Before the Scandal [Hardcover]

suzanne enoch (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: avon books; BCE edition (2008)
• ASIN: B001IUXGMU
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,827,816 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A lifelong lover of books, Suzanne Enoch has been writing them since she learned to read. She is the author of two well-received Avon Regencies, The Black Duke's Prize and Angel's Devil, and five Avon Romances: Lady Rogue, Stolen Kisses, By Love Undone, Taming Rafe and Reforming a Rake. Born and raised in Southern California, Suzanne lives a few scant miles from Disneyland with her collection of Star Wars action figures and a Cairn terrier named Katie (after the heroine of her first Regency). She's still looking for her own hero, and hopes he will be handsome, titled, and just a little wicked. Meanwhile, she's currently at work inventing him in her next historical romance.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 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 

cb (Minot, ND) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Before the Scandal: The Notorious Gentlemen (Mass Market Paperback)

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 9 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
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This review is from: Before the Scandal: The Notorious Gentlemen (Mass Market Paperback)

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

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Romance and Action combined, September 4, 2008

By 

Sandy Kay (Twin Cities, Minnesota USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Before the Scandal: The Notorious Gentlemen (Mass Market Paperback)

Many romances are written mostly from the heroine's point of view; not surprising as most of the readers are likely women. This romance is written at least equally from the point of the hero, if not primarily from his perspective. That, plus his efforts to discover who was trying to harm his estranged family, gave this book a different feel from many other romances.

I read so many romances that I enjoy any time an author goes to the effort to write something different enough to stand out from the masses. Readers who want lots of sex are going to be disappointed. There is only one that I recall -- but lots of stolen kisses behind closed doors. The romance itself is that of two childhood friends and sort of sweethearts finding each other after both have gone through emotionally difficult times.

I enjoyed this book enough that I am going to get the first book in the series.

I'm editing this review to add my explanation of the title. At least one reviewer couldn't figure out what the scandal was in the book. The scandal occurred 4 years before the start of the book and I believe the title refers to the fact that the hero and hero knew each other before the scandal and that the heroine would not have still been single and stuck living with her nasty cousin and his mother when the hero comes home from war but for the scandal.