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Never Love a Scoundrel
(Secrets & Scandals #5)
by
Vengeance is seductive…
Labeled a lunatic and a reprobate, Lord Jason Lockwood finds solace in debauchery outside the realm of Polite Society. Years after provoking Jason’s downfall, his bastard brother rises from the rookeries to emerge as the premier gentleman of the ton. Jason vows to uncover the supposedly reformed criminal’s secret motive and use it against him to exac ...more
Labeled a lunatic and a reprobate, Lord Jason Lockwood finds solace in debauchery outside the realm of Polite Society. Years after provoking Jason’s downfall, his bastard brother rises from the rookeries to emerge as the premier gentleman of the ton. Jason vows to uncover the supposedly reformed criminal’s secret motive and use it against him to exac ...more
ebook
Published
May 13th 2013
by Smashwords
(first published May 12th 2013)
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Start your review of Never Love a Scoundrel (Secrets & Scandals, #5)

Buddy read with Jennifer <3 <3
...more


What I liked:

1. The writing -I love Darcy Burke because she pushes the boundaries of historical romance. She knows how to tell a story, and she keeps me interested. I mean, there is a vice club in this book….that’s basically a sex club, ladies!!!
2. The characters - I am in love with Jason Lockwood. I mean, he’s tall, dark, handsome, broody, and he has a big scar across his face! What’s not to love?!
My Lockwood:

I loved Lydia in this book too! I didn’t think I would like her as much because of t ...more

1. The writing -I love Darcy Burke because she pushes the boundaries of historical romance. She knows how to tell a story, and she keeps me interested. I mean, there is a vice club in this book….that’s basically a sex club, ladies!!!
2. The characters - I am in love with Jason Lockwood. I mean, he’s tall, dark, handsome, broody, and he has a big scar across his face! What’s not to love?!
My Lockwood:

I loved Lydia in this book too! I didn’t think I would like her as much because of t ...more

Never Love a Scoundrel had the bones of a 5 star story. The first half of the book was really good and then it started to go down hill. Lady Lydia Prewitt wants to change her gossiping ways. She has been forced for 6 years to find out any gossip so her Aunt Lady Margret can embellish the scandal people are caught in and then spread the gossip. She is feared by the Ton. Well this makes no sense. Because lady Margret has a most scandalous past. So why they tolerated and feared her doesn't hold wei
...more

Never Love a Scoundrel is the fifth book in Ms Burke’s
Secrets and Scandals
series. I confess that I haven’t read any of the earlier books in the series, but even though some of the characters from them either appear or are referenced, I didn’t feel at a disadvantage, as the information we are given is sufficient for this particular story to work as a standalone.
Jason Lockwood lives on the fringes of society, a man suspected of insanity and known for debauchery. Years earlier, his mother h ...more
Jason Lockwood lives on the fringes of society, a man suspected of insanity and known for debauchery. Years earlier, his mother h ...more

Lord Jason Lockwood has his life turned upside down in the past when his father favored his half brother, who was illegitimate. After an altercation with him leaves him physically scarred, the worst gossip in town spreads vicious lies and it makes his mother seem mad and him as well. Now shunned by society, he delights in his debauchery by throwing vice parties and seemingly fitting in in his new role in the ton. Then he meets the lovely Lady Lydia Prewitt and just when he thinks he might be wil
...more

I absolutely LOVED this book! Darcy Burke's Secrets & Scandals series just gets better and better. Can't wait for Jagger's book!
...more

SPICY REGENCY ROMANCE
Lord Jason Lockwood lives on the fringes of polite society. Thought of by the rest of the ton as mad, scarred and a seducer, he is renowned for his parties where anything goes.
Lord Lockwood has a half brother born to one of Jason's father's mistresses, Ethan Jagger had suddenly appeared back in society after a long absence calling himself Ethan Lock. With the death of another peer who was the leader of a gang of thieves, and Ethan's past crimes it seems obvious to Lord Lockw ...more
Lord Jason Lockwood lives on the fringes of polite society. Thought of by the rest of the ton as mad, scarred and a seducer, he is renowned for his parties where anything goes.
Lord Lockwood has a half brother born to one of Jason's father's mistresses, Ethan Jagger had suddenly appeared back in society after a long absence calling himself Ethan Lock. With the death of another peer who was the leader of a gang of thieves, and Ethan's past crimes it seems obvious to Lord Lockw ...more

