Month: June 2019

Some Like It Scandalous by Maya Rodale

On By TracyIn America's Gilded Age (1870-1900), American Historical, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Some Like It Scandalous (The Gilded Age Girls Club, #2)Some Like It Scandalous by Maya Rodale

Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Gilded Age Girls Club, #2

Release Date: June 18, 2019

I really loved this book – Daisy and Theo are such an amazing couple and I LOVED their banter.
Daisy Swan has never been considered pretty, unlike her gorgeous mother and sister, but she is smart and believes in herself. She has also hated Theodore Prescott the Third since she was 13 years old and he gave her the nickname Ugly Duck Daisy, on that day she decided three things, she will never marry, she will find a way to cut ties with society and she will hate Theo until the day she dies.

12 years later at 25 Daisy is still not pretty, but she is in college and hopes to get a degree in chemistry, be declared a spinster and start a cosmetics company. Her plans are progressing nicely until her mother demands that she marry and not just anyone – Theo the Worst (as Daisy likes to call him) – her mother explains that her father is up to something that is sure to cause a huge scandal and Daisy needs to be married to protect herself. NO – Daisy refuses to even consider the idea and needs to get away – she runs outside and enters the park.

Up the street, Theo has been called into his father’s library, his latest scandal is the final straw for Prescott the Second. He demands that Theo marry Daisy or he will cut him off – NO! He refuses and also ends up in the park – only to find Daisy – they exchange words and when it begins to rain they take shelter in a gazebo – she asks what they will do, she thinks they should get engaged to shut up their parents and then find a way out – he refuses to even consider the idea. That is until he learns that his father has suspended his club membership. Theo decides that he has had enough, he wants to be his own man and will need Daisy to help. They agree to pretend to be agreeable and form a truce to reach their common goal of not marrying each other.

Their first outing together is an eye opener for Theo, he never really considered what his cruel words years ago did to Daisy. He apologizes, but she still doesn’t like him. But when he learns of her dream to start her own company, he offers to help – Theo knows women and has a gift with words, together, they will be successful. Reluctantly, Daisy agrees to a partnership and begins to respect Theo and Lord Forgive her, even like him. Somewhere between bickering and kissing, they fall in love and just when it looks like they might actually marry, her father’s scandal breaks and everything begins to unravel – can Theo forgive her lies by omission? Or will they bend to their parents wishes once more?

What a great book! It is well written (I had an uncorrected arc, that did have some little errors, but I am assuming those will be corrected by publication), the story is unique and fast paced – the banter between them is priceless, there are laugh out loud moments, steamy love scenes, moments of triumph and moments of devastation, but through it all, even when they hated each other, Theo and Daisy stuck together and earned their HEA. This is the second book in the series, but it can absolutely be read as a stand alone, I loved it and am happy to recommend it!!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an uncorrected eARC that was provided to me by the publisher*

His Tempting Governess by Cerise DeLand

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Georgian Era (1714-1837)Leave a comment

His Tempting Governess: Delightful Doings in Dudley CrescentBarbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Delightful Doings in Dudley Crescent #2
Publication Date: 6/17/19

This book had one of the most delightful heroes (Baldwin Summers, Earl of Cartwell) I’ve read in a very long time. He had a very poor childhood, cruel parents and a wastrel for an older brother. Did he do the woe-is-me routine? NO! Did he become the biggest rake in the ton? NO! Did he run off to war thinking he’d just die there? NO! Does he have low self-esteem and let others run over him because he feels inadequate? NO! He is a wonderfully well-rounded, caring, loving, self-confident man. He deals wonderfully with his termagant of a mother and he is honest and honorable. You just don’t get much better than that. For me, he is what made the book enjoyable. By the way – contrary to the book blurb – I didn’t find him bemused at all.

Baldwin has the nickname Win because that is what he does. He is a hero extraordinaire from the Napoleonic wars – a brilliant leader and superb tactician who cared for his men and treated them well. When Win’s best friend and former fellow soldier dies, he leaves Win as guardian to his 8-year old daughter and her dog and monkey. She’s a delight and Win quickly comes to care for her and fully plans to do his best by her and her pets. First thing on the agenda is to find a governess – but – he’s been through so many interviews and just can’t find that perfect one. Most of them run out of the room screaming when they meet the monkey. Then, his friend’s wife recommends someone and Win agrees to interview her – he doesn’t hold out much hope, but he’ll give it a try. Poor Win is in total shock and disbelief when he walks into his parlor for the interview and there is an absolute angel in pink standing before him. ** I loved the scene when Win first interviews Isabelle – it is so cute **

Miss Isabelle Swanson’s life was one of pampered luxury until an unscrupulous steward took advantage of her grandfather’s dementia. She fully intends to recover everything, but she needs money to do it, so she applies for a governess position. She’s delighted to meet the child who will be her charge and the animals who give her comfort.

I really liked Isabelle, but I did have trouble identifying with her plight. I could see absolutely no reason for her to feel she had to do the task alone. She would have lost her home and everything in it before she would have asked for help from people with far more knowledge and resources than she had. She was portrayed as a very intelligent and sensible person and that part of her actions just didn’t fall into the intelligent or sensible bucket.

I enjoyed the read and the characters were delightful. I particularly liked Shrew, the butler, and Daphne, Win’s ward.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.