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A review by marshmalohgrrl
Only Scandal Will Do by Jenna Jaxon
3.0
I have always had a soft spot for historical romance. It was what I first cut my teeth on and I've taken pleasure in reading them ever since. Jenna Jaxon shows her passion for historical accuracy by describing setting and attire in detail.
The Marquess Dalbury first meets our heroine on a sale block in a whorehouse in London where he buys her for a remarkable sum. She pleads her case to be released, that he help her. He believes it part of a sensual game and makes a move on her. She wounds him, hits him over the head with a pitcher and flees. She is found by the authorities and is sent home to her brother.
Katarina Fitzwilliam knows if a word is breathed about being in the brothel, she will be considered impure and unmarriagable. Not only her reputation, but that of her brother will be ruined. She sets a plan to marry a seafarer from her homeland of Virginia and make a life for herself there. If she can do so before her husband-to-be discovers the news, all will be well.
Unfortunately for her, the Marquess discovers the truth of Katarina's story and seeks her out. He is infatuated with her and sets up a crazy scheme to force her into marriage so he can smooth over the scandal himself. After a duel to save her honor, Katarina agrees to enter into marriage with him.
Of course there is a happily ever after involved after much sniping and hate toward one another.
I enjoyed the attention to detail and focus on the time period. This traditional bodice-ripper is like a journey into my romance-past.
The Marquess Dalbury first meets our heroine on a sale block in a whorehouse in London where he buys her for a remarkable sum. She pleads her case to be released, that he help her. He believes it part of a sensual game and makes a move on her. She wounds him, hits him over the head with a pitcher and flees. She is found by the authorities and is sent home to her brother.
Katarina Fitzwilliam knows if a word is breathed about being in the brothel, she will be considered impure and unmarriagable. Not only her reputation, but that of her brother will be ruined. She sets a plan to marry a seafarer from her homeland of Virginia and make a life for herself there. If she can do so before her husband-to-be discovers the news, all will be well.
Unfortunately for her, the Marquess discovers the truth of Katarina's story and seeks her out. He is infatuated with her and sets up a crazy scheme to force her into marriage so he can smooth over the scandal himself. After a duel to save her honor, Katarina agrees to enter into marriage with him.
Of course there is a happily ever after involved after much sniping and hate toward one another.
Spoiler
While I did enjoy most of the book, parts of it absolutely bored me. By the time the hero and heroine finally got around to the sex scene, I found I really just didn't -care- anymore rather or not they got together. Her hate and spite toward him was tiring and his insistence that he wanted to be there for her and wanted to be a loving, supportive person while falling back into his "seduction" routine was annoying. He spoke the words, but all I kept hearing was "this is fake so I can get in your pants". Toward the middle of the book, the characters just stopped being endearing and started being annoying. I honestly believe some of the book could have been cut down, certain scenes reduced to conversations or recollections and been a lot tighter.I enjoyed the attention to detail and focus on the time period. This traditional bodice-ripper is like a journey into my romance-past.