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The Scandal of It All

(The Rogue Files #2)

Sophie Jordan (Goodreads Author)

3.87 · Rating details · 1,175 ratings · 146 reviews

It takes two to make a scandal…

What kind of woman ventures into London’s most notorious pleasure club? An outsider like Graciela, the Duchess of Autenberry, snubbed time and time again by society because of her Spanish roots. Ela longs to take a lover for a single, wild night, and within the walls of Sodom there are gentlemen to suit every forbidden taste. If only she were ...more

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Mass Market Paperback, 376 pages

Published July 25th 2017 by Avon

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The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband by Julia Quinn

2017 Historical Romance

406 books — 477 voters

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July 2017: Historical Romance Releases

80 books — 31 voters

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· 1,175 ratings · 146 reviews

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Jul 23, 2017 Lana ❇✾Dirty Girl Romance❇✾ rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

4 STARS

Somehow, in a short time she had become his sole desire. He wanted her with an intensity that would not go away until it found its release.

This was my first book by this author and I'm an instant fan! The Scandal Of It All was wickedly delicious and sinfully swoony. Not having read the first book in this series (quit side eyeing me, OCD police), I wasn't sure how smoothly I'd be able to jump into the story. Turns out, I had no problem at all. The heroine of this book is the step mother of the Duke of Autenberry, who had a very big secondary character role in the previous book. And while you can definitely see the happenings of the previous book carried over into this one, the author gives plenty of background that a new reader wouldn't be even remotely lost.

Graciela, the Duchess of Autenberry, is a widow that's tired of having no passion in her life. Her daughter is almost of marrying age. Her step daughter and step son are fully grown. After a loveless marriage with a cold and calloused man that took every opportunity to put her down, she's not a woman of confidence. Her coloring and Spanish blood ensure that she always gets looked down at by the ladies of London's ton. Yearning for the touch of a passionate lover, she caves to her best friend's nagging and goes to a club known for it's darker pleasures. Only the man she meets the attention of is not one she expected.

She felt as though she were facing a stranger, contrary to the nonsense she was spouting. A man who was stripping her of her clothes with his eyes to see all that lay beneath.

Lord Strickland is her step son's best friend and several years her junior. But that never stopped him from fantasizing about the beautiful Graciela. Now that he knows that she's interested in the same darker desires, he'll stop at nothing to have her.

I fell hard and fast for Collin. This is a man that knows what he wants and goes after it with a single minded intent, damn the consequences. His grandmother is on his back to pick a finance but the one woman he craves is the one that he can't have.

What begins is a back and forth laden with enough sexual tension to really set things on fire. It was utterly delicious. As much as I wanted to be frustrated with Ela at her adamant refusal of Collin, I can understand why she was the way she was. This is a woman beaten down by what society expects of her and what her husband engrained in her to believe. It took a while for her to clear the fog. I loved the way that Collin goes after her and the passion brimming between them.

There was a little bit of drama at the end that seemed just a bit over the top, but it also served to tie everything together nicely. The epilogue even managed to make me tear up. And while I wished for a bit more closer with Ela and her step son, it looks like we'll be getting that side of things in his book next and I already can't wait!

ARC courtesy of publisher in exchange for an honest review

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Jul 05, 2017 Kindling Micky rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2017-read, arc-read, historical, edelweiss, chemistry, favourites-2017, forbidden-love

This was simply a gorgeous book that thrilled me from cover to cover. After a few pages, when I realised there was going to be an age difference, with an older heroine, a sex club and forbidden love element, I was all in. Oh, and did I mention single parent? This book is like a beautiful marriage of themes that often don't feature in historical romance and it all worked so beautifully.

Graciela is a Spanish-born Duchess by marriage and disillusioned by widowhood. She is finally persuaded by her f ...more

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Jul 13, 2017 Hollis rated it liked it

Shelves: 2017-reads, arc, ebook, hist-romance, romance, sexytimes, finished-in-july-2017, heroes-to-root-for, swoony-crush-worthy-boys

It was one thing to take a suitable lover and another thing to go about the motions of making that happen.

