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Scoundrels #3
Lord of Scoundrels
DETERMINED LADY
Tough-minded Jessica Trent's sole intention is to free her nitwit brother from the destructive influence of Sebastian Ballister, the notorious Marquess of Dain. She never expects to desire the arrogant, amoral cad. And when Dain's reciprocal passion places them in a scandalously compromising, and public, position, Jessica is left with no choice but to seek satisfaction...
LORD OF SCOUNDRELS
Damn the minx for tempting him, kissing him... and then forcing him to salvage her reputation! Lord Dain can't wait to put the infuriating bluestocking in her place—and in some amorous position. And if that means marriage, so be it!—though Sebastian is less than certain he can continue to remain aloof... and steel his heart to the sensuous, headstrong lady's considerable charms.
Tough-minded Jessica Trent's sole intention is to free her nitwit brother from the destructive influence of Sebastian Ballister, the notorious Marquess of Dain. She never expects to desire the arrogant, amoral cad. And when Dain's reciprocal passion places them in a scandalously compromising, and public, position, Jessica is left with no choice but to seek satisfaction...
LORD OF SCOUNDRELS
Damn the minx for tempting him, kissing him... and then forcing him to salvage her reputation! Lord Dain can't wait to put the infuriating bluestocking in her place—and in some amorous position. And if that means marriage, so be it!—though Sebastian is less than certain he can continue to remain aloof... and steel his heart to the sensuous, headstrong lady's considerable charms.
375 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
1210 people are currently reading
23531 people want to read
About the author
Loretta Chase
52 books3,663 followersLoretta Lynda Chekani was born in 1949, of Albanian ancestry. For her, the trouble started when she learned to write in first grade. Before then, she had been making up her own stories but now she knew how to write them down to share. In her teenage years, she continue to write letters, keep a journal, write poetry and even attempt the Great American Novel (still unfinished). She attended New England public schools, before she went off to college and earned an English degree from Clark University.
After graduation, she worked a variety of jobs at Clark including a part-time teaching post. She was also moonlighting as a video scriptwriter. It was there that she met a video producer who inspired her to write novels and marry him. Under her married name, Loretta Chase, has been publishing historical romance novels since 1987. Her books have won many awards, including the Romance Writers of America RITA.
After graduation, she worked a variety of jobs at Clark including a part-time teaching post. She was also moonlighting as a video scriptwriter. It was there that she met a video producer who inspired her to write novels and marry him. Under her married name, Loretta Chase, has been publishing historical romance novels since 1987. Her books have won many awards, including the Romance Writers of America RITA.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,083 reviews
May 23, 2022
romances that make me laugh & swoon are top tier. especially with a truly domineering heroine & emotionally damaged hero. chef's kiss.
October 7, 2011
I hated this book.I hated the hero.I hated his brat.I hated everybody but the heroine, and her I pitied for having these other morons around.
Well. Now I feel like I kicked a puppy because everybody told me to read this book and that it would be wonderful.
It was beautifully written, sure.
And it had a lot of scenery change that consumed a big chunk of time,while other HR usually happen in a matter of days,or if they do not,we just get a FIVE WEEKS LATER insert and then the story unnaturally moves on.
But the characters! Ugh! And the plot! And most of all-the resolution in the end.UGH!
Jess was my favourite kind of heroine. Strong, older, witty, and beautiful. I loved her to no ends.
So why in Gods name did she want, and eventually love a moron that liked whores and had so much self issues it was ghastly?!!
He was not a tortured hero. He was a hones to God lunatic. I know all of his trust issues were 'explained ' by his mother. But they were so poorly portrayed I just saw a winy grown up man that didn’t like or trust anybody and used his childhood as an excuse.
He had a few bright moments when he talked nice things in Italian or when he told Jess he would kill himself if she left him. But even thou that was cute, again I frowned while reading. I mean-what a drama queen! He would kill him self without her, but still he can not show her he loves her? What ever, mister!
Eventually he comes to terms with his mothers departure and his son. It was all so unnatural I wanted to scream. First of all the ‘his mother-the hero’ was such a stretch I could hardly see one bit of logic. She had a lover. She left her kid. End of story. Don’t make it romantic by saying she knew he could have died. She was not a fortune teller. How was she supposed to know that she would die on that boat? But more ghastly than Dain’s sudden understanding of his mothers (totally unrealistic) motives was the fact that even thou the whole book he goes on an on about how eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeevil his kid is (and between you and me the kid is kind of eeeeeevil) he just poof! Comes to care. And all that animosity turns out to be anguish over his own dejected destiny. I hate hate hate when authors just wrap it all up in a nice tight little bow. I could have stomached his gradual approval of the kid IF the kid became better. But him, the person that likes nobody just falls (literally) over the kid and oooooh the love is in the air? And he loves him…why? I know people say ‘you can not help but love your own flesh and blood’. I think this is KIND OF true. But not always.
Here you have an ill mannered child that does nothing nice (he is 8 not 3,he could be less hostile) that you did not want. To add to the pile is the fact that he is a son of the woman you hate, a woman that had him on purpose without your knowledge. So, why? Yes, he is a kid. And all kids are kind of nice. But how can you just do this big jump start all at once, even thou it changes all your former beliefs? People just do not have these kind of epiphanies.
Ah now the kid. First of all I hate all brats in stories. So the whores take precautions when having sex for money? Dude, why not help her? Take your penis out. It’s a stupid and partially ineffective way to stop pregnancies, but why not be on the safe side?
Sure, people can say that I am a girl an can not understand a man's need to take full pleasure. Well, all of our (girly) lives people say how men have needs. Sure, women have them also. Sometimes. Maybe. Not that men care. We do not talk about what women need. Well, why? Why do men have to have sex all the darn time? Hormonally speaking there is nothing that can really pinpoint a man's superior need for sexual release. I think this is just one of those thing that are set in stone. A long time ago women were nothing more then possession. And even today we have a dogma that tells us males have to have sex or they die. So if you are having a bath ,or out of time to visit your grandmother the man can have sex with other women because he has urges. Yes, some men are fateful. But even if they were not it’s not really their fault. And if they are fateful –God are you lucky! Huh? I’m lucky? Well I'm giving the finger to all your 'urges'.
So in the Lord of Scoundrels we can not blame Lord Dein. He had urges. One of them was to ejaculate multiple times in to a woman from his village that he shared with a friend. You just have to like him, no? Well I don’t!
But also, I don’t like his brat.
Yes, you all gasped now. Here I have gone and done it. I said I do not like the boy.
Well he was horrible!!
Sure, the poor thing was unhappy and had an greedy mother.
Boooho.
Why didn't Mr. Dein, who does not know how to pull his penis out before ejaculating, put him in a safe little home? A school?
And no, I do not think he should have taken him in.
First of all he did not want him. I know you should want all parts of you...But kids are ultimately just dna splatters. And if you are tricked in to having a kid even thou it is not the kids fault-why should you be held responsible?
Back to Lord Dein’s bastard. Why do authors think the only right thing is to take the kid in? WHY DO THEY ALWAYS TAKE THE KID IN TO THEIR HOMES? There are childless marriages out there between people that would want him! Sure, the kid is not the one whose fault this is. And at that my heart aches a bit. Because he was unwanted by his parents. But being a father is a feeling. A deed. Being a parent has nothing to do with dna. Nothing. People just kind of skip over this all the time.
All in all this kid was 100% bratty. The author tries to make a Oprah moment out of this saying that he was neither pretty by face nor by nature. Well, some people (even children) are just not lovable. This kid was not lovable. And he needed a good spanking. If they took him in the should have semi-killed him first. Yes, give him love. After he learned his lesson! And that lesson is -do not be a monster! He had an ugly personality and the authors nice little comment about how he will be clay in his father hands is disgusting!
Ugh!
UGH!!!
(I'm going to hug my nicely behaved little sister and have a little brake before i finish this rew. If I do not I'm just going to have a meltdown from all the frustration.)
Next we have the kids mother and her lover. The mother was given money and a chance to live again because she was just a kid herself. And Jess kind of pitied her.
Why? Why should anybody, even for one minute, like this girl? She was a moron, a whore (usually we have whores that did the whoring because they are hungry etc. She liked whoring and she was greedy. I have no nice feelings for her.) and a gold digger.
Her lover…loved her. I have no idea why. And I have no idea why the author made this man so stupid as to not see that this girl was a sly fox that liked only herself. And money. Let us not forget the money. So Dein is making her lover marry her. Well. What ever. The whole thing was so stupid I kind of just gave up. Why not? Let her marry her. Wooopie! What a super ending!
The actual ending I think is perfect btw. It so goes with the rest of this infernal book.
A book about a heroine who could have done so much better for herself.
We have the hero and heroine having sex. The hero tells his wife he loves her. All is well in a strange and sudden way (like all things in this book-we snap our fingers and years of emotional baggage are erased). But he has to leave his wife’s bed so they can see the source of an infernal noise. Oh, it is the God awful bastard of his running naked around the place while trying to climb draperies (he is 8!!!!Where is this child’s brain? Sure, he wants attention. Well get it nicely! What’s next? Him burning the house down while his father, the one that miraculously wants to make him very happy after hating him for 8 years, smiles idly?).
He talks to his son man to man.
Hear me ROOOOAR!
Father and son are settled.
The son takes a liking to the bed in which his father and lady have constant sex. Why does he like it? Because it’s the same bed his father used to fu.k his mother and his mother told him so. The lady of the house smiles while listening to the boy’s funny little antics about his whore of a mother having sex with her husband in their bed. His father tells him why yeeees, in this bed I fu.ked your mother until you were conceived, and yeeeeeeeeeeeees my wife has conceived here also.
Arg, arg, roar. I am a manly man. The happy end!
What? What? This is cute? I wanted to punch the kid and get the divorce started for the heroine.
But I just…I give up. Still this book just was (definitely) not my cup of tea.
Over and out.
Well. Now I feel like I kicked a puppy because everybody told me to read this book and that it would be wonderful.
It was beautifully written, sure.
And it had a lot of scenery change that consumed a big chunk of time,while other HR usually happen in a matter of days,or if they do not,we just get a FIVE WEEKS LATER insert and then the story unnaturally moves on.
But the characters! Ugh! And the plot! And most of all-the resolution in the end.UGH!
Jess was my favourite kind of heroine. Strong, older, witty, and beautiful. I loved her to no ends.
So why in Gods name did she want, and eventually love a moron that liked whores and had so much self issues it was ghastly?!!
He was not a tortured hero. He was a hones to God lunatic. I know all of his trust issues were 'explained ' by his mother. But they were so poorly portrayed I just saw a winy grown up man that didn’t like or trust anybody and used his childhood as an excuse.
He had a few bright moments when he talked nice things in Italian or when he told Jess he would kill himself if she left him. But even thou that was cute, again I frowned while reading. I mean-what a drama queen! He would kill him self without her, but still he can not show her he loves her? What ever, mister!
Eventually he comes to terms with his mothers departure and his son. It was all so unnatural I wanted to scream. First of all the ‘his mother-the hero’ was such a stretch I could hardly see one bit of logic. She had a lover. She left her kid. End of story. Don’t make it romantic by saying she knew he could have died. She was not a fortune teller. How was she supposed to know that she would die on that boat? But more ghastly than Dain’s sudden understanding of his mothers (totally unrealistic) motives was the fact that even thou the whole book he goes on an on about how eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeevil his kid is (and between you and me the kid is kind of eeeeeevil) he just poof! Comes to care. And all that animosity turns out to be anguish over his own dejected destiny. I hate hate hate when authors just wrap it all up in a nice tight little bow. I could have stomached his gradual approval of the kid IF the kid became better. But him, the person that likes nobody just falls (literally) over the kid and oooooh the love is in the air? And he loves him…why? I know people say ‘you can not help but love your own flesh and blood’. I think this is KIND OF true. But not always.
Here you have an ill mannered child that does nothing nice (he is 8 not 3,he could be less hostile) that you did not want. To add to the pile is the fact that he is a son of the woman you hate, a woman that had him on purpose without your knowledge. So, why? Yes, he is a kid. And all kids are kind of nice. But how can you just do this big jump start all at once, even thou it changes all your former beliefs? People just do not have these kind of epiphanies.
Ah now the kid. First of all I hate all brats in stories. So the whores take precautions when having sex for money? Dude, why not help her? Take your penis out. It’s a stupid and partially ineffective way to stop pregnancies, but why not be on the safe side?
