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Misadventures in Matchmaking #2
Ten Kisses to Scandal
The Bourne Matrimonial Agency has one rule—never fall in love with the client. However, they never said anything about kissing a rake…
Briar Bourne’s matchmaking career could be summed up in two words—comic disaster. Unless she can learn about the irresistible forces that draw men and women together, her professional future looks rather bleak. But Briar has an intriguing plan—enlisting London’s most irredeemable rake to teach her everything he knows about attraction. Given his notorious reputation, it’s no surprise that Nicholas Blacklowe, the Earl of Edgemont, requests one thing in exchange for his tutelage. For every lesson, he wants a kiss in return. And what harm could there be in a simple kiss? After all, Briar would never fall for a scoundrel…
Nicholas has no romantic notions about love, and no intention of changing his ways. He’s only helping Briar so that she can find the perfect bride for his jilted cousin. Yet Briar is so clever, so curious, so candid—so blasted tempting—that soon, Nicholas can’t stop wondering what it might be like if he was irresistible to her.
Ten lessons. Ten kisses. And a million ways to fall hopelessly, scandalously in love.
Briar Bourne’s matchmaking career could be summed up in two words—comic disaster. Unless she can learn about the irresistible forces that draw men and women together, her professional future looks rather bleak. But Briar has an intriguing plan—enlisting London’s most irredeemable rake to teach her everything he knows about attraction. Given his notorious reputation, it’s no surprise that Nicholas Blacklowe, the Earl of Edgemont, requests one thing in exchange for his tutelage. For every lesson, he wants a kiss in return. And what harm could there be in a simple kiss? After all, Briar would never fall for a scoundrel…
Nicholas has no romantic notions about love, and no intention of changing his ways. He’s only helping Briar so that she can find the perfect bride for his jilted cousin. Yet Briar is so clever, so curious, so candid—so blasted tempting—that soon, Nicholas can’t stop wondering what it might be like if he was irresistible to her.
Ten lessons. Ten kisses. And a million ways to fall hopelessly, scandalously in love.
384 pages, ebook
First published December 24, 2018
About the author
Vivienne Lorret
34 books1,079 followersUSA Today bestselling author VIVIENNE LORRET transforms copious amounts of tea into words. She is an Avon author of series including the Wallflower Weddings, the Rakes of Fallow Hal, the Season’s Original, the Misadventures in Matchmaking, and the MATING HABITS OF SCOUNDRELS. For more information on her books, please sign up for her newsletter @ www.vivlorret.net
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 188 reviews
December 13, 2018
<3 5 Heartwarming stars <3
I devour it in one sitting, such a lovely story! I adored Briar and Nicholas , their story is cute! A slow burn romance with angst and the great amount of steamy moments to keep your interest!
My heart was aching for these two! They have an amazing chemistry, I loved their banter! They were intense and sweet and also hot!
Briar is the cutest heroine, she is romantic and lovely!Nicholas is swoon worthy! I could understand him and why he was like he was! I loved their moments together!
This is a great story!I can’t wait to read more books from this author!
I devour it in one sitting, such a lovely story! I adored Briar and Nicholas , their story is cute! A slow burn romance with angst and the great amount of steamy moments to keep your interest!
My heart was aching for these two! They have an amazing chemistry, I loved their banter! They were intense and sweet and also hot!
Briar is the cutest heroine, she is romantic and lovely!Nicholas is swoon worthy! I could understand him and why he was like he was! I loved their moments together!
This is a great story!I can’t wait to read more books from this author!
September 5, 2020
I am not a big fan of drama in a relationship, in real life or from the books I read. But with this particular character from this book, it was hilarious!!! Her imagination has no limits and no drama is enough. I truly enjoyed this book! 5⭐
Want to read
June 6, 2022WOAH, so many of my gr friends adored this. how have i never heard of it? oh and did i mention that Missy gave it 4 stars...YEAH!! and becky said this is 5/5 on the sexual tension scale? i mean... now i'm just deciding whether of not to buy the physical copy.
update: omg it's £ 5.57... on amazon uk
update: omg it's £ 5.57... on amazon uk
December 12, 2018
Series: Misadventures In Matchmaking #2
Publication Date: 12/24/18
Number of Pages: 384
This is a mesmerizing read that kept me smiling, giggling and laughing as I saw these two lovely people wend their way to their HEA. It sucked me in from the first page and just wouldn’t let me go. The writing is outstanding, the plot unique and interesting, and the characters just couldn’t get any better. This might very well be my favorite book of 2018.
Briar Bourne’s life has been both coddled and traumatic. Her father left them and started a new family when she was very young and her mother mourned herself to death after that. Briar and her two sisters (Jacinda – book one and Ainsley – book three) then went to live with their doting Uncle Ernest where they proceeded to ‘protect’ Briar from any of the unpleasant details. Basically, they shielded her from life – even into her adulthood. Briar very much wants to be an active contributor to the matrimonial agency her uncle has opened, but she feels she’s been relegated to doing nothing but pouring tea and filing papers. Well, if they won’t give her a chance, she’ll just make her own chance by finding matches for her very best friend, Temperance and her brother, Daniel.
Nicholas, the Earl of Edgemont is an unrepentant rake, but he is NOT a libertine and he lives by his own code of honor. Nicholas is disillusioned with life and, with very good reason, has an exceedingly poor opinion of marriage and women, but he is very caring and loyal to his family – he will do anything to protect them. What he has done may find him estranged from them for the rest of his life if they ever find out. With his cousin Daniel suffering from a debilitating case of melancholia because of his broken betrothal, Nicholas will do whatever he can to bring him out of it and get him back into life again – maybe even with a new prospective bride.
Nicholas is intrigued with Briar from the first moment he meets her, but she is forbidden to him – she is a virginal debutante. However, as they come into each other’s orbit more and more often, the attraction grows. If she is going to be a successful matchmaker, she needs to become more astute at reading and understanding body language and what goes on between men and women. Who better to teach her what she needs to know that Nicholas. When they strike a bargain – he teaches her in return for a small payment. Her rule is no hands – his rule is – don’t fall in love with him.
You’ll find yourself smiling, giggling and outright laughing throughout most of the book as you are reading Briar’s outrageous scenarios and inner dialogue. She certainly manages to throw our hero off center with some of those scenarios she describes to him. I love that she can leave him absolutely speechless.
Lorret did an excellent job with the character development – especially the two main characters. Briar is twenty, very naïve and protected from life, but her outlook is bright, light, open and hopeful. She can always find something good about a person or situation. Authors usually write that Pollyanna(ish) type of character as much too saccharine and usually too reckless and TSTL. That isn’t the case here. Lorret managed to merge the Pollyanna qualities with a smart, humorous, self-contained, well-centered young lady that you can’t help falling in love with – and neither could our hero – no matter how hard he tries not to. With Nicholas, she didn’t make him come to heel too quickly or give up his deeply held aversion to marriage too easily. She also showed the very caring man he was to his family – and his deep remorse and anguish when he thinks all is lost. The author just did an excellent job.
The only thing I wondered about was Briar’s father’s other family. They are talked about – the brother is even featured somewhat, but we don’t really learn much of the dynamics of that second family and Briar never seemed to make contact or get to know the brother. Certainly, nothing to ding the book about, but just makes me curious. Like – how did that brother come to have possession of the properties, etc.? Maybe we’ll learn more in the third book.
I can’t recommend this book highly enough. Definitely an enjoyable read!
Please check out my reviews at:
Blog: https://flippinpages.blog/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/flippinpages...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FlippinPagesRev
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarbBookReview
"I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."
Publication Date: 12/24/18
Number of Pages: 384
This is a mesmerizing read that kept me smiling, giggling and laughing as I saw these two lovely people wend their way to their HEA. It sucked me in from the first page and just wouldn’t let me go. The writing is outstanding, the plot unique and interesting, and the characters just couldn’t get any better. This might very well be my favorite book of 2018.
Briar Bourne’s life has been both coddled and traumatic. Her father left them and started a new family when she was very young and her mother mourned herself to death after that. Briar and her two sisters (Jacinda – book one and Ainsley – book three) then went to live with their doting Uncle Ernest where they proceeded to ‘protect’ Briar from any of the unpleasant details. Basically, they shielded her from life – even into her adulthood. Briar very much wants to be an active contributor to the matrimonial agency her uncle has opened, but she feels she’s been relegated to doing nothing but pouring tea and filing papers. Well, if they won’t give her a chance, she’ll just make her own chance by finding matches for her very best friend, Temperance and her brother, Daniel.
Nicholas, the Earl of Edgemont is an unrepentant rake, but he is NOT a libertine and he lives by his own code of honor. Nicholas is disillusioned with life and, with very good reason, has an exceedingly poor opinion of marriage and women, but he is very caring and loyal to his family – he will do anything to protect them. What he has done may find him estranged from them for the rest of his life if they ever find out. With his cousin Daniel suffering from a debilitating case of melancholia because of his broken betrothal, Nicholas will do whatever he can to bring him out of it and get him back into life again – maybe even with a new prospective bride.
