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Sins and Scoundrels #4
Earl of Every Sin
Can a ruined lady's love save the Earl of Every Sin?
Book 4 in the Best-Selling Sins and Scoundrels series has arrived! Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited!
When Alessandro, the half-Spanish Earl of Rayne, settles upon a marriage of convenience with Lady Catriona Hamilton, the terms are clear: an heir in exchange for her freedom. Still haunted by his painful past, he has no intention of entertaining a true marriage with his new wife or remaining in England.
A ruined lady brought back from her banishment for a second chance, Catriona is practical and determined. There’s no stronger lure than the prospect of her independence. Except for the earl himself, that is.
Saddled with a scapegrace brother-in-law, a mouse-toting ward, a Spanish-speaking butler, and a wife he cannot stop wanting, Alessandro is about to learn life is best when it does not go according to plan. But if he doesn’t let go of the past, he’ll lose everything.
The darkest hearts fall the hardest…
Sins and Scoundrels
Book 1 - Duke of Depravity
Book 2 - Prince of Persuasion
Book 3 - Marquess of Mayhem
Book 4 - Earl of Every Sin
Book 5 - Duke of Debauchery
Book 4 in the Best-Selling Sins and Scoundrels series has arrived! Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited!
When Alessandro, the half-Spanish Earl of Rayne, settles upon a marriage of convenience with Lady Catriona Hamilton, the terms are clear: an heir in exchange for her freedom. Still haunted by his painful past, he has no intention of entertaining a true marriage with his new wife or remaining in England.
A ruined lady brought back from her banishment for a second chance, Catriona is practical and determined. There’s no stronger lure than the prospect of her independence. Except for the earl himself, that is.
Saddled with a scapegrace brother-in-law, a mouse-toting ward, a Spanish-speaking butler, and a wife he cannot stop wanting, Alessandro is about to learn life is best when it does not go according to plan. But if he doesn’t let go of the past, he’ll lose everything.
The darkest hearts fall the hardest…
Sins and Scoundrels
Book 1 - Duke of Depravity
Book 2 - Prince of Persuasion
Book 3 - Marquess of Mayhem
Book 4 - Earl of Every Sin
Book 5 - Duke of Debauchery
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 18, 2019
1684 people are currently reading
543 people want to read
About the author
Scarlett Scott
124 books1,583 followersUSA TODAY bestselling author Scarlett Scott writes steamy Victorian and Regency historical romances with strong, intelligent heroines and sexy alpha heroes. She lives in Pennsylvania and Maryland with her Canadian husband, their adorable identical twins, a demanding diva dog, and one zany cat.
For Scarlett's latest releases, exclusive excerpts, contests and more, visit her website, http://www.scarlettscottauthor.com
For Scarlett's latest releases, exclusive excerpts, contests and more, visit her website, http://www.scarlettscottauthor.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
July 26, 2020
A marriage of convenience between the half-Spanish Earl of Rayne and the sister of the perpetually inebriated Duke of Montrose, whom he shot and wounded in a duel. The two men agreed for Alessandro's debt of honour to be discharged as a marriage between him and Lady Catriona, who has spent the last few years hidden in remote Scotland after a scandalous incident. Alessandro needs a heir and Catriona wants her independence and freedom. After a fiery first meeting, Alessandro is able to persuade the headstrong Catriona to agree to their mutually beneficial marital arrangement.
The marriage follows promptly and they're off to satisfy the terms of their arrangement. The quicker they apply themselves to produce the heir for Alessandro's earldom, the sooner Alessandro can return back to Spain where his heart truly lies and Catriona can get to live her life autonomously. Of course, they enjoy the heir production part way far more than is wise for both of them. Both realise that living separate lives in separate countries might not be as easy as they had thought. Damn those tender feelings for getting in the way of practical planning! It takes Alessandro significantly longer to come to the same conclusion as Catriona, past traumas blinded him for a while to the present and the future.
Lovely writing, very authentic sounding. I love Alessandro's interactions with his highly efficient poker-faced butler, who audaciously had taken to learn Spanish to annoyingly ruin him of the pleasure of cursing or muttering incomprehensibly to himself in Spanish. Catriona lost her sprite in the first part of the marriage. She allowed herself to be overwhelmed and overawed by the masculine force that is Alessandro. It got more interesting when she showed more backbone and stood her ground. Montrose and Hattie's story sounds like an interesting one. I love a good redeemed rake story.
