Wednesday

Review: ARC Love and Other Scandals by Caroline Linden

love and other scandalsLove and Other Scandals
by Caroline Linden

Release Date: July 30th, 2013

Blurb:

Joan Bennet is tired of being a wallflower. Thanks to some deliciously scandalous—and infamous—stories, she has a pretty good idea of what she’s missing as a spinster. Is even a short flirtation too much to ask for?

Tristan, Lord Burke, recognizes Joan at once for what she is: trouble. Not only is she his best friend’s sister, she always seems to catch him at a disadvantage. The only way he can win an argument is by kissing her senseless. He’d give anything to get her out of her unflattering gowns. But either one of those could cost him his bachelor status, which would be dreadful—wouldn’t it?

Review:

I love Caroline Linden!!! This book was fantastic and I believe it’s a great start in a new series~ It has been a while since I read a book from Caroline -besides her anthology with the famous Four Ladies in their latest At the Duke’s Wedding- but this was a great story!!!

Joan Bennet is a over due wallflower turning into a spinster in her almost-last year of the season in London. She’s too plump to look gentle, too tall for a lady, has no sense of style -due to her mother- making her look like an umbrella in the height of fashion dresses, and her curled hair makes her look like a pudgy child because her hair’s just too straight! Most of all she is too wild! But it’s a good thing she keeps that to herself. But then there is one person who keeps bring out her witty mouth and mind- Lord Boor Burk! His is her brother’s friend and he is no good! But when time is spent alone with him, she feels free and at bliss in his company. Although he is rude and they argue like mad, he is utterly honest. He makes her feel wanted and comfortable in her own skin but she shouldn’t feel any way for him. Yet his challenges are hard to back down from.

Tristan Burke, is a infamous rake known about town and is highly scandalous. An orphan as a child he was free and untamed to do as he pleased. Although his uncle and aunt took him in, life with them was torture. Being unloved and hated by his aunt every minute of the day, he would rather stay with friends for the holidays than return to a home that hates him. But the Bennet’s home was a loving and kind home and he envied his friend of such a family. Although Lady Bennet disliked him his friendship with her son, Douglas was still ever strong. Joan on the other hand was the problem. She was the knife poking at him at every turn, messing with his mind and loose tongue. She was the Fury every gentleman needed to keep away and at a distance, but why does she provoke him to get nearer? Her witty mouth and her unfashionable style just gets him thinking about challenging and teasing her at every chance he gets. But she is forbidden and it gets harder when she keeps thrwing challenges at him at every turn.

This was such a fabulous read that I don’t even remember if I have any bad thing to say about it! Although there were small indications of Tristan being an inventor/scientist. I really would have loved if Caroline went more into depth and explored more of that side of him in the book. Yes, so I do remember something. I would love is Caro had explored that side of him more because there was this one scene where Tristan was inspecting a candle stand or something and it that fascinated him so, and I really wanted for that to have develop in the story further. Joan  sometime got me thinking of her as a teenager too rather than her age of 23-24. Some of the things she thought and said were just too naive and childish. Or was just under her mental capacity that I just couldn’t see that she was my age!

But over all both of the characters were likable and I love their wittiness and banters. Their challenges were funny and entertaining to read and watch. They both have a lot to express and break out of to show their true selves. There are many layers that we had to peel off for Tristan and it was really great to see a soft side of him, although it has always been there from the beginning. Joan is a girl I believe everyone could relate too. She’s bigger than the usual and everything is different about her; not so pretty, too tall, fashionable but her looks and figure doesn’t work with it, she’s witty and secretly scandalous by reading naughty stories. She’s just very loveable!

The secondary characters are lovable! I believe the brother is next in line for his own story if Caroline does draw this out to be a series. Joan’s infamous and scandalous aunt was also lovable and just as witty and wild as Joan. I found myself really wanting to get the story of Joan’s parents. Their story sounds amusing and quite loving from all of the snit bits. It’ll be a great story to read.

All in all, this story was funny, entertaining, witty, full of smarts, and well, there’s a tortured hero. Who doesn’t love that! I can’t wait for the next installment from Caroline!
This ARC was provided by the publishers of Avon Romance and the author.

Ratings: 4.5 Smiles
4 half review

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