Nicholas is intrigued with Briar from the first moment he meets her, but she is forbidden to him – she is a virginal debutante. However, as they come into each other’s orbit more and more often, the attraction grows. If she is going to be a successful matchmaker, she needs to become more astute at reading and understanding body language and what goes on between men and women. Who better to teach her what she needs to know that Nicholas. When they strike a bargain – he teaches her in return for a small payment. Her rule is no hands – his rule is – don’t fall in love with him.
You’ll find yourself smiling, giggling and outright laughing throughout most of the book as you are reading Briar’s outrageous scenarios and inner dialogue. She certainly manages to throw our hero off center with some of those scenarios she describes to him. I love that she can leave him absolutely speechless.
Lorret did an excellent job with the character development – especially the two main characters. Briar is twenty, very naïve and protected from life, but her outlook is bright, light, open and hopeful. She can always find something good about a person or situation. Authors usually write that Pollyanna(ish) type of character as much too saccharine and usually too reckless and TSTL. That isn’t the case here. Lorret managed to merge the Pollyanna qualities with a smart, humorous, self-contained, well-centered young lady that you can’t help falling in love with – and neither could our hero – no matter how hard he tries not to. With Nicholas, she didn’t make him come to heel too quickly or give up his deeply held aversion to marriage too easily. She also showed the very caring man he was to his family – and his deep remorse and anguish when he thinks all is lost. The author just did an excellent job.
The only thing I wondered about was Briar’s father’s other family. They are talked about – the brother is even featured somewhat, but we don’t really learn much of the dynamics of that second family and Briar never seemed to make contact or get to know the brother. Certainly, nothing to ding the book about, but just makes me curious. Like – how did that brother come to have possession of the properties, etc.? Maybe we’ll learn more in the third book.
I can’t recommend this book highly enough. Definitely an enjoyable read!
Please check out my reviews at:
Blog: https://flippinpages.blog/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/flippinpages...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FlippinPagesRev
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarbBookReview
"I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."
May 2, 2021
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Plot: 📖📖📖📖📖 – Just the perfect amount of plot for me. I found the matchmaking business really fun to experience and the hero had enough baggage to give it some angst.
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋 – heart melting, tender moments, breathless tension, emotional ending, this book had all the feels for me.
Romance: 💞💞💞💞💞 - This book was filled with romance. It would seem like any romance genre book would have it, but I honestly find real romance missing quite a bit in romance books. Not here. There is so much sweetness and tender moments in this story.
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔💔 - I was super attached to the characters and felt like I knew them and loved them.
Sexual tension: ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️ - Yes yes yes! So many little touches and kisses that built up over time. I was breathless with the anticipation. Every scene was utter beauty.
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋💋- There was so much feeling in every intimate scene. It was utter perfection.
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale 🔥🔥🔥 – This book was just filled with kisses and touches and intimate scenes. You would just be longing for another, because the tension was so rife, and there it would be, pushing just a bit further and making you love the characters even more.
Did I do enough raving about this book above? No. No I didn't. No other book matters. Have I ever read a book that was 5 stars? I can't recall. This book is everything! Everything!! I am utterly, completely, in love.
This is my 5th Vivienne Lorret and it has raised her to a whole new level for me. I have enjoyed a number of her books, but this one blew me away. I only want books like this. Forever. Until I die. Is that too much to ask?
This is book 2 of the Misadventures in Matchmaking series. I think this is fine as a stand alone novel. I did read book 1, and it takes place mostly somewhere else and the sisters don't have a large part in the plot. Jacinda (heroine from book 1) does make a few brief appearances here. I did enjoy book 1 and definitely think you'll enjoy it more if you read it first (but I just really loved this one more!)
Briar is the youngest sister of the 3 matchmakers. They run Bourne Matrimonial Agency with their uncle after their mother passed and father left. She's constantly underestimated and protected by her sisters and is eager to prove she is just as good of a matchmaker as the others. Of course this ends up getting her into a number of funny and awkward situations, including how she initially meets Nicholas.
Nicholas is a self proclaimed rake. And yes, he is not bluffing. He's sure marriage is not for him no matter who he meets. Now, this probably sounds like so many other romance novels out there. Yet, it was different. Nicholas was different. He was so absolutely sweet and tempting and a bit naughty to Briar but in the best ways. He is falling hard and fast and he doesn't even realize it yet, and we are falling right with them.
I usually say I read books for the heroes and Nicholas doesn't disappoint. He's so much that I love in a hero. He's the fun and sexiness of a rake, seducing Briar to do naughty things with him, but he's also softness and sweetness and gentleness. I love him. But, I found myself adoring Briar too. I could see myself being her friend. She's funny. She's light and fun and silly, yet also strong and hard working. Intelligent. I loved her too and with that these characters worked their way into my heart.
There's I think a 12 year age difference between these two, with the hero being older. I know that's not a huge age difference when reading HR but it's mentioned quite a few times in this story and there's numerous funny comments and stories about the hero's old age.
The little touches are everything in this book. The build up is wonderful. The breathless moments. The sadness when things happen to them. There's some majorly sweet romance and groveling at the end of the book. I did think Briar may have took it a tad too far in the end, but it was a minor complaint. And I would forgive Nicholas anything.
Give this book a try if you like:
-No “if you like”. You MUST try this book. Go. Now. Read it!
Kisses/sex scenes
Plot: 📖📖📖📖📖 – Just the perfect amount of plot for me. I found the matchmaking business really fun to experience and the hero had enough baggage to give it some angst.
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋 – heart melting, tender moments, breathless tension, emotional ending, this book had all the feels for me.
Romance: 💞💞💞💞💞 - This book was filled with romance. It would seem like any romance genre book would have it, but I honestly find real romance missing quite a bit in romance books. Not here. There is so much sweetness and tender moments in this story.
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔💔 - I was super attached to the characters and felt like I knew them and loved them.
Sexual tension: ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️ - Yes yes yes! So many little touches and kisses that built up over time. I was breathless with the anticipation. Every scene was utter beauty.
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋💋- There was so much feeling in every intimate scene. It was utter perfection.
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale 🔥🔥🔥 – This book was just filled with kisses and touches and intimate scenes. You would just be longing for another, because the tension was so rife, and there it would be, pushing just a bit further and making you love the characters even more.
Did I do enough raving about this book above? No. No I didn't. No other book matters. Have I ever read a book that was 5 stars? I can't recall. This book is everything! Everything!! I am utterly, completely, in love.
This is my 5th Vivienne Lorret and it has raised her to a whole new level for me. I have enjoyed a number of her books, but this one blew me away. I only want books like this. Forever. Until I die. Is that too much to ask?
This is book 2 of the Misadventures in Matchmaking series. I think this is fine as a stand alone novel. I did read book 1, and it takes place mostly somewhere else and the sisters don't have a large part in the plot. Jacinda (heroine from book 1) does make a few brief appearances here. I did enjoy book 1 and definitely think you'll enjoy it more if you read it first (but I just really loved this one more!)
Briar is the youngest sister of the 3 matchmakers. They run Bourne Matrimonial Agency with their uncle after their mother passed and father left. She's constantly underestimated and protected by her sisters and is eager to prove she is just as good of a matchmaker as the others. Of course this ends up getting her into a number of funny and awkward situations, including how she initially meets Nicholas.
Nicholas is a self proclaimed rake. And yes, he is not bluffing. He's sure marriage is not for him no matter who he meets. Now, this probably sounds like so many other romance novels out there. Yet, it was different. Nicholas was different. He was so absolutely sweet and tempting and a bit naughty to Briar but in the best ways. He is falling hard and fast and he doesn't even realize it yet, and we are falling right with them.
I usually say I read books for the heroes and Nicholas doesn't disappoint. He's so much that I love in a hero. He's the fun and sexiness of a rake, seducing Briar to do naughty things with him, but he's also softness and sweetness and gentleness. I love him. But, I found myself adoring Briar too. I could see myself being her friend. She's funny. She's light and fun and silly, yet also strong and hard working. Intelligent. I loved her too and with that these characters worked their way into my heart.
There's I think a 12 year age difference between these two, with the hero being older. I know that's not a huge age difference when reading HR but it's mentioned quite a few times in this story and there's numerous funny comments and stories about the hero's old age.
The little touches are everything in this book. The build up is wonderful. The breathless moments. The sadness when things happen to them. There's some majorly sweet romance and groveling at the end of the book. I did think Briar may have took it a tad too far in the end, but it was a minor complaint. And I would forgive Nicholas anything.
Give this book a try if you like:
-No “if you like”. You MUST try this book. Go. Now. Read it!
Kisses/sex scenes
November 11, 2018
I have received an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely loved this book! While reading it, I had a happy grin on my face the whole time. It just made me laugh and tingle, and it gave me butterflies – what more could I ask for?
Briar is so adorable! She’s a romantic and, yes, she is also a bit naïve but she is so sweet! Some heroines can be a bit annoying when they are too unaware of the world, but Briar is so lovely, she made it so easy to like her, I just adored her. She has suffered her fair share, but we only know how everything has affected her almost at the end of the book, which was fine by me.
