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Never Love a Scoundrel

(Secrets & Scandals #5)

Darcy Burke (Goodreads Author)

4.13 · Rating details · 386 ratings · 62 reviews

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

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Published May 13th 2013 by Smashwords (first published May 12th 2013)

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· 386 ratings · 62 reviews

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Jun 22, 2013 Susanne rated it liked it

Shelves: genre-historical-romance

Buddy read with Jennifer <3 <3

...more

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Aug 02, 2013 Jennifer rated it liked it

Shelves: historical

What I liked:

Animated Gif on Giphy

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

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May 31, 2018 Edwina " I LoveBooks" "Deb" rated it did not like it

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 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 weight. Lydia starts to rebel against her Aunt. She starts to help Lord Jason Lockwood become apart of polite society again. Her aunt hates Lockwood because his father took her virginity and didn't marry her. She loathes him and his mother for something they had no control over. Lady Margret sets out to continue destroying Lockwood and his mother. Then Lydia starts to resort back to her old self and does what her aunt wants. She treat Jason horribly after he propose marriage to her for the second time in front of half of Ton at a ball. She does what her aunt wants and rejects him publicly . This was awful. Lydia was a dumb female. Just too stupid to be real. But Dumb Jason loves her so he forgives her. Aunt Margret never gets her comeuppance she gets away with all the evil lying she has done. No punishment at all. I hate it when villains of the story get away with what they have done.

The other problem I had with this story is the author never mentions what titles Jason or Lydia have. They are referred to as Lord and Lady. What was Jason's title. What was Lydia's father title that she was called Lady Lydia. This wouldn't have taken anytime to add in the story. A lot of the story is about Jason Half brother Ethan Jagger. Its just all over the place.

This is the first time I did not like the H/H Jason and Lydia in one of Ms. Burke's stories. I did feel sorry for Jason but he should have just dumped Lydia.

Don't waste your time or money on this one. Its a totally miss. I think I will return this book.

...more

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Jun 22, 2013 Caz rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc, 4-and-5-star-books, romance-1800-1850, aar, romance-regency

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

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May 16, 2013 Lisa rated it really liked it

Shelves: ebook, historical-romance, kindle-lendable, darcy-burke

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 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 willing to change, he finds out she is the niece of said worst gossip in town. Trying to believe that Lydia is different takes some time and with their growing love being forbidden by Lydia's aunt, it seems like a long and bumpy road to their happiness especially as Jason is trying to mend fences with his half brother who has a very rocky past.

The latest addition to Darcy Burke's Secrets & Scandals series is another winner for me. Full of the healing power of love, a forbidden love and overcoming the past to grasp the future. This story fits very true with the present day and how gossip can really upset a person's life. I thought the whole subject was handled very well and I also liked that Jason did not immediately fall for Lydia after he found out about her gossiping aunt. Lydia proves her loyalty to Jason and she has her own problems to overcome with her bitter aunt and her need for friends, a home, a family. She is aware of her presence as an air-headed gossip but Jason learns the truth about her and in return, she helps set him free from his demons of his past. Jason's transformation for dissolute rake to upstanding charmer was also very well done and I was glad it was not a complete one-eighty so quickly. It took time and patience and in the end everything played out as it should. His relationship with his half brother added some depth and set up the next book very well and I can't wait to finally have Ethan (Jagger) story! Darcy Burke is an author to watch and each book I read of hers gets better and better and I feel she is an excellent storyteller and her romances are ones I would read again and again. 4 sigh worthy stars ...more

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May 15, 2013 Elisabeth Naughton rated it it was amazing

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

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Jun 03, 2013 Reader rated it it was amazing

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

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May 23, 2013 Jess the Romanceaholic rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical, 2013-read, netgalley, family-issues, physically-imperfect-or-scarred, rumor-has-it

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

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May 20, 2013 Miranda added it

Shelves: cover-is-gorgeous, historical, kindle, not-for-me, 2013, arc, netgalley, not-even-gonna-finish-it, its-missing-something, regency

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.

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Jun 17, 2013 Mandi Schreiner added it

Shelves: dnf

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.

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Jan 17, 2018 Christine rated it it was ok · review of another edition

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 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 to reconcile with his half-brother, who is one of the reasons he'd gotten shunned. (They fought, his brother pushed him through a window, resulting in a wicked scar down his face. Sort of similar to Kylo Ren and Tyrion Lannister in the tv show Game of Thrones.) And the Lord's mother went mad as a direct result of the father's infidelity resulting in the bastard brother.

Nice set-up. And it works up to a point. That point being...the sex scenes. The sex scenes don't work. It's very hard to believe that the heroine, Lydia, who cares what people think and is rather innocent in this regard -- would instigate sex with the hero. But she does, on numerous occasions. He pulls back, but she begs him to continue. Risking pregnancy, etc. Yes, I can see this happening now -- but not back then. Although to be honest? I've no clue when exactly this takes place -- I'm guessing during the Regency. There's relatively little to no history in this book. We get a mention of "the ton" and everyone goes about in horse and carriage. But that's about it. The writer skimps on some details and goes overboard with others (ie. the graphic sex scene, which felt awkward and a bit out of character).
Now, don't get me wrong -- I like sex scenes. I've read erotica. But, if you can't do it well? Don't do it at all. And if you are doing it in a historical? Either wait until they are married or build it up a bit better. It made no sense that he'd take her to the prop room, which is off limits. Or that she'd let him go that far. Not a woman who used gossip to ruin people and is well-aware of how others view premarital sex in those days. I could see others doing it, but not Lydia.

Also, Jason Lockwood, the hero, comes across as a bit childish and erratic. He does things that don't make sense and are over the top. Why out his engagement to Lydia in front of everyone the way he did? It felt contrived.

No, the book worked for the first half, then went a bit off-kilter. Also, I found the dialogue a bit stilted in places or awkward. It didn't work for me.

I'm hoping the second or rather sixth book is a bit better. ...more

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Jan 12, 2018 Joan Osborne rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

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

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Jan 13, 2018 Linda J. rated it really liked it

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

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Sep 08, 2017 Cara rated it liked it

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

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Mar 05, 2018 Maggie Whitworth rated it really liked it

❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋💋
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

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Aug 30, 2018 Margaret rated it it was amazing

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.

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Apr 27, 2020 Sharyn rated it really liked it · review of another edition

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.

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Jan 24, 2018 Kathy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

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.

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Feb 08, 2018 Sheila rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Gossiping

Just as painful or maybe even worse than today, were the printed broadsheets the Facebook of the Regentcy? This plot and these characters certainly suffered from it. And survived it.

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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.

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Jan 20, 2018 Michelle Werner rated it it was amazing

Very enjoyable book. Loved the characters, nice and long so good character development. Want to read more by Darcy Burke.

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Jan 11, 2018 Wendy rated it really liked it

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.

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May 24, 2013 Beyond the Squee rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley-request

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

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Jan 16, 2018 Kat rated it it was amazing

Shelves: written-reviews, historical-romance-project

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 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 illegitimate brother Ethan, and after their raucous fight, and an incident where his mother made a scene at a dinner party, the ton has written Jason off for good - except when he’s throwing vice parties in his home and inviting the ton to gamble, drink, and sleep with members of the demimonde (all while masked, of course). Lydia Prewitt is under her Aunt Margaret’s thumb, whiling away another Season and hoping to get married. Margaret is a gossip, although the word doesn’t do justice to her information gathering and use of secrets as a weapon, all in an effort to protect herself. Lydia marched to her aunt’s tune for a while, earning her a rather bad reputation, but as of our story, she’s trying to break free from that reputation, but is still struggling with her aunt’s expectations and punishments. While investigating the reappearance of Jason’s brother Ethan in town, Lydia meets up with Jason, who is looking for his brother for his own reasons; the pair flirt, and the story is history. Lydia struggles to balance her desire to re-enter society with her interest in Jason.

