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The Acostas! #9
The Playboy Prince of Scandal
The truth is even more shocking than the headlines in this dramatic royal enemies-to-lovers romance by
USA TODAY
bestselling author Susan Stephens.
His innocent enemy…
…could be his ultimate undoing!
Prince Cesar will never forgive Sofia Acosta for the article branding him a playboy! But to avoid further scandal, he has no choice but to invite her to his lavish banquet in Rome—where he’s confronted by her unexpected apology and the very obvious electricity!
Sofia was blackmailed into writing that article. She’ll risk her hard-fought career to make it right. But surrendering to undeniable temptation wasn’t part of the plan! Because that means putting her trust in the man behind the outrageous reputation…
From Harlequin Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds.
Read the other books in The Acostas!
One Scandalous Christmas Eve
The Playboy Prince of Scandal
Forbidden the Her Spanish Boss
His innocent enemy…
…could be his ultimate undoing!
Prince Cesar will never forgive Sofia Acosta for the article branding him a playboy! But to avoid further scandal, he has no choice but to invite her to his lavish banquet in Rome—where he’s confronted by her unexpected apology and the very obvious electricity!
Sofia was blackmailed into writing that article. She’ll risk her hard-fought career to make it right. But surrendering to undeniable temptation wasn’t part of the plan! Because that means putting her trust in the man behind the outrageous reputation…
From Harlequin Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds.
Read the other books in The Acostas!
One Scandalous Christmas Eve
The Playboy Prince of Scandal
Forbidden the Her Spanish Boss
169 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2021
About the author
Susan Stephens
758 books134 followersUSA TODAY best-selling author Susan Stephens' books have captivated readers worldwide with over 11 million copies sold. Her work crosses cultures and continents, having been translated into 26 languages and reaching readers in 109 countries. This year marks a milestone as Susan's 100th book is slated for publication.
NEW SERIES!
ACOSTAS RAW Ranchers, rodeo and passion
1. BEAU
2. COLT
3. BLAKE
4. CHRISTMAS WITH ANGEL
BLOOD AND THUNDER
1. ALEXEI
2. DANTE
3. DIEGO
4. CESAR
5. CONNOR .
- BOX SET books. 1-4
6. ELIJAH Coming soon
NEW SERIES!
ACOSTAS RAW Ranchers, rodeo and passion
1. BEAU
2. COLT
3. BLAKE
4. CHRISTMAS WITH ANGEL
BLOOD AND THUNDER
1. ALEXEI
2. DANTE
3. DIEGO
4. CESAR
5. CONNOR .
- BOX SET books. 1-4
6. ELIJAH Coming soon
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 5, 2021
DNF at chapter 4. TSTL heroine with really stupid excuse for causing the major conflict and then hiding why she did it. I just can't with this one.
January 27, 2021
3 1/2 STARS!
Love when they least expect it! With book nine in her richly portrayed The Acostas! series Susan Stephens brings us Sofia's story. She finds herself on the wrong side of a Prince when she puts her trust in the wrong place and brings scandal to even her beloved brothers. The book drug a pit plot wise, but was an enjoyable reconnection with this pivotal family.
Sofia is strong-willed and easy to like, and her independent nature and strong polo skills were refreshing to see.
Cesar has an interesting back story and was a bit of a softie beneath his gruff. I enjoyed him.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a royal romance with a side of family drama.
Love when they least expect it! With book nine in her richly portrayed The Acostas! series Susan Stephens brings us Sofia's story. She finds herself on the wrong side of a Prince when she puts her trust in the wrong place and brings scandal to even her beloved brothers. The book drug a pit plot wise, but was an enjoyable reconnection with this pivotal family.
Sofia is strong-willed and easy to like, and her independent nature and strong polo skills were refreshing to see.
Cesar has an interesting back story and was a bit of a softie beneath his gruff. I enjoyed him.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a royal romance with a side of family drama.
Read
January 2, 2021Categories
Contemporary Romance, Romance
Miniseries
The Acostas! (Book #9)
Contemporary Romance, Romance
Miniseries
The Acostas! (Book #9)
March 25, 2022
Pretty "meh" reading. I wasn't sold on the idea of the plot to begin with, but the entire motivation was just so blah. There seemed to be some editing issues as well, since some of the sentence structure was very odd. Hello, proof-readers?!?
Still, I managed to slog through most of it, until about chapter 13, where I optimistically imagined we'd hit the denouement, and the next chapter would wrap things up, but noooooo! Four more excruciating chapters remained, as the author decided to wait until then to drag the reader through all of Sofia's issues. Frankly, by that point I was really weary of Sofia, and my skim/speed-reading skills took over. Did it make a difference? From the numerous times I saw lines about her doubts about herself, about Cesar, about being princess, yadda yadda yadda, it wouldn't have mattered if I'd close-read and written a dissertation on those chapters. I get that the author chose to insert sex for closeness and honesty for the majority of the book, but choosing to crow-bar the intimacy vs abandonment drama into the last several chapters was like having a bad manicure; you get through the first half of it, so you just grit your teeth and wait for the end, even though you know you're going to be bleeding and angry at the end.
Final incredulous thought:
Still, I managed to slog through most of it, until about chapter 13, where I optimistically imagined we'd hit the denouement, and the next chapter would wrap things up, but noooooo! Four more excruciating chapters remained, as the author decided to wait until then to drag the reader through all of Sofia's issues. Frankly, by that point I was really weary of Sofia, and my skim/speed-reading skills took over. Did it make a difference? From the numerous times I saw lines about her doubts about herself, about Cesar, about being princess, yadda yadda yadda, it wouldn't have mattered if I'd close-read and written a dissertation on those chapters. I get that the author chose to insert sex for closeness and honesty for the majority of the book, but choosing to crow-bar the intimacy vs abandonment drama into the last several chapters was like having a bad manicure; you get through the first half of it, so you just grit your teeth and wait for the end, even though you know you're going to be bleeding and angry at the end.
Final incredulous thought:
April 24, 2026
I didn't like it, so much happened throughout the book that it felt like 2 different books. First half of the book I disliked the hero and then the other half I disliked the heroine.
First half of the book is heroine being blackmailed by a guy trying to ruin the hero, the hero is mad at heroine for writing article (she didn't write it, the blackmailer put her name as the author), hero's constantly cold and won't listen to her, but he will sleep with her then refuse to talk to her. She's chasing after him all the time trying to get him to listen to her. He finally listens, believes her and set out to take care of the problem. Then it all comes to a head with heroine being attacked by the guy who was responsible for the article and that plotline is wrapped up, really badly in my opinion.
Second half is when hero professes his love and proposes marriage just minutes after she was attacked. There was no real comforting, he just brought her into his office and said he loved her and wanted to marry her and then went on and on how good it would be for his country, plus how it would good to counteract the article showing it was false. That whole interaction was so weird, he was so matter of fact and a bit cold that it felt like business meeting, the heroine was just attacked he should have been scared and embracing her. Anyway heroine refuses and all of sudden feels not good enough for him and that's the basically the rest of the book, the hero trying to convince heroine to marry him. P.
First half of the book is heroine being blackmailed by a guy trying to ruin the hero, the hero is mad at heroine for writing article (she didn't write it, the blackmailer put her name as the author), hero's constantly cold and won't listen to her, but he will sleep with her then refuse to talk to her. She's chasing after him all the time trying to get him to listen to her. He finally listens, believes her and set out to take care of the problem. Then it all comes to a head with heroine being attacked by the guy who was responsible for the article and that plotline is wrapped up, really badly in my opinion.
Second half is when hero professes his love and proposes marriage just minutes after she was attacked. There was no real comforting, he just brought her into his office and said he loved her and wanted to marry her and then went on and on how good it would be for his country, plus how it would good to counteract the article showing it was false. That whole interaction was so weird, he was so matter of fact and a bit cold that it felt like business meeting, the heroine was just attacked he should have been scared and embracing her. Anyway heroine refuses and all of sudden feels not good enough for him and that's the basically the rest of the book, the hero trying to convince heroine to marry him. P.
January 30, 2021
Catching up with the Acosta’s again was as passionate and dramatic as Book 1, One Scandalous Christmas Eve.
Both Sofia Acosta and Cesar are strong characters in their own right but Sophia’s blackmailer is just a bit too much for her to handle on her own. Reluctant to involve her brothers Sofia feels the only person she can ask for help is the subject of her latest sensational article – Prince Cesar himself. Forced together by a charity mixed polo team drama, passion and unexpected developments swirl around Sofia and Cesar as their story evolves.
A brilliant enemy to lover’s book with stunning locations and when they go off to training camp; plenty of situations to generate the heated dialogue the author is brilliant at showcasing. Sofia’s passion shines through with her writing, art and retreat. Cesar is a magnetic Presents Hero and it was lovely having Dante and Jess back. The other brothers were also in attendance.
I really enjoy Susan Stephens books because I find them to be fast paced, extremely dramatic and in beautiful locations with heart felt dialogue and characters who stand out. The Playboy Prince of Scandal was very much enjoyed and I'm looking forward to seeing who’s up next.
Both Sofia Acosta and Cesar are strong characters in their own right but Sophia’s blackmailer is just a bit too much for her to handle on her own. Reluctant to involve her brothers Sofia feels the only person she can ask for help is the subject of her latest sensational article – Prince Cesar himself. Forced together by a charity mixed polo team drama, passion and unexpected developments swirl around Sofia and Cesar as their story evolves.
A brilliant enemy to lover’s book with stunning locations and when they go off to training camp; plenty of situations to generate the heated dialogue the author is brilliant at showcasing. Sofia’s passion shines through with her writing, art and retreat. Cesar is a magnetic Presents Hero and it was lovely having Dante and Jess back. The other brothers were also in attendance.
I really enjoy Susan Stephens books because I find them to be fast paced, extremely dramatic and in beautiful locations with heart felt dialogue and characters who stand out. The Playboy Prince of Scandal was very much enjoyed and I'm looking forward to seeing who’s up next.
March 15, 2021
THE PLAYBOY PRINCE OF SCANDAL (Acostas! Book 9) by author Susan Stephens is a January 2021 release by Harlequin Presents series.
Cesar did not want to see Sofia Acosta after the article she had published. He believed she had set out to destroy his reputation. And he was ready to deal with her. But what would happen when they come face-to-face? Just how would he teach her the lesson?
THE PLAYBOY PRINCE OF SCANDAL (Acostas! Book 9) is an emotional swoon-worthy romance with a strong heroine in Sofia who would not settle for anything less than what she wanted. And a gorgeous hero in Cesar who was emotionally closed but opens up when the time is right. Author Susan Stephens beautifully brought these two characters together making them move past their grievances and achieving their happy ever after. This is an emotionally uplifting story of hope and future.
Highly recommended for all readers of romance.
Cesar did not want to see Sofia Acosta after the article she had published. He believed she had set out to destroy his reputation. And he was ready to deal with her. But what would happen when they come face-to-face? Just how would he teach her the lesson?
THE PLAYBOY PRINCE OF SCANDAL (Acostas! Book 9) is an emotional swoon-worthy romance with a strong heroine in Sofia who would not settle for anything less than what she wanted. And a gorgeous hero in Cesar who was emotionally closed but opens up when the time is right. Author Susan Stephens beautifully brought these two characters together making them move past their grievances and achieving their happy ever after. This is an emotionally uplifting story of hope and future.
Highly recommended for all readers of romance.
January 14, 2021
Sofia Acosta has a problem her brothers and more importantly Prince Cesar are more than angry with her. She is funding a charity that is close to her heart by writing an article for a magazine. Problem is the article was changed and became one that decimated the people she loves. How does she prove to them that her article was sabotaged and the person who did it is blackmailing her to destroy her charity. Her brothers can't forgive her and most of all Prince Cesar won't. When she is chosen to be part of their polo match for charity she figures it is time to ask for Cesar's help. A wonderful story with of course some hot romance. Loved reading more about the Acosta family.
January 24, 2021
What happens when you turn an article to be published and the editor completely destroys the truth but keeps your name on it. Sofia Acosta is now being blackmailed to write more about Prince Cesar but they're finding themselves drawn to each other. One of the best enemies to lovers stories I've read.
July 31, 2023
This was cute and breezy. I didn't ever get super attached to either Cesar not Sofia, so that's why it's only a three. The drama was there, but not piping, you know?
Still, an enjoyable time. I wouldn't be opposed to trying her work again.
Still, an enjoyable time. I wouldn't be opposed to trying her work again.
Read
January 2, 2021Categories
Contemporary Romance, Romance
Miniseries
The Acostas! (Book #9)
Contemporary Romance, Romance
Miniseries
The Acostas! (Book #9)
February 8, 2021
The Playboy Prince of Scandal by Susan Stephens. Sofia Acosta writes and article to help fund her retreat that helps those in need. Once the article leaves her hands it is altered by the editor and that puts her at odds with not only her brothers but Prince Cesar. Problem is they are all to play charity polo match together. Will she be able to explain her side of the story and smooth over the troubles with her brothers and Prince Cesar and take down the person responsible. A great story of those at odds coming together and finding romance.
February 6, 2021
Loveit
January 24, 2021
Sofia Acosta has a problem her brothers and more importantly Prince Cesar are more than angry with her. She is funding a charity that is close to her heart by writing an article for a magazine. Problem is the article was changed and became one that decimated the people she loves. How does she prove to them that her article was sabotaged and the person who did it is blackmailing her to destroy her charity. Her brothers can't forgive her and most of all Prince Cesar won't. When she is chosen to be part of their polo match for charity she figures it is time to ask for Cesar's help. A wonderful story with of course some hot romance. Loved reading more about the Acosta family.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews