
by Tessa Dare
Series: Spindle Cove #5
Genres: Historical Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Rating:





Heat Level:




On the night of the Parkhurst ball, someone had a scandalous tryst in the library.
β’Was it Lord Canby, with the maid, on the divan?
β’Or Miss Fairchild, with a rake, against the wall?
β’Perhaps the butler did it.All Charlotte Highwood knows is this: it wasnβt her. But rumors to the contrary are buzzing. Unless she can discover the loversβ true identity, sheβll be forced to marry Piers Brandon, Lord Granvilleβthe coldest, most arrogantly handsome gentleman sheβs ever had the misfortune to embrace. When it comes to emotion, the man hasnβt got a clue.
But as they set about finding the mystery lovers, Piers reveals a few secrets of his own. The oh-so-proper marquess can pick locks, land punches, tease with sly wit β¦ and melt a womanβs knees with a single kiss. The only thing he guards more fiercely than Charlotteβs safety is the truth about his dark past.
Their passion is intense. The danger is real. Soon Charlotteβs feeling torn. Will she risk all to prove her innocence? Or surrender it to a man whoβs sworn to never love?
Do You Want to Start a Scandal by Tessa Dare is the fifth novel in the Spindle Cove series and I absolutely adored our heroine Charlotte Highwood. Intrigue, passion and a swoon-worthy guarded rake can be found within the pages who could ask for anything more. Tessa Dare you complete me π
Our hero Pier Brandon, Lord Granville is not new to us, we have actually met him in Say Yes to the Marquess (Castles Ever After series). He was Rakeβs brother and betrothed to Clio. Piers is a spy for the Crown and attending a country party to investigate the host. Charlotte comes upon him in the study. She is there to warn him about her ruthless mother and her attempts to trap entitled men into marrying Charlotte. Right away, I found Charlotte to be a breath of fresh air and I was hooked.
They become trapped as a couple enjoy a passionate encounter. And of course once the couple leaves they are discovered! It is all rather complicated but an arrangement is quietly made to announce a betrothal in a fortnight.
βDare I hope youβre too innocent to understand what just went on here?β he asked.
She gave him a look. βThereβs innocent, and then thereβs ignorant. I might be the first, but I am not the second.β
Charlotte has two weeks to discover who the other couple is so that she can clear her name. However, the more time Charlotte spends with Piers the more complicated things becomes. And oh, what fun it was!
Dare creates such wonderful heroines and Charlotte was a darling. She is smart, confident, and feisty. She is the perfect match for Piers. I loved the differences in them as well. She was a total slob and he was Mr. Neat and Order. It all made me giggle. I loved the banter, unexpected surprises and joy of seeing these two fall.
Piers assignment, near death experiences and heated moments all added to the story. Charlotte played detective and impressed Piers. The storyline was kept light as the author provided bits of humor. The sex talk by Charlotteβs mother had me laughing so hard I saw tears. Charlotte is very straightforward and at times quite blunt creating humorous moments. Dare kept the drama low with a few turns and stumbles as our couple figured things out.
Come meet Charlotte I promise you will adore this hilarious and confident young woman. I devoured Do You Want to Start a Scandal in two sittings and closed the book smiling.
Read Chapter One
Nottinghamshire, Autumn 1819
The gentleman in black turned down the corridor, and Charlotte Highwood followed.
Stealthily, of course. It wouldnβt do to let anyone see.
Her ears caught the subtle click of a door latchβdown the passage, to the left. The door to Sir Vernon Parkhurstβs library, if her recollection served.
She hesitated in an alcove, engaging herself in silent debate.
In the grand scheme of English society, Charlotte was a wholly unimportant young woman. To intrude on the solitude of a marquessβone to whom she hadnβt even been introducedβwould be the worst sort of impertinence. But impertinence was preferable to the alternative: another year of scandal and misery.
Distant music spilled from the ballroom. The first few strains of a quadrille. If she meant to act, it must be now. Before she could talk herself out of it, Charlotte tiptoed down the corridor and put her hand on the door latch.
Desperate mothers called for desperate measures.
When she opened the door, the marquess looked up at once. He was alone, standing behind the library desk.
And he was perfect.
By perfect, she didnβt mean handsomeβalthough he was handsome. High cheekbones, a squared jaw, and a nose so straight God must have drawn it with a rule. But everything else about him declared perfection, as well. His posture, his mien, his dark sweep of hair. The air of assured command that hovered about him, filling the room.
