El Escándalo de la Solitaria

Ladies and Scoundrels #4

by Amanda Mariel, MARIA GUADALUPE CALDERON (Translator)

Dos personas unidas a través de una circunstancia no deseada descubren algo que ninguno de los dos creía haber tenido jamás.
Una tímida por naturaleza, Jane aceptó hace mucho tiempo que se convertiría en una solterona. Tal vez ese destino fue lo mejor. Después de todo, ella había sido testigo de primera mano de lo miserable que podía ser el matrimonio para una dama. Sin embargo, se atrevió a soñar, es decir, hasta que se encuentra totalmente escandalizada por un señor con los modales de un jabalí.


Después de que Caleb Wesley, Lord Keery, no protegió a la única persona que había contado con él, aceptó su papel de canalla. Mantiene sus vicios cerca de las faldas, el juego y el licor, y no tiene intención de renunciar a ellos. Incluso después de que accidentalmente arruina a una dama y se ve obligado a ofrecer matrimonio.


Dos personas unidas a través de una circunstancia no deseada descubren algo que ninguno de los dos creía haber tenido jamás. ¿Pueden dejar de lado sus viejas heridas y creencias el tiempo suficiente para aceptar el regalo que el destino les ha otorgado?

Genres: Historical Romance, Historical, Regency

78 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 14, 2019

About the author

Amanda Mariel, an accomplished wordsmith, holds dual master's degrees in liberal arts and education, specializing in the captivating realms of history and literature. Beyond her academic pursuits, she embraces the joyful chaos of motherhood, tending to both her cherished teenagers and her trio of adored fur babies. Among them, a noble Bernese Mountain Dog named Blaze, and two cats of distinct character, Ezra and Puff, share their home.

A USA Today Bestselling luminary, Amanda Mariel conjures vivid tapestries of eras long past, drawing inspiration from the languid cadence of days gone by. With pen poised and imagination unfurled, she traverses the annals of time, weaving tales that illuminate historical landscapes with finesse and flair. Her creative spirit finds respite in reading, traversing new horizons through travel, and capturing moments through the lenses of both her camera and artistic endeavors. Yet, it is in the embrace of family that she finds her truest sanctuary.

To delve deeper into Amanda's captivating world visit www.amandamariel.com. While there, an invitation to join her newsletter promises a gateway to the latest from Amanda Mariel's literary treasury, and an opportunity to claim a complimentary eBook.

Amanda's passion extends to her readers, welcoming their voices and stories into her narrative realm. Engage with her through email at amanda@amandamariel.com, or connect via her social Media channels.

Facebook: facebook.com/AuthorAmandaMarie1
Twitter: twitter.com/AmandaMarieAuth
BookBub: bookbub.com/authors/amanda-mariel
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TikTok: tiktok.com/@amandamarielromance

Amidst the prose and parchment, Amanda Mariel etches a profound connection, bridging eras, hearts, and minds, creating a legacy that resonates through the corridors of time.

Reviews

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Scandalous series and I hope that there will be more. This story opens with Lady Jane Shillington, a potential wallflower of two and twenty, thinking back on the most pivoting night of her life—which just happened to be the night before.

Caleb, the sixth Marquis of Keery thoroughly enjoys his life as a rogue, and has no intentions of ever submitting to the parson’s trap. After a rousing night of drinking and camaraderie, the young lord stumbles into bed and begins to make love to the woman, already there. In his drunken haze he didn’t realize that he had made a life-changing mistake. He did not crawl into bed with one of his usual conquests, but instead, he got into the bed of Lady Jane Shillington, a rather plain wallflower—
a woman he would have never tried to seduce. It was only after her confused answer to his request that she ‘stroke’ him, that he woke and realized the extent of his folly—wrong room, wrong woman.

Jane never thought she would be anything more than a wallflower, and in fact, had never been kissed before the night last. However, she found that she very much liked it—enthralled by both his body and the way he made her feel. Jane realizes that Lord Keery was drunk and thought she was another. Even so, while he was seducing her, she couldn’t bring herself to let him know he was in the wrong bed.

When Caleb discovers his folly has landed him smack in the middle of the parson’s noose, accusations and words fly between the two. They create a loud disturbance on the hall. Before either Caleb or Jane could rectify the situation, the door bursts open and in comes her brother along with one of the most notorious gossips of the ton. Caleb immediately offers for Jane, avoiding the challenge of a duel, and hoping to salvage both of their reputations. He realizes that as bad as it looks for him, a rogue, it will be far worse for Lady Jane. He is too much of a gentleman to allow that.

It looks like things will end nicely until Lady Jane releases him from his offer of marriage. Jane doesn’t wanting any marriage that comes from shaming the groom. Rather, if she marries, it should be because there are feelings. The courtship of Lady Jane ensues, and that is full of eye-opening surprises.

Ms. Mariel delights her readers once more with lively characters and an entertaining storyline. It’s always a treat to read one of her regency tales, and this one is no exception.

[☽ Rhiannon ✭ Mistwalker ☾ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too short! Great premise and angst potential, but it wrapped everything up too quickly and neatly for my tastes. I love an insecure spinster heroine though.

[Clarissa Boggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A marvelous story

[SOMDReigel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The lead female character, Jane, a wallflower, has all but given up on marriage and the lead male character, Caleb, loves his life as a rogue, neither of them see a wedding in their future. After finding themselves in a compromising situation, a marriage is born. The two main characters end up being a perfect match as they find their way past their rough beginning and end up with a happy union. The author has written a quick, enjoyable read with humorous and teasing dialogue as well as angst and desire. I’m a fan of the Ladies and Scoundrels series, and Scandalous Wallflower does not disappoint.

[Teri Donaldson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful Scandalous book from Amanda Marie. As always, the cover marches the beautiful words inside the book.
It's the sweet story of Jane and Caleb. Neither of them wanted to be married, especially to each other. Jane did not know how to be a wife. Caleb did not know how to a husband. It was fun learning how they figured it out.
This is sweet and adorable.

[Dee Deacon Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Jane Shillington knew she was not pretty, didn’t have the right hair color or complexion – overall not the type to catch a husband. Even though she was resigned to a life as a spinster she couldn’t help but wonder passion felt like. Fate must have heard her for one night (a night that will change her life forever) finds a handsome but drunk man in her bed.
Caleb Wesley, Earl of Keery, harbors deep guilt, a guilt that has him keeping everyone at arm’s length. He refuses to suffer heartbreak like he suffered in childhood. Fate has other ideas when he finds himself drunk and in the bed of an innocent woman.
Will Jane and Caleb be able to survive secrets combined with a rocky start? Can Jane help Caleb overcome his demons and can Caleb convince Jane of her beauty?
Amanda Mariel does a fantastic job in conveying Jane’s feeling that she is below Caleb’s attention and the anguish over the events of his past. I could feel the way Jane was feeling and sorrow for Caleb’s hurtful past. For me this is a definite must read!

[Jennifer Goldsby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short read that I really enjoyed. I kinda saw a little of myself in the main character! The sexual content is a moderate that describes some things but not go all the way with the anatomical description. It's refreshing to see this too, either some books are all the way or nothing at all and this one was right in the middle! It was a wonderful story that had my attention from the very first chapter! I wasn't expecting the fun that was to come either!! This author did a great job with this short story and I recommend it if you need a quick historical romance read! Looking forward to the next one!!

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Lady Jane Shillington (beautiful wallflower) and Caleb Wesley, Earl of Keery. The illusion of a scandalous night will have repercussions for the two of them. She is ruined and her brother demands that the right thing be done. Will they be able to find happiness or be doomed to a joyless marriage?

I absolutely loved this story. It was very entertaining and held my interest from start to finish. The characters were interesting and enjoyable, and the story had a nice blend of humor, drama and sizzle. It is a novella so it is a shorter read; however, it is well worth your while to read it! Very well done!

[Lucie Brauer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too short

Far too short. There was no build up before the hero and heroine were suddenly in bed, then conveniently discovered by her brother, sister in law and some countess. Why would these people just pop into her bedroom?

Also, the two had no interaction together, but suddenly they are "in love"??? The hero went from thinking his wife was plain to calling her the most beautiful woman he knew, all without ever spending time with her.

[Josephine Shepherd · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a book a short story waste of money

I paid for a full book and got a very short, shallow story with no meat to it. Waste of time and money

[Olanrewaju · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Hero and Heroine spent a lot of time in the midst of silly misunderstandings that was just too silly.

[Jamie Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can a Compromise Lead to Lasting Love?

Audiobook Review:
This book starts off with a bang! Through no fault of either, the heroine is compromised, and the hero immediately offers marriage to save her reputation. While we know in romance the couple is going to end up together, we rarely see their marriage so quickly! So, their story follows how their affections grow and the bumps along the road as both adjust to marriage. Will it eventually become a love match? Both have internal struggles. She had always imagined herself to be a wallflower, believing she would remain a spinster though, if she married, had hoped to do so for love. She withholds some important information from the hero. Will that affect their nascent romance? The hero, too, has a deep secret, a horrible tragedy he blames himself for, that makes him fear getting close to anyone. When these two actually talk, they're actually very sweet together, and I absolutely adored that. I love it when couples in romances treat each other with kindness and respect even when they have other issues, But their main problem was, however, that they let minor misunderstandings and suppositions about what the other was thinking or feeling blow up into much bigger problems that threatened to tear them apart, even though they seemed well suited and attracted to each other. Will they get past their own personal struggles, allow themselves to be vulnerable, and start being honest with each other? You'll have to read or listen to the story to find out.

