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The Scoundrel's Score
A ruthless moneylender…
Cedric Sharpe, illegitimate son of a duke, is among the most feared men in London. Through sheer force of will, Cedric rose from poverty to build a lucrative empire based on a single principle: that one must always pay their debts. And so, when presented with the opportunity to settle his score with the father who scorned him, he is determined to seize it at any cost. That the pristine Lady Rose Wilkins should come with the bargain only serves to sweeten the deal…
A gentle debutante…
Rose, with her gentle nature and effortless grace, is the perfect debutante with a single caveat: she has no dowry. When her wastrel brother places their family in dire financial straits—and his very life in the hands of one of London’s most ruthless men—she finds herself paying a price far beyond anything she'd ever imagined to save them: her hand in marriage to a man that frightens and excites her in equal measure.
A marriage of convenience…
But to their mutual surprise, what begins as a marriage of convenience soon develops into a consuming passion. As Cedric and Rose begin to see that there is more to callous usurers and sheltered debutantes than meets the eye, they realize that they may end up losing far more than either of them bargained for…
The Scoundrel’s Score is a steamy historical romance set in the Victorian era. It can be read as a standalone, and features a scorching hot and heartfelt romance with a guaranteed happily ever after.
Cedric Sharpe, illegitimate son of a duke, is among the most feared men in London. Through sheer force of will, Cedric rose from poverty to build a lucrative empire based on a single principle: that one must always pay their debts. And so, when presented with the opportunity to settle his score with the father who scorned him, he is determined to seize it at any cost. That the pristine Lady Rose Wilkins should come with the bargain only serves to sweeten the deal…
A gentle debutante…
Rose, with her gentle nature and effortless grace, is the perfect debutante with a single caveat: she has no dowry. When her wastrel brother places their family in dire financial straits—and his very life in the hands of one of London’s most ruthless men—she finds herself paying a price far beyond anything she'd ever imagined to save them: her hand in marriage to a man that frightens and excites her in equal measure.
A marriage of convenience…
But to their mutual surprise, what begins as a marriage of convenience soon develops into a consuming passion. As Cedric and Rose begin to see that there is more to callous usurers and sheltered debutantes than meets the eye, they realize that they may end up losing far more than either of them bargained for…
The Scoundrel’s Score is a steamy historical romance set in the Victorian era. It can be read as a standalone, and features a scorching hot and heartfelt romance with a guaranteed happily ever after.
368 pages, ebook
First published May 2, 2019
88 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
About the author
Mara Shaw
1 book22 followersMara is a writer and an avid reader of historical romance. After spending years dreaming of dashing dukes, reformed rakes, and the occasional unscrupulous scoundrel, she finally put pen to paper and brought some of her own to life on the page.
Outside of writing, she enjoys a quiet life rife with reading binges, period dramas, and copious amounts of tea.
Her debut novel, The Scoundrel’s Score, is a steamy historical romance set in the Victorian era.
Care to keep on touch? Join Mara's newsletter for updates on new releases and exclusive excerpts: http://eepurl.com/gctupL
***I only rate the books I loved.***
Outside of writing, she enjoys a quiet life rife with reading binges, period dramas, and copious amounts of tea.
Her debut novel, The Scoundrel’s Score, is a steamy historical romance set in the Victorian era.
Care to keep on touch? Join Mara's newsletter for updates on new releases and exclusive excerpts: http://eepurl.com/gctupL
***I only rate the books I loved.***
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
May 19, 2020
Set against the backdrop of Victorian London in 1867, and inspired by both my love for romance and the era itself, this book was the result of my curiosity surrounding a single question: What would happen if a sheltered debutante crossed paths with a ruthless moneylender?
From there, the unscrupulous Cedric Sharpe, the shy Rose Wilkins, and the rocky (though remarkably pleasurable) road to their happily ever after were born.
I can only hope that you enjoy reading their story as much as I enjoyed writing it! :)
From there, the unscrupulous Cedric Sharpe, the shy Rose Wilkins, and the rocky (though remarkably pleasurable) road to their happily ever after were born.
I can only hope that you enjoy reading their story as much as I enjoyed writing it! :)
October 20, 2022
What a great read! This is my first book by Mara Shaw and I really enjoyed it. The forced/coerced marriage aspect as well as the grumpy/tortured hero vibe worked well for me.
