What do you think?
Rate this book
Scandalous #5
How to Get Away with Scandal
Don’t fall in love with me…
Evangeline, Lady Courtenay, has flirted with scandal her entire life, and paid a steep price for it, with two unhappy marriages and a tarnished reputation. She’s vowed never to get entangled with another man—until a dashing explorer, just passing through London, smiles at her and sends her heart leaping. Just one night, she tells herself; that’s all she wants.
Sir Richard Campion is entranced by Evangeline the moment they meet, even before she takes him home with her for a night of pleasure, only to be gone when he wakes. When he encounters her again years later, he is just as fascinated—and elated to find that she still feels it, too. And this time, he intends to persuade her that he’s worth getting entangled with…forever.
Evangeline, Lady Courtenay, has flirted with scandal her entire life, and paid a steep price for it, with two unhappy marriages and a tarnished reputation. She’s vowed never to get entangled with another man—until a dashing explorer, just passing through London, smiles at her and sends her heart leaping. Just one night, she tells herself; that’s all she wants.
Sir Richard Campion is entranced by Evangeline the moment they meet, even before she takes him home with her for a night of pleasure, only to be gone when he wakes. When he encounters her again years later, he is just as fascinated—and elated to find that she still feels it, too. And this time, he intends to persuade her that he’s worth getting entangled with…forever.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 12, 2026
30 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Caroline Linden
54 books1,708 followersCaroline Linden was born a reader, not a writer. She earned a degree in mathematics from Harvard University and worked as a programmer in the financial services industry before realizing writing fiction is much more exciting than writing code. Her books have won the NEC-RWA Readers' Choice Award, the JNRW Golden Leaf, the Daphne du Maurier Award, and RWA's RITA Award, and have been translated into seventeen languages around the world. She lives in New England.
Sign up at http://www.carolinelinden.com/signup.... to get notified about her books and receive a free short story exclusively for subscribers.
Sign up at http://www.carolinelinden.com/signup.... to get notified about her books and receive a free short story exclusively for subscribers.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
January 29, 2026
It's been a long time since I wanted to read a Regency romance. But Caroline Linden wrote some very solid examples, and one—Love and Other Scandals—was not only delightful, but also featured memorable cameos from the MCs of this book.
Some of what I'd liked is still present—the central romance feels mostly genuine and touching, largely due to the cinnamon roll of an MMC. The final pages are tender and appropriately low-key. On the whole, I'm pleased I picked this up though I almost certainly won't go back to it, because there are some structural decisions that...just don't work.
Evangeline, the FMC, has a chequered history that's led to her being a subject of malicious gossip for years (yet her SIL asks her to chaperone her niece???), but this aspect of the book (though it's fundamental to how Evangeline acts) is not convincing. Linden leans into the baseless gossip angle just a little too hard and too often.
Still, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast, so that alone wasn't a problem. No, it's And—unforgiveably—mid-book, between one paragraph and the next:
That extraordinary authorial choice undermined my faith in the final third of the book.
The cover is credited to Erin Dameron-Hill/EDH Graphics, who clearly has an individual view of what a woman in her forties/fifties looks like. May her illusions never wither with age.
Some of what I'd liked is still present—the central romance feels mostly genuine and touching, largely due to the cinnamon roll of an MMC. The final pages are tender and appropriately low-key. On the whole, I'm pleased I picked this up though I almost certainly won't go back to it, because there are some structural decisions that...just don't work.
Evangeline, the FMC, has a chequered history that's led to her being a subject of malicious gossip for years (yet her SIL asks her to chaperone her niece???), but this aspect of the book (though it's fundamental to how Evangeline acts) is not convincing. Linden leans into the baseless gossip angle just a little too hard and too often.
Still, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast, so that alone wasn't a problem. No, it's And—unforgiveably—mid-book, between one paragraph and the next:
That extraordinary authorial choice undermined my faith in the final third of the book.
The cover is credited to Erin Dameron-Hill/EDH Graphics, who clearly has an individual view of what a woman in her forties/fifties looks like. May her illusions never wither with age.
January 19, 2026
Twice widowed Lady Evangeline Courtenay has had two unhappy marriages and suffers a tarnished reputation. Sir Richard Campion is captivated by Evangeline the moment they meet…but one passionate night and a number of years later, he remains drawn to her an hopes he can convince her to take a chance on love again.
This book is part of the Scandalous series. It can be read independently, but longtime fans of this author may recognize some overlapping scenes that have previously occurred. Evie is the aunt of Joan, the heroine featured in Love and Other Scandals (book one).
This story spans about ten years and demonstrates a mature heroine dealing with mixed feelings about love and romance after years of society gossiping about her. Richard is a cinnamon roll hero who is patient but determined, hoping he can prove his love while respecting Evie’s boundaries. There’s a lot to like about this story, but I was slightly disappointed that the early steam didn’t carry through the story. I’d recommend this book to Mary Balogh fans and other readers who love couple-centered stories without mystery, villainy, or manufactured drama.
Tropes: Widow, Hero Falls First, Second Chance Romance
Steam: 2
* I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
This book is part of the Scandalous series. It can be read independently, but longtime fans of this author may recognize some overlapping scenes that have previously occurred. Evie is the aunt of Joan, the heroine featured in Love and Other Scandals (book one).
This story spans about ten years and demonstrates a mature heroine dealing with mixed feelings about love and romance after years of society gossiping about her. Richard is a cinnamon roll hero who is patient but determined, hoping he can prove his love while respecting Evie’s boundaries. There’s a lot to like about this story, but I was slightly disappointed that the early steam didn’t carry through the story. I’d recommend this book to Mary Balogh fans and other readers who love couple-centered stories without mystery, villainy, or manufactured drama.
Tropes: Widow, Hero Falls First, Second Chance Romance
Steam: 2
* I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
January 20, 2026
I love that Caroline Linden is back (and returned to one of my favorite HR romance series ever!)! She is and always has been an incredibly skilled writer whose stories I love.
This one did not quite live up to my expectations somehow. Evangeline and Rivhard are a lovely couple, both mature and loveable on their own and they are just perfect for each other. But there was a very sudden time jump towards the (from one sentence to the next it is suddenly six years later, and there is already a four year gap during which the couple is separated in the very beginning) which felt a bit off to me. I like that they lasted that long but the jump threw me off a little.
In the copy I received from NetGalley, there are also a few mistakes where German is used (Richard is Swiss): "Gott in Himmel" (should be "im" and is more commonly "Herr im Himmel", which is more often used to convey annoyance, whereas Richard seems to be praising the Lord in that moment? In which case we would go with "Guter Gott" or something); "Ein Moment, mein Herr" (should be "einen" because. German sucks and you need to declinate the noun); a housekeeper greets her mistress with "Guten morgen, meine Frau" (should be either ", gnädige Frau" (meaning "esteemed" to show deference), or ", meine Dame" (as a literal translation of, "my lady"); "meine Frau" is too possessive to my ears and would be sth a husband says, but not staff); "they had taken a house in the Linderhof" (and as the heroine in the same sentence says she liked the city, no definite article is needed when you give the name); "from the River Limmat" (river doesn't have to be capitalized as the river's name in German is simply "Limmat", whereas River Limmat implies that the river is part of the offical name).
Little things, yes, but they still felt wrong to me and obviously annoyed me ^^.
All in all, I enjoyed the story (there was just a bit too much unnecessary drama for my tastes towards the end) and I hope this means the author is back for good, because she is and always will be on my auto-buy list for the loveable, relatable characters and gripping stories she creates.
*I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
This one did not quite live up to my expectations somehow. Evangeline and Rivhard are a lovely couple, both mature and loveable on their own and they are just perfect for each other. But there was a very sudden time jump towards the (from one sentence to the next it is suddenly six years later, and there is already a four year gap during which the couple is separated in the very beginning) which felt a bit off to me. I like that they lasted that long but the jump threw me off a little.
In the copy I received from NetGalley, there are also a few mistakes where German is used (Richard is Swiss): "Gott in Himmel" (should be "im" and is more commonly "Herr im Himmel", which is more often used to convey annoyance, whereas Richard seems to be praising the Lord in that moment? In which case we would go with "Guter Gott" or something); "Ein Moment, mein Herr" (should be "einen" because. German sucks and you need to declinate the noun); a housekeeper greets her mistress with "Guten morgen, meine Frau" (should be either ", gnädige Frau" (meaning "esteemed" to show deference), or ", meine Dame" (as a literal translation of, "my lady"); "meine Frau" is too possessive to my ears and would be sth a husband says, but not staff); "they had taken a house in the Linderhof" (and as the heroine in the same sentence says she liked the city, no definite article is needed when you give the name); "from the River Limmat" (river doesn't have to be capitalized as the river's name in German is simply "Limmat", whereas River Limmat implies that the river is part of the offical name).
Little things, yes, but they still felt wrong to me and obviously annoyed me ^^.
All in all, I enjoyed the story (there was just a bit too much unnecessary drama for my tastes towards the end) and I hope this means the author is back for good, because she is and always will be on my auto-buy list for the loveable, relatable characters and gripping stories she creates.
*I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
November 30, 2025
1812, London.
Evangeline, Lady Courtenay, has garnered a reputation in her 42 years, not all of it deserved (but perhaps some of it is). Widowed for a second time and still reeling from the scandal Lord Courtenay's death caused, her dear friend Fanny convinces her to come to a ball where a young explorer will be giving a speech about his travels. Sir Richard Campion is dashing, charming, and much too young for Evangeline, but he'll be leaving for another adventure in a week, so what's the risk of an assignation? Richard is enamored, and the morning after he's determined to at least find Evangeline's direction, but he's blocked by his host, and instead heads to Russia...where two years turns into four, thanks to Napoleon. When he returns to England, Richard's sister pesters him to stay, and Richard has no interest, until he learns that a house he is considering letting is next door to Evangeline. He'll do anything she asks for a little more time with her.
