Title:
The Scandalous Flirt
(Cinderella Sisterhood Series 6)
Author:
Olivia Drake
Release
Date: October 31, 2017 (ARC)
Publisher:
St. Martin’s Paperbacks
Category:
Regency Romance
Type:
Digital/Paperback
Blurb:
Scandal
begins with just one kiss...
Aurora
Paxton was once the belle of the ball, the most sought-after debutante of the
season—until a scandalous mistake ruined her. Shunned by her family, Rory was
banished to the country to live in disgrace. Now she’s been summoned back to
London by her stepmother, who is being blackmailed by the least likely person
Rory can imagine: Lucas Vale, Marquess of Dashell.
Lucas
is someone Rory’s known for years—a man as devastatingly handsome as he is
coldly disapproving of her. What in the world could he want from her or her
family? Rory intends to find out as soon as she comes face to face with her old
foe. What she never expects, however, is that the icy aristocrat has a soft
spot for her—and a secret plan to redeem her status. Could it be that Lucas has
been in love with Rory all along. . .and has finally found a way to win her
heart?
Favorite
Line:
“Simpleminded, that’s
what. As I’ve always said, it’s better to look silly than to open your mouth
and remove all doubt.” ~ Lady Dashell
Excerpt:
By
reading any further, you are stating that you are at least 18 years of age.
If you
are under the age of 18, please exit this site.
“Speaking of rats, did you see that?”Dashell asked,
peering toward a gloomy corner.
“See what?”
“Something scuttled through the shadows over there.”
With a yelp, she launched herself at him. Fear wiped all
rational thought from her mind. She was consumed by the dread of a rodent
running underneath her skirts and scrabbling up her petticoats. As a child,
she’d overheard a nursemaid relate such an incident to the governess, and for
years afterward, she’d been plagued by nightmares.
Clinging to Dashell, she felt a tremor convulse her from
head to toe. His arms came around to hold her close. The heat of his body made
her feel marginally safer, and after a moment, she became acutely aware of his
hard, muscled chest against her soft breasts, the alluring pine scent that
clung to him, and the fact that she’d buried her face in the starchy folds of
his cravat.
The impropriety of their embrace intruded on her
apprehension. Yet she could not bring herself to release her death grip on him.
“Is it …is it gone?”
“Yes. At least I can no longer see it. I’m sure the
little fellow is more terrified of you than vice versa.”
“Are you quite certain it didn’t run toward me or …or
under my skirts?”
“Very certain. But in such an event, you may rest assured
that I shall slay it with my bare hands.”
She shivered again, unsure if it was from residual horror
or from the stroking of his fingers over her back. “Don’t tease, Dashell. I
can’t abide rats. They’re filthy and repulsive.”
“It’s rather a relief to find something that frightens
you, Rory. Especially since you declared yourself not to be in need of a man’s
protection. And perfectly capable of taking care of yourself.”
She relished the sound of her name on his lips. Then the
thread of mirth in his tone galvanized her. How dare he mock her!
She lifted her chin to challenge him, but the rebuke died
on her tongue. His features had softened with amusement, and a twinkle
lightened the iron-gray of his eyes. Both corners of his mouth were tilted
upward to give him a look of heart-melting handsomeness.
“You’re smiling,”she said, dazzled by the sight.
“I do on occasion.”
“Well, it’s something I’ve never seen before."
Review:
Aurora
Paxton had a bit of a reputation for being a flirt. She was a huge success in
her first season, but fancying herself in love with one of her suitors, she let
things go a bit too far and ended caught in the act – so to speak. Except she
hadn’t actually done anything and was now ruined – banished from society to
live with a widowed aunt in the country. When an old acquaintance from the ton
visits and requests her help to clear her step-mother from a bad scandal that
could ruin her half-sister’s chance at happiness, Rory really doesn’t have much
choice but to go. When it is revealed that the suspected culprit is Dashell, it
doesn’t take much for her to believe he is involved. She had thought him a
possible suitor at one time, but she could not break his cold exterior. When
she discovers his innocence and enlists his help, she ends up risking putting
herself right back in the same scandalous situation she had already found
herself in once. But Lucas isn’t quite the hard man she had thought and the risk
just might be worth it – even if only for a night.
Lucas
Vale, Fifth Marquess of Dashell had been in love with Rory since the first time
he had seen her eight years ago. He had allowed himself one dance, but nothing more.
He couldn’t see himself settling down with such a scandalous flirt. He knew it
would come back to bite her and so it did. When she unexpectedly shows up on his door
step seeking employment, he isn’t sure what to do. He strongly disapproves of
her ruination, but those old feelings don’t take long to stoke back up.
Necessity dictates that he allow her employment; unbelief follows when her
scheme is revealed; and honor dictates that he help her complete her quest. His
passion is barely kept at bay and the more they get to know one another, the
closer they come to a point of no return. But can there be a chance for a
Marquess and a ruined tempest?
Let me
first say that when you find yourself loving the secondary characters just as
much as the main characters, you have truly found a gem. Lady Dashell and Aunt
Bernice almost stole the story … almost. They cracked me up and added such fun
and wit – almost golden girls style. Nit picking on one another and spurring
the other out of the doldrums. I just adored them! If my “favorite line” wasn’t
any indication of their entertaining dry humor, then I don’t know what would
be. Now Rory was a bit misguided and gullible to begin with. She trusts easily,
which is a conundrum given her situation following ruination. But she also has
a quick sense and picks up immediately on inconsistencies. I really enjoyed
watching her blossom into the person she would have been had a lecherous
liar-pants not succeed in ruining her first. But also, had that nasty situation
not occurred, she would never have entertained a future with Lucas; hard nut to
crack as he was. With Lucas, you have to get past the tough exterior and hone
in on the brief instances when his guard isn’t quite as high as usual. And I do
mean brief. But the transformation for Rory when she glimpses little snippets of
who he really is, are truly heart-stopping. He’s the perfect example of living
up to expectations, even if it means sacrificing his own happiness. The problem
enters when it becomes love or money – he’s facing a massive financial deficit
that only an heiress can pull him out of. Rory, having been disinherited after
banishment, cannot help him with that predicament.
I
absolutely loved every moment of his book. In fact, I stayed up and finished it
all at once, forgoing sleep for reading. We’ve all done it. This was one of
those times where putting it down and coming back to it wasn’t even an option.
Not even a thought. I truly fell in love with all of the characters save a
couple. But I did come to understand their ways and had a bit of empathy by the
end of the book. This book has absolutely everything I look for! A bit of
mystery, strong characters, well developed personalities, the larger-than life
secondary characters who add another wonderful dimension to the book, and of course
romance with scorching passion! If you like the type of book that you won’t
regret getting invested in, then you have come to the right place. Also fabulous
is that this is the 6th book in the series, but given that it is my
first read in this series and wit this author, it is also a perfect
stand-alone. I will most definitely be reading the other 5 books and Ms. Drake
has become an instant favorite. Do yourselves a favor, romance readers, and buy
all of her books TODAY!
Kindle version
provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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