Nicholas was… so sexy! I mean… don’t ask me for a physical description because (with the exception of his nose), I probably can’t give you one. Why? Because characters in my mind, even the ones heavily described, don’t actually have a defined face..? There’s always somewhat of a blur. So no, it’s not their face/body that makes them sexy (it helps, of course!), it’s how they act, and how they can make you feel like all their attention is on you, in a good way. And that’s how I felt Nicholas was about Briar. He has other great qualities, naturally: he’s very loyal and protective of his family (like Briar), he’s been hurt before (haven’t we all? and almost every single book character?), and he’s a rake. But, who would have guessed? He’s a rake with a good heart.
Their chemistry was, at the same time, so strong and so subtle. The teasing, and the friendship, the alone moments… Everything made my senses as a reader tingle and be on the lookout for another wonderful scene.
The secondary characters help set the scene: Briar and her family have a matchmaking agency. Her friend Temperance and her brother Daniel, are looking for fiances. And their cousin is… Nicholas, Lord Edgemont. I don’t want to give too much of the story away because it’s their adventures that keep us readers paying attention. Suffice to say, Briar needs help with her matchmaking skills, and Nicholas is more than happy to help – in exchange for a little something, as one would expect.
The one thing – and, let’s be honest, it’s a small thing – that could have made this book even better, was to make the ending a bit more climatic. And I think this was lacking a bit because what was preventing the happy ending was such a small thing that seemed almost… not credible. I really liked Nicholas’ dedication to try and talk to Briar, and I have to admit I was a bit disappointed that she didn’t even give him a bit of credit – I know, she felt hurt and deceived, but after her time spent with Nicholas, I hoped she knew better. But, alas, miscommunication got in the way.
In the end, it was a great book, with only a small thing to point out. Can’t wait to read the next book in this incredible series.
I absolutely loved this book! While reading it, I had a happy grin on my face the whole time. It just made me laugh and tingle, and it gave me butterflies – what more could I ask for?
Briar is so adorable! She’s a romantic and, yes, she is also a bit naïve but she is so sweet! Some heroines can be a bit annoying when they are too unaware of the world, but Briar is so lovely, she made it so easy to like her, I just adored her. She has suffered her fair share, but we only know how everything has affected her almost at the end of the book, which was fine by me.
Nicholas was… so sexy! I mean… don’t ask me for a physical description because (with the exception of his nose), I probably can’t give you one. Why? Because characters in my mind, even the ones heavily described, don’t actually have a defined face..? There’s always somewhat of a blur. So no, it’s not their face/body that makes them sexy (it helps, of course!), it’s how they act, and how they can make you feel like all their attention is on you, in a good way. And that’s how I felt Nicholas was about Briar. He has other great qualities, naturally: he’s very loyal and protective of his family (like Briar), he’s been hurt before (haven’t we all? and almost every single book character?), and he’s a rake. But, who would have guessed? He’s a rake with a good heart.
Their chemistry was, at the same time, so strong and so subtle. The teasing, and the friendship, the alone moments… Everything made my senses as a reader tingle and be on the lookout for another wonderful scene.
The secondary characters help set the scene: Briar and her family have a matchmaking agency. Her friend Temperance and her brother Daniel, are looking for fiances. And their cousin is… Nicholas, Lord Edgemont. I don’t want to give too much of the story away because it’s their adventures that keep us readers paying attention. Suffice to say, Briar needs help with her matchmaking skills, and Nicholas is more than happy to help – in exchange for a little something, as one would expect.
The one thing – and, let’s be honest, it’s a small thing – that could have made this book even better, was to make the ending a bit more climatic. And I think this was lacking a bit because what was preventing the happy ending was such a small thing that seemed almost… not credible. I really liked Nicholas’ dedication to try and talk to Briar, and I have to admit I was a bit disappointed that she didn’t even give him a bit of credit – I know, she felt hurt and deceived, but after her time spent with Nicholas, I hoped she knew better. But, alas, miscommunication got in the way.
In the end, it was a great book, with only a small thing to point out. Can’t wait to read the next book in this incredible series.
September 17, 2021
I loved this book! Briar and Nicholas were very likeable, three-dimensional characters and the chemistry between them was absolutely delicious. The plot held my interest, I laughed out loud several times, smiled often while reading, and every time the main characters interacted, I felt I might just spontaneously combust. Recommended!
Read
November 2, 2021Çöpçatan temalı bir kitapta neden hiç eşleşme yapamazlar 🤭Yapmaya niyetli oldukları birleşmeler de farklı sonuçlanıyor hep. Neyse...
Hikayemiz küçük kardeş Briar ve alemin çapkını Nicholas'ı anlatıyor. Briar ablaları tarafından aşırı korunmuş biri. Kendini göstermesine, bir şeyler yapmasına pek izin vermiyorlar. Ah yalan olmasın. Çay servisini çok iyi yapar 🙄 Doğal olarak kendini kanıtlama derdinde.Sosyetede nam salmış bir dükü, ajanslarına kaydettirse olur bu iş. Sabah'ın kör vakti bir araba çevirmek ne kadar zor olabilir ki?🤔
Nicholas ise alem peşinde. Reed Sterling'in sahibi olduğu kulüpten çıktığında eli kolu biraz doludur 🤦🏻♀️ Oldukça ateşli bir sahne sergilerken meraklı bir izleyicisi olduğunu fark edince eğlencenin dozunu arttırır. 😂 Yediği hurmalar gelip sonra kendisini tırmalayacak ya neyse 🙄
Nicholas kuzenlerini baş göz etmek ister. Karşılığında da Briar çöpçatanlık için işine yarayacak bilgiler ister. Bu derslerin sonunda ödeme olarak bir öpücük almak çok da sorun olmamalı☺️🤭
İlk kitaba oranla karakter çeşidi daha bol ve olaylar fazlaydı. Briar ve Nicholas uyumlu bir çiftti. Keyifle okuttular hikâyelerini.Ben sevdim.En çok da yanlış anlaşılma sonucu Nicholas'ın kendini yollara vurması 😂 Tabi ben asla evlenmeyeceğim mottosu bazen çok can sıkıcı oluyor ama 🤷🏻♀️katlanacağız artık.
Hikayemiz küçük kardeş Briar ve alemin çapkını Nicholas'ı anlatıyor. Briar ablaları tarafından aşırı korunmuş biri. Kendini göstermesine, bir şeyler yapmasına pek izin vermiyorlar. Ah yalan olmasın. Çay servisini çok iyi yapar 🙄 Doğal olarak kendini kanıtlama derdinde.Sosyetede nam salmış bir dükü, ajanslarına kaydettirse olur bu iş. Sabah'ın kör vakti bir araba çevirmek ne kadar zor olabilir ki?🤔
Nicholas ise alem peşinde. Reed Sterling'in sahibi olduğu kulüpten çıktığında eli kolu biraz doludur 🤦🏻♀️ Oldukça ateşli bir sahne sergilerken meraklı bir izleyicisi olduğunu fark edince eğlencenin dozunu arttırır. 😂 Yediği hurmalar gelip sonra kendisini tırmalayacak ya neyse 🙄
Nicholas kuzenlerini baş göz etmek ister. Karşılığında da Briar çöpçatanlık için işine yarayacak bilgiler ister. Bu derslerin sonunda ödeme olarak bir öpücük almak çok da sorun olmamalı☺️🤭
İlk kitaba oranla karakter çeşidi daha bol ve olaylar fazlaydı. Briar ve Nicholas uyumlu bir çiftti. Keyifle okuttular hikâyelerini.Ben sevdim.En çok da yanlış anlaşılma sonucu Nicholas'ın kendini yollara vurması 😂 Tabi ben asla evlenmeyeceğim mottosu bazen çok can sıkıcı oluyor ama 🤷🏻♀️katlanacağız artık.
September 1, 2021
I've become a fan of Vivienne Lorret as an author and this was one story that I truly love. There was banter, laughing and just a delight. Thanks to my public library for the opportunity.
April 27, 2021
Well, this took a turn from a poorly executed book I wasn't enjoying at all to one that made me angry very suddenly. I will try to be brief because, quite frankly, this book doesn't deserve any more of my time.
I think the idea here was grumpy one/sunshine one, but that doesn't work when you end up with a character who is bitter and angry, and another who is immature and naive (and not in a charming way). I mean, the heroine thought Emma Woodhouse was a good example of matchmaking, which is something of a problem as it entirely misses the point of Emma, and more importantly, of Emma's character arc. And Briar's attempts at matchmaking just seemed to be Emma turned up to 100. It's incredibly rare for me to be turned off by a heroine, but I was here entirely. Her thoughts and POV were just incredibly young to me, and did not appeal at all. I didn't really care about Nicholas much, since we spent way more time on Briar and her family and matchmaking and very little time with Nicholas, unless it was for him to think about how women had betrayed him in the past. Hard to root for a romantic couple when you don't care about either of the leads!
