Customer Reviews

When Marrying a Scoundrel

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

 

 

I really enjoyed this story which was a lovely romance with two warm main characters. I think it could have been a little more edgy to have made 5 stars but otherwise, a sweet love story about lost and found love. I am really looking forward to reading more books in this series.

Years ago Jack Farrington abandoned his wife. To eat Sadie Moon became a fortune teller, which she is quite good at. However, lately her tea leaves readings have included some personal messages that she cannot fathom what they mean. Jack's visage keeps showing up.

In 1877 wealthy investor Jack Friday and Sadie meet when she wants to lease a store from him. Neither lets the other know they recognize one another as their spouse. He remains angry that she deserted him and she feels likewise. Both moved on. However, each quickly realizes they remain in love, but will either risk their heart again; if they do they will learn the truth of why they separated and who plots to keep them apart. If they don't, a second chance to correct what should have been will be lost as will their respective hearts.

This is a strong second chance Victorian romance if either of the still in love star-crossed pair takes that key first step of reconciliation. Both are likable but obstinate not trusting the other or their betraying heart. Fans will enjoy this profound historical due to the strong lead pair while reading the tea leaves that insist their friends will continue the gender war.

Harriet Klausner

Reunited love, fate, and mistrust are all central themes of When Marrying a Scoundrel. I enjoyed the tension of the book but not necessarily some of the actions of the characters. The leads have a terrible tendency to believe they know what the other is thinking and usually they are wrong in their assessments.

Sadie Moon reads tea leaves for the wealthy and aristocratic in London and even though she can see the fates of others she is unable or perhaps unwilling to read her own fate (or even remembering it from a past reading). She is therefore unprepared to encounter her estranged husband Jack at a soiree. She is astounded to see him after a ten year absence.

Jack is also surprised. He is in London to oversee some investments and he is deeply moved when he sees his wife. Both characters are mistrustful of the other. Jack left Sadie to seek a fortune and after he departed Sadie left their home too. Both feel abandoned and in the right and neither really listens to the other person, in fact, they have a tendency to talk past each other. They do not have a big misunderstanding, more of miscommunications as they listen and empathize with the other person.

Sadie is emotional and angry but she seemsto be oblivious about her own personality quirks. She realizes she is still attracted to Jack and this disturbs her equilibrium. They bicker but not to the point of being maddening to the reader. Sadie surprisingly is loyal to Jack when others cast aspirations upon him.

Jack knows his heart much more than Sadie does, he is willing to make a go of their marriage but convincing Sadie is another matter all together. I liked Jack, probably more than I did Sadie. Both have been faithful to each other and Jack is a romantic at heart. Their physical relationship is strong and passionate, almost a refuge for them in some very trying circumstances.

This is almost a four star read. The story was interesting but Sadie's stubbornness was a little too much for too long, especially for a woman who believes in fate. Several times friends try to clue Sadie in about her feelings for Jack and her own fears but Sadie doesn't listen that well. Jack's romantic nature was wonderful though.

This is Smith's second in her new Victorian series (it follows WHEN SEDUCING A DUKE, which I also reviewed). The stories take place in London in the late 19th century and much of the action centers around a scandalous club called "Saint's Row." The stories are fast paced and the dialog witty as Smith draws us into the lives of those who spend their evenings enjoying the many pleasures to be had at the club owned by the beautiful Vienne La Rieux.

In SEDUCING A DUKE, we met the Duke of Ryeton, a very bad boy, and the young innocent Rose Danvers, who became his duchess. They are still characters in this second installment. Now we have the story of Sadie Moon, the amazing teller of fortunes at Saint's Row (from the first book). Ten years ago in Ireland, Sadie fell in love with and married Jack Farrington a young nobleman. Jack's grandfather, an Irish earl, disowned Jack when he eloped with Sadie. Jack's tealeaves once told Sadie they would love each other forever but would face a long separation. Well, it's been 8 years since he left her to make his way in the world so he could give her a better life, and now he's back in London, as a wealthy businessman named "Jack Friday". Jack's angry because when he returned two years after leaving, Sadie was gone without a word. Sadie is angry because he deserted her when she needed him most.

There is great sexual tension here as Sadie and Jack try to deny they still love each other, as each blames the other for the separation. The emotions between the two are very believable and Sadie and Jack are loveable, she the Irish lass, he the Irish rogue. The relationships and chemistry between the other characters are also very enjoyable. For those of you, who like me, first loved Smith's romances in the BROTHERHOOD OF THE BLOOD, a historical vampire series, this is quite a change. But Smith is a superb writer of romance and you will love these stories. Though at times, her writing uses some modern phrases, the story is still one that will win you over.

I can already see the many tales coming from this series and intend to read them all. The next one is Vienne and Trystan's story in When Tempting a Rogue, already out. I do recommend them and believe you won't be disappointed.

Sadie married her titled sweetheart when they both were very young. Jack left Sadie to find his own wealth and escape his Grandfather (an Earl). Now years later Jack has returned as Jack Friday and meets Sadie who is making her living reading tea leaves for the wealthy. They fall in love all over again but once again their background keeps them apart...

I wasn't sure at the beginning of the story about the plot and the length of time that Jack and Sadie were astranged but sure enough, Kathryn Smith was able to write a very plausible explanation and also pull me into what turned out to be a great romance.

Years ago, Jack Friday and Sadie Moon were married, despite the fact that his aristocratic family didn't approve. To prove himself to his grandfather, Jack leaves home to make his fortune.

Sadie waits, but things don't exactly go as they planned, and she ends up working to support herself as a reader of tealeaves. Years later, Jack is in London, thinking his wife deserted him. He goes to Saint's Row to conduct some business and who should he find but Sadie.

Sadie is none too thrilled when her husband shows up at Saint's Row. She's about to open a tea shop, and her life is finally where she wants it. She doesn't need the distraction of a man she's still attracted to, but who left her and never came back.

Can the two of them overcome their past and find a future together?

When Marrying a Scoundrel is a delightful Victorian tale that pulls the reader in and keeps them entertained. I rather enjoyed meeting Jack and Sadie and learning about their past, and their future. The two of them are very stubborn characters who have to overcome quite a bit to be together, and Ms. Smith takes us on an entertaining ride as we learn about them.

This is the second in a series by Ms. Smith, and she captures the Victorian world beautifully. I look forward to the next outing in the series.


Amelia
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I rather enjoyed this book. This is a wonderful story about second chances. The flow of the story was great. I like the fact that the hero and heroine were married young and had missed a lot of years together. But the reunion between the two was fabulous. Jacks leaves to become wealthy and successful. While Sadie stays behind and makes a new life for herself in spite of her grief for him leaving. However, when Jack returns it doesn't take long for them to figure out that they never stopped loving each other. Good plot with secrets, love, and forgiveness. I look forward to reading about the next book of the series. I hope Vienne gets with trystn.

You can really feel the love of saddie and jack. :) I think this is the second book in the series - "When seducing a Duke" --> which is really good as well. I can't wait for Trystan and Madam La Rieux story! :D