ARC Review of The Scandal of a Perfect Kiss by Merry Farmer

Series: The May Flowers, #3
Tropes & Traits: titled, damaged/tortured hero
Genre/Setting: Historical; Victorian; England & Ireland, 1886
Publication Date: 10.25.19
Heat Level: 3/5
Rating: 5 stars

Lady Henrietta Hopewell, the widowed Marchioness of Tavistock, is a busy and powerful woman. As the leader and founder of the ladies' political society, the May Flowers, she has her finger on the pulse of London politics and is still a devoted mother to her son Ricky, the young Marquess. She's used to receiving marriage offers from all over, but has her sights set on one man only.

Still recovering from a vicious attack the previous year, Lord Fergus O'Shea, the Irish Earl of Ballymena, is confined to a wheelchair and struggling to cope with his newfound dependence on his friends. He's obsessed with bringing down Lord Charles Denbigh, the man responsible for his attack, among other heinous crimes. Fergus longs to be with Henrietta, but knows he is no good for her and that they do not have a future together now. But Henrietta is too strong and determined to be pushed away and shows Fergus that he's still the perfect man for her.

When the solidifying relationship between Henrietta and Fergus is turned into a scandal by her former mother-in-law, Henrietta is in danger of losing her son and must choose between the two people she loves most in the world. When he learns that Denbigh is behind this latest plot to destroy his life, Fergus must find the strength he believed lost and fight for his future and the woman he loves.

I have been shipping Fergus and Henrietta since their characters were first introduced in this series. I was sickened and rather devastated by the attack on Fergus in a previous book and so saddened to see him fighting through a slow and painful recovery. It was great to see him find his strength and courage to seek his own happiness. I was happy to see him finally get justice and his happy ending with Henrietta despite the prejudice, stupidity and complete incompetence that surrounded them in much of society and the court system. I loved this one even if it did put my emotions through the ringer and I can't wait for the next one.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

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