39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sweet and sexy, June 14, 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: A Little Scandal (Mass Market Paperback)
After reading a couple of early reviews of this book on Amazon, I almost didn't order it. I'm so glad I had faith enough in Patricia Cabot's writing to go ahead and read it, because it is a charming love story about two souls ravaged by society's gossip. Kate's family was destroyed by scandal, leaving her alone and penniless and forced to make her living as a governess and chaperone. Burke, the Marquis of Wingate, has also been living as an outcast from the 'polite world', but has rejoined it in order to find a husband for his daughter. Though this story could have been dark and depressing, the characters have such humor and individuality, that it is a charming tale throughout. Watching Kate discover her sexuality and Burke trying to overcome his temper is very funny and poignant.
The plot is tightly written, although the mystery is somewhat easy to figure out. The charm of the book is not only in the dialog, but also in being privy to the character's thoughts. I found Burke an especially endearing hero, who is constantly trying to keep himself from smashing something in anger and is human enough to feel vain about his approaching middle age. Kate is intelligent and courageous in spite of her vulnerability in the face of her past. The love scenes are tender and well written.
This book is a keeper, and I look forward to Ms. Cabot's next book. I have read all her novels to date, and I think this one is her best yet.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pleasantly Surprised- A Romance that delivers!, June 15, 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: A Little Scandal (Mass Market Paperback)
I would like to thank the reviewer who so vehemntly hated this book. The hostility that this benign romance novel generated for him/her peaked my curiosity.Needless to say I was pleasantly surprised. The book delivers everything a historical romance reader wants-action, beautiful locations, characters with brains and spirit, intrigue, steamy sex and most importantly a romantic HAPPY ending. If I want realism and true life I read the newspaper. For escapism from that drudgery I recommend "A Little Scandal" without hesitation.
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I must be reading in a parallel universe, June 11, 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: A Little Scandal (Mass Market Paperback)
I specifically called up this book to write a review and was really surprised by the first two that were written. Personally, I think the author has gotten better with her last two books. The plotting was tighter in this one than in the previous one, which had a plot twist added right on to the end of the story that kind of left me scratching my head.
The story opens with our hero picking up his thoroughly aggravating 18 year old daughter and carrying her, screeching, out to his coach to convey her to an evening in society. He is stopped by the diminutive heroine, who holds him up at umbrella point under the mistaken impression he is carrying off a young lady for immoral purposes. As one might expect, especially after reading a few romances, our hero ends up compelled to hire our heroine to act as chaperone for his rambunctious daughter. As the only member of Society who pays not a whit of attention to gossip, he makes no effort to investigate her, and so all sorts of surprising secrets come out later, at the worst possible time.
The hero is a fellow with a terrible temper, it's true, but he seems far more restrained than many a hero in romance I've seen. Yes, he tossed a man out a window, but he'd just caught the fellow under the hero's wife's skirts. Until recently, juries have forgiven men for even murder in such instances, not just mayhem. As for the book he tossed out the window, it was 17 years later, and the heroine had just beaned him on the head with it. As for not abusing women, I have met many a man who will cheerfully pummel another man and would never lift a finger to hurt a woman or a child. Frankly, I think they're conditioned that way. It's certainly better than those who will only take their temper out on things that are too weak to strike back.
I absolutely loved it that the hero's major obsession is reading, an interest that is beginning to edge ahead of sex until he comes across our heroine. Of course, the heroine is an avid reader, as well, which gives them common ground in their relationship.
I found the hero and heroine believable and their relationship believable, as well. In fact, the only part I had trouble with was the hero's daughter. She looked promising in the openning scene, but then never developed much.
I'd recommend giving this book a try. For me, it's a keeper and who knows? It might be a keeper for you, too.
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