Lady Evie Chesterfield is a darling of the ton who refuses to become engaged. She’s been desperately in love with her brother’s friend, Richard Maitland, Marquess of Westfall, since forever. But the dark, dangerous marquess only sees her as a friend and refuses to marry any woman. When circumstances change and Evie has no choice but to take a husband, she decides to convince London’s most … most notorious gentleman to marry her by seducing the scoundrel.
Richard Maitland decided long ago that he wanted nothing to do with love. So when the gorgeous, off-limits Evie asks him for lessons in seduction, Richard knows he’s playing with fire. Despite Richard’s determination to protect her from his dastardly reputation, he is tested at every turn by his need for the infuriating, but enticing, Lady Evie. Before too long he is faced with making an impossible choice…
Each book in the Wedded by Scandal series is a standalone story that can be enjoyed out of order.
Series Order:
Book #1 Accidentally Compromising the Duke
Book #2 Wicked in His Arms
Book #3 How to Marry a Marquess
more
3.5 stars rounded up.
This is the story of Lady Evelyn aka Evie and Richard Maitland, Marquess of Westfall.
Evie and Richard have shared a unique friendship over the years, they met when she was 16 and he was 24. When they met Richard was already cynical having given his heart to a woman who turned around and married someone with a better title and more money. But something about Evie always intrigued him and even when he went away to war they carried on a correspondence.
Years later Richard discovers that the woman he had loved actually gave birth to his child and he’s desperate to find his daughter, he turns to his friend Evie for comfort but doesn’t believe that she’s sincere when she says he hopes he finds his daughter he believes that she’ll be like everyone else in society and distain his child.
Once he finds his daughter and claims her, society does shun him but Evie always stands fast by him and Richard becomes somewhat of a vigilante for the poor and forgotten in London and as much as he cares for Evie, he doesn’t believe she could ever fit into his world.
Evie has loved Richard since she met him and would love nothing more than to be his wife, so when her parents start to pressure her to marry she knows there’s only one man she would even consider.
Evie tries to get Richard to admit his feelings for her and when that fails she asks him to teach her how to attract a man. He of course refuses. So Evie comes up with an alternate plan. When her parents put more pressure on her to accept one of her suitors she turns to her friend the duchess to help her win the man she truly wants.
When Evie arrives at Richard’s estate, he is more than a little shocked, and when she interacts with his daughter and the other children he has rescued, he tries to imagine her in his life. They spend a night of passion together and the next day he tells Evie she will have to leave because he’s expecting guests and those guests turn out to be the woman he’s been rumored to be courting.
When Evie finds out Richard is about to propose to another woman, she’s heartbroken and angry. She then hatches another plan with the duchess. One that she is sure will bring Richard up to scratch.
But things don’t turn out the way she expected and words are exchanged making Evie realize that Richard will never marry her. Heartbroken she runs away from him and is caught in a storm. Richard finds and rescues her. But the damage has been done and Evie’s reputation is ruined and she has caught a fever which she is not expected to survive.
Faced with a real possibility that he may lose Evie forever, Richard rushes to her side to care for her and vows to do whatever he has to to win back her love.
I thought this book was well written and flowed nicely. But I did kind of have a problem with Richard (Richard is aptly named in my opinion). He’s one of those once burned, always shy kind of heroes and personally, they irritate me. I also thought he was extremely arrogant and quick to judge. Nor did he give Evie nearly enough credit. I will say that the love scenes in this book were extremely steamy (thank you very much Ms. Reid). And thankfully, after quite a bit of angst, Richard does come to his senses and does make amends for the way he treated her. I absolutely adored the epilogue!! All in all, I thought this was a very good book and I would be happy to recommend it.
This is the third book in the series, but I didn’t have any problems following the story not having read the first book, so I feel confident saying that this could be read as a stand-alone title.
* I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and publisher*
Rawr!
Richard Maitland, Marquess of Westfall, has determined to never feel passion. To never feel much of anything at all, really. One of his only friends is a young lady, Evie Chesterfield. With her he can be his honest self. For years they maintain the most scandalous friendship, for Richard has done the unforgivable in the eyes of society and is blackballed. And yet the very proper Evie and the most wicked Marquess find themselves married and in the throes of lust. But will Richard ever succumb to the sweet love that Evie offers? I loved this pair madly!