Good heavens, had she slept through the consummation? Had she lain still? Thought of the weather?
and no, she did not sleep through the consummation for when it finally happened:
Surely Mama was wrong about the wedding night. What woman could think of rain or wind when Alessandro Forsythe touched her thus?
They had just become one, engaged in the deepest form of intimacy, and yet he was quiet at her side. Close enough to touch, but emotionally, he may as well have been an ocean away from her. He may as well have already returned to Spain. Where his heart was.
She wondered how he could show her such tenderness and yet eviscerate her at the same time?
“What manner of woman did you imagine you had wedded?” she asked. “I am the scapegrace sister of a scapegrace.”
Her beautiful husband was hiding more scars than she could count beneath his perfect exterior. And she was paying the price for every blade that had inflicted its mark upon him.
The marriage follows promptly and they're off to satisfy the terms of their arrangement. The quicker they apply themselves to produce the heir for Alessandro's earldom, the sooner Alessandro can return back to Spain where his heart truly lies and Catriona can get to live her life autonomously. Of course, they enjoy the heir production part way far more than is wise for both of them. Both realise that living separate lives in separate countries might not be as easy as they had thought. Damn those tender feelings for getting in the way of practical planning! It takes Alessandro significantly longer to come to the same conclusion as Catriona, past traumas blinded him for a while to the present and the future.
Lovely writing, very authentic sounding. I love Alessandro's interactions with his highly efficient poker-faced butler, who audaciously had taken to learn Spanish to annoyingly ruin him of the pleasure of cursing or muttering incomprehensibly to himself in Spanish. Catriona lost her sprite in the first part of the marriage. She allowed herself to be overwhelmed and overawed by the masculine force that is Alessandro. It got more interesting when she showed more backbone and stood her ground. Montrose and Hattie's story sounds like an interesting one. I love a good redeemed rake story.
Good heavens, had she slept through the consummation? Had she lain still? Thought of the weather?
and no, she did not sleep through the consummation for when it finally happened:
Surely Mama was wrong about the wedding night. What woman could think of rain or wind when Alessandro Forsythe touched her thus?
They had just become one, engaged in the deepest form of intimacy, and yet he was quiet at her side. Close enough to touch, but emotionally, he may as well have been an ocean away from her. He may as well have already returned to Spain. Where his heart was.
She wondered how he could show her such tenderness and yet eviscerate her at the same time?
“What manner of woman did you imagine you had wedded?” she asked. “I am the scapegrace sister of a scapegrace.”
Her beautiful husband was hiding more scars than she could count beneath his perfect exterior. And she was paying the price for every blade that had inflicted its mark upon him.
November 29, 2019
When Scarlett is good she is great!!
I love this woman. I loved this story.Rayne was so hot and I loved The heroine too. And yes there were times I hated the hero. He was so very cruel sometimes. I know he had loved his first wife and I hated how he treated the h. I loved Olly but there is no way I will ever think of Monty as a hero. He is a pig and I know him and Hattie will have their own story but I won't read it. I hate manwhore and drunks. Hattie deserves better. I love this book. It was so hot!!!
I love this woman. I loved this story.Rayne was so hot and I loved The heroine too. And yes there were times I hated the hero. He was so very cruel sometimes. I know he had loved his first wife and I hated how he treated the h. I loved Olly but there is no way I will ever think of Monty as a hero. He is a pig and I know him and Hattie will have their own story but I won't read it. I hate manwhore and drunks. Hattie deserves better. I love this book. It was so hot!!!
July 30, 2020
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cat’s situation with Alessandro was so “wretched”. I completely understood her jealousy towards his first wife, I’d have felt the same if I found myself in the same situation so no, I didn’t think she had to feel guilty for feeling jealous of the woman. It was very natural.
Sometimes I felt like she “did” agree to marry him when he told her from the start that he would leave, so it wasn’t right that she tried to make him look like the bad guy even as he stuck to the decision.
Alesssandro... well, I don’t know how I felt about him. He was quite inconsiderate sometimes and I wished Cat hadn’t fallen hard & fast for him. I wished he’d fallen for her hard & fast first and chased her without her going through the misery she did with him when they first married.
I was so happy when, after they consummated their marriage and he detached himself, she stiffened and asked him to leave! I’d been worried I’d be stuck reading about her chasing after him all weepy and stuff!
She was strong and knew just when to retreat, and I appreciate that he chased her then. I loved the writing style. Honestly, I’d started giving up on regency books thinking most of them to be without much depth but this book changed my mind about all of that. Also the cover is probably the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen. I have to admit, it was what made me willing to try a regency book. All in all, It was a lovely read and I will check out more in the series!
