Customer Reviews

Too Scandalous to Wed

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

 

 

There's no question that the author has a good instinct for characterization. The problems with this book lie more in likeability and occasionally excessive leaps of disbelief. It's hard to explain why the book was so disappointing to me without including a lot of spoilers. The basic concept is that Henry believes if she can attract Seb sexually she'll reveal his hidden love and Seb belives that his passion for kink (which he doesn't really like, it turns out) renders him unsuitable for marriage. So Henry (Her father thinks she's a boy, is in love with his pool cue, and faints a lot. It's troubling.) sets about attracting his sexual attention with the help of a sex book and a retired courtesan. And it works, until it doesn't. But this isn't about Henry learning to cast aside her youthful fantasies or Seb showing her that sex does not a relationship make, it fails on the emotional level. It comes down to a lot of finger strokes and Big Ideas. For me, Henry being unable to realize she's in a brothel despite naked people, sex, naughty pictures and her previous experience with most of the above just made me question her intellect. There really wasn't a character with any common sense in the entire book except for Seb's brother Peter, and he was running mostly on hope and fumes. I could see where the author wanted to take me, but we didn't get there.

For eight long years Henrietta Ashby has been trying everything to get the attention of Sebastian Ravenswood in the hopes that he would fall madly in love with her. In those years nothing has made him treat her any different than he would a sister, which frustrates her greatly. In a last ditch attempt to seduce and make Sebastian her own, "Henry" visits the well known Courtesan Madam Jacqueline to learn the art of seduction and hopefully catch her man.

Sebastian Ravenswood has sworn to never marry and even though he knows about "Henry's" infatuation with him he wonders what it is he has to do to get this girl to move on. When he decides to leave town and not return until Christmas he is hoping that this time she has found a husband and settled into a life of domestic bliss upon his return. Instead "Henry" greets him and he cannot believe the subtle transformation in her. As "Henry" has planned one activity after another he slowly finds himself becoming attracted to her. In a moment of passion he suddenly realizes that she's been trying to seduce him. Outraged and embarrassed he flees the Ashby home to London. With "Henry" right behind him determined to make things right she discovers a shocking secret about Sebastian that changes her feelings and attitude towards him. Disgusted, she flees London and him, but the damage has been done and now both are caught in a scandal that could ruin them both.

Too Scandalous To Wed is a fast paced novel full humour and sensual steam as the two characters battle their emotions and each other. Henrietta was dubbed "Henry" by her father, resulting in a couple of humorous moments as he is talking about her. When Henry found out Sebastian was not the man she always thought he was going to be you could feel the pain she was going through, her dreams had just been shattered and she never felt more alone. The bond between Sebastian and "Henry" is very strong and once Sebastian realized his true feelings for her nothing was going to stop him and the sudden direction he was taking with his life. Meanwhile her family had quite a few things to say about this couple that led to many interesting moments in the novel, propelling me to speed up my reading to see how the author was going to bring the book to a conclusion.

This is my first novel by Alexandra Benedict and I thoroughly enjoyed it, the pace, the characters and the story are quite appealing to me as a reader. One character, Mirabelle, really caught my attention making me wonder if her story is about to be told or if it has already. For the little amount of time she was in the novel I found her fascinating and I am anxious to read more about her. Too Scandalous To Wed will delight readers as Alexandra takes you on a journey with her characters and their destiny towards everlasting love.

It's hard to believe I read the same book as most of these other reviewers. Although its concept has potential, this book is a stinker in every possible way. Characters' behavior appears totally random, and plot "twists" come out of nowhere, having no relation to the "action" going on in the book. Characterizations are paper thin and the humor is forced. Beyond that, Benedict simply can't write. While I don't require absolutely historical accuracy in a Regency romance, I'd like to see some awareness that 1821 is not in the 21st century. An English aristocrat would never consistently refer to his daughter as "he", that daughter would never call her best friend her "bud", guests at a house party aren't sent to the kitchen to fetch their own breakfast, men don't flee England to go to the "mainland" (England is not Hawaii). Benedict doesn't even know the meaning of many words she uses (it sounds as if she makes excessive use of her computer thesaurus). So the hero "divests his coat", the heroine worries she's going to be "cheerless", she knows someone is holding his breath by a "scarcity of breath escaping his lips," a character changes the subject by saying "by and by". I could go on and on, since I just found these mistakes by opening the book at random pages as I'm writing this review; there's a misuse of language on virtually every page.

Stay far away from this silly, tedious book.

From the very moment 12 year old Henrietta "Henry" Ashby tumbled down the stairs and was picked up by her new brother-in-law Sebastian, Viscount Ravenswood, she was in love and right then and there he became her very own hero. Eight years later Henry is still in love and determined to prove to Sebastian that he loves her too, but so far, all her simpering and bids for his attention have been ignored by the object of her affection.

Sebastian, hid a terrible secret, and knowing he wasn't husband material vowed never to marry. So far, Henry the reckless imp had not been much of a temptation and Sebastian decided he should go abroad for a while to give Henry time to be courted and engaged by someone more deserving than himself.

This did not sit well with Henry, who boldy approached an infamous courtesan, Madame Jacqueline, requesting lessons on how to seduce the object of her desire so that she would be prepared when he finally returned for the Christmas holidays. Ready and waiting Henry was well on her way of bringing Sebastian to his knees, but with all the best laid plans, matters would get out of hand and as has been said before ..."let the games begin".

*** So far Ms. Benedict has impressed me with her wonderfully, warm, witty and charming tales of romance in this most recent book which followed the very delightful TOO GREAT A TEMPTATION. This newer author has impressed me with her vibrant and vivid character building. Not only does she give insight in the character's motivations as to the how and why of their daily interactions, but invites the reader to get emotionally involved. In this pleasing read she also introduces characters from the former book while creating delightfully new and vivid personalities to embrace.

Henrietta was the fifth daughter of the Baron Ashby who so wanted a son he named her Henry (her mother made it Henrietta). The delightful baron even treated her like a son to the point of outrageously spoiling her so much so, that many of her blunders in society situations were overlooked by her dearly beloved papa. When Henry, learned of Sebastian's leaving for the continent for such a long period, she thought nothing of taking such drastic steps in order to learn how to seduce a man; and if those lessons could only be learned at the knee of the most famous courtesan of all time - so be it! Now the story could have been pretty much wrapped up there, but the author threw in a twist, turning the tables completely, and that for me was the wonderful part of the plot which I will not reveal! Suffice it to say, I felt every bit of the pain Henry experienced when she discovered the true reason behind the saying, "...once a rogue, always a rogue...".

Adding to the romance and adventure as Sebastian tries to regain the affections of Henry, the author introduces a despicable and vile enemy who, having been exposed as a coward by Ravenswood, would make a desperate attempt to redeem himself to his cohorts and destroy Ravenswood. His nefarious plan called for causing as much pain and embarrassment to both Sebastian and Henry as he possibly could.

Once again, I must remark on the well written and well developed storyline that aided this reviewer in devouring Ms. Benedict's latest novel in one highly enjoyable sitting. Ms. Benedict is certainly hitting her stride with the latest entry to a most remarkable series!

Marilyn Rondeau, RIO - Reviewers International Organization for www.kwipsandkritiques.com

Since she was a little girl, Henrietta Ashby has loved Viscount Sebastian Galbraith. However, to her chagrin by 1821 though she is an adult he sees her as his kid sister Henry. Her efforts to seduce him are amusing to him, but he also knows he must leave England so that she chooses a suitor to marry.

Henrietta refuses to give up on the man she loves even if she thinks he is an idiot. She hires a notorious courtesan Madam Jacqueline to teach her the art of seduction waiting to spring her alluring trap when her unrequited beloved returns. Sebastian is stunned by the new Henry make that Henrietta as he no longer has sibling feelings towards her. However, he runs from her to a brothel as he assumes she loves some image of a paragon and not the rakish real him; she follows him there to confront him. When her note to him is intercepted by a rogue, they are forced to marry to prevent scandal. Her deepest wish fulfilled, Henrietta suddenly realizes she loves this flawed man not some statue on a pedestal; he feels the same way about her, but hides his heart because he cannot measure up to what he believes remains her dream of who he is.

The changing thought processes by Henry re her beloved make TOO SCANDALOUS TO WED a superb Regency. Whereas her paragon of perfection knows his secret makes him inferior to a woman like Henry, she goes after what she most covets in the world even if it means scandalous behavior. Once she achieves her objective, she begins to see Sebastian's flaws but loves him even more while praying he loves her back as his mate and not his sister. Alexandra Benedict writes a delightful charmer due to the capricious, courageous and changing Henry.

Harriet Klausner

I enjoyed this book.itwas romantic and sexy; unfortunately I am English ,not an American and the constant errors in English usage drove me mad.
English people travel to the continent not the mainland;they bake biscuits not cookies; they have friends not buds[ies];autumn ,not fall ,follows summer etc etc.
Perhaps Alexandra should start writing modern American fiction as she certainly does not lack talent.

Too Scandalous to Wed by Alexandra Benedict was a marvelous read. Henrietta (Henry) has loved Sebastian for the past 8 years. He has treated her as child so she decides to ask help from a renowned courtesan. You will love the changes in Henrietta and how that affects Sebastian. Sebastian is the true form of rogue which makes from great twists in the plot. Enjoy!

If you enjoy this genre check out Spirited Away by Cindy Miles, Tempted at Every Turn by Robyn Dehart, Secret Fantasy by Cheryl Holt and Too Dangerous to Desire by Alexandra Benedict coming out July 2008

In a previous book, we met Henrietta Ashby, fondly known as Henry. Being the youngest of four girls she is her father's favorite, thusly spoiled. Henry gets everything she wants, except Viscount Ravenswood. She has been in love with him since a child. She knows he loves her too, he is just too stubborn to realize it.

No matter how much she chases after him, he will not give in. Even when she wears revealing gowns and flirts relentlessly, he only treats her as a younger sister.

Viscount Ravenswood, who's name is Sebastian, has just about had it with Henry. He loves her like a sister and wants her to be happily married, just not to him. As a young boy, Sebastian learned from his father about pre-destiny. He believes he was born wicked and no matter what he does, he won't go to Heaven. So, he decided to spend his life drinking and womanizing. A wife is the last thing he wants, especially one like Henry.

In a fit of frustration, Sebastian decided to take a long trip away. Sebastian hopes while he is gone, she will fall in love with another, better suited man, and finally leave him alone.

When Ravenswood goes on his vacation, Henry decided she needs help. She sets up a meeting with a famous recluse in town, who happens to be a retired prostitute. When Henry explains the situation to her, she gladly agrees to help and sets about teaching Henry the correct way to catch a man. Five months later, when Sebastian returns, he can hardly believe his eyes. While he was away, she had become a desirable woman.

As Henry fights for her man, Sebastian fights it with everything within hiim. When an enemy of Sebastian's decides to enter the picture, everyone's turns topsy turvy. Due to the help of a third party, all tables are turned. Is it too late for Sebastian and Henry though?

The characters are vibrant and humerous, and I cannot wait for the next book from Alexandra Benedict, a rising star.

Armchair Interviews says: Story sounds enticing--except for a girl being named Henry.

Poor Henrietta, (aka Henry) she is so in love with Sebastian the Viscount of Ravenscroft. She has loved him since she was twelve and even though she is twenty he still thinks of her as a child. Well, she will just show him she is now a mature woman but who can she turn to for assistance in getting her man? How about a courtesan?

This charming novel is a delight. Henry gets all kinds of lessons on being a siren and plans to seduce Sebastian with her new wiles. It almost works too.

Sebastian is mesmerized by the new Henry. He is a resolute rake though with a dark history and there are glimpses of his self hatred when he is with the innocent Henry. He is so complex.

About half way through the story the plot shifts radically, suddenly Sebastian is the pursuer and Henry is the prey. I really liked this twist because it offered both leads the chance for transformation. Henry needed to get beyond her hero worship and Sebastian needed to recognize Henry's worth and his own ability to chart a new course.

There are plenty of sweet moments here. Henry is very endearing because she never does anything by half measures. Sebastian is both confident and vulnerable. His metamorphosis is totally due to his feelings toward the heroine and it left this reader charmed.

Everything Henrietta has ever done to make an impression on the rogue Sebastian, Viscount Ravenswood, has failed. She knows deep inside he loves her. She also knows they were fated to be together, but getting him to admit it is the problem. She decides to learn the art of seduction from the most notorious courtesan in England.

Sebastian, Viscount Ravenswood, feels he is beyond redemption. He is not going to marry and taint any woman with the secret in his soul. Henrietta is to him akin to a kid sister. Suddenly he does not feel as brotherly as he once did. Why can't anyone else see she has changed?

Will Sebastian's secret tear them apart forever?

Too Scandalous to Wed is a bewitching, cute, and sexy read that is peppered with moments of humor and steamy seduction scenes. Alexandra Benedict writes with a grace and style that made me not want to put Too Scandalous to Wed down. Never boring, Ms. Benedict adds twists to the tale so I continued to wonder all the way to the end whether Henrietta and Sebastian would be together or not. I found myself both feeling frustrated for the main characters with their troubles, and feeling enjoyment for how they managed to regain control of themselves and their situations. This is a book well worth reading.

Barb
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed