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The Rogue Not Taken: Scandal & Scoundrel, Book I Mass Market Paperback – Dec 29 2015

by Sarah MacLean (Author)

4.4 3,676 ratings

Book 1 of 3: Scandal & Scoundrel

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Lady Sophie’s Society Splash

When Sophie, the least interesting of the Talbot sisters, lands her philandering brother-in-law backside-first in a goldfish pond in front of all society, she becomes the target of very public aristocratic scorn. Her only choice is to flee London, vowing to start a new life far from the aristocracy. Unfortunately, the carriage in which she stows away isn’t saving her from ruin . . . it’s filled with it.

Rogue’s Reign of Ravishment!

Kingscote, “King,” the Marquess of Eversley, has never met a woman he couldn’t charm, resulting in a reputation far worse than the truth, a general sense that he’s more pretty face than proper gentleman, and an irate summons home to the Scottish border. When King discovers stowaway Sophie, however, the journey becomes anything but boring.

War? Or More?

He thinks she’s trying to trick him into marriage. She wouldn’t have him if he were the last man on earth. But carriages bring close quarters, dark secrets, and unbearable temptation, making opposites altogether too attractive . . .

Book 1 of 3

Scandal & Scoundrel
Print length

432 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Avon
Publication date

Dec 29 2015
Dimensions

3.3 x 10.67 x 17.02 cm
ISBN-10

0062379410
ISBN-13

978-0062379412
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Popular Highlights in this book

What are Popular Highlights?

“You’re so arrogant. I have half a mind to die just to prove you wrong.”
Highlighted by 201 Kindle readers
“It’s you who don’t see. I only ever wished you to be the man you are.”
Highlighted by 198 Kindle readers
“We don’t need to know a person to know how to do right by them.”
Highlighted by 123 Kindle readers

Product description

Review

“MacLean’s elegant writing, brisk storytelling, and clever dialogue are frosting on the cake of Sophie’s compelling romance, and they’ll hook the reader into this new series about the risqué Talbot sisters [...] MacLean’s latest shines with the intensity, wit, and emotion for which she’s celebrated.” — Kirkus Reviews

“spellbinding [...] Readers will be intoxicated by the emotional connection between the lovers, which makes their banter that much more amusing and their eventual physical passion that much more satisfying. [...] Comedy, action, secrets, and love: this book has it all.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“MacLean has the magic touch... This lovely story is perfect in so many ways; it’s funny, with rapier wit, sweet and super-sexy, one of those stories you’ll keep close to your heart.” — RT Book Reviews (top pick)

“Sarah MacLean has reignited the genre with bolder edge. She interprets the romance novel as a crucial component of feminist literature” — The New Yorker

From the Inside Flap

Lady Sophie's Society Splash!

When Sophie, the least interesting of the Talbot sisters, lands her philandering brother-in-law backside-first in a goldfish pond in front of all society, she becomes the target of very public aristocratic scorn. Her only choice is to flee London, vowing to start a new life far from the aristocacy. Unfortunately, the carriage in which she stows away isn't saving her from ruin . . . it's filled with it.

Rogue's Reign of Ravishment!

Kingscote, King, the Marquess of Eversley, has never met a woman he couldn't charm, resulting in a reputation far worse than the truth, a general sense that he's more pretty face than proper gentleman, and an irate summons home to the Scottish border. When King discovers stowaway Sophie, however, the journey becomes anything but boring.

War? Or More?

He thinks she's trying to trick him into marriage. She wouldn't have him if he were the last man on earth. But carriages bring close quarters, dark secrets, and unbearable temptation, making opposites altogether too attractive . . .

--Kirkus Reviews

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Avon (Dec 29 2015)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 432 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0062379410
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0062379412
Item weight ‏ : ‎ 453 g
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 3.3 x 10.67 x 17.02 cm

Best Sellers Rank: #439,252 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #985 in American Historical Romance
- #1,930 in 20th Century Historical Romance (Books)
- #8,089 in Regency Historical Romance

Customer Reviews:
4.4 3,676 ratings

About the author

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Sarah MacLean

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New York Times, Washington Post & USA Today bestseller Sarah MacLean is the author of historical romance novels. Translated into more than twenty-five languages, the books that make up “The MacLeaniverse” are beloved by readers worldwide.

In addition to her novels, Sarah is a leading advocate for the romance genre, speaking widely on its place as a feminist text and a cultural bellwether. A columnist for the New York Times, the Washington Post and Bustle, she is the co-host of the weekly romance podcast, Fated Mates. Her work in support of romance and those who read it earned her a place on Jezebel.com's Sheroes list and led Entertainment Weekly to call her "the elegantly fuming, utterly intoxicating queen of historical romance."

Sarah lives in New York City.

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Paragraphs and Petticoats

Great start to the series!

Reviewed in Canada on January 5, 2016

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The Rogue Not Taken by Sarah MacLean
Scandal & Scoundrel #1

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Plus as many more as I could give it!!!! Wow! I didn't want to put this book down.. even when I could see what was going to happen... still it held me entranced and turned out way better than I expected!

Sophie was a strong woman who doesn't take crap from anyone. Which I loved about her. Kingscote, was a fantastic lead. Ms. MacLean can sure write a wonderful hero! The characters banter was witty and fast. The situations were interesting and the chemistry was sizzling! I had pre-ordered this book, waiting, not so patiently for it to arrive and I wasn't disappointed!

I can't wait to read the second book in the series!

Original review posted at: http://paragraphsandpetticoats.blogspot.ca/

Reviewed in Canada on June 10, 2019

Verified Purchase

Okay, at the first half I was in love. I read it in 12 hours. She’s an excellent writer. If you feel called to it, give it a shot. BUT it’s also a little boring some parts and by boring I mean repetitive. It’s basically the same thing repeated over and over with some fun and creative story line...I laughed, I cried...but only two erotic scenes in 400 some pages. It’s also a huge rip off of beauty and the beast..I guess I loved it and also hated it. I don’t know if I’ll get the next one.

One person found this helpful

Adorable and funny

Reviewed in Canada on December 28, 2021

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Great book! Lots of funny moments and emotion. Plus the heroine was subtly described as plus size so that’s always a win!

Wonderful, humorous, and engaging!

Reviewed in Canada on April 28, 2018

Verified Purchase

Sophie's character I just loved - Sassy and spunky enough to push her brother-in-law in the fish pond, trade clothes with a young male, and leave London without a care - there is so much subtle humor in this novel as King and Sophie travel through adventure and an unwanted romance as they dash around the countryside - loved the plot and characters and even though Sophie's family seems a bit wacky I hope the rest of the series is as engaging

Grabs You From the First Page And Keeps Your Attention

Reviewed in Canada on July 30, 2016

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Funny, entertaining from beginning to end. Captured my attention from page one and continued to entertain me right to the end. Plan on reading the series. Writing style reminds me a bit of Julie Garwood, one of my favourite authors.

Love love love this book

Reviewed in Canada on August 2, 2016

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This author has quickly become a favourite. I have loved all her books. This one is a winner and I can't wait for Warrick's story.

Reviewed in Canada on April 25, 2019

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Lovely book with lots of emotional twists hehe

A delightful romance and awesome introduction to MacLean's new series

Reviewed in Canada on January 24, 2016

This book reminded me of why I love Sarah MacLean so much. It may be because The Rogue Not Taken (is a pun) is reminiscent of Nine Rule to Break When Romancing a Rake (one my favouritest HR), but more likely who doesn't love a wallflower heroine who's breaking out of her shell, and along the way cause chaos for our roguishly charming hero?

With a scandalous family and a moniker that she can't get rid of, Lady Sophie Talbot just wanted a ride home from Kingscote, the Marquess of Eversley. He thinks she’s trying to trick him into marriage (despite her protest). Sophie decided she won't take no for an answer and it's banter and hilarious shenanigans all around. The beginning of the book is a perfect amount of hilarious and ridiculous.

I adore Sophie and King together. Seeing their relationship go from loathing and quarreling to ridiculous high-jinks...

“Do you need assistance carrying her round to the inn?”
“No.” King’s response was clipped. He could carry his own impostor wife himself, dammit."

To that delicious tension as they try to work out their feelings is just perfection.

"His lips found hers, stealing heartbeat of a kiss before he moved to worship at her throat. “We’re not suppose to like each other.” Her words came on a sigh.
“Don’t worry. We don’t.”
What a lie that was."

Sophie is a fantastic heroine - brave, sassy, kind, intelligent and of course a little awkward. I loved her growth throughout the story.

Of course. Because when it rained, it poured, and Sophie – who’d never held a handsome gentleman’s attention for longer than the half second it took him to realize she as not the lady he sought – was bedridden and unwashed when saddled with two of them. She was doomed.

King was an interesting hero. He was both the charming rogue and brooding hero mixed into one. There, of course, is some major angst as King struggles with some tragedy in his past and misunderstandings that leads to even more angst (why do you got to be like that, King /sigh - I still loved him though). Then there's this back and forth of angst. Thankfully, he (and she) figures it out (though it does drag on a little unnecessarily long).

“You seemed to have made a career if rescuing me.”
He slid that hand up to her jaw, tilting her face to his staring deeply into her eyes. “I will always rescue you.”

Overall, The Rogue Not Taken is a delightful romance and awesome introduction to MacLean's new series. The adventure that Sophie and King took me on had me laughing, sighing, swooning, and everything in between. Plus, it's sort of a road-trip adventure, which usually equals hilarious shenanigans, what's not to love! (Also, title...pun...10/10).

{Thanks to Avon and Edelweiss for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

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margarethe

Liebesszenen gewöhnungsbedürftig

Reviewed in Germany on November 9, 2023

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Das ist jetzt das 2. Buch von Sarah MacLean, das ich lese und ich kann sagen, ich liebe ihre starken Frauen, keine simpering silly girls, sondern schlagfertig, mutig und tapfer. Die Helden echte Männer, muss ich mehr sagen ?
Ein großes Aber folgt nun: Leider nur bis zur Hälfte des Buches, was dann folgt, ist einfach nur awful and weird. Nämlich immer die eine Sexpraktik, auf Latein: Cu………… , die ich widerwärtig finde und das in einer Ausführlichkeit, die viele Seiten füllt. In einem Liebesroman entbehrlich ! Was dazu kommt und zu einer weiteren Ermüdung von mir als Leserin führt , ist eine ständige Wiederholung der Gedanken der Protagonisten. Weiters das ewige Verneinen der eigenen Gefühle des Helden, obwohl es eh schon jeder weiß, dass er sie liebt und eh heiraten wird, fand ich auch sehr enervierend.
Bis zur Hälfte spitze, aber dann schlecht und auch nicht mehr spannend, vorhersehbar und ermüdend.
Schade , denn Sarah MacLean kann eine Geschichte entwickeln, ihre Figuren zum Leben erwecken, die wirklich großartig ist.

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Lisarenee Seduced by a Book

A wonderful Story

Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2016

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>>>>>>>>>>>>My Synopsis (Actual Review follows directly after) <<<<<<<<<<<<<
Lady Sophie looks down her nose at society. Growing up the daughter of a self made man who gained the title of Earl a decade earlier, she's straddled both sides of the tracks and found the ton lacking. She hates the snooty attitude of those who truly aren't any better (and sometimes far worse) than those they consider beneath them. When she comes across her brother-in-law (a Duke) at a garden party tossing up the skirts of someone who isn't her sister, she lets her fury loose, and pushes the cad into a fish pond. If the ton hadn't been present with a front row seat at the evening's soon to be most talked about event things may have ended differently. With her fury still fully engaged, she turned it upon the spectators and gave the ton, in its entirety, a piece of her mind for which they immediately, as one, returned by giving her the cut direct. Left with no immediate way to get home, she makes the rash decision to leave the party in the carriage of the only conveyance presently leaving. A carriage which happens to be owned by one London's most notorious rogues, the Marquess of Eversley. It's a decision that will change everything...

Once upon a time, Lady Sophie Talbot was considered the plain, least interesting and unfun one of the Talbot sister (aka Dangerous Daughters).Those days are gone.

>>>>>>>My Review <<<<<<<<<

Whenever I open up a book by Ms. MacLean, I get the same feeling as when I visit with a good friend I haven't seen in a long while and.catch up on the latest gossip, Granted, I don't personally know Ms. MacLean, but I think anyone who has ever read a book will agree that the personality of the author shines through, and I can't help but feel that if I ever had a long and meaningful conversation with her I'd find I like her very much. When I pick up one of her novels I know from experience that I'll be amused and entertained for a good number of hours, and be left with a smile on my face, and extra bounce in my step, and a feeling that all is well with the world. Her novels are well thought out, skillfully crafted, and oozing with charm, humor, strong heroines,witty banter and heroes that have a habit of stealing their way into your heart. If I was single and could choose any author to craft my perfect match for me, Ms. MacLean would be among those at the top of my list. I started reading her stories with the publication of her second book, 'Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake' and a friend tipped my off that she had written another book, 'The Season', which I immediately read and devoured. Since then, I've eagerly awaited the publication of each and ever one of the book she's written since. I am definitely a huge fan.

Lady Sophie is a woman who is caught between two worlds--the one she longs to go back to and one she doesn't feel she fits into. Despite what Eversly says, she is a fun character who is down to earth with no misgivings about the ton. The treatment that Sophie and her sisters receive at the hands of the ton tugged at my heartstrings and endeared her to me. For years she's been following the rules and its gotten her and her sisters little more than the title of "Dangerous Daughters" and the scrutiny of the scandal sheets. While her sisters like the attention, Sophie loathes it. She hates the falsity of the ton and all that goes with it. She's trying to find her place in the world. She just isn't convinced it's with the aristocracy.

Initially the Marquess of Eversley (aka King) seems as big a cad as Sophie's brother-in-law, but we quickly see there is more to him than initially meets the eye. King is a self proclaimed career bachelor haunted by events that took place fifteen years ago. He's been called home by his father who reportedly is on his death bed. Years ago King and his father had a major argument which led to King vowing never to return. He's never gone back and is only going home now to give his father a piece of his mind before he passes. When Lady Sophie ends up in his carriage, he reluctantly feels obligated to see her safely home, but things have a way of happening around Sophie and nothing goes as planned. As the two spend more and more time together, they slowly get to know one another and feelings start to develop. King becomes torn between what he now wants and what he thought he did.

Overall, I gave this one 5 out of 5 roses. A wonderful story about two misfits who may not be perfect, but are perfectly suited for each other. I loved seeing these two open up to each other, and understand exactly where the other was coming from. Both are romantics at heart who find love when they least expect it. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a STEAM rating - too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed. If you haven't guessed, I highly recommend this book and author. If you've not yet read one of Ms. MacLean's books, now is the time to treat yourself to a special read.

3 people found this helpful

Sheila M

Romantic Romp with a Woman in Men’s Livery, Highwaymen and Naughty Carriage Rides

Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2015

Verified Purchase

“She hated him then. Hated him for involking the ridiculous moniker. For being just like all the others. For believing that she wanted the life into which she’d been thrust. For believing that life worth something. Worth more than the life she’d been born into. For refusing to see — just as the rest of London refused to see – that Sophie was different. And that she had been perfectly happy before. Before titles and town houses and teas and the trappings of the ton. Before those trappings had trapped her.”

FINAL DECISION: What romance reader can resist a bookshop buying hero? Decidedly lighter in tone than her Rules of Scoundrels series, THE ROGUE NOT TAKEN returns MacLean to her Love by Numbers series tone of hot encounters, humor and lighter drama. A delicious carriage journey through Northern England, King and Sophie sometimes experience the roadtrip from hell and at other times a great romantic journey toward love.

THE STORY: Sophie Talbot one of the Soiled S’s, daughters of a newly minted earl who themselves thrive in the world of scandal. When Sophie unintentionally causes a scandal by pushing her duke brother-in-law in a fishpond when Sophie catches him with another woman shaming his pregnant wife, Sophie is ruined. Running from the scene, Sophie seeks a ride to her home in Mayfair. She encounters Kingscote, the Marquess of Eversley fleeing from the window of a woman he has ruined and demands that he take her home. When he refuses, Sophie arranges to masquerade as an outrider for his carriage by buying the position and livery from King’s footman. But King isn’t going to Mayfair, he’s leaving London – but Sophie doesn’t realize it until it is too late.

OPINION: This book is a humorous romp until the tone turns serious towards the end of the book. Funny with crazy adventures and situations, this is a book that makes a reader smile and laugh. Even the serious parts are not too dark. Unlike the darker and grittier Rules of Scoundrels series, THE ROGUE NOT TAKEN is filled with light humor and farcical situations. It marks a return to the lighter tone of MacLean’s breakout book NINE RULES TO BREAK WHEN ROMANCING A RAKE.

The inspiration for this new series is the modern tabloid news which according to MacLean mirrors the scandal driven news of the 1830s when this novel is set. The scandal seeking and manipulating Soiled S’s are sisters whose names all begin with S mirroring some scandalous modern sisters whose names begin with K. The scene of Sophia’s scandal – attacking her cheating brother-in-law in public is inspired by a similar celebrity scandal. Historical readers can be assured, however, that while modern events might have inspired MacLean, the characters and events of THE ROGUE NOT TAKEN remain grounded in 1830s England.

What this book does is ask the question “who are the people behind the scandals?” Both Sophie and King have reputations which do not accurately reflect who they really are nor the pain and dreams of their lives. After Sophie suffers her disgrace, she decides to leave London and the ton and return to the village where she lived a common life until her father gained his titled when she was ten. Sophie believes that she will find a life there where she belongs and intends to open a bookshop. Searching for that sense of belonging, Sophie just wants to be known for who she is rather than who others expect her to be.

King’s reputation as the “Royal Rogue” also hides a great deal of pain and a good man using his reputation to protect him from women who might want more from him. And there can be no doubt that King is reluctantly a good man. In fact, by the time the final obstacle for this couple arrives, the pain and disillusionment that he experiences is difficult to read because he has been hurt before and barely recovered.

Filled with so many great tropes (highwaymen, Sophie dressed as a man, carriage shenanigans, pretend married couple, reluctant traveling partners, bickering and witty banter, forced marriages and disapproving fathers) but this book throughout makes the clear statement that these characters and this story is more than what might be expected.

Plus, you just have to love a hero who buys the heroine a bookstore and where books play such a seductive part of the story.

WORTH MENTIONING: Readers of MacLean might recall that King and Sophie first danced in NEVER JUDGE A LADY BY HER COVER. The events of THE ROGUE NOT TAKEN take place in June 1833 soon after the events of the main narrative of NEVER JUDGE A LADY BY HER COVER. There are some small references to their first dance and other events in the Rules of Scoundrels series, but no appearances by characters from that series.

CONNECTED BOOKS: THE ROGUE NOT TAKEN is the first book in the Scandal & Scoundrel series.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.

6 people found this helpful

Liana Smith Bautista | Will Read for Feels

Loved, loved, loved this Regency romp

Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2016

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*** I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review, which was originally published on book blog Will Read for Feels.

Sarah MacLean is one of those authors I frequently recommend to those looking for modern Georgian/Regency romance. So when I saw that she would be starting a new series called Scandal & Scoundrel, of which The Rogue Not Taken is the first installation, I jumped at the chance to do a review for WRFF.

As it happens, this was something my co-blogger, Marian, wasn’t too happy about, as she is also a fan and had been hoping to do a review as well. I should feel bad about that, but I’m pretty glad I beat her to the punch because I loved, loved, loved The Rogue Not Taken!

In fact, I loved it so much, I now find it hard to figure out where to start talking about this novel. It is, of course, a character-driven novel, and the plot revolves around the two main characters’ personal journeys to love and enlightenment, framed by an actual journey northward from London to Cumbria, in the country.

For our heroine, Lady Sophie Talbot, the journey is one of self-discovery, of separating dreams from reality, and of finally showing someone (incidentally, the one to whom it’ll matter the most) that she is more than just the most serious, “unfun” of the scandalous Talbot sisters, dubbed the Dangerous Daughters or the Spoiled Ses by London society.

For the Marquess of Eversley, heir to the Duke of Lyne and known as King (I won’t share his full name as that’s a treat that had me smiling when I read it), this is a journey of revenge that turns into one of redemption, revelation, and forgiveness regarding his part in the tragedy that inspired his conversion from roguish youth to scandalous and seemingly jaded scoundrel.

So first let me talk about Sophie. She’s resented her family’s rise to the aristocracy from hardworking but wealthy trade, and she dreams of returning to the life she left in Cumbria 15 years ago. She hates the way Society looks down on her colorful, extravagant family and her sisters in particular and saddened by her sisters’ answer to dealing with the Ton’s censure, which is to embrace their notoriety. Sophie is stubborn and decidedly impulsive, but she is the more level-headed of her sisters, which, given their antics, may not be saying much, so I’ll also go on to say that she has a good heart and a protective streak a mile wide, which lands her into trouble. I thoroughly enjoyed her as a character, not the least because I could personally identify with her right from the start—the only thing I want to do at parties is leave, and my family comprises of many boisterous, even outrageous, social animals.

As for King, while the man certainly sports a healthy level of confidence, it is quite evident from the beginning that there is something more to the reputation he has as a ruiner of innocents than meets the eye. This becomes even more obvious when his actions reveal him to be a man of integrity and honor, one with a protective instinct to rival, if not outmatch, Sophie’s. Moreover, once you learna little about the past that haunts him and his rumored conquests, it’s easy to put two and two together and determine that in his way, he is even sweeter and more romantic than Sophie. I found he quite reminded me of my own hubby too, another way this novel struck a chord with me.

Apart from the two main characters, though, I also came to love the supporting ones. I dearly hope the next novels in this series are about Sophie’s sisters and that they feature the roguish Duke of Warnick. I had my suspicious about the villain of Eversley’s existence, the Duke of Lyne, and I was totally smug when they turned out to be correct.

At this point in most reviews, I usually talk about the things that didn’t quite work for me, or that readers with certain preferences might not enjoy. But I can’t think of anything. Perhaps a warning that 70% of the story takes place on the road? But then again, so much happens that it really isn’t a problem, at least not to me.

I don’t have any cons to list in my review of this novel because The Rogue Not Taken is really just that a good a read. In fact, I’ve decided to put all the next books in this series on my must-buy and must-read lists.

Pamerd

Wonderful historical romance - first in the series

Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2015

Verified Purchase

I have loved everything I have read from this author, her characters have complexity and humor and the plots she creates are compelling and intriguing. When I heard she was starting a new series I jumped at the chance to read it.

Sophie Talbot is the youngest of five sisters. Her father was granted the title of an Earl because of the wealth he made in coal. The Talbots are not as welcome in society as others of their peerage and it does not help that the sisters are scandalous in their actions. Sophie stays away from the scandals; she hates society and all it stands for. Unfortunately she accidently becomes the talk of the town when she tries to protect her oldest sister and embarrasses her brother-in-law, a duke. She decides she has had enough of London; she never wanted this world anyway and finds a way to Mossbend and the home she grew up in. However when she requests help from the Marquess of Eversley, he refuses, so she takes matters into her own hands and the wild ride begins.

King, the Marquess is on his way to his dying father, a man he despises. He has a message for his father and wants to deliver it in person. After he refuses to help one of the Dangerous Daughters, he travels and races his way to the first Inn, only to find his footman wearing women’s slippers, and is amazed no one else caught the mistake in her disguise. Their journey to Cumbria is as wild as it can be; there are carriage races, a fake marriage, highwaymen, a gorgeous doctor and an array of other incidences that makes this story so much fun.

This is one of the best books I have read this year. I adored these two people; their hate to love relationship is full of witty banter, groveling and an amazing romance. I am so excited to start this new series.

Sophie is a delight; she is the youngest of scandal loving sisters whose antics grace the papers each week. But she wants no part in their world. She wants to go back to a simpler time in her life and makes steps to accomplish it. And although she is labeled boring and un-fun, she is anything but, as she takes on King while traveling throughout England.

King believes Sophie is out to trap him in marriage, so tries to stay away from her, but as they make their way across the countryside, they are together whether they like it or not, their interesting conversations and her escapades had me laughing all the way to Cumbria. Their hate to love relationship was so much fun even when I wanted to kick King because of the mean things he said, most of the time without thinking. However he redeemed himself in the end, after I shed a few tears.

The story is fast paced from beginning to end and I had a blast reading. I enjoyed meeting the secondary characters who play important roles, I loved the doctor that helped save her, even though he told her many times that she could still die, he was hilarious, and King’s friend the Duke of

Warrick from Scotland who is very sexy and will make a great hero in the next book. Her sisters were entertaining, but a bit selfish which is why I enjoyed the friends she made along the way more, yet they all helped create this wonderful story. I highly recommend this historical romance with adventure, witty dialog and love.

Review also at Ramblings from a Chaotic Mind

Copy from the publisher for an honest review

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