I received a promo code for this audiobook, but that did not affect my review.

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to BookSprout for a copy of this ebook and this is my freely given opinion.

This continues the series with the story of Jane Shillington, the sister of Henry, from the previous book. She has resolved herself to being a wallflower, and pending spinsterhood when one night, at a house party, Caleb Wesley, a handsome, popular rake, makes a drunken mistake and ends up passing out naked in her bed. Jane, is shocked, but curiosity reigns and he ends up spending the night, and unfortunately caught out in the morning, forcing a hasty marriage to prevent scandal and Jane's ruination.

Caleb is determined not to get close to his wife or develop feelings for her. He feels he is incapable of those deeper feelings and being able to care for and be responsible for another, because of a complex family life, and traumatizing tragedy in his own past. But he finds himself becoming more attracted to Jane as well as liking and enjoying her company. But their relationship and development of a true marriage is marred by misunderstandings and missteps on both their parts.

A cute sweet story with steam, and a lot of details but not a lot of depth delving into them as this was a short story of less than 100 pages. Sweet and puppies were involved. The edition I read has updated covers and a bit of editing to correct some previous issues.

3 stars out of 5

[Ellie (On a break, mostly rereading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scandalous Wallflower is the fourth book of the Ladies and Scoundrels series by Amanda Mariel. This book can be read as a standalone book, although some of the ladies and lords from the previous book pop up to give their sage advice and friendship. I personally, have only read three of the books, including this one.

The story starts off with a wallflower caught in a compromising position with a well known rake, and to make matters worse she was caught by her brother, sister in law and a well known gossip. Lady Jane quickly finds herself swept up into a marriage with Lord Caleb Wesley, the Earl of Keery. Caleb is a rake, but he's also a rake with principles.

It was wonderful to see these two characters find love despite their circumstances. They are kind of two sides of the same coin. Caleb has a good character arc, where he learns about communication and finding out more about a person that what is below the surface. He does have his reasons for how he is, that certainly humanises him and makes Jane his saving angel.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Unexpected Meeting . . .

Lady Jane Shillington has acknowledged her future would no doubt make her a spinster, knowing marriage was not meant for her, resigned to never knowing love or passion. Caleb, the sixth Marquess of Keery, allows a shameful failure from his past to take him into the wasteful life of a rogue, gambling, drinking, and seducing women. But when he drunkenly enters the wrong bed chamber one night and begins relations with a woman, he ends up falling asleep (or passing out) in her bed. In the morning, before he can figure out what happened, Jane’s brother Henry, with his wife Claudia and a gossipy older woman, barged into Jane’s room, and Caleb’s days as a rake are over.

Honor demands that Caleb marry the woman he has just compromised. Would this marriage of convenience allow the two of them to truly fall in love with each other and forge a new shared life? Could they heal and grow together, letting go of the past and fully accepting the loving relationship offered to them now? Or will Jane refuse to have him forced into a loveless marriage with her?

[Debbie Caswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Jane Shillington wasn't what people considered the perfect woman of her times she was the wrong colouring and didn't meet the standards they expected she had resigned herself to been a spinster but that all changed when she found a man in her bed. Caleb Wesley, Earl of Keery harbours secrets he will never allow himself to be hurt by love like he was as a child but what about the innocent woman whose bed he woke in. Now they are married and each has to figure out how that works but the road to a smooth marriage will be extremely rocky. Another well written book by this talented author a nice quick read that you can read when time is short

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Caleb stumbles into the wrong room one night, he finds himself waking up next to the plain Jane, a 23 year old spinster. Forced to marry, Jane and Caleb find friendship and Jane discovers there is more to her husband than the rogue he was reported to be.

This was a sweet short listen with some explicit scenes. I loved both Caleb and Jane, and forced marriage scenarios are my favorite. It was so sweet to watch Caleb slowly discover that everything about Jane was exactly what he had been missing. And his backstory was endearing.

The narration was well done, with a voice and accent that pulled me right into the story. I requested a copy of the audiobook, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anonymous 5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth installment of the series Ladies and Scoundrels. I haven't read the previous books, but was perfectly able to enjoy this nonetheless. Jane is perfectly content with settling into life as a spinster. Caleb is a rogue through and through and enjoys his life. One drunken night he makes a monumental mistake that will forever change his life and that of the woman he accidentally seduced, namely Jane. Too much of a gentleman to let her be ruined, he offers for marriage. But Jane releases him from the offer because she does not want a marriage out of obligation. Although these two were brought together by unfortunate circumstances, they begin to eventually realize they could have something truly real with each other.
A delightful and entertaining read!

[Bridget Love to read Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have Lady Jane Shillington not content to be a wallflower but definitely used to the idea! But when Caleb Wesley, The Earl of Keery, wanders into her bed and falls asleep she does not wake him!
In the scandal that follows Jane is secretly thrilled at the chance to be a mother!
Caleb has no clear understanding of being a husband or father since his parents were rubbish at both! But Caleb wants to try but at every mistake he runs! How much longer can Jane take and not run herself! Can Caleb forgive his mistakes of his youth and be the man she needs!?
Caleb has lost his father now they have changes they must face! Can they do them together?
Bravo

[Kate Abbott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve really enjoyed this series overall, but I found this particular installment a little too short and somewhat abrupt. There’s very little build-up or interaction beforehand — the story opens with our drunken hero sneaking into the wrong bed, while the heroine, innocent and inexperienced, doesn’t object.

That said, the writing still flows smoothly and is easy to read, which I’ve come to expect from this author. I just would have liked more development and depth to fully enjoy the story. This is, of course, a personal preference.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compromised simply because you were too foxed to know you had entered the wrong room well this is what Caleb faced. Jane the lady who thought she would never marry is now being forced into this union. What a way to start a marriage there are super twists in this story before a finally happy ending. The story takes you from a somewhat dismal start to an appealing end with some disturbing events along the way. A super good story that was a pleasure to read hope you enjoy it too. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.

[Rose Seals · Rating 4 out of 5]

well written, quick read. Full of drama, suspense, romance, secrets, intrigue, sweet, scandal, passion and twists. Jane is a wallflower and Caleb is a Rogue. Caleb and Jane neither want to be married but after a terrible mistake on his part. He enters the wrong room- Jane's, thinking it was someone else's. Caught by her brother and a terrible gossip , he offers her marriage. She does refuse yet is pushed into this marriage. All the characters are great, fitting this novella. Would recommend to others.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jayne Butcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too much wine and a miscalculation caused Caleb to enter Jane’s bedroom, and bed, instead of the one in which the willing widow waited. Discovery and a special license saw them immediately married. Having no idea of how to be a good husband, but determined to try, Caleb made one blunder after another. A puppy, an inheritance and some good advice led to the banishment of pride and heartache, and the admittance of healing and love. This is a short, sweet and uplifting story!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[BROWN2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

I've always loved the wallflower books but this was a whole new take on it. Both the Jane and Caleb are the kind of people you love to read about. Slipping into the wrong room at a house party brings love. The was a problem with getting the book but the author was amazing about keeping me up to date with the progress Amazon was making in correcting the problem. I would recommend you read the entire series in order. You will love them all. My only complaint would I wished it was longer because I really enjoyed the way the author had Caleb and Jane handle the new situation. She has a way with a story.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exemplary book

Once again Amanda Mariel has written a great romance novel. You are already know most of her characters she intertwines them in each of her books in a series. You fall in love with all of them and wish them a happy ending. This book is no different, you have your main characters and their supporting friends, a troubled hero who feels hes not worthy & a damsel who feels she doesn't fit in, find their way to love.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being caught in flagrante delicto is not a new concept in Regency romances; enriching the protagonist’s character is.

Read full review in the 2017 July/August issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Jane is resigned to being a spinster.
When Lord Kerry finds his way to her room will it be an aswer to her prayers for a loving marriage and life shared?
As they get to know each other mistakes are made but revelations ate sweet and dreams can come true.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fourth book in the Ladies and Scoundrels series. Lady Jane Shillington who believes she will forever be a spinster meets Caleb Wesley, Earl of Keery in a most peculiar way. He is drunk and comes to her bed by mistake. This book had me smiling at some of the things that happen. I would recommend this book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lord Keery is drunk when he enters Lady Jane Skillingtons room and the chemistry is magnetic. When he wakes up and realizes what happened everything goes down hill.
This storyline is intriguing and emotional. I was hooked from the beginning.
I Highly Recommend this book for OVER 18 DUE TO CONTENT.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Pam Bereznak · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had not realized that I had read several of Amanda Mariel books awhile back. I picked up one of her books late last year and loved it. Once I love an authors writing, I will then download every book they have. I had read book 1-3 a few years back but didn't remember them so downloaded them again plus Book 4 and 5.

Great read. Cute storyline and great characters.