Scoundrel of My Heart by Lorraine Heath | ARC Review

Series: Once Upon a Dukedom, #1
Traits & Tropes: disgraced hero; I've loved you for years
Genre/Setting: Historical; Victorian; London, England, 1873
Publication Date: 04.13.21
Heat Level: 3
Rating: 4.5/5

If she hopes to claim her inheritance, her grandmother’s beloved seaside cottage, Lady Kathryn Lambert must marry a gentleman with a title. She’s snagged the interest of a duke, but she can’t stop thinking about the man who helped her gain his attention, her best friend’s brother, a scandalous second son, or how he betrayed her in the process.

Lord Griffith Stanwick is a mere spare, not significant enough to give Kathryn what she needs but he can certainly help her by ensuring she captures the duke’s attention. When his father, another powerful duke, is executed for treason, Griff winds up inhabiting the darker side of London. Even still, he’s unable to forget Kathryn, even as the lengths he must go to in order to survive and protect his siblings make him even more unsuitable for her.

When the duke’s courtship becomes more serious, Kathryn and Griff are reunited as he finally opens the club he’d always dreamed of and comes back onto the radar of high society. Kathryn is surprised by the changes wrought on him but is no less attracted to the powerful man he’s become. An undeniable connection blossoms between them and Kathryn must decide if the beloved cottage she’s always yearned for is worth sacrificing marriage to the man she loves.

This was such a charming story. Griff had so much to overcome after spending his life being overlooked by most everyone. I loved that he went through a terrible ordeal and came out stronger for it. Kathryn I almost didn’t like because of the rather arrogant way in which she barged her way back into Griff’s life with a misplaced sense of righteous anger. That said, her ire evaporated quickly in the face of her realizations about Griff and the changes he underwent. I loved that she always noticed him and recognized how much he had to offer when few others did. It took her a little long to finally decide on him, but we always knew she was never not going to choose him so that was okay. I adored how capable and ruthless Griff was, especially juxtaposed with how sweet and caring he could also be. Both main characters had depth and were interesting to read. I’m very intrigued now about Kingsland, Marcus and Wilhelmina and look forward to them getting stories of their own. This spinoff of the Trewlove series is off a promising start for sure.

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

https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/2487410994
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3433843490



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