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Donally Family #3
A Match Made in Scandal
An obsession that blooms into scandal...
Since childhood, Ryan Donally adored Rachel Bailey, though the brilliant, beautiful lass saw him as just another rowdy boy. The years pulled them apart, carrying Rachel to a place of responsibility and respect few women of her time enjoyed . . . while Ryan ascended to undreamed-of heights of wealth and success, and bound his heart to another.
Now fate has brought them together once again—and Rachel sees not the boy she once spurned, but a breathtaking man she desires. Yet Ryan has moved on and is unwilling to forgive, and Rachel hides a secret shame that could destroy everything she has worked for. Then, in one moment of unrestrained passion, the walls between them tumble, and the price they must pay is a marriage neither can afford. But will a sensuous fire too-long resisted bring tragedy . . . or will it forge a glorious and undying love?
Since childhood, Ryan Donally adored Rachel Bailey, though the brilliant, beautiful lass saw him as just another rowdy boy. The years pulled them apart, carrying Rachel to a place of responsibility and respect few women of her time enjoyed . . . while Ryan ascended to undreamed-of heights of wealth and success, and bound his heart to another.
Now fate has brought them together once again—and Rachel sees not the boy she once spurned, but a breathtaking man she desires. Yet Ryan has moved on and is unwilling to forgive, and Rachel hides a secret shame that could destroy everything she has worked for. Then, in one moment of unrestrained passion, the walls between them tumble, and the price they must pay is a marriage neither can afford. But will a sensuous fire too-long resisted bring tragedy . . . or will it forge a glorious and undying love?
374 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 30, 2005
About the author
Melody Thomas
11 books81 followersYears after receiving my criminal justice degree from the University of Oklahoma, I discovered the historical romance genre. True legends like M. M. Kaye, Kathleen Woodiwiss, Judith McNaught, and Penelope Williamson sparked my love for writing and convinced me I wanted only to do one thing in my life and that was to create great stories alive with grit and passion.
In the past, I've written westerns for Leisure under Lori Morgan and pirate adventure books for Berkley under Laura Renken. My books have been five times reviewer nominated by Romantic Times Bookclub for Best Adventure and Best Historical Suspense and Gothic categories. They have won the Holt Medallion twice, the WISRWA Writer's Choice Award, the Affaire de Couer Reader's Choice Award and will be published in five foreign languages worldwide. My Lord Pirate (published as Laura Renken), was a 1999 Golden Heart Finalist, which launched my publishing career with Berkley.
I live in the Chicago area where I am also the former president for the Windy City RWA chapter. Currently, I pen stories for AVON/HarperCollins under my name, Melody Thomas. Wild and Wicked in Scotland, the first book in my new Charmed and Dangerous series appeared on shelves January 2007. The second book, Sin and Scandal in England, was an Avon October 2007 release. Passion and Pleasure in London came out August 26, 2008.
In the past, I've written westerns for Leisure under Lori Morgan and pirate adventure books for Berkley under Laura Renken. My books have been five times reviewer nominated by Romantic Times Bookclub for Best Adventure and Best Historical Suspense and Gothic categories. They have won the Holt Medallion twice, the WISRWA Writer's Choice Award, the Affaire de Couer Reader's Choice Award and will be published in five foreign languages worldwide. My Lord Pirate (published as Laura Renken), was a 1999 Golden Heart Finalist, which launched my publishing career with Berkley.
I live in the Chicago area where I am also the former president for the Windy City RWA chapter. Currently, I pen stories for AVON/HarperCollins under my name, Melody Thomas. Wild and Wicked in Scotland, the first book in my new Charmed and Dangerous series appeared on shelves January 2007. The second book, Sin and Scandal in England, was an Avon October 2007 release. Passion and Pleasure in London came out August 26, 2008.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 30, 2015
Me encantan estos Donally. Me encantó volver a ver a Michael y Brianna *love love love*
Pensé que Rachel no me gustaría, aparece de la nada en la vida de Ryan, cuando él ya había enterrado su pasado, pidiendo perdón y oportunidades. Ryan parece estar en la cumbre de su carera, con una prometida y una boda en camino, con una preciosa hija de cuatro años y un exitoso negocio que va viento en popa. Pero Rachel entra en escena y lo descoloca.
