on seduction just silly. How is a naïve girl with no experience and who believes everything to be scandalous writing a pamphlet on seducing a rake to the alter? Her back and forth mentality drove me crazy and had the biggest influence in dragging the plot down.

It was a very drawn out process of Hawk coming to terms with his feelings and past guilt and Julianne deciding on whether she still had feelings for Hawk or not. When the sexual tension between these two finally reached its peak I was left feeling frustrated and bereft.
The last fifty pages was by far the most interesting, where key points in the plot finally clicked into place and the ending was happy and heartwarming. The whole story was well detailed with elaborate world building and you could tell that the author really did her research before compiling the novel, which I appreciate.

I did like the fact that I was able to dive into this novel without any confusion despite the fact that this is a second in a series. I was also intrigued by Marc’s brother Tristan, whose story is the first novel, How to Marry a Duke. But because of my disappointment with this installment I won’t be rushing to read that one or the next in the series.

All in all, this wasn’t a bad novel but it wasn’t great either. I think it had potential but missed its mark. If you are a fan of historical romances and have an abundance of patience then I would recommend this to you. If not, then you might want to pass it over until a rainy day.

http://readingbetweenthewinesbookclub...(less)

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Apr 27, 2012 Shh I'm reading! rated it 2 of 5 stars

Finishing this book was a struggle, and despite having some moments the most I can say is it was okay. The premise is a pretty standard romantic plot. Julianne is in love with her brother's best friend, Hawkfield. After he embarrasses her at a ball, Julianne vows to make him (and any other rakes who have unwittingly led the young women of the ton astray) crawl.

The problem is that Julianne spent the majority of the book as an immature girl than the adult she should have been and Hawkfield treated...more

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Jun 21, 2011 Kati rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-with-reviews, own-on-kindle, favorite-books, netgalley, 2011-reads, historicals, books-i-own, 2011-reviews, regency-rockstar-author

The book summed up in a limerick that I wrote... (inspired by Hawk and his unfinished limerick)

There once was an Earl of Hawkfield
Who used humor and wit as a shield
He tried to keep up his guard
But fell in love with his ward
And in the end, they did yield.

Ta-da!

A full review can be found on my blog Romancing Rakes
***Downloaded this book from NetGalley***

4 likes · like · see review

Nov 04, 2011 Ruth Hill rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance

I am normally a fan of old-fashioned romances. I tend to enjoy a good Regency romance where the lovers struggle, and the end, everything works out the way you want it to. This book definitely falls into this predictable genre, and was definitely a light, fun read.

The author created two very likeable characters. Hawk steals the show even though he is a rake. I love the fact that we get to see him grow and mature as he comes face to face with his desire for Julianne. I always love the passion that...more I am normally a fan of old-fashioned romances. I tend to enjoy a good Regency romance where the lovers struggle, and the end, everything works out the way you want it to. This book definitely falls into this predictable genre, and was definitely a light, fun read.

The author created two very likeable characters. Hawk steals the show even though he is a rake. I love the fact that we get to see him grow and mature as he comes face to face with his desire for Julianne. I always love the passion that a man like Hawk brings to a story like this. I loved the genuine chemistry and relationship that he and Julianne enjoyed. I always love to see a couple who can play together like they do. I personally think that if a relationship does not have a degree of fun to it that you just may as well give it up. I often think of romances way back in the day were austere and emotionless. I am so grateful for authors like this one who can change that perception.

Thankfully the adult words and mild profanity were not too horrible. I felt like I could basically stomach that since it was not too rampant. Do realize that there may be some offensive language but not nearly as much as many romances I have read this year.

There are really only two things that keep this from being a 4-star rated book, in my opinion. I think that the blossoming romance between Hawk and Julianne is too rushed. But then again, I did not read the first book in the series. The main thing that rubbed me the wrong way was the intimate scenes between the two. Granted, my moral fiber never enjoys the fact that two characters have sex before marrisge. I was glad the intimate scenes were not any more detailed than they were, but I could have done with less detail. In the bedroom, less is always more. (I like the way that sounded!)

In conclusion, I can definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good romance. I was glad to see some moral fortitude from the characters--Hawk especially.

I won a copy of this book and was not financially compensated for my review. All opinions are 100% mine.(less)

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Sep 17, 2011 Kathy Davie rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: history, romance

Second in the __ historical romance series set in London. Hey, what can I say?? Dreiling hasn't seen fit to title her series yet.