Lady Evie fell in love with Richard, Marquess of Westfall, the first time they met before she turned sixteen. When Richard met Evie, his first response was more of a sexual attraction. As they talked, Richard realized there was more to Evie than just being beautiful. So they became friends. As they years passed they kept in touch, occasionally seeking out each other at a ball. Then Richard changed and started living a life not acceptable to society. Evie is still refusing to marry any of her suitors. There is only one man she will marry, but he refuses to ask her to be his wife. A judgemental mistake on his part. A lot of painful turmoil to read.
Rating: 2 – 2.5 stars
So tell me, anyone out there, why is it the leading lady is always expected to carry on, be faithful, chaste, strong about everything under all circumstances. Whether it be love lost, unrequited, or just plain old fashioned heartbreak of any kind. Whereas, the guy gets a no judgement, go ahead smex your troubles away with willing, randy women cause he just can’t handle the stress or pain. Yeah, I think you know what I’m talking about. Sure, Richard, the hero here, helps the downtrodden, barely surviving under horrendous circumstances, but he was one harsh, judgmental, lumps everyone together in the same pot, rich himself kind of guy. You’re welcome, btw, for me not calling him a couple choice crass names that came to mind.
Evie, the heroine, has been pining after him for y-e-a-r-s. First, as a mere, barely 16 year old then older confidant, close, according to him clueless overly entitled friend. All while she’s being marched around the marriage mart battlefield year after year. Beautiful with tons of suitors she’s dodged and weaved cause she just can’t let herself love anyone else but him, despite the fact he’s always rejecting her advances and vowed never to marry.
Then to my surprise, midway and flip of a switch later, they are getting embarrassing for her OTT but not all the way, smexy in a carriage. You know the old rhyme…First comes love, then comes carriage, then comes marriage. Oh, oops! That’s not how it goes! Well, Evie would sure like it to. Sadly, his once again rejection only makes her more determined to force this guy to love her one day. Can we all just say “pathetic” and get it over with, folks? That’s what kept coming to mind for me anyway. . I know, I know…the stereotypical drill here is to keep giving this knucklehead guy countless breaks cause he’s his own worst enemy and will eventually come around.
When the ravaging did finally take place, it seemed rushed, out of the blue once again. Too enthusiastic instead of classy, IMHO. What didn’t change was this hero still saying and doing knucklehead, tick me off things.
Oh, I can hold a grudge, even after the groveling and romantic set-up wrap up. Must be nice to be forgiven for making Evie feel evil and like dirt for living her life the only way she knew how. He does get a dressing down by her finally, and, yeah, they get their HEA. But I’ve still got my stink eye on this guy, my fellow romance book loving friends. He’d better have gotten his act together once and for all. My lower rating reflects my dislike for him and for her taking so long to set him straight.
Title: How to Marry a Marquess, Series: Wedded by Scandal (Book 3), Author: Stacy Reid, Pages: 279, stand-alone but part of series, author I usually love, not romance safe for me, OW past affairs/ONS references, child with OW he used to love drama, not celibate after meeting, one steamy scene with OW, heroine 16 when first met, harsh judgmental hero, grovel at end, HEA, writing flows.
(I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review. There is no affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author, publisher, or PR firm.)
This is the first novel I’ve read by this author, and I will definitely be coming back for more! I LOVED this book. I loved how in-depth the characters were and how emotional it was. Gave me all the feels! If I didn’t have to get up early for work every day I would have binged this from start to finish.
I Love Love This Book
I loved this story. Richard and Evie were amazing, he was so tormented and she was his light. A wonderful gripping romance and great journey to their happily ever after.
Nice and easy reading. Wonderful characters and HEA.
I am a big fan of all of Stacy Reid books. They are fun and easy to read. I especially like that she writes a series where each book is someone new from a previous books. Its nice when you don’t have to let go of characters.
My heart felt every beat of their struggle. Thank you for an amazing read, Stacy Reid.
Loved it! If you’re in the mood for historical romance, try Stacy Reid!