Caroline Linden gives us the romance heroine in her forties that we all deserve. The book spans ten years, from 1812 to 1822, and gives us three distinct and lovely phases of Evangeline and Richard's relationship. For those of us who have read the Scandalous Series, we are treated to the romance we've wanted to see: Aunt Evangeline comes to stay with Joan Bennet during Love and Other Scandals, where we get a hint of her scandalous relationship with Richard. How to Get Away with Scandal gives us depth to what we saw in a few pages, and does it incredibly well. The risk of a prequel story with overlapping scenes is that it can feel repetitive or like lip-service. Linden neatly avoids this, building out those scenes and giving them narrative weight. In fact, she does this so well, that you can read this book before you read Love and Other Scandals and it will stand alone well.
It's always a joy to read a romance about an older couple. For Evangeline, this is a hard earned chance at real happiness after two miserable marriages foisted upon her by her father. She carves out joy for herself, even with some sacrifices, because Richard is worth it. Richard, meanwhile, is so in love (despite being forbidden) that he will do anything he can to stay in Evangeline's good graces, including promising that as soon as either of them wish it, they will walk away. Time and again, you see Richard and Evangeline make mature decisions, attempt to avoid scandal, and continue to pine for more. It's beautiful. And most importantly, in the long run, Linden convinces us that they have not just a relationship HEA, but ensures that Evangeline will be truly happy in the long run.
Caroline Linden is publishing as an indie author now. I've heard her speak on panels where she indicated that publishers aren't often interested in their traditional historical romance writers including political nuance, and I loved seeing her subtly include more progressive views about exploration and colonialism from her characters. It's artfully done, and as a reader who has read most of Linden's backlist, it's lovely to see her able to include this more as she publishes independently.
Thank you to Caroline Linden for an eARC. How to Get Away with Scandal is out 1/12/26.
Evangeline, Lady Courtenay, has garnered a reputation in her 42 years, not all of it deserved (but perhaps some of it is). Widowed for a second time and still reeling from the scandal Lord Courtenay's death caused, her dear friend Fanny convinces her to come to a ball where a young explorer will be giving a speech about his travels. Sir Richard Campion is dashing, charming, and much too young for Evangeline, but he'll be leaving for another adventure in a week, so what's the risk of an assignation? Richard is enamored, and the morning after he's determined to at least find Evangeline's direction, but he's blocked by his host, and instead heads to Russia...where two years turns into four, thanks to Napoleon. When he returns to England, Richard's sister pesters him to stay, and Richard has no interest, until he learns that a house he is considering letting is next door to Evangeline. He'll do anything she asks for a little more time with her.
Caroline Linden gives us the romance heroine in her forties that we all deserve. The book spans ten years, from 1812 to 1822, and gives us three distinct and lovely phases of Evangeline and Richard's relationship. For those of us who have read the Scandalous Series, we are treated to the romance we've wanted to see: Aunt Evangeline comes to stay with Joan Bennet during Love and Other Scandals, where we get a hint of her scandalous relationship with Richard. How to Get Away with Scandal gives us depth to what we saw in a few pages, and does it incredibly well. The risk of a prequel story with overlapping scenes is that it can feel repetitive or like lip-service. Linden neatly avoids this, building out those scenes and giving them narrative weight. In fact, she does this so well, that you can read this book before you read Love and Other Scandals and it will stand alone well.
It's always a joy to read a romance about an older couple. For Evangeline, this is a hard earned chance at real happiness after two miserable marriages foisted upon her by her father. She carves out joy for herself, even with some sacrifices, because Richard is worth it. Richard, meanwhile, is so in love (despite being forbidden) that he will do anything he can to stay in Evangeline's good graces, including promising that as soon as either of them wish it, they will walk away. Time and again, you see Richard and Evangeline make mature decisions, attempt to avoid scandal, and continue to pine for more. It's beautiful. And most importantly, in the long run, Linden convinces us that they have not just a relationship HEA, but ensures that Evangeline will be truly happy in the long run.
Caroline Linden is publishing as an indie author now. I've heard her speak on panels where she indicated that publishers aren't often interested in their traditional historical romance writers including political nuance, and I loved seeing her subtly include more progressive views about exploration and colonialism from her characters. It's artfully done, and as a reader who has read most of Linden's backlist, it's lovely to see her able to include this more as she publishes independently.
Thank you to Caroline Linden for an eARC. How to Get Away with Scandal is out 1/12/26.
January 19, 2026
Caroline Linden is a fairly new author for me even though this is my 18th book by her. I read 3 of her books in 2021 but didn't pick her up again until June 2023 when I read her 7 book series The Scandals, which was really good. I don't normally like to "buy" books when I have KU and having read 400 books last year try to keep at a minimum but I do like her writing so thought I'd check this one out.
I liked this book. I liked Evangeline and Richard. It was an interesting story. Definitely different and not like my usual "ton" reads. It was interesting that she was an older character when so many of these books I read they are all 18-19 year old virgins so that only made it different. Overall a good read.
I liked this book. I liked Evangeline and Richard. It was an interesting story. Definitely different and not like my usual "ton" reads. It was interesting that she was an older character when so many of these books I read they are all 18-19 year old virgins so that only made it different. Overall a good read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
How to Get Away with Scandal by Caroline Linden is the fifth installment in the Scandalous series, following Evangeline and Richard. The novel also revisits Joan and Tristan (the couple from the first book, Love and Other Scandals), this time largely through Evangeline’s perspective. As their story was the only other one I was already familiar with, this connection felt especially rewarding.
It’s rare to come across a historical romance featuring a heroine in her forties and her relationship with a younger man. It was refreshing to see the usual script reversed — to follow the chaperone rather than the young debutante during a London season. Evangeline’s story, however, began long before the events of this novel. There’s a persistent narrative in historical romance that one finds their happily ever after in their twenties and that nothing truly difficult follows. How to Get Away with Scandal tells a different — and arguably more mature — story.
Evangeline was unhappily married twice. The men in her life made decisions for her, leaving her with a profound loss of power, independence, and happiness. She was also made the scapegoat for men’s bad behavior, blamed for her husbands’ infidelity and cruelty. Given these experiences, her desire to remain unmarried after being widowed twice is entirely understandable.
Enter Richard, a well-known Swiss adventurer — a decade younger than Evangeline, yet no less captivated by her slightly eccentric nature. Despite the age gap, their relationship never feels unbalanced or fetishized. Evangeline is a grown woman; Richard is a grown man. Their love develops without age being a defining factor between them, even if it becomes one for those around them. Richard truly sees Evangeline. He neither knows nor cares about the gossip surrounding her. When he enters into an affair with her, he does so on her terms, fully accepting that the power lies with her. His stance is simple: if she wants him, he will stay — forever, if she’ll have him.
Richard’s love for Evangeline feels sincere and deeply rooted. While their relationship quite literally begins with a bang, something meaningful is already unfolding beneath the surface — a sense of one soul recognizing another. His pursuit of her is gentle and measured, always attuned to her comfort. He understands that pushing too hard would mean losing her. That doesn’t stop him from nudging her forward now and then, and I found that balance particularly satisfying. I especially loved the detail of the marriage license in the epilogue — prepared in three different countries. When they do marry, it’s entirely for themselves: no spectacle, no grand announcements. Just the two of them. It was quietly lovely.
I also appreciate Linden’s willingness to show how someone with “modern” views would have been perceived as eccentric or even scandalous in the Regency era. Many authors soften this reality, allowing their unconventional characters to move through society largely unchallenged. Linden doesn’t shy away from showing that Evangeline’s lifestyle and beliefs place her firmly outside the mainstream. Importantly, those beliefs are shaped by lived experience rather than existing in a vacuum. Evangeline is the black sheep of her family — but she is not a rebel without a cause.
That said, I did have a few reservations. First, the German used in the novel was noticeably inaccurate. As a native German speaker, it was clear that the language had been added without deep familiarity, which pulled me out of the story at times. Second, the time jumps — spanning roughly a decade — occasionally felt abrupt. Transitions between years could have been handled more smoothly to preserve narrative momentum. Finally, while I found Richard a compelling match for Evangeline, he wasn’t quite as fully realized as I would have liked. Beyond his devotion to her, his background and motivations remain underdeveloped. I was left wanting a clearer sense of where his beliefs come from and what shaped him into the man we meet on the page.
Overall, I would still highly recommend this novel. It’s a story that balances sweetness with emotional depth. Evangeline is a fascinating heroine, firmly grounded in historical realities while still resonating with a modern audience. Most of all, I appreciated reading a love story between characters who are older than the genre norm. Not everyone finds their happily ever after straight out of the schoolroom — and those stories deserve to be told, too.
December 2, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!
This was a rather unexpected addition to an old series by Linden. I thought if Evangeline ever got her own story it would be a novella but this went back in time to show us how she met Richard and what brought them to the events of book 1. I enjoyed it but I also didn’t feel it was necessary. I wish we had spent more time with the couple beyond their initial getting together and reunion, the time where we actually saw them fall in love before the third act conflict hit. A perfectly sweet, nothing kind of story which is a shame given we rarely get a 50 something year old FMC with a younger man ending in a child free HEA.
This was a rather unexpected addition to an old series by Linden. I thought if Evangeline ever got her own story it would be a novella but this went back in time to show us how she met Richard and what brought them to the events of book 1. I enjoyed it but I also didn’t feel it was necessary. I wish we had spent more time with the couple beyond their initial getting together and reunion, the time where we actually saw them fall in love before the third act conflict hit. A perfectly sweet, nothing kind of story which is a shame given we rarely get a 50 something year old FMC with a younger man ending in a child free HEA.
February 14, 2026
I love how Caroline Linden isn't afraid to tackle characters and stories that are outside the standard. In this case, it's an older heroine (40s) and younger man (30s) and the love story develops over the course of years with many challenges and family dynamics thrown in between. For those of you who have been following the Scandals series, this one significantly overlaps with Joan and Tristan's book (Love and Other Scandals) only from Evangeline's (the chaperone's) perspective. I always loved the first book and wondered more about what Evangeline was thinking and experiencing when I read and this book filled in those gaps and fleshed out her character and story on either end of that book's time. Linden provides enough detail you can easily read this book on its own, but if you love the Scandals series you'll love the extra details here too.