And then we get to the sister stuff, which was not well handled throughout and then turned awful at the end. It's always great when you already aren't enjoying a book and then you hit a huge trigger right when you're finally almost done with it. ANYWAY, when you have conflict between two sisters who are both main characters in a series, it should probably be presented as both have points and they come to a mutual understanding, as neither were really right or wrong, just misguided. This, instead, essentially presented a scenario that Ainsley was wrong and Briar is the amazing matchmaker and the accomplished and better person, and Ainsley is jealous because she only has running the business???? I'm sorry, but no. To start, Briar was a terrible matchmaker and routinely displayed poor judgment in trying to make matches. Every time she complained about being treated as a child, I kept thinking "yes, that's because you're acting like a child." There was probably a good story to be had in each sister having their own strength in the business and them figuring out a good way to work together (I'm thinking like Loretta Chase's Dressmakers series), and realizing they both needed to be honest with each other. Instead we just had it as Ainsley didn't want Briar to work on matchmaking because Briar is the best matchmaker and running the business is all Ainsley has???? That doesn't even make any sense. First, because Briar spent almost the entire book making awful matches and screwing up the business, and second, because if she were actually good at it, wouldn't Ainsley want her to help further the business???? Having multiple sisters make matches is not a mutually exclusive thing! Especially since Jacinda also does it. Again, it doesn't make sense! Most of the plot of this book didn't make sense, though, which is what happens when you have five Major Drama Storylines and none of them get any actual substantive focus.
But back to the sisters thing, which is what kicked this from a badly written book that was whatever to one that made me legitimately angry in the span of about two paragraphs. My point is: justice for older sisters, who are not boring, and have plenty of accomplishments (even if their younger sisters are supposedly always prettier and ~better at being fun or whatever) and are just trying to hold things together since no one else ever does!!!, and generally deserve better from authors everywhere. End soapbox.
There were other odds and ends here that were weird and unfinished. I was mostly bored by Nicholas's two cousins (and I'm sorry in advance to Meg, whom I assume deserves better than whatever story is being set up there). I really could have done with at least one fewer Women Who Betrayed Me in Nicholas's backstory. I don't really understand the Bourne-Cartwright family relationships, although maybe that will be addressed more in Ainsley's story. There was also a lot of secondhand embarrassment and cringe moments, which are not my jam. Just a bad book from start to finish. I'm glad I've read other of Lorret's work because this would've turned me off from trying her again if I hadn't. That said, I think I'm gonna need a break before I approach Ainsley's story, which is a shame because I originally picked this up to read before that one, which is the story I was really interested in. Alas.
I think the idea here was grumpy one/sunshine one, but that doesn't work when you end up with a character who is bitter and angry, and another who is immature and naive (and not in a charming way). I mean, the heroine thought Emma Woodhouse was a good example of matchmaking, which is something of a problem as it entirely misses the point of Emma, and more importantly, of Emma's character arc. And Briar's attempts at matchmaking just seemed to be Emma turned up to 100. It's incredibly rare for me to be turned off by a heroine, but I was here entirely. Her thoughts and POV were just incredibly young to me, and did not appeal at all. I didn't really care about Nicholas much, since we spent way more time on Briar and her family and matchmaking and very little time with Nicholas, unless it was for him to think about how women had betrayed him in the past. Hard to root for a romantic couple when you don't care about either of the leads!
And then we get to the sister stuff, which was not well handled throughout and then turned awful at the end. It's always great when you already aren't enjoying a book and then you hit a huge trigger right when you're finally almost done with it. ANYWAY, when you have conflict between two sisters who are both main characters in a series, it should probably be presented as both have points and they come to a mutual understanding, as neither were really right or wrong, just misguided. This, instead, essentially presented a scenario that Ainsley was wrong and Briar is the amazing matchmaker and the accomplished and better person, and Ainsley is jealous because she only has running the business???? I'm sorry, but no. To start, Briar was a terrible matchmaker and routinely displayed poor judgment in trying to make matches. Every time she complained about being treated as a child, I kept thinking "yes, that's because you're acting like a child." There was probably a good story to be had in each sister having their own strength in the business and them figuring out a good way to work together (I'm thinking like Loretta Chase's Dressmakers series), and realizing they both needed to be honest with each other. Instead we just had it as Ainsley didn't want Briar to work on matchmaking because Briar is the best matchmaker and running the business is all Ainsley has???? That doesn't even make any sense. First, because Briar spent almost the entire book making awful matches and screwing up the business, and second, because if she were actually good at it, wouldn't Ainsley want her to help further the business???? Having multiple sisters make matches is not a mutually exclusive thing! Especially since Jacinda also does it. Again, it doesn't make sense! Most of the plot of this book didn't make sense, though, which is what happens when you have five Major Drama Storylines and none of them get any actual substantive focus.
But back to the sisters thing, which is what kicked this from a badly written book that was whatever to one that made me legitimately angry in the span of about two paragraphs. My point is: justice for older sisters, who are not boring, and have plenty of accomplishments (even if their younger sisters are supposedly always prettier and ~better at being fun or whatever) and are just trying to hold things together since no one else ever does!!!, and generally deserve better from authors everywhere. End soapbox.
There were other odds and ends here that were weird and unfinished. I was mostly bored by Nicholas's two cousins (and I'm sorry in advance to Meg, whom I assume deserves better than whatever story is being set up there). I really could have done with at least one fewer Women Who Betrayed Me in Nicholas's backstory. I don't really understand the Bourne-Cartwright family relationships, although maybe that will be addressed more in Ainsley's story. There was also a lot of secondhand embarrassment and cringe moments, which are not my jam. Just a bad book from start to finish. I'm glad I've read other of Lorret's work because this would've turned me off from trying her again if I hadn't. That said, I think I'm gonna need a break before I approach Ainsley's story, which is a shame because I originally picked this up to read before that one, which is the story I was really interested in. Alas.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2018
I loved the premise of this story and just couldn’t resist it.
I love love loved Briar and Nicholas. She’s so sweet and he’s so charming and their banter was perfection. Their chemistry jumped off the page and I absolutely enjoyed all of their scenes together. I’m guessing the other books will be about Briar’s sisters and I am definitely intrigued.
Plot wise, it was good. Even though some of the settings were repetitive, it didn’t feel that way. I loved how hard Briar worked for the agency and the seemingly random characters who wanted a match. Of course there was a dramatic break-up of sorts, but the grand gestures were worth it.
Overall, it was a delightful and fun read, one I’m sure I’ll be reading again. I look forward to reading other books from this author.
**Huge thanks to Avon Books for providing the arc free of charge**
I love love loved Briar and Nicholas. She’s so sweet and he’s so charming and their banter was perfection. Their chemistry jumped off the page and I absolutely enjoyed all of their scenes together. I’m guessing the other books will be about Briar’s sisters and I am definitely intrigued.
Plot wise, it was good. Even though some of the settings were repetitive, it didn’t feel that way. I loved how hard Briar worked for the agency and the seemingly random characters who wanted a match. Of course there was a dramatic break-up of sorts, but the grand gestures were worth it.
Overall, it was a delightful and fun read, one I’m sure I’ll be reading again. I look forward to reading other books from this author.
**Huge thanks to Avon Books for providing the arc free of charge**
January 2, 2019
A generous 2.5 i think. Unfortunately, I found the heroine a little too immature and the constant mention of cup of chocolate kisses was tiresome.
January 19, 2022
I enjoyed the first half but somewhere around the middle I lost interest.
March 6, 2023
3.5 stars
I received an ARC from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
I mostly enjoyed my first Vivienne Lorret book. Ten Kisses to Scandal drew me in despite the clichéd premise that has been retold countlessly in the historical romance genre. In fact, it is the retold premise that motivated me to read the book because it felt familiar and comfortable: this is a story I am familiar with, a story that I find predictable, and a story that I have loved and enjoyed in the past. I enjoy romances that are based on a retold premise because I like being familiar with the story and its tropes. However, keeping all of that in mind, Ten Kisses to Scandal pales in comparison to the non-conforming historical romances I’ve been reading lately. That being said, I definitely recommend this book if you are looking for a lighthearted, funny, and fluffy historical romance. Nicholas and Briar are just so darn cute together and the romance is 100% worth it!
Onto what I loved and what I did not necessarily enjoy. Let's begin with the meet cute: I was not a fan; I personally found it a bit distasteful for one particular reason that I won’t go into (you can read it and judge for yourself). Fortunately, the meet cute did not taint my enjoyment of the story. I adore the hero and heroine. Briar is very naïve, but she is so lovely, bright, quirky, and charming that it is practically impossible to chide her for making dumb decisions. Surprisingly, she very rarely made dumb decisions. In fact, I thought she was very mature in the way that she dealt with her budding relationship with the hero. Nicholas did not leave a good impression on me because of the meet cute, but he inevitably grew on me. I ended up loving him so much. The dynamic between Briar and Nicholas is honestly the best thing about this book: Briar, the sweet, dramatic, and optimistic heroine paired with Nicholas, the jaded and cynical rake. Briar and Nicholas made me laugh so much with their antics and I adore every single one of their scenes together. Briar was perfect for Nicholas and motivated him to be happier and more optimistic. On the other hand, Nicholas was perfect for Briar by bringing small doses of reality into her rose coloured view on life and love. They perfectly balanced each other and their relationship had the most adorable quirks that constantly made me smile (hello, rhinoceros lol).
My low rating doesn’t have anything to do with the romance, but rather with the alarmingly multiple plot points in the story, some that were left unresolved. The romance between Nicholas and Briar was the central focus of the story, but there were too many things happening outside of that circle:
- Briar’s relationship with her sisters (somewhat resolved)
- Their father’s other family (somewhat, but not really resolved)
- Nicholas’s first wife and how this impacted his relationship with his mother (not resolved at all – huge miss from the author here)
- Nicholas’s guilt regarding Daniel (100% resolved)
- The challenge (100% resolved – converges with the plot point above)
- Temperance and her infatuation with John and how that made her completely blind to Briar’s troubles (not resolved in my book, no offense to Temperance)
- The weird Mrs. Teasdale (what even is the point of this woman? )
I also didn’t understand why Nicholas had to grovel when he didn’t even do anything wrong. I love a good groveling, but I’m not sure it was necessary in this instance.
These plot points are all connected, some have stronger connections, others have a weak connection. Regardless of these connections, I don’t understand why there was a need for this much drama. The author could have easily just focused on the romance and the familial strains in both Briar and Nicholas’s lives. I think this would have made the story stronger and brought more substance to the plot overall.
Anyway, I am extremely excited for Ainsley's story. She's very different from Briar and I love the dynamic between her and Reed! The next book seems like it'll be equally fun! Hopefully there won't be too many supporting characters and their drama suffocating the story.
I received an ARC from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
I mostly enjoyed my first Vivienne Lorret book. Ten Kisses to Scandal drew me in despite the clichéd premise that has been retold countlessly in the historical romance genre. In fact, it is the retold premise that motivated me to read the book because it felt familiar and comfortable: this is a story I am familiar with, a story that I find predictable, and a story that I have loved and enjoyed in the past. I enjoy romances that are based on a retold premise because I like being familiar with the story and its tropes. However, keeping all of that in mind, Ten Kisses to Scandal pales in comparison to the non-conforming historical romances I’ve been reading lately. That being said, I definitely recommend this book if you are looking for a lighthearted, funny, and fluffy historical romance. Nicholas and Briar are just so darn cute together and the romance is 100% worth it!
Onto what I loved and what I did not necessarily enjoy. Let's begin with the meet cute: I was not a fan; I personally found it a bit distasteful for one particular reason that I won’t go into (you can read it and judge for yourself). Fortunately, the meet cute did not taint my enjoyment of the story. I adore the hero and heroine. Briar is very naïve, but she is so lovely, bright, quirky, and charming that it is practically impossible to chide her for making dumb decisions. Surprisingly, she very rarely made dumb decisions. In fact, I thought she was very mature in the way that she dealt with her budding relationship with the hero. Nicholas did not leave a good impression on me because of the meet cute, but he inevitably grew on me. I ended up loving him so much. The dynamic between Briar and Nicholas is honestly the best thing about this book: Briar, the sweet, dramatic, and optimistic heroine paired with Nicholas, the jaded and cynical rake. Briar and Nicholas made me laugh so much with their antics and I adore every single one of their scenes together. Briar was perfect for Nicholas and motivated him to be happier and more optimistic. On the other hand, Nicholas was perfect for Briar by bringing small doses of reality into her rose coloured view on life and love. They perfectly balanced each other and their relationship had the most adorable quirks that constantly made me smile (hello, rhinoceros lol).
My low rating doesn’t have anything to do with the romance, but rather with the alarmingly multiple plot points in the story, some that were left unresolved. The romance between Nicholas and Briar was the central focus of the story, but there were too many things happening outside of that circle:
- Briar’s relationship with her sisters (somewhat resolved)
- Their father’s other family (somewhat, but not really resolved)
- Nicholas’s first wife and how this impacted his relationship with his mother (not resolved at all – huge miss from the author here)
- Nicholas’s guilt regarding Daniel (100% resolved)
- The challenge (100% resolved – converges with the plot point above)
- Temperance and her infatuation with John and how that made her completely blind to Briar’s troubles (not resolved in my book, no offense to Temperance)
- The weird Mrs. Teasdale (what even is the point of this woman? )
I also didn’t understand why Nicholas had to grovel when he didn’t even do anything wrong. I love a good groveling, but I’m not sure it was necessary in this instance.
These plot points are all connected, some have stronger connections, others have a weak connection. Regardless of these connections, I don’t understand why there was a need for this much drama. The author could have easily just focused on the romance and the familial strains in both Briar and Nicholas’s lives. I think this would have made the story stronger and brought more substance to the plot overall.
Anyway, I am extremely excited for Ainsley's story. She's very different from Briar and I love the dynamic between her and Reed! The next book seems like it'll be equally fun! Hopefully there won't be too many supporting characters and their drama suffocating the story.
October 24, 2018
Originally posted on my blog Read|Escape|Repeat.
5 Amazing Stars!!
I really liked this book. I liked it so much that I really hesitate to share how much I liked it because then it will be placed on this pedestal and I fear everyone will then measure it up against an impossible expectation and be disappointed. But I will take the risk because this was, in my opinion, one of the best Historical Romances I have ever read!
I am sure it has to do with some personal reasons such as the fact that I’ve been reading more contemporaries because I was bored with the HR genre. Every single book is about a duke lately - ugh! So I came to this one fairly fresh. But I think that it mainly has to do with Vivienne Lorret’s writing and this story. It reminded me of “Nine Ways to Romance a Rake” by Sarah Maclean at times and that is one of my all time favorites.
This is the second in the Misadventures in Matching series and can be a standalone. There is reference to one of the other sisters whose story was the first book, but it is not necessary to have read the first one to get started here. Briar Bourne is the youngest of the matchmaking Bourne sisters and the most spirited, vivacious, refreshing heroine I have read about in a long time.
Briar’s optimism and view in life and romance is infectious. She really lights up a room and has idealistic views of romance. However, as the youngest, she has been sheltered and protected and frankly, doesn’t get out much. This leads to her wanting to experience more of what life has to offer so she can then be a better matchmaker as her life’s goal is to be the best. She encounters Nicholas, the Earl of Edgemont, on one such adventure.
Nicholas is a rake but he loves his family and hires Briar to make his cousins matches. He realizes though how naive she is and because he is attracted to her, offers to give her “lessons” in exchange for “kisses”. A hard and fast rule though is not to fall in love with him.
This develops so well. Nicholas is curious and patient and because he is bored with his life, gives in to following whatever lead Briar takes. Briar has a strong sense of self and realizes that she could possibly fall in love with Nicholas, but I like how she is no wilting flower or simpering miss. Whatever obstacle she faces she just shakes it off and keeps forging ahead. When Nicholas enforces space, she’s fine and she even takes herself away from him at times which could be playing hard to get if she were playing games, but she isn’t.
This is a real love story where we see if the rake can truly be redeemed and if the heroine can find love. It’s sweet and hot at the same time. The lessons are not the most structured, but whatever gets him a kiss seems to be his goal. And while it did remind me of “Nine rules…” it’s not the same. Briar doesn’t have a list to check off but she does have a partner in crime in Nicholas.
Hope you enjoy this as much as I did!
Digital ARC provided by the publisher. Thank you!
5 Amazing Stars!!
I really liked this book. I liked it so much that I really hesitate to share how much I liked it because then it will be placed on this pedestal and I fear everyone will then measure it up against an impossible expectation and be disappointed. But I will take the risk because this was, in my opinion, one of the best Historical Romances I have ever read!
I am sure it has to do with some personal reasons such as the fact that I’ve been reading more contemporaries because I was bored with the HR genre. Every single book is about a duke lately - ugh! So I came to this one fairly fresh. But I think that it mainly has to do with Vivienne Lorret’s writing and this story. It reminded me of “Nine Ways to Romance a Rake” by Sarah Maclean at times and that is one of my all time favorites.
This is the second in the Misadventures in Matching series and can be a standalone. There is reference to one of the other sisters whose story was the first book, but it is not necessary to have read the first one to get started here. Briar Bourne is the youngest of the matchmaking Bourne sisters and the most spirited, vivacious, refreshing heroine I have read about in a long time.
Briar’s optimism and view in life and romance is infectious. She really lights up a room and has idealistic views of romance. However, as the youngest, she has been sheltered and protected and frankly, doesn’t get out much. This leads to her wanting to experience more of what life has to offer so she can then be a better matchmaker as her life’s goal is to be the best. She encounters Nicholas, the Earl of Edgemont, on one such adventure.
Nicholas is a rake but he loves his family and hires Briar to make his cousins matches. He realizes though how naive she is and because he is attracted to her, offers to give her “lessons” in exchange for “kisses”. A hard and fast rule though is not to fall in love with him.
This develops so well. Nicholas is curious and patient and because he is bored with his life, gives in to following whatever lead Briar takes. Briar has a strong sense of self and realizes that she could possibly fall in love with Nicholas, but I like how she is no wilting flower or simpering miss. Whatever obstacle she faces she just shakes it off and keeps forging ahead. When Nicholas enforces space, she’s fine and she even takes herself away from him at times which could be playing hard to get if she were playing games, but she isn’t.
This is a real love story where we see if the rake can truly be redeemed and if the heroine can find love. It’s sweet and hot at the same time. The lessons are not the most structured, but whatever gets him a kiss seems to be his goal. And while it did remind me of “Nine rules…” it’s not the same. Briar doesn’t have a list to check off but she does have a partner in crime in Nicholas.
Hope you enjoy this as much as I did!
Digital ARC provided by the publisher. Thank you!
December 10, 2018
Every author should aspire to write with the same degree of thoughtfulness as Vivien Lorret. Her metaphors are brilliantly crafted, her characters wonderfully compelling and her dialogue so entertaining it will leave the reader enthralled.
Briar Bourne needs a win so she can prove to her sisters and to her uncle that she's just as capable of being a successful matchmaker as they are. Especially after her latest disaster where she accidentally paired a mother with her son, for it did not reflect well on the Bourne Matrimonial Agency. But when she meets Nicholas Blacklowe, the Earl of Edgemont, a daring plan starts to form in her head. What if the notorious rake could help her better understand what draws men and women together and how to determine compatibility?
What harm could there possibly be when he's not at all her type?
Briar is about to find out when he accepts her proposal on one condition: with each piece of advice he gives her, she must submit to a kiss, causing her to realize that she's flirting with the risk of scandal and the very real possibility of losing her heart to a scoundrel.
Nicholas is intrigued by Briar. She is the light to which he is drawn, and although he knows his judgment is skewed where she is concerned, he cannot seem to stop himself from seeking her out. As the two form a closer working relationship, Briar's kisses becomes something more than a payment, leading Nicholas to realize that he must risk being honest about a past transgression, if he is to save the one good thing in his life.
A brilliant page turner. Regency romance lovers are bound to devour this story!
Briar Bourne needs a win so she can prove to her sisters and to her uncle that she's just as capable of being a successful matchmaker as they are. Especially after her latest disaster where she accidentally paired a mother with her son, for it did not reflect well on the Bourne Matrimonial Agency. But when she meets Nicholas Blacklowe, the Earl of Edgemont, a daring plan starts to form in her head. What if the notorious rake could help her better understand what draws men and women together and how to determine compatibility?
What harm could there possibly be when he's not at all her type?
Briar is about to find out when he accepts her proposal on one condition: with each piece of advice he gives her, she must submit to a kiss, causing her to realize that she's flirting with the risk of scandal and the very real possibility of losing her heart to a scoundrel.
Nicholas is intrigued by Briar. She is the light to which he is drawn, and although he knows his judgment is skewed where she is concerned, he cannot seem to stop himself from seeking her out. As the two form a closer working relationship, Briar's kisses becomes something more than a payment, leading Nicholas to realize that he must risk being honest about a past transgression, if he is to save the one good thing in his life.
A brilliant page turner. Regency romance lovers are bound to devour this story!
December 23, 2018
Ten Kisses to Scandal by Vivienne Lorret is book Two in the Misadventures in Matchmaking Series. This is the story of Nicholas Blacklowe, the Earl of Edgemont and Briar Bourne. I have read the previous book (and Loved it), but feel you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so.
Briar is the youngest sister in the family's matchmaking business and seems only to be good for serving and welcoming clients. Briar family is also very protective of her due to how they grew up. When Nicholas steels her cab she has gives him a good dressing down. Nicholas taken by her outrage and is intrigued by her outburst. This leads to them striking a deal that he will help her with her matchmaking efforts but in return she is pay in kisses. Nicholas isn't one for love but there is something in Briar that calls to him.
This was just a wonderful story...which I could give it 100 stars...loved it!
Briar is the youngest sister in the family's matchmaking business and seems only to be good for serving and welcoming clients. Briar family is also very protective of her due to how they grew up. When Nicholas steels her cab she has gives him a good dressing down. Nicholas taken by her outrage and is intrigued by her outburst. This leads to them striking a deal that he will help her with her matchmaking efforts but in return she is pay in kisses. Nicholas isn't one for love but there is something in Briar that calls to him.
This was just a wonderful story...which I could give it 100 stars...loved it!
December 8, 2020
Briar and Nicholas romance was very cute. Briar is very sweet and romantic. She uses a lot of pretend talk that the hero and I found adorable, but others may not. I enjoyed this one. For those that like reading about the hero in the story making out with another woman before he meets the heroine this one is for you with the added twist of Briar enjoying watching them kiss. LOL
Reread: December 2020 This time I enjoyed their "froth" cup of chocolate kisses. Briar is still a romantic. This time the 10 lessons felt a little too long. (ie. Hero insisting he will not marry...ever.)
Bonus comment: Luckily for them they did not seem to have any trouble finding unchaperoned time to kiss/have sex. Ha!
Reread: December 2020 This time I enjoyed their "froth" cup of chocolate kisses. Briar is still a romantic. This time the 10 lessons felt a little too long. (ie. Hero insisting he will not marry...ever.)
Bonus comment: Luckily for them they did not seem to have any trouble finding unchaperoned time to kiss/have sex. Ha!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2018
I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Briar is the youngest sister and working at the family business, which is a matchmaking firm. She wants to prove to her family that she can handle being a matchmaker and not just the tea girl in the office. While she's not the greatest at her job, I found her incredibly adorable!
Briar and Nicholas meet under some unconventional circumstances and then they strike a bargain. He will teach Briar important lessons about attraction, body language and anything that can make her job easier and for every lesson she has to give him a kiss.
TEN KISSES TO SCANDAL was fun from beginning to end. I picked it up on a whim and out of order, which I try not to do, because the first book is still sitting on my TBR of overdue books for this year. I'm so glad I did! I can tell this is a cute series that's right up my alley of historical romance. I can't wait to read more.
*ARC provided by publisher
Reviewed by Francesca❤ ♡ Don't want to miss any of our posts? Subscribe to our blog by email! ♡ ❤
January 25, 2023
Ten Kisses to Scandal is the second book in Misadventures in Matchmaking series by Vivienne Lorret.
Briar is the youngest Bourne sibling and desperate to prove her matchmaking abilities to her sisters who consider her too faint hearted and innocent to be able to do so. Nicholas on the other hand is a rake of an earl who has no interest in marrying after being scorned in the past. When these two strike an unusual bargain, what results is utter chaos and sexual tension oozing out of every corner.
This book kept me smiling and giggling all the while and Briar and Nicholas' banter was an absolute blast. I loved how they kept each other on their toes and nothing about their interactions was ever predictable or boring.
The heroine Briar was so very entertaining with her outrageous ways she managed to rile up Nicholas and Nicholas was not left behind at all with his flirtations and ability to turn Briar every shade of red with his prepositions.
These two shared an abominable amount of chemistry and the steamy scenes between the two made my day. The build up to their romance is such a slow burn, I loved every moment they spent with each other.
5 stars.
Briar is the youngest Bourne sibling and desperate to prove her matchmaking abilities to her sisters who consider her too faint hearted and innocent to be able to do so. Nicholas on the other hand is a rake of an earl who has no interest in marrying after being scorned in the past. When these two strike an unusual bargain, what results is utter chaos and sexual tension oozing out of every corner.
This book kept me smiling and giggling all the while and Briar and Nicholas' banter was an absolute blast. I loved how they kept each other on their toes and nothing about their interactions was ever predictable or boring.
The heroine Briar was so very entertaining with her outrageous ways she managed to rile up Nicholas and Nicholas was not left behind at all with his flirtations and ability to turn Briar every shade of red with his prepositions.
These two shared an abominable amount of chemistry and the steamy scenes between the two made my day. The build up to their romance is such a slow burn, I loved every moment they spent with each other.
5 stars.
May 29, 2022
Omg loved this book!! The love story between Briar and Nicholas was so good! This book redeemed the series.
December 23, 2018
A new to me author, Vivienne Lorret delivered what have been my most favorite Regency Romance reads all year. The appeal of the matchmaking family trope pulled me in , but it was Briar and Nicolas' dazzling dialogue and their slow burn sizzling connection that totally captured my heart. I'm elated to find an author with a vast catalog that I can set my sights on for future "to reads".
Ten Kisses starts with an unusual meet-cute as Brian happens upon the Earl of Edgemont seducing a women in the early morning hours
Yes, Briar was a mission and when the two later discover a connection that keeps them in each others orbit, its a pure joyous read. Being in Briars' head, spending time with her as she cultivates her families matchmaking business, and later being privy to the deal these two strike made for one of the most pleasurable reads. Everything just flowed so well.
The slow-burn frenemies to HEA love story plays out over a few months time and the buildup of their alliance to a dalliance seems ill-fitting and at times I felt bereft that perhaps they weren't mean to be. Maybe she was immune to his charms and vice versa. Nicholas has built a fortress around his heart but he does seem to come around as Briar unwittingly charms the man who has been burned by his own naivete at a young age. But when shocking revelations about Briar's family threaten her heart, Nicholas steps up for Briar. And when secrets that Nicholas have been guarding come to light, the depth of their connection is tested. However, adversity often leads to clarity leading to a wonderful love match for this matchmaking
I highly recommend this story as it's built with characters that are charming and complex. What also makes this a interesting and fun read is the correlation of Jane Austen's "Emma" to Briar's matchmaking business and sense of purpose. Every chapter begins with a quote from the story that often reflect scenarios that motivate the union of Briar and Nichols, after all some lessons need to be repeated in order to stick.
Ten Kisses starts with an unusual meet-cute as Brian happens upon the Earl of Edgemont seducing a women in the early morning hours
"Shouldn’t all rogues and roués be abed by sunrise?”
“Only the fortunate ones,” he said in an even lower tone that altered the meaning of her statement, turning it decidedly risqué. “Men such as I, however, never sleep. It’s just a constant parade of sin all day long.”
Part of her—and she would reprimand herself for this later—wondered what a parade of sin might look like. With such limited knowledge, her imagination didn’t even know where to begin. The notion was intriguing to say the least.
But Briar had no time for murder or for random titillation."
Yes, Briar was a mission and when the two later discover a connection that keeps them in each others orbit, its a pure joyous read. Being in Briars' head, spending time with her as she cultivates her families matchmaking business, and later being privy to the deal these two strike made for one of the most pleasurable reads. Everything just flowed so well.
The slow-burn frenemies to HEA love story plays out over a few months time and the buildup of their alliance to a dalliance seems ill-fitting and at times I felt bereft that perhaps they weren't mean to be. Maybe she was immune to his charms and vice versa. Nicholas has built a fortress around his heart but he does seem to come around as Briar unwittingly charms the man who has been burned by his own naivete at a young age. But when shocking revelations about Briar's family threaten her heart, Nicholas steps up for Briar. And when secrets that Nicholas have been guarding come to light, the depth of their connection is tested. However, adversity often leads to clarity leading to a wonderful love match for this matchmaking
I highly recommend this story as it's built with characters that are charming and complex. What also makes this a interesting and fun read is the correlation of Jane Austen's "Emma" to Briar's matchmaking business and sense of purpose. Every chapter begins with a quote from the story that often reflect scenarios that motivate the union of Briar and Nichols, after all some lessons need to be repeated in order to stick.
Shelved as 'did-not-finish'
September 15, 2020This book suffered from what I call "The Little Mermaid syndrome", the heroine was very young and immature but insisted on her maturity to the point of annoyance.
February 11, 2021
3.5-4 stars - Historical Romance
June 24, 2019
Briar's family opened Bourne Matrimonial Agency a few weeks ago. The young lady serve tea and file papers but she's determined to prove to her uncle and her sisters that she can be a matchmaker (like her favorite Austen's heroine, Emma) and make the business a success. How can she do that? In securing the most elusive bachelor in London as a client. Too bad her plan will be thwart by an other infamous bachelor; Nicholas Blacklowe, the Earl of Edgemont, known as a rake. It's antagonism at first sight for them and their next encounters will be full of bickering and banters, even after they strike a deal: for every lesson he gives her about attraction, he wants a kiss. And she have to help him find a bride for his cousin. But when Briar offer to find Nicholas a match, he makes it clear that he'll never marry...again.
Nicholas can give the impression he's arrogant at first, but he's the best kind of rake; an honorable one. So when he met the vivacious, romantic and innocent Briar, he immediately feel the need to protect her. But her trusting soul and sweet disposition must not be misinterpreted for naivety. At least not when it comes to what she wants or doesn't want. And she knows that some men are cads...her father was one.
I like how the hero was charmed by Briar's liveliness, her idealist attitude, her vibrant soul and her fascination with everything, and that it awakened his jaded heart. Some part of the book were briliantly funny and what I liked most of all is the heroine's imagination and all the moments when she's inventing storyline about the Earl's future. And I adore this scene:
"...I will not tolerate another game of yours, Nicholas. Never do it again.
-A most deserved scolding.
-Should I hide the way I feel? Act like a puppet in your control? Is that what you intended when we made our bargain?
-No, love. Always tell me when I've done anything to offend you so that I do not repeat my error. I prefer to know your every thought, unfiltered."
It was my first Vivienne Lorret's book and it won't be my last.
Nicholas can give the impression he's arrogant at first, but he's the best kind of rake; an honorable one. So when he met the vivacious, romantic and innocent Briar, he immediately feel the need to protect her. But her trusting soul and sweet disposition must not be misinterpreted for naivety. At least not when it comes to what she wants or doesn't want. And she knows that some men are cads...her father was one.
I like how the hero was charmed by Briar's liveliness, her idealist attitude, her vibrant soul and her fascination with everything, and that it awakened his jaded heart. Some part of the book were briliantly funny and what I liked most of all is the heroine's imagination and all the moments when she's inventing storyline about the Earl's future. And I adore this scene:
"...I will not tolerate another game of yours, Nicholas. Never do it again.
-A most deserved scolding.
-Should I hide the way I feel? Act like a puppet in your control? Is that what you intended when we made our bargain?
-No, love. Always tell me when I've done anything to offend you so that I do not repeat my error. I prefer to know your every thought, unfiltered."
It was my first Vivienne Lorret's book and it won't be my last.
January 26, 2023
Ten Kisses to Scandal was a delightful read featuring a romance between a novice matchmaker and the rake who agrees to give her lessons on attraction.
Briar Bourne's start as a matchmaker is off to a terrible start and if she doesn't turn things around then her career will be over before it truly begins. To better understand what draws men and women together, Briar enlists the help of London's most notorious rake to teach her about attraction. Nicholas Blacklowe, the Earl of Edgemont, is intrigued by Briar's proposal and agrees to help her in return for one thing. For every lesson he gives her, he wants one kiss in return.
Briar is the youngest of her sisters who together run a matchmaking agency with their uncle. As the youngest, her sisters have let her do very little up until this point which is frustrating for Briar. She wants a chance to prove herself but her sisters constantly try to stop her. Her annoyance by this was understandable and I liked seeing her stand up for herself more as the book went on. Nick was an absolute sweetheart and I enjoyed his character right from the start. He's adamant that he has no interest in marriage and that he likes his life the way it is. We eventually learn why he feels that way and I have to say after what happened to him, it was perfectly understandable why he wouldn't want to marry.
The book opens with Briar and Nick accidentally meeting soon after Briar arrives in London with her sisters. I loved their first scene together and the chemistry between them is amazing right from the start. After that scene, the book jumps forward one year and the characters meet again. I enjoyed the scene where they made their bargain and the lessons/kisses that follow. There's a ton of banter between them plus some great scenes where Briar comes up with these outlandish scenarios for Nick's future where he plays along. She also makes several jokes about him being an old man, he's fourteen years older than Briar, which I really enjoyed. Both Nick and Briar are adamant they won't fall for each other so I loved seeing them fight their feelings when they start to. The ending where they work out their issues was well done and I ultimately really enjoyed their romance.
Overall Ten Kisses to Scandal was a wonderful read and I enjoyed it so much more than I did the first book in the series. I will definitely be picking up the third book in the series, The Rogue to Ruin, soon.
Briar Bourne's start as a matchmaker is off to a terrible start and if she doesn't turn things around then her career will be over before it truly begins. To better understand what draws men and women together, Briar enlists the help of London's most notorious rake to teach her about attraction. Nicholas Blacklowe, the Earl of Edgemont, is intrigued by Briar's proposal and agrees to help her in return for one thing. For every lesson he gives her, he wants one kiss in return.
Briar is the youngest of her sisters who together run a matchmaking agency with their uncle. As the youngest, her sisters have let her do very little up until this point which is frustrating for Briar. She wants a chance to prove herself but her sisters constantly try to stop her. Her annoyance by this was understandable and I liked seeing her stand up for herself more as the book went on. Nick was an absolute sweetheart and I enjoyed his character right from the start. He's adamant that he has no interest in marriage and that he likes his life the way it is. We eventually learn why he feels that way and I have to say after what happened to him, it was perfectly understandable why he wouldn't want to marry.
The book opens with Briar and Nick accidentally meeting soon after Briar arrives in London with her sisters. I loved their first scene together and the chemistry between them is amazing right from the start. After that scene, the book jumps forward one year and the characters meet again. I enjoyed the scene where they made their bargain and the lessons/kisses that follow. There's a ton of banter between them plus some great scenes where Briar comes up with these outlandish scenarios for Nick's future where he plays along. She also makes several jokes about him being an old man, he's fourteen years older than Briar, which I really enjoyed. Both Nick and Briar are adamant they won't fall for each other so I loved seeing them fight their feelings when they start to. The ending where they work out their issues was well done and I ultimately really enjoyed their romance.
Overall Ten Kisses to Scandal was a wonderful read and I enjoyed it so much more than I did the first book in the series. I will definitely be picking up the third book in the series, The Rogue to Ruin, soon.
January 3, 2019
Oh you fools who think you can escape love. Haha, one have to enjoy it. Plus this was so Emma inspired!
Briar work at her family's matchmaking agency, but they have her serving tea, and she wants to make people fall in love! Briar was a real sweetie, so cheerful, witty and kind. Yes she has bouts of naivety and recklessness, but she is so fun that you have to go along with it.
Nicholas is a rogue, made so by a past better left forgotten. And he will never ever fall in love or get married. Oh he was snarky and he made the worst deal ever, teach Briar to see what people want and he will get kisses in exchange. That is how people fall in love man!
Briar has Emma by Jane Austen as her matchmaking bible. And there are things from Emma here and there. Briar is young, Nicholas is much older. No mother. She is trying to find a match for her friend and well spoilers! I loved those Emma glimpses.
There will be stolen kisses, banter, hidden secrets which brings the drama and happily ever after. Plus lots of scones that will make your mouth water and Briar's vivid imagination.
Fun times
Narrator Justine Eyre
Oh she is great! SHe brings such emotion and fun to books and it is a joy to listen to her voice
Briar work at her family's matchmaking agency, but they have her serving tea, and she wants to make people fall in love! Briar was a real sweetie, so cheerful, witty and kind. Yes she has bouts of naivety and recklessness, but she is so fun that you have to go along with it.
Nicholas is a rogue, made so by a past better left forgotten. And he will never ever fall in love or get married. Oh he was snarky and he made the worst deal ever, teach Briar to see what people want and he will get kisses in exchange. That is how people fall in love man!
Briar has Emma by Jane Austen as her matchmaking bible. And there are things from Emma here and there. Briar is young, Nicholas is much older. No mother. She is trying to find a match for her friend and well spoilers! I loved those Emma glimpses.
There will be stolen kisses, banter, hidden secrets which brings the drama and happily ever after. Plus lots of scones that will make your mouth water and Briar's vivid imagination.
Fun times
Narrator Justine Eyre
Oh she is great! SHe brings such emotion and fun to books and it is a joy to listen to her voice
February 13, 2023
How could I resist falling in love with a carriage appropriator, creator of cup of chocolate kisses, born matchmaker, secret scone baker, and fish catcher?
This book! It was so good! It is my favorite in this entire series. I love Vivienne Lorret's writing style. I loved the lessons in this book. I loved that it was an age gap romance. And I loved the banter between the two main characters. This book follows the youngest sister, and I cannot tell you how much I loved her enough. She had the best personality. I did end up reading this series out of order, but I didn't feel like that effected my reading experience at all. It can honestly be read as a standalone, except you might miss a few details about the matchmaking business. I highly recommend this one to all my historical romance loving friends.
This book! It was so good! It is my favorite in this entire series. I love Vivienne Lorret's writing style. I loved the lessons in this book. I loved that it was an age gap romance. And I loved the banter between the two main characters. This book follows the youngest sister, and I cannot tell you how much I loved her enough. She had the best personality. I did end up reading this series out of order, but I didn't feel like that effected my reading experience at all. It can honestly be read as a standalone, except you might miss a few details about the matchmaking business. I highly recommend this one to all my historical romance loving friends.
December 1, 2019
Overall: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Plot/Storyline: 📖 📖 📖 📖 📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋
Romance: 💞 💞 💞 💞 💞
Emotional Depth: 💔 💔 💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡️ ⚡️ ⚡️ ⚡️
Sensuality: 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥
Sex Scene Length: 🍆 🍆 🍆 🍆 🍆
This book was just darling. I fell in love with it in chapter one and loved it all the way through. In fact, I loved it so much, so early on, that I was truly afraid it would be one massive let down. But it did not fail me. It made my heart go pitter patter through to the very end.
This is one of those books where every interaction between hero and heroine is packed with feels. It’s the kind that will make your heart burst. I think I need a new category of favorites that I’ll dub “ultimate butterflies” and this book will nestle right at the top of that list.
This story is about Briar and Nicholas. Briar is the youngest sister of three, who all work in the family matchmaking business. She feels undervalued and underestimated by her sisters and uncle and sets out to become London’s best matchmaker. She’s young and beyond naive. Having been overly sheltered for her whole life, she doesn’t understand the way the world truly works. And worse, considering her career of choice, how relationships work.
While a character like her could easily come off as annoying, Briar is anything but. She’s infectious with her joy. She’s sunshine and rainbows. Adorable charming. Unabashedly witty. Superbly imaginative. And full of unexpected surprises.
And that’s what she ends up being to Nicholas...one lovely surprise after another. Nicholas has the typical hero backstory. Once hurt and betrayed, he vows never to love or marry again. But he didn’t come off like the typical hero to me. He could have been angry, arrogant, and difficult to love. But he wasn’t. He was beyond charming, full of humor, and heart meltingly tender.
I loved the way Nicholas fell in love with Briar. Damn, he didn’t want to fall in love, but he just couldn’t help himself. From the moment he meets her she captured his interest and his heart is lost to her in sweet little increments throughout the book. There is not a moment that goes by that he doesn’t see her for who she is, and that is something Briar desperately needs. He’s so supportive of her, where in the past she’s had no one to rally for her. He believes in her and roots for her, even when it means rooting against himself. And Briar teaches him how to love and trust in ways he never thought were possible. These two were exactly what each other needed at exactly the right time. I felt their love like a tangible thing.
The steam in this book was also phenomenal. Somehow Vivienne Lorret manages to give her readers kiss after kiss without losing the tension and heat. I just wanted more and more. It never once fizzled. Every kiss was better than the last. Each laden with emotion and desire and eventually love. And even with all those kisses leading up to it, the first love scene was intense and passionate and scorching. Their relationship just burned up the page, without feeling gratuitous. They don’t even have sex until around page 275 and it still felt hot and satisfying and appropriate. I’ve never left a book not wanting more sex, without it crossing into erotica, until now.
This book did what I wish other books would do more often. It got rid of all the filler that stretches between one scene to the next. The stuff I usually want to tear right out and skip over. I didn’t have to suffer through. It got straight down to business, focusing almost entirely on Briar and Nicholas being together. I loved that!
I can’t leave off this review without mentioning how funny this book was. The writing was superb and hysterical. And yet it was also a sweet and heart felt romance. It was just wonderful. I adored it and I’ll absolutely be reading this author again.
Plot/Storyline: 📖 📖 📖 📖 📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋
Romance: 💞 💞 💞 💞 💞
Emotional Depth: 💔 💔 💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡️ ⚡️ ⚡️ ⚡️
Sensuality: 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥
Sex Scene Length: 🍆 🍆 🍆 🍆 🍆
This book was just darling. I fell in love with it in chapter one and loved it all the way through. In fact, I loved it so much, so early on, that I was truly afraid it would be one massive let down. But it did not fail me. It made my heart go pitter patter through to the very end.
This is one of those books where every interaction between hero and heroine is packed with feels. It’s the kind that will make your heart burst. I think I need a new category of favorites that I’ll dub “ultimate butterflies” and this book will nestle right at the top of that list.
This story is about Briar and Nicholas. Briar is the youngest sister of three, who all work in the family matchmaking business. She feels undervalued and underestimated by her sisters and uncle and sets out to become London’s best matchmaker. She’s young and beyond naive. Having been overly sheltered for her whole life, she doesn’t understand the way the world truly works. And worse, considering her career of choice, how relationships work.
While a character like her could easily come off as annoying, Briar is anything but. She’s infectious with her joy. She’s sunshine and rainbows. Adorable charming. Unabashedly witty. Superbly imaginative. And full of unexpected surprises.
And that’s what she ends up being to Nicholas...one lovely surprise after another. Nicholas has the typical hero backstory. Once hurt and betrayed, he vows never to love or marry again. But he didn’t come off like the typical hero to me. He could have been angry, arrogant, and difficult to love. But he wasn’t. He was beyond charming, full of humor, and heart meltingly tender.
I loved the way Nicholas fell in love with Briar. Damn, he didn’t want to fall in love, but he just couldn’t help himself. From the moment he meets her she captured his interest and his heart is lost to her in sweet little increments throughout the book. There is not a moment that goes by that he doesn’t see her for who she is, and that is something Briar desperately needs. He’s so supportive of her, where in the past she’s had no one to rally for her. He believes in her and roots for her, even when it means rooting against himself. And Briar teaches him how to love and trust in ways he never thought were possible. These two were exactly what each other needed at exactly the right time. I felt their love like a tangible thing.
The steam in this book was also phenomenal. Somehow Vivienne Lorret manages to give her readers kiss after kiss without losing the tension and heat. I just wanted more and more. It never once fizzled. Every kiss was better than the last. Each laden with emotion and desire and eventually love. And even with all those kisses leading up to it, the first love scene was intense and passionate and scorching. Their relationship just burned up the page, without feeling gratuitous. They don’t even have sex until around page 275 and it still felt hot and satisfying and appropriate. I’ve never left a book not wanting more sex, without it crossing into erotica, until now.
This book did what I wish other books would do more often. It got rid of all the filler that stretches between one scene to the next. The stuff I usually want to tear right out and skip over. I didn’t have to suffer through. It got straight down to business, focusing almost entirely on Briar and Nicholas being together. I loved that!
I can’t leave off this review without mentioning how funny this book was. The writing was superb and hysterical. And yet it was also a sweet and heart felt romance. It was just wonderful. I adored it and I’ll absolutely be reading this author again.
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