Customer Reviews

A Little Scandal

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

This book swept me up & had me in stitches up to the sooo-happy ending !!! Grouchy heroes always tug at my heart, but this one scores even higher 'cuz of his Italian temper & reluctant protectiveness towards the love of his life. Not a lot of novels out there feature a spoiled brat to spice up the story. The 1st encounter where Kate almost - and let me quote - 'endangered Burke's hopes of siring an heir' is hilarious & it gets even better since then on. No matter what the other scathing reviews said, I LUUUV this extremely funny, merry, passionate tale of 2 lovable characters fighting their hopeless attraction. It's well-written, fast-paced, overflowing w/ witty banters, dynamite chemistry, crisp plot & sensual love-scenes. In short, it's a page-turner ! This is only Ms. Cabot's 3rd book that I've read (after Lady of Skye & Improper Proposal) but she's on my must-buy list. It'll charm the wits out of ya !!!

I read this book in one sitting. Stopped for a food break. Better than her last two. The beginning works because of the humor. The verbal sparring between the two lead characters is very good, and the secondary characters hold up well. Drags a little bit here and there-the daughter's character is too broad. The sexual tension builds nicely (and is resolved). The mystery seems to be thrown in and could use a little work, but the book moves along and does keep your interest.

This was my first Patricia Cobat and I enjoyed it enough to run out and buy the Improper Proposal. I liked the fact that the hero is of a more 'mature' age with a wild daughter. Their relationship was funny through out the book. I like the personality and chemistry between the hero and heroine.

The fact that the hero is getting old and dealing with becoming middle age is also rather refreshing, certainly I have not read that in another novel. Kate was really practical and strong which I enjoy very much in a female lead. Throwing in the Isabel's wild behavior, you have a really nice romance.

The mystery is not really interesting, after all we are not reading for the mystery plot. I have to say I enjoy this book much more than Improper Proposal which I just finished yesterday. The girl (I mean 'girl') in the story was just as wild as the daughter in this story and definitely needed help.

I thought the story was quite enjoyable. I am glad I did not read the poor reviews before I bought it. It was different and I liked the characters. I have always enjoyed her books and I am glad I took a chance on it.

For new readers or those who have already put Patricia Cabot on their must read list this book will not disappoint. The characters are full and shrouded in mystery. The circumstances that throw Burke and Kate together provide the reader with the fiesty wit and sexual tension that has become the Patricia Cabot trademark. Cabot has also included an array of secondary characters who round out the story leaving the reader wanting to know more about them all.

This was my first Patricia Cobat and I enjoyed it enough to run out and buy the Improper Proposal. I liked the fact that the hero is of a more 'mature' age with a wild daughter. Their relationship was funny through out the book. I like the personality and chemistry between the hero and heroine.

The fact that the hero is getting old and dealing with becoming middle age is also rather refreshing, certainly I have not read that in another novel. Kate was really practical and strong which I enjoy very much in a female lead. Throwing in the Isabel's wild behavior, you have a really nice romance.

The mystery is not really interesting, after all we are not reading for the mystery plot. I have to say I enjoy this book much more than Improper Proposal which I just finished yesterday. The girl (I mean 'girl') in the story was just as wild as the daughter in this story and definitely needed help.

I love Patricia Cabot. I truly do. I love when a romance keeps me smiling and laughing and, generally, she does. But I agree with those who felt let down. It wasn't even the plot. Sure, plucky supposed spinster saves beastly man and helps him connect to his kid/kids has been done. But so has every major regency plot, for the most part. It was just something lacking in the hero for me. I have no trouble with his type or even with him having baggage. But he seems so unlikeable and didn't get better by 3/4 of the way through, which is where I gave up. I just didn't care about his happy ending by then. People have pointed out other reasons, so I won't repeat them, but I'll add one more -- his treatment of his daughter. What a horrible father. First, she's a nuisance and he only wants her out of the way so he can have lots of sex with his mistress. Then he seems to brush her aside in his thoughts and actions when he wants to have sex with her chaperon. He only starts attending her at balls to watch out for her when he's panting after the chaperon. The disparaging way both the hero and heroine think and talk about the daughter, pretty much saying she's stupid and plain (and stupid would be his fault). There's one scene where the father compares his daughter to our heroine and tells her how much smarter and prettier she is. I expected her to hit him over the head and tell him how lovely and smart she is or could be or something. But no. She takes the compliment. The worst was when that poor, neglected daughter is in peril and rather than racing through the night and day to save her, he stops at every possible inn to have long, painfully described sex with her chaperon. Of course, the chaperon is at fault here, too. It was by the third or so scene that I stopped. That poor kid. I'd have run off and put myself in danger, too.