Sure, people can say that I am a girl an can not understand a man's need to take full pleasure. Well, all of our (girly) lives people say how men have needs. Sure, women have them also. Sometimes. Maybe. Not that men care. We do not talk about what women need. Well, why? Why do men have to have sex all the darn time? Hormonally speaking there is nothing that can really pinpoint a man's superior need for sexual release. I think this is just one of those thing that are set in stone. A long time ago women were nothing more then possession. And even today we have a dogma that tells us males have to have sex or they die. So if you are having a bath ,or out of time to visit your grandmother the man can have sex with other women because he has urges. Yes, some men are fateful. But even if they were not it’s not really their fault. And if they are fateful –God are you lucky! Huh? I’m lucky? Well I'm giving the finger to all your 'urges'.
So in the Lord of Scoundrels we can not blame Lord Dein. He had urges. One of them was to ejaculate multiple times in to a woman from his village that he shared with a friend. You just have to like him, no? Well I don’t!
But also, I don’t like his brat.
Yes, you all gasped now. Here I have gone and done it. I said I do not like the boy.
Well he was horrible!!
Sure, the poor thing was unhappy and had an greedy mother.
Boooho.
Why didn't Mr. Dein, who does not know how to pull his penis out before ejaculating, put him in a safe little home? A school?
And no, I do not think he should have taken him in.
First of all he did not want him. I know you should want all parts of you...But kids are ultimately just dna splatters. And if you are tricked in to having a kid even thou it is not the kids fault-why should you be held responsible?
Back to Lord Dein’s bastard. Why do authors think the only right thing is to take the kid in? WHY DO THEY ALWAYS TAKE THE KID IN TO THEIR HOMES? There are childless marriages out there between people that would want him! Sure, the kid is not the one whose fault this is. And at that my heart aches a bit. Because he was unwanted by his parents. But being a father is a feeling. A deed. Being a parent has nothing to do with dna. Nothing. People just kind of skip over this all the time.
All in all this kid was 100% bratty. The author tries to make a Oprah moment out of this saying that he was neither pretty by face nor by nature. Well, some people (even children) are just not lovable. This kid was not lovable. And he needed a good spanking. If they took him in the should have semi-killed him first. Yes, give him love. After he learned his lesson! And that lesson is -do not be a monster! He had an ugly personality and the authors nice little comment about how he will be clay in his father hands is disgusting!
Ugh!
UGH!!!
(I'm going to hug my nicely behaved little sister and have a little brake before i finish this rew. If I do not I'm just going to have a meltdown from all the frustration.)
Next we have the kids mother and her lover. The mother was given money and a chance to live again because she was just a kid herself. And Jess kind of pitied her.
Why? Why should anybody, even for one minute, like this girl? She was a moron, a whore (usually we have whores that did the whoring because they are hungry etc. She liked whoring and she was greedy. I have no nice feelings for her.) and a gold digger.
Her lover…loved her. I have no idea why. And I have no idea why the author made this man so stupid as to not see that this girl was a sly fox that liked only herself. And money. Let us not forget the money. So Dein is making her lover marry her. Well. What ever. The whole thing was so stupid I kind of just gave up. Why not? Let her marry her. Wooopie! What a super ending!
The actual ending I think is perfect btw. It so goes with the rest of this infernal book.
A book about a heroine who could have done so much better for herself.
We have the hero and heroine having sex. The hero tells his wife he loves her. All is well in a strange and sudden way (like all things in this book-we snap our fingers and years of emotional baggage are erased). But he has to leave his wife’s bed so they can see the source of an infernal noise. Oh, it is the God awful bastard of his running naked around the place while trying to climb draperies (he is 8!!!!Where is this child’s brain? Sure, he wants attention. Well get it nicely! What’s next? Him burning the house down while his father, the one that miraculously wants to make him very happy after hating him for 8 years, smiles idly?).
He talks to his son man to man.
Hear me ROOOOAR!
Father and son are settled.
The son takes a liking to the bed in which his father and lady have constant sex. Why does he like it? Because it’s the same bed his father used to fu.k his mother and his mother told him so. The lady of the house smiles while listening to the boy’s funny little antics about his whore of a mother having sex with her husband in their bed. His father tells him why yeeees, in this bed I fu.ked your mother until you were conceived, and yeeeeeeeeeeeees my wife has conceived here also.
Arg, arg, roar. I am a manly man. The happy end!
What? What? This is cute? I wanted to punch the kid and get the divorce started for the heroine.
But I just…I give up. Still this book just was (definitely) not my cup of tea.
Over and out.
June 12, 2009
This is my favorite book of all time (well, tied with Jane Eyre). Great hero, heroine, story, humor, romance, angst. Perfect except I didn't want it to end.
I fell in love with Dain from the moment of his birth. He was an ugly baby, loved only by his dearest mother, who was taken away from him. He was horribly treated by others growing up because of his half-Italian heritage and his large nose and ungainly features. Not knowing love, he felt he was unworthy of being loved. As an adult, he lived a life of selfish pleasure, spending his time with women who he could pay for his pleasure, thinking no woman would want him voluntarily. How could I not want to know and fall in love with a hero who is so tortured?
Enter Jessica, the best heroine ever written (other than Jane Eyre). She is ruthlessly intelligent, and knows just how to handle Dain. And she pretty much loves him the first time she sees him. Although others think he is ugly, he is perfect to her. There's a statement made by Jessica where she thinks or says she cannot resist him, and he is baffled that she would feel that way, used to being considered ugly as sin. I am like Jessica. To me, Dain is gorgeous.
The chemistry between Dain and Jessica is better than any other book I've read, and I've read a lot. I've read books that were much more sexually explicit. The love scenes are not at all descriptive in this book. But they are incredibly effective, because of the passion between Jessica and Dain, and the deep caring and love they feel for each other. She knows of his flaws, but cares about him anyway, although she doesn't let him get away with anything. She even shoots him when he compromises her in the eyes of the ton but doesn't offer marriage. How cool is that? Dain cannot resist her, even knowing that she is much too good for him, and will change his life irrevocably.
The scenes between Dain and Jessica are so delicious, it's like eating a banana split with a cheesecake chaser. And I have read few books that could manage poignancy and humor so well. There are scenes that make me cry every time I read them. Yet other scenes cause the biggest smile to spread over my face. One of my many favorite scenes is when Dain acknowledges his illegitimate son, knowing he loves him, even though he is just as ugly as Dain was as a child, and is filthy and covered in vomit. My heart wept, and tears flowed from my eyes.
At the end of the day, it's really hard to describe why I love this book so much. But I do. I have absolutely no reservations in saying, this is my favorite book of all time (or at least tied with Jane Eyre for favorite, which is nothing to sneeze at). If I ever meet Loretta Chase, I will thank her from the bottom of my heart for writing this book that has so enriched my life.
I fell in love with Dain from the moment of his birth. He was an ugly baby, loved only by his dearest mother, who was taken away from him. He was horribly treated by others growing up because of his half-Italian heritage and his large nose and ungainly features. Not knowing love, he felt he was unworthy of being loved. As an adult, he lived a life of selfish pleasure, spending his time with women who he could pay for his pleasure, thinking no woman would want him voluntarily. How could I not want to know and fall in love with a hero who is so tortured?
Enter Jessica, the best heroine ever written (other than Jane Eyre). She is ruthlessly intelligent, and knows just how to handle Dain. And she pretty much loves him the first time she sees him. Although others think he is ugly, he is perfect to her. There's a statement made by Jessica where she thinks or says she cannot resist him, and he is baffled that she would feel that way, used to being considered ugly as sin. I am like Jessica. To me, Dain is gorgeous.
The chemistry between Dain and Jessica is better than any other book I've read, and I've read a lot. I've read books that were much more sexually explicit. The love scenes are not at all descriptive in this book. But they are incredibly effective, because of the passion between Jessica and Dain, and the deep caring and love they feel for each other. She knows of his flaws, but cares about him anyway, although she doesn't let him get away with anything. She even shoots him when he compromises her in the eyes of the ton but doesn't offer marriage. How cool is that? Dain cannot resist her, even knowing that she is much too good for him, and will change his life irrevocably.
The scenes between Dain and Jessica are so delicious, it's like eating a banana split with a cheesecake chaser. And I have read few books that could manage poignancy and humor so well. There are scenes that make me cry every time I read them. Yet other scenes cause the biggest smile to spread over my face. One of my many favorite scenes is when Dain acknowledges his illegitimate son, knowing he loves him, even though he is just as ugly as Dain was as a child, and is filthy and covered in vomit. My heart wept, and tears flowed from my eyes.
At the end of the day, it's really hard to describe why I love this book so much. But I do. I have absolutely no reservations in saying, this is my favorite book of all time (or at least tied with Jane Eyre for favorite, which is nothing to sneeze at). If I ever meet Loretta Chase, I will thank her from the bottom of my heart for writing this book that has so enriched my life.
May 31, 2021
Lord of Scoundrels, where have you been all my life????
I can't believe I've owned this book in paperback for 9 years (!!!) and hadn't read it. Blasphemy.
I want to use Lord of Scoundrels as exhibit A for anyone who claims that historical romance has to be misogynistic and degrading to women because it was wRittEn sO loNg aGo. This book was written over 25 years ago, and I dare anyone to try to say that Jessica Trent isn't the most bad-ass heroine out there. I can't even describe the deep, deep love that I have for Jessica. She is whip-smart and has nerves of steel. I don't think there is anything that can rattle her, and I can't imagine a situation that she couldn't handle. The way that she manages all of the hapless men in her life... man, she is goals.
I adored how Dain was knocked to his senses by Jessica, sometimes even by blunt force. I didn't start off the story rooting for him, but he really came around. The hate/attraction dynamic between him and Jessica was whew!. Give me that every day.
The book just really delivered, plain as that. The plot? Snappy. The characters? Unique. The romance? Hard-fought and epic. The chemistry? Electric. I mean, where are the flaws??
I'm almost glad I didn't read this book years ago because I can't help but think that Lord of Scoundrels set the bar so high that it's only downhill from here. Loretta Chase, this is a masterpiece. Bridgerton, who?
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I can't believe I've owned this book in paperback for 9 years (!!!) and hadn't read it. Blasphemy.
I want to use Lord of Scoundrels as exhibit A for anyone who claims that historical romance has to be misogynistic and degrading to women because it was wRittEn sO loNg aGo. This book was written over 25 years ago, and I dare anyone to try to say that Jessica Trent isn't the most bad-ass heroine out there. I can't even describe the deep, deep love that I have for Jessica. She is whip-smart and has nerves of steel. I don't think there is anything that can rattle her, and I can't imagine a situation that she couldn't handle. The way that she manages all of the hapless men in her life... man, she is goals.
I adored how Dain was knocked to his senses by Jessica, sometimes even by blunt force. I didn't start off the story rooting for him, but he really came around. The hate/attraction dynamic between him and Jessica was whew!. Give me that every day.
The book just really delivered, plain as that. The plot? Snappy. The characters? Unique. The romance? Hard-fought and epic. The chemistry? Electric. I mean, where are the flaws??
I'm almost glad I didn't read this book years ago because I can't help but think that Lord of Scoundrels set the bar so high that it's only downhill from here. Loretta Chase, this is a masterpiece. Bridgerton, who?
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June 21, 2021
4.3 stars
Buddy read with charming Precious<3 make sure to check out her review;)
In tribute to the heroine's developing scoliosis for carrying this entire book, the review will be almost fully about her
Miss Jessica Trent is by far one of the most savage heroine's I've read.
She is elegant, beautiful, well mannered, sarcastic, smart as a whip and vengeful to no end.
She is a 26 year old spinster who was caught in a very compromising position with Lord Sebastian Ballister (Marquess of Dain), nicknamed Beelzebub. A cold, hard, ugly, Italian man with a huge nose which was described to us so many times, I'm surprised it was not made into a separate character.
Some names to describe the hero's nose alone:
- "Grossly oversized nose"
- "Great Usignuolo nose"
- "Hook-nosed, humped-back devil's imp"
- "Conquering Caeser of a nose"
- "Beak of a nose"
- "Monstrous beak"
- "Big, loathsome nose"
- At some point, they gave up using his name altogether and just called him a "big, human nose" or "big beak"
And that is not even all of them. Now I won't begin to tell you how the rest of the hero was described and all the colourful words used. I will inform you though that he is huge with olive skin, curly raven black hair, dark eyes and.......a classically Italian nose with a bump which I'm sure was ghastly exaggerated.
Now I don't know what sort of blindess all these regency ladies were suffering from, but Sebastian is exactly my type appearance wise and whoever called him ugly (which was everyone except the heroine) can, respectfully, suck my dick.
His personality however? I'll let this quote speak for itself:
Basically exactly my type.
So back to the story.....Once caught in the said position, Lord Dain assumes the worst, being that Jessica schemed to be compromised so she could marry him, which she would NEVER, he could only wish.
Instead of doing the honourable thing and either marrying her or threatening any and all onlookers to never repeat what they saw, he leaves her like a used whore to be ruined, with the famous parting words "Shoot me".
As that was how one would stand up for a lady's honour in that period, with a duel.
