Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Book Review: Never Love a Scoundrel (Secrets & Scandals #5) by Darcy Burke

I have been in a contemporary romance zone these past few months and it has been way too long since I read an historical romance novel. After I read Fifty Shades more than a year ago, I somehow went from there right to Regency Era historical romance novels and fell in love. I'm not sure what it is about ladies in their fancy ball gowns and handsome men wearing way too many layers of clothes that sucks me, but it always does. Darcy Burke was one of the first historical romance writers I discovered and I immediately became addicted to her Secrets & Scandals series.

Never Love A Scoundrel is the fifth book in this series. While characters from previous books do make brief appearances, these all can be read as stand alone novels as well. Although I personally prefer reading every series in order. Lord Jason Lockwood was shunned by Society many years ago and in response began hosting vice parties in his home and formed his own society of people he fit in with. Now that his estranged half brother, Ethan Locke, has decided to enter Society, Jason must renter himself to find out what the criminal is up to. But is Ethan still a criminal or is he trying to change his ways? Jason isn't sure what to believe or who to trust.

Lady Lydia Prewitt is known as a young gossip, but she is tired of people thinking that of her. She hates hurting people for the sake of a good story and hopes that by helping Jason Lockwood reenter Society that it will help her reputation as well as his. But can she handle her attraction to the handsome, scarred man who is known for his debauchery?



Both Jason and Lydia are misunderstood people looking for some redemption. I must admit I did not like Lydia at all in the previous books because she seemed like such a haughty gossip set out to hurt others. But in Never Love A Scoundrel, we find out more about her and why she did what she did. My chest actually ached for the young lady who was left no other choice by a cruel family member.  Jason has always intrigued me and I was looking forward to learning about what happened to him the resulted in the scar to his face and his reputation. A fight between brothers followed by vicious gossip left him with virtually no friends within Police Society so he found his own circle of friends.

Darcy Burke's novels are wonderful because you get the Regency Era with all of its beauty as well as its backstabbing and secrets, a sweet romance and even a little mystery and suspense. I loved the story of these two misfits thumbing their noses at society and finding love. And two brothers who after decades of hating each other are finally trying to reconcile. But can a man who hosts weekly sex parties in his home really give that up for the lady who has stolen is heart? And can Lydia finally stop caring about what others will think of her and love a man whom Society hates? Then there is Ethan Locke who claims he no longer wants to be a criminal; but can he really change?

This book ends with a bit of a cliff hanger which I loved and there is a bonus sneak peak of book 6 at the end. Never Love A Scoundrel is available for purchase now at the eBook retailers listed below. Scoundrel Ever After, the sixth and final book in the Secrets & Scandals series is due out in Fall 2013. I'm sad that this series will be coming to an end soon, but can't wait to see what Ms. Burke does next!

Marianna's Rating:


**I received a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Title: Never Love a Scoundrel
Author: Darcy Burke
Series: Secrets & Scandals #5
Genre: Historical Romance
Social Media: @DarcyBurke; www.facebook.com/DarcyBurkeFans
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/book/show/17259096-never-love-a-scoundrel
Book Description: Vengeance is seductive…
Labeled a lunatic and a reprobate, Lord Jason Lockwood finds solace in debauchery outside the realm of Polite Society. Years after provoking Jason’s downfall, his bastard brother rises from the rookeries to emerge as the premier gentleman of the ton. Jason vows to uncover the supposedly reformed criminal’s secret motive and use it against him to exact revenge—even if it means using a beautiful young debutante whose only mistake is her relation to the woman who has ensured his family’s infamy.

But revenge is sweet...
Lady Lydia Prewitt is everything a debutante should be: beautiful, dowried, and in possession of a sterling reputation. But life beneath the thumb of her malicious aunt is eroding Lydia’s faith in her peers and in herself. When the scandalous yet seductive Lord Lockwood solicits her help to gain entry into the best ballrooms, she jumps at the opportunity to be more than her aunt’s minion. But the revelation of his true purpose and the anger that lies beneath his scarred exterior draws her into his dark past. Intervention doesn’t come without a price—can she risk her own future to save his?


Secrets & Scandals Series Reading Order
#1 Her Wicked Ways
#2 His Wicked Heart
#3 To Seduce A Scoundrel
#4 To Love A Thief
#5 Never Love A Scoundrel
#6 Scoundrel Ever After (Fall 2013)




18 comments:

  1. I haven't given any historial romances a chance in awhile. This looks really interesting! I'll add it to my list! Thanks for your thoughts!

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  2. I used to read historical romance novels all the time when I was younger. Maybe I need to start reading them again. This one sounds like a place to start.

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  3. Historical romances? that has been a while

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  4. Ok I must admit... this review makes me actually want to read this one. I like the plot!

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  5. Historical Romances are my favorite kinds of books. I will have to go grab this one!

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  6. Well now I am totally intrigued! Great review!

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  7. I need a good pool read. This looks really great! Steamy!

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  8. I love period pieces/historical romance.

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  9. I can't remember the last time I read a historical romance. I will have to pick this one up!!

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  10. I read Her Wicked Ways and I am so wanting to read all the others including this one.

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  11. Sounds like a fun book to read! Pass it on :)

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  12. Another book to add to my try and read list. LOL

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  13. When I get caught up I should read this. Something about reading a romance helps with romancing the husband. ;)

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  14. I am not familiar with the author - Darcy Burke but sounds like a fun read.

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  15. LOL, sounds like an interesting book. However, I'm not sure I could really get into it because my daughter is named Lydia...Bahaha

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  16. By the looks of the cover I must get it too! LOL

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  17. I think I have read some of the other books in this series. Or maybe not. Haha I'm going to have to start a book 1 so I can get to this one. Sounds like a wonderful read!

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