Series: Scoundrels, #3
Traits & Tropes: beauty and the beast; titled hero; compromised; reformed rake; slow burn
Publication Date: 10.13.09
Genre/Setting: Historical; Regency; Paris, France; London/Dartmoor, England, 1828
Heat Level: 5
Rating: 3.5/5
Narration Rating: 4/5
Jessica Trent has ventured to Paris in an attempt to remove her idiot brother from the influence of one Sebastian Ballister, Marquess of Dain. The man has no morals and absolutely no qualms about driving poor Bertie to financial ruin and Jess is appalled to find herself attracted to the man. When it becomes apparent that Dain feels the same way, they wind up in a publicly compromising position and Dain’s unideal reaction forces Jessica to seek satisfaction for herself.
Dain is furious at having been drawn in by this woman and then forced to do the honorable thing and save her reputation. He can’t wait to show her what’s what, even if it does mean marrying her, though he isn’t so sure he can remain as aloof as he’d like to be in the face of the lady’s innumerable charms.
I was super excited to read this classic because everyone seems to really love it and yet, sadly, I was underwhelmed. With his terrible childhood and tragic background, I really thought Sebastian would appeal to that part of me that just can’t resist a tortured hero learning to love. Somehow, he just didn’t really. I loved Jessica as a strong and unconventional heroine who had no issues taking Dain on, even in public, yet in private she seemed to let him get away with murder. However, I can see her utter genius in managing him without him even realizing it or realizing it too late to want to stop it. I was also not the biggest fan of the other woman drama, though I loved the way it was handled; if we must have a former lover in the plot, this is the way to do it. I think I mainly wanted more of a declaration from Dain when he finally did realize his feelings. It seemed like Jessica gave a lot more of herself than he did, but then again, perhaps such an outpouring of emotion would’ve been too out of character for Dain and was maybe unnecessary given how well Jessica saw and understood him regardless of what was said between them. Overall, this was a good read, and I did enjoy it, it just wasn’t quite what I anticipated.
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/2612498675
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2316475777
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