Lady Isabella Scranton scandalized London by leaving her husband, notorious artist Lord Mac Mackenzie, after only three turbulent years of marriage. But Mac has a few tricks to get the Lady back in his life, and more importantly, back into his bed.Read a deleted scene from Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage.
** 4.25 stars **
This was a very enjoyable story that featured second chance romance, addiction to alcohol and how it was dealt with, men in kilts and fiery redheads. I liked chemistry between Mac and Isabella. They had beautifully written erotic moments that didn’t overshadow the story. I enjoyed Mackenzie clan – how much they loved and protected each other, how close they were and the bonds of friendship they all shared.
I think what made me like this story less was the forger angle that the author downplayed in the beginning. In the end it was absolutely marvelous, but in the first part of the story it was so by the way that I kind of lost interest in that plot twist till the end.
Mac and Isabella were so well suited for each other. The hurt they both caused was very painful but I liked how the author made them work on themselves and change themselves for the better before trying again. There was no magical solution but time and a lot of self reflection that made it possible for two young people to mature and see clearly what was, what is and what can be if they try again. I loved the relationship and how the author took them to their HEA. Good second book in the series. On to the next.
Isabella married Mac Mackenzie on the night of her debut ball giving up her family for him. Three years into the marriage she leaves him creating a scandal and the other three years trying to separate herself from him. Although changing his druken state and acting like an immature brat at time during the first six years of marriage, he tries to redeem himself and win his wife back who still loves him.
This book was somewhat of a slow read for me, however maybe it was meant for us to see how the two characters try to reconcile their marriage. There is a lot of baggage in their closets with past hurts and mistrust, however they conquer them all through love, compassion and passion to hold their marriage intact.
This was my first read by Jennifer Ashley. Although I started at #2 in the Series, I am sure to read the first book to compare.
Mac and Isabella stole my heart, I loved this story even more than The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie. I love a good grovel and redemption story and Mac definitely checked all the boxes while trying to get back his wife.
Mac understood he made many mistakes in his relationship with Isabella and worked really hard to prove himself to her. Isabella was understandably hesitant to give him another chance to break her heart, but they both loved each other so very much and it was lovely to read about them reconnecting. I should also add that an orphan baby is always a plus in my book.
It was also really nice to catch up with Beth and Ian. The entire Mackenzie family is delightful and I cannot wait to continue reading this series.
The depth of character development–deep, complex, and touching—makes this book stand out. External conflict involving a lookalike pretender well enough written but only memorable to the extend it feeds in to the characters’ emotional arc. The author presents two people who with an overpowering attraction. That is blunt and simple enough. They also have a deep abidiing love and need for each other that has been ravaged by hurt and distrust. She peels in back layer after layer and almost had me believing they weren’t going to make it. Almost. Because of course true love wins out in the end.
Absolutely loved this book. Such a touching love story. The story kept me turning the pages quickly until the end. Loved the epilogue. I immediately downloaded the third in the series.
I do like the first book more, but this was still a great book. And I think most of the differences between them come down to personal preference. That may not be fair, but it’s true. And Jennifer Ashley has completely lured me into her web. I just put the next four books in the series and can’t wait for them to arrive.
Spending more time with the MacKenzies was great because I love them soooooo much. They are a freaking great family. Plus, there was more Ian and Beth.
Mac and Isabella are both great characters. I liked them in the first book and was intrigued by their story. I’m definitely a fan of marriage in trouble stories. The characters lived up to my expectations, but the plot was a little bit of a letdown. Mac, especially, was interesting because it’s a look at alcoholism which I don’t often see in historicals.
I don’t really want to talk about the forgery/mystery plot. I guess it was well done, but I don’t really care about it. I don’t have any complaints about it.
Overall, I liked the romance and they have chemistry. But sometimes I would just get annoyed. For a huge part of the story they were very static and that drove me crazy. I also would have like more of their backstory-especially pre-separation. I cared about them, but I feel like that would have gotten me more invested.
I’m definitely enjoying this world and the characters. They are great historicals and I would recommend them hands down.
I loved this installment in the Mackenzie series. It was nice to see a couple who didn’t get the HEA they thought they would and were estranged. And very few romance novels tackle the problem of alcoholism and how it destroys a relationship. I admire Isabella having the courage to leave Mac because of his drinking and irresponsible behavior. They both still loved each other. Mac conquered his drinking problem and then fought to get Isabella back. A very romantic story.
A great series
Great story, and I went back and read Ian’s story again and so much came together for this family. More to come and I’m sure it will be enjoyable. Lot’s of unhappy family history for the brothers but I know there are some strong women ready to be their match.
This is the second book in the Mackenzies series that I’m currently obsessed with . From Ian’s book, we know Lady Isabella decided to leave her husband, Lord Mac Mackenzie, while both of them still loved and cared for each other. I was intrigued by this couple and curious to know what had happened to them to cause the separation, and how they were going to reconcile and make their marriage work again. It’s an epic second chance romance, with sexual tension, raw emotions, struggles and obstacles from life and from within themselves that they must work out individually and together as a couple…
Isabella was swept off her feet by the charming Mac at her debutante ball and consented to elope with him that very night, causing a scandal and her being disowned by her family. Their marriage was wild with passion, at the same time, with frustration and emotional exhaustion. Isabella decided she needed a break from him and took the initiative to file for legal separation. I love Isabella for her strength and her determination. She knows what she needs and takes appropriate actions, even though it breaks her heart. She realizes they both need to grow wiser and more mature, so she gives them time and space for that to happen…
Heartbroken, hurt, angry at himself and at Isabella for leaving him, Mac went through the process of getting his act together and putting his life back in order. Since she walked out of his life, it has become dull and empty. He understood and respected her decision, and he knew he needed to work hard to win her back. I love seeing a wild and drunken wastrel Mac transforming into a family man, steadfast, responsible, and reliable!
This story is emotional, it portrays marriage struggles with heartbreak and pain. But they are both willing to put in their best efforts to make it work again. There’re also a mystery to be solved, reappearance of Ian and Beth, and the Mackenzie clan dynamics. There are some parts I feel a bit slow, but overall it’s still an enjoyable read .
4.5 read for me!
I loved this book!
I recommend theentire series!
Read this years ago and so happy I found it again. I do love this family of well developed and maturing characters.
I enjoy the whole series. Typical entertaining 1881 romance, beautiful people not admitting they love each other (still).
I love this entire series! Lady Isabella fits right into the MacKenzie clan.
Very good read
The best sort of second chance — one that sticks!
Wow! I loved “Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage” (nook). A heartfelt love story complete with adventure, angst and intense love. A wonderful HEA.
Although the story started in the “present time” (September 1881) the newspaper articles at the beginning of each chapter gave insight into the past events. By the end of the story, the newspaper articles were current. I very much liked this touch.
I would happily rate it as 6 stars if I could.
How can two people who are so perfect for one another, be at such odds with themselves? Mac and Isabella had a tumultuous, wild, wedding and married life. When reality set in, things fell apart. Time has passed and Mac is ready to admit his errors, right his wrongs, and make things right again. Isabella still holds a lot of pain, and Mac has his work set out for him. Add in splashes of a mad man, and things get more complicated
There was no easy fix, but there is a lot of heat, emotion, and fun with the pain and the healing. But once these two capture the magic that they always had, without the heartache, it truly is a magical romance!
I think that I like how this author describes things, the setting, the clothing and the feelings of her characters. They were super human in many ways – I also liked how both characters had stuff to work on. I like the whole series, because it’s nice hearing both the female and male point of view.