What I loved about this story was the fact that characters weren’t jumping to the idiotic conclusions that a lot of romance novel characters tend to. At multiple points, Jason reflects that he’s confused by Lydia’s behavior, and that he should hear her side out before shutting her out of his life; he does the same for his brother Ethan, in spite of his reasons for wanting revenge and explanations from his brother (!). After a particularly difficult separation, when Jason hears Lydia and her aunt were victims of a crime, he comments that he still cares about Lydia’s well-being, even if they aren’t on the best of terms, and does what he can to help her (!!). On Lydia’s end, she makes efforts to meet Jason when things are rough between them, and takes a lot of agency in their relationship. She owns her sexuality and her interest in him, and eventually realizes she doesn’t need Jason to change himself fundamentally to meet her needs; she accepts him because she values him as a person, but doesn’t lower her standards to get him (!!!). It’s so rare for me to find characters written with this depth that by the time I got to the last quarter of the book, I was bouncing on my sofa with excitement.

I would very much recommend this book, whether you’ve read the series or not — I hope to pick up some of the other stories soon too. ...more

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May 29, 2013 Farrah rated it it was amazing

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 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 up to the mean old dragon. She was a likable heroine-strong, determined, and willing to do anything for what she wants.

Jason had my heart as soon as he appeared on the page. He's not a perfect man. He host vice parties because normal ones are not open to him anymore. He has a deep and intense feud with his half brother that drives him to irrationality at some points. But, I still really liked him. He's been a victim of Lydia's awful aunt, who has made it her sole mission to ruin Jason. And, yet, he still defies society and does what he pleases. He was also such a sweet guy. Even though he was wary of Lydia's connection to her aunt, once he realized he loved her, nothing was going to stop him from winning her over. I though he was a perfectly flawed hero and I adored him.

The romance was mostly sweet, with just a hint of spice. Lydia and Jason were a lovely couple, both of whom were willing to sacrifice anything to be together. I loved them together.

The problems between Jason and his bastard brother, Ethan, played a huge role in the book. These problems began almost from day one, when Jason's father showed more preference to Ethan and flaunted his mistress (who was Ethan's mother) in his front of his wife (Jason's mother). Since then, the resentment only deepened. That relationship was very well done. Throughout the course of the book, the relationship between them began to heal and that progression was interesting to see. Ethan is getting his story in the next book and I'm curious to see how that turns out.

Another person who played a big role was Lydia's aunt (read, the most bitter old bitch I've ever seen). Wow, was her character nasty. Talk about a woman scorned. She had a bad experience in her past and, since then, has made it her hobby to ruin everyone who steps out of line. She was one awful woman. I don't think I've ever seen a more hateful character. Kudos to the author for that.

The plot was fast paced. There was plenty of family drama, scandal, and secrets to keep things interesting. And the ending tied up Lydia and Jason's story while leaving a hook for the next book that has me very curious to find out what happens with Ethan.

Never Love a Scoundrel was a wonderful historical romance. Lovers of the genre, you should definitely read this book.

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy! ...more

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Jun 01, 2013 Shauni rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley, reading-romance-challenge

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 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 the shelf? Because in order to stay in London to even hope for a chance for a marriage that doesn't involve a sheep farmer or other such rustic, she must appease her great aunt. A Woman who has spent a lifetime destroying the lives of others. She gathers rumors like weapons and makes sure to point them at anyone who dares to even look at her wrong. She has forced Lydia to gather the gossip and pass it along.. leaving a trail of destroyed lives.. But Lydia has had enough and she has finally realized that she is happier when she can be a good friend, give some honest encouragement and not spew her filth..

Lord Jason Lockwood has been scorned by society.. when a jealous harpy first destroys his mother, then takes facts and twists them so he is labeled a lunatic.. he is lost. Not knowing how to get his life back he creates a new one. A life of debauchery and desire.. Hosting parties that only the most decadent of the ton are welcome.. of course that includes some of the most proper as well. Too bad those same individuals will not acknowledge him in the open. When Lydia Prewitt decides to take him on as her project Jason is baffled, bemused and confused and not a little disbelieving.. but he wants the dream so he puts his life in Lydia's hands.

The more time these two spend together the more they realize that they have something special, something with great promise and Jason is willing to do all he can to make sure it works. Sadly, Aunt Bitch has other plans and makes sure Lydia has as few choices as possible.. Aunt Bitch wants nothing better than to destroy Jason.. and her reasons, well let's just say she is NOT the woman scorned.. sorta..

