Nell, Lady Needham, has earned her scandalous reputation by devoting her days to an endless barrage of wild parties in the wake of her husband’s devastating betrayal. But her appetite for distraction is no longer as voracious as it once was. She longs for a true marriage and a family, and she has finally found just the man to give her both. All she has to do is convince the Marquess of Needham to … to grant her the divorce she requires so she can move on.
Three years ago, Jack ruined his marriage in a moment of drunken stupidity. He gave his wife the distance she wanted and deserved in an effort to atone for his sins. But when she writes him requesting a divorce so she can marry another man, he realizes the time has come for him to return home and attempt to reclaim the woman he’s never stopped loving.
Nell has no intention of giving Jack a second chance, for the pain he caused her runs far too deep. When her handsome husband begins a war of seduction to regain her trust, she is determined to remain impervious as ever. But old temptations prove difficult to resist, and this time, Jack isn’t going to give her up without a fight. He’ll do anything to prove her heart is still his, even as his past sins threaten to consume them both.
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I love a good second chance romance when done properly. And this one was done perfectly! I do not like spoilers I will leave others to post those. But I will say this is part of The Wicked Husbands series but can be read as a stand alone. But do not deprive yourself of these stories as they are treasures and masterfully written. This book had everything I require in a great romance, wit, the right touches of humor, angst (but not wringing your hands angst), intelligence, romance, and so much chemistry and heat my glasses fogged! All in the best way! The HEA is earned and we as readers are left with a goofy grin on our faces. And as for Tom the character thrown over, Scarlett let us know she feels inspired to write him his own book in the series! I could not be happier! I did receive an advanced copy from the author but all opinions are truly my own and I purchased book as well. I plan on rereading this for many years to come! You will not be disappointed!
Her Missing Marquess by Scarlett Scott is book 5 in the Wicked Husbands Series. This is the story of Nell and Jack. I have read the previous books but feel you can read this as a standalone book.
Nell and Jack are married but Jack made a grave mistake that cost him Nell. Nell felt betrayed and asked him to leave…which he did. But now a few years later after she has made herself have parties and do things out of her normal behavior she has tired of her wild ways. Nell has decided that she wants to have a real marriage to someone that won’t hurt her as Jack as done. Nell wants to start a family of her own. Jack has tried to repent by staying away as his wife has asked but when she writes to request a divorce, he knows he has to return home to fight for what he wants. Enjoyed this second chance at love. Always enjoy this author’s writing!
This book made my heart sad. This book pulls at your emotions. It shows how important trust and faith are in a marriage. They have both made horrible mistakes. You can feel the pain on both sides, their loss. Time taken to grow and discover himself has brought Jack back to claim his wife. Together, this story is about learning to forgive, forget and move on to their happily ever after.
A pull at your heartstrings, raise your blood pressure and engage all of your senses story that is classic Scarlett Scott! One of my favorite author’s she had me by the first few lines bringing to my imagination, Nell dancing on the polished table celebrating…..
“Three years of waiting. Three years of loneliness, agony…at long last, she would have what she wanted. A divorce.”
But she was in for an awakening as her faithless husband Jack, who had been gone those three years suddenly showed up and told her he would not give her a divorce. “I cannot. I will never let you go Nell.” She had made him agree to stay away, but when he got her letter asking for a divorce, he knew it was time to come home and claim his wife.
The heartache Nell has endured and Jack as well is really emotional and he is determined to win her back. Overwhelming, powerful, an explosive attraction and a love that begs to be rekindled and the journey is worth it. Exquisite….
**********SPOILER ALERT************
I’ve been obsessed with learning more of Nell’s story since reading Her Lovestruck Lord. Her Lovestruck Lord is my favorite book by Mrs. Scott, though I know it’s controversial. I adore angsty romance books where the H has done the h wrong and must atone.
Her Missing Marquess picks up where Her Lovestruck Lord ends. Her Missing Marquess can be read as a stand-alone, though. You don’t need to read Her Lovestruck Lord unless you’d like more background on Nell and her legendary and decadent house parties!
Nell caught Jack in bed with another man’s paramour. As a result, Jack leaves for years to try to atone but when he returns it is to find Nell betrothed to another man. She wants a divorce and she doesn’t care what society thinks. Can Jack convince Nell to give him another chance?
What ensues is Nell heaping tons of guilt and payback upon Jack, even though in my opinion she’s done a lot of unforgivable things. Although she cannot resist Jack’s passion, she continues to string another man along by meeting and flirting with him in Jack’s house under his nose. She cheats on her betrothed with Jack, but is it cheating because Jack is actually her husband? There is a ton of back and forth. No matter what Jack tries, Nell is stubborn and sometimes very cruel to Jack. He has a very plausible explanation for the situation Nell found him in but she will give him no credit whatsoever. She lets Jack believe she’s been cheating on him the whole time (she hasn’t), but he readily forgives her because he wants her back. Jack was certainly my favorite person in this book. He was actually (mostly) innocent the whole time. I wanted to slap Nell a few times!
I devour every Scarlett Scott novel and I’m a big fan. This book gave me whiplash, but in a mostly-good way. I felt anger toward Nell sometimes, but thankfully her character improved along with her terrible victim attitude mentality. Nell is a headstrong lady who will cut off her nose to spite her face! She made my blood pressure rise with her irrational and senseless anger at times! I found her to be vindictive and immature. This is one of the first books I’ve read in a long time where I loved to hate the h! This made the scenario more realistic to me. Of course, there is a HEA! I give 5 seductive and maddening stars!
Three years ago Lady Nell Needham caught her crazy drunk husband Jack, Marquess of Needham in a compromising position with one of her friends at one of their wild parties. She was hurt, her trust is broken and she was unwilling to listen to his drunken excuses and ordered him to leave her. She never expected him to gone traveling the country for three years.
Jack returns home after he receives a letter asking for a divorce from the only woman he’s ever loved and still loves. Jack’s returning has everyone in a tizzy especially Nellie who has not forgiven him or stopped loving him. She knows she can’t show him any vulnerability or he’ll can take advantage her heart, her passion and her emotions. Nell has decided to marry one of Jack’s friend Tom Sidmouth who has stood by her and supported her. Nell wants start a family when she’s get her divorce, but the attraction and chemistry is even more powerful between them. Jack has always loved Nellie, but after so much heart break can she forgive him and start over. Will her stubborn pride get in the way of the happiness they both want and deserve? A captivating story of two strongly independent characters who want so badly want to be loved and love in return. I have voluntarily read and reviewed this amazing story.
The first book ever read by Scarlett Scott was Her Lovestruck Lord from the Wicked Husband series and I loved it! I was hooked! I’m a huge fan of all her books and she quickly became one of those authors for me that is an auto buy. When she announced a months ago that she would be releasing another book in the Wicked Husbands series, I was so excited! And I was beyond excited when I found out the new book was going to be about Nell, the Marchioness of Needham, who was introduced to us in Her Lovestruck Lord. Even from the start I just knew Nell needed a story if her own. Let me say it was worth the wait and Scarlett did not disappoint! I love second chance romances and WOW was this one HOT! Just like I like em’!!! The passion between Nell and Jack was absolutely combustible!! In my opinion this one is one of Scarlett’s best books yet!!! If you love your HR steamy, do yourself a favor and read this one! While you at it read all of her books, you won’t be disappointed!
Nell, Lady Needham, has earned her scandalous reputation by devoting her days to an endless barrage of wild parties in the wake of her husband’s devastating betrayal three years ago. She longs for a true marriage and a family, and she has finally found just the man to give her both. All she has to do is convince the Marquis of Needham to grant her the divorce she requires so she can move on.
John Reginald Ainsworth, Marquis of Nedham ruined his marriage in a moment of drunken stupidity. He gave his wife the distance she wanted and deserved in an effort to atone for his sins. But when she writes him requesting a divorce so she can marry another man who was a good friend, he realizes the time has come for him to return home and attempt to reclaim the woman he’s never stopped loving. Nell has no intention of giving Jack a second chance, for the pain he caused her runs far too deep. When her handsome husband begins a war of seduction to regain her trust, she is determined to remain impervious as ever.
This is the fifth book in the series & could easily be read on its own but the whole series is seriously good & some earlier characters do make appearances. I’ve wanted Nell to have her story for some time & thrilled that she’s now got her HEA. A steamy read with Jack determined to win Nell & Nell adamant she’s ready to move on, the will they, won’t they trope doesn’t usually work for me but wow did it work this time. Strong likeable characters who were well portrayed & were so right for each other, even though she fought it. I did feel sorry for Tom & would love for him to meet his soul mate. I was captivated from cover to cover.
Sizzling hot romance!! I enjoyed this book so very much!! It’s a must read, a beautifully and emotional, well written romance. Two people, Lady Nell and Lord Jack her estranged husband, imperfect people who love each!
After a horrible mistake, Jack leaves his Nell for a few years. Upon receiving a letter from her, he comes back to her with a vengeance! Determined to win her back through romantic courting and hot seduction!
This storyline is sooo steamy, but at the same time about an unfailing and imperfect loving couple.
I have read the entire series and have been anticipating Nell and Jack’s story!! Well Scarlett Scott did not disappoint! A must read, I wish I could give it 10 stars! Absolutely loved their story and the Epilogue is priceless!!
ARC given to me by the author for a honest review.
Wow!! This book was on fire! I have been waiting for Nell’s story ever since reading Her Lovestruck Lord and it did not disappoint! There was steam coming off the pages…the characters in this book were some of the most emotionally charged I have ever read. You could literally feel it…the waring of emotion, the love, the hurt, the desperation, the absolute passion. It was fantastic. Beautifully written, I found myself reading slower than normal because I just didn’t want it to end. Five stars!!
I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest review 🙂
Wow!! I loved this book. I loved the story. I loved the romantic hot love scenes. I love the couple, but I think I fell in love with Jack. How could I not fall in love with Jack, he made a mistake and lost his wife Nell, but he did everything he could to get her back. He kept telling her how much he loved her, how much he wants her wants her back. My heart melted when Jack says “..I love you. I loved you three years ago. I loved you on the day I made you mine. Good God, I think I loved you from the moment I first met you. I have never stopped loving you, Nell.” Scarlett Scott is one of my favorite authors, she makes me feel happy after reading her books. I have never not loved one of her books.
I received a free copy of this book, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is a story of how Jack fights to win his wife back after having been gone three years. It is a struggle but one he is determined to win. Nell makes it hard for him to succeed but he is up to the challenge. The story is beautifully written and shows how hard he works to reunite with Nell. Even though her trust in him has been shaken, Nell can not ignore her feelings for him. There is a HEA but it is a struggle until the very end where she has to admit her love for him. It is a great love story and worth reading.
HOT, HOT, HOT! The story and the couple scorch the pages but what an absolutely wonderful escape to a happy ending.
Nell, Lady Needham exiled her husband from the country estate after finding him naked and in bed with a naked lady. He attempted to convince her that he was drunk and didn’t even know the foxed, naked lady had crawled into his bed. That was three years ago and since then Nell has earned a scandalous reputation for her outrageous and obscene house parties. Now, she tires of the parties and finds herself yearning for a husband and children. She has found such a man who loves her – she cares for him and that will be enough to get along nicely together and he can give her children. She has written her estranged husband requesting a divorce so she can marry the new man in her life.
“Jack”, as his friends call him is John Reginald Ainsworth, Marquess of Needham, Earl of Marbury, Viscount Pelham, etc. has returned to his country estate to find an indecent house party going on and his wife drunk, dancing on the dining room table. Nell is absolutely shocked to see him, which seemed to suit him fine. He was here to woo his wife back, convince her not to marry another, prove their love is worth fighting for and most of all, convince her of the truth of that night and to earn her trust again.
What will happen? Nell will NEVER forgive or forget what Jack did! Jack will NEVER grant her a divorce! Can they somehow meet in the middle? This is such a great story with a couple that are like two pieces of bacon in a red hot skillet – sizzle, oh my!
I was gifted the Advanced Reader Copy of this book & all opinions are my own & have been voluntarily given.
Another brilliant story in a brilliant series
This is another brilliantly written story in a brilliant series. The plot is extremely emotional, and is full of twists and turns, complete with a surprising revelation near the end. The characters are portrayed wonderfully and have a strength to be envied. This is a great book for all those who love hot steamy historical romances that have plenty of intrigue.
3 years ago Nell, Lady Needham, found her husband, Jack, Marquess of Needham, in bed with her friend at their house party. Deeply hurt, she demands he leave. Jack and Nell were a love match and part of a fast and hard drinking society set. Jack tries to explain it was a case of her friend entering the wrong room – both had too much to drink, but nothing happened. Nell doesn’t believe him. She earns a scandalous reputation by hosting wild parties, and ignores all Jack’s letters – until she writes to him asking for a divorce to marry another. Jack hurries back to England from the continent to win back Nell and save their marriage. But Nell cannot forget or forgive his betrayal and open herself to pain again. Once back, Nell realizes she has never stopped loving Jack, but she does not trust him or believe in his innocence. They agree to a 14 day period so Jack can prove his worth. Nell must learn that love is not a safety net but puts you at risk when you give your heart – but it is also a source for great joy, life’s greatest gift. Follow her heart or her mind, Nell must make the biggest decision of her life! Touching story of the path love takes when adversity strikes!
Three years ago, Jack ruined his relationship with his wife. She asked him to leave and he did. But when she asks him for a divorce so that she can move on, Jack decides it is time to go back and fight for his marriage. He knows he has a long road ahead of him, but he will do anything to be reunited with the woman he loves.
Nell has spent the last several years earning a scandalous reputation. After her husband’s betrayal, she devoted her life to having fun and is know for her wild parties. But now she is ready to settle down and start a family. But she needs to get a divorce so that she can marry the man she knows won’t break her heart like Jack did.
Who will win this battle of wills. Can Jack and Nell both get their happily ever after?
I absolutely adored Jack and Nell’s story! I had read all the other books in the series back to back and Nell featured in those stories. When I learned that Scott was writing her story, I hated that I had to wait for several months to read it, because I loved Nell so much and want to see her get her HEA. But it was well worth the wait!! OMG!! The feeling in this one!! My emotions were so up and down while reading this. I was laughing out loud at all the bantering between these two and then my heart was breaking for them at the anguish they were going through.
Bottom line…GO GET THIS NOW!!! It can definitely be read as a stand alone, but this series is so great that I recommend reading all of the books!!
Very good read. Probably could have done with a little less steam and a little more story but overall good story with great characters. Especially Jack.
3.5 rounded up
After being betrayed and subsequently left alone by her husband, Nell, Lady Needham, has developed quite the reputation for wild parties and debauchery. But she really wants children and she’s found a safe, comfortable man to give them to her. She just needs a divorce so she can finish moving on.
Jack, the Marquess of Needham, has spent the past three years giving his wife the space she wanted in an attempt to atone for the drunken case of mistaken identity that caused their rift. But when she asks for a divorce, he realizes he must return home and claim the woman he loves for good.
Nell was so hurt by Jack she refuses to give him the chance to hurt her again. No matter how seductive he is, she refuses to trust him or let him in again. But he’s difficult to resist and he’s not giving up without a fight. Jack will do anything to keep his beloved where she belongs: with him.
This book was very emotional. Nell and Jack had a very volatile, passionate relationship and I loved Jack’s persistence and sincerity. Many of their dialogues, however, were cyclical and repetitive and full of angst, as is to be expected from such a story. My issue was with Nell’s grudge holding mainly. Yes, Jack made a terrible mistake, but with their wild, drunken parties and hedonistic lifestyle, it makes good sense and he stopped before things went too far, and never lied to Nell, nor did he cease being faithful to her. Yet, Nell never believed Jack until she heard the story corroborated by someone else. I found Nell to be rather hypocritical given the fact that she actively pursued a relationship with another man; even if it wasn’t physical, she was sober and knew exactly what she was doing. For me, she was also in the wrong, maybe even a bit more so, and I never really saw a satisfactory apology from her. Jack made an excellent groveling, though highly flawed, hero and this book was incredibly steamy. The writing here was excellent, as it always is from Scarlett, and I need to continue the rest of the series now.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This story is a little hard for me. On the one hand, I love the writing. It is gorgeous as always with Ms. Scott. On the other hand, I really did not like Nell in this story. I just wanted to say “get over it, if you love him and really want to make this work, let it go”. I understand where she is coming from. I am not sure I could forgive what I saw but his explanation was plausible especially since they did have wild parties. Did he ever lie to her before? No, so why not believe him now. As the story goes on, steamy as it is (get out the fans), I appreciated Jack’s new courtship of Nell and her final acceptance of his never wavering love. I also liked that she did come clean with Tom and told him that she could not be the wife he wanted. (Pssst, is Tom going to get a story?)
I received a complimentary copy from the author.
I really enjoyed this book. While this is last in a series of books, it can be read as a stand-alone. However, I recommend you read the entire series if you haven’t already.
This book was a little different than I was used to, in that you don’t automatically fall in love with our couple. They are both a little hard to love, especially her (for me), but hang in there. It does change by the ending. So buckle up for a rocky, but exhilarating ride!
This was a steamy book full of emotion for two flawed people, who can still love and never give up, even when it looks impossible.
I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest review!