The Story
Young Lady Julianne has returned to town for the Season only to find that the family who was to chaperone her for it must go out of town to care for a hypochondriacal great-grandmother. Instead, Marc Darcett, the Earl of Hawkfield's aunt, Hester, offers to keep an eye on her and her brother, Tristan, asks Hawk to act as her guardian as he and their mother must...more

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Aug 04, 2011 SimBim rated it 2 of 5 stars

I expected to like this books and I did to a degree, mostly because of some side characters who were charmingly quirky. Hawke wasn't a bad hero, and I liked him, too. He was funny and notoriously sexy. But the major let down for this book was the heroine to me. She was more than a little selfish, although some might disagree, and I don't know why, but she seemed shallow to me. It's just my opinion, but I really couldn't empahsize with her and she seemed quite juvenile.

I didn't like the way the...more

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Jul 11, 2011 Chelleyreads (Michelle&Leslie's Book Picks) rated it 3 of 5 stars

In How to Seduce a Scoundrel we follow Lady Julianne Gatewick on her fourth season with rakish Marc Darcett, Earl of Hawkfield (aka Hawk) as her guardian (as a favor to her brother who is Hawk's best friend) and sponsored by Hawk's eccentric aunt Hester. Julianne has been in love with Hawk since she was a young girl and at a ball as they were dancing a waltz Julianne thought that finally her dreams of having Hawk fall for her are coming true--until he announced to the whole assembly that he sees...more In How to Seduce a Scoundrel we follow Lady Julianne Gatewick on her fourth season with rakish Marc Darcett, Earl of Hawkfield (aka Hawk) as her guardian (as a favor to her brother who is Hawk's best friend) and sponsored by Hawk's eccentric aunt Hester. Julianne has been in love with Hawk since she was a young girl and at a ball as they were dancing a waltz Julianne thought that finally her dreams of having Hawk fall for her are coming true--until he announced to the whole assembly that he sees her as his sister. Heartbroken, Julianne decided to write a pamphlet with advice on how to help other single ladies direct rakes reluctant to get married into matrimony.

Hawk thought it was going to be a boring season having to attend dull affairs but soon he found he couldn't leave Julianne alone or else she'll find trouble. He really took his role as guardian seriously and placing crazy restrictions on Julianne to keep her from doing any "mischief." As much as Hawk tried to deny it, he wants Julianne for his own. But she's his best friends sister and that means she is off-limits. He had sworn off marriage due to a scandal in his past. But he cannot stop thinking of and fantasizing about Julianne and Julianne herself cannot forget about Hawk despite his authoritarian attitude. Can these two work out their feelings and their past to find their happily ever after?

The plot of How to Seduce a Scoundrel being about a lady in love with her brother's best friend (one of my favorite plot lines), I was quite excited to read this book. I haven't the first book in the series How to Marry a Duke but this book is very much a standalone. The author's writing is readable and right way the pacing of the novel stood out for me. The events were like bam, bam, bam and the author definitely knew where she wanted to take the story. I did like Julianne's character but I thought she acted a little young (her being 21 years old and in her fourth season) in some scenes and I never really got her whole I'm-going-to-write-pamphlet-to-help-other-ladies-because-Hawk-broke-my-heart (huh?) but it was a fun idea and I liked the advice Julianne came up with, with the help of Hester. As for Hawk, I wanted to throttle for most of the book. He was overbearing and annoying as he followed her around to "save" her from mischief and from rogues (aka any man who showed interest looked in Julianne's direction). So, yeah, Hawk wasn't a favorite character of mine. But in the last third as Hawk did get less overbearing with his guardianship and we learn about his secret past, I did warm up to him.

I read an ARC copy though and it was 396 pages long--the final copy is 352 pages according to Goodreads so the Hawk and Julianne I read might be different (just fyi). Yes, I had some problems with some of the characters and I wanted more sexual tension between Hawk and Julianne. But, on the whole, it wasn't a bad read; there were some fun moments, great banter and humor. The author's writing style kept me engaged and How to Seduce a Scoundrel was a light and easy read.

3.5 out of 5 stars(less)

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Jul 06, 2011 April rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance-regency-england

RATING:4.5)HOW TO SEDUCE A SCOUNDREL by Vicky Dreiling is an exciting historical romance set in 1817 Richmond,London.It is written with wit,depth and details.The plot is easy to follow.The characters are enchanting,witty,engaging and will capture your heart while they capture each others hearts also. It has wit,romance,sweet sensuality,love,rogues, scoundrels, rakes,guilt, family,secrets, friends,shenanigans,forbidden love,passion and the ability to follow your heart.Lady Julianne Gatewick is an...more

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Jul 03, 2011 Mary Gramlich rated it 5 of 5 stars

How to Seduce a Scoundrel by Vicky Dreiling
07/11 - Grand Central Publishing - Mass Market Paperback, 352 pages

Is love strong enough to survive the truth that is setting you free?

Lady Julianne Gatewick’s fourth and hopefully her last come-out season was to be magical and glorious not vexing and frustrating. Julianne has since childhood been in love with Marc Darcett, Earl of Hawkfield and is determined to show him her heart and expose the feelings she held since childhood toward him. Hawk still s...more How to Seduce a Scoundrel by Vicky Dreiling
07/11 - Grand Central Publishing - Mass Market Paperback, 352 pages

Is love strong enough to survive the truth that is setting you free?