Now Jessica takes no shit from anyone, so she does exactly what you think she would. She comes to one of his usual gatherings with courtesans, alcohol and gambling, commands everyone to get out and shoots the bastard.
AND THAT ladies and gentleman was the first of many reasons as to why the hero married Jessica Trent. A great beginning to a healthy marriage.
Now here are some reasons why Jessica needs to leave her husband for me. I am straight, but for her I don't have to be.
🛑SPOILERS AHEAD🛑
Reason #1
Since her reputation was on the brink of ruin, she went after him relentlessly, not in the pursuing sense but in the "to ruin his life" sense. After shooting him she unapologetically gave herself to the police knowing nothing would happen to her, which she followed by trying to squeeze every penny out of Sebastian while not lifting a finger☺ even after they decided to get married
Reason #2
Sebastian was beating the fuck out of an old school friend for disrespecting Jess. While Dain assumed his wife would be disgusted with his vicious display, she was cheering him on, even giving her own commentary.
Reason #3
When she accidentally stumbled upon one of his "gatherings" where she found two whores on Sebastian's lap (before they were married) and her brother piss drunk, she gave him a bored, unimpressed look and said:
And that is how it's done.
Reason #4
Even though the rest of the society has deemed Sebastian an unsightly man, Jessica thinks he's beautiful😥
Reason #5
Don't mistake her virginity for innocence. The girl has a talent for seduction. She even promised to make him crawl and beg and you know what? She did.
reason #6
When she tired of his shit, she punished him.....by being the most obedient wife he could imagine. AND IT DROVE HIM CRAZY.
reason #7
She fought off an actual burglar all on her own and managed to break his nose & bust a tooth out.
reason #8
👏She👏knows👏her👏worth👏
Meanwhile Sebastian says he will kill himself if she ever leaves him oop-👀
Can we also talk about her random topics of conversation??💀 Like yes, we love a good gossip.
Reason #9
She was willing to save and adopt her husband's bastard child even if he wanted nothing to do with him....in fact the man referred to the kid as "it" 99% of the time and talked about him like a demon spawn from the deepest realms of hell😭😭
So if you didn't catch the hint, Sebastian is talking about his son. AND THAT IS AFTER HE HAS BONDED AND GROWN AFFECTIONATE TOWARD HIM
Sebastian about his son 100% of his life:
Meanwhile Jessica after seeing the boy once:
Reason #148
She exists. period.
I wasn't kidding when I said this review is basically dedicated to the heroine, but this book had other amazing attributes besides Jessica, for instance the writing style. It was truly phenomenal, I was gripped from the very first sentence.
For a historical romance, this was very laid back. Not a lot of angst or drama on top of drama. There was only one major conflict after a good amount of relationship building and enemies to lovers banter.
That was probably the reason this is not a full 5 stars. It could've used a little more excitement but then again, the lack of stress was also the reason I enjoyed this so much.
All in all: Easily one of my favourite HRs to date.
Ps; THE GRANDMA DESERVED MORE PAGE TIME. She was the baddest bitch in this entire book, yes even more than Jessica.
Buddy read with charming Precious<3 make sure to check out her review;)
In tribute to the heroine's developing scoliosis for carrying this entire book, the review will be almost fully about her
Miss Jessica Trent is by far one of the most savage heroine's I've read.
She is elegant, beautiful, well mannered, sarcastic, smart as a whip and vengeful to no end.
Ruthless. Vicious. Fiendish.
She is a 26 year old spinster who was caught in a very compromising position with Lord Sebastian Ballister (Marquess of Dain), nicknamed Beelzebub. A cold, hard, ugly, Italian man with a huge nose which was described to us so many times, I'm surprised it was not made into a separate character.
Some names to describe the hero's nose alone:
- "Grossly oversized nose"
- "Great Usignuolo nose"
- "Hook-nosed, humped-back devil's imp"
- "Conquering Caeser of a nose"
- "Beak of a nose"
- "Monstrous beak"
- "Big, loathsome nose"
- At some point, they gave up using his name altogether and just called him a "big, human nose" or "big beak"
And that is not even all of them. Now I won't begin to tell you how the rest of the hero was described and all the colourful words used. I will inform you though that he is huge with olive skin, curly raven black hair, dark eyes and.......a classically Italian nose with a bump which I'm sure was ghastly exaggerated.
Now I don't know what sort of blindess all these regency ladies were suffering from, but Sebastian is exactly my type appearance wise and whoever called him ugly (which was everyone except the heroine) can, respectfully, suck my dick.
His personality however? I'll let this quote speak for itself:
"Interesting, indeed. The Bane and Blight of the Ballisters, Lord of Scoundrels himself. The greatest whore-monger in Christendom. A cocksure, clod-pated ingrate."
"The wickedest man who ever lived"
"A great hawk of a lummox. A spoiled, selfish, spiteful brute."
She nodded. "Don't leave out 'conceited clodpole.'"
Basically exactly my type.
So back to the story.....Once caught in the said position, Lord Dain assumes the worst, being that Jessica schemed to be compromised so she could marry him, which she would NEVER, he could only wish.
Instead of doing the honourable thing and either marrying her or threatening any and all onlookers to never repeat what they saw, he leaves her like a used whore to be ruined, with the famous parting words "Shoot me".
As that was how one would stand up for a lady's honour in that period, with a duel.
Now Jessica takes no shit from anyone, so she does exactly what you think she would. She comes to one of his usual gatherings with courtesans, alcohol and gambling, commands everyone to get out and shoots the bastard.
"Say your prayers, Dain," She said.
His gaze lifted from the pistol to her glittering, furious eyes "jess," he whispered.
She pulled the trigger.
AND THAT ladies and gentleman was the first of many reasons as to why the hero married Jessica Trent. A great beginning to a healthy marriage.
Now here are some reasons why Jessica needs to leave her husband for me. I am straight, but for her I don't have to be.
🛑SPOILERS AHEAD🛑
Reason #1
Since her reputation was on the brink of ruin, she went after him relentlessly, not in the pursuing sense but in the "to ruin his life" sense. After shooting him she unapologetically gave herself to the police knowing nothing would happen to her, which she followed by trying to squeeze every penny out of Sebastian while not lifting a finger☺ even after they decided to get married
"Mr. Herriard, show him no mercy. If he wants blind obedience, he will not get it cheap. I shall expect a king's ransom in pin money. My own carriages and cattle. Ample portion to issue, female as well as male. Make him howl, Mr Herriard. If he does not roar and stomp about like an outraged elephant, you may be certain you are not demanding enough."
Reason #2
Sebastian was beating the fuck out of an old school friend for disrespecting Jess. While Dain assumed his wife would be disgusted with his vicious display, she was cheering him on, even giving her own commentary.
"Oh, well done, Dain," she cried as her lord's powerful right slammed into the duke's side. "That's what he wants. To the body, my dear. The oaf's head is thick as an anvil."
Reason #3
When she accidentally stumbled upon one of his "gatherings" where she found two whores on Sebastian's lap (before they were married) and her brother piss drunk, she gave him a bored, unimpressed look and said:
"Do carry on, monsieurs. And mademoiselles."
And out she went.
And that is how it's done.
Reason #4
Even though the rest of the society has deemed Sebastian an unsightly man, Jessica thinks he's beautiful😥
Reason #5
Don't mistake her virginity for innocence. The girl has a talent for seduction. She even promised to make him crawl and beg and you know what? She did.
"If you think that I could not do it," she said tightly, "that I could not make you eat out of my hand, if that's what I wanted, I recommend you think again, Beelzebub."
reason #6
When she tired of his shit, she punished him.....by being the most obedient wife he could imagine. AND IT DROVE HIM CRAZY.
reason #7
She fought off an actual burglar all on her own and managed to break his nose & bust a tooth out.
"All in all, you got off easy," Dain said, after surveying the damage. "Lucky she hadn't a pistol on her, aren't you?
reason #8
👏She👏knows👏her👏worth👏
"Did you know that Shelley's first wife drowned herself in the Serpentine?"
"Is my first wife considering the same?" he asked, eyeing her uneasily.
"Certainly not, Genevieve says that killing oneself on account of a man is inexcusably gauche. I was merely making conversation."
Meanwhile Sebastian says he will kill himself if she ever leaves him oop-👀
Can we also talk about her random topics of conversation??💀 Like yes, we love a good gossip.
Reason #9
She was willing to save and adopt her husband's bastard child even if he wanted nothing to do with him....in fact the man referred to the kid as "it" 99% of the time and talked about him like a demon spawn from the deepest realms of hell😭😭
"I only wish you might have seen the animate pile of filth I encountered at the Golden Hart Inn. If the thing had not spoken, I might have mistaken it for a moldering heap of refuse, and pitched it into the fire.
So if you didn't catch the hint, Sebastian is talking about his son. AND THAT IS AFTER HE HAS BONDED AND GROWN AFFECTIONATE TOWARD HIM
Sebastian about his son 100% of his life:
Meanwhile Jessica after seeing the boy once:
Reason #148
She exists. period.
I wasn't kidding when I said this review is basically dedicated to the heroine, but this book had other amazing attributes besides Jessica, for instance the writing style. It was truly phenomenal, I was gripped from the very first sentence.
For a historical romance, this was very laid back. Not a lot of angst or drama on top of drama. There was only one major conflict after a good amount of relationship building and enemies to lovers banter.
That was probably the reason this is not a full 5 stars. It could've used a little more excitement but then again, the lack of stress was also the reason I enjoyed this so much.
All in all: Easily one of my favourite HRs to date.
Ps; THE GRANDMA DESERVED MORE PAGE TIME. She was the baddest bitch in this entire book, yes even more than Jessica.
Read
January 12, 2025Another review from deep in my distant past. It's oddly intriguing/cathartic to rediscover these.
It's the second romance book I've ever written about and I already have a confession to make: my dominant emotion, at least initially, when reading Lord of Scoundrels was a heady sense of relief that this thing was actively good and I hadn’t made a terrible mistake. Don’t get me wrong, The Flame & The Flower was an interesting experience, but then so is tweezering your nasal hair.
However, Lord of Scoundrels is simply and straightforwardly delightful in pretty much every conceivable way. I read it in one two hour sitting like Edmund Pevensie with a box of Turkish Delight and then felt weirdly like I wanted to hug someone, couldn’t cope with it and went off to make a stir fry instead. So it was all good.
Here’s what goes down (errr… not like that): The Marquess of Dain, a very alliterative cad known thankfully not very often as The Blight and Bane of the Ballisters (both the blight and the bane, you go, err, boyfriend), has been raised in what I like to think is a fairly standard English fashion: emotionally distant father, absentee mother. Despised by his father and packed off to Eton, he has soon amputated any redeeming or pleasant qualities from his personality and is therefore prime romantic hero material. As the book opens, he is engaged in some kind of hardcore debauch-em-up in Paris, from which the heroine, Jessica Trent, is obliged to rescue her Very Stupid brother. Jessica and Dain are instantly infatuated with each other, so much so they end up Going For It at a formal ball and are caught in what I believe they call ‘a compromising position’. Needless to say, they end up having to get married. They fall in love. There are slight complications involving a Russian icon, an evil queer, and one of Dain’s illegitimate children but, basically, the good end happily and bad unhappily.
For me, this was very much Jessica’s book. She is basically the best person ever and I love her so much I can’t even. I’m not quite sure if that’s because she is objectively fabulous or if poor Heather set the bar so low that earthworms could hurdle it, but Jessica was a complete and comprehensive reversal of all my expectations. I don’t know enough about the genre to address this properly (and feel free to pick me up on this) but it seems to me the Heather Type heroine – childlike, stupid, waiting patiently to be sexually awakened by an utter wanker – is still very much extant. Ana Steele is basically a Heather, right? And, therefore, from my very limited perspective, Jessica seemed wildly, and wonderfully, subversive. And I want to marry her.
The part of me that is a curmudgeonly git did occasionally question her historical plausibility but most of me didn’t care. I mean, what kind of soulless monster would I be if I responded to the sublime and spirited Jessica Trent with “Well, technically dear, I think you should be a bit more oppressed”? I fell in love with her at pretty much the precise moment Dain does, which is on page 34. They meet, by chance, at an antique shop and – being an arse – Dain tries to scandalise Jessica by showing her an obscene watch, depicting a man performing ‘a sexual service’ for a woman. She is, of course, far too awesome to be remotely phased by this and the conversation unfolds as follows:
Reader, I literally LOLed.