These two families have tangled in the past and sadly the Lockwoods came out on the loosing side but now Jason has dreams of a real life and a love to stand beside him. A new look at an illegitimate sibling makes him realize that both of them had hard childhoods and maybe there is a chance for a friendship if not a brotherhood..

An excellent commentary on the power of gossip but also a wonderful story about two people willing to overcome their differences and focus on what they have in common.. And to trust in their love. I really enjoyed it and seriously suggest you give it a try.

Shauni

This review is based on the ARC of Never Love a Scoundrel provided by netgalley ...more

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May 21, 2013 Kathie (katmom) rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley-request

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

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Jul 28, 2015 Angela Withrow TheArdentReader rated it it was amazing

Lady Lydia is, unfortunately, living with her aunt, Lady Margaret. The worst gossip in the ton. She relentlessly seeks out every tidbit of information she can get and uses it to get ahead not caring whom she hurts in the process but usually using that as her goal. Lady Lydia is another source of information for her though a reluctant one. If Lydia wants to stay in London then she has no choice but to do as her aunt says. She is Lady Margarets link to the younger crowd and their gossip! Lydia's o Lady Lydia is, unfortunately, living with her aunt, Lady Margaret. The worst gossip in the ton. She relentlessly seeks out every tidbit of information she can get and uses it to get ahead not caring whom she hurts in the process but usually using that as her goal. Lady Lydia is another source of information for her though a reluctant one. If Lydia wants to stay in London then she has no choice but to do as her aunt says. She is Lady Margarets link to the younger crowd and their gossip! Lydia's only other option is to go home to live with her Father. She has no friends there, in the country, no one her age and no prospects of marriage. Just the sheep.

Lord Jason Lockwood is a notoriously scandalous reprobate. His "vice" parties are legendary and very well attended. Apparently the gentleman of the ton are ok with his parties but not okay with him dancing with their daughters. You see, Lord Lockwood is not accepted into polite society!

But Lydia can't seem to shake 5he feeling that his banishment is unwarranted. He seems gentlemanly enough. Though his face is scared, his manners are good. Maybe it's just the rumors that are bad?
She sets out to get the gossip for her aunt, but ends up trying to help Lord Lockwood and the recent new man in society, who happens to be Jason's bastard brother.

Ethan Locke had had a very long criminal career under the name of Jagger. Now he is trying to make a place for himself among the ton. Jason is not happy about this at all! He is a Lord and they won't accept him, but they will accept that whelp from the wrong side of the blanket? He needs to figure out what Jagger is up to. Lydia will figure greatly in this quest. Though he knows he should leave hey alone, he is drawn to her.
This was a wonderful story, the characters are thoughtfully written, complex people. All of the main players few my sympathy. I felt sorry for Lydia in the fact that she felt site had no one, as well as Jason. He was cold for many reasons. And Ethan, just wanted to have a family. Children born our of wedlock in those days were completely shunned, so Ethan and Jason food not get along, Jason feeling that his father have Ethan more affection. I'm sure this happened quite often in those times. It's all very sad.
This book left me feeling hopeful though! Things are not always a they seem. And you should never judge a book by its cover, or a Lord by the rumors.
Fantastic read! I truly love the way this author draws me in and holds my attention. Not letting me go until she had told her tale. Laundry be damned!
Quite a bit of heat in this one too!

*I received a copy of this title in exchange for my honest review
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Jun 18, 2017 ladyofglencairn rated it liked it

Shelves: 3-star-reads, historical-romance

2.5* rounding up to 3*.

Lord Jason Lockwood is a scoundrel who hosts the most debauched parties for exclusive members of the ton. Living on the fringe of society because of his past, he needs to get back into the thong of the Upper Ten Thousand in order to determine what his criminal half-brother is up to. Lady Lydia Prewitt is a reformed gossip who wants nothing more than to get out from under her Aunt's thumb and make a happy marriage. Despite their awkward family history, Lydia agrees to help 2.5* rounding up to 3*.

Lord Jason Lockwood is a scoundrel who hosts the most debauched parties for exclusive members of the ton. Living on the fringe of society because of his past, he needs to get back into the thong of the Upper Ten Thousand in order to determine what his criminal half-brother is up to. Lady Lydia Prewitt is a reformed gossip who wants nothing more than to get out from under her Aunt's thumb and make a happy marriage. Despite their awkward family history, Lydia agrees to help Jason regain entry into Society.