Lady Julianne Gatewick’s fourth and hopefully her last come-out season was to be magical and glorious not vexing and frustrating. Julianne has since childhood been in love with Marc Darcett, Earl of Hawkfield and is determined to show him her heart and expose the feelings she held since childhood toward him. Hawk still sees her as the younger sister to his best friend, but Julianne is a grown woman and ready to fly away from the nest and hopefully into his arms.

When Julianne’s brother must leave her in the guardianship of Hawk the idea is appealing to her and devastating to him. Julianne sees this as the opportunity to win his heart over and Hawk is crushed that he has to give up his Rakish behavior until this duty is concluded. Good behavior does not become Hawk but no real man turns down the wishes of their best friend regardless of the cost to their libido.

Julianne is a handful to keep track of, and out of trouble especially when Hawk’s aunt is encouraging her to express her feelings in the most inappropriate of ways and help get his attention. Julianne is listening to Hawk’s aunt and decides rules be damned when Hawk cannot open his eyes and see what she has to offer. Since her heart can only take one more rejection, she is going full force to win him or walk away with one of the other cubs sitting in her parlor. Julianne may not be the worldly woman others that draw Hawk’s attention are but she can learn The Secrets of Seduction and give him an education.

When the scars of Hawk’s past comes knocking on the door will he let him in or continue to believe that he is not worthy of anyone’s love? Julianne is teaching him to walk away from what has hurt him and embrace the future she is offering even after he reveals all the dark rooms he has lurked in.

Lovely is an understated word for this book but it is difficult to describe how much love has been written into this story. Julianne is sweet but not naïve and her affection for Hawk does not overtake her it empowers her to free him from the demons controlling his emotions. Both Hawk and Julianne deal with the past, move on to the future and win over each other day-by-day.(less)

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Jun 30, 2011 Jan Crow rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone

Recommended to Jan by: Vicky Dreiling

Lady Julianne Gatewick, Julie-girl as the Earl of Hawkfield called her, had a thing for Rogues. Scoundrels, Rakes and Rogues were the type of men she was attracted to. And as this was her fourth season, it was high time that she found herself a husband. Julianne had her eyes on Hawk, the Earl of Hawkfield. She had waited for him for years, loving him secretly as she watched him when he visited her older brother, Tristan. Yet on the fateful night of a ball, Hawk discarded her affections and anno...more

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Jun 18, 2011 Amy (Books, College, and Other Random Things) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

I’m reviewing this book for Net Galley.
How to Seduce a Scoundrel by Vicky Dreiling is a historical romance that tells the story of Lady Julianne Gatewick and Marc Darcett, Earl of Hawkfield, called Hawk by all those who know him. Tristan, the Duke of Shelbourne, is Julianne’s older brother and he has charged his best friend Hawk to be her guardian for a season as his wife is expecting their first child and he cannot be away from as her period of confinement draws nigh. Hawk reluctantly agrees an...more

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Jun 05, 2011 Cocktails and Books rated it 4 of 5 stars

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

Marc Darcett, Earl of Hawksfield, has known Lady Julianne Gatewick for most of her life, seeing as she is the little sister of his best friend Tristan Gatewick, Duke of Shelbourne (if you've read Vicky Drieling's first novel, How to Marry a Duke, you'll recognize the name). When Tristan asks him to act as Julianne's guardian for the season, Hawk reluctantly agrees. After all, watching over Julianne means no more rakish ways (including those 2 actresses who offered to entertain Marc together).

Jul...more Marc Darcett, Earl of Hawksfield, has known Lady Julianne Gatewick for most of her life, seeing as she is the little sister of his best friend Tristan Gatewick, Duke of Shelbourne (if you've read Vicky Drieling's first novel, How to Marry a Duke, you'll recognize the name). When Tristan asks him to act as Julianne's guardian for the season, Hawk reluctantly agrees. After all, watching over Julianne means no more rakish ways (including those 2 actresses who offered to entertain Marc together).

Julianne has harbored a crush on Marc for as long as she can remember. At 17, those feelings changed to something much more significant, when she became determine to entice Hawk into falling madly in love with her and marrying her. She's turned down numerous proposals (and first kisses) in hopes of finally capturing Hawk's interest. So with high hopes that this year will be the year that she finally gets what she wants.

What she doesn't expect (and frankly neither do those us that first met Hawk in How to Marry a Duke) is that Hawk is a much more complicated person than he portrays himself. Deeply effected by one bad mistake made when he was eighteen, he's decided to be the person is deceased father thought he was, rather than having to deal with the repercussions of that mistake. He's destined himself to a lonely life so he won't have to feel that kind of pain again. Despite this, it's Julianne who's able to see through the veneer to the person he truly is.