Rachel, es rechazada en el corazón de Ryan y como ingeniera. Ella pide reconocimiento que no pueden darle. Desea formar parte activa de su propia empresa cuando ella está más capacitada que diez hombres. Aclaro que la otra mitad de la empresa es de Ryan y él toma esas decisiones, pero Ryan también le niega eso.
Rachel termina volviendo a Irlanda con el corazón doblemente roto, hacia los brazos de su adorable abuela y su muy buen amigo David, hermano de Ryan (en secreto, los emparejé a estos dos, se casaron y comieron perdices).
Y acá, acá es cuando vemos quién es Rachel. ¿Es esa empresaria fría que se plantó a rogarle a Ryan un poco de amor? Para nada. Esto inclina la balanza porque pensé que estaba siendo un incordio para Ryan, pero cuando te das cuenta lo que significó ir a buscarlo y confesarle sus sentimientos, no puedes menos que sentir pena. Y Ryan es un asqueroso bastardo, u_u ella no tenía que arrastrarse.
Este es su pasado: Rachel y Ryan crecieron juntos, eran compañeros en el delito y eternos rivales. Rachel estaba enamoradísima del hermano mayor de Ryan, Christopher, pero más que nada porque era su figura a seguir, un reemplazo de aquel afecto que su padre le negaba. Ryan y Rachel crecen, llegan a jóvenes y hay un cambio en los sentimientos, Ryan admite que siente celos de Christopher, y se dan un beso. Un beso que lo cambia todo. Pero que no significa nada para Ryan y todo el mundo para Rachel. Porque mientras ella descubre que el afecto que siempre estuvo ahí entre los dos es algo más, él la deja ir y escapar. Sí, ella lo rechaza en ese momento, pero porque la agarró por sorpresa. Al otro día se separan y Ryan conoce a Kathleen, la mejor amiga de Rachel, lo mas parecido a una hermana que ella tenía. Se enamoran y se casan. ¿Saben lo que eso le hizo a Rachel? ROMPIÓ SU CORAZÓN. Ryan, ya adulto, dice que ella debió haber luchado por él. ELLA. Ella se fue a estudiar, ella fue a formarse una carrera que le estaba negada por ser mujer. Ella mientras él perdía el tiempo enamorando a su mejor amiga se estaba abriendo un camino a escondidas.
No me gusta Ryan, ella siempre lo va a amar más. Porque él es un cobarde, porque él no la amará lo suficiente. Porque parece que cuando Rachel vuelve a su vida él recuerda "que ha estado enamorado de ella toda su vida". Me imagino que hasta pensaba en ella cuando se casaba con otra, seguramente. NO ME CREO SU AMOR.
Rachel lo pasó mal, no solo por el corazón roto, sino porque ha luchado tanto para estar donde está, y ahora Ryan quiere quitarle la empresa, quiere acabar con sus sueños. Pero Rachel aunque debería odiarlo, no puede evitar desearlo. Y no me ha gustado nada. La hubiera preferido mil veces sola que con él.
Su amor no es fiel. Su amor es cobarde. La deja ir una y mil veces. Amaba a su esposa. Amaba a Kathleen, ¿qué es entonces lo que ganaba prometiéndole el mundo en ese beso? Pretende que ella se arrastre por algo que no es su culpa. Hace oídos sordos a sus ideas de ser ingeniera, porque aunque admira su trabajo, no es posible.
Rachel merece a alguien mucho mejor. Muchísimo mejor. Cualquier Donally menos a Ryan.
Pensé que Rachel no me gustaría, aparece de la nada en la vida de Ryan, cuando él ya había enterrado su pasado, pidiendo perdón y oportunidades. Ryan parece estar en la cumbre de su carera, con una prometida y una boda en camino, con una preciosa hija de cuatro años y un exitoso negocio que va viento en popa. Pero Rachel entra en escena y lo descoloca.
Rachel, es rechazada en el corazón de Ryan y como ingeniera. Ella pide reconocimiento que no pueden darle. Desea formar parte activa de su propia empresa cuando ella está más capacitada que diez hombres. Aclaro que la otra mitad de la empresa es de Ryan y él toma esas decisiones, pero Ryan también le niega eso.