THE SCANDAL OF IT ALL wasn't all that I was expecting it to be. Despite some of my disappointment I would like to acknowledge that some of the letdown is my fault because of how I thought this story would play out after the tiny bit of foreshadowing in book one as well as my interpretation of the synopsis.

"Word of your engagement has reached me."
"Well, seeing as I arranged for the announcem ...more

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Jul 21, 2017 Lover of Romance rated it really liked it

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

Graciela, has been a widow for quite some time. She never had a positive relationship with her late husband, although she hides the truth from her daughter and step children. But one day, Graciela is tired of sitting in her drawing room, sipping tea and not trying out new adventures. She figures its time to accept her best friends invitation to an exclusive club "Sodom". Ela has never done anything so daring, but she has never known true de ...more

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Jun 25, 2017 Maida rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc, ebooks, historical, multicultural, series, older-woman, edelweiss

Four point five stars. Read it straight through during my flight from Dallas to London. Didn't sleep. Couldn't put it down. Fast, fun read. I loved that Sophie broke the norm of historical romances with a Spanish, widowed duchess getting involved with a younger English lord, who was her stepson's best friend. Ela is a sympathetic heroine, having been a neglected wife, a foreigner who was sneered at by high society for the darkness of her skin and having caught a member of nobility that should ha ...more

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Jul 15, 2017 Stacee rated it liked it

Shelves: edelweiss, read-in-2017

I had enjoyed the previous book in this series, so I was intrigued to keep reading.

I liked Ela and Colin well enough. I get the tumbling into bed part, but I didn't catch any sort of relationship. The times they did talk, it was basically just Ela telling Colin it was crazy, the age difference was a problem, and he needed to go court someone else. Ela's BFF Mary Rebecca was one of the best parts and I hope she gets a story.

Plot wise, it was all push and pull. The circumstances keep them a secr ...more

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Sep 21, 2017 Lucy Qhuay rated it did not like it

Shelves: huge-disappointments, train-wreck-romance, historical-romance, older-woman-younger-man, adult-series, covergasm, hot-ass-mess

I'm sad to say the best thing about this book is the cover.

In theory this could have been very interesting, starting with the heroine being older than the hero and ending with the hero being her stepson's best friend.

However, I soon lost interest when I saw that for all her 'matronly' years and wisdom Graciela was weaker than most women half her age and Colin was just a childish, horny little earl, sniffing around the heels of the woman who was like a mother to his best friend.

Also, I can't begi ...more

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Jul 17, 2017 Sissy's Romance Book Review rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2017-read, 5-star, arc-author-publisher, series, trt, older-couple-main-characters

Book Review For: THE SCANDAL OF IT ALL by Sophie Jordan THE SCANDAL OF IT ALL by Sophie Jordan is book Two in "The Rogue Files". The heroine is Graciela, the Duchess of Autenberry who is a mother to her own child and has Stepchildren, in addition she is going to be 36 soon. So, she is a different type of heroine instead of the young virgin one. But she was a neglected wife and with the lost of a dear friend around her age as put her in a mood to have an exciting affair. Colin, Lord Strickland is ...more

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Oct 15, 2017 Lady Wesley rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-edelweiss, amz-rev, arc-rev

With maturity comes the desire to read about a romance between an older lady and a hot younger man, so I snapped up a copy of this book when it was offered. I was not disappointed.

Graciela is the familiar type of woman who has always put children and husband first. Now the children are grown, and the not-so-nice husband is dead, leaving Ela at loose ends. When a friend tempts her to visit a club called Sodom, where masked ladies may choose to dally with attractive men, Ela nervously goes along. ...more

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Jul 25, 2017 Sophie Barnes rated it it was amazing

A passionate story of newfound desire

Graciela, the Duchess of Autenberry, has dedicated her life to raising and caring for her daughter and step-children. It is a duty she takes most seriously, especially since they are all that give her life meaning. A widow, she has convinced the world that her husband was a wonderful man, but the truth isn't nearly as dazzling as she likes to present it. Now, after a close friend's death and seeking to remind herself of the youth she squandered on an unapprec ...more

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Jul 25, 2017 a & e rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: historical romance lovers

Shelves: old-school-romance, 2017-books, 2017-challenges-books, 2017-dangerous-heroes-challenge, 2017-long-novels, books-i-own, reviews, book-boyfriends

While I am an avid historical romance reader, previous to this book, I had only read Sophie Jordan's contemporary books, namely The Ivy Chronicles. And of that series, my favorite book, a book that is in my yearly reread cycle, is Wild. Wild was a book about Georgina who was in college and Logan who just graduated high school so it has that kind of older woman/younger man trope that this book has as well.

However, let us be clear: this book is not a copy of that book in just another setting with While I am an avid historical romance reader, previous to this book, I had only read Sophie Jordan's contemporary books, namely The Ivy Chronicles. And of that series, my favorite book, a book that is in my yearly reread cycle, is Wild. Wild was a book about Georgina who was in college and Logan who just graduated high school so it has that kind of older woman/younger man trope that this book has as well.

However, let us be clear: this book is not a copy of that book in just another setting with new characters which I know some authors are guilty of doing because I have read about five different rapey/abduction bodice rippers all written by the same lady.

Now going into the actual story... I don't want to spoil too much and I also don't think any words could do just of how good it was. Colin is everything you want in a book boyfriend worthy hero and Ela is such an incredible strong woman. she's not overly feminist (tbh TOO many authors think crazy feminist is the markings of a strong female character), she's not outrageous and wild. Ela is personable, relatable, and compassionate.

And the story oh my goodness. it was so good that my first thought was why hasn't anyone written this story with this plot before? Like HOW did it take until summer 2017 for this book to come out.

Okay I'm not completely ignorant and I know books about a mom and son's best friend exist but honestly that was such a small part of the story for me I was more interested in the love story of Colin and Ela. And yes I know that Marcus being Colin's best friend and Ela's stepson was quite a roadblock but the focus was more on Ela and her insecurities as an older woman and as a widow as it should be rather than focusing on Marcus the entire time. This story, this story of Colin and Ela... I'm just so sad I had to wait so long for it but it was well worth the wait.

Honestly this book is currently on the top of my list for best historical romance of 2017, definitely above Day of the Duchess, Devil in the Spring, and Beautiful Tempest. AND ITS IMMEDIATELY GOING TO BE READ FIVE MORE TIMES IN QUICK SUCCESSION BECAUSE DETAILS FOR BOOK THREE ARE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME IN TERMS OF RELEASE DATE (We already know it's about Marcus).

Three important things I think you guys should know that will hopefully make you more willing to read this book: 1. I never read book one but that didn't stop me 😂, 2. I read this in two and a half hours and I want to read it again, and 3. The last book I felt such a strong reaction to was The Hating Game which I read three times back to back after the first reading.

Also, I rewrote my review to this book three times 😂, you can tell my head is really stuck on it. I even bothered writing a semi-proper book review for once and I usually leave those for the psychological thrillers that fuck with my brain lolol.

I posted a much better review up on https://chattingwithsinners.wordpress... ...more

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Aug 18, 2017 b.andherbooks rated it it was ok

Shelves: romance

The premise of this book was SO good, but the execution was just not right for me. I loved the fact the heroine was older than most historical romances at 35, was a mother, and in the first book of this series seemed to be a strong willed lady. I was hoping for a super sexy and consensual tryst with her step-son's best friend, a younger man who would show her what she had been missing out on during her marriage and widowhood.

Unfortunately, Graciela turned into a wilting flower. Her first experie ...more

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Jul 27, 2017 Gaele rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2017-challenges, avon, avon-addicts, edelweiss, harper-collins-group, historic, hrrc, reviewed