Cat’s situation with Alessandro was so “wretched”. I completely understood her jealousy towards his first wife, I’d have felt the same if I found myself in the same situation so no, I didn’t think she had to feel guilty for feeling jealous of the woman. It was very natural.
Sometimes I felt like she “did” agree to marry him when he told her from the start that he would leave, so it wasn’t right that she tried to make him look like the bad guy even as he stuck to the decision.
Alesssandro... well, I don’t know how I felt about him. He was quite inconsiderate sometimes and I wished Cat hadn’t fallen hard & fast for him. I wished he’d fallen for her hard & fast first and chased her without her going through the misery she did with him when they first married.
I was so happy when, after they consummated their marriage and he detached himself, she stiffened and asked him to leave! I’d been worried I’d be stuck reading about her chasing after him all weepy and stuff!
She was strong and knew just when to retreat, and I appreciate that he chased her then. I loved the writing style. Honestly, I’d started giving up on regency books thinking most of them to be without much depth but this book changed my mind about all of that. Also the cover is probably the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen. I have to admit, it was what made me willing to try a regency book. All in all, It was a lovely read and I will check out more in the series!
September 5, 2021
This was more a 3.5 rating.
I think I was looking for more angst in this love story. Maybe it was just me, but felt it was lacking in that department.
The hero's love and constant thoughts of his first wife and child throughout the story was a little too much for my liking. I felt like the heroine was second best. Another of my issues with this book.
I really liked and appreciated the heroine. Now this is a strong woman. She speaks her mind and makes her own decisions (as much as possible for that time period) and went after what she wanted with grace. But she was sweet and kind.
Enjoyable read. Might have had a little to high expectations for it though.
I think I was looking for more angst in this love story. Maybe it was just me, but felt it was lacking in that department.
The hero's love and constant thoughts of his first wife and child throughout the story was a little too much for my liking. I felt like the heroine was second best. Another of my issues with this book.
I really liked and appreciated the heroine. Now this is a strong woman. She speaks her mind and makes her own decisions (as much as possible for that time period) and went after what she wanted with grace. But she was sweet and kind.
Enjoyable read. Might have had a little to high expectations for it though.
April 5, 2020
4.5 stars.....Alessandro and Catriona's book.
Just my thoughts,not really a review,more like a rant per say......here goes.....
Maria,Maria,Maria,and Francisco!!!!!....this was the dead wife and stillborn child of the hero.To say there was only 2 main characters in this story is not true,there were 4!! How I loathe the beloved dead wife / child trope....these 2 deceased were in every thought and day in this hero's head.He makes love to his new wife on their wedding night and then suffers pangs of guilt ,he cannot kiss his wife because his kiss belongs to his dead wife.He cannot abide children because of the loss of his stillborn son,on and on these 2 featured a major part of this story.His heart was dead and buried with them.
He was a horrible hero and I did not once believe that he loved his wife more than he loved the first wife.He kept on comparing them and that pissed me off major!It makes me wonder if the dead wife came back to life, he would drop wife #2 like a hot potato as wife #1was his "angel",one and only..bleech!!!I only felt his lust for his present wife,the heroine.
I liked the heroine and felt so sad for her,she really wanted the hero to love her as she loved him and she understood his feelings,but she wanted him to open up and come clean of the padt,but he was resistant till the end when the heroine finally realizes that she was not loved and she left him.Only then did the jerk realize that he loved his now wife and the past was past,but I did not believe him still.He did not really explain his past wife to the heroine and this reader.I needed to know that the heroine was IT for him no matter how much he called her "querida and mi amor "nope,not buying it!!!
The epilogue shows them with a son who is blessed with the second name of his first son,Francisco, so a constant reminder again of what he lost with wife#1still in the picture.
So why the high rating....the high rating is for the heroine, the English Spanish speaking buttler,Hattie(next heroine),and the rat loving Olivia.I liked Monty,wastrel that he is, and the hero of the next book. The zero hero gets a -1 as he is my least liked hero by this author.
Just my thoughts,not really a review,more like a rant per say......here goes.....