Despite her nerves, she felt a prickle of curiosity. No man could be perfect. Everyone had flaws. If the imperfections werenβt apparent on the surface, they must be hidden deep inside.
Mysteries always intrigued her.
βDonβt be alarmed,β she said, closing the door behind her. βIβve come to save you.β
βSave me.β His low, rich voice glided over her like fine-grain leather. βFrom . . . ?β
βOh, all kinds of things. Inconvenience and mortification, chiefly. But broken bones arenβt outside the realm of possibility.β
He pushed a desk drawer closed. βHave we been introduced?β
βNo, my lord.β She belatedly remembered to curtsy. βThat is, I know who you are. Everyone knows who you are. Youβre Piers Brandon, the Marquess of Granville.β
βWhen last I checked, yes.β
βAnd Iβm Charlotte Highwood, of the Highwoods youβve no reason to know. Unless you read the Prattler, which you probably donβt.β
Lord, I hope you donβt.
βOne of my sisters is the Viscountess Payne,β she went on. βYou might have heard of her; sheβs fond of rocks. My mother is impossible.β
After a pause, he inclined his head. βCharmed.β
She almost laughed. No reply could have sounded less sincere. βCharmed,β indeed. No doubt βappalledβ would have been the more truthful answer, but he was too well-bred to say it.
In another example of refined manners, he gestured toward the settee, inviting her to sit.
βThank you, no. I must return to the ball before my absence is noted, and I donβt dare wrinkle.β She smoothed her palms over the skirts of her blush-pink gown. βI donβt wish to impose. Thereβs only one thing I came to say.β She swallowed hard. βIβm not the least bit interested in marrying you.β
His cool, unhurried gaze swept her from head to toe. βYou seem to be expecting me to convey a sense of relief.β
βWell . . . yes. As would any gentleman in your place. You see, my mother is infamous for her attempts to throw me into the paths of titled gentlemen. Itβs rather a topic of public ridicule. Perhaps youβve heard the phrase βThe Desperate Debutanteβ?β
Oh, how she hated even pronouncing those words. Theyβd followed her all season like a bitter, choking cloud.
During their first week in London last spring, she and Mama had been strolling through Hyde Park, enjoying the fine afternoon. Then her mother had spied the Earl of Astin riding down Rotten Row. Eager to make certain the eligible gentleman noticed her daughter, Mrs. Highwood had thrust her into his pathβsending an unsuspecting Charlotte sprawling into the dirt, making the earlβs gelding rear, and causing no fewer than three carriages to collide.
The next issue of the Prattler had featured a cartoon depicting a young woman with a remarkable resemblance to Charlotte, spilling her bosoms and baring her legs as she dove into traffic. It was labeled βLondonβs Springtime Plague: The Desperate Debutante.β
And that was that. Sheβd been declared a scandal.
Worse than a scandal: a public health hazard. For the rest of the season, no gentlemen dared come near her.
βAh,β he said, seeming to piece it together. βSo youβre the reason Astinβs been walking with a limp.β
βIt was an accident.β She cringed. βBut much as it pains me to admit it, thereβs every likelihood my mother will push me at you. I wanted to tell you, donβt worry. No oneβs expecting her machinations to work. Least of all me. I mean, it would be absurd. Youβre a marquess. A wealthy, important, handsome one.β
Handsome, Charlotte? Really?
Why, why, why had she said that aloud?
βAnd Iβm not setting my sights any higher than a black-sheep third son,β she rushed on. βNot to mention, thereβs the age difference. I donβt suppose youβre seeking a May-December match.β
Lord Granvilleβs eyes narrowed.
βNot that youβre old,β she hastened to add. βAnd not that Iβm unthinkably young. It wouldnβt be a May-December match. More like . . . June-October. No, not even October. June-late September at the very outside. Not a day past Michaelmas.β She briefly buried her face in her hands. βIβm making a hash of this, arenβt I?β
βRather.β
Charlotte walked to the settee and sank onto it. She supposed she would be seated after all.
He came out from behind the desk and sat on the corner, keeping one boot planted firmly on the floor.
Have out with it, she told herself.
βIβm a close friend of Delia Parkhurst. Youβre an acquaintance of Sir Vernonβs. Weβre both here in this house as guests for the next fortnight. My mother will do everything she can to encourage a connection. That means you and I must plan to avoid each other.β She smiled, attempting levity. βItβs a truth universally acknowledged that a titled man in possession of a fortune should steer far clear of me.β
He didnβt laugh. Or even smile.
βThat last bit . . . It was a joke, my lord. Thereβs a line from a novelββ
βPride and Prejudice. Yes, Iβve read it.β
Of course. Of course he had. Heβd served for years in diplomatic appointments overseas. After Napoleonβs surrender, he helped negotiate the Treaty of Vienna. He was worldly and educated and probably spoke a dozen languages.
Charlotte didnβt have many accomplishments, as society counted themβbut she did have her good qualities. She was a good-natured, forthright person, and she could laugh at herself. In conversation, she generally put other people at ease.
Those talents, modest as they were, all failed her now. Between his poise and that piercing blue stare, talking to the Marquess of Granville was rather like conversing with an ice sculpture. She couldnβt seem to warm him up.
There must be a flesh-and-blood man in there somewhere.
She stole a sidelong look at him, trying to imagine him in a moment of repose. Lounging in that tufted leather chair with his boots propped atop the desk. His coat and waistcoat discarded; sleeves uncuffed and rolled to his elbows. Reading a newspaper, perhaps, while he took the occasional sip from a tumbler of brandy. A light growth of whiskers on that chiseled jaw, and his thick, dark hair ruffled fromβ
βMiss Highwood.β
She startled. βYes?β
He leaned toward her, lowering his voice. βIn my experience, quadrillesβwhile they may feel interminableβdo, eventually, come to an end. You had better return to the ballroom. For that matter, so had I.β
βYes, youβre right. Iβll go first. If you will, wait ten minutes or so before you follow. That will give me time to make some excuse for leaving the ball entirely. A headache, perhaps. Oh, but then we have a whole fortnight ahead. Breakfasts are easy. The gentlemen always eat early, and I never rise before ten. During the day, youβll have your sport with Sir Vernon, and we ladies will no doubt have letters to write or gardens to pace. That will see us through the days well enough. Tomorrowβs dinner, however . . . Iβm afraid that will have to be your turn.β
βMy turn?β
βTo feign indisposition. Or make other plans. I canβt be claiming a headache every evening of my stay, can I?β
He extended his hand and she took it. As he drew her to her feet, he kept her close.
βAre you quite sure youβve no marital designs on me? Because you seem to be arranging my schedule already. Rather like a wife.β
She laughed nervously. βNothing of the sort, believe me. No matter what my mother implies, I donβt share her hopes. Weβd be a terrible match. Iβm far too young for you.β
βSo youβve made clear.β
βYouβre the model of propriety.β
βAnd youβre . . . here. Alone.β
βExactly. I wear my heart on my sleeve, and yours is clearlyββ
βKept in the usual place.β
Charlotte was going to guess, buried somewhere in the Arctic Circle. βThe point is, my lord, we have nothing in common. Weβd be little more than two strangers inhabiting one house.β
βIβm a marquess. I have five houses.β
βBut you know what I mean,β she said. βIt would be disaster, through and through.β
βAn existence marked by tedium and punctuated by misery.β
βUndoubtedly.β
βWeβd be forced to base our entire relationship on sexual congress.β
βEr . . . what?β
βIβm speaking of bedsport, Miss Highwood. That much, at least, would be tolerable.β
Heat bloomed from her chest to her hairline. βI . . . You . . .β
As she desperately tried to unknot her tongue, the subtle hint of a smile played about his lips.
Could it be? A crack in the ice?
Relief overwhelmed her. βI think you are teasing me, my lord.β
He shrugged in admission. βYou started it.β
βI did not.β
βYou called me old and uninteresting.β
She bit back a smile. βYou know I didnβt mean it that way.β
Oh, dear. This wouldnβt do. If she knew he could tease, and be teased in return, she would find him much too appealing.
βMiss Highwood, I am not a man to be forced into anything, least of all matrimony. In my years as a diplomat, Iβve dealt with kings and generals, despots and madmen. What part of that history makes you believe I could be felled by one matchmaking mama?β
She sighed. βThe part where you havenβt met mine.β
How could she make him see the gravity of the situation?
Little could Lord Granville know itβhe probably wouldnβt care if he didβbut there was more at stake for Charlotte than gossip and scandal sheets. She and Delia Parkhurst hoped to miss the next London season entirely, in favor of traveling the Continent. They had it all planned out: six countries, four months, two best friends, one exceedingly permissive chaperoneβand absolutely no stifling parents.
However, before they could start packing their valises, they needed to secure permission. This autumn house party was meant to be Charlotteβs chance to prove to Sir Vernon and Lady Parkhurst that the rumors about her werenβt true. That she wasnβt a brazen fortune hunter, but a well-behaved gentlewoman and a loyal friend who could be trusted to accompany their daughter on the Grand Tour.
Charlotte could not muck this up. Delia was counting on her. And she couldnβt bear to watch all her dreams dashed again.
βPlease, my lord. If you would only agree toββ
βHush.β
In an instant, his demeanor transformed. He went from cool and aristocratic to sharply alert, turning his head toward the door.
She heard it, too. Footsteps in the corridor. Approaching.
Whispered voices, just outside.
βOh, no,β she said, panicked. βWe canβt be found here together.β
No sooner had she uttered the words than the library became a whirlwind.
Charlotte wasnβt even certain how it happened.
Had she bolted in panic? Had he swept her into his arms somehow?
One moment, she was staring in mute horror at the scraping, turning door latch. The next, she was ensconced in the libraryβs window seat, concealed by heavy velvet drapes.
Pressed chest to chest with the Marquess of Granville.
The man she had meant to avoid at all costs.
Oh, Lord.
She had the lapels of his coat clutched in her hands. His arms were around her, tight. His hands rested flat against her backβone at her waist, the other between her shoulders. She stared directly into his immaculate white cravat.
Despite the awkwardness of their position, Charlotte vowed not to move or make a sound. If they were discovered like this, she would never recover. Her mother would sink her talons into Lord Granville and refuse to let go. That was, if Charlotte didnβt expire of mortification first.
However, as the moments crawled past, it seemed increasingly unlikely that she and Granville would be discovered.
Two people had entered the room, and they wasted no time making use of it.
The sounds were subtle, hushed. Muted giggles and the rustling of fabric.
Perfume filtered through the draperies in a thick, pungent wave.
She slid her gaze upward, searching the darkness for Granvilleβs reaction. He looked directly ahead, impassive as that ice sculpture again.
βDo you think he noticed?β a male voice murmured.
In reply, a womanβs husky whisper: βHush. Be quick.β
A sense of dread rose in Charlotteβs chest.
The dread was compounded by several moments of soft, distressingly wet sounds.
Please, she prayed, squeezing her eyes shut. Please donβt let this be what I suspect it to be.
Her prayer went unanswered.
Rhythmic noises began. Rhythmic, creaking noises that she could only imagine to be originating from a desktopβone being rocked violently on its legs. And just when sheβd steeled herself to endure that muchβ
That was when the grunting started.
The human body was such a strange thing, she mused. People had eyelids to close when they wanted to rest their sight. They could close their lips to avoid unpleasant tastes. But there was no such appendage to block out sounds.
Ears couldnβt be shut. Not without the use of oneβs hands, and she didnβt dare move those. The window seat was too narrow. Even the smallest motion could disturb the draperies and give them away.
She had no choice but to listen to it all. Even worse, to know that Lord Granville was listening, as well. He, too, must be hearing every creak of the desk, each animalistic grunt.
And, within moments, every keening wail.
βAh!β
Grunt.
βOh!β
Grunt.
βEeeeee!β
Good heavens. Was the woman reeling with pleasure, or reciting vowels in grammar school?
A mischievous tickle of laughter rose in Charlotteβs throat. She tried to swallow it or clear it away, to no avail. It must have been nerves or the sheer awkwardness of the situation. The more she told herself not to laughβreminded herself that her reputation, her journey with Delia, and the entirety of her future rested on not laughingβthe greater the impulse grew.
She bit the inside of her cheek. She pressed her lips together, desperate to contain it. But despite her best efforts, her shoulders began to convulse in spasms.
The loversβ pace quickened, until the creaking became a sharp, doglike, yipping noise. The unseen man released a throaty crescendo of a growl. βGrrrraaaaagh.β
Charlotte lost the battle. The laughter erupted from her chest.
All would have been lost, if not for Lord Granvilleβs hand sliding to the back of her head. With a flex of his arm, he brought her face to his chest, burying her laughter in his waistcoat.
He held her tightly while her shoulders shook and tears streamed down her cheeks, containing her explosion in the same way a soldier might leap on a grenade.
It was the strangest hug sheβd ever experienced in her life, but also the one sheβd most desperately needed.
And then, mercifully, the entire scene was over.
The lovers engaged in a few minutes of parting whispers and kisses. Whatever fabric had been shoved aside was gathered and rearranged in place. The door opened, then closed. Only a faint whiff of perfume lingered.
There were no more sounds, save for a fierce, steady thumping.
Lord Granvilleβs heartbeat, she realized.
Apparently his heart wasnβt buried in the Arctic Circle after all.
Drawing a deep, sudden breath, he released her.
Charlotte wasnβt sure where to look, much less what to say. She dabbed her eyes with her wrists, then ran her hands down the front of her gown, making sure she was all of a piece. Her hair had probably suffered the worst of it.
He cleared his throat.
Their eyes met.
βDare I hope youβre too innocent to understand what just went on here?β he asked.
She gave him a look. βThereβs innocent, and then thereβs ignorant. I might be the first, but I am not the second.β
βThatβs what I feared.β
βFear is the word for it,β she said, shuddering. βThat was . . . horrific. Scarring.β
He tugged on his cuff. βWe neednβt speak of it further.β
βBut weβll think of it. Be haunted by it. Itβs burned in our memories. Ten years from now, we could both be married to other people and have full, rich lives of our own. Then one day weβll meet by chance in a shop or a park, andββshe snapped her fingersββour thoughts will travel immediately to this window seat.β
βI heartily intend to banish this incident from my thoughts forever. I suggest you do the same.β He drew aside a fold of the drapery. βIt should be safe now.β
He went first, making the large step down to the floor. She was amazed again at how heβd managed to hide them both so quickly. His reflexes must be remarkable.
He found the cord for tying back the draperies and began to secure one side in place.
Charlotte gathered her skirt, preparing to make her own descent from the ledge.
βWait a moment,β he said. βIβll help you.β
But sheβd already begun, and what was meant to be a graceful step turned into a clumsy tumble. He lunged to break her fall. By the time sheβd found her feet and steadied herself, she was right back in his arms.
His strong, protective arms.
βThank you,β she said, feeling overwhelmed. βAgain.β
He looked down at her, and again she caught that hint of a sly, appealing smile. βFor a woman who wants nothing to do with me, you fling yourself in my direction with alarming frequency.β
She disentangled herself, blushing.
βI should hate to see how you treat a man you admire,β he said.
βAt this rate, Iβll never have a chance to admire anyone.β
βDonβt be absurd.β He retrieved the dropped drapery cord. βYou are young, pretty, and possessed of both cleverness and vivacity. If a few tangled reins in Rotten Row convince every red-blooded gentleman to avoid you, I fear for the future of this country. England is doomed.β
Charlotte went soft inside. βMy lord, thatβs kind of you to say.β
βItβs not kindness at all. Itβs simple observation.β
βNevertheless, Iββ She froze. βOh, goodness.β
Theyβd been discovered.
[bctt tweet=”Do You Want to Start a Scandal by Tessa Dare was a heartwarming, humorous romance. A must read for HF fans” username=”kimbacaffeinate”]
Stephanie
So so glad I preordered this one. Now I just need to make it a priority to read. It sounds like you enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! It’s made me want to bump this one up the list. π
kimbacaffeinate
Ooo I am actually jealous you we will be snuggling up with this soon!
Cyn
Yay! I’m glad you enjoyed this one too! It was definitely nice to see them both get their HEA! I loved the mystery solving haha. Great review, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
Dare is such fun to read, and yes I liked her sleuthing
Samantha, The Book Disciple
I just received a copy of this in the mail from her signing at The ripped bodice and I am so excited to read it!
kimbacaffeinate
Wahoo…happy reading π
Danielle
Great review as always <3 I will try to link up to Sunday post next week. I had a bit of an accident this week on top of PC trouble so fun fun. Now I am trying to catch up on all that I missed,
kimbacaffeinate
Oh no, hope all is well, and yeah we would love to have you. It is a fun group and you can meet some great bloggers.
Silvia
You know I’ve been hooked by one of Tessa Dare’s books recently, so no need to tell me about this twice! π *goes checking the whole series out*
kimbacaffeinate
That is right, and once you try her it’s all over π
Paij Slater
Kim…..you and series :)…kidding! Great review! stop making me want to read series…hehehe
kimbacaffeinate
Bwahaha….hmm, tomorrow is an audio review…and not a series π (Thursday)
The Bibliophile Babe
I love the titles in these types of romances!
kimbacaffeinate
Hehe..I have been singing this to the Frozen song..Do you want to build a snowman.
Leona
This looks so good!! I am a sucker for historical romances.
kimbacaffeinate
Oh me too, they always make me smile
Naomi Hop
Haha! Yes, innocent and ignorant… very true!
Sounds like a fun read, Pier and Charlotte have great chemistry!
kimbacaffeinate
It was such fun Naomi.
Laura Thomas
This genre takes me back to when I was in high school. I ate these up! I need to read this genre again:) I would get lost for hours in a book!
kimbacaffeinate
Oh me too, this and medical thrillers could be found under my Mom’s bed…lol
Debbie Haupt
Ah swoon worthy indeed. Now I just need more time in my day. Did I mention I’m just starting a DIY project of painting all of the inside of my house. I’ve never done that before LOL
Wish me luck
kimbacaffeinate
Oh now that sounds like you need audiobooks to listen while you paint.
blodeuedd
Awww Dare, love her
kimbacaffeinate
Yes. π
Angela Adams
This has definitely got my attention! Thanks for the post.
kimbacaffeinate
Oh it was soooo good π
Quinn's Book Nook
Haha! Yes, Tessa Dare completes me too! Her books are always so wonderful, and I felt like this one in particular was one of her best. So glad you loved it. I loved that quote too.
kimbacaffeinate
Yay, glad you think so too π
Rowena
Love this review. Love it so much. You have a way with words that totally rocks! Wasn’t Charlotte such a fantastic heroine? This book was so good and I loved how it all came together. Another fabulous read by Tessa Dare. She’s an auto-buy for me.
kimbacaffeinate
Awe, you are totally making me blush. Sometimes I feel like an idiot and wonder why anyone reads my reviews, She is on my auto-buy list as well π
Lekeisha
I love this trope in HR. Although, the circumstances surrounding how they began this betrothal is hilarious. LOL!
Lily B
I really NEED to read Dare. I have not read any of her books but have shamelessly horded quite a bit of them in hopes that I one day will >.< I might end up starting with this one, already on a wait from the library any day now!!
kimbacaffeinate
I am only about 3 books in, but have loved them all π
Melissa
One of these days I’ll check out Dare:)
kimbacaffeinate
Oh I hope you do π I am still a noob, but loved all I have read π
Heidi
I have heard some great things about this series, and I am always up for a humrous romance. I will add this to the towering TBR.
kimbacaffeinate
These are totally feel good reads Heidi, perfect for a hard day π
Genesis
I keep seeing fantastic things about this one! I need to get my hands on it ASAP! I know I would love Charlotte and Piers. I haven’t started this series yet but I’ll probably read it out of order since I’m most excited for this book. Great review!
Genesis @ Latte Nights Reviews
kimbacaffeinate
These work fine out of order..but you will want to read them all π
Mary Kirkland
The sex talk by Charlotte’s mother sounds hilarious. I love a bit of humor in the book I read.
kimbacaffeinate
It really was, I laughed so hard I cried!
Anna
Oh, I love the sounds of this one. π
Anna from elements of emaginette
kimbacaffeinate
Anna it was pure pleasure…enjoy!
Jenny
Yesssss! I so loved this one too Kim! Tessa’s books are always such fun for me, and this one was no different. Her heroines are always a joy:) I feel like I might need to do a reread of this one already!
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed, her heroines rock for me. π glad you loved it too Jenny
kindlemom1
The titles of these books sometimes crack me up and of course the old Harlequin romance feel to the covers too. π
So glad this was such a fun read Kim, it does sound like it would be.
kimbacaffeinate
All day I have been singing this title to that Frozen song about a snowman. Do you want to start a scandal? I promise not to tell!
Nick
YES! Kim, I loved this one so much, I immediately re-read it. It was just way too charming and delightful for words. And the swoons!
The sex talk was my favorite haha! I can never look at aubergines and peaches again without cracking up. π
I’m really looking forward to what Tessa Dare comes up with next. She never disappoints!
So glad you loved this too, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, that mother was a trip. π
Bookworm Brandee
LOL We both reviewed Tessa Dare today! I adore feisty historical heroines and apparently they’re something Dare does well. I’ll have to make sure I add more of her books to my queue because Charlotte and Piers sound like some fun!
kimbacaffeinate
I am so glad I started reading her books, although I have only read the Castle books.
Berls
I just LOVE Tessa Dare, but I found her fairly recently so I’m behind on most everything. I have started this series yet, but I have read some of her Castles Ever After. I didn’t know there were connections! Now I’m that much more eager to get Started on this series!
kimbacaffeinate
Her Castle series was my first experience too Berls!
Christy LoveOfBooks
When a Scott Ties the Knot is one of my favorite books. I’ve wanted to read this series ever since, but haven’t. Lame, I know. I read a novella from the series, so there’s that.
kimbacaffeinate
I cannot wait to see what you think!