At birth, Mick Trewlove, the illegitimate son of a duke, was handed over to a commoner. Despite his lowly upbringing, Mick has become a successful businessman, but all his wealth hasn’t satisfied his need for revenge against the man who still won’t acknowledge him. What else can Mick do but destroy the duke’s legitimate son—and woo the heir’s betrothed into his own unloving arms . . . Orphaned …
Orphaned and sheltered, Lady Aslyn Hastings longs for a bit of adventure. With her intended often preoccupied, Aslyn finds herself drawn to a darkly handsome entrepreneur who seems to understand her so well. Surely a lady of her station should avoid Mick Trewlove. If only he weren’t so irresistible . . .
As secrets are about to be exposed, Mick must decide if his plan for vengeance is worth risking what his heart truly desires.
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Just what everyone needs right now–a great romance. Lorraine Heath is one of those authors who delivers not just a great romance, but beautiful writing and characters who step off the page. I loved this story and at the end, had that happy teary eyed feeling of having read the perfect romance.
WOW, Just WOW! Anyone who follows my reviews knows I read A LOT of books, but rarely do I want to cry at the end of book as much I as did this one – not because it was sad, but because it was over! I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this book! Ms. Heath has a way with words, she has the ability to draw a reader in and force them to become invested in her characters – their joy is your joy, their pain is your pain, their troubles become your troubles – it is a rare treat to find an author who has this talent and an amazing gift for anyone lucky enough to read the book.
This is the first book in the Sins for All Seasons Series, the series is centered around the Widow Ettie Trewlove and the children she raised, who are all illegitimate cast-offs. Ms. Heath sets up the series and introduces us to the future characters, but never does it feel like this book is just a set up for the series, Mick Trewlove and Lady Aslyn Hastings are truly the stars and the main focus of the book.
Mick knows that the Duke of Hedley is his father and wants to be acknowledged as such. He is a wealthy self-made man who literally pulled himself from the gutter and forged an empire. But he longs for the respect and acceptance of the nobility, he is sure if his father would acknowledge their connection, doors would be opened to him. He has written to the duke several times, but after responding that he has no bastard to the first letter, the duke has ignored him. Mick wants his acknowledgement more than anything in the world and hatches a plan. If the duke won’t accept him, Mick will ruin his heir.
Lady Aslyn Hastings in the orphaned daughter of an earl and the ward of the Duke of Hedley. She has lived with the family since she was a young child and though it has not been officially announced, she and everyone in society assume that she will marry Hedley’s son and heir, the Earl of Kipwick and affectionately known as Kip. Aslyn has been sheltered and knows little of the world, the duchess is a recluse and extremely over protective of her. Aslyn longs for excitement and begs Kip to take her to Cremorne Gardens. This is where Mick and Aslyn meet for the first time.
Mick along with his sister Fancy are at the gardens and “happen” to run into Kip and Aslyn. Kip knows of Mick and longs to gain entrance to his brother Aiden’s club – The Cerberus Club. After a bit of friendly chatter, Mick tells Kip, he will take him to the club. Meanwhile, Aslyn is mesmerized by Mick, never has she had such a reaction to a man and it makes her question her feelings for Kip.
Over the next few days, Mick enacts his plan and plays on Kip’s weakness for gambling, he also begins to “woo” Aslyn. He plans to steal her from Kip and bring Kip to ruin, thinking he will then be able to force the duke’s hand. What he didn’t plan for was Aslyn or his reaction to her.
This is an amazing story, it is well written, flows wonderfully, there are secrets, betrayal, moments of wonder and joy, moments of immense heartache, steamy love scenes, shocking twists that have even bigger shocking twists and a truly beautiful soul-mate type love. I cannot recommend this book enough, I will definitely be re-reading this one and cannot wait for the next book in the series.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an uncorrected eARC that was provided to me by Edelweiss and the publisher*
Lorraine Heath is one of my go-to authors for a great historical romance. I’m a fan of her characters and her plots are always compelling.
Evocative
There are well-developed main characters in this story. All are impacted by a choice that on the surface seems difficult to understand. The author adequately describes the motives behind the regrettable choice. Although a horrible mistake, the sad circumstances don’t preclude a wonderfully happy ending.
As the unwanted, illegitimate son of a duke, Mick Trewlove was given to a commoner and forgotten by his true father. Mick has since become a successful, self-made businessman but, despite his wealth, Mick still feels the need to have his revenge against the father who refuses to acknowledge him. So Mick decides to ruin the duke’s legitimate son and heir and woo the man’s intended bride away as well.
Orphaned earl’s daughter Lady Aslyn Hastings has lived a sheltered life as the ward of the Duke and Duchess of Hedley, but she longs for a taste of adventure and freedom. It has always been understood that Aslyn would marry the Duke’s son, but her intended has little time for her and she finds herself drawn to the darkly handsome and dangerous entrepreneur who seems to sense her thoughts. She knows she should avoid Mick Trewlove, but that’s easier said than done.
As secrets are revealed, Mick must decide if he can go through with his revenge plan or if he’ll change everything for the lady he has fallen for.
I loved this book and I even enjoyed the narration. I loved Mick as a gruff hero with a tough exterior because it was so obvious that he was a good, tender-hearted man beneath it. I adored his determination, vulnerability, and willingness to change his opinions when Aslyn challenged them. I also enjoyed Aslyn as a heroine because, despite her inexperience and sheltered upbringing, she never shied away from Mick’s world or looked down on him. I really loved the revelations here and how the story turned out. Also, Aslyn’s willingness to fight for Mick was everything. I loved these characters and am eagerly continuing my audio listening of this series.
Mick Trewlove is a bastard. Literally. Illegitimate son of the Duke of Hedley, he was abandoned as soon as he was born, according to the custom of the time, taken to a widow who would put an end to the problem. But the woman who received him could not harm the baby. Instead, she raised him as a son. Growing up in poverty, his childhood was hard, miserable, and full of hard work. Living on the edge of society, Mick worked so hard, that today, he is a wealthy businessman. But even with so much money, he is still not accepted in the social circle of high society.
Taken by a desire for revenge, his sole purpose is to be recognized by his father, and for this, he will not hesitate to manipulate whoever crosses his path. Lady Aslyn is the ideal prey. Orphan, was raised by the duke and the duchess as a daughter, and about to become the wife of his “brother”, she will be the key to his grand plan. Ruining her will be the right move, but Mick will learn that in love and war, sometimes not all moves are worth. This book is a historical novel at its best. All the main ingredients are found: we have a sweet but determined young lady, a strong, hard but at the same time fragile and passionate young man, we have intrigues, twists and interesting side characters.
Mick and Aslyn were a cat-and-mouse couple. Their meetings, regarded as casual but secretly planned by Mick, were the best of the book. Aslyn was raised in a bubble and yearned for freedom, wanted to see the world. Mick saw what the ugliest life has to offer, but as he approaches Aslyn, he takes no effort to fulfill all her wishes. A couple fated to success from the first encounter. Both were memorable.
The turn of the duchess’s plot, though only presented at the end of the book, throughout the reading it was possible to see where the story was going. Kipwick was boring, a weak one, who had everything from good and better since birth, but decided to be a spoiled kid. Mick’s adoptive brothers were interesting, I was curious to know what the future holds for them.
The great secret of the book, though I understand it, I can not forgive the duke and his wife. I do not think they deserve redemption. Even with all the context, what they did was morally questionable.
No doubt what makes the book special are its protagonists. Mick discovered that revenge could blind a rational man and he could see what was most important. Aslyn fought for what she wanted, refused to settle for what was expected. I loved the book. Mick and Aslyn deserved their happy ending.
“Beyond Scandal and Desire” (A Sins for All Seasons Novel) by Lorraine Heath
audio book download from NH state library.
A regency romance with just a bit of spice. Thoroughly enjoyed this read and my time with these characters.
Heath’s books are fabuloud
Always love her books
Lorraine Heath was the first author I fangirled over in person, and this book is a good example of why. 🙂
Lorraine Heath never disappoints and I have read almost every book she has written. The story is not only about the key characters, Mick and Aslyn, but also about those friends and family surrounding them. All of the characters are well-drawn, and the story offers a twist which is unusual.
I love love this book. I read a lot and I know a good book. I’ve been reading for years and this book was awesome. I don’t like to tell people about a book, but you will not regret reading this one. I never read a book from this writer but she described every little detail of how they were felling. Read it you won’t be disappointed.
I enjoyed this book very much. It had a unique story line. I couldn’t put it down.
Exceptional!
Lorraine Heath is an auto-buy for me!