The Romanceaholic

This is a Quickie Review. For the full review, please visit The Romanceaholic.

Expected Release Date: August 21, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: Harlequin Historical
Author’s Website: http://www.bronwynnscott.com/
My Source for This Book: Netgalley
Part of a Series: No
Series Best Read In Order: N/A
Steam Level: Steamy
Pet Peeves: Unlikeable Hero
Favorite Tropes: Forced Marriage, Affair Turns To Love

We’ve all read books about a promiscuous hero who meets an outspoken heroine and finds himself smitten with her. Throw in a hint of scandal, and the hero finds himself rather happily engaged to the young lady, and though everyone knows of the hero’s bad reputation, that’s quickly forgotten when everyone sees how in love they are.

This is (happily) not that book. Merrick has a very scandalous reputation, and that reputation follows him throughout the book, much to his chagrin. While Alixe is rather outspoken for her station, and there is a hint of scandal that leads to Alixe being forced to wed, Merrick is not exactly what her father would want as a son-in-law.

Thus begins an entertaining tale of a man forced to help a bluestocking spinster find a husband, and a lady who will do anything to not be forced into a loveless marriage to a man she considers to be a scoundrel.

Throw in a fortune-hunting villain, some rather risque escapades right under the nose of said lady’s parents, and a change of heart that may be too late in coming, and you’ve got a delightful tale with just the right amount of steam.

Highly recommended for fans of reformed rakes whose reputations become a hindrance, bookish heroines who happily thought to never marry, and star-crossed lovers who realize that they never knew what they really wanted out of life until they were thrown onto the same path.


4/5 Stars