Rachel termina volviendo a Irlanda con el corazón doblemente roto, hacia los brazos de su adorable abuela y su muy buen amigo David, hermano de Ryan (en secreto, los emparejé a estos dos, se casaron y comieron perdices).
Y acá, acá es cuando vemos quién es Rachel. ¿Es esa empresaria fría que se plantó a rogarle a Ryan un poco de amor? Para nada. Esto inclina la balanza porque pensé que estaba siendo un incordio para Ryan, pero cuando te das cuenta lo que significó ir a buscarlo y confesarle sus sentimientos, no puedes menos que sentir pena. Y Ryan es un asqueroso bastardo, u_u ella no tenía que arrastrarse.
Este es su pasado: Rachel y Ryan crecieron juntos, eran compañeros en el delito y eternos rivales. Rachel estaba enamoradísima del hermano mayor de Ryan, Christopher, pero más que nada porque era su figura a seguir, un reemplazo de aquel afecto que su padre le negaba. Ryan y Rachel crecen, llegan a jóvenes y hay un cambio en los sentimientos, Ryan admite que siente celos de Christopher, y se dan un beso. Un beso que lo cambia todo. Pero que no significa nada para Ryan y todo el mundo para Rachel. Porque mientras ella descubre que el afecto que siempre estuvo ahí entre los dos es algo más, él la deja ir y escapar. Sí, ella lo rechaza en ese momento, pero porque la agarró por sorpresa. Al otro día se separan y Ryan conoce a Kathleen, la mejor amiga de Rachel, lo mas parecido a una hermana que ella tenía. Se enamoran y se casan. ¿Saben lo que eso le hizo a Rachel? ROMPIÓ SU CORAZÓN. Ryan, ya adulto, dice que ella debió haber luchado por él. ELLA. Ella se fue a estudiar, ella fue a formarse una carrera que le estaba negada por ser mujer. Ella mientras él perdía el tiempo enamorando a su mejor amiga se estaba abriendo un camino a escondidas.
No me gusta Ryan, ella siempre lo va a amar más. Porque él es un cobarde, porque él no la amará lo suficiente. Porque parece que cuando Rachel vuelve a su vida él recuerda "que ha estado enamorado de ella toda su vida". Me imagino que hasta pensaba en ella cuando se casaba con otra, seguramente. NO ME CREO SU AMOR.
Rachel lo pasó mal, no solo por el corazón roto, sino porque ha luchado tanto para estar donde está, y ahora Ryan quiere quitarle la empresa, quiere acabar con sus sueños. Pero Rachel aunque debería odiarlo, no puede evitar desearlo. Y no me ha gustado nada. La hubiera preferido mil veces sola que con él.
Su amor no es fiel. Su amor es cobarde. La deja ir una y mil veces. Amaba a su esposa. Amaba a Kathleen, ¿qué es entonces lo que ganaba prometiéndole el mundo en ese beso? Pretende que ella se arrastre por algo que no es su culpa. Hace oídos sordos a sus ideas de ser ingeniera, porque aunque admira su trabajo, no es posible.
Rachel merece a alguien mucho mejor. Muchísimo mejor. Cualquier Donally menos a Ryan.
June 10, 2024
Ya no se escriben novelas románticas como esta, todo perfecto…
March 4, 2014
Another Author Who Forgets Genre in Which She Is Writing
Ryan Donnally has received another engineering award and is attending the ball in his honor. He looks up and there is his childhood friend and business partner, Rachel Bailey, whom he has not seen since his wife's death four years ago. Ryan's wife was Rachel's best friend, who lived with her in childhood. Rachel and Ryan have been in love with each other off and on their whole lives. The timing is never "right", and even now Ryan is engaged to another.
Melody Thomas is supremely talented. This book has a complex plot. The words are artistically and powerfully blended. The dialogue is riveting. The story is effectively spread out throughout the book. There is drama, mystery and suspense. This book would probably be a bestseller if it had been set in contemporary eras and was marketed as such. Therein lies the rub. It is set in Victorian England and is marketed as an historical romance.