Maria,Maria,Maria,and Francisco!!!!!....this was the dead wife and stillborn child of the hero.To say there was only 2 main characters in this story is not true,there were 4!! How I loathe the beloved dead wife / child trope....these 2 deceased were in every thought and day in this hero's head.He makes love to his new wife on their wedding night and then suffers pangs of guilt ,he cannot kiss his wife because his kiss belongs to his dead wife.He cannot abide children because of the loss of his stillborn son,on and on these 2 featured a major part of this story.His heart was dead and buried with them.
He was a horrible hero and I did not once believe that he loved his wife more than he loved the first wife.He kept on comparing them and that pissed me off major!It makes me wonder if the dead wife came back to life, he would drop wife #2 like a hot potato as wife #1was his "angel",one and only..bleech!!!I only felt his lust for his present wife,the heroine.
I liked the heroine and felt so sad for her,she really wanted the hero to love her as she loved him and she understood his feelings,but she wanted him to open up and come clean of the padt,but he was resistant till the end when the heroine finally realizes that she was not loved and she left him.Only then did the jerk realize that he loved his now wife and the past was past,but I did not believe him still.He did not really explain his past wife to the heroine and this reader.I needed to know that the heroine was IT for him no matter how much he called her "querida and mi amor "nope,not buying it!!!
The epilogue shows them with a son who is blessed with the second name of his first son,Francisco, so a constant reminder again of what he lost with wife#1still in the picture.
So why the high rating....the high rating is for the heroine, the English Spanish speaking buttler,Hattie(next heroine),and the rat loving Olivia.I liked Monty,wastrel that he is, and the hero of the next book. The zero hero gets a -1 as he is my least liked hero by this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 16, 2020
H was like a stubborn toddler. 3,5 stars.
April 20, 2020
Wow that was a sensual historical romance! I love marriage of convenience stories. Catriona was a brave lady so loving and sweet. Alessandro was a tortured man after the death of his first wife and son. He needs an heir and he thinks marrying Catriona will provide him with an heir without becoming emotionally involved. However Catriona falls in love with her husband and she is determined to heal Alessandro's heart.
A wonderful emotional heart-wrenching read. The passion between Catriona and Alessandro just lights the pages on fire. The love scenes were steamy and the epilogue with their baby boy adorable! I highly recommend this book!
A wonderful emotional heart-wrenching read. The passion between Catriona and Alessandro just lights the pages on fire. The love scenes were steamy and the epilogue with their baby boy adorable! I highly recommend this book!
August 25, 2021
**** 4.5 stars ****
I LOVE second wife trope.❤️ This genre gives me goosebumps as I think the second wife situation is one of the most emotional things MCs go through.
They are vulnerable at the same time tries to be their strongest self, which is absolutely beautiful to read.
I LOVE second wife trope.❤️ This genre gives me goosebumps as I think the second wife situation is one of the most emotional things MCs go through.
They are vulnerable at the same time tries to be their strongest self, which is absolutely beautiful to read.
November 21, 2019
EARL OF EVERY SIN has a very interesting premise for the marriage of convenience, intimately tied to the behaviour of the extraordinarily memorable Monty - the Duke of Montrose - the heroine's brother. Alessandro Forsythe, the Earl of Rayne, needs an heir, thus a wife; Lady Catriona Hamilton wants freedom and respectability, and marrying will ensure they both get what they want. However, neither had counted on the attraction they experience. Catriona is cool with that, but Alessandro! Oh dear me, what a stubborn, silly man!
I can't, for the life of me, comprehend why someone refuses to love. Refuses to be loved I get, but stops himself from loving, I don't. Anyway, Scarlett Scott does an impressive job at making Catriona a strong, appealing, and believable character. Catriona is extremely wily and clever in how she goes about trying to move the immovable object that is her husband. She has the patient of a saint but is never a doormat; she takes the bull by the horns. I didn't hate Alessandro, but he was frustrating and infuriating. It was fascinating to see that Catriona understood him better than he understood himself and worked with that knowledge.
The secondary characters are brilliantly crafted: Hattie - Catriona's best friend -, Johnstone, Alessandro's butler; and the unforgettable Monty, whose story will be epic. The prose is exquisite - elegant and eloquent; the dialogues are smart and realistic, and the sprinkling of Spanish was used to great effect; a delicious sexual tension smoulders from the beginning to eventually light up an inferno. EARL OF EVERY SIN is very intense, and I'm amazed at how Scarlett Scott kept me engaged in the story, never making Alessandro so disagreeable that I didn't care for him; that is not easy to do.
I can't, for the life of me, comprehend why someone refuses to love. Refuses to be loved I get, but stops himself from loving, I don't. Anyway, Scarlett Scott does an impressive job at making Catriona a strong, appealing, and believable character. Catriona is extremely wily and clever in how she goes about trying to move the immovable object that is her husband. She has the patient of a saint but is never a doormat; she takes the bull by the horns. I didn't hate Alessandro, but he was frustrating and infuriating. It was fascinating to see that Catriona understood him better than he understood himself and worked with that knowledge.
The secondary characters are brilliantly crafted: Hattie - Catriona's best friend -, Johnstone, Alessandro's butler; and the unforgettable Monty, whose story will be epic. The prose is exquisite - elegant and eloquent; the dialogues are smart and realistic, and the sprinkling of Spanish was used to great effect; a delicious sexual tension smoulders from the beginning to eventually light up an inferno. EARL OF EVERY SIN is very intense, and I'm amazed at how Scarlett Scott kept me engaged in the story, never making Alessandro so disagreeable that I didn't care for him; that is not easy to do.
December 8, 2019
Another Perfect Regency Romance
I love everything about this book!
I love the Earl of Rayne’s aka El Corazon Oscuro names!
He is dark and super handsome. He was the son to an English Earl and Spanish mother. But, he has fought many wars against the French in Spain. He is also a tortured soul with many painful secrets. He is only in England for an English wife to bear him an heir.
Lady Catriona is a ruined young lady who has recently returned from Scotland. She is a beautiful and strong young lady. Very willful and compassionate.
She agrees to marry the handsome Earl. Then begins a tumultuous marriage with ups and downs and a lot of steamy love scenes 😍🔥
As always, this is a great storyline, a tormented man determined to get an heir on a wife with other plans.
Through this well paced storyline a series of events happen and while at one of his estates. An orphan staying at the estate, Olly, and a witty butler who learned Spanish and and answers the Earl in Spanish 😊
This is a beautiful story of how love heals, and love overcomes anything. A strong heroine and a handsome Earl ❤️
I absolutely loved this book and I really love Epilogues 🥰��️
I love everything about this book!
I love the Earl of Rayne’s aka El Corazon Oscuro names!
He is dark and super handsome. He was the son to an English Earl and Spanish mother. But, he has fought many wars against the French in Spain. He is also a tortured soul with many painful secrets. He is only in England for an English wife to bear him an heir.
Lady Catriona is a ruined young lady who has recently returned from Scotland. She is a beautiful and strong young lady. Very willful and compassionate.
She agrees to marry the handsome Earl. Then begins a tumultuous marriage with ups and downs and a lot of steamy love scenes 😍🔥
As always, this is a great storyline, a tormented man determined to get an heir on a wife with other plans.
Through this well paced storyline a series of events happen and while at one of his estates. An orphan staying at the estate, Olly, and a witty butler who learned Spanish and and answers the Earl in Spanish 😊
This is a beautiful story of how love heals, and love overcomes anything. A strong heroine and a handsome Earl ❤️
I absolutely loved this book and I really love Epilogues 🥰��️
February 28, 2024
meh. felt very insta love. DNF and skimmed a bit. The whole spanish took me out of it a bit. Just couldn't catch any chemistry.
May 17, 2020
Wow, I loved this story. The chemistry between Alessandro and Catriona was hot and sexy. I really enjoyed reading this (finished at 3.30am). 5☆
March 12, 2020
Rating: 3.5/5.0
“Earl of Every Sin” is a sinfully sensual historical romance readers will enjoy!
Read full review in the 2020 March issue of InD'tale Magazine.
“Earl of Every Sin” is a sinfully sensual historical romance readers will enjoy!
Read full review in the 2020 March issue of InD'tale Magazine.
November 22, 2019
"A man cannot break your heart if it is never his to break." Would those be words she would reflect on later when it came to Lord Rayne?
There was something dark and dangerous, breath arresting, and stomach-clenching about him. But the arrangement he promised would suit her fine. Marry, give him a male child and he would go back to Spain and leave her to live as she wanted. She was ruined so what did it matter?
A wounded soul who was only focused on doing his duty for a heir to carry on his title in England. Not wanting to get close to a woman because that part was dead inside. Or was it?
Alessandro, the scarred hero, needed to find love almost as much as his bethrothed, Catriona. Both were weary and it seemed their journey would be long to finding happiness.
But you never know what will happen in a story by this fabulous author as she writes! Trust me, you will not be able to put this one down until the end! Sigh....