While I usually love slow burn for the intimate scenes (and most especially Linden's brand of slow burn)--this book is not it. For those who want some spice early on, this will deliver. But the relationship itself is more of a slow burn in that it develops over the course of years, healing Evangeline in a way she needed after being burdened by two awful earlier marriages. In that, it definitely hit all the right notes and felt more mature in a way as the challenges were heavier, the decisions had bigger impact, and so much of what the characters talked about and how they made decisions was made from a more wise/more experienced perspective.
I found the ending to be very satisfying and as I said I loved seeing the pull between the two especially when they had to be apart while she was serving as a chaperone. There were also some light parts too to keep it balanced that will most especially satisfy dog lovers.
Overall a really great read and one I'd recommend. Not my absolute favorite of hers, but still a strong installment by an excellent writer of the genre. In a time when historical romance has been struggling, it is always so delightful to encounter something of this quality as a new release. Linden doesn't disappoint!
While I usually love slow burn for the intimate scenes (and most especially Linden's brand of slow burn)--this book is not it. For those who want some spice early on, this will deliver. But the relationship itself is more of a slow burn in that it develops over the course of years, healing Evangeline in a way she needed after being burdened by two awful earlier marriages. In that, it definitely hit all the right notes and felt more mature in a way as the challenges were heavier, the decisions had bigger impact, and so much of what the characters talked about and how they made decisions was made from a more wise/more experienced perspective.
I found the ending to be very satisfying and as I said I loved seeing the pull between the two especially when they had to be apart while she was serving as a chaperone. There were also some light parts too to keep it balanced that will most especially satisfy dog lovers.
Overall a really great read and one I'd recommend. Not my absolute favorite of hers, but still a strong installment by an excellent writer of the genre. In a time when historical romance has been struggling, it is always so delightful to encounter something of this quality as a new release. Linden doesn't disappoint!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Caroline Linden has done 👏 it 👏 again 👏. Every now and then I grow fatigued of fresh, young, and/or inexperienced characters, and yearn for people who already know what a d*ck looks like. Even better, Richard and Evangeline know how to enter into a consensual, healthy relationship from the get go.
Evangeline has a bad relationship with scandal, burnt from two unhappy marriages, not to mention the damage to her reputation. When she meets Richard, she indulges in a rare evening of intimacy, safe in the knowledge that her reputation is unscathed. Richard can't forget his night with Evangeline, and when fate throws them back together, he'll take whatever he can get. Seriously, he's down so bad he purchases a fixer-upper because he saw her swimming almost naked on the property. Man knows how to shoot his shot.
Richard and Evangelines dynamic is absolute perfection. She's older and scared of feelings, he's younger but knows exactly what he wants and what he wants is Evangeline. I loved both Evangeline and Richard, but Richard was definitely the star. He's a walking green flag who does nothing but support and encourage Evangeline, as well as respecting her boundaries. Their relationship (of course) has troubles, the greatest of which is fear of societal censure and familial excommunication, but the tension is overlaid by one of my favourite courtships I've ever read. Richard treats her like a Queen, and does things like pick her wildflower bouquets, or cuts up candles for her (it's more romantic than it sounds). Additionally, their story spans years, adding depth and making them feel real.
In recent months I have increasingly favoured romances with more mature characters (in both age and emotionally), and this matches my current reading preferences perfectly. The romance feels real, the pain feels raw, and by the end my heart felt full.
Evangeline has a bad relationship with scandal, burnt from two unhappy marriages, not to mention the damage to her reputation. When she meets Richard, she indulges in a rare evening of intimacy, safe in the knowledge that her reputation is unscathed. Richard can't forget his night with Evangeline, and when fate throws them back together, he'll take whatever he can get. Seriously, he's down so bad he purchases a fixer-upper because he saw her swimming almost naked on the property. Man knows how to shoot his shot.
Richard and Evangelines dynamic is absolute perfection. She's older and scared of feelings, he's younger but knows exactly what he wants and what he wants is Evangeline. I loved both Evangeline and Richard, but Richard was definitely the star. He's a walking green flag who does nothing but support and encourage Evangeline, as well as respecting her boundaries. Their relationship (of course) has troubles, the greatest of which is fear of societal censure and familial excommunication, but the tension is overlaid by one of my favourite courtships I've ever read. Richard treats her like a Queen, and does things like pick her wildflower bouquets, or cuts up candles for her (it's more romantic than it sounds). Additionally, their story spans years, adding depth and making them feel real.
In recent months I have increasingly favoured romances with more mature characters (in both age and emotionally), and this matches my current reading preferences perfectly. The romance feels real, the pain feels raw, and by the end my heart felt full.
December 28, 2025
This was such an excellent story and I am thrilled to see a plot of this kind in a historical romance. Evangeline Courtenay has been widowed twice and as a woman who seeks her own enjoyment, she is scandalous in the eyes of the ton. No matter that she is not to blame for either of her husbands’ deaths or the gossip surrounding them—her fate has been decided by society and so she reluctantly accepts it. When the opportunity arises for her to actually do something scandalous with regards to the significantly younger, dashing world traveler, Richard Campion, Evangeline embraces it. And it’s hot. You can feel the pent up energy and excitement behind doing something out of the norm, and I loved reading it.
To be perfectly honest, what appealed most to me was that Evangeline was a woman out of her youth who had lived several lives over by the time she meets Richard. A woman in my forties myself, I identified with the both the thrilling and daunting feelings surrounding the possibility of embarking on a new relationship with a romantic partner. Evangeline protectively sets her terms with Richard and romance readers know full well she is likely to break them in order to find her HEA which makes that journey all the more fun. Richard is a wonderful partner to Evie. He’s interesting, not cowed by her reputation or the remarks of others, stands up for her when necessary, is an unbelievably generous lover, and I truly felt how much he cared for Evangeline.
I appreciated that Evangeline’s choice whether to marry again was something Richard never pressed upon Evangeline. The third act breakup stresses just how much blame and fault Evangeline places upon herself for failing in her marriages and in society, and it was a relief to see him give Evie the breathing room to make her own choices. If you ever wonder if a couple will continue to have an HEA long after a novel ends, I can assure you Evangeline and Richard have many, many years of pleasure and enjoyment ahead of them. I received an advanced copy from the author, all opinions are my own.
To be perfectly honest, what appealed most to me was that Evangeline was a woman out of her youth who had lived several lives over by the time she meets Richard. A woman in my forties myself, I identified with the both the thrilling and daunting feelings surrounding the possibility of embarking on a new relationship with a romantic partner. Evangeline protectively sets her terms with Richard and romance readers know full well she is likely to break them in order to find her HEA which makes that journey all the more fun. Richard is a wonderful partner to Evie. He’s interesting, not cowed by her reputation or the remarks of others, stands up for her when necessary, is an unbelievably generous lover, and I truly felt how much he cared for Evangeline.
I appreciated that Evangeline’s choice whether to marry again was something Richard never pressed upon Evangeline. The third act breakup stresses just how much blame and fault Evangeline places upon herself for failing in her marriages and in society, and it was a relief to see him give Evie the breathing room to make her own choices. If you ever wonder if a couple will continue to have an HEA long after a novel ends, I can assure you Evangeline and Richard have many, many years of pleasure and enjoyment ahead of them. I received an advanced copy from the author, all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was such a refreshing historical romance. Evangeline is a heroine in her forties who’s lived, loved, and survived, and it shows. Her connection with Richard is bold, tender, and quietly intoxicating, especially because he never tries to control her choices. The age gap, time jumps, and unconventional structure worked beautifully, delivering a story that felt mature, emotional, and deeply satisfying.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
January 13, 2026
I wanted to enjoy this a lot more, I thought I would, but I could not fully get into it.
To start I enjoyed the writing and the premise. These are not your typical romance MCs and not the typical relationship, combined with Linden's writing this should have been a hit for me.
I like the companionship between the two but I didn't feel a lot emotion deeper than that, although I know there was as a convention of the genre.
As much as I liked the mutual arrangement and maturity of the MCs, I think that the true conflict of the book came from outside the relationship as an effort not to upset their relationship, to avoid angst, and therefore did not hit emotionally for me.
To start I enjoyed the writing and the premise. These are not your typical romance MCs and not the typical relationship, combined with Linden's writing this should have been a hit for me.
I like the companionship between the two but I didn't feel a lot emotion deeper than that, although I know there was as a convention of the genre.
As much as I liked the mutual arrangement and maturity of the MCs, I think that the true conflict of the book came from outside the relationship as an effort not to upset their relationship, to avoid angst, and therefore did not hit emotionally for me.
December 3, 2025
I grabbed this as soon as I saw the blurb and devoured it in a day. This is one of the best historical romances I’ve read all year - it had me both chuckling and shedding a few tears at various points. How to Get Away with Scandal follows Evangeline, a scandal-prone widow who swears off entanglements, and Sir Richard, the explorer who can’t forget her after one stolen night - only to find her years later and refuse to let her go.
This book includes two of my favourite tropes - older woman/younger man (reverse age gap) and childfree romance - and it’s especially lovely to see these in a historical context.
Evangeline is a really interesting character. She is 42 when the book starts and has had a really challenging life navigating the ton. After a fairly disastrous marriage at 17 to a man the same age as her father, she was widowed very young and sought to enjoy herself a little since she had some of the freedoms of a widow. Her second marriage was perhaps even worse, resulting in the murder of her husband and irreparable shame for her. As a result, she lives both physically and metaphorically on the edge of the ton until she meets Sir Richard (then 32). I love that she is still determined to live the life that she wants, regardless of the opprobrium, though this does weigh heavily on her. She is a bit of a riot, always unintentionally causing a scandal. At one point, she remembers being invited to an eccentric neighbour’s dinner party where she talked about votes for women (in the early 1800s!) and being disappointed that she was never invited back - she realised she was too eccentric for even this unusual group of people!
Richard is such a delight. He is an interesting, open, progressive man, and he is instantly beguiled by Evangeline. His desperation when he discovers that he can’t find her after their one night of pleasure is so endearing, and the fact he thinks about her for four years while he is away travelling, only to find her in the most unusual place when he returns to England, is frankly adorable.