*****SPOILERS. The author wants us to believe that these two very self-disciplined, successful, above average in intelligence, people with a Victorian upbringing cannot keep from having sex in carriages, against trees, in priest's houses, and several other incongruous places within hearing, while they both think they hate each other and they would face financial and social ruin if caught. Also, the Hero is engaged to another. And the Heroine has been there, done that, with another with disastrous results that threatens her present and future even now. It was just not believable that these two would be this dumb.
The hero and heroine are Irish, Catholic and are looked down upon and discriminated against in Victorian England. If they all acted like these two back then, no wonder they were censured. And just a little note to the author, no marriage, under any laws, was ever legal if the parties were under duress when the vows. were made. This predicament was unbelievable.
The villain in this piece was a peer and he "worked" in "trade", which was not done in Victorian England, but we are lead to believe that this Lord got by with this, but forbade his son to "work". I could go on, but the gist is that there were too many situations that just defied belief, that were not consistent, and dumbed the characters down and demanded the reader to dumb down as well. Repugnant.
Again, this book is labeled historical romance. The author forgot both in this story. The hero attempted a couple of times to be romantic, and one act did succeed admirably, but the other ended up being a romantic gesture for another, and the Heroine forgotten. The Heroine and Hero spent most of the time disappearing from each other. When they were together, there was hot and steamy sex, but romance? No.
The majority of this novel is an in-depth recitation of high finance and corporate raiding. I was bored through a lot of it. It left little room for the development of the characters' romantic side.
The author tells us up front that the Hero married the Heroine's best friend, but the why of this was never explained and neither character ever discussed this, despite the fact that both parties were supposedly in love even then. Why introduce this plot line if it was not to be explored?
If one does not mind reading a contemporary corporate suspense novel masquerading as an historical romance, you will enjoy this book. The author is talented. I, however, want an historical romance, and I feel duped.
Ryan Donnally has received another engineering award and is attending the ball in his honor. He looks up and there is his childhood friend and business partner, Rachel Bailey, whom he has not seen since his wife's death four years ago. Ryan's wife was Rachel's best friend, who lived with her in childhood. Rachel and Ryan have been in love with each other off and on their whole lives. The timing is never "right", and even now Ryan is engaged to another.
Melody Thomas is supremely talented. This book has a complex plot. The words are artistically and powerfully blended. The dialogue is riveting. The story is effectively spread out throughout the book. There is drama, mystery and suspense. This book would probably be a bestseller if it had been set in contemporary eras and was marketed as such. Therein lies the rub. It is set in Victorian England and is marketed as an historical romance.
*****SPOILERS. The author wants us to believe that these two very self-disciplined, successful, above average in intelligence, people with a Victorian upbringing cannot keep from having sex in carriages, against trees, in priest's houses, and several other incongruous places within hearing, while they both think they hate each other and they would face financial and social ruin if caught. Also, the Hero is engaged to another. And the Heroine has been there, done that, with another with disastrous results that threatens her present and future even now. It was just not believable that these two would be this dumb.
The hero and heroine are Irish, Catholic and are looked down upon and discriminated against in Victorian England. If they all acted like these two back then, no wonder they were censured. And just a little note to the author, no marriage, under any laws, was ever legal if the parties were under duress when the vows. were made. This predicament was unbelievable.
The villain in this piece was a peer and he "worked" in "trade", which was not done in Victorian England, but we are lead to believe that this Lord got by with this, but forbade his son to "work". I could go on, but the gist is that there were too many situations that just defied belief, that were not consistent, and dumbed the characters down and demanded the reader to dumb down as well. Repugnant.
Again, this book is labeled historical romance. The author forgot both in this story. The hero attempted a couple of times to be romantic, and one act did succeed admirably, but the other ended up being a romantic gesture for another, and the Heroine forgotten. The Heroine and Hero spent most of the time disappearing from each other. When they were together, there was hot and steamy sex, but romance? No.
The majority of this novel is an in-depth recitation of high finance and corporate raiding. I was bored through a lot of it. It left little room for the development of the characters' romantic side.
The author tells us up front that the Hero married the Heroine's best friend, but the why of this was never explained and neither character ever discussed this, despite the fact that both parties were supposedly in love even then. Why introduce this plot line if it was not to be explored?