There was something dark and dangerous, breath arresting, and stomach-clenching about him. But the arrangement he promised would suit her fine. Marry, give him a male child and he would go back to Spain and leave her to live as she wanted. She was ruined so what did it matter?
A wounded soul who was only focused on doing his duty for a heir to carry on his title in England. Not wanting to get close to a woman because that part was dead inside. Or was it?
Alessandro, the scarred hero, needed to find love almost as much as his bethrothed, Catriona. Both were weary and it seemed their journey would be long to finding happiness.
But you never know what will happen in a story by this fabulous author as she writes! Trust me, you will not be able to put this one down until the end! Sigh....
November 23, 2019
So many FEELS
I did not expect to be so moved by this book, but Mrs. Scott’s Alessandro and Catriona stole my heart. It’s a tear-jerker! Alessandro is grieving the death of his Spanish wife and son. He has no room in his heart to love another. He weds Catriona out of selfish convenience. He needs an heir and a countess. He stubbornly closes himself off from Catriona and she stubbornly pursues his affections.
Alessandro is one of my new favorite characters by Mrs. Scott. He is so alluring, scarred and romantic. I loved Catriona’s emotional resilience. This is one of my new favorite books by Mrs. Scott.
I did not expect to be so moved by this book, but Mrs. Scott’s Alessandro and Catriona stole my heart. It’s a tear-jerker! Alessandro is grieving the death of his Spanish wife and son. He has no room in his heart to love another. He weds Catriona out of selfish convenience. He needs an heir and a countess. He stubbornly closes himself off from Catriona and she stubbornly pursues his affections.
Alessandro is one of my new favorite characters by Mrs. Scott. He is so alluring, scarred and romantic. I loved Catriona’s emotional resilience. This is one of my new favorite books by Mrs. Scott.
November 27, 2019
Oh my, I fell in love with Catriona and Alessandro. Rayne, who thinks he is totally undeserving and Catriona who is convinced he is all she wants.
But then you have a goofy brother who can't stay away from the Brandy, a best friend who is in love with said brother (but God forbid should anyone catch on), an urchin boy who really isn't and who carries around his pet mouse, and a former manager who has all but stripped Lord Rayne's boyhood home of everything. Sounds like my kind of family.
Catriona makes a marriage "deal" with Rayne at the beginning of the book and neither one has an inkling of what will happen between them. I can tell you what did work between them was the passion and steam. Not too much and not too little. This was just like Goldilocks - just right.
This story did not have a boring word in it. Every page I flipped through with my Kindle brought me another little tidbit to add to the story. The urchin was a great touch, the brother was definitely a "shaking my head" moment or two or three. The only place where I had to scratch my head was at the end...I thought more should have been said about Marchmont, but it didn't spoil the story or ruin my enjoyment.
Needless to say, Scarlett Scott has a fan here! I'm happily looking forward to her next book on my TBR list.
But then you have a goofy brother who can't stay away from the Brandy, a best friend who is in love with said brother (but God forbid should anyone catch on), an urchin boy who really isn't and who carries around his pet mouse, and a former manager who has all but stripped Lord Rayne's boyhood home of everything. Sounds like my kind of family.
Catriona makes a marriage "deal" with Rayne at the beginning of the book and neither one has an inkling of what will happen between them. I can tell you what did work between them was the passion and steam. Not too much and not too little. This was just like Goldilocks - just right.
This story did not have a boring word in it. Every page I flipped through with my Kindle brought me another little tidbit to add to the story. The urchin was a great touch, the brother was definitely a "shaking my head" moment or two or three. The only place where I had to scratch my head was at the end...I thought more should have been said about Marchmont, but it didn't spoil the story or ruin my enjoyment.
Needless to say, Scarlett Scott has a fan here! I'm happily looking forward to her next book on my TBR list.
July 29, 2025
**2.5 stars**
This book really got me with the heat level warning. Doing the same moves in different locations is NOT my definition of scorching hot - for that, you need a lot of detailed (and varied) love scenes, starting almost from the beginning. This is how I felt with what we got:
Catriona is ruined after she's found kissing a guy at a ball. This guy wooed her to win a bet and instead of the brother demanding she marry this scoundrel, he asks another guy he fought in a duel to marry her.