Rose's brother's debts leave Rose in a difficult position. She has nothing but a title to her name which doesn't mean much for living in high society. While wealthy, Cedric's birth leaves him just outside of the social circles he desperately wants to be part of. These two strike up a bargain to marry thinking it will be beneficial to both - what they don't expect is real feelings and the sparks that fly.
In the best possible ways, this was a good mix of lots of world building, immediately attracted yet slow burn on the relationship itself, and finding true happiness. Cedric has a lot of healing to do and I like the way Rose supports him yet also doesn't hesitate to call him out. The secondary characters are well developed and a lot of fun as well. I don't know if Shaw has plans to give them their own books - The Scoundrel's Score stands well on it's own but could definitely launch a series that I'd love to read.
Rose's brother's debts leave Rose in a difficult position. She has nothing but a title to her name which doesn't mean much for living in high society. While wealthy, Cedric's birth leaves him just outside of the social circles he desperately wants to be part of. These two strike up a bargain to marry thinking it will be beneficial to both - what they don't expect is real feelings and the sparks that fly.
In the best possible ways, this was a good mix of lots of world building, immediately attracted yet slow burn on the relationship itself, and finding true happiness. Cedric has a lot of healing to do and I like the way Rose supports him yet also doesn't hesitate to call him out. The secondary characters are well developed and a lot of fun as well. I don't know if Shaw has plans to give them their own books - The Scoundrel's Score stands well on it's own but could definitely launch a series that I'd love to read.
August 26, 2019
I loved this author's writing!! 😍
February 20, 2020
Scoundrel’s Score was so good. I stayed up way too late reading it. It was like Tessa Dare’s One Dance with a Duke mixed with Lisa Kleypas’s Marrying Winterborne mixed with Anne Mallory’s One night is never enough. This a Victorian Romance with a marriage of convenience. It’s a little angsty in a good way and the tension was hot.
February 12, 2021
Mixed feelings. I'd like to give this 3 1/2 stars, because this is a debut book by this author. The plot is one of those typical tropes: women forced into marriage with an alpha due to the stupidity of her brother, father, etc. gambling away the family fortune. Typically when I read a book of this kind, I'm more sympathetic toward the heroine, and have to warm up to the hero. In this case, though, I liked the hero, Cedric, immediately, due to the prologue. His relationship with his mother is so sweet, and her fate is heartrending. It's so easy to picture the face of the boy left behind in your mind, and hard to relinquish that image as the story goes on. Yes, Cedric ends up a moneylender who has made most of his fortune off of others' misfortunes. However, it becomes pretty clear that most of the people who have borrowed from him are spoiled aristocrats used to using others. They've just never been asked to account for their behavior before. One of the biggest faults of this book is that the author seems to want you to see Cedric's moral compass as off, but most of the time, it's not that far off the mark. Cedric may not be a "nice guy", but he's never pretended to be, unlike a lot of the people around him.
Once the heroine, Rose, is introduced, the book started to lose me a bit, and lost me more as it the focus slanted in her direction. Although she does grow as a character, she remains too self-righteous. Later in the story, she acknowledges to herself how sheltered she has been, but there is still too much focus on Cedric's shortcomings and her disappointment in him. You get the sense that he is mostly a "fix-it project" in her eyes, and there is no way she could truly empathize with him. She just doesn't seem to possess that level of maturity.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
I nearly gave up on Rose by the halfway point. She is way too soft-hearted in her dealings with others (some might call her an enabler), while she's emotionally manipulative when dealing with Cedric. She doesn't agree with how he conducts business, so she withholds sex on her wedding night and asks to postpone the honeymoon. She is constantly concerned about her brother, who is so infuriating I wanted to poke his eyes out. He's caused her family to go at least 20,000 pounds into debt, she had to drag him home when he was drunk and debauched, and then he accused her of being a whore for marrying Cedric. He's what most people would consider a "toxic" family member, a spoiled man-child several years older than she is. It takes forever for her to finally see him as he is. (Of course, it all works out in the end and there are apologies all around. Urk.)
Rose also too concerned with the man she thought she was going to marry, Lawson. He is Cedric's half-brother, but she doesn't know that at first. She keeps feeling sorry for him having to break off their relationship (which is hard to define, really), when he was the one who led her on and never intended to marry her. Toward the end, when he realizes that Cedric almost brought him to the brink of financial ruin, his true nastiness comes out. He says hateful things to Cedric about his mother, and honestly, I wanted Cedric to punch him. Rose should thank her lucky stars she never married him. But she never says that, she just guilts Cedric into releasing Lawson from his debts. (And this is a nitpick, but why does she call Lawson by his first name after she's married, right in front of Cedric? It almost seems like she's trying to stir up a fight.)
The scene that should have been the climax, involving someone who is grieving due to the suicide of a family member who was deeply in Cedric's debt, loses its impact when you feel another sermon coming on. Rose admits the attempt on Cedric's life wasn't exactly his fault--but then implies it kind of is. His flaw, in her estimation, is that he's just not a deeply feeling enough guy--as if anyone with his background would be. And because she took a bullet for him, Cedric feels more and more guilty. Basically, Rose has taken on the role of martyr, and Cedric feels no choice but to change his line of work immediately. It's not the healthiest relationship.
If the epilogue had been more satisfying, I might have bumped this review up to 4 stars. But in the end, there really seems to be no point to all that's happened. Cedric's mom died an awful death, and before she died was treated like dirt by a nasty man who remains nasty, and whose biological son is equally nasty. You hope Cedric really does get his HEA, but I just can't see him finding it with Rose.
Nitpicks: a few editing errors early on in the book (tense shifts and spelling errors primarily). Nothing major.
Just to be aware, if you're looking for a "sweet and clean" romance, please don't be fooled by the cover alone; read the full title. I have no issues with "f-bombs" and descriptive sex, but a lot of reviewers these days seem to tear into Regency Romances for these two reasons alone. This book has its flaws, but don't tear into it because it's not your cup of tea. Doing so unfairly skews reviews and makes it harder for new authors to make a name for themselves. If you don't like a few "f-words" and sex just move along.
Once the heroine, Rose, is introduced, the book started to lose me a bit, and lost me more as it the focus slanted in her direction. Although she does grow as a character, she remains too self-righteous. Later in the story, she acknowledges to herself how sheltered she has been, but there is still too much focus on Cedric's shortcomings and her disappointment in him. You get the sense that he is mostly a "fix-it project" in her eyes, and there is no way she could truly empathize with him. She just doesn't seem to possess that level of maturity.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
I nearly gave up on Rose by the halfway point. She is way too soft-hearted in her dealings with others (some might call her an enabler), while she's emotionally manipulative when dealing with Cedric. She doesn't agree with how he conducts business, so she withholds sex on her wedding night and asks to postpone the honeymoon. She is constantly concerned about her brother, who is so infuriating I wanted to poke his eyes out. He's caused her family to go at least 20,000 pounds into debt, she had to drag him home when he was drunk and debauched, and then he accused her of being a whore for marrying Cedric. He's what most people would consider a "toxic" family member, a spoiled man-child several years older than she is. It takes forever for her to finally see him as he is. (Of course, it all works out in the end and there are apologies all around. Urk.)
Rose also too concerned with the man she thought she was going to marry, Lawson. He is Cedric's half-brother, but she doesn't know that at first. She keeps feeling sorry for him having to break off their relationship (which is hard to define, really), when he was the one who led her on and never intended to marry her. Toward the end, when he realizes that Cedric almost brought him to the brink of financial ruin, his true nastiness comes out. He says hateful things to Cedric about his mother, and honestly, I wanted Cedric to punch him. Rose should thank her lucky stars she never married him. But she never says that, she just guilts Cedric into releasing Lawson from his debts. (And this is a nitpick, but why does she call Lawson by his first name after she's married, right in front of Cedric? It almost seems like she's trying to stir up a fight.)
The scene that should have been the climax, involving someone who is grieving due to the suicide of a family member who was deeply in Cedric's debt, loses its impact when you feel another sermon coming on. Rose admits the attempt on Cedric's life wasn't exactly his fault--but then implies it kind of is. His flaw, in her estimation, is that he's just not a deeply feeling enough guy--as if anyone with his background would be. And because she took a bullet for him, Cedric feels more and more guilty. Basically, Rose has taken on the role of martyr, and Cedric feels no choice but to change his line of work immediately. It's not the healthiest relationship.
If the epilogue had been more satisfying, I might have bumped this review up to 4 stars. But in the end, there really seems to be no point to all that's happened. Cedric's mom died an awful death, and before she died was treated like dirt by a nasty man who remains nasty, and whose biological son is equally nasty. You hope Cedric really does get his HEA, but I just can't see him finding it with Rose.
Nitpicks: a few editing errors early on in the book (tense shifts and spelling errors primarily). Nothing major.
Just to be aware, if you're looking for a "sweet and clean" romance, please don't be fooled by the cover alone; read the full title. I have no issues with "f-bombs" and descriptive sex, but a lot of reviewers these days seem to tear into Regency Romances for these two reasons alone. This book has its flaws, but don't tear into it because it's not your cup of tea. Doing so unfairly skews reviews and makes it harder for new authors to make a name for themselves. If you don't like a few "f-words" and sex just move along.
May 28, 2019
This story was fabulous.
The story line is common enough, but Mara Shaw did am amazing job of making the characters real.
The characters were not entirely good or entirely bad, they all had flaws and they also had virtues.
Both characters were strong and have faced different kinds of hardship and that really built their character.
I loved Cedric and Rose together, they didn't jump into bed immediately even though their chemistry was unbelievable, they grew to respect and admire each other and fell in love.
The book was well written and I am looking forward to the next one in this series.
The story line is common enough, but Mara Shaw did am amazing job of making the characters real.
The characters were not entirely good or entirely bad, they all had flaws and they also had virtues.
Both characters were strong and have faced different kinds of hardship and that really built their character.
I loved Cedric and Rose together, they didn't jump into bed immediately even though their chemistry was unbelievable, they grew to respect and admire each other and fell in love.
The book was well written and I am looking forward to the next one in this series.
April 21, 2020
If only the book had been a reflection of its Prologue (/1st chapter in the book)! The biggest challenge this book suffered from, in my opinion, was character development, or lack thereof. Between the 2 MCs, I only know about the male MC (Cedric Sharpe) that he was driven hard to make money and that he near-hated the landed gentry and their unsustainable extravagant ways of living. That's it. I don't know much about the female MC beyond that she's a sweet good-natured girl.
Their attraction towards each other in the book was instant, even under the circumstances under which they met. As a reader, I couldn't help but question it. It's repeated over and over that the first time Rose visited Cedric at his home at midnight and that is scandalous. But you will see in the story that she really could have waited until morning.
Just like my last point, there are some points (Cedric's wealth and Rose's repurposed dresses) that are iterated so many times throughout the book, that they fail to make the intended impact and become just monotonous to read.
But the Prologue indeed is a ray of hope.
Stars: 2.5
Their attraction towards each other in the book was instant, even under the circumstances under which they met. As a reader, I couldn't help but question it. It's repeated over and over that the first time Rose visited Cedric at his home at midnight and that is scandalous. But you will see in the story that she really could have waited until morning.
Just like my last point, there are some points (Cedric's wealth and Rose's repurposed dresses) that are iterated so many times throughout the book, that they fail to make the intended impact and become just monotonous to read.
But the Prologue indeed is a ray of hope.
Stars: 2.5
October 8, 2023
...blue belle of the ball...
Wow this book was unexpected in a good way! I have never heard of this author and thought this looked like an easy read for October. It was, but also had a lot of heart and emotional depth I wasn't prepared for!
The writing her was very good. I loved both main characters, Cedric and Rose. I enjoyed the development of their romance and how they both fell so deeply in love. I think the hero fell right from the moment he saw Rose, but the author did a nice job of having the hero struggle with is emotions and wanting to be a good man for Rose.
I did want a bit more at the end. I felt like the resolution for Cedric and Rose wasn't as neatly tied as I'd hoped it would be. But, still, so well done.
I'm also disappointed that I can't find any more novels under this name. I'd love to read more!
2023 Monthly Reading Challenge
Month: Oct. Letters: S/T
Wow this book was unexpected in a good way! I have never heard of this author and thought this looked like an easy read for October. It was, but also had a lot of heart and emotional depth I wasn't prepared for!
