Shunned by the ton How would she find a husband? Part of Sisters of Scandal: After her mother’s latest outrageous affair, innocent Prudence Lattimar has fled to Bath. With her dubious background, she must marry a man of impeccable reputation. A clergyman with a title and a considerable income would be perfect. She must steer clear of Lieutenant Johnnie Trethwell–his family is as notorious as … Trethwell–his family is as notorious as hers, no matter how funny, charming and unfailingly honorable he is!
Sisters of Scandal duet
Book 1 — A Most Unsuitable Match
Look out for the second story, coming soon!
“Justiss provides her fans with heart-stealing characters” — RT Book Reviews on Secret Lessons with the Rake
“Secret Lessons with the Rake is a deeply romantic and satisfying end to these tales of Hadley’s Hellions and it’s a book I’m happy to recommend” — RT Book Reviews on Secret Lessons with the Rake
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Julia Justiss is a gifted author of Regency Romance, writing wonderful characterizations while giving the reader an absorbing view of life in the Regency Era. With “A Most Unsuitable Match”, we are introduced to the scandal-ridden Lattimar sisters–notorious not through their own making, but through the unsavory reputation of their mother. Having reached a later age without a proper introduction to society, Prudence Lattimar finds her hopes further dwindled by her mother’s latest amorous adventure. Retreating to the lesser societal light of Bath, Prudence hopes to meet a reputable gentleman of good character with whom she would find harmonious married life and happiness in motherhood. However, the man she meets who captures her attention and sets her heart aflutter is Johnnie Trethwell, a charming scoundrel home from service to heal a wounded leg. Johnnie needs to make a quality match as well–a lady with a genteel reputation and a generous dowry to refresh his dwindled family fortune. However, he is quite taken with Prudence, whom he finds not only lovely, but also witty and kind. Prudence sees beyond the gossip around Johnnie, knowing him to be her true friend and champion. While they both realize that they are not what the other is seeking, a certain spark and an appreciation of each other’s intelligence and true character adds a deeper longing for their friendship to become something more. Can love give them the courage to reach past society’s strictures and grab a future filled with happiness? “A Most Unsuitable Match” will captivate readers, and they will be most eager to read “The Earl’s Inconvenient Wife”–the story of Prudence’s sister, Temperance.
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A bit more angst than I would like, each time going over the same ground, padding the story unnecessarily. Otherwise a good story.
I enjoyed this story. Pru tried so hard to be what people expected in order to move beyond her family issues. I loved her determination to have a “normal” family but enjoyed when her wilder side came out, the need for freedom from censure. Johnnie chose a road unacceptable to most people, but Pru enjoyed his stories and adventures. The two played well to the true person inside, and I was glad to watch them move beyond expectations. I recommend this story.
I received an ARC of this story as a gift, and this is my unsolicited review.
Julia Justiss writes another winner! I love her Regency historical romances. As they often do, this one features an unusual heroine and a hero to die for.:) She had me hooked from the first page. Loved it!
Johnnie and Prudence’s story was a delight. It had the right amount of funny moments mixed with the perfect drama. The perfect example of why I love to read historical romance.
Prudence is a woman tainted not by her own doing but because of her mother’s reputation. Johnnie is considered the black sheep of his family and even though his reputation is not considered perfect, it’s still much better than Prudence’s because he is a man.
Their relationship was sweet yet full of passion. He cared for her but knew that his friendship would further diminish her chances of marrying into a good family. Prudence was no innocent naiveté but always behaved with propriety, just as it was expected from her. There were lots of times when I thought society was being so unfair to her (and basically every other woman) and it sure made me glad that I didn’t get to live back then. I was happy when they managed to find a way to be together without having to give up on the things they wanted out of life.
This book was not as “spicy” as the author’s previous series but it was definitely full of heart and tender moments, and of course accurate to its times which is one of the reasons I love this author.
**I received this book at no cost to me and I volunteered to read it; this is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher**
Delightful.
Tarred by association with her scandalous mother, Pru’s dream of a husband and children looks forlorn, despite her healthy dowry. Certainly a season in London is doomed after a recent scandal involving her mother but perhaps a trip to Bath might net her a country gentleman who can rehabilitate her reputation? Whilst her introduction into Bath society is a little rocky, the help of adventurer Lt Johnny Trethwell, ensures her acceptance by the toplofty and grande dame of Bath, Lady Arbuthnot. Pru finds Johnny fascinating but knows his notoriety will not help her in her husband-hunting quest; however Lord Halden, the younger son of a Duke, due to enter holy orders may be just the ticket. Found this to be a lovely and delightful story, with a look at how slanderous and prejudiced the ton could be, particularly to women. It was nice to read an eBook with no typos nor glaring modernisms.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
When two men fight a duel over their mother, twin sisters Temperance and Prudence Lattimar know that all hope is lost for a Season, again, for the Scandal Sisters. Temperance is uninterested in finding a husband, but Prudence is an idealist and a romantic: she wants a husband and children, and it’s in this frame of mind that she departs for Bath with her Aunt Gussie. Away from the gossip, Pru might have the ghost of a chance of finding a clergyman in need of her considerable dowry, and with whom she could retire to the country, away from the gossip. The first man she meets is the dashing adventurer Lieutenant John Trethwell, fresh off India and recuperating from an injury. Everyone knows Johnnie is a rake in search of a wealthy bride; precisely the sort of man Pru must avoid. Yet, they soon form a comfortable friendship while he helps her pursue her quest for her ideal husband.
It took only the prologue to convince me that A MOST UNSUITABLE MATCH would be enchanting! I got the feel of the Lattimar family in a nutshell, I embraced both Pru and Temperance, and the writing nearly gave me the vapours within a few pages! Julia Justiss confirms her incomparable talent as a wordsmith in spectacular fashion: her prose has never been so luminous and precise; the dialogues are works of art; and her descriptions of Bath and India are so vivid, I saw everything she described. Pru is so very brave that she goes as far as to suppress her true nature in public so that her reputation remains as pristine as possible; she has no margin for errors of any kind. Johnnie is an absolute charmer who knows what he wants and how to get it, and he does the same for Pru. When Pru and Johnnie are together, their chemistry is such that I could almost see the glow surrounding them. They make each other happy, they know they cannot be together, and they are able to live with that for a while, and grow immensely.
A MOST UNSUITABLE MATCH shows clearly how gossip affects people, and the wretched double-standard society inflicts on women, and that made me appreciate even more Ms. Justiss’ view on Pru’s “scandalous” mother. The secondary characters are exceptionally well drawn: they frame the main characters and add depth and emotion to the overall story. Pru’s Aunt Gussie is absolutely marvellous, and I hope she will be part of Temperance’s story. I could have done with fewer reminders of Pru’s virginity and Johnnie’s roguishness, but I think both characters’ enthralling backstories made up for it. On a more superficial note, if you are going to judge a book by its cover, do so by any means for A MOST UNSUITABLE MATCH: this is what Pru and Johnnie look like, and the splendour of the picture does justice to the tone of the book, the splendid romance, and the glorious writing.
After the latest scandal surrounding her mother, innocent Prudence Lattimar has fled to Bath because there’s no way she can have a season. With her dubious background, she must marry a man of impeccable reputation. A clergyman with a title would be perfect. And she must steer clear of Lieutenant Johnnie Trethwell, his family is as notorious as hers, no matter how funny, charming and unfailingly honourable he is!
A very well written book with lovely characters. I loved both Johnnie & Pru who were just so perfect for each other. He was honourable, caring, protective & willing to see the real Pru. Pru had always known that her mother’s reputation could mar her own so she always acted the demure young lady. Whilst I loved the book I was outraged at the way women were treated by the ton, which highlighted how well the author portrayed a woman’s lot. I wasn’t grabbed from the first page but the book was more of a slow burner for me, my interest growing & growing until I couldn’t put it down & by half way through I was engrossed. I’m so looking forward to Temper’s story
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Prudence is trying to escape scandal surrounding her mother. Johnnie is trying to escape scandal surrounding his father. They believe they will be better off as friends and do not see a relationship filled with love in their future. They keep running into each other in different places and soon realize that the life partner they are seeking is each other.
A Most Unsuitable Match by Julia Justiss is the first book in her Sisters of Scandal series and definitely worth reading.
Prudence Lattimar has fled to Bath to get away from her mother’s latest scandal, but finding a suitable match is extremely difficult since she must find someone with an impeccable reputation in spite of her family’s reputation.
Lieutenant Johnnie Trethwell has caught her eye, but he won’t do as a suitable match because his family’s reputations is as notorious as hers. They decide that their friendship will have to do while Johnnie begins to help her in her husband finding endeavors.
I’m looking forward to reading more books in this wonderful new series.
I was given an ARC from the author/publisher. All conclusions are mine and mine alone.