Our half Spanish Earl with an Italian name (the Spanish form of the name is Alejandro NOT Alessandro) proposes to Catriona because he needs an heir. Once a son is born, they'll go their separate ways and live independent lives. Catriona, who's ruined, agrees as this is preferable to a live as a companion. He insists on marrying in 7 days and instead of that week passing quickly, we get almost 40% of the book with them counting each day until the marriage and catching feelings almost immediately. He starts acting jealous of other men and she starts wondering how she can gain his heart (the ruining happened recently so she should have still pining for the other dude.) Once they marry, he's constantly running hot and cold, being nasty after they do the deed while she constantly pushes him. He tells her he doesn't kiss on the lips and folds like a cheap suit a couple of days into the marriage. They've been married probably a week when the heroine is declaring she's in love with the guy - after knowing him for two weeks where he's been mostly nasty to her.
The Spanish in the book was dreadful and him speaking in Spanish at every turn was more of an affectation. He grew up in England and his father didn't even let him speak Spanish at home, he shouldn't have had an accent. In fact, it would have made more sense if he hadn't been accepted in Spain either - people from two cultures sometimes are rejected by both, specially in those days!
I read this out of out order and the heroes of the next books are not very appealing so unlikely to continue the series.
This book really got me with the heat level warning. Doing the same moves in different locations is NOT my definition of scorching hot - for that, you need a lot of detailed (and varied) love scenes, starting almost from the beginning. This is how I felt with what we got:
Catriona is ruined after she's found kissing a guy at a ball. This guy wooed her to win a bet and instead of the brother demanding she marry this scoundrel, he asks another guy he fought in a duel to marry her.
Our half Spanish Earl with an Italian name (the Spanish form of the name is Alejandro NOT Alessandro) proposes to Catriona because he needs an heir. Once a son is born, they'll go their separate ways and live independent lives. Catriona, who's ruined, agrees as this is preferable to a live as a companion. He insists on marrying in 7 days and instead of that week passing quickly, we get almost 40% of the book with them counting each day until the marriage and catching feelings almost immediately. He starts acting jealous of other men and she starts wondering how she can gain his heart (the ruining happened recently so she should have still pining for the other dude.) Once they marry, he's constantly running hot and cold, being nasty after they do the deed while she constantly pushes him. He tells her he doesn't kiss on the lips and folds like a cheap suit a couple of days into the marriage. They've been married probably a week when the heroine is declaring she's in love with the guy - after knowing him for two weeks where he's been mostly nasty to her.
The Spanish in the book was dreadful and him speaking in Spanish at every turn was more of an affectation. He grew up in England and his father didn't even let him speak Spanish at home, he shouldn't have had an accent. In fact, it would have made more sense if he hadn't been accepted in Spain either - people from two cultures sometimes are rejected by both, specially in those days!
I read this out of out order and the heroes of the next books are not very appealing so unlikely to continue the series.
December 10, 2022
Oh, how I lived Catriona, she was a goddess of grace in bringing Alessandro’s closed and broken heart back to life. I adored the way Cat took young Olivia (and Ashes) under her wing.
I hope young Olivia gets her HEA with a fine lord someday and have all the love and riches she deserves.
My sweet darling Monty. He’s my favorite hero of this series and one of my top five heroes ever. Hattie certainly whips his nonsense into ship shape.
Great entry in this lovely series.
I hope young Olivia gets her HEA with a fine lord someday and have all the love and riches she deserves.
My sweet darling Monty. He’s my favorite hero of this series and one of my top five heroes ever. Hattie certainly whips his nonsense into ship shape.
Great entry in this lovely series.
April 17, 2020
Wonderful Read. Look forward to reading more in this series.
Want to read
May 30, 2023🎁 FREE on Amazon today (5/30/2023)! 🎁
December 1, 2024
11/30/24 re-read
I thought the review below was for the wrong book in the series. This time around I was annoyed by Rayne and her obsession with him. His lack of groveling impacted me more now and drops my rating to 3.5. In 24 hours he turned around and all was well. He was horny, not in love.
4.5 stars
Thoroughly enjoyed, great characters, MOC trope but written well, good pace and tolerable secondary characters. I’m so glad they didn’t get bogged down with Monty and Torri. I only wish he groveled more, yes you loved your wife and son but to throw it in her face constantly, even if it’s a defense mechanism. He got off easy.
I thought the review below was for the wrong book in the series. This time around I was annoyed by Rayne and her obsession with him. His lack of groveling impacted me more now and drops my rating to 3.5. In 24 hours he turned around and all was well. He was horny, not in love.
4.5 stars
Thoroughly enjoyed, great characters, MOC trope but written well, good pace and tolerable secondary characters. I’m so glad they didn’t get bogged down with Monty and Torri. I only wish he groveled more, yes you loved your wife and son but to throw it in her face constantly, even if it’s a defense mechanism. He got off easy.