This is a Quickie Review. For the full review, please visit The Romanceaholic
Expected Release Date: May 12, 2013
Publisher: Intrepid Reads
Imprint: N/A
Author’s Website: http://www.darcyburke.com/
My Source for This Book: Netgalley
Part of a Series: Yes, Book 5, Secrets & Scandals Series
Series Best Read In Order: Probably, but works okay as a standalone
Steam Level: Steamy
Pet Peeves: None
Favorite Tropes: Physically Imperfect or Scarred (Hero), Abused Heroine
With so many of the things that I love in a ...more
Expected Release Date: May 12, 2013
Publisher: Intrepid Reads
Imprint: N/A
Author’s Website: http://www.darcyburke.com/
My Source for This Book: Netgalley
Part of a Series: Yes, Book 5, Secrets & Scandals Series
Series Best Read In Order: Probably, but works okay as a standalone
Steam Level: Steamy
Pet Peeves: None
Favorite Tropes: Physically Imperfect or Scarred (Hero), Abused Heroine
With so many of the things that I love in a ...more

May 20, 2013
Miranda
added it
I find myself unable to read this book. I tried for several weeks to read it with no hope. I really tried to like it. I think the author has potential. I didn't find the book appealing at all. I know. I'm one of the few that couldn't rate it. I didn't want to give the book a bad rating simply just because it couldn't grasp and hold my attention. I finished 37% of the book and put it away for now.
...more

I seriously want to like this author's voice - but by 40% I just couldn't get into this one. I felt like the hero and heroine had no chemistry. Putting it aside for now.
...more

Hmmm, I really need to learn to finish reading the first book before buying more books in the series.
I'm currently reading the next book - Book #6 - about the brother, which is mildly better, but has some of the same issues.
What I liked? I liked the set-up, or premise, about a shunned Lord who holds vice parties, and the niece of a notorious gossip who has been aiding her Great Aunt, in order to a)stay in London, and b) be popular -- but has back-fired on her. Also the shunned Lord is struggling ...more
I'm currently reading the next book - Book #6 - about the brother, which is mildly better, but has some of the same issues.
What I liked? I liked the set-up, or premise, about a shunned Lord who holds vice parties, and the niece of a notorious gossip who has been aiding her Great Aunt, in order to a)stay in London, and b) be popular -- but has back-fired on her. Also the shunned Lord is struggling ...more

Never Love a Scoundrel review
This was a thoroughly enjoyable story that kind of reminded me of a Beauty and the Beast type of tale. Lord Jason Lockwood has been ostracized from society so he lives the life of a scoundrel, throwing wicked vice parties and isolating himself from those who spurn him. When he hears that his bastard brother Ethan has been seen around London attending balls and mingling with the very Society that made him an outcast, he is furious. It is because of Ethan that he bares ...more
This was a thoroughly enjoyable story that kind of reminded me of a Beauty and the Beast type of tale. Lord Jason Lockwood has been ostracized from society so he lives the life of a scoundrel, throwing wicked vice parties and isolating himself from those who spurn him. When he hears that his bastard brother Ethan has been seen around London attending balls and mingling with the very Society that made him an outcast, he is furious. It is because of Ethan that he bares ...more

Wow, so many villains for both our H/h it is amazing we made it to HEA. Though certainly not a smooth road to reach it.
There is descriptive lovemaking outside of marriage and the Lord's name is used in vain, so be warned.
The h was fickle and it caused me to almost give up on the story when our H bares his soul in front of everyone and she stands there. Good thing it was near the end of the story or I may have given up.
There are good parts to this story that make it interesting. Even though other ...more
There is descriptive lovemaking outside of marriage and the Lord's name is used in vain, so be warned.
The h was fickle and it caused me to almost give up on the story when our H bares his soul in front of everyone and she stands there. Good thing it was near the end of the story or I may have given up.
There are good parts to this story that make it interesting. Even though other ...more

