Return of Scandal's Son

Men About Town #1

by Janice Preston

Scandal comes courting!

Caught in a coach accident, Lady Eleanor Ashby seeks help from a mysterious stranger. But the dashing Matthew Thomas is not all he seems. And when it appears someone is trying to hurt her, Eleanor doesn't know who to trust.

Disowned by his family, Matthew is living under an assumed name. Falling under Eleanor's spell, he is determined to protect her. It's time for Matthew to return home and confront his scandalous past, if Eleanor is to be part of his future…

Genres: Romance, Regency, Historical Romance, Harlequin

363 pages, Paperback

First published September 24, 2015

About the author

I grew up in Wembley, North London, with a love of reading, writing stories and animals. After leaving school at eighteen, I moved to Devon and any thoughts of writing became lost in the hectic rush of life as a farmer’s wife, with two children and many animals to care for. When my children left home for university, I discovered a love of history and of the Regency period in particular and began to write seriously for the first time since my teens.
Real life then got in the way and I didn't write again until 2009. I joined the Romantic Novelists' Association in 2012 and my first Regency romance was accepted for publication by Harlequin Mills & Boon in late 2013.
I now live in the West Midlands with my second husband and two cats and I continue to write Regency romances for Harlequin Mills & Boon.

Reviews

[Elizabeth Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent Regency. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, which has an unusual heroine who is a lady in her own right. The author's research was excellent and she successfully brings the period to life. The hero is also unusual in that he's not apparently of the right status to be falling in love with the heroine. I loved the background history of both characters and thought the motivation was believable. The underlying mystery gave a touch of intrigue, and the resolution of that was done very well. A relative newcomer to the genre, Janice Preston promises to become a stalwart and enjoyable addition to the Regency stable. A very worthwhile and enjoyable read. I thoroughly recommend it, and will be looking out for more from this author.

[Candace N · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved that Return of Scandal’s Son by Janice Preston is a believable and relaxing read. It is not over the top, which was a nice change of pace for me. There was still some adventure and the storyline was interesting and kept my attention. It flowed nicely for the most part and the writing is fantastic. I love how the author captures emotions so perfectly. It is all so beautifully written. The hero is an honourable and charming character. I was very drawn to him. The heroine was very likeable and strong character, though a little calmer than I prefer. Overall a pretty wonderful read!

[Anne Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I’m not a big fan of Regency novels, I know from past experience that I enjoy Ms Preston’s take on the period. Somehow she manages to capture the social mores of the time, the speech and the mannerisms that bring the period alive for me. Her knowledge of and research into the period is impressive. In this novel, the first in her Man About Town series, Eleanor is a Baroness in her own right, a rare event in any period. When she and her companions are rescued from a coach accident by merchant Matthew Thomas, it becomes obvious that she has become a target for someone bent on causing her serious harm. Matthew swears to protect her even though he has scandalous secrets of his own and he knows he can never be worthy of her love. We follow the pair through a series of exciting adventures until a final, and very satisfactory resolution. The dialogue between Eleanor and Matthew fairly sparkles and I was easily drawn into their world. The second in the series ‘Saved by Scandal’s Heir’ is already ordered!

[Deirdre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lady Eleanor Ashby is a peer in her own right, used to being in charge. She finds it hard to let someone else take charge and when Matthew Thomas appears in her life and rescues her. He's determined not to let her get to him, he has issues to deal with and she's not part of that solution. She's determined to do what she can to keep her independence one of the last men to profess love to her just wanted her money and the cachet of her status. And to add to things it appears that someone is trying to kill her.

The mystery part was fairly predictable, gothic much. Story was enjoyable

[Mathilde Jensen · Rating 2 out of 5]

My pet peeve is contrived scenaries: the female cant sleep and absolutely have to wander about the house, in nothing but a nightgown, down to the library to get a book or as here- the inn down to get a brandy. The author only makes the lead sleepless because it will give the two main leads a chance to meet inchaperoned so they can be intimate with each other. When its espessially contrived as in this book it also involves brandy.
In reality it would never happen. A noble lady would never, as in never, ever wander about after bed time, not fully clothed, because it would be a sure way for her to be compromized. If she needed anything she would ring for her maid.

She would never drink brandy and so much when its unladylike and when she has never done so before. And this instance she knows that there is a conspiracy to murder, so its not only her virtue at stake but is in real danger. I absolutely hate it when the author can't come up with a better way for the two leads to meet than the female lead cant sleep and must sneek out of her bed chamber.

[GG · Rating 5 out of 5]

A romance wrapped in a mystery. Loved Eleanor and Matthew, they went through a lot to get their HEA. Not to mention a first look at the Duke of Cheriton and his family. And of course Hugo. I recommend it.

[Angel Nguyen · Rating 1 out of 5]

dnf after 90 pages. I love historical romances but I fear the harlequin published ones aren't for me, I need a slower burn, a build up, more emotion and this just doesn't do it... This book isnt even that much shorter than other historical romances but it just lacks...

[Usagi Tsukino · Rating 1 out of 5]

Total disappointment. I really hate both the main characters.

[byn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first time reading a historical romance and having my first physical book of historical romance. So far, so good! I'm gonna give it 5/5 rate. Well-deserved. It is indeed a wonderful story with beautiful characters. It is beautifully written by Janice Preston. I swear this book will give you so much memories to remember. And right now, I think I am already into historical romance genre. I am so attached to Mr. Damerel and Eleanor's. All thanks to this book I just randomly picked up at booksale, I found a gem. I got it only for a cheap price. Maybe, there's a reason why this book really caught my attention. I am so lucky I bought this book and right before I finished this book, I couldn't get enough of it. They have the best chemistry 😭

[Wendy Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Eleanor Ashby goes to London for the season with her aunt after a suspicious fire in her home left it under repair. Along the way there is a also suspicious accident with their coach. This is where she meets Matthew Thomas.

Matthew had been disowned by his father many years before and had just returned. He has many secrets and doubts as he is a merchant while Eleanor is very well off.

Very interesting historical book to read.

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

[Eleanor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I found that I was truly able to enter this world so different from our own due to the excellent writing and research. I LOVED that the heroine was used to being in charge and indeed was titled in her own right. This is different from the unusal set-up. The chemisry between hero and heroine was great, very satisfying, and the pacing was good so that I was very motivated to keep reading right to the last page.

[Nancy Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book - right from the very first word. It really had a great flow between the characters. And I loved both the hero and heroine. I suspected who the "villain" was long before the ending BUT there was a lot I didn't "know" before it was disclosed at the end. I liked how the characters grew and we got to know them as the story progressed. Would definitely recommend.

[Harlequin Historical]

Miniseries: Men About Town

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: Men About Town