Jessica then spends the next four hundred pages continuing to be amazing beyond all reason. She’s sexually attracted to Dain and is totally okay with it. Although he’s the one with the sexual experience, their initial marital encounters take place at her instigation because she has a powerful and entirely healthy desire to bonk her husband. When he tries to make sex about power and control, she refuses to let him. When he treats her badly, she shoots him. When he tries to bully her, she laughs at him. When Evil People show up trying to cause trouble, she completely thwarts them by being sensible. Instead of freaking out because Dain has spread a wild oat, she insists on his taking responsibility for the wellbeing of the kid. And she’s not afraid to say ‘I love you’ first. She is just consistently strong and decent and clever and funny and passionate and, oh my bloody god, what the hell is she doing married to an almighty bellend like Dain?
Blight, Bane and Bellend of the Ballisters.
Sigh. But maybe I’m being too harsh on him. To give the man his due, he is about eighty million trillion gazillion times better than Brandon. If we have to take not raping people as an actively positive quality rather than a baseline standard of normal decency, then Dain is way up there. He is, in fact, consistently worried about accidentally hurting Jessica or taking her without her explicit consent, which is, err, nice of him. Of course, it’s not without problems either, since it also denies women the right to make a choice (in this case, to have sex when they want it). But, then, he is living in 1828 and if you’re unsure if a woman wants to sleep with you, it’s probably best to err on the side of ‘probably not’ over ‘I’ll just put my dick in and see what happens.’ And, anyway, Jessica soon puts him to rights. By ripping his shirt off. (And I’ve just noticed I’ve written an entire paragraph without mentioning how much I love Jessica… in case I’ve been too subtle on this point, I really really love Jessica).
The other thing that helped me stomach Dain being a pillock was the fact he was explicitly being a pillock, and there seemed to a strong degree of recognition, both in the text and in Dain’s messed up little noggin, that this was a bad thing. Again, perhaps it was a misreading on my part, but I got the distinct impression that a lot of Brandon’s awfulness was meant to be sexy and secretly appealing. So, for example, his jealous rages and controlling behaviour were a reflection of the true depth and intensity of his wuv for Heather. Whereas, with Dain, it’s nothing but harmful. It gets in the way of his love for Jessica to say nothing of his personal happiness, and she basically spends the whole book challenging him over it until she manages to sex-bash some sense into the stupid man.
And at least we get some explanation as to why Dain is acting like a tosser all the time. Brandon was apparently just kind of like that. I’m a bit dubious about the whole ‘people were mean to me so now I’m mean to them’ approach, since I don’t think you should get a free pass to dickhead, but I genuinely felt for Dain during the prologue. And, quite frankly, it would be ragingly hypocritical of me to take a strong stance against difficult people finding love. Dain’s backstory is a banal sort of tragedy in many ways, which I think is why it moved me. It’s an accumulation of disregard and petty cruelty, rather than any great or terrible drama. His father is clearly a shitty human being but he’s not Satan incarnate either. And the things that conspire to utterly break Dain are actually far more subtle and socially driven than anything as simple as his father’s failure to love him. What Dain’s upbringing teaches him, in the worst possible way, is what it means to be a man. And, in his world (and, let’s face it, the one we’re living in right now), men are not supposed to be emotional, neurotic, vulnerable or loving. By nature, Dain is all of those things but he learns very quickly that they will never be valued.
No wonder he’s wrecked.
Although, I know some people who went to English public schools and I am telling you, the dude got off way lightly. Stuff goes on in those places that practically violates the Geneva Convention.
To understand Dain, however, is not necessarily enough to like him. I mean, after he and Jessica get caught in flagrante at the ball, he actually does that thing (look, a trope!) of immediately concluding that she’s an evil trollop trying to inveigle his ring onto her finger. I wouldn’t mind but it’s so ludicrously implausible. In my head, I was like “dude, you’ve met Jessica Trent, screw your inner pain, there’s no way on earth she would do something like that, will you use some of that extensive fortune to buy yourself a clue?” Thankfully, Jessica shoots him not long after. Possibly I was just too committed to Team Jessica to be able to endure someone treating her badly but I was never really convinced Dain was worth her trouble. But, y’know, if he was what she wanted, then I’m glad she got him. I’m not sure if that counts as a romantic win, but it works for me.
I also think the ball sequence highlights one of my (very minor) problems with Lord of Scoundrels. I know it’s primarily the story of a relationship between two people, and that’s fine, but I felt the plot was a bit lacklustre across the board. Things happen, and thankfully they were all a lot more interesting that the extensive bathing and shopping sequences of F&F (Jessica and Dain don’t go shopping once – respect) but it’s all a bit vague and unsatisfying. There’s something going on with a Russian icon, Dain gets a psychosomatic dead arm that requires some wibbly psychological healing and a child adoption to fix, and some background characters make half-hearted attempts to stuff things up. Although I absolutely loved all of Dain and Jessica’s interactions, their road to matrimony feels a bit forced and they waver tediously through an extensive series of slightly irritating misunderstandings (while still clearly fancying the pants off each other). But, again, I have limited scope for comparison.
Once again, I was slightly disconcerted by Weight Determined Morality (WDM). I know we’re in fantasy land, where the wang never runs out of juice and all women have amazing hair, but whose fantasies are really being addressed here? Surely attractiveness – like people, in fact – covers a broad spectrum. It’s not so much that all the heroines are thin, it’s the fact that, although not all evil people are fat, all fat people are evil. Except Bertie Trent, I suppose, who is merely stupid. There’s also an evil queer in Lord of Scoundrels (see panda comma sad).
His weight remains undisclosed but he smells bad. Thankfully he’s only really in it long enough to get punched by Dain and orchestrate the final segment of the plot. I think he’s just meant to be a guy with no redeeming features, but ‘bisexual’ does not belong on a list with immoral, cruel and smelly. To be fair, he’s not explicitly bisexual but it is pretty clear he fancies dudes. I think the exact phrase is ‘rutted with just about anything’ (p.42) so perhaps it’s actually lack of discrimination that is being condemned here. All the same, I feel I should point out that rutting with just about anything is a generous and public minded trait that should be admired and celebrated, perhaps with parades.
But that’s enough with the picking of the nits, for those are nits and did not, in any way, impinge upon my genuine enjoyment of the book. On the other hand, I really can’t write about Lord of Scoundrels without mentioning two of the secondary characters. One of the (many!) ways in which this book left F&F howling in the dust clutching its nads was the deft and effective way it made me care about pretty much all of the characters. However, this turned out to be both and a blessing and a curse because a couple of backgroundy type people drifted into the text and completely stole it. The first was Genevieve Trent, Jessica’s equally fantastic grandmother, and a femme fatale par excellence. She is gorgeous, witty, dangerous and as sexy as all hell with a string of infatuated (often much younger) lovers. She is also heartbreakingly under-used.
And then there’s this other guy, described by the (apparently!) heterosexual hero as “about as beautiful as a man could be without looking remotely like a woman” and later called the most beautiful man on three continents. Yes, I’m shallow but he sounds awesome. Again, he’s only in the book for about three taunting seconds, time he uses mainly to makes gnomic utterances:
I wasn’t quite sure how to interpret this but, having given it some thought, I now see there’s only one possible explanation: The Comte d’Esmond is an alien (possibly a psychic alien, because he says numerous odd things that eventually come true).
So I think what I’m saying here is this: I enjoyed the hell out of Lord of Scoundrels, but I would also love to read The Adventures of Genevieve Trent, Regency GILF & The Comte d’Esmond, The Hottie From Outer Space. Maybe they could fight crime?
Everything I learned about life & love from Reading Lord of Scoundrels: I’m weirdly into Grannies, gloves are shockingly erotic, fat people are still evil, bisexuals are evil too, sometimes men just need a good shooting, Jessica Trent is the best.
It's the second romance book I've ever written about and I already have a confession to make: my dominant emotion, at least initially, when reading Lord of Scoundrels was a heady sense of relief that this thing was actively good and I hadn’t made a terrible mistake. Don’t get me wrong, The Flame & The Flower was an interesting experience, but then so is tweezering your nasal hair.
However, Lord of Scoundrels is simply and straightforwardly delightful in pretty much every conceivable way. I read it in one two hour sitting like Edmund Pevensie with a box of Turkish Delight and then felt weirdly like I wanted to hug someone, couldn’t cope with it and went off to make a stir fry instead. So it was all good.
Here’s what goes down (errr… not like that): The Marquess of Dain, a very alliterative cad known thankfully not very often as The Blight and Bane of the Ballisters (both the blight and the bane, you go, err, boyfriend), has been raised in what I like to think is a fairly standard English fashion: emotionally distant father, absentee mother. Despised by his father and packed off to Eton, he has soon amputated any redeeming or pleasant qualities from his personality and is therefore prime romantic hero material. As the book opens, he is engaged in some kind of hardcore debauch-em-up in Paris, from which the heroine, Jessica Trent, is obliged to rescue her Very Stupid brother. Jessica and Dain are instantly infatuated with each other, so much so they end up Going For It at a formal ball and are caught in what I believe they call ‘a compromising position’. Needless to say, they end up having to get married. They fall in love. There are slight complications involving a Russian icon, an evil queer, and one of Dain’s illegitimate children but, basically, the good end happily and bad unhappily.
For me, this was very much Jessica’s book. She is basically the best person ever and I love her so much I can’t even. I’m not quite sure if that’s because she is objectively fabulous or if poor Heather set the bar so low that earthworms could hurdle it, but Jessica was a complete and comprehensive reversal of all my expectations. I don’t know enough about the genre to address this properly (and feel free to pick me up on this) but it seems to me the Heather Type heroine – childlike, stupid, waiting patiently to be sexually awakened by an utter wanker – is still very much extant. Ana Steele is basically a Heather, right? And, therefore, from my very limited perspective, Jessica seemed wildly, and wonderfully, subversive. And I want to marry her.
The part of me that is a curmudgeonly git did occasionally question her historical plausibility but most of me didn’t care. I mean, what kind of soulless monster would I be if I responded to the sublime and spirited Jessica Trent with “Well, technically dear, I think you should be a bit more oppressed”? I fell in love with her at pretty much the precise moment Dain does, which is on page 34. They meet, by chance, at an antique shop and – being an arse – Dain tries to scandalise Jessica by showing her an obscene watch, depicting a man performing ‘a sexual service’ for a woman. She is, of course, far too awesome to be remotely phased by this and the conversation unfolds as follows:
“You want to buy it, Miss Trent […] I strongly doubt your elders will approve of such a purchase. Or have English notions of propriety undergone a revolution while I’ve been away?”
“Oh, it isn’t for me,” she said. “It’s for my grandmother.”
Reader, I literally LOLed.
Jessica then spends the next four hundred pages continuing to be amazing beyond all reason. She’s sexually attracted to Dain and is totally okay with it. Although he’s the one with the sexual experience, their initial marital encounters take place at her instigation because she has a powerful and entirely healthy desire to bonk her husband. When he tries to make sex about power and control, she refuses to let him. When he treats her badly, she shoots him. When he tries to bully her, she laughs at him. When Evil People show up trying to cause trouble, she completely thwarts them by being sensible. Instead of freaking out because Dain has spread a wild oat, she insists on his taking responsibility for the wellbeing of the kid. And she’s not afraid to say ‘I love you’ first. She is just consistently strong and decent and clever and funny and passionate and, oh my bloody god, what the hell is she doing married to an almighty bellend like Dain?
Blight, Bane and Bellend of the Ballisters.
Sigh. But maybe I’m being too harsh on him. To give the man his due, he is about eighty million trillion gazillion times better than Brandon. If we have to take not raping people as an actively positive quality rather than a baseline standard of normal decency, then Dain is way up there. He is, in fact, consistently worried about accidentally hurting Jessica or taking her without her explicit consent, which is, err, nice of him. Of course, it’s not without problems either, since it also denies women the right to make a choice (in this case, to have sex when they want it). But, then, he is living in 1828 and if you’re unsure if a woman wants to sleep with you, it’s probably best to err on the side of ‘probably not’ over ‘I’ll just put my dick in and see what happens.’ And, anyway, Jessica soon puts him to rights. By ripping his shirt off. (And I’ve just noticed I’ve written an entire paragraph without mentioning how much I love Jessica… in case I’ve been too subtle on this point, I really really love Jessica).
The other thing that helped me stomach Dain being a pillock was the fact he was explicitly being a pillock, and there seemed to a strong degree of recognition, both in the text and in Dain’s messed up little noggin, that this was a bad thing. Again, perhaps it was a misreading on my part, but I got the distinct impression that a lot of Brandon’s awfulness was meant to be sexy and secretly appealing. So, for example, his jealous rages and controlling behaviour were a reflection of the true depth and intensity of his wuv for Heather. Whereas, with Dain, it’s nothing but harmful. It gets in the way of his love for Jessica to say nothing of his personal happiness, and she basically spends the whole book challenging him over it until she manages to sex-bash some sense into the stupid man.