I loved both Hawk and Julianne. Her act of revenge against his unintended hurtful proclamation and his high-handedness about what she could do this season (loved, loved, loved her rules!!) were inspiring. It was also a pleasure to watch her grow as a woman. She gave up those girlish dreams, but ended up with so much more. While Hawk also matured, giving up acting in a way his father he was, to being the man that can moved away from the past and shape his own future.

Great second installment to the series. Cannot wait to read Will and Amy's story!(less)

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Oct 24, 2011 Rizmarie07 rated it 2 of 5 stars

I usually like the "not allowed to get together" plots for romance novels, so I was hoping this would be a good one. It turns out that the characters and plot were just very poorly conceptualized and written. It seemed like the author had the loves scenes in mind and then just wrote around those scenes so that they would fit into a so-called story line.

The female lead, Julianne, was irritating but considering the characters she had to interact with, it's no wonder that she behaved the way she d...more I usually like the "not allowed to get together" plots for romance novels, so I was hoping this would be a good one. It turns out that the characters and plot were just very poorly conceptualized and written. It seemed like the author had the loves scenes in mind and then just wrote around those scenes so that they would fit into a so-called story line.

The female lead, Julianne, was irritating but considering the characters she had to interact with, it's no wonder that she behaved the way she did. She was so immature and, in my opinion, behaved like a spoiled little girl most of the time. Plus, she continued to go back and for with her feelings towards Marc and her so-called convictions. One minute she'd be mad at him, the next she'd be obeying his orders and following his rules. It made her look like she had no backbone whatsoever, something I hate about people in general and wouldn't want to see in a romance-novel heroinne.

The hero, Marc, was overbearing and authoritarian. It was really hard to believe that his aunt and his "charge" so easily agreed to follow the "rules" that he came up with. His reactions to Julianne's activities were overly sensitive and had no sound reasoning.

It was also hard to believe that the a young and inexperienced woman like Julianne would be able to write a book/flyer on how to seduce a "scoundrel". First of all, the "rules" were given to her from her chaperone. Second, the methods or scenarios that Julianne and her friends came up to implement the rules with were never tested since they were, in fact, inexperienced. It would have made more sense if the chaperone (I forget her name) wrote the book since she's the one who came up with the "rules" and had tested those rules. It didn't make sense.

Finally, returning back to the interactions between Julianne and Marc, their fights were constantly the same thing over and over again. He gets jealous, makes unwarranted assumptions about Julianne's behavior, berates her, makes up rules for her to follow (Don't talk to him, don't go anywhere, etc.), she argues back at him, then eventually acquiesces. It got repetitive to the point where I started skipping pages just to get to the end.

All in all, I don't recommend. Horrible. Don't waste your money. Demand better thought and writing from our romance writers.(less)

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Jul 01, 2011 Jen (Red Hot Books) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, arcs

When we first met Julianne, she was the charming little sister to Tristan in How to Marry a Duke. But now, she's all grown up and she has her sights set on her brother's best friend, Hawk. She's been infatuated with him since she was a little girl, but now that she is 21, she hopes he'll finally see her as a woman.

Tristan has made Hawk Julianne's guardian, while he and his wife await the birth of their son. (Julianne is staying with Hawk's great-aunt Hester.) And though Hawk doesn't want the job...more

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Jun 21, 2012 Ellen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-series, romance-series

This was much better than How to Marry a Duke.

Hawk was so cute. He was all rake-y but deep down he is incredibly sweet. Julianne was excellent and Amy and Georgette were also great.

I did have a problem early on while Hawk is Julianne's guardian he keeps being redonkuluously alpha male and she sort of, almost finishes her attempts at standing up to him. This happens three or so times and each time he came the heavy on her and restricted things or made up dumb rules - when she had a reason to be l...more

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Sep 03, 2012 Ellyce rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, read-in-2012, pain-to-get-through, boring-people-have-boring-sex

This installment just continued the terrible wave of plot and writing from the previous installment, but the last 25% of it actually made a sort of coherent sense that I feel it warrants an extra half a star in the rating. There's actual plot involved that's interesting, and some emotional depth, but that's about it. Of course, the side characters were the most interesting part of the book, and it was just frustrating to read the constant putting-the-alphahole-on-a-revered-pedestal feelings this...more This installment just continued the terrible wave of plot and writing from the previous installment, but the last 25% of it actually made a sort of coherent sense that I feel it warrants an extra half a star in the rating. There's actual plot involved that's interesting, and some emotional depth, but that's about it. Of course, the side characters were the most interesting part of the book, and it was just frustrating to read the constant putting-the-alphahole-on-a-revered-pedestal feelings this author clearly has.

For example, this is something the hero actually says 46% into the book: "It is a proven fact that females have smaller brains, and sometimes their thinking is hampered by their inferior ability to apply reason." Seriously?! My mouth literally dropped open; I couldn't believe an author would have the audacity to put that in or even have her hero, who we are supposed to be ROOTING FOR, say that! It doesn't matter that he was talking to the butler, or that he was trying to figure out where his ~speshul snowflake beloved and his aunt were, that is such a disgusting thing to say. Seriously...

The whole interaction between this couple was so unhealthy. Frankly, I was disgusted. The girl seriously kept on saying she would hold her head up and not be bullied by him into ordering her about, but once he came in, any resolve went out the window and she would concede to him. It was stupid and just utterly ridiculous. Just because he was acting as her temporary guardian did not give him the right to make outrageous demands on her, especially since he just HAD to prove he was the alphahole male are town.

There's a part when he forbids her to read a pamphlet that's been published, even though he hasn't even read it, on the grounds that everyone is saying it's inappropriate. Honestly, the amount of misogyny in this book was just disgusting. All these angry feelings are definitely making me take away that extra half-star I added, because the main characters have NOTHING to redeem themselves with.

I'm worried now about Amy as the focus of book three, she's such a wonderful side character and friend, and hopefully she won't be ruined by an awful storyline or writing. (less)

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Jan 13, 2013 Bookseller Cate rated it 2 of 5 stars

I think it's time for me to finally throw up my hands at historical romance, and poor Vicki Drelling's is going to be the book that's flung aside with great force. We're suppose to find these men attractive? Really? If so, I'm going back to Georgette Heyer.

How to Seduce a Scoundrelcontains one of my favourite tropes of the genre, that of childhood friends falling in love with each other. The trouble is, it also contains so many of the tropes that keep me from truly enjoying the genre.

As is much...more I think it's time for me to finally throw up my hands at historical romance, and poor Vicki Drelling's is going to be the book that's flung aside with great force. We're suppose to find these men attractive? Really? If so, I'm going back to Georgette Heyer.

How to Seduce a Scoundrel contains one of my favourite tropes of the genre, that of childhood friends falling in love with each other. The trouble is, it also contains so many of the tropes that keep me from truly enjoying the genre.

As is much too common, despite the long history between the hero and heroine, the attraction is weighted very heavily on the physical. Drelling uses the trope of reunited-after-years-apart to allow the heroine, Julianne, to have "blossomed" into someone the hero deems worthy to be taken to his bed. After that, there are a few references to childhood memories, but the relationship is primarily describing in his fantasies about bedding her (and his supposed guilt over indulging them).

In the hero, Hawk, we also have a terrible hypocrite. While I'm perfectly willing to accept the reformed-rake trope, and the historically accurate inequality in requirements of chastity between the sexes, I just can't stand that Hawk condemns Julianne's other suitors for the exact activities that he indulges in, or plans to indulge in.

Another of my favourite tropes is that of the elderly female relative who takes either hero or heroine under her wing. Being from an earlier, less-inhibited generation, her irreverent attitudes and utterances are quite shocking to those around her. In the opening chapters, I had great hopes for Hester, who is recruited as Julianne's chaperone, but alas they did not come to fruition. The key to the "elderly female relation" is in her racy dialogue and, sadly, Drelling did not make Hester's sparkle.

The redeeming aspect of this book, is the twist at the end. I admit to rolling my eyes over Hawk's whingeing about his guilt over an episode in his past, but when Drelling actually revealed it, I was rather impressed that she included such an unusual trope in her book. That said, and without giving away the ending, I feel like the relationships were a bit too prettily wrapped up at the end. One can have a "happily-ever-after", even when there's a little friction between those characters who are forced into each other's lives. In my opinion, it makes the happiness all the sweeter.

This review also appears at Boxes of Paper. (less)

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Jun 21, 2011 Danielle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: review

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Vicky has created a wonderful story with a great mix of love and humor. I love the passion between both Julianne and Hawk. It was very enjoyable to see them get their HEA. I loved that we saw both characters at such vulnerable states but overcome everything and find their way to eachother. The love between them both was very believable and very passionate.

Julianne is such a caring and passionate person. She isn't just some flighty debutante whose only concern is...more

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Jul 07, 2011 Beth Yarnall rated it 5 of 5 stars

Stop by my blog to win 1 of 3 copies of How to Seduce a Scoundrel!!!
www.bethyarnall.com
**USA** only thank you!

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Jul 28, 2011 Jaime rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fresh-fiction-reads, 2011-read

Review from www.FreshFiction.com

Double standards plague well bred young ladies in Georgian England. They are to act in a manner that protects their reputation while the gentlemen of society can do as they well please. When it is time to marry, there is little they can do to attract the attention of the gentleman who holds their heart. Julianne Gatewick could not sit back and watch her brother’s bestfriend, the Earl of Hawkfield, from afar any longer. Knowing that Hawk avoids the topic of marriag...more

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Jul 08, 2011 Stacy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance-england

I like Hawke a lot. He was roguish yet vulnerable, which is my favorite kind of hero. He laughs to cover the pain that he has experienced in the past. Juliane was ok, there was nothing overly lovable about her, but I could definitelly identify with her situation. Unrequited love and the does he love me/does he not connundrum she finds herself in.

It does a decent job of exploring the male/female realtionships not only of that time but today. How does hold the power? Yes men in that time were the...more

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Sep 13, 2011 Sue rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really liked this book. It was funny and sad, if that makes sense. I loved Hawk in How to Marry a Duke (he is Tristan's best friend) and I loved him even more in How To Seduce A Scoundral. Julieanne is Tristan's sister and when he asks Hawk (who is one of the most notorious rakes in London) to act as her guardian for the Season she is thrilled; convinced Hawk will propose. Hawk is appalled by the request and even though he adores Julieanne, everyone knows sisters of best friends are off limits...more

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Jul 27, 2011 Amanda rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

How do you seduce a scoundrel? If you are anything like me, you cannnot help but be drawn to the bad boy, the feverishly sexy guy you know you shouldn't want, but do anyways. Wouldn't you want to know HOW to seduce him, to make him yours, not just for now, but for always? Well, do you bat your eyes at him? Do you display your luscious bosom in a sexy but classy gown? Do you laugh at his witty remarks and play a little hard to get? Well, my fellow romance lovers, the answers are here for you in V...more How do you seduce a scoundrel? If you are anything like me, you cannnot help but be drawn to the bad boy, the feverishly sexy guy you know you shouldn't want, but do anyways. Wouldn't you want to know HOW to seduce him, to make him yours, not just for now, but for always? Well, do you bat your eyes at him? Do you display your luscious bosom in a sexy but classy gown? Do you laugh at his witty remarks and play a little hard to get? Well, my fellow romance lovers, the answers are here for you in Vicky Dreiling's second novel,
"How to Seduce a Scoundrel".

Our heroine, Julianne Gatewick, needs to seduce a scoundrel, and not just any-old-scoundrel. We are talking about her brother's best friend, Marc Darcett, the Earl of Hawkfield (aka Hawk). How do you seduce a man that you've known since you were a little girl, a man who is reputed to be a complete rogue, a man whom you have loved since you were 9 years old? Julianne is determined to make Hawk hers, but how does she convince him that she is no longer his innocent little Julie-girl, but a beautiful, engaging woman?

Hawk had no idea that being the guardian for his best friend's sister would be such a task! She has young bucks surrounding her at all times wherever she goes, and Hawk, being a man, knows EXACTLY what is on their minds, and it's not sharing a game of lawn bowling! Soon enough, Hawk realizes that Julianne isn't a little girl, but a exceptionally beautiful woman with curves he would like to stroke and eyes he could loose himself in and hair that he could sink his fingers through. Wait. This is his best friend's sister. He cannot have these desires for his Julie-girl. It's not right...or is it?

I really enjoyed this book. In fact, I think I liked it more than the first book! I laughed at the banter between Hawk and Julianne and you could just feel the chemistry building between them. The scene where Julianne and her girlfriends get sloshed at an evening soiree is hilarious! The secondary characters are meaningful and memorable. I think Lady Rutledge stole the book. She is Hawk's aunt who is a no-nonsense, tell it like it is kind of gal. I loved her. She encourages Julianne to write a pamphlet to help the single girls catch a man, with many of the ideas coming from Lady Rutledge herself.

This is a great summer read where the characters learn and grow. With the help of Julianne's true love, Hawk learns to forgive himself for a grave mistake in his past. Julianne learns that there is more to love than just outward appearances. What's beautiful is on the inside of both a man and a woman.(less)

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Jul 15, 2011 Julie (Mom2lnb) rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of Lighter Regency Romance, Jealous Heroes, Friends to Lovers

Shelves: historical-romance, read-2011

Reviewed for THC Reviews
Ever since meeting Hawk and Julianne in Vicky Dreiling's debut romance, How to Marry a Duke, I have really been looking forward to reading their story. I thought they showed great potential as lead characters, and for the most part, they were still pretty likable in How to Seduce a Scoundrel. The book got off to a wonderful start, with the first few chapters brimming with repartee that was fresh, clever, witty and occasionally just a bit wicked. While reading these parts,...more Reviewed for THC Reviews
Ever since meeting Hawk and Julianne in Vicky Dreiling's debut romance, How to Marry a Duke, I have really been looking forward to reading their story. I thought they showed great potential as lead characters, and for the most part, they were still pretty likable in How to Seduce a Scoundrel. The book got off to a wonderful start, with the first few chapters brimming with repartee that was fresh, clever, witty and occasionally just a bit wicked. While reading these parts, I spent a lot of time smiling if not outright laughing. I also liked that they had known each other and been comfortable friends for many years. Unfortunately, things started to get a little off track for me from the moment Hawk accidentally dissed Julianne after their waltz. From that point and throughout most of the rest of the book, I felt like both characters were often being too stubborn for their own good, but in the end, everything came together to make it a pretty good read.

