kyriannaj's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Medical trauma, Cursing, Medical content, Miscarriage, Alcohol, Classism, and Pregnancy
Minor: Chronic illness, Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Blood, and Violence
melireadsromance's review
5.0
I really enjoyed Helena and Roan’s story. I love the Leighton cluster, and it was fun getting to know the Duke of Leighton and Helena (and Pippa). I just adore this whole series—don’t miss it!
theresarahel's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
curleqt's review
3.0
This is 3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me, unfortunately. I love every other book in this series, including the one after this. And, I think Tracy Sumner is terrific. But this book had such little plot.
emmelnie's review
4.0
The Scandalous Vixen is lush. There’s a richness to the words here, and at times it’s almost overwhelming in its depiction of Roan and Helena’s reactions to one another. But then again, these are two people who spent 10 years apart after Roan completely fumbles his initial meeting with Helena. Despite that, they’ve tracked and followed one another, and Roan knows that Helena’s the person for him throughout that entire period.
I felt like this book dragged at the beginning. That initial event that blasts Roan and Helena’s chances is shared only through Roan’s and Helena’s feelings about it years afterwards. It was challenging to figure out exactly what happened, and reading their reactions to an unclear situation was confusing. But once it became clear what happened, and once Roan manages to convince Helena to visit his family estate for Christmas, the story moved along swimmingly.
One of the things that helped with that is the overwhelming attraction these two have for one another. Sumner describes everything they feel through sensation: scent, touch, and sight are all used to convey how all-enveloping each is to the other. I also really liked that Roan feels a bit like an imposter as a duke, while Helena feels a bit of an imposter as a businesswoman. Each must work against the stereotypical reactions to their positions to build their own truths in their lives. Seeing the respect each gained for the other’s primary interest over the course of this book was just marvelous.
The Scandalous Vixen is a great addition to what’s turning into a wonderful series. I’m excited for the next book, and I sure hope Sumner has it in her heart to give Reginald Norcross his own HEA in a novella one day!
I felt like this book dragged at the beginning. That initial event that blasts Roan and Helena’s chances is shared only through Roan’s and Helena’s feelings about it years afterwards. It was challenging to figure out exactly what happened, and reading their reactions to an unclear situation was confusing. But once it became clear what happened, and once Roan manages to convince Helena to visit his family estate for Christmas, the story moved along swimmingly.
One of the things that helped with that is the overwhelming attraction these two have for one another. Sumner describes everything they feel through sensation: scent, touch, and sight are all used to convey how all-enveloping each is to the other. I also really liked that Roan feels a bit like an imposter as a duke, while Helena feels a bit of an imposter as a businesswoman. Each must work against the stereotypical reactions to their positions to build their own truths in their lives. Seeing the respect each gained for the other’s primary interest over the course of this book was just marvelous.
The Scandalous Vixen is a great addition to what’s turning into a wonderful series. I’m excited for the next book, and I sure hope Sumner has it in her heart to give Reginald Norcross his own HEA in a novella one day!
happily_after_heas's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Start with the prequel novella and then work your way here. All the books are amazing and it's so great to see this group of characters fall in love! Strong, intelligent characters. The MMC of this book is so sweet and gone for the FMC but he's also hot headed and impulsive when it comes to all things that are not love. Lol
shortnsweet_reviews's review
5.0
This was such a great regency romp. I loved the characters, story, and the spice. The main female Hellie is a breath of fresh air. Strong, independent, and wealthy on her own. Roan is a closet nerd in a Dukes fancy suit. I can't wait to read the next one about Roan's sister and his best friend
reading_in_brussels's review
4.0
Tracy Sumner is excellent at writing pining, yearning, angst, full of feels historical romance.
In The Scandalous Vixen, we meet Roan Darlington, duke to the masses and pining after Helena Astley for years. Helena is different - she's no simpering society darling. She's a business woman, heiress of a shipping company which she manages with brilliance, wealthy on her own rights.
After ten years yearning for Helena, Roan finally convinces her to spend holidays together under the guise of having her sister tutored in the ways of society by the Duchess Society.
I really enjoyed this book! Thanks to Netgalley and Tracy Sumner for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
In The Scandalous Vixen, we meet Roan Darlington, duke to the masses and pining after Helena Astley for years. Helena is different - she's no simpering society darling. She's a business woman, heiress of a shipping company which she manages with brilliance, wealthy on her own rights.
After ten years yearning for Helena, Roan finally convinces her to spend holidays together under the guise of having her sister tutored in the ways of society by the Duchess Society.
Spoiler
Compromised, Helena agrees to marry Roan but remains careful as she does not feel that she's the right person to be the Duchess. They both have to put themselves on the line and be truthful to each other about what they want out of their relationship and marriage.I really enjoyed this book! Thanks to Netgalley and Tracy Sumner for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
mailovesbooksblog's review
4.0
One of the best regency romances I've read in a while!
Rating: 4/5
Synopsis:
He knew at first sight.
She knew at first kiss.
Helena Astley, Lady Hell to the ton, has plans. To control her father’s shipping business, to live her way, by her rules. Her plan is going remarkably well until one ill-advised kiss invites the duke she doesn’t want but cannot resist into her life.
Hardnosed Roan Darlington, Duke of Leighton, cares little for society or finding a duchess. The only person ever to challenge him is the incorrigible, infuriating Helena Astley. The one woman he’s never been able to forget. When they’re caught in a ruinous situation, Roan offers her an alternative. A sham engagement she can break off after Christmas.
As they discover a world of forbidden pleasure, Helena must decide if she can relinquish a heart she vowed to withhold from the only man powerful enough to seize it.
Thank you NetGalley for giving me an ARC!!
Rating: 4/5
Synopsis:
He knew at first sight.
She knew at first kiss.
Helena Astley, Lady Hell to the ton, has plans. To control her father’s shipping business, to live her way, by her rules. Her plan is going remarkably well until one ill-advised kiss invites the duke she doesn’t want but cannot resist into her life.
Hardnosed Roan Darlington, Duke of Leighton, cares little for society or finding a duchess. The only person ever to challenge him is the incorrigible, infuriating Helena Astley. The one woman he’s never been able to forget. When they’re caught in a ruinous situation, Roan offers her an alternative. A sham engagement she can break off after Christmas.
As they discover a world of forbidden pleasure, Helena must decide if she can relinquish a heart she vowed to withhold from the only man powerful enough to seize it.
Thank you NetGalley for giving me an ARC!!
roguem's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
As with the previous book I really liked the characters.
Helena and Roan work so well together, despite the walls they have around themselves. I was really rooting for these two.
I do wish there had been a little more to the backstory of when Helena and Roan first met and their initial disagreement, and as always I would have liked a little more of the ending. I tend to crave more of a look into how things have settled.
I did also enjoy the small glimpse into what the next book will be about. It shows that Sumner is really growing this universe, and that just makes me more invested.
A really enjoyable read, and once again something I thought would end up being a tropey plot point wasn't so another point to Sumner on that one.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Helena and Roan work so well together, despite the walls they have around themselves. I was really rooting for these two.
I do wish there had been a little more to the backstory of when Helena and Roan first met and their initial disagreement, and as always I would have liked a little more of the ending. I tend to crave more of a look into how things have settled.
I did also enjoy the small glimpse into what the next book will be about. It shows that Sumner is really growing this universe, and that just makes me more invested.
A really enjoyable read, and once again something I thought would end up being a tropey plot point wasn't so another point to Sumner on that one.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.