Darcy Burke is a good writer, but she could be great...and that's what frustrating to me. This book has a great premise, and there are moments of brilliance, but ultimately the story fails to really come together. And even though I enjoyed book #3 in this series, I think it suffers from similar shortcomings. The characters are not quite well developed enough and their motivations are a little wishy washy and basically makes no sense.

1) Jason is a deeply wounded, broody reprobate. That's fine. But then why is this seemingly elusive, private man spilling his deepest feelings to all and sundry? Similarly, Lydia wants desperately to be accepted by the ton as more than just a gossip. She wants to genuinely be liked and not feared. So why is she constantly placing herself in a position that's bound to ruin her reputation? It makes no sense and it's frustrating!
2) These characters, Lydia in particular, is just so inappropriate. She barely knows Jason and yet she places herself in situations that's absurd considering their tenuous connection.
3) The brother sub-plot was badly executed. Whilst it provided an interesting dynamic to Jason's character, the way DB wrote the "reconciliation" with Jason's half-brother was unbelievable fluff. Their relationship literally went from hatred to acceptance without any real justification for it. Seriously disappointing.
4) The sex. Okay, I'm no prude and I'm all for steamy encounters between my leads. But it's just not logical than an inexperienced young woman would behave so brazenly when she apparently knows very little about sex. Come on! Begging the hero to take her virginity when all she wants is to "fit in" is the height of absurd.

DB can write and if I'm honest, I enjoy her work. But her storytelling is just not well crafted. It's jagged and disjointed and lacks the natural flow of more superior novels. ...more

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May 25, 2013 Jaclyn rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-romance, net-galley, arc

I had never read a Darcy Burke historical romance until this one – and now I realize that I’ve been missing out! Never Love a Scoundrel was a great historical romance that is book 5 of a series. I didn’t know that this was part of a series and I do not think that you have to read the others to enjoy this one. Although, I do want to read them now!

The romance between the scarred Jason Lockwood and the gossip Lydia Prewitt was fantastic. It may be bizarre, but I like the scarred hero trope in my ro I had never read a Darcy Burke historical romance until this one – and now I realize that I’ve been missing out! Never Love a Scoundrel was a great historical romance that is book 5 of a series. I didn’t know that this was part of a series and I do not think that you have to read the others to enjoy this one. Although, I do want to read them now!

The romance between the scarred Jason Lockwood and the gossip Lydia Prewitt was fantastic. It may be bizarre, but I like the scarred hero trope in my romances – perhaps its because flawed people always get there happy ending in romances. At any rate, Jason had some other issues other than a scarred face. He has a temper that has led to his bad reputation among the ton. As for Lydia, she is a known gossip among the ton and is trying to break free of that image.

Jason intrigues Lydia from the moment she meets him; however, she is very conflicted about what she should do with her acquaintance with Jason. She could use their relationship to her advantage and spread gossip as she would have done in the past. In fact, Lydia’s aunt demands that Lydia gather gossip and continually threatens to send Lydia back to the country if she doesn’t like what she hears. There is some very subtle emotional abuse going on with Lydia’s aunt.

I also liked the fact that there was more going on in the plot than just a straight romance, and it was handled well that it didn’t overshadow the fact that this is a romance. Jason has a half-brother, Ethan, who just so happens to be the one responsible for Jason’s scar. Ethan has appeared on the scene again and his reappearance has prompted Jason’s return to the ton. Ethan wants to start over with his brother, and I really found myself rooting for him and Jason. Thankfully, it looks like Ethan’s book is next in the series, so I can’t wait to see how Ethan redeems himself and gets his own happily ever after.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one and I think it will appeal to many historical romance fans. So if you haven’t tried Darcy Burke yet – you better get a copy in your hands! After reading Never Love a Scoundrel and ended up buying To Seduce a Scoundrel and it was just as good. I’ll be on the lookout for more by this author.

Review copy provided via NetGalley. ...more

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About Darcy Burke

Darcy Burke

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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