And at least we get some explanation as to why Dain is acting like a tosser all the time. Brandon was apparently just kind of like that. I’m a bit dubious about the whole ‘people were mean to me so now I’m mean to them’ approach, since I don’t think you should get a free pass to dickhead, but I genuinely felt for Dain during the prologue. And, quite frankly, it would be ragingly hypocritical of me to take a strong stance against difficult people finding love. Dain’s backstory is a banal sort of tragedy in many ways, which I think is why it moved me. It’s an accumulation of disregard and petty cruelty, rather than any great or terrible drama. His father is clearly a shitty human being but he’s not Satan incarnate either. And the things that conspire to utterly break Dain are actually far more subtle and socially driven than anything as simple as his father’s failure to love him. What Dain’s upbringing teaches him, in the worst possible way, is what it means to be a man. And, in his world (and, let’s face it, the one we’re living in right now), men are not supposed to be emotional, neurotic, vulnerable or loving. By nature, Dain is all of those things but he learns very quickly that they will never be valued.
No wonder he’s wrecked.
Although, I know some people who went to English public schools and I am telling you, the dude got off way lightly. Stuff goes on in those places that practically violates the Geneva Convention.
To understand Dain, however, is not necessarily enough to like him. I mean, after he and Jessica get caught in flagrante at the ball, he actually does that thing (look, a trope!) of immediately concluding that she’s an evil trollop trying to inveigle his ring onto her finger. I wouldn’t mind but it’s so ludicrously implausible. In my head, I was like “dude, you’ve met Jessica Trent, screw your inner pain, there’s no way on earth she would do something like that, will you use some of that extensive fortune to buy yourself a clue?” Thankfully, Jessica shoots him not long after. Possibly I was just too committed to Team Jessica to be able to endure someone treating her badly but I was never really convinced Dain was worth her trouble. But, y’know, if he was what she wanted, then I’m glad she got him. I’m not sure if that counts as a romantic win, but it works for me.
I also think the ball sequence highlights one of my (very minor) problems with Lord of Scoundrels. I know it’s primarily the story of a relationship between two people, and that’s fine, but I felt the plot was a bit lacklustre across the board. Things happen, and thankfully they were all a lot more interesting that the extensive bathing and shopping sequences of F&F (Jessica and Dain don’t go shopping once – respect) but it’s all a bit vague and unsatisfying. There’s something going on with a Russian icon, Dain gets a psychosomatic dead arm that requires some wibbly psychological healing and a child adoption to fix, and some background characters make half-hearted attempts to stuff things up. Although I absolutely loved all of Dain and Jessica’s interactions, their road to matrimony feels a bit forced and they waver tediously through an extensive series of slightly irritating misunderstandings (while still clearly fancying the pants off each other). But, again, I have limited scope for comparison.
Once again, I was slightly disconcerted by Weight Determined Morality (WDM). I know we’re in fantasy land, where the wang never runs out of juice and all women have amazing hair, but whose fantasies are really being addressed here? Surely attractiveness – like people, in fact – covers a broad spectrum. It’s not so much that all the heroines are thin, it’s the fact that, although not all evil people are fat, all fat people are evil. Except Bertie Trent, I suppose, who is merely stupid. There’s also an evil queer in Lord of Scoundrels (see panda comma sad).
His weight remains undisclosed but he smells bad. Thankfully he’s only really in it long enough to get punched by Dain and orchestrate the final segment of the plot. I think he’s just meant to be a guy with no redeeming features, but ‘bisexual’ does not belong on a list with immoral, cruel and smelly. To be fair, he’s not explicitly bisexual but it is pretty clear he fancies dudes. I think the exact phrase is ‘rutted with just about anything’ (p.42) so perhaps it’s actually lack of discrimination that is being condemned here. All the same, I feel I should point out that rutting with just about anything is a generous and public minded trait that should be admired and celebrated, perhaps with parades.
But that’s enough with the picking of the nits, for those are nits and did not, in any way, impinge upon my genuine enjoyment of the book. On the other hand, I really can’t write about Lord of Scoundrels without mentioning two of the secondary characters. One of the (many!) ways in which this book left F&F howling in the dust clutching its nads was the deft and effective way it made me care about pretty much all of the characters. However, this turned out to be both and a blessing and a curse because a couple of backgroundy type people drifted into the text and completely stole it. The first was Genevieve Trent, Jessica’s equally fantastic grandmother, and a femme fatale par excellence. She is gorgeous, witty, dangerous and as sexy as all hell with a string of infatuated (often much younger) lovers. She is also heartbreakingly under-used.
And then there’s this other guy, described by the (apparently!) heterosexual hero as “about as beautiful as a man could be without looking remotely like a woman” and later called the most beautiful man on three continents. Yes, I’m shallow but he sounds awesome. Again, he’s only in the book for about three taunting seconds, time he uses mainly to makes gnomic utterances:
“Women do not lie, my lord Dain,” came a faintly accented voice from the door. “It merely seems so because they exist in another reality.”
I wasn’t quite sure how to interpret this but, having given it some thought, I now see there’s only one possible explanation: The Comte d’Esmond is an alien (possibly a psychic alien, because he says numerous odd things that eventually come true).
So I think what I’m saying here is this: I enjoyed the hell out of Lord of Scoundrels, but I would also love to read The Adventures of Genevieve Trent, Regency GILF & The Comte d’Esmond, The Hottie From Outer Space. Maybe they could fight crime?
Everything I learned about life & love from Reading Lord of Scoundrels: I’m weirdly into Grannies, gloves are shockingly erotic, fat people are still evil, bisexuals are evil too, sometimes men just need a good shooting, Jessica Trent is the best.
January 22, 2015
On sale!!!! To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Lord of Scoundrels Kindle edition is on sale for just $1.99! http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000...
Edited to Add: Renee just pointed out that the Audible version is reduced to $2.99 if you own the Kindle Version!!!!!! (Thanks, Renee!!!)
Edited Again to Add: If you don't already own the Kindle version, you can still get this for the sale price of $6.95 during Audible's Big Hits sale. (Thanks Lady Wesley!!!)
My review.....
This is one of the best historical romances ever written. Lord of Scoundrels is a story so well laid out and so beautifully told that it will forever hold a special place in my heart.
What do you get when an emotionally detached, 42 year old widower marries the 17 year old daughter of a French nobleman? A poor match, an unhappy relationship, and a child who bears the brunt of it all.
Lucia was truly only a spoiled young woman herself when she gave birth to a son, Sebastian. He wasn’t an attractive child and his proud, Florentine nose which came from his mother’s side of the family was referred to as a beak by those who looked upon him. His own father considered him a punishment because of Lucia’s enjoyment of “lewd unnatural conjugal acts,” and after the birth of his son, never again went to her bed.
Eventually, Lucia went away with another man, leaving Sebastian in the care of his father. She thought she was doing the right thing by leaving him behind. It was left to his father to break the news gently to his son. He failed.
I could go on and on and still not do this story justice, so I'll stop trying and instead I would just strongly encourage you to read the book. It is worth every page, every minute, every hour.
September 17, 2021
Reread. Even better the second time round. One of my favourite historicals.
————————————
This book had me from the beginning. The attitude, the sass, the wittiness, the writing... chefs fuckin kiss!
————————————
This book had me from the beginning. The attitude, the sass, the wittiness, the writing... chefs fuckin kiss!
January 4, 2010
I hardly know what to say about this one. I haven't read too many historicals in the past year, but boy oh boy, maybe I should start! This book had me totally riveted! The story, the witty dialogue, the oh-so-complicated hero, the take-no-guff heroine, the whole love/hate thing between the H/h--it was at times funny, sad, frustrating, but there was never a dull moment. At times I felt sooo sorry for Dain, who grew up unwanted and unloved, but other times I wanted to slap him upside the head and tell him to grow up already! Thank God that Lady Jessica came into his life, because I'm not sure there was another person in the world who could get through to him and into his heart, and go toe-to-toe with him. She was one tough, smart heroine--I loved her! Dain had such a low opinion of himself (both physically and morally), women, children, and life in general that I didn't think he could be saved. I don't think I've ever read about a more messed up, tortured hero. But boy was he fascinating! I also loved how he and Jess were so passionately attracted to each other, but didn't want to be--animal lust, I think they called it. I just loved their whole dynamic--how they met, how they wanted each other, how they fought, those sexy Italian phrases he used with Jess, and how they grew to love each other. Wonderful storytelling.
A minor quibble--I got a little tired of reading about Dain's supposedly huge nose (I get it--his nose was big) and the reference to him as Beelzebub--that just sounded too ugly, and in my head Dain was one giant, sexy man who just desperately needed some lovin'. I'm so glad that this wicked hero was able to be redeemed, and I enjoyed reading about his stubborn journey towards love.
If you haven't read a historical in a while, you can't go wrong with this one--I urge anyone to try it. This is just as good (if not better) than anything I've ever read by the fabulous Lisa Kleypas. 5 big stars!
A minor quibble--I got a little tired of reading about Dain's supposedly huge nose (I get it--his nose was big) and the reference to him as Beelzebub--that just sounded too ugly, and in my head Dain was one giant, sexy man who just desperately needed some lovin'. I'm so glad that this wicked hero was able to be redeemed, and I enjoyed reading about his stubborn journey towards love.
If you haven't read a historical in a while, you can't go wrong with this one--I urge anyone to try it. This is just as good (if not better) than anything I've ever read by the fabulous Lisa Kleypas. 5 big stars!
January 1, 2015
Damn the minx for tempting him, kissing him ... and then forcing him to salvage her reputation! Lord Dain can't wait to put the infuriating bluestocking in her place --- and in some amorous position, And if that means marriage, so be it! --- though Sebastian is less than certain he can continue to remain aloof ... and steel his heart to the sensuous, headstrong lady's considerable charms.
I really enjoyed this book.
Sebastian, tortured, shunned by his father.
Jessica, sweet, independent, proud.
“I love these pet names," she said, gazing soulfully up into his eyes, "Nitwit. Sap skull. Termagant. How they make my heart flutter!”
There is something deliciously decadent about Historical romances. A look, a touch, they are all forbidden and dangerous.
“Jessica swallowed. "I think you had better stick to English."
"But Italian is so moving," Dain said.
"To ho voluto dal primo che ti vedi." I've wanted you from the first moment I saw you.
"Mi tormenti ancora." You've tormented me ever since.”
Dain, Dain, Dain ... I just wanted to take you and hug you and tell you that you were worthy of love.
First time reading this author. I think they book has been on my kindle for over 3 years. Not sure why I hadn't read it prior to now.
I even woke up the other night talking about the Duke (or the "Dook" as Himself called him) - Himself asked me what I was talking about and I said it was the cows.... LOL, you will have to read it to get it. Just as well he gets my obsession with reading!
This is probably my last read of 2014. 222 books. Bloody hell, that's a lot of books. Maybe need to ditch the reading for a while and start on the exercising a bit more!!!
November 29, 2024
Two people who are consistently bewildered by their own lust decide to get married because the woman shoots the man. She is the original Antiques Roadshow assessor and he is six foot four inches of unresolved childhood trauma and low self-esteem. She has a brother so stupid it’s remarkable he doesn’t forget to breathe in his sleep. He has a by-blow son who is feral and possibly rabid. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You’ll get horny. You’ll be angry at dead fictional dads. How bad can their wedding night go? Well, you’ll see.
March 23, 2017
5 stars for the first half, 2 for the latter. Overall, 3.5 stars
December 27, 2014
4.5 stars!
Now I know why this book is considered a classic in the romance genre. I was utterly charmed by the unconventional love story between Lord Dain and Jessica Trent. Dain was described as somewhat less than an appealing hero, physically with a countenance of a brute. But boy, did he won me over in the end not by changing into someone unrecognizable but just by being him and falling in love with Jessica.
Jessica Trent is one of the best heroines I've read of all time. Seriously, this girl rocks. She was sassy, smart and beautiful. Most of all, she wasn't afraid to call Dain on his bullshit. And while she was a virgin, she didn't act like a nitwit when it comes to getting physically intimate with her brute of a husband.
Their banter was hilarious. It was one of the best things of this book. I found myself giggling and sometimes outright laughing at their banter and their inner monologues. The wit and the humor was outstanding.
While this book was far from being perfect, I enjoyed it immensely. Loretta Chase's skill at making an almost impossible character likable was truly remarkable. By the end of the book, I totally and utterly besotted with Dain and felt for him even though some of his thoughts were truly horridly misogynistic. The only explanation I could find for it, aside from her skillful writing, was the fact that Jessica was the best and the perfect heroine for Dain. Had she been paired with a far more classic hero who was so handsome and dashing, the outcome would have been different. As it is, Dain and Jessica were magnificent together.
