Reviews

How to Survive a Scandal by Samara Parish

hammock_and_read's review

5.0

This is one of those books you get done with and just wish it was 500 pages more. And this was a debut!! I was a little blown away with this one, I don't know if it was my mood or what but this rocked my world. I devoured this one in one night. I just loved these two together- them trying to figure out how to work but also love- his sister- the town- the lords and ladies you wanted to punch or love- the side characters- I just loved it all. I felt like the flow of chemistry was good with some slow burn and time.

I can not wait for the next in this series with Fiona and her ex fiancé it looks like!!

5 stars
3 steam

Thanks to forever for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

jachelrames's review

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

alysonc's review

hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

andrea_author's review

4.0

After they become compromised, Lady Amelia and factory-owner Benedict are forced to marry. Can two people of such different backgrounds find their way to true love?

At first, Amelia and Benedict try to force their values and habits on each other. In time, as they get to know each other, they grow together. It was nice to see them develop as people through their relationship. The plot with the steam engine investors was also interesting and kept the pace moving.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

glyneth's review

challenging emotional funny sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

kdeshaies's review

4.0

I really enjoyed this story. We follow Amelia, who has been groomed all her life to be a duchess but her life long fiancé has been dragging his feet, and Benedict a working class man who Amelia has nothing but disdain for.

Amelia is set on convincing her fiancé to set a date for their wedding when she gets stuck in a snowstorm all alone. Luckily for her Benedict comes along and residues her; unluckily for her, they are discovered some together and so no they are forced to marry. Amelia must move to the country and give up everything she knows, and Benedict has his life upended by his “upper crust wife”

I love the banter and chemistry with these two. I loved watching Amelia come into herself and her developing relationships with her new family and town. I love how she was able to use her intelligence to help Benedict with his company. And I do love a gruff grumpy hero and Benedict didn’t disappoint.

If you’re looking for a new historical romance author to try I’d highly recommend Samara Parish and I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

***Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book***

smilesgiggle's review

3.0

Great debut - and intro to a new series. I have the second one - available as an ARC on Netgalley.
I loved the creative start of this novel - Amelia is found in an abandoned carriage in the midst of a severe storm. Benedict understands he is lucky and cursed to find Amelia - lucky to find Amelia before she froze to death; cursed because the local aristocracy snob finds them - pointing out Amelia has been compromised, no longer able to marry her betrothed, a Duke.
After a quick marriage, Amelia must embrace her life. And to her surprise, she enjoys it - finding herself useful and filled with purpose.
I loved these characters - great banter. I cannot wait to read the next!

dukefn99's review

4.0

Read my review at https://novelsalive.com/2021/05/17/4-star-review-how-to-survive-a-scandal-by-samara-parish/

smithrachaelynn's review against another edition

emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

What I liked:

• Amelia’s character, the whole ice queen thing is hard for me to relate to, but I couldn’t help but empathize with Amelia. She was very much a product of her surroundings and her time. I wish we learned more about her upbringing. Her growth and self reflections were some of my favorite parts of the book. 

What I didn’t like:

• Jumpy, it felt like big moments between the couple like arguments and things never really got addressed. And they didn’t seem to connect about serious things on page. This all made the relationship and their connection feel a bit unbelievable
• Not enough groveling, as much as I liked Benedict’s character, the man seriously messed up. The stuff he said was so hurtful over and over again. The ending was waaaaay too abrupt to me. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism

nicolesa's review

emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0