I received this book for free from Avon in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
It Started With a Scandal by Julie Anne Long Also in this series: Since the Surrender, A Notorious Countess Confesses
Series: Pennyroyal Green #10
Published by Avon on March 31st 2015
Genres: Historical Romance, Regency Era
Pages: 384
Format: eARC
Source: Avon
ISBN: 0062334824
Lord Philippe Lavay once took to the high seas armed with charm as lethal as his sword and a stone-cold conviction: he'll restore his family's fortune and honor, no matter the cost. Victory is at last within reach--when a brutal attack snatches it from his grasp and lands him in Pennyroyal Green.
An afternoon of bliss brings a cascade of consequences for Elise Fountain. Shunned by her family and ousted from a job she loves, survival means a plummet down the social ladder to a position no woman has yet been able to keep: housekeeper to a frighteningly formidable prince.
The bold and gentle Elise sees past his battered body into Philippe's barricaded heart...and her innate sensuality ignites his blood. Now a man who thought he could never love and a woman who thought she would never again trust must fight an incendiary passion that could be the ruin of them both.
Summary
Elise Fountain, made a mistake, and suffered the consequences, and was shunned by her family, and the job she adored, and now she is hoping to have the position as a housekeeper to a Lord and lost prince. Phillipe, is rough around the edges, he is determined to win back his family’s lands and fortune that was taken away. But when he is attacked, he is injured, and still bears the scars. When Elise first starts as housekeeper, she knows that she will need her wits about her. Her boss, is cantakerous, stubborn, tests her patience from morning to evening. But Elise sticks with it, despite the fact that the others servants aren’t accepting of her at first, Elise also has her son to worry about. He needs good stable home, and she knows that she can give him that here. As she starts getting settled in her new position, and showing everyone how capable and strong-willed she can be, a tension erupts between Elise and Philippe, a bond between them forms one of friendship then turns slowly into passion and love.
The Hero
Lord Philippe Lavay is a prince of the house of Bourbon, who worked for the crown, but ended up being injured and now is residing in Pennyroyal Greens. He has no patience for laziness, and has already fired two housekeepers and one left of her own accord. He tends to let his emotions get ahead of him, and can be a bear at times, a grouchy and irritated one and takes it out on his household. Phillippe is the type of hero you love seeing especially in historical romances. He is brooding, and fierce in his determination and loyalty, but he also has that tortured hero sense going on. Phillippe is full of deep emotion but hides it beneath his tough exterior.
The Heroine
Elise hasn’t had an easy time of it. Elise was once a teacher at a School for Recalcitrant Girls, she then fell in love with a man who betrayed her trust, and used her. She found herself pregnant, and her family refused to help her and refused to speak to her. She was kicked out of the job she loved, and has a son to support. She has flitted from job to job, to support the both of them. She knows that when she gains her new position that she will need to keep it, and show her boss, what she is capable of.
Plot and Story Line
It Started With A Scandal is the tenth installment in this wonderful series, and I have enjoyed seeing the various characters develop in this series, and the way it has won me over with each book. It Started With A Scandal was simply wonderful and I could barely put it down, it was quite a great addition and I had such a fun time especially with Phillippe and Elise. In this story however, I felt like it was a slow and easy romance, very subtle at times, and other times it tended to be fully obvious. The chemistry between Elise and Phillippe was almost instant, they do have some sparks, but don’t act on them….at first. But you see the attraction that they have, What we see in the beginning, is seeing the normal routine of running a household, the author brings together in the story, characters that win your heart from the very beginning. I loved having Elise and Phillippe as a pair, they come together in such a harmonious way and you see the charm and elegance that is found on every page, and gives off a sense of wit and an endearing story. What we also seeing is Elise’s son Jack, the most charming little boy, that wraps his way around your finger. You see how he becomes emotionally stronger, and you see both his relationship develop with both Elise and Phillippe. One of my favorite aspects was seeing Philippe and Jack together, and we see a bit of a focus on Elise’s son, and seeing his character develop and become stronger. The romance itself, was the type of story that engages the reader, the characters are bound wounded, one emotionally and the other physically. But you see how they balance each other out. From beginning to end, this story held my attention.
The Cover
This cover is absolutely gorgeous, we have the pretty gold and pink hues in the background, with the heroine in a bold blue dress that brings a delectable contrast.
Overall View
It Started WIth A Scandal is a captivating love story, where an author weaves together a story of hearts that are in need of healing and passion, a story to win your heart and soul. RIVETING TILL THE END!!
He would do anything for her. He simply could not differentiate what was best for her or himself, because they seemed one and the same.
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