A review by laurenjodi
Never Judge a Lady by Her Cover by Sarah MacLean
4.0
Never Judge a Lady by Her Cover
4 Stars
Masquerading as Chase, the mysterious owner of a notorious gaming hell, Lady Georgiana Pearson enacts vengeance on a society that shunned her by exposing their most decadent sins and vices. But now the ton has turned its attentions to her daughter, and Georgiana realizes that she must marry to protect her child. Intrigued by the beautiful yet unattainable Georgiana, Duncan West, owner of the most read scandal sheets in London, vows to uncover her secrets even as he risks his heart in the process.
While rather far-fetched and unrealistic, this is, nevertheless, a satisfying conclusion to the series.
Let's begin with the problems. First, there is absolutely no way that a woman with Georgiana's past would EVER be accepted back into the ton no matter how flattering the newspaper accounts of her return. Second, it is also highly unlikely that three titled aristocrats, no matter how down on their luck, would enter into a business enterprise with a woman who conceals her identity.
However, if one is able to suspend their disbelief to accept these premises, Never Judge a Lady by Her Cover is a rather engaging romance. Georgiana and Duncan are both appealing characters although Duncan is a bit too beta for my taste and Georgiana a bit too self-sacrificing - whatever happened to the strong, confident and manipulative Chase?
Even though the book contains the despised keeping secrets trope, it actually works here for some reason. Perhaps it is due to the fact that both Duncan and Georgiana are aware that the other is hiding something, and this prevents the angst from going too far.
The real highlight of the book is the cameo appearances by the other couples from the series. Bourne and Penelope, Cross and Pippa, Temple and Mara - all get to put in their two cents about Duncan and Georgiana's relationship and perhaps even get a little payback after her interference in their romances.
In sum, although not the best installment in the series (that goes to One Good Earl Deserves a Lover), this book is entertaining overall and the ending is sweet and satisfying. Looking forward to continuing with MacLean's next series Scandals & Scoundrels.
4 Stars
Masquerading as Chase, the mysterious owner of a notorious gaming hell, Lady Georgiana Pearson enacts vengeance on a society that shunned her by exposing their most decadent sins and vices. But now the ton has turned its attentions to her daughter, and Georgiana realizes that she must marry to protect her child. Intrigued by the beautiful yet unattainable Georgiana, Duncan West, owner of the most read scandal sheets in London, vows to uncover her secrets even as he risks his heart in the process.
While rather far-fetched and unrealistic, this is, nevertheless, a satisfying conclusion to the series.
Let's begin with the problems. First, there is absolutely no way that a woman with Georgiana's past would EVER be accepted back into the ton no matter how flattering the newspaper accounts of her return. Second, it is also highly unlikely that three titled aristocrats, no matter how down on their luck, would enter into a business enterprise with a woman who conceals her identity.
However, if one is able to suspend their disbelief to accept these premises, Never Judge a Lady by Her Cover is a rather engaging romance. Georgiana and Duncan are both appealing characters although Duncan is a bit too beta for my taste and Georgiana a bit too self-sacrificing - whatever happened to the strong, confident and manipulative Chase?
Even though the book contains the despised keeping secrets trope, it actually works here for some reason. Perhaps it is due to the fact that both Duncan and Georgiana are aware that the other is hiding something, and this prevents the angst from going too far.
The real highlight of the book is the cameo appearances by the other couples from the series. Bourne and Penelope, Cross and Pippa, Temple and Mara - all get to put in their two cents about Duncan and Georgiana's relationship and perhaps even get a little payback after her interference in their romances.
In sum, although not the best installment in the series (that goes to One Good Earl Deserves a Lover), this book is entertaining overall and the ending is sweet and satisfying. Looking forward to continuing with MacLean's next series Scandals & Scoundrels.