by Loretta Chase
Series: Scoundrels #3
Narrator: Kate Reading
Length: 11 hrs 39 mins
Genres: Historical Romance
Source: Audiobook Jukebox
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 4,5 cups
"They call him many names, but "angelic "isn t one of them." -Sebastian Ballister, the notorious Marquess of Dain, is big, bad, and dangerous to know. No respectable woman would have anything to do with the Bane and Blight of the Ballisters, and he wants nothing to do with respectable women. He s determined to continue doing what he does best sin and sin again and all s going swimmingly until the day a shop door opens and she walks in.
"She s too intelligent to fall for the worst man in the world."-Jessica Trent is a determined young woman, and she s going to drag her imbecile brother off the road to ruin, no matter what it takes. If saving him and with him her family and future means taking on the devil himself, she won t back down. The trouble is, the devil in question is so shockingly irresistible that the person who needs saving most is Jessica herself.
Readers have hailed Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase a favorite. It is the third book in the Scoundrels series and can be read as a standalone. I made a request to review the new audio release after some gentle persuasion by audio junkie pal, Loupe @ Hot Listens. I loved these characters and their wickedly delicious banter. I laughed, swooned and cannot wait to listen to it repeatedly. It has earned a place in my top ten reads.
We first meet Sebastian Ballister as a child and watch him develop into the devil the Marquees of Dain. We immediately feel sorry for this awkward unloved little boy and watch him grow into quite the scoundrel. Despite his behavior and looks, Chase made me fall in love with this tortured soul from the very first pages, and allowed that love to grow and bloom.
Jessica Trent was born in the wrong era. She is strong, confident, knowledgeable, a sound businessperson and forced to deal with her daft brother. I adored Jessica from her tenacious determination to her canny ability to see behind Dain’s cold exterior. When her brother begins cleaning out the family coffers, she learns he has befriended Dain and too many nights of gambling and woman will soon leave them in the poor house.
Dain and Jessica- When these two meet you can feel the air sizzle. They are the perfect storm of heat, passion, and anger (frustration). Words spring to mind when I think of them, “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Haters to Lovers.” The world sees Dain as ugly, with a huge nose and massive hands, but to Jessica he is gorgeous. Her attraction befuddles him. Their conversations and bickering wrapped in wit and Italian were among some of the best I have ever read. Chase created some of the funniest scenes between them; I laughed, cried and stopped to listen to scenes again. Just imagining this tiny wisp of a girl giving this giant a set down was delicious.
“Jessica, you are a pain in the arse, do you know that? If I were not so immensely fond of you, I should throw you out the window.” She wrapped her arms about his waist and laid her head against his chest. “Not merely ‘fond,’ but ‘immensely fond.’ Oh Dain, I do believe I shall swoon.” “Not now,” he said crossly. “I haven’t time to pick you up.”
“And so I beat him and beat him until he kissed me. And then I kept on beating him until he did it properly.”
“You refuse to listen. Because, like every other man, you can keep only one idea in your head at a time-usually the wrong one.”
“I love these pet names,” she said, gazing soulfully up into his eyes, “Nitwit. Sap skull. Termagant. How they make my heart flutter!”
“Dain kept his gaze on his plate and concentrated on swallowing the morsel he’d just very nearly choked on. She was possessive… about him.
The beautiful, mad creature – or blind and deaf creature, or whatever she was – coolly announced it as one might say, “Pass the salt cellar,” without the smallest awareness that the earth had just tilted on its axis.”
Lord of Scoundrels was a delightful tale that kept me enthralled and will forever be a favorite. The romance was slow building with moments of heat, passion and banter. Dain’s use of Italian love phrases curled my toes and seeing this tortured character grow was my undoing. The twists and turns made me laugh and gasp. Chase provided wonderful secondary characters and my favorite had to be Jessica’s Grandmother Genevieve. Wait until you meet her she is ornery and feisty.
Kate Reading is the narrator, and she did a wonderful job of reading this tale. She captured the characters from their wit to shock and made their banter come to life.
Fans of wicked banter, fleshed out characters, and the haters to lovers’ troupe will find this tale delightful. Listen to it, I promise it will make you smile 🙂
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Dani
Awesome review! Sounds like a very swoon worthy book to read! 🙂
kara-karina
This is one of my favorite historical romances of all time, K., so I am so glad you enjoyed it just as much!!! Loretta Chase has weaker books especially her earlier works, but all her latest stuff is always on auto-buy for me, because she is amazing. Read Silk is For Seduction, – it’s marvelous! 🙂 Excellent review!
Camille
I’m so happy you enjoyed LORD OF SCOUNDRELS! 🙂 That last quote, oh! Swoon! Now I know what to get next for an audio book! Thank you for the awesome review!
Jo
I read the book a long time ago and just listened to it this week. I loved it even more listening than I did reading. There are some really priceless scenes that are better listening than reading.
Stephanie B
Wow. You make this sound completely wonderful, enchanting, and super fun. I just might check this out. It sounds like it’s worth the time. Awesome review!
Naomi
Oooh…. top 10 all time fav…. that is so great!
I love the sound of Jessica, my kind of heroine! And Sebastian… I am definitely curious to learn more about him! Fab review!
Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace
blodeuedd
I can’t remember which one I read anymore
Christy
Wow, you AND Loupe, huh? I’m absolutely LOVING those quotes. They actually make me want to read this right now, and you know how I am with historicals.
Faye D'Social Potato (
I am definitely interested to read this now! I always find your reviews insightful, and I place heavy weight on them 🙂 Plus, who does not like wicked banter? Delightful interaction between awesome people right there, folks.
Angela Adams
I don’t read many historical romances, but Loretta Chase is an author on my historical romance TBR list. Thanks for the post.
finley jayne
Need to add this series to my tbr list 🙂
Sharlene Wegner
Oh, now I want to read it again! Loved this book! How can you not love this couple? Great review!
Candace
This sounds lovely! Slow building romance and good banter sounds like a win!
Lauren
Ooh this sounds wonderful! I can’t wait to read about Jessica and Dain and see the sizzle! 🙂 Hope you’re feeling better and that you have a wonderful weekend!
Melissa (Books and Things)
Oh beauty and the beast? I’m also thinking Jane Eyre… hm… this one sounds so good and I really like the sound of Jessica! Okay, sold me on another book!!
brandileigh2003
Aw I am a sucker for falling for the tortured boys… so I would be doomed for him
Kathryn
I read this book a few years ago when readers on Susan Elizabeth Phillip’s board were talking about it. It is a wonderful historical and I laughed out loud often. However I think your review encourages me to reread and I have just been over to Audible to put it in my wishlist.
ShootingStarsMag
I do love some good banter. That’s awesome you loved this so much!! And I really appreciate when series books can be read alone.
Braine Talk Supe
5 cups! Yowza! I can see why this is an awesome read, I wonder if my library has this series. Will check, I need to switch up my reads and I’m thinking off adding Historical romances to the mix.
P.S. Shared this post directly via Twitter, reached my Triberr limit just letting you know in case you checked the stats and I’m missing. Eep!
Heidi
I don’t know when the last time I saw you give a five cup rating was. I haven’t heard of this series, but I like that you can jump right in and read this as a stand alone. I will have to see if my local library has a copy of this on audio 🙂 Hope you get on your feet this weekend.
Melliane
Oh it’s nice to have a progressive relationship, I always love that because insta-love is always so easy. I didn’t know this one but it sounds like a good one and I confess that it’s a good thing to knw that we can read as a standalone book.
Lily B
oh those quotes put a smile on my face, sounds like an excellent historical romance <3
Lisa
I love the quotes!!! Though this isn’t what I would normally read, you’ve definitely piqued my interest. I LOVE a good audiobook too. So glad you enjoyed this one! I’ll definitely have to check it out. 🙂
aurian
I read this one, a long, long time ago and really loved it then. Thanks for reminding me Kimba!
Krista
Jessica is such an awesome character!
Nick
Kim!! I want to read this book soon. I love the sound of this and I do love these historical scoundrels! Also, those quotes you shared? These two sound like they are a lot of fun. I’m going to B&N next week, so I’ll make sure to grab a copy!
Lovely review!
Jenny
YES KIM!!! I so loved this book, I’m so glad you did too! These two just made me happy together, and all the quotes you highlighted make me want to read them all over again. *sigh* Such a good book:):)
Hope you’re feeling better!
kindlemom1
I know if you are wanting and willing to listen to it again then it must have been fantastic. 😉
I hope you have a nice weekend Kim and get lots of rest!! Take care of yourself! *hugs*
Amir
I don’t remember if I’ve ever read Loretta Chase before but this one looka like it’s so much fun! The characters sound unique and those quotes you shares really intruiged me about the romance! I’m also a sucker for anti-heroes, especially in HR 🙂
Jenea
Awe, I like the quotes! I’m glad that this was such an amazing “listen” for you. 🙂
Victoria (aka Zemfirka)
Hmm… sounds good. 🙂
Debbie Haupt
Oh My I want a rake of my own. Kimba your reviewed made me swoon. I’m getting this!!!
thanks
deb
Cyn
I need to try reading this again! The first time I just didn’t get anywhere ): But all those quotes has me excited to try it again! Glad you loved it! Maybe I should try the audio book, haha. Thanks for the review!
Michelle
Those quotes you chose sealed the deal! I need to pick up this book. Glad that this could be read as a standalone. Great review!
Lupdilup
YAY! I’m so glad you enjoy it!! Wonderful review 🙂 I couldn’t have said it better myself.
I’m so happy one of my recommendations worked for you, and I was able to give a little back to you from all the wonderful titles I have found here in your blog.
Thank you!!
tonyalee
I was laughing at those excerpts! I love the sound of this one and will definitely give it a try!
Mary
Can I just say I’ve never read a Loretta Chase? But, hellz to the yeah, I’m gonna now! Sizzling hotness between characters? Haters to Lovers? Bring it on. (And darn you for adding to my TBR!!)
Teddyree
laughing and swooning … wow I am SOLD! Love an awesome audio recommendation 🙂