If one does not mind reading a contemporary corporate suspense novel masquerading as an historical romance, you will enjoy this book. The author is talented. I, however, want an historical romance, and I feel duped.
July 11, 2013
So, I was greatly disappointed with this book.
The description made it sound so interesting and the cover was so gorgeous (I think I've already mentioned my soft spot for vintage paperback covers) that when I cozied up on my bed to start reading it I was prepared for the tears-laughter-sighs cycle. I didn’t get much of that, however, mostly yawns.
What bothered me the most while reading it was the lack of proofreading. I’m not sure if the printed edition was as badly written as my e-book version, but mine had sentences that didn't make sense at all. It was readable enough, but was far from being a beautiful and pleasant text.
Other than that, the plot had nothing to do with the description. First of all, the title: A Match Made in Scandal. There is no damn scandal! They don't even have sex before getting married (a marriage which takes place under absolutely ridiculous circumstances, I surely didn't buy it) and after that all they spend the whole book trying to do is cover the heroin’s "scandalous secret". The shit never hits the fan.
Also, I will never get this we’ve-always-been-in-love-but-could-never-be-together thing. The book keeps telling us how Ryan Donally has been crazy about Rachel Baley all his life, that he loved her but didn’t think she loved him back, and how she loved him too but didn’t think he loved her back. I get it so far, there’s a lack of communication going on there, but then the man decides to marry Rachel’s best friend! If the man I loved was to marry my best friend I would never say a word, for it is her happiness at stake, and friends are far more important than men, so Rachel's position is understandable, but why the hell did Ryan marry her best friend? They never mention his reasons, he only says he did love his late wife (yeah, he's a widow, that why he and Rachel can be together now) but not as much as he loves Rachel, so I felt like the author only needed an obstacle, a reason why they couldn’t be together before and came up with nothing better than that. The problem is that it didn’t sound consistent and this upset me a lot.
However, I gave it 2 stars because the story did keep me reading and reading to the end - I was curious about what was going to happen, even though the ending didn't actually please me.
The rest of the book was kind of dull, the characters didn't mean much to me and I don't think I'll be reading the rest of this series, although I've read other novels by Melody Thomas and they were not so bad.
The description made it sound so interesting and the cover was so gorgeous (I think I've already mentioned my soft spot for vintage paperback covers) that when I cozied up on my bed to start reading it I was prepared for the tears-laughter-sighs cycle. I didn’t get much of that, however, mostly yawns.
What bothered me the most while reading it was the lack of proofreading. I’m not sure if the printed edition was as badly written as my e-book version, but mine had sentences that didn't make sense at all. It was readable enough, but was far from being a beautiful and pleasant text.
Other than that, the plot had nothing to do with the description. First of all, the title: A Match Made in Scandal. There is no damn scandal! They don't even have sex before getting married (a marriage which takes place under absolutely ridiculous circumstances, I surely didn't buy it) and after that all they spend the whole book trying to do is cover the heroin’s "scandalous secret". The shit never hits the fan.
Also, I will never get this we’ve-always-been-in-love-but-could-never-be-together thing. The book keeps telling us how Ryan Donally has been crazy about Rachel Baley all his life, that he loved her but didn’t think she loved him back, and how she loved him too but didn’t think he loved her back. I get it so far, there’s a lack of communication going on there, but then the man decides to marry Rachel’s best friend! If the man I loved was to marry my best friend I would never say a word, for it is her happiness at stake, and friends are far more important than men, so Rachel's position is understandable, but why the hell did Ryan marry her best friend? They never mention his reasons, he only says he did love his late wife (yeah, he's a widow, that why he and Rachel can be together now) but not as much as he loves Rachel, so I felt like the author only needed an obstacle, a reason why they couldn’t be together before and came up with nothing better than that. The problem is that it didn’t sound consistent and this upset me a lot.
However, I gave it 2 stars because the story did keep me reading and reading to the end - I was curious about what was going to happen, even though the ending didn't actually please me.
The rest of the book was kind of dull, the characters didn't mean much to me and I don't think I'll be reading the rest of this series, although I've read other novels by Melody Thomas and they were not so bad.
June 1, 2021
This was just got on my nerves.
November 25, 2024
Bueno... Pues hay mejores, claramente.
Al final no pude conectar con los personajes ni con la historia, no me conmovió ni me emocionó en nada y para mí eso es importante.😢
Al final no pude conectar con los personajes ni con la historia, no me conmovió ni me emocionó en nada y para mí eso es importante.😢
April 9, 2021
I keep re-reading this. I fangirl this book like anything. And even years later every read Ryan and Rachel do it for me!
i like the series in general but this book is my fave. An engineer heroine, like real blueprint designing, bridge building civil engineer. and so strong that she takes on the world of men alone because she believes she deserves her due. and damn but the slow burn between her and Ryan is too hot.
Both of them coming together in the second chance romance. Give it a read you won't be disappointed.
i like the series in general but this book is my fave. An engineer heroine, like real blueprint designing, bridge building civil engineer. and so strong that she takes on the world of men alone because she believes she deserves her due. and damn but the slow burn between her and Ryan is too hot.
Both of them coming together in the second chance romance. Give it a read you won't be disappointed.
Read
May 18, 2024;)
January 17, 2017
Solo por ser Ingeniera se merece las 5 estrellas
June 19, 2017
A wonderful read.
Rachel is a very strong independent woman in a time when being one is tough. She had an unloving family so she found a second family with her dad's business partner's family and fell in love with Ryan. Not knowing how to express her emotions she lost him. Now all that she has left is her career and the office in Ireland.....and she will do anything to keep it.
Ryan is strong and has locked his feelings away which has allowed him to become a ruthless businessman in England. His wife has died and he is left with his daughter (pretty much the only person he loves) and now he is looking to take over a big business and marry into the peerage.
Rachel comes to London believing this is her last chance to finally let him know her feelings, and save her career and office. Things don't go as planned and Ryan ends up breaking the other half of her heart. She gets mad and starts plotting how to cut him out. Ryan gave up on loving her years ago and no longer believes.
As things start heating up they clash more and more.....and Ryan's heart starts thrawing out but there are other people that are trying to keep them apart. Things get pretty hot and passionate between them.
You really feel for Rachel as she struggles in a male dominant world and really gets nowhere fast....and she starts to lose hope. It takes Ryan a long time to understand why all this is so important to her and try to help. They both struggle to find a way to express their emotions and overcome their fears.
A wonderful well written emotional read. I really enjoyed it and the Donally family.
Rachel is a very strong independent woman in a time when being one is tough. She had an unloving family so she found a second family with her dad's business partner's family and fell in love with Ryan. Not knowing how to express her emotions she lost him. Now all that she has left is her career and the office in Ireland.....and she will do anything to keep it.
Ryan is strong and has locked his feelings away which has allowed him to become a ruthless businessman in England. His wife has died and he is left with his daughter (pretty much the only person he loves) and now he is looking to take over a big business and marry into the peerage.
Rachel comes to London believing this is her last chance to finally let him know her feelings, and save her career and office. Things don't go as planned and Ryan ends up breaking the other half of her heart. She gets mad and starts plotting how to cut him out. Ryan gave up on loving her years ago and no longer believes.
As things start heating up they clash more and more.....and Ryan's heart starts thrawing out but there are other people that are trying to keep them apart. Things get pretty hot and passionate between them.
You really feel for Rachel as she struggles in a male dominant world and really gets nowhere fast....and she starts to lose hope. It takes Ryan a long time to understand why all this is so important to her and try to help. They both struggle to find a way to express their emotions and overcome their fears.
A wonderful well written emotional read. I really enjoyed it and the Donally family.
October 4, 2015
Emotional story set in the corporate world of Victorian England. Well-written but there were gaps in the backstory such as why Ryan ended up married to Kathleen instead of Rachel, and why was there animosity between the two of them, when there were never any great past conflict between them.
May 5, 2008
Great Book.....Book 3 in Donally Series.
November 26, 2010
This was REALLY good. A little on the heavy/complicated side, but understandable. You'll not want to put the book down because it's so engrossing. Loved all the characters.
November 12, 2011
LOVED THIS BOOK! going to re read a few more times as i loved it that much..
November 27, 2023
⛔️ (in notes)
Read
July 5, 2018Another book that I've started at least twice but couldn't get into. Secret shame trope makes me roll my eyes.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews