265 books
—
492 voters
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “Sweetest Scoundrel (Maiden Lane, #9)” as Want to Read:
Sweetest Scoundrel
(Maiden Lane #9)
by
SHE'S TAKING CHARGE
Prim, proper, and thrifty, Eve Dinwoody is all business when it comes to protecting her brother's investment. But when she agrees to control the purse strings of London's premier pleasure garden, Harte's Folly, she finds herself butting heads with an infuriating scoundrel who can't be controlled.
HE'S RUNNING THE SHOW
Bawdy and bold, Asa Makepeace doesn't ...more
Prim, proper, and thrifty, Eve Dinwoody is all business when it comes to protecting her brother's investment. But when she agrees to control the purse strings of London's premier pleasure garden, Harte's Folly, she finds herself butting heads with an infuriating scoundrel who can't be controlled.
HE'S RUNNING THE SHOW
Bawdy and bold, Asa Makepeace doesn't ...more
Get A Copy
Mass Market Paperback, 328 pages
Published
November 24th 2015
by Grand Central Publishing
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
Sweetest Scoundrel,
please sign up.
Popular Answered Questions
Beckee Sheffer
Lisa kleypas devil in winters close beloved of mine.
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
Start your review of Sweetest Scoundrel (Maiden Lane, #9)
3.5 to 4 stars. Review posted December 1, 2015.
Family issues…
September 1741
London, England
Eve Dinwoody, the sister of the Duke of Montgomery, is a tall and thin woman, with a large and long nose and according to Asa Makepeace, she's plain as a shovel and a harpy who tried to steal Harte's Folly, his pleasure garden and theater, by cutting off his credit and funds. No more money meant that the rebuilding of the theater that had been destroyed in a fire would be impeded. His dream…gone. But Asa is ...more
Family issues…
September 1741
London, England
Eve Dinwoody, the sister of the Duke of Montgomery, is a tall and thin woman, with a large and long nose and according to Asa Makepeace, she's plain as a shovel and a harpy who tried to steal Harte's Folly, his pleasure garden and theater, by cutting off his credit and funds. No more money meant that the rebuilding of the theater that had been destroyed in a fire would be impeded. His dream…gone. But Asa is ...more
Nov 21, 2015
Stacey is Sassy
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
net-galley,
historical-series
Asa was an ass in the beginning
I started Sweetest Scoundrel looking forward to reading a historical romance where the hero isn’t an aristocratic Lordy Lord who thinks everyone should bow down to him. Well, Asa’s not an aristocrat, but he does think his employees should bloody do as he says and if they’re bowing, good. Asa Makepeace owns Harte’s Folly, a pleasure garden. To be honest I wasn’t sure what a pleasure garden was. Me and my dirty mind thought it was going to be some kind of kinky outdo ...more
I started Sweetest Scoundrel looking forward to reading a historical romance where the hero isn’t an aristocratic Lordy Lord who thinks everyone should bow down to him. Well, Asa’s not an aristocrat, but he does think his employees should bloody do as he says and if they’re bowing, good. Asa Makepeace owns Harte’s Folly, a pleasure garden. To be honest I wasn’t sure what a pleasure garden was. Me and my dirty mind thought it was going to be some kind of kinky outdo ...more
I'm not sure I bought the romance in this one. The guy keeps mentioning how unattractive the girl is. Like, a lot. And, he isn't hard-up for female companionship. He also keeps mentioning how much of a shrew she is. Are guys really this intrigued by ugly girls with bad personalities? I'm not convinced.
I guess beauty IS in the eye of the beholder.
But, I liked the girl, Eve, a lot. She is suffering from PTSD and has a bodyguard who is like the best guy ever. If I were her, I would have fell for t ...more
I guess beauty IS in the eye of the beholder.
But, I liked the girl, Eve, a lot. She is suffering from PTSD and has a bodyguard who is like the best guy ever. If I were her, I would have fell for t ...more
Asa, or shall we call him Ass! Bit of a fucking prick throughout most of the book. But, hey, I love those assholes.
He fucking did. I fucking loved it.
"You swear too much, you know."
He fucking did. I fucking loved it.
Before her he'd never touched himself in front of a woman - in front of anyone. it was a solitary activity, after all, one done out of boredom or desperation or because he didn't have a woman to serve his needs at that moment.
"Her breath caught on the thought. Was he saying that a woman would put he...more
3.25/5
Not exactly what I expected, but still a decent read nonetheless.
Almost the whole first half of the book bored me stiff. Honestly, the thought of putting it down flashed several times through my mind while reading this half. However, I really enjoyed Asa’s character, and somehow, I felt like I wasn’t ready to give up on his story yet. So I decided to keep reading a few more pages to see if things got better in the second half. Luckily, it did! It really made up for all the dull parts that ...more
Not exactly what I expected, but still a decent read nonetheless.
Almost the whole first half of the book bored me stiff. Honestly, the thought of putting it down flashed several times through my mind while reading this half. However, I really enjoyed Asa’s character, and somehow, I felt like I wasn’t ready to give up on his story yet. So I decided to keep reading a few more pages to see if things got better in the second half. Luckily, it did! It really made up for all the dull parts that ...more
3.5 stars
"Lily of the valley." He made her feel exotic, still dressed in her sensible gray frock, only her hair loose about her shoulders.
"Lily of the valley," he murmured. "I'll remember that scent forever now, and whenever I smell it again I'll think of you, Eve Dinwody. You'll be haunting my tomorrows forevermore."
She gasped and turned, looking up at him. She'd thought that he'd be smiling teasingly at his words, but he looked quite serious and she stared at him in wonder. Had he always ca ...more
"Lily of the valley." He made her feel exotic, still dressed in her sensible gray frock, only her hair loose about her shoulders.
"Lily of the valley," he murmured. "I'll remember that scent forever now, and whenever I smell it again I'll think of you, Eve Dinwody. You'll be haunting my tomorrows forevermore."
She gasped and turned, looking up at him. She'd thought that he'd be smiling teasingly at his words, but he looked quite serious and she stared at him in wonder. Had he always ca ...more
*** 4 ***
A buddy read with the MacHalo Romantics!
Another lovely, although at times sad romance. It was sad because Eve, the young female bastard of a Duke and a sister to a Duke, is a very damaged young lady... A very traumatic episode in her childhood has left her with phobias of male's touch and dogs, making her somewhat of a hermit, spending her time painting and doing her brother's business accounting. Asa is the youngest brother in a very religious family, whose patriarch had disowned him ...more
A buddy read with the MacHalo Romantics!
Another lovely, although at times sad romance. It was sad because Eve, the young female bastard of a Duke and a sister to a Duke, is a very damaged young lady... A very traumatic episode in her childhood has left her with phobias of male's touch and dogs, making her somewhat of a hermit, spending her time painting and doing her brother's business accounting. Asa is the youngest brother in a very religious family, whose patriarch had disowned him ...more
Well I liked this one more than I thought I would. I have not been excited for Asa’s book because thus far he has seemed like a huge jerk in his parts in the other books of the series. But then we met Eve in Dearest Rogue and I was intrigued by her.
Eve is the kind of character I like. She is a bit broken. Not in a silly way either. No she had a true trauma happen to her when she was younger and now suffers from a type of PTSD. She also has a really hard time trusting people and being touched. Go ...more
Eve is the kind of character I like. She is a bit broken. Not in a silly way either. No she had a true trauma happen to her when she was younger and now suffers from a type of PTSD. She also has a really hard time trusting people and being touched. Go ...more
Asa Makepeace's passion is life is the theater and garden he owns called Harte's Folly. He loves it so much, he goes by Mr. Harte to most of his acquaintances. After it burned down a year ago, he found an investor in the Duke of Montgomery, and has started rebuilding. Having to rebuild the entire theater and redesign the gardens again, it takes a lot of money and he has been leaning heavily on the duke's capital to get the job finished. Asa loves this theater, but his large family has no idea he
...more
This will be short and sweet.
I'm am truly enjoying this series. I love Elizabeth Hoyt's writing and may I say she can write some very sensual scenes. ❤
I wasn't sure about these two. Asa, as Mo so perfectly put it in her review, was a bit of a prick for most of the book and Eve was a bit of a plain Jane. But they both grew on me and I ended up liking them quite a bit.
The ending was rather sweet too. I'm looking forward to #10.
...more
Solid/Strong 4 stars – Historical Romance
Another great addition to Ms. Hoyt’s fabulous Maiden Lane series. The H/h were wonderful together, and I especially loved the heroine’s footman/bodyguard/friend, Jean-Marie. I’m really looking forward to Val’s book, Duke of Sin. ...more
Another great addition to Ms. Hoyt’s fabulous Maiden Lane series. The H/h were wonderful together, and I especially loved the heroine’s footman/bodyguard/friend, Jean-Marie. I’m really looking forward to Val’s book, Duke of Sin. ...more
Another great read in The Maiden Lane series! This was book #9!
Review to Come...
Review to Come...
4.5 stars. I loved this! Asa was a complete ass but as we find later, he has some reasons. Eve was born of the aristocracy but on the outside of it, as the Duke of Montgomery’s bastard sister. Both of them as completely opposite of the other as it was possible to be.
The way their relationship developed was first kind of hilarious, with the constant friction between them. Then in the way that it sometimes does, that friction caused some seriously combustible chemistry. Eve and Asa together were ...more
The way their relationship developed was first kind of hilarious, with the constant friction between them. Then in the way that it sometimes does, that friction caused some seriously combustible chemistry. Eve and Asa together were ...more
I'm happy to say that this series is climbing out the hole where it was going because the Ghost disappeared and the characters are more interesting then the last books!
We have a really good couple here!
Eve - straitlaced, not beautiful (finally!!!), prickly, suffereng from PTSD silently.
I loved her! She was so well described and so true that I was sorry for her and cheering her on at the same time!
The way she wanted very much to overcome her fears was so great!
Asa - basic, loyal, foul-mouthed wa ...more
We have a really good couple here!
Eve - straitlaced, not beautiful (finally!!!), prickly, suffereng from PTSD silently.
I loved her! She was so well described and so true that I was sorry for her and cheering her on at the same time!
The way she wanted very much to overcome her fears was so great!
Asa - basic, loyal, foul-mouthed wa ...more
*Review Up!*
I have mixed feelings about this one.
First of all, I love Asa. Love him. I loved him from the start. With his short temper, acerbic tongue, how frivolous, blunt, messy, brash, irreverent and honest he is. He is perfect example of what Elizabeth Hoyt truly excels at. Each of her characters are so distinct, dimensional and fully fleshed out. They each have their own unique flaws, quirks and issues they need to deal with and sort out. She’s one of the few HR who does it so consistently ...more
I have mixed feelings about this one.
First of all, I love Asa. Love him. I loved him from the start. With his short temper, acerbic tongue, how frivolous, blunt, messy, brash, irreverent and honest he is. He is perfect example of what Elizabeth Hoyt truly excels at. Each of her characters are so distinct, dimensional and fully fleshed out. They each have their own unique flaws, quirks and issues they need to deal with and sort out. She’s one of the few HR who does it so consistently ...more
Oct 28, 2015
Carol Cork *Young at Heart Oldie*
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
review-copy,
5-star-books
RELEASE DAY REVIEW
This is the ninth book in the excellent Maiden Lane series and each time I marvel at Elizabeth Hoyt’s ability to make every book such an outstanding read.
At the age of nineteen, Asa was disowned and disinherited by his sanctimonious father for wanting to work at Harte’s Folly. Luckily he found a home with the kindly Sir Stanley Harte who was more like a father than his own father ever was. Even after his father’s death, he no longer feels he fits in with the rest of the family ...more
I can't even with the carriages shenanigans in this series! So HOT!
I obviously loved this book for other reasons than the hot s3x between Asa and Eve but nothing comes to mind just now. I'm still reeling from the self-pleasure/voyeur carriage scene, the self-pleasure lesson office scene, the most sexiest consensual bedroom scene ever with all the "MAY I" from the hero to the heroine, as he proceeded to disrobe her one clothing article at a time. I LOVED THAT.
So truthfully there is much more ...more
I obviously loved this book for other reasons than the hot s3x between Asa and Eve but nothing comes to mind just now. I'm still reeling from the self-pleasure/voyeur carriage scene, the self-pleasure lesson office scene, the most sexiest consensual bedroom scene ever with all the "MAY I" from the hero to the heroine, as he proceeded to disrobe her one clothing article at a time. I LOVED THAT.
So truthfully there is much more ...more
The Makepeaces are better as central characters than secondary.
I used to find Asa aggravating, but in this? Not so much. I loved his patience, although he wasn't. I loved his dirty yet sweet mouth, and I loved his passion for his job.
When I read The Governess Affair, I realized that hair pins can be ridiculously hot. They worked here too.
Though this book wasn't dealing with light subjects, with Eve (smart-as-a-whip Eve) having suffered trauma-I did like how light it seemed. Asa and Eve gave g ...more
I used to find Asa aggravating, but in this? Not so much. I loved his patience, although he wasn't. I loved his dirty yet sweet mouth, and I loved his passion for his job.
When I read The Governess Affair, I realized that hair pins can be ridiculously hot. They worked here too.
Though this book wasn't dealing with light subjects, with Eve (smart-as-a-whip Eve) having suffered trauma-I did like how light it seemed. Asa and Eve gave g ...more
Mar 14, 2014
Jessica
marked it as to-read
Ahm, okey . . . am I the only one who can't wait to see Montgomery's book???
Anyone???
...more
Anyone???
...more
Warning: possible spoilers!
So, here it is, long awaited, high expectations, etc and Elizabeth Hoyt didn't disappoint!
Not me, anyway. She is a master storyteller! There are already some lovely reviews and there's probably not really much to add. Only a few thoughts that I had along the way whilst reading the book.
1. The atmosphere and setting
One of the things that amaze me every time I read one of her books, is how EH creates the world her characters live in. The gowns, the carriages, the ho ...more
So, here it is, long awaited, high expectations, etc and Elizabeth Hoyt didn't disappoint!
Not me, anyway. She is a master storyteller! There are already some lovely reviews and there's probably not really much to add. Only a few thoughts that I had along the way whilst reading the book.
1. The atmosphere and setting
One of the things that amaze me every time I read one of her books, is how EH creates the world her characters live in. The gowns, the carriages, the ho ...more
3 generous and hesitant stars...
“Damn it, Eve, don’t ask me to choose between you and my garden!” “Why not?” she shouted back, uncaring that the rest of the house might hear their argument. Her heart was a bloody mess on the carpet between their feet now. “I have a right, don’t I, to mean more than a garden? To be the first in someone’s eyes—in your eyes?” Harte's Folly is Asa Makepeace's heart and soul. The magnificent garden was burned down a year ago. But with the help of an investor, The Duk ...more
“Damn it, Eve, don’t ask me to choose between you and my garden!” “Why not?” she shouted back, uncaring that the rest of the house might hear their argument. Her heart was a bloody mess on the carpet between their feet now. “I have a right, don’t I, to mean more than a garden? To be the first in someone’s eyes—in your eyes?” Harte's Folly is Asa Makepeace's heart and soul. The magnificent garden was burned down a year ago. But with the help of an investor, The Duk ...more
I've given this a B+ at AAR, so that's 4.5 stars.
Elizabeth Hoyt’s Maiden Lane series of books set in Georgian London has been consistently entertaining, well-written and researched and has produced a number of memorable characters and sensual love stories which have proved incredibly popular. Amazingly, now nine books in, the series shows no sign of running out of steam, as this latest offering, Sweetest Scoundrel is another enjoyable tale, this time taking a most unlikely couple as its protagon ...more
Elizabeth Hoyt’s Maiden Lane series of books set in Georgian London has been consistently entertaining, well-written and researched and has produced a number of memorable characters and sensual love stories which have proved incredibly popular. Amazingly, now nine books in, the series shows no sign of running out of steam, as this latest offering, Sweetest Scoundrel is another enjoyable tale, this time taking a most unlikely couple as its protagon ...more
Am I imagining or was there another couple whose story needs to be told. The one where the guy complemented the girl "Your beauty dazzles and leaves me blind" and girl replies "how inconvenient I hope you get your sight back soon" lol I am paraphrasing but those lines stayed with me. Why is she introducing all these new characters???
...more
3.5 Stars
Loved Asa but I could not connect with Eve for some reason.
I still love this series though.
_______________________
One of my favorite series ever!
Hoping this one is a goodie!
Loved Asa but I could not connect with Eve for some reason.
I still love this series though.
_______________________
One of my favorite series ever!
Hoping this one is a goodie!
***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
Sweetest Scoundrel by Elizabeth Hoyt
Book Nine of the Maiden Lane series
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Publication Date: November 24, 2015
Rating: 4 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher
***Warning: this is an adult book, and for the eyes of mature readers***
Summary (from Goodreads):
SHE'S TAKING CHARGE
Prim, proper, and thrifty, Eve Dinwoody is all business when it comes to protecting her brother's investment. But when she agrees to control the pur ...more
Sweetest Scoundrel by Elizabeth Hoyt
Book Nine of the Maiden Lane series
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Publication Date: November 24, 2015
Rating: 4 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher
***Warning: this is an adult book, and for the eyes of mature readers***
Summary (from Goodreads):
SHE'S TAKING CHARGE
Prim, proper, and thrifty, Eve Dinwoody is all business when it comes to protecting her brother's investment. But when she agrees to control the pur ...more
My least favorite of the series so far. I just didn’t feel the connection between Asa and Eve, and it was disappointing.
The carriage scene though... 🥵🔥 I think I fell totally in lust with Asa during that scene because how could you not want a man who was so confident, and brazen enough to do that? Super smokin hot.
She lost all sense of propriety. All sense of place and time and who he was and who she was. She stared back into those sensuous green eyes and whispered, “Show me.”
“You want to see i ...more
The carriage scene though... 🥵🔥 I think I fell totally in lust with Asa during that scene because how could you not want a man who was so confident, and brazen enough to do that? Super smokin hot.
She lost all sense of propriety. All sense of place and time and who he was and who she was. She stared back into those sensuous green eyes and whispered, “Show me.”
“You want to see i ...more
Oct 13, 2016
Monty Cupcake ☠ Queen of Bloodshed ☠
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
2016,
historical
3.5 stars
The beginning of this book was slow and didn't draw me in as quickly as Hoyt's books usually do. I suppose it makes sense it was slow in terms of Eve's character and her history. This is a story of opposites attract.
Plot: Eve is her half brother, the Duke of Montgomery's accountant and overseeing his investment in Harte's Folly, a theatre/pleasure garden place. Asa Makepeace is Mr. Harte, the owner/manager of Harte's Folly. Asa isn't very fond of answering to anyone or keeping books. ...more
The beginning of this book was slow and didn't draw me in as quickly as Hoyt's books usually do. I suppose it makes sense it was slow in terms of Eve's character and her history. This is a story of opposites attract.
Plot: Eve is her half brother, the Duke of Montgomery's accountant and overseeing his investment in Harte's Folly, a theatre/pleasure garden place. Asa Makepeace is Mr. Harte, the owner/manager of Harte's Folly. Asa isn't very fond of answering to anyone or keeping books. ...more
What a crude and interesting hero...:)
The title says it all. Asa Makepeace is up there as one of the hottest Heroes in this series IMO. Loved this book which was a splendidly done, intriguing, steamy, page turning opposites attract romance with the characteristic deliciously dark and gritty Maiden Lane vibes.
Beautiful writing.
Adored this one so much😍
Two words:
Carriage scene.
You're welcome.
🥵 ...more
Beautiful writing.
Adored this one so much😍
Two words:
Carriage scene.
You're welcome.
🥵 ...more
If one is looking for some blatant sexual crudeness, one would be happy with this book.
It isn’t a chore to read this book. But it wasn’t a love story. It’s a sexual fantasy where a woman is somehow „liberated“ from her sordid past because of her newfound passion with a man who somehow took an interest in her. I imagine it could be good entertainment, hence the 3 stars.
I have to say the famous maiden lane series is one disappointment after another for me. But that’s a personal thing. I can’t es ...more
It isn’t a chore to read this book. But it wasn’t a love story. It’s a sexual fantasy where a woman is somehow „liberated“ from her sordid past because of her newfound passion with a man who somehow took an interest in her. I imagine it could be good entertainment, hence the 3 stars.
I have to say the famous maiden lane series is one disappointment after another for me. But that’s a personal thing. I can’t es ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Hoyt Fans: Sweetest Scoundrel (Book 9) | 7 | 18 | May 18, 2016 12:08PM | |
| Sinopsis en Español // Synopsis in Spanish | 1 | 4 | Jun 14, 2015 02:04PM |
Readers also enjoyed
535 users
391 users
228 users
84 users
36 users
33 users
30 users
25 users
21 users
17 users
Other books in the series
Maiden Lane
(1 - 10 of 12 books)
Related Articles
Some people love books. Some people fall in love. And some people fall in love with books about falling in love. Every month our team sorts...
34 likes · 11 comments
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“I'll use any means necessary -- any f*cking violence I want --in order to keep you safe. Do you understand me, Eve? This isn't bloody negotiable. I will f*cking kill if it means it'll keep you safe.”
—
4 likes
“Her breath caught on the thought. Was he saying that a woman would put her hands—her mouth—there?
Her bodice felt suddenly too tight as her breaths became faster. She didn’t know where to look: at those long fingers massaging his own leg or his glinting, knowing green eyes.
“And of course,” he continued, “a woman can pleasure herself—with her hand—and a man…” His hand drifted up, straight to the top of his widely spread legs. He gripped himself frankly—lewdly—and looked at her.
She lost all sense of propriety. All sense of place and time and who he was and who she was.
She stared back into those sensuous green eyes and whispered, “Show me.”
—
2 likes
More quotes…
Her bodice felt suddenly too tight as her breaths became faster. She didn’t know where to look: at those long fingers massaging his own leg or his glinting, knowing green eyes.
“And of course,” he continued, “a woman can pleasure herself—with her hand—and a man…” His hand drifted up, straight to the top of his widely spread legs. He gripped himself frankly—lewdly—and looked at her.
She lost all sense of propriety. All sense of place and time and who he was and who she was.
She stared back into those sensuous green eyes and whispered, “Show me.”