The writing her was very good. I loved both main characters, Cedric and Rose. I enjoyed the development of their romance and how they both fell so deeply in love. I think the hero fell right from the moment he saw Rose, but the author did a nice job of having the hero struggle with is emotions and wanting to be a good man for Rose.
I did want a bit more at the end. I felt like the resolution for Cedric and Rose wasn't as neatly tied as I'd hoped it would be. But, still, so well done.
I'm also disappointed that I can't find any more novels under this name. I'd love to read more!
2023 Monthly Reading Challenge
Month: Oct. Letters: S/T
February 3, 2020
Reading over 370 books last year and hundreds and hundreds of authors over many years, there is only a handful that I truthfully can say are my favorites and I have actually read all their books. I have also started reading some new authors.
Mara Shaw is one of those new authors for me. I always research my authors before I get their book(s) to make sure it's my genre and if the story sounds interesting enough for me to read. After reading your book, you are now on my list of top favorites. I am not a writer and it’s hard for me to express exactly what I am trying to say but I was blown away how much I loved your book. I loved Cedric and Rose. I love how I felt for them and with them. The way you wrote about their back stories and their feelings….I felt those as well. I just loved their story. Please, please, please write more. If I could have given her more stars, I would have.
Mara Shaw is one of those new authors for me. I always research my authors before I get their book(s) to make sure it's my genre and if the story sounds interesting enough for me to read. After reading your book, you are now on my list of top favorites. I am not a writer and it’s hard for me to express exactly what I am trying to say but I was blown away how much I loved your book. I loved Cedric and Rose. I love how I felt for them and with them. The way you wrote about their back stories and their feelings….I felt those as well. I just loved their story. Please, please, please write more. If I could have given her more stars, I would have.
December 10, 2019
A Must Read
A seemingly common plot and yet the way it was written truly captivates. I enjoyed reading it.
I appreciate the maturity and depth of the characters. No TSTL, no contrived misunderstanding. It was a love story of two well matched couple. The hero rose from poverty and the stigma of being an illegitimate son. The heroine is courageous, gentle, smart innocent and mature. There were descriptive lovemaking scenes but it is not am issue for me as a romance reader. The love story in itself was compelling. I do like that there was an epilogue. I hope the author releases more books in the future.
A seemingly common plot and yet the way it was written truly captivates. I enjoyed reading it.
I appreciate the maturity and depth of the characters. No TSTL, no contrived misunderstanding. It was a love story of two well matched couple. The hero rose from poverty and the stigma of being an illegitimate son. The heroine is courageous, gentle, smart innocent and mature. There were descriptive lovemaking scenes but it is not am issue for me as a romance reader. The love story in itself was compelling. I do like that there was an epilogue. I hope the author releases more books in the future.
February 15, 2024
Tropes:
marriage of convenience
he falls first
MMC is a badass moneylender
virgin MFC
Victorian society
She makes a bargain to save her family
I have not read a historical romance in months and found this one good, it pulled me in right away! Cedric is a moneylender; most of his clientele are the noblemen in London's society. As a bastard son of a viscount, Cedric would love nothing better than to raise revenge on those who hurt his mother and discarded him as a child.
When Rose comes to meet him asking for help to pay off her wayward brother's fees, he cannot help but see a way to make his revenge real. But Rose is everything he has never had and she makes his hardened heart soften. Rose is shocked when he proposes to her right away and she agrees in order to save her brother and aunt. This mysterious man evokes desire in her and she is deeply attracted to him in all ways. But his cruelty to those in his debt worries her soft heart, and I love how Cedric and Rose work out their feelings together despite having differences. The spice is sexy but well done given the chemistry between them, when it happens you are routing for them! I think I will check out the rest of this series, especially concerning Rose's bestie Lilah but also Blake, the other moneylender in the book...
marriage of convenience
he falls first
MMC is a badass moneylender
virgin MFC
Victorian society
She makes a bargain to save her family
I have not read a historical romance in months and found this one good, it pulled me in right away! Cedric is a moneylender; most of his clientele are the noblemen in London's society. As a bastard son of a viscount, Cedric would love nothing better than to raise revenge on those who hurt his mother and discarded him as a child.