December 27, 2019
A good read my only criticism is that the H needed to grovel/make more of an effort at the end. Not the last 2% of the book. Could have done with more dedication on his part from about 85% of the way through
Stumbled across this author reading the first winter book. I think thats her best work so far i think along with wilful in winter
Stumbled across this author reading the first winter book. I think thats her best work so far i think along with wilful in winter
November 18, 2019
Earl of Every Sin
I loved everything about this book, oh my goodness! It was and is fantastic. The plot, characters, angst, and the romance: it all had my reader's heart rejoicing. I like that the character was from Spain; it had me wondering why more historical romance authors don't center stories around Spain. Anyway, I want more of these two characters; can I get a Christmas novella? I highly recommend this book, but you will need to make sure that you find a quiet place so no one will disturb you because once you start, you will not want to be interrupted.
I loved everything about this book, oh my goodness! It was and is fantastic. The plot, characters, angst, and the romance: it all had my reader's heart rejoicing. I like that the character was from Spain; it had me wondering why more historical romance authors don't center stories around Spain. Anyway, I want more of these two characters; can I get a Christmas novella? I highly recommend this book, but you will need to make sure that you find a quiet place so no one will disturb you because once you start, you will not want to be interrupted.
November 20, 2019
Sitting here fanning myself 🔥🔥❤️❤️
Wow, Alessandro is so tortured but so stinking hot! And I was rooting for Catriona from the beginning to get her man! I have loved this series from the beginning and these books just keep getting better and better. Oh, Alessandro it is so hard to stop thinking about him and his Spanish words. This marriage of convenience becomes a hot, spicy, agonizing and yet oh so romantic story. I bought this book and it does not disappoint. I can’t wait for the Duke of Debauchery!
Wow, Alessandro is so tortured but so stinking hot! And I was rooting for Catriona from the beginning to get her man! I have loved this series from the beginning and these books just keep getting better and better. Oh, Alessandro it is so hard to stop thinking about him and his Spanish words. This marriage of convenience becomes a hot, spicy, agonizing and yet oh so romantic story. I bought this book and it does not disappoint. I can’t wait for the Duke of Debauchery!
August 8, 2020
2.5 stars for me,
Steamy ? Yes! But the plot is very simple not exciting really but the characters has depths. I don't know about the writing, it was good but lacking because I really admired authors who can make the characters do something while having conversations.. if you know what I mean. It's like reading their dialogues and you keep wondering what they are doing while saying that. This one is not like that...
Steamy ? Yes! But the plot is very simple not exciting really but the characters has depths. I don't know about the writing, it was good but lacking because I really admired authors who can make the characters do something while having conversations.. if you know what I mean. It's like reading their dialogues and you keep wondering what they are doing while saying that. This one is not like that...
March 11, 2024
The pacing was literary genius. Emotionally charged
The angst was mesmerizing, and achingly beautiful. Catriona was a wonderful example of a strong female character. She's a young, vivacious beautiful woman, whereas the Hero was a devastatingly ravishing hero - appearing fantastically and defiantly male with his Spanish roots.
Loved everything from the beginning until the end, where the author fast forwarded the apology and made the grovel non existent.
I wish there was more remorse, more glimpses into the Hero when he realized he loved his wife. It's such a shame that she just skipped to that part. Such a waste.
Otherwise, this would've been a 5.
The angst was mesmerizing, and achingly beautiful. Catriona was a wonderful example of a strong female character. She's a young, vivacious beautiful woman, whereas the Hero was a devastatingly ravishing hero - appearing fantastically and defiantly male with his Spanish roots.
Loved everything from the beginning until the end, where the author fast forwarded the apology and made the grovel non existent.
I wish there was more remorse, more glimpses into the Hero when he realized he loved his wife. It's such a shame that she just skipped to that part. Such a waste.
Otherwise, this would've been a 5.
June 19, 2020
It was nice enough.
June 21, 2021
2.5 ⭐️
It was good in the beginning and then I was aburrida.
The guy needs therapy for anger management.
It was hard for me to finish the book
It was good in the beginning and then I was aburrida.
The guy needs therapy for anger management.
It was hard for me to finish the book
April 4, 2025
Was looking forward to this, and was epically disappointed that this was the 'dead ex they are still not over' trope. No thanks.
April 5, 2025
This was okay but I didn’t really connect to the characters.
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