This one was very different from the rest of the series. I really enjoyed Lydia's gradual transformation in character particularly, but this book had a lot less emphasis on the romance between the two main characters, and a lot more on Lockwood's relationship with his brother, the theme of family (either by blood or friendship) and the over-arcing mystery plot from the previous books gets a lot more developed. As a romance I would say it was less successful (or rather less convincing, Burke neve
...more

❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋💋
Jason Lockwood , where to begin .
Rogue , rake , debaucher, call him what you will , but he’s still a sexy guy .
Raised by a Mother who’s now lost her grip on reality , an absentee father , and an illegitimate half brother , his life is a mess , and one long illicit party .
Lady Lydia is so lovely , but her aunt is not , she’s a gossip monger and a nasty piece of work .
Others believe Lydia is the same so she has few friends .
When the two meet the sparks fly , but with other interventi ...more

No longer a beast.
Bound by the control of her aunt who thrives on gossip, Lydia wants to live her own life. Entering into the world of vice is the only way Lord Jason Lockwood can find acceptance with the ton who spurn him. Lydia's attraction to Jason moves her to offer her help in gaining his respectability with the ton, but seduction may be her downfall. Love the interaction between them and despise her hateful aunt who wants her revenge. Explicit sex. I'm definitely ddicted to this series. ...more
Bound by the control of her aunt who thrives on gossip, Lydia wants to live her own life. Entering into the world of vice is the only way Lord Jason Lockwood can find acceptance with the ton who spurn him. Lydia's attraction to Jason moves her to offer her help in gaining his respectability with the ton, but seduction may be her downfall. Love the interaction between them and despise her hateful aunt who wants her revenge. Explicit sex. I'm definitely ddicted to this series. ...more

Scandal upon scandal.
Enjoyed this one a lot. We have caught glimpses of Jason, Lord Lockewood, Jagger and Lady Lydia in all the previous books. Jason is another tortured Lord, and his story is one of the most interesting, and Lydia is also not who we have been lead to believe. I am really enjoying reading these one after another and having all the previous characters show up. Now on the Jagger's story. ...more
Enjoyed this one a lot. We have caught glimpses of Jason, Lord Lockewood, Jagger and Lady Lydia in all the previous books. Jason is another tortured Lord, and his story is one of the most interesting, and Lydia is also not who we have been lead to believe. I am really enjoying reading these one after another and having all the previous characters show up. Now on the Jagger's story. ...more

Another good story in this series
Great story, sensual with an undertone of danger. The uncertain relationship between the brothers adds interest and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series to see what happens to them. ...more
Great story, sensual with an undertone of danger. The uncertain relationship between the brothers adds interest and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series to see what happens to them. ...more

Jan 18, 2019
Queen Talk Talk
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historial-romance
This one is not a standalone.
This series is really heating up. Reconciliation between brothers and vice parties with murderous thieves make a compelling tale. Sexy times with a marriage proposal.
This series is really heating up. Reconciliation between brothers and vice parties with murderous thieves make a compelling tale. Sexy times with a marriage proposal.

A good story but
I felt that the author rushed the ending. The scene at the Holburn's and then everything else didn't feel as thought out as the rest of the story. Otherwise, I enjoyed learning Lydia wasn't wanting to be as nasty as her aunt. ...more
I felt that the author rushed the ending. The scene at the Holburn's and then everything else didn't feel as thought out as the rest of the story. Otherwise, I enjoyed learning Lydia wasn't wanting to be as nasty as her aunt. ...more

I have always enjoyed Darcy Burke's books, including this one. This book was a bit different from the traditional historical romances, especially with the evil aunt. A few unexpected surprises too. I would definitely recommend this book.
...more

When the beast leaves his lair…
Labeled a lunatic and a reprobate, Lord Jason Lockwood finds solace in debauchery outside the realm of Polite Society. Scarred both inside and out, Jason can’t possibly hope to regain a place within the ton…until he meets an alluring and persuasive young lady. When she offers to help him reclaim respectability, he’s tempted not by the possibility of a better reputation, but by the lure of seduction. With her by his side, he not only sees what he’s been missing, but ...more
Labeled a lunatic and a reprobate, Lord Jason Lockwood finds solace in debauchery outside the realm of Polite Society. Scarred both inside and out, Jason can’t possibly hope to regain a place within the ton…until he meets an alluring and persuasive young lady. When she offers to help him reclaim respectability, he’s tempted not by the possibility of a better reputation, but by the lure of seduction. With her by his side, he not only sees what he’s been missing, but ...more

So: I didn’t realize I was jumping into this book at the middle of a series, but it stood alone quite well, though I imagine I could certainly read up on some of Jason’s friends in the other books and have a bit more context.
I was intrigued by the comparison to “Beauty and the Beast”, so I picked it up and started reading, but it didn’t hit me until about halfway through just how well-crafted the story is and how nuanced the characters are.
Jason Lockwood was grievously injured by his illegitim ...more
I was intrigued by the comparison to “Beauty and the Beast”, so I picked it up and started reading, but it didn’t hit me until about halfway through just how well-crafted the story is and how nuanced the characters are.
Jason Lockwood was grievously injured by his illegitim ...more

Things are not always as they appear. And in this book, we see a labeled lunatic and gossip who are not what everyone says they are. Full of secrets, family drama, and sweet romance, Never Love a Scoundrel was a fantastic read.
Lydia was labeled as a gossip, thanks to her malicious aunt. She's been forced to collect gossip for her aunt if she wants to remain in London for the season. She started out as kind of weak, under her aunt's thumb. But, as the book went on, she grew a backbone and stood u ...more
Lydia was labeled as a gossip, thanks to her malicious aunt. She's been forced to collect gossip for her aunt if she wants to remain in London for the season. She started out as kind of weak, under her aunt's thumb. But, as the book went on, she grew a backbone and stood u ...more

What is the single worst destructive thing that a person can do? Fight? Criticize Antagonize? Demoralize? nope none of those things.. GOSSIP.. Gossip destroys and sadly we all get caught up in it. In Darcy Burke's Never Love a Scoundrel we find a family destroyed by it, A woman enslaved by it and a matriarch determined to wield it to her benefit.
Lady Lydia Prewitt has it all.. a good dowry, looks, a place in society in short a pretty decent life.. then why is she year after year being left on ...more
Lady Lydia Prewitt has it all.. a good dowry, looks, a place in society in short a pretty decent life.. then why is she year after year being left on ...more

This is book Five in the Secrets and Scandals series by Darcy Burke. I was impressed that I felt caught up even though I haven't read any of prior books. That's an accomplishment that many writers of series can't claim. Well done, Ms. Burke!
Reading the summary, I was worried that I was going to find Lydia really annoying. She was a gossip of the worst kind. How could I like her if all she wanted to do was ferret out secrets...and then spew them? Well, Lady Lydia has been forced to find secrets b ...more
Reading the summary, I was worried that I was going to find Lydia really annoying. She was a gossip of the worst kind. How could I like her if all she wanted to do was ferret out secrets...and then spew them? Well, Lady Lydia has been forced to find secrets b ...more
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Sinopsis en Español // Synopsis in Spanish | 1 | 1 | Mar 06, 2015 06:28AM |
Darcy Burke is the USA Today Bestselling Author of sexy, emotional historical and contemporary romance. Darcy wrote her first book at age 11, a happily ever after about a swan addicted to magic and the female swan who loved him, with exceedingly poor illustrations. Join her Reader Club at http://www.darcyburke.com/readerclub.
A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her guit ...more
A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her guit ...more
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Secrets & Scandals
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