The novel really addresses the challenges of marriage at the time, and the fact that becoming a bride means you become your husband’s property. Evangeline has experienced this twice and has an absolute aversion to marriage. So I really enjoy that this book does not follow the standard format of automatically focusing on marriage as the pinnacle outcome. In fact, they conduct a relationship for six years, causing a great deal of scandal, without getting married. This is quite different from your average historical novel, not only for this long-term unmarried relationship but also because it is a very equal relationship. In fact, if anything, Evangeline sets the terms of how the relationship will be conducted, although Richard quietly expands this over the years as Evangeline becomes more comfortable.
The book covers just over a decade between when they first meet and the epilogue, so by the time the story ends, Evangeline is 53 and Richard is 43. It’s so encouraging to see books with FMCs in this period of their life where they continue to be interesting, strong, and active, and where this isn’t all linked to children - in fact, this book is childfree by choice. Richard is very clear that he never wanted them (Evangeline doesn’t outright specify her thoughts, but it seems that she is on the same page - she does mention in passing the possibility she may be infertile but this is framed as a blessing and we never hear any longing or regret from her).
I enjoyed this book immensely. It’s the first time I’ve read anything by this author, and I’m already interested to read what I can tell are going to be connecting stories within this series.
Thanks to NetGalley and Caroline Linden for the ARC. All thoughts are my honest opinion.
This book includes two of my favourite tropes - older woman/younger man (reverse age gap) and childfree romance - and it’s especially lovely to see these in a historical context.
Evangeline is a really interesting character. She is 42 when the book starts and has had a really challenging life navigating the ton. After a fairly disastrous marriage at 17 to a man the same age as her father, she was widowed very young and sought to enjoy herself a little since she had some of the freedoms of a widow. Her second marriage was perhaps even worse, resulting in the murder of her husband and irreparable shame for her. As a result, she lives both physically and metaphorically on the edge of the ton until she meets Sir Richard (then 32). I love that she is still determined to live the life that she wants, regardless of the opprobrium, though this does weigh heavily on her. She is a bit of a riot, always unintentionally causing a scandal. At one point, she remembers being invited to an eccentric neighbour’s dinner party where she talked about votes for women (in the early 1800s!) and being disappointed that she was never invited back - she realised she was too eccentric for even this unusual group of people!
Richard is such a delight. He is an interesting, open, progressive man, and he is instantly beguiled by Evangeline. His desperation when he discovers that he can’t find her after their one night of pleasure is so endearing, and the fact he thinks about her for four years while he is away travelling, only to find her in the most unusual place when he returns to England, is frankly adorable.
The novel really addresses the challenges of marriage at the time, and the fact that becoming a bride means you become your husband’s property. Evangeline has experienced this twice and has an absolute aversion to marriage. So I really enjoy that this book does not follow the standard format of automatically focusing on marriage as the pinnacle outcome. In fact, they conduct a relationship for six years, causing a great deal of scandal, without getting married. This is quite different from your average historical novel, not only for this long-term unmarried relationship but also because it is a very equal relationship. In fact, if anything, Evangeline sets the terms of how the relationship will be conducted, although Richard quietly expands this over the years as Evangeline becomes more comfortable.
The book covers just over a decade between when they first meet and the epilogue, so by the time the story ends, Evangeline is 53 and Richard is 43. It’s so encouraging to see books with FMCs in this period of their life where they continue to be interesting, strong, and active, and where this isn’t all linked to children - in fact, this book is childfree by choice. Richard is very clear that he never wanted them (Evangeline doesn’t outright specify her thoughts, but it seems that she is on the same page - she does mention in passing the possibility she may be infertile but this is framed as a blessing and we never hear any longing or regret from her).
I enjoyed this book immensely. It’s the first time I’ve read anything by this author, and I’m already interested to read what I can tell are going to be connecting stories within this series.
Thanks to NetGalley and Caroline Linden for the ARC. All thoughts are my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I have read almost everything (and maybe everything!) that Caroline Linden has written and was shocked when I learned her publisher had dropped her. She is a wonderful writer--one of the best in historical romance--and this book only proves the point that these publishers are idiots! This is one of my favorite books of hers ever. There are many thing that make this a wonderful read,. First we have a heroine who is 42 at the start of the book and 52 by the end. It is SO refreshing to read a love story that centers a woman who has LIVED and who has bigger issues than what dress she should wear to her coming-out ball. Evangeline is smart, reflective, and gorgeous; she's also vulnerable and traumatized by her two marriages. As someone who is also 52, I can relate to Evangeline's struggles to heal from her trauma and live life on her terms.
Second, we have Richard, the hero. He is pretty much the perfect book boyfriend. He is enchanted by Evangeline immediately and could care less that he is 10 years younger than she is. Like Evangeline, he's also gorgeous and smart; the attraction between the two of them is believable, and they are written as a very compatible couple. Richard would do anything for Evangeline, as he proves in the book, and he defends her without hesitation. He listens to Evangeline, takes her thoughts and feeling seriously, and believes her.
Third, the supporting characters are well-written and add to the texture of the book. Richard's sister, his friend/assistant Gerhard, and his nephews add life and color to the story. The same is true for Evangeline's best friend Fanny, her niece Joan and Joan's love interest (who are the main characters of the first book in this series), and her brother and sister-in-law. I appreciate that while Evangeline's brother and sister-in-law have some dislikable qualities, they are three-dimensional characters who are never made out to be evil or bad people. Ms. Linden takes pains to show that they are complex people and even when they make decisions that hurt Evangeline, they are not doing so out of malice but for reasons that are very human (if I disagree with them). I appreciate that these characters are treated like the adults they are.
Finally, the romance is wonderful, and the sex scenes are well-done. While I hate that publishers are dropping so many HR authors (including Ms. Linden), there is absolutely a freedom and joy to the writing in this book that would be harder to achieve with a publisher. This shows most clearly in the sex scenes, which are devoid of the cliches that are so common in the genre. The couple is allowed to develop their relationship and their sexuality in the ways that. make sense for the story, rather than having to meet a publisher's expectation for when and how the sex needs to occur.
This is technically a prequel, but you do not need to have read any other books in the series for this one to make sense. It stands on its own as a well-told story. If you've never read Caroline Linden, pick this one up! You won't regret it.
Second, we have Richard, the hero. He is pretty much the perfect book boyfriend. He is enchanted by Evangeline immediately and could care less that he is 10 years younger than she is. Like Evangeline, he's also gorgeous and smart; the attraction between the two of them is believable, and they are written as a very compatible couple. Richard would do anything for Evangeline, as he proves in the book, and he defends her without hesitation. He listens to Evangeline, takes her thoughts and feeling seriously, and believes her.
Third, the supporting characters are well-written and add to the texture of the book. Richard's sister, his friend/assistant Gerhard, and his nephews add life and color to the story. The same is true for Evangeline's best friend Fanny, her niece Joan and Joan's love interest (who are the main characters of the first book in this series), and her brother and sister-in-law. I appreciate that while Evangeline's brother and sister-in-law have some dislikable qualities, they are three-dimensional characters who are never made out to be evil or bad people. Ms. Linden takes pains to show that they are complex people and even when they make decisions that hurt Evangeline, they are not doing so out of malice but for reasons that are very human (if I disagree with them). I appreciate that these characters are treated like the adults they are.
Finally, the romance is wonderful, and the sex scenes are well-done. While I hate that publishers are dropping so many HR authors (including Ms. Linden), there is absolutely a freedom and joy to the writing in this book that would be harder to achieve with a publisher. This shows most clearly in the sex scenes, which are devoid of the cliches that are so common in the genre. The couple is allowed to develop their relationship and their sexuality in the ways that. make sense for the story, rather than having to meet a publisher's expectation for when and how the sex needs to occur.
This is technically a prequel, but you do not need to have read any other books in the series for this one to make sense. It stands on its own as a well-told story. If you've never read Caroline Linden, pick this one up! You won't regret it.
January 18, 2026
This book was a joy to read.
I don't pretend to be a skilled reviewer but I'll try and get out my thoughts as to why that is.
Caroline Linden has a lovely, intelligent feel to her writing. This is a character driven book, the action takes place over 10 years (with a 4 year and then a 6 year gap) between, Evangeline, a twice widowed heroine who is older than the typical romance lead and her younger lover, Richard, a Swiss explorer who she meets at a ball. I won't rehash the plot because other reviews have already done so.
Linden's prose flows effortlessly, without burdensome exposition and repetitive inner monologues (my pet peeve!). Somehow she does all this without injecting a bunch of bonkers and melodramatic plot lines (not that I don't love those in other books!) and without making a bunch of easy, predictable choices that pepper so many historical romance novels.
The suspense and tension come from watching the characters' relationship develop. In the beginning it is hot and passionate, but their friendship develops into much more. Evangeline is shy of marriage and commitment but Richard is determined to respect her boundaries and give her what she wants.
Linden is very skilled at showing us the characters' thoughts and motivations through their actions. Early on, when Evangeline chases after her dog and ends up at Richard's house for the first time, Linden shows us how Richard has been hoping and planning for this very event. Throughout the scene we see him pull out a chair, pour a cup of tea, set the tea in front of the chair, etc. Waiting, patiently, for Evangeline to sit down. It is the loveliest scene. Linden doesn't just write it all at once! She doesn't explain to the reader what is happening (she knows we are smart enough to figure it out!) We watch it happen gradually, knowing that Evie will eventually sit, and oh boy, the reader is in love with Richard by the time she does.
Many HR authors spend their efforts writing flowery love declarations but Linden's "Because I want everyone to know, not that you are mine, but that I am yours" is perfection. This declaration by Richard to Evangeline is simple but so effective and when it comes in the book, we are so ready for it, it can't help but hit home.
When the final conflict arrives, the reader easily recognizes that Evie's emotional distress and inhibitions are common to a lot of us who might have difficulty not blaming ourselves when problems arise. In the context of Evie's past difficult relationships and the way others saddled her with the emotional burdens she didn't deserve it made sense. Personally, I loved how Joan helped Evie recognize herself, just as the reverse happened in Love and Other Scandals.
