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    It Takes a Scandal
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    It Takes a Scandal
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    It Takes a Scandal
    Ebook417 pages6 hours

    It Takes a Scandal

    By Caroline Linden

    4/5

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    Currently unavailable

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    About this ebook

    The second book in a deliciously sexy new series from USA Today bestselling and RITA award winning author Caroline Linden, in which an utterly shocking book – Fifty Shades of Grey for the Regency era-- has all of London talking and gives more than one young miss a mind for scandal.

    Sometimes It Takes a Scandal . . .

    Abigail Weston has everything: beauty, wit, and one of the largest dowries in England. Her parents hope she'll wed an earl. Abigail hopes for a man who wants her desperately and passionately. But the money seems to blind every man she meets—except one.

    Sebastian Vane has nothing. He came home from war with a shattered leg to find his father mad and his inheritance gone. He's not a fit suitor for anyone, let alone an heiress. But Abigail lights up his world like a comet, bright and beautiful and able to see him instead of his ruined reputation. And it might end happily ever after . . .

    To Reveal Your Heart's Desire

    . . . Until Benedict Lennox begins courting Abigail. Ben is everything Sebastian isn't—wealthy, charming, heir to an earl. Sebastian won't give up the only girl he's ever loved without a fight, but Abigail must choose between the penniless gentleman who moves her heart, and the suitor who is everything her parents want.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperCollins
    Release dateApr 29, 2014
    ISBN9780062244918
    Author

    Caroline Linden

    Caroline Linden knew from an early age she was a reader, not a writer. She earned a math degree from Harvard University and wrote computer code before turning to fiction. Her books have won the Daphne du Maurier Award, the NJRW Golden Leaf Award, and RWA’s RITA® Award, and have been translated into seventeen languages around the world. She lives in New England with her family. Find her online at www.CarolineLinden.com.

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    Reviews for It Takes a Scandal

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    • 5/5
      Sebastian Vane, has come back from the war injured with a shattered leg. His father is going insane, and when his father disappears, the townspeople believe that he is a murderer, and going mad just like his father did. But when a new neighbor move in, with a beautiful daughter, Abigail, his world changes. Abigail, with her parents and younger sister, have just moved to a country manor. When Abigail meets Sebastian in the woods, she sees a man that protects himself, but needs someone to believe in him. Abigail seems much redeemable in him, and doesn't believe the vicious rumors. But right when Abigail is sure of her feelings for Sebastian, a newcomer comes to the area, a Benedict Lennox,who is persistent in his pursuit of her. Now Abigail will have to make a choice: a man that is wealthy and everything her parents want for her, or a man that has won her heart.It Takes A Scandal is the second book in the Scandals Series. and the most recent book from Caroline Linden. I have always enjoyed this author quite a bit, but I was really excited to read this one. I did enjoy the first book, so I was wondering how this book would compare, and it passed all my expectations for it. When I first read the synopsis, I was thinking, that it would probably be a enjoyable read, but wasn't sure if it would be memorable, and after reading it, I am impressed with the way Linden wove this story.It begins with seeing Sebastian Vane, in search of his missing father, who has recently come back from the war, and is trying to live on meager funds where he barely makes it by. Then he rescues Abigail mothers puppy, and it seems like romance blossoms between them. The first half of the story seems to be a slow and steady love story, where Sebastian and Abigail start to slowly fall in love, and then everything goes crazy when a newcomer comes courting Abigail. This is when things start to really heat up, because this newcomer used to be Sebastian's childhood friend. So tensions are high, and you start to see how strong their connection is, and I loved how Sebastian fought for Abigail, even knowing that he has little to give her but himself.Sebastian and Abigail were so beautiful together, and I loved them as a couple. At first it seems like Abigail is a normal England miss, however as you go chugging along in the story, you develop a appreciation for her character, and she develops a backbone, she is feisty and a fighter and I totally cheered her on especially toward the end. Sebastian is the tortured hero, despite his bad fortune, he still has dignity and pride, and feels somewhat worthy of Abigail's affections. At first he didn't seem too willing to really fight for her, but he proved me wrong, and what a great way he does it too. There is a slight mystery element packed into the plot, but it doesn't overshadow the romance, and I felt like the love story between Sebastian and Abigail is the center focus of the story, and all the other elements are just icing on the cake. The side characters, especially Abigail's family were witty and fun and engaging. Easy to relate with my own family, and I loved seeing the affection and silly bantering between them.Overall a mesmerizing romance that is steady paced, sensuality extreme, with a wonderful love story to weaken the knees and have you cheering for this couple!! Guaranteed to overwhelm the senses. OUTSTANDING AND WELL DONE!!
    • 4/5
      3.5 StarsTypical romance with all the requisites of that genre. The characters were pretty well-rounded with personalities that stood out. The emotional pull was definitely there, always a good thing with this genre.I enjoyed the fact that Sebastian’s strapped-for-cash situation wasn't stopping him from pursuing his girl. In a similar plot setup, I could see where an author might strive for melodrama by making the guy angst over not being able to get his love and brooding over that fact. I also liked how Abigail wasn't afraid to tell Benedict to take a hike and her father to basically “stick it”, she was marrying the guy she wanted. She had balls, and I like that in a romantic heroine. No wimpy chicks here!There seemed to be an unresolved nature to the book, though. A lot was left in the air with no resolution, Sebastian’s financial state as well as the situation with his estate being a major one. I also found myself desperately wishing for more stuff after the dramatic get-together resolution, maybe a wedding or some domestic scenes. Something like that would have rounded the romantic feel of the novel nicely for me. Some of the motivations for the secondary characters were also left unexplained, thinking Benedict’s actions and his turn around towards the end.The H/h and the emotional content were perfect for a romance novel. Even though some stuff was left unresolved and unexplained, that didn't stop me from enjoying this tale of love and getting together, despite the odds and scandals. Truly a lovely historical romance, all told.
    • 4/5
      Where I got the book: review copy provided by publisher. My feature article on this and two similar romances appears on the Historical Novel Society website.For once, this historical romance came with a date attached. Two dates, in fact. The first is 1816, when Sebastian Vane has returned from the Battle of Waterloo with a shattered leg to find that his father has gone insane and sold off most of their Richmond estate for a pittance. He is forced to lock up his father for the latter’s own safety, and blames himself when his father wanders off at night, while fending off the accusations of a former friend who accuses Sebastian of abducting his sister.We move on to 1822, and the arrival of the nouveaux riches Westons at a nearby house, bought by Mr. Weston as a country estate. Sisters Abigail and Penelope Weston are all set to find Richmond a rural bore, and are especially concerned that they won’t be able to get hold of their favorite naughty pamphlet, 50 Ways To Sin. Fortunately, both the pamphlet and a handsome male presence—in the shape of the now-reclusive Sebastian Vane—are available. Abigail is immediately attracted to the reserved Mr. Vane, while he spots what’s she’s reading and is intrigued enough to break his usual habit of shunning feminine company.There follows a tale that combines the tropes of a modern historical romance with elements of Gothic stories with which Jane Austen would have been familiar. Linden has a good grasp of the mores of the early nineteenth century, and the Westons’ eye to social advancement rings true to the literature of the period. She elaborates a plot that moves both romance and intrigue forward with a sure hand, culminating in a satisfactory climax in the literary and, ahem, romantic sense. There are some jarring notes, but very few. The use of modern Britishisms like the word ‘brilliant’ to mean excellent (a better Regency term would be ‘capital’) might lend a British flavor for American readers, but tended to pull me out of the story. And once again, the characters suffer from an inability to address the nobility correctly—‘my lords’ abounded, although since this is standard practice in historical romance I wonder what it’d take to set this right. More British proofreaders, perhaps? I’ll do it for the right price!
    • 4/5
      Very good. The lead pair have a lot of character. Worth reading.
    • 4/5
      So often fiction authors have characters toss out all reason and just do whatever causes the most drama. And I've gotten kind of used to them keeping secrets when they should just be straightforward, or having a blow-up over something small. So it was just really pleasant how sensible these characters were. They didn't do everything perfectly of course, but I appreciated the break from all the unnecessary drama! And it made them more believable for me. Good relationship development, good hurdle for the couple to overcome to be together, just far from run of the mill. This is my second book by Linden and I am impressed. I look forward to more books by her.