When Rose comes to meet him asking for help to pay off her wayward brother's fees, he cannot help but see a way to make his revenge real. But Rose is everything he has never had and she makes his hardened heart soften. Rose is shocked when he proposes to her right away and she agrees in order to save her brother and aunt. This mysterious man evokes desire in her and she is deeply attracted to him in all ways. But his cruelty to those in his debt worries her soft heart, and I love how Cedric and Rose work out their feelings together despite having differences. The spice is sexy but well done given the chemistry between them, when it happens you are routing for them! I think I will check out the rest of this series, especially concerning Rose's bestie Lilah but also Blake, the other moneylender in the book...
May 25, 2020
The Scoundrel's Score by Mara Shaw is a very good romance that will warm your heart. Rose's brother has gotten into some trouble borrowing money and basically bankrupting the estate. Rose is prepared to beg Cedric Sharpe for more time for her brother to pay, but Cedric has other ideas.
Cedric is instantly enchanted with Rose. He makes her an offer - marry him and he will forgive the debt and keep her in luxury. He wants Rose in his bed and she will also be the means for him to extract sweet revenge on another family that he wants to destroy.
Rose is nothing like Cedric expects. She is not a weeping, vapid debutante. She is kind, sweet and willing to see the good in others. They are opposites but their chemistry is off the charts hot. There are some very passionate scenes and some naughty, naughty ones. Will their budding love conquer all of their demons or is Cedric so bent on revenge he can't see the lovely woman in front of him?
I borrowed this book on KU.
Cedric is instantly enchanted with Rose. He makes her an offer - marry him and he will forgive the debt and keep her in luxury. He wants Rose in his bed and she will also be the means for him to extract sweet revenge on another family that he wants to destroy.
Rose is nothing like Cedric expects. She is not a weeping, vapid debutante. She is kind, sweet and willing to see the good in others. They are opposites but their chemistry is off the charts hot. There are some very passionate scenes and some naughty, naughty ones. Will their budding love conquer all of their demons or is Cedric so bent on revenge he can't see the lovely woman in front of him?
I borrowed this book on KU.
September 8, 2021
I really enjoyed this book and hope the author releases another soon. This story was about Rose and Cedric. Cedric had a terrible life at an early age being the illegitimate son of a Duke who did not acknowledge him. He grew up on the London streets and vowed to make something of himself. He turned out to be a moneylender so he could destroy all the aristocrats who snubbed him. And then he would own them when they gambled all they had. Rose's brother was in debt to Cedric and she went to see him to make a deal. They marry and work through all the issues. Rose is a very sweet, understanding woman and Cedric is amazed that anyone actually cares for him. This story kept me up late reading. I loved it. Not to be missed.
September 16, 2022
Wow! A very very well written love story! I very rarely give 5 stars but this one is a 5 star all the way! The H and h are such wonderful characters.. the author has crafted an amazing story that touches your heart. The H in particular has such a heart rending story and to see his cold exterior melt by the h.. she is a warm, brave and loving woman who sees past his barriers and unhesitatingly gives him acceptance and love.
I enjoyed this book thoroughly and am looking forward ti more books by this amazing author!
I enjoyed this book thoroughly and am looking forward ti more books by this amazing author!
November 24, 2023
The hero Cedric is a moneylender. When Lady Rose' brother can't pay his debt, Cedric offers to write it off, if Lady Rose marries him. Rose is horrified by her immoral new husband, but soon starts to see a softer side to him. You've got to love a hero called Cedric who reads Dickens. This book is more vibes than plots, but what excellent vibes. The prologue is a masterpiece that had me hooked from the first sentence. I was slightly less hooked as the book went on, but I still enjoyed it immensely.
January 26, 2021
Wonderful.
I was about 20% into the book when I decided to see how many other books Mara Shaw had available. I was surprised (and disappointed) to see this was her first! There are a couple of very minor typos, but other than that the book is wonderful.
I loved both main characters. The story clipped along at a pleasing pace. The ending was perfect.
Please write more, Ms. Shaw!
I was about 20% into the book when I decided to see how many other books Mara Shaw had available. I was surprised (and disappointed) to see this was her first! There are a couple of very minor typos, but other than that the book is wonderful.
I loved both main characters. The story clipped along at a pleasing pace. The ending was perfect.
Please write more, Ms. Shaw!
December 29, 2019
2.5
while the hero was Fine, and a light tommy shelby vibe was definitely there, i just couldnt stand the heroine’s stupidity. and the fact that he gave up his life’s work for her fancy!! moneylending is cruel cedric, u must forgive everyone’s debts now because This Is What Good People Do! ugh get off your high horse karen. got me angry, that.
while the hero was Fine, and a light tommy shelby vibe was definitely there, i just couldnt stand the heroine’s stupidity. and the fact that he gave up his life’s work for her fancy!! moneylending is cruel cedric, u must forgive everyone’s debts now because This Is What Good People Do! ugh get off your high horse karen. got me angry, that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2019
Wonderful First Book
I loved this book and had a hard time putting it down. It was done well and didn't feel drawn out like many books I've read recently. Cant wait until her next one! Will definitely be following this author!
I loved this book and had a hard time putting it down. It was done well and didn't feel drawn out like many books I've read recently. Cant wait until her next one! Will definitely be following this author!
October 8, 2019
Really nice debut. Great characters and interesting plot from a talented storyteller. Subtracted a star for some obvious editing mistakes (confusing discrete vs. discreet, phase vs. faze) but there is plenty of good stuff here to make it worth your while. Fans of Lisa Kleypas should like this.
April 17, 2020
Great Story
I seldom leave a review unless a book is exceptionally good. This was a true romance novel. The characters were both strong without having to sacrifice who they were. Very well written!
I seldom leave a review unless a book is exceptionally good. This was a true romance novel. The characters were both strong without having to sacrifice who they were. Very well written!
December 18, 2020
Awesome
The characters in the story were good for each other and how the love you have for family would have you making sacrifices on their behalf and the person you made the bargain with you end up falling in love with.
The characters in the story were good for each other and how the love you have for family would have you making sacrifices on their behalf and the person you made the bargain with you end up falling in love with.
January 10, 2021
This is the first book I've read by this author and it didn't disappoint. She writes her characters well. Cedric Sharpe and Lady Rose Wilkins are interesting characters. The secondary characters are compelling. I will definitely pick up more of Mara Shaw's books.
August 1, 2021
Lovely!
What a lovely story. From dump to triumph. Cedric’s character- we should all look upon. Not his wiry ways but his persistence to succeed. And for Rose- the devotion and love for her family. In the end, good always win.
What a lovely story. From dump to triumph. Cedric’s character- we should all look upon. Not his wiry ways but his persistence to succeed. And for Rose- the devotion and love for her family. In the end, good always win.
July 29, 2022
Incredibly Entertaining
The story of Cedric and Rose was adventurous and the storyline was well done. The adventurous relationship was thought provoking and had me in tears. Well done!!!
The story of Cedric and Rose was adventurous and the storyline was well done. The adventurous relationship was thought provoking and had me in tears. Well done!!!
June 15, 2024
3.5
I thought this was really an enjoyable read--had the classic intense businessman instantly falls in love with woman and he softens while also seeing the intensity of her. Not perfect, but enjoyable
I thought this was really an enjoyable read--had the classic intense businessman instantly falls in love with woman and he softens while also seeing the intensity of her. Not perfect, but enjoyable
May 8, 2019
Excellent Reading
Excellent story, wonderful characters. Most people are never completely good or bad as Cedric shows. Will definitely look for more from this author.
Excellent story, wonderful characters. Most people are never completely good or bad as Cedric shows. Will definitely look for more from this author.
June 20, 2019
I'm pretty sure I'm going to be putting this author up there with the rest of my favorite historical romance authors! I can't wait for the second book!!
August 10, 2019
Romance
Thank you for sharing these wonderful romance novels series books. Please keep writing more of these wonderful books. Thank you
Thank you for sharing these wonderful romance novels series books. Please keep writing more of these wonderful books. Thank you
February 7, 2020
Loved it
Loved the slow intimacy between the protagonists. Loved the way the siblings go through with their fight and disagreements. Heartfelt story-telling
Loved the slow intimacy between the protagonists. Loved the way the siblings go through with their fight and disagreements. Heartfelt story-telling
March 19, 2020
😍😍😍
A really really wonderful book. Riveting story,with clearly etched out characters. Truly brave and spirited heroine: a perfect match for the hero!!
A really really wonderful book. Riveting story,with clearly etched out characters. Truly brave and spirited heroine: a perfect match for the hero!!
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