Hawk is an utterly charming rogue. In spite of his wickedly rakish reputation, his best friend, Tristan, trusts him implicitly to act as temporary guardian to his sister, Julianne, so she won't have to miss the season's festivities while Tristan tends to his wife who is nearing her time to give birth. Hawk would do anything for Tristan, but still isn't entirely thrilled about having to escort Julianne around to all the balls and parties. However, he finds himself not minding as much as he thought he would, mainly because of Julianne herself. Almost from the start, Hawk begins to see her as the desirable woman that she is rather than the little girl who used to be his partner in mischief. That scares him to death, partly because best friend's sisters are off limits and partly because he has his own scandalous secret that makes him feel unworthy of a woman like Julianne. I thought it was quite amusing how Hawk was so protective of Julianne and jealous of all her suitors, but was so clueless about his own feelings, he didn't realize it at first. The reader also learns that his devil-may-care attitude is just part of the armor he uses to shield himself from the pain of past mistakes. I liked how he was able to grow though all this and become a better man in the end.

I thought it was very sweet that Julianne had had a crush on Hawk since she was a little girl (and had even proposed to him back then), and fell completely in love with him when he danced with her at her come-out ball four years earlier. Since then she's had numerous marriage proposals and turned them all down, never even allowing herself to be kissed, because she dreamed of Hawk being the first. Julianne may have been adorable in the beginning, but when Hawk got her hackles up, the claws came out and she could be pretty stubborn. I know that she felt Hawk publicly embarrassed her by saying he thought of her only as a sister after they had shared a particularly sensuous waltz, but for her to completely give up her long-held tendre for him over it, and so quickly, seemed perhaps just a little extreme for the circumstances. From that point on, Julianne seemed to alternate between being incredibly astute in her assessment of Hawk's behavior and not really seeing what was right in front of her. I did enjoy how Julianne slowly wised up as she came to realize that courtship wasn't as easy as she thought it was for the gentleman and that maybe she had been wrong about some things when she decided to write her scandalous pamphlet. I think the whole process was a good learning experience for her.

The dialog and overall narrative is fairly snappy, giving the impression that the novel is fast-paced, but in reality the plot progresses rather slowly. In my opinion, Hawk and Julianne's relationship kind of stagnates due to their frequent arguments. Although the couple's bantering could be rather amusing at times, I really hated to see them constantly at odds for such a long stretch. When that happens in a romance, it tends to put a damper on the emotional connection for me. I'm also not a fan of game playing in a relationship or the frequent small misunderstandings between them which led to an overall sense of distrust. I thought it placed a little too much distance between the pair when sexual tension should have been building instead. It was refreshing to not have them jumping into bed in the first chapter (in fact that doesn't happen until about ¾ of the way into the book), but I still think the story could have used a bit more steam in general and the love scenes needed a little more pizazz too. Vicky Dreiling tends to write these scenes at a moderate level at best, and I definitely don't mind that. However, I've read other authors who write mild to moderate love scenes with a lot more emotion and overall romanticism. With Ms. Dreiling it almost seems like she's trying too hard to hold back the sensuality level and as a result, I thought these moments came off feeling rather rushed. Hopefully, this is something that will improve as she gains more writing experience. The author is also very slow to disclose Hawk's secret. While I do like for a book to keep me on pins and needles waiting for the reveal, I thought perhaps she could have dropped a few more clues along the way. As is, she just kept reiterating that Hawk felt really bad about some big mistake he'd made in the past and then suddenly dropped it like a bomb. Lastly, Ms. Dreiling can be very good at allowing her characters to emote in just the right way to create a truly romantic air, but at times, I thought a little more subtlety would have been better.

The author did make good use of her secondary characters. Hawk's Aunt Hester was a hoot, especially in the beginning. I thoroughly enjoyed her blunt talk with both Hawk and Julianne, as well as how she was a kind, motherly figure to them both. I was a little disappointed that we never found out for certain that her “friend” was the true love from her youth she spoke of to Julianne, but I still liked that she got to have a little romance herself. I thought it went to show that love isn't just for the young, but the young at heart. Also, several of the bridal candidates from How to Marry a Duke returned, with Georgette and Amy front and center as Julianne's best friends and confidants. I liked plain, shy Amy right from the start, so I'm very happy to know that she gets to be the heroine of the next book in the series, How to Ravish a Rake. She will be paired with Hawk's errant younger brother, William, whose rakish reputation is just as bad as Hawk's, if not worse. He finally returned home at the end of the book, but was never in any scenes, so it will be quite interesting to see how he and his seeming opposite get along in their own story. In spite of feeling like a few things could have been better here and there, I found How to Seduce a Scoundrel to be a pretty enjoyable read, and I'll be looking forward to the next book when it is released in the spring of 2012.

Note: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher, Hachette Book Group, in exchange for an honest review.(less)

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Jul 31, 2012 Melody May rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, historical

So, in the first book we meet Tristan's little sister Lady Julianne Gatewick. She's in the background of How to Marry a Duke, which is perfectly fine, because that's not her story. In the first book we are also intruduce to his best friend Marcus Darcett, the Earl of Hawkfield. Now we jump forward to the next year Tessa, Tristan's wife is pregnant and is in confinement therefore can't be left behind. So, Tristan entrust his sister care to his best friend, who better to protect his sister than hi...more

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Aug 04, 2011 Pam rated it 4 of 5 stars

This story takes place in England in the year 1817. Hawk is a carefree ladies man. He refuses to live at home with his family, has his own bachelor pad, and has quite the reputation as a rake. His best friend, Tristan, has asked him to watch over his sister for the season, and be her guardian. Hawk agrees though he hasn’t seen Julianne for some time, and when he does he is momentarily taken aback. This isn’t the girl that he teased growing up; this is a beautiful woman.

Julianne has loved Hawk fo...more This story takes place in England in the year 1817. Hawk is a carefree ladies man. He refuses to live at home with his family, has his own bachelor pad, and has quite the reputation as a rake. His best friend, Tristan, has asked him to watch over his sister for the season, and be her guardian. Hawk agrees though he hasn’t seen Julianne for some time, and when he does he is momentarily taken aback. This isn’t the girl that he teased growing up; this is a beautiful woman.

Julianne has loved Hawk for many years. She has always daydreamed about them having a ‘happily ever after.’ However, with growing up comes the understanding that fantasies are not always realistic. Julianne gets a wake up call when Hawk has a romantic moment dancing with her and after mentions that he thinks of her like a sister. She resolves that she is done letting the men take all the control in her relationships and decides to write an anonymous pamphlet on how to seduce the man you want to help all the other ladies in situations like herself. Will it help her seduce and win Hawk’s heart after all?

This book was a pleasant surprise; the story pulled me right in when Hawk was introduced; I felt as carefree as he was. It was like a breath of fresh air, and then I got lost in the story. You get to experience Hawk and Julianne struggle with their feelings and decisions and see them both grow.

The secondary characters are great. While Hawk is acting as Julianne’s guardian, Hawk’s aunt, Hester, is her sponsor. Aunt Hester speaks her mind about men very openly for that time, and she doesn’t care who it bothers. Julianne’s friends Amy and Georgette are always there for support, to offer their opinions, and even to get in trouble together. On one such escapade, the girls are at a party and hear some interesting noises behind a closed door…

The thumping turned into banging, and the man’s grunting grew louder. “Feel my mighty sword.”
“He has a sword?” Georgette asked.
The woman behind the door screamed.
Georgette gasped. “He killed her.”
(How to Seduce a Scoundrel, page 51)

How to Seduce a Scoundrel made me laugh, kept me up extra late, and kept me interested the whole time. I highly recommend this book.(less)

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About Vicky Dreiling

Vicky Dreiling is a confirmed historical romance junkie and Anglophile. Frequent business trips to the UK allowed her to indulge her passion for all things Regency England. Bath, Stonehenge, and Spencer House are among her favorite places. She is, however, truly sorry for accidentally setting off a security alarm in Windsor Castle. That unfortunate incident led her British colleagues to nickname h...more

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Books by Vicky Dreiling

A Season for Sin (The Sinful Scoundrels #0.5)

What a Wicked Earl Wants (The Sinful Scoundrels, #1)

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Quotes from How to Seduce a Scoundrel

“Something started thumping rhythmically against the door. Julianne hiccoughed and stared in horror, fearing whoever was in there would fling it open.
A man grunted again and again.
Georgette frowned. "Is he ill?"
The door thumped harder. A woman started making repetitive high-pitched noises, sounding like a squealing pig.
Julianne frowned. "What are they—hic—doing?"
"We must leave," Anne whispered.
The thumping turned into banging, and the man's grunting grew louder. "Feel my mighty sword."
"He has a sword?" Georgette asked.
The woman behind the door screamed.
Georgette gasped. "He killed her."
"I'm coming," the man said.
"Not inside me," the woman said in a curt voice. "I don't want a brat."
Julianne dropped the candle and clapped her hand over her mouth. She'd thought a bed was required. As she stared at the door, she tried to figure out how the amorous couple had managed, but she failed.” — 3 people liked it

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