We are used to the age differences in historic romance, but rarely is the December element the woman. Sophie Jordan turns that around with an older, widowed heroine who has lived a private life of deprivation, a foreigner in the strange land of England, attracted to her step-son’s best friend, and heretofore disallowed from following a path that would bring her happiness. Graciela has lived her life for her family and children, particularly since her overbearing husband’s death. He was a stickle We are used to the age differences in historic romance, but rarely is the December element the woman. Sophie Jordan turns that around with an older, widowed heroine who has lived a private life of deprivation, a foreigner in the strange land of England, attracted to her step-son’s best friend, and heretofore disallowed from following a path that would bring her happiness. Graciela has lived her life for her family and children, particularly since her overbearing husband’s death. He was a stickler for things done his way: and to that end, near every utterance toward his wife ate away at her own self-confidence, sense of lightness and joy for life. Since his death, however, she has thrown herself into being the perfect mother and step-mother; dedicating her life to her 3 children, and making their needs her priorities. But, just once she deserves a chance: to find her own joy and live just for herself, even if only for a night. To that end, she seeks to fulfill her fantasy of wild abandon, one night at Sodom – where names and identities are hidden in pursuit of every carnal desire.

Enter Colin, best friend to Graciela’s step-son, and one who has always found her exotic, exciting and attractive. Just a few years younger than she, he’s surprised by her appearance at Sodom, and while once is marvelous: he wants more. Now he has to deal with her reticence, her worries of the age difference, what more will drop from society’s lips regarding her, and her questions about his actual intent. Through simply being himself, coaxing and questioning Graciela, always allowing her the opportunity to truly make the choices, she comes to rely on his company, but still can’t see a way past the censure from society that she is certain will come.

These two are wonderful –Graciela is so beaten down by her life and the censure her Spanish birth has brought her during the years in England, she’d faced that while married, and then her husband never quite assured her she was enough. Quietly readjusting her own dreams and hopes, investing all of her happiness in his children and her daughter: she’d dreamt of happiness for herself, and quickly assumed those dreams were futile. Colin is so patient, so determined to allow her opportunity and options to see their relationship through, and offer her more than the steamy chemistry that defies all reason (for Graciela) that his constancy, his quiet affirmation of his feelings for her, and the woman she feels herself becoming when with him become that ring that she longs to reach for. Not quite unattainable, except for her own hesitations and concerns, it is up to Colin to convince her of the potential, and coax her into taking a chance.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at I am, Indeed

...more

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Jul 11, 2017 Jessica Grogan rated it really liked it

This title was not very plot driven (I usually prefer more of a plot), but I found myself unable to put it down!!

I love a heroine that is older than nineteen or twenty and it was fantastic to see a heroine that was older than the hero. My mom is eleven years older than my stepdad and they've been happily married for nearly twenty-two years so I've seen how well the age difference can work out. I like a heroine that is older because it's easier to believe she'd really know herself enough to make ...more

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Jul 30, 2018 Suze Lavender rated it it was amazing

Graciela became a widow at a young age and while she enjoys looking after her family, she hasn’t been with a man for a long time. Her best friend encourages her to take a lover. Graciela's past experiences weren't great, but she's willing to consider giving passion another chance. However, the man she falls for is the exact person she should stay away from. Colin is six years younger and he is her stepson’s best friend. Graciela’s marriage to the Duke of Autenberry was never happy and she’s look Graciela became a widow at a young age and while she enjoys looking after her family, she hasn’t been with a man for a long time. Her best friend encourages her to take a lover. Graciela's past experiences weren't great, but she's willing to consider giving passion another chance. However, the man she falls for is the exact person she should stay away from. Colin is six years younger and he is her stepson’s best friend. Graciela’s marriage to the Duke of Autenberry was never happy and she’s looking for something better. Is it possible she can find it with a man she’s known for years?

Colin has always admired Graciela, but she’s off-limits. His best friend wouldn’t approve of the relationship and Colin has always been part of the family because he doesn't have a welcoming home of his own. Colin doesn’t want to risk his wrath, but sometimes feelings can be stronger than intentions. Can he convince Graciela that he can be good for her, that taking him as her lover can make her happy and that the passion Colin has to offer her is exactly what she needs? What will be the consequences if she says yes and accepts his offer?

