Before the Scandal: The Notorious Gentlemen (Mass Market Paperback)

by Suzanne Enoch (Author)
Key Phrases: tricorne hat, Aunt Ernesta, The Frenchman, Pefoi-e the Scarudal (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

It Was a Scandal Waiting to Happen . . .

Colonel Phineas Bromley is a legend—on the battlefield and in the bedroom. Though he's won many wars, and even more hearts, nothing could prepare him for his new life. When Phin discovers that someone has been pushing his family toward ruin, he assumes the role of a legendary highwayman. Riding out in the middle of the night, hidden behind a mask, Phin heads straight into trouble . . . and into the arms of the ravishing girl next door.

Coming face-to-face with a masked man did not frighten Alyse Donnelly as it should have. Instead, she finds him rather dashing. But her foolish heart has led her into trouble before, and helping a fugitive may mean jeopardizing her own plans, no matter how enticing his kisses. Now, as the danger grows, Alyse must make a choice between freedom . . . and the chance for true love.

About the Author

A native and current resident of Southern California, Suzanne Enoch loves movies almost as much as she loves books. She once appeared on an E! special, Star Wars Is Back, as an expert on the romance in the Star Wars movies. Other highlights include winning her third grade spelling bee, receiving an E.T. poster and T-shirt in an alien-inspired poetry contest, and submitting a script for The A-Team (which was not why the series was cancelled). When she is not busily working on her next novel, Suzanne likes to contemplate interesting phenomena, like how the three guppies in her aquarium became 161 guppies in five months.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon (July 29, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061456748
• ISBN-13: 978-0061456749
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #106,733 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent - I found myself swept away to another time !, August 18, 2008

By	C. Brigden (Minot, ND) - See all my reviews

This was great book - I found myself telling my family - wait..wait...I just have find out what happens and then I'll help! (opps I quess I won't be mother of year)

This is the second book of the The Notorious Gentlemen series (1st book After the Kiss: The Notorious Gentlemen). In this book Phin the second son comes home from the war after being gone for 10 years because he thinks his brother is ill. When he arrives home he realizes that his 17 year old sister tricked him but she does need him home because something is wrong. When he arrives home he see his old childhood friend Alyse who has has her own problems throughout the years. Together they solve a mystery , have a sweet romance and French Highwayman enters their lives!! ENJOY!

I am looking forward to Bram's Story!

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars You find out who your real friends are when you're involved in a scandal.-Elizabeth Taylor, August 5, 2008

By	Cherise Everhard (Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Years ago Alyse Donnelly and Phinneas Bromley were the best of friends. Their childhood homes/estates were next to each others and they grew up playing together. About the time when Phin began to see Alyse in a more romantic light, he left. For the past ten years he has been fighting on the battlefield and making himself a hero and a colonel.

Alyse was once the belle of the ball. Coming from a titled family and having looks and charm she was sought after by many gentlemen. But a scandal and the death of her parents changed all that. She is now essentially a Cinderella type figure in her home, catering to a cranky aunt and her over indulged son.

Phin rushes home when he gets a letter from his little sister thinking his brother is ill. What he finds is a healthy brother, an estate in trouble and Alyse. He's shocked and secretly thrilled that she is still unmarried; their friendship picks up where it left off.

I really teetered on the rating of this book. My first problem was the title of the book, it promises a scandal and I was expecting a scandal involving the two main characters. The actual scandal itself is a little lame. Another issue I had was the `mystery' with the accident prone estate, it dragged on a bit and I couldn't help but think all of it could have been solved with a little communication.

For the most part though, I really enjoyed it; the characters are charming and entertaining. The aunt is written so well that I absolutely hated her; I kept hoping Alyse would trip her or something. The villains are loath worthy and the heroes loveable. I hope she writes next about Phin's sister Beth and his pal, Lord Bramwell, next. I wouldn't mind hearing about his brother, William, some more, either. This book is not as good as the first book in the series, After the Kiss: The Notorious Gentlemen, but still an enjoyable read.

3.5 stars

Cherise Everhard, August 2008

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Luke warm -second installment in The Notorious Gentleman series, July 30, 2008

By	Misuzmama (New York, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Ten years have past and Colonel Phineas Bromley has finally returned home. Back to the family he escaped after shattering their lives. He didn't come hoping for forgiveness because some things can never be forgiven. Instead, Phin came to help solve a mystery. The estate, it seems, has been plagued with a lot of bad luck lately. And Phin means to be the man to find out who or what is behind all the destruction. Its the least he can do. Yet never in his wildest dreams did he think of ever seeing the dark-eyed Alyse Donnelly again. The diamond of the first water should have been snatched up a long time ago. But that was before the scandal. And Alyse can't afford another one so she means to stay away from the handsome soldier.............which might prove to be difficult.

I have mixed feelings about this book. Some parts were exciting (mystery and highwayman bit) and others excruciatingly dull (romance). I didn't care about Alyse one way or another. She felt a bit wooden and at times annoying, particularly when she couldn't make up her mind whether to be with Phin or not. I understand that her options were limited but sometimes you just have to go out on a limb and trust your heart. On the other hand, Phin's character is more endearing. He seems adrift. Agonizing over the past but not knowing what the future holds -refusing to hope. Phin is doing his best to protect his family but can't do so without stepping on a few toes and causing an even greater rift between him and his brother.

And its Phin's brother, William, the Viscount Quence who stole my heart in Before the Scandal. The paraplegic single handedly has been raising a younger sister, maintaining an estate for tens years and at the same time dealing with his poor health. No small feat in that time period. I just kept hoping that he would get a love interest (perhaps in the 3rd book?).

Before the Scandal follows After the Kiss: The Notorious Gentlemen in the series which concludes with the rakish Bram's book. It can be read as a stand alone. And I recommend getting this one at the library, not bad but not spectacular. Either way I'm looking forward to Bram's book. Maybe Phin's sister, Elizabeth, will be his heroine? *fingers crossed*.

Update (sept 2008)-its official, Elizabeth is not Bram's heroine. Enoch states that she's too young for him. Dammit!!:(