Despite not really reading romance novels, I couldn’t help but notice some Cannonball discussions in which this one was mentioned a bunch of times. I’m super glad that I lurked on those threads as, although I hadn’t really been sure if romance was my flavour, it turned out that I absolutely loved Lord of Scoundrels, which was the most fun I’ve had reading this year.
Jessica Trent’s brother is a nincompoop. A nincompoop who’s managing to fritter away his fortune with his high society friends, the worst influence being the Marquess of Dain, Sebastian Ballister. Mad, bad, and even more dangerous to know than Byron, Lord Dain has the worst possible reputation, especially when it comes to women, but Jessica finds herself drawn to him anyway. Both labouring under the impression that the other not only doesn’t reciprocate their feelings but is trying to get one over on the other, the path to love is not smooth, and nor does it take the twists and turns I expected.
I had originally thought that I would detest the character of Dain, and I suspect that in the hands of someone else I would have, but Chase gave me a bad boy I could enjoy. The background she gives him is plausible and explains much of the worst of his character while not excusing it, and the heroine she’s provided is a more than worthy challenger – and challenge she does, and in a way that I found refreshing rather than eye-roll worthy.
I started this whilst my partner watched the football, not really expecting much, but to my great pleasure found that this was rollicking good fun – so much so that I then refused to do anything else for the rest of the evening while I read instead.
To whoever called this out as a great romance read (I have a terrible memory for things other than book titles, it seems), a HUGE thank you – you’ve made a convert of me. I’ll be coming back to kissing books and Loretta Chase for more.