The Scandal of It All is a fantastic intriguing story. I was immediately fascinated by the complicated situation between Colin and Graciela. There’s so much passion, but they have many obstacles in their way and for Graciela it would be a big step to choose something that’s just for her. She’s always there for others and resists temptation if it might damage someone she loves. Colin is persistent though and slowly he breaks down her walls, which was fabulous to see. They have a beautiful connection and I was curious to see where it would lead.

Sophie Jordan has a great descriptive writing style and makes her stories come to life in a terrific way. I loved how she gets to the bottom of each family relationship. This thoroughness makes her story a true joy to read. She brings plenty of sparkling energy that makes The Scandal of It All both captivating and entertaining. I was spellbound by the beautiful dresses, the secrecy, the amazing true love and the many unexpected twists and turns. I absolutely adored this mesmerizing sexy romantic story and highly recommend it. ...more

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Jul 02, 2017 ♡Julalicious Book Paradise♡ rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arcs, ebooks-i-own

Original review on Julalicious Book Paradise

I was really looking forward to this one because I really wanted these two characters to have their own book. Sophie Jordan brought us a story about a taboo relationship between the Duchess of Autenberry and Lord Strickland and made us want more.

Gacriela was a character that I really liked in the previous book because she was just so open-minded and had such a big heart for the people around her. Her daughter and her family are everything for her and s Original review on Julalicious Book Paradise

I was really looking forward to this one because I really wanted these two characters to have their own book. Sophie Jordan brought us a story about a taboo relationship between the Duchess of Autenberry and Lord Strickland and made us want more.

Gacriela was a character that I really liked in the previous book because she was just so open-minded and had such a big heart for the people around her. Her daughter and her family are everything for her and she always try to put them before her no matter what. She also has a lot of character and has dealt through the year with people judging her for her roots.

In this book, she follows her friend's suggestion and I feel like it might be the first time she actually does something for herself as she follows her friend to Sodom. Taking a lover seemed like a good idea, but the experience at the club wasn't what she expected. As she finds herself alone at the club, she is cornered and she fears of what might happens when she is saved by the one man she shouldn't even feel attracted to, her stepson's best friend, Colin.

Colin is like any man in these books which means he enjoys the women's company a lot. Along with Graciela, he was a character I just liked because he was simply a good guy. He was easy going and you could tell from the previous book that he was also attracted to the Duchess. We learn more about his family in this book, especially his grandmother, who is really a hard lady who is really narrow-minded if you ask me.

As she finally surrenders to her desire and let Colin into her bed for one night, Graciela wasn't expecting what that one night was going to do for her future. She tries to deal with the aftermath alone even though she confides in her friend, but it's not an easy situation.

As Colin tries to pursue what they both started, more drama comes and complicates their little encounter. This will lead to a few misunderstandings for the two main characters as they try to deal with their situation.

This book was quite interesting and I really liked how Sophie approached the subject about this book. I'm really looking forward to reading the next book because the ending really got me curious about what could be written in the next one. So be sure to pick up the latest book by Sophie Jordan in her Rogue Files.

I was given an advanced copy of this book in exchange of an honest review. ...more

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Sep 17, 2018 Angela~supermom~ added it

Shelves: own, dnf

DNF-ing this for now.

This book is not for me right now.

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Jul 13, 2017 Nelle rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2017-arc, older-woman, 2017-read, 2017

Ela is 35, a widow of 10 years with a grown step-son, step-daughter, and nearly grown daughter. She was in a horrible marriage, but on the surface, it was perfect, even to the children. She wants a night of passion and goes with a widowed friend to Sodom a sex club. She's horribly embarrassed by what's going on. Then she see's her step-son. And his friend. His friend, Strickland saves her from being recognised but it gets heated.

WOW this was so full of Taboo and it was awesome! Their chemistry w ...more

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Nov 13, 2018 Coral rated it it was ok

Shelves: library

*ETA - read the superior Seven Years to Sin by Sylvia Day. It's has a similar setup with far better execution.*

I've liked Sophie Jordan's fluffy romances, but this one really rubbed me the wrong way.
The hero is extremely coercive. I wouldn't call it rape, but it's not enthusiastic consent. He's like that about their relationship in general as well; she has everything to lose and he has nothing, and he never recognises this.
I also think this book could be triggering for people dealing with infer ...more

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Apr 28, 2018 The_Book_Queen rated it really liked it

Shelves: library-audiobook, historical, romance, widow, older-heroine-younger-hero, tw-miscarriage, 3-and-a-half-stars, read-in-2018, read-but-do-not-own, steam-level-moderate-and-explicit

3 1/2 Stars!
TW: Miscarriages

Overall, this was a great read. We've got an older heroine (36) and a younger hero (30); she's a widow, he's the best friend to her step-son [obviously she was young and her late husband quite old when she married, hence the small age gap between her and the hero, as well as her and the step-son].

I really enjoyed the scene at the pleasure club, which is where these two meet (for this book, obviously they know each other already). That was both fun and hot.

The sex i 3 1/2 Stars!
TW: Miscarriages

Overall, this was a great read. We've got an older heroine (36) and a younger hero (30); she's a widow, he's the best friend to her step-son [obviously she was young and her late husband quite old when she married, hence the small age gap between her and the hero, as well as her and the step-son].

I really enjoyed the scene at the pleasure club, which is where these two meet (for this book, obviously they know each other already). That was both fun and hot.

The sex in this book was really quite good and hot. Like the oral/fingerbang on the table while they were at a ton party? UNF. And I appreciated that at one point the heroine starts to masturbate one night, but stops because she realizes that she's not in the right headspace and she's not going to come that night (hi, IT'S A LEGIT THING, thank you, realistic sex!).

I have two complaints: First, I wasn't always on board with how the heroine's identity -- Spanish, but white -- was treated. I get that she's not from England, but that's not exactly the same as being a POC, and yet she was often kinda treated that way, by the ton and whatnot? IDK, it just rubbed me the wrong way a bit. Plus at one point the hero is thinking about her and mentions something about how there's not many like her in England (coloring -- light-tan skin, darker hair, a bit more curvy) and how she's his type . . . Again, maybe I was reading too much into it but it *almost* felt a bit . . . othering and fetishizing? As if the only reason he was attracted to her was because she wasn't an English blonde? It was just something that niggled at me while I was reading that particular passage, though it doesn't come up again during the rest of the book.

And second, I wanted a bit more from their romance. The lust and chemistry was there. But I didn't feel like I got as much on-page romance developing between them as I wanted, which meant that by the end, I was left wanting a bit.

Still, this one was quite hot and enjoyable. The narrator (Carmen Rose) did a good job. This is book 2 in the series, but I would say you could read as a standalone. In fact, I'd almost suggest it that way because I was quite underwhelmed and bored by book 1, but this one I did enjoy and would recommend. I'm curious to see how Marcus's story turns out next.
...more

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Jul 27, 2017 Janet rated it it was amazing

Huge 5 Stars for Sophie Jordan's The Scandal of it All! Wow, what an amazing tale and ladies, be sure to crank up the air or get out a fan because you're going to need it for this book! The passion is on fire! I absolutely loved this tale, first of all, this is so very different from what we see in normal Historical Romance, this is so witty, deeply sensual and passionate and a very different type of situation. We have an older woman, which I love seeing more tales about women in their late 30's Huge 5 Stars for Sophie Jordan's The Scandal of it All! Wow, what an amazing tale and ladies, be sure to crank up the air or get out a fan because you're going to need it for this book! The passion is on fire! I absolutely loved this tale, first of all, this is so very different from what we see in normal Historical Romance, this is so witty, deeply sensual and passionate and a very different type of situation. We have an older woman, which I love seeing more tales about women in their late 30's and early-mid 40's, it shows that no matter what age, you can always find love or re-find love. So back on track, our heroine Graciela, the Duchess of Autenberry is widowed and her prior marriage was a flop. She was often treated poorly and lets put it this way, the bedroom was a rather dull place for the duchess. So after a dear friend's funeral, she and her other friend are having tea on this dreary cold, winter day and her friend talks about going to Sodom; a brothel, which Graciela has always dreamed of something different and spicy in the bedroom, but has never ventured into it.

So she decided to go along with her friend just to sit back and watch... and learn. So hidden behind a mask, she finds herself in a bit of a pickle as two men try to take advantage of her, seeing her predicament, Lord Strickland comes to her aid. She tried to keep herself from talking as her accent would give herself away, so whilst in the care of Lord Stickland, she see's her son-in-law, the Duke of Autenberry and she's so ashamed that he'll recognize her. She finally opens up and reveals herself to Lord Strickland whose a bit shocked she's who she is, Lady Autenberry and in such a place. So he helps disguise her and keep the Duke from advancing on her. Through a series of events, passion ignites within Lord Strickland and he begins falling for the Duchess and a craving to fulfill her every wicked fantasy.

Such a wonderful tale, so deeply written. Great characterization and the plot is filled with twists and turns at every turn of the page and oh, yes, the pages are ablaze with sensual passion! This is one you'll want to add to your library for sure! ...more

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Nov 22, 2018 Jennifer rated it did not like it

Shelves: 2018-reads, romance, terrible-with-raisins

The world needs more older woman/younger man romances...just not ones like this.

In Sophie Jordan's The Scandal of it All, a friend's sudden death jolts Graciela, Duchess of Autenberry, out of the comfortable routine she's maintained since the death of her husband a decade ago. Spurred to an impulsive trip to a scandalous sex club in the hopes of feeling more like the vibrant young woman she remembers being and less like the 35 year old widow she is, she finds she's bitten off a bit more unconven The world needs more older woman/younger man romances...just not ones like this.

In Sophie Jordan's The Scandal of it All, a friend's sudden death jolts Graciela, Duchess of Autenberry, out of the comfortable routine she's maintained since the death of her husband a decade ago. Spurred to an impulsive trip to a scandalous sex club in the hopes of feeling more like the vibrant young woman she remembers being and less like the 35 year old widow she is, she finds she's bitten off a bit more unconventional than she can chew...and that's before she runs into her step-son's best friend, Colin, the Earl of Strickland. After years of suppressing an inappropriate attraction to Stacy's - er, sorry, Autenberry's (step)Mom, Colin is both horrified and oddly hopeful when he realizes just who it is he's rescuing from a bawdyhouse, and takes it as a sign for him to apply for the position of lover that her presence in the club seems to indicate a desire to fill. (Uh, so to speak.)

And here's where things go wrong. Because Graciela, whose ducal stepson is a little too conscious of his own consequence for her not to guess how bad his reaction would be to such a relationship and whose stepdaughter is half in love with the man who's applying to shag Ela senseless, gives Colin a resounding NO. And then another no. And then another no. All of which he breezes past with a handwave and a but-look-how-good-we-could-be-baby application of sexual chemistry.

So instead of the novel I wanted about a woman in her prime taking charge of her sexuality with a hot young thing who's vaguely (but not really) inappropriate, I get a novel where a grown-ass man violates the boundaries of a woman he's known and supposedly respected all his life while she vacillates between shame and abject terror that her stepson - who, let's all take a minute to remember, completely controls her financial assets - will uncover the affair. Not sure about you guys, but that's distinctly not my kink.

Jordan, who has a tendency to substitute sex for actual relationship-building in many of her novels, doesn't do much work to convince the reader that this collection of escalatingly problematic encounters equals a love match. Personally, I thought a few judicious flashback scenes to their relationship pre-sex-club would have helped better establish that these are two people who've always liked and been attracted to each other, rather than just a couple with an itch (okay, a lot of itches) to scratch.

I've read several books by Jordan and enjoyed most of them, so this one misfire probably won't put me off her work. I just hope that one day she, like Graciela, will decide to give herself a do-over on this trope, and that it involves a hell of a lot less NOPE. ...more

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Jul 19, 2017 Sofia Lazaridou rated it did not like it

I don't know how I managed to finish this book. I would like to comment on a few things.

A) This one I read in the blurb: " snubbed time and time again by society....". I do not recall reading her getting snubbed by anyone in this book. Not a single person. I could almost forget she wasn't a full blooded English woman if it wasn't for her use of some Spanish words and the mention of her skin color in a couple of instances. I think I deserved as a reader to know what happened to Graciela's parent ...more

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Jul 30, 2017 Lisa rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2017-read, ch-age-gap, ch-great, em-gimme-smut, gr-romance-historical, theme-family, ch-single-mom, ch-older-heroine

Also on Romances Ever After.

oh oh OH WE NEED MORE OLDER WOMEN YOUNGER MEN TROPE IN HISTROM-

Oh, this one is a surprise. I saw Sarah MacLean raved about this one and I trust her opinion. I was also immediately sold when I saw that it featured an older heroine because I rarely see older heroines in historical romance, so I bought the book.

Graciela, Duchess of Autenberry, is a 36 year old widow with grown stepchildren and daughter. I feel so much for her, for she is constantly snubbed by the society ...more

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Jan 29, 2018 Joano rated it liked it

Shelves: alpha-male, older-heroine-younger-hero, regency-19th-century-england, no-no-yes-yes-no

In terms of plot, this was much better than the first book. There was something happening all the time. However, I felt uncomfortable throughout this read. There is nothing wrong with older h and young H relationships. Nor was there anything wrong with the plot set up - with the H meeting the h at the club. Nor was there anything wrong with this "Mrs Robinson" situation. But I just felt uncomfortable throughout the entire reading. I kept going and there was some very predictable part. The chemis ...more

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Feb 10, 2019 Christina (A Reader of Fictions) rated it liked it

Shelves: egalley

I breezed through The Scandal of It All in a scant few hours, and I liked it but didn't love it.

What I like most about The Scandal of It All is that it's an age gap romance with an older heroine. She's 35 to his 29. I like, too, that Lord Strickland absolutely does not give a shit about her age or society's opinion. Once his mind is made up, he's confident and willing to deal with the consequences. (view spoiler) ...more

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Jun 21, 2017 Melisa rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-romance, regency-romance, romance, reviews

For the most part, I really enjoyed this book. Ela, especially, is an interesting character. Instead of the usual virgin heroines, she is a widowed mother who is considering taking a lover. Colin, Lord Strickland, is her stepson's best friend. A mishap at a private club quickly has them giving into their attraction for each other. However, my biggest problem with this book is that the character spend more time arguing with each other than actually getting to know one another. Even with their pas ...more

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Sep 11, 2017 Alysia rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-romance, romance

Hmmm 3.5 stars maybe? There were things I enjoyed very much so (it's steamy, I love that the MC is an older & widowed mother & stepmother to a teen and two adults, etc) & some I didn't like (tw r/pe attempt, a hero who acts a little to out of line at times, and two characters WHO JUST DESERVE HAPPINESS NOT PAIN FML). I will definitely be reading the next one bc I'm interested in Marcus & his potential character growth? And who he would fall in love with. Also interested in his ha ...more

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Feb 26, 2019 princesspwny rated it did not like it

DNF - honestly, the combination of lack of plot, consent issues, narrowly avoided incest at a sex club called Sodom, and the utter spinelessness of a heroine who was supposed to be a mature woman was so irritating I gave up halfway through. I've liked Sophie Jordan's YA and will try another of her romances, but this one got thrown across the room.

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Jul 09, 2017 Miranda ❤️ rated it it was amazing

This book exceeded every single expectation I had and ended up being my FAVORITE ROMANCE OF THE YEAR SO FAR!! I just adored the dynamic between Graciela & Colin! They had everything I could possibly ask for in a perfectly matched romance:

Chemistry - OMG it was OFF THE CHARTS!!

Love - For me, Chemistry & Love go hand-in-hand and this story had plenty of both! It made it even better with the fact that it's first-time love!!

Forbidden Romance - When two characters fall for each other and it's ...more

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About Sophie Jordan

Sophie Jordan

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Pseudonym:
Sharie Kohler

Sophie Jordan took her adolescent daydreaming one step further and penned her first historical romance in the back of her high school Spanish class. This passion led her to pursue a degree in English and History.

A brief stint in law school taught her that case law was not nearly as interesting as literature - teaching English seemed the natural recourse. After several years ...more