And the epilogue was the coziest thing you'll ever read.
Top notch romance from a skilled writer.
NOTE: The last third or so of the book overlaps with the action of Linden's first Scandals book, Love and Other Scandals. But readers of that book should not be concerned that they will have to reread that book, or that the scenes in both books are the same. It was lots of fun to read those scenes from the perspective of Evangeline.
I don't pretend to be a skilled reviewer but I'll try and get out my thoughts as to why that is.
Caroline Linden has a lovely, intelligent feel to her writing. This is a character driven book, the action takes place over 10 years (with a 4 year and then a 6 year gap) between, Evangeline, a twice widowed heroine who is older than the typical romance lead and her younger lover, Richard, a Swiss explorer who she meets at a ball. I won't rehash the plot because other reviews have already done so.
Linden's prose flows effortlessly, without burdensome exposition and repetitive inner monologues (my pet peeve!). Somehow she does all this without injecting a bunch of bonkers and melodramatic plot lines (not that I don't love those in other books!) and without making a bunch of easy, predictable choices that pepper so many historical romance novels.
The suspense and tension come from watching the characters' relationship develop. In the beginning it is hot and passionate, but their friendship develops into much more. Evangeline is shy of marriage and commitment but Richard is determined to respect her boundaries and give her what she wants.
Linden is very skilled at showing us the characters' thoughts and motivations through their actions. Early on, when Evangeline chases after her dog and ends up at Richard's house for the first time, Linden shows us how Richard has been hoping and planning for this very event. Throughout the scene we see him pull out a chair, pour a cup of tea, set the tea in front of the chair, etc. Waiting, patiently, for Evangeline to sit down. It is the loveliest scene. Linden doesn't just write it all at once! She doesn't explain to the reader what is happening (she knows we are smart enough to figure it out!) We watch it happen gradually, knowing that Evie will eventually sit, and oh boy, the reader is in love with Richard by the time she does.
Many HR authors spend their efforts writing flowery love declarations but Linden's "Because I want everyone to know, not that you are mine, but that I am yours" is perfection. This declaration by Richard to Evangeline is simple but so effective and when it comes in the book, we are so ready for it, it can't help but hit home.
When the final conflict arrives, the reader easily recognizes that Evie's emotional distress and inhibitions are common to a lot of us who might have difficulty not blaming ourselves when problems arise. In the context of Evie's past difficult relationships and the way others saddled her with the emotional burdens she didn't deserve it made sense. Personally, I loved how Joan helped Evie recognize herself, just as the reverse happened in Love and Other Scandals.
And the epilogue was the coziest thing you'll ever read.
Top notch romance from a skilled writer.
NOTE: The last third or so of the book overlaps with the action of Linden's first Scandals book, Love and Other Scandals. But readers of that book should not be concerned that they will have to reread that book, or that the scenes in both books are the same. It was lots of fun to read those scenes from the perspective of Evangeline.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 stars.
I received an ARC from the author via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
I’ve had the hankering to read a historical romance, but I was at a loss, as I didn’t know what exactly I wanted to read. But How to Get Away with Scandal filled the void for me, and it was a lovely blast from the past, as I’ve enjoyed the previous books in the series, and didn’t expect there would be another book. However, you don’t have to be familiar with the prior books to understand or enjoy this one; I completely forgot that Evangeline was in the prior books until I was reading reviews. However, I did note some cameos, including from another series of Linden’s I quite enjoyed, so returning readers will have fun with these little connections and Easter eggs.
And this book was a delight. Evangeline is the sort of heroine I adore: she’s prickly and not exactly known for her sterling reputation, although the reasoning for this is entirely due to her second husband and his vile friends, and the rumors spread about her due to demises of two husbands while still young. I admire her fierce independence and desire to live for herself, without surrendering control to another man.
Richard was also a pleasant surprise. I’ve long grown tired of overly alpha, emotionally stunted men, and he’s the exact opposite. I love how he falls for Evangeline almost immediately, and he didn’t forget about her after their one-night encounter. He’s patient with her, and doesn’t really impose his will on her, although there is a conflict with him wanting to be more public about their love than they could be, and that would necessitate marriage (or so he believed).
The structure is quite interesting, with a few time jumps. The romance also feels a bit quieter than many I’ve read, as it takes place over a longer space of time, and while it did impact the pacing a bit, I kind of liked that this felt like a real relationship between two people without major drama, and there was realistic conflict surrounding their respective desires for their lives. Their chemistry simmered from the first chapter, making them easy to root for almost immediately. And I like that the ending felt very unconventional and very “them,” emphasizing how their relationship is about their love, rather than any hypocritical judgments from their highly moralistic society.
I absolutely loved this book, and it’s a nice breath of fresh air amid my ongoing reading slump with historical romance and considering the fact that this past year ended on such a sour note, reading wise. I enthusiastically recommend this to readers who enjoy historical romance, especially if you’re looking for a somewhat more unconventional romance, with an older woman/younger man and a unique story structure.
I received an ARC from the author via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
I’ve had the hankering to read a historical romance, but I was at a loss, as I didn’t know what exactly I wanted to read. But How to Get Away with Scandal filled the void for me, and it was a lovely blast from the past, as I’ve enjoyed the previous books in the series, and didn’t expect there would be another book. However, you don’t have to be familiar with the prior books to understand or enjoy this one; I completely forgot that Evangeline was in the prior books until I was reading reviews. However, I did note some cameos, including from another series of Linden’s I quite enjoyed, so returning readers will have fun with these little connections and Easter eggs.
And this book was a delight. Evangeline is the sort of heroine I adore: she’s prickly and not exactly known for her sterling reputation, although the reasoning for this is entirely due to her second husband and his vile friends, and the rumors spread about her due to demises of two husbands while still young. I admire her fierce independence and desire to live for herself, without surrendering control to another man.
Richard was also a pleasant surprise. I’ve long grown tired of overly alpha, emotionally stunted men, and he’s the exact opposite. I love how he falls for Evangeline almost immediately, and he didn’t forget about her after their one-night encounter. He’s patient with her, and doesn’t really impose his will on her, although there is a conflict with him wanting to be more public about their love than they could be, and that would necessitate marriage (or so he believed).
The structure is quite interesting, with a few time jumps. The romance also feels a bit quieter than many I’ve read, as it takes place over a longer space of time, and while it did impact the pacing a bit, I kind of liked that this felt like a real relationship between two people without major drama, and there was realistic conflict surrounding their respective desires for their lives. Their chemistry simmered from the first chapter, making them easy to root for almost immediately. And I like that the ending felt very unconventional and very “them,” emphasizing how their relationship is about their love, rather than any hypocritical judgments from their highly moralistic society.
I absolutely loved this book, and it’s a nice breath of fresh air amid my ongoing reading slump with historical romance and considering the fact that this past year ended on such a sour note, reading wise. I enthusiastically recommend this to readers who enjoy historical romance, especially if you’re looking for a somewhat more unconventional romance, with an older woman/younger man and a unique story structure.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Tropes: 2nd chance romance; older MFC/younger MMC; he falls first
Steam level: 2-3
Works fine as a standalone.
3.75 stars rounded up. This book was honestly a surprise to me. Before I started it, I didn't realize it's the prequel to book 1 in the series, in which MFC Evangeline plays a supporting role (she is Joan's aunt). It's been several years since I've read that book and didn't expect the storyline to ever be revisited. Another unusual feature here is that Evangeline is in her late 30's/early 40's for the first half of the book, then is 52 for the 2nd half. I honestly don't think I've ever read a HR featuring a woman of that age--and (well, since that's around my age...) I appreciated it. The fact that MMC Richard is a full 10 years younger than Evangeline, and a gorgeous cinnamon roll Swiss adventurer no less, is even better. The child-bearing issue is also not belabored. Both MC's are grown adults who have been through challenges in their lives.
And the first few chapters are such spicy fun. Insta-lusty, yes, but there's something so inviting about this author's writing style. She has a way of telling a story that's engaging in a modern way while at the same time reminiscent of classic HR's. The first half flew by for me, as secondary characters were introduced and fleshed out and Evangeline and Richard's relationship started to strengthen. She's jaded due to her poor choices in men, but Richard is a pretty persuasive guy.
As the second half approached, though, I felt a lag in the pacing. The jump in time was a bit drastic, making me wish that there had been much more steam and banter between the MC's before Evangeline was asked to chaperone her niece. The focus was on Society manners and gossip, but unlike in the first half, there were no open confrontations to rachet up the tension. I wasn't a huge fan of the 3rd Act Breakup or the lack of real comeuppance overall for the gossips (and honestly I would have liked Marion to have stepped it up before the HEA).
Still, this feels like a love note to loyal HR readers who used to steal their mom's and older friends' books back in the 90's and still like an emotional HEA. With so many publishing houses dropping HR writers, I'm glad to see that Caroline Linden is writing on her own terms.
I read an advanced reader copy of this book and this is my honest, voluntary review. Thanks to the author and Net Galley for this opportunity.
Steam level: 2-3
Works fine as a standalone.
3.75 stars rounded up. This book was honestly a surprise to me. Before I started it, I didn't realize it's the prequel to book 1 in the series, in which MFC Evangeline plays a supporting role (she is Joan's aunt). It's been several years since I've read that book and didn't expect the storyline to ever be revisited. Another unusual feature here is that Evangeline is in her late 30's/early 40's for the first half of the book, then is 52 for the 2nd half. I honestly don't think I've ever read a HR featuring a woman of that age--and (well, since that's around my age...) I appreciated it. The fact that MMC Richard is a full 10 years younger than Evangeline, and a gorgeous cinnamon roll Swiss adventurer no less, is even better. The child-bearing issue is also not belabored. Both MC's are grown adults who have been through challenges in their lives.
And the first few chapters are such spicy fun. Insta-lusty, yes, but there's something so inviting about this author's writing style. She has a way of telling a story that's engaging in a modern way while at the same time reminiscent of classic HR's. The first half flew by for me, as secondary characters were introduced and fleshed out and Evangeline and Richard's relationship started to strengthen. She's jaded due to her poor choices in men, but Richard is a pretty persuasive guy.
As the second half approached, though, I felt a lag in the pacing. The jump in time was a bit drastic, making me wish that there had been much more steam and banter between the MC's before Evangeline was asked to chaperone her niece. The focus was on Society manners and gossip, but unlike in the first half, there were no open confrontations to rachet up the tension. I wasn't a huge fan of the 3rd Act Breakup or the lack of real comeuppance overall for the gossips (and honestly I would have liked Marion to have stepped it up before the HEA).
Still, this feels like a love note to loyal HR readers who used to steal their mom's and older friends' books back in the 90's and still like an emotional HEA. With so many publishing houses dropping HR writers, I'm glad to see that Caroline Linden is writing on her own terms.
I read an advanced reader copy of this book and this is my honest, voluntary review. Thanks to the author and Net Galley for this opportunity.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 rounded up
If this book is any indication of how 2026 is going to be, we're in for a fantastic year!
As a long time fan of Linden's writing I jumped at the chance to read this early. What appeals to me is that her storyline's do not have formulaic or cliché patterns and common tropes are reinvented into something I wouldn't expect. And once again, this is exactly what we get!
Evangeline is a Merry Widow, finally out from under her father's and her two husbands thumbs. She vows that never again will she put herself in a position to have her heart broken or be owned and ruled over by a man. Her life is finally hers and she means to keep it that way.
Richard is an explorer, an adventure seeker who never plants his feet in one place for very long. Life is meant to be lived, actively seeking joy, new experiences and connection even if it involves vulnerability or fear.
What was supposed to be a one night stand for two people who had an instant attraction quickly turns into something that almost felt like it was cosmically meant to be. Although it takes Evie a long while to recognize this, Richard is the counter to every experience she's had with men. He's charming, open, loyal and game for anything so long as he gets to be with Evie. And Evie is the connection, the destination, the true adventure that Richard has been seeking. They are committed, but not bound to each other which is a very interesting dynamic in this era that felt completely believable.
I do have to say that I felt Richard was a little too complacent for too long. He never wanted to rock the boat by admitting his love for her, which was strictly forbidden, giving me the impression that he was a bit of a doormat. But maybe this was to show his loyalty?? I feel like if the roles were reversed we'd be yelling at her to leave him. I would have loved if there was a moment when Evie realized the parallels of her being at the mercy of the men in her past and Richard being at the mercy of her.
With this being said, I really enjoyed this story and truly believe these two were meant to be together. I was completely invested, feeling their joy, fear and sadness right alongside them. I love that this featured more mature characters proving that love stories aren't just for the young.
Thank you to Caroline Linden and Netgalley for my early copy. All opinions are my own.
If this book is any indication of how 2026 is going to be, we're in for a fantastic year!
As a long time fan of Linden's writing I jumped at the chance to read this early. What appeals to me is that her storyline's do not have formulaic or cliché patterns and common tropes are reinvented into something I wouldn't expect. And once again, this is exactly what we get!
Evangeline is a Merry Widow, finally out from under her father's and her two husbands thumbs. She vows that never again will she put herself in a position to have her heart broken or be owned and ruled over by a man. Her life is finally hers and she means to keep it that way.
Richard is an explorer, an adventure seeker who never plants his feet in one place for very long. Life is meant to be lived, actively seeking joy, new experiences and connection even if it involves vulnerability or fear.
What was supposed to be a one night stand for two people who had an instant attraction quickly turns into something that almost felt like it was cosmically meant to be. Although it takes Evie a long while to recognize this, Richard is the counter to every experience she's had with men. He's charming, open, loyal and game for anything so long as he gets to be with Evie. And Evie is the connection, the destination, the true adventure that Richard has been seeking. They are committed, but not bound to each other which is a very interesting dynamic in this era that felt completely believable.
I do have to say that I felt Richard was a little too complacent for too long. He never wanted to rock the boat by admitting his love for her, which was strictly forbidden, giving me the impression that he was a bit of a doormat. But maybe this was to show his loyalty?? I feel like if the roles were reversed we'd be yelling at her to leave him. I would have loved if there was a moment when Evie realized the parallels of her being at the mercy of the men in her past and Richard being at the mercy of her.
With this being said, I really enjoyed this story and truly believe these two were meant to be together. I was completely invested, feeling their joy, fear and sadness right alongside them. I love that this featured more mature characters proving that love stories aren't just for the young.
Thank you to Caroline Linden and Netgalley for my early copy. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
After two disastrous, unwanted marriages, Evangeline, Countess of Courtenay, is now widowed and has decided that marriage is not for her. Unfortunately, after the death of her last husband, she was left with a tarnished reputation and hasn’t helped matters by skirting scandal more than once. Despite that, she is content with her life and at 42, she thinks her life is pretty much settled, but that was before she met handsome and much younger Swiss explorer Sir Richard Campion and spent a wonderful night with him, before sneaking out in the morning. She thinks that is the end of it and that her night with him will just be a lovely memory, yet four years later they meet again when he moves in next door to her.
When Sir Richard Campion met Evangeline, he was captivated by her and wanted her more than any woman he ever met. They spend one amazing night together, and he is ready to stay in London rather than leave on a planned expedition. However, the choice to stay is taken away when he wakes up the next morning and she is gone and no one will tell him where to find her. He leaves on what should be a year-long journey and, thanks to the war, doesn’t return for four years. But as luck would have it, he meets her again and they pick up where they left off. But some things haven’t changed like he wants forever and she is determined to spend forever as a widow.
I was really excited for a new book in this series, especially with characters we met years ago in the first book. Sadly, I just didn’t enjoy this story as much as I have the other books in the series. Evangeline and Richard are wonderful, complex characters and I was delighted to read about an older couple. I just found myself bored, Evangeline’s refusal to consider marriage got old, especially after they had been together for so many years and the story just dragged until the “third act” breakup scene and then Richard’s change of heart. Overall, this was a sweet, second-chance at love romance with a mature couple and a happy ending, and while it wasn’t the story I was hoping for, it was a nice read, nonetheless.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *
When Sir Richard Campion met Evangeline, he was captivated by her and wanted her more than any woman he ever met. They spend one amazing night together, and he is ready to stay in London rather than leave on a planned expedition. However, the choice to stay is taken away when he wakes up the next morning and she is gone and no one will tell him where to find her. He leaves on what should be a year-long journey and, thanks to the war, doesn’t return for four years. But as luck would have it, he meets her again and they pick up where they left off. But some things haven’t changed like he wants forever and she is determined to spend forever as a widow.
I was really excited for a new book in this series, especially with characters we met years ago in the first book. Sadly, I just didn’t enjoy this story as much as I have the other books in the series. Evangeline and Richard are wonderful, complex characters and I was delighted to read about an older couple. I just found myself bored, Evangeline’s refusal to consider marriage got old, especially after they had been together for so many years and the story just dragged until the “third act” breakup scene and then Richard’s change of heart. Overall, this was a sweet, second-chance at love romance with a mature couple and a happy ending, and while it wasn’t the story I was hoping for, it was a nice read, nonetheless.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4 Stars
I often find myself looking at the progress, and sometimes lack there of, women have made in society. With historical romance being my favorite genre, this comes up quite frequently and this story did it again for me. The different ways men and women are seen in regards to their sexual experiences. Men are given a wide birth, and often accolades, if they have a laundry list of conquests with the phrase boys will be boys figuring prominently in conversations. Women, especially in earlier eras, have been held to a very STRICT code and ANY deviation from that code carried devastating consequences. The gossips were all too happy to discuss others to keep the heat off themselves, it's easier to throw stones than to stand up for what is right or even fair.
Lady Evangeline Courtenay has had two very unhappy marriages. The first to a man old enough to be her father and that was arranged by her father to help keep her wild side under control. The second time , also arranged by her very uptight father, was because her father didn't approve of her discreet affair. Both marriages ended with herhusbands dying. The first was due to an over indulgent lifestyle and the second was due to his inability to be faithful and he was shot in the bed of another man's wife, by said man. Because she had always been seen as wild, regardless of how she had reform herself, society was all too happy to label her and gossip about her, I believe to keep anyone from looking too closely at anything they may be getting up to. She has decided to never marry again, men just aren't worth it.
Enter Sir Richard Campion, probably the most devoted, loyal, dedicated, and patient of men! To not only understand Evangeliine's aversion to the ton and marriage, and be willing to proceed through their lives without demanding any form of public possession, truly amazing.
This is a love story of true friendship and devotion. It was a pleasure to read and see if only on paper, in a work of fiction, such unselfish regard and love of another person.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through NetGalley, any and all thoughts and opinions are mine and I freely share them.
I often find myself looking at the progress, and sometimes lack there of, women have made in society. With historical romance being my favorite genre, this comes up quite frequently and this story did it again for me. The different ways men and women are seen in regards to their sexual experiences. Men are given a wide birth, and often accolades, if they have a laundry list of conquests with the phrase boys will be boys figuring prominently in conversations. Women, especially in earlier eras, have been held to a very STRICT code and ANY deviation from that code carried devastating consequences. The gossips were all too happy to discuss others to keep the heat off themselves, it's easier to throw stones than to stand up for what is right or even fair.
Lady Evangeline Courtenay has had two very unhappy marriages. The first to a man old enough to be her father and that was arranged by her father to help keep her wild side under control. The second time , also arranged by her very uptight father, was because her father didn't approve of her discreet affair. Both marriages ended with herhusbands dying. The first was due to an over indulgent lifestyle and the second was due to his inability to be faithful and he was shot in the bed of another man's wife, by said man. Because she had always been seen as wild, regardless of how she had reform herself, society was all too happy to label her and gossip about her, I believe to keep anyone from looking too closely at anything they may be getting up to. She has decided to never marry again, men just aren't worth it.
Enter Sir Richard Campion, probably the most devoted, loyal, dedicated, and patient of men! To not only understand Evangeliine's aversion to the ton and marriage, and be willing to proceed through their lives without demanding any form of public possession, truly amazing.
This is a love story of true friendship and devotion. It was a pleasure to read and see if only on paper, in a work of fiction, such unselfish regard and love of another person.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through NetGalley, any and all thoughts and opinions are mine and I freely share them.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What a great romance! Caroline Linden is always a reliable choice for a historical romance, so I guess I wasn't surprised that I would be hooked from the first sentence. Somehow, this book manages to balance insta-love (or just insta-lust) with a slow, well-developed romance that spans a decade from first meeting to HEA.
Widow Evangeline and adventurer Richard spend a night together after meeting at a ball in which he's an honored guest. He's completely taken with her and wants more than just an incredible night, but she's leery of any commitments, given how poorly she's fared with men in the past. He heads off on his next expedition shortly thereafter, and it seems to be the end of it for them--until they run into each other on a property he's considering renting in Richmond. She lives in the adjacent property, so he immediately gets the place, hoping to reignite things with a woman he's spent years thinking about. They begin a relationship, which may be jeopardized when she's called upon to distance herself from her scandal-tinged past.
I liked all the characters here. Evangeline and Richard were lovely together, and he is exactly the kind of too-good-to-be-true that she deserved. It's also good to see somewhat underrepresented characters in historicals. She's a decade older than him (in her early 40s when the book opens), which is mentioned a few times but doesn't affect their relationship; she's a firecracker at any age, and he acknowledges but doesn't perceive the age gap. Both love their nieces and nephews dearly without desiring children of their own. They are in a relationship of equals in all the important ways.
All in all, a satisfying romance that I didn't want to put down once I got started.
I received an advance reader copy from Netgalley for an honest review.
Widow Evangeline and adventurer Richard spend a night together after meeting at a ball in which he's an honored guest. He's completely taken with her and wants more than just an incredible night, but she's leery of any commitments, given how poorly she's fared with men in the past. He heads off on his next expedition shortly thereafter, and it seems to be the end of it for them--until they run into each other on a property he's considering renting in Richmond. She lives in the adjacent property, so he immediately gets the place, hoping to reignite things with a woman he's spent years thinking about. They begin a relationship, which may be jeopardized when she's called upon to distance herself from her scandal-tinged past.
I liked all the characters here. Evangeline and Richard were lovely together, and he is exactly the kind of too-good-to-be-true that she deserved. It's also good to see somewhat underrepresented characters in historicals. She's a decade older than him (in her early 40s when the book opens), which is mentioned a few times but doesn't affect their relationship; she's a firecracker at any age, and he acknowledges but doesn't perceive the age gap. Both love their nieces and nephews dearly without desiring children of their own. They are in a relationship of equals in all the important ways.
All in all, a satisfying romance that I didn't want to put down once I got started.
I received an advance reader copy from Netgalley for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I absolutely loved How to Get Away with Scandal by Caroline Linden. It was such a refreshing surprise and easily one of my favorite historical romances of the year.
What truly won me over is Evangeline. She’s in her forties when the story begins (and in her fifties by the end), and she feels real—worn by life, shaped by trauma, but still fiercely independent. Reading a historical romance centered on a woman who has lived was incredibly satisfying. Her refusal to surrender her autonomy, especially after two damaging marriages, made perfect emotional sense to me.
Richard, the younger hero, is a dream. He’s patient, emotionally open, and deeply respectful of Evangeline’s boundaries. I loved that he never tried to control her or “fix” her—he simply loved her, consistently and wholeheartedly. Their relationship felt equal, tender, and quietly intoxicating.
The structure is unconventional, with time jumps spanning more than a decade, and while I sometimes wished we’d spent more time watching them fall in love day-to-day, I appreciated how realistic and mature the romance felt. The long-term, unmarried relationship, the reverse age gap, and the childfree HEA were all handled beautifully—especially rare and meaningful in a historical setting.
If I had to nitpick one thing, it would be the opening chapter—I found it a bit disorienting at first, as it wasn’t immediately clear whose POV I was in (Fanny’s or Evangeline’s), which momentarily pulled me out of the story.
Overall, this was a smart, emotional, low-drama romance that trusted its characters and its readers. It didn’t need grand gestures or constant conflict to be compelling. For anyone seeking a more mature and unconventional historical romance, this one is an absolute gem.
I absolutely loved How to Get Away with Scandal by Caroline Linden. It was such a refreshing surprise and easily one of my favorite historical romances of the year.
What truly won me over is Evangeline. She’s in her forties when the story begins (and in her fifties by the end), and she feels real—worn by life, shaped by trauma, but still fiercely independent. Reading a historical romance centered on a woman who has lived was incredibly satisfying. Her refusal to surrender her autonomy, especially after two damaging marriages, made perfect emotional sense to me.
Richard, the younger hero, is a dream. He’s patient, emotionally open, and deeply respectful of Evangeline’s boundaries. I loved that he never tried to control her or “fix” her—he simply loved her, consistently and wholeheartedly. Their relationship felt equal, tender, and quietly intoxicating.
The structure is unconventional, with time jumps spanning more than a decade, and while I sometimes wished we’d spent more time watching them fall in love day-to-day, I appreciated how realistic and mature the romance felt. The long-term, unmarried relationship, the reverse age gap, and the childfree HEA were all handled beautifully—especially rare and meaningful in a historical setting.
If I had to nitpick one thing, it would be the opening chapter—I found it a bit disorienting at first, as it wasn’t immediately clear whose POV I was in (Fanny’s or Evangeline’s), which momentarily pulled me out of the story.
Overall, this was a smart, emotional, low-drama romance that trusted its characters and its readers. It didn’t need grand gestures or constant conflict to be compelling. For anyone seeking a more mature and unconventional historical romance, this one is an absolute gem.
December 2, 2025
I really enjoyed this new book in the Scandal series from Caroline Linden. Evangeline has a scandalous reputation after being married and widowed twice. She is at an event with a friend to hear Sir Richard Campion, a Swiss explorer, talk about his latest travel adventures. When they are introduced, they are instantly smitten with each other and end up spending the night together. Evangeline sneaks off in the night (she doesn’t want to fall in love again and he is thirty-two, ten years younger than she is!) He tries to find her and is ready to give up his travels to be with her, but when he can’t find her, he ends up leaving for Russia on his next adventure.
Four years later he returns to England after his sister’s husband dies from a sudden illness. His sister asks him to stay to help her with her boys and so he finds a home in the country and it just so happens, his next-door neighbor is Evangeline! Richard wants to get to know her as a friend first and thinks she is the one for him. They talk about his travels and he brings her wildflowers. They both have cute dogs and they make each other laugh (and me too). I loved how Richard understands and cares for Evangeline and his sister’s family, too. They attend the opera, dinner parties and have an affair, which they try to keep a secret, but her family finds out and are worried she has become embroiled in another scandal. This story ties in with Love and Other Scandals (which is good too). There is also a sweet secondary romance between Richard's best friend and his sister. Many thanks to the author and NetGalley for this ARC. Coming 01/12)
Four years later he returns to England after his sister’s husband dies from a sudden illness. His sister asks him to stay to help her with her boys and so he finds a home in the country and it just so happens, his next-door neighbor is Evangeline! Richard wants to get to know her as a friend first and thinks she is the one for him. They talk about his travels and he brings her wildflowers. They both have cute dogs and they make each other laugh (and me too). I loved how Richard understands and cares for Evangeline and his sister’s family, too. They attend the opera, dinner parties and have an affair, which they try to keep a secret, but her family finds out and are worried she has become embroiled in another scandal. This story ties in with Love and Other Scandals (which is good too). There is also a sweet secondary romance between Richard's best friend and his sister. Many thanks to the author and NetGalley for this ARC. Coming 01/12)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Evangeline, Lady Courtenay, has flirted with scandal her entire life, and paid a steep price for it, with two unhappy marriages and a tarnished reputation. She’s vowed never to get entangled with another man until she meets Sir Richard Campion. He is entranced by Evangeline the moment they meet, even before she takes him home with her for a night of pleasure, only to be gone when he wakes. They meet again four years later when he returns to London after a prolonged expedition, so begins an affair which lasts six years then Evangeline is asked to chaperone her niece Joan because Joan’s mother is ill, which means Evangeline has to re-enter society.
This is the fifth book in the series & it’s easily read on its own, although Joan’s story is the first. Evangeline is in her forties at the start of the book & Richard nearly a decade younger but they prove age is only a number. The story also spans a decade, which is also different. I just loved this book, it made me laugh, it made me cry & it made me angry for the way Evangeline was treated. I loved both Richard & Evangeline, he’s the dashing handsome explorer who is brought to his knees by Evangeline & loves her from their first meeting. Evangeline was so wrongly maligned by society, I was up in arms at her treatment, most of which was not her fault but that’s the way women were treated two hundred years ago. I loved her backbone. I loved their journey to a HEA. A very well written, engrossing romance which I highly recommend
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
This is the fifth book in the series & it’s easily read on its own, although Joan’s story is the first. Evangeline is in her forties at the start of the book & Richard nearly a decade younger but they prove age is only a number. The story also spans a decade, which is also different. I just loved this book, it made me laugh, it made me cry & it made me angry for the way Evangeline was treated. I loved both Richard & Evangeline, he’s the dashing handsome explorer who is brought to his knees by Evangeline & loves her from their first meeting. Evangeline was so wrongly maligned by society, I was up in arms at her treatment, most of which was not her fault but that’s the way women were treated two hundred years ago. I loved her backbone. I loved their journey to a HEA. A very well written, engrossing romance which I highly recommend
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wow—this is the story full of fun, romance, and passion that I needed to kickstart my year. I’m a huge fan of Caroline Linden, and once again she delivers unforgettable characters and a plot that refuses to follow the ordinary path. This book felt like a breath of fresh air in the Scandals series, and I adored every moment.
Evangeline, Lady Courtenay, has finally stepped into her freedom—free from husbands, free from the judgment of the ton, and free to choose what she wants for once. With a little nudge from a friend, she decides to be bold and enjoy her independence… which leads her to take home a handsome stranger for one unforgettable night. Sir Richard Campion certainly wasn’t expecting his day to end in such fiery passion, and he definitely wasn’t expecting her to vanish by morning. But he also can’t get her out of his mind.
Years later, fate brings them back together—this time as neighbors—and Richard is determined not to let her slip away again. Time and circumstance may have kept them apart, but now he’s ready to show Evangeline that a future is possible. That love is possible.
I loved the excitement of this story. It kept me on the edge of my seat, rooting for these two with my whole heart. Their chemistry leaps off the page, and I wanted them to find their way to each other so badly. Linden always creates such rich adventure and emotional depth, and this book is no exception.
If you’re looking for a story that blends passion, charm, and a heroine reclaiming her life with courage and joy, you’re going to love this one.
Evangeline, Lady Courtenay, has finally stepped into her freedom—free from husbands, free from the judgment of the ton, and free to choose what she wants for once. With a little nudge from a friend, she decides to be bold and enjoy her independence… which leads her to take home a handsome stranger for one unforgettable night. Sir Richard Campion certainly wasn’t expecting his day to end in such fiery passion, and he definitely wasn’t expecting her to vanish by morning. But he also can’t get her out of his mind.
Years later, fate brings them back together—this time as neighbors—and Richard is determined not to let her slip away again. Time and circumstance may have kept them apart, but now he’s ready to show Evangeline that a future is possible. That love is possible.
I loved the excitement of this story. It kept me on the edge of my seat, rooting for these two with my whole heart. Their chemistry leaps off the page, and I wanted them to find their way to each other so badly. Linden always creates such rich adventure and emotional depth, and this book is no exception.
If you’re looking for a story that blends passion, charm, and a heroine reclaiming her life with courage and joy, you’re going to love this one.
January 12, 2026
I've always enjoyed reading Ms Linden's books for years. She writes from the heart and soul to give us a delightful tale of romance. The characters were fully developed with thoughts and feelings of their own. A story of how a chance meeting and a steamy one night stand is never forgotten.
Evangeline, Lady Courtenay is a woman in her forties with two marriages behind her. She is a widow for the second time and people aren't very nice to her. She skirts scandal but tries not to let it bother her. Her best friend tells her of an exciting man who is an explorer will be a speaker at a ball. Evangeline decides to attend and when she meets the younger man, sparks fly.
Sir Richard Campion is so excited to be giving a speech and continue his travels to Russia. He decides to get to know the beautiful woman who is truly sexy.
Evangeline lets it be known that no expectations to their liaison. Because Richard says he's leaving on a extended voyage. But when tries to see her again, his host distracts him and he's off on his trip.
The trip is suppose to be two years but turns into four because of Napeleon.
When Richard finally returns to England, his sister wants him to stay for good. He's not really wanting to do that until he finds out his next door neighbor is Evangeline (the woman is dreamed about). He will do anything to make her his and he know a few tricks too!
I just love how Richard and Evangeline attraction is real and forever. Happy ending for sure.
I appreciate Net Galley for this ARC read in which I gave an honest review.
Evangeline, Lady Courtenay is a woman in her forties with two marriages behind her. She is a widow for the second time and people aren't very nice to her. She skirts scandal but tries not to let it bother her. Her best friend tells her of an exciting man who is an explorer will be a speaker at a ball. Evangeline decides to attend and when she meets the younger man, sparks fly.
Sir Richard Campion is so excited to be giving a speech and continue his travels to Russia. He decides to get to know the beautiful woman who is truly sexy.
Evangeline lets it be known that no expectations to their liaison. Because Richard says he's leaving on a extended voyage. But when tries to see her again, his host distracts him and he's off on his trip.
The trip is suppose to be two years but turns into four because of Napeleon.
When Richard finally returns to England, his sister wants him to stay for good. He's not really wanting to do that until he finds out his next door neighbor is Evangeline (the woman is dreamed about). He will do anything to make her his and he know a few tricks too!
I just love how Richard and Evangeline attraction is real and forever. Happy ending for sure.
I appreciate Net Galley for this ARC read in which I gave an honest review.
December 8, 2025
I enjoyed this book in large part because it defies so many of the [current] conventions of historical romance novels. The heroine is in her 40s when we meet her and her 50s when the story concludes, while the hero is 10 years younger; children are never a consideration in their relationship and this isn’t treated as a sacrifice or tragedy on anyone’s part. More of this from the genre, please!
The story examines what it’s like for a 19th century, upper class woman to live with a bad reputation over the course of most of her adult life (not so fun, for the most part). Having a foreigner for a hero (Swiss!) helped make his lack of concern for London social strictures feel believable.
There was, for me, an over-reliance on insta-lust to get the couple together, but once they settled into their relationship I was able to buy into it to a greater extent. I never understood why Richard was given a knighthood but Gerhard wasn’t, though - weren’t they partners in exploration?
I was 70% of the way through the book before I realised that the heroine is Joan’s aunt from Love and Other Scandals, which I read and enjoyed years ago. This book stands alone but will be even more special to fans of the first in the series. I’m now motivated to do a reread as soon as possible.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance reader copy.
The story examines what it’s like for a 19th century, upper class woman to live with a bad reputation over the course of most of her adult life (not so fun, for the most part). Having a foreigner for a hero (Swiss!) helped make his lack of concern for London social strictures feel believable.
There was, for me, an over-reliance on insta-lust to get the couple together, but once they settled into their relationship I was able to buy into it to a greater extent. I never understood why Richard was given a knighthood but Gerhard wasn’t, though - weren’t they partners in exploration?
I was 70% of the way through the book before I realised that the heroine is Joan’s aunt from Love and Other Scandals, which I read and enjoyed years ago. This book stands alone but will be even more special to fans of the first in the series. I’m now motivated to do a reread as soon as possible.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance reader copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Evangeline, Lady Courtenay, has spent her life skirting scandal and paying dearly for it through two unhappy marriages and society’s lasting judgment. Determined never to be hurt again, she plans for nothing more than one unforgettable night with the charming explorer Sir Richard Campion before he disappears from her life. However, Richard never forgets Evangeline. When they meet again years later, the spark between them is just as powerful, and this time he’s determined to prove that what they share is more than a fleeting indulgence.
I enjoyed the chemistry between the couple which is immediate and emotionally charged. What I thought set this book apart from others was its exploration of a romance that traverses several years, with an older woman who by the end is in her early fifties. Whilst other books may not have highlighted her beauty, Richard is captivated by Evangeline and I thought it incredibly endearing that he references her beauty and his attraction to her, throughout the years they are together. What did frustrate me was the time that it took for her to fully trust Richard, but I had to appreciate her journey toward reclaiming her own worth and happiness.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I enjoyed the chemistry between the couple which is immediate and emotionally charged. What I thought set this book apart from others was its exploration of a romance that traverses several years, with an older woman who by the end is in her early fifties. Whilst other books may not have highlighted her beauty, Richard is captivated by Evangeline and I thought it incredibly endearing that he references her beauty and his attraction to her, throughout the years they are together. What did frustrate me was the time that it took for her to fully trust Richard, but I had to appreciate her journey toward reclaiming her own worth and happiness.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 16, 2026
Lady Evangeline Courtenay was convinced marriage was definitely not for her now that she is twice widowed by two men she didn’t want to marry in the first place. All she has shown for the marriages is a scandalous reputation. She meets Richard Campion, an adventurer, at a benefit ball where Richard has been invited to share tales of his adventures. Evie and Richard leave the ball early and enjoy a night pleasure together. Although they had agreed they would only have one night, Sir Richard wanted more and he searched for Evangeline before leaving on his next adventure. They meet again a few years later and agree to have a no strings attached affair. Over the course of their affair, they get attached to each other but are once again forced to part when Evie blames herself for an indiscretion between her niece and her love interests comes to the attention of the ton. Richard thinks of leaving England but doesn’t and it’s only after Evie comes to apologize for hurting him, that they decide to travel to his homeland together so they can spend time together without the eyes and ears of society watching and gossiping about them. A later in life story with a much needed HEA for Evie who was deserving of one.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 20, 2025
This book starts when Evie & Richard meet for the first time. And boy they are hot & steamy right from the start. It continues along their journey through 10 years.
Things I love about this book:
*Evie is older than the usual MFC with a scandalous past (two dead husbands) and Sir Richard, a world traveler, is ten years younger than Evie.
*I feel Richard is very respectful of Evie.
*We get to meet Richard’s family as well as his close friend/companion in travel, Gerhard von Rieger.
*The interactions with their dogs Prince Louis and Hercule are so cute too!
While this book can stand on its own, it’s great to spend time with Evangeline (Evie) and Sir Richard and learn their love story. Evangeline really made a lasting impression in Book 1 of Caroline Linden’s Scandalous Series (Love and Other Scandals).
Once I was done with HTGAWS I had to go back and reread Love and Other Scandals again (which I love and have reread many times already). If you haven’t read that one yet, I recommend that you read it along with all the other books in the Scandalous Series. It won’t matter if you read HTGAWS first or L&OS they both can stand on their own but are truly even more enjoyable after you’ve read both.
Thank you NetGallery for the advance copy.
Things I love about this book:
*Evie is older than the usual MFC with a scandalous past (two dead husbands) and Sir Richard, a world traveler, is ten years younger than Evie.
*I feel Richard is very respectful of Evie.
*We get to meet Richard’s family as well as his close friend/companion in travel, Gerhard von Rieger.
*The interactions with their dogs Prince Louis and Hercule are so cute too!
While this book can stand on its own, it’s great to spend time with Evangeline (Evie) and Sir Richard and learn their love story. Evangeline really made a lasting impression in Book 1 of Caroline Linden’s Scandalous Series (Love and Other Scandals).
Once I was done with HTGAWS I had to go back and reread Love and Other Scandals again (which I love and have reread many times already). If you haven’t read that one yet, I recommend that you read it along with all the other books in the Scandalous Series. It won’t matter if you read HTGAWS first or L&OS they both can stand on their own but are truly even more enjoyable after you’ve read both.
Thank you NetGallery for the advance copy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews