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.
The Scandal of It All by Sophie JordanAlso in this series: The Duke Buys a Bride , This Scot of Mine , The Duke's Stolen Bride, The Virgin and the Rogue, The Duke Effect
Series: The Rogue Files #2
Published by Avon on July 25th 2017
Genres: Historical Romance, Regency Era
Pages: 384
Format: eARC
Source: Avon
ISBN: 0062463624
It takes two to make a scandal…
What kind of woman ventures into London’s most notorious pleasure club? An outsider like Graciela, the Duchess of Autenberry, snubbed time and time again by society because of her Spanish roots. Ela longs to take a lover for a single, wild night, and within the walls of Sodom there are gentlemen to suit every forbidden taste. If only she were not so drawn to the smoldering Lord Strickland…a dangerous man who sees beyond her mask, and could ruin her reputation with a mere whisper.
Lord Strickland never permitted himself to fantasize about the sultry, off-limits lady, but then he never expected to find Ela in a place so wicked, looking for what he’s more than too happy to give. She may not be to the ton’s taste, but she suits him perfectly. First, however, he must convince her to trust in this dangerous desire—and in the promise of forever unleashed by one wild, scandalous night.
Graciela, has been a widow for quite some time. She never had a positive relationship with her late husband, although she hides the truth from her daughter and step children. But one day, Graciela is tired of sitting in her drawing room, sipping tea and not trying out new adventures. She figures its time to accept her best friends invitation to an exclusive club “Sodom”. Ela has never done anything so daring, but she has never known true desire or pleasure to be found with a man. While at Sodom, she attracts the attention of a man who is so wrong for her, who comes in as her knight in shining armor from some not so friendly gentlemen, the best friend of her step son. Ela knows that she is in trouble from the first moment that he touches her. Lord Stricklan, has had great affection for Ela since he was a teenager. But now he is older and more mature, and is more than ready to pursue her and show her of his desire. However the number of years between them, makes Ela believe she is “robbing the cradle” as it were, and she wants more than a mere affair. She wants to feel loved, but there are times when one doesn’t choose who they love, it just happens.
She felt as though she were facing a stranger, contrary to the nonsense she was spouting. A man who was stripping her of her clothes with his eyes to see all that lay beneath.
What a story, and a book that really surprised me. It has been so long since I have read a “May-December” trope and Sophie Jordan did a fantastic job with this theme and the story overall. Now I first want to clarify that the years between Ela and Collin aren’t that big of a stretch…six years. It’s really not that bad to be honest. But it fits the story, since Ela’s stepson and Collin are similar in age. So I can understand why our heroine really struggled with this aspect. Now Ela is of spanish decent, so at first I was curious why she wasn’t more energetic and really more “spirited” type of heroine. But we see how her late husband’s treatment of her affects her. He put her down and emotionally abused her throughout their whole marriage and made her feel like she was a “cold fish” but she does warm up the more she is around Collin, who accepts her fully. Now Collin is a hero that really has to work through his feelings honestly about Ela. At first, he just wants a sexual affair. But Ela wants more than that, and Collin meanwhile starts looking for a future bride, but realizes that Ela is the woman he really wants in his life.
I care about you. I have never wanted a woman more than I want you.
As a couple these two are like fireworks once they get together. The chemistry is off the charts, and they really connect on more than just physically. Collin really understands Ela and doesn’t expect more than she can give to him. And there are other problems that add some conflict to the story. What I found interesting was even though at a glance I wasn’t sure if this type of story was one I would actually like, Sophie Jordan just makes it work in such a way that you keep reading, because this pair is unique and their relationship has some complex dynamics to it that tugs at the reader’s curiosity.
Overall The Scandal Of It All was a spicy tension filled romance with interesting complexities, engaging dialogue, and a love affair to remember….guaranteed to pull at your emotions!!
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This sounds interesting. The exclusive club is a little different but I am glad it worked out in the end.
Lovely review as always! I haven’t read any Sophie Jordan in a little while and this sounds like just the book to snag, with so many interesting elements to it. Happy to hear you enjoyed yourself with this story. 🙂
Lovely review, Renee. It has been years since I read a Sophie Jordan book but this intrigues me me because I enjoy the May-December trope.
I wondered why this author looked familiar *headdesk* I liked her other book lol
I was so so tempted by this one. She really is a fantastic author. I’m glad to see this one worked for ya 🙂