Customer Reviews

Saved by Scandal (Signet Regency Romance)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Whoever said Regencies were all the same, and tended to be boring and predictable, obviously never read Barbara Metzger. The Woodbridge family is scandal-central, with a history of hugger-mugger relatives and on-dits enough to fill several newspapers for years. When Lord Galen Woodbridge is jilted at the altar by Lady Floria Cleary, it's just one scandal too many, and he decides to give the ton something even juicier to chew on. Impulsively, he offers for songbird Margot Montclaire, whom half the young bucks in London have been angling after with no success. Pretty blonde Margot (actually a baron's daughter in disguise who sings in public to support her sickly little brother)just as impulsively accepts his offer. They will try it for 6 months, as in a marriage of convenience. If they rub together tolerably well, it will become a marriage in fact. But nothing is ever easy or as it seems, in a Metzger novel, and things begin to get complicated very quickly. Suffice it to say that the scandalous happenings never stop, and the hilarity never ends, as piqued ex-fiancees, hoydenish sisters, murderous uncles, impossible ecclesiatics, a lively assortment of servants, and a truly heroic dog named Rufus (Ruff, for short) make trouble for our hero and heroine. Remember Ruff---he's not beautiful, by any means, but he is loyal and true, and he is going to save the day and be worth every single leather glove, lobster pattie, and Gunter's pastry he's ever wolfed down. Regency buffs who enjoyed the two Marians---Chesney and Devon---will find even greater satisfaction with Metzger, who knows how to tell a story, create funny and endearing characters, and how to keep those readers turning the pages, fast!

Every time I read a new book by Barbara Metzger, I always think - 'well, that was her absolute masterpiece! She can't possibly top this one!' And yet, she always does. Never have I been so happy to be wrong.

Saved by Scandal is her best book yet. A painter as well as a writer, Ms. Metzger deftly uses both talents to provide such lively word pictures that immediately, the reader has a complete visual scene in front of him or her. It's infinitely more fun than watching tv or a movie, with such humorous events unveiling before your eyes -- and without a laugh track, to boot!

Yet, the way she uses words is not to be laughed off. She must be the queen of alliteration, littering the book with tongue-twisters that would be difficult, if not impossible, to say out loud with any speed. As in several of her other stories, Metzger prefaces each chapter with an apt quotation -- but this time with a unique twist. Marvelous.

Poor Lord Galen Woodbridge is jilted for the second time, and by the same skitter-wit, even. Rather than mope, he decides to fight scandal with scandal. By George, he'll marry someone guaranteed to drop more than a few jaws just from the shock of it all. He'll marry the theatrical singer--Margot Montclaire. Their marriage of convenience turns into a love match--what else? But not before the hero and heroine stumble through enough hazards to dowse any budding love affair, yet allowing them to shelter their growing love for the other, and hold it safe. All around them, though, the wonderful supporting cast keeps things lively.

If you've had a bad day at the office or wherever, you cannot do yourself a greater favor than to sit and read one of Metzger's confections. In a very short time, indeed, you'll find yourself refreshed and ready to tackle life once more, chuckling as you go.

I devour 2-3 romance novels a week. I love to read , but I only have time for really really good books. I enjoy historical the best, then contemporary, sometimes time travel but in between the heavy ones I adore a fun, bouncy little Regency Romp! And boy! Did this one fit the bill. Metzger's Saved by Scandal had all the key ingredients for an enjoyable read: a delightful but strong heroine, a charming 'Knight in Shining Armour' hero, a wonderful little boy who needed rescuing from an evil villain - in other words, a fast-paced, cute story with warm enjoyable characters. It was a terrific break from tortured heroes and angst-filled plots. Bravo!

If you like delightful plots, wonderful characters, marvelous humor, all bundled up in a wonderful book, then this is for you. I giggled and laughed my way through this charming tale and I can't imagine anyone not doing the same. All I can say is "Read it. You will be glad you did. It is one of the best!"

Well, I can't say that I am a huge fan of Barbara Metzger, In fact this was the first book I had ever read by her! But this book captivated be from the very first sentance! I loved the way she started every chapter with a famous quotation! This book was an amazing story, and told with such feeing that you feel that you have been transported back in time, and are watching the whole story as it goes along! I am normally a fast reader, but this book still holds the record! I could not put it down!! You are to be congragulated Ms. Metzger, on a truly outstanding book!

The early marriage of the main characters is one main reason I'm so enjoying this book. As usual the authors wit is brilliant and I marvel at her sense of humor. Can't wait for the next one.

Whoever said that Barbara Metzger wasn't the absolute master of the Regency genre ...was WRONG! As with many of her other books, this one is full of delightfully eccentric "characters", endearing children, dire situations, potential tragedies, madcap action, and a wacky dog who eats everything in sight! Even the bad guys provide humorous situations. Metzger is a very clever writer who will have you laughing, grinning, smiling and chuckling, not just at the story as it unfolds, but in the way it is presented. I rated the book 5 stars, but it should probably be "500 grins". Whoever said "laughter is the best medicine"...,well Barbara Metzger understands that! (By the way, her story in the new anthology "Grand Hotel" is great too! Read them both!)

I agree with the reviewer who said that the book would have been better without the chaos later on in the book. Neither Galen nor Moargot handled his sister and ex-fiancee well. However, other than than, the book was superb...one of Metzger's better efforts. Galen is quite wonderful, and while Margot is not as clearly drawn, she is still enchanting. The first half of the book is gloriously romantic. The second half focuses more on keeping the bad guy at bay and dealing with bi***y women. So the second half does falter. It's still enjoyable, just not as wonderful as the first half.

There are moments when the reader can become confused at Metzger's style or annoyed with how the harridan women are not dealt with. Still, Metzger's trademark humor is in full force, and there's a sweetness about this romance that is entrancing. Until it dissolves almost into farce, the book is glorious. It recovers, but could have used more time to refocus on the romance after the chaos was all tidied up.

For me, Metzger is all over the board. This one has some of her best writing, and some that's not. It may well be a matter of taste on this book. If you can put up with the sister and ex-fiance, without it damaging everything else, you'll really enjoy this book. The romance itself, especially the first half, rates 5 stars, but halfway through it gives way to the two "witches" and their antics. I enjoyed the book very much despite the near farce of the second half. This is definitely a time when partial stars are needed.

This is the first book I have read from Barbara Metzger. I will definitely read more! Her writing style is so fun and easy to read. Not all of the romance novels that I read would I pass on to my mom (who does not like all of the trashy sex) but this is one that you can. It never even has a sex scene in it but I still found it such an enjoyable book.

This book is filled with interesting characters. The writer really knows how to engage you in the descriptions of people & places. I really liked the innocent romance between Margot & Galen. I would have loved to have seen an Epilogue to hear more about how their story ended. The book kind of comes to a quick ending but I still really liked the story.

This is the first book by Ms. Metzger that I have read, but it certainly won't be the last! I won't summarize the plot, as others have already done so. However, I will say that a story that could have been rather sordid becomes a fun-filled romp under Metzger's expert direction. Her witty narration is absolutely fabulous without being "cute," and her characters are endearingly flawed but noble. The marriage of convenience that becomes a love match is a favorite theme of mine, and it was presented at its very best in this novel.