I'll definitely be reading this one again on my Kindle because while I enjoyed listening to it, I would much prefer imagining Jessica and Dain's voice on my own in my head. Not that Kate Reading didn't do a wonderful job but I find her voice distracting sometimes especially while voicing Dain. But other than that, this was a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
Now I know why this book is considered a classic in the romance genre. I was utterly charmed by the unconventional love story between Lord Dain and Jessica Trent. Dain was described as somewhat less than an appealing hero, physically with a countenance of a brute. But boy, did he won me over in the end not by changing into someone unrecognizable but just by being him and falling in love with Jessica.
Jessica Trent is one of the best heroines I've read of all time. Seriously, this girl rocks. She was sassy, smart and beautiful. Most of all, she wasn't afraid to call Dain on his bullshit. And while she was a virgin, she didn't act like a nitwit when it comes to getting physically intimate with her brute of a husband.
Their banter was hilarious. It was one of the best things of this book. I found myself giggling and sometimes outright laughing at their banter and their inner monologues. The wit and the humor was outstanding.
While this book was far from being perfect, I enjoyed it immensely. Loretta Chase's skill at making an almost impossible character likable was truly remarkable. By the end of the book, I totally and utterly besotted with Dain and felt for him even though some of his thoughts were truly horridly misogynistic. The only explanation I could find for it, aside from her skillful writing, was the fact that Jessica was the best and the perfect heroine for Dain. Had she been paired with a far more classic hero who was so handsome and dashing, the outcome would have been different. As it is, Dain and Jessica were magnificent together.
I'll definitely be reading this one again on my Kindle because while I enjoyed listening to it, I would much prefer imagining Jessica and Dain's voice on my own in my head. Not that Kate Reading didn't do a wonderful job but I find her voice distracting sometimes especially while voicing Dain. But other than that, this was a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
December 14, 2023
✨Your immense, throbbing…✨
My old review is below upon reread it’s obvs 5 stars
I was going to give this 4⭐️ but Jess is a boss ass kick ass bad bitch babe and she deserves all the stars. I mean she did WHAT??? Her POWER!!! I won’t spoil it for those weirdos like me who haven’t read this before but legitimately at 35% through I found religion because god do I love Jess so much. Every time she called him sensible and emotional I leveled up.
Further, I am a SUCKER for cute kids and gruff men interacting with them. The wit and the banter was impeccable. The writing shines here and I’ll absolutely be reading more Loretta Chase. Anything with this much wild and chaotic energy will always have my love.
Sebastian was a dick but hot damn he can flood my virginal womb with his seed any day of the week. 🌱 Plant me like a tree BAYBEEEE. Also he can speak Italian any hour of the day, preferably on the ones whilst he’s seeing to the flooding bit. Are you Noah? Because you make my back ARK.
I loved when he was trying to get her to say she loved him again and how he realized he fucked up and didn’t want her being all agreeable. His delicate sensibilities were so unwell 😌
Obviously this book is dated and I was side-eying my wall multiple times but I built a bridge and got over it. He redeemed himself enough by the end for me to be comfortable reading the book.
The narrator was FABULOUS I very much recommend this audiobook. I was able to listen to this at 2.0x speed and finished in about a day!
“Sweet Jesus oh dear I’m going to die.”
“All mine.”
“Yes kill me Jess do it again.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶🌶🌶/5
However can someone explain to me how the end villain character got fucked over bc of the portrait/icon thing? I’m so confused lol
My old review is below upon reread it’s obvs 5 stars
I was going to give this 4⭐️ but Jess is a boss ass kick ass bad bitch babe and she deserves all the stars. I mean she did WHAT??? Her POWER!!! I won’t spoil it for those weirdos like me who haven’t read this before but legitimately at 35% through I found religion because god do I love Jess so much. Every time she called him sensible and emotional I leveled up.
Further, I am a SUCKER for cute kids and gruff men interacting with them. The wit and the banter was impeccable. The writing shines here and I’ll absolutely be reading more Loretta Chase. Anything with this much wild and chaotic energy will always have my love.
Sebastian was a dick but hot damn he can flood my virginal womb with his seed any day of the week. 🌱 Plant me like a tree BAYBEEEE. Also he can speak Italian any hour of the day, preferably on the ones whilst he’s seeing to the flooding bit. Are you Noah? Because you make my back ARK.
I loved when he was trying to get her to say she loved him again and how he realized he fucked up and didn’t want her being all agreeable. His delicate sensibilities were so unwell 😌
Obviously this book is dated and I was side-eying my wall multiple times but I built a bridge and got over it. He redeemed himself enough by the end for me to be comfortable reading the book.
The narrator was FABULOUS I very much recommend this audiobook. I was able to listen to this at 2.0x speed and finished in about a day!
“Sweet Jesus oh dear I’m going to die.”
“All mine.”
“Yes kill me Jess do it again.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶🌶🌶/5
However can someone explain to me how the end villain character got fucked over bc of the portrait/icon thing? I’m so confused lol
dnf
April 8, 2022I’d sooner kill dain than kiss him. I ship him with 10 years of intense therapy and a class on how not to be a violently misogynistic twat. Glad the girls had fun but this ain’t for me. The least he could do is be charmingly problematic? Hot and misogynistic? But he’s just an annoying, petulant, cruel, insecure deadbeat and utterly pathetic to me. Pick a struggle.
Jess was cool, the writing was cool, the first ten percent was promising but no thank you dnf at 35%
Jess was cool, the writing was cool, the first ten percent was promising but no thank you dnf at 35%
March 16, 2021
This book is 26 years old. And sometimes, that shows. No lie.
But it's 26 years old so I could see echoes of influence in today's authors-particularly the ones writing the crazy ass fairy tale with the overly gruff and marshmallow centered hero. (I LOVE the sensitive jackass, I'm telling you. And I love that Jess kept telling him how sensitive and emotional he was. Mwah!)
And it's 26 years old so there's reviews a-plenty and I don't have to review it. Lucky me. Because I don't really feel like it.
Heroes named Sebastian, I tell you.
But it's 26 years old so I could see echoes of influence in today's authors-particularly the ones writing the crazy ass fairy tale with the overly gruff and marshmallow centered hero. (I LOVE the sensitive jackass, I'm telling you. And I love that Jess kept telling him how sensitive and emotional he was. Mwah!)
And it's 26 years old so there's reviews a-plenty and I don't have to review it. Lucky me. Because I don't really feel like it.
Heroes named Sebastian, I tell you.
March 12, 2020
reseña completa: http://masromance.blogspot.com.es/201...
#retorita#
Y le vuelvo a dar las 5.
Quizás no debería, está claro que mirado con lupa muchas de sus escenas son un puro sinsentido.
Pero cuando la autora lo justifica, me convencen. Aquí siempre he pensado que la figura de la abuela me justifica un comportamiento total fuera de situación, pero es que segura estoy de que en aquel tiempo también hubo mujeres que no se conformaron con decir sí a lo que se les dijera. Y eso es motivo suficiente para admirar a Jess como protagonista femenina. En muchos aspectos se comporta como un hombre y hace lo que un hombre pero, sobre todo, es inteligente y sabe manipular a ese grandote acosador como si fuera un muñequito de barro. Siempre digo que me encantan este tipo de protagonistas femeninas y, al mismo tiempo que me encantan los hombres de la Kleypas, siempre me han encantado las mujeres de Chase.
Dain... el antihéroe... pero qué capacidad de Chase para conseguir que este mujeriego, manipulador, mentiroso, bruto y, en muchas ocasiones, canalla en el mal sentido de la palabra... me tenga el corazón robado la mayor parte del tiempo... por eso ese sublime prólogo.
En muchos aspectos me gusta esta novela tanto porque, a golpe de sonrisa y carcajada, con diálogos inteligentes e irónicos (son mi perdición) plasma con una pasmosa seriedad muchos de los comportamientos de la época que en otras románticas se obvian. (Dejadme que os recomiende la película The Duchess basada en una historia real en la que se desmitifica mucha de esa sociedad que ensalza la novela que a mí me gusta tanto).
Hay tantas escenas divertidas... que no puedo dejar de leerla con una sonrisa perenne en la boca.
3 o 4 lectura, ya no lo sé
Quizás la parte final, en parte, flojea, y sé que muchas lectoras no le perdonaran el personaje que protagoniza ese último cuarto. Creo que perdona al amigo demasiado rápido y, ahora no recuerdo qué libro protagoniza Beaumont
Pero en general es una novela con la que me lo paso genial, lo tiene todo y es tan acertada como arriesgada.
De obligada lectura ;)
#retorita#
Y le vuelvo a dar las 5.
Quizás no debería, está claro que mirado con lupa muchas de sus escenas son un puro sinsentido.
Pero cuando la autora lo justifica, me convencen. Aquí siempre he pensado que la figura de la abuela me justifica un comportamiento total fuera de situación, pero es que segura estoy de que en aquel tiempo también hubo mujeres que no se conformaron con decir sí a lo que se les dijera. Y eso es motivo suficiente para admirar a Jess como protagonista femenina. En muchos aspectos se comporta como un hombre y hace lo que un hombre pero, sobre todo, es inteligente y sabe manipular a ese grandote acosador como si fuera un muñequito de barro. Siempre digo que me encantan este tipo de protagonistas femeninas y, al mismo tiempo que me encantan los hombres de la Kleypas, siempre me han encantado las mujeres de Chase.
Dain... el antihéroe... pero qué capacidad de Chase para conseguir que este mujeriego, manipulador, mentiroso, bruto y, en muchas ocasiones, canalla en el mal sentido de la palabra... me tenga el corazón robado la mayor parte del tiempo... por eso ese sublime prólogo.
En muchos aspectos me gusta esta novela tanto porque, a golpe de sonrisa y carcajada, con diálogos inteligentes e irónicos (son mi perdición) plasma con una pasmosa seriedad muchos de los comportamientos de la época que en otras románticas se obvian. (Dejadme que os recomiende la película The Duchess basada en una historia real en la que se desmitifica mucha de esa sociedad que ensalza la novela que a mí me gusta tanto).
Hay tantas escenas divertidas... que no puedo dejar de leerla con una sonrisa perenne en la boca.
3 o 4 lectura, ya no lo sé
Quizás la parte final, en parte, flojea, y sé que muchas lectoras no le perdonaran el personaje que protagoniza ese último cuarto. Creo que perdona al amigo demasiado rápido y, ahora no recuerdo qué libro protagoniza Beaumont
Pero en general es una novela con la que me lo paso genial, lo tiene todo y es tan acertada como arriesgada.
De obligada lectura ;)
October 14, 2016
Written December 13, 2014
5 Huge Stars - Hilarious chuckling fun audiobook listening. - Great plot, amusing banters and wicked characters
A by many readers highly beloved historical romance. The hilarious enjoying story about Sebastian Ballister, the notorious Marquess of Dain and Lady Jessica Trent. Written already 1995.
I've listened to the 11:39 hrs audiobook narrated by Kate Reading.
Charming from the very first chapter...
Don't mind the cheesy kindle or paperback cover. This is not a silly sugary damsel-in-distress historical. This 'Regency' story doesn't have the standard topic, or the ordinary lovely goodlooking larger-than-life Lord.
Lord of Scoundrels, by my meaning, is a wonderful memorable romantic HR comedy. A witty smart story in the oldish lovely, so brilliant, “Austen” spirit (...with more hot bedroom steam of course). ~ Very much worth to pick up at once.
Add to that; Without the slightest remark grandly good narrated. Ms Reading was perfect here.
***********************************************
Paris and later Devon 1826
Lord of Scoundrels - in many ways a tender and soft kind of 'Beauty and the Beast' story. Sebastian Ballister, Blackthorne - Marquess of Dain seen by the noble society, including himself, as the darksome and black eyed very ugly, unattractive devil himself.
She, the very sharp and witty Jessica Trent, just wants to save her silly younger party-brother from this devil and his "badboy" gang there in Paris. The trouble is, the devil in question is so shockingly irresistible, and the person who needs the most saving is, in the end - herself.
A storyline as done for funny giggling banters, amusing talk and gossip in the fine salons in Paris, and a angry snorting sniffing depraved English Devil-Marquess.
***********************************************
Jessica is strong, quick-witted and fearless. Dain is angry, bitter and don't like young elegant ladies of good family. Nor, if the women in question is more of the unmarried, a bit older, variety. Independent ladies that for anything in the world do not want to be married by a dominant tall, dark-eyed scary man.
...The war for love, pride and the last word starts in Paris.
What was it that made "it"?
Those sexy Italian husky whispered words and love statements? Haha!! ~ No, it was rather everything that made this book into something else. ~ Historical heroes and heroines with (quite big) faults and shortcomings, yet so easy to love. A lot of gossiping, wacky characters, hilarious remarks, indescribably funny critical self-analysis and a lighthearted tone of the whole.
An exquisite storyline with a hero with an heartbreaking poor self-image and sadly ruined childhood. A hero who gets and a sudden chance to affection, love, desire, a warm bosom and something unexpected amazing: A Spiritual Sweet Stunning Sexy Smart wife!!
***********************************************
A triumph for this genre!!
A future romance-favorite to read (or listening to) again and again. Perfect to pick up when I need to get a good laugh and be reminded of why I like this old style of light-hearted historical romances so very much.
RECOMMENDED!
I LIKE - immeasurable much
5 Huge Stars - Hilarious chuckling fun audiobook listening. - Great plot, amusing banters and wicked characters
A by many readers highly beloved historical romance. The hilarious enjoying story about Sebastian Ballister, the notorious Marquess of Dain and Lady Jessica Trent. Written already 1995.
I've listened to the 11:39 hrs audiobook narrated by Kate Reading.
“You'll want all your strength for the wedding night.”
“I cannot think why I should need strength,” she said, ignoring a host of spine-tingling images rising in her mind's eye. “All I have to do is lie there.”
“Naked,” he said grimly.
“Truly?” She shot him a glance from under her lashes. “Well, if I must, I must, for you have the advantage of experience in these matters. Still, I do wish you'd told me sooner. I should not have put the modiste to so much trouble about the negligee.”
“The what?”
Charming from the very first chapter...
Don't mind the cheesy kindle or paperback cover. This is not a silly sugary damsel-in-distress historical. This 'Regency' story doesn't have the standard topic, or the ordinary lovely goodlooking larger-than-life Lord.
Lord of Scoundrels, by my meaning, is a wonderful memorable romantic HR comedy. A witty smart story in the oldish lovely, so brilliant, “Austen” spirit (...with more hot bedroom steam of course). ~ Very much worth to pick up at once.
Add to that; Without the slightest remark grandly good narrated. Ms Reading was perfect here.
***********************************************
Paris and later Devon 1826
Lord of Scoundrels - in many ways a tender and soft kind of 'Beauty and the Beast' story. Sebastian Ballister, Blackthorne - Marquess of Dain seen by the noble society, including himself, as the darksome and black eyed very ugly, unattractive devil himself.
She, the very sharp and witty Jessica Trent, just wants to save her silly younger party-brother from this devil and his "badboy" gang there in Paris. The trouble is, the devil in question is so shockingly irresistible, and the person who needs the most saving is, in the end - herself.
A storyline as done for funny giggling banters, amusing talk and gossip in the fine salons in Paris, and a angry snorting sniffing depraved English Devil-Marquess.
‘He pulled away the glove, and at the first glimpse of her fragile, white hand, all thoughts of negotiation fled. "I don't see how matters could become worse," he muttered. "I am already besotted with a needle-tongued, conceited, provoking ape leader of a lady."
Her head jerked up. "Besotted? You're nothing like it. Vengeful is more like it. Spiteful.”
***********************************************
Jessica is strong, quick-witted and fearless. Dain is angry, bitter and don't like young elegant ladies of good family. Nor, if the women in question is more of the unmarried, a bit older, variety. Independent ladies that for anything in the world do not want to be married by a dominant tall, dark-eyed scary man.
...The war for love, pride and the last word starts in Paris.
‘Ti desideravo nelle mia braccia dal primo momento che ti vedi.’
‘I’ve wanted you in my arms since the moment I met you.’
What was it that made "it"?
Those sexy Italian husky whispered words and love statements? Haha!! ~ No, it was rather everything that made this book into something else. ~ Historical heroes and heroines with (quite big) faults and shortcomings, yet so easy to love. A lot of gossiping, wacky characters, hilarious remarks, indescribably funny critical self-analysis and a lighthearted tone of the whole.
An exquisite storyline with a hero with an heartbreaking poor self-image and sadly ruined childhood. A hero who gets and a sudden chance to affection, love, desire, a warm bosom and something unexpected amazing: A Spiritual Sweet Stunning Sexy Smart wife!!
***********************************************
A triumph for this genre!!
A future romance-favorite to read (or listening to) again and again. Perfect to pick up when I need to get a good laugh and be reminded of why I like this old style of light-hearted historical romances so very much.
RECOMMENDED!I LIKE - immeasurable much
December 1, 2017
It's the most unhappy people who most fear change.
-Mignon McLaughlin-
It's the kind of romance with hero like Dain, someone whose pain was hurting me too. I wanted to tell him that I know, I understand. I wanted to reach him, hug him, soothe him,
It's the kind of romance with heroine like Jess, someone I wanted to have as a sister because I admired her,
It's the kind of romance that held my breath and sent shivers through my body,
It's the kind of romance with some of the best scenes that still lingered in my memory long after I finished reading it,
It's the kind of romance with the best kiss that made my nerves jumped,
All in all, it wasn't perfect, but it hit me so hard and left me emotionally drained...
It's special.
-Mignon McLaughlin-
And this time, the grown man asked, with the same despair a little boy had asked, decades ago: Why will You not help me?
It's the kind of romance with hero like Dain, someone whose pain was hurting me too. I wanted to tell him that I know, I understand. I wanted to reach him, hug him, soothe him,
This time, he felt as lost and helpless as that little boy had been, trying to understand why his Heavenly Father had made him wrong inside and out and wondering what prayer must be prayed, what penance must be paid, to make him right.
It's the kind of romance with heroine like Jess, someone I wanted to have as a sister because I admired her,
“I am not a pocket watch,” she said tightly. She told herself she ought not feel in the least surprised that the cocksure clod pole proposed to settle matters by making her his mistress. “I am a human being, and you will never own me, no matter what you pay. You may have destroyed my honor in the eyes of the world, but you will not destroy it in fact.”
It's the kind of romance that held my breath and sent shivers through my body,
“I wanted to lick you and kiss you and touch you… everywhere.” He kissed her forehead.“Everywhere it’s white. Everywhere it’s pink. Everywhere else.” He trailed his tongue over one sleek eyebrow. “That’s what I’m going to do now. And you must lie there. And take it.”
It's the kind of romance with some of the best scenes that still lingered in my memory long after I finished reading it,
She held up her fan in front of his face, to display the masculine scribbling upon the sticks. “Look carefully,” she said. “Do you see ‘Beelzebub’ written there?”
“I’m not shortsighted,” he said, extracting the fan from her tense fingers. “You needn’t hold it so close. Ah, yes, is this the one?” He pointed to a stick. “Rouvier?”
“Yes,” she said, looking past him. “Here he comes.”
Dain turned. A Frenchman was warily approaching, his countenance pale. Dain fanned himself.
The man paused. Smiling, Dain pressed thumb and forefinger to the stick with “Rouvier” written on it. It snapped.
Rouvier went away.
It's the kind of romance with the best kiss that made my nerves jumped,
The desultory plops of rain were building to a steady patter upon the trottoir. Droplets glistened on her hair and shimmered on her pink-washed cheeks. One drop skittered along the side of her nose and down to the corner of her mouth. “Damnation,” he said.
And then he didn’t care what he crushed or broke. He reached out and wrapped his monster hands about her waist and lifted her straight up until her wet, sulky face was even with his own.
And in the same heartbeat, before she could scream, he clamped his hard, dissolute mouth over hers.
The heavens opened up then, loosing a torrent
All in all, it wasn't perfect, but it hit me so hard and left me emotionally drained...
It's special.
November 3, 2021
What an absolute waste of time.
I'm surprise this book is on so many "must read" lists.
Is his only excuse for being a total asshole the fact that he had a bad childhood and his nose is huge?
Both of these characters are simply crazy. I hated how many times he went and I don't care if this behavior was true to the time period, it was awful and I don't want to read about it.
I'm surprise this book is on so many "must read" lists.
Is his only excuse for being a total asshole the fact that he had a bad childhood and his nose is huge?
Both of these characters are simply crazy. I hated how many times he went and I don't care if this behavior was true to the time period, it was awful and I don't want to read about it.
November 5, 2025
I believe this is Ms Chase's most popular book, and many put it in their top ten of all HRs. And it is a rollicking, fun read with two likeable MCs who go on a journey of love and self-discovery together.
Sebastian, the lord of scoundrels himself, is the passionate, larger-than-life, half-Italian half-English Marquess of Dain. His father was a distant and bitter older man who had no idea how to love his son. His mother was a young, passionate Italian woman trapped in a loveless marriage. When she eventually runs off with someone else, little Sebastian is left lonely, bereft and confused. Then he is sent to boarding school where he is bullied mercilessly. No wonder he grows up into a pleasure-seeking care-for-nobody.
Until he meets Jessica. Clever, bold and sexy (but still an unmarried virgin) Jessica is more than a match for the passionate marquess.
The plot is interesting and moves along nicely. I particularly enjoyed the later section where This was handled sensitively, and the conclusion of the book is quite satisfying.
It did feel as if everything in this book was a bit over-the-top. I liked both Jess and Dain, and their relationship worked. But at times it was all a bit too much, and their characters were actually a bit exhausting. If things had been toned down just a little, then I think I might have gone the full 5 stars. As it is, I definitely liked the reread, after quite a few years where I'd forgotten most of it, except for the unforgettable MCs Jess and particularly Dain himself. Although it doesn't stand as my top HR of all time, it's still a very satisfying and enjoyable book, and I can see why there's so much love out there for it.
Sebastian, the lord of scoundrels himself, is the passionate, larger-than-life, half-Italian half-English Marquess of Dain. His father was a distant and bitter older man who had no idea how to love his son. His mother was a young, passionate Italian woman trapped in a loveless marriage. When she eventually runs off with someone else, little Sebastian is left lonely, bereft and confused. Then he is sent to boarding school where he is bullied mercilessly. No wonder he grows up into a pleasure-seeking care-for-nobody.
Until he meets Jessica. Clever, bold and sexy (but still an unmarried virgin) Jessica is more than a match for the passionate marquess.
The plot is interesting and moves along nicely. I particularly enjoyed the later section where This was handled sensitively, and the conclusion of the book is quite satisfying.
It did feel as if everything in this book was a bit over-the-top. I liked both Jess and Dain, and their relationship worked. But at times it was all a bit too much, and their characters were actually a bit exhausting. If things had been toned down just a little, then I think I might have gone the full 5 stars. As it is, I definitely liked the reread, after quite a few years where I'd forgotten most of it, except for the unforgettable MCs Jess and particularly Dain himself. Although it doesn't stand as my top HR of all time, it's still a very satisfying and enjoyable book, and I can see why there's so much love out there for it.
August 29, 2023
4 stars
Let me preface this by saying, there is a lot about this book that is very 90's problematic and would not pass a present day debriefing, but that being said I enjoyed it immensely.
Jessica Trent is a young woman who has no desire to marry and has a keen eye for rare objects. When her brother introduces her to the Marquess of Dain, there's an immediate attraction between the two of them. But Dain thrives off of playing the villain and neither one of them likes the idea of marriage.
I won't say much more because it'll give away the plot, but Loretta Chase is probably one of my favorite historical romance writers. And I'm saying that after only reading one book. Her writing style was captivating and I was completely sucked into the story from beginning to end. Were there plot holes and things that didn't make sense? Absolutely. Did I still enjoy myself while reading this book. ABSOLUTELY. It was fun to read a complicated hero (even if he gave incel vibes at the beginning of the book) and Jessica was such a fun heroine. She put up with none of Dain's crap and it was a delight to read along.
Let me preface this by saying, there is a lot about this book that is very 90's problematic and would not pass a present day debriefing, but that being said I enjoyed it immensely.
Jessica Trent is a young woman who has no desire to marry and has a keen eye for rare objects. When her brother introduces her to the Marquess of Dain, there's an immediate attraction between the two of them. But Dain thrives off of playing the villain and neither one of them likes the idea of marriage.
I won't say much more because it'll give away the plot, but Loretta Chase is probably one of my favorite historical romance writers. And I'm saying that after only reading one book. Her writing style was captivating and I was completely sucked into the story from beginning to end. Were there plot holes and things that didn't make sense? Absolutely. Did I still enjoy myself while reading this book. ABSOLUTELY. It was fun to read a complicated hero (even if he gave incel vibes at the beginning of the book) and Jessica was such a fun heroine. She put up with none of Dain's crap and it was a delight to read along.
April 7, 2019
My new favorite historical romance!!! I can see why it’s so beloved. I couldn’t get enough of Sebastian and Jessica.
June 27, 2021
¡Me gustó muchísimo! Es de esas novelas que me recuerdan por qué disfruto tanto el buen romance histórico. A pesar de ser tan diferentes, los personajes principales están hechos el uno para el otro y es una delicia leer todas las situaciones que los van acercando, acompañadas de diálogos realmente geniales. Jessica es una de las mejores protagonistas femeninas que me he encontrado últimamente y lord Dain... hay que ver cómo hay que tener paciencia con este hombre!
Además, me gustó mucho el estilo de Loretta Chase (me recordó al de Lisa Kleypas de quien es, ni más ni menos, la recomendación a la que me refiero en el reto). Es la primera novela que leo de ella y ya estoy de cabeza buscando sus otros libros.
Muy, pero muy recomendable.
Reto #16 PopSugar 2019: Un libro recomendado por una celebridad que admires
Reto Rita 3.0 (mayo)
Además, me gustó mucho el estilo de Loretta Chase (me recordó al de Lisa Kleypas de quien es, ni más ni menos, la recomendación a la que me refiero en el reto). Es la primera novela que leo de ella y ya estoy de cabeza buscando sus otros libros.
Muy, pero muy recomendable.
Reto #16 PopSugar 2019: Un libro recomendado por una celebridad que admires
Reto Rita 3.0 (mayo)
April 21, 2015
Wow! This book was very good. For once I loved the heroine! Plus the hero had some very dark parts of his personality that needed to be worked through.
The book starts out explaining how the Marquess of Dain became the cynical rake he is today. His father was very cruel to him and his mother ran away leaving him all alone. He is half Italian, so he has a big nose and a very awkward body as a child for which he is tormented mercilessly while at Eton, where his dad sent him when he was eight. He learns to ignore his hurt feelings and strike out at others when he feels vulnerable. He learns how to make money very well and spends his time drinking, gambling and hiring prostitutes because he doesn't think a normal woman would be with him for anything other than his money and title.
Jessica Trent and her grandmother travel to Paris to rescue her not-so-bright younger brother Bertie from the bad influence of Dain. Bertie sees Dain as a hero and tried to emulate all of his bad habits, to the point of financial ruin of his family. Jessica knows she has to put a stop to this, so she goes to confront Dain. Once she meets Dain, to her horror she falls in lust with him. He is very rude to her as he does not spend time with ladies (other than prostitutes) after one tried to trap him into marriage years ago. Jessica and Dain set off sparks between each other in a set of high profile encounters. They get caught in a compromising position at a ball but instead of protecting her honor, Dain just walks away because he thinks she is trying to trap him into marriage just like the other girl. His parting shot to her was "If you don't like it, then just shoot me."
Well, Jessica does not take the destruction of her reputation and chance of a future lightly. She goes to the gambling hall where he is spending the remainder of his night - and shoots him (only in the arm though and she is an expert shot)! Then she sues him for the fact that he has ruined her chances of marriage and a decent business (she was going to open a shop). He offers to marry her instead. She agrees because she really does like him and would rather be a rich wife to a Marquess than exhiled to a small house in the country for the rest of her life (take notes other historical authors - it isn't resonable for a regency heroine to turn down an offer of marriage and live the rest of her life destitute simply because a man didn't say he loved you).
Jessica realizes that Dain has quite a few personal demons. He believes he is an unattractive, over-sized brute. She also realizes he has never known love in his life. She sets out to break down his barriers about love and show him that she loves the way he looks. The process is not easy and he has a lot to learn. He needs to face the child he was (he literally does this with his own illegitimate child) and overcome his feeling of inadequacy. Jessica was such a good strong heroine who knew what she was getting into but decided it was worth the effort because she loved Dain.
Parts of this book were hilarious. I love the fact that she shot him after he did her wrong and flipantly told her to shoot him if she didn't like it! Then he decided she was quite right to shoot him because he knows he acted like a jerk. Dain does think through his actions after the fact and usually realizes when he was wrong and apologizes. I enjoyed how in the story we actually see Dain's progression from a cynical, out-of-control rake to a better man, husband and father who learns how to love. He is still a rascal at the end but he was redeemed.
I am not a huge fan of regency novels, but this one was very worth it. Check it out if you haven't read it yet!
The book starts out explaining how the Marquess of Dain became the cynical rake he is today. His father was very cruel to him and his mother ran away leaving him all alone. He is half Italian, so he has a big nose and a very awkward body as a child for which he is tormented mercilessly while at Eton, where his dad sent him when he was eight. He learns to ignore his hurt feelings and strike out at others when he feels vulnerable. He learns how to make money very well and spends his time drinking, gambling and hiring prostitutes because he doesn't think a normal woman would be with him for anything other than his money and title.
Jessica Trent and her grandmother travel to Paris to rescue her not-so-bright younger brother Bertie from the bad influence of Dain. Bertie sees Dain as a hero and tried to emulate all of his bad habits, to the point of financial ruin of his family. Jessica knows she has to put a stop to this, so she goes to confront Dain. Once she meets Dain, to her horror she falls in lust with him. He is very rude to her as he does not spend time with ladies (other than prostitutes) after one tried to trap him into marriage years ago. Jessica and Dain set off sparks between each other in a set of high profile encounters. They get caught in a compromising position at a ball but instead of protecting her honor, Dain just walks away because he thinks she is trying to trap him into marriage just like the other girl. His parting shot to her was "If you don't like it, then just shoot me."
Well, Jessica does not take the destruction of her reputation and chance of a future lightly. She goes to the gambling hall where he is spending the remainder of his night - and shoots him (only in the arm though and she is an expert shot)! Then she sues him for the fact that he has ruined her chances of marriage and a decent business (she was going to open a shop). He offers to marry her instead. She agrees because she really does like him and would rather be a rich wife to a Marquess than exhiled to a small house in the country for the rest of her life (take notes other historical authors - it isn't resonable for a regency heroine to turn down an offer of marriage and live the rest of her life destitute simply because a man didn't say he loved you).
Jessica realizes that Dain has quite a few personal demons. He believes he is an unattractive, over-sized brute. She also realizes he has never known love in his life. She sets out to break down his barriers about love and show him that she loves the way he looks. The process is not easy and he has a lot to learn. He needs to face the child he was (he literally does this with his own illegitimate child) and overcome his feeling of inadequacy. Jessica was such a good strong heroine who knew what she was getting into but decided it was worth the effort because she loved Dain.
Parts of this book were hilarious. I love the fact that she shot him after he did her wrong and flipantly told her to shoot him if she didn't like it! Then he decided she was quite right to shoot him because he knows he acted like a jerk. Dain does think through his actions after the fact and usually realizes when he was wrong and apologizes. I enjoyed how in the story we actually see Dain's progression from a cynical, out-of-control rake to a better man, husband and father who learns how to love. He is still a rascal at the end but he was redeemed.
I am not a huge fan of regency novels, but this one was very worth it. Check it out if you haven't read it yet!
December 10, 2022
Time for a 3rd re-read of an Absolute Favorite!!!
Original Review:
Wow!! This book lives up to the hype! I absolutely loved the heroine. She was smart, sassy, honest, and kept the hero on his toes. Nothing about her was predictable and she was perfect for this emotionally scarred hero.
Marquess of Dain
These two are one of my favorite couples and I look forward to re-reading this book in the near future!!
Original Review:
Wow!! This book lives up to the hype! I absolutely loved the heroine. She was smart, sassy, honest, and kept the hero on his toes. Nothing about her was predictable and she was perfect for this emotionally scarred hero.
Marquess of Dain
These two are one of my favorite couples and I look forward to re-reading this book in the near future!!
May 22, 2019
Nuestra reseña en A la cama con... un libro
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//RELECTURA PARA EL RETO RITA 3//
5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟, 5 Gandys Superplus y mi corazón enterito
No tengo medida con este libro, lo adoro y, cuantas más veces lo leo, más me gusta. Una podría pensar que, conociendo al dedillo lo que va a pasar, se pierde la emoción de la lectura, pero con este libro me pasa justo lo contrario. Esa emoción que me despierta saber lo que voy a revivir, esas ganas de leer despacio para saborear mis momentos favoritos hacen que cada lectura de Abandonada a tus caricias sea una maravillosa experiencia que me hace feliz. Pocas veces he visto una pareja protagonista tan bien construida. Ambos personajes tienen entidad propia, una personalidad sólida que es fabulosa y magnética por sí misma. Pero cuando se juntan... No me pueden hacer más feliz. Esos diálogos vibrantes y excitantes, cómicos y llenos de emoción a la vez, esas secuencias inesperadas, era narración ágil, que no se entretiene en cosas que no nos interesan... De verdad que no le encuentro pega alguna. Y qué decir de las secuencias hot!! No pueden ser más sexys ni me pueden gustar más. Tiene todo lo que le pido a un libro y en su justa medida. Y, sobre todo, tiene una pareja protagonista explosiva e inteligente y una escritora que no nos trata como si fuéramos tontos, algo que agradezco hasta el infinito y más allá.
Una verdadera delicia y uno de mis libros favoritos
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//RELECTURA//
Aunque aquí ponga que es la segunda lectura, realmente ha sido la cuarta o la quinta y creo que ha sido la lectura que más he disfrutado. Hay libros que se meten en tus venas y de ahí no salen y eso me pasa con este libro, nunca tengo bastante de él y, cada vez que lo leo y lo termino, me dan ganas de volverlo a leer. Los protagonistas me enamoran a más no poder y el modo en el que está escrito, con esos diálogos... Es que no puedo encontrar otra palabra para definirlo que no sea "perfección. Si merece la pena leer novela romántica para mí es por libros como éste, una verdadera joya y, por supuesto, uno de mis más favoritos #5GandysSuperplus.
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Nuestra reseña en A la cama con... un libro
-------
//RELECTURA PARA EL RETO RITA 3//
5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟, 5 Gandys Superplus y mi corazón enterito
No tengo medida con este libro, lo adoro y, cuantas más veces lo leo, más me gusta. Una podría pensar que, conociendo al dedillo lo que va a pasar, se pierde la emoción de la lectura, pero con este libro me pasa justo lo contrario. Esa emoción que me despierta saber lo que voy a revivir, esas ganas de leer despacio para saborear mis momentos favoritos hacen que cada lectura de Abandonada a tus caricias sea una maravillosa experiencia que me hace feliz. Pocas veces he visto una pareja protagonista tan bien construida. Ambos personajes tienen entidad propia, una personalidad sólida que es fabulosa y magnética por sí misma. Pero cuando se juntan... No me pueden hacer más feliz. Esos diálogos vibrantes y excitantes, cómicos y llenos de emoción a la vez, esas secuencias inesperadas, era narración ágil, que no se entretiene en cosas que no nos interesan... De verdad que no le encuentro pega alguna. Y qué decir de las secuencias hot!! No pueden ser más sexys ni me pueden gustar más. Tiene todo lo que le pido a un libro y en su justa medida. Y, sobre todo, tiene una pareja protagonista explosiva e inteligente y una escritora que no nos trata como si fuéramos tontos, algo que agradezco hasta el infinito y más allá.
Una verdadera delicia y uno de mis libros favoritos
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//RELECTURA//
Aunque aquí ponga que es la segunda lectura, realmente ha sido la cuarta o la quinta y creo que ha sido la lectura que más he disfrutado. Hay libros que se meten en tus venas y de ahí no salen y eso me pasa con este libro, nunca tengo bastante de él y, cada vez que lo leo y lo termino, me dan ganas de volverlo a leer. Los protagonistas me enamoran a más no poder y el modo en el que está escrito, con esos diálogos... Es que no puedo encontrar otra palabra para definirlo que no sea "perfección. Si merece la pena leer novela romántica para mí es por libros como éste, una verdadera joya y, por supuesto, uno de mis más favoritos #5GandysSuperplus.
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Nuestra reseña en A la cama con... un libro
November 23, 2024
12/22 reread update: this might be my favorite book
Happy to announce this is, in fact, The Best Book and lived up to all the hype now if you’ll excuse me I’m gonna go cry
CW: Gun violence, sexual content, child abuse
Happy to announce this is, in fact, The Best Book and lived up to all the hype now if you’ll excuse me I’m gonna go cry
CW: Gun violence, sexual content, child abuse
November 23, 2019
Re-read via audio 11/23/2019
Audio - 5 stars!!
Story - revised rating bumping up to 5 stars!
I have no idea why I complained about the writing style the first time I read this book. I loved the writing, and I loved the story more the 2nd time around.
_________________________
1/25/2016
4.25. This would have been a 5 star read for me if not for the author's writing style. I found myself having to go back and read a paragraph or a page over again to understand what was happening or being said. Other then that, this was a pretty awesome book.
Audio - 5 stars!!
Story - revised rating bumping up to 5 stars!
I have no idea why I complained about the writing style the first time I read this book. I loved the writing, and I loved the story more the 2nd time around.
_________________________
1/25/2016
4.25. This would have been a 5 star read for me if not for the author's writing style. I found myself having to go back and read a paragraph or a page over again to understand what was happening or being said. Other then that, this was a pretty awesome book.
September 5, 2021
Jessica Trent could step on me and I would thank her for it. This was enemies to lovers historical romance perfection. The banter, the tortured hero, UGGGHHH I loved it.
Lived up to the hype which was HUGE.
Lived up to the hype which was HUGE.
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