Samara Parish

The hero unexpectedly inherits his title and finds out that there are a lot of problems that he acquired with it. This includes an unpleasant fiancée with a dowry that could save him from ruin, but he really doesn't like her. The hero turns to the heroine for help, and as he spends time with this charming lady, his feelings becoming romantic along the way...which is the same for the heroine, who is telling herself that becoming closer to the hero will not be good for her life. But the heroine has her own issues to contend with, and will a romantic relationship be the best for both of them when they have many obstacles in their lives.

This is the third book in the Rebels with a Cause series. This historical romance also has previous characters appearing in the story, so it would be nice to read the series in order as there is not enough information provided to make this a standalone book. Both main characters in the book are strong in their own way, yet they also have flaws that appear in the story. It depends on the reader if such personality traits can be accepted without annoyance or let such traits get the best of their appreciation of those characters. It would have helped if the story gave better transition in certain areas since the story really needed them. Also, some secondary characters were not as likable as others, even if they were necessary in the story. Overall, it's a solid addition to the series, but it also needed a bit more to make it better reading.

**Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. All opinions and thoughts in the review are my own.**… (més)

Half way through the book, I could no longer tolerate Lady Amelia's insufferable personality and behavior. Alongside the disastrous lead, the characters and romance lacked that oomph, the story dragged and became too tedious to read. Perhaps it was just me, but it seemed like a whole lot of nothing was happening. There was barely a plot to hold my interest. All in all, if I could go back in time and unread this regency romance, I would.

… (més)

As the return of our favorite regency romance television program is set to play, I chose to read How to Deceive a Duke. Despite descriptions otherwise, I could only envision a devilishly handsome gentleman floating across my imagination. Of course, this made it all that much easier when Fiona is released from prison and must live with the Duke. Left with a life choice of heart or reputation, which will the Duke choose?

Yes, yes, and more yes. I loved the movie that played out in my head. Samara did a fabulous job with descriptions and her plot. I loved it all.… (més)

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

The stranger leaned against the shack walls, and a blond lock of hair fell over his forehead. Deep blue eyes, the color of a twilight sky, stared into hers. He was not the sort of man she was acquainted with. He wasn't pretty or refined; he was granite and rock.

How to Survive a Scandal starts us off with a scandal, Lady Amelia Crofton is found in dishabille, alone in a cabin with Mr. Benedict Asterly by her father, fiance, and Lord Karstark. Benedict had found Amelia unconscious in a broken wheeled carriage on the road during a snow storm, so he brought her to a cabin and was working to warm her up. Lord Karstark is a gossipy old thing and Amelia's fiance since the age of five, the Duke of Wildeforde, hates scandal and now wants nothing to do with Amelia or the scandal. Benedict is a footman's son (he's also the grandson of the Marquess of Harrington but Amelia doesn't know that right away) but to save Amelia's reputation he offers for her and we have our forced marriage of convenience.

Perhaps she wasn't so frigid and dispassionate. Perhaps it was a mask to hide her fragility. He'd been there. He understood.

I enjoyed how this started right away with the scandal and throwing our two leads together right away; the reader learns the characters as they learn each other. Amelia had the traits and personality of what one might think of an aristocratic woman of the time, she's snobby and worried about society. I didn't mind this at first, as I love to go on growth journeys with characters but, except for the very very end, Amelia doesn't lose her need for society's validation. Benedict does more of the changing and he grows to accept his aristocratic side and see how some benefits can come from it. He is an engineer and a partner in a firm that builds steam engines and we get some story of how he's working to close a deal with Americans to build engines and how that will supply the town with jobs. This is during the time of the Peterloo Massacre and while I liked how the author showed the class clashing and upheaval that was starting to manifest, I thought Benedict did more changing than Amelia and that took away some feelings of coming together cohesiveness in their relationship.

He wasn't the fine and graceful gentleman his mother had wanted, or that Amelia was used to, but that was fine. She liked him just the way he was.
And that unexpected acceptance had begun to heal wounds he hadn't cared to admit he had.

Since the marriage of convenience starts early, I was looking for some slow burn tension and while they had some moments, I can't say I really felt the emotion between the two. Their personalities never fully gelled for me and even though there is an orgasm scene for Amelia, this is a bedroom door shut romance. I usually like at least a peak in and without their personalities giving me an emotional connection, Amelia and Benedict never really came together for me.

The end wraps-up with a surprise inheritance that was a little disappointing to me, it took away more opportunity for Amelia to show some growth and the story-thread about the Americans and steam engines being hastily dealt with to the side. There are some secondary characters that drew my interest (the foreman Oliver should definitely get his own story) and I'm sure everyone is going to want to know what is going on between the Duke of Wildeforde and Benedict's partner in the firm Fiona. This had some compelling elements but unfortunately, felt pretty bloodless to me.… (més)